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How Port Vale and its fans reacted to cancellation of League 2 season

On Friday, the English Football League (EFL) announced that the League 2 season cancelled and positions would be decided on an “unweighted points per game system” – which meant Port Vale narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

Representatives of the clubs in the division met via video link to discuss how to go forward with the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for the EFL said: “Having considered the protocols and costs that would be required to be met to conclude the current season, League Two clubs have unanimously indicated a preferred direction of travel to curtail the campaign in line with the framework outlined by the EFL Board.

“In addition, clubs asked for consideration to be given to suspending relegation to the National League for 2019/20 as a result of circumstances created where fixtures cannot be completed.

“No commitments were made in this respect and the Board will now consider the implications of the division’s preferred approach at their next meeting.”

Port Vale previously indicated that it would vote in favour of carrying on the season but club owner Carol Shanahan, after hearing the opinions of other clubs at the meeting, agreed with the other 23 outfits to ‘curtail’ the season, saying: “Being part of League Two and what was right for League Two was more important than the hurt Port Vale would feel.”

The decision to end the season means the Valiants miss out on a play-off spot

She later tweeted: “Couldn’t be prouder of (club captain) Leon Legge and the rest of the Port Vale team, on the field and off.

“Now we all start planning to go again next season and one thing’s for sure. We won’t finish 8^th. (We) Don’t do 8^th.”

Legge added: “The best thing for next season is to take the hurt of how far we’ve come this year and use it as motivation for next season. We recognise as a group what we needed to do to put us in this position.

“(It) was a good season and shame it had to end the way it did but health is key.”

Vale goalkeeper Scott Brown said: “Just about coming to realise that the season is actually over for Port Vale. It’s been a great season on and off the field and some memories that will last a life time but will look back and always think what if.

“Thanks to everyone home, away and off the field this season for the support, always means the world.”

Port Vale fans reacted to the news predominantly positively.

One supporter said: “All in all it’s the best season we could of wished for in the balance. To finish 8th playing great front foot football after the dross of the two previous seasons is unbelievable Jeff! If we can keep the majority of the squad we should do well next season.”

Many fans will remember the campaign for the club’s 3rd Round FA Cup tie at Manchester City

Another stated: “Unfortunate the way it’s come to an end but the right decision.”

“I suppose it was always going to be a tough decision to take, but we’ve had a great season and there’s so much to look forward to at our club. It’s a club to be proud of both on and off the pitch. Great people, great club, great future. Come on Vale,” a fellow fan added.

Others took a more sombre tone, with one fan commenting: “Been a great season all said however can’t help but feel we kind of threw it away…28 points dropped from winning positions.”

Another said: “Disgusting. Player efforts should get a rewarded. Effectively means fans spent all that money on a season that in reality is relegated to pointlessness.”

One supporter summed the situation up from his perspective, stating: “Reading all these comments and my own clubs, it proves it’s impossible to please everyone with the correct decision.”

In other news Nottingham Forest loanee Jake Taylor has ended his spell at Vale Park after the midfielder scored seven times in 25 games in all competitions for the club.

He stated: “Due to the current situation, my time at Port Vale has come to an end. I’d like to thank everybody associated with the club from owners, manager, staff, players and fans for making my time here a great one and would like to wish everyone of you all the best for the future.”

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Stoke Rugby Club confirm Rowley as head coach for another season

Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club has confirmed that Chris Rowley will stay on as Head Coach for a fourth term after he signed a new one-year contract with the Staffordshire outfit.

The scrum half came through the ranks at the club in his youth, rising all the way up to the Colts before a stop at Oxford Brookes University.

During his time there, he was selected for England’s Students XV’s and also represented Great Britain’s University team in rugby sevens.

Rowley was then snapped up by professional team Worcester Warriors before going on to have spells at Stourbridge and Chinnor in National League 1 and National League 2, respectively.

Among his previous coaching experience is Keele University Women’s head coach and leading head coach of Sandbach School’s rugby programme.

This will be Rowley’s fourth season as head coach of the Midlands 1 West side

Rowley told Sport in Staffs: “I am delighted to sign a one-year contract with Stoke.

“Stoke is my home club and the sense of community spirit and togetherness at the club is as prevalent now as it was when I was in the junior section here. I am learning to adapt and evolve my coaching year on year and this coming season is no different.

“I am excited by the clubs vision moving forward and with the position the Senior section of the club is at moving into next season. It feels like we have got everything in place to do something special!”

The 2020/21 campaign will be his fourth year as head coach of the men’s senior squad with the club hoping to fulfil their ambition of promotion from Midlands 1 West.

