Squires Gate FC Entity Status: Unincorporated We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support. It is very much appreciated. Enjoy the match! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT To view all of our available sponsorship opportunities, flick to page 10 or email our Head of Media James Ashton at jamesashton2000@icloud.com for any additional queries.
CLUB President:DIRECTORY Brian Addison Club Secretary: John Maguire Committee: Brian Addison, Steve Bellamy, Ian Moore, Micky Farrer, John Maguire Head of Media: James Ashton Media Officer: Jay Hayden Social Media Manager: Dan Hayden Club Photographer: Ian Moore KIT ShirtSPONSORSSponsors: Central Insurance, Open GlobalTaylorsRecruitment,Fish&Chips,FootballNetwork, Short Sponsor: Marsden Plastering CLUB Manager:MANAGEMENT Luke Evans Assistant Manager: Andy Baker First Team Coach : Liam Robinson Club Physio: Rhys Daly TALK OF THE GATE Editors; James Ashton Dan Hayden Jay Hayden Front Cover: Chris Stewart @kitforbrains Printing: Moulton Printing CLUB Website:CONTACTwww.squiresgatefc.co.uk Twitter: @squiresgatefc Instagram: @squiresgatefc Email: squiresgatefc@hotmail.com WELCOME WHAT’S INSIDE MORE?WANT FIND US HERE... #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 03 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc squiresgatefc.co.uk@squiresgatefc@squiresgatefc Hello everyone, and welcome to this evening’s match as Squires Gate host Irlam. After a home game on Saturday, it’s been another quick turnaround to produce another 36 page programme so we hope you enjoy the read! In both of our home matches so far, our programmes have completely sold out which is a big achievement for us. Thank you for purchasing this week’s copy, and let’s hope for another sell out tonight. If you’re interested in purchasing some left over copies from last year’s award winning Matchday Magazine, we have some on the bar on sale for just £2, along with some pin badges too! A tough opponent in Irlam tonight who always give us a good match, let’s hope we get those three points. Enjoythe game! 4 THE GAFFER 20 MATCH-UP 6 COVER STAR 22-25 MEDIA DIARIES 11 60 SECONDS 28 KIT REVIEWS 12 GARY PETT Q&A 30-31 FAN EXPERIENCE 14-15 ACTION REPLAY 32-33 QUIZ CORNER 16-17 IRLAM FC 36 THE TEAMS Squires Gate @squiresgatefcFC
Good evening and welcome to The Brian Addison Stadium for tonight’s match between Squires Gate and Irlam. It’s another quick turnaround for us following Saturday’s narrow FA Cup defeat to Northwich Vics, but we’re raring to go again and we’re eager to get ourfirst win of the season to get some points on the board. Saturday was a frustrating one for us. A cheap goal put us 1 0 down, before a very harsh free kick right before half time saw us go into the break 2 0 down. We did deserve to be losing at half time to be fair as Vics were by far the better side, but the goals we conceded were so frustrating, as they have been all season so far. We rallied in the second half though with a much improved display. Vics hardly got out of their own half, and we dominated the ball. A goal from Ryan Riley pulled it back to 2 1 on 63 minutes, but despite huffing and puffing, we just couldn’t find that second goal, and we fell at the first hurdle of the FA Cup. It’s good to be back in league action though, and one less cup competition to focus on allows us to put all our efforts into the Premier Division for now. Irlam are always a tough opponent and will bring a side that’s difficult to break down, threaten on the break and want to dominate the ball. We take the positives out of the games so far though, and if we can apply the good things we’ve been doing for the full 90 minutes then that first win will come very, very soon, and the rest will follow. A big thank you to everyone who continues to back and support me and the lads. The wins will come and we will have things to cheer about very soon.
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 04 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc THE LUKE EVANS
Gaffer #WeAreGate
C VER STAR COVER STAR // ISSUE THREE // LUKE EVANS
Words by Dan Hayden Managers at this level of non league will tell you that it’s more than just turning up on a Tuesday and Saturday. Since Luke Evans joined Squires Gate back in 2019, he has transformed the club off the pitch as well as maintaining the club’s record of being the longest serving NWCFL Premier Division club. That’s a stat to save for a pub quizin years to come. As soon as Luke arrived at the club, he knew what visions he had for the club and immediately started to make the necessary changes and just walking round the ground, you can see how much Squires Gate Football Club has progressed into a newera. When attending the match as a supporter, you may not even notice some of the minor changes that have happened at the club under Luke’s reign. From the professional looking changing rooms, to the installation of the hand sanitising stations which were used during the post lockdown matches. Even here on the right, he is pictured painting one of the stands. Within the time I have worked with Luke personally, he is always there to offer any support, and will always check in to see if we need anything.
LUKE EVANS
Theteam.gaffer always has time for supporters too, which has been so important in attracting new fans to the club. In our preseason game against Wrens, he went out and ensured each supporter attending the game was given a bottle of water. A gesture that was widely welcomed inthe heatwave. Having also been awarded the Red Rose award by the FA for his efforts towards non league football. I think Gate fans will agree with me that what Luke has done behind the scenes has been nothing short of exceptional and Squires Gate have become a club that others stand up and take notice of - off the pitch especially.
No matter what the result, you will always see a post match interview with him. In terms of the social media output, Luke demands nothing but the best and wants Squires Gate to have a good representation on our social media channels. This has only ever helped us as a media
LUKE EVANS ANDY BAKER RHYS DALY NATHAN PENNINGTON GARY PETT FIRST-TEAM SQUAD & MANAGEMENT // SQUIRES GATE FC 2022/23
An exclusive look behind the scenes of your favourite non league club!
Our Under 23’s, led by Liam Robinson, have made a strong startto their campaign, winning 5-0 lastWednesday.
centrally, the brother of Gate’s all time leading goalscorer Will Carr joined us for the day. He drove up all the way from the South Coast for what he says could be his last chance to watch Gate in action.
We had a special guest in attendance for Saturday’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round defeat to Northwich PicturedVics.
