Taunton Town boss Ian Jones will be stepping up his search for new players next week.
Jones, who became manager just before Christmas, is gearing up for his first full season in charge. He has already stated he wants to keep his present squad together, and said today (May 9): "I haven't spoken to the players for a fortnight - I've given them a break." Jones already has goalkeeper Nathan Whatley, and centre-backs Scott Thomas and Lee Bridson on contract, and wants to keep the 21-goal Tom Collett and fellow striker Matt Rawlins who joined the Southern League club from Yate Town in March. "This is a quiet time of the year because players are keeping their options open," added Jones. "But I already have players who have committed themselves to coming to pre-season training," added the Weston-based Jones. Jones will continue without an assistant but will again work closely with coach Paul Short who "I get on very well with." *The last match of the season was played at Taunton's ground at Wordsworth Drive last Sunday and already contractors have moved in to re-seed the pitch. Wordsworth Drive staged a total of 80 matches during the season.
TAUNTON Town and Bracknell Town fought out a 1-1 draw in Division 1 South and West of the BGB Southern League at Wordsowrth Drive this afternoon (April 26).
Dean Thomas headed Bracknell into the lead in the 35th minute and Tom Collett netted an equaliser in the 50th minute with his 21st goal of the season.
Bracknell learned afterwards that they had retained their status in the division following Slough Town's defeat at Fleet.
TAUNTON Town include Danny Lane, who has not played since dislocating his shoulder in a car accident on the way to a match in January, for today's (April 26) home game against lowly Bracknell Town in Division 1 South and West of the BGB Southern League (3.00).
Taunton have taken seven points from their last three games and will be looking for a victory to end the season.
Taunton Town (from): Whatley, Bridson, Thomas, Naylor, Fisher, Beadle, Faux, Havard, Collett, Rawlins, Anthony (D), Anthony (S), Welch, Lane, Jones.
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Taunton draw at Thatcham
TAUNTON Town maintained their improved form with a 1-1 away draw with Thatcham Town in Division 1 South and West of the BGB Southern League this afternoon (April 19).
Thatcham took the lead in the 31st minute when Sam Rea netted from the penalty spot after a handball by defender Dave Anthony.
The home side suffered a big blow when they had goalkeeper Paul Strudley sent off for deliberate handball outside the penalty box in the 80th minute.
Ryan Havard, back after suspension, scored the equaliser five minutes later with a fierce rising shot.
Collett says he's enjoying playing for Taunton
TAUNTON Town manager Ian Jones is confident he can hang on to top scorer Tom Collett next season.
Jones, who has held talks with the ex-Hallen striker, said last night: "Tom has told me he is enjoying his football with Taunton and sees no reason why he should leave.
"He set himself a target of 20 goals this season and he's already achieved this, although he didn't think he would."
Collett and ex-Yate Town player Matt Rawlins have formed a good partnership up front since coming together in March.
TAUNTON Town Football Supporters Club is heading on a collision course with the parent club.
The football club wants to disband the supporters club at the end of the season and form a new fund-raising committee.
But the supporters club say this may only be done at a general meeting of their club with the support of at least two thirds of the members present.
Supporters club chairman Marcel Guns said in a letter to its members this week: "The football club has no power to dissolve the supporters club, which is an independent organisation.
"Should a dissolution be approved by members, the assets of the supporters club, which currrently comprise bank and cash balances, and the portakabin, should be disposed of as directed by members at the general meeting.
"Your committee has been informed by the chief executive of the football club that the supporters club is no longer recognised by the football club and that any fundraising role it carries out is no longer required.
"We understand that the board of directors will be making a presentation at the final home match of this season, in order to set out a proposed new structure.
"Given this position, the committee is now seeking your view as a member of the supporters club. Our AGM will take place on Thursday, May 22, in the portakabin and we will be taking a vote on the future of the supporters club."
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Taunton have two players sent off
TAUNTON Town were beaten 3-1 at home by Gosport Borough in Division 1 South and West of the BGB Southern League this afternoon (March 29).
In an incident-packed game, Taunton finished with only nine players after Stuart Nelson was sent off and Ryan Havard was double yellow-carded following an incident in the 89th minute.
Andy Puckett shot Borough into a tenth minute lead but Scott Thomas headed an equaliser from a free-kick by Havard on the stroke of half time.
