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South Wales Argus "Risca United Nations" video

17 November 2006

RISCA UNITED'S NEW MANAGER

Risca United announce that on Thursday 4th. January 2007 they appointed Jeff Eckhardt as their new Manager. He takes over the reins with immediate effect and his first task will be to stop the slide that has seen the "Cuckoos" lose four consecutive games and slide down the third division table.

His appointment follows the news that on Tuesday 19th December the club dispensed with the services of Mike Colcombe. In the interim period first team goalkeeper Matthew Long was appointed as caretaker Manager, he would have had control for the games against Llangeinor, Llansawel and Gwynfi United but all three games have been postponed.

Matthew who has shown great commitment and enthusiasm is appointed Assistant Manager to Jeff whilst Simon Woodsford takes over the role of Coach. The shake up means that former Assistant Manager David John steps down but the loyal club man remains with the club and will continue to be a great asset.

Jeff Eckhardt who made over 600 Football League appearances for Sheffield United, Fulham, Stockport County and Cardiff City

Ex-Cardiff City, Fulham and Sheffield United player Jeff Eckhardt joined the club at the start of this season as Coach and also registered as a player, although he only managed to play three games for the club. At the end of October he determined that his work commitments meant that he would be unavailable.

Risca United wish to put on record their thanks to Mike Colcombe who was in control all of last season when the club finished 9th, Its highest position for some years. This season the club expected to kick on and to be challenging for the three promotion places. It has not worked out that way so Risca United wish Mike Colcombe all the very best for the future.

Posted by Stuart Luckwell

5 January 2007

JEFF ECKHARDT SIGNS UP! 

New Risca United coach Jeff Eckhardt has signed for the club and will play in the Cuckoos next match at Newport Stadium on Wednesday evening against top of the table Llanwern as Risca United look to put an end to their disastrous start, three games, three defeats and nine goals conceded already. 

Despite his advanced years the ex pro. hopes his experience gained from 20 odd years at Sheffield United, Fulham, Stockport County and Cardiff City will help the third division outfit in their quest to steady the ship. Jeff took charge along with Reserves Manager Simon Woodsford last Saturday in the 3-1 home defeat against AFC Porth in the Welsh Cup and although there was a slight improvement is not happy with the way things are going. 

Manager Mike Colcombe returns from holidays this week and will be hugely disappointed with his sides dismal opening, already bottom of the league and out of the Welsh Cup is not what he and the club expected after such a promising pre season. Something is not right with the side, too many players are playing well below their capabilities and an urgent fix is needed. Hopefully Mike and Jeff will be able to quickly find the answer and give the club and the town it represents a lift.

Posted by Stuart Luckwell

21 August 2006

ECKHARDT APPOINTED NEW RISCA UNITED COACH

Former Cardiff City player JEFF ECKHARDT has recently joined Risca United as club Coach and will meet with Manager Mike Colcombe and other members of the club’s Management Staff at Clydach Wasps this evening during a pre-season friendly.

Following a meeting last week with Chairman Stuart Luckwell, 40-year-old Jeff agreed to join the club and is looking forward to sharing twenty odd years’ experience as a professional with the lowly Welsh League club.

Jeff is now working as a tiler and lives a few miles down the road in the Bassaleg area. At the end of last season he played several games for Gloucester City and before that had spells at Merthyr Tydfil and Newport County. He is best remembered in South Wales though for the six seasons he had with Cardiff City where he was a favourite of the Bluebirds’ fans.

It was present City Manager Dave Jones who sold Jeff to Cardiff when Manager at Stockport County, Jeff had been there for two years after being sold by Fulham where he had been a fixture for seven seasons. As a Sheffield-born youngster it was no surprise that he started in the professional game as an 18-year-old with the Blades and after four seasons was snapped up by then Fulham Manager Ray Lewington.

