Aylesbury United v St Neots Town by Aylesbury United

Official Matchday Programme 2021-22  #13  Free

St Neots Town

CHARITY PARTNER 2021-22

#BringTheDucksHome

Aylesbury United

23 October 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

Max Hercules was on target, scoring the second goal against Ware

ood afternoon and welcome to this Pitching In Southern League Division One Central match against St Neots Town. The two sides have only played each other once before, so this is the first time we’ve been able to welcome the Saints – their players, officials, and supporters – to a home game. We hope you enjoy your visit, and wish you a safe journey back to Cambridgeshire. St Neots have begun this season as they started the previous one, and are shaping up to be one of the strongest sides in the league. On Saturday they beat Wantage Town 2-1 at home, and have put six goals past Barton Rovers, and four past both Welwyn Garden City and Kidlington this season. The Ducks put in their own cracking performance against a very good Ware side on Sunday, winning 2-1, with goals from Mark Riddick and Max Hercules, by taking our chances and frustrating the opposition in defence. We’ll need an equally strong performance to take three points

from this afternoon’s game. Before our first Saturday away fixture against AFC Dunstable next week a small group of Ducks supporters will be walking from Buckingham Road in Aylesbury to Creasey Park to raise awareness of the fact it is 15 years since the club played in town, and to raise money for our charity partner the Cancer Care & Haematology Fund. To donate to this wonderful cause please visit peoplesfundraising.com/donation/ cchf-and-aylesbury-united. Replica shirts are also now available to pre-order through our website. Please complete the order form, and Andy Martin will be in touch to take payment to complete the order. We now have two away games in succession coming up, with trips to AFC Dunstable and Kempston Rovers on consecutive Saturdays, before we return to The Meadow against Bedford Town on Sunday 14 November.

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! aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk

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 ________________________________________________________

This season’s charity partner T

he club has chosen The Cancer Care & Haematology Fund (CC&HF) as our charity partner for the forthcoming season. The CC&HF was set up to support the work of the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The Club will be helping to raise both funds and awareness for the charity throughout the 2021-22 season. Although part of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the unit is a unique, stand-alone facility designed and purposebuilt to provide a wide range of outpatient and day-case treatments for patients with cancer, including blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Patients with nonmalignant blood problems such as clotting and bleeding disorders, various forms of anaemia, immune problems and haemoglobinopathies, are also investigated and cared for in the CC&HU. Graham Read, Chair of

Aylesbury United, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this excellent local charity in the coming season. I’m sure that our officials, players and supporters will do what they can to ensure that the unit at Stoke Mandeville gets recognition for the vital work they do. “Sadly most families are touched by cancer at some time, whether it’s through their relatives or friends, so we must all be prepared to help ensure suitable care services are available for those who need treatment,” added Graham. Aylesbury United’s most celebrated former player, Cliff Hercules, suffered the loss of his wife, Jo, to cancer in 2020. “Jo received regular treatment for three years at the Cancer

Care and Haematology Unit before she passed, so the charity has a special place in my heart,” explained Cliff. In 2018, while undergoing treatment, Jo ran the London Marathon to raise cash for the CC&HU. Dr Ann Watson, Chair of the CC&HF, commented: “It is so exciting you have chosen our charity, The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund, as your charity partner for the coming season. We are looking forward to meeting players and supporters and telling you about the wonderful work that goes on in the hospital to help cancer and haematology patients. Jo is remembered with affection by many of the staff of the CCHU which brings something very special and personal to this collaboration. “The timing of your offer is very important to us as we come out of this difficult year. The work of the Cancer and Haematology services has continued throughout but contact with the outside world, including the charity, has had to be restricted. We look forward getting out and about again, spreading the word and raising some money to support that work. And there is no better way than through sport.” www.cchf.org.uk

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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

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

MAX HERCULES

SONNY FRENCH

RICO GRECO

FORWARD

MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

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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

GOALKEEPER

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

TY DEACON Striker joined the Ducks early in the 2019-20 season having been linked with the club many times, including turning out for United in 2017 pre-season. Started out with Aylesbury FC and having also had a spell with Kempston Rovers has plenty of Southern League experience with more than 100 appearances. Sponsored by Tony & Ian Lowe

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

ARCHIE DAVIS

Left-sided player has joined the Ducks on a month’s loan from Hayes and Yeading United in October, and scored a fabulous goal on debut against Wantage Town. Was part of the Luton Town youth set-up since age 13, before moving to Barnet. Also has experience on loan at Beaconsfield Town last season.

