PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL
ROYSTON TOWN FC vs NEEDHAM MARKET FC Tuesday 23rd November 2021 Kick Off: 7.45pm
Royston Town FC would like to welcome tonight's opponent Needham Market FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture. We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable evening and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game.
We also welcome this evening’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game.
SUPPLIERS OF PRIZES FOR THE FAMOUS ROYSTON TOWN FC MEAT RAFFLE
Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary
Founded 1875 Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY
07772 086709
Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board
Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer
email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery Steve Endacott Angela Baulk, Neil MacLeod Kevin Richards
Football Management Team First Team Manager First Team Asst Manager Reserve Team Manager U18 Team Managers Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager
Steve Castle Chris Watters Lewis Endacott Dan Evans/Matt Campany Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson
Ground
Garden Walk, Royston, Herts SG8 7HP Telephone (01763) 241204
Colours
First XI Reserves U18 Women's Vets
White/Black/White White/Black/White White/Black/Black White/Black/White White/Black/Black
Members of: The Hertfordshire Football Association Southern League Premier Division The Herts Senior County League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football League The Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Ladies League Royston Town Football Club is an unincorporated association controlled by its members under the Constitution of RTFC
www.roystontownfc.myspreadshop.co.uk/
CLUB HONOURS WINNERS Herts County League (Div I) 1969-70, 1972-73 Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976-1977 South Midlands League (Div I) 1977-1978 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978-1979 South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978-79, 1979-1980 Herts Charity Shield, 1981-82, 1989-90, 1996-1997 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988-1989 Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989-1990 South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992-1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992-1993 South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995-1996 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998-1999 Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001-2002 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004-2005 KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006-2007 South Midlands League (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994-1995 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008-2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008-2009 KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009-2010 BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011 BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011 South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012 South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012 Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013 Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015-16 Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17
RUNNERS UP South Midlands Challenge Cup, 1978-1979 Herts Charity Shield, 1978-79, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2008-2009 South Midlands League (Premier Div) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div III) 1981-1982 North Herts (Div II) 1982-1983 South Midlands Res Section Trophy, 1982-1983 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1986-87, 1988-1989 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1989-1990 Herts County Youth Cup, 1992-1993 North Herts (Div I), 1993-1994 South Midlands Floodlit Cup, 1995-1996 Herts F.A. Women’s Cup, 1998-99, 2001-2002 2013/14 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div I) 1999-2000, 2013/2014 2014/15 Eastern Junior Plate, 2001-2002 KB Tyres Division I 2008-2009, 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Trophy 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserves Floodlit Cup 2010/2011 Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup 2013/2014 Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16
WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2021 AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Lowestoft Town Coalville Town v Banbury United Peterborough Sports v Alvechurch St Ives Town v Bromsgrove Sporting Tamworth v Stratford Town
SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION
https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/southern-football-league-premier-central-division
