Archived news from the Rovers
All the previous articles that have sat on the home / front page.
From prior to August 26
TAUNTON TOWN are launching an exciting new initiative for coaching six to 16-year-olds in partnership with Proco Football Developments. A development centre is being created locally, which will coach boys and girls with the aim of discovering and nurturing talented youngsters and allowing their maximum potential to be realised. Coaching programmes will be age related and structured to ensure the players have fun and are allowed to express themselves while also gaining technical knowledge of the game. Players will be coached by qualified staff with the opportunity to then go on and play for the Taunton Town Under-18 side and, hopefully, challenge for first-team selection eventually. Recent changes at Wordsworth Drive have led to a more progressive outlook and the framework is now in place for a player to appear at youth, county league, Southern League and ladies level. The club have appointed two coaches to run the centre. Gary Knight is a former Taunton Town striker, who recently took up the role of assistant manager at Taunton Blackbrook FC. He has coached at Yeovil Town and also works for the Somerset FA along with his colleague Andy Gill, who similarly coached at Yeovil as well as in the Western League and abroad. He was recently appointed head coach for the Under-16s at the Somerset FA Girls Centre Of Excellence. Knight said: " I think this is a very positive move by Taunton Town and I'm extremely excited by the challenge ahead. I want to stress that we are not looking to steal youngsters away from their existing clubs in youth leagues but see this as an additional opportunity for them to develop their footballing skills, which will benefit all concerned." Much interest has already been shown and details can be obtained from Gary Knight on 07789 004409 or email gary.knight66@btinternet.com, or Andy Gill on 07817 984424 / andygill66@hotmail.co.uk.
ROVERS drew 0-0 with Longwell Green in their third Toolstation league game of the new season and so the fledgling season’s record, three games in, has a balanced loo about it with a win, a loss and now a draw and four points for the three games – yes, a fairly standard Rovers start a new campaign for notoriously slow starting Rovers! The blank score sheet after 90 minutes at Silver Street turned out to be the ONLY ONE OF THE DAY as all the other matches played I the top flight produced out right wins!
In the other Toolstation top flight games there was a fine win for ILFRACOMBE YOWN who defeated visiting BITTON 2-0 in the Match of the Day – that, the first loss and indeed the first goals conceded in four outings by Bitton! Ilfracombe remain un beaten. BISHOP SUTTON picked up their first win of the League season with a 3-0 success at the Sand lane home of DAWLISH TOWN Next Saturday’s FA Cup visitors to Silver Street, RADSTOCK TOWN were 2-1 winners at HALLEN and there was a 2-0 home win for LARKHALL at the expense of BRISLINGTON. CORSHAM TOWN beat top flight new boys, ODD DOWN (BATH) 1-0 and that was also the fate suffered by the other promoted side, WELLS CITY, beaten 1-0 at home by early season high flying BARNSTAPLE TOWN. The match with the biggest goal count came at STREET where the home side were beaten 3-2 by BRISTOL MANOR FARM and there was a welcome victory for WELTON ROVERS as they defeated visiting SHERBORNE 2-1.
In the South West Peninsula League Premier Division, neighbours Cullompton Rangers were held 2-2 at a Tavistock Town side who are yet to win this term. Witheridge lost 3-1 at Bodmin Town and that means that BUCKLAND ATHLETIC - put out of the FA Cup in midweek by a RADSTOCK TOWN side who, as a result of that victory, visit Rovers next Saturday (August 28) in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup (£1,500 is the cash prize for victory on Saturday!). In the SWP Eastern Division Crediton United lost 3-2 at home to Dartington and Totnes. Exmouth Town drew 1-1 with Newton Abbot Spurs and Budleigh Salterton won a seven goal thriller, beating a Bickleigh side Managed by former Rovers legend Hedley Steele, 4-3.
TIVERTON TOWN drew 2-2 with Banbury after being 2-0 down. A nasty looking injury to goal keeper Chris Wright resulted in Tom Gardner taking over between the posts and goals from Joe Bushin (penalty) and mark Saunders got Town their point.
WE CONTINUE to receive messages to the popular Rovers website - here's the latest: all the best for the season hope it goes well for you. Good win for S F C (Street) - referring to the 5-0 Street win at Silver Street last week, but you will always be a side at the top end. See you some time - Andy Walton. Webmaster says: "Thanks for this Andy, and the best of luck to your side too - apart from when we play you again perhaps!"
BITTON made it three wins from three starts in the Toolstation League this term with a 1-0 Wednesday night win at home to previously also 100% Street. The other top flight game produced four goals and saw the winning start of Corsham ended as they drew 2-2 at home to Brislington - see the updated table on our Western League 10/11 page.
ROVERS BOSS Clive Jones departed on his holidays leaving the camp I the very capable of hands of his new assistant Gary McCauley. Jones said: “I have told Macca how I think he ought to send them out against Longwell, a side we had three terrific games against last season. Circumstances may well dictate a change or two to the planned line-ups, that obviously depends on fitness and indeed any issues that may arise between now and the kick-off on Saturday. Macca know what we need, and je knows how we can go about getting that. At this stage of the season it is all about ensuring that we bank points and stay with the pack at the sharp end of the table.”
Jones did say that he was hoping both Danny Jee and Danny Baily may get some taste of the action against Longwell Green: “In terms of the bigger picture we need to get the pair back playing. Jee’er is a big miss because let’s face it, we are currently operating without two of last season’s engine room with David (Steele) moving on and Danny (Jee) not yet played a game. The lads who have been filling their considerable places have done a great job but I think the team needs the presence of a fully fit Jee’er. Hopefully he’ll make the cut on Saturday and I certainly hope the same for Bailo (Danny Baily), who, when fit, is such an enormous asset to us.”
