Source: The Star
FRICKLEY Athletic booked their place in the semi-finals of the Doodson Sport League Cup after coming from a goal down to beat FC United of Manchester 3-1 last night.
Mike Norton gave United a seventh minute lead which the visitors held until the 42nd minute when Kelvin Bleau made a made an excellent run unto the box before firing home the leveller. Within two minutes Frickley had turned the tie on its head as defender Stuart Ludlam outjumped the United defence to bullet home a header to send the hosts in 2-1 up.
Frickley came close to extending the lead just after the break only for Peter Knox to fire a geat chance over the crossbar when the veteran striker ought to have done better.However, the Blues grabbed the third on 72 minutes when Danny Walsh slotted home after Ryan Mallon had laid the ball off from a James Ashmore cross.
In the Baris NCEL Premier Division, Armthorpe Welfare came away from Nostell MW with a 1-1 draw. James Eyre’s gave the home side 54th minute but Armthorpe levelled with six minutes left, James Walker latching onto a ball over the defence to score from a tight angle. The visitors almost snatched three points in the last minute when Joe Lumsden’s shot was brilliantly pushed round the post.
By Paul Webster Non-League
Published on Wednesday 15 February 2012 07:43
Showing posts with label The Star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Star. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Biting cold... icy challenge
Source: The Star
They breed ‘em tough in Stocksbridge.
You need a certain type of endurance to cope with the icy weather on the tops - the coldest part of Sheffield, they claim - and the continued drain of steelwork jobs out of the once-thriving valley.
It has been a chill wind that has been blowing through the local non-league football club, too.
Stocksbridge Park Steels have seen eight of their scheduled games fall victim to wintry conditions and now face a backlog that sets a head-scratching problem to the fixture-setters.
Last Saturday, just when you thought the first signs of Spring might be on their way, their match against top of the table Halifax Town was frozen off.
It was yet another game to add to the cluttered list.
The club’s pragmatic Chairman Allen Bethel says: “We have got eight home games, eight local cup finals, a couple of Sheffield Wednesday reserve games to fit in and neither the second team nor the over 35s have played at home since November!
“I have never known it so bad. But, at the end of the day, it is just something you have to deal with.
“We are sometimes two and a half degrees colder than other places in Sheffield - last weekend we had three inches of snow.”
Steels, who will, at least, see their coffers filled on Saturday afternoon when the well-supported FC United of Manchester come calling in the Evo-Stik Premier game, always try and turn negatives into positives.
“Looking at the table, we have a 50-50 chance of relegation (they are three points ahead of the drop zone) but we have a great fighting spirit here” said Bethel.
“As a club, we stick together. Some people like Darren Schofield, Brett Lovell and Andy Ring have been here for years and that helps with the spirit and camaraderie. All of our matches will be like cup finals from now on.”
Steels take on an FC United team that has zipped from the lower reaches of the league to seventh position and are unbeaten in their last five.
“United have re-shaped their defence because it was wide open earlier in the season” said Bethel.
“Then, they were playing all their defenders on the half way line. We put four past them (away, last September) and Matlock got five against them.
But they are better now, they’ll be fancying the Play Offs and it will be a tough game for us.
“It will be a good atmosphere - and not just because we are the highest altitude team in the area!”
Saturday’s FC date should attract 500-750 fans - their earlier fixture at Stalybridge saw a crowd of 1,793. Steels, who played Buxton last night, also have a game on Tuesday, versus Burscough.
They breed ‘em tough in Stocksbridge.
You need a certain type of endurance to cope with the icy weather on the tops - the coldest part of Sheffield, they claim - and the continued drain of steelwork jobs out of the once-thriving valley.
It has been a chill wind that has been blowing through the local non-league football club, too.
Stocksbridge Park Steels have seen eight of their scheduled games fall victim to wintry conditions and now face a backlog that sets a head-scratching problem to the fixture-setters.
Last Saturday, just when you thought the first signs of Spring might be on their way, their match against top of the table Halifax Town was frozen off.
It was yet another game to add to the cluttered list.
The club’s pragmatic Chairman Allen Bethel says: “We have got eight home games, eight local cup finals, a couple of Sheffield Wednesday reserve games to fit in and neither the second team nor the over 35s have played at home since November!
