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With Swonnell having informed us in no uncertain terms that he wouldn't touch Stalybridge with someone else's bargepole, Barnet decide that they want Phil Salt anyway. They're not going about it the right way though, as they offer a vast nothing upfront, and just 10% sell on. Given that they're about to make muchos money from the Swonnell deal, I think they can afford a bit more. £40k please.

Matt Williamson picks a very bad time to get himself injured in training. Having shipped three soft goals in the last match I was giving close scrutiny to the performance of our centre backs, and Hocking hasn't really being producing the goods recently. At least Elgert should be back in time for our next game.

Barnet decide that cold hard cash is not to be parted with for Phil Salt, but Shrewsbury are interested in Mark Peters and offer the princely sum of £20k. I'm not going to be selling anyone to a rival Division 3 club for that pitiful amount! At the same time, we've seen the last of Swonnell round these parts as he signs up with Premiership Wimbledon, where the 20 year old agrees a £7,750 p/w deal. :o

Shrewsbury are quick to say thanks but no thanks to any negotiation over Peters.

Sean Friars is handed his first start for the trip to local rivals Oldham, whilst Elgert returns at right back. Matt Woods is handed a place on the bench as the defensive subsitute, despite him being unhappy at a prolonged spell in ther reserves. I may be forced to let him move on in the near future. Oldham are doing well after a dodgy start, and lie just two places behind us in the league. Their goals are coming mainly from Allan Smart, who is the only player mentioned by name in the scout report. I get the general impression, though, that my scout thinks they are good. Very good.

A carefully constructed game plan is in danger of being thrown out of the window in the first few minutes, and it's backs to the wall defending as Oldham throw everything at us. So much for preferring a defensive formation! Allan Smart has the ball in the net on 25 minutes, only for it to be disallowed for offside. There's no such refereeing decision to save us ten minutes later, and the ex Watford striker celebrates in style.

Another Smart solo goal in the early minutes of the second half gives us a mountain to climb, and we never really get past base camp. A reshuffle brings Marsden, Hart and McEwen on for Mackenzie, Ommel and a very disappointing Cameron, and we start to press forward. The Oldham goalie, Mark Tyler is having a good game though, in common with the rest of his teammates, and we cannot make the breakthrough. At the other end, Batty thinks the pressure is off and takes a quick nap, allowing Matt Tipton to steal through for a third to make the defeat comprehensive.

Division 3 Game 6. 6th September 2003.
Oldham 3 Stalybridge 0 Smart 33,55 Tipton 85

Again I am forced to give myself a reality check. Oldham were only relegated from Division 2 the previous season, and have retained a largely second division squad. They are one of the favourites to go back up. Losing away to them isn't really all that bad.

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I'm beginning to wish that John Still would just damn well drop dead. It's as though he's got my number on quick dial, and yes, he wants to talk about Phil Salt again. He's back to offering £8k again, so he obviously didn't listen last time. To give the lad a chance of some first team football I lower my asking price to £35k, hoping to stimulate some interest from Torquay who have been scouting around a bit as well. Out of the revolving door go the latest two recruits from the youth system, who my coaches tell me will never make it at this level. We wish them good luck, but advise them not to try to make a career out of football. Aldo drops them off at the Job Centre.

True enough, Torquay smell a bargain, but they can't raise the full £35k capital. I try to entice them with the offer of having the player up front and paying later. I know I said I didn't want a player going to a third division rival, but if it stops him going to Barnet then I'll make an exception!

Darren Watts is the first Stalybridge player to go out on loan this year. Southern Premier outfit Fisher Athletic take him, and pay half his wages. £75 per week is quite a fee for such a small club.

Determined to get back to winning ways, it's back to the Bower Fold for a midweek game against struggling Brentford. Leo is too tired to play, so McEwen comes in to the attack. I also toy with the idea of dropping Cameron to the bench, but on reflection his recent performances haven't been that bad, so he'll get another chance. The visitor's strike partnership of Rory Allen and Lloyd Owusu already have 6 goals between them, and our shaky defence might just let them get more. We'll just have to make sure we get something at the other end!

We look decidedly nervous in the first half. Not surprising really, as 5175 people have turned up. There really must be nothing to do on a Wednesday evening in Stalybridge! We're indebted to Jason Batty for saving well on a couple of occasions, whilst up at the other end Dave McEwen is getting some good headers in. Unfortunately it appears he is taking target practise a little too seriously, as all his chances are directed straight at the keeper. Cameron is disappointing again, but does pick up his game right on the stroke of half time, with a superb trademark run and shot. The Brentford keeper is just equal to it, though, and it remains goalless.

