Winterton Rangers - NPL East - 09.12.23

Issue 14

Vs WINTERTON RANGERS PITCHING-IN NPL EAST DIVISION SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER – 3PM

OSSETT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB INGFIELD, PROSPECT ROAD, OSSETT, WF5 9HL

CLUB PRESIDENT: NEVILLE WIGGLESWORTH CHAIRMAN: PHIL SMITH VICE-CHAIRMAN: NEIL SPOFFORTH SECRETARY: NEIL SPOFFORTH TREASURER: PAUL BILLING BOARD MEMBERS: LEE BROADBENT, STUART GARSIDE, JOE HANKS, STEVE HANKS, KATE HENNIGHAN, DAWN ROGERS, JAMES ROGERS MANAGER: GRANT BLACK ASSISTANT MANAGER: DAVID BROWN COACH: MICK NORBURY, RYAN PUGH, SCOUT: GARY DEVENPORT MEDICAL TEAM: EMILY CRISPIN MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING OFFICER: KATE HENNIGHAN MEDIA TEAM: CRAIG BIDDLESTONE, MATT BLACKBURN, CHRIS CASSIDY, HARRISON CARPENTER, OWEN GERRARD, JAMES GOTHARD, KEITH WOOD PROGRAMME DESIGN: JOSEPH WILLIAMSON

CLUB HONOURS (OSSETT UNITED, OSSETT TOWN, OSSETT ALBION ) WEST RIDING COUNTY SENIOR CUP WINNERS: 1949/50 WEST RIDING COUNTY CUP WINNERS: 1958/59, 1964/65, 1965/66, 1967/68, 1981/82, 1998/99, 2018/19 RUNNERS UP: 2000/01 NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION RUNNERS UP: 2001/02 PLAY-OFF RUNNERS UP: 2016/17 NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER DIVISION WINNERS: 1998/99, 2003/04 RUNNERS UP: 1998/99, 2000/01 NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST FIRST DIVISION WINNERS: 1986/87 NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST SECOND DIVISION WINNERS: 1988/89 OSSETT UNITED IS A TRADING NAME OF OSSETT UNITED LIMITED, A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES. IT IS A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES. IT IS REGISTERED AT COMPANIES HOUSE, COMPANY NUMBER 11162425. THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE WITH SIGNIFICANT CONTROL. J. ROGERS (30.4%) AND D. ROGERS (30.4%)

WELCOME TO INGFIELD PHIL SMITH, CHAIRMAN than the three points we have picked up from those three games, even four additional points from those three games would see us three places higher in the league as the middle section is still very congested so a couple of good results will see us in a more positive place.

Good afternoon and dare I say it so early in December… Happy Christmas!

Today we welcome Winterton Rangers to Ingfield for the first time after their promotion last season, and with them a familiar face in Steve Ridley who was a key member of Grant Black’s time here as manager of Ossett Town.

With last weekend's game at Belper postponed, as all games in our league were due to the freezing conditions, our most recent game was the West Riding County Cup victory at Barnoldswick where Rhys Plater scored not only his first goal for the club but also his second and third to complete an impressive hattrick. Alex Peterson with an excellent diving header also added to the total as we won 4-0.

While here we have had three consecutive draws with frustrating late equalisers, I believe the performances have deserved more

Positivity is huge for any football club, and while it is understandable that less favourable results brings frustration and negativity I do feel the support off the field has been positive over the last few games and that does come across to the players on the field who continue to play and train hard to get the results we are all wanting.

Let's continue to get behind the side and hopefully see some good performances and celebrate some wins to give us all a very Happy Christmas!

Phil.

THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS NEVILLE WIGGLESWORTH

Our last three home matches have seen us drop points in the dying few minutes of the respective games much to the disappointment of our supporters. Had we not conceded those desperately late goals we would now be sitting comfortably in 9th position in the league table rather than 15th spot where we currently find ourselves. At the time of writing this afternoon’s visitors Winterton Rangers are one of the five teams below us which makes today’s encounter all the more important to both teams and a positive outcome either way would be a real confidence boost going into the glut offestive season fixtures.

Winterton will no doubt be encouraged when they get a look at our home record this season where we are still waiting for our first victory here at Ingfield. A win for our opponents will see them leapfrog us in the table and keep the pressure very much on us so there is a lot to play for.

Many times in these notes I have extoled the virtue of doing well in the West Riding County Cup which realistically is the one piece of silverware open to us and, as in our

first season as Ossett United, giving us the opportunity for a memorable night of celebrations. At one time last week this looked a far cry off as manager Grant Black was scrambling around on Tuesday afternoon for a team but, with the inclusion of four of our Under 18 team, we were not only able to fulfil the fixture with a full squad but, on a bitterly cold night in Barnoldswick high up on the Pendle Hills, we hit top form to come away with a highly commendable 4 – 0 victory and with it progression into the last eight of the competition. The high spot of the performance was a superb hat trick from Rhys Plater and it was good to see our manager Grant Black allowing all the young substitutes who had made the journey at short notice at least a taste of first team football and the experience that brings with it.

This very month sees one of our members reach a genuinely noteworthy milestone in life generally and in football circles in particular.

Ossett United Director Stuart Garside has been involved with football in Ossett for exactly 60 years and 60 continuous years without a break at that! Stuart was a founder member of the Ossett Trinitarians Sporting Boys Club way back in 1963 from where he progressed into many roles with Ossett Albion. Since the merger of Ossett Albion and Ossett Town in 2018 Stuart has continued to serve the town’s footballing community as a Director of the Club involving himself tirelessly in the everyday running of the Club.

