THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00
Southern League Premier Division V
Dorchester Town Issue 15
08 Bundle! / Read the match report from the 1-1 draw against AFC Sudbury in the FA Trophy last weekend
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Managers Notes / Kingy heaps praise on Matt Spring Owner Mike Kearns Chairman Mike Kearns Managing Director Lee Kearns Director Iain Parr Football Manager Gary King
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Who’s the Greatest?! / A series that you can join in with
Assistant Managers Liam George Matthew Spring
Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt
Club Secretary Gary Wilson
Physio Chris Budd
Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard
Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark
Life President John Walker Team Officials Richard King (Goalkeeping Coach)
St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley Club Merchandise Linda Walters
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Stews Views / A cracking read by Craig!
Programme Editor Mark Davies Club Photographer Claire Howes Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green Programme Sales Charlie Green
Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson Pitchcare Working Turf Design & Marketing Blue Prawn Print XL Press Limited
INSIDE
Issue 15 V Dorchester Town Southern League Premier Division
Fe Ne at w ur e!
Also Inside 06 Action Replay 12 Mascot Feature 16 The Chairmans’ Views 20 Read All About It
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22 The Beautiful Game 28 Obituary – Jack Blyth 30 Pull-Out Poster 32 Greenies Greetings
The Richest Footballers in 2013 / We continue to count down from 10!
From the other side of the fence / Great stories about Brian Clough
36 Away Days 44 MD’s Views 48 Leagues Review 50 Match Report vs AFC Sudbury 51 Season 2014/15 Fixtures Matrix 52 The Non-League Paper 56 Season 2014/15 Statistics
24 Todays’ Visitors / A warm welcome to The Magpies! Founded 1879 The Cozy Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone 01480 470012 Email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Website www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Forum www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum
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58 Premier Division League Table 60 Home & Opposition Squads
Introducing Chris Dillon / A real talent with an eye for the goal Southern Football League Division One champions, 1 time United Counties League Premier Division champions, 2 times Division One champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 2 times Metropolitan League Champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 1 time Professional Cup winners, 1 time South Midlands League Champions, 1 time
Huntingdonshire League Champions, 4 times Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Winners, 37 times Hinchingbrooke Cup Winners, 2 times
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 03
MANAGERS NOTES
GARY KING Good afternoon every one and welcome to everyone connected with Dorchester Town FC. Well since my last notes I guess like me many of you have been deflated at the manor of our exit from the trophy on Tuesday night. Saturdays game saw Springy score a spectacular last minute free kick which set up Tuesdays replay. Before my de-brief of the two games I must give credit to springy not just in terms of how he is playing but also in his general demeanour around the place and in how he conducts himself. Despite what he has actually achieved in the game, this campaign really means something to him, and I can see that in how he plays. TERRIFIC EXAMPLE He is a terrific example to how a footballer should live his life and there are many in our camp that could learn a thing or to from him, about what it really takes to be able to call yourself a winner.
ugly game 1 0. When a team play a 5 4 1,it is likely that the game is going to be frustrating for everybody involved but I felt we were building a head of steam up until the sending off. Of course going down to 10 men changed those dynamics briefly. We decided to leave two up front and went to a back three and conceded a goal that I don’t believe we would have conceded with eleven players and a back four. GOOD CHARACTER I felt we showed good character that despite being down to ten men
I felt Saturdays game was a game we should have won and from the dugout in the second half I was confident that a goal was coming and that we would win an
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and behind, to come back and earn the replay was positive, and I told the players after the game that springy’s equaliser needed to be backed up in the replay with a win. Going into to Tuesdays replay, I knew it would be important to score the
first goal. I felt and still feel that if we managed to get our noses in front in either of the games Sudbury would have to play in a different way which would have suited us. As in the first game we missed good chances to take the lead and when a terrific piece of individual skill from Mackey rebounded from the inside of the post in the first half which almost unlocked the door combined with the goal we conceded, a strike Tony Yeboah would have been proud of, I thought this just about sums up how it is going for us right now. HOME COMFORTS Today sees the first of two home games which give us the opportunity to bounce back from the disappointment of our cup exit and we will be looking for six points that would leave us in a good position in the league going into the Christmas period.
The Christmas period is always an important time of the seasonso many points to play for and I honestly feel if we come out go the Christmas period in the top five we will be in a great position to push on and achieve our goals so this is our
focus and positivity throughout the camp and throughout the whole club is key. WELCOME DAVID I’d like to welcome David Hutton to the football club. He is a wide player who was at Hemel Hempstead last season who can play on the left side of midfield of which is an area we have struggled in since Bruce Wilson’s injury. Ryan frater has been added to our injury list (hamstring) but this again opens the door for Gavin who I’d also like to give credit to in terms of how he has reacted to being out of the side for a couple of games. Chris Dillon and Ben Mackey continue to gain minutes following long spells without football which can only be a good thing in terms of their sharpness and goals for this football club, whilst Nathan frater trained again on thursday for the first time since his injury. We certainly have all the tools we need in the box going into this spell so keep believing, remember positivity is key; I can’t stress how important that is. Despite how disappointed we all were on Tuesday night it was still the end of our best ever cup run which was a marked improvement on how we did in the FA cup. Get behind us, we will keep progressing, striving to get better; lets just get on with it. Onwards and upwards..
Kingy. WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 05
This week three years ago Evo-Stik Southern League Central (6 December 2011) St Neots Town 1 - 1
Ashford Town (Middlesex)
St Neots handed Ashford an early Christmas present with a careless own goal at the start of the second half and this changed the character of the match completely. St Neots had led by a goal to nil at the break and had a good shout for penalty waved away but once the visitors had drawn level they grew in confidence and had the better of the second half finishing with a deserved point. Manager Dennis Greene must now get his players working on their finishing because in the first half they created five scoring chances to every one of the visitors. Although visiting keeper Paul McCarthy played well on the balance of play and possession there was no excuse for St Neots not to have had the match won before the break. Ashford were one of the better sides to visit the Hunts Post Community Stadium this season but with their form away from home dodgy St Neots can ill afford to throw away points at home. The usual pattern emerged at the start of the match with St Neots quickly dictating play as Rene Steer headed wide from a Lewis Hilliard free kick and McCarthy saved well from Hilliard. Stefan Moore headed wide whilst Ashford’s best early chance
saw Chris Hope brilliantly block a close range effort from Dan Brown. Then after 28 minutes Shane Tolley came deep to collect the ball and sent Dan Jacob away on the right and his cross was steered into the net from close range by Stefan Moore. Within a minute Tolley was hauled down by Bairch Conteh and a penalty looked certain but the well placed Referee waved play on. Junior Konadu brought a fine save from McCarthy at the expense of a corner and Chris Hope sent a free kick high over the bar whilst Ashford saw Ed Thomas shoot wide after good play by Taicahiro Icirihara. The first half ended with McCarthy pushing a narrow angled shot by Moore for another corner and Hope up for the cross headed narrowly wide of the near post. Within sixty seconds of the restart a poor attempted throw out by Michael Duggan was intercepted by Jack Mullan who set up the unmarked Dan Brown for a crisp finish to level the scores. Ashford grew in confidence as St Neots became ragged losing their shape and composure and Icirihara set up Pietro Palladino but with only the keeper to beat he shot wide.
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Moore produced fine pace to get clear of the defence but shot over the bar and Jacob was similarly off target. St Neots needed some inspiration and they sent on Pearson Mwanyongo for Konadu but he saw too little of the ball to be effective. Steer cleared off the line and Paladino brought a fine save from Duggan as the visitors threatened to boss the match but in a brisk breakaway Mwanyongo produced his trademark trickery but saw his shot rebound from a post. St Neots sent on Chris Manangu for the disappointing Tolley but the visitors finished the game the better with Duggan making another good save to deny Dan Brown a winning goal. A Saturday off will give chance for some extra shooting practice before next week’s midweek trip to Daventry. St Neots: Duggan, Avory, Steer, Sear, Gent, Hope, Hilliard, Konadu, Moore, Tolley, Jacob. Subs: Mwanyongo (for Konadu 60 mins), Manangu (for Tolley 75 mins), Henebery, Webb & Deeney. MOM: Chris Hope Attendance: 182
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EDD ADJEI
ST NEOTS TOWN 1 AFC SUDBURY 1 29:11:2014 / FA Trophy 3rd QR / Att 431 / Referee: Shaun Barry (Northampton) Most of the action and all of the real drama came in the final fifteen minutes of this FA Trophy third qualifying round tie. Sudbury appeared to set their stall out from the start with a replay in mind but they must have thought they had snatched a winner when Ed Adjei was sent off thirteen minutes from time and four minutes later Ollie Marquez put them in front. This galvanised St Neots and in a storming finish they snatched a direct free kick equaliser in added time to earn a midweek replay. However with Jay Davies picking up an unnecessary booking – his fifth of the season – St Neots will be without both Adjei and Davies if they feature in the next round which is amongst the last 64 teams in the competition. There were two team changes with Matt Spring returning in midfield for the unavailable Dean Cracknell and Max York preferred to Dave Deeney in defence. The match had begun with the stadium standing in a respectful one minute’s silence to honour the outstanding contribution to the Club of former player and Manager Jack Blyth who had died earlier in the month. With Sudbury operating a rigid 4-5-1 formation with Terry Rymer playing a lone role in attack there was lots of early play in midfield although both sides each spurned an early chance. Paul Bastock held on to an early header from Ryan Henshaw in Sudbury’s first attack and then after
three minutes Ben Ford looking off balance sent a snap shot wide from ten yards after good work by Chris Dillon and Lewis Hilliard. Those early chances apart there was little to report in the way of goalmouth action although Correy Davidson only just failed to reach a Ben Robinson cross at one end and Dillon had a net bound shot beaten down by Henshaw at the other.
club with a header just wide of goal after good approach work by Matt Spring and Ben Ford and then Ford took a neat return pass to bring a good save from Marcus Garnham. The hard working Drew Roberts had a shot blocked and a second pushed away at full stretch by Garnham but St Neots sent on substitutes Lorenzo Ferrari and Ben Mackey in a bid to increase their impetus.
