Friday, May 09, 2008 19:45

Bury Get Their Men

Blues seal new deals

Bury Town have not wasted any time in starting preparations for next season.
Chairman Russell Ward and director of football Trevor Collins have both been busy securing the services of the key players.

And, they aim to bring at least three new players to the club before pre-season training gets underway.

Former Ipswich Town FC midfielder Gavin Johnson has led the way and displayed his commitment to continue to play for the Ram Meadow-based club by extending his contract before the end of the season.

Joining him in signing contracts are brothers Sam and Lee Reed and young striker Liam Barrett, who joined the Blues from Portman Road before Christmas.

Team captain Tom Bullard will continue the influence at the heart of the Town defence and he is joined by Sam Nunn, who will be looking to impress following an end of season injury which disrupted his campaign.

In midfield, Lee Smith and Michael Steward will continue their careers with the Blues.

"It has been very suceessful so far and I am pleased that we have retained the nucleus of what was a good side last season," said Collins.

The former player, and assistant to team manager Richard Wilkins, said that negotiations with striker Steve Bugg and midfielder Danny Cornwell were nearing completion.

Collins would not name the trio of new faces, but revealed that they would strengthen the team in defence and midfield.

"We have identified the players we would like to join the club and the process of negotiation is ongoing," said Collins.

"There is no need to panic at this stage as, whatever happens, we will have a strong team at the start of the season," he added.

With thanks to the Bury Free Press
www.buryfreepress.co.uk

ynot

Friday, May 09, 2008 19:41

Tilbury Manger Goes

Tilbury boss resigns

Just days after announcing multi-million pound plans for a new ground that will secure the club's future, Tilbury have parted company with manager John Lawrence.

The Dockers boss, who led the side to last day safety in the Ryman One North Division, announced his resignation on Tuesday saying he did not feel the club had a sufficient commitment to the playing resource.

Lawrence had to survive with one of the lowest budgets in the league last season, and after a meeting with chairman Robbie Nash and the players on Tuesday, he announced he would not be taking on a similar challenge next time around.

Club secretary Mark Southgate said: "It is disappointing but understandable.

"John did a good job with the limited resources that we can muster but felt he wanted to test himself in an environment where he had a better chance of success. He wants to be competitive and does not feel that this can be achieved with the current financial situation at Tilbury.

"That is understandable and everyone at Tilbury offers John nothing but our best wishes."

Lawrence is also believed to be upset by a hefty series of fines and suspension levelled on Tilbury staff by the FA after a match at Wivenhoe.

He has received a touchline ban for four matches, while other members of the dugout team, sent off at Wivenhoe have also been punished, with fines totalling several hundred pounds.

Southgate said the club had an open mind on Lawrence's successor and anyone interested in the post is invited to contact him on 07979525117 or email him at mark.southgate@purcom.com. Meanwhile the club's backers in the move to a new stadium have spoken of their plans.

Stephen Boyling, a director of Montana Property Developments, said: "The concept has been well thought through by all parties Gateway Academy, Tilbury FC management and ourselves.

"The cost of the stadium and associated community areas would be in the region of £5m and capacity when completed for 3,000.

"After long consultations with all parties it is our joint view the proposal would enable the Academy to be seriously considered for sports status and have at their disposal a truly wonderful complex for the influx of talented sports students.

"It would compliment the new Gateway Academy which would probably be the best in the country but most importantly a true focal point for the community of Tilbury as the complex would have various associated usages other than sport along with the added long term benefit of security for Tilbury FC.

"The existing football club sits within the protected flood zone area and therefore the scheme if approved could commence immediately after the necessary approvals.

"The training ground redevelopment would follow on when the necessary flood relief schemes are in place.

With thanks to www.thurrockgazette.co.uk

ynot

Friday, May 09, 2008 10:03

Haverhill Stand In Manager Warns

HUNT SIGNS OFF WITH A WARNING

Marcus Hunt has warned Haverhill Rovers supporters that all is not well at the Ridgeons League club after he signed off from his six-week spell as caretaker/player-manager with a terrible 6-1 loss at Leiston last Saturday.

The Rovers captain, who has played nearly 400 games for the club, also told some of his players they needed to improve their commitment ahead of next season if they were going to survive in the Premier Division.

He even went as far as saying Rovers' first team end-of-season had felt more like a relegation than the successful season it really has been.

"I've been saying for a few weeks I can't wait until the end of the season because the last two months have been a struggle," said Hunt. "Hopefully we can get a new manager but it doesn't look too good for the club next season. There's no manager on the horizon, a depleted committee and disgruntled players.

"Hopefully a manager can come in and sort it but I can't see there being too much of a team left next season otherwise.

"It's not anyone's fault. Steve Brown is doing as much as he can but he can't magic a manager out of thin air.

"I would never take the job on full-time because I don't feel there is a lot to be positive about at the moment.

"There are some good players at this club that have the commitment, and there are some that don't, and it's the ones that do that will suffer."

Referring to the loss at Leiston, he added: "I must admit I feared it was going to happen. I was let down by a few players and that hurt me as much as anything because of the effort I have put in.

"Then for so-called mates to let me down is disappointing.

"If you look at the results – three trophies for the reserves and the first team has finished tenth – and had said that would be the case at the start of the season you would have said that's a good season, but it's ended on a negative so it`s just disappointing and feels like it was a relegation."

With thanks to www.haverhillecho.co.uk>

ynot

Friday, May 09, 2008 10:02

Trophy And Vase Ticket Details

The FA have confirmed that both this weekend’s Trophy and Vase Finals will have 5000 tickets available on the day from ticket offices around Wembley Stadium.

Fans of Torquay United/Kirkham & Wesham will be directed to the East ticket office over Saturday and Sunday while Ebbsfleet United/Lowestoft Town supporters can see their club in action by making their way to the West ticket office.

Tickets for The FA Trophy Final are priced at £25 with concessions (U16 and Over 65) at £12.50 while the FA Vase Final is priced at £20 and £10 concessions.

Wembley Stadium will be open for business at 10am on both days.

The FA have been advised by the Police that should a club’s allocation sell-out before kick-off on either Saturday or Sunday then all Wembley Stadium ticket offices will be closed.

ynot

Thursday, May 08, 2008 09:10

Club Seek Fourth Manager

Since their formation on 1st June 1999 AFC Sudbury have only had three managers however the club are now looking for their fourth following the resignation of Mark Morsley.

Since joining the club at the start of the 2006/07 season Morsley was in charge for 114 games winning 60, losing 30, and drawing 24.

In comparison the other two managers, Keith Martin had 237 games at the helm winning 170, losing 35 and drawing 32.
Gary Harvey led the club in 190 games. winning 136, losing 30, and drawing 24.

ynot