We are undone in the second by a couple of high quality Brentford moves, which illustrates precisely why they should be higher up the league than they currently are, or more precisely were. Even with the changes that perked things up on Saturday, we have no answer, and consequently there is little hope of the floating fans returning next home game.

Division 3 Game 7. 10th September 2003.
Stalybridge 0 Brentford 2 Owusu 58 Hunt 77

The result costs us our unbeaten home record, and drops us to 9th place.

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There will be changes for the next game. Exactly what changes they are will depend upon the fitness of individual players, but I give some clues to interested parties by withdrawing Bastow and Harris from the reserve squad. Fisher are back for another one of my young hopefuls, and Ronnie Howells packs his bags for the big smoke. The Southern League club must be really flush, as they offer to pay £80 per week. Torquay finally get back to us to say thanks but no thanks on the Salt transfer.

A confused Howells turns up on the clubs doorstep the following morning, with his bags still in hand. A few terse phone calls later and I discover that someone at Fisher made something of an administrative c*ck up, as they already have two players on loan.

In my attempts to tighten up the defence, I make another bargain signing. Another former Brighton player, 27 year old central defender Danny Cullip, joins from Rotherham for a paltry £65k. He joins us just in time to make the trip to Swindon, although he is lacking fitness.

The Wiltshire side lie in a lowly 23rd place, so if we want to end our current sticky patch with an away win, now would be a good time to do it. A few changes, as promised, are made. Fit again Williamson comes in for a badly out of form Hocking, with Bastow and Harris coming in for Mackenzie and Friars. Friars can consider himself unlucky to be dropped, but he's a useful player to be able to bring off the bench, and Cameron is in "One last chance" territory. Leo returns for McEwen.

The changes work well really early on. Bastow combines with Cameron, and when the young winger gets the ball back he powers a bullet header at goal. The keeper struggles to palm the ball away, but Leo is on hand and he doesn't miss tap-ins. Cameron is clearly buoyed by the effort, and strikes a wonder goal 3 minutes later for 2-0. The Swindon attacking pair of Forinton and Burke have been unable to buy themselves a goal all season so far, and they spurn a few chances in the first half of this game too. Give Batty credit, as he also makes some decent saves, including a double stop from Forinton.

Swindon come out attacking again in the second half, but after spurning even more chances their heads seem to drop. We push forwards again, trying to kill the game completely, but now we too seem to have the jitters in the box. As time ticks by, I bring on Cullip and Friars and we ease back, allowing Swindon more of the possession. They still can't convert any chances, with their shooting being even more woeful than ours has been at the worst of times.

Division 3 Game 8. 13th September 2003.
Swindon Town 0 Stalybridge 2 Fortune-West 9 Cameron 12

No outright man of the match performance for us, but a notable match for Matt Williamson on his return to the side. What with Cullip's signing, there might actually be some competition for defensive places!

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Fisher's loss is Weymouth's gain, as they offer a loan contract to Ronnie Howells. They seem to have their administration in order, and Howells packs his bags yet again.

Aldo reminds me that a number of players, including Woods, Williamson, Bastow, Ommel, Willoughby and Peters, have contracts which expire at the end of the season. So it's time for a period of negotiation, which almost inevitably ends with Woods being placed on the transfer list. I'm determined to get a reasonable wad of cash for him, as he's a decent player, so I publish his asking price at £100k. Let the bidding commence!

Dutch goalscorer Ommel is the first to put pen to paper on a new 2 year deal, whilst Barnet are still after Salt. What the hell, if they can give me £30k we can talk. Better still, if they'll give me 24 year old midfielder Frazer Toms they can have a done deal. We'll expect their response after the weekend, but in the mean time, Stranraer tell me they're more than happy to pay £210k for Woods, a figure which was the first one I could think of when they rang and offered the £100k asking price. Bonus!

Blackpool are the next visitors to the Fold. I wade through the mountain of paperwork on my desk to try and find the scout report. Casting aside contracts, player reports, coach reports and god knows what else, I finally find the usual faxed report from Sean Rogers. Blackpool are another side with a dangerous strike pairing. We've met Brett Ormerod before, but not Graham Fenton. Does this mean Niall Quinn has hung up his boots? We go into the match unchanged, except for the presence of Mackenzie on the bench. You've got to allow him the chance to meet his old team.

