Test

Friday, December 16, 2005

Team News: Bognor vs Bulls

Bognor have no new injury worries for the FA Trophy game. Star forward Luke Nightingale remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

The Bulls have no new major worries with Stacy Coldicott still the only long term absentee. Two changes will be made with Jon Brady suspended after five yellow cards, and Craig Mawson will replace the cup-tied Wayne Brown in goal while Darren Blewitt, Simon Travis, and Adam Stansfield all proved their fitness in Monday's reserve match with Bristol City. Stansfield is likely to start in place of Graham Evans, while Simon Travis may replace Ryan Green who is struggling with injury.

Match Odds (bet365): Bognor 2/1, Draw 11/5, Bulls 11/10.

I've never been to Bognor says Turner

Graham Turner has told the Worcester News that after the disappointment of losing to Stockport County in the FA Cup, the win against York was needed.

"We needed that after the performance against Stockport County," said Turner. "We needed a win in view of the changes. The players that came in did well and the players left out showed good attitude to the situation.

"It was three important points and the pressure is now off us to get more points over the coming week. We've got two cup ties to look forward to and the players can enjoy themselves.

"We have got a busy festive period, not just in cup competitions but in the league. We've got Exeter and Forest Green twice, so we must be looking to pick up points.

"But for now, our focus is on Bognor Regis and getting a result there.

"I've never been there before, but we've had Bognor watched against Weymouth. It's not going to be an easy cup tie.

"We've seen recently ourselves, playing teams from the same league, that it can be difficult. Cambridge City gave us a tough game, so we know what to expect.

"Bognor will try their hardest to cause an upset. We must go there and do the job properly."

Turner is likely to start Adam Stansfield tomorrow.

"Adam has not looked so sharp in training, but he went out against Stockport and again against York. He took his goal really well and I'm pleased for him.

"At the start of the season, you look at Adam and say he's got a realistic chance of getting us 20 goals for the season.

"That's his first goal of the season and we're in December. But he's come back from a hernia operation and we're hoping there's more to come from him."

Northwich Hit Out At Ticket Costs

Northwich Chairman Mike Connett has hit out at the FA and Sunderland after adult ticket prices for their trip to the Stadium Of Light in the FA Cup were reduced to £10.

Connett wanted £20 adult tickets, while Sunderland wanted £6 with £1 concessions. Connett claims the FA decision has cost the club £200,000: "Sunderland proposed ticket prices of £6 and £1, which I said was a waste of time. I said I'd accept £20 for adults and less for concessions. The FA have ruled that the prices should be £10 and £5, which I think is a disgraceful way to treat non-League football. I believe they have cost us £200,000 by going so far below normal prices. They underestimate us, which suits us fine. I fancy us to do well there".

The prices compare sharply with Burton's televised home tie with Manchester United - £30 for a Adult seat with £25 concessions, with £25/£20 to stand.

In other news the official Altrincham website http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/alty1.htm reports the other Man Utd - FC United of Manchester have posted adverts in the local press for a Chief Executive and Club Secretary with salaries of £25,000 and £18,000 a year. With both posts applicants must "demonstrate experience in activity within the football supporters' movement ideally at Manchester United Football Club". The club, barely six months old, share Gigg Lane with Bury but often dwarf their landlords' attendances despite playing several rungs down the ladder.

Smith may move to Weymouth

Former Hereford United mid-fielder Ben Smith could move to Weymouth in January.

27 year old Smith has found it difficult to keep a place in the Shrewsbury team this season and says he has attracted interest from the Terras.

"I am in and out of the team at the moment and playing in different positions when I am picked which isn't ideal," said Essex-born Smith who previously played for the Bulls.

"I am the type of player who needs to be playing regularly in what I consider my best position of central midfield and, having spoken to the manager, I don't think that's going to happen at the moment.

"I am out of contract at the end of the season and, at the moment, I wouldn't be confident of it being renewed.

"I can either wait until the end of the season when there are 600 players in the same boat or see what happens in January."

LDV Trophy Prize Money At Risk

The prize fund for the LDV Trophy is at risk after LDV announced it will enter adminstration today.

The Birmingham based van maker shut down production last week amid a cash crisis, with stockpiles of unsold vans building, and with a shortfall in the pension plan. It had recently won a contract to supply 250 vans to the Post Office, but was someway short of selling all the 12,000 vans made each year by their 1200 employees.

