Aylesbury United v Harlow Town by Aylesbury United

Official Matchday Programme 2021-22  #15  Free

Harlow Town

CHARITY PARTNER 2021-22

#BringTheDucksHome

Aylesbury United

11 December 2021  Pitching In Southern League Division One Central

FOLLOW THE DUCKS ..no matter where you are

Welcome

Aylesbury United FC 01296 487 367 www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk

Directors Chairman Graham Read Vice chairman Ken Turnbull General secretary Steve Baker Fixture secretary Ian Pluck Directors James Byrne, Andy Martin, Brian Metcalfe, Ian Pluck, Alan Sherwell, Warren Sheward

Club officials

Gavin James scored the equaliser against Long Crendon on Wednesday

ood afternoon and welcome to this Pitching In Southern League Division one Central match against Harlow Town. This is the first time in almost two decades that we’re playing the Hawks, so a warm welcome to their players, officials, and supporters, and we wish you a safe journey home after today’s game. The last meeting between the sides was a 1-0 win for the Ducks in April 2002. Our opponents come into this game off the back of a 3-2 home win over Waltham Abbey last Saturday. They were 2-0 up after just three minutes, with goals from Alexander Read and Marcus Marku. We on the other hand come into this game after back-back defeats, losing 2-1 to Hertford Town on Saturday in the league, and then to Long Crendon in a penalty shoot-out on Wednesday evening after a 2-2 draw in the Berks & Bucks Cup. Of course, a mitigating factor is that we currently have seven players

sidelined by injury – even Mike Hogg’s managed to injure himself – which any team at our level would struggle to cope with. This has naturally disrupted any momentum we had hoped to build upon, particularly with such a busy run of games this month. There’s never a good time to suffer so many injuries, but our next five games, starting today, are all against teams in the top half of the league. But that’s football, we just have to handle it the best we can without complaint. Absence does create opportunity, and it was good to see four young players – Jack Seaton, Liam Greville, Junayd Shawwal and Rocko Tamplin – make their full debut for the club in mid-week. We have another home game this coming Wednesday as we face high-flying Bedford Town at home, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Welfare officer James Byrne Safety officer Warren Sheward Ladies team chair James Byrne 21st Century Ducks chair Andy Martin Matchday hospitality Muriel Turnbull First team kit Ron Schmidt Web editor Luke Buckingham-Brown Photographer Mike Snell Head of communications Paul Snell Legal name Aylesbury United Football Club Company number 05814026 Significant interests (shareholder/shareholding) Graham Read: 49% 21st Century Ducks: 39% Editor Paul Snell Contributors Mike Snell, Luke Buckingham-Brown Images Mike Snell, grassrootsgroundswell, Freepik, mavadee, xnimrodx © Aylesbury United 2021

Come on you Ducks!

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The history of Aylesbury United A

ylesbury United were founded in 1897 when three local sides: Night School FC, The Printing Works and Aylesbury Town decided to merge. The club, affectionately known as ‘the Ducks’ due to the famous Aylesbury breed, have experienced some incredible highs over their long 124-year history but now battle for existence without a home ground to call their own. In the early years United played in local leagues before joining the Spartan League in 1908 where they remained until the Second World War. 1951 saw the Ducks gain their first taste of national publicity as they became the only club from the Delphian League ever to reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, eventually losing to Third Division side Watford. Southern League and success Aylesbury turned semiprofessional in 1976 and joined the Southern League, a move which got the ball rolling on the club’s most successful period. A number of events followed which were to help: In 1983 the club appointed Trevor Gould as manager, and then a year later a young local lad called Cliff Hercules made his debut, unaware that he was to become the most successful player in the club’s history. ‘Hercy’ was, and still is, an Aylesbury icon, and some 20-years later he finally hung

1897

Night School FC, The Printing Works, and Aylesbury Town merge to form Aylesbury United.

1908-09

up his boots having smashed the club records with 669 appearances and scoring 301 goals. Promotion to the Southern Premier was soon achieved and shortly afterwards the Ducks moved to their new Buckingham Road stadium. This gave the town a new impetus and Gould’s talented squad secured the Southern League Championship in 1987-88 and gained promotion to the GM Vauxhall Conference. United then hit the headlines again, becoming the only non-league side ever to take on the full England team, as more than 6000 packed into Buckingham Road to see the Ducks take on the Three Lions. Unfortunately United’s brush with the non-league elite only lasted one season, after which the club were relegated to the Isthmian League. Fame and the FA Cup During the period between 1985 and 1992, Aylesbury boasted the best FA Cup record of any side outside the Football League, reaching at least the First Round Proper every season. The highlights being a victory over then Division Four leaders Southend United, a narrow extra time replay defeat against Northampton Town, and being shown live across Europe against Walsall. Ironically though it wasn’t Gould, the club’s most

The Ducks pick up their first silverware, as champions of the Spartan League.

1913-14

The club wins the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup for the first time.

successful manager, who led the Ducks to their greatest FA Cup achievement, it was his successor Steve Ketteridge in 1994-95. Once again the club became media celebrities as the ‘Duck Walk’ goal celebration was shown around the world, as Aylesbury went on to reach the Third Round where they lost to Premiership side Queen’s Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Ketteridge delivered the Isthmian League Cup title to Aylesbury, but it was to be the beginning of a rollercoaster ride for the club. After almost going out of business, the Ducks were pipped to the Isthmian League title by Sutton United a year later, despite heading the table for long periods. The following season saw United back in administration and fighting for survival both on and off the pitch. Despite defeating Football League side Reading in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup, for the second time in four seasons, the club was relegated to Division One for the first time in their history. In October 2000, the legendary Hercules took time out from his duties as the club’s Community Development Officer to manage the Ducks, and in his brief spell in charge he secured promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division and extended the club’s proud FA Cup record with a First Round trip to Port Vale.

1951

A record home crowd of 7,440 sees the Ducks lose to Watford in the FA Cup First Round.

1976

The club turns semi-professional, and joins the Southern League.

