Squires Gate v Prestwich Heys

We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support. It is very much appreciated. Enjoy the match!

CLUB DIRECTORY

President: Brian Addison

Club Secretary: John Maguire

Committee: Brian Addison, Steve

Bellamy, Ian Moore, Micky Farrer, John Maguire

Head of Media: James Ashton

Social Media Manager: Dan Hayden

Club Photographer: Ian Moore

Media Officer: Jay Hayden

Media Assistant: George Moore

KIT SPONSORS

Shirt Sponsors: Central Insurance, Open Recruitment, Taylors Fish & Chips, Global Football Network,

ShortSponsor: Marsden Plastering

CLUB MANAGEMENT

Manager: Luke Evans

First Team Coach : Liam Robinson

U23’S Manager: Josh Strachan

Good afternoon and welcome to The Brian Addison for today’s game against Prestwich Heys.

We are going into our final few home games now, which means we only have a couple more programmes to edit. A massive shout out to Chris Stewart who has designed our fantastic front covers this season.

I’d like to give a warm welcome to Heys fans James and Andy Murray today too.

With it being non league day, make sure you claim your free drink from the bar and enjoy a drink on us!

TALK OF THE GATE

Editors; James Ashton

Dan Hayden

Jay Hayden

Front Cover: Chris Stewart @kitforbrains

Printing: Moulton Printing

CLUB CONTACT

Website: www.squiresgatefc.co.uk

Twitter: @squiresgatefc

Instagram: @squiresgatefc

Email: squiresgatefc@hotmail.com

Let’s hope we can get 3 points closer to safety, ready to go again next season!

Dan Hayden

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to today’s match between Squires Gate and Prestwich Heys.

Today we celebrate Non League Day 2023 and we hope we give you a taste of what Non League is like here at The Brian Addison Stadium. Make sure you claim your free drink too!

In terms of today’s game, we’re expecting a tough test from Prestwich Heys who have been one of the strongest sides in the division this season.

They always prove a tough opponent but we’re confident we can be at our best and pick up a big three points

We’ve been on a bit of a tricky run, and it’s been really frustrating from my point of view as I’m sure it is for you fans too. We’ve been nowhere near good enough and for that we apologise big time.

.However, if you can all get behind us today we hope we can put on a show for you and prove what an entertaining side we can be when it clicks for us.

Burscough will still be fighting for their lives in that final relegation spot, so we need to fight even harder to ensure our safety in the division for another season.

With just five league games left including today, we really need your support as we look to end the season on a high going into next season.

Thank you to everyone attending today’s game, we hope we give all of you a taste of non league that gets you coming back for more! And that means three points for the Gate.

Come on!!!

Gaffer

Q&A GARY PETT

Gal! You’re our joint ‘Cover Star’ for today’s programme! Are you looking forward to the match?

Always look forward to Saturdays and being able to play! Love trying to help the team in anyway possible.

We face a tricky test in Prestwich Heys this afternoon, what are you expecting from our visitors?

They are up there in the league It will be a very tough game and They’ve picked up some good results recently too. They will be a well structured/organised team. We know we can match any team on our day though and try and make it a tough afternoon for them.

You re-joined the club this summer, and have been an excellent addition to the club both on and off the pitch - how have you settled back in and enjoyed your second stint at Gate so far?

I think this is my third stint at gate. It’s an easy club to settle in and a great club at that too. The lads are brilliant and so are the people in an around the club. They keep me coming back to gate.

Are you happy with how the season’s gone for the team?

After the first couple months and some good results I am a little disappointed in the season tbh. I think we are 10-15 points behind where we should be.

We are going through a tough patch at the moment. We need to try to turn this around and pick up points on the run in.

We missed you big time between October-February when you were out injured, showing what an impact you make to the team. Was it a tough spell on the sidelines for you? And how happy are you to be back out on the pitch?

It’s been very tough on the sidelines. It’s horrible not playing and especially through injury. I came to watch the home games and it was hard not being able to be out there. The lads were great and always encouraging though. Love being back out there and trying to help the lads and hopefully a few more good results and we can start to focus on the plan for next season.

How does this current squad compare to previous squads you’ve played in at Squires Gate?

