Matchday Programme | MK Dons by Barnet Fli

Barnet FC OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2020/21

v MK DONS

29 • 11 • 2020 || K.O. 13:30PM

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FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Manager: Peter Beadle Assistant Coach: Steve Jenkins Head Physio: Luigi Cerullo Head of Analysis: Dan Hutchings Club Doctor: Dr Christian Kleanthous

CONFERENCE

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Spectators must not stand in seated areas. This is for your own safety and that of others. You may also be obscuring their view. Failure to comply with this Safety Notice renders you liable to being ejected from the stadium In the event of an emergency please leave the ground in an orderly fashion by the exit gates indicated on the diagram. You will be directed to the gates by both the tannoy and the club stewards. Please do not run, but leave as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Respecting our Neighbours Here at The Hive London, we wish to minimise the impact we have on our neighbours. We respectfully ask that when around our site or in the immediate vicinity, visitors dispose of their rubbish in the bins that are provided. Thank you, your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

The Manager PETER

BEADLE

From the Manager GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE AND I HOPE YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS AFTERNOON’S EMIRATES FA CUP TIE WITH MK DONS. I want to take the chance to welcome all the players and staff from Milton Keynes this afternoon I also would like to wish their supporters well during this time. It’s set to be an exciting afternoon at The Hive and it looks like the last one we’ll have behind closed doors, which is very exciting for everyone concerned! I was pleased with our character and mentality on Tuesday night, we were more than value for our point against a good Hartlepool side. It is something for us to build on when we return to league action in midweek, but it also has given us a bit of confidence going into this afternoon’s cup tie. We didn’t make those individual mistakes on Tuesday night and I thought other than creating a few more chances, we played pretty well. I think those changes will come and hopefully, as more players return from the treatment table we’ll have plenty of options to go into the Christmas period with. I have faith in our group and we now need to start putting more points on the board. This afternoon is going to be a huge challenge, no doubt about it. They are a League One side first and foremost, but they have some highly talented and experienced players. They’ve got quality

all over the pitch but I truly believe we can go out there and give them a game this afternoon. As a unit we were exceptional in the last round, so we need to go and do more of the same today. It’s a great opportunity for us to progress to the Third Round which is always exciting. I am delighted to hear that we will have our fans back in the ground from next week and I want to praise all the staff who are working so hard behind the scenes to make sure we’re all safe. It’ll be a welcome boost to us all and I really hope you can get behind us from the get-go. I can’t wait to finally have you with us to cheer on our team, but for now I’m fully focused on building more momentum ahead of your return. For now and hopefully for the last time, give us a huge cheer from home! Thanks as always for your support!

Peter

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The Captain JAMES

DUNNE

From the Captain GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE AND I HOPE YOU ARE KEEPING WELL AHEAD OF THIS AFTERNOON’S FA CUP TIE WITH MK DONS. They are a side I have faced a few times in my career, they are a good League One side and we’ll have to be at our very best this afternoon. We’ve already beaten one League One side this season and it would be great to repeat that this afternoon. It was great for me personally to be back out there on Tuesday night, I feel really good after it and I am raring to go ahead of what will be a busy period for us now. I thought as a team it was a good reaction and we more than deserved our point against a very good Hartlepool side. We were great defensively and didn’t allow many chances on our goal, it’s going to have be more of the same this afternoon against higher opposition. Ideally, we would have liked to have created more but I am sure that’ll come now we have a bit of confidence back. Who doesn’t love the FA Cup? We should be right up for this, it’s a great chance to get into Round Three and draw one of the Premier League boys, so we’re ready to give it a really good go this afternoon. It’ll be tough but we’ll do everything we can to get ourselves in the hat. It’s great to hear of the news that you’ll be back with us from next weekend. It’s a welcome boost ahead of Christmas and we have missed having you in the stadium. I for one am looking forward to having an atmosphere inside our stadium and I know you’ll do your best to get behind us. Enjoy this last home game from your home and we’ll see you soon! Thanks for your support!

Dunney

MK Dons CLASSIC CAMPAIGNS 2006/07 MK DONS QUALIFIED FOR THE LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFFS IN 2006/07. They won five of their opening six League Two games under new manager Martin Allen and returned to second place with six straight wins in December. Clive Platt grabbed a hat-trick in MK Dons’ 3-1 victory at home to Barnet and formed a deadly partnership with top scorer Izale McLeod, netting 39 League goals between them as the Dons remained in contention throughout the season. MK Dons were pipped to automatic promotion by Swindon Town, finishing fourth despite winning their final four matches. They were defeated 2-1 on aggregate by Shrewsbury Town in the play-off semi-finals.

