Ineffective Rushall Olympic slumped to their fifth successive defeat in all competitions on home turf with a 2-1 reversal at the hands of neighbours Willenhall Town.

An essentially disjointed Pic’s side found themselves behind and playing catch up as early as the 14th minute when Richard Brown inexplicably gave the ball away to Ben Jevons who immediately fired home from outside the area past ‘keeper Ryan Price into the bottom left corner.

After failing to test the visiting custodian at all during a first period where Rushall failed dismally to cope with both the conditions and the opposition, they suffered a further setback on 67 minutes when Willenhall skipper Mark Briggs wrapped up all three points for his side by sending a looping effort from the periphery of the box into the top left corner after being given far too much time and space.

The final 15 minutes saw Olympic belatedly rouse themselves from their stupor as striker Dean Perrow thrice spurned reasonable opportunities to lessen the magnitude of the defeat, while defender Niki Preston also headed wide from close range.

Ultimately the Dales Lane outfit did reduce the deficit in the 88th minute when Anthony Maguire registered a fine individual goal as he latched on to a defensive clearance at ground level and promptly floated the ball over the stranded Dean Coleman from fully 45 yards out. However, it was all very much too little, too late from the struggling Pic’s who are now looking over their shoulders more nervously than ever.

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Rushall Olympic's British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands game at home to Berkhamsted Town this afternoon has been postponed following an 11.00 am pitch inspection.

Club Secretary Peter Athersmith reported that following early morning rain surface water was holding right through the middle of the pitch from goal to goal and was also spreading out to the wings.

The early decision was taken to prevent the Hertfordshire outfit from making a wasted journey to the West Midlands, especially with the forecast for the day being showers.

The fixture will now take place on a date to be arranged, more than likely as a midweek fixture in March or April.

Meanwhile, the Second team's Midland Football Combination Reserve Division fixture at Rothwell Town also fell victim to the weather.

On the eve of Rushall Olympic's crucial home game with basement club Berkhamsted Town manager Paul Holleran warned his charges that the clash will be a 'must win' affair as his side begin to enter a make-or-break phase of their season. Indeed, the Pic's take on the bottom side in the British Gas Business League Division One Midlands at Dales Lane with their boss admitting that it is a game his side can ill-afford to lose.

Speaking to the Express & Star newspaper he claimed: "You could certainly put the 'must win' tag on this one. They (Berkhamsted) have slipped to bottom of the table with a defeat last week and it's the kind of game we have to win in the position we're in."

However, in addition to the match against the Hertfordshire strugglers, Paul Holleran also believes that the next few weeks will ultimately define the course of the Pics' fight to retain their Southern League status as they take on a series of games against fellow strugglers and local rivals and claimed: "We've gone through a tricky period of fixtures and picked up a decent points total bearing in mind the opposition. Now we have a series of games against local teams and sides who are in and around us and these are the games that will make or break our season. We've got quite a few games at home against teams who are near the bottom and they are games we need to be winning. Performance levels over the last few weeks have been getting there and if we keep on playing like we are then we'll be okay."

Olympic's manager could hand an immediate debut to new signing JAMES FRANCIS and the returning CHAD SHEPPARD. Midfielder Sheppard has made a welcome return to the fold after re-signing from Hednesford Town, while striker Francis, the son of Trevor, has arrived from Halesowen Town. Meanwhile, goalkeeper MARK GAYLE has also now put pen to paper for the Pic's, but at this stage is unlikely to displace current No.1 Ryan Price from the starting line-up.

Manager Paul Holleran continued to use his excellent links to good effect with attacking player JAMES FRANCIS - son of former Birmingham City legend Trevor Francis - completing a transfer from Halesowen Town.

The front runner was previously on Rushall's books as a fresh faced 16-year-old during the 2003-04 campaign and plundered a hatful of goals for the Dales Lane Under-18's Midweek Floodlit Youth League side managed by Melvin Wingfield. However, his talents were soon noted and was snapped up by neighbours Tamworth during the 2004-05 campaign, going on to make his First Team debut in Conference football in November 2004 as a 17-year-old.

Unfortunately, his debut was one to remember for Tamworth who were deducted three points by the Conference for fielding an ineligible player against Leigh RMI as his registration was not received by the Conference in time for him to play in the game. Although the Lambs appealed against the decision, saying the necessary forms were delayed in the post, the penalty was upheld and the club was also fined £250!

After featuring regularly in the Tamworth First Team squad over the next two seasons, following an initial loan spell with Confenerence North side Moor Green, March 2006 saw James link up with Paul Holleran for the first time at Halesowen Town, where he was on loan during March and April 2006. October 2006 also saw him re-sign Southern League forms for the Yeltz.

The versatile forward, who can also play in midfield, began his career with spells on the books of Birmingham City, before going on to try his luck with the likes of Southampton and Plymouth Argyle. With the Blues he signed on as an apprentice and mainly operated within the junior squads, staying there for some three years - last of which his dad Trevor had been relieved of the St Andrews hot seat.

A very warm welcome back to Dales Lane James!

Making a welcome return to the fold has been gifted 21-year-old midfield playmaker CHAD SHEPPARD who has re-signed for the Pic's from Unibond League Premier Division high flyers Hednesford Town.

Chad had originally arrived at Dales Lane during summer 2006 after transferring from Evesham United, but moved to Keys Park in September 2006 after impressing Pitmen manager Phil Starbuck in a pre-season friendly.

He began his career by progressing through the ranks at Birmingham City where he was an Academy player and also featured for the club's Reserve Team, before being released on a free transfer at the end of the 2003-04 campaign and linking up with Tamworth in June 2004. While on trial at the Lamb he earned himself a 12-month deal, but despite featuring in the Nationwide Conference over 20 times and being named as Tamworth's Young Player of the Year he was surprisingly released at the end of the 2004-05 campaign.

During summer 2005 he went on trial with Nationwide North outfit Worcester City, before finally agreeing terms with Willenhall Town and becoming a key figure in the Reds rapid rise up the Southern Football League Division One West table, prior to transferring to Evesham United before the March 2006 transfer deadline.

A very warm welcome back to Dales Lane Chad!

An official statement from Russell Moore (Secretary/General Manager) of Tamworth Football Club has been made upon their web site.

The public declaration appears to suggest that holders Rushall Olympic will now be reinstated in the Staffordshire Senior Cup after Tamworth apparently "withdrew" from the competition following an official protest by the Pic's regarding the eligibility of two of their playing line-up.

However, no official statement has so far been issued by the Staffordshire Football Association, while Tamworth appear to deny they have done anything wrong.

Rushall Olympic certainly have to thank Club Secretary Peter Athersmith for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Football Association rules.

The Pic's lost 2-1 to Tamworth after extra time in the Quarter-Finals but immediately appealed, claiming their opponents had fielded two ineligible players. The Lambs denied infringing the rules but, given their backlog of fixtures and the supposed time it would take for a full investigation into the appeal, they decided to withdraw from the competition.

That means Rushall still have a chance of defending the cup they won last year and will play at local rivals Chasetown for a place in the Final at Port Vale's Vale Park ground against either Leek Town or Kisdgrove Athletic.

Talking to the Walsall Advertiser Rushall's Secretary explained: "We were originally supposed to play the tie on December 5 but it was called off due to a waterlogged pitch and was postponed another couple of times after that. However, only players registered by noon on December 1 were eligible to play and Tamworth included Gary Mills and Michael Briscoe last week, who didn't join the club until this month. We actually knew on the Sunday before the game that Mills was going to play so we just thought 'carry on' - if we win fair enough, if we lose we can put in a protest. I pride myself on being very knowledgeable about the rules and I can tell you precisely which ones Tamworth breached - part three rule 12, 12B and 12C, all on page 64 of the Staffs FA handbook. Basically Tamworth have jumped before they were pushed."

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team gained a very creditable two-all draw at home to high flying neighbours Chasetown in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division, with the hosts fielding an experienced line-up.

Goals from Solomon Griffiths and Chris Hughes gave the Pic's a share of the spoils.

Dean Perrow's 70th minute penalty strike against his former club Sutton Coldfield Town salvaged a point for Rushall Olympic at Coles Lane in what was essentially a dreadfully dour local derby.

An error by Pic's 'keeper Ryan Price had contributed to the home side taking a 26th minute lead as the stopper missed his punch when attempting to clear Paul Devlin's centre and as the ball rolled out to the edge of the box Nathan Moran made no mistake by curling home into the right side of goal.

Olympic failed to even test their former stopper Chris Gemmell in the Royals' goal throughout most of the contest, but 20 minutes before then end Dean Perrow's run into the right side of the Sutton area was ended with a clumsy trip and the resulting penalty award was confidently drilled straight down the middle by the deadly striker for his fifth goal in nine games.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team returned to winning ways in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division with a 3-1 success at Dales Lane against basement club Gresley Rovers.

Joe Ghazanfar gave the home side a 27th minute lead, before a Chris Hughes brace with strikes on 50 and 57 minutes sent Rushall into a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Derbyshire outfit pulled back what turned out to be a consolation goal with 13 minutes remaining, but they couldn't deny the Pic's a victory that sent them up four places in the league standings to 9th.

In the wake of Rushall Olympic's Staffordshire Senior Cup Quarter-Final exit at the hands of Tamworth on Tuesday 13th February, Pic's officials have immediately lodged a protest with the Staffordshire Football Association as they believe that the National Conference side strugglers fielded at least two ineligible players in their line-up.

MICHAEL BRISCOE, who is currently on loan from Hucknall Town, only signed for Tamworth last week, while manager GARY MILLS only returned to the Lamb about a month ago and both turned out for the Tamworth starting XI.

A club spokesman at Rushall revealed that: "The original date for playing this game was Tuesday 5th December 2006, however it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Under Staffordshire Football Association Competition rules only the players who were registered with their club by 12 noon on Friday 1st December 2006 are eligible to play in this match. It would appear that both the above players could not have been registered in accordance with rule 12 (c) 1, 12 (c) 3 and 12(b). We are now waiting for a reply from Staffs F. A. on the matter."

Manager Paul Holleran has warned his Rushall Olympic side they face a tough test of their survival credentials at Sutton Coldfield having insisted that: "They're as good as anything in the league."

Olympic make the short journey to face their near neighbours looking to put further daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, however the Dales Lane boss reckons that recent positive results have galvanised his troops to win their battle against the drop.

Talking to the Express & Star newspaper he claimed: "When I came here and looked at the fixture list I thought 'oh dear', but the pluses have outweighed the minuses and we could easily have had two or three more points. There seems to be more belief about the place now and with the additions we've made we have got more depth. There are still 40 plus points to play for and we've got another tough one at Sutton Coldfield. But there's no reason we can't go and do a job against a side that on their day are as good as anything in the league. Our priority is to stay in this league and I'm confident we can achieve that."

Rushall will be able to welcome back the defensive trio of Chris Brindley, Lee Barrow and Nikki Preston to the squad for tomorrow's game after they missed Tuesday night's Staffordshire Senior Cup 2-1 defeat by Tamworth because of eligibility rules.

Rushall Olympic’s grip upon the Staffordshire Senior Cup, they so memorably clinched against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium last April, was wrestled from their grasp by a Nationwide Conference Tamworth side littered with a wealth of First Team talent at Dales Lane.

The Lambs needed extra-time to finally overcome the resolute Pic’s by an extremely narrow 2-1 margin, who had recovered from the set back of going behind on the half hour mark, to deservedly equalise through Dean Perrow with 11 minutes remaining. However, in only the fifth minute of extra time the visitors claimed what turned out to be the winner, despite Rushall arguably enjoying the greater possession throughout the contest.

Olympic manager Paul Holleran’s side were shorn of the services of all of their recent new signings due to eligibility rules, but his patched up performers turned out to be more than a match for their big hitting neighbours.

After Pic’s defender Adam Wood had headed wide early on when well placed, Tamworth skipper John McGrath gave his side the lead in the 32nd minute when the former Aston Villa youngster was singled out with a pin-point pass and given enough time and space to drive the ball into the bottom corner past ‘keeper Ryan Price. Conceding the goal was hardly what Olympic deserved, but apart from the strike Tamworth were shackled extremely well by Rushall’s dogged resistance and only the fine form of visiting custodian Dale Belford kept the home attack at bay on several occasions.

The second period saw the Pic’s step up a gear and they had their guests well and truly on the back foot for lengthy periods, but had to wait until the 79th minute to finally gain just rewards for all their hard work. Five minutes after a double substitution and a subtle tactical change, Dean Perrow picked up possession of a loose ball, after Dale Belford had spilled a corner from the right and duly drove clinically home into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

The Lambs stopper then denied Dean Perrow from 12 yards, who had been picked out by substitute Danny Mason with a slide rule pass, three minutes later. However, Tamworth broke Rushall’s hearts just five minutes into extra time when John Stevenson turned and sent Steve Burton racing clear into the penalty area before the striker fired across Ryan Price into the bottom corner.

Try as they might the Pic’s always lacked that decisive cutting edge to restore parity for the second time as they continued to boss proceedings. Their best opportunity fell on 102 minutes, but once again Dale Belford stood in their way as he parried away Anthony Maguire’s 25-yard strike for a corner.

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As predicted, Rushall Olympic's British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands game at home to Spalding United has been called off following a 9.30 am pitch inspection.

The game is now likely to take place towards the end of March in a Tuesday evening kick-off.

Rushall Olympic's British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands game at home to Spalding United tomorrow will be subject of a 9.30 am pitch inspection by a local referee.

Following the last two days of severe winter weather Dales Lane is currently under a significant layer of snow with the prospect of the game taking place against the Lincolnshire outfit now looking very bleak indeed.

Rushall Olympic's Staffordshire Senior Cup Quarter-Final tie at home to Nationwide Conference neighbours Tamworth has now been brought forward by a week to Tuesday 13th February, kick-off 7.45 pm.

The several times postponed game was most recently scheduled for Tuesday 20th February, but the Lambs have another committment on that particular evening that took precedence and so the tie was rescheduled upon request.

Rushall Olympic slipped down two places in the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands table to 18th position on goal difference following a disppointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Cinderford Town in bitter cold of deepest darkest Gloucesterhsire.

The game was all but over by the interval after the home side had stormed into a commanding two goal lead thanks to a brace from Gascoyne with strikes in the 20th and 30th minutes.

Paul Holleran was able to hand a surprise debut to former Hednesford Town and Stafford Rangers defender LEE BARROW at leaders Brackley Town after the experienced centre back was snapped up on a short term deal, after spells with Unibond League Premier Division strugglers Leek Town and First Division outfit Kidsgrove Athletic, as cover for suspended skipper Richard Brown.

The Belper born 33-year-old began his career as an apprentice with Notts County, turning professional with them in July 1991, although in August 1992 he moved to Scarborough having not yet made his league debut. After only 11 games for Scarborough, he moved on to Torquay United in February 1993, quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular and ended up with almost 200 professional appearances in England to his credit. In September 1997, he moved to League of Wales side Barry Town for a fee of £7,500 and rapidly became a firm favourite amongst the Barry supporters. However, in the close-season of 2000, after three very successful seasons in Wales, where he played in European football and won two Welsh league titles, he moved to Aberystwyth Town remaining with the Parc Avenue side until December 2001 when he joined Hednesford Town. A move to Stafford Rangers followed in June 2002, but in December 2003 he returned to Hednesford and became a key member of the squad that saw the Pitmen win the 2004 FA Trophy Final at Villa Park against favourites Canvey Island, coming on as a second half substitute. A quite brilliant 2004-2005 campaign followed for the Hednesford skipper was also capped by numerous Player of the Year awards. However, after being released in July 2006 he linked up with Leek Town before joining Kidsgrove Athletic in October 2006.

A very warm welcome to the club Lee!

Rushall Olympic top scorer Neil Kitching ended a personal five game goal scoring drought to give his side an interval lead at runaway British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands leaders Brackley Town. However, the championship favourites fought back to extend their exemplary unbeaten run to 21 league games with an equaliser 15 minutes from full time.

The Pic's were certainly far from daunted by their challenge and with only a couple of minutes on the watch Dean Perrow's effort from the edge of the penalty area had the home custodian scrambling to divert the ball away for a corner.

Brackley replied in the 11th minute when top scorer Matt Murphy hit a 25-yarder marginally over the bar, while two minutes later the same player saw another drive go inches wide of the target.

Olympic rocked the leaders six minutes prior to the interval when debutant defender Lee Barrow whipped the ball in from the left and Neil Kitching powerfully headed home into the bottom corner.

During the second period both sides served up some attractive football for the spectators at St. James Park, but it was The Saints who saved themselves from a rare defeat on 75 minutes when Tom Winters converted a left flank cross at the near post.

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Following last weeks excellent home draw with runaway Midland Football Combination Reserve Division leaders Hinckley United, the Second Team stumbled to a somewaht disappointing 2-0 home defeat to lowly Boldmere St Michaels that saw their neighbours convincingly leapfrog the Pic's in the league standings.

After allegedly offering his own services to several other clubs, midfielder LEON ALLEN has been transferred out of Dales Lane by Rushall Olympic manager Paul Holleran to British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands neighbours and arch rivals Chasetown.

This season the 28-year-old has struggled to regain anything like his true form following a succession of injury problems and missed most of November and December 2006.

The midfielder, who can also operate in a more advanced role, arrived at Dales Lane in February 2005 after a short spell with neighbours Great Wyrley, where he had been keeping up his match fitness.

He first came to prominence with Wednesfield during the 1999-2000 campaign and was quickly snapped up be Stratford Town, where he remained at Masons Road until February 2004 and transferred to Willenhall Town to become a member of the squad that finished season 2003-04 as Midland Football Alliance runners-up and gained promotion to Division One of the Northern Premier League.

For season 2004-05 he joined Bromsgrove Rovers, but left the Victoria Ground in November 2004 in the wake of manager Joe Jackson's departure to link up with the Pic's and become a key member of the squad who eventually won the 2004-05 Midland Football Alliance championship and gain promotion into the Southern Football League.

While with the Pic's the playmaker made 68 full appearances, featured a further 10 times on the bench and had netted on 11 occasions.

Naturally we thank Leon for his efforts at Dales Lane and wish him all the best in his future endeavours within football.

A deadly double from striker Dean Perrow fired Rushall Olympic to an excellent 2-1 victory against fifth place Dunstable Town at their Creasey Park Stadium home as the Pic's hauled themselves six points clear of the British Gas Business Division One Midlands drop zone.

