United Counties Football League
THE HEREWARD TEAMWEAR
UNITED COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE
General Secretary/Treasurer: Nick Haycox 12 Glenfield Drive, Great Doddington, Wellingborough, Northants. NN29 7TE
Telephone: 01933 278342 Mobile: 07879 036325 e mail:
web sites http://football.mitoo.co.uk or www.thefa.com/full-time/ucl or www.htucfl.com
Newsline telephone 09066 555 885
HEREWARD TEAMWEAR UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 246 AUGUST 2010 PAGE 1
St Neots aim to go one better
Last season’s Premier Division runners up St Neots are aiming to go one better in the 2010-11 campaign as they seek to realise their dream of step 4 football.
The club enters the season under new management with assistant Dennis Greene stepping up following Steve Lomas’s resignation after 16 months at the helm. The former Northern Ireland midfielder steered the Saints to Hinchingbrooke Cup success in his first season and the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup last term, but following a change in personal circumstances he has left with the intention of securing a full time post in the professional game.
Greene, based locally at Gamlingay, and assistant to Lomas since January, has plenty of managerial experience at the levels the club aspire to, having previously held the reins at Windsor & Eton, Maidenhead, Chesham and Hemel Hempstead.
Former Republic of Ireland B international Tony Scully takes up a player coach role at the Hunts Post Community Stadium.
The squad which remained unbeaten in the last 24 matches of last season remains largely intact with the majority remaining with the Saints. Most notable departure is Jon Mitchell who has linked up with league champions Daventry Town for their adventure in the Zamaretto League.
A sprinkling of summer signings have added to the depth of the squad. Full back Dessie Byrne from Hemel Hempstead, who played league football for Wimbledon, and long serving St Ives defender Will Fordham will strengthen the Saints’ back line. Midfield recruits are Junior Kanuda whose professional career at Dagenham & Redbridge was ended by a broken leg, Portuguese midfielder Fabio Jesus from Redbridge and Rushden & Diamonds youngster Lewis Hilliard while former Cambridge United striker Dan Chillingworth joins from St Albans.
A testing pre-season has gone well with a win over Zamaretto League champions Farnborough one of three higher grade scalps claimed by St Neots in the build up.
Pre-season results: 17/7 – MK DONS L 1-3; 20/7 – FARNBOROUGH W 1-0; 24/7 – Arlesey W 3-1; 27.7 – DUNSTABLE W 4-1; 29/7 – WALTHAM FOREST W 3-0; 31/7 – EATON SOCON W 6-1; 3/8 – BRAINTREE L 1-2.
HEREWARD TEAMWEAR UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 246 AUGUST 2010 PAGE 2
Top scorer in Buckby exit
Long Buckby’s pursuit of Premier Division honours in the new season will take place without last season’s top marksman Dan Holman. The front runner has moved on to Zamaretto Premier side Oxford City, while a number of other regulars have left for pastures new.
A handful of new players have joined the club which seems set for a season of rebuilding. Full back Ashley Brown has signed from Sileby with central defender Luke Walker switching from Daventry United, while midfield recruits are former Daventry Town winger Andy Gordon from higher grade VT, Rothwell Town teenager Callum Aldrich and youngster Justin Dowling, who played for the Bucks on work experience from MK Dons at the end of last term.
A highlight of Buckby’s pre season programme was the visit of the full Northampton Town squad. The game was arranged following Courtney Herbert’s move to Sixfields last autumn and the former Bucks favourite was among the goalscorers for the Cobblers in their 4-0 victory.
The season gets underway with some silverware on the board after Division One newcomers Harborough were defeated 4-3 in the Andy Humphries Memorial Cup. Two goals from Greg Ling and one apiece from Dan Quigley and Andy Gordon won the contest for Buckby.
Pre-season results: 6/7 – Bishops Itchington W 3-1; 10/7 – NORTHAMPTON TOWN L 0-4; 17/7 – ROYSTON L 2-3; 24/7 – THRAPSTON D 0-0; 29/7 – SILEBY W 2-0; 31/7 – Nuneaton Griff D 1-1; 3/8 – HARBOROUGH W 4-3 (Andy Humphries Memorial Cup).
Experienced recruits for Deeping
After a top four finish last time out Deeping again look strong going into the new season after adding a number of experienced campaigners to their squad for the campaign ahead.
Lincoln United appearance record holder Ben Brown comes in to strengthen the defence after spending last season with Boston Town, while three of last season’s Rothwell Town players have linked up with Rangers after the Bones dropped out of the Zamaretto League. Goalkeeper Lee Crockett, once of Manchester United, midfielder Danny Marlow and front runner Jason Turner have all signed for Pat Rayment’s side.
