Grassroots

Grassroots The Lower League Magazine

Spring 2017

Issue 1

Luke Sands

MMU captain talks about his grassroots experience

Salford’s Future Plan Pressure On Youngsters?

Referees Show Abuse The Red Card

Grassroots

Photo: Tom Green. Page: Alex Metcalfe

Ex-Pros in the Lower Leagues

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MAIN FEATURES 8 Salford City ground redevelopment A race against time for the club and its owners

26 Pressure on Youngsters

How amateur footballers are making a name for themselves

38 Ex-professionals in non-league

An exploration of former footballers making strides in the Midlands

46 Grassroots referees suffering abuse

We speak to an ex amateur referee who faced abuse in Sunday League

FEATURED MATCH REPORTS 18 Marine v Whitby Town 24 Salford City v Telford United 36 Gateshead v Forest Green Rovers 56 West Didsbury & Chorlton v Stockport County FEATURED FIXTURES & TABLES 4 A look at the Evo-Stik Northern & Southern Premier and Vanarama National League

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NON-LEAGUE FACILITIES 16 Delta Taxis Stadium - Bootle FC A lowdown on Bootle FC’s facilities

32 Platt Lane Sports Complex Grassroots visits Manchester City’s former training ground

FEATURED PROFILES 6 Cheadle Town 22 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion 58 Halesowen Town

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 20 Luke Sands Grassroots chats to Manchester Metropolitan University’s second team captain

52 Patrick Husarz & Yorkshire Martyrs FC

Grassroots sits down with Bradford’s Sunday League journeyman

Grassroots

Fans at Gateshead. Photo: Peter Dixon

62 Southport FC

3 Contributors: Alex Metcalfe, Tom Green, Stewart Price, Peter Dixon.

Evo-Stik Premier Division

Featured Games

4th April: Mickleover Sports vs Sutton Coldfield Town A big relegation clash between these two teams 17th April: Sutton Coldfield Town vs Halesowen Town Local derby featuring two teams threatened by relegation 17th April: Skelmersdale United vs Marine Relegation six pointer for both teams 22nd April: Halesowen Town vs Rushall Olympic Halesowen need a win to battle their way out of releagtion trouble

Vanarama National League 1st April: Dover Athletic vs Gateshead Three points separate these two teams at a crucial stage of the season 3rd April: Lincoln City vs Dagenham & Redbridge Both teams need a win to secure their respective play-off positions 14th April: Tranmere Rovers vs Aldershot Town A win for Tranmere puts them into second position 17th April: Gateshead vs Lincoln City Gateshead need three points to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive

Evo-Stik Southern Premier 1st April: Cambridge City vs Cindeford Town Survival hopefuls Cambridge City host doomed Cinderford 4th April: Hayes & Yeading United vs Cinderford Town Hayes & Yeading’s game in hand, a win will put them above their opponents and out of the relegation zone 8th April: Cirencester Town vs Cambridge City Cirencester’s game in hand, can go above Cambridge if they win 17th April: Hayes & Yeading United vs Kings Langley A win for Hayes & Yeading drags Kings Langley into the relegation battle

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FEATURED FIXTURES & TABLES Correct as of 27-03-17

Correct as of 27-03-17

Grassroots

Goals at Newfield Park. Photo: Tom Green. Page: Stewart Price

LEAGUE STATISTICS

Featured Tables

Correct as of 27-03-17

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Cheadle Town’s Main Stand Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

FEATURED PROFILES

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headle Town Football Club currently play in the Hallmark Security League First Division. Their Park Road ground has a rich history with Manchester City previously using it as their training ground and Portugal, along with the great Eusebio, trained there during the 1966 World Cup and, in 1993, the world-famous Brazilian player, Jairzinho, hosted a Soccer School for Cheadle Town. Jarzinho also played against the Town when they were under the name of Manchester AFC on one of their legendary tours, as did Real Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano.

Manchester United provided the opposition for the first match under floodlights at the ground in 1995 when Town beat United’s youngsters 3-2 in front of almost 2,000 fans. The biggest gate to watch Cheadle Town locally came ten years later against FC United of Manchester in 2005. Due to the huge interest in the game, club officials moved the fixture to Stockport County’s Edgeley Park, and they were rewarded with a bumper 3,227 attendance that witnessed a 3-3 draw.

Established - 1961 League - Hallmark Security League First Division Nickname – The Town Home Colours - Green & Black Away Colours - Yellow & Blue Manager – Terry Hincks Chairman – Chris Davies Ground - Park Road Stadium Capacity - 2,000 Main stand – Cheadle End Ticket prices – £5 adults, £3 concession Local rivals - Stockport Town Price of a programme - £1.50 Price of a pie - £2.50 Price of a pint – £2.80 Home fans pubs – The Red Lion & The George & Dragon One to watch – Tricky left winger George Blackwell Greatest achievement –Playing at the Azteca stadium in Mexico infront of 65,000 Most recent honour – Stockport Senior Cup Winers 2012-2013 Grassroots

The club celebrated its 50th birthday in 2011 and, if the next 50 years are anything like the first, then there is a lot of excitement to come. It was at this time that Cheadle Town made the decision to change their kit colours to green which commemorated the colours worn by Grasmere Rover 50 years ago as the club went back to their roots in honouring the first name of the club. The club is currently fighting to get out the division with play off heartbreak in the last campaign and since 2014 have been reinventing their main stand.

Cheadle Town Turnstiles. Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

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Salford City

Ambitions to be Moor than a lower league club

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Salford City v Stockport County (18-03-17) Joint manager Bernard Morley watches on infront of the new stand. Photo: Alex Metcalfe

MAIN FEATURES

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Salford’s North Stand in construction. Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

Back to back promotions, a cup run and even a TV series.

But now it’s a race against time as Alex Metcalfe investigates Salford’s plan to redevelop Moor Lane into a new 5,000 seater.

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t’s been quite a whirlwind few years for Salford City. The club is now 77 years old but it was only 8 years ago they joined the Northern Premier League Division One North for the first time.

For 6 seasons they managed to consolidate themselves before going on to become champions in the 2014-15 campaign and gain promotion to the Premier Division. They not only competed against bigger and more experienced sides but beat them too and sealed back to back promotion through the play offs.

A true underdog story?

The Ammies’ rise coincided with the takeover in mid-2014 of the Class of 92, a group of well renowned Manchester United legends and Singapore businessman Peter Lim, who also owns an 82.3% stake in Spanish giants Valencia. Each party holds a 50% right to Salford City.

However, the club and its fans certainly aren’t complaining.

Going up two leagues on the bounce was coupled with a phenomenal FA Cup run to the 2nd round proper and included a memorable win over the oldest football club in England, Notts County on a cold Friday night in November 2015.

TV fame followed thanks to the ‘Out Of Their League’ series, documenting the rise. The programme name fits the situation, Salford are very much out of their league, with finances incomparable to any other non-league side and a squad with more than the odd ex-professional.

Despite this they have a ground that isn’t up to the standards of their current division, therefore things had

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to change quickly if the club was to continue its upward trajectory towards the Football League.

Deadline Day Planning on the new stands, one behind each goal and another directly opposite the dugout and changing rooms went underway at the start of the 2016-17 season and club Secretary Andy Giblin told Grassroots that there were plenty of issues facing the club before the building could start.

Andy says: “The challenge really was once we started the redevelopment, was to get it finished in time for the ground grading which has to be in place by the 31st March, we have to meet the category B criteria, otherwise if we don’t, we’ll be relegated back down to the Northern Premier League, so it’s high stakes, hence the hard work we’re putting in.”

To meet the criteria Salford need a 5,000 capacity ground, therefore work has only gone into building 2 stands to achieve this goal, with the third expected to be started on at the beginning of the 2017-2018 campaign.