Hi Guys, It’s taken us a little while to get the elusive 3 points in the League but credit to the lads. They showed a great amount of character on Saturday to get the win. Some might say that Hednesford’s ill-discipline helped us and obviously it did but that shouldn’t distract away from the attitude of our boys. They started on the front foot and got ourselves in the lead very quickly. We didn’t let up and for a little bit more composure in front of goal could and should have got more goals. In fairness, our opponents fought back and had a couple of opportunities themselves. Into the second half and maybe because of previous games, I thought that we took the intensity down a bit, mainly because we kept the ball a lot more which was good. We all want our lads to be ‘barnstorming’ and blow teams away but with all the previous circumstances it was pleasing to see a good assured performance. To our advantage, they had 2 lads sent off in pretty quick succession which obviously helped our cause. Some might argue that we should have pushed for more goals but the result was all-important for us. Let’s not forget( and I’m not moaning) but we had so many lads out due to injury or illness, so from the start we were a little ‘backs to the wall’. On to tonight and in my opinion probably one of our hardest matches against Needham Market. They always tend to do very well against us so full focus again please lads! I want to make a quick mention of and officially welcome our 2 new recruits in Rhamar Garrett-Douglas and Marcus Goldbourne. Both made their full debuts on Saturday and I thought both played very well. So in summary, a little bit brighter in the Royston camp, but still having to deal with a lot of absences but hey ho! We keep going. Once again thanks for the support. It is always welcome but especially when things are not quite going our way. Cheers Steve C
SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC After some intensive research, the evidence is that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest Club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop Stortford. The Club’s very first honour came in 1911/12 when they won the Creake Charity Shield beating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time. The Club’s first major honour in more recent times came in the guise of promotion to the Herts County Premier League in 1969/70 and they went on to be champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. In 1978 we rejoined the South Midlands League and won the Division One title at the first time of asking. Success continued with a final appearance in the Herts Charity Shield for the first time in 1979 and runners up spot in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82 and two years later the Club joined the Isthmian League Division Two North where we remained for 10 seasons before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994. After a period in the doldrums that culminated in relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of 2006/07, Paul Attfield was appointed manager with ex-Spurs favourite Tony Galvin returning to Garden Walk 1st Team Coach in November 2007. Paul immediately set about building a new 1st Team squad and a run of 17 games undefeated saw the Club move from the bottom of the table to finish in 5th place in the League. The foundations had been laid for the 2008/09 season and the first team took the South Midlands Division One League title with one of the best sets of stats for any Step 6 Club in the country W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103. The 2011/2012 season will be seen as a watershed in our history with winning the South Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4 in the shape of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central. In our first season back at Step 4 after an absence of 19 years, it was hard to know what to expect and how we would perform. Most of our supporters felt a mid-table position would be an acceptable target for the season, but we quickly found ourselves exceeding all expectations as our performances propelled us towards the top of the table. Four straight wins in the first four games set the tone and a run of nine wins with just one defeat between October and December saw us maintain a play-off position. In the very last game of the season a playoff was still a possibility and having gone 2-1 up away at AFC Hayes with just a few minutes of the game left it looked a near certainty. But it was not to be as Hayes scored an 87-minute equaliser and our play-off place was lost. In our second season at this level, our steady progress to claim a place in the playoff zone was given a severe jolt when Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health at the beginning of November. The search for his replacement began almost immediately and we were inundated with applications from some very well know and successful managers. After an exhaustive selection process, the Board appointed Steve Castle at the end of November and on Boxing Day Steve officially took over securing a 0 – 0 draw against the League’s form team and eventual champions Dunstable Town. Our 2014/15 season opener was at home against one of the promotion favourites Rugby Town but an impressive team display ensured their threat was stifled and we ran out winners 2 -1. That victory really did set things buzzing but we were quickly brought back down to earth when on the following Tuesday night Bedworth United were the visitors winning the game 3 – 1. As we all know consistency in performances provides the key to long term success and although the early stages of the season produced good results against the likes of Daventry Town and Beaconsfield these were punctuated by dismal performances against the likes of Aylesbury and Egham Town. From mid-November to mid-December We really lost our way with six defeats in seven games but our rollercoaster ride saw an incredible run of form over the Christmas period and into the New Year with five straight wins which helped us maintain a position in the playoff places.