“I have never known it so bad. But, at the end of the day, it is just something you have to deal with.
“We are sometimes two and a half degrees colder than other places in Sheffield - last weekend we had three inches of snow.”
Steels, who will, at least, see their coffers filled on Saturday afternoon when the well-supported FC United of Manchester come calling in the Evo-Stik Premier game, always try and turn negatives into positives.
“Looking at the table, we have a 50-50 chance of relegation (they are three points ahead of the drop zone) but we have a great fighting spirit here” said Bethel.
“As a club, we stick together. Some people like Darren Schofield, Brett Lovell and Andy Ring have been here for years and that helps with the spirit and camaraderie. All of our matches will be like cup finals from now on.”
Steels take on an FC United team that has zipped from the lower reaches of the league to seventh position and are unbeaten in their last five.
“United have re-shaped their defence because it was wide open earlier in the season” said Bethel.
“Then, they were playing all their defenders on the half way line. We put four past them (away, last September) and Matlock got five against them.
But they are better now, they’ll be fancying the Play Offs and it will be a tough game for us.
“It will be a good atmosphere - and not just because we are the highest altitude team in the area!”
Saturday’s FC date should attract 500-750 fans - their earlier fixture at Stalybridge saw a crowd of 1,793. Steels, who played Buxton last night, also have a game on Tuesday, versus Burscough.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Breaking: Fans invited to buy soccer ground
Source: The Star
Published Date: 21 September 2010
LOCAL non-league teams like Stocksbridge, Retford, Worksop, Matlock and Buxton could be playing a team soon whose ground has been paid for by a unique public share issue.
Evo-Stik premier side FC United of Manchester - comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Stocksbridge Park Steels last Saturday - is pioneering a new model in football finance with the launch today of a £1.5m community share fund.
The club, founded five years ago by Manchester United fans, is giving supporters and the wider community the chance to "invest in its future" by buying shares to raise funds for the development of a new £3.5m stadium, close to United's birthplace in Newton Heath.
The 5,000-capacity stadium will be the first permanent home for the club, which currently plays at Bury FC's ground.
FC have a history of community sports involvement and say the share issue is intended to stiumlate this further.
Here they have something in common with Sheffield FC, who also do much good at grassroots level in the community and are also eyeing a new stadium, in Heeley's Olive Grove area.
FC hopes the share issue will raise £1.5m of the total cost of the stadium, with an equal amount coming from grant funding.
The club will also raise £500,000 through donations, with £300,000 of that already raised.
FC operates under a one member one vote system, which will remain unaffected by the share issue.
The main aim of the shares is to provide investors with a social return by funding the football and community objectives of FC United, but the club's business plan also provides for potential financial returns for shareholders.
Supporters, investors and companies can support the club's development by buying £1 shares from the minimum purchase of £200 up to £20,000.
Andy Walsh, FC United general manager, said: "FC United has achieved a great deal in the five years since its foundation, despite not having a permanent home. With our own ground and community facilities we can achieve much more, making the club sustainable and fulfilling our ambition to become a beacon showing a better way for football.
"Through the community share issue we can make that happen. At a time when many clubs are in debt or in the hands of major investors, we aim to demonstrate that there is a real alternative. We want to change the way football is run and financed by putting supporters at the heart of the game.
"We are offering supporters and others the chance to be part of this exciting development and help make football history. This is a landmark opportunity to invest in a club bringing football back to the heart of its communities and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."
The club, founded five years ago by Manchester United fans, is giving supporters and the wider community the chance to "invest in its future" by buying shares to raise funds for the development of a new £3.5m stadium, close to United's birthplace in Newton Heath.
The 5,000-capacity stadium will be the first permanent home for the club, which currently plays at Bury FC's ground.
FC have a history of community sports involvement and say the share issue is intended to stiumlate this further.
Here they have something in common with Sheffield FC, who also do much good at grassroots level in the community and are also eyeing a new stadium, in Heeley's Olive Grove area.
FC hopes the share issue will raise £1.5m of the total cost of the stadium, with an equal amount coming from grant funding.
