The UHLSPORT NSL representative side, managed by Steve Clifford and Graham Hunter, face a stern test on Wednesday evening at Cotgrave Welfare when they take on the British Prison Service (7.30pm). Admission is free and hot and cold refreshments plus a licenced bar will be available on the night.

Squad from:

Keepers:

NSL v MAA TSUNAMI APPEAL MATCH

The uhlsport Nottinghamshire Senior League will combine forces with the Midland Amateur Alliance on Wednesday February 16th at Calverton MW, in a Representative match between the two leagues, to raise money for the tsunami appeal. The game will be a 7:30 kick off and with a small admission charge (where the proceeds will go to charity), their will also be a matchday programme available, plus hot & cold refreshments at the club bar. NSL Clubs were given the opportunity to nominate players for the squad which is managed by Steve Clifford of Notts Police and Graham Hunter of Boots Athletic. the NSL team will be selected from the following players:  Andy Steele & Pete Wallace (Arnold Southbank), Tom Groves & Richard Povey (Boots Athletic), Kurt Stevenson & Dave Marlow (Bestwood MW), Kevin McArdle, John Grocock & Mark Corcoran (Calverton MW), John Brown & John Ravenscroft (Keyworth United), Julian Wright & Daniel Henshaw (Kimberley MW), Kev Broadhead & Danny Vout (Notts Police), Tom Simpson, Gary Willows, Dan Smith & Dave Savidge (Wollaton), Chris Bee (Clifton), Adam Sneddon (Linby CW).

PITCHSIDE PROGRESS AT CMW

Phase two of Calverton MW's ground re-development is underway with the old established pitch and stand, now a thing of the past. Calverton Secretary John Daniel, speaking on his clubs Hollinwood Lane Ground progress said "Extensive excavation work began last week with a view to levelling and seeding being complete by the spring. It is hoped that by the beginning of next season we will have the full complement of 4 pitches to cater for our 18 teams without some of our sides having to play their home games at different venues as they do now."

Daniel also told us "All NSL matches - both for our first and reserve squads will now take place on the new floodlit pitch. The committee at Calverton are committed further to raising standards and once this work is complete will look to improve things still further. A couple of major initiatives are already in the embryonic stage with work to the new pitch surrounds and spectator viewing high on the agenda."

uhlsport Notts Senior League club Calverton MW deserve major credit for being awarded the counties CLUB OF THE YEAR at the 2004 Nottinghamshire Sports Review. The NSL Management Committee would like to pass on our sincere congratulations to all associated with the Hollinwood Lane outfit.

The award was presented to the club on the 20th January at the East Midlands conference centre, it was the 13th Nottinghamshire Sports Review of the year hosted by the Nottinghamshire County Council and was hosted by BBC Sports correspondent Andrew James in front of 400 of the counties finest sportsmen and women some of who had represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games.

Amongst other categories the counties club of the year award was presented to Calverton's Pete Edson, John Daniel, Viv Corcoran and David Lee by Notts County manager Ian Richardson. The award recognises clubs who are innovative, have a history of success (not necessarily on the field), demonstrate quality, take their work into the community and who have a depth of volunteering. Nominations were requested from Governing Bodies and District Sports Development Officers choosing between at least 2200 sports clubs providing activities for more than 200,000 members in Nottinghamshire. Calverton MW FC were nominated by Craig Lee and John Folwell as the County’s Football Development Officer and Manager, and received a support package worth up to £1,000 which will aid them in their on-going development. Club Secretary John Daniel said "This is a tremendous achievement for the club and acts to demonstrate what our league is committed to achieve".

Notts Senior League Press Officer Dick Durrant was happy to say "Viv Corcoran, Pete Edson, John Daniel and many others have put in countless hours work to develop their superb ground into one of the best in Nottinghamshire as well as securing the FA's Charter Standard with their excellent infrastructure and developing their senior squad into one of the best in the NSL."

SO FAR SO GOOD FOR SOUTHBANK SUPREMO

The year 2004 will go down as a historic one in local non league football, for this was the year that dreams were finally brought to reality by the breakaway clubs of the Notts Football Alliance, who for years had been wanting more from being at the forefront of amateur football in the county.

