LANCASTER CITY FC
2006-2007 SEASON PREVIEW

In a Centenary year disrupted by events off the pitch new investment has brought fresh hope to Lancaster City fans. Jayne Entwistle rounds up a dramatic closed season and looks forward to a promising year ahead.

Change has been the main theme of pre-season at Lancaster City. First to go was Steve Johnson who stepped down as Chairman of the club at the end of last season. The club was subsequently taken over by a consortium fronted by Charlie Moore and Chris Nicholls, both businessmen living within the district. Moore is the new Chairman whilst Nicholls is the new Commercial Director. After constant rumours last season of a financial crisis, there is confidence that they, together with the rest of the staff at the club, will be able to take the Dolly Blues forward and provide some much needed stability. 

Lancaster City also parted with long-time kit supplier Reebok and in their place the club has signed a four-year deal with Sports Direct North West who are the official suppliers of Errea. In addition, the club has signed a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with Carling, reputedly worth a six-figure sum to the club.

Lancaster City’s centenary year was entertaining but perhaps for all the wrong reasons, with events off the off-the-pitch overshadowing the celebrations. Before Christmas then manager, Phil Wilson, departed to league rivals Barrow. His assistant Peter Ward took over and brought in Gary Finley as his assistant. The partnership produced some excellent results over the Christmas period, which included wins against Barrow, and brought the squad together at an unsettling time for the club. However, the form did not continue and Lancaster City became inconsistent, producing mixed results, but they were nevertheless entertaining.

The highlight of the season was the club reaching the final of the United Co-Operatives Lancashire Challenge Trophy.  Despite a rousing performance from the players, Lancaster sadly lost 1-0 to Southport.

Ward himself left to become manager of Kidsgrove United and with him went the thanks of all City supporters for his tireless efforts and support at a time of great instability.

The managerial merry-go-round at the club signalled an exodus of players. Andy Bond, Mike Eckersley, Michael Stringfellow, Alex Taylor and Kevin Brown have all joined Barrow; Joe McMahon has joined Fleetwood Town; Tony McMillan has gone to Burscough whilst Andy Scott and Dave Shaw have joined their former manager at Kidsgrove United. Matt Bailey has also left the club and crowd favourite Tony Sullivan has hung up his boots.

The club has appointed Gary Finley as manager and former Tranmere Rovers star Micky Mellon as his assistant. Finley was the assistant manager to Ward last season but he has managerial experience having been the boss at Witton Albion. Finley has brought in an array of players: John Kennedy (Halifax Town), Dave Bayliss (formerly of Rochdale, Chester and Wrexham), Jimmy Kelly (Morecambe), Michael Taylor (Halifax Town), Ryan Zico Black (Kettering Town), Lee Spike, Kingsley Jones and Anthony Lally.  In addition, the club has made a record signing in former Manchester City player Jamie Tandy, who cost a reported £6,000 from Droylsden. A few familiar faces have survived the changes, namely Ryan Elderton, Scott Greenwood, Lee Foxcroft, Neil Uberschar and Iain Swan.

Pre-season friendly results have not been fantastic.  Lancaster City have lost to Partick Thistle (2-1), Blackpool (3-0) and East Stirling (2-0). At the time of writing the remaining fixtures were Rossendale, Skelmersdale and Kendal Town.  The squad will need time to knit together and to develop a common understanding with each other on the pitch.

It is set to be another testing season in the Conference North. The usual stalwarts, Barrow, Vauxhall Motors, and Stalybridge Celtic, remain. Meanwhile, the League welcomes Blyth Spartans, Farsley Celtic and Scarborough. Northwich Victoria have departed for the Conference whilst Ashton United and Hednesford Town have departed for the Unibond Premiership. This season will prove to be interesting with many former Lancaster City players set to return to the Giant Axe with their new clubs.

The season is a new start. It sees a new team under new management and financial backing.  It is hoped that Lancaster City will prosper on the pitch after the much-needed investment there has been in the club during the pre-season.

© Jayne Entwistle 3 August 2006

Read last year’s season preview.