Tamworth Matchday Programme by ForestGreenRovers

FOREST GREEN V TAMWORTH

Fiachra 10 Minutes with Pagel

Getting to know our young goalkeeper Fiachra Pagel who is combining training at FGR with a loan spell at Swindon Supermarine.

Having been on loan this season, how have you found the experience, and combining training at FGR with match days elsewhere?

It’s quite a unique experience as you are trying to help the boys as best you can prepare for their game on Saturday while also making sure you are ready and sharp for your own game.

Your best moment in football so far?

It would probably be keeping a clean sheet and staying up on the last day of the season with Supermarine last year as it was my first real taste of men’s football, and it meant a lot to repay the faith that they had shown in me.

Best player you’ve played with or against?

Best player I’ve played with would be Evan Ferguson. Best player I’ve played against would probably be Gavi.

Best goal you’ve seen live?

Shane Long’s goal against Germany in the European Qualifiers back in 2015 to win 1-0 has to be up there. It wasn’t just the goals, it was the limbs to celebrate too!

Who is your footballing hero?

It has to be Manuel Neuer. I grew up watching him and seeing how comfortable and assured he looked in the goal from a young age really inspired me.

Do you have any hobbies outside of football?

I do a fair bit of reading in my free time but recently I’ve gotten really into Padel and golf.

Favourite place(s) you’ve visited

I would say Sardinia - some of the food was delicious and the beaches we visited had that crystal clear light blue water we all think about!

What job would you have if you weren’t a footballer?

I’d probably go into something similar to law. I like to think I’m quite good at interpreting and absorbing information so it could be a good fit.

What is your favourite TV series/film?

Favourite tv series of all time would probably be Game of Thrones - up until the last season that is! Favourite movie would be Prisoners.

Who are you friends with at FGR?

I get on really well with all of the boys but I would probably say I spend the most time with Ty (Omotoye), Knowsley (Tom Knowles) and Jamie (Searle).

What song goes on your Matchday playlist?

Anything Chris Stapleton, I just find it calms me down before getting out there onto the pitch!

WeAre FGR

Opposition The

Tamworth make their first visit to The New Lawn since 2013 for Rovers penultimate home fixture of the season on Easter Monday.

On the Lambs last visit to Nailsworth, they came away with a narrow 2-1 victory at The New Lawn.

When we met the Lambs last on Boxing Day, Rovers were denied all three points following a stoppage time equaliser from Dan Creaney cancelling out Kyle McAllister’s thunderous first-half strike.

Since our last meeting, Tamworth have been flying seeing them stage a late play-off push as they sit just outside the top seven.

An incredible March saw the Lambs go undefeated for the month and enjoy an eight-game unbeaten streak in the National League.

The Staffordshire side have taken the National League by surprise since their promotion from the National League North last season taking points off teams such as Gateshead, Oldham Athletic, Rovers and York City.

The Lambs have also reached the final of the Birmingham Senior Cup after recently defeating a young Coventry City side on penalties in the semi-finals.

In the dugout, manager Andy Peaks has just past his three-year anniversary with the club after taking the helm back in early 2022.

Since then, Peaks has managed almost 100 games in which he has recorded an excellent win percentage and back-to-back league title successes winning the Southern League Premier Central and National League North in 2023 and 2024.

One player that Rovers fans should be looking out for on the Lambs side would be striker and top scorer, Dan Creaney who recently scored his 100th goal for the Lambs taking him to the top 10 all-time Tamworth scorers.

In his last 10 games for the Lambs, Creaney has netted an impressive seven goals with his tally standing at 17 goals for the season, alongside seven assists.

Following their trip to Nailsworth, the Lambs play out their final home game against survival chasers, AFC Fylde.

Established

The demise of Tamworth Castle FC left the town with no senior level football club, but a campaign involving a town businessman and the local newspaper set the wheels in motion to form another club, and so Tamworth FC was born in the summer of 1933.

Crest

The Tamworth badge is made up of five sections: The Saltire in Chief, The Fess of Vair or Fesse Vair, The Stafford(shire) Knot, The Castle and Crossed Swords, and The Fleur-de-lys. The crest was designed by the club secretary at the time, Pete Young.

Stadium

The original ground on which the team played was next to the now demolished Jolly Sailor pub, and from 1934 onwards The Lamb became the club’s new home, where they remain to this day.

FOOTBALL IS A GAME FOR ALL

ABOUT US

Her Game Too is a voluntary non-profit organisation, led by passionate female football fans, aiming to promote gender inclusivity in football and eradicate sexism. We strongly believe football is a game for all, and are working closely with football clubs to ensure women are safe and welcome in the game.

Our survey results found that 92.3% of women had experienced sexism online targeted towards a woman in football. 58% said they had experienced sexism in person at a game or in a pub. We want women and girls of all ages to feel confident playing, supporting and working in football without fear of discrimination.

OUR AIMS TO REPORT

RAISE AWARENESS AND EDUCATE PEOPLE TO THE SEXISM WHICH IS PREVALENT IN FOOTBALL.

PROMOTE VISIBILITY OF WOMEN IN THE GAME (PLAYERS, STAFF, FANS, COACHES AND OFFICIALS).

DEVELOP STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSIONAL, SEMI PROFESSIONAL AND GRASSROOTS CLUBS, TRUSTS AND FOOTBALL COMMUNITIES CREATE A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN & GIRLS AT STADIUMS AND GRASSROOTS FACILITIES.

WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST GENDER DISCRIMINATION, BOTH IN PERSON AND ONLINE.

VOLUNTEER: www.hergametoo.co.uk/

We believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are against discrimination in all its forms.

If you experience or witness anything that concerns you please contact your nearest steward, or email safeguarding@fgr.co.uk.