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Haines pens new Clarets contract

Young defensive prospect Mark Haines has shown his commitment to Chelmsford City by putting pen to paper on a brand new contract with the Clarets whilst paying tribute to newly-crowned Non-League Paper 'Golden Oldies' legend and mentor Steve Ward, claiming: "He's given me a lot of advice and encouragement!"

Haines, in his very early twenties and having progressed through the Reserves to become a First Team regular, embodies the youthful ethos Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather has brought to the squad this season. Though he admits his emergence might not have been quite so sharp had it not been for team mate and 37-year-old fans' favourite 'Wardy' who has been a constant role model to the former West Ham United starlet.

"I've taken a lot from the other players and have been reading their game," he explained, "such as when to go for certain headers or not, because they've been around longer than me. Wardy and Ben Chenery give me advice and Ben stays after training with me to work on things like my heading. If I'm in the wrong place or make a mistake they won't have a go at me but will encourage me and tell me how to do it better next time."

Pennyfather is delighted to have so many options in the centre of defence, with Ben Martin also making a real impact since returning from injury. Now Haines, despite his own foot and ankle knock picked-up at Weymouth, can't wait to get stuck in again. He said: "There are definitely opportunities there so you've got to make sure you take them. Some of our other players have taken their chances as well because they wouldn't be here otherwise and they're learning along with me. The club is on the way forward."

Meanwhile Ward, who was included in a recent compilation of 20 of the games 'Golden Oldies', believes he could reach the 1,000-game mark if he continues to maintain the shape which sees him regarded as one of the squad's fittest players. He explained: "It was very flattering to be included as there were some great players on the list. People like Mark Smith who I have played with for the Middlesex Wanderers and Jimmy McFarlane who has retired at Hornchurch. They're both 100% players who inspire me. Jimmy always looked after himself and Smudger is still going at 42. That says it all!"

With football remaining to flow through his veins, Ward has been the perfect inspiration to City's younger players competing for places, though he confesses he still has a lot to learn himself and draws strength from fellow members of the 'oldies' list whose own veteran statuses render him the proverbial spring chicken in comparison! "If you ask all 19 of the other players listed what keeps them going they'd probably say that they love playing and have a desire for football, and I'm no different," he continued. "I love training and running and trying to improve my game even now."

"I spend a lot of time thinking about the next match. I take vitamin supplements, have all the pre and post-carb drinks, wear a magnet to aid recovery, warm up and down when at games and constantly stretch! It all takes time and hard work but it has become a habit so it's easier to do and when you have 20-odd pre-seasons under your belt the fitness is part of your make-up. Sometimes after games I'm as stiff as a board and sometimes I feel like I haven't played so whilst the latter is happening I'm confident of continuing. Players like Clarkey go out for runs and have ice baths which you take on board and while it might look a little odd when I'm stretching under a lamp post late at night or standing in a wheelie bin at the back of the bar, it makes it all worthwhile when the whistle goes!"

"When you're around a squad of young lads they keep you energised and feeling their age even if I've never heard of most of the music they've played! The feeling that a win can give you isn't really replicated anywhere else in life and I love that adrenaline rush which keeps you ticking over until the next game. I often think where I will get that from when I finish and perhaps this has helped me to keep on going! That might be a real struggle for me when the curtain finally falls, but I can write another few pages!"

Steve's job as a PE teacher means he has an in-built focus on what's coming-up and, with a dozen games still to go, he admits he's done some early mind-mapping for 2010/11, adding: "I'm already planning for the off-season and what I want to achieve in terms of fitness so I devote a lot of time to football, as my wife will vouch for! I've just passed the 850 career appearances mark and I'm looking to extending that as far as I can. It'd be great to reach 1,000 games like Neil Redfearn, but that's another four seasons of football. You never know, if I could borrow Ricky Holmes' engine I might just make it!"

CCFC Ten-Pin Bowling Challenge: City have secured a fantastic offer from Megabowl on Widford Industrial Estate to stage a night of strikes, spares and hi-fives on Thursday 15th April as fans and their families and friends are invited to the inaugural Bowling Challenge in aid of the 'Raise the Roof' campaign.

Starting at 7:00pm, the challenge will begin to decipher who will be named the champion bowler of all City fans! The cost is just £6 for two games plus shoe hire and the fund for covered roll-on, roll-off terracing at Melbourne will make a substantial chunk from this event, with the only proviso that participants enjoy themselves in the process!

Fundraiser Jon Read is collecting names straight away, with teams of six drawn from the final list. There will be prizes on offer for the top team, the top bowler and worst score on the night! Interest can be registered with Jon via E-Mail at jon.read@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk or by ringing/texting on (07825) 303068. Anyone wishing to utilise this night for their own company/business, can also please feel free to give Jon a call.

Essex Senior Cup Date Fixed: City's Essex Senior Cup semi-final away at AFC Hornchurch will take place on Tuesday 9th March at Bridge Avenue, with a 7:45pm kick-off as Glenn Pennyfather's team aim to defend their county title against the Urchins. Elsewhere that night, the other semi in the BBC Essex-supported competition will take place when Dagenham & Redbridge host Colchester United, with all four teams gunning for a place in the final, the date and venue of which are yet to be confirmed.

'Raise the Roof' Creeps Towards Five Figures: Recent collections at home games, with nearly £100 'bucketed' at each of the Dorchester Town and Newport County fixtures, have brought the 'Raise the Roof' total for covered ro-ro terracing up to nearly £10,000, according to Rob Hill from the organising party. The £9k barrier was recently broken and, with forthcoming fundraisers predicted to offer a boost, confirmation of a five-figure total so far could soon be announced! Thanks go to those who have donated so far, no matter how small or large, and to those who will help out in the future

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