RADCLIFFE BOROUGHRADCLIFFEBOROUGHRadcliffe Borough FC is a Youth the team finished last seasonclub that does a tremendous as one of the form sides in theamount of good work in their “Youth football is massive for us. division. Having taken my post inlocal community. Football This is how we need to create our January 14, it’s been a very goodFocus Magazine caught up with future squad, as the option to go achievement with only 4/5 defeatstheir Director of Football Paul out and buy players or entice them in the last 15/16 games. This wasMcGuire to find out more about with lucrative contracts isn't really a big turnaround from the first halfthe good work that they have an option at this present time. We of the season and the playersbeen doing. help them to progress by treating performed really well. them well, being honest andInvolvement approachable and helping to make I’d also like to give a mention to the them better players.” community department who do a“I was originally involved with great job and always have thingsthe club as a player around going on.”2004, going on to make over 100appearances before retiring fromcompetitive level football as aplayer a few seasons later.I've now returned as Director ofFootball since Jan 2014, with themain attraction being to be a partof the management team and seeif we can get the team going in theright manner and direction. It's afantastic place to be and there'splenty of support and guidance.Hopefully being involved atRBFC will enable me to developand progress in order to fulfil mypersonal ambitions.The most challenging part ofthe role is I'd say is dealing withthe balance between improvingand motivating the players andunderstanding that each playersees it differently and wantsdifferent outcomes. The mostrewarding is seeing improvementin the team and winning footballmatches.”Atmosphere“I'd say the mood here at presentis very good. We have a newcampaign to look forward to and www.footballfocus.biz 51
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Progression “We have several promising young players. Elliot Rokka has fitted in well and shown he can produce at this level. The keeper Chris Cheetham is young and learning all the time. To be honest it’s a really young squad and all of them could have an impact in higher leagues, hopefully with us over the coming seasons. The club has produced really good players in the past that have gone on to good things, most notably Craig Dawson (WBA & England). There have been a number of players gone on and been transferred to higher level clubs in the northwest.” Challenges/Ambitions “The biggest challenges for us are attracting investment and external sponsors, keeping hold of its best players and generally kicking on to the next level or so. Our ambitions include winning the Division 1 title (or gaining promotion) and becoming a solid premier division team/club and hopefully a couple of good FA Cup runs.”52 Issue 47
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GLOUCESTER CITYGLOUCESTER CITYGloucester City Football Club Whilst (having been a supporter Youth and Community section– Severn Years of Exile nearly for about 35 years and worked that is catering for the youthover as a club volunteer for well over of Gloucester from age 7 toWith plans now awaiting final 20) I consider being Chairman Under 18’s. This is a club withapproval and the escape the highest honour, I am not an exciting future and we arefrom the threat of relegation the right man for the job long looking for skilled people whoachieved, last season will term. I will work with members can buy into that, and be part ofhopefully go down as the of the Management Board, other something really special.”penultimate season away sections of the club and withfrom the heart of the City of the business community of the Team Manager Tim Harris isGloucester. county to ensure we find a really no stranger to Gloucester City strong candidate, and we will having made his debut back inGloucester City have a very ensure that happens in a smooth the early 1980’s, has had a spellproud tradition, formed on 5th and measured fashion, we can as assistant manager, and is nowMarch 1883, the club is 131 afford to take a little time to get in his second spell as Manager,years old, though have spent this right – there is no panic and having previously been Managerthe last seven in exile due to the no need to rush.” and then General Manager whenhorrendous floods in 2007 that the club was promoted to theleft the club without a home, and Dunstan went on to say, Conference North in 2008/2009,on the brink. “We have a club that is debt Harris has also managedWith the commitment of the free thanks to the continued Cinderford Town, Newport Countyowners, only a few businesses commitment of its owners for nearly six seasons, Forestand a strong Supporters Trust, and major benefactors, has a Green Rovers and Merthyr Tydfil.the club is really looking forward passionate and hardworkingto a positive future and returning group of volunteers at all Tim returned to hishome. levels driving the club forward, Gloucestershire roots to help an ambitious and committed keep the club in the ConferenceRecently the Chairman Stuart manager who is putting together North towards the end of thePike has stepped aside in order an exciting team, and a thriving season, he had been at Newportto provide a clear pathway toattract significant new businessacumen to the ManagementBoard to drive commercialdevelopment.Building a new stadium is amassive part of the developmentof the club but it needs to bematched by a strong business-orientated team that canmaximise the benefits from whatwill be a fantastic new facility inthe heart of Gloucester.Commenting on Stuartsresignation, Mike Dunstan (whowill step up from Vice Chairmanto take the Chairmanship on antemporary basis) said, “We as aBoard have traditionally lookedfrom within when looking for anew Chairman, and have foundsome wonderfully committed andpassionate people to perform therole.54 Issue 47
