Good afternoon and welcome to Second Meadow. Just as we got in to the swing of League football we now face a stern test in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round. This afternoon we welcome the players, officials and supporters of United Counties League Premier Division side, WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN FC. We also welcome our three match officials and hope that you all enjoy your short stay with us. The winners of today’s tie will not only receive a cheque for £2,250 but also a trip to Step 4 club, Spalding United, who compete in the Division One South of the Northern Premier League. Should today’s tie finish all square after 90- minutes there will be a replay at Wellingborough Town on Tuesday night. Kick Off .7.45pm. Next Up. On Saturday it will be a return to League football when we travel to North London to take on London Tigers in the Premier Division. Kick Off 3pm. Tracey James (Club Secretary)
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.
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.
By Leon Waite – @leonwaite98 It has been a thoroughly entertaining start to the campaign with goals aplenty but also with contrasting fortunes for United. Despite falling behind at home to Cockfosters on opening day, a brace from captain George Brinkman helped Jimmy Martin’s reign in charge explode into life with a 5-1 win. Brinkman was on target again on Tuesday night as he edged his side in front at Biggleswade FC. Similar to Fosters, however, United lost their grip on the contest and despite creating some noteworthy chances were beaten 4-1 as FC secured successive victories in the ‘El Wadeico’ fixture. There was no denying their hosts quality on the night, though, and United are unlikely to be the last team to fall victim to FC’s offensive potency at Langford Road this year with Martin able to take some positives from a demoralising evening. A good cup tie can always offset that disappointment and the FA Cup returns this weekend with Wellingborough Town calling into Second Meadow.
Wellingborough Town The Doughboys- a nickname derived from a traditional local dish called ‘Hock & Dough’- ply their trade in the United Counties League and finished 14th in the Premier Division last term. They are based in Wellingborough in Northamptonshire where the club, who reformed in 2004, play at marvellously named Dog and Duck. Gary Petts’ side’s record so far this season reads the same as United with a win and a loss from the first two matches. They overcame Peterborough Northern Star 3-0 at the end of July before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at Deeping Rangers last time out ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie. Whereas United were knocked out of the tournament at this stage last year following a replay with Potton United, Wellingborough made it through with a 2-0 triumph at Fakenham Town. That set up a date with AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who shared the Dog and Duck ground for five years between 2012 and 2017, where their run ended in a 4-0 reverse.
Match Report: Biggleswade FC 4-1 BUFC By Leon Waite – @leonwaite98 Another goal-filled fixture but on this occasion, United found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline as Biggleswade FC’s ruthless attacking display saw them triumph 4-1 at Langford Road on Tuesday. Despite taking the lead and creating a reasonable number of chances, Jimmy Martin’s men ultimately failed to resist their hosts and after three meetings FC remain unbeaten in ‘El Wadeico’. The home side threatened inside the opening minutes as Ryan Inskip- whose brace guided FC to victory at Wembley on Saturday- delivered a free-kick into the box that Pat McCafferty couldn’t direct on target as the ball sailed over the bar. United responded as Sam Holmes fired a tame shot harmlessly wide from distance and Ieuan Lewis was tantalisingly close to heading home from a corner were it not for the intervention of Sam Kelly on the line. Both teams pride themselves on crafting attacks through intricate, thoughtful passing, however, football can be a simple game when executed right and United’s goal epitomised that. James Smith clipped a dead ball over to the right, David Parkinson leapt to nod the ball into the penalty area and George Brinkman applied the finishing touch with aplomb. FC caused problems with a dead ball of their own as Alex Marsh deceived their United defence by appearing set to shoot before rolling his free-kick into the path of Inskip, who curled his shot from the left just wide. Skipper Tom Coles would find the route to goal four minutes later as he latched onto Joel Ives through pass to strike the ball beyond Dean Bull. And they completed the turnaround shortly after as McCafferty rose to meet a free-kick from the left and he put the ball perfectly into the path of Nathan George, who bundled it over the line. If that goal was bit untidy, FC’s subsequent attacking sequence was the opposite as some delightful interplay in midfield culminated in Lee Northfield dragging his shot narrowly wide. United needed to refocus during the halftime interval in order to prevent the match from escaping them but the prospect of claiming anything from the contest was heavily diminished when Coles doubled his tally with a deflected strike that eluded the stranded Bull. The visitors attempted to recover the situation with a well-constructed move through the thirds of the pitch that eventually presented Parkinson to drift inside and fire a shot that was tipped wide by Russ Tomkins. Parkinson looked the most likely to reduce the deficit and he showed good awareness with his back to goal to flick the ball through to Holmes whose low, driven effort was matched by Tomkins once more. Holmes was involved again soon after as he whipped the ball across the face of the goal with Brinkman agonisingly close to diverting it goalwards in the centre. United sustained this pressure for a considerable period in search of a goal which could have launched a potential comeback- James Cooper also turned a shot over from inside the box. FC would deliver a final blow, however, when Lewis was dispossessed on the halfway line allowing Northfield to emerge with the ball and feed Marsh whose finish nestled unerringly into the far, bottom corner. Some positives to take from a humbling derby defeat that has somewhat tarnished the explosive start to the new campaign but there’s a long season ahead with plenty of progress still to be made and on Saturday the FA Cup kicks-off as we welcome Wellingborough Town to Second Meadow, KO 3pm.
