Premier Division Champions - Newcastle Town
Sat 24th April 2010 | Newcastle Town | By Ian Templeman
Newcastle Town produced a performance to match the occasion as they beat Squires Gate 5-0 prior to collecting the Vodkat League Premier Division Trophy from League Chairman Dave Tomlinson and Secretary John Deal.
It was a convincing win for Town in their last home league game of the season, and a result that epitomised a season which has seen them top the Premier Division table right from the opening day of the season.
Within six minutes Town were ahead, when a pinpoint through ball from Chris Boast played Neville Thompson through on goal, and he beat Gate keeper Richard Horrocks with a cool sidefooted finish.
Four minutes later Alan Nagington outpaced the Gate defence to put Town two up, and just after the half hour Chris Boast added a third when he headed home from Jordan Johnson's corner kick.
Five minutes before half time, Squires Gate's Paul Osbourne sent a glancing back header over the head of his own keeper to make it 4-0, and eight minutes after the restart Town substitute Matthew Platt fired home his side's fifth.
Despite further chances being created at both ends, there was no further scoring and Town leave the league having scored 998 home league goals at the Lyme Valley Stadium during their 23 year tenure in the NWCFL.
Immediately after the game, League Chairman Dave Tomlinson presented the Vodkat League Premier Division trophy to Newcastle Town captain Paul Donnelly, and the celebrations and post match interviews began.
Newcastle Town Chairman Paul Radcliffe:
"If you had said at the start of the season that we would have achieved what we have this season, you'd have said "dream on". Â We had a good pre-season with Andy Holmes, the former Stoke player, involved in a lot of the sessions and I think that the level of fitness that instilled made a difference.
"We beat New Mills here early on, and I think from then on that gave us a boost, because we felt if we had got the measure of them then we would have the measure anyone. We've certainly not won every game by big scores, and had quite a few games where it could have gone either way.
"The team spirit here is what has carried us through. You saw today (in the game against Squires Gate). We went four up just before half time, we've already won the league, but the celebrations for the goal were great, the players were all over one another. I think that has been the big difference this year and Greg has instilled a great attitude in the squad.
"I do have some sympathy for New Mills, I think you have to feel a bit sorry for them. Last season they were pipped on the last day of the season at AFC Fylde, after collecting over 100 points, and now this season they will finish with a points total that again would normally win the league, but this time they have come across us.
"Many people here will sympathise with them. I've only been at the club for the last three years, so I've only experienced a few of our near misses, unlike some of the guys here who have been here much longer, and for them it must seem like a lifetime that we've been trying to get promotion. Â
"Personally I think it's a shame there's not two or three going up, as there are teams in the Unibond League that would struggle in this league, because this is a very competitive league.
"I don't see that we should have any fears about going up. We've played three teams out of the Unibond League this season and beaten them all, and two of them - Kidsgrove and Chasetown - are in the play offs. Also, most of the teams that have come out of this league have done well, no one has come straight back down and the majority have established themselves at the higher level, and there's no reason why we shouldn't do the same".Â
Secretary Ray Tatton:
"It's been an unbelievable season and we couldn't written the script better ourselves . It's been great right from the start, and ending up having club records for most wins in the league, and most points in the league.
"Over the summer we cut the budget and didn't think we would start as favourites, but the players just kept going. There's a fantastic spirit around the club, and that is probably the difference this year compared to when we failed on the other occasions.
"It's fantastic for the club, and it's a reward for the many people here who spend their time working hard for the club.  In a sense we're sorry to leave the Vodkat League, and we will miss some of the terrific people at clubs and the friends we've made over the years. But we might come across them again in cup competitions, you just never know.
"But now we're going up, and we will hopefully do the Unibond League proud at a higher level next year".
Manager Greg Clowes:
"It's been a fantastic day for this football club, and I'm really pleased for the players.
"We took our foot off the gas in the second half as we were looking at the final at Vale on Monday night (the Staffordshire FA Vase Final against Port Vale at Vale Park) , and it gave us the chance to give some other players a run out. But the important thing from the players' point of view was that they wanted to get the record league points total by winning today, because for anyone to get that number of points in a season you've got to be very consistent.
"I always had 100% confidence in this group of players, although we did bring two or three in over the course of the season. I am choosy as we had to bring in people who were right for this football club, and join a group of players who work hard for each other.Â
"Looking back over the season there are three or four games that stand out as being important. One of the recent ones was when we played Runcorn Linnets away, when they missed a penalty in the last minute, and that made me think that it could be our year because we had a little bit of luck that night against a good side.
