Good afternoon everybody and welcome to Addison Road for our fixture this afternoon in the United Counties Premier Division South. Long Buckby AFC are our guests and conditions are well set for a good game today.
Long Buckby are side that would appear to be struggling for some form in recent weeks. However, I will never get tired of reminding folk there are no easy games in this league. I thought Eynsebury Rovers competed well here last week, and our keeper Adam Doyle, was the busier of the two in the second half which just goes to prove my point. Nonetheless, it was great to get the result albeit in more scrappy fashion which does mean our home form has been better this year.
“Sharm” and his management group continue to look for ways to strengthen the squad and it was nice to see a bright start from Leam Howards last week after his recent switch from Ardley United. The squad seems settled and it would be good for another 3 points to consolidate our position in the league.
I do hope you enjoy the match and refreshments on offer and please have a safe journey home after the game.
Best wishes
Richard Meadows Chairman
1
the right
point. We will be looking to put that right today knowing we have to start
Following a period of suspensions and injuries the squad is now strengthening as players return with Watts, Smith & Oli Rose all available for selection. Beany serves one more game of his suspension. Other good news is that Coombes trained in the week and will get much needed game time for the Clan team today. Fingers crossed he gets through it ok. Alongside this Josh Brooker and young Jack Herbert will also be joining him knocking on the door for next week. There is now a huge competition for places all over the park and this is how it needs to be, players need to be fighting for their shirts and looking over their shoulders. We now have a mixture of youth & experience within a very strong squad & its great to see the DEV & CLAN team linking up well again, this is important if we are to provide that pathway for some really exciting players coming through the youth system. I also want to mention Elijah, this lad is just 18 and has been part of the squad all season after been released from Oxford. He has shown moments of brilliance as he adapts to men’s football, as with the other young lads that have come through it is important we look after them and manage expectations. I’m blessed with a great backroom team and they working brilliantly with them all.
Our league form has been good with 2 league wins in a row as we continue to be a force at Addison Road. Last week against a very good Eynesbury Rovers we had to show a different side to our game, whilst it may have not been pretty to watch our boys put in a great shift and outworked a very stubborn opposition in every area, It was also great to see Liam Howards make an impressive debut, this lad will be a great addition and adds strength & balance to our squad.
Whilst its great to see us up in in 7th position it is vital we push on and keep improving, this is a very tight league as we witnessed last week and we will certainly not get carried away with ourselves, the moral in the squad is excellent the lads are all putting pressure on each other to push on and not rest up.
Get behind us as normal & enjoy the game!
Sharm
Good afternoon & welcome back to Addison Road for our second encounter of the season with Long Buckby. Back in Sept we were disappointed to come away with only a point after dominating the second half. We didn’t start the game well and rightfully came in 0 down after the break. We had a few harsh words at half time and the reaction was excellent, Elijah was brilliant down hand side creating us a number of chances and frustratingly in the end we had to settle for a the game well and take control from the start.
Venue: Eynesbury Rovers
Date: 5th November 2022 Ref: Score: 1-0
ESFC: Doyle, Sneling, Swann, Kinch, J Rose, Watkin, Eyre ©, Convey, J Fountain, Gueye, Howards
AFC Mansfield:
Sports win 1 0 in close game.
Sports welcomed the return of Josh Rose, Dan Watkin and Adam Doyle. However Smith was unavailable due to suspension and Watts missed out. Sports gave a debut to Leam Howards who partnered Gueye up front.
With so much recent rain the surface was green and fairly heavy which was in stark comparison to last weeks visit to AFC Mansfield.
Sports looked confident on their return to league action in an even first half.
It was to be a Callum Convey free kick which saw Sports take the lead as he curled it past the wall.
Sports then looked to increase their lead but the second goal never came ensuring some nervous moments at times.
It as another three points at home and a good win following the poor cup performance.
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.
ANDY SHARMAN MANAGER
TOMMY KINCH ASSISTANT MANAGER
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.
I think we can all agree that last Saturdays match wasn’t the prettiest but we done what we had to do to get the 3 points. We will be in for another tough game this weekend, having already played long buckby earlier on in the season we know what to expect. We felt it was points dropped last time out so I know the lads will be eager to pick the 3 points up.
