Apologies for Downtime

BN would like to apologise for problems with this site today. The reason was a problem at Blogger which affected thousands of sites all over the world.

Hopefully everything will be back to normal shortly.

Here's a copy of all yesterday's articles:

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Pitman Gets Taplin's Vote
By Bobo
Journalist Jeff Taplin feels Jamie Pitman is a worthy contender for Manager of the Year out of the sides he covers.
The roving reporter covers an area that takes in Bristol, Walsall, Oxford, and all points inbetween, so possibly hasn't had the greatest of seasons to watch, but he mulls the candidates on his blog and comes to the conclusion:
But my manager of the year award goes to Jamie Pitman at Hereford.
Like City and Walsall, the Bulls were all over the place when Simon Davey was in charge and playing the sort of football that depressed everyone – both on and off the pitch. They had won only one game in eleven and lost eight and relegation was already on the cards back in October.
Hereford aren’t one of football’s fashionable sides. They don’t have a lot of cash and don’t attract big crowds, but former player and physio Pitman took to the job immediately ... and, more importantly the players took to him.
The club were in serious danger of dropping out of the league when he took the job on and it’s fair to say that if bigger clubs like Oxford, Luton and Wrexham struggle to find their way back, little Hereford might never manage it again. Thus, league survival was imperative.
I also saw Pitman grow from a novelty appointment (as far as the media and most non-Hereford fans were concerned given his step up from club physio) to a fully paid up member of the gaffer’s union. The passion he showed was there for all to see and he has a toughness about him that will stand him in good stead in the future.
Pitman will be hamstrung by the lack of funds available to him, but he has enough about him to see Hereford finish higher up the table next season.
Jeff's blog, and more of his thoughts are available here: http://jefftaplin.blogspot.com/



First Pre-Season Dates Confirmed
By Bobo
The Bulls have announced early pre-season plans and the opening set of fixtures.
The players will return for training on June 29th, with the fixture list lining up as follows:
July 12th (A) Ludlow Town
July 21st (A) Pegasus 7pm
July 26th (A) Westfields 7pm
July 30th (A) Forest Green
The club are yet to confirm a date for the open day.



News Round-Up
By Bobo
Mansfield have axed manager Duncan Russell after their mid-table finish in the Conference. With chairman John Radford promising a £2million wage bill to challenge for promotion next season the club is expected to make an appointment soon. Aldershot are to sign York striker Muchael Rankine after York boss Gary Mills confirmed his departure from Bootham Crescent. The 6ft 3in striker scored 20 times in 85 games for the Minstermen and will join the Shots on July 1st.
Crewe have released eight players including forwards Calvin Zola and Joel Grant. The pair both cost six figure sums three years ago but failed to live up to the hype. Zola is expected to join Burton, where he ended the season on loan. Also departing is former Bulls loanee Danny Blanchett, with the former Peterboro man leaving after just a season. Port Vale have persuaded Crewe-bound defender Gareth Owen to have more talks with the club with strong claims that Micky Adams is about to return. Dario Gradi says he has 'shook hands' on a deal with Owen, and that the player has cancelled their latest meeting to speak to the Valiants.
Cheltenham striker Wesley Thomas has confirmed he will leave the club, with MK Dons one of his possible destinations. He may be fighting over that move with ex-Bull Guillem Bauza, who is also reported to be interesting the franchise club. Stockport have reported season ticket sales of 1,000 already for next season. They will be charging £2 a game more than the Bulls for their first Conference season.
Bradford's managerial shortlist of two is now down to one after Dagenham boss John Still told the Daggers he was happy to stay at the club. The Bantams' Supporters Trust is gauging support for a plan to buy the club's Valley Parade ground from the current owners. Rotherham striker Adam Le Fondre is a transfer target for Scunthorpe boss Alan Knill. Dagenham winger Danny Green is claimed to be a target for Peterboro.
Bristol Rovers have confirmed that Stuart Campbell will not be their manager next season. He will remain as a player with the club. The Pirates will charge £18 for an adult terrace ticket for next season. Darlington have released striker Chris Senior just days after he scored the only goal of the game at Wembley to hand them the FA Trophy.
A Southend source has told the local paper that the club has introduced 'a sustainable wage structure' after recording a series of heavy losses in recent seasons. Several of the club's out-of-contract players are expected to have to take pay cuts if they are to remain at Roots Hall. AFC Wimbledon will face Luton for a place in the Football League after beating Fleetwood 6-1 last night, 8-1 on aggregate. The two sides meet at the City of Manchester stadium on May 21st, with the cheapest Adult ticket costing - with fees - £41.25.
Bradford have signed Matlock Town striker Ross Hannah on a one year deal. The 23 year old scored 52 times for the Evo-Stik League side this season. Torquay have had to reduce their ground capacity by 300 to accomodate the Sky cameras for their play-off match with Shrewsbury.



James To Remain At Burton
By Bobo
Tony James had told his Twitter followers that he will be staying at Burton for the coming season.
The 32 year old was long rumoured to be a target for Jamie Pitman, but his attentions are now likely to centre on Stefan Stam. The Dutchman is a free agent after his release from Yeovil, but his signing may not be announced until later in the close season as the Glovers are committed to paying his wages until at least the end of June.


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