UNDER 23’S UPDATE HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACOB
Young Blackpool and Squires Gate supporter Jacob celebrated his birthdaya couple of weeks ago and we wish him all the best!
SOCIAL SPONSORMEDIA (£1000 for 2 seasons) > Your business logo will be on every single graphic we put on our social media pages > Your business will be mentioned, tagged or displayed in every single post the club puts on social media. > Regular social media posts directing our followers to your website. > A free advertising board worth £300. > 2 Free 2022/23 season tickets (includes matchday hospitality). > A Matchday Sponsorship Package for a game of your choice. DIRECTORS & SPONSORS SPONSORSHIPSTAND (2500 for 2 seasons) > Your business name & logo proudly displayed across our Directors & Sponsors >Stand.FiveFree 2022/23 Season Tickets (worth >£400).Unlimited Social Media inclusion across all of >platforms.ourFreeroom hire of our function room. > Free Match Sponsorship Package (worth £150). PITCH-SIDE ADVERTISING BOARD (£300 first season, £200 thereafter)p/season > Your business logo, company name and any message or contact details displayed on a 8ft x 2ft Alu Panel Board (All costs included) > Exposure for your business in the local newspaper, media highlights and nationally through visiting fans and the non league community including FA Cup games. > A Matchball Sponsorship Package > 2 Free 2022/23 Season Tickets (inc. hospitality) > Inclusion on our Sponsors section in our match programme and club website. > Social Media post directing over 10k followers to your website / company SPONSORSHIPMATCH (£150 per game) > Your business logo will be on every single graphic we put on our social media pages leading up to and during your match. > Your business will be mentioned or tagged in every single post the club puts on social media leading up to and your match. > A social media post directing our followers to your website. > Double Page spread on your business in our Matchday >Programme.6FreeTickets including free food, drinks, programmes and hospitality. > Choose the Man Of The Match, with a picture taken and shared with your business tagged on social media. MATCHBALL SPONSORSHIP (£75 per game) > Your business logo will be on every graphic we put on our social media pages on your matchday > Your business will be mentioned or tagged in every post the club puts on social media on your matchday. > A social media post directing our followers to your website. > A Page on your business in our Matchday Programme. > 4 Free Tickets including free drinks, programmes and hospitality. For more information, or any questions regarding commercial deals, email our Head of Media James Ashton at jamesashton2000@icloud.com SPONSORSHIP DEALS // GET INVOLVED // @SQUIRESGATEFC
HESFORDOLLY
17 byxxxtentacion Have yougotafavouritejoke? What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Doug. Who would be in your all-time Gate5-a-side? Nathan Pennington, Isaac Abankwah, Nathan Bartram, ChrisWebster and Ryan Riley
@squiresgatefc 11 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc Your perfect meal deal? (Butty, snack&drink) Chicken, Bacon & Mayo Sandwich, Wispa Gold and Lucozade Original YourgotoMacciesorder?
Worstbanterinthesquad? the guy just makes JayCartwright’. If all the lads took part in Love Island,whowouldwin? If we were on Love Island then I would win, it wouldn't even be You can listen to one album pick?
as well. Which
Worst piece of advice you’ve everreceived? If you have a headache, tie a sock around your head really tight. Roll. Cob. Muffin. Barm. What do you call it? And what’s the weirdest name for it you’ve heard? Barm is the only right answer, and a cob is an odd name - cob is for sweetcorn.
Chicken Legend meal - fries & strawberry milkshake, it has to be large movie can you quote by heart? I don’t watch many movies to be fair, butprobablyPitch Perfect 2.
on repeat.Whichdoyou
60 SECONDS // PART THREE // OLLY HESFORD
Coming back to the club was an easy decision. I know Luke already and talked to him a fair bit. But it’s the people behind the club which make gate so special. All the volunteers who have a smile on their faces every week and always cheering us on when we aren’t at our best. Nathan Bartram has made his mark at Gate, just how hard is it playing against him in training? Nath is a very good player and I’ve heard about his reputation for big tackles. I just make sure I’m quick enough and he doesn’t get near me in training! Just wish him all the best in his recovery from a head injurytoo. Irlam are the visitors today, what are you expecting from thegame? Irlam will be the same as most teams in this league. Well drilled, hard working, physical and hard to break down. There is no easy fixture in this league and every game you need to be at 100% for 90 minutes. We need to up our games so we perform for the full 90 and not just 45-60 which we have been doing.
Q&A
’s great to have you back. Thank you for taking the time out to speak to us. A lot has changed since you were last at Squires Gate. What is it like playing under Luke and Andy? Yeah it’s really good under Luke and Andy. They have a clear direction of where they want to take the club and the way they want us to play. We need to carry on working hard trying to implement this in games and start getting the results we know we are capable of. A tough start to the 2022/23 campaign. But there seems like a lot of ambition in the squad. What can we expect throughouttheseason? A very tough start to the season and one we need to work extremely hard to start getting some wins. We’ve got a very young side which doesn’t have much experience at this level so it’s about getting them settled in and quickly. It’s a long season and hopefully we can start getting some results and realistically a top half finish would be excellent. What do you hope to bring to the squad. You have been playing in a CF role, and we know what you can do with a free kick. What is your target fortheseason? Personally I like to think I bring some good experience and knowledge of football at this level. I’ll try and help the youngsters as much as I can as they are what’s needed for the clubsfuture. It’s great to see you back in a Gate shirt. What enticed you backtotheclub? I haven’t played since Feb 2020 so for me it’s enjoying myself and helping out in anyway possible. Chipping in with a few goals here and there and making sure this club stays in the division and can help the younger lads to improve all the time.
Q&A WITH GAL PETT // WE ARE GATE
A familiar face back amongst the Gal!TalkspeaksStadiumreturnedGatestartingXI,asGalPetttoTheBrianAddisonthissummer.GalexclusivelytousatOfTheGate.It
GAL PETT
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 14 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc
It was made 2 0 just before the break, with Vics winning a free kick just outside the box despite it seeming that Alex Welsh made no contact with his man. Naturally, Barksi stepped up and curled low into the bottom corner.
