Nuneaton Borough Online

Darren Acton (Goalkeeper)

The popular shot stopper is now in his fifth season at the Boro, and is one of the first names on Kevin Wilkin’s team sheet. They say a good goalkeeper should earn you at least ten points a season, and in Acco’s case this is more than accurate. The former Tamworth custodian has a wealth of experience at this level and can always be relied on to pull off a top class save or two.

Many people’s man of the match in the now famous home game against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup; Acton also spectacularly produced down the other end too, netting an injury time equaliser in a crucial game against Droylsden in 2006.

Simon Travis (Defender)

The signing of Simon Travis last summer was a massive coup for the Boro, for this was a player who had last season been plying his trade at League Two side Hereford United. Bombing down the right flank, Travis can play as either a wing back or a midfielder, and is an equal threat whichever position he plays.

In his appearances this season Travis has sometimes looked a class act, showing exactly why Hereford had offered him an extension to his stay at Edgar Street before his move to Nuneaton.

Neil Moore (Defender)

The only player in the squad to have experienced Premiership football, having made four starts for Everton in the 1994/95 season, Moore is fast becoming a Boro stalwart in his fifth year at the club. The Scouser captained the team through their historic FA cup run in 2006 and only lost the leadership to Tom Curtis this summer.

Having nearly retired from football altogether before joining Nuneaton, Moore-o lists Oldham, Norwich, and Burnley as just a few of the nine Football League clubs he has played for. Never one to shirk a challenge, and still a key member of the squad despite having turned 35 last September, he’s well and truly a fans favourite.

Gavin Cowan (Defender)

Currently enjoying his second spell at the club, Gavin Cowan is another with vast experience at this level and above. Supremely dominant in the air, Cowan is a massive threat at set peices as well as being a lynchpin at the back.

Cowan has previously played for Canvey Island, Shrewsbury Town, and Grays Athletic, and after a chequered disciplinary past, the German born central defender seems to have finally found a place to call home at Nuneaton.

Craig McIlwain (Defender)

The central defender only joined the Boro in October but has already made a massive impression on team and fans alike. The former Kettering man has formed an almost impenetrable defensive partnership with Moore and Cowan that has seen Nuneaton propelled towards the Conference North play-off places.

McIlwain spent last summer playing in the Australian League with Richmond Eagles, and has been a shrewd signing by manager Kevin Wilkin.

Rob Oddy (Defender)

“Rob Oddy, Rob Oddy, rub your hands all over my body” were the shouts as Oddy played his way into fans’ hearts after signing from Coventry City in 2003. Starring in successive failed promotion campaigns Oddy is a consistent performer with a decent cross.

Unfortunatley, over the past couple of seasons Rob has not been rubbing his hands on peoples bodies in quite the same way and has lost his place in Kevin Wilkin’s starting XI. Rumours keep on linking him with an exit from Liberty Way, and this time there is no mention of Southampton.

Connor Franklin (Defender)

Signed mid-way through last season from Leicester City, the 20 year-old left back displaced the experienced Ben Chapman and secured himself a new longer term deal. A promising and talented player defensively and going forward, Franklin might have a big future ahead of him.

There were whispers earlier in the season that Nottingham Forest had sent scouts to keep tabs on the promising youngster, and who knows it might not be long before Connor is plying his trade at a higher level.

Tom Curtis (Midfielder)

Named team captain by Kevin Wilkin at the beginning of this season, Tom has been almost an ever present in the heart of Boro’s midfield. Sitting just in front of the back four, Curtis plays an important role controlling the flow of the game with his steady passing. It is fair to say that when he plays well, Nuneaton play well.

A member of the Chesterfield side to reach the 1997 FA Cup semi-final, Curtis has a vast amount of football league experience, enjoying spells at Portsmouth and Mansfield Town. Along with coach James Ellis, Curtis plays an important role in coaching the English Universities football team.