Resident Concerns Salford not only have a race against time, but also have to resolve problems with local residents. In December 2016 when the plans had been submitted to Salford Council for construction to start in the New Year, East Salford Community Committee voted against them and Kersal Moor Residents Association had the backing of more than 250.

MAIN FEATURES Andy states that residents do still have concerns months down the line.

He says: “Plenty turned up for the planning meeting and put their concerns forwards, we got the planning obviously but now we are having monthly residents meetings to keep them in the loop and keep the communication flowing, it would be unfair not to.”

At almost every non-league club, the local fans are the backbone, without them the club would struggle to survive.

It’s imperative that Salford don’t lose any fans over the issues of building the new ground and their real aim is to gain more.

Home Comforts Despite the concerns, Andy is hoping that the locals around the ground and in the surrounding areas will ignore the pull of the big two Manchester clubs United and City and even local league clubs like Oldham, Bury and Rochdale.

If more and could turn up in their droves once the ground is complete, it could really push the team on to yet another promotion and eventually the football league proper.

He says: “I think there’s a lot of untapped sport in Salford, especially for the city’s own football team. Traditionally we

A Class Above Salford’s Class of 92 owners, Phil and Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt are retired Manchester United legends, but what gives them the appetite to put so much into a club that previously they had no connection to other than living around the area?

In the beginning they caused controversy by changing the club badge and the club colors from orange to a United styled red, white and black.

However, Andy stated that he has been surprised how committed they have been in driving the club forward.

“They do attract publicity obviously, but I knew they meant business, they’re great guys who just have a love for football and this club.”

Perhaps the highest point in the reign of the new owners was the thrilling 2015-2016 cup run, where Salford tested themselves up against historic Football League opposition, beating League 2 Notts County and taking Hartlepool not only to a replay but to extra time.

Andy says: “Prior to last season we’d never got past the third qualifying round, getting to the second round proper was fantastic, but we had a good enough side and a real belief that had been carried on from months before.”

Building work at Moor Lane. Photo: Alex Metcalfe. got by on crowds of 100 people, but since the owners have come in more and more people have started to get behind their local side and now we’re looking at four figure crowds for virtually every home game which was unthinkable really just three years ago. If we can grow like that so quickly, when the ground’s done it will be a nice place to come and watch football.”

Grassroots

“It’s high stakes, hence the work we’re putting in.”

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Moving On Up Recently, joint managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson signed new contracts tying them down to 2 extra years at the club, with the whole first team squad also to play full time from next season onwards.

Johnson told Salford’s club website about his and Morley’s ambitions. “The club has progressed so much inside the last 12 months and we need to keep on progressing. You can see for yourself the ambition here off the pitch, we need to match that on it. We’ve been given a two year deal but we can’t sit on that and think it’s security. The hard work is all day every day, it’s not a case of it being now.”

Club secretary Andy believes that this is a signal of intent for where the club is growing and a show of faith in the people who have got them this far, as well as a statement of the strong financial position.

“Compared to the teams around us, we certainly are in a strong position, there’s obviously backing for us to move forward, but at some point it’s going to have to become selffinance, and the new seats in the stadium will only increase the number of people coming through the gate, which helps a lot.”

The plan is to get to the Football League, and I’m sure the way the club is being run with some experienced people in the background, it is a distinct possibility that it could well happen sooner rather than later.”

Pressure From Above Many other non-league clubs may be jealous of the good fortune that Salford received 3 years ago but the club are using the finances well.

It begs the question if the owners, who have put so much into the club, have set a deadline for when they want Salford to achieve their goal and get something of a reward back from what they’ve put in?

Andy thinks they are just seeing how it goes and taking it season by season. “I know they didn’t expect us to be playing at this level this season, going for a third promotion in a row, they thought it might take a little bit longer, they were just

as realistic as every other fan who watches us week in week out. There’s no set deadline, but like everyone at the club now there is a certain amount of pressure to progress, but you can’t knock the record so far.”

At the time of writing, Salford are currently in the play off positions after a surge in 2017 but currently a fair few points behind leaders Fylde. However, at the ever changing Moor Lane, they are unbeaten since mid-October, so perhaps the developments on the ground have been a good luck charm to the team.

On The Edge of Their Seats Andy mentioned the pressure to progress, but how will the players cope from now playing in front of nearly a full stadium? “Some of the players we’ve brought in this season have played professionally and know what it is like to be in front of crowds of that sort of level quite regularly. Most footballers who are good enough to play at this level can switch off from the crowd; some of them even seem to thrive with the extra tension.”

Salford boast a number of players who have played in the Football League such as Jay Lynch, formerly of Accrington Stanley, James Poole from Hartlepool, Patrick Brough from Carlisle, Nick Haughton from Fleetwood, George Green and Harrison Panayiotou from Premier League sides Burnley and Leicester as well as veterans Simon Grand, Stephen O’Halloran and David Norris.

Combine that know how of the professional game with some true non-league grit and determination and you can see why Salford have had the success they had.

But will the success of the team and the new stands increase ticket sales and even prices?

“We can cope with the number of supporters we get at the moment, the novelty of a new ground, new players and hopefully a new league will attract more, prices fluctuate depending on the game, games against local sides like FC United of Manchester or Stockport County are more sought after than normal, so usually tickets are a little more expensive but that’s pretty much the same at every football club, and the fans understand that as well.”

Moor To Come

“The plan is to get to the football league, it’s a distinct possibility that it could happen sooner rather than later”

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As summer looms, Salford’s reconstruction is ongoing, although the hope is that the final touches will be finished in time, doubt still remains.

What isn’t in doubt however is that the club are working tirelessly on and off the pitch to achieve their goal of becoming a Football League club and playing to record attendances each week.

To follow the journey that the ground has been on over the past few months you can view the Twitter timeline and follow @SalfordCityFC for daily updates.

The seats in place for the next home game. Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

MAIN FEATURES

TWITTER TIMELINE TRANSFORMATION

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Advert: Peter Dixon

UNDISPUTED KING OF TRAINERS

Advert: Peter Dixon

THE BEST A MAN CAN GET

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DELTA TAXIS STADIUM

ootle FC are a team of growing stature and popularity within the city of Liverpool. Here is an inside view of some of the facilities that are avaliable to players of all ages as well as the supporters of the team with two 3G pitches, a well equipped club house that includes a bar and flat screen TV’s. For them, maintaining the integrity of their stadium is key as they look to mount a promotion charge.

Club House

The club house at Delta Taxis Stadium is complete with seating, a bar, two flat screen TV’s and a full view of the pitch during games. The warm and welcoming staff make for a great family atmosphere. They have a 3 course menu for prematch and post-match events along with other selected meals. There is a wide selection of food and drink at affordable prices.

Club House. Photo: Stewart Price

3G Pitches

These pitches host local 5-a-side competitions, making them great for younger fans to play on whilst their parents are watching the actual game.

These pitches will help younger players to improve all areas of their game. Unforunately for Bootle they seem to have a litter problem on the pitches which is often caused by the mess the kids leave behind.

3G Pitch. Photo: Stewart Price

Changing Rooms

The changing rooms at Delta Taxis Stadium are complete with two showers and a moderate size changing area where the kits are regularly laid out and where match equipment is stored. Each player has their own individual peg but like the showers, there isn’t much space for each player.

Changing rooms. Photo: Stewart Price

Showers

The showers are very basic and frankly they are the only other thing in the changing rooms. Players have complained about the compactness of the showers saying that they would like more comfort and that they are often far too cold and sometimes don’t even work.

Showers. Photo: Stewart Price

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Grassroots

Delta Taxis Stadium sign. Photo: Stewart Price

NON-LEAGUE FACILITIES

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Marine 1-4 Whitby Town Saturday 11h February 2017 The Marine Travel Arena Report: Stewart Price

Marine XI

Hare Wylie Nicholas Grogan Foley Hughes Lindfield Thompson Sherlock Hamilton Davies Subs: Myler, Strickland, Doherty, Moore, Porter

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arine slumped to an embarrassing 4-1 defeat against play-off hopefuls Whitby Town in a result that keeps them on the cusp of a relegation battle after another poor home perfomance.

