Category Archives: Editorial

Play-offs, Sudden-Death and Beery Breath

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Luke Coulson gives a first-hand account of the high drama of the playoffs

Our season at Ebbsfleet United began 10 months ago, and 46 games later we have achieved what we set out to do – securing a place in the Vanarama National League playoffs.

Two weeks ago, our win against my former club, Eastleigh FC, extended our unbeaten run to eleven games and edged us ever closer to securing a chance to play off for a place in the Football League. However, our next match against Sutton United saw our opposition also desperately in need of a win – and they succeeded.

The atmosphere was electric at Stonebridge Road, with 3,000 passionate fans packed into the stadium watching every kick of the ball. Unfortunately for our fantastic supporters, the away side grabbed all three points with a 1-0 victory in our final home game. Although the loss was deflating, we knew that four points from our final two games would cement a playoff spot and therefore our fate was in our own hands.

Firstly, we made the dreaded journey to Gateshead for our Tuesday night fixture. Whilst Liverpool dominated Roma to win 5-2 in the Champions League, we similarly wore red and won convincingly with the same scoreline, except it was in the Vanarama National League.

Gateshead FC is 300 miles from Stonebridge Road and I can assure you that at 11pm after a football match, the journey home is not what your body needs. It would have been made easier if our final game of the season had been a local away match; sadly it was at Torquay.

Preparing for the match, we knew that one point would be enough to extend our season and give us a chance of playing at Wembley. The match was a scrappy affair against the already relegated side and it was evident that tiredness began to creep in towards the end of the game. In the second half, Jack Connors gave us the lead with an arching finish from a tight angle and although Torquay equalised two minutes later, the 1-1 score line gave us the result we needed.

The point in our last game of the season meant that we finished 6th in the table, setting up an exciting playoff game against Aldershot. What an evening it was, on the same Wednesday night as Liverpool’s triumphant semi-final second leg in Rome.

The days leading up to the game seemed to drag. I had never been involved in a playoff match before and I was excited by the prospect. When we arrived at Aldershot’s Electrical Services Stadium, we were confident of winning despite the fact that we were underdogs.

From kick off, we allowed Aldershot to control possession, trusting that they wouldn’t be able to break us down because of our shape and work ethic off the ball. Our tactics worked and the biggest chance of the game fell to Danny Kedwell from the penalty spot. Our number nine uncharacteristically missed, however, and the score was 0-0 after 90 minutes.

I was taken off just before extra time began and it was agonising to watch from the bench, especially when the home side took the lead with a glancing header from their striker, Nicke Kabamba. With two minutes left on the clock, I thought the season was over until our captain, Dave Winfield, equalised with a powerful header at the back post. I jumped off the bench to celebrate, a moment my swollen knee didn’t appreciate.

Penalties ensued and it was tense, gripping and a rollercoaster of emotions. After three penalties, we were losing 3-1 and the game was all but over. However, Aldershot failed to score their last two penalties which allowed Norman Wabo and Danny Kedwell to keep our playoff dream alive. In sudden death, Lewis Ward, the Aldershot keeper stepped up and missed but Dean Rance did not make the same mistake as he coolly slotted home and sent us through to the Vanarama National League Playoff Semi Final.

The celebrations were brilliant in front of our faithful supporters, yet I didn’t exactly appreciate the kiss from a fan with the strongest beer breath I have ever smelt. Having said that, the celebrations are now over as we prepare for the semi final on Saturday against Tranmere, live on BT Sport.

For more on Luke Coulson’s amazing adventure visit: http://ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

For more on the Vanarama National League visit: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/

For great deals on van and car leasing visit:  http://www.vanarama.co.uk/

MO SALAH IS FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

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SALAH IS FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Mohamed Salah is the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year.

The Liverpool forward narrowly beat Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in a ballot of over 400 FWA members, with the winning margin less than 20 votes.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane was placed third.

Between them, Salah and De Bruyne polled more than 90 per cent of the FWA member votes.

The Egyptian, 25, becomes the first African winner of the football’s oldest individual award, which has been running since 1948. Salah will be presented with his trophy at the 2018 FWA Footballer of the Year dinner, to be held at the Landmark Hotel in London on May 10.

