Monday, 13th October 2008

News Archive

28th August 2006
Buxton went top of the First Division on Monday when they dented Clitheroe's previously unblemished record with the only goal of a tight game and the latter are joined in second place by Alsager Town and Bradford Park Avenue.

With Cammell Laird and Harrogate Railway Athletic occupying fifth and sixth spots four of the five newly promoted clubs are in the top six. Even the odd ones out, Skelmersdale United, enjoyed their Bank Holiday with their first win of the campaign coming at the expense of Bamber Bridge who had been undefeated. Other teams in the lower tier to secure their first success of the season on Monday were Bridlington Town, Gresley Rovers and Brigg Town. Both Chorley and Wakefield FC, however, are still looking for a first point whilst Rossendale United are still seeking a first win although things did improve over the weekend for "Rossy" with two draws after losing their two openers.

UniBond One Club Of The Month Awards

The Club of the Month award for August has gone to Buxton. The Bucks clinched the First Division prize when they beat Clitheroe on Monday to end the Lancashire clubs 100% start to the campaign leaving them and the other newcomers Cammell Laird as the only two sides still unbeaten in the lower Division.

Now Teale Goes

The UniBond League playing season was only in to its fourth day when Chorley boss Shaun Teale became the second casualty of the campaign following the departure of Mark Smitheringale from Clitheroe on the eve of the opening matches.

The former Aston Villa player said he could no longer combine the dual role of running his pub/restaurant, which he had purchased in the summer with that of managing a semi-professional club.

In the absence of Club Chairman Ken Wright who is currently indisposed, former England international and the club's acting Chairman Brian Pilkington said "Shaun has informed us that he has been finding it increasingly difficult to run his business and carry out his duties with the football club. We understand that his livelihood must come first and we wish him well. We appreciate everything that Shaun has done for the club - playing and managing in extremely difficult times for Chorley FC".

The 42 year old Teale, who steered Burscough to FA Trophy victory three years ago after a long career including Premiership action when with Villa as well as playing in the Football League with Bournemouth and Tranmere Rovers, made more than fifty appearances for Chorley since joining them as player-manager in January 2005. He said "I have done my best on a tight budget to bring success to Chorley and even carried on playing to help ease the club's financial burden. But since taking on the Farmers Arms in Burscough I have found that the long hours at the pub and the time taken up playing, training and managing the football club have made it impossible for me to keep up both jobs".

Taking charge for this weekend's games was his Assistant Ray Stafford.

Schmeichel Move Hits Collinge

Peter Collinge who was released by Clitheroe just before the start of the season so he could sign a one month contract with Bury to act as cover for first team 'keeper Alan Fettis has had his immediate future placed in doubt this week by Bury's loan signing of Manchester City's Kasper Schmeichel. The son of Manchester United goalkeeping legend Peter was widely acclaimed as the man most responsible for keeping Bury in the Football League last season when he was also with the Shakers on loan for fifteen games at the end of the campaign. Clitheroe had originally signed Collinge when he was released by Bury at the end of the 2004/5 season as a cost cutting measure.

Clitheroe, meanwhile, have placed Chris Stammers in charge of team affairs for at least a month following Mark Smitheringale's departure on the eve of the new season. Stammers was number two at Burscough last season under Derek Goulding and had just been brought in under the same capacity at Clitheroe by Smitheringale when club and manager parted company.

Debut To Forget

Dene Whittall-Williams put through his own goal just 52 minutes in to his debut for Rossendale United on Tuesday night as his new club went down 0-5 at home to Bradford Park Avenue.

Half Of Member Clubs Enter FA Youth Cup

Just over half of the League's member clubs have entered sides in this season's FA Youth Cup with nine of them setting off on the trail in the Preliminary Round due to be played week commencing 11th September 2006. The early starters are Burscough, Ossett Town, Radcliffe Borough, Stocksbridge PS, and Witton Albion all of whom meet outside opposition whilst First Division Warrington Town are drawn at home to UniBond Premier Division club Prescot Cables with Eastwood Town playing host to fellow First Division side Gresley Rovers.

The successful clubs from the above Preliminary Round ties will be joined in the 1st Qualifying Round by AFC Telford United, Bradford Park Avenue, Brigg Town, Belper Town, Gateshead, Guiseley, Goole AFC, Grantham Town, Hednesford Town, Kendal Town, Leek Town, Marine, Matlock Town, North Ferriby United, and Ossett Albion. The 1st Qualifying Round ties are to be played week commencing 25th September.

First Division Clubs Set Out On The FA Cup Road

Next Saturday sees all the UniBond League's First Division clubs set out on what used to be known as the Road to Wembley with the odds slightly against them as only nine of the clubs drawn against outside opposition have home advantage compared to eleven on their travels. There are two all UniBond ties with Colwyn Bay playing host to Ossett Albion whilst Goole AFC are at home to Bradford Park Avenue. The Premier Division clubs join the fray on 16th September.

Rossendale Shelter Local Teenagers

Although they have found it difficult to score points in the league so far First Division Rossendale United have proved to be a hit with the local teenagers as the club has provided a new place for the youths to hang out. The gathering of the teenagers on street corners had provoked complaints from local residents and the club donated land for a shelter to be built that could be used by the teenagers. With funding secured from Rossendale's Community Safety Partnership, Lancashire Partnership against Crime and the High Sherriff of Lancashire's Crimebeat Fund the shelter was recently opened by the High Sheriff at the rear of Rossendale's Dark Lane home. Club Director Steve Hobson said: "We always aim to be good neighbours and it is hoped that by providing a safe place for the young people of the area to gather that any problems linked to anti-social behaviour will reduce".

Warrington Set Up Hospital Partnership

Warrington Town have set up a partnership with the local hospital radio service that will enable patients to listen to pre-match interviews together with 20 minute updates throughout Saturday home matches with the broadcast completed by a full match report once the game has ended.

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Rovers Make A Point On The Road

Lincoln Pre-match News

At home to:
Willenhall Town (UniBond President's Cup 2nd Round)

Tuesday 14th October, 7.45pm

View previous encounters with Willenhall Town