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Michael Foley Sheridan's bad luck with injuries continues, as he is put onto the sidelines for another two weeks with a chest injury, having just got himself onto the edge of first team contention. Dave Mosson obviously didn't understand my sense of humour, as there's an official fax from Oldham rejecting our offer for Williamson.

Fortunately, Challinor and Morgan recover in time for Saturday's game. I say fortunately, because I forgot to withdraw Ifil and Johnson from the Reserve match on Thursday! Me a good manager? Naw. Sheffield United's visit, yes another home game, sees a bit of a reshuffle of personnel. The number of matches is starting to take it's toll now, and I have one eye on the Quarter Final tie at Liverpool next week. Back come Morgan and Challinor, whilst Elgert is in for Jaszczun. With Acuña suspended and Collins injured, Hill is in, and Cameron and Browne replace Harris (who is regularly exhausted after just one game) and Friars. Leo is also rested, with Barker coming in to the strike force.

It's autograph time: David Platt fields Stoke's David Duke at right wingback, and Leeds' Cherno Samba up front. Another big crowd as well, 6496 fans. I hope the chairman is thinking about a stadium expansion in the summer! It all looked relatively simple, as we picked our way through the Blades' seemingly shambolic formation, getting shots in and testing keeper Moran. Just after the quarter hour mark, a Burns cross came to Barker, who as usual fired against the woodwork. Following up, though, was Bill Browne, and his shot was sweet and straight. As he turned to celebrate his first Stalybridge goal, he saw the linesman's flag raised. It was offside against Richie Barker, and goodness know what that did to the young midfielder's confidence. It certainly must have frustrated him, as he picked up a yellow card not long afterwards for holding back David Dunn. David Platt's offside trap was working well, and it was from one of these freekicks that Michael Brown set up Lenny Walker to put the Sheffield side ahead.We forced a series of corners before half time, but without Harris or Acuña in the side, these were not as fruitful as usual.

Halftime came, and I wasn't happy. We were playing badly, and putting our unbeaten run at risk. Ommel in particular was having a torrid time, so throwing away all ideas of resting players, Leo came on for the second period. Just when we needed it most, our finishing seemed to have deserted us. Leo shot over the bar, as did Barker, and the woodwork-loving striker also managed to fire one wide. It was his last action of the game, as Martin was brought on for his first action in some time. At least his shooting seemed a little more accurate, as he fired a freekick straight at the keeper, and a header at the bottom of the post. But he, too, was guilty of firing wide as the clock ticked past 75 minutes. Cameron spurend a good opportunity, firing high and wide, and all looked lost, until Bill Browne showed what he was made of in the last minute, latching onto a Leo flick and firing home from 20 yards out. There was no time for any reply from the stunned Blades, and a strange decision saw Lee Hill get the man of the match award.

Division 2 Game 22. 18th December 2004.
Stalybridge 1 Sheffield United 1 Browne 90 / Walker 30

Another close call. Amazing inconsistency at the top of the table means we remain fourth. The record books will show that we are now unbeaten in 15 games. Unfortunately, 6 of the 10 league games in that run have been draws. We're turning into draw specialists!

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The morning of our visit to Anfield dawns miserably. Sleet and snow is falling over the Bower Fold as the players undergo a light training session to judge their fitness. Everyone comes through with flying colours, so we'll have a first choice eleven all being well in the evening. As the players are warming down, the Chairman walks out of the office building, with a very worried look on his face. I've not seen him looking like this before, so it must be something serious. Turns out it is. Potentially deadly serious. Premiership side Ipswich Town have been in touch. They're interested in none other than Leo Fortune-West! The 33 year old's contract is unprotected, and has been for some time. he's never been interested in signing a new deal with us, but I assumed that was because he was happy to see out his career at the Bower Fold. We sit him down in my office and tell him the news. He doesn't react immediately, and goes off to talk to his agent. I'd like to think he'll be loyal, but then again he can't turn down the chance to play at the top level, can he?

So Leo lines up in what is not only our biggest game ever, but also may be his last for the club. The news hasn't filtered out to the fans yet, so there are no banners or the like in the away end at Anfield. Getting hold of the team sheet, I'm exceptionally relieved to see that Liverpool are not taking the game seriously. Only Steve McManaman, re-signed last season from Spanish side Mallorca, has played more than 10 games this season. Right back Jason Thompson is making his Liverpool debut, whilst midfielders Willie Logan and Jamie Day are getting their first action of the season. Strike pairing Daniel Sjölund and Neil Mellor are making their first starts.