Homeless and hopeless Carroll decided to cut ties with the club he had been involved with since 1997, and popular local businessman Graham Read took over the club. But in a cruel twist Aylesbury were left homeless after their lease expired. Since that time Aylesbury have been forced to play their ‘home’ matches some 20 miles out of Aylesbury whilst the committee work

1987-88

The Ducks win the Southern League, and are promoted to the GM Vauxhall Conference.

1988

2002-03 saw Aylesbury returned to national prominence twice. First the club was privileged to play a major part in an England get together as the Buckingham Road facilities were used by Sven Goran Eriksson for a media conference and by the squad for a training session. Second the club made their first ever appearance in the FA Trophy semi-finals, where the Ducks were beaten by eventual winners Burscough. For various reasons the club then began to cycle through a string of managers at an average of two a season – namely Chris Boothe, Kevin Wilson, Paul Curtis, Danny Nicholls, Jon Franklin, Tony Thompson and Mark Eaton. But nothing was to match the low point of summer 2006. Former chairman Bill Carroll failed in his plans to convert the Buckingham Road pitch to a 3G artificial surface – what he described as his ‘last ditch’ idea for creating a viable football club, when the Southern League and FA baulked at his ideas.

The Ducks playing at Buckingham Road in Aylesbury in 2004

hard keeping the club alive. The campaign to ‘Bring the Ducks Home’ has generated plenty of publicity, but so far, sadly, nothing concrete in terms of a new home for the club. There are still plenty of reasons to remain positive; a glance to our near neighbours Slough Town, who moved into a new ground in 2016 having left their previous home in 2003, just goes to show that with patience and perseverance it can be done, and Aylesbury United will return to their rightful place eventually. On the pitch the club continued to do remarkably well, going close to the playoff positions in the Midlands Division for the next three seasons but a new challenge arose last summer when the then manager defected, taking almost the entire playing squad with him. This led to another

The England mens team play the Ducks in a friendly at Buckingham Road to prepare for Euro 88

1994-95

The club reaches the FA Cup third round, losing to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road

tumultuous season which saw Martin Stone initially appointed as manager, but due to personal reasons he had to renege on his appointment less than two weeks before the first game of the season. His assistant, Byron Walton, briefly stepped into the mantle and did a sterling job in assembling a competitive team in such a short space of time. He moved on and former United defender Tony Joyce became the club’s new permanent manager. Unfortunately Joyce was unable to prevent the club’s slide – which had seen them amass just one league win by October – and the club were relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League. However, Joyce built a new and strong squad which finished sixth in the league in 2010-11. Season 2011-12 saw further progression in the league with the Ducks eventually finishing fourth after a strong run of results at the tail

2006

2012-13

The club is evicted The Ducks win their from Buckingham most recent trophy, Road, forcing the Spartan League the team out of Premier Division aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk 5 Aylesbury. Cup, beating Hadley.

end of the season. There was disappointment, however, with the team out of all cup competitions by mid November. Rebuilding for the future The 2012-13 season saw the club competing for the title, being in the top four for the entire season. Finally finishing second to Dunstable Town, gaining promotion to the Southern League courtesy of the FA’s restructuring of the feeder leagues and the additional promotion places that created. The season was capped by securing the Spartan League Premier Division Cup, beating Hadley 3-2 after extra time. The Ducks’ first season back in the Southern league saw them achieve a creditable 12th place finish in a strong division. Other highlights from the season was a much better FA Cup run and notable victories against Southern Premier League opponents Hemel Hempstead, Chesham and Burnham in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup and The Red Insure Cup. The 2014-15 season saw the club finish in 13th place but made the final of the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup for the first time in 10 years, losing 4-0 to Maidenhead United from the Vanarama Conference South. After a disappointing start to the 2015-16 season, Tony Joyce tendered his resignation after six years at the club and was replaced by Glyn Creaser who had been coach under Tony. In Glyn’s first full season in charge, he led the club to the semi-final of the Southern League Cup, before losing at Premier Division St Ives. He also guided the team to 13th position in the table. After two seasons ground sharing

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at the ASM Stadium in Thame, a decision was made to return to The Meadow, the home of Chesham United for the 2017-18 season. After a disappointing start to the league campaign, manager Glyn Creaser was relieved of his responsibilities following a 6-1 home defeat against Cambridge City in December 2017, with the team lying second from the bottom of the table. His assistant Ben Williams was appointed caretaker manager in his place, before being appointed in a full time capacity in January. Williams steadied the ship successfully, integrating a number of new young players and developing a great team spirit, which saw the Ducks rise to 13th in the league, winning nine of their last 13 matches. 2019-20 began in promising fashion, with the Ducks unbeaten in the first nine league games, and winning ties in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. Despite a slight dip in form, the Ducks remained in the play-offs before the season was curtailed early and voided due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020-21 season suffered the same fate as the previous campaign, abandoned after just two months of action. But that was still long enough for the Ducks to suffer heartbreak in the FA Cup, losing a penalty shoot-out to Moneyfields (in a game that had already seen four penalties) – before bouncing back to win on penalties against Tilbury in the FA Trophy. But with the majority of the squad that finished the season signing on again – along with a few shrewd acquisitions – hopes are high to pick up where the team left off.

CLUB HONOURS Spartan League ★Champions 1908-09 ★Runner-up 1913-14, 1928-29 Spartan League Division One ★Champions 1938-39 ★Runner up 1934-35 Spartan League Western Section ★Champions 1945-46 Delphian League ★Champions 1953-54 Athenian League Division Two ★Champions 1967-68 Southern League Division One South ★Runner up 1979-80 Southern League Midlands Division ★Runner up 1984-85 Southern League ★Champions 1987-88 Isthmian League ★Runner-up 1998-99 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division ★Runner-up 2012-13 Berks & Bucks Senior Cup ★Winners 1913-14, 1985-86, 1996-97, 1999-00 Berks & Bucks Benevolent Cup ★Winners 1932-33, 1933-34, 1952-53, 1953-54 Isthmian League Cup ★Winners 1994-95 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Cup ★Winners 2012-13 FA Cup ★First round 1951-52, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1990-91, 1992-93, 2001-02 ★Second round 1988-89, 1989-90, 1991-92 ★Third round 1994-95 FA Trophy ★Quarter finals 1980-81 ★Semi-finals 2002-03

