The Saturday after Christmas, and only halfway through the season, but the Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division sees a big clash at the top-of-the-table, as unbeaten second place side, Cotgrave Seniors, travel to leaders FCV Grace Dieu.
Cotgrave, fronted by manager Scott Litchfield, and assistant manager/vice chairman Adam Flint, go into the top-of-the-table clash on the back of a nineteen-match unbeaten start to the season, fifteen of which are in the league.
They’re also notching plenty of goals long the way, and go into the battle at FCV Grace Dieu seven points behind, but with two games in hand – Patrick Ferguson (18) and Ben Upton (10) have both reached the double figure mark, whilst Franco Paz and Lewis Robertson are on seven apiece.
It’s just on the field either where there’s been plenty happening; off-field has seen the club apply for promotion, which brings with it a whole host of challenges itself, and vice chairman Adam Flint was also recently awarded the Football Association’s National Volunteer of the Year award.
“Off the field, and because we haven’t really had a women’s section here, and I had my qualifications, I stepped in to help,” began Flinty, who’s been on the Cotgrave committee for a couple of seasons, as well as having, at one point or another, played for the firsts and reserves.
“We kind of worked backwards with everything really but now, with the investment, some 37 teams, and introducing a development side to help with bridging the gap, we’ve got some phenomenal numbers at the club.
“There’s been some amazing support at games, especially at home, and we had a great turnout for the Notts FA Senior Trophy game, between the reserves and seniors (early October, seniors winning 2-1).
“As for the award though, that was very overwhelming, and I initially thought we were in trouble with the FA when I got the phone call, and was quite taken aback.
“It’s nice to be recognised though, but it’s not just me, it’s about the club as a whole.”
One of the faces of the club is Scott Litchfield, best known by the nickname, Tank, who spent recent times at Radford, in the United Counties League, as well as having had spells at clubs like Keyworth United, and Clifton All Whites.
He’s a Cotgrave lad though, and has lived there for a number of years now, a perfectly enticing reason to join up with what can be seen as a revolution.
“I really felt that something could be done here,” stated Tank.
“I knew that we’d have a good squad, a talented one also, it just needed some fine-tuning.
“We kept most of last seasons’ together and although we had some ups-and-downs early on, better player availability and bringing in about seven or eight new players, has really helped.
“They’ve been the right additions to a club that’s all about the players that are here, a club that has three great sides whom I do try and watch play.”
Continuing on that vein, Flinty added: “Our resilience, especially carried over from last season, and togetherness, has been great.
“There’s a great connection between the sides, and those players added have certainly made us stronger, and had a positive effect throughout.”
That effect, the camaraderie, is something else, and their man-of-the-match awards, they are something else altogether – seeing is most certainly believing and range from anything from budgies to bikes to fridge freezers, and whatever in-between.
“This is probably one of the funniest groups of players I’ve been with,” stated Tank.
“There’s always something fun happening, but match-wise…
“When we played FCV at the start of the season, that squad was nothing compared to the one now.
“We are a lot stronger, and that was a crazy game as well.
“However, we’re taking nothing from that one, although we are confident going into this one.
“We aren’t a one-man team though, and have some 16-17 players capable of doing a job, and we feel we know enough about them and how they set up.
“I’ve been around the non-league scene long enough however to know that anyone can beat anyone.
“We’ve got some tough games still to play so it’s far from done, and this, it’s just another fame and we’ll look to tick off another win, and that’s what we’re going there to do.
“If FCV win every game left, then good luck to them, as we’re going for everything.
“The league is the big one, the one which we rally want, but we’re also looking at the cups as well, and the second half of the season will be just the same as the first one.”
That second half, as well as challenging for the NSL Premier Division title, Cotgrave also have the small matter of two, cup quarter-finals to look forward to.
Their first game in the New Year sees the Notts FA Senior Trophy clash away to Bingham Town, and that’ll be followed shortly after by a trip to Aslockton & Orston in the NSL Senior Cup, as well as plenty of league action either side.
Then there’s everything going on off the field as well, Cotgrave continuing to push for what they hope will be a promotion campaign.
“Both the changing rooms need upgrading, and new changing rooms for the officials, making things more cost-effective,” concluded Flinty.
“We’ve also got a new, covered, hard-standing stand being put in, and the pitch needs to be widened, and it all needs doing by March.
“We’re working hard on it, but it’s something we’re positive we can get done.”
Keep up-to-date with all the goings-on at Cotgrave Seniors via their Facebook here and via their X here.
Thanks to Adam Clark for arranging the interviews, background information, and the photograph.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @Cotgrave_Senior it’s been a strong season for Cotgrave so far.
