Match Programme Biggleswade United v Cockfosters by Biggleswade United

Biggleswade United Colours: Red / Navy

Cockfosters

Colours: All Blue

Ryan Haggerty

Ben Sales

James Cooper

Bradley Robinson

Jaiden Irish

Billy Baird

James Smith

Bruce N’dala

Matt Cooper

Tom Boxer

Ricky Christie

Bradley Marriott

Kane Farrell ©

Panny Boxer

Alix Girdlestone

Iain Salt

Abraham Eze

Peter Rosemin

Lu Ndovi

Piero Bagerone

Gerard Martinez

Claudi Tipote

Ashley Grinham

Oscar Egboh

David Parkinson

Corey Stewart

Carlos Correia –Dias

Kojo Gymiah

Lee Bilcock

Nic Nicou

Brodie Couzins

Ed Davis

Robbie Ponting

Martin Russell

The legal name of the club is Biggleswade United 1959 Biggleswade United is a members club

Saturday 28th April 2018 Official Match Programme

20 Head Coach: Cristian Colas Becerra

Manager: Leigh Wooldridge

Asst Coach: Stuart Bimson Conditioning Coach: Albert Martinez

Asst Manager : George Charlton Coach: Will Pairpoint

Physio: Ikera Williams

Physio: Hanicka Hall-Howitt

Match Officials Referee: Mr M Stetakovic Assistants: Mr D Mansour and Mr A Searle

The Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Biggleswade United FC V Cockfosters FC Visit us:www.BiggleswadeUnited.com Follow us:@Biggleswadeutd Support Us: Here

Biggleswade United Director of Football, Guillem Balague, writes the following weekly column for the Biggleswade Chronicle and our website. There will be a changing of the guard at Biggleswade United next season with the departure at the end of the campaign of current coach, Cristian Colás, his assistant, Stuart Bimson and fitness coach Albert Martinez. I remember the first time I spoke to Cristian after I had received his CV. He sent it along with another one from a more experienced colleague but there was something about his that attracted me immediately. I felt immediately, even without having met him face to face, that we were on the same wavelength, that he understood what we needed to do which was primarily to raise the level of coaching and to try to improve the club and create a professional setup.

That was our aim, that was the journey we were embarking on, the furrow we continue to plough. Cristian, along with his loyal staff, would - like all of us - learn much along the way and the effort, hard work and dedication of him, Stuart Bimson and Albert Martinez has helped to move the club further down the road to where we want to be, Fine coaches, but even finer gentlemen and a confirmation that the two qualities are not mutually exclusive, they have between them helped us to gain the identity that we needed and by which we are now identified . We will always have a Cristian, a Stuart and an Albert in our club and replacing them is going to be very hard. Stuart is like an English version of Cristian, demanding, dedicated and a great communicator, not just with his players but also with the board and everyone at the club. It was a pleasure to see them work together. Albert was the latest arrival and got on with his work in a quiet, controlled manner that belied the effort and dedication he put into it and which in germs of preparation, prevention and training helped raise the bar so high. Everyone at Biggleswade United Football Club would like to thank Cristian, Stuart and Albert for the heroic efforts they have put into this club over the past few years and we wish them all the very best for the future. They should know above everything else they will always have a home here at Second Meadow. Their legacy can be seen in sides like our Under 11 Reds who will meet Hitchin Town Hounds in the final of the Derek Gates Cup at the Bury at Buntingford on May 13 (ko 10.00am) and in our Under 8 side who recently beat Crawley Green 4-2 to win the Chiltern Sevens Spring Cup Final. Warmest congratulations to them and hopefully one day we will be able to see them reap the benefits of the coaching they are now receiving all the way up to the first team. The new first team management will be announced in due course but for the time being it's back to business with our last first team home game of the season todaywhen Cockfosters are the visitors before we travel down the road for our re-arranged league local derby match against Biggleswade FC on Monday night (ko 7.45pm)

