OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME SATURDAY 2ND February 2019 SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
BIGGLESWADE UNITED v HARPENDEN TOWN
What’s Inside • Welcome • The Players • Guillem Balague on Biggleswade United (as published Friday 1st February.) • Current League Standings • Next Up at Second Meadow • Biggleswade United Under 23s • Biggleswade United Ladies FC • Our Forthcoming Fixtures • Our Club History • Harpenden Town FC Club History • Venue for Hire • Premier Division Round Up
Welcome Welcome to Second Meadow Good afternoon and welcome to Second Meadow for today’s Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division fixture. We extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters from HARPENDEN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB. We also welcome our three match officials and hope that you all enjoy your short stay with us. Match preview – Courtesy of Leon Waite @leonwaite98 A bit of inconsistency has surreptitiously crept its way into United’s recent results as despite the remarkable last-minute strike from goalkeeper Ollie Leslie last time out at home, it was only enough to salvage a point from that contest. And Alex Salvador’s men followed that up with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Edgware Town and it’s actually just three wins in eight league matches which is by no means disastrous but a slight drop off the imperious form that preceded it. Firmly sat in the top four, however, there remains plenty of excitement ahead of the rest of the campaign and it is easy to forget the seamless way the club has adapted to three managerial changes since the end of last season; it’s integrity of the surrounding structure only bodes well for the future. Today’s opponents- Harpenden Town Today’s opponents, Harpenden Town, have struggled to emulate their stunning first season in the SSML Premier Division where they finished a mere two points off runners-up Berkhamsted who secured promotion. They sit 17th with 21 points from their 23 games, although a substantially healthier goal difference compared to the sides around them is indicative of a team with a much higher capacity. Inclement weather conditions prompted the referee to call time on their meeting with Edgware on Tuesday night prematurely so the Harps, managed by Danny Plumb, expended a half’s worth of energy in a ultimately futile exercise- to United’s advantage. Prior to that they earned a 3-3 draw with Crawley Green and beat North Greenford United, sat directly above them, 4-1 having suffered the ignominy of handing the division’s bottom club Stotfold their first win of the season two weeks before. They had the edge over United last year, winning handsomely at Rothamsted Park by three goals to nil in October 2017 before claiming three points at Second Meadow a month later in a tight 1-0 affair. United got revenge in a 4-2 success earlier this campaign and now play hosts to the Hertfordshire club on Saturday, KO 3pm. Up Next The next three fixtures see us on our travels starting on Saturday with a trip to Crawley Green’s new ground at the Brahche in Luton. This is followed by our Beds Senior Cup semi final at Step 4 side Barton Rovers and then we go to Leighton Town on Saturday 16th Feb.
The Players..
Picture courtesy of GUY WILLS PHOTOGRAPHY
Pictured: Jaiden Irish
Balague on Biggleswade United GUILLEM BALAGUE Biggleswade United Chairman, Guillem Balague, provides this weekly column for The Biggleswade Chronicle.
experienced, caring, chaperones We may only be just two thirds of the along that rocky and obstacle strewn way through the current season but road leading to the development of here at Biggleswade United we are the youngsters in their care; a trail already turning our attention to how blazed into becoming, not merely, we can make next season better for better footballers but, more all of our 14 sides, from the very importantly, grounded, well-rounded, youngest right up to the first team. capable, proper people. We currently have more than 150 youngsters in our Academy, expertly schooled by any one of our 17 coaches all of who are qualified, with some of them holding UEFA Pro and B licences.
It would be disingenous of me to tell the youngsters that join us that all of them will eventually make it into our first team, they won't. What I can promise every last one of them, whatever age they might be, is that they will all have the guidance and The Academies of football club are its support available to them to help lifeblood, its very essence and its them try to realise their footballing guarantee of a solid foundation and ambitions, whatever they might be. an optimistic future. Clubs like ours know that the secret of long term In the relatively short time I have success and continuity comes with been involved with the club, first as building from the ground upwards Director of Football and now as and not from the top down. Chairman, I have already seen youngsters progress from our junior sides to - as young as 16 - playing for the Under 23s and doing so with their sights and ambitions very firmly focused on making the final jump into first team selection.
