11/07/09: Kidsgrove Athletic 5 Stafford Rangers 1
Kidsgrove started the pre-season build up in near-perfect fashion with a convincing 5-1 win over Stafford Rangers at the Seddon Stadium on Saturday. New signings Dave Walker (2) and Matt Haddrell gave Kidsgrove a 3-0 half time lead which was added to by Tom Schwartz and Tom Moss in the second period.
An incident filled first half saw the Stafford goalkeeper have to leave the game after just 2 minutes following a challenge with Kidsgrove debutant Dave Walker. The home team were dominating, hitting the bar from a free kick, and it wasn't long before they took the lead when Walker finished superbly after a cross-field pass from James Brough. Matt Haddrell extended Kidsgrove's lead after the visitors conceded a free kick for a back pass and Walker demonstrated clinical finishing once more to make it 3-0 before the break. At the other end, Steve Inithar's goal was barely threatened as Stafford struggled to make an impact.
The second half was a less flowing affair as the substitutions took effect, but Kidsgrove were still able to ease further ahead thanks to a powerful Tom Schwartz header from a corner and Tom Moss' strike after Liam Shotton's effort had been saved. Stafford grabbed a last minute consolation, but it couldn't take the shine off a very encouraging first game of the season.
Kidsgrove entertain Congleton Town on Tuesday night, and are also at home to last year's UniBond Premier Division champions Eastwood Town on Saturday.
Team (1st half): Intihar, Dove, Brough, Schwartz, Reeves, Beasley, Matranga, Hall, Walker, Haddrell, Bridge.
Second half subs: Dunn, Moss, Shotton, White, Leigh
05/07/09: FA and UniBond Competition Draws Made
Draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Trophy have been made, along with those for the UniBond League Cup Competitions. Details ot the ties:
FA Cup Preliminary Round - Saturday 29th August
Kidsgrove Athletic v Bewdley Town or Alvechurch
Winners at home to Chasetown or AFC Wulfrunians or Boldmere St Michaels
FA Trophy Preliminary Round - Saturday 3rd October
Kidsgrove Athletic v Leek Town
Winners at home to Kendal Town
UniBond League Challenge Cup - week commencing 21st September
Chasetown v Kidsgrove Athletic
UniBond League President's Cup - week commencing 7th September
Market Drayton Town v Kidsgrove Athletic
10/05/09: Presentation Night
Players, management, staff and supporters all gathered at the club on Friday night for the annual presentation evening. Former Stoke City player and Republic of Ireland international Terry Conroy was on hand to give out the trophies to the winning players and also awards to many of the people who have helped out behind the scenes. During the speeches, the achievements of the players in coming together as a team after a difficult start to the season and winning the Staffordshire Senior Cup were recognised. Manager Peter Ward, Chairman Mick Fitzjohn and CEO Carl Holness all expressed a desire to retain the current squad and add in a few new signings to build on the foundations of this season.
List of winners:
Players' Player of the Year: Danny Smith
Manager's Player of the Year: Tom Schwartz
Chairman's Player of the Year: Mitch Shenton
Supporters' Player of the Year: Danny Smith
Clubman of the Year: Ray Green
Graham Plant also received a special award in recognition of 50 years' contribution to local football.
After the buffet and presentations, the evening ended with a screening of the Staffs Senior Cup final, allowing everybody to celebrate the dramatic victory once more.
Some highlights from the evening:
Left to right: Danny Smith, winner of two awards with Carl Holness and Mick Fitzjohn; Tom Schwartz picks up his trophy; Mark Shenton accepts the Chairman's Player of the Year award on behalf of his son, Mitch.
Left to right: Manager Peter Ward gives his views on the season; Graham "Chiefy" Plant with the Chairman, while Terry Conroy conducts the presentation.
Left to right: The team show off the Staffordshire Senior Cup; Manager Peter Ward with the fans.
27/04/09: Website changes
The website is currently undergoing some maintenance, including updating the navigation menu on the left hand side and introducing a past players database. Some older pages may no longer work after this, but no content is being removed from the site.
These changes should have two benefits: from the user's points of view, moving around the site should become smoother and for me updating it should take a lot less time! If you spot any broken links or other errors, please feel free to let me know via the message board.
Don't forget the presentation evening on Friday 8th May!