A spokesperson for Stoke Rugby Club said: “Good to have you for another year Chris.”

Read our feature-length interview with the Stoke head coach about the club’s new signings, the effect coronavirus has had, and the upcoming season here.

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Stone Rugby Club learn league opponents for 2020/21 campaign

Stone Rugby Club has found out who they will face in their first season returning to the England Rugby League.

The club will play in the RFU Midlands 5 West (South) division next campaign along with 11 other outfits, and has been preparing for the 2020/21 campaign by bringing in a plethora of new recruits.

The Staffordshire club has also unveiled its senior team manager for the upcoming season – former British Army and Staffordshire Under-18’s manager Nick Dermott.

Next term they will be facing the following teams; Atherstone, Bishops Castle, Bloxwich, Cannock, Five Ways Old Ed’s, Greyhound, Keresley, Kings Norton, Redditch, St Leonards and Southport-on-Severn.

A spokesperson for Stone Rugby Club said: “Really, really excited to be back in the England Rugby Leagues. Some travelling to do this season but everyone loves a bus trip don’t they?!”

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Burton Rugby Club fundraiser reaches five figures

Members and supporters of Burton Rugby Club have managed to raise more than £11,000 for their beloved team – and there is still nearly a week left to go.

The Staffordshire outfit set about raising money for the club after it suffered a financial hit amid the coronavirus pandemic, with numerous events having to be cancelled such as Ladies Day, the Annual Ball and the final farewell fixture at Peel Croft – the home of Burton since 1910 – as it moves to a new ground.

Last month, Burton asked people to take part in their 2.6 challenge – an initiative which was set up after this year’s London Marathon was cancelled and invites community members to raise money for charities and organisations by undergoing a challenge that incorporates the number 26 or 2.6, such as 26 press-ups or jogging 2.6 miles.

Burton decided to aim to travel 12,658 virtual kilometres to Cape Town, South Africa, over 26 days, starting from April 26 with all miles completed logged by organisers.

Cape Town was chosen as location in homage to the club’s international exchange programme that sees players from South Africa come over to the UK to experience this country’s culture and feature for Burton, with several players going in the opposite direction and doing the same there.

Burton Rugby Club did not get the chance to say a final goodbye to Peel Croft due to coronavirus – and deconstruction work is already taking place

Senior men’s team player Harry Titley told Sport in Staffs that the club is very thankful for every donation that has been given.

“To raise more than £10,000 is really impressive,” he stated. “We are all really thankful, that money helps us massively.”

He explained further why Burton decided to launch the fundraiser.

“It’s securing our future. Because of the pandemic we missed out on a lot of income, and tickets on the gate,” he said.

“We weren’t able to have our final ever game at the Croft, which no doubt would have been a record attendance. It’s massive shame. It has impacted other events too, like the end of season awards nights, the ball and sporting dinners – all big fundraisers.

“The club as a whole was building up to this year with it being Burton’s 150^th anniversary. Everyone knew it was going to be a big and emotion year. Some have been there for their whole lives from being a kid to now seeing their grandkids play there, so not to say goodbye is devastating for them.

“To see the Croft getting torn down now – it’s difficult.”

This is the route fundraisers would have ‘virtually’ covered when they make it back home

Over 160 people have now registered on running app ‘Strava’ to take part in Burton’s fundraiser. Organisers were hoping to reach Cape Town within 26 days – but it only took them 11.

Former professional Argentinian rugby players Marcelo Bosch and Marcos Ayerza – who both played at the top level of the English game – are now both at Burton Rugby Club so organisers suggested that on the way back, the fundraiser made a virtual detour to Buenos Aires to honour the club’s links with the country.

“We made it there in five days,” Titley recalled, laughing. “We are now on the way back home and our fundraiser finishes on May 21 (Thursday) so people are still able donate to the page.”

To donate to Burton’s incredible fundraising feat, click here.

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Former Exeter and Bristol player returns to Stafford Rugby Club as Player Coach

Picture courtesy of Stafford Rugby Club

Stafford Rugby Club has announced that a former player, who went on to play for the biggest professional teams in the UK and in Europe, has returned to become a player-coach for the 2020/21 campaign.

Aly Muldowney came through the ranks for the club’s Colts side before progressing onto the senior team and would go on to play for the likes of Pro-14 outfit Glasgow Warriors as well as Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears in the English Premiership.

