Stafford Rangers - New Start and The Way Forward.

[cometcycle]

Just read the club statement about being unable to reach an agreement with Graham Heathcote so yet another change of Manager coming.
Hopefully they'll be able to promote someone from within given the achievements of the youth team.

 

[ben0239]

SRFC OFFICIAL FAN CLUB http://www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk/sfc
Adult membership (16+) is £15.00 a year and can be purchased on the Fan Club website using Paypal. (Photo upload required)
Junior membership (12-15 years) is £10.00 a year which includes League Home Game entry, can also be purchased on the Fan Club website using Paypal.

 

[SRFC Associate]

Just read the club statement about being unable to reach an agreement with Graham Heathcote so yet another change of Manager coming.
Hopefully they'll be able to promote someone from within given the achievements of the youth team.

It's been a busy month or so!
Yes, no agreement could be reached with Mr Heathcote so the search begins again. A list of applicants is already in hand and selection process is ongoing. There is a spirit around the club and the group mentioned at the start of this thread have assisted the club in heading back on an even keel. 89 season tickets sold up to last week, healthy bookings in the social, so that means other matters can start to be addressed. The youth team won the treble so we also have a promising bunch of youngsters coming through. We hope there are further developments regarding structure and appointments in the next two weeks. A team of volunteers is almost assembled for match days etc so we are making some progress.

 

[basil]

It's been a busy month or so!
Yes, no agreement could be reached with Mr Heathcote so the search begins again. A list of applicants is already in hand and selection process is ongoing. There is a spirit around the club and the group mentioned at the start of this thread have assisted the club in heading back on an even keel. 89 season tickets sold up to last week, healthy bookings in the social, so that means other matters can start to be addressed. The youth team won the treble so we also have a promising bunch of youngsters coming through. We hope there are further developments regarding structure and appointments in the next two weeks. A team of volunteers is almost assembled for match days etc so we are making some progress.

Do you something to tell us ? ..........

 

[gilbert grape]

Do you something to tell us ? ..........

Yep!

PRESS RELEASE
STAFFORD RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB 28TH MAY 2014

KITCHING RISES TO THE CHALLENGE
Stafford Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce that they have appointed Neil Kitching as Manager with immediate effect.
Neil is well known in non-league football having been First Team Manager at Rushall Olympic FC since 2008 and has a very successful track record. Married with two young boys aged 12 and 10; his playing career took him to Tamworth, Hereford, Gresley, Coleshill and Rushall before he moved into management in 2007.

We believe that we have the right man and he was our first choice for the position. Neil is experienced, young and hungry, has good contacts, excellent management skills and above all a determination to succeed. His CV, organisation and pure enthusiasm hugely impressed us.

The last two seasons have been a nightmare for all the supporters but we have spent a great deal of time in the past few weeks in putting plans in place to change many aspects of the football club. We are not prepared to give up and believe this will be the turning point in rebuilding the club and looking to the future.

Neil states:
"I am determined to change the fortunes of Stafford Rangers. We are a team with a proud history and whilst our difficulties are well documented, I believe that we can succeed. I am good at building a team with spirit, talent and a winning football mentality. I was impressed by the vision of the new management team and their uncompromising attitude to changing things both on and off the pitch. There is an excellent local youth squad set up and I believe that by working together with people like Chris Curtis we can drive success in all areas. I can’t wait to start and will be proud to wear the badge. It’s now time for everyone to pull together and look to the future"

MANAGEMENT TEAM

The appointment of Neil also benefits from bringing back to Marston Road two well-known supporters favourites in Nick Amos as Assistant Manager, with a wealth of experience as a player and Neil’s No2 since 2010 and Wayne Daniel (who will take a dual role as Player & Coach) a previous Rangers Captain, and one of Stafford’s longest serving players during his career at the club. They make up part of Neil’s management and coaching squad and will be complimented by Stafford’s Martin Prentice as First Team Coach. Martin has been a stalwart for us and our thanks go out to him and he will be vital in helping Neil to settle down quickly and he looks forward to working with him.

CULTURE, ETHOS AND COMMUNITY

The new manager appointment goes hand in hand with our determination to make positive changes at the club in the way in which it is run. It is time for a new culture, a new ethos and we will be communicating the environment we seek within the club. We will be sharing our philosophy or the principles of how we want to do business both on and off the field.
We will launch a new marketing strategy which will promote our values and develop a 5 year plan to make the football club both more attractive and financially sustainable and investable.

