Note that this page is from our Gresley Rovers archive. It may not be related to the new Gresley Rovers (formerly Gresley FC until 2020).
UniBond League Pre-Season Edition (page 2)
Sheffield FC Celebrate 150 YearsSheffield FC may be a new club to the UniBond League this season but they are certainly not a new club in the history books, which show them to be the oldest club in the world who are celebrating their 150th Anniversary this season - their debut campaign in the UniBond League.
To mark the occasion in October the Football Association is sending an England Representative squad to play Sheffield on Tuesday, 23rd October whilst the following evening sees a Gala Dinner to be attended by many big names including FIFA President Sepp Blatter, UEFA boss Michel Platini and Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon.
Wilksinson Returns To Grantham
Having finished last term under the caretaker leadership of Adrian Speed and Mark Harbottle, Grantham Town have appointed former Lincoln United manager John Wilkinson as their new boss. It is a second stint at the "Meres" for Wilkinson who was in charge previously from December 1999 to the end of the 2002/3 season during which time the club won promotion from the Southern League Midland Division.
Wilkinson, who was at Lincoln for the last four seasons, has taken virtually his entire Lincoln side with him along with Assistant Manager Dave Gilbert and Coach Mick Hogg.
Lincoln Appoint Ramshaw
To replace Wilkinson Lincoln have turned to John Ramshaw who has a wealth of UniBond League experience under his belt having previously been involved with Hucknall Town, Leek Town and, more recently, part of Phil Starbuck's management team at Hednesford Town.
He has also been Youth Team Coach at both Nottingham Forest and Notts County. Left without a team when most of the Lincoln players followed Wilkinson to Grantham Ramshaw has been a busy man and amongst a host of signings he too has turned to his former club with Jon Douglas, Justin Jenkins, Lee Mellon, Lee Soar and Iain Screaton all moving with him from Hednesford.
Starbuck Names Mullen
Having lost his number two John Ramshaw to Lincoln United Hednesford boss Phil Starbuck has replaced him with Jimmy Mullen who has a huge amount of managerial experience in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
When his full time playing career ended Mullen began his managerial career in 1984 at Cardiff City where he was Assistant to Jimmy Goodfellow before moving to Aberdeen in 1987 to undertake the same role to Ian Porterfield.
He moved back to England with Blackpool where he was assistant to Frank Caspar before landing the manager's job at Burnley whom he took to two promotions including a 3-1 Wembley play-off victory against Stockport County.
His next move was to Sligo Rovers and then Telford United in the Conference after which he was employed by the FA of Wales working alongside Neville Southall with the Welsh Under 19 squad. During this period he also managed Colwyn Bay in the UniBond League.
The pair have certainly been busy during the summer bringing in Dave Macpherson, Alan Nagington and Rob Hawthorne all from Leek Town, Gordon Simms from Irish club Finn Harps, Eastwood Town striker Peter Knox, Gresley's Liam Hebbard, Joe Clarke from Solihull Borough, Ilkeston Town's Paul Robinson, Nottingham Forest youngster Jay Birch and goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin on a season's loan from Walsall amongst others.
Gateshead Confirm Bogie Appointment
Gateshead have confirmed the appointment of last season's caretaker boss Ian Bogie as manager for the forthcoming campaign. The former Newcastle United, Preston North End, Millwall, Leyton Orient and Port Vale player was given the job last March on a temporary basis when previous boss Tony Lee was relieved of his duties and the success the club enjoyed in the last dozen games until the end of the season under his direction played a part in Bogie beating off strong competition from Viv Busby and David Holdsworth.
Shepshed Row In With Martin
Another club to finish the last campaign without a manager were Shepshed Dynamo and they have appointed 49 year old Martin Rowe to lead them this coming season.
Rowe has had experience of the UniBond League previously having taken Belper Town in to the League from the Northern Counties East League during an eight year stint with the Derbyshire club.
In the last four years Rowe has managed Mickleover Sports gaining the club promotion to the NCEL's Premier Division whilst his playing career took in Eastwood Town, Burton Albion and Belper.
