Player Profiles

Aaron "Ronnie / Runnie / Clipboard" Richmond

Position: Age: Winger 29 By the time the average human male has sprinkled sugar on his morning porridge, it’s a fair bet that “Runnie” will have put in at least a mile or two on the tarmac. While rumours that a groove along the length of the Tarka Trail was caused by the constant pounding of his size nines are unfounded, the weekly pile of burnt out running shoes out the back of the Richmond pad tell their own story. Ronnie – or “clipboard” as the lads now know him after his demanding schedule of preseason time trials – has returned to the Pilton fold after a two seasons at Barnstaple Ammies. His return has not only heralded a new dawn of fitness focus at Pilton. On the pitch, his speed, stamina, skill and goals have helped add a welcome attacking dimension on the Accies’ right flank.

Aaron Yeo
	Position: Age: Midfield

Adam "Fads" Gregory

Position: Age: Left Wing / Wing Back 30 Lean, mean and built a bit like like a runner bean (but not green), Fadsy has put in some serious shifts down the Accies' left over the years. Happiest when he's skinning defenders or nicking the ball off attackers and then skinning defenders, the left-footed wonder (so-called coz the rest of his team mates wonder when he'll ever use his right foot) is a popular member of the squad and a first team regular. Dependable at the front or the back, Fadsy rarely loses his rag and even more rarely loses the ball. Among the Pilton team honours collecting dust on his trophy shelf are 2002/03 Division 2 runners up and league cup winners medals; a 2003/04 Division 1 runners up gong; as well as 2004/05 Division 2 league cup runners up silverware. Individually, Fadsy won the reserves team golden boot and players' player of the year in 2004/05; the reserves team golden boot in 2005/06 and the first team's most improved player in 2007/08. For PV's Sunday side, he won the Sunday league division 1 league cup in 2008/09 and was named the side's managers player of the year in the same season. As a highly decorated ex National League basketball player and current member of the North Devon side, Fadsy can sometimes be found shooting hoops with his homies down at Pilton Park.

Adam Pugsley
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space

Adam Smith

Position: Age: Utility man (except goal) 25 He’s got the largest head ever to grace North Devon football. But a decent helping of brain-to-cranium ratio ensures Smithy stays head and shoulders above most footballing opponents the league can throw at him. Comfortable on the flanks, up front or playing through the middle, Adam has added a welcome versatility to Accies squad. Now playing in his second season, he’ll probably have to play another 10 before he betters his match-winning contribution to the first team’s game against Northam Lions in 2009. It’s already the stuff of local legend (well to four locals on the sidelines watching) but to cut a very short story even shorter, the big man came off the bench to score three in 10 minutes and win the match for the grateful Accies. A hat-trick hero in the greatest of footballing traditions, Adam sealed the deal when he phoned his mam to tell her the good news in the changing rooms after the match.

Aidan Mccarthy

Position: Age: Central Defence 30 In the 1950s, US Senator Joseph McCarthy made a career out of singling out anti patriotic Americans whom he accused of being Communists. Sixty years later, patriotism still runs strong in the McCarthy family, and no stronger than in his great grandson*, Aiden. A true Pilton patriot, Aiden is one of the longest serving members of the club (behind Davey, Stu Mac and Gammo). After a spell at Pandy Under 10s (where he won the Abergavenny Plate in 1991) and at Ashbourne Aztecs Under 11s and 12s (where he won the coveted players' player of the season in 1993/94), Aiden has been an integral part of the Accies set-up since 1999. And it's no surprise that in a career spanning two centuries (sort of), there have been a lot of highlights down the years. In his first season in the blue of Pilton, the young Aiden's joy of winning the young player of the season award was tinged by his disappointment of breaking the trophy on the award night. The next year, he picked up the player of the season but alas, broke that trophy on the award night too. More success followed in 2002/03 when Pilton were North Devon Division 2 League Cup winners and runners up in the league. The following season, the side were Division 1 runners up; and more silverware followed in 2006/07 when Pilton won the Braunton Cup. As a defender blessed with the poise and touch of a centre forward, it's no surprise that Aiden has banged in his fair share of goals for the Accies over the years. In his own words, he says: "I've scored loads of good goals - probably about 25 - and every time, I looked beautiful doing so! Of his time at the club he adds: "I've been here so long because the club is a right laugh to play for and is full of good chaps (and I'm far too lazy to go anywhere else)." He also adds that he has never dropped a shot in the two official Pilton games of Pub Golf. *Citation needed

Alex "The Spaniard / Pink Power" Boreham

Position: Age: Right Wing 21 Quicker than Cloaky's yellow card arm, Alex would be giving Usain Bolt a run for his money were it not for his squash club commitments. Having played for Barnstaple Youth (where he was named manager's player of the season), North Molton FC and Lovacott FC (where he was named players' player), it was with Pilton in 2008/09 (manager's player) that he began to make a real name for himself in North Devon football (it's amazing the stick you can get for wearing PINK Mercurial Vapours!!) Alex out-paces defenders for fun on the Accies' right flank and scored 19 goals for the club in his first season, among them, the winner in a 4-3 scrap with Shamwicksire Reserves that earned him the infamous Gazette headline "Boreham floors 'em". Speed and goals aside, the winger defenders love to hate is regularly on the wrong end of a crunching tackle-or-two most weeks. While his shockingly coloured boots and swan dives are usually the talking points on the pitch, it’s still Al’s non-stop talking off the pitch that earns that earns him the most abuse.

