EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 188 MAY 200509:53 21/05/2005
Cogenhoe claim first Premier title
After five top three finishes in the previous ten seasons, Cogenhoe finally won the Premier Division championship for the first time on 3rd May.
The outcome went right to the wire as Potton made light of a fixture backlog to make inroads into Cogenhoe’s lead and as the last match at The Hollow beckoned a win would have seen the Royals pip the long time leaders by a single point
Potton went into the deciding match with 40 points from 14 games since their defeat at Compton Park on 26 February - a Cooks success which started an unbeaten sequence which saw only two points lost in eleven outings.
A scrappy first half saw Cogenhoe shade it thanks to their set piece expertise. Nicky Hodges headed them in front from a corner after 18 minutes only for Potton to reply with a Luke Donnelly header from a free kick six minutes later. Three minutes before the interval the home defence failed to deal with another set piece and were punished by Elliott Sandy from close range.
Potton surged forward in the second half in a bid to turn the tables. Steve Kuhne was denied by both the woodwork and Cogenhoe keeper Pete Earl while top scorer Brett Donnelly missed two great openings before levelling after 73 minutes. When Jamie Wright cleared off the line from Donnelly four minutes from time after Earl had blocked a James Hatch shot, Cogenhoe were home and dry.
At the other end of the table Raunds booked continued top flight football with a 1-1 draw at Buckingham on 26th April, while Stewarts & Lloyds finished a point clear of Daventry after signing off with a 1-1 draw at Woodford on 3rd May. That draw proved enough to preserve S&L’s status following Division One champions Sileby’s late withdrawal from the promotion race.
Title for Sileby, promotion for St Ives
A thrilling Division One championship race saw Sileby crowned for the third time, but they later withdrew their promotion application and will again play in Division One next season.
At times it seemed the championship no one wanted to win. On 23rd April Sileby missed the chance to seal the title when losing 1-0 to Sleaford at Fernie Fields, Carl Sedlan’s 48th minute effort leaving the champagne on ice. On the same day at London Road St Ives’ promotion dream seemed at an end after a 1-0 defeat at a Whitworths side who had goalkeeper Kris Line red carded little more than a quarter of an hour in. Tom Francis’s goal left the Flourmen in second place.
Club members at St Ives were rewarded for their hard work off the field with a place in the Premier Division for the first time.
Yaxley go one better
The Reserve Division One championship was another which went right to the death. Going into the contenders’ final matches on 30th April, 2004 runners up Yaxley held a one point lead over nearest challengers Rothwell. Both sides had tricky away games to round off the season, the Cuckoos visiting Cogenhoe with the Bones at nearby Sileby.
Yaxley ran out 2-1 winners at Compton Park thanks to goals from Scott Cunningham and James Picillo, while Rothwell could only draw 0-0 at Fernie Fields.
At the other end of the table Bugbrooke, champions just two years before, finished at the foot of the table, just below Olney who join them in dropping down to Reserve Division Two.
Freescoring Motormen win Reserve Two
Long term leaders ON Chenecks collapsed in their last three matches of the season, all at home, to slip out of the promotion places in Reserve Division Two. Daventry, Huntingdon and Irchester all toppled Chenecks, who were overhauled first by Ford Sports and then Whitworths who filled the promotion slots in the final chart.
Whitworths’ fixture backlog caught up with them in the last week of the season and draws with Thrapston and Huntingdon proved costly as the Motormen ended the campaign with a two point lead and a goal tally of 110.
Cup hat trick for Potton
Potton enjoyed an outstanding campaign in cup football and carried off three trophies in the closing weeks of the season. First up was the League Knockout Cup which was claimed by the Royals for the first time in 32 years. The final at Cogenhoe on 20th April proved a low key affair as Potton and first time finalists Woodford cancelled each other out for long spells. The Royals took the trophy thanks to an 82nd minute goal. Mark Bryant’s corner from the left was fumbled by the Reds’ debutant goalkeeper Nick Bussey and top scorer Brett Donnelly pounced to take the silverware to The Hollow.
Trophy nunber two was won on 7th May as Potton beat Arlesey Athletic 2-0 at Langford to lift the North Beds Charity Cup. The Donnelly brothers shared the goals with Brett breaking the deadlock after 36 minutes and Luke adding a 50th minute second before Arlesey wasted their best chance of getting back in the tie when Ian Thorne missed from the penalty spot.
The treble was completed on 12th May as the Royals defeated hosts St Neots 3-0 to win the Hinchingbrooke Cup. Potton looked jaded in their 63rd match of a marathon campaign, and it needed a bizarre 68th minute goal to get them up and running. Saints keeper Steve Corry collected a corner and attempted to start a quick counter attack, only for his clearance to rebound into the net off the back of defender Peter Flack’s head! Six minutes later Steve Kuhne added a second after latching on to Matt Endersby’s deep free kick and Brett Donnelly lobbed a third in stoppage time.
Yaxley complete Huntingdonshire treble
Yaxley ended the 2004-05 campaign with the three most prestigious Huntingdonshire FA Cup competitions all in residence at Leading Drove, matching a feat achieved only once before, by Eynesbury in 1990-91.
The reserves set the ball rolling on 20th April, beating St Neots Reserves 2-0 in the Scott-Gatty Cup final at Huntingdon. It was the third successive season in which the two sides had contested the final with the score identical on each occasion. Goals from James Richardson after 35 minutes and James Picillo after 59 gave the Cuckoos their latest success.
The first team got in on the act on 2nd May, beating Ortonians 4-0 at St Neots to retain the Senior Cup. Yaxley made a flying start as Chris Gospel powered home a header from a 5th minute free kick, and Simon Acton added a 25th minute second from Mark Paul’s cross. Paul wrapped up the tie with two stunning second half goals after 58 and 83 minutes.
Eight days later the Cuckoos returned to Rowley Park to claim the Premier Cup for the first time. Paul was again the star performer as Langford were swept aside 6-0, with the ex-Southampton striker’s four goal haul the first in a final since the competition was revived in the late 1980s. Paul opened the scoring two minutes in before setting up Acton for a 23rd minute second. Paul added a 62nd minute third before creating number four for Lee Blewett after 76 minutes. Late strikes after 80 and 88 minutes took Paul’s tally for the evening to four goals.
Arrows awarded Lincs Cup
Harrowby have been awarded the Lincolnshire Senior Cup A after Winterton, who beat the Arrows in a penalty shootout in the final, were discovered to have included a number of ineligible players in their final success. The Arrows were presented with the trophy prior to their final league match against Buckingham on 7th May. The circumstances mirror those of last season when Blackstones were awarded the cup after Barton fielded ineligible players in the final tie.
Eye win Junior Cup in shootout drama
Eye banished the memories of a number of near misses in the Northants Junior Cup by beating Blisworth 9-8 in a penalty shootout at Nene Park to lift the trophy after a 23 year wait since their last success.
United’s 1982 victory made them the most recent non-UCL winners of the competition, and they took the trophy back to Peterborough on 21st April after an enthralling final which saw them share four goals with the Railwaymen in the match proper.
Steve Phillips gave Eye a great start, firing them in front after five minutes, but Blisworth levelled through Hamish Carmody after 19 minutes. When Ashley Favell restored Eye’s lead after 57 minutes they looked set for victory but in the dying seconds Pete Gregory hauled the Railwaymen on terms for the second time.
