Annan Athletic replace Gretna in SFL (Thu 03 Jul)
Annan Athletic have been admitted to the Scottish Football League after winning a vote to replace Gretna.
At a meeting at Hampden today the 29 SFL clubs voted for Annan Athletic being invited to compete in the Scottish Third Division.
The other clubs that had applied include Spartans, Edinburgh City, Preston Athletic and Cove Rangers.
Three rounds of voting were needed before Annan's place in the SFL was secured. With a minimum of 15 voted required, they polled 17 votes in the final round, with Cove Rangers their closest challengers with 12 votes.
One-time favourites Spartans dropped out of the running after the second round after amassing just six votes.
Annan chairman Henry McLelland said: "It's just sunk in but it's been a long time coming.
"We've not been working towards this for only a few months - we've been working for this since we played Stranraer in 1979.
"We have been rewarded for all our work since then."
Workington AFC will be playing Annan Athletic on the 19th July at the Annan Athletic four-team tournament.
FA competitions announced (Tue 01 Jul)
The early round fixtures of the four FA competitions have been announced today.
The FA Cup starts at the Extra preliminary Round on Saturday 16th August with 762 teams entered this year. The Reds enter at the Second Round Qualifying stage on Saturday 27th September.
The FA Trophy has 263 entries this year with the competition starting at the Preliminary Round on Saturday 4th October. The Reds enter at the Third Round Qualifying stage on Saturday 22nd November.
Ex-Blue Gray signs for Reds (Fri 27 Jun)
Reds have signed the vastly experienced 36 year old defender Kevin Gray.
The Sheffield born former Carlisle captain, who was with Chesterfield last season, lives in Carlisle and has plenty of league football experience also at Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Mansfield Town.
A committed defender with a no-nonsense approach, who will always be in the thick of the action is commencing training with the Reds' squad on Saturday.
| | Joined | Left | Apps | Goals | Yellow | Red | |
Chesterfield | 01.07.2007 | 30.06.2008 | 11 (5) | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Carlisle United | 25.11.2003 | 30.06.2007 | 106 (4) | 10 | 12 | 2 | |
Tranmere Rovers | 01.07.2002 | 25.11.2003 | 15 (3) | 1 | 6 | 0 | |
Stockport County | 04.08.2000 | 03.09.2000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Loan |
Huddersfield Town | 18.07.1994 | 30.06.2002 | 78 (4) | 1 | 11 | 0 | |
Journalist Gordon Brown dies (Fri 27 Jun)
The well known journalist Gordon Brown died late Wednesday evening at the age of 71 after losing his fight against cancer. Gordon, originally from Lancashire, worked in West Cumbria for 40 years, thirty years for the Whitehaven News and ten years as an independent reporter.
Gordon's first professional job was with the Warrington Guardian, though his career started at school writing match reports of his school team's games posted on the school notice board. These reports regularly featured lifelong friend Roger Hunt, one of England's 1966 World Cup winning heroes. Gordon claimed to have launched Roger's career through his school match reports!
Gordon was also a keen walker and cyclist. He had regular newspaper columns on these matters and also had a book published in 1994 titled '100 Lake District Walks'. He was also a very good table tennis player, up to league standard.
At the age of 70, Gordon cycled from his home in Whitehaven to the Farsley Celtic ground in Pudsey, Leeds - a distance of 125 miles to raise funds for Workington Reds.
(Gordon is pictured on the left at Farsley Celtic with the crystal bowl presented to him at half time by Reds fans for his achievement).
Gordon reported on football - Workington Reds reports for the Sunday Sun, rugby league - Whitehaven reports for the Rugby League Express and Workington Town reports for the Rugby League Weekly.
Gordon was a life long member of the National Union of Journalists and a keen church goer.
Gordon will be well remembered for turning up, for example, at Gainsborough Trinity mid week on his bike, having cycled there from the previous weekend's Reds game.
Gordon had, lifelong, an ability to laugh at himself and will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him.
Pre-season underway (Thu 26 Jun)
There was a twenty-strong turn out at Carlisle on Thursday as Reds' preparations for the new season got underway.
