This week has been pretty eventful for the club. The club has had to come to the decision of parting company with the first team manager. It was a decision not taken lightly for we all know how difficult a job it is but it was felt that it was in the best interests of the club if we did do it now and then who ever took over would have some time to try and turn things around. That someone happens to be Michael West and myself. Both of us have had previous experience of managing in the West Yorkshire League and believe that we will be able to help get the team out of this situation. It must be stressed though that neither of us have any ambitions for football management, other than to see the end of the season out for our club and keep it in the Premier Division of the West Yorkshire League. It is merely a case of club members offering their services and experience, whilst the club seek out an alternative.
We still have thirteen games to play, all which will be tough but we believe that we can turn it round with a lot of hard work and determination. The squad of players must believe that they can turn things around and above all unite. It is easy to do this when things are going well, it is now that we have our backs to the wall that we must be as one in our commitment to get out of the relegation zone.
Paul Howard.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Knaresborough's destiny is in their own hands.
With no games being played this weekend things at the club have been very quiet. There was only 1 game played in the Premier Division that was between Ossett Common Rovers and Aberford Albion the best result for Knaresborough was an Aberford victory and as luck would have it, that is what happened, with Aberford beating Ossett 2-0. Of course this encouragement is only psychological and there is still a lot of hard work to be done. Still bottom of the Premier Division we may be but the picture looks better and destiny is in our own hands. Chances of staying in the division may now be better than those of a number of the teams immediately above us. Ossett and Pontefract are both due to visit Manse Lane over the next 2 weeks it is up to us to take the points of them and lift ourselves up out of the situation.
These games will be difficult because they too are fighting for survival we have to show our commitment to the cause. We have to be committed to achieving and we must be best prepared.
The reserves too have a big match coming up. Their semi-final in the Hulme Cup against Kirkby Malzeard. It would be excellent for the club if both teams were to get through to a Cup final this season. So the commitment from those players must be equal to that of the first team squad. I wish all our players the very best of luck in the forthcoming games.
Paul Howard.
These games will be difficult because they too are fighting for survival we have to show our commitment to the cause. We have to be committed to achieving and we must be best prepared.
The reserves too have a big match coming up. Their semi-final in the Hulme Cup against Kirkby Malzeard. It would be excellent for the club if both teams were to get through to a Cup final this season. So the commitment from those players must be equal to that of the first team squad. I wish all our players the very best of luck in the forthcoming games.
Paul Howard.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Knaresborough Town Match day preparation.
Usually most of us know what goes on regarding the pre-match preparation for the players, I wanted to highlight what else goes on to get ready for the game on a Saturday.
What goes on to prepare for match days?
Take a normal Saturday First team game, early in the season when the grass is still growing and when the weather permits, the pitch is prepared on a Friday afternoon by either Nigel Ellerker or Barry Dodds. Don't forget that sometimes after a particularly wet match day the pitch may be badly damaged, as it was a couple of weeks ago this has to be put right for the following week. It is not a five minute job and takes a lot of effort and time to put things right.
Early on the Saturday morning (usually at first light) Phil Hudson and Steve Bradley will go down and put the goal nets in place. Kevin Heaton will follow up at about 8:30 to mark out the pitch, this can take up to 2 hours.
Away from the pitch Paul Howard is preparing the match day programmes, these have been made ready for printing through the week by Colette Hewlet and himself, and go to the printers on a Friday, ready for collection on the Saturday morning. On the Saturday they are collated then pinned together.
Chairman, Terry Hewlett and his Wife Anne are busy make the refreshments for the teams after the game.
Kevin returns about 12:30 to get ready to sell the programmes, bear in mind he has already been here 2 hours. He stands on the gate for another forty five minutes to an hour selling programmes.
Treasurer Geoff Waite comes down at 12:30 to get the bar ready and brings the playing kits down for both teams.
That is just the Saturday morning events but a lot of work goes in prior to this, weekly Monday night meetings where the club affairs are discussed and decisions made. Decisions made to try and improve the standards and facilities of Knaresborough Town Football Club. I have mentioned a few names there but all the committee members do other work in addition to this (there is too much to mention in this article).
Obviously this is not a unique situation, hundreds of clubs around the country are doing the same but I thought it was worth a mention. The work is done voluntarily and it is pride in their club that makes people do this sort of work.
What goes on to prepare for match days?
Take a normal Saturday First team game, early in the season when the grass is still growing and when the weather permits, the pitch is prepared on a Friday afternoon by either Nigel Ellerker or Barry Dodds. Don't forget that sometimes after a particularly wet match day the pitch may be badly damaged, as it was a couple of weeks ago this has to be put right for the following week. It is not a five minute job and takes a lot of effort and time to put things right.
Early on the Saturday morning (usually at first light) Phil Hudson and Steve Bradley will go down and put the goal nets in place. Kevin Heaton will follow up at about 8:30 to mark out the pitch, this can take up to 2 hours.
Away from the pitch Paul Howard is preparing the match day programmes, these have been made ready for printing through the week by Colette Hewlet and himself, and go to the printers on a Friday, ready for collection on the Saturday morning. On the Saturday they are collated then pinned together.
Chairman, Terry Hewlett and his Wife Anne are busy make the refreshments for the teams after the game.
Kevin returns about 12:30 to get ready to sell the programmes, bear in mind he has already been here 2 hours. He stands on the gate for another forty five minutes to an hour selling programmes.
Treasurer Geoff Waite comes down at 12:30 to get the bar ready and brings the playing kits down for both teams.
That is just the Saturday morning events but a lot of work goes in prior to this, weekly Monday night meetings where the club affairs are discussed and decisions made. Decisions made to try and improve the standards and facilities of Knaresborough Town Football Club. I have mentioned a few names there but all the committee members do other work in addition to this (there is too much to mention in this article).
Obviously this is not a unique situation, hundreds of clubs around the country are doing the same but I thought it was worth a mention. The work is done voluntarily and it is pride in their club that makes people do this sort of work.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Like most Knaresborough Town supporters and players I felt so hacked off at the penalty decision on Saturday. The 3 points which we looked like winning, would have lifted us up the table and closed the gap on the teams around us. It is an old cliche but when teams are needing points things never go for them, we just have to keep plugging away and picking up points. Never the less we played well and it should give a lot of confidence to the team, the introduction of Jared McGivern (new signing) pictured right was a plus for the club. I feel sure that Jared will do well for us.
It was good to see Matt Pearson returning from injury, Matt is a player who can strengthen our team significantly. Fraser Lancaster scoring a goal whilst playing in the reserves is also good news. The goal will give Fraser a lot of confidence, he is another player who has a lot to offer.
Paul Howard.
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