The Nottinghamshire Senior League, was founded by a small committee of men that each had masses of experience in the local non league game all wanting the best for the county’s top amateur clubs.

The league was put in place to compete with the likes of the Derbyshire based Central Midlands, and Leicestershire Senior Leagues which already provide feeder status at the base of the football pyramid structure.

The NSL initially invited 19 top amateur sides to join the leagues Senior Division, (Arnold Southbank, Attenborough, Awsworth Villa, Bestwood MW, Boots Athletic, Burton Joyce, Calverton MW, Clifton, Cotgrave CW United, Keyworth United, Kimberley MW, Kingswell, Linby CW, Magdala Amateurs, Nottinghamshire Police, Ruddington United, Sandhurst, Siemens EWS and Wollaton) 16 of which with reserve sides expected to play in the leagues First Division before a meeting at Cotgrave CW in January decided committee members, rules, and regulations etc.

With almost all in place ahead of schedule, along with electing former Nottingham Forest & England European Cup winner Garry Birtles to be president, the one thing left to do for the league was to find a sponsor and in local based kit supplier Reydon Sports, the NSL were offered a kind three year sponsorship package by Uhlsport, which gave the league a huge financial boost, along with added perks such as kit and balls for Referees and clubs.

So with all in place even before a ball had been kicked, the honeymoon period was only to be knocked out of place with the sad departure of Burton Joyce FC, the league got under way on Saturday 21^st August, with a full Senior Division programme. Fittingly Magdala Amateurs & Notts Police opened the campaign facing each other (they had previously played out the last ever Notts Alliance game before Police were crowned champions in May), along with a high scoring draw between Southbank and Siemens, a comfortable win for Wollaton at Awsworth, a 4-1 victory over Attenborough which saw Kimberley go top, a 2-0 win for Ruddington over Sandhurst, and in high scoring draws, Boots and Kingswell shared the spoils, as did Clifton and Calverton. In Division One only three games were played, Notts Police Reserves the first side to top the Division after a 5-1 win over Magdala Reserves, Attenborough’s and Clifton’s second string outfits were also successful on that day.

Early league records went to Carl Wilson of Ruddington United (first player to score a hat-trick in his reserve game), Julian Wright of Kimberley MW (first player to score in both divisions for his reserve and first team), more unfortunately in a competitive opening day match, the first to be sent off was Damien Rennicks of Boots, and the first to score an own goal (in the same game) was Littlewood of Kingswell. Kingswell were also the unfortunate side to be the first club during the season to part company with the league.

Wollaton FC were to be the early impressers in the NSL Senior Division, ten straight wins saw them eleven points clear of their nearest rivals Notts Police in the Division, In Division One Boots Reserves were still unbeaten at the top of an otherwise tight league.

November didn’t go to well however for the Senior Division leaders after a first round penalty shoot out exit in the County’s FA Senior Cup, Wollaton failed to win any of their four next league games, the ever impressing Calverton MW did, and they soon krept up on the leaders ending the year unbeaten in eight. Since the Christmas period Wollaton have again picked up their early season form, returning to winning ways they have ended the year convincingly and it would take a brave man to bet against them being crowned Senior Division Champions.

In the County Cups the NSL sides have also done themselves proud, Boots and Cotgrave left flying the flag in the Senior Section, Cotgrave already seeded after reaching last seasons semi finals will host Boots who have impressively reached the third round after wins against Clipstone and Forest Town guaranteeing a NSL team in the competitions quarter finals. The Intermediate section reads even better for NSL clubs, five of the eight left in the competition hail from the league with holders Boots Athletic Reserves handed a home tie, Bestwood MW and Magdala Amateurs are also still their, with Notts Police Res and Arnold Southbank facing each other to again gaurentee NSL entries in the semi finals. Unfortunately no NSL clubs made it to the Quarter finals of the Junior Section Cup.

Division One leaders Boots Athletic Reserves will be gunning for a league and cup double, before the year had ended they had equalled the early season record set by Senior Division outfit Wollaton of ten straight league wins, Lee Stanley impressing with nine goals in only four league games during November, with Ibby Arsali bettering that with ten in five, a run which he will try to keep going in 2005.