Report by James Ashton
PICTURES BY IAN MOORE // @OLDBLUEFOX // @FYLDEFOX ACTION REPLAY SQUIRES GATE 1-2 NORTHWICH VICTORIA #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 15 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc
It was the visitors who opened the scoring on 19 minutes. A long throw in was only half cleared by Gate, and it fell to Dunn who controlled and fired clinically into the bottom corner.
1.2.PENNINGTONABANKWAH 3. SHIELDS 4.5.CHAMBERSWELSH 6. WESTWOOD © 7. RILEY 8.11.10.9.WEBSTERBALLPETTHUGHES
The FA Cup returned to Blackpool on Saturday afternoon, as Squires Gate hosted Northwich Vics at The Brian Addison Stadium.
Nathan Pennington denied Vics a second just three minutes later, making a good one on one save.
Vics had the first effort of the second half, firing well over from distance, before an excellent strike from Nathan Cliffe who had just replaced Hughes was parried Justaway.two minutes later though Gate did get their goal back, a neat move finally fell to Ryan Riley in the area who showed great composure to beat his man and poke into the back of the net.
Pett then went close twice in two minutes, with a header looping over the bar and a strong effort from distance beaten away. Cliffe volleyed a half chance off target for Gate, who despite their second half dominance, couldn't find the equaliser and bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.
IRLAM, FOOTBALL CLUB began life as Mitchell Shackleton Football Club, founded in October 1969 by a group of employees working for Mitchell Shackleton Limited, a well established engineering company based in Eccles, which manufactured marine and diesel crankshafts.
Initially, the Football Club was financially supported through the Company's active Sports and Social Club, however the recession of the late 1970's led to the Company restructuring its business interests, and unfortunately a reduction in the workforce. During this period, a restructuring of the League saw Mitchells competing in the Industrial 'B' Division, in which the Club were runners-up in 1979 80. In June 2000, Club Secretary Ian Street was named Premier Divison Secretary of the Year at the AGM of the Manchester League. The new ground at Silver St was officially opened in 2003 with a visit from Brian McClair's Cup Winning Manchester United youth team.
A further name change saw Irlam MS become Irlam FC, and the appointment of Warren Dodd as secretary of the Club, from Irlam Rangers Junior Club saw development increase at the ground
The 2018/2019 season was arguably the most successful season the Club has embarked upon since its entry into the national league system in 2008/2009. Although league position remarkably remained the same as season 2017/2018 (13th), it was in the national competitions where the young Irlam squad gave a glimpse of things to come in the future. An unprecedented FA Cup, surpassed only by an even greater campaign in the FA Vase, saw the side mentioned in dispatches up and down the country. Looking ahead to the 22/23 season after a midtable finish in the previous campaign, manager John Main has sights set on improving further.
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 16 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc LAST SEASON Premier Division: 10th FA Cup: Preliminary Round FA Vase: 2nd Qualifying Round A BRIEF HISTORY OF IRLAM…
The founding members of Mitchell Shackleton Football Club were Bob Cowlishaw (Chairman), Bill Russell (Secretary) and Charlie Flynn (Treasurer, who served the Club also served as from 1981 until his death in 1994). They were ably supported by a Committee comprising of Alf Johnson (now Club President), Ged Moore (Kit Manager) and Stan Catlin (Team Manager). Although the Cub has been in existence for over 30 years, Mitchell Shackleton FC can trace teams playing under the Company's banner as far back as 1935.
IRLAM FC
IRLAM FC: THE SECONDSIXTYGUIDE OLD TRAFFORD The closest league ground to Irlam FC is Old Trafford, which is of course home to global football giants Manchester United THE EARLY YEARS Irlam FC began life as Mitchell Shackleton Football Club, founded in October 1969 by a group of employees working for Mitchell Shackleton Limited. SILVER STREET Irlam moved into their current home on Silver Street in 2003, with the record attendance of 903 watching the opening game against a young Manchester United XI THE NUMBER CRUNCHER W D L F PA 4 2 6 17 2812 2021/22 STATS MEDIA MEMOIRS YEAR FORMED 1969 YEARS IN PREM DIV 6 TWITTER FOLLOWS 6.3K IRLAM’S HIGHEST PREMIER DIVISION FINISH (2020/21) 4th THE SCOREAGGREGATEBETWEENTHETWOCLUBSLASTSEASON 4-5 INSTA FOLLOWS 661 W D L GF GA 17 6 17 62 68 GATE RECORD VS IRLAM
