Concord Rangers with Anthony Smith

Please read below for my interview with Concord Rangers chairman Anthony Smith. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Leyton Orient, Dunfermline Athletic, Crawley Town and many more football clubs.

Concord Rangers

Thames Road - the home of Concord Rangers

Concord Rangers originate from a team of boys who played friendly matches during 1966 on a pitch along the Canvey Island seafront, close to Concord Beach. The club took their name from this beach and rather aptly, nicknamed themselves the Beach Boys. Around twenty years later Rangers secured land at Thames Road, Canvey Island, and it is here that the club can be found today.

Football Focus discovered more about the Ryman League Premier Division side when catching up with chairman Anthony Smith last month. Although Anthony has been chairman for a number of years, his involvement with the club goes much further, having played for the Beach Boys aged nine, all the way till twenty-six years old.

Anthony is delighted with the success the Beach Boys have achieved this season, after winning promotion just last season. Despite the on-pitch success Anthony insists that enjoying the roller-coaster ride is primary objective. “The main thing is that everyone at the club has enjoyed this season going to new clubs and meeting new people. We started the season just wanting to stay in the Ryman Premier and set ourselves fourteenth or higher as a great achievement for our first season. But at the moment we are on the verge of the playoffs, so now I would say top ten would massive in our first year at this level!”

In fact, it appears that Rangers have a habit of exceeding their own expectations and as Anthony explains, the board are now considering the possibility of Conference South football in the near future. “We set a five year plan in 2008 that was to gain promotion from the Essex Senior League to the Ryman League and then the Ryman Premier within three years. We are a year ahead of the plan. We will assess the viability of Conference South for our club before pushing for a further promotion, although we may have no option if the lads carry on in the form they are showing currently!”

Indeed, as Anthony notes, the current crop of players are attracting some interest from big clubs. “We have a few that are regularly being watched by various Football League clubs, most notable is Tony Stokes.” Stokes is a former West Ham United youngster and it seems the London club are linked to Concord in more than one way. Former midfielder, Billy Knott, left the club for the Hammers and he stayed there until he was snapped up by Chelsea in 2006. Steve Bruce spotted his talent, picking him up for Sunderland in 2010 and the eighteen-year-old is clearly admired by his gaffer, who recently claimed the youngster “has the world at his feet.”

As with most football clubs up and down the country, the recession has hit hard and Anthony is determined to keep Concord in the black. “As with all non league clubs the financial side is always the one to watch, But I have strong beliefs in that you set a budget and stick to it, I have seen too many clubs go to the wall or get in trouble when the correct finance has not been in place.”

However, the club have still been able to make improvements despite financial restraints and now Concord Rangers have the appropriate facilities to host Conference South football. “Over the last three years we have enhanced the ground extensively with new pitch perimeter fencing, three new all-seater stands and we are now approved for Conference South.” Clearly, the only way is up for the Beach Boys.

written by Will Lyon

Letchworth Garden City Eagles with Tony Eden

Please read below for my interview with Letchworth Garden City Eagles chairman Tony Eden. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Herts Senior County League (HSCL) side Letchworth Garden City Eagles may well be a relatively new club, but they have had sizeable success already. Despite only having adult sides formed as recently as the 2008/9 season, one is already topping the HSCL Premier Division and chairman Tony Eden has applied for the club to join the Spartan South Midland League (SSML) next season.

Football Focus Magazine caught up with Tony this month to learn about the history and the projected future of the Hertfordshire club. “The club was formed in 1978/9 to provide a football outlet for boys who lived on the Westbury estate. It was originally called Westbury Eagles but later changed its name to LGC Eagles as number of teams increased. I have been involved with Eagles since the early 1990s when my son started to play football, and became chairman in 1995/6. There are now over 450 registered players at mini soccer and junior level and the two adult teams were formed in order to provide an exit route for our youth players, so youth football is very important to the club.”

Indeed, you do not need to look far to see how much young talent comes through the club and as Tony explains, there is one up and coming star in particular, who is a former Letchworth graduate. “Every season we lose players to the academies of professional clubs in London and locally. We have former boys at Spurs, Arsenal. Chelsea, Watford, Luton, Southend and MK Dons amongst others. I suppose our most famous current professional player is Jack Wilshere of Arsenal but others have enjoyed careers in professional football in the Football League.”

