The Horrors - Skying [Album Review]

Click here or read below for my album review of Skying by The Horrors. It was published at Pure Grain Audio.

Rating: 8/10

Skying is the third album from British band, The Horrors. The slightly obscure post punk fivesome have never endured success like they have with Skying as it rocketed to number five in the UK charts, twenty places higher than previous effort Primary Colours. Is their success justified? Definitely, yes.

The consistent quality possessed on Skying is quite remarkable. The opening two tracks, although a little slow, set the scene perfectly for the band to step up a gear and bash out four irresistible efforts, with 'I Can See Through You' a particular highlight.

The band are pretty much spot on when it comes to the music, although the synthesizers can be overbearing at times. However, it is lead singer Faris Badwan who steals the show with an emotionally charged deep voice and his lyrics paint some very scenic pictures in your mind, such as those sung on 'Dive In': “the wind combed through her hair like high notes, tinkling furrows across the sky, there would be tears, flowers, long shadows, she could see it now, the jets would dive.”

Sure, there are one or two weak tracks such as 'Wild Eyed' and 'Monica Gems' which were unstructured and frankly, a bit of a mess. However, looking at the overall picture Skying is a great record from a band who have now successfully emerged from the underground.

written by Will Lyon

Track Listing:

1.    Changing The Rain
2.    You Said
3.    I Can See Through You
4.    Endless Blue
5.    Dive In
6.    Still Life
7.    Wild Eyed
8.    Moving Further Away
9.    Monica Gems
10.  Oceans Burning

Time: 53:52
Release Date: July 11, 2011

Check out the song: 'Still Life'

SFL Division One 2011/12 fan preview: Raith Rovers

Click here or read below for my preview of the 2011/12 season for Raith Rovers. It was published on the STV website.

Raith Rovers

Describe last season in one word? 

Overachievement. A season long battle for promotion to the SPL was the last thing any Rovers fan expected before the start of last season. It was a truly remarkable campaign and one that will live long in the memory.

Who do you think will win your division? 

There is only one First Division side who have significantly strengthened over the summer and that is Ross County. Despite flirting with the relegation playoff spot last season, the Highlanders had a talented squad but suffered from a chronic lack of confidence. Over the last few months they have added the required experience and skill to form what is now an extremely competitive twenty-four man squad.

Who do you think will be relegated? 

The First Division will only contain one part-time team this season and that is Ayr United. The playoff winners may have signed Gareth Wardlaw after his release from SPL side St. Mirren, but on paper their squad is not good enough to stay up.

How do you rate your own manager?

John McGlynn has turned Raith Rovers around, the Kirkcaldy club was once a disorganised shambles. McGlynn has demanded that the players and staff be treated with the highest respect by doing simple tasks such as cleaning and repainting the decrepit dressing rooms. On the pitch, McGlynn has used the contacts he gained at Hearts when he was first team coach to bring in high quality signings, whether that be on free transfers or on loan. He has guided Rovers back to their natural position from the depths of despair and although he does appear a bit tactically naïve he has done a phenomenal job.

How do you rate the business he’s done this summer?

McGlynn's budget has been severed this summer so he was always going to struggle bringing in quality replacements for the fifteen that left at the end of last season. Joe Hamill arrives from Livingston and Brian Graham rejected a contract from Morton to come to Raith. They are decent, if not unspectacular signings and should do a job for Rovers. Signing on loan is Stephen Reynolds, a St. Johnstone youth striker who will offer competition up front for Graham and John Baird. Considering McGlynn's previous loan signings of David Goodwillie and Johnny Russell, there are high hopes that Reynolds will become a star too.

Who do you think will be the surprise package from your team this season?

After years of disputes with the fans over his captaincy, rash tackling and poor distribution this could be the year that Iain Davidson really steps up and drives the team forward. After the devastation of severe budget cuts and waving goodbye to teammates, local lad Davidson might just be the link in the chain to keep this group of players battling on.

Who is the cult hero at your club? 

With his tendency to trip over his own feet, clip the ball over the bar from just two yards out and occasionally score a wonder goal, Gregory Tade was the cult hero last season. However, with Tade's departure to Inverness the new cult hero should be David McGurn. The Rovers goalkeeper is labelled by many as 'The Witch' for his physics defying saves.

Who has been the best signing of the transfer window in your division? 

There has not been many stellar signings this summer due to the desperate lack of money at First Division clubs, but the signing of Colin McMenamin at Ross County should be one of the best. He may not be a twenty-goals-a-season striker, but his intelligent play will create just as many goals and he scores.

Which opposition player do your fans love to hate? 

Dundee goalkeeper Rab Douglas is always on the receiving end of incessant abuse, probably just because he is still a top, top goalkeeper despite his age and fitness issues. This season however, Stephen Simmons is likely to be the fans biggest target. He was a victim of Rovers budget cuts in the summer and has since signed for Queen of the South. Simmons was often criticised by the Starks Park faithful for being lazy and disinterested.

