retired_sander

March 2002

Swansea at home was first up this month and we managed to win 2-0 with total ease. Mendez and Foran scored the goals today as we won a simple game keeping us top by a mile.

Cambridge Utd were next and we dominated them effortlessly winning 3-1. Shiels, Rudi and Foran scored the goals today with Foran on 25 league goals for the season already.

Bristol Rovers at home was next and we lost to the 3rd placed team 3-2. It was a close match and it should of ended in a draw really. Galloway and Foran scored today’s goals making Foran joint top scorer throughout England with Justin Jackson of Conference team Doncaster.

Torquay away was next and we managed to lose to them 2-1 which was pathetic being they are or at least were 2nd bottom. Andy Preece scored our goal in a match pretty much devoid of any shots at all.

Rochdale was next and at least we managed to return to winning form with a decisive 3-0 victory. Today’s scorers were Preece, Gazza and Richie Foran once more.

Shrewsbury were the last game of this month and we were away and out for revenge after our earlier home defeat. We drew the match 1-1 thanks to a Gazza goal canceling out traitor, sorry former player, Ian Stevens goal. We finished the month top by 9 points and had secured a play off spot, Shrewsbury were 16th.

retired_sander

April 2002

Macclesfield away was first up this month and we won 2-0 thanks to goals from Mendez and Preece. The match it self was a very close affair with few chances on goal for either team.

Bournemouth at home was next and a fine 4-2 win saw us gain promotion and pretty much condemned Bournemouth to the Conference. The goals were scored by Mendez and Foran with 2 each.

Boston at home was next and another win saw us pick up the title. It was a close match though and we just about managed to edge it 4-3. The goals were scored by Middleton, Foran and two from Nixon.

Lincoln at home was next and we partied hard before playing the match. Naturally the players were not as up for a win as normal but they still got a 1-0 win thanks to Foran’s 31st goal of the season.

Kidderminster away was next and the lads were out for 100points in the season as we hammered them 3-0. Goals from McGovern, Summerbell and Foran sealed the victory in a record breaking season.

The last match of the season was Exeter at home and we managed to round the season off with a stunning 4-2 thrashing in front of a raucous crowd. Two from Middleton, one from Rudi and Foran’s 33rd league sealed of the season with style.

We finished the season top by 16 points on 102 an new record. 108 goals were scored another record and Foran’s 33 goals was the 3rd record we got. The 6 matches won in a row was also a record for the club.

retired_sander

Summer Transfer Dealings and Season Aims

Mick Galloway joins Barnet for £70k
Bernt Haas joins Neunkirchen for £100k
Matthew Tipton joins from Macclesfield for £140k
Oyvind Leonhardsen joins from Aston Villa for £600k
Klever Manuel Chala joins from AIK for £1 million
Ian Nolan joins from Southport for £60k
Richard Kay joins from the reserve squad

The board expect us to finish some where around mid table this season, but I am aiming for a play off spot. With those new signings over the summer I see another season of great success here at Brunton Park.

retired_sander

August 2002

Plymouth were the first opponents in Div 2 and we managed to start the new season with a outstanding 3-0 home victory. Leonhardsen, Foran and Tipton scored the goals in the new look first team squad. 2 goals in the first 8 minutes showed the Second Divison we were here and meant business!!

Peterborough away was next and after a close match Peterborough’s only shot on target naturally went in giving them a 1-0 victory. We failed to score mostly down to Peterborough’s keeper playing a blinder.

Boston Utd in the League Cup 1st round was next and we managed to draw the game 1-1 yet lose on penalties. Foran scored our goal as we managed to have the better showing in the match bit failed to get the ball in the net again.

Hull were next as we managed to thrash the to side 4-1 at home. Goals from Mendez and a Tipton hat-trick were key in an otherwise close match, showing that Tipton is a good prospect for the future and will hopefully build a excellent strike partnership with Foran.

Darlington were last this month and we managed to sneak a 1-0 win thanks to an own goal. The match was one we never got into and Darlington should off won it really if not drawn it at the minimum.

