Category Archives: Uncategorized

Vanarama National League Column

Posted on by
Reply

Glenn Moore looks at Kent’s place in the Vanarama National League 

Kent, the home of hops, apples, and the Channel Tunnel, has never been regarded as a hotbed of football. The Royal Engineers, the first FA Cup runners-up, came from the Chatham Dockyard; Chris Smalling, Tony Cascarino and Jon Harley grew up in the Garden of England; but in sporting terms the white horse county is best known for cricket. Excluding Charlton Athletic, never officially part of Kent since the club’s formation, Gillingham are the county’s only representatives in the Football League. They always have been, aside from three seasons a quarter-century ago when Maidstone United joined them before going bankrupt.

In non-League football, however, it is a different story. Kent has long had a busy non-League scene, perhaps because of the lack of Football League clubs. In 1979 the original Alliance Premier League, the forerunner of today’s Vanamara National League, included Maidstone United and Gravesend & Northfleet, and within two seasons they were joined by Dartford. 

These days the Vanarama National League has a strong Kentish flavour. Dover Athletic, thriving since the return of Chris Kinnear despite a huge turnover of players, are the surprise leaders. A trio of local rivals are in close pursuit. Re-formed Maidstone United are fifth, two places ahead of Bromley (now a London borough, but part of Kent until 1965). Ebbsfleet, as Gravesend & Northfleet are now known, are three points further back. Hoping to join them are Dartford and Welling United, respectively first and third in Vanarama National League South.

What is notable about these clubs is the sense of progress and ambition with most playing at new, or refurbished stadia in front of rising crowds. Dover last year opened a new £1.3m stand at their historic Crabble home. Ebbsfleet’s own £5m stand at Stonebridge Road is nearing conclusion. Bromley, prospering in only their third season at this level, put down a 3G pitch in the summer and a new stand is to be erected next year. 

Dartford, meanwhile, have one of the most ecologically-advanced grounds in the country at 12-year-old Princes’ Park, with features including a sedum roof, floodlights powered by solar panels and water recycling. Welling are the smallest of the sextet, but with Mark Goldberg, once Crystal Palace owner, more recently Bromley manager, chairman, do not lack for ambition.

The most extraordinary tale is that of Maidstone. The Stones had to start again in the Kent County League’s fourth division, step 12 of the pyramid, after going bust in 1992. Playing on their former reserve team pitch they climbed into the Kent League (step 5) by 2001, but then had to ground-share in Sittingbourne and Ashford before returning to the county town, at a new ground, in 2012. At this stage they were in the Isthmian League (South) but inspired by having their own home, one which has become a community hub built around the 3G pitch, they won three further promotions in four seasons. Their 4-2 FA Cup win at League Two Cheltenham on Saturday confirmed the Stones are rolling again, as are their rivals in Kent’s fertile non-League garden. The Gills’ proud boast of being ‘Kent’s only Football League club’ is at risk again.

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

Find out about Vanarama’s leasing deals for cars and vans here: http://www.vanarama.co.uk/

Danny Fullbrook

Posted on by
Reply
DANNY FULLBROOK REMEMBERED AT FULHAM FOOTBALL CLUB

Danny Fullbrook's family receive a signed Fulham shirt in his memory

Danny Fullbrook’s immense contribution to football journalism and Fulham Football Club was recognised prior to Fulham’s home fixture with Hull City last month when the Fulham Supporters’ Trust presented Danny’s family with a signed first-team home shirt bearing his name.

Danny sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2012 but his legacy lives on through the work of the Danny Fullbrook Fearless Foundation. The Fulham Supporters’ Trust wanted to ensure that Danny’s family and friends were aware of just how fondly Danny is thought of by the Fulham fans and the football club. The Trust’s communications officer Dan Crawford, whose own path into sports journalism was inspired by Danny, handed over the signed shirt at Craven Cottage on the evening of the game against Hull.

Dan, pictured with Danny’s parents Jim and Sylvie, sister Jo and son Edward, said: ‘Danny’s infectious enthusiasm for football and Fulham left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He was a massive supporter of the ‘Back to the Cottage’ campaign and the Fulham Supporters’ Trust and encouraged me as a teenager to pursue a journalistic career. We are very keen to support the work of the Fearless Foundation and ensure that Danny’s legacy will offer more opportunities for young people through sport and sports journalism. We would like to thank Carmelo Mifsud, Mark Maunders, Alistair Mackintosh and Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham Football Club for arranging at such short notice to provide this shirt to Danny’s family, which shows how specially he is still thought of at Craven Cottage’.
The Trust will be working with Danny’s family, friends and colleagues over the forthcoming months on a number of projects dedicated to his memory. If any FWA member would like more information, they are welcome to email info@fulhamsupporterstrust.com

Vanarama National League – a new column

Posted on by
Reply

 

Vanarama

Each week the FWA will round up events in the Vanarama National League in association with our sponsor Vanarama. Glenn Moore, former football editor of the Independent and FWA committee member, explains…

It is said the league table cannot be trusted until ten games have been played. Until then it a phoney war, shadow boxing, foreplay – whichever cliche takes your fancy. The Vanarama National League has now played a dozen matches, more than a quarter of the programme. It should have settled down by now with a picture of who will be contending for the title – and with it automatic promotion, and who will be pushing for the play-offs.

