NANTWICHTOWN

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RUSHALLOLYMPIC FC

SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2014

Peter Nurse Supporters will be saddened to hear of the recent death of Peter Nurse. Peter was a keen Nantwich supporter and a season ticket holder for the Dabbers. He passed away after a sudden heart attack at the age of 78. The club sends condolences to Peter's family and friends at this sad time.

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Good afternoon everyone,

Firstly, a very warm welcome to Neil Kitchen (Rushall Manag- er), all his players, the supporters and everyone connected with Rushall Olympic. Rushall, like us are on a very good run and are going about their business exceptionally well indeed. They are in with a great chance of making the play offs and will provide us with one of our toughest tests so far this season. Rushall have a great mix of what is required to be successful at this level and a very difficult team to break down and beat. MANAGER’S NOTES We will certainly need to be at our very best if we are to get anything from the game. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Neil, his team and everyone connected with Rushall all EDITOR/ DESIGN the very best for the remainder of the season. JAMES BRISCOE [email protected] I am obviously delighted at the signing of Mat Bailey from AFC Telford and would like to thank Liam Watson (Telford Manag- PHOTOGRAPHY er), Jon Gold and Dave & Tim from County Insurance for mak- SIMON J. NEWBURY - ing the move happen. Mat has ambitions to play in the Confer- www.simonjnewburyphotography.co.uk ence and that is the type of player I want to be working with. The last 15 months or so have been very frustrating for Mat CONTRIBUTORS and I think he realised after the game at Fylde on Tuesday that NTISA he needs to be playing on a regular basis, something he hasn't managed during his time at Telford. I am really looking forward ADE ROBERTS to working with him and this signing certainly shows the direc- PETER CURTIS-BROWN tion that the club is going in. Mat is no stranger to Nantwich Town Football Club and I am sure all the supporters will give PRESIDENT FRANK BLUNTSTONE him a very warm welcome. CHAIRMAN JON GOLD VICE-CHAIRMAN CLIVE JACKSON We are unfortunately without Mark Jones (Personal reasons) DIRECTORS and Ollie Devenney (Stomach injury) today although I expect TONY DAVISON, JOHN DUNNING, STE- them both to return next Saturday when we travel to FC Unit- VE TALBOT, BOB MELLING (NON- ed. Andy Pearson & Andy Keogh will both return to the squad EXECUTIVE), ROBERT EARDLEY and Earl Davis is also ready to return to the starting eleven. LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS However, we will have to see if Sam Wilson has responded to NEVILLE CLARKE, ALBERT PYE, PE- extensive treatment on a thigh injury he picked up on Tuesday. TER TEMMEN These are the times that the squad needs to dig deep, show its CLUB SECRETARY JANET STUBBS strength in depth and ability to cope without key players. The MATCH SECRETARY BERNARD lads had a really lively session on Thursday and I fully expect LYCETT them to be in good spirits today.

WEAVER STADIUM I have issued seven days notice of approach on a young wide player whom I have admired for some time. Fingers crossed WATERLODE talks will go according to plan and we will see another exciting NANTWICH young talent join the squad. I feel we need some competition down the right hand side of midfield and if I manage to sign the CW5 5BS player in question he will bring some dynamism, pace and a 01270 621771 spark in the last third! He also has an eye for goal and he is a player I feel will benefit from playing at a club that has devel- e-mail [email protected] oped lots of young players. CONTENTS web www.nantwichtownfc.com twitter @TheDabbers Enjoy the game and thank you all 3. MANAGER’S NOTES www.facebook.com/nantwichtownfc once again for your magnificent 4. NTISA JANUARY LETTER support. 9. HOSPITAL FUNDRAISERS 15. LEAGUE TABLE 18. THE BEAUTIFUL GAME 19. MATCH ACTION 20-23. RUSHALL OLYMPIC 25. NANT’ BANT’ 28. POTENTIAL LINE-UPS

The NTISA has been a great asset to the Club in recent times and their work brings pride to everyone associated with Nantwich Town. Here is their new year’s news letter.

