Kings Lynn Issue 18

ST NEOTS TOWN Kings Lynn Town FC ISSUE 18: THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00 The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

Function Room Hire available from January 2016

Due to our Scholars moving into their new classroom at Rowley Park both Function rooms (including the large Gregory Suite) at St Neots Town FC are now available to hire during the day time from January 2016.

We have already catered for Toddler groups, Zumba classes, Weight watchers meetings etc and can now extend this to day time hire. We have ample parking and easy access.

Please contact Lou on 01480 470012 or email stneotstownfunctions@stneotstownfc.co.uk

Coming Soon

WELCOME Happy New Year Everyone Happy New year everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium, home of St Neots Town Football Club and the Mick George Academy, for our first Evostik League Southern Premier Division match of the new year. of Tom Meechan, who looked sharp and hungry all game and helped himself to two very good goals and had he managed to

visitors were also on the wrong end of Festive frightener, being beaten three-nil at home by Kettering Town in front of over 800 supporters.

A fantastic crowd but nowhere near the biggest of the day, that mantle goes to the Dorset derby between Weymouth and Dorchester Town. Over 1800 saw the visitors snatch an injury time equaliser to deny the hosts who, themselves, had come from a goal down to lead twoone at the break.

Today we welcome the players, officials and travelling supporters of Kings Lynn Town Football Club and we hope an enjoyable afternoon is had by all here today with supporters of both clubs supporting and cheering on their respective teams in the right manner.

Well here we are, the start of a new year and a lot of work to do to get us up anywhere near the playoff positions come the end of the season. After a performance against Weymouth which should have ended with us gaining all three and not a share of the points, we ended the calender year with a performance at Biggleswade Town on Boxing Day which, in my opinion, apart from a ten minute spell at the start of the second half, was so far at the opposite end of the scale, we got exactly what we deserved…. absolutely nothing.

convert a poorly struck penalty, would have claimed his second hat trick of the season.

The only real bright spot of the afternoon was the return to form

While we were being served up a dish of seasonal leftovers, our

Right then, onto today’s game and I hope we can reward our loyal support with a performance we will all be proud of and begin to move up the table.

Don’t forget we have a couple of away games coming up after today, with trips to Chesham United (Tuesday 5th Jan) and Frome Town ( Saturday 9th Jan) before we return here on Tuesday 12th Jan when we entertain St Ives Town in the Semi Final of the Hunts Senior Cup. Pump Up The Volume Mike Green

TODAY’S VISITORS

KINGS LYNN TOWN Year founded: 1879 Nickname: The Linnets Chairman: Keith Chapman Web: www.kltown.co.uk

The Linnets first visit to the Premier Plus Stadium since March 2011 when they were here for a UCL KO cup tie.

A special welcome and a very Happy New Year to Kings Lynn Town our visitors today who are making a return to the town after four years. Lynn won promotion in the Northern Premier League (south) last season and were promptly moved into the Southern League Premier Division where they face some fairly daunting away trips in terms of mileage. So for them this is almost a local trip which nonetheless sees a round trip of some 120 miles. When a clubs moves to a new league either on promotion or transfer (as this latest move was both for Lynn) it can take some time to settle and acclimatise and at the time these notes were written our visitors were fourteenth the in the table, two places and two points below our lads with a game in hand.It was the 2010/11 season when out two clubs met four times – twice at home twice away – for in addition to the UCL Premier Division engagements we were also drawn together in the League Cup and the fifth round of the FA Vase. The outcome to all of these meeting were two wins apiece but the four matches produced no less than eighteen goals (nine apiece) so that made it honours even. However at the end of the season St Neots had 105 league points and Lynn two less so it was St Neots who got the promotion – Lynn having to wait a further twelve months for theirs. What was memorable about that 2010/11 season was

that our two teams scored 295 league goals between them at an average of 3.69 per match or a goal every 24 minutes. How was that for entertainment?

Of course now playing two steps higher in the football pyramid goals are a little less easy to come by but today our two teams will do their best to serve up some New Year entertainment.

Club History It is not really known when King’s Lynn first had a football club that represented the town, just that Lynn Town was reformed in 1879 having gone out of existence “a few years earlier.

The summer of 2007 saw the roof of the grandstand and the seating replaced as part of £350,00 project. The plans to renovate the 50 year old grandstand were announced, after securing a £150,000 grant from the Football Foundation’s Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), in a joint bid with partners The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk.

More work took place than was anticipated due to very poor weather, very heavy rain, just after the old roof had been removed and the new roof being fitted. Rain water damaged the Boardroom and Function Rooms and so had to be totally refurbished. The stadium still did not meet the standards required to play Conference football. The size of the changing rooms and

the lux value of the floodlights did not meet the specification and so the Club was demoted from Conference North. The floodlights were upgraded to Football League standards for the season 2009 – 10, during which the Club was again “Wound Up”.

