It is important for any club to be able to Brantham Athleticproduce their own talent particularly inthe current financial climate. Coaching Another benefit of having a reserve side isstaff overseeing the youngsters are that it allows the first team to benefitconfident that they have a number of from far greater strength in depth. If theyplayers involved with the potential to go are ever left short on numbers throughon and play for the seniors. injury or suspension then they have the option of calling players up with a limitedIt can be difficult for young players to amount of disruption.make the sometimes difficult transitioninto the senior game and to counter this Brantham Athletic is a great example of aproblem they also have a reserve team well-run, community establishment andrunning.This allows them to give players this is thanks to the hard work that theirexperience of adult football even if they Committee have put into the club.are not yet considered ready for first Hopefully they will be able to continue inteam action. the same manner for many years to come and everyone at Football Focus Magazine would like to wish them the best of luck.
AshingtonAshingtonAshington AFC was first formed in 1883, This time out the club’s first team enjoyed awhich makes them one of the oldest strong league campaign in the highlyclubs in Northumberland.They wasted competitive EBAC Northern League Divisionno time in beginning to build their 1.They managed to put together a leaguehistory either, first entering the FA Cup record of having won 24, drawn 5 and lost 15in 1887. of their 44 matches which saw them finish in 6th place in the table.In recent times a new executive board tookover the club in the summer of 2008 led by This should provide the team with a goodNational Union of Mineworkers President Ian platform upon which to build as they lookLavery.They moved to new ground Woodhorn ahead towards their next campaign. So long asLane at a similar time and played their first they are able to retain their current group ofhome game there in the FA Cup when they players and perhaps make one or two qualitydefeated Ossett Albion by two goals to one in additions there should not be any reason whyfront of a crowd of 341. they will not be able to continue to challenge near the top of the table in the coming years. Ashington is a club that is committed to providing as many people as possible from the local area with an opportunity to play the game in a safe and enjoyable environment. It is with this in mind that they also have a reserve side in place which competes in the Northern Alliance Premier Division. This has the bonus of allowing the first team to benefit from far greater strength in depth than if they only had one team. If they are ever left short on numbers through injury or suspension they have the option of calling up players with a limited amount of disruption. Football Focus Profiles Manager Gary Middleton Ashington FC Manager Gary Middleton has been in charge for 5 seasons in the Northern league, having started his career as an apprentice at Man Utd alongside the likes of Norman Whiteside and Mark Hughes, when Ron Atkinson was the Manager.
AshingtonGary took over as Ashington manager in thesummer of 2009, making the move from WestAllotment Celtic and took Ashington to twoCup Finals and a top six League position in hisfirst season at Woodhorn Lane.In 2011/12 he led Ashington to their best leaguefinish in over 30 years as the Colliers finished5th in the Northern League Division One.'Middler' has years and years of experience inlocal football and had a very successful playingcareer, captaining Whitley Bay to FA Vase glory in2002, playing at Wembley with BedlingtonTerriers and playing in the UniBond League withBlyth Spartans. He also played for Ashingtontowards the end of his playing days.Gary currently manages the Hirst WelfareFootball Centre, as well as working withNewcastle United.
