Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Success and money – it’s complicated !!
This article first appeared in the official Chesterfield FC matchday programme.
It wasn’t long ago that Anji
Makhachkala were tipped to dominate European Football. Owner, Russian billionaire
and politician, Suleyman Kerimov, had splashed the cash to entice world class players
such as Roberto Carlos and Samuel Eto’o (on £400,000 per week). Kerimov, made
his money in banking and several investments in oil companies in Russia, enough
to purchase Anji in January 2011.
Anji were formed in 1991 and had flitted around the top two
divisions in Russia until Kerimov’s purchase. Immediately, plans were
introduced for a new stadium as Russia prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in
2018.
Dagestan has a serious security issue, at present, with
armed conflict. The republic’s neighbours, Chechnya are in an ongoing land dispute
with Russia and attacks are commonplace. With this background the clubs’ players trained and lived in a
village near Moscow and flew into Kaspyisk on match-days, some 1815km drive or
a two hour flight.
Kerimov continued the signings, Moroccan player, Mbark
Boussoufa, and Brazilian, Jucilei, signed for £20 million pounds. Midfielder,
Yuri Zhirkov, then signed from Chelsea for £14 million and then to the surprise
of many, Eto’o signed for £28 million from Internazionale. The club appointed
Guus Hiddink as the new manager.
The end of the 11-12 season came, Anji had failed to qualify
for the UEFA Champions League and instead entered the UEFA Europa League for
the first time since 2001. They made it through to the Round of 16 where they
were knocked out by Newcastle United.
The following season and again it was a disappointing one
for Anji. They finished in third place some nine points adrift of Zenit St
Petersburg.
The owner then lost patience, wanting a streamlining of the
squad, he ordered a slashing of the wage bill of 70 million Euros. Departures
of Eto’o, Lassana Diarra, and Igor Denisov were included in a whole host of
“fire” sales, as the crisis at Anji took hold.
Anji, as the winter break of three months in the Russian
Premier League takes hold, sit in bottom position without a league win. They
have made the latter stages of the Europa League, somehow.
New Fulham manager, Rene Mulensteen, was installed as coach
back in July to replace Hiddink. However, he lasted 16 days to be replaced by
former coach, Gadzhi
Gadzhiyev. It seems that Russia’s glamour club has had its shine removed
as the restructure process continues.
................and Atlético Madrid
There’s no doubt that the arrival of Diego Simeone has heralded
a golden period at Atlético Madrid. The Argentinian enjoyed two spells as a
player at the Vincente Calderón Stadium. Simeone joined the club as manager in
December 2011 and guided Atlético to a
second Europa League trophy, defeating Athletic Bilbao in the final with
Colombian, Rademel Falcao, in sparkling form.
Atlético were becoming a new force in Spanish Football. At
the start of 2012-13 season they won the UEFA Super Cup. Some saw this Simeone
side perhaps threatening the Barca/Real duopoly.
Whilst finishing nine points adrift of Real Madrid in third
place, Simeone had guided Atlético to a UEFA Champions League position. It was
on the domestic cup front that they had their sights though. After dimissing
Getafe, Betis and Seville to reach the final, they were up against their city
rivals Real.
Atlético had not beaten
Real in 26 matches, however, things were about to change. Miranda’s extra time
goal settled the tie in favour of the Los Rojiblancos. Simeone sensed a change
in direction of the Spanish League.
Much of Spanish football’s club sides play a favoured
4-2-3-1 formation with the exception of Barcelona who attack with 4-3-3.
Simeone has designed a formation which suits his side with all four midfield
players tucked in, it allows the full backs to press forward, and blocks the
midfield of the opposition when they don’t have the ball.
Diego Costa, so often the bad boy of Spanish football is
starting games on a more regular basis since Simeone arrived. So much so, that
he is now in an international battle regarding his nationality, having
represented Brazil (the country of his birth) in two friendlies, he now has serious
designs on playing for the Spanish national side.
It’s about time that someone else postured their way into
Spanish Football, so often it was assumed that Valencia were going to be that
club, but at present its Atlético and who is going to argue with Simeone. However Atlético’s huge debt interest repayments of £17m per
year (on debts of £500m euros) are a real millstone around their neck and their
finances will have to be managed carefully if they are to maintain the on-field
momentum.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Saturday, 25 January 2014
Saturday, 18 January 2014
Saturday, 11 January 2014
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Monday, 11 November 2013
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Brazil!
