CLAN
EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
COVENTRY SPHINX FC UNITED COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE PPREMIER DIVISION SOUTH MONDAY 30TH AUGUST 2021 KICK OFF 3:00PM
EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
THE CHAIRMAN Good afternoon all, Welcome all to Addison Road for our fixture against Coventry Sphinx this afternoon. Games at home continue to come thick and fast but this week we play a league fixture instead of the FA Cup! Today will be another tough test for Sports I am sure. We continue to step into the unknown in the United Counties Premier Division South as we have not played any of our opposition since the switch of leagues. Although early season tables, particularly at our level, can be miss leading; Sphinx have certainly started well and currently sit second which means we will have to work hard to get any kind of result. We grabbed our first point of the season away from home at Peterborough Northern Star after another late goal from Luke Swann. I hope we don’t leave it so late today! We start another busy week for Sports with this game. I would also like to remind supporters that it is another FA Cup weekend coming up and Miles Giles’ men would be very grateful for your support away at Cirencester Town. We are also hosting a testimonial for Phil Lines this Friday to celebrate his 50 years of commitment to football in the Banbury area. This should be a fantastic evening with a number of ex pros and local legends on show in the game. Please do come along and support the occasion if you can as all money raised will go towards Kathrine House Hospice. This will be a 6.30pm kick off. Back to the game today…. I hope we are in for another entertaining affair at Addison Road. I hope you have an enjoyable afternoon and a safe journey home. Best wishes Richard Meadows Chairman
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
Good afternoon and welcome to Addison Road, We’ve had a rollercoaster week of FA Cup action and then a disappointing draw away to Peterborough NS. We created lots of opportunities on Saturday but maybe not real clear cut chances. We should have had the game tucked away by half time only for us to let our lead slip shortly after. We showed good character in the end by scoring a late equaliser but it was a real learning curve for our young squad that you have to put games to bed when you get the chance. Two games in three days is always going to stretch any squad. We had limited numbers on Saturday for various reasons and picked up some knocks during the game. We do have more options returning for today but still with some important players missing. Coventry Sphinx have started the season on great form so this will be another tough test. Good luck to Coventry Sphinx for the season ahead. Best Regards
Matt Giles Manager
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
MATCH REPORT PNS FC 2 v 2 Easington Sports FC Sports grab first point of the season. Late Swann penalty rescues point for Sports in a dramatic Ending to the game. Sports went into the game without Joshua Bowden, Piers Walton, Josh Rose and Henry Rose. Matty Crowther returned in goal and James Watts partnered Harvey Billing in midfield. Elliot Barton returned to the bench after a period out with injury. Sports will feel that they should have been ahead and clear at half time but a missed penalty and a number of missed chances meant that Sports we left to rue this late on. The first half played out a 55 minute first half which left the management team frustrated. Bradley Walker made it three goals in three starts as he put Sports ahead. PNS equalised after a mistake from Crowther from a corner. With two minutes to go PNS took the lead only for a late penalty from Swann to rescue a point. For a period of the game Sports played with 9 men having received two sin bins in a frustrating afternoon.
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
EASINGTON SPORTS FC HISTORY The Club was formed in the immediate post-war period of 1945/46 to fulfill the sporting and social needs of the young people of the Easington housing estate in Banbury, many of who were returning from war service. The Club, then known as ‘The Clan’, soon prospered, as there was an obvious need for such a facility, and formed a cricket, tennis and a ladies section. Football was, however, the main branch of the Club’s activity, and they began playing in the local Junior Leagues as Easington Sports F.C. The football was played on pastureland to the west of Wykham Lane, and for a few years endured the lack of facilities enjoyed today by almost all clubs. (No water available on site, no real changing facilities to name but two of the privations to be met on a cold winter’s afternoon). Fortunately, this situation was soon to change, for as a result of tireless fund raising by all concerned and some dedicated work by stalwarts such as Gordon Vivash, Tim Fountain and many other committed club members, the prospect of a new ground owned by the Club became a reality. The purchase of the Addison Road ground and the building of a clubroom, together with the Club’s entry to the Oxfordshire Senior League was the beginning of senior football for Sports, and to their credit they proved to be a formidable force at that level. (Becoming winners and finalists in the Senior Cup and heading the Premier League table on two occasions in the early and mid-fifties). In view of their success at county level the Club sought entry, and was accepted into the old Warwickshire Combination, which at that time counted professional and semiprofessional teams. (Aston Villa ‘A’, West Bromwich Albion ‘B’ and teams which now grace the Conference as members). Although having moderate success in this competition, as with many other amateur clubs; finance played its part in the decision to return to the Oxfordshire Senior League, where the expenses, in particular travelling, were much more in line with the club’s limited income. Looking to raise their standards once more, the Club sought entry to the Hellenic League. Subject to certain ground improvements they were readily accepted, and have remained as members of Division One ever since. With some ‘ups and downs’, Sport’s have almost always been mid-table at the end of each season, which, considering their amateur status against mostly professional or well-sponsored opponents has not been too bad a record. The Club has always sought to give the youngsters of Banbury and district an opportunity to get into senior football, and indeed beyond, and has continually run youth teams at various age levels. Wishing all those whose ability took them to higher levels good luck, and feeling grateful that the club gave them the start/plat- form to their careers. It has sometimes been said that Easington Sports have not been ambitious or forward looking enough in their sixty years, but shrewd and cautious stewardship by series of committees over the years have ensured that the club has never overreached itself financially, and has remained faithful to its original ideals to provide football of a good standard for local youth. In 2019 the club were awarded Community Charter Standard Status and currently have 35 affiliated teams. Our youth teams include both boys and girls and our open age section now includes three male, two female and a pan disability squad. We remain committed to providing those in the local community with a pathway into football. Our lateral movement into the UCLS for 2021 /2022 provides a welcome new challenge.
