Chairman - Mustafa Muhashash
A long, testing and at times disappointing season for Nomads. So close but so far in our 120th year. However, the foundations are there for our best season yet! This time next year Rodney....
A successful campaign for our Womens' team. Mike Worden oversaw a good campaign with a number of notable wins. The squad grew over the season and Mike's coaching saw improvements in results as well as performances.
Our 6ths enjoyed 2 finals, winning the Home Nations Cup. Great numbers all year and superb team spirit, testament to all Clive Davies' hard work and affable nature.
Tom Cairns' (league) Vets optimised the 'Oh so close' season we felt as a club. A near shambolic start, at least in part due to the horrendous weather, an OK middle and a near perfect end...bar the game that could have seen the promoted. Sadly it wasn't to be.
The Masters team was a similar story. A mixed campaign, 2 - 0 up in the Masters Cup semi, only lose 4 - 2.
Our Reserves, who've been very good for the best part of 2 years ran out of steam towards the end of their season, finally finishing in 3rd. Thankfully promotion was extended in their league, meaning they'll be enjoying West Cheshire 2 football next season.
And finally out 1st team. The epitome of a season of lows and some highs. The start was a poor one with things just not quite right, a change was needed and our prayers were answered with the appointment of Joe (Cossins) as Manager ably assisted by Jay Gilmartin. Joe, who'd been the long-standing choice took little time to get hold of the group and put on an impressive run. At one point he'd managed to amass 22 points in 12 games. Some feat considering the first 12 games had yielded just 4 points.
However all the progress, good results and resolute performances weren't enough to secure cup success but thankfully West Cheshire Division 1 was maintained.
The unsung team of the year this year goes to our 3rds. A group forced in to a promotion few thought they were ready for. A new management team and exodus of most of the perceived talent from the squad early in the season all meant for a long, testing season where relegation seemed almost inevitable. They remained galvanised and competitive and against all odds will remain in Chester and Wirral Prem next season. Well done to all involved.
Whilst the results have been mixed with a few notable highlights, we're all aware there are improvements to be made. The club as a whole is in a good place. The grounds look great with some minor alterations planned. The finances and the membership as a whole remain stable.
Whilst we didn't quite get there in the final throws of a difficult season, there was much to be proud of in the middle and end of the season.
We we're literally a game, a goal, a save and/or a penalty away from; The CDFA Cup, a 2nd place finish, another cup and another promoted team. Fine margins!
I'm hugely optimistic about the year ahead. We 'take our medicine' for this season, have a break and come back stronger 💪 🧡🖤
1st Team - Manager - Joe Cossins
After coming in after 11 games, the objective was to stay in the league, which we achieved with games to spare. However, the biggest low point of the season would be losing the cup final on penalties.
After looking back on the season as a whole I think the team has made good progress and with the recruitment of staff and players I’m very confident that we can push on next season and work our way up the table and hopefully put some silverware back into the club.
The links between the firsts and seconds teams have been another pleasing point with a number of seconds making an impact in first team games.
All in all, we’ve managed to achieve staying in the league in difficult circumstances making a lot of changes during the season. Next season will hopefully be a lot more successful for the first team and keep making steps in the right direction.
Reserves - Manager - Rob Taberner
With a huge amount of progression made last season it was so important that it was capitalised on this season, and the seconds squad delivered, securing promotion to west Cheshire 2.
Although a top two finish was the original goal we have unfortunately had to accept a third place finish, finishing behind two very strong Cammell Lairds and Kirkby sides.
With the best defensive record in the league our success has been built on solid foundations with talent and experience in the midfield and flair and a cutting edge up top.
The lads showed a huge commitment to each other all season having gone through some challenging times to bounce back and continue to play with confidence and belief.
I believe there is more to come from this squad and see no reason why we can’t again be operating up the top end of the table next season in West Cheshire 2.
3rd Team - Manager - Tom Taylor
Playing in the Chester and Wirral premier division, it’s been a tough season. We got off to a poor start, losing a couple of players and having to regroup.
We’ve had some brilliant results, for example:
- Being 3-0 down at Half Time to Christleton, and in the end drawing 4-4 at Boughton Hall.
- Beating Shaftesbury 4-3 at home with a last minute winner.
We’ve had a number of new players join throughout the season who have all had a positive impact on the team!
We finished the season strongly with a 3-3 draw against an in-form Sutton Rangers and a 3-1 win against Farndon, which helped us avoid relegation.
Just 4 points separates 3rd and 7th place, which shows how competitive and close the league has been this year.
Women's Team - Manager - Mike Worden
The Women’s team have a had a great season in the Cheshire Inspire League following their cup winning success last year. This term the girls have won their mini league and made the cup final in June. The girls have played really well against some very strong opponents, losing only one game all season. A few new experienced players have bolstered Mike Worden’s young squad this season bringing some balance and experience.
Many of the younger players will now leave the team as they head off to university in September. We wish them well and thank them for their contribution to the progression of women’s football at Chester Nomads.
League Vets -Manager - Tom Cairns
It has been a strange season for the Vets. Pre-Season started well with two wins but then injuries and the weather derailed everything. Up to February we played three league games, were bottom of the league and out of both cups! We then had a great spell winning 5 on the run followed by a draw which took us up to 2nd place. Winning the last two games would have clinched the league title. We then lost 7-1 and 3-2 to ensure this didn't happen!
Across the season we have been helped out by every team sending us players to ensure we fulfilled all our fixtures. This was much appreciated
6th Team -Manager - Clive Davies
The 2023/ 2024 season has proved the Sixth’s most successful in terms of results, with their highest win ratio ever.
Things began to take off back in October when the team was invited to represent the club in an International tournament, hosted by Nomads, which included masters teams from the home countries. Our boys eventually coming out on top after defeating England on penalties, following a thrilling final game.
Following this, the team narrowly missed out on success in the domestic Jewsbury cup competition losing out 2-1 to the Vets in the deciding game.
Later on in the season, after dominating the group stages in the Eric Dean trophy, the team won a place in the final against Rockville. After an eventful 3-3 draw in normal time, the team lost out in a penalty shootout.
Now, with a strong, united playing squad and management team the Sixth’s confidently look forward to next season with great anticipation.
Written by Al Brookman on behalf of the 2024 6th Team.
Social Vets/Masters - Manager - Chris Bain
The season got off to a dreadful start, last season's top scorer ruled out for the season ahead and with only weeks to go until we began in earnest we lost our best right back called Dave to a snapped Achilles. Onwards and upwards and within a few games we thought we were off and running with 18 goals scored in the first three unbeaten games. Alas, this proved to be a false dawn...
We spent the rest of the season playing like a team that Ossie Ardilles would have been proud of, we had goals flying in every game. Unfortunately we just couldn't keep the ball out of our net. 1 win in 9 from November to January with two 3-3 draws and two 4-4 draws meant that our cup progression was halted.
However, the important point is that we've stuck together as a team and played every week that pitches were available. We've also been transitioning from playing Vets (over 35s) to Masters (over 45s) which has been a challenge.
We are also looking forward to our tour with our social teams in Germany in June (more on that another time) and next season will give us a chance to rectify our mistakes from this season.
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