Previous FA Cup Performances: Wellingborough Town have been knockedout of the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round five times in seven years. At this stage last season Wellingborough beat Fakenham Town 2-0 before they were defeated 4-0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the First Qualifying Round. In 2016 they were defeat 3-1 by familiar faces Stotfold at this stage of the competition. Recent Form: Wellingbourough Town FC sit in 9th place on 3 points after two games, they earnt their first win of the season winning 3-0 against Peterborough Northern Star, however they lost their next game, which was a 2-1 defeat to Deeping Rangers. History: Originally formed in 1867, Wellingbourough Town FC was the oldest football club in Northamptonshire, and the 6th oldest in the country until they folded in 2002. Wellingbourough joined the Southern League in the 1901-1902 season and changed grounds to Dog and Duck in London road. When the Southern League was re-structured, meaning that there was a Southern, and Midlands divisions, and not just a Southern division. Wellingbourough played in the Midland Division, however they struggled and were relegated to the United Counties League in the 1988-1989 season. After the 2001-2002 season, Wellingbourough folded and resigned from the league, and rebirthed in 2004. A group of 24 people which included Snooker world champion Peter Ebdon helped get the club up and running again. In their most recent league campaign they finished in 14th place with 50 points.
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION TABLE Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Club Potton United Biggleswade FC Crawley Green Arlesey Town Tring Athletic Colney Heath Biggleswade United London Colney Hadley London Tigers Oxhey Jets Harpenden Town Edgware Town Leverstock Green North Greenford United FC Wembley Leighton Town Baldock Town Cockfosters Stotfold
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Club Daventry Town FC Cogenhoe United FC Deeping Rangers FC Desborough Town FC Leicester Nirvana FC Eynesbury Rovers FC Pinchbeck United FC Rugby Town FC Wellingborough Town FC Oadby Town FC Sleaford Town FC Kirby Muxloe FC Northampton ON Chenecks FC Boston Town FC Rothwell Corinthians FC Holbeach United FC Newport Pagnell Town FC Harborough Town FC Wellingborough Whitworth FC Peterborough Northern Star FC
Pld 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2
W 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 1 2
GD 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 -1 0 -2 -2 -3 -3 -3 -4 -4
Pts 6 6 6 6 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION TABLE Pos
Pld 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2
W 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 1 2 2 2
GD 5 4 2 4 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 -2 0 -2 -2 -2 -2 -4 -5 -7
Pts 6 6 6 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
LAST WEEK'S PREMIER DIVISION RESULTS DATE 08/08/2018 07/08/2018 07/08/2018 07/08/2018 07/08/2018 07/08/2018 07/08/2018 07/08/2018 07/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018 04/08/2018
HOME Baldock Town Biggleswade FC Colney Heath Edgware Town Leighton Town London Colney Potton United Tring Athletic Wembley Arlesey Town Biggleswade United Harpenden Town London Colney North Greenford United FC Oxhey Jets Stotfold Tring Athletic Wembley
RESULT 0-1 4-1 2-0 0-0 0-2 0-1 3-0 1-1 2-4 2-0 5-1 2-1 2-0 1-3 2 -3 0-1 2-0 1-2
AWAY Arlesey Town Biggleswade United Harpenden Town North Greenford United FC Crawley Green Oxhey Jets Stotfold Leverstock Green London Tigers London Tigers Cockfosters Leighton Town Leverstock Green Potton United Crawley Green Hadley Baldock Town Biggleswade FC
EMIRATES FA CUP - EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND FOR SML SIDES Date 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 11/08/2018 12/08/2018
Home Arlesey Town Biggleswade FC Biggleswade United Bishops Cleeve Brackley Town Saints Cockfosters Crawley Green Daventry Town Flackwell Heath Hadley Harpenden Town Ipswich Wanderers Leighton Town London Lions Oxhey Jets Tring Athletic Tuffley Rovers Southall
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
Away Desborough Town Northampton On Chenecks Wellingborough Town Stotfold London Colney Newmarket Town Woodley United Potton United North Greenford United FC Fairford Town Edgware Town Baldock Town Royal Wootton Bassett Town Wembley Wantage Town Berkhamsted Colney Heath Leverstock Green
BIGGLESWADE UNITED FIRST TEAM FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Date Sat. 11 Aug Sat. 18 Aug Sat 25 Aug Fri. 31 Aug Sat 8 Sept Sat 15 Sept Sat 22 Sept Sat 29 Sept Sat 6 Oct Tues 9 Oct Sat 13 Oct Sat 20 Oct Tues 23 Oct Sat 27 Oct Sat 3 Nov Wed 7 Nov Sat 10 Nov
Opponents WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN LONDON TIGERS SPALDING UNITED??? WORMLEY ROVERS BALDOCK TOWN LONDON TIGERS WEMBLEY LEVERSTOCK GREEN HADLEY WEMBLEY TRING ATHLETIC STOTFOLD BIGGLESWADE FC EDGWARE TOWN NORTH GREENFORD UTD BALDOCK TOWN HARPENDEN TOWN
Comp. FA CUP LEAGUE FA CUP??? FA VASE LEAGUE LEAGUE LEAGUE LEAGUE LEAGUE PREM. DIV. CUP LEAGUE LEAGUE BEDS SENIOR CUP LEAGUE LEAGUE LEAGUE LEAGUE
H/A H A A H H H A H A H H A H H H A A
KO 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm
ALL ABOVE FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. KEEP FULLY UP TO DATE VIA TWITTER @biggleswadeutd.
VOULNTEERS! We are always on the lookout for volunteers at Biggleswade United Football Club across all aspects of the club! If you are interested in volunteering please contact: info@biggleswadeunited.com