THE ONLINE MAGAZINE OF NORTHALLERTON TOWN FC Issue 1 February 2012
Onwards & UPWARDS INSIDE THE FEBRUARY ISSUE
MARK FANNING A word from ‘The Boss’
ONE VISION David Kerfoot MBE
FANS VIEW ACADEMY & JUNIORS
PLAYER PROFILE Danny Shoulder
Contents Onwards & UPWARDS A word from ‘The Boss’ Mark Fanning
2
Player Profile Danny Shoulder
4
One Vision David Kerfoot MBE
6
Fans View The Away Days Andy Pattinson
8
Academy Graduate Stuart Dunn
10
The Next Generation Northallerton Juniors FC
11
Northallerton FC 1895 Bitter The club launches our very own Real Ale!
12
Teams Past & Present Team photographs from 2011-2012 and 1958
13
Fixtures 2011-2012 season remaining fixtures
14
Club Sponsors 15 Thanks to everyone who contributed to our first magazine. To David Kerfoot for the use of the phrase 'Onwards & Upwards' and to Dave Watson for suggesting it as the name for the publication or magazine. Concept and editorial - Jamie Tosh Photography and graphic design - Paul Gaythorpe
Page 1
A word from ‘The Boss’ Onwards & UPWARDS
Mark Fanning Welcome to the first edition of the Club’s first on-line magazine. When I was lad I couldn’t wait for a Friday morning when the letterbox would rattle and my copy of Shoot would fall on the floor. Quick flick through to see if there was anything on my favourite team, then off to school ready to read the rest later that night. Now we have the worldwide web, instant access to Sky Sports News, social media, club forums, chat rooms, Twitter and Facebook, whereby anyone can access information about any football club at any time, not just at the most senior level but right down at grass roots level. How I wish this was available 35 years ago. A club like Northallerton Town needs to reach out to the local community to raise their profile and try to encourage as many people as possible to pay a visit and sample the football experience on offer, and if this magazine can succeed in attracting more people through the gate then this can only be a good thing. I came to this club to help with some coaching in January 2009, at this time the club was in the first division clinging to hopes of avoiding relegation. The chances were slim, but there was something about the committee and the people involved behind the scenes that impressed me, even though the football on offer was not good and the morale was low. With eight games remaining, and relegation almost guaranteed, the manager and his assistant resigned. Dave Watson, the then Chairman asked if I would take over the manager’s role until the end of the season, and the club would then review the situation ready for the next season. As the newly installed manger, we went on to win the first game 2-1 away at Morpeth, however, the good times didn’t last, we went on to lose the next seven games, some quite heavily, resulting in relegation. My best job application…not.
Page 2
A word from ‘The Boss’ Onwards & UPWARDS
Mark Fanning
(continued)
Despite this record, the committee, surprisingly offered me the post of manager for the following season. We are now two thirds of the way through season 2011/12 and so much has changed at the club since Jan 2009, it is unrecognisable. We have a new club house, a committee that are pulling together and are taking the club forward, and importantly we have a growing number of supporters. On the pitch, if I am being honest, the results this season have been somewhat disappointing. I genuinely thought that with the squad we had assembled, promotion was a real possibility. Whilst this is still mathematically achievable, we have given ourselves a massive task due to our current poor run of form, after being in a challenging position at Christmas. In my opinion, the football that we have played has improved year on year, and the challenge now is to mix that good football with the little bit of steel that every side needs at this level to progress. We are still involved in the Ernest Armstrong Trophy, and we will be doing all we can to bring some silverware to the club this season. Whilst I’m not looking to make excuses, we have been very unlucky with injuries, all of which seemed to have disrupted our rhythm. On a positive note, the recently formed Academy side has flourished and provided four players who have played a part in the first team squad at some stage this season. The link between the Academy and the first team squad is vital for the future of Northallerton Football Club and I hope this will grow stronger as time goes by. Enjoy your football
Page 3
Player Profile Onwards & UPWARDS
Danny Shoulder Full Name: Age: Place of Birth: Team Supported:
Danny Shoulder 33 Darlington Liverpool
Q. At what age did you start playing football and who was your first playing club? A. I started playing football at Richmond Town under 11's under a guy called Cyril, a great guy who is no longer with us. I spent several years there, unfortunately we finished most seasons as runners-up as we just couldn't turn Northallerton over who had a great junior side, captained by Andrew Dawson, who I think is still at Hull City. Q. Who is the best ex-pro you have ever played with? A. As a boy I was a big Darlington fan and spent many a happy year in the terraces. I idolized Darlington forward Lee Ellison. It was Lee that got me to sign for West Auckland. At that time Lee was well into his 30's, although he had lost his pace, his knowledge of the game, his movement and eye for goal was still second to none. Far and away the best I’ve played with. Q.Prior to joining Northallerton Town FC, what was your biggest achievement in football? A. It has to be as a youth, our County team won the National Cup where I partnered Andy Dawson upfront and I finished top scorer in the competition. Don't get any ideas Baggy!!! Q.What makes Northallerton Town FC different from your previous clubs? A.Has to be the fans! Rain or shine, win or lose, they sing their hearts out and are the most passionate fans I have ever been involved with.
