Good afternoon and welcome to this final Pitching In Southern League Division One Central match of the season against Ware. A warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of the Blues. We hope you enjoy the game and have a safe journey home this evening.
Ware secured their place in the play-offs with a 4-1 win over Kempston on Saturday, but they're still playing to determine which of the playoff slots – and therefore who gets home advantage – they'll finish in. They went through had a sticky patch at the turn of the year, but have shaken it off with three consecutive wins – including defeating the champions Berkhamsted at Broadwater (typical how we never seem to play clubs when they're in poor form!).
Our own safety from the relegation play-off, and another season of Southern League football was confirmed with victory at Biggleswade last Saturday. And should results go our way this afternoon, there's a possibility we could still overtake Hertford Town and finish 14th, matching last season's placing.
Today is a special occasion, as the game is sponsored by Mayor of
Aylesbury
Tim Dixon, as a thank you for the more than £3,500 raised for this season's charity partner Aylesbury Foodbank. We're also grateful to our other sponsors today – Pegasus Gym, Motts Travel, and our match ball sponsor Paul Seeley – for enabling us to give away free tickets to the community for today's game.
We're also joined today by our matchday mascot Emmett O'Farrell. Sevenyear-old Emmett is a cancer survivor and the inspiration behind the charity Emmett's Genies, which is another of the mayor's charities and has organised today's tombola.
Our traditional end-ofseason presentation evening organised by 21CD will take place at 7.30pm on 2 June at Rivets Sports and Social Club in Aylesbury. Check the website for how to book your place, and order your food for the evening.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the club this season, especially through the difficult periods, and see you next season!
Come on you Ducks!
Each season Aylesbury
United partners with a local charity to raise funds through various activities associated with the club.
The election of a Charity Partner for Aylesbury United is organised by the club’s supporters’ trust, 21st Century Ducks. The charity partnership concept began in 2018 so that the club’s charitable giving could be more focused. Since then supporters have raised more than £7,000 for the charities involved.
This season Aylesbury United are supporting Aylesbury Foodbank as our charity partner.
Aylesbury Foodbank doesn’t think that anyone in the community should have to face going hungry. That’s why they
provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. Aylesbury Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
The foodbank’s website provides a list of urgently needed items, as well as a list of food donation points locally where items can be dropped off.
Aylesbury Foodbank was selected by our fans from a shortlist of four at our Emirates FA Cup match against Ardley United in August.
This season’s partnership has already got off to a fantastic start with our charity walk from Aylesbury to Berkhamsted.
On August Bank Holiday Monday, a group of Ducks fans walked 14 miles along the Grand Union canal in
time for the match between the two sides. So far the effort has already raised more than £3,000 for the charity, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
Kevin Piper, chair of trustees at Aylesbury Foodbank, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Aylesbury United as their charity partner for this season, and were staggered by the amount of money raised by their sponsored walk to Berkhamsted. Thank you so much, this will help us to feed those in need in Aylesbury. Well done to the team.”
Donations on behalf of the charity are still welcome, just scan the QR code below.
Emmett O'Farrell is a seven-year-old lad who loves anything to do with cars, monster trucks and dinosaurs. He is very creative, kind, caring and is the best big brother to his little sister Ida.
In the same week his parents found out they were expecting his little sister, they found a lump on Emmett. Emmett was diagnosed with stage four cancer when he was two and a half. He had to undergo surgery and brutal chemotherapy and was very unwell.
Some eight months on, while admitted to hospital for more oncology related problems, Emmett's mum went into labour four weeks early. Ida was born not breathing, needing resuscitation and was rushed to NICU. Eight days later the doctors said Ida was well enough to go home. 15 minutes after that, Emmett's mum received a call confirming Emmett was in remission.
Emmett has now been in remission from cancer for four years! He continues to have ongoing oncology follow-ups, bloods and scans; to check the cancer has not returned and also to monitor any damage caused by the chemotherapy treatment. But he is a happy and healthy seven year old boy.
Emmett would proudly tell you that he has his own charity, Emmett's Genies. Emmett's Genies works with local critically ill children and their families to send
some joy in tough times, relieve boredom during treatment and provide oncein-a-lifetime memories for the families, with an ultimate goal of having a wish village those families can visit.