Time to look at somewhere a little more pleasant as the cold snap hits the UK. As hosts of the next football World Cup and the Olympics, the focus on Brazil will be huge in the next few years. According to latest reports stadium progress is a little slow but expect them to be finished in time. The FIFA Confederations Cup (a prelude to the real thing) is being held in Brazil at some of the new and upgraded grounds from Fortaleza in the North to Rio de Janeiro in the South.
The ground which is famous throughout the world is the Estádio do Maracanã, host ground of the 1950 World Cup and scene of the Brazilian triumph over fellow South Americans Uruguay in the final. The ground itself has gone through a massive redevelopment, forcing some of the Rio based clubs which tend to play the big local derbies there to play at alternate venues around Rio. Could you imagine Chesterfield for example being forced to play at Staveley to host League Two fixtures? Well that’s what happened to the big Rio clubs, Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminese and Vasco da Gama. The first three of these clubs have played their games at the Estádio Olímpico, somewhat smaller but still just under 50k capacity.
As regards to domestic football in Brazil, Fluminense have just wrapped up their fourth title in dominant form. It was a battle between Flu and Atlético Mineiro, who have Ronaldinho in their ranks alongside former Manchester City and Everton striker, Jo. The “Flu” have been in tremendous form for the second half of the season eclipsing Miniero’s lead at the top and forging forward. Led by Frederico Chaves Guedes, also known as Fred, the striker who bagged more than 20 goals during the season alongside talented forwards such as Wellington Nem and the attacking midfielder Thiago Neves.The foundation of their successful season was built on former Chelsea midfielder, Deco, and the wonderfully named central defender, Gum. Fluminense were imperious during the season, not allowing the Neymar inspired Santos any glory at all. Even Botafogo joined the superstar signing race by making an offer Clarence Seedorf couldn’t refuse. The mercurial Dutchman failed to help Botafogo win the league; however I wouldn’t rule them out next season. By then Seedorf will be 37.
Brazil has always had a love/hate relationship with FIFA, and this has been highlighted recently with comments made by Jerome Valcke, the secretary general of Football’s World Governing body. Valcke has stated for some time that Brazil wouldn’t be ready for the World Cup in 2014, this caused a diplomatic stir in Brazil. Valcke is in charge with working with Brazil in the build-up to the competition. Valcke has since commented that Brazil and FIFA will never get a divorce, hardly inspiring words from a man so close to the competition generals. For so many years we have heard this from people wishing to score political points, you can look back to our own Olympics during the summer for example.However, Brazilian politicians have hit back strongly with Brazil’s sports minister saying, “The economic boost Brazil will receive is huge, the way through football is to tie in development and an upgrade of Brazilian of society, not for point scoring”.
Football in Brazil at present is not as strong as it has been, the crowds are down and the national team have just re-appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as the man to lead them to winning the World Cup. Scolari managed the Seleção back in 2002 World Cup and lead them to their fifth world title. Scolari’s recent coaching experience was at Palmeiras where he resigned before the end of the season, as he failed to keep them up, although received much criticism for “not going down with his ship”. However, Scolari did win the Copa Do Brasil with the club which will mean they compete in the Copa Libertadores despite being in Serie B.
The world expects so much of Brazil in the next few years and there will be a few hiccups along the way I’m sure............and in my view Brazil is the ideal country to host the world's greatest tournament!
This article was first published in the Chesterfield FC programme on Sat 15th December 2012. For all the latest news on Chesterfield FC please go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk
Friday, 16 November 2012
The Misunderstood Mark Allott
Mark Allott joined Chesterfield on loan from Oldham in December 2001. The striker (yes, Allott was signed as a striker), made his debut in a tempestuous match at Brighton on a Friday night game, he played alongside his other Oldham colleague Mark Innes, also signed on loan. At that time Chesterfield were in the grips of financial meltdown, having made promotion by foul means the season before, the Spireites were just out of administration so were able to sign players. It’s fair to say that Allott’s time as a forward player at Chesterfield had its highs and lows, he simply didn’t score enough goals. Allott and the Spireites made the deal permanent in February the following year, at that point he had scored two goals in ten appearances, hardly prolific, but he never was at Oldham either.