Sudbury’s main threat came from long throw expert Jack Wilkinson who kept the St Neots defence on their toes and before half time injuries to Davidson and James Baker forced the visitors into to two early substitutions. Matt Spring saw a free kick allegedly blocked by a defenders arm but penalty appeals were ignored and St Neots almost snatched the lead five minutes before the break when Ben Ford produced a stunning 30 yards volley that was pushed away by the surprised visiting goalkeeper.
Then as the tempo increased Ed Adjei uncharacteristically seemed to raise his hand to Kris Newby after a late and dangerous tackle and was sent off after 77 minutes with the Sudbury player getting away with a booking.
A half time summing up was that St Neots had enjoyed the greater possession but Sudbury had looked more composed and creative in attack and St Neots once again lacked quality in their passing particularly in the final third of the field.
With St Neots looking disjointed Sudbury took full advantage and four minutes later substitute Lee Flynn crossed from the left, Henshaw headed the ball back across goal and Ollie Berquez rapped it home from ten yards. Sudbury retreated into complete defence with Ryan Frater and substitute Ben Mackey going close but that late Matt Spring free kick – his first goal for St Neots – earned the midweek re-run at Sudbury. John Walker
Recent signing Tom Ward was close to registering his first goal for the
St Neots Town
AFC Sudbury
York, Adjei, Ford, Frater (R), Ward, Davies, Spring, Dillon, Roberts, Hilliard Subs: Ferrari (for Ford 61), Mackey (for Dillon 70), Nolan (for Frater 87), Hoyte and Deeney. Cards: Adjei (RED – 77), Davies (Y – 81) Goal: Spring (90 + 3 mins)
Garnham, Robinson, Wilkinson, Davidson, Henshaw, Pope, Newby, Clarke, Baker, Rymer, Berquez Subs: Kemp (for Davidson 20), Guyton (for Baker 35), Flynn (for Kemp 73), Coley and Blackwell.Cards: Newby (Y – 77), Henshall (Y – 90 +2) Goal: Berquez
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WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 09
MATT SCORES, IT’S SOMEWHERE!
Last Saturday saw 12 year olds Danny Cameron and Adrian O’Hara be the club Mascots for the home cup game versus AFC Sudbury. Pictured here with Chris Dillon the boys had a great day leading the Saints out and witnessed late drama as Matt Spring equalised with the last kick of the game!
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Mascot feature Mascot Fact File Name: Ben Cooper Age: 10 years old Favourite St Neots Player and why: Lewis Hilliard because he has lots of skills and I like the way he plays What position do you play in: Midfield/Forward Who do you support: Tottenham Favourite food: Pasta Favourite television programme: Deadly 60 /Dr Who
The Saints Matchday Mascot Experience! • Free entry for mascot and parents • Use of our hospitality room • Signed match day programme by your favourite player, which you will also appear in • Meet your favourite player and have your photo taken • Tour of the stadium • Have a kick about on the main pitch • Lead the Saints on to the pitch • Free portion of chips and drink for the mascot
To apply to be a Matchday Mascot contact Louise Spark on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 13
WHO WERE THE HIGHEST P This list of the highest paid soccer players comes from Forbes who compiled the data in 2013 after speaking with players, agents, talent agencies, commercial sponsors, soccer experts in the U.S. and Europe, and looking through sponsor filings. It was compiled prior to Gareth Bale’s world record transfer to Real Madrid where he will be earning $24.7 million (£15.6m) a year. The game is swimming in money and some very average players now earn more in a couple of weeks than US President Barack Obama is paid over a whole year.
02.CRISTIANO RONALDO The ‘winker’ is the most expensive signing ever made in world soccer. Real Madrid paid US$131 million to Manchester United for his services and his game has gone from strength to strength. You’ll regularly see Ronaldo’s face on adverts and billboards which makes up a large portion of his earnings.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
43,500,000
43.5 MILLION (£27.9M)
Ronaldo is the third youngest European player to reach one hundred international caps. PAGE 14 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
T PAID PLAYERS OF 2013? Whether we like it or not, money talks and teams can rise to the top off the back of their owners’ big bucks. We’re looking at you Manchester City. Despite knowing that they are paid ridiculous amounts of cash for kicking some leather filled with air for a living, why not check out this list to see who is the richest of the lot, across the next 5 issues we list the top ten.
01. DAVID BECKHAM What hasn’t been said about the former England captain? The model professional and still cutting it at the top level with Paris Saint Germain until retirement in May 2013, Beckham has built up a brand to exploit all the money-making avenues in soccer.
DAVID BECKHAM 50.6 MILLION (£32.5M)
50,600,000
Would you believe that Beckham is another to have been involved with a UN programme?
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15
THE CHAIRMANS’ VIEWS
JUMP ON OR JUMP OFF! Welcome to the officials, Players, and Supporters of Dorchester Town FC for todays fixture. Another first as we have never played Dorchester before. Having come back from a month’s break and my first games being the two Sudbury fixtures I must say that what I am seeing from the squad as a whole leaves me frustrated. Our Manager Gary King and my self both have the same philosophy when it comes to business because we have both been very successful in our chosen professions. So what are the attributes that can make a successful business that can be filtered into a football team. Well we would both agree that you need a passion for what you do, a desire to succeed, enormous effort and of course the will to win. Some may say you cannot be successful without quality, well maybe, maybe not but as far as football is concerned that ideal has been blown out of the window by teams such as and all due respect to them, Redditch, Dearham and of course Sudbury.All of these three teams do not in my opinion have any so called superstars earning probably the highest wages in the league. What they all have in common are the qualities I have mentioned above and they have them in abundance.Coincidently we have played all three of these teams twice so their performances against us were not as you would say “a one off”. Now if we had all of the attributes of those teams and added our undoubted quality then there is a real chance of us being very successful. Blame the Management Team or the Chairman,
blame the formation, blame the Gaffa for selecting the wrong team, in fact everything except blame the players for not applying themselves the right way. I know that Gary has given all players an ultimatum and that is shape up or ship out, if you’re playing for yourself and of course chasing the big bucks we give you then clear off we don’t want you. These are harsh words coming from me but believe me no one works harder than the club management to give us success, or in my case supports the club in many ways but obviously from a financial point of view. Are players loyal? Well yes some are and work hard for the team, some think they work hard but never get anywhere near there potential, these players need to wake up because it’s not just about what you do on a football pitch its about what you do in life as well. Successful teams apply quality and effort with desire to win, and an example is from just about the best team in the country at the moment Chelsea. I know for a fact that if they lose the ball they are give just seven seconds to get it back, full on energy to get it back or make the opposition player make a bad pass. Chelsea also try and work in pairs not one on one to get the ball back. So if the very best can do that then we want our players who are the very best at our level to work hard and apply them selves in the same way. If you don’t you will not be with us very long. I sincerely believe that
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we have the squad to achieve this and win promotion from this division, Gary and his management team, the supporters; everyone are willing you all on. Lets have a reaction and think of where you all want to be come the end of the season. If it’s promotion you all want then go and take it because you can do it. Ken Bates the former Chelsea Chairman used to have a motto up in the foyer at the club, something that was very true at that time in history, Ken had the following on the wall. “The Roman Empire was not built by continuously arranging and attending meetings. It was achieved by killing everyone who got in their way.” What it means today is more like “don’t mess about get on with it and go for it”. At the end of each of my notes I always put the club motto, one that I introduced when I came to the club, I used this in my business “all for one and one for all” because without that dedication you will find it very hard to achieve. I also used the Ken Bates motto when my staff wanted to arrange meetings to talk about what they were going to do, I just said “why talk about it just save time and do it”. I ended up with a fantastic business, why? Because everyone pulled in the same direction were well rewarded and ensured that we stopped at nothing to get where we wanted to. So jump on or jump off its your choice, at the moment. ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL Mike
WHO’S THE GREATEST?! Who was or is the greatest player and goal scorer you have ever seen? Today we ask one of our younger supporters who are the greatest, and it’s the turn of one of our apprentices and our Chairman’s Grandson Ben Kearns. Now not saying he has been brainwashed but to start with he went for John Terry and Frank Lampard then said “Oh I seemed to have gone for two Chelsea players” A clever lad is Ben and yes he was brainwashed, I wonder by whom. So here we go...
