retired_sander

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gricehead:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MarcoJ:
Well done,
can we expect some spectacular transfers for the start of the Second Division?
KUTGW! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Transfers? Well, you can't just go splashing the cash you know. The club has to be profitable if at all possible, and there's the wage bill to think of... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

never bloosy stopped me
i say blow the money by september and worry about the debt later on

retired_eneko5613

Close Season 2004 - May
15th - Liam Burns will have a miserable summer, and miss the first half of the season as he breaks his leg during an end of season warm down training session. Looks like I might need to find cover at right back before next season! Bastow finally signs a three year extension to his contract, to make him one of the highest players at the club. Quite a step up from £95 p/w!

16th - Andrew Cameron signs a new contract, keeping him at the club until 2007. He deserves the contract for his work over the previous two seasons, although I have my doubts as to whether he can step up another division this quickly.

18th - Garry Clemence and Peter Brown both sign new contracts, until 2008 and 2007 respectively.

19th - Tommy MacDonald signs a new 4 year contract.

21st - Alex Hutchinson and Mike Lewis both sign new four year contracts.

27th - Kevin Aitchison signs a new four year deal. That leaves just Jaszczun, Hart and Hocking (of the players I'm interested in keeping) to sign deals. None of them are negotiating at this stage.

29th - Peterborough join us in the Second Division, having dispatched Doncaster on penalties in the playoff final. A shame, as it would have been nice for both Conference "escapees" to go up together.

30th - Tony Horner seems destined to remain a Stalybridge player. East Fife this time pull out of the deal to sign him.

retired_eneko5613

Close Season 2004 - June
1st - Collins signs a new three year contract, his old deal having become unprotected.

7th - Matt Williamson leaves for Oldham and a £575 p/w contract. Given that I offered him something similar to that to stay at Stalybridge I'm a bit confused. No doubt we'll see him next season so we can discuss it.

Matt Williamson (Stalybridge 1/8/01 - 7/6/04) Played 47 Scored 2 Man of the Match 1 AvR 6.77

9th - Jason Batty once again receives his Air New Zealand tickets, as he is requested to join up with the squad for the OFC Nations Cup.

10th - Darren Watts returns from his loan spell at Fisher, where he played 36 games, scored 5, assisted 17 and gained 4 Man of the Match awards. The Coaching staff all agree he is a good player, but can't agree how good, or where his career development should go from here.

16th - Ronnie Howells returns from his loan spell at Weymouth, where he played 11 games. He's still highly rated by the coaching staff, so definitely has a future at the club.

19th - The TV money in this division is apparently £2.5m. That almost doubles the bank balance and means the board are willing to make that bit extra available for transfers.

23rd - In what has to be described as either a coincidence, or some minor reserve team revolt, both Rob Cousins and Matt McNeil hand in letters to the chairman stating that they are retiring with immediate effect. Neither will cause a major loss to the first team, but I do prefer to be in control of these matters.

Rob Cousins (Stalybridge 4/6/02 - 23/6/04) Played 6 Scored 1 AvR 6.17
Matthew McNeil (Stalybridge 1/8/01 - 23/6/04) Played 48 Scored 17 Assisted 6 Man of the Match 2 AvR 7.17

26th - Chris Morgan arrives, having travelled the thirty or so miles East from Birkenhead.

30th - Clarence Acuña officially becomes a Stalybridge player. He doesn't arrive quite just yet, as he is in Santiago, captaining his national side as they lose 4-0 to Uruguay in the Qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup. No doubt the Chilean midfielder will be somewhat shocked at the differences between St. James Park and the Bower Fold.

retired_eneko5613

Close Season 2004 - July (part one)
1st - Jason Batty returns from Australia having sat on the bench for all four of New Zealand's OFC Nations Cup games. His country finished as runners up to the hosts for the third time in succession. 34 year old Michael Utting of Supersport United seems to be the preferred choice in goal at the moment.