Well… that hasn’t quite happened. As of this morning Maidstone United are three points behind Sutton United. The Stones are not exactly on the leaders’ heels – they are back in ninth. Leyton Orient, in 13th, are three points off the play-offs. It is tighter than a Wrexham defence that has conceded six goals in 12 games. The gap from 1st to 18th-place Tranmere Rovers is nine points, easily bridgeable for last season’s runners-up.

The Championship is usually quoted as the most interesting competition. Big clubs like Aston Villa who have fallen on hard times, sleeping giants such as Leeds United waking from their slumber, upstarts Burton Albion, bloodying noses. And plenty of unpredictable results. But, after just nine matches, the leaders are already seven points clear of ninth and 11 ahead of 18th.

The Vanarama National League also has bruised egos – half the competition are ex-Football League clubs with Leyton Orient on the cusp of the Championship three years ago. There are clubs with a long-established non-League pedigree, such as Woking and Sutton. And there are the nouveau riche, keen to hurry through the leagues, like Eastleigh and Fylde.

There is plenty of vibrant life, and vivid backstories, in the regional divisions too. In Vanarama North on Saturday Harrogate Town drew a staggering 2,800 to the Bettys Tea Rooms derby with York City. Town’s win kept them ahead, on goal difference, of Salford City – famous now for their association with former Manchester United players Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt. York, who once conquered Don Howe’s Arsenal, lie seventh having finally halted a horrible slide. Close behind lie several others trying to clamber back to the full-time game including Stockport County and Darlington.

While there are 11 fallen Football League clubs in Vanarama North none are in Vanarama South. Instead there is a cluster of upwardly mobile ones such as current leaders Truro City, the highest-placed Cornish club in the football pyramid, and East Thurrock United, less than 50 years old, an Essex League club 25 years ago, and in only their second season at this level.

It is a competition full of stories, often only told when the FA Cup juggernaut rolls around and the media descend on the plucky part-timers looking for butchers and bakers. Increasingly they find instead full-time pros, especially in the Vanarama National League, but they still have stories to tell, often of rejection from a Premier League academy, a tumble down the divisions, and a quiet determination to make their way back. Every week this new column will seek to tell the tales of a fascinating competition.

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

For more about Vanarama visit  http://www.vanarama.co.uk/

Dave Smith – funeral details

Posted on by
Reply

England press teamDave Smith (centre, with ball) in 1992 at Euro 92 Sweden

The funeral of Dave Smith, former Shoot editor who passed away recently, will be on October 4 in Peterborough.

Dave passed away at the age of 56 after a short illness. His son Joshua said:

“Dad’s funeral will be held at Peterborough Crematorium, PE6 7JE at 1pm on Wednesday 4th October, with the wake at The Harrier, Gunthorpe Rd, Peterborough, PE4 7DS.

‘Flowers may be sent to the chapel of rest, Co-operative Funeral Care, Fitzwilliam Street, Peterborough, PE1 2RX. Donations in lieu if desired may be made at the service for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.

“Please feel free to wear colours or football shirts!  All welcome!”

Dave was a hugely popular character during his 30 years or so as a football writer, starting at the Spalding Guardian before going to Match magazine and then Shoot, where he became editor in its heyday of the early 1990s.

After leaving Shoot in 1997, he was as launch editor of Football 365, and then the Premier League’s original website and latterly the PFA’s website, as well as freelancing for the Sunday Mirror.

Dave had an amazing contacts book from his days as editor of the UK’s leading football magazine, and he helped a number of players with their autobiographies.

He was also tremendous fun, as anyone who covered the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and 1992 European Championship can testify. Rob Shepherd said: “While he was a top guy, he was also a bloody good football journalist who had great contacts and knew the game.”

Dave had been on Derby County’s books as a teenager and was regularly man of the match in England’s media games, even when the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Trevor Brooking and Jean Tigana were playing. He once spent a week training at Fulham for a feature, and although the players treated him with derision on the first day, by the end of the week he had won them over and they were urging him to turn professional!

Adrian Curtis, who worked with him at both Match and Shoot, said: I only ever had good times with Dave and I cannot recall him ever losing his temper. Our friendship was a solid one and he would do anything for his mates.”

Lawrie Madden the former Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday defender who became a journalist and broadcaster, added: “I met Dave when he was at the PFA and he was always friendly and gave me a great deal of help and advice when I was starting in journalism.”

