Squires Gate V Cammell Laird 1907 (FA Vase 2nd Round)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support.

It is very much appreciated. Enjoy the match!

To view all of our available sponsorship opportunities, flick to page 12 or email our Head of Media James Ashton at jamesashton2000@icloud.com for any additional queries.

Squires Gate FC Entity Status: Unincorporated

CLUB DIRECTORY President: Brian Addison Club Secretary: John Maguire Committee: Brian Addison, Steve Bellamy, Ian Moore, Micky Farrer, John Maguire Head of Media: James Ashton Media Officer: Jay Hayden Social Media Manager: Dan Hayden Club Photographer: Ian Moore Media Assistant: George Moore KIT SPONSORS Shirt Sponsors: Central Insurance, Open Recruitment, Taylors Fish & Chips, Global Football Network, Short Sponsor: Marsden Plastering

CLUB MANAGEMENT Manager: Luke Evans Assistant Manager: Andy Baker First Team Coach : Liam Robinson Club Physio: Rhys Daly U23’S Manager: Josh Strachan

WELCOME Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s match as Squires Gate host Cammell Laird 1907 FC in the First Round of the FA Vase!

After a month away, we’re delighted to be back at home so we can get back to producing our programmes! Our brilliant front cover today was designed by Chris Stewart (@KitForBrains) , taking inspiration from the classic Roy of the Rovers designs watch out for some similar design throughout our programme!

It’s a big game for the lads today, as they aim to take Squires Gate into the Second Round of the FA Vase - make sure to get behind Evans’ men today!

Thank you for attending today’s game, and for purchasing your programme! Like what you see? Tag us on Twitter @TotG_SG with your thoughts on today’s edition of Talk Of The Gate!

TALK OF THE GATE Editors; James Ashton Dan Hayden Jay Hayden Front Cover: Chris Stewart @kitforbrains Printing: Moulton Printing

FIND US HERE...

@squiresgatefc

@squiresgatefc

squiresgatefc.co.uk

Squires Gate FC

@squiresgatefc

WHAT’S INSIDE

CLUB CONTACT Website: www.squiresgatefc.co.uk Twitter: @squiresgatefc Instagram: @squiresgatefc Email: squiresgatefc@hotmail.com

4

THE GAFFER

26

GARY LANGLEY

6-8

ACTION SHOTS

28-30

A BRIT ABROAD

9

60 SECONDS

31

FIFA 23 REVIEW

10-15

AWAY DAYS

32

WATFORD

16 18-25 #WeAreGate

WANT MORE?

squiresgatefc.co.uk

FIXTURES/RESULTS 34-35 CAMMELL LAIRD @squiresgatefc

03

36 Squires Gate FC

QUIZ CORNER THE TEAMS @squiresgatefc

Good afternoon all, welcome to today’s Vase First Round between Squires Gate Cammell Laird.

and FA tie and

What an honour it is to reach the First Round of the FA Vase, but we want to go even further than that.

couple of odd results in the league.

Take away an injury to Gal Pett and a heavy defeat at Wythenshawe, it’s been a positive few weeks for us since our last home game, and we’re hoping we can do even better today and reach the second round of the FA Vase. It’ll be a good achievement for us, as well as bringing in some prize money into the club which would be superb for us.

To do so we’ll have to be at our best to defeat a Cammell Laird side that will be coming to us fired up and desperate to reach the next round like we are. A big thank you to It’s been a while since our everyone attending today’s last competitive home game, we hope you enjoy game, with I think six away your afternoon with us here matches in a row. In that at The Brian Addison time we’ve progressed in Stadium!

the FA Vase, got through to the next round of the Gaffer Macron Cup, as well as a #WeAreGate

THE

LUKE EVANS #WeAreGate

squiresgatefc.co.uk

@squiresgatefc

04

Squires Gate FC

@squiresgatefc

On the front foot...

Never!!!

Rowan levels!!!!

Penalties to decide it….

Through to the next round of the FA Vase...

Offside!?

Next up, Winsford...

Winsford denied by the woodwork...

90+6...

Pick that one out!!!

Our fans are amazing!

MEGS!

Last time out...

HT

It’ll be a long journey home if we lose this...

It’s two for Boyd!

SUPER SUB

60 SECONDS // PART TEN // THEO BALL

Your perfect meal deal? (Butty, You can listen to one album on snack & drink) repeat. Which do you pick?

Southern Fried Chicken Pasta, Drake - Honestly, Nevermind Orange Lucozade & Quavers

THEO BALL

Your go-to Maccies order?

Your ultimate Gate 5-a-side Large Spicy Chicken Legend team? meal with a coke..

Pennington, Bartram, Chambers, Boyd & Pett

Your go-to alcoholic drink?

Your favourite joke?

Rum & Coke

Why did the Golfer bring two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole in one.

If all the lads were on Love Island, who would win?

If we were all on Love Island, Roll/Cob/Barm/Muffin - What then I would win. do you call it?

I call it a barm, the worst I’ve heard is ‘Batch’.

Worst banter at the club?

THEO BALL IS SPONSORED BY

Favourite Biscuit with a brew?

Dan Gray.

It’s got to be shortbread fingers, they are the best. @squiresgatefc

9

Squires Gate FC

@squiresgatefc

Words by James Ashton A trip to the league leaders awaited back at the end of September, with me, Jay and Helen all making the trip to Vauxhall Motors.

We were on a high after our 3-0 win over Barnoldswick Town in the previous game continuing our good run of form.

We know that this game would be a very tough one though. At the time, Vauxhall had (I think) 28 points out of a possible 30 and were playing some really good stuff.

We arrived at the vanEupen Arena just before 2pm, as I began to get pictures around the ground to go out across our social media channels.

I then made my way inside the clubhouse - I had

skipped breakfast so was desperate for some good food to tie me over for the match. Luckily, a good selection of hot food was on offer, so a sausage barm and Lemon Fanta was on the agenda and was a good start to my visit.

conduct my pre-match interview with the gaffer.

It ended in a 3-1 defeat for Gate, after a strong performance from the hosts.

After my post-match interview, we headed home via a trip to Burger King. A decent end to what was allMe and Jay walked over to in-all a decent away day, watch the Gate lads warm up, before I helped set up #WeAreGate the Veo camera and

AWAY DAY

REVIEWS

Please note: These are only the views of the media team, and not those of Squires Gate FC.

STADIUM

FOOD & DRINK

A big sports complex plays host to Vauxhall Motors, with a large clubhouse / sports centre the main attraction with a bar, seated areas and large TV Screens.

One of my favourite places to go for a pre-match scran, with a good selection of hot food.

SCORE: 7/10

SCORE: 8/10

I opted for a sausage barm, with Jay going for Bacon, and both were very enjoyable. A good The actual ground is a solid one, with a seated selection of drinks at the bar too stand and good areas to stand around the pitch too.

PROGRAMME

HOSPTIALITY

One of my favourite programmes in the division, A strong showing in the hospitality department, ‘The Motormen’ is a well designed piece with some with a large area cornered off and a good selection good content throughout. of sandwiches and cakes to go alongside the standard brews.

Lovely people running it too - cheers guys!

SCORE: 8/10

JOURNEY The only thing that usually lets this away day down is the journey, and this was again the case.

Not exactly the furthest journey we’ll ever make, but it always seems to drag especially on the way home. At least the weather wasn't too bad!

SCORE: 6/10

SCORE: 8/10 1

Vauxhall Motors

37

2

Bury AFC

34.5

3

Litherland REMYCA

29

4

Charnock Richard

28

RATING: 37/50

Words by James Ashton

After my pre-match Three days on from my trip interview with the gaffer, we to Vauxhall Motors, we were made our way round to the back on the road with a visit side of the pitch by the dugouts where we watched the to Prestwich Heys. game unfold.

