Other Non league

Dripping Pan to face inspection
Lewes have been told that their Dripping Pan ground will require a further safety inspection before their FA Cup first-round tie can go ahead. The Conference South side are due to host Darlington on 11 November. Officials have been given a list of works to complete, and the police will revisit the ground early next week. Lewes will secure an alternative venue as back-up, but chairman Terry Paris is confident they will not need it, reports SSB.

Dartford preparing for homecoming
Dartford are finally heading home this weekend after 14 years of exile as they prepare to host Horsham YMCA in a Ryman Division One (South) tie on Saturday. They once hosted League football at Watling Street as landlords of Maidstone United in the early 1990s. But after spells at other non-league grounds, Saturday's game at their new Princes Park stadium has sold out. \"The response from the people of Dartford has been tremendous,\" chairman Dave Skinner told SSB. \"One or two people thought we'd sell out, but most thought we'd only get a couple of thousand. \"I've heard there are 500 on the waiting list as well, and the council have really gone for this in a big way. \"There'll be entertainment in and around the stadium, and a fireworks display after the game.\"

Newport manager escapes with fine
Newport County have fined manager Peter Beadle and reprimanded him for incidents during an FA Cup match. Beadle was sent off for arguing with fourth official Alan Sheffield, who was hit in the head seconds later by a coin thrown from the crowd. But Newport chairman Chris Blight says that is sufficient punishment. \"He remains our manager and I am disappointed that 12 months of good work by Peter have been unravelled in a moment of madness,\" Blight said. \"He's received a severe reprimand, a substantial fine and warned about his conduct.\" Beadle eventually apologised for his behaviour in the aftermath of Saturday's first-round match against Welsh rivals Swansea City, which the Swans won 3-1. The Football Association of Wales has received a referee's report and is still considering whether to take further action against Newport County Football Club. Gwent police are also scrutinising TV footage of the match at Spytty Park, together with video recordings taken by their own officers Newport County have launched their own investigation into the coin-throwing incident in an effort to find the culprit. Fourth official Sheffield needed seven stitches in a head wound and also underwent a minor operation to repair a split artery after being struck.

Fairclough alters National squad
England National Game boss Paul Fairclough has selected nine new players in his under-23 squad for the European Trophy clash with Holland. Strikers Clayton Donaldson of York City and Steve Morison of Stevenage, are among those in line for first caps in next week's fixture at Burton Albion. Michael Kightly drops out of the original 22-man squad after completing a loan move from Grays to Wolves. A point will be enough to see England win the four-team tournament. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- England National Game XI squad Goalkeepers: Arran Lee-Barrett (Weymouth), Shwan Jalal (Woking); Defenders: Scott Griffiths (Dag & Red), Michael Morrison (Cambridge), Adam Quinn (Halifax), Kieran Charnock (Northwich), Adam Yates (Morecambe; Midfielders: Lewis Chalmers (Altrincham), Michael Carr (Northwich), George Boyd (Stevenage), Craig Stanley (Morecambe); Forwards: Craig Mackail-Smith (Dag & Red), Dennis Oli (Grays Athletic), Steve Morison (Stevenage), Giuseppe Sole (Woking), Clayton Donaldson (York City).

Salisbury impress Forest manager
Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood praised Conference South outfit Salisbury City after they held his side to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup. Nathan Tyson had put the League One team into the lead before Matt Tubbs levelled to earn a replay. Calderwood said: \"There is nothing negative about the way they play, they were efficient and have good players in certain areas. \"We will have do better when we face them at the City Ground.\"

Five nominated for FA Cup award
Five players have been nominated for the FA Cup \"Player of the Round\" award for their performances in the second round over the weekend. They are Danny Crow (Peterborough), Phil Jevons (Bristol City), Rob Purdie (Hereford), Jason Puncheon (Barnet) and Stuart Searle (Basingstoke Town). The chosen player will join the five winners from previous rounds in this season's \"Team of the FA Cup\". He will also receive a VIP invitation to the 2007 FA Cup final. In addition, the winner in each round will be given an engraved silver salver, and £500 worth of football equipment for a local school of his choice. The \"Team of the FA Cup\" so far comprises Matt Lewis (Halesowen Town), Gary McPhee (Nuneaton Borough), Byron Bubb (AFC Wimbledon), Paul Booth (Lewes) and Kris Commons (Nottingham Forest). Fans can vote for the player of their choice on the Football Association's official website.