US private equity group Sun Capital intends to purchase the business, but no details have yet been released as to exactly what they would purchase.

LDV have sponsored the Associate Members Cup for the last six years, extending the deal until the 2006/7 season last year, with their previous parent company Leyland DAF also sponsoring it for seven years from the mid 1980's. LDV are also the official minibus and commercial vehicle supplier to the Football League.

Cambridge Pull Out Of Youth League

Cambridge have pulled out of the Football League Youth Alliance after failing to field sides for their last two matches.

Cambridge have lost two Youth Team managers since the summer, and a string have players have left after their announcement that their Centre of Excellence was to be scrapped - leading to the postponement of their last two matches at short notice.

Vice Chairman John Howard told the official Cambridge site: "Some Football League clubs have been very quick to take advantage of our situation, and we have lost both staff and players over recent weeks to an extent that it is now proving impossible to put out a team each Saturday.
"We understand the difficult position our lads have faced, and in particular we are enormously proud of the boys who have stayed loyal to the club, who want to play for Cambridge United and who are worst affected by this situation," he added.
"We also understand the Football League's desire - which we share - to preserve the integrity of the youth competition, which will not be helped by our withdrawal mid-season. However, if we can't reliably fulfil our fixtures it seems to us it is less damaging to the competition in the long run to deal with the problem immediately."
As always with youth matters, the boys themselves were the first to be told of the decision. "The interests of our boys always comes first for the club. We hope that some of the lads will be invited to join the first team squad, and we will do everything we can to ensure that all the other boys find alternative teams to take over their scholarships and complete their football training and education."

Southport To Go Full Time

Southport will go full time next season after undergoing a structural review.

Just five clubs remain with part-time status in the Conference National division, with all of them struggling at the wrong end of the division.

"It is abundantly clear that to go forward we have to go full-time," chairman Charlie Clapham told the official Southport website; "It is likely 20 to 22 clubs will be full-time in the Conference next season. The full-time structure for 2006/2007 will be right for the club."

Southport currently lie bottom of the league but are attracting attendances just 150 per match under top side Accrington, who went full time last season.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Halifax Council To Sell Shay Stadium

Halifax Town have been dealt a blow with news that the local council, Calderdale Council, have recommended to sell The Shay to a private investor.

The Shay Stadium Trust, which combines representatives of Halifax Town, Halifax RFC, and their Supporters Trusts, wanted a 125 year lease in order to complete redevelopment on the ground but council leader John Ford told reporters: "The suggestion of a loan or a long lease for the trust did not have any support from the council."

The loan suggestion was originally the council's - offering a £1m loan to complete redevelopment that halted through lack of funding and legal wrangling four years ago. Shay Stadium Trust took over running of the stadium in 2004 but have repeatedly found the council unwilling to help them.

The sale to a private investor may lead to rents being increased, and the eventual closure of The Shay as a football venue after 85 years.

Gates usually drop before Christmas

Last Saturday saw the lowest attendance of 1950 for a Conference game at Edgar Street for two years. The last time a lower figure was recorded was for the Halifax game on Tuesday November 25th 2003 when the Bulls put seven past the Shaymen. The low gate came three days after the Bulls had been defeated by Shrewsbury at the Gay Meadow 4-1.

Lower gates just before Christmas are usual. Even so the home game on the second Saturday in 2003 against Tamworth was watched by 2561. The Bulls were second in the League at the time. The average gate for the season was 3704

Last year the Bulls were away on the second Saturday but at home on the first Saturday against Forest Green. The gate was 2166 against an average for the season of 3068. Yet again the Bulls were in second place at that time.

There is a uncanny similarity between the gates just before Xmas as mentioned above and the average for the season. In both the last two seasons the gate just before Xmas was 30% below the average for that year.

If the same calculation is used for this season then the 1950 low gate could translate into an average gate of 2785, which is 142 more than the average to date (2643) although would be down by 283 on last season.

This seasons' figures still look a lot better than those from earlier seasons in this decade. The average attendance in the awful 2001/2 season was only 1552, and in the preceeding season there was an attendance of only 867 for one Conference game.

A run of victories over the next few weeks should increase the support at Edgar Street. If so the pre-Christmas drop in attendance should soon be forgotten.

Inglethorpe Wants Financial Situation Resolution

Exeter manager Alex Inglethorpe has refused to sign a new contract until the uncertainty over the financial problems at the club is resolved.

