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Club News

27/7/05 - After weeks of speculation, the new manager Russell is unveiled to a press conference at Bishops Park. He said, "i'm delighted to be back at the club where i had so much success in the late nineties. Hopefully i can turn things around and get this club back in the Premier division where it belongs."

18/8/05 - Oakwood Rangers unveil plans for a new �16million redevelopment of their Bishops' Park stadium. The plans show that the new ground will hold 40,000 seats and will take 4 years to complete due to the massive finance required. Chairman Freddie Fotze said, "Due to the huge cost of the project, we are having to execute the scheme a year at a time in order to keep the club solvent. The redevelopment is part of the new "Oakwood Grange" scheme which will also see a country club, health farm, luxury hotel and deluxe casino complex being built accross from the stadium. Our aim is to make the stadium and "Oakwood Grange" complex a 24hour, 7 days a week leisure and entertainment centre that will provide much needed revenue for the club"

15/9/05 - Oakwood manager Russ holds a press conference after Oakwood's 1-0 victory in the first round of the SLFA cup. He said, "we played well and deserved the win. Hopefully now we can have a good cup campaign to boost our morale and help with the push for promotion."

11/11/05 - Oakwood are delighted at the draw of the third round of the cup - pitting them at home to the mighty Watford Hornets of the Premier League. "Its a dream tie for us" said the manager, "we will welcome them to our little ground and hopefully see a cracking game of football. It should be a sellout even though part of the ground is being developed. Its got everyone in the town talking and we keep our fingers crossed for TV coverage too.

4/4/2006 - Oakwood announce a 4 year extension to their sponsorship with bmibaby. "we're very pleased to extend our partnership with the low cost airline of the midlands" said the chairman, "its two winning teams joining together." The club also unveil their new �4million pound Springwood stand with a capacity of 10,000 seats. The manager said, "the new stand completes phase 1 of the ground redevelopment, and reflects our status in a higher division".

17/4/2006 - Oakwood unveil their first signing of Manger Russ at a packed press conference. "its the first signing i've made since i've been here. I know the fans have been saying we need players but i knew the squad i inheritied when i arrived was good enough to get promotion out of division 3 so i didnt buy anyone. However, we now have injury problems in defence so i have bought a defender from abroad due to the ridiculous prices being asked in our leagues." Eduardo Souza de Jesus completed his deal from an undisclosed foriegn club for �800,000. He said at the signing, "for sure i am happy to be here playing for oakywood. i hear good club and good manager, i very happy".

09/06/2006 - Oakwood unveil their second signing at another press conference. Juan Luis Garcia signs for �1.4million from an undisclosed foriegn club and goes straight into the starting 11 for Oakwood's next match. "It will be good for him to get his debut at home in front of our fans" said the manager, "he's a good player who has set the benchmark for the standards i am looking for in defence."

17/6/2006 - At another press conference, Oakwood announce the �2.6million signing of Akinyemi Laylele from 3rd Division ICA Ressies. "He's a fabulous player" said the manager, "total class. He is an absolutley phenominal signing for this club as he is a Premiership player through and through. The fact that we can get him to this club is a sign that we are commited to getting to the top flight". The deal which saw youth player Elliot Caulton going int he opposite direction - allows Oakwood to have 5 solid qulaity defenders instead of filling defensive holes with mediocre defenders from their youth team.

4/8/2006 - Rangers complete the �2.6m signing of John McArthur from ICA Ressies. The deal sees Luke Carter going the other way for �195,000. At the press conference McArthur said, "I'm delighted to be signing for Oakwood. Their fans have really welcomed me and i hope to repay them with good performaces on the pitch." The manager said, "He's just what we've been looking for - another strong signing for our defence. Its almost complete now."

