CULLOMPTON RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB
SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A FOOTBALL CLUB
AGM date has been changed due to commitments of Secretary. New date is 2nd August at 7.30pm. Please make every effort to attend.
RESERVES HOLD ST MARTIN'S IN FRIENDLY.
Matthew and Andy have recruited several new players to their squad and they were more than a match for their Premier League opponents St Martins. Rangers finished with no fewer than 5 under 18's who all looked comfortable on the ball and promise great things for the future.
RANGERS GO DOWN BY ODD GOAL AT BRIDGWATER.
This was a much better performance by Rangers, they matched their Southern League opponents all over the pitch and were desperately unlucky not to have a share of the spoils. Despite being without Brett Worbey and Gary Hunt and losing Liam Raybould with a hamstring injury after half an hour Rangers were not at all overawed by the opposition. After going down to a superb strike from a Bridgie forward then a further goal which looked suspiciously off side Rangers fought back in the second half and were rewarded with a cool finish from the edge of the box from Phil Stokes. Rangers were then denied claims for a penalty when Alex Greening was upended in the box. Major plus points for Bucksy must have been the fitness levels ofthe lads and the performance of the two young lads brought in, Sam Butler and Jordan Taylor. Bucksy said after the game "It is still very much work in progress but to match a Southern League side as we did gives me real encouragement. The two lads who came in and played the full 90 minutes showed that there are young players out there who can perform at this level and I have one or two more in the pipeline who will form the long term future of this football club but we must be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day!"
GOOD CROWD SEE WILLAND GIVE RANGERS A FOOTBALLING LESSON.
Bucksy was not too down after watching his team go down 6-1 to Willand Rovers. "I learnt a lot about my players after that performance. You have to put the game into context though, we are a new team whereas Willand have been together as a unit for 6/7 years so it was always going to be an uphill battle for us. Next up is Bridgwater Town which will be an even bigger challenge but we are looking forward to it. Unfortunately we will be without Brett Worbey and Gary Hunt who both picked up knocks against Willand but that will give me the opportunity to have a look at a couple of young players who want to join the club.
AGM will now be held on Monday 2nd August at The Clubhouse at 7.30pm
SECRETARY MARCUS SCOTT REWARDED BY DEVON FA FOR SERVICES TO GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL.
At Wednesday night's Annual FA Community Awards Presentation Rangers secretary Marcus Scott won the Steve Betts Memorial Trophy. This award is given to an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to the development of the grass roots element of the game. It is the Devon FA's most prestigious award. Marcus received the award from TV presenter Jeff Welch and County Chairman Dennis Smith. Marcus commented after the ceremony "This has been a really testing year for me and the Club with the building of the new changing rooms but to receive an award like this makes it all worthwhile. You can rest assured that next season will not be nearly as stressful." Marcus also received 2 tickets for the Charity Shield Final between Man utd and Chelsea courtesy of McDonalds.
RESERVES AWAY TO BRATTON FLEMING IN DEVON SENIOR CUP.
RANGERS OPEN WITH A WIN OVER BICKLEIGH IN THEIR FIRST FRIENDLY.
Despite torrential rain all day Speeds Meadow stood up well for the friendly against Bickleigh which ended in a 3-1 victory for the hosts. Bickleigh took an early lead when Jordan Copp headed home from a corner but Rangers were soon on level terms with a30 yard screamer from Luke Skinner. It was not until the middle of the second period that Rangers began to assert their superiority on the game and a close range effort from Ollie Burns followed by a superb 25 yard strike by Matt Harvey gave afinal scoreline of 3-1. Both Bucksy and Hedley were delighted with the workout and I am sure that both managers learnt a lot about their players from the game. Bucksy commented "I thought my lads started very nervously and with several of them playing out of position it took us some time to settle down and pass the ball. As the game progressed I got the feeling that the players began to understand how John and myself expect the game to be played and had taken on board what we have been trying to drum into them pre season. There were two stunning strikes from Matt and Luke which will give them both confidence and I thought we finished the game strongly. I thought Bickleigh looked really sharp and it was a good test for us ahead of the visit of Willand on Friday night."