Jeff is now concentrating on getting himself qualified in the coaching business and believes in starting at the bottom, he is ambitious and wants eventually to Coach/Manage at a much higher level so the present arrangement will benefit both club and Jeff himself.

Risca United had to fight off other more senior clubs in the area and across the water in the West Country to secure Jeff’s services. Apparently English Conference sides wanted him to carry on playing which is a compliment to his skill and fitness levels,  so for Risca United to get Jeff on board is a real bonus at the start of the new season. Who knows he may even turn out helping the young defenders at the club by playing alongside them in Division Three football.

Everyone at the club is excited by the prospect of having Jeff Eckhardt involved and look forward to him making the small valley club more professional in its outlook. Club Manager Mike Colcombe and Reserves’ Joint Manager Simon Woodsford who are both in the process of gaining coaching qualifications themselves look forward to working alongside Jeff to hopefully improve the players techniques.

It was through an initial approach by ex Blackburn Rovers trainee and ex Risca United player Ben Brewer that Jeff first became interested. Ben himself is still only 25-years young but gave up playing a few seasons ago and now suffers back problems. The club are grateful to him for using his powers of persuasion and look forward to Ben himself becoming more involved with the club that he played for after leaving Merthyr Tydfil when Blackburn dispensed with his services.

Posted by Stuart Luckwell

26 July 2006

NEW PLAYERS WELCOME

With the season almost upon us and last season's Nicky Church trying his luck at Accrington Stanley or elsewhere higher up the pyramid, Risca United have only two goalkeepers registered, Dutchman Evert Vorster and 17 year old Lee Jones. "Ev" will only be available every other Saturday due to work commitments, whilst the promising young Lee needs a little more time to develop. Both of them have worked extremely hard in training and look forward to being joined by other members of the 'keepers union.

Last season's Reserve 'keeper Mark Mears has shown an apparent lack of interest in re-signing and has been infrequent at pre-season training. So if there are any goalkeepers out there who fancy the challenge of Welsh League football step forward.

The club are also looking to recruit outfield players,  Right back Mark Morris has left to join Croesyceiliog and the Cuckoos wish him well at the newly promoted Cwmbran-based club. He gave us three good seasons after joining from Cwmbran Town but he feels that he has not developed his game with us and feels that he must play at a higher level to achieve his ambitions. I agree with him and thank him for his efforts and the very professional way in which he has conducted himself in leaving our club. I wish him well and invite him back whenever he feels the time is right.

Risca United have re-signed most of last season's players and have already signed quite a few newcomers including, Chris Williams and Darren Williams two local boys from Gwent County side AC Pontymister, both have worked hard in training and are looking sharp. Ex Pontllanfraith and Ynysddu player, Huw Wilcox has signed but won't be available until after the cricket season. Huw is a Blackwood boy and captains the towns cricket club. Peter Thomas originates from Swansea but is now a Gwent Detective living in Newbridge and maintains the Club's tradition of having "Lawmen" in its ranks. Peter is an ex Swansea schoolboy player and has played for Morriston Town.

Four new signings will add to the clubs foreign contingent, all four are English and have recently finished their studies in Cardiff University. They seemed to have settled down to work and live in Cardiff and are very welcome to try their luck at Ty-Isaf Park. Alex Jeater, Simon Yates and James Taylor originate from the Essex area whilst Steve Saunders hails from Hereford. All four will feel more at home now that fellow Englishman Jeff Eckhardt will help Manager Mike Colcombe, himself a "Brummie" in trying to improve on last seasons ninth place.

The youth team have lost half of last years players due to age but Jonathan Smith and Paul Michael have signed a few new players and are still keen to recruit more before the season starts in September.

The bottom line being that there is still plenty of room within the club for newcomers in any position, so anyone interested please get in touch. That applies also to anyone who fancies being a part of the background workers that are so essential to a successful club.  If you have the interest and a few hours a week spare why not come along and get involved. 

Posted by Stuart Luckwell

26 July 2006