Aylesbury United
2018-19
vs Kempston Rovers
3pm, Saturday 18 August 2018 The Meadow, Chesham Evo-Stik League South Division One Central
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Welcome
G
ood afternoon and welcome to The Meadow for the first match of this new 2018-19 season versus Kempston Rovers. Is there any better time to be a football supporter than ahead of the first game of a season? The excellent form the team displayed at the end of last season was followed by an uplifting performance at the World Cup by England and a scorching summer. Coupled with a promising pre-season (the result in our final friendly not withstanding) and the name Hercules back on a United shirt, gives us many reasons to be optimistic for what the next nine months of the season could deliver. Today’s opponents Aylesbury United FC 01296 487367 info@aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk @aylesburyutdfc @aylesburyunitedfc flic.kr/aylesburyunited
The Ducks show off the new kits for the upcoming season
Kempston Rovers have also had a mixed build-up to the start of the season, winning three friendlies against Buckingham Athletic, Leighton Town and Sandridge Rovers, drawing against both St Ives Town and Felixstowe & Walton United, but losing against Biggleswade and Rushden & Diamonds. There are a few ex-
Ducks among this year’s squad – Alex Collard, Hateley Mercer and Nathan Tshikuna – and not forgetting Tony Joyce, who’s now part of Rovers’ coaching staff.
Chairman Graham Read Vice chairman Ken Turnbull General secretary Steve Baker Directors James Byrne, Brian Metcalfe, Ian Pluck, Alan Sherwell, Warren Sheward Fixture secretary Ian Pluck Welfare officer James Byrne Safety officer Warren Sheward Ladies team chairman
Andy Foster 21st Century Ducks chairman Zana Saunders Matchday hospitality Muriel Turnbull First team kit Ron Schmidt Photographer Mike Snell Programme editor Paul Snell
We wish the Walnut Boys all the best for the season ahead and a safe trip back to Kempston.
Up the Ducks!
Company no. 05814026
aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk | 3
About Aylesbury United
A
ylesbury United was founded in 1897 when three local sides, Night School FC, The Printing Works and Aylesbury Town, decided to merge. The club, nicknamed the Ducks, has experienced some incredible highs over its 112year history but are now without a home ground to call their own. United played in local leagues before joining the Spartan League in 1908 where it remained until the Second World War. Fame and the FA Cup Aylesbury turned semi-professional in 1976 and joined the Southern League, kicking off the club’s most successful period. In 1983 the club appointed Trevor Gould as manager, and a year later a local lad called Cliff Hercules made his debut, hanging up his boots some 20-years later smashing club records with 669 appearances and 301 goals. Promotion to the Southern Premier was
4 | aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk
achieved and the Ducks moved to their new Buckingham Road stadium. Gould’s talented squad secured the Southern League Championship in 1987-88 and were promoted to the Vauxhall Conference. That year the Ducks became the only ever non-league side to take on the full England team, as more than 6,000 packed into Buckingham Road. 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. And in 1994-95 the club became famous for the ‘Duck Walk’ celebration as Aylesbury reached the third round, losing to Premier League Queen’s Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Ups and downs In 1998-99 the Ducks were pipped to the Isthmian League title by Sutton United and the following season were fighting for survival 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. But nothing was to match the low point of summer 2006. Former chairman Bill Carroll cut ties with the club he had been involved with since 1997 having failed to convert the Buckingham Road playing surface to a third generation artificial surface. Local businessman Graham Read took over the club, but Aylesbury was left homeless after its lease expired. Since then the Ducks have been forced to play their ‘home’ matches out of Aylesbury while the committee work hard to keep the club alive. The campaign to ‘Bring the Ducks Home’ generated plenty of publicity, but sadly nothing concrete in terms of a new home for the club. In the interim, the teams plays home matches at neighbour Chesham United.