Alex Davey

Position: Age: Right Back 29 Having weathered more winters than most at Pilton, Davey’s influence, commitment and desire to win have earned him the respect of Accies players old and young. Small yet perfectly deformed, Al's size belies his defensive strengths. He adds a sure and steady contribution in the Accies right back slot and loves nothing more than getting down the wing and supporting the attack. Does the simple things well and makes football look easy. In fact, the only thing he over-complicates is his choice of socks which often come with their own Government health warning.

Andy Keeble

Position: Age: Defender / Winger 35 Equally comfortable on both the left and right, Keebs has become a versatile member of the squad after two seasons at the Accies. Ideally suited in the full-back position, his age-defying speed and stamina often give the Accies an added attacking dimension on the flanks (although sometimes this is referred to as “drifting”). When called upon, Keebs has been known to fill in at centre half and enjoyed a short-lived time as assistant first team manager. Previous clubs in North Devon have included the Wrey Arms (04/05 – 05/06) and Lovacott (06/07 – 07/08). All folded, although thankfully, the “curse of Keeble” has yet to follow him to Pilton. Having rediscovered football following what he describes as the “lost years” (a hazy decade mostly spent in European ski resorts), there’s little silverware in the Keeble trophy cabinet just yet. Runner-up medals in the 2008 Sunday League Cup and 2009 North Devon Journal Cup finals are the only gongs to date. Keeble scores at least a couple of goals a season but he’ll do well to better the 35-yard cup final free-kick he scored for J&A Cameras to send the game against Bratton Fleming into extra-time. Likes organising club nights out but considers Lillico’s to be his own personal Bermuda Triangle as often disappears here after too many tequilas.

Angelo Massos
	Position: Age: Centre Midfield

Antony Higgs

Position: Age: Striker 35 At the tender age of 12 the future Pilton firebrand was plying his trade up country for Kidlington Football Club. Picked for the Oxford United School of Excellence program, the young Higgs showed promise and at 15, he was invited to attend county trials for Oxfordshire. Unfortunately, he bottled it and didn't get picked; but Oxfordshire’s loss is Pilton’s gain as – a-la-Dick Wittington – our hero upped sticks and headed to Devon to find fame and fortune. So far it’s been a little slow coming, but a brief flirtation with silverware following Pilton’s Braunton cup heroics in 2007 has left Tony hungry for more – and after handing over the first team managerial reins to new boss Richard Marsh, has set his sights on guiding the Accies to more glory as one half of a deadly two-pronged attack with Matt Hunt. The mild-mannered gentleman of Pilton FC has a serious sting in the tail in front of goal and has notched 32 in his best season, five in one game. It’s a record he’ll no doubt be looking to beat this term; and with the goals already flying in, is more than capable of doing so.

Baz Yates
	Position: Age: Centre Midfield

Ben Ferne

Position: Age: Right wing 18 New recruit Adam is only a youngling but is already showing he can mix it up with the big boys in Intermediate Two. The right winger is training hard and has already but in some worthy shifts for the Reserves. He’s keen for the ball, got plenty of running and is not afraid to take players on. Only time will tell, but could Adam be staking a claim on the right as the “new Coggin”?

Brendan Patton

Position: Age: Winger 28 With the ball at his feet, Brendan draws his own “pattons” down the Accies’ left flank, often to the frustration on at least one, two and then three defenders along the way. Loose, languid yet deadly given so much of as an iota of space, Brend is enjoying a renaissance of form at Pilton and has responded to regular first team football with graft and goals. Off the pitch, he ditched the smokes for at least a week and now laughs in the face of Pilton’s infamous club mile and hospital runs. As Paula Radcliffe to Ronnie’s Haile Gebrselassie, Patton’s stamina on the track can only be matched by his longevity at the bar. Never one to shirk a Monkey Island Jägerbomb or five, he’ll generally be “out” in some form or other come last orders. Rumours that Pilton’s self-styled “chav” lobbied hard for a new Burberry-style first team strip are unfounded.

Carl Blair

Position: Age: Striker 34 The boys have long given up trying to work out the Pilton enigma. Often unplayable due to his strength and work rate, Carl is sometimes unplayable because he doesn’t actually turn up to matches. While his only consistency lies in his ability to be late for everything, what we do know is that when Carlos is hot, he’s HOT. Back with the Accies after a dabble with Barnstaple Reserves, the front-man has grabbed his chances when he’s had them. Since his return, he’s been banging them in for both the first and reserve teams, usually from around six-yards but always when we need the goals the most. Likes to moan about most things but we love him anyway. An easy-going member of the squad – especially when he’s had his Weetabix – and always the longest in the showers by a country mile.

