Wednesday 27th April 2011

Afreton Town chairman Wayne Bradley has announced plans for the club to gradually go full-time as the Reds begin to contemplate life among non-league's elite in next season's Blue Square Bet Premier Division.

Nicky Law's side sealed the Blue Square Bet North title with a 4-0 home win over Redditch United in front of 1,364 last Saturday, a highest league gate at home for over 45 years.

Bradley (left) said: "We have taken a great delight in achieving something we have been on the brink of for some years now and it is our consistency which has seen us through. There are not many clubs who can finish third, third and first in successive seasons. Promotion is to be embraced, not feared.

"It is a remarkable achievement to find such consistency and again without over-stepping the budgetary marks. Going full-time isn't a case of us saying 'Look at us trying to be big', it is a case of being preparatory and sensible if we want to make a mark, it is something we have to do.

"This year the manager has won the division and kept under the budget he was given at the start of the season. It wasn't because he couldn't spend the money, it was because he didn't want to spend it because he was happy with what he had got."

Having achieved promotion, the Reds chairman felt the club had three choices, two of which are extreme.

One being to concede there is little or no chance of surviving at the next level, cut the budget and prepare for going back to Blue Square Bet North; the second is to go the other way and try and emulate Crawley Town and maybe break the bank in trying to achieve more success; and the third is to find the happy medium and make the transition to full time in stages.

Bradley added: "We accept we have to make changes in order to be able to firstly ensure we survive and then hopefully build. That means we will be going down our preferred route of going full-time but through a planned three-year staged progress. It is not something we are going to be able to do in one fell swoop on the pitch but I think over a period of three years we can have actually created a set-up capable of challenging at the top end of the division."

The Reds hierarchy have watched with great interest how Stalybridge Celtic have gone on in their first season as a full-time club.

Bradley explained: "Credit should be made to them for finishing the season stronger than they started. I am sure they would be the first to acknowledge that with youth alone you struggle to find the consistency but with the right blend it is the right way to go.

"What people should realise is that we only defaulted in the two seasons before at the final and penultimate hurdles which means the plans we are now going with have been building for three years already.

"We are going to have to move from 100 per cent part-time on the pitch to what we need to be, which is full-time. But the vast majority of the infrastructure and development and administrative part of the club are already geared to working seven days a week and have been for a long time so that won't affect us.

"What happens off the field obviously affects us on it and it is a challenge that every one of the staff are relishing. I know if we don't break records for attendance next season, we will potentially struggle. But I have been absolutely delighted with the increase in our crowds this season and I feel sure they can rise again by a good percentage. We will need at least 1,000 average next season and I think we can achieve that."

Manager Nicky Law will be keeping the majority of the title-winning squad together but is expected to try and add some experience to it from players who already know the level they now find themselves at.

The biggest difference is that players will be required to train three times a week and play football on a Tuesday and Saturday as well. That will leave little time for a player who is recruited to do anything else and it is that mind-set which has to change.

Bradley ended: "If we stayed as we are we would be going in there, taking each game as a cup final and rolling up your sleeves and maybe getting a couple of dozen points by trying that.

"Obviously that is not good enough. On the other hand, it would be massively disrespectful to even suggest we can go into the next division and say we can win it. Likewise it would be foolish to go into the division and say we would hope to survive in it.

"It is all going to be about cost and desire compatibility. A lot of things change at the next level, one of which is the travel. We have to be prepared for the levels of professionalism that are within the next level.

"Every team which has gone up and failed has confirmed to us that one of the things they were caught out on was attempting to leave on a Saturday morning to reach the fixture. If you do that, then you will be in for a big surprise.

"Inevitably, we are going to have to leave on a Friday. If your players are working Friday, you can't do that, which is where the players being available comes into play."

One other factor, which will have a massive bearing on the season's plans, is the transfer window and deadlines that have never affected the club before. Clearly there is a need to carry a squad big enough to cope with everything the season is going to throw at the club and the club's budget is going to be seriously tested.



FINAL GAME
This Saturday, Alfreton Town bring the curtain down on a fantastic season when they entertain promotion-chasing Nuneaton Town at the Impact Arena.