The old dugouts at Pixmore

With the footballing aspect of the club running smoothly and recently, some newly improved facilities for the players, Tony's attention is now focused on bringing the club forward to one that can host a higher level of adult football. “Our new changing rooms and clubroom were built in 2006 with the aid of a Football Foundation grant, and provide probably the best facilities for youth football in this part of the county. The facilities are however not yet of the required standard for adult football. We hope to erect a new spectator stand next to our senior pitch very shortly, and over the next two-to-three years we want to relay the playing surface, extend the clubhouse to provide a lounge and bar, and erect floodlights on the senior pitch.”

Whilst there is an exciting future ahead for the club, Tony is quick to point out that the current Letchworth teams, both male and female, are currently doing very well. “It has been a great season so far. Our under thirteen blues have reached the final of the Herts FA Challenge Cup for the third year running and a number of our youth sides are in contention for league honours. The first team adult side has reached the final of the Herts FA Senior Centenary Trophy, remain in two other cup competitions and currently are top of the Premier division of the HSCL, so there is still a lot to play for! We have 2 girls sides at the moment at u13 and u15. Last year one of the girls sides reached the County Final for their age group. We have no adult ladies teams at the moment but plan to do in the future.”

New dugouts at Pixmore

Tony is very grateful for all the local support that the club receives and firmly believes their contribution will be as important as ever over the next few years as the club chases it's lofty ambitions. “We are part of the local community and rely very much on its support and participation both for players, adult volunteers and financial support. We want to continue expanding our youth section, extend provision for girls and ladies, and for our adult first team to progress to the Premier Division of the SSML. Our biggest challenge over the next 5 years is to improve our facilities so that our adult teams can progress to playing at a higher level. As numbers of mini soccer and youth teams continue to grow, our playing facilities at our home ground are becoming increasingly stretched so we need more land to expand. In the longer term; the sky is the limit!”

written by Will Lyon

Calne Town with John Rumming

Please read below for my interview with Calne Town vice chairman John Rumming. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Calne Town

Calne Town FC

Calne Town Vice Chairman, John Rumming believes the best way to run a lower league club is to have a “hands on” approach. The Western Division One side - otherwise known as “The Lilywhites” - have numerous volunteers to thank for all their hard work to help keep the club running, despite financial constraints.

John is quick to admit that despite the side suffering relegation recently, the major challenge is keeping on top of the club's finances. “After relegation last season we wanted to get straight back up, but football's not always like that. It’s about beg, steal and borrow for us at the moment. We are a close knit club and have to be. Finance will be a major challenge for us into the next five years. We have work to do to keep costs down. Even marker paint for the pitches is going up!”

However, the financial constraints have not stopped John and the directors improving the club. “We have possibly been able to get a freebie via donations and are putting a new shower into the referee’s room.”

It is not only the referee's room that the club would like improved, but also the playing side. John though, is trying to breed some stability on the pitch and watch the players develop together in what is a historic year for the club. “This year is our 125^th anniversary and we want to be able to maintain our position and push on into the future. I’m keen to keep the squad and managerial team together for next season and see them grow and develop together. We want to grow gradually; they are a young bunch and we hope we can build for the future with them involved.”

With the season drawing to a close, Calne have recently announced the End of Season Presentation Night on 7 May at Bremhill View Social Club and it is sure to be an enjoyable night with DJ Drew providing the music.

written by Will Lyon

Portsmouth University with Bruce Suraci

Please read below for my interview with Portsmouth University football development officer Bruce Suraci. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Portsmouth University

Portsmouth University are a club who pride themselves on being completely run by the students, for the students. The philosophy surrounding the club is one of providing a stepping stone for the University's students, to guide them towards being increasingly well-rounded; as players and people, when they they graduate.