In the past we’ve had a few older heads and experience running through the team. The current squad is very young and raw. If we stay together for another season or 2 I think you’ll see a much improved team. Luke has a long term project and if the lads stick to this I feel you’ll be watching a very good football team next season and the seasons to come.

Squires Gate have a growing fan base, as well as a strong social media presence. Has the support this season both at matches and online given the squad a boost?

It’s great to see the tan base growing. The social media lads deserve so much credit with the work they do and raising the profile of the club. We’re a very small club and the fans are vital to the survival of a team like Gate. so to see the fan base growing and the online following is brilliant too.

We’ve got a selection of some loyal fans which come home and away which is incredible. It gives a big boost when you see some of the travelling fans on away days.

Q&A CALLUM SANDLE

Cal! You’re our joint ‘Cover Star’ for today’s programme! Are you looking forward to the match?

Yes can’t wait for the match hopefully we can pick up 3 points and try and move up the table

We face a tricky test in Prestwich Heys this afternoon, what are you expecting from our visitors?

I don’t really know what to expect from the visitors as I’ve never played them before but I’m expecting them to be a physical side.

You joined the club on loan from Morecambe’s academy at the back end of 2022, and have been an excellent addition to the club both on and off the pitch - how have you settled in and enjoyed your time at Gate so far?

I think I’ve settled in really well and I’m really enjoying my time here everyone is very welcoming

and have made me feel welcomed. All the lads are sound and I get along with everyone well

Are you happy with how the season’s gone for the team?

I think you could say that it’s been a good season, getting to the 3rd round in the vase and the quarters of the macron cup but I think we still could be picking more points up in the league to finish as high as possible as our position in the table doesn’t replicate the talent that we have inthesquad.

At the time of writing you’ve hit 7 goals so far since joining as well as winning our January POTM award - are you happy with your own performances so far?

Yes I am happy with my performances so far as this is my first taste of men’s football so I think scoring 7 isn’t a bad return. In recent weeks I’ve had a bit of a dip in fom

so hopefully I get another one soon and get my confidence back up and then just keep scoring as many as I can up until the end of the season

Squires Gate have a growing fan base, as well as a strong social media presence. Has the support this season both at matches and online given the squad a boost?

Yes the support is massive for the lads and it helps us out a lot we’re all very appreciative of the support we get as it gives us a massiveboost

SQUIRES GATE 1-3 WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON

Words by James Ashton

Nathan Pennington was forced into action inside the first four minutes, making a clever stop at his near post to keep out a well struck volley. The following corner then caused some havoc in the box, but Gate managed to scramble clear. Gate thought they had taken the lead on 10 minutes, as Alex Welsh stabbed home after a brilliant free kick delivery by Ryan Riley. The offside flag went up though against Welsh to deny Gate the perfect start

West Didsbury managed to get on top though, and after hitting a couple of efforts off target, they took the lead on 18 minutes. The visitors countered from a Gate free kick, with a low ball across goal from the right bundled in at the back post by Elliott.

West took advantage of their control though on 57 minutes, with Elliott heading in at the back post from a corner to double West’s lead.

Theo Ball latched onto a long ball in behind, with his effort taking a knick off the keeper but Rowan Chambers did well to follow it in and smash in from close range.

Just as it looked like Gate were back in it, the visitors restored their two-goal advantage just two minutes later. A brilliant long ball in behind the Gate defence found Mathews, who clinically found the bottom corner. Gate kept pushing, with a free kick from Harrison Webster clipped off target, before a lovely one -two between Sandle & Chambers ended with Sandle scooping his effort well over the bar.The game ended with high drama, but not how Gate would’ve wanted it.

Manager Luke Evans was shown a red card after arguing with the referee. West’s number 3 had made a few repeated fouls that had gone unpunished, as well as time wasting from the goalkeeper that understandably led to frustration from Evans.

1. PENNINGTON

2. GRAY

3. H. WEBSTER

4. CHAMBERS

5. WELSH

6. WESTWOOD ©

7. RILEY

8. MOORE

9. BALL

10. PETT

11. CLIFFE

15 minutes, but the match kicked straight into action once Gate got the game underway at 8pm. The hosts had the first effort of the game inside three minutes, firing just wide of the top corner. Theo Ball then had Gate’s first shot just minutes later, but his effort from a tight angle was well held by the goalkeeper.