Jones was pleased that the next FA Cup opponents are Radstock rather than Buckland Athletic. Something he alluded to saying: “I really did not want to be taking on Buckland for that would have set us up as a possible Cup shock in as much as they (Buckland) would have seen us as something of a scalp. Now we have Radstock is very much a Toolstation, Western League engagement., and there’s no hidden factors in this one. We know lots about them (Radstock) and they will know lots about us.”
FORMER ROVERS STAR Russell Jee l;ined up with David Steele in the Tiverton Town 1st team for their midweek 4-1 defeat at Chippenham Town in the Zamaretto League.
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO report that we have a follower of Rovers staying in tune with all things Silver Street and he hails from Miami in the United States - many thanks for getting in touch as it now means we can boast Rovers fans in America, Central Europe, Africa and Australasia.
THE ROVERS UNDER-12 (Sunday) side have now ordered their 2010/11 playing kit. The team will be decked out in the same all white strip as the Rovers 1st team, something team manager Steve Birley was keen to see happen: “I want the Under-12s to feel every inch a part of the bigger picture at Silver Street. The first thing we did was to say let’s get the young team playing in the same colours as the senior side. My next task is to try and raise the funding to get all the team decked out in the same track-suits as the 1st team. I have a couple of fund raising projects on the front burner and then, possibly by asking each players parent or guardian for a minor donation, we can get the lads al kitted out so that they turn up for games looking like CCB, Rob Norrish, Bailo, Stampy, Jee’er, Big Ben, Hilly, Pocky et al”.
THAT NEW Kit for the Under-12s comes via a very generous sponsorship from a local Company (THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE AT THIS STAGE OF PROCEEDINGS AND WE THANK THEM DEEPLY FOR THEIR WONDERFUL, MUCH APPRECIATED, SUPPORT), and all will be revealed on Thursday September 2nd when the Rovers Under-12 (Sunday) side play their first ever friendly game taking on Exeter side Phoenix.
THE ROVERS Under-12s are also set to get a mascot which Birley hopes may yet be taken to by other sides and even the club as whole. He explained saying: “When I was at Plymouth Argyle in the mid 1990’s I worked with a wonderful football person in Dan McCauley and he was always one who could see the bigger picture. That’s how Pilgrim Pete evolved, down very much to the forward thinking and financial clout of Mr McCauley and the work of a company in Surrey that produced such mascots. I think it is important for a club to have an identity. Our mascot for the under-12s is a carton dog character who is currently know as ‘Rover’ – I am looking to develop this theme further with the nickname of the Under-12s set to be ‘Hound Dogs” – there’s bags of mileage in this one and I am looking to develop things from here – all I’ll say is, watch this space! ( for a sneak preview of the Houndog who goes by the name of Rover see the Rovers Under-12s dedicated page now!)
IT WILL BE AN all Toolstation League FA Cup Preliminary Round game at Silver Street on saturday, August 28 after the replay at radstock on Tuesday night ended 3-2 in favour of the home side against Peninsula League Buckland Athletic. In another FA Cup replay, Saturday's visitors to Silver Street, Longwell Green, won their tie with New Milton Town also 3-2. The Bishop Sutton versus saltash replay went the distance with Bishop Sutton winning 4-3 on penalties aftre the sides finished level at 3-3 after extra time!
THE DAY AFTER THE FA CUP TIE THE DAY BEFORE, WE CAUGHT UP WITH BOSS CLIVE JONES -
So what did you make of the FA Cup win? “I thought the performance, when set against the midweek ‘shambles’ when we shipped the five against Street, was five star. Really out of the top drawer and it underlined for me just what this team is capable of. From where I watched the action I saw two well matched sides with the difference between the sides being the respective defences and attacks. For us you had a back four playing completely as one and I commend each one of that particular quartet. We had got some information on Merthyr Town and I decided to tweak the formation to such a degree that we played with just the lone striker, looking to get bodies quickly into support him. However, that sort of a system only works if the guy tasked with the lone job up top does the business and I think you saw a monumental performance from Carl Cliff-Brown in that role. Carl was immense, that was as good as I have seen from the big chap in the time he has been with us.”
That was some contest between Carl and their very experienced, equally large in terms of stature, centre half. “Yes, I enjoyed that particular contest and I thought they both emerged from it with great credit. I thought it was a great battle between the two, one I knew we had won when we scored the second and they threw a caution to the wind sending their big lad up top – that allowed Carl to pick holes in their back line and we might well have added to our two goals in the closing stages.”
It was some turn around from the midweek defeat? “It was certainly one of the most remarkable turn-a-rounds in all my years as a manager of a football team to see the same four humbled to the tune of a 5-0 score line and then produce a collective shut-out of the highest order was – quite simply sensational. But you have to expect that from this very cultured and sincerely honest, bunch of players. They knew post-match against Street that they’d have the old footballers collective nightmare of a game, they did not need me reminding them of that. What I did say before the Merthyr game was they needed to put that particular performance behind them and put on a show for the fans to prove that the midweek thing was a blip – that’s what good sides to and I think the players showed they are a decent outfit. Mind you, so are Merthyr, they’ll be up with us next season, or that I have no doubt.”