MIDFIELDER

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

BEN HODGES

OLLIE HOGG

JORDAN JENKINS

HARRY JONES

MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER

DEFENDER/FORWARD

A new signing for the 2021-22 season, Hodges joined the club from Ascot United (though he was dual registered with his previous Holmer Green) having been with the Ducks throughout preseason. Joined Ascot in 2017 from Holmer Green where he had made more than 70 appearances. Was teammates last season with Aaron Berry at Ascot.

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

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

LIAM McCROHAN

PIERCE McNAMARA

DAVE O’CONNOR

MARK RIDDICK

DEFENDER

MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER

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 will be looking to add to his solitary appearance, and has shown some promising moments in pre-season having re-signed for the Ducks for 2021-22. Sponsored by Colin Brandon

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

MIDFIELDER

Defensive midfielder who enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Ducks prior to its early end by Covid-19, and was rewarded with Supporters’ Player of the Year Award. Joined United in July 2019 after two seasons with Tring Athletic, having previously played for London Colney and Chesham United’s reserve team. Sponsored by Andy Martin

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JAMIE RUDD

KUDA SANGOYA

BEN SEATON

MIDFIELDER

DEFENDER

MIDFIELDER

Aylesbury-born winger signed in summer 2019 whose first season was hampered by injury. Returned in 2020-21 in superb form, hitting five goals in six games before the campaign was shut down by the pandemic, and will hope to recapture similar form. Worked and played in Dubai for three years before joining the Ducks. Sponsored by Lee Cotton

Exciting full back who joined the club in August 2020 having impressed in pre-season games. Made his competitive debut for the Ducks this season, having been an unused substitute 10 times in the previous curtailed season. Previously on the books of Dunstable Town and Hale Leys United. Sponsored by Alan Sherwell

Attacking midfielder who brought his technical abilities to the club in October 2017 having previously played for Tring Athletic, and ended the season winning the Most Improved Player Award. He proved a valuable addition to the squad with his everimproving displays and, still young, has bags of potential to develop further. Sponsored by Telnik Roofing

MARCOS USHIRO-LUMB

JAMES WEATHERILL

JACK WOOD

DEFENDER

Technically adept and able to play in multiple positions, Ushiro-Lumb joined the club from Flackwell Heath at the end of pre-season in July. Has also played for Marlow, Beaconsfield SYCOB, and Chalfont St Peter in his career.

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GOALKEEPER

Former Aylesbury Vale Dynamos number one who made a return to Southern League football when he signed for the Ducks in August 2020. Previously made more than 100 appearances in their former guise of Aylesbury FC either side of a spell with Berkhamsted, and has also played for Amersham Town. Sponsored by Wendy Brandon

DEFENDER

Long serving club captain initially joined the club on loan from Luton Town in March 2010, before making the move permanent the following summer. A 16-time end of season award winner, and having reached 500 appearances, he continues to display incredible loyalty to the club despite several offers to ply his trade elsewhere. Sponsored by Rich Lloyd

LEE STOBBS MIDFIELDER

Experienced and versatile player joined from Berkhamsted in July 2020 to link up with a number of his former Tring Athletic teammates. First came to prominence at Leverstock Green, and has also featured for AFC Dunstable and Kings Langley, as well as a short spell with Aylesbury FC. Sponsored by Paul Hopwood

BEN WILLIAMS

MIKE HOGG

PAUL BATCHELOR

MANAGER

ASSISTANT MANAGER

COACH

Appointed on a permanent basis in January 2018, he initially joined the club as assistant manager before taking over the reigns He is a UEFA A licensed coach and on a day-to-day basis manages Bucks Sports Academy’s 16-19s years football and education programme. Sponsored by G Williams Builders

Joined the club in 2015 to assist then-manager Glyn Creaser. Continued in the role when Ben Williams was appointed as manager to form part of his backroom team.

Sponsored by Oliver’s Plumbing and Heating

Joined the club as coach in December 2017 when Ben Williams was appointed caretaker manager.

HANNAH BOWRA PHYSIO

Bowra joined the Ducks as physio for the 2021-22 season.

Sponsored by the Turnbull Family

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10 questions with... Kuda Sangoya What’s your day job? Construction What team do you support (apart from the Ducks, of course)? Manchester United Who was your favourite footballer when you were growing up? Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Favourite moment of your Ducks career? Signing for the club What’s your pre-match routine? Stretch, eat, relax Who’s the best player you’ve played with in your career? Jabari Hylton Favourite takeaway? Turkish takeaway recently Which actor should play you in a movie? No-one can impersonate me Which teammate would be the most help if you were stuck on a desert island? Harry Jones Would you rather fight one horse-size duck, or 100 duck-size horses? 100 duck-sized horses.

