PLAYER movements registered with the Evo-stik NPL from Sunday, September 4, to 11am on Saturday, September 10.
Robert Lofthouse from Radcliffe Borough to Ashton United Terence Smith from Nantwich Town to Ashton United Greg Pearson from Ashton United to Brighouse Town Adam Farrell from Stalybridge Celtic to Droylsden Curtly Martin-Wyatt from Hyde United to Goole AFC Jack McCarthy from Hyde United to Goole AFC Jamal Branker from FC United of Manchester to Hyde United Marcus Day from Harrogate Town to Hyde United Andrew Fitzgerald from Glossop North End to Northwich Victoria Weekend Previews
ASHTON UNITED may have to wait at least another week to find out who the new manager will be at Hurst Cross. The club has already said it is in no hurry to make the appointment, and no decision will be made until chairman Terry Hollis returns from holiday later in the week. He is then expected to go through the applications with his deputy, Steve Hobson. No names have been revealed but it’s believed at least a couple of highly respected NPL figures have staked a claim. Caretaker duo Will Haining and Jody Banim are also expected to apply. Robins secretary Andy Finnigan said: “Things are looking quite healthy. It’s only a week since Paul Phillips and Steve Halford quit and we’ve already had quite a few interested parties. So far we’ve been contacted by six or seven highly quality people. “Terry and Steve will take as long as they need to, to come to a decision. In the meantime we’re happy to let Will and Jody have a bit of a crack.” One definite new face is coach Damian Crossley who joins Ashton from Manchester City’s academy. Andy Finnigan says the Robins players are raring to go for tomorrow (Saturday’s) Evo-stik NPL premier division game at Stafford Rangers and keen to show they are unaffected by recent events. Keeper Terry Smith, signed on loan from Nantwich, is ready to take over in goal. But new midfielder Bobby Lofthouse is unavailable until midweek, and international clearance has still to come through for Jamie Tolley who has been playing for Newtown in the Welsh Premier League. More comings and goings are expected over the next few days. However, Lee Gaskell and Richard Smith have both rejected advances from fellow premier division clubs and restated their loyalty to Ashton United. Due to restricted access to the Hurst Cross ground because of the recent fire, tomorrow’s coach to Stafford will leave from Kings Road, across from the burned-out Costcutter shop. In National League North, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC’S new managerial of Paul Phillips and Steve Halford have been busy in the build-up to tomorrow’s trip to Halifax Town. Adam Farrell has gone on an initial month’s loan to Droylsden, Jon Shaw has been loaned to Warrington to get some games under his belt after time out due to illness, and Devante Jacobs has joined Chadderton. The co-bosses have brought in young striker Matty Gillam on loan from Rochdale. He goes straight into tomorrow’s squad while terms have been agreed with two players who will be joining Celtic in time for Tuesday’s visit by Harrogate Town. Midfielder Callum Bagshaw (ankle) is the only injury absentee as the Bridge look to build on Tuesday’s dramatic win over Gainsborough. New signings James Baillie and Luke Clark are both in the CURZON ASHTON squad for the home game with Tamworth. Baillie, a defender, joins the Nash from Crewe having been on loan at Nantwich. Midfielder Clark is on loan from Salford City. Connor Hampson is back in full training and available, and Connor Hughes is on the path to fitness. He has also restarted full training and could play for the reserves on Monday. Defender Danny Hall, who joined Curzon from Guiseley in the close-season, has moved to Altrincham where the new manager is former Stalybridge boss Jim Harvey. Russ Courtney and Ben Hampson return for DROYLSDEN who welcome Bamber Bridge to the Butchers Arms in the Evo-stik NPL first division north. Adam Farrell comes in on loan from Stalybridge but Lloyd Ellams and Luke Daly remain sidelined as long-term injuries. Assistant manager Aeon Lattie added: “We’ll be releasing two or three players in the next few days. Names will follow.” Tom Dean is back for MOSSLEY’S home game with Brighouse after completing his suspension. David Short and Kyle Harrison return after suffering knocks. HYDE UNITED, who have a 100 per cent home record, take on Lancaster City at Ewen Fields. Andy Pearson has recovered from the groin strain that ruled him out of last week’s FA Cup win over Colne. James Burke sits out the second game of a three-match ban. GLOSSOP NORTH END visit Ramsbottom and, as is usually the case, have a fully fit squad. PLAYER movements registered with the Evo-stik Northern Premier League from August 28 to 11am on Saturday, September 3.