Were there any individual performances that brought you most pleasure? “Obviously when you get a show like that it is hard to single out individuals but I thought Ian Patchett did a great job in the middle third and what can you say about the entire back four – they were at their best winning tackles and making sure that even when the big lad got thrust forward and was clearly winning all, the high stuff, the lads at the back just went back a pace and made sure that every single second ball was there’s to keep – they played individually, and collectively, magnificently. Carl’s contribution we have already mentioned and Robbie Norrish was awesome in the engine room, I saw him throw himself, typically, in front of a coupe of efforts that, had they not hit him, would have got through to Brian in goal- it was a performance reminiscent of the FA Vase efforts of last season. All fourteen lads who got onto the pitch deserve the utmost credit for their efforts.”
The opponents in the next round will be either Radstock or Buckland – do you have a preference? “No not really, I am just chuffed that we have got past a very good opponent and are in the next round, who we play is not really that important, what is though, is that we stay clear of injuries in the game we have before then (Longwell Green on Saturday) and then we can have a real crack at making further progress in the FA Cup – who ever we get, Radstock or Buckland, it will be tough and so to be at home is a big advantage.”
THE ROVERS WEBSITE had it's 100,000th visitor on Sunday morning and that means we have reached that milestone inside TEN MONTHS - yes, that means an average of TEN THOUSAND hits per month and for that we thank each and every one of the people who follow us - now we need to look at selling advertiisng on this site for there's no doubting that it has to be one of the best read football sites in the South West!
ROVERS produced a superb all-round performance to put Merthyr Town out of the FA Cup. The Welsh side had trouble with motorway traffic and did not arrive at Silver Street until 3pm and the match did not kick off until 3.45. The visitors started brightly and had the lion’s share of the ball in the first quarter of the game but then Rovers found their feet and., after a fortuitous goal just after the half hour mark, never looked back. That slice of good fortune came when the visiting keeper planed a clearance straight at the feet of dean Stamp who coolly looked up and drilled a slide rule pass into the empty net from 25 yards. With Shaun Goff, Ben Mammola, Simon Hill and Jake Wannell, putting up a mighty effective screen in front of Brian Cann the veteran Rovers stopper was rarely called into action and, after those first ten or fifteen minutes when the Welsh side had a coupe, of half chances, they were rarely given a sight of the goal. The game was sealed in the 57th minute when Shaun Goff’s free-kick sent Stamp away in the inside left channel, he reached the bye line before cutting it back for Ben Mammola to half volley home. With Carl Cliff-Brown outstanding in attack and the back four showing no hang-over from the midweek nap hand defeat to Street, Rovers keeper Brian Cann was rarely troubled and the home side were very good value for the victory and a place in the next round. As with all such superb all-round team displays singling out a star-man is a difficult task but Simon Hill’s contribution was magnificent throughout.
Goals: Dean Stamp (33), Ben Mammola (57).
Rovers team: Cann, Wannell, Mammola, Hill, Goff, Patchett, Ansell (Doble), Norrish (capt), Pocock (Rogers) Stamp (Hawes) and Cliff-Brown
ROVERS MUST WAIT TO see who they will play in the next round of the FA Cup after Buckland Athletic and Radstock drew 4-4 - the two sides will replay at Radstock in midweek to see who visits Silver Street on Saturday, August 28.
TIVERTON TOWN drew their opening Zamaretto League game, 1-1 with Windsor & Eton who, like Merthyr Town, were delayed by traffic en-route to the game and there match also kicked off at 3.45 - like ours - unlike ours, the visitors netted in the 89th minute to claim a share of the spoils.
IN THE SOUTH West Peninsula League, neighbours Cullompton Rangers won 2-0 at Wadberidge thanks to a brace of penalties from Brett Worbey.
ELMORE are set for a much bolstered crowd at their Horsdon Park headquarters for their FA Cup tie as a large number of Exeter City supporters are making the journey after the Grecians had their League One game at Dagenham and Redbridge called off after the sad passing of Adam Stansfield. The visit to Elmore’s game was initiated on the ECFC supporters website exeweb.co.uk where fans have been suggesting suitable things to do with City not playing and a trip to the origins of Stanno and his breaking into the professional ranks are very much deeply rooted at Horsdon park so Elmore officials can expect a much larger gathering than normal at the club tomorrow!
THE MORNING AFTER THE GAME THE NIGHT BEFORE we caught up with Rovers Boss Clive Jones and asked him what he thought of the events of the meeting with Street. here is his very frank and open response.
First things first, what happened against Street: “I got it wrong – and yes, that means hands up, I was wrong – where was I wrong? In thinking that we had the quality in the fringe players to step up and indeed in, and ensure that we continue to compete at the highest level of our standard. Sadly, certainly based on the 90 minutes against Street, we do not have the ability within the wider squad to play the way we want to play and perhaps I am going to have to have a re-think. It’s not the time to panic – after all we have only just played the second game of what is always a marathon of a season but it was the nature of the defeat that has set the alarms bells off in the mind of yours truly!”
What about the performance did you not like? “It was a shambles and I am very sorry to say that there were certain players out there last night who really, in all truthfulness, may as well of sat the 90 minutes with me in the dugout. I have said before these players are very good players and we saw in some big, big, games last term, that they are very capable as a unit, but being great individually is not enough to turn up and expect to get a result – you have to be great collectively and, against Street, we were anything but great. I can exonerate some players, Simon Hill, yes, he who would run through brick wall for the Rovers cause, he played having had his neck clicked back into place earlier in the day – James Ansell played throughout with a broken toe, Rob Norrish sweats blood for the cause, and that magnificent footballer, Ben Mammola has done enough for us to warrant the odd bad game – but collectively, against Street, too many players did not put in the sort of accomplished shift that we have come to expect from them. Street were a decent side, we knew that before the game, and they have a track record of making great starts to their season, but that should not detract from a rank awful effort on our part.”
