Latest news with #nonleague
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atherton Colls draw a blank against Warrington Rylands
A competitive encounter between Atherton Collieries and Warrington Rylands ended goalless on the vibrant looking Dreams2Reality Stadium surface with both sides putting in a solid pre-season shift. This marked Michael Clegg's team's sixth pre-season fixture and the first against higher-tier non-league opposition. Clegg remains a well-regarded figure at Rylands, having led them through a successful spell a couple of seasons ago. Meanwhile, Neil Reynolds - now in charge of the visitors - has had many a dance with the Stripes, with mixed outcomes. The opening 45 minutes were tightly-contested, with play largely concentrated in midfield. Last season's multi award-winning performer, Aaron Dwyer, came closest for the hosts, skimming the outside of the post with a low effort from the edge of the area. The second half mirrored the first in its middle of the park heavy nature. Rylands tried to make their physical prowess count, crafting a few half-chances, but goalkeeper Conor Robson handled them confidently. Colls' most promising opportunity came via their energetic trialist wearing number 12, who sent a curling, daisy-cutter of a shot just wide from distance. In the game's final moments, Will Riding went down clutching his knee after what appeared to be an innocuous collision. Both managers will take positives from this solid warm-up as preparations intensify ahead of the season opener on August 9. Colls host NPL Premier Division side Bamber Bridge on Tuesday (7.45pm).
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
What's going on at crisis club Morecambe?
Relegation from the English Football League, two proposed takeovers uncompleted, wages partly unpaid, and massive doubt over their future summer has been filled with financial uncertainty, overshadowing their preparations for a first non-league campaign in almost 20 what exactly has led the Shrimps to such a perilous point? How has this situation evolved? Just four years ago Morecambe won promotion to League One for the first time in their history through the 2020-21 League Two play-offs at a Covid-restricted Wembley Derek Adams, who is currently in his third spell as Shrimps boss, left that summer but returned at the tail end of the following season to help them stay in the third tier, finishing two points above the drop zone in was no mean feat for a club of Morecambe's size and stature, with wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic providing the points to keep them in a division filled with comparative then, though, things have quickly gone downhill for the Lancashire Shrimps were put up for sale by owners Bond Group in September 2022, but a deal has still not been completed, and two relegations in three seasons since have seen the club drop into the National League for the first time since payment of wages, transfer embargoes and points deductions have all overshadowed matters on the club were docked three points late on during the 2023-24 League Two season after failing to adhere to an agreed decision imposed on them for failing to pay players' wages on time the previous were then given a suspended two-point deduction last season for failing to report on five separate occasions the non-payment of amounts owed to HMRC within the required two working just over two weeks until the start of the upcoming 2025-26 campaign, two parties have had bids to buy the club accepted, but it is unclear how close a deal is to getting over the line. Who is Morecambe owner Jason Whittingham? Jason Whittingham, through Bond Group, took over Morecambe in May 2018 with the club then at risk of relegation to the National was also part-owner of rugby union club Worcester Warriors, who eventually lost their place in the Premiership in 2022 having gone into the aftermath of Worcester's demise, Whittingham later put Morecambe up for three years on, a takeover still has not been to BBC Radio Lancashire in January, Whittingham said he "could not wait" to get out of the month the Shrimps were unable to sign players until they offered the EFL sufficient proof of funds that they could operate until the end of the season, which was only secured with days of the transfer window remaining and 19 games beginning that run with victory over Lancashire rivals Fleetwood on 1 February, they managed only four more wins and one draw, and ended the season with a six-game losing run as they finished bottom of League Two and were has been contacted by BBC Radio Lancashire for comment. What has happened at Morecambe during the summer? In April, the club said "positive progress" had been made towards a sale, with Adams predicting the club would bounce back to the EFL. But just days later he criticised the owner and board of directors for "not having a plan" in place for appeared to be good news at the start of June as a consortium known as Panjab Warriors had their takeover bid approved by the