When Roy McFarland arrived in the summer of 2003, he decided that Allott was of more use to Chesterfield as a right sided midfielder. When Hudson left in the summer of 2005, this was an opportunity for Allott to play alongside Derek Niven in the middle of midfield, and they blossomed together, both aware of each other surroundings and complemented each other in their different styles. Niven a tough tackling, but yet ineffective ball player (not for the want of trying, I will add) and Allott, now a caresser of possession and very much a defensive middle of the park man, this was a complete turn-around. Allott was part of the side which made history for Chesterfield in the League Cup, going out only on penalties to Charlton Athletic in the 4th Round.
Allott was very much a mainstay of the side for the next two seasons, and upon Chesterfield’s relegation in 2007 when Lee Richardson was manager, the Spireites did everything they could to keep Allott, who was in their plans to be the main man to guide the Spireites to promotion in their first season back in League Two. However, Allott disagreed and with his contract expired at Saltergate, decided that home would be the best option. Home, was back at Oldham. The Latics were now managed by future Chesterfield manager John Sheridan, the classy midfielder had seen enough in Allott in the previous season to know that he wanted him back at Boundary Park.
It’s fair to say that Chesterfield and Lee Richardson missed Allott’s presence in midfield, his no nonsense midfield work would often go un-noticed by fans, much like many a defensive midfielder, Chesterfield didn’t have their go to man to help out as the defence was stretched, you often feel with Allott’s calming presence that the Spireites would have and should have been promoted that first season back in 07-08.
Chesterfield appointed John Sheridan in June 2009 and upon signing, one of his first ports of call was to Oldham to go and get Mark Allott, only he wasn’t there. Allott’s contract had expired at Boundary Park and he had signed for Ronnie Moore’s Tranmere Rovers. Moore was then inexplicably sacked at Prenton Park, and the Wirral based side opted for a left-field appointment in John Barnes. Sheridan spotted this and decided to go for Allott. So just eight weeks after signing for Tranmere, Allott was on his way to Saltergate for a second time as the club prepared their final season at the archaic Saltergate.
Allott begun his second spell at Chesterfield alongside his old midfield battler Derek Niven in a 2-0 defeat at Torquay, it’s fair to point out that Allott was always a mainstay of the Chesterfield side, much to the annoyance of some Chesterfield supporters who failed to see what he brought to the team and also a more obvious point, was the fact that Niven and Allott were the two midfielder’s that were in the side when the Spireites got relegated in the first place.
As the Spireites moved to their new ground in July 2010, Allott again was expected to be the heart of Chesterfield’s midfield, however not so much alongside Niven now, Dwayne Mattis had been brought in to partner him and Chesterfield looked more attacking. Three games in and Mattis was moved to defence and Sheridan opted for his fail safe route of Allott and Niven, the Spireites moved up a notch as an attacking force as they had more attack minded players around them. Chesterfield were crowned Champions at the end of the season, and Allott along with Mattis was there to lift the trophy.
Last season was a very disappointing one for Chesterfield, lack of signings to bolster the squad in the short period meant Chesterfield went into the season, not under-cooked as such, but without that marquee signing that every club desires to sell season tickets, and it showed. Try as they might Chesterfield just could not get to grips with moving away from the bottom four places, so it was inevitable that Chesterfield were relegated with a game to spare.
As Allott moved into his final year of his contract with the Spireites, Chesterfield signed Sam Togwell, six years younger and doing much the same job, it was hard to see where John Sheridan was going to play his trusty general. Sheridan started them together, it didn’t work, and Sheridan was placed on gardening leave after just three league games, (later resigned, but that’s for another time). Where was Allott going to play now? drifted out of the side, he started at Aldershot on the 6th October, he went off after 20 minutes with a hamstring injury, and on came the player, Chesterfield fans, hope will replace him in time, Craig Clay. Allott never turned out for Chesterfield again.
I refer back to Allott’s career at the start and yes he was a striker, one of his memorable strikes for Chesterfield came at Millmoor in a 4-0 drubbing of Rotherham. His goal against his current team Oldham back in Jan 2002 saw Allott race to the corner flag, pick it up and wave it above his head, he did this on several occasions. My personal favourite came last season though. Having not scored since Nov 2009, Allott picked the ball up, moved it an inch and smacked the ball into the top corner, as easy and carefree as you like. That came in the final game of the season, it didn’t matter, Chesterfield had already been relegated, yet it was a superb goal.