Whitby started the game in a quick fashion after David Carson pounced on a poor piece of goalkeeping from Calvin Hare and a lacklustre start from the Marine backline in the 2nd minute.

The visitors then had two golden chances to double their lead after skipper Snaith came close to scoring after taking the ball around Hare only to have his shot blocked off the line by Adam Hughes. It was at this point that the match began to tilt into Whitby’s favour. From the resulting corner, centre-back Bythway headed well wide after finding space close to the penalty spot.

Marine had to wait til midway through the first-half to carve their first opportunity at goal when Zac Thompson’s free-kick was punched over the bar by the opposing goalkeeper Bland and the fans started to sound slightly dejected as Marine looked like they were going to slump to defeat before they even had a chance to get back into the game.

Whitby started to take advantage from a series of early missed chances from the home side when Snaith managed to get a shot away from a tight angle only for Mike Grogan to block the attempt and swifty clear from danger.

On the stroke of half-time, Sherlock found himself in space on the edge of the penalty area only for the Whitby defence to pressure him into hitting his shot well wide of the mark.

The next key phase of play did not come until the 53rd minute when Whitby made their overwhelming dominance of the game count when McWilliams’ cross found the head of Tymon to double their advantage, much to the anger of Marine supporters. Following this many would have thought that there was very little hope of a goal from the home side however in the 67th minute Marine sparked

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Whitby XI

Bland Martin McWilliams May Bythway Robinson Gell McTiernan Snaith Tymon Carson Subs: Weledji, Hume, Hopson, Dixon, Fryatt hope of a comeback after Alex Davies crossed for Craig Lindfield who headed past Bland into the top corner.

It then took all of two minutes for Whitby to regaiin their dominance when a misplaced clearance from the Marine defence was picked up by Carson who executed a fine curled effort from all of 25 yards and Marine looked like they were back to square one and were playing like they have for much of the season.

The Marine fans were very confident that there was more to come from their team and in the final ten minutes, Marine were given a great chance to keep the match alive.

Strickland’s free-kick agonisingly dipped over the top of the bar after a string of opportunities for the home side to miraculously force their way back into the fixture.

It was in the 86th minute when all hope of a second Marine goal was well and truely quashed after Carson precisely set up Tymon who managed to break though the Marine defence and bag his second goal of the game with a first time finish past Hare.

The match ended in a rather dull fashion and many Marine fans were happy to hear the final whitsle after what can only be described as one of their worst outings of the season .The only positive was that they managed to score at least one goal in a game where they might not have if it was against a different opponent.

For Tymon it was a man of the match showing that elavated Whitby Town to a fantastic 90 minutes that keeps them a point outside of the play-off places. After a performance like that many would fancy them for a late promotion push.

It’s now two tough away fixtures next up for Marine as they face Matlock Town and Spennymoor Town and still remain 20th in the league standings and a single point above the relegation places.

Attendance: 293

Arriva Stadium. Photo: Stewart Price

FEATURED MATCH REPORTS

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...IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ahead of their fixture against Bangor University, Stewart Price speaks to the captain of the MMU men’s second team Luke Sands about his life in football.

D.O.B: 18/02/97 Position: Left Back Previous Clubs: Leeds United, Middlesbrough One word to describe yourself: Leader Favourite pre-match meal: Pizza

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uke Sands has had a humbling rise to becoming the captain of the Manchester Metropolitan University Men’s second team but before that he has had spells in the Leeds and Middlesbrough academy teams.

Luke has been playing football since he was a boy and being a massive Arsenal fan he is determined to succeed in the sport.

Why football?

For most young footballers, the willingness to play beams brightly but in Luke’s case, he has the pleasure of having a Dad who loves football just as much as he does.

“I have always played football from a young age, my Dad is a massive football fan and I’ve supported Arsenal my whole life.”

Luke Sands. Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

Who gave you the opportunity to start playing?

“I played local league back home and when I was younger I played for Leeds and Middlesbrough.”

It was after these youth spells that Luke decided to start playing for his University football team where he rose into the second team, eventually becoming captain.

Players who Luke has played with include many of the current Leeds United youngsters with the most notable one being Lewis Cook who sealed a move to Premier League outfit Bournemouth last summer.

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Why it isn’t all about football...

In terms of what Luke aspires to do outside of football he is keeping his fingers crossed in hope of a new opportunity.

For most footballers this is really important as sometimes they need a career outside of the sport in order to keep themselves motivated.

“I’m doing a sports management course which hopefully leads me to managing a sports management business. In terms of football, I will continue to play at this standard and hopefully something comes up which would be nice.”

Becoming captain For Luke, he can potentially see his decision to play University football as a very good choice. as With a string of good performances and his comfort in being a leader, it could potentially put him back on the radar of many professional clubs.

Where do they play?

You can watch the MMU Men’s second team at Platt Lane Sports Complex in Fallowfield, Manchester where you will also find a gym and many small sized football pitches.

For more information check out the facilities feature on pages 30 and 31.

Grassroots

Luke Sands sat in the Platt Lane dugout.. Photo: Alex Metcalfe. Page: Stewart Price

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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22 The main stand at Ryton Albion. Photo: Peter Dixon.

FEATURED PROFILES

A view from behind the goal with the clubhouse in the background.

Photo: Peter Dixon Established - 1970 League - Northern League Division 2 Nickname – The Albion/RACA Home Colours - Blue and Black Away Colours - Yellow & Blue Manager – Peter Bryson Chairman – Richie Hands Ground - Kingsley Park Stadium Capacity - 800 Main Stand - East Stand Ticket prices – £4.00 Local rivals - Whickham Price of a Programme - £1.50 Price of a pie - £3.00 Price of a pint – £2.70 Home Fans Pub - The Clubhouse One to watch – Harry Mitchell Greatest achievement – Reaching the first round of the FA Cup Most Recent Honour - Durham Challenge Cup 2010

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he club’s ground, Kingsley Park Stadium has one full sized turf pitch, with one stand, which is overlooked by the clubhouse. It also has one seven-a-side size third generation AstroTurf pitch to the rear, which was built with a Football Foundation grant, and is used not only by the club but by the local community and local schools. Ryton & Crawcrook Albion F.C. is a Chartered Standard Club and is the only club in the area to allow children as young as six years old to play through the age levels to progress to the senior team and play in the FA Youth Cup, FA Vase and the FA Cup. Including girls teams, the club has two adult teams and twelve youth teams operating. The team is also voluntarily operated, including the managerial committee and coaches.

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Salford fans gatheting before the game. Photo: Alex Metcalfe

FEATURED MATCH REPORTS

Salford City 2-1 Telford United Saturday 25th February 2017 Moor Lane Report: Alex Metcalfe

Salford XI

Lynch Nottingham Brough Burton Grand Priestly Hulme Barnes Phenix Green Allen Subs: Howson, Walker, Houghton, Hine, King

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alford City came into this match against lowly Telford boasting an impressive home record at Moor Lane, unbeaten since mid-October on their own turf. However, this was to be a stern test as lowly Telford United looked no pushovers in the early stages and the wind and rain made the game a physical battle from the start. In the first few minutes Salford looked nervous and a big long punt up the field caused mass confusion amongst the Salford backline. The infamous 40 year old striker Lee Hughes was onto it and the flick from the ex-Premier League player had to be hastily cleared off the line from Billy Priestly to prevent the away side from having something to hold onto so early on.

Salford composed themselves to start playing their football but after 12 minutes failed to learn their lesson as another long ball towards Hughes this time punished them. The veteran lifted the ball over Joe Lynch from a tight angle to open the scoring as Telford scored the first goal by an away side since the last time Salford lost at home in the league, on that occasion to Tamworth.