FIXTURES & RESULTS // 2022-2023 DATE VS KO / RESULT ATT. 1 2 3 4 5 30 July 22 AFC Liverpool 1 4 68 Pennington Abankwah Welsh Gray Bartram 2 Aug 22 Charnock Richard 3 1 220 Hogarth Abankwah Welsh Gray Bartram 6 Aug 22 Northwich Vics (FA CUP E.P.) 1 2 136 Pennington Abankwah Shields Chambers Welsh 10 Aug 22 Irlam 19:45 13 Aug 22 Litherland REMYCA 15:00 17 Aug 22 Padiham 19:45 23 Aug 22 Prestwich Heys 19:45 27 Aug 22 Easington Collieries (FA V Q1) 15:00 30 Aug 22 Bury AFC 19.45 03 Sep 22 Wythenshawe Town 15:00 07 Sep 22 Ashton Athletic 19:45 10 Sep 22 Northwich Vics 15:00 14 Sep 22 Barnoldswick Town 19:45 17 Sep 22 Vauxhall Motors 15:00 21 Sep 22 Longridge Town 19:45 01 Oct 22 Winsford United 15:00 08 Oct 22 Wythenshawe Town 15:00 15 Oct 22 Cleator Moor Celtic (MACRON R1) 15:00 22 Oct 22 Charnock Richard 15:00 26 Oct 22 Avro 19:45 29 Oct 22 Irlam 15:00 05 Nov 22 Winsford United 15:00 09 Nov 22 FC Isle Of Man 19:45 19 Nov 22 Bury AFC 15:00 26 Nov 22 West Didsbury & Chorlton 15:00 03 Dec 22 Congleton Town 15:00 10 Dec 22 Kendal Town 15:00 17 Dec 22 Ashton Athletic 15:00 26 Dec 22 Burscough 15:00 07 Jan 23 Barnoldswick Town 15:00 14 Jan 23 Lower Breck 15:00 21 Jan 23 Congleton Town 15:00 28 Jan 23 FC Isle Of Man 15:00 04 Feb 23 Northwich Vics 15:00 11 Feb 23 Avro 15:00 18 Feb 23 Longridge Town 15:00 25 Feb 23 Litherland Remyca 15:00 04 Mar 23 West Didsbury & Chorlton 15:00 11 Mar 23 AFC Liverpool 15:00 18 Mar 23 Kendal Town 15:00 25 Mar 23 Prestwich Heys 15:00 01 Apr 23 Vauxhall Motors 15:00 10 Apr 23 Burscough 15:00 15 Apr 23 Lower Breck 15:00 22 Apr 23 Padiham 15:00
6 7 8 9 10 11 SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB Westwood Riley Webster Ball (G) Chambers Yelegon Holden Boyd Burgess Powell Hughes Westwood Riley Webster Pett Chambers (G) Hughes Cliffe Yelegon Burgess Hesford Ball Westwood Riley (G) Webster Ball Pett Hughes Cliffe Eastham Burgess Kay Powell RED CARD SUBSTITUTE 1 SUBSTITUTE 2 SUBSTITUTE 3 HOME FIXTURES IN BOLDYELLOW CARD A WARM WELCOME TO JAMES MURRAY We’d like to welcome young James Murray and his Dad, Andy Murray to The Brian Addison Stadium for tonight’s fixture against Irlam. After travelling down to Blackpool for a few days, they went to last night’s Blackpool vs Barrow match and will be joining us for this evening’s Jamesgame. is a Prestwich Heys supporter but is also a programme collector, who has been nagging his Dad to ensure he gets a copy of our very own Talk Of The Gate. We hope you enjoy your visit James, and more importantly we hope this is a great addition to your collection!
MATCH-UP THEIRLAMLAST THREE L 0 4 vs Avro (H) L 2 0 vs AFC Liverpool (A) L 1 3 vs Wythenshawe (H) L 1 2 vs Northwich Vics (H) L 3 1 vs Charnock (A) L 1 4 vs AFC Liverpool (H) HEAD-2-HEAD WINS GOALS SCORED R E W I N D GATE:17 IRLAM: 28 2 DRAWS GATE:4 IRLAM: 6 R E W I N D Gate’s last home match against tonight’s opponents Irlam was one to forget for Evans’ men. A hattrick for Max Bardsley Rowe on a wet night on the Fylde Coast helped Irlam to a 5 2 victory over Gate, despite late goals from Josh Westwood and Dean Ing.
OF THE:
MITROPA CUP // STEPHEN BRANDT A BRIEF
Words by Stephen Brandt History of competitions is fun to look at, especially the cup competitions on the continent. Some of the early European competitions were eclectic to say the least. The Mitropa Cup, which was the Central European Cup, was between the successor states of the former Austro Hungarian empire, and eventually Italy. After the Second World War, by 1951 it was named Zentropa Cup, but that only lasted a year. As it happened a bit during those early days the name changed again, for the 1958 edition it went by the name of Danube Cup. It maintained a strong rivalry with the Latin Cup, and the Fairs Cup as major European Cups before the big one came in. As the European Cups came in, the importance of the Mitropa Cup declined to the point, by the last few years, it was a smaller caliber cup for Second Vision of different countries. The list of winners is not a whos who of clubs, but they are worth mentioning; Vasas Budapest with six, Bologna and Sparta Prague have three, and Ferencvarios, MTK, Ujpest, Tatabanya, Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, Admira Wacker, Celik Zeneca, Red Star, Pisa all have two.Torino and AC Milan also have the Mitropa Cup in their museums. The first international competition for club football, Challenge Cup, was founded in 1897 in Vienna by John Gramlick Sr. All the clubs in the Austro Hungarian empire could participate, but reality wise only the clubs in the three main cities participated; Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. The Challenge Cup was held until 1911, with the last winner being Wiener Sportklub. The first professional leagues in Europe were created in the 1920s: Austria 1924, Hungary 1925, and Czechoslovakia in In1926.aboard meeting in Venice on 17 July, it was decided to revive the spirit and idea of the Challenge Cup, and the Mitropa Cup. It was carried out by Hugo Meisl, the general secretary of the Austrian Federation, for that time period Meisl was the only person to create a football competition that was formed by a non Frenchman. The first Mitropa Cup matches were on 14 August 1927 with two clubs from Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia in a knockout competition. Those countries could send their league winners, and runners up in the league or cup winners. The first winners were Czech team AC Sparta. In 1929 the Italian teams were brought into replace the Yugoslavs for a time being. In 1934 the competition was expanded into 4 teams from each of the competing countries. Switzerland in 1936, with Romania, and Yugoslavia came back in 1937. It did get stickier for a bit when Austria withdrew in 1938.
The competitions had two World Cup title winning sides in 1934, 1938 with Italy, Czechoslovakia 1934, Hungary 1938, and the semi finals of Austria 1934, and Yugoslavia 1930.