Nathan Pennington had to be switched on too at the other end to keep hold of a shot from the edge of the box, before Chris Webster was shown the first yellow card of the game on eight minutes for a foul just past the halfway line.

Inside the first three minutes of the second half, AFC Liverpool missed two glorious chances to take the lead. A through ball to Tom Douglas saw Pennington brilliantly tip his effort onto the post, with Kyle Schorah also hitting the post on the rebound before Gate managed to clear their lines.

to AFCs number 7 flying in unnecessarily to stamp on Chambers, causing a melee on the touchline. Chris Webster, who was already on a booking, dragged an opponent away from Chambers while Dan Gray seemingly also had something to say. The number 7 was shown only a yellow card for the stamp, while Webster was sent off for a second booking and Gray sin-binned. The free kick was also awarded to the hosts despite the foul being on Chambers.

With Gate temporarily down to 9 men, AFC naturally began to dominate but Gate managed to stay firm for Gray’s temporary spell on the sideline. The pressure finally told though on 68 minutes, although it had to be some strike to break Gate down. Kyle Schorah drove forward and cut inside, curling a brilliant strike into the top corner from distance giving Pennington no chance. Gate continued to huff and puff, but the hosts sealed their win in added time. With bodies committed forward for Gate allowed AFC broke in behind on goal to let Cunningham score.

1. . PENNINGTON

2. GRAY

3. H. WEBSTER

4. CHAMBERS

5. WELSH

6. WESTWOOD ©

7. MOORE

8. C. WEBSTER

9. BALL

10. PETT

11. BOYD

FIXTURES & RESULTS // 2022-2023

PRESTWICH HEYS

LAST SEASON

Preimier Division: 16th

FA Cup: Preliminary Round

FA Vase: 3rd Round

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HEYS

The origins of Prestwich Heys

A.F.C. can be traced back to February 9th, 1938 when a meeting was called at the Music Room of the Heys Road Boys School at which Elgar Lumsden put forward the idea of forming an Old Boys Association. The team went on to win its first honours in 1943 in the Prestwich and Whitefield League with the Woodward Shield - a success which was repeated for the next three seasons.

After finishing runners-up to champions Royton Town in the 2003/04 season, the 2004/05 season saw Heys finally take the major prize of their first Manchester League Premier Division title in Sri Lanka at the ageof43.

It stunned the football community and left Heys reeling.

Heys continued to make steady progress re-establishing themselves amongst the area’s leading clubs culminating in a glorious record breaking 2015-16 season. At a club with an illustrious history the clubhouse at Adie Moran Park is adorned with the names and faces of legends of Heys past. However, the class of 2016 now proudly sit alongside those greats after delivering the most successful season in the club’s history.

Heys won the Manchester League Premier Division by 13 points. More glory followed. The Bolton Hospital Cup was secured with a 1-0 at the Macron Stadium over AthertonCollieries.

The following season saw Heys finish in fifth position in a very strong Division One North, but had the compensation of seeing our return to the FA Cup after a thirty-five year gap marked with a BBC-televised home tie with near neighbours Radcliffe before a bumper crowd. Jon Lyons resigned as Manager in November 2019 handing over the reins to his recently appointed Assistant, Matt Barnes.

During the Summer, Heys parted ways with Barnes and former Youth team player Lee 0’Brien came in with James Hampson as Joint Managers. With a new 100 seat stand in place it signals a fresh start at Adie Moran Park going into 2022/23.

THE HEYS: SIXTY SECOND GUIDE

GATE ON THE BBC AT AMP!

Gate will have fond memories of playing at Adie Moran Park when they played Maine Road live on the BBC in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on 1st September 2020.

THE NUMBER CRUNCHER

ARLENE PHILLIPS

Strictly Come Dancing judge was born in Prestwich in 1943.

MEDIA MEMOIRS

Leicester Citys Abbie McManus was also born in Prestwich. She has featured for Man United, Man City and Spurs.

Firstly, what encouraged you to start watching football, and more importantly supporting Prestwich Heys?

Football: I started off going with my Dad to watch my younger brother play. Both he and his teammate, Trevor Sinclair, went on to sign for Blackpool FC, while their captain, Chris Makin, also played Premier League football, most notably for Sunderland.

At the same time I started going with mates to watch Manchester City around ‘82/‘83 - the lean years!

