St Neots Town Vs Darlington 1883

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00

F.A Trophy 2nd Round Qualifying V

Darlington 1883 Issue 12

08 Monsoon! / Read the match report from our recent home defeat at the hands of Truro City at the Cozy Stadium

Fe Ne at w ur e!

32

18

Greenies Greetings / A call for all to enjoy the occasion Owner Mike Kearns Chairman Mike Kearns Managing Director Lee Kearns Director Iain Parr Football Manager Gary King

46

Who’s the Greatest?! / Starting a series that you can join in

Assistant Managers Liam George Matthew Spring

Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt

Club Secretary Gary Wilson

Physio Chris Budd

Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard

Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark

Life President John Walker Team Officials Richard King (Goalkeeping Coach)

St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley Club Merchandise Linda Walters

PAGE 02 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

in.Stews Views / A cracking read by Craig!

Programme Editor Mark Davies Club Photographer Claire Howes Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green Programme Sales Charlie Green

Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson Pitchcare Working Turf Design & Marketing Blue Prawn Print XL Press Limited

INSIDE

Issue 12 V Darlington 1883 F.A Trophy 2nd Round Qualifying

Also Inside 06 Action Replay 13 Mascot Feature 16 The Chairmans’ Views 20 Read All About It

14 The Richest Footballers in 2013 / We count down from 10!

38 ‘Cloughie’ The Legend / 3 of a 4 part series of brilliant reading

22 The Beautiful Game 28 Youth Focus - U18s 30 Pull-Out Poster 36 Away Days 44 MD’s Views 48 Leagues Review 49 Bizarre Football Stories 52 Commentators Football Gaffes 53 Season 2014/15 Fixtures Matrix 54 The Non-League Paper

24 Todays’ Visitors / A warm welcome to The Quakers Founded 1879 The Cozy Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone 01480 470012 Email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Website www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Forum www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum

40

56 Season 2014/15 Statistics 58 Premier Division League Table 60 Home & Opposition Squads

Introducing Josh Bickerstaff / Our combative young defender Southern Football League Division One champions, 1 time United Counties League Premier Division champions, 2 times Division One champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 2 times Metropolitan League Champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 1 time Professional Cup winners, 1 time South Midlands League Champions, 1 time

Huntingdonshire League Champions, 4 times Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Winners, 37 times Hinchingbrooke Cup Winners, 2 times

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 03

THE FA TROPHY 2014/15

BELIEVE ENJOY THE MATCH!

Cup Woes Eight Years Ago FA Vase Round Two (21st November 2006) St Neots Town

1

Lowestoft Town

St Neots bowed out of the FA Vase in their delayed match with their Suffolk visitors. It was an encounter fairly well reflected by the score line but St Neots had to compete with one hand ties behind their backs because of the competition rules. Three of Steve Young’s most influential signings were all cup tied and that was bound to hamper the performance of an inexperienced squad faced by the reigning Ridgeons League champions. However despite being up against long odds St Neots never gave up trying and the experience gained by the stand in players will be useful as Young continues his rebuilding exercise.

Good fortune always plays a part in football and the first two minutes of this match was testament to that fact. Just short of a minute into the match Ben Singleton was late with a tackle on Ross King just a foot inside the penalty area and Richard Woodrow drove in the penalty to put Lowestoft in front. Then in St Neots first attack sixty seconds later Mark Franklin was fouled – this time a foot outside the penalty area and when Russell Lawes free kick sailed

6

over the bar the significance of a few inches in the game was displayed. Lowestoft then made the most of this stroke of fortune as they effectively booked their passage into round three with two more well- taken goals in a four minutes spell.

First Ally McKenna left Gary Hoy for dead on the left and crossed for Jamie Godbold to side foot in at the far post and then the pick of the goals as McKenna’s pace left two defenders in his wake and Ross King times his run to perfection to head in the third goal. Three down in nineteen minutes St Neots could have collapsed but they are made of sterner stuff and Russell Lawes and Ben Singleton both brought important saves from visiting keeper Andy Reynolds.

The second half produced another explosive start as Lowestoft won their second penalty of the match when Kevin Ashby was adjudged to have handled. This time the impressive Ally McKenna was entrusted with the spot kick and he sent Ryan Hunt the wrong way to make the score 4-0.

St Neots response was positive as Ashley Deverall won a corner

PAGE 06 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

taken by Mark Franklin and converted by Craig Reynolds to temporarily silence the noisy visiting supporters. There was then a spell of more than half an hour when both sides created chances the best of which was an effort by Craig Reynolds cleared off the Lowestoft line

by Matty Potter. However as St Neots visibly tired in the last ten minutes the visitors claimed two more goals to afford then a flattering final margin of victory. Carl Poppy tapped in their third goal after a good stop

by Hunt and Ross King was left unmarked for a tap-in after more impressive work by manof-the-match Ally McKenna.

In his programme notes Steve Young labelled Lowestoft a ‘well organised quality outfit’.

He was right.

St Neots: Ryan Hunt, Gary Hoy (Rory McKay), Russell Lawes, Kevin Ashby, Scott Grant, Joe Jordan, Ben Singleton, James Dillnut, Ashley Deverall (Matt Franklin), Mark Franklin (Gary Christie), Craig Reynolds.

Subs not used: Tom Malins & Ollie Brown MOM: Russell Lawes

DREW ROBERTS WATCHED BY ‘SPRINGY’

ST NEOTS TOWN 0 TRURO CITY 1 08:11:2014 / Southern Premier Division / Att 299 / Referee: Nigel Phillips (Witchford, Ely)

One totally unnecessary first half moment of madness effectively condemned St Neots to their third home reversal of the season as Truro returned home with their first victory over the Saints in four meetings.

It was the same old story as St Neots recovered to totally boss the second half hitting the crossbar and seeing two shots cleared off the line but the superbly drilled visiting defence held out under constant pressure and in the final minute of the game Truro mounted their only second half attack to twist the knife with a second goal. However with hindsight there was not too much to criticise in St Neots overall performance for they created enough second half chances to have won the game at a canter but they were denied any reward by a combination of bad luck, good defending and at times indifferent finishing. For the second time in recent matches St Neots started with an unchanged line up and there was the encouraging sight of striker Chris Dillon on the bench alongside recent addition to the squad Tom Ward. Truro’s second half tactics of conceding space and inviting St Neots to find their way through their packed defence as they ‘parked the bus’ worked a charm and St Neots must quickly learn their way through this obstacle if they are to taste serious success this season.

Both sides could have scored in the first three minutes as the unmarked Matt Spring headed wide as he met a Ben Ford cross and play quickly moved to the other end where Matt Wright was played clear but the

approaching Paul Bastock out of his area did enough to force him to place his shot at the unguarded goal a yard wide. St Neots then settled quickly despite the driving rain and both Lewis Hilliard and Nathan Frater found the side netting after good work both times by Drew Roberts.

Dave Deeney then headed wide from a Spring corner and Roberts contrived to blast wide after a Spring free kick had been spilled by Charlie Burns. On the break Wright saw a close range effort smothered

by Bastock but after 21 minutes disaster struck.Dribbling away from goal Jay Davies spurned several chances of playing a short pass to a colleague eventually giving the ball to the experienced Barry Hayles.

He looked up and sent a perfectly weighted pass for Craig Duff to run clear and beat Bastock with a low drive. St Neots were finding it difficult to utilise the wind in their favour with too many forward passes going straight to the goalkeeper although Hilliard did get the ball in the net after a slick three man move only to be ruled offside. As the rain ceased the wind abated and strangely the pace of the match dropped and there were few further significant chances before the break. From the start of the second half the Truro tactics were apparent. They conceded space with ten players behind the

ball as St Neots attacked and were clearly bent on sitting on their narrow advantage. Faced with almost all the possession St Neots was unable to press home their advantage although chances came and went.

A Drew Roberts head from a Josh Bickerstaff cross was well saved

by Burns and then the excellent visiting centre half Rob Farkins was perfectly placed to hack the ball off the line when Nathan Frater’s shot had beaten Burns. Truro further stiffened their defensive formation pulling off Hayles who had been their only second half attacker and then the unlucky Frater saw his shot go over the keeper but land on top of the crossbar. Substitute Lorenzo Ferrari on for Ford was quickly in the thick of the action seeing Ed Palmer block his close range shot and after 76 minutes St Neots looked to have levelled when Burns was beaten by a shot from Roberts but once again Farkins was on the line to clear and keep the Truro goal intact. In the last eleven minutes St Neots threw everything into attack sending on substitute Chris Dillon for his first appearance since his injury on 9th August but despite having three up front it was all in vain. Ironically two Truro substitutes combined for the late second goal as Les Afful set up Cody Cook with the St Neots defence absent.

St Neots Town

Truro City

Bastock, York, Bickerstaff, Ford, Deeney, Hoyte, Davies, Spring, Nolan, Roberts, Hilliard. Subs: Ferrari (for Ford 71), Dillon (for Deeney 79), Cracknell, Farrell ands Ward. Cards: None.

Goals: None.

Burns, Pugh, Brett, Ash, Farkins, Palmer, White, Lowry, Wright Hayles, Duff. Subs: Cook (for Hayles 63), Afful (for Duff 83), Green (for Wright 83), Tully and Moore. Cards: Ash (Y – 62), Lowry (Y – 83).

Goals: Duff (21 mins), Cook (90 mins)

PAGE 08 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 09

NATHAN FRATER SETS OFF X

PAUL BASTOCK CLEARS

Mascot feature Darlington Mascot Fact File Name: Max Jordison Age: 8 Max was born in Cambridgeshire and he regularly visits family in Darlington.

Max’s under 9 team are playing St Neots under 9s today!!

Have a great day Max!

The Saints Matchday Mascot Experience!

• Free entry for mascot and parents • Use of our hospitality room • Signed match day programme by your favourite player, which you will also appear in • Meet your favourite player and have your photo taken • Tour of the stadium • Have a kick about on the main pitch • Lead the Saints on to the pitch • Free portion of chips and drink for the mascot

To apply to be a Matchday Mascot contact Louise Spark on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 13

WHO WERE THE HIGHEST P This list of the highest paid soccer players comes from Forbes who compiled the data in 2013 after speaking with players, agents, talent agencies, commercial sponsors, soccer experts in the U.S. and Europe, and looking through sponsor filings. It was compiled prior to Gareth Bale’s world record transfer to Real Madrid where he will be earning $24.7 million (£15.6m) a year. The game is swimming in money and some very average players now earn more in a couple of weeks than US President Barack Obama is paid over a whole year.

