Paul’s pride with Buckley babes

SIR MATT Busby created his dynasty at Manchester United based on youth - and at Chadderton they are doing likewise with the Buckley Babes.

The 16 players Chadderton fielded for the weekend fixture against Eccleshall included seven teenagers.

It has been a case of good coming out of adversity for the Broadway club, whose well documented off-the-field troubles caused an exodus of senior players.

And of the experienced players who have remained many are currently on the sidelines due to injury and work commitments.

That is primarily why manager Paul Buckley has been forced to rely on youth, with the squad involved against Eccleshall including teenagers Chris Pauley, Martin Booth, Adam Whitehead, Paul Socha, Billy Dempsey, Daniel Shaw and Joe Jacobs.

Nick Fraine and Louis Maynard, both of who are at university, and John Shaw are three other youngsters who have featured in the first team this season.

Buckley said: “The troubles we have had has at least given the kids an opportunity. They have been thrown in at the deep end and done better than I expected.

“They had never played at this level before but they have shown they are eager to learn and want to improve.

“They will only benefit from the experience and the future looks good providing we can keep hold of them.”

Chadderton, whose fifth place in the first division of the Vodkat North West Counties League has exceeded expectations, captured the likes of Pauley from Springhead and Jacobs from Uppermill.

Chadderton’s reserve side is also full of 15 and 16-year-olds and Buckley praised his coaching staff for the work they are devoting to nurturing and developing the youngsters at the club.

OLDHAM TOWN have raised £2,200 by auctioning a first-team shirt sponsorship package at their annual sportsmen’s dinner.

Town officials came up with the novel fund-raising venture in the absence of securing a shirt sponsor.

Blackburn-based Icon Designs Limited, manufacturers of memory foam mattresses, pillows and sofa beds, were the highest bidder at the auction.

It was originally envisaged that the sponsorship would be for the remainder of the season but, as the sum exceeded expectations, it was decided it will also cover the 2009/10 season.

Icon Designs managing director Muhammed Hussain, whose company has 50 employees and a turnover exceeding £5million, is delighted to become a sponsor.

He said: “Jimmy Shannon, who is one of our employees, is on the committee at Oldham Town which is why we were at the dinner.

“We are only too happy to help and support the club which does a lot of good work in the local community.”

And in recognition for being Town’s solicitors for over 20 years, the club has made Harold Stock and Company their away team shirt sponsors for the remainder of the 2008/09 season.

The dinner, at which former Premier League referee Jeff Winter was the guest speaker, raised around £3,500.