It proved only a brief reprieve as extra time failed to break the deadlock, and Eye triumphed 9-8 in the penalty shootout which went to a ten kicks apiece. James Moore’s miss for Blisworth enabled Paul Smith to win the trophy for Eye.
Whitworths fall short in Lower Junior Cup final
Whitworths missed out on success in the Northants Lower Junior Cup, losing 2-1 to Corby Grampian at Desborough on 19th April.
Goals from Willie Straiton after 43 minutes and Darren Burt ten minutes after the restart gave Grampian a two goal advantage, and Travis Aitken’s 89th minute reply for the Flourmen came too late in the contest to be anything more than a consolation.
Cup successes for Spencer and Stones Reserves
Northampton Spencer retained the John Garner Cup with a 4-1 Kingsthorpe Mill defeat of Northampton Town League champions Airflow. Two goals from Scott Coleman and singles from Darren Frost and Jamie Leah gave the Millers victory.
Wootton crashed 5-1 to Southern League Leighton in the Buckingham Charity Cup final at Ford Meadow, an Alex Giscombe goal on the half hour the only reward for Blue Cross who faced an uphill task after conceding two goals in the first four minutes.
Blackstones Reserves completed the season by winning the Ancaster Cup at Bourne, overcoming Deeping Reserves 3-0 with all three goals coming in the last half hour. Andy Boome broke the deadlock with a Scott Carter double sealing the win.
Stotfold Reserves were beaten 2-1 at Sawbridgeworth in the final of the South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup, despite taking an early lead through Ryan Aldrin.
Daventry Charity Cup held over
The Daventry Charity Cup will be held over until pre season after holders Woodford and Long Buckby were unable to agree a date for their semi-final tie. The Reds breezed past a heavily depleted Ford Sports 4-0 in the quarters with a Neil Champlovier brace and singles from Tom Fountain and Ben Milner taking them into the last four.Southern Premier side Banbury, 3-1 semi conquerors of Northampton Spencer, await the winners in the final.
End of the line for Corby Cottingham
Corby Cottingham have resigned from the league after 26 years in membership. Cottingham joined the UCL in 1979 and enjoyed instant success, winning the Second Division championship at the first time of asking. Over the years Cottingham often featured among the leading lights in Division One, winning the championship in the Millenium season.
The Berryfield Road ground lacked the facilities necessary to make the step up to the Premier Division, and after finishing as Division One runners-up last term Cottingham opted to leave the village to share the Rockingham Triangle home of Southern League Corby Town. The move provided the club, which added the Corby prefix to the name, with greatly improved matchday facilities, but on the other side of the coin, they had to find independent training facilities and lost the services of several committee men.
A combination of a lack of manpower and the increased costs of hiring the Rockingham Triangle stadium and training facilities elsewhere, has prompted the club to fold at the end of the 2004-05 season.
Eye unveil new name
Division One club Eye United will be operating under a new name when the 2005-06 season gets underway in August. The club left the village in the summer of 2003, moving to Chestnut Avenue in Dogsthorpe, and they have decided that the move into Peterborough should be reflected in a change of name. From June 1st the club will be known as Peterborough Northern Star.
Shrieves takes the Newport reins
Terry Shrieves has been named as the new manager of Newport Pagnell Town. Shrives will be remembered around the UCL as leading scorer in the all conquering Buckingham Town team of the early eighties, he went on to play for the likes of Kettering, Aylesbury and Baldock at higher levels. Shrieves formerly managed Milton Keynes City.
Tony Court has been named as Shrieves’s coach. He has played locally for Winslow and Stony Stratford. Peter Miller will be assistant manager while former Newport winger Phil Bone will double up as reserves and under 18s manager.
Former player Jelley appointed at Spencer
Former Northampton Spencer midfielder Steve Jelley has been appointed as the club’s new manager in succession to Bob Tansley who left the Millers late in the 2004-05 campaign.
Jelley was part of the Millers’ promotion winning side back in 1984-85 and he also enjoyed much success as a player with Nexday, featuring in their FA Sunday Cup winning side. The national Sunday Cup has also seen Jelley enjoy success on the managerial front as he was part of the backroom staff as Duke of York carried off the trophy in 2003.
Davidson departs Saints
Kenny Davidson called time on his latest stint in UCL management in mid April, resigning from the St Neots hot seat just four and a half months after switching from league rivals Wootton. The widely travelled boss blamed internal problems at Rowley Park for his departure which followed a 6-0 reverse at Long Buckby. Davidson spent his time with the Saints rebuilding a squad decimated by departures to Arlesey following Jon Taylor’s move to the Southern League club. Assistant Paul Bryant also stepped down from his managerial post although he continued to appear for St Neots as a player.
Former manager Chris Howell took the reins for the remainder of the season, assisted by one time Eynesbury manager Barry Cavilla.
The Saints have received a number of high quality applications for their managerial vacancy.
Cook quits Stotfold
Steve Cook has resigned as manager of Stotfold to return to management at a higher level. Cook, who spent many years with the Eagles as a player, took the Roker reins last summer after managerial spells in the Dr Martens League with Baldock and Ryman League with St Albans.
After an amicable end of season parting with the Eagles, Cook was quick to return to the managerial ranks, taking charge at Southern League Eastern Division Boreham Wood, where he teams up with another former Roker chief, Ian Allinson, who has been appointed Director of Football at the Hertfordshire club.
Shipp steps up at Eynesbury
Long serving goalkeeper and reserve team manager for the last five years, Dean Shipp, has been handed the first team reins at Eynesbury Rovers. Shipp steered the second string to promotion in the 2003-04 season and preserved their newly won status in the campaign just ended. Shipp’s assistant Andy Butterwick succeeds him at the reserve team helm. He previously managed the Rovers’ second string before spending four years coaching in New Zealand.
Walnut Boys management duo in Hillgrounds exit
Kempston ended the season looking for new management after Bob Reed and John Dower left the Walnut Boys in April. The pair sought reassurances concerning their retention for next season which were not forthcoming at the time. Reserve manager John Leeson took the Walnut Boys’ reins for the final two matches of the season.
Desborough in Higham switch
Former Whitworths manager Mark Desborough has been named as the new manager at near neighbours Higham Town. Desborough spent two years at the Flourmen’s helm, leading them to the runners-up medals in the season just ended.
Desborough replaces Ben Lord in the Vine Hill Drive hot seat. Lord is moving to the United States with his work, while assistant Tony Catalano has also stepped down to be replaced by long serving goalkeeper John Perry.
Medlin promoted at Whitworths
Promotion winning reserve team manager Steve Medlin has been handed the first team reins at Whitworths. Medlin spent many years with the Flourmen as a player, and enjoyed spectacular success on moving into management, leading the Whitworths second string back to Reserve Division One at the first attempt and also to the final of the Northants Lower Junior Cup.
Joe Smyth, who was Mark Herring’s assistant at London Road a couple of years ago, returns to the backroom staff as Medlin’s right hand man.
New stand for Holbeach
Shortly after the final match of the season at Carters Park, demolition work started on Holbeach’s 70 year old wooden stand. At the start of the new season spectators will return to a 144 seat steel replacement. The new stand is part of a £115,000 scheme of improvements at the ground which has been funded in part by a grant of £90,160 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.
The development will also incorporate disabled access, public toilets, dugouts, players’ tunnel and ground perimeter fencing.
