ChromaSport & Trophies
United Counties Football League
Company Secretary: Wendy Newey, United Counties League, 4 Wulfric Square, Bretton, Peterborough PE3 8RF
Telephone: 01733 330056 Fax: 01733 330067 E mail:
web site: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=1625657
Newsline telephone 09066 555 885
CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 279 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 1
Appleby in shock Fenmen exit
The early weeks of the new season have seen a shock managerial departure from Premier newcomers Wisbech, with Steve Appleby leaving the club just six games into the campaign.
Appleby had been at the Wisbech helm for three and a half years, leading them to the runners-up medals in the Thurlow Nunn League last season and two League Cup successes in three seasons. Assistant Chris Dear has also stepped down from his post.
Former Wisbech manager Dick Creasey, a UCL title winner with both Holbeach and Spalding, has been appointed as caretaker manager at Fenland Park, with senior players Paul Cousins and Scott Johnson assisting him.
A recent addition to the Fenmen’s squad is striker Ewan Clarke from Kings Lynn, but another front man James Tricks has returned to Kettering after just a couple of games in Wisbech colours.
Byrne takes the Foundrymen reins
Kevin Byrne has been handed his first managerial role at Stewarts & Lloyds, filling the void left by Daren Young’s eve of season departure. Byrne had rejoined S&L as a player at the start of the campaign and numbers Desborough, Corby and Stamford among his previous clubs. Glyn Davies returns to the fold as assistant manager. Reserve boss Lee Duffy has left Occupation Road in recent weeks, with youth team boss Neil Addy currently in charge of the second string.
Former Desborough midfielder Eddie Mills has become the new management’s first recruit.
Buckby rebuilding paying off
Recent wins over Newport Pagnell and Stewarts & Lloyds have lifted new look Long Buckby into the top half of the table as manager Phil Mason’s rebuilding takes effect.
Recent arrivals at Station Road are defenders Robson Kightley from Wellingborough and Ridge Essilfie and Ben Oddy who both played for Mason at Woodford, midfielder Dan Bucciero from Daventry and Bedworth front runner Aaron Donaldson.
More new faces added on the eve of the club’s FA Vase trip to Greenhouse London were former Woodford pair, midfielder Joe Power and striker Nathan Stewart, Kettering midfielder Wes Emery and Rugby trio Luke Wilson, Alfred Ajani and Sheldon Dodd.
CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 279 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 2
Rayment commits future to Tulips
Spalding manager Pat Rayment has committed his future to the Tulips for the remainder of the season after being strongly linked to the managerial vacancy at Corby Town where he started his managerial career.
Striker Andy Tidswell, last season’s Premier Division leading scorer, has hit the ground running with a flurry of goals for his new club after recovering from a broken hand, while experienced defender Lee Canoville has returned to training after his hamstring problem. There is less good news though on fellow back four man Miles Chamberlain who has been ruled out for the season due to a knee injury.
Huntingdon in the limelight
Huntingdon’s recent success in the FA Cup has seen them thrust into the media spotlight as BBC Radio Five’s FA Cup team to follow on their Saturday night 606 phone in show. The programme was following Town’s Preliminary Round hosts Swaffham and will now feature Huntingdon until they are eliminated.
Huntingdon chairman Paul Hunt and assistant manager Seb Hayes were both interviewed on the programme after the Swaffham success.
On the field additions to the Huntingdon squad are front runner Jacob Joyce who arrives from Premier rivals Peterborough Northern Star and St Ives midfielder Max Roberts.
Town’s win over AFC Rushden & Diamonds on 28th August was watched by 401 spectators, a record attendance for a competitive match at Jubilee Park.
Cogenhoe strengthen squad
Early season transfer activity has seen Cogenhoe manager Andy Marks strengthen his squad in defence and attack.
Defensive recruits are full back Tom O’Brien and central defender Dan Chilton, both members of Sileby’s Division One title winning team last season, while adding to the side’s firepower is Tom Liversedge who returns to Compton Park after spells with both Bedworth and Stamford.
Star sign three
Peterborough Northern Star co-managers Darren Jarvis and Michael Goode have continued to draft new faces into their squad during the early weeks of the season.
Utility defender or midfielder Wes Lewis has arrived at Chestnut Avenue from last season’s league champions Holbeach, while another defensive capture is John-Paul Duncliffe who was with Ryman League Soham last term.