BIGGLESWADE UNITED – OUR HISTORY (continued) The next eleven years saw the first team led by Steve "Snowy" Wright and under his management the club continued to enjoy a very high level of League and Cup success ultimately achieving promotion to the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and with it the opportunity to compete in the FA Cup. And under Snowy the club made three Beds FA Senior Challenge Cup final appearances, winning two of the three with victories over Stotfold (4-1) and Leighton Town (1-0) but missed out in 2006/07 going down 2-0 to Dunstable Town. Snowy's other cup successes came in the form of the Hunts Premier Cup, North Beds Charity Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup, the SML Division One Cup and the SML Special Achievement Award once again. The end of the 2006 2007 saw Snowy step down as manager with his assistant, Nick Burton taking over the first team reins. January 5th 2009 saw the club embark on further ambitious ground improvements. With financial backing from Biggleswade Town Council, Mid Beds District Council and the Football Foundation we installed a 260-seater stand, fully enclosed the ground with a double turnstile entrance and players' secure walkway which raised the ground to Grade E status. After several years of stability in terms of first team managers the next six years saw a regular turnover of first team and reserve team managers with Nick Burton, Dave Elkin and Phil Childs all taking over the first team reins for a time. At the start of the 2013 2014 season we appointed Mick Reardon and Mark Royal as first team managers both of whom had enjoyed success as coaches at the higher levels of football. Their disciplined approach was quickly adhered to and responded to by the players and under their stewardship we achieved the highest Premier Division position in nine years and first silverware in seven years winning the North Beds Charity Cup for the first time in the club’s history. In November 2014 the club took a further positive step to realise our ambitions with the appointment of Sky Sports Presenter and renowned author, Guillem Balague as Biggleswade United’s Director of Football. Following Mick and Mark’s decision to step down at the end 2014 2015, Guillem was quick to act and recruited a new Head Coach in Cristian Colas Beccera who at the age of just 23 gained his UEFA Level 3 Pro License and went on to become assistant coach at CD Masnou and later C.E. Europa both of who play in the Spanish 3rd division the equivalent of the English League Division Two. He then moved to Finland where he worked for Finnish third division side PK.K-U as head coach and with the club’s academy. This season Cristian will be assisted by Stuart Bimson and Conditioning Coach Albert Martinez. The club has certainly come a long way in relatively few years but we could not have done it without the help of a very supportive Town and District Council who clearly understand the benefits of having a community based club in Biggleswade. Our success is also very much down to a very hard working committee who throughout the year continue to volunteer their time and commitment to the club, to help it continue to thrive and be a source of enjoyment for our supporters and the Biggleswade community.

BIGGLESWADE UNITED – OUR HISTORY (1) Biggleswade United Football Club was re-formed on the 16th July 1959. However, local history records indicate that there was a Biggleswade United side playing at Second Meadow as early as 1929. Our first season (1959/60) saw us competing in Division Three of the North Herts. League (NHL). After 10 successful years in the NHL the club made the step up to South Midlands League (SML) football. But towards the end of a 15year association with the SML the club began to struggle and after three years of finishing in the bottom three of Division One we sought fresh fields. The club joined the Herts. Senior but the club continued to find the going tough. In 1986 we elected to return to local League football, joining the Bedford and District Football League and began to build again. The appointment of Brian Swords as first team manager in 87/88 proved to be the turning point in the club's fortunes. During the next ten years the club achieved a tremendous amount of success on and off the football pitch. Our record of League and Cup honours speak for themselves but aligned to this a great deal of work went on behind the scenes to match the on-field success. The club now boasts one of the best clubhouse and ground facilities in the Mid-Bedfordshire area. The success of the club has also attracted many new players as well as commanding a great deal of loyalty from those players who helped the club progress from Division Three of the Bedford and District League to County Senior Club status in just 15 years. The 1995/96 season was the most successful in the club's history - winning five major honours; the Beds Intermediate County Cup, Bedford and District League Championship, League Cup Championship and as the League's representatives the club won the Beds. FA Centenary Cup. Having won every major Bedford League honour the club felt it was time to move on and made the decision to make the step up once again and returned to Division One of the SML. In an exceptionally successful first season we celebrated a Division One "double" by winning the Championship and the Division One Cup. We also retained the Beds. FA Intermediate County Cup, only the second club in the competition's history to achieve this feat. To crown our success the club were awarded the SML Special Achievement Trophy in July 1997. In the season 1997/98 we finally achieved Senior status. This was achieved not only through the endeavours of the players on the field but ultimately as a result of an extremely hard working committee. With the help of the Biggleswade Town Council a new stand was erected and perimeter fencing installed. And two seasons later the club erected floodlights and on the evening of 26th October 1999 we played our first-ever floodlit game at Second Meadow, Ryman League side Leighton Town were the visitors in the Bedfordshire Premier Cup.