2007/08 MK DONS ACHIEVED A LEAGUE TWO TITLE AND JOHNSTONE’S PAINT TROPHY ‘DOUBLE’ IN 2007/08. Paul Ince replaced Martin Allen as manager and the Dons won just one of their opening four League games before soaring to the top of the table with eight successive wins. They consolidated pole position with another eight-match unbeaten run, then remained undefeated in their final 18 League games to win the title with 97 points. Goalkeeper Willy Gueret was everpresent. The Dons beat Peterborough United, AFC Bournemouth, Gillingham and Swansea City en route to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final, defeating Grimsby Town 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.

2008/09 MK DONS WENT CLOSE TO WINNING PROMOTION FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON IN 2008/09. Roberto Di Matteo replaced Blackburn-bound Paul Ince as manager. The Dons won six of their opening 12 games, then soared to second place with ten wins in their next 11 matches. Leading marksman Aaron Wilbraham grabbed a hat-trick in their 5-3 win at Cheltenham Town, then scored again as they hammered Oldham Athletic 6-2. The Dons qualified for the League One play-offs in third place after winning six of their final seven games. They lost to eventual winners Scunthorpe United on penalties after a 1-1 draw on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals.

2010/11 MK DONS REACHED THE LEAGUE ONE PLAYOFFS FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON IN 2011/12. Karl Robinson’s side drew 1-1 at home to Hartlepool on the opening day but swept to the top of the table with five straight wins including a 6-2 demolition of Chesterfield. The Dons won just one of their next nine games before reviving their challenge with another five successive wins and also took top-flight QPR to an FA Cup third round replay. They beat Oldham 5-0 and won four of their final five games. Dean Bowditch was top scorer as MK Dons qualified for the playoffs in fifth position. They were defeated 3-2 on aggregate by Huddersfield in the semi-finals.

2012/13 MK DONS REACHED THE FA CUP FIFTH ROUND IN 2012/13. The Dons were held to a 0-0 draw at Cambridge City in the first round but trounced their Southern League opponents 6-1 in the replay. John Otsemobor’s last-gasp strike gave MK Dons a dramatic 2-1 victory at home to AFC Wimbledon in the second round, then Shaun Williams and Dean Bowditch scored in their 2-0 third round replay win over Sheffield Wednesday after a 0-0 draw at Hillsborough. Strikes by Ryan Lowe, Ryan Harley, Darren Potter and Armand Traore’s own goal gave MK Dons a 4-2 victory at top-flight QPR. Karl Robinson’s side lost 3-0 at home to Barnsley in the fifth round.

2014/15 KARL ROBINSON GUIDED MK DONS TO PROMOTION IN 2014/15. The Dons began with a 4-2 win over Gillingham and made headlines with a stunning 4-0 League Cup victory over Manchester United en route to the fourth round. They won 5-3 at Barnsley, then Dele Alli grabbed a hat-trick in their 6-1 win over Crewe and Benik Afobe emulated this as they trounced Colchester 6-0. Both players scored as the Dons stormed to a club record 7-0 win over Oldham Athletic and they went top with a 5-0 win at Crewe. They won promotion as League One runners-up after dropping just two points in their final ten games, beating Leyton Orient 6-1 and Yeovil Town 5-1.

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2018/19 MK DONS REGAINED LEAGUE ONE STATUS AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT IN 2018/19. The Dons lost just one of their opening 18 League Two games under new manager Paul Tisdale and went top of the table with a 2-0 victory at home to Macclesfield in mid-November. They hammered Cambridge United 6-0 on New Year’s Day but that was their only victory in the space of seven matches. MK Dons swept back into the automatic promotion places with five straight wins and clinched promotion in third place with a 1-0 victory at home to Mansfield Town on the final day. Kieran Agard was leading scorer with 20 League goals, while Dean Lewington was ever-present captain.