The atmosphere inside Anfield is something very few of my lads will have seen before. Over 40000 fans are inside the ground, including a good 5000 sporting the blue and white of Stalybridge. The Liverpool supporters are clearly taking this game more seriously than their manager! The game kicks off with Liverpool on the attack, and Batty makes his first diving save from a Sjölund shot in the third minute. Corner to the scousers, and McManaman got on to the end of it, causing Batty to sprawl again. The ball runs free but the Chilean is there to clear up field. We've survived the initial attack, and things settle down a little. In what looks like becoming an interesting battle, Neil Clement tackles Leo, a foul and a yellow card for the defender. Acuña's freekick is deflected by the wall and we have our first corner. Harris' set piece is up to his usual standard, and Mackie rises on the end of it. The keeper Voulgaris palmed it away, but it fell straight back to Mackie. He elected to pass rather than shoot, a bad decision, as Clement got back to tackle and Colin Cameron cleared.

18 minutes in, and Mellor beats Morgan and runs into the penalty area. His shot is held well by Batty. The Chilean picks up a booking on 23 minutes for a trip on Liverpool striker Sjölund, but he's straight back in the action, firing an accurate long ball into the area for Leo. Leo's header causes Voulgaris to flap, and Harris gets on to the loose ball. The back of the net bulges, and Harris celebrates, but the linesman is flagging. Offside, apparently against Mackie, who in my opinion wasn't even interfering with play. Sergio Ommel marked the half hour mark with a crashing volley, which flew just wide into the side netting. That marked the last excitement of the half, with the referee blowing his whistle just as the Stalybridge lads earned a corner.

Having survived to the break level, we let the lads have a few minutes to allow it to sink in when we got them back in the dressing room. Drawing at one of the most famous footballing venues in Europe! No doubt the pundits giving their TV interviews would be predicting an absolute onslaught from the reds in the second half, but I was telling my boys a different story. I was telling them that no matter what happened from here in, they had done the club and the town proud. That they should go out now and enjoy the second half. Enjoy the atmosphere, the sound of 40000 plus fans cheering. I was under no illusion as to what was coming, and it probably wouldn't be nice.

It started very much as I had feared in the second half, with McManaman powering a header at goal which had Batty scrambling to reach the ball. Challinor cleared and we regrouped. Just five minutes into the half, and a challenge from Acuña sent Sjölund sprawling. The whole team seemed to cringe, but the referee gave only a freekick. The Chilean can think himself quite lucky there. Clement sent the free kick goalbound, and Batty did excellently once again to get a touch on the ball. It was Morgan this time who got in there to clear, but the ball came back, deflected by Ommels head, and Batty who had just got to his feet was diving to punch the ball away from the area. We had a brief respite as Friars and Leo took the ball upfield, but Liverpool recovered and McManaman put another wicked cross in, which Mellor headed, forcing Batty to turn it round the post for a corner.

With the corner cleared, it looked like Liverpool were going to make a change. Off went debutant Wille Logan, and on came the experienced Jamie Redknapp. Our defence were getting some more well needed rest, as Leo was causing more problems for Liverpool. Bradley Barton was cautioned for a push on the big man, and the resulting Friars freekick went out for a corner. Harris' set piece was collected easily by the keeper this time, and we were back on the back foot. It was time to make a change of our own, as Sergio Ommel had not really found his feet in the game. Off he came, and on came Martin, the clock showing 65 minutes. The Crystal Palace man was involved straight away, being fouled by Bradley Barton, and taking the freekick himself. Nothing came of it, and Liverpool gathered themselves for another attack. It was clear the Anfield crowd were starting to get on their backs now, and their frustration showed that little more when Redknapp pushed over Mackie. Yellow card to the former England star.

