Dunstable Town v Leverstock Green - Sat 30th Nov by Dunstable Town

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF DUNSTABLE TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB 2019/2020

CREASEY NEWS

Kit Sponsor Club Sponsor Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Match Sponsors Match Match Ball The Regiment

LEVERSTOCK GREEN

Saturday 30th November 2019 Kick Off 15:00 Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division

PROUD SPONSORS OF DUNSTABLE TOWN FC A family run travel agency that specialises in memorable travel experiences. We bring independent impartial knowledge that will not only help you understand the experience your holiday will give you, but all those extra tips too! 5b, Queensway , Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 4DW 01582 349 480 holidays@suitcasetravel.co.uk

Proud sponsors of Dunstable Town Football Club

01582 477500

01525 378899

www.groveburycars.co.uk

OUR CLUB HONOURS LIST

Southern League Central Division Winners 2013-2014 Southern League Championship Trophy Winners 2013-2014 Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Winners: 2002–03, 2012-2013 Bedfordshire Senior Cup Winners (12): 1895–96, 1956–57, 1959–60, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2008–09 Bedfordshire Premier Cup Winners (4): 1980–81, 1982–83, 1990–91, 2006–07, 2011-2012 Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup Winners: 1999–2000, 2008–09, 2018-19 Bedfordshire Floodlit Cup Winners: 2007–08 Eastern Junior Cup Winners: 2006–07 Colwyn Cup Winners: 2006–07, 2009–10

WHO’S WHO AT CREASEY PARK Playing Staff Gareth Jackson - First Team Manager Ryan Sturges - Assistant Manager Wayne Upton - Coach Rory McMullen - Goalkeeper Coach Tasos Psarras - Sports Therapist Justin Lucas-Hill - Club Medical Consultant Colin Lauder - Development Team Manager Valentino Qoku - Assistant Manager Samir Amadu - Coach

Non-Playing Staff

Neil Barker - Chairman Andrew Amu - Vice Chairman Andrew Madaras - Club Secretary Dudley Peacham - Treasurer Kristy Lewington - Club Welfare Officer and FA Charter Standard Coordinator Stephen Lewington - Press Officer, Social Media, and Youth Engagement Officer Chris White - Social Media Manager and Club Photographer Katrina Peacham - Committee Clerk and Turnstile Manager Nikki Lauder - Events and fundraising Patrick MacKay - Match-day Merchandising Coordinator Peter Burrows - Community Engagement Officer Vince Dunnell - Youth Section Chairman and Assistant Youth Welfare Officer Adrian Dunne - Youth Section Vice Chairman and Events/Fundraising Kristy Lewington - Youth Section Secretary and Club Welfare Officer Christian Baxter - Youth Treasurer and Assistant Youth Welfare Officer Brad Cawthorne - Match day Camera man Jacqui Dunnell - Match day Hospitality Bradley Fields - Match day Volunteer Jon Keenan - Match day Volunteer

FROM THE BOARDROOM Good afternoon and welcome back to Creasey Park for our fixture against Leverstock Green . We welcome their players, officials, and supporters and look forward to pitting our wits against them for the second time this season. The first being a cup encounter earlier in November. The recent weather is already playing havoc with the fixture list, however the ground staff at Creasey continue to work tirelessly to produce a surface unparalleled at this level of the game. So many opposing teams and their supporters take time to mention how impressive the playing facilities are, and we know that we are privileged to be able to play our passing game on this excellent pitch. There is no doubt that a win would be very welcome this afternoon . We are not far off. A combination of mistakes which seem to be punished at every turn, the woodwork , fine opposing goalkeeping, and a few decisions which have left us baffled , have not helped. However the boys are well aware that it is fine margins and that the rewards will come. I continue to be impressed by their humility and their desire to give the supporters the very best they can. Off the field we are pleased to announce that the Quadrant Shopping Centre have joined our ever growing sponsors base. Look out for their pitch side advertising in the coming weeks. I’ve said on many occasions over the last two seasons that the hard work that goes in to securing

these sponsorships is well worth it. Every ‘push back’ is more than offset by a local business recognising what we are trying to build, and then deciding to come on board. This afternoon we are also supporting the Noah Enterprises charity for the third home game in a row, by collecting warm clothes and toiletries ,in association with Develop EBP. Please support this initiative if you can. Noah is a Luton based charity meeting the needs of those who are struggling with the basics of life. Just a reminder (again I know) that you / your company can sponsor a match here at Creasey Park for as little as £100, similarly you could sponsor a player at £50 a season , and last but not least, why not sponsor the match ball for as little as £30 a match? Please speak to any of the committee who will be only too pleased to sign you up. Finally, I hope you enjoy the game and in the interests of not disappointing you by including a well-worn cliché, let’s be the proverbial 12th Man this afternoon.

Neil

A&R Exterior Cleaning Services 0800 0248098 07751716140 Proud sponsors of Dunstable Town F.C.

EMAIL luton@giggsandbell.com PHONE 01582 958 070 WEBSITE giggsandbell.com C6 Basepoint Business & Innovation Centre 110 Butterfield, Great Marlings, Luton LU2 8DL SHOP NOW AT WWW.CWFISHINGSUPPLIES.CO.UK FOR ALL YOUR FISHING & CAMPING NEEDS!

