On a quest to be the best. [FM15]

Good luck with Trafford

Cheers Johno, I'm hoping it'll be a long stint at the club and one that is needed.


I have been 'warmly welcomed' by everyone at Trafford, except for the staff members because their wasn't any so I needed to purchase some and I knew that was going to be difficult but not impossible. The squad wasn't the greatest for depth so I needed to be busy in the transfer market while my new assistant manager will take over the friendly games.


And busy in the transfer market I was at eleven players arrived the club this summer with four of them (Neil Lyons, David Ludlam, Shaun Gardner and Ian Douglas) arriving on a season long loan deal while Wade Belshaw, Steven Prendergast, Simon French, Darren Halford, Bryn Williams (Burnley), David Foot (Blackburn) and Michael Wharton (Burnley) all joined on free transfers.

The one and only major departure this summer was Nigel Spink, the winger joined League One side Millwall and although I was disappointed to lose him, I couldn't stop it as he was on a non-contract and wasn't interested in remaining at the club. Alex Alston and Paul Dalmon were both released before I arrived at the club.


I couldn't really complain about how the pre season friendly fixtures have went as we lost twice (5-4 and 2-1 both at home to Brighton U21 and Stalybridge) but the side did record a fantastic 3-1 home win over Scottish Championship side Falkirk, no clean sheets though in the seven fixtures is disappointing.

And here we go! It's time for the competitive action at Trafford to begin and we face six Vanarama North games this month, including three away games in succession and with the side predicted to win the league, it's important we get off to a solid enough start.


The league season began with a home fixture against Bradford Park Avenue who we managed to beat 5-3 as it was a debut to remember for Michael Wharton as he scored twice while on-loan duo David Ludlam and Neil Lyons also both scored on their Trafford debuts while the other goal came from centre back Jay McManus.

Just three days later and the first of three straight away games took us to Histon as the side made it two wins from two, winning five one. Neil Lyons, Fahri Berge, Darren Halford 2 and Michael Wharton the goalscorers.

We then produced a 'five star performance' away to Hednesford, winning the game five nil. We led 4-0 at half time as Fahri Berge hit a double, Kaiyne Scannel and Neil Lyons also scored as we scored four goals inside the opening twenty three minutes, the scoring was completed six minutes into the second half when Denis Moon netted.

We then came from behind and beat struggling AFC Flyde 3-2 away from home - Neil Lyons, Kaiyne Scannell pen and Michael Wharton were on target.

The side then returned home and struggled to a two all draw against Buxton as attacking midfielder Kaiyne Scannell scored one nineteen minutes and winger Michael Wharton bagged our second goal with fifteen minutes remaining.

The opening month concluded with our first league defeat of the season, crashing five three at home to Grimbsy who overtook us at the summit. On-loan Hull left winger Shaun Gardner scored twice in the opening first half and our other goal was an own goal from Jay Wilson.


It's been a decent start to the league season as we are sitting in second place after the first six league games as we've bagged twenty three goals but have conceded thirteen so far and we're three points behind Grimsby following that defeat to them at the end of the month.

Despite ending the month with a home draw against Buxton and a home defeat the hands of Grimsby Town that saw us lose top spot, it's still been a solid start to the Vanarama North campaign as our board and media's expectation is to win the title this season and that's sure achievable all being well.


The second competitive month of the 2033/34 campaign began with a one one draw away to Morecambe as the on-loan striker Neil Lyons netted five minutes into the second half.

It was then a ten goal thriller at home to Guiseley in a game that saw us win 6-4 on a day in which defences weren't on show. Experienced back-up striker Jason Cotterill was the hero as he bagged a treble while winger Michael Wharton scored twice and star central midfielder Fahri Berge also scored.

Goals from Jason Cotterill and Michael Wharton helped us to a two one away win against Boston.

We then suffered our second league defeat of the season, crashing four goals to two at home to Chorley as both of our goals had arrived inside the opening half an hour courtesy of wingers Michael Wharton after nine and Shaun Gardner, on-loan from Championship side Hull who scored after twenty eight minutes.

An FA Cup second qualifying trip to non-league Kidsgrove would conclude the month as we eased to the third qualifying round following a 6-2 success on the road, Shaun Gardner scored a hat trick while a double from David Ludlam and a Jay McManus finish ensured our straight forward progression.


