East Grinstead Town v Sheppey United

Saturday 27 April 2024 - Pitching In Isthmian League South East Kick off 3pm

Telephone : 01342 325885

Website : www.egtfc.co.uk CLUB MANAGEMENT

Chair, Treasurer, Assistant Welfare Officer, 200 Club Officer Richard Tramontin

Vice Chair, Secretary, Club Welfare Officer Brian McCorquodale

Committee Member, Safety Officer

Head of Youth Development

Committee Member, Youth Coordinator

Disability Welfare Officer, Bar Manager, Webmaster

Club Photographer

Media Manager & Programme Editor

Facilities Manager

Committee Members

Head of Recruitment

Good afternoon and welcome to the players, officials and supporters of The Ites, for our finale to another season.

Well, we made it over the line on Tuesday with one of our best performances of the season. If only we could play Horndean, Ashford and Littlehampton every week. We have taken 18 points and scored 21 goals against those three opponents. Six wins out of our nine in the league against three opponents!

Barry Bryant

Jay De Vito

Andy Dodson

Stuart Gibson

Bruce Talbot

Andy Willis

Grant Hearn

Stuart Hedgecock

Matthew Wheeler FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT Manager

Drew Cooney Assistant Manager and Team Coach

Ian Nichols

Steve Sargent

Should we aim for more than survival every season at this level? Of course, we should. That’s easier said than done of course. We desperately need more people to get involved, as the chairman reiterates in today’s programme – and not just in terms of support at games, which we should never take for granted. If you feel you’ve got a skill or something to offer please get in touch.

Anyway, we’ll hopefully all be back in July for preseason friendlies. Work starts on the pitch on Wednesday which will hopefully help alleviate the drainage issues which have plagued us this season.

Have a great summer break.

6Lancing37196127065563

8Sheppey United371771374561858

7Herne Bay3716101171601158

9Broadbridge Heath371310145654249

10Sevenoaks37137176063-346

11Ashford United37143205579-2445

15Horndean37127185774-1743

12Hythe Town37127185370-1743

13Burgess Hill Town371011165870-1241

14Merstham37118185769-1241

16Phoenix Sports3798205090-4035

17Littlehampton Town3797214575-3033

18East Grinstead Town3797215184-3334

19Beckenham Town3778225792-3529

20Erith & Belvedere3758242485-6123

Up to and including 23 April

MANAGER’S NOTES

We welcome everyone for today’s final game of the season!

Thankfully we managed to confirm our safety on Tuesday night and get the vital home win against Horndean which secures our Isthmian League status for another season.

The lads were tremendous on Tuesday. After a nervy first 5-10 minutes we settled into the game and started to dominate possession and went in at the break 1-0 up thanks to a goal from MD.

We had a good chat with the lads at halftime and I made it very clear that they were going to get a good ‘talking too’ and we had to make sure we got through their first 10 minutes of pressure. Once we did that we then managed to start dominating again and creating chances. Man of the moment Omar Folkes delivered what I said to him he would do for me to secure our safety by scoring two goals. Henry adding a superb free kick between Omar’s goals to secure a comfortable win.

I’m not going to lie, this year has been extremely tough for me with countless key injuries to some mainstay players and lots of other ups and downs within the group. I can only sum up things up as a disappointing season. We know where the club sits within the league, and we know staying in it is an achievement in itself but I am trying to change that mentality so that not improving on last year’s league position and points total is never going to be good enough for me personally! In saying all that, the league has become much harder place with many teams off the field having financial power that leaves many clubs behind!

We need to have a break, regroup and look to learn from our own mistakes this year and aim to build a competitive yet

Drew Cooney

sustainable squad who can challenge to win more games than we lose. We have lots to do as a club and my management team and I, working with the committee, will do all we can to push us on again in 2024/25. I’d like to thank all the players who have played a part this year, Kate the physio, Matt, Ian and Sarg who do so much for me every week. Thanks as well to the chairman and the committee for all their support. Lastly, and most importantly, thanks to all the fans who come home and away and support us no matter what through thick and thin, rain and shine. We are nothing without you.

I promise you we will build again over the summer and aim to up our standards in the new season. In the meantime, let’s try and finish this season with a good performance and result.

I wish everyone a good summer and look forward to seeing you all in pre-season.

Drew

Photo courtesy of Stuart Gibson

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to East Court for today’s final Isthmian League South East Division match of the season against Sheppey United.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the Sheppey players, management, officials and supporters and to today’s referee Jack Oxenham and his assistants Benjamin Maskery and Ben AlShaikh. I trust everyone enjoys their brief stay and our hospitality.