5th - Chris Marsden announces his decision to retire from playing. He will remain as a coach at the club.

Chris Marsden (Stalybridge 3/6/03 - 5/7/04) Played 16 Scored 1 Assisted 3 AvR 6.56

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Editor's note: After a reload to capture his playing career, as players who retire to coaching positions seem to lose all trace of having had a playing career.
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12th - The friendly programme commences with the visit of county neighbours Chester. Both new signings Morgan and Acuña make the starting lineup in a strong side. Two goals for Ommel and one for Leo in the first half, with a second for the big man and a cracker from the Chilean in the second, showed just how far Stalybridge have come over the past three years. Only 806 fans witnessed the 5-0 battering, during which Acuña ran the game from the defensive midfield position for the first half and some of the seocnd, before moving out onto the right side of midfield for the last 25 minutes. Chris Morgan didn't have such a good game, struggling to find his feet in his strange new environment. The only negative news in the game was an injury to Neil Mackenzie only 15 minutes into his second half appearance that will keep him out for two weeks.

The next two or three days see the arrival of a handful of trialists.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">From scouting of Premiership youngsters:======================================= =James Coppinger, 23, AM/F(C) released by NewcastleJohn Sutton, 20, S(C) released by TottenhamMichael Foley Sheridan, 21, (Ire), AM(L) released by LiverpoolShortlisted players:====================Darren Mackie, 22 (Sco), AM/F(R) released by AberdeenMicky Mellon, 32, (Sco), M(C) released by Tranmere </pre>

17th - Clarence Acuña again wears the captains armband, but unfortunately for him, Chile lose 2-0 to Colombia in Bogotá.

20th - This year's SCLC Cup takes the form of a knockout event, with Doncaster, Southend and Brentford (the three non-promoted playoff clubs from Division 3) being invited. The draw, conducted on Monday night, pairs us with Brentford, but Doncaster face Southend first. The match attracts a healthy attendance of just over 2700. Doncaster win 2-1 against strong opposition including Jason Koumas, on loan from Charlton. Two first half goals are enough to seal the win, but both sides suffer injuries.

The starting lineup to face Brentford contains trialists Foley Sheridan, Mackie, Coppinger and Sutton. Morgan gets another shot, and Acuña, remarkably fresh from his trans-Atlantic journey, picks up the captains armband. There's a change on the right side of defence, with both Burns and Elgert out, so Mike Lewis gets a game.

Only 1475 manage to turn up for this fixture, and they see a Stalybridge side with a severe case of "getting to know you" in the first half. Sutton and Coppinger have some fine chances to open the scoring, but it is left to Leo to put us 1-0 in first half stoppage time. Mackie adds an excellent second just after the break, and that rings the changes with eight substitutions being made before Peters scores a fine solo goal 8 minutes from the end. 3-0, and a comfortable victory at that. Acuña, again, proved a class above the opposition, with Mackie and Coppinger being the picks of the trialists. Foley Sheridan probably deserves a mention as well.

Straight after the match we welcome another trialist released by a Premiership side.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Jon Mills, 20, AM/F(L) released by Newcastle</pre>

21st - Southend win the 3rd place match 2-1 in front of 2414 fans.

The team for the final is similar to the previous game, but in come Howells and Barker for Challinor and Leo. Trialist Mills is on the bench.

Doncaster start the sharpest, and are 2-0 up within 7 minutes of the whistle. In what turns out to be a highly exciting game, in front of 1593 spectators, Foley Sheridan is dragged down in the box on 18 minutes. Mackie bags the penalty, since none of the regular strikers are on the pitch. Doncaster score a third on 37 minutes, so we go into the break 3-1 down, but a trio of substitutions brings two quick goals from the Irish winger and Lee Collins. In a thrilling climax, Doncaster got a fourth but we could have been level again but for the linesman ruling Bastow offside. A cracking cup final, and for the second year running, the SCLC Cup stays away from the Bower Fold. But we are the ones in the Second Division, so have the last laugh!