Former Peterborough Northern Star assistant manager Paul Hill is another defensive capture while a raid on county rivals Sleaford has seen midfielder Jamie McCormack and striker Ryan Oliver sign for Deeping.
Rangers have lost a handful of players to clubs in other leagues with goalkeeper Danny Bircham joining Zamaretto League Soham and last season’s leading goalscorer Ashley Stevens linking up with Wisbech, along with midfielder Luke Kennedy. Experienced defender Dan Holyoak has had to retire with a torn hamstring
Deeping will operate without a reserve side during 2010-11 after efforts to replace Blackstones bound Darren Jarvis proved unsuccessful.
Pre-season results: 10/7 – Huntingdon W 1-0; 16/7 – Wisbech L 0-2; 20/7 – BOURNE W 4-2; 24/7 – STAMFORD L 1-2; 27/7 – SPALDING W 5-1; 31/7 – Biggleswade United W 3-0; 3/8 – MOULTON HARROX L 2-3.
HEREWARD TEAMWEAR UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 246 AUGUST 2010 PAGE 3
Lakin has a hard act to follow
Former Bourne manager Martyn Lakin faces one of the toughest jobs in non-league football, following long serving Boston Town legend Bob Don-Duncan in the Tattershall Road hot seat. Don-Duncan’s departure after a trophy laden seventeen years in charge, was one of the big surprises around the league during the close season.
Lakin has been successful in retaining most of last season’s squad, and by adding some further quality from the demoted Wakes and Holbeach, he has given the squad strength in depth that was lacking last term.
Arriving from the Tigers are goalkeeper James Doughty, full backs Mark Thompson and Lewis Brooks and strikers Liam Nimmo and Alex Beck. Following Lakin from Bourne are defender Nathan Stainfield, left sided player Adam Jackson, midfielders Tony Pascu and Dan Schiavi and front man Lee Orrey.
Lakin’s backroom staff will be completed by his Bourne colleagues Ian Shooter and Rob Speechley who will be assistant manager and coach respectively. Like the manager they are former Poachers players, and it was Shooter’s stoppage time goal against Buckingham which won the club its most recent championship in 2001.
An impressive pre season has seen the blend of old and new faces gel quickly with all five friendlies being won.
Pre-season results: 10/7 – LOUTH W 2-0; 17/7 – SEALORD W 4-0; 20/7 – WISBECH W 1-0; 24/7 – BEDFORD TOWN W 1-0; 31/7 – WYBERTON W 3-2.
Marshall Cup boost for Swans
Newport Pagnell sent a warning to league rivals when an impressive pre-season performance gave them the Marshall Cup for the first time. Newport play a side from the MK Dons in this annual fixture and this time round the Swans ran out 4-1 winners over a side containing four first teamers with Darren Lynch, Daren Dykes and two goal Vinny Shrieves sharing the goals.
With the squad that claimed a top six finish and reached two cup finals last term largely intact, Newport could be a side to watch in the months ahead. Most notable recruit so far is experienced goalkeeper Mark Osborn from Hemel Hempstead, while other new faces at Willen Road are former Leighton defender Peter Lindsay and Northampton Spencer midfielder Sean McBride.
Pre-season results: 17/7 – Dereham D 0-0; 24/7 – MK DONS XI (Marshall Cup) W 4-1; 27/7 – BANBURY W 1-0; 30/7 – RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS XI L 1-3.
HEREWARD TEAMWEAR UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 246 AUGUST 2010 PAGE 4
Marks in Cogenhoe switch
Cogenhoe have handed Andy Marks the managerial reins following Darren Collins’ departure from Compton Park after three years at the helm.
With pre-season training underway it was a shock for the Cooks when Collins left to take up the role of assistant manager at Zamaretto Premier side Brackley Town, but they were quick to fill the vacancy giving former ON Chenecks boss Marks his Premier opportunity after a successful three year stint with the Division One club, culminating in their Northants Junior Cup success last season.
Defenders Joe Evans and Jamie Wright, midfielder Jordan Casey and wide man Steve Blackwood have all followed Marks from Billing Road to supplement a squad bursting with youthful potential. Also arriving at Compton Park are Long Buckby defenders Dan Chilton and Mark Hewitt.
Backroom changes have seen Marks recruit his Chenecks number two Mick Donnelly, a former Cogenhoe player, while club stalwart Lloyd Conlon and under 18s boss James Alger will run the reserve side.
Highlight of a promising pre-season was the 2-1 win over Brackley as the former manager made a losing return to Compton Park with his new club.
Pre-season results: 15/7 – Olney L 1-2; 17/7 – SOHAM L 1-3; 20/7 – Whitworth W 3-0; 24/7 – LANGFORD W 4-1; 27/7 – BEDWORTH W 1-0; 31/7 – BRACKLEY W 2-1.
