No one should have to face a mental health issue alone.....
Whether you feel like you need support or are simply looking for ideas to improve your wellbeing - we can help you find what you’re looking for. www.secemind.org.uk Official
Welcome to the supporters of Leigh Ramblers FC, we hope you enjoy this evening’s match, at a somewhat new venue for both sides.
Today’s programme is sponsored by Offside Photography, my own football photography service I’ve been running for the last few years.
It seems strange sponsoring something within the club for which I already volunteer for but it’s been such a good rollercoaster ride these past 4-years that I wouldn’t offer the support I do if I didn’t enjoy it. Everyone at the club is there to ensure it progresses and this is all anyone can ask for at a grassroots level.
So back to the matters in hand and a fixture packed February and another midweek game under the floodlights. We’re away from our usual home at Len Forge and we thank Southend Manor FC for having us here at the Southchurch Park Arena. A lot has changed since my last visit and it is good to see improvements being made at the ground.
We’re now just past the halfway mark in February and so far, we’ve managed four wins from four. There’s still a few games to play including tonights derby, and no let up after this with yet another derby on Saturday away at Old Southendian. The ‘Old Boys’ will want to enact some form of revenge for the 2-1 defeat to us last Wednesday evening. We defended extremely well that night and I’m sure we’ll have to do the same on Saturday in the cup.
The squad won’t see or feel Simon letting up though so he’ll expect the same effort for the remainder of the month, right up until the end of the season as we chase down Hutton who continue to do the front running from the very first weekend.
On Saturday we played a Bishops Stortford Swifts side who were looking to change their fortunes following some heavy defeats.
I probably witnessed the fastest goal I had ever seen, as Louis Robinson’s ball to Aaron Baldwin was scored by the striker with a minute on the clock. The exact time I am sure we’ll be able to work out using our Veo camera. More news on this I guess!!
Additional goals by Liam Oliver, Tom Elliott and Louie Hay finished the rout, but moreso a first clean sheet in the league since mid-October 2022. The clean sheet also represented the 68th for keeper Louis Godwin-Green in a hoops shirt.
Enjoy the game.
Rob Lilley Media Manager, CUFC
Len Forge Centre, Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 6UH
President - Paul Marsh
Chairman - James Paviour
Secretary - Warren O’Neill
Treasurer - Grace Harding
Media Manager - Rob Lilley
Manager - Simon Thomas
Assistant Manager & Coach - Tom Harding
Physio - Emily Mackler
Reserves - Eamonn Kearney
Saturday A - Fabio Peluso
Saturday Vets - Paul Hodges
Sunday First - Andrew Doherty
Catholic Athletic - Rory Gregory
Programme Editor - Rob Lilley
Programme Contributors - Rob Lilley, Simon Thomas, Michael Sammut, Andy Wilkins
Photographer - Rob Lilley
Videographer - Rob Lilley
Facebook - facebook.com/catholicutdfc
Twitter - @catholicutd
Instagram - @catholicutdfc
YouTube - youtube.com/@catholicutdfc
Website - catholicutd.co.uk / essexbhoys.co.uk
Club Secretary - secretary@catholicutd.co.uk
Media - media@catholicutd.co.uk
Catholic United Football Club registered address: 20 Cottesmore Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2TG
Two consecutive derby’s in a week will be a test for the strength in depth of the squad
Hello and welcome to the management team and players from Leigh Ramblers football club.
It’s been a busy February and there is no let up as we make up the games in the league.
Tonight marks the start of a very busy and exciting week for us, with a couple of derby games. Tonight we face Leigh Ramblers for the first time this season and on Saturday we visit Old Southendian once again at Garon Park. We have to take each game one at a time as it it hard to plan ahead. The number of games in a short space of time means we have to hope the squad stays fit and available, especially as every player is needed in such a busy period.
I was really pleased with the way the game went on Saturday. It was important to create and convert the chances and we could have had a few more.
Our second goal in the game I felt was the most important. Swifts had started to get their tails up and Louis made a couple of good saves, so that goal saw us out to half time. The third goal took the wind out of their sails and it ended up being a comfortable performance in the end.
Whilst we scored four on Saturday, equally as good was the clean sheet. We’ve been playing very well defensively and have only conceded the odd goal in games but a clean sheet build confidence.
Louis played well between the sticks and is buzzing to record a clean sheet. He loves a clean sheet statistic and takes as much pride out of these as goals are for strikers.