All in all a positive outlook on 2004, we as a league will hope the year 2005 is as successful and as long as the football continues to be as competitive and enjoyable as it has been, we will have no problems in building on some very sturdy foundations set by all involved.

In November an article published in the Non League newspaper was written by an experienced  groundhopper who was new to the NSL, here's what he had to say about the Bestwood MW v Attenborough game.

Frank Hunt, Chairman of the UHLSPORT Notts Senior League expressed his thanks to all involved in the newly formed league's first Representative fixture against Derbyshire Police at Coronation Park, home of Unibond side Eastwood Town FC on Wednesday evening, commenting:

'We are extremely grateful to Eastwood for allowing us to use their quite excellent facilities at short notice after vandalism rendered the changing rooms at the original venue, Cotgrave CW, un-useable. All in all, the fixture was a great success and we plan more in the near future against the likes of the Prison Service and some high profile Midlands Clubs. A healthy crowd of over 100 watched some of the best the UHLSPORT NSL has to offer in both players and match officials give a great account of themselves and we very much look forward to many more such nights as we progress as a league. I would like to go on record with my gratitude to our generous sponsors and to everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to get the fixture played as well as the players who turned in an excellent performance'

In an entertaining game, the youthful NSL side, captained by Tom Groves of Boots Athletic, won 2 - 0 with the goals coming from Kev Waddley of Clifton and Arnold Southbank's Karl Clowery in the 19th and 21st minutes respectively. The NSL side was:

Paul Stanhope (Wollaton) sub- Matt Worster (Magdala) 46 mins
Kev Waddley (Clifton)
Duncan Hinks (Attenborough) sub- Fuzzy Bradshaw (Siemens EWS) 46
Marc Rogers (Calverton MW)
Marlon Dunkley (Linby CW)
Tom Groves (Boots Athletic)
Robbie May (Kimberley MW)
Kevin Doyle (Cotgrave CW)
Jake Keetley (Awsworth Villa) sub- Jonathon Wass (Bestwood MW) 46
Dean Bennett (Keyworth United) sub- Scott Downie (Siemens EWS) 46
Karl Clowery (Arnold Southbank)

Referee: Mick Leslie of Ruddington
Assistants: Roy Maltby of Sutton & Mike Warren of Newark
Fourth official: Andy Rolph of Mansfield

NSL REPRESENTATIVE SIDE ANNOUNCED

The very first uhlsport Nottinghamshire Senior League Representative squad has been announced and will play it's first exhibition game against Derbyshire Police on Wednesday 24th November (7:30pm) at Cotgrave CW United's floodlit Woodview ground.

The game is the first of it's kind under the joint management team of Boots Athletic's Graham Hunter and Notts Police supremo Steve Clifford who picked their final sixteen after each of the clubs participating in the NSL were asked to put forward three nominations for consideration.

Although this is the first official representative side, under similar circumstances a Chairman's XI has previously played in a curtain raiser for the Nottinghamshire Senior League in August which they won 5-2 against Cotgrave CW United, also played at Woodview. Future matches with other leagues are likely with the possibility of the NSL entering a team to play in the inaugural FA National Systems Cup within the next few years.

Full Squad: Goalkeepers: Paul Stanhope (Wollaton), Matt Worster (Magdala Amateurs). Defenders: Kevin Wadley (Clifton), Duncan Hinks (Attenborough), Jake Keetley (Awsworth Villa), Marc Rogers (Calverton MW), Oliver Selfe (Ruddington Utd). Midfielders: Jonathon Wass (Bestwood MW), Robbie May (Kimberley MW), Tom Groves (Boots Athletic), Kevin Doyle (Cotgrave CW United), Matt Irons (Arnold Southbank). Forwards: Dean Bennett (Keyworth United), Scott Downie (Siemens EWS), Paul Nicholls (Notts Police).

SAD DEATH OF J W ‘BILL’ STOKELD

One of the local game’s legends passed away at the weekend. Carlton Town (formerly Sneinton F C) President J W ‘Bill’ Stokeld was taken ill at Carlton’s 4 – 1 FA Vase victory over Kirkby Muxloe on Saturday and later died in hospital.