It’s always an enjoyable visit to Heys, with a good ground, After going 1-0 up against friendly people and nice food the run of play, we were usually coming together for pegged back to 1-1 at the break. a good away day. enjoyed decent After finishing work at 5pm, We Jay and Helen picked me up hospitality at half time, and we were on our way. Af- before making our way back ter a simple journey up the out

motorway, we arrived at Adie Moran Park just before 6.30pm, giving us plenty of time to get content for our socials and sample the food on offer.

I purchased a hot dog along with a Twix & Coke, before finalising my team sheet graphic after a couple of late changes to the squad due to injury.

out for the second half.

Prestwich were the stronger side, and came away with a deserved 3-1 victory.

After my post-match interview with Luke Evans, we made our way back home.

We had a quick pitstop at a local McDonalds on the way, before I got home to write up my Match Report. #WeAreGate

AWAY DAY

REVIEWS

Please note: These are only the views of the media team, and not those of Squires Gate FC.

STADIUM

FOOD & DRINK

Adie Moran Park is always nice to visit, with a well With pies and hotdogs on offer, as well as a varied sized non-league ground a good setting for some selection of crisps and chocolate, it was a decent evening football. effort from Heys.

However, the hot dog I opted for wasn’t the best tasting, with the bun quite stale too.

SCORE: 7/10

SCORE: 6/10

PROGRAMME

HOSPTIALITY

One of the better programmes available to read in the Premier Division, Prestwich Heys’ programme, named ‘Touchliner’ was nicely designed, with a well balanced selection of content. Good effort, guys!

Definitely one of the friendliest clubs in the league, a standard hospitality selection was on offer. It’s always very crammed in the Heys clubhouse though, and I felt very in the way of everything while standing in and around the hospitality area.

SCORE: 7/10

SCORE: 6/10

JOURNEY One of the more standard journeys to make across to NWCFL Premier Division.

A no-frills journey both to and from the ground.

SCORE: 7/10

1

Vauxhall Motors

37

2

Bury AFC

34.5

3

Prestwich Heys

33

4

Litherland REMYCA

29

5

Charnock Richard

28

RATING: 33/50

Words by George Moore The away day started the Friday night as me and my dad packed the car and made sure we had the kit cones balls etc and had our pre match talk about the up coming game which I predicted us to win in normal time.

The alarm went off 6:30am very early for an away day we got up straight away got in the car and we were off we picked up Helen hit the motorway by 7am.

A 2 hour 45 minute journey up to Tyneside energised by my fantastic Spotify playlist consisting of Oasis, Lathums and Arctic Monkeys. We arrived at the hotel which the players and coaching staff stayed at the night before On our arrival we dived into the breakfast which was unlimited and just what we needed for

the big day ahead. A lengthy stay in the hotel in which I finished off my pre game interview questions with a Starbucks.

Rowan Chambers brought us level 4 minutes after the interval with a stunning strike into the top corner. Just moments later Allotment restored their lead lifting the ball over Pennington after a route 1 ball After all that it was time to through the middle. leave the hotel so me my dad the players and all the coaching staff set off to West Allot- It looked as if Gate were headment Celtic football club who ing out before legendary striksit at step 5 of the non league er Gary Pett smashed his shot system like Squires Gate. We off the bar before nodding in put the kit out checked out the the rebound to send the bench pitch and uploaded our arrival and travelling fans into mayonto social media. hem. The full time whistle went penalties it was despite Rowan and Boyd missing Gate adAn intense warm up, interview vanced 6-5 to send us into the with manager Luke Evans first round proper. Scenes in completed, the game was the changing room and afterready to begin. A quick fire wards. A long journey home start to the game in which consisting of Spotify and Life West Allotment took a 1-0 lead Is A Rollercoaster by Ronan through Mehack Kanda. A Keating got us through the 2 Westwood red card minutes and a half hour journey back to before the break set Squires the Fylde coast to round off a back even more with a successful day in the Vase. mountain to climb.

AWAY DAY

REVIEWS

Please note: These are only the views of the media team, and not those of Squires Gate FC.

STADIUM

FOOD & DRINK

The East Palmersville Sports Pavillion was a A curry offered post game was one I wouldn’t miss. decent stadium in the North East, with seats be- Beautifu! hind the goal and at the side making for a good overall ground.

SCORE: 6/10

PROGRAMME

SCORE: 8/10

HOSPTIALITY

No programme on offer here has to be a bad A basic serving of hospitality - we served ourselves score, sorry guys! and the food was of an okay standard.

SCORE: 0/10

JOURNEY A long but smooth journey to West Allotment via the M6 and A66 with my Spotify playlist.

SCORE: 8/10

SCORE: 5/10 1

Vauxhall Motors

37

2

Bury AFC

34.5

3

Prestwich Heys

33

4

Litherland REMYCA

29

5

Charnock Richard

28

6

West Allotment Celtic

27

RATING: 27/50

DATE

VS

KO / RESULT

ATT.

1

2

3

4

5

30 July 22 AFC Liverpool

1-4

68

Pennington

Abankwah

Welsh

Gray

Bartram

2 Aug 22

Charnock Richard

3-1

220

Hogarth

Abankwah

Welsh

Gray

Bartram

6 Aug 22

Northwich Vics (FA CUP E.P.)

1-2

136

Pennington

Abankwah

Shields

Chambers

Welsh

10 Aug 22 Irlam

3-3

68

Pennington

Hughes

Shields

Chambers

Welsh

13 Aug 22

0-2

69

Pennington

Hughes

Welsh

Chambers

Holden

17 Aug 22 Padiham

0-2

118

Pennington

Hughes

Welsh

Chambers

Holden

20 Aug 22 Longridge Town

4-2

104

Pennington

Hughes

Welsh

Chambers

Abankwah

27 Aug 22 Easington Collieries (FA V Q1)

2-1

62

Pennington

Gray

Welsh

Chambers

Bartram

30 Aug 22

Bury AFC

2-1

1140

Pennington

Hughes

Welsh

Chambers

Bartram

03 Sep 22

Wythenshawe Town

1-3

113

Pennington

Hughes

H. Webster

Gray

Bartram

07 Sep 22

Ashton Athletic

2-1

78

Pennington

Hughes

H. Webster

Chambers

Bartram

14 Sep 22

Barnoldswick Town

3-0

80

Pennington

Hughes

H. Webster

Gray

Bartram

17 Sep 22

Vauxhall Motors

1-3

115

Pennington

Hughes

H. Webster

Gray

Bartram

20 Sep 22

Prestwich Heys

3-1

137

Pennington

Abankwah

H. Webster

Chambers

Welsh

24 Sep 22

West Allotment Celtic (FA Vase Q2)

2-2(p)

105

Pennington

Hughes

H. Webster

Gray

Bartram

01 Oct 22

Winsford United

1-1

192

Pennington

Hughes

H. Webster

Chambers

Bartram

08 Oct 22

Wythenshawe Town

6-0

211

Pennington

Hughes

H. Webster

Chambers

Bartram

15 Oct 22

Cleator Moor Celtic (MACRON R1)

1-3

82

Pennington

Hughes

Gray

Chambers

Bartram

22 Oct 22

Cammell Laird 1907 (FA VASE R1)

15:00

26 Oct 22

Avro

19:45

29 Oct 22

Irlam

15:00

05 Nov 22

Winsford United

15:00

09 Nov 22

Charnock Richard

19:45

12 Nov 22

FC Isle Of Man

15:00

19 Nov 22

Garstang (MACRON R2)