Tom Elliott is in great form, and getting on the scoresheet again is testament for his hard work and efforts. He just needs to stay focused and keep performing at the level he is, and I’m sure more goals will come his way.
We’ve a new face in the squad, Kofi Goodrum. We’ve known about Kofi for some time. He spent the back end of pre season with us but decided to try his luck at a couple of other clubs but it didn’t quite work out for him and he lost abit of interest for a while. He has been training for a few weeks whilst getting that hunger back and deciding what he wanted to do, so we’re pleased he took his time with it before asking to join.
He played the back end of last season at Canning Town and ripped us apart in the quarter final of the cup last season, so we know what his capable of. Now it is about getting him up to speed and being competitive in fighting for a place in the team, as we have a number of great options now
We continue our introduction of Celtic supporter clubs. This issue we welcome 2nd Street Plough Bhoys CSC from Philadelphia.
The Plough Bhoys—Philadelphia’s premier Celtic supporters club—emerged in the wake of two particularly enjoyable events in the Celtic timeline: the 2012 friendly between our beloved Hoops and Real Madrid, played right in Philly, and the financial implosion of a certain blue-tinted Glaswegian institution.
After the smoke cleared from these events, John Joe Devlin from Cardowan brought together Mairtin O’Bradaigh, Gary “Swing” McDonald, Ryan O’Donnell, Bill Fitzgerald, and Séamus Cummins to discuss starting our own club in the Plough and The Stars.
Everyone agreed that they wanted to watch the matches in a dedicated Celtic pub, not some soccer bar that catered mainly to the EPL fans. This group was quickly joined by other founding members Joseph Brooks, Rory Flynn, Chris Giles, Aidan McCreesh, Jake Daniel, Brian Creech, Al Borden, Calum Kennedy, and Tim McMahon.
Since that auspicious beginning on October 1, 2013, when we hosted our first match against Barcelona, the Plough Bhoys have dedicated themselves to being the best in class, welcoming ex-Celtic players, coaches, and other team representatives, and hosting our annual East Coast Celtic Supporter’s Féile, bringing Celtic fans from all over the globe to our fair city.
In the spirit of Brother Walfrid, we support charitable organizations at home and abroad, including Toys for Tots and the Celtic FC Foundation Walk On events in New York and Philly. Club members ran the Philly Marathon to raise funds for Mary’s Meals and the Foundation’s 67 Kitchens Project—in May 2018; those funds were used to build a sustainable kitchen with safe and secure cooking and food storage facilities at the Uwiro School in Malawi. It is our privilege to help share and sustain the Celtic spirit.
Philadelphia is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city where the locals love their sports with a passion unrivaled beyond the east end of Glasgow. We Plough Bhoys pride ourselves on warmly welcoming visitors from abroad and from Celtic supporters here in North America. When you’re in Philly, be sure to drop in for a match, some quality banter, and a perfect pint of Guinness.
Finally, we must also mention the first Celtic Supporters Club in Philadelphia, the Molly Maguires CSC, founded in 1997 and located in Paddy Rooney’s Pub, which paved the way for Celtic Supporters in the Philadelphia area. Many of our members were part of this original club until it sadly folded in 2009. We will be forever grateful to James Conboy, Bobby Campbell, and Paddy Rooney for founding Philly’s original club and opening the door for Celtic supporters in our fine city all those years ago.
Memberships for the 2022-2023 season are $100.
We are in the Plough & The Stars Irish Pub at 123 Chestnut Street in Old City, Philadelphia
2023 Essex FA GRASSROOTS MEDIA MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ESSEX BASED FREELANCED FOOTBALL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES
We finally caught up with in-form midfielder Tom Elliott so what better than to get to know him a little better.
What has been your assessment of the season so far?
We started the season very well after a good pre season. The team bond is at a good level and we now all know our roles within the side and how each other play which is improving performances.
We set our targets high for the season and want to pick up silverware. Winning games of football and getting to cup finals is what we play for and we know we are capable of beating anyone on our day. We are now back on a very good run winning 10 out of our last 11 games at an important stage of the season.
We want to continue putting pressure on Hutton by picking up wins and keeping spirits high in the changing room. I am really enjoying playing this season but all the hard work will be wasted if we don’t win silverware.
From a personal point of view, how have you rated your performances? This has already been your best goals return with the 1XI, for example.
The most important thing for me is trying to stay consistent every game. I am really enjoying playing with this group of players this season and with a lot of quality in the middle of the pitch I have had to work hard to try and maintain the shirt.