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
MEET THE SQUAD
Matty CROWTHER
Adam TAYLOR
Goalkeeper Sponsored by
Elliot BARTON Defender Sponsored by
PHOTOS BY E BARSON
Josh ROSE
Lloyd SABIN
Defender
Defender
Defender
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Bradley COX
Tom SMITH
Brad WALKER
Defender
Defender
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Defender Sponsored by
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
MEET THE SQUAD
Damian FOUNTAIN Defender Sponsored by
Harry WALTERS
PHOTOS BY E BARSON
Joe EYRE ©
Pat STARRETT
Defender
Midfielder
Midfielder
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Harvey BILLING
Luke SWANN
Henry ROSE
Midfielder
Midfielder
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Midfielder
Midfielder
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Lucas NORTHOVER
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
MEET THE SQUAD
Lewis BALDWIN
Matt HAMMOND
PHOTOS BY E BARSON
Piers WALTON
Midfielder
Striker
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Matt GILES
Jake Butler
Wally Hastie
Ali Whitrow
Manager
Coach
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Striker
Joshua BOWDEN
Coach Sponsored by
Striker
Physio Sponsored by
JOE BISHOP
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
CLUB SPONSORS
To sponsor any of the players, programme, match day event or pitch side banner, please contact easingtonsports@hotmail.com to discuss all opportunities. With a social media reach of over 20000 people per week in the local community what better way to promote your business with the fastest growing club in North Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Football Association Charter Standard Club of the Year 2019-2020.
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
LEAGUE TABLE United Counties Football League South Premier League Pos
Team
1
Rugby Town FC
5
4
1 0
6
13
2
Coventry Sphinx FC
6
4
0 2
15
12
3
Leicester Road FC
4
4
0 0
10
12
4
Harborough Town FC
4
4
0 0
8
12
5
Eynesbury Rovers FC
4
3
1 0
8
10
6
Lutterworth Town FC
5
3
1 1
3
10
7
Newport Pagnell Town FC
3
3
0 0
12
9
8
Coventry United FC
4
3
0 1
9
9
9
Cogenhoe United FC
4
2
0 2
2
6
10
Long Buckby AFC
5
2
0 3
-3
6
11
Wellingborough Town FC
5
2
0 3
-4
6
12
G.N.G Oadby Town FC
5
1
1 3
0
4
13
Godmanchester Rovers FC
5
1
1 3
-2
4
14
Peterborough Northern Star FC
5
1
1 3
-3
4
15
Bugbrooke St.Michaels FC
5
1
1 3
-4
4
16
Potton United FC
4
1
0 3
-5
3
17
Rothwell Corinthians FC
4
1
0 3
-5
3
18
Desborough Town FC
4
0
2 2
-4
2
19
Easington Sports FC
2
0
1 1
-1
1
20
Northampton O.N.Chenecks FC
2
0
0 2
-7
0
21
Biggleswade United FC
5
0
0 5
-35
0
P W D L GD
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PTS
EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
SEASON STATS 2021/2022 League Goals
FA Cup/Vase Apps
Player Name
Apps
M Crowther
2
T Smith
2
3
5
E Barton
1
1
2
J Rose
2
2
4
1
B Cox
2
4
6
1
J Eyre
1
4
5
L Northover
2
3
5
2 2
Apps
Goals
Yellow
2
H Rose L Swann
Goals
ESFC Total
2
2
4
2
2
6
3
2
1
P Walton J Bowden
2
D Fountain
2
2
M Hammond
3
3
3
4
4
4
2
3
3
3 5
L Baldwin
1
A Doyle
1
A Stidder
1
B Walker
2
H Walters
2
3
A Taylor
1
3
1
4
1
1
H Billing
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
P Starrett
1
1
D Middleton
1
1
1
3
J Fountain
1
1
G Coombes
1
1
J Watts
2
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Red
EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
FIXTURES AND RESULTS 2021/22 Date
Opponents
H/A
Competition
Score
Scorers
03/07
Woodley United
A
Friendly
2-1
B Walker
10/07
Daventry Town
H
Friendly
1-2
J Bowden
13/07
Winslow United
A
Friendly
P-P
16/07
Didcot Town
H
Friendly
1-3
20/07
Banbury United
H
Friendly
2-10
24/07
Abingdon United
H
Friendly
5-3
H Rose, Browne, Hammond, Northover, Swann
27/07
Buckingham Ath
H
Friendly
2-0
H Rose Swann
03/08
North Leigh
A
Friendly
3-1
Walters
07/08
Wokingham and Emmbrook
H
FA Cup
1-1
Bowden
10/08
Wokingham and Emmbrook
A
FA Cup
0-0
14/08
Harborough Town
H
UCLS
1-2
Swann
21/08
Cinderrford Town FC
A
FA Cup
3-3
Taylor, OG, H Rose
24/08
Cinderford Town FC
H
FA Cup
2-2
28/08
PNS
A
UCLS
30/08
Coventry Sphinx
H
UCLS
04/09
Cirencester Town
A
FA Cup
B Walker
(4-3 PENS)
(4-2 PENS)
Billing, H Rose
2-2
Walker, Swann
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
