| Teams | Clipstone | Season 2021/22

NewsClubMatchesStatistics

Hoole returns to Cobras hotseat

23rd April, 2022

Clipstone have announced the re-appointment of manager Dave Hoole alongside Dale Spragg, who was previously at the Cobras with Hoole as assistant manager and rejoins again as his number two.

The Cobras are re-building having finished the campaign in the bottom three in Toolstation NCEL Division One and they are now awaiting FA confirmation of which division they will be playing in next season.

Hoole brings with him credentials of a modern, successful manager following a spell as the reserve team manager at Matlock Town before he took the first team job on an interim basis.

After one defeat in eight matches, moving from third bottom to mid-table, Matlock then appointed Hoole as the permanent manager in April 2018.

Following this, Hoole took the first team manager reigns at Clipstone in 2019 before departing in November 2021 due to unforeseen work commitments.

Hoole said on his return: "It feels great to be back, and myself and Dale can’t wait to get started again.

"It may be a different league so either way it will be a challenge but one we’re looking forward to, plenty of work to be done rebuilding but relishing all the challenges along the way.

"Clipstone deserves to be higher, the work done over the last three years is nothing less than remarkable to make it a club of first team, reserves, Clipstone Colts, volunteers, staff, managers, committee and supporters, and the future is looking very good.

"Growth and sustainability is something that everyone at the club is onboard with, I know that the support from the fans depends on the games you win and how you win them, playing attractive football.

"So, hopefully, they can all get down and back the boys and the club in our attempts to bounce back."

The Cobras revealed that there was a large number of great local candidates for the manager's position and the committee are hopeful that some of these will become part of the backroom staff to further bolster the future of local talent playing at the club.

Vice chairman Paul Griffiths added: “We've invested a lot of time and money at the club to ensure that we are in a strong position to move forward sustainably.

"With a new reserves team joining the ranks, there will be plenty of opportunities for local talent to shine.

"With the management team still not appointed for the reserves, we are hopeful that we can get some of the applicants involved to allow us to provide one of the best offerings of football at all ages as the pathway from U7s through to first team football is, for the first time, complete.

"We’re thrilled to have Dave and Dale on board again as they share the same ethics and desire as everyone within the club and we are sure whoever they choose to join the backroom staff will share the same beliefs."

(Story Source: Clipstone FC)

Funk leaves Cobras after Nostell defeat

15th March, 2022

Clipstone have announced that manager Rudy Funk has left the club after Tuesday night's Toolstation NCEL Division One home defeat to Nostell Miners Welfare.

The 2-0 loss leaves the Cobras stranded in the bottom three after nine defeats in a row, three points away from safety.

And, they are now only two points ahead of FC Humber United who have three games in hand in the race to avoid relegation.

A statement on Clipstone's social media feeds said: "The club can confirm they have mutually parted ways with Rudy Funk.

"Thanks to Rudy for his hard work and effort during his time with the Cobras!

"We wish all the best to Rudy!"

Clipstone in a Funk

26th November, 2021

Clipstone have announced that Rudy Funk has become the new manager of the Toolstation NCEL Division One side with immediate effect.

The news comes after the Cobras parted company with Dave Hoole and his assistant Dale Spragg by mutual consent as Hoole's work commitments meant that he had been unable to attend games in the last month.

A statement said: "The club committee is immensely grateful to both Dave and Dale for their hard work, enthusiasm and integrity that they have always shown since they joined the club in Summer 2019."

Chairman Richard Clarey added: "Thank you for all the time, work and dedication Dave and Dale have given to our football club.

"We are in a much better place due to your guidance and commitment."

Funk comes in with an impressive CV, having managed clubs throughout non-league football, including Rainworth Miners Welfare, Scarborough Athletic and AFC Mansfield in the NCEL, and securing a number of promotions.

Cobras vice chairman Paul Griffiths said: "We are absolutely delighted that Rudy has decided to join us and come on board here at the Lido Ground at such an exciting time for the club.

"He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and his proven track record speaks for itself."

Funk has also introduced Graeme Rodger, formerly at Basford United who play in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, as his assistant, along with retaining the Cobras' goalkeeper coach Tony Wigfull and club physio Luke Randle to complete the backroom staff line-up.

Funk added: "There are some big plans ahead. The chairman has a plan, the club's got a plan, they want to get the community involved and, to me, I think that was the biggest attraction.

"The community has supported me over the years and if I can give something back that would be fantastic.

"It's that buzz, it's that excitement that everyone at the club told me they want to create here, and what they want to achieve, I think the vision is something unbelievable.

"I’m talking to you now and I’m off the scale, I’m buzzing and I’m excited, it's just the whole package here.”

Cobras captain Jason Foster said: "There are a lot of smiles on faces and there does seem to be a buzz around the training ground.

"All the lads are buzzing for Saturday with a fresh start, hopefully we can get a good result on Saturday and get Rudy’s reign off to a good start."

Clipstone are currently sixteenth in the Division One table and the first game under Funk is a trip to Armthorpe Welfare on Saturday.

Tables

NCEL Premier Division P Pts +/-
P 1 Grimsby Borough 38 88 59
2 Eccleshill United 38 79 42
3 Garforth Town 38 77 42
4 Winterton Rangers 38 76 47
5 Sherwood Colliery 38 73 27
6 Penistone Church 38 66 20
7 Barton Town 38 61 13
8 Handsworth 38 60 4
9 Emley AFC 38 51 8
R 10 Staveley MW 38 50 10
11 Maltby Main 38 49 -3
12 Goole AFC 38 49 -10
13 Silsden AFC 38 46 -5
14 Bottesford Town 38 46 -30
15 Thackley 38 44 -26
16 AFC Mansfield 38 41 -16
17 Knaresborough 38 40 -25
18 Hemsworth MW 38 33 -27
19 Albion Sports 38 33 -32
R 20 Athersley Rec 38 10 -98
NCEL Division One P Pts +/-
P 1 Hallam 40 102 103
P 2 North Ferriby 40 96 73
3 Brigg Town 40 86 71
4 Harrogate Railway 40 83 41
5 Rossington Main 40 81 45
6 Selby Town 40 75 38
7 Retford FC 40 68 13
8 Parkgate 40 66 15
9 Worsbrough Bridge 40 55 -19
10 Hall Road Rangers 40 54 -5
11 Dronfield Town 40 54 -10
12 Ollerton Town 40 53 0
13 Armthorpe Welfare 40 52 6
14 Nostell MW 40 50 -23
15 Shirebrook Town 40 47 -24
16 Rainworth MW 40 43 -29
17 Glasshoughton Welf 40 41 -15
18 Swallownest 40 31 -32
19 FC Humber United 40 27 -64
20 Clipstone 40 22 -75
R 21 Teversal 40 10 -109

Click here for more details