Best Player Ever John Terry Having watched Chelsea live nearly every week since I was 6 years old seeing all of the home games, many away games and European matches I have watched John Terry many times. Yes and I have even met him and spoken to him on occasions, he always gives time to the supporters. John Terry has been the pillar behind the Chelsea success story and a solid rock in defence, any team in the world and any supporter would have wanted him at the club they support. I remember watching him in the league cup final in Cardiff when he got kicked in the head trying to clear a cross, off he went and off to hospital only to come back before the end thinking he could go back on the pitch, he still had concussion.
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Of course he has had his off-field moments of which has tarnished him a little but as a footballer he is the best in his position I have ever seen
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for Chelsea and England, a leader, a legend and he played for my team, why would I choose someone else.
Best Goal Scorer Frank Lampard I did go for Frank Lampard but then thought I better not have two Chelsea players. So I have gone for Thierry Henry, who I have seen live whenever Chelsea have played Arsenal. One of the early times I saw him was at Highbury against Chelsea
when he scored that quick free kick. Chelsea were lining up the wall and he just stroked the ball into the goal, I think they changed the rules after that goal and stopped the quick free kick. He then went and scored another unstoppable volley, what a goal that was. So I always wanted to watch Thierry Henry when he was playing for Arsenal on TV. He played
254 times for Arsenal and scored 174 goals how good is that. We had Eidur Guojohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink then but I would have loved to have Thierry Henry playing for Chelsea. So he is my favourite all time goal scorer, well behind Frank Lampard really. I haven’t been brainwashed at all. Ben
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 19
READ ALL ABOUT IT We take a look at what other non-league clubs are doing that’s making the news this week. HISTON FC
Brian Page, manager of Evo-Stik League Southern Premier has made a couple of additions to his squad with the signings of Jack North from Sky Bet League Two neighbours Cambridge United and Tye Phillips from League One outfit Peterborough United. North is a pacey, versatile right-sided defender and was signed ahead of last weekend’s trip to Redditch United, making his debut from the bench in that game. Page said: “After watching Jack in a development game for Cambridge United recently, his ability to defend and his speed of recovery really impressed me. He showed great composure in possession and always made good decisions when on the ball. Having the opportunity to add strength to the team is only going to make the squad stronger.” Phillips has joined on a `work experience` deal from Peterborough that could run until the end of the season.
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Page was pleased to have secured the services of the young striker from Posh, saying: “I’ve known about Tye for about eighteen months now and he has impressed me whenever I’ve seen him play. I heard that he was available and after watching him recently I could see that he was ready for the physical demands of our league. Tye has great strength and links play well but you don’t become Peterborough’s top scorer this season if you can’t finish so I look forward to seeing him develop and help the team continue to pick up points.” Phillips goes into the squad for tomorrow’s game at The Glassworld Stadium against Paulton Rovers.
played for the likes of Telford United, Doncaster Rovers, Hendon, Harrow Borough and Northwood before moving into management at Hillingdon Borough at only 25 years of age, due to injury.
BURNHAM FC
The long-term futures of two of Corby’s biggest sporting clubs have been secured after a deal was struck for new leases with Corby Borough Council.
He then went onto manage Northwood and Ryman Premier side Wingate & Finchley before taking over at Southern Division One Central side Beaconsfield SYCOB four days before the start of the 2013/14 season. Meakin, who is also a UEFA ‘A’ License coach, switched to Burnham in May. He leaves The Gore with the team currently in twenty-first position. CORBY TOWN FC
In what has been described as a “momentous” and “ground-breaking” moment for Corby Town Football Club and Corby Athletic Club, the
Gary Meakin has departed EvoStik League Southern Premier Division club Burnham following Saturday`s goalless draw at home to Chippenham Town. One of the youngest managers in senior non-League football, Meakin
ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
pair have agreed leases for what is believed to be a forty-year period at the Rockingham Triangle sports complex in the town. From now on, Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division club Corby Town will be solely responsible for their Steel Park ground while the athletics club, in partnership with Northants Combination outfit Weldon United Football Club, will be in control of the Rockingham Triangle stadium. Both organisations have already laid out some of their plans for development on the sites, with the focus being on ensuring they are facilities that can be used by the wider community.
the necessary legal paperwork and action to effect this has now been completed.
And that was a key factor for council leader Tom Beattie, who attended the Steelmen’s match with Bideford on Saturday along with officials from the other parties, to complete a public signing of the new deals.
Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division club Arlesey Town have signed midfielder Will Summerfield on loan from Sky Bet League One side MK Dons until January 2nd 2015.Summerfield signed professional terms with the Dons in the summer of 2014 after impressing as an apprentice. The tricky winger has yet to make a senior appearance for the club but has been named as a substitute on two occasions. Earlier this season Summerfield spent a month out on loan with Southern Division One Central side Bedford Town.
BANBURY UNITED FC Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division club Banbury United can confirm that the issue of the ownership of the football club has now been resolved. Banbury United Development Limited trading as Banbury United Football Club is once more under the ownership of Banbury United (1996) Limited - this is the position which existed prior to September 2012. The club does not wish to go into specific details but advise that
ARLESEY TOWN FC
DORCHESTER TOWN FC Dorchester Town would miss a “significant opportunity to develop” without community ownership, according to one of the club’s key figures.
Magpies’ shareholders will vote at the AGM on Thursday, December 11 to see whether or not the club can begin the process of changing to a Community Benefit Society (CBS). And board member Dave Martin, pictured, has told Echosport just how crucial the potential switch could be for a club like Dorchester – if the special resolution receives backing first. “Research by Supporters Direct suggests that the community are more likely to invest in, support and trust a community-owned organisation,” he said. “Grant funding would be easier to secure, for example, financing a 3G pitch to UEFA standard or for infrastructure development that benefits the whole community.” He added: “Without community ownership the club will miss a significant opportunity to develop, grow, and benefit both the local community and the football club itself.” However, Martin also made it clear that even if the resolution is passed, there are still a number of hurdles for the club to clear before it can become a fully-fledged CBS. But when asked where he sees the club in five years’ time, the Magpies’ secretary said: “A community club with a 3G pitch, with greater number of local players playing regularly in the first team and back in Conference South.” Meanwhile, long-time fan Nigel Hayes has been added to the club’s CBS Steering Group, joining the likes of chairman Matt Lucas, Martin and Shaun Hearn.