Page 4
Player Profile Onwards & UPWARDS
Danny Shoulder
(continued)
Q.Who is the best Northallerton Town FC player you have played with past or present? A. There are some very experienced and talented players here, Carl Chillingsworth has been at a pro club and is still doing the business now even though he looks older than his Father! I'm a big fan of Craig Winter, he is a quality centre half, but for me it's our young lads, Pete Bulmer, Stu Hardy and Grant Hickman are all ones to watch. The best Town player I've played with is Ian Smurfwaite. He can change a game on his own, he has everything, he tackles like a tank, ask Tom Ptak, wins headers, go's from box to box and scores his share of goals. Why Darlington released him is beyond me! Q.What's been the highs and lows of this season? A.Where do I start? Highs... Getting ourselves within 2 points of a promotion place with games in hand, winning five on the bounce in the process. Lows.... To throw it all away, on the back five wins we now have five defeats. Disappointed really as apart from our last game at Whitehaven where we lost 5-1, the previous four games we've lost by a single goal against top 5 opposition, costly! Q.What would be your ultimate ambition for your time at Northallerton Town FC? A.I won’t be greedy. Promotion, a good run in either the FA Cup or Vase and a cup win. Q.Do you have a desire to remain in football after your playing career is over? A.I'm enjoying playing at the moment, it hadn't crossed my mind. I suppose it depends on my circumstances at the time, But football is a bug and you're a long time finished! Q. Finally, make a prediction for next season? A.Bloody hell!! If the current squad can stick together, get Smurf back fit plus some quality additions in key areas, then promotion is a must and a cup win would be nice.
Page 5
One Vision Onwards & UPWARDS
David Kerfoot
MBE
For those of us who are in business and love our footie its sometimes a very fine line to draw between the passion for your team and the need to run a club as a professional business operation. It often gets blurred and businessmen who are sane and solid in day to day business activity seem to lose their key focus in running a club. History is littered with examples of Chairman who have become so egotistic and unrealistic with their ambition that there ultimately is only one outcome. Ask the fans of Wrexham, Chester, Exeter City, Leeds United, Rushden & Diamonds, Derby County, Rotherham, York and of course right on our doorstep Darlo and you will get the same old story. Mismanagement, arrogance, financial incompetence and downright greed. In my business world we run a group of companies with a turnover of £85 million. So what is the difference between planning our cash flow and a football clubs? There is only one and that’s the product. We predict sales of vegetable oils while clubs predict bums through the turnstiles and commercial revenue streams. We budget our cost base very carefully and control and review them closely on a regular basis. Unlike Peter Ridsdale when he was Chairman of Leeds my position as Chief Executive does not warrant the rent of an aquarium for my office nor are company cars doled out like sweets as they were under his stewardship at Elland Road. The point is costs are king and they kill, but as Ridsdale famously said after United’s demise ‘We lived the dream’ and that’s what I think this is all partly about. The Football authorities have much to answer for in the way they administer and control clubs. On many occasions individuals have been allowed to break rules which in the wider world of business would not be allowed. Take ‘El Tel’ buying 51% of Portsmouth in 1997 for a £1 and systematically removing cash to the detriment of the club. It wasn’t the FA who put a stop to it but years later the Department of Trade and Industry. So much for the FA being a controlling body.
Page 6
One Vision Onwards & UPWARDS
David Kerfoot
The attraction for many investors is the big opportunity which clubs present in being able to provide potential property development deals. Douglas Craig’s disgusting deal to secure Bootham Crescent for himself by moving the asset out of York City and then selling it back to a supporters trust making a huge profit illustrates my point further. Wrexham, Plymouth and Exeter have all suffered the same fate and what have the authorities done to put a stop to this criminal behaviour? Football clubs are a business. As the governing body the FA have a duty of care to ensure that appointed Chairmen are fit for purpose, have no criminal background and have the funding in place to run the club legally and in a manner which is professional. These administrators get paid enough so surely it’s not too much to ask them to set up a vetting scheme using professional advisors to scrutinise? There are too many skeletons in the cupboard. I believe that at whatever level the club is in the pyramid it should be run as business first and foremost. At Northallerton Town we recognise mistakes have been made in the past and this has created a steep learning curve but it’s one we are eager to learn from. Change in any business is something many find hard to cope with, but if we are to progress as we all want to its important we review where we are and make the necessary changes to ensure a strong financial base and future growth up the that pyramid. In order to do this we must create core objectives, a new functional structure, 10 year business plan and importantly plan our revenue streams.
