Archive News - Spring 2007

COUNTY CUP MAKES A COMEBACK	Notts F.A. County Cup Final - Wednesday 2 May 7.45pm. adults �8, concessions �5 and under 16�s just �1. Visit the Notts and Stags pages for the websites providing a build up to the match.
In its 70th year, the Nottinghamshire F.A. County Cup is making a comeback on Wednesday evening. Following years of dominance of the Notts F.A. Senior Cup by Notts County, Mansfield and Forest, in 1936 a separate competition was established for the counties three professional sides. A crowd of just over 3500 watched the inaugural match as County beat Forest 1-0. All three clubs have been paying exemption fees since 2002 due to fixture congestion. Holders Forest have decided to continue to opt out, therefore the Final will take place between County & Mansfield at Meadow Lane. 30 April 2020
JOY & WOE IN NORTH NOTTS	Champions! - Buoyant Badgers Read more about the days ups and down on the Retford United, Worksop Town, 1861, NCEL & Conference websites
There were mixed emotions this weekend for North Nottinghamshire clubs Worksop Town & Retford United. Worksop were relegated from the Conference North following a 'winner takes all' 2-1 defeat at Leigh RMI. However, at Cannon Park there were jubilant celebrations as Retford were crowned NCEL Champions, thumping Eccleshill 8-0. The Badgers will now take their place in the Unibond Northern League. They are likely to be joined by fellow Notts side, Carlton Town, who's dramatic last minute winner at Garforth secured third place over their rivals. Further down the ladder, Greenwood Meadows and Kimberley Town are relegated from the CML Supreme Division. 29 April 2007
EAGLE'S PAY THE PENALTY	Ritchie Butler holds aloft the Cup Read reports on the Eastwood Town, Arnold Who? & This is Nottingham websites.
Ex-Nottingham Forest keeper Ian Deakin was the hero as Eastwood Town edged out a plucky Arnold Town side on penalties in the Notts F.A.Senior Cup Final this evening. Neither side could muster a goal in a game that was as dour as the Meadow Lane weather, and penalties always looked on the cards. The Badgers players changed into t-shirts in memory of Daniel Bradshaw as they went up to receive their medals. Seven-year-old Daniel died tragically of meningitis in March this year. A fitting way to honour his life. My full match report, including exclusive photographs is now available by clicking here 26 April 2020
NOTTS F.A.SENIOR CUP FINAL - A BADGERS VIEW	Notts F.A. Senior Cup Final - this Thursday 26 April at Meadow Lane (kick-off 7.30pm). Admission �5 adults �2 concessions. Read more on the Badger's build up to the big game on the Official Eastwood Town & Eastwood Today websites. For details on the Badger's road to the final click here.
Eastwood Town Manager Paul Cox is taking nothing for granted as his side prepare for tonight's cup clash. The holders will start as firm favourites, having disposed of NCEL side Gedling Town 6-0 in the semi-final. However, Cox warned "It doesn't matter who we play in the final and whether we are favourites on not, we still have to earn the right to win the cup. Arnold may be in the league below us but they are on a great run at the moment. They will come at us and we have to not only match their desire but surpass it. If we can do that then hopefully things we are good at will shine through. It is all about attitude. Igf we turn up thinking we have aright to win, we will get beaten. But if we are committed and play to our abilities we can come out on top." 26 April 2020
NOTTS F.A.SENIOR CUP FINAL - AN EAGLES VIEW	Notts F.A. Senior Cup Final - this Thursday 26 April at Meadow Lane (kick-off 7.30pm). Admission �5 adults �2 concessions. Read more on the Eagle's build up to the big game on the Arnold Town websites and also the excellent Arnold Who? website. For details on the Eagle's road to the final click here.
Arnold Town are hoping that history will repeat itself as they take on Eastwood Town in the final of the Notts Senior Cup on Thursday night. The sides met in the final back in 2005, with the Eagles coming out on top through a wonder strike from the now departed Scott Huckerby. The two Clubs have dominated the competition over the last few years, and Eagles Manager Andy Muldoon is really looking forward to the tie. He commented �Beating Sutton Town 1-0 in the Senior Cup Semi Final was the highlight of the season to date. The fantastic support we have had from the fans this season has been quite unbelievable at this level of football. I believe that with the backing of the club, we can build on the foundations laid down this season, and look to challenge for honours next season, but first we have a small matter of the Notts Senior Cup against Eastwood Town this Thursday�. 24 April 2007
COTGRAVE CHAMPIONS	A new page dedicated to Cotgrave will be added to the site soon - watch this space! Meanwhile, if anyone has any celebratory photos from Platt Lane, please forward them to me and I'll put them on the site.
