A Simpler Story....Started At The Bottom, Now We're Here!

December 2018

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December 2018
"Five Points Clear Despite Losing A Couple In The League"



Matchday 19: Brackley Town (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Cowans 8.6, Wilson 7.7, Goodliffe 7.3

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We were made to work hard by Brackley but we get there in the end and sealed all 3 points.


Matchday 20: Southport (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Dunkerley 7.8, Marsden 7.0, Goodliffe 7.0

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The stats suggest this was quite a close game. It wasn't...they were all over us. Most of our shots were hopeful long range efforts which didn't trouble their keeper in the slightest. Probably the worst we've played this season.


Matchday 21: Chorley (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Murphy 8.6, Cowans 8.2, Wilson 7.4

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Chorley were much better in front of goal than us today and our defence had a bit of a nightmare. Back to back losses in the league!


Matchday 22: Kidderminster Harriers (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Dunkerley 9.0, McQuilkin 8.3, Marsden 7.8

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After throwing away a 2 goal lead, we eventually secured the 3 points late on!



2 wins and 2 losses was enough to leave us 5 points clear at the end of 2018, as Boston United also suffered an indifferent month and they now find themselves back in 3rd after FC United improve to 2nd.

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At the halfway stage of the season, Jordan Murphy finds himself running away with the golden boot.

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We took on Newcastle Town in the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Pure domination as we cruised to a 6-1 win and ensured there were no embarassing slip ups today against lower league opposition.

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And that would see us take on Barrow from the National League in the next round.

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Although Barrow were from the league above, they sat rock bottom of it and with us flying high at the top of the National league North, my lads went into this full of confidence. And they got the job done in an entertaining game and we progress to the 2nd round.

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Which meant we were in the draw for round 2, where we were handed an away tie at Bognor Regis from the National League South.

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Going well mate, lets hope you can have a couple of good cup runs too thats what made my budget for my season in the league above the following year
 
coolmcool said:
Going well mate, lets hope you can have a couple of good cup runs too thats what made my budget for my season in the league above the following year
Click to expand...

The club seems to be ticking over nicely in the finances department with the balance up to nearly £400k now. We're making about £20-30k profit per month
 
January 2019

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January 2019
"The Five Point Lead.....Gone!"



Matchday 23: Stockport County (Away)
Telford Top Performers: McQuilkin 8.2, Dunkerley 7.5, Cowans 7.1

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Finishing cost us today....whilst their 3 goals were all absolute bangers from outside the box, we missed no less than 5 one on one chances. We were finding a way through their defence with ease, but the end product just wasn't there and we were made to pay!


Matchday 24: Nuneaton Town (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Thompson 9.3, Cowans 9.0, White 8.2

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After losing 3 of our last 4 games in the league, we really needed to turn in a good performance here against our local rivals. The defence was a lot more solid, the strikers were on form and it all came together in a good away win.


Matchday 25: Blyth Spartans (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Cowans 7.2, Murphy 7.0, Downey 6.8

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Nothing short of awful! My defence seems to have gone to complete **** over the last 6 or 7 games!


Matchday 26: Altrincham (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Murphy 8.3, Dunkerley 7.8, Singh 7.4

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We were not the better side in this one, but we managed to grind out a much needed win. Charlie Dunkerley banged in his 4th goal of the month and 10th of the season.


Matchday 27: Alfreton Town (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Matinyadze 8.4, McGrory 7.9, Williams 7.7

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We finish the month with a good home win. It's not been the best of months but we have ground out the last couple of results when we really needed it. Hopefully we can push on from here.



Our defence has been shocking over the last couple of months and we have now the 7th worst defensive record in the league. After suffering a couple of big defeats this month, we've not only lost our 5 point lead at the top, but actually dropped to 2nd in the table!

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In the FA Trophy, our 2nd round tie with Bognor Regis came round. We were the much stronger side on the day but only managed a draw and will play a replay back at our place.

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In the replay, they managed to take us to extra time but our dominance shone through in the end and the scoreline was a fair reflection on the balance of play across 120 minutes.

