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'Slow Start To Summer Dealings - But Big Future Beckons For Russell'
Richard Hanson reports
'It's been a slow start to the summer's most eagerly anticipated month for transfers, but last night things seemed to final begin kicking off. Former Norwich midfielder Daryl Russell , who starred in 46 games for Stoke City last season, sealed a move to Austrian outfit Salzburg in a deal that saw £1.4 million heading to the Potteries.
Russell, 23, sees the opportunity to build his career abroad as one that can only be of great benefit, and described the deal as a "dream come true".
A slow start indeed. Still slower though, when you are the newly appointed manager of Conference North side Worksop Town . Stuart Fairway looked at the paper and sighed. A week into his new job - his first in sole charge of a team - and the national press still hadn't mentioned his appointment once.
His first week had been one of planning, one of contemplation - and in all honesty, one of taking the back seat to assistant manager Peter Price , Physio John Tomlinson , and the clubs' solitary scout, Shaun Hird . This had been quite deliberate - with the inital task of settling into his new role at Babbage Way , Fairway had asked Price to take a hands-on role for the first week, with the new manager merely watching from the sidelines - observing his troops in their two preseason friendlies to date - a 4-0 win over Rugby United and a 2-2 draw at Kings Lynn - as well as taking time out to meet with his players individually, discussing the clubs' aims for the season.
Those aims, however, were far from clear in Fairway's own mind. Upon his appointment, Chairman Howard Raymond made it clear that he and his fellow directors were after a safe, mid-table finish. Supporters club Chairman Liam Freestone however, was far less optimistic - and according to the 'voice of the fans', the clubs' supporters would be content with merely avoiding the drop into the Unibond League.
The clubs' bank balance also made Fairway sweat. His sides' position wasn't as bad as many in the Non-League game - £31,000 in credit - but transfer funds were nil, and Fairway suspected that the current financial state of affairs wouldn't last too long. Season ticket sales had raised a grand total of £940, whilst the weekly wage bill stood at £2350 - £50 under the ceiling imposed by Chairman Raymond.
"At least we have a left back with a left foot" pondered Fairway on seeing his sides' opening friendlies. At this level, he had noted, it was a suprisingly rare commodity. The rest of the playing staff - pleasingly - certainly had some talented individuals amongst them. Battling for the position between the sticks would be two players at the opposite ends of their careers. 38-year old Ian Bowling certainly had the experience - over 320 games at Mansfield, Lincoln and Bradford, amongst others. Unfortunatley for the veteran, ex-Wrexham starlet Kristian Rogers , at 23, had both a fitness and indeed talent advantage, with the Chester-born stopper likely to start the season in pole position for the Number One shirt.
Aformentioned left back Kevin Davies had, for the moment, no competition for his role. Fairway felt confident with him, however - a pacey, brave player who recently arrived from Telford. On the opposite flank, Ryan Davis and Steve Nicholson both had credentials - Fairway preferring the younger (24) Davis to the more experienced (32) Nicholson on paper, at least. Neither, however, have played at a higher level than this before. That isn't a problem with centre-half Paul Dempsey - ex of Northampton - whilst ex-Barnsley Irishman Brian O'Callaghan certainly has class. Journeyman James Dudgeon is still only 23, but already has been on the books of 5 clubs - he too, is not without talent. At the same age, Anthony Jackson is one of those footballing rarities - a centre half who can also play up front. Whilst perhaps not quite as talented as some of his teammates, Fairway considered Jackson a player handy to have around, in the short term at least.
Whilst Fairway considered his defence strong, his midfield was lacking - in numbers, if not ability. Just three natural midfield men were on the books, and with Fairway preferring a modified 4-4-2 formation, with one midfielder dropping into a holding position in front of the defence, it was clear that bodies would have to be brought in. 32-year old club captain Mark Wilson was a signing by the previous manager - but Fairway had no doubts about the player's ability or attitude. Influential, hard working and with a sweet right foot, it was clear that Mark Wilson would be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Left-sided midfielder Miles Thorpe shared many of Wilson's qualities - namely determination, teamwork and a will to win. Whilst perhaps not quite as talented as his former Wakefield & Emley colleague, Thorpe would have a role to play. Completing the trio, right-sided midfielder Azzizhon Koshimov was clearly not of Nottinghamshire stock. The Uzbekistani winger, 26, is, in theory, on a two-year contract. In practice a combination of his University work and the resulting work permit means that he will have to be involved in order to be allowed to remain in the country, let alone a part of Fairway's squad. Perhaps a little lightweight, although a good footballing brain marked him out as somebody to be considered for the longer term.