Heys: Although I’m a blue, a friend who did Bury FC’s Treasureline used to often give me the match ticket that she’d earned for Gigg Lane. After a while my wife suggested that I should start taking my son, James (who then was six years old) with me.

He had only ever seen Premier League football on Sky and I wasn’t sure if he’d like it at that level.

I remember standing outside the ground saying to him “Now, you’re not going to see a Ronaldo or a Messi here, but these are real football fans who turn up week in, week out in all weathers, with little expectation of winning any silverware.” I needn’t have worried - he loved it.

A few seasons in and there was no doubt that he was a Shaker (much to the disgust of a fellow blue mate who said I’d allowed it to happen on my watch).

When they were expelled from the football league, he was of course devastated. So what do we do now? Being a Shaker obviously excluded the likes of Oldham and Rochdale, and

though he’d been to the Etihad with me a few times he preferred lower league football. I asked him “How about giving NonLeague a try?” So that’s what we did.

We knew about Heys because the team he was in had once won a tournament at their ground.

At first we used to alternate between two local teams: Radcliffe and Heys, but soon, when both teams were at home, we were picking Heys.

Eventually my wife and daughter began to join us and it’s been our home ver since.

You visited Gate earlier this season as a neutral. What did you enjoy most about your visit and are you looking forward to visiting again?

Today will be our fifth visit to Gate (third time with Heys) and we always look out for this fixture as it’s become a season highlight.

You are a friendly, welcoming club that is in a great location for making a day or weekend of it.

Q&A WITH ANDY MURRAY

Who are the ones to watch for Gate fans today?

Max Beardsley-Rowe is a tricky winger who is on loan from Macclesfield. We would love for him to make the move permanent. And there’s also skipper Aaron Chalmers, a no-nonsense centre-half who leads by example.

What makes non league football unique to you?

As a former season ticket holder at both Maine Road and the Etihad, coming to Non-League was a revelation.

It’s a more personal experience where you make connections with club supporters, players and staff which gives you a greater sense of belonging to something, rather than being just a faceless paying customer in the crowd.

Footyscrannow.YouknowI'm a huge fan of "scran" when visiting away games but what has been the best grounds for you in terms of matchday food this season?

We have been to Avro a few times where we always look forward to the food served up by the Macies van there.

The Macron Cup this season took us to Stockport Georgians for the first time (for me) where there was some quality food on offer. I can’t recall now exactly what it was I ordered but it took me the whole of the second half to polish off!

Can you talk us through your awaydayroutine?

As I don’t drive it all depends on how we are travelling. If we don’t have a lift, James gets our Heys

flag folded up. (We have printed on it to mark the Covid period when we had to stand on what we call Heys Hill to watch the team we love.) We then get a bus into Manchester and grab a McDonald’s breakfast before then catching our connecting bus or train.

We know yourself and James spoke highly of our programme after your previous visit but what makes a goodprogramme toyou?

Well you know that James is a keen collector! I know that revenue is important at this level but he hates programmes that are just filled with advertisements.

A great derby game that had everything as we ran the gamut of emotions in the final ten minutes: the despair of conceding a late equaliser; the frustration of spurning a last minute chance where we hit the post and then the elation of grabbing an injury time winner to inflict on them their first ever defeat.

Your all time 5 a side for players you've seen live? Again in general and for Heys?

In general: Southall; Walker; D.Silva; Gascoigne; Henry. Maybe change Southall for Kinkladze and go with a fly keeper!

I personally like to read people’s perspectives in Q&A interviews of players, coaches and, dare I say it-us supporters!

Best game you've ever seen?

In general, and for Heys? As a blue it has to be the Agueroooooo moment. For Heys it was another game that put us through the wringer: our 2-1 away win against the newly created Bury AFC.

Heys: Russ Saunders; Nathan Emery; Jamie Hill; Greg Daniels; Rio Wilson-Heyes

Prediction for the game?

We have lost some games that I expected us to win, but we’ve also twice recently beat teams that were the current league leaders in Vauxhall Motors and Avro, so I’m hoping more for that kind of performance. 1-3 Heys and we are all still friends at the end of the game!

Words byJames Ashton

Friday Night Football awaited us a couple of weeks back as we traveled up to the home of Marine to face AFC Liverpool. I had fond memories, as we picked up a big 1-0 win there last season that helped secure our survival.

