Assistant Andy Smith also appears to have left the club, while a lot of players seem to be unhappy with the current situation at Beveree Stadium.

Hampton currently sit fourteenth in the table, without a home win since last October. A more in depth article will follow…

Things are really looking good right now for FC United Of Manchester, both on and off the pitch. Third in the Northern Premier League Premier Division table, with games in hand, and approval for a new stadium, it really is a good time to support the fledgling club.

The Red Rebels were formed in 2005 by Manchester United supporters, disillusioned by the Glazer family’s takeover of the Old Trafford giants (I won’t go into details of that particular travesty here), and as a result are 100% owned by the fans, who vote on how the club is run. Everything from shirt design and ticket prices, all the way up to voting for board members, every fan has a vote to use.

Currently, FC United find themselves ten points adrift of leaders North Ferriby United, but they have played four games fewer than the leaders. In second place sit Hednesford United, who must now consider themselves favourites to win the only automatic promotion place, as they are just four points off the top with three games in hand. Ferriby currently have a superior goal difference, which could be hugely important in the final stages of the season.

The biggest weekend of the season so far is coming up this week, as FC United play host to leaders North Ferriby on Sunday, March 3rd, and twenty four hours earlier, Hednesford travel to fifth placed Witton Albion. If the Red Rebels can take maximum points, and Hednesford slip up, it could turn things in their favour in a big way.

Karl Marginson, FC United’s only ever manager

Karl Marginson, manager of FC United since the club’s inception, has built a fantastic squad, and going into the match this weekend, has overseen a marvellous run of eight straight league victories. That is still some way off the club record, though, which stands at fourteen, a run achieved in 2006 (thanks to @OptaFcum and @fcunited_ru for the info). Confidence in the team is high, and with Matthew Wolfenden and Mike Norton among the goals, along with recent signing Tom Greaves, there is no reason why the run can’t continue.

This is their fifth season in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, after beating Skelmersdale United in the First Division playoff final in 2008. After settling into life at this level, finishing sixth and thirteenth in their first two seasons, they have reached the playoff final for the last two campaigns, but lost them both 1-0; to Colwyn Bay and Bradford Park Avenue. This season, they will hope to have learned from those disappointments, and if they don’t manage to reach the summit of the division come the final reckoning, they will be in good shape to win the playoffs at the third time of asking.

The Moston Project

An artist’s impression of the proposed new 5000 capacity Moston Community Stadium

Off the pitch, this has been a good news season for the club. They have finally been given permission to build their own stadium in Moston, although local residents are not exactly overjoyed at the prospect of a football stadium being built in their local green area, not to mention the impact on parking and property values. If these obstacles can be overcome, though, then the club might finally have a home to call its own after playing at seven different stadia for their home matches. They currently use Bury’s Gigg Lane ground, but have also played at Altrincham, Hyde, Stalybridge, Radcliffe Borough, Curzon Ashton and Flixton (although that last one was only for one match, a rearranged cup tie).

The success of the recent judicial review is great news for FC United, after their original plans for a ground to be built in Newton Heath fell through. The club has emotional ties with the area, as the club they were formed in protest of originally played there, and it was hoped they would be able to play in their true home. The site at Ten Acres Lane currently houses a leisure centre, but the deal was done for FC to build their new stadium, with fans raising nearly £1.5million, agreed as part of the deal. However, Manchester City Council, who were due to fund some of the build with grants, pulled the plug on the deal in March 2011. This was obviously a huge blow to the club, but the council did state that they were fully behind their efforts to build a stadium in the city, and finally the Moston site was found, and planning permission granted after judicial review. Hopefully, the club can be in their own home within the next two seasons.

And hopefully, the fans will have a Conference North, or even Premier, team to support in that new home.

Jake Quickenden – hoping to have the X-Factor on the pitch

Last season, a reality show star signed for a non-league club, and it has now happened again. While Mark Wright’s move to Thurrock FC didn’t work out, Frickley Athletic will be hoping their TV personality will be more of a success on the pitch than on the screens!