Another new face through the door, as the Doncaster team coach departs. This one I've been looking at for quite a while.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Derek Riordan, 21 (Sco), S(C) released by Hibs</pre>

retired_eneko5613

Close Season 2004 - July (part two)
24th - Our Chilean is captain again, but sees his country fall 4-0 to Peru in Lima. Our second outing in the League Cup will see 1st Division West Ham visiting the Bower Fold.

25th - We head out to play Cambridge at the Bower Fold, at their request. Contract negotiations are underway with some of the trailists, and to ensure their minds are focussed they aren't included in the starting line up. Only Riordan starts, with three others on the bench. This means starts for Harris, Cameron and Bastow. Acuña isn't back from South America, so Collins starts as well. Paul Hulse gets another chance to prove himself in goal.

Only 835 people choose to watch the game on a hot Sunday afternoon, and those that stayed away probably made the better choice. The game was one of very few chances. Last season's 32 goal striker Demba Traore scored the only goal of the game from one of Cambridge's 3 shots. Derek Riordan had the best of the Stalybridge chances, although second half substitute Friars also spurned a couple. Collins performed well, as did Leo, but this was otherwise a mediocre performance against a Division 3 outfit.

26th - John Sutton puts pen to paper on a three year deal. I see him as a long term replacement for Leo, a position he will have to fight with Mark Peters for.

With one trialist signed up permanently, another one arrives.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Colin Heath, 20, S(C) released by Man Utd</pre>

30th - Derek Riordan signs a one year deal which makes him the highest paid player at the club, and the first to be earning over £1000 per week.

31st - Darren Mackie signs an identical one year deal to Riordan, after much negotiation. The last friendly of the month sees us attempt to take on the sort of opposition which makes up the majority of Division 2. Rotherham come to the Bower Fold, and the starting lineup consists entirely of Stalybridge full time players. It's fairly close to a first team at that.

Another disappointing attendance, just 928, turn up for this game. They were treated to a cracker. Not in the first half though, when we were quiet for the majority and allowed Graham Hyde to fire the visitors into the lead 5 minutes before half time. This seemed to wake us up, and a poor clearance from Davison fell to Friars. A neat chip set up Darren Mackie to score his first goal as a full time Stalybridge player. It was the last kick of the half, and the changes were rung by both managers. Harris, Sutton, Mackenzie and Lewis all started the second period, in which Rotherham again took the lead when Rob Scott headed home from a Hyde corner with 67 minutes on the clock. Mackenzie had the ball in the net shortly afterwards, but was disappointingly ruled offside. 4 more changes were made, with Ommel, Collins, Bastow and Cullip taking to the field. Acuña moved out right and this seemed to make a big difference. The Chilean won a freekick with 6 minutes to go, and he took it himself, firing a shot hard against the keeper's hands, and leaving Bastow to pick up the rebound.

A draw was a fair result, and goes to show that life in this division is going to be a good deal trickier than Division 3.

retired_eneko5613

Close Season 2004 - August
5th - Michael Foley Sheridan signs a one year deal which ensures that Riordan and Mackie aren't the highest paid players for long! At £1500 per week, he's going to have to play well to earn his corn.

That should conclude the spending, with Heath, Mills, Mellon and Coppinger being informed that their services will not be required. But with the wage bill having been swollen by £6000 per week to £20k, some players are going to have to leave. McEwen, Mackenzie and Hart are the prime candidates, and are placed on the transfer list.

Next we'll take a look at the Stalybridge Squad going into my 4th season as manager.

retired_eneko5613

Stalybridge Celtic Squad, 2004/2005. Football League Division 2

Goalkeepers:

1. Jason Batty Age 33. New Zealand (39 Caps). 134 appearances
Jason is still number one between the sticks, and has to consider himself unlucky not to have added to his international cap tally. His position wasn't threatened by either of the other keepers at all last season, and there is no evidence that that is going to change in the near future. Of course, he can still leave the club for £26k if anyone choses to make an offer, as he has a non-promotion release clause from back in the conference days.

13. Paul Hulse Age 23. English. 2 appearances
Paul's challenge for the first team spot, mentioned in last season's squad rundown, failed to materialise. Indeed his performance in the two appearances he did make was disappointing. He's still relatively young, especially for a keeper, so still has a chance to prove himself.

34. Peter Brown Age 19. English. 7 appearances
The coaching staff are of the unaninimous opinion that youth product Peter Brown's time at the club should be up. Hence, he will go on the tranfer list.

Defenders:

2. Andreas Elgert Age 28. German. 23 appearances
Andreas quickly found himself floundering at the level of the third division, leading to the purchase of Burns. However, he has proved an adequate backup player in either fullback position. Will remain as such at least at the start of this season.

3. Tommy Jaszczun Age 26. English. 71 appearances.
Missed only three league games, despite declaring mid-season that he wanted to continue his career at a higher level. Hopefully he will soon realise that I am helping him to persue his career at higher levels than he would otherwise have achieved. His contract becomes unprotected in December. Then we will see if anyone at a higher level is interested!

4. Dave Challinor Age 28. English. 72 appearances, 5 goals.
Another major player in the successful Division 3 promotion season, "Big Dave" only missed two league games and even managed to get on the scoresheet a few times with some vital goals. Having spent a season and a half as one of the first names on the team sheet, he may have to fight for his position a little more this season with the signing of Morgan. Another player whose contract becomes unprotected in December.

5. Matt Hocking Age 26. English. 52 appearances.
Thankfully, Matt is back to full fitness after his sickening injury last season. Unfortunately for him, that injury has knocked his significantly down the pecking order. He will probably find himself in the reserves unless one of the first three centre backs suffers injury or suspension.

12. Chris Morgan Age 26. English.
Signed on a Bosman transfer from Tranmere in the summer, Chris is looking forward to renewing his partnership with Dave Challinor this season. He is strong, brave, agressive and determined in the tackle, a player who is willing to sweat blood for the cause, something which might just be needed this season, and equally likely to get himself sent off when the red mist descends. He has managed a red card in each of the last three seasons. If it were not for this red mist syndrome, he would be an ideal choice for the captain's armband.

16. Steve Heaton Age 25. English. 74 appearances, 1 goal.
I've come to the conclusion that Steve is a player who, unfortunately for him, is most comfortable in the Conference. He didn't have the chance to prove me wrong last season, making just one appearance, and he's now on the transfer list. There has been no interest shown so far, and this is the last year of his contract. I can't see him securing another one.

18. Liam Burns Age 25 Northern Irish. 37 appearances.
An £80k signing from Wycombe, Liam slotted straight into the right back position, and made most of his appearances there. He also covered at centre back on the odd occasion, and performed adequately when asked. First choice at right back, and regarded by me as one of the first names on the team sheet. He is stil not valued as highly by the bean counters though. Suffered a broken leg towards the end of last season, and will miss the first few weeks of this campaign as well.

29. Ronnie Howells Age 18. English. 1 appearance + Loan spell at Purfleet + Loan spell at Weymouth
At 18, Ronnie has lost the faith of the coaching staff. Once rated as a player of immense quality, the majority now think he should be placed on the transfer list. However, his contract is protected for another full season, so I'm giving him a final chance. He will not go out on loan this time unless a conference or third division side request his services.

30. Mike Lewis Age 22. Welsh. 12 appearances.
Mike's Stalybridge career is progressing slower than he would like, however the majority of my coaching staff still feel that he has something to offer. Has a long time to go on his contract, and is only on £220 per week, so I'll side with the coaches on this one.

32. Tony Horner Age 20. English.
Tony Horner has had more prospective transfers than anyone else at the club! Still on the transfer list (to his disgust), he can leave if someone will actually show me the cold hard cash rather than just pretending they have it.