Ex-NI midfielder leaves Welling
Former Northern Ireland international Keith Rowland has been released by Conference South side Welling United. The midfielder, who played alongside Wings boss Adrian Pennock when he began his career at Bournemouth, has now joined Ryman Premier side Folkestone. Rowland, 35, won 19 caps for his country between 1993 and 1999. His career has also taken in spells at Coventry, West Ham, QPR, Luton, Chesterfield, Barnet, Hornchurch, Dublin City and Redbridge.

Preece extends Worcester contract
Player-manager Andy Preece has signed a new contract with Conference North promotion hopefuls Worcester City. The 39-year-old has agreed a 12-month extension to his current deal, which will keep him at St George's Lane until the end of the 2007/08 season. The former Blackpool and Crystal Palace striker took charge of the club where he started his career in February 2005. Defender Chris Smith has also agreed a new deal with Worcester, extending his contract until June 2008.

Fairclough eyes National Game job
Out-going England National Game XI manager Paul Fairclough is expected to re-apply for the job in a bid to extend his successful reign in charge. Fairclough, who is also manager of League Two side Barnet, is out of contract with the Football Association. The FA is to advertise the post this weekend and expect Fairclough to apply. The former Stevenage Borough boss recently guided England's under-23 non-league side to victory in the inaugural European Challenge Trophy.

Lancaster put in administration
Conference North club Lancaster City have gone into administration. The Dolly Blues, who are bottom of the table and will now face a 10-point deduction, confirmed they were unable to meet debts. Administrator Edwin Kirkwood said: \"I have been appointed to allow the club to complete its fixtures this season with a view to ensuring its future. \"A group of local businessmen have expressed interest in acquiring the club in due course.\"

Euro Trophy event to be expanded
The England National Game XI looks set to be joined by teams from Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland in next season's European Challenge Trophy. Plans are under way for the competition, which was won by England's under-23 non-league side last month, to be expanded to an eight-team event. Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland have expressed an interest in joining England, Italy, Holland and Belgium in the competition, which would be played in two groups of four with a one-off final in the spring of 2009 and play-off matches for the other positions. The FA's Leagues Manager Mike Appleby said: \"The two Irish Associations and the FAW agreed to confirm their participation by the end of March next year. We also have a few options to explore with regard to the eighth team.\" The Uefa sanctioned competition, which will be re-named The International Challenge Trophy, is due to get under way in November 2007. It will remain an under-23 tournament but players who start the tournament meeting the age criteria will remain eligible through to the final. It is planned to hold the draw in Scotland during the Four Nations Tournament in May next year.

Curtis set to seal Nuneaton move
Notts County midfielder Tom Curtis is to join Conference North side Nuneaton Borough on a month's loan. Curtis, 33, has agreed the switch and is set to sign ahead of Nuneaton's game against Kettering Town on Saturday. He has been restricted by injury to just four appearances for County since signing from Chester last summer. Curtis becomes the second signing for Boro caretaker boss Kevin Wilkin after he recruited striker Brian Quailey back to the club from Stafford Rangers.

Alfreton bag ex-Magpies defender
Former Notts County defender Tommy Hannigan has signed for Alfreton Town. Hannigan was released from his six-month contract with the Magpies earlier this season. The 19-year-old, who failed to make a first-team appearance for Notts County had been on loan at Alfreton until the start of January. Boss Gary Mills told Alfreton's website: "He's growing stronger and his performances over the past two or three games have been excellent."

AFC Wimbledon deducted 18 points
AFC Wimbledon have been deducted 18 points by the Ryman League Appeals Committee for fielding a player without international clearance. The Dons have already been expelled from the FA Trophy for fielding Jermaine Darlington. And they have now had points taken off for the 11 games in which the former Cardiff midfielder featured for them. The Dons breached three league rules and were also fined £400 and the costs of the hearing. The deduction dents AFC Wimbledon's hopes of gaining promotion to the Conference. The Dons are currently fourth in the Ryman Premier division on 51 points, but will drop to 12th on 33 points.

Conference announces new sponsors
The Football Conference has ended its sponsorship deal with Nationwide and will switch to online betting firm Blue Square for next season. A three-year deal has been signed with the new sponsors which will see the end of the Conference's nine-year association with Nationwide. The Conference will now be known as Blue Square Premier. The Conference North and South are to be renamed Blue Square Northern and Blue Square Southern respectively. Football Conference chairman Bill King said: "Our league is the gateway to the clubs in the professional structure in the UK and is an established part of the UK football scene. "I'm delighted to be seeing a piece of non-league football history in the making and am extremely excited about what this partnership with Blue Square can achieve."

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