08.NEYMAR The Brazilian is one of the up-and-coming stars of world soccer and moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2013. Neymar starred for Santos in his homeland and gained a string of sponsors as his stock rose. There have been enough ‘New Peles’ over the years to fill a warehouse. And here is another Brazilian striker in whom much hope is invested. Like Pele, Neymar is a Santos youth product and such is his potential, he has been linked with English clubs since he was 13, resisting a move to Chelsea in 2010.

NEYMAR

19,500,000

19.5 MILLION (£12.5M)

Neymar featured on the cover of TIME magazine in February 2013 PAGE 14 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

T PAID PLAYERS OF 2013?

Whether we like it or not, money talks and teams can rise to the top off the back of their owners’ big bucks. We’re looking at you Manchester City. Despite knowing that they are paid ridiculous amounts of cash for kicking some leather filled with air for a living, why not check out this list to see who is the richest of the lot, across the next 5 issues we list the top ten.

07. FERNANDO TORRES It seems to have all gone wrong for the Spaniard since his move from Liverpool to Chelsea in the 2011 January transfer window for £50 million. Torres may have struggled since moving to London but that transfer stands as being the highest fee paid for a player by an English club.

FERNANDO TORRES

20,200,000

20.2 MILLION (£12.9M)

Torres married his childhood sweetheart in a private ceremony in front of just two guests in a small town hall just north of Madrid

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15

THE CHAIRMANS’ VIEWS

A FAR REACHING PROBLEM Welcome to our opponents today, their Officials, Players and supporters, I hope you enjoy your time with us.

My last Chairman’s View took in the plight of many local clubs and how they have set about reducing their out goings to quite frankly survive as a non league football club, I looked at what were mostly clubs in or about our area and I have no doubt that this problem goes far wider than any of us could possibly believe.

Well what is the problem and how can we all try and play on some sort of level playing field. I do have some sort of solution and I suppose people who read my conclusion and say “that’s a bit rich coming form him” yes I suppose that would be a fair assumption of St Neots Town.

We have always been I would say at the top end of playing budget since I have owned the club. Maybe that’s a little naivety from me for listening to others on just what kind of budget would be needed to have any chance of success by gaining promotion. But what else can you do if you want to move up the pyramid I ask, players say they

will only play for us if they get this or that and I

know that they are near to what they say as I always try and find out.

months earlier how can they afford it now. A recipe for even more disaster.

So it really is what they call a “Dutch Auction” we pay more than them and we have a chance of getting the right players, but where does it end how can this be controlled, will this go on till clubs just go bust. Well yes it will and I blame the Owners / Chairman and Sponsors of clubs myself included for its own down fall, but the main culprits are the very organization that run football, they have it in their power to address this situation especially in non league.

Maybe the team that finished the highest that lost the play offs in the division below should have been promoted, in this case it would have been Chesham United, they had a successful season and maybe they might be in a better financial position than Hayes and Yeading, to consolidate at the higher level.

At least this would give Hayes and Yeading the chance to get their house in some sort of order.

Why do they for instance give a club that finishes in a relegation position in their league a reprieve as they do every single season Hayes and Yeading are a prime example, relegated to the Southern League Premier Division for this season and then at the last minute given their place back in the Conference South.

Hayes and Yeading were relegated for a reason, because they were one of the worst teams in their division and that would in the present system reflect on their playing budget or should I say lack of it. So they stay where they were with probably the same financial problems they had before, a new lease of life some might say and what options do they have now find a larger playing budget and ensure they survive this season. If they could not afford it 3

PAGE 16 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

Look at Hereford and Dorchester who both were relegated to our division last season they are not exactly setting the league alight are they.

A crazy situation of course but all decided by the governors of the game. A recipe for disaster, of course it is and this goes on every single season with no thought of a clubs financial plight, in fact it is an official endorsement to help a club go bust. What can be done about all this because something really does need to be done and soon.

Do I have a solution, I think so and I will explain in my next Chairman’s View.

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL Mike

WHO’S THE GREATEST?!

Who was or is the greatest player and goal scorer you have ever seen?

We start a series that you, our supporters can join in. We start off the series with our Chairman’s very best.

Best Player ever George Best I’m often asked the question on who I think is the greatest footballer or goal scorer of all time and sometimes I think well maybe I am in a better position to judge as I have seen football as it is today virtually a non contact sport and years ago when you had players like Chopper Harris, Tommy Smith and Dave Mackey sorting out shall I say the more gifted players and trying to equal the balance out a little.

Could the players of today take that sort of treatment and still show us how good they are, I very much doubt it.

Could they ply their skills on a mud patch of a pitch or in a cold January when snow or frost on the pitch did not mean a postponement, I very much doubt it.

We can also look back and say did the players of old have the fitness and agility to play in todays fast pace and tactical game, I suppose no they don’t have that.

So are there any players who would be a superstar in the past and also in the present, well there is one and having had the pleasure of seeing him many times I have no doubt that he is the greatest player of all time.

That player is George Best and what a player he was he had fantastic

ability, electric pace, can score a goal from anywhere, ride a leg breaking tackle from Chopper Harris get cut down by Tommy Smith but never rolled about in agony or play acted to get someone sent off, no Georgie boy just got up dusted himself down and quite seriously made them look silly.

I swear that if he really wanted to he

PAGE 18 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

could just dribble around everyone and put the ball in the back of the net. Of course a genius is usually a little mad as well and George was like that too many off field indulgences shall I say cut his career short but what I did see of him on the pitch left me breathless.

Go get a DVD of him and sit there and watch, its hard to believe just

what you are watching, dare I say a little bit of each of the other world beaters all rolled into one the best player the world has ever seen George Best.

Best goal scorer Jimmy Greaves Now who is the best goal scorer there has ever been?

A very hard choice with many present and past goal scorers to choose from.

In todays football one would say Messi, Ronaldo well they are good but they do play in a two-team league in Spain where Real Madrid and Barcelona are usually so far ahead of the opposition it makes it an unfair contest.

Pele yes of course but he played all of his games in the sun of Brazil, maradona another one who at least had some opposition when he played in Italy.

England that day and not as close as it was.

I go to many football functions where they have a guest footballer speaker and nearly every single one of them say the same it’s that little sod Jimmy Greaves.

Again go get a DVD called “The Jimmy Greaves Story” I’m sure after viewing that and then again because you will not believe it you just might agree with my choice.

You might say why are my two choices from the past and not the present well George Best and Jimmy Greaves in my opinion would grace any era of football, Could any of todays footballers go back in time and be superstars, no chance at all football used to be a real mans game play any time as many times a week, can you imaging someone like Graham Souness who was an

exceptional footballer in the eighties say “I’m sorry boss but I’m tired and just burnt out and I need a rest” what would Bill Shankley say to that, I could well imagine.

To end with both players had some serious bad luck in their playing careers George best played for Northern Ireland if he was English then maybe the world stage would have seen this incredible player.

Jimmy Greaves suffered an injury after the first couple of matches in the 1966 world cup and missed the final.

Both men had serious drinking problems in life after football, both geniuses a little mad with some very bad luck.

Still I had the pleasure of watching them both in their prime and I count my self a very lucky man indeed to see these two perform their trade.

So who from the past, Gerd Muller was great, Brian Clough had an amazing goal scoring record Denis Law would have been my second choice but in my opinion and its not just because he played for my beloved Chelsea he played more times for that mob over in north London Spurs believe it or not, yes its Jimmy Greaves the ultimate goal scoring machine, a penalty box magician a turn of pace (yes really) from 20 yards that gave him the room to slot the ball in the net.

Jimmy would score goals in any team anywhere any time have no doubt about that. Just look at his goal scoring record at club level and England. Even though they called the 1966 world cup final the Geoff Hurst hat trick final, if Jimmy was not injured he would have been in that final and I think it would have been more of a clear cut victory for

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 19

READ ALL ABOUT IT We take a look at what other non-league clubs are doing that’s making the news this week.

TOWNER LEAVES GENERALS TO JOIN TYKES

DAVENTRY APPOINT SMART AS NEW MANAGER The Club has appointed former Watford forward Allan Smart as their new Manager. Smart, 40, replaces Darran Foster, who quit the club last week after the playing budget had been cut and several players left Communications Park.

Chesham United have announced that young midfielder Ryan Towner has taken the opportunity to move to League One side Barnsley.

Towner has been on trial at Oakwell recently with Chesham`s blessing and they have now offered him a permanent deal that will see him playing under-21 Development football, whilst trying to push into the first-team squad. The 18-yearold joined Chesham in the summer, having been in the Stevenage academy.

Scotsman Smart started his playing career north of the border with then Highland League side Inverness Caledonian before being signed by Preston for £15,000 in 1994. He went on to make twenty-one first-team appearances for North End and also had loan spells with Carlisle and Northampton before joining the Cumbrians on a permanent basis in 1996.

He played forty-five times for Carlisle before earning a move to Watford two years later. He helped them gain promotion to the Premier League in 1999/2000 and scored a dozen times in fifty-six appearances for the Vicarage Road outfit before leaving

Chesham boss Andy Leese, who also coached Towner in youth football, said “We wish him well with his career, and on a personal note I am really pleased having been involved with Ryan’s development as young lad in youth football. He has done well in his short time with us and I hope his career continues to progress.”

PAGE 20 /

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

in 2001. Short spells with Oldham, Dundee, Crewe, MK Dons, Bury and Irish side Portadown followed before, in July 2007, he joined then Conference North side Burscough on a season-long loan. When the loan deal expired, Smart made the move permanent after his contract had expired with Portadown.

After the departure of Manager Liam Watson from Burscough, Smart became Player/Assistant-Manager.

In September 2009 he took up a full-time job as Head of Youth Development at Conference Premier outfit Southport, while temporarily remaining in his role at Burscough.

More recently Smart has been coaching part-time at Blackburn Rovers` Academy and graduated with a degree in Broadcast & Media.

Assisting Smart at Communications Park is former Daventry Manager Ady Fuller. Fuller took Daventry into the Southern League as Champions of the United Counties League in 2009/10 and then looked like making it back-to-back titles as they looked like winning Division One Central until being docked six points for fielding an ineligible player. They still managed to finish third but were beaten 2-0 by Hitchin Town in the Play-off Final. Despite that he was asked to step aside and was replaced by former Republic of Ireland international Mark Kinsella.

