V
Biggleswade United Colours: Red / Navy
St Margaretsbury
Colours: Yellow / Blue
1
Robbie Ponting
1
Adam Seymour
2
James Cooper
2
Chris Webb
17
Kane Farrell
3
Prince Madu
4
Martin Russell Š
4
Ahmed Mohammed
5
Jordan Wright
5
Dan Odamo
6
Richard Christie
6
Nick Briggs
7
Jaiden Irish
7
Jamie Stephens
8
Matt Cooper
8
Patrick Campbell
9
Abraham Eze
9
Tom Cowell
10
Lu Ndovi
10
Ryan Wade
11
Gerard Martinez
11
Lee Roberts
12
Ross Taylor
12
Mark Summers
14
Tarik Aciyan
14
Sean Givernaud
15
Carlos Correia –Dias
15
Billy Murray
16
Joshua Muschett
16
Luke Provezano
GK
Ryan Haggerty
17
Danny Charles
19
Alhaji Kabba
18
20
Alix Girdlestone
19
The legal name of the club is Biggleswade United 1959 Biggleswade United is a members club
Saturday 7th April 2018 Official Match Programme
20 Head Coach: Cristian Colas Becerra
Manager: John Barker
Asst Coach: Stuart Bimson Conditioning Coach: Albert Martinez
Asst Manager : Ryan Wade Coach: Nick Mountford
Physio: Ikera Williams
Physio: Nina Atherton
Match Officials Referee: Mr T Ratherham Assistants: Mr B Hallybone and Mr D Jones
The Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Biggleswade United FC V St Margaretsbury 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. With Welwyn Garden City not quite over the line but, barring a collapse of cataclysmic proportions, all but home and hosed as this year's champions, it's time for all of us here at Biggleswade United to start planning for our next campaign. WGC need just nine points out of a possible 27 to make them mathematically uncatchable and bearing in mind the fact they have only dropped seven league points all season then it is clearly a matter of when, not if, they are crowned champions.
When that does happen they might perhaps place a nod in our general direction especially after we helped take them one step closer to the title by taking a couple of points off Leighton Town, one of their main pursuers. Champions League commitments meant I was unable to see the game on Tuesday but I am reliably informed that with more clinical finishing and a little bit more luck we might well have taken all three points as in fact we did when we inflicted the only league defeat of the season on the Champions elect. We are also delighted to announce that Top Eleven is to continue with its financial backing for the club which is fantastic news. It doesn't mean, however, that we plan in any way shape or form to start throwing money at our project with a view to gaining short term success; that was never part of the plan neither then, now or in the future. Our idea has always been that the club should grow organically from the bottom up, teaching in the process not just football but also life skills to its youngsters as they make their way through the ranks. It is precisely that aspect of our club - the Academy, what it is, what it offers and what it can grow into both for the club and the Community that it represents - that has probably been what has appealed most to Top Eleven and if this means that it will take us a bit longer to get where we want to be, then so be it. The atmosphere, camaraderie and team spirit shown by members of our Academy sides, not just from the players but also the coaches, volunteers and parents, is heart-warming and the very essence of what we are striving to build at Second Meadow. Recently our girls sides enjoyed a tour of Valencia which was so successful that it now looks very much like it could become an annual event, and today (Fri) they climb aboard a charabanc and make their way to the St Mary's Stadium in Southampton where they will watch England's Lioness take on Wales in a 2019 FIFA Ladies World Cup qualifying match. On the back of such adventures bonds are formed, lifetime friendships made. I have always said that as important as the football is, it isn't, nor has it ever been, JUST about the football.
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 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division fixture. Today we welcome the players, supporters and officials of ST MARGARETSBURY 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. United play the second of three consecutive home outings today as St Margaretsbury travel to central Bedfordshire. The previous two games at Second Meadow have ended in a stalemate, most recently on Tuesday evening when Leighton Town recovered from a deficit to earn a 1-1 draw. Promotion remains in Leighton’s hands so United had to produce a performance reminiscent of that which defeated the otherwise unbeaten Welwyn Garden City and frustrated second-place Berkhamsted on home turf. And Cristian Colas’ men had several opportunities to secure a terrific win as there was minimal evidence of a dip in confidence that a run of one win in seven in all competitions may cause. St Margaretsbury “The Bury” assuaged fears of a relegation battle this season far quicker than in previous years as they sit thirteenth, twelve points clear of the twentieth position they placed last term with the potential to clamber above sides such as United into the top half. Remarkably, of the fourteen matches the Bury have contested this calendar year just four have been away from home with their 3-2 loss at Hoddesdon Town on Thursday night the first time they have had to venture out of Stanstead Abbotts in two months. John Barker’s troops collected thirteen points out of a possible twenty-one during their run of seven straight home games and Colney Heath, Biggleswade FC and Hoddesdon are the only clubs to beat them since the turn of the year. They managed to overcome United 2-1 back in January at Station Road and the recent meetings between the two teams have been similarly tight. Both matches ended with the score level last season, whilst United prevailed 2-1 at home in the preceding campaign with the reverse fixture finishing 2-2- the visitors concluding the contest with nine men. Up next… With no midweek fixture our next match sees us entertain Hoddesdon Town next Saturday Kick Off 3pm. Let’s hope for an enjoyable and entertaining game this afternoon.