Bill served Carlton Town for over 50 years as well as serving on the Notts Alliance, Notts Amateur and Notts Sunday leagues as well as playing a leading part in the working of the Notts FA. Earlier this year, Emlyn Hughes presented Bill with the FA’s long service award for his input to the local game.

Our commiserations go to Bill’s children Richard, Annette and Julia on the death of their father who will be sadly missed

a service in remembrance of Bill will be held at Carlton Town FC, Stoke Lane, Gedling on Wednesday 3rd November at 11.30am.

CHAIRMAN'S XI BEAT COTGRAVE

Sandhurst's speedy climb to the summit of local football is reward to the likes of Manager Bob Crawford and his back room boys who have seen the club improve yearly rising from the Notts Amateur & Alliance leagues in recent times. This year, Sandhurst, against the odds are hoping to shock a few sides,  flying the NSL flag for North Notts they hope their superb Walesby Sports Ground will prove to be something of a fortress and with the capture of three Central Midland players adding to their already bulging squad, the club are in better shape than ever before. Pre Season has gone well for them, training no less then twice a week the side has put in promising performances in friendlies against Clipstone & Retford Town and are confident that with a full squad, they can get a good result against Ruddington United on the seasons opening day. Assistant Manager Stefan Hall is excited about the prospect of facing the counties elite amateur teams, but knows that the club are in for a tough time when they kick off the new campaign "we need stability and not to be getting thrashed every week, its going to be a tough season but we are ready for it." said Hall "We've got new players from Ollerton, Retford United & Thoresby with some good younger players coming through". Wilson upfront is a good skilful player, Atkinson and Grainger from Ollerton Town are both ones to watch with experience in Midfield and defence provided by Matty Anabell and Adam Jones. "Our ultimate goal is to finish in a credible position, so we can establish the club in the premier league and to secure the future for the six remaining kids sides, eventually bringing them in to run a reserve side." The juniors will play a big part in Sandhursts future, today's players though must do the job on the pitch, to make sure that the future is at least Senior Division Football in the NSL.

A chairman's XI including some of the best players the NSL will have to offer, will open the curtains on a new era in local football with a match against Senior Division outfit Cotgrave CW United at the clubs impressive Welfare Ground on Wednesday 18th August. Anybody is welcome, with the game scheduled for a 7:30pm kick off, the chairman's side will be captained by veteran Boots Athletic defender Paul Williams and includes a whole host of names from the likes of Notts Police, Clifton & Keyworth United etc. Cotgrave, who finished 9th in the top division of last seasons (now defunct) Nottinghamshire Alliance, are expected to be at full strength. The match being refereed by Ruddington official, Mick Leslie, assisted by Colin White, Paul Cottam & Malc Cassidy.

Full Squad: Paul Stanhope, David Walker, Mark Gadsby (all Wollaton), Paul Nichols, Neil Smith, Franco Guddemi ( all Notts Police), Matt Irons, Joe Irons (both Arnold Southbank), Kevin Forde, Paul Williams (capt), Gareth Rees, Pete Bucknall (all Boots Athletic), Dean Bennett, Ian Wooley (both Keyworth United), Carl Spibey (Linby CW), Kevin Waddley (Clifton), Alan Hendricks (Kimberley MW), Dan Outram (Calverton MW), Mark Corbett (Kingswell), Duncan Hinks (Attenborough), Richard Howells (Bestwood MW)

CALVERTON BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

There is plenty of reason for optimism at Calverton Miners Welfare Football Club, bottom of the Notts Alliance Senior League last season after making a progressive jump up from mid table first division mediocrity in 2002/03, Secretary John Daniel tells the NSL just why the former Colliery club is expecting exciting times ahead.

On the pitch, Calverton will probably be one of the youngest sides to play in the NSL this term, with nine of last seasons first team aged 18 and below, these players in particular, have gained valuable experience already at the summit of Amateur Football in the County. Non more so then 16 year old Luke Smith who after playing over 20 games in his debut season in the Alliance, picked up the clubs player of the year award. “This can be looked back on as a season of finding out what it is all about” said Daniel “blooding youngsters, building on the positives and establishing what needs to be done for the future. Pete Edson, the match-day secretary, keeps reminding people around the club what Notts Police have achieved, going from bottom place to champions in one season.” Not expecting a miracle, Daniel has set his clubs sites a little more realistic for the following season and hopes a considerable improvement in fortune on the pitch will see a mid-table position being both realistic and achievable.  

