NEW manager Marcus McDonald says the countdown has already begun for the return of Paget Rangers – one of the Second City’s famous non-League names – next season.
McDonald, who helped Paget win the Midland Alliance nearly two decades ago under Eddie Caulfield, will link the past with the future after being appointed boss of Paget Rangers 2011.
Driving force Matthew Dainty revealed the plans to revive the club – which folded in 2002 – only took shape via internet football forums in the past three months but that they intend to kick off in 2012. It is likely they will apply to the Midland Combination to enter next season.
They have yet to confirm a home ground. Dainty says they would ideally like to play in Sutton Coldfield or Castle Vale – where they played at Vale Stadium before their demise – and they have been talking to three possible ground landlords.
Former Highgate United and Cradley Town boss McDonald says the new Paget is setting its sights on returing to the Alliance.
“We want to be in the Alliance as soon as possible,” said McDonald. “Then we want to challenge to get into the Southern League. But we want to build on strong foundations.
“The club is going to make sure the infrastructure is right. The people involved are not going to put all this hard work into get Paget playing again, just to see it fold in a few years.”
The original Paget was formed in 1938. A new dawn seemed to beckon when the Bears, having sold their Springfield Road ground, moved to Castle Vale but off-the-pitch problems led to disaster and they played their last game on April 23, 2002.
Dainty said: “It will be ten years by the end of the season since Paget went bump but the aim is to have Paget Rangers 2011 playing next season.
“I had always been a fan and I just started talking to people on forums, other fans, former players. It became clear there was plenty of interest and it quickly progressed to trying to set up another club.
“We’ve got the go-ahead from the FA, we’ve been talking to the Midland Combination and they are keen to help us. We’ve got sponsors who want to get involved and we’ve got a manager in place in Marcus. Things are developing well.”