37. Danny Cullip Age 28. English. 35 appearances.
A £65k signing from Rotherham during the season, and will probably face his old club this time around. The third member of the threesome fighting for the two centre back places. Also club captain.

Midfielders

6. Lee Collins Age 30. Scottish. 86 appearances, 12 goals.
Lee backed up his first full season as a Stalybridge player with another very consistent year. In that period he has made the defensive midfield position his own, fighting off the challenge of Marsden along the way. However, with Acuña on the scene this season, he could find things a little trickier.

7. Andrew Cameron Age 22. Scottish. 105 appearances, 27 goals.
Flying winger Cameron coasted past the 100 appearance mark as we eased towards promotion and, although not always attaining the level of performance of the season before, was still a major player. Seems to have got over his stamina problem this season. Given that I've been able to offer him a contract with a significantly higher release clause, I suspect him to be around at the club for some time yet. The arrival of Mackie and Foley Sheridan will give him some well needed competition as well.

8. Neil Mackenzie Age 28. English. 54 appearances, 17 goals.
Neil's lack of goals this season have cost him dear. Only 4 from 25 appearances meant that he was never going to be first choice. The appearance of Bastow as a first team player, and the signing of Friars, has also forced him down the pecking order. With the arrival of some relatively high earners at the club, Mackenzie may have to make way, and he's been placed on the transfer list to gauge interest. It doesn't look like he will have a problem finding another club, and it doesn't look like we'll have any problem recouping the £22k we paid.

11. Dean Harris Age 20. English. 62 appearances, 9 goals.
Much to my pleasure, Dean definitely managed to prove himself a rung up the ladder. Scoring 8, and making a further 11 to boot, he has established himself as a solid first team member. Hopefully he can continue his development as we move up through the leagues. There are another two years on his contract yet.

15. Clarence Acuña Age 29. Chilean (76 caps, 1 goal).
Stalybridge hit the headlines when we secured the signature on a 1 year contract of the Chilean national captain. So far he has held down his international place, despite moving away from top flight football. Primarily, he will occupy the defensive midfield spot, but pre season games have proved he can also operate on the right side of the midfield three.

19. Darren Mackie Age 22. Scottish.
Signed on a 1 year contract from Aberdeen after a short trial at the club, the young Scottish winger sees himself as a short term Stalybridge player and is sure he will soon move on to a bigger club. I'm not concerned if he does, as long as he performs this season. Of course, if he can be persuaded to sign a longer term contract, all well and good. Has a fair bit of top flight experience, all be it in Scotland, which should prove useful. The time he spent on trial with the club has also ensured he is match fit to go into the season!

20. Frazer Toms Age 24. English. 7 appearances, 1 goal.
A straight swap for Phil Salt with Barnet, Toms has also taken Salt's squad number and place in the reserves. A lot of players will have to pick up injuries before he is considered a first team player, so he is available for loan to aid his development should the opportunity arise.

21. Darren Bastow Age 22. English. 33 appearances, 6 goals + loan spell at Stotfold
"It's a long hard season in the reserves for Darren", or so I said last season, but his performance when called upon in the early games of the season caused me to rethink. From then on it was a battle of wills between him, me and his agent to persuade him to sign an extension to his contract, something which he managed to avoid for a long time. His services were eventually secured for the next three years, and his performances in pre season have ensured that he will get a fair share of first team opportunity this time around.

22. Garry Clemence Age 19. English. 4 appearances, 1 goal.
Despite being coaches pet for a long time, Garry has lost that position, and managed only 7 loan appearances last season. I am now receiving recommendations to offload him. It always pains me to make this decision with our own Youth products, but I'm not exactly short of midfielders at the moment.

23. Kevin Aitchison Age 22. Scottish. Loan spell at Cheltenham Saracens.
The jury is out on Aitchison, who undeniably has talent, and has shown it on occasions in the reserves. Needs another loan spell at a reasonably high level this season.