15:00

26 Nov 22

West Didsbury & Chorlton

15:00

30 Nov 22

Northwich Vics

19:45

03 Dec 22

Congleton Town

15:00

10 Dec 22

Kendal Town

15:00

17 Dec 22

Ashton Athletic

15:00

20 Dec 22

Bury AFC

19;45

26 Dec 22

Burscough

15:00

07 Jan 23

Barnoldswick Town

15:00

14 Jan 23

Lower Breck

15:00

21 Jan 23

Congleton Town

15:00

28 Jan 23

FC Isle Of Man

15:00

04 Feb 23

Northwich Vics

15:00

11 Feb 23

Avro

15:00

18 Feb 23

Longridge Town

15:00

25 Feb 23

Litherland Remyca

15:00

04 Mar 23

West Didsbury & Chorlton

15:00

11 Mar 23

AFC Liverpool

15:00

18 Mar 23

Kendal Town

15:00

25 Mar 23

Prestwich Heys

15:00

01 Apr 23

Vauxhall Motors

15:00

10 Apr 23

Burscough

15:00

15 Apr 23

Lower Breck

15:00

22 Apr 23

Padiham

15:00

Litherland REMYCA

YELLOW CARD

RED CARD

SUB 1

SUB 2

SUB 3

SUB 4

SUB 5

HOME FIXTURES IN BOLD

6

7

8

9

10

11

SUB

SUB

SUB

SUB

SUB

Westwood

Riley

Webster

Ball

Chambers

Yelegon

Holden

Boyd

Burgess

Powell

Hughes

Westwood

Riley

Webster

Pett

Chambers

Hughes

Cliffe

Yelegon

Burgess

Hesford

Ball

Westwood

Riley

Webster

Ball

Pett

Hughes

Cliffe

Eastham

Burgess

Kay

Powell

Westwood

Riley

Webster

Ball

Cliffe

Boyd

Smith

Eastham

Kay

Powell

Hesford

Westwood

Riley

Webster

Ball

Cliffe

Boyd

Smith

Yelegon

Kay

Abouzaid

Powell

Westwood

Riley

Abouzaid

Ball

Cliffe

Boyd

Abankwah

Gray

Kay

Pett

Yelegon

Westwood

Riley

Abouzaid

Pett

Cliffe

Gray

Smith

Burgess

Kay

Robinson

Yelegon

Westwood

Riley

Abouzaid

Pett

Cliffe

Boyd

Shields

Powell

Eastham

Ball

Yelegon

Westwood

Riley

Abouzaid

Ball

Cliffe

Boyd

Gray

Eastham

Yelegon

Powell

Yilmaz

Westwood

Riley

C. Webster

Pett

Chambers

Boyd

Kay

Yelegon

Abouzaid

Cliffe

Ball

Westwood

Abouzaid

C. Webster

Pett

Cliffe

Boyd

Kay

Yelegon

Riley

Gray

Ball

Westwood

Riley

Kay

Pett

Cliffe

Boyd

Chambers

Yelegon

Eastham

Abouzaid

Ball

Westwood

Riley

Chamber

Yelegon

Cliffe

Boyd

Abankwah

Kay

Welsh

Webster

Ball

Bartram

Kay

Abouzaid

Ball

Cliffe

Boyd

Westwood

Riley

Hughes

Gray

Pett

Westwood

Riley

Chambers

Pett

Cliffe

Boyd

Abankwah C. Webster

Welsh

Eastham

Ball

Welsh

Riley

C. Webster

Pett

Ball

Gray

Abankwah

Yelegon

Abouzaid

Kay

Cliffe

Welsh

Yelegon

C. Webster Aluebhosele

Cliffe

Boyd

Shields

Riley

Abouzaid

Kay

Ball

Welsh

Riley

C. Webster Aluebhosele

Cliffe

Boyd

Shields

Kay

Abouzaid

Yelegon

Ball

NWCFL Prem ier Div ision League Table P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

PT

FORM (LAST SIX)

1

Vauxhall Motors

14

12

2

0

32

9

23

38

LWDLWW

2

Wythenshawe Town

13

12

1

0

43

6

37

37

WWWW DW

3

AFC Liverpool

13

10

1

2

34

13

21

31

WWWWDL

4

Prestwich Heys

14

10

0

4

31

12

10

30

LWWLW L

5

Northwich Vics

13

9

2

2

31

16

15

29

WLW DWW

6

West Didsbury

14

8

3

3

36

20

16

27

LLWWLW

7

Avro

12

9

0

3

21

7

14

27

WWLLWW

8

Irlam

15

6

4

5

32

25

6

22

WWWWLW

9

Padiham

14

6

2

6

28

26

2

20

LLWLLW

10

Congleton Town

13

6

1

6

22

16

6

19

LWWLLD

11

Bury AFC

10

6

0

4

16

11

5

18

WLLLW D

12

Lower Breck

14

6

0

8

16

20

4

18

WLW LLL

13

Charnock Richard

13

4

4

5

28

29

-1

16

LWWWLL

14

Barnoldswick Town

14

4

4

6

29

37

-8

16

WLW L DW

15

Squires Gate

14

4

2

8

21

33

-12

14

WLDWLL

16

Kendal Town

14

4

1

9

25

37

-12

13

WWWLLL

17

Litherland REYMCA

14

4

1

9

14

27

-13

13

LLW DW L

18

FC Isle Of Man

15

4

1

10

22

40

-18

13

LLLWLW

19

Winsford United

14

3

2

9

15

33

-18

11

WWDWLL

20

Longridge Town

14

3

2

9

16

37

-21

11

LLW DW L

21

Ashton Athletic

15

2

1

12

14

36

-22

7

WLLWWL

22

Burscough

16

2

0

14

21

56

-35

6

WLLLLL

CAMMELL LAIRD 1907

their debut campaign in 2014/15. In 2015/16 saw the Club finish 15th in its first season in the NWCFL Premier DiviVase quarter-finals before losing to sion.

Arlesey Town.

The Lairds soon found their feet in the The early part of the new millennium Premier Division. Tony Sullivan resaw the Club reach new heights. They placed Paul McNally as manager, and started the rise through the pyramid, Lairds eventually secured a solid midmaking history by becoming the first table finish.

Club to win the championship of the Second and First Divisions of the North Despite an opening day 4-3 defeat at West Counties League, which they New Mills, a match in which the visitors achieved in 2004/05 and then 2005/06. led 2-0 and 3-2, Prince’s new-look side In the same year as that First Division appeared to be gelling together with a triumph, the Club reached the FA Vase three game unbeaten run at the end of semi-finals, losing to August. However, September saw a eventual winners Nantwich Town, and series of tough fixtures against some of two years later, the Club gained the top sides in the division, and Prince promotion to the Unibond Premier resigned on good terms with the Club League. Season 2013/14 saw the Club after a 3-1 reverse against Squires finish 11th, but the decision was taken Gate. Although Lairds struggled in to resign from the Evo-Stik League due terms of results, several performances to ownership issues and form a new perhaps deserved better and there was club: Cammell Laird 1907 FC. The new an acceptance that it was going to take Club was formed on 28th May 2014 and time for such a youthful side to develop. entered the NWCFL Division One for 18 @squiresgatefc Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CAMMELLS...

Cammell Laird 1907 FC can trace its history back to 1899 when a team from the Upper Boilers Shop of Laird Bros played in Birkenhead Park, before turning to the rugby code. It was not until June 1907 that the Cammell Laird Institute AFC was established, with its first fixture taking place on 2nd September 1907 against Tranmere Rovers. The Club finished 9th in the West Cheshire League in their inaugural season of 1907/08.

In the early years, the Club played at a number of grounds and won their first trophy, the Shipley Cup, in April 1921, before in the summer of 1922 they moved to St Peters Road (which still remains their current home) as Kirklands FC.They disbanded in 1939 but reformed in 1946.

1994/95 saw the Club reach the FA #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk

A SIXTY SECOND GUIDE

THE NUMBER CRUNCHER 2021/22 STATS

W

D

L

GF

GA

12

7

19

58

88

YEAR FORMED

YEARS IN NWCFL

TWITTER FOLLOWS

1907

8

8.3K

6th

7-5

1.2K

HIGHEST NWCFL FINISH

THE AGGREGATE SCORE BETWEEN THE TWO CLUBS

INSTA FOLLOWS

CLOSEST FL GROUND The closest Football League ground to Cammell Laird is Prenton Park, home of Tranmere Rovers.