Ten Vanarama North games have been played this season and we are currently sitting down in fourth place but I'm not overly disappointed because we're only eight points behind leaders Grimsby, if we're to be a success this season then shipping goals will need to stop as twenty three have been conceded in our ten games, thirty four have been scored though.

Alot of goals you have conceded so far. Not bad position in the league, hopefully you can catch Grimsby.

It's a 'curse' when you play attacking football, you're always going to concede a lot of goals but score them as well. I'd love to catch Grimsby but they don't seem to be dropping too many points early on Johno.


Despite being down in fourth place after ten league games, I'm still pleased with the start we have made this campaign as we're only eight points behind the league leaders Grimsby with a load of games remaining this campaign. We have five Vanarama North games as well as our FA Cup run also continnues this month.


A busy month kicked off with a convincing 3-0 away win against Burton Albion thanks to three second half goals. On-loan left winger Shaun Gardner scored twice, including a forty eighth minute penalty while James Roberts also found the net.

We then produced a 'five star' performance against the oldest club in the country Sheffield, beating them 5-0 at home - Fahri Berge, Denis Moon, Neil Lyons, Jay McManus and a Dan Grainger own goal sealed our easy passage to the fourth qualifying round and we'll face fellow Vanarama North side Bradford Park Avenue.

The side then went on to beat Altrincham four goals to two at home as star midfielder Fahri Berge scored twice inside the opening twenty minutes, second half goals from David Ludlam and Shaun Gardner helped seal more maximum points.

Our third consecutive home games in all competitions saw us beat King's Lynn three nil as Jay McManus, Shaun Gardner and Neil Lyons scored.

Fahri Berge's 90th minute equaliser against Bradford Park Avenue ensured a two all draw and an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay, Neil Lyons scored our first goal on nine minutes.

The replay against Bradford PA went more straight forward as we recorded a 3-1 win as Bryn Williams scored on three minutes, second half goals from Fahri Berge and Jason Cotterill ensured our passage to the first round proper we'll face non-league side Chippenham away from home.

We returned to league action and played out a one all draw away to Stockport County, left back Shane Shoemark scored our goal on sixty eight minutes..

A trip to Ilkeston would see us finish the month with a 3-0 away win, Denis Moon and Jason Cotterill had us two goals up at half time before Shaun Gardner's goal on seventy seven minutes sealed the points and our third clean sheet this month.


A fantastic month for the club has seen us climb up to second place but we still remain seven points behind leaders Grimsby Town but I was absolutely delighted to have kept three clean sheets this month against Burton, King's Lynn and Ilkeson. After fifteen games, we have nearly hit fifty league goals and that's pretty mental,

It has been a 'frustrating' season to date because despite playing well and only losing two league games to date, we are seven points behind the leaders Grimsby who just seemingly won't go on a bad run at the moment even though it's only three months into the new campaign.


The penultimate month of twenty thirty three began with a convincing 5-1 win away to non-league Chippenham in the FA Cup first round as experienced striker Jason Cotterill bagged a treble, Shaun Gardner and Michael Wharton were on target and League One side Crewe await in round two.

Goals from wingers Shaun Gardner and Michael Wharton saw us ease to a two nil win at Halifax.

Just four days later the side then faced and beat FC United of Manchester 4-1 - central defender James Roberts scored twice inside the opening ten minutes before two goals in the final twenty minutes from Kaiyne Scannell and Shaun Gardner sealed the points.

Neil Lyons' goal with just five minutes remaining saw us edge a tough fixture against Southport as the side won two one at home, our first goal of the game came from Shaun Gardner.

We continued the 'unbeaten' month with a four two win at Corby in a game that'll be remembered by Kaiyne Scannell who bagged a hat trick, including two penalty kicks while Shaun Gardner also scored.

The side then eased to the next round of the FA Trophy following a 5-0 win away to Marine, Neil Lyons scoring a first half hat trick as he helped us to a four nil half time lead as Darren Halford had opened the scoring after three minutes, Michael Wharton completed the scoring when he netted on seventy three minutes.

The penultimate month of the year concluded with a five three win at home to Accrington Stanley - Michael Wharton, Darren Halford, Neil Lyons and a double from David Ludlam ensured the points but would it be enough to see us finally move to the Vanarama North summit?


No. Ourselves and leaders Grimsby have played twenty game apiece and now only five points separating us and that's quite annoying because we've had a fantastic month that didn't see us drop a single league point, so far sixty five goals have been scored while the leaders have bagged fifty two.