It was a full car, with Jay driving me, Dan, Laura and Helen up to Merseyside. Once we left Dan’s, we gave our score predictions for the upcoming game as well as discussing the starting eleven for the game.

On arrival at the ground, we headed into the bar next door where Dan got the drinks in. It was nice to all get together and have a drink before the game, apart from Jay who stood about 30 yards away on the phone to his significant other.

While in the bar we learned that kick off would be delayed until 8pmdue to afloodlight issue.We did worry for a minute that the game would be cancelled

altogether, but luckily an electrician was on hand to fix the issue.

I headed into the ground to conduct my pre-match interview with Luke, before getting into position for the game. It was a goalless first half, but one in which there was big chances for both sides. It was a promising halt against a side high up in the table.

Heading into the boardroom for our half time hospitality, we were slightly accused of not being on the Gate board for some reason, but we managed to get a coffee nevertheless.

Unfortunately, we were reduced to 10 men just a few minutes into the second half with Webby sent off. Dan Gray was then sin-binned putting us to 9 men.

Of course we tried to waste a few minutes while down to 9, so I wasn’t surprised that the AFC Liverpool right-back gave me a shove when I threw the ball away

right in front of him. A screamer from AFC’s number 10 and a late goal meant we came away with nothing. But a good night anyway!

I conducted my post-match interview with Luke before driving home and writing up my match report for the website and Gazette.

On the way home, Dan was in charge of the music and decided to divert from the usual indie playlist to hit us with some bangers from the 90s and early 00s much to Helen’s enjoyment. It definitely helped pick up the mood after an away defeat.

Onto the next one!

SCORE: 5/10

we were supposed to be in the hospitality area.

esting constant. Always good to see a printed pro-

was a slightly unfriendly welcome as we were asked very accusingly if

A decent effort with a good cover and some inter-

gramme. While the selection of drinks, sandwiches and cakes was good, there

PROGRAMME HOSPITALITY

SCORE: 8/10

throughout. Extra point for sorting the floodlight is-

A good selection of drinks in the bar too.

bar was well stocked too and a good atmosphere

a local bakery which we always like to see at non league grounds.

of the better grounds in the NWCFL. The next door

was sausage rolls. Dan said they were good, and must have been from

It may be the home of Marine, but it definitely is one

sue so quickly too! With it being a Friday night game, there was no pies available and it

1 Congleton Town 40 2 Emley AFC 39 3 Vauxhall Motors 37 4 Avro 36.5 5 Bury AFC 34.5 6 FC Isle Of Man 34.5 7 West Didsbury 34 8 Prestwich Heys 33 9 Northwich Vics 32.5 10 Irlam FC 32 AFC Liverpool 30 11 Cleator Moor Celtic 30 12 Litherland REYMCA 29 13 Lower Breck 29 14 Charnock Richard 28 15 Holker Old Boys 27.5 16 West Allotment Celtic 27 17 Winsford United 26 18 Ashton Athletic 26 19 FC St Helens 25 20 Wythenshawe Town 25Barnoldswick Town TBC

STADIUM FOOD & DRINK

RATING: 30/50

At least we didn ’ t get lost like last year …

Friday Night;

Words by Dan Hayden

Last Saturday we travelled up the M6 to Kendal Town. A new ground to tick off as they were relegated last season. It was ground 85 for me according to my Futbology app - an app I highly recommend for those who enjoy visiting new clubs.

It was just me, James, Laura and Helen for this one as Jay couldn’t make it (again!). Has anyone seen Jay at any away games this season?

James, Laura and I met up for a quick Wetherspoons brekkie. I went for the traditional without the egg, Laura had the American breakfast and James had a sausage and bacon butty. Before we knew it, it was time to pick up Helen and head up north.

Our last trip up towards the Lake District was Cleator Moor, a class win but the journey home was horrible. Torrential rain, awful Burger King and James falling asleep in the passenger seat.

On arrival to Kendal, there was an impatient guy fashioning a suit jacket, jeans and trainers who just

couldn’t seem to wait for me to lock my car door despite parking right next to me in an empty car park. Then as we walked into the ground, he made a remark to James about not having his pass despite being on our media team.

