Cadzy's dilemmas as Friendship Cup looms

Brakes manager Jason Cadden

Former hairdresser Jason Cadden may have one of the best barnets in Midlands non-league football but he faces a number of dilemmas as Tuesday's 'Friendship' Cup match with Southam United looms, Brakes having lost 0-2 to AFC Telford and beat Bedworth 4-2 in earlier fixtures. Expectations are high at the New Windmill Ground with the Brakes taking the field in their new kit from Charlton suppliers Joma who are based in Leamington. The Brakes are hot favourites to win the Polymac Midland Alliance title, never a comfortable position to be in.

For Tuesday's match, a number of players are still on holiday, while former Coventry City and Inverness Caledonian Thistle ace Leon Morgan is out for the whole season because of accumulated injuries. Another blow is that nursery side Whitnash Town have pulled their senior side out of the Coventry Alliance after the shock departure of manager Danny Walden from Acre Close. Indeed, many of the Whitnash players are now likely to play at Southam while with their large squad Brakes must find another club to provide match practice for their players. Some may go to the Home Guard Ground to play for Stratford's No.2 club, Alveston.

Getting planning permission for ground improvements has proved a protracted process with objections from the 'neighbours', i.e., one farm a third of a mile away. The floodlights have now been adjusted to deal with light pollution but excessive noise cuased by chanting is more difficult to deal with. The Sheepside Stand may be erected under a temporary consent leaving the Burger Side stand with its hospitality suite until later.

The club have now hired a commercial manager and gold, silver and bronze match sponsorhip packages are on offer. For gold you get a three course meal while bronze limits you to coffee and sandwiches. Our sister site Football Economy has taken out programme advertising.

Racing Club Warwick

Charlton will face Racing's former keeper this season as Manchester United have continued his loan to Watford. The money from that transfer, plus the sums they have received for 'social inclusion', means that the Gee Gees are rolling in money. They even won the league competition for on ground catering which just shows what you can do with horse meat. However, manager Marcus Law stormed off to Quorn, taking several players with him. Nothing daunted, the Gee Gees have splashed out a Spanish coach formerly with Coventry City's Academy.

We will continue to be the only Charlton blog covering Step 5 non-league football.