28. Darren Watts Age 18. English. 3 appearances + loan spell at Fisher.
Another player who last year could do no wrong in the eyes of the coaches and is now struggling to get their attention. Got glowing reports from the staff at Fisher, but considering the differences in levels between the two clubs, will need to show that he can perform at a higher level this season.

33. Tommy MacDonald Age 19. English.
End of the road for Tommy, who hasn't made any impact in the reserves this season. Not only that, but he doesn't fit into my tactics, and refuses to retrain for a new position. Unsurprisingly, I'm open to offers.

36. Sean Friars Age 25. Northern Irish. 46 appearances, 12 goals.
Undeniably one of the players of the season, well worth his £35k transfer fee from Carlisle. Sean is a versatile attacking midfielder who can play in any of the three midfield positions. The only thing preventing him being everpresent is his versatility, as he is such a good player to have on the bench, as proved by his ten substitute appearances in the last campaign.

38. Michael Foley Sheridan Age 21. Irish (Capped at U21).
Signed on a one year contract as the highest paid player at the club, former Liverpool player (with a vast 2 appearances) Foley Sheridan will have to graft hard to prove himself. Will be one of the first for the chop if the team struggle to perform this season, either financially or on the park.

Also:
Listed youth product: Carl Bird, age 18

Attackers

9. Leo Fortune-West Age 33. English. 105 appearances, 76 goals.
Still scoring at a rate better than 2 goals every 3 games, "Big Leo" has eased his way past the landmarks of 50 Stalybridge goals and 100 Stalybridge appearances this season. He's also significantly improved his ratio of shots on target this time around. His unwillingness to discuss an extension to his now unprotected contract worries me, as it leads me to believe he may be considering retirement. We need more goals from him this season. He's now two appearances short of 300 for his career.

10. Dave McEwen Age 26. English. 26 appearances, 4 goals.
Dave remains the record signing for the club, and also still has a £100k appearance fee due if he makes another 17 league appearances. This looks unlikely to be activated, however, as his lack of consistent performances, combined with his relatively high wages, means he is added to the transfer list to keep things balanced. Interest is coming from several clubs, although he is believed to be disappointed at the decision.

14. Sergio Ommel Age 26. Dutch. 81 appearances, 22 goals.
Ommel started the season as third choice striker, but soon moved up to a first team place. He dropped back again when Barker was signed, but again bounced back into the team. During all this he managed to double his goal tally for the club. The ex Groningen and Bristol Rovers player will have to watch his back again this season, with Barker and the two new signings vying for the place.

17. Gary Hart Age 27. English. 58 appearances, 5 goals.
Gary still hasn't managed to hold down a first team place, partly because of his inconsistent performances (which haven't really improved when he's being playing reserve team football), but mainly because Cameron has kept him out of the side. With Mackie now in the side, his opportunities will be further limited, and it's only fair that I give him an opportunity to get first team football elsewhere. He's transfer listed, and anything we get for him is a bonus.

24. Mark Peters Age 21. English. 31 appearances, 5 goals.
Three full years at the club now for the young striker signed on the same day as Cameron. The coaching staff still think he's got a lot to offer, but his first team performances this season haven't provided any evidence. Eight goals for the reserves, though, help his cause. The arrival of Riordan and Sutton probably drops him down the pecking order a bit.

25. Alex Hutchinson Age 20. English. 2 appearances + loan spell at Folkestone.
Performed brilliantly in his 22 reserve team appearances this season, without the opportunity to break into the first team. The coaches have cooled a little and now think he should be moved on, but I'm going to trust my own judgement here. He's only 20, so he has time on his side.

26. John Willoughby Age 19. Scottish. 4 appearances.
John's report card this season is identical to last. Impresses the coaches, and had a good season in the reserves. Stays where he is for now.

