Lots revealed to fans at forum for newly-named Newark FC, Newark and Sherwood United

A lot was revealed to fans at a forum for the newly-named Newark FC — Newark and Sherwood United.

Not only were some promising signings announced, but more on the overall vision of the club, which now has a new home at Collingham FC.

Supporters at the meeting on Wednesday last week were told the project wasn’t a case of trying to play two football clubs off against each other (Newark Town and Newark and Sherwood United) — but to help all local clubs in the district take a step up.

The new sporting adventure is being steered by former Football League club chairman and successful businessman Steff Wright, who lives in Collingham.

Mr Wright, who spent ten years as a director and chairman of Lincoln City FC, said: “With this next project and what we’ve left behind at Newark Town, it is success — Newark Town got promotion and I want to see them continue to succeed.

“The aim is to not only take Newark and Sherwood United up a level, but other teams within Newark and Sherwood as well because, if we can, we’d like the other team to move up with us — then we’ll have higher-level football all across the district.”

He said the club’s ambition was to outgrow the Collingham site in the next two to three years and that he had previously tried to get the club back into the Newark YMCA.

“There were some time-scale issues with moving back to the YMCA and potential problems with congestion, so decided to move to Collingham where we can deliver everything,” he said.

“Thanks to chairman Paul Ellison and Collingham FC for welcoming us with absolute open arms. I’ve had a connection to Collingham over the years and we’ve had a good welcome from Collingham FC.”

Mr Wright said he wanted to avoid creating similar congestion problems in Collingham, and that a member driveway share could be an option — where members could opt to host another car on their drive on matchdays.

He added the fans had been amazing at a time when it could have imploded.

“It’s the supporters who have carried the momentum over the years,” he said. “The whole thing could have imploded and to get to step five — for all of that to collapse and disappear would have been a tragic loss.”

The new signings were announced by former Newark Town manager Nathan Arnold, who is taking the reigns as manager of the new venture to test his abilities.

First up was former Nottingham Forest youth trainee Danny Meadows, who Mr Arnold said would be a big player for the club — followed by Jonathan D’Laryea who started off his career at Manchester City and played with Mr Arnold at Mansfield Town 15 years ago.

Defender Ben Richards quit Lincoln United to join Newark and Sherwood United, while striker Luke White has joined from Boston Town.

“As an outsider looking in, support for Newark FC is fantastic,” said Mr Arnold.

“We need everyone to buy into what we’re doing. Obviously it’s my job to make sure we’re winning matches on a Saturday and creating a team that goes out every Saturday and represents the badge and represents the supporters — because if it wasn’t for the hard work from people behind the scenes and the supporters, the club wouldn’t be here with the opportunity.”

Mr Wright’s business Gusto will now sponsor Newark and Sherwood United rather than Newark Town, who will be sponsored by Mr Wright’s other company Rototek.

The club badge has been designed by Lincoln-based Studio Optic which worked to incorporate a vision that brought together different elements of Newark and Sherwood.

Its colours are Sherwood green, Trent blue and Flow orange; and include a castle, shield, river, arrow — bringing the Highwaymen branding forward — and the letters N, S and U.

The team kits are not yet set in stone.

A stand has been bought from Flowserve, which is now being built at Collingham FC, and will be seen from the matchday room where there is floor-to-ceiling windows.

The whole change of location and name came about because Newark FC were driven out of town by the loss of their Lowfields ground to a housing developer, and the club has had to play home fixtures at Basford — more than 20 miles away.