Batty held a Clement shot, after the defender had run half the length of the pitch unchallenged, and Redknapp hit a swerving shot high over the bar. All of a sudden there were only ten minutes to play. The half seemed to have gone by so quickly, and it was time to start contemplating extra time. But, wait a minute, Leo's fed the ball out right to Martin and the loanee's lifted the ball into the area, where Darren Mackie's running through. Mackie controlled the ball and hit a fierce shot, but the ball was never dipping quite enough, and it just clipped the top of the bar. Another chance for Mellor, as Cameron fed him, but once more Batty was equal and palmed the ball away. For at least the third time, the goalie rode his luck as a Stalybridge player, Acuña this time, was on hand to take the ball out of danger and clear it for a throw in.

Up goes the stoppage time board, and we're into the dying minutes now. I'd settle for extra time, and it looks like the Liverpool players would as well. They sit back and let Acuña wander forward from the centre circle, play a neat one-two with Jaszczun, move out to the right side of the penalty box and swing the ball deep into the box. The crowd is silent, you could practically hear a pin drop inside Anfield in another one of those slow motion moments. Keeper Voulgaris is helpless having made the decision not to come for the cross. He can only watch as the ball heads towards the back post...

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...and the head of Leo Fortune-West. At the flick of a switch, Matrix style, time speeds back up, and the ball shoots into the back of the net! Silence. Apart from the 5000 Stalybridge fans who were going mental. Similar signs were to be seen on, or rather around, the Stalybridge bench, as we all ran full pelt to mob Leo. With normality eventually restored, we started the painful process of counting down the time to final whistle. It seemed an age, but according to the video it was only four and a half minutes. Eventually he blew, and we all ran like loonies onto the pitch again. The lads lofted Leo onto their shoulders and marched him over to where our fans were partying.

Leo Fortune-West, in what was potentially his last game for the club, had just scored the goal that had knocked out Liverpool. The Liverpool. And sent Stalybridge through to the League Cup Semi Final.

You couldn't write this stuff.

League Cup Quarter Final. 22nd December 2004.
Liverpool 0 Stalybridge 1 Fortune-West 89

Special mention to Jason Batty, who picked up the man of the match award in what must have been the performance of his life. There's a long, long party after the game, and the East Lancs road rocks to the sound of Stalybridge fans and players for many hours. Back at the ground, it seems like the entire town has come out to meet us. We dismiss the players, telling them to go home and enjoy their Christmas. They've deserved it. Meanwhile, I've got one or two interviews to do.

Of course, with our tie against Liverpool being played later than the other Quarter Finals, the draw has already been made. It had slipped my mind, but the fans, and especially the chairman, were quick to remind me of it.

Hold the back page. Manchester United are coming to the Bower Fold.

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\o/, I'd forgotten that bit. Brilliant :thup:

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Now seems as good a time as any to discuss a few matters with the board. Initially they are quite happy to listen to my ideas regarding stadium improvement, telling me that now is not the right time, but that I'll be the first to know should things change. However, by the time I move on to discussing the training facilities, they are becoming a little irate, politely reminding me that it's not my job to run the business side of the club. To be honest, I'm disappointed with this reaction. I expected more support. Not only have I brought the club through two divisions and up near the top of the current one, I've also taken them to a major semi-final. I've put Stalybridge Celtic on the map. Oh, and I've done my bit to keep the club profitable over the last three seasons as well.

Matt Hocking's Christmas will be miserable again this season, as he picks up yet another injury on Christmas Eve. What he was doing training when the rest of the squad were out doing their shopping I don't know. Maybe he really is that desperate to keep his place in the squad. Having sent him home on his crutches, the physio comes to me to say he's not the only victim. Chris Morgan also picked up an injury warming down from the Liverpool game. His groin strain will keep the captain out for a whole month. Something tells me there may be a certain celebration based element to these injuries!

Boxing Day brings a long coach trip to Bristol, to take on Bobby Williamson's City side. It's difficult to keep track of, but this is also a big game, City being one place and three points above us. Leo hasn't made his mind up, and after consultation with the chairman, I've thrown in a juicy contract to try and persuade him to stay. There's only one change, and it's an enforced one, with Ross Johnson coming in for the injured Morgan. Acuña takes over the captains armband. Another autograph for me as well, as Bristol City have Manchester United youngster Darren Fletcher in their side.

