Tuesday, 6th January 2009

News Archive

28th October 2006
There are new leaders in the First Division as Clitheroe collapsed in the second half to concede five goals to Stocksbridge PS who were recording their seventh win on the bounce to take over top spot after last week's top three Buxton, Bradford Park Avenue and Eastwood Town were all held to draws with the Derbyshire side finishing all square at home to Wakefield who proved their recent renaissance was no flash in the pan with an excellent point.

The two bottom clubs Chorley and Bridlington Town battled out a draw whilst Goole AFC ended a nine game sequence without a win when winning 4-1 at Gresley Rovers.

Chorley Name New Management Team

Chorley's third manager of the campaign will be Gerry Luzcka who follows in the footsteps of Shaun Teale and Paul Lodge who have both resigned from the hot seat since the start of the season. Luzka has never managed before in his own right in the UniBond League but has been Assistant boss at several clubs including Leigh RMI and Stalybridge Celtic. He brings with him as his number two 36 year old midfielder Kenny Mayers who needs no introduction to followers of the UniBond League scene having been an integral part of the Bamber Bridge side that won the League Challenge Cup and finished First Division runners-up in 1994/5. He went on to also play for Morecambe, Lancaster City, Barrow, Kendal Town, Fleetwood Town and most recently Mossley. He also won League representative honours and had a spell as assistant manager at Padiham in the North West Counties League last season.

Redfearn Nears 1,000th Game

Bradford Park Avenue's Neil Redfearn is fast approaching his 1,000th game in senior football with today's game against Rossendale United expected to see him take his career total to 999. Although Avenue have a County Cup game against Yorkshire Amateurs on Monday evening it is thought the 41 year old is likely to be given a break in view of Bradford's FA Trophy tie against Solihull Borough on 4th November which should be the day that sees him reach the magical four figure mark.

Redfearn currently stands in fifth place in the all time list of Football League appearances with his 790 appearances headed by only Peter Shilton (1005), Tony Forde (938), Terry Paine (824) and Tommy Hutchinson (794). He began his professional career at Bolton Wanderers in 1982 after an apprenticeship at Nottingham Forest but although Crystal Palace paid £100,000 for him he spent his prime years at Barnsley for whom he made 338 appearances scoring 84 goals and he was captain when they were promoted to the Premiership in 1997.

On their immediate relegation the following season Charlton Athletic paid £1,000,000 to keep Redfearn in the Premiership at the ripe old age of 33 but in 1999 the Dewsbury born midfielder jumped at the chance to return to Yorkshire with Bradford City who paid £250,000 for his services. He also played in the Football League for Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers, Watford, Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic, Halifax Town, Boston United and Rochdale.

Whilst at Halifax he got his first chance at management twice taking over as caretaker but left in 2002 when again passed over for the permanent post. He became player-manager at Scarborough in 2004 and remained with the "Seadogs" until earlier this year when he resigned his position and agreed to join Avenue for whom his father Brian was a long serving player in the club's Football League days during the 1950's. His father is often amongst the spectators watching his son who scored his 200th career goal in Avenue's recent 7-3 victory against Clitheroe.

As always when a remarkable achievement is made within the League our sponsors Henkel, the parent company of Unibond, have acted spontaneously and will mark the occasion of Redfearn's 1,000th senior competitive game with a special framed certificate.

Nineteen Still Standing

The UniBond League has nineteen clubs still standing after the midweek replays in the FA Trophy although one of them, Ossett Albion, have to try again next week as their game at Willenhall Town on Tuesday fell victim to the weather. In the draw for the Second Qualifying Round which will be played next Saturday UniBond clubs have been drawn against outside opposition in five of the ties. But, for once, the draw has been kind with four of the clubs, including Ossett Albion if successful, being drawn at home with only Clitheroe on their travels to Halesowen Town conquerors of Hednesford Town in one of Tuesday's replays.

There are two all Premier Division ties at Ashton United and Ilkeston Town where Gateshead and Ilkeston Town are the visitors. In the remaining five ties involving the UniBond League Premier Division clubs take on First Division clubs and Mossley, Kendal Town and Whitby Town are unlikely to be relishing the thoughts of their trips to Cammell Laird, Kendal Town and Woodley Sports respectively. Witton Albion are at home to Alsager Town whilst Eastwood Town travel to the 2003 winners Burscough. Both First Division clubs, however, will not be without hope as Alsager's away record is far superior to their home record where they have suffered six defeats in seven league outings whilst Eastwood beat Premier Division leaders AFC Telford United over two games in the last Round. The full draw as it affects UniBond clubs can be found on the Fixtures Page.

Collinge On The Move Again

Clitheroe 'keeper Peter Collinge has certainly had a moving season so far. He left the Lancashire club before a ball was kicked to sign a month's contract at Bury as cover for Northern Ireland international Alan Fettis. That deal, however, wasn't extended due to the arrival of Manchester City's Kaspar Schmeichel and he returned to Clitheroe. This week he was on his travels again as new Leek Town boss Paul Moore signed him and his team mate Michael Oates as he continues his rebuilding to get Leek away from the danger zone.

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