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 Good evening, and welcome to the latest issue of Talk Of The Gate. The first of two issues in the space of 3 days, as we also SohostLongridgeonSaturdayafternoon.farthisseason,thefeedbackwe have received on social media regarding our matchday magazines has been amazing, and we are so glad that everyone who is buyingacopyisenjoyingthem! We go into tonight’s game on the back of a win away at Litherland REMYCA, a game where we also scored our 1,750th NWCFL Itgoal. ’s great to see so much passion in the team too, and as the confidence grows, we know this squad will come good. Let’s continue to get behind them and hopefully we can pick Enjoyupanother3pointstonight!thegame! 4 THE GAFFER 21 FOOTY BOOK REVIEW 8 COVER STAR 22 AWAY DAYS 11 60 SECONDS 24 MEDIA DIARIES 12-15 ACTION REPLAY 30 SAME OLD UNITED 16-17 PADIHAM 32-33 QUIZ CORNER 20 MATCH-UP 36 THE TEAMS SquiresGateFC@squiresgatefc
Hello everyone, and welcome to this evening’s match in the NWCFL Premier Division between Squires Gate and APadiham.warmwelcome to our visitors, and all their fans, players and staff who have made the Wejourneytousthisevening.comeintothematch with confidence and momentum, on the back of last week’s 3 3 draw to Irlam, and Saturday’s 2 0 victory at Litherland WeRemyca.showed the best and the worst of ourselves in the draw against Irlam, scoring three excellent goals but conceding intoWethreeveryavoidableones.tookthepositivesthoughSaturday ’s game at Litherland, and after a goalless first half where Theo hit the post and we were the better side, we killed the game off in thesecondhalf. We should’ve been 1-0 up just five minutes into the second half when Cliffy found the bottom corner, but the goal somehow wasn't given. We hit back though and used our anger to Awinthegame.deservedgoal for Theo Ball and an excellent strike from Nathan Cliffe secured our 2 0 win for our first three points of Wetheseason.wantto make it two wins in a row tonight, but Padiham will not make that easy for us. They’re a strong side who beat us convincingly here at the end of last season, but we’re confident in our new squad’s ability to get the job done Thanktonight. you to everyone for attending tonight’s match. I hope you enjoy your evening with us at The Brian Addison Stadium! Gaffer #WeAreGate #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 04 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc THE LUKE EVANS
LUKE EVANS (Manager) ANDY BAKER (Asst. Manager) NATHAN PENNINGTON JOSH WESTWOOD (Captain) ISAAC ABANKWAH CHRIS WEBSTER FIRST-TEAM SQUAD & MANAGEMENT SPONSORSHIPS // SQUIRES GATE FC 2022/23 SPONSORED BY DENISE GIBSON AVAILABLE TO AVAILABLESPONSOR TO SPONSOR AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTOAVAILABLESPONSORTO
GARY PETT RYAN POWELL NATHAN CLIFFE FIRST-TEAM SQUAD & MANAGEMENT SPONSORSHIPS // SQUIRES GATE FC 2022/23 AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTO
C VER STAR COVER STAR // ISSUE FOUR // JOHN MAGUIRE Words byDan Hayden John Maguire, or Magsy as he is better known, is highly regarded by everyone at Squires Gate and by clubs throughout the North JohnWestCounties.joinedthe club when he was 16 years old, and played under Brian Addison who was manager at the time, and he is still doing his part on matchdays helping run the club behind the Magsyscenes. is an icon of Squires Gate, and everyone who knows him will tell you how much he loves the club. Pictured bottom right, you can see the passion John had when survival was throughoutThankinvaluable.level,whatPeopledonationsFootballbikeJohnsupporters.timeoutballsheAsconfirmedbackin2017.wellasbeingclubsecretary,isalwaysseencollectingthelostoverthefencethrough-thegame,aswellasmakingforbothhomeandawayalsocompleteda100milerideinaidofSquiresGateClublastyear,withallgoingtowardstheclub.likeJohnMaguirearekeepclubsgoingatthisandtoSquiresGateheisyouforallyoureffortstheyears,Magsy! JOHN MAGUIRE
In Saturday’s 2-0 victoryover Litherland REMYCA, Nathan Cliffe scored our 1750th goal in the North West Counties Football League! An exclusive look behind the scenes of your favourite non-league club! GATE HIT 1,750 NWCFL GOALS MEKKAOUI-ABOUZAID RETURNS As you may have seen across our socials last week, Saad ‘Sam’ MekkaouiAbouzaid has returned to the club. The midfielder had an impressive first season at Gate last year that was cut short, but he returns fit and ready for this campaign!
