PsF: LANCASTER AND GILLFORD PARK
27th July 22:00
Pre-season friendlies are about looking at new players and getting match fitness. So far, maybe the emphasis has been equally split between the two but, as we get one step closer to August 7th, we now up the intensity and try to move one step closer to a starting line up. Having said that, we still have players away on holiday, and recovering from injuries, but you will certainly see fewer changes in the next games.
As you are aware, Geoff and I have looked at several players and, just as importantly, they have looked at us. Sparks, Coulton, Goulding and Gierke have now committed to play for Garstang FC, as has Mark Thornley, who will be in goal tomorrow. You may not be familiar with all of those names yet, but you will certainly get to know them in the coming weeks.
Of course, it is disappointing when players choose to move on to other clubs, but that's the way football works. We all gave it a good go last season, with a fine team that I inherited, but now it's a new season, this time it's my team, and I am relishing the start of the season.
Come and see how we do against Lancaster and Gillford Park.
Stimmo
PsF: WYRE VILLA 2 GARSTANG 2
23rd July 09:00
This was an excellent pre–season friendly played in a good spirit against staunch local rivals Wyre Villa. Manager Barrie Stimpson, with a few holes to fill in his depleted squad, fielded four trialists including former striker Leon Gerke who had a brief spell previously with Garstang under George Norrie. In goal was youth team player Dan Curwen who looked confident for such a young man and acquitted himself well.
Garstang fielded their strongest line up in the first hal,f dominating throughout and keeping the ball well. New man Goulding combining well with the lively Hastings on several occasions. The visitors were rewarded for their dominance when another new boy, Sparks, hit an unstoppable shot past the home keeper.
Second half changes evened the game up. Wyre levelled the scores before before Hunt was gifted with Garstang’s second. Wyre’s top scorer last season, Dale Patton, headed in the equaliser with only ten minutes to go.
Whilst ultimately the score didn’t matter, I’m sure both managers were pleased that their team didn’t lose, and with the effort put in by the players.
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| Hunt turns away after slotting in Garstang's second. |
PsF: WYRE VILLA [A]
20th July 09:00
Wednesday's game will see three or four more new faces, along with one or two who we saw for the first time in the Kendal game, as we strive to formulate a competitive squad for the coming season. I am sure that most of you who saw the game last Friday will have been pleasantly impressed with the quality of performance. We hope to follow that on with a good display at Wyre.
More importantly, Friday will be remembered for the tragic news that Adam Kilifin had suffered a double fracture, both the tibia and fibula. He will be a big loss for Garstang FC, but that pales into insignificance as 'Killer' is self-employed and has also a recently arrived baby to support. I am sure, as a club, that we will do all we can to support Adam, and I am also confident that, in turn, you will back up anything that the club does. Wishing you a speedy recovery Killer!
I hope to see you all at Wyre Villa.
Stimmo.
PsF: GARSTANG 0 KENDAL TOWN 2
18th July 09:00
It was never intended that this would be a full match report, but even that plan was dumped on its head in the fifth minute of the game when Adam Kilifin sustained his broken leg. Although the severity of the injury was not known at the time, it did look bad, and several of the Kendal and Fleetwood fans who were at the game have also passed on their best wishes.
But the game goes on.......
Stimmo, as promised, brought in 'a number of high quality' trialists as he builds on last terms team. It's too early to name names, but most of them will be pleased with their contributuions.
It was to be expected that communications would be a bit uncertain at the off, and this gave Kendal their best spell of the game. As Garstang settled, however, they started to put together some good passages of play and could have had a goal before Kendal, attacking on the counter, grabbed their second before half time.
 |
| Early action for Garstang keeper Stephenson. |
 |
| Kendal make it two. |
The second half saw wholesale changes on both sides and a fairly even match. Several of last season's Reserve squad got into the game and, with Garstang finishing strongly at the end, they really should have registered a score.
Bearing in mind the opening caveat, the management duo of Stimpson and Wilson were very happy with the evenings work, and everyone is looking forward Wyre Villa and Wednesday.