UNITED COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Premier Division South Monday 30th August 2021
Easington Sports FC MATTY CROWTHER JOSH ROSE JOE EYRE © TOM SMITH BRADLEY COX HENRY ROSE LUKE SWANN JAMES WATTS ADAM TAYLOR LUCAS NORTHOVER MATT HAMMOND BRAD WALKER HARVEY BILLING JOE WHITE HARRY WALTERS GEORGE COOMBES PIERS WALTON JOSHUA BOWDEN
Manager: Matt Giles Assistants : Wally Hastie, Jake Butler, Danny Fox Physio: Ali Whitrow
Coventry Sphinx FC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19
MOHAMMED BILLY JARED BRADSHAW JAMES BRYSON LEWIS CHESTER TOM CROSS JACK DOWNES JAMIE DRAPER DANIEL FRASER LOUIS GUEST RYAN HARKIN HARRY HOLLOWAY DANIEL KAVANGH LEWIS NOON LAWRENCE RAWLINGS MJ / HARRY WILSON HARVEY SMITH CALLUM STEWART CALLUM WOODWARD
Manager : Assistant: Physio:
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
The proud history of Coventry Sphinx began in 1946 when the name was changed to Sphinx FC from Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, who had been highly successful in Coventry before and during the Second World War. In the 1950s and 1960s the club continued that success by winning a number of league and cup competitions. Sphinx played a major part in the formation of the Coventry Alliance and continued to win trophies throughout the following decades. The 1990s recession led to the closure of factories in the city and surrounding areas, which in turn meant the disbandment of many of Coventry’s football clubs. Sphinx, in need of a new challenge, joined the Midland Combination Football League in 1993. COVENTRY AND PROUD In our first season in the Midland Combination we were promoted from Division 2 and reached the semi-finals of the Birmingham Sunday Vase. A second consecutive promotion followed thanks to a second-placed finish in Division 1 the next season. After rising to the top division of the Combination it was decided that the club should be linked more closely to the name of our city; Coventry Sphinx was born. The ground was named Sphinx Drive, a stand built at pitchside, and a Coventry City XI invited for the renamed club’s opening match. WILLIE KNIBBS Over the years Coventry Sphinx has been served by countless loyal and hard-working local people who’ve contributed greatly to the club both on and off the field. Their dedication has brought the club some unbeatable highs. Inevitably, there have also been times of tragedy. In November 2001 the Sphinx manager, Willie Knibbs, was killed in a car accident on the way home from a cup game at Meir KA. Willie was a former Sphinx player in his second spell as the club’s manager –his death was a terrible loss to our club and to local football in Coventry. Our main stand is named in Willie’s honour. Willie was loved by us all. He cared passionately for Sphinx, inspiring everybody to continue on with his legacy. We won the Midland Combination Challenge Cup after a painful season. It was renamed the Willie Knibbs Cup. MORE CUP TRIUMPHS After promotion to the Midland Combination Premier League we became one of the leading teams in the division. We finished as runners-up in our first season, an achievement repeated in both 2005 and 2006. We also reached the final of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup on three occasions, losing to Alveston at Villa Park in 1999 but beating Coventry Marconi in 2003 and Feckenham in 2005. Sphinx also won the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup in successive seasons, making us the last winners at Highfield Road and the first at the Ricoh Arena. BUILDING THE JUNIOR SECTION In 1997 the junior section of the club was formed, starting with just three teams, and Sphinx became the first club in Coventry to achieve the FA Charter. The junior section has grown considerably and there are now hundreds of players representing the club. In 2003 our juniors started competing in the Midland Floodlit Youth League. One of their biggest successes came in the 2014/15 season when they won a league and cup double. They suffered only one league defeat all season and beat Stourbridge 3-0 in the final of the BCFA Midweek Floodlit Youth Cup. Many of the youth team took a major step forward to play first team football.