My strengths on the pitch have always been to do the uglier side of thing, to win balls back and do the hard work to try and allow others to get forward. Since playing for the first team Si has allowed me and been pushing me to get in and around the box at every opportunity. I think I’m fit enough to do this and enjoy that side of the game.
I’ve finally picked up a few goals recently but still not as many goal contributions as I’d like and I know I can be more clinical. I foolishly signed up to a bet with Si after a few to many beers at one of the team socials which means I have a target in my head for the season to go and beat!
With the games coming thick & fast, how important is it that the manager rotates for what will be a hectic end to the campaign?
We knew this season would be a full squad effort with the aims we had to go deep into cup competitions. We have had good numbers to training from pre-season all the way through which is a credit to the management team for keeping everyone motivated and fit.
Everyone will get a chance in coming weeks which is important to keep competition for places high and to keep legs fresh for the flurry of games we have. Rotation is an important part of a long season with a big squad and the manager will pick the team he thinks will get the results each game. The boys will get behind each other whoever is playing and we have a good team bond in the changing room to support each other.
What do you reckon we can expect from Leigh Ramblers? Will the change of venue to Southchurch Park impact anything?
This is my first time playing Ramblers which I’m looking forward to and it’s a local derby so we can expect a physical battle. They will be up for it and we need to match their intensity and fight whilst keeping our quality on the ball.
It’s always nice to play under floodlights and at a new venue but this shouldn’t affect how we play. Hopefully there’s a good turnout to watch and we can secure 3 points on the night.
AGE: 24
OCCUPATION: Insurance Broker
FAVOURITE TEAM: Southend United
FAVOURITE EVER PLAYER: Adam Barrett
BOOT COLOUR: Black
CUT-OFF SOCKS: Shamefully yes
GRASS OR 4G: Grass
MOST FINED CUFC PLAYER PREDICTION: Louie Hay. Single handedly paying for our end of season do
Following success with the Reserves in the County Cup, how much has that whet the appetite for more with the Hoops? What do you think this squad is capable of this season?
There’s no better feeling than winning cup finals. We have the ability this season to come away with trophies and rewards for all the hard work we have put in.
The county Cup final last year will stay in my memory for all my playing days as one of the best. The game was a proper cup final and both teams were leaving everything on the pitch. We had some experienced players with the likes of Trenks and Bappo but also a lot of young talent such as the O’Kanes who won us the game.
It’s the best feeling in football winning something as a team and celebrating the successes after and we are all keen to replicate that again this season.
Amidst all the uncertainty surrounding your club Southend United, what do you make of the current situation? And what is the best outcome from now for the supporters?
The current Southend team is the most likeable team and management staff the fans have had to support for many years. We finally have a close-knit team fighting for the shirt and sit in the play offs despite the off field antics.
Being in court and winding up orders aren’t a rare thing for Southend but this one feels 10x
Resident ‘cockney’, Rob Lilley, looks back at a game of our youth, table football, Subbuteo.
During the 1980’s I probably owned a number of sets/ teams of Subbuteo, including Leyton Orient (my boyhood club), Liverpool and England. I was also bought both Celtic and Rangers teams by my grandparents when I was 10 years old. This certainly helped at a time when I had a Scottish school friend who, as a Rangers supporter, came round to play from time-totime. If I’m honest, this was the only time these two sides came out of their boxes.
The kit I was bought one Christmas contained two generic teams, red and blue, the cloth pitch and a pitch perimeter to stop the ball.
Something I wasn’t aware of at the time and something which even now surprises me, is just how old the game actually is.
The initial concept, was invented in 1929 by William Keeling in Liverpool. However, in August 1946, Peter Adolph filed a patent for the game which was eventually finalised in 1947.
The first player sets were eventually made available to the public in March 1947. These figures were made from flat cardboard before the next inception where this was replaced with twodimensional celluloid figures, known as ‘flats’.
The earliest production of Subbuteo was based around Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells.
In 1961 Adolph introduced three-dimensional figures, all handpainted plastic figures. By 1967 this had evolved once again to a figure which we are more familiar with today. In 1978 a ‘zombie’ figure was released to introduce to facilitate the first time machines had printed. There was a huge amount of negativity surrounding the ‘zombie’ figure and this was replaced in 1980 by a lightweight figure which remained in production until the 1990’s when Hasbro purchased Waddington Games, which owned Subbuteo.
After this purchase in 1994, Subbuteo sales declined from about 150k sets per year to 3000 in 2002, and dropped in even further to just 500 sets in 2003 when production was stopped.
