Northern Premier League 2016/17

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Well it's finally time to make this thread. For clarity this covers the Northern Premier League Premier Division as well as Division 1 North and Division 1 South.

Teams are announcing signing players but AFCR&D are waiting until you actually can sign players to start making announcements. A few who played for us last season have since "signed" elsewhere. Once we've got positive news I'll make a list of who goes where. The biggest loss so far for me has been Connor Kennedy who was cementing the RB spot, he's signed another year contract with Corby. Was only on loan with us last season but it seems odd for them to give out a contract. Still he moves up a level from us to presumably play. Jack Bowen going to Brackley was also a loss, but that's two divisions up, so good luck to him.

In the meantime Evesham have an appeal against their move to the NPLD1S to be heard today, no news as of yet but I don't see an outcome which sees them move back south - any decision which would do so would then be subject to appeal for whoever would end up in the NPLD1S and that would continue until someone failed. The later each decision the worse it is for the clubs. Fairest is for Evesham to just shut up and get on with it - unfortunately.
 

JJ1532

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
3,014
Reaction score
861
Points
113
Location
Hong Kong
Supports
Crewe Alex
I'm doing the Press Officers role for Nantwich Town next season, so I'll be keeping a close eye on the various comings and goings in these leagues.

Think you're right, keep Evesham where they are. I know it sucks for them, but I don't see any team that could be moved instead of them. Wonder if they were asked to suggest a team to take their place in the division?

You guys should end up back in the Southern Division if you get promoted from the NPLD1S right Jemfy?
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Evesham's plan is for Taunton to get promoted, meaning Stamford to be re-relegated. This would push Corby from the SLPD to the NPLPD and Stamford to take the place in the NPLD1S, with Taunton in the SLPD - effectively directly swapping Taunton and Cinderford from the original placings before Cinderford refused promotion.

That would actually be good for us for a couple of reasons, Stamford would be really close to us giving us a more local game in the NPLD1S, and they have signed a few of our players from last season - players who might reconsider should we want them.

As things stand, we would almost certainly be shifted back to the Southern League should we win promotion as both Kettering and Corby are more or less directly north of us and play in that division, but should they both leave one way or another it's possible we'll be asked to play in the NPLPD should we go up.
 

JJ1532

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
3,014
Reaction score
861
Points
113
Location
Hong Kong
Supports
Crewe Alex
Why wasn't that suggested in the first place? Taunton wouldn't have complained and Stamford could have hardly kicked off either. They were in a relegation spot when the season ended, so they get relegated. Simple. As per, the non-leagues making things hard for themselves.
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
It's been Evesham's desired outcome since they appealed. It's taken too long to get to this point for that to be enacted though.

I'm also sure the FA won't do it as it could be seen as setting a strange precedent. Teams not getting promoted for whatever reason has historically resulted in reprieves. As difficult as the situation is for Evesham, it's the correct decision.

As I've said elsewhere is this is a symptom of a different problem - the structure of promotions from below and relative lack of promotions from the northern step 5 divisions.
 

JJ1532

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
3,014
Reaction score
861
Points
113
Location
Hong Kong
Supports
Crewe Alex
Well, Evesham were successful in their appeal. Cinderford forced into the Southern League Premier Division, Corby switched back to the NPL Premier Division and Stamford re-relegated to the NPL 1st Division South. Surprising, but it might be the fair outcome. No appeal on the decision as well it seems. Can't imagine Corby care too much. Stamford seem a little disappointed, which is understandable, but they had to know this was a possibility. The were lucky to get a reprieve in the first place.

Good to see thats done and dusted, even if the teams involved(bar Evesham) might not be best pleased by the disruption.

As an aside, why are Cinderford up shit creek due to promotion? I mean, at this level, how significant are the costs of promotion and why might it lead to them getting into difficulties?
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Corby care. Corby definitely care. They would have had derby games against Kettering and a shorter average journey in the SPL I believe, not to mention that was the division they won 2 seasons ago.

As you say, possibly the most fair result. Cinderford will just get tonked every week in that league most likely with a really cheap squad.