Welcome to Second Meadow…. Good afternoon and welcome to Second Meadow for this final first team home game of the season in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division fixture. Today we welcome the players, supporters and officials of COCKFOSTERS FC. We also welcome our three match officials and hope that you all enjoy your short stay with us. Today’s match preview courtesy of Leon Waite. The season is rapidly approaching its climax with two matches in quick succession this weekend ahead of the finale at Holmer Green next Saturday. The second edition of ‘El Wadeico’ is to come on Monday night but before that Cockfosters will be the final team to call into Second Meadow this term. And more significantly, head coach Cristian Colas takes his seat in the dugout on Fairfield Road for one last time following the announcement of his departurealong with his assistant Stewart Bimson and fitness coach Albert Martinez- this week. The Spaniard has overseen a fine period of progression for the club during his three years at the helm and the values he has instilled into this team will undoubtedly have an everlasting benefit. Saturday’s match is also free for spectators as Colas seeks to prolong an impressive unbeaten record at home in front of a bumper crowd. Cockfosters Fosters will need to improve on recent results if they are to spoil the celebratory atmosphere in a disappointing campaign for the north-Londoners as they sit eighteenth with the possibility of relegation still palpable having placed as high as third last term. Leigh Wooldridge’s men are winless in their previous eight games since claiming a terrific 4-3 victory at Leverstock Green. Thursday night’s action saw them humbled 4-0 by our opponents next week Holmer Green with a credible point against Biggleswade FC the only tangible reward they’ve earned in four matches. The Enfield-based outfit did win the reverse fixture between the two sides back in January, prevailing 3-2 as United failed to gain victory at Chalk Lane after a 20 defeat there last year and 2-2 draw prior to that. Second Meadow is the venue on this occasion and the home side have had the better of recent meetings, winning 1-0 in successive games. There is only one opportunity left to observe Cristian Colas in the Second Meadow dugout and with free entry to boot it should be a memorable afternoon today. Up next… On Monday night we make our shortest trip of the season with a walking distance journey to Biggleswade FC. KO 7.45. Then we make our longest trip of the season to Holmer Green for the final league game of the season on Saturday 5th May. Kick Off 3pm.

Let’s hope for an enjoyable and entertaining game this afternoon.

Tracey James, (Secretary and Programme Editor)

Oxhey Jets Biggleswade United

MEET OUR MASCOTS TODAY

0 0

For the second time in a matter of weeks, United and Oxhey Jets cancelled each other in a 0-0 draw at the Boundary Stadium on Saturday in a repeat of the stalemate that occurred at Second Meadow just last month.

Kane Farrell’s ferociously driven shot from distance tested Keeley once more as he did well to tip the ball over. And Haggerty did even better to ensure this game would finish goalless- a stark And there were three instances within the contrast to the goal-fests between the teams in their previous two contests in space of seconds in the first half where southwest Hertfordshire- as he thwarted the hosts could have edged their way in Chris Blunden impressively on two front as stoic goalline clearances and occasions to earn his side a point. heroic blocking prevented the ball from flying beyond goalkeeper Ryan Haggerty. The Jets created the majority of the openings as they pursued a much-needed win- a first in thirteen league games- to strengthen their bid to avoid relegation.

Our Mascots today are the Biggleswade United Under 8s “Templars” team who recently won the Chiltern Junior 7s League Cup. The lads will play a demonstration match at 1pm then return to the clubhouse for a spot of lunch before walking out with the first team at 3pm.

FIRST TEAM FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Date Mon 30 Apr Sat 5 May

Opponents

Comp.