The Ducks
Jack Hopwood Goalkeeper
Archie Davis Goalkeeper
Jack Sillitoe Goalkeeper
Callum Mapley Defender
Sponsor: Erika Robinson
Jack Wood Defender
Sponsor: Ollie Gurney
Sonny French Midfielder
Harry Jones Midfielder
Ollie Jones Midfielder
Ben Seaton Midfielder
Ollie Stanbridge Midfielder
Maciej Tajs Forward
Ben Williams Manager
Sponsor: Ian Pluck
Sponsor: Greg Smith
Jake Bewley Defender
Chris Crook Defender
Max Hercules Midfielder
Ollie Hogg Midfielder
Sponsor: KAS Paper Systems
Sponsor: Hercules Sports
Sponsor: The Harveys
Jamie Keen Midfielder
Matt Peake-Pijnen
Jeanmal Prosper Midfielder
Greg Williams Midfielder
Aaron Berry Forward
Sean Coles Forward
Michael Hogg Assistant manager
Paul Batchelor Coach
Luke Robertson Physio
Midfielder
Sponsor: Peter O’Callaghan Sponsor: Graham Durban
Sponsor: Alan Sherwell
www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk | 5
Today’s visitors
K
empston Rovers were formed in 1884 and entered the Bedford and District League. Rovers’ first championship was won in 1908 and 12 months later Rovers retained the title while also carrying off the Bedfordshire Senior Cup and the North Beds Charity Cup. The club’s nickname, the Walnut Boys, comes from the large walnut orchard in Kempston at time of foundation. This identity is carried forward by supporters group ‘the Nuts on Tour’. In 1973 Kempston relocated to a new ground. A magnificent season saw the Walnut Boys storm to the title losing only once in 32 games. A golden period in the club’s history saw League Cup successes in 1975 and 1977; the Beds Senior Cup was again captured in 1977 while Rovers reached the last 16 of the FA Vase in 1975. The club moved to its current ground in 1986, its third in the same road. Kempston last won the
6 | aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk
county’s highest honour – the Beds Senior Cup – in 1992 for the fourth time. In 2002 Kempston Rovers and Kempston Colts began an alliance to pool resources and personnel under the name AFC Kempston. The youth teams at Rovers still go by the name Colts, keeping the history of youth football in the town alive. The beginning of 2005 saw the start of major redevelopments at Hillgrounds Road with the building of new changing facilities and an artificial training pitch, which is available to book all year round. The new facilities were completed in 2006 and along with a new stand, on-going ground improvements and a refurbished clubhouse that is ready to hire for functions and events, Kempston now has some of the best facilities in the area for non-league football. Midway through the 2013-14 season James Stoyles and Gary Flinn took over the first team managerial duties. Rovers
won the United Counties Football League Premier Division in 2015-16 with a thrilling final win on the last day of the season – a campaign in which they only lost one league game. This resulted in promotion and saw the side move into the Southern League Division One which represents the highest level the club has attained within the FA pyramid system so far. Since promotion the club has twice narrowly missed out on a place in the end of season promotion play offs, finishing above some of the more established sides in the division on both occasions. The club currently operates one of the largest youth systems in the county, with more than 30 sides at various age groups and a senior development side. There is also a supporters’ club that holds various functions throughout the season to support the first team. Kempston Rovers is 135 years in the making and it’s not done yet.
Player profiles Martin Conway Goalkeeper joined Kempston in March 2010. Has just a few games to set the all-time Rovers’ appearance record.
Dave King Defender has played at a higher level with Biggleswade Town and Hemel Hempstead Town.
Carl Knox Goalkeeper signed for Kempston in 2014.
Sam Macrae Midfielder made his senior debut in 2008. Played more than 300 games for Kempston.
Kyal McNulty Defender joined Kempston in 2017- 18 season from AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
Luke Heneghan Midfielder joined in January 2017.
Hateley Mercer Joined in August 2017 from Leighton Town, previous clubs include Aylesbury United and Winslow. Alex Collard Joined in December 2017 from Aylesbury United. Robbie Goodman Defender joined in 2015 from Leighton Town. Player of the year for the 2017-18 and ever-present that season. Alfie Powell Defender joined Rovers for the 2018-19 season. Represented his country at youth level.