The first goalmouth action comes from a very unusual source, as Tommy Jaszczun gets clear in the area. The left back who has made it to 94 appearances without scoring, shoots hard and low, but keeper Rhys Evans is equal to this attempt, and Tommy will have to wait a little longer. The only early chance for the home side comes from right winger Ronald de Boer, who cuts in side and sees his shot spilled by Batty, but as always seems to happen when a side is playing well, there is a man in the right place to steer the ball to safety. Jaszczun was the provider for the first Stalybridge goal, whipping in a ball from the left for Ommel, who had done well to beat his man, to shoot low and hard. No sitting back though, as our inability to hold on to a 1-0 lead means we have to push for a second goal. This of course left space behind the midfield for the home side to run at the defence, and a series of untidy play led to pressure moving down towards the penalty area. Marvin Brown could, and probably should have had a penalty in the 35th minute, but the referee waved play on after consulting his assitant. The goal came, eventually, from a corner, with Fletcher escaping his marker and heading his first goal of his 8 game loan spell. Followers of the form book would probably have tipped Bristol City from here in, but Ronald De Boer spoiled that, getting himself dismissed for pushing Mackie over off the ball just two minutes later. City were punished as they tried to reorganise, with a header by Leo being pushed away to Harris' feet, allowing the winger to score a rare goal. City made the defensive substitution they had been trying to avoid until half time, and Leo should have added a third on the stroke of half time.

Advantage Stalybridge, but we've thrown games away from better positions than this. Surely though, when Harris tidied up after his own attempted lob to make it 3-0, the game was safe? Ommel and Leo continued to pepper the City goal, with Harris and Mackie providing the ammunition, and the home team's man disadvantage was starting to really tell. Cameron and Martin were sent on to give Harris and Leo a rest, as we've got another game to think about in a few days, and Andrew Martin could only wait 5 minutes before getting on the score sheet himself, a superb solo effort. There were other scoring chances, almost entirely for us, but 4-1 was a result that couldn't be sniffed at. Man of the match to Mackie, who is really turning on the performances.

Division 2 Game 23. 26th December 2004.
Bristol City 1 Stalybridge 4 Fletcher 40 / Ommel 21 Harris 44,50 Martin 74 (Bristol City's Ronald De Boer sent off, 42)

We move above the west country side into third, three points behind second place Northampton but with a game in hand. Our unbeaten run in all competitions moves on to 17 matches, 11 of them in the league. We celebrate by tying up Andrew Martin's contract. He'll join us in the summer on a three year deal. It remains to be seen whether Palace will let us reloan him when his current deal expires.

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Our Tuesday fixture is at home against Colchester. They are 23rd, and sacked their manager on Monday. Tired legs mean changes, seven in all. In come: Elgert, Ifil, Collins, Cameron, Browne, Barker and Martin. Barker takes the captaincy, with neither club captain or vice captain involved. It will be Collins' 100th Stalybridge appearance, and the fans have been tipped off in advance that he would be involved, so hopefully there will be some show of support for the 30 year old.

Yet more autographs, as Millwall's Emmerson Boyce leads his adopted side out onto a cold, sleety Bower Fold pitch. There's little action in the first ten minutes, as the players attempt to get used to the slippery underfoot conditions, and our players attempt to get to know each other. They might have been playing together for years judging by the build up to the opening goal. Martin, Cameron and Mackie combining some fine passing football, before Richie Barker finished it off with a volley. 6482 fans didn't have long to wait for the second goal this time, with Martin burying a long range volley six minutes later. Colchester's only attacking threat was coming from Danny Schofield, and he had the ball in the net soon afterwards only to see it disallowed for offside. No such flag came three minutes later, as Schofield ruled out the possibility of offside by running with the ball from within his own half. Ten goals for the season for him, but we weren't in the mood to go in to the break on such a sour note, and when Boyce cleared a corner, Cameron was there to fire the ball back past him. 3-1, and quite comfortable really.

Nice and quietly went the start of the second half, the lads not doing anything absolutely unnecessary in order to conserve their energy. Not until the 64th minute when Schofield forced Batty into a fine save. This seemed to spur us into action once more, and with Hill replacing Mackie, the substitute whipped over a corner. Barker flicked it on, and Collins at the back post unselfishly put the ball back into the mixer. Up popped Jerel Ifil to head a typical centre back's goal, his first of his career! The last twenty minutes was played out without incident, and we wrapped up the game 4-1 again! Fittingly, Lee Collins was awarded the man of the match for his two fine assists.

