A
Simon
New
Another
Andy
First
Rob Lilley
Assistant
Andy Wilkins
Writers: Rob Lilley, Andy Wilkins
Design: Rob Lilley
Contributors: James Paviour, Simon Thomas, Peter Dudley, Scott W
Photography:
Photography
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The great start to the season has continued and at the time of writing this, we find ourselves unbeaten and behind Hutton in the league at the top of the division.
From a media perspective, the team being successful on the pitch means greater exposure and interactions off it. Our links with Celtic supporters has continued and we’re maintaining our ties on all of our social media channels as much as we can.
Twitter has levelled out at around 22k followers but the surprising figure is 4k followers on Facebook, which continues to grow. We’ve actually been increasing our numbers on Facebook and have a much greater amount of interaction with individuals through this platform.
Our visual media, Instagram and our new YouTube channel are great additions to our media offerings and alongside Flickr, we have a means to host our matchday photographs.
It’s taken time to bring all of these together and integrate them fully, but we’re now in a great position to maintain these and perhaps push on further with what we offer viewers.
Our purchase of the VEO2 match camera is now starting to bear fruit. The creation of match highlights has given rise to interesting conversations at the clubhouse and is something new to provide our busy social media connections.
Initial problems with livestreaming games appear to be over, with our last two matches being streamed live on the VEO Live app and at one point during the Kelvedon match, we had around 140 viewers. We’ll continue to bring as much as we can online and make the club as open and interactive with the public as we can.
Enjoy October and enjoy Halloween.....
COYBIG Rob Lilley Media ManagerRobbie Revill -
Flanders
how
We’ve had a great start to the season, with four wins in the league and success in the first round of the Premier Cup. We have stuck to a game plan in each of our league games and it’s good to see our forwards scoring well so early in the season. Up the other end we’ve been pretty tight and that will keep Louis Godwin-Green happy seeing his stats!!
Barking could have been a tricky one for us. A young, fast team on their own pitch, and who are used to keeping the ball. I think you could count the number of shots on target on one hand, we just limited them to snap efforts or long shots. We took our chances well and stunning shot from Frank certainly set the tone. Ben Burrows grabbing man of the match was defintely justified, capping his performance with a goal. His versatility is helping so much already.
Away at Kelvedon was a tough match, despite the scoreline. They moved the ball well and were a different proposition to when we faced them in the past. They had some good chances but didn’t take them and could have given us a real run for our money in that second half. With the firepower we have up front, we looked threatening at each attack. It was great to see Liam grab a hat trick after a tough week for him personally and it was great we celebrated his goals to show him we were there for him. He’s getting more and more confident and we’re hoping to get him back to the famous clubhouse very soon!
We look ahead to the Hutton game and we’ll need a performance against a side who will surely be there at the end of the season. We will continue to push ourselves in training to prepare the same way we have for each game. We’ve also got an Essex Premier Cup match this month so another reason to ensure we prepare correctly each week.
Welcome to the latest edition of Catholic United’s monthly magazine & I hope you enjoy the content provided by so many.
The past month has seen weekend football finally return for the remaining four of our six adult teams. On Saturdays, newly appointed managers Fabio Peluso & Paul Hodges got their campaigns started for the 3XI & Vets respectively whilst Andrew Doherty’s side step up to become our Sunday 1XI in Division Two of the Southend & Basildon Sunday League.
Also within this division is our new Sunday side of former St. Thomas More pupils headed up by Rory Gregory. However, due to FA regulations not allowing us to introduce a new team into a division with an existing side, a ‘new’ club named Catholic Athletic will compete for this season only. The name takes the club back to its formulative roots of the 1930’s before falling within the one club umbrella from next season. We welcome Rory & his players to the club & wish them all the best for the next eight months & beyond.
This month it was pleasing to see First Team player sponsorships all but complete, plus contributions to members of our Reserve squad. In a cost-of-living crisis, your generosity really is most appreciated by everyone.