In 1940, while the rest of the World was in the throes of World War 2 the final could not be completed. Only eight teams competed, three from Hungary, Yugoslavia, and two from Romania. Ferencvaros and Rapid qualified for the final, but could not meet because the northern part of Transylvania was ceded to Hungary by Romania. After the armed conflict ended, the competition was brought back in 1951. It was not until 1955 that it returned to normality, but had competition now. There was the Cup of Europe, Latin Cup, International Fair Cities Cup, now playing, which made it go away. The top scorer in tournament history is Hungarian Gyorgy Sarosi with 50 goals, behind him is Giuseppe Meazze, and Geza Toldi with 29 goals which is five more than Gyula Zsengellier and Matthias Sindelar. We do also see Oldrich Nejedly, and Josef Biscan on the scorers list. HISTORY
At the start of WW2, the Cup had only 8 teams, 2 from Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Romania, and Yugoslavia.
JAMIE DUNCAN
In our regular feature, media diaries, our Social Media Manager and Programme Editor Dan Hayden speaks to some of the people behind the scenes of other football clubs to gain an insight into how matchdays vary from the Football League to Non League. In this issue, it’s Jamie Duncan from League Two outfit, Northampton Town. First of all, thank you for your time, it really is appreciated. Could you tell us a bit about yourself, your role at the club and have you worked at any clubspreviously? I’m Jamie Duncan, Media Assistant at Northampton Town, I’m 23 years old and have worked for the club in various roles since the age of 18. I went to uni in Northampton and got a part time job at the ticket office alongside that. After just over a year, a marketing and communications internship became available at the community trust, I applied and got it. Once I graduated, during the first covid lockdown, I was made full time at the Northampton Town Community Trust. I was there for just over a year full time before being made first team media assistant. I am second in command to our head of Gareth,media. our head of media is mainly responsible for our programme and website content whilst I tend to run all of our social media channels and am responsible for our video output as well creating all of our graphics, whether that be for social media, posters around the stadium or for internal use. Between the club and community trust, there are four of us full time. Gareth is our head of media, I’m his assistant, we then alsohave James who runs the community media (my previous role) and then we also have another James, he splits his time covering our women’s, academy and first team when needed.We also have Elliot who helps Gareth and I on a part time basis as well as having 3 or 4 matchdayvolunteers. How do you usually prepare your weekly content? Do you plan ahead? Do you have a specific layout for your week? We tend not to plan too far in advance, you could have the perfect plan for the week ahead but if you don’t get the result you want on a Saturday then everything goes out of the window. If we get the result we want, we tend to have a bit of fun, have a bit more interaction with our fans, replying and sharing their posts as well as having some fun with videos and images from the match. We will try to spread the content over a few days until the Tuesday or Wednesday to keep the feel good feeling up, from late on a Wednesday in to the Thursday our focus will turn to our next match and the build up that comes with it, info for fans, press conferences, promoting ticket salesetc.
MEDIA DIARIES // JAMIE DUNCAN // NORTHAMPTON TOWN
MEDIA DIARIES
Once that’s done I will set up our cameras behind each goal, film bits of the warm ups on the pitch pre match before taking my seat in the press box to live tweet the Postgame.match we will then head down to the dressing rooms and get our manager and then two players to speak to the press.
Building up to a matchday, what do you do to build excitement with supporters and to gauge interactions? Again, this all depends on how the previous result goes. My favourite is when we get some excellent crowd footage to help build the excitement, using the footage from our matchday videographer is also another excellent alternative to just using clips of our highlights. We got a really good clip recently from Will, our videographer, after he really caught the moment when Ryan Haynes bagged an 89th minute winner on the opening day, it especially helped as fans loved the fact it was a debut goalfrom a localboy! Could you give us a brief rundown of your matchday routine? How do you prepare for games, and how do you ensure everything runs smoothly? I always start the day by picking up our kit man, Adam, from his house, he’s a bit of a local legend in Northampton, the heart beatof the club! We talk about the week in training, go to Starbucks drive through and get to the ground at anytime between 8:30am and 9am. I’m quite a superstitious person, so once I arrive at the ground, I park in my space at the stadium and I reverse in if we have won the previous home game, if we’ve lost I’ll do the opposite, as if that really makes a difference!!
On the matchday itself, we make sure everything is ready to go the day before. On a Friday afternoon we will print off all the media passes and put them in alphabetical order along with their programmes and food and drink vouchers. We will also schedule everything to be posted on social media up until about 1pm so we don’t forget anything. Once I’m in, I check the big screen is ready to go and all the content is on there, I then make sure the media passes go down to their entrance for about 10:30am and I then have a scroll through the socials, answering anyqueries etc. At 1:45pm we will receive the official team sheet from both sides, we will then create the team sheet to be distributed readyfor 2pm, I will also ensure our team line up graphic is ready to hit our socials at 2pm as well.
MEDIA DIARIES // JAMIE DUNCAN // NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Once that’s done we upload the interviews on YouTube and iFollow then schedule the highlights to publish at 1am the following morning. We then schedule a few bits (images and good clips) to keep things ticking over until the following morning. Once the morning arrives we will have all images and clips fromour
There are a few decent social media accounts in our league, again without sounding like I’m being big headed, I would say we are up there, we get reports and can compare ourselves to other teams in the league and we are always in the top 3 to 5, which indicates we are doing something right! I think the most important thing is getting your tone correct and not forgetting about your Yousupporters.mustunderstand the mood of the fans, if they are downbeat, you don’t go and make a jokey tweet, you have to understand and follow that mood, if everyone’s happy, great, make fun content and engage with supporters. It’s also so important that you actually respond to your supporters, send them replies, like and repost their things, every now and then, have a conversation, make the account have a bit of personality and ensure the fans don’t feel separate to you. As this is the Squires Gate programme, is there anything you know about our club? I hear their social media and programme editor, Dan, is a prettydecent guy!