Emmett can first hand tell you how tough having a critical illness as a child is, his parents can tell you how tough those times were too and having experienced this and lost some of his young oncology friends along the way, Emmett is super proud he can help others in that situation.
Do you know someone who’d be interested in being a matchday mascot?
Our mascot package includes two adults tickets to a game and two junior tickets to the game. The mascot will receive a tour of the dressing room, meet the players and manager before the game, lead the team out onto the pitch, and an official photograph with the captains and officials before the game. There’ll also be a Ducks goodie bag, and tea, coffee and soft drinks for ther family in the boardroom. All of this is just £30, or £37.50 with an Aylesbury United scarf.
To book your package, please email Simon Lacey via simon.lacey@oliverlacey.com
On5 June 1897
representatives from three local clubs – Night School, the Printing Works and Aylesbury Town –gathered in the Rochester Room of the Bell Hotel in Aylesbury to discuss the merger of three local teams into one club.
The motivation was straightforward, that “some really good football might be seen in Aylesbury if only the clubs would amalgamate”. Mr Kyle, who had proposed the idea to meeting chair Mr Elliston, had travelled around Bucks visiting Wycombe and Marlow “and it struck him that these smaller towns had stronger football teams” than Aylesbury. It appeared to him that “something might be done in Aylesbury to unite them as clubs, so that their football teams might be equal to those in other towns in Bucks”. “Certainly in the county town, and the really competent players they had there, they ought to have a team worthy of it,” he added, and “the united club would be a credit to
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themselves, the county town, and to Bucks.”
The Reverend AJ Jones went further, saying “the club should not only be a credit to the county, but to all England”. He drew on his experiences in Sunderland – one of the great centres of the game – where children played football in the streets and policemen were unable to stop them because they had the spirit of football within them. The resolution was carried with one in opposition.
It was proposed four teams be created, with different levels of ability, three to play on Saturdays, and two on Thursdays. Because of this, a motion was proposed that two grounds be secured for the purposes of the club.
Membership of the club was set at two shillings and sixpence, two shillings for under 18s, and one shilling for boys under 12. Members of the Printing Works were exempt from the charge to begin with, as they already paid to be members of their institute which paid for their team.
One crucial question remained, which was what should the name of the club be? Mr Kyle proposed the Aylesbury Football Club, which was swiftly amended by AJ Jones to the Aylesbury United Football Club, which was carried by the
majority in attendance.
The club played their first match in a “new dark green kit” against Bowes Park on 25 September that year.
On 28 May 1898, at the club’s first annual meeting, it was reported the first team had played 26, winning 14, and losing 12 – scoring 77 goals, and conceding 60. Mr Kyle, who was now the club’s chairman, was very pleased with the outcome. “The attempt to amalgamate the clubs in the town had been fully justified. If the same progress were to be made next season, he believed would be equal to any club in the county,” he said.
Some 125 years later, we hold the principles set down in that original meeting dear – to have a team the town can be proud of, and that is a credit to Aylesbury throughout the county and country.
Thank you for being part of our history for the past 125 years, and here’s to the next 125 – come on you Ducks!
Board of directors
Chair Graham Read
Vice chairman Ken Turnbull
Club secretary Steve Baker
Fixtures secretary Ian Pluck
Directors Steve Baker, David Brown, Simon Lacey, Andy Martin, Graham Read, Alan Sherwell, Paul Snell, Ken Turnbull
First team coaching staff
Manager Jack Wells
Assistant manager Jordi Mulvany
Coach Ryan Gurton
Goalkeeping coach Jack Sillitoe
Sports therapist Aliyeana Rahim
First team kit Ron Schmidt
Club volunteers
Safety officer Graham Martin
Welfare officer James Byrne
21st Century Ducks chair and matchday
announcer Andy Martin
Photographer Mike Snell
Head of communications Paul Snell
Ownership
Legal name Aylesbury United Football Club Company number 05814026
Significant interests (shareholder/ shareholding)
Graham Read (49%), 21st Century Ducks (39%)
© Aylesbury United 2023
The club is incredibly grateful to our Gold Club members.