HOMEGROWN HEROEs MK DONS WADE SMALL WINGER WADE SMALL WAS ONE OF SEVERAL PLAYERS WHO WERE ON THE BOOKS OF WIMBLEDON AND REMAINED AT MK DONS AFTER THE RELOCATION TO MILTON KEYNES. A former Wimbledon scholar, he turned professional in July 2003 and made his League debut in their 1-0 defeat at Coventry three months later. He netted 11 goals in 72 League games for MK Dons prior to joining Sheffield Wednesday for £250,000 in May 2006. Following a brief spell at Charlton Athletic, he moved to Chesterfield in August 2009, then played for Aldershot Town, Lewes, Tooting & Mitcham, Margate and Kingstonian. He has since become a personal trainer back in his native South London.

DEAN LEWINGTON LONG-SERVING LEFT-BACK DEAN LEWINGTON HOLDS MK DONS’ APPEARANCE RECORD. The son of Ray Lewington, he turned professional with Wimbledon in July 2003 and remained at MK Dons after the relocation. He was a key figure in their 2007-08 League Two title and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy ‘double’ success, also starring as MK Dons qualified for the League One play-offs in two consecutive seasons. Helping them to win promotion to the Championship in 2014-15, he has been ever-present three times including their 2018-19 promotion triumph. He is now the club captain and had netted 21 goals in a club record 652 League games by the end of last season.

DAVID MARTIN EX-ENGLAND YOUTH GOALKEEPER DAVID MARTIN WAS EVER-PRESENT FOR MK DONS IN 2011-12. The son of former West Ham and England star Alvin Martin, he turned professional with Wimbledon in January 2004 and remained at MK Dons after the relocation. He joined Liverpool in January 2006 and was loaned to Accrington, Leicester City (helping win the League One title in 2008-09), Tranmere, Leeds United and Derby before returning to MK Dons in July 2010. Featuring as they twice reached the League One play-offs, he was ‘Player of the Year’ in 2015-16 and made 291 League appearances overall prior to joining Millwall in August 2017. Now at West Ham.

JASON PUNCHEON WINGER JASON PUNCHEON HAD FOUR SEPARATE SPELLS AT MK DONS. A former Wimbledon scholar, he made his League debut in their 1-0 defeat at Walsall in March 2004 and remained at MK Dons after the relocation. He joined Barnet in August 2006 and helped twice reach the FA Cup fourth round. Moving to Plymouth Argyle in July 2008, he had three loan spells back at MK Dons, netting 12 goals in 85 League games overall. He joined Southampton in January 2010 and featured in their rise back to the top-flight. Moving to Crystal Palace initially on loan in August 2013, he scored in the 2016 FA Cup final and joined Cypriot side Pafos in August 2019.

SAM BALDOCK STRIKER SAM BALDOCK FEATURED IN MK DONS’ 2007-08 LEAGUE TWO TITLE AND JOHNSTONE’S PAINT TROPHY ‘DOUBLE’ SUCCESS. Signing professional for MK Dons in April 2006, he made his League debut in their 1-1 draw at home to Mansfield ten months later. He starred as they qualified for the League One play-offs in 2008-09 and 2010-11, netting 33 goals in 100 League games for the Dons before joining West Ham in August 2011. Moving to Bristol City in August 2012, he was leading marksman and ‘Player of the Year’ in 2013-14 and joined Brighton for £2,000,000 in August 2014. Helping reach the top-flight in 2016-17, he moved to Reading in July 2018.

GEORGE BALDOCK RIGHT-BACK GEORGE BALDOCK HELPED MK DONS TO BEAT MANCHESTER UNITED 4-0 IN THE LEAGUE CUP SECOND ROUND IN 2014-15. He joined his older brother Sam at MK Dons and graduated from the Dons’ academy, making his League debut in their 0-0 draw at home to Brighton in May 2010. Gaining experience on loan to clubs including Northampton Town and Oxford United, he featured in MK Dons’ 201415 promotion campaign and scored twice in 104 League games before reuniting with former Oxford manager Chris Wilder at Sheffield United in June 2017. He helped the Blades regain Premier League status in 2018-19 and was ever-present in 2019-20.

ADAM CHICKSEN VERSATILE LEFT-BACK ADAM CHICKSEN HELPED MK DONS TO QUALIFY FOR THE LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFFS IN 2011-12. Born in Milton Keynes of Zimbabwean and Chinese descent, he progressed through the Dons’ academy and made his League debut in their 2-0 defeat by Leicester City in August 2008. He was their ‘Young Player of the Year’ in 2012-13 and scored twice in 78 League games before joining Brighton in July 2013. Following loan spells at Gillingham, Fleetwood and Leyton Orient, he moved to Charlton in August 2016 and has since played for Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Notts County. He made his Zimbabwe international debut in March 2018.