Hasbro spent the following two years re-modelling the players, returning to flat cardstyle which used photorealistic images of players. This too was unsuccessful and was discontinued.
Subbuteo returned in 2012 with Hasbro licensing the product to ‘Eleven Force’, who returned to three dimensional rubber figures, launching Subbuteo into its 8th decade of production. Extra’s were also into production such as stands, cups, crowds, dugouts etc.
In 2020 Hasbro awarded the Subbuteo licence to Longshore, although Eleven Force remained tied to Hasbro as a Spanish distributor.
For many years, Hasbro controlled the ‘sport’ of Subbuteo table football in England. This control was eventually passed over to the players in 1992-93 when Subbuteo helped players form their own world organisation.
This fledgling association was called the Federation International Sports Table Football (FISTF) and it was tasked with running the world game, including a ‘World Cup’.
Each nation was then asked to form its own association and so the English Sports Table Football Association (ESTFA) was born. In 2020 this title was amended, replacing ‘Sports’ with ‘Subbuteo’ to reflect the nature of the association more clearly and in 2012 this was amended again to the English Subbuteo Association (ESA).
The ESA remains the governing body of the game and provide a series of events for all players to attend. They host the English National Championships for both individual players and for a club team, and send an England team to the World Cup.
The next World Cup is in 2024, and returns to its origins, Tunbridge Wells.
Whilst there are new young players who have been gripped by the blend of speed and tactics that an electronic game just doesn’t offer, there is still a generation for whom Subbuteo holds huge significance of their youth.
I will readily admit that I didn’t play it as much as I probably could have, but for a 10 year old trying to understand the rules, moreso making up the rules, it didn’t really offer me the ‘game’ I had hoped. However, it has grown to become a big ‘sport’ which, with governing bodies and a World Cup, seems to provide the challenge to players who probably spent more time than I ever did to understand exactly how to play it!
Do I wish I had learned back in 1986, I guess a small part of me does, but I was still out in the park, ‘jumpers for goalposts’, or pitting my wits on the new football computer games.
United needed to continue the recent good form to take into the next two tough fixtures, Ramblers and Old Boys respectively.
The match couldn’t have started any better, Baldwin played through but his shot bounced off the post and he tapped it over the line with his chest. Liam Oliver doubled United’s lead just after the half hour mark, under some controversy. A Swifts defender had gone down in the box with a head injury but Swifts continued to play on and a wayward pass found it’s way to Louis Robinson before the whistle was blown. The defender made his way to his feet, but with United in posession at the time of the whistle, the ball was sent to the right for Joe O’Kane from the restart, and his pinpoint cross found Liam Oliver in the box to side foot home.
The second half started well for the visitors with Godwin-Green making some good stops, but Tom Elliott put the game out of sight in the 53rd minute when the Swifts keeper dropped a catch in a packed penalty area, where Elliott pounced to prod the ball over the line.
United grabbed a fourth just after the hour, Louie Hay anticipating well after the ball bounced over a Swifts defender to guide the ball into the net with only the keeper to beat. With Swifts going down to 10-men with just over 20 minutes remaining, the scoreline could have been a lot worse but for the woodwork and some good saves by the visiting keeper.
The win maintains a great February in the league for United. Simon Thomas continues to utilise the full depth of his squad to keep players fresh as the Essex Bhoys play a number of extra games to make up for good cup campaigns this season.
Three goals in four games.....Tom Elliott is congratulated with United’s third of the game against Bishops Stortford Swifts
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 our ties with Celtic Football Club grow stronger following Calvin Carter-Vickers permanent transfer from Tottenham, we’ve created a tie with Lurgan Celtic, making them an official allegiance club. We share the same values of being open and inclusive to all, and do our utmost to represent all members in our community.
In this programme we hear about their start to 2023.
2023 kicked off for Lurgan Celtic with a return to league action away to Armagh Blues. Blues had only 1 league defeat in the lead up to the game so were not to be taken lightly, and so it proved as Armagh Blues struck first in the early minutes of the contest from a long ball forward that beat the offside trap and saw the Armagh striker hit the back of the net.
