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[FM23] Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas


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5 hours ago, warlock said:

Some good recruitment, Stu. The squad you inherited looked capable for the Staveley 442, and the new faces should help with that. Finances look stable over the last two years.

You're good to go :thup:

Thanks, @warlock. We'll soon find out...

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Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Belper Town sign Armstrong

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I only started plating Jack Armstrong in the last few weeks of my time at Staveley Miners Welfare.

I was very impressed with him and, as we needed a second right-footed centre-back, I felt Jack could come in and push Bolton Makwedza for a starting place.

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Friday 5th July 2024

Voase signs for Belper Town

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Ben Voase was a very good young goalkeeper at Staveley Miners Welfare and I had the privilege of handing him his senior debut in the penultimate game of last season.

We tried to sign Ben when we first arrived at Belper Town but Ben wanted to be guaranteed the number one goalkeeper and I couldn't do that because I wanted Sam Waller as our number one.

But we kept in contact with Ben and I'm delighted he's now had a change of heart and agreed to come here as a Breakthrough Prospect.

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Friday 5th July 2024

Clarke joins Belper Town on loan

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I'm thrilled to be able to work with Zack Clarke again because he was superb for us at Staveley Miners Welfare last season.

It took me a long time, if I'm honest, too long with hindsight, to give Zack a chance at Staveley. I had three very good senior strikers at Staveley, and they were all in form and injury free that I didn't have an opportunity really to play Zack. I had a few difficult phone calls with Brad Ball, manager at Zack's parent club Chester.

But once a couple of niggly injuries to the other strikers allowed me to give Zack playing time, his impressive form made it impossible to leave him out.

I think Zack improved a lot at Staveley last season and I'm delighted he's agreed to join us at Belper Town on loan this season.

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Saturday 6th July 2024

Belper Town v Buxton

Friendly

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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I thought we played well against Buxton from the Vanarama National League North, two tiers above us.

There wasn't much in it between us, to be honest.

Two corners, one just before half-time and the other just after, proved the difference as they were stronger than us in the penalty area to score two powerful headers.

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It was always my intention to play two different elevens today, making 11 changes at the break.

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Declan Bacon pulled a goal back for us on 52 minutes, his shot hitting the underside of the bar and bouncing down over the line.

We came close to an equaliser, but couldn't quite manage to draw level.

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Wednesday 10th July 2024

Belper Town v Alfreton Town

Friendly

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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I thought we played even better today against Alfreton Town of the Vanarama National League North than we did against Buxton on Saturday. As both teams play two tiers above us that's very satisfying.

I found out in training that Jacob Gratton can play left-wing as well as up front so I started him as an inverted winger today and Jacob gave us the lead after just three minutes, arriving late at the far post to convert Lewis Farmer's cross.

Alfreton Town had a giant up front in the size of Tom Denton who's six foot seven. Denton was too strong for Bolton Makwedza and equalised on five minutes.

D'Andre Wainwright restored our lead on 14 minutes, only for Denton to equalise again within a minute.

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After an hour, we made 11 changes which was the pre-game plan.

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The stats will probably say that Alfreton had the better of the game but I thought we worked hard, competed well, and deserved the draw.

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Wednesday 10th July 2024

Belper Town release four players

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One of the things I learnt during my time at Staveley Miners Welfare is that it's easier to keep my players happy if I have a small squad.

With that in mind, I released four players earlier today and haven't ruled out letting a few more go before the season starts.

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Saturday 13th July 2024

Belper Town v Notts County

Friendly

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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We stepped up the quality of our opponent today as we hosted Notts County from the Vanarama National League.

At the start of the game, we couldn't get a foothold in the game at all as Notts County showed why they are playing three tiers above us in the football pyramid.

Notts County took a 13th minute lead with a sensational strike from Romeo Beckham, very reminiscent of his father's strikes, with a shot that went in off the post.

We looked very nervous for the first half hour or so, giving the opposition too much respect, but after that we started to settle into the game.

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We started, pretty much, with the 11 who came on after an hour against Alfreton Town and, as pre-arranged, we made 11 substitutions today around the hour mark.

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We thought we'd equalised on 71 minutes when an acrobatic shot from D'Andre Wainwright flew in, but it was ruled out for offside.

Notts County added a second goal on 86 minutes.

Overall, I thought we competed very well against a Vanarama National side, second-half particularly, and I was pleased with the effort from the players.

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Tuesday 16th July 2024

Belper Town sign Johnson after trial

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Sam Johnson came in on trial and impressed us. We offered him a deal and I'm delighted Sam agreed to join us.

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It will leave me with decisions to make regarding Luke Yates and Oliver Lobley though, but those decisions are for another day.