On a miserable Tuesday evening in February, we travelled to lowly AFC Hayes and after an abject performance, we lost the game 2 – 0. This prompted our Chairman to tell Steve Castle that he had given up on this team making the play–offs and said that we should start preparing instead for next season. That message was conveyed to players and we witnessed a most remarkable transformation in our results with a 14 game unbeaten run during which we scored 29 goals and conceded just seven resulting in us achieving the runners up spot to league champions Kettering Town and securing our place in the playoff semi-final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers. After an incident-packed 90 minutes and extra time the game ended in a goalless draw but it was not to be our night and we lost the shoot out 4-5 and had to suffer the agony of all the emotions which go with being defeated in this way. We started the 2015/16 season strongly and between the end of December and the end of March we produced a rich vein of form with only one defeat in 14 games and this ensured we were sitting on top of the league with just 7 games to go and with the expectation that we could win promotion outright ran high throughout the whole club. However, three games in succession proved our downfall when we could only draw 0 – 0 with Bedford and lost to Egham away 3- 1 and Godalming at home 1- 0 and once again we ended up in the play offs against AFC Rushden but we failed to turn up and went out tamely to our opponents 2 - 1. Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh Castiglione extended runs in the first team. However, the season didn’t start well and after four games we’d only mustered five points whilst promotion rivals Farnborough just couldn’t stop winning. Although results did improve, defeat in the FA Cup to Heybridge Swifts 4 – 1 and a thrashing by Barton Rovers at home 6 – 3 at the end of September didn’t do a great of good for our confidence. Things took a dramatic turn thereafter with 12 successive league wins which ended with defeat 2-1 at Kidlington in early January 2017, interspersed by a magnificent run in the FA Trophy including a victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 -0. With cup football out of the way, the team put together an incredible run of 16 league games undefeated including a 5 – 0 thrashing of closest rivals Farnborough which saw us maintain the top spot until the end of the season by a margin of 12 points and the highest number of goals scored, 120, across all three Evostik Leagues. Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club was playing at the highest level in its 142-year history! Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceed all expectations in our first season at Step 3. Throughout the season we managed to maintain our hopes of a play-off place until they were finally put to bed with two successive defeats against the eventual play-off winners Slough Town and we had to be satisfied with a seventh-place finish. The signing of Adam Marriott, a proven goal scorer who had played for Lincoln City, Stevenage and Cambridge United was without a doubt a real coup and he was to play a key role in the progress made by the Club by becoming our leading marksman with 31 goals. A good run in the FA Trophy with wins against Enfield Town and Leatherhead came to an end against Eastbourne Borough when having managed to draw at their place we lost the replay on penalties. We managed to get to the final of the Herts Senior Cup where we played Borehamwood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 – 1. Given where we had started from we definitely exceeded our own and many other peoples’ expectations and this has provided us with the building blocks to face this season in the newly constituted Southern Premier Central League.
Season 2018/19 saw us finishing in a respectable 9th position in what proved to be a very strong Premier Division Central. During February/March we recorded six wins out of seven league games to give us a faint hope of a playoff spot, but three straight defeats in April put paid to our chances. We suffered another early at AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and in the FA Trophy we progressed through two rounds before being beaten in a replay at Needham Market. Season 2019/20 will go down in the Club’s history as one of the most successful and exciting but ultimately one which ended in bitter disappointment. Steve Castle was quick to ensure we had players who were proven goal scorers and the arrival of Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams and Claudio Ofosu did not disappoint. Perhaps the only sadness that our young and highly talented left wing-back Joe Newton had created so much interest from EFL Clubs that in the end, it was inevitable he would have to leave us and Joe was signed by Coventry City. No Crows fans will ever forget the team's brilliant performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy and although our FA Cup run ended with defeat to the very talented Maldon and Tiptree in front of a record crowd for Garden Walk of 1152. The interest generated in the Crows both locally and beyond was immense and set the scene for what was to come in the FA Trophy. It all started with very comfortable wins against Brightlingsea Regent and Haywards Heath and then were drawn away at Step 2 table-topping Wealdstone which for many was one of the games of the season as Royston shot into a 2- 0 lead before Wealdstone hit back to pull the tie level 2-2. In spite of being under constant pressure, the Crows mounted a great counterattack down the left and the cross was despatched by Brandon Adams to give the Crow’s victory 3-2. What followed was truly historic with home wins against Step 2 teams Boreham Wood 2-0, Chester 3-0 and away at National League Ebbsfleet 2-0, to set up a quarter-final tie away at Concord Rangers. In the run-up to the game, the rain had been falling heavily but our opponents declared the pitch playable and the invasion of six coach loads of Royston supporters and a convoy of cars and mini-buses descended on Canvey Island. As we started arriving for the kick-off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable and with a sense of extreme disappointment and also a lot of anger we all returned home. The following Tuesday the game went ahead but it was not to be and we were defeated 2-1. There is no doubt the Clubs achievements in the FA Trophy marked a watershed in our history which will be remembered for a very long time. Running alongside the cup success it was easy to forget that we had got ourselves in contention to win the League with a run of only two defeats in 20 league fixtures. With 3 games in hand and only 2 points behind Peterborough Sports and Tamworth and playing some of our best football, we looked nailed on to win the League. Then out of the blue, the Covid crisis hit all levels of football and with what many felt was indecent haste the League decided to null and void the whole season. All our achievements were suddenly for nothing and the taste of bitter disappointment amongst all supporters of the Crows was very hard to swallow. Season 2020/21: As the pandemic took hold it seemed like the chances of seeing a new season start were remote but by summer 2020 there had been a massive improvement and by July the lockdown ended albeit with a host of restrictions in place. By the time we had assembled a squad, we were without key players such as Matt Bateman who moved to Hemel Hempstead and Claudio Ofosu who joined Hartlepool and with a lot of the momentum and energy generated by the now-defunct season now dissipated we were finding it hard to get going again. In the League, we seemed to slip into the habit of conceding goals when in a winning position and a string of draws meant we languished in the lower half of the division. The FA cup again promised to provide excitement with wins against Newmarket, Wroxham and AFC Stamford before losing to our old rivals Bishops Stortford. We won our first two ties in the FA Trophy against Hythe Town and Tamworth before going out 3-2 away at Brackley by which time the League season was yet again declared null and void as the second wave of Covid took its stranglehold. A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 1875 2012 first published in 2013. The book was written by the Club’s President, Alan Barlow following more than five years of painstaking research and can be purchased via the Club.
WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Joe Welch (Goalkeeper) Joined us from Chelmsford City in 2016/17, Joe started his career at Southend United before joining Histon where he played over 50 games and earned a loan deal at Stevenage. Joe’s other clubs include Ebbsfleet, Bromley and St Albans City. Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Defender) Versatile defender who re-joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes & Yeading. Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team during the 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before moving to Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town. Adam Murray (Defender) Adam joined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge City where he made 60 appearances. He quickly settled into the squad and has proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows. Ronnie Henry (Defender) Signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at Billericay Town. Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to play 502 games for Stevenage (the club’s all-time record appearances) in two spells either side of two seasons at Luton Town. Daniel Brathwaite (Defender) Club skipper, Dan joined the Crows from Chesham United for the start of 2015/16. He is an experienced defender whose former clubs include Boreham Wood and Dover Athletic. Dan Newton (Defender) Joined the Crows early into season 2020/21, Centre-Back Dan's previous clubs were Biggleswade FC and Northwood. He is a calm and confident defender and cousin of former Crow Joe Newton. James Brighton (Defender) Experienced full-back who joined us in November 2019 from Kettering Town, where he had spent a successful four seasons. James has previously played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Cambridge City & Cambridge United. Scott Bridges (Midfield) Scott re-joined the Crows in season 2020/21 after spending the previous season at Hayes & Yeading, having been a Crow for four years previously, scoring 71 goals in 194 appearances. Originally with Aston Villa until 2007, Scott then played most of his football at Banbury United. Spyros Mentis (Midfield) Versatile, hard-working and tough-tackling midfielder or defender, Spyros re-joined The Crows in 2018/19 after a season away at Hayes & Yeading, he previously played just under 100 games for us from 2013 during his first spell at Garden Walk. Tom Newman (Midfield) Joined the Crows at the start of 2018/19, Tom has impressed when called upon and has chipped in with some useful goals from midfield. Isa Rotimi (Midfield) Young midfielder who signed for the Crows at the beginning of season 2019/20, Isa previously spent two seasons at Colney Heath.
Dan Green (Midfield) Joined us in December 2018 from Chesham United, Dan is an experienced midfielder whose other previous clubs include St Albans City and Dunstable Town. Brandon Adams (Forward) Signed for the Crows in 2019, Brandon previously spent four years at Queens Park Rangers which included loan deals at Malaysian club Perlis and Linfield in Northern Ireland. After leaving the R’s in 2018 Brandon dropped into non-league hoping to catch the eye of pro clubs and has certainty impressed. After a short stint at Enfield Town he moved to Ware in 2018/19 and bagged an impressive 23 league goals in 25 games. Josh Williams (Forward) Signed for the Crows at the start of last season after spending the previous season at Ware, where he scored 17 goals in 30 appearances, Josh previously played for FC Romania. Isaac Galliford (Forward) Previously with Hitchin Town, St Neots Town & Hemel Hempstead after starting out with Luton Town. Isaac signed for us for the beginning of last season. Whilst with The Canaries Isaac’s performances earned him an England ‘C’ call-up. Matt Bateman (Forward) Re-joined us for the start this season from Hemel Hempstead, where he spent last season after moving from the Crows. Matt signed for the Crows at the start of season 2019/20 and scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 games during that season to earn his move to Hemel. Previous to that Matt played a big part in Berkhamsted’s push for promotion in 2018/19 where he netted 43 times in 54 appearances for The Comrades. Harry Draper (Forward) Signed for the Crows on loan from Stevenage at the start of this season. Harry has been with Stevenage from the age of eight, he signed his first professional deal at Boro’ in summer 2019 and then spent that season on loan at Hitchin Town. Finlay Titchmarsh (Defender) Young defender who signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season, Finlay was originally with Barnet before having spells with Staines Town and Ware.
