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wivw.pycoinimlt'rs.eoini: - m ^Thursdayi December:16thi 2004 New boss settling in at his authority on Blues \y<^ by Adrian Capstick
NEW Clitheroe manager Paul Byron has not wasted any time in getting to grips with the task of consolidat ing the club's position in the UniBond First Divi sion. The former Bamber
Bridge chief, who beat Stu art Todhunter and former Kendal Town assistant boss Phil Brown to the post, has made a move for Witton Albion striker Craig Sargeson. The proveii goalscorer
would be a welcome addi tion to the Blues squad, as it was his goals that pro pelled Eossendale United to promoted to the Uni- Bond League three years ago. Byron also has a few
more players in mind - left sided wingers and forwards with UniBond experience - and hopes to soon have some answers. Terms have been agreed
with the players, and it is just a case of clubs agree-
^ ing to release them. The decision itself to take up the vacant position
. at Shawbridge was appar ently a very straight for ward one for Byron. Having been approached
by chairman John Robin son shortly after he resigned from Bamber Bridge, the former Accring ton Stanley, Lancaster City and Southport defender was flattered by the interest, and as the only candidate who didn't
w a s t e
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i’SatuWayj'DMembCT '■ Kick'-ofT 3 p.'m. ^
put in an application, his record in the UniBond League spoke for itself. He said: “It was an easy
decision to make in the end. “After leaving Bamber
Bridge I wasn't sure if I wanted another post straight away, but this offer was a good one, and after talking to others in the game, I decided that there was no reason to wait. “It has been made all the
more easier by the fact that I know Martin Eatough from our time together at Lancaster. “He'll continue as my
assistant as he has his fin ger on the pulse, and as I live some 40 minutes away from Clitheroe, I need someone who lives locally and knows the area.” Also joining the coaching
staff is former Brig reserve team boss Dave Froggatt, who Byron holds in the highest regard as “really knowing the game inside out.” He will act as a scout for
the locals as well as coach the side, as the new Blues manager admits there are not enough days in the week for him to track down new players and run first team proceedings during the season. He has also reinforced
the club's main objective to secure a solid mid-table position this season, and states that Clitheroe are in a better position financial ly than Bamber Bridge were three years ago - and despite those financial restrictions, he took the club into the UniBond Pre mier. He said: “The main aim
for this se^on is to consoli date our'position, but I firmly uphold the chair man's objective to achieve promotion to the Premier League in the next three years.
. “We can progress on the budget we have here at the club as I have more money now than what I started with at Bamber Bridge three years ago. “We have a good set of
lads with a strong team spirit, and need just a few more players in specific positions.” Bjrron also aims to seri
ously address the Blues’ lack of goals this season, as apart from landing a new striker, he expects much more from the centre of the pitch, having witnessed no shots on target in last Sat urday's 1-0 defeat to Der byshire side Belper Town. “A lack of g o ^ has been
NEW BOSS: Paul Byron
well documented this sea son, and I aim to address that,” said the Blues boss. “I went around the dressing room after Satur day's game and asked each player how many goals they had, some had one or two, some had none, and I told them that I want 20 goals this season from the midfield four.” On Saturday, in a twist
of fate for Byron's first full game in charge, Clitheroe face Belper Town again, away a f Christ Church Meadow, in the first rbund
of the Chairman's Cup - the perfect opportunity to see what influence he has had on the locals in just a week at the helm. Jason Jones is hopeful of
being fit to play after pick ing up an ankle injury against Belper, while Bar rie Hart is also expected to return. Byron said: “We need to
be more creative against Belper and open teams up. “But it will be a tough
game.” SWIMMING SUCCESS: Elizabeth Highton
Elizabeth in the swim as final success crowns year
A HAT-TRICK of wins from Elizabeth Highton helped Clitheroe Dolphins to third place in the Speedo League Minor Division Final a t the Manchester Aquatics Centre. In their first-ever appearance in the final, a squadron
of 25 local swimmers helped the Dolphins onto the podium to cap an impressive year in the pool. For full details, turn to page 52.
Poor run continues despite gutsy display*
Wigan Sports Club . . .1 Chipping FC ..................0 CHIPPING’S poor run of results continued as they travelled to Wigan Sports Club. However, Chipping will
■pt' have taken a lot out of the game as their performance was much improved on recent weeks.
.
In the firs t half, the Chipping defence offered
y - nothing to the Wigan for wards. leading the frus
trated frontman to aim a kick at Ryan Hilton, and he was fortunate to receive just a warning from a lenient referee. Wigan’s best chance
came from a corner when Mark Fordham stood strong to head the ball off the goal line from a pow erful header. Chipping’s best chances
in the first half broke to Oliver Hayhurst as he fired one narrowlv wide.
and then tested the Wigan keeper with a pre cise effort. With all to play for in
the second half, a fierce midfield battle broke out, with Joe Baines putting himself about and Mick Garth challenging for everything. Again there was little
attacking play from either side until an inspired piece of skill from Danny Austin opened the Wigan
defence up. A classic flick over the
full back’s head got him to the bye-line, and was
•unlucky not to find another Green shirt with a good cutback. Austin himself went
close shortly afterwards, after good work down the right by Johnny Fletcher gave him an opening that he fired narrowly over the bar. Paul Jones renlaced the
impressive Fordham on the left flank and was immediately in the action as he skipped down the wing past several would- be tacklers. A good cutback found
Joe Baines 10 yards out, and he was unlucky with a bobble as his shot missed the target. Just as the game
seemed to be heading for a 0-0 draw, Wigan struck with a sucker punch at
the death. A clever ball sent the
previously ineffective striker through on goal, and he produced a hob bling shot agonisingly out of the reach of keeper M a tt Ireland to give Wigan victory. Following a run of dis
appointing performances, a lot of positives will be taken from this game as Chipping began to show the tvpe of football which
gained them promotion last season. Chipping travel to ( ■:
Walmer Bridge on Satur- day (kick-off 2 p.m.) for @ their final game before ^ Christmas, and will be looking to build on this ^ encouraging display.
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