Call offs hit Sleaford preparations
Pre-season has not gone as smoothly as hoped for Sleaford with matches against Rothwell Town and Jarrow both called off by the scheduled opposition at short notice.
Nonetheless the squad’s confidence was boosted by a 3-2 win over a young Lincoln City XI in the Sleaford Invitation Cup. Goals from Simon Bolland, Gary Walters and Kris Jones saw Town take the trophy.
Long serving manager Brian Rowland has handed Neil Richardson the role of assistant manager at Eslaforde Park. Richardson has been a coach with one of the Town’s junior teams but played for Rotherham and Mansfield in the Football League and also held coaching posts with the Stags and later Boston United.
Departures from the squad include prolific marksman Miles Hunter who has signed for Conference North neighbours Boston United and veteran midfielder Paul Ward who has retired from the game. Former skipper Kris Jones is another trying his luck higher up the ladder with Shepshed.
Manager Rowland has given pre-season opportunities to lower grade captures, defender Ryan Jones from Barrowby and striker Adam Burrows from Billinghay, while another front man returning to the club is Greg Smith who had a brief spell with Raunds at the end of last season.
Old favourites rejoining the club are Lincoln United defender Jon Machin, another back four man in Craig Stones from Bottesford, Bourne wide man Sam Kirton and Holbeach midfielder Jason Sedlan, while former schoolboy cap Tom Siddons is back in action after missing most of last season through injury.
Town’s all time record goalscorer Jamie Shaw has taken on a new role at the club, being appointed club secretary, while also continuing as a player.
Pre-season results: 17/7 – BOTTESFORD W 2-0; 24/7 – LINCOLN CITY XI (Sleaford Invitation Cup) W 3-2; 27/7 – WHATTON W 6-2.
HEREWARD TEAMWEAR UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 246 AUGUST 2010 PAGE 5
Newcomers galore for St Ives
St Ives’ preparations for the new campaign have gone well as co-managers Warren Everdell and Jez Hall have introduced numerous new players to their squad.
Arriving from higher grade clubs are Chipstead defender James Russell and Stamford midfielder Lee Ellison, while full back John-Paul Duncliffe and flank man David Cobb have switched from league rivals Deeping.
A shortage of striking options last season should not be repeated this term as highly rated Godmanchester man Paul Bass and last season’s Reserve Division One top scorer Shane Fox from St Neots have arrived to provide competition for striking places, where old favourite Scott Fielding, Premier Division joint top scorer in the 2008-09 season, has returned from a spell with Ely.
Defender Steve Poore has rejoined the Saints from Somersham while other signings are goalkeeper Jamie Chamberlain from Soham and young Rushden & Diamonds defender Morgan Phillips.
Pre-season results: 13/7 – Chatteris W 4-0; 17/7 – CAMBRIDGE UNITED XI D 1-1; 22/7 – Burton PW W 4-1; 24/7 – Mildenhall D 0-0; 27/7 – SOHAM L 1-3; 31/7 – March W 2-0.
Little change for strong finishing Doughboys
Wellingborough have had a stable summer after finishing the 2009-10 campaign strongly to claim a mid table finish.
The Doughboys have lost striker Scott Cross (to Banbury), midfielder Joe Power (to Brackley) and skipper Stuart Goosey (to Soham) but manager Rob Gould has brought in some players from higher grade football to cover the departures. Defenders Adam Sturgess and Simon Underwood and midfielder Martin Flannagan have all switched from Zamaretto League football with Rothwell Town while striker Dan Surridge has arrived from league rivals Northampton Spencer and midfielder Michael Boyle-Chong joins from Desborough.
A boost for the club saw the reserve side reprieved from relegation after finishing in the bottom two of Reserve Division One.
Pre-season results: 15/7 – Whitworth W 4-0; 17/7 – ROMULUS D 2-2; 22/7 – CORBY L 0-3; 24/7 – BEDFORD TOWN RESERVES W 3-0; 31.7 – LETCHWORTH W 5-1; 3/8 – Olney W 1-0.
Former skipper rejoins Foundrymen
Stewarts & Lloyds ended the 2009-10 season with a 16 match unbeaten run, so it is little surprise that they go into the new season with few changes to their squad.
The major new arrival at Occupation Road is defender Chris Logan. The club’s 2008-09 title winning skipper departed for Irchester last spring and helped the Romans to promotion. Other summer signings are Rothwell Corinthians pair, defender Anthony Farrell and midfielder Dean Murray, plus midfielder Lee Genner who spent last season with Corby Kingfisher.
Young striker David Sheridan has opted to try his luck in step 4 football with Stamford.
The close season has season the Occupation Road ground transformed with hard standing on three sides, new dugouts and new seating in the stand.