Be interesting to see what happens to Stamford and the players they "signed" from us... (n.b. they can't have signed before July 1st unless they sign contracts).
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
We're still waiting to make any signing announcements until the registration period opens and the players actually sign terms with the club. In the meantime however it might interest some on here to see the latest signing for Nottingham based money club Basford United, who also play in the NPLD1S.

Rob Duffy (pen).

Their rise has mirrored ours, but has been based off of a wallet rather than crowds. It's a huge drop down from Conference North level for Duffy, and last I heard he still lived in Irthlingborough, which means if we were aware of his availability then we either didn't want or couldn't afford him - I suspect the latter.

They've also added Aaron Hooton from Coalville in the NPL and Anthony Howell who has played in the conference for Mansfield and Alfreton.

Looks like Basford are going to be one of the teams to beat in this division, and it looks like it's going to be far stronger than the SLPD1C was last season. Hopefully our signings will be up to scratch!
 

DarkSithLord

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
11,121
Reaction score
3,359
Points
113
Location
Derbyshire
Supports
Alfreton
Twitter
@LiamHenton
We're still waiting to make any signing announcements until the registration period opens and the players actually sign terms with the club. In the meantime however it might interest some on here to see the latest signing for Nottingham based money club Basford United, who also play in the NPLD1S.

Rob Duffy (pen).

Their rise has mirrored ours, but has been based off of a wallet rather than crowds. It's a huge drop down from Conference North level for Duffy, and last I heard he still lived in Irthlingborough, which means if we were aware of his availability then we either didn't want or couldn't afford him - I suspect the latter.

They've also added Aaron Hooton from Coalville in the NPL and Anthony Howell who has played in the conference for Mansfield and Alfreton.

Looks like Basford are going to be one of the teams to beat in this division, and it looks like it's going to be far stronger than the SLPD1C was last season. Hopefully our signings will be up to scratch!

You have nothing to worry about with Anthony Howell who has also played several games in League 2 for Mansfield. He is very lazy,clumsy and awful. He was at Carlton last season who very nearly where relegated.
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Another loss is Dan Quigley going back to Kings Lynn, who he joined us from last season. Quigley has had his problems off the pitch which lead to him leaving us during the season, but he seemed to get them under control and rejoined - becoming a very important player in the centre of midfield. During the period he was gone we really missed him, so we will need to work hard to find a replacement combative CM with good attacking sense, or change our style of play.

It's getting a bit annoying that we are hearing all the news of players leaving and joining other teams, while we are waiting for the registration period to open in order to actually make any announcements. We'll have to wait and see what happens next week, but I am hopeful that we've kept the core of the squad - most of whom have been quiet on twitter, with a couple of returning players from previous spells with the club.

Jake Newman has shaken hands on a deal to return to the club after he was tempted away to Kettering following our promotion from UCL Div 1. Since then he's floated around, seeing out his contract with a number of loan appearances before having a reasonably successful season for Stamford last year in the NPL Prem.

The other player expected to return is of course Sam Brown, the left back who left the club to go traveling part way through last season. Sam has been with us since the first game and is pretty consistently one of the first names on the team sheet when available. Hopefully his time off won't have dulled him at all. He's Diamonds through and through, and a future captain if he decides to stick with us in the long term.
 

Crewelad87

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2015
Messages
3,025
Reaction score
543
Points
113
Location
Crewe
Supports
Crewe Alexandra
Nantwich have lost Osbourne (Fleetwood) Moran (Forest Green) and Kosylo (Halifax) 3 key players from last season, will be hard to replace.
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
We had a big squad update over the weekend, so here is all the news, there will be a bunch of trialists of course during friendlies, and anyone who played for us last season who isn't listed will be undecided either way I guess. All information is as per our official site.

