du N s Table To WN f.c.

Creasey Park Drive, Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable, Beds LU6 1BB

Dunstable Town FC is a Community Benefit Society. It is registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 Registration Number 8667 as Dunstable Town Football Club Ltd

Directors

Andrew Madaras

Chair / Secretary / Director of Community Activities & Matchday Operations

Matt Carrington - Vice Chair / Treasurer

Neil Barker - Director of Partnerships

Peter Bottom

Supporters’ Groups Director / Fundraising Manager

Gary Levy - Director of Football

Kristy Lewington

Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Lee Nania

Director of CBS Growth & Marketing / Business Consultant

Julian Nutley

Commercial & Marketing Director / Business Consultant

Dan Roberts

Director of Specialist Community Projects community benefit society team

Adrian Witkowski - Membership Administrator

Yvonne Verla - Mental Health Ambassador

Ian Bateman - Walking Football

Patrick Mackay - Walking Group

Lee Nutley - Chums and Crumbs

Andrew Madaras - Sphere at the Glider

Lou Goodman - Volunteer coachin G staff

Joe Deeney - Head Coach

Kyle Durcan - Assistant Head Coach

Anthony Christophi - Coach

Ayub Nabongo - U18s

Adam Ashton - Physio/Sports Therapist

Steve Lewington - Kitman c L ub officers & officia L s

Brad Cawthorne - Digital Manager

Jeffrey Roy - International Supporters’ Ambassador

Abby Slough - Marketing & Advertising Manager

Liam Smith - Events Manager

Wayne Upton - Community Activities media team

Brad Cawthorne - Website/DTFC TV

Chris White & Liam Smith - Club Photographers

Matt Carrington - Social Media

Abby Slough - Instagram

Richard Scott - Programme Editor

Fly Design & Print - Programme Printing m atchday t eam

Wayne Upton - Matchday Manager

Brad Cawthorne - Matchday Cameraman

Andrew Madaras - Match Reporter

Amanda Madaras - Turnstile Manager

Dan Roberts - Matchday Merchandise

George Lewington - Matchday DJ

Chris Gray - Matchday Steward

Bradley Field & Mark Williams - Stewards youth section

Andrew Madaras - Chair

Wayne Upton - Vice Chair

Kristy Lewington - Secretary/Club Welfare Officer

Christian Baxter - Treasurer

Steve Chiswell - Assistant Welfare Officer

Wayne Upton & Joe Le Vien - Football Development

Jeff Abraham - Parents Representative

Karl Clarke & Steve Lewington - Social Media

Welcome to the management, players, and supporters of Leverstock Green ahead of today’s game. Our last fixture with Leverstock Green ended in a 2-2 draw which was an eventful day to say the least. We turned in an unbelievably poor 1st half where we found ourselves 1-0 down and after our dismal display were very fortunate to go in at only 1-0. A brutal half time assessment on one of the very few occasions I got personal with players saw us equalise 47 seconds into the 2nd half. We were much better 2nd half in terms of performance and were disappointed to not find the win. Full credit to Leverstock Green they are going well this season and have only 4 losses in 24 so it further highlights what a tough game today will be. Whilst we have respect for every opponent when the game starts, we always believe and back ourselves to win.

I want to start my programme notes by paying tribute to the Bateman Family. Last Saturday we were all able to share a tribute to Aaron. Players, staff, supporters, directors and family and friends of Aaron were all able to be together in the Aaron Bateman stand at the end of the game. It was a very emotional moment for everyone and just goes to show how much Aaron was loved by everyone and the ever-lasting legacy he leaves.

Ian Bateman has been someone I have become very close with. His unbelievable strength and courage epitomise the man he is and I have so much admiration for him and he has become a hero for us all. There are no words or tributes any of us can ever make to erase the pain or do Aaron, Ian, Charlotte, or any of the Bateman family justice. All I can say is I am sure Aaron is looking down immensely proud of the legacy he has left and the strength he gives us all. The togetherness as a club we have showed has been humbling and further reiterates why I am so proud to be the Head Coach of our wonderful club.

The new sign in the Aaron Bateman stand which reads “In spite of it all, life is beautiful” is something we must work to remember during the toughest of times. I am almost ashamed to admit that during the 94 minutes of a football match I forget that football isn’t life or death, there are always bigger things than 3 points. Mine and the players aim for the rest of the season is to keep working hard, doing the best we can and keep making everyone proud of the group that pull on the Dunstable Town badge. We are on a good run of form now, unbeaten in 6 games with 1 loss in the last 11 in the league. During that run we have kept 7 clean sheets which shows the grit and resilience we are playing with. I promised when I took the job that our team would put copious amounts of sweat into the shirt and never give up. We are giving it everything and will continue to do that for the next 16 league games. My players and my staff make immense sacrifices to represent this football club and their loyalty has been incredible. In a modern-day world of football where so many players and clubs show a complete lack of respect and move for what feels like an extra 10p a week, we have something different.