Decent 2 months Nice to see the gap is being to close up

Wow nice and easy for you so far, just grimsby top form keeping you from the top

It's a shame Grimsby (so far) won't slip up Johno but we've to keep ploughing away.

They're annoying me Dan, I just wish they'd lose some games so we can (hopefully) take advantage.


It's now the final month of the calendar year and despite not being top of the table, it has still been a promising enough campaign to date as we are staying in the promotion hunt and that was expected by the board. Just two league games were played this month while we also played the FA Cup game against Crewe and a FA Trophy game as well.


December began with a trip to League One side Crewe Alexandra and we produced a replay at home following a crediable one all draw as Neil Lyons had given us a shock twenty ninth minute lead but the League One side equalised early in the second half.

We then crashed out of the FA Trophy following an undeserved defeat away to Vanarama Conference side Worcester as we dominated for large periods but lost two one. Left back Shane Shoemark bagged our goal on thirty six minutes in a competition the board expected us to win, c'est le vie.

Four days later and we hosted Crewe in the FA Cup second round replay and we shocked the Football League club after winning 4-3 after extra time as both Shaun Gardner and Jason Cotterill both hit doubles, Gardner's goal on one hundred and ten minutes proved the difference.

Our first league game this month saw us secure a three one win away to Bradford Park Avenue as Jason Cotterill hit two penalty kicks in the opening nineteen minutes while Shaun Gardner added our third goal just three minutes later.

A trip to Buxton on New Years Eve concluded the year as we secured a 4-2 win - Kaiyne Scannell, a double from Jason Cotterill and David Ludlam ensured a victorious end to twenty thirty three.


We have ended the year eight points behind leaders Grimsby Town but we've also got two games in hand on the leaders so if we can win both of them then the gap could be closed to two points if we're very lucky. So far, seventy two goals have been scored but we've conceded thirty six.

Happy New Year! We have entered a new year and it's twenty thirty four and we still haven't been able to finish a month top of the table and that's a little disappointing but at least we're still in the promotion hunt and that's the important thing. We have six league games this month and an FA Cup third round tie against struggling League One side Bury.


The New Year began with a home fixture against Hednesford as we could only manage a two all draw as striker Neil Lyons scored on twenty minutes while substitute Jason Cotterill scored our other goal with eleven minutes remaining on the clock.

Just two days later the side travelled to Alferton and produced a convincing 3-0 away victory as winger Shaun Gardner broke the deadlock after sixteen minutes before the other winger, Michael Wharton made it two nil just three minutes before half time, Wharton's second of the game, fourteen minutes into the second half, sealed the points.

Our chances on progression in the FA Cup ended as we lost three two away to struggling League One side Bury - Kaiyne Scannell and Michael Wharton scored.

We bounced back in the Vanarama North though, coming from behind to beat struggling Fylde 3-1 as Kaiyne Scannell equalised on the stroke of half time before late goals from Neil Lyons and Darren Halford sealed maximum points.

For the second time this season, Grimsby beat us in the league as the leaders won two one. Neil Lyons bagging our goal with ten minutes left.

Ten days later, we bounced back with a 4-2 home success over Histon as Neil Lyons was the 'hero' as the on-loan Barrow striker scored a treble while Shaun Gardner was also on target.

January concluded with a home fixture against Morecambe as the side recorded a 5-2 victory thanks to goals from Shaun Gardner, Neil Lyons, a double from Fahri Berge and Shane Shoemark who all found the net.


We still remain five points behind Grimsby Town but we've still got a game in hand so I'm hoping we can win that as the gap needs to be shut, it's looking like we're going to break the one hundred goals total as we've bagged ninety goals in twenty eight games.

Good to see you have created a decent gap between you and third place.

Massive gap over second, sure you'll nick that top spot at some point!

I'm pleased we've got that huge gap over third place Johno but for some reason we can't seem to catch Grimsby.

I don't think we will Dan, Grimsby just won't go on a bad run.


Just three months of the league season is remaining and we trail leaders Grimsby Town by five points and they're defiantly catchable but I need to remain unbeaten between now and the end of the season and pray they slip up, five games, all in the league, we're played this month.


It was a mixed month for the club and things began with an awful four one home defeat against Boston United as our consolation goal came from Bryn Williams on twenty eight minutes.

The side bounced back though and beat Guiseley 3-1 away from home as winger Michael Wharton scored twice after nine and eighty four minutes while Neil Lyons had scored in between the Wharton double.