The club’s fundraising efforts have realised around £10,000 leaving a £15,000 shortfall to be funded. With this in mind the club has launched a seat selling scheme. For £15 donors will have their name inscribed on a seat in the new stand.
Knowles the top referee
Northampton based referee Chris Knowles has been named as the 2004-05 winner of the Eric Evans trophy for the referee of the year. This is an outstanding achievement for Chris who is in his first season on the full list of UCL officials.
Two of our referees have been promoted to the national list of contributory league referees, Stuart Burt from Northampton and Wayne Porter from Bourne.
Potton duo win managerial award
Potton pair Dick Newman and Roy Bloxham have been awarded the league’s Manager of the Year award. They led the Royals to a magnificent first season back in the top flight, finishing Premier Division runners-up and winning the League Knockout Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup, North Beds Charity Cup and the Baker Perkins Trophy for the Highest Aggregate Goalscorers. Potton also reached the 4th Round of the FA Vase.
Huntingdon seek FA Vase place
Huntingdon Town have applied for entry into the FA Vase competition for the first time. They join fellow lower grade clubs from 2004-05 AFC Kempston, Bugbrooke, Eynesbury, Rothwell Corinthians and St Ives who all played in the competition last season.
Of the 22 Premier Division clubs in 2004-05, all but two have applied to compete in both the FA Cup and Vase. Stewarts & Lloyds have again opted out of the national competitions while Harrowby have failed to submit an entry this time round.
Robins set up Dons friendly
After their scheduled friendly against Milton Keynes Dons fell by the wayside last season due to a double booking of fixtures, Buckingham have secured a match against their professional neighbours for the forthcoming pre-season. The Dons, who staved off relegation from League One on the last day of the season, will visit Ford Meadow on Saturday 16th July.
Another Wirral win for Eynesbury
Eynesbury again finished top of the EBUCL poll in the Wirral Programme Club’s annual survey of non league issues, also finishing equal 100th out of an entry of 1,217 clubs. Daventry’s issue was chosen the top Premier issue. Eynesbury’s success was their fourth in the last five seasons, but they will not be able to improve upon the record as the Club has decided to close down the survey after 30 years.
Full EBUCL results were:- 1. Eynesbury 156 points; 2. Daventry 133; 3. Boston 120; 4. Huntingdon 119; 5. Blackstones 118; 6. Potton 114; 7. Newport Pagnell 112; 8. Holbeach 111; 9. Woodford 107; 10=. Deeping, Sleaford 96; 12. Northampton Spencer 95; 13=. Desborough, Whitworths 94; 15. Raunds 89; 16. Cogenhoe 87; 17. Bourne 86; 18. Eye 85; 19. Higham 83; 20. Sileby 78; 21. Buckingham 77; 22. Thrapston 76; 23. Corby Cottingham 72; 24=. ON Chenecks, St Ives 70; 26. Harrowby 69; 27. Wootton 65; 28=. Bugbrooke, Burton PW, Kempston 53.
Cups round-up
League Knockout Cup
FINAL (@ Cogenhoe)
Potton 1 Woodford 0.
Huntingdonshire Senior Cup
FINAL (@ St Neots)
Ortonians 0 YAXLEY 4.
Huntingdonshire Premier Cup
Semi-final - outstanding tie
YAXLEY 3 STOTFOLD 1.
FINAL (@ St Neots)
Langford 0 YAXLEY 6.
Huntingdonshire Scott-Gatty Cup
FINAL (@ Huntingdon)
St Neots Reserves 0 YAXLEY RESERVES 2.
Northamptonshire Junior Cup
FINAL (@ Rushden & Diamonds)
BLISWORTH 2 EYE 2 aet, Eye won 9-8 on penalties.
Northamptonshire Lower Junior Cup
FINAL (@ Desborough)
Corby Grampian 2 WHITWORTHS RESERVES 1.
Buckingham Charity Cup
Semi-final
1st leg: Winslow 1 WOOTTON 1; 2nd leg: WOOTTON 3 Winslow 1.
FINAL (@ Buckingham)
Leighton 5 WOOTTON 1.
Daventry Charity Cup
Second Round - outstanding ties
NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 5 Crick 0; WOODFORD 4 FORD SPORTS 0.
Semi-finals (@ Ford Sports)
NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 1 Banbury 3; LONG BUCKBY v WOODFORD (held over to pre-season).
Hinchingbrooke Cup
Semi-final - outstanding tie
YAXLEY 1 ST NEOTS 1 aet, St Neots won 6-5 on penalties.
FINAL
ST NEOTS 0 POTTON 3.
North Beds Charity Cup
FINAL (@ Langford)
Arlesey Athletic 0 POTTON 2.
John Garner Cup
NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 4 Airflow 1.
South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup
Semi-final
EYNESBURY RESERVES 2 STOTFOLD RESERVES 4.
FINAL
Sawbridgeworth Reserves 2 STOTFOLD RESERVES 1.
Ancaster Cup
First Round - outstanding tie
BLACKSTONES RESERVES 7 Pointon 0;
Quarter finals
DEEPING RESERVES 1 BOURNE RESERVES 1, Deeping won 3-1 on penalties; BLACKSTONES RESERVES 4 Skillington 0.
Semi-finals
DEEPING RESERVES 2 Stamford Belvedere 1; BLACKSTONES RESERVES 4 Buckminster 1.
FINAL (@ Bourne)
BLACKSTONES RESERVES 3 DEEPING RESERVES 0.
Central Conference Eastern Division
P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts.
Lincoln United Reserves 15 10 4 1 52 14 34
Gainsborough Trinity Reserves 15 9 2 4 31 16 29
Worksop Town Reserves 15 5 3 7 18 22 18
Grantham Town Reserves 15 4 5 6 22 30 17
SPALDING UNITED RESERVES 15 4 4 7 23 35 16
Stamford Reserves 15 2 4 9 25 54 10
Leading goalscorers
Premier Division
41. B. Donnelly (Potton)
33 - M. Wormall (Harrowby)
28 - S. Kuhne (Potton)
27 - D. Frost (Northampton Spencer)
25 - R. Turner (Cogenhoe)
24 - D. Matson (Boston)
19 - N. Gordon (Woodford), D. Jozwiak (Wootton)
18 - J. Gilsenan (Blackstones - including 13 for Desborough), A. Stevens (Deeping - including 5 for
Yaxley)
17 - K. Childs (Holbeach), D. Collins (Cogenhoe)
16 - R. Hailstone (Yaxley), R. Max-Grant (Buckingham), D. Stone (Daventry)
15 - P. Garrett (Stotfold)
14 - G. Walker (Stotfold)
13 - W. Byrne (Stotfold), T. Gosling (Holbeach), I. Pearce (Ford Sports)
12 - B. Chambers (Wootton), S. Coleman (Northampton Spencer), G. Donnelly (Desborough), D.