Horley TownHorley TownHorley Town FC plays their home They joined the Combined Counties Footballgames at The New Defence in Surrey League in 1984 before leaving to play in theand their first team currently local leagues in 1996.They returned in 2003.competes in the Combined Counties One of the most memorable seasons in theirPremier Division.They are led by the history came in 1976-77 when they managedteam of Chairman Mark Sale and to win the Surrey Senior League.President Mike Miller and the club hasmade a considerable amount of It would be fair to say that the first team didprogress under their guidance. not perhaps enjoy the season that they would have liked this time around, finishingThe club has a history of which they have with a final league record of having won 12,every right to be proud and first became drawn 6 and lost 24.This saw them finish 4thaffiliated to the Surrey FA in 1896, originally from bottom in the table with 42 points.being known as Horley FC.They mergedwith Gatwick Rovers in 1908 but did not With the campaign over they will now bechange their name to Horley Town until keen to have a strong off-season in order to1975. ensure that they are able to win a higher
Horley Townpercentage of games next time around. So senior game Horley Town also have along as they are able to retain their current reserve side running.This allows them togroup of players and maybe make one or provide an opportunity to experience adulttwo quality additions they’ll be in with a level football even if players are not yetgood chance of doing just that. considered ready for first team action.To complement their senior section Horley Another benefit of having more than oneTown also has a thriving youth set-up in senior side is that it allows the first team toplace.This part of the club looks to provide benefit from far greater strength in depth. Ifyoung players from the local area with an they are ever left short on numbers throughopportunity to play the game in a safe and injury or suspension they have the option ofenjoyable environment. calling players up with a limited amount of disruption.It is important for any club to be able toproduce their own talent, particularly in the Off the field, there is also much to admirecurrent financial climate. Coaching staff about their set-up, having moved to Theoverseeing the youngsters are confident New Defence in 2003.The facility has athat they have a number of players on the floodlit pitch and an impressive clubhousebooks that have the potential to go on and building with three rows of seats which arerepresent the first team. flagged on either side by dugouts.In order to help young players make the The clubhouse possesses bar and functionsometimes difficult transition into the facilities which overlook the pitch and
Horley Townprovide an excellent view through Although Horley Town did notlarge double-glazed windows. Having achieve the results that they wouldhigh quality facilities such as these is a have wanted on the pitch this seasonmajor asset for any club as it can help this should not take away from theimprove the match day experience good work that is being done at thefor players, supporters and members club. If they continue in the samealike as well as supplying a valuable manner they are sure to be able tosource of additional revenue. look forwards to a bright and successful future.
ChesterfieldChesterfieldChesterfield FC play their home games at producing players for the first team.The Proact Stadium in Derbyshire andtheir first team competed in Sky Bet Working in conjunction with the DevelopmentLeague 2 in the 2013/14 season.They are a Centre it delivers a programme which looks toclub that has been making a considerable enable players to learn, improve and progress.Asamount of progress both on and off the well as developing the youngsters as players theypitch in recent times. also look to develop their social and educational skills to ensure that they can look forwards to aIndeed this season they put together a superb bright future.league campaign, compiling a record of having won23, drawn 15 and lost just 8 of their 46 league Chesterfield has clearly enjoyed a great seasonmatches.This saw them finish top of the league this time around and this is a just reward for allwith 84 points on the board. the hard work that has been put into the club. Hopefully they will be able to continue in theThis ensured that they claimed promotion and same manner for many years to come and Footballtheir focus will now turn towards ensuring that Focus Magazine would like to wish them the bestthey are well prepared for their new league. So of luck.long as they are able to keep up their recent levelof performance they should not have anything tofear next time around.A particular highlight of the team’s form has beenthe good defensive record that they have puttogether. In their 46 matches they ended upconceding just 40 goals at a rate of less than oneper match.Being so tight defensively came around thanks tothem having good individual players but was alsodown to the superb organisation of the teamwhich was a real credit to the management.Having a strong defence is crucial for any teamlooking to mount a title challenge and it can givethe team plenty of confidence knowing that theyhave the ability to grind out results even whenthey are not at their best.Chesterfield is not a club that focuses solely upontheir senior section however and they also put alot of effort into the development of youngplayers in their local area. It is with this in mindthat they have an academy set up with the aim of
Burton AlbionBurton AlbionThe Burton Albion Community Trust is through the work that we do with keya terrific example of how a football partners by increasing community cohesion,club can help people in their local area. reducing anti-social behaviour and increasingFootball Focus Magazine caught up with physical activity levels.”the club’s Community DevelopmentManager Andy Taylor to find out more Progressabout the good work that they’ve beendoing. “The work that we do now is a lot more significant than what it used to be in terms ofInvolvement just a bag of balls out in the community.The scheme has made large strides in a relativelyHe told us,“I came to Burton Albion when short space of time and it’s a fantasticwe set up the Community Trust back in community based football club which gaveSeptember 2010. For me the best part of the the scheme a good footing to develop as arole is seeing the impact that we make in the scheme.”community, bringing a smile to people’s facesbut at the same time having a lasting impact
What We Do Burton Albion“We now have over 20 full time staff However we know that there are areasand engage with over 5 and a half where we can improve and we willthousand participants and we’re proud work hard to develop with what we’reof how well we’ve done and continue to putting in place and that is in line withmove in the right direction.We deliver the success of the football club. It is athemed programmes around disability, terrific football club that’s progressinghealth, social inclusion, participation and with the academy, the first team and offeducation. the pitch as well.”We try to have a targeted approach towhat we do using the brand of Burton PartnersAlbion to engage people where otherorganisations usually struggle. So for “Our links with the community is whatexample from an education point of has allowed us to progress so quickly.view people from 16-24 may not want We’ve put into practice a deliveryto go to college or university but they model which involves working verymight come and study here based at our closely with the police and very closelystadium.” with a local housing association.We also work with a number of local businessesSuccess and we can support them in achieving their aims and objectives. Most of the“As we move into our 4th year of time our schemes are in partnershipdelivery I think the scheme has been as with other groups.”successful as anyone could of imagined. Challenges/Ambitions “Funding is always a challenge for any charity and core funding as we continue to grow is an issue. For me it is important to manage expectations and not run before we can walk.We want to do everything to a high quality and as we are growing we put a lot of time and effort into maintaining that standard. Over the next 5 years we want to make sure we are delivering a wide range of products to a high quality. It’s difficult to say exactly where you want to be but so long as we are able to move forwards from where we are now we will be being successful and supporting the local agenda in the right way.”
