Vikings face a tough cup draw

Published on 5th July 2007 in Sport

The draw for the opening rounds of the FA competitions were released on Monday morning, writes Graeme Wilson.

And the Vikings, having had home draws last season, must travel in the first two rounds of the FA Cup, sponsored by E. ON.

In the preliminary round, they will either travel north to Arngrove Northern League side Shildon, or east to Northern Counties East Division One newcomers Bottesford Town on the outskirts of Scunthorpe.

And if successful against either of those, they must then travel to Unibond Premier Division side Whitby Town.

Goole have come across none of these teams in FA competition since being reformed, although the Vikings did have a tremendous Chairman's Cup meeting with Whitby in late 2005 going down 4-3 in the last minute of extra time.

And those with long memories will remember the old Goole Town overcoming Shildon in the FA Trophy in the 1980s - but it took a replay at the Vicoria Pleasure Grounds which had its own controversy with one of the match officials being none other than Ronnie Ullathorne, who just happened to live in the town at the time.

And in the FA Trophy, the news is little better with a trip to Unibond One North side Skelmersdale United.

The Vikings returned to pre-season training on Tuesday night in readiness for the season proper which starts on August 18.

There were one or two new faces mingling with last season's squad, with manager Nigel Danby looking to replace those who have left, notably Andy Parton (Buxton) and Lee Harper.

Rightfully annoyed

Danby was understandably annoyed by reports that James McDaid and Chris Hill had left the club, and in McDaid's case had even received telephone calls from his current players asking if it was true.

"It hasn't come from me," Danby told the Goole Times on Wednesday, who had reported this last week on good authority - especially in the case of Chris Hill.

On reports that Martin Thacker and Paul Palmer had joined Hall Road Rangers, Danby said: " It may well be true, Martin hasn't answered any of my telephone calls, and we have a similar scenario to last season when they left mid-season."

Thacker did return then and was instrumental in Goole's superb run of form from Christmas, which almost took them to the play-offs.

Danby confirmed there were still many more players left to come as the holiday season always means absentees, and the first pre-season game is against Ossett Town on Tuesday, July 17.

Further games include trips to Whitkirk and Selby Town, and further home games with Glasshoughton, Bridlington Town and North Ferriby United.

Clubs are struggling

Chairman O'Hearne's frustrations on page 77 of the Goole Times are understandable, for the guy has worked tremendously hard with fellow directors to keep the club going.

A council-owned facility means limitations, although the pressures on ground grading do mean the landlords have to adhere far more. However, in terms of corporate hospitality the club have to do it all themselves.

The new hospitality box (above) has given the Pleasure Grounds a new lease of life, and it does offer marvellous views of the match while enjoying the football.

Goole is one of the few clubs in the Unibond League Division One that can offer such, but they are not as lucky elsewhere, and although the Victoria Pleasure Grounds is a base - it isn't their own.

Having said all that. the number of clubs that have been on the brink in this close season - and some have gone altogether, does beggar the question of how long football can survive at this level, especially with demands on ground improvements as well.

I have made the point more than once to football administrators that if one per cent of the new TV deal was put aside for non-league clubs to use on 'ground improvements only' it would lessen the strain on club finances and although not giving carte blanche to impose on player's salaries, it would help.

The Football Foundation does a terrific job, but top level football has to start looking after the grass roots that little bit more - that would be a start.