“Dear Members, May we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year. We hope you all enjoyed the Christmas period despite Nantwich having two games falling foul to the weather of late. 2013 has been an exceptional year for the NTISA, since our birth in August 2012 we have gone from strength to strength and this season which has seen 95 members sign up to the NTISA including 7 lifetime mem- bers.

We have raised a substantial amount of money via many successful events, including the quiz night back in February and our inaugural race night in November which raised a total of £1,170. We have also benefited from the half time raffles over the past year, which has already risen over £1,000 this season alone. I would like to thank all our sponsors, volunteers and Nantwich Town Football Club for enabling us to do such great things.

So far we have used the funds to make some improvements to the ground which hopefully has im- proved both home and away supporters’ match day experience. These include the tannoy system which was implemented at the last game of the previous season, a complete build of a programme hut at the main turnstile, a disabled facility within the main stand as well as providing brand new equipment for our stewarding team.

We have also took upon sponsoring the kit of Mark Jones for the 2013-14 season, as he was winner of inaugural NTISA Edencroft Player of the Month award, we would like to thank Edencroft Wines for sponsoring the award for the duration of this season. On behalf of the NTISA we would like to thank all those who have supported us throughout the year and contributed to our successes in such a short space of time.

On a sad note, it is with deep sadness that we lost our friend and Life President Norman Buckle. Norman was a huge contributor in getting the NTISA up and running, and we all agree that without his experience and knowledge as well as his passion for Nantwich Town, we would have struggled to get the NTISA up and running to where it is today. Nick and Anne Buckle have recently sent a letter to the NTISA to thank everybody who passed on their kind messages and support to the Buckle family, and they have also thanked the NTISA for the wreath that we sent as well as those members who were able to attend Norman’s funeral on the 14th November. In January the committee will be holding some dialogue with the Football Club, to discuss how we can continue to generate benefit to the club and our supporters; we are also hoping to discuss the club’s current aims and goals both on and off the pitch. After these meetings have taken place we will be arranging a meeting with our members to feed back what we have learnt and how we go forwards for the remainder of 2014. Please note the next NTISA open meeting is Thursday 23rd January at the Weaver Stadium 7.30pm where everyone is welcome. On February 28th the NTISA will be holding its second Pub Quiz Night at the Weaver Sta- dium, details of this will be announced very shortly. The NTISA is also in the process of an order of 50 golf umbrellas, details will be announced as soon as we have them. We look forward to continuing the success through 2014 and we hope the club can contin- ue to match this under the stewardship of Danny Johnson and his team.”

UPCOMING MATCHES, COACHES & EVENTS Tuesday 7th January – Macclesfield Town (A)– Cheshire Senior Cup 1st Round – 7.45pm KO Saturday 11th January – Stamford (A) – Evo-Stik – 3.00pm KO A Supporters Coach will be leaving the Weaver Stadium at 10.30am, prices are as follows: NTISA Members – Adults £14 / Juniors £7 Non NTISA Members – Adults £16 / Juniors £8 Tuesday 14th January – AFC Fylde (A) – Evo-Stik League Cup 3rd Round– 7.45pm KO Saturday 18th January – Rushall Olympic (H) – Evo-Stik Premier League – 3.00pm KO Thursday 23rd January – NTISA Open Meeting – Weaver Stadium – 7.30pm Saturday 25th January – FC United (A) – Evo-Stik Premier League – 3.00pm KO A Supporters Coach will be leaving the Weaver Stadium at 12.00pm, prices are as follows: NTISA Members – Adults £10 / Juniors £5 Non NTSA Members – Adults £12 / Juniors £6 Saturday 1st February – Blyth Spartans (H) – Evo-Stik Premier League – 3.00pm KO Saturday 8th February – Worksop Town (A) – Evo-Stik Premier League – 3.00pm KO A Supporter Coach will be leaving the Weaver Stadium at 11.30am, prices are as follows: NTISA Members – Adults £12 / Juniors £6 Non NTISA Members – Adults £14 / Juniors £7 Saturday 15th February – Stamford (H) – Evo-Stik Premier League – 3.00pm KO Tuesday 25th February – Witton Albion (A) – Evo-Stik Premier League – 7.45pm KO Friday 28th February – NTISA Pub Quiz Night – Weaver Stadium Details to be announced on this shortly For Supporter Coach Information or to book a place on the coach please contact Ian Garnett on 07725 597329 or Carl Thorpe on 07985 178978. Or let us know on the Nantwich Town Facebook page or Email [email protected]