Long term, the club are building foundations both on and off the pitch for an organisation of any calibre to be proud of. With on going work being carried out to improve the ground and facilities the club hope, like many others to use the NSL as a stepping stone to greater achievement. “Our medium term objective is, within three seasons, to find ourselves in a position where we are ready for the next step - whatever that may be. By this time we will have the full infrastructure in place and under the guidance of Andy (Miller) and Bill (Bennett) optimistically believe that we will have a team ready to meet the challenges of the next step up” Daniel told us. “Miller and Bennett will oversee the management and coaching of the entire senior squad next season, both have recently qualified with their Level 3 Coaching Licence which is a huge boost for the club as both could quite easily, with these qualifications, find employment at more ‘lucrative’ teams. However, such is the desire to make Calverton a success they, with the full backing of the club committee, have both pledged their immediate future here.”

Calverton MW also thrives on youth, and being one of only eight clubs in the county to obtain FA Charter Standard Community Club status, Daniel sees the need to further develop the clubs youth system. “Our current sides may be two or three years away from full fruition as our oldest aged youth side will play as Under 15’s next season. Steps are underway, however, to put together a quality Under 19 side to compete in the Northern Under 19 Alliance and hopefully, subject to a ground inspection, we hope to get this underway for the start of 2004/05. Bill and Andy are an important key to the success or not of this approach and line of thinking.”

Off the pitch, times couldn’t be more exciting for everybody associated with the club. “Extensive work is being carried out to enhance our facilities into what will be amongst the finest of their kind in the county.” Said Daniel “We are currently one year in to a two year project which will see the entire grounds of the Welfare levelled to provide four full sized pitches, two mini-soccer pitches and a training area. For those who know the set up, the main pitch will now be sited much nearer to the clubhouse and a matter of yards from the new changing complex which boasts four self contained changing rooms, a referee’s room and a disabled changing room/toilet. The old changing rooms have been gutted and will be refurbished, again to provide four self contained changing units, more referee’s rooms and further disabled facilities. Erection of floodlights to our new main pitch will take place over the summer.” Daniel hopes that Calverton will become a strong contender in the NSL and is excited at the prospect of facing healthy opponents in the coming season. “Clubs will probably initially enjoy coming to Calverton to play on one of the best surfaces in the county, but we aim to very quickly change this line of thought to that of knowing any visitors are in for a tough time on the pitch.”

“Last season was a difficult season for us and very much a transitional one. In 2002-03 we finished seventh in Division One of the Notts Alliance and due to a number of withdrawals, and the inadequate facilities of some clubs, we were invited to put ourselves forward for promotion to the Senior Division. Although not quite ready for the step up, Calverton MW are a progressive club and looked upon this as a challenge and an opportunity for advancement. We said at the time that this chance had come possibly 18 months too soon but, nevertheless it was important that we took the step particularly as we knew that 2004-05 would see the launch of the NSL.” Looking forward to the challenge ahead Daniel told us “The NSL has received a great amount of publicity and will generate a lot of interest and attention, particularly in its formative years. We are keen to be part of this leagues success and will bring to it excellent facilities and, although not immediately, an excellent team. Andy and Bill optimistically believe that we can build a team to meet the challenges of the next step up. If we stand back and look to what we have achieved in the last four or five years then we really think this is a possibility provided we can hang on to all our good people. We will not be complacent, there is much more to come!!”

NSL PEN UHLSPORT SPONSORSHIP

As the Nottinghamshire Senior League prepares for its inaugural season which starts on 21^st August, final details of the NSL sponsorship have been announced. The three year arrangement means that uhlsport will have exclusive sponsorship rights over the NSL’s league and cup competitions.

uhlsport, one of Lenton - based Wholesaler Reydon Sports’ leading brands have agreed to support the NSL by providing equipment for the NSL’s referees and assistants as well as providing 100 quality Mirage 13 panel matchballs to the NSL which will be distributed to the NSL’s seventeen member Clubs.

The NSL join an elite band of uhlsport-sponsored teams and players which includes current European Footballer of the Year, Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved, Chelsea’s Carlo Cudicini and the Jamaican and Uruguayan National Teams.