Continued Overleaf
Balague on Biggleswade United GUILLEM BALAGUE Continued Last season our Under 18s won the County Cup and we are currently looking for players to strengthen that particular side. Any players that are interested need to know that the pathway is in place here for them to attain their target, fulfil their potential. Age is nothing more than a number and if the players show the necessary commitment, passion and fundamental desire, then whatever their age, we will do everything we possibly can to help them go as far as they can with this club.
This has never been - nor will it ever be - about making money, nor should it ever be perceived as a business entreprise but rather about the continual development of a facility that can enrich the lives of the future generations that will be a vital part of that Community that we are so proud to be a part of.
No club, I believe, offers better coaching than we do, nor better value. At the older end (11 years and upwards) a payment of ÂŁ250, ÂŁ4-80 a week paid monthly, (or put another way and depending where you live and choose to drink, about the cost of a pint of lager) youngsters will also receive two team kits, one full training kit, a track suit and club polo shirt as well as free access to our club physiotherapist.
Back to business and after last week's narrow reversal at Edgware Town, we look forward to getting back to winning ways when Harpenden Town call into Second Meadow today.
Anyone requiring further info should contact us at info@biggleswadeunited.com
See you there
Current League Standings
Results and Fixtures
Next Up at Second Meadow SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION SATURDAY 9TH February 2019 KICK OFF 3pm
BIGGLESWADE UNITED UNDER 23 V BERKHAMSTED FC
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2019 KICK OFF 3pm
BIGGLESWADE UNITED U23 V
HARPENDEN TOWN
Biggleswade United Under 23
Biggleswade United Ladies
BEDFORDSHIRE & HERTFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2019 KICK OFF 2pm
BIGGLESWADE UNITED LADIES V EVERGREEN LADIES
Our Forthcoming Fixtures
Our History 1959 - 1999 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 15-year 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 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.
Our History 2000- 2018 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. Cristian was assisted by former professional player, Stuart Bimson, and under their guidance the team finished in eighth spot in the Premier Division in 2017 2018 - the highest position in the club’s history. Having built a strong reputation for their outstanding coaching ability and playing philosophy Cristian and Stuart moved up to Step 3 level club, Staines Town, for the start of the 2018 2019 season. Guillem was again in search for a high quality coach and Jimmy Martin came highly recommended by his predecessor, Colas, who worked with Jimmy at Stevenage FC Academy. Jimmy was appointed Manager in May 2018 and will be assisted by a former United playing legend and well respected character in SML football, Dean Bull. Also on the coaching staff is Spanish coach Emilio Gutierrez. 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 understands 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 - not just the football season 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.