A deal to keep Inglethorpe at the club until 2010 has been finalised but the popular manager is stalling on signing the deal, telling the Exeter Express and Echo: "I have declined the contract for the time being at least until certain issues around the club are cleared up. I will review it again later and expect to sign one in the near future."

Inglethorpe fears his playing budget will be slashed further after a £160,000 cut in the summer. One of the items jeopardising the deal is the potential claim for constructive dismissal by former Managing Director Ian Huxham, with a judgement against the club likely to cost over £100,000 in the settlement and legal fees.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Admission Prices for LDV Game

Hereford United and Scunthorpe United have agreed on the admission prices for the LDV game next Tuesday evening.

This from the Scunthorpe United Official Website:

Details have been confirmed for the LDV Vans Trophy Quarter-final at Hereford United. The match will be played at Edgar Street on Tuesday 20th December 2005, kick-off 7:45pm.

The ticket prices are as follows:

Seating: Adults £10 OAP's and Juniors £5
Standing: Adults £6 OAP's and Juniors £3

Meanwhile confirmation that Mr Woolmer will referee this game has come from the Football League:

NORTHERN SECTION
Hereford United v. Scunthorpe United
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)
Assistant Referees: Tony Horton (W Midlands) and Alan Sheffield (W Midlands)
Fourth Official: Ian Scarr (W Midlands)

GLS Pulls Plug On Football Sponsorship

GLS Football, who came onto the scene with a bang by sponsoring a string of clubs, a league, and cup competitions, is to fold at the end of the season.

Owner Victor Gladwish sponsored thirteen non-league sides, including Gravesend, after coming from nowhere in 2003 but the plug will be pulled after the GLS Football company lost £250,000 in the last two years.

GLS sponsored the Hellenic League, which includes Hereford based Pegasus Juniors amongst its ranks, and also the ill-fated and much unloved GLS Cup which survived for one season despite massive unpopularity amongst both Conference clubs and supporters.

Many of the clubs involved are already looking for new sponsors. Gravesend announced on their official website that they had been paid in full for this season, but there was still 12 months to run on the three and a half year deal. The closure of GLS Football will also affect the Non-League Paper, who have received major backing from the company.

Chester Refused Switch To Widnes

Chester have been refused permission to switch their derby with Wrexham to Widnes by the Football League.

A League spokesman said: "Our view is that we do not believe it is practical and certainly not appropriate from a competition point of view. There were a whole range of issues, including the fact the same police force would have been involved if the match was played at Widnes."

Chester were also unable to confirm that the Halton Stadium was licensed by the Home Office for senior football - a requirement for Football League matches.

Central to the request to move the game was the decision of the local Safety Advisory Committee, comprising of Police, Council, and League officials, to move the game to 12 noon on December 28th - a Wednesday lunchtime that isn't a bank holiday - meaning hundreds of fans would be unable to attend.

Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan has recently bought into Widnes Vikings Rugby League club, and has been elected to their board with the intention to take over the Chairman's post.

Bad Night For Conference In Cups

It was a bad night for Conference clubs in the LDV Trophy and FA Cup.

Both Stevenage, 2-0 losers at Northampton, and Woking, who fell 2-1 at Northwich, missed out on Third Round ties, while Cambridge joined Halifax as LDV losers after a 4-2 loss at Macclesfield.

Only Burton and Tamworth remain in the FA Cup, alongside fellow non-leaguers Northwich and the winners of tonight's Histon/Nuneaton replay, while the LDV Trophy has no Conference sides in the Southern half but three, Hereford, Kidderminster, and Cambridge, in the Northern half.

Kidderminster Wait For New Manager

Kidderminster will wait longer than first expected to name their new manager after telling caretaker boss Martin O'Connor that he will be in charge over the festive period.

Harriers were originally seeking a swift appointment but, having advertised the position at the weekend, have chosen to wait to make a decision.

Worcester boss Andy Preece, an early favourite for the post, has ruled himself out of the running by signing a new contract at St Georges Lane until the end of the 2006/7 season.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Bulls To Face Scunthorpe In LDV

Scunthorpe brushed past Halifax 3-1 in the LDV Trophy Round Two match at The Shay tonight.

Halifax scored a late consolation through a Matt Doughty free kick. The Bulls-Scunthorpe game will take place at Edgar Street next Tuesday, 20th December, at 7.45pm.