Football can be such a frustrating game sometimes. We have Blackpool contained all first half. Sure, we haven't created much, but there isn't any danger because they don't have a single shot on target. The second half starts with the referee turning down a blatant penalty for us. Frustration shows on the players faces, and Challinor commits a silly foul to give Blackpool an innocuous looking free kick. Up steps Graham Fenton, and bang. 1-0. How did that happen? The stroke of luck really fires up Blackpool, and we don't stand a chance for the rest of the game.

Division 3 Game 9. 20th September 2003
Stalybridge 0 Blackpool 1 Fenton 55

A result I'm not convinced we could do anything about sends us down to 10th. John Willoughby refuses our first contract offer. More worryingly Tommy Jaszczun wants to move to a better club. I can't deny him the chance of building his career, so he goes on the transfer list. Of course, he's not going to go cheaply!

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North West Counties League Ramsbottom United make a loan offer for Kevin Aitchison. Sorry, not good enough, whilst Matt Woods agrees terms for his move to Stranraer and we are £210k richer. I've waffled at great length to all and sundry about how unlucky Matt has been in his time at the club, but despite his consistent performances when called upon, I simply cannot offer him prolonged first team football. Therefore he departs with our best wishes.

Matt Woods (Stalybridge 1/8/01 - 22/9/03) played 68 scored 5 assisted 6 AvR 6.85

Completing dealings for the day, Phil Salt and Frazer Toms swap clubs. I think I've got marginally the better deal there.

Phillip Salt (Stalybridge 1/8/01 - 22/9/03) played 13 scored 3 assisted 1 AvR 6.62

Darren Bastow rejects two further contract offers, and I'm losing patience with him. I'll have to put it to one side for a while and calm down before I do something I might regret, cheeky bástard!

A long trip to Bournemouth. Mackenzie starts after a good reserve performance, whilst Friars and Cullip are also called into the first eleven. Scouting would suggest that Bournemouth have a strong defence, but then scouting often leaves out more than it tells you. Their strike force of Hayter and Kandol certainly aren't world beaters, but it's one of those teams that look solid from 1 to 11, or in this case 33.

Our attacking play pays dividends, as a back in form Harris scores in the first few minutes to settle our away nerves. Leo is starting to fire as well, and it doesn't take him long to get his 5th of the season. Time to hold solid until half time, and apart from a last minute corner it's easy. 2-0 up away from home at half time is good enough for me, but can we hold it this time?

Bournemouth's keeper Ian Gray keeps the score respectable in the second half, but there was never really any risk of them getting back into it. A good job well done!

Division 3 Game 10. 27th September 2003.
Bournemouth 0 Stalybridge 2 Harris 3 Fortune-West 27

After 10 games, this is looking to be a very open division.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Third Division - Saturday 27th September 2003********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2003/4 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Oldham 10 4 1 0 9 2 4 0 1 8 4 25 2nd Swansea 10 4 1 0 9 2 3 1 1 12 8 23 3rd Shrewsbury 10 4 0 1 11 4 2 1 2 7 8 19 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4th Torquay 10 4 0 1 11 6 2 1 2 9 10 19 5th Brentford 10 3 0 2 11 8 3 0 2 9 6 18 6th Cambridge Utd 10 3 2 0 14 10 2 1 2 5 6 18 7th STALYBRIDGE 10 2 1 2 9 6 3 0 2 7 6 16 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8th Plymouth 10 2 0 3 6 6 3 1 1 10 7 16 9th Peterborough 10 1 3 1 7 7 3 0 2 9 7 15 10th Blackpool 10 2 1 2 6 5 2 2 1 5 4 15 11th Cheltenham 10 2 1 2 8 8 2 2 1 8 7 15 12th Mansfield 10 3 0 2 9 6 2 0 3 7 11 15 13th Lincoln 10 2 1 2 8 7 2 1 2 5 4 14 14th Bury 10 3 0 2 8 9 1 2 2 6 8 14 15th Rochdale 10 2 2 1 9 8 1 2 2 5 8 13 16th York 10 4 0 1 7 3 0 1 4 2 11 13 17th Bristol Rovers 10 1 3 1 6 6 2 1 2 5 11 13 18th Bournemouth 10 3 0 2 9 6 1 0 4 3 8 12 19th Doncaster 10 2 2 1 7 5 0 2 3 5 9 10 20th Leyton Orient 10 1 1 3 5 7 2 0 3 5 7 10 21st Southend 10 2 2 1 8 7 0 1 4 1 8 9 22nd Scunthorpe 10 1 0 4 7 10 1 1 3 13 16 7 23rd Hartlepool 10 0 1 4 2 9 0 3 2 7 9 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24th Swindon 10 0 1 4 4 9 1 0 4 3 7 4 </pre>

We end the month with a little contract negotiation, and Mark Peters agrees to an improved contract which will see him being a Stalybridge player until 2006.

