This week at a glance....
CLUB OFFICIALS
Paul Marsh - Honorary President James Paviour - Chairman Warren O’Neill - Secretary Grace Harding - Treasurer Rob Lilley - Media Manager
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Simon Thomas - Manager Tom Harding - Assistant Mgr Emily Mackler - Physiotherapist
HONOURS
SBC Premier Div 2 1968/69, 1969/70 SBC Division One 1964/75, 2000/01 SBC Walton Cup 1966/67, 1967/68 SBC Charity Cup 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94 SBC Division 3 1962/63 EOFL Premier Division 2017/18 EOFL Division 2 2015/16 EOFL Division 3 2014/15 EOFL Challenge Cup 2018/19 Anagrams Record Trophy
14 Pictoral View - Anagrams Record Trophy Final
6
Simon Thomas
8
Mike Sammut
22
The Away End
36
Fuel Crisis Impact
38
Reserves Update
2017/18, 2018/2019
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME Rob Lilley - Design & Editor Offside Photography - Photographs Thanks To - James Paviour, Simon Thomas, Mike Sammut, Tom Hollingsworth, Carl Read
MEDIA & PUBLISHING
Rob Lilley - CUFC Media Manager Photo’s by Offside Photography www.offsidephotography.co.uk © Catholic United Football Club All rights reserves. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the written persmission of the club.
28
Pat Kearney
FROM THE BOARD Good afternoon all and a warm welcome to all our readers, supporters and the players, management and officials of Old Southendians. Off the pitch things are still very exciting for the club, we have sold out of replica kits and our following across the world grows by the day. It is truly remarkable. This week was a special moment for me and the club, as I was interviewed live on Talksport which was very surreal.
On the pitch our results have been mixed. I’m very excited at the prospect of seeing some of our very talented young reserve team representing the first team today. As always I hope everyone enjoys the game, and please get behind the team. COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN!!
James Paviour Chairman
FROM THE BOSS “the lads will want to put points on the board after a disappointing September” Firstly, a welcome to the Old Southendian management and players, who have taken a short trip to visit us today. The weather forecast isn’t looking great but lets hope the football is still entertaining and played as it should be. Its been a very tough few weeks but I’m confident results will come soon. Looking back at the Kelvedon game, it was a close fought match with not much in it actually. But a mistake at both ends has given them a 1-1 result. When I think about it a little, we probably didn’t do enough to win the game but sometimes you need a bit of luck and we’re not getting that rub of the green stuff at the moment. We’ve looked good defensively and I’m actually quite happy and comfortable but the problem you have in football is that the pressure can mount and if you don’t take your chances, you risk getting punished. We’ve not been creating many chances in the past three games and that unlike us, but still something we need to change. We did have good phases of possession during the Kelvedon game which was pleasing, but again, unless we create chances from that possession, that risk is still there. Last weekend I probably witnessed the worst 45 minutes since I’ve been iin charge. It was so disappointing. From nullifying Sungate in the first half and taking the lead through Mike Sammut, to concede three after the break was so disappointing. I told the lads after the game. They were left hurting and they will be desperate for 2:30pm today to lay that Sungate game to rest.
What people have to realise is that the guys all have full time jobs so we only train once a week and have to do what we can during that session. We have a fantastic reserve team and that too, is only right that players performing well should be rewarded with first team appearances. Having this fluidity makes the club stronger and ensures we get the best results, from the players playing at the top of their game, whilst at the same time give playing time to those struggling with form, not match fit, or in the early days of coming back from injury. So, today’s game. Old Southendian will be a typical battle, just like every game in this division. Out of the blocks they will come at us and we need to match them initially. The lads will be pushing hard to get three points on the board after a disappointing September so starting October as we mean to go on will be important. As always, we look forward to Saturdays and if we play the way I know we can, we can change our own fortunes, not leave it to luck and put some results together and start moving forward and upwards! Enjoy the game today and hopefully we’ll all be smiling at the final whistle.
Simon Thomas Sponsored By
PAGE 7
FROM THE CAPTAIN “the boys were hurting after Saturdays result.....” A local derby for us today as we welcome Old Southendians, they’ve had a good start to the season. Our last two games have been a mix. Against Kelvedon Hatch I thought we played the better football but they created the better chances. A draw was probably a fair result Last Saturday we lost to Sungate which was disappointing. Leading 1-0 at half time I thought the team worked really hard. We should have been expecting a reaction from Sungate but we never got going. I know the boys were hurting after Saturday so we need to take that in todays game.