Amongst many other roles within our organisation he remains a more than valuable member of the ground maintenance and improvement team and is renowned for taking on jobs nobody else seems to relish not least the washing of the kits for the first team, the ladies team, the Under 18 team and the BTech team. Having done this myself on odd occasions I feel well placed to comment on how important this job is and how much his efforts are valued. It’s a far from glamorous job but we’d be struggling without such dedication and reliability.

It’s not many years ago that Stuart’s contribution to local football was recognised formally when the Football Association honoured him with a much deserved 50 Year’s Service to Football medal. I know I speak on behalf of everyone involved with Ossett United when I say well done Stuart and much appreciated.

Today we are holding our preChristmas collection for the South Ossett Foodbank this time in partnership with Club Sponsors Prosura Insurance Company who have kindly and generously come on board in supporting Ossett United. It goes without saying we are massively grateful and appreciative of Prosura’s involvement with the Club.

If you are able please consider donating to this most worthy of causes by bringing food items when you come to the ground this afternoon.

Any donations brought in after today’s game will still be delivered so let’s hope this year’s collection is as successful as it has been in the past.

Adults - £40

Juniors - £35

Order yours today! Email: clubshop@ossettutd.com

Juice Personnel are an independent recruitment agency based in Wakefield. We were founded in 2003 in Huddersfield with the knowledge that things could be done differently. This led us to adopt what we called our ‘refreshingly different’ approach. This radical new approach to recruitment was based around our core values of mutual understanding, honesty, integrity and quality.

From day one we had a policy to constantly review how we worked.

Because of this dedication to self-improvement and our refreshing, personal approach to recruitment we saw a client and candidate loyalty that we’ve never experienced before and quickly outgrew our small office.

Skip forward a few years and we still hold fast to the same morals we started with: mutual understanding, honesty, integrity and quality.

Because of our unwavering dedication to client and candidate satisfaction Juice Personnel are now seen as one of the leading independent recruiters in Wakefield.

OSSETT UNITED OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER

VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX CRAIG BIDDLESTONE decision was made by Forest and the company providing the training to postpone.

What this means is you’ve all got my dulcet tones for just a little while longer, and with the rescheduled training now likely to take place after Christmas and the New Year it means I can continue to focus on Ossett United.

So, the rumours are true, as things stand I will be leaving Ossett United in the very near future.

Early last month I applied for the role of matchday commentator for the blind and visually impaired, swapping the Northern Premier League for the Premier League, at none other than Nottingham Forest.

It would involve me commentating at The City Ground, live from the press area, for home games and offering a valuable service to supporters who need assistance in understanding what is going on out on the pitch.

I have been provisionally offered the role upon completion of a successful training course at The City Ground, a course that was initially scheduled for last Sunday, however, when I woke up in my accommodation I looked outside to see a thick blanket of white stuff and heavy snow still falling - so the

When I first saw the role at Forest I had a lot of pro’s and cons to weigh up before deciding to apply, I’d already spoken to a couple of senior club officials at Ingfield and when I looked at the whole picture the pro’s came out heavily on top.

What I have said though is that until a permanent replacement for me is found, then I will continue in my matchday role at Ossett United as and when I can, because let’s face it, Premier League football rarely kicks off at 3pm on a Saturday!

In an ideal world it would be good for a successor to be found sooner rather than later, however, as I said earlier the offer is provisional so nothing is written in stone yet, but if anybody is interested in taking up the mic on match days then you can register an interest by emailing admin@ossettutd.com I’ve been “the voice of Ingfield” for 7 and a half years now, 2 years with Ossett Town and from day 1 with Ossett United, and I take great pride

in the fact that we offer something at this level of football that very, very few do elsewhere, so it would certainly make me happy if we can find a suitable replacement, so if anybody is interested you would need to be clear, concise and confident on a microphone and have a laptop or iPad with music.

Back to today, and we face new opposition in Winterton Rangers, and for those of you wondering Winterton is based in between Scunthorpe to the south and North Ferriby (the other side of the Humber) to the north, so we welcome their supporters and hope they enjoy our facilities and entertainment.

There is also a slight change to the half-time set-up today as the music has been chosen by one of our young Sheepicorns, Alec Daniels, who turns 15 today. Happy birthday Alec from all of us at Ossett United.

Finally, you’ll all be pleased to know that Christmas music is banned until our last home game before Christmas (v Sheffield, Friday 22nd December, 7:45pm), so bah humbug and enjoy the game.

Craig

Player’s Number

Sponsor

Number 1

Stanley Kelly

Number 2

The Scottish Supporters Club

MEET THE TEAM 2023/24 BACKROOM STAFF GRANT BLACK – MANAGER

2023/24 WILL BE GRANT’S FIRST FULL SEASON AS OSSETT UNITED MANAGER HAVING JOINED IN OCTOBER 2022 AND OVER SEEING A RE-BUILD OF THE FIRST TEAM SQUAD. GRANT HAS SEEN SUCCESS AT OSSETT TOWN IN HIS FIRST MANAGERIAL ROLE BEFORE ENHANCING HIS REPUTATION BELPER TOWN WHERE HELED THE SIDE TO PROMOTION TO STEP THREE AND AN FA CUP FIRST ROUND MEETING WITH NOTTS COUNTY.