A new Club, now known as King’s Lynn Town, was formed in early 2010. Commencing in May 2010, the new owners totally gutted the changing rooms and function rooms, producing very high standard of upgrades to facilities for both spectators and guests. Ticketing systems and new turnstiles were installed together with fences being replaced. Alterations and improvements are continuing to upgrade the ground standards.

The 2010/11 season saw Lynn in the Premier Division of the UCL where they finished runners up to St Neots despite amassing 103 points. The following season they again finished runners up but were promoted to the Northern Premier League (South) because champions Long Buckby declined promotion.

After winning promotion to the Premier Division they were moved sideways at the end of last season to compete in the Southern League Premier Division for the 2015/16 season.

WHO’S WHO SIMON BIRD (DEFENDER)

with King’s Lynn Town Reserves.

Simon joined King’s Lynn Town Reserves in the Summer of 2015. He is a resolute hard working Defender who has worked his way up through the Lower Levels of the National League system.

LIAM FRYATT (MIDFIELD)

DAVID BRIDGES (MIDFIELD)

RYAN FRYATT (DEFENDER)

David a very experienced Midfield Player joined King’s Lynn Town at the beginning of July 2014. For the season 201314, David started the campaign at Bury Town before joining Conference North Team Brackley Town in December 2013.

Moving to King’s Lynn Town in the summer of 2010, he started the season in the Reserves, progressing into the First team squad. He was ever present in the successful 2011-12, 201213 and 2013-14 squad. Ryan was part of the very successful Norfolk County Under 18 team who won the F.A. County Youth Cup, at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke at the end of April 2011.

MATTHEW CASTELLAN (DEFENDER) Matthew joined King’s Lynn Town from Swaffham Town in the early Autumn of 2015. A young hard working Defender who wishes to excel as he progresses through the National League system.

MICHAEL CLUNAN (MIDFIELD) Michael a very good Midfield Player who played for local youth teams before signing a Scholarship with Norwich City in the Summer of 2010, then progressing on to Norwich Under 21 development squad. In the summer of 2013 he signed for Boston United before moving to Histon in October of the same year. In August 2014 he joined Lowestoft Town and later in that season he moved to Dereham Town.

DYLAN EDGE (STRIKER) An exciting Young Local Lad who has tremendous potential to grow into an excellent goal scorer.

JACK FROHAWK (STRIKER) A promising young local Striker who has developed his skills

A promising young local Midfield Player who was with Cambridge United in his Youth before moving to Dereham Town, He has developed his skills with King’s Lynn Town Reserves.

SAM GAUGHRAN (DEFENDER) Sam is a very experienced Defender who will Captain the team. As a school boy, Sam came through King’s Lynn Community Football before moving to Norwich City Academy. On his release from Norwich he returned to King’s Lynn playing in the Youth and Reserve Teams before breaking into the First team in September 2006. Lowestoft Town signed Sam in July 2010, where he spent the next four seasons, being voted Player of the year on two occasions.

2013 making his Debut at the age of 17.

CONOR MARSHALL MIDFIELD) Conor, spent his early youth, from the age of 11 until he was eighteen, with Grimsby Town, moving onto Brigg Town in the summer of 2011. In January 2012 he joined Boston United where he enjoyed a successful period becoming a strong hard tackling midfield player. In the current season he had a short loan at Belper Town.

KERN MILLER (DEFENDER) Kern a versatile defender, was a Scholar at Lincoln City. On being released, in January 2011, he joined Barnsley, before moving to Accrington Stanley and Hereford United. Kern joined Gainsborough Trinity and went on Loan to Worksop Town. In July 2012 he joined Boston United and for 2013/14 season he played at Grantham Town.

Other Clubs last season were Spalding United and Belper Town.

SAM MULREADY (STRIKER) A prolific young ambitious Striker. He became an integral part of the successful King’s Lynn Town squad in the final months of the 2012-13 season and was ever present in 2013-14 campaign.

LIAM HURST (ATTACKING / MIDFIELD)

LUKE PEARSON (GOALKEEPER):

Liam is a skilful ball playing midfield player who was released by Cambridge United in May 2015.In his early Youth, he was at City Academy and moved to Cambridge Regional College as a Scholar after turning 16 years of age. Liam signed Professional Forms with Cambridge United in February

Luke is a very promising young Keeper who spent his Youth at Downham Town before joining King’s Lynn Town Reserves.

LEE SMITH (STRIKER / MIDFIELD): Lee has scored Goals with regularity over the years and now if required can play in many positions in any Team.

Scorelines..