27. Derek Riordan Age 21. Scottish (Capped at U21).
Signed on a one year contract after being released by Hibs, where he had scored 10 goals in 37 appearances over 3 seasons. I'm looking forward to seeing him push Ommel and Leo for a first team place. Hopefully, eventually, he'll establish himself well enough for him to agree a longer term contract.

31. John Sutton Age 20. English.
Released by Tottenham, the youngster is happy to get another professional contract. He may struggle to immediately get first team action, but is definitely one to watch for the future.

35. Richard Barker Age 29. English. 27 appearances.
For £70k, Richie showed an amazing lack of ability to finish. He only managed 30% of shots on targets and we're still waiting for him to score his first goal. He'll come up against his old Rotherham teammates this season, if he's picked. Nominal third choice striker, although any of the youngsters could push him out of the way.

Also:
Transfer Listed youth product: Anton Walsh, 17, English.

retired_eneko5613

Torquay manager Roy McFarland contacts me on the eve of our annual meet up with Accrington. He's offering £75k for Dave McEwen, which is a reasonable valuation. I'm in a league now, though, where every penny counts. They'll need to stump up an appearance based fee as well. It's a very difficult team selection for this game, as at this stage I really don't know what my best eleven is. There is real competition in almost every position, and only Batty, Jaszczun, Acuña and Leo can consider themselves automatic choices. Elgert is in too, but not through choice. Morgan and Challinor are the centre back pairing, with Harris Bastow and Mackie beating off Foley Sheridan, Friars and Cameron for those midfield spots. Riordan partners Leo, as he is in most need of the game.

1740 plus fans have shown up, knowing the history of this particular fixture. There are goals for them to see, the first coming within quarter of an hour of kickoff. A left wing cross from Jaszczun was met, like so many others, by the head of Leo, who laid the ball of for Riordan, who shimmied past his man and scored a great goal. Before the half hour mark, Stalybridge were two up, a Mackie shot parried to Bastow, who tidied up. There were several changes to the personnel before the scorers were troubled again when the Chilean captain crossed the ball and Richie Barker suddenly figured out how to hit the target!

Friendly. 7th August 2004.
Stalybridge 3 Accrington 0 Riordan 13 Bastow 28 Barker 85

Comfortable, and most importantly no injuries, with a knock to Riordan's shin responding well to ice treatment.

Wrexham throw their hat into the ring, offering the same £75k for McEwen, but I'm not going to let him go to a team in the same division. It turns out to be the right move, as Torquay come back with what I ask for - £75k plus £50k after 40 league appearances. Dave agrees, taking a small pay cut, and it's a done deal.

Dave McEwen (Stalybridge 24/2/03 - 10/8/04) Played 26 Goals 4 Assists 2 Man of the Match 2 AvR 6.65

retired_eneko5613

Keeping up with the usual programme of friendlies, the second string side get a run out against Halifax in midweek. The visitors take the lead and both sides have a goal disallowed, but we have to wait until the 85th minute to get on the score sheet, with Friars getting on the end of a neat move between Ommel and Willoughby. Halifax snatched a second in the dying seconds, which could have been a killer blow to our morale, but for an unbelievable solo run and shot from young Alex Hutchinson, going some way to vindicating my decision to keep him on.

Friendly, 10th August 2004.
Stalybridge 2 Halifax 2 Friars 85 Hutchinson 90 / Clarke 28 Victory 90

We go into the season with a healthy bank balance of £4.1m, which should allow us to buy our way out of trouble if absolutely necessary. I'm looking for mid table respectability, but I'd like to get it as soon as possible. There are still one or two players I would like to bring to the club if the opportunity arises, but I'm not sure it will. Our first game takes us to some familiar territory, however, as we travel to the Vetch Field to play Swansea. It's not quite the same Swansea, though, as Paul Ince has spent a fair wad of cash strengthening an already strong team.