SPIERS PUT IN TEMPORARY CHARGE AT BASHLEY

Club Chairman Angela SpeechleyPrice has announced that her husband Graham has stood down as Manager. Speechley-Price took over on his own after joint-manager Andy Darnton left the Foresters last month.

Angela Speechley-Price said “We have been actively looking for a new management team after Andy Darnton stepped aside as he felt the team had limitations moving forward without a budget. We spoke as a committee and then with Graham and he agreed that if we find somebody who could advance the club he would then step sideways.

The club`s priority is to maximise its financial opportunities which as chair I am unable to do with all the other duties I am attending to currently.”

“Graham has friends who individually can’t help but if he co-ordinates them by doing the running around we can progress the other areas not currently being addressed. Therefore

Martin Spiers has been given the interim manager’s job and Andy Howard will be taking up reserve team duties. Martin will be able to call on Graham if the need arises but will take complete control of team matters until a full-time manager is appointed. The club is hoping to organise many functions and events and some of these may take as many as twenty hours a week to make sure they’re a success and move the club forward making the changes necessary now.”

DIAPER TAKES TEMPORARY CHARGE OF BOATMEN AFTER MARSH BOWS OUT

good work and time he has donated to the club over the past decade and wish him all the best for the future.”

“I will be taking over as Manager with immediate effect and Dave Fear has been asked to stay at the Club. A further statement will be made from the club regarding long term plans over the next few days” BARRY TAKES OVER AS ALFREDIANS’ BOSS AFTER ACKLING RESIGNS Wantage Town - Following the resignation of Gary Ackling at the weekend, the Club has announced the appointment of Daniel Barry as First Team Manager.He takes over from Ackling with immediate effect, stepping up from the reserve team where he helped them win promotion last season. He will be assisted

by Ian Lovegrove and coach Rob Wytchard, who is staying on. Former assistant boss Andy Lyne has joined Ackling in standing down.

Sholing – Club Chairman David Diaper has issued the following statement: “After a brief conversation with Mick Marsh it was agreed that he would be stepping down as Manager. Mick has a demanding job and I think he was finding it increasingly difficult to fulfil his duties as Manager. On behalf of the club, I would like to thank Mick for all the

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 21

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

MEDALS OR MEMORIES? We love to keep souvenirs and memorabilia of games and seasons gone by as reminders of some of the great, but sometimes rare experiences we encounter as fans of our clubs.

Whether it’s a match specific enamel pin badge, a one-off celebratory scarf or a programme from a milestone FA cup appearance or a first or last game at an old/new ground. For us, as much as we value the memories we acquire during our supporting years, we still love to have something physical to keep in a frame, hang on our walls or take pride of place in a display cabinet to remind us of those special games, players or achievements.

You’d like to think that the football players we idolise over the years hold as much sentiment for the mementoes of their achievements as we do for our little keepsakes wouldn’t you? You may see it as an act of ungratefulness if you were to hear of them selling off their hard-earned medals or trophies for a wedge of cash as if they meant very little to them.

You may have heard recently about yet another member of the 1966 World Cup squad selling off their World Cup Winners medal in the form of Jimmy Greaves. He’s certainly not the first to part with his medal even though he’s only had it for the last five years! Greaves, along with others involved in the 66’ World Cup triumph only received their medals following a campaign by football fans for the entire squad to receive a World Cup Winners medal.

Initially, as ridiculous as it sounds, only the 11 remaining on the pitch at the final whistle received a medal after the world cup final ended!! Even the then England manager, Sir Alf

Ramsay didn’t get one – [FIFA policy at the time] but come on, how tight were FIFA back then??

It is a sad fact that only a fraction of the medals gained by those involved in the England 66 squad are still owned by their actual recipients.

However, following the fans campaign and a subsequent change in FIFA policy, the other 11 players from 22 man squad were awarded medals in 2009. There were also medals for the manager, physio and the trainer but sadly some of these belated medals had to be presented to the families of the additional recipients as they had previously passed away. Only a few of the medals awarded for that magnificent achievement remain in the hands of

their rightful owners. Jack Charlton says he will never part with his medal. Roger Hunt and Bobby Charlton still own theirs but other players have sold theirs over the years. West Ham United own three of the original World Cup Winners medals having purchased them from their former players, Martin Peters, Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst who were all in the 66 squad.

What we have to remember before dishing out our judgements on these

PAGE 22 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

former heroes is that they were simply the guy next door as football players back then. Obviously the world cup win made them household names but prior to that, they would have lived in similar houses to you and I, drove similar cars and drank in the pub at the end of the road just like us. They were nothing like the footballers of today, earning their millions, living in secluded mansions and living the celebrity life-style of the modern day player. These were regular guys who were paid a few quid a week to play football.

When their playing careers ended in those days, they would take up regular day jobs like us and would certainly not have the bank balances to keep them comfortable for the remainder of their lives like some of today’s players. It couldn’t have been an easy decision for any of the former world cup winners to Part Company with their medals but can you really blame them? If you were in your twilight years and you had a possession that could fetch in the region of £100,000 to help support your family, surely you’d do the same wouldn’t you? It’s great to have some physical object to remind you of some special time but objects can be lost, damaged or sold, memories are treasured forever.

Today’s encounter may not be considered a particularly momentous occasion, it may not be one that will live in your memory for years to come, but enjoy it nonetheless, it’s a beautiful game!

ADE

TODAY’S VISITORS

DARLINGTON 1883

Currently homeless former football league members Darlington 1883 are struggling back towards former glories following liquidation and reform.

A very special welcome to Darlington 1883 our visitors this afternoon who are making their first visit to the Cozy Stadium today for an FA Trophy engagement. In 1987/88 when St Neots Football Club was out of business following the loss of our former ‘Shortsands’ premises, Darlington were members of the Football League playing in the bottom level of that pyramid. Since then the fortunes of our two clubs have varied dramatically. We have won our way back via Steps Six, Five, and Four to our current Step Three level whilst our visitors were relegated twice to the Football Conference and subsequently went out of business but have returned under a new name via Steps Six and Five and are currently leading the way at Step Four looking to move back to their former glories. To reach

this stage our lads defeated Ilkeston Town of the Northern Premier League two weeks ago whilst Darlington have reached this stage with two victories on the road. In the Preliminary Qualifying Round on 18th October they defeated Radcliffe Borough 2-0 and two weeks ago they travelled to Scarborough Athletic where they won 4-0.

Darlington currently play their football at Heritage Park in Bishop Auckland as they strive to make steps back to their true home base in Darlington and of course we all at St Neots wish them well in their quest. Their supporters have been magnificent adding travelling expenses to normal costs for home matches and we salute their commitment. However the Board of Darlington 1883 have recently launched a major fund raising project to support the dream

PAGE 24 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

of a return home.

CLUB HISTORY The club was founded in 1883, and played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003. The arena is an allseater stadium with a capacity of 25,000, although this was restricted to 10,000. The cost of the stadium was a major factor in driving the club into administration. The club originally played in regionally organised leagues, and were one of the founding members of the Northern League in 1889. They were first admitted to the Football League when the Third Division North was formed in 1921. They won the Third Division North title in 1925, and their 15th place in the Second Division in 1926 remained their highest ever league finish.

After their admission to the League,

Year founded: 1883 Nickname: The Quakers CEO: Martin Jesper

Website: www.darlington1883.co.uk Stadium: Heritage Park (Groundshare)

Previous Meetings: None

they spent most of their history in the bottom tier. They won the Third Division North Cup in 1934; their first victory in nationally-organised cup competition. They reached the last 16 of the FA Cup twice, and the quarter-final of the Football League Cup once, in 1968. In the early 1990s they won successive titles, with the Conference National in 1990 and the Fourth Division in 1991. In 2011 they won the FA Trophy, defeating Mansfield Town 1–0 at Wembley Stadium. The club were eventually relegated to the Conference, and suffered more managerial turmoil during the summer when Simon Davey and successor Ryan Kidd both left within 11 days, to leave Mark Cooper in charge. He led the club to victory in the 2011 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, defeating Mansfield Town 1–0 with

a goal from Chris Senior in the last minute of extra time. Following a succession of poor performances at the start of the 2011–12 season, Cooper and his assistant Richard Dryden were sacked by the club on 24 October 2011. A little more than two months later, Singh placed the club into administration for a third time in less than a decade. Two days later, the club was spared from liquidation after a last-minute injection of funding by supporters’ groups. Enough funds were raised for Darlington to complete the season, but relegation was confirmed with three matches remaining. After the club was taken over with the intention of moving into community ownership, without entering into a Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA), Darlington were relegated four divisions, to the

Northern League Division One, on the recommendation of the Football Association. The new owners opted to rename the new club Darlington 1883.

In May 2012, the club was bought out of a period of administration without entering into a Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA). The Football Association ruled that it should be treated as a new club, which required a change of playing name. The name chosen was Darlington 1883, and that team was placed in the Northern League Division One, which is the ninth tier of English football, for the 2012–13 season. The club’s main rivals were Hartlepool United. The club’s traditional colours were black and white shirts, black shorts and black and white socks.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 25

WHO’S WHO

THE QUAKERS

MARK BELL

STEPHEN HARRISON

MARTIN GRAY Position: Manager Martin was appointed manager of the club when Quakers had been forcibly relegated by the FA from the Conference (Step 1) to the Northern League (Step 5) and there was only player on the books. He quickly built a team ready for the start of the season and managed to strengthen it was the season progressed by signing Stephen Thompson, Terry Galbraith, Jonny Davis, Craig Turns and Mark Bell. The big turning point of the season was the away game at Spennymoor in February, which Quakers won 3-1 after being 1-0 down at one stage, and that was part of a 23 game unbeaten run stretching from December 8th up to the end of the season, Quakers winning all but two of those games.

PETER JAMESON Position: Goalkeeper Peter is an agile goalkeeper who signed from Sunderland RCA in early October 2013. Prior to this he signed for Sunderland RCA from Consett FC in the close season.

MARK BELL Position: Goalkeeper Highly experienced shot stopper Mark signed for Darlington in December 2012 from West Auckland,

GARY BROWN

for whom he played in the 2012 FA Vase final. He had two seasons with Blyth Spartans between 2008 and 2010 where he played in the Conference North, and was also part of the Blyth team that reached the third round of the FA Cup in 2009.

GARY BROWN Position: Defender Gary was signed after just one training session in the summer of 2012 and was immediately made captain, which turned out to be an inspired move.

LEON SCOTT Position: Defender Leon is a product of the Middlesbrough Academy, and has played for Peterlee, Dunston Federation, Newcastle Blue Star, Whitby Town (twice) , Harrogate Town, Shildon and Norton & Stockton Ancients.