Like all of us, I was absolutely delighted with our performance and 4-0 win on Tuesday evening against Horndean which guaranteed that we finished outside of the relegation places. It was a huge relief to us all and avoided everything hinging on this final day.

It’s been a tough season and a great relief to Drew, his team management and his players as well as all our loyal fans and everyone at the club and I’m delighted that we are able to extend our 10 consecutive years in the Isthmian League.

We played today’s opponents home and away already this season, but our previous home match was in the FA Trophy back in September when Sheppey halted our progress at the first hurdle. We lost on our visit to the island in the league at the beginning of December when our captain, Glenn Wilson, suffered a bad concussion which kept him out of action for three weeks. I would again like to thank the Ites’ physio for her help that afternoon.

Ernie Batten’s Sheppey will finish in seventh or eighth place depending on today’s results. They are ahead of Herne Bay on goal difference – Bay are playing Chichester City this afternoon, who themselves are looking to leapfrog Three Bridges into fourth place who are away at second placed Ramsgate. The Rams trail league leaders Cray Valley by three points and they are away to Horndean. A Wasps win could see us move up two places to 16th.

I would like to thank the players, Drew, Ian, Sarge, Matt and Kate who joined us as physio in January and all our loyal supporters for their never ending backing and support throughout the season, as well as my fellow committee members and our small but dedicated volunteers for their invaluable help throughout the season.

You will see Glenn Miller near the turnstiles again today with his ‘Your Club Needs You’ sign looking to sign you up for help in the close season. Any time and help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. We are always looking for more volunteers without whom the club cannot function, so if you want to get involved in whatever way you can, before and particularly during the season, please come forward.

Our last match on the pitch will be our U18s’ game on Tuesday evening against Leatherhead and the work then starts on the pitch on Wednesday, which will aim to improve the drainage issues we’ve encountered this season.

Thank you all for coming along this afternoon and whatever the outcome of the match, I trust everyone enjoys their visit to East Court and I wish you all a safe journey home.

I look forward to seeing you in the new season, if not before.

Enjoy the match,

Richard Tramontin (Chairman)

Photo courtesy of Stuart Gibson

09-Sep-Sheppey UnitedHFAT1q1520-1PiersonCadmanFilipeM.WilsonReardonG.WilsonTigheMartinAubreyBailey-KingWalshGreenKenyonFolkes 12-Sep-2023South ParkHVC1760-3PiersonSummerfieldFilipeGreenAbieAkabuoguTigheKenyonFolkesBailey-KingAlhassanM.WilsonReardonCasselman 16-Sep-2023Three BridgesHPISEdiv2151-2PiersonReardonCadmanM.WilsonWearie 1G.WilsonWalshMartinAubreyTigheFilipeKenyonFolkesBailey-King 30-Sep-Ashford UnitedHPISEdiv1576-0PiersonKajaCadmanM.WilsonGreenG.WilsonWalsh 4FolkesAlhassanTighe 1Filipe 1MartinBailey-KingReardon

OCTOBER

7 Oct 23HorndeanAPISEdiv1403-1PiersonKajaCadmanM.WilsonGreenG. WilsonWalshBailey-KingFolkesTighe 2FilipeWearieMartin 1Reardon 10-Oct-2023Broadbridge HeathAPISEdiv1201-0PiersonReardonCadmanM.WilsonGreen 1G.WilsonWalshBailey-KingMartinTigheFilipeWearieAubreyAlhassan 14-Oct-2023Chichester CityHPISEdiv1481-1PiersonReardonCadmanM.WilsonGreenG.WilsonWalsh 1MartinFolkesTigheFilipeBailey-KingKajaAubrey 17-Oct-2023HassocksHSSC 2833-1PiersonKajaFilipeM.WilsonGreenWearieWalsh 2Hall-AndersonAubreyTigheAlhassanKenyonGregoryTetlowDouglasStraker 21-Oct-2023Cray Valley PMHPISEdiv1150-4PiersonFilipeCadmanM.WilsonGreenG.WilsonWalshMartinFolkesTigheAubreyDos SantosKenyonKaja

NOVEMBER

7 Nov 23Eastbourne UnitedHSSC 3611-3PiersonReardonFilipeM.WilsonWearieG.WilsonWalshDouglasDos SantosHall-AndersonAubreySpinksTetlowLamontGreenFolkes 1 11 Nov 23Littlehampton TownAPISEdiv2412-1PiersonCadmanM. WilsonGreenG.Wilson 2WalshMartinDos SantosTigheFilipeFolkesWearieAubreyDouglas