Drinkwater, J. McKenzie (Long Buckby), P. Goodhand (Boston), N. Keeble (Holbeach),
11 - S. Claridge (St Neots - including 4 for St Ives), J. Crockett (Long Buckby), M. Drake (Ford Sports),
B. Foster (Ford Sports - including 4 for Cogenhoe), L. Harrold (St Neots), G. Santoro (Deeping), M.
Mason (Bourne)
10 - R. Anderson (Cogenhoe), D. Cobb (Holbeach), M. Curtis (Desborough), D. Finlay, D. Harmon
(Long Buckby), R. Nichols (Deeping), S. Taylor (Harrowby), S. Underwood (Cogenhoe -
including 5 for Buckingham)
Division One
32 - J. Shaw (Sleaford)
31 - J. Daldy (Whitworths)
27 - P. Carey (Eynesbury)
23 - G. Turner (Sileby)
22 - J. Westley (Higham)
21 - C. Ewles (St Ives)
20 - A. Taylor (Sileby - including 3 for Irchester)
19 - D. Briffa (Rothwell Corinthians)
18 - M. Collins (Blisworth)
16 - J. Blake (Thrapston), P. Sloley (Bugbrooke)
15 - M. Kent (Kempston)
14 - D. Bowyer (Eye - including 7 for Yaxley), T. Ielapi (Rothwell Corinthians), D. Salerno (Eye)
13 - M. Battams (Sileby), R. Holderness (Sleaford)
12 - B. Albone, J. Donald (Eynesbury), D. Grant (Irchester), G. Thackray (St Ives)
11 - S. Brydon (Corby Cottingham), K. Eyre (Blisworth), M. Freeman (Whitworths), D. Harding
(Thrapston), L. Kennett (St Ives), D. Kew (Higham)
10 - S. Skerritt (Eye)
Reserve Division One
25 - C. Haughton (Rothwell)
19 - K. Bates (Northampton Spencer)
17 - N. Smith (Stotfold)
16 - P. Pickering (Northampton Spencer)
15 - M. Goodwin (Sileby), J. Picillo (Yaxley), C. Sampson (Northampton Spencer)
14 - A. Ellis (Deeping)
13 - S. Cunningham (Yaxley)
12 - W. Earl (Cogenhoe), J. Goode (Deeping), A. Hancock (Raunds - all for Cogenhoe)
11 - J. Betts (Blackstones), D. Bourner (Bourne), P. Simpson (Stewarts & Lloyds)
10 - R. Forbes (Stewarts & Lloyds), C. Jenkins (Rothwell), D. Whitefield (Newport Pagnell)
Reserve Division Two
30 - C. Trill (Ford Sports)
21 - T. Waldock (Ford Sports)
16 - P. Currier (Ford Sports - including 2 for Woodford)
15 - T. Aitken (Whitworths)
14 - D. Barham (Spalding), N. Crowder (Daventry), D. King (Irchester)
13 - D. Briffa (Rothwell Corinthians)
12 - D. Edey (Spalding), J. Inwood (Long Buckby)
11 - M. Dowman (Whitworths), S. Farrow (ON Chenecks), A. Gardiner (Rothwell Corinthians),
A. Harrison, C. Morris (Thrapston)
10 - J. Goodman (Thrapston)
Awards doubles for Potton and Sleaford
The league’s final set of monthly awards covering April and May saw a double success for both Potton and Sleaford.
Royals managerial partners Dick Newman and Roy Bloxham were named as Premier Division Manager of the Month winners after Potton collected 22 points from eight league games and also won the League Knockout Cup, North Beds Charity Cup and Hinchingbrooke Cup.
Brett Donnelly also won the Goalscorer of the Month award after scoring eleven goals in Potton’s ten league and Knockout Cup matches during April and May.
The Division One Manager of the Month award went to Brian Rowland of Sleaford whose side completed their UCL debut campaign with a ten point haul from four matches, including a final day defeat of champions elect Sileby.
Sleaford goalkeeper Andrew Scott was named Hereward Sports Goalkeeper of the Month after conceding only two goals in his side’s four games, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
Snippets
Huntingdon have appointed ex-Huntingdon United and Eynesbury goalkeeper Dave Blackwell and former St Ives reserve manager Darnell Dodds to run their second string next season….Northampton Spencer’s long serving groundsman Cecil Banham has been named the Level 5 & 6 Groundsman of the Year by the Northamptonshire FA…..Irchester now have their floodlights up at Alfred Street…..Former Irchester and Whitworths goalkeeper Colin Ridgway has been appointed manager of new boys Wellingborough Town.
Seventeen ever presents during 2004-05
Seventeen players ended the 2004-05 as ever presents in domestic football for their clubs, six in the Premier Division, ten in Division One and just one in Reserve Division Two.
Harrowby were the only top flight outfit to feature two ever present players in their squad, goalkeeper Ian Flavell and midfielder Mark Foster both featuring in all 47 Arrows’ Premier and Knockout Cup matches. Also appearing on 47 occasions was Woodford skipper Adam Knight, while Blackstones midfielder Matty Doyle lined up in all 45 of his club’s games. Champions Cogenhoe had just one ever present in their 44 matches, midfield operator Elliott Sandy while at the other end of the table Greig McIlwain appeared in all 44 matches for Stewarts & Lloyds.
A settled side was key to St Ives’ successful promotion bid, with no fewer than four players featuring in all 35 matches for the Westwood Road club. Manager Warren Everdell led the way with goalkeeper Adam Bruce, defensive colleague Dan Newman and midfielder Jon Lee alongside him in each and every one of the Saints’ domestic games. A rare appearance by a striker in the ever present list saw Paul Carey play a part in all 37 Eynesbury matches, while Matty Freeman was involved in all 36 matches for runners-up Whitworths. Goalkeeper Phil Turner and defender Jim
Wilson played all 35 ofThrapston’s games while Huntingdon midfielder Darren Ray ensured that all three of the county’s clubs were represented in the list, playing all 35 matches for the Jubilee Park club. Goalkeeper Lee Brydon became the division’s third ever present custodian, featuring in all 35 games played by Corby Cottingham in their final campaign.
Ever present players are a rarity at reserve level with Daventry front runner Jed Brennan the only second string maximum man with 29 league and cup appearances for the Elderstubbs outfit.
Worthy of an honourable mention is Long Buckby midfielder Jon Crockett who appeared in all 42 league outings for the Bucks but missed their Knockout Cup defeat by Harrowby!
Remarkably six of the season’s ever presents also played in every game in the 2003-04 season - take a bow Messrs Doyle, Knight, Brydon and Turner for a second ever present campaign. Pride of place goes to two men whose run of consecutive appearances extends well past the century mark. Eynesbury striker Carey ended the season with an unbroken run of 127 matches to his name, followed by St Ives player boss Everdell with 116.
In the Premier Division Bourne called on the services of the most players, 65, while Lincolnshire neighbours Holbeach utilised the fewest players, a mere 27. In Division One Burton Park fielded 67 players during the campaign, while promoted St Ives and runners-up Whitworths built their excellent campaigns on the basis of settled squads which saw them field just 23 players!
Retirement beckons for veteran duo
Two of the league’s best known players have retired from the action at the age of 40. Boston Town skipper Lee Rippin has called time on a 25 year career which started with the Poachers in the Midland League at the age of 15. He is the club’s record appearance holder with around 650 games to his name and played 450 matches for Boston in the UCL alone, scoring 34 goals. He won two UCL titles with the Poachers and one with Spalding where he played 24 times scoring eight goals.
Stotfold goalkeeper Steve Young unfortunately finished his career on a low note as injury forced his early departure in the Eagles’ last match against Blackstones. His UCL career saw him play a total of 615 matches, 340 for Stotfold, 171 for Potton and 104 for St Neots. His only championship came in 1989 with Potton.