Allott will finish his Chesterfield career 12th on the all time league list, he polarised opinion, not mine.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
The Retention List
In Chesterfield’s case, it’s a clear out of a majority of Football League appearances and the injury prone. Chesterfield’s two longest serving players Derek Niven and Aaron Downes find themselves not offered fresh deals for next season’s League Two campaign, whilst Jamie Lowry (over 100 FL appearances himself) and Dan Gray, both former Youth team players are also let go.
In truth over 883 FL apps for Chesterfield have been dismissed in football’s rather transparent harshness, and whilst this does nothing for fans who want to see players do the business, it highlights two things. That football in this stats world is rather cruel and quick to find the exit door for even the oldest bit of china, and that players who are long fast in making career records are never likely to break any appearance records for one club anymore, and in some cases their appearances will be of the nomadic variety.
As for the injury struck players Downes, Lowry, Gregor Robertson, Dean Morgan, Simon Ford and Jimmy Juan all fall into this category as well. Whereas Greg Fleming and Alex Mendy are exited, with the fact that one wasn’t good enough, and the other flattered to deceive.
Supporters will be delighted when their favourite players are given a new contract, whilst some will be dismayed how on earth their nemesis did. All this is put down to trust of the management team and the board. The recent fans forum at the B2net Stadium, made abundantly clear that less will spent on the old adage of “dead wood” in next seasons squad, and more over quality, not quantity.
It’s pleasing to see though that further youth team products, Craig Clay and Tendayi Darikwa, were offered extended deals. However, the fact is that the Spireites youth section is failing to produce Football League standard players, the argument can be accepted with only Kevin Davies being a player that made Chesterfield money, and that was in 1997.
As the for the players now out of contract, everyone I’m sure will wish them well and hope they carry on their football careers.
Profiles of the released players will be issued this week.
For the record, here is the list of Football League appearances made by the players released.
Derek Niven 297 (signed initially on loan in Dec 2003, officially March 2004)
Aaron Downes 174 (signed Jun 2004)
Gregor Robertson 116 (signed July 2007)
Jamie Lowry 113 (signed July 2006)
Simon Ford 49 (signed July 2010)
Dan Gray 45 (signed July 2008)
Dean Morgan 38 (signed Aug 2010)
Alex Mendy 34 (signed Aug 2011)
Greg Fleming 10 (signed July 2011)
Jimmy Juan 7 (signed Dec 2010)
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Is this Derbyshire's Season?
So what of Derbyshire this season? A new vibrant exciting future at the County Ground is a possibility, ups and downs a certainty. The signs that things were changing at Derby were apparent with the removal of former player and coach, John Morris. A vote of no confidence in the coaching staff led by former captain Luke Sutton, who has now retired, saw new chairman, Chris Grant, consult the players which resulted in Morris being relieved of his duties.
Chris Grant, a retired city investment banker, was voted in as Chairman and immediately brought in Derbyshire legend Karl Krikken, who was on the coaching staff already, but given the job of head coach to revive the ailing counties fortunes.
Fifth place in the County Championship second division is not normally greeted with such optimism from members and supporters alike, however in Derbyshire’s case this proved that something in the wind was changing. Derbyshire had finished bottom of Division Two, prior to last season, four times in the previous ten seasons.
Last season though, Derbyshire felt they needed to compete more at least in the four day game and with Australian international Usman Khawaja joining the fray, the Falcons made sure they managed to keep there or there abouts, with regards to results. When New Zealand international Martin Guptill joined just prior to the start of the T20 campaign, Derbyshire looked to try to get to 2nd place in the CC, however defeats to eventual champions and runner up Surrey and Middlesex twice, plus a defeat at Queens Park, Chesterfield by the ever improving Northamptonshire saw any challenge that Derbyshire have, evaporate.
If the two London counties were tough nuts to crack last season, Yorkshire and Hampshire will provide even tougher games for this fledgling side. Add Essex and Kent to the equation, plus outsiders Northamptonshire, then Derbyshire’s task of getting out of Division Two for the first time since the County Championship split into the two divisions, is even tougher. Finishing third in their Pro 40 group was an area of optimism, which included a double wins over Yorkshire.
As Snow hits North Derbyshire, all cricket fans in the county will have a close eye on the events at County Ground tomorrow as the season kicks off with perennial foes Northants, and not least the weather. Karl Krikken & new skipper Wayne Madsen have named their squad with the side very heavy on seam bowling, but with David Wainwright in the squad, a winter signing from Yorkshire, there is an option for spin in a squad of fourteen.Although, with Wes Durston and Chesney Hughes an option for Madsen in the spin department, Derbyshire may go with a strong seam attack.