The Blue Square Bet North Championship Trophy will be on display for fans to view and after the game, the ATFC Supporters' Player of the Season will be presented.

Supporters should note this game will see segregation in place and away supporters can only gain access to the stadium via the away turnstiles at the Alma Street end of the ground. Kick-off is 3pm.

RECENT STORIES

AWARDS GALORE FOR THE REDS -
Law wins the Manager of the Season Award while Hearn picked up both the Top Scorer and Player of the Season and striker Paul Clayton signs 1 year contract More...

LAW LOOKS AHEAD TO PREMIER DIVISION -
Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law says he is happy with the way things are shaping with his squad More...

REDS ENTER INTO TRAINING PARTNERSHIP -
Reds have entered into a partnership with Blackwell Miners' Welfare FC which will see the Reds using their Primrose Hill facilities for daytime training More...

LAW MAKES FIRST SIGNING -
Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has made central defender Greg Young his first signing since the Reds clinched the Blue Square Bet North title. More...

JOSH LAW CROWNED PLAYERS' PLAYER -
Alfreton Town's 2011 Presentation Evening saw a packed house at the Boundary in South Normanton enjoy an excellent night. More...

3 MORE YEARS FOR LAW -
Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has had last season's title-winning efforts rewarded with a new three-year contract. More...

4 PLAYERS RELEASED PLUS TICKET AND OTHER NEWS -
Alfreton Town have released four players from last season’s title-winning squad. More...

IN LOVING MEMORY -
It is with great sadness that Alfreton Town Football Club announce the passing away of long-serving club secretary and match-day secretary Roger Taylor. More...

REDS COULD LIFT SILVERWARE THIS SATURDAY -
Alfreton Town FC has been notified that the club WILL lift the Blue Square Bet North Championship trophy after this Saturday's home game against Redditch if it's a positive result. More...

WINNER TAKES IT ALL-
Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law is warning his players that Easter Saturday's home game against Redditch United will not be easy. More...

ALFRETON v SOLIHULL MOORS. PREVIEW -
The title-chasing Reds face another tough Blue Square Bet North league game on tonight as they host a very much in-form Solihull Moors. More...

REDS BACK ON TOP FORM -
Despite the team's chances of promotion on the rise, Alfreton's Assistant Manager Russ O'Neill insists the squad are keeping their feet on the ground. More...

ROBIN RETURNS TO THE REDS -
Alfreton have bolstered their ambitions of staying in the Blue Square Bet North title race by signing former central defender and captain Aden Flint... More...

REDS BOSS URGES PLAYERS TO SHOW THEIR METTLE -
ALFRETON Town manager Nicky Law praised his side's durability after another tough week of games. More...

REDS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS -
Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law says he's pleased the amount of firepower at his disposal after his side thrashed Gloucester City. More...

ALFRETON TOWN BATTLE ON -
They say that records are there to be broken. And it is how you respond to losing one that says everything about the calibre of the team. More...

NEARLY THERE... -
ALFRETON Town finally, finally reached the halfway stage of their Blue Square Bet North campaign on Tuesday evening. More...

WILL IT BE 8 FROM 8 FOR THE REDS?
Town finally return to Blue Square Bet North league action by making the longest journey of the season to Workington on Saturday. More...

REPLAY FOR THE REDS -
After yesterday's FA Trophy third round tie finished 1-1, the Reds announced that the replay is on February 8th at 7:45pm. More...

MORE TICKETS, TRANSPORT AND SIGNINGS -
Alfreton Town has told us this morning that, due to demand, they have added a FIFTH coach for today's FA Trophy trip to Mansfield Town. More...

REDS HEAD OVER THE BORDER TO HUNT STAGS -
ALFRETON Town make the short trip over the Notts border on Saturday for an FA Carlsberg Trophy last 16 derby at Blue Square Premier near-neighbours Mansfield Town. More...

BREAK IN MATCHES AND RECORD FEE FOR FLINT -
Alfreton Town are this week preparing for their FA Trophy third round tie at near neighbours Mansfield Town a week on Saturday. More...

