Newark Town

Club Pen Pics:

Ross Aspin: Former Farndon player Ross joined the club as a striker but has now taken up the role of utility man, a job he does very well. His strong tackling and willingness to run all day for the cause has seen him used at full back, centre half and in the middle of midfield of late.

Alan Ball : The man who calls himself Ali-B (though nobody else does!) will be looking to make the right midfield position his own this season. Alan has a good touch, loves to have the ball at his feet and, when in the position, has a keen eye for goal.

Adrian Bower: Known as 'Lord Bower' because he is about the only player in the squad who is well spoken and doesn't go around saying "mush", "chav" or "yoof"! When he's not strolling his many acres of land Baz is a sound left back who simply refuses to be rushed into a big hoof upfield. His comfort on the ball makes him a good left-winger when needed.

Nicky Brompton : He's resisted the almost unbearable urge for two years but Nugget has now finally joined the Town Sunday team. Didn't have the best of season's last year after he picked up a bad ankle injury that niggled him for the whole campaign, but the rest he's had over the past 3 months should see Nugget back to full fitness and ready to make a big impact for his new club.

Andrew Curl: Having been played all over the pitch during his first season Curly now looks well settled in the right-back slot. Town's resident smooth-talking business type has proven a great asset to the side since he joined from Barge at the start of last season and even weighed in with a few goals when the side were short of strikers last season, even though they were all from about half a yard out.

Tommy Dowd: Originally signed from Champions New Inn in October 2001, Tommy D finished top scorer that season before leaving for Chesters in the summer. After an excellent season with the Division 2 Champions, including a goal against Town in the Pat Jepson Cup Final, Tommy has surprised many and returned to the Newark Town fold this summer and looks set for another good season in front of goal.

Paul Ellison: Just when you thought the supply line had been cut, out comes another cracking player courtesy of Mr and Mrs Ellison. Older brother Paul has been living and playing his footy out Nottingham-way but his move back round here has seen him join Mark and Simon at Town. Paul doesn't possess the size and pace of his siblings but more than makes up for that with an intelligent football brain and great composure on the ball. Will be a much welcome addition to the Town midfield this season.

Mark Ellison: Seen by many observers as the star man in the Town side, Mark's ability to take on and beat opposition full backs has made him an integral part of the club's quest for success. Having originally joined Town at the age of 17 Mark has developed both physically and otherwise in the last year and a half and now his power and pace is causing the full-backs of even the very best teams in the town more than a few headaches. Scores and creates goals in equal measures and is becoming a much more vocal presense both on and off the pitch. Picked up the Managers Player of the Year Award last season.

Simon Ellison: Like his younger brother Mark, Simon is another player who can turn a game around all on his own. If Tommy and Alvin are the Gary Linekar's, getting in the box and scoring the tap ins, Simon is the Thierry Henry, picking the ball up deep and using his power and pace to make himself chances. Never was this more evident than with his match winning performance in the Pat Jepson Cup Final last season. Has struggled with back problems recently which Town will be hoping he can overcome this year.

Chris Franks: Played for Newark Town since they were re-established 8 years ago along with Michael Williams, Nicky Brompton and Dean Gilbey. Only missed a handful of games in that time. Played most of last season in the First Team but still somehow managed to pick up the Reserves Managers Player of the Year! Recieves much (deserved) criticism for the amount of time he is seen walking the hallowed (sticky) floors of Caesars Palace!

Dean Gilbey: Another player who was with the club from the start when RHP Colts and Newark Royals merged to create the Newark Town under-11's. Extremely committed player who you know will only miss a game if he's injured. Currently facing the biggest battle of his life after he was diagnosed with Cancer. Everybody at Newark Town wishes Deano all the best in his recovery and we all pray that he'll soon be back to doing what he loves - playing football.

Richard Hawkins: Dick is a fairly infrequent visitor to the Town side due to Uni committments but when he is around he's adds yet more quality to the side. Can play either at full back, down the wings or in the middle of midfield with equal distinction and would no doubt be one of the first names on the team sheet if he could play every week.

Matt Nelson: Matt joined late last season from NSK Millers and has gone on to forge a good central defensive partnership with Dan Slinger.

Daniel Rawle: Long, skinny, whipper-snapper Daniel is still unsure of his best position. Signed mid-way through last season as a defender but has since been used more on the wings, up-front and on the bench! Has got pace and a keen eye for goal and will be looking to secure a regular first team place this season.

Michael Rawle: Formerly known as Baz but that got too confusing once he and Lord Baz both played in defence together last season, so he's now known as Stone Cold cos of his lack of hair and a dodgy goatee he sported at the end of last season . Signed mid-way through last season and showed himself to be a cracking addition to the Town defence.

Paul Richardson: The 'Club Captain' and one of the few players who has been with the club since that first game at Hearty Goodfellow in September 2001. With Rooster you know you could put him anywhere on the pitch and he'd give you 100% without moaning or complaining. Has had spells in defence, midfield and up-front so it'll be interesting to see where he'll end up this season!

Alvin Sheldon: Alvin 'More clubs than Tiger Woods' Sheldon is still here and loving it! Had an unsettled time over the past few seasons as he moved from club to club but he's firmly established at Town now and set for another prolific year. Last season he had a dream campaign, plundering 33 goals in all competitions, including an 8-goal haul in the 18-0 demolition of Newark Glass. His skill and predatory instincts in front of goal should ensure his name appears in the Newark Advertiser on a regular basis once again this time out.

Dan Slinger: Tough tackling Dan joined at the start of last season and after playing all along the back he has now settled into a central defensive partnership with Matt Nelson which is proving very fruitul for Town. Started slowly when he first joined but has since got better with every week and is now a permanent fixture in the side, or at least he will be until he goes off to join the MET in the near future.

Chris Taylor: 'Becks' is another one of the lads who has been at the club since the start. Missed a large chunk of last season through illness but his comeback after Christmas brought more balance to the side and coincided with Town's up-turn in form in the second half of the season. Chris is an excellent passer and crosser of the ball which has helped create countless chances for his team mates over the years. Add to that the threat he poses in front of goal and you've got a cracking all round player.

Simon Temporal: Ted's eager persistance and total committment in the Town midfield has made him a perennial target in matches throughout his senior career. After he, all 5 foot 5 of him, has finished kicking, nudging and hacking at the opposition. His energy and determination is remarkable, if only his shooting and passing was the same! Is now the clubs official linesman!

Henry Thacker: Yet another player who joined to play in one position before moving all over the pitch and eventually settling down for a regular position in defence. Henry was originally signed from Newark FC as a striker but soon impressed with his tough tackling performances in the back four and seems to have made the left back position his own of late.

Joe Thorpe: Over the past 2 season's Joe has proven himself to be the focal point of the Newark Town team. Whilst James does all the running and dirty work Joe picks up the remains and looks to make a goal out of it, which he so often succeeds in. But it's not just making chances that Joe excels at, he also weighs in with his fair share of goals himself, and more often than not they come at important times. Joe has handed over the captaincy to Matt and is determined to have his best season yet for Town.

James Trentini : 'Little James' was the revelation of last season for Town. Coming into the side aged just 16 and with little experience of mens football he produced superb performances week-in, week-out and deservedly took home the Players Player of the Year Award at the end of the season. There was a time at the end of last season when Town feared they may lose him to one of the top clubs.

Reserves

ALL DETAILS ARE AS THE FIRST EXCEPT: