WE HAVE MOVED!

Ex-Stoke City boss returns to the club he left to join the Potters 16 months ago

Former Stoke City manager Nathan Jones has returned to Luton Town – the club that he left to join the Potters in January 2019.

The Hatters welcomed back their “most successful Football League manager” on Thursday – the day of his 47^th birthday.

Jones managed to attain an average of 1.82 points-per-game during his initial three year spell with the club, guiding them to League Two promotion, a Checkatrade Trophy semi-final and three successive FA Cup third round appearances..

The Welshman, who signed for Luton as a player in 1995, left Stoke in November with the club picking up just two wins in their first 14 matches of the Championship season.

Luton are currently second-bottom is the second tier of English Football after picking up just 35 points from 37 games, as the continuation of the campaign still remains up in the air amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Nathan Jones will now try to save Luton from relegation from the Championship with nine games to go

Luton Town CEO Gary Sweet said: “My job is to make sure the club can escape the severe economic impact of the virus and whatever decisions we make now, it is the club that must be put first.

“We must do everything we possibly can to stay in the Championship this season. We have just nine games left to climb out of the relegation zone and the squad has to be more than ready.

“The fact remains that Nathan is the best manager we’ve had at Luton for decades. His three years here were revolutionary and enabled us to elevate the club’s status beyond our wildest dreams.

“But first, to make sure none of that past hard work does not go to waste, we have an immediate job to do.

“For the sake of the club, all I ask of supporters is to give him time but also to get behind everyone for these nine games.”

A spokesperson for the club concluded: “We all welcome Nathan back to Kenilworth Road and wish him every success in his second spell in charge.”

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Hanley Town to wear mental health charity logo on next season’s home kit

North West Counties Football League side Hanley Town will sport a mental health charity’s logo on its 2020/21 home kit to honour their partnership.

Men Unite – a charity that supports men suffering with mental health difficulties – announced that they and Hanley Town had agreed a long-term partnership last week.

The charity has a football team (Men Unite FC) and as part of the partnership, the Sunday league team will be able to use the club’s facilities, including the pitch at Potteries Park.

Both Hanley Town and Men Unite described the agreement as “mutually beneficial” and that both parties are looking forward to what lies ahead.

Now, Hanley has revealed that the charity’s name and logo will be printed on the front of the Staffordshire club’s home jersey for the upcoming campaign, whenever that may start.

Stoke-on-Trent company Fused Sport are producing the kits
*Picture courtesy of Fused Sport and Hanley Town Football Club*

Stoke-on-Trent-based sportswear designers Fused Sport have produced the club’s 2020/21 campaign kit and is also providing Men Unite FC’s strip.

A spokesperson for Hanley Town said: “We are proud to introduce our new home kit for the 20/21 season.

“We would like to thank Men Unite CIC for the sponsorship. Men Unite are a Stoke-on-Trent based men’s mental health charity doing magnificent work in the community to tackle the stigma.”

In response to release of the home strip, Men Unite tweeted: “What a thing of beauty. Delighted to be involved with Hanley Town and spreading the word.”

The kit will be available to purchase from July 1.

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Stone Old Alleynians announce captain for 2020/21 season

Staffordshire outfit Stone Old Alleynians has announced who will be its first team skipper for next season.

The North West Counties Football League outfit has revealed that Matthew Thomas will be wearing the captains armband for the 2020/21 campaign.

The attacker netted 14 goals in total for Stone this season, finishing second top goalscorer at the club, only behind Jack Tomlinson who netted 16 times across all competitions before the non-league season was cancelled due to coronavirus.

Upon learning the news, Thomas humorously joked: “I’m not surprised, I’m the best overweight number 9 at the club. The only surprise is that I haven’t been asked sooner.”

The club also announced that Ollie Davies would be the team’s vice-captain going forward as preparations for the next campaign start to get underway.

The news comes after the Wellbeing Park side unveiled on Sunday that former Eccleshall boss Kyle Adams had joined the club and will slot alongside colleague Wayne Brotherton as joint-manager.

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Stafford Rangers release four players with “further announcements” expected

Northern Premier League club Stafford Rangers has released four players from its roster as preparations get underway for the 2020/21 season, whenever that may start.

It has been a busy few weeks for the Premier Division outfit as it announced Jody Banim as its new manager recently with familiar face Matt Hill being unveiled as his number two.

Now, Boro has stated that four players at the club have been told they can seek first team action elsewhere.

Jack Sherratt is one of the names on the exit list. The midfielder leaves Marston Road after arriving from Kidsgrove Athletic in 2016 following spells at Stone Dominoes, Alsager Town and Ashton United.

The 26-year-old, who was previously on the books of Port Vale and had played for England’s schoolboys team, said he was “devastated” to learn he would not be offered a new deal after “four loyal years of service” but wished the club well going forward.

Sherratt said he was “devastated” not to be staying on with Stafford Rangers

Also departing Boro is 34-year-old Paul Bignot. The veteran came through the ranks at Crewe Alexandria before helping Newport County claim the then Conference South title.