Seb Simpson Midfielder joined in 2013 from Bedford Town. Ben Shepherd Midfielder joined in October 2015. Nathan Tshikuna Midfielder signed in 2017. Previously played for Aylesbury United. Josh Crawley Forward rejoined Kempston in November 2017 from Leighton Town.
Ty Deacon Forward joined Rovers for 2018-19 after spell at Aylesbury FC. Jimmy Stoyles Appointed joint manager in November 2013. Gary Flinn Appointed joint manager in November 2013. Tony Joyce Coach joined Kempston in the summer of 2016. Previously mananager at Buckingham Town and Aylesbury United. Stuart Mellon Coach came to Rovers in the summer of 2016. Was the first coach of the development side. Jardaine Patel-Joseph Sport therapist has worked at Rovers for two seasons.
Shane Bush Forward rejoined Rovers for a third spell this season from Chesham United. Top scorer on two occasions for Rovers. aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk | 7
DATE
TIME
VERSUS
Season 2018-19 COMP
18 Aug 18
15:00 H Kempston Rovers
21 Aug 18
19:45
A
Didcot Town
25 Aug 18
15:00
A
Crawley Green
27 Aug 18
15:00 H Thame United
EVO
1 Sep 18
15:00
EVO
15 Sep 18
15:00 H AFC Dunstable
EVO
22 Sep 18
15:00
A
Bedford Town
EVO
29 Sep 18
15:00
A
Yaxley
EVO
6 Oct 18
15:00 H Welwyn Garden City
13 Oct 18
15:00 H Mildenhall Town
20 Oct 18
15:00
3 Nov 18
15:00 H Sutton Coldfield Town
EVO
10 Nov 18
15:00
EVO
17 Nov 18
15:00 H North Leigh
EVO
24 Nov 18
15:00
EVO
1 Dec 18
15:00 H Kidlington
EVO
8 Dec 18
15:00
EVO
15 Dec 18
15:00 H Berkhamsted
EVO
22 Dec 18
15:00 H Peterborough Sports
EVO
26 Dec 18
15:00
A
Thame United
EVO
19 Dec 18
15:00
A
Kempston Rovers
EVO
1 Jan 19
15:00 H Aylesbury FC
EVO
5 Jan 19
15:00
EVO
12 Jan 19
15:00 H Didcot Town
EVO
19 Jan 19
15:00
EVO
26 Jan 19
15:00 H Yaxley
EVO
2 Feb 19
15:00
EVO
9 Feb 19
15:00 H Coleshill Town
EVO
16 Feb 19
15:00
EVO
23 Feb 19
15:00 H Cambridge City
EVO
2 Mar 19
15:00 H Dunstable Town
EVO
9 Mar 19
15:00
A
North Leigh
EVO
16 Mar 19
15:00
A
AFC Dunstable
EVO
23 Mar 19
15:00 H Bedford Town
EVO
30 Mar 19
15:00
EVO
6 Apr 19
15:00 H Corby Town
EVO
13 Apr 19
15:00
EVO
20 Apr 19
15:00 H Bromsgrove Sporting
EVO
22 Apr 19
15:00
EVO
27 Apr 19
15:00 H Barton Rovers
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Bromsgrove Sporting
Coleshill Town
Dunstable Town
Corby Town
Cambridge City
Barton Rovers
Welwyn Garden City
Sutton Coldfield Town
Berkhamsted
Kidlington
Peterborough Sports
Aylesbury FC
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EVO EVO FA CUP
EVO FA TRO EVO
EVO
RES
ATT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk | 9
Club honours League honours Southern League Champions 1987-88 Southern League Midlands Division Runner up 1984-85 Southern League Division One South Runner up 1979-80 Isthmian League Runner up 1998-99 Delphian League Champions 1953-54 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 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Runner up 2012-13 Athenian League Division Two Champions 1967-18
Cup honours Isthmian League Cup Winner 1994-95 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Cup 2012-13 Berks & Bucks Senior Cup 1913-14, 1985-86, 1996-97, 1999-00 Berks & Bucks Benevolent Cup 1932-33, 1933-34, 1952-53, 1953-54