Patrick Barclay, FWA Chairman, said: “It’s been the tightest call since 1968/69, when there was a dead heat between Tony Book of Manchester City and Derby’s Dave Mackay.

“Right up to the last week or so we thought it might happen again, so strong was the support for Kevin de Bruyne, but Mo Salah’s relentless match-winning form, exemplified by his two great goals against Roma, seems to have swung the vote by a very narrow margin.

“What a race it has been between two players who, in a relatively short time, have reached genuine world class. But Mo Salah is the worthiest of winners. He is also the first African to receive the award and we congratulate him on a magnificent season.”

The FWA has also introduced the inaugural FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year Award, which was won by Chelsea and England forward Fran Kirby, who will collect her accolade at the gala event.

Both Kirby and Salah were also voted PFA Players of the Year last month.

Other players to receive votes from FWA members were, in alphabetical order: Sergio Aguero (Man City), Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Nick Pope (Burnley), David Silva (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Man City) and Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

You can see the full list of previous winners, starting with Sir Stanley Matthews in 1947, here: http://footballwriters.co.uk/previous-foty

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side’s first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League, Quarter Final at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

Vanarama Column – Macclesfield’s silky skills

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Macclesfield – The Silkmen’s success .  By Glenn Moore

A happy ending did not seem likely in February when the players of Macclesfield Town confronted the club chairman at a local country club after their wages went unpaid, but by last weekend the Silkmen were celebrating the most joyous of finales.

Victory at Eastleigh ensured Macclesfield would return to the Football League after a six-year absence with a Vanarama National League match to spare. John Askew’s team pulled away from the pack in recent weeks then kept their nerve to hold off a late run from Tranmere Rovers.

Askew, who played for the club for nearly two decades, winning three titles plus promotion to League One, said this was his ‘biggest achievement’ at Moss Rose. This is hardly surprising given the fiscal backdrop.

Funds have long been tight at the club and after January’s wages went unpaid a group of first team players gate-crashed a meeting at the Tytherington Club to ask chairman Mark Blower what was going on. The players then issued a statement saying neither majority shareholder Amar Alkadhi nor the chairman had told them what the reason was for this ‘alarming’ situation. Four days after the country club showdown the wages were paid with Alkadhi blaming ‘a technical issue with my bank’ adding, “put simply, I didn’t do my job properly”.

Wages banked, the players got back to doing their job. The Silkmen were second then, behind Wrexham on goal difference and with six clubs within two wins of them. Losing one of 14 subsequent matches, while all around them faltered, they ultimately cruised to the Vanarama National League title winning at rivals Tranmere, Aldershot and Boreham Wood on the way.

It has been a team effort with no player scoring more than a dozen goals. Housemates Scott Wilson (12 goals) and Tyrone Marsh (nine) have led the way, both having been among the raft of players signed in the summer after the bulk of the team that reached last year’s FA Trophy final departed.

That exodus – only three players were left – meant many thought Macclesfield more likely to exit the Vanarama National League through relegation rather than promotion. Askew had to wait to see who was left looking for a contract before filling up his squad. His contacts and experience proved invaluable but Askew still had to take a few gambles on players whose potential had not previously been realised, such as Wilson and Marsh, both of whom are having their most prolific season at this level.

“There will always be talent out there,” said Askew earlier this season. “it is just a case of getting them in the right environment and feeling comfortable to play. You need to have the confidence to have a bit of faith in them.”

With a good start boosting belief the squad gelled quickly. Luck with injuries and good discipline limiting suspensions helped. Team spirit proved strong enough to withstand the financial worries and Tranmere’s surge. Now the Football League beckons again. No one is under illusions, making the jump will be difficult, but the Silkmen have grown used to defying the odds.

For more on Macclesfield Town, visit https://www.mtfc.co.uk/

For more on the Vanarama National League: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/

Vanarama column April 11 – National League North

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Vanarama column – the National League North 

By Glenn Moore

Size is always relative: by the standards of non-league football the Vanarama National League North is the graveyard of giants. It is a curiosity that while Vanarama National League South does not contain a single club that has previously played in the Football League the northern section has eight (albeit some have reformed after the original club went bankrupt).