It’s really good to see some new faces in todays squad. We have a really good reserve team who are more then capable of stepping up. They’ve been picking up some good results and will be full of confidence. Let’s hope we’re celebrating a win today.
Mike Sammu
t
Sponsored By
Hail Cesar WhatsApp Group Wishaw Bhoys
PAGE 9
PLAYER SPONSORSHIPS LOUIS GODWIN-GREEN
DANIEL BOOSEY
PAUL MARSH
TWITTER @BrigoBhoy
The McGuigan Family
Available to sponsor
PATRICK KEARNEY
EH12 Fenian Bhoys WhatsApp Group
JOHN MBAMARAH
DANIEL DUNN
WILLIAM McCLUSKEY
LEWIS PAYNE CRAIG ROBERTS
The Airdrie Bhoys
ELLIS SANDS
Grace Gifford WhatsApp CSC
JOHN NUTMAN
SPEC DEVELOPMENTS
SOUTHEND YMCA
Heriot Watt and Edinburgh University Celtic Supporters Club
Swinton Shamrock CSC
SCOTT KEYS
CAMERON LEMAR Basil McNaught BMC PLUMBING SERVICES
TWITTER @HENRIKLUBO
KL RENEWABLES LTD
SONUGA GBENGA
LOUIS ROBINSON
TWITTER @THEFAVRITWAN
Andy & Sean CSC
HARLEY KEE
Hackney Bhoys Dem
CARL READ
TOM HARDING “TIMCORD”
MICHAEL SAMMUT
TWITTER Tims On Tour
THOMAS KEARNEY Hackney Bhoys Dem
Hail Cesar WhatsApp Group Wishaw Bhoys
MAX KENT
Tommy & Mechelle Timms
HARRISON DAY PAUL MARSH
The Leonard Family, Carfin
JAMES WARDER
SAN DIEGO CELTIC SUPPORTERS CLUB
AARON BALDWIN
TWITTER @THEFAVRITWAN
TWITTER [UNREPENTANT FENIANS]
Uphall Shamrock CSC
EH12 Fenian Bhoys WhatsApp Group
PABLO PESSENDA
JAY NASH
JAMES PAVIOUR The Celtic Bestie Gang
TOM HOLLINGSWORTH
Mrs HC
ALFIE WHITEAKER
San Diego Celtic Supporters Club The Rams Head Skull Collectors
FRANK CRAIK JOHN MARSLAND
HoopedHeroes.com
ALEX O’LEARY TWITTER @THEFAVRITWAN
Up The You Know Who WhatsApp Group
ELLIS PORTER TWITTER @HENRIKLUBO
Mrs HC
TOM HARDING
Glasgow Irish FC
DANIEL TRENKEL New Level Soccer Academy Available to Sponsor
EMILY MACKLER ROWAN KIRWAN
The Mccabe Family Cumbernauld
Pearse Connolly RH Sports
We would like to thank all of our player sponsors for their support. It is greatly appreciated
L L A W FANS Tommy Timms @tommyTshell @67mouldy67
Jim Adams @weedinkyjim
Brendan Quinn @quinzo82
Edward @cooperDA_
Laird Alan Cochrane @blackhackglesga
ll, the Fans Wa n o r a e p p a To e of you in g a im n a s u send Utd gear. your Catholic utd.co.uk c li o h t a c @ ia med
anagrams records trophy final
Catholic Utd 5 - 1 clapton CFC
Callum Matthews Simon Thomas (2) Thomas Kearney Tom Hollingsworth (pen)
Sherwin Stanley
Specifix Physiotherapy & Personal Training Training Kit Sponsor My name is Jay Nash, I am the Owner of Specifix Physiotherapy & Personal Training and a centre forward of Catholic United Football Club. It has always been my dream to have my business associated with a local football club and for it to have happened with the club I am playing for myself is even better. Catholic United have always looked after me so I felt it only right that I give back to the club in the best way I can. That is why this season I put the business forward as an option for Sponsorship for both the training kit and the first team manager Simon Thomas. On top of this I am also offering a massive 25% discount on all Specifix Physiotherapy & Personal Training services to anyone who is involved at the club. (T’s & C’s Apply) This offer includes Physiotherapy, Personal Training, Sports Massage, Personally Tailored Gym & Nutrition Programmes and much, much more! Contact Details: Email - SpecifixStudio@outlook.com Website - www.SpecifixPersonalTraining.com Phone – 07801561690
CATHOLIC UNITED SCOTTISH SUPPORTERS CLUB
C PRESIDENTS 1959-65 Bishop George Beck 1965-78 Stan Groom 1978-96 Rev Fred Wall 1996-17 Tony Cotgrove 2017- Paul Marsh
CHAIRPERSON
atholic United has a long history of football in Southend-on-Sea, originally known in the 1930’s as Southend Catholic & then later as Catholic Athletic.