Burgess Hill TownBurgess HillTownPlaying their home games at AtmosphereThe Green Elephants He told us,“The mood here isStadium in Sussex, Burgess positive, progressive and a senseHill Town FC is a club that of achievement having reached theplays a vital role in their highest ever level of football in thelocal community. Football clubs history.We were 2 minutesFocus Magazine caught up away from a play-off position inwith Club Representative the very last game and so on oneRichard Strange to find out hand very good that we havemore about the good work reached a new level butthat they have been doing.
Burgess Hill Towndisappointment as we know we could andshould have made the play-offs. So thefocus will be on the small changes to makethat happen next season.”Community“We are a community club, especially withthe links we have developed locally withteam mascots walking out with the 1stteam players for many games, links withlocal business through the local businessparks association (BHBPA) andcommunication through newspapers,leafleting and local radio.We have no formal links but wehave a junior club(www.southdownfc.com)Southdown FC next door with16 girls and boys teams andthis club has always been seenas a sister junior club.We alsohave links with other localteams such as Lindfield FC andBurgess Hill Albion who useour facilities along withHaywards Heath Town LadiesFC who will become BurgessHill Town Ladies in 2014-15.”Youth“We have probably thestrongest youth set up inSussex and have just won theleague for the 4th year in a rowand the County Cup for the3rd time in 4 years. 3/4 of theyouth team have been regularlyinvolved or playing in the 1stteam. It’s vital that we continueto develop this area which isalready very successful
Burgess Hill TownWe have an U21’s team which allows We do get positive feedback aboutus to retain the younger players and the way we look after visitors to theease them into senior football and a club.”1st team manager that brings the Challenges/Ambitionsyounger players regularly into the 1st “Our biggest challenge is Housingteam fold.” Development demands in the localFacilities areas, therefore a short lease,“We have already been improving the therefore less opportunity to developground with new roofing, a new food the ground or gain grant funding.Thefacility, new decking, re-decoration, other things we can grow but theand new toilets this Summer.We governments housing demands willcouldn’t operate in the Ryman affect our medium term developmentLeague without hirers using the club and possibly where we play ourhouse for celebrations and parties. football in 10-20 years.
Chichester CityChichester CityBased at Oaklands Park in West Sussex, One big positive in their efforts this season wasChichester City currently competes in the superb home record that they managed tothe Sussex County Football League put together. Of their 19 matches played atDivision 1.They are led by Chairman Oaklands Park they managed to win 10, draw 7Mike Madden who is supported by and lose just twice.They will be looking toSecretary Michael Maiden and the club continue this record into their next campaignis looking to progress under their and it should provide a strong base for success.guidance. Obviously, most of the team’s supporters attendThis season they enjoyed a steady league home matches and so having a good recordcampaign managing to put together a record ensures that they will continue to be behind theof having won 14, drawn 9 and lost 15 of team.This is crucial for teams at any level as atheir 38 matches.This saw them finish in a vociferous crowd can help to boostsafe mid table position with 51 points on the performances and provide a valuable source ofboard. additional revenue.This should provide them with a good Chichester City is not a club that focuses solelyplatform upon which to build as they look upon their senior section and they also have aahead to their 2014-15 campaign. So long as youth team in place.This team looks to providethey are able to retain their current group of young players from the local area with anplayers and perhaps make one or two quality opportunity to play the game in a safe andadditions they should be in with a good enjoyable environment whilst helping them tochance of claiming a higher league finish next reach their full potential.time around.