I caught up with Head Coach, Karl Krikken, at the Clubs Media Day. Click on the link here
There are no delusions at the County Ground, and Derbyshire once again made a slight profit and with only one loss in the past six years, the insult from a leading cricket commentator and former player that clubs such as Derbyshire should go to minor counties standard is frankly becoming absurd, with the blend of youth and experience the Falcons have got, there is plenty of promise.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Down South America Way
It
wasn’t the pre-season signing of Sergio Aguerro, the Argentinian
striker that moved from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City that startled
me, but the acquisition of Denis Stracqualursi (pronounced
STRA-QUA-LARSI) by Everton from Argentinian mid-table side Tigre. The
deal is a one year loan, I guess a, “look at you, look at me” type of
scenario, however the interesting thing is that Everton scouted out the
former Gimnasia La Plata striker and are prepared to launch into a
signing where no previous European experience is on the CV.
This
signing is very important to putting South American football back onto
Premier League transfer market map. Usually, as with most South American
footballers, they are generally groomed in Italy or Spain before
announcing themselves into English Football, a la the aforementioned
Aguerro. Everton’s signing is seen by many as a gamble, but to those
that have seen Stracqualursi, they will know that the Toffee’s have a
talent. At 23, Stracqualursi is not too young to be overawed by the
experience of the Premier League and has several seasons behind him.
A
gamble that Manchester United chose to take was with Uruguyan, Diego
Forlan, who had no European experience and looked like a little boy lost
at times in the big setting of Old Trafford. However, after moving to
Spain his career blossomed; He’s now one of the most potent strikers in
Europe. Forlan’s showing in the recent Copa America win for his home
country is testament not only to the growing reputation of South
American teams, but also indicates that the standard of the individual
league structures are improving.
River Plate’s relegation to the 2nd
tier of Argentinian Football sent shockwaves not only through the
battered streets of Buenos Aires, but also around the world. Pictures
were shown of riots and pitched battles throughout the nation’s capital,
where one of the country’s leading clubs was to end its Premier Liga
existence of at least one season. The AFA decided to set up an average
performance relegation into its structure, which was designed primarily
to avoid the big clubs having a bad season and being relegated. However,
what they didn’t foresee, was a big club having two poor seasons and
thus being relegated on average, despite also having a second chance
playoff match against Belgrano, which they inevitably lost.
Liverpool decided to make Luis Suarez feel more at home by buying compatriot, Sebastián
Coates from Nacional, the leading club in domestic football in Uruguay.
Coates made his debut for the national team in the Copa America 2011
held in Argentina. Much was heralded of the new Argentinian revolution,
they got off to an auspicious start though with a draw to vast underdogs
Bolivia, the Argentines drew again with Columbia and then managed to
beat Costa Rica 3-0, despite the Costa Ricans fielding an U23 squad.
The
Uruguay squad defeated the host nation in the quarter finals on
penalties, Peru in the semis before setting up a final versus Paraguay.
Coates started the final and with Suarez, came away with a winner’s
medal, a side to look out for at World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Since
the impressive form of the South Americans as emerging talent, for
every Luis Suarez and Juninho there is a Juan Sebastian Veron, Hernan
Crespo and to avoid a Argentinian argument, I give you Kleberson of
Brazil.
Spireite
supporters of course know all about the emergence of Juninho, the
little Brazilian was part of a magical midfield trio, that still failed
to stop Boro’ being relegated in 1997. Chesterfield fans had the good
fortune to view Juninho three times: in the two FA Cup semi-final games and, two years later, in the League Cup fixture.
Who
could also forget the crazy antics of Faustino Asprilla, the Columbian
forward who had an indecisive spell at Newcastle United; at times simply
brilliant but occasionally found his mind elsewhere. However, his
forehead was at the right angle for Keith Curle’s face at Maine Road.
One
player who has made his mark in the English game is Gustavo Poyet. The
Uruguyan possessed a fine midfielder’s talent in finding the back of the
net for Chelsea and Tottenham and is now cutting his managerial teeth
at Brighton. Poyet has embraced English culture and is fast emerging as a
coach of the highest quality.