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 21
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
GAME ON! It’s that time of year again when we hope and pray that the weather doesn’t takes its toll on our beloved game. Most recently, the weather has been a little temperamental for this time of year and not as cold as we’d expect, however, does this mean that when the bad weather comes, it will hit us even harder? Just look at the snow in New York city a few weeks ago, unprecedented snowfall and more than enough to call off a game or two here! Not all clubs can afford pitch covers, and even those that have them can only do so much ‘damage limitation, when the white stuff hits. For a lot of us, we don’t get much time off at Christmas, so when we do get a couple of days off, it’s great to get to the match and give some festive cheer for the boys. If the weather does hit, we’ll always have the diehard fans out there with their shovels and wheelbarrows attempting to get the game on, but, it’s not always the required outcome as the ground under the snow is frozen solid and still, the game is postponed. What you could do [if you can afford to that is] is to adopt the approach of Mansfield Town a few seasons
back when they needed their game against Lincoln City to take place in the FA Cup so they could then line up against Liverpool in the next round. The residents nearby to Mansfield Towns’ One Call Stadium must have thought that the circus was in town when they saw a giant pitch balloon tent had been errected over the playing surface. A very novel idea, and great for the fans that the highly anticipated match would take place as planned – especially when the victors were rewarded with a plum home-tie against the mighty Liverpool in the next round! We’ve all seen balloons on the pitch at games before but this was something else, a pitch sized balloon. Remember when Manchester City lost to Sheffield United in the FA cup after the ball hit a balloon and deflected nicely into the path of the Sheff United player who converted? Ironically, the balloons were blue and white as it was the Man City fans who inflated and distributed them from the stands! The cost of this ‘balloon tent’ at Mansfield, which not only covered
the playing surface but contained 12 gas cyclinders blowing hot air onto the turf, was in the region of £80,000. A splash in the ocean for a bigger club [like Man City for example] but not quite so for a club like Mansfield Town! Fortunately, the game was being shown on ESPN that night and it was the TV company who footed the bill for the cost of the ‘tent’ on this occasion. Had it not been for the balloon tent, the game would not have gone ahead. As fans, we often criticise the TV companies for changing fixture dates, kick-off times and reducing attendances by showing the games live. In this case, they shelled out a small fortune for the pitch balloon which enabled to game to take place and prevented the 5,000+ fans from missing the football that night. Not all the fans left the game happy though. There had to be a winning team on the night which was Mansfield Town by a 2-1 margin. Therefore, there were 1400 Lincoln City fans probably left the ground cursing the balloon tent which had been erected prior to the game! Mansfield Town, on this particular occasion were not booted out of the FA Cup as a result of a balloon on the pitch as Manchester City had been previously. If you’re reading this, then todays game must have gone ahead despite the potential cold weather. Let’s hope that the three points will help us forget that we cant feel our fingers or toes after the 90 minutes are over! ADE
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TODAY’S VISITORS
DORCHESTER TOWN
The Magpies are the fourth of the seven new clubs in the league to visit the Cozy Staduim this season following their relegation from the Conference. A very special welcome to Dorchester Town our visitors this afternoon who are making their first ever visit to the town for a Southern League Premier Division engagement. Dorchester was relegated to the Premier Division from the Conference South at the end of last season having finished bottom of the table fifteen points from safety. They have not found Step Three much more to their liking currently sitting in nineteenth place in the table mainly because of a poor record on the road. To date they have completed eight away league matches winning one and losing the other seven.Their away victory came almost four months ago on 12th August when they won 5-1 at Burnham but they also won away from home in the FA Cup at lower graded Yate Town and Abingdon United before famously losing at home to Bristol Rovers in the fourth Qualifying Round of the competition
in front of a crowd of 1909. In the FA Trophy they were beaten at home by Wimborne. However Dorchester have known better days and have faced higher graded opponents in their FA Cup history including Wigan Athletic, Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers, Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle and York City. Their immediate aim now will be to win their way back up to Step Two of the Football pyramid but it is never easy to recover previous glory once relegated. There are now one of the famous Dorset trio of Southern League Premier Division clubs in a tight geographical area along with Weymouth and Poole Town but at the moment their neighbors are lording it over them. Like St Neots they are former winners of the League Cup (now sponsored by Red Insure) but sadly neither has an interest in that competition this season. Our return match with Dorchester is dated for 11th April next year and is likely to
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be our penultimate away trip of the season. CLUB HISTORY Founded in 1880, Dorchester Town was Dorset Senior Cup finalists in 1888 and 1890 before joining the Dorset League in 1896. Despite being founder members of the league, the club had little success before winning the championship in 1937/38 with a 2–0 victory at Sherborne on 25 April 1938.The club joined the Western League in 1947, winning promotion from Division Two in 1950, and going on to take the league championship in 1954/55. The fifties proved to be a successful decade for the Magpies, winning the Dorset Senior Cup for the first time, and having a number of good runs in the FA Cup facing the likes of Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers, Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle. In 1954, Dorchester reached the 2nd Round before eventually
Year founded: 1880 Nickname: The Magpies Chairman: Neal Butterworth
Website: www.dorchestertownfc.com Stadium: The Avenue Stadium Capacity: 5,009 (710 seated)
Previous Meetings: None
losing out to York City in front of 5,500 fans at the old Avenue ground, in a season where York went on to reach the semi-finals. Following four more victories in the Dorset Senior Cup, the club entered the Southern League (Division One South) in 1972. They first tasted success in this division when they finished runnersup to Margate in 1977/78, going unbeaten in the final 16 matches of the season, with manager David Best utilising his links with old club AFC Bournemouth to attract former first-teamers such as John O’Rourke, Jack Howarth and Harry Redknapp to the Avenue. The formation of the Alliance League (now the Football Conference) unfortunately meant the Magpies ended up back in the reformed Southern Division a year later, but the club celebrated its centenary by winning the Southern Division in 1979/80 by a one point margin over Aylesbury. Stuart Bell
succeeded David Best as manager during the season, and the Magpies went unbeaten in the last 14 games to clinch the title. Relegated at the end of the 1983/84 season following a severe financial crisis, the club only just avoided dropping out of the league altogether the following year. However, a remarkable turnaround followed, and Dorchester returned to the Premier Division as champions at the end of the 1986/87 season, taking the title following a goalless draw at runners-up Ashford on the final day of the season. The following seasons were a mixture of highsand-lows, flirting with relegation on a number of occasions, facing Oxford United in the 1st Round of the FA Cup, reaching the last 16 of the FA Trophy for only the second time, and finishing fourth in the Premier Division in 1997/98. Unfortunately the club was relegated to the Eastern Division at the end of the 2000/01
season, despite a strong FA Cup run culminating in a 3–1 First Round defeat at Wigan Athletic’s impressive 25,000 all-seater JJB Stadium. They regained their Premier Division status within two years, defeating King’s Lynn on the final day of the 2002/03 season to take the Eastern Division title ahead of Eastbourne Borough, having won 16 of their last 17 matches and scoring 114 goals in their 42 league games. A season earlier the Magpies had picked up the Southern League Cup for the first time, again defeating King’s Lynn in a 4–0 aggregate victory in the final. The first season back in the Premier Division was a difficult one but the club succeeded to reach the endof-season play-offs, where two fine victories over Bath City and Tiverton Town saw Dorchester become a Conference club for the first time in the newly formed Conference South division.
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WHO’S WHO
THE MAGPIES MANAGER – GRAHAM KEMP Appointed to the post in September 2014, following the departure of Phil Simkin, Graham has had previous managerial experience with Winchester City, Christchurch and Hamworthy United. As a player Graham played in The Southern League for both Weymouth and The Magpies, for whom he made ten appearances between August and October 1993, and also played for Lymington, New Milton and Bashley. Born Luton. Age 49. ALAN WALKER – HARRIS Experienced goalkeeper initially signed from Wimborne Town two seasons ago, having previously played for Lymington & New Milton, Bashley, Winchester City, Eastleigh and Brockenhurst. Alan was initially displaced as first choice keeper at the beginning of last season, but regained his place after a few games, and excelled in a difficult season, which resulted in him winning Dorset Echo Player of the Year, On Line Player of the Year and the coveted Player of the Year Award. Born London. Aged 33. CHRIS DILLON Chris, a central defender, has recently joined The Magpies on a non contract basis, having previously played for Christchurch when manager Graham Kemp was in charge there. Chris then took up a scholarship to play in the USA at The Mobile University, and has also played in Australia for Doveton SC. Last season Chris was a member of the Eastleigh squad who won the Conference South Championship. Made his debut in the home game against Hungerford Town. Born Bournemouth. Age 25. OAKLEY HANGER Oakley is another of the club’s young
players who has progressed from the reserve side in to the first team squad, having been one of the stand out players for the reserves last season. Oakley can play either at full back or central defence, and has previously played at schoolboy and youth level with Yeovil Town. Born Dorchester. Age 18. RYAN MURRAY A new arrival from Gillingham Town, where he has played for the last two years, Ryan is a right full back who likes to get forward at any opportunity. His other previous clubs are Hamworthy United and Bashley. Born Poole. Age 22. MATT OLDRING A recent signing for The Magpies from Bashley, Matt is a solid performer, who is especially comfortable on the ball and can play either in central defence or central midfield, and has previously appeared for AFC Bournemouth, Weymouth, AFC Totton, Guildford City, Verwood and Whit Sunday Miners (Australia). Born Poole. Age 23.
with the club. He has had loan spells with Poole Town, but is now an established member of the first team squad. Jake won the Players’ Player of the Year award at the end of last season. Born Yeovil. Age 26. NATHAN WALKER Nathan resigned for The Magpies, initially on a one month loan from his parent club Weymouth in February 2014, having left the county town side to join The Terras the previous summer. Nathan has now signed a new contract with the club, which he originally joined from Wimborne Town early in 2010, having previously played for Hamworthy United, as well as having had a short spell with Dorchester Town as a teenager. Nathan has matured into a commanding and reliable defender who has become an integral part of the team, and has now been appointed captain for the new season. Was named joint Player of the Season at the end of season 2010/11. Born Dorchester. Age 28.
TONY ROLLS A young local talent, who is now a regular in the first team squad, having progressed via the reserve team. Tony prefers to play as a central defender, but can also play at full back when required. Previously played for Hamworthy United and Ringwood Town. Born Poole. Age 20.
DAN WAY Previously with Exeter City and Weymouth as a youth player, Dan forced his way into the first team squad last season, after some impressive performances in the reserves. Predominantly a left sided player who can play either at the back or in midfield. His availability is uncertain this season due to his attendance at university. Born Dorchester. Age 19.
JAKE SMEETON Jake is a hard tackling left back, formerly with Yeovil Town, who made his debut for The Magpies in August 2007, and after injury had blighted the early part of last season, he had made 201 first team appearances for Dorchester at the end of last season, having completed seven seasons
JASON BROOKES Jason was on trial at the club during the build up to the new season, and has now signed a contract with The Magpies. Was previously a scholar at the Southampton Academy, but was released and signed for Eastleigh, before moving to Bashley. Born Southampton. Age 26.
