COLESHILL POST No1

[Alan Beckett]

COLESHILL POST

The first ever addition of the local newspaper wrote:

COLESHILL TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

2012/2013 SEASON REVIEW

Coleshill started their fourth season in the Midland Alliance, Level 5 on the non-league pyramid system, but the manager who guided them to promotion back in 2008, Carl Adams, had been head hunted by Stratford Town in the summer and so it was his understudy Jason Lanns who took the hot seat for his first managerial position. At this level of football, when a manager moves on, many players move with him, so Lanns had to virtually start from scratch building his own side. The management were in confident mood as a host of new players came to the club but early results didn't back up the optimism. Two points from the first five league games and an early exit from the FA Cup to a team from the league below didn't help confidence. Wins over Coventry Sphinx and Ellesmere Rangers covered the cracks and when Town went out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle, again to a team from a lower league, and then exited the league cup in the first round, Lanns decided enough was enough and stepped down, and it was still only October. Chairman Paul Billing reacted immediately by appointing ex Bristol Rovers and Walsall player Andy Reece who had recently been assistant manager to Mark Kinsella at Daventry. Defeats followed to bitter rivals Highgate United, Burton Albion in the Birmingham Senior Cup, this being no disgrace, and a thumping by Heath Hayes and it was all change again. Andy Reece left for a professional coaching job with Northampton Town and Paul Billing stepped in as caretaker manager, recording a fine win away to Westfields in his first game in charge. After so much disruption Coleshill were looking for someone to steady the ship. Youth team manager Paul Casey was doing a wonderful job with the Under 18's and so he was asked to step up and take the reigns of the first team. He had a job on his hands! Coleshill were by now in a relegation place and confidence at an all time low. Casey had been a prolific goalscorer for Coleshill in the past before moving on to Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield and Kidderminster Harriers, how he needed a goalscorer now! Casey brought in some of his youth players and at first results picked up but as good as these players were, they were young and in-experienced and by February relegation looked a certainty. Slowly Casey changed the shape of the side! In came Paul Hathaway, a vastly experienced goalkeeper, Luke Edwards centre half, Jon Powis centre midfield and Chris Gumery centre forward, the spine of the side comfortable and experienced at this level of football and with Chris Lloyd given a free role, the goals started to flow and the youngsters started to flourish. In the last 15 games of the season Coleshill won 7, drew 3 and lost 5 to slowly claw themselves away from the relegation zone and even had a game in hand as by the time they played Loughborough on the last day of the season they were already safe. Remarkably they finished in 15th place, some 5 places and 7 points clear of the bottom three. Oh and the goalscorer Casey was looking for, Chris Lloyd finished with 13.

Incidentally, Carl Adams steered Stratford to the title at the first attempt!

2013/2014 SEASON

So, what's in store for Coleshill this coming season. Well, if they can hold onto Casey, sign up the players they had on the books at the end of the season and bring in a few new faces, then I think they are unlikely to be in the same situation as last time out. Early indications seem to point to Paul Casey looking forward to a full season in charge, has all the players he requires signed and sealed and the last time I was at the football club I recognised a few new faces that are of a standard that will improve the side. Dare I say it but a top ten finish is easily within their capabilities and even a top six with a bit of luck!

Coleshill will be starting their pre-season training by the time you read this and already have some games lined up as warm ups.


Sat 6th July Atherstone United Away. 3pm Kick Off.

Tues 9th July Coventry Copsewood Away. 7.30pm Kick Off.

Sat 13th July Blackwood Fc Away. 3pm Kick Off.

Thurs 18th July Bolehall Swifts Away. 7.30pm Kick Off.

Tues 23rd July Home TO Stratford Town. 7.30pm Kick Off.

Sat 27th July Home To Romulus FC. 3pm Kick Off.


Next time in the Coleshill Post we will take a more in depth look at the season ahead and also a brief look at CTFC's history! Did you know there has been a football team in the town since 1885?