DANIEL POWELL WINGER DANIEL POWELL WAS AN IMPORTANT FIGURE IN MK DONS’ 2014-15 PROMOTION SUCCESS. A former MK Dons scholar, he scored on his League debut in their 3-1 victory over Hartlepool United three months before turning professional in February 2009. He was ‘Young Player of the Year’ in 2010-11 and starred as MK Dons qualified for the League One play-offs two consecutive seasons. Helping them to beat Manchester United 4-0 in the 2014-15 League Cup second round, he netted 37 goals in 231 League games prior to joining Northampton Town in May 2017. He moved to Crewe Alexandra in June 2019 and featured as they won promotion in 2019-20.

TOM FLANAGAN CENTRAL DEFENDER TOM FLANAGAN HAS BEEN CAPPED FIVE TIMES BY NORTHERN IRELAND SINCE LEAVING MK DONS. A former MK Dons scholar, he made his League debut in their 5-0 defeat at Carlisle six months before turning professional in August 2010. He helped them qualify for the League One play-offs in 2011-12 and featured in their 2014-15 promotion campaign, netting three goals in 37 League games before joining Burton Albion in August 2015. A promotion winner again in 2014-15, he made his international debut against New Zealand in June 2017 and moved to Sunderland in June 2018. He was a Football League Trophy finalist in 2019.

DELE ALLI FORMER MK DONS STRIKER DELE ALLI PLAYED FOR ENGLAND IN THE 2018 WORLD CUP. BORN IN MILTON KEYNES He progressed through the ranks at MK Dons and made his League debut in their 3-2 defeat at home to Coventry five months before turning professional in May 2013. He helped the Dons to beat Manchester United 4-0 in the 2014-15 League Cup second round and joined Tottenham Hotspur for an initial £5,000,000 in January 2015. Loaned back to MK Dons, he helped clinch promotion and netted 22 goals in 74 League games. He was twice PFA ‘Young Player of the Year’ and made his full international debut against France in November 2015.

Walking football BARNET OVER 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S The magic of the cup and one of our most amazing memories was qualifying for the prestigious EFL Cup at Saint Georges Park. Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top walking football teams meeting at the home of the FA , staying two days at the fab Hilton on-site. We met the late Norman Hunter and with TV interviews it was a brilliant experience. The regional qualifiers for the SE were held at The Hive, no pressure! We held our nerve beating Stevenage 1-0 , Charlton 1-0, Wycombe 2-0, QPR 1-1 before losing to Portsmouth 2-1. That saw us into a play off beating Charlton 1-0 and amazing qualification making us the smallest club at the EFl finals. The draw was held live on EFL YouTube, we beat Portsmouth , Drew with Grimsby and had a fab laugh, the magic of the cup!

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince arrived in Milton Keynes to take charge, in the same year they moved into their new home – Stadium MK.

TODAY’S OPPOSITION

Ince’s arrival in 2007 coincided with the Dons’ most successful season as they went on to win their first piece of silverware - the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy - by beating Grimsby Town 2-0 at Wembley, before going on to win the League Two title and clinching promotion back to the third tier. What’s more, the Dons equalled the record of 18 victories away from home that season. Ince’s success caught the attention of Blackburn Rovers and his departure to Ewood Park was quickly followed by inspirational captain Keith Andrews. The next in line at the helm of Stadium MK was Roberto Di Matteo and the rookie boss guided the men from MK to their then-highest ever finish - third in League One - but once again they missed out on promotion in the play-offs, losing on penalties in the semi-final to Scunthorpe United. There was further change for the Dons in the summer of 2009 with Di Matteo leaving to take over at West Bromwich Albion, paving the way for a sensational return by Ince, who had departed after four months at Blackburn. But it was to be an ill-fated return for Ince, with the Dons unable to reach the play-offs, and that led to the former England captain resigning at the end of the season.

