News

Just been told that the away match against South Shields, due to be played this Monday, 27 August is off. This is because South Shields play their FA Cup replay against Harrogate RA on Tuesday.

What a bank holiday weekend!

Sorry for the late notice: the match against Penrith FC has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

RCA exploited their Scottish connections to make the trip to Petershill FC in Glasgow as part of their pre-season.

RCA supporter Iain Robb took his camera over the border to record the event, capturing the hospitality of the Petershill committee and the morning after the night before for the RCA lads!

New signing Mark Hudson crosses the ball into the Long Eaton penalty area during the friendly at Meadow Park on Saturday, 28 July.

A major element of RCA's pre-season has been about forming a new look side, particularly in the forward line. Top scorer Mark Davison left RCA to join Spennymoor and Andy Jennings signed for Billingham Synthonia. Neil, who has been as busy on the phone as ever, has brought in Andrew Appleby, who played at Whitby Town last season, and Aristote Guerin-Lokonga, who was at Newcastle Benfield, to join Dale Jardine, who joined towards the end of last season from Newton Aycliffe.

Our midfield was also affected by the strong running Joe Walton leaving for Spennymoor and Andrew Cuthberston returning to Consett. Both quality players, it looked difficult for RCA. Neil has brought in midfielders who more than match that quality. Mark Hudson signed from West Auckland Town and David Gordon rejoined RCA after a period at Shildon. They have were joined by Daniel Reeves (formerly with Horden CW), David Southern, who played at Jarrow Roofing last season, and Adam Ward who joined from Seaham Red Star.

At the back we have been re-inforced by the signings of Jordan Fraser and Ross Preston.

There's also substantial continuity in the side from last season with top players Neal Atkinson, Brian Close, Steve Jones, Adam McGuinness, James Oates, Richard Paxton and Gary Shields recommitting to the RCA cause.