A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter Premier Division Boxing Day League Action 26 December 2015 Poole Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Frome Town but maintained their twelve-point lead at the top. Second placed Chippenham Town, a goal ahead at the interval, conceded an equaliser fifteen minutes from the end and were held to a 1-1 home draw by third in the table Hungerford Town. Redditch United lost 1-0 to a fifteenth minute goal at Stratford Town to fall to seventh. Weymouth went behind in the fifteenth minute but, after converting a penalty just before the half hour, they took the lead on the stroke of half time only to concede an equaliser in time added on to draw 2-2 at home with neighbouring Dorchester Town. Dunstable Town drew 0-0 at home with Hitchin Town but Leamington lost 2-0 when hosts Bedworth United scored a goal in each half and move out of the bottom two. Kettering Town took the lead two minutes before the break and scored two more in the second half to win 3-0 at Kings Lynn Town. Biggleswade Town converted penalties in the fourth and fifteenth minutes and doubled their lead shortly after the half hour to set up a 5-2 home success over St Neots Town. Slough Town went down 1-0 at home when Chesham United struck in the thirtyfourth minute. Cirencester Town scored ten minutes from time to secure a 1-0 victory at Merthyr Town while bottom of the table Paulton Rovers scored with twenty minutes remaining to win 1-0 at Bideford, who dropped to

second from bottom, two points above their hosts and ten points from safety.

Division One Central 26 December 2015 Leaders Chalfont St Peter went behind after just three minutes and conceded a second goal just after the hour but struck back midway through the second half before securing a 3-2 home victory over Ware with two goals in the final three minutes. Second in the table AFC Rushden & Diamonds, a goal behind at the interval, scored twice in the second half to win 2-1 at Bedford Town.

Royston Town went ahead from a penalty ten minutes from the end and completed a 2-0 home win to replace visiting St Ives Town in fourth place. Northwood went ahead from the spot ten minutes before the interval and secured a 2-0 home win against Kings Langley shortly before the hour mark but Uxbridge, who had taken a sixth minute lead, conceded four times in the second half and slipped to a 4-3 home defeat by Petersfield Town. Potters Bar Town struck twice in the opening half hour to win 2-0 at Arlesey Town and leapfrog their hosts in the table. Godalming Town scored a goal in each half to record a 2-0 home victory over Fleet Town while second from bottom Leighton Town, having taken a third minute lead, found themselves trailing two behind four minutes after the interval but levelled things up with two goals in three minutes before securing a 4-3 home win over Barton Rovers with thirteen minutes remaining.

Division One South & West 26 December 2015 North Leigh, a goal up at the interval, moved back into second place when they completed a 3-1 home win against Didcot Town. Swindon Supermarine took a ninth minute lead and, despite conceding an equaliser two minutes later, went on to record a comfortable 4-1 victory at Wantage Town which took them up to third place. Tiverton Town went down to fourth when, after going behind, they were held to a 1-1 home draw by fourth from bottom Bridgwater Town and Winchester City dropped to fifth when AFC Totton struck twice in the second half to secure a 2-0 home success. Taunton Town scored twice in three minutes soon after the half hour to set up a 2-1 win at Larkhall Athletic.

Banbury United, ahead on the stroke of half time and two up seven minutes into the second half, conceded two goals in the final twenty minutes as Evesham United secured a 2-2 home draw while Marlow, having gone behind after six minutes, scored twice before the interval before going on to win 3-2 at Burnham but Mangotsfield United, who took a first half lead, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Yate Town equalised in the fourth minute of time added on.

Bashley, two down at the break, reduced the arrears just before the midway point of the second half but crashed to their twentythird straight defeat when two penalties in the final nine minutes gave Wimborne Town a 4-1 away success.

UCL Premier Division KO Cup (19/March/2011)

ST NEOTS TOWN 2 - 1 KINGS LYNN TOWN St Neots moved into the League Cup semifinal with a victory over their arch rivals far more comfortable than the final score line suggests.

St Neots blooded their latest signing in midfield Gavin Strachan signed from Hinckley and he marked his debut with a well taken second half goal.

The attendance was markedly lower than the 1491 who witnessed the league match at the Stadium on February 5th but St Neots reaped the reward of an attractive semi-final tie away at neighbours St Ives who are the current holders of the trophy.

St Neots appeared in the Final in both 2004 and 2006 but finished with the runners-up medals on both occasions.

Although the sides were both below full strength there was no lack of effort from either and the match was very competitive from the first whistle. After early skirmishes St Neots created two good openings in the same attack after 15 minutes when Ollie Montique sent Tony Scully clear on the left and his attempted chip over the

advancing Matt Hails brought a great reaction save from the visiting keeper. Then from the resultant corner a close range effort by Will Fordham was blocked on the line by Jamie Alsop. Kieran Davies was also in with a good chance of opening the scoring after being played clear by Bryn Williams but his finish was disappointingly wide.