Celtic kit to be on general sale.
Catholic United, as we now know it, was founded in 1959 during a meeting
Catholic United every success. The first time the kit was worn (below) was in
at Sacred Heart Church Hall. Joe Persigetti was elected the first Chairman & his nephew Tony Cotgrove later became club president in 1996. The
the prestigious 1968 Walton Cup final played at Roots Hall, where Catholic United beat Haden United 2-0 to claim the trophy for the second time in as
family tradition within the Club has remained throughout time.
many years. It was then decided in our gratitude to Celtic it would be written into the club’s constitution that our club colours would always be the world famous green & white hoops.
1981-83 Martin Britt
Originally the club played in white shirts and black shorts, but there was soon a desire to make the club more easily recognisable from other teams by its colours. Our chairman at the time, Glen Foy wrote a letter
1983-85 Chris Sexton
to the Celtic Football Club chairman,
1959-60 Joe Persighetti 1960-65 Stan Groom 1965-66 John Mudd 1966-81 Glen Foy
1985-93 Tony Cotgrove 1993-97 Kevin Wall 1997-01 Keith Exley 2001-11 Paul Marsh 2011-18 Chris Knight 2018- James Paviour
Bob Kelly, asking if we could buy a kit from them with an accompanying explanation for the reasons behind the request. Also in those days, the manufacturer Umbro would not allow the
Foy did not hear from Celtic for about two weeks, when out of the blue a parcel containing a brand new strip arrived, together with a letter wishing
CATHOLIC UNITED HISTORY The club played its early football at Nazareth House, which was then an orphanage. This was possibly the time when the teams were best supported as all the children would watch. Like Wellstead Gardens in its prime before the club were evicted in 2018, Nazareth House was regarded as one of the best pitches in the area & was unfortunately lost to the building of St Helen’s primary school in the early 1970’s. Despite continuously moving between grounds, the club were ready to take the quality of football on offer to the next level. In 2009, the club was accepted to play in the prestigious Essex Olympian League (Step Five), & having worked up through the leagues, Catholic United were crowned Premier Division champions in 2018 at the first attempt. In recent years, prolonged cup runs have become a feature in the season calendar, with consecutive victories coming
BACK-TO-BACK WALTON CUP WINNERS
in the 2017/18 & 2018/19 Anagram Records Trophy - a competition devised of clubs from Essex, Hertfordshire & Middlesex at the equivalent level. Last season, the Hoops competed in the FA Vase for the first time - beating Essex Senior League side Clacton FC 6-1 in the first qualifying round. At the start of the 2020/21 season, the club announced they will be working alongside MIND to help raise vital awareness for mental health.
2017/18 PREMIER DIVISION CHAMPIONS & ANAGRAMS RECORD TROPHY WINNERS
DATE: 18.09.2021 | COMPETITION: EOFL Premier
Catholic United
1-1
FORMATION (5-3-1-1) 1. Louis Godwin-Green 2. Pat Kearney 3. Alfie Whiteaker 4. John Nutman 5. Louis Robinson 6. Lewis Payne 7. Tom Kearney 8. Mike Sammut (cpt) 9. Tom Hollingsworth 10. Jay Nash 11. Carl Read Subs used: Harley Kee, John Mbamarah, Alex O’Leary, Pablo Pessenda
Kelvedon Hatch
MATCH STATS 55 12 6 5 6 2 0
POSSESSION % SHOTS SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS OFFSIDES YELLOW CARDS RED CARDS
45 10 5 5 5 0 0
Lewis Payne (left) celebrates his first goal for the club
In Focus
OLD SOUTHENDIAN
How would you sum them up in one sentence? A team coming to terms with life in the EOFL Premier and looking to better their 11th place finish in 2018.
PAGE 22
When were they formed? Website states 1900 and joined EOFL in 2010.