after the club's board claimed Whittingham appeared to be "considering reneging" on the deal and raised concerns about the Shrimps' future existence, local MP Lizzi Collinge said the businessman "needed to get on" with the sale. On 1 July, the board said they would begin the process of putting the club into administration if Whittingham did not sell the club, claiming "Bond Group do not have the required funds to meet the club's full payroll commitment".In response, Whittingham sacked the board, claiming he did so in order to give Bond Group the time it needed to ensure the club could avoid 4 July, Whittingham said terms were agreed with Panjab Warriors and invited the former directors of the club back in order to oversee the final stages of the sale process, which he said would take place on 7 that did not happen, the board stepped down, with Whittingham insisting he was still committed to a 9 July, a "last minute bid" was made for the club by an unnamed party which was later confirmed by Whittingham to be from a consortium led by an investor he said is named Jonny weeks on, Cato's bid has not been completed and it is unclear where Panjab Warriors' deal stands. Cato has not been seen or heard from in public. Who are Panjab Warriors and Jonny Cato? Panjab Warriors, understood to be a group of Sikh businessmen, have been attempting to purchase Morecambe for more than a year and claim they have made significant financial contributions towards the running of the club during that previously said, external they had already paid £3.8m to Bond Group alongside a separate payment of £630,000 to clear outstanding loans against the group have also claimed they had loaned a further £1.7m to the club over the past 14 months to "ensure its ongoing survival".In a statement on 19 July, Panjab Warriors said, external their solicitors had served legal notices to Whittingham and Bond Group over "repeated breaches of what has been agreed".As for Cato, not much is known about his identity but in a statement last week, Whittingham claimed Cato did not have a connection to himself or Bond group the Shrimps Trust claimed in a statement, external earlier this week the club's players would not play until the ownership situation was comes after players and staff were only paid a third of their most recent wages and Tuesday's planned pre-season friendly against Barrow was in a statement given to BBC Radio Lancashire on Tuesday, boss Adams said his players were not on strike."The players are not on strike and they all trained today at the training ground," Adams said."Their professionalism has been magnificent during this difficult time. We all want this situation to be resolved and the best outcome for Morecambe Football Club." Where does this all leave Morecambe now? Former co-chairman Rod Taylor said he was fearful for the club's existence last week, and fellow former board member James Wakefield painted a similarly bleak picture, saying he was "amazed the club was still alive".Morecambe's woes continue as the landmark Football Governance Act received Royal Assent on Monday, establishing a regulator to oversee the men's game in England's top five Act grants greater powers to a body that is independent from government and football authorities, and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the bill would make a difference to clubs like Morecambe and "can't come soon enough".Speaking to BBC sports editor Dan Roan, Nandy said: "I'm horrified by what is happening at Morecambe."It's a scenario that too many football fans will recognise up and down the country, including my own in Wigan, and it is heartbreaking for the fans involved who don't know when they wake up in a morning if their club is going to be there or not."This bill will make a significant difference to situations like the one facing Morecambe fans because the regulator will not only have a much tougher owners and directors' test but will also be able to compel owners to sell up if the club is placed at risk of harm. It can't come soon enough for Morecambe." What is the human impact? Morecambe are due to play Boston United on 9 August to kick-off their 2025-26 National League Quinn, who has covered the club for the BBC for 30 years, fears they might not even make it to that stage as things stand."The club is definitely on the brink of going under and it is heartbreaking to see," he said."Players and staff have now not been paid for more than three weeks and community events [at the stadium] such as school proms and private bookings for weddings, funerals and parties have had to be cancelled at the last minute."The sight of one fan, who has supported the club with her family for more than 50 years, breaking down in tears while being interviewed was heartbreaking."For these fans, and thousands of others, this is not just about football - it is about their families and their community."One thing is for sure - there will be far more tears shed if Morecambe Football Club's 105-year existence comes to a crushing end."