In the Conference Forest Green recorded their lowest gate of the season, 548, as they beat Burton 1-0 for their first win in eight league games. The result lifts Forest Green off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation places for the first time in a month.

Exeter confirm increased admission for Bulls game

After discussions with the police, Exeter City have confirmed that adult Hereford United supporters will pay an extra pound to see the game between the two clubs on December 30th.

Part of their statement, which also refers to the Aldershot game on Boxing Day, says:

There is still the unfortunate risk that a minority, who are not considered to be football supporters by either club, may attempt disorder. The club's first responsibility is to its fans and their safety. For that reason there will be police present at this game and the following fixture against Hereford Utd scheduled for Friday 30th December at 7.45pm.

The financial agreement reached between the Police and club is much reduced from the initial figures quoted but is none the less a significant sum and there is regrettably the need to increase admission prices by £1 for full paying adults only at both of these fixtures.

Great Tradition as Cup Fighters says Rock's manager

The Bognor Regis manager, Jack Pearce, has commented that the Rocks are "really looking to what looks to be one of the prime fixtures in the competition" when the Bulls visit on Saturday.

"Hereford have a great tradition as cup-fighters," Pearce told the Bognor Website.

"They have the structure, support and set-up to get back into the Football League quickly, and their direct and uncompromising style of football means that we must to ready for a real battle. Only 110% effort from every member of the team will do.

"We can play some really superb football, and this Saturday against the Bulls is definitely the time to show it".

Both teams will be battling to get into the 2nd Round proper and with a large financial incentive of £4,000 on offer to the winners, there will be a lot to play for.

In the event of a replay being needed, this has been arranged at Hereford for Tuesday 10 January 2006.

The second round of the Trophy is due to take place on the following Saturday, January 14th.

Chester Seek Keeper Cover

They say what goes around, comes around - Chester are scrambling round looking for a goalkeeper as cover with Ryan Brookfield and Chris MacKenzie both out injured.

The Bulls were refused permission to play on-loan keeper Wayne Brown in any cup competition, despite the player being on an unbreakable year long loan, leaving them searching for an adequate backup to Craig Mawson for cup matches. Now Chester, who are seemingly trying to isolate the keeper that helped them back into the league, face a goalkeeping crisis that threatens their League Two promotion efforts. Ex-Bull MacKenzie broke a thumb early in the second half in Saturday's loss at Lincoln and teenage reserve stopper Brookfield, making his debut, strained a hamstring later on in the game.

Meanwhile, fallout on their proposed move to Widnes continues with Chester Council hitting back at chairman Stephen Vaughan by telling fans that the club hadn't paid rent on the stadium for over two years, running up a £50,000 debt and failing to meet a November 15th deadline for repayment. The council also revealed that the Deva Stadium was close to closure in the summer before the club spent £40,000 on safety work necessary for the safety certificate.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Bulls Draw With Bristol City Reserves

In an afternoon workout today, the Bulls reserves drew 1-1 with Bristol City's reserves.

Adam Stansfield started and scored against a Bristol City side containing several continental trialists. Simon Travis also featured for the full game.

Graham Turner told tonights Liaison meeting that ground development plans had moved a step closer with the appointment of a firm of experienced consultants to assist the board in planning the redevelopment. The club were also seeking a specialist solicitor and hoped to have further progress within the next three months.

Turner, and Joan Fennessey, also confirmed that referee Andy Woolmer had been appointed as the LDV Trophy Third Round official at Edgar Street, adding that they had made the Football League aware of the previous history Woolmer has at Edgar Street. The Football League had no intention to change the referee unless the referee asked.

On Simon Travis, Turner stated that he was likely to play last Saturday but Thursday's training ground injury had stopped that as Turner wanted to announce the starting XI on Friday morning and the player did not confirm he was available in time for that announcement.

Exeter have confirmed to the club that the prices will be £1 more than usual on December 30th, but were yet to confirm whether any seating would be available. Seats for the Forest Green away match are limited and are now on sale from the club.

Turner also confirmed that Wayne Brown was not available for the FA Trophy, adding that the LDV Trophy game takes precedence over any FA Trophy replay. Turner did not rule out any new signings in the transfer window, but re-iterated the tightness of the Conference imposed budget and that the pack may need to be shuffled if more than one player was needed. Turner also confirmed that Jon Brady will miss the Trophy game through suspension.