Salford weren’t rattled and kept playing their usual game, but the Telford back line was never really troubled and the home fans started to become a little disgruntled as this wasn’t in the script. The away end however were enjoying themselves at their expense by chanting the classic number ‘How sh*t must you be, we’re winning away’. Telford haven’t won away in the league since the same day that Salford last lost at home.

It was looking like a good omen as Salford continued to pile on the pressure with little reward. Salford’s top scorer Mike Phenix dragged a shot wide on the half hour mark before Telford and Hughes thought they had another, but it was not to be as the flag was raised for offside. The few chances that were coming Salford’s way were being spurned and Telford seemed to grow in confidence that they could hold out until half time.

Salford appealed desperately for a penalty which looked like a deliberate push in the back. Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson were incensed on the touchline and their arguments spilled over after the whistle as they demanded to speak to referee Simeon Lucas at the break.

The home side came out fighting in the second half,

Grassroots

Telford XI

Burton Samuels Dielna Havern McCone Rae Royal Jones Hughes Hibbert Kissock Subs: Bailey, Wilson, Hodge, Lilly, Hayden however the match remained a scrappy affair. That was until Salford’s FA Cup goalscoring hero of last season Ritchie Allen picked the ball up and attempted to replicate his mazy run and finish against Notts County last season. That he did as he beat 3 players before unleashing a right footed shot into the bottom corner from fully 25 yards. Telford were fully on the back foot now and 2 minutes later Salford’s great early pressure after the restart paid dividends. Firstly the impressive George Green tested Callum Burton with a stinger from outside the box which the keeper could only tip over. From the resulting corner, Salford scrambled in a second. Captain Simon Grant got his head to the ball within a melee of players to nod in and Salford had turned the game on its head 7 minutes into the second half.

Salford were well on top now and the Telford side were just trying to stay in with a fighting chance. 60 minutes in however, a chance fell to Telford. Lee Hughes found himself with a half chance but fired wide, much to the amusement of the Salford fans who chanted about Hughes’ notorious past.

Morley and Johnson were yet again incensed with the referee Mr.Lucas when Phenix battled his way into the box having won the ball on the by-line before being shoved to the ground in the area but nothing was given. Salford ran the changes with Green replaced by Sam Walker, who played in Phenix to seal the match with 10 minutes to go but his low drive was parried away smartly by Burton in goal.

That was to be the last action for Phenix, as he was taken off as well as goal scorer Ritchie Allen. Lee Hughes also made way for Telford as they looked to add a little more pace and trickery to their attack. Naturally with 5 minutes to go Telford started to push hard for an equaliser which on the balance of play they wouldn’t have deserved. The away end appealed for a back pass from Priestly but nothing was to be given as the game petered out for the Shropshire side. A last chance from a free kick in a dangerous position flew over the bar and the full time whistle went. Salford stay in 2nd position in the table and their impressive form at Moor Lane goes on whereas it’s more pain on the road for Telford and their travelling fans as they remain in 16th.

Attendance - 1,248

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“It’s very important for coaches and players to communicate any level of progress”

Runcorn Linnets warming up before their game against Bootle FC. Photo: Stewart Price

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Bootle warming up. Photo: Stewart Price

The cost of making it big. Stewart Price investigates the current issues with young grassroots footballers trying to make a name for themselves.

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urrently, we are all aware of how difficult it is for top English football teams to produce their own domestic talent. When it comes to grassroots level, this could not be more true as all of the young players who do not have the required level have to make the agonising jump back down to grassroots level as most clubs simply do not have the resources to give them a chance.

With the FA currently planning for reform in a move that could see more funds injected into the grassroots game, it will also impact the future of all England international teams. Another growing problem is the amount of young English footballers who are harshly critiqued by coaches and parents leading many to suffer psychologically or give up the sport altogether.

Non-league clubs are determined to avoid these problems but aside from holding frequent academy trials and ensuring that their youth teams are playing consistently, there are limited opportunities. Such leagues are part of the FA’s plan for grassroots football at all levels to ensure a higher level of participation and opportunity for younger players to stand out. Another largely overwhelming factor that contributes to the lack of domestic youth development is the current state of grassroots football as every year less money is being invested due to lack of participation in lower football.

There are very few examples of Premier League footballers who were discovered at non-league level such as Chris Smalling and Michail Antonio to name two and of course we are all well aware of the meteoric rise of a certain Leicester City striker.

But the real question is what are clubs themselves doing to combat these issues? Is there enough support on offer to young players who are struggling to find their feet or simply are not committed enough to the game? Such questions

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would surely put a high level of pressure on the Football Association.

Even in lower level football players can become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of support that they receive from fans of all ages but for younger players who find themselves in these situations, they must be able to overcome the pressure of their own parents.

In order for clubs to ensure that their younger players are getting the best support they possibly can, they are constantly offering younger players a chance to get the support that could possbily help them to get to the next level of their careers.

This is very important as it means that younger players can make sure that when it comes to making a living out of playing football, their mind is where it will need to be whenever they are on the pitch or training for a chance to impress.

If clubs want their younger players to remain at peak perfomance mentally, they may want to take a look at how other teams within the English football divisions do it as they could potentially be the team to uncover England’s next major footballer.

But for the clubs themselves, tackling this issue is a common theme that they are keen to avoid. Bootle FC

“As a club we like to emphasise that football first and foremost is about enjoying yourself.”

MAIN FEATURES manager Joe Doran said: “At Bootle, we have a variety of youth teams. Starting out at under-12s they run right the way through to under-16s.

“We feel that it is important to have a diverse youth setup as possible as player recruitment is very important at this level.

“The club as a whole do not run youth trials, we tend to leave it to the individual team managers to sort out their player recruitment.

“However, should they choose too, then the club has the facilities to host such trials if needed.

“As a club we like to emphasise that with football, first and foremost it’s about enjoying yourself.

“Our players are more than welcome to contact anyone at the club if they need any advice. If they want anything further, then the club would happily arrange this.

Another problem that players are faced with could be coaches who are inexperienced at working with youngsters and the fact that they themselves have attempted to ply their trade at a much higher level and have been faced with the fact that they didn’t have the required ability.

For the young players who struggle to get back into the game, the FA set up a series of exit trials where coaches from around the country scout young players who have failed to gain contracts at other clubs.

But for the lower league coaches, they are faced with the tough decisions of deciding which players have a glimpse of a bright future in the game and which players simply are not good enough.

In terms of how the coaches deal with such pressures, Joe tells me: “The coaches we have here tend to act in a professional manner and they all understand how tough it

Bootle FC va Runcorn Linnets (25-03-17). Photo: Stewart Price “It’s very important for coaches and players to communicate any level of progress.

“We believe that this can help youngsters understand what is best for their career paths and it helps if we can give them a goal that we believe they can achieve both at our club and in the future.

“But even more so at youth level when players are still developing and learning.”

For managers coaching youth players can be a very difficult and enduring task due to reasons relating to some younger player wanting to play at a higher level.

Managers may also have to deal with a huge number of issues such as players losing confidence as a result of a series of failed trials or simply because they feel they are not good enough to succeed in the game.

Grassroots

must be for our youngsters to get to where they aspire to be.

“They will help them however they can in whatever way they can.

“We understand how stressful this proccess can be for them.

“I have regular meetings with the coaching staff as I need to be given regular updates on the progress of our players so I can have the best team available to me on match days.”

In an era where young players are often being overlooked, it is important for lower league teams to stick to local talents to preserve the integrity of lower league football.

As the current football season draws to its close, keep an eye out for youngsters in the lower leagues as they look to build reputations and help their teams finish strongly.