Chichester City It is important for any team to be able to produce their own talent particularly in the current financial climate. Coaching staff working with their development squad are confident that they have a number of players on their books with the potential to go on and represent the first team. In order to help these players to make the sometimes difficult transition into senior level football they also have a reserve team running.This allows them to give youngsters experience of the adult game even if they are not yet ready for first team action. Another benefit of having a reserves is that it allows the first XI to benefit from far greater strength in depth. If they are ever left short on numbers through injury or suspension they have the option of calling players up with a limited amount of disruption. There is much to admire about the set-up that Chichester City currently has in place and this is thanks to the good work that their Committee has been doing in recent times. Hopefully they will be able to keep up the good work that they have been doing for many years to come.
Ramsbottom UnitedRamsbottomUnitedided that, as every team has a bad run at some Skelmersdale United in injury time, we began thispoint during a season, we would treat the start season with four straight defeats! We put thisas ours, and get it out of the way! We did well in down to a “hangover” from last season, although,the FA Cup and Trophy, and our league form more optimistically, we decided that, as everysince those first four games has been excellent, team has a bad run at some point during ahence the push for a play-off spot.” season, we would treat the start as ours, and getAtmosphere it out of the way! We did well in the FA Cup andHe told us,“The atmosphere here is very good! Trophy, and our league form since those firstWe’ve had five excellent seasons under the four games has been excellent, hence the pushmanagement of former players (still registered as for a play-off spot.”players) Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley,who have brought an exciting, attacking brand of Youthfootball to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.Promotion from the North West Counties “Our Junior section is thriving, and we welcomeLeague in their third season (having finished 4th youngsters down to the ground to watch theand 2nd), just missing the play-offs last year in First team, encouraging future supporters to theEvo-Stik North (6th), and going up this time club.A number of players from the U18’s teamround has given the place a buoyant outlook.” have played for the first team over the last two or three years, opening a direct route forThis Season talented players to continue to pursue their“After missing out on a place in the play-offs last footballing ambitions at a higher level.April, by conceding a goal away to champions Our First team management duo work closely with the Juniors to develop players who they feel can make the progression to First team level. It is important to bridge the gap between Junior and Senior football to ensure that opportunities are there rather than let young players drift out of the game.” Community “We are very much a community club. Ramsbottom United is wholly committed to the town.The Junior section, as mentioned, is thriving, and support at First team matches has more than doubled over the last four years, as the locals have embraced the quality of football and entertainment on offer.As a club, we aim to run the club as professionally as possible, to ensure that the locals enjoy the match-day experience.”
Ramsbottom UnitedCommercial have recently launched “Rammy TV” showing highlights from matches and interviews with players“A new sponsorship deal was signed at the and managers.This has all helped to keep the clubbeginning of this season, with many other moving in a positive direction, and with the ever-smaller sponsors on board, be it with increasing support of the local population, all looksprogramme advertising, or on ground relatively rosy for the next few years.”perimeter boards.A number of games havebeen sponsored, and we expect this to increase Ambitionsquite dramatically once our new SponsorsLounge is complete, hopefully in time for next “Having spent seventeen years in the North Westseason.” Counties League, we finally achieved our ambition to move up to the Evo-Stik Northern PremierChallenges League two years ago. Our first two seasons at this level have shown that as a club we are more than“With ground improvements at the Harry able to hold out own in Division One North.Williams Riverside Stadium continuing Indeed, we have already beaten three sides from theunabated, the club has moved on off the field as Premier Division this season in various cupwell as on it over recent years.We need to competitions.As a club in a small town, wemaintain this progress.The team staying obviously have to be realistic, but whilst thetogether is obviously the main hope, but we are Conference may be a step too far, there is noalso improving things such as the match-day reason why we cannot move up one more level intoprogramme, and facilities for spectators.We the Evo-Stik Premier, where I am sure we would feel extremely comfortable.”