So many of my players have had opportunities to earn substantially more money elsewhere. Whenever we get an approach for one of our players, I always notify them, I never hide it from them. Some of the approaches are done properly and some unfortunately are not. I never know my players financial situations away from football, so I always tell them how loved they are but that I understand if they must earn money elsewhere. Whilst I never want to lose players, I also do understand that you cannot pay your mortgage with the currency of loyalty. It is a credit to all my lads that not one has put money before playing for me and this football club.

I don’t mean It disrespectfully to anyone else but there is nobody at his football club that wants us in that top 2 more than me. It has consumed me since I got here, and it feels like every waking moment all I think about is winning. It is an obsession without a doubt, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Can I promise promotion? Of course, I can’t promise that and that would be churlish to ever talk like that. What I do promise is that I will leave no stone unturned in our quest to the get there. My Dad said to me as a young boy, and it always stuck with me that it is ok to fail providing you give it absolutely everything.

I have more wrinkles then when I started, my hairline is back a few more inches than when I arrived but I tell you something I have loved absolutely every moment of it. It is time to strap ourselves in, enjoy the ride, love the highs, ride the lows and let’s see where it takes us. I have no doubts there will be a few more emotional outbursts so if you stand within 20 yards of the dugout maybe think about ponchos unless you are partial to some Lucozade.

Finally, a massive well done to Peter Bottom who we all love. Peter finally completed the Harpenden Town walk on Tuesday at the 3rd attempt. He completed the 1.6 miles remaining after the postponements. Congratulations Peter, with our injury list keep the miles coming as you might be needed to get your boots on before the seasons out. Scottie returns from Mexico today as well so It will be great to have him back and listen to his booming voice, we have definitely missed you.

Enjoy today’s game.

It really is a pleasure to welcome Emma Smart and colleagues to Creasey Park for this afternoon’s fixture v Leverstock Green. Emma took over as Chair of Leverstock Green following the sad and unexpected death of her father, Graham, in 2019. Graham really was one of the nicest men in football and someone who performed half a dozen different duties at the Club. Emma has followed in Graham’s footsteps and has made Leverstock Green one of the most hospitable clubs to visit on our travels.

First Team Manager, Fergus Moore & Assistant, Scott McGleish have made the Green a very hard team to beat, and their defensive record is the 4th best in the League. Expect a close and keenly contested encounter this afternoon.

We welcome not just Emma & her committee colleagues, but also Fergus, Scott, the players and supporters of

LGFC & hope they enjoy their afternoon with us and have a safe journey home come the final whistle.

Tuesday was the first anniversary of Aaron Bateman’s death. The number of bouquets, candles, and mementoes that well wishers brought to lay in the Aaron Bateman stand touched us all, as did two remarkable events at the end of the Hoddesdon match last Saturday.

Without needing to be asked or prompted, First team players laid flowers in the stand and hugged Ian, Charlotte & Steve in an emotional show of solidarity after the final whistle had blown. This was then followed by Creasey Park, Duty Manager, Hayley & her team presenting Ian & family with a plaque inscribed with the famous lyrics we all know now. “In spite of it all, life is beautiful.”

In another magnificent show of the solidarity that transcends the rivalries between towns and clubs, Leighton Town have planned a tribute to Aaron for next Tuesday when we travel to Bell Close for the semi-final of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Cup. On the field we picked up a very useful point away at Harpenden Town on Tuesday night. Matches at this time of year are not for the faint-hearted or for the purists. The objective is to win and if that means winning by a single goal with a direct style of football, then so be it. Two goals from the head of Joe SellersWest were enough to gain all three points against Hoddesdon last Saturday. Luke Dunstan’s perfectly flighted corner kicks proving too deceptive for the away defence to deal with.

We’re now in 4th position and still have the top three teams to play on their own pitches. We are 9 points behind but have two games in hand over top of the League, Stotfold, who we visit on the last day of the season. It would be nice to think that we will still be challenging for honours come the end of the season.

Joe’s prophetic words that no team would run away with the League this season look very accurate. There’s everything to play for and you can play your part by getting behind the Team and showing your full support both at Creasey Park and on our travels.

We’re almost ready to make a big announcement about the benefits of being a Club Owner. Julian & Lee have been burning the midnight oil to secure another major partnership which we’ll be letting you know about very soon.

The Club’s directors met on Monday night to approve the partnership and also made some changes to the “T’s and C’s” which we hope will make becoming an owner of the Club a little bit easier.

The more owners we have, the more community support we can offer as part of the Improving the Lives of Others programme.

For full details on how to become an Owner of DTFC & really make a difference to somebody’s life, please go to the website and click the Membership tag; https://www.dunstabletownfc.co.uk/ membership dunstabletownfc@gmail.com

Today we welcome Steve & Wendy, two volunteers from the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service. They will be holding a bucket collection to raise funds for the charity which does such incredibly important, life saving work, 365 days per year. Please give as generously as you can afford.

Finally, as the Club continues to grow at a pace, we have vacancies for people in many different roles at the Club. All posts are voluntary, but you’ll become part of a very friendly team. If you are interested in volunteering, please let any of the committee or stewards know on matchdays or email chair.

Enjoy the game, be the lads’ 12th Man, be loud and proud but please show respect to the referee and his assistants and to the opposition.

Andrew Madaras