All NSL matches will be played with these balls, and Clubs will be encouraged to use uhlsport kits, tracksuits and other accessories wherever possible in order to support the sponsors.

Whilst Reydon wholesales uhlsport via retailers, NSL Clubs will have exclusive deals set up via three local retailers. Majestic Trophies of Basford, Arnold based Mapperley Sports, and Mayfield Sports of Long Eaton have been nominated by David Sanderson, uhlsport UK’s Brand Manager to give county- wide coverage and the excellent levels of service important to NSL Clubs and players.

Commenting on their commitment, Sanderson was delighted to have the opportunity to increase the already high profile of his brand; ‘We are extremely pleased to have finalised things after much discussion. We see the NSL as the way ahead for Nottinghamshire amateur football and are proud to be associated from day one. This is an ideal opportunity for us to promote a successful brand whilst supporting local football at its grass roots.

The NSL’s Vice Chairman and Press Officer Dick Durrant was equally up- beat. ‘This is superb news. It is important that we have a link with the right sponsor and Reydon have been kind enough to help us through uhlsport. As with any such deal however, it needs to be mutually beneficial and consequently needs support from our Clubs. I am confident that the uhlsport offering is a superb one and, given the deals which they are offering to the Clubs and the quality of their equipment, I can’t see it being anything other than a roaring success. The feedback we have had from our members has been excellent and we are 100% behind our generous sponsors. We thank Nigel Carter, MD of Reydon and David Sanderson for their support and look forward to working with them for many years to come.

SENIOR LEAGUE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

The long awaited Nottinghamshire Senior League (NSL) has, in the last month received three major boosts as it prepares for the 2004/05 season.

A three-year sponsorship deal has been agreed with Lenton based sports equipment supplier Reydon Sports. The deal will give the NSL vital financial stability and enable it to reward Clubs for maintaining high standards of organisation and behaviour. Reydon Managing Director Nigel Carter is currently putting the finishing touches to the deal, which seems likely to see the NSL named the ‘UHLSPORT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE’. Uhlsport is one of the major soccer brands supplied by Reydon and the sponsorship deal will see NSL Clubs and officials using Uhlsport equipment and balls at all matches.

Commenting on the sponsorship, NSL Press Officer Dick Durrant said ‘We are delighted to have secured a mutually beneficial deal with one of Nottingham’s leading Companies and are extremely grateful to Nigel for generous support. The link with Uhlsport will enable us to take the NSL forward with certainty as we face the challenges ahead’. As with any such deal, details have been submitted to the Notts FA for approval, however FA guidelines have been observed throughout it’s establishment and  sanction from Clarendon Street is eagerly awaited. Mike Kilbee, Notts F A Secretary has committed to put the proposal to the next meeting of the appropriate Committee but doesn't see any difficulties in gaining agreement.

Carter too is pleased to have agreed a way forward saying 'Reydon are a Nottinghamshire Company and are proud to be linking up with the NSL to help to enhance the offering to local Clubs. We wish the NSL all the very best and are confident it will be a resounding success.

Excellent news too on the refereeing front. After much discussion, the NSL has been granted Supply League status, which means that the NSL will supply officials to more senior leagues further up the non- league pyramid. NSL Secretary Darrel Parkes, himself a leading local referee said ‘Supply League status is vital in ensuring the influx of new blood onto a league with prospects. The benefit to Clubs is that officials will be more professional and better equipped to handle games more efficiently and we look forward to working with our Clubs to ensure that both officials and Clubs strive for consistently high standards.

Finally, NSL web designer Daniel Peacock has begun work on the NSL website which is seen as a vital method of communicating results, match reports and other information to Clubs, officials and non- league followers. The site, at www.nottsseniorleague.co.uk is already up and running and will contain a links to individual Club’s sites as well as the Uhlsport site.

‘All in all’ concluded NSL Chairman Frank Hunt, ‘the last month have been excellent for the NSL and it’s Clubs. With the sponsorship, referees and website sorted, we can now concentrate on our main aim of providing our Clubs with a high standard of local football. This will enable them to attract leading players back from rival leagues and this, in turn, will serve to increase standards still further.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE READY TO GO