DIVISION TWO SEASON PREVIEW THE CHANGES:
Norfolk And Chance rejoin Division Two following their relegation, whilst Toft Monks Athletic and Boca Seniors are promoted from Division Three. Out go Fulham FC and Dangler Dans who are both promoted, whilst Pegasus drop into the third division. Bangor Bucks are spared relegation due to Drakies Dazzerlers demise.
THE CONTENDERS:
After agonisingly being denied promotion on the last day two seasons running, Blackhawk Rangers fans will hope this time it will be third time lucky. If they can repeat the early season form they showed last season, opening their first 5 games they have a chance and their past experiences may give them an extra mental toughness which could help them claim that elusive promotion.
Stans Rangers currently have the strongest squad in the division on paper. Manager Stanway has built on the strong foundations laid by Chris Kehoe and the core of their first team are approaching their prime. Inconsistancy has been their big problem recently - they have just recorded three consecutive wins for the first time since last April. If they can overcome that, they could be difficult to stop.
Both Dangler Dans and Fulham FC have made the quick rise from Division Three to Division One and Toft Monks Athletic could be the next to join the list. Manager Bigfro53 has kickstarted the clubs attempt to rise back up to the dizzy heights they experienced in the opening few seasons of the Norfolk League. They cantered to the Division Three title last term and possess a strong squad bolstered by an 11 million econ investment in two new players. They have only lost 1 of their last 18 matches which hints they are likely to be a force to be reckoned with.
Another team seeking to rekindal past successes is Boca Seniors. The club previously had a breif spell in the top flight before slipping down the leagues, but new manager ArnieD secured promotion in his first season in charge. They finished just 3 points behind Toft Monks last term and ended with 5 straight league wins so will be brimming with confidence. Anthony Betts is their star player. They showed their potential when they won at Hotshots in last seasons league Cup.
After a 5 season stint in Division One, Armoth's Norfolk And Chance are back in Division Two. In Ernest Scherz, they possess the best goalkeeper in the whole of the Norfolk League and also the best player in the Division. After a promising start, it was their defence that proved their weakness last season. If they can regain their confidence early then they could compete for a top 2 finish.
At the end of Season 10 Fulham FC were spared relegation due to Aldershot TOON's demise - they went onto win the Division Two title the next season. Bangor Bucks will be hoping for a repeat. New manager Carlos Tomlinson took over mid season and immediately made the side hard to beat again almost avoiding a bottom 2 finish when it seemed inevitable at the mid way point. They still posses one of the best defensive partnerships around in the shape of Vicente and Vallin. They two could compete for promotion if they can continue their form from the end of last season.
Chertseychoppers avoided the drop on the final game of the season last term after producing a fine 4-1 win over Bangor Bucks in a pressure encounter. They posses plenty of experience in their squad and are very strong at home. They will need to improve on just the 1 point that they picked up on their travels. Strikers Epalle and Atangana both have good strike rates and they will be charge again with scoring the goals to secure the minimum of survival for the choppers.
Spatula United escaped relegation after coming from 2-0 down to defeat Pegasus on the final day last season. New signing Taitislav Prokop has been purchased to replace the void left by the retirement of the clubs all-time top scorer Ryan Aitken. The early signs are good after the Spats stunned top flight HM Gunners in the opening round of the cup on Wednesday. They possess incredible depth with only one player with a skill level below 6!
5 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
ANTHONY BETTS, Midfielder, Boca Seniors
The creative force for ArnieD's men. The intelligent midfielder has 33 assists and 24 goals in his 145 appearnces.
MAURO KOCK, Goalkeeper, Toft Monks Athletic
The 34-year-old shot stopper was Division Three player of the season last term and has only conceded 9 goals in his 17 appearances.
LLOYD LAMPARD, Striker, Norfolk And Chance
The 31-year-old has struck 45 goals in his 103 goals and is one of the most proven strikers around at this level.
ERNEST SCHERZ, Goalkeeper, Norfolk And Chance
The 27-year-old is the most skillfull goalkeeper in the Norfolk League and is Armoth's star performer. No current goalkeeper has earned more Xpert 11 selections.
GUSTAVO VICENTE, Defender, Bangor Bucks
Vicente has won the MVP award in both Divisions 1 and 2 in the past and his consistancy is remarkable having achieved 75 X11 selections in 86 games.
THE BIGGEST SPENDERS (As of 20/01/2010):
11.38m - Toft Monks Athletic
3.55m - Spatula United
BIG SIGNINGS:
Cyril Bergeret, Toft Monks Athletic, 8.4m
Taitislav Prokop, Spatula United, 3.5m
Tito Riano, Toft Monks Athletic, 3m
BIG DEPARTURES:
Robbie Priest, Toft Monks Athletic, Retired
Ryan Aitken, Spatula United, Retired
Antonio Dominguez, chertseychoppers, Retired
Camden Stoneheart, Spatula United, Sacked
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
Season 11: Fulham FC
Season 10: Drakies Dazzerlers
Season 9: Pegasus
Season 8: Amazingstoke Gooners
Season 7: Ross County Reserves
Season 6: Norfolk And Chance
Season 5: Pegasus
Season 4: Toon Army
Season 3: HM Gunners
BETTING ODDS (Title):
2-1 Fav: Stans Rangers
3-1: Toft Monks Athletic, Blackhawk Rangers, Boca Seniors
5-1: Norfolk And Chance, Bangor Bucks
6-1: Spatula United
7-1: chertseychoppers
WHO DO THE MANAGERS THINK WILL WIN THE TITLE?
57% Blackhawk Rangers
29% Toft Monks Athletic
14% Norfolk And Chance
back to the
preview section
Home
|
Norfolk League | Division One | Division Two | Division Three | Stats Section | Hall of Fame | Previews |
Press | Transfers in | Transfers out | Fantasy
Football | How to join | links |