COME ON
YOU
CROWS!
TODAY'S OPPONENTS Needham Market FC Club History Needham Market Football Club was officially formed in 1919 although records do indicate that games were played in the late 1890’s in the town. The original home for the club was Young’s Meadow until a move to Crowley Park was the base until 1996. The club then moved and opened a new development called ‘Bloomfields’. The complex is named after club stalwart Derrick Bloomfield who has given more than 70 years’ service to the club. As well as being a player Derrick has held virtually every role in the club. To recognise his service the club awarded him a testimonial match in 2004. He was also presented with a long service award from The FA for his achievement. Over the years the club has won many trophies with one of the most notable being crowned champions of the Senior Division of The Suffolk & Ipswich League in the 1995/6 season. This coincided with the opening of ‘Bloomfields’ and a new chapter in the club’s history, as they applied for promotion to the Jewson League Division 1 which was duly accepted. Other honours won by the club include The Suffolk & Ipswich League Cup in the 1977/78 season and the 1979/80 season. The Suffolk FA Junior Cup was won in 1984/85 and a successful trip to Portman Road saw the club victorious in The Suffolk FA Senior Cup in the 89/90 season and again in 2004/05. After being in The Ridgeons League Division 1 for a number of years they finally finished as runners up in 2005. In the club’s inaugural season in the Ridgeons Premier Division they finished in a very creditable 6th place, and had a good run in The FA Vase going out to eventual winners Nantwich Town. Manager Mark Morsley left the club at the end of the season under good terms after being appointed Manager of AFC Sudbury. The club acted swiftly and appointed Danny Laws and Chris Tracey as joint managers for the 2006/07 season. In their first season they assembled a very young and talented squad of players who gained experience and some notable results. The club won its first ever FA Cup tie when they defeated Desborough Town at home. In The Suffolk FA Premier Cup a record crowd of 750 saw Ipswich Town win 3-0 at ‘Bloomfields’, but the biggest achievement was finishing fourth in the Ridgeons League Premier Division and also lifting The East Anglian Cup after beating Concord Rangers in the final. In 2007/08 Danny Laws was sole Manager after Chris Tracey returned to Sudbury. This season proved to be fantastic for Danny and the players as the club moved to a new level - finishing runners-up in the Ridgeons League Premier Division to Soham Town Rangers. Needham Market were also losing semifinalists in The FA Vase losing out to eventual winners Kirkham & Wesham. However cup glory was achieved by winning the Ridgeons League Challenge Cup by beating Gorleston 2-1 in the final. Season 2009 / 2010 was the most successful in the clubs history. The 1st Team not only won The Eastern Counties League Premier Division for the first time, but also The Eastern Counties League League Challenge Cup to make it a double; a feat not achieved for some 15 years. A third successive Suffolk FA Premier Cup Final was also achieved only to be defeated by a very strong Ipswich Town XI. For the second consecutive season, the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase were reached only to once again be knocked out at this stage. The 2010/11 Season saw a new chapter in Needham Market Football Clubs history as for the first time Step 4 Football awaited in the form of The Ryman League Division One North. The anticipation, optimism and confidence was very high at the start of the season but no one was getting carried away as consolidation in the league was the priority. Well who would have thought the season we were to have. Challenging at the top of the league for the whole season with East Thurrock United who would eventually go on and win the championship, but we would have another bite of the cherry as 2nd place was cemented in the league and a home semi-final play off. Unfortunately we would go on to lose this match to Brentwood Town, which was very difficult to take at the time especially as we finished 18 points ahead of them in the regular playing season.