During the early stages of the contest both defences were well on top as each side struggled to break one another down, however on 9 minutes Olympic's Dean Perrow tried his luck from 25 yards as the Dunstable stopper handled comfortably.

On 14 minutes Rushall crucially broke the deadlock when Dean Perrow was recklessly scythed down from behind within the confines of the Blues penalty area by a clumsy defensive challenge and the front runner promptly picked himself up and clinically dispatched the resulting award into the bottom corner, sending the custodian the wrong way.

As the half continued the game remained dominated by the strength of the two defences, but a minute before the interval Dunstable were awarded a somewhat dubious looking free kick on the left flank and as the ball was looped into the danger zone Burfoot was allowed to head home unchallenged to restore parity.

The second period saw Olympic go more on the offensive and in the 73rd minute their perseverance finally paid ample dividends when Dean Perrow single handily picked up possession just inside Dunstable territory, before haring past three defenders and ultimately firing inside the right hand post from 20 yards with a low stinging drive.

Rushall's goal scoring hero almost made it hat-trick heaven for himself a minute after giving his side the lead as his pacy shot went inches wide of the upright, but all-in-all it was another superb day for the Pic's on their travels under the tutelage of new manager Paul Holleran.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team secured an excellent 1-1 draw at home to runaway Midland Football Combination Reserve Division leaders Hinckley United.

The Pic's took the lead five minutes after the commencement of the second period as top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer netted his 17th goal of the campaign in all competitions.

However, with Rushall looking on course to snatch a hard earned victory over the division pace setters, their guests eventually netted an 80th minute equaliser, but Olympic extended their unbeaten league run to 5 games.

Manager Paul Holleran is on the trail of a third Halesowen Town old boy as he looks to continue the shake up his squad.

Having already added CHRIS BRINDLEY and welcomed the return of KARL JOHNSON he was hoping to wrap up the signing of the tremendously experienced goalkeeper MARK GAYLE.

The Dales Lane boss wants back-up and, more importantly, competition for current first choice 'keeper RYAN PRICE and he sees the former Walsall and Crewe Alexandra man as the ideal candidate - who could also offer some goalkeeping coaching to boot.

Paul recently commented prior to the excellent win at promotion chasing Dunstable Town at the end of January: "We've played two games now and we know that we need to add a couple of new faces just to freshen things up a bit. We've already brought 'Brinner' in and I'm confident that will be a big boost for us. And we've got Karl Johnson in training and we're hoping to get him involved sooner rather than later. He's has a nasty eye injury that has kept him out for quite a while now, but we'll get him, fit then hopefully we'll get him involved. He's already signed as a Rushall player so it's just a case of getting him fit. We're also looking to get Mark Gayle on board because we need some experience and some cover for Ryan Price. I've already spoken to Mark and hopefully we can get his transfer sorted out from Halesowen."

Arguably one of the most experienced custodians currently on the non-league circuit, 37-year-old Mark began his career as a Trainee with Leicester City, before moving on to Blackpool during summer 1989. Summer 1990 saw him briefly enter the non-League game with Worcester City and during the following pre-season campaign was snapped up by Walsall for a fee of £15,000 after impressing against the Saddlers in a friendly.

During his 2 ½ years at Bescot Stadium he made almost 100 appearances for the First Team, missing only one game between January 1992 and October 1993. During December 1993 he transferred to Crewe Alexandra for a fee of £35,000, where he remained until the end of season 1997-98 and during that time made over 100 appearances for Dario Gradi's side. Whilst with the Railwaymen he was almost immediately signed on a one month loan by then Liverpool manager Roy Evans during February 1994 in what at the time was an amazing move, featuring on the Anfield bench on three occasions in Premiership matches. Similar loan spells with Birmingham City (February 1997), Hereford United (September 1997), Chesterfield (October 1997) and Luton Town (March 1998) followed, prior to joining Conference outfit Rushden & Diamonds for the start of the 1998-99 campaign on a free transfer.

A return to Chesterfield was then on the agenda during summer 1999 where he was first choice custodian during the Spireites Division Two relegation campaign, before being released during summer 2000 and linking up with Hednesford Town - where he went on to be named as Player of the Year for season 2000-01, despite the Pitmen's wretched season that saw them relegated from the Nationwide Conference.

After being released from the Keys Park outfit in October 2002, having made over a century of appearances, he was snapped up by Solihull Borough. A transfer to Halesowen Town followed during summer 2003, prior to rejoining Solihull Borough in October 2003, before returning to The Grove for a second spell in March 2005.

A surprise move to Tamworth came about during summer 2005 when he signed for the Lamb based Conference and also acted as a coach for the club's goalkeepers, before rejoining Halesowen Town in May 2006 for a third time.

Having already secured striker DEAN PERROW on a one month loan from AFC Telford United, Rushall Olympic manager Paul Holleran has since made a second raid on the Bucks Head to sign midfielder BEN TWIGGER on a similar short-term deal and went straight into the starting line-up for the game at Dunstable Town.

The manager also revealed that the signing of Twigger marked the end of a long personal chase for the highly rated player and beamed: "He is a player I tried to sign when I was at Halesowen but at that stage he chose to sign for Telford instead. Of late he has found himself on the fringes there so we asked the question and we were delighted when he agreed to join us on a temporary contract. We've lost a couple of midfielders because of injury in the last couple of weeks and Ben has come in to help us out."

The highly rated 23-year-old began his career by coming through the ranks at Hinckley United, featuring for both the Youth and Reserve sides, before making just one appearance for the First Team during season 2003-03. After a spell with his local side Bedworth Ex-Service, he was snapped up by Bedworth United and during season 2005-06 his form soon alerted the attentions of some Conference clubs, before eventually opting for a move to AFC Telford United in February 2006.

Despite beginning the season as a First Team regular at the New Bucks Head, he had latterly mainly featured in Central Conference football for the Reserve Team.

Welcome to the club Ben and we hope that you enjoy your stay at Dales Lane!

Rushall Olympic manager Paul Holleran was delighted to see one of his former Halesowen Town charges recently return to the Rushall training ground after not kicking a ball in anger all season.

Rushall supporter's may recall that KARL JOHNSON joined the Pic's in the summer under the short-lived Bob Green dynasty, but was laid low by an eye injury and has only now been given the all-clear to resume training. Paul recently confirmed that: "'Karl is back in training. He was with me at Halesowen as well but joined Rushall in the summer and picked up an eye injury in pre- season. He's just had the all-clear to start training again and we're looking forward to getting him back involved."

The versatile and pacey 25-year-old right sided player is equally at home at right back, wing back or even in central defence. He began his career as a youngster with Aston Villa prior to progressing through the Youth and Reserve Team ranks at Tamworth. He later broke into Tamworth's First Team during their 2002-03 Southern Football League Premier Division championship winning and FA Trophy Final appearance campaign and also featured on a number of occasions throughout the next three seasons of Conference football following promotion.

He signed a new deal to remain at The Lamb during May 2004, but joined Moor Green on loan in October 2004 with a view to a permanent move. Upon being given a free transfer by Tamworth in January 2004 he linked up with Bromsgrove Rovers, ignoring the overtures from Conference North side Nuneaton Borough.

A transfer to Halesowen Town followed in March 2005, where he signed contract terms and remained at The Grove until the end of the 2005-06 campaign.

New manager Paul Holleran was given a stark reminder of the huge task he has on his hands as his inherited Rushall Olympic side ultimately collapsed to an emphatic 3-0 beating by promotion chasing Aylesbury United at Dales Lane after an essentially promising start.

The blustery wind made life difficult for both sides throughout the contest, but the Pic's gave as good as they got during an encouraging first half display, despite finding themselves one down at the interval.

On 31 minutes the visitors launched arguably their first worthwhile attack of the opening period and from a harmless looking centre across the face of the area, Ducks skipper Enzo Silvestri, the smallest player on the pitch, jumped highest to loop a 10 yard header into the left side of goal past 'keeper Ryan Price, who appeared to be blinded by the bright winter sunlight.

Although Tim Jackson and Leon Allen both had chances to restore parity either side of the break, as the second half progressed Rushall's game plan gradually began to unwind as the Pic's work rate deteriorated alarmingly.

On 74 minutes they paid the price for their increased slackness when Luke Melisi was allowed to carve his way through the home rearguard and past the last man. Although Olympic's custodian did well to narrow the angle and make a partial block, the front runner regained his composure to pick up the loose ball and rolled confidently home into an empty net from just inside the area.

Worse was to follow three minutes later when Kevin Mealor found himself in space on the left bi-line and had time to somehow lift the ball over 'keeper Price into the back of the net to claim the softest of goals. Unfortunately, Rushall's Jackson made matters worse when during the aftermath he appeared to berate the assistant referee for not flagging for an offside decision and was immediately shown the red card.

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Manager Paul Holleran has warned his Rushall players he won't allow them to let their standards drop when he takes charge of his first home game tomorrow at Dales Lane when promotion chasing Aylesbury United are the visitors.

The Pic's new boss, who puts last weekends winning start on the line, was delighted with the way his side ended a four game losing streak by grinding out a 1-0 victory at Rothwell Town, and is determined his charges produce a repeat performance hosting a side he got to know well from his time in charge at former club Halesowen Town.

Speaking in the Express & Star he reflected: "Aylesbury are a good side. I've come across them in the Southern Premier at Halesowen and they were unlucky to go down last season. They are a decent footballing side. It will be a tough game for us, but we can look after ourselves. If we can maintain the levels of last weekend we will be okay. The players set a standard last weekend and if they stick to it we will be fine. They won't be allowed to drop it."

The only injury doubt for Olympic is midfielder Leon Allen who has suffered a recurrence of a recent knee.

New Dales Lane manager Paul Holleran certainly worked the oracle in his first game in charge of Rushall Olympic as he guided his new charges to an excellent hard fought single goal victory at 12th placed Rothwell Town in the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands.

The only goal of the game arrived in the 26th minute from new loan signing Dean Perrow who deftly headed home Tim Jackson's free kick at the far post to earn the Pic's first victory for six weeks and to put to an end a nightmare four game losing streak.

The result saw Rushall rise back up in the league standings to a relatively comfortable 16th place with mid table stability now well within their reach.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team romped home to an emphatic 6-1 success at Dales Lane against Barwell in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division as manager Kevin McCorry gave debuts to four new signings.

The Pic's surged into a 4-0 lead at the interval thanks to a 2nd minute opener from new signing Lee Thorp, while former Stourport Swifts forward Chris Hughes, regaining his match fitness for First Team duty, doubled his sides advantage on 18 minutes.

Two goals in two minutes from top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer and Adam Edmunds in the 27th and 29th minutes gave Rushall an essentially unassailable advantage at the turn around.

Five minutes into the second period Ahmet Bilgimer netted a brace with his 16th goal of the campaign, only for the hosts to see their Leicestershire guests pull a goal back on 62 minutes from the penalty spot following a hand ball offence.

However, Joe Ghazanfar wrapped up a resounding six goal success for Olympic with 17 minutes remaining from the penalty spot.

Rushall Olympic's new manager Paul Holleran has made his first move in the transfer market by snapping up UniBond League Premier Division leaders AFC Telford United's striker DEAN PERROW on a one month loan. The 22-year-old returned to Dales Lane for a third spell this season after two previous abortive moves ended in just one game apiece in September and October after the front runner was prematurely recalled to Shropshire. The move has been engineered by Rushall's boss, who is apparently a close friend of Telford chief Rob Smith and prior to arriving at Dales Lane had been helping to run the Bucks' Central Conference reserve side.

Utility man AARON BISHOP also returns to the fold in a move that turned out to be the last transfer activity of former Pic's boss Joe O'Connor, who planned the signing prior to his surprise departure. The 23-year-old rejoins the club for a third spell and after previously leaving Dales Lane during summer 2005 had seen service with Willenhall Town, Tipton Town and Bustleholme. A former F.A. County Youth Cup with Birmingham County U-18's in 2002 he initially made a cameo appearance for the Rushall back in April 2002, before rejoining the club towards the end of season 2003-04 after a spell with Darlaston Town after joining from Olympic's reserve team just after the start of the 2002-03 campaign. He signed contract terms with the Pic's in October 2003 and was named by his colleagues as Players' Player of the Year for season 2003-04, but by November 2004 dropped out of the Saturday game. Still possesses a tremendous amount of ability and could yet make the grade at higher levels of the game with the right application and guidance.

Paul Holleran also strengthened his backroom team and playing squad in a single swoop by snapping up the tremendously experienced CHRIS BRINDLEY as player-coach from British Gas Business League Division One Midlands rivals Stourport Swifts. The 37-year-old was also player-assistant manager to the new Dales Lane boss at Halesowen Town after being appointed at the end of the 2005-06 campaign, but left The Grove last month on a one month load to Stourport. One of the best known and most decorated players in the non-league circuit, he started out with Hednesford Town before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers, making 7 appearances at Molineux before being sold to Telford United. With the Shropshire outfit he won the 1989 F.A. Trophy and in 1993 moved to Kidderminster Harriers, where he won the 1993-94 Conference title and was a runner-up in the 1995 F.A. Trophy Final, before eventually returning to first club Hednesford in early 1998. Upon being released in June 2000 he move to Stafford Rangers, before rejoining the Pitmen for a third spell in June 2002 and eventually working his way up to the role of assistant manager. After scoring the winner in the 2004 F.A. Trophy Final he was then appointed Hednesford manager in June 2004, leading the club to promotion via the Southern Premier League play-off in May 2005 - but departed Keys Park by mutual consent in December 2005 and returned to a playing role with Gresley Rovers, before joining Halesowen Town in May 2006.

Welcome to the club one and all!

In a statement issued by the club it was announced that the new Manager of Rushall Olympic would be former Halesowen Town boss PAUL HOLLERAN, who recently left The Grove back in November after two and a half years in the hot seat and after previously being in charge of Solihull Borough.

At Halesowen Town Paul took over from Brendan Phillips in March 2004 and managed to get the Yeltz promoted into the Southern League Premier Division following a 4th place finish in the Western Division at the end of season 2003-04 as a result of the implementation of the Conference second tier.

Since then Paul had maintained the Black Country outfit on the verge of the Premier Division play-offs, with a 9th place finish in 2004-05 and, 8th place finish in 2005-06 and until his departure from The Grove his side were again only 3 points off the play-off positions.

Paul has now been charged with the high priority task of maintaining Rushall Olympic's Southern League status with a view to pushing on next season and mounting a sustained challenge for honours.

On behalf of everyone at Dales Lane I would like to offer Paul a very warm welcome to the club and wish him a long and successful career with the Pic's!

On the afternoon of Saturday 6th January 2007 Rushall Olympic Football Club co-benefactors John Allen and Gary Cooper called meeting with Joe O'Connor in order to discuss the First Team's recent poor run of form that had seen the Pic's lose their last four games and slide precariously into 19th place in the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands table, leaving them just 3 points outside the relegation zone.

As a result of lengthy discussions with the clubs hierarchy it was mutually agreed between all parties that Joe O'Connor would relinquish his role of First Team Manager with immediate effect.

Naturally, everyone at Rushall Olympic would like to thank Joe O'Connor for his sterling services as both a player and a manager during the past two and a half seasons at Dales Lane and wish him the very best of luck in his future career within football.

Rushall Olympic's British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands game at home to Stourbridge this afternoon has been postponed following a 2.00 pm pitch inspection by the match referee.

Once again the pitch conditions were still such that a ball would not run freely on the waterlogged surface and with more rain forecast this afternoon the match was obviously called off.

The fixture will now take place on a date to be arranged in the New Year, more than likely as a midweek fixture.

Rushall Olympic's British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands game at home to Willenhall Town this afternoon has been postponed following a 10.00 am pitch inspection by local referee Alan Sheffield.

The pitch conditions were still such that a ball would not run freely on the waterlogged surface and with more rain forecast this afternoon the match was obviously called off.

The fixture will now take place on a date to be arranged in the New Year, more than likely as a midweek fixture.

Rushall Olympic found themselves subjected to a wasted journey down the M6 to face Warwickshire neighbours Bedworth United for a game that was abandoned during the half time interval due to an increasingly heavily water logged pitch.

In hindsight the fixture should never have commenced in the first instance with The Oval already substantially soddened by persistent precipitation before the game had even began.

The Pic's had already lost top scorer Neil Kitching just after the quarter hour mark with an arm injury that owed much to the deteriorating conditions under foot, before finding themselves behind against the run of play via a real sucker punch goal on the stroke of half time courtesy of Greenbacks skipper Jae Martin.

The match officials rather sheepishly called time on the proceedings during the break after paddling into the centre circle and confirming that indeed a ball failed to roll without obstruction by the mud and surface water.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team's Midland Football Combination Reserve Division home game with Friar Lane & Epworth was called off due to a water logged pitch.

Rushall Olympic slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat as neighbours Chasetown became the latest chief beneficiaries of the Pic's recent poor run of form, although in the end the victory was only by the narrowest of margins of a single goal scrambled home within 90 seconds of the commencement of the second period.

Fortunately for the visitors they were able to put the weekend's shocking home defeat against basement outfit Leighton Town well and truly behind them as during the first period they pushed promotion chasing Chasetown on to the back foot for long spells.

However, Rushall's Achilles heel of the inability to turn superiority into goals once again came back to haunt them and just after half time Chasetown surged into the lead as Duncan Horler stabbed the ball home, despite frantic attempts by Olympic's rearguard to hook the danger clear off the line.

Rushall Olympic's embarrassments continued unabated when for the second match in succession they found themselves on the end of a highly demoralising defeat against opposition placed at the bottom of the pile in the British Gas Business Division One Midlands league table.

The latest shocking reversal was by a single goal at home to 22nd spot Leighton Town that followed just eleven days after a 3-2 defeat at former basement outfit Berkhamsted Town.

On this occasion the Pic's appeared to plumb new depths with a wholly unacceptable display in what was a dreadfully poor encounter between two equally deficient sides.

The only goal of the contest arrived on the half hour mark when Olympic's slumbering defence allowed front runner Ben Gallant to skip unchallenged into the right side box before firing low across 'keeper Ryan Price into the opposite corner from 10 yards.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team's interest in this season's Midland Football Combination Reserve Division Challenge Trophy ended at the Second Round stage with a single goal defeat at Halesowen Town.