We accept that if we don’t try to make fundamental changes we will die. There are however no guarantees and we still have some issues remaining from last season that we need to try to redress; but need to now move on and develop ideals and objectives that everyone is clear on and can work towards.
We accept the need to be more community focussed and involved and are developing ways in which we can attract new fans through the schools. Our objective is aim for:-
A community based environment which:

• Promotes fun, friendship and respect for others
• Allows everyone to express themselves freely
• Creates a positive successful atmosphere
• Enables everyone to work together, being aware of the responsibilities of others
• Provides a pathway for the development of youth players.

NEW BOARD

There are currently four directors on the Board, Reg Bates, Mike Hughes, Roly Tonge and Cliff Went, although in effect only two are active. We will continue to search for new directors prepared to invest in the club but an interim and effective management team has been established.
With immediate effect a non-executive board has been appointed to run the club on a day to day basis and share both the load and decision making which will drive forward our new strategy and develop our 5 year plan.
As well as those mentioned above, this will consist of Carol Bailey, Jon Downing, Nick Oldfield, John Macmillan and David Montgomery.

FANS REPRESENTATIVE

In addition to these people the Stafford Rangers Independent Supporters Trust (STRIPES) will be represented by Phil Bennett who comments...
‘Stripes are pleased to be considered to play their part in the "new" Stafford Rangers. To have fan involvement in decision making at board level is an objective of Stripes and meets with the Supporters Direct ethos and it will ensure that any help or advice from Supporters Direct can be used for the future direction of the football club.’

One of the biggest changes is that rangers supporters will be asked to elect their own Fans Representative who will be re-elected every 6 Months by the fans.

Mike Hughes comments:
"Whilst I am a director of the club we are all fans at heart and we need everyone to have an input and we believe that this fundamental change demonstrates what we mean by a determination to change our culture and ethos. We want everyone to unite together to make this club once again a force to be reckoned with. Having a Fans Representative and Stripes helping us can play a big role in making this happen and each will have a vote and play an active part. One of the biggest challenges is to construct a management team that can work as one and I believe we have the basis of that"

NEW MATCHDAY FOOTBALL SECRETARY

The management team will also be assisted by the appointment of a new Matchday Football Secretary. We are delighted to announce that Robbie Mullin has agreed to come back to the club to help with the huge task in front of us.

Robbie states:
"I am delighted and honoured to come back. I have agreed to do so because I really think the club recognises that we need to change and I want to be part of the new era at the club I love."

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY /SPONSORSHIP/VOLUNTEERS

Commercial Activity is paramount to the success of the football club and we are currently looking at potential individuals to lead this area. Anyone interested in joining the commercial team should contact Carol Bailey in the first instance on 07889 170070. The changes we are making provide a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to get behind Stafford Rangers and if you are interested in having an early discussion please contact Carol.

The list of volunteers at the club is growing everyday but we still have vacancies that need to be filled and we need your help. Carol has full details.

THANKS

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our supporters and volunteers, grounds men and staff for all their support. It has been a difficult period for all but we need to look forward not back.

Now is the time when we all unite together to change the face of the football club and try to turn around our fortunes. Our thanks also go to the unsung heroes of the Social Club and committee who provide much needed income which enables us to move forward.

The volunteers who have recently raised money for the club and those who have pledged to carry out improvements in the next couple of months.

The Social Club will continue to drive our additional activities providing a great venue for all kinds of events and celebrations. For more information on how to book one of our rooms call Tony Vincent and his team on 01785 602432

 

[SRFC Associate]

Well, what a busy Summer!
As well as the appointments in the last post by Gilbert, there have been other developments. To add to this above, Alan Gee has been appointed as Fans Representative and will add another position to representing supporters along with Phil Bennett from the Trust.
A further statement was released last week that Roly Tinge had retired from the board due to age and health. A man that will be forever held in high regard by the club and it's fans as he has written off all the funds that were against his name on the balance sheet, thus reducing the club's deficit.
We move on in a positive frame and this helps us progress at a faster pace, financially.
As for goings on at the club, the squad is growing weekly with Notching adding more faces to the squad and the training for the new season starts next week with our first friendly at home to Leamington on 12th July. Season tickets have now broken the 100 mark and this has brought us closer to our financial target for end of financial year. Great news!
In the social club, all World Cup games are being shown in the members bar and there are drinks promotion securing games.
This Friday there is a sportsman's evening with Dean Windlass as the guest speaker. I see Gilbert has set up an event for this in the events section (funnily enough)!