Division 2 Game 24. 28th December 2004.
Stalybridge 4 Colchester 1 Barker 19 Martin 25 Cameron 42 Ifil 71 / Schofield 30

Well the board are pleased, but I have to say their words mean nothing to me. They really need to think about expanding the stadium, otherwise the club will never make enough money to survive in a higher division. Our league position remains the same, by the way.

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Leo Fortune-West has, after all, played his last game for Stalybridge Celtic. After considerable thought over the Christmas period, he tells me on New Years Eve that he will accept Ipswich's offer. Who can blame him - they're offering 4 times our maximum bid, and the opportunity to play Premiership football. Their current strike force of Marcus Bent and Robbie Fowler must be quaking in their boots! Could we soon be seeing Leo on "The Premiership"? Whatever happens, Stalybridge has lost one of it's all time great players. £80k is no compensation for a striker who can score you two goals every three games consistently over four seasons. Now I have the job of trying to find someone to fill the number 9 shirt!

Leo Fortune-West (Stalybridge 7/1/02 - 31/12/04) Played 128 Scored 87 Assists 14 Man of the Match 33 AvR 8.02

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December brings no awards to Stalybridge again! Darlington's manager gets the award, with the players trophies going to Northampton and Macclesfield. There's always January, and we start it with a trip to bottom of the table Wigan. Their form has gone downhill dramatically, being relegated from the 1st Division last season and being many people's favourites to go back up. Gary McAllister is their new manager, having been in the job since Steve McMahon was sacked just over a month ago. The change of management has brought a change of fortune for our old friend Steve Bushell, who has found himself a first team regular since McAllister's arrival.

Back come Challinor, Burns, Harris, Friars and the Chilean. Collins retains his place, with the Chilean on the right whilst Jaszczun is rested, with Elgert swapping sides. It's Martin's last game of his loan spell. Bushell starts for Wigan, and his midfield partner is one James Coppinger, who Stalybridge fans may remember from a brief trial spell in the summer.

It's 1-0 to Stalybridge after a quarter of an hour's play. A cracking Andrew Martin volley at the end of a beautiful team move. Wigan can't match that, and they struggle to keep the score down immediately from the restart, Matt Jackson's challenge on Martin being a reasonable penalty shout. Friars is the man controlling the midfield today, and Martin is having all the chances. He's missed a couple of reasonable chances before scoring his second, a half volley direct from a throw in. Craig Russell misses a golden opportunity to put the league's bottom club back in contention, but they do get one before half time through Steven Watson.

2-1, but not for long. Friars and Harris play a neat one-two, and the Northern Irishman is away and clear. He beats two hapless Wigan men before burying the ball in the net. The next twenty minutes were a bit on the quiet side, but just to keep the fans entertained, the referee ensured that he liberally sprayed yellow cards around in what wasn't really a dirty game. Friars was involved once again, laying the ball to Barker who steamed through the defence before smashing low drive past the keeper. 4-1, again, for the third game in a row. Ross Johnson tried to make the last twenty minutes interesting, by taking down Wigan goalscorer Watson, giving the ref no choice but to show him a second yellow card. Jaszczun came off the bench to fill in the centre back position, and Wigan struggled to create anything, even against ten men!

Unsurprisingly, Friars took the man of the match. He can't be far from the Northern Irish team, can he?

Division 2 Game 25. 1st January 2005.
Wigan 1 Stalybridge 4 Watson 45 / Martin 15,33 Friars 47 Barker 66 (Stalybridge's Ross Johnson sent off, 67)

Martin returns to Crystal Palace on the back of that performance. We'll welcome him back to the Bower Fold in the summer.

Andrew Martin (Stalybridge 3/10/04 - 2/1/05) Played 18, Scored 7 Assists 1 AvR 7.44

He never got a man of the match award :o

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The hunt for a striking combination for the rest of the season continues. For the trip to Reading, Lee Hill will partner Richie Barker. Also into the side come Foley Sheridan, just recovered from his latest setback, and Cameron. Some big names are rested with Saturday's FA Cup tie in mind.