Programme purchased, and we headed towards the changing rooms to put the kit out. Helen was not a fan of the changing rooms at all, and to be fair, they looked more like stables. Luckily I wasn’t the one who had to spend time in them.

We headed up to the clubhouse, which smelt like it was still in the 1930s. A pretty nice clubhouse though, with memorabilia and plenty of food choice. I got a pint of Magners Dark Fruit and sat down to read the programme. A 24 page programme which was actually well presented and up there in terms of quality.

We were then joined by Amy Chambers and Steph who had a little gift for Helen, A little bear with “Gate’s Number 1 Fan...Come on Gate!!” on it. It’s fair to say my mum was over the moon with it, she loves the club and it’s kept her going through some tough times.

Before kick off, I got my footy scran order in. With plenty of choice on offer, I opted for a cheese burger and chips with gravy. A bit greedy of me seeing as I had a Wetherspoons brekkie a couple hours prior but these things are important for our away day reviews.

Chips and gravy is controversial in our family, being from London but since being with Amy I am now obsessed with gravy on chips. My mum, dad and Jay all think it’s disgusting still. A solid 7/10 for the chips; however, the burger did not hit the spot and I couldn’t quite finish it.

The less we say about the game, the better. A 4-0 drubbing from a team that weren’t much better than us is a tough one to take. They were more clinical and wanted it more.

On the journey home, it was hard to not be frustrated. We all have adopted Squires Gate as our club, and even on the media team we do get as frustrated as supporters do when we get beat.

Onto the next one

SCORE: 7/10

Some nice cakes on offer in hospitality though.

sign walking from the dugout.

SCORE: 3/10

content. I liked some of the layout and it was only

league. It was well designed, and there was some good

I actually think this is one of the better ones in the

outdated.

across the pitch at the end when he clearly would not have seen the

towards James and then the remarks to Rowan because he walked

From the second I got out my car and being impatient, the comments

rates so low. There is no need to come across so rude to be honest.

priced at £2. The guy in the suit jacket, jeans and trainers is the reason this one

PROGRAMME HOSPITALITY

SCORE: 5/10 SCORE: 6/10

main entrance. The changing rooms looked very

unorganised. There is 2 stands with a nice backdrop behind the

The ground itself has potential but it just seems a bit

average.

The chips and gravy were really good, but the burger was pretty

mushroom or cheese and onion one available.

cup. Although I did quite fancy a pie, I didn ’ t fancy the chicken and

cheese and gravy. There was Magners Dark Fruit served in a reusable

The selection available was really good. From bacon barms to chips,

STADIUM FOOD & DRINK

RATING: 26/50

AWAY DAY REVIEWS

were all frustrated with the defeat.

5/10

The journey home was a bit of a quiet one as we

James on the journey up.

standard trip up the M6, some good tunes from

There was nothing too exciting about the journey.

JOURNEY

Words by Jay Hayden

Back at the start of March, I went to my second ever womens game. The first game one being England Women back in June 2022 at Elland Road.

With no Gate game , I travelled to York as Em got an invite to cover the game for the local paper as it was the first time in a while that the ladies team played at the LNER stadium. With it being a new ground to tick off, I could not refuse.

It was a 19:45 kick off so I decided not to drive to the game, and to opt for the train instead, leaving plenty of time as Em was in the office until 5pm anyway.

The journey on the train was made worse when I forget my headphones, and being on the train with a few Fleetwood fans who was heading over to Burnley on the same day for their FA Cup round of 16 tie that evening.

The journey finally ended at an old fashioned York station. I got confused on the way out, and ended up in some museum. Who puts a museum near a station? After a quick phone call to Em who found it amusing, she gave me directions to her office.

This was my first visit to York, and it was giving me Blackpool vibes wirth it being full of pubs and clubs. I walked past a Popworld as well which would have pleased James.

Once I arrived at Ems office, she came down to let me in before we heading over to the stadium which wasn't anywhere near the station like she said it was. I felt like it a passenger prince for once after driving so many away days with Gate. The stadium was giving NWCFL vibes as it was near a retail park.

Before we headed to the ground we opt for a Maccies trip as me and Em both needed some food. Of course I got chicken nuggets and chips. But for those of you who don’t know what Dan does with his - he not only dips nuggets in milkshake but also will save nuggets and chips for the morning and eat them cold? Makes me feel sick. Em opted for some fries and drink with a Mcflurry.