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GLOUCESTER CITY County since the 2009/2010 campaign. During this period at Newport County Tim oversaw the complete transformation from part time to full time, two promotions and two Wembley appearances culminating in the return to the Football league after 25 years in his role of Director of Football. “I am very proud of the City of Gloucester and the football club deserves success after the commitment many people have put in in such trying circumstances. The challenge that lies ahead really does fill me with a burning desire it’s a fabulous place, a terrific City that needs its football club to be part of it. We literally have been punching above our weight in exile and have done remarkably well to maintain the level and now we can move the club forward. The other major elements we can be extremely proud of is the Gloucester City Youth and Community set up and very much like the main club have been supported by The Supporters Trust that plays a key role within the whole football club.” On the playing side we were delighted that Joe Parker has signed a professional contract at Newport County AFC, having progressed into our first team from our youth development. We also have several others like Jack Harris and Adam Mann that could quite easily make the step up. Another youth team graduate, Tom Webb, is now the clubs all-time record holder for appearances – having pulled on the shirt no less than 560 times! So providing opportunities as well as developing a club is of paramount importance and that’s why we have recently had some exceptional loan players that both club and player benefitted from immensely, non-other than young Jake Gosling who came on loan from Exeter City and scored for Gibraltar on his international debut against Estonia.56 Issue 47
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HANWORTH VILLAHANWORTH VILLAHanworth Villa FC play their The club then made it to the 2014/15 season. So long as theyhome games at the Rectory Combined Counties Leagues are able to retain their currentMeadow on Park Road in and one of their most successful group of players and perhapsMiddlesex and their first team seasons came when they finished make one or two quality additionscurrently competes in the as runners up in the 08/09 they should be able to push onCombined Counties Premier campaign. The current group of towards the top of the table.Division. They enjoyed a players will be keen to add to thisterrific season last time out history over the coming years They have recently announcedmanaging to win both the and are confident that they will be on their official website that GarySouthern Combination Cup able to do so. Jenkins is to take over as theirand the Premier Challenge Cup new First Team Manager, comingin the space of just 4 days. Last season they put together from Uxbridge FC. He has a positive campaign, finishing previously played for a numberSince first being established with a record of having won 18, of sides in the Ryman Leaguein 1976 the club has built a drawn 10 and lost 14 of their 42 and has also worked behind thehistory of which they have every matches. This saw them finish in scenes at Margate, Maidenheadright to be proud and they first the top half of the table with 64 Utd and Burnham.competed in the Hounslow and points on the board.District League. They worked The club is confident that Garytheir way through the divisions This should provide them with a is the right man for the jobbefore gaining promotion to the good platform upon which to build having a strong knowledge of theMiddlesex County League for the as they look ahead towards the Combined Counties League. He1984/85 season. also grew up in Hanworth which58 Issue 47
HANWORTH VILLAshould provide him with a strong game they also have a reserveunderstanding of the club and its side running. This allows them toplayers. give players experience of adult level football even if they are notHanworth Villa is not a club that yet considered ready for first teamfocuses solely upon their senior action.section however as they also have ayouth team in place. This team looks Another benefit of having more thanto provide young players from the one senior side is that it allows thelocal area with an opportunity to play first XI to benefit from far greaterthe game in a safe and enjoyable strength in depth. If they are everenvironment. left short on numbers through injury or suspension they have the optionIt is important for any side to be able of calling players up with a limitedto produce their own talent in the amount of disruption.current financial climate and this isan area that Hanworth Villa appears There is much to admire about theto have covered. It will certainly be set-up that Hanworth Villa has inexciting to watch to see how they place and this is thanks to the hardare able to develop over the coming work that their Committee has putyears. into the club. Hopefully they will be able to continue in the sameIn order to help their youngsters manner for many years to cometo make the sometimes difficult and everyone at Football Focustransition into the senior level Magazine would like to wish them the best of luck. www.footballfocus.biz 59