"In general we've won games quite easily but there have been some close ones too, and I wouldn't say it was down to luck we won those, but at times things did go our way a little bit.
"But the league table doesn't lie and you judge your season on that, and I'm pleased we got five goals as that gives us a goal difference of plus 100. Of course to keep that we've got to get a result at New Mills next Saturday and I know the players are really looking forward to that game, not because they have anything to prove, just simply because they want to finish on a high". Â Â Â
Captain Paul Donnelly:
"It's been a tough season, and we've had to keep going as New Mills have pushed us all the way, as we both kept winning for a long spell. But we worked hard for this and now we've got the trophy it's all been worthwhile.
"We went 28 games without dropping any points, but there were games in there that were important at various stages. We played Colne away and scored in the last minute to win 2-1, and had a tough game at Bootle where we won 1-0. Games like that stick out, and although we've had some games, especially at home, where we've beaten teams by four, five or six goals, there's been others that could have gone either way. But when we got our momentum going it seemed everything was going for us at the right time.
"Winning and losing is a habit you get into. We came into the season probably not as the favourites for the league to be honest, because a lot was made about the budget being cut from last season.  But over the summer, as a group of players we kept in contact and when we got together, we all agreed we wanted to stick together and have a go at it.
"So our success this season was all about a good set of lads who had all decided to give it a go. The good start gave us momentum, and what helped keep the momentum going was the team spirit in the dressing room. That was the key to us going on to win the title.
"When we started  the winning run, people were saying "well, they've not had any injuries yet", but when the injuries and suspensions came, the players who came in did just as well as everyone else. So this title win is for the whole squad, every single player has done their bit, and every player who has picked up a medal has played in at least 20 games, which is fantastic.
"I've been at a few clubs, and team spirit here as as good as I ever experienced. It's been a major thing having everyone pulling in the same direction. We've got the likes of Jordan Johnson who has scored 40 goals this season which is fantastic at any level and he's been playing as a wing back all season and doing his bit defensively, and when he doesn't get on the score sheet he's just glad that we've won. That's the sort of team spirit and attitude throughout the dressing room".
Another well known Town face enjoying the celebrations was "The Little General" John Cotton - but more from him later.......
Premier Division Champions - Newcastle Town
Sat 24th April 2010 | Newcastle Town
By Ian Templeman
Newcastle Town produced a performance to match the occasion as they beat Squires Gate 5-0 prior to collecting the Vodkat League Premier Division Trophy from League Chairman Dave Tomlinson and Secretary John Deal.
It was a convincing win for Town in their last home league game of the season, and a result that epitomised a season which has seen them top the Premier Division table right from the opening day of the season.
Within six minutes Town were ahead, when a pinpoint through ball from Chris Boast played Neville Thompson through on goal, and he beat Gate keeper Richard Horrocks with a cool sidefooted finish.
Four minutes later Alan Nagington outpaced the Gate defence to put Town two up, and just after the half hour Chris Boast added a third when he headed home from Jordan Johnson's corner kick.
Five minutes before half time, Squires Gate's Paul Osbourne sent a glancing back header over the head of his own keeper to make it 4-0, and eight minutes after the restart Town substitute Matthew Platt fired home his side's fifth.
Despite further chances being created at both ends, there was no further scoring and Town leave the league having scored 998 home league goals at the Lyme Valley Stadium during their 23 year tenure in the NWCFL.
Immediately after the game, League Chairman Dave Tomlinson presented the Vodkat League Premier Division trophy to Newcastle Town captain Paul Donnelly, and the celebrations and post match interviews began.
Newcastle Town Chairman Paul Radcliffe:
"If you had said at the start of the season that we would have achieved what we have this season, you'd have said "dream on". Â We had a good pre-season with Andy Holmes, the former Stoke player, involved in a lot of the sessions and I think that the level of fitness that instilled made a difference.
"We beat New Mills here early on, and I think from then on that gave us a boost, because we felt if we had got the measure of them then we would have the measure anyone. We've certainly not won every game by big scores, and had quite a few games where it could have gone either way.
"The team spirit here is what has carried us through. You saw today (in the game against Squires Gate). We went four up just before half time, we've already won the league, but the celebrations for the goal were great, the players were all over one another. I think that has been the big difference this year and Greg has instilled a great attitude in the squad.
"I do have some sympathy for New Mills, I think you have to feel a bit sorry for them. Last season they were pipped on the last day of the season at AFC Fylde, after collecting over 100 points, and now this season they will finish with a points total that again would normally win the league, but this time they have come across us.