Congratulations to Cotgrave Welfare, who were crowned the Nottinghamshire Senior League Champions yesterday afternoon. A 1-0 win at local rivals Keyworth United was enough to ensure that Cotgrave broke Wollaton's struggle hold on the title. Despite what had been a closely fought contest all season, the side with seemingly more name changes than trophys in its history have managed to rap up the title with four games to spare. 22 April 2020
WELFARE IN WONDERLAND	Read a full match report on the CML forum. Sorry, no photos of the night (forgot camera!). Please can someone forward me any photos here.
Hot favourites Blidworth Welfare have ended an 81-year wait for a Notts F.A.Trophy. Welfare edged out plucky NAA side Bulwell 2-0 in the Intermediate Cup Final at Watnall Road, Hucknall in a tightly fought affair. The majority of the 301 crowd were delighted to see Bulwell take the game to Welfare during the first half. However, Welfare's superior class told in the end with two goals in the final 19 minutes settling the tie. 22 April 2020
STICKY SITUATION	Read more about this story on the Unibond & F.A. website
A major restructure of step 4 football is causing somewhat of a headache for our local leagues. The Football Association have confirmed that the Northern League (currently sponsored by Unibond) will expand into three leagues from next season. The Unibond will therefore require clubs to step up from the Northern Counties East League, which in turn could have a domino affect on the leagues below. The Ground Grading rules of the F.A. will have an impact on who can actually progress up the leagues, and thus a simple system of promotion and relegation is not an option. So far, Arnold Town, Carlton Town, Retford United and Sutton Town have all applied for Unibond membership from the NCEL. The F.A. will now switch its attentions to steps 5-7 for a restructure. 22 April 2020
MAKING THE GRADE	Read more about this story on the NSL, Notts F.A.& Matrixgrade websites. A dedicated Matrixgrade page will be added to this site over the summer.
Annesley-based Matrixgrade have had their application to join the NSL from next season accepted. The ambitious Bees, who are a sponsor of the recently crowned Ice Hockey Champions, Nottingham Panthers, have decided to move on from the Notts Amateur Alliance as part of their 5-year expansion plans. The Bees will take up a position in the First Division as they look to bed themselves in to what they perceive as an higher level of football for the Club. 22 April 2020
ROLLS ROYCE OVERHEAT	Read the full story on the unofficial CML forum
Rolls Royce Leisure have notched up a modern-day record - for all the wrong reasons. The CML outfit have set a modern-day record, amassing an astonishing fifteen reds cards so far this season. The Notts F.A. is now set to hand Leisure a significant fine. However, the Club protest their innocence, citing poor referring for many of the dismissals. 22 April 2020
LET THERE BE LIGHT	Read more about this story on the Forest Town website.
Forest Town's hope of erecting floodlights at their Academy Ground have moved a step closer. Over the winter months, CML sponsors, Abacus Lightening have been in negotiations with the Club on the potential illumination not just the football pitch, but also the surrounding cycle track. 22 April 2020
HARWORTH HOPPING MAD	CLOSING DATE FOR ADVANCED BOOKINGS: FRIDAY 30th MARCH 2007 FOR MORE INFO & TO BOOKING PLEASE E-MAIL: [email protected] or RING 01623 486678 AND SPEAK TO ROB HORNBY. Full match details can be found on the Unofficial CML forum.
