ESPFA News

ESPFA News

Aug 12, 2020 | Club News

The Northern Premier League Football Academy (NPLFA), the Southern League Football Academy (SLFA) and the Isthmian League Football Academy (ILFA) have today merged to become the Education and Semi-Professional Football Academy (ESPFA).

The ESPFA was originally developed as the overarching organisation of the three step seven leagues – Northern Premier League, Southern League and Isthmian League – education and football programmes and the merger of all three under one official brand brings new opportunities and experiences for all students and clubs involved.

The NPLFA was created in partnership with Eliteform LTD and the Northern Premier League in 2014 to become the first ever league wide education and football programme in the UK.

An initial pilot programme that began in 2014/15 saw 75 students enrol at five member clubs and the success from the inaugural year saw the programme expand to over 300 students at 13 clubs by 2019.

In 2018 the Southern League joined and a year later, the SLFA began with seven member clubs and over 100 students.

Soon after in 2019, the Isthmian League became the third and final league at step seven of the English national pyramid system to join.

With the ILFA Scheduled to begin in 2021, the ESPFA was established as an overarching organisation to manage all three-individual league programmes across the nation and has appeared on all marketing throughout the 2019/20 season.

From today the ESPFA is now the ‘official further and higher education partners of the Northern Premier League, the Southern League and the Isthmian League.’

An exciting new chapter awaits with the new organisation providing new and improved pathways on and off the pitch, new experiences and opportunities, more competitive games, more flexibility on competitions as well as opening up new club partners from other leagues.

The new branding will further strengthen our excellent relationships with all three leagues and Eliteform LTD would like to thank all league officials involved for their support over the previous six years.

For more information, please visit www.espfa.co.uk

Newcastle Town 2 Stafford Rangers 2

Aug 10, 2020 | Club News

On a hot afternoon at Lyme Valley, Rangers’ evolving squad were put through a decent test by a plucky Newcastle Town. With 6 trialists in the opening line up, it was Rangers who showed more purpose and had better possession early on. However, not for the want of trying, the front two trialist pairing could not make the most of the early pressure. It took half an hour for the hosts to launch a serious amount of pressure, forcing a corner and then an attack forcing King into a good save. While Rangers started stronger, Town finished the half on top and with a couple more close calls the half drew to an end and chance for a reshuffle.

The second half saw both teams ring changes, but Rangers made the most with just King remaining from the first 45. Rangers were quickly into their stride as Josh Green whipped in a cross and Jamie Sleigh headed the opener. Joe Cuff then attacked down the left and his cross-cum-shot evaded the keeper, but nobody followed up. Sleigh was also denied another by the post, having shot across the keeper and seeing the shot hit the woodwork and roll across the face of goal. After a period of the new 11 settling and looking the better team, Town raised their game and asserted more pressure. Closing down and dispossessing in the middle of the park they broke and Ryan Baxter equalised. Not long after, with more pressure down the left, Town won a corner and this was swung to the back where James Askey rise to head the hosts into a lead. Rangers responded and started to win more balls and it was midfield possession that saw the equaliser as a ball was excellently threaded through and Sleigh beat his marker drew the keeper and lobbed home an excellent late leveller. With many getting a run out under testing conditions, both Jody Banim and Robin Van der Laan will have learned a lot more, moving forward.

Rangers first half: King, Wynter, Trialist 1, Trialist 2, Moran, Welsh, Thorley, Sebbeh-Njie, Trialist 3, Trialist 4, Trialist 5.

Rangers second half: King, J.Burns, Coulson, D.Burns, Kenton, Ray-Harvey, Reid(replaced by Turner), Carr(replaced by Trialist 4), Cuff, Sleigh, Green.

No attendance figure – restricted by Covid measures.

Rangers continue to strengthen squad

Rangers continue to strengthen squad

Aug 7, 2020 | Club News

John Welsh – Midfielder

John joins the club after a career with Liverpool, Chester, Hull City, Preston, Tranmere & Grimsby. Having played in both the Premiership and Champions leagues with 350 football league games under his belt, his experience will be a valuable asset to the club.

Muhammad Sebbeh- Njie

John will be joined by Spaniard, Muhammad Sebbeh- Njie a 22year old midfield player who was with Kettering before ending last season at Stratford Town.

He impressed the management team in the recent friendly with Stafford Town.

Up the boro!

Away kit unveiled

Away kit unveiled

Jul 31, 2020 | Club News

Stafford Rangers are delighted to unveil our brand-new away kit for the 2020 season, as worn by defender Jon Moran.

 

The contemporary new shirt, sponsored by Stan Robinson and Abbey Polymers includes a distinctive hexagonal pattern within the design, and is now available to order from the club’s kit supplier Harlequin Teamwear (Adults £30.00 / Kids £25.00)

Pre-order Today!

Depending on the option you select at the check-out, the pre-ordered away shirts will either be shipped to customers or be ready for collection from the football club in early September, ahead of the season starting.

Harlequin Teamwear have also sponsored the first team training kit this season, which features a black and grey camouflage pattern, as modelled by midfielder Alex Ray Harvey. This is also available for supporters to order (Adults £27.50 / Kids £22.50) and will be available in early September too. Both new shirts will be available in the club shop once the season gets underway in limited numbers, but pre-order now to save any disappointment in getting your size from the start of the season.

Pre-order today!

Thank you to everyone who has ordered their new home shirts already following the fan’s vote for the club’s new strip, by means of an update those who have pre-ordered will receive their shirts in mid-to-late August.

Fans who have paid for their order to be shipped will get an email notification from Harlequin Teamwear when your shirt has been dispatched, and for those who have selected to collect from the football club an announcement on collection opportunities will be made nearer the time.

We can’t wait to see everyone on the terraces wearing their new club colours once the season begins, and it’s been great to hear how many fans across the country and beyond have ordered already!

Stafford Rangers pre-season friendlies

Stafford Rangers pre-season friendlies

Jul 28, 2020 | Club News

Stafford Rangers pre-season programme of games has been confirmed but they will be played without fans.

The club hopes the situation will change but currently spectators will unfortunately not be allowed before 5th September.

The fixtures arranged are as follows:

  • Saturday 01/08 Stafford Town Away
  • Saturday 08/08 Newcastle Town Away
  • Saturday 15/08 Hednesford Away
  • Saturday 22/08 Gresley Rovers Away
  • Tuesday 25/08 Coalville Town Home
  • Saturday 29/08 Hednesford Home
  • Saturday 05/09 Newtown Home
  • Saturday 12/09 Telford Home

The new season is scheduled to start on Saturday 19th September.

We are still in a dynamic situation and will keep all fans informed of any changes as soon as we possibly can.

Jody strengthens squad

Jody strengthens squad

Jul 27, 2020 | Club News

Following this weekend’s double training session, Jody Banim made further positive moves to strengthen his squad.

Joining the Boro are 20 year old striker Mitch Candlin. a lively forward who joined Walsall as a pro in 2017 and has had loan spells with Blackburn Rovers U23, Nuneaton and Alvechurch and joins his home town club after release from The Saddlers with Rangers seeing off interest from other parties.

Joining Mitch is Joe Kenton, a 22 year old attacking wing back who has been a regular in the Welsh League with Newtown AFC since 2017. Joe is another fairly local lad has also seen spells at Wolves and Shrewsbury Town.

Our third addition is 18 year old Tom Carr from Wythenshawe Amateurs. A promising youngster who can play across midfield or up front and tipped as one for the future.

Mitch Candlin

Mitch Candlin

Joe Kenton

Tom Carr

Up the Boro!