Up front though there was certainly no lack of options. Dene Cropper , a 21-year old left-footer, is probably too good for this level. After starting out at Sheffield Wednesday, Cropper went to Lincoln, playing regularly, and scoring to boot, before a switch to Boston failed to work out, and he found himself in the Non-League game. Alongside him, Simeon Bambrook certainly impressed in the friendlies - bagging a brace against Rugby. Rarely for a player of this level, Bambrook's first touch was somewhat sublime, and his finishing wasn't too bad either. With two strikers of undoubted quality, Fairway found it easier than expected to immediatley transfer list two more. Neither Blake Norton (20), nor American Chris Cleary (24) convinced Fairway in the friendlies he had watched, or, more pertinently, on the training ground. Both were available on free transfers, although would stay with the club until they could find further employment. 24-year old Gary Townsend , then, would be the 'odd one out'. Certainly talented, but perhaps not quite good enough to oust either of Fairway's 'top-link' strike duo - for the time being at least. Completing the 18-man squad was a player brimming with the confidence of youth. 16-year old YTS lad Greg Archer picked up just £10 a week from his football - but was full of expectation and hope for the future. The potential, Fairway considered, was there with the youngster - but it would be a while yet before he could be considered ready for the rigours of first team action on a regular basis.
After a week of pondering, planning and observing, Fairway felt it was time to make his mark on Saturday morning. Scout Shaun Hird found himself charged with the task of finding ability for very little price - not the easiest of jobs - whilst Fairway scanned the PFA lists. One name immediatley jumped out at him - but it came with a sting in the tail. Bristol City wanted rid of 22-year old midfield-attacker Marc Goodfellow - despite paying a six-figure sum for him only last summer. Whilst available on a free, however, Goodfellow's wages were substantial - £1000 a week. To add to the conundrum, he would be out of action for two months recovering from a broken foot. It would certainly be a gamble to take on a player, no doubt on a substantial wage package, who would miss the crucial opening few games of the season. Despite that, Fairway registered an interest - hoping that he would be able to convince Goodfellow to take a significant wage reduction to play at a much lower level.
Not holding out much hope, he followed up his bid with another - again for a midfield target. 20-year old Andrew Fisk was a product of the Norwich youth academy - and was available on loan, with the word on the grapevine that he had little future at Carrow Road. Again Fairway put in an approach - initially for a loan deal, with the hope it could be turned permanent without payment should Fisk prove a hit. James Collins of Watford was a different story - the versatile left sided defender, who could also play in midfield, only came to his attention when it was reported that manager Ray Lewington was prepared to hand the 19-year old a free. With Canvey Island and Welling looking to keep him close to home, Fairway immediatley launched a bid - competition for Kevin Davies, as well as another midfield option to boot. Completing his quartet of transfer dealings would come a rather ambitious move. With Premiership outfit Blackburn Rovers not keen on left wing back Alan Morgan, Fairway offered the 20-year old Scot a two-week trial spell. If Morgan accepted - not all that certain in itself - the hard part would be convincing Mark Hughes that the Ewood Park outfit didn't need the £20,000 that had been suggested as a transfer fee.
In the current climate - one that saw footballers' not quite so assured of a big pay day as they had been in the 'spend spend spend' days of ITV Digital - Fairway hoped that common sense had reached the younger generation. He wasn't quite so sure after speaking to James Collins . The 19-year old - Fairway's approach immediatley accepted by Watford - left Babbage Way clutching an offer somewhat lower than he had hoped. Whilst he wanted Fairway to match the £500 a week he was on at Watford, instead, he had been offered a 50% pay-cut - but with the incentive of a contract until 2007, and a bonus package that could see him leave for £60,000, should such an offer be recieved.
Whilst Collins hadn't responded by Tuesday, news both good and bad had reached Fairway's desk. The good? - Marc Goodfellow would arrive later in the afternoon to watch Worksop in action against Chesham in the first home friendly - and the first under Fairway's direct control. The bad? - defender James Dudgeon would miss that match - and Saturday's trip to Workington through injury, after he bruised his foot in training.
Goodfellow's arrival at Babbage Way coincided - unfortunatley, in Fairway's eyes, with that of his agent. Agents, the manager noted, always had a strange grasp on footballing reality. To them, money still grew on trees, and each of their clients was the next Pelé. Goodfellow did at least show sense - asking Fairway for around £650 a week - a substantial wage cut from his current deal at Ashton Gate. Despite this, Worksop's bank balance simply wouldn't permit such a deal. Again Fairway brought out the same old incentives - longer contract, goal and assist bonuses, plus wage increases on promotion - in a bid to counteract the sour tasting pill of basic pay under the £400-a-week mark. The manager was somewhat suprised when he didn't walk out immediatley - he would stay to see the game, whilst pondering the offer.