This month, in association with local education and training centre Develop EBP, we will be collecting warm clothes and toiletries for Luton based charity, NOAH Enterprise. As part of Developâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s learners social inclusion project, they are collecting for NOAH and we at Dunstable Town are keen to assist them and bolster their donation. Clean, new and gently-used clothing of all kinds are helpful. Underwear, t-shirts and socks, new and gently-used jeans and shoes, and professional clothing for those looking for work or re-entering the workforce. Warm outerwear, coats, jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves, and sleeping bags are also in need. Many service users arrive at NOAH each morning looking to have a wash, clean their teeth and have a shave. Items most welcome include razors, toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, hand cream, shampoo and feminine hygiene products. Please bring your donations to our home games during November. (12th November v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, 16th November v Crawley Green and 30th November v Leverstock Green)

CADDINGTON GROVE A luxury care home with a heart

We believe it’s the people that make a loving home. That’s why our carers are so much more – they are Homemakers. Our Homemakers not only provide the highest quality of care, but they focus on the tiny details that make each day special for every resident, from always keeping things clean and tidy, to offering support with hobbies and interests, our Homemakers ensure that Caddington Grove is a luxury care home with a heart.

CONTACT US TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF OUR LUXURY CARE HOME TODAY Residential care | Dementia care | Nursing care | Short breaks

“The Homemakers are just wonderful, making every day an experience for residents” – DA U G H T E R OF A C A D D I N G TO N G R OV E R E S I D E N T

For further information about Caddington Grove, or to arrange your visit, contact us: 01582 320 750 | enquiries@hamberleycarehomes.co.uk | www.hamberleycarehomes.co.uk Caddington Grove, 175 London Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 3DX

LOCAL NON-LEAGUE CHAT with Ollie Bayliss

For many football fans, the mere suggestion of a 3G pitch still conjures up memories of the artificial surfaces in the 80s, causing outrageously bouncing balls and carpet burns to any goalies brave enough to play without wearing long trousers. Luton, QPR, Preston and Oldham all experimented with ‘plastic pitches’ until they were banned in the football league from 1995. Despite significant improvements in artificial surfaces over the last few decades, the EFL remains reluctant to reconsider its regulations. In non-league however, 3G pitches are very much being used. For lower league clubs, their benefits are clear. They provide a more consistent surface that doesn’t cut up in the winter months. They rarely succumb to waterlogging or freezing in the way grass pitches do. From November onwards, nonleague groundsmen battle the elements to get games on, artificial surfaces provide a much more reliable alternative that will rarely fail a pitch inspection. It’s because of these advantages, that clubs down the pyramid are increasingly favouring 3G pitches for new stadiums. In 2012 Maidstone United moved into the Gallagher stadium with an artificial surface. Similarly Hendon and Edgware, now share the 3G at Silver Jubilee Park. Last summer Hertfordshire’s Ware FC made the choice to replace their grass with 3G. Doing so brought with it another benefit, the club was able to attract tenants in Brimsdown – bringing with it extra income. A surface that doesn’t wear out means multiple teams can use the facility without issue. It also

functions with a minimal level of care and maintenance. With lower league clubs having to rely on volunteer groundsmen to paint, cut and repair the grass turf, a 3G pitch is one less time-consuming job on the to-do list. In the National League, Sutton United is flying the flag for artificial surfaces. Gander Green Lane hosted Arsenal in the FA Cup 5th Round in 2017 without any criticism or concern from the Premier League side. The following year, the club was on the verge of promotion to the football league before defeat to Boreham Wood in the playoffs. The loss was perhaps a blessing disguise for the London club, as a promotion to the Football League would have required them to rip up and replace their famous surface. Of course, not everyone is a fan of the artificial surface. Last season saw a public dispute between Berkhamsted FC and Berkhamsted Raiders. The Raiders submitted plans for their rival’s home stadium to be converted to a 3G surface, allow them to share the facility at Broadwater. The proposal was not well received by Berkhamsted FC who’ve played on grass for over a century. Whilst if we’re being truly honest, players and fans alike would rather watch the game being played on traditional grass (and mud). With the improvement in 3G surfaces, they are a useful option for grassroots football. Many clubs are embracing the benefit of a reliable surface that can host multiple teams. With artificial pitches being allowed by UEFA competitions, perhaps it’s time for the EFL to rethink their approach too.

