Feature Interview – Tom Upton
“Playing for Fife has been hard this year I have to say, but I’m not going to leave this club, I’m here for the long haul,” says Tom Upton shortly after sitting down with club reporter Danny Walsh in the University of Chester’s coffee shop.
“It’s been a long year in terms of getting results, but I’m certain we will bounce back up next year by winning Division 1 and becoming a stronger team.”
Upton’s desire to speak highly of Fife who have struggled to reach manager Andy Fannon’s expectations of staying in the league proves that the players are willing to come back a better outfit for when they make that return to the Premier League.
After dominating Division 1 last year and reaching Cheshire’s top flight league the question have to be asked as to where it all went wrong for Rangers. Was it too much of a change in standard for the club? Were the clubs new signings not up to the mark? Was it the loss of players at the start of the season? And perhaps most painfully, are the club just not good enough to play in the Premier League?
“I think all those questions have to be assessed definitely it’s important we look at those and see where it all went wrong for us,” says Upton. “Personally, I think there are many reasons, but I think the loss of the players at the start of the season was key because a lot of the players heads were down going into the start of the season and results weren’t going our way, it was all mixing together and affecting our play.”
It took till the start of April for Fife to register their first points of the season following a home draw with Sidac Social and such a feat is something which Upton experienced for the second time, as playing for University was also a tough experience for the centre forward.
“It’s funny because the exact same thing happened whilst playing for University this season, it was a real struggle,” he says. “We didn’t register our first points till around the same point as with Fife so it’s been bitterly disappointing on a lot of fronts for me this season.”
Having such a torrid time is something in which Tom has failed to experience throughout his footballing career for the lad who grew up in Stretford.
He grew up just a five minute drive away from Old Trafford and is a boy-hood Manchester United fan and long term season ticket holder.
“Obviously growing up seeing United was amazing and I always aspire to win each week mainly because I’m used to seeing United win and it’s what I’m used to seeing,” he says. “But you can’t win every week and it’s just been one of those seasons but I’m positive we will bounce back next season and show what we can do as a club.”
His career in football has steamed from representing his school at Knutsford High, a school in which professional Phil Jagielka learnt his trade, to local clubs such as Urmston Town and Old Stretfordians, both of which have a rich history of success.
“When I was a kid we won everything at those clubs it was amazing,” he says. “Not a lot of kids can say that because you can’t just turn up and play for the best clubs you have to earn it and I’m proud of myself for doing that.”
Such achievements have fell short for the player who only moved to Warrington upon gaining a place at the University Campus opposite the clubs home ground.
Whilst studying Sport Development, Upton saw Fife as a club on the up and manager Andy Fannon soon saw his potential and snapped up his signature.
“I was so proud to sign for the club it’s got fantastic potential and I was proud to be made a part of it,” he says. “Hopefully next season we can fulfil that potential and build a squad capable of competing in the Premier League.”
His passion for the club has even lead him to consider staying in Warrington for next season despite finishing his studies at University this year.
“There’s talk of me staying around here definitely” he says. “I like the area and I love to keep my football going and I feel as though Fife is the right place for me to do this.”
Finally we asked Tom who he believed had been the best player for the club this season despite the campaign not quite going to plan.
“For me, it has to be Thomas Neary,” he says. “He’s been consistent throughout, scored important goals and been a genuine player for us throughout the whole season, he would certainly get my vote.”
By Danny Walsh.
Orford FC 2 – 1 Fife Rangers
Fife failed to produce back to back wins for the second time this season with defeat away to title contenders Orford this weekend.
Rangers were looking to build on last weeks impressive win at home to Cronton Villa but failed to reproduce the sort of display that could beat potential league winners.
Orford took the lead when Owen played a neat one-two with Holt, who then played a neat reverse ball through to Taylor (18) who slotted home with the outside of his left boot.
Fife looked to reply quickly and nearly made the breakthrough when Howard’s long range effort clipped the bar.
Instead, it was the home side who took full advantage and doubled their lead when Cooper (38) scored a well worked free-kick to give them a 2-0 lead into half time.
The blues came out of the blocks fast in the second half and the frantic pace was too much for Orford, when Critchley played in Morris (55) who then took it around the keeper to slot home and give Rangers a glimmer of hope.
But Orford’s defence looked solid in the closing stages and held out for the win giving them a fighting chance of lifting the Premier League title.
Fife’s defeat leaves Fannon more frustrated after last weeks impressive performance but he must pick the side up for their next fixture at home to second placed Rainhill Town.
By Danny Walsh.
Fife Rangers 4 – 2 Cronton Villa
Fife took revenge over Cronton this weekend by securing their second victory of the season with a 4-2 victory at Crab Lane.
The home side went into the game with good confidence following a decent run of results and avenged their previous 8-3 thrashing to a Villa side sitting in 9th place.
Rangers took the lead courtesy of a Padget free-kick (24) and this was soon followed by a quick brace from Farrell (28, 36).
The away side didn’t know what had hit them, but replied with a strike on the stroke of half time following good build up play.
Into the second half, the away side pulled another one back when Jones (52) rose highest to head the ball home from a corner.
