Good afternoon everybody and welcome to our last home game of the season for the first team. We would like to wish all those associated with Coventry Sphinx a very warm welcome to Addison Road.
What a game we have on our hands! Coventry have put together a terrific run to get to the top of the table and so this will certainly be a real test for Andy and his men. We have put together a little run of results also and so I am sure the boys will work hard to stay in the game and then you never know what might happen the longer the game goes on….
I know both sides will have had different aspirations for the season, however, I believe we have also had another good season. We have remained committed to bring through local talent and Andy’s side is made up of players largely from the area and so to be mid table and near the top of the second tier “within” the league is really pleasing. As always at this stage in the season, you are looking for ways to improve both on and off the field ready to progress further next season and we will do our best to maintain the stability.
We plan to renovate the toilets in the clubhouse as soon as the season has ended and we are grateful for Football Foundation support as they will be part funding these changes. The main pitch will be seeded and levelled also. We also know we need to do more with regards to sponsorship and home matchdays next season and so we will be thinking hard about how we might be able to raise a little more money to support the first team further next year. If you are reading this and would be interested in sponsorship pitch side banners or may be something else, please do get in contact with us!
For now, I hope you enjoy our home game of the season and enjoy the hospitality on offer. Please have a safe journey home.
Best wishes
Richard Meadows Chairman
Good afternoon, welcome back to Addison Road for our final home game of the season against a very strong Sphinx side. They are the best team we have come against this season losing 3-1 earlier in the season. Since then they have further strengthened with some impressive signings and will rightfully go on and win the league.
Its been really good few weeks winning our last 3 games against teams in & around us and even more impressively keeping 3 clean sheets. I was always confident this would happen, when you look at our performances it was only a matter of time before our fortunes turned. It has been small differences such as doing the basics better, being more consistent in individual performances across 90 mins & our game management has been excellent. We are now firmly in 11th place and if we are honest with ourselves we would have taken this at the start of the season. The money flying around in this league raises the standards with players dropping down from steps 3&4, we have to be realistic & be satisfied where we are as a club. The players have been excellent, we have no choice but to give 100% every game, we cant carry one player, that’s a huge challenge across 34 games, for this the players deserve huge credit, especially over the last few weeks where we have been playing catch-up.
The question is now where do we go from here? It is important as club we progress and push forward, over the next week we will sit down with the club and look at our ambitions for next season. For me personally this is my first season managing at this level and I have learnt loads & as a coaching team we know what takes and know what needs to be done to push us forward. If we are to carry on next season we certainly wont be settling for 11th place, for anything in life is all about small steps & progression.
As this will be my final notes of the season I want say a huge thanks to my coaching team, if you know me well enough I am relentless all through the week covering every little detail, the team around me have been brilliant, every one of them brings something different to the table. Also the people in and around the club are brilliant, so much work goes on behind the scenes. Finally thanks to everyone that’s has backed us, come to watch us and really got behind us, it makes it all worth doing.
On to today it is set up to be great spectacle, Sphinx are flying and going for the league & we are sky high on confidence winning 3 on the trot & playing well, we will as normal go out, play with feeedom, and give it everything!
Thanks for all your support this season, enjoy the game, Up the CLAN!
Sharm
Venue: GNG Oadby
Date: 4th April 2023
Ref:
Score: 0-1
ESFC: Doyle, Swann, Kinch, J Rose, Barton, Sherpa Moore, Howards, J Fountain, Convey, Eyre ©, Watts
GNG Oadby:
Sports travelled to GNG Oadby buoyed by two recent wins which once again secured their position at Step 5.
Sharman was able to recall James Watts, whilst Elliot Barton replaced Dan Watkin closed to kick off.
Sports to the lead early on through a Convey corner headed home by Josh Rose.
The game then remained an even contest with limited chances for either team.
Watkin came on to replace Fountain whilst Ollie Rose replaced Leam Howards late on.
Sports managed the game well to secure a third successive win.
The Club was formed in the immediate post-war period of 1945/46 to fulfil the sporting and social needs of the young people of the Easington housing estate in Banbury, many of whom 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 after tireless fund raising 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. Sports became winners and finalists in the Senior Cup and led 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 semi-professional teams including Aston Villa ‘A’ and West Bromwich Albion ‘B’
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 remained as members until 2021 In 2018/19 Ben Milner and squad won promotion to the Premier League being crowned Champions before two Covid affected seasons. A review of the NLS saw Sports move into the United Counties League South and a new challenge. In our first season in the UCLS, Matt Giles managed the squad to 14th with impressive wins including those against Coventry United and Rugby Town.
In 2021/2022 Andy Sharman managed the Development squad to the UHL Division 2 title and OFA Intermediate Cup Final. With Matt Giles stepping down, Andy Sharman was appointed managed with Tommy Kinch and Mark Boyland assisting. Sharman will once again focus on using local Banbury based talent to compete in the UCL, giving a chance to many from the Development and Clan squads.
