Post by yeadoner on Jun 30, 2008 22:04:30 GMT 1
Our Unibond Premier Rivals...
No.1 : Ashton United
The Facts:
Where they play: Hurst Cross, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, OL6 8DY.
Final league position last season: 10th
Home Kit: Red and white halved shirts, black shorts, red socks
Change Kit: Yellow with blue trim, yellow sorts, yellow socks
Manager: Danny Johnson
Highest home attendance last season: 280
Lowest home attendance last season: 110
Average home attendance last season: 165
Home gate v Guiseley last season: 145
Result at Ashton:0-0
Result at Guiseley: 3-1 to Guiseley
Website: www.ashtonutd.com/index.htm
Forum: www.ashtonutd.com/fixturesresults.htm
Last few times v Guiseley:
Can usually be relied on to provide us with a rigorous, sometimes bruising encounter.
Most memorable match in recent times was the President's Cup Semi-Final the season before last. It was the afternoon of the 'Big Breakfast' at Fort Nethermoor. Ashton's manager resigned on the morning of the match, and we won 3-2 with a last minute scorching 25 yard half volley from the excellent Craig Hall. We went on, of course, to beat Cammell Laird 2-1 in the Final at Fort Nethermoor.
What we do think of them and/or how much do they annoy us:
Used to be close rivals around the time we won the Vase, but have come to mean a bit less to us in recent times...
News from the close season:
Danny Johnson, manager of UniBond Premier Division side Ashton United, welcomed back five of last seasons squad and two new faces to Hurst Cross in the week prior to pre-season. With many of last seasons squad still on holiday the Ashton United boss expects it to be business as usual with the majority of the players back to compete for places next season, minus Stuart Howson and Liam McManus who have both dropped down to UniBond One with Bamber Bridge and Clitheroe respectively.
On the positive side three players with Blue Square North experience, Danny Caldecott, Ben Smith and Nathan Wharton, have all re-signed, along with popular striker Gareth Richards and ex-Radcliffe Borough duo Haydn Eames and Matty ONeill, whilst both of Johnsons confirmed new signings are in their early 20s with professional pedigrees and Southport connections.
Defender Ian Kearney (21 last week) was with the Witton squad that came so close to automatic promotion last season, having started his career with Blackburn Rovers before spells with Southport and Radcliffe.
Goalkeeper Terry Smith (20) made his Football League debut with Oldham in 2006 before a successful loan spell with Southport opened the way for a permanent move to Haig Avenue. His spell with the Sandgrounders was disrupted by injury and on his return he found himself down the pecking order and now hopes to compete for regular place in the Ashton goal.
Pre-season friendlies:
Date
Opposition
Competition
15.07.08
Daisy Hill (7:30pm)
Friendly
19.07.08
Gregorians (at Platt Lane 3pm)
Friendly
26.07.08
DROYLSDEN (3pm)
Tony Downes Memorial Trophy
31.07.08
Man City XI (at Alsager 7pm)
Friendly
07.08.08
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH (7:30pm)
Friendly
Likely prospects this season:
No dazzling signings and currently caught up in a litigation battle with one of their former players (see posts on our own Forum, here:
gafcforum.proboards56.com/index.c....play&thread=599
Will doubtless run about a lot and huff and puff a bit and always look competitive, but likely to struggle this year unless they can recruit.
Believed to planning a huge celebration dinner and open-top bus ride through town to celebrate being top of the league - alphabetically, at least - for a record 9th season.
One interesting signing is the left back Ian Kearney from Witton Albion. He, it was, who missed the vital penalty that put Witton out of the play-off semi-final last season against Buxton.
Our own Forum members views:
Add your own views, comments and predictions below...
Next: Boston United
No.1 : Ashton United
The Facts:
Where they play: Hurst Cross, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, OL6 8DY.
Final league position last season: 10th
Home Kit: Red and white halved shirts, black shorts, red socks
Change Kit: Yellow with blue trim, yellow sorts, yellow socks
Manager: Danny Johnson
Highest home attendance last season: 280
Lowest home attendance last season: 110
Average home attendance last season: 165
Home gate v Guiseley last season: 145
Result at Ashton:0-0
Result at Guiseley: 3-1 to Guiseley
Website: www.ashtonutd.com/index.htm
Forum: www.ashtonutd.com/fixturesresults.htm
Last few times v Guiseley:
Can usually be relied on to provide us with a rigorous, sometimes bruising encounter.
Most memorable match in recent times was the President's Cup Semi-Final the season before last. It was the afternoon of the 'Big Breakfast' at Fort Nethermoor. Ashton's manager resigned on the morning of the match, and we won 3-2 with a last minute scorching 25 yard half volley from the excellent Craig Hall. We went on, of course, to beat Cammell Laird 2-1 in the Final at Fort Nethermoor.
What we do think of them and/or how much do they annoy us:
Used to be close rivals around the time we won the Vase, but have come to mean a bit less to us in recent times...
News from the close season:
Danny Johnson, manager of UniBond Premier Division side Ashton United, welcomed back five of last seasons squad and two new faces to Hurst Cross in the week prior to pre-season. With many of last seasons squad still on holiday the Ashton United boss expects it to be business as usual with the majority of the players back to compete for places next season, minus Stuart Howson and Liam McManus who have both dropped down to UniBond One with Bamber Bridge and Clitheroe respectively.
On the positive side three players with Blue Square North experience, Danny Caldecott, Ben Smith and Nathan Wharton, have all re-signed, along with popular striker Gareth Richards and ex-Radcliffe Borough duo Haydn Eames and Matty ONeill, whilst both of Johnsons confirmed new signings are in their early 20s with professional pedigrees and Southport connections.
Defender Ian Kearney (21 last week) was with the Witton squad that came so close to automatic promotion last season, having started his career with Blackburn Rovers before spells with Southport and Radcliffe.
Goalkeeper Terry Smith (20) made his Football League debut with Oldham in 2006 before a successful loan spell with Southport opened the way for a permanent move to Haig Avenue. His spell with the Sandgrounders was disrupted by injury and on his return he found himself down the pecking order and now hopes to compete for regular place in the Ashton goal.
Pre-season friendlies:
Date
Opposition
Competition
15.07.08
Daisy Hill (7:30pm)
Friendly
19.07.08
Gregorians (at Platt Lane 3pm)
Friendly
26.07.08
DROYLSDEN (3pm)
Tony Downes Memorial Trophy
31.07.08
Man City XI (at Alsager 7pm)
Friendly
07.08.08
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH (7:30pm)
Friendly
Likely prospects this season:
No dazzling signings and currently caught up in a litigation battle with one of their former players (see posts on our own Forum, here:
gafcforum.proboards56.com/index.c....play&thread=599
Will doubtless run about a lot and huff and puff a bit and always look competitive, but likely to struggle this year unless they can recruit.
Believed to planning a huge celebration dinner and open-top bus ride through town to celebrate being top of the league - alphabetically, at least - for a record 9th season.
One interesting signing is the left back Ian Kearney from Witton Albion. He, it was, who missed the vital penalty that put Witton out of the play-off semi-final last season against Buxton.
Our own Forum members views:
Add your own views, comments and predictions below...
Next: Boston United
................................................