New Signings:
Jake Newman (Striker) - Former AFCR&D player come back. Left after winning UCL div 1, had a disappointing spell with Kettering, played well for Wellingborough in the UCL (though was poor when he faced us), stepped up and did well with both Spalding in this division and then Stamford in the division above. Still only 24 so room for growth as a player, but extremely one footed to the point his right is barely useful for standing on.
Pradeep Bahrey (Midfielder) - Stepping up from UCL/step 5 football for his first chance at step 4 I believe, a midfielder described as having filled many roles including on the wing.
Joe Curtis (Midfielder) - 22 year old midfielder played around this level, been with Brackley, Stamford, Spalding and Daventry. Played youth football with Leicester and then Southampton, released due to serious injury. Wide or central roles. I'd guess that he's going to be technically quite good for the level based on the youth career, but he's still around this level so you never know, could have good potential to develop late.
Sam Brown - LB - Returning from holiday essentially as he went traveling for 6 months, Sam will be welcomed back heartily by the fans, and he will be a captain one day if he stays long enough and desires it. He's a diamonds fan too, so unless he gets a calling from a higher level he should stick with us. If he does I hope he goes for it, he deserves a shot at going as far in the game as he can, but it has to be a significant step up, a lower step 3 team wouldn't be a good move.

For brevity the retained just as a list by position and then general comments at the end of each.
GK's
Matt Finlay
Alex Vitue

Finners has been really solid for us, so keeping the first choice is always good, nothing to complain about with youngster Vitue serving as backup, though I'm not sure how much competition he's going to give Finners who isn't getting any younger. Hopefully Alex will surprise some of us and take any chance he gets to impress.

Defenders:
Liam Dolman
Jack Ashton
Luke Hipwell

A solid pair of CBs in Dolman and Ashton who are probably as strong a pairing as you will find at this level. Hipwell is a decent backup fullback and can play in a number of positions but I struggle to see him starting too many games. With Sam Brown slotting in at LB we're crying out for a quality RB and a bit more cover. Ideally a CB who can cover FB or the other way around.

Midfielders:
Brad Harris
Richard Bunting
Tom Manship
Lewis Leslie
Joe Ackroyd

Leslie can play on the wing but is better through the centre, other than him these are all central players. Ackroyd is a youngster breaking through from the youth team which is good to see, hopefully he can force his way in to the first team squad and show his worth. Manship we didn't see much of last season, and what we did wasn't great. Bunts and Harris give us two solid defensive midfielders, both good but we can lack a certain creativity through the centre when we play both together. The new signings are already starting to address the issues on the wings, I'd like to see someone to really play that ACM or deep lying forward sort of role.

Forwards:
Tom Loarraine
Jon Stevenson
Nabil Shariff

Tom Lorraine has earned the nickname "shanks" for what he does to shots, but he's a hard worker who scores a solid amount, so it's hard to fault him too much, but he's far from a clinical finisher, he's a bit of an all rounder which can be his fault as he doesn't excell at any particular part of his game, reasonably quick for the level, decent touch, not bad in the air, just not outstanding in any of these qualities. Not sure how well he'd work together with Newman. Stevenson is hot and cold. On his day he's the best you will see at this level, but those seem to be 1 in 5 or even 1 in 10. Honestly I'd have considered letting him go, but he'd just turn up in an opposition team to punish us, probably a good head to have around for youngsters - I'd be very happy for him to prove me wrong and step it up this season. Nabs has dropped down the levels since the collapse of R&DFC, which while expected for a youngster is a bit disappointing as he had so much potential, maybe Peaksy can be the one to really start getting it out of him. Fast player who had a good touch and finish at the old club, but he's been unfit for his time since joining AFC. We've struggled a bit up top since Tommy Berwick decided step 4 football wasn't for him anymore and quit.