Season 2011 / 2012 saw the club open its doors to a new venture as we introduced a full time Academy Programme for 16-18 year olds who would be studying for an NVQ in Sports Development half of the day and coached by Horlock the remainder of the day. The scheme was a success with the lads on the scheme forming our Reserve side who had an excellent season finishing runners up in the Ridgeons Reserve League North Division, Semi-Finalists in The Suffolk FA Senior Reserve Cup and reaching the 3rd Qualifying Round of The FA Youth Cup. The First Team once again challenged for The Ryman League Division One North Title up until Christmas when a run of bad results ended the automatic promotion route but the club remained in the play-off positions for the remainder of the season. Victory in the play off semi-final away at set up a play off final 36 hours later at league runners up Enfield Town. In truth this was too short a turnaround and we were both physically and mentally drained unfortunately losing the game 1-0. Season 2012 / 2013 was a difficult one in comparison with the previous seasons in that Needham had a long barren spell without recording a win at Bloomfields until the New Year. The club did following his resignation from Leiston move quickly to get Mark Morsley in harness once more with Danny Laws. But with the lure of managing at a higher level Danny decided to take the vacant post at Leiston and Mark was forced to take on the responsibilities as Manager earlier than he had originally intended. Season 2013 / 2014 saw Needham achieve a number of major achievements for the club most notably reaching the 4th Qualifying Round of The FA Cup for the first time losing 1-0 to Cambridge United in front of 1,784 spectators. In the League we managed to clinch 5th place and a play off spot. However, we lost the semi-final to Witham Town who were eventual play off winners. Season 2014 / 2015 was yet another historic one as the 1st Team became Ryman League Division 1 North Champions sealing promotion to The Ryman Premier Division for the first time. A first for the club also saw our Reserve Side compete at Step 6 Thurlow Nunn Division 1 for the very first time. Conducting ourselves very well we finished in a respectable 16th position having won 10 out of 12 points in the last 4 games of the season. The Youth Team had a great run in The FA Youth Cup reaching the 1st Round Proper for the very first time only to bow out to Stevenage. Season 2015 / 2016 saw the 1st Team competing at Step 3 of The Football League Pyramid for the first time in the Clubs History. Having won the Ryman North Division the previous Season they were now playing in The Ryman League Premier Division, which turned out to be a very hard season compared to the previous one. Survival was the main aim and this was achieved finishing in 20th position. The 1st Teams second Season at Step 3 Season 2016 / 2017 saw them occupy a Play-Off Spot for virtually all season even leading the table for several weeks along the way. However results towards the end of the season saw them drop out of contention finishing in 9th place. Season 2017 / 2018 was an indifferent year for the 1st Team with too many inconsistent results seeing the side in the bottom half of the table but always clear of the relegation area. Season 2018 / 2019 overall was a very good year both on and off the pitch for the whole club. The 1st Team were moved sideways to the Southern League South following The FA’s League Re-Structuring. This was by no means an ideal scenario but having been in the play-off frame for the majority of the season they fell away in the second half finishing in 11th. Season 2019 / 2020 unfortunately did not get completed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic leading to an end in March 2020 for all Non-League & Youth Football. All results were therefore expunged and the season null and void. Prior to this terrible situation the 1st Team were in Mid Table and in a good run of form looking to push on for a late Play Off position. Although disappointing the season had to end early it was the only outcome that could have been reached due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and our thoughts and prayers go to all those effected. Like the previous year Season 2020 / 2021 did not get completed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The season was halted in Dec 2020 and when it came to a potential re-start the decision was made at the end of Feb 2021 to declare the season null and void due to the ongoing pandemic. Although having only played a handful of games the 1 st Team remained unbeaten and were joint top of the Southern League Premier Central.