Matty Collins (Midfielder)

To pin the position of hard working player Matty Collins down is a challenge in itself. Although regularly a central midfielder, Collins has found himself playing wide on both wings, in defence, and as a support striker this season. Maybe with the lack of an understudy to goalkeeper Darren Acton, Matty might yet find himself playing between the sticks before the season is out.

The energetic Collins, was at West Brom before his move to Nuneaton, captaining the reserve side in the 2002/03 season and appearing on the bench in some of the first team matches in the Premiership that year. Figured in Boro’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in January 2006 and showed Gaizka Mendieta just how to run a midfield that day.

Mark Noon (Midfielder)

Highly rated Mark Noon is a former Coventry City talent, who joined the club four seasons ago. The battling midfielder cannot only tackle with an astonishing success ratio but also has a pass that is the envy of any player in the league.

Since his arrival Noony has won personal awards at the club in every season, this being one of many reasons why he has a growing list of admirers. This season Mark has struggled with a back injury, but is regaining fitness just in time to add that extra bit of guile and creativity to Boro’s promotion charge.

Bradley Pritchard (Midfielder)

The big question on all Boro fans lips this season has been, is Bradley Pritchard the non-league’s answer to Cesc Fabregas? The diminutive midfielder has wowed the fans with touches of quality that are very rarely seen at this level and has made a great impact.

Bradley has recently said he will try to add a more ruthless edge to his game, and if this comes to the fore Nuneaton surely have a really good player on their hands with a very bright future in the game.

Carl Palmer (Midfielder)

The former Redditch United captain made the move across the Midlands to the Boro last summer and has been a good acquisition. Hard working with a never-say-die attitude it is clear to see how Carl became a fans favourite down at the The Valley Stadium.

Not to be confused with former England international Carlton, Palmer has been a member of a cup winning side at Hednesford Town earlier in his career, where his man of the match display helped them to victory in the 2005 FA Trophy final.

Rob Taylor (Midfielder)

A new signing at Liberty Way, Rob has recently come from Redditch United to add some extra depth to the Nuneaton Borough squad. Taylor is a left sided player and can play at full back as well as in midfield.

Rob is a member of the English Universities side that are coached by Boro compatriots James Ellis and Tom Curtis.

Andrew Brown (Striker)

Snatched from under the noses of rivals Hinckley United last summer, Andy has looked like a real steal as he leads the goalscoring charts both at his club and in the Conference North. With the Knitters struggling in the league this season how they must rue the administration error that led to them losing his goals.

The twenty-two year old was a former Scunthorpe United trainee and has shown a real striker’s instinct in front of goal, although after seeing his attempt against Burscough this term his imitation of Didier Drogba’s goal celebrations might need some work.

Jordan Stepien (Striker)

The forward, on loan from Bury until the end of the season, has made a massive impression since his arrival in November. It is no surprise to see that his move to the club coincided with a good run of form that saw the Boro climb towards the higher reaches of the Conference North table.

The young striker is held in high regard at his home club, and is seen as being a hot prospect for the future. Stepien’s goals and performances for Nuneaton have only gone but to support these beliefs.

Danny Williams (Striker)

Used as both a striker and a winger, Danny Williams joined Nuneaton for his second spell in the blue and white stripes late last season. His speed and killer instinct have seen him used to great effect as a super-sub many times this season and is always a threat when given space to run.

As an original product of the youth team it is important for Danny to show what he has learnt in his time away from the club, and prove his worth as a squad member throughout this season.

Alex Rodman (Striker)

Alex is another member of the English Universities side that has so many links with Nuneaton, and made his move to the West Midlands in January of this year. Having previously played for Gainsborough Trinity and Lincoln United, Rodman has a reputation for being a pacy attacking outlet with a lot to offer.

Rodman can play on either wing as well as in attack and his versitality will undoubtedly be of benefit to Kevin Wilkin if he decides to change his tactics in the mad chase for points at the end of the season.