Completing the Star signings is front man Jack Werndly who switches from Huntingdon, having previously been on the books of Rangers north of the border, and also with West Ham and Norwich as a youngster.
CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 279 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 3
Injuries bite at Newport
Injuries have hampered Newport Pagnell during the early weeks of the season with experienced defenders Derek Brown (shin) and Dean Buss (groin) amongst the early season casualties along with one time Leicester City youngster Ryan Halson (ankle).
Recent additions to the Swans squad are Polish wide man Lukasz Filipiak and a familiar face returning, Jarred Cunniff rejoining the Swans after a brief spell with St Ives.
With numbers stretched manager Darren Lynch has signed playing forms along with veterans Maz Lagioia and Dean Chapman.
Poachers legend returns
Boston Town have welcomed one of the club’s all time top performers back into the fold in recent weeks. Dead ball specialist Paul Goodhand is back with the Poachers after spells with Holbeach and Louth since leaving Tattershall Road.
Also joining Town is striker Jordan Nuttell who has found opportunities limited with Conference North neighbours Boston United.
Deeping squad depth tested
The strength of Deeping’s squad has been tested in the early weeks of the campaign with a number of key men having spells on the treatment table.
One recruit in recent weeks, former Stewarts & Lloyds winger Nicki Young, is out with a knee injury as are midfielder Ciaran Holt and left back Lewis Stone. Defender Spencer Tinkler (ankle) and striker Ryan Oliver (knee) are now back in action after spells on the sidelines.
Rangers’ opening day encounter with AFC Rushden & Diamonds was watched by a record Outgang Road attendance of 509.
Familiar faces return to Harborough
Recent weeks have seen a trio of players return to Harborough colours after spells elsewhere.
Midfielder Martin Anderson and striker Jack Burrows were both part of the club’s promotion winning squad a couple of years ago, and return from Oadby and Desborough respectively.
Also returning to Bowdens Park is young midfielder Oli Magee who departed for Rothwell Corinthians during the summer.
CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 279 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 4
Edge links up with Sileby
Sileby have added Ian Edge to their backroom team. The former Peterborough Sports coach has moved to the Premier Division newcomers in a similar role. He numbers Bedford Town and Stamford among his clubs as a player.
On field additions to the Rangers squad are Dean Ainsworth who has switched from Long Buckby and Haydon Bream who joins from Peterborough League club Sawtry.
Rangers were given a walkover in their first venture into the FA Vase after scheduled First Qualifying Round opponents AFC Biggleswade folded.
Doughboys depleted
Wellingborough have seen a number of first choice players ruled out through injury in recent weeks. Goalkeeper Shaun Markie has been sidelined with a broken finger while other casualties are full back Damon Herbert (hamstring), midfielders Scott Liebscher (hernia), and Louis Dupree (ankle ligaments) and front runner Jon Mitchell (torn quadracep).
Goalkeeper James Brassington has rejoined the Doughboys to replace Markie between the posts.
Two newcomers join Sleaford
New look Sleaford have had a bizarre start to the season kicking off with three successive league reverses against fancied teams but enjoying success in the FA Cup with two victories.
Manager Kris Jones has added a couple of new faces to his squad with defender David Hone switching from Lincoln United and young midfielder Fraser Cobb arriving from Lincoln City where he has appeared in the first team.
Town took advantage of a recent free midweek to take on a side from Lincoln City at Eslaforde Park. The Imps fielded a mixture of first team squad men and trialists and ran out 4-2 winners.
Bright start for Diamonds
Premier newcomers AFC Rushden & Diamonds have enjoyed a good start in the top flight although they lost their unbeaten record in their fourth match, going down to a single goal defeat at Huntingdon.
The size of the Diamonds’ support base continues to impress as they’ve drawn record crowds at both Deeping and Huntingdon, while their two matches with London Colney in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup attracted the two highest crowds of the round nationally.
Experienced defender Arron Parkinson is back in training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines while Fazel Koriya is now back from holiday after kicking off his Diamonds career with four goals in his first two matches for the club.
CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 279 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 5
Stones chairman takes on managerial role
Chairman Gary Peace has taken on another role at Division One club Blackstones. The former reserve team boss has returned to dugout duties, taking charge of the first team after Dave Stratton was axed four games into the season.