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, Ollie Hogg, Mike Hogg (assistant m

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 manager), Pierce McNamara, Jamie Rudd, Marcos Ushiro-Lumb

Today’s Opposition

ST NEOTS TOWN FOUNDED 1879 NICKNAME The Saints HOME GROUND Premier Plus Stadium, St Neots CLUB COLOURS Home: Navy and sky blue quartered shirts, navy blue shorts, sky blue socks Away: Red and navy quartered shirts, navy blue shorts, red socks MANAGER Peter Gill PREVIOUS MEETINGS 9 November 2019 W 1-0

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The club was formed in 1879 when it was know as plain St Neots, the first formal honour recorded being the Hunts Senior Cup in its inaugural season1888-89. The club went on to lift that trophy a further four times before the turn of the Century. In the 1901-02season the Club recorded its first known double when it won the Hunts Senior Cup, for the sixth time, and the Fellowes Cup. In 1924-25 or thereabouts St Neots was renamed St Neots and District and celebrated by winning the Hunts Senior Cup again. At this time in the club’s history, honours seemed to have been primarily from County competitions with the Scott Gatty Cup being won on three consecutive occasions between 1927-29. Unfortunately, no records exist for the next twenty years, although the Hunts Senior Cup was won again on four occasions during this period. In the 1949-50 season the club were amongst the founder members of the Metropolitan League and recorded a fine League and Cup double but for some reason the Club resigned to join the Central Alliance League. During the 1950s the Club was renamed for the third time to its present name of St Neots Town and rejoined the Metropolitan League. For a decade the club manager was former West Ham full back John Gregory who was the first full-time official the club had employed. His son became Manager of Aston Villa. In 1961-62 the club were runners up in the Metropolitan League Professional Cup – a trophy eventually won in 1965 beating

Gillingham in the Final. In 196667 the club joined the UCL for a three year spell and in that same season the team progressed through five rounds of the FA Cup to reach the First Round proper for the only time. The draw took us to Fellowes Park, Walsall who were second in the Third Division with an unbeaten home record. The team lost 2-0 with both goals coming in the last nine minutes but the crowd was a record for Walsall in the competition. The next season the UCL league and cup double was recorded (the first time the senior side won the title – although the reserve side had won the League in 1956-57. The League Cup was retained the following season but the next major senior League honour did not come until the 1982-83 season when the team finished runners-up in Division One of the UCL. In 1969-70 the club opted to join the Eastern Counties (now Ridgeons) League because it was felt it would be a stronger league. In its four years’ membership, club fortunes declined. The club then rejoined the UCL in 197374. In the next eight seasons the club had a reasonable run of success finishing at best fourth and at worst 19th. At Christmas 1987 the club was evicted from its long-time Shortsands home and had to complete the season on a sub-standard borrowed works pitch. At the end of that season, just four places from the bottom of the table, the club was forced to disband and then the outstanding debt had to be cleared. Out of football for just two seasons the club was reformed in junior football in the Hunts

League with a pitch at Priory Park, St Neots rented from the District Council and the flame of desire to re-establish the club at senior level was rekindled. In 1994-95 after a spell of six years absence from senior football they were readmitted to the UCL. The spell in the UCL Premier Division lasted 17 years but in 2008 the club was relocated around half-a-mile from their original Rowley Park premises in Cambridge Road to the north end of the loves farm estate as the club approached it’s 130th anniversary. In February 2010 Mike Kearn spurchased all of the club’s shares to become owner/ chairman and was to sign exAston Villa striker Stefan Moore for a transfer fee of £10,000 from Halesowen Town. The following season 2010-11season was the club’s best ever. The Championship of the UCL Premier Division was won for only the second time. The club broke a whole raft of league records clocking up a record 105 points and scoring 160 league goals in just 40 matches. Unbeaten away from home in the league the side suffered just one home defeat and picked up the County Senior Cup for the 36th time, as well as finishing runners-up in the Hinchingbrooke Cup and reaching the fifth round of the FA Vase. 2011-12 saw the Club reach even greater heights winning the Southern League Central Division in their first season at Step Four to move up to the Southern League Premier Division in 2012-13. Consolidation over the next two seasons saw the club finish midtable on both occasions,