MEDIA DIARIES // JAMIE DUNCAN // NORTHAMPTON TOWN
photographer and videographer, I’ll then schedule them to post throughout the day. A vital part of matchdays is the “footy scran”, have you any favourite grounds in terms of hospitality and what is your go to choice of matchday food? If I’m honest, League Two isn’t exactly full of luxurious seats, food and press rooms, I definitely include ourselves in that as well! The three that stick out for me would be Coventry City, Mansfield Town and Bradford City. Coventry and Bradford were both excellent, they both had a selection of pies and pasties as well as a range of hot drinks, there are a lot of clubs in League Two where this isn’t available (through no fault of their own, as I said, we aren’t the best for that either!) but when there is a good press room with food and drink, you definitely take advantage! Mansfield Town do amazing chip butties at half time, it’s just a pain to get there as it’s a fair journey from the press box! Another important part of the matchday routine is a programme. What makes a good programme to you, and whichclubsdo youthinkhave the best programmes? In terms of social media. What do you think makes a good club social media account? I don’t mean to be big headed or boast, but I do genuinely believe we may have the best programme in League Two, Exeter Cityare also very good. I think the design is everything in a programme, your programmes content could be the best out there but if the layout isn’t correct, no one is going to read it. Try to avoid big blocks of text unless it’s a feature interview or a match report, but even then, split it up with some images. I also think a good programme needs to be inclusive and diverse so that there is something for everyone. We do multiple pages on the visiting team, we have a kids section as well as pull out poster for them, we have sections for our commercial department, our academy, our community trust, our women’s team, we have columnists from well known people in our local area, we make sure our club chaplain also has his own one too, there really is something for everyone which is why I’m proud of what we produce.
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 25 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc MEDIA DIARIES // JAMIE DUNCAN // NORTHAMPTON TOWN
visiting the most in terms of facilities and matchday food? In our league, Bradford City is definitely the best for facilities and food, they’re built for a few levels higher than theyare, for sure.
favourite social media platform to use at the club? Definitely Twitter, closely followed by Instagram, they have our two biggest audiences, but Twitter edges it due to the fact that we get the most interactions on that platform. Who has been your favourite player to interview at the club? Aaron McGowan, he definitely doesn’t hide his true feelings or opinions, but he’s so funny! I much prefer interviewing him myself rather than holding my breath when he’s speaking to the BBC, at least I can cut things out! Mitch Pinnock is also definitely up there as well, he’s a bit of a joker and all the lads love him, he can talk the talk and walk the walk, I’d recommend anyone to watch all of Mitch’s goals from last season, he can definitely walk the walk.
Finally, what is your favourite memory within your time at the club? It is probably Leyton Orient away last season. The bond between that group of players and the fans was special, to thump them 4 2 with a Mitch Pinnock thunderbolt was insane too! The scenes afterwards in the dressing room were special, the season didn’t end the way it should have but that group of players were the best I’ve worked with by a country mile, no egos, just a group of lads that were all best friends, itwas excellent . ampton squad for Gate fans.
Jack Sowerby started his career at Gate, how is he getting on at Northampton? Have you had many conversations with him? I didn’t know that! Sowers is a great lad, I’ve known him for well over two years now! I’ll speak to him a couple of times a week, even more so recently as we were filming goal gifs etc, he hates doing media stuff to be fair to him, he’s a quiet guy but what a player he is, key to our team. I do feel bad when I have to ask him to do post match press duties as I know he doesn’t enjoy it, but it’s his fault for being a quality player!
What comes across so poignantly in this book is that Merson was just an ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent thrust into a man’s world when still himself just a youth without the mechanisms or support in place to guide him or help him cope and he’s struggled ever since to battle his addictions and find respite and inner peace. It’s great to hear that he’s finally overcoming the disease but it’s also moving to see that every day has its Footballchallenges.has always been his salvation and I, for one, love him as a pundit and am glad to see him still finding reprieve in the beautiful game. A supremely talented football, Merson’s legacy should comprise all of his heroics on the pitch, but this book and his work to further the discussion around addiction is a symbol of his real heroism. He has proven himself to be a brave, strong and top man, but what is so endearing is that he’s the footballer, the pro, the pundit, that you’d want to sit down with and discuss football, because you know he’d been himself open, honest, knowledgeable and good fun. Until that day when I get to sit with the man himself, I’ll continue to enjoy his input on TV, with absolute respect for his courage, empathy of his issues and belief in his journey. But if I do ever get to sit down with him, there will be one pressing matter from this book to tackle first honestly, Paul, not Chelsea? I guess, we’ve all got our flaws.
Merson’s life has arguably been defined by two things: football and addiction, so it’s no surprise that these two themes are the centrepiece of this book. But in many ways, as in his life itself, football takes a back seat to the narrative of addiction. Indeed, whilst football may have seemed like the crux of Merson’s life, he explains how addiction, in fact, overrode everything. A shy and somewhat anxious young footballer who was thrust into the big leagues as a mere teenager at Arsenal, Merson soon found confidence in alcohol and a release in gambling, but just as his career would take off, so too would his addictions. And what strikes you is whether more could have been done to help a young Merson navigate such a formative stage in his life and his career, to have guided him down a very different path, bringing to mind that opening line in Robert Frost’s poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ ‘Two roads diverged in a yellow wood’. This was, of course, the 1980s, when drinking culture in particular was synonymous with football, and Arsenal’s infamous Tuesday Club would become the epitome or nadir of that culture, and for Merson there was no better or, rather, no worse place for him to be. I’d like to think that things have changed and there is a lot more support and guidance now, especially for young footballers coming through as still impressionable adolescents, but sadly this certainly wasn’t the case back then. And whilst it’s heartening to hear Merson speak with such respect for the likes of George Graham and Bryan Robson who did what they could to try to help, the system and the organisation just wasn’t set up then to assist players, leaving them to their own destructive devices. Merson’s road to recovery has been a long and difficult one and it’s easy to pick up on his insecurities, his vulnerabilities and his weaknesses, but also his determination and his hope, although what is also painfully clear is that addiction is a daily struggle. Indeed, what Merson communicates so effectively, I think, is addiction as a disease. As the American Medical Association defined, it is not a behaviour problem or just the result of making bad choices, but a chronic brain disorder. Once addicts and non addicts alike begin to accept and understand this a lot more, greater support and empathy should follow, but still addiction seems to be treated as a taboo, and that can’t help anybody. Paul Merson has done a lot in recent times to advance discussions and break down barriers, even when battling against his own addictions, and I think he deserves a lot of respect and credit for fighting for both himself and others, especially when it comes to tackling gambling addiction. His BBC 1 documentary, Football, Gambling and Me, was both an eye opening and heart rending look at this lesser addressed, but arguably more insidious problem, which he explains in this book is the invisible enemy, less obvious and more secretive than the obvious outward displays of alcoholism or drug abuse. It is the addiction that has possibly cost him the most, both materially and financially he doesn’t skirt around detailing the mammoth sums he lost, not to boast or to brag about the money he was on, but rather to demonstrate just how the disease completely took over but also socially, having robbed him of brilliant moments in life, with football and family.
