Nuneaton’s Footballing Heritage Nuneaton Borough 1991-2000 – Part 2 Contents Page No. 1996-1997 ..................................................................................... 207 1997-1998 ..................................................................................... 243 1998-1999 ..................................................................................... 279 1999-2000 ..................................................................................... 321 Acknowledgements ...................................................................... 355 Nuneaton Borough 1991-2000 – Part 2 Dean Linked With Borough 1996-97 Former Manchester United youth team member Craig Dean Nuneaton Borough v Hednesford Town 23-07-1996 has been linked with a move to Nuneaton Borough from their near neighbours Hinckley Town. Dean joined the Eagles Borough: Hayward, Donald, Luby, Statham, Davidson, Crowley, Seivwright (Clamp 78), Massey, Straw, Drewitt, Moss. Subs: Grassby, Lavery. from Tamworth near the end of last season after failing to tie down a regular first-team spot at the Lamb. However, the Hednesford: Cooksey, Cotterill (Carty 45), Collins, Simpson, Comyn, Russell, Yates (Lake 45), Lambert, Taylor (Derry 87), Street, O’Connor (Worth 65). prospective move comes as a surprise to officials at Leicester Road as the highly-rated midfielder is currently coaching Borough welcomed Hednesford Town to Manor Park to play a youngsters in the United States along with ex-Bedworth pre-season friendly game. United defender Jay Powell. The visitors had the early initiative, but it was the hosts Rodwell Transfer Rumour who came closest on 15 minutes when Wayne Simpson almost turned a teasing centre from debutant Chris Moss Former Nuneaton Borough favourite Jim Rodwell, who left past his own goalkeeper. At the other end Joey O’Connor Manor Park on a free transfer, is the subject of a race for his side-footed against a post with Paul Hayward well beaten signature between two Premiership outfits, Leeds United and before Straw put Borough ahead on 34 minutes, rifling home Liverpool. The classy defender, currently with Halesowen Town from a narrow angle after outstripping the Town defence. spend two seasons at Manor Park after then manager John However, five minutes before the interval the Pitmen were Barton paid £6,000 to bring him from Hednesford in 1993. level when a shot from John Cotterill was turned in from six yards by O’Connor. Lennie Harris Reserve Team Boss Straw, who has lost none of the sharpness that brought him Former Bedworth United manager Lennie Harris has been 34 league and Dr Martens Cup goals last term, forced Scott appointed the new reserve team boss at Nuneaton Borough, Cooksey into two outstanding one-handed saves but in the taking over the role from Paul London, who left the club at end both sides seemed happy with a share of the spoils, the end of last season. The 47-year-old, who most recently which on the balance of play was just about right. But there was in charge of the highly successful youth team set up at were a couple of casualties from the game, Seivwright, after the Oval before parting company with the Greenbacks over a an impressive debut, went off with concussion near the end. dispute with player-manager Dean Thomas, will take charge immediately. Nuneaton Borough v Macclesfield Town 27-07-1996 New Commercial Manager Borough: Hayward, Donald (Lavery 50), Luby, Statham, Davidson, Nuneaton Borough will have a fresh face in charge of their Clamp (Grassby 75), Buton (M’Briwa 75), Massey, Straw, Drewitt, Moss. financial affairs this season after the appointment of a new Borough welcomed Macclesfield Town to Manor Park to play commercial manager. Phillip Wright will be taking over the a pre-season friendly game. role from Phil Clayton, and with his wealth of experience in fundraising gained at Aston Villa, Weston-super-Mare and Borough, once again playing in their soon to be defunct change Kidderminster Harriers, will be an invaluable asset to the club. strip, had the look of an away side as they were restricted to attacking on the break. In fairness, with Ian Drewitt, Rob Straw Phillips Signs Seivwright and Chris Burton all looking sharp, they looked dangerous Nuneaton Borough manager Brendan Phillips has when given the opportunity. But the Silkmen were a constant strengthened his squad for the forthcoming Dr Martens threat in the early stages, though Burton had the best effort Premier Division season with the signing of Tamworth’s of the half when he curled a stinging shot just wide with the Kevin Seivwright. The 27-year-old midfielder is no stranger to outside of his right foot from 20 yards. Manor Park having enjoyed a previous spell at the club, and The visitors should have taken the lead when a mistake by will provide yet more cover after the acquisition of Craig Dean Seamus Luby let in Darren Lyons, who with only keeper Paul from Hinckley Town last month. Hayward to beat fired high over the bar. A cross from Steve Circuit almost embarrassed Hayward just before the interval