More from Bognor

More information has been released by Bognor in advance of the Trophy game next Saturday. (updated 7pm)

Admission Prices:

Adults £9
OAP's £6
Children £2 (under 16' may be asked for ID)

There is plenty of parking available for away fans in the Bognor Sports Club, which adjoins the football club. Bognor have arranged for the Sports Club bar to be available to Hereford supporters before the game. It will not be open at half time or after the game. Please note the bar is outside the ground.

At the suggestion of Hereford, the match will be segregated. Hereford supporters will have the Sports Club end. Additional catering facilities have been arranged for the Hereford end. According to Bognor the food should be good as they are getting in a outside food outlet for Hereford supporters.

The Bognor ground is said to be one of the best in the Conference South. The playing surface is flat and there is grass on it all year round.

The turnstiles will be open from 12.30pm.

Revised directions for Hereford supporters coming from Chichester:

Take the A259 Chichester to Bognor. Go past a parade of shops, go round the sharp left hand bend, over two sets of pedestrian crossing and then turn right into Hawthorne Road, over the traffic lights, travel along the road for about mile and on left hand side is cricket club (which is next to the ground).

Wilder Linked To Rotherham Job

Halifax boss Chris Wilder has been linked to the vacant manager's job at Rotherham.

Wilder, who spent three and a half years at Millmoor as a player, has been in charge at The Shay since the summer of 2002 and has narrowly missed out on the play-offs in two of his three full seasons with an ever decreasing budget. Rotherham sacked Mick Harford on Saturday after a 17 match winless run saw them out of every cup competition and three points inside the relegation zone in League One.

Harvey Home After Heart Attack

Former Bulls favourite and current Morecambe manager Jimmy Harvey is back at home following his heart attack.

The official Morecambe website reports that Harvey, 47, underwent "a surgical procedure" after undergoing a series of tests at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, but returned home on Friday just under a month after being taken ill before Morecambe's game with Cambridge.

Sammy McIlroy will continue in charge of Morecambe for at least two more months while Harvey recouperates, meaning Harvey may be back in time for the Bulls trip to Morecambe on March 4th.

Accrington Chairman Can't Explain Falling Gates

Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley is at a loss to explain the falling attendances at the Interlink Express Stadium despite the club being top of the Conference after six straight league wins - and he questioned the town's desire to have a League club again.

Just 1336 watched Saturday's 2-0 win over Kidderminster, 100 less than watched Stanley win at home the week previously and 300 less than the week before that.

Whalley told the official Accrington site: "I don't understand why we continue to lose supporters despite the fact that we are winning games and playing great exciting football? Each week we seem to get less and less home support through the turnstiles? On Saturday we won our seventh consecutive game, and we haven't conceded a goal in the last five. We have played 12 home games in the Conference this season and won ten of them. We play great attacking football with a mixture of young talent and experienced professionals; we have a handful of England semi-pro players and a lad who captained his country in the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year.

"Obviously at the start of the season when we prepare our budgets we don't take it for granted that the team will do well, in fact we have to ensure that if we are struggling we can still cover our overheads with the lower gates that would reflect that situation. The danger of gambling on success has caused problems for many a club, and I can promise everyone that it will not happen to Accrington Stanley.

The regulars who come on week in week out are our core support, and they can be very proud of themselves, they have got us to where we are now. However now we want the people of Accrington to really get behind us. The extra income that we are looking for can then be used when the transfer window opens to ensure that the squad is strong enough for the end of season run in, and will also be spent on the ground making the changes necessary for us to play in the Football League next season. Accrington Stanley is a famous name with a well documented history. The hurt of what happened over 40 years ago in 1962 is still felt by many, however over the years a lot of people have put a great deal of effort into getting this club back to where I believe it should be.

"The question I want to ask now is - do the people of Accrington want a Football League side?"

Three Way Chase For Exeter Defender

Bristol City, Bournemouth, and Plymouth are fighting it out to sign Exeter's Welsh defender Chris Todd in January's transfer window.

Todd, who signed or Exeter in March 2003 from Irish side Drogheda Utd, is out of contract and over 24 so Exeter are likely to allow a move now rather than lose him on a free transfer in the summer.

In other Conference news, the latest criticism of the new Burton Albion pitch comes from Gravesend keeper Craig Holloway who described the pitch to the BBC as "It was very wet and sticky in patches, but some patches were hard - it was weird out there. With it being a new stadium, I can't understand why the pitch is so bad. You'd expect it to be a lovely pitch, so I don't really understand that."