In recent years, Paul Merson has stuck his head above the parapet to speak openly, honestly, movingly and at times heartbreakingly about his struggles with addiction, and his latest book, Hooked, delves more deeply into these issues, his troublesome relationship with alcohol, drugs and gambling and his long and continuing road to recovery. For all of the brilliance of the man on the pitch, his greatest contribution may be off it, with a book that helps readers understand the illness that is addiction and hopefully speaks to those who really need it.
ADDICTIONHOOKED:AND THE LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY
FOOTBALL BOOK REVIEWS //HOOKED: ADDICTION AND THE ROAD TO RECOVERY // @FOOTYBOOKREVIEW
5 WORD KIT REVIEWS // CHRIS STEWART // @KITFORBRAINS ARSENAL ASTON VILLA Arsenal and Adidas. Never miss. Check badge orientation before buying. BOURNEMOUTH BRENTFORD Bournemouth, we didn’t expect this? Reusing last years. Veryadmirable. BRIGHTON CHELSEA YellowDetails Make Me ‘H’appy The collar reallyspoils this. CRYSTAL PALACE EVERTON Nice scribbles. Seen before though. Tower patterndetailing is nice. FULHAM LEEDS Collar, cuffs work wonders here. Best since Premier League return. LEICESTER LIVERPOOL Worst home of this season. Plain red.But classy? Yes. MAN CITY MAN UNITED Collar ‘notch’ is totallyunnecessary. Collar is icing on cake NEWCASTLE NOTTINGHAM FOREST ‘Four’ get the last, Castore’sfavourite. Collar fussy, but nice overall. SOUTHAMPTON SPURS PSG called. Askedfor tips. Red sponsor isan eyesore. WEST HAM WOLVES Looks retro. Not a compliment. Castore boring? Colour me shocked. 5 KITWORDREVIEWS Chris Stewartgivesashortreview ofeach 2022/23PremierLeagueshirt.
Four years ago the North West Counties League Teamed up with the Fan Experience Company to look at the entire fan experience offering of clubs within the NWCFL and at the time it was an eye opener as some clubs were struggling to provide basic basics, whilst some were doing stuff that should have been celebrated at the time.
We are only a couple of weeks into the football season and already there are plenty of moans and groans about folks not being able to get a drink at grounds, one senior club now only deals in Crypto currency, prices are on the increase, there have been some pictures of horrendous looking food offerings on the famous “Footy Scran” Twitter page and of course even clubs have got in on the act with Cheese-Sandwich-gate! Admittedly even I got in on the act, tweeting a pic of the Metropolitan Police FC Hogburger (yes, theyplayon a certain skit!).
FAN EXPERIENCE // GARY LANGLEY // @Garylangley
Mark Bradley is a leading global expert on what fans in sport are looking for by way of value, interest and overall experience, being a regular advisor to the EFL, Industry experts, the Premier League, WSL, UEFA and of course the North West Counties League. His Fan Experience company came in at a time when our gates were slowly starting to rise but expectations were rising for a Matchday. In my role at the time of League Development Officer, I was charged with the task of matching the expectations with the understanding of what makes a good match day for clubs and how can we advise them on getting more commercially savvy? Cue The AroundF.E.C!
FAN EXPERIENCE
At a time when value for money is massive as we all feel the pinch, getting that offering right seems more important than ever on both sides of the turnstile.
WordsbyGaryLangley
12 clubs were visited by Volunteers as “Mystery shoppers” who sampled everything from first welcome, price, food offerings, accommodation for watching the games, a report was then constructed and fed back to the clubs themselves to do with them what they will? A number of clubs offered a really warm welcome, food thoughts varied greatly and as you would expect, the Bacup Prem Pie got a lot of love, whilst some did not! There was lots of interest in the feedback internally and other leagues further up the food chain even now ask about the scheme and what itbrought. Fast forward to present day and the social media coverage mentioned earlier on. We all have grounds that we like to visit, perhaps ahead of others but I would ask you the question, what matters to you on a matchday?
Independent Groundhoppers of course have the same needs but without the organisational machine that comes around once a year to sort tours. They want a Programme, Printed ticket a bonus, a pin badge, a bit of food and a tea. Many will buy a mug and anything else knocking around, highlighting the fact that it’s always handy to have a stock of some merchandise available. I am slightly biased if course when it comes to programmes, whilst I acknowledge some clubs struggle for suppliers and costings to produce a physical programme and Digital ones for some are arguably a suitable option, I would always tip my hat to those who sell printed copies. Many of the fans here today will enjoy a burger and a beer, of course today nobody will have to venture far for either of those at half time but it’s surprising how many clubs struggle to fill either of those. Some in house research showed that less than half of the clubs on the NWCFL parish sell beer at grounds, many of those are because theycannot due to licensing restrictions of course. Butstill a niceto have. With so much going on, on a match day, Fan experience is one cog in a machineof many, however, it’s good to see many clubs are on the ball. As for clubs offering to other visiting clubs, that’s an art! Protocols around the league from day one are that half time hospitality is offered to Officials of other clubs at half time, that’s normally some butties, sausage rolls, some of Mr Kiplings finest and a brew, it doesthe job! Match officials can normally expect some OJ in their rooms at half time and after a game there is generally some food offered up by the home side. I’ve been party to some absolutely amazing chicken curries over the years, seen so many rice dishes and so on, however admittedly I could see why a certain club were slightly miffed to find a tray of cheese sandwiches launched into the changing room after a game and that was their lot! For all the football that takes place around the NWCFL every season, without the fans rucking up to the door, paying their entry fee and buying a brew, the game would be lost. Likewise, the camaraderie between the clubs, despite being heated on a pitch, it is normally cordial after a game as players and officials have a mutual catch up, maybe a moan or two but always over a brew. Its easy to see why this season, fans are already active on the various social media channels singing the praises of clubs who are offering a decent match day offering and long may that continue.