H/A

BIGGLESWADE FC

League

7.45

HOLMER GREEN

League

3pm

UNDER 23 FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Sat 28 Apr TBC

RISBOROUGH RANGERS

League

3pm

HERTFORD TOWN

League

7.45

Soon after the interval, the away side threatened again through top scorer Abraham Eze who collected Jaiden Irish’s tackle-come-through-pass with terrific ingenuity to turn the defender and produce a shot that was well-saved by Ryan Keeley prior to Girdlestone sending the rebound comfortably over.

Haggerty relied on succour from his teammates to keep the score level there but provided a demonstrable example of his shot-stopping capabilities to deny Tom Gibson from close range. The Jets’ number three returned at the back post moments later as he attempted to latch onto John Smith’s ball across the face of goal that narrowly evaded him. United had some chances of their own and almost registered the opening goal in fortuitous fashion before the halftime when Alix Girdlestone’s (pictured) deflected effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.

Biggleswade United Football Club can announce that Head Coach Cristian Colas, Assistiant Coach Stuart Bimson and Fitness Coach Albert Martinez will depart at the end of the season. (continued)

The ideal professional who has pushed us the right way. I will always have a Cristian and a Stuart in our club and replacing them is going to be very hard. Stuart is like the English version on Cristian, very demanding. He communicates with his players very well and he also has a very good relationship with the board and with the club. It was a pleasure to see them work together. Albert was the latest arrival and got on with his work in a quiet manner, he has raised the bar so high in terms of preparation, prevention, training… I know that clubs in higher divisions have been looking at them and that doesn’t come as a surprise to me.”

Everyone at Biggleswade United Football Club would like to thank Cristian, Stuart and Albert for the hard work and dedication that they have put into this club over the past few years and we wish them all the very best for the future. Second Meadow and our hearts will always be your home.

Stay with us after our matches on Saturdays to watch Premier League football. All BT SPORT 1 matches will be shown in the clubhouse after our match.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE DELETE THAT EXPLETIVE!

Our club is fully supportive of the League’s “Mind Your Language” initiative, to eradicate offensive behaviour within our ground. It is our wish for everybody to feel comfortable here and to encourage everyone, especially younger people, to enjoy their time with us. This won’t happen if they are listening to constant foul and offensive language.

Biggleswade United Football Club can announce that Head Coach Cristian Colas, Assistiant Coach Stuart Bimson and Fitness Coach Albert Martinez will depart at the end of the season. Club Secretary Tracey James says: “It was certainly a “leap of faith” for the club in respecting Guillem’s decision to appoint a complete unknown in Cristian Colas three seasons ago. As a club, we were prepared to try a new approach and from the very first preseason training session I witnessed a group of players and spectators mesmerised by the professionalism of coaches Cristian and Stuart. Gone were the shuttles, squat thrusts, push ups, run around the pitch for hours on end of yesteryear. It was intense, fast paced, quick thinking football and from that moment on I knew we had made the right decision and were about to change mindsets for the good – including mine.

Our Director of Football Guillem Balague says: “I remember perfectly the long conversation I had with Cristian on the phone when I got his CV, he actually sent it alongside another one from a colleague of his who had more experience but it was him I was interested in and straight away I could see that we connected. And that is so important, to feel there is link even on the phone.

I felt he understood what we needed to do which was to raise the level of coaching, the standards of everything we were about to do at the club, the demands but in a nice way, and create a professional setup. That was the target. We did not know what was needed to take the step The players have been given the chance to towards growing in the divisions, now we develop and learn immensely under have learnt that through the work of Cristian and Stuart’s charge and I know Cristian and his different coaching staffs. the players will always value the three years the duo have been at United. As club He’s had to put in three of them in three secretary, it has been a privilege to work years; and he has always chosen well. I with two highly dedicated and focused feel the club has certainly helped him to individuals who have made my life a lot progress in his understanding of the new easier through their organisational skills country he had moved to but the club has and level of professionalism both on and benefited even more with his dedication, off the field of play. the hours he has put in, the confirmation that on the bench you can be a gentleman We will all miss them deeply but wish and still get a lot from your players. them all the very best in the future.” In fact he has helped us gain the identity that we needed and we are identified with- Stuart is exactly the same. Continued overleaf

KICK OFF 7.45pm