Which opposition player would you love to have in your team? 

Although the Raith defence is fairly sturdy at the moment, Rhys Weston would be a magnificent capture for any First Division and most SPL clubs. The former Welsh international reads the game better than anyone else at this level and not only can he win the ball in the air, but he is also good at sweeping up on the ground.

Finally, where do you think you will finish this season? 

It is very hard to put a specific position on where Rovers will end up this season because it is expected to be one of the most, if not the most, competitive First Division ever. However, I would hope for Raith to finish above Ayr, Livingston and Morton, so if the team can stay injury free, seventh place should not be beyond Rovers. 

written by Will Lyon 

Wolf Gang – 'The King And All Of His Men' [Song Review]

Click here or read below for my review of the song 'The King And All Of His Men' by Wolf Gang. It was published on Pure Grain Audio.

Rating: 7/10

Everyone, look! It's another electro/indie band! The genre is absolutely jam-packed but no matter how hard we try to push it away, another quality new addition arises. This time, we must welcome Wolf Gang, a band with unreal levels of pop sensibility.

'The King And All Of His Men' was the first single released by Wolf Gang off their debut album Suego Faults but presumably, the band are gaining popularity so quick, the song has been re-released.

The track itself is very catchy but if you took the guitars, drums and ridiculously overloaded synthesizers out of the mix you are left with a standard boyband song. However, it is these N*Sync-esq melodies which are key to Wolf Gang's success and they must not be lambasted too much because despite the heavily applied gloss, they have produced a highly enjoyable song.

Run Time: 03:50
Release Date: July 18, 2011

Check out the song: 'The King And All Of His Men'

Tennis - Take Me Somewhere [Song Review]

Click here or read below for my review of the song "Take Me Somewhere" by Tennis. It was published on Pure Grain Audio.

Rating: 8/10

If you can picture in yourself on a beach, surrounded by clear blue skies, accompanied with a cocktail at your side and then seek the perfect soundtrack, look no further than 'Take Me Somewhere' by Tennis. Alaina Moore's calm, melodic voice takes you through a relaxing cruise of surf rock. Do not be surprised if the chirping guitar, tapping ride cymbal and light background organ transports you and your headphones to The Bahamas, and one thing is for sure; you will not want to leave.

However, although 'Take Me Somewhere' possesses many fine qualities, it lets itself down by being over before it begins. After a lengthy intro and first verse the song barely kicks into life before it ends, just short of three minutes in total. Still, you cannot turn your nose up at quality and if this track is anything to go by, then the band's début album Cape Dory must be well worth a listen.

written by Will Lyon

Run Time: 2:48
Release Date: July 18, 2011

Check out the song: "Take Me Somewhere"

Spank Rock - 'Energy' [Song Review]

Click here or read below for my review of the song 'Energy' by Spank Rock. It was published on Pure Grain Audio.

Rating: 7/10

Spank Rock are an American hip-hop group with a bit of electro and rock stirred with a straw. The result is a bit of a confused, but at the same time, addictive sound. 'Energy', the leading single from the group's second album Everything Is Boring And Everyone Is A Fucking Liar is a prime example of the band's unorthodox sound, but there is something within the song that keeps the listener hooked.

'Energy' possesses a slightly lacklustre verse but the highlight is the chorus which begins with an intensely repeated “I need new energy” followed by a very weak “Oh La Ah e-i-e-i-e-i-e-i Oh” before the group sharpen up and demand some more new energy.

At first 'Energy' comes across as a bit of a mess, but with each listen the song slowly but surely leeches onto the skin and does not let go.

written by Will Lyon

Run Time: 03:26
Release Date: July 18, 2011

Check out the song: 'Energy'

Menai Bridge RFC

Please read below for my article on Menai Bridge RFC which was published here in Rugby Club.

Menai Bridge RFC

Menai Bridge may have discovered the perfect way to intimidate or distract their opposition when they arrive at their ground Llyn-Y-Felin. As the visiting players are introduced to their changing room, they find themselves greeted by four walls doused in pink paint. While it is not conclusively known if the colour affects the players, it certainly does no harm to the home side as Menai Bridge went on to win the Division Three North title last season. Team manager Gareth Lloyd Jones is also not sure if the traditionally feminine colour helped his side to pole position, but admits it often causes a stir. “The away teams changing rooms always raise a smile!”

With the success gained while the away dressing room is pink it is unlikely that Menai Bridge will paint it a different colour any time soon as they would like to repeat their league success in the next campaign, but Gareth has higher aspirations. “We want to win Division Three again as it's an automatic promotion next season, but we want to win a cup competition as well. We have been unlucky this season, we got to the semi final of the Gwynedd Cup and to the final of the North Wales Intermediate Cup which we lost to Division Two side Llanidloes.”