NWCFL FIRST DIVISION SOUTH TABLE

THE SHIPYARDERS Cammell Laird played a key role in World War I and II by both building and repairing vessels.

During World War II alone the shipyard produced nearly 200 commercial and military vessels in support of the UK war effort, including HMS Rodney, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Ark Royal.

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

PT

1

Stockport Town

12

11

0

1

40

10

30

33

2

Wythenshawe Amateurs

12

9

2

1

35

11

24

29

3

Ellemere Rangers

12

8

2

2

28

13

15

26

4

Barnton

12

7

3

2

25

13

12

24

5

Cheadle Town

11

7

2

3

30

17

13

23

6

Brocton

12

7

2

3

26

19

7

23

7

Stockport Georgians

12

5

4

3

21

14

7

19

8

Maine Road

12

6

1

5

22

19

3

19

9

Sandbach United

12

5

2

5

24

22

2

17

10

Abbey Hey

12

5

2

5

15

23

-8

17

11

Eccleshall

11

4

4

3

12

12

0

16

12

Abbey Hulton United

12

4

3

5

19

14

4

15

13

New Mills

12

4

3

5

25

23

2

15

14

Ashville

12

4

2

6

21

23

-2

14

15

Alsager Town

12

4

2

6

15

21

-6

14

16

Cammell Laird 1907

12

2

3

7

15

31

-16

9

17

Stafford Town

12

2

2

8

19

30

-11

8

18

Foley Meir

10

2

0

8

12

33

-21

6

19

Cheadle Heath Nomads

12

0

5

7

10

26

-16

5

20

Rocester

12

0

0

12

6

46

-40

0

THE VISITORS // GETTING TO KNOW THE CAMMELLS

GETTING TO KNOW...

THE CAMMELLS AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT TODAY’S VISITORS FROM ROCK FERRY REWIND

FORM GUIDE

2-2 VS BROCTON

1-1 VS RETFORD

2-1 VS ALSAGER TOWN

1-2 VS ABBEY HEY

2-1 Vs ASHVILLE

17/09

24/09

01/10

08/10

15/10

Best FA Vase Run: 2005/06 Believe it or not, both of today’s teams’ best FA Vase runs came in the 2005/06 season. Here is how both teams completed their historic run, round by round...

Ramsbottom United 1-3 Squires Gate

FIVE YEAR RECORD SEASON

PTS

POS

W

D

L

F

A

2017-18

72

6th

22

6

14

84

58

2018-19

41

15th

10

11

17

55

73

2019-20

29

13th

9

7

13

56

34

Consett 0-1 Cammell Laird

2020-21

6

13th

2

0

5

10

6

Squires Gate 3-0 Salford City

2021-22

43

14th

12

7

19

58

88

North Shields 1-4 Cammell Laird Cammell Laird 4-0 Atherton Collieries Squires Gate 2-1 Brandon United

Glasshoughton Welfare 1-2 Squires Gate Harrogate Railway Athletic 0-1 Cammell Laird Squires Gate 2-1 Skelmersdale

Cammell Laird 3-0 Retford United United Squires Gate 2-1 Gedling Town Chessington & Hook United 1-2 Cammell Laird Cammell Laird 1-0 V C D Athletic Squires Gate 2-1 Gedling Town Quarter Final Hillingdon Borough 2-0 Squires Gate Newmarket Town 1-2 Cammell Laird Semi Final Cammell Laird 0-1 Nantwich Town Nantwich Town 4-0 Cammell Laird

THE MAN IN CHARGE This is Stuarts Kier’s second season at the Cammells and guided the club to success in the 21/22 season, winning the Wirral Senior Cup as well as being finalists in the Macron Cup and Edward Case Cup. Stuart provides a wealth of experience and hopes for a successful 22/23 season.

Q&A with

ROSS

WAREING We caught up with Lairds’ Ross Wareing and asked him some questions about his team mates and his time at Cammell Laird.

How long have you played at the club?

Worst taste in music?

A few lads earlier in the season were putting rap on in the changing room. Not really my cup of tea before a game.

Worst banter at the club?

I signed for Lairds in June. Cameron McGregor, the biggest fool.

What clubs have you played at previously?

Your favourite joke?

Vauxhall Motors and Mersey Someone stole my limbo stick Royal. from our shed the other night, how

low

can

you

If you were all to go in the jungle, who would be likely to back out the challenges?

Joe Downey, backs out of a fair few challenges normally so I’ll go for him.

Who would be most likely to win Love Island?

Love Island - None capable of winning, but Cam McGregor is most likely to go on there, he fits the personality bracket.

go…?

Do you have a matchday routine, and any superstitions? Who will be a future manager?

Chicken and Pesto Pasta before every game Jake Hulley, Jake Doran & Ryan Smith have got it in them. I think they’ll all have a go at managing Best opposition you have at some point. faced come up against?

One player you'd hate to play 100m race, who wins? up against?

There are a few in our team to be Tranmere Rovers a few years honest. Certainly not me. Frosty ago in pre season when they had is very quick. Jake Hulley, a full team out. That was a long afternoon. I’ve always had good battles with Kie Hamm when I’ve Who has the worst fashion played against him too. sense?

Special mention to Luke Edwards who’s just left us, he had a Who is the Worst dancer in the pair of SpongeBob Vans that I squad? won’t ever be able to un-see .

Joe Downey

Most intelligent player?

There aren’t many to be honest.

I’ve had a few intelligent conversations with young Dom Cain, I think he’s switched on.

The player you'd want to be stuck on a desert island with?

If I had to pick, I’d say Kalif Koura. The big man would keep us both alive.

Your go to meal deal?

Southern Fried Chicken Wrap, Salt & Vinegar McCoys, Starbucks Frappuccino. Winner.

MEET THE SQUAD...

JORDAN SCOTT

JOSHUA HINE

NATHAN DAVISON

JAMES DINERLEY

Jordan joined the club at the start of the season from West Cheshire side Poulton Royal.

The 26 year old was the youngest ever manager to gain promotion from the West Cheshire Division and has an exciting future ahead of him.

Joshua is currently undertaking his UEFA B license and is constantly looking to improve his knowledge of the game. Joshua is a big part of the management team and his commitment and enthusiasm towards the club is commended and has a exciting future as a coach.

There has been no doubt that since Nathan’s form has improved, so has the teams.

The shot stopper loves a cup competition and performed heroics in the previous round saving two penalties in the shootout.

James made his debut for the Cammells last week against his former club Tranmere Rovers in a friendly and is looking to challenge for the number 1 spot.

BEN HUGHES

BEN KERR

BEN KELLY

JAKE HULLEY

EthBen joined the Cammells in the summer from Poulton Royal and has a joint role of goal keeper and goalkeeping coach.

The former Tranmere man is a regular in the Cammells defence and provides defensive solidity as well as plenty of crosses from out wide.

The 6’4 full back joined the Cammells in the summer and looks to gain experience and knowledge of the level. Ben has been in and out of the Cammells Ben is still yet to make his debut squad and has regularly been for the club but is a vital part of Ben is one of the jokers in the on loan at West Cheshire the club in his coaching role. changing room and always finds Division 1 side Ellemsere Port to a quote or cliche to make some- gain vital minutes which has one laugh. helped him develop.

JAKE DORAN Again, another former Tranmere player. Jake re-joined the club in the summer and has been a regular starter in the side.

Since leaving Tranmere Jake has played at a high level of Non-League and his experience and know-how has been vital in his performances and to help some of the younger players at

JACK WOOD

DANNY STEPHENS

The former Tranmere man is the club captain and is one of the most experienced player at this level, at the club.