DAVID BROWN – PLAYER/ASSISTANT MANAGER

BROWNIE HAS STEPPED UP FROM A COACHING ROLE TO BECOME ASSISTANT MANAGER THIS SEASON AS HIS OFF-FIELD REPUTATION CONTINUES TO GROW WITH A VARIETY OF INNOVATIVE TRAINING SESSIONS KEEP THE PLAYERS ON THEIR TOES. A REGULAR GOAL SCORER THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE WILL LOOK TO ENHANCE THE SIDE ON THE FIELD WHEN CALLED UPON TOO.

RYAN PUGH – GOALKEEPING COACH

RYAN’S PLAYING CAREER SAW HIM FEATURE FOR GOOLE, NEW MILLS, MATLOCK TOWN AND A FAMOUS SPELL AT OSSETT ALBION FONDLY REMEMBERED BY OSSETT TOWN FANS AFTER ONE PARTICULAR OSSETT DERBY (ASK HIM, HE LOVES TALKING ABOUT IT…) PUGHY JOINED GRANT’S BACK-ROOM STAFF AT BELPER TOWN AND HAS PROVEN POPULAR WITH GOALKEEPERS HE HAS WORKED WITH, PUSHING THEM TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

MICK NORBURY– COACH Norbs is no stranger to Ossett having played for both Ossett Albion and Town, his playing career saw him make almost 100 league appearances for Cambridge United, Preston North End and Doncaster Rovers. After retiring from playing he has managed in the NCEL as well as working with Grant Black at Ossett Town and Belper Town before moving to Ossett United in October 2022. Norbs left at the end of the 22/23 season to take up a role at a Dearne & District in the Central Midlands League before returning to the Ingfield coaching staff in September 2023

EMILY CRISPIN – SPORTS THERAPIST

EMILY IS NOW IN HER FOURTH SEASON WITH THE CLUB AND WORKING UNDER A THIRD MANAGEMENT TEAM SHOWS HOW VALUED SHE IS IN THE DRESSING ROOM ENSURING THE SIDE ARE FULLY PREPARED FOR THE GAME AHEAD.

GARY DEVENPORT - SCOUT

DEV WILL SPEND HIS TIME ASSESSING UPCOMING OPPONENTS AND POTENTIAL NEW SIGNINGS THIS SEASON. A KEY ROLE TO THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AS THEY PREPARE THE SIDE AHEAD OF GAMES AS WELL AS ANALYSING VIDEOS OF GAMES. HE WILL BE KNOWN TO MANY SUPPORTERS AS A HOST OF THE FORMER LEEDS UNITED PODCAST ‘TALKING SHUTT’

MEET THE TEAM 2023/24 PLAYERS JOE GREEN - GOALKEEPER

FORMER GUISELEY, NEWPORT COUNTY AND HYDE UNITED GOALKEEPER, JOE IS STRONG IN STATURE, AN EXCELLENT SHOT STOPPER AND HIS DISTRIBUTION OF THE BALL WILL BE A HUGE ASSET THIS SEASON. JOE MADE HIS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT FOR NEWPORT COUNTY IN THE FA CUP 3RD ROUND AGAINST BLACKBURN ROVERS. SPONSORED BY THE HANKS FAMILY

DARYL OMBANG – GOALKEEPER SIGNED ON LOAN FROM LEEDS UNITED IN OCTOBER. HAS MADE AN IMPRESSIVE START TO LIFE BETWEEN THE STICKS FOR THE SHEEPICORNS. IMPRESSING IN A RESOLUTE WIN AWAY AT STOCKSBRIDGE. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

JACOB MCLOUGHLIN – DEFENDER SIGNED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 HAVING IMPRESSED IN THE FRIENDLIES. STRONG AT THE BACK AND HAS THE ABILITY TO STEP INTO THE MIDFIELD WITH THE BALL TO START ATTACKS, HE WAS MOST RECENTLY AT YORK CITY. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

HARRY COATES - DEFENDER

A KEY SIGNING LAST SEASON FROM ASHTON UNITED DESPITE BEING CHASED

BY NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH AND NPL PREMIER DIVISION SIDES. APPOINTED CLUB CAPTAIN THIS SUMMER. HARRY IS A COMMANDING CENTRAL DEFENDER AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE BALL AT HIS FEET AND MORE THAN CAPABLE TO STEP INTO MIDFIELD.

SPONSORED BY JAMES & DAWN ROGERS

JIMMY BURKE - DEFENDER

BURKEY MADE 46 APPEARANCES FOR THE CLUB BETWEEN 2018 – 2020 AND IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO THE SQUAD. AS WELL AS A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SPELL AT THE CLUB HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE FOR HYDE UNITED AS THEY REACHED THE FIRST ROUND OF THE FA CUP. JIMMY STARTED HIS CAREER AT HUDDERSFIELD TOWN AND MADE HIS EFL DEBUT AFTER TRANSFERRING TO BURY. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

MEET THE TEAM 2023/24 PADDY MILLER – DEFENDER

PADDY SURPRISED THE NON-LEAGUE WORLD AS HE CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT LAST SEASON TO RETURN TO THE FIELD RE-IGNITING A DEFENSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH HARRY COATES WHICH PROVED SUCCESSFUL AT BOTH HYDE UNITED AND TADCASTER ALBION. PADDY ADDS EXPERIENCE AND A SENSE OF CALM TO ANY SIDE HE IS PART OF. SPONSORED BY JP NUGENT LTD PLUMBING AND HEATING

DERRY ROBSON – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

TALENTED AND VERSATILE, DEZ IS AS COMFORTABLE IN MIDFIELD AS HE IN AT FULL-BACK. DERRY HAS EXPERIENCE OF PROMOTION FROM STEP FOUR AND WILL ADD DRIVE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE SIDE. DEZ JOINED THE CLUB IN 2022 FROM NPL EAST SIDE CLEETHORPES TOWN. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