Darlington manager David Hodgson has punished on-loan striker Tresor Kandol for his absence last week - but hasn't gone into detail as to what the punishment is or exactly what Kandol gave as his reasons for going AWOL, merely describing the situation as "We've got to the bottom of the situation, I'm not happy with it how it happened and he will receive his punishment. He was truthful in the end as to what happened. Now he carries on as normal."

Kidderminster Chairman Barry Norgrove wants an experienced manager to take the club forward: "We want someone with a good track record whether he's had experience in a lower league or he's coming through the ranks. It could be someone with experience, someone who's had a lot of experience in the (Football) League. We don't know, we have got to turn around and have a look at every candidate that applies."

Trophy Tie on Saturday

Hereford United travel to Bognor next Saturday for a FA Trophy 1st Round tie which takes place at Nyewood Lane.

As ever HUISA are organising coach travel.

The coach will be leaving at 8:30 on Saturday morning and the cost of travel is £18. Tickets can be purchased during the week at the Blackfriars St office.

Directions to the Ground:

Supporters coming from Hereford will probably approach Bognor on the A259 from Chichester. Turn right into Hawthorn Road, then turn left into Nyewood Lane, entrance to the ground is approximately 400yds up the road on the left hand side.
The journey from Herefordshire to Bognor should take around three and a half hours.

Coming from the London area, supporters are likely to approach Bognor on the A29. Turn right at the T Junction for the A259 and then left into Hawthorn road.

Car Parking is usually on close-by streets.

The Capacity of the ground is 6,000. However there are only 243 seats, but over half of the area is covered. There is terracing on all four sides.

Below is an edited history of Bognor Regis Football Club reproduced with their kind permission.

Bognor Regis Town Football Club were founded in 1883 and their early years involved playing friendly matches until they joined the West Sussex League in 1896. They topped the league five years in succession in the early twenties. As a result they joined the Brighton & Hove District League in 1926, however, their stay was short as the following season they applied to join the Sussex County League where they remained until 1972.

The club enjoyed mixed fortunes in the West Sussex League, winning the Division One Championship in the 1948/49 season. Relegation to Division Two in 1969 was to start a new era for the club. Winning their way back to the First Division at the first attempt, they went on the next season to win the Championship. This prompted them to apply to join the Southern League, which meant they had played in three different leagues in three successive seasons.

Known as the `Rocks', Bognor took their time to settle at a higher level, and in the 1981/82 season were runners-up in both the League and the League Cup, but won the Merit Cup for the most goals scored in a season. The following season saw Bognor playing in yet another league, The Isthmian, as they were elected to Division One, and their first season saw them promoted as runners-up going forward into the Premier Division.

Bognor's highest Isthmian Premier League placing was fifth in 1986/87, and their lowest 21st seven seasons ago, when they avoided the drop due to Dagenham leaving the league, and no Conference side being relegated to the Isthmian League. They were, however, relegated the following season.

The Rocks have reached the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup on four occasions, the first time being in 1984. After holding Swansea to a 1-1 draw at the Vetch Field in the First Round, they won the replay 3-1 before a record crowd at Nyewood Lane, only to lose to Reading at Elm Park in the Second Round. The following season they reached the same stage only to lose away to Gillingham. The 1988/89 season again found Bognor beating League opposition, this time Exeter City 2-1, but their hopes of reaching the third round for the first time were dashed when they lost 1-0 at home to Cambridge United. The Rocks last appearance at this stage was in season 1995/96 when they again failed to reach the third round. Losing 4-0 at Peterborough's London Road ground.

In addition, the club have reached the First Round Proper on three occasions, the first being 1972/72 followed by 1986/87 and 1987/88. Bognor enjoyed their best ever run in the Umbro FA Trophy in the 95/96 season, reaching the last sixteen, before losing 3-1 at home to Radcliffe Borough.

In the 1998/99 season saw The Rocks lose at the first hurdle in all the six cup competitions entered, this created a new, albeit, unwanted record for the club. However, this left the way open to concentrate on promotion, and by Christmas the team had built up a commanding 13 points lead. Unfortunately, this could not be sustained in the second part of the season, picking up just 25 points from 25 games, and the club eventually finished in sixth Place.