Finally, September saw our President & club legend Paul Marsh turn 70 years old. On behalf of everyone at the club, I hope you had the wonderful day & here’s to many more years of watching the Hoops & Jimmy Greaves questions!
We have started the season well and I’m really happy with our work rate and attitude, both on matchdays and in training. Long may this continue. We’ve been scoring and not conceding so at both ends of the pitch, it has been pleasing. The defence has been working hard on being stubborn which gives us the platform and confidence going forward.
We’ve managed to secure good players during the close season and this has led to there being a healthy competition for places in the squad. The players know that if you perform well it’s what you need to do consistently to keep or earn a shirt. We know it is going to be a long season, moreso now with the Anagrams Trophy competition thrown in, so players will have to share the workload. Every single one of them will play their part as they will be called upon at any time.
You have to have a target, so we want to win everything, simple. The players have all bought into what Tom and I are doing, from our set up at training to matchday tactics and team management.
It’s a team sport and that means more than just the starting eleven. Every one of the first team squad, and the reserves, know that good performances ensure rewards and gets us closer to our targets. We’ve a well balanced squad with youth and experience which is key at any level, but from a Step 7 perspective, is key.
The younger lads have adapted well to us as a club, as a team and adapted quickly to men’s football. This is probably the hardest thing to adapt to as it is more physical, yet playing against experienced players leads to you also having to use your brain to manage your game rather than just your footballing skills. It’s a big step up.
If I look back at Galleywood, it was a fair result and we could have scored more. I don’t think anyone in their camp would say otherwise to be honest. I was really happy defensively with the clean sheet first and foremost. Aaron Baldwin grabbing a brace was superb and with Frank netting for his first game back after missing all of pre-season with an injury, will have given them both a huge amount of confidence.
At Kelvedon, we knew it was going to be tough and we didn’t have it all our own way, despite the pleasing scoreline. They put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and for a good 25 minute spell, we had to weather the storm and try to settle the game down where we could.
The scoreline flattered a little, but we were more clinical and that was the difference. Liam Oliver showed great mental strength and character to play after losing one of his close friends a few days earlier. To grab a hat trick was the sort of thing written in the stars, and I’m sure his friend would have been proud. I’d like to thank Kelvedon for allowing us to show respect in the one minute silence before kick off.
Harrison Day was a real menace that day as well and he has been great so far in the games he’s played in. I’m really looking forward to seeing more of him this season, but we have to be smart with his game time as he has other football committments as he plays for Concord Rangers U18’s as well as his college football schedule.
Looking ahead to October, we have a busy schedule with potentially 5 matches, starting with a top of the table clase against Hutton at home. Hutton are one of the favourites for the league so this will be a tough one to kick the month off with. We’ve also got the Essex Premier Cup second round where we’ll travel to Buckhurst Hill Under 23’s as well as our first venture in the Anagrams Trophy for a few years. I’ll see you at the end of the month!!
Simon got in contact with one of the other new lads Matt Wilson. There were 5 of us who played together last season for Wakering Sports and we were all invited over, after sports broke apart.
I knew a lot of lads in the side already, as I’ve already played with the majority of them before at other clubs.
I also had a small stint previously with Catholic some years ago.
Tom Harding has also coached previously over at Great Wakering when I was apart of the under 21’s there, having spoke to a few people it seemed like a perfect fit.
Great Wakering Rovers
Shoebury Town (twice)
Rayleigh Town (twice)
Wakering Sports
I’m not a journeyman despite the tag I’ve got in recent years. Teams I join either decide to crumble at the end of seasons or start training a million miles away from where I live.
We couldn’t have got off to a better start. We clicked into gear straight away, we’re scoring goals and creating plenty of chances, and we’re not letting anything in the other end, barely giving teams a sniff.
The pre season work we put in is really showing, and we’re all working to the max for each other both on a Saturday and at training. The squad is competitive, arguably the most competitive I’ve been a part of and that’s really working for us. Everyone fighting for the shirt each week.
The mood within the group is definitely good and the changing room is buzzing. Given the start we’ve made, other teams are probably going to expect us to be amongst the bunch to challenge come April/May.