FABIAN BAILEY – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

SIGNED FROM PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES WHERE HE SPENT FOUR SEASONS. FAB IS ABLE TO TURN HIS HAND TO A NUMBER OF POSITIONS AS REQUIRED, HE STARTED HIS CAREER AT ROTHERHAM UNITED AND HAS ALSO HAD SPELLS AT FRICKLEY ATHLETIC AND OSSETT TOWN. SPONSORED BY RICH CALLAGHAN COREY GREGORY – MIDFIELDER

CULTURED MIDFIELDER, COREY RETURNS TO INGFIELD AFTER A SPELL AT BRIGHOUSE TOWN. NO STRANGER TO GRANT BLACK WHO HAS SIGNED HIM FOR A THIRD TIME HAVING WORKED WITH HIM AT OSSETT TOWN AND BELPER TOWN. COREY WILL BE A DRIVING FORCE IN THE HEART OF THE PITCH.

SPONSORED BY THE ADAMSON FAMILY Tom Claisse - Midfield

Claisse brings a wealth of experience to Ingfield having played for Whitby Town, Farsley Celtic, Ossett Albion and Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Tadcaster Albion and most recently North Ferriby after starting his career at Bradford City.

Claisse has also captained the RAF Football side and was given the honour of carrying the FA Cup to the Royal Box, handing it to Prince William, ahead of the 2018 final between Manchester United and Chelsea.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

MEET THE TEAM 2023/24 JANNI LIPKA - MIDFIELDER

A KEY PLAYER IN THE SUCCESSFUL HYDE UNITED SIDE WHO PLAYED MK DON’S IN THE FA CUP, LIPKA HAS GREAT EXPERIENCE AND HAS PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE FOR THE CLUB SINCE SIGNING LAST SEASON. HAVING HAD AN INJURY INTERRUPTED SEASON LAST YEAR, WITH A FULL PRE-SEASON BEHIND HIM JANNI IS EXPECTED TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH THIS SEASON. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

RHYS PLATER- MIDFIELDER

YOUNG WINGER SIGNED FROM ARMTHORPE WELFARE WHERE HE HAS SCORED 12 GOALS IN 50 APPEARANCES AFTER HE IMPRESSED IN PRE-SEASON AGAINST US. RHYS HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON THE SQUAD WITH AN ASSIST ON HIS DEBUT. HE ADDS SPEED AND SKILL TO THE GROUP AND IS AN EXCELLENT OPTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

KELAN SWALES - FORWARD

YOUNG SIGNED ON DUAL-REGISTRATION FORMS WITH NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH SIDE ALFRETON TOWN. KELAN HAS SPENT SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL YEARS PLAYING IN AMERICA AND IS NOW LOOKING TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF BACK IN ENGLAND. KELAN SPENT TIME IN THE HALIFAX TOWN ACADEMY BEFORE HIS MOVE TO AMERICA.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DESMOND AMPONSAH – FORWARD

QUICK AND TRICKY FROM EITHER FOOT, DESMOND IS SURE TO GET THE FANS EXCITED, A REAL DEFENDERS NIGHTMARE. DESMOND SPENT LAST SEASON WITH LIVERSEDGE AND TADCASTER ALBION GAINING NPL EXPERIENCE. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

TJ IBRAHIM – FORWARD

A DYNAMIC WINGER WITH AN EYE FOR GOAL, TJ WAS THE FIRST SUMMER SIGNING JOINING THE CLUB FROM BRIGHOUSE TOWN WHERE HE HAS SPENT THE PAST FIVE SEASONS. TJ HAS GIVEN FULL BACK’S SLEEPLESS NIGHTS OVER RECENT YEARS AND KNOW HOW THEY THINK AS HE IS MORE THAN CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THAT POSITION HIMSELF IF REQUIRED. SPONSORED BY KEITH & KATH WOOD

SAM KELLY - FORWARD

ANOTHER SUMMER SIGNING AND ONE THAT WILL UNDOUBTABLY EXCITE THE INGFIELD FAITHFUL. TALL, STRONG AND QUICK, SAM WILL ADD A NEW OPTION UPFRONT FOR THE SIDE HAVING SPENT TIME IN AMERICA WHERE HE EARNED A PLACE IN THE TEAM OF THE YEAR THANKS TO HIS PROWESS IN FRONT OF GOAL SCORING 22 GOALS IN 31 APPEARANCES FOR FAULKNER UNIVERSITY EAGLES.

SPONSORED BY SPOFF & KATE

MEET THE TEAM 2023/24 ALEX PETERSON - FORWARD

A KEY MEMBER OF THE SIDE, ALEX’S WORK RATE IS SECOND TO NONE AND HE IS A HANDFUL FOR ANY DEFENDER THAT HE COMES UP AGAINST. STRONG AND EXCELLENT IN THE AIR HE IS A FOCAL POINT OF THE OSSETT SIDE BRINGING PLAYERS AROUND HIM INTO THE GAME WHILST ALSO FINISHING ANY CHANCES CREATED.