The groundhops are still happening and they have proven to be successful for all parties concerned and the Groundhop weekends tend to see the league and clubs visited trend on Social Media when they’re on.
FAN EXPERIENCE // GARY LANGLEY // @Garylangley
For me, I want a printed programme, an easily obtainable coffee and somewhere to stand under a bit of cover without being visited by several small spiders whilst taking the game in. I know, my needs are fairly basic so its veryrare I get disappointed! Looking around,WestDidsbury & Chorlton have a really popular concept at the moment with the trendy beers, Quinoa products, screens always active and a community culture which sees a chunk of the visitors there barely acknowledging the football being on! Many of us have visited the WC’s at other grounds and have likely noted their partisan stickers adorning many a cistern! Bury AFC have an agenda very much around restoring football to the town and whilst they are out in Radcliffe at the moment, its very apparent what the club are about, they also have a good quality programme, decent food offering and a good ‘vibe’ around the ground. They have impressed me to be honest, their fans get it, they enjoy their football and welcome fans of other clubs with open Groundhoppersarms. are regulars on the area, back in the day I created a relationship for the league with Groundhop UK, a company who had previously been ignored by the league as by our own admission we may not have been as flexible as we could have been in recent years by way of kick off times, promotion of match days and cross club working.
QUIZ CORNER ANSWERS ON NEXT PAGE → Spot The Ball Match The Nationality Tad-Stad Trivia 1. Which Premier League Club did Blackpool loan Charlie Patino from? 2. Who scored twice for Fulham in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Saturday? 3. What left-back did Chelsea sign from Brighton last week? 4. Who scored for Squires Gate in Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Northwich Vics? 5. Who did Fleetwood Town beat 2-1 in League One on Saturday?
QUIZ CORNER ANSWERS SHIRT SEASON: 2012/13 SPOT THE BALL: C TRIVIA: 1. Arsenal 2. Mitrovic 3. Cucurella 4. Ryan Riley
F91 DUDELANGE
PROGRES NIEDERCORN
The new season of the Luxembourgish First Division couldn’t come soon enough, and it did eventually kick off on August 6! But who are the real contendersto win the title?
Theythem.
FCD are something of an outlier in this list, because their squad hasn’t strengthened a lot; if anything, it has weakened this summer. Andreas Buch left the club to join rivals RFCUL, and although several people were recruited as replacements, the German’s goals might prove too valuable for the club. Despite him leaving though, the club did quite respectably in Europe: they faced Olimpija Ljubljana from Slovenia in the Europa Conference League’s qualifiers, and only got eliminated in extra time after two 1-1 draws. That encouraging performance and a stable squad without any drastic changes will definitely play to their advantage in 2022/23.
The heroes that beat Rangers in Europe in 2017/18 have largely moved on since the remarkable victory but the team has consistently been a force in domestic football for several years now, even though the championship title itself eluded
’ve made several interesting moves in the transfer window this summer, including setting up a partnership with French club Sochaux to get talented players on loan for the season.
We can’t make a list of the league’s best teams without mentioning last year’s champions, of course. With that title, F91 also qualified for the Champions League’s qualification round, where they managed to beat Albanian champions KF Tirana home and away, getting off to a promising start before getting knocked out by Pyunik Yerevan in the next round.
DIFFERDANGE
All in all, the Wasps are looking well again, but whether that will be enough to break onto the podium after last year’s fifth placed finish, let alone make a push for the title, remains to be seen.
LUXEMBOURG FOOTBALL // PART TWO // @LuxembourgFooty LIGUE PREVIEW #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 35 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc
SWIFT HESPER
If F91 have any serious challengers this year, it will be Swift Hesper. The red and whites barely missed out on European football last season, finishing fourth on the last matchday, but their squad has changed a lot since then. They got rid of some fringe players, and added an incredible level of depth to their squad, picking and signing some lof the eague’s best players from all over the country. They have also managed to weaken some of their direct rivals in the process, so if they can form a cohesive squad from the ingredients at their disposal, they’re in a good position to win.
Some valuable assets have left the club but have been replaced appropriately, so they could well be in for a second consecutive title.
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc SQUIRES GATE IRLAM Manager: LukeEvans Colours: Blueshirt,blueshorts,bluesocks Manager: JohnMain Colours: RedShirt,blackshorts,redsocks Nathan PENNINGTON Ryan HOGARTH Josh WESTWOOD (C) Isaac AlexDanLouisLukeNathanABANKWAHBARTRAMHOLDENSHIELDSSMITHWELSH Dan GRAY Chris WEBSTER Ollie BURGESS Will JamesRyanHarrisonRowanEASTHAMCHAMBERSKAYRILEYHUGHES Nathan CLIFFE James BOYD Theo BALL Olly PrinceRyanGaryHESFORDPETTPOWELLYELEGON Matthew ARGENT BARNES Millon DemarioBROWNBROWN STERLING Oscar RichardCAMPBELLAYOTUNDE FOLA Alex MitchellSaulAdamFRANCISGREENHENDERSONHENRY Jacob HOLT Joel LeeAlfieTyeJosephNicholasLiamBabatundeSamJackJohnAndrewMorganJordanLouisHOLTHOLTICELYKINSELLALANGFORDJAMAINMITCHELLOLIVEROTULANAPOLLITTTAYLORTHOMPSONTURNERWALKERWHITE