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And we'll now take on Wrexham in round 3 next month.

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A couple of injuries to two of our best attacking players this season and I hope to get them both back ASAP.

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And with our continued overachievement, I have again been linked with a number of jobs this month. But as before, I've knocked everything back in a show of loyalty to Telford, despite the stature of the clubs I'm being linked with getting bigger. Southend United are actually 20th in the Championship following their promotion last season and very nearly tempted me to throw my hat in the ring.

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February 2019

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February 2019
"Only One Defeat But We're Still Trailing Boston Who Keep Up Their Good Form"



Matchday 28: Workington (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Thompson 7.9, Matinyadze 7.3, Dunkerley 6.9

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This lot really do prove hard to beat and again we struggled against them in this game as we fell to another defeat with ANOTHER poor defensive showing.


Matchday 29: Kettering Town (Home)
Telford Top Performers: O'Keefe 7.1, Singh 7.0, Thompson 6.9

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This was a really poor result against the side at the bottom of the league.


Matchday 30: Halifax Town (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Marsden 9.0, O'Keefe 8.0, White 8.0

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John Marsden is back! He marked his return from injury with a goal and an assist. I also made some little tweaks to the defensive side of my tactics and we kept our first clean sheet in 10 games!


Matchday 31: Solihull Moors (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Murphy 8.8, White 8.6, McQuilkin 8.1

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Back to back wins! A good performance here....it looks like they had a lot of shots but most of them were long range efforts that were never anywhere near.


Matchday 32: Darlington (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Murphy 8.8, Cowans 7.3, O'Keefe 7.2

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We were lucky to come away with a draw after being 2nd best for most of the game.



It wasn't the worst month in the world but we still trail Boston United who kept up a decent run of form and are now a couple of points ahead of us with a game in hand. They've been exceptional to be fair, only losing 4 games all season so far. I'm waiting for them to have a bad run....it's gotta be due, surely? Down at the other end of the table, it looks like only 1 of 4 teams will survive the drop.

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We continued our decent cup run in the FA Trophy, coming out on top in a game that was always going to be tough against a Wrexham side that are flying high in 5th place in the National League. A good performance in a game where we held our own against higher league opposition and I'm really pleased with the lads.

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Which sets up a 4th round tie with another National League side in Maidenhead.

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There's rumours of a takeover big at Telford, but unfortunately not from a Russian billionaire who will pump millions into the club.

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And Telford continue to support my development by funding my next coaching badge.

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March 2019

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March 2019
"Playoff Place Secured, But Are We Now Playing For 2nd"



Matchday 33: FC United of Manchester (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Murphy 8.6, Singh 7.1, White 7.0

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We fought back well against the side in 3rd place to earn a credible draw.


Matchday 34: Harrogate Town (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Goodliffe 6.8, Cullinane-Liburd 6.8, Downey 6.7

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No wins in 3 league games now and we're dropping well off the pace of Boston who look to now be running away with the league title.


Matchday 35: Curzon Ashton (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Murphy 9.6, Thompson 9.5, White 9.2

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I think Curzon Ashton suffered the backlash from our defeat against Harrogate in the previous game!


Matchday 36: Gainsborough Trinity (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Thompson 9.2, Dunkerley 8.6, McQuilkin 8.5

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Charlie Dunkerley came off the bench at half time and completely turned this game around for us!



Despite only losing 1 game again this month, it proves 1 game too many as Boston continue their impressive run and extend their lead at the top to 8 points with only 6 games remaining....Are we just playing for 2nd place now?

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Reece Thompson and Jordan Murphy both had a good March and were named in the top 3 in the Player of the Month award.

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Our game against Maidenhead in the FA Trophy resulted in a very comfortable win for us. We were completely dominant in a one sided game and went on to knock out our 3rd National League side in this year's competition.

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Which set up a semi final tie with Maidstone United.

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But over the two legs we were finally knocked out by higher league opposition. We created a number of good chances across the two legs, and if we'd have taken a couple more of them then it might have been a different story. Ultimately, their extra bit of quality shone through across the two games.