Thank you to all our Gold Club members

Liam Ahern Dave Brown Steve Cadwell Daniel Cadwell Pete Chilcott Dan Harvey Sean Haywood Rob Hiscock Richie Livings

Brian Metcalfe Bob Moody Ian Pluck Jim Rayner Roger Simmons Greg Smith Steve Woodage

Join the Gold Club to receive • A season ticket for all home league and league cup matches • Exclusive polo shirt • Pre-match meal three times a season, featuring an update from the manager • Your name in the matchday programme • Company logo on the website and free advert in the matchday programme (business members) aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk

CANCER CARE & HAEMATOLOGY FUND BASED AT STOKE MANDEVILLE HOSPITAL Registered Charity No: 1001358

Aylesbury United Charity Partnership 2021-2022 Aylesbury United will be helping to raise both funds and awareness for CCHF throughout the 2021/2022

The Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (CCHU) at Stoke Mandeville was built and extended through the work of this Fund and the many donations received from local people and businesses. Through the public’s enduring generosity, including this project, the Fund continues to finance extra provision, including the wig service, specialist nurses and additional equipment to improve the care of patients of the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Contact the Fund:

cchfsocial@gmail.com 01296 315516 Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter www.cchf.org.uk

CCHF, c/o CCHU, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 8AL DONATION FORM Name __________________________________________

Make a DONATION

Online through www.peoplesfundraising.com or cheques payable to ‘Cancer Care & Haematology Fund’. Remember, if you are a UK tax payer, Gift Aid can increase your gift by 25%.

Give TIME to the charity

Help us with the many tasks of running the charity.

Organise FUNDRAISING events Small or large, many ideas on the CCHF website

Visit the website at www.cchf.org.uk Updated Aug 2021

Address ________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Post Code _______________________________________ I enclose a donation of £ ____________________________

Please treat this and all subsequent donations I may make to the Cancer Care & Haematology Fund as a Gift Aid donation (tick box if applicable)

Signature ___________________________________ Date

___________________________________

We will not give your details to any other organisation. If you would like to receive occasional updates from the Cancer Care & Haematology Fund, please tick here £ and provide an email address below ________________________________________________________

Duck walk to Dunstable A tremendous result on and off the pitch as sponsored walk boosts donations to the Cancer Care & Haematology Fund

ore than £2,000 has been raised by supporters for the club’s charity partner, the Cancer Care & Haematology Fund, following a sponsored walk to an away game. A group of 10 hardy Ducks – Allan Brace, Andrew Dell, Stuart Andrews, David Horne, Paul Gardner, Lee Cotton, Mark Rickard, Rich Lloyd, Graham Read, and Andy Martin – braved the inclement weather on 30 October, setting off at 7.45am from Buckingham Road in Aylesbury to walk 25 kilometres to Creasey Park in Dunstable – the home ground of the Ducks’ opponents on Saturday afternoon AFC Dunstable. They reached Dunstable in sunnier conditions in just over five hours, rewarded by their hosts with a hot meal

and drinks. The walkers’ were then treated to a fabulous performance from the team, who beat then-second-placed AFC Dunstable 2-1 with two goals from Max Hercules. In addition to raising money for the CCHF, which supports the work of the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the walk also aimed to draw attention to the fact it is 15 years since the club played its home games in Aylesbury and the continued efforts to #BringTheDucksHome.

Andy Martin, director at Aylesbury United, and chair of supporters’ trust 21st Century Ducks, said: “The generosity of Ducks fans is truly astonishing, and we’re over the moon to be able to raise so much for such a worthy local cause. The amount raised shows that even though the first team has played outside the town for 15 years, we’re a club that remains at the heart of the community.” Richard Lloyd, leader of Aylesbury Town Council and one of the walkers, said: “The show of generosity from fans and the support for this walk makes me ever more determined to deliver the new facilities that Aylesbury desperately needs, and we will continue working towards a Community Stadium for the town”. Donations on behalf of the charity are still welcome, and can be made throughout the season at: www. peoplesfundraising.com/ donation/cchf-and-aylesburyunited

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Meet the Ducks

ANTHONY BALL

AARON BERRY

JAKE BEWLEY

DEFENDER

FORWARD

DEFENDER

Right back who also plays in midfield joined the club in December 2018. He won Aylesbury FC’s Young Player of the Year Award in 2017-18 in his first season in senior football. A graduate of the Luton Town Cedars development programme, he has also played for Winslow United and Berkhamsted on his way to the Ducks. Sponsored by The Harveys

GOALKEEPER

Centre forward returned to the Ducks for a second spell in July, having played for Ascot United and Burnham in his two years away. His presence in attack was just what Aylesbury needed when he made the switch from Southern League counterparts Egham Town in February 2018, netting six goals in just 11 games. Sponsored by Allan Brace

Ever reliable left back and vice-captain who has barely missed a game since being recruited from Leighton Town in 2014 after a fouryear association with the Bedfordshire side, having previously played for Dunstable Town and AFC Dunstable before that. Twice named Supporter’s Player of the Year. Sponsored by David Brown

Young goalkeeper who first signed in March 2018, deputising for regular stopper Jack Hopwood. Marked his debut season with the Manager’s Player of the Year Award, before moving to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos seeking more football. Returned this summer to stake a claim for the number one shirt. Sponsored by Ian Pluck

SONNY FRENCH

MAX HERCULES MIDFIELDER

OLLIE HOGG

GAVIN JAMES

MIDFIELDER

Talented midfielder and vicecaptain signed for United in March 2015 from neighbours Aylesbury FC, where he was a former Player of the Season winner. The 2021-22 season will be his eighth campaign, and French was enjoying his most prolific season in 201920 before it was curtailed due the pandemic, with 13 goals to his name. Sponsored by Erika Robinson

ARCHIE DAVIS

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Exciting winger joined from Tring Athletic in June 2018 after making 60 appearances for the Hertfordshire side in two years. After one season with the Ducks, he stepped up a level to join Kings Langley in summer 2019 and then moved on for a short spell with Berkhamsted, before returning to the Ducks in January 2020. Sponsored by David Horne

MIDFIELDER

Industrious midfielder who has firmly established himself in the United engine room, having joined in summer 2015. Initially found opportunities limited, but after spells with Tring and Leighton Town, he made his competitive debut in November 2015 and has gone from strength-to-strength. Sponsored by Darren Dixon-Smith

FORWARD

Striker signed from Burnham in October 2021, who has won nine caps for St Vincent and the Grenadines, scoring once. The 32-year-old made his senior debut for Maidenhead United, and has enjoyed a career that has included stints at Marlow, Flackwell Heath, Slough Town, Bracknell Town, in addition to a number of loan spells elsewhere.

