July 2009

I was officially unveiled as manager of Harrogate Town on the 7th July. Both the board and the media expect a safe mid-table finish for us, with the media predicting 10th place. The squad looked OK, but with definite room for improvement. The stand-out players on first glance were Brian Dutton, a tireless midfielder, Matt Bloomer, who I mentioned in the introductary blog, and a young striker named Daniel Broadbent. Unfortunately, even though they do actually play for the Sulpurites in 'real life', both Trevor Benjamin and Curtis Woodhouse aren't contracted to the club on FM2010. Oh well, we'll get past that slight obstacle.

No transfer funds, and quite a hefty debt meant I had to look at the free transfer market for new recruits. I looked for some familiar names, with international experience at first. Nathan Blake and Ian Cox were brought in on trial, along with seven other players, including former Hull City striker, Lawrie Dudfield.

My first friendly was against Stevenage, at home. I fielded a side which included Blake, and fellow trialist Bobby Ford. After 20 minutes, 37-year-old Blake, a former Wales international, rolled back the years and slotted the ball past the helpless Stevenage keeper for a goal on his debut. It looked as thought my reign at Wetherby Road had got off to a good start, but Blake had to come off injured with 20 minutes left on the clock. To add insult to injury, Stevenage grabbed a late equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time. After the game, I learnt that Nathan Blake had damaged his knee, meaning he'd be out for two or three months. I reluctantly terminated his trial.

My next move was to sack my assistant manager, Kevin Sharp, and begin a search for a new one. Then in came former Southampton winger Andy Williams on a free transfer, and Martin Pearson's and Sonny Cobbs' trials were made into permanent moves. The next game was a 1-0 defeat against Kettering, followed by a 3-2 victory over Airbus UK (which included a late winner from Lawrie Dudfield).

In a bid to increase the club's status, I made a link with Doncaster Rovers, which would mean they could choose to send players to Harrogate on loan, and we would receive some kind of financial benefit in the process. A good move, since our finances were (and still are) dire reading.

Barnsley midfielder Simon Heslop came in on a free transfer, in what was billed by the media as a 'coup' for the club, and 18-year-old midfielder, and hot prospect for the future, Nic Ignatiou was also signed on the advice from the backroom staff.

The final three friendlies this month included a 1-0 win against Glenn Hoddle's Academy, a 1-0 loss against Dover Athletic and a 2-1 win at home to Carshalton.

The main priority for next month is to find an Assistant Manager, and perhaps a couple of loan signings. But, although the media predicted us to be a safe, mid-table side, things are looking bright for the Sulphurites!