25 Nov 23Beckenham TownAPISEdiv2310-3PiersonCadmanM. WilsonGreenG.WilsonWalshMartinFolkesDos SantosTigheWearieReardonKajaBailey-King

DECEMBER

02-Dec-2023MersthamHPISEdiv1334-1PiersonReardonCadmanM.WilsonGreen 1G. Wilson 1LamontMartinFolkesDos Santos 1Walsh 1DanielHall-AndersonBailey-King

09-Dec-Sheppey UnitedAPISEdiv2750-3PiersonReardonCadmanM.WilsonGreenG.WilsonBailey-KingMartinWalshDos SantosLamontParkerHall-AndersonDaniel

16 Dec 23Three BridgesAPISEdiv1542-4PiersonReardonCadman 1ParkerGreenWearieLamontMartinDos Santos 1WalshMurrilo-DacruzHall-AndersonDaniel

26 Dec 23Sevenoaks TownHPISEdiv1610-3PiersonKauzeniCadmanM.

WilsonGreenWearieDanielMartinDos SantosTigheLawsonG. WilsonWalshOnabanjo

10 Jan 24RamsgateAPISEdiv4770-5PiersonKauzeniCadmanParkerGreenTetlowOnabanjoG.WilsonWalshLawsonFolkesDanielDos SantosM.Wilson

13 Jan 24Phoenix SportsHPISEdiv1441-1PiersonParkerCadmanM.WilsonGreenG.Wilson 1DanielWalshDos SantosTigheLawsonOnabanjoFilipeHall-Anderson

20-Jan-2024Ashford UnitedAPISEdiv3681-0PiersonKauzeniFilipeParkerCadmanG.WilsonTigheMartinLawsonDaniel 1M.WalshM.WilsonFolkesGreen

27 Jan 24Broadbridge HeathHPISEdiv1511-1PiersonKauzeniFilipeParkerWearieG.WilsonTigheMartinDanielLawsonFolkesGreenM.WilsonDacruz

FEBRUARY

3 Feb 24Chichester CityAPISEdiv1651-7PiersonParkerFilipeM.WilsonGreenWearieDanielTigheDos SantosLawsonFolkes 1TetlowOnabanjoSpinks

06-Feb-LancingHPISEdiv1120-2PiersonLamontHarrisonM.WilsonTetlowWearieDanielMartinLawsonWalshOnabanjoTigheDos SantosSpinks

17 Feb 24Cray Valley PMAPISEdiv1771-4PiersonKauzeniFilipeM.WilsonWearieParkerDanielMartinLawsonTigheOnabanjoDos Santos 1SpinksFolkes

MARCH

2 Mar 24SittingbourneAPISEdiv2450-2PiersonLamontFilipeSpinksWearieTetlowSinaiParkerLawsonDunnFolkesM.WilsonMartinHall-Anderson

9 Mar 24Littlehampton TownHPISEdiv1125-1PiersonLamontFilipe 1Parker 1TetlowWearieDanielMartinLawson 1Sinai 2Hall-Anderson

16 Mar 24Phoenix SportsAPISEdiv1120-0PiersonLamontFilipeG.WilsonTetlowWearieSinaiMartinFolkesParkerHall-AndersonOnabanjoDanielLawson

19 Mar 24Hythe TownHPISEdiv782-3PiersonLamontFilipeParkerTetlowWearieDaniel 1Martin 1LawsonTigheSinaiLonsdaleSpinksFolkes

23 Mar 24Burgess Hill TownHPISEdiv2341-5PiersonLamontFilipeParkerTetlowWearieDanielMartinLawsonTigheSinaiFolkesOnabanjo 1Wilson

30 Mar 24Herne BayAPISEdiv4402-3PiersonParkerFilipeM.WilsonTetlowWearieTigheMartin 1FolkesLonsdaleSinaiKauzeniCadman 1Lawson

APRIL

1 Apr 24Erith & BelvedereHPISEdiv1261-1PiersonKauzeniCadmanM.WilsonWearieG.Wilson 1DanielMartinLawsonDunnSinaiFolkesLonsdale

6 Apr 24LancingAPISEdiv2800-3PiersonGreenParkerM.WilsonWearieG.WilsonDanielMartinFolkesDunnTigheLonsdaleFilipe

9 April 24RamsgateHPISEdiv1732-6PiersonLamontFilipeGreenTetlowWearieTigheM.WilsonFolkesSpinks 1Daniel 1LonsdaleOnabanjoBean