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The takeover went through very quickly and we now have new owners. It's not really made any difference at all as their has been no real change in finances, no change to my transfer or wage budget. I just report in to a new boss now.

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April 2019

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April 2019
"It's Confirmed.....We'll Finish 2nd"


Before I go on with this month's update, you will notice that the skin I'm using changes. This is because after the update, the custom skins are not allowing me to give team talks at the moment so I've had to revert to a base skin that came with the game until this is fixed.


Matchday 37: Tamworth (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Thompson 8.8, White 8.0, Sutton 7.4

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As we look to string together a good final month of the season, this was a solid way to kick it off.


Matchday 38: Spennymoor (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Goodliffe 7.1, Singh 7.0, White 7.0

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Spennymoor are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table and they sure gave us a tough game here. But we came through it with a solid 1-0, the winning goal coming from John Marsden who capitalised on a defensive error.

This game was also my 100th in charge at Telford.

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Matchday 39: Boston United (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Thompson 7.5, Singh 7.0, White 7.0

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Despite a spirited attempt at a 2nd half comeback, the damage was already done in the 1st 45 minutes, as Boston all wrap up the league title with this result.


Matchday 40: Brackley Town (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Marsden 9.1, Williams 8.7, Doyley 8.5

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It was simply about the quality going forward today. Both teams created an equal number of chances, but ours were much more clear cut than theirs and we took them nicely too. The scoreline was probably a little harsh on them but oh well... The win guaranteed us 2nd place in the league too.


Matchday 41: Southport (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Matinyadze 8.3, Marsh 8.0, Williams 7.7

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With Southport sitting inside the top 6, this was a game that could be replicated in a couple of weeks in the playoffs, so I'm pleased to have got the win and maybe a mental advantage if we do meet again.



So there you have it. With one game to go, it is confirmed that we will definitely finish 2nd in the table which will see us enter the playoffs at the semi final stages. There is still a lot that can happen on the final day with playoff spots and relegation places still to be decided.

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I picked up 3rd place in the manager of the month.

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We broke the club's record for most wins in a season too.

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May 2019

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May 2019
"The Playoffs"


Matchday 42: Chorley (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Matinyadze 7.7, Singh 7.2, Murphy 6.9

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We finished the season with a draw, but I did rest half the first team with the playoffs in mind.



So the final league table shows that is was Darlington and Southport that secured the final playoff spots, whilst Kettering and Curzon Ashton will join Spennymoor in relegation.

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The playoffs kicked off and the first round saw Harrogate and Southport overcome Darlington and Stockport County.

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Which lines up a semi final between us and Harrogate Town. The game was set to be a tough one. We only lost 4-0 to them a month ago, although we did record a 4-1 win over them earlier in the season. Since being in charge at Telford though, I have only managed 1 win in 4 meetings with Harrogate.

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But in a very tight game, it was us that prevailed with a late stoppage time winner from James McQuilkin. FC United knocked out Southport (also with a late goal).

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So we'd play FC United in the final, the side that we knocked out in the playoffs last year. As the higher placed team in the league, we will have home advantage which could be crucial. Every game I've played against FC United has been tight so I was expecting the same again.

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But it wasn't close at all as we cruised to a resounding 4-1 victory and we'll be playing National League football next season! I'm so proud of the lads as they've won these playoffs by beating probably the best two sides in them (other than ourselves).

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And so it is confirmed....

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End of Season Awards

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End of Season Awards


Highest Average Rating

1st. Reece Thompson - Striker - 52 appearances - 7.66
2nd. John Marsden - Striker - 44 appearances - 7.56
3rd. Henry Cowans - Central Midfield - 42 appearances - 7.53


Top Goalscorer

1st. Jordan Murphy - Striker - 43
2nd. Reece Thompson - Striker - 41
3rd. John Marsden - Striker - 22


Most Assists

1st. John Marsden - Striker - 24
2nd. Reece Thompson - Striker - 19
3rd. Charlie Dunkerley - Striker - 12


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The board are ecstatic.