Boss Darren Edmondson supervised the session which consisted of two three mile runs and a gruelling circuit session. The toys (footballs) had been left at home but hints suggested they might make an appearance at the next session on Saturday morning.
Newcomer Dan Robinson (pictured) was introduced to his new team mates and fitted in well with the collection of jokers and impersonators - yes the banter was good.
Graham Anthony, Viv Busby and Anthony Wright (all on holiday) were the notable absentees.
Lancit Haulage Lancashire League AGM (Wed 25 Jun)
Reds' Reserves secretary/manager, Herbert Briggs, was re-presented with the Lancashire League West Division championship trophy during Tuesday evening's Annual General Meeting at Leyland, although there was a faux pas by the League chairman who offered congratulations to WORKINGTON TOWN!
Reds will again compete in the twelve team West Division which saw two new arrivals (Chorley and Clitheroe) and the departure of Kendal Town who were effectively thrown out of the League because of poor administration.
The Reserves' opponents this season, which starts on 16th August, will be Bamber Bridge, Barrow, Burscough, Chorley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Fleetwood Town, Formby, Lancaster City, Leigh RMI and Salford City.
The East Division lost one club (Emley) but gained four (Harrogate Railway, Pontefract Collieries, Thackley and Yorkshire Amateurs) and will operate with fourteen clubs - two more than the West section.
New Reserve team coach Adam Johnson (pictured) accompanied Mr Briggs to the meeting.
Adam has been out injured for the best part of a year - he last played for the Reserves in August last year - and is due to undergo surgery next month at a hospital in Oswestry. He is employed as a Sports Lecturer at the Newton Rigg college working alongside former Reds' defender John McNamee (junior) and ex. Carlisle United player Jeff Thorpe.
Annan tournament matches revised (Tue 24 Jun)
There has been a change of draw in the Annan Athletic tournament following Ebbsfleet United's withdrawal. The Blue Square Premier outfit have now cancelled their mini tour of Scotland, following changes at Board level, and are now heading for a similar break in the West Country.
Their replacement in the four team tournament will be East of Scotland outfit, Spartans (Edinburgh).
Reds will now play hosts, Annan Athletic, on the Saturday at noon with Stranraer playing Spartans at 3.15pm.
The two losers will play each other on the Sunday (noon) and the two winners will contest the Scottish Brewers Challenge Cup final at 3.15pm.
Berkeley joins the Bloods (Fri 20 Jun)
The club confirmed today that Manchester based forward Matthew Berkeley has joined Droylsden FC for the 2008/09 season. Matthew made a total of 40 appearance last season for the Reds in the league and cup scoring 11 goals, six in the league and 5 in the cup.
New Reserves' management team announced (Thu 19 Jun)
The Reds' board have appointed Herbert Briggs to the position of Reserve team manager, a position he previously held in the first season of the Reserves.
Supporting Herbert as coaches will be Adam Johnston and first team Assistant Manager Viv Busby. With Viv's involvement with the Reserves there is now a direct link to the senior side and the Reserves have been invited to train with the first team.
Pre-season training for the Reserves will commence next Thursday.
Fixture release date set (Thu 19 Jun)
The Football Conference has confirmed that the fixures for The Blue Square Premier, North & South will be released on Friday 4th July 2008.
Ex-Gretna forward Dan Robinson signs (Sat 14 Jun)
Darren Edmondson has made his first signing of the close season with the acquisition of 19 year old Penrith born forward Dan Robinson.
Dan was in Gretna's first team squad and made it onto the bench for a number of last season's Scottish Premier League games without making an appearance.
Dan is regarded as a promising young player, with pace, who can play up front our out wide.
Rome leaves for re-formed Gretna team (Thu 12 Jun)
Stuart Rome, Reds' Reserve team manager, has resigned to become the manager at a reformed Gretna football team. Stuart leaves the Reds with the best wishes of Reds' chairman Humprey Dobie and Reserves' secretary Herbert Briggs.
