Hello there and welcome back to another Ex Files. This editions helping is all things non league. From the Blue Square Conference National to the Welsh Hellenic Leagues there are ex Rangers everywhere. 

We start at Conference leaders Aldershot Town. They, of course, are managed by former midfield great and not so great manager Gary Waddock. Wads is doing a great job rebuilding his career after an eventful 8 months in charge of Rangers. At the time of writing the Shots sit top of the table six points clear of Torquay, if they carry on like this Waddock would go down in history as the first man to take them up to the league since 1990.  

First choice keeper for them is Nikki Bull, he came through the successful Rangers youth team of the early to mid 90’s and has made 250 appearances since signing in 2002. Nikki is still a very highly rated prospect within non league circles and is a regular for the England non league team.  

Also at The Rec is another former hot prospect, Scott Donnelly. Little Scotty had a major falling out with John Gregory last year was released in 2006. He signed for Wealdstone, but has only just recently linked up with Aldershot making two appearances so far in the glamorous sounding Hampshire Cup against Sydenham Essex League side Hamble Assc and Wessex League side Christchurch.  

At Grays Athletic Michael Standing has just joined on a free from Oxford United, Standing was on trial with us last year. On the coaching side is Garry Phillips, the Grays goalkeeping coach was at Rangers briefly in the 90’s helping out with the ‘keepers.  

Moving onto Histon and we find a forgotten member of our great side of the 70’s in John Beck who is their assistant manager, Beck is more famous for his stint in charge of Cambridge United in the early 90’s.  

Kidderminster Harriers boast former youth and reserve captain Jon Munday amongst their ranks; he can mostly be found warming the bench though. To date Munday has made just three appearances since joining in August.   

Over at Oxford the Bald Eagle is still going strong, Jim Smith is currently Director of Football and on the club’s board after stepping down as manager in September.  

At Weymouth there’s always been an ex R or two and this season is no exception although Trevor Challis is the lone R there currently.  

Crawley Town are permanently skint these days and recently released former Ranger Tony Scully from his contract. Manager Steve Evans recons it’s good for both parties. “With my managers hat on I wanted to keep Tony but looking at the budget, I decided that we could do without him.” Which roughly translates as you’re rubbish get out!  

Lined up as his replacement is Georges Santos, the Frenchman is without a club after leaving Brighton last season. George played for Chesterfield reserves for two months on non contract terms; however he was released and is now training with Crawley. 

In the Conference North third placed Kettering Town are relying on Lee Harper to keep the goals out. Harper joined the Northamptonshire side on a free from MK Dons in August. I really can’t believe that Harper is playing at this level; I believe he’s still capable of playing in the Professional game.  

Anyone remember Justin Skinner? He was made reserve team manager by Gary Waddock; he is now assistant boss at the Dripping Pan home to Lewes. Also playing his footy there is Lewis Hamilton, no not the F1 driver but the former Derby county defender who spent a season at Loftus Road a few years ago.  

Sutton United’s new manager is none other than legendary center half Ernie Howe, the 54 year old is trying to keep the strugglers up in the Blue Square South. 

Bromley FC has recently parted company with manager Mark Goldberg, the same Mark Goldberg that very nearly took Crystal Palace into liquidation in 2000 when Eagles Chairman. On the playing and coaching side is former midfielder Simon Osborn, who has applied for the vacant managerial job there. Osborn was a big money buy from Reading in 1995. Also on the staff is Bobby Bowry, he was at Rangers from 1990 to ‘92 when he joined Palace on a free transfer.  

At Havant and Waterlooville we find Richard Paquette, Richard came through the youth ranks at Rangers and left the club in 2004, since then he has played for an astonishing eight different clubs. (MK Dons, Brentford, Worthing, Thurrock, Stevenage, Farnborough, St Albans City and Havant). Richard has scored an impressive 17 goals in 30 games for Havant including one against Liverpool in that fantastic FA Cup tie.  

Remember former Northern Ireland under 21 Wes Daly? Well he left AFC Wimbledon in the summer to join Maidenhead United. Wes has now made 21 starts this season grabbing a goal in the process.  