The 1999/2000 season saw the club exit from the FA Cup at the 4th Qualifying Round, and with a number of players coming and going, it did not help the side play consistently. This resulted in the club involved in a relegation battle for the most of the season.

Season 2000/2001 saw the club finish in a disappointing 16th position. However, they did reach the final of the Sussex Senior Cup, losing to Lewes and also reached the 3rd Round of the FA Trophy. The 2001/2002 season saw the club just missing out on promotion finishing in 4th place, this after being unbeaten in the first fifteen league games. Bashley became a real thorn in the clubs side, knocking Bognor out of the FA Cup and then the FA Trophy.

2002/3 saw the club finish in 2nd place and gain promotion to the Premier League. This was achieved despite a long list of injuries, which at times devastated the squad. Promotion gave the whole club a huge lift and on their return to the Premier League, the club finished in a respectable 10th position and with it qualification to the new Nationwide Conference South.

Bognor are currently in 12th position in the Conference South with 26 points. Last Saturday they travelled to Basingstoke and beat them 3-2 with goals from Piper, Beck and Watson. In 19 league matches they have scored 32 goals and average exactly two goals a game at home.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Conference Chairmen To Meet On Three Up

Conference National Chairmen are to meet in Stevenage on Thursday with a push for three promotion places likely to be high on the agenda.

Conference chief John Moules told the NLP: "They had already accepted that, after the initial five year period for two up/two down was agreed, we would be seeking three up/three down in line with the rest of the chain." The second spot has been in place for three and a half years - meaning an eighteen month campaign to get the third promotion spot is likely to start soon.

But first, on Monday, the FA will rule on the Conference's demands for an independent England manager. The Conference will not be in attendance at the meeting, but have a full meeting of all 66 Conference Chairmen on January 19th to discuss the FA ruling on the matter whichever way it goes.

Ex-Weymouth Chairman In £2m Debt Claim

Speaking to the Non-League Paper, former Weymouth Chairman Ian Ridley claims that the club could be as much as £2million in debt by the time this seasons figures are published.

Ridley, a national sports journalist who tried his hand at running the club, claimed that his era lost the club less than £50,000 but that his successor was heading towards another massive loss.

"These are staggering figures for a non-league club, quite breathtaking. At last years AGM Martyn Harrison told fans that Ian Ridley and Steve Claridge were going to bankrupt the club." Ridley told the NLP, "though in cash flow terms we had only lost £48,000 when all the then directors investments had been taken into account."

Ridley lost his post after a bitter war of words with 86% owner Harrison, but now claims that paying £100,000 to release several players "now who are operating successfully in the Conference" was unnecessary along with Claridge's £200,000 pay-off, adding that the £886,000 loss reported is £500,000 over the anticipated loss declared at last years AGM.

The picture attatched to the NLP article details Claridge's contract, at £1000 per week plus £250 an appearance and £200 a win - with both bonuses guaranteed even if he was injured and the team won. The contract also included a £20,000 "loyalty bonus" and £25,000 for promotion to the Conference.

Back to the Adam we know

Graham Turner spoke to the Non-League Paper after yesterday's game about striker Adam Stansfield.

"The goal is just the sort of thing Adam Stansfield can do.

"He has not looked right in training or in the games we have played, but when we went on today, his goal, his work and in everything else it was back to the Adam we know."

Turner admitted he was releived to get three points.

"You need to kill them off and we had some good opportunities.

"There was always going to be a bit of pressure right at the end, but in the second half I thought we played well and created some good opportunities.

"In the first half we looked a bit edgy. with so many chances, and after all the criticism that has been flying round after last week's loss in the FA Cup, it took us a little while to settle down.

"But it was an improvement today, and a vital one."

No Conference Matches For Two Weeks

Apart from two Conference matches on Tuesday, there is no full Conference fixture list for nearly two weeks until Boxing Day with the FA Trophy scheduled next Saturday.

Forest Green, who have just one point from seven games, will look to boost their form and take them off the bottom of the table at home to Burton before they face the Bulls on Boxing Day, while York and Stevenage play each other at the Kit Kat Crescent with Bulls fans hoping that a draw will hinder two of their promotion rivals.

The Bulls are fourth in the Conference form table with four wins and a draw in the last six matches, above the likes of York, Exeter, Grays, and Morecambe. Accrington lead the form guide after registering their sixth straight win over Kidderminster. Southport are bottom of the form table, with their sixth straight defeat yesterday - their last points were from a victory over Forest Green.