Post by otleybard on Jul 9, 2008 23:53:45 GMT 1
Our Unibond Premier Rivals...
No. 5 CAMMELL LAIRD
The Facts:
Where they play: Kirklands, St Peter’s Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH42 1PY (78 miles from Nethermoor)
Admission 2008-09:
Adults £8.00, Concessions £5.00, Under-14s Free if accompanied.
Celebrity Fans: Captain Edward Smith (dec'd), Lily Savage.
When do we play them?
August 16th (opening game) at Nethermoor, January 10th at Kirklands.
Final league position last season:
Runners-up in Unibond Division One South, but took the automatic promotion slot owing to Champions Retford United’s failure to achieve necessary ground grading.
Odds at Coral’s: A distinctly-cautious 20/1
Home Kit: Royal Blue Shirts, White Shorts and Socks.
Change Kit: Dunno, but they shouldn’t need it against us.
Manager: Ken McKenna
Highest home attendance last season: 309
Lowest home attendance last season: 81
Average home attendance last season: 148
Home gate v Guiseley last season: N/A
Result at Kirklands: N/A
Result at Guiseley: N/A
Website: www.lairds1907.com
Striking to look at but distinctly lacking in up-to-date info, although it’s apparently in the throes of a makeover.
Forum: www.nonleaguezone.com/viewforum.php?f=88
Thinly populated, but held together by a few dedicated and hardworking devotees.
Last few games v Guiseley:
Only the one, but it was a cracker. Tuesday March 27th 2007, Nethermoor, Chairman’s Cup Final. Lairds, chasing promotion from the (as yet unsegregated) Unibond Division One, visited a Guiseley side in the midst of its annual play-off battle. James Hanson - a stand-in in those days - put us ahead in the first half, and after some enthralling end-to-end stuff Marc Smith looked to have made it safe in the last minute. However, Lairds pulled one back through a Chris Nezyania header in stoppage time and the final whistle was most welcome.
News from the close season:
Quite a bit. Former manager Ian Doran, who oversaw Lairds’ journey from the West Cheshire League via four promotions in five years, has moved upstairs to be replaced by ex-Tranmere Rovers striker Ken McKenna. McKenna, who experienced some success in charge of Welsh Premier side TNS (formerly Total Network Solutions, currently The New Saints, colloquially and cruelly Ten Nasty Scousers) has kept faith with most of Doran’s squad but has also used his contacts wisely. Notable acquisitions include goalkeepers John Gann and Richard Whiteside, and midfielders Luke Holden (TNS) and Danny Desormaux (Airbus UK). In addition, Colwyn Bay’s Neil Black (30 goals last term) and ex-Southport man Mark Houghton have been added to the successful strike force of Alex Hay and Mark Reed (who could have been nicknamed the Supergrasses, but probably weren’t).
Who are we likely to recognize?
Another new face at Kirklands is defender Tom Spearritt, a regular in the Witton Albion defence in recent seasons who has sneaked the odd goal against us. Oh yes, and the above-mentioned Mr McKenna will stir a few unhappy memories in all Guiseley fans old enough to sprout body hair. Along with his quirky goalkeeping brother John, he was a regular face around the Unibond for several seasons, but playing for Runcorn on April 23rd 1994 he entered our Hall of Infamy with the stoppage-time header from a free kick that kept us from our first-ever FA Trophy Final. It was a long time ago, and we’re not bitter, but honestly, Oggy’s tackle was perfectly timed…
What we do think of them and/or how much do they annoy us?
The performance and demeanour of their players and fans at the Final were exemplary, and they made a fair few friends at Nethermoor. Ask us again at ten-to-five on August 16th!
Likely prospects this season:
At the moment, they’re probably regarded by the Division’s aristocrats as a set of plucky and spirited minnows who’ve punched above their weight and will get their comeuppance in the big league. But we’ve seen them in impressive action, and their signings show a level of ambition that they’ll hope is matched by their local support. If they can integrate the newcomers’ class with what must be a firmly-entrenched winning mentality, it could be an interesting season.
Our own Forum members’ views:
Add your own views, comments and predictions below...
