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May 20th 1998	The club has announced some of its plans for the future using the money from the FA Cup run which culminated in a tie at Premiership West Ham United. The executive committee have put in place spending plans to develop the club gradually for the future. The basis of this is an investment in a strong youth policy. Ronnie Glavin has signed a three year contract with the club, to continue his good work on the field with the first team, but also to develop a School of Excellence. The old dressing rooms are to be repaired and used as the base for the Soccer School. Matches will still be played at Skelmanthorpe, and the old dressing rooms used for changing. A qualified coach is to be employed to oversee the coaching of youngsters from age 10 upwards. In addition various improvements are to be made to ensure the ground and facilities continue to meet Unibond League standards. These include the building of new dugouts and improvements to the pitch surrounds, and the purchase of new ground maintenance equipment. The major outlay however is to be spent on the clubhouse. £ 40000 will be spent  completely refurbishing the club, including extensive work changing the interior layout to bring it up to modern standards. The basic structure of the building is basically sound, and it is hoped these changes will make the club more popular for use by the villagers, particularly as a venue for parties. At the annual awards ceremony at Painthorpe country club, Michael Thompson took the Supporters and the Players Player of the year awards. Michael Reynolds received the Presidents award. Ian Banks was also given an award for his services on and off the pitch over the last three years. Simon Jones also took the opportunity to apologise to the club, the committee, the supporters and his fellow players for the poor discipline he showed during 1997-98. Jonah's apology was warmly received by attendees at the dinner.
28th April 1998	Emley v Parkgate                                                                                              at Hillsborough  28th April 1998 Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup Final This game was played at the home of Sheffield Wednesday in a stadium that can hold 40,000. 671 people turned up and hence the atmosphere was not all it could be. However Emley did not let that affect them as they took on a team three leagues below them. Parkgate play in the Northern Counties East First Division (there is a Premier Division above it) and came into this game after a 9-0 thrashing of WInterton Rangers - old adversaries of Emley - whilst Emley had just lost 7-1 to Altrincham. Following this Parkgate started in confident mood, having two or three impressive attacks in the first few minutes, which they should probably have scored from, or at least hit the target. Emley gradually found their feet however and were soon dictating play. Parkgate were to regret those early misses when Paul David put Emley ahead. His header, from a corner was beaten down, but he managed to toe poke it past the 'keeper who had not had time to recover his position. Parkgate continued to threaten occasionally and better final balls from some swift counter-attacks might have brought them reward. The second half, was completely dominated by Emley who ground down the stiff resistance of their opponents. The lead was extended just before the hour when Graham broke, drew the defence and laid the ball back for Reynolds to slot home. Soon after it was three, this time Tonks, who had a fine game, slotted the ball into an empty net after Nicholson's shot was beaten away by the 'keeper. Emley could have extended their lead, but the 'keeper kept the score down. At the other end Marples pulled off two fine saves to deny Parkgate a consolation. Near the end Emley were awarded a penalty following a foul on Reynolds, but rather then the very reliable Banks taking it, Emley's goalkeeper Marples stepped up. His poor effort was easily saved, and it seemed a bit patronising to opponents who had put up a good fight despite the gulf in class. A quality performance by Emley on the field was sadly ruined on the final whistle. As the referee blew, the Parkgate skipper, Clarke, ran his studs down Calcutt's leg. Calcutt reacted angrily and threw the ball at Clarke. The referee then saw fit to send Calcutt off, which enraged Simon Jones, not known for his diplomatic skills. Lacey tried to stop Jones, who turned on Lacey and a brief scuffle resulted, which brought embarrassment to all associated with the club. Banks could not bring himself to collect the trophy, and it was left to Nicholson to collect the club's first silverware for six years. Result: Emley  3 - 0 Parkgate
25th April 1998	Altrincham v Emley                                                                                           This was as dismal a performance from Emley as the scoreline suggests. It was exaggerated by Emley having two players sent off, but that is no excuse. Emley started brightly enough, with Linton Brown making an excellent run at the Altrincham defence; starting in his own half. The defenders backed off, but his shot went well over. Graham also made his presence felt, but Altrincham took the lead after twenty minutes, following a mistake from David. Altrincham further extended their lead after twenty-six minutes and Emley lost their heads. When Brown went in over the ball in an innocuous position, the referee saw red and Emley were in really trouble, down to ten men with more then half the game to go. Jones also had to have his say and got a booking for his trouble. The second half again started well, Graham produced some good work in the box, tried to lay the ball back, but it was handled in the area. It looked accidental, but the referee thought otherwise, and Banks slotted home another cool penalty. Soon after though the game ended as a contest. Jones lunged in after the ball had gone and was inevitably sent off; having already been booked. He made it worse by ignoring the ref at first, and may have been sent off without it being a second bookable offence. From the free kick, Altrincham went three-one up. From then on it was a procession. Emley were completely disorganised, and Altrincham took full advantage, putting in another easy four goals. Result: Altrincham 7 - 1 Emley