13 Apr 24Beckenham TownHPISEdiv2271-1PiersonGreenFilipeM.WilsonWearieG.Wilson 1DanielTigheFolkesSpinksSinaiOnabanjoLamontBean

20 Apr 24MersthamAPISEdiv4261-1PiersonGreenFilipeM.WilsonWearieG.Wilson 1DanielTigheFolkesSpinksOnabanjoLonsdale

23 Apr 24HorndeanHPISEdiv1174-0PiersonKauzeniFilipeM.WilsonWearieG.WilsonDaniel 1TigheFolkes 2OnabanjoSinai 1Hall-AndersonLamontTetlow

27 Apr 24Sheppey UnitedHPISEdiv3pm

PROGRAMMES FROM THE PAST

A couple of programmes for games played in the past on 27 April as the seasons were coming to an end. First up is East Grinstead v Eastbourne United on Tuesday 27 April 2010 in division one of the Sussex County League. Season 2009/10 had been a difficult season for us and we went into this game against Eastbourne (with further games at home to Selsey and Peacehaven to come) still needing points to make sure that we would keep our place in division one. All three pieces in the programme - from editor Bruce Talbot, Manager Tony Beckingham and Chairman Richard Tramontin - talk to various degrees about a ‘disastrous 7-3 defeat to Three Bridges’ at the end of March which seemed to have condemned us. We had won just one game in the first three months of 2010 with that Lee Carney-inspired Three Bridges win seeming to finish things off.

However, since then we had played six games in April – with five of them away – and had won four and drawn one of them. And in four of those six we didn't concede a goal. Not surprisingly therefore we had good match reports from the last three games. A 3-2 win at home to Shoreham (Lucas Mann two goals plus Joel Greaves), a 1-0 win away to Shoreham thanks to an own goal 10 minutes from the end and another 1-0 win at Arundel with Matt Crane scoring. But this successful few weeks in April didn't seem to be reflected in the league table with the programme showing us to be third from bottom (with three teams to be relegated) though we had closed the gap from other clubs just above us.

So, did we continue our good run? Well sort of – in that it was a 1-1 draw. Luke Piscina scored for us early in the second half but Eastbourne levelled things up some 10 minutes from the end.

So, after we'd played the last two games, did we avoid relegation? Another win and another draw were to take us up to sixth from bottom. Next up we'll talk about East Grinstead v Worthing United on Saturday 27 April 2013 -

still in division one of the County League. Perhaps not surprising that the programme has a very end of season feel about it against a team that, even with three games to play, would be relegated – though Worthing had shown some improvement in their last few games.

Our recent games had seen a long midweek trip down to play Rye United on a pretty dreadful pitch and with several players not able to make the trip. We had lost 3-1 after Steven Major gave us an early lead. This match was followed last Saturday by another long trip, this time down to Selsey on the other side of Sussex, with a goalless draw.

Here at the end of April we struggled for much of the game but took the lead in the first half through George Hiller-Jones. Worthing came more into the game as the second half progressed and with some 15 minutes left they equalised, and then threatened to take the lead. However with five minutes left we snatched the win with Ben Chick scoring. LESTER MEDCALF

CLUB NOTICE

Supporter Behaviour

In the last few years the club’s supporter base has grown and Drew Cooney and the players truly appreciate the vocal backing they get home and away at every match.

Unfortunately, we received isolated reports of bad behaviour and foul language at home games last season. Those complaints have grown significantly this season and at the fixture against Three Bridges earlier this season foul and abusive language was directed at match officials and opposition players and objects thrown onto the field of play.

Not only is this totally unacceptable, it is against the ground and league regulations and is forcing fair-minded supporters to stop coming to matches because their enjoyment is being spoiled by a small number.

Verbal warnings by committee members are not having any effect and if we allow this anti-social behaviour to continue there is every likelihood of a sanction from the league and or the FA.

We appreciate the vocal support for the team, but we also have to protect our reputation as a familyfriendly, community club proud to represent East Grinstead.

As a result, any under-16 attending home games will have to be accompanied by an adult, who will be responsible for their behaviour.

Also, abuse of individuals and excessive foul language will not be tolerated. Offenders will be removed from the stadium and will receive a ban and, if applicable, season tickets will be rescinded with no refund offered. The club will not hesitate to call upon assistance from Sussex Police if required.