In 2022 the club were awarded Level 3 FA Accreditation, with 38 affiliated teams and over 600 players. Our youth teams include both boys and girls and our open age section now includes three male, two female, a pan disability squad and over 50’s football. We also work in partnership with Oxford United in the Community, offering free Women Wellbeing, Premier League Kick and Primary Stars sessions as part of the programme. Relocation remains a priority for the committee and trustees to ensure that our facilities match the growth and needs of the club. We remain committed to providing those in the local community with a pathway into football.
PHOTOS BY E BARSON
PHOTOS BY E BARSON
ANDY SHARMAN MANAGER
TOMMY KINCH ASSISTANT MANAGER
MARK BOYLAND COACH
RICKY HOGAN COACH
WALLY HASTIE COACH
ALI WHITROW PHYSIO
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.
Tuesdays win was a great reward for the boys who have stuck at it this season. Three wins in a row is pleasing and has pushed us to a more respectable position.
We know today will be tough against top of the table.
Thanks to everyone for their support during the season. The boys really do appreciate it.
At Easington Sports FC our Wildcats centres have now been running for over 5 years. In that time, we have seen the integration of over 100 new girls players across six affiliated girls teams within the Oxfordshire Girls Football League.
The sessions are ran by ESFC Ladies players Tammy Starr and Emily Alcock, supported by volunteers from our Under 16 girls squads. The sessions are fun based football games for girls new to football with a view to providing them a pathway into an affiliated team.
We are hugely proud of our girls section and the progress this has made.
New for 2022 / 2023 we are delighted to announce our partnership with EMD Inpsire. EMD Inspire will support our Wildcats sessions as we look to welcome more new girls to football and #TheClan.
Children looking to develop new football skills in a fun and supportive environment are being encouraged to sign-up to Oxford United in the Community’s half-term holiday camps. The football club’s official charity will operate three camps for children of all abilities aged 4-13 and 4-15 at The Oxford Academy in Littlemore and Easington Sports Football Club in Banbury between Monday, February 21, and Friday, February 25. The fun programmes teach new football skills and techniques while focusing on the development of agility, balance and coordination. All abilities are welcome with the emphasis on the comfort, enjoyment and safety of all children.
Sessions are being delivered at both venues as part of Oxford United in the Community’s commitment to providing every person aged ‘two to 92’ living in the county with a positive connection to the football club.
Chris Lowes, Head of the Charity, said: “Our flagship half-term holiday camps are a fantastic way for children to stay active, make new friends, boost their wellbeing and learn new skills via team-based challenges and activities.
“We’re grateful to The Oxford Academy and Easington Sports FC for their continued support by allowing us to host our popular programme of half-term activities which help players of all abilities reach their full potential.
“The camps are a real highlight among our experienced and qualified coaches who enjoy engaging with participants and helping them overcome challenges through the power of teamwork, communication and listening.
“We can only offer a limited number of spaces, so we advise parents to book on via our website in advance to avoid disappointment.”
The three half-term camps organised by Oxford United in the Community this February half term are:
Easington Sports FC Holida camp
Tuesday, April 19th until Thursday, April 22nd 9am – 3pm. Suitable for children of all playing abilities aged 4-13. This is an indoor camp and will take place in the sports hall only each day.
Book here.
All Oxford United in the Community coaches are FA qualified and have up to date safeguarding, first aid training and CRC checks. Children must bring their own bottle of water and a healthy packed lunch each day and arrive between 8.45am and 9am each morning to sign-in. They are also required to wear clothing suitable for physical activity and football, including shinpads, boots, t-shirt and shorts.
Spaces are available on a first come, first served, basis. Oxford United in the Community is the football club’s official charity and helps inspire people to live happier and healthier lives in better connected communities using the power of football.
Manager: Andy Sharman
Assistants : Tommy Kinch, Mark Boyland, Wally
Hastie, Ricky Hogan
Physio: Ali Whitrow
We are delighted to announce that we will be partnering with MDH Teamwear for the 2022/2023 season as our provider for kit and equipment across all teams.
MDH will offer a range of Joma products available to teams / sponsors / parents to order.
A selected range has been chosen in consultation with MDH to ensure that moving forward all ESFC teams wear the same kits, in the same colours.
Details of our new online shop will be released soon.
We are looking forward to working with MDH and thank Andy Sparrow and team for giving us this exciting opportunity.
Coventry Sphinx FC was formed in 1946 under the name of Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft FC. At that time there were a number of works teams in the Coventry Area and AWA were always a leading force in the local works leagues and throughout the 50’s and 60’s they won many league and cup competitions. In 1960 they changed their name to Sphinx.