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NICK CRITTENDEN A vastly experienced attacking rightsided midfielder, who has played at Conference National level with Yeovil Town, Aldershot and Weymouth. During his time as a Glover he helped them to win the FA Trophy, as well as back-to-back promotions from the Conference into League One. Began his career at Chelsea where he made three first team appearances, before having a loan spell at Plymouth Argyle. Signed for the Magpies in June 2008, and won both the Supporters and Players’ Player of the Year in his debut season. Nick had made well in excess of two hundred first team appearances for The Magpies at the end of last season. Born Bracknell. Aged 36. JAMIE GLEESON Jamie is a hard working central midfielder who is now starting his tenth season as a Magpie, during which time he has made over 300 appearances, and is the longest serving player on the club’s books. He began his career as a trainee at Southampton, before he was signed by Liverpool legend Jan Molby, who was the then manager of Kidderminster Harriers. He made his debut for Kidderminster in 2004 during a Carling Cup match against Cardiff City, but was subsequently loaned to Eastleigh, then of the Ryman League, before signing for Dorchester at the end of his Harriers’ contract. Has previously won the Players’ Player of the Year award. Born Poole, Age 29. ALEX GODFREY A local player, who has previously played for the AFC Bournemouth Academy and Portland United. Alex has been a regular in the reserve team line up for the past three seasons, and has also scored goals regularly for the reserves.
Likes to play in a withdrawn central midfield position, and to get forward whenever the opportunity arises. Has earnt his call up to the first team squad. Born Dorchester. Age 23. SAM LANAHAN Signed from Hamworthy United during the course of last season, and made his league debut in the away game at Sutton. Has also appeared for Yeovil Town Youth. Born Poole. Age 22. KIERON PARRETT Joined The Magpies this season, and has been a regular member of the reserve team. Kieron is a wide player who was in the Southampton Academy, and has also played for Poole Town. Born Poole. Age 18. ANDREAS SONNY “ANDY” ROBINSON Has just signed for The Magpies. Andy plays in central midfield, and is a player who provides a strong presence in the heart of midfield. Andy joined Southampton’s Academy at the age of eight, and captained The Saints’ U18 side. He made his first team debut in September 2012, when he came on as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday in The Third Round of The Carling Cup. Subsequently moved on loan to Bolton Wanderers, before signing a contract with The Trotters, but returned to the south after being unable to settle in the area. Born Bournemouth. Age 22. DAN SMITH Signed pre-season, Dan played for Tiverton Town last season in The South & West Division of The Calor Southern League, and was voted their Player of the Year. Dad is a wide player with considerable pace and scores his quota of goals. Dan has also played for Truro City, Bath
City, Eastbourne Borough, Plymouth Argyle and Weymouth. Born Plymouth. Age 25. MASON WALSH An attacking midfielder, whose original loan spell with the club from AFC Bournemouth was halted due to an ankle injury picked up in the first game of the season, but he is now available again and has re-joined The Magpies. Mason has progressed from a final year scholar with The Cherries to joining their development squad. Born Portsmouth. LEWIS BROWN Joined the club this season, and has been a regular in the reserves for whom he has been scoring goals. Lewis has previously played for Sherborne Town. Born Poole. Age 21. ROBBIE MATTHEWS Robbie signed on an initial one month loan from Gosport Borough in November, and adds versatility to the squad as he can play either as a striker or as a central defender. His previous clubs include Salisbury City, Crawley Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Newport County, Forest Green Rovers and Basingstoke Town. Born Salisbury. Age 32. JACK ODAM A new signing from Gosport Borough, Jack is a lively player with an abundance of pace, who has no fear. He was previously with Bashley and AFC Totton, where he progressed through their youth system, and he has also spent loan periods at Totton & Eling and Lymington Town. He has also represented England Colleges at International level. Born Southampton. Age 19.
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 27
On behalf of everyone connected with St Neots Town FC we would like to give our deepest condolences to Jacks family on their sad loss. Mike Kearns – Owner / Chairman
OBITUARY – JACK BLYTH (1924/2014) In a world where Football Management is not known for its longevity Jack Blyth was a ‘one off’. After the second war he joined the club as a player and played for both Reserves and first team for around a decade. In 1956 he was appointed Assistant Manager to former West Ham professional John Gregory (senior) who was the Club Player/Manager and Secretary and for the next twelve seasons Jack served in this capacity with the club playing in the Metropolitan League, the Central Alliance and the United Counties
League. The highlight of course was when the club reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup losing 2-0 at Walsall in November 1966. When Mr Gregory retired in 1967/68 Jack was Manager for four seasons in both Eastern Counties League and UCL and then for a second spell of three years in the UCL 1976/1979. Subsequently he was made a Vice President of the Club but ill health prevented him from being as active as he would have wished.
In the19 seasons that Jack served in Management with the club St Neots’ senior side won two league titles, 16 Cup competitions and made that historic trip to Walsall. He will be remembered as a quiet but authoritative man who was much respected by his players, opponents and club officials and for whom the club was a major part of his life for many years.
John Walker Life President 1st December 2014.
The players observe a minutes silence last weekend ahead of the AFC Sudbury cup game PAGE 28 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
Sponsored by Steve Ridley
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SO CLOSE
GREENIES GREETINGS
TIME TO PUSH ON IN THE LEAGUE OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Rowley Park – The Cozy Stadium for today’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division match. Today we extend a very warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Dorchester Town Football Club and we hope you have an enjoyable, if brief, stay with us up here in Cambridgeshire before a safe journey home this evening. Well our FA Trophy run came to an end on Tuesday evening as we lost the replay at AFC Sudbury to a solitary strike 3 minutes into the second half. I wasn’t at the game so can’t really comment on it however it would appear that from the information coming out of the ground via our social media sources, it was a much more open game and we did actually create quite a few chances during the ninety minutes and were denied by god saves, blocks on the line, the woodwork and an official’s flag for offside. All very frustrating on the night for everyone involved with the Club, right from the very top right down to the youngest of supporters. A trip to Vanarama Conference side Braintree
Town was the prize on offer for the night’s victors’, however, yet again we have gone out of a national cup competition to a side a league lower in status to ourselves in a replay away from home. I have to say I was very impressed with the Sudbury supporter playing the drum behind the goal in the first game between us here at the Cozy last Saturday. Not your usual thudding of the skin beating out a beat to get the singing going but almost a Cozy Powell –like drum solo at times. I found myself mesmerised at times however the same cannot be said regarding the chap with the Megaphone who made himself very unpopular with some of his comments. Let’s hope we can use this disappointment as a positive and use it as a springboard to really push on in the league over the Christmas period. Talking of festivities, don’t forget that Club merchandise is available today, online or by ordering via the Club telephone number
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(01480 470012) for those last minute stocking fillers. Our next game here is on Saturday 20th December when we entertain Frome Town and I’m sure there will be a real Yuletide atmosphere here that day as I believe the Christmas Jumper brigade will be out in force again having their Pre Christmas drinks here and there may even be some sort of supporters promotions on that day too. Right then, on to today’s game. I know everyone is feeling a bit down right now but we all need to pull together, we are all part of the jigsaw that is this football club. A win today and the place will be much rosier place. I believe that pretty soon (today hopefully), everything will click into place and the goals will start to flow once more and of course, the results will follow.
Keep the Faith..... GREENY
THE MAC ATTACKS
AWAY DAYS
HARDENHUISH PARK Our next away day is a visit to Hardenhuish Park the home of Chippenham Town. League Premier Division for the 2014/15 season. The ‘Blue Birds’ playing record was as follows for the 2013/14 season: P16 W7 D 3 L6 F 22 A 19 Pts 24
Not a good ground over the last couple of seasons and we are yet to come home with a victory. Chippenham With a change of management early on during the season 2013/14, with Mark Collier and his assistant Tom Jones installed at the helm, the Bluebirds avoided finishing in the relegation places, eventually finishing in 18th position, ensuring their place in the Southern
This season the club got off to a good start to the season beating Biggleswade away on the opening day, however their results since then have been a little indifferent up til’ now. Always a tough fixture for us and they were the team who ended our five month unbeaten home record last season on the very last day back in April.
exit (A350); follow road to third roundabout (junction with A420). Turn left and follow signs to town centre. Ground is 1km on left hand side adjacent to pedestrian controlled traffic lights. Car/Coach park next to traffic lights.
HARDENHUISH PARK Bristol Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 6LR Adults = £10 Concessions = £6 Children under 16 = £3 Capacity: 2,815 (500 seats)
Lets hope we can improve on that result at their place.