NEWSLETTER NO. 188 MAY 200509:53 21/05/2005
Cogenhoe claim first Premier title
After five top three finishes in the previous ten seasons, Cogenhoe finally won the Premier Division championship for the first time on 3rd May. The outcome went right to the wire as Potton made light of a fixture backlog to make inroads into Cogenhoe’s lead and as the last match at The Hollow beckoned a win would have seen the Royals pip the long time leaders by a single point
Potton went into the deciding match with 40 points from 14 games since their defeat at Compton Park on 26 February - a Cooks success which started an unbeaten sequence which saw only two points lost in eleven outings.
A scrappy first half saw Cogenhoe shade it thanks to their set piece expertise. Nicky Hodges headed them in front from a corner after 18 minutes only for Potton to reply with a Luke Donnelly header from a free kick six minutes later. Three minutes before the interval the home defence failed to deal with another set piece and were punished by Elliott Sandy from close range.
Potton surged forward in the second half in a bid to turn the tables. Steve Kuhne was denied by both the woodwork and Cogenhoe keeper Pete Earl while top scorer Brett Donnelly missed two great openings before levelling after 73 minutes. When Jamie Wright cleared off the line from Donnelly four minutes from time after Earl had blocked a James Hatch shot, Cogenhoe were home and dry.
At the other end of the table Raunds booked continued top flight football with a 1-1 draw at Buckingham on 26th April, while Stewarts & Lloyds finished a point clear of Daventry after signing off with a 1-1 draw at Woodford on 3rd May. That draw proved enough to preserve S&L’s status following Division One champions Sileby’s late withdrawal from the promotion race.
Title for Sileby, promotion for St Ives
A thrilling Division One championship race saw Sileby crowned for the third time, but they later withdrew their promotion application and will again play in Division One next season.
At times it seemed the championship no one wanted to win. On 23rd April Sileby missed the chance to seal the title when losing 1-0 to Sleaford at Fernie Fields, Carl Sedlan’s 48th minute effort leaving the champagne on ice. On the same day at London Road St Ives’ promotion dream seemed at an end after a 1-0 defeat at a Whitworths side who had goalkeeper Kris Line red carded little more than a quarter of an hour in. Tom Francis’s goal left the Flourmen in second place.
Club members at St Ives were rewarded for their hard work off the field with a place in the Premier Division for the first time.
Yaxley go one better
The Reserve Division One championship was another which went right to the death. Going into the contenders’ final matches on 30th April, 2004 runners up Yaxley held a one point lead over nearest challengers Rothwell. Both sides had tricky away games to round off the season, the Cuckoos visiting Cogenhoe with the Bones at nearby Sileby.
Yaxley ran out 2-1 winners at Compton Park thanks to goals from Scott Cunningham and James Picillo, while Rothwell could only draw 0-0 at Fernie Fields.
At the other end of the table Bugbrooke, champions just two years before, finished at the foot of the table, just below Olney who join them in dropping down to Reserve Division Two.
Freescoring Motormen win Reserve Two
Long term leaders ON Chenecks collapsed in their last three matches of the season, all at home, to slip out of the promotion places in Reserve Division Two. Daventry, Huntingdon and Irchester all toppled Chenecks, who were overhauled first by Ford Sports and then Whitworths who filled the promotion slots in the final chart.
Whitworths’ fixture backlog caught up with them in the last week of the season and draws with Thrapston and Huntingdon proved costly as the Motormen ended the campaign with a two point lead and a goal tally of 110.
Cup hat trick for Potton
Potton enjoyed an outstanding campaign in cup football and carried off three trophies in the closing weeks of the season. First up was the League Knockout Cup which was claimed by the Royals for the first time in 32 years. The final at Cogenhoe on 20th April proved a low key affair as Potton and first time finalists Woodford cancelled each other out for long spells. The Royals took the trophy thanks to an 82nd minute goal. Mark Bryant’s corner from the left was fumbled by the Reds’ debutant goalkeeper Nick Bussey and top scorer Brett Donnelly pounced to take the silverware to The Hollow.
Trophy nunber two was won on 7th May as Potton beat Arlesey Athletic 2-0 at Langford to lift the North Beds Charity Cup. The Donnelly brothers shared the goals with Brett breaking the deadlock after 36 minutes and Luke adding a 50th minute second before Arlesey wasted their best chance of getting back in the tie when Ian Thorne missed from the penalty spot.
The treble was completed on 12th May as the Royals defeated hosts St Neots 3-0 to win the Hinchingbrooke Cup. Potton looked jaded in their 63rd match of a marathon campaign, and it needed a bizarre 68th minute goal to get them up and running. Saints keeper Steve Corry collected a corner and attempted to start a quick counter attack, only for his clearance to rebound into the net off the back of defender Peter Flack’s head! Six minutes later Steve Kuhne added a second after latching on to Matt Endersby’s deep free kick and Brett Donnelly lobbed a third in stoppage time.
Yaxley complete Huntingdonshire treble
Yaxley ended the 2004-05 campaign with the three most prestigious Huntingdonshire FA Cup competitions all in residence at Leading Drove, matching a feat achieved only once before, by Eynesbury in 1990-91.
The reserves set the ball rolling on 20th April, beating St Neots Reserves 2-0 in the Scott-Gatty Cup final at Huntingdon. It was the third successive season in which the two sides had contested the final with the score identical on each occasion. Goals from James Richardson after 35 minutes and James Picillo after 59 gave the Cuckoos their latest success.
The first team got in on the act on 2nd May, beating Ortonians 4-0 at St Neots to retain the Senior Cup. Yaxley made a flying start as Chris Gospel powered home a header from a 5th minute free kick, and Simon Acton added a 25th minute second from Mark Paul’s cross. Paul wrapped up the tie with two stunning second half goals after 58 and 83 minutes.
Eight days later the Cuckoos returned to Rowley Park to claim the Premier Cup for the first time. Paul was again the star performer as Langford were swept aside 6-0, with the ex-Southampton striker’s four goal haul the first in a final since the competition was revived in the late 1980s. Paul opened the scoring two minutes in before setting up Acton for a 23rd minute second. Paul added a 62nd minute third before creating number four for Lee Blewett after 76 minutes. Late strikes after 80 and 88 minutes took Paul’s tally for the evening to four goals.
Arrows awarded Lincs Cup
Harrowby have been awarded the Lincolnshire Senior Cup A after Winterton, who beat the Arrows in a penalty shootout in the final, were discovered to have included a number of ineligible players in their final success. The Arrows were presented with the trophy prior to their final league match against Buckingham on 7th May. The circumstances mirror those of last season when Blackstones were awarded the cup after Barton fielded ineligible players in the final tie.
Eye win Junior Cup in shootout drama
Eye banished the memories of a number of near misses in the Northants Junior Cup by beating Blisworth 9-8 in a penalty shootout at Nene Park to lift the trophy after a 23 year wait since their last success.
United’s 1982 victory made them the most recent non-UCL winners of the competition, and they took the trophy back to Peterborough on 21st April after an enthralling final which saw them share four goals with the Railwaymen in the match proper.
Steve Phillips gave Eye a great start, firing them in front after five minutes, but Blisworth levelled through Hamish Carmody after 19 minutes. When Ashley Favell restored Eye’s lead after 57 minutes they looked set for victory but in the dying seconds Pete Gregory hauled the Railwaymen on terms for the second time.