For the standards we’ve set and for the squad we have, I don’t think we should be aiming for anything less, and with the cup competitions as well, we should be lifting silverware at the end of this year. For now though, we’re taking it game by game, just concentrating what is in front of us, and that’s the right mentality.
YOU’RE BOTH EXTREMELY VERSATILE PLAYERS, WHERE WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR BEST POSITION & WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN ATTRIBUTES?
Right back is definitely where I feel more at home and my best performances have come from that position over the years. In all honesty I’m happy to be anywhere, as long as I’m on the pitch that’s all that matters. I spent half my time during pre-season in the middle, as well as a small amount at centre half. So far in competitive games this season I’ve spent every game at left back, which again, is somewhere I’m more than comfortable and enjoy playing!
Last year, I was nominated for worst Moaner, shock! However I actually didn’t win the award it went to fellow teammate Ben Burrows. I now see that as progress made.
Not really a moment, but last years Euro’s was mental. The whole country in the pub for a month, watching decent footy, sweet Caroline on repeat.
IF YOU COULD DROP YOURSELF INTO YOUR ALL-TIME FIVE-A-SIDE TEAM, WHO WOULD YOU BE PLAYING ALONGSIDE?
Buffon
Zidane
Ronaldinho Messi
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Electrician… well sort of
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Great Wakering Rovers, Shoebury Town, Rayleigh Town, Wakering Sports
FOOTBALL TEAM: Chelsea
FAVOURITE PLAYER: Lionel Messi
ENGLAND WORLD CUP 2022 PREDICTION: I think it’s coming home, no doubt we’ll get let down
BOOT COLOUR: White (currently have thebest boots in the EOFL)
CUT-OFF SOCKS?: 100%, the comfort changed my life
GRASS OR 4G: Grass
MOST FINED CUFC PLAYER PREDICTION: James Warder, because it’s Warder.
another interview with a new
we meet Ben Burrows, a versatile player who joined in the close season....
My move came about through our physio, Emily, reaching out to Matt Wilson after hearing about the manager leaving Wakering Sports. There were 5 of us who enjoyed playing together at Wakering Sports, so together we all trialled at Catholic Utd and thankfully it has all worked out really well.
Wakering Sports - 2018 - 2021
Old Southendians - 2020 half a season Sidmouth Town - 2016-2018
If we go from goals conceded so far you could say it’s been a good start, prior to the Hutton match that is. Keeping a clean sheet in 3 out of the 4 games is a decent effort.
Sixteen goals in 4 games also shows that our attacking players have not been afraid to show off their finishing. We’ve very good players up front, all aiming for a starting spot so it’s keeping them on their toes.
The feeling within the group is definitely positive, the depth of this squad is 100% the best I’ve been in. No one is guaranteed a starting position, which I think makes the whole group, mentally, so much more competitive. There’s no reason we can’t be challenging for the silverware this season.
To be totally honest I’m not even sure myself now. I enjoy being on the wing as it allows me to get in behind and get at defenders, but I’ve equally happy to play in defence. I’d like to think I have some decent pace which clearly helps in in either defence or attack. So to sum up, my main attributes would be pace, half volleys outside the box and having a strong hairline.
Probably getting to play along side Louis Robinson, its been pretty special! Seriously though, its a tough one for me to answer as I’ve got a few good moments but not a favourite as such. I’ve been involved in some really good matches, results as a team and some personal displays, and of course taking the leap to join Catholic Utd. Such a rich history and playing in the EOFL Premier, it’s been a test of my abilities.
I guess some Chelsea bias but I think it’s Drogba’s pen against Bayern Munich. I was at home watching the match and screamed my head off when he blasted it straigh down the middle of the goal. What a penalty and a player with balls of steel to do that!
Buffon
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
PREVIOUS
FOOTBALL
FAVOURITE
ENGLAND WORLD CUP
BOOT
CUT-OFF
GRASS
MOST FINED CUFC PLAYER
Hello everyone and welcome back to another piece by yours truly. Recently, I’ve been out and about covering our Catholic United sides in action in the Southend Borough Combination League. Safe to say I’ll be continuing such a thing throughout the course of the season ahead for us.