Quite how Paul Bruce made 45 first team appearances for Rangers I don’t know! He was one of those players that you just couldn’t understand why he was in the team. Bruce is a first team regular at St. Albans City though who are in the Blue Square South relegation zone; he has appeared 17 times and scored 3 goals this season.  

Former Nigerian international goalie Ademola “George” Bankole was drafted into the Nuneaton Borough squad recently for a league game against Blyth Spartans. Bankole was at the MK Dons as player coach until the arrival of Paul Ince as manager. George has made just a single appearance between 1998 and 2000 but has been training with Northampton Town recently in an effort to keep match fit.  

In other non league news Warrington Town who play in the Unibond league division One South have lost both a manager and coach. Why do I tell you this well, the former coach is Brett Angell. The 39 year old made just a handful of appearances for Ian Holloway between 2002 and 2003, Angell had a fantastic goal scoring ratio for every club he played for except the R’s!  

Former stopper Paul Jones is currently at Bognor Regis Town on non contract terms, he has made two appearances this season both in the league.  

Team Bath have always had a strong connection with QPR over the years what with the legendary Ivor Powell still going strong at the ripe old age of 91! Yes that really is 91! In fact the FA has confirmed that he is the oldest working coach in world football, he has also had a coaching badge for 56 years - another world record! Well done Ivor keep it up son. 

Providing a more youthful presence on the coaching set up is Andy Tilson. He has been at Team Bath since 2003, but had to retire due to injury just a few months later. Tilson is the current head coach and Team Bath are currently flying high in the British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division.  

If you’re stuck for watching a game and are ever in the West Country, Bath in particular, then why not pop into Larkhall Athletic FC of the Toolstation Western League First Division, where you will see Robbie Herrera running up and down the wing.

Christer Warren. Now WHAT a player he was! I don’t think that I’m alone in thinking that he could possibly be the worst QPR player ever. Warren was signed by Gerry Francis when we couldn’t afford anyone else, after being released in 2002 he has drifted down the league pyramid quite a bit. You can now find him at Wimborne Town of the Sydenhams Wessex League as Player Manager. The 32 year old was appointed in April and was quoted as saying “We are playing football as it is meant to be played with no long ball stuff.” Shame he didn’t apply that to his football whilst at Rangers.  

Chris Plummer who earned an England under 21 cap whilst at QPR is currently playing for Peterborough Northern Star FC. You can find them playing in a park on a Sunday afternoon in the Eagle Bitter United Counties League Division 1.   

I’ve often wondered what happened to Chris Kiwomya, the former Arsenal hitman drifted away from football in recent years, however he has popped up again, applying for the vacant Farsley Celtic manager’s job.  

In the British Gas Business Southern League you can also find another former R’s hitman, in the shape of Tony Thorpe. The Thorpedo has joined Barton Rovers. Tony had to retire from professional football at Tamworth in October due to an eye condition; however he has overcome that with contact lenses.  

Matthew Hislop is currently playing at Harrow Borough FC. Matty has made three starts since joining on December 1st.   

Wokingham and Emmbrooks new manager is former youth team member, and the unfortunately named, Wayne Wanklyn. His new side play their football in the Sport Italia Hellenic League Division 1 East. 

Ex goalie Frasier Digby is keeping it in the family, he is playing alongside his son for Devizes Town of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division. 

And finally as an added bonus we move on to some “overseas” football. Danny Murphy is a first team regular with Dunfermline and was being tipped for a move back to English football in January with Middlesbrough mooted as a potential destination. Also in Scotland ex Rangers favorite Paul Murray is a first teamer for Gretna in the SPL. 

If you follow Welsh Football then here’s one for you Leon Jeanne is currently playing for Maesteg Park FC of the Welsh League Division 1. Leon still recons he can crack professional football. (No pun intended!)  

Across the Atlantic, Steve Morrow has signed a year’s extension to his FC Dallas Contract. Morrow is turning into a fine coach over the Atlantic; FC Dallas lost the MLS Play off final this season. Whilst on the other side of the world Terry Mc Flynn is staying with Sydney FC for at least one more season.

paul_j_curran@yahoo.co.uk