Jake is always consistent in his performances and leads the line with great professionalism.

DOMINIC CAIN

Sadly Jack has been out of the ‘Stevo’ is what you’d call a modsquad due to a knee injury but ern day centre back, can was a regular starter in the defend, can play, can pass; a 21/22 season. brilliant player.

Dominic has recently signed for the Cammells from Tranmere Rovers. Dom, like Stevo is a big powerful centre back and has been excellent in training and Jack is an old school centre Danny has struggled with recent performances. Dom made back and loves a challenge. injuries this season but is back his debut against Tranmere in a in the side and performing at a friendly where he was head and high level. shoulders the best player on the pitch. Dom made his competitive debut in a 2-1 Macron Cup win

JJ KING

LEE RODGERS

BEN CARR-LOWE

KIERAN HAMM

19 year old scouser John James King joined the club in the summer from Tranmere Rovers and has shown his qualities when he has been in the side. JJ has used the loan system to add experience of mens football to his game but has a bright future in the game. JJ has an excellent attitude which is noted by the club.

Lee signed for the Cammells in the summer and has been the regular left back so far this season. Lee adds defensive solidity as well as power and strength to the side as well as a wand of a left foot.

Ben joined the Cammells from Poulton Royal in the summer and is learning the level every week. His nickname, ‘The Ellesmere Port Herrera’ is often joked about but Ben plays with high intensity and has a fantastic attitude to the game.

The forward scored 28 goals in the 21/22 season and has carried on his form in the 22/23 season. Kieran has a great eye for goal and you wouldn’t want to be hit by his shots on a cold day.

MIKE JONES

RYAN SMITH

ELLIS BOLTON

JOSEPH DOWNEY

Mike or ‘Jonesy’ adds experience in the middle of the pitch and calmness. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mikes resting heart rate is below 20 and is consistent in his performances for the Cammells.

Ryan was the 21/22 player of the season and usually finds passes that others can’t see.

Sadly, Ryan’s 22/23 season has been stop start with injury but Ryan is back and training and looking forward to pulling a blue shirt back on.

Ellis plays with energy and enthusiasm in the centre of the pitch. Ellis can also play left back and has done on a number of occasions. ‘Bollo’ scored a lovely chip in the 5-0 friendly win against Tranmere, albeit of his shin.

The former Wigan man adds class and elegance in midfield for the Cammells this season.

Joe can play in a number of positions due to his ability.

CAMERON MCGREGOR

ETHAN GALT

ROSS WARING

BEN WOOD

The former Wrexham man started the season in good form but sadly broke his foot a couple of games into the 22/23 season.

Cameron adds quality in the 10 position and his low sense of gravity to glide past players has been missed. Cameron is back in training and look forward to having him back in contention.

Ethan adds quality into the middle of the pitch with his pace and way to find passes. Sadly Ethan has been injured most of the 22/23 season but we look forward to having Ethan back in contention.

Ross joined the club in the summer and has been a regular in the side. He plays with discipline and professionalism and has been rock solid since being in the side. The former Vauxhall Motors man is a good role model to others at the club.

The former Crewe Alex man joined the club in the summer and has provided some vital goals for the club this season.

This is Bens first season at this level and at 18, has a bright future in the game.

KIERON FROST

REGAN RUBIN

JACK KELLY

JAY HARVEY

‘Frosty’ as known in the changing room has arguably been the most improved player at the club. Frosty has developed his understanding and knowledge of the game from being in America in the summer and has been excellent since his return.

Frosty scored a lovely hat-trick in the 5-0 win against Tranmere.

Regan re-joined the Cammells in the summer and was in red hot form before his red card against Abbey Hay. Regan scored in the Cammells most recent win at Alsager.

Jack started the season in good form but was injured through an awful challenge against New Mills. Jack is still sidelined and we are looking forward to him being back available.

Jay has been a regular in the side since coming back to the Cammells. The 6 foot + forward adds power, pace and strength to the forward line.

KALIF KOURA The big man loves scoring important goals. Kalif has been in great form in the last 5 games, most recently scoring a 94th minute winner against Ashville.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE TO THE...

KIRKLAND’S Cammell Laird 1-1 Witton Albion // 13.04.12

Words from Gibbos92 blog I was invited to this damp eventful evening in Birkenhead by fellow bloggers Joe and Aaron. They are non-league geeks, so I thought I may as well go and see if I could learn anything from them. Joe wanted to go as he had never been to Cammell Laird, and with them sitting rock bottom of the league, he thought it may be his last opportunity for a while. I knew it would be raining – as is always the case when I travel to that part of the country.

I caught the 16:45 direct train from Atherton to Ashton, where Joe was awaiting me in his glamorous blue Citreon C1. I opened the door, and The Vaccines were playing, which could only be a good thing. We set off from Ashton, with the TomTom destination set as Warrington where we would pick Aaron up.

We were approaching Rock Ferry, when suddenly the heavens opened. It was a cross between torrential rain and hail stones. Fantastic! Not to worry though, being Northern lads it was normal service for us and we still got out of the car in search of the social club.

Quite a queue had formed outside the turnstile, and I was anxious to get in after a drunk had stumbled past us, and felt up the man in front of us. He continued shuffling down the street until he came to an abrupt end. He fell in to the fence, and on that note… it was time to go in.

We went straight to Kirklands Kitchen and queued up for some food. I wasn’t in a pie mood, and so went for a cheeseburger which was quite nice… when it eventually arrived. Aaron also joined me on the burger front, where as Joe reserved a pie for halftime, which was just as well!

10 minutes before kick-off, and they had run out of pies.

“Go to Tesco and buy me some of those cheap Hollands Pies!

Quickly! We’ve ran out!… Oh, and get me some milk too!”

We perched ourselves on the fence of the Kirklands Kitchen Stand. The KKS comprised of a seated area with a roof, an executive enclosure complete with prawn sandwiches, a garden shed which was used as a turnstile and a club shop… which was shut.

To our right was the Volleyball Net End. Yes, this is in fact its REAL name. You may be wondering “Why Volleyball? Was he a past chairman? Was he a star striker down at Cammell Laird?” No. It is quite simply down to the fact there is a giant badminton net down at that end of the ground. So here is a top tip… If you are planning a trip to Kirklands, take a volleyball. Learn from our mistakes. We didn’t take one, and we got shouted at during the interval for borrowing one of the footballs.

The Volleyball Net End also houses a nice industrial roller in the far left hand corner, which looks capable of rolling even the most bobbly of pitches.

I never did find out whether more pies were draughted in, but nonetheless, it was a schoolboy error on Lairds behalf. Hopefully they’ll learn from this horrific mistake.

Directly in front was the First Bus Wash Family Stand. Never In true Gibbo’s92 style I have put before had I seen so many great effort and thought into buses! It was heaven for Aaron naming the ‘stands’ at Cammell though, as he is an avid bus Laird; so here we go – spotter. He particularly enjoyed it when an old P-Reg bus came in for its yearly wash.

The First Bus Wash Family Stand is completely covered. It has both seated and standing options, however the standing option doesn’t look particularly invited and offers a restricted view due to the dugouts.

Leading into the match I had heard a lot of positive comments about Wittons young striker – Alex Titchiner, or Titch as he is referred to by fans. I was disappointed to see that Witton coach Brian Pritchard had decided to leave him on the bench… but this was probably wise as the play-offs were fast approaching.

Witton were third in the table, and Cammell Laird were bottom. The Lairds needed to avoid defeat in order to stay up mathematically for another week. It was no shock that Witton looked far more dangerous on the attack than their hosts.

Albion had a chance on 35mins when Ashley Stott weaved his way through the Lairds defence, which was now a metaphorical blanket; his shot hit the side netting.

of the Albion goal. Bowen couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet, ultimately resulting in him falling over and scuffing his shot.