STORRINGTONSTORRINGTON Storrington FC was officially hoping that visiting clubs always into the senior sides. We are a formed in the 1919-20 season enjoy their short stay with us. small club really, so need and soon after the 1st World War, Over the last 8 years we have rely on the youngsters to come though there are records of the updated our ground, building a through and feed the senior club playing in the 1890’s. We new clubhouse and changing teams with good fresh talent to are nicknamed The Swans and facilities, keep it all running along nicely our home kit is all blue. for everyone at the club and the Storrington play in the Sussex floodlights have been erected players. County League in Division 2, our which light up our nice level Reserve team play in the County football pitch which has also been We do like to bring the youngsters League Reserve West Division. professionally drained. Though into the senior set up slowly with We have an U18’s team who more work still needs to be done them first bringing them into the play in the County U18 West to keep up with the never ending training, then getting them some Division. We are also linked to Ground Criteria the FA keep appearances with the Reserves, the Storrington Vipers who have making us do. then some experience on the teams from the ages of U7’s to bench with the 1st team before U16’s. The Young Storrington Vipers hopefully seeing them playing We play at a picturesque ground, have a good set up and is linked and staying with the 1st team. with a decent football clubhouse with the senior side of the club. and changing facilities. We strive They also are a well run outfit I have been at the club for 24 to be a friendly, hospitable club, who hopefully help and improve years now, starting as a player in the youngsters football ability so 1990, then I stopped playing in60 Issue 47 helping them make the step up 2006 and took over as Reserve team manager before going on to assist with the 1st team managers over a few years and now managing the 1st team. I joined the club as it was my local club, I did play for the Vipers all the way into the U18’s, then had a spell at another club for a few years but came back, and have been at the club ever since. It’s a friendly club well run by a small energetic Committee lead by Keith Dalmon over many years who has kept the club in order. It’s a club that could certainly do with some extra help on the Committee, but I am sure most clubs are like that. But I do feel that people need to put some more back into the game when they stop playing. Over the next few years we need to improve on and of the pitch though in the short term it’s all about stabilising financially, and on the pitch hopefully ending in the top half of the table after a couple of difficult seasons at the club. We will always strive to improve in the long term.
But I do feel all football in general will STORRINGTONbe tougher to survive financially as lesspeople come and watch now then they and covered seating areas for over 100used to, thus losing money on the gate people in each case. Plus, hard standingand therefore not spending in the bar all around the pitch for another 700and buying food. But everything seems people.to go up in price, quite a few clubs inour area have gone to the wall and I am When the Average attendance in thesure more will in the coming years. Sussex County League is probably 45, its ridiculous to put such financialSo the FA needs to address things pressure on clubs like this. So for menow otherwise it will be too late for a the future at the club is always a hardlot of clubs. They should stop putting one, but we will always strive to keepextra financial pressure on clubs with good football and facilities for all to enjoytheir unrealistic ground grading criteria, in the future, and maybe, just maybe,especially with falling attendances, but win a few things along the way!expecting us and other clubs at our stepof the pyramid to build covered stands Article provided by Nigel Dyer, 1st Team Manager, Committee Member and life long fan of Storrington FC and football in General. www.footballfocus.biz 61
CARNOUSTIE PANMURECARNOUSTIEPANMUREBased on Piskelly Road, good group of boys at the moment U19s matches and advises theCarnoustie Panmure FC currently both on the managerial and playing coaching staff how to get the bestcompetes in the East Region sides. out of players. We have also hadSuper League. Football Focus numerous players from the U19sMagazine caught up with the The season started very well for us training with us this year and it aidsClub’s Secretary Andy Finlay to and we achieved our best points their development massively.”find out more. total for the early part of the season, we went on a wee bit of a rough Challenges/AmbitionsInvolvement spell after Christmas and we were struggling to get out of the playoff “The biggest challenge is alwaysHe told us, “I have been Club position, however in our penultimate going to be raising sponsorship, inSecretary now since 2010; I was game of the season away to the current climate it is hard and weinvolved with helping out on the Camelon, we scored in stoppage have to come up with some new/marketing side of the club for a time to get the vital 3 points required different ideas on how to raise thecouple of years before that. Prior to ensure safety. money. A prime example of this is theto that I had been going to games With regards to cups we had a good kit sponsor raffle we are holding tofor a few years. The main thing that run in the East of Scotland Cup which secure sponsorship for our new awayattracted me to the club was simply it saw us get to the quarter finals. We kit.was my local club, I stayed 5 minutes got to the fourth round of the Scottish The other challenge is to attract morefrom our old ground, Westfield Park, Junior cup and got knocked out the fans along to the club with the lure ofand I stay 2/3 minutes from Laing North/Tayside cup by local rivals senior sides such as the 2 DundeePark.” Lochee United.” sides, with our links with the youth we work to attract young playersThe most challenging aspect of my Youth along to help with being mascots, ballrole is probably finding the time to fit boys