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Hospital fundraisers are asking football fans to give generously

FOOTBALL fans are being asked to show their support for their local hospital while at Nantwich Town’s home match on Saturday 1st February against Blyth Spartans. Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity staff and volunteers will be at the match at the Weaver Stadium, which kicks off at 3pm, to raise funds for new equipment at Leighton Hospital. They will also be giving out information to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Dame Patricia Bacon, Non-Executive Director for Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Organ and tissue donation is the most generous gift of all and it changes, and saves, lives. “We invite you to visit us at the match for some more information and the chance to join the register. It can be a good idea to share your decision with your friends and family, to let them know your wishes and why you feel it is important. Broken your New Year’s resolutions already? Well you can make one today that will really make a difference. So give generously to our collection to fund new equipment that can make a real difference to our patients,” said Laura Bailey, Fundraising Manager at MCHC. MCHC raises funds to enhance the facilities and services at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s three sites - Leighton Hospital, Victoria Infirmary and Elmhurst Inter- mediate Care Centre - and recently raised £1.8m to create a new neonatal unit at Leighton Hospital. For more information about MCHC contact Laura Bailey on: [email protected] or 01270 273248.

COMMERCIAL CORNER It has been pleasing to see such a positive response from businesses when it comes to sup- porting Nantwich Town. This season we have seen a good uptake of pitchside advertising boards and the new look programme has been enhanced by the inclusion of a number of additional advertisements. Programme advertising At this early stage of the season it is still possible to come on board as a sponsor. The match day programme advertising ‘slots’ are available from just under £100. Quarter page advertising is £245 and a half page £475. Not a bad deal when one considers that it covers the period right through until the end of the season! Match ball sponsorships Have you, your friends or business colleagues ever considered sponsoring a match ball? Here at The Weaver Stadium it is possible to sponsor the match ball for just £100. The match ball deal means a company or group can have names/ logo in the match day programme together with loudspeaker announcement. You also receive 2 reserved stand tickets. PLUS entrance to the hospitality area together with half time buffet! Should you wish to enquire about sponsorship opportunities do get in touch with the club on 01270 621771 or email [email protected]

DABBERS STATS DABBERS

These days, the beautiful game of football is as much a game for the ladies as it is for the boys. The Women’s game continues to blossom around the world yet who would have dared to suggest just a few decades ago that we’d have so many ladies in the stands, officiating games or even sitting in the boardrooms of our football clubs?

Now look at us, almost a third of the crowd at games these days are said to be female. If you were to compare a crowd photograph taken at a modern day game to that of any game prior to the 1990’s, the difference would striking. Long gone are the days when the terrace was packed with suit-wearing, flat- capped fellas and young lads standing on milk crates. How dull do those old photo’s look compared to those of the colourful, mixed gender crowd of today? We (the fellas and the ladies, young and old) don’t just wear our ‘Sunday best’ for the game, we wear what we like, often sporting the team colours, although sadly, there are far fewer of us within the grounds nowadays!