IAN WATSON Position: Defender.

Ian is a product of the Newcastle Youth Academy having joined as an eight year old and spending over eight years before leaving to join Sunderland Nissan in the Northern League.He left Nissan after one season to join Sunderland RCA and played over 50 games,scoring 10

PAGE 26 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

LEON SCOTT

goals,in two seasons.

MATTHEW LOVEGREEN Position: Defender After some great displays for the youth side Matthew has been drafted into the first team squad and is certain to force his way into the first team itself in the near future.He can play in the centre of defence or in midfield and has a great attitude for such a young player.

TERRY GALBRAITH Position: Midfielder Terry joined Darlington in late November 2012 from Dunston UTS where he was part of their 2012 FA Vase winning side. Capable of playing left-back, left wing and central midfield, the former Blyth Spartans player has brought several options to the Darlington team.

ADAM COCKS Position: Defender Product of the Quakers highly successful youth set up Adam made his full debut for the club against Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup earlier in the season and since then he has been a regular in the squad.

AMAR PUREWAL Position: Striker Amar joined Darlington during the summer of 2012 from Durham City.

Liam Hatch (Forward) Liam rejoined the Quakers this summer after signing from Gateshead and can play either up front or as a striker.This is his third spell with the club having already played for them in the Football League and the Football Conference Premier and in the 2011 FA Trophy final win at Wembley. He also came on as a late substitute for Gateshead in last season’s Conference play off final defeat

by Cambridge.

JORDAN ROBINSON

TERRY GALBRAITH

He started his career in Newcastle United’s youth team and joined Durham City from Northern League side Bishop Auckland in 2010 and finished his first season as leading scorer for the Citizens when they were in the Evostik League.

DAVID DOWSON Position: Striker David has the distinction of scoring on both his Darlington debuts – against Aldershot in the Football League in 2009, and Bishop Auckland in the Northern League in 2012. His move to Darlington in the summer of 2012 marked his second spell at the club having first joined Quakers on loan in 2009 from Sunderland.

STEPHEN THOMPSON Position: Striker Tommo signed for Quakers in September 2012 from fellow Northern League club Durham City. He started his career at Middlesbrough without making a first team appearance, and then moved to Port Vale where he scored twice in 17 appearances. He is equally at home both scoring and making goals for others.

AMAR PUREWAL

CHRIS HUNTER Position: Defender Chris was signed during the summer from Northern League club Shildon, for whom he had played for two seasons. He started his career at Chester-le-Street before going to Yavapi College in Arizona and in his second season there was voted Most Valuable Player.

JORDAN ROBINSON Position: Defender Jordan started his career at Middlesbrough, and moved to Premiership side Wigan Athletic as a youngster. He played for Wigan in the FA Cup against Hull in 2011, and was released by the Latics at the end of the 2011-12 season. He signed for his local team, Billingham Synthonia, and joined Quakers just before the transfer deadline in March 2013.

ALAN WHITE Position: Defender Alan joined Darlington in late August for his third spell at the club on loan from Harrogate Town. Prior to this he had two previous spells at the club, the first which lasted for 75 appearances in 2007 when he signed for Dave Penney, and the second for 24 appearances in 2010 when Steve Staunton was in charge.

White was part of the Quakers’

STEPHEN THOMPSON

team that just missed out on a trip to Wembley in the 2008 League Two play offs. Alan’s former clubs include Middlesbrough, Luton, Colchester, Leyton Orient, Boston, Notts County, Peterborough, and more recently Harrogate Town.

GRAEME ARMSTRONG Position:Striker Graeme started his career in the Northern League at Dunston and he moved up the ladder of Non League football to Gateshead in the summer of 2007.He scored 48 goals in 144 games for Gateshead as they went from the Evostik Premiere through the Conference North to the Conference Premiere.

When Gateshead turned full time in 2010,he left to concentrate on his teaching career,and joined Harrogate Town in Conference North where he scored 22 goals.

TOM PORTAS Position:Midfield.

Tom started his career at Middlesbrough’s youth academy and when he was released he spent two years at Guisborough in the Northern League.He joined Newton Aycliffe in October 2011 but was only there a month before joining Whitby Town in the Evostik League Premier.

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 27

Focus on Youth...

St Neots Town U18’s St Neots was just eight minutes away from what would have been a remarkable victory because hosts Royston were boasting a 100% league record prior to this match.

ROYSTON TOWN U18 2 : ST NEOTS TOWN U18 2 Thurlow Nunn Youth West Division Having not been beaten in a home league match for fourteen months Royston had in fact only completed four league matches prior to this meeting because of good results in cup competition and their league results included an opening match victory over St Neots at the Cozy Stadium but an under strength visiting team produced a performance to be proud of leading twice before conceding that late goal. With neither signed goalkeeper available St Neots handed the green jersey to rookie outfield player Cameron Harris whose previous appearances for the side had been as a second half substitute and he did not look out of place against a home attack that at times looked shot-shy.

There were few early goal attempts by either side as both seemed to pay an over exaggerated respect for the other with Jordan Stewart’s early effort for St Neots sailing over the bar and Daniel Haggerty setting up

Perri Gentry at the other end but he flashed his shot wide. The best early chance fell to Royston but Haggerty sent a near post header wide from a Callum Wilson corner. Then after 21 minutes a Stewart corner was not cleared and on the turn Owen Coleman sent a well placed shot through the packed defence to put St Neots ahead. Another effort from Stewart found the top of the net and Ollie Benham shot wildly over the bar. However with Dan Mattin and his defence holding firm in front of Harris St Neots was good value for their narrow half time advantage.

However it did not take Royston long to get back on terms because three minutes after the restart the first St Neots defensive error handed the equalising goal to Ross Maddox. Harris then made a fine save from substitute Danny McGovern to keep the scores level before St Neots regained the lead after 57 minutes. An attack down the left saw Lewis Davis dribble

past two defenders before scoring with a low narrow angled shot that should have been prevented. St Neots did not sit on their lead and Benham was unfortunate not to extend the lead after good work by Coleman but home keeper George Rogers produced an important save. Maddox should have claimed his second goal of the game for Royston when unmarked ten yards from goal but he headed an accurate McGovern shot five yards wide after 62 minutes. Cade Stephens-Abbey then sent a snap volley a foot wide but Royston were increasing the pressure on the St Neots defence and after 82 minutes two of the substitute players saved a point for the home side when Charlie Owen converted a McGovern cross after Harris had been unable to hold onto his first close range effort.

John Walker

St Neots Town U18 Harris, Stewart, Whittle, Mattin, Ball, Charlie Lewis, Coleman, Benham, Stephens-Abbey, Davis, Chris Lewis Subs used: Loader, Nkala, Ofosu Goals (St Neots): Coleman (21 mins), Davis (57 mins).

PAGE 28 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

Sponsored by Steve Ridley

No

FR

To b

Su

sc

Vi EE e tio w n R !

rip

eq

ui

re d

Official TV Channel

Extended Match Highlights Post-Match Analysis and Interviews All the Goals, Outtakes and Behind the Scenes Coverage Tune in to your club... www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

MATT NOLAN FOCUSES

GREENIES GREETINGS

LET’S ENJOY THE OCCASION Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Rowley Park – the Cozy Stadium, for today’s FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying tie.

Today we extend a very warm welcome to the Players, Officials and Supporters of Darlington FC and we hope you all enjoy your brief stay with us down here in Cambridgeshire this afternoon before making the long, but safe trip back up to County Durham this evening. Well, here we are, our biggest game of the season so far and no doubt with what will be our biggest gate too as we expect a large travelling contingent to swell the numbers here today and I hope both sets of supporters enjoy the game, enjoy the atmosphere and take all the banter in the manner it should be, light-hearted and entertaining. Regardless of the final score today, lets enjoy ourselves.

If you are reading this article prior to kick off today, please remember that as with all national cup competitions, alcohol is not permitted outside today but we do have both bars open for your use which should ease congestion somewhat. Should today’s game end all square after ninety minutes, there will be a replay next Wednesday 19th

November at Bishop Auckland, 19:45 kick off. If this is the case, this will mean the postponement of Tuesday’s (18th November) home match with Cambridge City which will be rearranged for a later date.

just as the teams entered the pitch.

The usual areas of concern looked to drain away well so hopefully this winter we should see the benefits of the remedial works carried out during the summer months.

Saturday saw us entertain Truro City in very wet conditions and unfortunately the result didn’t quite go the way we would have liked. A goal down at the break, the visitors ‘parked the bus’ during the second forty-five minutes and survived an absolute onslaught on their goal with a combination of woodwork, keeper, defenders throwing their bodies in the way of the ball and wayward finishing preventing us from getting anything from the game. Maybe we were saving all our luck up for today, who knows? We’ve seen quite a few games where we have come back from a goal down but we couldn’t manage it this week. If we can tighten up and avoid ’silly goals’, I’m sure we will be ok. One interesting observation from the game was how well the pitch held up as we encountered a torrential downpour

We have seen one player leave and another come in during the past seven days so please join me in wishing Arthur Lee all the best with his move to Hemel Hempstead Town, who play in the Vanarama Conference South and at the same time, welcome centre half Tom Ward, who joins us from Hemel’s league neighbours St Albans City FC. Here’s to a long and successful stay with us Tom.

PAGE 32 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

Ok then, enough from me. Please enjoy the occasion today and play your part in the game in the right way.

BE LOUD, BE PROUD..... BE A SAINT GREENY

GAVIN HOYTE PLAYS A MEASURED PASS

AWAY DAYS

HARDENHUISH PARK Our next away day is a visit to Hardenhuish Park the home of Chippenham Town.

League Premier Division for the 2014/15 season.

The ‘Blue Birds’ playing record was as follows for the 2013/14 season: W14 D 6 L24 F 59 A 87

Not a good ground over the last couple of seasons and we are yet to come home with a victory.

Chippenham With a change of management early on during the season 2013/14, with Mark Collier and his assistant Tom Jones installed at the helm, the Bluebirds avoided finishing in the relegation places, eventually finishing in 18th position, ensuring their place in the Southern

This season the club got off to a good start to the season beating Biggleswade away on the opening day, however their results since then have been a little indifferent up til’ now. Always a tough fixture for us and they were the team who ended our five month unbeaten home record last season on the very last day back in April.

exit (A350); follow road to third roundabout (junction with A420).

Turn left and follow signs to town centre. Ground is 1km on left hand side adjacent to pedestrian controlled traffic lights. Car/Coach park next to traffic lights.