Players who have gone:
Tom Liversedge (striker) - Retired - feel sorry for anyone retiring through injury, and he was a decent but not outstanding player for us.
Claudiu Hoban (winger) - Relocating - moving for work, otherwise he would have been top of the "must keep" list. Had some colder spells during the colder months but could win games for us on his own.
Elliot Sandy (striker) - Stamford - Jumped ship a bit early to go a level up, and then ends up staying at step 4 in the same division. Don't blame him for it, but don't overly miss him either. He'll probably score against us, he wasn't terrible, just no better than the others we had IMO.
Andy Hall (winger) - Stamford - Same as Sandy, jumping to go up. More consistently decent performer who will be missed.
Jack Bowen (striker) - Brackley - Joined us on dual reg with Cogenhoe and then joined up with the squad towards the end of the season where he was a revelation for us after hitting about 30 in the UCL. Like Will Grigg he was on fire, and defenses were terrified. All the best on the big move up two levels, hopefully it inspires other players that we're a club that can get you a bit of limelight and opportunities to move up if you're good enough.
Dan Quigley (attacking midfeilder) - Kings Lynn - A little disappointed in Quigs here to be honest, but he's going back to his mates over there from whom he joined us. Probably didn't fancy the travelling, was the ACM player we really needed, and when he went we really missed him.
Shawn Richards (winger) - (no club yet) - Big loss IMO, moved to get first team football at step 3 in the NPLP and didn't get it so came back, so it's not the travelling that's the issue here. Most consistent of the wingers we had, and a big loss. Could also do a job up front when asked in shortages.
[Edit: loan spells of Connor Kennedy and Robbie Parsons ended. Kennedy was a good performer at RB but Corby wanted to keep him sadly for us, Parsons had potential clearly but not enough for me to be overly bothered either way on him]

Regarding the players who have left, Peaksy implied that some were wanted but moved for more money saying "At this time of year every club has a full budget and some have had their heads turned because of what people say they can offer". It was also revealed we tried to bring back Jake Newman last January but he wanted to try step 3 with Stamford so he went there, and Joe Curtis was wanted too, but we had too many midfielder so he went elsewhere.
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Fixtures are out as of 9am this morning.

AFCR&D begin life in the North at Newcastle Town (Newcastle-Under-Lyme that is), taking place on Saturday 13th August. This should be about an average game at this level for us, with Newcastle having finished 14th last season. I've heard nothing major from them in terms of moves either in or out.

The first home game will be on the following Tuesday where we play Chasetown (7th last season) for a bit of a test as to where we can expect to be.

Other fixtures of interest are around Christmas - we've got Chasetown away on Christmas Eve as well as Stamford at home on boxing day! Away at Bedworth on the new years bank holiday (Mon 2nd).

Given the distances involved the list of teams we play on midweek evenings are as follows (barring postponements of course):
Chastwown (H) 16th Aug
Rugby Town (A) 20th Sep
Romulus (H) 27th Sep
Belper (A) 18th Oct
Spalding (A) 1st Nov
Rugby Town (H) 6th Dec
Spalding (H) 28th Feb

So just 7 midweek evening fixture dates, avoiding most of the depths of winter, with Spalding and Rugby both home and away. Overall a good job by the NPL fixtures secretary to minimise midweek travel to/from us. Spalding and Rugby are two of our closes games, while games against Stamford take place on bank holiday dates.

Bit of an oversight IMO is that we are playing away at Witton Albion (one of our longest trips) on the first date that a game could be postponed should either team make the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup. Also on the flip side the 2nd qualifying round of the Trophy takes place on the day that Northwich Victoria are due to visit us (presumably we will be their furthest away trip too).
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Big and potentially devastating news for AFCR&D - the landlord for the Dog & Duck has invoked the 1 year break clause on the lease, meaning both clubs are to be out by the end of may 2017. WTFC believe this will be the end of them.

For us it's about securing somewhere up to standard (or securing and getting up to standard) before the ground grading deadline on 31st March. There aren't many suitable facilities around the local area, and we could be in for a lot of expense bringing something up to scratch if we can find and improve a site in time.
 

Raymondo316

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2015
Messages
2,551
Reaction score
1,059
Points
113
Location
Maidstone
Supports
Maidstone United
Would going back to Nene Park be an option??
 

JaredSUFC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
2,841
Reaction score
1,122
Points
113
Location
Swansea
Supports
Sutton United FC
Twitter
@suttonjared
Big and potentially devastating news for AFCR&D - the landlord for the Dog & Duck has invoked the 1 year break clause on the lease, meaning both clubs are to be out by the end of may 2017. WTFC believe this will be the end of them.