Alex Titchiner was brought on, and from that moment Witton looked extremely dangerous down the right hand flank. On 67 minutes Titch did exploit the weakness in the Lairds defence, and cut inside before firing a powerful shot into the bottom left hand corner. It was a great goal.

Cammell Laird were unfortunate not to open the scoring on 38 minutes when Dan O’Brien sent Paul Cliff through down the left.

Cliff then fired in a great cross to Bowen who only just failed to make contact with the ball. This move put the wind in the Shipyarders sails, and they looked like causing an upset.

Play was momentarily halted when a Carlsberg can invaded Half time was pretty uneventful. the pitch. Some yobs walking Joe picked up his pie which he past the ground began to sing had reserved. After a few songs about how wonderful Rock minutes, we heard a bloke Ferry is before then launching the sounding pretty excited at the can on to the pitch. In true nonthought of him winning… that league style, the Laird goalkeepwas until he realised he had 668 er strolled over to the item (which Purple. was still full of beer… or urine) and launched it back over the fence on to the main road.

Knowing that if they didn’t score within the next two minutes, they would be relegated into the North West Counties, Cammell Laird went in search of a goal.

Cammell Laird had a very big lad up front called Aaron Bowen. Joe concluded that this height advantage could go one of two ways. He could either be a great playmaker, strong and committed… or he could be clumsy with an appalling first touch, ultimately leading to wasted opportunities.

For the second half we chose to stand in front of the KKS. Turned out we were stood with a load of Witton fans, who to be fair, had brought a large-ish following.

Joes’ favourite non-league player, Aaron Bowen had an opportunity when he found the ball completely unmarked in front

The goal came when Witton gave away a free-kick out wide. The Albion defenders were all marking Aaron Bowen, and the ball was floated to the back post.

Defender Chay Dysart rose above everybody else and headed the ball into the far corner. 1-1.

The match finished, and news began to filter through that both Woodley Sports, and more astonishingly Northwich Victoria had been expelled from The Evo-Stik Leagues.

NON LEAGUE vs THE WORLD CUP Words by Gary Langley We are just a couple of weeks from November and in-turn the 2022 World Cup and many non-league football clubs are beginning to ponder the question – “Will we get a World Cup gates boost?”.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar runs from November 20th to December 18th and for those dates and a small period either side the Premier League will have a mini-hiatus whilst the international games take place.

There will however be a football league programme taking place as well as a full non-league programme.

There are a number of factors, and other leagues and events will be vying for that potential floating Premier League support of course and whilst the World Cup will be played in a desert amidst scorching temperatures, our games will be played in a slightly more ‘chilled’ environment of course.

Many non-league fans will banter with you that many Premier League Clubs are just tourist traps of course, havens for supporters from alternative shores who aren’t just at a game for the match, they’re here to buy half of the club shop, get selfies in front of strategically placed Street Murals (sometimes funded by the clubs themselves for that purpose) and in front of ‘Landmarks’, ideal for punters to spread the clubs word across

Instagram, faceache and twitterme-bob! With that in mind it’s probably unlikely that Francois from Genk and Gustav from Oslo will ruck up at Bacup Borough, Corinthian Casuals or Matlock town on a Tuesday night, but football fans already closer to the parish may fancy it?

What if we don’t get a World Cup Boost though? Well non-League itself has constantly been developing and evolving in recent years as the cost of living has increased, the cost of Premier League Football has soared and of course the cost of living has followed suit.

Using Steps 1-4 as a guide the average gates as demonstrated on the graphic show a year-onyear increase of between 14 & 20% in the last nine years.

Steps Five and Six have benefitted from a number of phoenix clubs as well as high profile relegations, however it’s worth mentioning that there is a North/ South Divide on the increases.

There is also an opportunity, with a number of the early group games kicking off at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm GMT, clubs with Club Houses and Televisions could potentially capitalise on this and do some sort of promotions to entice folk in before their own games and potentially stop on afterwards?

Will clubs like us World Cup? Well, they may do, but will have to be challenge.

profit from the it’s safe to say either way we ready for the

I cannot see folk heading to games in their droves like we did in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, however that’s what we do… we welcome everyone, and when they find out what value they can get for their £10They’re Still increases nonethe- £15, odds are many will stay. less with increases of between 20-25% over the last six seasons in the North and 15% in the South. Chuck the impact of a Pandemic in that mix and you can see that people are voting with their pockets.

THE THIRD LANARK

Words by Stephen Brandt The chase for immortality, and greatness has ruined many clubs world wide. Trying to keep up with Glasgow has also ruined clubs countrywide. Third Lanark may not be the greatest club to go into liquidation but they were one of those names from a distant past which we all know about. A club like theirs, which went away did leave a mark on the game, even a new club starting up in the lower leagues of Scotland.

Saturday November 30th, 1872 the first ever international football match took place at Hamilton Crescent in Patrick Glasgow. It ended in a 0-0 tie between Scotland and England in front of 4,000 fans. All eleven players on the Scotland team were from Queens Park FC. Among the spectators were a number of soldiers from the Third Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers, inspired by the football they had just seen, founded Third Lanark AC, on December 12, 1872. Some of the founding members had played in the fixture; Billy Dickson, Billy MacKinnon, and Joseph Taylor.

In 1903 Thirds finally cut their connections to the military, and took over the lease of the Second Hampden Park after Queens Park moved, renaming it New Cathkin Park. They followed it up in 1903-04 winning their only Scottish League Championships. Thirds in their 26 matches played won 20, lost three and won the league by 4 points. They were truly coming into their golden era in the prewar years.

It would not be until the middle of the 1930s where the club would consolidate its position in the top division again. They had a Scottish Cup final appearance in 1936 at Hampden, where 90,000 people saw the club lose 1-0 against Rangers. They also saw two players from the club called up to national sides touring the USA in 1939.

Local businessman Bill Hiddleston, who was a wholesale glass merchant, started off watching matches with his father, but in 1954 he became a member of the board.

This wouldn’t last long as he started acting without knowledge of the rest of the board.

The breaking point came when in the summer of 1955 he spent five hundred pounds on a player without the board knowing. He was removed from the board, and still had to The Great War, or the War to End all Wars pay the money out of his pocket. This would engulfed most of Europe, sending many not be the last time the club would deal with young men off to fight a battle many would him. In January 1956, Ally MacLeod against not return from. Sadly the club would not see his will was sold off to St. Mirren to bring in the great heights again after the war. Third money to keep the club running.

Lanark in 1923 went on a pre-season tour to the Americas, but wasn’t their first summer tour. Just two years before, Thirds went to In 1957, the older brother of a legendary the USA and Canada, and in 1914 they went manager in England was hired, Bob Shankto the Iberian Peninsula. This tour was differ- ly. Two years later he would leave Thirds to ent as they played 8 matches against teams take the reins of Dundee and lead them to a in Argentina and Uruguay, with a match Scottish League Championship and the against Argentina National Team Semi-Finals in the European Cup against AC Milan, which they lost. The next manager in the door was George Young in 1959.

The trip to Argentina helped out the club, as He was an ex Rangers defender, who took Thirds were dealing with some hard times, the club to the Scottish League Cup final and the Argentine FA sent the team equip- against Hearts, and a third place finish in the ment and kits for the club to pay in. Strange- league that season. Unfortunately, Hearts ly, while on the route back from Argentina, would get the League and Cup Double.

Thirds docked in Las Palmas to refuel, as they were there, they found the ship wrecked by the Raith Rovers team waiting to be It appeared that Third Lanark was on their brought back to the United Kingdom. The way back to the top again. The AGM in good samaritan feeling did not rub off on December 1962 changed that, when it was Thirds, as they were relegated at the end of announced that Bill Hiddleston was taking the following season, becoming a Yo Yo club over as majority shareholder. His appointfor a decade. ment had a great effect, the entire management and backroom staff, and most of the . board resigned on the spot.