MK Dons, formed in 2004 from the ashes of Wimbledon FC, began playing their football at the National Hockey Stadium under the guidance of Stuart Murdoch, but poor results would lead to his dismissal in November of the same year and the appointment of Danny Wilson in his place. The experienced Wilson was in charge during the Dons’ most turbulent spell as a Club, escaping relegation from League One on the final day of the season thanks to Gareth Edds’ 84th minute winner against Tranmere Rovers. The following campaign, the Dons ran out of fight as they were relegated to League Two, and Chairman Pete Winkelman replaced Wilson with Martin Allen as the man to get the Dons out of the basement division. There were promising signs early on for Allen’s team but a poor second half to the season saw the Dons fall into the play-offs where they were eventually beaten 2-1 by Shrewsbury Town. Despite failing to get the Dons out of League Two, Allen caught the eye of Leicester City and he was appointed as their new manager in May 2007.

His assistant Karl Robinson took charge of the final four games of the campaign and despite the side being hampered by injuries and suspensions, the Liverpudlian was able to guide the Dons to a 13th place finish, and his work at the end of that season did him no harm as he was promoted to manager just days into the close-season. At the time of his appointment Robinson was just 29-yearsold, making him the EFL’s youngest manager. He appointed John Gorman as his experienced number two and their partnership, although off to a slow burner, would see the Dons reach the play-off semi-finals only to be beaten by their rivals Peterborough United, leaving the Dons with aims of reaching the Championship at the fourth time of asking in 2011/12. The Dons started that season with a bang as they climbed to the top of League One by the end of August. In fact the Dons spent the entire season in the top six, ensuring they booked themselves another chance at promotion by reaching the play-off semi-finals for the third time in four years. On the way Robinson’s side became the entertainers of the lower leagues, scoring more than 100 goals for the first time and earning rave reviews for their stylish brand of football. However, once again the play-off hurdle proved too much for the Dons as they bowed out to a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Huddersfield Town. Assistant manager Gorman retired from coaching at the end of the season but Robinson showed great ambition as he appointed Mick Harford as his number two, with former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright joining as a first-team coach ahead of the 2012/13 campaign.

The Dons continued to create history as they reached the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup, beating rivals AFC Wimbledon, and Queens Park Rangers in the process, for the first time. Despite their success in the FA Cup, the Dons failed to reach the League One play-off places for the first time in three years. Robinson opted for a change to his backroom staff ahead of the 2013/14 season, appointing the experienced Gary Waddock to the position of Head of Coaching with Harford and Wright both departing. However, a number of injuries to key and influential players prevented the Dons from finishing in the top-six for a second consecutive season, despite some impressive come-from-behind victories and memorable individual performances, in particular from 17-year-old Dele Alli in his first season as a professional and midfielder Ben Reeves, who collected four awards at the End of Season ceremony.

Bet League One relegation places in January, chairman Pete Winkelman parted company with the Scot and replaced him with Dan Micciche - the Club’s former Head of Academy Coaching and an ex-England Under-16s coach. Micciche provided a spark towards the end of the season but couldn’t do enough to prevent an eventual relegation to Sky Bet League Two. Micciche left the Club in April, with Keith Millen taking charge for the final three games. Chairman Pete Winkelman conducted a thorough search during the summer of 2018 and it resulted in the appointment of Paul Tisdale, an experienced manager who had spent the past 12 years with Exeter City. Tisdale’s arrival, along with some notable signings, had MK Dons fans feeling optimistic for what the 2018/19 season could bring and they quickly sought about fulfilling that expectation, racing into a top-two place by November.

Robinson was, once again, forced to re-shuffle his backroom staff following Waddock’s departure to Oxford United, appointing Richie Barker as the new Head of Coaching in June 2014 following a short stay as an assistant to the Liverpudlian for the final six games of the previous season.

A difficult winter period, though, saw the Dons slip out of the promotion places until terrific late run, and a dramatic last-day 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town saw Tisdale’s side return to second place and secure an immediate return to the third tier.

In their first full campaign together, the tandem of Robinson and Barker led the Club to its first-ever promotion to the Sky Bet Championship. The Dons, who totalled a whopping 91 points and scored over 100 goals, finished the season in second place after a dramatic final day in which they needed to win and hope rivals Preston North End failed to beat Colchester United – Robinson’s men thrashed Yeovil Town 5-1 at Stadium MK, while the Lilywhites were beaten 1-0 by the U’s in Essex.

Tisdale, however, would endure a tough start to life back in Sky Bet League One and with the team occupying a place in the relegation zone, he would depart Stadium MK in November 2019.