For us it's about securing somewhere up to standard (or securing and getting up to standard) before the ground grading deadline on 31st March. There aren't many suitable facilities around the local area, and we could be in for a lot of expense bringing something up to scratch if we can find and improve a site in time.

Saw this. What a horrid break. As Raymondo says above, is Nene Park not a viable option, for both AFCRD and Wellingborough?
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Would going back to Nene Park be an option??

Comes up every time we have ground issues. Short answer no. Much longer answer...

My personal opinion is never say never, however there are currently too many obstacles in place.

First of all it is still owned by Cousins/Conalgen, meaning we would have to form a working relationship with the man that killed our club and took control of the site while avoiding personal consequences by shifting it on to a fall guy. It's also debatable as to the extent to which it was actively tried but there was some effort to merge us with Kettering and then when we went over to get our fans to defect because they started playing at Nene Park.

Secondly there is the running costs of the place. Again there is some confusion as to exactly how bad this is and what could be done to cut them down. During the last election the Labour candidate got very involved and suggested there could be a way of running it as a community led project that would generate a cash surplus based on the power company being willing to remove the expensive piece of architecture on the site (I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was a 5 or 6 figure annual cost IIRC). While there were other issues going on for both clubs the ground was largely blamed for financial issues for both R&DFC and KTFC. A running cost of approximately £1k per day was touted by those who ran R&DFC, but it was also in their interests to talk up the costs.

There is the emotion. A lot of the fanbase are really split on the whole thing. Some would like to see us back there some day actively hoping for a solution, while others suggest they wouldn't follow the club should it go there. It's a highly emotive issue not helped by Cousins renaming the Peter De Banke terrace the Dale Roberts terrace - taking the naming away from Peter De Banke of course. That would be a highly emotive issue which a decision would have to be made on.

The size is largely impractical. Because of the design it needs about 2,000 in to feel like there is much atmosphere most of the time. With running costs etc needing to be generated it would be difficult to do this without really low ticket prices. Right now if we moved there on our current ticket prices (and all other obstacles were removed) I'd suggest we'd get something like 750 average gates, maybe up to 1,000 - still well short of where it needs to be.

The owners currently want to knock the place down. They've submitted planning applications to do so twice, the first time withdrawing on advice before submitting again and having it rejected last week. Now they are in the period where they are able to consider appealing the decision to reject planning permission. Their plans for the site do not include football being played on any part of it (despite their offer to put a pitch in at the very end of the site - it was without space for facilities etc).

Finally there are the practicalities. The site is largely dilapidated, hugely damaged. It will take a lot of time and money to get it in working order should it become available as an option. If it became available right now for free with someone footing all of the running costs I would expect that it would be a difficult task to get it ready for the ground grading deadline - the point at which we need to have something ready for next season (late March?).
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
As a fan I can only really focus on what is on the pitch for now. Not really anything I can do to affect the ground situation, maybe buy some lottery tickets!...

Preseason friendlies seem to be going well. We've had 4 games now and 4 wins (well 3 wins in 90 mins and a win on penalties). Results to date:
Rushden & Higham 1 - 4 AFC R&D
AFCR&D 2 - 2 Peterborough XI (NFA Maunsell cup, AFCR&D win 4-2 on pens)
Deeping Rangers 2 - 3 AFCR&D
AFCR&D 2 - 1 Wellingborough Town

The lack of a clean sheet is slightly worrying. We're keeping mostly the same players on trial who haven't signed up yet, which is good though - if they are good enough it's less upheaval in the squad and a more gelled first team come the real kick off. The down side is no official announcements of any of them actually signing the registration forms. Hopefully that comes soon.

3 friendlies left, Didcot (H), Raunds (A) and Hedneseford (A). Raunds becomes a much more interesting fixture now with the ground news as we played there in our first season as an U18's side. There would be a lot of work required to get it up to Step 4 standard though, let alone to let us get promoted and play there... The other two matches represent sterner tests much nearer to the standard of an average league match for us next season. Didcot were mid-table in the S&W last season while Hednesford were relegated to the NPL giving a really tough final match. I seriously doubt we will end the preseason with the 100%* record. The clean sheet has to be targeted against Raunds, to at least get one under the belt.