HARDENHUISH PARK Bristol Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 6LR Adults = £10 Concessions = £6 Children under 16 = £3 Capacity: 2,815 (500 seats)

Lets hope we can improve on that result at their place.

Wheelchair Access: Yes

DIRECTIONS TO THE GROUND Exit 17 from M4. Follow A350 towards Chippenham for three miles to first roundabout, take second

Matchday Magazine: £2.00

PAGE 36 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

Car Parking: Yes

Round Trip from (PE19 6SL): 290 Miles

A FOUR PART SERIES OF BRILLIANT READING

‘CLOUGHIE'

Brian Clough died just ten years ago on 20th September 2004. His story is such a brilliant football story that we just had to try and tell as much as we could.

PART 3 OF 4

On 6 January 1975, Clough made a return to management with Nottingham Forest, who at the time were in 13th place in Division Two. Clough replaced Allan Brown.

Clough’s first game in charge was the third round FA Cup replay against Tottenham Hotspur, a 1–0 victory thanks to a goal by Scottish centre-forward Neil Martin. Clough made fewer TV appearances whilst Forest manager, and toned down the outspoken comments he had made earlier at Derby. After finishing 8th in the old Second Division, in his first full season in charge alone, in July 1976 Clough was joined by his old assistant Peter Taylor from Brighton, who had just missed out on promotion from the old Third division. Together, Clough and Taylor transformed the club’s fortunes rapidly: the first success at the club came in Clough’s second full season (1976–77) when they won promotion to Division One, finishing third. In the summer of 1977 Clough was interviewed for the England manager’s job recently vacated by Revie, but it instead went to Ron Greenwood.

In the 1978–79 season, Clough signed the 24-year-old Birmingham City striker Trevor Francis, Britain’s first £1 million footballer. Forest missed out on the league title, finishing as runners-up to Liverpool, but made amends by retaining the League Cup with a 3–2 victory over Southampton and reaching the European Cup final (knocking out defending champions Liverpool en route), which they won 1–0 against Malmö FF, with Francis scoring the winner. A year later, Clough guided Forest to a second successive European Cup success, this time beating Hamburger SV 1–0, and a third successive League Cup final, though they were defeated

by Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0.

Despite retaining the European Cup, Clough regarded his greatest achievement to be the record breaking unbeaten run his team set between 26 November 1977 and 9 December 1978, the team went undefeated for 42 league games – the equivalent of a whole season, beating the previous record of 35 games held by Burnley.

The record stood until August 2004, a month before Clough’s death, when it was surpassed by Arsenal, who went on to play 49 league games without defeat.

In their first season after promotion Forest won the League Cup, beating Liverpool 1–0 in a replay at Old Trafford, and were crowned champions of Division One, finishing seven points clear of nearest challengers Liverpool. This made Clough the first manager since Herbert Chapman to win the English league championship with two different clubs. (Tom Watson and Kenny Dalglish are the others to achieve the feat).

In 1991 Forest reached their first FA Cup final under Clough against Tottenham Hotspur. With typical idiosyncrasy, Clough selected two players – Lee Glover and Ian Woan – with only a handful of league games behind them and left England international Steve Hodge on the substitutes’ bench, preferring the young Roy Keane in the starting line up. After 90 minutes with the score at 1–1, Clough did not go on to the pitch to encourage or advise his players

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

PAGE 38 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

before extra time, but remained on the bench. Tottenham won 2–1 with an own goal by Des Walker in extra time. Keane later admitted in his autobiography that he was injured and shouldn’t have taken part in the game. The FA Cup was to be the only major domestic trophy which eluded Clough. In 1992, Forest reached another League Cup final, but lost 1–0 to Manchester United.

The 1992–93 season was Clough’s 18th with Forest – and his last. They were one of the 22 clubs in the inaugural Premier League, but the sale of key players like Teddy Sheringham and Des Walker, and Clough’s increasing battle with alcoholism, saw the club’s fortunes take a sharp decline and they were bottom virtually all season. Just before a 2–0 defeat against Sheffield United confirmed the club’s relegation after 16 years in the top flight, Clough announced his retirement as manager.

Clough’s time at Forest saw him at odds with Justin Fashanu whose goals and then confidence dried up as he failed to fit in with the playing and lifestyle demands of Clough.

When Clough discovered Fashanu’s homosexuality he barred Fashanu from training with the side. Clough recounts a dressing down he gave Fashanu after hearing rumours that he was going to gay bars. “’Where do you go if you want a loaf of bread?’

I asked him. ‘A baker’s, I suppose.’

‘Where do you go if you want a leg of lamb?’ ‘A butcher’s.’ ‘So why do you keep going to that bloody poofs’ club?” It was in this book that he admitted his one regret was leaving Derby County.’

“HE’S LEARNED MORE ABOUT FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT THAN HE EVER IMAGINED. SOME PEOPLE THINK YOU CAN TAKE FOOTBALL BOOTS OFF AND PUT A SUIT ON. YOU CAN’T DO THAT.”

INTRODUCING

JOSH BICKERSTAFF Josh is a young defender, but has plenty of experience at Premier Division level Josh Is a defender / left back who started his senior career with Stotfold, but quickly moved on to play for Hitchin Town in the Southern League Premier Division.

Only 22 years of age, Josh has matured into a very good full back and made 68 appearances for the Canaries over the last two seasons.

A very quick player who is comfortable in defending or as a more attacking full back, Josh has been probably the most consistent full back over the last two seasons in the Premier Division of the Southern League. A great capture for the Saints, and many supporters will remember his performances against us last season.

PAGE 40 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 41

BEN FORD

MD’S VIEWS

HAPPY DAYS & LESSONS LEARNT At this moment in time I am doing my PTLLS level paper. This is a twelve week course which I should have started 10 weeks ago (Bugger) As I write my programme notes on a Wednesday evening I have thus so far finished 2 out of 10 assignments (Bugger) and I haven’t even considered what I may do for my micro-teaching session (Not good). The words I feel are not printable in so far as they are rather large swear words. (kfllchuh) I am also under delusion that I will get this 12 week course started and finished in 14 days. (no chance) The reason for a rethink on what has so far been a career in sports and retail directorship and consultancy is that we are now moving to the next stage in what is a blue print for sustainable financial stability. (Right) This morning at 10am (Wednesday when I should have been doing my next assessment) I together with Iain Parr, Matty Spring and Gary King had a very productive meeting with Stevenage Borough FC. The aim of the meeting was to put the wheels in motion (Iain has been working on this for around 3 months with the guys at Stevenage) an agreement that will

allow us to work as equal partners on the recruitment and development of talented footballers. We have already had a recruitment day for next September’s cohorts of young footballers and to say that we are excited is an understatement.

There has to be benefits for both parties unlike previous arrangements and I believe that we have this understanding with the guys at Stevenage. What it means for us on a recruitment front is that we become their preferred exit route for talented lads that just fall short. These lads will become part of our scholarship programme and as far as the first team is concerned we will get first refusal on loanies and not just those that are on the cusp. It’s our call and I hope that Gary, Matty and Liam get as much from this relationship as we on the business and development side anticipate getting. They (Stevenage) are honest and open and that’s something I believe we can both work with and benefit from. For Stevenage there are benefits with regards to loanies getting the right kind of structure in the right kind of

PAGE 44 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

environment with the right kind of club, and as far as recruitment is concerned they have a little gem up the A1 doing things in the right way!

How refreshing that we also have in place a sell on clause with Stevenage so it’s within our interests to carry on doing what we are doing and to work even harder to get these lads up to the dizzy heights of league football.

We are just as potentially important to them as they are potentially important to us!

Happy days and lessons learnt from our last little foray.

I’d like to say a big thank you Parry who has put his heart and soul (and his wife’s but she doesn’t know it yet) into the football club. It’s easy to say no thanks I’ll just carry on as I am, that’s the easy option. The difficult option is to say OK what can I do that will grow and make my home club something almost unique in non-league football.

Onto today’s game, welcome all and let’s get a result LEE

STEWS VIEWS

“A FOOTBALL NIGHTMARE”

by Ashley Wilkinson (Derby County fan) Digging this story out from Ashley’s blog, I’d thought I’d share his thoughts on what was a truly disappointing season for him, as a follower of Derby County, Burton Albion and Alfreton.

Let this story serve as a reminder to anyone who still believes in the myth of the “beautiful game”. There are mostly no happy endings, only disappointments. Disappointment that makes you question exactly why you follow football to such enthusiastic lengths when at the end of that nine-month road of optimism lies nothing but disenchantment, frustration and regret.

Football is a parasite that feeds on hope and leaves you nursing the worst pain you’ve ever felt…only when it’s finished working its way through everything good you’ve ever known. Sound extreme? I once believed in football. That was before March turned to April in 2014.

a top-six finish became a rush for the automatics. There was a belief around the iPro not felt in over a decade.

Derby County had convinced me of their promotion credentials long before that. A hard-fought 1-0 win over big-spending Queens Park Rangers at the iPro Stadium in early February emphasised the progress the side had made under Steve McClaren. The free-scoring Rams had proved themselves capable of grinding out those tough one-goal victories all promotion-chasing sides need and suddenly, hope of

Just down the A38 things were going similarly well. Burton Albion had not been out of the playoff spots in 2014 and I was privileged enough to commentate on several games during the Brewers’ run-in for BBC Radio Derby, a genuine dream come true and the absolute personal highlight of this season.

The one game that stuck out was at the Kassam Stadium, where Burton

“This is it”, I thought to myself as the final whistle blew at the iPro. “Derby will get promoted to the Premier League this season. I can feel it!”

PAGE 46 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

beat Oxford United 2-1 on March 8th. The Brewers put the hosts under pressure early, scoring two excellent goals on the counter through Dominic Knowles and Zeli Ismail.

Despite Ryan Williams grabbing one back for the Us in the second half, the Brewers never looked like losing. They had the distinct air of a team playing with confidence under a forward-thinking manager, determined to put the playoff disappointment of the previous season behind them.

“This is it,” I thought to myself as the final whistle blew at the Kassam.

“Burton will get promoted to League One this season. I can feel it!”

When I wasn’t commentating on

DERBY COUNTY MISS OUT ON PROMOTION TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Burton games I would be following Derbyshire’s top non-league side Alfreton Town across the country, covering games for the BBC and relishing every moment. Despite reverting to part-time status before the season began, Nicky Law’s reassembled squad lay third in the Conference Premier table despite having a budget well within the bottom five of the division.

