Luke Pilling leaves as Jed Abbey arrives
Following an approach from AFC Telford, goalkeeper Luke Pilling has decided to accept their offer and the opportunity to play in the National League North. We wish Luke every success at Telford and thank him for his time at the Boro.
Coming our way from AFC Telford is former Wolves youngster, Jed Abbey, a talented midfielder. Jed will sign on loan for the remainder of this season.
Welcome to Marston Road, Jed.
New Date for fans diary
The home game against Mickleover FC that was cancelled on the 8th February, has now been rescheduled and will take place on Tuesday 8th March KO 7.45pm.
If you purchased a ticket through our box office online for the original game, your ticket will of course be valid for the rearranged league fixture and will be scanned in through the gate as normal.
This coming Saturday 26th February, we welcome Stalybridge Celtic . Tickets are still available to buy, though our box office.
Up the Boro
Match Postponed
Please note that the match vs Witton Albion, scheduled for Saturday 19th February, has now been postponed.
This is due to a waterlogged pitch. A re-arranged fixture will be announced in due course.
Our next game now will be next Saturday 26th February at Marston Road, against Stalybridge Celtic. See you all there.
Pitching In Northern Premier League
Saturday 12 February 2022
Stafford Rangers maintained their unbeaten record in 2022 with a comprehensive victory at Bamber Bridge.
It was an all round impressive performance which got off to the best possible start when Tom Tonks put them ahead after just one minute.
The goal came after Tre Pemberton chased a long clearance from Ethan Stewart which caused uncertainty in the home defence. Pemberton did well to keep the ball in play and set up Kaiman Anderson. His shot was blocked on the line by Callum Spooner but Tonks pounced to score his 10th goal of the season as Brig failed to clear their lines.
It threatened to be a short lived lead but Jacob Holland-Wilkinson fluffed his lines with an air shot when the goal was at his mercy while Stewart got in an important header during a scramble soon after.
Holland-Wilkinson forced a save from Luke Pilling while Adam Dawson volleyed over from the angle and sent another centre flashing across the face of goal.
Rangers extended their lead on 35 minutes when Anderson’s challenge forced another error in the Brig defence. Alex-Ray Harvey was first to the loose ball and held off the challenge of Aaron Skinner to tuck home a rare goal for the midfielder.
It was 3-0 just a couple of minutes into the second half. Pemberton charged down a clearance from Spooner putting Anderson in. James Cottam made the save but Pemberton won the race to the loose ball to reward another impressive outing for the youngster.
A minute earlier, Bamber Bridge could have reduced the arrears through Holland-Wilkinson and the home side went close again with Stewart making an important block to deny the home number 9 and Pilling saving a dipping 30 yarder from Craig Carney.
Bamber suffered a further set back when they were reduced to 10 men on 54 minutes. A great touch from Anderson put Pemberton away but the former was felled by Nathan Pond as he continued his run. Pond – cautioned earlier for an off the ball foul on Andy Burns – was shown a second yellow, followed by the inevitable red.
For a time, Rangers looked set to further extend their lead. Stewart had a header cleared off the line by Chris Churchman and an unmarked Anderson headed wide from Burns’ centre.
It was a fluke goal that gave the home side some hope with 13 minutes remaining. Stewart sliced an attempted clearance from Carney’s centre and the ball looped over Pilling.
Brig picked their game up but Paul Dawson headed over from a corner while it needed a well timed block from Burns to prevent Jake Thompson from inflicting any further damage.
Bamber Bridge: 1 James Cottam, 2 Chris Churchman, 3 Matthew Thomson, 4 Callum Spooner, 5 Macauley Wilson (12 Fin Sinclair-Smith 46m), 6 Nathan Pond, 7 Adam Dawson, 8 Craig Carney, 9 Jacob Holland-Wilkson, 10 Aaron Skinner (15 Paul Dawson 59m), 11 Mark Yeates (14 Jake Thompson 71m). Unused Subs 16 Daniel Martin, 17 Isaac Sinclair
Stafford Rangers: 1 Luke Pilling, 2 Andrew Burns, 3 Joe Dunne , 4 Alex-Ray Harvey, 5 Ethan Stewart, 6 James O’Neill, 7 Tre Pemberton (15 Joe Kenton 89m), 8 Tom Tonks, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Alex Fletcher, 11 Michael Tait-Moran (12 Ben Woods 75m). Unused Subs: 13 Tyrell Belford, 14 Louis Malandjou, 16 Theo Bailey-Jones
Cautions: Wilson, Yeates (Bamber Bridge)
Sent Off: Pond (2 cautions) (Bamber Bridge)
Ref: Declan Brown
Att: 403
Report: Chris Elsley
The Boro Development Group require a Fans Rep
The Business Continuity Group (BCG) was formed during the first period of lockdown with the intention of raising funds and helping the directors navigate the impact of Covid-19 and ensure the clubs survival.