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Tuesday 16th July 2024

Dunkirk v Belper Town

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Ron Steel Sports Ground, Nottingham

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Dunkirk won the United Counties League Division One North last season and were promoted to the United Counties League Premier Division North (Tier 9), so they'll be playing one level below us in the football pyramid.

For this game I'm going with trialists and fringe players who haven't played much this pre-season so far. For some of them, it may be the only chance they get to impress me this pre-season.

I'm also giving a start to Xavier Roche, who we signed on loan from Woking on Saturday to some criticism. Hopefully, Xavier will be able to rise above that.

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I thought we were relatively comfortable in the game. Lenny Hoekstra didn't have much to do in our goal, protected well by the back four.

But we weren't threatening their goalkeeper much either.

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On 58 minutes we made six substitutions.

The fresh legs gave us some impetus and momentum and trialist Lennon Wheeldon scored two goals, his first a 30-yard thunderbolt that dipped over the goalkeeper.

Lennon was unfortunate not to finish the game with a hat-trick as he went very close twice more.

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11 minutes ago, Pearomaniac said:

Oh it has the gates, even a small pub, sweet.

Indeed it does, @Pearomaniac. It's a lovely, little ground and I'll probably be going on Saturday when Belper Town host South Shields in real-life.

In fact, when people moan about stadiums in FM having picnic tables... well, the Raygar Stadium does have some.

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11 minutes ago, Pearomaniac said:

It reminded me to my Serbian village team ground, FK Rajac Kadina Luka. @Stuniverse

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That looks a nice little ground in beautiful surrounding countryside as well.

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11 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Indeed it does, @Pearomaniac. It's a lovely, little ground and I'll probably be going on Saturday when Belper Town host South Shields in real-life.

In fact, when people moan about stadiums in FM having picnic tables... well, the Raygar Stadium does have some.

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That looks a nice little ground in beautiful surrounding countryside as well.

I would literally love to hang out at stadiums like that, not too crowded, chill atmosphere, grab a beer, sausage, chill and watch some football. What else are u going to do on saturday :)

Also, that ground is in this area, a lot of hills and forests, and since we love football every little village has a club of its own.

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Wednesday 17th July 2024

Sonny... Simply The Best

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Having worked with Sonny Best at Staveley Miners Welfare, and trained him to play ML, I'm delighted that Sonny has agreed to join us here at Belper Town.

I know exactly what I'm going to get with Sonny, a hard-working, creative winger, who can also play up front, and The Nailers fans are going to love him.

We tried to sign Sonny in my first week here and he wanted to stay at Billingham Synthonia at the time. I kept in touch with Sonny and I'm thrilled that he's had a change of heart.

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Wednesday 17th July 2024

Vice-captain Reid Unhappy

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Wyan Reid didn't have the best of seasons last campaign, averaging 6.46 from 26 appearances, although I wasn't here so there may be mitigating factors I'm unaware of.

To be honest, I've been in two minds whether to keep Wyan at the club, where he'll be a squad player at best, more likely a fringe player, or release him.

I'm not going to make a rash decision based on this meeting but, as I look to improve the squad and the starting 11, I think Wyan is going to struggle to get playing time.

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1 hour ago, Pearomaniac said:

I would literally love to hang out at stadiums like that, not too crowded, chill atmosphere, grab a beer, sausage, chill and watch some football. What else are u going to do on saturday :)

Also, that ground is in this area, a lot of hills and forests, and since we love football every little village has a club of its own.

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Beautiful, @Pearomaniac, sweet. What else are you going to do on a Saturday? Exactly.

It's definitely much more relaxing watching Belper Town with around 500 in the Raygar Stadium than it is watching my beloved Derby County with upwards of 27,000 in Pride Park Stadium.

Plus I can walk from home to the Raygar Stadium in 25 minutes.

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1 hour ago, Stuniverse said:

Beautiful, @Pearomaniac, sweet. What else are you going to do on a Saturday? Exactly.

It's definitely much more relaxing watching Belper Town with around 500 in the Raygar Stadium than it is watching my beloved Derby County with upwards of 27,000 in Pride Park Stadium.

Plus I can walk from home to the Raygar Stadium in 25 minutes.

I must tell u its much more interesting when u are a supporter of a low level team. U stil have a core of the fans that show up everyday in decent numbers, you are in under no pressure by expectations, every once in a while a top team comes and if u lose, well no one care, they are still a stronger team, but if u win, oooh boy its party till the morning. While as a top team supporter u always expect wins, u always want trophies, God forbid u lose one, its pitch invasions, riots etc... so yeah, weaker team fans have less joy but when it happens its ****ing best they felt in years.