There are many reasons for this disparity, and to an extent it is just a snapshot in time, but the gradual southwards economic shift of the English economy is clearly a factor. There are many upwardly mobile clubs in the south. The likes of Crawley and AFC Wimbledon have climbed into the Football League in recent years, Eastleigh and Ebbsfleet are pushing to join them. Often it is northern clubs that have made way.

Even taking into account that Boston United and Kidderminster Harriers only had four seasons apiece in the Football League in the early years of this century, and Gainsborough Trinity last played League football in 1912, that leaves five once well-established Football League clubs now in the sixth tier of the game.

Of that quintet York City, the FA Trophy holders and a Football League club only two years ago, and Stockport County, a Championship-level club as recently as 2002, look best-placed to secure a spot in the play-offs. Southport, now managed by former Bolton and England striker Kevin Davies, Bradford Park Avenue and Darlington are hoping to join them, but will each need a strong finish. None will win automatic promotion, that seems certain to be claimed by either Salford City, the club bankrolled by the Lancastrian heart of Alex Ferguson’s golden generation, or Harrogate Town, who went full-time at the start of the season.

In a tier in which attendances can dip below 200, and more than half the clubs in the northern section, and all those in the southern, average crowds of less than 1,000, Stockport and York are giants. Only four Vanarama National League clubs have averaged more than their gates, approaching 3,500 for County, in excess of 2,500 for York.  For County this support is especially impressive given this is their fourth season in the sixth tier and they have been sitting in mid-table for most of it.

However, the support and facilities at Edgeley Park can inspire opponents too. “Players do like to come to our place and play in front of 3,000-4,000 fans, but they also come here with a mentality to defend and not concede and that makes it difficult for us,” said manager Jim Gannon earlier this season. County are also part-time, in a league with an increasing number of full-time clubs, including the top two.

York City are full-time, but may not be for much longer. A dispute between owner Jason McGill and the supporters trust ahead of a move to a new stadium in 2019 has clouded matters, with speculation the club may go part-time. That increases the need to go up this May. Jon Parkin, now 36 and the scorer of more than 200 career goals, including 141 in the Football League, is spearheading the Minstermen’s promotion push but with FA Trophy finalists Brackley Town all-but tying up third the chase for the remaining four play-off places is tight.

For more on the Vanarama National League North visit: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/

For great deals on car and van leasing visit: http://www.vanarama.co.uk/

Ray Wilkins RIP – an appreciation

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The Football Writers’ Association is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ray Wilkins at the age of 61, following cardiac arrest and a fall. Ray was a fine footballer for some of Europe’s leading clubs, a respected coach and an excellent pundit. He was also a good friend of the FWA, always courteous and helpful with reporters, fans and colleagues, and will be much missed.

Martin Lipton, deputy sports editor of The Sun and a member of the FWA’s national executive committee, shares his personal memories of a great football man.

I once gave the ball back to Ray Wilkins.

It was at Brisbane Road, Orient versus Chelsea, in 1976.

Most of the people who were there vaguely recall it was the match in which the Chelsea fans pushed over one of the brick walls running alongside the pitch.

But not me. The ball went into the crowd. Ray Wilkins – THE Ray Wilkins – came over to take the throw. I gave it back to him. And for the first of what was to prove many times over the next 40-odd years, he said, simply “Thank you.”

Courteous. Polite. A gentleman.

Equally, a far, far better player and man than he was ever given credit for. Yes, for some, he was “Ray the Crab”, the master of the sideways pass. But that was because, in an era when possession of the ball was an afterthought, Wilkins believed it mattered.

That keeping the ball counted. That control of possession was vital in any context.

Captain of Chelsea at 18. Yes, 18. An FA Cup winner at Manchester United. Still respected at AC Milan. Recalled with affection at Rangers – where he was a Double winner – and QPR.

And a man who earned 84 England caps, wore the Three Lions armband on 10 occasions, represented his country at three tournaments, including two World Cups.