the2013-14 season saw the club win the Southern League Cup and the Hunts Senior Cup. Season 2014-15 saw the club under the guidance of first team manager David Batch finish in fifth position in the Southern League Premier Division, narrowly losing out by a single penalty goal in the play off finish. 2015-16 season saw the team struggle and David Batch resigned in January 2016 with the club fighting for step three status. Mike Kearns stepped down as chairman at the same time and his majority share holding was acquired by Lee Kearns, the MD of the football club. Andy Davies the academy manager stepped in to steady the ship and ensured step three football for the following season. 2016-17 season started well but once again the mid season jinx struck with Andy stepping down due to ill health. Matt Clements was appointed manager in Late December 2016 and with the full backing of the board has started the process of changing the first team to reflect his own beliefs and football philosophy. In January 2019 Matt Clements changed his role at the club to become director of football with his first job in the new role finding a replacement manager. Marc Abbott was identified and joined the club from Haverhill Rovers to become the first team manager. In April 2019 the club was relegated for the first time in it’s history and was to play at step four in the newly named BetVictor Southern League Division One Central. Manager Marc Abbott was to leave the club in late

2019, citing family reasons as the main factor behind his sudden departure and January 2020 saw the appointment of ex-Cambridge United centre forward Barry Corr as the new man in charge, combining his full time job as Development Officer with the U23s as part of a newly formed collaboration between the two clubs, a partnership that would see young U23 players joining the Saints on loan as part of their own personal development. The season was cut short, with ourselves sitting second from bottom but in relative safety, due to the COVID-19 virus and the 2019-20 season was declared null and void with the records being expunged from the record books.

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Opposition profiles Louis Chadwick The son of former U’s and Manchester United player Luke Chadwick, Louis is a young, highly-rated goalkeeper who has joined us on work experience from League One Cambridge United for the 2021-22 season. George Whitehall Another highly-talented young goalkeeper who joined us in October 2020. When called upon, his performances belie his tender age of just 17 years old. Harvey Steel Right-back Harvey joined the Saints in the Summer of 2021 having previously been on the books of Yaxley and Cambridge United. Ben Heal A product of the Cambridge City youth set–up, Ben joined the West Ham Academy at the age of 14. At home in either midfield or right full back , Ben was a regular in the Hammers’ Under-18 squad in the 201920 season. Joined the Saints in August 2021. Aaron Smith Aaron had a superb two previous seasons for the Saints before they were cut short due to COVID-19, missing just one league game and we were delighted when he again put pen to paper for the coming season. A strong, tough tackling, marauding left-back. Ryan Thomas Exciting addition to our youth team and his performances

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have earned him a place in the first team squad. Charlie Johnson Tough tackling and a threat in the air, centre-back Charlie joined us from Yaxley in the summer of 2021 and numbers Royston Town, Soham Town Rangers, St Ives Town and Cambridge United as his previous clubs. Wynford Marfo Wynford was one of manager Peter Gill’s first signings having worked with Wynnie at Leyton Orient. Another hot prospect who could go far in the game. Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite Dequane is a left-sided defender who has played in all our pre-season friendlies in the 2020-21 season and the then-manager Barry Corr saw enough to sign him. Was with both Tottenham Hotspur and Luton Town as a youngster. Mamadou Jobe Highly-rated centre back who recently made his first team debut at Cambridge United in the 4-1 win over Oxford United – has joined us on loan from the U’s. Lee Watkins The engine room of the midfield, this lad can run forever. Lee joined us two seasons ago upon his release from Cambridge United and has grown into a man both mentally and physically over the past couple of seasons. Captain once again for the 2021-22 Season.

Callum Anderson A regular in the Colchester United Under-18 and Under-23 sides, joined Haverhill Rovers upon his release and joined the Saints in the summer of 2021. Myles Cowling Midfielder Myles is another youngster who has joined us on work experience from League One side Cambridge United. Diminutive but as strong as an ox, big things are expected from this young man in the coming seasons. Charley Barker Charley is another player who has worked with manager Peter Gill during his time at Leyton Orient and has since numbered Wingate, Northwood, Haringey, Potters Bar, Braintree and Bishops Stortford as former clubs. Joe Sutton Joe opted to leave the Saints midway through the last season which was curtailed due to Covid after a string of Man of the Match awards and we are delighted that he has chosen to return once again for this coming season, already having scored a number of goals in pre season. Erin Amu Younger brother of striker Arel, Erin joined the Saints in the summer of 2021 and brings with him experience at both step three and four having played for AFC Dunstable, Dunstable Town, Berkhamstead and Kempston Rovers.