Relegation-threatened Tamworth were the visitors to the Impact Arena on March 18th and despite taking the lead twice, they proved no match for the character and creativity of Law’s mighty Reds. Goals from Shaun Harrad, Tom Shaw, John Akinde and Paul Clayton gave Alfreton a deserved 4-2 win and took them to within two points of secondplaced Cambridge. The Reds had a six-point cushion inside the playoff spots. “Little old Alfreton” were on the verge of the Football League for the first time.

“This is it,” I thought to myself as the final whistle blew at the Impact.

“Alfreton will get promoted to League Two this season. I can feel it!”

before. That parasite had worked its way into my thinking.

This was exhilarating. The entire region believed that the Rams, Brewers & Reds were set for a fruitful end to the 2013/14 season…a feeling that extended to Merseyside.

I’ve had a soft-spot for the red side of Stanley Park ever since I watched the 2006 FA Cup Final with a good friend and, with my other half an ardent Scouser, the tie has only strengthened since.

But football was ready to knock me down quicker than George Groves and with half the grace.

Under Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool were starting to believe. “We’re gonna win the league” the fans chanted on March 30th. In Rodgers they trust. Liverpool duly went top of the Premiership with a 4-0 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur. They would go on to defeat Manchester City a few short weeks later. “Now you’re gonna believe us” was the cry.

Alfreton were the first to falter. The squad was tiring. Injuries were piling up. There’s only so much a manager and his squad can do with a modicum of the budget of their playoff rivals. A fatal 2-1 defeat away at Woking put paid to the Reds’ hopes of becoming the smallest ever club to compete in the Football League. In their final eight games, Alfreton took just three points and finished 11th (still their highest ever league position).“But it’s ok,” I kept thinking to myself. “England start their World Cup campaign in just under a fortnight and they’ll win the whole damn thing. I can feel it.

“This is it,” I thought to myself as the final whistle blew at Anfield.

“Liverpool will win the Premier League for the first time. I can feel it!”

Sums up the feelings of disappointment extremely well, but also shows that “Hope Springs Eternal” and it’s this that keeps us coming back for more!

Football had built me up. I hadn’t felt so in love with the beautiful game

Yours Aye Craig

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 47

Scorelines..

Action from last Saturday’s League Matches Premier Division With leaders Poole Town’s home game with Burnham falling victim to the weather, second in the table Corby Town went behind on the stroke of half time but replied three minutes after the restart to secure a 1-1 home draw with Chesham United but third placed St Neots Town, a goal down at the interval, lost ground on the top two when visiting Truro City made it 2-0 in the final minute while Redditch United scored twice in each half to complete a comfortable 4-0 win at Frome Town and Weymouth, ahead at the break, scored twice in the second half to secure a 3-0 success at Hitchin Town. Cirencester Town took a first half lead and scored twice after the break to win 3-0 at Dunstable Town but Hungerford Town found themselves two goals down after just over half an hour and went down 2-1 at Cambridge City, who brought to an end a ten game run without a win, while Slough Town, two goals behind at the interval, scored four times in the final thirty minutes to win 4-2 at home against Paulton Rovers, who had had a player sent off in the first half, and Chippenham Town scored just before the mid-way point of the second half to defeat visiting Histon 1-0. Biggleswade Town scored eleven minutes before the break to secure a 1-0 victory at Dorchester Town and Hereford

United scored three times in seven first half minutes to set up a 4-1 home win over Arlesey Town while Bideford went behind on the half hour but scored twice in three minutes mid-way through the second half only for bottom of the table Banbury United to snatch an away point from a 2-2 draw with an equaliser eight minutes from time.

Division One Central Leaders Kettering Town scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-1 home win over Godalming Town and second placed Hanwell Town, ahead from an own goal but level at half time, scored in the third minute of time added on to win 2-1 at home against Bedford Town while third in the table Aylesbury, getting the better of three goals in seven first half minutes, completed a 3-1 victory at Rugby Town whereas Royston Town, three up at half time, completed a resounding 5-1 success at North Greenford United. Bedworth United scored with sixteen minutes remaining to win 1-0 at home against bottom of the table AFC Hayes and Egham Town, two up at the interval, completed a 3-0 home win over Daventry Town but Potters Bar Town, one down at the interval, conceded a goal in time added on to lose 2-1 at Marlow whereas Chalfont St Peter scored twice in each half to help them to a 4-3 victory at Uxbridge.

PAGE 48 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

Red Insure Cup 2nd Round On Tuesday Division One South & West Sholing, a goal ahead in the opening twenty minutes, made sure of a place in the Third Round when they scored four minutes from time to win 2-0 at Premier Division Weymouth and Central Division Rugby Town, who recovered from going behind to lead at the interval, also claimed a Premier Division scalp when a goal with five minutes remaining secured a 3-2 home win over Redditch United.In an all Central Division clash, Royston Town took a first minute lead and scored twice more in the opening ten minutes of the second half to set up a 3-1 victory at St Ives Town and South & West leaders Stratford Town scored a goal in each half to defeat visiting Central Division Daventry Town while Yate Town, who scored twice in the opening seventeen minute but conceded two in four minutes just before the break, went ahead just two minutes into the second half only to be held 3-3 at home when Swindon Supermarine equalised with just two minutes remaining and went on to go through 7-6 from the penalty spot. AFC Totton’s tie at home to Poole Town on Tuesday and Wednesday’s match between North Leigh and Aylesbury were postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

There’s never a dull moment supporting your favourite team, the beautiful game has been kicking around for years but will always throw up some lunacy!

Kung-Fu Eric

Handbags at dawn

In the wake of the recent Sol Campbell police enquiry, chanting at players has been under scrutiny this season.

Debates have raged about whether players should be expected to tolerate vile personal abuse simply because the culprits have “paid their money”. One of the first, and certainly the most high-profile, to take a stand against abuse from the terraces was the King himself.

Eric Cantona of Manchester Utd. When playing for United in a league match with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in January 1995, Cantona crossed a line even he would have been surprised at.

Francis Lee & Norman Hunter were room-mates at the 1970 World Cup, two seasoned professionals with just about every major honour to their names. But on 1 November 1975, in a game between Lee’s Derby County & Hunter’s Leeds United, the two stamped their names into the history books in indelible ink for all the wrong reasons.

The game was locked goalless when the Frenchman, frustrated at constant provocation from Palace defenders, kicked out at Richard Shaw. The referee, Alan Wilkie, and his linesman, had seen the incident, and had no option but to show Cantona the red card. As he was led from the field by United backroom staff and team-mates, Cantona took exception to the abuse being levelled at him by one fan in particular. That fan was Matthew Simmons. Simmons claimed he had bounded down twenty rows of seats simply to shout “It’s an early bath for you Cantona”, whilst Eric claimed that he had been subjected to racial abuse. Either way, something inside Cantona snapped, and he wrestled free of kitman Norman Davies to launch himself over the advertising hoardings with an incredible two-footed, kung-fu-style kick to the chest of Simmons, before aiming a punch at the startled fan, who held his arms wide in a protestation of innocence. As BBC commentator Clive Tyldesley put it “ah, this is outrageous” Cantona was escorted from the field, and would be banned from football for eight months, as well as serving 120 hours’ community service. Simmons had his season ticket confiscated by Palace, and one of football’s craziest ever scenes was set.

First, a bit of background. Francis Lee had throughout his career earned a reputation as a bit of….how can I put this…..diver. So much so in fact that some football writers had dubbed him “Lee Won Pen”, for his fondness of hitting the deck in the penalty area. Norman Hunter on the other hand was a different breed; “Bite Yer Legs” rarely went to ground, unless it was to….er…bite yer legs.

So when Lee drew a soft penalty out of a nothing Hunter challenge in this game, Big Norm was busting for revenge. And he took it in the most cynical of fashions, a sharp punch whilst Lee’s, and the referee’s, back was turned left the Derby striker with a split lip and some seriously damaged pride. Players from both sides- the likes of Kevin Hector, Billy Bremner & Peter Lorimerwaded in, and the referee was left with no option but to send the pair off. Drama over.

Not quite. As the pair left the field side-by-side, Lee lost his patience with Hunter’s goading, swinging wildly and repeatedly from the ankle with such venom that he floored the much taller Leeds man. In the end it took Derby boss Dave Mackay to intervene and lead his man from the field, with John Motson bemoaning that “a side to football we really do not want to see has unfortunately reared its ugly head”. Not so sure about that John.

Personally, I love watching it.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 49

SPRINGY TRIES HIS LUCK FROM A FREE-KICK

ES!

COMMENTATORS FOOTBALL GAFF

You can always rely on the good old football commentator to come out with a classic during the big match! Here are a few howlers!

ALEX McLEISH “I look forward to hearing from the silent majority”

“Whoever you support, you’ve got that blood in your veins” PHIL NEAL

ARSENE WENGER “I haven’t seen it, but it looks generous”

MARK NOBLE

CLAYTON BLACKMORE

“Not to win is guttering”

ALAN BRAZIL

DANNY KELLY

“It’s never over until somebody sings”

“Paolo Di Canio is one picnic short of a hamper”

“One win doesn’t make a swallow”

RAY WILKINS

PAUL MERSON

“That’s exactly how you head a ball... you use your head”

“Reading won’t have the confidence to be confident”

CLARK CARLISLE

STEVE CLARIDGE “They can push the bat a little bit more than others at that level”

ANDY TOWNSEND “In the end, Rosicky initially did well”

ROY KEANE “He’s been like a fresh of breath air”

STAN COLLYMORE “Alex Ferguson is speaking about Liverpool in an intimate way”

JOHN SCALES “That’s put a strain on his lefthand knee”

“It’s an unprecedented precedent”

ANDY GRAY

TONY CASCARINO

“Darren Fletcher is the type of player who would walk over hot coals to play for his country, and he has done”

“He’s a good footballer, as in technical-wise”

PHIL BROWN

JASON McATEER

“If you closed your eyes, you couldn’t tell the difference between the two sides”

“Jordan Henderson is a player who likes to do his business in the middle of the park”