To join the club, head to aylesbury.football/clubinfo/goldclub
Liam Ahern
Dave Blackburn
Dave Brown
Dan Cadwell
Josh Cotton
Lee Cotton
Pete Chilcott
Dan Harvey
Rob Hiscock
Simon Lacey
Richie Livings
Bob Moody
Paul Newman
Peter O’Callghan
Ian Pluck
Steve Woodage
Jim Rayner
Roger Simmons
Greg Smith
Jeff Stewart
Adey White
Steve Woodage
Aylesbury 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, has experienced some incredible highs over our 125year 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
the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, eventually losing to Third Division side Watford.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 now have definite plans for a new stadium in place to end their own exile, 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 play-off positions in the Midlands Division for the next three seasons but a new challenge arose when the previous manager defected clubs, taking almost the entire playing squad with him. This led to another 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 end of the season. There was disappointment, however in the cups with the team being out of all cup competitions by mid November.
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 promotional 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 Central Division.
After two seasons ground sharing 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. Ben 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, abandoned after just two months. 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.
There were hopes the form from the two cancelled seasons could be maintained, and 2021-22 began well with out best run in the FA Cup for a decade – scoring more goals than eventual winners Liverpool before being knocked out 1-0 by National League South side Ebbsfleet United. Just outside the play-offs at Christmas, the team unfortunately suffered a collapse in form, losing 10 consecutive games before rallying to avoid a relegation scrap, and finishing in 14th place.
This season is the club’s 125th anniversary, and hopefully the team can achieve success to celebrate this significant milestone in the club’s history.
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
1913-14, 1985-86, 1996-97, 1999-00
Berks & Bucks
Benevolent Cup
1932-33, 1933-34, 1952-53, 1953-54
Isthmian League Cup
1994-95
Spartan South Midlands League
Premier Cup
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 2003
17-year-old goalkeeper signed in September as a back-up for Jack Hopwood. Made his debut in goal for the Ducks against Chesham United in the Berks and Bucks Cup.
Striker who joined the Ducks late in July 2021 after impressing during pre-season.He started his career as a youth player with Luton Town before featuring regularly for Oxford City in the National League South. Spells at Hitchin Town, St Ives Town and Old Bradwell United followed. After four goals in seven games for the Ducks, he attracted the attention of North Leigh and joined the Oxfordshire side in October 2021, but returned to the Ducks in December.
Midfielder signed following the resignation of Harlow Town from the league in December 2022. Joined the Hawks in July 2021, and has also previously played for Cheshunt.
Impressive young right back who can also play in midfield who joined the club at the end of December 2018, ‘Bally’ won Aylesbury FC’s Young Player of the Year award in 2017-18 as he was a regular for town neighbours Aylesbury FC in what was his first season in senior football. A graduate of the Luton Town Cedars development programme, he has also featured for Winslow United before joining Berkhamsted in the summer on his way to the Ducks.
Sponsored by Courts Accountancy Services
Laces sponsor Charlie Lacey
Ever reliable left back who has barely missed a game since being recruited from Leighton Town in summer 2014 after a four-year association with the Bedfordshire side, having previously played for Dunstable Town and AFC Dunstable before that. Jake’s year-on-year improvement culminated in him being named Supporters’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, having been named the Most Improved Player in 2015-16, and is now the team’s co-vice captain.
Sponsored by Dave Brown
Laces sponsor Santino Iannaccone
19-year-old winger who joined the club in December 2022, and made his debut as a substitute against Harlow Town. Currently on dual registration with Chalfont St Peter.
SONNY FRENCH
Talented midfielder and co-vice captain signed for Aylesbury United in March 2015 from town neighbours Aylesbury FC, where he was a former Player of the Season winner. The 2022-23 season is Sonny’s ninth campaign with the Ducks, having now amassed more than 200 games, and was in fine form before the Coronavirus pandemic curtailed the past two seasons – enjoying his most prolific season in 2019-20 with 13 goals to his name.
Sponsored by Allan Brace
Laces sponsor Alwyn Lloyd
MARLEY HAMILTON
Attacking midfielder/forward signed in February 2023 from Daventry Town. He also has previous Southern League experience with Kempston Rovers, Wantage Town and Berkhamsted.
ETHAN HOLT
Young striker signed in March 2023 from National League South Hemel Hempstead Town, having previously made two appearances for the Ducks in pre-season.