FA Cup First round 1951-51, 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
Club records Most appearances Cliff Hercules (1984-2002) 669 Most goals Cliff Hercules (1984-2002) 301
aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk | 11
Upcoming fixtures Evo-Stick League South Divison One Central Saturday 18 August 2018 AFC Dunstable v Bromsgrove Sporting Aylesbury United v Kempston Rovers Berkhamsted v Peterborough Sports Cambridge City v Corby Town Coleshill Town v Aylesbury FC Kidlington v Bedford Town North Leigh v Dunstable Town Sutton Coldfield Town v Thame United Welwyn Garden City v Didcot Town Yaxley v Barton Rovers
Tuesday 21 August 2018 Aylesbury FC v AFC Dunstable Bedford Town v Yaxley Bromsgrove Sporting v Kidlington Didcot Town v Aylesbury United Dunstable Town v Berkhamsted Kempston Rovers v Coleshill Town Peterborough Sports v Welwyn Garden City Thame United v North Leigh Wednesday 22 August 2018 Barton Rovers v Cambridge City Corby Town v Sutton Coldfield Town
Next for the Ducks Evo-Stik League South Division One Central Tuesday 21 March 2018, 7.45pm The GWR Loop Meadow Stadium, Didcot Didcot Town v Aylesbury United
Aylesbury United v Thame United Saturday 1 September 2018, 3pm Victoria Ground, Bromsgrove Bromsgrove Sporting v Aylesbury United Saturday 15 September 2018, 3pm The Meadow, Chesham Aylesbury United v AFC Dunstable
FA Cup Preliminary Round Saturday 25 August 2018, 3pm Crawley Green v Aylesbury United Evo-Stik League South Division One Central Monday 27 August 2018, 3pm The Meadow, Chesham 12 | aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk
Saturday 22 September 2018, 3pm The Eyrie, Cardington Bedford Town v Aylesbury United Saturday 29 September 2018, 3pm Leading Drove, Yaxley Yaxley v Aylesbury United
Stadium safety
To ensure the safety of everybody, please observe the following: • DO NOT use foul or abusive language, or obscene gestures. Any form of racial abuse, or language used to incite or provoke others is a criminal offence under the Football Offences Act 1991. • NO glasses or bottles are permitted outside the clubhouse. •DO NOT throw any items onto the pitch. •DO NOT run onto the pitch or encroach on the playing area. •Aylesbury United reserves the right to remove or refuse entry to the ground.
aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk | 13
Today’s teams Saturday 18 August 2018, 3pm Evo-Stick League South Division One Central
Aylesbury United
Jack HOPWOOD Jeanmal PROSPER Jake BEWLEY Jack WOOD Callum MAPLEY Ollie JONES Harry JONES Greg WILLIAMS Aaron BERRY Sonny FRENCH Ollie HOGG Archie DAVIS Chris CROOK Max HERCULES Matt PEAKE-PIJNEN Ben SEATON Ollie STANBRIDGE Sean COLES Maciej TAJS Jack SILLITOE Manager: Ben WILLIAMS
Kempston Rovers
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Martin CONWAY Kyal MCNULTY Hateley MERCER Alex COLLARD Robbie GOODMAN Alfie POWELL Dave KING Sam MACRAE Luke HENEGAN Josh CRAWLEY Shane BUSH Carl KNOX Seb SIMPSON Ben SHEPHERD Nathan TSHIKUNA Ty DEACON
Managers: Jimmy STOYLES & Gary FLINN
Match officials Referee: Assistant: Assistant: 14 | aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk
Mr Grzegorz KORNASIEWICZ Mr Kevin DUDLEY Mr Andrew HEATH
MATCH RANGE