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And Jordan Murphy was confirmed as the golden boot winner for the National League North, with an impressive return of 40 goals from 41 games.

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English Season Review

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English End of Season Review



The Premier League title stayed in Manchester for another year, but this time it was the blue half that was celebrating. A much improved season from Arsenal sees them back in the top 4. All three clubs that came up last year went straight back down again.

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Stoke took the Championship crown and will be joined by Swansea in going straight back up after last season's relegation. Fulham won the playoffs and will also play Premier League football next year. Blackburn and the MK Dons are straight back down and will be joined in League One by Bristol City.

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All three clubs that were relegated from the Championship last season will go straight back up again, with Burton Albion winning the League One title by just a point. AFC Wimbledon were well off the pace and finished bottom of the division with only 7 wins to their name all season.

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Crewe and Morecambe both had disappointing seasons and drop out of the football league as it is Luton who take the League Two crown. They go up with Chesterfield, Lincoln and Doncaster who won the playoffs.

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Forest Green are straight back up to the football league, but it was Dagenham & Redbridge who won the National League. Last year's promoted sides gave a good showing, with only Whitehawk suffering the immediate drop.

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Billericay Town achieve back to back promotions by winning the National League South and will join us in the National League next year with Welling. Bromley suffered back to back relegations as they finished bottom of the league.

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Manchester United lift the FA Cup in a Manchester derby final.

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None of the 'big' teams made the Carabao Cup final and it was Huddersfield who take the backdoor route into Europe next season.

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This year's Checkatrade Trophy was dominated by the Under 23s sides as Tottenham beat Everton in the final.

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And it was Leyton Orient who took the FA Trophy. Following our semi final appearance, we were seen as the biggest overachievers and it's clear to see Reece Thompson was the player of the tournament.

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Congratulations on promotion - great way to do it!
 
Pre Season 2019/20

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Pre Season 2019/20

I was pleased with our pre season campaign. Putting 7 goals past Bracknell and Cleethorpes should fill my strikers with confidence. Yes we lost a couple but they were against Lincoln (League One) and Dag & Red (League Two). A good win against higher opposition and fierce rivals Shrewsbury will give the fans something to shout about.

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The finances are getting stronger year on year and we now have over half a million in the bank.

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As the club announced good profits last season.

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And a new kit sponsor.

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Promotion and another decent pre season campaign has left the dynamics of the squad in a good place before the National League kicks off.

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The board gave me a decent transfer and wage budget ahead of the new season.

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Brexit was confirmed.

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And I reaffirm my loyalty to the club time and time again as I rebuff the advances of a few different clubs over the Summer...

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So let's have a look at the new additions to my squad for the upcoming season.

Jason Gilchrist
Signed from FC United of Manchester - Fee £9,000

Jason is a striker that has been on my radar for a while now, having impressed me every time we've played FC United over the past couple of seasons. He has scored 54 goals and contributed 13 assists over the last two campaigns and I think he is a great addition to our strikeforce for a cheap fee.

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Dan Butler
Unattached - Free Transfer

A decent wing back who has played for Portsmouth, Torquay and Newport County over the last few seasons, so a good acquisition of a player with experience at a higher level.

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Callum Thompson
Signed from Wolves - Season Long Loan

Thompson was available as part of our partnership with Wolves. I had a look at him last season but he didn't catch my eye. However, his stats have come on a little and I decided to bring him to the club and give the 18 year old a shot this year.

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Audrius Laucys
Signed from Harlow - Free Transfer

Laucys was a good find from my scouting team who found him playing in the lower leagues. With decent stats and being fairly young, I snapped him up quickly on a free. I really think he has a lot of potential and could do well for us.

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Barney McKeown
Unattached - Free Transfer

Barney is another young centre back that I've managed to snap up. Again, a player with decent stats and lots of potential. He was released by Everton in the Summer, so comes from a decent academy too.