 

[gilbert grape]

Bump!
Busy times down at Marston Road.
Squad is almost assembled. 6 friendlies into pre season and won 4 drawn 2 lost 0!
Structures falling into place on and off the field,, busy club, ground tidy up has come and gone, 100 seaon tickets sold, a team including a number of young local lads is looking quite promising and nobody is being over optimistic(INCLUDING ME!)
A feeling that the community are also coming back into the club is a good thing and the days of April's doom and gloom seem far awy.
Look forward, not back, seems to be the mind set so fair play to all involved.
A lot of sponsorship deals are now available at the club and if we can get a good start, all those taking up the deals may well get some decent exposure by backing their local club.
Details as follows -

There are a number of opportuniies for investments at the moment including some new matchday experience and various sponsorships -
Gold Package (Match Sponsorship) - £400
This consists of drinks on arrival, 3 course meal, meet the Manager and Players, corporate seating in the stand for the game, photos, mementos and regular announcements of your sponsorship. Plus you get to pick and present the man of the match award. Covered by the local media.
All this for yourself and 9 guests.
Black & White Package - £250
All of the benefits within the Gold Package, except this comes with a buffet lunch prior to the game. All still for 10 people.
Match Ball Sponsorship £100 Per Match.
Includes coverage in the match day programme as well as regular tannoy announcements of your company.
Ground Advertising Boards - £200.
Pitch side board with exposure to around 400 people per game (hopefully!)
Match Day Programme Adverts -
Full page £250
Half Page £130
Quarter Page £75
Or buy a smaller square in the programme for £40 (42mm x 32mm)
Player Sponsorships - £30 per player, about 10 of these left at the moment.
Some Car Park Spaces Left - £20 for a season ticket.
For all of these matters contact Craig at the club on 01785 602431.

 

[ben0239]

A good test for the boys tonight as we take on afv Telford kick off 1945. Get there early to avoid the massive crowds at the turnstiles and enjoy a nice pint in the bar.

 

[citricsquid]

The discussion of who owns the club was months ago but nobody provided the information (available from Companies House) so here it is for anyone interested:

16.43% £12,300 (24,600 Shares) - Peter Bowers
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Clifford Went (79) *
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - David Montgomery (56) †
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Jonathan Downing (64) †
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Nicholas Oldfield (63)
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Roland Tonge (90) †
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Sharron Montgomery 
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Stacey Oldfield
06.01% £04,500 (09,000 Shares) - David Parker (68) †
05.25% £03,930 (07,860 Shares) - Michael Hughes (68) *
04.67% £03,500 (07,000 Shares) - Gillian Parker
04.01% £03,000 (06,000 Shares) - Janet Went
02.67% £02,000 (04,000 Shares) - Ian Seddon (38) †
02.67% £02,000 (04,000 Shares) - Robert Hughes (71) †
02.67% £02,000 (04,000 Shares) - Stanley Robinson (73) †
02.04% £01,530 (03,060 Shares) - Norman Wright
02.00% £01,500 (03,000 Shares) - M. Aspley
02.00% £01,500 (03,000 Shares) - Martyn Heath (58)
01.47% £01,100 (02,200 Shares) - Reginald Bates (58) *
01.35% £01,010 (02,020 Shares) - Susan Meddings

All shares are Ordinary shares, each share is worth £0.50. If age is available I've added it in brackets. An asterisk * indicates that they are an active director, a dagger † indicates they are a retired director, otherwise they have not held a directors position. There are a number of directors who are no longer (or never were) share holders, they're not included.

 

[My Name is URL]

How much is entry to Rangers friendlies? I shall be making a trip on Saturday... just a shame it won't be another three points we can take off you boys this year

 

[ben0239]

It's 3 pound for concessions and five pound for adults. I think it's free for under 12. Although we lost tonight against Telford we put in another good performance and were unlucky not to get a draw. Some really plus points in tonight's performance. Onwards and upwards.

 

[gilbert grape]

STAFFORD RANGERS
FOOTBALL CLUB​

Everybody at Stafford Rangers is in deep shock at the news of the tragic and sudden loss of Mike Hughes.

Mike was not only our chairman but a good friend to all who knew him. His devotion to the club over the past 30 years was enormous and we will never be able to repay the debt of gratitude that we owe him. He was without any doubt the biggest single reason why Stafford Rangers is still in existence today.

He not only had the respect of colleagues and supporters alike but was one of the most respected people in non-league football with a wealth of knowledge and experience. His interest in the game as a whole was only surpassed by his passion for the club he loved and to which he gave so much.

Whilst we all knew him as our Chairman he was at heart a family man and today our thoughts are with his wife Carol and all their family as they try to come to terms with losing Mike so suddenly.

Mike was a man of integrity, honesty and loyalty and he has left these qualities deeply engrained in this football club. He will be deeply missed by us all and we are determined to honour him in the best way we can by continuing to make this football club the very best it can be.

We will honour him properly at the first home game of the season but in the meantime we know that your thoughts like ours will be with his family.

07/08/14.

