On Saturday, Ironton was back at Enfield as manager of Arlesey Town. And his side won their FA Cup First Round Qualifying tie by four goals to one.

Ironton said:" I was very pleased with the result. We have had a lot of upheaval at the club in the summer with players coming and going and we are just getting settled now. So it was a lovely result to get.

"We started very briskly with plenty of chances. Stuart Beevor was in great form as was Greg Pyke. They both scored twice and that settled everyone down, making it comfortable in the end.

"Beevor has a good deal of FA Cup pedigree as he played for Stevenage Borough in their famous giantkilling runs of the past. He is a Conference player and could have gone far in the game.

"He has great ability on the ball and he is the best midfield man in our league by a long way. I've made him club captain. He has great experience, has a fantastic attitude and is a big player for special occasions."

Enfield were a force in the Conference when Ironton played for them. But the loss of their traditional Southbury Road ground and ongoing financial restrictions mean that the Middlesex side are a different proposition nowadays. Nevertheless, Ironton still has a great deal of affection for his old club.

He said: "When I was at Enfield, we were the best non-League side in the country along with Altrincham. I will always have a place in my heart for Enfield. They were my type of club.

"I was there for seven years and we won the Conference twice and also lifted the FA Trophy. It was an unbelievable team and the whole set-up was very professional with the Starlight Rooms nightclub there as well.

"They were great times. So it is such a shame to see the demise of the club now."

Fantastic memories for Ironton, who is now fully focused on the job in hand at Arlesey. He is hoping to make further progress in he FA Cup and also to improve on his team's mid-table position in their first season in the Southern League Division One East.

"We've been drawn at home to Wivenhoe in the Cup. That is good for us because we usually get away games! It will be a hard tie as they are one of the better sides in our division.

"They have signed a few younger players from Colchester and Ipswich, so we will have to be at our best to win through.

"In the league, I see things picking up for us. We've had a number of players come and go. We have a very young side now but they are all good prospects.

"The likes of Fisher, East Thurrock and Boreham Wood will be strong in our division this season as they all have very experienced men involved. But we just want to progress and if we make the top six it will be a remarkable season for us.

"The summer was a torrid time at Arlesey. The club cut their budget a little bit and we lost a lot of players. All of them progressed to higher leagues as the side I had last year was an excellent team.

"I've had to start again from scratch - I've had to beg, steal and borrow! The side is just settling down now and nestling in. We will have to work hard, but if we keep it up then we could have a good season."

Other Grassroots News

Hinckley United have announced that the first game at their new ground at De Montford Park will be against Kettering Town on Boxing Day with a 3pm kick-off.

Former Manchester United, Leeds and England star Lee Sharpe, 33, has signed for Garforth Town of the Northern Counties East League.