Subs; Nicholson, Bowling (GK), A Trialist, Townsend, Archer
The injury to Dudgeon - combined with a lack of signings so far - led to a 'situation' for Fairway. He called on family - though the match programme stated the mysterious 'A Trialist' as amongst the substitutes, Fairway knew that Danny Wood had no chance of a contract at Worksop as he simply wasn't up to the grade. He did own a pair of boots though, and played a little at school - in an emergency, Fairway hoped that Wood could at least look half competent on the park. Things began brightly - Azizzhon Khoshimov opening the scoring on 24 with a well-placed effort from just inside the box, followed 10 minutes later by a bullet Dene Cropper header to double the scoring. Chesham's Doherty pulled one back on 36, but a Simeon Bambrook strike on the stroke of half time saw most of the hardy 73 who had bothered to come out for the match head for their half-time cuppa happy. The booked Cropper and the subdued Davis made way at the break - Townsend and Nicholson respectivley replacing them. The second half hardly provided much for those who had decided to make an evening of it to boast about to those slightly less loyal who hadn't - 2 shots, with only one, for Worksop, remotley near the goal. For Fairway though it was a solid start to his managerial career - three different goalscorers and a comfortable victory to boot.
Worksop 3 - Chesham 1
MOM; Kevin Davies (Worksop)
Attendance; 73
Two days later however, Fairway's spirits were dampened. First came the news that Eastbourne Borough were also chasing midfield target Andrew Fisk , having a loan bid accepted, whilst on a more permanent basis, James Collins chose Essex over everywhere else - signing a 1-year deal to play Conference football for Jeff King's Canvey Island .
The 22nd of July would prove to be a very busy day. After initially rejecting the offer, Marc Goodfellow found Fairway not one to give up easily - and himself back in Worksop to enter into further negociations. He would not be the only face arriving at Babbage Way - Alan Morgan signing in for a 2-week trial period. A bit different from Ewood Park...
Friday too began busy - Scout Shaun Hird filing a report on his trip to the borders for an originally unappealing friendly match between Chester and Cowdenbeath. Chester midfielder Andy Harris , a 27-year old defensive midfielder, caught Hird's eye - and when Fairway discovered that Harris was surplus to requirements at the Deva Stadium, he too became an admirer - tabling a bid on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, however, was a different matter.
One change to the starting lineup - trialist Morgan handed his first chance to impress replacing Jackson, with Paul Dempsey reverting to his favoured defensive position, Kevin Davies moving to the Defensive Midfield role, and skipper Wilson going into central midfield. In stifling heat referee Micheal Reid immediatley annoyed Fairway - booking Ryan Davis and Azizzhon Khoshimov within the opening ten minutes. His mood was not improved on 17 - Ian Arnold tapping the home side ahead. Two minutes later though Wilson combined well with Simeon Bambrook - the 32-year old equalising to claim his fourth goal of preseason. After a quiet end to the half, Bambrook, carrying a knock, and Thorpe, having a poor game, made way for youngster Archer and Gary Townsend. Townsend's first action was to attract the unwanted attention of the over zealous official - another booking in a match that certainly couldn't be classed as the FA Cup Final. A combination of poor officiating, and the heat resulted in a turgid second half - although Ian Arnold's second on 65 brought some light relief, for the home supporters at least. Worksop returned home defeated - with the mood in the camp a little deflated.
Workington 2 - Worksop 1
MOM; Mark Wilson (Worksop)
Attendance; 91
Simeon Bambrook fortunatley showed few signs of the knock that saw him hobble off at the interval at training on Monday. The arrival of another injured player, however, was greeted with far more excitement...
'New Worksop Town signing Marc Goodfellow has walked into Babbage Way - and straight into a storm. At a pre-arranged Press Conference to announce the ex-Bristol City midfielder's arrival, Goodfellow told local media that he would 'expect to be a key player in the team, and could invisage Worksop's challenge being built around him'.
Supporters Club chairman Lee Freestone told BBC Sport; "Hopefully it's just posturing - we really could do without big egos in the squad. I'm sure Marc could be a good signing for the club - but he's got to learn that we just don't do things that way at this level".
Fairway could have done without a media circus - he had hoped that he would be able to announce the arrival of other signings as well as Goodfellow, but a double blow came in the form of refusals from Blackburn over trialist Alan Morgan and, more suprisingly, from Chester - demanding £2000 that Fairway simply didn't have available for Andy Harris .