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
PROMOTION, A CUP WIN AND A RUN IN THE FA VASE Coventry Sphinx completed a remarkable treble achievement in May 2007. In addition to finally becoming champions of the Midland Football Combination –achieving promotion to the Midland Football Alliance in the process –we won the Coventry Charity Cup and the BCFA Midland Floodlit Cup. The 2007/08 season saw the Sphinx enjoy our best ever run in the FA Vase. We reached the quarter-finals for the very first time, losing to the eventual Wembley winners, Kirkham & Wesham (now AFC Fylde), in a replay at Sphinx Drive. We made it to the semi-finals of the League Cup in the same season, and went on to win the Midland Alliance Polymac League Cup by beating Westfields in the final in 2009/10. It’s our biggest honour to date. MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION In 2014/15 the club was honoured to become a founder member of the Midland Football League Premier Division. We continue to play at the highest level in our history and to develop the club in a sustainable way in order to provide a healthy future for the club and achieve our ambitions. In the summer of 2016 Stuart Dutton took on the manager’s position and set about rebuilding the squad. He achieved a top ten finish and stabilised the club before being replaced by Lee Knibbs in the autumn of 2017. Lee is the son of Willie Knibbs and returned to the club after a successful earlier spell as assistant manager to Danny McSheffrey. Lee guided Sphinx to some of our most memorable results of the decade before deciding to step aside in November 2019. He was succeeded by his assistants, John Woodward and Shaun Thomas, who became the club’s joint managers and ended the truncated 2019/20 season on a long unbeaten run. MOVE TO THE UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE Ahead of the 2021/22 season, the Sphinx first team made a sideways move as part of FA restructuring at Step 5, competing in a newly formed Premier Division South in the United Counties League. Football never stands still. Local football in Coventry has declined over the years, so to be playing on after more than seventy years is an achievement of which the players, officials and supporters of our club can be proud. The structure in place at senior, youth and junior levels promises a bright future for Coventry Sphinx as we work towards the progress Willie Knibbs’ memory deserves.
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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Easington Sports FC – One Club – The Clan – Oxfordshire FA Club of the Year
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
CLUB NEWS ESFC Wildcats – New players welcome This is the fourth year we have run the programme and since its development we now have 5 affiliated girls teams and loads of new players to the game – which is awesome. The sessions will be run by Samantha Jolley – ESFC Ladies player and qualified FA Coach on Tuesday evenings 6-7pm at BGN school. Any girls aged 5-11 years are welcome, contact easingtonsports@hotmail.com for more info
Volunteers needed – Can you help!!! We are a volunteer driven football club, and all of what we achieve is done through the amazing volunteers that we have associated with the club. As ever, and in line with our expansion, we are looking for more people to join The Clan. Below is a list of roles we currently need assistance with – Can you help? Pitch Preparations – To ensure pitches prepared and marked each Friday before the busy weekend at Addison Road. To include open age and youth team pitches. Pitches to be cut when needed and line marked. Match Day Hospitality – To coordinate with the First Team Committee and Club House Manager and to provide hospitality for those officials joining us at Addison Road from opposing teams in the Hellenic League Match Day Videos – We are looking for a film / sports enthusiast who would be interested in filming the first team games and producing match day edited highlights. Sponsorship / Marketing Manager – To work alongside the Committee and seek new sponsorship opportunities and to engage with the local business community. For more information contact easingtonsports@hotmail.com
Whats coming up? New for 2021 / 2022 is the ESFC Phoenix team. This is a pan disability team who will train midweek and play fixtures in the Bobi League. Manager Seb Hartwell is excited with the recruitment however more new players are welcome. Our partnership with OUiTC continues to grow from strength to strength. In addition to holiday coaching, we work in partnership to offer Premier League kicks programme, Primary Stars and an open female workshop on Fridays. For more information check out our website.
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EASINGTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB
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