The Gretna Supporters Society are to reform a football team in Gretna after support for the proposal was shown at a meeting held on Wednesday 11th June. An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Gretna Supporters Society Trust board is to be held on the 2nd July. http://www.gretnasupporterssociety.co.uk/
Last season the Reserves won the Lancashire League title and lost in the final of the Lancashire League Cup to Farsley Celtic.
Blue Square North line-up finally confirmed (Thu 12 Jun)
Following the conclusion of the Boston United and Halifax Town appeals to the Football Association the line-up of the teams competing in the Blue Square North for the 2008/09 season can be confirmed.
The league line-up is as follows:
AFC Telford United
Alfreton Town
Blyth Spartans
Burscough
Droylsden
Farsley Celtic
Fleetwood Town
Gainsborough Trinity
Gateshead
Harrogate Town
Hinckley United
Hucknall Town
Hyde United
Kings Lynn
Redditch United
Solihull Moors
Southport
Stafford Rangers
Stalybridge Celtic
Tamworth
Vauxhall Motors
Workington
Boston United FA appeal fails (Thu 12 Jun)
Boston United have lost their appeal at the Football Association and have been demoted from Blue Square North. The Pilgrims had to wait until today for the decision after the the FA deferred the decision on Wednesday evening. Their appeal start was delayed by over running of the Halifax Town appeal that had been heard previous to the Pilgrims.
Pilgrims' Vice-chairman Neil Kempster confirmed just after 3pm that the Pilgrims had lost their appeal and would be relegated to the third tier of non-league football for the 2008-2009 season.
It is not known yet if Boston will play in the UniBond Premier League or the BGB Southern Premier League.
Halifax Town, currently in administration, also lost their appeal to the FA and have been deemed ineligible for the Conference leagues. The Shaymen's result was announced on Wednesday after a 4 and a half hour hearing. The Shaymen will probably play in Unibond League Division One North next season.
Annan tournament matches confirmed (Tue 10 Jun)
The teams competing in the Annan Athletic four team tournament held over the weekend of 19th/20th July have been confirmed as Annan Athletic, (East of Scotland Premier League), Stranraer FC, (Scottish Second Division), Ebbsfleet United, (Blue Square Premier) and Workington AFC, (Blue Square North).
The two winning teams from the opening two matches on the Saturday meet in the final, while the two losing teams play off for the third and fourth place. The 3rd/4th place play off and the final are played on the Sunday.
Sat 19 July Stranraer FC v Workington AFC 12:00 noon
Sat 19 July Annan Athletic v Ebbsfleet Utd 3:15 pm
Sun 20 July 3rd/4th place play-off 12:00 noon
Sun 20 July Tournament Final 3:15 pm
It is forty years since we last played Stranraer in a friendly with Reds winning 3-2 (away) on 3rd August, 1968.
Stranraer narrowly lost in the play-offs to Arbroath for promotion to the Scottish Second Division, but gained promotion following the demise of Gretna FC.
Conference AGM and Gala Dinner (Sun 08 Jun)
The Conference AGM and Gala Dinner was held at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool over the week-end.
The constitution of the league was ratified at the meeting but is subject to appeal as both Boston United and Halifax Town have taken their case to the FA (Wednesday).
At the moment, Blue Square North (22 clubs) has no place for Boston United and Nuneaton Borough with their replacements Vauxhall Motors (reprieve from relegation) and Redditch United (reverting to Blue Square North) respectively.
The newcomers for next season, therefore, will be Droylsden, Farsley Celtic, Fleetwood Town, Gateshead, King's Lynn (opponents of Reds for three seasons during the early eighties) and Stafford Rangers.
Reds' nearest opponents next season will be Gateshead (93 miles) and Blyth Spartans (102) with the longest trips - King's Lynn (258) and Hinckley United (236).
Directors Colin Doorbar and Jos Taylor, along with secretary Steve Durham, represented the club at the meeting and were seated between officials from Worcester City (switching to Blue Square South this term) and Wrexham (recently relegated from the Football League).
Award winners in Blue Square North:
Manager of the Year - Mark Cooper (Kettering Town).
Player of the Year - Steve McNulty (Barrow).
Top Goalscorer Award - Gareth Seddon (Hyde United).
Programme of the Year - Boston United.
Fairplay Award - Nuneaton Borough.