INS AND OUTS FOR THE REDS -
It's been a busy evening on the transfer front - the Reds have signed keeper James McKeown and skipper Aden Flint has left for Swindon More...

SIMPLY THE BEST -
After thrashing Blue Square Premiership Cambridge Utd last night, Manager Nicky Law declared it the best result Alfreton have achieved in his three-and-a-half-seasons at the club. More...

PROBABLY THE LAST 16 IN THE CUP -
ALFRETON put their Blue Square Bet North title chase on hold for the weekend and turn their attentions to reaching the last 16 in the FA Carlsberg Trophy. More...

BATTLE AT THE IMPACT -
It's a fixture that’s been dubbed 'The Battle of the Reds' and ALFRETON Town can go three points clear at the top More...

WHITE OUT FOR THE REDS -
The extreme weather has hit Alfreton Town hard, in common with many teams around our region. More...

REDS ROUND UP -
The first game in 3 and a half weeks, 1 player was suspended, another cup tied and several were still suffering the effects of illness - the Red's midweek FA Trophy victory now must surely go down as a triumph over adversity. More...

REDS' BOSS CONFIRMS COMMITMENT -
Nicky Law has confirmed his commitment to the Reds, despite speculation linking him to at least three higher-level clubs. More...

ALFRETON BEGINS FA CUP RUN -
ALFRETON Town set out on the FA Trophy trail this Saturday with high hopes of a good run in the competition. More...

REDS ON UNBEATEN RUN OF 4 GAMES -
ALFRETON Town manager Nicky Law says he is relishing this season's title chase. More...

REDS BACK ON TOP -
The Reds returned to the top of Blue Square Bet North on Saturday after a deserved 2-1 home win over Worcester City More...

REDS FACE HOME TIE IN CARLSBERG CUP -
ALFRETON Town Football Club have been drawn at home in the FA Carlsberg Trophy third qualifying round. More...

REDS PREPARE TO TAKE TO THE FIELD THIS WEEKEND -
"Expect the unexpected!" is the message Reds manager, Nicky Law, is giving his players as they prepare to play their first game in a fortnight on Saturday.More...

ALFRETON PLAYER SELECTED FOR FA FIXTURE BY ENGLAND C TEAM MANAGER -
ALFRETON Town's Josh Law has been named as part of a 16-man squad by England C team manager Paul Fairclough to take part in an FA Representative XI fixture at Hallam FC More...

REDS STILL ON TOP -
ALFRETON Town manager Nicky Law is looking for an immediate response to his side's first defeat of the season. More...

A STRAIGHT 8? -
ALFRETON Town put their 100 per cent record on the line this Saturday when third-placed Boston United visits More...

REDS CAN WRITE THEMSELVES INTO THE RECORD BOOKS -
NICKY Law's side can write themselves into the Alfreton Town record books if they achieve victory at Nuneaton Town this Saturday. More...

ENGLAND CALL-UPS - Aden Flint and Paddy Gamble have both received international call-ups into the England C squad for the forthcoming game against Wales More...

2 POINTS CLEAR -
TWO wins over the August Bank Holiday weekend maintained Alfreton Town's blistering start to the season More...

NICKY LAW MANAGER OF THE MONTH - Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has been named as the Blue Square Bet North manager of the month for August 2010. More...

ALFRETON Town have suffered an injury blow ahead of their start of season.Midfielder Anthony Howell has undergone a scan on a knee injury More...

Law Unfazed By Only Summer Defeat.
Despite losing 3 - 1 Nicky Law feels that the final warm up game pre season against Mansfield was a positive experience for the Reds team. More...

Looking Ahead. Friendly v Mansfield, 7th August 2010.
Nicky Law's men welcome Mansfield Town to The Impact Arena later today. Both sides enter the fixture with good performances behind them. More...

Red's Hoping It's Third Time Lucky.
ALFRETON TOWN kick-off the 2010/2011 season hoping it will be third time lucky as they aim to reach the top level of non league football. More...

Alfreton Town Sign New Player.
Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has made his third signing for the new season with former Burton Albion legend Darren Stride signing a one-year deal. More...

Related Tags

Reds
Alfreton
Alfreton Town Website