GOALKEEPER
JACK HOPWOOD
Goalkeeper who joined the club from Tring Athletic in February 2018 and quickly showed his quality by starting his Aylesbury career with an impressive three successive clean sheets. Well known to Ben Williams due after graduating through the Bucks Sports Academy, he played for Chesham United Reserved before going on to make nearly 150 appearances for Tring. Jack left the club in Summer 2021 following his relocation, but returned just over a year later having most recently played for Thatcham Town.
Sponsored by William and Niamh Seeley
TYRIQ HUNTE
Striker returned to the Ducks for a second spell in November 2022 initially on a short-term deal from league rivals AFC Dunstable. Hunte made 17 appearances for the club in his first spell in 2017, scoring six times. Since then he has played for numerous clubs, most recently joining Ware at the start of the 2022-23 season, before joining the ODs in October.
JORDAN JENKINS
Aylesbury-born central defender who joined the Ducks in July 2019 after three years at Aylesbury FC. Jordan was previously captain at Haywood Way, where he made more than 110 appearances having joined from Leighton Town, also playing for Aston Clinton and Winslow United before that. Won the FA Sunday Cup in 201819 with his Sunday league side Aylesbury Flooring.
Laces sponsor William Hutcherson
HARRY JONES
Versatile player who, having now turned 22, has played more than 150 Aylesbury United games since making his debut at the age of just 17. Jones was billed as a midfielder on joining the club, but spent a lot of the most recent seasons at fullback, and has also played as an out-and-out centre forward when required. Previous first team experience with Risborough Rangers prior to joining United.
Sponsored by Jim Rayner
Laces sponsor George Pennington
DAVID LYNN
The 27-year-old left-back joined from Thame United in November 2022, where he made more than 200 appearances since joining the Red Kites in 2015, and won the Manager’s Player of the Season Award in 2018-19. He has also previously played for Dunstable Town, Banbury United, and Chesham United.
Sponsored by Carl Catling Media
JACK MORIARTY
Midfidler joined the squad in September 2022 from Bedford Town, whom he joined in the summer. Prior to signing for the Eagles, he played for Potton United, and before then the 20-year-old spent time with Berkhamsted Raiders, and Kings Langley, whom he joined having moved through the Stevenage academy.
NASHA MUKWADA
Speedy winger joined the Ducks in summer 2022 from Rushden and Diamonds Under 23 squad, for whom he made 14 appearances, scoring five goals last season.
JAIME OBAMA
Made his debut as a substitute against Didcot Town in February 2023, and is a forward who has most recently played for Arlesey Town. His previous clubs also include Thatcham Town, as well as the Spanish sides AD Seseña, SAD Cenafe and CD Coslada.
DAVID PITT
Pitt joined the Ducks on dual registration from Ashford Town (Mx) in January. The 31-year-old began his career as an apprentice at Brentford, and has plenty of non-league experience – most recently playing for Staines Town, Broadfields United, Stratford Town, and Chalfont St Peter. He is also a dual international, having played two games for Jamaica under-18s, before switching allegiance and winning two full caps for St Vincent and the Grenadines during 2018 World Cup Qualifying.
MIDFIELDER
Defensive midfielder who joined United in July 2019 after two seasons with Tring Athletic, having previously played for London Colney and Chesham United’s reserve team before that. Enjoyed an excellent debut season and was rewarded with Supporters’ Player of the Year award, and followed that with the Player’s Player of the Year trophy last season.
Sponsored by Andy Martin
Laces sponsor Elowen Pennington
Attacking midfielder who brought his fine technical abilities to the club in October 2017 having previously played for Tring Athletic, and ended the season winning the Most Improved Player award. Previously with Tring Athletic, he proved a valuable addition to the squad with his ever-improving displays and, still at a young age, has bags of potential to develop further. Won the inaugural Goal of the Season award in 2022 for his astonishing strike against Kempston Rovers.
Sponsored by The Harvey Family
MIDFIELDER
Laces sponsor Greg Pennington
Experienced and versatile player, Lee Stobbs joined Aylesbury from Berkhamsted in July 2020 to link up with a number of his former Tring Athletic teammates currently with the Ducks. First came to prominence at Leverstock Green, he has also featured for the likes AFC Dunstable and Kings Langley, as well as a short spell with Aylesbury FC. The club’s first summer signing of 2020.