It proved only a brief reprieve as extra time failed to break the deadlock, and Eye triumphed 9-8 in the penalty shootout which went to a ten kicks apiece. James Moore’s miss for Blisworth enabled Paul Smith to win the trophy for Eye.
Whitworths fall short in Lower Junior Cup final
Whitworths missed out on success in the Northants Lower Junior Cup, losing 2-1 to Corby Grampian at Desborough on 19th April.
Goals from Willie Straiton after 43 minutes and Darren Burt ten minutes after the restart gave Grampian a two goal advantage, and Travis Aitken’s 89th minute reply for the Flourmen came too late in the contest to be anything more than a consolation.
Cup successes for Spencer and Stones Reserves
Northampton Spencer retained the John Garner Cup with a 4-1 Kingsthorpe Mill defeat of Northampton Town League champions Airflow. Two goals from Scott Coleman and singles from Darren Frost and Jamie Leah gave the Millers victory.
Wootton crashed 5-1 to Southern League Leighton in the Buckingham Charity Cup final at Ford Meadow, an Alex Giscombe goal on the half hour the only reward for Blue Cross who faced an uphill task after conceding two goals in the first four minutes.
Blackstones Reserves completed the season by winning the Ancaster Cup at Bourne, overcoming Deeping Reserves 3-0 with all three goals coming in the last half hour. Andy Boome broke the deadlock with a Scott Carter double sealing the win.
Stotfold Reserves were beaten 2-1 at Sawbridgeworth in the final of the South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup, despite taking an early lead through Ryan Aldrin. Daventry Charity Cup held over
The Daventry Charity Cup will be held over until pre season after holders Woodford and Long Buckby were unable to agree a date for their semi-final tie. The Reds breezed past a heavily depleted Ford Sports 4-0 in the quarters with a Neil Champlovier brace and singles from Tom Fountain and Ben Milner taking them into the last four.Southern Premier side Banbury, 3-1 semi conquerors of Northampton Spencer, await the winners in the final.
End of the line for Corby Cottingham
Corby Cottingham have resigned from the league after 26 years in membership. Cottingham joined the UCL in 1979 and enjoyed instant success, winning the Second Division championship at the first time of asking. Over the years Cottingham often featured among the leading lights in Division One, winning the championship in the Millenium season.
The Berryfield Road ground lacked the facilities necessary to make the step up to the Premier Division, and after finishing as Division One runners-up last term Cottingham opted to leave the village to share the Rockingham Triangle home of Southern League Corby Town. The move provided the club, which added the Corby prefix to the name, with greatly improved matchday facilities, but on the other side of the coin, they had to find independent training facilities and lost the services of several committee men.
A combination of a lack of manpower and the increased costs of hiring the Rockingham Triangle stadium and training facilities elsewhere, has prompted the club to fold at the end of the 2004-05 season.
Eye unveil new name
Division One club Eye United will be operating under a new name when the 2005-06 season gets underway in August. The club left the village in the summer of 2003, moving to Chestnut Avenue in Dogsthorpe, and they have decided that the move into Peterborough should be reflected in a change of name. From June 1st the club will be known as Peterborough Northern Star.
Shrieves takes the Newport reins
Terry Shrieves has been named as the new manager of Newport Pagnell Town. Shrives will be remembered around the UCL as leading scorer in the all conquering Buckingham Town team of the early eighties, he went on to play for the likes of Kettering, Aylesbury and Baldock at higher levels. Shrieves formerly managed Milton Keynes City.
Tony Court has been named as Shrieves’s coach. He has played locally for Winslow and Stony Stratford. Peter Miller will be assistant manager while former Newport winger Phil Bone will double up as reserves and under 18s manager.
Former player Jelley appointed at Spencer
Former Northampton Spencer midfielder Steve Jelley has been appointed as the club’s new manager in succession to Bob Tansley who left the Millers late in the 2004-05 campaign.
Jelley was part of the Millers’ promotion winning side back in 1984-85 and he also enjoyed much success as a player with Nexday, featuring in their FA Sunday Cup winning side. The national Sunday Cup has also seen Jelley enjoy success on the managerial front as he was part of the backroom staff as Duke of York carried off the trophy in 2003.
Davidson departs Saints
Kenny Davidson called time on his latest stint in UCL management in mid April, resigning from the St Neots hot seat just four and a half months after switching from league rivals Wootton. The widely travelled boss blamed internal problems at Rowley Park for his departure which followed a 6-0 reverse at Long Buckby. Davidson spent his time with the Saints rebuilding a squad decimated by departures to Arlesey following Jon Taylor’s move to the Southern League club. Assistant Paul Bryant also stepped down from his managerial post although he continued to appear for St Neots as a player.
Former manager Chris Howell took the reins for the remainder of the season, assisted by one time Eynesbury manager Barry Cavilla.
The Saints have received a number of high quality applications for their managerial vacancy.
Cook quits Stotfold
Steve Cook has resigned as manager of Stotfold to return to management at a higher level. Cook, who spent many years with the Eagles as a player, took the Roker reins last summer after managerial spells in the Dr Martens League with Baldock and Ryman League with St Albans.
After an amicable end of season parting with the Eagles, Cook was quick to return to the managerial ranks, taking charge at Southern League Eastern Division Boreham Wood, where he teams up with another former Roker chief, Ian Allinson, who has been appointed Director of Football at the Hertfordshire club.
Shipp steps up at Eynesbury
Long serving goalkeeper and reserve team manager for the last five years, Dean Shipp, has been handed the first team reins at Eynesbury Rovers. Shipp steered the second string to promotion in the 2003-04 season and preserved their newly won status in the campaign just ended. Shipp’s assistant Andy Butterwick succeeds him at the reserve team helm. He previously managed the Rovers’ second string before spending four years coaching in New Zealand.
Walnut Boys management duo in Hillgrounds exit
Kempston ended the season looking for new management after Bob Reed and John Dower left the Walnut Boys in April. The pair sought reassurances concerning their retention for next season which were not forthcoming at the time. Reserve manager John Leeson took the Walnut Boys’ reins for the final two matches of the season. Desborough in Higham switch Former Whitworths manager Mark Desborough has been named as the new manager at near neighbours Higham Town. Desborough spent two years at the Flourmen’s helm, leading them to the runners-up medals in the season just ended.
Desborough replaces Ben Lord in the Vine Hill Drive hot seat. Lord is moving to the United States with his work, while assistant Tony Catalano has also stepped down to be replaced by long serving goalkeeper John Perry.
Medlin promoted at Whitworths
Promotion winning reserve team manager Steve Medlin has been handed the first team reins at Whitworths. Medlin spent many years with the Flourmen as a player, and enjoyed spectacular success on moving into management, leading the Whitworths second string back to Reserve Division One at the first attempt and also to the final of the Northants Lower Junior Cup.
Joe Smyth, who was Mark Herring’s assistant at London Road a couple of years ago, returns to the backroom staff as Medlin’s right hand man.
New stand for Holbeach
Shortly after the final match of the season at Carters Park, demolition work started on Holbeach’s 70 year old wooden stand. At the start of the new season spectators will return to a 144 seat steel replacement. The new stand is part of a £115,000 scheme of improvements at the ground which has been funded in part by a grant of £90,160 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.
The development will also incorporate disabled access, public toilets, dugouts, players’ tunnel and ground perimeter fencing.
