2018-19 National League North

[Aberstone]

I cannot believe it, we needed to keep hold of Millsy.

Given he was a Didcot beforehand, I'm assuming he lives in Berkshire/Wiltshire and the travelling up North is just too much?

Salisbury splashing the cash yet again - quelle surprise...

 

[Darlo On Tour]

He's not a bad player he just needed to lose a lot of weight. Hopefully a full season playing regular football has helped, no matter how low down that level is.

That was my thoughts on Greg Mills, but unfortunately couldn't keep his feet out the fridge!

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Conference is usually strict on these things, if it was the FL i think they'd drag it out and hope for a takeover, but conference has always seemed quite brutal.

Feel sorry for their fans with the total silence, its all rumours and possibles......the problem is if club folds now their fans have zero time to create a new one.

the stuff with the Vale chairman looking to buy their ground to give them quick funding just seems very weird, not sure if it will be allowed.

Would come as no surprise if he bought the stadium for a nice bit of land for property development? Vale fan's reckon he's full of shite!!

 

[MWS]

Curzon have got themselves a cracking defender in Michael Clarke. Not entirely sure why Gannon didn't stick with him. Our best form of last season came when he was back in the side, and was an integral part of our defence in 2016/17 season that only conceded 41 goals.

Interesting to seen Flanagan mention him being an option up front. Played as a striker for most of his career before JG converted him to a centre back.

Either way, with Jonny Hunt, Danny Shaw and now Clarkey, Curzon have some really good CB options for next season.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I don’t understand the recruitment though because all we are doing is working on our strong areas anyway.

Until last game we only let in 60 goals fewer than anyone else bottom half and all but two sides outside play offs and 11 came in a madcap 3 game spell in August due to injuries.

Defence is fine, attack is shocking, now we have a new right and left back and centre back and the current centre backs already signed up.

Shows we will again be extremely tough to beat, but total reliance on an ageing Cummins up front

 

[MWS]

I don’t understand the recruitment though because all we are doing is working on our strong areas anyway.

Until last game we only let in 60 goals fewer than anyone else bottom half and all but two sides outside play offs and 11 came in a madcap 3 game spell in August due to injuries.

Defence is fine, attack is shocking, now we have a new right and left back and centre back and the current centre backs already signed up.

Shows we will again be extremely tough to beat, but total reliance on an ageing Cummins up front

I note in the article that Flanagan eludes to the fact that Clarke used to be a striker before JG converted into a centre half. So perhaps Flanagan is thinking he could be deployed as your target man if Cummins is not available?

His aerial ability is his main attribute. Wins pretty much everything in the air!

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

True, I think that was plan with Howson last season then he ended up a superb weekly performing centre back for us.

They have to find a forward, the spine now is extremely solid and we now have two wingers........but the eternal finding a Warburton issue

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Curzon have got themselves a cracking defender in Michael Clarke. Not entirely sure why Gannon didn't stick with him. Our best form of last season came when he was back in the side, and was an integral part of our defence in 2016/17 season that only conceded 41 goals.

Interesting to seen Flanagan mention him being an option up front. Played as a striker for most of his career before JG converted him to a centre back.

Either way, with Jonny Hunt, Danny Shaw and now Clarkey, Curzon have some really good CB options for next season.

Completely disagree.

Clarke was very poor last season and we never looked solid with him in the side. The only time our defence looked decent was when Smalley and Stott paired up.

His performance on the final day of the season against Darlington was so shakey he managed to play his way out of the side for the playoffs despite Stott having gone back.

 

[MWS]

Completely disagree.

Clarke was very poor last season and we never looked solid with him in the side. The only time our defence looked decent was when Smalley and Stott paired up.

His performance on the final day of the season against Darlington was so shakey he managed to play his way out of the side for the playoffs despite Stott having gone back.

It's interesting how opinions differ. Unfortunately I missed the Darlington game as I was at a wedding, so cannot comment on that but he started most (if not all) the games on our winning run did he not?