Rushall Olympic have announced that goalkeeper CHRIS GEMMELL this evening transferred to British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands neighbours Sutton Coldfield Town.

The 22-year-old originally arrived at Dales Lane during 2002-03 and quickly progressed through the clubs Youth Team and Reserve Team ranks, prior to making his senior debut in September 2003. Previously with Racing Club Warwick, he also spent several seasons at Birmingham City's Academy and was a former Staffordshire F.A. youth representative player.

Prior to his departure Chris had featured in 83 games for the First Team, 15 of those appearances being on the bench.

Naturally we wish Chris well in his future career and thank him for his efforts at Dales Lane.

Rushall Olympic's Second Team claimed a creditable 1-1 draw at mid table Halesowen Town in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division.

Adam Edmunds gave the Pic's a 27th minute lead, but the home side secured a late equaliser with ten minutes remaining as the result stretched Rushall's unbeaten league and cup run to 5 games.

Rushall Olympic's British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands game at Cinderford Town this afternoon has been postponed following a 10.00 am pitch inspection this morning by the match referee.

The fixture will now take place on a date to be arranged in the New Year, more than likely as a midweek fixture.

Rushall Olympic's British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands game at Cinderford Town this afternoon will now be subject of a 10.00 am pitch inspection this morning by the match referee.

The Foresters Causeway Ground was known to be extremely wet earlier todayfollowing overnight rain and the result of the inspection will be displayed on this web site in due course to help prevent people from making a potentially wasted journey later on today.

Rushall Olympic's week got decidedly worse as they crashed to a highly embarrassing defeat at bottom of the table Berkhamsted Town outfit who had collected only 9 points from their previous 18 games, registering just two victories in the process.

The defining moment for the Pic's would appear to have been the senseless dismissal of striker Brian Gray after only 11 minutes of the contest with two quick fire cautions, one for a foul challenge and the second for foolishly berating the match referee.

Ten-man Rushall then found themselves 2-0 down when in the 36th minute Martin converted a centre from the left, after the visitor's defence failed to cut out the danger, before Butler scrambled home the hosts second goal five minutes later.

However, Olympic did bravely battle back as in-form Anthony Maguire cracked home an excellent goal from the edge of the box just before half time and then top scorer Neil Kitching completed his sides' remarkable comeback on 65 minutes with a cool finish.

Unfortunately, Rushall once more failed to learn the lesson they were administered during the weekend clash with Malvern Town and with 13 minutes remaining as they continued push forward in search of a winner they were once more caught in possession on the break and could only look on in horror as Richardson netted Berkhamsted's winner.

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Congratulations to Rushall Olympic's Second Team who were recently named as the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division "Team of the Month" for November 2006.

The award, sponsored by Bromsgrove & Redditch Trophies, was in recognition for Kevin McCorry's men who won 4 of their 5 games last month, that included beating Premier Division outfit Coventry Sphinx 6-0 to reach the Quarter-Final of the Birmingham Floodlit Cup and West Midlands (Regional) League First Division neighbours Sporting Khalsa 4-0 to reach the Semi-Final of the Staffordshire Challenge Cup.

Well done to everyone concerned!

Rushall Olympic once again endured the bitter taste of defeat against opposition from the lower reaches of the table as the Pic's twice fought back from being behind before shambolic defending gifted Malvern Town a winner eight minutes from the end.

The visitors took the lead from out of nowhere just after the half hour mark when Olympic's Ben Porter was denied at one end and as play moved swiftly into home territory Ed Lyons looked up and curled in a 25 yarder past 'keeper Chris Gemmell who was caught yards off his line. However, Rushall were playing by far the better football and were deservedly back on level terms within 5 minutes when Anthony Maguire fired home from 8 yards following a goalmouth scramble.

Immediately from the commencement of the second period Olympic were left stunned as Town skipper Wes Joyce, whether it be brilliantly or fortuitously, looped the ball directly into the net from the centre spot over the badly positioned Chris Gemmell with the first touch of the half.

Once again the home side bravely regrouped and in the 69th minute a delightful centre into the danger zone from Tim Jackson down the left channel was latched on to by top scorer Neil Kitching who made no mistake from close range.

With time running out and with Rushall pushing for a winner, a counter offensive by Malvern saw the unmarked Neil Gardiner eventually picked out on the right edge of the box who rifled home at will past the Pic's stunned stopper.

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This evening's Staffordshire Senior Cup Quarter-Final tie at home to Nationwide Conference neighbours Tamworth has been called off due to a water-logged pitch.

The decision was taken following a pitch inspection that took place at Dales Lane at 1.30 pm, when the ground was found to be still extremely wet following the heavy rain through the early hours across the local area.

As a result of the conditions under foot the club's ground staff were unable to gain access on to the pitch to undertake vital preparation work.

The new date for the fixture has yet to be arranged and may now take place in the New Year.

Rushall Olympic destroyed British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands neighbours Solihull Borough by an emphatic 4-0 margin at their Damson Park home for the second season running as hot-shot Neil Kitching led from the front with a quick fire second half hat-trick.

Ben Porter gave Olympic the perfect start after only 3 minutes when the striker glanced home Tim Jackson's right flank centre into the bottom left corner from 8 yards.

A debatable penalty award to Borough on 32 minutes presented the home side with the ideal opportunity to restore parity, but 'keeper Chris Gemmell pulled off a heroic save to his left to block out Rory May's conversion attempt.

When Neil Kitching's powerful header rattled Solihull's crossbar on 37 minutes it merely acted as a prelude to the shape of things to come. Indeed, eleven minutes into the second period the striker latched on to Neil Barnfield's through ball and confidently slotted home from just inside the box.

Straight from the restart the Pic's were rapidly back on the offensive and as Neil Kitching was played into space near the left edge of Borough's penalty area the front runner unleashed an exquisite first time effort that was directed to perfection into the top left corner to leave the home side totally demoralised.

Rushall completed their rout in the 69th minute when that man Neil Kitching netted his devastating treble from close range after carving his way through into the box and firing home past shell shocked custodian Tony Breedon.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team continued their recent good form in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division as they strolled home to what was eventually a relatively comfortable 4-2 success at Dales Lane against Alvechurch, to gain redress for a defeat in the reverse fixture earlier last month.

However, the Pic's were forced to recover from the shock of conceding a 4th minute opener to their guests by equalising through striker Adam Whitehead on 8 minutes, before finding themselves behind for a second time four minutes later.

Thankfully, Olympic regrouped during the second period as Adam Whitehead completed his brace 6 minutes after the restart, before top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer netted a now obligatory goal in the 54th minute to take his tally for the season to 14.

Danny Hemmings completed Rushall's goal rush in the second minute of injury time to secure what was an excellent victory.

Rushall Olympic arrested a run of three consecutive defeats to claim an excellent 3-1 victory at Dales Lane over a resurgent Stourport Swifts outfit to jump up three rungs in the table to take over their Worcestershire rivals 13th placed slot in the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands.

Despite the final score line, the Pic's found themselves behind in the 11th minute when Matt Graham converted from close range after 'keeper Chris Gemmell was only able to block out Matt Aubrey's initial strike.

However, just after the half hour mark skipper Richard Brown restored parity for Rushall with a clinical strike, before Neil Kitching gave his side a crucial lead on 65 minutes.

Olympic wrapped up all three points six minutes before the end when midfielder Anthony Maguire turned and spectacularly volleyed the ball home from just outside the box.

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Rushall Olympic found themselves on the end of a harsh 3-0 defeat at Manchester based Nationwide North high-flyers Droylsden in the Third Round Qualifying stage of the Football Association Challenge Trophy.

However, the margin of the defeat failed to reflect the brave display from the lower league side who more than matched their opponents from two divisions higher in the non-league pyramid for most of the contest.

The turning point of the tie came a minute prior to the interval when Rushall felt they were victim of a highly dubious penalty award after Jody Bammim took a theatrical tumble in the box and the Bloods top scorer Terry Fearns clinically converted the resulting spot kick.

The prolific front runner doubled his sides advantage within ten minutes of the commencement of the second period, while with Olympic pushing for a way back into the contest on 80 minutes Steve Daly ensured the Manchester outfits safe passage into the 1st Round Proper of non-leagues premier cup competition.

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Rushall Olympic found themselves unceremoniously dumped out of the Walsall Senior Cup at the first hurdle as Midland Football Alliance outfit Boldmere St Michaels recorded a thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory that should really have been by a far greater margin.

Olympic made six changes to their weekend starting line-up and the reshuffle in personnel hardly had a beneficial effect as the home side found themselves wanting in every single department on the pitch, badly lacking in ideas and creativity and seemingly unable to perform the basics.

Boldmere took the lead in the 20th minute when former Hereford United striker Jimmy Quiggin was allowed time and space to advance on the home goal and unleash a 25 yard howitzer into the top right corner with 'keeper Chris Gemmell rooted to the spot.

The visitors deservedly doubled their advantage less than a minute into the second period when their stopper was once again left flat footed as Kirk Smith was allowed to run well into Rushall's territory and rifle a speculative 30 yarder into the top right corner.

The Pic's made the score line appear slightly more respectable in the final minute of the tie when Tim Jackson's corner from the right was nodded powerfully home by substitute Brian Gray from close range, but was very much too little, too late from the Dales Lane side.

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It was with deep regret that Rushall Olympic Football Club have recently received and accepted notification from our long standing Committee Member Peter Athersmith of his intention to step down from his role of Football Secretary at the end of the 2006-07 campaign.

The club would certainly like to put on record that Peter has been an absolutely magnificent servant at Dales Lane, not just in his role of Football Secretary, but also in all aspects of the tremendous behind the scenes work that he has been heavily involved in since joining the club back in summer 1992 from our now defunct neighbours and rivals Blakenall.

Peter, who incidentally arrived at Rushall at the very same time as our joint benefactor Gary Cooper, has been involved in the grassroots level of football now for almost 40 years, serving some 18 years or so as a referee before moving into the administrative side of the game as a Football Secretary.

Peter's expert knowledge of the rules and regulations of the game have been second to none and his experience and know-how have been particularly invaluable to Rushall Olympic Football Club over the years.

Also an active member of the former Walsall & District Football Association and now the Staffordshire Football Association for many years, on Friday 22nd September 2006 Peter was proud to be presented with a Football Workforce County Football Association Award under the Football Association Development Programme after being nominated for his services to football during the 2005-06 season. The award was in recognition of his significant contribution to football throughout last season.

The club hopes to make the appointment of his successor as soon as possible so that the successful applicant can work alongside Peter until the end of the current season in order to gain as much knowledge as possible of the role required at Dales Lane. After that time new Football Secretary will have sole responsibility for the position for the 2007-08 campaign onwards. At this moment in time Peter is unsure of his future plans in the game, but would certainly like to achieve the 40 year milestone in football.

In the first instance any interested parties should apply in writing to Bob Hubble, the Chairman, c/o Rushall Olympic Football Club, Dales Lane, Rushall, Walsall, West Midlands WS4 1LJ.

The Second Team of Rushall Olympic once again proved to be admirable cup fighters as they reeled off a seventh victory from their seven cup games this season to march proudly into the Semi-Final of the Staffordshire Football Association Challenge Cup with a resounding 4-0 thumping of West Midlands (Regional) League First Division neighbours Sporting Khalsa at their Glastonbury Avenue ground in Bloxwich.

Top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer set the ball rolling with his 13th strike of the campaign seven minutes before the interval, before Danny Hemming claimed a fine brace with efforts in the 72nd and 80th minutes.

Front runner Adam Whitehead wrapped up the Pic's victory by netting his sides fourth three minutes from full time.

It has certainly proved to be a fantastic week for the Reserves after they also booked their place in the Quarter-Final of the Birmingham County Football Association Midweek Floodlit Cup by claiming an incredible 6-0 victory at the home of Midland Combination Premier Division fifth placed club Coventry Sphinx.

Rushall Olympic were left with the distinct feeling of being mugged as struggling visitors Barton Rovers launched a smash and grab raid at Dales Lane to somehow claim the double over their opponents.

Indeed, Pic's stopper Chris Gemmell found himself a virtual spectator, particularly during the second period, as the home side laid siege to Rovers goal for long periods, but on this occasion it appeared as though Rushall's luck had totally deserted them.

Going into the game on the back of a fine six game unbeaten run, that included victories over top five sides Stourbridge and Cinderford Town, Olympic had the ball in the back of the net after only 4 minutes as Neil Barnfield rolled home from close range, but play was pulled up for a foul on the 'keeper.

However, Barton shocked their hosts in the 11th minute with the only goal of the game as Troy Douglin was left for dead by the pace of James Hatch down the left and as the front runner centred from the bi-line to the far post the unmarked Adam Cunnington fired home off the underside of the bar from 10 yards.

From then on it was all Rushall as Neil Kitching fluffed a one-on-one with 'keeper Robbie Timms, before midway through the first half the stopper produced a superb double save to deny Troy Douglin.

Meanwhile, four minutes before the interval Neil Barnfield somehow fired over with an open goal at his mercy after Anthony Maguire centred from the right.

It took Olympic until the 85th minute to finally make a substitution and then their lack of the rub of the green was once again typified when within 6 minutes of Brian Gray coming on for Ben Porter his vicious 8 yard volley was somehow kept out from his top right corner by Rovers' man of the match custodian with a brilliant reflex save.

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Speaking to the Express & Star last night Rushall Olympic manager Joe O'Connor was hoping to stick with a winning team for todays crucial clash with Barton Rovers at Dales Lane, but his plans are under threat from a trio of injury worries.

Form striker Neil Kitching (knee), and defenders Rob Vassell (hamstring) and Lee Gough (dead leg) are all doubts for the game. All three underwent treatment at training on Thursday night, but Joe rates man of the moment Neil Kitching, who has scored four goals in his last two games, as the most likely to recover in time to play.

However, the Dales Lane chief admits that, in an ideal world, he would like to reward the side that beat Cinderford Town 2-0 in midweek with another chance to impress and claimed: "I don't want to disrupt a winning team if I can possibly help it," declared the manager. If I can keep the personnel the same I will. They have earned their places and are in pole position to keep their shirts."

The Pic's lost 3-2 at Barton Rovers back at the beginning of October in a game that proved to be be John Allen's last as boss before standing down, but despite the Northamptonshire outfit arriving at Dales Lane without an away win this season, Joe has already warned his side their opponents should not be underestimated and stated: "They will have some confidence from that result going into this game, but if it goes according to form there's no reason why we can't get the right result."

Rushall Olympic's Second Team surpassed all expectations as they triumphed by the incredible scoreline of 6-0 at Midland Combination Premier Division fifth placed club Coventry Sphinx in Round 2 of the Birmingham County Football Association Midweek Floodlit Cup to march proudly into the Quarter-Final stage.

The Midland Combination Reserve Division side fielded yet another extremely young side and only took First Teamer Ben Porter with them down the M6, although the front runner was very instrumental in guiding his colleagues into the last eight of the competition as he led the way with a fine hat-trick.

Olympic took the lead on 36 minutes through Luke Bradley, before Adam Edmundson doubled their advantage 7 minutes after the commencement of the second period.

Ben Porter then helped himself to a treble in the space of 25 minutes as the front runner struck in the 55th, 76th and 80th minutes, before Richard Anslow completed the rout against their lofty hosts five minutes from full time.

On Saturday the Pic's are once again in trophy action when they take on Sporting Khalsa of the West Midlands (Regional) League First Division in the Quarter-Final of the Staffordshire Football Association Challenge Cup. The tie was due to be played at Dales Lane, but with the First Team in British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands action against Barton Rovers, the match will now take place at Glastonbury Avenue, Bloxwich.

Rushall Olympic extended their increasingly impressive unbeaten run to seven games as they upset the form book for the second matching running. On this occasion Rushall defeated fifth placed Cinderford Town at Dales Lane thanks to s second successive brace from striker Neil Kitching.

Olympic took the lead three minutes before the interval when mounting pressure from the home side eventually led to a centre whipped in towards the far post from the right and that was headed powerfully home by Neil Kitching from close range.

The Pic’s almost doubled their advantage with an Anthony Maguire volley that crashed against the crossbar, before they did deservedly clinch all three points with ten minutes remaining when Neil Kitching ran on to a superlative Neil Barnfield through ball and rifled home into the bottom left corner from just inside the left corner of the box.

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Rushall Olympic pulled off a shock 3-2 victory over promotion chasing 2nd placed Black Country neighbours Stourbridge to claim their first away win of the campaign, despite going into the keenly fought contest with a thread-bare squad numbering only 14.

The Pic's rocked their hosts after only a quarter of an hour when Neil Kitching was impeded in the Glassboys penalty area and the striker confidently rifled home the resulting spot kick, sending the home custodian the wrong way.

Defensive errors allowed Stourbridge to claw their way back on the half hour mark as the unmarked Mark Bellingham latched on to Sam Rock's flick on and lashed the ball home from 8 yards out, while 12 minutes later more poor work within the Olympic rearguard presented Stourbridge's top scorer with another opportunity that was clinically dispatched past Ryan Price.

In the seventh minute of first half injury time Rushall bravely fought back as Tim Jackson's corner from the right was met be Neil Kitching's powerful header on the 6 yard line that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and downwards over the goal line to restore parity.

The home side made the majority of the running during the second period as the visitors allowed their hosts far too much time and space. However, despite being on the back foot for long periods, a counter attack on 65 minutes saw Tim Jackson break down the left channel before centring into the box where Brian Gray's dynamic 12 yard header flicked off the crossbar into Stourbridge net.

Try as they might the Glassboys toiled in vain to pull the game level, but it could have been much worse for the home side when with 5 minutes remaining their 'keeper Lewis Solly and one of his defenders misjudged a bouncing through ball, but as Neil Kitching scampered in persuit of it rapidly disappearing down the incline the striker could only drive the ball it into the side netting from the acutest of angles with an open goal in sight.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team finally took their excellent cup form into Midland Football Combination Reserve Division action as they romped home to an emphatic 4-1 success at Dales Lane against 5th placed Rugby Town.

Rushall Olympic manager Joe O'Connor has challenged his side to use their new found confidence to put an end to their travel sickness at Stourbridge today as the Pic's have yet to win on the road in the league this season and have only picked up one point in total on their travels.

