New boss is big inspiration

DARING Diggle are delighted to be top of the District League.

Second-half goals by Neil Rennie and Warren Edwards gave the team a 2-1 win at sixth-placed Lepton Highlanders to take them one point ahead of nearest challengers Newsome WMC at the top of the First Division for the very first time.

And much of this season's success is down to new boss Steve Southern, who joined from Oldham Sunday League outfit 3D Dynamoes.

Diggle's assistant manager Mark Smith, who has been with the club eight years, said: "Steve was very successful with 3Ds, guiding them to a double Cup success last year, but he felt ready for a new challenge and took up with us in the summer.

"He's very committed and tactically aware and he has brought some new players with him who have strengthened the whole club."

Teaming up with Southern at Diggle is centre-back Alistair Simmons, a skilful and organised player who takes command from the back.

He is joined by Rennie, who has given the side extra edge in front of goal, while in another key position is midfielder Danny Tomlinson, the team's most consistent performer.

And the whole team have shown a lot of character this time around.

Success seems to be spiraling through the club with the second string currently leading Reserve Division I.

Diggle joined the District League in 1993 and made steady progress from Division V until they won promotion to the top flight in 2000-01.

In addition, they achieved a hat trick of Barlow Cup final appearances (2002, 2003, 2004 ), winning in the first of those years.

And their previous best position in Division I was when finishing runners-up to Brackenhall in 2002-03.

Former captain and club statistician, Richard Devy, is the sole surviving first-teamer from League entry in 1993.

* Irish Centre have drawn Canada FC (Liverpool) in the second round of the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup.

The Huddersfield Sunday League side have had to wait because of an FA inquiry into the clash between Canada FC and North Mersey Lions.

Their first round match was brought to a premature conclusion after only 26 minutes following a pitch invasion.

Canada FC were winning 2-0 at the time and the inquiry has come down in their favour.

The match will be played at AFC Emley's Welfare Ground on Sunday, 1.00.