Lynn too had their chances principally on the break and Dobi Ogbonna was twice guilty of shooting wide when well placed. Visiting keeper Hails distinguished himself with a fine save from Kieran Davies after good work by Fordham but as half time approached Lynn had an excellent five minutes spell of pressure. A misplaced pass by Montique let in Gini Livoti but with only the keeper to beat he shot badly wide and then Daniel Buchanan had two chances in a minute shooting over the bar and volleying wide of the far post from a narrow angle.

Changes were needed to freshen up the game and St Neots sent on Theo Davis and Dan Jacob for Will Fordham and Bryn Williams. Jacob’s impact

was immediate and significant as he brought a fine parry from Hails and forced the keeper to knock a second effort over the cross bar. Then after 58 minutes the initial breakthrough came.

Micky Hyem had been moved into midfield and Scully sent him scampering after a diagonal pass across the penalty area.

He tried to round the keeper but was brought down. Hails looked fortunate only to be shown a yellow card and Tony Scully scored from the penalty spot – only his third goal of the season.

Lynn quickly sent on two experienced substitutes but they found the St Neots defence marshalled by Glen Fuff in a mean mood and their chances were few and far between. A lob by Kieran Doherty that went over the backpedalling Tim Trebes but landed on the roof of the net and then four minutes from time the victory was all but confirmed with a sweet move as Davies found Jacob on the left and his early low cross was converted at the far post by Gavin Strachan.

ST NEOTS TOWN 1 WEYMOUTH 1 Southern League Premier Division / 19.12.2015 / Attendance: 299 / Referee: Geoffrey Russell (Northampton)

St Neots seventh draw in their last eleven games leaves them still struggling to regain their form as they languish in mid-table.

This was a match never short of incident with both sides finishing with ten men but despite St Neots having much the better of the first half they were unable to make their better possession and chances pay off with goals.

Weymouth were twice denied by the woodwork after the break and could have stolen all three points with their spirited second half performance. With Lee Clarke (unavailable) and Ryan Hawkins (suspended) joining Shane Blackett, Tom Ward and Drew Roberts (all injured) on the side lines the only thing St Neots will be hoping for this Christmas is a fully fit squad to choose from and for this match they introduced teenage trialist Robbie Sweeney from the Stevenage Academy and he played all but six minutes in a position wide right in midfield.

Off the pitch the main talking point was the surprise retirement of Chairman Michael Kearns who was still supporting his side from the terraces. After an early cross from Chris Shephard had tested home keeper Andy Wilton the game settled with St Neots in the ascendancy but there were too many stoppages notably for offside offences at both ends for the game to really flow. Adam Kelly stabbed a shot wide for the visitors but St Neots really should have been in front after 20 minutes when a clever pass by Isaac Galliford freed Tom Meechan but a poor first touch allowed

Andrew Dawber to leave his line to collect the ball at the strikers’ feet. However five minutes later St Neots did take the lead when a sublime flick over the defence by the confident Remy Gordon once again put Meechan beyond the final defender and it took a quality full length save by Dawber to push the ball around a post. However from Galliford’s uncleared inswinging corner a shot by Robbie Sweeney was blocked by a defender but the ball fell to Matt Mitchel-King and he rapped home his fourth league goal of the season. It was no more than St Neots deserved and three minutes later they looked to be denied a clear penalty when a Galliford cross was handled by a defender but play was waved on. Gordon now getting back to fitness after his long injury lay-off then brought a fine save from the overworked visiting keeper and after a couple of long range off-target shots from the visitors the half ended with another St Neots chance as skipper Ryan Frater headed wide from a Galliford corner. That first half had been St Neots best 45 minutes for several matches but they failed to build on that after the break. Galliford did volley an early half chance over the bar but with their leading scorer Stewart Yetton on as a substitute for the injured Ben Thomson the visitors looked more positive. From an Adam Kelly cross Yetton saw a close range header rebound

from the crossbar and then Billy Lowes brought a good save from Wilton. St Neots had lost their first half rhythm picking up three bookings as they struggled to contain the visiting attack and after 75 minutes a snap shot

by Mark Moseley from 30 yards surprised Wilton but bounced off the junction of post and crossbar.

However Weymouth only had to wait until their next attack two minutes later to get the equaliser they were threatening. A long through ball from Mark Cooper was chased down to the bye line

by Adam Kelly and his low cross to the near post was turned into the net by Chris Shephard.

St Neots made the positive move of introducing striker Chris Lewis for Galliford but before he had been involved a bust up between Ben Jones and Jordan Copp saw the Weymouth player pick up a straight red card and Jones a second yellow so both sides were reduced to ten men with seven minutes remaining. During that spell Weymouth looked the more threatening but St Neots held out for a point that saw them slip one place in the table to fourteenth with neighbours Biggleswade winning away at Leamington.