Where do they play?` Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend, SS2 4FA What is their nickname? “The Old Boys’ or ‘Old Boys’
What have they won? 2017/18 - Reserve Cup Winners 2018/19 - Essex Junior Cup Winners
The Away End
History The Old Boys Football Club run 6 teams, 4 adult men’s teams on Saturdays and 2 men’s Vets teams on Sundays. Our Saturday 1st XI currently play at their highest level in our history, plying their trade in the Essex Olympian Premier Division whilst the Reserves also play at their highest level ever in Essex Olympian Senior Division 3. The Saturday A and B teams both play in the Southend Borough Combination, a league the club have been involved with since it’s inception. On Sundays we have 2 Vets teams who both play in the Southend Borough Combination Vets League and provide a chance for our older players to stay involved. Our home ground is at Garon Park where we have 2 pitches and a great clubhouse. They had a all weather 3G pitch built inclusive of floodlights at Garon Park which was finished for the 2019/20 season. All in all the club is in a great position both footballing-wise and financially.
PAGE 23
200 CLUB Catholic United FC Fundraising The 200 Club exists to help support the club outside of its core activities. It is open to everyone over 16 years of age. The cost to join is just £5 a month, on standing order. The 200 Club will hold monthly draws with the value of prize money totalling 50% of the income per month and we will draw for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed prize. If we have 200 members paying £5 a month, the prize fund monthly would be: 1st Prize: 25% (£250) 2nd Prize: 15% (£150) 3rd Prize: 10% (£100) We have two ways to enter the 200 Club, an online form and the more traditional printable application. More information can be found on our website here: https://www.catholicutd.co.uk/a/200-club-62813.html?page=3
We are proud to support local sport. Looking for fast, independent mortgage advice? Expert advice on: • Residential mortgages • Buy to let mortgages • Hybrid bridge to let products • Standard bridging loans • Commercial mortgages • Secured loans • Mortgage protection • Insurances
mortgages & insurance from humans not robots.
Independent Mortgage Advice
01702 337003 www.affinity-mortgages.co.uk
You’ve already seen a mortgage you like? Take advantage of the fantastic Affinity Pledge. We will give you £100 if we can’t beat the mortgage deal you have been offered. Terms and conditions apply.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. We normally charge a fee for mortgage advice, however this will be dependent on your circumstances. Our typical fee is £250.
DATE: 25.09.2021 | COMPETITION: EOFL Premier
Sungate FC
3-1
FORMATION (5-3-1-1) 1. Louis Godwin-Green 2. Tom Kearney 3. Alfie Whiteaker 4. John Nutman 5. Louis Robinson 6. Lewis Payne 7. Harley Kee 8. Mike Sammut (cpt) 9. Temi Adebayo 10. Jay Nash 11. Carl Read Subs used: John Mbamarah Aaron Baldwin, Alex O’Leary Ellis Sands
Catholic Utd
MATCH STATS 55 12 7 5 6 0 0
POSSESSION % SHOTS SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS OFFSIDES YELLOW CARDS RED CARDS
45 10 6 5 4 1 0
Captain Mike Sammut scores the Hoops only goal
In Focus
FIRST AN LAST
D
EVERY THING
In what will be a regular feature, we find out more about Catholic United’s players and their lives. In this issue, it’s defender Pat Kearney......
My First.... First team
Manchester United - Dad supported them so I guess I didn’t have a choice.
First football shirt
It was probably a Man United shirt but I do remember wearing my dads retro jacket at Wembley a couple of times but I witnessed losses both times so won’t wear that again!!
First match watched live
I think that was United v Liverpool in the FA Cup in 1999. Ole scored the winner.
First match for Catholic United
My memory isn’t that good, I’ll leave that to Statto to tell me!!
PAGE 28
Statto - Was 13th August 2014, EOFL Div 2, away to FC Hamlets. Debut from the subs bench......
First car
A Renault Clio.......
My L Ast.... Last takeway
Nando’s with my girlfriend
Last holiday
Thailand back in 2019
Last game you watched live Southampton v United....... We’re all United supporters us Kearney’s!
Last goal you scored
Its been a while, but I think back in 2019, the Anagrams Trophy Semi-Final. Statto - correct
Last thing you listened to
Last film you watched
People Just Do Nothing Big In Japan....
The Streets - Original Pirate Material
Last thing you do before kick off
Sort the cut offs (Trenks)
My EVERY THING.... Most important thing in your life The Mariners without a shadow of doubt
Material object you can’t live without I guess with my job I can’t live without my screwdrivers.......
Best thing about playing football Spending Saturdays with good friends..... and the clubhouse!
Best game you’ve been involved in There’s been a lot at Catholic, I don’t think I can honestly choose one.
Best friend in football
I guess Ellis and Harley would be onto me if I didn’t mention them!!
Best player you’ve played alongside & against
PAGE 30
That has to be my brother Tom. He was a different class before his knee problems......