So much has changed within football but it appears that there is still some male chauvinism involved even in this day and age. Twitter users apparently went bonkers recently when, in the absence of Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan stepped in to present Match of The Day on TV. This upset a few footie lovers on the night who still tend to think that football chitter-chatter is only for the male presenters. How ridicu- lous is that? If I had a choice of watching the likes of Adrian Chiles or Gabby Logan, I’d choose the latter every time. Gabby knows her stuff when it comes to football; after all, she grew up in the football environment with her dad being the legendary Terry Yorath. Imagine watching Soccer AM with no Helen Chamberlain present, it wouldn’t be the same would it? There are some great female characters within football today and they really know the game, so why are some blokes so against the MotD alternative to Gary Lineker? Some of those old timer Ex Pro’s that spew their views on football pro- grammes can barely speak the Queens’ English unlike the lovely Gabby [and she’s of Welsh Origin]

Personally, I don’t really understand why the producers of football shows feel it necessary to employ eye- candy ladies to present their show; we’d still watch them either way wouldn’t we? Of course we would, we love the game. And obviously it’s not just the fellas that love the game, there are plenty of ladies that love it just as much as some of us guys. Karen Brady and Delia Smith are a few of the high profile females in football, both of which have held directorship roles at their clubs. These ladies along with the Gabby Logan’s and Helen Chamberlain’s of the world have a natural love for the game.

Not so natural is the love of the game that a lady called Jane Lindley from Nottinghamshire has. Jane hated the game of football, or at least she did until she received a liver transplant operation in 1999. The liver she received was taken from a young lad from Yorkshire. Amazingly, following the operation, Jane found that she had a real love for football, especially for Leeds United and she subsequently became a passionate fan of the club. Now that is incredible but also quite worrying too. What if, at some point, one of us needs a liver transplant and it transpires that we feel The Beautiful Game - compelled to support a different team, or worse, a rival team? by Ade Roberts Let’s join voices boys and girls and raise the roof for the lads out there as we search for victory in today’s little encounter.

Midfielder,OllieDevenney, past Town Droylsden a skips challenge in Nantwich

Photo by Peter Curtis by Photo

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Rushall Olympic Player Profiles

Gary FITZPATRICK – Player/Coach. Tremendously experienced midfield general who originally arrived at Dales Lane on a loan spell from AFC Telford United in September 2008 and has remained ever since. The skilful playmaker is an excellent passer of the ball and is a former Republic of Ireland Youth interna- tional who began his career with Leicester City, before moving into the non-League game for spells with V.S. Rugby and Moor Green. DoB: 5 August 1971. Paul HAYWARD – Goalkeeper Coach. Extremely experienced coach who featured for clubs at the higher eche- lons of non-League football during his long and distinguished playing career. Started out as a trainee with Wal- sall, before linking up with Paget Rangers. Dele ADEBOLA – Forward. The Pics pulled off a massive coup to persuade this seasoned target man to enter the semi-professional game during summer 2013 following a professional career that saw him make over 600 ap- pearances and bag in excess of 150 goals. Originating from Lagos, Nigeria he moved to the UK while still young and began his footballing career with Crewe Alexandra, making his first team debut during season 1992–93 at the age of 17. DoB: 23 June 1975. Craig BANNISTER – Forward. A prolific and forceful front runner who made a welcome return to the fold in late December 2013 after transferring from Evo-Stik League First Division South neighbours Chasetown to begin a second spell at Dales Lane. He started out as a youngster with Colchester United, before returning to the Mid- lands and featuring in Sunday football, but first came to prominence with neighbours Pelsall Villa, where he enjoyed a fruitful goal scoring spell towards the end of the 2007-08 campaign. DoB: 15 July 1985. Christian BRISBAND – Forward. An energetic and hard working front runner with an eye for goal, he signed forms for the first team during November 2013. Returned to Rushall Olympic’s Development section for the Under 18’s for season 2012-13, having previously represented the club at Under 15’s and Under 16’s level. Gavin CAINES – Defender. Powerful central defender with plenty of experience in the higher echelons of the game he signed during August 2012 after training with Lincoln City and Stourbridge during the summer. Began his career as a trainee with Walsall, featuring extensively for the youth and reserve teams at the Banks’s Stadi- um, before eventually moving on to Cheltenham Town in July 2004 following summer a trial period without making without making a first team League appearance for the Saddlers. DoB: 20 September 1983. Josh CRADDOCK – Midfielder. Highly rated, tough tackling midfield enforcer who possesses a formidable engine, he signed during summer 2012 after ending the previous campaign with Stourbridge. Began his career by coming through the ranks with Walsall as a front runner to complete a two-year Apprenticeship at the Banks’s Stadium, culminating in him netting 12 goals in just 16 starts as the Youth Team scooped the Youth Alliance North-West Conference Championship in 2007-08. DoB: 5 March 1991. Christian DACRES– Midfielder. Gifted athletic midfielder who adds a physical presence to the centre of the park, he re-signed for the Pics for a second spell during November 2013 after transferring back from Stafford Rangers. He began his career by coming through the youth and reserve team ranks with Stafford Rangers and during Sep- tember 2006 got his first taste of playing in the Football Conference. DoB: 20 June 1987. James DANCE – Midfielder/Forward. An exceptional and much sought after midfield talent who begins a second spell with the Pics after the club pulled off a real coup to complete the loan signing of this extremely versatile player from Conference Premier side Kidderminster Harriers in late December 2013. Capable of playing up front or out wide, he’s skilful, very good on the ball, direct, quick and a great taker of set-pieces who will be a fine addition to the squad and adds further competition for places in the attacking positions. DoB: 15 March 1987. Wayne DANIEL – Defender. Tremendously experienced central defender with a towering physical presence and good organisational skills, he signed during summer 2012 from Evesham United. Began his career with spells at Birmingham Sunday side St Gerards, Kidderminster Harriers and Bridgnorth Town, but first came to prominence in non-league circles with Paget Rangers. DoB: 12 December 1976. Jack DUGGAN – Defender. High rated young central defender who arrived at Dales Lane during summer 2013 after ending last season with Northwich Victoria in the Evo-Stik League First Division South. Currently residing in the Midlands, but originating from the North West, he began his career by coming through the ranks with Fleet- wood Town. DoB: 3 January 1993.