Upon the return to his hometown club, the 36-year-old said: “I started with Stafford Rugby Club and have subsequently been on an amazing rugby journey but when my professional career was coming to an end, I knew I wanted to return to where it all began for me.

“I am looking forward to working with (Head Coach) Darren Mottershead and the coaching team, who have been doing an excellent job and maybe add a few things that I have picked up during my professional career.

The Stafford-born man has decided to help out his boyhood club

“I am also looking forward to coaching and playing in a team that has an exciting mix of young and experienced players. I can hopefully bring another layer of professionalism to what we do and what we want to achieve as a club, taking the team culture to a higher level.

“I hope my experience can benefit all players, across all teams within the club and we can move forward with the #OneClub ethos of this amazing club.”

Stafford Rugby Club Chairman Tim Woolman welcomed Muldowney back to Coopers Park, stating: “Aly is a true friend of the club, left us some years ago and has enjoyed a brilliant professional career.

“It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Aly and his family back to where it all started for him. We are very proud at what he has achieved in the game and look forward to seeing him on the pitch at Coopers Park. Welcome back mate.”

Stafford supporters were delighted at the news of his return

Head coach Darren Mottershead added: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Aly for a number of years and played in the first team with him at the start of his rugby career.

“Having seen what he has gone on and achieved makes us all at Stafford Rugby very proud. This is a superb signing for us and shows the direction we are heading on the playing side.

“The other coaches and myself are really looking forward to working with Aly both on and off the pitch. Welcome home pal.”

Muldowney played at the top level of European club rugby, playing in the Heineken Cup numerous times and also won the Pro12 Grand Final with Connacht in 2016.

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Former Eccleshall Rugby Club player wins Great British Menu 2020 crown

Ex-Eccleshall Rugby Union player Niall Keating has been crowned the champion of BBC TV show Great British Menu 2020.

The former Colts captain and first team player made it all the way the star-studded Grand Final banquet at Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds where he served up a sublime fish dish that wowed guests so much, they voted him the ‘champion of champions’.

This year, the TV show centred on a children’s books theme with the likes of Tracey Beaker author Jaqueline Wilson, Grufallo writer Julia Donaldson and author of the Alex Rider series Anthony Horowitz attending the banquet.

Also in attendance were teachers and children who had won awards for literary writing.

Niall made it through to the final all the way from the regional rounds with his dish ‘Witches of the Northern Lights’ which included black tortellinis in the shape of a witches hat as well as a small cauldron filled with dashi broth, taking inspiration from the writings of English novelist Philip Paullman.

Niall blew the banquet away with his exquisite dish

Niall has world across the world, cooking in many kitchens at esteemed restaurants in places such as San Francisco and Copenhagen, winning the Michelin European Young Chef of the Year Award in 2018.

This year’s edition of the TV competition was the biggest yet with 32 cooks going head to head for the title.

Eccleshall Rugby Club posted regular updates on its social media pages, cheering Niall all the way to victory.

Niall took to Facebook to thank everyone who supported him.

He said: “Thank you to every chef involved and thank you for the continued incredible support.”

You can now re-watch Niall’s win again on BBC iPlayer.

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Eccleshall give update on hunt for new manager

North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) side Eccleshall FC has provided fans with an update in its search for a new manager.

Previous joint-bosses Kyle Adams and Craig Bould both stood down from their roles last month after guiding the team to 7^th in the NWCFL First Division before the 2019/20 season was declared void by the FA due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, the Eagles have issued an update to its supporters in regards to filling the hot spot.

A spokesperson for Eccleshall said: “After the unexpected departure of our management team of Kyle Adams and Craig Bould following our highest league position for many years, Eccleshall FC are now looking for a new manager for season 2020/21.

“The club have already received a number of impressive applications for the position and we are working hard to find the right person for the job.

Kyle Adams (pictured) and Craig Bould stepped down from their managerial positions in April

“In the current situation, it is hard to determine when the new season will get under way with other circumstances clearly dictating how football at our level and higher up the National Pyramid will eventually move forward.

“However, football club responsibilities at any level cannot stand still and the running of Eccleshall FC continues behind the scenes so that we are ready for the resumption, whenever that may be.”

Eccleshall also invited anyone who has a “full CV outlining all football qualifications, previous managerial experience (leagues / clubs), possible backroom staff and all other relevant information” to contact the club.

The club went on to thank Bould and Adams for their work during their time at the Staffordshire outfit.

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FA: one-to-one adult coaching allowed

The Football Association (FA) has issued guidance on all grassroots and non-professional ‘informal’ football following Sunday’s announcement by the Government.