The two meet at Biggleswade on Boxing Day.

John Walker

St Neots Town

Weymouth

Wilton, Anton, Longden, Mitchel-King, Frater, Tann, Galliford, Jones, Meechan, Sweeney, Gordon Subs: Lewis (for Galliford 78), Hobbs (for Sweeney 84), Ofosu (for Gordon 90+2), Burton and Dean Cards: Jones (RED – 83 – 2xY), Longden (Y – 62), Mitchel-King (Y – 66), Sweeney (Y – 70) Goals: Mitchel-King (25 mins)

Dawber, Cooper, Copp, Evans, McPhee, Brooks, Kelly, Lawes, Moseley, Thomson, Shephard Subs: Yetton (for Thomson 32), Sills (for Lawes 73), Wannell (for Cooper 84), Wells and Rigg Cards: Copp (RED – 83), Moseley (Y – 90+3) Goals: Shephard (77 mins)

Welcome to the players, officials, management and staff of Kings Lynn FC. We hope you have a safe trip back.

Two performances to feedback on since my last programme notes. Weymouth at home and then our away match against Biggleswade on Boxing Day and they couldn’t have been more different if we tried.

Against Weymouth we looked very strong and for the second home match in a row, can justifiably question some game changing decisions by the referee that went against us.

Two penalty decisions, a blatant foul that led to their goal and a free kick FOR us, when we had two players running through on goal can make this a very frustrating game at times.

That said there were some good performances despite being without Ward, Clarke, Roberts, Hawkins and Blackett. Particular mention should go to Stevenage loanee Robbie Sweeney who performed with grit and ability in his first game at this level.

Contrast this performance to the one Boxing Day where I have never had a 20 mins of football like that in my life. Trailing 4-0, including two correct penalty decisions against us and down to 10 men the game should’ve been over. A dreadful performance from many of us meant the odds of us getting back n the game were virtually zero.

Not for the first time the sending off galvanised us a bit and we then had the better of the last 15 mins of the first half going close a couple of times and scoring a goal. The second half demanded a show of character from the players and particular

mention must go to Remy Gordon, Ryan Hawkins and of course Tom Meechan.

We asked them to go and cause as much damage as they can and to restore some pride and after Tom netted another, when we got a penalty with 20 odd mins to go I actually thought the unbelievable may happen. Crazy game as this is, Tom missed his first ever penalty so a mad last 25 mins didn’t happen and with us pushing as hard as we could, we conceded another.

Despite the rally, we are well aware of how poor we were and many of the players have expressed their desire to put that right.

Enjoy the game.

Batchy

ROBBIE SWEENEY GETS A SHOT AWAY

TOM GOES CLOSE

DAN HOBBS

OLLIE SUTTON

CLAUDIO OFOSU

LUIS VIERA

CHAIRMANS VIEWS The last time we played Kings Lynn was by strange coincidence the first game I ever watched us play.

I’d been asked to look into one or two things that had been going on at the football club in the February of our last year at step 5 and if I’m right we played them in either late Feb or early March. Two sides with one objective. To all Kings Lynn Officials, players and supporters I hope you enjoy your time with us. First things first, as I mentioned in my statement it’s important to recognise the outgoing chairman’s achievements and from a personal point of view I’d like to add that although he could be a right royal pain in the arse the underlying fact remains that to date, taking into consideration the current position the first team find themselves, he has been one of if not the most successful Chairman the club has had. Clearly the contribution all other Chairman have made over the years cannot be over stated or indeed the volunteers, committee members and supporters but the fact remains that the football club is playing at the highest level in its history and this is the only real yardstick I can judge by.

So what changes?

Well put simply, in a nut shell, when taking everything into consideration, nothing much has changed. That’s not to say that over the next few months we sit idly on our backsides and smell the roses, nor does it mean that changes will never happen because if we are one thing, we are progressive in our thoughts and open to workable idea’s. We are good at many

things and as a collective we have improved performance in most areas of the business.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Louise has done a fantastic job, and continues to do a fantastic job, in providing a level of professionalism that has resulted in much needed growth within our functions and events business (she’s also responsible for an additional 14 sponsors banners this season), Iain Parr, together with Andy and Tom Spark, has been instrumental in introducing, expanding and managing a youth development policy that I believe is or certainly will be the very best out there, we are more adapt at getting potential sponsors around the table and this in turn helps to generate additional income and business partnership opportunities. We have kids party rooms (Fifa and soon to be Minecraft which if you haven’t seen grab hold of me and I’ll give you a peek) which will give us increased exposure/income and we have worked hard to increase the amount of community support programmes we offer too. These are all positives that four and a bit years ago were a little nonexistent or were present but not in their current vibrant form.

greater than mine, these people will pass comment, good, bad or indifferent. The way I see things is that as a Chairman I have overall responsibility to ensure we make things work and make sure that we are still gleefully plugging away, pushing forward trying to take the club onto bigger and better things for years to come, this can only be achieved if we work as a coherent collective.