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
@squiresgatefc 11 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc Your perfect meal deal? (Butty, snack & drink) Chicken, Bacon Lettuce Sandwich, Chilli Heatwave Doritos,NakedSmoothie Your go to Maccies order? Wrap of the day with Fries and a coke. Last thing you do before walking on the pitch? Sortmyhairout Worst banter in the squad? Theo Ball the guy just makes thingsup,proper ‘JayCartwright’. Your go to alcoholic Drink? DoubleVodkaRedBull You can listen to one album on repeat. Which do you pick? DBlockEurope HomeAlone Who would be in your all time 5-a-side that you’ve played with? Sam Keenan, Will Hopper, Will Riding,AlexClifford Favoiute brew dunking biscuit? ChocolateHobnob Roll. Cob. Muffin. Barm. What do you call it? And what’s the weirdest name for it you’ve heard? Barm andCob. 60 SECONDS // PART FOUR // NATHAN CLIFFE NATHANCLIFFE NATHAN CLIFFE IS SPONSORED BY
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 12 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc 10.08.2022 // SQUIRES GATE 3-3 IRLAM // THE BRIAN ADDISON STADIUM
past Pennington into the top corner. It was 1 1 on 27 minutes though, with James Boyd netting his first of the season. Cliffe was involved again, with a well hit strike parried away by the Irlam keeper into the path of Boyd who finished calmly into the bottom corner. Pennington could do nothing on 35 minutes to deny Sterling who had broke in behind and found the bottom corner with a clinical finish to put Irlam 2 1 up. A second equaliser was found though right who took a touch and fired an unstoppable strike into the far top corner. After a strong end to the first half from Gate, they made the worst possible start to the second, with Pollitt bundling in a corner for his second goal to put Irlam 3 2 up just three minutes after the restart. But again, Gate fought back and found another equaliser on 56 minutes. An Irlam throw deep in their own half was headed into Cliffe's path by Webster, with Cliffe taking a touch and firing a powerful low strike into the bottom corner via a slight deflection.
1. PENNINGTON2.HUGHES 3. SHIELDS 4.5.CHAMBERSWELSH 6. WESTWOOD © 7. RILEY 8.10.9.WEBSTERBALLCLIFFE11.BOYD
PICTURES BY IAN MOORE // @OLDBLUEFOX // @FYLDEFOX ACTION REPLAY #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 13 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 14 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc 13.08.2022 // LITHERLAND REMYCA 0-2 SQUIRES GATE // LITHERLAND SPORTS PARK
LITHERLAND REMYCA 0-2 SQUIRES GATE
PICTURES BY IAN MOORE // @OLDBLUEFOX // @FYLDEFOX ACTION REPLAY
Report by James Ashton After a fairly even start to the game, Gate came agonisingly close to taking the lead after nine minutes. Theo Ball did well down the left to cut inside and fire a shot on goal, but his powerful effort rattled the far post. Litherland went close themselves five minutes later, with a cross to the back post finding an unmarked player but Nathan Pennington made a smart stop at his near post. Ball then thought he had opened the scoring after a clever lob over the Litherland keeper on 31 minutes, but the offside flag was up early against the striker.
corner 1. PENNINGTON2.HUGHES 3. WELSH 4.5.CHAMBERSHOLDEN 6. WESTWOOD © 7. RILEY 8.10.9.WEBSTERBALLCLIFFE11.BOYD #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 15 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc
It was a dramatic start to the second half, with Gate thinking they opened the scoring on 50 minutes. An accurate finish from Cliffe seemingly found the bottom corner before bouncing back out off the stanchion, but despite Gate’s celebrations, the referee did not give the goal. Gate got back on top though, and did finally break the deadlock on 57 minutes. A low cross from Hughes was flicked past the keeper by Theo Balll. Gate secured their win on 83 minutes, with Cliffe grabbing his deserved goal. Cliffe drove with the ball at the Litherland defence, and using Yelegon as a decoy, took the ball past his man and fired clinically into the bottom
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 16 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc LAST SEASON Premier
PADIHAM
November 1878 the `Caldersiders` as they were then known were considered one of Lancashire`s soccer pioneers and one of the better Club sides in England. The Padiham Club were in at the birth of the Lancashire Football Associations Senior Cup competition in 1879, reached the third round proper of the F.A. Cup in season 1883 - 84 BeingandbeatBurnleyF.C.anardentstalwart of the fightwagedfromLancashirefor stranglehold football finance came to have on small town Clubs, in hindsight it condemned Padiham to an ongoing fight for Thesurvival.rebirth of Padiham Football Club came about in 1949 with the opening of the `Arbories` Memorial Sports Ground in Padiham on August 20th 1949 when 1,777 spectators turned up to see the Club`s opening Lancashire Combination fixture ofthe1949 50footballseason.