Nottinghamshire's most northerly ground will be one of seven venues over the Easter weekend to host a groundhopping fest across seven locations in just over 31 hours. Harworth Colliery Institute's Recreation Ground will conclude Good Friday's fixtures with a 7.45pm kick off against Welbeck Welfare. A ticket and programme package for all seven games can be purchased in advance for �20. 12 March 2020
BASFORD TO MOUNT THE LADDER	Keep an eye on developments by visiting the Basford website
Basford United have applied to join the Central Midlands League from next season. The ambitious Nottingham-based club only joined the Nottinghamshire Senior League last season from the Notts Amateur Alliance, but are eager to progress up the football pyramid, not an option available through the NSL. News on who would replace them in the NSL has yet to be confirmed, though NAA outfit Matrixgrade are thought to be interested. 11 March 2007
BREATHING FIRE BACK INTO DRAGONS?	Santos F.C.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Santos Football Club are set to reform from next season - in the Notts Amateur Alliance. The Bilsthorpe outfit folded in June 2006 as Landlords Bilsthorpe Colliery refused to allow floodlights to be installed at the Club's Dragon's Lair home on Eakring Road. As a result, the ground failed to meet Step 7 standards which prevented them from being promoted to the CML Supreme Division. The Dragons now look set to divorce itself from the league pyramid, and apply for membership of the NAA from next season. 11 March 2020

A LOAD OF NEW BUL	Read more about the new club on the Bulwell Town website
In an exciting development for the future of football in the Bulwell area of Nottingham, two clubs have merged and moved to a plush new ground. Limekiln, of the NAA Premier Division, have linked link up with Bulwell Town, of the Notts Youth and Young Elizabethan Leagues. Limekiln, formed and named after a local pub in 2000, have given up both name and location in order to progress. Adopting the name Bulwell Town, the senior team will play at the Goosedale Sports Club in Bestwood Village, where the facilities include four pitches, a floodlit Astroturf surface and a clubhouse. The Bulls will continue in the NAA for the time being, though they have aspirations to move up to the Central Midlands League in the near future. 31 May 2020
WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED	Keep abreast of developments at Greenwich Avenue by visiting the Basford United website
Basford United have vowed to stand up to the vandals who have be causing so much damage to their Greenwich Avenue home. Manager Martin Soley commented, "The club and committee will be doing everything possible to elevate the damage being caused at the ground by working closely with the Council as well as the Police to raise awareness". He a also promised to weed out the culprits through extra vigilance, "The local lads who play on the pitch in the evenings have offered to look out and advise of anyone causing damage, and we will be assisting the Police with their investigations as well as increasing undercover security at the ground". Providing they win the battle, United intend to explore the possibility of developing Greenwich Avenue with improved general security and the installation of floodlights. 30 May 2020
PELICAN DIVE?	Read more about this story on the Bilborugh Pelican website.
Bilborough Pelican have tendered their resignation from the Central Midlands League. Ambitious plans to develop Birchover Park have been scuppered by the refusal of the local council to grant planning permission for floodlights and perimeter fencing. Pelican will therefore remain at what was intended to be their temporary home on Trentside Lane, Dunkirk. With Pelican Chairman Paul King having left, the pressures of pyramid football have forced a rethink on future strategy. Pelican have therefore applied for membership of the non-pyramid NSL from the beginning of next season. Pelican now face a �500 fine from the CML for late registration, which they claim could force them to fold, taking with them 23 years of history. 29 May 2020
EAGLES CLAIM COMPENSATION	Read the Club's full statement on the Official Arnold Town website. Keep up-to-date with proceedings via the All New Arnold Who? Eagle Valley Forum thread.
In yet another twist of events, Arnold Town have announced their intentions to seek a review of their eviction from Gedling Road. The Club will also be seeking �1.5m in compensation from the Charity Commission, the proposed sum required to build Eagle Valley. The main point of the Eagle's argument is maladministration. They claim the CC has not had a regard for local views, that not all the land belongs to the CC and that the CC were wrong to assert that only Arnold Town have access to the land (the Club have always allowed open access). Despite this new turn of events, the Club will still press ahead with work at Eagle Valley. An application for a Football Foundation grant must be submitted by 31 May. 28 May 2007
ALL CHANGE AT HARWORTH
Bassetlaw Borough Council have grant Harworth Colliery Institute permission to build new changing facilities at their Scrobby Road home . The announcement will enable Harworth to commence much needed improvements at the Recreation Ground, with the ultimate aim of the brining the ground up to NCEL standards. 28 May 2020
LIGHTING UP THE LANE
Work is well underway with the installation of new floodlights at Ollerton Town. The Club expect the erection and safety checks will be completed in time for the start of next season. There is no word yet on potential opponents for the official switch on, but Town will be hoping to emulate the 225 record crowd that turned out at The Lane for the visit of Sheffield United last August. 28 May 2020
STICKING TO THEIR GUNS	For a full list of allocated league's for next season, visit the F.A. website. Keep up to date with developments through the Unibond League website.
The Unibond Northern League have confirmed plans for Step 4 football next season . Meeting yesterday, the league's committee proposed the establishment of separate North & South First Division's containing 18 clubs each feeding into the Premier. It is presently unclear as to where Unibond new-boys Carlton Town & Retford Town will be accommodated, but they are likely to be placed in the South Division, therefore missing out on lucrative ties against FC United of Manchester. The proposals will be put to members on 30 May. 27 May 2020
BASFORD TO FOLD?	To read more about this story visit the This is Nottingham website
Vandals are threatening the continuation of football at Basford United's historic Greenwich Avenue home, and perhaps even the Club's very existence. On almost a weekly basis local youths are targeting Basford's facilities for mindless vandalism. The dugouts, floodlights, mowers and particularly the changing rooms have been regulary damaged, with even the security camera in place to protect the site being destroyed. Club spokesman, Martin Soley, warned: "We have been at Greenwich Avenue for many years, but if this level of vandalism carries on we may be forced to fold, or seek an alternative ground." 26 May 2020
CHURCH FUNDS	Read more about Church Lane on the Linby page.