Monday's training session is marred by a freak collision between Gary Hart and Danny Cullip. The freakish nature of the incident is emphasised by the injuries suffered. Hart is out for two weeks with a stubbed toe, whilst Cullip misses 10 days with facial injuries.

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We face 20th place Leyton Orient at the Fold to kick off October. Williamson comes into the side for Cullip, but the rest of the side remain unchanged after the Bournemouth result. The latest in a confusing selection of scout reports names 33 year old Stefan Vennberg as a potent wing threat. His performances this season are hardly world beating, on a par with the rest of their squad. Jaszczun should be able to keep him quiet anyway. This is a game we should win, but it's also a real potential banana skin.

Vennberg waits for 25 minutes before breaking free for the first time down the right. His cross is met by Fletcher's head and we're 1-0 down, simple as that. At least they have the decency to wait until the second half to score a second, when we are undone from a corner. With Cameron on now, and Friars playing in the middle, we look as though we might eventually get into the game. Friars adapts quickly to his new position, and sprays a ball out to Harris on the left. Harris' cross is deadly, and Leo has to do little more than connect to get us a goal back. Quarter of an hour later, Friars is at it again, as he sets up Ommel. The way we're playing, you'd think there could be only one winner. But no, Orient have one of those big red buttons marked "attack", and they press it again as soon as the scores are level. Right back Jason Rogers delivers the killer cross this time, for their dutch captain to head them back in front. Still, never give up is my attitude, and my players adopt it as well. It's not until deep into injury time that Friars collects the ball in the centre circle and runs right through the Orient defence before shooting into the top corner. Bonza! Orient try the big red button again, but it's too late.

Division 3 Game 11. 4th October 2003.
Stalybridge 3 Leyton Orient 3 Fortune-West 53 Ommel 69 Friars 90 / Fletcher 27 McLean 48 van der Luer 73

The point, in front of 4588 fans, is enough to keep us 7th, with Friars getting the man of the match.

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Keen to bolster our defensive reserves a little more, I offer Wycombe £80k for Liam Burns. The 24 year old is equally at home at right back or on the right side of the central pairing. To my surprise, he accepts an £1800 p/w pay cut to come to the Bower Fold!

Cullip is back in the side for the trip down to Bristol Rovers. They lie 19th, and are heading in the wrong direction,

The referee took centre stage at The Memorial Stadium. Rovers were on top early on, and no doubt deserved their first goal. The controversy started just after the quarter hour mark, when keeper Kelvin Davis fouled Harris in the box. Leo made no mistake and the scores were level. The home side were understandably demoralised, and with their heads well and truly down, Cameron and Ommel added two more goals before half time.

Rovers' manager obviously gave them a rousing team talk, as they came out more positively in the second period. Within ten minutes they had got one back, and they wasted no time pushing for the equaliser. Enter referee Van Eeckhoudt again, giving us another penalty for a foul on Ommel. Leo stepped up for a second time, and our two goal cushion was restored. A bad decision on my part may have brought extra pressure on us for the remainder of the match, as I thought we were comfortable. McEwen came on for Friars and all of a sudden Rovers were ripping our midfield to shreds at will. Fortunately they only got one back as we hung on for dear life.

Division 3 Game 12. 11th October 2003.
Bristol Rovers 3 Stalybridge 4 Weekes 11 Birch 55,72 / Fortune-West 17(pen),68(pen) Cameron 37 Ommel 42

Still 7th, but with 13 goals in our last two games, our matches sure are exciting at the moment! Liam Burns had a reasonable 40 minutes at right back.

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Burns will get a start in a midweek game against Plymouth, but that's the only change as Cameron and Harris, usually doubtful for two games in a week, both pass fitness tests. Only one place separates us from the men in green, and it's an important place. They are after getting back into the playoff spots after a run of 5 without a win, and have one of the better strikers in the division in Ian Stonebridge. Fortunately for us, Stonebridge wants out of Plymouth and his eagerness to move on is affecting his performances - only two goals so far this season.