The defender went on to feature for several Football League outfits including Blackpool, Plymouth Argyle and Grimsby Town prior to signing for Rangers.

Former Port Vale youngster Joe Berks also leaves along with forward Jazz Luckie.

A spokesperson for the club told supporters that “further announcements” would be made in the future.

They said: “While the Management Team are in discussions with the squad, we can make our first announcement.

“Four players have been released and the club would like to place on record our thanks for their commitment and effort during their time with us.

“Joe Berks, Paul Bignot, Jazz Luckie and Jack Sherratt all leave with our thanks and we wish them all the best, for the future. Further announcements will be made in due course.”

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Bet365 Stadium ‘to pilot’ facility as a Covid-19 Regional Testing centre

The Bet365 Stadium, the home of Stoke City FC, is to pilot its car park drive-through coronavirus facility as a ‘Regional Testing Centre.’

The unit has been functioning as a ‘Satellite Centre’ but will trial its few first days as a location where anyone with Covid-19 symptoms can go and get tested, within the near future.

This means if someone has a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or taste, they can book an appointment on the NHS website to check whether they currently have coronavirus.

The facility will also be able to offer assisted and self-administered tests with participants receiving their results within a matter of days.

Now anyone with coronavirus symptoms will be able to get tested at the stadium

Richard Smith, Property Director for the bet365 Group and Managing Director for Stoke City, said: “We are delighted to be able to assist with the national Covid-19 testing effort by providing the bet365 Stadium South Car Park for use as a Regional Testing Centre for people from the city and surrounding area.

“This will replace the Satellite Centre which has been in operation at the stadium since April 20 and mean that people have a locally accessible test centre in addition to the Mobile Testing Unit which the bet365 Group has also been supporting at bet365 House.”

Professor John Newton, National Coordinator for the UK Coronavirus Testing Strategy stated the thought the move was “a brilliant example of industries and businesses turning their resources to creating and rolling out mass testing at scale.”

Director of Nursing and Quality for the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCG Heather Johnstone commented: “I would like to thank Stoke City FC and their staff for all the magnificent support they have given to us and to our team who volunteered to leave their normal roles to operate the testing site.”

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Staffordshire Moorlands AC call off 2020’s Summer Series

A popular annual running event in Staffordshire has been cancelled this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Staffordshire Moorlands Athletic Club has taken the decision to not stage its yearly Summer Series this year as the battle against the Covid-19 outbreak continues.

Lasting from late May until August, the series consists of a number races on Thursday evenings at different locations around the area. In the past three years, eight races have been held over the course of the season.

Competitors are split into three age categories – the Seniors (ages 16 and above); the Juniors (11-15); and the “minis” (ages 10 and below).

The club also has ‘Vet’ categories for those 40 years-old and over, for every five years (40-44, 45-49, etc) while the Junior runners compete for age-based prizes for both boys and girls.

Race runners will not be pounding the pavement (or grass) this summer

Positions are determined by a “calculation” of runners’ best seven race times and results.

However, the 2020 edition of the series will not be taking place this year due to coronavirus risks.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Moorlands AC said: “We’ve had a few queries about the Summer Series.

“Given the current situation, the Committee has decided that this year’s Summer Series will not go ahead as planned. We are closely monitoring developments and will publicise any additions to our calendar as soon as decisions are taken.”

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Vandals target community cricket club in Staffordshire

Police have appealed to people who think they may have information regarding an incident of vandalism at a cricket club in Staffordshire to come forward.

Officers received a report of burglary at Bagnall Norton Cricket Club on Thursday (May 21) afternoon.

The force believes that the damage made to club facilities happened sometime between 9pm on Wednesday, May 20 and 11am on Thursday, May 21.

Photographs from the scene show paint and wood stain had been thrown all over furniture in the club’s viewing gallery, meaning the club will now have to fork out a hefty amount to repair the damage.

A spokesperson for the club posted the pictures of the damage on its Twitter page and stated: “We have had some unwanted visitors this week to the club who thought it would be fun to cause damage to our facilities. If anybody can shed any light on who this was please get in touch so we can pass the names onto the police.”

Club vice-chairman Lee Sockett told Sport in Staffs: “This damaged has come at an already tough time for the club in the current climate that we are dealing with.

The criminal damage comes at a time when money is already tight due to the absence of normal summer activities at the club amid coronavirus

“Over the last few years we have grown into a community club that we are proud of – we will bounce back from this mindless act and continue to grow and support our local community.”

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police told Sport in Staffs: “Officers received a report of a burglary at Bagnall Cricket Club on Bagnall Road in Stoke-on-Trent just after 1pm on 21 May.

“Furniture was damaged. It is believed to have happened at some point between 9pm on May 20 and 11am on May 21.

“Enquiries are on-going and anyone with information is asked to message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter or call 101 quoting incident number 347 of 21 May.”

Bagnall Norton Cricket Club has set up an online fundraising page to help cover the costs of the damage and, as of Tuesday (May 26) afternoon, £390 had already been given.

