New regime hails exciting future for Ilkeston Town
THE new owner of Ilkeston Town laid out a vision of a club for the community - as his manager spoke of bringing success through hard work.
Construction tycoon Chek Whyte said they would reach out to families and encourage them to the New Manor Ground, offering youngsters the chance to avoid problems with drugs and crime.
In front of fans in the clubhouse, he said: "It will be more than a football club. I am all for kids, if you look after them right, they will be all right.
"I used to live in Cotmanhay Farm and I don't think it was as bad then as it is now. There are places demolished, burnt out and boarded up.
"We have got to get kids off the street and into our community centre. Hopefully it will work," he said before introducing new manager David Holdsworth to a round of applause.
Holdsworth, a former defender with 475 Football League appearances, was picked from a list of 15 serious applicants. He will establish an academy while an under-19s team has already been set up.
"I want hungry players with a strong work ethic who will be 100 per cent committed. I don't like players who dive.
"Some clubs can progress, some can't. This one will," said Holdsworth who spoke of signing a "lovely winger" and of an interview with a 19-year-old who is "hungry for success and has a great attitude."
While working with Scottish side Gretna, he devised successful programmes to help young people combat problems of drug and alcohol misuse.
Mr Whyte plans to set up an information technology unit at the club to help the education of young people and equip them for work. "We want kids to get into a better lifestyle.
"That is why I bought the club and I want people to be better for it. It will be a great place for Ilkeston," he added.
Holdsworth said he had assessed four jobs in the last week and went on: "This is the most attractive. I am delighted to take it forward and with the new ownership we will be fine."
Mr Whyte said he was the only applicant to provide a dossier on all the current players and had been impressed with this approach.
Holdsworth, who plans talks with the existing squad shortly, said: "Wherever I have been, I have done my homework." He knew about the Unibond Premier and spoke of his good contacts in the game.
"If we have two star centre forwards go down, you have to get another one on loan. We will have a decent squad which hopefully can progress," he said.
His league career began at Watford where he played 250 times for manager Graham Taylor, who later took charge of England. He moved to Sheffield United before Birmingham City paid 1.25million for his services.
Later he helped manager Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers and became director of youth development at Gretna, where he also managed a successful reserve side.
Mr Whyte said he hoped the local council and police would help establish the club at the heart of the community - and introduced Rachel Thornton who runs junior sides with her husband Steve.
She said that in the past, they had not been affiliated to the club but now felt a full part of it. She added: "We had no water, no electricity. We started with eight teams and it has grown to 24."
Mr Whyte has immediately started to improve their facilities at Booth's Field by fencing pitches to keep off motorbikers and people who let dogs foul.
Nottingham Forest Ladies will also play at the New Manor Ground on Sundays. They may attract gates of 300 as well as encouraging more girls into the sport.
Jim Cheetham, who was named as director of football, said they had been getting a feel for the Robins since Chek Whyte became interested in a takeover.
"If the first team is doing well, kids will stand back and say 'I want to play and be a part of that.' There has been a massive void and Chek wants the club to have more community links.
"The first team has always been a priority but we have to respect the kids as well and help them progress and enjoy the game.
"Chek says he is not interested in football but he also says 'I like to win,'" said Cheetham, 59, a businessman who comes from Bulwell, near Nottingham. The pair met and became friends through work.
He believes a renewed enthusiasm will sweep through the club when the newcomers get their feet under the table.
"I think it will be a fantastic new era and I am chewing at the bit. We are keen to get started and have so much excitement.
Cheetham got involved in football in New Zealand when he spent four years there. During that time, two under-18 World Cup players were under his charge.
- Former Forest striker Nigel Jemson wished Ilkeston well as he left the manager's chair - and hopes to stay in the game.
His tenure ended within a week of the takeover by Chek Whyte, which ended months of uncertainty following the death of club saviour Paul Millership in November.
Jemson, 38, said he had been advised not to discuss details of his departure but added: "I wish the club every success.
"I am looking for work in football. It's something I enjoy and I've been in it since leaving school. Being involved in non-league, I've caught the bug.
"I want to stay involved whether as a player, manager, assistant manager or as a scout. I have enjoyed my time at Ilkeston."
He took over in the autumn of 2005 as player-manager after boss Phil Stant quit following a poor start to their Unibond Premier campaign.
During the previous season, Stant led them to promotion from Unibond Division One and Jemson a regular scorer.
At the end of that season, Jemson guided them to safety with 49 points. In his first full campaign, they ended with 59 points but they often struggled this season and could have been relegated on the final day. They survived on goal difference with 44 points.
He scored 24 goals in 63 games, turning out on the last day of the season when a draw was needed to end relegation worries. But they lost 4-0 at Whitby.
Jemson's Football League career began with his local club Preston North End and took off when Brian Clough brought him to Forest. He later played for Trevor Francis at Sheffield Wednesday and turned out for nine League clubs, including Notts County.
Former director David Morgan, who has stepped aside following the takeover, said he hoped Jemson would get the chance to remain in football.
"He cut his teeth on management and although the league position was not good, I think he deserves another crack somewhere. I have seen the way he operates and he suffered extreme misfortune through injuries, individual mistakes, missed penalties and players hitting the woodwork.
"I think he is worth another chance and I hope he gets it," said Morgan, who was relieved to have helped secure the club's future.
"I wanted to see it in a sound financial state and that has been achieved," he added.
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Weather for Ilkeston
Friday 25 May 2012
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