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The Platt Lane sign. Photo: Tom Green

NON-LEAGUE FACILITIES

PLATT LANE FACILITIES M

anchester Metropolitan University’s Platt Lane Sports Complex in Fallowfield is where both the Men’s and Women’s football sides play their University matches. Here’s a look inside some of the facilities on offer to the players and how they are able to train for their upcoming matches, with a variety of top quality pitches, a fully equipped gym, a range of fitness classes and maintaining the site’s heritage, a number of coaching sessions to suit all ages.

Changing Rooms

The MMU second team preparing for their match against Bangor. Photo: Alex Metcalfe

The MMU sport changing rooms are compact but still state of the art with fitted showers, bathrooms and hair dryers. The kits are laid out in preparation for the players and the rooms even include a loud speaker so students can relax before the game and listen to their music. There is even a massage table and a small fitness room for pre and post match warm ups and warm downs.

Gym Area

The large gym allows for the players to keep their strong physique and make sure they are at peak condition. Included in the area are the basic running machines and free weights, but also equipment to help build up core muscle strength in the legs, arms, chest and back. Students at Manchester Metropolitan can join with a cost of £85 of 6 months.

The gym inside the Dome. Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

3G Pitches

The halfway spot on the artificial surface.

Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

The football teams don’t play on your usual grass you would find on a local Sunday league pitch. The artifical surface allows for quick passing movements and for the ball to roll smoothly along the pitch. The 3G pitches are both 11-a-side and 5-a-side, like the ones seen at a local Powerleague, where the players test their close control in confined spaces.

Meeting Room

Football isn’t all about playing and training, tactics and management are key and the new meeting rooms allow for teams to go through previous matches and look at the opposition in detail. Being one step ahead is vital in order to become the best University team in the UK. These meeting rooms can also be used for Physical Education classes for those more interested in the biological side of Sports performance.

Grassroots

Meeting room. Photo: Alex Metcalfe.

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‘FOOTBALL IS NOTHING WITHOUT FANS’

This could not be more true at grassroots level, especially at Gateshead FC where there is a strong connection between players and fans. Midfielder Paddy McLaughlin is pictured celebrating with fans after their victory against Forest Green Rovers.

Photo: Peter Dixon

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Grassroots

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Forest Green player launches a cross into the box.Photo: Peter Dixon

FEATURED MATCH REPORTS

Gateshead 3-1 Forest Green Rovers 18th February 2017 Gateshead International Stadium Report: Peter Dixon

Gateshead Montgomery Bolton Hogan M. Smith Fyfield G. Smith Mafuta McLaughlin York Johnson Burrow Subs: Brundle, Hanford, Beere, Bell,,Hannant

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he Heed Army are looking to seal a place in the top five having last achieved the feat in the 2013-14 season when they finished third and beat Grimsby in the play-off semi-finals to get to Wembley where they eventually succumbed in the final, losing 2-1 to Cambridge United.

Gateshead came into the game in good league form. They’ve won three of their last five league games including a televised victory at Chester last time out.

Forest Green’s last two visits to the Heed have proven to be crucial in picking up wins that played a key role in securing a play-off finish in back-to-back seasons. When the two teams met earlier on in the season it was only the third fixture of the campaign. Dale Bennett’s late goal stole the points for Rovers’ first win of the season that day.

For the first time in 2017 Forest Green tasted defeat in the National League on the long trip north to Gateshead.

It means a play off place is still well and truly on the cards for Gateshead after their 3-1 win over title-chasing Rovers.

The North East side started on the front foot when Wes York fizzed one just wide of the mark from outside the box.

Rovers struggled to find any fluidity in the opening 20 minutes as the Heed harried, and Neil Aspin’s side pounced on 21 minutes.

Rovers’ Kaiyne Woolery lost the ball on the edge of his own box, and the Heed countered with the dangerous York playing in Danny Johnson for a thumping finish beyond former Gateshead keeper Sam Russell.

Forest Green almost equalised within a minute, after Jake Gosling’s low drive was touched on to the post by James Montgomery.

But they were left with a mountain to climb when Johnson opened up Rovers and smashed his second past Russell on 30 minutes, his fourth goal in three games.

Forest Green Rovers were agonisingly close to getting back into the game when Montgomery raced out of his box to stop Woolery and the ball fell to Christian Doidge, who took aim from the corner of the box only for his hooked strike to kiss the bottom of the post.

Grassroots

Forest Green Rovers Russell Bennett Ellis Pinnock Monthe Cooper Noble Bugiel Woolery Doidge Gosling Subs: Marsh-Brown, Wedgbury, Wishart, Mullings The west country outfit were back in it four minutes into the second half through on-loan Wigan striker Kaiyne Woolery.

Montgomery parried Omar Bugiel’s angled shot into the path of Woolery who made no mistake with the rebound to make it 2-1.The lively Wes York, however, restored the Tynesiders’ twogoal advantage nine minutes later with a superb 18-yard volley into the roof of the net from a half-cleared corner.

Frustration grew when Rovers hit the goal frame for a third time, Doidge hit the post from a Shamir Mullings pass with seven minutes to go and then Pinnock fizzed wide at the death.

It was a frustrating day for Rovers on Tyneside and only the chest of Russell prevented York making it four in stoppage time.

With league leaders Lincoln City shocking Premier League Burnley to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, Rovers are now four points behind their title rivals, who have two games in hand.

However, with 14 games to go the race for the title could have more twists and turns as second-place Dagenham lost at home to Guiseley.

Gateshead manager Neil Aspin had this to say after his sides victory: “It was a big win for us against a side trying to win the league,” said a delighted Aspin. “It got a bit nervy when they pulled a goal back early in the second half.

“But the third goal gave us a bit of a cushion, and it was a fantastic strike from York after Johnson had taken his two goals well.

“On our day we’re capable of winning against any opposition.

We proved that today and there were big performances all over the pitch.

“Our midfield two were really good. Mafuta was excellent, strong and committed, and he and McLaughlin worked especially hard.

“That gave us the platform to win the game and we now go to York to face a side fighting to stay in the division.”

Attendance: 916

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“Gone are the days where a young player’s Dad will take charge of his son’s team just because he thinks he knows a lot about football and tactics from being a fan.”

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Photo: Tom Green

MAIN FEATURES

Grassroots

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The War Memorial Athletic Ground, Stourbridge. Photo: Tom Green

Away from the dizzy heights of the Premier League, fast cars and untold wealth, Tom Green explores the adventures of exprofessional footballers in the West Midlands grassroots game

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rofessional footballers have the job we all wish we had; being paid thousands of pounds a week to keep fit and play the beautiful game is the stuff of dreams for a lot of people but, only a select few are lucky enough to actually make the grade as a professional.

While many are envious of the lavish lifestyles of professional footballers, it is an incredibly short career for those involved. Seeing a Premier League footballer motor on into their late thirties is a rare sight, which often leaves players begging the question: well, what next?

Watch pretty much any televised game nowadays and you’ll see that the punditry panel is usually made up entirely of ex-players; Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer to name but a few. But television is not the only option for players hanging up their boots and as we know, there’s a lot more to football than just the Premier League.

While Brian Lester, chairman of the Beacon Football League in Wolverhampton, is frustrated that grassroots football is probably not in the best state at the moment, he believes it could be improved tenfold by the involvement of more ex-professionals.

“It could be better”, Brian tells me, “we’re losing leagues and teams far too often. Just recently, the Dudley and

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Cradley League collapsed after 100 years because not enough people stepped in to save it.”

Brian informs me that it costs £70 per week to hire pitches, referees are paid £28 per game and their assistants £20; meaning that before a ball is even kicked, costs can spiral to excesses of £100.

A glimmer of hope...

“But it can be improved”, hopes Brian. Amongst other things, he tells me that having people with experience in the professional game come in, not just as coaches but as players and referees also, would be really useful.

Their expertise would undoubtedly improve both the quality of the football and the coaching being offered and another thing Brian alerts me to is the financial support that ex-professionals could bring to alleviate the increasing costs in the grassroots game.