Cameron Murray from FC United of Manchester to Brighouse Town George West from Stockport County to Clitheroe Adam Morning from Ashton United to Colne Lingouba Amour Cesaire from Stalybridge Celtic Droylsden Ryan Brooke from Curzon Ashton to Nantwich Town Andrew Fitzgerald from Glossop North End to Northwich Victoria Frank Van Gils from FC United of Manchester to Radcliffe Borough Simon Garner from Altrincham to Trafford Weekend Previews
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be unveiling two new faces for their home game with Nuneaton Town tomorrow (Saturday) in which they will be out to end a run of six consecutive defeats in Vanarama North. Winger Aidan Chippendale returns after a long injury absence and striker Devante Jacobs is in line for a debut. The only absentee is midfielder Callum Bagshaw (ankle). Paul Phillips and Steve Halford take over the reins for Gainsborough Trinity’s visit to Bower Fold on Tuesday. CURZON ASHTON defender has a shoulder ligament problem ahead of the trip to Harrogate Town. Danny Hall is 50/50 with a tight hamstring. Managerless ASHTON UNITED are in FA Cup first qualifying round action at home to Nantwich Town with three players injured: Tunji Moses, Jay Gorton and Gary Gee. Colne are the visitors to HYDE UNITED where James Burke starts a three-game ban for his sending-off against Goole last week. Andy Pearson (groin) is injured but Mark Dempsey returns to midfield. Tom Fisher and Nathan Quinlan return for MOSSLEY who are away to Ashton Athletic. Callum Warburton also comes back, having been unavailable on Monday. Andy Fitzgerald has moved to Northwich Victoria. Each winning side gets £3,000. In the Evo-stik NPL first division north, DROYLSDEN have five players listed as doubtful for the game at Ramsbottom: Lloyd Ellams, Shaq Clarke, Luke Daly, Russ Courtney and Liam Caddick. WILL HAINING and Jody Banim have been put in charge of team selection as Ashton United decide on a plan of action following the departure of Paul Phillips and Steve Halford.
At the very least they have got to find a goalkeeper to fill in until Grant Shenton is available. He had his plaster removed a week ago but it could be another fortnight until he is able to play. Secretary Andy Finnigan said: “From a club point of view we are very sorry to see them go. They have done a very good job and will be missed. “But speaking personally, I can understand that they want to move up and test themselves at a higher level. You never want to stand in the way of somebody doing that whether it’s a player or a manager. “I just wish they could have won something in their three years at Hurst Cross because they deserved to. We came so close to promotion but never quite managed it.” In a statement published on the club website, chairman Terry Hollis extended his thanks to Phillips and Halford, saying it was a pleasure to work with the duo. He added: “On behalf of the directors and fans of Ashton United I would like to sincerely thank them for their time at Hurst Cross and wish them the very best of luck at their new club. “They have done a fantastic job for us over the past three seasons — the best we have had for many a year. It’s been a period that has helped put Ashton United firmly on the non-league map. Paul and Steve will always be welcome here” However, Mr Hollis also voiced his displeasure with the appointment had taken place, adding: “I would like to place on record my disappointment at the way Stalybridge Celtic conducted the move for our management team, particularly given the fact that I was once associated with the club and know people there very well. “No contact was received by Ashton United from any Stalybridge official and it is understood they wanted Paul and Steve to take over with immediate effect, leaving us managerless on the eve of an important FA Cup tie. To their credit, Paul and Steve, to their credit, declined to do that.” Anyone interested in applying for the Hurst Cross manager’s job should e-mail a full CV to [email protected] The deadline for applications is noon on Monday, September 12. IF any Stalybridge Celtic fans harbour doubts about their club’s ambition to move up the football pyramid, Paul Phillips surely swept them aside this morning when he was named as one half of the new managerial partnership at Bower Fold.
“For me, Celtic are the biggest club in Tameside and one of the biggest in the region,” said the former Ashton United boss. “Nobody had to sell the place to me. Going for the job was a no-brainer. “I’m not promising instant success — things have to be stabilised to begin with — but the aim is to win promotion to Conference National.” Phillips moves across Tameside with his managerial partner Steve Halford. However, they won’t take full command at Stalybridge until next week. Tomorrow they will be in charge at Hurst Cross one last time for the FA Cup tie with Nantwich Town. Phillips is needed to play in goal as Grant Shenton is still unavailable having broken a wrist in the pre-season friendlies. Halford, who has also managed at Hyde United and Mossley, was just as keen as his long-time friend to apply for the Stalybridge job. “Steve was totally behind the decision and we’ll be doing things 50/50 as always. We’re joint managers,” said Phillips. “As soon as we heard that Liam Watson had unfortunately resigned we sent in our CV and asked for references from people like Keith Briggs and Jack Higgins who are well respected at Celtic. Then we rang the chairman, Rob Gorski, and had a long chat. “The immediate challenge is to move up the table. Stalybridge Celtic have underachieved in recent years but the infrastructure is all there — the ground, the facilities, the people. “Steve and I want to push on to the division above but first and foremost we’ve got to stabilise things. We’ve got to impose our ideas and our way of doing things. “One of those is that win, lose or draw we’ll all be going into the social club after a game to mix with the fans. When we get beaten we want them to see we’re hurting and that we’re not just there to pick up our pay packet. We want it to be a friendly place, too, like Ashton United, where men can bring their wives and children. “There are clubs in our division that have much bigger wage bills but we’re not fazed by that. When Steve and I applied for the Ashton job we said we wanted to go for promotion and some of the directors interviewing us started laughing. But we got to the play-offs in each one of our seasons at Hurst Cross.” Posting on the Stalybridge Celtic fans’ forum, club chairman Rob Gorski commented: "Steve and Phillo stood out. Their hunger, passion and professionalism meant that the board was unanimous in wanting them to join.” Dave Noble, a former Curzon Ashton boss, and Phil Sherwood, are also moving over from Hurst Cross. Celtic fans can meet their new managerial duo on Monday night (7.30pm) in the Bower Fold sponsors’ lounge. |
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