It was all too familiar territory for Fife, but the home side rallied and secured victory when Gould (82) scored his first of the season with a cool strike in off the upright.
The result leaves Fife rooted to the foot of the table but gives Fannon’s side good confidence in which to build on for the rest of the season.
By Danny Walsh
Fife Rangers 2 – 2 St Michael’s DH
Fife brushed themselves down from last weeks poor performance to secure a 2-2 draw against high flying St Michaels D H.
The home side looked in good shape following last weeks defeat to Beeches and took the game to a side who are sitting pretty in 5th place in the Premier League.
It was the away side who took the lead though, when Dowd skipped past two players with ease before squaring for Faulkner (15) to slot the ball home from six yards.
Rangers then replied with a dubious goal, Neary (28) slotting home when the striker looked suspiciously offside.
St Michaels then retook the lead on the stroke of half time when Dowd went on another impressive run before lofting the ball to the back post for Healy (44) to head home.
The blues came out well in the second half and showed good character to get back into the game when Clarke (59) headed home from a corner for what was only his second goal of the season.
Chances were few and far between in the closing stages and with it the game ended with St Michaels staying in fifth place and out of contention for the league.
Fife remain bottom and face a tough task at home to Cronton Villa next week.
By Danny Walsh.
Beeches 3 – 1 Fife Rangers
Rangers failed to build on last weeks three points at Blackbrook by falling to a 3-1 away defeat to fellow struggler’s Beeches.
It was a tough ask for Andy Fannon’s side to produce back to back wins following a disappointing season and his team failed to reproduce last weeks heroics.
The away side never looked like producing chances and with it the home side to an early lead when Hunter (13) raced through on goal and coolly took it round the keeper to tap into an empty net.
Fife failed to rally and despite hitting a post from a Padget free-kick, Beeches then raced down the other end for Hunter (36) to score his second of the game.
The blues started the second half brighter and got themselves back into the game when Padget and Wells combined to put through Pendleton (57) who neatly converted.
But it was the home side who would have the last say in the game and when Dooner was brought down in the box 10 minutes from time, club captain Bate stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and leave the home side a small chance of avoiding relegation.
Defeat leaves Fannon pulling his hair out following last weeks victory but must pick the team up for next weeks fixture against St Michaels D H.
By Danny Walsh
Blackbrook 1 – 2 Fife Rangers
Fife recorded their first win of the season with a hard fought victory away at Blackbrook this weekend.
The win doesn’t change much in terms of the table with Fife still facing relegation but the win gives them a boost to end the season on a high.
Rangers took the lead inside the 20th minute when Neary headed home a back post corner.
But the home side soon leveled when Cook (25) coolly slotted home from the edge of the six yard box following a neat one-two.
But the blues didn’t get disheartened and despite knowing the inevitable relegation to Division 1, Andy Fannon’s men played with confidence and Neary (65) slotted home his second of the game and what proved to be the winner.
The win leaves Blackbrook facing the possibility of relegation but gives Fannon something to think about if the club are to return to the Premier League after next season.
By Danny Walsh
Player Interview With Gareth Williams
Gareth Williams (Pictured Right)
Center Back Gareth Williams has had a magnificent season for Rangers when he has been called upon by manager Dave Fannon. Although he is on dual registration with Cheshire Football League side Eagle Sports FC, he has offered his services to the blues when Eagle do not have a fixture scheduled.
A ball playing left footed center back, as well as being strong in the air and renowned for scoring goals from the back, ‘Gags’ is a natural leader after captaining Eagle for the last 10 years
The signing of Williams will certainly be a shrewd bit of business for next season aswell, after appearing consecutively in the last 5 games, he has certainly sured things up at the back. The transfer came after Fannon has known Williams for a very long time with him now being at the age of 35, so he has plenty of experience playing at a high level.
“I have known Dave for a while now, and he has been telling me that Fife as a club is growing after winning the league last season. I decided to go to pre-season training before i went back to my main club Eagle Sports. It then became clear that i could sign for both clubs as they are involved in different leagues, so i explained to the manager that i would be available whenever there was no fixture scheduled for Eagle.”
Although his qualities of being comfortable on the ball and strong in the air he explained what other qualities he brings to the Rangers side who are currently bottom of the league. He said “After experiencing my first few games with the side, it was clear that they are very young, and i feel that with my experience i will be able to look after them more on the pitch and communication from the back is such a big aspect of the game at this level.”
Williams has racked up an impressive 29 appearances this season for both clubs, but he announced to the Fife Rangers wesbite that he is to undergo a hernia operation in the summer, something that has been struggling with for the second half of the season.
“I have had the pain for a while now, and a recent trip to the physio confirmed that i have been playing with two hernia’s for a while now. I have decided that i will play the final five games of the season for Fife before going in for the operation so that i am back in time for the start of pre-season.
Finally Williams was asked what have been his career highlights and how long he thinks he has left in his legs to continue playing at the level he is currently at.
“I have been playing open age football from the age of 16, so after taking time to adapt to the physicallity of the game i have played semi-professionally at Trafford FC for three seasons. This was the highest level i played at so it has to be the highlight of my career. If my wife lets me, i hope to at least play until i am 40 then i will see how my body is coping.”