**THIS NEWS HAS HIT EVERYONE AT THE CLUB PRETTY HARD, BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF MIKE, IT WILL INSPIRE US ALL TO CARRY ON AND WORK IN THE SAME COMMITTED MANNER AS HE DID TO KEEP THE CLUB ON AN EVEN KEEL AND NOT ONLY TO SURVIVE BUT TO PUSH ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
R.I.P MR HUGHES

 

[ben0239]

Stafford rangers are holding a meet the manager evening tonight which starts at 8 pm. Get there early to take advantage of the cheap beer prices and watch the boys train. The session will be an open forum with the guy who is hopefully going to take the rangers up the league pyramid.

 

[John Marwood]

The discussion of who owns the club was months ago but nobody provided the information (available from Companies House) so here it is for anyone interested:

16.43% £12,300 (24,600 Shares) - Peter Bowers
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Clifford Went (79) *
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - David Montgomery (56) †
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Jonathan Downing (64) †
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Nicholas Oldfield (63)
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Roland Tonge (90) †
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Sharron Montgomery 
06.68% £05,000 (10,000 Shares) - Stacey Oldfield
06.01% £04,500 (09,000 Shares) - David Parker (68) †
05.25% £03,930 (07,860 Shares) - Michael Hughes (68) *
04.67% £03,500 (07,000 Shares) - Gillian Parker
04.01% £03,000 (06,000 Shares) - Janet Went
02.67% £02,000 (04,000 Shares) - Ian Seddon (38) †
02.67% £02,000 (04,000 Shares) - Robert Hughes (71) †
02.67% £02,000 (04,000 Shares) - Stanley Robinson (73) †
02.04% £01,530 (03,060 Shares) - Norman Wright
02.00% £01,500 (03,000 Shares) - M. Aspley
02.00% £01,500 (03,000 Shares) - Martyn Heath (58)
01.47% £01,100 (02,200 Shares) - Reginald Bates (58) *
01.35% £01,010 (02,020 Shares) - Susan Meddings

All shares are Ordinary shares, each share is worth £0.50. If age is available I've added it in brackets. An asterisk * indicates that they are an active director, a dagger † indicates they are a retired director, otherwise they have not held a directors position. There are a number of directors who are no longer (or never were) share holders, they're not included.

Obliged

Are you still getting McDonalds delivered?

 

[ben0239]

Early this season, we have our first National Non League Day. This happens to fall on 6th September when Stafford Rangers are at home to Coalville Town in what could hopefully be a top half of the table clash. This is the first time Rangers have been fortunate enough to have a home game on Non League Day and the Club have decided to throw open an offer to those Barclays Premier League and Sky Bet Championship supporters who have a day off from following their regular team.

Simple rule is. AS AN ADULT, IF YOU PRODUCE YOUR OWN PERSONAL PREMIER LEAGUE OR CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB SEASON TICKET you get in for £5 (no concessions) and it must be a season ticket. We will not accept an old match ticket or a verbal " I am a Stoke/Wolves/Vale fan" eg. It must be a valid season ticket.

For details about the Non League Day, go to -
http://www.nonleagueday.co.uk/

Our normal prices for League games are as follows.
MATCHDAY TICKET PRICES -

Adults = £9.00

Concession = £6.00
(Senior Citizen/Armed Forces/Students in Full Time Education) - Proof of identity and Age Required.

Under 16's = £4.00

Transfer to Stand = £1.00

Children Aged 12 and under will be admitted to the ground for FREE if accompanied by an ADULT PAYING PARENT OR GUARDIAN.
(Maximum 2 Children to 1 Adult)

 

[John Marwood]

How much is a Guardian these days?

 

[ben0239]

For those of you who are not aware tomorrow is stafford rangers FC first home game of the season against norton FC. Prior to the game starting mike Hughes (mr rangers) who recently passed away will be a given a one minute applaus by the rangers fans who hold him and will continue to hold him in high regard. He has worked tirelessly for the rangers and is credited to saving the club. Therefore I would urge all rangers fans past and present to get down to marston rangers tomorrow night and show your support for a true stafford legend who will be sadly missed.

 

[markpa12003]

I will be there tonight to pay my respects to Mr Rangers and to hopefully see Rangers win.

 

[ben0239]

For those of you that missed tonight's stafford rangers match you missed a real treat. Tonight was an amazing night and a fitting tribute for a true rangers legend topped off nicely with another 3 points for the boro.

I would urge all members of the forum to take a trip to marston road whether or not you are football fan you will be hooked by the griendliness if the rangers fans and the overwhelming community spirit. (Tonight the fans gave generously to headway at previous games rangers fans have donated to house of bread and shown their support to support stafford hospital etc etc).

Tonight reminds me just why I love non league football. Up the boro.

 

[Withnail]

Colossal let me down, colossally, otherwise i would have been there.

We'll make the next one, or the one after that, to be sure.

Up the boro.

To be sure.