Former Reds' player, Mathew Henney, was named in the Blue Square North 'All Star' team.
Another ex. Reds' player with strong Barrow connections, Neil McDonald, was part of the eighteen strong Holker Street contingent celebrating their promotion via the play-offs.
Amongst the many guests were former England internationals Jimmy Armfield and Paul Parker (classy right full backs from different eras).
Highlights of the Gala Dinner will be shown on Setanta next Friday evening with Rebecca Lowe conducting the interviews.
Burton Albion (BSN) and Stevenage Borough (BSS) hosted the play-off finals last season but, in 2008-09, each final will be staged at the ground of the highest placed club.
Reds table - Barbara Durham, Jo McCall, Jos Taylor & Colin Doorbar.
Boston United's FA hearing date set (Fri 06 May)
The Football Association hearing, scheduled to consider Boston United’s appeal on expulsion from Blue Square North, will be held on Wednesday 11th June.
The Pilgrims face expulsion from Blue Square North for breaking administration rules. If the Pilgrims are thrown out of the league, it would be their third relegation in little over a year.
It is likely the club would be placed into the UniBond League Premier Division if their appeal fails. The venue and time of the hearing are still be arranged.
Annan Athletic tournament teams confirmed (Thu 05 May)
The teams competing in the Annan Athletic four team tournament held over the weekend of 19th/20th of July have been confirmed as Annan Athletic, (East of Scotland Premier League), Stranraer FC, (Scottish Second Division), Ebbsfleet United, (Blue Square Premier) and Workington AFC, (Blue Square North).
Ebbsfleet United, formerly known as Gravesend & Northfleet, are the current holders of the FA Trophy after their 1 - 0 win over Torquay United at Wembley on the 11th May.
Gretna's demise confirmed (Tue 03 May)
Gretna FC have resigned from the Scottish Football League. The club, which went into administration in March, had been relegated to Division Three of the Scottish Football League but today the league confirmed it had received the club's resignation from the Scottish Football League.
"I have this morning received intimation from the Gretna FC administrator of their resignation from the Scottish Football League with immediate effect," a league spokeman said.
"I have accepted this resignation on behalf of the Scottish Football League and accordingly, we now have a vacancy in the Third Division and are seeking applications."
Prospective new SFL sides have been set a deadline of June 12 to apply, with the management committee planning to visit applicants by June 27. The remaining league clubs will be able to hear from prospective clubs on July 3, then will vote later that day on who to admit to Division Three.
East of Scotland sides Spartans and Annan are among the favourites to take over the vacant slot in Division Three.
Nuneaton Borough go into liquidation (Tue 03 May)
Nuneaton Borough have gone into liquidation. The news was finally announced at a specially convened press conference at the club's Liberty Way ground on Monday afternoon.
The Football Association will decide which league the club will be playing in next season, though it looks like Boro will be relegated two tiers into the Midlands Division of the Southern League.
Ellesmere Port side Vauxhall Motors will be spared from relegation to the Unibond League and remain in the Blue Square North.
Gretna FC face extinction (Sun 01 May)
Gretna FC will cease to exist tomorrow after the man who might have supplied the money for the one remaining bid to save the club confirmed that he had withdrawn his support.
"There is no bid," said football agent Scott Hume of Hume International agency in Glasgow. "The bottom line is that I knew where the money was coming from, because it would have been coming through me, and I can assure you that I am not spending any money. That is it – there is nothing from us."
This means that administrators Wilson Field of Sheffield must put the club into liquidation, perhaps as early as tomorrow. All staff and players have already been paid off and the club's Raydale Park is likely to be sold to meet debts reported to be around the £4m mark.
Pre-season tournament entry confirmed (Sun 25 May)
Workington AFC will be competing in the Annan Athletic four team tournament held over the weekend of 19th/20th of July. The other two side involved in the tournament are Stranraer and Morton. Each side will play two games over the weekend.
Annan currently play in the East of Scotland Premier League but have aspirations of gaining entry to the Scottish Football League. Stranraer are in the Scottish Third Division and narrowly lost in the play-offs to Arbroath for promotion to the Second Division, while Morton play in the Scottish First Division.