However Gareth - who also captained the side last season - has his work cut out for him. “We have a good set of players down at Menai Bridge, but some have been asked to go and play for the so called bigger clubs who play in Division One. We of course want them to go and play at a higher standard, but we have a small squad and would struggle to replace players of that calibre.”

To make matters worse, Menai Bridge are soon to be fighting increasing levels of fatigue as Gareth reveals the next campaign will involve more long distance travelling. “With Welshpool coming into our league next season, we will be having to travel a two hundred mile round trip to certain games which can be hard going for the players with full time jobs and young families.”

Despite the new found problems, Menai Bridge continue to be a club on the rise, especially in their development of youngsters. “We have a children's tag team and about thirty turn up every Friday evening. We actually had a youth side back in the late nineties in which ten current members
of the squad used to play for. We are always looking to develop players from any age to come to play at the club.”

Indeed, Menai Bridge have had numerous cases of successfully bringing through players who go onto great things. “We have a number of players that have represented North Wales throughout the years. Jack Owens played through all age groups along side a certain George North and three players represented Wales districts back in 2004. The club has also produced two Welsh Internationals, Stuart Roy who represented Wales in the 1995 World Cup and Robin McBryde, who went onto captain Llanelli, Wales and played for the Lions.”

Clearly Menai Bridge have been, and continue to be, an advancing club. Just one of the latest improvements is a new bar in the club house, so locals can now enjoy a refreshing beverage while watching the team. Gareth explains, “we were granted a license to sell alcohol last year and hold social evenings down at the club ranging from curry nights to poker nights every month. We also serve the best hot food around, which is just what you require after a hard game of rugby!” These latest developments appear to be helping to bring in additional funds for the club and now in the works is a new training pitch and the installation of new, brighter training lights later this year.

Although making a club successful on and around the pitch is essential, what is immediately clear about Menai Bridge is their commitment to being a truly community-based institution. Gareth is very proud of the work they do for their local town. “We recently competed in the Menai Raft Race raising money for local charities and last year we did a 'Keep Wales Tidy' afternoon where a large group of the players went around Menai Bridge collecting rubbish off the streets.”

When talking with Gareth it was obvious that Menai Bridge are well run and heading in the right direction. Just one example of their fantastic organisation is the fact that they have even started organising their end of season tour for next year, where they are hoping to treat themselves to a visit of southern France.

written by Will Lyon

Raith Rovers Preview, Season 2011-12

Click here or read below for my prediction of how Raith Rovers will compete during the 2011/12 season. It was published in Scotzine. The 64 page magazine can be purchased here for just £1.

1. Who do you think will win the league this season?

Once again, the First Division is likely to be a tightly contested league. Ross County however, have added a number of different options in the summer which should propel their underachieving team into the title race this season. Colin McMenamin will be a welcome addition up front, Rocco Quinn should add some increased trickery in midfield, while Russell Duncan and Grant Munro will bring an abundance of experience required for maintaining a promotion push late in the season.

2. Other than your side, what club will you be watching closely?

It shall be interesting to observe how Dundee perform this season. Despite their twenty-five point deduction last term, the Dens Park side finished sixth and although they have lost Gary Harkins, Craig Forsyth and Leigh Griffiths they could well be an outside bet for the title.

3. Who do you think will be bottom of the league/destined for the drop?

Ayr United will most probably have the tightest budget next season and will be the only part-time club in the First Division, so you would expect the Somerset Park side to prop up the table. The ninth placed play-off position could be held by a number of teams, but whoever occupies it should be able to come out of the play-offs victorious due to their full time status.

4. Where do you think your club will finish in the league?

It is hard to predict where Raith Rovers will finish this season, due to the similar quality of all teams in the league. However, fifteen players left the Kirkcaldy club in the summer and with a limited number of players replacing the departed, I would expect Rovers to finish around mid-table this time around.

5. Who is the club's key player?

There are no stand out players in the Raith squad although experienced defenders Grant Murray and Laurie Ellis will be an important component of Rovers backbone. However, as the phrase goes, goals win games and therefore top striker John Baird will be the go-to guy when the team is struggling.

6. Hopes for the coming season?

This may come across as very defeatist, but staying in business is my main hope for the season. The fairly significant recent budget cuts were an unwelcome surprise and financial stability is paramount if Raith are to be around for the long run. On the pitch, I would hope Raith can be competitive all season and keep away from the bottom half of the table.

7. Fears for the coming season?

As above, I do worry about the finances of the club, but in more pressing terms I do have a slight fear that Raith could find themselves in a relegation battle this season. Losing experienced campaigners such as Mark Campbell, Stephen Simmons and Craig Wilson may just prove a little too much upheaval.