SPONSORED BY MOZ & MARZ

RAFA FERREIRA – FORWARD

A FLAIR PLAYER WHO IMPRESSED IN PRE-SEASON AND EARNT HIMSELF A DEAL AT THE CLUB, RAFA HAS SPENT TIME AT GUISELEY, PICKERING TOWN AND TADCASTER ALBION AHEAD OF JOINING OSSETT UNITED THIS SUMMER. SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

THE OPPOSITION 1934 – Winterton Rangers were established as a junior team. Forerunners to Rangerscan be traced back to the 19th century. They include Winterton Wanderers, who reports mention ‘travelled to Scunthorpe’ to play their opening match in 1895. In 1935, Rangers progressed to men’s football, joining the Scunthorpe & District league where they remained until 1965, winning the championship on eight occasions.

1948 – the 1947-48 season saw Rangers embark on a remarkable journey in the Lincolnshire Junior Cup, culminated in winning the competition at Boston United’s recently vacated York Street Ground (against Stamford), in front of a following which included eight coach loads of Winterton supporters.

The same season also saw Rangers enter the FA Cup for the first time, beating Bentley Colliery away from home, before losing 2-1 to Midland Leaguers Denaby United in front of a record home crowd at Watery Lane. At that time the Midland League was just one level below the Football League and included the first teams of the likes of Scunthorpe United, Shrewsbury Town and Peterborough United.

1950 – After using many pitches, mainly just fields, around Winterton since the club’s formation, Rangers finally purchased their own ground on West Street, still the clubs home today, from a local land owning supporter of the club, for a fee believed to be in the region of £700 to £1000. Some of the land was sold off to pay for the levelling of the new pitch and the sowing of the grass.

1965 – After many years of success in the Scunthorpe & District League and with improving facilities at West Street, Rangers were admitted to the Lincolnshire League. Bob Welton became the clubs first real manager and three successive 3rd place finishes, plus another county cup success, led to the team joining the higher rated Yorkshire League in 1970.

1970 – Having been admitted into the top tier of the Yorkshire League, Rangers as a Lincolnshire club, were nothing short of a sensation. Now under the leadership of Howard Hardy, the title was won at only the second attempt and the team also reached the 4th qualifying round of the FA cup for the first time.

Bob Welton returned to take the hot seat in 1976 and in the next three years, two further championship titles were won, the last qualifying round of the FA Cup reached once again, and the club also reached the quarter finals of the FA Vase. Good runs in the league, plus Vase success over several seasons, led to Rangers twice qualifying for the finals of the National ‘Philips’ floodlight competition. Winterton experienced the finals at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in 1977 and just over a year later won the competition (and their first ever set of floodlights) at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

THE OPPOSITION 1982 – The Yorkshire League and Midland League merged to form the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) which continues to the present day. Rangers were admitted to the Premier Division and, it is fair to say, have experienced an up and down existence in the league ever since. It all started promisingly with a title challenge in the inaugural season, but Rangers fell away to finish in sixth position. One year on and despite a mid-table finish, the club were experiencing severe financial difficulties and disbanded for two seasons, only to re-appear in 1986, albeit in the lowest division of the NCEL. In that two-year period, Scunthorpe side Appleby Frodingham, who were having problems at their Brumby Hall base, re-located to Winterton and led to Rangers being readmitted to the league in 1986. Frod returned to local football and later returned to their Brumby Hall base.

1990 – Rangers returned to the Premier Division having won Division Two under the leadership of Dave Couch, A ‘two division’ promotion was achieved due to ground gradings and the excellent facilities at West Street. In 1994, the club were relegated to Division One and remained there until 2007 when ex Wolves player Peter Daniel built a promotion team which amazingly then went on to win the Premier Division & League Cup ‘double’ at the first attempt. Promotion to the Northern Premier League was turned down on financial grounds, despite the West Street ground passing all the gradings with flying colours. Daniel left in 2009 to be replaced by Richard Sennett &Mark Turner who masterminded trophy success in both the NCEL Presidents Cup & Lincolnshire Senior Trophy in their first season.

2014 - Rangers were relegated back to Division One, but gradual improvement over the next few seasons saw the club threaten to regain a place in the Premier Division. Lee Hastings was at the helm when Rangers won the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy in 2016 and in the next couple of seasons, Scott Hellewell and Paul Grimes built a squad which was top of the pile when Covid19 brought an early end to the 2019-20 season. Despite promotion being denied and nearly all the table topping squad jumping ship during the summer months, Scott and Paul rebuilt another team which was amongst the forerunners at the top of the table when the ‘stop start’ coronavirus hit, 2020-21 campaign came to another abrupt end.

THE OPPOSITION 2021 – The FA decided to use points per game, combining the past two shortened season’s results, to determine league positions and promotion places. Rangers found themselves top of the pile in the Northern Counties East League Division One (Covid Champions you could say!) and were promoted to the Premier Division. With promotion finally assured, one or two additions were made to the existing squad and a magnificent season saw the team finish in fourth position, just three points short of a play-off game for promotion to the Northern Premier League. In addition, the club enjoyed runs in both the FA Cup, FA Vase (beating Macclesfield along the way) and reached the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy.

2023 - An amazing season saw the club finish second to gain a ‘winner take all game’ in the inter step play-offs. The team made the 350 miles, round trip to Essex where a 2-1 win over Isthmian League Coggeshall meant a triumphant journey home. Promotion to the Northern Premier League was gained as a result and just three days later the team were able to celebrate a double, beating Golcar United in the Northern Counties East League cup final played at Doncaster Rovers. Scott Hellewell &the whole squad also gained further reward by finishing joint second in the NCEL fair play league table, proving that good guys do win!

THE OPPOSITION NATHAN POPPLE Rangers Fans Player of the Year last season, Nathan is a young local goalkeeper with a great future who seems to have been here between the sticks forever. A crowd favourite, including the Comprehensive School end ‘Ultra’s’ and always supported by Mum, siblings, and Grandad ‘Popps’.