Dave is survived by his wife Carole and sons Josh and Ben, who have set up a Facebook page for friends and colleagues to post pictures and tributes here: http://bit.ly/2vXWDhQ

Funeral details to follow…

England press team

Northern Managers’ Awards evening – tickets on sale now

Posted on by
Reply

37th Northern Managers Awards Dinner, in conjunction with sponsors William Hill  will be held at the RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN HOTEL, Free Trade Hall, Peter Street, Manchester M2 5GP . on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26th 2017

Reception: 6.45pm for 7.30pm Dress Code: Lounge Suit

* TICKETS can be ordered from committee members Paul Hetherington, Dick Bott or Steve Bates, at the same price as last year: £65 FWA Members, £70 Non-members and Guests. Book now for Tables of 10/11, smaller groups or individuals. The discounted room rate at the RADISSON BLU, which is available for a limited time only, is £120 inc. Breakfast & VAT (for SINGLE or TWIN occupancy). Ring 0161 835 9929 and press Option 1 for Reservations and quote 03 12 FWA.

* This year’s award winning managers are: JOSE MOURINHO (Manchester United), RAFA BENITEZ (Newcastle United), DAVID WAGNER (Huddersfield Town), CHRIS WILDER (Sheffield United), PHIL PARKINSON (Bolton Wanderers), DARREN FERGUSON (Doncaster Rovers), GARY BOWYER (Blackpool). Special Award winners: GARY MILLS (York City), GRAHAM FENTON and LEE PICTON (South Shields) , NICK CUSHING (Manchester City Women).

* This year’s designated Children’s Charity is THE SEASHELL TRUST

Menu, wine lists and other details will be forwarded nearer the date.

Richard Bott

(secretary FWA North)

FWA Live update – Les Ferdinand joins the panel

Posted on by
Reply

Les Ferdinand has joined the star-studded panel for our special FWA Live next Wednesday August 9th to raise funds for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.

The Football Writers’ Association are hosting a charity evening to raise money for the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and have pulled together some of the biggest names in the football and media world to preview the upcoming season. The BBC’s Jacqui Oatley will host the special panel event and panellists, include Gary Lineker, the FA’s Paul Elliot, The Times chief football writer, Henry Winter and now QPR Director of Football, Les Ferdinand.

All money raised will be donated to the London Fire Relief Fund which is organised by the British Red Cross and that total will be matched by the FWA’s title sponsors, William Hill.

Date: Wednesday August 9 Time: 7.00-10.00pm

Location: Ham Yard Hotel, 1 Ham Yard, Soho, London W1D 7DT    Tickets are £25 (including free drinks and canapes) from:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fwa-live-season-preview-in-aid-of-the-london-fire-relief-fund-tickets-36538711269

For more information, contact Paul McCarthy
07831 650977 paul@maccamedia.co.uk

Wayne Rooney honoured to receive FWA Tribute

Posted on by
Reply

Rooney

Wayne Rooney celebrated his record-breaking success in style when he was honoured at the FWA’s Tribute Evening.

Just 24 hours after becoming Manchester United’s leading goal-scorer, breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record which had stood for more than four decades, Wayne was guest of honour at a glittering event at The Savoy.

In front of almost 400 guests, Wayne received his trophy from FWA chairman, Patrick Barclay, who described him as a ‘genuine role model’ and paid tribute to not only the United star’s goal-scoring prowess but also his selflessness.

Patrick was joined by former England manager, Roy Hodgson, who gave Wayne the captaincy and watched him mature both as a player and a man.

Hodgson said: “When I first met Wayne, I didn’t know what to expect but I met a man who just loved to play football. Whenever a young player came into the squad for the first time, it was Wayne who put an arm round his shoulder and made him feel welcome.”

Wayne’s former United team-mate, Darren Fletcher, joined in with the praise – and talked about the competitive streak which singled him out even as a teenager joining from Everton.

“He was absolutely driven from the first training session after joining United. There are so many qualities to him and that’s what has made him the leading scorer and most capped outfield player for England and now the greatest goal-scorer in Manchester United’s history.”

Patrick Barclay on Graham Taylor

Posted on by
Reply

From FWA Chairman Patrick Barclay:

To all football writers, Graham Taylor was a very special football manager, one of our own in the sense that he understood journalism from the early age due to the work of his dad. Some of us even had the pleasure of meeting Tom in his domain, the press boxes of Lincolnshire, and therefore we understood that parental influence had contributed to Graham’s wonderfully cheerful personality and unfailing good manners, both of which were exhibited in the face of adversity as well as the more convivial atmosphere of a pre-match cup of tea during his later life as an analyst.

Graham had a lovely sense of humour and a keen eye for pomposity in a pundit or even a fellow manager who seemed to be getting above himself. But everything he said was good-natured. He was a decent footballer and an exceptional manager and yet most of us will him as remember one of the game’s truly fine men. Our sympathies are with his family and friends.

Wayne Rooney to be honoured by FWA

Posted on by
Reply

Wayne Rooney will be honoured for his services to English football by becoming the latest recipient of the Football Writers’ Association’s Tribute Award.Wayne Rooney-1

The England and Manchester United captain will receive his award at the FWA’s annual tribute dinner, to be held at the Savoy Hotel, London, in January 2017.

Rooney, who was voted Footballer of the Year by the FWA in 2010, joins a list of illustrious names who are previous recipients, including fellow former England captains Gary Lineker, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and the greatest of them all Bobby Moore.