The decline was instant, at the end of the 63 -64 season, Thirds was sold, and released 23 players. The following season they finished bottom of the top tier with only seven points in 34 matches. The players had issues getting wages paid, and there was no hot water or power for them to train. The money issue was from European Football, and the Glasgow Cup. It was played between Queens Park, Third Lanark, Clyde, Partick Thistle, Celtic and Rangers. Before European Football came in, all the teams wanted to do was win the trophy so they could get a home tie against the Old Firm.

Once the Old Firm started getting into Europe, they stopped taking the Glasgow Cup seriously, and played their youth teams. The number of fans going dropped, as did the gate.

Thirds wanted to move to a new town, and sell the land the ground was on, to a housing estate. That tuned off the fans completely.

Then the rumors were the players were being paid with coins from the turnstiles, and they had to make their own way to away games. Then they were asked to bring light bulbs, and footballs with them.

Tuesday 25 April 1967 was the last ever home match for Third Lanark. It was a 3-3 draw with Queen of the South, in front of 325 people. That was not even the lowest attendance, that happened ten days before when only 297 watched them play Clydebank on 15 April. The last ever Thirds match was a 51 defeat to Dumbarton at Boghead in front of 581 people. Drew Busby was the last ever scorer, who eventually played for Airdrie and Hearts. The management team of that match was Bobby Shearer and assistant John McKenzie. By 26 June 1967 Third Lanark’s membership of the Scottish Football League was removed. Bill Hiddleston ran the club into the ground, and history will always show that the man was a crook from the get go.

A BRIT

ABR AD Words by @Gazzetta_stadio

If it's good enough for Only Fools and Horses wheeler dealer, Boycie, then it will do for me!

Serbia is a deeply complex nation, often understood and still shrouded in a veil of suspicion, both internally and externally.

This was encapsulated perfectly within minutes of arrival. A behind the iron curtain style interrogation from a surly hotel clerk asking accusatorially 'when did I get here'? 'How!?'. The truth is much more sedate then what he is imagining. "From Albania on a rickety old propeller plane".

Seemingly satisfied, on with the The tired old criticism of Lionel trip.

Messi et al was could they do it on a wet, Tuesday night in Wednesday is derby day, and Stoke? Well, the real question is, what a day it is. It all kicks off could he do it on a hot, with a very informative tour of the Wednesday afternoon on top of a Rajko Mitic Stadium, which shopping centre? included walking through the infamous tunnel, as well as Shopping Mall (a) climbing what felt like a small mountain in steps in +30 degree This was very hard to actually heat. get in to. Once the dinars were handed over, it was back Just the 240m to the pitch outside, through a car park and following the behind the scenes into a designated lift. The access, it's time for game one of shoppers below had no idea, or the day. no cares that a top flight match was taking place on the roof.

FK Voždovac 4 - 1 FK Radnik Surdulica Remarkably, this 5000 capacity 31st August 2022 ground, meets all the UEFA FK Voždovac Stadium requirements, and despite, at Serbian Superliga points, being 45 metres above

ground, can host European competition! The match itself was merely a side show to the novelty factor, but the home side ran out comfortable winners, playing some slick football, and sending the 200+ shoppers/supporters home happy, without needing more retail therapy.

The reason why we are all here though, is for the 168th Eternal Derby, possibly the most intense and explosive, in European football.

Thankfully, we had secured tickets in the middle of the main grandstand, no doubt for the best. On the walk to the stadium, there was a tension in the air, possibly exacerbated by the 4000 Robocop like armed police presence.

FK Partizan 1 - 1 FK Crvena Zvezda Stadion FK Partizan Serbian Superliga It's Partizan vs Red Star, It's The Grobari vs The Delije, it's the Eternal Derby. Words, pictures, videos cannot do this justice. An hour before kick-off, there is a tense and taut atmosphere, but with an incessant noise of drums and activity.

the assembled firefighters. The first 15 minutes is all Red Star, and on 26 minutes, the air felt like it was sucked out of the stadium. You could hear a collective grasp from everyone, drums stopped beating, flares stopped fizzing. Golazo! As soon as the ball left Osman Bukaris boot, it was only going one way.

The Ghanian had scored a goal that would make Zidane blush.

During the warm ups, and decibels already at an ear splitting level, for reasons unbeknownst, Partizans players warmed up in front of the away fans, and vice versa.

A first time volley, outside the What an experience. box, in off the post, on an occasion like this. Cue pyro from The day after, we went back to the Delije. the scene of such destruction, with an unofficial tour of the The second half was all Partizan, stadium, and a chance meeting something was clearly said by with the Partizan manager, their grizzled manager, and they Gordan Petric, who was only to were playing some very neat happy to stop and chat about the football, being dragged towards game and his love of pizza. goal by the ever faithful Grobari!

After that, followed a tour of Even Serbia isn't free from the some of Belgrades lesser football shackles of VAR, and on 56 lights, including the glorious and minutes, the game stops for what historic ground of OFK Beograd, feels like an eternity. Penalty shown around by the great check. Tension abound. Given. Zdravko Jokic, club secretary, Bibars Natcho has a chance to former Yugoslavia player, and level from the spot, shooting UEFA referee. Hvala ti! towards his home fans. Goal.

One comical, but slightly heartbreaking moment came when a group of three Crvena Zvezda were going through some stretches, and completely missed a projectile from the Grobari. It landed perfectly next to them, and a second later, a bang, which followed an almost hilarious level of animated startle.

The stun bomb did it's job.

As the game kicked off, the real action was happening in the terraces, as both sets of fans showed up their full pyrotechnic might, often with several flares being launched onto the running track, causing a scramble from

Time for Partizan to celebrate.

The rest of the game was played out in a back and forth mess, swirling and growling, and eventually finished 1 - 1, which was probably the fairest, and safest result for Belgrade. Full time allowed the Red Star GK to sarcastically applaud the Grobari, while the Delije took the opportunity to set fire to some seats, all in a days work.

Words by Lewis Blackmore And here we are, the end of the ‘FIFA’ series as we know and (mostly) love it. Load up the Xbox, PlayStation or PC for some more rage-inducing, step-over filled football simulation. Question is, is this final chapter of the series (before the name and licence is retired) worthy of your time? A solid send off to the series?

On the whole these new features help the gameplay feel much more fluid than previous editions. The player in control does needs to be much more switched on to succeed and with this increases the need for an improvement in skills the more you play, allowing for much more longevity – an issue prominent in many previous iterations of the series.

ULTIMATE TEAM Let’s take a deep dive into ‘the world’s game’ and find out.

Arguably the defining game mode of FIFA, suffice to say it’s as addictive as ever and comes with everything GAMEPLAY you have come to expect plus a few FIFA 23’s remit is fast-paced game- added bonuses. play with brief, intense matches that will help the player adopt any Although it is about as familiar as it number of playstyles. gets, using the same Division Rivals and FUT Champs models devised One of the newest improvements in and tweaked during last year's run this new iteration is what EA are allows for a variety of matches and calling ‘Hypermotion 2’, which (as playstyles, plus the options to play they describe) uses “motion-capture against a range of opponents. and machine-learning” to create more realistic animations as you play. “Writing new animations in real time to create organic football realism across a variety of interactions on the pitch.” While this does sound like a load of techno babble to the average player, this new implemented tech does go a long way to making gameplay feel different game to game.

The main issue with this is that the gameplay is way too fast to ever look truly realistic. While the effort to create realism in a video game is to be admired, I just don’t think it’s possible in sports simulation to get the balance right. The game can’t be slowed down much more otherwise intensity is reduced.

However, another of the main additions to FIFA 23 is accelerate, explosive, controlled, and lengthy sprint acceleration styles – which is a great idea in theory that in practice leads to some really surprising and authentic moments too.