8. Whose player was the biggest waste of money from last season? And where is he now?

Former Kilmarnock striker Gary Wales was brought to Starks Park in November 2010, but would only go on to make seven appearances all season with a measly sum of just sixty-four minutes on the pitch. Wales was never able to get into a rhythm due to persistent injuries and ended up being a burden on the club's tight budget. As far as I know, Wales has been on trial at Queen of the South recently, but it appears unlikely he will be offered a contract by manager Gus McPherson.

9. Other fans think our club is....

Most fans appeared to praise Raith for overachieving last season after finishing second in the First Division, but the unsavoury style of football on show (labelled “hoofball” or “punt it down the channels”) is widely criticised.

10. What opposition player would you want to play for your club?

Dundee centre half Rhys Weston always impresses me when I see him. He is a superb defender for First Division level and it surprises me that he did not move elsewhere in the summer.

11. What opposition player would you love to see fail miserably?

I have no qualms with any player in the First Division although I am sure a few Rovers fans who disliked Simmons would like to see him fail at his new club Queen of the South.

12. Your manager's popularity out of 10 with the fans?

Despite leading Raith within touching distance of the SPL – an unbelievable feat- a minority of Rovers fans still find themselves bewildered by John McGlynn's supposed favouritism towards certain players and stubborn tactics. Therefore his popularity would be somewhere around 9/10.

13. What team would you select for the opening season for your club?

A home game against Dundee or Falkirk would bring a big crowd to Starks Park and thankfully Falkirk will indeed be visiting Kirkcaldy on the opening day of the season.

written by Will Lyon

Bowling For Soup - Turbulence [Song Review]

Click here or read below for my review of the song "Turbulence" by Bowling For Soup. It was published on Pure Grain Audio.

Rating: 1/10

"Turbulence" is the second single from Bowling For Soup's eleventh album, Fishin' For Woos, the album which rocketed to number 189 in the US album charts. Pushing sarcasm aside, "Turbulence" is a very poor effort. We know by now that Bowling For Soup are a very obvious, "in your face" type of band, but the overwhelming feeling gathered after listing to the song is one of stale boredom.

The song is pieced together quite simply, comparing the journey of life to one on an aeroplane, but there is nothing truly exciting or even remotely interesting about the song. Those of us Brits will be able to compare the high pitched, sentimental vocals to one of a McFly song and the inevitable cringe was splashed across my face when lead singer Jaret Reddick squealed "it's just a little turbulence" at the end of the first chorus. "Turbulence" is no fun, no fun at all!

written by Will Lyon

Run Time: 3:21
Release Date: July 18, 2011

Check out the song: "Turbulence"

Scottish Football Predictions 2011/12

Below is my Scottish football predictions for the 2011/12 season as published here on The Away End.

SPL winner: Celtic
SPL runner up: Rangers
SPL third place: Hearts
SPL relegated: Inverness
First Division Winner: Ross County
First Division Relegated: Ayr United
Second Division Winner: East Fife
Second Division Relegated: Cowdenbeath
Third Division Winner: Peterhead
Will Scotland make Euro 2012: No

Kaiser Chiefs - The Future Is Medieval [Album Review]

Click here or read below for my album review of The Future Is Medieval by Kaiser Chiefs. It was published at Pure Grain Audio.

Rating: 5/10
The Future Is Medieval is Kaiser Chief's fourth album and as of yet, the first that has failed to climb into the top two of the UK album chart listings. In fact, it has only peaked at tenth position. Its relative failure is more than justified. The Future Is Medieval is the perfect definition of  a 'damp squib'. The energy that Kaiser Chiefs are hailed for has all but vanished.

Despite this, there are some good tracks, such as 'Long Way From Celebrating', while closing track 'If You Will Have Me' reveals a moody, emotional sound for the first time and it really does excel.

Sadly however, there are some complete horror shows on The Future Is Medeival. 'Heard It Break' definitely broke me, with some horrible shrilling noises and can only be described as a terrible excuse of a song. The Kaiser Chiefs have never been renowned for their imaginative lyrics, but some of the words and sentences on The Future Is Medieval were far short of what is required. The repetition of words was tiresome too, the word “nothing” was repeated 29 times on 'Starts With Nothing' and that does not even include the “nothing” in the song title.

The Future is Medieval signals the end of Kaiser Chiefs reign at the top of British indie music.

written by Will Lyon

Track Listing:

01. Little Shocks
02. Things Change
03. Long Way From Celebrating
04. Starts With Nothing
05. Out Of Focus
06. Dead Or In Serious Trouble
07. When All Is Quiet
08. Kinda Girl You Are
09. Man On Mars
10. Child Of The Jago
11. Heard It Break
12. Coming Up For Air
13. If You Will Have Me

Run Time: 49:49
Release Date: June 27, 2011

Check out the song: "Little Shocks"

Worthing Leisure FC

Please read below for my interview with Worthing Leisure player/manager James Everett. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Deveronvale, Leith Athletic and many more football clubs.

