Devizes miss Campbell by Nicholas Harling

THE frustration is understandable for Brian Newlands, the manager of Devizes Town, whose FA Cup tie at Kingstonian tomorrow is undoubtedly the biggest match in their history. Newlands would give anything to call on Steve Campbell, the midfielder he was forced to sell in the summer to Forest Green, who probably will not need him for their fourth qualifying round tie at home to Bath.

Newlands makes no secret of his admiration for the 20-year-old, whose 16 goals in Devizes' last 10 Screwfix Direct Western League First Division games enabled them to complete a remarkable unbeaten season as champions. "When I signed Steve from Chippenham I knew it would guarantee us promotion," Newlands said. "He became the focal point of our midfield. He was our missing link."

Unfortunately for Devizes, they were forced to sell Campbell when Forest Green came up with an offer of 4,500. "You couldn't blame Steve," Newlands said. "The terms and conditions they offered him were unbelievable." But unfortunately for Campbell he has not been an instant success for Forest Green despite hitting "two absolute screamers" in pre-season friendlies, according to the Nationwide Conference club's manager, Frank Gregan.

"Steve goes missing for 20 minutes at a time," Gregan said. "He needs to learn to influence a game more." All of which is no comfort to Newlands. "Losing him was a big blow but we have still got a lot of things going for us," he said.

Kingstonian, struggling in the Conference, will welcome midfielder Geoff Pitcher back from suspension but goalkeeper Steve Farrelly and wingback Colin Luckett are still banned. Forest Green, meanwhile, will almost certainly have Campbell on the bench in their derby against Bath, who will not have to face goalkeeper Nigel Spink or Tony Daley, who are both injured.

DEVIZES AIMING TO EXTEND HONEYMOON by Richard Luscombe

DEVIZES TOWN players have been literally groomed for success in the FA Cup this season with the Wiltshire club 90 minutes from their first appearance in the First Round. Three Devizes players, strikers Julian Alexander and Barry Flippance and midfielder Nathan Sheridan, were married within two weeks of each other at the start of the season, leaving manager Brian Newlands short of numbers for the start of the Western League club's Cup run at Melksham. The honeymoon continues on the pitch, however, as Devizes won 2-1 at Saltdean on Saturday, their fourth victory in the competition this season, to set up a Final Qualifying Round tie at Conference side Kingstonian on Oct 28. "We were hoping for a big- name club, we're sure we can give a good account of ourselves," said Devizes secretary Chris Dodd.

Yesterday's draw also rewarded Horsham, of Ryman League Division Two, for coming from behind and knocking out Hastings of the Dr Martens League with a 3-2 win. Horsham must travel to Conference leaders Yeovil. Aylesbury produced a major upset by winning 2-0 at Ryman League leaders Farnborough and now have, in theory, an easier task at home to Bracknell Town. Chesham, at home to Kettering, have named caretaker manager Bob Dowie on a permanent basis. Sheffield, who were founded in 1857 and are the world's oldest football club, have been drawn at home to another of the game's famous old names, Conference side Northwich Victoria. Former Reading and Swindon manager Jimmy Quinn resigned as joint manager at Northwich after Saturday's home defeat by leaders Yeovil left them rooted at the foot of the table. Quinn, the former Northern Ireland international, has joined rivals Hereford on a short-term playing contract.

Kingstonian brawl by Nicholas Harling

PROBLEMS are piling up for Kingstonian, whose two seasons of FA Trophy triumphs have been replaced by turmoil on and off the pitch. The Surrey club are not only in danger of losing manager Geoff Chapple, but also face disciplinary action from the Football Association.

An abscess kept Chapple away on Tuesday, when Kingstonian had two men sent off in a 3-0 home defeat by Hereford and were involved in a 22-man brawl which will be reported to the FA by referee Steve Rubery. The invasion of the Kingsmeadow pitch by a fan from the visiting supporters' end will also be mentioned in the official's report.

"I've never seen anything like that before," said Rubery, 37, who is in his first season on the Conference list. "There was a mass confrontation and it will be up to the FA whether they ask Kingstonian for a copy of the video."

Chapple, meanwhile, was at home nursing a sore mouth, fending off inquiries from supporters concerned at speculation linking him with the job at Yeovil as David Webb's successor. "I've had no contact with Yeovil," he insisted.

The new manager, to be named on Monday, will take charge of a team who went back to the top of the table when, under caretaker Steve Thompson, they thrashed Dover 4-0.

Bottom club Northwich have parted company with manager Mark Gardiner after two years by mutual agreement. Centre-half Steve Davis is in charge temporarily.

Ks FANZINE BACKS DOWN OVER LIBEL ON FORMER DIRECTOR

A KINGSTONIAN fanzine has felt the wrath of a former club director who was furious at a libellous comment it carried in its latest issue.

It led the editor of Weaving In And Out harbouring fears that the publication could be sued by Robert Woolfson.

But Mr Woolfson, who used to be the clubs finance director, looks set to settle for an apology from the makers of the Kingstonian fanzine over remarks made in their last edition, which came out in August.

It relates to Jeanette Cummings, a former secretary at the club, who claimed she was unfairly dismissed in 1997 after being the subject of alleged sexual harassment. Ks unsuccessfully fought the case at an Industrial Tribunal, and were left with a 20,000 hole in their pocket.

Mr Woolfson took offence to the fanzine after reading an interview between Taimour Ley and Ks chief executive Chris Kelly. The text contains incorrect allegations involving the former director, which he deems to be libellous.

The magazine admits that it was wrong, and its editor, Ali Kazemi told the Times: "We have e-mailed an apology. It was a misunderstanding and we are writing an apology. We wont be getting sued, though that was my initial worry".

"We were told that if we continue to defamate character they [Mr Woolfsons legal representatives] would seek an injunction to stop the publication".

An apology will appear in the next edition of the bi-monthly fanzine, which costs just 50p and has a circulation figure of around 200.

The Times attempted to contact Mr Woolfson, but was unable to at the time of going to press.