WHO ARE YA? Needham Market FC Player Pen Pics Kevin Horlock – Manager Kevin was appointed Manager at the start of February 2020 and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge having played the game professionally for over 15 years. He combines this role as Academy Manager and he has been the catalyst to the Reserve Team & under 18 Teams excellent form over the last couple of seasons. He will aim to bring an exciting style of football and provide key talented Academy players greater opportunities within the 1st Team. Throughout his own playing career he played at the highest level representing his country on 32 occasions. Tom Rothery – Joint Assistant Manager & Coach Tom re-joined the club in October 2019 having left his position as Brightlingsea Regent Manager. NMFC were quick to contact him to ask him to je-join the club where he had previously enjoyed success with the club back in 2016/2017. He possesses a UEFA B License and is an excellent coach who knows all about the Non-League Scene and is generally a top bloke to have back at the club. Nathan Munson MBE – Joint Assistant Manager & Goalkeeping Coach ‘Munno’ was a professional at Colchester United in the early 90’s before moving into non-league football. Former clubs include, Wivenhoe Town, Billericay Town, Harwich & Parkeston, AFC Sudbury and Leiston. He has also represented the English and British Police sides. He returned to Needham Market in 2013 as goalkeeping coach and was part of the team that won the Ryman North title in 2015. He stepped up to assistant manager last season and notably kept a clean sheet away at Tooting at 43 years of age. Marcus Garnham Marcus joined the club in the summer of 2019 having played at Leiston. He is a top keeper arguably one of the best, non-league keepers around and we are delighted he agreed to join the club. With his experience he will form an excellent partnership behind his defenders and his experience has added a lot to the side on and off the pitch. Owen Elsdon A product of the youth academy, Owen is learning the game all the time and has been putting in some excellent performances in the U18 and Reserve Teams. Kyle Hammond Kyle signed in June 2021 from Leiston. He played nearly 60 games whilst at Maldon & Tiptree having signed for them from Ipswich Town. He then moved to Leiston in the 2017/18 season. Kyle is no stranger to Manager Kev as he played at Maldon & Tiptree when he was their 1st Team Manager. A versatile Defender or Midfielder Kyle brings a wealth of experience to the team and we are delighted he has agreed to sign for the club. Joshua Pollard Josh became Manager Kevin’s first summer signing of 2020 and a player he has previously worked with at Colchester Utd and Maldon & Tiptree. He signed for Coggehshall Town in Season 18/19 following his release from Colchester Utd. Josh also had loan spells at Maldon & Tiptree and Harlow Town. He signed for Colchester Utd as an under 15, having spent his early academy years at Ipswich Town, and signed his first professional contract with Colchester in the summer of 2017. He is a no-nonsense defender who can also operate as a holding midfielder. Daniel Morphew Dr Dan Morphew having completed his Doctorate must make him the most intelligent player in the team! He is a 100% no-nonsense player who is elegant on the ball yet rugged in the tackle and is also a threat at set-pieces having scored 15 goals in his first two seasons. Despite what people think he is no relation to Keiran but together they have formed a solid partnership in the centre of defence. Keiran Morphew Keiran is the first player to have come through the Clubs Academy to sign a contract with the first team. He was given his chance in 2013 and has established himself as a fans favourite for his committed displays. He is a natural leader with his commanding performances and he is the current longest-serving player in the team now in his 10th season where he passed over 300 appearances for the club. Previously was Vice-Captain but now skipper. Hugh Cullum A product of the youth academy, Hugh is learning the game all the time and has been putting in some excellent performances in the U18 and Reserve Teams and works hard in training and has been given opportunities in the 1st Team following injuries and has put in some very good performances and is one for the future. Jake Dye Jake is a product of the Needham Market Academy Scheme and is now in his 8th season for the club having already notched up over 200 appearances for the 1st team and is only in his early 20’s. A natural defender Jake works hard to improve his game every season and has added goals to his repertoire and has a very bright future ahead of him.