He's always been steady and unspectacular. It's the other things he does that people miss, like organising the defence and winning the first header. He's been Jim's captain for 3 seasons at Northwich and County. There's clearly a reason for that.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

It's interesting how opinions differ. Unfortunately I missed the Darlington game as I was at a wedding, so cannot comment on that but he started most (if not all) the games on our winning run did he not?

He's always been steady and unspectacular. It's the other things he does that people miss, like organising the defence and winning the first header. He's been Jim's captain for 3 seasons at Northwich and County. There's clearly a reason for that.

He started when Smalley was out but he was still not looking great hence we changed a winning team and Smalley came back in when fit again.

Northwich was two levels lower and he had Montrose in front of him in his first season at County. If he was rated as a great leader then why did he give Harry Winter the armband this season?

Not good enough to start regularly for a team looking for promotion and Gannon knows that so he released him.

I’m sure he’ll do ‘a job’ at Curzon but no more than that.

 

[AnimoEtFide]

I'm with WNM on this one. Clarke was good at the unspectacular stuff (good in the air, lumping the ball forward) but if anyone was running at him or we got caught on the break his lack of pace and poor positioning made him a bit of a liability. If he's alongside a CB with a bit of pace and good positioning (or someone like Montrose shielding the defence) he might look OK, but not good enough if we are serious about challenging next year.

 

[Railway Blue]

top scorer for last 3 seasons john mills has decided to leave,almost certainly to join salisbury in southern league along with creative midfielder pablo heysham,seems we either could'nt or would;nt match the £600+ per week each they are splashing out.

Sounds like Salisbury are going for a hat-trick …. of foldings.

 

[ForeverUnited]

Given he was a Didcot beforehand, I'm assuming he lives in Berkshire/Wiltshire and the travelling up North is just too much?

Salisbury splashing the cash yet again - quelle surprise...

He lives in Oxford area I think, I would say that is sadly the case.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

While i am only going to get to see Curzon in parts next season i am quite confident of them having another solid season (taking into account here our target is safety rather than play-offs)

Think Flanagan has been quite smart in these early spells of pre-season and i think we're now frankly just one player off a solid side.......of course that one player will probably be what decides whether we have a very good or very solid season.

We have kept officially now our solid spine from last season, goalie, 2 centre backs, main central midfielder and main forward....that area was ok, replaced both full backs which was our weakest area defensively last season, Connor Hughes i've seen at Staly and should step up this level and keeping McKenna was massive (pretty much saved our season) and having McKenna and Hughes will add much needed width and creativity we severely lacked nearly all last season.

Adding Clarke (who wont be good enough for top 7, but probably solid midtable.....adds more strength and experience at the back, we have 3 solid, strong, experienced centre backs now, plus a back-up for Cummins and can now switch from 4 or 3 at the back easily.

Think heading into mid June we've now got everything pretty much covered and the majority of it now experienced solid midtable conf north players........we just lack that support forward for Cummins, will Flanagan work his magic on getting something out of Chrisp Sharp or find someone else.

either way its looking much more solid than it was 12 months ao when we lost huge chunks of our side and had large gaps to fill.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

A few rumours cropped up on our messageboard

Nyal Bell was one of them so Darksithlord over to you on that one as he finished the season at Alfreton I believe?

Is he a striker or winger and how was he?

The Jake Kirby rumour has come up again which would be an excellent bit of business if he can stay fit.

Also Newby from Chorley though Harrogate and Port Vale are apparently interested so doing that will come to fruition.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Confirmation Nuneaton will continue in National League North

"The Cooperative have this weekend been informed by the club that the Boro’ will continue to play in the National League North next season, with all of the criteria set out for them now having been met.

Further to this we have been asked to assure fans that Season Ticket prices, a new kit and managerial appointment are all due to be confirmed in the next week."

 

[DarkSithLord]

A few rumours cropped up on our messageboard

Nyal Bell was one of them so Darksithlord over to you on that one as he finished the season at Alfreton I believe?

Is he a striker or winger and how was he?

The Jake Kirby rumour has come up again which would be an excellent bit of business if he can stay fit.

Also Newby from Chorley though Harrogate and Port Vale are apparently interested so doing that will come to fruition.