“The problem we have though is, I just don’t know if it’s really that attractive to them, sadly”, Brian concedes.

But the world of grassroots football is not entirely in the mire and as I research further into the topic, I find that it has indeed proven attractive to a number of ex-professionals.

Scratch beneath the surfaces of most clubs and you’re likely

MAIN FEATURES to find an ex-pro working in some capacity.

The West Midlands in particular is a passionate footballing region and although five of its six professional clubs currently find themselves outside of the top flight, the love of the game is still very much alive at all levels with the area able to boast a number of successful clubs in the lower leagues.

Hometown investment

“Everybody was on cloud 9 with the joy of another run”

Stourbridge FC. Photo: Tom Green

In the heart of the Black Country lies the town of Stourbridge and their football club, currently of the Northern Premier League, managed by former Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion winger Gary Hackett.

Earlier this year, Hackett and his Stourbridge side enjoyed a remarkable journey in the FA Cup; reaching the third round for the first time in the club’s history before a 2-1 defeat away at Wycombe Wanderers of the Football League.

Steve Hermon, non-league reporter for BBC West Midlands, covered the Glassboys’ journey in the cup competition extensively for local radio and sings high praises of the work Hackett has done at the club.

League Premier Division and established themselves at that level but according to Steve, the club is now set up to make the transition into the National League North, which would be an “amazing achievement.”

Up until 2009, the Glassboys had never reached the first round proper of the FA Cup but this season’s ventures in the competition now form the latest episode in the lengthy love affair that Stourbridge have had with it since.

They’ve now reached the first round stage five times in seven seasons. They’ve also made it to the 2nd round four times and the 3rd round for the first time this season, as mentioned.

“It’s been fantastic to be around the club during their FA Cup runs; the most recent one especially”, Steve tells me.

Steve tells me that Gary’s impact at his hometown club has been phenomenal.

“He comes across to me as a passionate man and that rubs off on his players as they clearly respect him.”

Since Gary took charge at Stourbridge in 2003, they have visibly improved both on and off the field. They were in the Southern League Midland Division when Gary arrived and they secured promotion relatively quickly to the Southern League.

Since then, they’ve been transferred across to the Northern Grassroots

“But I think they’ve also been spurred on by what they’ve perceived as a lack of national attention from BBC and BT Sport.”

Just one of Stourbridge’s FA Cup fixtures has been televised since 2009; the first round replay victory over Plymouth Argyle in 2010. Steve believes that Gary has used this as motivation to show the national media exactly what they’ve been missing.

“Ex-professionals are a massive benefit to the game”, Steve

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Valley Stadium, Redditch United FC Photo: Tom Green adds, and in the case of Gary Hackett’s Stourbridge; the proof is certainly in the pudding.

“Gone are the days where a young player’s Dad will take charge of his son’s team just because he thinks he knows a lot about football and tactics from being a fan.”

Just recently, 22-year–old defender Dan Scarr became the latest non-league star to make the jump to the professional game; signing for Championship club Birmingham City on a two-and-a-half year contract – something for which Hackett deserves enormous credit also.

Steve goes on to tell me to keep an eye on Stourbridge and the continual development of their squad under Gary Hackett; listing current players Chris Lait, Luke Benbow and Jack Duggan as ones he believes could also follow Dan Scarr into the professional game.

The management business Remaining in the Midlands, another former professional to have made the transition into management in the lower leagues is Darren Byfield.

After starting his career at Aston Villa in 1997, Byfield went on to play for a long list of professional clubs but is now enjoying life as manager of Redditch United of the Southern League Premier Division.

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I was interested to find out Darren’s views regarding exprofessionals in the grassroots game and also how he feels standing on the touchline compares to actually being on the pitch.

“Some days, managing can be better than playing”, he tells me, “as a player, it’s always just about yourself – how many goals and assists can I get? How many games can I play?

And so on, whereas in management, you find yourself being much more selfless.

“Obviously, the buzz of being a professional footballer and scoring a goal in front of thousands of fans is indescribable but you get such a good buzz from management too.”

Although his Redditch side have not done as well as he’d liked this season, Darren tells me he takes great pride in watching the development of the players he’s invested so heavily in.

“I believe a year in non-league is like five years management in the Football League”

MAIN FEATURES “I absolutely love every minute of it”, he beams, “it’s a difficult job but it’s so rewarding.”

Darren admits it would have been the easy option to go back to Aston Villa once his playing days were over and be given some form of role within the club, but his decision not to do this is something he is visibly proud of.

As well as his position of 1st team manager, Darren also coaches the Redditch United Academy; overseeing the progression of youth players into the first team and beyond.

Determined to succeed I was also intrigued to find out whether, like a lot of ex-footballers, Darren had ever been tempted to go into television and the world of punditry.

“It never once crossed my mind”, he tells me, “I had so many people telling me that I should get myself into the media but it never once swayed me.

“When I left school, I knew for definite that I was going to be a footballer, and it was the same when I left my last club – I was so determined to become a manager that I didn’t really think of anything else to be totally honest.”

I also ask Darren more specifically about the role of experienced heads in grassroots football, to which he tells me they’re of massive benefit.

“Kids are far more likely to get involved in playing if they know that their coaches have been there and done it” he says, “they feel like they can grasp their experience and that there really could be something in it for them.”

Darren likens it to getting his car fixed at a garage.

“I’m going to trust the engineer with 15 years of experience; not the trainee” He reminisces about his own progression as a footballer and the influence that senior players such as Dion Dublin, Steve Staunton and now-England boss Gareth Southgate had on him during his early years in the Aston Villa youth setup.

“Their knowledge and experience was crucial to me.”

Managing and coaching at grassroots level can be two very different things and it’s not just management that exprofessionals are engaging with in the Midlands.

Grassroots

The coaching business Through chatting to Darren Byfield, I became increasingly aware of the efforts of yet another former footballer in the area. A stones throw from Redditch is Studley Sports Centre; the base from which the Lee Hendrie Academy is ran from.

A close friend of Darren Byfield, Lee Hendrie also enjoyed a long career as a footballer. After making his professional debut for Aston Villa in 1995, Hendrie went on to play 251 games for the club in a 14 year spell; earning an England cap in 1998, also.

Hendrie, who now plays at grassroots level himself for Midland League side Montpellier, recently joined forces with ex-Villa teammate Ryan Amoo to form his self-titled footballing academy.

Formed a few years ago, the concept of the academy is to provide an education and football development programme to students and footballers aged 16 upwards.

“The main aim really is to get these lads playing football at the highest level possible”, says Lee on the academy website, “I’m really hands-on with what I do – if my name is associated with something then it actually is me.

“My academy alone is completely different for the main reason that I don’t think that you’re going to get an exprofessional offering services like this.”

A qualification in the beautiful game Aside from offering youngsters the chance to learn from those with top level experience, Hendrie also offers a formal education in the game at his academy base.

The academy curriculum enables students to gain a vocational sport qualification alongside full time coaching.

Students have the option to study for either BTEC Sport or Level 3 Extended Diploma qualifications; both of which take up to 15 hours of classroom study per week.

Hendrie’s impact on grassroots football is visible. “You can tell he’s been there and done it”, a close friend of mine Lewis Hemming tells me, after playing against him one Saturday morning.

A gulf in class “He was just a cut above the rest”, Lewis tells me, “I was playing in midfield so I was marking him most of the game and he just completely tired me out.

“As fans watching the Premier League, we like to think we know everything but it’s not until you play with or against these guys that you realise how good they actually are.

“Even when they’re bad, they’re still good”, Lewis jokes, “he [Hendrie] might only make one key pass in a game for Montpellier but you can guarantee it’ll lead to the winning goal.”

Lewis tells me that this can only be a good thing as far as the quality of grassroots football is concerned.