The pre-season training is in full flow and here’s the thoughts of boss Peter Buckingham: “Things are developing very well pre-season. I am getting seriously positive vibes from all areas. There were over twenty for first training session and a even larger turnout for last Friday’s session. John Harkness (Harky, who is Buckingham’s number two), has added fun to the hard work in training and it is very encouraging if indeed heart warming, to see smiling faces between pain in the sessions! Holidays and work commitments have reduced the numbers, but there is an air of opportunism for the new season. We won’t set the world on fire just yet (but we may start the odd bonfire), however, the signs are there for the future development of the club with more togetherness between club sides and managers. A number of players have signed for the club but supporters will have to wait and see what and who walks out the dressing room on match day as it’s a mad merry-go-round just now with players waiting to see which is the best move for them to make! One set back was the injury to Danny Tapp after a small operation and it’s unlikely we will see him grace a Cully shirt until the end of September. One thing is for sure John and myself will make sure we have a together dressing room with fun and the will and desire to compete with anyone in our league.”
Speeds Meadow is in great nick ahead of tonight's friendly against Bickleigh. Head Groundsman John Chambers siad "All the hard work we did on the ground during the close season has paid dividends and despite the extremely dry summer I am delighted with the playing surface."
Several new faces are expected on show tonight's game. Manager Pete Buckingham is not revealing too much at this stage but is looking forward to seeing how is newly assembled squad gels. Kick off is at 7.30pm.
The Club's Annual General Meeting will now take place at the Clubhouse at 7.30pm on 2nd August. The reason for the new date is that all hands are needed to get the pitch ready for the first friendly on Tuesday when Rangers entertain Bickleigh. Please come along and have your say on how the Club is run, better still put your name forward to help. We are always looking for new active committee members to lighten the load of the existing committee.
124 teams descended on Speeds Meadow last weekend. Lads from under 7 up to under 16 will be taking part. Organiser Marcus Scott said "The event was a tremendous success and I would like to thank everyone who helped to make the two days run so smoothly, it really was a team effort. Special thanks however, should go to Tony Pryce Sports who sponsored the trophies for all age groups, their support is very much appreciated. A date for everyone's diary 16th & 17th July 2011 we will be doing it all over again!"
Winners were as follows: Under 9's Whipton Youth; 10's Arsenal Soccer School; 11's Tamarside JFC; 12's Tamarside; 13's Yeovil; 14's Weste Exe Whites; 15's Moors; 16's Tamarside.
Rangers have been drawn away to Crediton in the First Preliminary Round of the FA Vase. The match will be played on Friday 3rd September with a replay at Speeds Meadow should the match end in a draw after extra time. The winners will meet the winners of Dartmouth and St Blazey, also away.
It's Bideford at home in the St Luke's Bowl. Othe First Round ties are as follows:- Buckland v Elburton, Barnstaple v Royal Marines, Parkway v Dartmouth; The winners of our game will face Witheridge away.
The Club's application to enter the FA Cup has been rejected on the grounds that our points to games played ratio was not good enough. The same fate befell Wadebridge who will now visit on 14th August. Another rearranged fixture takes place on 28th August when we will now entertain Launceston.
Secretary Marcus Scott recently clinched a kit sponsorship deal for the Club. The formal announcement will be made later in the week when manager Pete Buckingham gets back from holiday.
Training continues at Speeds Meadow on Friday 16th for all 3 teams starting at 7pm. All players old and new are welcome.
Rangers Under 18's kick off their season with a trip to Chard Town on 7th September. Full list of fixtures will be published shortly.
Luke Robinson and James Smith take on Third Team. See Third Team link for contact details.
Players meeting proves to be a bonus/ Rangers Boss Peter Buckingham speaks on pre-season schedule and his management team plans / Communication the key 'It's good to talk' / Rangers to start with a Friday night home game / Boxing Day offers Mid Devon derby/John Harkness to be Pete's Number 2/ Make up of Devon & Exeter Leagues/Friendlies confirmed.
