Premier Division Preview

Advance Couriers
Last season 2nd
Key man – Darren Wheeler
By Advance Couriers standards last season was a disaster. Losing 3 league games and finishing 2nd. For Advance to go 2 seasons on the bounce without the league trophy hasn’t happened this millennium. There have been changes behind the scenes with Tony Maisto coming in to replace Stu Spencer who has gone to manage St Andrews. Maisto has secured the signatures of Kelvin Atkins and Robbie Johnson amongst others to try and wrestle the crown which they rightly consider their own back from Premier Sports Travel. The competition this season promises to the most fierce it has been in the Alliance Premiership for a long long time and Advance know they will have to improve remarkably from the last couple of seasons if they are going to win the title. Who would bet against them?

Frolesworth United
Last season 3rd – Division 1
Key man – Callum Wills
After 3 years of struggle in Division 1, Frolesworth enjoyed an excellent season last year with a youthful side finishing 3rd, however the Premier Division is a big step up and rumour has it that Frolesworth have already lost some big names in pre season. If this is the case then it could be a long hard season for the Rabbits as they look to compete in the Alliances top division.

Glenfield Town, Sunday
Last season 5th
Key man – Paul Pallett
Glenfield Town improved last season and look to continue that improvement with another competitive season in the top flight. Paul Pallett’s first season in charge of Glenfield was a relative success as they brought in a number of new faces. If they can make the same progression this season there is no reason why Glenfield cannot “do a Moshdock” and put in a surprise title challenge.

GT
Last season 4th
Key Man – Jimmy Latham
After a blistering start to last season in which they threatened a title challenge, GT’s form dipped disastrously in the 2nd half of the season and they ended up in 4th, well adrift of the leading pack. There is no doubt GT have the quality with Latham, Saunders and the Taylor’s and they can beat anyone on their day but it’s the consistency to do it over a season that they lack. If they can sort that out then they may just put in an unlikely challenge.

Magna 73 Rangers
Last season 6th
Key Man – Ryan Ogden
Magna 73 had a brilliant start to last season but then it got cold and they tailed of alarmingly, and finished a miserable 6th with just 3 league wins. This season sees the return of the prodigal son in Ryan Ogden to partner new signing Luke Schofield and if they can keep him fit he will score plenty of goals. The spine of the Magna side looks very strong on paper but it’s all about whether the players are committed enough, if they do show commitment to the cause then Magna might take a surprise mid table spot – if not, it will be a long hard season, maybe a season to far.

Oscars
Last season 2nd in LSL as Crows Nest
Key Man – It's not Ash Morris
Oscars are new to the Alliance League and they may take time to adjust to a much higher standard than they are used to in the LSL. It could go either way with Oscars, either they will be fighting at the top of the league or they will be rock bottom, pre season results have not been great but it’s hard to judge by pre season results, they still have quality amongst there ranks and I expect them to be solidly in mid table at least.

Premier Sports Travel
Last season 1st
Key Man – Shaun Barber
The reigning Alliance Premier Division champions will be all out to defend their title from the very first whistle and as per usual I expect them to be there or there abouts. Last season Prem had a severe mid-season wobble but got away with it but I wouldn’t expect them to get away with it this season as the competition is much fiercer. There are very few noises coming out of Prem about who they have signed or lossed but with Tommy Hollidge now in charge and with Simon Harris’ contacts at Thurnby and Highfield Rangers you just know that Prem will be a major force yet again and I wouldn’t bet against them retaining their title.

Sparta Moshdock
Last season 3rd
Key Man – Aaron Preston
What a season Sparta Moshdock had last season, only a minor admin error cost them 2nd and they won away at Prem Sports and held Advance twice. The major challenge for Moshdock will be to repeat that success and many Alliance pundits doubt they can especially in what is a much tougher league this year. They will be relying on Aaron Preston yet again to bang the goals but they have other players such as Mark Preston who also contribute to the cause. A Title challenge again?? Who knows.

Star & Garter
Last season – 1st – Division 1
Key Man – George Himan
Star & Garter swept all before them last season, losing just 1 game and winning Division 1 by a country mile, add to that the County Cup and the fact they took both Advance and Prem Sports to extra time in cup competitions and you can see why many people are tipping Star to be crowned champions in May. In George Himan they have a player who can bang in 40+ goals even at Premier Division level and a player of that quality is worth his weight in gold. The only addition to the squad is Wayne Dean from Advance. The quality is there, the hunger is there, let’s do it boys!!