MIDFIELDER
Sponsored by Paul Hopwood
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 17-time end of season award winner, Jack passed 500 appearances for the Ducks last season to go second on the all-time list behind Cliff Hercules, and continues to display incredible loyalty to the club despite several offers to ply his trade elsewhere.
Sponsored by Rich Lloyd
DEFENDER
Laces sponsor Ava Pinches
JACK WELLS
Appointed as manager in October 2022, and joined the club from North Leigh where he has been working as a first team coach, and has also previously held coaching roles at Wantage Town, Stratford Town and Redditch United. He has a record of working with and developing young players, having also worked as a coach in the academy at Northampton Town, as head of female football and ladies team manager at Oxford City, and with Wycombe Wanderers. The 31-year-old is currently working toward his UEFA B licence, and also holds a diploma in sports management.
JORDI MULVANY
Jordi had stints as a player at Didcot Town, North Leigh, Oxford City Nomads and Clanfield 85, before injuries curtailed his playing career. Joined the club when Jack Wells was appointed manager in November 2022.
RYAN GURTON
Joined the club in January 2023 as coach to support Jack Wells.
JACK SILLITOE
Long-serving and hugely popular goalkeeper who played for the Ducks for 11 years and made 320 appearances for the club, having made his debut in 2007 as emergency cover having come through the club’s youth team. A popular figure among supporters and teammates, he was named Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2010, Players’ Player of the Year in 2012 and received the Clubman of the Year award in 2016. A broken metatarsal put an end to his Ducks career between the sticks in 2018, but returned to the club as goalkeeping coach in December 2022.
ALYIEANA RAHIM
Alyieana is in her final year at Bucks New University studying for a sports therapy degree, and already holds a number of other sports therapy qualifications. She is also a former gymnast and has represented England.
Sponsored by Paul Seeley
The Club was founded in 1892 and although first called Ware Town soon changed its name to plain Ware FC. This unassuming title makes it probably the shortest named affiliate of the Football Association and has caused problems for programme editors and journalists ever since.
In fact, the Club has been anything but unassuming. It has held senior status from its very beginning, entering the Herts Senior Cup for the first time in 1893, and winning the cup on the first of five occasions in 1899 with a 2-1 win over Hitchin at St Albans. By this time Ware had been instrumental in founding the East Herts League and had won its championship on two of the three times it had been competed for.
FOUNDED
1892
NICKNAME
The Blues
CLUB COLOURS
Blue and white striped shirts, blue shorts, blue socks
HOME GROUND
Wodson Park, Ware
MANAGER
Paul Halsey
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5 November 2022 L 3-0
12 February 2022 L 5-2
The club was to win it five more times before moving on to the North Middlesex League in 1907 and then also to the Herts County League in 1908. The Championship of the latter came that season in a three-way play-off against St Albans City and Welwyn.
After the First World War the Club gained a league and cup double with a second Herts County League Championship and a fourth Herts Senior Cup win in 1922. The scenes in Ware when the team returned with the Senior Cup tell us something about the hold that football had on local loyalties at the time. The local paper reported that "Large crowds awaited the return of the special train to Ware, everybody being in high spirits. The Cup was marched through the town in front of a cheering throng." Indeed, it was later recalled that the cup was taken through the town on subsequent nights and that stops were made outside public houses where it was charged with beer before being drained by the crowd.
Shortly after this Ware joined the Spartan League in which they were to enjoy several successes, winning the Division 2(B) Championship in 1926, Division 1 in 1951 with the highest
"goals for" total ever achieved by a club in the Spartan League, and the Premier Division in 1952. In these later years the Club also made significant progress in the old Amateur Cup meeting many famous sides on the way. One of these was Hendon, against whom Ware drew their largest attendance of 3,800 in the 1st Round in January 1957.
Moving on to the Delphian and then Athenian League, Ware enjoyed another successful period. Two promotions, two league cup wins and two reserve championships paved the way for progress in the FA Cup. In this Ware reached the First Round proper for the first time in 1968 when they travelled to the then Third Division side Luton Town. The opposition had a 100% home record but the game was scoreless with 30 minutes to go before a judicious substitution broke the stalemate and left Ware beaten 6-1 at the final whistle.