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13 hours ago, Pearomaniac said:

I must tell u its much more interesting when u are a supporter of a low level team. U stil have a core of the fans that show up everyday in decent numbers, you are in under no pressure by expectations, every once in a while a top team comes and if u lose, well no one care, they are still a stronger team, but if u win, oooh boy its party till the morning. While as a top team supporter u always expect wins, u always want trophies, God forbid u lose one, its pitch invasions, riots etc... so yeah, weaker team fans have less joy but when it happens its ****ing best they felt in years.

Indeed, @Pearomaniac, I get that.

Last season, when it looked highly likely that Derby County (the football club I've supported my whole life, and been a season ticket holder with since I was 10 years old) were going out of business, I did think about what I would do with myself on a Saturday afternoon. With emotions running high, I told people that would be me done with football but, in reality, I don't think I would've been done. Football is in my blood.

But a Derby County Phoenix Club wouldn't have been for me - too much of a reminder of what we had had and what we had lost. Fortunately, Mr. David Clowes purchased Derby County Football Club and things are settled and stable and debt free once again.

But, if the unthinkable had happened, for me it would have come down to a choice between supporting Burton Albion (my home town club where I lived all my childhood and teenage years) or Belper Town (my local non-league side). And I think I would've chosen Belper Town.

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That's why I really hope I make a success of managing Belper Town on this save and don't mess it up...

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Saturday 20th July 2024

Soueyah snubs Belper

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We had agreed a deal with Notts County to bring Haiba in on loan and pay 20% of his salary but Haiba has decided not to join us. There is interest in him from Vanarama National League South Chertsey Town so, maybe, Haiba's waiting to see if they come in for him.

I'm disappointed as I thought Haiba could do a good job for us on the left-wing but that's less of an issue for us now that Sonny Best has signed for Belper Town.

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Saturday 20th July 2024

Nailers pull out of Siggers loan deal

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I'll be honest, I feel a bit guilty letting Ben down at the 11th hour. We'd agreed a deal to bring Ben Siggers in on loan with his parent club King's Lynn Town paying his salary and Ben was happy to come and play for us.

But Tom Ashworth, my Head Physio, highlighted that Ben might be injury prone which made me rethink this signing.

The attraction for me was that Ben could play anywhere down the left but with Sonny Best arriving to play left-wing, as well as Sam Johnson signing to compete with Sam Sharrock-Peplow for the number 3 shirt, I didn't think we needed more cover there. Well we probably still do on the left-wing but not an injury prone player.

I'm very sorry, Ben. I wish you well for the future.

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Saturday 20th July 2024

Relatively happy with pre-season so far

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Given the calibre of opposition we've played so far, I'm relatively happy with our pre-season performances and results. 

Buxton and Alfreton Town are both Vanarama National League North and Notts County are Vanarama National League.

The Custom Wing Play 4-4-2 we used at Staveley Miners Welfare seems a good fit for the Belper Town squad and has been working well. The only thing I've really changed is I'm asking the players to play Standard Passing rather than Shorter Passing.

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We're also training a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-2-3 variation of the tactic.

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Saturday 20th July 2024

Belper Town v Burton Albion

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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League One Burton Albion are the highest ranked team we'll face in our pre-season schedule.

For that reason, I picked a strong team and a strong subs bench, but The Nailers fans shouldn't read too much into that as it's a strong team, but I have no idea yet what our lineup will be for our first competitive game of the season in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.

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Overall, I thought we played very well. The players worked incredibly hard and limited Burton Albion to very few shots on target.

At the other end, perhaps understandably, we didn't create much.

I was keen to give everybody a run out against Belper so I made our first changes just after 50 minutes.

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And by 68 minutes I'd changed the entire starting 11.

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We held out until the 77th minute when Ben Voase came for a corner, grabbed it but couldn't hold it, and in the ensuing scramble in the six yard box, Odimayo managed to poke the ball over the line from close range.

I was pleased to see our heads didn't drop and we came very close to equalising.

On 79 minutes, Lennon Wheeldon hit the post with a fierce shot.

Incredibly, three minutes later, Lennon Wheeldon hit the woodwork again, his shot smashing the underside of the bar but, somehow, it bounced down without crossing the line and Burton scrambled the ball away.

Three minutes into added on time, Hughes was too strong for us at a corner and he powered in a header to give Burton a 2-0 win.

I'm very proud of the players. I thought they were a credit to themselves and The Nailers supporters in a crowd of 514 at the Raygar Stadium.

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1 hour ago, oche balboa said:

Have spent some time reading the story (On & off) for the last week

Well done!

Thank you, @oche balboa.

1 hour ago, oche balboa said:

Try and operate on a smaller squad its better

You are probably right. I am trying to get to a smaller squad than I had at Staveley but I’m kind of looking to get in the quality I need first (minimum 3 stars at starter, and 2, preferably 2.5 at back-up) and then release the surplus players. There are three or four players I’ve pencilled in for release already.