Wigston Car Breakers
Last season – 1st in LSL
Key Man – Lee Barrett
WCB are the reigning LSL champions, they got to the semi finals of the Sunday Premier Cup which is much further than any Alliance Prem side got – in fact they knocked out Sparta Moshdock on the way. There are a lot of rumours as to whether Tom Hill will play, he is the key to their success many feel, some even saying that without him they might even fold!! I doubt that will happen but WCB have a formidable defence and will undoubtedly be title challengers. Like Oscars they might take time to adapt to a new harder standard but they will be up there.

Join in the debate, am I completely wrong?
What do you think will happen in this seasons Alliance Premiership?

Do you not mean Jimmy Latham at GT kev?

I thought it was Joe?? Now I am not so sure??

Think you mean Jimmy Kev if you mean the one thats always played for GT , Joe plays for Oadby on Saturdays and likes his Saturday nights out and cant see Sundays interesting him much

I take it you wont be rooting for GT Kev?.....

Prem Sports to retain the title.

it seems that the breakers have made some quality signings, when i confirm the rumours, i will put the names up

have oscars got an ash morris as well ?

i know the breakers have an ash morris who is quality but he got injured just before their county cup semi and missed the rest of the season from there, if he gets back and is fit, that will certainly help the breakers

very good write up that is by the way, good effort sir

Great preview Kev.

Just to point out, we didn't just 'hold' Advance twice, we beat them once as well

Also a big fan of the 'doing a Moshdock'...always nice to know your achievements are recognised.

It will be a very, very difficult season, a much tougher Prem than last season, but we are confident we can perform to similar standards as last season. A title challenge? A relegation battle? A mid-table season? Who knows?! But we'll enjoy it whatever!

Oh...and just to point out, we're still annoyed and gutted by the points deduction!

A real disaster for Advance runners up in the league and winners of
Arthur Moore And Billy Walton Cups !!!!!!!

we we're pants to be fair

Tango, the key words I used was "by advance couriers standards" I mean if it was Magna for example who had finished 2nd and won a cup it would have been a terrific season.

absolutely spot on well done Kev

Tango wrote:

A real disaster for Advance runners up in the league and winners of
Arthur Moore And Billy Walton Cups !!!!!!!

It will be a disaster when you win sweet FA this year!!

Quote :

It will be a disaster when you win sweet FA this year!!

YES THIS

i always say that whoever finishes above Advance wins the title, but I do think S&G may pip them this year. Saying that, Tommy Hollidge has an impeccable management record, and that could push Premier Sports in front of them all

Ash morris has never played for oscars! So he can't be our star man lol he would struggle running the line haha ( legs have gone ) h

Premier Sports' defeat at home to GT goes to show that predicting this division is so difficult. Who can put there best eleven out the most will probably win it this season. Who that will be, only time will tell!!

Quote :

Ash morris has never played for oscars! So he can't be our star man lol he would struggle running the line haha ( legs have gone ) h

You know, I could have sworn you were acusing Magna of trying to tap him up in the Luke Schofield row!!

Many apologies for getting that wrong!

Hope you have a good season anyway whoever your star man is haha

Quote :

Premier Sports' defeat at home to GT goes to show that predicting this division is so difficult. Who can put there best eleven out the most will probably win it this season. Who that will be, only time will tell!!

Alan, your spot on mate

Lol yeh I did, I'm good mates with ash we work together, just winding magna up cus they was trying to sign him up! He's playing for wcb this season!!! And cheers pal, all the best for the season.

o.f.c wrote:

Ash morris has never played for oscars! So he can't be our star man lol he would struggle running the line haha ( legs have gone ) h

Apparently oscars star man is jed macken ?

Jedster wrote:

o.f.c wrote:

Ash morris has never played for oscars! So he can't be our star man lol he would struggle running the line haha ( legs have gone ) h

Apparently oscars star man is jed macken ?

Tommy welford

oscars star man jedmacken pure class !!!!!!!!!!!!!! love ya jerry x

Jedster wrote:

o.f.c wrote:

Ash morris has never played for oscars! So he can't be our star man lol he would struggle running the line haha ( legs have gone ) h

Apparently oscars star man is jed macken ?

10 years ago yer