*(after pens)
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Bit of a monster post here as I'm catching up on a couple of weeks worth of news.

Preseason has continued with us conceding in every match. We beat Raunds 4-1, but we failed to score against either Didcot (lost 1-0) or Hednesford (lost 2-0) - which means we have only scored against lower opposiiton in preseason! All in all if you just look at results, it's not a very encouraging start, at least we beat all of the lower teams, and a Peterborough XI on pens - though we did score in normal time in that game.

It's been signing season for us now, first we signed up:

Robbie Parsons - Forward - Mentioned above, played a little for us last season, was 50/50 on him either way, happy for him to be given a chance as it doesn't seem to be taking one away from anyone else.
Kyal McNulty - Defender/Midfielder - seems to have been around the block at step 4 somewhat. Age 25 so around the middle of his career.
James Harvey - Winger - Youth team player who has signed up to be a member of the senior squad for the season. Exciting prospect by all accounts, just hope he gets the playing time to develop and deliver. It's in his hands to force his way in to the team given our relative lack of wide players.

Over the weekend we realised some of the trialists should probably sign forms so they can play some league games for us starting on Saturday! Those guys are:

Nic Evangelinos - Winger - 21 year old formerly with Banbury, Ashton United, and West Disbury & Chorlton. Preseason reviews have been OK but not exactly electric. He gets the shot for competitive games for now.
Taylor Orosz - Winger - 20 year old, similar to Nic, more local though having featured for Kepston and Cogenhoe as well as the U21 side of a certain club up the road
Lewis Jackson - Defender - Left sided player apparently, "mid twenties", played for Corby Desborough and Stamford, which is an interesting jump all over the levels (step 2/3 with Corby, depending on when exactly it was, and step 5 with Desborough). CV a little too good to label him as backup to Sam Brown, but maybe he will get a shot at CB or a chance on the right? Maybe he'll compete with Brown for the starting spot.
Ross Oulton - Midfielder - 25 year old comes over from Leamington, possibly a really good signing dropping down from a step 3 playoff side - though I don't know how much he played for them.

Today we've gotten another on board:

Aiden Bradshaw - Right back - 21 year old. We've finally signed a RB! He can also play RM, though I would anticipate that given our complete lack of a RB there is little to no chance he'll play further forwards.

All these signings mean that we now have everyone except for the sub goalkeeper who featured in our final preseason game signed up. The only other one worth mentioning is a striker that had some of our fans a little excited about his ability, but unless or until he's signed up I'm not giving him free publicity ;).

Current squad count according to our OS (http://www.afcdiamonds.com/201617-player-and-management-profiles)
GK - 2
Def - 7
Mid - 9
FW - 7
Total: 25

Worth noting that a couple of those players haven't featured in preseason for us. I can't see any mention of Jon Stevenson. Pradeep Bahrey disappeared after the first pre-season match. Tom Manship also appears to have been mostly absent. Also Joe Curtis has chipped a bone and will be unavailable for about 6 weeks.

I don't particularly expect anyone in, and we could easily see some go. As ever squads will be changing all the way through the season. So far I expect us to be a little weaker than last season. Defensively we should be more or less the same, with the same personnel starting in most positions. In midfield there has been a lot of change, and it's almost hitting the reset button up front. I'm not confident either position has gotten much better, and I worry we've lost a pair of really good players out wide who may or may not have been adequately replaced.

If we're about the same then that would probably see us fall just short of the playoffs in a division which we expect to be stronger at the top end than the SLD1C was. As I said, it will change through the season, but I feel we are lacking that 20 goal a season man that anyone who wants to be at the business end of a division needs. Instead we have gambles on some players with history with the club who might be able to do it.
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Looks like that is it squad wise before the big kick off on Saturday. Peaksy declared himself happy with the squad. No new striker to come in, and I suspect a couple are going out. Pradeep Bahrey hasn't been seen since the first friendly game, and Luke Hipwell has already got himself cup tied for the FA Cup having played for Wisbech in their game.