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.
Date Opponents H/A Competition Score Scorers 02/07 Banbury Utd A Friendly 3-0 09/07 Wallingford Town A Friendly 2 3 Muckleburg, Haynes, Coe 12/07 Ardley Utd H Friendly 1 0 Peters 15/07 Kenilworth Sporting A Friendly 1 2 Coe x 2 19/07 Milton United H Friendly 2-0 Sherpa-Moore, Smith 23/07 Holmer Green H Friendly 4 1 J Fountain x 2, Swann, Rose 30/07 Godmanchester Rov A UCLS 1 3 Coe x 3 02/08 Milton Keynes Irish A UCLS 2 0 06/08 Burnham FC A FA Cup 1-1 Smith 09/08 Burnham FC H FA Cup 0 0 5 4 pens 13/08 Histon H UCLS 3 0 Swann, J Fountain, Muckleberg 20/08 Roman Glass H FA Cup 0 0 24/08 Roman Glass A FA Cup 3-2 Barton, Convey 27/08 Oxhey Jets A FA Vase 3 0 29/08 Coventry Utd H UCLS 1 3 Convey 03/09 Rugby Town A UCLS P P 10/09 Gedling Miners Welf A UCLS Cup P P 13/09 Long Buckby A UCLS 1 1 Convey 17/09 Wellingborough Tow H UCLS 2 3 Smith Watkin 24/09 Bugbrooke St Michael H UCLS 1 0 Coombes 27/09 Newport Pagnell A UCLS 1 0 01/10 Cogenhoe Utd H UCLS 2-0 Coombes J Fountain 04/10 Rugby Town A UCLS 1 0 08/10 Gedling Miners Welfa A Cup 1 2 Gueye Kille 15/10 Coventry Sphinx A UCLS 3 1 Sherpa Moore 19/10 Bure Park H OFA Cup 9 0 22/10 Lutterworth Town H UCLS 5 1 Watts x 3, O Rose, J Fountain 29/10 AFC Mansfield A UCLS 4 0 05/11 Eynesbury Rovers H UCLS 1 0 Convey 12/11 Long Buckby H UCLS 19/11 Wellingborough Tow A UCLS 22/11 Cropredy FC H OFA Cup 26/11 Desborough Town A UCLS 03/12 March Town H UCLS 10/12 GNG Oadby A UCLS
VISIT: EasingtonSportsfc.com For the latest fixtures, results, news and much more…
17/12 Rothwell Corinthians H UCLS 14/01 Cogenhue Utd A UCLS 21/01 Coventry Utd A UCLS 28/01 Milton Keynes Irish H UCLS 04/02 March Town Utd A UCLS 11/02 Eynesbury Rovers A UCLS 18/02 GNG Oadby H UCLS 04/03 Desborough Town H UCLS 18/03 Histon A UCLS 25/03 Godmanchester Rov H UCLS 08/04 Coventry Sphinx H UCLS 11/04 Rugby Town H UCLS 15/04 Lutteroworth Town A UCLS 22/04 Bugbrooke St Mich A UCLS
VISIT: EasingtonSportsfc.com For the latest fixtures, results, news and much more…
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.
Formally known as Long Buckby Nomads, the current club was re formed after the war in 1945 due to the efforts of local hairdresser Bill Ward and others. There followed many successful seasons in the Rugby and District League and the Northants Football Combination. Notable players during the fifties and sixties were Jack Osbourne, Pete Dexter, Dave Rainsford, Ray Worthington, Derrick Worthington, Cyril Worthington, Bill Dicks, Ray Timbs, Aubrey (flapper) Wilkes, Cracker Wilson, Roy Muscott, Bill Tolley and many others. The club was ably led at the time by the likes of Alistair Bruce, John Partridge and Jack Osbourne. It was also supported by probably the best supporters club at our level in the county, led by Doreen Timbs, Joyce Worthington and Barbara Dicks, laying the sound financial foundation for the club to progress in later years.