MBE (continued)
When you consider some of the shocking examples above all clubs need to ensure they know who they are putting in positions of responsibility at the top. The directors need to lead. Passion, vision, the ability to build a winning team, a strong relationship with fans and the community are all essential. Business acumen a necessity. My wife Elizabeth often reminds me ‘it’s only a game’ and ‘do we really care?’ when another football story hits the headlines. For the majority of us footie fans we do care intensely about our clubs and what happens to them. That’s why putting my business experience into Northallerton Town is not only a pleasure but also a key focus on ensuring it maintains a solid foundation as part of our wider community... not forgetting my vision of reaching the Conference or as fans at the Regency Stadium say ‘David’s C word’. David A. Kerfoot MBE
Page 7
The Away Days Onwards & UPWARDS
Andy Pattinson
Car journeys are usually full of chatter about who’s playing, who we think should be playing, outlooks on the opposition and previous encounters at whichever footballing backwater we are visiting that day. Train journeys consist of two things, drinking cans and working out how many pubs we can get in before kick off!
For those that choose to support Northallerton Town FC away from home, match day planning doesn’t just begin early on Saturday afternoon, nor during the previous game, it often happens even before that. Meticulous planning to find out who's going, who’s painting the garage instead, who's driving (or who's getting us lost in Durham when we're heading to Brandon!) or whether we are making a proper day of it and hurling ourselves onto the mercy of public transport.
A warm welcome from home fans is usually a given, less so from the local population who respond to our “we're going to the football” with “what football?” or “you must be mad in this weather”. Hopes are always high, expectations more tempered but always positivity towards the chance of putting one over our rivals. Not wanting to contemplate that sinking feeling of the return travel with a defeat looming. As kick off approaches everyone is predicting the score and first goalscorer, and woe betide anyone who goes for a home win!
Page 8
The Away Days Onwards & UPWARDS
Andy Pattinson
The occasional pre-match light ale has whetted the vocal chords and the Town fans are always in full voice at kick off, cheering on the lads, challenging the home fans in song about their lack of support, quietness and directing some good natured banter to the home keeper (all in the name of humour of course!). As a Northallerton Town FC fan I’m proud of our exceptional away following, we are known for being louder than opposition home fans, even when outnumbered and also for Town to outnumber the home following on some occasions (I won’t name the team!). The Town teams over time have had the ability to amaze and disappoint, but more often than not our away form is excellent, super wins at the likes of Emley, Esh Winning, Whickham and North Shields in recent years have shown we can mix it with the better teams.
(continued)
One recent memorable day at Thornaby was a perfect example: Fantastic vocal support was allied to a convincing win on the pitch, Grant Hickman, Pete Bulmer, Gary Mitchell, Carl Chillingsworth and Col Anderson firing Town to a 6 - 1 victory, Thornaby’s first home defeat of the season. A great day, but then it's always better watching Town away than shopping with the missus, or watching rugby (excuse my swearing) on a Saturday afternoon. Home games are good, but away days are better. The Northallerton Town Away Casuals are always happy to welcome new recruits, you’ll find me and the other loyal followers behind the goal on match day. Its the only place to be. Come on Town!
Page 9
Academy Graduate Onwards & UPWARDS
Stuart Dunn
Stuart Dunn v Stokesley Stuart Dunn keeps former Town forward Aaron Ramsbottom at bay in December’s match against Horden.
Stuart in action v Brandon Town
I enjoyed my time with the Northallerton Town Academy but when I got the call from Mark Fanning and the first team I didn’t think twice. The Academy was set up for this purpose and I feel proud to be the first of many to make the grade in the Northern League side. I would like to think I have impressed enough in the games to secure a long term involvement with the squad, I’m really looking forward to next season and pushing on for promotion.
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The Next Generation Onwards & UPWARDS Seasons - current* and past
UNDER 11’S * P 9
W 8
D 0
L 1
F A PTS 52 15 24
UNDER 10'S P W 22 15
D 5
L 2
F A PTS 68 17 50
L 0
F A PTS 60 11 48
UNDER 9'S P W 18 15
D 3
Northallerton Juniors FC Our neighbours and partner junior football club Northallerton Juniors FC are really making a splash in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance league. Their flagship side, Northallerton Juniors FC Under 11’s are heading for first division football next year, competing against the likes of Marton FC and Boro Rangers, the only Northallerton Junior side to do for a considerably long time. This is fully deserved after two promotions in two successive seasons and a third looking likely, 1 cup win and a Semi-Final place in this years Challenge Cup. Manager & Coach: Mark Bell Coaches: Adrian Coulson & Jamie Tosh Most common instructions: Triangle football, work together, close down and have fun! The futures bright! In a few years you’ll be either watching them on Sky Sports or on a pitch near you!