Indeed, using the club's impressive facilities, the development of players' talents is something Football Development Officer, Bruce Suraci, is very proud of and admirably, regards developing players' skills higher than simply grinding out favourable results for the competing sides. “We have excellent, state of the art changing rooms and it is generally commented that our facility has an excellent playing surface that is not only very wide and long, but also flat and well cared for. This allows for ‘good football’ being played, where it is more feasible to look to pass the ball on the floor over shorter distances to pull opponents out of positions and look to use clever and inventive bits of play to score goals. This fits in directly with our club philosophy where we put performances and playing excellent football before results.”

Most satisfying for Bruce, is that the club have numerous success stories to prove their hard work is not in vain. “There are a number of excelling players who have pushed onto higher levels. Kieron Lewis, James Potton and Dan Cox were selected from a squad of eighteen that ventured over to Chicago, Illinois in June 2010 to play for Chicago Fire Under 23’s on a Club Scholarship. Kieron and James were also selected for Chicago Fire’s National Squad, competing and winning a National Cup in Kansas.”

While nurturing young talent is a priority, there is no doubt that domestic success with the University's Hampshire Premier Football League (HPFL) men's side (which Bruce also manages) is also extremely important to the club. With the current season nearing it's climax, it means that every point is a prisoner right now and although Bruce clearly believes that player's technical skills are important; gaining a mental toughness to win consistently is another vital attribute. “Without a doubt, we are looking to challenge for the title this season. We currently have a few games in hand on teams above us, and are also due to play all of these teams at home over the coming months. Although we do not pertain to obsess solely over results - given the developmental stage of the players we are working with - we do look to bring in an element of learning to win, where players are given information in order to gain specific outcomes of specific games.”

However, it is not just the men's game that is succeeding at Portsmouth University, so too is the women's. “We have an extremely strong ladies football section of the club. Currently, our Wednesday women’s team compete in the BUCS Premier League in the country and our Sunday women’s team compete in tier three of the national system, a mere three leagues off the Premier League in the country.”

Clearly, this could be a highly successful campaign for Portsmouth University Football Club, but Bruce is adamant there is still a lot of hard work to be done in what is a challenging economic climate. “Due to the recession all facets of life have been affected, and non-league football is no exception. We hope to overcome these adversities and achieve our goals, despite the challenges we face.”

Although times are hard, Bruce predicts a bright future for the football club. “In line with our 2010-2015 Football Development Programme, we aim to work closely with the Soccerette Academy to establish a complete pathway; recruiting players from the age of 4, progressing to Portsmouth College and the University of Portsmouth with the aim to finish the programme as part of the Soccerette Academy’s Annual Chicago Tour. The players who develop the greatest, gaining a Club Scholarship and hopefully being drafted into the MLS at the end of the process – with a degree to fall back on.”

Looking closer to home, Bruce desires even better facilities for the players and improved success in the domestic leagues. “For the men’s HPFL squad we aim to gain promotion to the Wessex League and aim for the Men’s BUCS Wednesdays first team to be competing in the BUCS Premier League. We are also extremely keen to improve our current facilities. Ideally, we would like to ascertain the ground requirements to gain promotion to the Wessex League. To do so, we need to find funding for small stands, floodlights, hard standing and a pitch barrier. This is something we are looking into as part of our 4 year development plan until 2015. ”

written by Will Lyon

Hitchin Town with Neil Jensen

Please read below for my interview with Hitchin Town media officer Neil Jensen. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

 Hitchin Town

Hitchin Town Football Club

Southern League Division One Central side Hitchin Town, otherwise known as 'The Canaries' – due to their yellow and green strip – were actually formed under the original name of Hitchin FC almost 150 years ago, in 1865. Despite the club initially struggling as a professional outfit, they remarkably reached the quarter finals of the first ever FA Cup in 1871-2.

Hitchin's luck took a turn for the worst after a devastating fire at ground Top Field in 1911. However, the club reformed in 1928 and as club Media Officer Neil Jensen informs us, the immediately following years would be a time of unprecedented success for the Hertfordshire club, only for a certain Adolf Hitler to upset the apple cart. “The 1930s were halcyon days for Hitchin Town. With players like Reg Smith, who later played for Millwall and England, Wally Odell and Les Clarke, there is little doubt that this was a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club won the FA Senior Cup in 1932 and in 1935, won the Spartan League Premier Division. The club entered the Athenian League in 1939, but after two league games and a Herts Charity Cup tie, all of which saw Hitchin score seven goals, Hitler intervened!”