JORDAN JENKINS

HARRY JONES

LIAM McCROHAN

DEFENDER

DEFENDER/FORWARD

DEFENDER

PIERCE McNAMARA MIDFIELDER

Aylesbury-born centre back who joined in July 2019 after three years at Aylesbury FC, where he previously was captain making more than 110 appearances having signed from Leighton Town. Hit the headlines in the 2018-19 season by winning the FA Sunday Cup with his Sunday league side Aylesbury Flooring FC. Sponsored by John Newman

Versatile player who, having turned 21, has played more than 100 games since making his debut at the age of just 17. Jones was initially billed as a midfielder, but spent much of the 2019-20 season at rightback, and has also played as an out-and-out centre forward. Previous first team experience with Risborough Rangers. Sponsored by Jim Rayner

Centre back joined the club in July 2020 having previously played for Northwood and Hertford Town, and lined up against the Ducks for both Leverstock Green and Berkhamsted before that. He has now recovered from the injuries that limited him to just one competitive appearance for the Ducks in the 2020-21 season. Sponsored by James Stappard

Young midfielder who joined the club from Slough Town’s under-23 side in October 2020, making just before the season was curtailed due to the pandemic. He has since added to his solitary appearance, and has shown some promising moments in pre-season having re-signed for the Ducks for 2021-22.

DAVE O’CONNOR

AYODEJI OWOEYE

JAEDON PHILLIPS

MARK RIDDICK

DEFENDER

FORWARD

Centre back with plenty of experience despite being just 26 joined the Ducks in July 2019 after four years with Tring Athletic where he made more than 140 appearances. Had a short spell with Aylesbury FC having previously played for Chesham United’s reserve team, and Amersham Town before that. Sponsored by Andrea Bone

19-year-old forward joined the Ducks from Harrow Borough in November, having made 15 appearances for the Southern League Premier Division South side this season. He was previously on the books of Grimsby Town before his release from the Mariners in August.

Striker who joined the squad in November 2021, following his release from Harlow Town. He made five appearances for the Hawks this season, having re-signed for the club in the summer. Prior to Harlow he played for Bromley. Phillips started his career in the Leyton Orient academy, with loan spells at a number of clubs during his time there.

Sponsored by the Turnbull Family

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In recognition of Jack Wood’s 500th appearance for the club recently, we asked him to come up with his all-time Ducks XI, from the hundreds of players he has played alongside while at the club. Here’s the team he came up with...

Back row (l-r): Paul Batchelor (coach), Aaron Berry, Liam McCrohan, Ty Deacon, Archie Davis, Ha Front row: Kuda Sangoya, Ben Seaton, Sonny French, Jack Wood, Ben Williams (mana Not pictured: Ben Hodges, Gavin James, Ollie Hogg, Mike Hogg (assistant manager), Pierce Mc

arry Jones, James Weatherill, Jordan Jenkins, Lee Stobbs, Dave O’Connor, Hannah Bowra (physio) ager), Ron Schmidt (kit man), Jake Bewley, Anthony Ball, Max Hercules, Mark Riddick cNamara, Ayodeji Owoeye, Jaedon Phillips, Jamie Rudd, Rocko Tamplin, Marcos Ushiro-Lumb

Today’s Opposition T

HARLOW TOWN FOUNDED 1879 NICKNAME The Hawks HOME GROUND The Harlow Arena, Harlow CLUB COLOURS Home: Red shirts, red shorts, red socks Away: Yellow and blue chequered shirts, blue shorts, blue socks MANAGER Danny Chapman PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6 April 2002 W 1-0 16 January 2001 W 3-1 4 April 2001 D 0-0 19 August 2000 L 1-3 2 October 1990 L 1-2

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he club was originally formed in 1879, playing its first match in October of that year against Saffron Walden Town. It is one of the oldest clubs in the county of Essex. In those early days the club, just known as Harlow, played friendly matches against local opposition until the formation of East Herts League in 1896. As with most clubs around this time Harlow had their fair share of amalgamations with other local clubs, and was known as Harlow & Burnt Mill before later becoming Harlow Town. Over the years Harlow, which became a New Town in the early 1950s, expanded beyond recognition, and the club grew with the town. The club moved into the Spartan League in 1932 and were granted Senior Status in 1937, competing in the FA Cup and Essex Senior Cups for the first time. At this time Harlow had one of the smallest populations for clubs competing at this level, a far cry from today where the population is around 85,000. After the Second World War, Harlow continued to compete in the Spartan League until moving into the London League in 1953. Six seasons were spent in the London League before a move into the Delphian League. In 1960 the club moved away from its roots in Old Harlow, moving into the Sportcentre ground in the new town, which was the clubs home for the next 46 years before moving to The Harlow Arena in September 2006. With the reorganisation of the amateur game in the early 1960s Harlow found themselves playing in the newly formed Athenian League Division Two for the start of the 1963-64 season, winning

promotion at the first attempt after finishing in third place. After eight seasons in Division One, Harlow finally won their first senior championship by winning the Athenian League Division One title. The following season saw the club finish fourth in the Premier Division before joining the Isthmian League for the start of the 1973-74 Season. After joining the Isthmian League Harlow had more than their fair share of ups and downs. Promotion was achieved six times, including lifting the Division One and Division Two (North) titles, while the club suffered five relegations and had to sit out season 1992-93 after severe financial problems threatened the club’s existence. The club made a name for itself in season 1979-80 with a terrific FA Cup run, which saw the club progress to the fourth round proper, having started out in the preliminary round. Wins against Lowestoft, Hornchurch, Bury Town, Harwich & Parkeston, Margate, Leytonstone-Ilford, Southend United and finally Leicester City, gave the club a fourth round tie away to Watford. The BBC Match of the Day cameras were at Vicarage Road as Harlow eventually bowed out of the competition, although they went down fighting, losing 4-3 to Graham Taylor’s side. Since that time Harlow have appeared in the competition proper on four further occasions, the last of which was in season 2007-08. In recent times the club have got back on their feet following the problems of the early 1990s. Having been relegated two divisions by the League for the