"Many people here will sympathise with them. I've only been at the club for the last three years, so I've only experienced a few of our near misses, unlike some of the guys here who have been here much longer, and for them it must seem like a lifetime that we've been trying to get promotion. Â
"Personally I think it's a shame there's not two or three going up, as there are teams in the Unibond League that would struggle in this league, because this is a very competitive league.
"I don't see that we should have any fears about going up. We've played three teams out of the Unibond League this season and beaten them all, and two of them - Kidsgrove and Chasetown - are in the play offs. Also, most of the teams that have come out of this league have done well, no one has come straight back down and the majority have established themselves at the higher level, and there's no reason why we shouldn't do the same".Â
Secretary Ray Tatton:
"It's been an unbelievable season and we couldn't written the script better ourselves . It's been great right from the start, and ending up having club records for most wins in the league, and most points in the league.
"Over the summer we cut the budget and didn't think we would start as favourites, but the players just kept going. There's a fantastic spirit around the club, and that is probably the difference this year compared to when we failed on the other occasions.
"It's fantastic for the club, and it's a reward for the many people here who spend their time working hard for the club.  In a sense we're sorry to leave the Vodkat League, and we will miss some of the terrific people at clubs and the friends we've made over the years. But we might come across them again in cup competitions, you just never know.
"But now we're going up, and we will hopefully do the Unibond League proud at a higher level next year".
Manager Greg Clowes:
"It's been a fantastic day for this football club, and I'm really pleased for the players.
"We took our foot off the gas in the second half as we were looking at the final at Vale on Monday night (the Staffordshire FA Vase Final against Port Vale at Vale Park) , and it gave us the chance to give some other players a run out. But the important thing from the players' point of view was that they wanted to get the record league points total by winning today, because for anyone to get that number of points in a season you've got to be very consistent.
"I always had 100% confidence in this group of players, although we did bring two or three in over the course of the season. I am choosy as we had to bring in people who were right for this football club, and join a group of players who work hard for each other.Â
"Looking back over the season there are three or four games that stand out as being important. One of the recent ones was when we played Runcorn Linnets away, when they missed a penalty in the last minute, and that made me think that it could be our year because we had a little bit of luck that night against a good side.
"In general we've won games quite easily but there have been some close ones too, and I wouldn't say it was down to luck we won those, but at times things did go our way a little bit.
"But the league table doesn't lie and you judge your season on that, and I'm pleased we got five goals as that gives us a goal difference of plus 100. Of course to keep that we've got to get a result at New Mills next Saturday and I know the players are really looking forward to that game, not because they have anything to prove, just simply because they want to finish on a high". Â Â Â
Captain Paul Donnelly:
"It's been a tough season, and we've had to keep going as New Mills have pushed us all the way, as we both kept winning for a long spell. But we worked hard for this and now we've got the trophy it's all been worthwhile.
"We went 28 games without dropping any points, but there were games in there that were important at various stages. We played Colne away and scored in the last minute to win 2-1, and had a tough game at Bootle where we won 1-0. Games like that stick out, and although we've had some games, especially at home, where we've beaten teams by four, five or six goals, there's been others that could have gone either way. But when we got our momentum going it seemed everything was going for us at the right time.
"Winning and losing is a habit you get into. We came into the season probably not as the favourites for the league to be honest, because a lot was made about the budget being cut from last season.  But over the summer, as a group of players we kept in contact and when we got together, we all agreed we wanted to stick together and have a go at it.
"So our success this season was all about a good set of lads who had all decided to give it a go. The good start gave us momentum, and what helped keep the momentum going was the team spirit in the dressing room. That was the key to us going on to win the title.
"When we started  the winning run, people were saying "well, they've not had any injuries yet", but when the injuries and suspensions came, the players who came in did just as well as everyone else. So this title win is for the whole squad, every single player has done their bit, and every player who has picked up a medal has played in at least 20 games, which is fantastic.
"I've been at a few clubs, and team spirit here as as good as I ever experienced. It's been a major thing having everyone pulling in the same direction. We've got the likes of Jordan Johnson who has scored 40 goals this season which is fantastic at any level and he's been playing as a wing back all season and doing his bit defensively, and when he doesn't get on the score sheet he's just glad that we've won. That's the sort of team spirit and attitude throughout the dressing room".
Another well known Town face enjoying the celebrations was "The Little General" John Cotton - but more from him later.......