Round A BRIEF HISTORY OF PADIHAM…
Padihamfootballfortenseasons.returnedtothe North West Counties Football League for the 2000/2001 season, winning the Premier Division Title in 2012/13 to gain promotion to the Northern Premier League, where they spent two seasons before being relegated back to the NorthWest Counties Football League for the 2015/16 season. Since 1999 the club has spent in the region of £600,000 upgrading theirground. Division: 13th Cup: Extra Preliminary Qualifying
Round FA Vase: 1st
FA
THE NUMBER CRUNCHER W D L F AP 8 4 10 32 4122 2021/22 STATS MEDIA MEMOIRS YEAR FORMED 1878 YEARS IN PREM DIV 11 TWITTER FOLLOWS 7.9k HIGHESTDIVISIONPREMIERFINISH(2012/13) 1st THE SCOREAGGREGATEBETWEENTHETWOCLUBSLASTSEASON 1-4 INSTA FOLLOWS 1.5k W D L GF GA 13 11 16 57 65 GATE RECORD VS PADIHAM
BEN HOSKIN Who is the DJ in the changing room? Dj is either me or Danny Morton Worst taste in music? Haven’t really heard the lads music really but I can guarantee Chris Bailey would be in that. Worst banter at the club? Banter is decent at the club to be fair, but if I had to choose, it would be Dave Sherlock. Your favourite joke? Did I ever tell you about the time I use to work in a bowling alley? Yeah didn’t last long, I was only tenpin. Who is the worst dancer? Got to be Kieron Sherlock. Kids got 2 left feet. Who will be a future manager? Mark Ayres 100%. 100m race. Who wins? We’ve got a couple of lads who think there quick but it’s between Danny Morton and Joel Melia, maybe Joel just nicks it. If you were all to go in the jungle, who would be the most likely to back out of the challenges? Good question. Depending on the challenge probably me, hate snakes and spiders. Who would be most likely to win Love Island? Some good looking lads but Danny Morton or Chris Bailey Who gets fined the most? There isn’t really a stand out person for fines, most the lads always being fined. Most intelligent player? Don’t have any of them (haha!) all head the balls. The player you’d want to be stuck on a desert island with? Had to be the Skipper Dom Craig. He would just keep me laughing Your go to meal deal? Tescos own has to be. Chicken wrap, Dr Pepper and salt and vinegar squares. Who has the worst fashion sense? There’s a lot but just ask Matty Hammet about that gilet Your all time Padiham 5 a side team? Matty Hammet Mark MichaelAyresMorrison Chris Anderson Dom Craig
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 3 3 68 Pennington Hughes Shields Chambers Welsh 13 Aug 22 Litherland REMYCA 0 2 69 Pennington Hughes Welsh Chambers Holden 17 Aug 22 Padiham 19:45 20 Aug 22 Longridge Town 15:00 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 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 Chambers Yelegon Holden Boyd Burgess Powell Hughes Westwood Riley Webster Pett Chambers Hughes Cliffe Yelegon Burgess Hesford Ball Westwood Riley Webster Ball Pett Hughes Cliffe Eastham Burgess Kay Powell Westwood Riley Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Smith Eastham Kay Powell Hesford Westwood Riley Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Smith Yelegon Kay Abouzaid Powell RED CARD SUBSTITUTE 1 SUBSTITUTE 2 SUBSTITUTE 3 HOME FIXTURES IN BOLDYELLOW CARD
L 3 0 vs Avro (A) L 2 1 vs Skelmersdale (A) L 0 2 Vs Burscough (H) 3 0 vs Avro (A) WINS GOALS SCORED R E W I N D 32 41 (4 DRAWS) 8 10 ONESHEAD-2-HEAD-2-WATCH R E W I N D Gate and Padiham met three times last season, twice in the league and once in the Lancashire FA Trophy. It was this match where Gate got their only win over Padiham in the last campaign, with a single strike from Dean Ing securing a solid 1-0 victoryfor Evans’ men. JOEL BROWNHILL JAMES HUGHES