The History of Harpenden Town FC Harpenden Town enjoyed their 125 years anniversary last season and celebrated the milestone by winning promotion to the Spartan South Midlands premier League. It was the culmination of three magnificent years under manager Danny Plumb with the guidance of chairman Roman Motyczak. In season 2014/15 the Harps finished sixth in the SSML Div.1 but raised £110,000 to totally refurbish the clubhouse so the facilities matched the players ambitions. In 2015/16 Harpenden qualified for the FA Vase for the first time in many years and finished fourth in the league. But last season, the anniversary year, Harpenden won their first tie in the FA Cup for 14 years and despite being 2nd from bottom in September clawed their way up the table with a run of 11 wins on the bounce, leading the table over Christmas. Manager Plumb was haunted by the fact that every game for the rest of the season was a MUST WIN but the lads pulled it off and ended second with promotion. Over the last 4 years attendances have increased with over 200 fans attending the final home game of the 2016-17 season which has traditionally been used to raise funds for charities such as Prostate Cancer and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Other recent milestones included striker Harry Hunt passing 100 goals for the club, Stephen Hartnup's development squad bringing on young stars from Harpenden Colts, new Assistant Manager Michael Jones who works for Watford FC Academy Trust injecting fresh talent which integrated really well and old stalwarts like Jack Cartwright, Tony Golder and Matt Sutton holding it all together at the back. So it all started in 1891 with Harpenden FC playing in the Mid-Herts League and winning it on numerous occasions. Town was added to the name in 1908. Town climbed into the South Midlands League in 1957 winning the Premier Division in 1962 and 1965 and in 1968 winning the Herts Charity Shield and South Midlands League Shield. Season 1990-91 saw a big investment in the club with the Centenary Stand and floodlights both going up. The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1998. As always with success there were also turbulent times and Harpenden were relegated from the Premier League in 2000 and again in 2005. In 2006-07 a new committee was in place and they gained the FA Charter Standard Accreditation putting the right structures in place. Success followed a year later when the club was named Herts FA Chartered Standard club of the year thanks to community work, an anti-racism event, adult seven-a-side comp, free coaching for juniors and nurturing women's football. A new committee and management team led by Roman and Danny joined in the Summer of 2013 with key aims of refurbishing the clubhouse, making HTFC the focus for football in Harpenden and winning promotion. Those who don't like change please note Wynn Owens, who has been connected with the club since 1988, continues as President.
Biggleswade United FC Clubhouse is available to hire for every occasion – Birthdays*, Children’s parties, wedding parties, christenings, naming ceremonies and lots more… The clubhouse can accommodate up to 100. Hire charges are from £25 to £100. For more information contact Tracey James on 07714 661827 or 01767 316270
* We are unable to accommodate 18th birthday parties
Premier Division Round Up – Saturday 26th January By Karen Browne – League Fixtures Officer PREMIER DIVISION Biggleswade FC moved to within one point of table toppers Hadley with an emphatic 9-0 win over Cockfosters, the win a club record was their best result since beating Arlesey Town Reserves 9-2 back in January 2017. For the Fosters the last time they had shipped so many goals was back in September 2013 when they lost 0-8 in the FA Cup at Rushden & Diamonds. League leaders Hadley were held to a 1-1 draw at Arlesey Town while third place Tring Athletic won 3-1 at bottom club Stotfold. Biggleswade United were beaten 1-0 at Edgware Town. At the bottom end of the table North Greenford United FC picked up three useful points on the road with a 2-1 win at Leverstock Green while both London Tigers and Harpenden Town earned a valuable point from their games, Tigers drawing 1-1 at Colney Heath and Harpenden fighting back to draw 3-3 at home with Crawley Green. Elsewhere Oxhey Jets went down by a solitary goal at home to Leighton Town while a hard fought local derby between Potton United and Baldock Town finished all square. Full results and goalscorers (where known) are listed below. 1-1 Arlesey Town v Hadley (Smith [pen]) / (Hammond) Attendance: 75 9-0 Biggleswade FC v Cockfosters (Northfield [3], Eze [2], A Marsh, L Marsh, R Inskip, Opponent Own Goal) Attendance: 85 1-1 Colney Heath v London Tigers (Murphy) / (Unknown) Attendance: Unknown 1-0 Edgware Town v Biggleswade United (Onabolu) Attendance: 63 3-3 Harpenden Town v Crawley Green (A McClelland [2], Yeates) / (P Draycott, Ingham, Keating) Attendance: 53 1-2 Leverstock Green v North Greenford United FC (Kossifos) / (Turner, Adams) Attendance: Unknown 0-1 Oxhey Jets v Leighton Town (Murphy) Attendance: 61 2-2 Potton United v Baldock Town (Danobrega, Ansell-Carter) / (Forsythe, Barnes [pen]) Attendance: 116 1-3 Stotfold v Tring Athletic (Miles) / (Campbell, Verney, Stobbs) Attendance: 82
Picture courtesy of GUY WILLS PHOTOGRAPHY
Pictured: James Smith