PAGE 26
G N I T C A P M I S I S I R C L FUE L L A B T O O F E U G A E L NON
As the fuel crisis hit, due to a rumours spreading that fuel reserves were low, the country went on panic mode. We’ve seen fuel sales hit record highs and queues not seen for over a decade.
In a statement they said: “The Isthmian League sent out an opportunity to clubs to postpone their midweek fixtures due to the fuel shortage, and anticipated difficulties getting players, officials and supporters to matches.
The non-league fixture schedule continues to be hit by the ongoing petrol crisis as club’s lower down the football pyramid take precautionary action.
“Ramsgate shortly after accepted this option and have asked to postpone our fixture due to travel difficulties. This is outside our control.”
The current fuel shortage is causing havoc with the non-league fixture schedule as games continue to be postponed.
Bowers Pitsea vs Corinthian-Casuals and Hornchurch vs Folkestone Invicta, both seventh tier clashes, have also fallen foul to the fuel shortage. Hastings United were due to host Ashford United, which would’ve been a 50 miles round trip for the visitors. However they issued a statement on Twitter saying: “Sadly our game Tuesday at home vs @AshfordUnitedFC has been called off in anticipation the fuel situation could continue for a couple more days This game will be rescheduled”.
Bognor Regis Town have cancelled their clash Petrol stations up and down the country were with Leatherhead, citing “the current fuel raided on Friday and throughout the weekend supply issues”. as consumers made desperate attempts to fill up. More games are expected to fall foul of the current situation. He has urged people to fill Reports of a fuel shortage caused by a lack of up as they normally would rather than planning HGV drivers has caused panic among many ahead as a precaution. leaving football clubs lower down the football pyramid to suffer. “The most important thing is, if people carry on as they normally would and fill up their cars Even though some journeys are considered as they normally would, then you won’t have minimal in mileage, clubs are still not keen to queues and you won’t have shortages at the take the risk. pump either,” he told Sky News. Herne Bay, who play in the eighth tier of “It’s not like we don’t have fuel in the country. English football, have postponed their game We do need to just ensure people are filling up with Ramsgate, who are just 14 miles away. when they need to fill up, rather than thinking I’d better go and fill up now just in case I need it next week or the week after.”
Reserves 2021/22 September was an extremely pleasing month, picking up maximum points from our four games, scoring 28 in the process. The most pleasing result was the 6-1 win away at title challengers, Wakering Sports. I thought it was one of our most complete performances as a side across the last few years, looking dangerous in attack but controlling the game throughout. October will be a big month in our season with four home games in a row. It is our aim to dominate all our home games at St Thomas More this year. These games will be tough with the start of the County Cup and a battle against Hashtag United who challenged us well last year. Right now, we are only thinking about the next few games but if I’m wring about an unbeaten record still going in a months’ time, we will start thinking about a title charge. Right now, we are focused on 3 more points against Pitsea Athletic, a side we haven’t played before. The attacking players have been brilliant the last month, but for me Tobias Desouza has been excellent so far this year. His adaptability and versatility to play across a few positions is helpful. This is the form we know he can produce regularly with a sustained period of playing.
Reserves results
Eamonn Kearney
Reserve team manager
PAGEPAGE 36 38
EOFL Division 3 league table
Around The Club Catholic United goals first
SATURDAY A
SUNDAY FIRST
SUNDAY RESERVES
SUNDAY A
PAGE 39
LINEUPS 2021/22
First Team 2021/22
Top 10 Appearances
Top 10 Goalscorers
Club Stats Goals Conceded (type)
Goals Scored (type)
2, 18% Right foot inside the box 3, 27%
6, 55%
4, 37%
2, 18%
Header inside the box
Header inside the box Right foot outside the box
1, 12% 2, 25%
Left foot inside the box Penalty
1, 13%
Goals Conceded (time) 1, 9%
0-15 mins
1, 9%
16-30 mins 31-45 mins
46-60 mins
46-60 mins 3, 27%
61-75 mins 76-90 mins
76-90 mins 1, 9%
EOFL Premier Division league table
Table correct as of 12.09.21
This weekend’s Premier Division fixtures.....
Canning Town vs Harold Wood Athletic Hutton vs Bishops Stortford Swifts Rayleigh Town vs Sungate
16-30 mins 31-45 mins
5, 46%
61-75 mins 3, 27%
Right foot inside the box
2, 25%
Left foot inside the box
Goals Scored (time)
1, 9% 1, 9% 0, 0%
2, 25%
Springfield vs Leigh Ramblers Ongar Town vs Galleywood Shenfield AFC vs Basildon Town