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FWA Live Manchester cancelled

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The FWA regrets to announce the latest edition of FWA Live, due to be held in Manchester on December 7, has been cancelled because of circumstances beyond our control.

Previous events have proved to be extremely successful and our London event in August, in partnership with our title sponsors William Hill, raised a five-figure sum for victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster.  You can see excerpts from the evening with Arsene Wenger, Les Ferdinand, Gary Lineker, Paul Elliott and Jacqui Oatley on the FWA’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou21529Ruls

In the meantime, keep checking our website, FaceBook page and Twitter account for future  FWA Live events in 2018.

Vanarama National League column – Wrexham

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Vanarama National League column – by Glenn Moore

Wales reaching the European Championship semi-finals, Swansea City becoming a Premier League regular, Cardiff City briefly joining them – and threatening to do so again, phoenix club Newport County returning to the Football League. It has been a golden era for the Principality.

Correction. It has been a golden era for South Wales football. In the north there has been less to cheer. The national team’s exploits under Chris Coleman were joyously received, but Wales do not play in the north these days. As for the club game… Wrexham, the oldest club in Wales, are now in their 154th season, but also their tenth successive outside the Football League.

Welsh sport is traditionally associated with rugby but the north is predominantly football territory. This has made Wrexham’s exile all the harder to bear given the better fortunes being enjoyed by southern clubs. Now, however, the Red Dragons are breathing fire again. Tuesday night’s victory over Solihull Moors lifted them to the summit of the Vanarama National League with the season’s mid-point fast approaching.

Wrexham have lost just lost just once in their last 16 Vanarama National League games, a run that includes 1-0 victories at rivals Chester and Tranmere. Those scorelines underline a rise that has been based on a tight defence with only 12 goals conceded in 21 Vanarama National League games. Manager Dean Keates puts a premium on graft. A former Wrexham player he talks of “a working-class town with honest people who want to see their team performing and working hard.”

Relegated in 2008 following a financial crisis that sent them tumbling from League One to National League in four seasons, Wrexham at one stage wondered if they would survive at all. Fan ownership in 2011 stabilised the club and, having survived a winding up order, they reached the promotion play-offs in three successive seasons. However, they only once made the final, in 2013, and lost to Newport.

Having never previously been to Wembley Wrexham went there twice that season, winning the FA Trophy before the play-off loss. The board, all-too well aware of the consequences of financial problems, used the proceeds to clear debt. Sensible in the long-term, but the team suffered, coming 17th the following season, Wrexham’s lowest ever position. The Red Dragons subsequently pottered in mid-table, becoming the Vanarama National League’s longest established members.

Until now, that is. Keates, who is in his first management role, brought in 12 players this summer and few expected them to gel so quickly. There is progress behind the scenes too with the club bidding to site the proposed Museum of Welsh Football at the Racecourse as part of a development to include rebuilding the currently closed Kop end. That would help bring back the national team, which last played in Wrexham in 2008, and further swell an average gate that, at more than 4,300, already exceeds 19 Football League clubs. On and off the pitch everyone is aware there is a long way to go, but the Red Dragons are finally moving in the right direction.

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

For great leasing deals on cars and vans, visit: http://www.vanarama.co.uk/

FWA Live – Manchester Dec 7

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The Football Writers Association sponsored by William Hill will be running a live Manchester Derby preview night in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. Former Manchester City Manager Peter Reid will be on the panel alongside former Manchester United and England defender Viv Anderson. They will be joined by two prestigious journalists Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror and Steve Bates of The People, and hosted by FWA Chair Paul McCarthy.

Venue:
Hotel Football is 99 Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester M16 0SZ
Time:
7pm- late
Cost:
£25(plus booking fee)
Dress code:
Smart/casual

There will be a free bar available during the night.

All profits raised will go towards Prostate Cancer UK.