However, Rushall have only lost once of seven games since the new Dales Lane boss took over from predecessor John Allen and will head for Stourbridge buoyed by his charges midweek FA Trophy replay victory over rivals Willenhall Town.

Before the Stourbridge game Joe commented: "We have done well to get past Willenhall, but now we are back to the bread and butter of the league, which is where we have been struggling, particularly on our travels. We have to be mentally and physically prepared because Stourbridge are playing well and flying at the top of the league. It will take every ounce of energy and experience to compete with them, but we need to start getting some point on the board."

Rushall will definitely be without striker Dean Perrow for today's game after being recalled by AFC Telford United during the week, however the manager is hopeful of having the front runner back at Dales Lane after the weekend.

Recently making his debut for the Pic's was midfielder ANTHONY MAGUIRE, who has transferred from Bromsgrove Rovers. An extremely skillful player with an excellent work rate, he began his career with Torquay United, before inking up with his local club Hednesford Town, where he progressed from the reserve team into the first team squad in October 2002. Eventually he became a crucial member of the Hednesford line-up and scored some vital goals during the 2003-04 campaign that saw the Pitmen reach the FA Trophy at Villa Park, where they secured an excellent 3-2 success against favourites Canvey Island. Indeed, the Anthony netted in both legs of the Semi-Final against Aldershot Town and then claimed his sides opening goal in the Final, a feat that led him to being named as the Carlsberg Man of the Match. He later had a trial with AFC Telford United during summer 2005 before spells with Halesowen Town and Bromsgrove Rovers followed, prior to rejoining Hednesford Town in February 2006. This season he spent summer 2006 on trial with Chasetown, before eventually linking back up with Bromsgrove just after the start of the season.

Also recently transferring to Dales Lane is left sided wide man DANNY MASON who has joined from neighbours Willenhall Town. He began his career by coming through the ranks at Hednesford Town before linking up with Stourport Swifts, prior to transferring to Willenhall Town in February 2006.

Striker NEIL KITCHING has made a timely return to the fold after a spell "on loan" with Midland Football Alliance outfit and former club Stratford Town.

On the debit side Olympic have recently lost the services of experienced left sided defender STEVE HILLMAN, who has transferred to British Gas Business Premier Division club Halesowen Town.

Despite 11-goal top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer continuing his rich vein of form in front of goal, Rushall Olympic's Second Team stumbled to a fifth defeat from their opening nine league games as they lost 3-1 at fellow strugglers Alvechurch in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division on an extremely poor pitch.

Rushall Olympic can now look forward to the intriguing prospect of travelling to Manchester based Nationwide North high-flyers Droylsden in the Third Round Qualifying stage of the Football Association Challenge Trophy following a 2-0 replay triumph over neighbours Willenhall Town at Dales Lane.

The vital breakthrough for the Pic's arrived in the 63rd minute when Anthony Maguire's cross-cum-shot looped over the Reds custodian from the right flank into the far side of the goal.

Five minutes later the tie was all but decided when Anthony Maguire's corner was cleared on as far as defender Adam Wood who unleashed a venomous 25 yard volley that rocketed into the top left corner.

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Rushall Olympic and Willenhall Town fought out a dreadfully dour one-all draw at Noose Lane in the Second Round Qualifying stage of the Football Association Challenge Trophy as the local rivals exemplified exactly why they are both currently floundering in the lower reaches of the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands.

Rushall were forced into making several changes to their regular staring line-up with Steve Hillman transferring to Halesowen Town, Dean Perrow being cup tied, while Rob Holdcroft and Ben Porter were both missing through injury. As a result central defender Troy Douglin was drafted into an unfamiliar holding midfield role, Anthony Maguire was given a full debut and striker Brian Gray was forced to plough a lone furrow up front.

Despite their lack of manpower, the Pic's enjoyed several efforts on goal before the Reds registered their first worthwhile strike midway through the first period as good football became very much at a premium.

Olympic shocked their hosts three minutes before the interval when Brian Gray was shoved in the back to earn his side a free-kick some 22 yards out that Tim Jackson curled through the defensive wall and over the diving Dean Coleman into the right side of goal as the ball took a slight deflection on its way through.

The second period served up little better fare for the neutral spectator, but a series of substitutions from the home side suddenly roused them from their doldrums and during the final 20 minutes Rushall began to look in serious decline as they worryingly appeared to run out of steam to allow the home side to become very much in the ascendancy. Indeed, as the game progressed to a conclusion it became increasingly likely that there was only ever going to be one ending and with three minutes remaining a centre from the left to the far post ruthlessly exposed the Pic's biggest defensive Achilles Heel where with both Kyle Perry and Matthew Barnes-Homer left totally unmarked barely three yards out the former had the simplest of tasks to tap the ball home into an empty net.

In the aftermath of the goal 'keeper Ryan Price attempted to grapple the ball from the scorer, who had picked it up from the back of the net, but the altercation ended in the custodian inexplicably lashing out to earn himself a red card.

The fourth minute of injury time almost saw Willenhall win the tie outright as skipper Mark Briggs rattled the crossbar with a 25 yard volley, but supporters now face the prospect of a replay at Dales Lane on Tuesday night safe in the knowledge that surely the overall standard of play can't get any worse. Can it?

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team once again turned around the fortunes in the cup arena as they marched into Round 3 of the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division Challenge Trophy with a 2-1 victory at bottom of the table Gresley Rovers.

Olympic's goals came courtesy of Joe Ghazantar on 7 minutes and Tobias Salmon 4 minutes after the interval.

The Pic's still boast a 100 % cup record following five games in the Staffordshire Challenge Cup, Birmingham County Midweek Floodlit Cup and Challenge Trophy.

Rushall Olympic claimed an important share of the spoils against previouly free scoring Solihull Borough following a scrappy one-all draw at Dales Lane between the West Midlands rivals.

The visitors began at a cracking pace and had their hosts firmly on the back foot for the opening half of the first period. Indeed, as early as the 10th minute Borough could have gone ahead when an almighty goal mouth scramble saw several stabs at goal before the danger was eventually repelled.

Despite Solihull's pressure, Olympic took the lead against the run of play on 28 minutes when a rapid ball into the feet of Dean Perrow from Neil Barnfield resulted in the striker being upended to earn a penalty kick that was clinically dispatched into the bottom left corner by Barnfield, sending 'keeper Tony Breedon the wrong way.

During the second period it was Borough's turn to batten down the hatches as the Pic's applied some meaningful pressure. Rushall skipper Richard Brown almost scored his third goal in as many games just before the hour mark when Leon Allen's left sided corner was met by a powerful 12 yard header that crashed off the intersection of the woodwork and rebounded to safety.

However, as the visitors countered swiftly down the left channel in the 66th minute a deep centre to the far post picked out the unmarked Aaron Farrell who lashed the ball home from 6 yards to restore parity.

As the game degenerated into a scrappy finale the home side had several opportunities to sneak all three points, the best of which fell to substitute Tim Jackson whose 30 yard curling free-kick dropped marginally over the bar.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team once again failed to take their excellent cup performances into the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division campaign as they claimed a 2-2 draw at fellow strugglers Coleshill Town.

Olympic's goals arrived courtesy of top scorer Ahmet Biligimer and an own goal from a Coleshill Town player.

The Pic's have now only enjoyed one success from their opening 8 league games, despite having seen off the challenge of the likes of West Midlands (Regional) League sides Lye Town and Cresswell Wanderers in cup action already this season.

Rushall Olympic booked their place in the Quarter-Final of the Staffordshire Senior Cup at home to Conference neighbours Tamworth following an 8-goal thriller at Dales Lane with Shropshire outfit Market Drayton Town.

However, the holders were made to wait until the 78th minute before finally taking the lead in the contest for the very first time, as the Pic's ultimately coasted home to a 5-3 success following a remarkable comeback from what was a nightmare first half display that saw the lower league team claim a 3-1 advantage after just 30 minutes.

In a quick fire opening a 7th minute penalty from Market Drayton's Craig Ryan was cancelled out by Ben Porter's spot kick conversion five minutes later as the cup tie began with a ding dong battle.

However, some overly generous defending from the home side allowed the visitor's to claim a two goal cushion as a speculative 30 yarder from Martin Davies looped beyond the bewildered Chris Gemmell on 17 minutes and Neil Davies' neat finish from 15 yards on the half hour mark did the damage.

Fortunately, Richard Brown's forceful 12 yard header gave Rushall some much needed hope as the skipper connected with a Tim Jackson free-kick on 55 minutes.

Incredibly, the tie turned full circle in the 76th minute when a visibly shell-shocked Town conceded three goals in the space of just seven minutes as substitute Tyrone Barnett began the ball rolling with a far post header from Marcus Jackson's corner to restore parity.

Two minutes later Ben Porter's break on goal ended with a 20 yards drive that was only pushed away by 'keeper Andrew Pryce into the path of Leon Allen who tapped home from close range, while the Pic's comeback was complete seven minutes from full time as Leon Allen crashed home a volley at the far post following a pin-point centre from Tim Jackson.

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Rushall Olympicc marched impressively through to the next round of the FA Trophy with an excellent 3-0 victory at Dales Lane over Unibond League First Division title hopefuls Colwyn Bay.

The home side couldn't have wished for a better opening when on 14 minutes Tyrone Barnett held the ball up under pressure and sent an excellent through ball inside to Marcus Jackson who cut in from the left towards the face of the penalty area and after side stepping the advancing Bay 'keeper rifled the ball into the back of the net past a covering defender.

Just before the half hour mark a pin point ball into the feet of Neil Barnfield was laid off to Ben Porter, who took a touch and fired a rising 20 yard drive that clipped the crossbar on its way out for a corner after taking a slight deflection. From the resulting flag kick on the right Olympic defender Adam Wood powered a header marginally wide of the left upright from 12 yards. Four minutes later and Ben Porter had the ball in the back of the Welsh outfits net from 10 yards but the front runner had handled Leon Allen's curling centre into the box and was booked for his troubles.

Olympic found themselves two goals to the good within a couple of minutes of the commencement of the second period when Neil Barnfield wrestled possession to find Leon Allen whose through ball picked out Tyrone Barnett's run and the striker rifled home his 8th goal of the season from 8 yards.

It was of no surprise when the Pic's made the tie safe with 12 minutes remaining as substitute Simon Truman, in his very first contribution of the game, curled a beauty of a free kick into the danger zone that was header dominantly home by skipper Richard Brown from 12 yards to seal an excellent victory.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team recorded their second cup victory within four days as they marched into the Quarter-Final of the Staffordshire Football Asociation Saturday Challenge Cup with an impressive 6-3 victory over Staffs County Senior League First Division outfit New Penny of Hanley.

With the First Team on FA Trophy duty at Dales Lane, the Reserves were forced to play the cup tie at the Northwood Stadium home of the North Staffordshire side and found themselves 2-0 up at the interval with goals from Solomon Griffiths (13') and top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer (32').

During the second period the Pic's notched a further three goals through Adam Pullen (58'), Michael Latimer (62') and Robert Freeman (63') to make it 5-0.

However, their hosts made a real contest of it by netting three goals themselves on 67, 72 and 75 minutes to make it 5-3, before Wayne Hall notched a penalty in the 77th minute to increase the winning margin.

The reward for the Pic's will now be a Quarter-Final tie at home to Sporting Khalsa of the West Midlands (Regional) League First Division who beat Bilston Town 3-1 at Queen Street.

Rushall Olympic were once again left searching for their first away victory of the campaign as they returned back up the M5 from the Kayte Lane home of newcomers Bishops Cleeve without a point to their name following a 2-0 defeat.

The home side edged ahead after only 11 minutes when Luke Corbett headed Kevin Slack's centre into the bottom corner from close range after an initial corner kick was only partially cleared.

As Rushall responded Tyrone Barnett and Ben Porter both had chances before the Pic's found themselves two goals adrift in the 25th minute when Kevin Slack had ample time to pick his spot and lob 'keeper Ryan Price from 20 yards.

Although Olympic contintued to plug awayin front of goal all evening, they could not manufacturer a comeback as their Gloucestershire hosts held on for the three points that took them within reach of the promotion play-off positions.

Joe O'Connor marked his first game in charge of Rushall Olympic with a solid 2-0 victory over Rothwell Town at Dales Lane, thanks to an excellent brace from top scorer Tyrone Barnett.

There was plenty of midfield endeavour from both sides during the first period but goal scoring opportunities were rather few and far between, although home 'keeper Ryan Price was forced into a spectacular save to tip over a close range header following a corner on the stroke of half time.

The second period couldn't have began in better fashion for Olympic when five minutes after the restart Neil Barnfield was pulled down from behind by 'keeper Tom Smith on the corner of his six yard box and Tyrone Barnett blasted home the resulting penalty into the top corner.

Just before the hour mark and Rushall deservedly doubled their advantage when a high ball into the edge of the Rothwell box was flicked on by Brian Gray to striker partner Tyrone Barnett who turned and fired venomously low into the bottom corner.

Olympic bossed the remainder of proceedings and could have extnded their commanding lead, while at the other end the Bones' best opportunity fell to the unmarked Mick Toulton with three minutes remaining who volleyed powerfully over from close range after connecting with a ball to the far post.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team unfortunately found themselves on the end of a heavy high scoring 5-3 defeat at Midland Football Combination Reserve Division leaders Mickleover Sports.

However, despite the final result, the Pic's performance was certainly one to be proud of after the home side took the lead on 13 minutes and then Ashley Edwards equalised for Rushall three minutes later.

Top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer then gave Olympic a 2-1 lead five minutes prior to the break as the visitors bravely fought back, but sadly Mickleover equalised on the stroke of half time.

The second period saw the Pic's regain the lead, this time through Danny Hemmings on 63 minutes to make it 3-2, but unfortunately their Derbyshire hosts hit back with late goals in the 81st, 83rd and 89th minute to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Rushall Olympic Football Club have revealed that First Team manager John Allen has surprisingly stepped down from his position in the wake of the Pic's defeat disappointing on Saturday 7th October at Barton Rovers.

As result of the shock development on Wednesday 11th October the Dales Lane management committee met and unanimously agreed that senior player JOE O'CONNOR should be offered the opportunity to become John Allen's successor.

The club were delighted that the former England Semi-Professional International and Hednesford Town striker readily accepted the committee's invitation the very next evening and is now set to take charge of his first game at home to Rothwell Town on Saturday 14th October.

38-year-old Joe O'Connor is now believed to be set to confirm his own coaching staff during the weekend, which will also ultimately mean the end of the line at Dales Lane for previous assistant manager Steve McCartan. Indeed, supporters were unaware of John Allen's decision as his No.2 temporarily took control of team affairs during the midweek Second Round exit from the Birmingham Senior Cup at British Gas Business Division One Midland rivals and league leaders Stourbridge.

Club spokesman Pete Athersmith confirmed in the Express & Star that the Pic's were looking forward to a new era at Dales Lane and stated: "Joe is a legend at this level of football. He's been there, done it and got the T-shirt at this level and we all feel he will do well."

John Allen had initially stood down as First Team boss at the end of last season, but was forced to resume control in the wake of the sudden departure of his successor Bob Green, who left the club during the summer campaign on the eve of the present season.

Unfortunately, despite the manager reassembling most of last seasons squad, he had found his side struggling at the wrong end of the table and unable to repeat last season's success where Olympic had finished in mid-table during their Southern League Division One West debut and did superbly well to lift the covetted Staffordshire Senior Cup for the first time in the clubs history.

However, following last weekends dismal 3-2 defeat at struggling Barton Rovers, despite twice being in the lead, John Allen felt it was time to go and confirmed: "I've resigned. After last weekend's result I realised I wasn't getting anywhere. I felt it was pointless me carrying on and thought it was the right time to go because there are enough games left for someone else to come in and turn it round. I will stay here at the club to help finance it and be involved from a committee point of view, but I will be a million miles away from the playing side."

Rushall Olympic's interest in this seasons Birmingham Football Association Senior Challenge Cup ended at the Second Round stage following a narrow extra-time defeat against British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands leaders Stourbridge at their War Memorial Athletic Ground, Amblecote.

Lowly 18th placed Olympic went into the cup clash without a victory in their previous four games and whose previous success had been in Round 1 of the same competition against Midland Football Alliance high flyers Romulus on home turf. However, under the guidance of Assistant Manager Steve McCartan they turned in a sterling performance to almost turn the form book upside down, only to see the home side snatch a crucial extra time winner in the 110th minute of play through midfielder Leon Broadhurst.

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Rushall Olympic are still searching for their first away win of the season after slumping to an unpalatable defeat against a poor Barton Rovers outfit who claimed a last gasp 3-2 success on home soil.

Rushall travelled to Bedfordshire looking for three valuable to push themselves further clear of the relegation zone and within the first 10 minutes they arguably would have had three goals, but for some excellent goalkeeping by stopper Eliot Tomkins. However, in the 11th minute the Pic's did finally break the dealock when a centre from the right by Simon Truman was headed home at the back post by Leon Allen.

Olympic then went on to put Barton under some telling pressure, but wasted a whole host of chances and in predictable fashion the home side pulled level on 37 minutes with a spectacular goal. A high clearance from Rovers' own half by Adam Cunnington deceived everyone, but most crucially 'keeper Chris Gemmell who called for the ball and completely missed and could then only look on in utter embarassment as it flew in the net from fully 55 yards.

The commencement of the second period saw the Pic's regroup and within a minute of the restart they regained the initiative through Tyrone Barnett. From that point forward it should have been plain sailing for Rushall, but in increasingly familiar fashion a catalogue of errors eventually cost them dearly.

Chris Gemmell was again at fault on 68 minutes as Barton were allowed to equalise for a second time of asking as the custodian called and failed to claim another ball, allowing Amar Daved the easiest of tasks of shooting home into an empty.

The piece de resistance arrived on the stroke of full time when Rovers' Fitzgerald was allowed to rise unchallenged at the far post to head home a corner from the left to send the Dales Lane back home to the proverbial drawing board.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team succumbed to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of a talented young Halesowen Town outfit at Dales Lane.

All the action came during the first period where the Yeltz took an early lead, before the Pic's struck back through top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer who lobbed the opposing 'keeper for a fine equaliser.

Halesowen regained the initiative around the half hour mark and then surged further ahead five minutes prior to the interval as an attacker beat a hesitant off-side trap before running through and chipping Olympic's custodian for an excellent finish.