The club will also raise £500,000 through donations, with £300,000 of that already raised.
FC operates under a one member one vote system, which will remain unaffected by the share issue.
The main aim of the shares is to provide investors with a social return by funding the football and community objectives of FC United, but the club's business plan also provides for potential financial returns for shareholders.
Supporters, investors and companies can support the club's development by buying £1 shares from the minimum purchase of £200 up to £20,000.
Andy Walsh, FC United general manager, said: "FC United has achieved a great deal in the five years since its foundation, despite not having a permanent home. With our own ground and community facilities we can achieve much more, making the club sustainable and fulfilling our ambition to become a beacon showing a better way for football.
"Through the community share issue we can make that happen. At a time when many clubs are in debt or in the hands of major investors, we aim to demonstrate that there is a real alternative. We want to change the way football is run and financed by putting supporters at the heart of the game.
"We are offering supporters and others the chance to be part of this exciting development and help make football history. This is a landmark opportunity to invest in a club bringing football back to the heart of its communities and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Steels foe who played with greats
Source: The Star
Published Date: 20 January 2010
By Bob Westerdale
Football
FOR three years, Adriano Rigoglioso lived the dream as a professional footballer, with Doncaster Rovers.
Sadly, like many fresh-faced prospects who hope the soccer world is at their feet, it didn't quite work out.
The midfielder whose skills were honed in the same Liverpool youth team line up as Michael Owen, Steve Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, slipped out of the Football League and down into the comparitive wilderness of non-league.
And when Rigoglioso returns to South Yorkshire on Saturday to debut for his latest non-League team, he might be forgiven for wondering what would have happened if he'd have made an impact in the same county, with Rovers.
The 30-year-old Scouser plays against Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Unibond Premier League for his new side FC United of Manchester.
Looking back at his time, in the pro ranks, he says: "Dave Penney brought me to Doncaster (2003; the season they were crowned third Division Champions ) but I didn't fit in with their style of play. I was used to playing in the hole behind a main striker but he preferred 4-4-2 with Leo Fortune-West and Gregg Blundell up front.
"The team was successful and I could never get settled. I had two knee operations; it wasn't the best of experiences."
The highpoints were a debut against Hull City and a volleyed goal from a Michael McIndoe corner in the LDV Vans trophy against Hereford.
A low point was being sent off for Rovers against Bradford, two minutes after coming on as a sub!
After 29 league games, mostly as sub, it was back to semi-pro obscurity with several teams before, on New Year's Eve, signing for FC, the club formed by renegade Manchester United fans.
"A win and maybe a goal at Stocksbridge would be a great start," said Rigoglioso, who supports neither Liverpool more Everton, but Palermo, because of his Italian dad's origins.
It's all very different to the lifestyle he could have enjoyed if he'd made it at Anfield. Does he keep in touch with the superstars of today?
"No," he laughed. "They live in a different world, don't they?"
Published Date: 20 January 2010
By Bob Westerdale
Football
FOR three years, Adriano Rigoglioso lived the dream as a professional footballer, with Doncaster Rovers.
Sadly, like many fresh-faced prospects who hope the soccer world is at their feet, it didn't quite work out.
The midfielder whose skills were honed in the same Liverpool youth team line up as Michael Owen, Steve Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, slipped out of the Football League and down into the comparitive wilderness of non-league.
And when Rigoglioso returns to South Yorkshire on Saturday to debut for his latest non-League team, he might be forgiven for wondering what would have happened if he'd have made an impact in the same county, with Rovers.
The 30-year-old Scouser plays against Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Unibond Premier League for his new side FC United of Manchester.
Looking back at his time, in the pro ranks, he says: "Dave Penney brought me to Doncaster (2003; the season they were crowned third Division Champions ) but I didn't fit in with their style of play. I was used to playing in the hole behind a main striker but he preferred 4-4-2 with Leo Fortune-West and Gregg Blundell up front.
"The team was successful and I could never get settled. I had two knee operations; it wasn't the best of experiences."
The highpoints were a debut against Hull City and a volleyed goal from a Michael McIndoe corner in the LDV Vans trophy against Hereford.
A low point was being sent off for Rovers against Bradford, two minutes after coming on as a sub!