But, of course, it is at Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, that Wilkins’ death at the age of 61 will be mourned more than anywhere else.

In truth, the real measure of the esteem in which real football fans held “Butch” was clear only last Sunday. To say the hostility between Chelsea and Spurs fans is brutal is an understatement. The two clubs loathe each other.

But when Wilkins’ face was displayed on the giants screens at the Bridge before kick-off, with prayers and good wishes offered for his recovery from the coma into which he had been induced, both sets of supporters had the same, immediate and genuine response.

Sadly, those warm wishes were not able to halt the inevitable.

Those who knew Wilkins, as a player, a coach, a manager, a pundit or a friend, will always recall him with a smile.

Loyal to a fault – he never said a word against Carlo Ancelotti, even after the Italian stood back and did not intervene when Wilkins was summarily sacked by Chelsea just months after the club had won the Double in 2010. And a man who always had time for real football fans.

A couple of years ago, I was contacted by someone who said they wanted to thank Ray.

They had been in the middle of their wedding in a Surrey hotel, when Wilkins had been spotted in the building. The groom was a Chelsea fan, who recalled watching Wilkins in his pomp. Out of nowhere, he was invited to be guest of honour. He could not let a Blues fan down. Then he made his way off home. I agreed to pass on the regards. Got the details. Picked up the phone and told Ray about the call I’d had.

“Thank you,” he said, once again. “It was my honour. Just give him my details.”

That was Ray.

Now, we all say our goodbyes, never to speak to him again. It’s not him who says “thank you” now. It’s me. “Thank you, Ray. It was a privilege.”

Vanarama column March 26 – Solihull Moors

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The Vanarama National League relegation battle is heating up nicely, by Glenn Moore.

If it were not for Solihull Moors the Vanarama National League relegation fight would be all but over by now. Torquay, Guiseley and Chester have fallen away, each at least nine points adrift of safety with matches running out. Moors, however, keep the battle alive; theirs is the first result half the division look for on a Saturday afternoon.

That scenario did not appear likely on Boxing Day, after a 1-0 defeat at Maidenhead left Moors bottom of the table, a dozen points from safety. But four days later the revival began. It started in the 57th minute at Holker Street, Barrow, when Darren Carter, a veteran of many clubs including Birmingham City, West Brom, and Preston, scored an equaliser. Six minutes from time a penalty from Jamie Reckford delivered three points. Nevertheless, Moors still went into 2018 bottom of the Vanarama National League with 20 points from 27 games.

However, by the time Moors won at Dagenham, in late January, to complete a haul of 13 points from 15, fans of the Warwickshire club were beginning to dream. Moors had overtaken the aforementioned trio of relegation strugglers and climbed to within a point of safety.

Two months on Moors remain, frustratingly, in the relegation zone, albeit only on goal difference from Barrow. Despite suffering only two defeats in 12 matches there have been too many draws with only one win in the last seven.

Former Crawley Town manager Mark Yates, who led Kidderminster Harriers to Wembley and Cheltenham twice to the League Two plays-offs, is behind Solihull’s revival. Prior to his appointment in mid-November five different men had picked Solihull teams in the previous 12 months. The departure of Marcus Bignot (now at Chester) for Grimsby was followed by two permanent managers, Liam McDonald and, for 26 days, Richard Money, with two caretakers, Keith Bertschin and Gary Whild, before and after. That instability had an inevitable affect and Yates, assisted by former England and Blackburn goalkeeper Tim Flowers, took over a team that had 11 points from 19 matches.

Under his charge they have gained 29 points from the next 20 matches, a record good enough to put them in the Vanarama National League’s top half if sustained over a season. But that woeful opening period means they remain in trouble with a demanding run-in ahead. Yates, 48, who has not been relegated in a decade as a manager, is eager to keep that off his CV.

Moors, who share their ground with Birmingham City Ladies, were formed by a merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough in 2007. The union has proved successful in that neither of the parent clubs had reached the fifth tier, a status attained under Bignot in 2016. That exalted status is now in jeopardy, but with a clutch of clubs within reach, hope of survival is far stronger than could have been imagined at Christmas.