Justin Bennett regained the lead for Borough with a fine solo effort in the 77th minute and added a third from the penalty spot deep into injury time.
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New stadium - Town to apply for planning permission
TAUNTON Town Football Club will apply for planning permission to build a new multi-million pound stadium within the next six months.
The club's chief executive Mick Rooney says the club had identified a suitable site which was within a mile of their present ground at Wordsworth Drive.
"We reached a preliminary agreement with a local developer last year to sell our ground and move to a new all-purpose stadium," he said today (March 27).
"We announced our intention to move early last year and negotiations have continued with a local developer.
"These talks take time and it is not always possible to say how they are progressing.
"Things within the club are beginning to move.
"Our aim has always been the same - to move to a new stadium as quickly as possible - with Conference football being the eventual target.
"We have a manager in Ian Jones who knows what we want and is prepared to work towards this goal.
"What we do need, however, is more support from local businesses to enable us to be successful, as I'm sure we will be.
"All we ask from supporters is that they remain patient and supportive."
TAUNTON Town's former chairman Tom Harris and chief executive Mick Rooney have rejoined the club's board.
They were among five directors to resign at an extraordinary general meeting in November, leaving only two directors in place - John Eastment (financial director and now chairman) and Martin Dongworth (secretary).
"We've rejoined the board to help the club continue its restructuring," said Mr Harris.
"It was felt the club could not function properly with only two directors."
Taunton rock Bridgwater in derby clash
TAUNTON Town threw the formbook out the window to beat Bridgwater Town 3-1 at home in Division 1 South and West of the BGB Southern League.
Fourteen places separated the sides before the start of today's (Dec 26) clash, but it was lowly Taunton who looked the better side for much of the game.
Ian Jones, in charge of Taunton for less than a week, was naturally delighted with the result and added: "I've every confidence in the team."
"There was only one side in it for 70 minutes.
"What we did today was to take what we do in training onto the pitch."
Taunton led 3-1 at half time and only came under pressure towards the end - but new goalkeeper Nathan Whatley brought off two smart saves to foil Bridgwater.
On one occasion he found himself stranded on the edge of his penalty area but still managed to prevent the lively Nat Pepperell, a former Taunton player, from scoring.
Tom Collett shot Taunton into an 18th minute lead and young Alex Faux ran through their defence to score a second on 32 minutes.
Pepperell steered a free-kick through a Taunton "wall" to make it 2-1 in the 37th minute but Shaun Anthony glanced home a cross by Aussie Darren Stone in the best move of the match just before half-time.
Bridgwater, playing down the slope in the second half, never seriously threatened until late in the game but Taunton's well-marshalled defence held firm under pressure.
Attendance: 593.
Jones is new Town boss
GOALKEEPER Ian Jones has been appointed manager of Taunton Town.
He takes over from Gary Domone who quit as boss following the home defeat by Slough Town last weekend.
Jones was appointed tonight (Dec 19) after talks with the club.
"We are very impressed with Ian and, consequently, no-one else was considered for the job," said the club's chief executive Mick Rooney tonight.
"He is ambitious and says things are going to change.
"He has met the players at training and, hopefully, all will be staying."
Jones faces three difficult games in eight days - away to Oxford City (Dec 22), home to Bridgwater Town (Dec 26) and home to Gadalming Town (Dec 29).
Taunton have slipped to 19th in Division 1 South and West and Jones' first job will be to try and halt the slide.
Domone steps down as manager
Gary Domone has quit as manager of Taunton Town.
He stepped down after yesterday's 1-0 defeat by Slough Town at Wordsworth Drive. Domone, who had been in charge for just over two years, has become increasingly frustrated this season by the club's lack of financial clout.
He had been behind the club's recent shake-up in which five of the directors resigned from the board.
Only recently he said he was heartened by the "positive steps being taken to change things around at the club."A club spokesman said this afternoon (Dec 16):
"Gary has served the club well and performed a near miracle last season by getting us to the play-offs.
"He has no other job lined up and will be taking a well-earned break from football."
*Domone became manager of Taunton in October of 2005, taking over from Peter Beadle who was only in charge for a short spell. Taunton won the Somerset Premier Cup in his first season and reached the play-off final earlier this year. However, several of his best players left in the summer and he has had to contend with more leaving recently.