X-Factor contestant Jake Quickenden, who has made it to the Judge’s Homes stage of ITV singing competition The X-Factor, has signed for the Northern Premier League side after being invited along to training by his friend, Athletic defender Tom Johnston. Twenty three year old Quickenden should be available for selection for this weekend’s FA Trophy match with North Ferriby United.

Frickley manager Karl Rose will be hoping the forward doesn’t do too well on the show, though, as that would mean losing him again!

So that’s it, preseason football is over and the real stuff, the games that matter, will begin on Saturday 18^th August. Now regular readers know that I’ve said my piece on what preseason means to fans, and even though the results don’t matter per se, we still like to see our teams winning! So I wont rehash that again, I’ll just go over the last couple of preseason games at Concord Rangers, and my thoughts on the players I’ve seen, and how things have taken shape down at the Aspect Arena.

Concord were at home to Chesham Utd just 3 days after their 3-0 loss at the hands of Dagenham & Redbridge, and the players responded in the best way possible, with a 1-0 victory and a clean sheet. The same result followed at home to Tonbridge Angels on the Tuesday (31^st), showing that Dan Cowley & Glen Alzapiedi have worked hard to get the defence solid and strong ready for a tough season ahead. Next up was a friendly against Southend Utd, well I say Southend Utd, it was their youth team, and boy did it show on the day! I don’t know whether these lads have been treated like stars at Southend, but they certainly couldn’t handle a standard tackle or things not going their way. A number of times words were exchanged and petty arguments seem to appear because Utd were not happy about a game of football! Concords experience shone through, dominating the first half and although taking it easier in the second, managed to walk away with a clean sheet & a 2-0 win. The Southend kids were not a good representation of the professional club, and that was disappointing for me really, I thought even as kids they would have a bit more respect for the game and their fellow players, but it was not to be.

That was the final home preseason game for Concord, as away trips to Maldon & Tiptree and Harlow Town were to round off the preparations for the coming season. At Maldon & Tiptree the Beachboys were once again able to keep a clean sheet, their 4^th in a row and 5^th of the preseason, and win by a goal to nil. Harlow Town were able to keep a clean sheet against Concord, as the game finished 0-0 on Saturday, and this meant that the final preseason record was 6 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. Solid form which to me displayed the fact that the team are ready to go into the regular season on a roll.

As previously mentioned, there are different ways to take preseason results considering the trialists and new signings, and the quality of the opposition. But with all that in mind I think that the squad Danny & Glen have put together, along with the addition of Nicky Cowley to the coaching staff with established goalkeeping coach Danny Clare, it’s promising stuff for the coming year. The players that have stuck around from last season have shaken off their rust of the summer and impressed in the lead up to the season. The main standout really has been Tony Stokes, recently made captain due to his performances in the middle of the park in preseason, the responsibility seems to have galvanised him and brought out an extra 5-10% of effort and drive. Steve King still looks solid at the back, and Lee White seems to have come back a lot stronger. James Elmes has recovered well from his nasty ankle injury suffered against Canvey last year, whilst Reece Harris looks sharp and pacey alongside him in the midfield. Up front, I’ve already mentioned Stokes, and Harry Elmes looks ready to go when I saw him play. Promising young midfielder Sammy Knott has been loaned to Great Wakering (managed by former Beachboy Dan Trenkel) in order to get him ready for first team Ryman League football.

The new guys have been a revelation too, bringing some experience and youthful talent to the Concord squad. Michael Jordan has been impressive so far in goal, no dodgy decisions made yet, and long may it continue! Danny Glozier has returned after a year away and has been menacing at the back, and not just because he’s lost loads of weight and scares the crap out of anyone who looks at him! The experience of John Easterford has already helped shape the back line into the force it will clearly be this season, whilst the addition of Billy Coyne to replace Ashley Miller (who left for Canvey) has been inspired. Coyne has barely stopped when I’ve seen him play, going forward well and being impressive at the back. Danny Spendlove scored against Southend, and has been impressive as well, except for his dodgy hair band, no respect for that one! Another addition to the midfield has been James White, who is a big, strong player, towers above some of the other guys and has a very good awareness of the game and of what’s going on around him. Both Chris Bourne and Jacob Cleaver have been determined additions to the midfield, both showing fantastic fitness and composure when notching up their goals. Up front Jason Hallett has come in with enthusiasm and drive, dropping weight and becoming a great preseason pick-up. Already establishing himself as a possible starting striker, my money would be on him to notch up a fair few goals over the year; he’ll have something to prove to his previous club (the dodgy lot down the road at Park Lane).

