More of the same please, says Buckley
Reporter: Tony Bugby
Date published: 05 August 2009
CHADDERTON triumphed over adversity last season to finish in the top half of division one in the Vodkat North-West Counties League.
They kick off the new campaign at Barnoldswick Town on Saturday — and manager Paul Buckley is looking to replicate that feat.
He also hopes it will be a far less turbulent season after their well-documented off-the-field troubles.
With a new 12-month lease secured for their Broadway ground, at least Chadderton can look ahead with optimism, knowing they will complete the 2009/10 campaign.
Buckley (pictured above, right) said: “In view of what happened last season, to finish mid-table was a terrific achievement, and that is what we will be looking to repeat.
“You have to remember that, unlike most other clubs, there are no wages here and the players even pay subs each week. They have even bought their own training balls.”
But Buckley has lost two of his best players, with Paul Socha joining Ashton United and Paul Ashton signing for Trafford.
The Chadderton boss has been pleased with pre-season, losing by the odd goal to UniBond League outfits Marine and Prescot Cables.
Buckley said: “Again we have a very young side and the players have trained hard and are looking really fit.
“The future of the club is with the kids and we are looking to build on last season. If we can keep them together, then the future looks bright.”
Buckley would ideally like a couple more experienced players, given he has also lost Bobby Fulham and John Cregan to injury, ’keepers Ben Aspinall and David Gallagher and striker Carl Taylor have left, while frontman Micky Green can rarely play because of work commitments.
Buckley has been boosted, however, by the return of captain Mark Egerton and fellow defender Dave Glynn.
Chadderton have also been lifted by securing PC Paramedics as their new kit sponsors as well as landing a further deal with Tesco.
Mills sets his sights high
OLDHAM TOWN believe they can mount another challenge for honours in division one of the Vodkat NWCL.
After finishing sixth last season, manager Tony Mills, whose side visit relegated Atherton Collieries in their opening match on Saturday, sees no reason why they can’t be among the frontrunners once again.
Despite the loss of four senior players — James Curley (Glossop), Jake Cotterell (FC United), Matty Blair and Jonny Phillips — Mills believes he has signed solid replacements.
Teenager Callum O’Sullivan, recently released by Bolton, Steven Owens, Wayne Worth and Nick Alexandra have been snapped up while Chris Ward is back after a season-long lay off.
Mills said: “Looking at the team in pre-season, I would say we are stronger than last year
“We have always been renowned for our work rate, but I would say it has increased by 10-per-cent.
“We also have a very young side — Tim Buxton at 27 is our oldest player — and there is a lot of pace in the team.”
Mills believes AFC Liverpool, who surprisingly missed out on promotion in their debut season, will be the team to watch.
But he doesn’t believe there will be much to separate the rest, although he expects league new boys Barnoldswick Town and Stone Dominoes to be a threat.
He said: “Apart from AFC Liverpool I see the rest of the teams being much of a muchness.
“It will come down which teams show a consistent level of form over the season.”