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andy Carroll endures 5-1 humiliation on Dagenham and Redbridge debut as ex-Liverpool & Newcastle striker is put in the shade by 'Trialist B'
Carroll endured nightmare debut for non-league club Has returned to English football after brief stint in France Dagenham and Redbridge lost 5-1 to Crawley Town WHAT HAPPENED? Carroll came on as a substitute around the hour mark when his team was 2-1 down, and then saw a Crawley Town player, listed as 'Trialist B', score a brace to help inflict a humiliating defeat on non-league Dagenham. THE BIGGER PICTURE THE BIGGER PICTURE Carroll, who previously enjoyed spells at Newcastle, Liverpool, and West Ham United in the Premier League, has returned to England after a brief stint with French fourth-division club Bordeaux. Despite interest from clubs across Europe, the veteran forward chose an unexpected path and will now hope to make a meaningful impact on and off the pitch at Dagenham. Advertisement DID YOU KNOW? The ex-England international has also become an investor in the non-league side as he starts planning for life after football. WHAT NEXT? WHAT NEXT? Dagenham and Redbridge will be next seen in pre-season action on July 22 as they take on another League Two outfit, Colchester, with Carroll likely to be in contention for his first start.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Malvern Town show ruthless side in Westfields win
MALVERN Town scored four first half goals as they overcame Westfields 4-2 at Allpay Park. Following their 3-3 draw against Caerau Ely on Saturday Fields had a tough test on their hands with the visit of non-league step four side Malvern. Advertisement Town were beaten play-off finalists in the Southern League Division One South last season and will be looking for promotion this term. Malvern broke the deadlock with their first sight on goal and just three minutes on the clock. A long throw-in was flick on inside the Fields box to Ben Hayes who fired low past the goalkeeper. The visitors showed their movement off the ball and almost found a way back through on goal, only for defender Adam Saunston to cut out a dangerous run. Higher graded Malvern remained a threat in the opening quarter of the match, but a last-ditch Cam Davies challenge saved the hosts. Advertisement Striker Aidan Clark went close to an equaliser up the other end and saw his effort take a wicked deflection past the goalkeeper before dropping just wide. Malvern were two goals ahead on the 14th minute when Ibrahim Olateju drove through the defence before finding a trialist to beat the goalkeeper. The hosts were three goals ahead four minutes later when Hayes picked up the ball outside the box and sent a wicked shot past goalkeeper Shay Sterry. Fields were searching for a way back into the game but almost conceded an unfortunate fourth goal when a chance shot bounced over the head of goalkeeper Sterry before bouncing back off the crossbar. Advertisement Sterry was kept busy in the first half and took command of his box on 34 minutes to stop a dangerous corner bouncing inside the box. Malvern were in the mood for further goals and Hayes was only denied his hat-trick by a fine Davies challenge. However, moments later the ball came onto the edge of the box for Joe Tumelty who tucked his effort into the bottom corner to make it 4-0 with 35 minutes gone. Moon's side reduced their deficit just two minutes later with a fine piece of skill by Clark who pulled the ball back to beat his marker and then netted. Heyes was determined to complete his hat-trick but sent his headed effort wide at the front post. Advertisement Clark continued to remain a threat for the visitors and saw his effort saved before Zac Powell was also denied by shot stopper Locke moments later. Two minutes before half-time Fields were back to 4-2 when Adam Hockey's long ball forward was knocked down by Clark into the path of Hayes. Malvern continued to look for more goals after the break and Curtis Smith sent a testing shot which flew over. Despite making a host of changes at the break Westfields and Sterry pulled off a spectacular save on the hour mark to deny Matt Ferguson's close-range header in Malvern's only second half chance.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Andy Carroll reveals what persuaded him to join Dagenham and Redbridge in rarely-seen player-owner role
ANDY CARROLL says being able to use his on-pitch 'experience' in the boardroom was why he invested in Dagenham and Redbridge. He has also credited his time with West Ham for making him want to join the non-league Essex club. 3 3 3 Thousands of fans will have had to double take when they saw the former Liverpool and West Ham striker was announced by the National League South side on Sunday. The Daggers, who currently play in the sixth tier, sent social media into meltdown after being taken over by a Qatari-led investment group. Carroll has also invested in the club. Now, he's explained just why he was so keen to be a part of the unique takeover. He told the Daggers social media channel: 'What inspired me to be a part owner of the club was the first conversation with Lee [Bradbury] the manager. 'He said they've got a magic team behind the scenes. The 'all-star team', that's what he said.' Carroll continued: 'I step off the pitch and go into the boardroom, I can give my experience of what I've lived and what is expected of a great club.' The 36-year-old also jokingly admitted his kids thought he was signing for Chelsea. Carroll left French fourth-tier club Bordeaux at the end of last month after signing for them last summer before coming to Essex. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The Gateshead-born striker has previously played for English clubs Newcastle, Liverpool, West Ham, Reading, West Brom and Preston, spending 16 seasons in the Premier League in total. But it was his time in east London, he says, that helped persuade him to join the Daggers. Will 'hothead' Kudus fit in at Tottenham after controversial West Ham exit? | Transfers Exposed He said: 'I know the passion that the people have around here for football. 'The size of Dagenham, with 220,000 people around here, to have a team like this and to support a big club like this in the smaller leagues, it's massive. 'I was fortunate to have seven years at West Ham, so I know the people and I know how much it means to them. 'To be part of this club now I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be here.'