Sphinx were major players in the formation of the Coventry Alliance and continued to win a number of major trophies. Unfortunately in the early 90’s a recession led to the closure of a number of factories in the Coventry area and during this period many local teams were disbanded. The club therefore felt it needed a new challenge and in 1993 they joined the Midland Combination Football League whilst their reserve team continued in the Coventry Alliance league.
In their first season in the Midland Combination, Sphinx were promoted from Division 2 and also reached the semi-finals of the Birmingham Saturday Vase. After finishing runners up in division 1 at the end of the 1994/95 season Sphinx were promoted again to the premier league. After their appointment to the top flight, it was decided to link the name of the club to the city in which they play and hence the name Coventry Sphinx was born. The ground was also named Sphinx Drive and a stand erected and opened with a game against a Coventry City XI.
Following their promotion to the premier league Sphinx soon became one of the leading teams in the division. In their first season they finished as runners up which they repeated in both 2005 and 2006. They have reached the final of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup Final on three occasions, losing to Alveston at Villa Park in 1999, defeating Coventry Marconi in 2002 and Feckenham at The New Windmill, Leamington in 2005.
Other successes have seen the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup won in successive seasons. This is also an historic achievement as the team are the last winners at Highfield Road and the first winners at the Ricoh Arena.
Whilst the first team were competing for honours in the Midland Combination the reserves were also a dominant force in the Coventry Alliance League and after winning the division one title in 2005, unable to be promoted to the Premier Division of the Coventry Alliance, they also joined the Midland Combination and finished the 2005/06 season as winners of the Challenge Urn and also runners up in division three and promotion to division two.
In 1997 the junior section of the club was formed starting with just 3 teams under 10’s 11’s 12’s. Success on the field soon followed and currently there are 15 teams and over 200 players representing the club at this level.
Coventry Sphinx Juniors became the first club in Coventry to achieve the FA Charter.
In 2003 the Coventry Sphinx Junior section introduced the junior players into youth football playing in the Midland Floodlit League and now have a very successful team and future several
youth players now play for senior teams. This was a major step forward to the future development of the club.
Over the past 60 years the club has been served by a number of very loyal and hard working people who have contributed greatly to the running of the club both on and off the field and the current committee and management team are no exception. The dedication and hard work from every body has seen the club enjoy many ‘highs’ but inevitably over this period there has also been a number of ‘lows’.
After a great start to the season tragedy struck in November 2001 when manager Willie Knibbs was killed in a car accident returning from a cup game at Meir KA. A former player Willie was in his second spell as manager and his death was a great loss to Coventry Sphinx football Club and football in general. This was probably the club’s ‘darkest hour’. He was so well liked by everybody and because he cared so passionately for the Sphinx it gave everybody the determination to continue with his legacy.
Winning the Midland Combination Challenge Cup, which was renamed the Willie Knibbs Cup, for the remainder of the season, as a mark of respect, was an outstanding achievement after such a painful season. Credit must go to all involved for continuing on when it would have been easier to pack in.
As we all know time does not standstill and to keep playing football for sixty years has been a major achievement by all of the players, officials and everyone associated with the club and despite the decline in local football in the area the structure in place at senior, youth and junior level promises a bright future for Coventry Sphinx Football Club – something which Willie Knibbs would be proud of.
Coventry Sphinx completed a remarkable treble achievement in May 2007 when they finally became Champions of the Midland Football Combination and achieved promotion to the Midland Football Alliance. Also winning the Coventry Charity Cup and BCFA Midland Floodlit Cup.
History was also achieved in season 2007/08 when reaching the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase for the very first time, losing to eventual Wembley winners Kirkham & Wesham (Now AFC Fylde) in a replay at Sphinx Drive. The club finished in 18th position in their debut Midland Alliance season and also reached the Semi Finals of the League Cup.
In the 2009-10 season Coventry Sphinx went onto win their biggest honour in football when defeating westfields in the Midland alliance polymac League cup
Brief History adapted July 2007 & July 2008 June 20
This is the fifth year we have run the programme and since its development we now have 6 affiliated girls teams and loads of new players to the game – which is awesome. The sessions will be run by Tammy Starr and Emily Lambden – ESFC Ladies players on Tuesday evenings 6-7pm at BGN school. Any girls aged 5-11 years are welcome, contact easingtonsports@hotmail.com for more info. Start date TBC.
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 UCLS
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
2022/23 sees the new Over 50’s team compete in the Oxon Over 50’s League. Following the initial session we have now had over 40 players register their interest which is a fabulous start. More new players welcome….
We have now confirmed the dates for our 2023 Youth Tournament which will take place on 3/4th June. Details to be released soon.
If you could live Anywhere where would You live……. St Ives
Where do you see yourself In 5 years…… Sat in the Chatsworth
Biggest fear……. Cotton Wool
What are your hobbies…… Mowing the grass with stripes
Three items youd take with you On a desert island…….
3 Tesco Meal Deals
Favourite football team…….
Oxford United FC
Any pet peeves……. Players cutting socks