Past news from the archives:-

12/12/06 - Oakwood first choice keeper Richard Gallance (below right) is out for the next 3 weeks after breaking a finger in training. This presents the manager with a problem as his side push to keep an impressive promotion run going with only one defeat in the first 11 games. However, the manager has faith in reserve keeper Steve West (below left) after promoting him this season from the youth squad when he turned 18. "Steve is a fine young keeper" said the manager, "he has come on leaps and bounds in the youth squad over the last 2 years and i'm looking to him to be the no.1 keeper in a few years when Richard retires. I'm sure he'll fit in the team. I've told him there is no pressure and he is to go out there and enjoy himself. Its all about learning at his age so i'm sure he will take the experience onboard and become a better pleayer for it." Oakwood are on course for promotion with only 1 defeat this season and hopefully Richard being injured will not alter what is becoming a successful season.

14/5/07 - Oakwood Rangers sealed promotion to the First division with a stunning 2-0 victory over arch rivals Kilburn Utd at bramble Park. Goals from Steve Balackband and Akinyemi Laylale put Oakwood 3 points clear with a game to go and a massive 13 goal difference over the team in third. Only a 13-0 nil defeat for Oakwood in their last game will prevent promotion. The manager said, "we've done it at last!, i'm so happy for everyone at the club. All the hard work has paid off!This is a wonderful way to pay back the fans for their support"

27/6/2007 - Oakwood announce the start of work on the Acorn West Stand. The 10,000 seater, �4M stand will take 30 weeks to complete and be ready at the start of next season. This will complete the redevelopment of Bishop's Park making it a 40,000 all seater stadium. "Its fantastic news" said the manager, "We will have aPremiership ground. All we need to do now is focus on getting there."

30/8/07 - Oakwood have completed the signing of defender Raoul Oscar de Santiago for �3.6m from foreign club Tampico Moskitos.The Oakwood manager said at a press conference, "He's a unique talent. He has already reached the best list for 1 week, so we know he is pure, unadultarated quality"

2/1/2008 - Oakwood have done the unthinkable and defeated the Will Scarlet Premiership Champions to win the SLFA Cup in dramatic scenes at Wembley. The Kingfishers triumphed 4-2 thanks to a double from Mark Bestwick, and Rhys Boswell and Jamie Reynolds killing the game off in the last 2 minutes. "It's an incredible achievement" said the manager, "we've worked hard all season and to get this silverware is absolutley fantastic!"

30/7/08 Oakwood have clinched promotion to the Premier League with a dramatic late winner at Ribero Villa. Pete Tinson's shot from the edge of the area saw Oakwood claim a 2-1 win and other results meant that Rangers have 4 point gap over fourth place meaning next week's local derby against Kilburn Utd will be a meaningless affair. "Its been such a hard season" said the manager, "to finally get the results we wanted and achieve promotion is reward, and now we can look to establish ourselves as a force in the Premier League." Oakwood have now risen from the third division to the Premier league under their manager. Its been Ten years since we were in the Premier League back in the old ESA4 league.

Oakwood have today clinched the club record signing of Nigel McDonald from Aberdeen Terror for �5.3million. McDonald, 18, a central midfielder, comes into the Rangers squad full of promise after receiving rave reviews at his former club. He first came to the attention of the manager whilst on the Auction Market. "I was surprised they wanted to sell him, but I soon realised it would require a large bid in order to tempt them to say yes and to kill off other interested clubs. Luckily, he was keen to join us and so we can look forward to many years of working together."
Oakwood have been struggling lately, with only 2 league wins so far this season, but the manager hopes the new signing will envigorate the team and hopefully start producing some better results if they are to aviod relegation from the Premier league in their first season.

Kingfishers survive on the last day!!

20/3/09 - Oakwood stayed up on the last day of the season thanks to victory in their last game. The result keeps the Rangers in the Premiership for another season, and allows the club to consolidate their position financially - with the garenteed TV revenue of next season. Speaking from the Grand Pineapple Beach Club in Antigua, where the manager was on his holidays for the off season he said, "It was a huge relief to end a tough season with a victory and Premiership status intact. We are now able to strengthen our position, and look to aim for the top half of the table for the new season." Meanwhile, Rangers are close to finishing the paperwork on their new �1.67m signing from abroad. Cesar Pontenciano Orgaz has agreed terms with the club, and the 19 year old should become a legal player for the club in the next few weeks.

Pontenciano Orgaz comes close to giving Oakwood "Orgazm"!
left - Cesar Pontenciano Orgaz is Oakwood's newest signing during the close season.