In these successful circumstances it was not surprising that Ware pressed for entry to the expanding Isthmian League. This was achieved for season 1975/76 and they have maintained their place at that level ever since. This is thanks most recently to their Division 2 Championship season of 2005/6 under manager Glen Alzapiedi which carried them
into Division 1 just before Division 2 was disbanded. Alzapiedi's side brought further distinction with another FA Cup First Round appearance in 2007 which saw a narrow home defeat against Kidderminster Harriers in front of 2,123 spectators, a record for the current ground at Wodson Park.
Before that a tenth Herts Senior Cup Final in 2001 and another in 2008 have emphasised the club's long history and continuity. Ware is the first of only three possible candidates to appear in this final in three separate centuries, evidence that it is still one of the county's leading clubs.
League form has varied in recent years and after a disappointing period in the 2017/8 season John Dreyer
took over as manager. With fortunes improving John stepped aside and his assistant Paul Halsey has taken over the managerial reins.
Paul has been a huge success over the four years he has been at the helm at Ware FC and has been unlucky not to have got Ware promoted twice, this being due to the Corona Virus which put paid to Seasons being cancelled and denying any chance of promotion.
Paul a popular manager with the Ware FC hierarchy, players and supporters Paul and has taken the club to a new level and is hoping for a play-off position this season.
Chris Arthur
Chris made his debut in 2019/20’s FA Trophy defeat at Burgess Hill. He has plenty of experience in non-league and was bringing that to bear in performances before the season was brought to a premature end by the pandemic. He scored four goals in seven appearances in that brief time. By the end of the 2021/22 season Chris had made 49 appearances and scored four goals.
Richard Bryan
Richard appeared in a couple of pre-season games in 2021 but returned to the US where he played for Detroit City. He is now back in the UK and joins us for the 2022/3 season.
Fred Burbidge
Fred has joined us from Hendon for whom he made 33 appearances in 2021/2. He has also been on the books of Boreham Wood and Potters Bar, and also made loan appearances for Dunstable Town and Waltham Abbey.
Liam Dulson
Has previously played for our Under-23 side but returned to the club in 2021 after a spell at Royston Town. Despite a lengthy period of injury he finished 2021/2 as the club's top scorer with 25 goals from 46 appearances.
Rechan Esprit
Another product of our successful youth set up. Rechan is still young but plays with a maturity that belies his age. He scored on his league debut in 2021/22 and finished with five goals from
26 appearances.
Joel Jacobs
Signed from Hanwell Town of the Isthmian League South Central division. Joel is very experienced at this level of football having played mostly for a number of clubs in and around the south west of London.
Marcus Milner
Now into his second century of appearances for the club which he first joined in the 2013/14 season. He has scored 11 goals from midfield but more recently has had some excellent performances at full back. By the end of the 2021/2 season he had made 143 appearances.
Leigh Rose
First played for Ware on the opening day of 2011 in a 3-1 defeat at Cheshunt. After spells at other local clubs Leigh has returned to Ware and at the end of the 2021/22 season had made 171 appearances for the club and scored 45 goals.
Louis Rose
Brother to Leigh, Louis made his debut on the 14th August 2012 in a 1-0 Charity Cup defeat at Potters Bar. Now the club captain Louis made 176 appearances by the end of 2021/2 and despite his role in central defence has netted 27 times.
Dan Rumens
Dan joined us from Enfield Town in September 2019 and has now secured his position in the central defensive berth. He is now closing in on fifty appearances for the Blues.
Brandon Adams
Having joined Ware from Enfield Town in 2018/9 he scored 23 goals in 25 appearances. This attracted attention of other clubs and Brandon moved on to Royston, Cheshunt and Bishop's Stortford. He returned to Ware in the second half of the 2022/3 season.
Freddy Moncur
Freddy recently joined Ware FC from Bowers & Pitsea and has had an immediate effect on the Ware team. A creative, skilful and hardworking midfield player who is a welcoming addition to the Ware FC first team.
Joe Dearman
Joe is a wide midfielder and joined us from Welwyn Garden City. Prior to that he started at Premier League Tottenham Hotspur before joining League One Cambridge United where he played for the under-18s. He has had experience in Poland before returning to Britain to play for St Neots, Biggleswade Town and Wingate & Finchley.