The second period failed to produce any further goals and despite Rushall purposefully pushing forward in search of some redress, unfortunately they rarely looked like turning the game around as terms championship success looked a distant memory.

Rushall Olympic's desperate search for a regular supply of goals continued unabated at Dales Lane as they ground out a second successive goalless draw, this time against local rivals Sutton Coldfield Town. However, on this occasion it was the match officials who ultimately combined to deny them the victory their overall performance richly deserved.

The Pic's luck was typified as early as the 9th minute when they had the ball in the back of the net, but as Tyrone Barnett out jumped the Royals custodian with a towering close range header the referee incredibly adjudged the striker to have impeded his opponent.

Striker Ben Porter was upended perilously close to the inside of Sutton's box on 14 minutes as a muted unsuccessful penalty was issued, while as the game progressed into the second period Rob Holdcroft, Tyrone Barnett and Joe O'Connor all went close to opening the home sides account.

Meanwhile, at the other end former Blues and Saddlers striker Paul Devlin hit the post from 12 yards just before the hour mark as Sutton's chances became rather few and far between.

On 70 minutes Neil Barnfield's surging run into the box was unceremoniously halted after being cynically hacked down from behind, but again the referee failed to see anything wrong with the challenge as a massive penalty appeal range out around Dales Lane.

What had otherwise been a clean and extremely well contested local derby was marred in injury time when Olympic substitute Brian Gray ungraciously scythed down former Wolves front runner Darren Roberts in full flight and as hands became raised in a scuffle both parties were deservedly dismissed for their misdemeanours.

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Rushall Olympic's continued inability to turn possession into goals once again cost them dearly as they returned from a 200 mile round trip to Spalding United with only a single point for their efforts, in what was otherwise a drab goalless draw. However, on this occasion it was to be the woodwork on two separate occasions and a disallowed goal on another that prevented the Pic's from claiming all three points against their fellow strugglers who hail from the Lincolnshire lowlands.

The encounter began with a dour first period where both sides struggled to settle down, although Rushall enjoyed the first real opportunity of the encounter on 36 minutes when Neil Barnfield broke clear of the home defence and rattled the home cross bar with a fine drive. Meanwhile, Spalding were themselves limited to a half chance when King had an effort well saved by Pics' 'keeper Chris Gemmell.

The second half was certainly a lot more livelier as both sides stepped up a gear and it was Spalding who created the best chance when a rasping drive from Hargreaves was only parried by Chris Gemmell, but Sheppard could only send the rebound wide of the target.

It was Neil Barnfield who struck the Spalding woodwork again, this time from 25 yards, after being set up by Rob Holdcroft's excellent cross from the right, while on 76 minutes the visitors thought they had finally taken the lead when defender Troy Douglin had the ball in the net but was adjudged to have handled by the referee.

All-in-all it was a final result that neither side really wanted, but it did arrest Rushall's sequence of three consecutive away defeats in league action.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team finally broke their duck in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division with an inspired late show at Dales Lane as they came back from a goal down to clinch all three points against Coleshill Town with two goals in the final six minutes. Twice in the opening five minutes the lively Ahmet Bilgimer was brought down within the Coleshill area but on both occasions the referee waved away strong penalty appeals, while midway through the first period the in-rushing striker blazed high over the bar from 15 yards after being set up by Solomon Griffiths. Meanwhile, Town's best opportunity fell on the stroke of half time when the Pic's custodian made a terrific one handed save low down to his right on the goal line.

A minute after the interval Ahmet Bilgimer set up Tobias Salmon but his strike partner curled an effort marginally over from the edge of the box, although it all appeared to be going awry for Rushall on 49 minutes as Coleshill took the lead when a rapid ball played from the right to the far post was lashed home from 15 yards.

In the 70th minute Olympic's top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer carved his way into the periphery of the penalty area but a rising drive was well parried by the visitors custodian. With seven minutes remaining the visitors almost made the game safe, but as an attacker broke clear of his marker a good low save from the Pic's stopper repelled the danger. However, as play moved swiftly to the other end some mercurial magic from Ahmet Bilgimer on the right side of Coleshill's box ended with a fierce low drive from an acute angle that flashed across the face of goal and into the bottom left corner to grab an unlikely equaliser.

With the skies darkening in a prelude to a rain drenched conclusion, two minutes later Olympic's remarkable comeback was complete when excellent work by Solomon Griffiths saw the makeshift midfielder scythe his way into the 18-yard box and despite appearing to lose possession he tenaciously wrestled it back from the Coleshill defence and clinically drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

A stunning goal from substitute Simon Truman in the third minute of stoppage time gave Rushall Olympic a crucial share of the spoils as Evesham United's time wasting ploy of the second period, chiefly through 'keeper Nathan Vaughan, finally back fired on them in spectacular fashion.

In what was otherwise a poor advertisement for the level of football purportedly on display, Evesham took the lead on 20 minutes when a hotly disputed throw in their favour from the left somehow found its way through to Mark Owen who toe poked home at the near post.

As the match progressed is was evident that the Worcestershire outfit were more than prepared to sit on their slender advantage and with over 20 minutes remaining even had the confidence of replacing their first choice strike partnership of Owen and Richard Ball in a double substitution with the job seemingly done.

However, as Evesham tried everything in their powers to slow the game down with the final minutes ticking away, the home side dramatically wrestled possession from their opponents down the left flank. A quick ball into the centre set up Brian Gray for an initial shot that was only repelled into the path of Simon Truman who took a touch and unleashed a venomous drive from the right edge of the box that rocketed into the top right corner past the despairing dive of the red faced custodian.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team are still searching for their first victory in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division after finding themselves on the end of a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of high flying Hinckley United, who themselves maintained their 100 % record.

It was certainly not a good day for the Pic's whose only reward was a 62nd minute goal from Ahmet Bilgimer who cleverly chipped the Knitters 'keeper to pull back the score line to 3-1.

Meanwhile, intermixed with lots of missed opportunities for Rushall, was the fact that the visitors eventually ended the game with 8-men after young defender Alex Dawson was sent off on 53 minutes after finding himself as last man and conceding a penalty for his troubles; Wayne Hall followed his colleague into the dressing room on 89 minutes for an alleged stamp on an opponent; while substitute Adam Whitehead saw red on the stroke of full time after receiving a second yellow card for a supposed shove on the home keeper.

Unfortunately, the loss sentenced the reigning league champions to last but one place in the table, 10 points behind current leaders Mickleover Sports and Hinckley United, in what has been an untimely reversal of fortune.

Rushall Olympic claimed a confidence boosting 1-0 victory over Midland Football Alliance championship chasers Romulus at Dales Lane as the Pic's registered only their second victory of an 8 match opening campaign to progress into the Second Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

It was a relatively even contest throughout between the neighbouring clubs, although the home side arguably shaded the statistics as they created more viable goal scoring opportunities on the night.

However, Olympic were forced d to wait until the 87th minute to claim what turned out to be the winner when with extra time looming large on the horizon a corner from the right was eventually flicked back into the centre of the Romulus penalty area where Leon Allen was on hand to volley clinically home.

A tie at British Gas Business Division One Midlands rivals Stourbridge now awaits Rushall in the next stage of the competition.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team claimed the scalp of West Midlands (Regional) League Division One pacesetters Cresswell Wanderers in their own back yard as the Pic's progressed into Round 2 of the Staffordshire Football Association Saturday Challenge Cup with an excellent single goal victory thanks to a 54th minute strike from Ahmet Bilgimer.

The reward for the Reserves 1-0 win, over the 5th placed club that were also on the same amount of points as their league leaders, is a home tie in the Round 2 against Hanley based outfit New Penny who compete in the Staffs County Senior League Division One.

Rushall Olympic’s early season blues suffered a further set back at Dales Lane as they fell at the first hurdle of the Errea League Cup against British Gas Business Football League Division One rivals and fellow strugglers Bedworth United in a rearranged fixture.

A sixth defeat from the Pic’s opening seven games was their latest reward for a turgid first period display that was thankfully followed by a far more encouraging second half showing. However, Rushall’s costly habit of conceding late goals continued to haunt them as an 80th minute winner against the run of play from the Warwickshire side ultimately decided the tie.

Chad Sheppard, Leon Allen and Richard Brown all had good long range strikes parried away by the excellent visitors’ stopper Andy Kemp, who on the night delivered a match saving display, while in form Olympic front runner Tyrone Barnett twice went close in the final half hour.

All in all it was yet another disappointing day at the office for the Pic’s who now find themselves already out of two cup competitions at an early stage and last but one in the divisional standings with barely a month of the new campaign gone.

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Rushall Olympic reeled off their fourth consecutive away defeat of the season as they tumbled to a fifth loss in the opening six games of the campaign, this time at British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands newcomers Woodford United.

Rushall's alarming penchant for conceding goals at the most inopportune occasions inevitably cost them dear as a second strike from the home side immediately before the interval saw the Pic's fall behind for the first time in the contest and a third on the stroke of full time sealed their fate and a position of equal last place in the league standings.

The only bright spot for the Dales Lane side was a brace from striker Tyrone Barnett who opened his sides account in sparkling fashion after only 3 minutes and then pulled his colleagues single handidly out of the mire by restoring parity at two apiece with 15 minutes remaining.

However, the young front runners efforts were ultimately all in vain on what was essentially yet another disappointing day for the struggling Pic's.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team progressed nicely into the Second Round of the Midland Combination Reserve Division Challenge Cup with a 2-1 away victory over mid table newcomers Coleshill Town in what was the first success of the campaign for the reigning league champions.

A goal from Tobias Salmon and a penalty from Wayne Hall were enough to see the Pic's through.

In the First Round draw of the 2006-07 Errea Cup (Southern League Cup) Rushall Olympic's home tie with Division One Midlands rivals BEDWORTH UNITED has been brought forward by 2 weeks at the request of the Southern Football League.

The tie will now take place at Dales Lane this Tuesday 12th September, kick-off 7.45 pm.

The reason for the switch was that the Warwickshire outfit were having problems arranging their Birmingham Senior Cup Second Round tie at Burton Albion, so Tuesday 26th September now becomes open to them.

A fourth defeat in their opening five games saw Rushall Olympic go tumbling out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle to lower opposition for the second consecutive season.

On this occasion the deserved victors were Midland Football Alliance pacesetters Tipton Town who nonchalantly brushed aside the woefully feeble challenge of the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands 20th placed club on a truly awful rain lashed and wind swept day when the league tables certainly did not lie.

The only goal of a poor contest arrived on 37 minutes when an unchallenged centre from the right fell at the feet of striker Scott Voice who far too easily side stepped his marker and curled the ball into the top right corner from just inside the box.

It was hardly a befitting way for Olympic to mark the confirmation of John Allen's return to the team managerial role for the remainder of the season, with the Pic's boss badly let down by his underachieving charges on yet another day to forget for the Dales Lane club.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team are still searching for their first victory the 2006-07 Midland Combination Reserve Division campaign as they were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Leicestershire outfit Oadby Town.

Goals from Danny Hemmings on 15 minutes, Aaron Donaldson two minutes before the hour mark and a third from last seasons top scorer Ahmet Bilgimer in the 69th minute claimed a share of the spoils for the Pic's.

Rushall Olympic's search for a manager has been called to a halt sooner than expected with the news that caretaker boss JOHN ALLEN has confirmed he will be remaining in charge at Dales Lane until the end of the season.

Rushall's previous manager stood down at the end of the 2005-06 campaign because of increasing business commitments, with the club goin on to make the ill-fated appointment of Bob Green as his successor. However, when Green left the Pic's by mutual consent on the eve of the new season, John Allen again took temporary charge and has now decided to stay on as boss.

In an interview with the Express & Star he confirmed: "I'm going to see it out until the end of the season. Hopefully we will then know if we have extra financial backing in place and if so I can step aside again and we can look to promote from within."

Influential midfielder ROB HOLDCROFT will be Olympic's major doubt for tomorrow's FA Cup Prelimary Round trip to Midland Football Alliance pace setters Tipton Town with a groin injury, but manager John Allen has warned his side not to expect an easy ride by stating: "There will be no welcome flag there for us. They will be up for it and eager to take a scalp. The beat us in a cup tie last season and a pre-season friendly and we know what we are in for. They stick together, work hard and can play a bit as well. We have got to go there with a plan and the right frame of mind to beat them."

Although midfield playmaker LEON ALLEN has made a timely return from holiday, he has been feeling a little under the weather since arriving back home and may be another doubt. Fellow midfielder CHAD SHEPPARD is also still struggling with the injury that kept him out of the Bank Holiday success against Chasetown at Dales Lane.

Meanwhile Rushall have also been boosted by the return of powerhouse central defender TROY DOUGLIN after spending the summer in the United States coaching with the Charlton Athletic US Soccer Academy. However, the former Torquay United professional will be eased back into action tomorrow with the Pic's Second Team as they entertain Oadby Town in a Midland Football Combination Reserve Division encounter at Dales Lane.

Finally, one player making a surprise return to the fold will be wide man MARCUS JACKSON, who left the club at the end of last season and went on a summer tour of duty with clubs including Chasetown, Moor Green and Bromsgrove Rovers before finally signing Southern League forms with Stourport Swifts. The player recently made a request to return to Dales Lane for a fourth spell and despite Rushall having re-signed namesake Tim Jackson from their Worcestershire rivals just before the start of the season, Swifts manager Roy Rencher has very kindly allowed the Pic's to recapture their former charge without having to wait to issue an official 7-day notice of approach.

The moves mean that almost all of Rushall Olympic's Staffordshire Senior Cup winning side from last season are now back in harness at Dales Lane.

The 2006-07 Birmingham County Football Association Senior Challenge Cup competition First Round tie between Rushall Olympic and neighbours ROMULUS of the Midland Football Alliance, will take place at Dales Lane on Tuesday 19th September 2006.

The reward for the victors will be an away tie in Round 2 against British Gas Business League Division One Midlands newcomers STOURBRIDGE, with the game due to be played on/before Saturday 14th October 2006.

Rushall Olympic would like to thank Chasetown F.C.'s photographer DAVE BIRT for kindly providing an excellent selection of action pictures from the Bank Holiday Monday clash between our two sides at Dales Lane.

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Rushall Olympic finally got their season back on track following 3 consecutive opening league defeats as they grabbed an excellent hard fought single goal victory over Chasetown as the old rivals renewed acquaintances at Dales Lane in a typically full bloodied August Bank Holiday encounter.

After Tyrone Barnett's 21st minute rocket had cannoned off the underside of the Chasetown crossbar and rebounded to safety, 7 minutes later Brian Gray appeared to be hauled down by John Newall inside the box with the assistant referee awarding a penalty kick. The responsibility was left to Tyrone Barnett who rifled home the conversion attempt into the top left corner despite 'keeper Simon Bryan getting a hand to the drive.

The second period saw the visitor's throw virtually everything in their arsenal at Olympic's rearguard, who bravely refused to yield, but on 86 minutes the Scholars almost snatched an equaliser when home 'keeper Chris Gemmell failed to claim a high up and under and a resulting snap shot of the loose ball flicked up to ricochet off the woodwork before the danger was cleared.

With two minutes remaining the Pic's stopper kept his goal intact by smothering out a front runners progress during a 2-on-1 break, while deep into the 6 minutes of stoppage time the referee managed to find from somewhere there was a big shout for a penalty in Rushall's area, although it was more a case of ball to hand.

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One cracking goal and another conceded in the most sloppiest of fashions sent Rushall Olympic spiralling to a third defeat in a row to equal their worst start to a campaign for 9 years. On that occasion it was new manager John Allen who was eventually to come to the Pic's rescue, but the caretaker boss will have to do it all over again as his temporary charges slipped to last-but-one in the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands.

Hosts Leighton Town were certainly quicker to settle than their guests and with only four minutes on the watch they stung Rushall with a fine goal. A break down the left hand side saw Leon Gordon hit a 30-yard thunderbolt which flew into the net via the underside of the crossbar give 'keeper Chris Gemmell little chance.

Olympic quickly threatened to equalise when on 15 minutes a free-kick from the left hand side by Simon Truman was headed out by the defence and Chad Sheppard fired a return straight back, but the midfielders effort flew just over the bar. A minute later the same player send another free-kick inches over the bar again. However, on 56 minutes a blunder by the Rushall defence let in Ian Lewis who made it 2-0 to the Bedfordshire outfit.

From then on the game deteriorated into a complete and utter bore with both sides serving up some football of the poorest standard. On this showing Olympic must go back to the drawing board and re-assess their game plan if they are to start getting points on the board.

Rushall Olympic's Second Team staged a dramatic second half comeback at Dales Lane as they overturned 51st minute 2-0 deficit to claim a well deserved share of the spoils against their counterparts from Leicestershire outfit Quorn.

It was perhaps no surprise that the Pic's found themselves a goal down three minutes prior to the interval when a 20 yard free kick was curled into the bottom right corner via the hands of stand-in Rushall 'keeper Dean Partridge.

However, worse was to follow 6 minutes after the interval when a centre from the left to the far post was headed home past Olympic's stopper into the bottom left corner from 10 yards.

A double substitution followed from manager Kevin McCorry in a move that appeared to pay immediate dividends when on 68 minutes Aaron Skelding's ball down the left channel picked out Tobias Salmon who turned inside and looped a superb lob over the advancing Quorn custodian from the edge of the box into the far side of goal.

Nine minutes later and Rushall restored parity when Tobias Salmon's centre picked out substitute Torgut Bilgimer who was bundled off the ball by a Quorn defender to give the home side a penalty kick that skipper Wayne Hall confidently rifled home into the bottom left corner.

Quorn almost snatched all three points late on when a forward sent a close range free header marginally over the bar, but Olympic were certainly well worth their hard earned point.

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Caretaker boss John Allen has urged Rushall Olympic draw on the memory of last season's visit to Leighton Town as the Pic's return today looking for their first points of the campaign. Olympic were well beaten 3-1 at Leighton in November last year.

Although Rushall won the return match 2-1 at Dales Lane back in April, the manager still rates Leighton as one of the best sides Rushall faced last season and knows the Pic's must improve on their last display in Bedfordshire if they are not suffer a third straight defeat.

Olympic's boss commented: "It's another difficult game for us at Leighton. They're a big, physical side with a small pitch and when we went there last year we got what we deserved - nothing. We will be going down there remember. ing that and knowing there's a difficult job to be done."