However I’ve noticed one thing in particular is that from now until the World Cup, we will be getting plenty of midweek and weekend football on tv involving the top flight leagues and competitions.
From my research, there is a game on every day from Friday 30th September to Sunday 6th November. Whether it be on BT Sport, Sky, Premier Sports etc, no doubt we all know the reason why, because there are still four midweek matchdays of European competition to get done before mid-November due to the World Cup taking place from Sunday 20th November to Sunday 18th December in Qatar.
As far as I’m aware, BT Sport and Sky are going to have one problematic time trying to find extra games to show whilst the BBC and ITV are screening games on from the World Cup with four a day happening from 22nd November to 2nd December.
But hopefully if there is a brightside to such a tournament taking place midseason, it will hopefully give the chance for Sky and BT Sport to showcase more games from elsewhere. With the Women’s game continuing to take place whilst the World Cup takes course, it gives plenty of opportunity for Super League matches to be held in the men’s stadiums and also to be shown a lot more than has been realised in recent months.
There is the inner hope in me that we will see more coverage from League Oneand Two on Sky than the usual two/three games we get during the international break whilst I wouldn’t exactly say no to BT Sport showing more National League games.
But what makes me laugh is how the National League which is meant to be a league lower than League 2 in the English pyramid, somehow gets more games shown than what Leagues One and Two sides get. Now surely as no genius, the normal thing would be that Leagues One and Two get shown a lot more than the National League but nope. National League games get shown more than those clubs who are potentially two leagues higher than them.
BT have been onto an incredible thing during international weekends by actually showing 3pm games whilst Sky just dilly-dally around it when the 3pm blackout isn’t in place.
That said, I am one of those who is in favour of the blackout rule being scrapped given its a rule been in place since the 1960’s and according to the fantastic geniuses at Live Football on TV who wrote this: Findings from the European Court of Justice suggest the blackout period has little or no impact on attendances; however, it is easy to foresee a situation where less ardent fans opt to watch live Premier League matches from the comfort of their own home instead of supporting their local club.
This whole idea of ruining attendances isn’t feasible anymore. Given people can download a VPN and watch a game on a stream through their laptop, phone or pc etc, people do watch the 3pm games whilst doing other things because life is more for living than not and Covid taught us that.
There is a growing wave of support in England for the 3pm blackout rule to be rid of and why not? Nothing will impact the big games being played on a Sunday or an early kick off on a Saturday than not holding it on 3pm.
If it can work during Covid, it can work for us post-Covid. Thats how I see it. And in a day and age where plenty of people are watching Match Of The Day to catch the highlights of games, its not entirely going to see that many people drop out
Sharing club values of being open and inclusive to all, to encompass and represent all members in the community and society in which we operate
As we continue our friendship with Lurgan Celtic, they’ve agreed to send us columns for our monthly magazine and we are more than happy to keep everyone up to date with the going’s on across the Irish Sea.
Lurgan Celtic having got their season up and running in August have been stop-start since the end of August as various factors have restricted the number of appearances for the senior team. Fortunately, one of those appearances has been a Cup Final in addition to a solitary league match.
Donaghcloney hosted Lurgan Celtic on on Saturday 27th August for their second league outing this season, and in glorious sunshine, the scene was set for a good game of football in which Celtic hoped to add another three points to their league tally.
Celtic started promisingly although the final ball was found wanting as the Donaghcloney goalkeeper was not troubled. Indeed the first chance of note fell to Donaghcloney from a corner kick, which fortunately for the Hoops went wide of McGuigans right hand post. Celtic were slowly starting to work into shooting positions and firstly Withers and then McAlinden had efforts that rose over the bar. The opening goal looked increasingly likely to come, and so it proved on the half hour mark, when a long ball from defence by Montgomery found McAlinden on the left, and he in turn fed Withers who ran at the home defence before squaring to Reynolds, and from an acute angle, he cut the ball past the keeper and into the far corner of the net to give Celtic the lead their play had merited.
