We have signed experienced defender Matt Hill from Ashton United. He started his career with Bristol City where he made over 200 appearances. He also played for Preston, Wolves, Barnsley, Blackpool, Sheffield United, Tranme and Bradford Park Avenue. He can play at centre back or left back.
Workington preview
On Saturday we have a home fixture with Workington, and as a home game the home support has to be the 12th man. There is the likelihood of seeing goals as the two teams w have scored 58 goals and conceded 83 between them. You may even see some red cards handed out, as twice in their last 4 games Workington have had 2 players sent off. Put all that into the mix and you have what could turn out to be an explosive fixture.
We will be looking to avenge our opening day of the season defeat at Workington where we lost 1-0 to a late goal. We have to be careful however, and not to underestimate the Workington team who have just appointed a new manager and have drawn two away games 0-0 at Hyde and Nantwich. Their only league win on the road was last month at Lancaster who also lie in the lower reaches of the league table. Our new joint managers will be looking to put Mickleover behind them and open their account with a home win. On current form we have one win, one draw and 3 defeats in our last 5 while Workington have that one win and 4 defeats.
Our first ever meeting with Workington was their first ever game in the Northern Premier League having lost their place in the football League. We won 3-0 at Borough Park in August 1977. Since that date both clubs have seen ups and downs in their leagues. Our paths this century also echoes the ups and downs with gaps in the years.
2005/06 Conference North H 2-2 A 1-0
2008/09 Conference North H 2-2 A 0-0
2009/10 Conference North H 2-0 A 1-1
2010/11 Conference North H 0-2 A 0-2
2016/17 Northern Premier H 3-2 A 2-1
2017/18 Northern Premier H 1-2 A 0-0
Games played on 5th January this century.
2008 Stevenage H 1-2 Conference
2013 Worksop H 3-1 Northern Premier League
We would like to announce that Andy Fearn and Alex Meechan will continue running the team until the end of the season.
Jake Charles has signed a contract until the end of the season.
This coming Tuesday sees us venture up the A50 again on our way to the New Years Day fixture at Mickleover. We lie 17th after 23 games with 24 points, and after their vital 1-0 win over Marine on Saturday, Mickleover are 19th (one place off the relegation zone) with 22 points from their 24 games. This game certainly has the dreaded 6 pointer tag. With our own managerial change, it is important that as many fans travel to this fixture to be out 12th man, and to ensure that we can make 2019 the turning point in our season to climb the table.
Mickleover were formed in 1948 and spent 44 years in the Derby and District League, but steady ground improvement work saw then accepted into the Central Midlands League, and from 1999 into the Northern Counties East. They joined the Northern Premier League family and got promotion into step 3 football for the 2010/11 season where we met for our first ever competitive matches the following season with a 1-1 home draw and 1-0 away defeat. That season Mickleover suffered their first ever relegation and we did not meet again until our relegation into step 4 in 2014/15 when we won 3-1 at home and lost 0-2 away. That was the season Mickleover went back up and saw another season of missing other till of course we were promoted the following year. 2016/17 encounters saw us get a double in 5 days with 1-0 home win on a Tuesday night followed by a 3-1 win at Mickleover on the next Saturday. Last season we have a 1-1 home draw with a 2-0 away win. Could last season’s results be replicated as we drew this seasons August Bank Holiday Monday game at Marston Road
1-1. Only time will tell.
Games played on New Year’s Day this century
2004 Worcester City A 1-0 Southern League
2007 Burton Albion A 0-0 Conference
2008 Burton Albion A 1-2 Conference
2009 Telford A 1-3 Conference North
2011 Telford A 0-0 Conference North
2012 Hednesford H 0-1 Northern Premier League
2013 Ashton A 0-0 Northern Premier League
2014 Rushall Olympic H 2-5 Northern Premier League
2015 Leek H 1-0 Northern Prem Div. 1 South
2018 Hednesford A 1-2 Northern Premier League
Thursday 3rd January Alex, Andy and the players will be in the social club after training about 8:00 pm where they will answer any questions that fans might have. We need to move forward together.
A statement from the board: It is with regret that today we have accepted the resignation of our manager Steve Burr. We would like to thank Steve for all his hard work and passion during the last few months. He has worked tirelessly from the start , building a new team from scratch and we would like to wish him all the best in the future. Andy and Alex will continue running the team and will release a statement shortly.
A statement from Steve Burr: I have taken the decision to resign from Stafford Rangers. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for all their support during my short time at the club. It has been a tough year on a personal note. I would like to wish everyone connected with the club all the very best for the future.