Noah Collard Noah is a product of the Clubs very successful Academy Scheme and is now a key player in the team following impressive and consistent displays since moving on from the U18’s and Reserve Team. He is a very tenacious player who possesses bags of energy and is developing his game all the time and has the ability to go far in the game and is definitely one for the future. This has been evident with many pro clubs having given him trials. Byron Lawrence Byron’s ability on the ball and eye for a pass in the centre of the park as a playmaker makes him an excellent signing for the team. Very handy at set-pieces too and his all-round play has added and contributed to what was potentially looking like a successful season before it was curtailed. Thomas Fitzgerald Tom has put in some impressive performances in the U18’s and Reserves which earned him his chance with the First Team and will be eager to learn and gain experience with the squad to push on his development. Jose Santa De la Paz Jose has put in some impressive performances in the U18’s and Reserves which earned him his chance with the First Team. He is a committed player who is eager to learn which should see him have an exciting future in the game. Ben Fowkes Ben signed for the club in August 2020 from Norwich United. Manager Kevin was delighted to obtain his signature and had been a player he had been keeping his eye on. Ben has added quality and goals to an already excellent squad and gives many options in the attacking third. Thomas Maycock Tom signed in July 2021 from AFC Sudbury. He is left-sided attacking midfielder who can operate out wide or in a more advanced position with plenty of pace and skill with great awareness of play around him. He is a great addition to the squad who offers many attacking options and has a bright future ahead of him. Luke Ingram Ingers is the highest appearance maker in the current squad having been with the club for 9 seasons. He is a fans favourite and a top bloke on and off the field, a great athlete and immensely talented and a certain match-winner when firing on all cylinders. He can play in just about any position of the pitch but on his day impossible to handle on the right of midfield or as an attacking midfielder/forward. Callum Sturgess Callum joined us permanently from Colchester United 2½ years ago after initialling coming to the club on loan from Colchester United. He has been very impressive with his high energy displays and overall play. He likes to get forward from full-back starting many attacks and still in his early 20’s he has a very bright future in the game. Emmanuel Machaya Manny signed in early October following his departure from Stowmarket Town. He can play as a wide midfielder or striker and is technically adept and is a handful for defenders. He brings the team extra attacking options and will hopefully be a big impact on matches. Hans Mpongo Hans joined the club in mid-October after training with the club for several weeks prior. He arrived in the UK aged 14 from Holland having grown up in Den Haag before moving to South London in 2016 and represented his country of birth in a 2015 tournament in Morocco. He was scouted by Norwich City and subsequentially went on trial but unfortunately, things didn't get taken any further. Hopefully, he can provide the strikers' instinct with plenty of goals to assist the team in winning matches. Callum Page (Currently On Loan from Ipswich Town) His impressive performances in the first team over the last two truncated seasons caught the eye of the League one side who signed him and gave him his first professional contract in the summer of 2021. He is another product of the clubs’ Academy Scheme, who then progressed through the U18’s and Reserve Team and signed his first-team contract at the start of Feb 20. He has natural ability and regularly finds the net, which will ensure he will continue to develop in making his future mark in the professional ranks. Harvey Sayer (Currently On Loan from Colchester United) Harvey signed on loan from Colchester United in Mid-October and is able to play at full-back or in midfield. He made his 1st Team debut for the U’s in the Papa John's Trophy in the 2020/21 season. Coming on as a second-half substitute, Sayer came on in the 0-1 home defeat to West Ham U21s, replacing Miles Welch-Hayes. He has been included in a number of first-team squads throughout the 2020/21 season. Sayer signed his first professional contract with the U's in January 2021, keeping him at Colchester United until 2023 and he has a bright future ahead in the game.
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SQUADS Tuesday 23rd November 2021 Kick Off: 7.45 PM
TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Thomas Kelly ASSISTANTS: Joseph Karram / Jack Birch
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Joe Welch Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Scott Bridges Adam Murray (c) Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Harry Draper Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman Ollie Williams James Brighton Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Makai Murray Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Marcus Goldbourne Rhamar Garrett-Douglas
Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray
Marcus Garnham Taylor Clark Noah Collard Hugh Cullum Jake Dye Thomas Fitzgerald Ben Fowkes Kyle Hammond Luke Ingram Byron Lawrence Emmanuel Machaya Tom Maycock Owen Elsdon (GK) Daniel Morphew Keiran Morphew (c) Hans Mpongo Tommy Northwood Callum Page Jose Santa De la Paz Harvey Sayer Callum Sturgess
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MANAGERS Kevin Horlock / Tom Rothery / Nathan Munson SPORTS THERAPISTS Bex Easy