NCEL Newsletter - Issue 17, Season 2004/05
(Week ending: Saturday 26th March, 2005)

ARNOLD Town have at last received the news that guarantees their future after it was announced that deputy PM John Prescott has finally granted planning permission for the clubs new stadium which is to be built on a green-field site on the A614.

There had been fears that the Eagles could fold after they suffered months of delays over the decision but the announcement means that the £1.5 million development on the 22-acre site can now go ahead.

The government have ruled that permission for the building of the new stadium precludes the building of houses on the site – something which doesn’t worry Town vice-chairman Roy Francis. He said: "My initial reaction is we are delighted.

"We weren't planning to build any houses, so that doesn't matter. The council just now have to approve the recommendation.

"We would say a big thank you to Vernon Coaker, our MP, who has done a lot of work behind the scenes."

Final approval from Gedling Borough Council is expected to be a formality and Mr Coaker added: “It’s fantastic news.”


GOOLE manager Paul Marshall has signed experienced keeper Andy Carney from Unibond outfit Ossett Albion. Marshall had to act quickly after regular custodian Chris Hill was injured in the Vikings recent win at Long Eaton United leaving reserve Simon Cook as the only fit keeper at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds.

Carney, who made over 150 appearances for Ossett Albion, has had plenty of experience playing at a high level after spells with Stocksbridge PS, Frickley Athletic and Hednesford Town.

The keeper also won a Northern Counties East League championship medal during his time at Dimple Wells.

Goole have also strengthened their team off the park with three new directors joining the board from the local business community. Brian Cooper, David Duckworth and Malcolm Kerrigan are the new faces in the VPG boardroom and chairman Des O’Hearne said: “I would like to give a big welcome to Brian, David and Malcolm. I’m confident that the club will benefit greatly from their expertise and hard work.

“The fact that these high-calibre businessmen have agreed to join us shows how far Goole AFC has come recently. In the last year, we’ve gained a new club sponsor in the form of EITI, we’ve launched some wonderful local community programmes, and we’ve given ourselves a great opportunity to win promotion to the UniBond League.”


THACKLEY have signed the promising Ross Haywood from First Division Pontefract Collieries. Haywood is equally at home playing in defence or midfield.


LIVERSEDGE have re-signed former England under-19 international midfielder Scott Broughton from Ossett Albion. The Leeds born Broughton began his career at Sheffield Wednesday with spells at Farsley Celtic and Liversedge before his move to Dimple Wells.


GARFORTH Town are rarely out of the news and the First Division title-chasers are again in the spotlight following the announcement that the club have persuaded Brazilian super-star Romario to play at the Marston Stadium next season.

Romario will, of course, be following in the footsteps of fellow Brazilian legend Socrates who joined Garforth briefly earlier this season. Still scoring goals for Vasco da Gama at the age of 39, Romario will join Garforth after taking part in the FIFA Beach Football Championship in May.

Town’s website carried the following tribute to their new signing…Romário is popularly considered one of Brazil’s greatest ever footballers, having played a momentous role in the country’s 1994 World Cup triumph. Placar – Brazil’s best-read football magazine - named the diminutive forward as the tenth greatest footballer in history (third greatest Brazilian), in a ‘100 Greatest Players in History’ feature, composed around the turn of the century.

In a career as controversial as it has been illustrious, Romário made 69 appearances for his country, scoring 54 goals.


SOUTH Normanton joint-managers Chris Nicholson and Bryan France are looking for their players to show more self-belief as they look to build a winning side at the Exchem Sports Ground.

Speaking after his teams recent defeat at Retford United Nicholson said: "Instead of passing the ball to each other, the players are almost dribbling up to each other with it just to make sure it gets there.

"There is a massive lack of confidence and that showed against Retford. We had the majority of the possession but couldn't win the game."

Nicholson and France are still evaluating their task at South Normanton but already have a blueprint for the sort of players they want to attract to the club. Nicholson said: "At South Normanton we're looking to bring in youthful players who we hope will be at the club for some time."


MICKLEOVER manager Martin Rowe was impressed with new signing Darren Braithwaite’s debut in Sports recent home draw with Long Eaton United.

"We took a bit of a gamble with Darren but it looks to have paid off," said Rowe.

"He slotted straight in at the back, did well and gives us some options. He's certainly added to the competition in our defence.”


GEDLING Town, in the thick of the First Division promotion race, have strengthened their squad by signing defender Nathan Fletcher from Premier Division side Mickleover Sports.

The experienced Fletcher was a regular performer in last season’s promotion winning Eastwood Town side but left the Badgers to join Mickleover in the early part of this season.


BUXTON manager Nicky Law has signed Phillip Austin from First Division Staveley Miners Welfare. Austin played for England in the recent under-19’s UEFA championship event in Rome and becomes Law’s third recent signing following Andy Brownrigg and Dean Fearon’s arrival at the Silverlands.


SUTTON Town supporters didn’t have long to wait to see the potential of new signing Craig Mitchell. The former Mansfield Town and Leigh RMI striker smashed a hat-trick on his home debut at the Hosiery Mills against Parkgate.