CCFC
Squad Profiles
Goalkeepers
Danny Gay – Well known in non league
footballing circles, and especially well known to City fans having spent
two seasons at local rivals Braintree Town (2005/06) and Heybridge
(2006/07). A goalkeeper with immense talent “The Hoff” spent pre season
guesting for a variety of clubs including an appearance for Leeds
United, before opting to join Chelmsford in place of the departing
Richard Mckinney at the tail end of pre season. The Hoff started his
career at Norwich City although he didn’t break into the first team at
Norwich he did manage a Welsh U21 call up in 2003 following a move to
Southend United where he finally made his league debut. After being
released by Southend The Hoff found himself at Hornchurch before joining
Braintree in 2004 sharing the goalkeeping duties with The Lurch in
Braintree’s promotion season of 2005/06. City fans are right to expect
big things from Danny in 2007/08 and he could prove to be a vital cog in
the promotion drive.
Ashley Harrison was given his chance
between the sticks in 2006/07 when an injury forced first choice keeper
Richard Mckinney out of the home game v Hendon. Ashley (or Tramp as he
is known by within the City camp) came to Chelmsford from Canvey Island,
appearing for Canvey in the 2001 FA Trophy final and excelling when
called upon in Canvey’s conference games. Ashley isn’t the tallest of
keepers but makes up for this with excellent agility, superb
distribution, shot stopping and kicking. Harrison was the proud winner
of the Ryman safe hands award in February 2007.
Defenders
Another defensive recruit from Canvey is the veteran Steve Ward,
although Steve is the eldest member of the current CCFC squad he makes
up for this with an immense level of fitness. Like Chenery, Ward is a
leader and has amassed hundreds of games at the top level of non league
football. Steve was originally at Grays before transferring to Canvey
Island where he spent ten seasons as a fans favourite before hooking up
with Jeff King again when Jeff moved to Chelmsford. Also appeared for
the England National X1. Another great reader of the game, and what he
lacks in pace he makes up for in awareness
Another youngster who looks to have a bright future is Stuart Ainsley.
Although not a regular in the City line up he has done the team and
fans proud when called upon, and at only 19 he can look forward to a
bright future in the game. Stuart came to Chelmsford during the summer
of 2006 when he was released from Ipswich Town and joins a long list of
ex Ipswich youth players to don the claret. Stuart can play at either
left back of left midfield and has already endeared himself to the City
faithful by scoring a screaming against Billericay in the August bank
holiday draw. Stuart has firmly established himself in the City side for
the 2007/08 campaign with some impressive early season displays
Versatility is the key as far as City are concerned and players that can
play in multiple positions are worth their weight in gold. Like the
players mentioned above Chris Duffy is no exception to this rule,
he has played across the defence and in midfield for City so far in his
City career. Duffers made his league debut for Wigan before joining
Northwich Victoria in the Conference National. He joined Canvey from
Northwich in 1999/2000 and moved from Canvey to Chelmsford in the summer
of 2006.
The
first of three new defensive faces brough in during the summer of 2007
is Aidan Collins. Jaws comes to City from Ipswich via Cambridge
where he suffered from serious injuries that forced him to reitre from
professional football at the end of May 2007. He has been very
impressive in his early games in his City career and his higher league
pedigree is obvious with superb vision and distribution. If Aidan can
stay injury free he will be an immense asset to City this term.
Aidan’s partner in the centre of defence is Andy Duncan. Andy was
surprisingly released by Cambridge United in the Summer of 2007 and was
duly snapped up by Jeff. Andy started off at Manchester United and
joined Cambridge in 1998 for £20,000 without starting for United. Andy
made 328 league and conference appearances for Cambridge. Both Andy and
Jaws have strengthened the defence, and also give City more options at
set pieces going forward. The acquisition of the pair could prove to be
the missing link in the title chase.
The
third of the incoming defenders is Lee Protheroe. Perma-tan has
already impressed the City faithful with some stunning free kicks so far
this season. Deployed in the right back berth he has proved an ideal
replacement for the departing Jay Conroy. Perma-tan lists Margate,
Ebsfleet, Canvey and Aldershot among his former clubs. Lee also likes to
get forward and adds to City’s attacking threat with his crossing and
surging runs.
Midfielders
Footballs fans love a creative flair player, one that can conjure up the
unexpected from nowhere. Mario Noto is no exception to this rule
delighting the City faithful with 14 goals in 2006/07, a season cut
short by injury. By far and away the most important goal that Mario has
scored this season came in the 4th qualifying round of the FA
Cup that saw City knock out Conference side Gravesend. Mario began his
career at Spurs, moving to Reading and Palace before finally
establishing himself in a first team at Canvey in 2005. Mario is still
only 21 and City fans can expect to see more of his trademark long range
efforts, silky skills and fine distribution in the future. Mario has
picked up a couple of longer term injuries since joining City, one of
which has seen him miss the majority of the start of the 2007/08
campaign.
By
far and away the biggest name in the City squad is Jeff “Hollywood”
Minton. Prior to joining Canvey in 2002 Jeff spent 10 years playing
his trade in the league with Spurs, Brighton, Port Vale, Rotherham &
Leyton Orient racking up well over 200 appearances. Hollywood has
brought a fine arsenal of talent to the City midfield, his distribution
and link up play are by far and away the best in the Ryman Premier.
Having someone like Jeff in the team provides an ideal link between
defence and attack and he has been instrumental in many of City’s goals
in his two seasons at the club. Jeff, like Mario is a dead ball
specialist and many of his 26 goals to date have been from the penalty
spot.
