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The purpose of this story is to take over at a Conference club, and write looking from the outside in.
The club in question that I have chosen is Stafford Rangers, for no particular reason. Stick along with the story long enough and you’ll get the gist, but I’m basically using local press / internet publications that are currently covering Stafford Rangers in real life, which the story (and of course my progress) revolves around.
I’m running all English leagues, and the Welsh, French, Spanish and Italian leagues. My ‘style’ of playing FM for this story is to make it as realistic as possible. Therefore, it’s unlikely in real life that players who are playing in the south east would come and play for Stafford, so I’ll be using my scouting network to its full.
As with all proper non league stories, there will be a selection of promising players who you’ll hear of once or twice before they drift into obscurity without so much of a mutter in the local rag’s gossip columns. You’ll probably only realise when out of nowhere you suddenly think ‘whatever happened to...?’
It is with regret that Stafford Rangers Football Club has to announce the decision made by Phil Robinson that owing to a change in his personal circumstances he has decided to step down as first team manager.
Taking over from Ian Painter in the summer of 2002, Phil has led Stafford through one of the most successful periods in the club’s proud history during his four seasons at the helm. In his first season in charge, Rangers finished second in the Southern Premier Division, missing out on a place in the Conference to rivals Tamworth. An excellent season was capped off with an appearance in the First Round of the FA Cup, where the club were beaten by Shrewsbury Town – who knocked out Everton on their way to the Fourth Round.
The following season yielded more success for Robinson and his team as a top three finish in the Southern Premier League was enough for the team to qualify for membership to the newly formed Conference North as FA restructuring took place. An impressive inaugural season at this level saw Rangers finish in 8th position, and the club once again reached the First Round of the FA Cup before being narrowly squeezed out by League Two side Chester City. The club had the tightest defence in the league that season, as Robinson’s disciplined rearguard were breached just 44 times.
Last season will rank as one of the most memorable for many seasons as Rangers went further in the prestigious FA Trophy than any of the previous sixteen seasons, narrowly going out to Woking in a quarter final replay. The icing on the cake was promotion to the Nationwide Football Conference National Division, a level of football not seen at Marston Road since 1995. Although Northwich Victoria pipped Rangers to the league title, Robinson dusted down his heroic charges and masterminded an inspired play off victory to take the second promotion spot, defeating Droylsden in a penalty shoot out at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.
Also during his tenure, three Staffordshire Senior Cup finals have been reached, having been victorious on two occasions. The 2003 victory against Stoke City, where the Potteries outfit were nonchalantly brushed aside by five goals to one will be remembered for many years.
The board of directors at Stafford Rangers Football Club would like to place on record their thanks to Phil Robinson for fulfilling the club’s vision to return to the Nationwide Football Conference National. The club must now move forwards, and applications are being invited for the post of first team manager. The playing staff are due to return to pre-season training next week and will be spoken to before a further announcement is made.
Newly promoted Conference outfit Stafford Rangers have admitted to receiving several applications for the managerial position vacated by Phil Robinson earlier this week.
Several names have been thrown into the mix, with Staffordshire based former Macclesfield Town manager Brian Horton seemingly the fans choice to take over. Former assistant manager Paul Groves has ruled himself out of the running after recently joining the coaching staff at Premiership Portsmouth.
Former Port Vale defender Chris Banks and John Barton, previously Worcester City manager have also seen their names linked, along with former Rangers men Dave Norton and Chris Brindley.
With pre-season training imminent, the club are looking to make a swift appointment.
1 – Buxton (PSF)
5 – AFC Telford United (PSF)
8 – Leek Town (PSF)
12 – Oxford United
16 – Gravesend and Northfleet
19 – Northwich Victoria
26 – Forest Green Rovers
28 – St Albans City
Stafford Rangers have moved swiftly to name a successor to departing manager Phil Robinson, with a surprise announcement.
First team coach Jay Jenkins, a former manager in the Midland Alliance with Wednesfield and Causeway United, who only joined the club towards the tail end of last season, has made the step up to the role of manager.
Jenkins said of the appointment
Quote:
“This is a truly great club, and although I know I only have experience of managing in the lower divisions, I believe I can continue the trend of success that the club has had. I know all of the lads anyway, and have extensive contacts within the local area.
I know some of the fans will have wanted a bigger name, and given some of the names thrown about I know how lucky I am, but it doesn’t matter who the guy is shouting from the touchline. It’s about the players and I know I can get the best out of what we’ve got. If I need to bring new lads in, I’ll do it but everyone here will get their chance.
We’ve agreed a deal with Crewe Alexandra to loan Richie Sutton for the season and I’ve also appointed Eric Steele as my assistant, who has a wealth of experience and will help steady the ship.”
Steele, the former Aston Villa goalkeeping coach has been released from the Premiership outfit following the arrival of Martin O’Neill at the helm.
Jenkins has also added that there are likely to be additions to the coaching staff.
Quote:
“I’ve got one or two irons in the fire but it’s a case of waiting for people to return from holiday at this time of the year. We need to hit the ground running this pre-season, we’re a part time club in a largely full time league and fitness will be a key to our success.”
Ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers favourite Iwan Roberts has signed for Conference newcomers Stafford Rangers. The imposing striker, who won 15 caps for his native Wales, has signed a deal as a player-coach.
