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EAST COWES VICTORIA
welcome
EAST COWES VICTORIA
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It gives us great pleasure to welcome everyone associated with East Cowes Victoria Football Club to Foxcotte Park this afternoon.
The Vic’s make their first visit to our corner of Hampshire since a 5-2 defeat in September 2019 and will be aiming to pick up three points here for the first time since September 2012. The Vics triumphed 5-3 that afternoon.
The Isle of Wight side arrive at Foxcotte this afternoon looking to get their campaign started after a 5-0 home defeat to neighbours Newport IOW on Bank Holiday Monday.
Vic’s manager Rich Woodburn has assembled a mix of youth and experience and will be hoping to continue the improving recent season finishing’s of 20th in 2016/17, 16th in 2017/18 and then 10th in 2018/19.
The Vic’s didn’t get their current campaign off to the best of starts with 2-0 defeat at home to league newcomers Infinity. They then went on a 4 game unbeaten run.
Starting with an 8 goal thriller at Fawley, with current club top scorer Jimmi Burton getting a hat-trick and Toby Snow also scoring to ensure the first point of the season.
This was followed up with a 1-1 home draw with Ringwood Town. Again Burton was on target for the Vic’s. A 4-3 penalty shootout over Fawley following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes with Burton again on target for East Cowes and Declan Hartigan scoring for the Oilers. Last Saturday the Vic’s hit five past Fleet Spurs, with five different scorers; a Ryan Gregory penalty after 2 minutes got the Vics off to a perfect start and after hitting the bar twice, the Vics doubled their lead through a Harrison Catania header. Toby Snow made it 3-0 before a simple tap in for Jimmi Burton made it 4-0 and Harrison Yates rounded off the scoring late on. Finally on Monday afternoon they entertained Newport IOW in front of a crowd of 292. The Port went into a 1-0 lead through a Connor Kelly penalty after he was brought down in the box. He then turned supplier 3 minutes later for Jacob Reynolds to score the second. Kelly assisted the third goal for Newport with his cross being poked home by Joe Butcher. Liam Harper headed home the fourth and Kelly got his second with a well taken lob. East Cowes are awaiting a league decision on their game against Andover Town early last month, which was abandoned in the 96th minute when an Andover player collapsed.
in opposition
AN AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE TO OUR VISITORS FROM BEATRICE AVENUE
► THE MANAGER RICHIE WOODBURN: Has been at the club now since November 2019 when he was appointed manager. Woodburn had previously been manager at Cowes Sports, where he famously got the Yachtsmen promotion in 2015 from League 1 to the Wessex Premier but the club parted company with him in April 2017 following a string of poor results.
► GOALKEEPER
KARL STEINBORNE-BUSSE: Young goalkeeper who joined East Cowes from Fareham Town in 2018. Travels from the mainland for every game. Very talented keeper. He is dual signed with AFC Totton.
► DEFENDERS CHRIS TURNER: Great addition to the squad over the summer. Very strong centre half who has impressed during pre-season. RYAN GREGORY: Club captain who signed from Shanklin at the beginning of last season, very strong and commanding centre half. Was part of the Cowes team that won promotion from League 1. AIDEN WHITE: Joined the Vic’s in the summer from Cowes Sports where he was a regular last season. Big strong left full back who is also comfortable on the ball. KADE WOODFORD: Very talented 16 year old left full back. Has impressed with his display’s so far. Joins his dad and two brothers in playing for the Vic’s HARRISON BERRY: Longest serving player at the club who has now returned from a serious knee problem, which required 3 operations. Very strong centre half who can also play midfield. Great clubman. KEELAN WALSH: Second spell at the Vic’s after a season with Newport. Very quick fullback who gets forward well.
► MIDFIELDERS BRANDON HAYWARD: Signed from Pan Sports in 2018. So important to how the team play as he gets through a lot of work driving the team forward. Stong in the air for his size.
HARRY CATANIA: Joined at the beginning of last season from Pan Sports. Very combative midfielder who has progressed well and is an important member of the squad HARRISON YATES: from Newport. Had a frustrating time with injuries but now looking to get back to his best. JORDAN CHAPMAN who is now in his third season with the Vic’s. Very quick with and without the ball. LIAM NEWBOLD Richie Woodburn spell at the Vic’s after a season at Newport. Competitive pl his all every game. Never been booked. OLLIE WEST: Older brother of Henry who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and also strong in the air. Definitely the brainer of the two West brothers. SAM KIRBY: Signed halfway through last season from Cowes Sports. Talented midfielder with an eye for a pass. JAMIE WRIGHT: Joined pre Island League Pan Sports. Gifted left sided player who spent much of his youth at AFC Bournemouth. ZAK SULLIVAN: Signed this summer from Island League side Binstead who he joined from Newport. Skillful midfielder who is a good addition to the squad. ► STRIKERS CHARLIE MARSEK Signed from the successful Gunard youth side. Very quick forward who has scored a couple of goals in pre season. JIMMI BURTON:Harrison Berry season with the Vic’s and is always amongst the goals and has scored goals in double figures in each of his seasons at the Vic’s. TOBY SNOW: Excellent product of the Gunard Youth system, who signed in the summer. Can play up front or in midfield and is one future. . Signed in the summer : Silky midfielder : Now in his second ayer who gives -season from : Another player who - Now in his fourth for the
FROM THE AWAY END
Darren Dyer is a club stalwart and also washes the kit, amongst other things. He was also the club secretary for 16 years and has been following the club since the age of 4 as his family have been involved with the club for over 60 years...