After the quick Maccies stop, we headed to the LNER. The journey to ground was quick from Maccies and the best place to park was the park and ride that was near the stadium.

Walking up to the ground, I took a few pictures for Twitter and the staduim was very nice looking outside. We finally found the media entrance which was weirdly in a library but hey ho, we walked up the stairs and saw a massive wall art with the York City badge and York Knights which I was thoguht was quite cool and a good way to tell you where you are.

Walking to the press box, we walked through a lovely corridor; however, we were actually sat in the stand and not in the posh executive boxes.

Whilst Em was setting up the live blog and team news, I chatted with Ryan Brookes who did a piece for our lockdown magazineand he was complimentatry of the work we do at Gate and how that piece gave him a kick start in the media world.

Going into the match, the first half was very tight and a lot different to the England game I saw last year. The two teams were both pushing for goal in the first half but unfortunately they went in 0-0 at half time. I’ve not seen a 0-0 for over a year so maybe today could have been the day.

Second half stated the same where both teams were pushing for a goal, and finally got a goal in the 54th minute where York’s Felicty Jones opened the scoring.

Once the first goal went in, it open ed the game up more and both sides asking questions and after a lot of chances the goals finally came in. With Hull getting a equallzier on the hour mark. The game was then out of York’s reach when Hull scored twice in 10 minutes to take all 3 points from York.

All in all a good day. A big thanks to Olly Woods for the invite.

Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. These fixtures are by no means blockbuster ties but this international break in particular carries greater significance than most for A Seleção as it marks the beginning of a new era. The Portuguese will be under a new manager for the first time since September 2014.

After nine years and 109 matches in charge – a period that saw Portugal win the European Championship in 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, the first and second honours at senior level in Portugal’s history – manager Fernando Santos was relieved of his duties following Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco. In January 2023, former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez was hired as his replacement.

With the nation at a crossroads, struggling at times to balance the old guard and the burgeoning new talent and with supporters clamouring for better, more expansive football to be produced on the pitch, we delve into some of the most important talking points ahead of Martínez’s first matches in charge.

Portugal had crashed out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the group stage and just three months later in their first match of Euro 2016 qualifying, they were dealt an embarrassing 1-0 defeat by an Albanian side ranked 70th in the world. The players were booed off the pitch in Aveiro and a few days later manager Paulo Bento was axed.

Santos was presented and would go on to lead his group of underdogs to the final of Euro 2016, scrapping their way through playing a pragmatic, hard-tobeat brand of football before going on to defeat heavy favourites and tournament hosts France in Paris. Santos achieved what no other manager had done before him and brought silverware back to Portugal, and he did it twice. However, particularly towards the end of Santos’ eight-year reign, there was a feeling that Portugal could and perhaps should have been doing more with their talent.

There was an overwhelming belief amongst supporters of A Seleção that Portugal’s aims and expectations needed to be realigned to match the vast array of talent within the squad. The feeling was growing that Portugal should no longer be a side looking to

beat any other side in world football. And to do so by playing a system that moved away from the pragmatic underdog approach of 2016 and into a more fluid and free-flowing one that would enable Portugal’s most creative talents to express themselves. The differences between Martínez’s Belgium and Santos’ Portugal during the European qualifiers for the World Cup are clear to see.

Belgium would look to build up from the back, moving the ball patiently and confidently into midfield or out to the wing-backs. In some matches under Martínez during this period, Belgium’s ball possession incredibly reached above 75% (81% vs. Estonia and 76% vs. Wales).

Portugal, on the other hand, moved the ball quicker upfield under Santos, completing fewer passes per sequence than the other bigger hitters of the UEFA region.

Regardless of the style of play he chooses to implement, Martínez and his coaching staff will be aware of these demands both from the supporters and the Portuguese media for a better brand of football. If Santos was brought in to steady a rocking ship, Martínez has been brought in to help unleash Portugal’s boundless potential.

How many of the current Premier League managers have managed Watford?

Which of these is not in the WomensFACupSemiFinals?

A. Arsenal

B. Chelsea

C. Manchester United

D. Aston Villa

E. Brighton

Which of these are not currently in the top 6 in the National League South?

A. Dartford

B. Chelmsford

C. St Albans

D. Braintree

E. Ebbsfleet

Spot

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