The club’s fundraising efforts have realised around £10,000 leaving a £15,000 shortfall to be funded. With this in mind the club has launched a seat selling scheme. For £15 donors will have their name inscribed on a seat in the new stand.
Knowles the top referee
Northampton based referee Chris Knowles has been named as the 2004-05 winner of the Eric Evans trophy for the referee of the year. This is an outstanding achievement for Chris who is in his first season on the full list of UCL officials.
Two of our referees have been promoted to the national list of contributory league referees, Stuart Burt from Northampton and Wayne Porter from Bourne.
Potton duo win managerial award
Potton pair Dick Newman and Roy Bloxham have been awarded the league’s Manager of the Year award. They led the Royals to a magnificent first season back in the top flight, finishing Premier Division runners-up and winning the League Knockout Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup, North Beds Charity Cup and the Baker Perkins Trophy for the Highest Aggregate Goalscorers. Potton also reached the 4th Round of the FA Vase.
Huntingdon seek FA Vase place
Huntingdon Town have applied for entry into the FA Vase competition for the first time. They join fellow lower grade clubs from 2004-05 AFC Kempston, Bugbrooke, Eynesbury, Rothwell Corinthians and St Ives who all played in the competition last season.
Of the 22 Premier Division clubs in 2004-05, all but two have applied to compete in both the FA Cup and Vase. Stewarts & Lloyds have again opted out of the national competitions while Harrowby have failed to submit an entry this time round.
Robins set up Dons friendly
After their scheduled friendly against Milton Keynes Dons fell by the wayside last season due to a double booking of fixtures, Buckingham have secured a match against their professional neighbours for the forthcoming pre-season. The Dons, who staved off relegation from League One on the last day of the season, will visit Ford Meadow on Saturday 16th July.
Another Wirral win for Eynesbury
Eynesbury again finished top of the EBUCL poll in the Wirral Programme Club’s annual survey of non league issues, also finishing equal 100th out of an entry of 1,217 clubs. Daventry’s issue was chosen the top Premier issue. Eynesbury’s success was their fourth in the last five seasons, but they will not be able to improve upon the record as the Club has decided to close down the survey after 30 years.
Full EBUCL results were:- 1. Eynesbury 156 points; 2. Daventry 133; 3. Boston 120; 4. Huntingdon 119; 5. Blackstones 118; 6. Potton 114; 7. Newport Pagnell 112; 8. Holbeach 111; 9. Woodford 107; 10=. Deeping, Sleaford 96; 12. Northampton Spencer 95; 13=. Desborough, Whitworths 94; 15. Raunds 89; 16. Cogenhoe 87; 17. Bourne 86; 18. Eye 85; 19. Higham 83; 20. Sileby 78; 21. Buckingham 77; 22. Thrapston 76; 23. Corby Cottingham 72; 24=. ON Chenecks, St Ives 70; 26. Harrowby 69; 27. Wootton 65; 28=. Bugbrooke, Burton PW, Kempston 53.
Cups round-up
League Knockout Cup
FINAL (@ Cogenhoe)
Potton 1 Woodford 0.
Huntingdonshire Senior Cup
FINAL (@ St Neots)
Ortonians 0 YAXLEY 4.
Huntingdonshire Premier Cup
Semi-final - outstanding tie
YAXLEY 3 STOTFOLD 1.
FINAL (@ St Neots)
Langford 0 YAXLEY 6.
Huntingdonshire Scott-Gatty Cup
FINAL (@ Huntingdon)
St Neots Reserves 0 YAXLEY RESERVES 2.
Northamptonshire Junior Cup
FINAL (@ Rushden & Diamonds)
BLISWORTH 2 EYE 2 aet, Eye won 9-8 on penalties.
Northamptonshire Lower Junior Cup
FINAL (@ Desborough)
Corby Grampian 2 WHITWORTHS RESERVES 1.
Buckingham Charity Cup
Semi-final
1st leg: Winslow 1 WOOTTON 1; 2nd leg: WOOTTON 3 Winslow 1.
FINAL (@ Buckingham)
Leighton 5 WOOTTON 1.
Daventry Charity Cup
Second Round - outstanding ties
NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 5 Crick 0; WOODFORD 4 FORD SPORTS 0.
Semi-finals (@ Ford Sports)
NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 1 Banbury 3; LONG BUCKBY v WOODFORD (held over to pre-season).
Hinchingbrooke Cup
Semi-final - outstanding tie
YAXLEY 1 ST NEOTS 1 aet, St Neots won 6-5 on penalties.
FINAL
ST NEOTS 0 POTTON 3.
North Beds Charity Cup
FINAL (@ Langford)
Arlesey Athletic 0 POTTON 2.
John Garner Cup
NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 4 Airflow 1.
South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup
Semi-final
EYNESBURY RESERVES 2 STOTFOLD RESERVES 4.
FINAL
Sawbridgeworth Reserves 2 STOTFOLD RESERVES 1.
Ancaster Cup
First Round - outstanding tie
BLACKSTONES RESERVES 7 Pointon 0;
Quarter finals
DEEPING RESERVES 1 BOURNE RESERVES 1, Deeping won 3-1 on penalties; BLACKSTONES RESERVES 4 Skillington 0.
Semi-finals
DEEPING RESERVES 2 Stamford Belvedere 1; BLACKSTONES RESERVES 4 Buckminster 1.
FINAL (@ Bourne)
BLACKSTONES RESERVES 3 DEEPING RESERVES 0.
Central Conference Eastern Division
P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts.
Lincoln United Reserves 15 10 4 1 52 14 34 Gainsborough Trinity Reserves 15 9 2 4 31 16 29 Worksop Town Reserves 15 5 3 7 18 22 18 Grantham Town Reserves 15 4 5 6 22 30 17 SPALDING UNITED RESERVES 15 4 4 7 23 35 16 Stamford Reserves 15 2 4 9 25 54 10Leading goalscorers
Premier Division
41. B. Donnelly (Potton)
33 - M. Wormall (Harrowby)
28 - S. Kuhne (Potton)
27 - D. Frost (Northampton Spencer)
25 - R. Turner (Cogenhoe)
24 - D. Matson (Boston)
19 - N. Gordon (Woodford), D. Jozwiak (Wootton)
18 - J. Gilsenan (Blackstones - including 13 for Desborough), A. Stevens (Deeping - including 5 for Yaxley)
17 - K. Childs (Holbeach), D. Collins (Cogenhoe)
16 - R. Hailstone (Yaxley), R. Max-Grant (Buckingham), D. Stone (Daventry)
15 - P. Garrett (Stotfold)
14 - G. Walker (Stotfold)
13 - W. Byrne (Stotfold), T. Gosling (Holbeach), I. Pearce (Ford Sports)
12 - B. Chambers (Wootton), S. Coleman (Northampton Spencer), G. Donnelly (Desborough), D.