Quite possibly one of the best ‘keepers in the NCEL last season and was vital in last season’s NCEL League Cup success, particularly in the semi-final shootout at Handsworth.

LEWIS CROSS Lewis returned to the club in January 2023 after spending the early part of the 22/23 season out in America. He has been developing his game working alongside Popple but has had to settle for a seat on the bench for many of the matches so far.

JOSH THOMPSON Josh is a young goalkeeper who still in the early days of his football career is looking to learn from the excellent and ever-present Popple. With time and experience, in a couple of seasons, we might see the fans cheering Josh’s name being called out as the Rangers Number 1.

SAM AYNSLEY Local lad with pace aplenty, who although still a student, has matured greatly in his wingback role in the past four years. Renowned for his last-ditch tackles and marauding runs forward, he has recently started scoring goals from distance which excites many of the fans. A goal against Scunthorpe in the pre-season friendly did no harm to his growing reputation among local clubs.

WILL SUTTON A former player, Will’s last game for Winterton was featuring in a Cup Final at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe. After heading off to play at a higher level at Bridlington, Will has returned to Rangers in the early stages of this season to add some experience to the left side.

HARRY ELLIOTT-BELL Born in Scunthorpe, local lad defender/midfielder Harry joined Rangers this summer after he decided to leave Scunthorpe United after nearly 10 years playing in the Youth ranks. Comes into the club with promise and is confident on the ball and has adapted well to Winterton’s passing style.

THE OPPOSITION CLAY BRYANT Clay joined Rangers just after pre-season, after playing the 22/23 season as Captain for local rivals Bottesford Town. His performances so far in his Winterton career have been extremely impressive and Clay has helped to bring some much-needed physicality and solidity into the defence, particularly in the absence of Lee Ridley.

JOSH DACRE Signed in November from local rivals Goole AFC, where Josh had played in 15 games as the club Captain and scored 1 goal. Boasting past appearances at a multitude of Step 4 clubs such as Pontefract, Grimsby Borough and Sheffield FC, Josh came in and helped to solidify the Rangers defence and on his debut he helped Rangers grab a much needed win at Grantham Town.

LEE RIDLEY Captain and local lad who is enjoying playing for his village club after a long career in the Football League. Been there, done that, got the T shirt, Lee helped Scunthorpe United progress from League Two to the Championship. How they could do with a young Ridders right now! Also played for Cheltenham, Grimsby Town & Lincoln City and helped Bottesford Town to promotion a few seasons back. Marshalls the defence superbly and is a great influence on the younger players around him.

HENRY MOORE Henry is a young, strong centre-back who joined Rangers from Grimsby Borough. Henry was at Grimsby Town last season and will be looking to continue to develop and gain more experience.

SCOTT MATTHEWS Winterton welcomed back Scott from local rivals, Barton Town, after a few seasons away. Scott previously played for Grantham, Belper, Lincoln Utd and Brigg and has now returned to playing Step 4. Scott’s return to Rangers was emphatic, scoring 2 goals in 2 games resulting in back-to-back victories.

JOE SIMPSON Joe is another player this season who has joined Rangers from local rivals Bottesford Town. Originally signed on a dual registration, the young midfielder has made enough of an impression on Scott to warrant a regular place in and around the first team squad.

THE OPPOSITION JAIME TURE Skilful and tricky, developing into a more dynamic box-to-box midfielder, Jaime seems to make the game look so easy. Jaime has added a more defensive side to his game over last season, but he still has the energy to suddenly appear on the edge of the opposition box and having a pop at goal or unselfishly playing a delicate through-ball into the path of his teammates.

OAKLEY HILL A young player signed from Scunthorpe United’s now closed academy, Oakley has not looked out of place at this level with his skill and calmness on the ball. Oakley could be the next big star at Rangers and learning from the older heads of Steve Ridley and Grimesy won’t do Oakley any harm at all.

COLE PAGE Another one of the official summer 2023 signings, Cole previously had a brief spell at Rangers a few years ago. Cole had been spending some time with the squad training last season and impressed with his attitude and desire to improve and learn. Scott decided that he did enough to earn a place in the Rangers squad and add to the healthy squad depth Winterton have been building over the off-season.

MASON ELLENDER Mason, a young attack-minded midfielder, joined Rangers in the summer from local rivals Bottesford as we looked to improve on squad depth for the coming season. Pre-season has proved mixed for all the squad, but Mason has started to develop a good understanding with the more experienced midfielders around him and the way Rangers like to play.

STEVE RIDLEY Midfielder and younger brother of Lee, but there is a bit of a family competition going as to has the most/least hair. Competes well with Grimesy on that score! Vast experience of the non-league game with several clubs including Barrow, Buxton, Scarborough & Belper. Seems to enjoy missing cup games as he managed to be away for both last season’s cup final and the first FA Cup game of this season.

CHARLIE NICHOLSON The latest in Winterton’s acquisitions from the former Scunthorpe United academy. Charlie is a tall young striker looking to develop his skills and experience at Step 4.

THE OPPOSITION OWEN VINCENT Signed from local rivals Brigg Town in the early stages of the season, Owen has risen to the challenge of making the jump up from Step 6 and already won over some of the early critics. Earning a starting place in the Rangers midfield is no mean feat, but Owen has already made team selection a lot more difficult for the management team.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ A young, powerful, and quick attacker, Daniel has had trials with a few teams higher up the football pyramid. It is still early days in his Rangers career, but Daniel has already got a few of the fans excited with both his direct running and constant pressure on the opposition defence.