Wheelchair Access: Yes
DIRECTIONS TO THE GROUND Exit 17 from M4. Follow A350 towards Chippenham for three miles to first roundabout, take second
Matchday Magazine: £2.00
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Car Parking: Yes
Round Trip from (PE19 6SL): 290 Miles
FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE
BRIAN CLOUGH Some great stories about the people who knew and worked under the great man Spanish Island By Viv Anderson Can anyone imagine the sight of the world’s greatest goalkeeper practicing in the middle of a Spanish Traffic Island on the afternoon of the European Cup Final? Hard to believe? Absolutely. I certainly thought so when I received a call in Madrid to ask me why the hell was Peter shilton throwing himself around on a traffic Island roundabout in the city. My friend assured me that he wasn’t winding me up. Had seen the legendary Shilts being put through his paces with cars and mopeds flying past and wondered if the Sangria had got to him. “Its news to me: I assured him as I took the call at our hotel. We were in Madrid to defend our European Cup against Kevin Keegans Hamburg. When Shilts returned he confirmed to me that although Cloughie told the players to relax, he really wanted to do some training and the only place near by was a totally unsuitable hard tennis court. So Jimmy Gordon and peter Taylor had found a traffic island with grass on it, a few palm trees too I’m led to believe and gave Shilts his workout there after clearing away any offending bits of rubble and bricks. That to me was vintage Clough. Would anyone else have allowed
such a thing? What people must have thought as they walked past is anyone’s guess. Shilton takes up the story, revealing; I couldn’t train on the tennis court so I asked the gaffer is some alternative arrangements could be made. “He asked me to follow Peter, who took me to this traffic Island with two trees on it. So that’s where I had to train-and I ended up having one of the best games for the club in that final’
Raining Fruit By Viv Anderson First up were bananas, the preferred fruit of the racists and bigots. Then Viv Anderson found himself being pelted with apples and pears. The young Nottingham Forest substitute decided it might be wiser to retreat back along the touchline and retake his place alongside Brian Clough in the dug-out. ‘I thought I told you to warm up,’ said the manager. ‘I have done, boss,’ replied Anderson. ‘But they’re
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throwing bananas, apples and pears at me.’ Clough stared back at his player. ‘Well get your ******* arse back out there then and fetch me two pears and a banana!’ Anderson laughs as he recalls the incident at Carlisle in the mid-70s. Not that he finds racism funny far from it. But it was because of Clough’s reaction that day; because of his manager’s words of warning after the game, that he learned never to let that kind of person get to him again. ‘It was Cloughie’s way of having a bit of fun with what was a racist act,’ says Anderson. ‘But he also meant that there was no point me sitting next to him cowering. He pulled me over afterwards and said, “If you let people like that dictate to you, I’m going to pick somebody else because you’re going to be worrying about what the fans are going to say”. ‘I was 19. After that, I made sure there was nothing, whatever people shouted, that would have a bearing on what I did.’
‘WELL GET YOUR ******* ARSE BACK OUT THERE THEN AND FETCH ME TWO PEARS AND A BANANA!’ BRIAN CLOUGH
INTRODUCING
CHRIS DILLON Chris is a central striker who links play and scores goals, a great asset to any team. A 30 year old striker who found his feet at Conference North with Nuneaton Town and where, in his first season with them, he was the clubs top scorer with 20 goals. After two seasons Chris left to join our present management team at Arlesey Town where he scored 21 goals from
a central striking position, whilst also building up a great striking relationship with Drew Roberts. Chris is a natural goalscorer who leads the line and not only scores goals but links up well with his striking partners. A great addition to the club, Chris is joined by Drew
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Roberts as our main strikers. Having had some bad luck with injury in only our first game of the season Chris has just got back into the first team and is looking for that first goal to set him on his way.
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TOM WARD
MD’S VIEWS
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED! Q How long have you been involved and what first attracted you to the club? Nearly four years ago I was asked to review the operating structure that was in place at St Neots Town FC as an outsider, that is to say someone that has no pre-conceived ideas about what a non-league football club should be as far as a business model. The underlying fact remains the same now as it did then. The potential that the club has is undeniable but the industry it operates within is not one that gives you a chance of succeeding if you rely solely on what are conventional and historical football related income streams. Potential, potential, potential, this is a very attractive quality. Q What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your role? Every non-league club (any football club in fact) has the potential to succeed and the potential to fail. The Challenges that we all face is how do we generate income that allows us to balance the books and then give us a return that affords further investment. Put your Matchday, Sponsorship and function takings to one side because none of this is guaranteed income although clearly these are all fantastically important. It doesn’t make sense to base a business model on these ingredients. This is why one of our initiatives is to move us towards becoming an accredited centre that can deliver Btec education direct to our Scholars rather than via a college or via an educational provider. This, as well as after school clubs and key stage One and Two school sports curriculum support, we hope will become part of the backbone that holds everything together.
Q How’s the general mood down at the club at the moment? Very positive, it’s an exciting time to be associated with the club. Q How would you say the start to the season has gone? It’s been great for the most part, we’ve not played particularly well at times but I guess that’s just football. Going out of the FA cup at the first attempt was very disappointing though. Q Do you have any formal links with other sides in your area? We have a great relationship with a number of pro clubs and we are slowly moving towards a better understanding of what they want and what we expect. We have a growing reputation for developing young talented footballers in the right way and this can only enhance our ability to get to a level of understanding with league clubs that will benefit all involved. Q How important is youth football to the club? We currently have around 400 kids playing under the umbrella of our sister club St Neots Town Youth and Saints with age groups ranging from U6’s right through to U21’s (who play in an a senior league) Girl’s teams are gathering pace which is very encouraging and we have around 30 scholars that are full time with the senior club. We give our stadium and all its facilities over to the Hunts FA free of charge to stage youth finals and we are home to the Hunts FA rep’s side, we also help other youth bodies such as the EJA and the Cambs FA with free use of our stadium for some of their finals. Last season we staged 7 youth finals. Three years ago we had nothing like this going on so I guess it’s very important and special mention needs to go to Iain Parr our director of
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youth development for his input and guidance. Q What do you believe could be some of the biggest challenges the club may face in the next 5 years? Ok this is a loaded question because our challenges are the same as every non-league clubs challenges and by far the biggest challenge is getting the FA to understand the dynamics of non-league football and to change the entire structure to one that is financially viable and geared towards developing talented young footballers in the right environment with the right coaching standards. The geographical distribution of teams within each league and each tier needs to be addressed as does a sensible and workable players salary cap. Give us a chance to reinvest in youth and community projects rather than all of our income going out of the game on player’s wages. Buddy us up with League clubs but ensure we get the right support we need by having a partnership contract that encourages us to produce great talent. If the FA are serious about the next generation of British talent they have to look beyond league clubs and focus on us and clubs like us. Q What are the clubs ambitions for the next 5 years? Conference Football, Continue to grow our Development Academy, become an accredited centre of football excellence that delivers Btec direct to our scholars, grow our grassroots football for all (if I can find more playing fields!) grow our supporters base with open and honest dialogue and continue to grow our community support programme. These are just a few of our projections/projects for the next few years. LEE
STEWS VIEWS
The trials and tribulations of the travelling Saints Fan When I started watching St Neots on a regular basis back in 2009/10 season the furthest we had to travel to a game was possibly Lincolnshire somewhere, certainly as a player in the UCL I travelled to places like Boston, Spalding and Daventry and it was considered a bit of an annoyance, if I was being honest. In fact as my match fee’s never exceeded more £10 with either local club, I was probably better off playing in the leagues closer to home. Also at this time, I was fortunate enough to be employed, in a good job with all the perks, including a fully expensed German made Company Car, with an extremely generous boss, who knew of my away day travels both as a player
and a fan and didn’t bat an eyelid when it came to booking private miles, or using my own fuel to get there. In fact many times in important meetings with colleagues and customers alike, I would sometimes speak of the games that I had been to, using analogies both good and bad of my experiences, particularly when visiting clubs for the first time. Oh they were the days................... Back to the present day I am now Self-Employed, working much longer hours than I used to, in an attempt to forge a new career within a very different working environment. Although my time is now my own, I am now more conscious of my earning potential, particularly when participating in leisure activities outside of work, like watching
St Neots Town FC which is my primary recreational choice. I have to pay for the fuel going in my own car, or rely on someone else to drive, so costs are now recorded, instead of just hidden within a monthly expense claim! I also joint manage my twelve year old’s football team, which is taking up more and more of my time as the boys get older. St Neots Town FC has been in the Southern Premier League for three seasons. In that time I have been to all the away grounds at least once, except for Bideford FC and Gosport Borough FC when they were in our league, a couple of seasons ago. In recent seasons, our form in the big Cup competitions (FA Cup and the FA Trophy) has been poor, the exception being our magnificent win in the two leg Red Insure Cup Final last season against Tiverton Town FC (great away experience that was !) Getting through the qualifying rounds of either the FA Cup or Trophy can throw up some interesting away days and maybe a new ground or two to visit. By interesting I don’t necessarily mean big glitzy ties,
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just different grounds thus different things to experience. Early exits in the FA Cup have unfortunately been the norm, recalling one particularly embarrassing exit at the hands of Thurnby Nirvana FC from Leicestershire, who were at the time two steps below us in the Non League Football Pyramid. Fast forward to this season then, having been dumped out of the FA Cup by Dereham Town from a level below us, in a replay away from home, after failing to put our lower league opposition to the proverbial sword at home, the feeling of possible redemption or maybe de ja vu, came in the form of a final qualifying round replay match, in the FA Trophy at AFC Sudbury, also plying there trade one level below us. Having drawn against them on the Saturday, when in truth we had created plenty of chances to win the tie at home, we found ourselves with the reasonably short journey of 65 miles east to Suffolk on the Tuesday evening. Tuesday’s however, aren’t the best nights for me, as its training night
for my 12 year olds. At this age they are still very keen to train, work hard and listen, so I also enjoy the experience. I had deduced that my co manager may be able to take the boys on his own, so it just left, making sure the Wife was happy as she works Tuesday’s, arrange cover for my Son after school, prior to my wife coming home and someone to make sure our dog had been fed and walked, oh and also to make sure my work duties were completed which meant taking public transport to Coventry enabling my wife to have the car, which I had filled with fuel for her, so she didn’t have to worry about it. I knew it was going to be a long day but Braintree Town FC of the Conference Premier League awaited us, in the 1st round proper of the FA Trophy, a competition that last year, had been won by our near neighbours Cambridge UTD against our recent and one time competitors mentioned earlier, Gosport Borough FC. Surely this was going to be worth it? Surely? You will read John Walkers excellent match appraisal elsewhere in this programme and maybe you will also
read about the result from The Club Chairman and Manager, so I won’t elaborate, but how does one explain the compulsion to be continually making sacrifices and costly trips when the results don’t go your way? Having walked 3 miles to the train station in Coventry, thus saving on Taxi and bus fairs, I had purchased a ticket from Coventry to Sudbury by train, via Euston Station, London, Liverpool Street Station, London, Marks Tey in Essex and finally Sudbury 4hrs later. Having to then walk another 1.3 miles from Sudbury Rail Station to the football ground, before finally arriving at 19:00pm exactly 12 hours after leaving home for work that morning, to watch your chosen team throw the opportunity of greater things to come away? I tell you the compulsion, it’s because; “I AM A ST NEOTS TOWN FC FAN” I live in the town and have done most my of my life most of my life. The good times are coming my fellow fans, be patient, good things come to those that are patient, a wise man once said to me Yours Aye Craig
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 47
Scorelines..
