Tuesday, 6th January 2009

News Archive

18th March 2006
Review Of The Week

With leaders North Ferriby United having no game on Saturday both Marine and Frickley Athletic could have pulled level with them but neither did. Athletic suffered a shock home defeat to Gateshead for whom it was a first win in seven and whilst the "Mariners" also lost at home it wasn't as a big a surprise as Blyth Spartans are laying down a challenge to all and sundry. Farsley Celtic kept on the heels of the top four waiting for any slip-ups with two wins in the week scoring eight and conceding none. At the opposite end, Radcliffe Borough stay bottom after their draw at Lincoln United who are also dragged in to the relegation battle thanks to Gateshead's win whilst Leek Town are now an amazing 15th after winning their "six pointer" against Bradford Park Avenue. Leek looked down and out at Christmas but have now won five on the bounce whilst Avenue are seventeen games since taking all three points.

In the First Division only Fleetwood Town of the top four could manage a win and they go second after Kendal Town were held at home by Stocksbridge PS. Continuing to lead the table are Mossley but they are now only four points clear having played a game more than Fleetwood after a goalless draw at Rossendale United. It was a great week for Woodley Sports who banged in five at fellow play-off contenders Gresley Rovers on Tuesday and then followed up with a 3-0 win over Belper Town at the weekend. At the bottom Warrington Town's six points in the week puts Spalding United firmly in their sights for the one place alongside the seemingly doomed Bishop Auckland.

Farsley Win Televised Toss To Stage Final

All three UniBond League Cup Finals this season will be played as one-off games to a finish on the night. The toss for the right to host the League Challenge Cup Final was staged live on BBC's Look North news bulletin in the Yorkshire area on Thursday evening with Farsley Celtic winning as a consequence of which they will be at home to Stocksbridge PS 0n 4th April. The President's Cup Final will take place at Ilkeston Town where Bradford Park Avenue will be the visitors on 25th April. Sandwiched in between these two games will be the Chairman's Cup Final where Blyth Spartans will host Ossett Town on 19th April.

Banim Back

One of the UniBond League's most consistent marksmen of the past decade, Jody Banim, is back with the club where he made his name. Radcliffe Borough have signed the 27 year old on loan from Stalybridge Celtic just over two years after selling him to Shrewsbury Town for a club record fee of £20,000 in December 2003. At the time of his move he had already scored 22 goals following an equally impressive 43 the previous season. He also holds the distinction of having had a special presentation made to him by the League's sponsors in November 2003 after scoring in fourteen consecutive matches between 9th September and 4th November.

Heath Leaves Bridlington

The managerial changes within the UniBond League reached seventeen this week when Bridlington Town boss Steve Heath resigned along with his number two Mark Carroll. The parting by mutual agreement with the club was brought about by the financial difficulties Bridlington are currently burdened with. Taking charge of team affairs is Club Chairman Peter Smurthwaite, who is from a footballing background, assisted by senior players Wayne Lewis and Shaun Baker.

Spartan FA Cup Heroes In With The Best

Two of the Blyth Spartans team that captured the hearts of the nation in 1977/78 season with their run to the 5th Round of the FA Cup (where they only lost in a replay to Wrexham in front of a full house of over 42,000 at Newcastle United's St James' Park) are still very much in people's memories some 28 years later.

This year is the 125th season of the FA Cup and the Football Association has launched a search for an All Time FA Cup Team of Heroes. The nominations have now been narrowed down to the last 25 in each category of Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, Striker and Manager. Spartans Goalkeeper Dave Clarke and defender Tommy Dixon have both made it through to the final 25 with Clarke amongst such household names as Ray Clemence, Pat Jennings, Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman whilst opposition to Dixon includes the likes of Bobby Moore, Tony Adams and Stuart Pearce.