LUKE WILLIAMS Having recently joined Rangers, Luke has given fans glimpses of what to expect but we haven’t yet seen what he is truly capable of. A goal-scorer at former clubs Armthorpe, Goole and Albion Sports, goals will surely come whilst wearing the Winterton Rangers shirt.

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CLUB HISTORY THE FORMATION Ossett United was created on 1 June 2018 following the merger of Ossett Town AFC (est. 1936) and Ossett Albion AFC (est. 1944). Both Ossett Town and Ossett Albion had managed to gain Northern Premier League status and maintain that level of football for a remarkable period of time.

The two clubs merged under the leadership of a new board brought together from the two previous clubs. The Club made its new home Ingfield, the previous home of Ossett Town, and used Dimple Wells, the previous home of Ossett Albion, as its Ladies and Academy Team base.

EARLY CHANGES Despite a successful first season on the pitch, off field things were not as successful with a number of board resignations and some challenging financial issues to deal with following the merger. By the end of the 2018/19 season, Phil Smith had taken on the mantle of club chairman with Stuart Garside, Steve Hanks, Paul Billing, Neil Spofforth and Joe Hanks joining the board.

There were more troubles for Ossett United in November 2019 as a significant and unprecedented court case, dating back to a tackle in 2015 when Ossett Town were playing Radcliffe Borough, was lost with United facing legal and damages costs amounting to £135,000. Fortunately, the club received a generous loan from two of its closest supporters to avoid the club going into liquidation (at worst) or selling the Ingfield ground (at best).

CLUB HISTORY Despite a successful first season on the pitch, off field things were not as successful with a number of board resignations and some challenging financial issues to deal with following the merger. By the end of the 2018/19 season, Phil Smith had taken on the mantle of club chairman with Stuart Garside, Steve Hanks, Paul Billing, Neil Spofforth and Joe Hanks joining the board.

There were more troubles for Ossett United in November 2019 as a significant and unprecedented court case, dating back to a tackle in 2015 when Ossett Town were playing Radcliffe Borough, was lost with United facing legal and damages costs amounting to £135,000. Fortunately, the club received a generous loan from two of its closest supporters to avoid the club going into liquidation (at worst) or selling the Ingfield ground (at best).

James Rogers and Phil Smith swapped roles due to Smith’s work commitments with Rogers taking on the role as Chairman, a role he had previously held at Ossett Town. 2020 also saw the club declare Dimple Wells as surplus to requirements and made arrangements to surrender the lease making Ingfield the single home of the united club.

GROUND IMPROVEMENTS With the off-field rollercoaster settling down the Board progressed numerous ground improvements at Ingfield with the replacement of the pitch side barrier and installation of LED floodlights being completed in 2021 before attention turned to improving the changing room facilities which took shape in the summer of 2023 thanks to further grants from the Football Foundation.

The extension includes an additional match official room, two offices and a medical room as well as a larger, modern changing room that will become fully operational by the summer of 2024.

The Boardroom has also been strengthened in the summer of 2023 with Dawn Rogers and Kate Hennighan taking their place alongside the eight members already in place.

CLUB HISTORY UP TO NOW...

On the pitch, the first year (2018/19) was a remarkable success with attendances significantly increased from what either club had experienced previously, coupled with success on the pitch reaching the play-off semi-final and winning the County Cup, under the guidance of manager Andy Welsh.

Following the departure of Andy Welsh a couple of months in to the 2019/20 season Wayne Benn, assisted by Chick Hayward, oversaw two covid hit seasons. Hopes were high after a positive pre-season in 2021/22 with Benn reshaping the squad. The season started well with Ossett United in the top half of the table but a run of only one win in three months saw a change in the dugout at Christmas with Jas Collvier and Mark Ward taking a joint managerial role.

The season ended well with the pair unbeaten at Ingfield with seven wins and two draws but away from home inconsistent performances and results saw a ninth placed finish in only the clubs second completed season.

Colliver and Ward strengthened the squad throughout pre-season, and despite on paper the squad looking as strong as it ever had, results did not match expectations. Mark Ward resigned in September with Colliver taking sole charge before leaving the club by mutual consent the following month.

Grant Black became the clubs fourth permanent manager in October 2022, winning his first game in charge, 2-0 at the eventual play-off champions Long Eaton United and only tasting defeat twice in his first 16 games.

Results tailed off as the season ended with the club finishing in 15th place but the management team had a clear plan in place for the type of player they wanted to bring in ahead of the 2023/24 season with their and the clubs ambition being a much higher finish than recently experienced.

2023/2024 DATE

OPPONENT

COMP. RES. SCORERS

04/07/23 07/07/23 11/07/23 14/07/23 18/07/23 22/07/23 25/07/23 29/07/23

(A) HORBURY TOWN (A) ARMTHORPE TOWN (A) WORKSOP TOWN (A) TADCASTER ALBION (A) HEMSWORTH M.W (A) GOOLE (A) GARFORTH TOWN (H) WIDNES FC

FRIENDLY FRIENDLY FRIENDLY FRIENDLY

3-1 3-2 0-1 1-0 S.KELLY TROPHY 2-0 FRIENDLY 1-4 FRIENDLY 0-3 FRIENDLY 1-0

IBRAHIM, ONWUBIKO, TRIALIST D ONWUBIKO, KELLY, REANEY

05/08/23 12/08/23 15/08/23 19/08/23 22/08/23 26/08/23 28/08/23

(H) 1874 NORTHWICH (A) SHEFFIELD FC (H) DUNSTON FC (H) WYTHENSHAWE (A) ASHINGTON (H) STOCKTON TOWN (A) PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES

