SpireitesWrite

AFC Fylde The newly promoted side have added 6 players to their ranks. Spireites may be familiar with Gold Omatayo, who has featured for the likes of Yeovil, Wrexham and Kings Lynn town at National League level. The 29 year old striker hit 25 goals for the Linnets last season and bolsters the attacking ranks of a side who hit 80 goals in the sixth tier last season. The coasters have also added former Manchester United youth goalkeeper Theo Richardson. The stopper kept 14 clean sheets last season for Buxton in their debut season at National League North level. Due to Fylde comfortably winning the National League North last year, and strengthening the squad in key areas, we’re expecting them to hold their own in the National League this term. Predicted finish: 14th Aldershot Town To say that this season will be one of transition for Aldershot would be a huge understatement. Following their 18th place finish last season, 15 players have left the EBB Stadium, while the Shots have added 1...

Here’s Why The Player Contracts Bombshell Could Be Make Or Break For The National League

There’s never a quiet day in the office for the National League, is there? This week, the FA announced a bombshell around non-league player contracts that has left supporters of non league clubs but particularly the players themselves completely aghast. The proposed changes, coming in from July 1st, will see National League players with long term injuries or sickness only paid in full for 12 weeks - before being left with statutory sick pay payments of just £99 per week after that. Players in step two and below will only be paid in full for six weeks! In addition, if a club appointed medical official deems a player as being unable to ply their trade for more than four months, then the club can rip up their contract with just three months notice. Just weeks after the case for three up, three down began gathering pace, and while the ink still dries on the government’s regulatory white paper, this move represents a huge backwards step for the non league game in my opinion. Firstly, it e...

Solihull Review - Better than a loss, work still to do

It's a strange feeling coming away from a 0-0 draw with a feeling of relief and relative calmness, but that's exactly how I felt after the final whistle went in the West Midlands on Saturday after a frantic end to what was, on paper, the Spireites' 2nd draw in a row (and 6th without a win). We've had such a poor run of games lately that a draw and a clean sheet feels like a step in the right direction- especially against a Moors side who historically have caused the Blues problems. That being said I felt most of the problems in the game were in fact created for the side in mid table by the Spireites- time and time again we worked the ball to from side to side, playing overlaps and underlaps in trademark Cook fashion down the wings, but just could not find that final ball. As a fan, it is maddening to watch. It's worth remembering that for the players it must be even more so. They've endured this run as much as we have, and it felt like as Cook allude...