I’m also conscious that as I go up the Tiers, it’s harder to find players who will improve the squad and that we can afford. Given that players can leave at a moment’s notice, I’m trying to build some contingency cover into the squad.

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Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Moloney reunites with Stuniverse

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I handed Riley Moloney his senior debut at Staveley Miners Welfare and he played well and didn't let himself down in five appearances.

I tried to sign him in my first week here at Belper but Riley wanted to stay at Staveley.

That was fine, but I kept in contact with him and I'm delighted Riley has chosen to join us now.

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Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Staveley Miners Welfare - Transfer Window

Oh dear - what have I done to my former club?

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Looks like, without my input, they are struggling to sign players...

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Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Belper Town v Northwich

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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Northwich play in the Nort West Counties League Premier Division (Tier 9), which means they are a level below us.

We'd decided in advance that this would be the first pre-season friendly where we'd look to give the starting 11 a full 90 minutes.

We went with two trialists up front and they both scored - Lennon Wheeldon broke the deadlock, and later hit the post with a header. Dajaune Brown grabbed a hat-trick.

Lewis Farmer also hit the woodwork twice, his first-half free-kick rattled the bar and after the break their goalkeeper turned his shot against the post.

At the back, we were caught out twice. First at the far post from a corner and, in the second-half, from the penalty spot after a push by Sonny Best in our penalty area.

Overall, we were good value for the win, I thought.

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Friday 26th July 2024

Belper Town - one striker in, one striker out

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I'm sorry about messing Declan Bacon around and I've apologised to him.

When I moved here from Staveley Minders Welfare, and was unable to sign any of my strikers as they either wanted to stay or wanted too much money, I signed Declan Bacon purely on the basis that he was the top goal scorer in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, scoring even more than D'Andre Wainwright.

But when Declan got here, we realised we'd messed up by not doing our normal due diligence and, if Declan was still here, I reckon he'd be fifth choice.

So I apologised to him, released him, and wished him all the best for the future.

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Saturday 27th July 2024

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round draw

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Avro play in the North West Counties League Premier Division (Tier 9), one level below us.

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Saturday 27th July 2024

Belper Town v Mansfield Town

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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Mansfield Town are a League Two team, playing four tiers above us.

For the most part, I thought we defended very well but, we were twice breached with Danny Johnson scoring both goals.

At the other end, we didn't create much other than when D'Andre Wainwright pulled a goal back at the second attempt, after their goalkeeper parried his first shot.

It was great to see the Raygar Stadium rocking with a 898 attendance.

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Tuesday 30th July 2024

Belper Town v Widnes

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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Widnes play in the Northern Premier League Division 1 West (Tier 8) at the same level of the football pyramid as ourselves.

I thought we controlled the game well and were comfortable throughout.

Lewis Farmer gave us an early lead with a sensational strike,

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Unfortunately, Dajaune Brown suffered an ankle injury just four minutes into the second-half and we had to bring Jacob Gratton on for him.

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Jacob Gratton made a real case for a starting place with goals in the 59th and 89th minutes.

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Wednesday 31st July 2024

Whelan joins Belper Town on loan

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The opportunity to take Chesterfield's Leigh Whelan on loan was too good to turn down.

Leigh is a good player, he won't cost us anything in wages, can cover a number of positions, and joins us as a squad player so, whilst I won't be worried about starting him, Leigh will be a great asset to have on the bench.

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5 minutes ago, Punch said:

It’s a very pretty little stadium you’ve moved to.

Yes, it is, @Punch. I was there this afternoon. Sadly, Belper Town lost 0-1 to top of the table South Shields in real life.

7 minutes ago, Punch said:

And you’ve cleaned house at the new club :lol:

Aye, I do feel a bit guilty about that... but it's not my fault if Staveley have been slow to sign players this summer.

8 minutes ago, Punch said:

Good luck with the new team/season

Thank you very much.

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We have one more pre-season friendly at home to Chesterfield before our FA Cup and Northern Premier League Division 1 East campaigns get underway.

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Saturday 3rd August 2024

Belper Town v Chesterfield

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Raygar Stadium, Belper

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Chesterfield play three tiers above us in the Vanarama National League and it showed.

We created some good chances, almost as many as Chesterfield, but they were much more ruthless in front of goal.

By half-time we were 3-0 down, the third a penalty after Charlie Rutt tripped their striker from behind.

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We made ten substitutions at the break, but it didn't change things much.

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We were 4-0 down when Leigh Whelan scored the best goal of the game, a sensational 87th minute strike from all of 30 yards.

Chesterfield made it 5-1 before D'Andre Wainwright nodded the ball past an onrushing goalkeeper for our second goal of the game.

A fantastic crowd of 1,159 turned up inside the Raygar Stadium today, a fantastic effort by 506 Nailers fans, and I'm sorry we couldn't produce a better performance for them.

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Edited by Stuniverse
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