Action from last Saturday’s League & Cup Matches FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying Division One South & West Wimborne Town went behind twelve minutes after the interval but scored twice in six minutes after the hour and, after conceding an equaliser with fifteen minutes to go, struck back with goals in the final minutes and in time added on to complete an impressive 4-2 home win over Isthmian Premier AFC Hornchurch while Weymouth, behind after fifteen minutes but level at the break, secured a 3-1 home win against Cray Wanderers with two second half goals, the first from a penalty. Division One Central Bedford Town earned a replay with a creditable 0-0 home draw against Conference South Weston-Super-Mare while Merthyr Town, one up at half time, conceded three goals in the opening ten minutes of the second half but secured a 3-3 home draw with Didcot Town when they scored with fifteen minutes remaining and again in the fifth minute of time added on and St Neots Town, having gone behind eight minutes from time, also scored in time added on to draw 1-1 with visiting Isthmian Division One North AFC Sudbury whereas Premier Division leaders Poole Town, who took a two goal lead but conceded two goals in two minutes before the break, went ahead again just after
the hour only for their Conference South visitors Staines Town to secure a 3-3 draw seven minutes later. Banbury United, behind after just five minutes, conceded twice after the interval to go out 3-0 at home to Northern Premier League Ramsbottom United while Division One South & West Sholing, having taken the lead after seven minutes, conceded a penalty just after the hour and lost 2-1 at home when Conference South Farnborough scored again with twenty minutes remaining and Redditch United, a goal down at the break, went down 2-1 at Conference North Solihull Moors. Truro City, behind after four minutes, levelled just before the half hour but lost 2-1 at home when Conference South Hemel Hempstead Town scored again in time added on at the end of the first half and Hereford United, ahead from a sixth minute own goal but level at half time, conceded a goal four minutes from time to go out 2-1 at home to Conference South Sutton United.
Premier Division Second in the table Corby Town went ahead in the second minute but slipped to a 2-1 home defeat when Bideford scored twice in the final twenty minutes while fifth placed Cirencester Town, a goal down at the interval, scored with sixteen
PAGE 48 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
minutes to go to secure a 1-1 home draw with Biggleswade Town but Hungerford Town scored twice in the second half to record a 2-0 home victory over Arlesey Town. Chesham United equalised three minutes after going behind on the half hour but conceded a penalty in time added on at the end of the first half and lost 3-1 at home when Dunstable Town scored again ten minutes from the end to leapfrog their hosts in the table while Hitchin Town scored in the third minute of time added on to secure a 1-1 home draw with Frome Town, who had taken the lead with eighteen minutes to go and Chippenham Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Burnham bur Histon, behind after sixteen minutes, equalised before the interval and secured a 2-1 home win over Paulton Rovers with twenty minutes remaining.
Division One Central Leaders Kettering Town took a first half lead and completed a 2-0 home win over Chalfont St Peter when they converted a penalty while second placed Bedworth United scored four minutes before the break to defeat visiting Egham Town 1-0 and third in the table Hanwell Town scored eighteen minutes from time to also win 1-0 at Leighton Town.
CAN YOU SPOT SPRINGY?!
AFC SUDBURY 1 ST NEOTS TOWN 0 02:12:2014 / FA Trophy 3rd QR Replay / Att 229 / Referee: Wade Norcott (Harlow) Just three minutes after half time Sudbury midfielder Lawrence Yiga produced a stunning shot from fully 35 yards out to bend the ball into the top corner of the net past a helpless Paul Bastock to signal the end of St Neots’ FA Trophy adventure this season. It was a goal worthy to win any football match and it came early enough for St Neots to mount a counter attack in an attempt to win their way to a First Round proper date at Conference South club Braintree on Saturday week. However despite their best efforts they were unable to penetrate a stubborn home defence who had to rely on good fortune to maintain their clean sheet so it is Sudbury who will make the short trip to Braintree in ten days time. Manager Gary King had tried to freshen up his side after the Saturday Cozy Stadium stalemate bringing in Ben Mackey for Chris Dillon for his first start since rejoining the club, Lorenzo Ferrari for dedicated width in attack for Lewis Hilliard and Dean Cracknell for Jay Davies in a strengthened midfield. Despite an arguably better all round performance the side was unable to produce the finish that might have seen them through so it is now back to concentrate on boosting their flagging fortunes in their league programme with three more home games before Christmas. It was a very different match from the first whistle with Sudbury understandably prepared to commit more players forward so an open game ensued. St Neots produced the first two
chances with home keeper Marcus Garnham having to sprint from his line to smother the ball at the feet of Drew Roberts and then Lorenzo Ferrari shot wide from a Roberts cross. At the other end after seven minutes Paul Bastock had to be alert to tip the ball over the bar from a dipping Jack Wilkinson shot but incredibly that was to be the visiting keepers’ only serious save of the match. Ben Mackey looking sharp and hungry for the ball had a shot deflected for a corner and then Ben Ford in full flight towards goal was cynically hacked down by Ryan Henshaw to deservedly earn the defender a yellow card. The resultant Matt Spring free kick from a similar distance to his Saturday goal was only just too high and after half an hour a snap shot from Mackey was pushed onto a post at full stretch by Garnham. With St Neots looking much the better side a Max York header from a Spring corner struck the outside of a post and although Terry Rymer did get the ball in the net for Sudbury he had been flagged offside with the St Neots defence already preparing for the free kick. A first half pull suffered by Ryan Frater saw him fail to reappear after the interval so Gavin Hoyte came on in defence alongside the reliable Tom
Ward for his first appearance in three matches but the early second half Sudbury goal brought an immediate St Neots response as Ben Mackey headed home a Ferrari cross but was ruled fractionally offside. The same player then had a shot blocked and from an Ed Adjei cross Drew Roberts brought a full length save from Garnham. St Neots then sought to build on their superior possession sending on Lewis Hilliard for Ben Ford and adopting a 4-3-3 formation. Henshaw did well to head acrobatically off the line from a cleverly placed Roberts shot with his keeper beaten and in the frustrating last fifteen minutes the home side did everything they could to waste time. With ten players behind the ball when St Neots attacked they were able to repel the better moves and when they did get the ball they seemed more keen to get towards the opposing corner flags than towards the goal. Substitute Jay Davies had another effort cleared off the line and in the time added for the time wasting St Neots final chance fell to Mackey but when he looked certain to score a last ditch tackle blocked St Neots of another late goal they probably deserved. John Walker
AFC Sudbury
St Neots Town
Garnham, Robinson, Wilkinson, Flynn, Henshaw, Pope, Blackwell, Clarke, Rymer, Yiga, Berquez Subs: Guyton (for Berquez 60), Kemp (for Blackwell 76), Ray (for Rymer 88), Coley and Kerridge. Cards: Henshall (Y – 21), Yiga (Y – 47), Goal: Yiga (48 mins)
Bastock, York, Adjei, Ford, Frater (R), Ward, Cracknell, Spring, Mackey, Roberts, Ferrari Subs: Hoyte (for Frater 46), Hilliard (for Ford 58), Davies (for York 73), Dillon and Nolan. Cards: Ferrari (Y – 90 + 1 min) Goal: None
PAGE 50 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 51
WAS THIS REALLY OFFSIDE?