Buoyed by this the Hoops were looking more threatening with each passage of play, and they doubled their lead within minutes, when another ball into the Donaghcloney penalty box was latched onto by Reynolds, but with his back to goal, he laid the ball off to Toman who hit a rising shot into the roof of the net.
Two became three nil with practically the next attack, and Reynolds again was involved when he went to shoot, a defender handled and the referee immediately pointed to the spot in awarding a penalty. Toman stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way for his second goal of the game and third of the season. Withers almost got a fourth after being played in by Reynolds but again the keeper made yet another fine stop. Halftime came with Celtic firmly in control on a scoreline of 3-0, and with all 3 goals coming within a 5 minute spell of domination.
The second period started again with Celtic continuing to press for further goals and Withers forced yet another save after having the ball laid off to him by McAlinden, and the ball was cleared for a corner. From the resultant corner Withers again almost struck goal, but his header narrowly missed the target. Donaghcloney had forays forward themselves but in Montgomery and in particular Haughian they were getting no quarter given. Celtic had numerous opportunities to stretch their lead but strangely the second period remained goalless, and with no further scoring the game ended with Celtic 3-0 winners and 2 wins from 2 games played in life in Division 2.
With the league fixtures on hold, we were now able to focus on the Gerald Kennedy Cup final that lay ahead and Holm Park, Armagh was the venue on Friday 16th September as Lurgan Celtic faced Newry Celtic. Carnbane League outfit, Newry Celtic had last won the competition in 1997 whilst Mid-Ulster’s Lurgan Celtic had last lifted the cup in 2007. Both sides had progressed to the final in good form with Newry having dispatched Dollingstown Reserves, the notable scalp of Coalisland Athletic and Greenfield en route, whilst Lurgan had beaten Rossowen, holders Rathfriland Rangers Reserves and Ballyoran. On a pleasant evening both sides brought sizeable support and both possessed several match winners in their midst, so there was little to differentiate between whom could be deemed favourites for glory.
Lurgan Celtic’s management team of Michael Smyth and Donal McCourt hoped to add the Gerald Kennedy Cup to the John Magee Cup they won at the end of last season, and with lack of recent competitive football for both sides, both sets of players were eager to ensure no rustiness was allowed to carry through to a match of such importance.
The final started with both sides sizing each other up in cagey fashion, but Lurgan Celtic were getting the ball wide to Judge who put several teasing balls into the box, but Newry had presence in numbers to avoid any serious threat to their goal. Both defences were on top and restricting opportunities, and the midfield was largely being bypassed stretching the field of play but without reaping any reward for either team. The game was becoming more of an end-to-end battle although the better chances were falling to the Mid-Ulster side during the midway point of the opening half. A fine break by Toman out left, saw him pull the ball back into the path of Gilmore who had ghosted into the box, but although he done well to strike the ball first time with menace, it unfortunately rose just over the crossbar.
On the half hour mark Lurgan Celtic almost opened the scoring and unbelievably Newry survived the scare, as a corner kick was met by Haughian and his looping header beat the keeper and landed at the back post where Reynolds was lurking unchallenged, but with the ball bouncing up somehow it stayed out before being hooked clear. With the Lurgan side enjoying a decent spell in the game, they were undone minutes later as Newry sprung the offside trap and cutting in from the right wing pulled the ball back across goal and having forced an initial block from McGuigan in the Celtic goal the follow up was dispatched confidently into the back of the net by Fegan.
With only minutes to halftime the questions were now being asked of Lurgan Celtic and the management team made a tactical change bringing Judge into a central position and Lavery into the backline, whilst pushing Magee further upfield. It drew instant reward as they were soon causing problems for the Newry side with setpieces and one freekick was put into the box where Gilmore headed goalwards but which was flicked out again but without any distance of note, it landed at the feet of Reynolds who lashed the ball high into the back of the net to draw the sides level and ease the nerves of the Lurgan support.
