Double player blow for Leek

Leek Town Director of Football Neil Baker has been dealt a double player whammy with the news that central defender Mark Fitton and winger Devon Gibson are to leave the club.

Fit again Fitton, who has been out of action since picking up an injury in the home game against Goole on 27 August, made just five appearances in a blue shirt before being forced out of the game due to pressure of business.

Baker signed Fitton in July 2011 from NWCFL neighbours Congleton Town. He began his non-league career out at Kidsgrove Athletic before becoming part of the squad that helped Nantwich Town to promotion before moving on to Newcastle Town.

Meanwhile, flying winger Gibson has decided return to live in Australia from where Blues signed him in December 2010.

Gibson was born in Macclesfield but emigrated down-under with his family when he was 11 where he went on to play for Cockburn City. He has also appeared in the final of the Australian reality television series ‘Football Superstar’.

Gibson, who has made 41 appearances and scored 12 goals whilst at Harrison Park, is likely to make his farewell appearance for Leek in the FA Trophy game at home to Witton Albion on Saturday.

Baker swoops to sign Spence
Leek Town Director of football, Neil Baker, recently served seven days notice on North West Counties League side Stone Dominoes for Dwayne Spence after the striker scored five goals for his club in his last two games.

Spence has played all his football at a local level but also enjoyed a short spell in France and Baker believes he could make it at this level now that he has been given the chance.

Jamaican born Spence has put pen to paper on non contract terms, although his registration with the league has been put on hold until his nationality status has been determined.

Meanwhile, out of favour striker Dorryl Proffitt has turned up playing Sunday football for Cobridge Community Centre.

Leek fixtures begin to pile up
An already hectic looking month in November has been added to with the rescheduling of the twice postponed Staffordshire Senior Cup tie.

Blues will now entertain Stafford Rangers on Tuesday 1st November in the First Round of the County Cup.

That match replaces the league trip to Belper Town which has been put back a week to Tuesday 8th November.

Success in FA competitions this season is now leaving a backlog of league games to play with Neil Baker's side facing a punishing schedule of no fewer than ten matches in 32 days that began with Saturday’s game at Stamford.

With six of the scheduled eight league games being played away from home, the month will be a stern test of Town's promotion aspirations.

Coming up
On Tuesday Blues will be at home to Stafford Rangers in the first round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup after two previously arranged games were both postponed.

Blues entertain First Division North outfit Witton Albion on Saturday in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy when Leek will be looking for revenge after the Cheshire club knocked Blues out of the Doodson Cup at Wincham Park last month.

Devon Gibson could be making his farewell appearance before moving back to Australia but midfielder Danny Holmes will be available for selection after making his comeback from injury in the Stafford game.

Also returning to the squad for the game is striker Tim Grice who was not available for the trip to Stamford due to work commitments.

Other player news
On loan midfielder Michael Thomas will miss the next three games following his sending off in the FA Cup replay against Hinckley United. He will play his final game for Leek against Quorn on 12 November against Quorn before returning to Macclesfield Town.

Meanwhile, winger Richard Minor will see a specialist on 7 November to determine the extent of damage to his knee but surgery is the likely option whilst striker Dan Cope undergoes surgery on 14 November on his damaged knee.

Blues Bar refurbished
The refurbishment of Leek Town's clubhouse has now been completed and it is now available for bookings.

The Blues Bar has been redecorated and fitted with a brand new toilet block following work that has been ongoing since the summer.

It is now available to hire as a function room for birthdays, anniversaries, wedding receptions, works parties, meetings, funerals and Christmas parties.

For further information, please contact Matt Beeby on 07712 584356 or Neil Baker on 07792 545499.

The club would like to place on record it's thanks to the Staffordshire Moorlands Community Payback Scheme for its help in the refurbishment work carried out both in the clubhouse and around the ground.

Fundraising
Recently, Leek Town’s younger junior section teams held a successful ‘Race Night’ in the Blues Bar raising over £600 for section funds.

The evening was organised by our U14 Pumas coach Allan Derbyshire and hosted by Anthony Knight, now chairman of Ball Haye Green FC.

Eight of our junior teams were represented and over ninety team staff, parents, friends and children attended the event.

Thanks go to Allan and Anthony for their excellent organisation of the evening and to all of the parents and friends who supported it.

The ‘Race Night’ for U12-U18 teams will take place in the Harrison Park Blues Bar on Friday 18 November at 7.30pm for 8.00pm.

Meanwhile the club is organising a grand Christmas raffle with a main prize of a hamper worth £100.

Tickets will be available at the home game against Stafford Rangers on Tuesday evening from Matt Beeby and Gavin Bateman.

Monthly draw winners - October
The Leek Town Monthly Draw for October was made at the Dyers Arms on Friday evening and the results are as follows:

1st Prize £340 No.38 Mr M Beeby

2nd Prize £150 No.112 Mr P Porter

3rd Prize £65 No.145 Mr K Scragg; No.259 Leek Town U15's

4th Prize £35 No.197 Mrs A Smith; No.16 Mr S Clarke; No.219 Mr N Wooldridge; No.183 Winner Mr M Horden

The draw was conducted by Owen Denny and checked and verified by James Lockett.