So what happens next: “Well, before the game I did of course mention the terribly sad news about dear Adam Stansfield and I used that tragedy to emphasise the need for life to be enjoyed, whatever the pursuit and, in the case of football, there being a real need to enjoy what you do because you simply do not know what is waiting for you in your life around the next corner. So, post match I reminded the lads of that and told them that I was not going to panic and certainly not going to throw my toys out of the pram BUT I did want each of them to fully understand that if they felt they were not enjoying or indeed, going to enjoy, the coming season then all they had to do was pick up the phone and let me know, please by Thursday at 6pm, so that I can make arrangements to get a Rovers side out onto the pitch on Saturday afternoon to take on Merthyr Town in the FA Cup.”
The growing injury concerns must be an issue what with Simon Hill, James Ansell, Brian Cann, Shaun Goff, to name but four with Danny Baily continuing to be out and of course, Danny Jee and that work accident with a saw – how does that all affect the FA Cup planning: “It’s a big concern. Losing Danny before the game was a massive blow to my plans for he is a big player for us in the very heart of the team – also, when he is there it frees James Ansell to go have an influence elsewhere. Simon and James (neck and toe) are as I have already said the sort of player who I don’t doubt would turn up on crutches and still want to play! Shaun was sick on the pitch and clearly not feeling well – but hopefully that’ll turn out to be one of these 24/48 hour things and then there’s Bailo – that is a real concern as he is looking more and more like one of the games great unfortunates, one of those wonderfully talented players who has their career blighted by a procession of injuries. It’s a crying shame that it’s been so long since we have had an injury free season from the lad – he’s such a nice lad too, I wish we could get him sorted, but I am beginning to fear otherwise.”
You have never been one to panic at heavy defeats – “No, and I am not about to start but what I am aware of is that I need to re-think a couple, of things. One defeat in two does not represent an end to the 36 game League season but the manner of the defeats demands a response. It’s an old adage I know, but good teams always show an immediate response to adversity and we will now get the chance to see just how good this 2010/11 Rovers side is by the manner of the collective performance in the very next game. The fact that that next game pits the side against what I am expecting to be a very accomplished Merthyr Town side, who last year, were plying their trade a couple of levels higher, makes a bouncing back mission an awful lot more difficult. But I do believe we have the character in the dressing room to find and deliver, that very response. Here’s hoping we get it on Saturday afternoon.”
FORMER ROVERS ASSISTANT BOSS Peter Buckingham was at Wembley on Wednesday night to see the England versus Hungary game and he told the Rovers website of the touching tribute made to Adam Stansfield: “It was enough to bring tear to my eye I can tell you. The Stadium announcer said that it was a terribly sad thing that Adam Stansfield, former England C International and professional with Yeovil Town, Hereford and Exeter City, had passed away the day before and 72,000 people, to an individual, stood and applauded with real feeling - it was something to behold.”
ROVERS WERE THRASHED AT HOME by Street in the opening home League game of the new season in what turned out to be a miserable evening for the Silver Street faithful. It was just 1-0 at the break with the visitors taking advantage of a defensive mistake - ten minutes later and Shaun Goff, who was feeling unwell, was substituted by Aaron Doble. Two two goals in ten early second half minutes left Rovers three down and they shipped a fourth in the 67th minute and a fifth in the 88th and there was still time for Paul Pocock to make a goal line clearance or else, for the first time ever in their Western League history, Rovers would have shipped SIX! Rovers have only twice before conceded FIVE in the Western league, the last time was at Clevedon United on December 18, 2004 in a game Rovers lost 5-1 and the only previous time was at Silver Street on September 17 2002 when Torrington beat Rovers 5-3. It was the first time Rovers have been beaten at home in almost NINE months – the last home defeat was back in November at the hands of Barnstaple Town! ROVERS TEAM: Cann, Wannell, Hill, Mammola, Goff (Doble 19), Patchett (Rogers 67), Norrish (C), Ansell, Pocock, Cliff-Brown, Stamp (Hawes 67): Subs Doble (on for Goff), Rogers, Hawes
THE ADAM STANSFIELD TRIBUTE has been placed on a dedicated page on the Rovers website.
THE Rovers 1st team squad will wear at Saturday’s FA Cup tie their new 2010/11 polo-shirts and tracksuits and the new garments are all carrying the Rovers website address on them in recognition of the fact that the Rovers website – still not yet one year old, is about to record it’s 100,000th hit! Keeper Brian Cann says: “It’s something I felt needed to be done, it certainly looks good on the garments and let’s face it, that many hits in it’s very first year is testimony to the quality of the product. Having such a well kept website helps to further enhance the profile of this great club.”
A LARGE crowd is expected for Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Merthyr Town, especially judging by the sort of numbers that the Welsh side have already attracted this term. There were nearly 200 at Shepton Mallet to see the opening Merthyr game and, in their first ever home game in the Toolstation League against Cadbury Heath on Tuesday night they had 350!