As the 2016/17 season nears its final run-in, exprofessionals in the Midlands will continue working hard throughout the summer to develop raw talent in the area for the beginning of next season.

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MAIN FEATURES

Officials at Salford FC. Photo: Peter Dixon Grassroots

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Stockport manager Jim Gannon has a word with officials at Salford. Photo: Alex Metcalfe

In light of the recent Referee Strike Campaign, Peter Dixon speaks to former grassroots referee Brendan Richardson about his experiences officiating in the amateur game.

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t’s often easy to forget that without referees the grassroots game would cease to exist. Referees are the bedrock of the amateur game, yet they are being treated worse than ever before. Reports of verbal and physical abuse towards referees has increased notably over the past year, and it’s becoming more and more difficult to see why referees are sparing their time officiating amateur games. Fantastic rewards await those who can put up with the stick, get to the top level and you can be walking out on the biggest stages in world football. But it’s the first steps on the ladder which are the hardest. At small non-league grounds every word of abuse can be heard, and so can every threat.

I spoke to former referee Brendan Richardson who told me how he was put off refereeing for good after witnessing abuse right at the very bottom of the football pyramid.

Getting Started “I started refereeing 5 years ago where I was officiating u11s games in the Gateshead Youth League. I started at youth level because I wanted to get to grips with refereeing in a less hostile environment. Sunday league games in the North East are very intense so I wanted to get some experience under

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my belt before I started reffing 11 a side games.”

“But I soon found out that kids games are almost as bad to ref as Sunday league - and that was nothing to do with the kids, it all stems from parents on the touchline. Parents are biased towards their own kids regarding fouls and decisions, so if I make a call which they feel isn’t right or goes against their child you can expect an earful. Fortunately it is a minority but it’s enough to put you off the job you’re trying to do. There’s been a number of occasions where I’ve had to stop 7 a side games to speak to parents and tell them ‘look this is children’s football it’s not competitive it’s about progressing the kids and helping them enjoy their football’.

Nine times out of ten they understand and it calms down but I’ve had parents threaten me in the middle of a game in front of a field full of kids.

A lot of parents need to reconsider what grassroots football actually means.”

87% have heard abuse towards officials during an amateur game. (Sky Data)

MAIN FEATURES

Sunday League Showdown “My worst experience was during a Sunday league match.

I sent a player off for an awful tackle in a league deciding game, but to no surprise one side felt I got the decision badly wrong. After the game I was pretty much hounded off the pitch and into the car park where I had a group of grown men crowding round my car all screaming at me, I had to drive off for my own safety.”

“That was the final straw for me. I was just asking myself why am I doing this? I was waking up at the crack of dawn every Sunday morning to go out and get grief.

“You put a black kit on and straight away as soon as you blow the whistle you’re open to all manner of abuse from players, coaches and parents. You could give a throw in the wrong way and you’re subjected to it - and that’s at the lowest level of the game.”

“But I do also think we’re not getting the right message from pro football, almost any Premier League game you watch you’ll see officials getting harassed by players and coaches and it’s not sending the right message to kids and parents alike who are taking part in Sunday league.”

Officials and coaches in discussion during half time at Salford vs Chorley. Photo: Peter Dixon I asked Brendan about what his thoughts were on the referee strike campaign which is being carried out across the country: “I fully back it and if I was still officiating I would definitely take part in it, just to prove how important refs are in the amateur game.”

Soon the standards will slip and it’ll be like Sunday mornings with substitutes running the line and only giving throw-ins and offsides.”

Grassroots

With levels of abuse looking unlikely to fall anytime soon, it’s difficult to see why any young people in the future will aspire to become referees. More referees are planning to go on strike than ever before, and it may prove to be the shock to the system that grassroots football needs. This is a problem that starts right at the bottom of the football pyramid, and frankly grassroots football needs to do more to protect referees that are giving up their time for us.

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“The truth is that if this current trend continues eventually there won’t be enough people willing to do the job.”

Photo: Peter Dixon

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Patrick Husarz. Photo: Tom Green

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

...IN THE SPOTLIGHT With the semi-finals of the Bradford District Cup looming, Tom Green sits down with Yorkshire Martyrs striker Patrick Husarz to chat about his time in grassroots football D.O.B: 17/09/95 Position: Striker & Right Wing Previous Clubs: Undercliffe Celtic, Prospect Juniors, Guiseley, Steeton Juniors, Bolton Woods Goals this season: 9 Goals in 2015/16 season: 23 One word to describe yourself: Poacher

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atrick Husarz has enjoyed a lengthy journey throughout the ranks of Sunday league football in West Yorkshire; playing for a number of junior clubs from a young age before settling at Yorkshire Martyrs, where he now, aged 21, plies his trade.

It was at the tender age of 8 that Patrick began playing football; starting out as a goalkeeper for Undercliffe Celtic in Bradford’s Craven, Aire & Wharf Junior Football League.

Patrick played between the sticks for four seasons before moving to Prospect Juniors at age 12, where he then stayed until he turned 16.

Up until then, he’d remained happy enough as a goalkeeper but with a move to Guiseley AFC, now of the Vanarama National League North, also came a change of heart.

A change of heart “At Guiseley, I wasn’t just playing within my own age group anymore”, he tells me, “from there it started to go open-age, so I decided I didn’t really want to play in goal any longer. I wanted to change things up a bit.”

It was then that Patrick began life as a striker, playing up front for Guiseley for two seasons before moving on to Steeton Juniors shortly after his eighteenth birthday.

“While I was playing for Steeton, I got asked to play for their reserve side”, he recalls, “so I went along and played four games for them and then they called me up to the first team but because of my job, sadly I had to turn it down.”

New beginnings Aged 19, Patrick joined newly-formed side Yorkshire Martyrs while also playing semi-professionally for Bolton Woods under 21s alongside, and it was then that he found himself up against noticeably higher quality opposition for the first time.

George Green, now of Salford City, on loan from Premier League outfit Burnley as well as Bournemouth winger Ben Whitfield make the list of the stiff opposition during this period.

Grassroots

It’s at Yorkshire Martyrs where Patrick appears to have now settled down after years of jumping around.

Family atmosphere “One of the best things about playing for Martyrs is that we all get on like a family”, he tells me, “all of the players and coaches are really close mates and it’s just a great social get together more than anything.

“I’m 21 now and play purely for the love of the game; obviously I don’t get paid for it so it’s not like I’m motivated by money and any of that business at all. It’s the same for the rest of the lads too.”

“We have two coaches and they’re both great. We do have a few rules that we have to follow but to be honest, they’re pretty funny and light-hearted.”

£1 fine for dirty boots £2 fine for being late to games £5 fine if we turn up to games hungover £2 fine if we lose our kit Patrick tells me that it can sometimes be difficult to juggle his full time job at Morrisons’ alongside keeping fit and in the Martyrs starting eleven As well as training with the squad once a week, he also tries to spend three evenings per week in the local gym, as well as going jogging and swimming regularly to maintain his matchday stamina.

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Yorkshire Martyrs team talk at half-time in a game v Salts FC. Photo: Tom Green

YORKSHIRE MARTYRS FC From the classrooms to the playing fields...

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n 2014, following the demolition of Yorkshire Martyrs School, former student Jonny Milner set up a new football team entirely from scratch in his old school’s name.

Almost three years on, Yorkshire Martyrs FC are now a Chartered Standard Club, playing in the Bradford Sunday Alliance League after winning back-to-back promotions in the few years since the club was founded; for which Milner has since won a Service Award.

The club, whose squad list is made up predominantly of former students and staff from the old Yorkshire Martyrs School, are also the reigning champions of the Bradford Amateur Cup.

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Martyrs’ home matches are played at Avenue Road in Bradford, near to where Yorkshire Martyrs School once stood.

“I think the story of how the club started is great because it makes us a bit different from the other clubs out there”, Patrick tells me, “the fact that we were all mates before we started also helped us gel on the pitch.”