Tickets from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fwa-live-manchester-derby-preview-tickets-39872430513?aff=es2

Vanarama National League Column Nov 15

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Live on TV – the glamour, the pressure and the barbers

by Luke Coulson, Ebbsfleet United

Arriving at the stadium on Saturday afternoon was like any other match day. The car park was nearly full, the stewards greeted me at the turnstiles and the match day kit was perfectly laid out in the changing room. Yet, as I walked upon the freshly, cut grass, the TV cameras that encompassed the pitch meant that this game was no ordinary National League fixture.

Because of the international weekend, Premier League stars took a break from their club duty which allowed our match against Leyton Orient to be shown live on BT Sport.

I’m no psychic but I knew the international weekend and our live fixture would result in two things. Firstly, that there would be millions of disgruntled Premier League fans around the world and secondly, that every player in our dressing room would have an immaculate, fresh hair cut. I wasn’t wrong; the barbers had been busy.

The last time I played live on BT Sport was against Barrow when I was playing for Eastleigh. We travelled a long way, embarrassingly lost 4-0 and I didn’t particularly play that well. Therefore, I was determined to be on the winning team this time round.

Before the match, the only noticeable difference in the changing room was everyone was exceptionally early. Usually, one or two lads may cut it fine but every player was early, raring to go. The changing room was as lively as ever and if anyone was nervous, it was hidden well. Everyone seemed to be confident and focused on their job as we went out to warm up.

The cameras that are usually dotted around the Premier League stadiums brought an obvious excitement to our changing room. It is rare occasion that we get to play live on the big screen and everybody wanted to give a good account of themselves with friends, family and football fans around the country watching. However, with that excitement comes pressure.

Days before the game, I heard the same message and advice from everyone. ‘Treat the match like any other’ and ‘just concentrate on your own game’, but of course it’s not always that simple. It’s difficult to maintain that mindset and ignore the fact that a camera is following your every move. However, that is what the best players learn to do. For players in the National League like myself who want to move up the football ladder, it’s pressure that needs to be welcomed and thrived upon.

Despite our previous result against Doncaster in the FA Cup, our first half performance was very positive. Through the week, we held team meetings to discuss how to improve, and aimed to take those changes into the game against Leyton Orient, which we did. Our defensive shape was strong and our counter-attacking play was quick and powerful as we put ourselves 2-0 up with goals from Andy Drury and Danny Kedwell.

Having been winning 2-0 against Doncaster, we learnt from our mistakes as we maintained our lead and kept a clean sheet up to the half-time whistle. In the second half, we had opportunities to score a third but couldn’t quite make the most of them and despite a late Orient goal, we took all three points in our first televised match of the season.

After drawing to Sutton United and losing to Torquay in our last two National League fixtures, securing three points was our main priority. However, as a football club, we also wanted to make a statement by showcasing our ability and performing under the pressure of the BT cameras. Having watched the game back, we definitely did everything we set out to do and can’t for the cameras to return on New Year’s Day.

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/

Northern Managers awards dinner Nov 26th

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FWA NORTHERN MANAGERS AWARDS DINNER – a few tickets left

At the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel Manchester on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26th 2017, 6.45 reception for 7.30 start

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 & LEE PICTON (South Shields) and NICK CUSHING (Manchester City Women).

Tickets can be ordered from any of the below-named committee members at the same price as last year: £65 FWA Members, £70 Non Members and guests. Book now: Tables 10/11, smaller groups or individuals.

Chairman: PAUL HETHERINGTON E.mail: paul.hetherington@express.co.uk

Treasurer: STEVE BATES E.mail: sdb99@hotmail.com

Secretary: RICHARD BOTT E.mail: rbottmanc@aol.com

4 Brentwood Close, Smithy Bridge, Littleborough, Lancs. OL150ND Tel: 01706 379999

This year’s designated Children’s Charity is THE SEASHELL TRUST
Dress code: Lounge Suit

Vanarama National League Column

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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/

Vanarama National League column November 1

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Luke Coulson, journalist and footballer for Ebbsfleet United, looks at the precarious life of a manager in the Vanarama National League.