We then crashed to a defeat away to Chorley, losing three nil.

Our second home game of the month saw us beat Burton Albion 2-0 at home thanks to two first half goals. Central defender Jay McManus broke the deadlock after only eight minutes, Shaun Gardner doubled the lead in first half stoppage time from the spot.

A home fixture against Halifax completed the month as we recorded a 5-1 win. Neil Lyons scored twice while Michael Wharton, David Ludlam and Fahri Berge also scored in the 'rout'.


Despite losing two games this month, not much damage has been done as we are six points behind leaders Grimsby who have secured a play-off spot. It's been a great season to date (despite not being top) as we've scored one hundred and one goals to date and more will come but we have conceded fifty four times.

Sure if you dont catch Grimsby you'll go up via the playoffs, seem in great form overall despite the two defeats

I'd love to get promoted one way or another Dan, that's expected from the board so I could be chopped if I fail.


Only two months are remaining in the league campaign and I'm close to giving up any hope I have in securing the league title as Grimsby just haven't went on a losing streak this season and that's annoying so I may need to concentrate on securing a play-off spot.


Four games were played this month and the first took us to Altrincham as we played out a two all draw, Michael Wharton scored our first goal just two minutes before half time before Neil Lyons' goal arrived on sixty seven minutes but we couldn't find a winner.

We did then go on and secure maximum points, and a clean sheet in our away fixture at King's Lynn as we won 3-0 as Neil Lyons got us off to a dream start with a goal inside the opening minute, Bryn Williams doubled the lead on thirty six and then left back Shane Shoemark made it three with two first half minutes left.

The side then demolished Stockport County 6-1 at home, Neil Lyons being the hero with a hat trick while Jason Cotterill scored twice (including one penalty kick on forty two minutes) with Denis Moon also on target in the emphatic win.

March then concluded with a hard fought three two win at FC United of Manchester - Neil Lyons scoring back-to-back trebles.


Play-off spot has been signed, sealed and delivered and we're eight points behind Grimsby.

Good luck in the play off

Cheers Johno, just need to finish the final month of the league season.


It's now the final month of the league season and with a play-off spot confirmed, the pressure is officially off my side as I've officially ruled ourselves out of the title picture as Grimsby just haven't went on a massive losing streak, something I wish they had. We have five league games remaining this season before I can concentrate on the play-off's.


The final month of the current Vanarama North season began with a 4-2 win at home to Ilkeston in a game that saw Turkish central midfielder Fahri Berge score twice while Neil Lyons and Michael King also found the net.

We then travelled to Southport and recorded a four one win as Neil Lyons broke the deadlock after only three minutes, central defender Michael King scored twice after forty one and seventy five minutes and then Jason Cotterill completed the scoring in the second minute of second half added time.

Our penultimate home game of the season saw us record a 5-2 success against Corby in a game that saw us five different goalscorers - Shaun Gardner, Darren Halford, Kaiyne Scannell, Michael King and Neil Lyons all scored.

A trip to Accrington was up next and we could only manage a one one draw, Fahri Berge scoring on thirty two minutes.

Alferton at home would see us complete the league season and we ended up drawing back-to-back games, drawing three a piece. Neil Lyons scored two of our goals in the first half as the on-loan Barrow striker scored on seven and thirty three minutes, Shaun Gardner also scored.


The league season has been completed and unfortunately we could only secure a second place finish, finishing sixteen points ahead of third placed Southport but seven points behind champions Grimsby. We will face Accrington Stanley in the play-off semi final and the game will be played over two legs.

Come on mate' so close to promotion now!

Potentially three games away from playing in the Vanarama Premier next season Dan, got to get past Accrington first though and I can guarantee that won't be easy.


We are just potentially three games away from securing promotion to the Conference Premier in just my first season at Trafford but it's not going to be easy as I've to get past Accrington Stanley over two legs and if I manage to do that then I'll face Boston or Southport in a one-legged final.


The first leg at The Crown Ground went exactly to plan as we recorded a convincing 4-0 victory which surprised me as we struggled against Staley just a few weeks ago. The four goals arrived in the final half an hour as Shaun Gardner, David Ludlam, Neil Lyond and Shane Shoemark all netted.


The return leg at Shawe View proved to be closer than expected despite my Trafford side racing into a three goal lead inside the opening half an hour (and seven nil on aggregate) as Jason Cotterill scored twice, including one spot kick inside the opening eleven minutes and left back Shane Shoemark also scored. Accrington put some respectability into the score when Jeff Chippendale and Wayne Tustain scored inside the final sixteen minutes.