Matt Wearie can't believe his goal at Merstham is ruled out

SHEPPEY UNITED

Sheppey United – the past 30 years

1992 – 2013: The Nomadic Years

Sheppey United sold the much-loved Botany Round ground to developers in 1992 to clear a massive overdraft, and this started a long and slow death for the club.

Initially this did not appear to present too many problems as Sheppey romped away with the Kent League title, whilst ground-sharing with Faversham Town, losing only two out of 40 games. Ultimately, however, as the club spent most of the 1990s trying in vain to find a new home on the island, years of playing away from Sheppey began to take its toll, as the club moved from Faversham to Canterbury and then to Sittingbourne. Attendances fell sharply as supporters increasingly became disenchanted with traveling off the island for ‘home’ games, and the club could no longer afford the rents involved.

In March 2001 the club resigned from the Kent League and their record was expunged. The senior team was disbanded until being reformed in 2003, when they joined Division Two East of the Kent County League. They finished second in their first season and were promoted to Division One East. The club was renamed AFC Sheppey in 2007 but was disbanded and reformed under their original name prior to the 2010–11 season.

2013 – 2016: The New Club

In June 2013 the club merged with Sheerness East FC to become Sheppey & Sheerness United FC competing in the Kent County League Premier Division with the club playing their home games a Holm Park formerly Canning Town Gasworks and then Sheerness Steel Sports Ground. The season saw the club win the Kent FA Intermediate Challenge Shield and finish runners up in the league and were promoted to the Kent Invicta League. In 2014 the club was renamed back to Sheppey United FC. Major investment has been injected into Holm Park including perimeter fencing, new dressing rooms, club house refurbishments, floodlights, stands, levelling the main pitch including installing drainage and sprinkler system.

A second-place finish in the Kent Invicta

League was achieved at the end of the 2015/16 season gaining promotion to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division. The Kent Invicta League merged into the Southern Counties East Football League that summer forming Division One.

2016 was a remarkable season for the club winning the Kent Senior Trophy, beating Ashford United on penalties at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium in front of a crowd of 870, whilst Holm Park’s ground regeneration saw 715 fans flock to the stadium for a home match against Glebe.

2016 – Present: The Return of Kent League Football

A sixth-place finish in the SCEFL Premier Division was a great achievement in the clubs return to Step 5 of the Non-League pyramid.

visitors recent league forM

April 20Erith & Belvedere

April 16Burgess Hill Town (a)

April 13Herne Bay (a)

April 11Horndean (a)

April 9Beckenham Town (a)

April 6Ashford United (h)

W 3-0

W 2-1

W 2-1

W 5-2

L 2-4

W 5-1

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congue dapibus ipsum molestie. Praesent ornare consectetur ante sed sollicitudin. Proin auctor nulla mi.

Ever thought of volunteering to help your local football club?

There are many different volunteer roles in non-league football and Isthmian League football clubs need your help with them.

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In efficitur elit in est pharetra condimentum. Morbi nec sapien eget tortor viverra congue at eu metus. Ut tincidunt urna vel libero lobortis, ut sodales mauris egestas. Aenean ligula quam, molestie quis blandit at, scelerisque ac mauris. Nulla id mauris sit amet nunc maximus elementum vitae at mauris. Praesent non ligula egestas, rhoncus justo nec, pharetra lectus. Morbi nec enim mollis eros auctor pulvinar commodo ut augue. Mauris non leo mollis, tempor ex eu, ornare magna.

The Trident Leagues and Pitching In’s online Volunteer Hub is the place where you can find opportunities and contact your local football club.

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Please visit Pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk to find out more

Photography by

Two great pictures by Stuart Gibson from Tuesday's win over Horndean shows Henry Sinai celebrating his great free-kick and, below, Matt Daniel makes it 1-0 and the fan goes wild!

SQUAD STATS

EAST GRINSTEAD FCSHEPPEY UNITED

Matte Pierson (GK) cc

MATCH OFFICIALS

The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.”

The FA 0800 085 0508

Kick it Out 020 7253 0162

The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.

Next HOMe GAMe

Check www.egtfc.co.uk for preseason friendly dates.

East Grinstead Town FC is an unincorporated association /members club and a Community Amateur Sports Club (reg no CASC 02270).

ROLL OF HONOUR

SUSSEXCOUNTYLEAGUE: DivisionTwochampions2007–08

BaldwinCupwinners1951–52

MID-SUSSEXLEAGUE: Champions1901–02,1936–37

MontgomeryCupwinners 1911–12,1912–13

SOUTHERNAMATEURLEAGUE: DivisionThreechampions 1931–32

SUSSEXRURCUP: Winners 2003–04