PsF: KENDAL TOWN AT THE RIVERSIDE
July 14th 12:00
The new season kicks off this Friday with the visit of top Evo-Stik Premier outfit, Kendal Town. Manager Lee Ashcroft has worked wonders at my former club and will be bringing a full squad, plus a number of ‘potential’ signings. I look forward to welcoming Lee and all the good people from the Lakes.
As most of you will probably be aware, a few of last season's first team players have decided to move on to pastures new. Some of you may even be a little concerned about this but, let me reassure you, the players will be replaced and pre-season games will see you continually asking yourself, ‘Who is that lad’. Both Geoff and I have got our teeth into our summer work and we are both confident that we will bring in a number of high quality signings, and the squad will be a lot healthier than it was last year.
Last season, when I arrived, I must admit that I didn’t want to rock the boat and change a lot of the players. I thought it was only fair that I assess the players at our club, whilst I also assessed the standard required to be challenging for honours in the West Lancs. And we did a decent job, until we drifted away at the end of the season. Lancashire Shield finalists and Wrens’ nearest challengers for seven months was, in my opinion, an acceptable achievement by the players we were working with. Now, I am determined that we will grow on last seasons relative success but, everybody must be patient, and trust that Geoff and I will reconstruct a squad that will continue to take this club forward.
Finally, I am sure you were all delighted when I appointed Geoff Wilson, and he has taken to his roll, as my Assistant, like a ‘duck to water’. He is part of the fabric at Garstang FC and I have no doubt that, along with his already considerable attributes, he will learn working alongside me, and will certainly manage this club in years to come. Please welcome him in his new roll.
Enjoy the game. Stimmo.
LANCASHIRE AMATEUR SHIELD:
9th July 12:00
The home draw, against Turton or Croston Sports, on September 25th will necessitate some fixture re-arrangements for both senior teams: details on here as soon we get them!
The route map for this year's competition also indicates home ties all the way for Garstang.
Here's hoping.....
NEW FIXTURE LIST:
30th June 15:00
The new league schedules are out today and it's a visit from newly promoted Fleetwood Hesketh for the opening game on Saturday August 7th. And to keep the pulses racing, we entertain Vickerstown on the following Tuesday evening............short summer, eh?
By the time you read this, the fixtures will be on the 'Fixtures Page'.
STIMMO FINDS HIS #2:
30th June 10:00
Following Marc Armstrong's decision to step down from the Assistant Manager's job at the end of last season, Manager Stimpson has had the problem of finding a suitable replacement at the top of his 'to do' list. In the end, however, it wasn't a difficult task as the ideal man was right under his nose - Geoff Wilson.
 |
| Geoff Wilson in familiar pose. |
Geoff, you will recall, suffered significant knee ligament damage in the final game of last season and, with an MRI scan and probable operation imminent, he won't be kicking a ball in anger for some time. This is an ideal opportunity, then, to try on some management boots and, with his personality, knowledge and contacts in the West Lancs, Stimmo regards him as a fabulous asset in what promises to be a very big year for Garstang Football Club.
Geoff is keeping his football boots dusted, however, and plans on regaining match fitness and pushing for a place in the team when ready. As he says, "I don't want some injury dictating when I retire; I'll retire when I feel it's right!"
A good choice by Stimmo: the lads on the new kop are very happy with that!
STIMMO'S OVERVIEW:
22nd May 22:00
The 2009/10 season summed up was eight months 'very good' and six weeks 'depressing'!
Although our finishing league position of sixth was, in the end,
disappointing, let's not forget that we were probably the only team that challenged Wrens for the title, and for a good 32 weeks of the season.
Having said that, people
have asked me 'how did we finish the season so limply'. In football, there is never an easy answer, but I offer them three factors:
1: Losing the Shield final in the manner we did made us all proud on the night, but resuming league duties ten points behind Wrens gave us a mountain to climb and we all knew, in our
heart of hearts, that it was just a bridge too far.
2:
After the Shield, I had a minimum of six players unavailable for the remaining league
fixtures, and sometimes more.