With numerous ground improvements on the Sports Field and the beginnings of a fledgling Sports and Social Club, the bucks gathered a strong enough squad during the 1968/69 seasons to apply and be accepted into the United Counties Football League in 1969. Manager at the time was Alan Rose who would lead the club to more honours in future years. Soon after entering the UCL he brought in Pete Smith to replace himself as manager. Under Pete Smith the club won Division 3 in 1969 70 and then won Division 2 in 1970 71 but were refused promotion due to the facilities. But they won again in 1971 72 and this time were promoted, not into Division 1 but into the newly renamed Premier Division.
Club President at the time was local business man George Taylor of Taylor and KW Coaches. Club Secretary was Jock Morton and during that time the club extended their Sports and Social Club by building a large concert room which was opened by the President’s wife Marie Taylor. During their promotion season to the Premier Division the club also won the UCL Division 2 KO Cup, the Northants Junior Cup and the Daventry Charity Cup. Following Pete Smith was former player Dave Conlon and then Alan Rose again followed by former Northampton Town player Roly Mills. Alan then became manager of the Junior Teams, building a side which won many competitions including the Umbro Cup. ( a cup sponsored by Umbro which included teams for all over the country ay U16’s level ) Some of their games were played at Nottingham Forest where one of his players Gary Mills went on to win a European Cup Medal. Others were Mick Kurilla who went onto Birmingham City and Vince Overson who also Captained Birmingham City and Daryl White who went to Southampton. After Roly Mills, Chris Beckett took over assisted by Mick Worthington and in the 1983 4 season the club were runners up to Kettering Town in the Northants Senior Cup.
The following season the Bucks were runners up in the League by one point to Arlesey Town but won the UCL KO Cup beating Baldock Town 7 3 on aggregate. When Chris left Glenn Burdett was manager for two years. Glenn was followed by our longest serving manager Mike Emms. In his nine years the Bucks only finished in the bottom half of the table once. During this time the club moved to a new pitch after the Sportsfield obtained more land financed by the club and the Rugby Club as well as help from the school and the District Council. Also under Mike Emms leadership a new 200 seat stand was built as well as the playing area fenced and the floodlights refurbished and moved. After Mike Emms left, the Bucks struggled at times to be a force in the UCL Prem and narrowly avoided relegation on several occasions. But managers since Emms, Ashley Alexander, Steve Renshaw, Kev Simmonds, Geoff Green and Aidy Mann kept the club at its present status and claimed some notable victories.
VISIT: EasingtonSportsfc.com – For the latest fixtures, results, news and much more…
In January 2007 with a new Chairman Guy Loveland on board, Glenn Botterill was appointed manager who brought in former Rushden and Diamonds player Andy Peaks as his number 2. New players were brought in and the Bucks again finished runners up in the UCL Premier Division in 2007-08. Botterill left in January 2009 and was replaced by former Northampton Town player Adam Sandy who was assisted by Matt Murphy. The Bucks then won the Northants Senior Cup beating Brackley Town 2-0. They then beat Northampton Town 3 2 in the NFA Premier Maunsell Cup in July 2009. Glenn third in the league and reaching the last sixteen of the FA Vase.
In 2010 11 another last sixteen in the FA Vase was achieved and also a fourth place finish in the league. Season 2011-12 saw the bucks reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup losing to Kidsgrove Athletic and then beating the well supported King’s Lynn Town twice to finally win the UCL Premier Division Title. The club also Botterill returned as manager in January 2010 this time assisted by senior player Matt Green, finishing won the Baker Perkins FC UCL highest aggregate of goals trophy and Glenn Botterill won the UCL Manager of the season. After winning the league the Chairman and Management team left the club. The next two seasons saw Scott Goodwin and then Phil Mason keep us in the Premier League. Phil Mason then left and his assistant Dan Stewart was appointed first team manager. Unfortunately he was unable to maintain our Premier League Status and was replaced as Manager by Richard Kay. Richard was replaced by Darren Foster in November 2017.
Unfortunately due to work commitments Darren was unable to continue and Dan Carter was appointed manager in July 2018.
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 soo.
VISIT: EasingtonSportsfc.com For the latest fixtures, results, news and much more…