A week ago, Ronald Koeman felt the harsh sting of football management as he became the second managerial casualty of the Premier League season.

Koeman joins Frank De Boer and five other managers from the top four tiers of English football that have felt the axe from their clubs this season. However, the National League is a different level of cut-throat business entirely, with six managers already losing their jobs.

With the promise and reward of League Football, the stakes are high and a slow start in the National League can cost a manager his position. The five clubs currently lying at the bottom of the table have all sacked their managers this season and with the recent announcement of their new manager, Ady Pennock, Barrow are now on to their third manager of the campaign.

After beating East Thurrock in a replay two weeks ago, we will host Doncaster at home in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend. Yet, before we could even begin to think about the League One side, we had to re-focus our minds on the league and the three upcoming fixtures. Of those games, we hosted Barrow and Torquay United, two of the teams that have welcomed new gaffers to the dugouts during the season.

In late August, after only five games of the season, Barrow sacked their manager Paul Cox. Ten games later and four days before we played them, Micky Moore, their second manager of the season departed the football club.

When a manager of a football club is sacked, it can have an adverse effect on the team. The squad may have respected the gaffer and therefore there may be players that are disappointed and unhappy with the changes to the coaching staff. On the other hand, with a new manager to impress and positions up for grabs, the sacking of a manager can have a positive effect on the team. Therefore, as we welcomed Barrow to Stonebridge Road, we were very aware not to underestimate our opposition.

Having experienced similar circumstances, I know what the current Barrow squad have been going through. Chris Todd signed me for Eastleigh in the January of 2016, yet after four games of the following season, he was dismissed from his duties. Chris was the first manager to have ever bought me and subsequently gave me a chance in the National League, so I was personally disappointed to see him leave. Ronnie Moore was brought in to replace him but after three months, we were once more without a manager. In early December, Martin Allen left Barnet to become our third manager of the season but was sacked 14 games later to continue the rollercoaster of managerial changes.

It is difficult to mentally prepare knowing that a new manager is about to take over. You hear constant rumours about who may take the job and it’s an unsettling period for the team. It is a worrying time for each player because a new manager may not like their individual style, or not play a formation that brings out their full potential.

Each manager has his own way of playing, training and managing the team and consequently it can be difficult to become used to a new manager especially if you don’t agree with his philosophy.  In that case you keep your head down, work hard and don’t complain if you want to play.

Before the announcement of Ady Pennock, we were able to claim all three points against Barrow and their interim manager Neil Hornby with a 3-2 victory. However, that win was followed by a defeat three days later against Torquay United. Similarly to Barrow, Torquay United decided to have a change of management early in the season, sacking Kevin Nicholson after four games and replacing him with Gary Owers.

Following the loss against Torquay, we came away with a hard fought and well deserved point at Sutton United. The draw means we now sit 13th in the table, still only three points adrift of the playoffs as we take a break from league duty this weekend to prove ourselves against Doncaster in the first round of the FA Cup. A challenge we are more than ready to overcome.

FWA Northern Managers awards dinner – final reminder

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FINAL REMINDER –  37th NORTHERN MANAGERS AWARDS DINNER Nov 26th

in conjunction with WILLIAM HILL, at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel,  Peter Street, Manchester M2 5GP . on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26th 2017, 6.45 reception for 7.30 start

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 & LEE PICTON (South Shields) and NICK CUSHING (Manchester City Women).

Tickets can be ordered from any of the below-named committee members at the same price as last year: £65 FWA Members, £70 Non Members and guests. Book now: Tables 10/11, smaller groups or individuals.

Chairman: PAUL HETHERINGTON E.mail: paul.hetherington@express.co.uk

Treasurer: STEVE BATES E.mail: sdb99@hotmail.com

Secretary: RICHARD BOTT E.mail: rbottmanc@aol.com

4 Brentwood Close, Smithy Bridge, Littleborough, Lancs. OL150ND Tel: 01706 379999

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

Dress code: Lounge Suit

Vanarama National League Column Oct 25th

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VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE COLUMN – Craig Harrison, by Glenn Moore

Some coaches begin preparing for life on the training pitch while they are still players, making notes about sessions put on by their managers, mentally filing behaviours, and taking their qualifications. Others fall into the job by accident. The strange thing is that sometimes it is the latter who are more successful.

