Poachers bring Thompson to the dugout
16th May, 2023
Mike Thompson has been unveiled as the new manager of Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Bottesford Town.
He takes over from James McNeil and Paul Ellender who stepped down from their roles at the Poachers last month having secured the club's survival at Step 5 in the final match of the season.
Thompson returns to the Lincolnshire outfit where he was a player whilst he also made over five hundred appearances in total in the NCEL for Hall Road Rangers, Barton Town and Bridlington Town.
He was previously the boss at Beverley Town, guiding them to the championship in the Humber Premier League, as well as managing at Bridlington.
Thompson will be taking over a club looking forward to a new era that also includes major renovations to their Birch Park ground, thanks to a grant that was awarded to them at the start of the year.
Chairman Howard Pirie said on social media: "Delighted to welcome Mike to Bottesford Town, it's the start of exciting times with the new facility.
"We have new people on board behind the scenes and real feel good factor all around."
(Story Source: Bottesford Town)
Poaches management duo step down
19th April, 2023
Bottesford Town say that, with regret, they have accepted the resignation of their first team management duo, James McNeil and Paul Ellender.
The Poachers secured their Toolstation NCEL Premier Division status with their final match of the season, ending four points clear of the drop zone in eighteenth position in the table.
A club statement said: "Their decision comes about after what has been an arduous season but more so a change in both their personal circumstances which, looking forward, makes it difficult to afford the commitment that is required to manage a team at Step 5 level football.
"The club wish to record their thanks to both individuals for their contribution and their continuing support of Bottesford Town FC."
Bottesford are now taking applications for the role of first team manager.
Any interested parties are asked to send their applications to club chairman Tony Reeve at clubchairman.btfc@gmail.com.
All applications must be submitted by Friday 28th April, 2023.
Further information regarding the first team management position will be announced in due course.
(Story Source: Bottesford Town)
Poachers awarded funding to revamp facilities
3rd January, 2023
People living in the Scunthorpe and surrounding area are set to benefit from fresh investment into local football facilities at Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Bottesford Town.
The Poachers, a FA Charter Stand Community Football Club, have been awarded a grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, to upgrade their ground.
The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.
This grant will enable Bottesford Town, who have typically 25 in-house teams of varying ages from six-years-old up to adult football for both boys and girls inclusive of disability teams, the chance to play football each week as a result of improved facilities.
Players from the club, in addition to other local community groups, will be able to enjoy better quality pitches with the introduction of a new floodlit 3G artificial playing surface in addition to newly developed grass pitches which will accommodate all the various permutations ranging from mini-soccer 5v5 up to adult 11v11 size football.
The grant also includes for the provision of new Stadia equipment with covered seating areas and improved disability facilities.
Bottesford Town worked with the Football Foundation and the Lincolnshire County FA, the North Lincolnshire Council and SSE Sustainable Development Fund to secure a £1.5m grant towards the project.
Poachers chairman Anthony Reeve said: "This project comes to fruition after many years of hard work from members of the club and provides a platform for the club to move forward.
"I would particularly wish to make mention of both those members of the North Lincolnshire Council and the Bottesford Town Council who have been supportive of our Community Football Club.
"It goes without saying that, without the project guidance from Caroline (Castle Consultancy) and the financial support from the Football Foundation, our ambition would not have come to fruition."
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "This grant award to Bottesford Town towards developing a new 3G facility and enhanced grass playing pitches is great news for the local community.
"It will support people’s ability to play our national game locally and therefore help unlock football’s many benefits to physical and mental wellbeing.
"That’s why we’re committed to transforming the face of grassroots football facilities in this country.
"It’s therefore very welcome news to hear that this funding will support Bottesford Town in developing their facilities for their local community.
“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA, government and Sport England – support facility development projects like this across the country over the next decade to transform our grassroots game and unlock the power of pitches.”