Linby Colliery Welfare have been granted a boost with their development fund raising. Gedling Borough Council have given provisional planning permission for the club to improve their Church Lane facilities. Welfare's intend to build a new clubhouse that will include several changing rooms, a bar and storage facilities once the Funds are in place and the final plans are approved by the local council. 26 May 2020
RAIN-WORTH THE EFFORT	Read more about Kirklington Road on my Rainworth page & also the Rainworth website.
Rainworth Miners Welfare are celebration promotion to the Northern Counties East League. Welfare were granted permission by the Central Midlands League to leave, having finished 3rd in their Supreme League last term. Work has now commenced on upgrading their Welfare Ground to NCEL standards. The installation of new Conference-standard dressing rooms will signal the end of an era as the half of the banking at the Kirklington Road end of the ground - which helped house the 5,071 crowd at the 1982 F.A. Vase semi-final - will be removed. The Club have also bid for some surplus items from Nuneaton Borough's old ground at Manor Park. 25 May 2020
BITTER SWEET DAY FOR LOCAL STAR	Read more about the Ladie F.A. Cup final on the F.A. website.
Arsenal romped to a convincing 4-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the Ladies F.A. Cup Final at the City Ground, Nottingham this afternoon. The result meant an unprecedented quadruple for the Gunners, having already captured the League, League Cup and UEFA Cup. There was some consolation for West Bridgford-born Forest fan Katie Holtham, who grabbed the Lattick's only goal. Over 24,500 turned out in what proved to be the second highest crowd to ever witness a women's football match in the United Kingdom. It brought the curtain down on a 'Festival of Football' weekend extravaganza in the city. 7 May 2020
BADGERS PROMOTED	Read more about this story on the Eastwood Town & Unibond Northern League websites
Eastwood Town have clinched promotion to the Unibond Northern Premier Division following a magnificent 2-1 win at Cammell Laird. The Badgers had to come from behind against their Merseyside opponents, who finished one place above them in the League. Chris Shaw was the hero, clinching it with a 35-yard thunderbolt. The Badgers can look forward to local derbies against both Worksop Town & Ilkeston Town next season. 6 May 2020
DREAMING OF WEMBLEY	Read the full entry this on the F.A. Website
The F.A. have announced the entrants for the 2007/08 F.A. knock out competitions. Eighteen Notts clubs will do battle with 829 other clubs in the hope of reaching a Wembley final. Blidworth Welfare & Gedling Town are the only omissions from last seasons local entrants, with Rainworth Miners Welfare hoping to be given the opportunity to compete in both the Vase & Cup, pending confirmation of their promotion to the NCEL. 6 May 2020
CITY GROUND SET FOR RECORD GATE	. To read more about the 'Festival of Football' & tickets info for the Cup Final visit Nottingham City Council's website
A record crowd will be at Monday's Ladies F.A.Cup Final at the City Ground, Nottingham. Over 20,000 tickets have already been sold for the game, breaking the previous record of 13,834. League, League Cup & UEFA Cup holders Arsenal will face Charlton Athletic, with three Addicks players from the Nottingham area. The match will conclude a 'Festival of Football' weekend being put on by the City Council. 5 May 2020
FIELD MILL CAPACITY SLASHED	Read more about this story on the Mansfield Mad website
Following a series of incidents of poor stewarding and safety concerns at Mansfield Town's Field Mill home, Notts County Council have taken the decision to reduce the capacity by half to just 4684. The Council's Emergency Planner, Sue Storey stated: "This reduction affects all ends, so the stand which takes the away supporters will also have a 50% reduction. That will bring it down to about 955 which will have an effect for some of the local clubs who may want to visit". The decision follows serious allegations of assault by stewards on Stags supporters at Saturday's final home game. The Club have appealed for the decision to be revoked. 3 May 2020
COUNTY CUP A60 BOUND	Visit the Official Notts website for a match reports
The 70th Nottinghamshire F.A. County Cup has been won by Mansfield Town. In a close & scrappy affair at Meadow Lane, a 35-yard volley from Stags youngster Rory Boulding just before half-time was enough to seal a 1-0 win over Notts County in front of a paltry . It was the first time Stags had taken the trophy north since the 1988/89 season, when County were again the beaten finalists. 2 May 2020