A bright start by us seems to take Reading by surprise, and Curtis Woodhouse barges Lee Hill in the back in the penalty area inside ten minutes. There's a moment of confusion, as the players try to decide who will take the spot kick, not a decision they are used to taking. Eventually Barker takes control and slots the ball away for his 10th goal of the season, a mark I never expected him to achieve! Sean Friars wastes no time adding to his goal tally when he receives a decent cross from Elgert, and we're cruising. Step forward one Darius Henderson. Two goals in five minutes from the striker, in only his fifth start of the season, bring the scoreline level and leave us reeling. The sucker punch comes five before halftime, as Forster waltzes through the defence and adds a third.

No amount of attacking throughout the second half can find an equaliser. Acuña, Ommel and Mackie all take to the field at various points, but they can't make a difference either. After 19 games, our unbeaten run comes to an end.

Division 2 Game 26. 5th January 2005.
Reading 3 Stalybridge 2 Henderson 31,36 Forster 40 / Barker 9(pen), Friars 17

It couldn't last for ever, I suppose. The lads are distraught on the coach home. They feel that they've let me and the fans down. I gently remind them of what they've achieved so far this season, and how far they've come. No doubt the fans are beginning mutterings, and they're probably mentioning Leo Fortune-West's name along those lines. We need to bounce back on Saturday.

Those very same complaining fans better not watch Match of the Day when they get back from Reading. If they do, they'll see Leo Fortune-West making his Ipswich debut against West Brom. They'll also see him score two headed goals as Ipswich win 2-1. Step up? What step up?

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In an attempt to ease the striker situation, and not in any sort of panic move at all, honest, I approach Hearts manager Alex Totten to inquire about the availability of former Cambridge United striker Dave Kitson. To my surprise he is happy to see the transfer listed striker go out on loan for the rest of the season, and we only have to contribute £550 per week. Dave is nowhere near match fit, but I'm hoping he can give us that extra something, at least to keep the other strikers on their toes.

FA Cup third round day eventually dawns dry and cold. It's a local derby against Crewe, whose priorities probably lie in securing a playoff place rather than a cup tie in Stalybridge. I'm pleased to be able to field what I consider a full strength side, although it's without the injured Morgan, of course, and Barker and Ommel haven't cemented themselves as the correct striking partnership quite just yet. Dave Kitson starts on the bench.

It's not a capacity crowd, but yet again there's well over 6450 in the Fold. How will the side from 3rd in the Second Division fair against the side from 4th in the First Division? Chances for Mackie in the 8th minute and Harris in the 9th gave the crowd something to cheer about, but the 1st division outfit looked to get back into it with a freekick from Efe Sodje. No-one could make the breakthrough, though, and it was still nil-nil at the half hour mark. Batty had to make his first real save just after, when Paul Edwards lost his man and fired a low shot in. Glen Little had a good chance to take the lead, but fired disappointingly wide. Mackie took the ball down the right and crossed into the area. Ommel's header was well saved by Combe, but the ball fell for Harris. Combe again pulled off a fingertip save, but he wasn't to be lucky three times in a row and when Friars got to the ball the keeper was nowhere. That was it for the first half, and we went in with the cheers of the crowd ringing in our ears.

The lads are fired up, and I don't really need to say anything to them for the second half. We get the best possible start when Friars spotted a crossball from Harris. Ignoring the support around him, he fired a shot from distance. Goal! 2-0! Crewe were rocked, and we were flooding forward. Ommel and Barker had chances, but nothing came of it. Unbelievably, the result was secured when Challinor headed a Harris corner goalbound! But that wasn't the end of it. On came Kitson and Browne, and with the new striker through on goal, Stevland Angus got a tackle in, but the ball fell to Harris, and the winger made no mistake! 4-0, and it's an absolute rout. Harris got the man of the match, and we're through to the fourth round for the first time.

FA Cup 3rd Round. 8th January 2005.
Stalybridge 4 Crewe 0 Friars 38,47 Challinor 65 Harris 88

Not surprisingly, the board are going crazy about this result. I sagely nod to the chairman, hoping he will understand that it's about time he got his bloody finger out. Ours is not the biggest result, though, as Steve Evans' Boston side beat Stockport 3-0. The other two non-league sides were less fortunate, but I get the chance to catch up on old times with Steve as we wait for the 4th round draw.

This time we're plumb last out of the hat. The reward for this? A trip to bloody Millwall again! At least it's not a trip into the unknown. Steve is a little more fortunate as Boston draw Newcastle at home. Bonus!