It achieved its initial objectives, raised over £160,000 and during the latter part of 2021 was formally accepted into the governance of the football club, to act as the club’s ‘engine room’ with the new title of the Boro Development Group (BDG).
Its main objectives are to devise projects and programmes in consultation with the business in the short term and work with the directors to establish and deliver a medium/long term business plan.
We want to ensure that Stafford Rangers succeeds in its objective to be the best non-league football club on and off the pitch!
Currently the BDG is trying to increase Commercial awareness and activity, look at Ground Improvements to meet grading standards, improve spectator experience, and deliver an effective Media and Publicity strategy through the website and social media. It is eager to take on new ideas and find a way to deliver them with the agreement of the board.
Whilst we have lost some members of the original team due to people leaving or taking on other responsibilities we thank them for the part they all played. The current BDG is made up of fans & 3 directors all of whom have a passion for the club.
The BDG is chaired by David Montgomery working alongside Darren Allport, Josh Reynolds, Liam Barnett, Mark Alcock, and Ben Alcock. Directors John Macmillan, Andy Fearn and Oz Rowley complete the team.
The second meeting since its formal acceptance by the board took place in January. One of the subjects on the agenda that night was that of a Fans Representative which has been discussed on many occasions and was something we were eager to move forward.
We now seek nominations for a Fans Rep from individuals eager to take on this role to ensure that fans and supporters know that they have a voice at the table. We envisage that the Fans Rep will present on a regular basis to the BDG any ideas and views fans have about how we could improve aspects of the football club. The BDG will do its utmost to ensure that opinions and suggestions get the platform necessary and anything agreed will then be taken to the boardroom for sign off by the directors so that we can keep moving forward together.
If you feel you have the necessary passion and patience to want to be part of the solution, please send your application by e mail to david.montgomery@ggcltd.com. Please ensure you provide all your contact details, address, DOB and more importantly why you want to be the Stafford Rangers Fans Rep?
We would like to have nominations from at least 3 people and we will then run a public social media vote for fans to confirm their preference, before a Fans Rep is formally appointed. The position will last for 12 months before the process is repeated again.
All nominations from people interested in this role must be received by David no later than close of business Friday 25th February. The successful fan will need to sign a Code of Conduct document which is signed by all BDG members as well as all Directors at the football Club.
This is an opportunity to make a real difference and ensure fellow supporters have confidence in knowing that their voices are always heard and will help us continue to give better feedback and communication to everyone.
If you have any queries or questions before you nominate yourself please call David direct on 07774 198835.
We will ensure that you are kept informed of other things the BDG are working on to enable transparency but wanted to get this one moving quickly as it is something we all recognise will be of real benefit to the club.
Boro Development Group
Information for the game against Bamber Bridge
After the cancellation of Tuesday night’s home game against Mickleover FC, things are thankfully back to normal for tomorrow’s tough away game, against 7th place Bamber Bridge FC.
We can reassure any fans thinking of travelling with us, that the squad numbers have now increased and we are ready to compete and will be determined to build on our unbeaten run and challenge for a place in the play offs.
These are games when your support really can and does make a difference, so if you plan on going, travel safe and thank you for your support, you are the best!
If you unable to travel to Bamber Bridge, don’t forget our next home League game is against Stalybridge Celtic on the 26th February, when our journey continues.
If that seems a long way away then get down to Marston Road on Tuesday night, when we take on Walsall Wood in the Quarter Final of the Staffs Senior Cup, KO 19.45.
Come on the Boro