Worthing Leisure

The clue to the philosophy of Worthing Leisure is in their name. Their ideals are to have a squad of players who simply enjoy playing football and are not motivated by money. James Everett, player and manager of the club, spoke in depth to Football Focus last month and recited a fascinating and admirable story.

Worthing Leisure FC

“I spoke to a friend about the idea of reforming our old Sunday football team to play in a local Saturday league after becoming disillusioned with football in the County League team I was involved in. I wanted to bring a sense of pride to be associated with a team by forging friendships on and off the pitch amongst our own team and opposition. In my eighteen years involved in County League football I have seen what people play the game for - enjoyment - slowly taken away from the game with players looking for an extra tenner in their win bonus and leaving clubs on a regular basis thus losing that team spirit within these clubs. I wanted to form a side that played for one reason only and that was enjoyment and passion for the game.”

However, it is not a free-for-all at the Worthing League side and there is a reasonably strict selection policy. As James explains, incoming players must understand the philosophy at the club. “We are very careful taking players into the squad to ensure that they understand how the club works and due to this, we rarely have disappointed players when they are left out, or dropped to the bench. We are primarily a group of friends that when we put our mind to it, are a pretty good football team.”

Sometimes the main obstacle is age, as James admits that many of the players are pushing towards forty years of age. “We are all the wrong side of thirty, so having a large squad is essential to ensure that we have fourteen players turning out every Saturday. We're mindful that our team possibly won't go on forever as we are mostly all thirty or over. At the end of each season a number of players seem to be rattling from pain killers and are bandaged in order to play, so trying to find younger players in order to continue the team is challenging.”

In fact, James is keen to stress that although Worthing Leisure may have an experienced side, they do possess a lot of quality in their ranks. “A lot of our players have already played at a higher standard. Stuart Hack, our club captain, has played for Conference South side Lewes where he played in the FA Cup first round against Stoke City. Miles Scerri, is the current record holder for goals scored in a single County League game. Both of the previously mentioned have been recognised in the County League team of the decade in a recent local newspaper poll. Our leading goalscorer, Stuart Anderson was also a former Burnley trainee. We do have a few players that I'm sure could still ply their trade at a higher level, but due to family and work commitments, they would find this more difficult than playing in our local league.”

Of course, as with many teams like Worthing Leisure, financing the club is often the biggest challenge. James said “we sort funding from two local businesses, Sussex Paving and Decking and Strand Dental, in order for us to cover the relevant costs of forming a team and entering a league and also to buy kits and balls. Financing our team is always a concern at the beginning of each year. We are self funding and each player will be charged a signing on fee and match fees for each game, but with pitch and referee fees ever increasing, this does play on our mind.”

Looking to the future, James is hoping that the club can continue in the right direction. “Next term, we would like to continue in the form we have displayed over the previous two seasons and challenge for honours in the Worthing Premier League. We also want to continue the well established culture of the club as a group of friends and see what this mad adventure brings. Can we become a County League Division Three team in years to come? Who knows? Dream the dream.”

written by Will Lyon

Tring Athletic FC

Please read below for my interview with Tring Athletic chairman Mick Eldridge. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Deveronvale, Leith Athletic and many more football clubs.

Tring Athletic

The Grass Roots Stadium

Football Focus caught up with Tring Athletic chairman Mick Eldridge last month and he provided an interesting picture of how the Midlands League Premier Division side is run. “The club was formed in 1958 as a youth club and progressed to running adult sides, but youth remains key to Tring Athletic. We wish to be known as a community club encouraging players of all ages, male and female, to participate in football.”

Although Tring's first team performed very well this season with an eighth place finish, Mick made it clear that the youth system at the club is the lifeblood at the rather aptly named, Grass Roots Stadium. “In the last twelve months we have re-instated the under 18s youth team who play in the South Bucks Youth League and they recently finished third in their division. The majority of the players will still be eligible to play youth football again next season and we are hopeful that a number of them or perhaps the whole team from Tring Tornadoes Junior Football Club, who operate teams from five years to sixteen years of age, will progress up to our youth team as a natural progression into senior football.”

Tring have high hopes for the young players at the club, but as Mick explains, a successful youth system is not cheap. “Obtaining sponsorship, retaining and increasing revenues from advertising, maintaining gate levels, running fund raising events, club functions will be a challenge, whilst keeping costs under control. Running six teams is expensive but also a drain on human resources. Committee members who run the club undertake an increasing amount of administration that is required and generally being in attendance at the club for all such events. We are currently fortunate to have a very committed and strong committee running the club.”