Nuneaton Borough to drop out of the Conference North (Sat 24 May)
Nuneaton Borough look like they will be forced to drop out of the Blue Square North next season. Director Ian Neale said after talks in Birmingham on Tuesday that the club would go into administration following a board meeting later this week, triggering the demotion. "As soon as we go into administration the Conference will automatically relegate us but we shall take our punishment and look to take the club forward from there. Once we are relegated and out of the Conference's jurisdiction we come under the Football Association and they will decide at what level we shall start the 2008-2009 season".
Boston United face relegation from Conference North (Wed 21 May)
Boston United have officially come out of their Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA). At a creditors' meeting in Leeds on Tuesday, those owed cash by the club agreed, by proxy vote, to accept a re-structured pay deal which will be lower than the original amount of 47 pence in the pound they expected to receive. This means creditors will now be paid off, leaving the club with minimal debts. However, because the CVA was changed, the Conference still have the power to dock United points or relegate them.
Boston United chairman David Newton said, "We are currently trying to resolve our league status for next season. The Football Conference maintain that we are in breach of their rules, which could lead to the expulsion of the club from The Conference. We are currently preparing an appeal, which will be submitted to The Football Association, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome."
Season ticket prices remain unchanged (Mon 19 May)
The season ticket prices for the 2008/09 season have been announced and remain unchanged from last season's prices. An adult season ticket costs £180 offering value for money as it equates to only £8.57 per match.
Information on all the season tickets available can be found in the Supporters Section of the website.
News on pre-season friendlies being organised (Sat 17 May)
Scottish Cup finalists Queen of the South have been invited to play at Borough Park in a pre-season friendly. The Dumfries side are set to play Rangers in the cup final on the 24th May.
The club has also received a request this week from Durham City to play a friendly at the Archibald Stadium. Durham City were promoted to the Unibond Division One North and there is a strong possibility that the invitation will be accepted.
Blue Square North 2008/09 line-up confirmed (Wed 14 May)
The league line-up for the 2008/09 season was confirmed by the League Committee today. With Halifax Town folding, Altrincham were reprieved from relegation from the Blue Square Premier league. The knock-on effect of this is that Hucknall Town were reprieved from relegation from Blue Square North.
Due to three northern sides being relegated from the Blue Square Premier a re-organisation of the teams in the Blue Square North and South leagues has been made. Worcester City and Redditch United have transferred to the Blue Square South league with King's Lynn joining the Reds in the Blue Square North after being promoted from the British Gas Southern Premier league. Fleetwood Town and Gateshead were promoted into the Blue Square North from the Unibond Premier League.
The complete line up of the Blue Square North for the 2008/09 season is:
AFC Telford United
Alfreton Town
Blyth Spartans
Boston United
Burscough
Droylsden
Farsley Celtic
Fleetwood Town
Gainsborough Trinity
Gateshead
Harrogate Town
Hinckley United
Hucknall Town
Hyde United
King's Lynn
Nuneaton Borough
Solihull Moors
Southport
Stafford Rangers
Stalybridge Celtic
Tamworth
Workington
Annual Presentation Night awards (Sat 10 May)
The annual presentation evening was held at the Waverley Hotel, Workington on Friday 9th May.
The evening was enjoyed by all those attending with awards presented to the Reserve Team and First Team players and additionally they were presented to individuals recognising the hard work and effort put into the club over a number of years.
Details of the award winners and photographs of the presentations can be found here,
Presentation Night.
Gateshead promoted to Conference North (Mon 5 May)
Gateshead ensured they will play in the Conference North next season after their win yesterday over Buxton by two goals to nil in the Unibond Premier play-off final at the International Stadium.
Joining Gateshead from the Unibond Premier in the Conference North next season will be Fleetwood Town who secured the league title on the final day of the season. Fleetwood Town overtook Witton Albion at the top of the league with a draw against Frickley Athletic after Witton Albion lost their final league game to Worksop Town three nil at home.
It was the third consecutive season that Witton Albion have finished as Unibond Premier division runners-up and have failed to go up through the play-offs.
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