By the time these notes go into the programme we may have already released a couple of news items that will again add something to our overall portfolio (fingers crossed). This illustrates our desire to keep pushing the club forwards towards our ultimate objective which is to have a successful football club that has depth to its character, a stable and financially positive balance sheet, an open and active mind and a desire to embrace those that want to be part of the journey.

We are however aware that we are not so good at a few other aspects of the business which we have identified and will now be working on over the next few months and no this is not a eureka moment, it’s more a case of always being aware but not really knowing how to tackle that initial first step in moving and improving these particular areas. I’m not going to comment directly about first team performances because there are others who are an integral part of the club whose knowledge on such things is far

“Can you feed the dog, she’s been a nightmare today I think she’s coming into season”

“Darling you know I said to you a while back that I’ve been talking to the old man about acquiring his share holdings in the football club and therefore becoming Chairman”

“Ok......just to let you know I’ve done it and so we are now responsible for the football club” “I’m out Tuesday so if Fin’s training you’ll have to drop him down there and come back for the girls” “Ok....did you hear what I said?”

“Yes but I don’t think we need a new car” Lee

ISSAC GETS READY TO CROSS

HANDS UP AGAIN

To be or not to be

Who would be a professional football manager or club Chairman, a marrage made in hell.

Many of us aspire to be a manager of a football club and we all know by watching from the grandstand or terraces that it is an easy job, why ? well because we all have an opinion and have something to say, mostly that the manager has got it wrong and we know more about it them him or he should be sacked.

No matter what level you watch your football opinions are always the same.

Now a manager of a professional club has even more pressure and granted he gets a very serious financial reward for his services but is it really worth the stress on his health, the continued spotlight and Media trolling they get if things do not go quite right.

Believe it or not only one club can win the league or division, and only one club can win a cup, not many supporters or more importantly Chairman know that fact it seems.

So it really is a dog eat dog situation and it seems to work out that the clubs that spend the most money usual win the trophies.

Chairman are ever demanding with managers and even if they have a couple of good seasons and achieve well above LORENZO FERRARI their punching weight they still

end up getting the sack, why because the Chairman always want more.

Is this because they are not doing their job or is it a knee jerk situation where like Leeds united many years ago actually budgeted for success and assumed they would be in the top 4 of the league and in the champions league the following season before it was achieved, they spent every penny of the assumed income on players in what was proberbly the most stupid financial decision any club has ever made.

say look this is going to take a few years and you have to run with it because I just don’t want to spend all of your money and if I fail the club is in serious trouble, Leeds

United are a prime example and it was aledged the Chairman Peter Ridsdale allowed the manager at the time David Oleary to spend, spend, spend.

Does he say hang on this is

Well the answer to that is probably yes over spending in the first place big wages and long contracts to jonny kickabout players as Sir Alan Sugar once called them and expected income that is just not achievable.

So who really should walk the plank yes the Chairman and his staff that make these decisions.

Not the manager who just does his job with what he is allowed to spend, but wait a minute doesn’t every manger go into the club and say “how much am I getting and how much can I spend” because if you want success you will have to give me enough money to achieve that success. Does any manager got into the club and

DAVID O’LEARY wrong you cant spend that amount of money he just spends all of your money then says can you re mortgage your house and give me more.

Good managers like the ex Swansea manager Gary Monk

years and yes been sacked from all of them. Well at least he will get us out of trouble and give us some credence this season they say, come off it Bugs Bunny could do that with the squad Chelsea have.

GARY MONK has just been sacked, and what a brilliant job he did for the club.

It would be so funny if by the time you read this article that Jose Mourinhio has become the manager of Manchester United and that just might happen. You need time

We are talking about Swansea here not Chelsea or Manchester City and they sack a manager who has had a first what we call blip in his tenure at the club.

We have to do something says the chairman as this is just not good enough, Swansea are in the premier division for hecks sake and have been for some years playing great football along the way, they are a small club punching above their weight in comparison to the big clubs and they sack the manager who has done wonders for them.

We now come to the craziest decision of all at Chelsea by sacking who is by record the most successful manager in football and replace him with a guy who has been a failure over the last five years being sacked from each job he has had and he has had 5 jobs in 5 or so

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR Or the Dutch international Winston Bogarde who was paid nearly £40k a week and spent 3 years commuting from

JOSÉ MOURINHO

WINSTON BOGARDE

and patience to take a club to a respectable level but only to that level you can afford and be comfortable at. Never ever go for the jack pot without having the finances to keep you

Amsterdam to London every day to train with Chelsea and then go home each day, yes he really did just to see out his contract.