The Rovers Under-15 side who will be playing in the Taunton Youth League this coming season – that a Sunday afternoon competition, are in need of a goal keeper and anybody interested is asked to get in touch with Rovers Under-15 coach Kai Jones on (07528599250
NOW we take a look at how Rovers have fared in the FA Cup in recent seasons: Season 2002/03 saw us enter the competition for the very first time but we suffered an early exit as we went out in the Extra preliminary Round, beaten 3-0 by Christchurch in a game played at Wimborne Town Football Club. The following season we again suffered an early exit as we went out at the first time of asking, beaten in the Preliminary Round 5-0 at Cornish side St Blazey. In season 2004/05 we had a third year on the spin of early exits as we staged the first ever Silver Street FA Cup tie, losing 4-1 to St Blazey. In 2005/06 we again went out at the first time of asking beaten here 1-0 by Hamworthy of the Wessex League.It was the 2006/07 campaign that at last, and indeed, at the fifth time of asking, finally produced an FA Cup win! That historic first ever win in the competition came at Chard Town in the preliminary Round played on September 2nd 2005 as we won 4-0. In the 1st Qualifying Round we then entertained Tavistock and beat them 4-0 before going out in the 2nd Qualifying Round, beaten 3-1 at Clevedon Town. The following season (2007/08) saw us once again out at the first tie of asking and beaten, for the second time in three years in the FA Cup, by Hamworthy United. We were 2-0 down at half-time, then 3-0 down. James Ansell was sent off after getting a second yellow card but David Steele (75) and Danny Jee (85) then set up a grandstand finish but the visitors held on to win. In 2008/09 we began with an Extra Preliminary Round game here at home to Wadebridge that we won 6-0. Such was our dominance that, on a wet day, keeper Brian Cann’s socks were percil white after 75 minutes! Danny Baily lobbed us ahead before the break and we went nap in the second half with Baily going on to bag a hat-trick, sub Luke Skinner scored a cracker and the other goals came from new signing Alexis Piper and a bullet header from Sam Croft. We went out in the next round though, beaten 2-1 at Poole Town where Danny Baily had out us ahead but, after the hosts levelled, Russell Jee was sent off for dissent and we went on to lose. Last season’s run was of course, a record breaker. It all began with a an Extra Preliminary Round 2-2 draw at home to Street with our goals scored by Dean Stamp and David Steele, the latter netting in the final five minutes. The midweek replay at Street was settled by George Rogers I the final minute to seal a 1-0 win. We then faced Falmouth Town and, after drawing 1-1 in Cornwall thanks to a Dean Stamp penalty, we won the replay 2-1 thanks to goals from David Steele and another from Stamp. Next up a 1st Qualifying Round tie here against Poole Town that we won 1-0 thanks to a 2nd half penalty from Russell Jee. That’s where it ended though as we lost 5-0 at home to Bath City on September 26th in front of a big crowd
BARNSTAPLE TOWN picked up their second win in two with a 1-0 win at Sherborne and in the other Wednesday night game in the top flight, Larkhall won 2-1 at home to Bishop Sutton.
DANNY JEE - who missed the opening day win at Bishop Sutton, is OUT of tonight's first home game against STREET (7.45) after being hurt at work in an incident with a cross-saw! The news was relayed, via phone, from Jee to Rovers boss Clive Jones from hospital and so, at this time, it is uncertain as to if the absence fro the game is just the one game or longer - we will update after tonight's game.
CHRIS GARNSWORTHY - last seasons Cullompton Rangers glovesman and Manager of the Speeds Meadow Clubs' Under-18 side, has been signed as goal keepeing cover, as a precaution if the Brian Cann back issue becomes a problem again. With Cann also set to miss the Longwell Green game through holiuday on August 21, it means the former Rangers glovesman will make his Rovers debut in that game at Silver Street. Rovers Boss Clive Jones says: "It's a good positive signing for us. I have always rated Chris and, in the event that Brian is not able, for what ever reason, to play we now have cover."
ROVERS HAVE BEGUN THE search for a Commercial Manager and anybody interested is asked to contact the Rovers Secretary Tony Baker. The role of Commercial Manager is vital to the well being and indeed, future development, of Rovers and involves all manner of fund raising initiatives from selling ground advertising by way of boards around the ground and other parts of the Silver Street complex, selling advertising space ion the Rovers Review, the match day programme and also looking at all sorts of other fund raising initiatives. Steve Birley, who is the club’s programme editor, and himself a former Commercial Manager having done the role at Plymouth Argyle, Reading and Exeter City has said that he is MORE than happy to help settle somebody into the role and offer as much advise as is thought necessary. He says: “It’s a fabulous opportunity for somebody to get involved in football. Back in 1992 I was the commercial manager of then Western league Elmore and from that humble beginning I met Brian Talbot during a testimonial that I set up between the Horsdon Park side and West Brom. Brian, the Baggies Manager at the time, seemed impressed with yours truly and the next thing I knew I was at Aldershot, after which I went on to have some great times at Reading, then Exeter City and finally Plymouth Argyle. The job of Commercial Manager suits a person of indeterminate age – yes, teenager to pensioner – the only requirement is a willingness to get stuck into projects. You don’t HAVE to have an undying passion for football, obviously an understanding of the game helps as the people you deal with for sponsorships are like minded football followers. I have said, and I am happy to, help settle any prospective commercial manager into the role at Silver Street.”
MEANWHILE the Club are also seeking a REGULAR LINESMAN for the Rovers Reserves who play in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter Football League and again, anybody interested is asked, in the first instance, to contact the Secretary Tony Baker on – phone 07887587811 or by email at tonybaker@burnrew.gotadsl.co.uk.