An unchanged side for the visit of Essex outfit Billericay - Marc Goodfellow, and, a late new addition in Norwich loanee Andrew Fisk , paraded on the pitch before the match to the home support. Fisk arrived on a season-long loan deal too late for inclusion. The double-signing was, unfortunatley, perhaps the only thing worth talking about for the first 45 minutes - neither side really getting forward to create chances, with a 0-0 scoreline at half time that had 'bore' written all over it. In the hope of livening things up, Fairway switched Cropper for Townsend and Davis for Nicholson at the break. Townsend did at least manage a shot on target in the second half, which is more than can be said of his teammates, or, for that matter, his opponents - a bore draw of little good to anyone at this stage in preseason.
Worksop 0 - Billericay 0
MOM: Gareth Ridley (Billericay)
Attendance; 50
Dismal - the verdict from their manager as the Worksop players warmed down at a totally deserted Babbage Way after the match. It was a decidedly average, uninspired, performance, and Fairway's men felt a verbal earbashing from their gaffer for the first time since his arrival. "How can we expect people to turn up" he said, "when we play like that?". Miles Thorpe though was exempt from the 'hairdryer approach' - the winger picking up a wrist injury that would rule him out for a week, and leave Worksop's midfield looking paper-thin once again.
Saturday brought Worksop's penultimate preseason friendly - a trip to Stamford . It would also bring a return to fitness for James Dudgeon - replacing Nicholson on the bench, whilst new boy Andrew Fisk made his debut in midfield, replacing the injured Thorpe. The handful of Worksop fans who had decided to travel to Stamford's Newflame Stadium were rewarded almost instantly - Dene Cropper plowing a lone furrow down the left, before crossing for Andrew Fisk to make himself an instant favourite with a placed effort from inside the box. On 9 minutes, Simeon Bambrook headed the second - and suddenley, the disapointment of the previous two matches was a mere fading memory. With no changes at half time, Worksop got into their stride - skipper Mark Wilson added a third in a well-worked move on 54, before Fairway did decide to ring the changes 10 minutes later. Injury victim Ryan Davis limped off to a sympathetic round of applause to be replaced by James Dudgeon, young Greg Archer replaced goalscorer Bambrook, veteran stopper Ian Bowling came on for Rogers between the sticks and Gary Townsend replaced Wilson in a revamped midfield. Although against admitedley weaker opposition, Worksop looked genuinely comfortable on the ball at times - Khoshimov in particular bossing the midfield.
Stamford 0 - Worksop 3
MOM; Azizzhon Khoshimov
Attendance; 121
After the battle - the casualties. Just the one this time - Ryan Davis ruled out for a month with a torn groin muscle. On Thursday, however, it was time to say goodbye to trialist Alex Morgan . Although impressed with the Scot, Fairway simply couldn't raise the £6000 fee that Blackburn Rovers demanded for his signature. Had he been able to, Morgan could have looked forward to a season as first choice. At Ewood Park, he would perhaps be lucky to make a few reserve team appearances. Upon his return to Blackburn, things got worse - the left back breaking his wrist in his first training session back at his parent club, and ruled out for a month.
The final friendly saw a fit again Miles Thorpe return to the bench and James Dudgeon to the starting lineup as Worksop travelled to deepest Sussex. Sussex League minnows Hailsham Town should have proved little trouble for Fairway's men - but Kenny Macreadie's side are noted for their physical tactics, and after sending Brian O'Callaghan off injured to be replaced by utility man Jackson early on, Jon Walters scrambled an opener on 24. Fairway would later describe the second half as 'frustrating and infuriating' - the rhyming not intentional - but the result told the story - Worksop had failed to win their final preseason game of the summer. Now, only a week's worth of training stood between them and an assault on the Conference North.
A bruised thigh for Brian O'Callaghan wouldn't keep him out of contention for Saturday's opener - much to Fairway's relief - but manager would have to decide weather or not to bring in a further addition to his squad ahead of the game. Scout Shaun Hird had long raved about Watford's loan-listed frontman Jason Norville , but when a video report finally turned up, Fairway could see why.
The Trinidad & Tobago Under 21 starlet certainly looked the part - and with the beginnings of doubts over Dene Cropper's preseason form, Fairway decided to table a bid for the 20 year old - hoping to bag him from the Hornets for the whole of the campaign. By Tuesday morning, it was a done deal. With one striker in, another was set to depart. In something of a suprising move to many at the club, youngster Greg Archer elected not to sign on pro forms when he reached his 17th birthday. The starlet instead decided that his education must come first - opting to leave the club, as entitled to do, on a free.