Declan Nche
Declan made his debut for Ware in our home game with Didcot Town having previously been with Tooting & Mitcham and Bowers & Pitsea. He has rapidly established himself as a midfielder in the side.
Rimmel Daniel
Rimmel joined us in February 2023 from FC Romania for whom he had made 18 appearances. He started as a youth player at Gillingham but
most of his playing time has been in non-league. However, he has also made five full international appearances for Grenada.
Matthew Hall
Central defender, Matt has joined us on dual registration from Slough Town and has settled in well.
Sam Chaney
A gifted midfielder, Sam joins us from Enfield Town after National League experience with Torquay United for whom he made 56 appearances. Paul Halsey: In his second stint as manager having also managed Ware in 2009 before moving on as goalkeeping coach at Billericay and then management positions with Hoddesdon Town and Hertford Town.
Michael Bardle, assistant manager
Michael was a successful defender with Ware over a 23 month period during which he made the number three shirt his own. From his first game at Tilbury on 13th January 2007 to his last at home to the same team on 13th December 2008 he made 92 appearances (including 15 from the substitutes' bench) and scored 12 goals. He is now part of our coaching team as assistant manager having previously worked with Paul Halsey at Hertford and Hoddesdon.
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FOOTBALL HAS COME TOGETHER TO TOUGHEN MEASURES ADDRESSING FAN BEHAVIOUR AT MATCHES
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR:
Entering the pitch without permission
Smoke bombs and pyros
Throwing objects
Drug use
Discriminatory behaviour
POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES:
Serious injury
Automatic club ban
Reported to the police
Criminal record
Education and employment at risk
HELP US ENSURE MATCHES ARE SAFE AND ENJOYABLE FOR ALL LOVE FOOTBALL. PROTECT THE GAME.
Aylesbury United want to make you aware of new measures being taken across all of football, and the National League System (NLS), to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience.
We are supporting strong action from the FA, and across the NLS to tackle antisocial and criminal behaviours that put all of us at risk.
Please remember the following activities are illegal, dangerous, have serious consequences and have no place in our game:
Carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros
Invading the pitch or
entering the pitch without permission
Throwing objects onto the pitch
Drug use within the football ground
Discriminatory behaviour
For everyone’s safety, we will report anyone carrying out these offences to the police, which can result in a criminal record.
Anyone who enters the pitch without permission and those carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros will now receive an automatic club ban. These measures could also now apply to the parents or guardians of children involved in these activities.
This reflects the seriousness of the risks to fans and staff – pyros can burn at 2000 degrees Celsius and cause life-changing injuries, while entering the pitch endangers players, managers and match officials.
It also impacts the hard working volunteers, who ensure that our special part of the game continues to run.
We know those who commit these illegal acts do not represent the majority of supporters. Please work with us to call out the risks.
Aylesbury United reserves the right to remove or refuse entry to the ground at any time.
www.oliverlacey.com
Simon.lacey@oliverlacey.com
There are many different volunteer roles in non-league football and Southern League football clubs need your help with them.
The Trident Leagues and Pitching In have recently launched a new online Volunteer Hub where you can find opportunities and contact your local football club.
Please visit Pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk to find out more
MANAGER: Jack WELLS
Jack HOPWOOD
Anthony BALL
Harry JONES
Jack WOOD
David LYNN
Jordan JENKINS
Ethan HOLT
Jack MORIARTY
Tyriq HUNTE
Sonny FRENCH
Ben SEATON
Jake BEWLEY
Nasha MUKWADA
Lee STOBBS
Josh AMEGANVI
REFEREE
Daniel MALYON
ASSISTANT REFEREES
Thomas FROST & Ben JERRAMS
MANAGER: Paul HALSEY
Fred BURBIDGE
Richard BRYAN
Joel JACOBS
Declan NCHE
Louis ROSE
Matthew HALL
Joe DEARMAN
Freddy MONCUR
Brandon ADAMS
Theo OFORI
Liam DULSON
Sam CHANEY Rechan ESPRIT
Dan RUMENS
Leigh ROSE
Chris ARTHUR
