Shane Bland pre-Nantwich Town

listen to ‘Shane Bland pre-Nantwich Town’ on Audioboo

Tom Portas post-England C vs Northern League

listen to ‘Tom Portas post-England C vs Northern League’ on Audioboo

Darren Williams pre-Ashton

listen to ‘Darren Williams pre-Ashton’ on Audioboo

Darren Williams post-Rushall

listen to ‘Darren Williams post-Rushall’ on Audioboo

Nathan Mulligan - The Forgotten Striker

Scoring 18 goals by mid-October is an achievement that any player would be proud of. The truth is, that was the achievement by Nathan Mulligan last season, as he partnered Graeme Armstrong in what was developing into a lethal partnership.

Mulligan’s goalscoring record was an envied one throughout the division, and it led to others taking notice. People would often comment on the ruthless nature of Mulligan’s play. A hard-worker, with a natural eye for goal. He was the player that Whitby Town had been crying out for. A penalty taker, a set-piece taker, even a corner taker. He had it all in his locker. For a striker, it was impressive. But, there was always a feeling that he was only up front because we had nobody else. The club even brought Jamie Clarke back to add to the striking options. But the arrival of Craig Farrell was the final nail in the coffin for Mulligan’s hopes of a regular starting spot up top.

Mulligan post-FCUM

Upon Farrell’s arrival, Mulligan was immediately moved back out onto the wing. A role that he played in the Great Escape season. From then onwards the goals dried up for ‘Mullers’, who sees himself as a central player, rather than a winger. But why has Mulligan rarely been given another chance in the centre of the attack? It doesn’t really make too much sense. In fact, the last time he played in the middle, against Grantham last season, he scored for the Blues, so it’s obvious that this is a role which he is comfortable with.   

Perhaps Darren Williams sees the pace Mulligan possesses as an asset out wide rather than in the centre. But what does it matter? If the player isn’t comfortable out wide, then he’s not going to produce, which is, in a way, what has happened with Nathan Mulligan. Despite the fact he still gives his all to everything on the pitch, he can’t quite manage to make things happen, which is bound to knock his confidence. Where-as, in the centre, he can do a lot more. He can get the ball and pass it around, he can directly run at goal. He can get shots away. He can be the player that we all know he can be. That’s the frustrating thing for us all, we know what he is capable of in the centre of the attack. The 20 goals of last season prove the point, aswell. Mulligan is a central player; only one of those goals came from the wing.

With 9 games left, it’s perhaps time to start looking at options for next season. How about, instead of looking at bringing new strikers into the club, we take a look at Nathan Mulligan as a centre forward alongside Graeme Armstrong? A) you’ll save on paying wages for another player and B) you’ll unearth a talent in a player that you may just have forgotten was there.

School of Hard Sums

I hate maths, that isn't a secret, in fact it never will be, but Dave has seemingly found a slight antidote.

Fans of topical TV Panel shows will know what I mean by Dave. It's the TV Channel of the Gods. All is there. Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You etc are all repeated there. It truly is a legendary channel in my opinion. In fact, it definitely lives up to its self-set reputation as the 'home of witty banter'.

The true home of Witty Banter

On there tonight was the first in the new series of Dara O'Briain: School of Hard Sums. Now, I hate maths with a passion. I literally danced with joy when I realised that I would never have to study it again. I was the kind of person that would have killed Pythagoras, if he was present at the time of my learning of his theorem.

I'll be honest, I never saw myself gaining any further interest in maths after that point, but when I watch Dara O'Briain's show, I find myself mesmerised. I find myself trying to work out the problems on there, then after it's finished, I go back into my hating maths mode. I can't work out how it happens either. Perhaps it's the whole 'brains vs brawn' thing, or perhaps it's just all down to Dara. He certainly is a great host. 

Dara O'Briain - The God of presenting...

The Upgang Ultra movement is starting to gather pace. More and more people are interested in coming to games, and flags are being designed at a rapid rate. We should have our first flag ready for Saturday, and hopefully another, a Paddy Spenceley tribute, will be going on order next week. If we pack the Shed and spread the word, the Ultras movement will really take off, I'm sure of it.

Paddy Spenceley - A Whitby Town legend

Until next time,

Paul

Pack the Shed; Back the Blues!

For a number of years, the support given to Whitby Town Football Club has been dwindling, with average attendances starting to dip below 300, season upon season. One fan group is hoping to see that change though, launching a campaign to 'Pack the Shed'.

The 'Upgang Ultras', backed by the Blue Army Fanzine, are looking to see the club return to at least 400+ attendances in the near future by packing the club's Scratching Shed, as the club aims to move forward into the Conference North.

Blue Army Fanzine editor Paul Connolly described the move as 'vital' for the club, and firmly believes that the players and management can benefit from a vocal backing from the Shed.

"It's vital that we get this campaign building up", Connolly told Real Whitby. "Darren Williams and his players have been excellent this season, and they deserve a vociferous support as a reward.

"A couple of years ago, we saw the Great Escape. Every week, the Shed was in full voice and we were all behind Darren Williams and his side. That helped us to survival that year. Just ask Darren, just ask the lads in that side. It really helped and we need that kind of support back. It's the kind of support that will help the club move forward on the pitch.

"The Turnbull needs to be a tough place to visit, and hopefully the formation and taking off of an Ultras group will really help us to achieve that goal. With a packed Shed and loud noise, anything is possible. I know what Darren and the players are like. They thrive on the noise from the Shed, so it's a case of the louder, the better."

Elsewhere, supporters are discussing different ways of spreading the word of matches, with a poster run through the town being, so far, the most popular choice. Fans, and club staff alike are also spreading the word of matches over Social Media sites.

Whitby Town host Stamford AFC at the Turnbull on Saturday (8th March) afternoon. Darren Williams will speak to Blue Army Fanzine ahead of the 3PM kick-off, on the club's official Audioboo channel: https://audioboo.fm/channel/whitbytownofficial

ADMISSION: Adults - £9; Concessions - £5; Under 18s - £2; Under 16s go FREE with accompanying adult.