James Grayson has picked his greatest Non League team
Instead of a Player Profile this week, Sports Performer is starting a new feature ‘Greatest Non-League team’.
Myself (James Grayson) is the first up and if you’re a player, manager, official, volunteer or supporter and you would like to take part, please send your teams (following the format below) to jamesagrayson@yahoo.com. It would be great to hear from you.
Name: James Grayson
Teams watched: Bradford (Park Avenue) (1998-2008), Farsley Celtic (2008-2010), Harrogate Town (2010), Farsley AFC (2010-2013), various teams (2013-present).
Goalkeeper – Gavin Kelly
Kelly was a fantastic goalkeeper during career and he was a key reason why Avenue won the NPL Division One title in 2001.
Right back – Martin James
Martin James was another member of the 2001 Avenue title-winning team. A solid and reliable defender.
Centre-backs – Mark Jackson and Ryan Crossley
Both have captained Farsley, but in different eras. Crossley was vice-captain and then skipper as the club made their up the pyramid, while Jackson led them during the rise back up from the NCEL. Both are great leaders and excellent defenders at the same time.
Left-back – Ryan Serrant
Serrant was brought back from the cold when Neil Parsley was appointed as caretaker boss of Farsley in 2008. He has gone on to play in almost every single game that Parsley has taken charge. Just like Martin James, Serrant gets the job done.
Right midfield – Dean Calcutt
Calcutt was in the Emley team that reached the Third Round of the FA Cup and a member of Avenue’s 2001 team. A good winger who earned later himself an excellent move to Accrington Stanley.
Simeon Bambrook would put fear into teams
Centre midfield – Simeon Bambrook
A brilliant player throughout his career which is still going. Someone who could a hole in the net because of how hard he can hit a ball – Bambrook has been a great player for the likes of Emley, Garforth, Worksop and Farsley.
Centre midfield – Mark Hancock
Whilst his managerial career did not work out, Hancock was a leader during a player and the captain of Avenue’s title winning team in 2001. A tireless worker who would not shirk a tackle.
Left midfield – Roy Stamer
On his day, Stamer could be unplayable. His ability to take players on and cross a ball places him above others.
Strikers – Andy Hayward and Jason Maxwell
A partnership which lasted four years for Avenue, Hayward and Maxwell were a feared pairing and between them they scored 175 times during that time.
Those who just missed out:
Goalkeeper – Tom Morgan
Defender – Carl Serrant
Midfield – Mark ‘Willy’ Wilson
Midfield – Andy Watson
Striker – Lee Ellington