Latest news with #Cove
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
EXCLUSIVE: Why new Aberdeen goalkeeper Nick Suman is the total package, according to Cove Rangers boss Paul Hartley
Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley insists Aberdeen have signed the total package in new goalkeeper Nick Suman. The 25-year-old shotstopper last week signed a pre-contract with the Dons and will join his new team-mates for pre-season training Hartley is sad to lose his goalkeeper ahead of the League One restart, but says Suman has all the qualities to be a success with Jimmy Thelin's Premiership big-guns and Scottish Cup holders. The Cove boss said: 'Aberdeen have just got a really good, solid professional going in there. 'Nick comes and takes things, and he is unbelievable on the ball, too – honestly, he could be an outfield player as he is very comfortable. 'We did a lot of work in terms of possession with using the keepers and it was no problem for him. 'He has great feet, is a great talker, has good organisation and is a shotstopper. 'He's just a good person. A guy who has a great attitude to train and work and really believes in himself.' Suman could have been lining up against the Dons next season rather than as a member of their squad after Motherwell pushed hard to bring him to Fir Park in January. The Steelmen were rebuffed in their bid to sign Suman, but were keen on adding the Australian to their ranks this summer, as were Dundee United. Hartley fought hard to keep his goalkeeper in January, but was quick to praise the positive attitude shown by Suman after the disappointment of missing out on a Premiership move in the winter window. He said: 'I spoke to Jimmy about him and to (goalkeeper coach) Craig Hinchcliffe, but there were two or three other clubs who wanted to sign him. 'He could have been a Motherwell player in January – we did knock a couple of bids back. It was obviously a situation where he maybe wanted to go, but we held firm. 'We spoke to him and I told him I didn't want to let him go at the time because we were chasing promotion. 'I always said to him that I think he would get a really good move if he kept working hard and kept his head down. 'It didn't really affect him. He didn't throw his dummy out the pram. He just kept working away. 'I'm delighted for him. I really like him and I've got a lot of time for Nick. 'He was good in the dressing room for me and he deserves a move.' Former Dons captain Hartley took a gamble when he brought Suman to Scottish football two years ago, but he believes his punt paid off handsomely for Cove. Hartley said: 'It wasn't really a trial with us. I knew he'd had a trial with Rangers a while back – I think it might have been when Steven Gerrard was the manager. 'It was actually through an agent that I've dealt with quite a bit from Avid Sports, who recommended a goalkeeper to us. 'We watched the footage, liked what we saw, and we spoke to some people in Australia. 'We actually took a wee gamble to be quite honest with you – I actually just signed him there and then on a two-year deal on the back of what I'd seen on video. 'I liked what I saw of him and the rest is history as they say.' The Cove manager believes the progress of Suman shows why his club are an attractive prospect for players looking for a platform to show their qualities. Hartley points to the recent international recognition of another former Cove player as a positive advertisement for his club. He said: 'We're a stepping stone for players. 'I look at Rumarn Burrell at the weekend scoring for Jamaica and it gave me a wee bit of satisfaction – we give an opportunity to guys. 'In the last two seasons, Burrell's had a good move to Burton Albion and is playing on the national team. I just think it's a good story for us. 'I'm not here to stand in his way. If a big move comes along, I'll be the first to congratulate him. 'I'm really pleased for Nick, honestly, because of the way he was in the two years with me. 'We had a lot of trust between us, and he deserves a move. 'I think that's the message to any young player. 'The three young players we had on loan from Aberdeen, they did really well for us. Hopefully we've got a good relationship.' Suman's departure means just nine Cove players are under contract at the club for next season. Hartley has offered new deals to Balint Demus, Mikey Doyle, Will Gillingham, Declan Glass and Blair Yule, but the Cove manager is braced for another turnaround of personnel in the summer. He said: 'It's looking like it will be a busy summer again for us. 'I've obviously tried to sign a few players, and you've seen the lads we have offered deals to and we're waiting for them to come back. 'We will need a wee bit of another rebuild job. I don't know where we're going with the loan players, who we're going to get in or whatever. 'So it's going to be another busy time, but that's my job. 'I've to try to get a squad together and make sure that we're ready for the start of the season.'
