DAVIS IS UNITED’S SUPREMO
Rangers have no fear of hitting new heights
IAN Davis has become the sole owner of Western Premier Division side Bridgwater United with the aim of mounting a push for promotion next season.
His takeover came after previous owner Adam Murry steppedd down due to personal commitments.
Davis, an IT entrepreneur, has been a football fan since his earliest years and has held a lifelong ambition to own a club.
“He is delighted to have been given this opportunity to own Bridgwater United and help it continue to grow over the coming years,” said a club statement.
UPBEAT boss Scott Hellewell reckons Winterton Rangers can keep on causing surprises when they jump into Step 4 for the first time in their history next season.
The thriving North Lincolnshire outfit enjoyed a dream campaign as they shone in both league and cup in 2022-23. They finished runners-up in the Northern Counties East League Premier and then overcame Essex side Coggeshall Town 2-1 in a winner-takes-all Inter-Step play-off to earn promotion.
To put the icing on the cake, Rangers then beat Golcar
United at Doncaster Rovers to bag the NCEL
Cup.
Manager Hellewell, who took the reins in late
2018, told
The NLP:
“We had a three-anda-half hour journey down to Coggeshall and we said ‘if we lose it’s going to be a long journey back, but if we win it will be unbelievable’.
“Thankfully, we had a really good journey home. It was only a couple of days until the cup final so we couldn’t do anything too drastic! It was nice to win the cup as well.
Challenge
“It was an unbelievable season when you look at the size of clubs in our league. In terms of fanbases and things like that, we’ve achieved far m o r e than we should have done.”
Now the 38-yearold is plotting a maiden campaign in Northern Premier League East. It will see Rangers go toe-to-toe with the likes of Belper Town, Carlton Town, Cleethorpes Town, Sheffield and Stocksbridge Park Steels.
“I can’t wait,” said the former
Brigg Town centre-back, who had his playing career cut short by a knee injury. “I played the majority of my career at that level and the lads want to challenge themselves again and see what it’s like.
“I didn’t think the jump up is that big, but nowadays it might be a bit bigger because of how much money teams pay. There are teams with 500, 600 and 700 gates which gives them the opportunity to have a bigger budget.
“We are going to have the lowest budget. I would be amazed if anyone has lower, but if we can keep the players we’ve got – and the young lads keep getting better – I expect us to surprise a few. A lot of teams won’t know a lot about us, we haven’t been bouncing around the divisions.”
Influence
A couple of players Hellewell, influential player/assistant manager Paul Grimes and trusted coach Jon Taylor will be counting on are evergreen brothers Lee and Steve Ridley.
Centre-back Lee, 41, has bags of experience with the likes of Scunthorpe United, Cheltenham Town and Grimsby Town, while holding midfielder Steve, who recently turned 40, has featured for the likes of Buxton, Scarborough Athletic and Belper Town.
“They are getting on, but their performances seem to get better and better,” said the boss, who has led Winterton to two promotions in three seasons. “They also make my job a lot easier. They have a big influence in the dressing room, they will put their arms around lads if needs be and they are vocal on the pitch. They’ve been massive for us.
“The goals of Josh Walker have also been really important – he’s got 75 over the last two seasons. We have a good group and the right blend of youth and experience.”
While Hellewell guides the club’s fortunes on the pitch, he is also grateful to the club’s hierarchy, in particular directors Wayne Turtle and Barry Huteson, for their backing off it.
“Winterton is such a wellrun club,” he added.“Everyone works towards the same goal.”