Peter and Andy confirm friendlies for FirstTeam and Reserves.
The First Team will kick off with a friendly against Bickleigh on 20th July quickly followed by Willand Rovers on 23rd, both at home kicking off at 7.30pm. On 26th they face a tough task away to Bridgwater Town and finally there is a home game at home to Alphington on Saturday 31st August ko 3pm. "That gives us 2 games against teams from a higher league and two against East Division sides which was just the sort of mix I was looking for" remarked Buxy.
The Reserves have 4 home friendlies all kicking off at 7pm. They kick off on 27th of July against St Martins, followed by Wonford on 3rd August, Exeter Civil Service are the visitors on 11th August followed by Westexe on 18th.
THE MEET AND GREET evening was deemed to be a success by boss Peter Buckingham. "Although several players were away on holiday I was encouraged by the quantity and more importantly the quality of the players who showed up. I was able to get my ideas across and get to know the players from last season. My number 2 John and myself were then able to take questions and the feeling we took away was that we can't wait to get started. I am away on holiday for a week from Wednesday but you can be sure that I will be monitoring any developments."
Boss Peter Buckingham has brought forward his ‘The new way ahead at Rangers MEET AND GREET evening’ to Friday June 25 when he is hoping to welcome ALL past and any prospective new players. Buckingham says: “I have been so impressed with the positivity from last season’s squad – many of whom have responded to my request that players get in touch. I have also had interest in joining us from a number of players, and I have to say that, at this early stage, I am quietly confident that we will, be able to start the season with a side of whom Rangers followers will be both proud of and delighted to watch in action.” He continued: “I have said before that I don’t want people to get over excited about it all. It’s not something we can wave a magic wand at and I don’t doubt we’ll have a few hiccups on the way BUT at this stage of pre-season I am very happy with how things are falling into place. John (Assistant boss John Harkness) has not let the grass grow under his feet since he came on board and I can’t wait for Friday June 25 and the chance to get all like indeed people together and let the know just what we are planning. I can assure followers of Rangers that we will engage in evolution – not revolution – we have friendlies set for Speeds Meadow against Willand Rovers, Bickleigh and Alphington and I would like one more to add to those three. I do not want to have a game in the seven days building up to the first League game on Friday August 5 as I want the build up to then be all about preparing for that first game – set plays and other regular routines will be the order of the day in the sessions leading up to the opener with Parkway at Speeds Meadow.
RANGERS Boss Peter Buckingham has made the first of his signings for his managerial team with the appointment of John Harkness as his number two. Buckingham expressed his delight at the capture of the experienced Harkness saying: “John is somebody I have worked with before and I hold hi the highest regard. I think he is very much in the mould of making an opinion felt and indeed feeling comfortable letting me know if he feels something is not quite working. What’s more he is a very genuine all-round, nice guy with bags of playing and managerial experience. He will be a huge asset to the club.” Harkness has experience of the Peninsula League with Witheridge and the former Devon County y league with Crediton United and Buckingham feels that will also be very helpful: “John knows the League and he is the ideal right hand man. I am still looking for further people, to join the team, we certainly need to get a physio on board and I hope to make further appointments between now and the end of the month.”
MEANWHILE former Rangers player-coach Danny Burwood has left Speeds Meadow to link up in a similar capacity with Richard Pears who was recently made manager of the Royal Marines AFC who will play in the SWP league top flight next season. Speaking of the news – released in the Monday edition of the Express and Echo newspaper, Peter Buckingham said: “I wish Danny all the very best. It was clear that he had designs on a future in management and as much as I would have loved to have had him at Speed Meadow as a player, I do have a passion to get this off-the-pitch management thing right with my own appointments. I had offered Danny the chance to stay and be a player but I fully understand his thinking and logic in linking up with the Royal Marines AFC with Richard where I am sure he (Burwood) will prove to be a big asset to them.”