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I stayed at the English seaside caravan park with private lido, Vegas-like cabanas and cosy pub
THE West Sussex town of Selsey famously has just one road in and out of it – but the seaside spot is so fun-packed, the exit lane should be scrapped. My family and I had just spent a long weekend at the Cove's Seal Bay resort, where every lodge, caravan and holiday home sits just a short stroll from the ocean. 5 5 We were staying in Green Lawns, the most rural of the site's four themed sections, which lives up to its name with a pond and trees that my sons were constantly scaling. Our classic lodge was filled with mod cons, including a deep bath, huge shower, washing machine, dishwasher and classy electric fire. For nearby food, this zone is also home to the giant Viking Bar which, despite looking like an imposing cowboy saloon from outside, is like a warm and welcoming local pub. A little farther away, the burgers, beers and ice creams at Cafe Lido are of bafflingly good quality — yet the 'double burger' is just £9.99 and the classic hotdog not even a fiver. We have holidayed on caravan sites for almost 40 years and having affordable restaurants and action-packed activites within walking distance of your home is a huge perk. But only now, after all those years, do I recognise how vital holiday parks might be for little ones with special educational needs, or even younger kids who tire more easily. When long flights, unfamiliar surroundings or sensory overloads might be too much for someone, places like Seal Bay are so important. You can choose to have the most secluded and private break or throw yourself into eight hours of non-stop activities and entertainment. A short stroll from our lodge was the White Horse area, offering lots of sporting action. Then there's the Dockyard, which has a stunning lido, with a splash area and swimming pools surrounded by bright-orange cabanas that wouldn't look amiss in Vegas — these come at an extra charge. Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport Indoors there is a nine-hole crazy- golf course, state-of-the-art climbing wall and a death-defying bounce- playground above your heads. And around the corner is the vast and lush sports field where the Seal Bay Soccer Academy is run by brilliant staff with grade-A equipment — Mitre balls, goals, bibs, cones, hurdles and slalom poles. We had a family match against new friends Taylor, Sarah, Mick and Archie, who made the hour fly by. The largest zone in the holiday complex is West Sands, which sits right on the beach. It even has a wave simulator, Wave Rider, open May to September. We had blistering weather so spent as much time as possible on the beach or in the ocean, but the indoor Oasis Bay pool is ideal for wetter weather. We ventured down to this area on Saturday and found a giant TV screen, on the beach rocks, showing the FA Cup Final. 5 5 My boys split their time between watching Crystal Palace spring a brilliant upset over Man City and diving into the waves. Then we headed for a BBQ dinner at Smokey's Ocean Bar. There, the lads demolished the Pitmaster's Feast of brisket, pulled pork, ribs, buffalo wings, sausage, chilli and sides and somehow had room for ice-cream sundaes. A family of three were stuffed for just over £50. We used our stroll back to base camp to walk off the meat sweats but there is a courtesy bus — that loops around the park, stopping at all the key areas — plus electric bikes and pedal go-karts to hire. On Sunday we finished off with the brilliant Zorbing experience — you strap your child into a giant bubble and let them play crash-test dummies — then another swim and an archery session, before my kids slept the whole way home. And I would love to tell you we partied all weekend into the early hours but we were shattered and asleep by 8pm every day, dreaming of the next day's adventure. 5
Edinburgh Reporter
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Gold for Scotland ladies in fly international
Scotland's women's fly fishing team were still celebrating today after claiming gold in the Home International across the Irish Sea. They made the trip to Ireland privately hoping to top the podium after finishing bottom of the pile 12 months ago and they made the quantum leap up the standings on a tough day for fishing on Lough Lene. Deirdre Dunbar, originally from Annan, and Kathleen Shepherd (Forfar) both caught two fish with Kirsty Murray (Dunfermline), debutant Liz Stringer (Glasgow) and Jane Wright (Cove) all bagging one. Dunbar was Scotland's top rod with her two fish totalling 96cm. She finished third overall. Shepherd was fourth equal with Kirsty Murray sixth and Stringer seventh equal with Wright tenth. England were second and they also caught seven fish to score 321, one behind the Tartan Team. Hosts Ireland, who only caught three fish, were third with 135, a major disappointment on home water. Only 17 fish were caught with the average length of 46cm and the top bag was posted by English angler, Sam Edmunds, with three for 135. The longest fish was tempted by English angler, Lisa Isles, of 56cm. Like this: Like Related
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League: Connor Scully on why he's joined Formartine United
Connor Scully is aiming to win trophies with new club Formartine United after ending his success-laden stint with Cove Rangers. The 32-year-old has spent 16 years at Cove and was offered a new contract, but has opted return to the Breedon Highland League with United. With Cove, Scully won the Highland League four times, the R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup three times and the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup and Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield once. The midfielder also helped the Aberdeen side gain promotion to the SPFL in 2019, win the League Two title in 2020 and the League One title two years later. Explaining why he's decided to join Formartine, Scully said: 'I've known the manager Stuart Anderson for a long time. When he laid out the ambitions for the club, that impressed me and that was why I decided to go to Formartine. 'We want to be higher up in the league after where the club finished last season (eighth). 'The manager wants to be pushing as high up the league as possible, I'm a winner at heart, so I'd say I want to win the league with Formartine. 'I've won it four times with Cove, so I'd really like to win it again with Formartine and hopefully we can also do well in the cups. 'I've been used to winning things at Cove, so I'd like to continue that with Formartine. 'I'm at a good age, I'm still fit and feel I can contribute. I'll try to help the boys at Formartine as best I can. 'It feels like the right time to take on a new challenge and I'm happy to be coming back into the Highland League.' In total Scully made 567 appearances for Cove and also received a testimonial in 2023. Reflecting on his time at the Balmoral Stadium, he added: 'It was a tough decision to leave – looking back I've got so many great memories. 'I've made a lot of good friends, the fans always supported me throughout my time and were fantastic with me. 'Everyone at the club has been brilliant with me. I'm proud of what I achieved at Cove. 'It's a fantastic club and I'm sorry to be leaving, but I feel like I'm ready for a fresh challenge. 'The travelling involved in playing in the Scottish League was taking its toll because I have a young family. 'I'll give the same level of commitment to Formartine, but there is less travelling in the Highland League. It is that bit more local. 'My time at Cove was always going to end at some point. This is the time and I leave on good terms.'
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen credited with an interest in Cove Rangers goalkeeper
Aberdeen have been linked with a move for Cove Rangers goalkeeper Nick Suman. The Dons are one of three Premiership clubs considering a move for the 25-year-old Australian. Dundee United and Motherwell are also weighing up a move for the Cove stopper, according to an article in the Daily Record. Suman has been a standout for Paul Hartley's side, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship after being defeated in the play-off final by Airdrieonians on Saturday. Suman has reached the end of his contract following his move to Cove on a two-year deal in 2023. A new goalkeeper is expected to be a high priority for the Dons this summer with back-up Ross Doohan about to reach the end of his contract.