"You imagine most people have forgotten about you already. The impact you had. Forgotten the games you refereed, the big names you kept under control and, on occasion, man handled." Newcastle fans, Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan aside, it may well be the case that Uriah Rennie may not have a prominent place in most football fans' psyches, but aside from the universally admired Pierluigi Collina, few referees perhaps do unless it’s for the wrong reasons. Yet, Rennie is the subject chosen by Ashley Hickson Lovence for a fictionalised depiction of his life in Your Show and far from being an odd or miscellaneous choice, Rennie is perhaps one of the most important, groundbreaking and significant people in the history of the game the Premier League's first and only black referee. The job of a referee is a largely thankless task; nobody wants to be a ref, the old adage goes. Whatever happens, the man or woman in the middle is always going to disappoint someone: if not the home fans, the away fans, if not one manager, the other, if not one player, another. Yet football wouldn't exist without them (unless someone invents a fully automated post human VAR system, which, quite frankly, is the stuff of dystopian nightmares), and whilst it's easy to pick apart their errors and call out their mistakes, to lambast their decisions and fling judgements their way, the job of a referee is a difficult one that often goes unappreciated. As with so much these days, we are quick to remember and point out the bad, but unwilling to flag (pun intended) the good. There's also an irony in that when a referee does a good job, he's all the more inconspicuous, it's only when one is deemed to have made a poor decision (or decisions) that he becomes prominent. So, no wonder, we ask ourselves who wants this job. But amongst the annals of football history, alongside the names of clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, of players such as Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Vincent Kompany, managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Bobby Robson and Jurgen Klopp, sits the name of Uriah Rennie, referee. It's not a bad place to find oneself, despite the ignominy that goes with the turf. Neither, too, is stepping out at Wembley, Villa Park, Elland Road, keeping pace with Michael Owen, standing up to Roy Keane or watching Wayne Rooney make his debut, all of which Uriah Rennie can claim on his CV under the seemingly inglorious title referee. Hmm, who wants to be a referee? It's a long standing taunt that referees are those who couldn't play football, who were picked last in the playground, but Ashley Hickson Lovence's fictional account of Uriah Rennie's story takes readers back to the very start, depicting a naturally gifted, all round athlete, good at football, but who was captivated by the art of refereeing, a man who in his career at the top of the game would be cited as 'the fittest referee we have ever seen on the national and world scene’. It's a reminder of the physical demands on officials at the top level, and what this book does incredibly well is to make readers see refereeing through fresh eyes. Yes, referees are human and make mistakes, yes, decisions are subjective, but there is a skill, an art, a practice to refereeing. It's not just a case of flashing a card, blowing a whistle and having a word, it's about positioning, premeditating, peacekeeping. It's not just about keeping up with some of the fittest athletes in the world for 90 minutes, but making sure you're in the right place at the right time to make the best decisions for those 90 minutes. It's not just about cautioning players for taking off a shirt in exuberance, it's about upholding the laws of the game. And the book really puts the reader in the ref's boots and gives an insight into this little understood yet much maligned world.
FOOTBALL BOOK REVIEWS // YOUR SHOW // @FOOTYBOOKREVIEW
Whodecisions.wants to be a referee? Those who have the determination and discipline to reach the top, those who have the courage and conviction to make the hard decisions, and yes, those who perhaps have a little bit of ego and eagerness to put some of the biggest characters in the world in their place.