The first week of the season will be a busy one. First we face Newcastle Town away and then on Tuesday we have our first Northern League home game against Chasetown, with the FA Cup game following against Northampton Sileby Rangers.
 

JJ1532

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
3,014
Reaction score
861
Points
113
Location
Hong Kong
Supports
Crewe Alex
Ilkeston have been suspended from playing in the Premier Division by the league. Wow. Wonder if this will get resolved before the season starts?
 

Harrier94

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
3,545
Reaction score
1,023
Points
113
Location
Kidderminster
Supports
Kidderminster Harriers
This all seems like it's been left to the last minute. We can presume Ilkeston won't be playing their game on Saturday so what happens say in a few weeks if it gets overturned?
 

JJ1532

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
3,014
Reaction score
861
Points
113
Location
Hong Kong
Supports
Crewe Alex
You'd imagine any games that they now can't play will simply be postponed and made up at a later date.
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
This all seems like it's been left to the last minute. We can presume Ilkeston won't be playing their game on Saturday so what happens say in a few weeks if it gets overturned?

Presumably the league makes one of two decisions:
1. All games missed are postponed, meaning Ilkeston are playing catchup all season
2. All games missed are forefeited - Automatic 3-0 loss.

I'd anticipate the first, but it might easily be the second.

Anyone heard what rule they are meant to have broken?
 

Harrier94

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
3,545
Reaction score
1,023
Points
113
Location
Kidderminster
Supports
Kidderminster Harriers
Presumably the league makes one of two decisions:
1. All games missed are postponed, meaning Ilkeston are playing catchup all season
2. All games missed are forefeited - Automatic 3-0 loss.

I'd anticipate the first, but it might easily be the second.

Anyone heard what rule they are meant to have broken?

From Ilkeston

"It is a fact that the club owes money to football creditors (namely, clubs) in relation to historic matters and that – in view of the speculation about the club now being in receipt of substantial funds following the sale of Che Adams from Sheffield United to Birmingham City - debts have been chased more aggressively. This has resulted in our suspension, but provided we are able to pay the football clubs what they are due, it will be lifted."

http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/club-statement
 

JaredSUFC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
2,841
Reaction score
1,122
Points
113
Location
Swansea
Supports
Sutton United FC
Twitter
@suttonjared
Presumably the league makes one of two decisions:
1. All games missed are postponed, meaning Ilkeston are playing catchup all season
2. All games missed are forefeited - Automatic 3-0 loss.

I'd anticipate the first, but it might easily be the second.

Anyone heard what rule they are meant to have broken?

Kingstonian were suspended at the start of the 02/03 season and had to play all their missed games once they were allowed to start the season
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
From Ilkeston

"It is a fact that the club owes money to football creditors (namely, clubs) in relation to historic matters and that – in view of the speculation about the club now being in receipt of substantial funds following the sale of Che Adams from Sheffield United to Birmingham City - debts have been chased more aggressively. This has resulted in our suspension, but provided we are able to pay the football clubs what they are due, it will be lifted."

http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/club-statement

That makes sense, I imagine it will be solved soon enough. Weird that Ilkeston owe enough to other clubs to cause this situation and they wait for the knowledge that Ilkeston have some income. I can only assume the club(s) owed must have been pushing through normal channels for quite some time.
 

Jemfy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
303
Points
83
Supports
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Kingstonian were suspended at the start of the 02/03 season and had to play all their missed games once they were allowed to start the season

While that is the fairest solution, you never know with football authorities
 

Forum statistics

Threads
16,422
Messages
1,189,929
Members
8,392
Latest member
feby2112

Latest posts

Stronger Security, Faster Connections with VPN at IPVanish.com!

SITE SPONSORS

W88 W88 trang chu KUBET Thailand
Fun88 12Bet Get top UK casino bonuses for British players in casinos not on GamStop
The best ₤1 minimum deposit casinos UK not on GamStop Find the best new no deposit casino get bonus and play legendary slots Best UK online casinos list 2022
No-Verification.Casino Casinos that accept PayPal Top online casinos
sure.bet
Need help with your academic papers? Customwritings offers high-quality professionals to write essays that deserve an A!
Top