I stuck with the basis of the team from the Accrington game, with Ommel coming in for Riordan being the only change. The two captains tussled early on, and it was Ince who got the better of the meeting, heading the opening goal. This was not how things were supposed to start. In need of a break to get back into the game, we got one when Matthew Bound holds back Mackie. Morgan, still smarting from Ince's early victory, nominated the Chilean to take the kick, and he dispatched his first Stalybridge set piece straight into the top corner. Straight from the kick off, Morgan, Jaszczun, Harris and Acuña linked up, and Harris put a perfect ball onto the head of Ommel. 1-0 down to 2-1 up in 2 minutes, and things were looking a bit healthier! Swansea were understandably knocked back by this turn of events, and it was all our pressure now. Thankfully, we managed to make some use of it and Ommel turned creator as he set up Morgan to ensure both captains were on the score sheet in the first half! With the home side now waking up and smelling the coffee it was important that we got to half time intact.

We did. Even more importantly, we managed to add a fourth goal immediately after the break, when Leo, Ommel and Bastow combined to set up the dutchman for his second. Now we could coast it a bit, and Riordan, Friars and Cameron got to come on. Even though Swansea got a goal back with ten minutes to go, this was an excellent result. Sergio Ommel picked up the first man of the match award of the season, although it was a good all round team performance.

Division 2 Game 1. 14th August 2004
Swansea 2 Stalybridge 4 Ince 2 Howard 80 / Acuña 5 Ommel 7,48 Morgan 23

Our Chilean has another Transatlantic trip to contend with, and at least they get on the scoresheet this time, only losing 2-1 to Argentina in Santiago. After seven games in the extremely protracted South American qualifying series, Chile are bottom of the pile with only one win.

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With the traveller returned, we are well on our way to gearing up for our first home game of the season when Leo picks up a back strain in Friday morning training. Good news for Riordan, at least, as it ensures he will get a start partnering Ommel. The visitors are Wigan, who we last faced two seasons ago. We've come a hell of a long way since then, whilst they've stood still. They still have Bushell on their books, but he's a million miles from the first team. No other changes are required from the team that performed at Swansea.

6383 fans are packed into Bower Fold, our highest attendance in the league, and a promising sign for the future. They don't particularly enjoy the first half hour, though, as Wigan's formation causes us all sorts of problems. They go 2-0 up in that period of time, with Australian internation Jacob Burns and 35 year old Dutch Captain Dennis de Nooijer doing the damage. Changes to our style of play do the trick, though, and we start to get a foothold in the game. Once we start attacking, we have the strength to create chances, and when Ommel forces a corner, Challinor rises to head Harris' cross goalbound. It bounces back off the post, but captain Morgan is on hand to tidy things up again. Wigan are rocked, but manage to hold things together until half time.

With the formation now cracked, it's just a case of chasing that second goal, and the lads know what they have to do without me telling them. We're putting Wigan under pressure straight from the kick off, as Ommel forces a good save out of Simonsen. Elgert is getting some room under Wigan's system, and he makes the most of it, whipping in a near post cross which Bastow controlled, turned with and fired left footed past the keeper. Wigan started to push forward again, but their heart didn't really seem in it anymore, having been pegged back by a bunch of upstarts. Harris was replaced by Cameron as the dominant home team pushed for the winner, with the best chance falling to substitute Barker with five minutes to go. His dreadful luck held, though, as he saw the ball ricochet away off the post. The referees whistle brought proceedings to an end, Morgan picking up the man of the match award for another good, solid performance.

Division 2 Game 2. 21st August 2004.
Stalybridge 2 Wigan 2 Morgan 37 Bastow 51 / Burns 12 de Nooijer 29

Quite an impressive start! Unbeaten after two games shows we might just be able to compete at this level. Foley Sheridan receives a call up to the Irish Under 21 squad for the match against Israel on the 3rd September, whilst interest is being shown in Mackenzie by a third division club, and a club from the Irish league.