The campaign will be fondly remembered, not only for promotion, but the real emergence of teenager Alli, whose incredible form earned him a move to Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur. Loanees Benik Afobe, Will Grigg and Lewis Baker also made impressions during their time at Stadium MK.

Martin made an immediate impact at the helm, bringing back a familar style of attractive football to Stadium MK as well as improving the results. His side climbed out of the relegation zone at the start of the New Year and pulled away enough to secure their League One status on a points-per-game basis at the end of a curtailed 2019/20 season.

The Dons enjoyed a dream start to life in the Championship, winning their first match in the second tier 4-1 away at Rotherham United. However, after a disappointing secondhalf of the season, the men from MK1 weren’t able to retain their status and in late April their fate was confirmed. Robinson and his side endured a difficult start to their first season back in Sky Bet League One and with the team lying perilously close to the relegation places in late October 2016, the decision was made to part ways with the Liverpudlian after a six-and-a-half year spell. Head of Coaching Barker took temporary charge of the side for a short while before former Heart of Midlothian boss Robbie Neilson was appointed as the Club’s seventh manager in early December. In his first two home matches in charge, the Scotsman led the Dons to victories against fiercest rivals AFC Wimbledon and former boss Robinson’s Charlton Athletic and over the course of the next four months guided them back into the top half of the Sky Bet League table. Neilson’s MK Dons endured a slow start to the 2016/17 campaign and with the team lying perilously above the Sky

Chairman Pete Winkelman was swift to appoint Tisdale’s successor - recruiting from within, with experienced defender Russell Martin trusted with the responsibility of guiding MK Dons to safety.

RUSSELL

MARTIN

The Manager

RUSSELL MARTIN IS IN HIS FIRST SPELL AS MANAGER AFTER ENJOYING AN ILLUSTRIOUS PLAYING CAREER one which saw him make over 580 career appearances, earn 29 international caps and achieve promotion from each EFL division;. The 34-year-old spent the formative years of his playing career in the Brighton and Hove Albion Academy, but would leave East Sussex in 2004 to join Lewes. The defender returned to professional football after one season, moving to Wycombe Wanderers, where he spent four years and totalled over 130 appearances. He then joined Peterborough United and would captain the club to promotion into the Sky Bet Championship that campaign. In 2009, Martin made the switch to Norwich City and he would go on to spend the next nine years at Carrow Road. He totalled 300 appearances for the Canaries and achieve three promotions, while earning international recognition for Scotland during that time. He left Carrow Road in 2018 as a fans favourite to take up a player-coach role with Sky Bet League One Walsall, although would spend just six months in the Midlands before departing for family reasons.

Following his departure in January 2019, Martin made his move to Milton Keynes Dons and played a crucial part in the Dons’ Sky Bet League Two promotion-winning campaign. He made 34 appearances in total for the Dons before taking over as manager on November 4 2019, replacing Paul Tisdale. Martin’s impact was immediate, implementing a style of play which was more akin to the Club’s philosophy while also improving the results on the pitch. An impressive run through December saw the side climb out of the relegation zone and ensure their place in the third tier for the 2020/21 season. Off the pitch, Martin runs his own charitable foundation in Brighton - the Russell Martin Foundation. The organisation gives kids the chance to play football and work their way into academy football. Having become vegan in 2014 for health reasons, Martin is also part-owner of Erpingham House, the largest vegan restaurant in the UK.

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Dean Lewington DEAN LEWINGTON IS ENGLISH FOOTBALL’S LONGEST-SERVING ACTIVE PLAYER AND RECENTLY MADE HIS 800TH CAREER APPEARANCE. A member of the inaugural Dons side in 2004/05, the left-back has been a consistent figure ever since, helping the team achieve three promotions and lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley Stadium. He has donned the captain’s armband since 2008.

Richard Keogh REPUBLIC OF IRELAND INTERNATIONAL RICHARD KEOGH JOINED MK DONS THIS SUMMER FOLLOWING HIS DEPARTURE FROM DERBY COUNTY. He centre-back has made over 500 club appearances during his career for clubs such as Bristol City, Huddersfield Town, Coventry City and, of course, the Rams. He has also earned 26 international caps.