season that the club could not compete; the club worked their way back to where they were before the enforced break. After a few near misses the Hawks won back-to-back promotions from Division Three and Division Two of the Ryman League and after a poor first season back in Division One, managed to establish itself in the Division until the end of the 2003-04 season when the restructuring of the non-league game saw the club switch to the Southern League. The Hawks finished 15th in the Southern League Division 1 East League table in Season 2004-05 and 9th in Season 2005-06. The Hawks haven’t had much success in recent years in the FA Trophy or League Cup competitions but lifted the prestigious East Anglian Cup in Seasons 1989-90, 2001-02 and in season 2005-06 when Spalding United were beaten 1-0 in the final. The club moved in September 2006 to a new ground at Barrows Farm, a mile and a half to the west of their old Sportcentre location, and after awaiting clearance from the Ryman League to start playing at the new stadium played their first senior match in a Division 1 North fixture versus Ware on 18th October. A highly successful first term at Barrows Farm was complete when the Hawks gained promotion to the Premier Division of the Ryman Football League at the end of the season by clinching runners-up spot and then beating AFC Sudbury on penalties in the Division 1 North play-off final. The club’s first season back in the Premier Division since

1984 was a struggle with an epic win at AFC Wimbledon securing a second season in the top division. Unfortunately the club failed to maintain their Premier Division place the following season, returning to Division One North for the start of the 2009-10 season. The build up to the 2009-10 season was severely disrupted when on 21st July the Chairman resigned due to a change of ownership of the club. The manager followed along with the vast majority of the playing staff and various members of the backroom staff. After a very difficult start to the season new owners took control of the club in January 2010, with former manager Tommy Cunningham returning to the club with his business partner John Barnett. With so much turmoil the club finished bottom of the table but were reprieved from relegation due to another club having issues with their ground grading. There has been steady progress since the new owners took control. In the first full season the club reached the play-offs, only to lose 4-2 at Wingate Finchley in the semifinals. Former player Danny Chapman was appointed manager, and has since gone on to become the club’s longest serving manager. In 2013 the club invested in a new 3G pitch that was laid during the summer ready for the start of the 2013-14 season. The new pitch provided top of the range facilities for the whole community, so the ground was re-branded as the Harlow Arena. Along with the 3G pitch the Hawks also set up youth teams to play at the club, the first steps towards the

Harlow Town Academy. The season finished with another place in the play-offs. This time the club reached the final after a 3-0 win away to Heybridge Swifts. However, Witham Town were victorious, with a 3-0 win at Spa Road. At the start of the 2014-15 Harlow Town launched The Harlow Academy, a youth set-up which incorporated 21 youth teams playing at The Harlow Arena. After a tightly contested league campaign, Harlow missed out the league title and automatic promotion by just one point, finishing behind Needham Market. Another appearance in the playoffs beckoned, but this time the Hawks fell down in the semi-final with a 4-3 defeat to Thurrock after extra time. The 2015-16 season saw Harlow Town promoted for the first time since 2007. Again, the club missed out on the top spot but secured wins against Gray Wanderers and then AFC Hornchurch to finally become winners of the play-offs. The Hawks’ return to the Premier Division had a touch of déjà vu as, after a successful first season back, the club struggled the following two seasons, before returning to Step 4 football at the end of the 2018-19. The club were placed into the Isthmian League South Central League for the start of the 2019-20 season, however, both the 2019-20 and 2021 seasons were cut short as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. There was another change of leagues for the 2021-22 season when the club were moved sideways into the Southern League Central Division.

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Opposition profiles Demaray Anyadike Midfielder signed for the Hawks in August 2021 on a year-long work experience arrangement from Southend United. He is a right winger who has has plenty of pace and is always a handful for defenders. Alfie Attrill Midfielder signed for the Hawks in August 2021. Alfie is local to Harlow and has previously been played for Cheshunt. Graeme Butler Butler is an experienced defender who was promoted from the reserves in November 2021. Henry Clark A young midfielder promoted from the Reserves in November 2021. Junior Dadson Joined the Hawks for a third spell in May 2021. A pacy winger, he initially signed for the Hawks ahead of the 2013-14 season. After leaving the following summer for a short spell with AFC Hornchurch and VCD Athletic, Junior re-signed for Harlow in December 2014. A very quick player who can play on the left or right wing, he terrifies defenders with the ball at his feet. He went on to make 175 appearances in total for the Hawks, scoring 81 goals. His 30 goals in the 2015-16 season helped the Hawks to the Isthmian League Division One play-off final, resulting in promotion back to the Premier

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Division. In January 2018 he was sold to Cray Wanderers for an undisclosed fee. After threeand-a-half years away from the club, he re-joined Danny Chapman’s squad ahead of the 2021-22 season. Layne Eadie Eadie re-joined the Hawks in May 2021. He originally joined the club in September 2013, and he is a left-sided defender who likes to attack with pace. He is a product of the St Albans academy scheme and one-time member of a successful St Albans City Midweek Youth side, and he has also played for St Neots Town. He won the 2014-15 Manager’s Player of the Season and was the winner of the prestigious President’s Cup. When his contract expired during the summer of 2017, Eadie made the decision to try and play at the highest level of football possible, signing for St Albans. After four years away from the Club, Eadie re-signed for the Hawks ahead of the 2021-22 season. Syrus Gordon Gordon signed for a second spell in August 2019. He had previously played for the club between August 2015 and September 2018, making 142 appearances in all competitions. He is a tough-tackling midfielder who has also previously played for Cheshunt. Rob Horgan Harlow Town reserves’ goalkeeper Rob Horgan signed first team forms in October

2020 to provide a back-up goalkeeping option. Ruaridh Kay Kay signed for Harlow Town for a second spell in November 2021. He originally joined the Hawks in August 2020, but left the club in December 2020 after the curtailment of the 2020-21 season. He plays on the right side of the defence, and has previously played for Haringey Borough. Amar Lewis Lewis signed for the Hawks in July 2019. He is an attacking midfielder or forward who was previously with Stanway Rovers. Samson Maagbe Signed for the Hawks in October 2021, having previously played for Margate. A forward or attack-minded midfielder. Hector Mackie Mackie signed for the Hawks in January 2020. He came through the Tottenham Hotspur academy before a number of trials for league clubs. He signed for Stevenage Borough, but failed to break into the first team. He has since featured for a number of clubs throughout his career, mostly in the upper reaches of the non-league system, including St Albans Town, Bath City and Hayes and Yeading. Prior to signing for the Hawks, Hector was plying his trade across the Atlantic in Canada, where he played for Vaughan FC and Toronto Irish.