11th April 1998	Radcliffe Borough v Emley                                                                                Following the dour display against Alfreton the previous week, a visit to the next-to-bottom, and almost doomed team, did not inspire much confidence in an open and attractive game. The weather added to this with bitingly cold northerly winds, laced with snow, making being outside an unpleasant experience. The game however looked like surprising us when it got off to a cracking start. Emley charged downfield and almost got gifted an own goal, the ball just creeping wide. Radcliffe then ran straight upfield and promptly scored. Emley's defence, missing Lacey, hadn't yet got organised and the goal was a simple tap-in. Emley regrouped quickly. Midwood missed a good chance when through, then the excellent as usual Graham put over an inch-perfect cross for Reynolds to head home from three yards. Emley continued to press and Midwood again had a good chance when put through, but hesitated too long and the chance was lost. After this the game settled down to a midfield scrap in the mud. Radcliffe too had good chances, Thompson saving Marples' blushes on one occasion when heading off the line after Marples had punched poorly. Marples made amends though with a couple of fine saves in one-on-one situations. It was Emley however who took the lead near half-time. Graham was adjudged to have been pushed in the back when going for a header. The decision was marginal and Radcliffe protested, but Banks still stepped up to place one of his cool penalties into the corner. Its very difficult to write anything about the second half. Most of it was spent in midfield with neither side looking like taking the initiative. Passes went astray, and Radcliffe battled manfully to get the break they needed. Sadly for them they were unable to produce the quality final ball and finish that would have got them a deserved equaliser. Result: Radcliffe Borough 1 - 2 Emley
4th April 1998	Emley v Alfreton Town                                                                                       The bottom team, and almost doomed, Alfreton's visit to Emley did not inspire much hope for a great game. Emley invariably lower their game when struggling teams visit and this was no exception. Emley looked well on top at the start and went ahead after 17 minutes with the simplest of set-piece goals. Banks floated one of his pinpoint corners into the area and David strolled in unchallenged to head the ball firmly into the net. Alfreton's uncertainty at corners continued throughout the game , and it was always Emley's most likely source of goals. Following this good start however, Emley went back into neutral, and Alfreton showed some spirit in trying to get back into the game. They probably had the better of the rest of the first half, but rarely threatened. The second half continued where the first left off. Emley still not playing well and Alfreton trying their hardest to breach Emley's defence. This never really looked like happening though, and when Lacey headed home another Banks corner, it was effectively all over. Result: Emley  2 - 0 Alfreton Town
21st March 1998	Emley v Barrow                                                                                                 Barrow came to Emley as runaway league leaders, but following a defeat in mid-week on penalties in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy. This left them looking a little out of sorts, and without their star player, former Liverpool man, Mike Marsh. The game started tensely as both teams warily tested the other out. Barrow looked marginally the better for twenty minutes, but it was Emley who made the first telling strike. Reynolds was, rather harshly, adjudged to have been obstructed near the corner flag. Banks sent across a seemingly well practised free-kick and Thompson volloyed it in superbly past a surprised 'keeper. This goal galvanised Emley and they took over the game. The lead was further extended soon afterwards when Reynolds made a superb run into the box, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake, he got to the by-line inside the six-yard box and laid the ball back for Graham to slot into the empty net. Emley almost went three up with a repeat of the move that lead to the first goal. This time however Thompson's volley was not quite as accurate, and flew over the bar. Barrow had not lost away from home in the league before today, conceding only seven goals on their travels. They started the second half looking to get back into the game, but Emley soon extended their lead. David headed on a Reynolds cross, and the ball fell for Michael Midwood, making his debut, his shot made its way through the 'keeper's legs for the third goal. A series of substitutions followed from both sides, Graham was one of these, injuring his elbow to be replaced by Wilson. But though Barrow pressed to make the score respectable, Marples, and the defensive line were in fine form and the game eventually petered out in a comfortable victory for Emley. Result: Emley 3 - 0 Barrow
14th March 1998	Marine v Emley                                                                                                  Marine is always a tough place to go and the matches are invariably exciting and filled with incident; this was definitely no exception. Emley, with only Nicholson missing from a full-strength side, had the worst possible start; conceding a goal after three minutes from a long range speculative shot which deceived Marples. They came back strongly however, having the best of the play, including several good chances involving the lively front line of Hurst, Graham, Calcutt and Reynolds. The equaliser came from a corner around the half hour mark. Baines inexplicably handled it, when under pressure from David. Banks slotted the penalty expertly past O'Brien in goal, making his 800th appearance for Marine. A marvelous demonstration of loyalty in an increasingly mercenary game. Unfortunately Emley then went back to sleep and, just before half-time, Marine regained the lead after confusion in the Emley defence. Calcutt was replaced at half-time by Wilson and the team looked more balanced. Emley took the game to Marine and were rewarded by a cool finish from Graham, who broke clear despite claims for hand-ball and offside from Marine. Soon after Emley got their second penalty of the afternoon. Banks put a perfect ball through to Hurst, who got to the by-line, and pulled it back for Graham. Unfortunately a defender got in the way, but was adjudged to have handled the ball. Banks again sent O'Brien the wrong way from the spot. The Marine centre-half had gone off with a head injury and Emley began to exploit the extra space this gave them. The excellent Graham again broke clear of the defence, had two attempts expertly saved by O'Brien, before Reynolds finished the ball off. Marine now had nothing to lose, and the dynamic Baines, having given the first penalty away, made up for it with an excellent finish to make it 4-3. Straight from the kick-off Reynolds, finding the right-wing much more to his liking than the left, got into the penalty area again and was felled for Emley's third penalty of the afternoon. Banks duly got his hat-trick of penalties, the first time I can remember that happening in 30 years of watching Emley. Emley squandered more goal chances as the game came to a close, but the final result was more than satisfying. Result: Marine 3 - 5 Emley

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