Smile Tony: You'll be top soon!

29 Aug 2016 By David Watters

With the Bucks sitting at the top of the table, there's no doubt that Buxton vice chairman Tony Tomlinson has been enjoying life since being honoured by the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League for his services to the Derbyshire club.

Along with a number of other stalwarts from around the league at Ossett Albion, Nantwich Town and Ramsbottom United, Tomlinson was honoured on the opening day of the season and is pictured collecting his inscribed glass trophy from EVO-STIK NPL representative Phil Varney and Buxton chairman Dave Hopkins before the Bucks kicked off their great start to the new season with a 2-0 win over Halesowen Town.

A life-long supporter and an active volunteer at Silverlands since the early 1980s, Tomlinson was appointed chairman in 2002 and oversaw the club's change of fortunes as they went on to win promotion back to the EVO-STIK NPL after a number of years playing in the Northern Counties East League following successive relegations back in 1997 and 1998.

In a statement paying tribute to their stalwart who handed over to Hopkins two years ago, the Bucks said: "Tony stood down as chairman in 2014 but as vice has been a great support to current chairman Dave Hopkins with the club moving in a new direction, both on and off the pitch."

* Before winning 3-0 at Mickleover Sports on Bank Holiday Monday to hold on to top spot, the Bucks put a dent in one of Non-League's most remarkable 'stats' on Saturday when they beat Marine 3-0 at home. In their 24 most recent visits to Silverlands, the Mariners had lost just once while the Bucks had won as many as eight games at Crosby.

After their promising starts to the 2016-17 campaign, Bucks officials announced on Monday that three of the club's youngsters had signed contracts. Summer signings, midfielder Brad Abbott from Barnsley and centre-back Danny Burns from Cambridge United, along with winger Niall Doran who arrived last summer from Harrogate Town, have all been rewarded with deals by manager Martin McIntosh.

Additionally, midfielder Kegan Evrington's one-month loan from National League Lincoln City has also been extended to January.

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Where next?

Bank Holiday Monday's First South review Witton Albion and Romulus are now the only teams left in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's First Division South with 100 per cent records after Newcastle Town were beaten on Bank Holiday Monday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Prestigious course chosen again The prstigious West Lancashire Golf Club in Blundellsands is to host EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Marine's annual golf day for the fifth year in succession.