The depiction of Uriah is a rounded one; it is clear that Rennie, in Hickson Lovence's portrait, is ambitious and hungry to make his mark, but it's equally as clear that he's fair and honest, hard working and disciplined. There is a very single minded, pragmatic feel to the book, which is in keeping with the image of Uriah the referee throughout, but the finale especially goes behind this facade and uncovers more of the man a man who is private, gracious, community minded and Itgenerous.ishardnot to admire, respect and relate to Uriah Rennie in Hickson Lovence's depiction, although the emphasis on Newcastle United and Rennie's perhaps unhealthy affiliation with them may not do much to temper Magpies fans. Again, it's a reminder that while playing in the top flight, stepping out for finals and gracing the world stage is a dream of football players, it's also a dream for referees too, and far fewer make it, in reality. Like a footballer's career, life at the top is short lived, if lived at all, by the majority of referees and it doesn't come with the perks or glamour of the stars. Referees fade into oblivion or remain in ignominy, but few, if any, are remembered and celebrated. Uriah Rennie's rise to the top, then, is an achievement in itself, and one that the book celebrates. However, there is also no escaping the fact that Rennie remains the only black referee to have officiated in the Premier LovenceLeague.Hickson
’s book is a real breath of fresh air, not just in his chosen subject matter who wants to be a referee? but in its style and delivery too, which is short, sharp, punchy and poetic echoing both the pace and passion of the beautiful game. And there is no denying that the book gives pause for thought, about the man or woman in the middle. It’s so easy for them to become the dehumanised antagonist, the one at whom the finger is pointed, blame is attributed, vitriol is flung, but they’re just people doing their job, people who’ve worked hard to get to where they are and who have pride and professionalism. It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and pick fault, but it’s not so easy to stand in the middle and make the important
YOUR SHOW
Thesure.scores level at half time, it was time to head in and try the hospitality on offer, and to try the highly rated sausage rolls. A selection of ham sandwiches and picnic food available for the Gate committee members; however, me and James opted to buy a sausage roll. A solid 8/10 by the way, I would definitely Therecommend.secondhalf was eventful, for those who remember Joe Noblett against Ashton Athletic something similar happened during this game as Nathan Cliffe thought he put Gate ahead as the ball hit the bar inside the net and bounced out. Where’s VARwhenyouneedit?
All was forgiven as Gate still managed to leave with all 3 points.Getin!
Another edition of our “Away The Lads” feature as we write up about our trips to fellow NWCFL grounds. The weather for the weekend was predicted to be over 30 degrees, so it was time to get the shorts out and top up the sun cream for this one. I’m sure when we go to Congleton and Ashton Athletic in December, it’ll be a case of layering up with thick jackets so I’m enjoying this weather while it lasts. Heard it was supposedly hotter than the Bahamas and it definitely felt likeit. With it being Blackpool Air Show, the journey to Cleveleys to pick Jamesup was a longone,but we were finally on our way. It was quite an enjoyable journey, except for the uncomfortable heat with no breeze at all. Me and James were discussing the line up and how important it was to comeawaywith3points.
Kick off approached, so we headed up to find some shade next to the stand and I applied some sun cream just to make
Words byDan Hayden
This was my first trip to Litherland, so James was telling me about what to expect from thevisit butspokeveryhighlyof their sausage rolls and said they had a pretty decent
Arrivingprogramme.atLitherland just after 1pm, James thought it would be good to spill some banana milkshake all over my car seatwe all know milk and this weather will not end well. Luckily, there was a couple of tissues in the car to be able to clean most of Weitup.entered the sports centre, and started to have a look around the ground. James did a full 800m granted he did walk around and it did take about half an hour! In that heat, I don’t think either of us wanted to run 100m let alone 800m. A quick catch up with Gate fan, Carl before the game and a look at the food and drink available. A special mention to the lovely ladies behindthebartoo.
STADIUM My first visit to this ground, but James had already Litherlandbriefedmeonwhattoexpect.playatasportscentre, with a running track around the pitch so it does feel like you are not as involved with the action. It also lacked a bit of atmosphere, with no music pre match or at half time. It was nice to be protected by the shade though. A selection of Hollands pies were available, but we wanted to try something that we couldnt get from another ground so we opted for a sausage roll, boughthighly.JameswhichIthinkwasfromalocalpastrycompany.saidheboughtonelastseason,andrateditForthepriceof£2,Idefinitelywouldhaveasecondone.
PROGRAMME HOSPITALITY
SCORE: 3/10 SCORE: 7/10
A very well designed programme, with a stand out font. A couple of good features but when reading through,itjuststopsintermsof contenthalfway. If there was a couple more pages, then the score would definitely be higher. 20 pages for £1.50 so thepriceisveryfair. Goodwork,REMY! We encountered some very friendly people at REMYCA. From the guy in the reception, to the
hospitality.picniconesThereladiesinthebar.weresomehamsandwiches,andsometunaIthinkwithsomeminisausagerollsandfoodavailabletooforthehalftime
SCORE: 5/10 SCORE: 7/10
AWAY
SCORE: 7/10 DAY REVIEWS
Please note: These are only the views of the mediateam,andnotthoseofSquiresGateFC. 29/50 Day Ratings REMYCA 291 Charnock Richard 282
RATING:
Away
JOURNEY Overall, a decent journey. Apart from the traffic in Blackpool due to the air show when collecting JamesJames.was in charge of the playlist, and the sat nav and some good chats about the programme, which wasmadeevenbetterwithawin.