Judd ELLIS – Midfielder. Highly rated young midfielder who linked up with the club during late September 2013 after spending the summer months with Evo-Stik League First Division South neighbours Chasetown. Originally a product of the Kidderminster Harriers academy system, he featured extensively for both the U-18’s and U-19’s teams during his time at Aggborough. Chris GEMMELL – Goalkeeper. Highly rated custodian who returned to the fold during summer 2009, after end- ing the previous campaign with neighbours Sutton Coldfield Town, whom he had joined from the Pics in Decem- ber 2006. Originally arrived at Dales Lane for season 2002-03 and quickly progressed through the clubs youth and reserve team ranks – making his senior debut in September 2003. DoB: 26 September 1984. Zak MARTIN – Defender/Midfielder. Versatile, strong-tackling and aggressive left sided player with a superb level of fitness, he featured briefly for the club towards the end of last season before linking up again with the Pics during summer 2013. DoB: 20 September 1990. Stanley MUGISHA – Forward. Lightning quick front runner with an eye for a goal, he linked up with the Pics on trial during summer 2013 and impressed greatly during the pre-season campaign after ending last term with Bilston Town. DoB: 5 May 1991. Carl PALMER – Midfielder. Tough tackling, no nonsense midfield anchor man who made a surprise but extremely welcome return to Dales Lane during January 2013 to begin a third spell with the Pics after signing from Confer- ence North title chasers Brackley Town, having returned to full fitness following summer knee surgery. DoB: 2 November 1978. Callum RUDD – Defender. A brave commanding defender who is a strong communicator, he signed forms for the first team during November 2013. Since joining the club as part of the Under 15’s for season 2011-12 he has impressed with his never say die attitude and leadership qualities. Jamie SPENCER – Forward. Upcoming prolific forward with plenty of potential to progress much further in the game, the 20-year-old signed during December 2013 from Midland Football Alliance outfit Alvechurch FC after netting 17 goals in 28 games for the Worcestershire side this term. Ben SQUIRE – Midfielder. A combative midfielder with a sweet left peg, he signed forms for the first team during November 2013. Now in his third season with the Pics development programme having previously represented the club at Under 15’s and Under 16’s level during the last two seasons. Liam SPINK – Midfielder. An attack minded player with an eye for a goal, he linked up with the club during sum- mer 2013 after ending last season with Step 5 outfit Alvechurch. A box-to-box midfielder with an excellent work ethic, he began his career with Birmingham City and as a Blues Community Development player he was loaned out to the Midland Football Alliance side from September 2012 onwards in a bid to gain valuable experience of playing in an open age league. Mitchell TOLLEY – Defender. Uncompromising and classy defender who can operate equally effectively down the right or more predominantly in a central role or as a sweeper. DoB: 14 July 1990. Jimmy TURNER – Defender. Experienced right-sided defender capable of playing in a number of positions