Marcus Marku Marku signed for Harlow Town in August 2020 after being promoted from the reserves side. He is a hard-working midfielder. He left the club in December 2020 after the curtailment of the 2020-21 season but re-signed in August 2021 ahead of the 2021-22 season. Tom Middlehurst Tom Middlehurst joined the Hawks in July 2021 on an initial three-month loan deal from QPR. He is a goalkeeper who plays for the EFL Championship side’s Under 23s team. He has been a QPR player since joining them at Under 17s level from Cheltenham Town, after impressing the R’s during an initial trial period. A physically imposing goalkeeper, he possesses a good shot-stopping ability. Charles Nicol A young striker promoted from the reserves in November 2021. Simon-Peter Omooba Omooba signed for the Hawks in November 2021. He is a forward who spent a number of years playing his football in the USA, where he went to study, and has featured for Oyster Bay United and college team New York Institute of Technology Bears Alex Read Read signed for the Hawks for a third spell in May 2021. Alex initially joined the Hawks in July 2013 and went on to be one of the club’s most prolific strikers. In his first season he scored an incredible 52 league

and cup goals, breaking a 25-year old club record for the number of goals in one season. The next season produced 42 goals, followed by another 38 goals in the 2015-16 season as he helped propel the Hawks back to the Isthmian League Premier Division. He became only the second Harlow Town player to surpass a century of goals, and in total Alex scored 178 goals in just 278 appearances in a Harlow shirt. He is now second on the Harlow Town all-time scorers list behind Marc Salmon (198), and his exploits in front of goal have earned him legendary status among the Harlow Town supporters. In the summer of 2018, after five years with Harlow Town, Alex signed for Tonbridge Angels. where his 16 goals in the 2019-20 season helped steer them to promotion to the National League. He started the 201920 campaign with the Angels, and after short stints with Wingate & Finchley, Enfield Town, Aveley and Bishop’s Stortford, he returned to the Hawks for a second spell in February 2020. He departed the club in the summer of 2020 before re-joining Danny Chapman’s squad the following year after taking some time away from football. Robbie Rees Rees signed for the Hawks in October 2021. He is an attacking player who can play in midfield or as a forward. He joined Harlow Town from Brentwood Town where he has had a couple of spells in recent years. He has also featured for Brightlingsea Regent over two separate stints, as well as time spent at Dagenham

& Redbridge, Enfield Town, Aveley and VCD Athletic. Ergis Shala Ergis Shala signed for Harlow Town in August 2021 on a year-long work experience arrangement from Southend United. He is a defender who impressed during the Hawks’ pre-season campaign. Fabion Simms Simms joined the Hawks for a third time in May 2021. He originally signed for Harlow Town in March 2014 from Potters Bar Town, where he was a regular in the starting line-up for Bar, and was virtually an ever-present in the Hawks side since then. He can play in central midfield, in the holding position or just behind the striker. He has also been known to fill in at centre back. In May 2015, after his first full season with the Club, Simms won the Players’ Player of the Year for the 2014-15 season, and was very much a fans favourite when commanding the midfield area. He was named captain ahead of the 2018-19 season, and after over four years with the club he was still one of the first names on the team-sheet. He celebrated his 250th appearance for the Hawks in November 2018, with only 11 of those appearances earned coming off the bench. He departed the Club at the end of the 2018-19 season, having made 276 appearances in total. He scored 19 goals, with 23 assists, and will surely go down as a Harlow Town legend. He joined the Hawks for a second spell in February 2020, on a one month deal from Cheshunt, returning to

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his parent club at the end of the 2019-20 season. Simms then re-joined the Danny Chapman’s squad for a third time ahead of the 2021-22 season. Jared Small Small joined the Hawks for a third time in May 2021. He is a pacy winger who can play out wide or also in attack. Jared started out playing for Barking, where he made his debut in the 2008-09 season, scoring a total of 12 goals in 64 games in his time with the club. He joined local rivals Tilbury in February 2010 where he saw out the remainder of the 2009-10 season. He then joined Grays Athletic at the start of the 2010-11 season. He scored 10 goals in 50 appearances before moving to Billericay Town in March 2012. With his chances few and far between, he rejoined Grays on a dual-registration. Jared initially joined the Hawks for the 2014-15 season but left the following summer to sign for newly promoted Brentwood Town, followed by a short stint at Enfield Town. He re-joined the Hawks for a second spell in October 2015, and he went on to make a total of 184 appearances for Harlow Town, scoring 23 goals and assisting in 30 more. He swept the board at the 2017-18 Presentation Awards Evening, winning the Players’, Manager’s and Supporters’ Player of the Year accolades, before moving to Tonbridge Angels in the summer of 2018. After three years away from the club, he re-joined ahead of the 2021-22 season.

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Joshua Steele Steele signed for the Hawks in July 2021. He is a centreback who has most recently played for Margate during the abandoned 2020-21 season, having moved up from their Academy. He then signed for Basildon United, but was unable to play any competitive matches before the lockdown put paid to the campaign. Tiannie Wilson Wilson re-joined the Hawks for a second spell in July 2021. He originally signed for Harlow Town in November 2019. He is an attacking winger who was promoted to the first team after impressing for the reserves. Wilson left the club in March 2020 in search of regular football, before re-joining Danny Chapman’s squad ahead of the 2021-22 season. Danny Chapman, manager Experienced defender who made more than 200 appearances for the Hawks having first signed for the club in 2003, after spells with the likes of Barnet and Wingate & Finchley. Chapman left the club in December 2008, but returned in February 2010. He was appointed as the club’s manager in February 2011. He led the team to a triumphant play-off victory in 2015-16 after the heartache of being losing finalists in 2013-14 and semi-finals in 2014-15. He took some time out from football in January 2020 after nine years at the helm, but returned to his role in December 2020.