That’s a quick take on the players we’ve now got at Concord Rangers, pretty positive all round to be honest, but you never know how the lads will truly do until the regular season begins next week! I’m optimistic, the team are confident, all that’s left now is to get the season started!

Thanks to Alan for this article. You can read more of Alan’s writing on his excellent blog. Follow him on twitter: @BullJet

It’s good to be back!

The game was largely a one-sided affair, with the full time side running out with a 5-0 victory. All their goals came in the first half, including a seven minute spell that saw them net three times. The goal of the night was the fifth; a stunning 25 yard thunderbolt from Bees’ left back Leon Redwood. It was reminiscent of JJ O’Donnell’s wonder strike against Staines Town on Boxing Day last season. The other goals came from Harry Forrester, Stuart Dallas, Rowendy Schoop and Myles Weston.

For me, though, this was never about the result. I know that’s easy to say, and if Hampton had won, I would be declaring our title winning potential right now! No, this night was all about getting back to The Beveree Stadium, and watching the team play. I was intrigued, and a little excited, to catch a glimpse of the new faces wearing the Hampton red (as it goes, both teams wore their away kits. No, I don’t know why either)! In total, there were five new players in the starting lineup, with the exotically named Vittorino Giarletta among them. The Italian striker has played in the Italian Serie C & D and is now looking to continue his playing career in England.

In truth, manager Mark Harper probably won’t have learned an awful lot from last night, and to be fair I’m not really sure he would have expected to. Dean Inman made some typical good blocks and challenges, while Neil Jenkins’ distribution from left back was good. Craig Ross made some decent saves despite letting in five, and Charlie Moone ran his socks off up front. The striker saw his eighth minute penalty saved, and had a fine goal disallowed for offside, perhaps rather harshly. There were signs of an understanding with Giarletta, but in truth it was all Brentford for the first 45 minutes, and it could have been many more than five. Harped was also without some key players due to holiday and work commitments, namely James Simmonds, Billy Jeffreys and Josh Huggins, while striker Joel Ledgister is continuing his recovery from a serious knee injury.

The team sheet, complete with two number 17s!

The second half, by contrast, was a bit of a damp squib, at least what I saw of it was. I was in the bar for the first fifteen or twenty minutes of the second half! Towards the end, Borough enjoyed a little spell of dominance, but the scoreline didn’t change. The most unusual thing in the second half was that two Hampton players were wearing number seventeen on their backs!

All in all, then, it was great to be back at The Beveree watching football. OK, so we didn’t have a goal to celebrate, but I saw some familiar faces, and had a couple of lovely pints, not to mention a cracking cheeseburger. From the club’s point of view, the bumper crowd of 929 will have generated some much needed income. The clubhouse was packed, and the queue for the snack bar didn’t diminish from the time I arrived forty minutes before kick off until after the final whistle, when I finally got my burger!

It just goes to show how vital these games are to non-league clubs. The revenue they generate can be the biggest single match income a club gets during the season, barring a cup run. On the pitch, it gives the players a chance to test themselves against more exerienced, professional opposition.

In the end, this match wasn’t an ideal first fixture considering the players have been back in training for only a few days. The Brentford players looked at times like they hadn’t even stopped playing since last season. But if you want to stage the prestige friendly, you have to do it when the bigger club say so. I enjoyed myself, though, and am looking forward to seeing more preseason games before the real business begins.