across the back line or in a more advanced midfield role, he transferred to Dales Lane during summer 2013 after spending last season with Evo-Stik League Premier rivals Stafford Rangers. DoB: 4 October 1983. Matt WOOD – Defender/Midfielder. Pacy attacking left sided wing back who arrived at Dales Lane during summer 2013 after transferring from Evo-Stik League Premier Division rivals Witton Albion. Originating PLAYER KEY from Shrewsbury, he began his career by coming through the ranks with AFC Telford United, making Ahmed OBENG – Forward. A superb 2012-13 campaign saw him his first team debut during season 2007-08. DoB: 26 finish as second top scorer by banging in 24 league and cup April 1989. goals as he formed a prolific partnership with Dave Walker and was named by his peers as "Players’ Player of the Year". DoB: 14 October 1991.

Research has discovered that the original Rushall Olympic Football Club was founded at least three years earlier than had previously been thought - with editions of local newspapers found to contain match reports about the Olympic dating back to the 1893-94 season. At this time the club were a very useful junior team who played only friendly matches, but they did go on to join the Cannock & District Football League for the start of the 1895-96 season, finishing as runners-up – before later going on to become members of the Junior (winning the Championship in 1903-04), Amateur, Parks and Senior sections of the Walsall & District League. However, even earlier records have indicated that football in the village of Rushall was already being played on a regular basis at least 20 years prior to that time and in fact the opening game for the newly formed Walsall Town team was against a Rushall side at the Chuckery Ground, Walsall on the 3rd October 1874. Indeed, so many players turned up that it was decided to field a 15-a-side format, with the surplus Walsall men being "loaned" out to make up the Rushall team. Rushall, with that extra slice of experience, won the game 3-1, although some argued that the game should have finished 2-2 as one of the Rushall goals was scored by a Walsall player! After winning the Walsall & District Amateur League Second Division Championship in 1952-53, and later the First Division Championship in 1955-56, the club eventually gained promotion into the strong Staffordshire County League (South) for the start of the 1956-57 season - and made an immediate impact by winning the Second Division title at the first attempt. Following promotion into the First Divi- sion, the club later won three back to back Championships between 1960 and 1963 - but Rushall Olympic's real glory season came in 1964-65 when the club clinched the Staffordshire County League (South) First Division Championship for the fourth time in five years and also won the Lichfield Charity Cup, the Sporting Star Cup and the . During the 1980's and 90's the club enjoyed fourteen seasons of moderate success in the West Mid- lands (Regional) League Premier Division, with a highest finish of fifth place achieved in season 1988- 89 and a League Cup Final appearance in 1982. However, time moved on, and for the start of the 1994-95 season the club began a new era when it was named as one of the twenty founder members of the Midland Football Alliance. The turning point in the clubs fortunes finally came during season 1998-99 when they finished in a very creditable 7th place, while the following season saw the Pic's take 7th place for the second con- secutive season, but with a much improved points tally. Season 2000-01 saw the Pic's surpass all expectations as they just missed out on promotion to the Southern League Western Division by ending the campaign as Midland Football Alliance Runners-Up to promoted Stourport Swifts by the narrowest margin of one single goal. The club made further progress during season 2002-03 as they went on to record their best ever Alli- ance campaign, registering their highest ever number of victories and most points achieved by the club, as they finished as runners-up to Stourbridge. August 2003 saw the return of John Allen into the management hot-seat after the club decided it needed a change of direction and subsequently parted company with Kevin Hadley and his coaching staff. The club were then able to enter a period of financial consolidation in order to concentrate on ground improvement work during summer 2004 that saw the construction of a Conference standard dressing room complex at Dales Lane. However, even working under such constraints he was still able to guide his charges to the 2003-04 Midland Football Alliance Cup Final, which eventually took place in August 2004, although his side were ultimately defeated 3-1 after extra time by Stratford Town. To focus firmly on the task in hand John Allen decided to step down from the joint role of Chairman at the end of season 2003-04 and was now more determined than ever to make a sustained champion- ship challenge in his bid to finally take the club into the higher reaches of non-league football. Indeed, after 7 seasons of trying “Mr Rushall” irrefutably delivered the club’s ultimate goal as he led his side to the 2004-05 Midland Football Alliance Championship with 3-weeks to spare and by a commanding 7- point margin. Following an anxious 4-week wait the Football Association eventually decreed that Olympic’s dream had come true as they secured automatic promotion into the Southern Football League Division One West for the first time in their history. To round off what was undoubtedly the best ever season witnessed at Dales Lane, Rushall’s Reserve Team also completed a superlative league and cup double by clinching the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division Championship and Challenge Trophy.