Football Book of the Year

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Biographies of some of the most successful football managers, past and present, dominate the Football Writers’ Association Book of the Year Award Longlist for 2018.

Now sponsored by Coutts, it is one of 10 categories within the Sports Book Awards Ceremony which takes place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 7th.

A total of 12 books made the shortlist, selected by members of the FWA’s books committee, and eight of the authors were present at Coutts’ offices on the Strand for a the announcement on Monday March 19th.

Sir Matt Busby by FWA Chairman Patrick Barclay and Quiet Genius (Life of Bob Paisley) by Ian Herbert will compete in the football book category with David Bolchover’s The Greatest Comeback, the story of Bela Guttmann. Each are European Cup-winning managers, a feat that remains elusive to Mauricio Pochettino, the exciting young coach at Spurs and subject of Brave New World by Sky Sports La Liga pundit Guillem Balague, another FWA member.

Stephen Constantine is a lesser-known veteran coach of six different national teams in four continents. His story, written with Owen Amos, From Delhi to the Den: The Story of Football’s Most Travelled Manager continues the strong managerial theme running through the list.

Last year’s Autobiography of the Year award winner at the Sports Book Awards, Michael Calvin who co-authored Joey Barton’s life story, is longlisted again with No Hunger in Paradise, the third part in his much celebrated trilogy of football writing. James Montague is another previous winner and his book, The Billionaires Club, takes a delve into the unstoppable rise of football’s super rich owners while Martin Lipton’s White Hart Lane provides football fans with a complete history of Tottenham Hotspur’s home  before it re-opens after redevelopment next season.

Tom van Hulsen’s Game Changers – The Remarkable Story of Dutch Masters Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen, celebrates  two great Ipswich Town midfield maestros while Doctor Socrates by Andrew Downie chronicles the maverick, iconic captain of the greatest Brazil side never to win the World Cup. David Tossell’s Alan Ball: The Man in White Boots completes the midfield quartet for the 2018 longlist.

James Corbett’s Faith Of Our Families: Everton FC –An Oral History 1878-2018 is a book told by the people who made the great Merseyside club and completes the long list.

David Willis, Chairman of the Sports Book Awards said: ‘We are delighted to be announcing the Football Writers’ Association Book of the Year Longlist and working in partnership with Coutts for the first time and the highly esteemed Football Writers’ Association.’

Simon Hopes, Director Coutts, in response said: ‘The business of football is very important to Coutts and we are very appreciative of the opportunity to partner with The Sports Book Awards and the Football Writers’ Association for the first time in FIFA World Cup year.’

Mike Collett, Chair of the Football Writers’ Association Books Committee, commented: “We’re incredibly impressed by the quality of this year’s football writing. So much so that we’ve decided to announce this longlist for the first time. We’re thrilled with the continued association with the Sports Book Awards team and by the new sponsorship from Coutts.

“Selecting the winner of this award gets harder every year” added Mike, “It reminds me of the Goal of the Season award — what is better a 30-yard screamer or a goal scored after a mazy run through the defence. ?  The same with these awards, the subjects are so diverse, how do you pick a winner ? The interesting part is that there are certain criteria we set, and the winner invariably meets all of them.
“The standard was so high this year that for the first time, with the backing of the Sports Book Awards organisation we have held a public Long List  launch with eight of the 12 nominated authors able to discuss their work on a panel chaired by FWA Book Committee member Philippe Auclair. It was a fantastic night at Coutts Bank, and many thanks to them and their staff for making the evening such a memorable one.”

The winners of the 2018 Sports Book of the Year Awards will be announced at a gala awards dinner to take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on the evening of June 7th.


The Sports Book of the Year Awards partners include Sky Sports, The Times, Thomson Reuters, AT Cross and Coutts. The final short lists for the 2018 Sports Book of the Year Awards will be announced at a further reception at Coutts Strand branch on May 10th 2018.

www.sportsbookawards.com

Vanarama Column March 14 – Dover Athletic

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Chris Kinnear’s remarkable journey – by Glenn Moore

Chris Kinnear was 31 when he first managed Dover, stepping up as caretaker with the Kent club between managers. Kinnear, who was still playing for the Whites at the time, thought it was a temporary appointment.