With Hitler now firmly in the past and a tough economic climate in the present, Neil believes the emergence of youth is more important than ever. “We have an affiliated youth section in the form of Hitchin Town Youth which runs football from very young ages to under-18. In this 'age of austerity', we could see youth football become even more important – we certainly believe that a successful youth scheme is vital to a progressive non-league club.”

While the development of future talent is important, Hitchin's current squad are competing well and in the driving seat for promotion to Southern League Premier League. “We have a young side and we are on target to win promotion – after 26 games, we were unbeaten in the league.”

Off the pitch, Hitchin Town work hard to keep the local community involved with a host of different programs. “In the past few years” explains Neil, “we have launched a series of initiatives aimed at embracing all areas of the local community. As well as a 'ladies day' and 'forces day' we also held a 'community day' last season where we invited special guests, youth football clubs and local politicians and councillors.”

Top Field - The home of Hitchin Town

Although the local community is important, Neil is also adamant that Hitchin Town must improve their ageing ground if they are to continue progressing, although breaking the bank to do so, is not an option. “Our ground is very old – a 1920s period piece. The club recognizes the need to develop, as there is a limited time frame in respect to how long the facilities can last. But we are well run, prudent with money and will not put the club in jeopardy in any way.”

In fact, Neil will be sad to see the old lady go when she eventually meets the end. “The ground is much-loved by regulars as it has a charm of its own. But nostalgia aside, the club has to move on!”

Indeed, with a sizeable home support, Neil says Hitchin are aiming for glory as soon as possible. “We are a well supported club - averaging close to 350 people per game. We feel we can realistically win promotion and then to challenge for Blue Square South.”

In fact, the club has recently been commemorating “The Boys Of '61” who fifty years ago, ran out to meet Walthamstow Avenue in the FA Amateur Cup semi-finals. Although the 30's are regarded as the most successful decade of the club's history, this 1961 side are believed by many, to be Hitchin Town's finest ever side. During the same season, Hitchin also faced Crystal Palace in the FA Cup before an incredible 21,000 spectators. The club will be hoping that the current group of players can take inspiration from those Canary heroes.

written by Will Lyon

Warrington Town with Gary Skentelbery

Please read below for my interview with Warrington Town chairman Gary Skentelbery. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Warrington Town

Last month, Football Focus caught up with Warrington Town Chairman Gary Skentelbery. Gary and his colleagues have admirably guided the Evo-Stik First Divison North side out of severe financial problems and now look set for a bright future. Gary was kind enough to explain how the situation has progressed. “The club was in a dire financial situation with dwindling crowds of less than 100. But, we’ve been able to organise some good sponsorship deals and get key partners in the community involved in the football team. We all believe that a town of our size should have a football team able to ply its trade at a higher level.”

Indeed, branching out into the community seems to have played a vital role in the resurgence of Warrington Town. Gary says the club “work hard to get their support. We’ve been able to secure a £50,000 grant from land recycling group, Wren, to create an all-weather pitch which will give us an all year round income and profile.”

With the newly installed pitch in place, Gary is hoping that it will attract more youngsters to come to Warrington, firstly enjoy themselves and then to become part of the club. “We’ve teamed up with Active Soccer, who will bring kids down to the club during the summer holidays and let them know what’s available for them in Warrington - it’s a vibrant place to be at the moment.”

The future of the club looks fantastic, but Gary believes the biggest challenge is the one facing them on the pitch right now. “We feel as though we have the infrastructure in place to compete at the next level up. We are on the fringe of the North Division playoffs but it is a very competitive league to get out of. I’d love to see us playing the Conference North and once the club is properly on the map at that higher division I believe anything is possible.”

Warrington have actually made a new signing recently; the much travelled Andy Heald. He joins from fellow Evo-Stik First Division North side, Leigh Genesis. The experienced midfielder has played at Conference North and Conference National level in the past and will no doubt be a vital addition to Warrington's playoff push.

Written by Will Lyon