LEVERSTOCK GREEN HISTORY Leverstock Green Football Club was formed around 1895. The first match reports appeared on January 4th 1896 in the Advertiser and gave an account of a match against Hemel Hempstead Rovers. The first competitive fixtures were reported during season 1908/1909 when the Club competed in Division Three of the West Herts League. Other clubs competing in the league at that time were: Abbots Langley, Bovingdon, Boxmoor, Bushey Heath, Hagden Lane, Kings Langley and Potten End. The Club ground in Pancake Lane originally formed part of the Gorhambury Estate, Lord Verulam making the ground available for the youth of the area and his estate workers to enjoy a game of ball. Clearly Lord Verulam was an early enthusiast, providing timber-built changing rooms, which have been progressively replaced since the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by the existing brick built clubhouse and changing rooms. The club remained members of the West Herts League until 1954 when it broadened its horizons and successfully applied to join the Herts County League. In 1991 the Club were accepted into the South Midlands League and had two highly successful seasons in the Premier Division before being forced to drop into the Senior Division, as floodlights were then not available. In 1996 the club finished in runners-up position and the following season were the divisional champions but could not be promoted because floodlights

had still not received approval from the Council. The 2005-06 season has been the most successful for the club since the installation of the floodlights in 1999, which had fierce, and continuing, opposition. It looks like it will be the highest finish achieved in the Premier Division. The Premier Division Cup Final and The West Herts FA St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Final against Berkhamsted Town have been reached plus a good performance against Boreham Wood in the Herts Senior Cup, going out on penalties after a 1-1 scoreline. In 2007 the new Peter Metcalfe changing rooms were built due to continuing improvements to the club at a cost of ninety thousand pounds but were long overdue as the existing rooms had become too small with the ever increasing number of players, substitutes and management teams that clubs have these days. 2008 saw the refurbishment of the clubhouse to include new toilets, new hospitality suite. Due to the standards being set by the Football Association for Season 2009-10 the Club has had to undertake various ground improvements which includes a concrete walkway round the ground and seated accommodation for 113 spectators. It was also a season which saw some major changes with Kate Binns taking over as Chairman when Bill Dawes felt it time to relinquish this post. Season 20102011 saw a fourth place finish in the South Midlands League Premier Division scoring

LEVERSTOCK GREEN HISTORY 100 league goals. After an early exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Harefield United, the team stormed into the FA Vase commencing with a 6-0 win against Welwyn Garden City, then a 5-4 home win against Enfield 1893 it was then a visit to Hullbridge Sports and a 5-1 win, Tunbridge Wells were the next to fall with a 3-1 home win, in the fourth round Bemerton Heath Harlequins were defeated 4-1 at home, then the fifth round we were drawn against Rye United at home and the Wembley dream then faded with a 2-1 defeat. The final of the league Premier Division Cup was reached but we went down 2-0 to Colney Heath who we had beaten 4-1 in the league ten days earlier. Tring Athletic were next up in the St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Final but we went down by two goals to one. Finally silverware came our way at the Herts County Ground when we beat London Colney in the Herts Charity Shield. A new Manager for Season 2012 -2013 was recruited in Steve Benitez who had been Chesham United Reserve Manager in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One the previous season. Steve brought in Dan Manzi as his assistant. With most of the previous seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s players moving on it was a case of start again as the season approached. Having picked up a good number of points before Christmas we eventually finished in fifteenth position. Prior to Season 2013-2014 Steve Benitez had to relinquish the post of manager due to work commitments in Spain and his number two Dan Manzi has stepped into the role of Manager. Also to relinquish her post just

prior to the AGM was Chairman Kate Binns this position has been filled with Secretary Brian Barter taking on a dual role. Season 2013-2014 proved difficult having won the first league game the next thirteen were defeats a rare win in the Premier Division Cup then defeats in seven out of the next eight league games prompted a change of manager. In came the exRayners Lane Manager Dene Gardner who saved the club from relegation and reached the final of the St Marys Cup where we were runners up losing by three goals to two. Season 2014-2015 was remembered as the club increased its bank balance with prize money from the FA Cup with wins at home against Newport Pagnell Town and wins away at Harefield United and Biggleswade United before losing 5-0 at Staines Town. Season 2016-2017 saw the Chairman Brian Barter relinquish the post and Nicholas Christou was voted in as his successor. The first team finished mid-table with Scott Dash at the helm. An early exit in the Herts Charity Shield and FA Cup both at the hands of London Colney. In the FA Vase we had a 4-0 win at Harefield United and a 7-3 win at Thrapston before going out 2-1 to Welwyn Garden City. The Semi-Final of the League Challenge Trophy was reached before going out to London Colney. Season 2017-2018 The team finished in 7th position in the Premier Division and won the St Marys Cup beating Berkhamsted.

TAKE FIVE LEVERSTOCK GREEN LAST FIVE SEASONS SEASON LEAGUE

P W D L F A P POS

2014-15 SSML-P

42 13 6 23 63 94 45

15/22

2015-16 SSML-P

42 9 8 25 76 107 35

18/22

2016-17 SSML-P

42 16 10 16 85 76 58

12/22

2017-18 SSML-P

40 17 8 15 84 83 59

7/21

2018-19 SSML-P

38 8 7 23 40 78 31

17/20

LAST FIVE RESULTS Sat 23 November

15:00 Leverstock Green 2 – 1 North Greenford United

Sat 16 November

15:00 Leverstock Green 0 – 3 Colney Heath

Tue 12 November

19:45 Harpenden Town 0 – 2 Leverstock Green

Sat 09 November

15:00 Baldock Town 0 – 3 Leverstock Green

Tue 05 November

19:45 Leverstock Green 3 – 1 Dunstable Town

NEXT FIVE FIXTURES Tue 03 December