Rushall Olympic were recently boosted by the timely return of non-league strike legend JOE O'CONNOR after caretaker manager John Allen approached the former England Semi-Professional International to tempt him back in to the Dales Lane fold.

Thankfully, Joe made a heartening return to the First Team as a second half substitute against Bromsgrove Rovers after originally leaving the Pic's at the end of last season after being told he wasn't part of ex-manager Bob Green's plans.

A massive welcome back to the club Joe from everyone involved!

Rushall Olympic went down to a second defeat in their opening two British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands games with a 3-1 reversal at the hands of Bromsgrove Rovers. However, once again it was very much a hard luck story for the Pic's who made a good showing, but typically lacked the goal scoring prowess necessary to turn effective play into points.

The home side took the lead after only 8 minutes after a period of sustained opening pressure saw several corners forced, from one of which 'keeper Chris Gemmell could only punch the ball to Chris McHale who headed home through a crowded goalmouth.

Conceding the opening goal sparked Rushall into life and the visitors saw several chances go awry, with Chad Sheppard twice placing efforts wide of the target when well positioned and Brian Gray, who got the better of custodian Dean Coleman, but the strikers finish rose over the bar.

Bromsgrove doubled their advantage 6 minutes before the interval when a Daire Doyle through ball split open Rushall's rearguard, but despite Richard Burgess looking suspiciously off-side, play was allowed to continue and the striker slid the ball under Chris Gemmell.

Olympic eventually pulled a goal back within 4 minutes of the restart of the second period when confusion reigned within Rovers defensive ranks that allowed Tyrone Barnett to nip in and roll the ball home into an empty net.

The goal clearly gave the visitors a confidence boost and during the remainder of the half they gave their hosts a stern test, however a combination of good fortune and poor finishing prevented the Pic's from restoring parity and pushing on further.

With Rushall still striving for an equaliser at the death, Bromsgrove eventually forced home a third goal to give the final score line a somewhat flattering appearance when McHale completed his brace by finishing off a telling centre.

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Lucky Brackley Town grabbed a last minute winner at Dales Lane despite having to play second fiddle to Rushall Olympic in terms of the quality of football on display, but it was the performance of the match officials who were ultimately the deciding factor in this physical opening day encounter.

Olympic endured a poor start when within 6 minutes of the first whistle they found themselves a goal down as the referee failed to spot a blatant elbow from a Brackley forward on a home defender during the build up and Tom Winters was on hand to drill the loose ball past Chris Gemmell from 15 yards through a crowded goalmouth.

Rushall finally found their feet midway through the first period and began to play their trademark passing game with some aplomb. Indeed, within 5 minutes of the restart of the second period the Pic's were deservedly back on level terms when a telling Tim Jackson corner from the right was curled into the danger zone where Saints stopper Richard Knight made a real hash of a simple claim under a challenge from Brian Gray, who got the final touch as the ball found its way over the line from close range.

Three minutes later a big shout for a penalty was turned away following a handling offence by a Brackley defender well within his own box, but inexplicably a free-kick to Rushall was awarded one yard outside the penalty area by the referee.

Despite Olympic continuing to play much the better football, the defining moment of the game arrived right on the stroke of normal time when a free kick from the left channel to the far post was knocked back into the danger zone where a bout of pinball took place before the threat was only partially cleared. However, as a high ball was punted forwards again and with Leon Gutzmore standing all by himself in what appeared to be an off-side position, the striker gratefully nodded home into the bottom left corner from 12 yards past the despairing dive of Chris Gemmell.

Judging by Brackley's celebrations at the final whistle anyone would have thought the Northamptonshire outfit won the Championship on the opening day, but with luck like that they could be one of the firm favourites come April 2007.

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Rushall Olympic's Second Team began the defence of their Midland Combination Reserve Division Championship with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Leicestershire outfit Loughborough Dynamo.

The Pic's goal came from Danny Hemmings on 37 minutes, but tragically the game was halted a couple of minutes for around an hour when a Loughborough player sadly received a broken leg. Naturally everyone at Dales Lane offers the individual concerned our very best wishes and a speedy recovery.

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Rushall Olympic's First Team kick-off their 2006-07 British Gas Football League Division One Midlands campaign tomorrow (Saturday) with an extremely tough opener at home to BRACKLEY TOWN, one of the league's early title favourites.

Last seasons Division One West 3rd placed club went forward into the promotion play-offs, but after dispatching 6th place Marlow in the Semi-Final, they faltered in the Final on home turf against 4th placed Hemel Hempstead Town who clinched a nail biting victory with a last minute goal to send them into the Premier Division with a 3-2 scoreline.

During the summer months the Saints have reputed to have strengthened again, so it is perhaps not surprising that they enter the new season as a firm title hopeful.

According to the Walsall edition of the Express & Star, Rushall caretaker manager John Allen was sweating on whether summer squad players Chad Sheppard, Lewis Baker, Brian Gray and Steve Hillman, plus evergreen Joe O'Connor, were going to sign forms for the Pic's.

The family of PAUL EDWARDS have kindly released the following information regarding the arrangements for his funeral.

Paul's funeral will take place on Tuesday 22nd August 2006 with the cortege leaving the family home at 11:55 am and with the service to be held at 12:15 pm at St. Andrews Church, Carters Green, West Bromwich. The service will then be followed by interment at Heath Lane Cemetery, West Bromwich at 1.00 pm.

A request has been made by the family that nobody should wear black or black ties at the funeral service.

Meanwhile, it would also be most appreciated if people could note that there should only be floral tributes from family members.

However, donations may instead be made to Gill Edwards' sister Dawn Holder, although the family are still undecided upon their nominated charity. Ideally, cheques should be made to Gill Edwards so that moneys may be presented as a final lump sum to the eventual recipients.

As a note to members of Rushall Olympic F.C., any donations can also be made to Chairman Nick Allen who will then forward the amount as a lump sum to the family.

The venue for Paul's wake will be West Bromwich Labour Club, 54 Sandwell Road, West Bromwich.

Rushall Olympic Football Club were today stunned and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely passing of PAUL EDWARDS in the early hours of this morning.

On behalf of the club we would like to take this opportunity to offer our most sincere condolences to Paul's wife Gill, his teenage daughter Toni and all of his family and friends for their immense and tragic loss.

Paul, or rather "Pokey" to his friends, had been associated with Rushall Olympic for five years after arriving at Dales Lane during summer 2001, following a short spell with Bridgnorth Town, to take up a new role of Football Liaison Officer with the Pic's.

An Experienced non-league football manager in his own right, he was a former Paget Rangers player and skipper in their successful side of the mid-1980's and also featured for clubs including Dudley Town and Blakenall during his playing career.

After a spell serving as a member of the backroom team at West Bromwich Town, he returned to Paget Rangers as assistant manager in February 1993 and was eventually named as joint manager in September 1999, where he remained, bar a short spell with Oldbury United, until summer 2000.

Pokey was one of life's true gentlemen who had an excellent knowledge of the game and an even greater enthusiasm for it.

Everyone one of us at Rushall Olympic are all left with only the very fondest of memories of him and he will be greatly missed by all his friends and colleagues at Dales Lane.

Rest in peace Paul.

Rushall Olympic ended their turbulent pre-season campaign with a solid goalless draw against a Stoke City XI at Dales Lane as the club ushered in the first game of the post-Bob Green era.

The match itself was a re-run of the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final that took place between the two clubs at The Britannia Stadium back in April where the Pic's were victorious as they lifted the coveted trophy for the first time in their history.

That marvellous evening was planned to be manager John Allen's last game in charge of Olympic, but following the recent off the field upheaval he made a swift return to the dug out in a caretaker capacity to guide his new charges to an impressive result.

The Potters arguably enjoyed the best of the goal scoring opportunities on the night, particularly through their feisty skipper Rob Garrett who was not afraid to shoot from distance, while Rushall stopper Chris Gemmell was in excellent form to keep his goal intact. Meanwhile, the best opportunity for the home side fell to substitute Jordan Lee during the second period whose 25 yard scorcher had to be frantically tipped over at full stretch by the Stoke custodian.

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In a shock development at Dales Lane following a meeting held between senior officials of Rushall Olympic Football Club and the First Team Manager, it was announced tonight that with immediate effect BOB GREEN had left his position by mutual consent. In the statement issued by the club it was also confirmed that in the short term former boss JOHN ALLEN would be taking temporary charge of team affairs.

The official announcement made by Secretary Peter Athersmith read: "It is with regret that I have to make the following official statement. At a meeting held with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Bob Green on Thursday 10th August at 8.30pm, the Chairman would like to issue the following statement: 'Bob Green has vacated his position as first team manager with immediate effect due to a financial misunderstanding. In the short term John Allen will take charge of team affairs. The Chairman and his Committee would like to wish Bob all the best for the future.'"

The early round draws for the 2006-07 Birmingham County Football Association Senior Challenge Cup were made this week and in Round 1 of the competition Rushall Olympic have been drawn at home to neighbours ROMULUS of the Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance, with the game scheduled to take place at Dales Lane on or before week commencing 23rd September 2006.

The reward for the First Round victors will be an away game in Round 2 against British Gas Business League Division One Midlands newcomers STOURBRIDGE.

Rushall Olympic’s First Team claimed only their second victory in four pre-season games against lower league opposition as they struggled to a 3-2 victory over West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division Tividale at Dales Lane.

The Pic’s fell behind on 25 minutes when a deflected free-kick was centred and converted from close range, but was cancelled out 9 minutes into the second period when Neil Kitching powerfully headed home Rob Holdcroft’s accurate cross. However, within 4 minutes Olympic were behind once again when an error from ‘keeper Elliott Richards allowed a Tividale attacker to rifle home into an open goal from outside the box.

Just after the hour mark Rushall were presented with a golden opportunity to restore parity when a handling offence yielded a penalty kick that Chad Shepperd saw saved at the bottom right corner.

The home side were finally back on level terms in the 67th minute when Rob Holdcroft’s up and under from outside the box dropped over the Tividale custodian and into the net, before right on the stroke of full time Nathan Pulsiciano’s run into the Tividale box came to shuddering halt and the award of a second penalty kick was on this occasion buried clinically into the bottom right corner by Chad Shepperd.

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Following the weekend game against Hednesford Town, new Rushall Olympic manager Bob Green has began the process of trimming down his summer training squad to more managable numbers as the club move into their final two games of their pre-season schedule.

Around four players, who had not signed Southern League forms for the Pic's, have already been released while a further two players that had signed for Olympic have this weekend been told that they are surplus to requirements.

The first to depart was competitive 20-year-old right sided midfielder DANNY BRAGOLI who originally transferred from Willenhall Town. A graduate of the Shrewsbury Town's School of Excellence and Wales representative player at Under-15's level, he later had spells with clubs including Stourport Swifts and Hednesford Town, while also spending some time playing professionally in the United States with North Carolina outfit Wilmington Hammerheads.

The second departure was that of skilful and versatile midfielder SCOTT LEYDON who had transferred to Dales Lane from Stourport Swifts, but had also seen service with Crewe Alexandra, Shrewsbury Town, Telford United, Paget Rangers, Bromsgrove Rovers, Racing Club Warwick and League of Ireland sides Shelbourne and Galway United.

Both players are now available for transfer to any interested clubs subject to the issue of a standard 7-day notice of approach.

The early round draws for the 2006-07 Staffordshire Football Association Senior Challenge Cup were made this week and in Round 1 of the competition Rushall Olympic have been drawn at home to Shropshire outfit MARKET DRAYTON TOWN of the Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance, with the game scheduled to take place at Dales Lane on or before week commencing 16th October 2006.

The illustrious prize for the First Round victors will be a home game in Round 2 against the winners of the tie between Nationwide Conference sides TAMWORTH or STAFFORD RANGERS. The Second Round game is scheduled to take place on or before week commencing 13th November 2006.

The early round draws for the 2006-07 Walsall & District Football Association Senior Challenge Cup were made this week and in Round 1 of the competition Rushall Olympic have been fortunate enough to receive a bye.

In Round 2 of the competition the Pic's have been drawn at home to neighbours BOLDMERE ST MICHAELS of the Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance, with the game scheduled to take place at Dales Lane on or before week commencing 6th November 2006.

Having been let down by Unibond League Premier Division outfit AFC Telford United, Rushall Olympic's First Team will continue their pre-season preparations at Dales Lane on Tuesday evening when they entertain Black Country outfit TIVIDALE of the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division.

Naturally, we would like to take this opportunity in thanking the management of Tividale Football Club for allowing the game to go ahead at such short notice.

Admission charges for the pre-season fixture will again be in line with all of Rushall's Dales Lane friendlies this summer with prices reduced to £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions.

In the continuation of the Pic's new scheme, school children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

A brave fight back by Rushall Olympic proved in vain as they worked wonders to overturn a 3-0 deficit with barely 20 minutes on the watch against Unibond League Premier Division neighbours Hednesford Town, but after drawing level in the 68th minute they eventually saw the visitors grab a last ditch winner by 4 goals to 3 at Dales Lane.

Poor defensive cover presented the Pitmen with a 5th minute opener as a front runner was allowed to carbe his way through and stroke the ball home, while seven minutes later the Staffordshire side doubled their advantage following another bout of self destruction in Rushall's back line that ended with a clinical finish on the far post.

Hednesford's third arrived with virtually their third strike on goal as a 25-yarder was drilled into the bottom corner past the helpless Chris Gemmell.

Olympic began their fight back on 24 minutes when Chad Sheppard netted from the penalty spot after Nathan Pulisciano's run into the area was unfairly halted, while the midfielder completed his brace on the hour mark with a fierce shot from close range.

The Pic's restored parity midway through the second period when Nathan Pulisciano slipped the ball through to Brian Gray who coolly slotted home past Ryan Young. However, with a minute remaining an error in Rushall's midfield ended with a ball played over the top of their defence that a Hednesford attacker ran on to and buried past Chris Gemmell from just inside the box.

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Rushall Olympic's First Team continue their pre-season preparations at Dales Lane tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain Staffordshire neighbours HEDNESFORD TOWN of the Unibond League Premier Division.

Admission charges for the pre-season fixture will again be in line with all of Rushall's Dales Lane friendlies this summer with prices reduced to £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions.

In the continuation of the Pic's new scheme, school children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

Rushall Olympic's scheduled pre-season friendly with Unibond League Premier Division outfit AFC Telford United on Tuesday 8th August has been cancelled at the request of the Shropshire club.

Following the Bucks midweek game at Eastwood Town, manager Rob Smith had become increasingly concerned at the number of small knocks picked up by a number of players and stated on the club web site: “We just felt it was a sensible precaution to take bearing in mind how close we are to the start of the new season”

The Pic's are currently in the process of attempting to arrange another game for Tuesday 8th August.

Rushall Olympic's First Team crashed to a 3-0 home defeat against Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance outfit Barwell at Dales Lane to record their second loss against lower league opponents in the last three pre-season games.

The Pic's once again rang the changes to their line-up and were spectacularly undone during a slipshod first period as they went behind after 25 minutes when Barwell’s attack carved an opening that was clinically slotted home.

Two penalties conceded in the space of just 10 minutes did the ultimate damage to Olympic with an ill advised defensive challenge and then a moment of madness from 'keeper Chris Gemmell, that would have seen the stopper red carded in a competitive match, ended with two consumate conversions from the Leicestershire side.

The second half was a drab goalless affair that finally saw Rushall's first worthwhile attempt on goal arrive on 15 minutes from full time when Tyrone Barnett's header cannoned off the crossbar.

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Rushall Olympic's First Team continue their pre-season preparations at Dales Lane tonight (Tuesday) when they entertain BARWELL, the third Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance side to take on the Pic's this summer.

Admission charges for the pre-season fixture will again be in line with all of Rushall's Dales Lane friendlies this summer with prices reduced to £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions.

In the continuation of the Pic's new scheme, school children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

Rushall Olympic's First Team bounced back from their disappointing midweek reversal at the hands of a well organised Tipton Town outfit to claim an encouraging 3-0 victory over the Black Country sides fellow Polymac Service Midland Football Alliance title hopefuls Leamington at Dales Lane.

The Pic's generally gathered momentum as the first period progressed and they eventually took the lead just before the half hour mark when two corners in quick succession ultimately ended with target man Lee Ross turning to fire home from 10 yards.

Rushall emerged for the second period with manager Bob Green seemingly breaking with tradition as he maintained his starting line-up for the restart and only went on to make four substitutions. Indeed, the continuity appeared to pay dividends as two goals in three minutes from last season's top scorer Neil Kitching deservedly wrapped the game up for Olympic.

On 82 minutes substitute Brian Gray beat the off-side trap to set up his strike partner who clinically rifled home, while in the 85th minute substitute Martin Myers chased a lost cause to the right by-line and successfully panicked a defender into threading the ball straight into the feet of Neil Kitching who made no mistake from 10 yards out.

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Rushall Olympic's First Team continue their pre-season preparations at Dales Lane tomorrow when they entertain Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance title hopefuls LEAMINGTON in what will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.

The visitors are expected to be well supported and the admission charges for the pre-season fixture will again be in line with all of Rushall's Dales Lane friendlies this summer with prices reduced to £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions.

In the continuation of the Pic's new scheme, school children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

Rushall Olympic's Youth Team are apparently no more.

The Under-18's section were due to operate once again in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Western Division after the make-up of this season's competitions were finalised at the MFYL's Annual General Meeting on Monday 26th June at Solihull Borough FC.

However, Dales Lane officials were recently left fuming when they discovered from a representative of Sutton Coldfield College that funding for the side had been withdrawn and the Pic's were forced to resign late from the league. The club now face a £250 fine for their troubles.

Rushall Olympic's First Team crashed to a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to Tipton Town in their second pre-season friendly as manager Bob Green shuffled his oversize pack in an attempt to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

With seven changes made to the starting line-up that drew with a Walsall XI at the weekend and a further seven made during the interval against Tipton, the one good thing to come out of the overall poor performance was that trimming down his squad to managable numbers should now be a far more easier task.

The Black Country side were already two goals to the good before Martin Myers pulled one back for the Pic's just after the half hour mark. However, Rushall's performance degenerated during the second period as Tipton netted a further two goals with reply to run out worthy victors.