That was in 1985. Kinnear went on to manage Dover for ten years, leading them from the Southern League, Southern Division to the National League (then Conference). He then took a break for personal reasons, scouted briefly for Mick McCarthy at Wolves, then spent a dozen years across two spells at Margate – winning two more promotions into the Conference.

Early in 2013 Kinnear returned to Crabble, Dover’s ground perched on a hilltop outside the town. He soon took them them back into the Vanarama National League. Despite two factors which make it hard to attract and retain players – a small budget by the standards of the division, and geographical isolation – Dover are pushing for another promotion, this time into the Football League. They sit in the play-offs places ahead of hosting leaders Macclesfield on Saturday.

Kinnear is now 63. Throughout his time in management he has been a teacher, at Stepney Green, East London. This is possible as Dover are part-time, one of the few such clubs left in the Vanarama National League. Kinnear has said the day job has helped his ability to manage a football club;  many of the people skills are transferrable, and he has even taken ideas from other sports encountered as a PE teacher.

In their three seasons back in the Vanarama National League Dover have finished eighth, fifth and sixth. This despite having to regularly rebuild the squad. Stefan Payne was top scorer the first two seasons. He was out of contract and turned down the offer of a new deal to sign with Barnsley and is now at Shrewsbury Town. Ricky Miller took on the mantle scoring an incredible 45 goals in 46 matches last season. Similarly Miller also rejected the offer of a new deal and made the step up to join Peterborough (he is now on loan to Mansfield having failed to score in League One). Ryan Bird, 30 years old and released by Newport County, arrived. He is top-scorer with 13 goals so far, though Dover’s success this season is built on a parsimonious defence led by former Gillingham centre-back Conor Essam. Only Wrexham have conceded fewer league goals.

Remarkably Essam is one of only three players in the 16-man squad Kinnear has fielded for Dover’s three matches, who were at the club last season, and even he was then on loan. Goalkeeper Mitch Walker was the longest-serving, having joined from Brighton in 2012, while striker Mitchell Pinnock came from Maidstone late in 2015. The rest were newly signed this season, including three loanees.

Last month master-builder Kinnear reached 1,500 matches in management, with a win-rate above 50 per cent. It is surprising a Football League club never took a chance on him, but non-League managers are often typecast. Usually the only way into the league is to be promoted into it. Achieving that with Dover would fulfil Kinnear’s remaining ambition. It could happen this year, but if not, there’s always next year, and the one after.

“I’m a long way from finishing,” Kinnear told BBC Radio Kent last month. “I don’t feel tired by it. I don’t feel different now to when I started, except I don’t make as many mistakes because I now have the experience to draw on.”

For more about Dover Athletic visit: http://www.doverathletic.com

For more about the Vanarama National League visit: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/

For great deals on car and van leasing visit: http://www.vanarama.co.uk/

Vanarama National League Column March 7 – Snow

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Snowbound – by Luke Coulson, FWA and Ebbsfleet United

Great Britain descended into chaos last week with the arrival of the ‘Beast from the East’ and Storm Emma. The cold weather resulted in heavy snowfall, blizzards and the postponement of our fifth straight win in the Vanarama National League. 

On Saturday, Stonebridge Road lay hidden under a thick layer of snow and therefore our home fixture against Wrexham was cancelled because of the poor weather conditions. 

However, the cancelled fixture meant that our manager, Daryl McMahon, rewarded us for our recent winning form with an unusual but well-received weekend off. 

Before the unscheduled time off, our longest consecutive winning run of the season was extended to four games after a 1-0 away win against Hartlepool. 

In the week leading up to the game, the former League Two side sacked their manager, Craig Harrison, following a midweek loss to Halifax. Therefore, we were fully anticipating Hartlepool to start the game on the front foot with their players trying to impress potential future managers. Yet, knowing what to expect and with our confidence soaring high after our three previous wins, we put on another dominating display. 