Darren Blewitt, assistant manager After having made 46 appearances for the Hawks as a player during the 2013-14 season, Blewitt joined Danny Chapman’s coaching team as assistant manager in May 2021. Craig Alcock, player-coach Alcock signed for Harlow Town in September 2020. He began his career at Yeovil Town before loan spells at other clubs in the South West including Weston-superMare, Taunton Town and Tiverton Town. He then joined Peterborough United, where he made almost 100 appearances, before heading further north with spells for Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers. He has also played for Cheltenham Town, before returning to Yeovil Town for the 2019-20 season. He joined Danny Chapman’s coaching staff in June 2021. Dan Middlehurst, goalkeeping coach Middlehurst joined Danny Chapman’s coaching team as goalkeeping coach in May 2021. Dan has been working with our academy goalkeepers for the past three and a half years and he also operates a goalkeeping school and half term football camps at the Harlow Arena. He also has previous coaching experience with the Harlow Town First Team.

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Fixtures 2021-22 COMP

RES

ATT

7 Aug 21

DATE

15:00 H Fairford Town

TIME

VERSUS

FA CUP

2-0

116

Weatherill

14 Aug 21

15:00 H Didcot Town

LEAGUE

0-2

135

18 Aug 21

19:45

LEAGUE

2-5

120

22 Aug 21

13:00 H Brimscombe & Thrupp

FA CUP

8-0

151

Weatherill

28 Aug 21

15:00 H Barton Rovers

LEAGUE

1-1

124

Weatherill

263

Davis

Kidlington

Weatherill Weatherill

🟨

Bewley

McCrohan

Sangoya

Bewley

Ball

Bewley

Ball

3⃣

🟥 🟨

Sangoya

5 O’Connor

3⃣

6 Riddick

Wood

O’Connor

McCrohan

Wood

O’Connor

Hogg

Wood

O’Connor

3⃣

2⃣ 1⃣ McCrohan Jones 🟨 Ball 1⃣ Wood ⚽ Stobbs 2⃣ Jones Bewley Wood McCrohan Stobbs 2⃣ Bewley Wood McCrohan 2⃣ O’Connor 🟨 Hogg ⚽ 3⃣ Jones Bewley Wood Jenkins Hogg 2⃣ Jones Bewley Wood Jenkins Hogg 🟨 Jones Bewley Wood Jenkins Hogg 2⃣ Jones Bewley McCrohan O’Connor Seaton ⚽ Jones Bewley Wood Jenkins Seaton 2⃣ Wood Sangoya 🟨 1⃣ Bewley ⚽ Jenkins 3⃣ Jones ⚽ Sangoya