Litherland
MEDIA DIARIES // MATTHEW LAMBE // ILKLEY TOWN
Evan produces a match preview (which gives information on our opponents and outlines the players to watch and recent form for both teams) for each home fixture to generate interest, and we have a profile on one player per programme so the fans can feel moreattachedtotheclub.
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 clubs previously?
MATTHEW LAMBE
Building up to a matchday, what do you do to build excitement with supporters and to gauge interactions? During my time at the club, we have been promoted from the West Yorkshire League to the NWCFL, so naturally there has been an increase with our social Mymediaoutput.colleague
Thesummarisetheaction.Steetonprogramme is excellent, being roughly 40 pages and covering most of the content a Premier League programme would. One important part of matchdays is the “footy scran”, have you any favourite grounds in terms of hospitality and what is your go to choice of matchdayfood? Has to be chips doesn’t it? Definitely the king of Footy Scran. As this is the Squires Gate programme, is there anything you know about our club? (No worries at all if not btw) A little bit, but not much I’m afraid! They are a Blackpool based outfit in the North West Counties Premier, and have played over 1000 games in the NWCFL. Last season, they won the award for best non-league programme across the country, as seen on the NL Bible Twitter Onaccount.arandom note, I would say the badge is one of the nicest in theleague! What would you say is your favourite social media platform to use at the club? Twitter. I would say it’s the easiest to navigate and clearest to see what interactions you received from fans during and after games. Plus, it’s the social media where we have the largestfollowing!
In the last couple of games especially, live updates from myself and Evan have been gaining more interactions from fans, and this because of our increased output on social media. Subsequently, the online profile of the club has grew, and the match reports are now regularly featured in the local newspaper, The Ilkley Gazette. Another important part of the matchday routine is a programme. What makes a good programme to you, and which clubs do you think have the best programmes? In terms of social media, what do you think makes a good club social media account? Undoubtedly a good programme should offer readers an insight into the thoughts of key figures of the club, such as the manager, captain, and chairman. A good club social media account would ideally provide regular live updates of the game on Twitter so a wide audience can have an interest in the club even if they cannot attend thegame andpotentiallyproduce a match report for each game to
MEDIA
DIARIES
I’m Matthew Lambe, an aspiring sports journalist who currently volunteers for Ilkley Town AFC, as match reporter and programme editor. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the club, and have been warmly welcomed by all. I am 16 at the moment, and am looking forward to continuing my role with the Baht’atters for another couple of years before hopefullygoingtouniversity!
Which grounds do you enjoy visiting the most in terms of facilities and matchdayfood? In terms of match day food, I would have to rank Garstang’s as one of the best; after all, they invite the away side (and referees) to a local pub for a hotpot! Obviously they don’t have to do this, but the fact they go above and beyond every game to ensure the opposition is treated well post match shows a welcoming outlook within the Asclub.the furthest team East in the entire NWCFL, Garstang is one of our longest away days, which makes the hotpot even more appetising knowing it’s a long way home. We also enjoy an awaytriptoSteetonAFC, partially because they are the only Yorkshire club since Campion and Golcar left the league, so is now our only chance of a derby in God’s own
Finally, what is your favourite memorywithin your time at the club? I’m sure many Baht’atters fans would agree with me on this; beating Darwen FC (sorry Matt) at home in the early stages of Thislastseason.wasthe first time we had reachedasemi professional level in our club’s history, and we had a rocky start to the season Inlosingtheopeningfive.part,thiswasdown to a vast amount of injuries and some tricky fixtures (hosting Bury AFC in the first game), but on the sixth game we beat Darwen 6 0 in a brilliantall roundperformance. This showed to other teams that we weren’t to be taken for granted, and proved invaluable as we survived thealbeit theoretical relegation places by one point. A second highlight would be defeating Golcar United 6-2, who would eventually earn promotion.
Finally,county!a mention should also go to Darwen FC, in particular to fellow social media admin Matt, who interviewed me on local radiostationBoroRadio.
MEDIA DIARIES // MATTHEW LAMBE // ILKLEY TOWN
Newcastle United had not played a game under their new ownership group last October when Amanda Staveley confirmed a desire to win the Premier League on Tyneside.