Next: Yeadoner on Eastwood Town (while I go and wallpaper the cat.)
No. 5 CAMMELL LAIRD
The Facts:
Where they play: Kirklands, St Peter’s Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH42 1PY (78 miles from Nethermoor)
Admission 2008-09:
Adults £8.00, Concessions £5.00, Under-14s Free if accompanied.
Celebrity Fans: Captain Edward Smith (dec'd), Lily Savage.
When do we play them?
August 16th (opening game) at Nethermoor, January 10th at Kirklands.
Final league position last season:
Runners-up in Unibond Division One South, but took the automatic promotion slot owing to Champions Retford United’s failure to achieve necessary ground grading.
Odds at Coral’s: A distinctly-cautious 20/1
Home Kit: Royal Blue Shirts, White Shorts and Socks.
Change Kit: Dunno, but they shouldn’t need it against us.
Manager: Ken McKenna
Highest home attendance last season: 309
Lowest home attendance last season: 81
Average home attendance last season: 148
Home gate v Guiseley last season: N/A
Result at Kirklands: N/A
Result at Guiseley: N/A
Website: www.lairds1907.com
Striking to look at but distinctly lacking in up-to-date info, although it’s apparently in the throes of a makeover.
Forum: www.nonleaguezone.com/viewforum.php?f=88
Thinly populated, but held together by a few dedicated and hardworking devotees.
Last few games v Guiseley:
Only the one, but it was a cracker. Tuesday March 27th 2007, Nethermoor, Chairman’s Cup Final. Lairds, chasing promotion from the (as yet unsegregated) Unibond Division One, visited a Guiseley side in the midst of its annual play-off battle. James Hanson - a stand-in in those days - put us ahead in the first half, and after some enthralling end-to-end stuff Marc Smith looked to have made it safe in the last minute. However, Lairds pulled one back through a Chris Nezyania header in stoppage time and the final whistle was most welcome.
News from the close season:
Quite a bit. Former manager Ian Doran, who oversaw Lairds’ journey from the West Cheshire League via four promotions in five years, has moved upstairs to be replaced by ex-Tranmere Rovers striker Ken McKenna. McKenna, who experienced some success in charge of Welsh Premier side TNS (formerly Total Network Solutions, currently The New Saints, colloquially and cruelly Ten Nasty Scousers) has kept faith with most of Doran’s squad but has also used his contacts wisely. Notable acquisitions include goalkeepers John Gann and Richard Whiteside, and midfielders Luke Holden (TNS) and Danny Desormaux (Airbus UK). In addition, Colwyn Bay’s Neil Black (30 goals last term) and ex-Southport man Mark Houghton have been added to the successful strike force of Alex Hay and Mark Reed (who could have been nicknamed the Supergrasses, but probably weren’t).
Who are we likely to recognize?
Another new face at Kirklands is defender Tom Spearritt, a regular in the Witton Albion defence in recent seasons who has sneaked the odd goal against us. Oh yes, and the above-mentioned Mr McKenna will stir a few unhappy memories in all Guiseley fans old enough to sprout body hair. Along with his quirky goalkeeping brother John, he was a regular face around the Unibond for several seasons, but playing for Runcorn on April 23rd 1994 he entered our Hall of Infamy with the stoppage-time header from a free kick that kept us from our first-ever FA Trophy Final. It was a long time ago, and we’re not bitter, but honestly, Oggy’s tackle was perfectly timed…
What we do think of them and/or how much do they annoy us?
The performance and demeanour of their players and fans at the Final were exemplary, and they made a fair few friends at Nethermoor. Ask us again at ten-to-five on August 16th!
Likely prospects this season:
At the moment, they’re probably regarded by the Division’s aristocrats as a set of plucky and spirited minnows who’ve punched above their weight and will get their comeuppance in the big league. But we’ve seen them in impressive action, and their signings show a level of ambition that they’ll hope is matched by their local support. If they can integrate the newcomers’ class with what must be a firmly-entrenched winning mentality, it could be an interesting season.
Our own Forum members’ views:
Add your own views, comments and predictions below...
Next: Yeadoner on Eastwood Town (while I go and wallpaper the cat.)