With the action in the opening period all but complete, another attack by Celtic, who now were getting their midfielders more involved and running at Newry’s defence, saw Toman weave into the edge of the box and drawing the Newry defence to him, he slid the ball across goal where the potent Reynolds created space for himself to allow him to hook the ball into the net and leave the halftime scoreline reading 2-1 to Lurgan Celtic and making the halftime team talk so much different from what it could have been only minutes earlier.
With Newry starting the second half needing a foothold back into the game, they were soon sending crossfield diagonal balls into the Lurgan fullback positions hoping to work openings from their wingers. Lurgan Celtic though were defensively aware of the threat and coping well, and again whilst the opening 15 minutes of the second half were a tactical cagey affair, neither keepers were being called into action. As both sides had openings neither were able to fully capitalise on the chances that fell their way and it took until the 80-minute mark, for further scoring as Lurgan Celtic got their third of the contest. It was created from a freekick that Lavery fired in on target but which was palmed out and into the path of McAlinden by the Newry keeper, and McAlinden clinically fired it into the net.
With this breathing space there was an element of game management and seeing the result through by Lurgan Celtic in the closing stages, which led to frustrations boiling over on occasion. Despite this, the game had largely been played in great spirits throughout and which the referee had done well to ensure football was allowed to continue at all times. Lurgan introduced the lively Douglas into the game and his pace was causing problems.
One excellent ball forward saw him take it on the run and having beaten the last defender and approach the Newry box , he was clipped from behind much to the frustration of the Lurgan support. Other substitutes Devereux and Burns helped bring defensive solidity to Lurgan’s quest to claim the Cup although McGuigan was forced into two excellent saves with time ticking down. Thankfully for Lurgan Celtic there was no further scoring and the final whistle brought scenes of joy from the Lurgan players, management, committee and support. Man of the Match went to Jonny Reynolds who proved that his goal scoring ability can be the difference between winning and losing a game and so it proved.
The whole club has been buoyed by the link up with Catholic United and take a genuine interest in all happenings with Catholic United and follow the fortunes and success of the club with eager anticipation. We hope to develop and enhance relations and support each other going forward. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our club through Catholic Utd and encourage all our followers to support our friends across in Essex.
Up the Hoops!
Manager Michael Smyth has been with Celtic for 8 years. Managing in the academy and then the last 2.5 years with first team. Michael has a rich history with the club, having played for the club, done ballboy and also given his father a helping hand as kitman. Along with traveling both home and away watching Lurgan Celtic in his teenage years. Speaking of the club’s association with Catholic United Michael stated ‘‘I am personally very happy with our link with Catholic United. A club across the water who wears green & white and works their club very similar to ourselves. It sounds a perfect football friendship! All our players are aware of the link and we now look for their results at the weekend. At some stage we would love to travel over for a pre-season game and hopefully we will see this link continue to be something to celebrate between both clubs.’’
‘’Our goals for this season would definitely be promotion, as we ascend our way through midUlster football. We have already secured a cup and would love a good run in other cups with the possibility of more silverware.’’
‘’Snow Patrol - local band from Bangor, who I’ve seen live 7-8 times.’’
‘’My dad probably had the most influence on my career. He introduced me to football, bringing me to Glenavon games in my early years, then introducing me to Lurgan Celtic when he became kitman in early 2000s. He also done his coaching badges and helped me move into coaching.’’
‘’Growing up I’ve always supported Man Utd but over covid I started to take a good interest in German football.’’
‘’Favourite all time player would have to be Ronaldo. Lucky to have seen him play 3 times and score 8 goals in them games.’’
Favourite player to be involved with since your involvement in management?
‘’I’ve been incredibly lucky with Celtic and our recruitment. All our players are fantastic both on and off the pitch. Probably a special mention to Paddy Toman who treats himself like a professional both with diet and training. In regards to top quality - Paddy’s right up there with the very best at this level. Along with Michael Haughian our centre half who I’ve never seen, have a bad game and Aaron Withers who is a proper centre forward that bring goals and soo much more.’’