To be a manager or not to be is that really the question as they are only as good or in employment for as long as their Chairman does his job properly.

Funny thing is managers get the sack every day for shall we say under achievement how many Chairman have got the sack for under achievement not many if any at all. Can’t think of one really.

at that level, never

give jonny kickabouts long contracts that you have to pay up if you get into trouble as Tottenham are doing at this very moment paying Emmanuel Adebayor £100k a week for staying at home.

Christmas may be over for another year but the tradition of Boxing Day football means that clubs may be able to extend the celebrations with three points for their valued fans.

As players, managers, officials and supporters travel all over the country, surely now is the time to celebrate your club’s achievements over the last year.

But it is also a time to thank YOU – the loyal fans and volunteers that keep this great institution of football going.

Christmas is a busy time for many and not least football clubs. With a packed festive schedule, sacrifices have to be made in order to perform on a day like today.

When Premier League players miss out on a glass of wine or excessive amounts of turkey, sympathy is limited due to the other excess in their life – their bank balance.

highlighted this with Salford City’s volunteers at the forefront of their football community.

Despite their FA Cup second round heroics, they were cruelly knocked out after extra time at Hartlepool.

But one thing that won’t change now they have returned to EvoStik Northern Premier action are those same volunteers who graced our television screens.

This is true for all clubs at this level and no doubt all sides in action today will want to reward their loyal supporters and volunteers for their continued hard work.

All clubs – Non-League or otherwise – have come together in a time of crisis and for once there has been a number of positive stories about football and how powerful it can be.

So whether it be a painful relegation battle or an exciting promotion challenge that your side are facing today, none of it would be possible without the volunteers selling food and drink or the selfless people who do

What makes them particularly special? They do it for the love of it – nothing more and nothing less.

In the wake of some Football League adversity, the NonLeague flag once again flew high and proud when Welling auctioned off their match ball following their match with League Two side Carlisle United.

their upmost to keep matches on in this time of unpredictable weather – to name just a few.

As the (slightly adjusted) cliché goes, a football club is not just for Christmas – it’s for life and no matter how much we want to sometimes, we can’t alter the place the club has in our hearts.

But in the world of Non-League, this reward does not exist. With a range of other commitments – not to mention family life – travelling to a game today is not easy for the players, managers, volunteers or supporters.

The Class of 92 documentary just a few months ago

have been severely affected by Storm Desmond. Subsequently, the club who ultimately ended Welling’s FA Cup dream, has suffered more heavily than many can imagine.

Sheridan Robins The money will be used to help the community of Cumbria that

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TOM SHOOTS

IT’S IN

ST NEOTS TOWN FIRST TEAM PLAYER STATS 2015/16

12 14 7 19 8 7 14 23 1 8 21 1 22 17 2 5 1 1 12 14 15 13

3

5 1

2

2

1

2

3 5

10 1

3 1 4

12

1 6 1 1 4 6 1

2 1 7 6 4

7 3 4

3 1 4 2 2 5 1

1 19 4 1

1

3 6 1 8 6 4

2 1 1 1

3

1

1

1 1 1

1

2 5 9 5 1 2 3

1 1

1

4

1

8 3 8 5 3

1 4

2 1

2 4 1

3 1 1

3

2 3 1

1 2 2

29 1 1 1 9 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 16 0 0 1 0 1 8 0 17 4 1 5 7 0 0 1 25 3 3 5 9 0 0 0 7 1 2 2 22 0 0 4 29 1 0 9 0 4 10 1 5 6 2 1 8 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 23 2 1 0 6 5 12 1 31 0 0 22 22 1 0 5 3 10 3 1 7 1 1 1 4 0 10 0 1 1 0 0 20 5 6 1 3 10 6 2 22 1 0 3 20 0 3 0 16 0 1 0

Details correct up to and including Saturday 26th December

1

RED

GOALS

UNUSED SUB

APPS

1

USED SUB

TOTAL GOALS

UNUSED SUB

1 1

USED SUB

1 1 1

APPS

1 1

GOALS

22 6

CUP

UNUSED SUB

USED SUB

Anton Jamie Beech Josh Berkes George Blackett Shane Burton Ben Clarke Lee Frater Ryan Galliford Isaac (L) Gay Danny Gordon Remy Hall Connor Hawkins Ryan Hobbs Dan Horne Ryan (L) Jones Ben Lewis CJ Longden Brett Mailancol Guy Meechan Tom Mitchel-King Matt Ofosu Claudio Roberts Drew Sutton Ollie Sweeney Robbie-Lee Tann Adam Vieira Luis Ward Tom Wilton Andy Wilkinson Jack

APPS

LEAGUE

YELLOW

St Neots Town First Team Player Stats 2015/16

1

3 1 1

3

1

1 5 8

2

3 7

1

2 1 4 1 4 1 2

Mascot feature

Mascot Fact File Our last home game saw 10 year old Harry Hancock-Grimes be club Mascot against Weymouth although there was to be no early Christmas present as the Saints drew 1-1 on the day. We hope you had a great time Harry!