After 29 league games, mostly as sub, it was back to semi-pro obscurity with several teams before, on New Year's Eve, signing for FC, the club formed by renegade Manchester United fans.
"A win and maybe a goal at Stocksbridge would be a great start," said Rigoglioso, who supports neither Liverpool more Everton, but Palermo, because of his Italian dad's origins.
It's all very different to the lifestyle he could have enjoyed if he'd made it at Anfield. Does he keep in touch with the superstars of today?
"No," he laughed. "They live in a different world, don't they?"
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Steels hopeful of FC United clash
Source: The Star
Published Date: 19 January 2010
By Bob Westerdale
STOCKSBRIDGE – Sheffield's North Pole – is hopeful it will be able to host a lucrative non-league game on Saturday, despite the threat of snow on high ground tomorrow.
Park Steels, the Unibond Premier Division side, are hoping their money-spinning date with FC United of Manchester – and their legions of travelling fans – will go ahead.
Chairman Allen Bethel said: "We have had two big falls of snow up here, one 10 inches in depth and a second one of four inches.
"But there has been a remarkable change to the ground in the last day or two and we are really quite hopeful it will go ahead.
"Most of the pitch's grass is visible now and it has not flooded, which is encouraging. Things have been improving by the day and any snow tomorrow might be 'wet snow.'
"Obviously more away fans will travel if the game is on a Saturday than midweek."
Manager Simon Collins said: "The groundsman is working on it and we want it to be on, the lads haven't played football for nearly a month."
Steels' last game was a 3-2 defeat at Boston United on Boxing Day.
Stocksbridge will also be seeking revenge over FC – the club set up by Manchester United fans rebelling over the Glazer family dynasty takeover at Old Trafford.
FC beat Stocksbridge 4-3 in October at their ground-share home at Bury.
"We were 3-1 up and a few weak refereeing decisions cost us. It was the first experience for our players playing in the environment of a league ground with 2,000 supporters. It was an intimidating place to play, said Collins"
Collins' side are eighth in the division, while FC are third from bottom.
"United are an attacking side although they have been struggling of late. But anybody can beat anybody in this league on their day" added Collins.
FC brought around 1,000 fans to Sheffield FC for the 3-1 FA Cup victory in Dronfield in August.
Published Date: 19 January 2010
By Bob Westerdale
STOCKSBRIDGE – Sheffield's North Pole – is hopeful it will be able to host a lucrative non-league game on Saturday, despite the threat of snow on high ground tomorrow.
Park Steels, the Unibond Premier Division side, are hoping their money-spinning date with FC United of Manchester – and their legions of travelling fans – will go ahead.
Chairman Allen Bethel said: "We have had two big falls of snow up here, one 10 inches in depth and a second one of four inches.
"But there has been a remarkable change to the ground in the last day or two and we are really quite hopeful it will go ahead.
"Most of the pitch's grass is visible now and it has not flooded, which is encouraging. Things have been improving by the day and any snow tomorrow might be 'wet snow.'
"Obviously more away fans will travel if the game is on a Saturday than midweek."
Manager Simon Collins said: "The groundsman is working on it and we want it to be on, the lads haven't played football for nearly a month."
Steels' last game was a 3-2 defeat at Boston United on Boxing Day.
Stocksbridge will also be seeking revenge over FC – the club set up by Manchester United fans rebelling over the Glazer family dynasty takeover at Old Trafford.
FC beat Stocksbridge 4-3 in October at their ground-share home at Bury.
"We were 3-1 up and a few weak refereeing decisions cost us. It was the first experience for our players playing in the environment of a league ground with 2,000 supporters. It was an intimidating place to play, said Collins"
Collins' side are eighth in the division, while FC are third from bottom.
"United are an attacking side although they have been struggling of late. But anybody can beat anybody in this league on their day" added Collins.
FC brought around 1,000 fans to Sheffield FC for the 3-1 FA Cup victory in Dronfield in August.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
WONDER SAVE: Hucknall Town penalty heartbreak - VIDEO
Source: The Star
Published Date: 17 November 2009
By Bob Westerdale
WATCH this super save which stopped Hucknall Town from a chance to draw level after they had trailed 3-0 to FC United of Manchester.