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Charley O'Keefe
Signed from Stevenage - Season Long Loan

I renewed Charley's loan for another season as he did a good job for us at the back last year.

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So as we go into the new season, this is the look of my current crop of players.

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As far as the bookies go, they've actually tipped us to stay up with an 18th placed finish.

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And Reece Thompson is expected to be amongst the goals again.

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Well done on promotion. I like the look of your press officer lol.

I appointed a nice looking lady as a scout for Bilbao....... lol
 
KLIPPYBO said:
Well done on promotion. I like the look of your press officer lol.

I appointed a nice looking lady as a scout for Bilbao....... lol
Click to expand...

Cheers mate. Gotta have a couple of 'sorts' around the club to keep the lads morale up lol
 
Going well, think you should be able to really crack on in the league above, you have a better wage and transfer budget than my Truro side in league 2 lol
 
August 2019

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August 2019
"What A Great Start"



Before the season kicked off, the board sent me their expectations for the upcoming season. Naturally, they want me to avoid relegation from the National League. That will be the main priority and alongside that we'll try to go as far as we can in both the cups to bring some cash in.

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Season ticket sales continue to rise.

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Matchday 1: Boston United (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Cowans 8.0, R.Thompson 7.4, White 7.0

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We kicked off the National League campaign with a home game against Boston, who'd won the National League North and come up with us last year. Last season, they had managed to do the double over us, so I was chuffed to get the better of them here and kick off the season with a win.


Matchday 2: Sutton United (Away)
Telford Top Performers: C.Thompson 8.4, Murphy 8.3, Sutton 8.1

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A comprehensive victory in our first away game in the National League....Well done lads!


Matchday 3: Leyton Orient (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Butler 8.0, R.Thompson 7.6, C.Thompson 7.4

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A great result against one of the best teams in the league.


Matchday 4: Tranmere Rovers (Away)
Telford Top Performers: White 8.3, Dwyer 8.3, Cowans 7.6

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After 3 straight wins, Tranmere bring us back down to earth with our first defeat of the season. To be fair, they were completely dominant.


Matchday 5: Crewe (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Marsh 9.0, O'Keefe 7.7, R.Thompson 7.5

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What a result this was to finish our first month in the National League.



Our excellent start has left us in the top 7 at the end of August.

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But it wasn't all good news in the opening month of the season as one of our best players from last season suffers an injury.

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September 2019

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September 2019
"Win, Lose, Win, Lose"


Matchday 6: Chelmsford City (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Matinyadze 7.4, Dunkerley 7.3, Downey 6.8

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Look at those stats....how on earth we've lost by that scoreline I don't know!


Matchday 7: Fylde (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Dunkerley 9.6, White 9.2, Cowans 8.8

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After throwing away a 3-1 lead, we did eventually go on to record a decent away win.


Matchday 8: Aldershot Town (Home)
Telford Top Performers: Cowans 7.8, R.Thompson 7.0, Matinyadze 6.9

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I might need a new goalkeeper....4 shots, 3 goals for Aldershot....shocking keeping for 2 of them!


Matchday 9: Torquay United (Home)
Telford Top Performers: R.Thompson 9.4, Cowans 9.1, McKeown 9.0

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Our best performance of the season so far.


Matchday 10: Maidstone United (Away)
Telford Top Performers: R.Thompson 7.3, Cowans 7.1, Singh 7.0

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You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you we hit the post 4 times in this match!


Matchday 11: Chester (Away)
Telford Top Performers: Murphy 8.8, White 8.2, Cowans 8.1

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Our form over the last 8 games now reads LWLWLWLW. This win moved us into the top 5.



This month's form has kept us in the top 7 for another month as we make a mockery of our supposed relegation candidate status.

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Henry Cowans has been fantastic this month and his form was recognised with 2nd place in the player of the month award.

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Another striker picked up an injury, this time Dunkerley, and it's a bad one that will see him miss most of the season.

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The board has agreed to send me on another coaching course as I continue to improve my status in the game.

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And they also handed me another new contract, with another pay rise. Slowly approaching that £1000 per week mark.

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