Scott Fraser MK DONS SECURED THE SERVICES OF SOUGHT-AFTER ATTACKING MIDFIELDER SCOTT FRASER THIS SUMMER Following his departure from Burton Albion. During a two-year spell with Brewers, Fraser scored 16 times in 91 appearances while also making 19 assists - contributing a goal every 2.6 games.

Cameron Jerome EXPERIENCED STRIKER CAMERON JEROME ARRIVED AT MK DONS IN OCTOBER Bolstering Russell Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attacking options. The 34-year-old frontman has scored 138 career goals for the likes of Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, Stoke City, Norwich City, and Derby County. He has won promotion to the Premier League on three occasions, while he also has an EFL Cup winners medal to his name.

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50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK AS PART OF FA CUP WEEK, A TALE FROM THE PAST. Today’s quiz question is; why are Barnet Football Club in the FA Cup record books? Well let us wind back to Saturday 21st November 1970, FA Cup 1st Round: Barnet of the Southern League Premier 6-1 Newport County from the 4th Division. That was actually 50 years ago this weekend and it is still the competition’s joint record win by a non league club over league opposition. Barnet hero Ricky George scored a memorable FA Cup goal for Hereford the following season against Newcastle United (you might have seen it on TV a couple of times) but that is not the reason he is famous around here – he scored a brilliant hatrick for Barnet that afternoon! Barnet were riding high in the league thanks to bucket loads of goals from double act “Lou and Les”, Adams and Eason of course, and the wing play of Paddy Powell, under the command of Gerry Ward; a great team which should have won trophies; but the explanation has always been that the club committee never provided the back up of another 4 or 5 class players when injuries struck. 15 players made double figure appearances in all competitions that season, many over 50 each, but Ben Embery, Gordon Ferry, Jimmy Lye and Barry King played in over 60 games. Only a very few were professionals too while others were holding down day jobs! It was a great time to follow the club and that afternoon was so exciting, especially for a 10 year old. Newport on the other hand were struggling in Division 4 and failed to win any of their opening 25 league games, they eventually had to apply for re-election, for the third year in succession to the league. However the “old boys network” was fully operational then and they remained a league club for a while longer.

50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK One of the quirky courtesies of the day was; if the visitors shirt colour clashed with the home then the hosts would revert to their away colours. It did for this match and Barnet played in red shirts but for some reason Newport played in white, their away colours! Perhaps they forgot their normal kit? Nearly 3,000 turned up to witness a wonderful afternoon which was around double our average league gate.

name quite rightly became part of football folklore as The Giant Killer. Although perhaps with a little help from me and of course John Motson.”

McClelland, Lye. Jenkins, Embery, Ferry, Ward, King, Cray, Powell, Adams and George. This line up was the strongest we could muster apart from the notable exception of an injured Les Eason. Roland Cray admirably took his place in the number 10 shirt. It is an iconic line up for sure. It wasn’t just a win on the day but a thrashing. The Bees were 4-1 up after 20 minutes. Going down the slope, I was on the West Bank straining my neck to see. The six goals came from Paddy Powell, Lou Adams, a deflected own goal from a Cray shot plus of course three from Ricky George, his finest hour in a Bees shirt.

We lost to a seventh minute Mick Mahon goal in front of nearly 5,000, although we were the better side on the day, all the press reports said so. Colchester drew Rochdale in the 4th round and won after a replay then famously beat the mighty Leeds United in the 5th round. It could have been us!

Barnet went on to beat Slough Town away in the 2nd round thanks to a rare headed winner from Les Eason and then drew Colchester United at Underhill in the 3rd Round.

By the way the joint record I mentioned earlier. For your information Derby County 1-6 Boston Utd on 11th December 1955 FA Cup 1st round replay is the other. Thank you to Jonathan Lang for that research.