Among them is Craig Harrison, coach of Vanarama National League side Hartlepool United. Harrison had quit football after suffering a career-ending broken leg while playing for Crystal Palace reserves in his mid-20s. He struggled with depression, came through that, but remained disenchanted with the game opting instead for a career in property development.

Then, for his 30th birthday party, wife Danielle booked a band. The guitarist looked familiar. He was Gareth Owen, formerly of Wrexham, whom Harrison had played against when on loan at Preston. Owen was player-manager at Welsh Premier League club Airbus UK and seeking an assistant. He asked if Harrison was interested.

“I said, ‘No, I’m not interested. I’ve moved on from that’,” Harrison, 40 this month, told the Non-League Paper earlier this season. He added: “A couple of weeks later I saw in the local paper they still hadn’t filled the post. My other half persuaded me to give Gareth a text to see what was going on. He said he was still looking so we had a chat and he offered it to me. I took it. That was in December. By the end of the season Gareth had moved on and they gave me the manager’s job.”

By then Harrison was smitten. His biggest problem was persuading part-time players to be as committed as he was. He rapidly acquired his badges and now holds the highest qualification, Uefa Pro Licence. In late 2011 The New Saints, after a rare season failing to win the Welsh League, moved in. With them Harrison won six successive league titles, four Welsh Cups, and played clubs such as Slovan Bratislava and Legia Warsaw in Champions League qualifiers.

Despite this success the chance to join Hartlepool was irresistible for Harrison, Gateshead-born and a former Middlesbrough player. It is not an easy job. Harrison is Pools’ sixth manager in four years, which underlines the instability at the club. Yet though relegated from the Football League last season they still attracted more than 50 applicants for manager.

The opening rounds of the Vanarama National League were a shock. Having lost their opening match at home to Dover Athletic, Hartlepool had two points after six matches. A 13-point haul from the next five games dispelled fears of back-to-back relegation and rekindled hopes of an instant Football League return. They are now in 14th place, only five points behind second-placed Wrexham in a tightly-contested promotion race.

“Looking back with a clear head, what’s probably happened is the four-five weeks at the start of the season has been vital,” Harrison said last week. “When it hasn’t gone for us you either go your separate way and the group fragments or you come together. What went on early season is probably one of the best things to happen for team spirit. It has come together over the opening weeks of the season.”

Harrison, who knows better than most how unpredictable football be, added: “Maybe the start was a blessing in disguise.”

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

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

FWA review – our new show

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FWA Chairman Patrick Barclay and Carrie Brown review the big stories of the week. You can see the video on Facebook or our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/bR6hBHciAlA

The FWA review highlights and signposts you to a selection of articles here:

Jeremy Wilson,  Daily Telegraph: FA told of dementia links 22 years ago:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/07/exclusive-fa-told-dementia-links-22-years-ago/

David Hytner  The Guardian: Former Liverpool, Wigan and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland speaks honestly on depression bringing an end to his career: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/11/chris-kirkland-depression-interview

Guillem Balague / Mauricio Pochettino reveals how he turned Kane into a warrior and his desire to manage England: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4981082/Tottenham-boss-Pochettino-Kane-warrior.html?ito=email_share_article-top

Andy Dunn  The Mirror: Manchester City should forget Messi: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-city-should-forget-lionel-11345212

Martin Lipton   The Sun: Sir Alex Ferguson agreed to managerTottenham: https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=martin+lipton+alex+ferguson+tottenham&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=NsHkWaDlK9Tc8AeGnarwDg

Gerry Cox   Daily Telegraph: Troy Deeney says Arsenal lack ‘cojones’:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2…