Nyal Bell is a striker. I was impressed by him. He certainly has something. He scored two superb headers in a thrilling 4-3 loss at Harrogate. Always applied himself to the full and gave everything with pretty much no support in the final weeks. He would be a very useful signing for anyone in this league.

 

[SamScfc]

Completely disagree.

Clarke was very poor last season and we never looked solid with him in the side. The only time our defence looked decent was when Smalley and Stott paired up.

His performance on the final day of the season against Darlington was so shakey he managed to play his way out of the side for the playoffs despite Stott having gone back.

Yeah same here.

Clarke was very average. Slow and terrible on the ball.

Decent signing for Curzon but glad he's not with us.

 

[MWS]

Confirmed. Jake Kirby signed from Tranmere.

Very pleased with that. Was excellent for us back in 2015/16.

 

[MWS]

Ash Palmer also confirmed as signed. Formerly of Guiseley and NFU

 

[ForzaCounty]

Very happy with those two, remember Kirby looking better than this level during his loan spell

 

[MWS]

Confirmed. Nyal Bell joins us from Gateshead.

 

[Minstermen central]

We have signed Jake Wright from Harrogate,did ok when here on loan and Harrogate offered him a new contract but turned it down.
We have given him a 2 year contract just need to get rid of contracted players still left.

 

[DOLF87]

We have signed Jake Wright from Harrogate,did ok when here on loan and Harrogate offered him a new contract but turned it down.
We have given him a 2 year contract just need to get rid of contracted players still left.

Can't believe it. You must be offering some good money to persuade him to stay at NLN level. I thought if he didn't stay, then he would have at least gone up the league. Great signing. Was really looking forward to seeing him at in the National.
It's left us thin in quality strikers.

 

[ForzaCounty]

Confirmed. Nyal Bell joins us from Gateshead.

So that's Bell in addition to Warburton & Mulhearn (and also Etches & Czubik I suppose), looks like JG isn't hopeful of Oswell returning.

 

[MWS]

So that's Bell in addition to Warburton & Mulhearn (and also Etches & Czubik I suppose), looks like JG isn't hopeful of Oswell returning.

I think it's pretty clear Oswell won't be returning this season. Not entirely sure where he'll end up. Guess it depends on his commitment to his physio job. Maybe (like Danny Lloyd) he'll be given the chance to step up to be a full time pro and he'll decide to knock the physiotherapy on the head for the time being and pick it back up later in his career.

With the signing of Bell, I think we're pretty much done on the strikers front, as Stephenson should be considered an option there too.

No idea what the issue with Stephenson is. Started the season poorly, went on a brilliant run where he was our main attacking threat, and then wilted away later in the season.

He scored 18 league goals for Chorley in 2015/16 so he's got it in his locker. Just needs to apply himself properly.

 

[Harrier94]

Ashley Chambers is our first signing of the summer. Pleased with that 20 league goals and 25 overall in a struggling Nuneaton team.

http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/2018/06/12/harriers-sign-ashley-chambers/

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

So that's Bell in addition to Warburton & Mulhearn (and also Etches & Czubik I suppose), looks like JG isn't hopeful of Oswell returning.

I’m not sure - Warburton is a number 10 so that leaves us two strikers plus Stephenson. If we’re playing 3412 then I could see a target man coming in to supplement them two.

 

[Minstermen central]

Ashley Chambers is our first signing of the summer. Pleased with that 20 league goals and 25 overall in a struggling Nuneaton team.

http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/2018/06/12/harriers-sign-ashley-chambers/

Absolute top signing my money is on you,Chambers is miles to good for this league.

http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/2018/06/12/harriers-sign-ashley-chambers/[/QUOTE]

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Confirmation Nuneaton will continue in National League North

"The Cooperative have this weekend been informed by the club that the Boro’ will continue to play in the National League North next season, with all of the criteria set out for them now having been met.

Further to this we have been asked to assure fans that Season Ticket prices, a new kit and managerial appointment are all due to be confirmed in the next week."

All Together Now............And a 1, And a 2, And a 3.................Boooooooooooo!!!