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Town boss Rowland looks forward to 32nd year in charge
Several important matters arise for Sleaford Town as the new season approaches. Most importantly is the appointment of a new chairman in the shape of former player and now successful businessman and Ferrari racing driver Mick Dwane.
However, senior manager Brian Rowland, who goes into an unprecedented thirty-second year in charge, faces his most difficult campaign as he attempts to improve on the ninth-place finish in last term's United Counties Premier Division, the highest-ranked position in the club's 87-year history.
Ironically, he was considering his future when the storm broke last March, with then chairman Tony Farrow announcing that his manager was to step down, although Rowland denied that he had agreed any such deal.
Not wishing his loyal service to finish on a sour note, he vowed to continue.
There is also the revival of relations with the Sleaford Sports Association, the charitable organisation that is effectively the landlord of the Eslaforde Park complex.
Its chairman, Kevin Scrupps, said: "Relations between the SSA and the football club went through a difficult time recently. However, we are now looking forward to working together for the benefit of the town's senior football club and for sport in general in Sleaford."
The football club have made two vital appointments. Firstly, the new assistant to the first-team boss is Neil Richardson, who has played a few times for the senior side but has considerable experience at a higher level through Rotherham United and Mansfield Town. His coaching ability is highly regarded.
Richardson's appointment means the departure of veteran Paul Ward, who has given long service to the club over two decades. His physical presence and will to win were second to none and at times he almost 'died for the cause'. That service needs to be recognised.
Secondly, with reserve team manager Glen Maddison having departed for Boston United Reserves, in comes Lincoln-based Ray Power to face the Lincolnshire League campaign, a man with considerable experience in the game, notably at Rotherham United.
However, the Horncastle-based players such Micky Stones, Ricky Drury and player-of-the-season Nathan Rawdon, who were with Maddison at the Horncastle club before coming to Sleaford, are likely to follow him to Boston United.
* TOWN manager Brian Rowland is cautious about the shape of his squad at this stage, but it is known that Jason Sedlan, Craig Stones and Sam Kirton look set to return. Not surprisingly, Miles Hunter has moved up the scale to Boston United, while his strike partner Ryan Oliver is believed to be moving to Deeping Rangers.
However, Rowland is impressed with new front-runner Adam Burrows, a local lad with Lincolnshire League experience under Tony Taylor at Grantham Town Reserves and recently with Billinghay Athletic. Another name in the frame is big striker Greg Smith who played a few times last term.
Regulars set to continue include Kris Jones, Adam Fenton, Tom Ward, Simon Bolland and keeper Andrew Scott, while Shaun Popple and Oliver Sidney are likely to step back up to the senior side after spells with the second team.
The departure of Paul Ward leaves a huge gap to be filled in midfield but there are whispers that Jon Machin could make a return, having recently played at a higher level.
The Town boss made one observation: "I am aware that there was criticism from our supporters last season about our unfamiliar long-ball game and promise that we will return to playing the kind of football that brought us such plaudits over recent years."
The opening friendly game of the season is this Saturday, at home against north-Lincs side Bottesford Town.
Although the United Counties fixtures are not yet known, it is announced that Town will travel to face Holbrook Sports of the East Mid-Counties League in an opening FA cup-tie on August 14.
Better-known as Holbrook Miners Welfare FC, this club will also be Town's opponents in their opening FA Vase tie at home on September 4. If successful in the FA cup-tie, Town will go to Belper in the next round.
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Weather for Sleaford
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