We finished our first month in Div 2 in 5th spot in the table, 4 points behind the leaders Reading but with a game in hand.

retired_sander

September 2002

Bottom club Cardiff were first this month and we had a very close game but did win it 2-1 in sunny Wales. The goals were scored by Tipton and Foran as they slowly got into the swing of scoring as a partners.

Brentford at home was next and we managed to thrash them 4-1 edging us up to 2nd spot still with our game in hand. Middleton, Leonharsden and a brace from Tipton were the scorers today.

Tranmere away was next and we managed to scrap a 4-3 win despite losing the keeper to a professional foul in the 13th minute. Two goals apiece from Mendez and Bryne helped us to yet another victory and the FA revoked the keepers ban too making it a great day, especially as we were top now too.

Northampton away was next and we lost 1-0 to them. The match was a close game but I thought we deserved at least a draw and really we should of won it. Another fine display by the oppositions keeper prevented us from scoring.

Peter Keen joins Kidderminster for £240k.

Grimsby were next and we managed to lose 2-1 at home to them. At least this time Grimsby were a Division 1 team last year. It was a close game and we were unlucky to lose actually as a draw would of been a fair result. Matthew Tipton got our consolation goal.

Reading was the last match this month and we managed to beat them 1-0 away from home. Richie Foran scored our goal in a very dull match with few chances. We finished the month 2nd 5 pints behind leaders Peterborough.

retired_sander

October 2002

Diego Gavilan is signed on loan from Newcastle for the rest of the season and should prove to be a good signing.

Crewe was first up this month and we hammered them 5-1 away. We totally dominated the match allowed them a single shot on goal, which as is usual went in. Whitehead, Summerbell, Chala and two from Tipton were the goal scorers today.

An audacious transfer bid of £3.1 million via upfront payment plus appearance extras was made for Louis Saha, but with numerous major European clubs also bidding for him I am not to optimistic I’ll get him.

Bristol Rovers at home was next and we beat them 4-0 with sheer ease. Two goals from Tipton and the other two from Chala saw us maintain our challenge for promotion this season.

Barnsley away was next and we managed to maintain our winning streak with a fine 3-1 victory. Foran and two from Tipton were the scorers today with Tipton moving onto 14 goals in the league this season already.

Louis Saha picks Benfica over us and more bizarrely Barcalona, Dortmund and Bayern. Transfer attention is switched to Crewe’s David Vaughan as West Ham have slapped a £1.5 million bid in for him.

Sheffield Utd at home was next and after a even match we emerged the winners thanks to a Chala goal at the end of the first half. My ongoing battle with the Government continues as I once more try and get a work permit for the club’s greatest signing yet.

Oldham away was next and we managed to earn a 2-2 draw despite being outplayed, probably due to Oldham’s lack of shots I expect. Tipton and Leonhardsen scored the goals today.

Port Vale were last up this month and we beat them 1-0 in a nice and simple home tie. Tipton got the goal his 16th in 16 league games. We finished the month second a single point behind top placed Peterborough.

Transfer activity has vanished for now as Crewe rejected mine and West Ham’s bids for David Vaughan who is now annoyed at not being allowed to move. I am still battling with the powers that be for our new super striker but am getting no where fast.

retired_sander

November 2002

Wycombe at home was first this month and we fought out a 3-3 draw in a very entertaining crowd pleasing match. The goals were scored by Summerbell, Foran and Tipton as we went top of the scoring charts in Div 2.

Chesterfield away was next and we beat them 2-0 despite never getting into the match really, as long as this under performing but winning still happens the title can be ours. Todays goals came from Mendez and Rudi.

David Vaughan chose to move to Wimbledon over coming to Carlisle in a £3.3 million deal, which was disappointing but I could never match the wages. Nottingham Forest have made one or two bids for some of my key players but have been told were to stuff their money.

Chester away in the FA Cup 1st Round was next and we won it 2-0 after a nice and simple and somewhat lazy approach to the game. Chala and Rudi scored the goals as we progressed to the next round.

Huddersfield away was next and we beat the bottom club 2-1 with ease. The goals came from Tipton and Balacha. Nottingham Forest and now West Ham are after more of my players including Rudi, who decided that as I was not ready to give him a new contract (still got 4 years left to go after this season) has decided he wants to move and is unhappy at me blocking his transfer meaning next decent offer he is gone.