BRIAN CANN HAS BEEN PASSED fit for the first home game of the season when Rovers take on STREET. The veteran stopper struggled duirng the opening day win at Bishop Sutton but has since had intensive physiotherapy and is able to take his place in the side for the meeting with Street who were the last team to beat Rovers on the road - winning the first game of LAST season up at there place 1-0. We beat them here in the return meeting on the Friday before Christmas (2-1). Speaking of his fitness test and getting the nod to play against Street, Brian Cann said: "It was touch and go during the game on Saturday but I have since been getting ntesvive treatment and apparently I had a knot in the base of the spine whoch has been sorted and so I am delighted to have been given the nod to play in the opening home game."
THERE WERE FOUR GAMES played in the top flight on Tuesday night with the upshot that CORSHAM, ILFRACOMBE TOWN and BITTON all sit with played who, won two, record. Bitton were 2-0 winners at Wells City, Ilfracombe won 2-0 at home to Wellington and Corsham, who won 2-1 at Hallen in the one Monday night game. In other Tuesday night games, Longwell Green made it four points from two games with a 1-0 win at Brislington and there was a single goal win also for new boys Odd Down (Bath) who beat Bristol Manor Farm 1-0.
NEIGHBOURS CULLOMPTON RANGERS got their South West Peninsula League Premier Division season off an running with a 2-0 Tuesday night win over ROYAL MARINES AFC, beating the MIlitarymen thanks to a Bret Worbey penalty in the first half and a goal from Nick Murray, 15 minutes from time.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SEES ROVERS begin their Toolstation League home programme with the visit of STREET (7.45pm). The early team news is that DANNY JEE is free from the suspension that kept him out of the opening game but there remains a doubt about DANNY BAILY who missed the win at Bishop Sutton through injury, and a doubt too about the fitness of keeper Brian Cann - well bring you a team update later on Monday.
OVERS MADE JUST the start they needed if they are to live up to their status ascontenders for this seasons Toolstation League Premier Division title with a 3-0 win at Bishop Sutton where goals from Paul Pocock, Ben Mammola and Carl Cliff-brown, earned Rovers maximum points. It was Paul Pocock who netted the opening goal of the campaign for Rovers. Just eight minutes had gone when summer signing Jake Wannell’s throw-in found Dean Stamp and he sent James Ansell clear down the right to cross for PAUL POCOCK to apply the finish. In fairness though, Rovers had to play second fiddle for much of the opening half as the hosts showed themselves to be a useful outfit. At the break boss Clive Jones must have had words because Rovers emerged much brighter and within five minutes almost doubled their lead when Dean Stamp got down the left to the bye-line and when he pulled it back Carl Cliff-brown drew a wonderful save fro the Sutton keeper. Two minutes later though it was 2-0 when a Paul Pocock was delivered, the home keeper came and missed, and there was BEN MAMMOLA to head home for 2-0. Simon Hill became the first Rovers booking of the season, having his name taken for a high boot three minutes into the second half and that levelled things up at 1-1 in terms of bookings with the Bishop Sutton right back getting a yellow card midway through the first half for pole axing young George Rogers. Rovers now seized control and, on 70 minutes, were a whisker away from increasing their lead when Dean Stamp weaved past two defenders before unleashing a shot that whistled marginally wide of an upright. Stamp became the second Rovers player to go into the referee’s note book and that levelled things up at 2-2 after Stamp had been felled by a crude challenge. Ian Patchett became the first Rovers player to come off the bench into the action this term when he replaced George Rogers in the 55th minute and Joel Hawes was introduced to the action in the 75th minute for Paul Pocock. The third and final substitution saw Aaron Doble on for James Ansell, the former Truro City youngster getting his first taste of action in a Rovers shirt. It was one of the three subs, Joel Hawes, who set up the final goal as he held the ball up in the box before finishing a gap to slide rule the ball through to Carl Cliff-Brown and the big striker thumped it open to open his account and seal a 3-0 opening day win.
The first Rovers line-up of the new season is: Brian Cann, Jake Wannell, Simon Hill, Ben Mammola, Shaun Goff, George Rogers, James Ansell, Rob Norrish, Paul Pocock, Carl Cliff-Brown and Dean Stamp. Subs: Arron Doble, Joel Hawes and Ian Patchett.
ON THE TEAM COACH RETURNING FROM BISHOP SUTTON, ROVERS BOSS CLIVE JONES SAID: “It needed a wake-up call of sorts at the break for I thought we were second best for much of the opening half despite taking a lead into the beak. Even by full-time, hand on heart, I’d say they (Bishop Sutton) had 60 minutes of possessions to our 30 and that was not such a good thing about our performance. That said we looked solid as rock at the back and even had a keeper severely handicapped with a bad back on the day, but we covered him, and so to come off with a clean sheet – and lets not forget it was a ‘new-look’ back line with Jake (Wannell) coming in at full back and Hilly (Simon Hill) moving alongside Ben (Mammola) and Goffy (Shaun Goff) making up the back line.”
Jones continued: “At half-time I told the lads that if we were going to beat them on the day then we’d have to forgo trying to out play them because, and make no mistake, they (Bishop Sutton) are a good team, they’ll be there or thereabouts this term, based on the way they move the ball abut the pitch.”
Jones then spoke about the player who, for him, was the catalyst for all the good work – Paul Pocock. Jones said: “Pocky (Paul Pocock) was outstanding, let’s not forget that we were without Danny Jee on the day and a certain David Steele who had been ever present in the engine room last season, is now part of our recent history and we were also without Danny Baily (injury), so we needed somebody to take charge in the middle and give us that ‘x’ factor and Paul did just that. It was only as he had run out of steam that we gave him a breather and let him sit out the closing stages.”