Martyrs train every Thursday at Dixons Academy in Bradford and the sessions are usually pretty tough, Patrick explains.

“Normally we’ll start with some shuttle runs and then move on to passing drills and shooting practice before a big game at the end.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Memorable footballing moments Patrick counts himself lucky for what he has managed to achieve in his time playing football; proudly listing a number of feats amongst his personal highlights.

He tells me that his favourite game for Martyrs is an 11-0 hammering of Queensbury FC last season; a game in which he alone scored six goals. “That was a great day”, he beams.

He also talks to me about his fond memories of winning last season’s Amateur Cup; beating local rivals Salts FC 2-1 in the final.

“There was about 300 people there watching us that day”, he remembers, “that’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever played to and I loved every minute of it.”

As a lifelong Bradford City supporter, Patrick also ranks lifting the Bradford Schools Cup at Valley Parade with his secondary school team, St. Bede’s Catholic Grammar, highly in his list of favourite moments.

“That was an unreal day”, he recalls fondly, “going into the Grassroots

City changing rooms and playing on the pitch where I’ve seen so many of my favourite players play over the years is something I’ll never forget.”

This season, Martyrs have made it through to the semifinals of the Bradford District Cup after beating Great Horton 5-4 on penalties in the quarter-final.

“We’re all excited for the semis”, Patrick informs me, “we’ve been working hard in training for it but whatever happens, I’m sure we’ll be able to hold our heads up high.”

“All of the players and coaches are really close mates and it’s just a great social get together”

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The Recreation Ground. Photo: Alex Metcalfe

FEATURED MATCH REPORTS

West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-5 Stockport County Tuesday 24th January 2017 The Recreation Ground Report: Tom Green

West Dids XI

Trialist Mason Woods Andrews Rogers Poole Evangelinos Shaw Henderson Poizer Black Subs: Steer, Gleave, Earlam, Socha, MendesGomes, Whyment, Kay, Brockley, Settle, Bayunu.

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game of two halves is a cliché often overused in football, but you’d have to go a long way back to find a game more suited to it than this.

The game kicked off in a rather scrappy fashion, with West Dids having the better of it possession-wise and it wasn’t long at all before the deadlock was broken. West Dids took the lead on 9 minutes when Saul Henderson latched onto a neat cross from the left hand side and headed home from close-range.

West Dids appeared to be oozing in confidence and almost doubled their lead on 15 minutes after Joe Shaw created a shooting opportunity for himself; forcing a good save from Ian Ormson.

The pressure continued to rise and after some fantastic link-up play between Rob Black and Jonny Poizer, Black found himself through on goal – only to be thwarted again

by Ormson diving well to his near post.

With half an hour on the clock, County boss Jim Gannon was visibly frustrated at his side’s performance and began barking out orders from the touchline for his wingers to make more use of the width to create more goal-scoring opportunities.

But the West Dids defence stayed strong and on 36 minutes, Jordan Poole created himself an opening at the other end and fired just over from the edge of the box.

As the half-time whistle crept closer, County became increasingly frustrated by their inability to find an equaliser. Boss Jim Gannon was certain his side should’ve been awarded a penalty when striker George West went down under a challenge from Mark Rogers but the referee was not convinced.

On the stroke of half-time, West Dids had yet another opportunity to double their lead when Jonny Poizer headed over from Scott Mason’s whipped free-kick.

West Dids went into half-time with a deserved lead but

Grassroots

Stockport County XI

Ormson Ross Cartwright Ellison Downing Meppen-Walter Brazel Wardle West Amis Noon Subs: Whitty, Smith, Peach, Jackson, Scott.

as the final score suggests, the second half was a different story altogether.

Whatever County boss Jim Gannon said to his side at halftime clearly had an impact as they began the second-half at a high intensity. First Wardle fired over from long range before the West Dids keeper made a fine one-on-one stop from Josh Amis.

With County starting the second period in clear control, it wasn’t long before the score-line was completely turned around. Defender Ryan Ellison nodded home from a corner on 51 minutes to equalise and shortly after, fellow defender Courtney Meppen-Walter gave County a 2-1 lead from another corner.

On 55 minutes, just after the hosts made a number of substitutions, a splendid effort from West gave County a 3-1 lead and placed them firmly in the ascendancy.

County maintained dominance throughout the entire second half, with Harry Brazel pulling the strings in midfield and goal-scorer Meppen-Walter remaining solid at the back.

Jim Gannon appeared understandably more content in the second half and after a sliced clearance from the West Dids keeper, County substitute Jordan Peach fired home from 30 yards to give them a 1-4 lead.

Goal of the night was undoubtedly scored by County’s Josh Amis. After picking up a loose ball in the middle of the park, he drove forward and smashed a stunning 25 yard effort into the net for County’s fifth on 87 minutes.

In a half of not much to shout about for West Dids, in the closing stages of the game, substitute Ben Steer latched onto fellow sub Georgi Whyment’s tidy through ball and dinked a cheeky lob into the bottom left corner to cut the final deficit to three.

Attendance: 190

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Stourbridge Road turnstiles, Halesowen Town. Photo: Tom Green

even miles west of Birmingham city centre lies the town of Halesowen and its semi-professional football club. Formed in 1873, Halesowen Town are one of the oldest clubs in the Midlands and are currently playing their football in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

According to records, the club has played at their current ground, The Grove, since their formation. The ground, which was originally a cricket pitch surrounded by three stands, has seen many a development over the years to transform it into its current model. In 1987, shortly after the club’s last Wembley appearance, the 420 seater Harry Rudge Stand was built, which saw further developments in the late 1990s and again in 2000.

Established - 1873 League - Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Nickname – The Yeltz Home Colours - Blue & White Away Colours - Yellow & Black Manager – John Hill Chairman – Colin Brookes Ground - The Grove, Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen Capacity - 5,000 (only the Harry Rudge Stand is seated) Main stand – The Shed End Ticket prices – Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 16’s £3, Under 12’s FREE Local rivals - Stourbridge; the two clubs contest the ‘Number 9 Derby’, named after the bus that connects the two towns Price of a programme - £2 Price of a pie - £2.50 Price of a pint – Carling £3.20 Home fans pubs – The Yeltz Bar & The King Edward One to watch – 17-year-old academy graduate Kartel O’Neill Greatest achievement – Winning the FA Vase Cup at Wembley two years in a row in 1985 and 1986 Most recent honour – Northern League Division One Champions 2014

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The Grove, Halesowen Town. Photo: Tom Green

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Grassroots

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Grandstand at Southport FC. Photo: Stewart Price

FEATURED PROFILES

View of the Jack Carr stand. Photo: Stewart Price

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ocated on the North-West coast, Southport FC were founded in 1881 and play in the Vanarama Conference where they have played since 2010. They have won the Liverpool Senior Cup 11 times in their long history as well as playing in the Football League from 1921 to 1978. Unfortunately, this season they currently sit rock bottom of the Vanarama National League with relegation looking almost certain at this stage of the season.

Established - 1881 League - Vanarama National League Nickname – The Sandgrounders Home Colours - Orange & Black Away Colours - Yellow & Black Manager – Andy Preece Chairman – Charlie Clapham Ground – Haig Avenue Capacity – 7,000 (1,600 seated) Main stand – The Grandstand Ticket prices – Adults: Main stand £15, Terracing £13.50.

Concessions: Main Stand £11, Terracing £10, 12-18’s £5, Under 11’s FREE (with paying adult) Local rivals – Marine Price of a programme – £3 Price of a pie – £2.50 Price of a pint – £3.10 Home fans pubs – New Thatch & The Richmond One to watch – Jamie Allen, top scorer in 2016/17 Greatest achievement – Football League Division Four Champions 1972-73 Most recent honour – Liverpool Senior Cup winners 2011-12

Grassroots

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