Celtic hit back shortly afterwards courtesy of Reynolds, and had the chance to take the lead when a goalbound effort was blocked on the line by the hand of a Blues defender, that saw the home side reduced to 10 men and a penalty awarded. Unfortunately, the Toman penalty was well saved by the Armagh keeper and halftime came with both sides locked at one apiece. The Hoops started the second half in menacing fashion and two early goals put the game to bed. The first came from the head of Gilmore from a teasing Crawford cross, whilst the second and Celtic’s third, came when a Crawford inswinging freekick was met by captain Lavery to slot home and secure the win and 3 points. The remainder of the game so no further scoring and the match ended with a 3-1 away victory for the Lurgan team
The second game of the month saw Celtic travel to Loughgall to face Division 1 outfit Sandy Hill in the quarter final of the Mid Ulster Shield.
In testing conditions against a well organised Sandy Hill side, Celtic were finding chances hard to come by, and their task was made all the more difficult when with the last kick of the first half they found themselves a goal down, when a Sandy Hill corner somehow ended up evading everyone and nestled in the back of the Celtic goal. Celtic were undone again early in the second half following a quick counter attack, and despite plenty of effort, the home side were able to repel the threat and the game became more stretched as Celtic pressed forward and Sandy Hill sought to counter. Celtic did eventually pull a goal back late on via a strike from the dynamic McConville, although there was not to be extra time as the game ended with Sandy Hill progressing to the semi finals of the competition.
The month of January ended with a return to league action against Glenavy Youth for the Hoops in Lurgan. Glenavy had put together a series of results to serve notice of their quality, however on the day whilst they contained Celtic initially, they fell behind and struggled to get back into the contest. Celtic struck through the potent Reynolds, who then proceeded to double the teams tally and his own personal feat in the first half to leave them 2-0 to the good at half time. Celtic were soon back on the goal trail in the second half and the impressive McAlinden and Judge both got goals deserving of their performances.
Glenavy did pull a goal back courtesy of a corner that was not cleared, but substitutes Douglas and Withers soon had Glenavy on the back foot again and the latter struck two sublime late goals to leave the final scoreline reading 6-1 to Lurgan Celtic and thus end the month on a high.
Belfairs Golf Club is a unique, Leigh on-Sea based club, welcoming new members. Proud to include a Mens, Ladies and Veterans section and is part of the Kindred Clubs including Thorpe Bay, Rochford, Boyce Hill and Southend Golf Clubs.
A club which is part of the community, and soon to be celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Thousands of golfers have stepped up to the first tee and played what is a fun, challenging, parkland and woodland course.
“So much more than just a Public Course!”
Membership Benefits include priority tee times during the week and the weekend, weekly and annual in-house competitions, as well as monthly singles, doubles competitions and much more.
Play and Pay membership as well as 5 & 7 day season tickets. A course which is rarely closed and playable throughout the year, rain or shine, from early morning to twilight! Free Parking, free insurance with English Golf, and you’ll soon get an official handicap whilst playing a mixture of abilities and ages, from Club pro single handicapper to high handicappers.
What do I do now? Membership of £185 is paid annually on 1st October and is pro rata throughout the year, with special offers to accommodate new members. You’ll receive a member’s card and put £50 on to pay for competitions and bar purchases. There is NO joining fee
18 Holes midweek £20.75/Twilight £11.50, 18 Holes weekend £25.50/Twilight £12.50 5-day season ticket £550*/ 7-day season ticket - £810*
*A 20% discount on 5 & 7 day seasons tickets available for ALL members in their first year Special Offers to those of pensionable age, and advantage card categories
Check out the Southend Borough Council Website (www.southend.gov.uk and search ‘Golf’ remembering you receive a huge 20% discount on season tickets in Year One!
For more information, to chat through the membership options, take a tour around clubhouse, get an application form and meet some members, contact Jon Stannard on 07825 638589 or email jonstannard69@me.com
Our shop, is run and managed by SXSports.co.uk, can be personalised. Visit them online today!
Prices are for adult sizes & does not include delivery charges. Visit www.sxsports.co.uk for more products and to place your order
www.offsidephotography.co.uk
Essex based freelance football photographer. Photographed at National Conferance level down to Sunday football league and able to provide images within 24 hours. Available for day or evening games, football events or specific requirements. Proud sponsor/media manager of Catholic United Football Club
www.sxsports.co.uk
SX Sports offer a large selection of quality discount football kits and Team Wear including Nike, Joma, Hummel, Errea, Stanno, Kappa, Umbro and Mitre.