GatesheadGatesheadGateshead had a strong season this time Chairman, although I did keep the club afloataround, eventually only missing out on following the withdrawal of Cameron Hall'spromotion to the Football League in the sponsorship.”Play-Off Final at Wembley. Football FocusMagazine caught up with the club’s The RoleChairman Graham Wood recently to findout more about the good work that they “The most challenging aspect is overcoming thehave been doing. obstacles in the way of getting Gateshead back into the Football League. Every win is rewardingInvolvement but the big reward will come from fulfilling my ambition to regain Football League status for theHe told us,“My father, a fanatical Gateshead fan, town.”first took me to a Gateshead game when I wasaround the age of 8 and I became a regular Youthattendee during the last seven seasons in theFootball League and the first season of non- “Youth football is a very important part of ourleague football before the family moved away on-going plans. Our Youth team is very successfulfrom the area in 1961.This season is my 7th as and several players have gone on to earn full time contracts with the club.We have just awarded contracts to three of our youth team players, all of whom are good prospects. Last season's top goal scorer, Josh Gillies, moved on to Carlisle United in the summer and Lee Clark, Birmingham City's manager, signed Lee Novak for Huddersfield Town from Gateshead. Novak subsequently followed Clark to Birmingham City.” Community “We are very much a community club.We've recently formed Gateshead FC Foundation Trust which will work primarily to promote healthy lifestyles in the borough.We'll also offer football coaching to the schools.We're working in concert with Gateshead Council and Gateshead College and both have representative trustees.” Facilities “Whilst the International Stadium facility is excellent and easily satisfies the criteria for Football League membership it was designed primarily as an athletics stadium.Whilst the athletics track is no detriment to the view of the
Gateshead
Gateshead game, the atmosphere created by the crowd is somewhat diluted on the pitch and this attracts comments both for and against from visiting teams. Following the problems with the newly laid pitch last season, the playing surface this season is recognised as the best in the league and must be one of the best in the country. It is our ambition to move to a purpose built football stadium within the next couple of years or so but the existing facility is most acceptable in the meantime. In fact, it's the envy of many of the other clubs in the Skrill Premier League.” James Curtis Another key figure at Gateshead is centre- half James Curtis who is in his 10th season at the club. He recently made his 500th appearance against Braintree and stuck with the club when they were going through a tough period. Curtis has been a terrific character for the club and is now a real legend of their set-up.
Wallsend BoysWallsend BoysWallsend Boys Club is a set-up with a a challenge, we just look to give the playersterrific history of producing high an opportunity and they take it from therequality footballers and their themselves.The football side of things isreputation within the game is stronger than ever; the club’s developed welloutstanding.They play a vital role in this season with a number of strongtheir local community and Foootball performances from our sides.”Focus Magazine caught up with theirPresident Peter Kirkley to find out Communitymore about the good work that theyhave been doing. “We play an important role in the local community. One of our ex-members is inInvolvement the police force now and said to me one night that we don’t have any problem in the“I first joined the club in 1968 and since streets on a Friday and Saturday nightthen it’s been great to be able to help because you’ve got them all at the boys clubdevelop the lads as players but as people as and I thought that was a great compliment.well.We’ve got a great really good teamhere who help the club to achieve its goals. We look to give our players a set of values,I’ve never looked on anything we’ve done as making sure that they look smart, take care
Wallsend Boysof their equipment and do things in the right way. be successful. It was a real help to them seeingAbove all we want our players to show respect how hard that he was prepared to work. I used tofor people, be it officials, the opposition or each say to them that you have got to work as hard asother.We feel that that is crucial in their that if you want to be a success and seeing itdevelopment.” first-hand could only aid their progression.”Youth Volunteers“We’ve got some players in the youth section “I can’t emphasise enough how important thewith real potential.The opportunities are limited volunteers we have here, who put in their ownnow at the top level with the influx of foreign time to make what we do here possible.They areplayers but I always say to people if you want to a real credit to the club and they don’t always getsucceed you’ve got to be better than them.To do the recognition that they deserve which is a realthis you have to learn to work harder than shame because without their help we wouldn’t beeveryone else. If you do that then you’ve still got able to function.”a great chance to do well in the game.”Progression“We’ve produced a lot of good players in thepast who have gone on to play first team footballat the top level and I think the credit for that hasto go to the players we’ve had at the club.Wegive them a platform to play the game but it istheir hard work that gets them to the level theyare at now.Jonny Wilkinson used to train at the gym that weused to use and he was a great example to thekids of the dedication required if you wanted to
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