Wood

Ball

Seaton

Jones

Ball

Wood

McCrohan

Stobbs

15:00

LEAGUE

1-3

4 Sep 21

15:00 H Willand Rovers

FA CUP

4-1

142

Davis

11 Sep 21

15:00 H North Leigh

LEAGUE

1-3

122

Weatherill

14 Sep 21

19:45

LEAGUE

4-3

Weatherill

18 Sep 21

15:00 H Bishops Cleeve

FA CUP

5-1

171

Davis

28 Sep 21

19:45 H Colney Heath

LEAGUE

2-0

Davis

2 Oct 21

15:00 H Ebbsfleet United

FA CUP

0-1

317

Davis

6 Oct 21

19:45 H FC Romania

SLCC

1-2

Weatherill

9 Oct 21

15:00 H Chipstead

FA TRO

1-1

127

Davis

12 Oct 21

19:45

LEAGUE

1-5

Davis

17 Oct 21

15:00 H Ware

LEAGUE

2-1

174

Davis

Jones

Bewley

Wood

Jenkins

23 Oct 21

15:00 H St Neots Town

LEAGUE

1-2

171

Davis

Jones

Bewley

Wood

Jenkins

O’Connor

30 Oct 21

15:00

AFC Dunstable

LEAGUE

1-2

176

Davis

Jenkins

French

6 Nov 21

15:00

Kempston Rovers

Waltham Abbey

Wantage Town

Jones

🟨

LEAGUE

2-3

Davis

Jones

17 Nov 21 19:45 H Kidlington

LEAGUE

3-0

127

Davis

Jones

20 Nov 21 15:00

Didcot Town

LEAGUE

3-3

202

Davis

1 Dec 21

19:45

Biggleswade

LEAGUE

0-0

106

Davis

4 Dec 21

15:00

Hertford Town

LEAGUE

2-1

200

Davis

8 Dec 21

19:45

Long Crendon

B&BSC

2-2

162

Davis

11 Dec 21 15:00 H Harlow Town

LEAGUE

15 Dec 21 19:45 H Bedford Town

LEAGUE

19 Dec 21 15:00

LEAGUE

FC Romania

27 Dec 21 15:00 H Thame United

LEAGUE

1 Jan 21

15:00

LEAGUE

5 Jan 21

19.45 H Welwyn Garden City

LEAGUE

8 Jan 21

15:00 H Waltham Abbey

LEAGUE

15 Jan 21

15:00

LEAGUE

22 Jan 21

15:00 H Wantage Town

LEAGUE

29 Jan 21

15:00

LEAGUE

5 Feb 21

15:00 H Biggleswade

LEAGUE

12 Feb 21

15:00

Ware

LEAGUE

19 Feb 21

15:00

St Neots Town

LEAGUE

26 Feb 21

15:00 H AFC Dunstable

LEAGUE

5 Mar 21

15:00

LEAGUE

Berkhamsted

North Leigh

Colney Heath

Welwyn Garden City

19 Mar 21 15:00 H Hertford Town

LEAGUE

26 Mar 21

15:00

LEAGUE

2 Apr 21

15:00 H FC Romania

LEAGUE

9 Apr 21

15:00 H Kempston Rovers

LEAGUE

16 Apr 21

15:00

LEAGUE

18 Apr 21

15:00 H Berkhamsted

LEAGUE

23 Apr 21

15:00

LEAGUE

Harlow Town

Barton Rovers

Bedford Town

🟨

Hogg

Jones

30 Aug 21

Thame United

2 Ball

⚽ Sangoya 1⃣ Jones 🟨 Jones ⚽ Jones

🟨 Bewley ⚽ Bewley ⚽ Greco

Bewley

🟨 Wood ⚽

Bewley

Wood Wood

⚽

Jenkins Jenkins Jenkins

Bewley

Wood

O’Connor

Bewley

Wood

Sangoya

Wood

J. Seaton

O’Connor

3⃣

French Hogg

3⃣

Hogg Hogg McNamara

🟨

McNamara

Hercules

1⃣ Hercules ⚽ Hercules ⚽

McNamara

Hercules Hercules

⚽

Hercules

⚽🟨 Riddick 🟨 Riddick 🟨

1⃣ Berry 2⃣ Deacon ⚽⚽⚽ 2⃣ Riddick Deacon ⚽ Riddick 1⃣ Anthonio-Forde 3⃣ Hogg 2⃣ Deacon ⚽

Jellis

Hogg

Berry

Hercules Rudd

2⃣

Hercules Stobbs

⚽ 🟨 2⃣

Stobbs

2⃣ Hercules ⚽⚽ Hercules ⚽ Stobbs

Hercules

3⃣ 3⃣ Owoeye 1⃣ Greville 1⃣

Ushiro-Lumb

Riddick

1⃣ Riddick 🟨 Riddick

Riddick Riddick

⚽🟨

Riddick

2⃣ Riddick 2⃣

Riddick

Hercules

Riddick

Owoeye

Riddick Riddick Tamplin

2⃣

French

3⃣

French

Jellis

⚽

French

Deacon Hercules

French

Deacon

⚽ 2⃣ Deacon ⚽ 1⃣ Deacon 1⃣ Berry 1⃣ Owoeye 2⃣ James ⚽ 2⃣ James 2⃣ James ⚽ Shawwal 3⃣ Deacon

Deacon

French

⚽ 2⃣

Seaton Seaton

3⃣

Rudd Jellis

1⃣ ⚽🟨 Seaton 2⃣

Sangoya

Stobbs

McCrohan

Anthonio-Forde

Berry

Stobbs Stobbs

2⃣

Stobbs

Sangoya

Greco Greco

⚽ 1⃣

O’Connor

Stobbs

Sangoya

Greco

3⃣

French

3⃣ 3⃣ O’Connor 3⃣ McNamara 2⃣ Sangoya

O’Connor

French Hercules

3⃣

Sangoya

1⃣

French

Hercules

French

Phillips

Hogg James

3⃣ ⚽

Jenkins Bewley

1⃣

McCrohan

3⃣

McCrohan

Davis

O’Connor

Hogg

1⃣ 🟨 Rudd 2⃣ French 3⃣ French 3⃣ Hogg 2⃣ Hogg 1⃣ Stobbs 1⃣ Stobbs 1⃣ Tamplin 3⃣

2⃣

Bewley

1⃣

Davis

Jenkins O’Connor

Rudd

Sangoya Jones

Sangoya

McCrohan

2⃣ 1⃣

1⃣ ⚽

Jenkins

Jellis

Anthonio-Forde

16 Seaton

Sangoya

Seaton

1⃣

Seaton

Jones

Anthonio-Forde

1⃣ ⚽ Hodges 3⃣ Jellis 2⃣

Jones

Stobbs

Anthonio-Forde

McCrohan

Sangoya

⚽ 1⃣ Seaton 1⃣

McNamara

1⃣ 3⃣ Rudd 2⃣ Rudd 3⃣

Seaton

Hercules

Seaton

2⃣ Anthonio-Forde 1⃣ Anthonio-Forde 1⃣ ⚽ Rudd 3⃣ Rudd 1⃣ Anthonio-Forde 2⃣ ⚽⚽ Sangoya 1⃣

Seaton

3⃣ Rudd 1⃣ French 3⃣ ⚽ French 2⃣ ⚽ Deacon 1⃣ Seaton 2⃣ Seaton 3⃣ McNamara 2⃣ Berry 2⃣ Sangoya

Seaton

French

2⃣

Stobbs

1⃣ ⚽⚽ Jellis 🟨 Jellis ⚽ Jellis ⚽

Seaton Seaton

3⃣ 1⃣ French ⚽ Jellis ⚽⚽ Jellis 3⃣ Jellis 3⃣

Deacon

⚽ Hercules Jellis Deacon ⚽ Hercules ⚽ Riddick 🟨 1⃣ Deacon ⚽ 3⃣ Hercules Riddick Deacon ⚽ 🟨 1⃣ Hercules

10 French

3⃣ 1⃣ 🟥 French 3⃣ French 1⃣ Deacon 2⃣ 🟨

Ushiro-Lumb Sangoya

2⃣ Berry 1⃣ Berry 2⃣

Hercules

Berry

Greco

Berry

1⃣

O’Connor

2⃣ ⚽ Owoeye 2⃣

James

McCrohan

1⃣ ⚽ 2⃣ 🟨

James

Stobbs

2⃣ 🟨

Weatherill Stobbs Davis Weatherill

Jellis Hogg

1⃣

2⃣

Sangoya

1⃣ 2⃣

Tamplin

Phillips

Riddick

Hercules

Seaton

Ducks in action

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@PitchingIn_

Pitching In Southern League Division One Central TEAM

PTS

Berkhamsted

Bedford Town

AFC Dunstable

Ware

North Leigh

Harlow Town

FC Romania

Aylesbury United

St Neots Town

Thame United

Welwyn Garden City

Didcot Town

-6

Waltham Abbey

-2

Biggleswade

-6

Barton Rovers

-5

Hertford Town

-10

Kidlington

-22

Kempston Rovers

-28

Wantage Town

-34

Colney Heath

-33

Last updated: 9 December 2021