The
talent in South America is on the rebound. However, the noisy
sound-bites are not from the traditional “big guns” of Brazil and
Argentina but from their very own noisy neighbours.
This article first appeared in the Chesterfield FC official programme on Saturday 7th January 2012.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
A Club on the Up
A Club on the Up
Back in 2007, Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club faced
extinction, their football club committee had resigned en masse due to
retirement and just pure time issues. The club itself is actually still owned
by the Miners Welfare committee and they were not actively seeking new buyers,
but when Terry Damms, a Sheffield born businessman with an 85% shareholder in a
Nottinghamshire based company called Baris Fabrications, heard on the non
league grapevine that Staveley were in trouble, he made the call to the
committee to see if he could help. As a result, we see a Staveley side that are
top of the Northern Counties East Division One, a reserve side that usually
finish in the top two of their division and the U19’s who win awards on a
regular basis. They have won the Wilkinson Sword Shield twice, in 2008 and
2009. The U19’s have won the League Cup, the reserves have finished the season
runners up twice as well.
Let’s go back to when Terry Damms took over, the bold but
not brash chairman stated in a club mission statement, “To bring Northern
League Football and North Midland Under 19 Divison One football to Staveley by
promoting and developing local youth footballers from the Chesterfield and
Sheffield surrounding areas”. The Under 19’s are in the Division One of their
set up, Damms is pretty adamant that he has failed though, “I’ve failed by a
year, I’ve got a 50% pass rate, but if I can see how many honours we’ve won in
that period then I wouldn’t change that, if we can win the league and win a cup
competition this season, it will be a fantastic achievement by a great set of
people”.
Damms' states that he
wants the local community involved as much as possible, “it’s been hard to get
people here to be honest, Staveley needs a knee jerk reaction and as part of
the community we aim to do that, we have provided over £10,000 to local
charities and we have also provided high visibility jackets to local schools.
We’re going to have an Under 9’s and Under 11’s tournament at the end of the
season to attract local youngsters to the club. I’ve got big plans for this
club and to make a local football club from the local community. If we could
get 50 to 100more supporters then we could get crowds of 200 here. The prime
example in local non league terms is Alfreton Town, they were a Northern
Counties East Divison side and look at where they are now. We only charge £4
for adults and £2 for children to come and see an exciting young side that we
have here at Staveley, it’s hard but with the excellent volunteers we have
behind the scenes here, we’re hoping to succeed.”
It’s tough to imagine how you can succeed, but with the
progress that Staveley have made with a young side, you need to focus on how
that has happened. Manager Billy Fox explains, “We have a lot of ex-academy
players from professional clubs, they know how to behave and they know how to
prepare. We have a 72 hour drinking ban installed at the club and it’s as
professional as it can be at non league level. We play a passing game and it’s
good to do with young players, because they want to play football. Myself and Terry have set goals and targets
for them, and we act as professional players with regards to fitness and train
twice a week. Terry has backed me 100%, the players get paid but not as much as
they would like, we need more people to come and watch because we have a great
football team and a great club. Ideally we’d like people to watch Staveley one
week and Chesterfield the next, we need the support to come through the door.
Terry and Staveley have done great things for the club and the community”.
Terry Damms uses the term ethos of the club as being young
and developing and you can clearly see around the ground that the term is
developing. Minor improvement works are happening, the car park and lighting
were put prior to the FA Vase match against Rye United in January. The club
have major works in the pipeline with further stands to be built. “We want the
club to have the best facilities in non league,” and that is the ambition that
Damms and Staveley have.
The core of the club is the excellent facilities that it
has, the future of the club is the developing and current set of players that
they have. The average age in the side is 22 and the oldest player is 31, the
mainstay of the club is the Under 19’s and the professionalism of the players
is apparent. Billy Fox knows he has a good football team and he knows how to
get a better football team. Terry Damms knows how to develop a strong football
club and he will make all the effort to make it strong in the community as
well, all in all it’s a good partnership.
Staveley, keen to increase attendences, recently had a
campaign where if you bought admission you received £1 discount in the club
lounge. It may not be something to many supporters of bigger clubs, but that
day the attendance was over 100. With attendances forecast to drop in the near
future in the Premier League, the spin offs for the Football League and non
league inparticular could be huge.
Note: This article
first appeared in The Chesterfield Post website (www.chesterfieldpost.co.uk) & the Chesterfield FC Matchday programme on Friday 18th March 2011.
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