Williams has been confirmed as the captain for this weekend’s fixture against Blackbrook FC.
By Danny Burthem
Fife Rangers 1 – 1 Sidac Social
After taking them 15 games to do so, Fife Rangers finally earned their first points of the season this afternoon, with a hard-fought point against Sidac Social.
Going into the game, it was manager Andy Fannon’s team-talk of playing with pride to his players that seemed to make the Rangers players increase their performance up a notch or two.
However, this applied to much for one of the Rangers players when a moment of madness from defender Kieran Bacon left them with 10 men for the majority of the match, when with just 5 minutes played, he slapped one of the Sidac players, leaving referee Richard Spedding with no choice but too show him a straight red card.
To the credit of his team mates though, they kept on battling and were rewarded in the 25th minute when Samuel Morris went on a mazy run skipping past three Sidac defenders before pulling the ball back to Leon Padget who finished past Sidac keeper David Antrobus to put the blues 1-0 up.
They were also comfortable at the back in the first half, with Sidac not really testing keeper Scott Cameron.
Just before the half-time interval, again another run from the impressive Morris on the right wing saw his cross fall to Thomas Neary but his shot on the half volley just missed the target to leave them with just the one goal advantage at the interval.
Understandably Rangers seemed to invite the pressure onto them as the second half went on without them being able to find a second goal, with the ten men obviously going to take its toll towards the end of the game.
However the back five of Cameron, Farrell, Rose and Jackson were rock solid and it looked increasingly unlikely that Sidac would be able to break them down.
Sadly this wasn’t to be though, when with just 5 minutes remaining it took a bit of genius from Sidac striker Jon Powell to snatch a point for them.
When Rangers gave the ball away in the middle of the park, Powell picked up the ball and played a quick one-two with strike partner Carl Shaw, he hit a shot with his weaker left foot that rifled into the top right hand corner, leaving Cameron with no chance.
The final minutes of the game led to a half chance to Morris but his shot was comfortably saved and the game finished one each, to leave the Rangers side pleased with a first point of the season, after playing nearly 85 minutes with one player less.
Manager Fannon will be pleased with the effort that his lads showed, even with relegation looming large with just six games remaining, and them having to win every single one of them to avoid any chance of escaping the drop.
By Danny Burthem
Rangers Look For Revenge This Weekend
After a narrow defeat last time, Fife Rangers now have the chance to make amends when they face Sidac Social Sports FC at Crab Lane tomorrow.
With such a disappointing result against Cronton Villa last week, it is vital they put in a positive performance to give something back to the faith manager David Fannon has shown in them this season.
The first time the two sides met back in February, Rangers found themselves very unlucky losers as Sidac scored two late goals too deny the Blues all three points.
However, since this victory against Rangers, the St Helens outfit have been on a downward slump themselves, picking up just two points in their last five games leaving them languishing in ninth place in the table.
Victory for Rangers could prove vital in boosting confidence ahead of the final stages of a bitterly disappointing season.
There are several dangers on the Sidac side with striker Josh Purcell there top scorer this season with 15 goals, and also eight in his last eight games.
Rangers will welcome back Ewan Rodgers at the heart of the defence to cope with the pace of Purcell, and also left back Andy Robinson comes back into Fannon’s plans after missing the last three games through injury.
By Danny Burthem
Cronton Villa 8 – 3 Fife Rangers
Fife suffered a humiliating defeat today as they were trounced by fellow strugglers Cronton Villa and with it their faint relegation survival hopes continue to distinguish.
Striker Daniel Whalley ran riot against the Rangers defence as he continued his fine goal scoring run, with an impressive hat-trick against the Blues.
Fife enjoyed the better of the opening stages of the game taking a 1-0 lead when Samuel Morris found himself unmarked at the back post after a good pull back from Leon Padget to tap in.
The lead didnt last long though after slack marking allowed a through ball to cut the two center backs in Ryan Doodson and Michael Duane apart for Whalley to calmly finish past Scott Cameron in the Rangers goal.
Whally then doubled his tally on the half hour mark crashing home from 5 yards out and then completing his hat-trick just before half time with an impressive solo goal from 25- yards out leaving Cameron with no chance.
From a result of this goal just before half-time, Rangers seemed to let their heads drop and it was after half time that Cronton seemed to up their game and start playing with a lot of confidence. In 25 minutes, Rangers conceded 5 unanswered goals as the home side ran riot.
Two consolation goals from Morris and Padget brought the game to a more respectable scoreline, but it was still a dissapointing Easter afternoon for the Blues after the result now leaves them eight points behind Cronton with just 7 games to go.
Club Captain John Farrell has called for his team-mates to show some pride and at least put some points to their league table tally, in their first season back in the Warrington Premier Division.
He said: “Its obviously been a hugely disappointing season for us, but after losing so many key players from our league championship last season, this season was always going to be a learning curve for a lot of our new, young side.
“Hopefully we will be able to get as many points as we can from now until the end of the season and see where it takes. If we dont manage it, we will certainly come back a lot better side next season.”
By Danny Burthem
Fife Rangers FC 