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New Rushall Olympic manager Bob Green was able to parade several of his new signing during the weekend home friendly with neighours Walsall in a result that ended in a promising goalless draw with an XI from Bescot Stadium managed by Mark Kinsella. The players making the bows at Dales Lane were as follows:

Powerful all-round midfielder LEWIS BAKER signed after spending most of last term with Barnt Green Spartak. Prior to that he began his career as trainee with Birmingham City, before entering the non-league game with Stourbridge where he became a vital member of the squad that won back-to-back Midland Football Alliance championships in season 2001-02 and 2002-03A move to Halesowen Town followed during summer 2003, where he remained until October 2005 and linked up with Oldbury United and then Barnt Green Spartak, guiding the Worcestershire outfit to third place in the Midland Football Combination Premier Division.

Young attacking midfielder CHRIS BLADEN arrives after being spotted as an up and coming talent within Black Country football. He featured for Tividale during the 2005-06 campaign and had previously seen service with both Tividale Youth and Cresconians, prior to joining Dudley Town during summer 2004.

Competitive 20-year-old midfielder DANNY BRAGOLI arrives with a pedigree after transferring from Willenhall Town. He began his career with Shrewsbury Town's School of Excellence and during season 1999-2000 received an international call-up from Wales at Under-15's level. He later went on to become a Trainee with the Shropshire club, featuring in both the Youth and Reserve sides, before having a spell on loan with Stourport Swifts during season 2003-04. December 2004 saw him released from Gay Meadow and link back up with Stourport Swifts, prior to signing a six-month contract to play professionally in the United States with North Carolina outfit Wilmington Hammerheads in the United Soccer Leagues. Upon his return to the UK during summer 2005 he returned to Stourport, but his form soon alerted the attentions of Hednesford Town just after the start of last season, where he remained until being snapped up by Willenhall Town in March 2006.

Rushall pulled off a real coup in signing tremendously experienced and competitive left sided defender STEVE HILLMAN from Bromsgrove Rover, where he had been club captain for the past three seasons but departed in April 2006 following a disagreement with the management team. He began his career as a Trainee with Oxford United, prior to entering the non-league game with spells at local clubs Bloxwich Strollers and Bloxwich Town, helping the latter win the 1997-98 Midland Football Alliance Championship and gaining promotion into the Southern Football League. A move to Premier Division Worcester City followed for the 1998-99 campaign, before linking up with Blakenall in February 1999 to become a key member of the side who won the 1999-2000 Staffordshire Senior Cup against Tamworth. Summer 2001 saw him transfer to Bromsgrove Rovers, before switching ranks to Bilston Town in August 2001 and then following manager Joe Jackson on to Stourbridge in November 2001. There he was a major force behind the Black Country outfit who won back-to-back Midland Football Alliance championships in season 2001-02 and 2002-03. When promotion to the Southern Football League was not forthcoming he moved on to Bromsgrove Rovers during summer 2003, where he later took over the captain's armband and the 2004-05 campaign saw him skipper the Worcestershire club to the Southern League Division One West Play-Off Final, where they missed out on a place in the Premier Division to neighbours Evesham United.

Skilful and versatile midfielder SCOTT LEYDON transferred from Stourport Swifts, but began his career with spells at both Crewe Alexandra and Shrewsbury, before entering the non-league game with Telford United and Paget Rangers. A period in with League of Ireland sides Shelbourne and Galway United followed, before returning to England during summer 2002 and signing for Bromsgrove Rovers. After beginning the 2005-06 campaign with Racing Club Warwick, he eventually moved on to Stourport Swifts.

Cultured left sided footballing central defender PHIL MALE has an excellent pedigree and transferred from Bromsgrove Rovers during summer 2006. Comfortable in a number of positions and also known to be quite a useful back-up goalkeeper, he first came to prominence during season 2000-01 with Dudley Town before linking up with the former Southern League outfit Bloxwich United for the 2001-02 campaign, until their mid-season demise saw him link up with Oldbury United. He remained with the Black Country club until January 2004, a spell broken only by a short stint with Stourport Swifts during the early part of season 2003-04, before moving on to Bedworth United. He eventually transferred to Bromsgrove Rovers for a first spell in January 2005, prior to securing a move to Willenhall Town in December 2005 and eventually going on to skipper the Reds in March 2006, before making a dramatic return to the Victoria Ground before the 2005-06 transfer deadline.

Young central defender CRAIG MILLIGAN has made a successful step up from the club's Reserve Team after skippering the Dales Lane second string to the 2005-06 Midland Football Combination Reserve Division.

Extremely skilfull and gifted 26-year-old left sided wideman NATHAN PULISCIANO began his career as a trainee with Aston Villa between 1996 and 1999, predominantly featuring in the Youth Team ranks. He linked up with Solihull Borough upon his release from Villa Park and was named as their Reserve Team Player of the Year in his first season. August 2000 saw him move to Stourbridge, prior to transferring to Ludlow Town in March 2002, while he also featured for Alveston towards the end of the 2001-02 campaign. During season 2002-03 he linked up with Bob Green at Oldbury United, but March 2004 saw him suffer a serious injury in the form of a fractured fibula and tibula in addition to damaging his ankle and this season marks a return to full fitness.

Hard working striker LEE ROSS transferred to Dales Lane after ending last season with Stourport Swifts, but began his career in the Youth and Reserve sides of Stratford Town, before going on to have spells with Warwickshire sides Wellesbourne and Alveston, prior to linking up with Rugby United and then their neighbours Rugby Town. He then had a season Ford Sports Daventry of the United Counties League, before summer 2001 saw him move to the newly reformed Bloxwich United outfit where he first teamed up with manager Bob Green and eventually topped the Western Division goal scoring charts, until the new club surprisingly quit the Southern League in November 2001. A transfer to Halesowen Town followed for a reputed four-figure fee, where he picked up a Southern League Western Division winners medal, and also featured for both Oldbury United and Evesham United, before linking back up with Bob Green at Oldbury United during summer 2002. Moves to Bedworth United and Redditch United followed, but was almost forced to retire from the game after suffering a broken back in a car crash during March 2004. Despite being told he may never play football again, he made a miraculous recovery and was back in action just three months later as he re-signed for Evesham United during summer 2004, prior to transferring back to former club Bedworth United in October 2004. After a spell out of the game he made a welcome return to action during summer 2005 with Studley, prior to linking up with Stourport Swifts just after the start of the 2005-06 campaign.

Extremely gifted midfield playmaker with bags of energy and flair, 20 year-old CHAD SHEPPARD transferred from Evesham United, but began his career by progressing through the ranks at Birmingham City where he was an Academy player and also featured for the club's Reserve Team. After being released on a free transfer at the end of the 2003-04 campaign he became one of Tamworth player-manager Mark Cooper's first signings in June 2004 after being recommended by Blues coach Keith Bertschin and impressed sufficiently while on trial to earn a 12-month deal, but despite featuring in the Nationwide Conference over 20 times and being named as the Lambs Young Player of the Year he was surprisingly released at the end of the 2004-05 campaign. During summer 2005 he was on trial with Nationwide North outfit Worcester City, before finally agreeing terms with Willenhall Town and becoming a key figure in the Reds rapid rise up the Southern Football League Division One West table, prior to transferring to Evesham United before the March 2006 transfer deadline.

Tremendously experienced and talented 34-year-old midfield campaigner MARK SWANN transferred from Willenhall Town to begin a second spell at Dales Lane. He spent the early part of his career with clubs including Armitage, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield Town, prior to transferring to former Southern League outfit Blakenall during the 1997-98 campaign, where he was a key member of the squad who won the 1997-98 and 1998-99 Walsall Senior Cup and the 1999-2000 Staffordshire Senior Cup against Tamworth. Following a 7-game loan spell with the Pic's during season 1999-2000, he eventually linked up with Redditch United just after the start of season 2000-01, where he remained until his release in March 2002 and returned to former club Sutton Coldfield Town. A move to Willenhall Town followed in March 2003 and during season 2003-04 was a driving force behind the club finishing as Midland Football Alliance runners-up and gaining promotion into the Northern Premier League First Division. Last term as the Noose Lane skipper he guided the Reds during their Southern Football League Division One West debut campaign and also lifted the coveted Birmingham Senior Cup for the first time in the clubs history.

There is also a potential for more signings to be made before the end of the pre-season schedule as the club prepare themselves for the 2006-07 British Gas Business Division One Midlands campaign.

Rushall Olympic's First Team opened their pre-season campaign with a hard fought goalless draw at home to a Walsall XI in front of a healthy crowd in a game that kicked off amidst an at times spectacular electrical storm and heavy rain.

The Saddler's team, managed by Mark Kinsella, had several First Team squad members on show, the most notable of which being talented wide player Ishmel Demontagnac. Meanwhile, new Rushall manager Bob Green chose to parade seven of his new signing in the starting eleven, before making eight changes at the interval as four more newcomers to the First Team squad made their Olympic bows.

Chris Gemmell was arguably the pick of the Rushall players as he forced into making a couple of fine saves during the first period and three during the second half as the game was played out to a goalless conclusion.

Lee Ross did have the ball in the net for the home side four minutes prior to the break following a good build up, but the striker had strayed into an off-side position, while substitute Leon Allen headed wide of the target from 16 yards as the midfielder connected with a Rob Holdcroft centre.

All in all it was a good work out for both sides in what were excellent cooling conditions for a high summers day.

Click here for the match report

The Midland Football Combination have released their draft fixtures for August and September 2006 and interestingly the opening 5 games for the Pic's are all against Leicestershire opposition.

Please also note that it would appear that the Combination have reverted from 2.45 p.m. kick-off’s to 3.00 p.m. in line with the majority of competitions.

Sat 19 Aug: Loughborough Dynamo (a)

Sat 26 Aug: Quorn (H)

Sat 02 Sep: Oadby Town (H)

Sat 09 Sep: Coleshill Town (a) Challenge Trophy 1

Sat 16 Sep: Barwell (a)

Sat 23 Sep: Hinckley United (a)

Sat 30 Sep: Rugby Town(H)

The admission charges for Rushall Olympic's opening First Team pre-season fixture at home to a WALSALL XI at Dales Lane on Saturday 22nd July, kick-off 3.00 pm, have now been confirmed.

In line with all of Rushall's Dales Lane friendlies this summer admission prices have been reduced to £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions.

In the continuation of the Pic's scheme last season, school children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

Please feel free to come along and watch the top two teams in the Borough take each other on in the Pic's annual summer curtain raiser.

The eagerly awaited Southern Football League fixtures for the 2006-07 campaign were released on Thursday 13th July with the pick of our newly retitled Midlands Division games reading as follows.

Rushall Olympic's campaign will kick-off on Saturday 19th August with arguably the most severe test possible as they entertain championship favourites Brackley Town at Dales Lane. Meanwhile on the following Tuesday evening the Pic's travel down the M5 to face Worcesteshire neighbours Bromsgrove Rovers.

Saturday 26th August sees Olympic on their travels again to Leighton Town, who finished last season in 8th place in Division One West, while on Bank Holiday Monday Rushall will be involved in a match liable to attract an extremely healthy attendance at Dales Lane as they entertain newly promoted Staffordshire neighbours Chasetown.

Looking further ahead, over the Christmas period the Pic's will lock horns again with local rivals Chasetown on Tuesday 26th December and are then on the road again as they travel to Warwickshire outfit Bedworth United on Saturday 30th December, before we look forward to the opening game of 2007 by entertaining neighbours Willenhall Town on Monday 1st January.

As we cast an eye towards the next Holiday period, the Easter weekend will see Rushall entertain Bedworth United on Saturday 7th April, while on Monday 9th April they travel to rivals Willenhall Town for the return fixture.

Once again, the good news is that we have been very well blessed in terms of midweek league action at the start of the campaign as travelling is kept to a minimum. Indeed, the game at Bishops Cleeve on Wednesday 18th October is the most distant on offer.

Rushall Olympic's new manager Bob Green has appointed ALAN MOORE as his new First Team coach to replace the departed Kevin Sweeney, who surprisingly jumped ship last month to rivals Chasetown.

An extremely experienced coach with an excellent footballing curriculum vitae, he ended last season in a similar capacity at West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division outfit Tividale and arrives at Dales Lane to renew a working relationship with Bob Green that was originally formed during season 2001-02 at former Southern Football League club Bloxwich United.

Highly enthusiastic and with a great knowledge of the game, the former Halesowen Town player had also worked as No.2 to John Chambers for eight years at clubs including Stourbridge, Dudley Town and Willenhall Town, before moving on to Halesowen Town in November 1998 in a similar capacity. However, September 2000 saw him become caretaker manager in the wake of John Chambers’ resignation and despite expecting to eventually be on his way out with his predecessor and having never really being interested in becoming a manager in his own right, he eventually beat off 13 rivals for the Yeltz hot seat. Unfortunately, his tenure at the Grove lasted only until March 2001 when the club accepted his resignation as he battled in vain to preserve their Southern League Premier Division status.

He was later named as Tividale joint manager in June 2001, where he was also due to act as head coach, but jumped ship to link up with Bloxwich United to become first team coach after less than three weeks in the role. However, his appointment at the Red Lion ground lasted only until November 2001 when he was left without a job as the newly formed club surprisingly disbanded and quit the Southern League.

Following a break from football he eventually made a return to the non-league scene in May 2004 when he was named as manager of Midland Football Alliance outfit Causeway United, but resigned from his position in October 2004 and later linked up with Tividale.

Welcome to the club Alan and we hope that you have a long and successful stay with us at Dales Lane!

The early round draws for the 2006-07 Football Association Challenge Cup competition sponsored by E.ON were made this week. The 126th FA Cup will have a record number of 687 entries; the previous highest was last season, in fact, when 674 clubs entered the competition. Before that the record was held since 1921/22 when there were 656 entries.

In the Preliminary Round of the competition Rushall Olympic have been drawn away to TIPTON TOWN of the Polymac Services Midland Football Alliance, with the game scheduled to take place at the Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton on Saturday 2nd September 2006, kick-off 3.00 pm.

Our Black Country based opponents are a division below the Pic's and last season their final league placing was 11th. However, that didn't stop them from claiming Rushall's scalp in the Walsall Senior Cup Quarter-Final with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out success after the game finished 2-2 after extra time.

Click here for the PRELIMINARY ROUND DRAW

The winners of the Preliminary Round tie will be rewarded with a home tie against the eventual winners of the BUXTON v ATHERSTONE TOWN or CARLTON TOWN ties, in the 1st Round Qualifying stage of the competition. This game is scheduled to take place on Saturday 16th September 2006, kick-off 3.00 pm.

Click here for the 1ST ROUND QUALIFYING DRAW

The early round draws for the 2006-07 Football Association Challenge Trophy competition were made this week. The FA Trophy is in its 38th Season and will have 246 entries, 25 more than last year. All the entries are drawn from the Football Conference, Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern League's.

This season is only Rushall Olympic's second in the top National knock-out competition for non-league clubs and in the 1st Round Qualifying of the competition Rushall have received an potentially tough home draw as they entertain Welsh outfit COLWYN BAY of the Unibond League First Division, with the game scheduled to take place at Dales Lane on Saturday 21st October 2005, kick-off 3.00 pm.

Click here for the 1ST ROUND QUALIFYING DRAW

Rushall Olympic's First Team pre-season fixture list has recently been ammended slightly with Coca-Cola Football League Championship side Stoke City now visiting Dales Lane on Friday 11th August, kick-off 7.30 pm, instead of Saturday 12th August.

Meanwhile, The Pic's game at the Bucks Head ground of Unibond League Premier Division outfit AFC Telford United has now been swapped to Dales Lane after a request was made by our Shropshire opponents.

This means that Olympic's entire pre-season programme will be played out on home turf.

The full line-up of close season games now reads as follows:

Sat 22 July: Walsall XI (Home) 3.00 pm.

Tue 25 July: Tipton Town (Home) 7.45pm.

Sat 29 July: Leamington (Home) 3.00pm.

Tue 01 Aug: Barwell (Home) 7.45pm.

Sat 05 Aug: Hednesford Town (Home) 3.00pm.

Tue 08 Aug: AFC Telford (Home) 7.30pm.

Fri 11 Aug: Stoke City XI (Home) 7.30 pm

Admission prices for all Rushall's Dales Lane friendlies have been reduced to £4.00 Adults and £2.00 concessions.

In the continuation of the Pic's scheme last season, school children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted for free.

The Midland Football Combination have released their constitutions for the 2006-07 season and Rushall Olympic Reserves will once again be competing in the Reserve Division, this time against the following teams:

ALVECHURCH (new), BARWELL, BOLDMERE ST MICHAELS, CHASETOWN, COLESHILL TOWN (new), FRIAR LANE & EPWORTH (new), GRESLEY ROVERS, HALESOWEN TOWN (new), HINCKLEY UNITED, LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO, MICKLEOVER SPORTS, OADBY TOWN, QUORN, ROTHWELL TOWN (new) and RUGBY TOWN.

Missing from last season's line-up are Atherstone Town, Bromsgrove Rovers, Shepshed Dynamo and Tipton Town.

Meanwhile, the Second Team have been drawn away at Reserve Division newcomers Coleshill Town in the First Round of the Midland Football Combination Challenge Trophy.

The First Round draw of the 2006-07 Errea Cup (Southern League Cup) has been made and as usual the early rounds of the competition have thrown up a lot of local derbies.

Rushall Olympic have for once been awarded a home cup tie and will face Division One Midlands rivals BEDWORTH UNITED at Dales Lane, probably on Tuesday 26th September, kick-off 7.45 pm.

Other ties involving Division One Midlands' clubs are as follows:

CHASETOWN v BROMSGROVE ROVERS

Cinderford Town v MALVERN TOWN

SOLIHULL BOROUGH v STOURPORT SWIFTS

STOURBRIDGE v EVESHAM UNITED

SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN v WILLENHALL TOWN

All ties are scheduled to be played w/c Monday 25th September 2006.

Rushall Olympic's Youth Team will again be operating in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Western Division after the make-up of this season's competitions was finalised at the MFYL's Annual General Meeting on Monday 26th June at Solihull Borough FC.

Nine new clubs were elected into the league, these being Atherstone, Bewdley Town, Hereford United, Highgate United, Loughborough Dynamo, Stone Dominoes, Tipton Town, Tividale and Wernley Athletic. They replaced seven clubs who had resigned, namely Coventry Copeswood, Evesham United, Himley Athletic, Kidderminster Harriers, Leamington, Mile Oak Rovers and Mount Nod Highway.