The 2005-06 campaign saw the Pic’s claim an excellent 10th place finish during their Southern Football League debut, while they also lifted the coveted Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup for the first time in the clubs history by defeating Stoke City by a single goal at the Britannia Stadium. The 2007-08 campaign was an excellent one for the Pic’s in Southern Football League Division One Midlands as Paul Holleran guided his charges to a promotion play-off position. May 2008 saw the Pics presented with a new challenge when in an incredible turn of events, the Foot- ball Association Leagues Committee met to decide on the allocation of clubs for Steps 1 to 4 of the National League System campaign – which resulted in the club being moved across the non-League pyramid into the Northern Premier Football League First Division South for the 2008-09 campaign. The Pics debut campaign in the northern section of the non-League pyramid proved to be an extremely successful transition as they repeated the feat of twelve months earlier and reached the promotion play- off’s with another 5th place finish. Unfortunately, they suffered once more disappointment after this time losing by a single goal to runners-up Belper Town in the Play-Off Semi Final. However, Rushall did finish their campaign on a high note by claiming the Walsall Senior Cup for the first time in nine years as they grabbed a nail-biting 2-1 victory against Tipton Town at the Banks’s Stadium in front of 550 spectators. Dramatic developments towards the end of May 2009 saw manager Paul Holleran step down from his role due to a combination of work commitments and inevitable financial restructuring within the club as a result of the credit crunch and only days later was replaced by former Pics player Neil Kitching who returned to Dales Lane from a managerial role at Coleshill Town he had occupied since November 2008. During the 2009-10 campaign the Pics led the First Division South table in both October and January, but they eventually faded out to a 12th place finish, while a second consecutive Walsall Senior Cup Final appearance ended in disappointment with a single goal defeat to lower league Bloxwich Unit- ed AFC at the Banks’s Stadium. Summer 2010 saw a further cut in the playing budget as senior player Nick Amos took on the role of player-assistant manager, while Ian Cooper returned to the fold to take up the position of player-coach. However, the backroom reshuffle paid immense dividends as Olympic finished in a best-ever 3rd place in the Evo-Stik League First Division South table with a game to spare and claim a place in the Promo- tion Play-Off’s for the third time in four seasons. After accounting for Brigg Town 3-0 at Dales Lane in the Semi-Final they gained home advantage in the Final, where a superb battling display from Rushall saw them surpass all expectations and claim fully deserved promotion to Step 3 of the non-League pyramid for the very first time in their history following a stupendous 2-0 victory against Grantham Town in front of 751 spectators . The Pics also ended a truly memorable campaign with more honours by winning the Walsall Senior Cup for the second time in three years at the Banks’s Stadium, while manager Neil Kitching received a hugely deserved personal honour to crown a brilliant season by being named as the Evo-Stik League “First Division South Manag- er of the Month” for April/May 2011. Rushall’s 2011-12 debut campaign in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division was nothing short of an outstanding success as they gamely battled away to an excellent 8th place finish, leaving many high- profile teams with far healthier budgets firmly in their wake – but were ultimately some 11 points shy of the promotion play-off zone. The Pics were also heavily involved in cup action, reaching the finals of The Doodson Sport (League) Cup, Staffordshire Senior Cup and Walsall Senior Cup – but were unfor- tunately only successful in the latter, triumphing for the third time in four seasons. Last season Olympic occupied the play-off positions during the early part and latter stages of the cam- paign, but ultimately fell short of a top five play-off zone finish by five points after claiming just a single victory in their final five games and then also had to endure Staffordshire Senior Cup disappointment in the final for the second successive season. However, having once more strengthened their squad fur- ther during the summer of 2013 the Pics will again be looking to make a concerted push towards Step 2 of the National League System, while also continuing to move forward as a community club on a sound financial footing and within their model of sustainable growth.