Jones also had praise for another of the subs, Joel Hawes, saying: “It was a mighty tough decision leaving Joel out of the starting line-up, he was last season’s top scorer and that alone perhaps should have seen him start, but I felt, on the day, a 4/4/2 would suit us better and with that went with Carl (Carl Cliff-Brown) and Stampy (Dean Stamp), and the pair were superb, they looked hungry and made sure that, despite the fact that the home side enjoyed large periods of possession they simply could not settle at the back with those two at it for the duration and then, when Joel comes off the bench he gave us something extra again and set up Carl for the final goal.”
What about last season star man, Ben Mammola who of course spurned the overtures of Tiverton Town during the summer: “He and Hilly (Simon Hilly) were men mountains at the back, especially with Brian (Brian Cann) having his back problem. They just shut the door and had around them team-mates who read it all so well too. When you have a watertight back line like that it gives you so much confidence further up the park. Ben also scored the important second goal with a salmon of a leap to out jump the home keeper. The only thing he got hopelessly wrong was the post goal celebration although he tells me that he accepts he is a goal scorer without a party piece and I am reliably informed that he is going to sort out a suitable goal celebration! .”
Finally Jones told of how he mentioned before the game to the team collectively, and especially the new players, the prospects of the team setting a special new mark in terms of club records. He explained saying: “I reminded the lads that the last time the team lost was back on August 8th last year in terms of away League games and I urged them not to give up that record without a battle. The fact that the positive result at Bishop Sutton means this team can now say they took a Willand Rovers unbeaten away record into a second year is another part of the rich heritage we are creating at Silver Street.”
THE REST OF THE OPENING DAY SCORES IN THE TOOLSATION LEAGUE – BARNSTAPLE TOWN were 2-1 home winners over Hallen and there was a single goal (1-0) win for BITTON over Odd Down. BRISLINGTON began with a win, beating Wellington 2-1 and that was also the score by which ILFRACOMBE TOWN won at Radstock Town. CORSHAM TOWN were 2-0 home winners over Welton Rovers and that was also the score (2-1) when STREET defeated Dawlish Town. LONGWELL GREEN were held 1-1 at home by Larkhall Athletic and new boys, WELL CITY made a winning start with a 1-0 win at Sherborne Town.
In another local game, ELMORE were beaten 5-0 at home by Oldland Abbotonians in the First Division.
In the South West Peninsula League it was a bad first weekend for the Devon side's. After the Friday night 6-0 defeat for Cullompton Rangers to Cornish opposition, Royal marines AFC lost 3-1 at home to St Blazey and Witheridge lost 4-1 at Saltash. Only Dartmouth - who beat Elburton, and Ivybridge, managed to provde Devon with opening day wins!
There were some healthy crowds on day one of the new season with half a dozen grounds drawing crowds of three figures! The best turn-out was the 181 present to see Corsham defeat visiting Welton Rovers 2-0 and there were 171 at Bitton where they saw the home side defeat new boys Odd Down (Bath) by a single goal to nil. There were 157 at Longwell Green Sports to see the game with Larkhall Athletic that ended all square at 1-1. Barnstaple Town had 150 for their 2-1 win over Hallen and there were 113 present to see Sherborne go down at home to the second of the promoted sides, Wells City. The games that did not draw at least one hundred were led by Bishop Sutton who had 85 for our 3-0 win there and there were 84 at Street to watch the home side beat Dawlish Town 2-1. Radstock had 73 to see them take on Ilfracombe who departed with a 2-1 victory and the lowest turn-out on the opening day was the 45 present to witness Brislington beat Wellington 2-1.
NEW NEW NEW - Thanks the the efforts of Rob Mitchell we now have a CLUBSHOP up and runninga nd shoudl soon also have PAYPAL fully operational. Visit the Club Shop page NOW to see the start of the 2010 range.
DANNY BAILY was the only absentee from the teams final training session before the opening game at Bishop Sutton and it seems that ‘Bailo’ may miss the bus on Saturday. The 1st team had to train away from the Silver Street pitch after the surface had been dealt with a weed killer spray and, in the interests of the multi-million pound value squad’s health, it was felt safer to train on the club’s splendid new training facility behind the Willand Village Hall! Speaking abut the Baily absence, boss Clive Jones said: “It’s a blow, he (Baily) picked up a knock in the Taunton game that we had hoped he’d be over sufficiently to train with the lads on either Tuesday or Thursday but, as it happens, he’s been unable to make either session. We’ll get a medical assessment done during Friday but that’s the beauty of putting together a 16-man squad, it allows us to cover where cover needs applying."
DANNY JEE misses the opening game through a carry over of a suspension from last season - amnd Danny bailo is a big doubt - otherwise it's a full strength squad with Jake Wannell set to make his Rovers debut and Aaron Doble set to feature as well. Check out our Rovers Latest news page now to see how Rovers have got on in their opening game every season since we became a Western League club back in 2001.
ROVERS TRAVEL TO BISHOP SUTTON for the opening game of the season looking to continue a quite remarkable run! Since an opening day defeat at STREET on August 8th 2009 Rovers are UNBEATEN on all opposition grounds in TOOLSTATION LEAGUE outings! With the date of the Bishop Sutton game being August 7 it means that if the side can avoid defeat tomorrow they will take their marvellous unbeaten League away record into a SECOND YEAR!