The Notts side looked well and truly out of last Saturday's Unibond League, Premier Division game at half time.
A stirring rally brought them two goals - and the chance to level or even win as the tide turned their way.
But Laurie Wilson's hard-hit spot-kick was sensationally saved by FC keeper Sam Ashton, much to the delight of 400 travelling Mancunians.
Watch Sam Ashton's double-handed save - this video can also be viewed on the iPhone. CLICK HERE.
Retford United are currently top of the division with Stocksbridge Park Steels in fifth. Worksop Town are 15th.
Do you have any amazing video clips of sporting action during your local league matches? E-mail us video clips, up to 8mb, or above that send your links tostaronline@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk
Published Date: 17 November 2009
By Bob Westerdale
WATCH this super save which stopped Hucknall Town from a chance to draw level after they had trailed 3-0 to FC United of Manchester.
The Notts side looked well and truly out of last Saturday's Unibond League, Premier Division game at half time.
A stirring rally brought them two goals - and the chance to level or even win as the tide turned their way.
But Laurie Wilson's hard-hit spot-kick was sensationally saved by FC keeper Sam Ashton, much to the delight of 400 travelling Mancunians.
Watch Sam Ashton's double-handed save - this video can also be viewed on the iPhone. CLICK HERE.
Retford United are currently top of the division with Stocksbridge Park Steels in fifth. Worksop Town are 15th.
Do you have any amazing video clips of sporting action during your local league matches? E-mail us video clips, up to 8mb, or above that send your links tostaronline@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Bacon double for Town
Source: The Star
Published Date: 24 September 2009
By Paul Webster
Non-League
After going nine games without a win, Worksop Town have now won two in the space of five days as they followed up last weekend's 1-0 win over Marine by beating FC United of Manchester 3-1 at Ilkeston last night.
The visitors were reduced to ten-men in the 25th minute when Rob Nugent was sent-off for an innocuous challenge on Ben Tomlinson five minutes after being booked for a foul on Danny Bacon.
From the resultant Alex Callary free-kick Bacon powerfully
headed the Tigers in front from close range.
Worksop doubled their advantage as Tomlinson raced away to win a challenge with United keeper Sam Ashton .
Worksop made it 3-0 when Tomlinson's inch perfect cross was converted by Bacon. The visitors reduced the arrears eight minutes from time when a cross from Carlos Roca was headed home by Tong.
Published Date: 24 September 2009
By Paul Webster
Non-League
After going nine games without a win, Worksop Town have now won two in the space of five days as they followed up last weekend's 1-0 win over Marine by beating FC United of Manchester 3-1 at Ilkeston last night.
The visitors were reduced to ten-men in the 25th minute when Rob Nugent was sent-off for an innocuous challenge on Ben Tomlinson five minutes after being booked for a foul on Danny Bacon.
From the resultant Alex Callary free-kick Bacon powerfully
headed the Tigers in front from close range.
Worksop doubled their advantage as Tomlinson raced away to win a challenge with United keeper Sam Ashton .
Worksop made it 3-0 when Tomlinson's inch perfect cross was converted by Bacon. The visitors reduced the arrears eight minutes from time when a cross from Carlos Roca was headed home by Tong.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Bumper crowd expected for Manchester cup clash
Source: The Star
Published Date: 09 September 2009
By Bob Westerdale
THE sleepy town of Dronfield will reverberate to the sound of an army of 1,000 travelling Mancunians on Saturday.
Sheffield FC host FA Cup visitors FC United of Manchester, the club with the biggest following in non-league football.
FC - the club born of Old Trafford fans' dislike of corporate American ownership - will virtually take over the stadium.
But that could only stir up the home side, says Sheffield manager Chris Dolby.
"Having that amount of travelling fans in the ground could well be a big factor in the result, but I'm not sure who will actually benefit from it!" he said "Our flair players seem to like to get on the ball and attack more when there is a big crowd.
"It will be similar to when Sheffield United played us pre-season or the Ferencvaros game.
"The atmosphere could spur on our players - they certainly won't be intimidated by it."