Charlie Shambrook
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space

Claudio Pinto
	Position: Age: Midfield

Daniel Bazzard
	Position: Age: Defender Profile in progress – watch this space

David Beer
	Position: Age: Midfield Profile in progress – watch this space

David Holton
	Position: Age: Goalkeeper Profile in progress – watch this space

Dean Stanworth
	Position: Age: Defender 25 Profile in progress – watch this space

Ekene "Oscar" Amandiogy
	Position: Age: Defender Profile in progress – watch this space

Garry "Penalty King" Ellis

Position: Age: Defender 31 Not too many players would list a 35-yard own goal as their best footballing moment – but then Garry Ellis is not your average player. Think about it though, scoring past your keeper from way outside your own box would be a hard one to forget – even if it was only in a pre-season against Northam Lions. That’s a special ability – and one that’ll now be immortally inscribed on the World Wide Web for generations to ponder and enjoy. While Garry’s seven years as a full-back have actually produced one open-play goal at the right end of the pitch (a non-descript strike against Chittlehampton in 2005/06), it is from the penalty spot that he is king. Always reliable from 12 yards, the source of Garry’s cool, calmness and collectedness when the pressure’s on remains a closely guarded secret. Also famed for (in his own words) his blatant fouls, the former Barnstaple Ammies and Wrey Arms man led, erm, by example as Reserves’ team captain during the 2006/07 season. He’s also the club’s reserve team assistant manager and a fine fascist hell bent on collecting the cash for what will no doubt be another end-of-season epic at Butlins.

Gary "GG" Grant
	Position: Age: Striker 25 Profile in progress – watch this space

James Doble
	Position: Age: Defender 33 Profile in progress – watch this space

James "Bill" Gregory
	Position: Age: Striker 25 Profile in progress – watch this space

James Scothon

Position: Age: Defender 25 Never happier than when he's crunching through the back of an unsuspecting forward, Scothy has introduced a new meaning to the phrase "service with a smile". Harsh but occasionally fair, the Scothon school of "tackle first, ask questions later" football is simple yet effective. Often the last man to be breached but more often than not puts in the kind of "thank f*ck for that" type of tackle that gets everyone else off the hook – a quality that has earned him the role of first team vice-captain. Also famed for a rasping shot that - with a 20/80 hit ratio - just about justifies the occasional edge of the box free-kick opportunity. Penalty credentials, however, have been eternally tarnished and spot-kick rights withdrawn for life following pre-season penalty shoot-out at Woolacombe that will live long in the memory. Scothy's effort was blasted so high over the bar that had he been playing down the pitch, the ball would've ended up on Lundy. Generally up for a night out on any day with a D in it.

Jonathan Blundell
	Position: Age: Striker

Joseph "JR" Robinson
	Position: Age: Goalkeeper 29 Profile in progress – watch this space

Lee Ellis
	Position: Age: Defender 35 Profile in progress – watch this space

Luke "Chops" Alcock
	Position: Age: Defender Profile in progress – watch this space

Mark "Fordy / Frodo" Ford
	Position: Age: Defender Profile in progress – watch this space

Mark "Scud" Gammon
	Position: Age: Reserve Team Gaffer Profile in progress – watch this space

Martyn "Meggsy" Mules
	Position: Age: Defender 40 Profile in progress – watch this space

Matthew "Patch" Dellar
	Position: Age: Midfield Profile in progress – watch this space

Matthew Hunt
	Position: Age: Striker Profile in progress – watch this space

Nigel Williams
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space

Paul Mitchell
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space

Quyen Tran
	Position: Age: Midfield Profile in progress – watch this space

Richard "Stanners" Stanbury

Position: Age: Defender 39 Having discovered football during the autumn years of his sporting life, Stanners learned all he needed to know about the game watching Saint and Greavsie on a Saturday afternoon in the mid 1980s. He did a little extra swatting up by completing the Panini USA ’94 World Cup sticker album and by September that year was ready to shirt up for the inaugural Lovacott Sunday side. He hasn’t looked back since and has developed his own brand of bull-in-a-china-shop style football with great effect. Extremely dependable both on the deck and in the air, there’s little that gets past Stanners. It’s usually a bittersweet experience for anyone that does - a hop, skip and a jump past the Pilton right back is likely to end in tears or a penalty kick, usually both. Quality member of the squad and a top lad through and through.

Ross Middleton
	Position: Age: Midfield

Russell Burrington
	Position: Age: Midfield

Sam Harley
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space

Sam Hommell
	Position: Age: Striker Profile in progress – watch this space

Shane "Queeny" King
	Position: Age: Midfield Profile in progress – watch this space

Simon Furse
	Position: Age: Midfield 29 Profile in progress – watch this space

Stephen O'brien
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space

Stephen "Pires" Robinson
	Position: Age: Midfield 34 Profile in progress – watch this space

Stuart Mcneill
	Position: Age: Defender Profile in progress – watch this space

Tadil Marozwa
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space

Tim Latcham
	Position: Age: Profile in progress – watch this space