NUNEATON Town went into the new season fuelled by the optimism of successive promotions — but they could have no idea of the highs and lows to come.
Pre-season had seen Boro make few changes to the side which saw them the make it out of the Zamaretto League. England non league international goalkeeper Danny Alcock arrived from Tamworth and saw off the challenge of stalwart Darren Acton to nail down the number one sport swiftly.
Alcock's former Stafford Rangers team-mate Wayne Daniel was signed as cover for central defenders Gaz Dean and Stuart Pierpoint, who were both suspended for the opening day trip to Guiseley, an unknown quantity having been promoted from the Evo-Stik League.
Daniel's stay was shortlived, but he made an immediate impact by scoring in the first game.
Boro were already 1-0 down when Guy Hadland was sent off, but Daniel made it 1-1 before last season's top scorer Chris Dillon scored an unlikely winner.
Lee Moore got the first of three goals in as many games as Boro drew 1-1 with highly fancied Droylsden in their first home game.
After the match Bloods coach David Cameron was far from statesman-like as he said: “It should have been men against boys. That's not being disrespectful to them.
“They are a promoted team with virtually the same side they had last season. We are one of the favourites to get promoted.
“We were lax from the start.
The players got a real telling off at the end.
“Our only objective is to win the league.
“Our players are getting good money and if they don't deliver they'll be replaced.” Droylsden would not win the league, far from it in fact as they barely threatened the play-off places.
Nuneaton rounded off the month with a 2-1 win against Stalybridge and a 4-1 loss at Telford, where Kyle Storer was sent off. That was Boro's third red card in the opening month as Danny Spencer was also dismissed against Droylsden.
August results Guiseley 1, Nuneaton 2 (Daniel, Dillon) Nuneaton 1, Droylsden 1 (Moore) Boston 1 Nuneaton 2 (Moore, Hadland) Nuneaton Town 2, Stalybridge 1 (Moore, Storer) AFC Telford 4, Nuneaton 1 (Marsden) End of month position: 8th (P5, W3, D1, L1. Points: 10) SEPTEMBER kicked off with Moore on the scoresheet again as he found the back of the net in a 2-2 draw at Worcester.
Boro were successful on the pitch until they hosted eventual champions Alfreton Town.
That was also the day when the club's off the field problem with crowd trouble first reared its ugly head.
Boro were well beaten 3-1 as Chris Dillon netted a late consolation but of more concerns was fighting between rival supporters and it appeared at least one of whom had just completed a charity bike ride in memory of Boro fans who had died in a minibus crash 10 years earlier.
Club secretary Ian Brown said: “They were horrible scenes and they are totally unwelcome. The people responsible, if we find them, won't be welcome back.
“We're a family club. This is the first time I've seen this kind of thing happen here.
“The Alfreton fans were goading the Nuneaton supporters and unfortunately some of them have reacted. They shouldn't have reacted. I thought those days were gone.” Unfortunately he was wrong.
Boro were back on track in the league with a 3-0 win against Harrogate before they were almost dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, relying on a late Dillon goal to snatch a 3-3 draw with Brigg Town.
However, they were beaten 2-0 in the replay, exciting new signing Donovan Simmonds scoring along with James Armson.
September results Worcester 2, Nuneaton 2 (Moore, Storer) Nuneaton 1, Alfreton 3 (Dillon) Nuneaton 3, Harrogate 0 (Marsden, Nisevic, Moore) Brigg 3, Nuneaton 3 (Moore, Pierpoint, Dillon) (FA CUP) Nuneaton 2, Brigg 0 (Simmonds, Armson) (FA CUP) End of month postion: 9th (P8, W4, D2, L1. Points: 14).