Stockport at home was last up this month and we managed to control the match against the 4th placed club and emerged 2-0 winners. The goals came from Rudi and Foran. We finished the month 2nd 3 points behind Peterborough but 14 points ahead of 3rd placed Tranmere.

retired_sander

December 2002

Everton make a £2million bid ofr Rudi which I and Rudi gladly accept removing the whinger from the club. How I’ll laugh as we go past Everton in a few years time.

Sheffield Utd at home in the FA Cup 2nd Round was the first match this month and we won it 4-2 very easily. Goals from Chala, Tipton and two from Foran sent us into the next round. We now get to play Man Utd at home in the 3rd Round.

Chelenham away was next and we managed to totally dominate them winning 4-1 with supreme ease. Gavilan, Chala and two from Leonhardsen were the scorers today as we maintained our impressive form winning our 6th straight game equalling the club record, we even set a new undefeated record of 14 matches too.

Plymouth away was next and we managed to dominate the match yet only managed to draw 2-2. The goals came from Leonhardsen and Tipton as we just about managed to score the equalisers.

A crucial potential title deciding match was next as we faced Peterborough at home. It was a very tight affair with hardly any shots but today our Goalie did far better than theirs as we won 3-0 avenging the 1-0 defeat at the start of the season. The goals came from Nolan, Tipton and Summerbell.

Last up this month was a trip to Hull, last seasons fellow promotees, and we managed to beat them once more this time 3-1. The goals came from Foran and two from Chala. We finished the month top by 3 points over Peterborough.

retired_sander

January 2003

Darlington at home was the first match this month and we managed to lose it 2-1. This was mostly due to Alejandro getting sent off in the first minute earning himself a 4 match ban. Tipton got the only goal for us his 21st of the season.

Man Utd at home in the FA Cup 3rd Round was next and the 3-1 defeat was not to bad really as we had plenty of chances in the game but were up against a world class Goalkeeper let alone a world class team. Chala scored our goal as we set a new attendance record.

Luton at home was next and we relaxed and had a easy game winning 2-0. The goals came from Foran and Baltacha. More clubs are after my players again but they have all been told to go take a jump.

Grimsby away was next and we managed to get a 1-1 draw out of the game. Mathew Tipton scored out goal in a tight close match which Grimsby Edged on possession terms.

Oldham away in the LDV Vans Trophy Northern Section 2nd round was next and we managed to lose the match 3-0. We were not into the game at all and to top things Alejandro was sent off for the 2nd time in a fortnight earning him a further 5 match ban making it 9 in total now.

Cardiff at home was next and we managed to draw 1-1 once more. The game was close and could of gone either way, with Matt Glennon struggling a bit but he nly plays a few games normally. Richie Foran scored our equaliser in the 33rd minute.

Blackpool away was next and it was a 3rd consecutive 1-1 league draw. We played a very even dull match with Gazza scoring in the 11th minute but Blackpool equalsied straight away. We finished the month top 2 points ahead of Peterborough.

retired_sander

February 2003

Brentford away was first up this month and we lost 2-0 after we actually dominated the match. Matt Glennon was to blame and has not found any form yet despite playing the last 4 matches now.

Tranmere at home was next and we returned to winning ways with a simpe conclusive 3-0 victory. Middleton , Leonhardsen and an own gaol saw us wrap up the game by half time.

Bristol Rovers were next and we managed to beat them 2-0 with a helping hand from their keeper. Leonhardsen scored both our goals as we increased the lead at the top some more.

Reading at home was next and we lost 3-2 thanks to a few errors from the defence and Glennon’s inability to counter crosses. Still Summerbell and Foran scored to keep our goal scoring up.

Northampton away was last this month and we managed to finish Feb with a 3-1 loss after another dreadful performance from Matt Glennon, thank god Alejandro is back in two matches time. More worringly we had 24 shots to their 3 and still lost the match, Foran scored our only goal. We finished the month top 6 points ahead of Reading.