Last weekend, Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that an unlimited amount of outdoor exercise and sport can be played in England, as long as it is with those from your household or one other person who isn’t from your household provided they maintain a two-metre distance.

On Wednesday, a 50-page document was published outlining specifics on what can and cannot be carried out in society for the foreseeable future.

The FA has now issued a statement on what is permitted and what still is not following the latest Government advice.

It says playing football individually or with another member of your household is allowed.

Individuals are also allowed to play with someone who isn’t from their household provided a two-metre distance is maintained.

Players are allowed to train individually, with those from their household or with someone from another household, but stay at least two metres away

Also, the FA has given the thumbs up for one-to-one adult coaching to start taking place.

However, coaching a child who is not from your household is not permitted as “in order to comply with The FA’s safeguarding policy, a child must have a parent/carer with them, which doesn’t comply with Government social distancing requirements.”

Additionally, two or more people from the same household playing with someone who isn’t from their household must not occur.

A spokesperson for the FA said: “All social distancing guidelines must be followed.

“Additionally, maintaining a grass or artificial football pitch is permitted, as long as social distancing and appropriate hygiene practices are adopted.

“If an individual is symptomatic, living in a household with a possible Covid-19 infection or if you are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, the guidance is that you should remain at home.

“The FA will continue to work with the Government and Sport England in order to provide guidance to grassroots football as the Government’s Covid-19 recovery strategy moves to the next phase.”

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ECB gives go-ahead for nets in Staffordshire to re-open – but these guidelines must be followed

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given guidelines on staying safe while using outdoor cricket facilities during the lockdown period in Staffordshire and the rest of the country.

This comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that an unlimited amount of outdoor exercise and sport can be played in England, as long as it is with those from your household or one other person who isn’t from your household provided they maintain a two-metre distance.

The ECB re-affirmed that all recreational cricket remains suspended until further notice.

However, outdoor cricket facilities such as nets and pitches can be used as long as social distancing measures to maintained, and nets are used on an ‘every other’ basis allowing a net free between each practicing pair.

A spokesperson for the ECB said: “ECB is clear that outdoor facilities should only re-open if those responsible for them are ready to do so and they can do so safely, following public health guidance. No club should reopen their outdoor facilities if they feel unable to meet the requirements.

Nets and pitches can be re-opened again – but it is up to each club’s discretion

“Our primary and ongoing goal is to protect the health of everyone in and around the game. The adjusted lockdown restrictions provide an opportunity for the use of outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise.

“ECB has provided detailed guidance on the preparation and administration of outdoor facilities for clubs, and guidelines for participation for individuals. The situation is evolving constantly, and we will continue to update our guidance as more information becomes available.”

The cricket authority said that one-to-one coaching is allowed but, again, social distancing regulations must be followed.

Clubhouses may only be re-opened for limited purposes, such as access to toilets or first aid, with with any indoor activity strictly prohibited.

If clubs decide to open their toilets, soap and water must be provided with players asked to bring their own personal hand sanitiser and equipment, ensuring they wash their hands at home before travelling to the nets or pitches.

Recreational cricket is still off the table for now

Furthermore, no saliva or sweat should come into contact with the cricket ball at any time.

The ECB says that clubs should operate a booking system so they can manage outdoor space and access to facilities, with a sanitising procedure between bookings.

It also emphasised that if individuals have symptoms of Covid-19 or are living in a household with someone who has, they should stay at home and follow Government advice.

Access points to the facilities should be labelled and closed signs should be displayed when the facility is not open for use.

All individuals should avoid taking public transport as much as it is possible to do so.

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Rocester Supporters Player of the Season winner announced

Midland Football League club Rocester has announced which player has picked up the Supporters’ Player of the Season award for the 2019/20 campaign.

Because fans were not able to vote in person due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Staffordshire outfit asked fans to select their nomination via an online Twitter poll, which from rounds 1 to 3 received a total of 1,190 votes with 236 people taking part in the final round of voting.

Triumphing with a share of 48.3% of the votes in the final, and thus winner of the coveted club award, was goalkeeper Charlie Wood.

The fan-favourite played a total of 31 games during the 2019/20 campaign as the Romans climbed to 9^th in MFL Division 1 before the season was cancelled by the FA due to Covid-19.

A spokesperson for Rocester said: “For someone so young Charlie grew into a man and big things will come for him in a Romans shirt.

“Well done Charlie, we look forward to seeing you again next season!”

Speaking after learning he would be receiving the award, Wood said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who voted for me, and hopefully we’ll be back playing football soon.”

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