We'll face Southport in the final in a one-legged tie with promotion to the Vanarama Premier on the line.

Come on Shed! you can do it

Cheers Johno, it's going to be tough but after beating Accrington so convincingly over two legs, I've got to be confident, don't I?


After beating Accrington Stanley seven two in the play-off semi final over both legs, it was confirmed that we'd be facing Southport in the play-off final with promotion to the Conference Premier the reward in this one-legged tie and much to my 'delight', we were given home advantage so the game was played at Shawe View in Urmston.


Signed, sealed and delivered! Vanarama Premier here we come after a convincing 4-0 win against Southport in a game I expected to be a lot tighter but we pulled away in the second half. Neil Lyons broke the deadlock on the half hour, Jason Cotterill made it two from the spot on sixty four minutes and then a double from winger Michael Wharton on seventy one and eighty three minutes sealed the win and promotion.

As expected once again, well done

Surprised we managed to score four goals against Southport in the final though Dan.


Following the play-off success against Southport that saw us gain promotion to the Vanarama Premier, I didn't know what to expect next season nor what the boards expectations would be, I expected it to be mid-table finish or something but boy was I proved wrong the pressure was suddenly on me from the get go.


Yes I am being serious here, the Trafford board are expecting me to win the Vanarama Premier next season and I don't know how realistic that is but I'll try my best and I feel it's very important to maintain the squad that got us promoted while adding a few new players as well to the squad for 'depth' purposes.


The clubs assistant manager have arranged five games this pre season with four of them being at home. Our home games will be against the Under 21's duo of Wycombe Wanderers and Wigan Athletic while we'll also welcome Welsh side Bala Town and Scots Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Our one and only away game in pre season will see us travel to Denbigh. I may add one more game to the five but I haven't decided yet.

It's almost time for the competitive action to begin once again but first I had to deal with yet another pre season and my second at Trafford Football Club as I've spent more than one season at a club for the first time in quite a while. Transfers needed to be done but I didn't want to make two many while my assistant manager took charge of the friendly games.


Six players arrived at the club this summer but that doesn't tell the 'entire' picture as the first three were at Trafford on-loan last season and I felt especially that Shaun Gardner and Neil Lyons were outstanding and deserved to join the club from Hull and Barrow on free transfers respectively while David Ludlam also joined on a free from Liverpool. Winger Ian Coady joined for nothing from Burnley, Lewis Richards also arrived on a free while our last signing saw striker Mark Smith arrive on a season loan from Rotherham United.

Wade Belshaw was our only departure this summer as the central defender joined Margate on a free.


On the field, pre season didn't go too badly as we lost just two of our six games (I added the Ashton game for 'confidence' reasons) - our defeats came to Wigan's under twenty one side and Inverness while we beat Wycombe under twenty one's, Bala Town, Denbigh and Ashton United. Of course the friendlies mean nothing because it's guaranteed the competitive action is going to be tough.

Trafford's Vanarama Premier campaign begins with a tough trip to Peterborough United.

August saw the Conference Premier season begin and with the league expected to be won for the second consecutive season the pressure was on from the very beginning and the opening month of the twenty thirty four/twenty thirty five campaign saw us play five games, all in the league with three of them being at home.


Our league campaign kicked off with a tough trip to former Football League side Peterborough United as we began the league campaign with an unfortunate two one defeat at London Road. Simon French scored our consolation goal (on his debut?) on seventy one minutes but he'd leave the club at the end of the month (on non-contract terms) to join Solihull Moors.

However three days later and our first three points were picked up of the new campaign in our first home game as we beat Dartford 3-2 thanks to two late goals. The prolific Neil Lyons scored twice after thirty one and eighty seven minutes before Shane Shoemark's goal, with the game entering second half stoppage time, sealed the points.

A trip to Bath saw us lose back-to-back away games this season by the same scoreline, Darren Halford scored three minutes from time.

Once again though my Trafford 'charges' bounced back and secured a 4-2 win over Torquay United as our four goals arrived in the first half thanks to Michael Wharton, Neil Lyons, Darren Halford and Jay McManus.

The opening month of the league season ended with a 4-1 win over Tranmere Rovers to make it three home wins from three games this campaign as left back Shane Shoemark scored his second goal this month on twenty minutes while Neil Lyons, Shaun Gardner and Michael Wharton also netted against Rovers.