Joe Rider After scoring more than 30 goals in one season for St Neots Town Under-18s, Joe was rewarded with a two year scholarship deal at League One Cambridge United and has returned to the club upon his release this summer. Neo Richard-Noel Highly-rated young striker on the books of League One Cambridge United who joined the Saints on work experience for the 2021-22 season. Lawrence Hammond Striker Lawrence joined the Saints in July 2021 having returned from a spell playing in Germany which was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic after his release from Leyton Orient. Gained non league senior experience playing on loan at Mildenhall Town and Bishops Stortford while at the O’s. Jake Battersby Jake re-joined the Saints in September 2021 after initially deciding not to return for the 2021-22 season. A talented and versatile young man who is equally at home playing up top or anywhere up and down the left flank. Another product of the Cambridge United academy and we are delighted to have him back. Florian Tsaguim Exciting young striker who made a handful of first team appearances for National League side Kings Lynn Town last season. Prior to joining the Linnets, played for Peterborough North Star, March Town and Wisbech St Marys.

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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

🟨

30 Aug 21

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

23 Oct 21

15:00 H St Neots Town

LEAGUE

30 Oct 21

15:00

AFC Dunstable

LEAGUE

6 Nov 21

15:00

Kempston Rovers

LEAGUE

Thame United

Waltham Abbey

Wantage Town

14 Nov 21 15:00 H Bedford Town

LEAGUE

17 Nov 21 19:45 H Kidlington

LEAGUE

20 Nov 21 15:00

LEAGUE

Didcot Town

27 Nov 21 15:00 H Welwyn Garden City

LEAGUE

1 Dec 21

19.45

Biggleswade

LEAGUE

4 Dec 21

15:00

Hertford Town

LEAGUE

11 Dec 21 15:00 H Harlow Town

LEAGUE

18 Dec 21 15:00

LEAGUE

FC Romania

27 Dec 21 15:00 H Thame United

LEAGUE

1 Jan 21

15:00

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

Ball

🟨

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

🟨

Hogg

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 ⚽ Jones

Sangoya

Wood

Ball

Seaton

Jones

Ball

Wood

McCrohan

Stobbs

Jones

Bewley

Wood

Jenkins

O’Connor

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

Ushiro-Lumb

Riddick

1⃣ Riddick 🟨 Riddick

Riddick Riddick

⚽🟨

French

3⃣

French

Jellis

⚽

French

Deacon Hercules

French

Deacon

Deacon Deacon Deacon

⚽ 2⃣

French

⚽ 2⃣

Seaton Seaton

3⃣

Rudd Jellis

1⃣ ⚽🟨 Seaton 2⃣

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

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

Stobbs

McCrohan

Anthonio-Forde

Berry

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

McNamara Anthonio-Forde

1⃣ ⚽ Hodges 3⃣ Jellis 2⃣

Jones

Stobbs Stobbs

2⃣

Jenkins

Hogg

Stobbs

Sangoya

Greco Greco

⚽ 1⃣

O’Connor Sangoya

1⃣ 🟨 Rudd 2⃣ French 3⃣

O’Connor

3⃣

Davis

O’Connor

McCrohan

2⃣ 1⃣

McCrohan McCrohan

Bewley

1⃣

Davis

Jellis

1⃣ ⚽

2⃣

3⃣

Sangoya

Seaton

1⃣

Anthonio-Forde

Rudd

Sangoya Jones

Jenkins

Stobbs

Anthonio-Forde

McCrohan

Sangoya

1⃣ 3⃣ Rudd 2⃣ Rudd 3⃣

Seaton

16 Seaton

2⃣ Berry 1⃣ Berry 2⃣ Berry

3⃣ 1⃣ 🟥 French 3⃣ French 1⃣ Deacon 2⃣ 🟨

Ushiro-Lumb Sangoya

McCrohan

Hercules

1⃣ ⚽

Stobbs

2⃣ 🟨

Weatherill Stobbs Davis Weatherill

Jellis

Ducks in action

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Pitching In Southern League Division One Central TEAM

PTS

Berkhamsted

North Leigh

AFC Dunstable

Harlow Town

Bedford Town

St Neots Town

Aylesbury United

Didcot Town

-1

Ware

Waltham Abbey

FC Romania

-3

Thame United

-4

Barton Rovers

-6

Welwyn Garden City

-1

Kempston Rovers

-11

Kidlington

-14

Biggleswade

-10

Hertford Town

-8

Colney Heath

-13

Wantage Town

-21

Last updated: 21 October 2021