Photograph: A&M Sports Photography www.a-msports.co.uk
Page 11
1895 Town Bitter Onwards & UPWARDS
Our very own Real Ale! In partnership with Wall's County Brewery, Northallerton Town FC is proud to announce the club has our very own real ale... '1895 Town Bitter' 1895 Town Bitter is a fantastic way of communicating our history while also attracting people to a Northallerton Town FC home match, experiencing our unique offering of social football plus a free pint with a Collection Card Promotion!!
FREE PINT Promotion Upon purchase of your ďŹ rst pint of 1895 Town Bitter the bar person will sign your 'Pint 1' stamp. Once you have drunk 6 pints and collected 6 signatures you are eligible to claim a FREE PINT* at any remaining Northallerton Town FC home game. *Your Free Pint is only claimable in the Northallerton Town FC Clubhouse.
Page 12
Teams Past & Present Onwards & UPWARDS
NORTHALLERTON TOWN FC 2011-2012 Back Row: Colin Anderson, Gary Mitchell, Danny Chapman, Ian Smurthwaite, Stephen Craggs, Craig Winter, Alex Kell, Darren Mowbray, Dan Clayton, Stephen Butterworth, Martin Collins (Assistant Manager). Front Row: Gary Sharda, Paul Hodgson, Sam Tosh (Juniors), Andy Ramsbottom, Martin Butterworth, Stuart Hardy, Ethan Hammerton (Juniors), Grant Hickman, Carl Chillingsworth, Paul Jackson (Physio).
NORTHALLERTON TOWN FC - MILLBANK CHARITY CUP WINNERS 1958 Back Row: R Anderson, xxx, xxx, xxx, P Derbyshire, J Ferguson. Front Row: xxx, xxx, K Harrison, xxx, xxx.
Anyone with old club/team photographs or memorabilia who would like to contribute, we would be pleased to include your pictures in the magazine and on the club website. We are struggling to identify players and the years in which many of the photographs were taken. If you can help, please contact: website@northallertontownfc.net
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Fixtures Onwards & UPWARDS
2011 2012 Season
February 2012 Sat 11 Whickham v Northallerton Town SNL2 Sat 18 West Allotment Celtic v Northallerton Town SNL2 Sat 25 Chester-Le-Street v Northallerton Town SNL2 March 2012 Sat 3 Northallerton Town v Thornaby Sat 10 Ryton & Crawcrook v Northallerton Town Sat 17 Northallerton Town v Crook Town Sat 24 Easington Colliery v Northallerton Town Sat 31 Northallerton Town v Hebburn Town
SNL2 SNL2 SNL2 SNL2 SNL2
April 2012 Sat 07 Morpeth Town v Northallerton Town Sat 14 Northallerton Town v North Shields Sat 21 Alnwick Town v Northallerton Town Sat 28 Northallerton Town v Washington
SNL2 SNL2 SNL2 SNL2
TBA Gillford Park v Northallerton Town North Shields v Northallerton Town Kick-off 3.00pm unless stated otherwise.
Page 14
SNL2 EACup
Club Sponsors Onwards & UPWARDS
Thanks to all of our sponsors
ATLANTIS PET STORE BUTTERWICK HOSPICE CHARLIE TAYLORS GARAGE CROPTECH DURHAM AGENCY AGAINST CRIME NORTH END NEWS RAY WILSON
RENOTECH LTD RPS LTD SWITCH INSURE TAKE A SEAT THOMPSONS BUTCHERS UK MORTGAGE SPECIALISTS
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact: info@northallertontownfc.net
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THE ONLINE MAGAZINE OF NORTHALLERTON TOWN FC
Onwards & UPWARDS NORTHALLERTON TOWN FC Address: The Regency Stadium, Ainderby Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL7 8HA Telephone: 01609 778337 Website: www.northallertontownfc.net Email: info@northallertontown.fc.net Magazine Editorial Jamie Tosh jamietosh@googlemail.com Photography & Graphic Design Paul Gaythorpe info@pk4images.com Copyright © 2012 Northallerton Town FC All editorial in this publication is the copyright of Northallerton Town Football Club and shall not be reproduced without permission. The views of the individual contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the club.