The Saints Matchday Mascot Experience!

• Free entry for mascot and parents • Use of our hospitality room • Signed match day programme by your favourite player, which you will also appear in • Meet your favourite player and have your photo taken • Tour of the stadium • Have a kick about on the main pitch • Lead the Saints on to the pitch • Free portion of chips and drink for the mascot

To apply to be a Matchday Mascot contact Louise Spark on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk

READ ALL ABOUT IT We take a look at what other non-league clubs are doing that’s making the news this week.

TRURO CITY

LEWES FC

Vanarama National League South club Truro City have entered a ‘groundshare’ agreement with National League outfit Torquay United to play their matches at Plainmoor next season. The Gulls have made no official announcement, but Truro chairman Peter Masters has issued a statement confirming the deal. Truro are due to leave their current Treyew Road ground at the end of this season, but a new stadium has been plagued with difficulties .

“The plan is that we will vacate here after the final game at the end of April and start at Torquay,” said Masters. “We have the whole season booked there if we need it, but if the new ground is finished, we can go back and play there.”

Lewes FC have announced the launch of a 12th Man Scheme commencing from 12 December 2015. The 12th Man Scheme is a supporter-led initiative to increase the team’s playing budget and for fans to make a direct contribution on the pitch as well as from the terraces. It’s been used successfully at other clubs, such as Dulwich Hamlet.

Money raised by the 12th Man Scheme does not replace the money already allocated by the club for player wages — it is a ring-fenced fund that can be accessed by the manager for the sole purpose of paying new players — and will never be used for any other means. The Scheme will work on a ‘payas-you-want’ basis. It can be for as little or as much as fans wish to contribute — and can be paid via a one-off payment or by a regular donation through a weekly, monthly or annual standing order. New Lewes FC Director, John Peel, said: “I am delighted to get this scheme underway, which gives fans a recognisable identity on the pitch as well as off it. Whilst the initiative is long term, I very much hope that the scheme takes off and that we see the benefit this season.” Lewes FC Manager, Darren Freeman, said: “We appreciate all the work involved in this scheme. This will enable us to strengthen our

CAMBRIDGE CITY Michael Malcolm has left Cambridge City with the EvoStik League Southern Premier Division club cancelling his contract by mutual consent. The 30-year-old joined City on the eve of the season and scored 9 goals in all competitions.

However, travelling to the games has proved to be difficult for the striker and with his form suffering in recent weeks, manager Gary Roberts has decided to release the player from the club.

squad, which is very important to us at this stage of the season.”

BIGGLESWADE TOWN Barclays Premier League outfit Aston Villa have signed EvoStik League Southern Premier Division club Biggleswade Town`s 17-year-old Keinan Davies on a professional contract. Villa have trialled the young Wader over the last four weeks and offered an eighteen-month contract to turn professional. Davies, who has featured in the Waders` firstteam squad, is one of a number of very good players under-18 manager Dave Northfield has assembled. He picked up a several players released by pro clubs and their recent performances have drawn the attention of many League clubs this season. Northfield said: “Keinan is a great young lad, a gifted player who has earned a second chance. “Several months ago he was released

by Stevenage FC, coming to Biggleswade as a young lad feeling that he had a future, but unsure what direction to take.

“Hard work and a real talent have lifted the young lad, and he has showed he has a great future.

Better advice from your local friendly independent financial advisor

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Manager: David Batch Assistant Manager: Steve Eastaugh Goalkeepers Andrew Wilton Ollie Sutton

Manager: Gary Setchell Assistant Manager: Neil Fryatt

Forwards Drew Roberts Tom Meechan Luis Viera Claudio Ofosu

Line Up From: Simon Bird David Bridges Matthew Castellan Michael Clunan Dylan Edge Jack Friend Jack Frohawk Liam Fryatt Ryan Fryatt Sam Gaughran Toby Hilliard Liam Hurst Conor Marshall Thomas McLeish Kern Miller Sam Mulready Luke Pearson Lee Smith Lee Stevenson Alexander Street Jordan Yong Jacek Zielonka

Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Colours Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts & Yellow Socks

Defenders Brett Longden Adam Tann (Captain) Tom Ward Jamie Anton Shane Blackett Ryan Frater Midfielders Ryan Hawkins Lee Clarke Mat Mitchel-King Guy Mailamcol Remy Gordon Issac Galliford

The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Christopher Ward Assistant 1: Timothy Doe Assistant 2: Peter Howard

Next Home Game: St Ives Town Hunts Senior Cup Semi Final Tuesday 12th January 2016 / KO 19:45

As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.