It's been a mixed start to the league season but I won't get too 'upset' as only five games have been played so far. We have won our three home games but lost both away games and have conceded nine goals but scored thirteen and we're already six points behind joint leaders Port Vale and Bath.

It has been a mixed start to the Conference season, winning three of our opening five games but losing both away fixtures to Peterborough and Bath. The second month of the current campaign (September) proved to be a long(ish) month as seven league games were played.


A trip to Maidstone began the month as we secured our first away win of the season, beating Maidstone 3-2 as Neil Lyons, James Roberts and Shaun Gardner all netted.

Just three days later and it would be back-to-back away wins as a James Roberts goal in the final minute saw us secure a four three win. Striker Neil Lyons scored twice after twenty two and fifty nine minutes and Michael Wharton also scored before Roberts struck the winner.

Our first home game of the month saw us beat fellow promotion candidates Scunthorpe United 5-3 - Fahri Berge, Michael Wharton 2, Shaun Gardner and James Roberts all scored as central defender Roberts scored for the third time this month.

It was then back-to-back home games as Nuneaton were beat four one thanks to goals from Shaun Gardner, Neil Lyons and a late double from Michael Wharton.

We then made the trip to Telford as I guided the side to their first clean sheet of the new season following a 3-0 win, Kaiyne Scannell got us off to a flyer when he slotted home a sixth minute penalty before Shaun Gardner doubled the lead on the hour mark and then the same man added a third with twelve minutes remaining.

However our winning streak this month came to an end as we stuttered to a one all draw at Harrogate, James Roberts scoring his fourth goal this month after sixty six minutes but we just couldn't find a winning goal. Disappointing result on the road.

The month then concluded with a hard fought two one win at home to Boreham Wood, Shaun Gardner and Neil Lyons scoring in the second half.


A great month for the club has seen us rise up the league standings and into third place and I'm delighted but it's also important that we maintain our good form as we have won nine of our twelve league games to date, drawing one and losing the two games last month both away from home, thirty five goals have been scored in the twelve games and twenty have been conceded.

Good to see you're doing well mate, surprised to see the size of your wage budget and the pressure on you to go up! Would be good to tick off 2 in 2 seasons though.

How are Grimsby doing, given their dominance last year?

According to Dan (via private message) the expectations were the same when he managed Woking all those 'years' back on his save and that their isn't much difference between the Vanarama North/South and Conference KEZ. On the Grimsby situation, I don't have the game loaded at the moment but believe they're just outside the top twelve.


With a fantastic September behind us as went through the entire month unbeaten, we looked to maintain that form in October as we faced four Conference games and an FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against last seasons bogey team, Chorley as iirc we lost both games against them in the Conference North last season.


A five star home performance against Worcester began the month as five second half goals ensured a well deserved 5-0 victory. Neil Lyons continued his fine scoring form since joining the club with a treble while Mark Smith and Shaun Gardner also netted.

It was then back-to-back clean sheets as we secured a two nil win at Aldershot - Michael Wharton broke the deadlock on twenty four minutes before an own goal from Ryan Gardner, seven minutes into the second half sealed the points.

Our long unbeaten run continued as we squeezed past Gateshead at home as David Foot and Michael Wharton scored in a two one win.

Two penalties from central defender James Roberts helped us to a 4-1 win at home to Gainsborough, Fahri Berge and Neil Lyons were also on the score sheet as the unbeaten run continues.

Goals from Jason Cotterill, Ian Coady, Darren Halford, Michael Wharton and Mark Smith saw us ease past Conference North side Chorley away from home as we advanced to the first round of the FA Cup and we'll face Chester in the first round.


It has been two great months for the club as we have climbed to the summit of the Conference table and sitting two points ahead of second placed Port Vale and we also managed to keep two clean sheets in the league this month, a welcome change. It's still quite tight as only twelve points separate ourselves (top) and Gateshead (sixth) in the league.

Just like what Dan has posted in this update, the challenge between us too is officially OFF and that's because Dan is jealous of how successful I have been (ha, only joking Dan mate) but I am going to try and continue this on but I'm going to try and make it more difficult to secure trophies, the whole point of a "challenge", I'll try and avoid heading to big teams all the time and actually spend more than a season* at one club.
*or in the case at Waterford, 22 days.

Quite unrealistic expectations from the chairman