We offer large discounts on football kits, training wear, footballs and training equipment, to clubs, schools, colleges and businesses coupled with an efficient friendly service.
www.specifixpersonaltraining.com
Specifix Studio prides itself on having an expert team of Personal Trainers, Physiotherapists, Acupuncturists, Nutritionists, Sports Therapists and much more. At Specifix we strongly believe in finding the side of fitness and development that everyone enjoys. Proud to assist Catholic Utd with fitness assistance throughout the 2022-23 season
www.paulrobinson.co.uk
Paul Robinson Solicitors is an independent, dynamic, fast-growing leading law firm dedicated to providing an outstanding level of service to all clients across the country, with offices across London and Essex
www.piccolorestaurant.co.uk
Great Italian food in Southend-on-Sea, we are perfectly located next to Southend’s beautiful seafront and the Cliffs Pavilion
www.teamexpert.co.uk
TeamExpert is a website content management website system for football clubs and football leagues. Users are able to update their websites themselves from a password protected online control panel.
www.wilsonjames.co.uk
Wilson James have been raising standards in security, construction logistics, aviation and technology services for 30 years. A team of over 5,200 people utilise in-depth sector experience and service expertise across both the public and private sectors to deliver bespoke client-focused solutions
www.geoffkeanecarpets.com/
Geoff Keane Carpets is a family run business based in Southend on Sea and first opened its doors in 1976. We supply residential, commercial and trade with a professional service, quality products and expertise fitting for all types of flooring and budgets.
1968 - The first time Catholic United wear the iconic green and whiite hooped shirts.
1968 Walton Cup Final Catholic United 2-1 Hayden
Let’s take a look at our visitors today, Leigh Ramblers, from their history, current form and historical results between our clubs........
For more information on the ‘Ramblers’ visit their website: www.leighramblers.com/
Leigh Ramblers F.C. is, without doubt, one of the oldest and most respected amateur football clubs if not in the country, then certainly in the county of Essex. A key part of the local community, the Club looks forward to boasting over sixty teams playing in mens, ladies and youth football this forthcoming season.
The year in which Leigh Ramblers F.C. was established has actually been a topic of debate recently. Having celebrated our centenary in 2002, in the same year as footballing Goliaths Real Madrid, documentation was later uncovered to demonstrate that Leigh Ramblers F.C. had been affiliated with the Essex County FA earlier, in 1898, when the Southend & District League was formed.
However thanks to local football historian Keith Roe, we can confirm that Leigh Ramblers was actually formed a year earlier in 1897, being defeated by Hadleigh United Reserves in their first friendly in October of that year. Leigh Ramblers also entered the Leigh Challenge Cup that same season, reaching the quarter final and losing in a replay.
History tells us that the founders were mainly cocklers from the fishing village of Old Leigh and to this date the Old Town connection can still be traced through names such as Robinson, Johnson and Noakes with many families claiming sons, fathers and grandfathers having worn the green and white and/or light and dark blue of past and current Ramblers teams.
FOUNDED 1897
2021/22 FINISH 12th (out of 15)
NICKNAME RAMBLERS / RAMS
Pre-war halcyon days for the Ramblers were the 1920s-30s when the Club won countless titles in both the Southend District League and the Southend Borough Combination. The highlight of this period was winning the prestigious Sir Thomas Lipton Grays Cot Cup, the only local side to do so, in season 1925/26. This triumph was followed by the Ramblers lifting the Essex Junior Cup two years later (1927/28) in front of a crowd of thousands. Ramblers remain, to this date, one of only two local clubs to have won this trophy twice. The other? Interestingly, Leigh Town!
In fact, this win was held in such esteem that the winning team were paraded around Leigh in an open-top bus with the cup, very much akin to having won the FA Cup, before joining a victory celebration in the Grand Hotel.
“Pip” Thompson, who also won County honours, was the skipper and prolific goal-scorer of this Ramblers side. His younger brother Cyril, who also turned out for the Rams when not appearing for Southend United, later signed pro forms for the other well known Rams... Derby County!I
Both “Pip” and Ron Johnson, whose father was President of the Club during the 1930s, stayed loyal supporters of the Club in their later years.
Following cessation of WW2, Ramblers hit hard times and by the late 1950s were wallowing in the bottom half of the Borough Combination’s Division Three. In fact the Club, running just one team, was so depleted it was in serious danger of folding.
The re-birth of the present-day Leigh Ramblers started in the late 1960s, through the ‘70s, culminating in the ‘80s with the club reaching close to its current status.
This was primarily down to an influx of young players from Belfairs High School for Boys. The catalyst for this initial regeneration was Dick Holmes, a respected giant of a PE teacher at the Belfairs school.