PAGE 52 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

Image credit: TalkFootball

21-Mar

04-Apr

3 -- 0

06-Apr

07-Oct

1 -- 1

21-Mar

3 -- 0

28-Mar

3 -- 2

03-Jan

Bideford

Biggleswade Town

Burnham

Cambridge City

Chesham United

Chippenham Town

Cirencester Town

Corby Town

Dorchester Town

6 -- 2

25-Apr

4 -- 2

18-Apr

5 -- 1

06-Dec

2 -- 3

13-Dec

2 -- 0

4 -- 1

07-Mar

Hereford United

Histon

31-Jan

4 -- 1

06-Dec

3 -- 1

20-Dec

14-Feb

07-Feb

18-Apr

15-Nov

Paulton Rovers

Poole Town

Redditch United

Slough Town

St Neots Town

Truro City

Weymouth

06-Dec

2 -- 1

06-Apr

03-Jan

22-Nov

4 -- 0

26-Dec

29-Nov

Hitchin Town

Hungerford Town

1 -- 0

4 -- 2

Frome Town

2 -- 3

5 -- 1

17-Jan

Dunstable Town

17-Jan

tba

26-Dec

28-Mar

4 -- 1

7 -- 2

21-Mar

06-Apr

28-Feb

3 -- 2

15-Nov

14-Feb

24-Jan

03-Jan

3 -- 3

14-Mar 29-Nov

26-Dec

3 -- 0

25-Apr

07-Feb

08-Nov

2 -- 2

10-Jan

28-Feb

Arlesey Town

0 -- 2

Banbury United

Arlesey Town

Bideford

Banbury United

01-Jan

Biggleswade Town

20-Dec

07-Mar

17-Jan

1 -- 1

18-Apr

1 -- 0

14-Feb

28-Mar

14-Mar

3 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

0 -- 1

tba

29-Nov

03-Jan

07-Feb

1 -- 1

24-Jan

11-Apr

18-Nov

21-Feb

Burnham

28-Mar

31-Jan

3 -- 1

03-Jan

06-Dec

08-Nov

3 -- 0

26-Dec

18-Apr

18-Nov

2 -- 5

1 -- 2

4 -- 2

1 -- 0

07-Mar

25-Apr

14-Mar

06-Apr

17-Jan

1 -- 0

07-Feb

29-Nov

Cambridge City 10-Jan

1 -- 0

18-Nov

07-Mar

2 -- 4

28-Mar

15-Nov

2 -- 0

06-Apr

26-Dec

2-0

2 -- 1

25-Apr

29-Nov

24-Jan

14-Feb

11-Apr

4 -- 4

1 -- 2

21-Feb

13-Dec

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

Chesham United tba

0 -- 3

2 -- 3

0 -- 3

2 -- 2

13-Dec

07-Mar

11-Apr

24-Jan

21-Feb

14-Mar

14-Feb

04-Apr

0 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

22-Nov

1 -- 0

01-Jan

tba

17-Jan

20-Dec

18-Nov

0 -- 0

Chippenham Town 24-Jan

18-Nov

18-Apr

tba

2 -- 1

29-Nov

26-Dec

10-Jan

tba

1 -- 3

07-Feb

06-Apr

5 -- 1

0 -- 1

14-Feb

1 -- 1

28-Mar

06-Dec

15-Nov

0 -- 2

20-Dec

07-Mar

Cirencester Town 21-Feb

1 -- 4

07-Mar

18-Nov

tba

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

13-Dec

0 -- 0

11-Apr

01-Jan

14-Mar

0 -- 3

07-Feb

2 -- 1

17-Jan

31-Jan

1 -- 3

20-Dec

04-Apr

0 -- 2

0 -- 5

22-Nov

1 -- 2

Corby Town 18-Apr

10-Jan

26-Dec

07-Feb

1 -- 2

18-Apr

tba

1 -- 2

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

31-Jan

29-Nov

20-Dec

2 -- 0

26-Dec

1 -- 2

21-Feb

24-Jan

Dunstable Town

01-Jan

18-Apr

31-Jan

2 -- 0

24-Jan

06-Dec

20-Dec

07-Mar

28-Mar

06-Apr

06-Dec

10-Jan

15-Nov

2 -- 2

0 -- 0

07-Mar 17-Nov

1 -- 0

4 -- 0

19-Nov

14-Feb

28-Mar

6 -- 1

28-Oct

10-Jan

04-Apr

1 -- 5

4 -- 1

21-Feb

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

Dorchester Town

21-Mar 15-Nov

25-Apr

31-Jan

3 -- 0

03-Jan

06-Apr

1 -- 2

06-Dec

1 -- 2

22-Nov

0 -- 0

0 -- 2

0 -- 1

2 -- 2

0 -- 3

28-Feb

04-Apr

15-Nov

2 -- 2

Frome Town 4 -- 2

tba

20-Dec

18-Apr

2 -- 0

7 -- 0

21-Feb

1 -- 1

29-Nov

1 -- 2

28-Mar

28-Feb

21-Mar

11-Apr

15-Nov

01-Jan

3 -- 0

31-Jan

3 -- 1

1 -- 2

4 -- 0

10-Jan

Hereford United 04-Apr

06-Dec

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

26-Dec

0 -- 0

1 -- 2

21-Mar

25-Apr

0 -- 0

22-Nov

13-Dec

3 -- 0

21-Feb

06-Apr

2 -- 1

15-Nov

28-Feb

10-Jan

31-Jan

3 -- 3

1 -- 5

1 -- 1

2 -- 1

Histon 31-Jan

20-Dec

4 -- 0

1 -- 1

22-Nov

2 -- 0

04-Apr

1 -- 0

07-Feb

17-Jan

03-Jan

1 -- 3

28-Feb

01-Jan

06-Dec

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

6 -- 0

21-Mar

1 -- 1

14-Mar

18-Apr

Hitchin Town 2 -- 2

3 -- 0

21-Feb

22-Nov

31-Jan

11-Apr

3 -- 0

2 -- 1

tba

20-Dec

04-Apr

21-Mar

2 -- 1

2 -- 0

10-Jan

28-Feb

0 -- 1

01-Jan

13-Dec

15-Nov

2 -- 1

0 -- 3

0 -- 2

Hungerford Town 3 -- 1

2 -- 1

14-Mar

01-Jan

03-Nov

1 -- 0

20-Dec

14-Feb

2 -- 1

0 -- 2

07-Mar

07-Feb

1 -- 0

17-Jan

18-Apr

0 -- 1

06-Dec

2 -- 1

2 -- 2

22-Nov

1 -- 0

24-Jan

04-Apr

11-Apr

Paulton Rovers 1 -- 3

10-Jan

18-Nov

0 -- 1

31-Jan

Poole Town

18-Nov

2 -- 0

1 -- 1

4 -- 2

07-Feb

1 -- 0

25-Apr

1 -- 0

29-Nov

24-Jan

tba

17-Jan

13-Dec

4 -- 1

03-Jan

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

tba

21-Feb

3 -- 2

24-Jan

0 -- 1

4 -- 5

0 -- 0

06-Dec

14-Feb

07-Mar

26-Dec

14-Mar

06-Apr

20-Dec

tba

04-Apr

18-Apr

14-Mar 22-Nov

28-Feb

1 -- 0

01-Jan

28-Mar

Redditch United 14-Feb

29-Nov

0 -- 3

1 -- 7

17-Jan

1 -- 0

21-Feb

4 -- 0

28-Mar

1 -- 2

0 -- 4

2 -- 1

14-Mar

19-Nov

24-Jan

1 -- 2

0 -- 1

03-Jan

11-Apr

13-Dec

07-Mar

01-Jan

25-Apr

Slough Town 3 -- 2

1 -- 2

29-Nov

28-Feb

2 -- 1

2 -- 2

06-Apr

28-Mar

10-Jan

2 -- 2

13-Dec

11-Apr

25-Apr

1 -- 2

21-Mar

21-Feb

26-Dec

3 -- 3

0 -- 2

3 -- 3

31-Jan

tba

1 -- 0

St Neots Town 25-Oct

2 -- 3

04-Apr

2 -- 0

28-Feb

10-Jan

15-Nov

3 -- 4

24-Jan

0 -- 2

25-Apr

01-Jan

11-Apr

1 -- 3

1 -- 1

13-Dec

3 -- 3

21-Mar

14-Feb

2 -- 2

22-Nov

1 -- 1

1 -- 3

Truro City 01-Jan

0 -- 2

14-Mar

04-Apr

3 -- 0

1 -- 2

2 -- 0

17-Jan

25-Apr

11-Apr

07-Feb

22-Nov

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

28-Feb

21-Mar

03-Jan

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

3 -- 2

1 -- 3

14-Feb

13-Dec

06-Apr

2 -- 0

17-Jan

1 -- 1

07-Feb

21-Mar

03-Jan

0 -- 3

3 -- 0

29-Nov

tba

1 -- 3

26-Dec

13-Dec

0 -- 3

2 -- 3

28-Feb

0 -- 1

22-Nov

25-Apr

tba

11-Apr

14-Mar

Weymouth

HERE at The Non-League Paper, we support the Football Association’s Respect campaign by publishing our NLP Fair Play table in the paper and on our website each week.

The table lists all Step 1-4 clubs in order of their disciplinary record with the winner picking up the Fair Play prize at our end of season National Game Awards. Most managers will tell you discipline is near the top of their priorities, but Tommy Lawson, manager of last year’s winners Skelmersdale United, maybe said it best when he told me: “It depends what mood the referee is in!”

One of football’s oldest clichés suggests these things even themselves out over the season, so a load of yellow and red cards can’t just be blamed on trigger happy officials – especially when we focus more on avoidable punishments such as dissent cautions as well as dismissals for abusive language and violent conduct. Another cliché claims it’s often harder to play against ten men. But by looking at the stats, does keeping your full complement on the pitch necessarily mean more success?

At the time of writing, the three teams currently at the top of our Fair Play table, and thus the best behaved clubs in Non-League, are Burgess Hill Town, Leek Town and Shortwood United. Interestingly all three are Step 4 clubs and the Ryman, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues are represented – there’s no geographical bias here!

Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that all three clubs have started the season very well. Burgess Hill are still unbeaten in the Ryman South and have only been knocked off the top spot due to their run to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

Shortwood United, who themselves enjoyed a decent FA Cup run to the third qualifying round after reaching the competition proper last term, sit seventh in the Southern League South & West and could well be higher if they had turned a couple of their five draws into victories.

Last but not least, Leek have won eight of their 12 league games so far in the NPL Division One South and will climb into the play-off spots when they have caught up with their outstanding games. Just below that trio you have AFC Fylde and Spennymoor Town – again clubs that have started the season positively both in terms of discipline and results.

So, how about the other end of the spectrum? Are the sinners struggling in the league tables? Fortunately I didn’t have to look far with three of the four worst behaved sides all plying their trade in the Ryman North!