Moss Joins From Tamworth but the ball cannoned to safety off the woodword. Borough’s Brendan Phillips has added to his first team squad by signing influential full-back Warren Donald had to limp off early in Chris Moss, from Tamworth. The 25-year-old has been a the second half with an ankle injury with Richard Lavery consistent goalscorer throughout his career with the Lambs forced into an unaccustomed role as a result. and previously at Redditch United, and will be another string in Phillips’ impressive bow. Phillips said: “Chris is a player The hosts were pinned back for long periods, as Donald’s I have long admired and was interested in when he was at competitiveness was badly missed, and flying winger Tony Redditch, and I tried to take him into the Conference when I Hemmings gave Lavery a torrid time. was at Stafford Rangers. A goal seemed inevitable and finally came on 73 minutes 207 Nuneaton’s Footballing Heritage Nuneaton Borough 1991-2000 – Part 2 when substitute Simon Hutchinson crossed for another “We wanted to put something back into the community and Macclesfield replacement, the unmarked Marc Coates, who this is the biggest sponsorship deal we have ever done. When headed home convincingly from eight yards. I was approached about sponsoring the shirts I didn’t have any second thoughts and hopefully this can carry on our close connection with the club.” Rob Straw battles for possession. Photo: Heartland Evening News Ilkeston Town v Nuneaton Borough 31-07-1996 Borough: Hayward, Davidson, Luby, Statham, Williams (Magill 63), M’Briwa, Seivwright (Grassby 67), Massey, Straw, Martin, Moss. Borough travelled to The New Manor Ground to play Ilkeston Town in a pre-season friendly game. Borough came away from the game with a goalless draw, but more importantly without any injuries, although Barry Williams Borough unveil their new strip with Gary Statham modelling the away was carried off after 63 minutes as a result of the Robins’ kit and Rob Straw the traditional blue and white home colours. On the uncompromising physical approach, which left manager back row are (from left), manager Brendan Phillips, chairman Howard Brendan Phillips far from happy. Fortunately, Williams has only Kerry, Wainfleet’s managing director Kelvin Clifford and his wife Kim, a stiff calf and should be fit in a couple of days. and commercial manager Phil Wright. Photo: Heartland Evening News The closest either side came to a goal in a disappointing game was with 15 minutes remaining when David Taylor Umbrella Stand Almost Complete missed from the penalty spot after being fouled by keeper Nuneaton Borough’s so-called “umbrella stand” is well on the Paul Hayward while Rob Straw had a late chance for Borough way to completion although it’s touch and go whether it will but his 20-yarder flew narrowly wide. be ready for the start of the new season. Over the past few weeks workmen have been paving the way for the roof to be Wainfleet New Shirt Sponsors fitted in the hope that all will be complete for the club’s first Nuneaton Borough have revealed their new kit sponsors for home Dr Martens Premier Division fixture against Newport the next two seasons – local coach firm Wainfleet, of Oaston AFC on Tuesday, August 20. Road – and have had their home and away strips redesigned Nuneaton Borough v Coventry City 03-08-1996 to mark the occasion. Borough: Hayward, Luby, McGinty, Statham, Williams, Massey, Seivwright, Back in the early 1970s Borough had a change kit of yellow Martin, Straw Drewitt, Moss (Grassby 79), M’Briwa, Stanley, Beckett. and green, and to match their sponsors’ company colours Coventry: Filan (Quy 45), Nolan (Prenderville 45), Shilton, Willis, they have reverted to that combination. It will be worn at Hawkins, Hall, Healey, O’Toole, Falconbridge, Ducros, McMenamin. every away game except those where it clashes with the hosts. Meanwhile, the traditional blue and white stripes will Borough welcomed Coventry City to Manor Park to play a pre- remain at home, though with white shorts and socks, with a season friendly game. yellow collar on the shirts. Borough chalked up their first pre-season win with a In addition, the company name will appear on ground stylish performance. It was the Sky Blues who made the advertising boards, in the match day programme and as early running as Borough appeared a little nervous in the match day sponsors on chosen dates. Wainfleet’s managing opening exchanges. On eight minutes, Craig Falconbridge director, Kelvin Clifford, a long-time vice-president of the club burst through a static home defence but as he rounded Paul and, whose company have been responsible for ferrying the Hayward he knocked the ball too far in front and it rolled team around in recent years, was delighted with the deal. harmlessly over the line for a goal kick. Three minutes later 208 Nuneaton’s Footballing Heritage Nuneaton Borough 1991-2000 – Part 2 an Andy Ducros header was well saved by Hayward but the perfect cross found Drewitt whose first-time shot ripped into Sky Blues striker should really have scored.