► THE SEASON AHEAD
WORD ON THE STREET: What are your expectations for East Cowes this season?
DARREN: We have a young side, who whilst have a great deal of talent also need to learn the realities of Wessex football so hopefully a mid table finish. Oh and we would love to win the Isle of Wight Senior Cup!
WOTS: Which of the new signings for East Cowes is the pick of the bunch in your opinion and why?
DARREN: Three young lads who pitched up at pre-season. Kade Woodford, Toby Snow and Charlie Marsek. All 16 years of age but so much talent.
WOTS: What do you think of manager Richie Woodburn? Is he doing a good job?
DARREN: Woody does a great job. It’s hard in this league for the island clubs, as essentially we are all chasing the same players. Unfortunately the laid back island attitude extends to some lads outlook on football as there are many lads who could play Wessex football but just want to play island league with their mates. That and the fact we don’t pay any money also makes Woody’s job harder.
WOTS: Which one of the players who have left the club this summer were you most disappointed to lose? DARREN: Never disappointed to lose a player. If they don’t want to be at the club then go.
WOTS: Who do you most want to beat this season?
DARREN: Newport IOW FC
► SEASONS PAST...
WOTS: Tell us about you. Why do you support East Cowes? When did it all start? What was your first game? What do you remember about it?
DARREN: As I said earlier I’ve been involved all my life. I used to go with my late Uncle Alan when he was playing to all the away games. I really can’t remember the first game I went to and I dread to think how many I’ve actually watched. Must be thousands!!!
WOTS: Who’s your favourite East Cowes player of all time? And why?
DARREN: My uncle Alan Reed. He was my hero growing up and he took me everywhere with him. Al played over 500 games for the Vic’s and was manager of the club when he was tragically killed in a road accident. I miss him so much and hopefully he would be proud of the club now as we try our best to move it forward.
WOTS: Which is your favourite season following Infinity? And why?
DARREN: Every season brings new optimism so hopefully this season!!
WOTS: If you could invite five former East Cowes players and managers to a dinner party, who would they be?
DARREN: Al Reed, John Hazel, Graham Daish, Neil Berridge and John Beard.
THE FACTS
EAST COWES VIC AFC
Formed: 1885 Manager: Richie Woodburn Last season: 15th at point of abandonment Last season’s average attendance: 95 Current position: 12th Current Leading goals corer: Jimmi Burton - 5
DARREN’S QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
Terrace or seats? Seats Who are your rivals? Cowes Sports Favourite all-time manager? Graham Daish Predict your player of the season? Jimmi Burton If you could bring one player from the past back in the East Cowes side, who would it be? Alan Reed Most treasured East Cowes piece of memorabilia? My uncles IOW senior Cup winners medal What league will East Cowes be in next season? Wessex One Who will win the Wessex League One this season? Anyone apart from Newport
► NEW STREET & EAST COWES
WOTS: What do you expect from today’s game? What’s your prediction? Are you looking forward to visiting Foxcotte Park?
DARREN: Always look forward to visiting New Street as we are always treated well and I have many good friend’s at Foxcotte Park. Hopefully it’s a Vic’s win.
WOTS: Who should the Street defence be most wary of in today’s match?
DARREN: I’m not telling you that!!
DID YOU KNOW?
The club was established in 1885, taking the Victoria part of the name as their Beatrice Avenue ground is in an area owned by Osborne House, one of the homes of Queen Victoria. They were founder members of the Isle of Wight League in 1898, and won the league in its inaugural season.
back to the future
EAST COWES STALWART DARREN DYER PICKS HIS OWN DREAM TEAM...
► GOALKEEPER
JOHN SIMPKINS: Best Goalkeeper this club has ever had. Still at the club now. Legend.
► RIGHT-BACK ALAN REED: My hero and best mate.
► LEFT-BACK STEVE LEGG: Proper hard fullback. Been mates since we were kids and he would kick me now if I didn’t put him in the side!
► CENTRE-BACK JOHN HAZEL: Another one taken from us way too early. Superb centre half
► CENTRE-BACK GERRY SHAW: Him and John Hazel were unbeatable when we won the Hampshire League two years on the trot.
► RIGHT-WING GARETH WILLIAMS: The best player I’ve seen wear a Vic’s shirt, went on to play for Aston Villa, great lad.
► LEFT-WING SPARKY HUTTON: Proper old fashion winger, Loved watching Sparky play.
► CENTRAL-MIDFIELD
JOHN WATSON: The quietest and hardest man I’ve seen on a football pitch. Graham Daish will tell you he was his best ever signing.
GARETH WILLIAMS ► CENTRAL-MIDFIELD MICK BUTLER: The most driven player I’ Vics. Every game whether it be a training game or a cup final meant same to Mick. ► STRIKER MARK DEACON: In the years when we won the Hants League and numerous Island Gold Cups this guy was unstoppable, so strong and scored goals for fun ► STRIKER ADAM ROBINSON: This one might surprise a few as he was only with us for a season and a half before a bad new injury but in that time he scored over 70 goals. So quick and direct. ve seen in my time at