Heybridge Swifts and Redbridge, with the former picking up ten dissent cautions already this season,

PAGE 54 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

are in 17th and 21st respectively.

Mark Stimson’s Thurrock somewhat buck the trend and currently sit in third, but they certainly do seem the exception rather than the rule.

Other clubs at the wrong end of our table are Wantage Town, who sit 20th in the Southern League South & West, and Paulton Rovers reside 19th in the Southern Premier.

AFC Hayes are rock bottom of the Southern Central with just two wins all season – less than half of the amount of dissent cautions they have already picked up – and VCD Athletic are struggling, sitting third bottom in the Ryman Premier.

Although a small sample size, it does seem from first impressions that good behaviour on the pitch does indeed correlate with positive results.

And with all of our badly behaved clubs from the Ryman and Southern Leagues, maybe the infamous “dirty northern b*******” chant will be gone from our terraces for good!

Steven Coney Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper @SamElliott_NLP @Stuhammonds_NLP @MattBadcock_NLP

Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in BOLD CAPS denotes goal scorer.

Date

ATT

COMP

R

Pos

2

3

4

Sat 09 Aug

Opposition Hereford United

568

SLP

2-0

7

Abbey

Spence

Lee

Ford

F

Tue 12 Aug

Chesham United

331

SLP

3-3

5

Abbey

Spence

LEE

Spring

F

Sat 16 Aug

WEYMOUTH

312

SLP

2-0

2

Abbey

Powell

LEE

Bickerstaff

F

Tue 19 Aug

REDDITCH UNITED

310

SLP

0-3

9

Abbey

Powell

Lee

Bickerstaff

Sat 23 Aug

Truro City

503

SLP

3-2

8

Abbey

Spence

LEE

Bickerstaff

Mon 25 Aug

Corby Town

518

SLP

3-1

6

Abbey

Spence

Lee

Bickerstaff

Sat 30 Aug

PAULTON ROVERS

298

SLP

1-1

7

Abbey

Spence

Lee

Bickerstaff

Sat 06 Sep

Biggleswade Town

301

SLP

2-2

6

Abbey

Spence

Wilson

Bickerstaff

Tue 09 Sep

HISTON

401

SLP

4-0

4

Abbey

Spence

Lee

Farrell

Sat 13 Sep

DEREHAM TOWN

312

FAC

1-1

-

Abbey

Spence

Lee

Spring

Sat 20 Sep

Banbury United

281

SLP

1-1

5

Greygoose

Spence

Lee

Farrell

Tue 30 Sep

Arlesey Town

217

SLP

3-1

2

Greygoose

Spence

Bickerstaff

Hilliard

Sat 04 Oct

BURNHAM

282

SLP

3-1

3

Greygoose

York

Lee

Wilson

Mon 06 Oct

Hitchin Town

291

SLP

4-3

2

Greygoose

York

Lee

Wilson

Sat 11 Oct

POOLE TOWN

619

SLP

3-2

2

Bastock

York

Bickerstaff

Wilson

Sat 18 Oct

Cirencester Town

141

SLP

1-1

2

Bastock

York

Bickerstaff

Thorne

Tue 21 Oct

CHESHAM UNITED

233

SLP

2-3

2

Bastock

YORK

Bickerstaff

Thorne

Sat 25 Oct

HEREFORD UNITED

329

SLP

1-0

2

Bastock

York

Bickerstaff

Wilson

Mon 27 Oct

Redditch United

141

SLP

0-2

3

Bastock

York

Lee

Cracknell

Sat 01 Nov

ILKESTON TOWN

330

FAT

2-1

-

Bastock

York

Bickerstaff

Ford

Sat 08 Nov

TRURO CITY

299

SLP

0-2

3

Bastock

York

Bickerstaff

Ford

Sat 15 Nov

DARLINGTON 1883

FAT

Tue 18 Nov

CAMBRIDGE CITY

SLP

Sat 22 Nov

Bideford

SLP

Sat 29 Nov

SLOUGH TOWN

SLP

Sat 06 Dec

DORCHESTER TOWN

SLP

Sat 13 Dec

Chippenham Town

SLP

Sat 20 Dec

FROME TOWN

SLP

Fri 26 Dec

CORBY TOWN

SLP

Thu 01 Jan

Dunstable Town

SLP

Sat 03 Jan

HEREFORD UNITED

SLP

Sat 10 Jan

Paulton Rovers

SLP

Sat 17 Jan

BIGGLESWADE TOWN

SLP

Sat 24 Jan

Histon

SLP

Sat 31 Jan

BANBURY UNITED

SLP

Sat 07 Feb

ARLESEY TOWN

SLP

Sat 14 Feb

Burnham

SLP

Sat 21 Feb

HITCHIN TOWN

SLP

Sat 28 Feb

Poole Town

SLP

Sat 07 Mar

CIRENCESTER TOWN

SLP

Sat 14 Mar

HUNGERFORD TOWN

SLP

Sat 21 Mar

Cambridge City

SLP

Sat 28 Mar

BIDEFORD

SLP

Sat 04 Apr

Slough Town

SLP

Mon 06 Apr

DUNSTABLE TOWN

SLP

Sat 11 Apr

Dorchester Town

SLP

Sat 18 Apr

CHIPPENHAM TOWN

SLP

Sat 25 Apr

Frome Town

SLP

PAGE 56 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

F

T

B

Player name in these colours denotes substitute

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

14

Frater (R)

Hoyte

Spring

Davies

Dillon

Hilliard

Powell

NOLAN

FRATER (N)

15

Frater (R)

Hoyte

DAVIES

Ford

Nolan

Hilliard

Powell

FRATER (N)

Frater (R)

Hoyte

DAVIES

Spring

Nolan

Ford

Frater (N)

Spence

Hilliard

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Nolan

Frater (N)

Ford

Roberts

Ferrari

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

FRATER (N) 2

Ford

Powell

Roberts

Ferrari

Farrell

Frater

Hoyte

Ford

Spring

Frater (N)

ROBERTS 2

Farrell

FERRARI

Davies

Powell

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

ROBERTS

Farrell

Ford

Ferrari

Wilson

Powell

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

FRATER N

ROBERTS

Powell

Deeney

Nolan

Farrell

FRATER

Hoyte

DAVIES

Powell

Nolan

ROBERTS 2

Hilliard

Wilson

Ferrari

Bickerstaff

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Wilson

NOLAN

Roberts

Hilliard

Ferrari

Farrell

Powell

Frater

Hoyte

DAVIES

Wilson

Nolan

Roberts

Hilliard

Ferrari

Ford

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

THORNE

FRATER N

ROBERTS

Wilson

Ferrari

Spring

Nolan

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Frater N

ROBERTS 3

Hilliard

Thorne

Nolan

Peacock

THORNE

Hoyte

Farrell

Spring

FRATER N

ROBERTS

Hilliard

Ford

NOLAN

Ferrari

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Frater N

ROBERTS 2

HILLIARD

Ford

Nolan

Thorne

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Nolan

Roberts

HILLIARD

Ferrari

Ford

Frater

Hoyte

DAVIES

Spring

Nolan

Roberts

Hilliard

Cracknell

Ford

Frater

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Nolan

ROBERTS

Hilliard

Frater N

Cracknell

Lee

Bickerstaff

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Frater N

Roberts

Ford

Farrell

Hilliard

Ferrari

Deeney

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

FRATER N

Roberts

HILLIARD

Ferrari

Deeney

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Frater N

Roberts

Hilliard

Ferrari

Ferrari

Dillon

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 57

SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 13.11.14

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

+/-

Pts

01

Poole Town

16

13

2

1

34

11

+23

41

02

Corby Town

18

11

4

3

31

20

+11

37

03

St Neots Town

19

10

5

4

38

28

+10

35

04

Redditch United

18

10

3

5

38

21

+17

33

05

Weymouth

14

10

2

2

30

17

+13

32

06

Truro City

20

10

2

8

32

30

+2

32

07

Cirencester Town

18

7

7

4

37

19

+18

28

08

Hungerford Town

19

8

4

7

24

16

+8

28

09

Dunstable Town

18

8

4

6

33

29

+4

28

10

Slough Town

18

7

6

5

34

34

0

27

11

Hereford United

21

7

5

9

31

31

0

26

12

Chesham United

17

6

7

4

32

23

+9

25

13

Chippenham Town

16

7

3

6

22

19

+3

24

14

Cambridge City

19

6

6

7

31

29

+2

24

15

Hitchin Town

17

7

2

8

24

25

-1

23

16

Biggleswade Town

17

6

5

6

22

23

-1

23

17

Histon

18

5

3

10

19

29

-10

18

18

Bideford

18

5

3

10

34

49

-15

18

19

Paulton Rovers

18

4

5

9

26

31

-5

17

20

Burnham

17

5

2

10

27

36

-9

17

21

Dorchester Town

18

5

2

11

20

31

-11

17

22

Arlesey Town

18

4

4

10

17

35

-18

16

23

Frome Town

16

4

2

10

19

41

-22

14

24

Banbury United

18

3

2

13

17

45

-28

11

PAGE 58 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DARLINGTON 1883 ISSUE 12

Showcasing an incredible limited edition collection

by Katie Jade Dobson - available to buy online.

www.ilovemywalls.co.uk

Manager: Gary King Assistant Managers: Liam George & Matt Spring

Manager: Martin Gray Assistant Manager: Brian Atkinson

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers

Paul Bastock

Mark Bell

Jamie Greygoose

Peter Jameson

Defenders

Defenders

Josh Bickerstaff

Alan White

Ryan Frater

Chris Hunter

Gavin Hoyte (C)

Leon Scott

Jordan Ivey-Ward

Jordon Robinson

Tom Ward

Gary Brown

Max York

Midfielders

Midfielders

Terry Galbraith

Dean Cracknell

Liam Hatch

Jay Davies

Graham Armstrong

Matt Spring

Thomas Portas

Ben Farrell

Ian Watson

Lorenzo Ferrari

Adam Cocks

Ben Ford

Matthew Lovegreen

Lewis Hilliard

Forwards

Edd Adjei

Stephen Thompson

Forwards

David Dowson

Bruce Wilson

Amar Purewal

Chris Dillon Nathan Frater Matt Nolan Drew Roberts Nat Peacock

Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Colours Black & White Shirts, Black Shorts & Socks

The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Ben Cooke Assistants: Paul Hands / Ian Croston Next Home Game: St Neots Town v Cambridge City Southern League Premier Division / Tuesday 18th November / KO 19:45

As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.