Stratton had only taken charge in January but was unable to prevent Blackstones being relegated from the Premier Division last term.
Peace has moved quickly to strengthen his squad bringing former players Tom Davies, Andy Buckle and Chris McRoyall back to Lincoln Road while introducing former Yaxley midfielder James Nespoli to the squad.
Watts and Civil leave Corinths
After presiding over six successive defeats to start the new season Rothwell Corinthians manager Ben Watts and assistant Ash Civil have stepped down from their posts at Sergeant’s Lawn.
Watts had joined Corinths back in November 2012.
The club has also had a change at the reserve helm recently with Gary Nichols stepping down due to work commitments to be succeeded by his assistant Lee Ainsworth.
Ainsworth has quickly been promoted to first team duties in a caretaker capacity, working with committee member Frank Ielapi who had a lengthy spell at the first team helm a few years back. Recent arrival Steve Malone and under 18s boss Andy McLaren are looking after the reserve side.
An on field arrival at Sergeant’s Lawn is defender Sam Birtwistle from Harborough.
Austin in at Woodford
Woodford have handed Mitch Austin the manager’s post at Byfield Road. He enjoyed a successful spell as Bugbrooke ‘A’ team manager last season and briefly assisted Badgers first team boss Paul Field before leaving Birds Close in pre season. He has also run Sunday side Loko Moulton.
Paul Adams will assist Austin with Chopper Thomas taking a fitness coach role.
Austin has recruited a number of players from Bugbrooke including midfielders Richard Pannell, Chris Moore, and Chris Fury, Steve Grimley who will skipper the side from defence and striker Dan Brown while other new faces are midfielder Dale Spick from Whitworth and defender Dan Carter from Coventry United, who have also lost midfielder Karlo Morgan to the new look Reds
Defender Craig Fowkes from Hardingstone, Delapre striker Charlie Whiting and experienced midfielder Ricky Smith from Sunday football are other new recruits. Another new face in the Byfield Road ranks is goalkeeper Dom Roggero who signed from Desborough while chairman Andy Worrall was in caretaker charge of the side.
After conceding thirteen goals in their first two matches of the season, Austin has generated an improvement in performances although losing his first two games in charge to Potton 4-0 and Oadby 3-0.
CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 279 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 6
In form Oadby strengthen up
After missing out on promotion last season Oadby have hit the ground running in their second Division One season, kicking off the campaign with five straight victories.
New manager Jeff Stocking has continued to be active in the transfer market, adding a number of new faces to the squad. Midfielder Luke Brighty has been signed on his release by Aston Villa, while new wingers are Pearson Mwanyongo from Desborough and Joe French from Rainworth who enjoyed a scoring debut against Woodford on 3rd September.
Last season’s leading goalscorer Jon Stevenson will be returning to Oadby colours any day now after a spell coaching in the United States.
Backroom departures for Sports
There have been a couple of departures from the Peterborough Sports backroom team in recent weeks with Director of Football Alex Brown and coach Ian Edge both leaving the club.
On the field Sports have made a promising start setting the early pace after kicking off with three successive wins, notably a 6-2 success at Bourne which saw them play more than an hour with ten men after Darren Fogg’s red card.
Burton win floodlight bow
The first few weeks of the season have seen Burton Park display up and down form, but they enjoyed a successful first floodlit match on 3rd September when using the new Latimer Park lights for the first time.
Newcomers Peterborough Sports were the visitors for the opening match under the lights and Burton inflicted a first defeat on the newcomers, Leigh Chapman’s goal late in the first half securing victory in the historic encounter.
The official opening of the lights will take place on Thursday 12th September with a match against ground sharers Kettering Town.
More new faces for Potton
Potton have had a host of newcomers join their squad in recent weeks as they’ve enjoyed their best start to a season in years.
Best known capture is Eynesbury forward Nick Finney who made a goalscoring bow in the Royals’ 1-1 draw at Rushden & Higham on 3rd September. Young defenders Tom Roberts and Jack Harding have arrived from the Bedford Town youth set up, full back Jack Baker has signed from St Ives, midfielder Dean Hamilton returns from Ickwell and forward Shaun Winconek has switched from league rivals Olney.