Lower-league Sheffield, on a good day attract between 350 and 450 supporters at Dronfield. And Dolby says he hopes they and others turn up for the (3pm) FA Cup qualifier.
"If they raise their voices and get behind their team it will be even better," he said.
Sheffield will get a 50-50 split of the gate and they also have an eye on the £2,500 prize money should they get through.
"It would be great if we could improve on last season when we had to fight hard to beat Guiseley and eventually were knocked out by Blyth Spartans," said Dolby.
"We have got a few games to get through before we'd get to the first round proper.
"But if somebody was to have offered me a game against non-distinct opposition or FC United of Manchester, I'd have picked FC. The atmosphere will be fantastic."
FC are coming off a UniBond Premier League defeat at Kendal and are lying in ninth.
BT Local Business is Sheffield FC's new stadium sponsor.
Published Date: 09 September 2009
By Bob Westerdale
THE sleepy town of Dronfield will reverberate to the sound of an army of 1,000 travelling Mancunians on Saturday.
Sheffield FC host FA Cup visitors FC United of Manchester, the club with the biggest following in non-league football.
FC - the club born of Old Trafford fans' dislike of corporate American ownership - will virtually take over the stadium.
But that could only stir up the home side, says Sheffield manager Chris Dolby.
"Having that amount of travelling fans in the ground could well be a big factor in the result, but I'm not sure who will actually benefit from it!" he said "Our flair players seem to like to get on the ball and attack more when there is a big crowd.
"It will be similar to when Sheffield United played us pre-season or the Ferencvaros game.
"The atmosphere could spur on our players - they certainly won't be intimidated by it."
Lower-league Sheffield, on a good day attract between 350 and 450 supporters at Dronfield. And Dolby says he hopes they and others turn up for the (3pm) FA Cup qualifier.
"If they raise their voices and get behind their team it will be even better," he said.
Sheffield will get a 50-50 split of the gate and they also have an eye on the £2,500 prize money should they get through.
"It would be great if we could improve on last season when we had to fight hard to beat Guiseley and eventually were knocked out by Blyth Spartans," said Dolby.
"We have got a few games to get through before we'd get to the first round proper.
"But if somebody was to have offered me a game against non-distinct opposition or FC United of Manchester, I'd have picked FC. The atmosphere will be fantastic."
FC are coming off a UniBond Premier League defeat at Kendal and are lying in ninth.
BT Local Business is Sheffield FC's new stadium sponsor.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
NAKED FAN: Streaker at soccer match
Source: The Star
Bare face cheek at Retford v FC United of Manchester game
Published Date: 25 August 2009
By Bob Westerdale
RED FACED stewards at a non-league game may have some explaining to do after "turning the other cheek" when this streaker invaded the pitch.
The drink-fuelled travelling fan in his 30s stripped off in the Retford v FC United of Manchester game last Saturday and paraded himself in the penalty box.
Rather than being chucked out, he was returned to terracing behind the goal by stewards.
But the interruption not surprisingly unnerved Retford, who were leading 1-0 at that stage. FC United prompotly equalised - and the stripper returned for a second bash.
This time there was some naked aggression as he was flattened by a combination of a steward and a clearly angry Retford touch-line staff member.
*FC fans were involved in a brief punch-up with some locals in a corner of the ground at the game, played at Lincoln. One supporter in a wheelchair was caught up in the rumpus.
Bare face cheek at Retford v FC United of Manchester game
Published Date: 25 August 2009
By Bob Westerdale
RED FACED stewards at a non-league game may have some explaining to do after "turning the other cheek" when this streaker invaded the pitch.
The drink-fuelled travelling fan in his 30s stripped off in the Retford v FC United of Manchester game last Saturday and paraded himself in the penalty box.
Rather than being chucked out, he was returned to terracing behind the goal by stewards.
But the interruption not surprisingly unnerved Retford, who were leading 1-0 at that stage. FC United prompotly equalised - and the stripper returned for a second bash.
This time there was some naked aggression as he was flattened by a combination of a steward and a clearly angry Retford touch-line staff member.
*FC fans were involved in a brief punch-up with some locals in a corner of the ground at the game, played at Lincoln. One supporter in a wheelchair was caught up in the rumpus.
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