In other news Buckingham is delighted that defender Andy Carnall has been in touch. Over the weekend the new Rangers boss revealed that he did not have contact numbers for last season’s 1st team squad and appealed through the website for players to get in touch with him. Carnall was the first and as such he is going to be at the first session of the pre-season. Buckingham said: “Andy (Carnall), sent me a text and we have now been in contact. I told him what I am looking for and he has told me he is up for a challenge and that’s what I want. He has the right attitude and spirit and will be made very welcome when we all report for our first session early next month.”
RANGERS Boss Peter Buckingham was very impressed with the Rangers Youth set-up which he saw stage a superb Fun day and 2010 Awards presentation at the Clubs Speeds Meadow headquarters. The day culminated with the showing on the club's big screen TV of the England versus USA World Cup game. Buckingham said: "I was mighty impressed with it all. I don't think I have ever seen so many youngsters having such a great time. It was all so well organised and a credit to all who were working behind the scenes to make it such a success."
Buckingham also took time to say about his first fortnight in the Rangers hot-seat: "I have not yet had time to speak to the members of the Rangers squad. That's not down to anything more than, as big as my contact book is, I simply do not have the numbers for all the lads who played last season. What I would like to say is that my number is (07980745747) and I would love to hear from all the current playing staff. They are all more than welcome, indeed I want them, to come along to our first pre-season game. There are clearly members of last years Rangers team who may want to seek pastures new, but on the other foot I am hoping that many of them want to work with me and I am looking forward to meeting them when we report in early next month."
THE NEW MAN at the Rangers helm has many ideas and already some are clearly coming into the public domain. We took time out to have a chat with the boss and see just what had been happening in the seven days since he was appointed to the Speeds Meadow hot-seat.
NEW RANGERS Boss Peter Buckingham says that, a week into his new challenge he is loving it! In fact ‘Bucksie’, as he is more informally known across the footballing divide has been non-stop at work on a number of projects. He says: “I have a few ideas at the moment that I am formulating but there are some I am happy to share right now. The first is my basic philosophy towards this post and indeed the bigger picture at Cullompton Rangers Football Club. I think it is an incredible asset to the club that there are three senior sides and I am very clear about one particular issue, there needs to be absolute communication from bottom to top and, on the basis that yours truly is at the top in terms of bossing the First team, I want it so that the Third team players feel just as much a part of the Rangers evolution as the lads in the 2nd and 1st teams. I intend to have a meeting with both Reserves and Third team management at the earliest opportunity to formulate a plan whereby we can all go forward together. Not for me any in-club fighting over un-availability for what ever side. I want to embrace all three teams to such an extent that all the players are Cullompton Rangers playing personnel, be they the youngest member of the Third team to the most senior player in the 1st team. Togetherness is a big thing for me and I am very keen for all the players working in all three teams, to feel part of a bigger club for I feel that logic can then radiate to the wider club. It’s also critical for that system to work we have clear, and open, lines of communication and so, my first task at Speeds Meadow is to integrate training so that when the Senior sides report for training, they report together and will train on the same night, at the same time. We have the room at Speeds Meadow to do that and it will allow yours truly to have an eye over all the proceedings. I want players at Cully Rangers to know that if they work hard and are good enough then they will get their chance.”
Another early project that the new man at the helm has been working on its formulating an off-the-field management team and he hopes to make an announcement as early as next week on this matter. He says: “I am speaking with the sort of people who I think can, and will, do a good job for Cullompton Rangers. I like to think I am both hard working, honest and very approachable. I don’t suffer fools gladly and I do want people who work with me to apply themselves totally to the task as I like to do. That said it’s not all belts and braces as I do like to have a bit of fun along the way – work hard, play hard – that’s the Buckingham philosophy! People can read into that what they will. I’ll not mention names in the wider domain until things are signed and sealed, suffice to say that I would like to think that if I put together the people I want to, and I see no reason why that can’t happen, then we will have in place the sort of solid platform from which we can take this Football Club forward.”