CAN NEWCASTLE UNITED MAKE THE TOP SIX? // BEN SPRATT
Howe appointed a month after Staveley arrived at St James’ Park has since had the benefit of a pre season, while Newcastle have again invested in the transfer market following January’s world leading £90million outlay. So, how far can Newcastle go in 2022 23? And which of the established big boys might be underthreat? ‘EUROPE IS DEFINITELY A GOAL’ Staveley’s aims appeared quite modest by the time Bruno Guimaraes took to the podium in his introductory news conference following a £35m switch from Lyon. “We want more, we want to win the Champions League,” the Brazil midfielder announced.
now have a squad determined to end the club’s absence from continentalactionafter10years.
“We have the same ambitions as PSG and Manchester City in terms of trophies,” the co owner Newcastleadded. were winless and in the bottom three, where they would remain until February, so this seemed an optimistic target, even given the wealth of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The Magpies are highly unlikely to challenge City for their title this season either, but they are at least looking up now. From the date of the takeover until the end of the season, Newcastle earned the sixth most points in the division (46); in 2022, they have earned the fourth most (38); in points per game terms, Eddie Howe’s men are third for the calendar year (2.0).
“I believe we can challenge for European football this season,” Joelinton told FourFourTwo. “It might be hard to qualify for the Champions League just yet, but why not? We want to at least compete for a Europa League spot.” Sven Botman, a new signing from Lille, added to Mail Online: “Europe is definitely a goal this season. I believe we can achieve that.” If Newcastle can maintain their form to date under Howe, Europa League qualification should be comfortably within their reach. But the coach, perhaps understandably, is a little more guarded than his ambitious stars, offering only: “As long as expectations are controlled, then we’ll be fine. “This season is about progression, improvement. We want to evolve into the team we want to be in the future.” Newcastle’s evolution to this point has primarily centred around their defence understandably, given they shipped 80 goals in 2021, a Premier League recordforacalendaryear.
CAN UNITED MAKE THE TOP SIX?
NEWCASTLE
backany2003;playedLeague,LetalonewinningtheChampionsNewcastlehavenotinthecompetitionsincetheirlastappearanceinEuropeantournamentcamein2013.ButtheMagpies
’s thirdbest team this year. Newcastle will not catch City or Liverpool this season even if our League Prediction model counts the Magpies among seven potential title winners (albeit justa 0.03% shot) but the teams below the top two might all be within Howe’s sights after warning shots were Chelseafiredlastterm.ended a nine game unbeaten run for Newcastle in controversial circumstances in March, snatching a 1-0 victory, whileTottenhamcapitalisedona rare off day to win 5 1 the following month, but only after trailing to a Fabian Schar free kick. Spurs and Arsenal are at least widely considered to have improved since the end of last season, spending well, but the same may not be true of Chelsea and ManchesterUnited.
United are yet to play Newcastle in 2022 but were fortunate to escape with a draw frustrated,aswindowareInoffromTynesideinthefinalgamethepreviouscalendaryear.the2022standings,Chelseasixth,andtheirtransferhasnotpannedoutquitetheyhoped.Unitedhavebeentoo,andtheyarea
distant ninth since the turn of the Ifyear.the team from Tyneside continue to go from strength to strength, two of English football’s giants may have to improve merely to make the Europa League, let alone the Champions League.
consideringplacesenoughChampionsLeaguetogoaroundevenbeforetheleague
CAN NEWCASTLE UNITED MAKE THE TOP SIX? // BEN SPRATT
It was this sort of worrying statistic that prompted doubts about Howe’s suitability as the man to turn the Magpies around, with his stint as Bournemouth boss seeing at least 60 conceded in each Premier League season. Yet in 2022, just four sides have let in fewer than Newcastle (20); only three have kept more clean .sheets(seven) Three of the five players signed in January were defenders, while Botman and goalkeeper Nick Pope have since followed, and the pre-season focus on maintaining possession should ease the pressure on that back Itlineconsiderably.isnowattheother end of the pitch where there are slight Howeconcerns.has openly discussed the need for offensive recruits, with the week before Saturday’s opener at Nottingham Forest bringing reports of two failed bids for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison. There clearly remainsanover relianceonAllan Saint-Maximin, who created 50 chances last season two more than Maddison but also an alarming 21 more than his next team Gettingmate(Joelinton).ontheend of those passes, Newcastle also need Callum Wilson to stay healthy. He has scored 20 goals from just 84 shots over the past two seasons; of the Premier League players to tally 20 or more in that time, only Son Heung-min could better Wilson’s conversion rate of 23.8%. That Wilson’s fitness record was so poor last season actually suggests Newcastle could get better without significant Notreinforcement,though.untilthefinaltwomatches of the season, in wins over Arsenal and Burnley, did Guimaraes, Saint-Maximin and Wilson all starttogether. With all of the ‘big six’ pursuing a top four finish, there are not
Now we move on to Cristiano Ronaldo and the complexities he has brought the club over the close season suggesting he may leave. He has gone on record over the summer about his desire for Champions League football this year, something he won’t get if he stays at United, certainly one of the reasons why he has been potentially seeking a move away. Not just that, but rumours have emerged that he has been unhappy with the lack of business and a salary reduction that has been imposed uponhim. He didn’t take part in a full pre-season with his teammates after only playing 45 minutes of a single friendly game against Rayo Vallecano. Ronaldo left that game early after being substituted at half time to further intensify speculation about his future at Old Trafford. He missed the pre season tour of Asia and Australia due to "family reasons", an excuse the club accept but his lack of fitness played a contribution to him not being in Erik ten Hag's first United starting XI for a competitive fixture against SufficeBrighton.to say, he’s been MIA thus far. He may leave, but who knows? It’s almost like he’s allowed to do whatever he likes purely for himself, no consequences. A real head scratcher for Ten Hag and his team.