Ricky told me, “Before the game Tommy Coleman told me he had been thinking of dropping me for my lack of goals recently and more so for my lack of actual shooting! “Pull the trigger today Rick don’t be scared.” I liked Tommy we got on well.” He continued “Their player manager was a left back, Bobby Ferguson, and Paddy tore the poor guy to shreds. My first goal was from the edge of the 18 yard box, it flew into the top left hand corner. The second was a curler, I struck it so well. The third in the second half, and the sixth Barnet goal, was a run at the defence and I rounded the keeper and crashed it in point blank, what a feeling. There is a photograph of it somewhere in the archive. Scoring a hatrick for my home club in the FA Cup, its an emotional memory I can tell you and my proudest day as a Barnet Boy.” It was said that the performance grabbed the attention of John Charles and was the catalyst for Ricky’s move to Hereford straight after the game, but it wasn’t exactly like that. The fact is he was still at Underhill in March scoring goals. “Billy Meadows then called and said Hereford want to sign me, they have the money too! I spoke to Tommy who was unsure at first but relented, As he shook my hand he said “Good luck mate, see you in 9 months!”. To be fair we wasn’t far out with that comment!. To add some lovely irony to the story, the Newport County number 11 that day was a certain Ronnie Radford. “We walked off the pitch together and what seemed like next tp no time Ronnie and I became comrades at Edgar Street and we would share in another FA Cup history maker”. Ricky then rather generously told me, “Ronnie’s

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This week has seen Chesterfield appoint James Rowe as their new manager. Rowe joins the Derbyshire side from National League North outfit Gloucester City, where he had originally joined last November. Rowe joins the Spireites on a 3 ½ year deal, running up until the end of the 2022/23 season. The 37 year old arrives at the Technique Stadium with the side in 21st place in the National League, in the relegation, after former manager John Pemberton left the club last week. Rowe has also been assistant manager at Aldershot Town, as well as previously playing for the likes of Ilkeston Town, Histon, AFC Sudbury, Leiston, Canvey Island and Leamington.

Yeovil Town have revealed that they are considering selling their Huish Park ground to the local council in order to raise some much needed extra cash. The deal, which has raised some concerns with some fans, will see South Somerset District Council buy the stadium, then lease it back to the club, with the option to buy back the land at a future date. This comes after the Glovers, along with many other clubs around the world, have lost lots of important revenue due to Covid 19, and fans not being able to attend games. The clubs chairman has stated that this deal is necessary to avoid “catastrophic” financial implications to the club.

This weekend, the FA Cup second round proper, will see at least three non league sides qualify for the third round. Ties involving only non league sides include Stockport County vs Yeovil Town, Marine, the lowest ranked side still left in the competition, vs Havant and Waterlooville, and Canvey Island vs Boreham Wood. This round also sees eight other non league sides take on Football League sides, including Darlington, Dagenham and Redbridge, Oxford City, Chorley, King’s Lynn Town, Solihull Moors, Brackley Town and of course us, who obviously host MK Dons here at the Hive this afternoon, with all sides having the obvious aim to reach the third round proper, and hopefully draw against one of the “big” sides.

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With the original ties due to be played on 14th November being postponed due to the national lockdown, the first round proper of the FA Trophy will be played next week, with some games being played on Saturday, some on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday. Naturally, there are several of our local sides involved. Tuesday 8th December sees Royston Town host Tamworth, Hitchin Town take on Mickleover Sports, Biggleswade Town entertain Bedford Town, Welwyn Garden City play Hednesford Town, Bishops Stortford on the road at Haringey Borough, Wingate and Finchley travel to Hornchurch and Uxbridge host Cray Wanderers, whilst Enfield Town take on Maldon and Tiptree on Wednesday.

It is a similar story for the FA Vase, with the second round of the competition being due to be played this weekend, alongside some other postponed first round fixtures. Instead, they will now be played across the next two weekends, with some more of our local sides involved in this action. Next Saturday will see Ilford take on Colney Heath, Hadley history Raynes Park Vale, North Greenford United take on Walsham le Willows and Clapton host Hamworthy United. Meanwhile, Saturday 12th December could potentially see Edgware Town travel to Lancing, provided that they overcome Worthing United away in the first round next week.

The National League South fixture between Dulwich Hamlet and Maidstone United, that was due to be played yesterday, was called off late on Friday for a reason that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t used much in recent years. This comes after a technical fault in the floodlights at Hamletsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Champion Hill ground earlier in the week, which requires ongoing maintenance. However, these repairs went over the scheduled timings, therefore they were not ready for the match yesterday, therefore rendering the ground, and subsequent match, unplayable. A date for the rearranged fixture is yet to be arranged as of time of writing. Dulwichs 4-1 win over Bath City last week was their first win since March, and also saw a debut and assist by former Bee Andre Blackman. Meanwhile Maidstones squad contains Gavin Hoyte and Justin Amaluzor, and is managed by Hakan Heyrettin, as well as head of football John Still.

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