Fixture Change for the U18’s
We have an important fixture with this coming Friday’s game v Lye Town in the MFYL League Cup; 3rd February, 7.45pm kick off.
They were scheduled to play away, but after a few postponements due to the weather, it has been switched to our home fixture now.
Admission is:
£5 entrance
£3 u16 (accompanied with an adult/parent)
£1 concessions (over 60’s)
Please get down to Marston Road and help support your local juniors.
Up The Boro!
Latest Update on the Squad
Ntumba Massanka has returned to his parent club South Shields at the end of his loan period (2nd Jan). He has subsequently terminated his contract at SSFC and signed for Macclesfield FC. We would like to thank him for his time at the Boro and wish him well for the future.
We can also confirm that Jaiden White has signed for Stourbridge FC on a one month loan, during which it is hoped he gets regular game time.
STAFFORD RANGERS FC
Thank-You Eric
Eric Robins our super-fan has decided to bring his activities at the club to an end and writes the article below. Everyone at Stafford Rangers thanks Eric for his amazing contribution over the years he has been a magnificent ambassador for the Rangers and whilst we will still see him supporting the team he loves; we hope that he now gets the opportunity to chill and relax a little more.
Thank you, Eric, for your commitment, loyalty, and passion!
On Thursday 5th January we will be marking our 77th Lottery Draw since its launch in August 2016.I will also be 77 later in January and regrettably, due to my deteriorating health, I have decided to resign from the Lottery Committee. I am sad to do this, but I must put my health first and no longer feel I can give the commitment to the work I would need to do each month to ensure that the Lottery runs smoothly.
During the last 6 ½ years the Lottery has grown and now has membership of 319. I am pleased to announce that gross income has recently passed the £150,000 mark. This has resulted in the region of £80,000 being used for many infrastructure projects, as well as providing funding for pitch and ground maintenance. Prize money has amounted to £48,700 with a total of 231 wins, with people winning more than once. The remaining balance of £13,370 was paid out in agents’ commission and bank/go cardless and sage charges.
The success of the Lottery is due to our Lottery Members, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting both me and the Lottery during this last 6 ½ years and I hope you will all continue to support it and encourage friends to join. It would be great if membership could be raised to 500 as the money raised is so vital to the football club’s continued development.
In conclusion, I hope the club can get a replacement to work on the Lottery in 2023. I did give the club 3 months’ notice of my intention to retire and know that discussions are taking place.
I have enjoyed my 6 ½ years working on the Lottery but now is the time for someone younger to get involved.
Best wishes to all our Lottery Members for 2023 and please continue to ‘Boost the Boro!’
Eric Robins
Changes to the U18s
We are pleased to announce some structural changes which will benefit the development of all players, creating a pathway to First Team football, if the ability and temperament of the individual is of the levels required.
With immediate effect the U18s will re-align under the direction of Academy Manager, Andy Turner, who is a EUFA “A” qualified coach, and presently has the mid-week Academy side top of its league.
Under the new structure Kyle Wainwright and his back-room staff will be leaving the club immediately and we thank them for their efforts in their short time at the club.
Tim Turner will remain as U18s Secretary for the remainder of this season and next, a highly valued member of the team with outstanding local contacts and knowledge.
Simon Allman, the U18s Finance Manager, who had already indicated his desire to leave the role at the end of the season, will do so once we have concluded the smooth transition of any outstanding issues. Simon has been a stalwart at the club over many seasons and will be greatly missed, but always welcome at the club and will leave with strong thanks and appreciation for his dedication and, no doubt patience, over the years.
The U18s, as it has done this season, will continue to showcase the abilities of locally based talented players and academy players, as part of their development on the football journey. All players will be given an equal opportunity to excel at this level and all players will be contacted with reference to training and planned fixtures, in due course. The friendly at Stafford Town next week will proceed with the exact day and time to be confirmed, but the fixture for Saturday 7th January will be cancelled, as we prepare for the cup game at Lye on Monday 9th January. It is our intention to secure a training venue for Thursday evenings at a more convenient time for all.
Parents, guardians or players with any concerns should either call Andy Turner or myself but rest assured all existing players signed for the U18s remain in our plans.
Andy Fearn
Director of Football
Merry Christmas to you all
Bill Shankly famously said ‘Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you its much more serious than that’
It was a great quote and has resonated with football fans throughout the years.
At this time of the year though even hardened supporters realise that there are many things much more important and Christmas puts everything into perspective, as it should.
As you prepare to spend some quality time with family and friends, we wanted to wish all our fans, staff, volunteers, lottery members, suppliers, management teams and players an incredibly happy Christmas!
We thank you all for your efforts and loyalty for your support and inevitably sometimes your patience. We thank our fantastic sponsors in all their different forms for getting behind us once more to help us strive towards our objective of being the best non-league football club both on and off the pitch. We simply could not operate without the backing of you all.
You can get respite from all that turkey by getting your football fix on Boxing Day 26th December, when we welcome Nantwich Town to Marston Road for a 3pm kick off, for what should be a great game. The bars will be open from 12.00.
We currently sit 11th in a tightly knit competitive league still only eight points off pole position with everything to play for and a run of good results can have massive impact. Matt, Dale, and the team are up for the fight, and we all hope that our Christmas celebrations can be given a boost on Monday by taking the three boxing day points! We look forward to seeing you there!
Enjoy the festive season!
Your football family wishes Peace, Good Health and Happiness to you and your family and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you again for all your support.
Up The Boro
Stafford Rangers Football Club
Left-Sided Defender arrives at the Boro
We are delighted to announce the signing of left-sided defender Akeem Hinds from Matlock Town FC.
The 23 year old began his career for Rotherham United, eventually making his debut for the first team. A move to Lincoln City followed interspersed with loan deals at Bradford Park Avenue and Brackley in the National League North. Most recently Akeem made 22 appearances for Buxton in their championship winning season last year, before a move to Matlock in the summer.
Akeem is available for selection on Boxing Day with all necessary paperwork completed.
Welcome to the BORO Akeem
Akeem is now available for sponsorship. We have two available sponsorship packages for each player along with the Manager and Assistant Manager.
Both player and management packages are £150 inclusive of VAT.
Our back room staff packages, are £75 inclusive of VAT. No extras included.
Please contact our commercial team now, by emailing commercial@staffordrangersfc.co.uk or by ringing Roy Sales on 07921 943112 if you wish to sponsor Akeem, or any of our Management or back room staff. But hurry hurry, as we only have two slots available for each !