After Darlington were rescued by someone with fifty grand in a bag, we now see another club, Northwich Victoria, in real trouble. Ironically, both clubs’ problems revolve around their respective stadiums. While The Quakers may have light at the end of their tunnel, Vics have had their ground sold from under their feet.

On Wednesday, January 18th, Darlington’s administrators granted the club a stay of execution until the end of January after the money was found to stave off liquidation. However, the club’s future still hangs in the balance, and a lot of their troubles stem from the huge white elephant that is their stadium. Former chairman George Reynolds built the 25,000 capacity Northern Echo Arena in 2003, largely as a vanity project. The stadium has slowly been dragging the club down ever since, until things finally came to a head this week.

There has been interest from a group of Yorkshire-based businessmen, who would like to buy the Neasham Road site, and develop it for properties. This is a huge factor in the future of the football club. However, they are not interested in owning the club. Currently, the stadium costs anywhere up to £80,000 a month to run, and unless the club move out of the stadium pronto, we are sure to see the club in this position again very soon.

As for Northwich Victoria, their troubles are just beginning. Manager Andy Preece, along with his backroom team, upped sticks and left for pastures new at Airbus UK in the Welsh Premier League. On top of that, the club’s receivers sold their Victoria Stadium ground to a Chemical manufacturer, and served the club with an eviction notice, which was adhered to this past Thursday, January 19th. The club’s solicitors are taking legal advice regarding the situation, but as it stands, no more home matches can be played at the stadium, leaving the Vics effectively homeless.

Thankfully, they are away from home this weekend, giving them a few days extra breathing space as they try to resolve the precarious situation they find themselves in. If they can’t fulfil their home fixtures, they will more than likely be expelled from the Northern Premier League. They are investigating any groundshare options in the meantime, and their fans face an anxious few days wait for developments.

Following the departure of Danny Davidson who spent six games at Causeway Lane, it’s presumed by fans that Matlock manager Mark Atkins will be on the look out for a new front man, so here are a few strikers that I hope are on his radar.

Nathan Benger  - Heanor Town FC.

East Midlands Counties League, 19 Goals.

Benger in action for Heanor Town FC

A former gladiator, Nathan is a face that the fans would surely be happy to see again and with a great league scoring record it could make him an ideal candidate.

After leaving Matlock following the Derbyshire Senior Cup final in 09/10, Nathan went on to have a short spell at Belper Town where he captained them against a Matlock side during pre season before moving to Heanor Town where he is coming into his own.

Carl Haslam  - Retford United FC 

Baris Northern Counties East Premier League –  Shirebrook Town 12 goals
Baris Northern Counties East Premier League –  Retford United FC 9 goals 

The eccentric Carl Haslam is a player that I’ve always liked and who has always got goals at his current level but would he be good enough to make the step up to Northern Premier League Football ?

I think he has the tools to do so and, under the right manager, there’s nothing to stop the pink haired one making his mark. He would certainly be a cult hero for the fans!

Ben Deegan – New Mills FC

Evo Stik Northern Premier League – FC United Of Manchester 5 goals
Evo Stik NPL First Division South – New Mills 0 goals

Would Deegan move on again?

Fresh off the heels of leaving FC United Of Manchester and joining New Mills, could Ben Deegan be a target ?

A fan favourite at FC United Of Manchester and their 10th top scorer of all time, Ben played in goal against Matlock in a game that FC United Of Manchester won 1-2, but he is most remembered by FCUM fans for his work rate and ability.

Connor Higginson

Evo Stik NPL First Division South – Sheffield FC 10 goals

Higginson in action for Mansfield Town

One of my favourite strikers in non league, and somebody who has played up front with Ian Holmes in the past for Glapwell where they were a feared partnership. If these two were to the lead the front line at Matlock then it would certainly unnerve a few defenders.

DISCLAIMER – These stats were correct at the time of article completion, I do not know the contract details of any of these players or if Matlock Town are attempting to sign any of the above players or not. These are purely my views on whom I would like to see be brought to Causeway Lane 

This article has been reproduced with full permission from James’ site, The Matlock Fan