"It's unbelieveable" commented Clarke who added "It's amazing to be mentioned in the same breath as those national figures and I have Blyth Spartans to thank for that. My personal favourite in my group is Peter Schmeichel. It's also great that Tommy Dixon has been recognised too. Both he and Stuart Pearce enjoyed 60-40 tackles as long as those odds were against them!"

Selection of the final squad is down to fans across the country voting via the FA's website at www.TheFA.com Club Spokesman Phil Castiaux said "We are delighted that two of our former players have been honoured in this way. I expect our fans will make every effort to get Dave and Tommy in to the All Time Team of FA Cup Heroes but we shall obviously be up against it with fans from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and other big clubs voting for their own players".

Current Ilkeston Town player-manager Nigel Jemson has also made it down to the last 25 in the striker's stakes. He was nominated by Shrewsbury Town for his heroics in their side that was relegated to the Conference in 2003/4 but only after knocking out Everton courtesy of two strikes from the former England Under 21 International.

Bishop Auckland nominated their former manager Lawrie McMenemy and he too is listed amongst the final 25 for the managerial category. McMenemy is probably the only one in the final 25 for the manager's job to receive two nominations for, in addition to the Bishop Auckland nomination, he was also put forward by Southampton for his efforts in steering the then Second Division side to a famous Wembley triumph over the mighty Manchester United in 1976.

Clitheroe Confirm Smitheringale

Clitheroe this week confirmed that caretaker boss Mark Smitheringale will be in charge of team affairs until the end of the campaign. The 41-year-old former Peterborough United player who appeared in an FA Vase Final with Stamford was assistant to previous incumbent Tommy Lawson and was handed the reins in a temporary capacity when Lawson departed at the end of January. He now has a further ten games after which time there will be a review of the situation and a decision taken regarding the manager's position for next season.

The club had held interviews with other hopefuls for the job but decided that now was not the time for further change and that some stability was required. Recent results have also been better which went in Smitheringale's favour who will have his former boss from Goole AFC, Paul Marshall, as his Assistant in a reversal of roles.

Frickley Sign Duffield To Boost Promotion Hopes

Premier Division title-chasers Frickley Athletic have strengthened their firepower prior to the looming transfer deadline date of 31st March by signing the experienced former Football League player Peter Duffield from Conference North side Alfreton Town. The 37 year old joins Gary Marrow's team as player-coach - initially on loan until the end of the season but is expected to remain with the "Blues" next season whatever Division they are in. Duffield averaged almost a goal every two games in a full time career that took in Sheffield United, Rotherham United, Raith Rovers, Blackpool, Stockport County, York City and Boston United scoring more than 150 goals in around 350 appearances. He also showed that he is no past number by banging in 29 goals for Alfreton last term.

Matlock Hit By Double Blow

Matlock Town's outside chances of a promotion play-off spot took a knock this week with the news that both Craig Hopkins and Rocky White are likely to miss the remainder of the season. Both have sat out most of the campaign to date but the "Gladiators" were hoping to have them available for the run-in.

Hopkins' season didn't begin until 17th December and he has made just ten appearances whilst White has not featured since 15th October. A stomach injury picked up in last season's League Challenge Cup Final has kept the very popular Hopkins on the sidelines whilst White's problem is tendonitis in his ankle.

Joint boss Phil Brown said "It's a real blow as we were hoping to have both back for the run in. Both have offered to play if needed but the doctors have diagnosed rest as the only cure so it looks like they won't play again this season".

Duffy Boosts Radcliffe

Despite not knowing what Division the club may be in next season following their disastrous slump in form, Radcliffe Borough's Lee Duffy has committed himself to their cause for the next two seasons. Still aged only 23, Duffy joined Borough in 2004 from Rochdale for whom he made around thirty appearances before being released. General Manager Andy Johnston said "This is excellent news and reflects well on the club that we can keep the likes of Lee despite our current position. We always put player's progression at the top of the list and Lee has seen that we allow players to move upwards if the opportunity comes along. He knows we won't let him down".

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