Greg Archer - SC - 0 Games/0 Goals - Released
Saturday 14th July - Judgement day. Well, not quite, but the League opener - and Fairway's first competitive match in charge of Worksop Town.
Kettering Town v Worksop Town - Conference North Game 1
Just one change to the side that lost against Hailsham Town - new signing Jason Norville replacing Dene Cropper in attack. On a dry, hot day, Worksop shot out of the blocks - and within 4 minutes, were ahead. After some neat work by Andrew Fisk, Simeon Bambrook fired home off the post to hand his new manager a dream start. On the half hour, joy was doubled for the visitors - Wilson and classy Uzbek winger Khoshimov combining well, with the latter threading through debutant Jason Norville for a simple finish at the near post. With Dempsey making way for Thorpe at the break, Fisk dropped back into the midfield holding role, allowing skipper Wilson to make further forward runs. On 55, he nearly made the most of one such play - bursting through only to fire wide of the post. As it was, there would be no further goals - Kettering, subdued in front of a quiet home crowd, picked up 5 bookings to boot. A fine start to the season.
Man of the Match Jason Norville had certainly made his mark - scored one, but could have had a hatrick - and straight out of the country on Sunday. With Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup Qualifying action against Mexico, Norville had high hopes of gaining his first senior cap, especially given his stunning debut showing for his new club.
Bradford Park Avenue v Worksop Town - Conference North Game 2
Norville out, Cropper in - just one change to the side for Tuesday's visit of Bradford's 'other' football club. Although an evening game, at this stage of the season such matches are almost played out in temperatures as warm as the traditional Saturday afternoon time. Although Ben Jones threatened on a couple of occasions for the visitors, it was Worksop who took the lead a minute before the end of the first half. Bambrook's endeavour down the flank, and a superb first-time pass from Khoshimov saw Dene Cropper presented with the opportunity, and from the edge of the box, he made no mistake. Townsend made an appearance at the interval - on for Bambrook up front. The second half began in the same vein as the first - BPA creating plenty of opportunities. Ironic then that it was against the run of play when they levelled on 79 - the long ball game played to perfection by Ben Cressey, with the defender picking out Greaves' run. After O'Callaghan blocked, the loose ball fell invitingly to Allan Pearce, who smashed home to deliver what would prove a fatal blow to Worksop's hope of the three points. They did however hold out for the draw - despite losing Andrew Fisk to injury three minutes from time - and can't be disapointed with four points from two matches.
With Andrew Fisk joining the injury list - out for a couple of weeks with a calf strain - Fairway's already stretched squad was further reduced on Wednesday morning. American-born striker Chris Cleary agreed to a mutual termination of his contract, with Worksop forking out just over £2000 to get the frontman off the payroll.
Chris Cleary - SC - 0 Games/0 Goals - Released
Further news on Thursday brought disapointment. Jason Norville was an unused sub in Port-of-Spain as Trinidad & Tobago went down 2-0 to Mexico. Trinidad currently lie bottom of the Group after just one game - but will be expected to beat minnows the US Virgin Islands when they return to action in a month.
Droylsden v Worksop Town - Conference North Game 3
Norville back - despite a goal for Dene Cropper in his absence. Fairway also called upon the reliable, if nothing else - he had now taken up a position in the clubs' fledgling Marketing Department - Danny Wood, to sit on the bench, whilst Miles Thorpe replaced the crocked Fisk. From Droylsden's first attack, on 9 minutes, the home side took the lead - Jody Banim finishing off a well worked set-piece from Simpson's deep free kick. When they followed up their opening salvo with a second goal - ex-Brighton striker David Cameron drilling home from the edge of the box - Fairway was furious. His side had simply capitulated - and were playing like a side lacking in leadership. Three minutes later though the visitors hit back - Nicholson's deep cross glanced home by Jason Norville . Two minutes before the interval, with Worksop beginning to get back into the game, Jody Banim struck again - stealing in front of 'keeper Rogers to head home Andy Lee's far-post cross. At the break, with little to loose, Fairway replaced Thorpe with the more attacking Gary Townsend, and on the hour, he had a part to play - winning a free kick, which Dempsey put into the box for Simeon Bambrook to crack home a stunning drive on the turn. Try as they might, there would be no leveller - Wilson the closest late on. Three games played, one win, one draw and one defeat. Consistency perhaps the key word for Fairway to focus on during the coming week.
Walking in a Worksop Wonderland 
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