3: Can anybody explain the 'After the Lord Mayor's Show' syndrome? If you can, please share it with myself,
Simon Grayson (whose Leeds form after turning Man Utd. over at Old Trafford was appalling), and thousands of other managers, around the world!
Looking forward, I am happy that we have a good 'spine' to the team and, with three or four additions to the current squad, we won't be a million miles away next season.
The West Lancs. has also been a learning curve for me and I am confident that I will be able to make the necessary tweaks to push the
club forward.
In general, I thought that the vast majority of Garstang FC players applied themselves very professionally, but I have to say that a few let themselves
down. At this level, as the vast majority have shown, we need to conduct ourselves as semi-pro's in order to move up the pyramid. When
I mentioned earlier, that at least six players were not available, I do believe that, had we still been challenging for the title.....well, let's just say there
would have been a few more available!
I would like to give a big thanks to my 'staff' for their fantastic support throughout the season. Steve Baker, whose committment to GFC is
an inspiration to us all and
Marc Armstrong, who offered his support after my Assistant, Neil Crossley, had to resign early in the season due to work commitments. 'Army' not only gave me incredible support, but he also became a great friend and played a big part in our relatively successful season.
Unfortunately for me, Marc also does an invaluable job off the pitch and it is with a heavy heart that he informed me 'that something
had to give'. Being the true Garstang man he is, he has put the club before his own personal ambitions and decided to concentrate on his
off field activities. In the year to come, our club will be investing heavily in ground improvements and Army knows that he has a major roll
to play there. Thanks for your support mate.
My 'staff' also includes Paul Bailey. Running a Reserve Team, when the First Team Manager keeps calling on your players, is the most difficult job in football and Bails has performed miracles this season in achieving a third place finish. I am very happy to have him with us.
Finally, let's see you all back again next season; exciting times are ahead for this club as we strive to improve Garstang FC. Pre-season will again see the visit of some high profile semi-pro clubs - so roll on July 16th and Kendal Town at The Riverside.
Thanks for your support this season; bring on the next one. Stimmo
| West Lancs. Premier Division - Final Table - 2009/10 |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| 1 |
Blackpool Wren Rovers |
32 |
21 |
4 |
7 |
86 |
39 |
47 |
67 |
| 2 |
Fulwood Amateurs |
32 |
19 |
4 |
9 |
58 |
38 |
20 |
61 |
| 3 |
Poulton Town |
32 |
17 |
6 |
9 |
70 |
45 |
25 |
57 |
| 4 |
Charnock Richard |
32 |
18 |
5 |
9 |
86 |
56 |
30 |
56* |
| 5 |
Lostock St Gerard's |
32 |
15 |
11 |
6 |
66 |
42 |
24 |
56 |
| 6 |
Garstang |
32 |
15 |
7 |
10 |
56 |
41 |
15 |
52 |
| 7 |
Vickerstown |
32 |
12 |
6 |
14 |
52 |
60 |
8 |
42 |
| 8 |
AFC Darwen |
32 |
13 |
3 |
16 |
42 |
56 |
14 |
42 |
| 9 |
Coppull United |
32 |
13 |
3 |
16 |
41 |
56 |
15 |
42 |
| 10 |
Dalton United |
32 |
13 |
2 |
17 |
52 |
69 |
17 |
41 |
| 11 |
Euxton Villa |
32 |
10 |
10 |
12 |
44 |
48 |
4 |
40 |
| 12 |
Stoneclough |
32 |
10 |
6 |
16 |
48 |
69 |
21 |
36 |
| 13 |
Eagley |
32 |
8 |
11 |
13 |
47 |
53 |
6 |
35 |
| 14 |
Freckleton |
32 |
9 |
7 |
16 |
38 |
55 |
17 |
34 |
| 15 |
Tempest United |
32 |
9 |
5 |
18 |
58 |
90 |
32 |
32 |
| 16 |
Turton |
32 |
12 |
4 |
16 |
61 |
61 |
0 |
31* |
| 17 |
Haslingden St Mary's |
32 |
8 |
6 |
18 |
36 |
63 |
27 |
30 |
| |