number of sources, but if not, the transfer window hasn’t got much longer to play out so there will be a conclusion to this saga one wayoranother.
NEW SEASON
FRENKIE DE JONG
’s been made no secret that the Dutch midfielder isn’t fully sure and has had qualms about a move to Old Trafford, plus many issues have arose surrounding wages that have delayed proceedings on a number of occasions. An issue that hasn’t been resolved as of writing but willbesoonaccordingtoa
You would have been mistaken for thinking that following the arrival of new boss Erik Ten Hag, United’s problems might have started getting less not more. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, really. Suffice to say, it has been far from an easy start for the Dutchman. Transfer woes, temper tantrums and potentially scandalous, controversial acquisitions it’s all being going on in theredcornerof Manchester.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
NEW SEASON, SAME OL’ UNITED // LEWIS BLACKMORE
One of the first ‘sagas’ of the summer has been the problems surrounding the potential signing of Frenkie De Jong. Potential, as in, it hasn’t happened as of writing this piece and who knows whether it will or not before the window snaps shut at the end of the month. A long-term target for the Red Devils, and one of Ten Hag’s top targets, De Jong’s signing has proved a problematic one with a lot of back and forth between United and his current ItsideBarcelona.
Roll forward to the start of the Premier League season and the arrival of Graham Potter’s Brighton and Hove Albion to Old Trafford, where Ten Hag might well have been hoping to right a fewwrongs.Well,aboutthat… Succumbing to a 2 1 loss at the hands of Potter’s side, it could be said that despite the poor result and, arguably, the even poorer performance – the most worrying observation is that there are few indicators that much has changed over the summer. Yes, s only the first game of the new campaign, so let’s not get too carried away, but you can’t help but notice that many of the same issues that caused them problems last year are still prevalent. Of course, the Seagulls deserve the plaudits for their performance as they were on target to punish a fairly AslacklustreUnited.I,andI ’m sure many others would say, it’s early days and there is plenty of time to turn the tide, but I do wonder how much more turmoil United fans can put up with? With plenty of problems still to resolve, it will be intriguing
A FALL AT THE FIRST HURDLE
SAME OL’ UNITED NEW SEASON, SAME OL’ UNITED // LEWIS BLACKMORE
MARKO ARNAUTOVIC
Probably the strangest occurrence, and likely most controversial, this summer was the proposed signing of Bologna’s Marko Arnautović. Something that caused quite the stir amongst United supporters, with the club recording a number of complaints about the potential signature. Of course,the Austrian international is no stranger to the Premier League with previous spells at Stoke and West Ham, but many fans considered the pursuit of the 33-year old forward ‘ridiculous’ and ‘desperate’ and totally not in keeping with the type of team Ten Hag is building. Even Gary Neville said he want to comment’ when asked his opinion on the bid United had BBCputinforArnautović.punditChrisSutton said news of United's interest was PR disaster". "That's madness," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "I thought it was a spoof. It's ridiculous. It's a real wrong move in terms of the eyes of the supporters." He wrong there, you only needed to glaze over Twitter over those few days to peruse the wealth of dissatisfaction fans had against theproposedmove.
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QUIZ CORNER ANSWERS SHIRT SEASON: 2015/16 SPOT THE BALL: A TRIVIA: 1. Darwin Nunez 2. Harry Kane YOUR SCORE
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