etc.everything in, with regards to work, “Youth development is verypaperwork, training nights etc. The important, we have quite a young Over the coming years we want tomost rewarding has to be when the side just now and throughout the secure our place in the super leaguelads go out on a Saturday and win, season we have had players from and become a good mid table sidethere is no better feeling.” the U19s train and feature in games. and build from there and of course The Manager attends a lot of the some silverware would be nice!”Community“We have recently joined up withCarnoustie Panmure Youths,Carnoustie YM AFC and MonifiethLadies to develop stronger linksbetween the clubs. Along withthe other clubs mentioned we areworking in the community to helpdevelop the facilities, players andopportunities for player.”Last Season“The mood at the club is very goodjust now, we recently secured ourplace in the Super League for nextseason and now were looking to buildfor next season. We have a very62 Issue 47
PENWORTHAM PENWORTHAMTOWN TOWNFirst established in 1977, By having so many teamsPenwortham Town is a Penwortham is able togreat example of a club that provide youngsters with aplays a vital role in the local clear pathway through theircommunity particularly in footballing career. Coachingrelation to the development staff involved with theof young players. They play junior sides are confidenttheir home games at the that they have a numberVernons Sports Club on of players involved withFactory Lane in Preston and the potential to go on andare looking to progress over have successful playingthe coming years. experience at senior level.They are a recognised FA Another example ofCharter Standard Club and the good work that thealso won the prestigious club does is the annualaward of 2010 Charter tournament that they hostStandard Club of the Year every year. The eventfor Lancashire in 2010. This was held recently overrecognises the work that the weekend of the 14thhas been carried out by the and 15th June 2014. Theclub in creating opportunities junior teams played on thefor people to play the game Saturday whilst the Coltsin a safe and enjoyable featured on the Sunday.environment. It has been a success forIt also relates to the help a number of years now,they’ve provided for their having been run for over 20Team Managers and Coaches years with teams from allto develop their skills and the across the region comingclub recognises that this is the to compete. It provideskey to helping their players players with a greatto flourish. The club stated opportunity to competeon their official website that against sides away from thethey were immensely proud to normal league format andhave achieved the award. is enjoyed by everyone who attends.As mentioned, PenworthamTown is a club that does a There is much to admirefantastic job in relation to the about the Penworthamdevelopment of young players Town set-up and this isand their youth section is thanks to the hard work thatclearly thriving. They currently their volunteers put intohave 16 teams playing from making the club a success.U7’s through to adults with Thanks to this, everyonearound 300 players getting the at the club is sure to enjoychance to play. playing the game for many years to come. www.footballfocus.biz 63
BRORA RANGERSBRORA RANGERSBased on Dudgeon Park Road a total capacity of 2000. Their They were also tight defensivelyin Sutherland, Brora Rangers record attendance was 2000 in and had the best defensive recordFC’s first team currently 1996 for the Gordon Robertson in the league by some distance.competes in the Highland testimonial against Celtic. This reflected the hard workingLeague. They are led by nature of the side and also that theyChairman John Young who is They have just enjoyed a were extremely well organised tosupported by Secretary Kevin fantastic 2013/14 season as they go along with the undoubted talentMackay and the club has made finished as League Champions that the squad has.a considerable amount of having put together a record ofprogress under their guidance. having won 31, drawn 2 and lost Brora Rangers are not a club to just one of their 34 fixtures. This rest upon their laurels howeverThey have a history of which saw them finish 20 points clear of and their attention will now havethey have every right to be proud their nearest rivals with 95 points turned towards preparing for nexthaving been admitted to the on the board. season. As long as they are ableHighland League in 1962 after to retain their current group ofplaying local football since 1878. A particular highlight of the team’s players and perhaps make one orTheir current group of players form was the attacking brand of two quality additions they should bewill be keen to add to the team’s football that they managed to challenging for honours once again.illustrious history over the coming produce which sees them withyears. a growing reputation within the It is not just on the pitch that the game for playing the right way. club are experiencing exciting timesThey moved to their current home In the league alone they found however and this is reflected byin 1932 having previously played the back of the net 123 times at a their plans to develop and improveat Inverbrora Park. Their ground rate of more than 3 per game. Dudgeon Park. After consideringhas seating for 200 people and views from a variety of sources the club has now put into place a plan to get a considerable amount of work done inside the next two years. They are looking to re-fit the boardroom, add a new PA system, re-valve their showers, add lamps to their floodlights and upgrade their toilets. This work should ensure that they are able to provide anyone visiting the ground with the best possible experience.64 Issue 47
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