However, Tring have formed a very close relationship with a company who sponsor the club and Mick describes how they provide essential financial backing to the club and local community with activities outside of football too. “We were financially assisted by our club sponsors Grass Roots Group plc and their Chairman & Chief Executive, David Evans MBE and we continue to have close links with Grass Roots Group. We are also holding a very large concert at our ground in June with more than 3,500 tickets sold to date. This is organised by the Grass Roots Group and profits are distributed to the local sports clubs and schools.”

Despite what appears to be a healthy lower league club, Tring have had their fair share of misfortune too. “We moved to our current first team ground in 2004 following a fire to Tring Town’s old clubhouse and re-built a new clubhouse, changing rooms and function rooms costing in excess of £250,000. Tring Athletic raised a substantial sum towards the cost mentioned above with the Dacorum Borough Council providing a small grant plus and interest free loan. All loans have now been repaid.”

Mick is proud of the way Tring bounced back and the club have now hosted many successful social functions with footballing icons. “The facilities are amongst the very best at our level and are used for cup finals, social functions and formal functions including the Spartan South Midlands Match Officials Association who have recently had Howard Webb the World Cup final referee, Mark Halsey a Premier League referee and Richard Scudamore as guest speakers with the function hall accommodating 150 persons theatre style.”

Everything appears in place at Tring Athletic, but Mick believes the club is entering a very important phase of its history. “The manager Phil Casserley has put together a large squad of players with a mixture of youth and experience who play very well as a team and are determined to play attractive football and win matches. Phil, I am sure, will look to perhaps add one or two new players for next season but I believe that nearly all of the players have indicated their desire to play again next year for the club.”

Off the park, Mick also possesses some lofty ambitions. “We are in the process of finalising the addition of two extra changing rooms to our facilities in order to move the 'A' and 'B' teams to the Grass Roots Stadium as they currently play at our second ground, Miswell Lane, where the club was formed in 1958. The ladies and the youth team also currently use the Miswell Lane facilities so our aim to have all teams operating from the same stadium.”

written by Will Lyon

Ton Pentre Football Club

Please read below for my interview with Ton Pentre chairman Bryan Bees. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Deveronvale, Leith Athletic and many more football clubs.

Ton Pentre

Ynys Park - Home of Ton Pentre FC

Born and bred in the South Wales town of Ton Pentre, Bryan Bees has been watching the Bulldogs since he could walk. Bryan's father, brothers and son have played for the club and he has been Chairman for four years, so there are few who know more about the ins and outs of Ton Pentre than Bryan.

It would be fair to say that Ton have endured a few topsy turvy seasons recently, but they bounced back to their natural level this year, winning promotion to the Welsh First Division with four games spare. Bryan is of course delighted with the achievement as he explained to Football Focus last month. “At the beginning of this season we had a change in manager, the first for ten years and due to the reorganisation of the Welsh league we were relegated for the first time in our history. That was a low point, but the appointment of two of our ex players, Dean Morris and his assistant Andrew Hughes to the management team was the start of the revival. We lost several players due to the relegation, but Dean and Andrew recruited adequate replacements and the results proved them right. The camaraderie in the dressing room is superb, we play as a team and all the new arrivals settled in very quickly. We were crowned as Division Two champions with four games to spare, not having lost a game. Next season is going to be difficult, we aim to finish as high as possible, but most importantly to consolidate our position.”

Although there has been success off the park this season, Bryan understands that the future of the club is also reliant on developing youngsters and admits the key to being at the heart of the community is to host the best post-match buffets! “We recognise that the future of this club lies in development of young players and have made overtures to a local boys and girls club with the view to form an amalgamation. We support the local clubs and all local charities. Our club is the headquarters of several local organisations, the largest being the Rhondda & District Football League which includes about eighty teams. Teams from other leagues in South Wales choose our club as the venue for all their functions. The post-match buffets are as good as any!”

Despite their integration into the local community, Bryans wants Ton Pentre to have an even closer tie with the people of the town and believes the involvement of youngsters is the key to success. “We are preparing a five year plan which will encompass the forming of an association with one of the local boys and girls club. Another aim is to form a much closer tie with the local community and to promote our club to become an integral part of the community, this obviously will not be done overnight, but with the forward thinking of our committee, this will be achieved. We need young people to join our committee to drive us forward, in particular the refurbishment of the ground in partnership with the owners, Ton Pentre Welfare Association.”

However, times are hard in the former mining stronghold in the south of Wales. Bryan concedes that pushing money into the club is difficult and the number of facilities in the area are limited. “The biggest challenge in the current economic climate is definitely finance. Sponsorship is very difficult to obtain, especially in the deprived areas of South Wales. So far we have been fortunate in obtaining what we have obtained and our thanks go to the people who have supported us in these difficult times. Because of the lack of finance another drawback of the area is the lack of playing facilities in the Rhondda Valleys sadly.”