Dick, a former SBS hero from the War, had played for the Rams. He started a Minor League side for his protégés leaving school and when they reached 18 and too old to figure in youth football, he encouraged them to join the Ramblers.
During this period the Club was predominantly made up of players with a connection to the school, either former pupils or current members of staff and went from running one team to boasting five Saturday sides in addition to two Sunday veterans teams.
Many of the players from this formative period are still associated with the Club in a number of ways, some as Hon. Life Members.
A stalwart of this period was John Davison. JD, as he was affectionately known, typified what being a Leigh Rambler was all about. He insisted on wearing the number 10 shirt and is the Club’s most decorated player, winning an Essex County Honours Badge and the Southern Counties Junior Championship. On finishing playing, he managed both the Essex County side and and the Rams 1st Team, before handing over the reigns to Bobby Payne who then led them to a “quadruple” of the Alliance League, the Alliance Cup, the Carradus Cup and Pete Simmonds Cup in 1988/89.
Following the disbanding of the District Alliance League, the Club rejoined the Southend Borough Combination in 1989/90 where we remained for a further 12 years. Over the next decade there were cup successes from top to bottom throughout the Club. The 1st Team added two more Carradus Cups in 90/91 and 92/93 and the 2nd Team winning the Gladwin Cup in 89/90, 94/95, 95/96 and again in 99/00. The 3rd Team won the Chautard Cup in 90/91, 91/92 and again in 92/93 becoming the first and last team to win the trophy on three consecutive occasions.
Meanwhile, the Veterans and the 4th Team got in on the action by winning the Division 1 Cup in 90/91 and the Faux Cup in 91/92 respectively, really demonstrating the strength of the Club as a whole.
As the Club geared up to celebrate its centenary in 2002, we approached the wider footballing community for merchandise that could be auctioned in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. We received numerous pieces of signed memorabilia but perhaps the most special was a shirt from the other Rams, Derby County. At the time, a Premier League Club, not only was the shirt signed by the whole first team squad but it also bore the unique message, “To the Rams, from the Rams”.
At the same time, the Club was assessing its long term goals for the future and despite having spent many successful seasons as part of the Southend Borough Combination it was time to take the next step.
The Club joined the, Essex Intermediate (now Olympian) League in Senior Division 3 for the 2002/03 season.
In the years that followed, despite silverware being hard to come by, the Club has consolidated its position in the League and slowly built upwards. We are now entering our sixth season in the Premier Division, having progressed further up the table each year
EOFL Reserve League Cup Quarter Final
Catholic United reserve team started the weekend winless after two games and searching for a result which could be taken into the final stages of the season.
Manager Eamonn Kearney named a strong squad for the match and brings his thoughts on the performance.
We had a strong enough squad although there were knocks that we needed to manage. It was pleasing to have youngsters, Dominic O’Kane and Matt Oni, back in the squad, and we were also able to name experienced defender Bradley Vaughan after his head injury last week resulted in no concussion.
Before the game we spoke about our need to impose ourselves as early as possible in a cup quarter final against a side that has had a good season, albeit two divisions below us. But this is a cup and also a local derby so that added an extra reason to not give the opposition a route into the game.
Just before the break Adam Sargent got his second of the game, shortly after Ramblers pulled one back and I think this had a negative impact on Ramblers which enabled us kill the game off early in the second half.
It was a pleasing performance and the key thing was to win the game and give us a cup semi final for the back end of season.
We created many more chances compared to recent weeks and this was especially pleasing for me as without creating these we lacked the scoring opportunities that could either win us games or get us back into them.
The young lads did very well and contributed with goals and assists which will help build confidence for the games ahead.
The result certainly reflected the performance, an all-round team performance. It would have been nice to have been more ruthless, more clinical, but in cup football, there are no draws, it is about the end result and progressing to the next round.