The new membership for the 2006/07 season gave the league it's highest ever total of 47 clubs, with the formation of the divisions being declared as follows:

PREMIER: Castle Vale, Coleshill Town, Gornal Athletic, Hednesford Town, Hinckley United, Lye Town (promoted), Moor Green, Nuneaton Borough, Quorn, Sutton Coldfield Town, Tamworth (promoted) and Worcester City.

WESTERN: Bewdley Town, Dudley Sports, Eccleshall, Halesowen Town, Rushall Olympic, Stapenhill, Stone Dominoes, Stourbridge, AFC Telford United, Tipton Town, Tividale and Wernley Athletic.

EASTERN: Alveston, Atherstone, Bedworth United, Boldmere St Michaels, Coventry Sphinx, Highgate United, Loughborough Dynamos, Nuneaton Griff, Racing Club Warwick, Rugby Town and Stratford Town.

SOUTHERN: Alvechurch, Bishops Cleeve, Bromyard Town, Bromsgrove Rovers, Cinderford Town, Gloucester City, Hereford United, Malvern Town, Pershore Town, Redditch United, Stourport Swifts and Wellington.

The league season will run from w/c 14 August 2006 to w/c 14 May 2007.

BRITISH GAS BUSINESS has confirmed it is to succeed Dr. Martens as the Southern Football League's sponsor for the next three seasons, commencing from August 2006.

The announcement was made at the Southern League's Annual General Meeting in Torquay on Saturday, June 24th.

Kevin Clarke, Head of Marketing for British Gas Business commercial customers said, "We are absolutely delighted to be associated with a high quality, competitive league and with all those individuals and businesses who show such dedication in supporting their local football teams."

Ken Turner, newly elected Chairman of the Southern League said “We were delighted to make the announcement at our AGM of the new partnership and title sponsorship with British Gas Business and look forward to fostering the relationship over the three years of the sponsorship and beyond. Having a nationally renowned company associated with the Southern Football League underlines the status of the League and will help us to raise the profile of the semi professional game as a whole. The significant investment will ensure a solid platform for the future and allow us to continue the development work throughout the League”

Click here to see the report

The 13th annual "Soccer Club Swap Shop Programme Awards" that were recently made and Rushall Olympic were extremely proud and delighted to find out that their matchday programme came out top within the Southern Football League Division One West, with the result declared as follows:

Meanwhile, the club were also ranked in an incredible 10th place in the overall national list, also making it top within the entire Southern Football League.

This represented a magnificent improvement from last season when the Pic's were ranked 40th in the overall list and were also named as No.1 in the Midland Football Alliance.

The overall result was declared as follows:

As anyone involved with producing a matchday programme will know, at whatever standard of football, an award means a great deal to those concerned and it shows that the many hours of work that are required to produce these labours of love can be well worth the effort. More often than not, a simple "well done" is more than satisfactory, but I certainly thank the "Soccer Club Swap Shop" for bestowing the honour upon Rushall Olympic.

Most importantly, I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate the award to Rushall's very own Gary Cooper whose company WM Print have once again been responsible for publishing the programme, without whose much valued assistance there would certainly be no programme. I thank you one and all.

Darren Stockall

Click here to see all the awards

In the "Soccer Club Swap Shop Programme Awards", Rushall Olympic Reserves' matchday programme was also voted top in the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division, so congratulations to Jacki McFarlane for all her hard work.

Rushall Olympic's Manager Bob Green will have to go on the lookout for a new First Team Coach after the surprise defection of KEVIN SWEENEY to Southern Football League Division One Midlands newcomers Chasetown. The tremendously experienced and highly regarded coach arrived at Dales Lane back in August 2005 from Southern Football League Division One West rivals Stourport Swifts, where he had operated as both Assistant Manager and Coach to Dave Titterton since October 2002. Previously he was with Oldbury United and had also served the likes Halesowen Town and Solihull Borough in similar capacities.

The Manager and Coach had previously worked together for a spell at Oldbury United and it was believed that since Bob Green's appointment the pair were once again happy to operate in a similar relationship at Dales Lane. Unfortunately, it appears that the situation had changed somewhat irrecoverably when Sweeney announced that he was leaving to work for the Pic's Staffordshire neighbours and fiercest rivals.

Naturally, we wish Kevin Sweeney the best of luck in his future endeavours and thank him for his efforts at Dales Lane.

Rushall Olympic's new manager Bob Greeen received unwelcome news this week when TIM JACKSON announced that he was leaving Dales Lane for Southern Football League Division One Midlands' rivals Stourport Swifts in what was believed to be a 'double-your-money' deal.

The news came after it was confirmed that last season's Division One West strugglers, who finally avoided relegation on the final day of the 2005-06 campaign, had in fact tried to tempt FIVE of last season's Staffordshire Senior Cup winning squad to Walshes Meadow.

In a stark contrast to last term it was rumoured that Stourport's combined weekly wage offers made to the five Pic's players were almost as much as Rushall Olympic's weekly budget for the entire First Team squad for the 2006-07 season.

Naturally, we wish Tim Jackson the best of luck in his future endeavours and thank him for his efforts at Dales Lane.

THE CLUB WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE FOLLOWING REPORT ON THE NON-LEAGUE DAILY WEB SITE WAS INACCURATE IN THAT MIDFIELDER LEON ALLEN IS DEFINITELY NOT JOINING STOURPORT SWIFTS.

Click here for the Non-League Daily report

Rushall Olympic's First Team pre-season fixture list has now been finanlised following successful discussions with Coca-Cola Football League Championship side STOKE CITY who have agreed to send a strong side to Dales Lane on Saturday 12th August to complete the Pic's summer preparations.

The Staffordshire side were recently approached by Rushall after a good relationship had been struck up between both clubs as a result of April's Staffordshire Senior Cup Final that took place at the Potter's Britannia Stadium, with the Pic's clinching the trophy over their hosts with a surprise 1-0 victory.

The full line-up of close season games now reads as follows:

Sat 22 July: Walsall XI (Home) 3.00 pm.

Tue 25 July: Tipton Town (Home) 7.45pm.

Sat 29 July: Leamington (Home) 3.00pm.

Tue 01 Aug: Barwell (Home) 7.45pm.

Sat 05 Aug: Hednesford Town (Home) 3.00pm.

Tue 08 Aug: AFC Telford (Away) 7.45pm.

Sat 12 Aug: Stoke City XI (Home) 3.00 pm

Admission prices for all Rushall's Dales Lane friendlies have been reduced to £4.00 Adults and £2.00 concessions.

In the continuation of the Pic's scheme last season, school children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted for free.

Rushall Olympic's annual Presentation Evening was held at their Dales Lane headquarters on Friday 2nd June 2006 to celebrate yet another truly marvellous season all round for club as the First Team won the Staffordshire Senior Cup for the first time in their history and the Second Team retained the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division Championship against all odds.

Some of the main highlights of the evening was the announcement of several awards that went as follows:

The recipient of the "First Team Supporter's Player of the Year Award" was Olympic's skipper and defensive linchpin RICHARD BROWN who took his career appearance tally at Dales Lane to some 267 games during the 2005-06 campaign, making his 250th full appearance in the process. Richard also undoubtedly became one of the most successful captains in the clubs history and last season had the honour of lifting the Staffordshire Senior Cup, having already skippered the side to 2001-02 Midland Football Alliance League Challenge Cup and 2004-05 Midland Football Alliance Championship, since his arrival at Rushall back in September 2001. He had also previously been named as Players' Player of the Year for season 2001-02 and 2004-05, and Supporter's Player of the Year for season 2003-04.

The First Team squad also had the task of voting for the recipient of their "First Team Player's Player of the Year Award" and eventually they plumped for midfield general ROB HOLDCROFT whose move into the centre of park during early 2006 was one of the main reasons why the Pic's then went on to record a marvellous 17 game unbeaten run in the Southern Football League Division One West and win the coveted Staffordshire Senior Cup for the very first time.

Meanwhile, the "Frank Parkes Award", named in honour of the greatly missed Dales Lane stalwart who sadly passed away back in August 2004, was presented to stalwart defender ROB VASSELL who has now been at Dales Lane for over five years and involved in some 187 games for the club.

The "First Team Clubman of the Year Award" went to legendary former England Semi-Professional International striker JOE O'CONNOR, who even at the 38-years of age in the final week of the 2005-06 campaign displayed commitment beyond the call of duty after he was a playing substitute for Rushall in the Staffordshire Senior Cup Semi-Final at Chasetown on Saturday 22nd April, on Monday 24th April he was a striker in a testimonial game for Hednesford Town's physio Don Drakeley against West Bromwich Albion, was right back for the Pic's on Tuesday 25th April in the surprise defeat at Thame United, and then played as sweeper in both the Staffordshire Senior Cup success at Stoke City on Wednesday 26th April and in the final league game versus Marlow on Saturday 29th April. Indeed, since arriving at Dales Lane back in August 2004 Joe has featured in 74 games for the club and scored 28 goals, 22 of which came in all competitions during the Pic's 2004-05 promotion winning campaign as he finished as top scorer at Dales Lane.

A special presentation was also made by GARY COOPER to his co club benefactor and former Manager JOHN ALLEN, who stepped down from his position at the end of the 2005-06 campaign due to increasing work commitments, after leading the club through the most successful period in its history. Indeed, after arriving at Dales Lane back in September 1997, a string of honours followed under both John's managership and Chairmanship that included: 1999-2000 Walsall Senior Cup Winners, 2000-01 Midland Football Alliance Runners-Up, 2001-02 Midland Football Alliance League Challenge Cup Winners, 2002-03 Midland Football Alliance Runners-Up (managed by Kevin Hadley), 2003-04 Midland Football Alliance League Challenge Cup Finalists, 2004-05 Midland Football Alliance Manager of the Year, 2004-05 Midland Football Alliance Championship, promotion into the Southern Football League for the first time in the clubs history for the 2005-06 campaign, and finally the 2005-06 Staffordshire Senior Cup Winners for the first time in the club's history by defeating Stoke City by a single goal at the Britannia Stadium.

Meanwhile, with regards to the Pic's Reserve contingent, top scorer AHMET BILGIMER was named by his peers as "Second Team Player's Player of the Year", in addition to deservedly ending the campaign as the Midland Combination Reserve Division top scorer with 20 goals to his credit.

The "Second Team Supporter's Player of the Year Award" went to central defender CRAIG MILLIGAN, while fellow defensive partner WAYNE HALL claimed the "Second Team Clubman of the Year Award".

On behalf of everyone one at the club, congratulations to everyone concerned.

An unofficial Fans Forum for the supporters of Rushall Olympic entitled "Dales Lane Dialogue" has recently gone on line in a bid to provide those with an interest in the Pic's to hold constructive discussions on-line.

In order to join the forum anyone interested will need to register on the site which can be reached by clicking on the following link:

PLEASE JOIN UP NOW. THE MORE USERS WE HAVE THE MORE INTERESTING IT SHOULD BE.

The provisonal pre-season fixture list for Rushall Olympic's First team has just been released and lines up as follows:

Sat 22 July: Walsall XI (Home) 3.00 pm.

Tue 25 July: Tipton Town (Home) 7.45pm.

Sat 29 July: Leamington (Home) 3.00pm.

Tue 01 Aug: Barwell (Home) 7.45pm.

Sat 05 Aug: Hednesford Town (Home) 3.00pm.

Tue 08 Aug: AFC Telford (Away) 7.45pm.

Sat 12 Aug: T.B.C.

Sat 19 Aug: 2006-07 Season Begins

T.B.A.: Pelsall Villa (Away)

Hednesford Town today moved quickly to quell growing speculation within non-league circles that Rushall Olympic's John Allen had been lined up to make a dramatic return to Keys Park after stepping down from the Dales Lane hot seat and being replaced by Bob Green.

The Express & Star newspaper reported rumours had been rife that John could move into the vacant manager's chair at Keys Park, or even take part ownership of the club, however Pitmen Managing Director Terry Brumpton insisted that he hadn't applied, and the club would not be pursuing him as they look to find a successor to Steve Athrobus who parted company with the Staffordshire outfit after they were relegated to the Unibond League Premier Division.

Hednesford's chief insisted: "We haven't had an application from John, and I don't expect one. I've heard the rumours, and I was aware John was going because he wants to take a break from football, but it's not true."

In a major announcement Rushall Olympic Football Club have confirmed that First Team Manager JOHN ALLEN has made the surprise decision to step down from his position with immediate effect due to increasing work commitments.

In recent years John's rapidly expanding business interests have meant that it has become increasingly difficult for him to devote the necessary time and effort to the day-to-day demands of the managerial position and has therefore taken the tremendously difficult decision to relinquish the footballing reins at Dales Lane.

However, the club would like to state that John will continue to play an extremely active and major role behind the scenes at Rushall Olympic as the club look forward to their second season in the Southern Football League, now competing in the newly reorganised Division One Midlands section and with the long term aim still being to reach the higher echelons of the non-league football pyramid.

Under the astute managership of John Allen the Pic's have been guided through undoubtedly the most successful period of the clubs history since his arrival at Dales Lane back in September 1997.

A long-term managerial target of the club, John was initially lured away from then Conference neighbours Hednesford Town at the third attempt nearly nine years ago, after succumbing to his burning ambition to become a manager in his own right. Ending over a six-year association with the Pitmen, where he was formerly reserve team manager and had then gone on to become assistant to former boss John Baldwin at the end of 1993, playing a massive part in Hednesford's meteoric rise up the non-league ladder. Having led Olympic to consecutive 7th place Alliance finishes in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and winning the club's first piece of silverware for 20 years with a penalty shoot-out triumph over Rocester in the 1999-2000 Walsall Senior Cup at Bescot Stadium, the influential manager guided the club to Runners-Up in the Midland Football Alliance in 2000-01, but despite the Pic's surpassing all expectations they missed out on promotion to the Southern Football League Western Division to Stourport Swifts by the narrowest margin of a single goal.

During season 2001-02 he began to hand over managerial affairs to his assistant Kevin Hadley and eventually moved upstairs into the role of club Chairman. However, he was still there to oversee Olympic win the Midland Football Alliance League Challenge Cup in May 2002 and the following season the club finished in Runners-Up position once more, yet again narrowly missing out on promotion into the Southern Football League Western Division, this time to Yate Town who eventually won a crucial vote at the end of season 2002-03.

John returned to the role of team manager in August 2003, following an absence of over a season, when the club parted company with Kevin Hadley after deciding that Rushall needed a change to move things in a different direction. Upon his return the club was able to enter a period of financial consolidation in order to concentrate on major ground improvement work during summer 2004. However, even working under such constraints the manager was still able to guide his charges to runners-up in the 2003-04 Midland Football Alliance League Challenge Cup.

To focus firmly on the task in hand he decided to step down from the additional role of Chairman at the end of season 2003-04 and was now more determined than ever to make a sustained championship challenge in his bid to finally take the club into a higher level of non-league football. Indeed, after seven seasons of trying "Mr. Rushall" irrefutably delivered the club's ultimate goal as he led his side to the 2004-05 Midland Football Alliance Championship by a commanding 7-point winning margin (also being named as Manager of the Year) and, following an anxious 4-week wait, the Football Association eventually decreed that Olympic's dream had come true as they secured automatic promotion into the Southern Football League Division One West for the first time in their history.

Following a somewhat tentative start to life in a higher division, John remoulded his side into an outfit more than capable of competing with the very best that the new standard of football had to offer as the Pic's went on a marvellous run that saw them defeated only once in the final 18 games of their league campaign to attain an extremely creditable 10th place finish, in addition to winning the Staffordshire Senior Cup for the first time in the club's history by defeating Stoke City by a single goal at the Britannia Stadium.

On behalf of Rushall Olympic Football Club we would like to thank John Allen from the very bottom of our hearts for achieving everything he has in such a relatively short time and taking the club firmly on to a higher plane, giving everyone at Dales Lane something to be very proud of indeed.

Rushall Olympic Football Club were pleased to announce that on the evening of Friday 12th May the new man unanimously selected to take up the position in the Dales Lane hot seat in place of John Allen was the tremendously experienced BOB GREEN, who was more than delighted to accept the club's invitation.

Bob's playing career took in spells with the likes of Hednesford Town and Redditch United, before moving into the managerial side of the game with club's including Causeway Green, Gornal Athletic, Princes End United and Sandwell Borough.

He eventually moved on to Rushall's now defunct neighbours Blakenall during season 1993-94 and over the next few season's turned the Bloxwich-based outfit into one of the areas most successful sides, winning the 1994-95 West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division Cup and Midland Invitation Triangular Cup, while his side also finished as Runners-Up by two points in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division to neighbours Pelsall Villa to earn themselves the Keys Cup, along with promotion into the Midland Football Alliance.

The 1995-96 campaign saw Bob guide Blakenall to another trophy treble as they finised as Midland Football Alliance Runners-Up and also won both the League Cup and Walsall Senior Cup, while the following season Blakenall claimed the Midland Football Alliance Championship, losing just four games during the campaign and gained promotion into the Southern Football League Midland Division where they eventually finished in eighth position in their debut season.

He went on to guide Blakenall to the 1996-97 Walsall Senior Cup final, but lost out to neighbours Bloxwich Town, however a third successive appearance at Bescot Stadium in 1997-98 saw the club become the first team to win the competition more than 7 times, before resigning from his position at The Red Lion Ground in November 1998.

A two-month spell with Bromsgrove Rovers in December 1998 followed during their time in the Southern Football League Premier Division, before returning to the Red Lion Ground during summer 2001 when Blakenall merged with neighbours Bloxwich Town to form Bloxwich United. However, he was left without a job when the new club quit the Southern League in November 2001 and eventually linked up with Oldbury United in December 2001, where he remained until season 2004-05.

Bob Green's appointment marks a return to management for the ex-Blakenall boss after 18 months out of the game following his last managerial role at Oldbury United and was clearly excited by the prospect at linking up with the Dales Lane club, stating : "I've had other offers to get back into management, but none of them have been right for me until now. I've had a break from football management and recharged the batteries and now I feel like a kid after getting Rushall's offer out of the blue. I've known John for some time and he's done a fabulous job for the club. Hopefully I can be as successful as he has been."

Welcome to the club Bob. We all hope that you enjoy a long and successful stay at Dales Lane.