By our own admission, we weren’t ruthless enough in the first half as we missed four or five good chances and in all honesty, I was the culprit for a few of those missed opportunities. 
For one of those chances, a slight hesitation in the box led to the ball bobbling up off my left shin pad which allowed the defender to clear the ball. Luckily, that embarrassing moment didn’t cost the team. But, unfortunately for me, the highlight has since become a memorable video for the team to laugh about. 

However, I redeemed myself after 17 minutes when I assisted Dean Rance for his first goal of the season. Noticing his late run into the box, my cross to the back post found the head of Rance as he angled his header back across goal and gave us a deserved lead. 

Coming in at half-time with the score at 1-0, booing echoed around Victoria Park as the home fans voiced their disappointment at watching a commanding Ebbsfleet performance.

The second half was a dull affair compared to the first 45 minutes, but we didn’t care as we collected all three points for our journey home. 

In celebration of our victory, Nathan Ashmore blasted out some classic 80s tunes; much to the delight of our old school assistant manager, Steve Gritt. After my powerful and emotional initiation song at the start of the season, Rick Astley has remained a favourite in the changing room after a win. Hopefully, the words of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ will be sung again this coming weekend when we travel to Leyton Orient.

For more on the Vanarama National League, go to: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/

For great deals on car and van leasing visit: http://www.vanarama.co.uk

Vanarama National League column – AFC Fylde

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AFC Fylde coasting towards success by Glenn Moore

Eleven years ago Kirkham & Wesham FC, having dominated the West Lancashire League, moved up to the North West Counties League. They marked their arrival at step six in the non-League pyramid by producing a 15-year plan aimed at reaching the Football League in 2022. Few observers took the proposal seriously.

There were around 900 teams standing in their way at the time. Now there are eight. No one is laughing at them these days. Having ensured the name Kirkham & Wesham would be inscribed for ever by winning the FA Vase at their first attempt, at Wembley in 2008, the club changed name to AFC Fylde, reflecting the area rather than two of its small towns. The Coasters are now ninth in the Vanarama National League, having been promoted last season, bang on the schedule laid out a decade ago. After a slow start they sit on the brink of the play-offs and defeated leaders Macclesfield and favourites Tranmere, 6-0 and 5-2 respectively, in recent weeks.

As usual in these tales there is a wealthy backer, David Haythornthwaite, who made his money in animal feed. As the name of his company, The Tangerine Group, suggests, Haythornthwaite is a Blackpool fan. However, having been rebuffed by the infamous Oyston family he decided to put his cash to good use elsewhere.

Haythornthwaite has bankrolled Fylde through the North-West Counties League and Northern Premier League to the Vanarama National League – five promotions. This is not, though, a story of big wages being paid out to former Premier League players, as sometimes happens. The current squad includes plenty who began at clubs such as Manchester City and United, Everton and Chelsea, but none who those clubs’ fans will recall. Lewis Montrose, who won promotion to League One with both Gillingham and Wycombe is the most decorated though the prolific Danny Rowe garners the attention. Rowe, now 28, was a schoolboy prodigy, on Manchester United’s books, but lost his love for the game and became an apprentice joiner at 16. It has been a long haul back.

There is not much celebrity to the manager either, though Dave Challinor was briefly famous for the long-throws that helped propel Tranmere Rovers to the Football League Cup final. Starting at Colwyn Bay he has won four promotions in seven seasons as a manager, finding time to collect a degree in physiotherapy along the way.

The sense of upward mobility is mirrored off the pitch. Kirkham & Wesham had moved into a new ground in 2006 but such has been the speed of the Coasters’ progress that it was soon rendered inadequate. In 2016 Haythornthwaite opened the £18m Mill Farm Sports Village featuring an array of businesses and sports facilities. The centrepiece is a 6,000-capacity stadium. Doubtless helped by disillusionment with affairs at Blackpool, the area’s traditional powerhouse, but by also Fylde’s vibrant community programme, attendances average around 1,700 having hugely multiplied during their rise.

There are echoes in Fylde’s rise of Fleetwood, 15 miles away. The Cod Army made the play-offs for promotion to the Championship last season. Fylde see no reason why they cannot do the same.
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