Sponsoring the garb of a player is a great way to show your support for the club and your favourite EssexBhoy. We’ve kept our prices the same for a number of seasons and as you can imagine, every sponsorship is greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in sponsoring a player, drop us an email at media@catholicutd.co.uk
Home Kit
£50.00
Louis Godwin-Green Stuart Marshall
Patrick Kearney Vedran Deranja
Louis Robinson PK Electrical Services
Jack Leech Chris Clark
Ben Burrows William McCluskey
Away Kit
£50.00
Paul Marsh
SPEC Development Limited
Matt Hanan
Matt Creevy
MHS Radiators
Tom Elliott Ellen Flanagan
Mike Sammut Hail Cesar Whatsapp Group Wishaw Bhoys
Tom Kearney Tommy & Mechelle Timms
Compass London Markets
Phil Sands
Carl Read Aaron Bloxham Amandar Warder
Joe O’Kane Mrs HC
Matt Creevy
Aaron Clark Offside Photography Square One Electrical Services Limited
Luke Mackie Henriklubo
Joe Burton JK Holistic Therapies
James Warder Stewart & Liam Murray
Frank Craik Matt Hanan
Aaron Baldwin Medway Emarald 67
JJM Accountants
Thomas Sloan
John & Frances Pye
Crystalclear Leisure Limited
Liam McGeevor
Dan Regan Square One Electrical Installations Limited
Adrian Maponga Rowkirwan.Art
Harrison Day Paul MArsh
Liam Oliver Red Project Management & Construction Ltd
Peter McCann
Allan McNelis
Simon Thomas Jay Nash - Specifix Physiotherapy & Personal Training
Tom Harding
Emily MAckler
Crystalclear Leisure Limited
Pearse Connolly - RL Sports
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our player sponsors. The money raised from player sponsorship ensures playing staff have the necessary kit and other supplies for the season.
Fantastic5ives’, is a 5-a-side dream team chosen by a player, committee member or a supporter. Everyone has their own, so it is great to see and read
In this week’s programme, we hear from our very own club secretary, Warren O’Neill, for his Fantastic5ive and the reason each player made the team.
If you would like to name your FantasticFive, email the club at media@catholicutd.co.uk and we will be happy to include you in a future programme.
Neville Southall
Not only the biggest goalkeeper (from a pie eating perspective) but a fantastic reaction shot stopper
Ashley Cole Speed and energy and knows how to defend. Offer him an extra £5 quid and he’ll run through brick walls for you. Mind you if the opposition offer him £5.50 he’ll jump ship!
Roy Keane
Born winner and leader. The hard man. Only getting picked since he shaved his beard off.
Rocky Rocastle
Pure natural ability. Glides effortlessly over the pitch. A great foil for Keane in my team
Thierry Henry Errrr….does it need a reason why?
Warren O’Neill
TUE FEB 21ST | 7:45PM | SOUTHCHURCH PARK ARENA
EOFL PREMIER
TUESDAY 21st FEB | 19:45
Catholic Utd v Leigh Ramblers
SATURDAY 25th FEB | 14:00
Bishops Stortford Swifts v Shenfield AFC
Canning Town v Runwell Sports
Galleywood v Rayleigh Town
Hutton v Sungate
MANAGER
SIMON THOMAS
LOUIS GODWIN-GREEN
WOODY WELLS
OWEN WELLS
PATRICK KEARNEY
AARON CLARK
LANCE AKINS
JACK LEECH
CONNOR POLYBLANK
MATT WILSON
LOUIE HAY
LOUIS ROBINSON
BEN BURROWS
LUKE MACKIE
THOMAS KEARNEY
MICHAEL SAMMUT
TOM ELLIOTT
JOE O’KANE
JOE BURTON
KOFI GOODRUM
LUCAS POLYBLANK
FRANK CRAIK
JAMES WARDER
MANAGER
MARK HUNTER
DYLAN SKINNER
ANDREW WEBSTER
RYAN LOWE
PATRICK CANNON
SCOTT CLARK
TOM FRANKS
JACK GARDNER
OLE HUNTER
SCOTT KEYS
JAMIE SKINNER
GEORGE MOXON
MATTHEW BRINKLOW
HARRY DACOSTA
BILLY FIELD
BARV WAIWAIKU
CALLUM MORRIS
BILLY FIRMAN
JUSTIN HAZELL
SAMUEL NAGLE
MATT ALLUM
OWEN REYNOLDS
CHARLIE BACHELOR
JAKE LANG
OSCAR JONES
JOE LANNON PAUL BRADY MITCHELL ROLFE
Kevedon Hatch v Leigh Ramblers
Toby v Springfield
SATURDAY 25th FEB | 14:30
Old Southendian v Catholic Utd (cup)
TUESDAY 28th FEB | 19:45
Catholic Utd v Toby FC
TOBY FC
TUESDAY 28th | 19:45
SOUTHCHURCH PARK ARENA (Southend Manor FC)
IF YOU SEE OR HEAR ANY RACIST, HOMOPHOBIC OR ANY OTHER ABUSE PLEASE REPORT IT TO OUR TEXT LINE 07494 005429