We take an early lead as Cameron picks up a loose ball in the area and makes no mistake for his 5th of the season. Meanwhile, at the other end Stonebridge wastes at least three decent chances. We cause more problems for Plymouth keeper Collet before the half is up, the stats showing that we've had 6 shots on target and the majority of the possession. Still, 1-0 is never a comfortable lead.

But that's OK, because Leo scores five minutes into the second period. It's his 50th goal for Stalybridge. What an important player he has been! The goal stuns Plymouth, and they look out of the game. I organise some substitutions, to save tired legs, but with two of our back four lacking match fitness it's not a surprise that Plymouth hit us with a quick break. Fortunately they only do it once, and we still look more like scoring.

Division 3 Game 13. 14th October 2003.
Stalybridge 2 Plymouth 1 Cameron 11 Fortune-West 52 / Evans 80

The win sees us move up to 5th, and it's pleasing to see us capable of winning two games in four days at this level.

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Young Dean Harris comes into my office to say he feels utterly exhausted. The lad has been performing excellently, well above what I expected of him, and I tell him this. Really, there is no way he should even be near the first team, but he has held down that place on merit. A rest won't hurt him, and will give an opportunity to Frazer Toms.

Meanwhile, Liam Burn's arrival spells the end of Kenny Munro's Stalybridge career. The Scotsman elects to move to Midland Alliance Cradley Town when they offer £8k. He really must be desperate for football!

Kenny Munro (Stalybridge 27/6/02 - 17/10/03) Played 29 AvR 6.38

Toms will replace Harris as the only change for our trip to 4th placed Cambridge, but even the youngster is that eager to play that he declares himself fit enough for the bench. How nice it is to see people enjoying their job!

As my Scout had warned us, Cambridge are a strong side. Once both sides had settled, it was them who had the majority of the first half play. Prolific Swedish striker Demba Traore opened the scoring as their attacking players overran our defenders, who still aren't really performing as a unit. We were lucky to keep the score down at 1-0 until half time, as Toms' debut ended early with an injury. We needed to regroup, and a rousing half time team talk was required. It seemed to do the trick, as Ommel and Leo combined for Leo's 10th of the season and 50th Stalybridge League goal. You pays your money, you picks your landmark! It's the lift we need, and ten minutes from the end Leo wins it for us from another Ommel cross. The front pair are really combining well at the moment, and Leo takes home another Man of the Match award. That's his 20th bottle of champagne as a Stalybridge player. What does he do with it all?

Division 3 Game 14. 18th October 2003.
Cambridge United 1 Stalybridge 2 Traore 33 / Fortune-West 54,81

We take Cambridge's 4th place, whilst Toms' brief first team career is over for the time being, as damaged ankle ligaments rule him out for a month.

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The draw for the first round of the FA Cup pairs us with a Second division club for the first time. Notts County will visit in November. The press are round, not to talk about the cup draw, but to tell me they think Leo is playing the best football of his career. Six goals in the last 5 games sort of speaks for itself, so I give them my words and the following day they publish a very favourable article. The fans are happy with it, at least.

Mansfield next, and midweek again, as the games continue to come thick and fast. Hart and Bastow come in for tired Cameron and Friars. Leo is tired as well, but his form dictates that he plays. Mansfield are on a bad run, having lost their last two games, but they are still a good side and have Wayne Corden on the wing, who is highlighted as the main threat by our scout. Freakily similar to the Cambridge match, Corden too wants out of the club and his performances have suffered.

This game starts with a little confusion, for the stadium announcer at least, as lining up for Mansfield in defence is... Lee Collins! There's no doubt some confusion for the local radio commentators after two minutes, as Lee Collins beats Lee Collins to the ball and scores. Fortunately it's our very own Lee who is on the scoresheet. After that booster, Leo goes around single handedly justifying his selection, first heading home a Jaszczun cross, then powering an Ommel flick home. 3-0 up at half time and there really isn't much I need to say to the lads. I send them back out to hold things tight for the first 15 minutes before I make changes. Mansfield get a goal back from a penalty. Inevitably, Lee Collins is the scorer, and confusion reigns supreme! We restore the cushion in the last minute, as Ommel gets his 5th of the season, and there is still time for Mansfield to pull another goal back in injury time. Leo's Man of the match. Again.

Divison 3 Game 15. 21st October 2003
Stalybridge 4 Mansfield 2 Collins 3 Fortune-West 18,31 Ommel 90 / Collins 77(pen) Kidd 90

Our fourth win in a row moves us into third. The board are pleased. Who can blame them, so am I!