Another City youngster with an exciting future ahead of him is Ricky
Holmes. Ricky is one of only two players that remained from the
Craig Edwards era at the start of 2006/07 and made a quick impact on the
City faithful when he scored one of the first goals at Melbourne Park.
Ricky was dealt a cruel blow when he was ruled out of all bar one of the
remaining games of the 2005/06 season through injury. Jeff & Glen have
employed Ricky mainly in midfield where he has frightened defences with
his electric pace and close control causing many Ryman defences to
crumble. Ricky has the talent to be a big name on the non league or even
league football season lets hope he lives up to his potential. Ricky has
been watched by a whole host of league clubs, however he has put pen to
paper on a 2 year deal so any future transfer will mean City are quids
in if they choose to sell him.
Another left sided player is Spencer Knight. Spencer was unlucky
in 2006/07 with injuries that restricted his appearances throughout the
season. When he has been injury free he has put in some superb
performances on the left hand side of midfield, and on occasions at left
back. Possessing a superb crossing ability he has proved the ammunition
for the City front line and has chipped in with some important goals of
his own. Spencer is another ex Canvey player who also can count Margate
& Leyton as past clubs.
Returning fans favourite Dean Palmer has continued as a he left
off in the centre of midfield. Most City fans were surprised that Deano
wasn’t one of the few retained from the 2005/06 squad when Jeff King
took over. Deano left City and took his swashbuckling skills to Leyton
for the 2006/07 season, however the management team realised their error
and he was soon in claret again for the 2007/08 season. Deano’s superb
distribution, ball winning and arieal ability have meant he is always
one of the first names on Jeff’s teamsheet. Dean has proved to be a like
for like replacement for Fiston Manuella.
Another incoming midfield man is Jon Keeling. The tricky wide man
was one of several new faces introduced in the summer of 2007. Jon has
added much needed width to the left hand side of City’s midfield and
posseses super distribution and vision to supply the forward line. Jon
lists Canvey, Hornchurch and Ebsfleet among his former clubs. One of a
few players that may look to finish their footballing career at City.
Signed initially on loan during the 2006/07 campaign Jamie England
did enough in the short spell at Melbourne to convince the management
team he was vita to their plans in 2007/08, and was duly signed up.
Jamie lists Brentford and Crawley as his previous clubs and like many
others at City has a bright future ahead of him. A firm favourite with
the City faithful already the midfield man has been unfortunately
sidelined at the start of the new campaing. Once fully fit he will be an
intergral part of the title chasing team.
Strikers
The
first part of the attacking triangle is Kezie Ibe. Kezie started
as a youngster at Arsenal, which is obvious to the eye as he possesses
fantastic control and ball control. Kezie leaves defenders in a daze
with his close control, and unable to cope with his skill many resort to
foul means to try to stop him. This has led to Kezie winning many
penalties to go with his double figure goal tally so far this season.
Unlikely to shoot on sight Kezie favours the seemingly impossible route
to goal, which has seen him score some fantastic goals this term. Upon
leaving Arsenal he found himself at a number of non league clubs before
joining Yeovil, things didn’t work out for Kezie at Yeovil and he found
himself at Chelmsford in the summer of 2006 via Exeter and Canvey. Kezie,
like a fair few of the City squad is destined to play at a much higher
level.
The
youngest of the striking trio is Jason “The Rhino” Hallett. Rhino
is a defenders nightmare with his bullish take to the game which has
seen him score some very important goals for City in 2006/07 when used,
usually as a substitute. Rhino was unlucky enough to injure himself in
pre season which restricted his appearances and his route to first team
football. Rhino spent 2005/06 playing for Canvey in the Conference
National and judging by his uncompromising displays this term it won’t
be long before he returns, hopefully with City. Rhino is currently
sidelined with an injury that could see him miss the rest of the 2007/08
campaign, we wish him well on his recovery.
Much travelled Bertie Brayley was also brought in during the
summer of 2007. Albert was much thought of as a youngster at West Ham
where he starred in their 1999 FA Youth Cup win over Coventry City,
scoring three goals over the two legged final. Bertie's previously
played for Q.P.R, Swindon, Canvey, Aldershot and Margate among others.
He is comfortable playing wide or through the middle and its here that
he has impressed the City faithful with some superb displays in Ibe’s
absence. Possesing a decent eye for goal and superb touch if he
continues to bang the goals in for City he will be a major asset to the
City squad.
The Management
A
well known local character and businessman Jeff King took over
the helm at City in the summer of 2006. Jeff had managed and bank rolled
Canvey Island from non league obscurity in 1992 to the Conference
National. Using his many contacts in the game he persuaded the majority
of the Canvey Squad to follow him on the short journey up to Chelmsford
and his appointment sent shockwaves through the non league footballing
world. The name ‘King’ is a very well known one in Essex, especially in
Canvey where Jeff owns a variety of businesses including nightclubs and
caravan parks. The City faithful hope that Jeff’ knowledge of the non
league world and his management skills will propel City up the pyramid
similar to Canvey’ rise. Along with successfully negotiating Canvey’s
rise to the Conference National he also successfully led them to two FA
Trophy finals.
Jeff’s right hand man is Glenn Pennyfather. Glenn had a very
successful professional career, starting at Southend where he made over
230 appearances. Upon leaving Southend he made numerous appearances for
Palace, Ipswich and Bristol City before ending his career back home in
Essex with Canvey Island. The ex midfield tough man has since made a
reputation as an excellent coach, and anyone witnessing his training
sessions will know he gets the best out of the players at his disposal.
Glen has, in Jeff’s absence managed the side and the combination of
their two footballing brains has reaped rewards in the 2007/08 promotion
push at City.
Physio – Ken Steggles
Scout – Micky Bright
Goalkeeping Coach – Brian Horne
|