CHECK OUT OUR WESTERN LEAGUE PAGE TO SEE WHO PLAYS WHO ON THE OPENING DAY AND WE ALSO HAVE THEIR ALL THE FIRST MIDWEEK GAMES AND THE SECOND SATURDAY FIXTURES WHICH OF COURSE, ARE DOMINATED BY THE OPENING ROUND OF THE 2010/11 FA CUP
ERIC POTTER – who sadly is no longer with us after the late, great former Rovers man passed away last November, is to be remembered (as he indeed should be) for ever alongside the history of Willand Rovers Football Club after his family put up a trophy that will be presented at the end of each season to the Willand Rovers FC Player of the Year. The family attended the pre-season friendly with Taunton Town and handed over a splendid trophy to Rover boss Clive Jones and Chairman Mike Mitchell.
ROVERS have a new number-two following the news that Gary McCauley has agreed to be the new assistant to Clive Jones. The position has been available since last season’s number two, Peter Buckingham, took the Managers job at neighbouring Cullompton Rangers. Rovers boss Clive Jones said: “I am chuffed to bits as Macca knows the club from top to bottom and will be a big asset to me and us. He has a wealth of knowledge on the playing sides and I am looking forward to him working with me as we plot a course through the coming season to try and deliver more success for all at Silver Street.”
ROVERS Reserves - With at least ELEVEN players out through injury, holiday and sickness, the Rovers Reserves game at Budleigh on Wednesday night is OFF.
EXCITING news from the Rovers club shop as a new range of Rovers merchandise for 2010/11 is set to unveiled at the end of the week!
ROVERS BOSS CLIVE JONES is hoping that he has found his ideal number two for the comings eason. He explained saying: "I have asked Macca (Gary Mccauley) to take on the role. He has been with us for a long time now and knows the club inside out and outside in! On that basis, and because I like the way he does things, I see him as the ideal side-kick for me for the coming season and I asked him after the Taunton game to give it some thought and let me know his take on it early when he is ready. I like Gary and feel he can be a real asset to us."
ROVERS HEAD INTO THE opening game of the 2010/11 Toolstation League season with Manager Clive Jones mindful of the fact that back to back defeats in the opening week of last season effectively killed off his sides hopes of lifting the title as Bideford, who made a winning start, took charge of the table and went onto lift the top honour. Rovers went down at Street on the opening day last season and then lost a midweek match at home to Ilfracombe and Jones does not want a repeat of that. He says: “We were hamstrung at the start of last season when the likes of Danny Baily and Paul Pocock had picked up knocks playing friendly football elsewhere in the pre-season build up. That has not happened this time round and with the signing of both Carl Cliff-Brown and Aaron Doble, after the Taunton game, I feel we are ready for the long haul ahead of us. Bishop Sutton gave us a brace of tough games last season and we must be wary of them but I am looking for a powerful start and, if we have any pretentions to go that one step further than last season’s magnificent effort then we have to get of to a good start.” Jones, who has lost only David Steele and Russell Jee of last year’s successful team, has recruited Jake Wannell from Tiverton and Aaron Doble from Truro to replace them. Another huge bonus for the Silver Street men is that Danny Baily, who missed much of last year, has looked very sharp in the pre-season games and so Jones can head into the campaign with a full fit squad that looks to have strength in depth in all areas across the pitch. As to his side’s chances, Jones says: “Obviously, after last seasons wonderful effort we are going to find that, with Bideford having moved up, we are going to be considered a scalp by many of the sides we come up against. I fancy that Bitton, who have made some astute signings, and Ilfracombe, will be amongst the leading contenders. Then there are the Bristol sides who you are never quite sure about in terms of strength until the campaign beds in and Dawlish will be a handy outfit, as indeed they usually are. The season promises much, but we really do need to be looking for a good start.”
A WEEK BEFORE the start of the new Toolstation League season, Rovers have been given a MASSIVE lift with the signing of Carl Cliff-Brown. The powerful, and popular striker who led the line during much of last years magnificent campaign in league and Cup, had also been courted by Tiverton Town but he signed on the dotted line for Rovers after the pre-season meeting with Taunton Town at Silver Street on Saturday afternoon. A game in which Cliff-Brown once again led the Rovers line in grand style. Rovers boss Clive Jones said: “The big fellow signing is enormous for me, the team and the club. He’s a very special player with a huge footballer’s heart and for him to commit to us, speaks volumes for what we are trying to achieve at Silver Street. I’d also like to thank the Chairman, Mike Mitchell, for making this signing possible. It is great news for everybody and sends us into a new season with a fully fit, and very powerful, squad of players, who, I sense are chomping at the bit to go one step further than last year.We have had a decent pre-season, pikced up no significant injury woes and have recruited a couple of extra players to set ourselves up nicely for what I sincerely hope will be a better start than the one we had last season!"
The game with Taunton was a close encounter, won by Rovers thanks to a second half penalty from Danny Baily who was also made skipper for the game. Rovers boss Clive Jones said: “It was a superb work-out and for that I have to commend Taunton for their approach to the game. If I am honest I’d have taken a draw and it was a penalty that could have been given either way. That said, seeing as were without almost the entire recognisable Rovers midfield what with holidays and a stag weekend party, I thought we put in a great show and, a week before our opener at Bishop Sutton, it was exactly what the doctor ordered!”.
POST MATCH match Jones also completed the signing of former Truro City player Aaron Doble who has
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