FA CUP NPL EAST NPL EAST FA CUP NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST

2-0 1-3 2-4 2-0 1-0 0-1 0-4

PETERSON (2) OWN GOAL IBRAHIM, AMPONSAH BURKE, REANEY SWALES

02/09/23 (H) MARSKE UNITED 09/09/23 (A) NORTH FERRIBY 16/09/23 (A) NEWTON AYCLIFFE 30/09/23 (H) GRIMSBY BOROUGH

FA CUP FA TROPHY NPL EAST NPL EAST

0-3 1-2 3-1 0-2

03/10/23 (H) GRANTHAM TOWN 07/10/23 (A) CONSETT 10/10/23 (H) HORBURY TOWN 14/10/23 (H) CARLTON TOWN 28/10/23 (A) STOCKSBRIDGE P.S

NPL EAST NPL EAST COUNTY CUP NPL EAST NPL EAST

0-0 2-1 2-0 0-2 1-0

04/11/23 11/11/23 20/10/23 25/11/23 28/11/23

NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST COUNTY CUP

1-3 4-4 1-1 1-1 4-0

(A) NORTH FERRIBY (H) HEBBURN TOWN (H) BRIGHOUSE TOWN (H) BRIDLINGTON TOWN (A) BARNOLDSWICK TOWN

09/12/23 (H) WINTERTON RANGERS 16/12/23 (A) DUNSTON FC 22/12/23 (H) SHEFFIELD FC 26/12/23 (A) LIVERSEDGE

NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST

01/01/24 06/01/24 10/01/24 13/01/24 20/01/24 27/01/24

NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST

(H) PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES (A) STOCKTON TOWN (A) CLEETHORPES TOWN (H) ASHINGTON (H) STOCKSBRIDGE P.S (A) BRIGHOUSE TOWN

MOM

ATT 450

JOHN ROBSON, ONWUBIKO WOODCOCK MILLER

MILLER EDWARDS (2), AMPONSAH

212 PETERSON WOODCOCK BURKE GREEN COATES

392 321 271 327 553 323 432

MILLER GREEN PLATER MCLOUGHLIN

321 472 158 357

PLATER IBRAHIM, LIPKA REANEY, LIPKA

REANEY

PETERSON

ROBSON

168 377 744 346 202

PETERSON LIPKA, GREGORY (2), FERREIRA AMPONSAH MILLER PLATER (3), PETERSON

OMBANG OMBANG MILAMBO PLATER

521 283 255 335 111

2023/2024 DATE

OPPONENT

COMP. RES. SCORERS

03/02/24 10/02/24 17/02/24 24/02/23

(H) NEWTON AYCLIFFE (A) BELPER TOWN (A) GRIMSBY BOROUGH (H) CONSETT

NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST

02/03/24 16/03/24 23/03/24 30/03/24

(A) CARLTON TOWN (A) WINTERTON RANGERS (H) BELPER TOWN (A) GRANTHAM TOWN

NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST

01/04/24 (H) LIVERSEDGE 06/04/24 (A) HEBBURN TOWN 13/04/24 (H) NORTH FERRIBY 20/04/24 (A) BRIDLINGTON TOWN 27/04/24 (H) CLEETHORPES TOWN

NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST NPL EAST

MOM

ATT

Man In The Middle Name: Samuel Clayton

Refereeing Journey: I started my refereeing journey in 2012. I wanted to be involved in football but couldn't commit to playing week in week out, so my dad suggested taking up refereeing. It was something he did in the 90s and told me I could pick and choose my dates, which would fit well around my other hobbies at the time. The next day, I booked onto a course and never looked back! I started to go through the amateur levels when I went to university and then I finished off my studies with a promotion to level 4 - which is refereeing Northern Counties East football. After a few seasons, I was promoted to level 3, which enables me to referee on the Northern Premier League. Recently, I've just been promoted on the line to the National League Premier, which has allowed me to go to some great clubs, such as Chesterfield, Hartlrepool, Oldham and York! Refereeing is something I'd love to carry on and potentially make a career out of. I'd never would've had a chance of making it as a professional footballer, so why not do the second best thing to that!

Joe GREEN Darryl OMBANG Fabian BAILEY Jimmy BURKE Harry COATES Jacob McLOUGHLIN Shane KILLOCK Jeremie MILAMBO Corey GREGORY Rhys PLATER Rafa FERREIRA Derry ROBSON Janni LIPKA Tom CLAISSE TJ IBRAHIM Desmond AMPONSAH Kelan SWALES Sam KELLY Alex PETERSON

Nathan POPPLE Lewis CROSS Tom COLLINS Josh THOMPSON Sam AYNSLEY Will SUTTON Harry ELLIOTT-BELL Clay BRYANT Josh DACRE Lee RIDLEY Henry MOORE Scott MATTHEWS Joe SIMPSON Jaime TURE Oakley HILL Cole PAGE Mason ELLENDER Steve RIDLEY Owen VINCENT Paul GRIMES Dan HERNANDEZ Charlie NICHOLSON Luke WILLIAMS

SHIRTS: SKY BLUE SHORTS: NAVY SOCKS: NAVY GK: ALL PINK

MATCH OFFICIALS AR1 DAVID HOLBROOK

REFEREE SAMUEL CLAYTON

AR2 DYLAN HAGUE