Ton Pentre will battle on and are determined to pursue more success. Their drive for a community feel to the club was proven as recent as 21 May when Rhondda's best cover band sold out the Clubhouse, bringing the locals together and raising vital funds for the club.

written by Will Lyon

St. Neots Football Club

Please read below for my interview with St. Neots chairman and owner Mike Kearns. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Deveronvale, Leith Athletic and many more football clubs.

St. Neots

You will be hard pushed to find another non league club with the facilities that Cambridgeshire side, St Neots Town have. Chairman and owner of the club, Mike Kearns, was only too happy to describe the wonderful conditions at St Neots. “Visiting teams are in awe of our stadium. It is rated very high. It is one of the best if not the best in non league football outside the Conference. Its hard to improve on what we have as everything is top standard. Our full size pitch is sand based with a twenty-two sprinkler system. We have a 3G training facility and even just put down astro turf where the linesmen run.”

Outside St. Neots ground

St Neots appear to be in a superb position to be able to keep moving up the leagues and indeed, it has been confirmed that the club will be playing Zamaretto Central Division football next season. This is due to some fantastic efforts on the pitch this season. Forward Shane Tolley equalled the all-time goal scoring record for the club with 54 goals, but he did it in just 44 appearances as opposed to the 46 appearances by Francis Brand in 1968/9 season.

Mike could not hide his delight as he took us through the success of the season. “We have broken all sorts of records this season. Our success is one of building a young team for the future, with some experienced players added, capable of moving up the pyramid without many changes, if any. Any good team needs players that can score goals and we paid a five figure transfer fee for Stefen Moore who is a former Aston Villa player. With him and Shane Tolley you have a strike partnership that in our opinion is one of the best in non league. They scored 94 goals between them this season!”

Mike is an ambitious man and cannot wait to lead St Neots as high up the football pyramid system as far as possible. “Our plans for next term are like all teams hope to become champions of the next league. Blue Square South or North should not be beyond this team. If we reach it we will have to take a good look at how we can finance that level and above.”

Whatever the outcome of next season, the club and their fans will be eagerly anticipating local derbies with Biggleswade Town in the Zamaretto Central Division next season. A worthy reward for St Neots after what was arguably their most successful season in their 132 year history.

written by Will Lyon

Deveronvale Football Club

Please read below for my interview with Deveronvale manager Scott Anderson. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free. 

Deveronvale

Last month Football Focus spoke to the Scott Anderson, manager of Highland League side, Deveronvale. Scott played for the club in various different spells between 1989 and 2005 and has been involved in managing the first team since the end of the 2007/8 season.

Princess Royal Park - The home of Deveronvale FC

Scott is quick to dispel claims that the Highland League is lagging behind the professional Scottish leagues not only in terms of fanbase, but facilities-wise too. “Our facilities are often commented on as better than some Scottish 1^st Division clubs and we have a solid fan base attracting some of the best attendances in the Highland League. It is a very competitive league that is well supported and I can see it continue to be a strong league in the years to come.”

Some clubs around the country spend all their money on maintaining their first team but Scott is proud that Deveronvale spend a lot of time and effort on their youth system, especially now as rewards are being reaped. “We have put a strong emphasis in our youth development over the last few seasons and we are now bearing fruit with this. This season we introduced six of our young players throughout the course of the season and they have ended up being up there as our most used players. They have come through our under 19 side, onto our under 21s and have now established themselves as first team players. We at Deveronvale Football Club feel it is the way forward to produce our own players and we will look to continue this in the seasons ahead.

With the current crop of youngsters beginning to be integrated into the first team, Scott is hopeful of another successful season next term. Deveronvale finished second in the Highland League this season and there is no reason why the club cannot go one better next time around. “After coming so close to the title this season just past, we hope to again be up there challenging next year.”

Despite only falling to First Division side Ross County in the Scottish Cup third round this season, Scott also wants to see an improvement in the big competition and others. “Our cup form has not been great over the last few seasons and we want to rectify that this year. We hope that we continue to see development from the team and players, and we look forward to another big test this season.”

Off the park, Deveronvale have some fantastic facilities, but Scott wants work to continue improving them and believes this will help lead his side to further success in the future. Although he confesses bringing money into the club is the main obstacle for this development. “We are a leading club in terms of our facilities and structure and we want to continue to be up the top end challenging every season. We will continue to encourage and develop our young local players and strive to bring some silverware back to the club in the coming seasons. The addition of an enclosure is hoped, better floodlighting and other minor improvements to comply with Club Licensing criteria. As with many clubs, we have to work hard every year to make ends meet and this is done with help from all our sponsors.”

written by Will Lyon

Ashby Ivanhoe FC

Please read below for my interview with Ashby Ivanhoe General Manager Charlie Tissington. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Deveronvale, Leith Athletic and many more football clubs.