There are some improvements, however - not least the new chemistry system that allows you to (finally) use players from different national leagues without being heavily penalised. Cross-platform play is much better implemented this time too, while the expansion of women's football in the game is much-welcomed.

The brand new ‘moments’ featurette provides the player with another opportunity to earn rewards via the form of stars that can be used to purchase in-game benefits.

CAREER MODE Unfortunately for any Career Mode fans out there, I’m afraid you are going to be disappointed. There are new cutscenes, ratings for transfers, and a revamped presentation style, but they’re ultimately superfluous to gameplay and become tired very quickly after you have seen it a handful of times. Plus, the most intriguing new feature – Playable Highlights – while in theory is a very cool feature, it lacks somewhat in execution. This could well improve as patches release, but on initial playing there’s a lack of structure to how they operate and can often just feel like too much of a cheat code, like in one scenario where your striker can just end up 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper with no defenders in sight.

It’s hard not to feel that Career Mode is just a bit unloved and time was very clearly spent elsewhere on the other game modes, but that has been the case for a few FIFA’s now.

VERDICT

These include packs (ranging from lower range contracts packs to 100k packs at the higher end), staff (including those from Ted Lasso) and other consumables. All of which is set to renew on a monthly basis, much like other rewards in the objectives tab.

There is a taste of same-old, sameold, but something tells me that most fans really won't care, while newcomers and those who have skipped a generation or two are arguably receiving the best FIFA game for a good few years. Ultimate Team is the place to be, with revamped gameplay adding to the whole exponentially.

WATFORD ONCE AHEAD OF THE CURVE, NOW BEHIND THE TIMES. Words by @louorns Watford were once a club that other clubs with a low budget wanted to follow — buying cheap gems from obscure leagues, or unearthed players from a top five league.

From 2012-2017, the club was run extremely well, every Head Coach appointment made sense, and almost most of the transfers fitted what we were trying to do, and it brought success. The reason I leave out Javi Gracia, who in my opinion is the best appointment have made under the Pozzo tenure; is because I thought he gave us success in spite of Pozzo.

I’m building all this up to give you four big reasons why I think Gino should put the club up for sale. I obviously don’t speak for the fanbase, this is just my opinion on the matter; but unless the hierarchy realise the situation, we’re and they’re in, this club is only going one way.

Recruitment: The recruitment at the club since Marco Silva in the 17/18 season has been outright rotten.

The club spent £18m on Andre Gray who Marco Silva just didn’t want, we all know he wanted a target man in Islam Slimani, given how he likes to play. If it wasn’t for Silva, we’d have never signed Richarlison either.

Previously at other clubs and today with his use of Mitrovic; Silva has used a mobile big man up front; and we said you know what, we’ll do the complete The response to some of those opposite and sign arguably the like myself saying Pozzo Out is, worst deal in our history. well be careful what you wish for — an Alan Curbishley and Fast forward to the 19/20 Charlton reference, or season, we spent a record fee of comparison to Bury, Sunderland around £32m on Ismaila Sarr; etc. and gave him to someone who outright doesn’t use wingers in Do I think Gino will sell? I don’t his system, and never did but I at least at the bare minimum throughout his time as a want him to change his ways, manager/head coach. which brings me to my first issue.

This was all after Javi led us to our most successful season in

the modern era. Instead of backing a head coach, they’ve decided to make a huge transaction which has put the club at financial risk to this day.

What happens when you aren’t aligned with the most important person at the club? you fail sooner rather than later.

From not backing two head coaches to relegation and three more head coaches in just under two years. Also, what on earth is Cristano Giaretta doing at the club? he was universally hated

by Udinese fans due to his inability to recruit properly, yet he’s somehow ended up at Watford because he knows Gino?

It can’t be from the job he did at CSKA because all they did was loan players like Jerome Sinclair and Adalberto Penaranda. It’s jobs for the boys, it’s not serious, it’s embarrassing to have the squad we have with the money we’ve spent over the course of the Premier League.

£500m+ spent and we’ve still got players like Kabasele, Cathcart, Cleverley starting; amongst spending most of the money on our favourite agents’ clients who aren’t any good. That’s not even including other dross we’ve signed consistently.

Even in terms of this season, it was in my opinion the worst transfer window in the Pozzo tenure, mainly because no issues were addressed, didn’t back the new Head Coach in Rob Edwards, and I’m sorry, you can’t credit the club for keeping players they already own — even in Sarr’s case, he’s here by luck as a fee was agreed.

We knew Rob had flying wingbacks and quick ball carrying centre backs for his system to fully flourish — what do we do? sign the slowest, legs have gone right back in Mario Gaspar, didn’t bring in any defenders that fit his style, well the one we brought in doesn’t, and yes, I’m referring to Hause.

Rey Manaj was signed for what reason? and we know the process for Bayo. It’s all nonsense, it’s all for favours for other people and not to the benefit of the club. The only logical signing we made this summer was Keinan Davis.

Udinese: How the tables have turned eh Udinese fans? since you protested about the running of your club and the idea from your point of view that Watford are the love of the family, it’s Udinese’ turn to now reap the benefits of knowing what a good club can look like.

Sensible head coach appointments, no interference from Gino or Giaretta — just appointing one of the best technical directors in the country in Pepe Marino; who helped Napoli and Atalanta be settled for their strategies.

Communication: My final point is communication, or lack thereof. Did they pull the rule of 11 spiel from the same book that the Monarchy got their tax rule from? we sold Cucho and Zinckernagel because Rob want’s no more than 11 non My question is this, why hasn’t homegrown players in the squad.

Gino appointed someone of that calibre at Watford? there’s Rob also said he wanted another people out there in the lower forward, didn’t get one; or a divisions: Liam Sweeting at MK right-wing back; which was so Dons for example. painfully obvious. The club can brief the media that we never I spoke to a few different wanted a right-wing back, but I Udinese fans just for perspec- know for a fact we tried to sign tive, and they’ve had two Dujon Sterling on deadline day, protests; one in 2016 due to but he was already having a neglect of the team and the medical at Stoke City. name change of the stadium from Fruili to Dacia Arena.

My conclusion is I can pick apart the recruitment, Scott Then a second protest in 2018 Duxbury, Mogi Bayat etc, but the due to again team neglect and buck stops with Gino Pozzo — losing 11 straight games in Serie they all act on his orders, and A. They also said Giaretta was they’re making this club a atrocious, and most intriguingly laughing stock. that Giampaolo is adored by the fanbase, but they aren’t keen on Other clubs aren’t happy with Gino due to his decision making how we handle things, players and rash thought process. are suing us for unfair contractual obligations, employGiampaolo was the one who ees are leaving the club due to brought in Marino, and the only toxic atmospheres, not paying thing the Pozzo’s are there for at players their promised bonuses, Udinese is giving Marino the every employee signing NDAs — budget and closing deals; Marino it’s just not what I want from my is the one who runs the club as club. he has the trust from Papa Pozzo.

Us fans back the club through hell or high water, it’s us who has If you can change an entire club to endure the endless mockery culture and feeling around a from the media, but I think it’s got place within 18 months due to an to the point where we actually, or appointment of a Technical I certainly agree now.

Director with the credentials, surely, you’d do the same for Watford? Both clubs should be running the same way, and that’s evidently not happening.

Which Premier League season are these shirts from?

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Tad-Stad Trivia 1.

Match The Nationality

How many goals has Erling Haaland scored in the Premier League so far this season?

………………………………..

2.

Who was the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season? ………………………………..

3.

Who did Squires Gate beat in the last round of the FA Vase? ………………………………..

Spot The Ball

ANSWERS Shirt Season: 2018/19 Wordle: Toney & Maupay Spot the Ball: A Trivia: 1. Fifteen 2. Scott Parker 3. West Allotment Celtic Nationality: Hojberg - Denmark Gilmour - Scotland Costa - Spain Bailey - Jamaica Edouard - France

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