NANTWICH TOWN INDEPENDENT SUPPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION

NTISA MEMBER BENEFITS 2013-14

10% off all drinks at home matches & NTISA meetings at the Weav- er Stadium (one per member only) 10% discount on Christmas Party nights (applicable to members only) Discount on tickets for the end of season awards night (one per member) 10% off Sportsman’s Dinner night tickets (one per member) Guaranteed first option of buying a match ticket if we have an all ticket game in any competition. (one per member) £2 off on coach travel to away games (one per member only) Wickstead meal deals - 20% off food on home match days only (one member + guest) Bowling Green meal deals - beer, burger & chips £5.50 & any £5.00 meal from the specials board with any pint £7.50 (Saturday lunchtimes only) (per member only) The Studio - £1 entry on Tuesdays & Saturdays Entry before 12 midnight with production of your NTISA card (Excluding special events)

Paul Fiedorowicz Painter & Decorator Based at Nantwich Market Mobile 07894 501489 THE BOWLING GREEN

THE WICKSTEAD THE ODFELLOWS

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Potential line-ups

FORTHCOMING GAMES AT THE WEAVER STADIUM nantwich town FEB Sat 1st v BLYTH SPARTANS Sat 15th v STAMFORD 1. Jack Cudworth MAR Sat 1st v ILKESTON 2. Sam Wilson Sat 15th v FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 3. Andy White 4. Alex Frost If you would like to sponsor a player’s kit please 5. Earl Davis contact Janet Stubbs on 01270 621771 or e-mail 6. Oliver Devenney [email protected] 7. Harry Clayton 8. Andrew Keogh Don’t forget that every Saturday morning kids 9. Ben Deegan can enjoy a fun-filled football session on the 3G 10. Steve Foster pitch at the Weaver Stadium. 11. Max Harrop Boys and girls from ages 4 to 11 can just turn up Subs: to take part in the community coaching sessions under the watchful eye of Phil Parkinson, the 12. Andrew Pearson Dabbers 2006 FA Vase winning captain. It’s a 14. Mat Bailey great chance for children to develop their football 15. Aaron Burns skills in an enjoyable and safe way (All NTFC 16. Andrew Keogh coaches are CRB checked). The session runs from 9.30am to 10.45pm and 17. Osebi Abadaki costs just £3.50 per child (£3 each for siblings). * Please note the Community Coaching Ses- rushall olympic sions take a Christmas break on Saturday 28th December 2013. 1. Chris Gemmell 2. Jimmy Turner 3. Zak Martin 4. Gavin Caines (Capt.) 5. Jack Duggan 6. Josh Craddock 7. Carl Palmer 8. Christian Dacres 9. Dele Adebola 10. Ahmed Obeng 11. James Dance 12. Matt Wood 13. Liam Maher 14. Stanley Mugisha 15. Wayne Daniel 16. Liam Spink