The new boss continued: “I have been completely taken back by the groundswell of good luck wishes that I have had. Amongst many, and I do mean many, people in, and close to, the game, I have had a message even from one Brian Can. ‘Canny’ is known very publicly not to have anything remotely Cully Rangers on his Christmas card list – but he was one of the first to say good luck – and that meant a lot. I do have a wide contact base and I like to think I have a large number of friends both in, and close to, the game – so the master plan is to gradually get those sort of people involved in what ever capacity. The plain fact is that anybody who comes into our pre-season sessions will get the chance to impress. I want hungry footballers, I want footballers who are prepared to do an honest shift on the training ground and then do an even more honest shift on a match day or match night. I am sure we will endure some headaches along the way – that’s football, but we will also go about our business in a professional manner and I want every body at Speeds Meadow singing from the same hymn sheet. I am particulary keen to foster a scenario where the members of the Rangers youth system, and what a jolly well run organisation that looks by the way, feel able to look up to the senior sides and aspire to, one day, turn out in the club colours at that level.”
RANGERS ARE TO STAGE A MEET AND GREET EVENING at the Speeds Meadow Clubhouse when new boss Peter Buckingham intends to hold a question and answer session with players, past and new, and of course any supporters whop wish to attend. The meeting is set for FRIDAY JULY 9 at the Club and an open invitation is extended to all players, past and hopefully future, to come along, join in the evening and see just what they could be getting involved with.
RANGERS HAVE ANNOUNCED A PRE-SEASON training schedule that sees things kick-off on Tuesday, July 13 and thereafter EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY through until the start of the South West Peninsula League season which begins on the weekend, August 6/7. The training schedule is: July 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30 and then into August on the 3rd which will be the final pre-season session. All players 9and under the new regime that means 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams) will be invited to be at the pre-season sessions. The pre-season training nights will see the respective sides train and/or play warm-up matches.
RANGERS WILL OPEN THEIR 2010/11 South West Peninsula League season with a Friday evening home game! Friday August 6 (7.30pm), will see Rangers take on PLYMOUTH PARKWAY at Speed Meadow and they are also at home again the following Tuesday night, August 10, with a game at Speeds Meadow against newly promoted ROYAL MARINES AFC. Rangers will meet the Militarymen later in the season in the Throgmorton Cup and the away game with them at their Endurance park, Lympstone base, will be on new Years day 2011! The 2010 Boxing Day game is an attractive one – it’s a Mid Devon derby at Speeds Meadow against WITHERIDGE.
PETER Buckingham is the new manager of Cullompton Rangers. Better known across footballing circles as ‘Bucksie’, he arrives at Speeds Meadow from neighbours Willand Rovers where he spent the past twelve months as Assistant manager to life-long friend, Clive Jones. No stranger to football manager for Buckingham had, prior to taking a six month sabbatical – been boss of Western League premier Division Barnstaple Town where he enjoyed a lengthy association with the North Devon club and succeeded in elevating their status to stand head and shoulders alongside the perceived giants of North Devon football, Bideford.
Speaking of the appointment, Rangers Secretary Marcus Scott said: “Peter is a Mid Devon man and our future ambitions for the Club are to develop a nucleus of local players rather than rely on the majority being Exeter based. He has the local contacts, a wealth of experience in management and an infectious personality. He still loves the game and I think he has reached the stage where he needed to push himself to face up to a new challenge and we can certainly offer him that."
The new man at the helm, who will combine his Speeds Meadow duties with continuing to |manager the Devon County under-18 side and the Devon Senior men’s XI said: “I can honestly say that telling Clive Jones that I was off to Rangers was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in the game - and I have spent quite a few seasons in the game! Indeed one of the reasons for me wanting to take up this challenge at Speeds Meadow is the fact that I have had almost three decades of travelling the motorway on Western League business, first as a player then as a manager and it is going to be something different travelling the other way. Factor in the magnificent new changing facilities at Speeds Meadow and the incredible enthusiasm of their committee to bring about progress for the club and it is not difficult to see that this makes a challenge that I simply cannot resist." He continues "I really enjoyed my short time at Willand and there is part of me that accepts that I might well be missing out on the chance of real footballing history next season, for let's face it, there is a real chance that Rovers could go one better next season by winning their League and I am sure they will be amongst the big hitters again in the FA vase.. But you stand and fall by your decisions and when I get out my sheet of A4 and list the pros and cons, the pros' win hands down in as much as it's my time now to try and help Cullompton Rangers get football on the pitch at Speeds Meadow to match the magnificent facilities off."