The Bangor based hitman expressed his surprise at the move,
Quote:
“I was in Tunisia on holiday when I got the call. It’s all come about really quickly but I hope to play an integral part in the club’s fortunes. I’m 38 now but I feel as fit as a fiddle. It’s only two years ago that I played over 20 games in the Championship so I know I’ll be able to slot in. I’m looking forwards to the coaching aspect, as there are some good young lads here who I hope to help improve their game.”
One young striker who won’t be feeling the benefits of Roberts’ experience is Nathan Smith. The 21-year-old former Rushall Olympic hotshot was involved in a serious motorcycle accident and is likely to be missing for the foreseeable future.
A big thanks to all the fans for the messages of support since my arrival. As with any decision, there is mixed opinion but I can assure you all that I am totally committed to Stafford Rangers and it’s an honour to be in charge here.
It’s been an extremely hectic week. Pre-season training has started and we’ve got about 40 players coming to each session! We’ve taken plenty of trialists on board in addition to our first team squad of 19 players and the reserves!
Some of the players look extremely sharp and have looked after themselves extremely well. For others it’s a tough slog and we’ve had to set them individual training plans to carry out in their own time if they are to meet the rigours of this tough league, and the high standards set by myself, Eric Steele and Iwan Roberts.
Although we’ve not done any ball work as yet, it is important to gain opinion on our trial and fringe players as soon as possible. Therefore, we have arranged two games next week which are essentially trial matches. On Wednesday we travel to Bedworth United and next Saturday we pay Rocester a visit.
These will be useful exercises, and unfortunately it will ultimately end in disappointment for some. However, these games will give everyone an indication of where we’re currently at, and for those who don’t make the grade they will have a few weeks of pre-season to find clubs elsewhere.
Talking of finding other clubs, we have several non contract players who we can’t always guarantee a game. Although reserve team football is ok for some players some of the time, we will be utilising our strong links with local clubs to get players signed on forms with other clubs in the pyramid so they can retain match sharpness and give a good account of themselves when we need to call upon them.
The next few weeks are a tough slog, and although the nucleus of a good squad able to compete at this level is in place, I expect to talk to several new targets to add the required quality to our ranks.
Nationwide Conference newcomers Stafford Rangers have had a hectic pre-season following the departure of manager Phil Robinson. Successor Jay Jenkins has barely had five minutes in the hot seat but the arrivals are coming thick and fast.
Of last season’s squad, Kevin Street has agreed a deal for the coming season, along with experienced striker Neil Grayson. Popular defensive trio Wayne Daniel, Craig McAughtrie and Liam Murray have also settled fans nerves by signing deals for the forthcoming campaign.
Of last season’s squad, Nathan Smith, Danny Edwards, Craig Lovatt, Levi Reid, Nathan Talbott and Robin Gibson have also confirmed deals with the club.
The revolving door has seen Eric Steele and Iwan Roberts join the backroom team, with no fewer than eight new arrivals already on the playing side. Former Bristol City frontman Guy Madjo has penned a two year contract with the club. The popular Cameroonian hit 9 goals at this level last season for Forest Green Rovers. He is joined by former Port Vale youngster Dolapo Olaoye.
Stafford born midfielder Christian Dacres has also joined following his release from Charlton Athletic. Another Staffordshire lad, Danny Alcock will add competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey following his release from Conference champions Accrington Stanley. Former Luton Town and Rushden and Diamonds midfield schemer Sean Ridgeway has also agreed terms with the Marston Road outfit.
Much travelled duo Brian Quailey and Ged Murphy are the most recent to confirm terms, with Richie Sutton the highly rated Crewe Alexandra youngster joining on a loan deal for a similar agreement to his stay with Rangers during last season’s promotion campaign.
Few, if any of those players are likely to feature in tonight’s trip to Bedworth United of the Southern League Midland Division, as the game at The Oval is likely to act as a trial match for many of the club’s pre-season entourage yet to be offered a deal.
New Rangers boss Jay Jenkins was dealt a blow last night just a matter of miles from The Oval in Bedworth, as the Greenbacks near neighbours Nuneaton Borough completed the first leg of their pre-season programme with a convincing 4-0 win over Scottish outfit Raith Rovers. The controversy surrounds nomadic striker Brian Quailey, as he bagged a brace for Kevin Wilkin’s men.
Jenkins was clearly furious with the front man and fumed,
Quote:
“I find it outrageous that he has acted in such an unprofessional manner. He called me an hour before last night’s training session to say he was unable to attend due to work commitments when all the time he was planning a move to Nuneaton. I can’t understand why he signed for us in the first place.
We can accept players moving on, it happens in non league football but I feel Brian has gone about it the wrong way.”
Jenkins cleared Nuneaton of any wrongdoing and welcomed the Conference North outfit to serve a seven days notice of approach for the non contract former West Bromwich Albion prospect to complete the transfer.
As for the Rangers side who eased to victory at Bedworth, nine of the players on show were released after the game, including former Wycombe Wanderers favourite Jermaine McSporran.
Former Walsall midfielder Michael Standing made an impressive cameo, with Scott Rickards grabbing the headlines with a brace inside the first fifteen minutes and Justin Rowe adding another soon after.
Rocester await Stafford on Saturday at Hillsfield, where Jenkins is again expecting to field a quantity of trialists before the first team’s pre-season matches commence on Wednesday as they travel to Witton Albion.
Knot another Staffordshire story 
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