Drinkwater, J. McKenzie (Long Buckby), P. Goodhand (Boston), N. Keeble (Holbeach),
11 - S. Claridge (St Neots - including 4 for St Ives), J. Crockett (Long Buckby), M. Drake (Ford Sports),
B. Foster (Ford Sports - including 4 for Cogenhoe), L. Harrold (St Neots), G. Santoro (Deeping), M.
Mason (Bourne)
10 - R. Anderson (Cogenhoe), D. Cobb (Holbeach), M. Curtis (Desborough), D. Finlay, D. Harmon
(Long Buckby), R. Nichols (Deeping), S. Taylor (Harrowby), S. Underwood (Cogenhoe - including 5 for Buckingham)
Division One
32 - J. Shaw (Sleaford)
31 - J. Daldy (Whitworths)
27 - P. Carey (Eynesbury)
23 - G. Turner (Sileby)
22 - J. Westley (Higham)
21 - C. Ewles (St Ives)
20 - A. Taylor (Sileby - including 3 for Irchester)
19 - D. Briffa (Rothwell Corinthians)
18 - M. Collins (Blisworth)
16 - J. Blake (Thrapston), P. Sloley (Bugbrooke)
15 - M. Kent (Kempston)
14 - D. Bowyer (Eye - including 7 for Yaxley), T. Ielapi (Rothwell Corinthians), D. Salerno (Eye)
13 - M. Battams (Sileby), R. Holderness (Sleaford)
12 - B. Albone, J. Donald (Eynesbury), D. Grant (Irchester), G. Thackray (St Ives)
11 - S. Brydon (Corby Cottingham), K. Eyre (Blisworth), M. Freeman (Whitworths), D. Harding
(Thrapston), L. Kennett (St Ives), D. Kew (Higham)
10 - S. Skerritt (Eye)
Reserve Division One
25 - C. Haughton (Rothwell)
19 - K. Bates (Northampton Spencer)
17 - N. Smith (Stotfold)
16 - P. Pickering (Northampton Spencer)
15 - M. Goodwin (Sileby), J. Picillo (Yaxley), C. Sampson (Northampton Spencer)
14 - A. Ellis (Deeping)
13 - S. Cunningham (Yaxley)
12 - W. Earl (Cogenhoe), J. Goode (Deeping), A. Hancock (Raunds - all for Cogenhoe)
11 - J. Betts (Blackstones), D. Bourner (Bourne), P. Simpson (Stewarts & Lloyds)
10 - R. Forbes (Stewarts & Lloyds), C. Jenkins (Rothwell), D. Whitefield (Newport Pagnell)
Reserve Division Two
30 - C. Trill (Ford Sports)
21 - T. Waldock (Ford Sports)
16 - P. Currier (Ford Sports - including 2 for Woodford)
15 - T. Aitken (Whitworths)
14 - D. Barham (Spalding), N. Crowder (Daventry), D. King (Irchester)
13 - D. Briffa (Rothwell Corinthians)
12 - D. Edey (Spalding), J. Inwood (Long Buckby)
11 - M. Dowman (Whitworths), S. Farrow (ON Chenecks), A. Gardiner (Rothwell Corinthians),
A. Harrison, C. Morris (Thrapston)
10 - J. Goodman (Thrapston)
Awards doubles for Potton and Sleaford
The league’s final set of monthly awards covering April and May saw a double success for both Potton and Sleaford.
Royals managerial partners Dick Newman and Roy Bloxham were named as Premier Division Manager of the Month winners after Potton collected 22 points from eight league games and also won the League Knockout Cup, North Beds Charity Cup and Hinchingbrooke Cup.
Brett Donnelly also won the Goalscorer of the Month award after scoring eleven goals in Potton’s ten league and Knockout Cup matches during April and May.
The Division One Manager of the Month award went to Brian Rowland of Sleaford whose side completed their UCL debut campaign with a ten point haul from four matches, including a final day defeat of champions elect Sileby.
Sleaford goalkeeper Andrew Scott was named Hereward Sports Goalkeeper of the Month after conceding only two goals in his side’s four games, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
Snippets
Huntingdon have appointed ex-Huntingdon United and Eynesbury goalkeeper Dave Blackwell and former St Ives reserve manager Darnell Dodds to run their second string next season….Northampton Spencer’s long serving groundsman Cecil Banham has been named the Level 5 & 6 Groundsman of the Year by the Northamptonshire FA…..Irchester now have their floodlights up at Alfred Street…..Former Irchester and Whitworths goalkeeper Colin Ridgway has been appointed manager of new boys Wellingborough Town.
Seventeen ever presents during 2004-05
Seventeen players ended the 2004-05 as ever presents in domestic football for their clubs, six in the Premier Division, ten in Division One and just one in Reserve Division Two.
Harrowby were the only top flight outfit to feature two ever present players in their squad, goalkeeper Ian Flavell and midfielder Mark Foster both featuring in all 47 Arrows’ Premier and Knockout Cup matches. Also appearing on 47 occasions was Woodford skipper Adam Knight, while Blackstones midfielder Matty Doyle lined up in all 45 of his club’s games. Champions Cogenhoe had just one ever present in their 44 matches, midfield operator Elliott Sandy while at the other end of the table Greig McIlwain appeared in all 44 matches for Stewarts & Lloyds.
A settled side was key to St Ives’ successful promotion bid, with no fewer than four players featuring in all 35 matches for the Westwood Road club. Manager Warren Everdell led the way with goalkeeper Adam Bruce, defensive colleague Dan Newman and midfielder Jon Lee alongside him in each and every one of the Saints’ domestic games. A rare appearance by a striker in the ever present list saw Paul Carey play a part in all 37 Eynesbury matches, while Matty Freeman was involved in all 36 matches for runners-up Whitworths. Goalkeeper Phil Turner and defender Jim Wilson played all 35 ofThrapston’s games while Huntingdon midfielder Darren Ray ensured that all three of the county’s clubs were represented in the list, playing all 35 matches for the Jubilee Park club. Goalkeeper Lee Brydon became the division’s third ever present custodian, featuring in all 35 games played by Corby Cottingham in their final campaign.
Ever present players are a rarity at reserve level with Daventry front runner Jed Brennan the only second string maximum man with 29 league and cup appearances for the Elderstubbs outfit.
Worthy of an honourable mention is Long Buckby midfielder Jon Crockett who appeared in all 42 league outings for the Bucks but missed their Knockout Cup defeat by Harrowby!
Remarkably six of the season’s ever presents also played in every game in the 2003-04 season - take a bow Messrs Doyle, Knight, Brydon and Turner for a second ever present campaign. Pride of place goes to two men whose run of consecutive appearances extends well past the century mark. Eynesbury striker Carey ended the season with an unbroken run of 127 matches to his name, followed by St Ives player boss Everdell with 116.
In the Premier Division Bourne called on the services of the most players, 65, while Lincolnshire neighbours Holbeach utilised the fewest players, a mere 27. In Division One Burton Park fielded 67 players during the campaign, while promoted St Ives and runners-up Whitworths built their excellent campaigns on the basis of settled squads which saw them field just 23 players!
Retirement beckons for veteran duo
Two of the league’s best known players have retired from the action at the age of 40. Boston Town skipper Lee Rippin has called time on a 25 year career which started with the Poachers in the Midland League at the age of 15. He is the club’s record appearance holder with around 650 games to his name and played 450 matches for Boston in the UCL alone, scoring 34 goals. He won two UCL titles with the Poachers and one with Spalding where he played 24 times scoring eight goals.
Stotfold goalkeeper Steve Young unfortunately finished his career on a low note as injury forced his early departure in the Eagles’ last match against Blackstones. His UCL career saw him play a total of 615 matches, 340 for Stotfold, 171 for Potton and 104 for St Neots. His only championship came in 1989 with Potton.