Ashby Ivanhoe

After an overwhelmingly successful season, Football Focus was delighted to catch up with Charlie Tissington, General Manager of Leicestershire side, Ashby Ivanhoe. The club, founded in 1948, won the Everards Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division for the first time in their history last season and Charlie was very happy to finish a sizeable nine points ahead of any other team. “It has been a fantastic season winning the Everards Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division for the first time. It’s probably been our highest achievement yet, and then rounding it off with a win in the Coalville Charity Cup Final.”

Hood Park - The home of Ashby Ivanhoe

However, Ashby have plenty of ambition and as Charlie explains, they are seeking an even more successful campaign next season. “We hope to try and emulate our neighbours Coalville Town who reached the FA Vase Final this year. We went out in the second qualifying round this season. Next season will be a bigger challenge and hopefully we will add to the current talented squad to improve in the areas that need bolstering.”

With the Ashby first team flying high, Charlie can focus more attention on youth development at the club, but he is pleased to announce that it already produces a few gems for the senior side. “Youth development is very important at the club with ex professional David Hunt, whose clubs included Derby County, Aston Villa and Notts County, taking up the Youth Development Manager role in 2008. The club now has sides ranging from nine years to eighteen year old through to adult football. The club formed an under 18's side in 2008 which has already produced three players that are regulars with the first team.”

Despite the recent success stories and an award commending the warm atmosphere at the club’s ground, Hood Park, Charlie knows the facilities must be improved if the club is to be allowed to progress further up the pyramid structure in English football and to compete in the prestigious FA Cup. “Last season we were awarded the Hospitality Ground Award from the league, but to progress up the pyramid system, we are looking to improve the facilities. Our first target is to get to the MFA at level five and then to play in the FA Cup.”

written by Will Lyon

Leith Athletic with Albert Bungay

Please read below for my interview with Leith Athletic President Albert Bungay. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free.

The crest of Leith Athletic FC

 Leith Athletic

Leith Athletic are a club that pride themselves on the success of their youth system. Football Focus spoke to Albert Bungay, President of the Edinburgh club, last month and the names of players who have come through the youth system was very impressive. Former Dundee star Leigh Griffiths began his footballing career at Athletic and recently joined Premier League side Wolves for a fee believed to be around £150,000. Other big names are Dundee United's Danny Swanson, St. Mirren defender Darren McGregor and Hibernian's Sean Welch.

However, Leith Athletic are certainly not a club living in the past. The first team won promotion to the East of Scotland Premier League this season and Albert has high hopes that they can consolidate their position in the Division. “We will be looking for our first team to consolidate their position in the Premier League. We we will hold our own at this level and may even surprise a few teams as the season progresses. We soon hope to see our first team challenging the current league leaders in the Premier Division and to be one of the leading clubs in the East of Scotland league.”

Indeed, Athletic are very much focused on the future and Albert is very proud of the current youth set up, but he hopes to encourage more girls to take up the sport. “We have around 500 boys and girls from five years old to twenty-one learning and playing for the club. The most pleasing aspect of our current first team is that every player in the team had previously played for one of our youth teams. The clubs longest serving player Kevin Freedman aged twenty-six has been involved with the club for fifteen years and is currently a member of our first team. We have just recently established a girls section over the last year. At present it is a work in progress but now that the light nights are here and the girls can get back training outside we will attract more girls to the club over the next few months. ”

Youth development and community involvement is something Albert believes go hand in hand and is delighted to confirm this is the case in Leith. “We have built our reputation as a community club. The majority of the boys and girls live local. All the teams are sponsored by local firms and the local schools and sports halls benefit from our teams using their facilities. We have just recently received the Community Quality Mark award from the SFA in recognition of the standard the club has set and we are one of only three clubs in Edinburgh to receive it.”

Leith Athletic have done very well since they formed fifteen years ago, but Albert knows there is still a lot of hard work to be done, especially in tough financial times. “One of the biggest challenges facing our club has to be the lack of facilities for training and the changing room facilities. It is an old building and although it meets a certain requirement we would definitely look to expand or improve if we could. The problem for the club is that in the current economic climate changing facilities for football clubs is not high on the council’s agenda.”

Leith continue to excel in their teaching of football to youngsters, but Albert wants to go a step further than most football clubs go. He is keen to link the club with other sports so youngsters have a number of different sporting opportunities. “On the field we will be looking for our soccer schools and youth teams to continue the work we do in learning and teaching young boys and girls the basic soccer skills. We are keen to build relations with other sport clubs in the immediate area in a bid to allow youngsters in the community to experience and improve their skills in a variety of different sports. We believe having attended meetings with people from Edinburgh sports councils that the way forward for most clubs is to become part of a community based sports hub with all sports coming together giving the kids an opportunity to try different sports. Which may attract funding from local councils easier than all sports working individually.”

written by Will Lyon