Tracey James, (Secretary and Programme Editor)
The History of St Margaretsbury FC Early History The Club was Founded in 1894 as Stanstead Abbotts FC, with their home at Mill Field, Cappell Lane in Stanstead Abbotts. Prior to 1940 they played in the Herts County League, East Herts and Hertford & District Leagues and were winners of the local Graphic Cup during the 1920s and 1930s. After 1945 the Club played in the Waltham & District League, rejoining the Herts County League in season 1947–48. In their first season back in the Herts County League the Club won Division two, gaining promotion and also winning the Aubrey (League) Cup. In 1962 the Club moved to their present location, St Margaretsbury Recreation Ground, one of the conditions being they change their name to St Margaretsbury FC. The Croft family were the previous owners of the ground and agreed the sale to three parishes, Stanstead Abbotts, Great Amwell and St Margarets, providing that it was used for sporting and recreation purposes. It was also a condition that the ground should be known as St Margaretsbury Recreation Ground. The Club's next honour was in 1972 when again they won the Aubrey Cup. In 1985–86 they entered the FA Vase competition for the first time and although losing out in the 3rd round, they played to a record crowd of almost 400. In the same season the Aubrey Cup Final was also strongly contested with Wingate FC winning 3–1. After a spell of 10 years in the Premier Division the 1st XI were briefly relegated to Division One at the end of the 1987–88 season, but returned to the Premier Division at the start of 1991–92. After a spell of 44 continuous years in the Herts Senior County League the 1st XI became members of the London Spartan League, Premier Division for the start of season 1992–93, finishing in a very creditable 6th place. The 1st XI also reached the final of the Roy Bailey Memorial Trophy, losing 1–0 to close neighbours Wormley Rovers, at Enfield FC. But that season also saw the Club gain its first County Cup when winning the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy, defeating Sawbridgeworth Town 2–1 at Ware FC. Recent History Season 2011/12 – The club’s restructuring and regeneration program was complemented by the successful merger of John Warner Youth FC. The First team finished 12th in the league and were Premier League Cup Finalists, while the Reserves were Finalists in the Floodlit Cup. The Senior Club also achieved Chartered Standard, Season 2012/13 – The First Team had an exceptional season, finishing in 4th position in a very strong league. First Team Manager Lee Judges and Assistant Manager Clive Brooks decided to step down at the end of the season, Lee having spent 6 seasons and Clive 3 seasons at the Club. Season 2014/15 – We reintroduce an U18 Academy side to play in the SCYFL. The first team finished 8th and the Reserves went on to win their South East division. Season 2015/16 – With enforced management changes, John Barker is appointed to 1st Team Manager, joined by club legend Kaine Lovett appointed to Reserves/U25 Dev Manager. A very tough 1st team season finishing 19th and the Reserves/U25 Dev a well-deserved 4th. Season 2016/17 – Another very tough season for the 1st team finishing 20th. Again the U25 Dev under Kaine Lovett excel and finish 3rd in their league. Season 2017/18 – we expect the appetite across the league clubs to invest in players will continue, and we will therefore continue to look at maximizing our resources to make us as competitive as possible.
Biggleswade United 1 Leighton Town 1 Abraham Eze’s early strike was cancelled out from the penalty-spot by Alex O’Brien as United held promotion contenders Leighton Town to a 1-1 draw under the lights at Second Meadow on Tuesday.
Farrell once again exhibited his attacking prowess, however, as he drifted infield from left-back and drove through the centre before unleashing a rasping drive that dipped narrowly over the bar.
Leighton were a constant threat during the first half and had several opportunities to force an equaliser, partly because of their offensive ingenuity but they were aided by some lethargic United defending. And that sloppiness almost cost the home side when Farrell conceded possession deep in his own half down the right, allowing his opposite number to pounce and set up his teammate for a shot that evaded the bottom right corner.
Into the second half and United had established a reasonable sense of control in the contest and could have converted a credible point into a marvellous three had Matt Cooper’s ferocious strike crept past the shoulder of a desperate Wyant as his inadvertent touch diverted the ball over the crossbar.
Parity was eventually restored via the penalty-spot as the Reds’ forward was The visitors were seeking to apply upended inside the box to present further pressure on second-place O’Brien with the chance to bring his Berkhamsted- who defeated United 2- side level prior to the break and he 0 a week ago- but failed to respond to finished calmly into the bottom right their hosts’ spritely opening as Eze corner. found the net on six minutes. Both sides could have taken a lead Latching onto an expertly floated cross into the interval, though, with Town from Kane Farrell, the diminutive striker forcing Robbie Ponting into a forward drifted in behind the centre- smart save before subsequently half and he directed his header smashing a shot against the woodwork beyond former United goalkeeper after Eze had threatened at the other Tom Wyant. end with a tame effort.
Leighton almost snatched victory themselves in stoppage time with a shot that flew narrowly over as the teams had to settle for a stalemate.
FIRST TEAM FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Date
Opponents
Comp.
H/A
KO
Sat 7 Apr
ST MARGARETSBURY
League
H
3pm
Sat 14 Apr
HODDESDON TOWN
League
H
3pm
Sat 21 Apr
OXHEY JETS
League
A
3pm
Sat 28 Apr
COCKFOSTERS
League
H
3pm
Sat 5 May
HOLMER GREEN
League
A
3pm
BIGGLESWADE FC
League
A
??
???
UNDER 23 FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Sat 7 Apr
HOLMER GREEN
League
A
3pm
Sat 14 Apr
BUCKINGHAM ATH
League
A
3pm
Sat 21 Apr
ST MARGARETSBURY
League
H
3pm
HERTFORD TOWN
League
A
7.45
Tues 24 Apr
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.
KICK OFF 3pm