As for the season ahead, the new man at the helm said: “It will not be easy and we will have to get some serious hard work done on, and off, the pitch. But I have in mind the sort of back-up I am looking for in terms of personnel and I want to surround myself with similar people. I am not the sort to make brash statements as they always tend to come back and bite you on the bum – but what I will say to the rank and file follower of Rangers that what you will get from me is total and unequivocal hard-work for the greater cause. I am hoping to tap into the contacts I have built up over a coupe, of seasons with come exceptional young talent on the County circuit and we’ll endeavour, with the limited, but very understandable, resources, to field a side that will make it a pleasurable experience attending Speeds Meadow on a matchday. As I have already alluded to, the facilities are second to none and so, 9on the pitch, the first objective is to get competitive, consolidation is the first target and then we’ll look to push on and see just where a combination of hard work and enthusiasm can take us.”
Rangers Chairman John Chambers says: “He (Buckingham) is a breath of fresh air and I most certainly do not mean that to sound disparaging top any previous incumbent of the Speeds Meadow hot seat but the fact is that Peter oozes enthusiasm and certainly gives an aura of being somebody who is very focussed and intent on being successful at what ever he does and I am very excited about this appointment I am certainly looking forward to the new season starting!”
THROGMORTON CUP DRAW
Rangers have been given a tough draw in the Throgmorton Cup. At Tuesday night's League AGM they have been matched at home to last season's East Division champions Royal Marines. Please see SWPL web site for full draw.
UNDER 18's VOTED INTO SOMERSET FLOODLIGHT LEAGUE.
Rangers were unanimously voted into Division 1 South on Wednesday night's AGM. They will join Chard, Cheddar, Frome, Sherborne Street, Wells City and Winscombe. The draw for the knockout cup was made and Rangers have been drawn away at Premier League Elmore. Training for the lads will start on 22nd July. Interestyed players should contact Chris Garnsworthy on 07769671652.
FRIENDLY WITH WILLAND ROVERS.
Bucksie and Clive have agreed to a pre season game at Speeds Meadow on Friday 23rd July 7.30pm ko.
AWARDS DINNER.
Chris Garnsworthy swept the board for First Team Awards at the Club's Dinner on Friday night. He won Player Player, MOM Player and Supporters Player. Paul Dugard took the Player's Player for The Reserves and Alex Howe was the Manager's Player. For The Thirds Chris Beddow and Andy Dickson took the homours. Danny Barnard was named Young Player of the Year and Marcus Scott got Club Person.
THIRD TEAM MANAGER REQUIRED.
The club are still looking for a Third Team Manager after Lee Jenner decided he wants to concentrate on refereeing next season. Lee has done a magnificent job since he took over and the club would like to thank him for all he has done. We have already had applications for the post but if there is antone else out there who is interested they should contact Marcus Scott on 07740168072.
LEE RESIGNS.
Following Rangers latest defeat at the hands of reigning champions Bodmin Town manager Lee Annunziata decided to hand in his resignation. Lee wants to take a break from football after what has been a terribly difficult season for The Rangers. Chairman John Chambers spoke from the heart when he said "Lee has given his all for this Club and I know how disappointed he is with the way the season has panned out. Numerous factors have resulted in Lee having to operate on a very limted budget which has made it impossible to compete against most sides in our league."
Rangers will be running an Under 18 team next season. It was agreed at a Committee meeting on Monday night that this is the way the Club needs to move forward. Marcus Scott said "The Committee are 100% behind Chris Garnsworthy and Alex Howe who will be running the team. We cannot afford to bring players in on silly money from outside of the town so we must produce our own and this will allow our excellent Under 16 team to make the progression to Senior Football, and hopefully Rangers first team. Anyone interested in helping with the team or wishing to play should contact Chris Garnsworthy on 07769671652."
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