To donate to the cause, click here.

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Stone Old Alleynians announce arrival of joint-manager

North West Counties Football League club Stone Old Alleynians has unveiled its new joint-manager ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

Kyle Adams will join fellow joint-boss Wayne Brotherton – who arrived at the First Division South outfit last Autumn – in the dugout when the new season kicks off, whenever that may be.

The news comes after Adams left league rivals Eccleshall last month, along with joint-manager Craig Bould.

Speaking about his new venture, Adams told Sport in Staffs he’s looking forward to getting started at Stone.

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to go in at an established and ambitious club,” he said.

Stone will hope next time around they will be able to secure promotion to the NWCFL Premier Division

“I’m familiar with the place and the excellent set up at Wellbeing Park so it’ll be great to be back. There’s a very talented squad of players here already, which was the big attraction to the role, and with a few additions we’ll hopefully push on and satisfy the ambitions of the club and achieve that promotion.”

The new managerial duo already have an established connection so have high ambitions for the upcoming campaign, especially given that the club sat in a promotion spot (3^rd) in the division this season before it was ruled void due to coronavirus.

Adams continued: “Wayne did a really good job last season and but for the current situation the club would’ve probably got promoted.

“I’ve known Wayne a good while and we look at the game the in same way so we’re both looking forward to getting started once we can.”

Stone also announced that Luke Askey will hold a player-assistant manager position while goalkeeper coach Michael Machin makes up the backroom staff for now.

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Chasetown FC members donate 33 ‘thank you’ packages to NHS staff and care workers

Chasetown Football Club, and its supporters club and junior section, have collectively donated 33 gift packages to NHS staff and care workers through its ‘One Chasetown’ initiative as a thank you for the work they have been doing during the coronavirus pandemic.

These were financed and assembled by club members before they were given to workers in hospitals, care homes and other medical vicinities all around Staffordshire to show the Northern Premier League outfit’s gratitude for the sacrifices they have made.

The packages included six Chasetown Football Club mugs as well as goodies such as crisps, cakes biscuits and soft drinks as well as tea and coffee.

Jane Dyson, who is the general secretary to Chasetown FC’s youth section, told Sport in Staffs how the initiative came to fruition.

“At Easter time, girls from the junior side gave Easter eggs to a unit while another donated a package to a ward,” she explained.

A video has been put together showing NHS staff and care workers receiving their packages

“At a committee meeting we thought it would be good to do that and give packages from the club to the community, so we sent out a club email message asking how many people knew someone who was in the care sector.

“Once we knew how many, we gave them (the packages) to people to deliver them.”

These gifts were sent to many different care settings including intensive care units, oncology wards and care homes.

“In fact, once this is all over, we said it would be good to see Chasetown members going into the homes and meet some of the people,” Jane added.

“As a community club and being part of the Chasetown community, we thought we needed to give back to it. We are supported by the local community so we wanted to give back our support too as a thank you and build bonds again.”

A video has been put together by club members that shows many photographs of NHS staff and care workers receiving their gift packages.

To watch the video, click here.

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St Leonard’s RUFC to give gift packages to teachers and emergency service staff

Staffordshire side St Leonard’s Rugby Club is donating gift packages to emergency service workers and teachers as a thank you for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic after raising a sizeable amount of money through fundraising.

The Staffordshire League Division 1 outfit has, so far, raised £1,360 through various club activities that have taken place during lockdown.

The Stafford-based club will aim to reach its target of £1,500 in the last round of games next weekend with all money raised being put towards buying boxes of chocolate and treats that will then be donated to key workers.

Olivier Quindos of St Leonard’s RUFC explained further to Sport in Staffs how the money was raised.

“We have raised £1,360 when our target was to originally raise £1,000,” he said.
“We did it mostly through organising virtual rugby tournaments where people paid £10 to enter the tournament, make up a team name and scores were settled through using dice throws, two per team, in one vs one knockout games.

“We did two such tournaments involving 32 teams first and then 40, second. We also did some fundraisers using scratch cards. We decided to aim for £1,500 so we will run the last fundraising virtual game next weekend.

The club want to say thank you to key workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic

“Every time, we do it live on our members group on Facebook to also have a bit of entertainment.

“We’ve done it all through games and activity-based fundraisers but most winners refused to take their winnings and also contributed them to the fund.”

Olivier went on the state to whom the club’s gift packages would be given.

“A few hundred (pounds) will be spent for donation chocolate boxes to three local schools’ staff to thank them for looking after key workers’ kids.

“(This is the) Same for the critical care unit at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton as they saved the mother-in-law of one of our players from Covid-19.

“The main part left will be used to buy and donate cans of pop, sweets and chocolate bars to the ambulance service in Stafford, with same for the staff at Grey Friars NHS Medical House and also for carers in the community and at Fuchsia Home Care.”

People can donate to this cause by emailing saints@stleonardsrugby.co.uk and enquiring about giving money to the fundraiser.

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