13-Dec
2 -- 0
4 -- 1
07-Mar
Histon
31-Jan
4 -- 1
06-Dec
3 -- 1
20-Dec
14-Feb
07-Feb
18-Apr
tba
Paulton Rovers
Poole Town
Redditch United
Slough Town
St Neots Town
Truro City
Weymouth
06-Dec
2 -- 1
06-Apr
03-Jan
0 -- 0
4 -- 0
26-Dec
29-Nov
Hitchin Town
Hungerford Town
1 -- 0
4 -- 2
2 -- 3
17-Jan
Hereford United
03-Jan
Dorchester Town
26-Dec
6 -- 2
25-Apr
4 -- 2
18-Apr
5 -- 1
06-Dec
2 -- 3
tba
26-Dec
28-Mar
4 -- 1
7 -- 2
21-Mar
06-Apr
28-Feb
3 -- 2
tba
14-Feb
24-Jan
03-Jan
3 -- 3
14-Mar 29-Nov
5 -- 1
3 -- 2
Corby Town
17-Jan
28-Mar
Cirencester Town
3 -- 0
Frome Town
3 -- 0
Chippenham Town
25-Apr
07-Feb
Dunstable Town
21-Mar
Chesham United
04-Apr
tba
1 -- 1
Burnham
06-Apr
Biggleswade Town
Cambridge City
21-Mar
3 -- 0
Bideford
tba
2 -- 2
10-Jan
28-Feb
Arlesey Town
0 -- 2
Banbury United
Arlesey Town
Bideford
Banbury United
01-Jan
Biggleswade Town
20-Dec
07-Mar
17-Jan
1 -- 1
18-Apr
1 -- 0
14-Feb
28-Mar
14-Mar
3 -- 0
2 -- 1
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
0 -- 1
tba
29-Nov
03-Jan
07-Feb
1 -- 1
24-Jan
11-Apr
18-Nov
21-Feb
Burnham
28-Mar
31-Jan
3 -- 1
03-Jan
06-Dec
08-Nov
3 -- 0
26-Dec
18-Apr
18-Nov
2 -- 5
1 -- 2
4 -- 2
1 -- 0
07-Mar
25-Apr
14-Mar
06-Apr
17-Jan
1 -- 0
07-Feb
29-Nov
Cambridge City 10-Jan
1 -- 0
0 -- 1
07-Mar
2 -- 4
28-Mar
1 -- 1
2 -- 0
06-Apr
26-Dec
2-0
2 -- 1
25-Apr
2 -- 2
24-Jan
14-Feb
11-Apr
4 -- 4
1 -- 2
21-Feb
13-Dec
2 -- 0
0 -- 2 0 -- 3
Chesham United tba
0 -- 3
2 -- 3
0 -- 3
2 -- 2
13-Dec
07-Mar
11-Apr
24-Jan
21-Feb
14-Mar
14-Feb
04-Apr
0 -- 0
1 -- 1
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
01-Jan
tba
17-Jan
20-Dec
1 -- 2
Chippenham Town 0 -- 0
24-Jan
tba
18-Apr
2 -- 2
2 -- 1
29-Nov
26-Dec
10-Jan
tba
1 -- 3
07-Feb
06-Apr
5 -- 1
0 -- 1
14-Feb
1 -- 1
28-Mar
06-Dec
tba
0 -- 2
20-Dec
21-Feb
1 -- 4
07-Mar
1 -- 2
tba
2 -- 1
2 -- 1
13-Dec
0 -- 0
11-Apr
01-Jan
14-Mar
0 -- 3
07-Feb
2 -- 1
17-Jan
31-Jan
1 -- 3
20-Dec
04-Apr
0 -- 2
0 -- 5
Cirencester Town
07-Mar
Corby Town 18-Apr
10-Jan
26-Dec
07-Feb
21-Mar
25-Apr
31-Jan
3 -- 0
03-Jan
06-Apr
1 -- 2
06-Dec
1 -- 2
2 -- 1
0 -- 0
0 -- 2
0 -- 1
2 -- 2
0 -- 3
28-Feb
04-Apr
tba
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
Dorchester Town 2 -- 0
24-Jan
06-Dec
20-Dec
tba
01-Jan
18-Apr
31-Jan
07-Mar
1 -- 0
4 -- 0
19-Nov
14-Feb
28-Mar
6 -- 1
28-Oct
10-Jan
04-Apr
1 -- 5
4 -- 1
21-Feb
2 -- 1
24-Jan
Dunstable Town 07-Mar
28-Mar
06-Apr
06-Dec
10-Jan
tba
2 -- 2
0 -- 0
3 -- 2
1 -- 2
18-Apr
tba
1 -- 2
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
31-Jan
29-Nov
20-Dec
2 -- 0
26-Dec
1 -- 2
21-Feb
2 -- 2
Frome Town 4 -- 2
tba
20-Dec
18-Apr
2 -- 0
7 -- 0
21-Feb
1 -- 1
29-Nov
1 -- 2
28-Mar
28-Feb
21-Mar
11-Apr
3 -- 1
01-Jan
3 -- 0
31-Jan
3 -- 1
1 -- 2
4 -- 0
10-Jan
1 -- 1
Hereford United 04-Apr
06-Dec
1 -- 0
2 -- 0
26-Dec
0 -- 0
1 -- 2
21-Mar
25-Apr
0 -- 0
1 -- 3
13-Dec
3 -- 0
21-Feb
06-Apr
2 -- 1
3 -- 0
28-Feb
10-Jan
31-Jan
3 -- 3
1 -- 5
2 -- 1
Histon 31-Jan
20-Dec
4 -- 0
1 -- 1
2 -- 0
2 -- 0
04-Apr
1 -- 0
07-Feb
17-Jan
03-Jan
1 -- 3
28-Feb
01-Jan
06-Dec
1 -- 0
2 -- 1
6 -- 0
21-Mar
1 -- 1
14-Mar
18-Apr
0 -- 2
Hitchin Town 2 -- 2
3 -- 0
21-Feb
2 -- 1
31-Jan
11-Apr
3 -- 0
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
20-Dec
04-Apr
21-Mar
2 -- 1
2 -- 0
10-Jan
28-Feb
0 -- 1
01-Jan
09-Dec
3 -- 7
2 -- 1
0 -- 3
Hungerford Town 3 -- 1
2 -- 1
14-Mar
01-Jan
tba
1 -- 0
20-Dec
14-Feb
2 -- 1
0 -- 2
07-Mar
07-Feb
1 -- 0
17-Jan
18-Apr
0 -- 1
06-Dec
2 -- 1
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
24-Jan
04-Apr
11-Apr
Paulton Rovers 18-Nov
2 -- 0
1 -- 1
4 -- 2
07-Feb
1 -- 0
25-Apr
1 -- 0
29-Nov
24-Jan
tba
17-Jan
13-Dec
4 -- 1
03-Jan
1 -- 1
2 -- 2
14-Mar
28-Feb
1 -- 0
01-Jan
28-Mar
Poole Town tba
21-Feb
3 -- 2
24-Jan
0 -- 1
4 -- 5
0 -- 0
06-Dec
14-Feb
07-Mar
26-Dec
14-Mar
06-Apr
20-Dec
tba
04-Apr
18-Apr
0 -- 2
1 -- 3
10-Jan
18-Nov
0 -- 1
31-Jan
Redditch United 14-Feb
29-Nov
0 -- 3
1 -- 7
17-Jan
1 -- 0
21-Feb
4 -- 0
28-Mar
1 -- 2
0 -- 4
2 -- 1
14-Mar
0 -- 0
24-Jan
1 -- 2
0 -- 1
03-Jan
11-Apr
13-Dec
07-Mar
01-Jan
25-Apr
Slough Town 3 -- 2
1 -- 2
09-Dec
28-Feb
2 -- 1
2 -- 2
06-Apr
28-Mar
10-Jan
2 -- 2
13-Dec
11-Apr
25-Apr
1 -- 2
21-Mar
21-Feb
26-Dec
3 -- 3
0 -- 2
3 -- 3
31-Jan
tba
1 -- 0
1 -- 3
St Neots Town 20-Jan
2 -- 3
04-Apr
2 -- 0
28-Feb
10-Jan
15-Nov
3 -- 4
24-Jan
0 -- 2
25-Apr
01-Jan
11-Apr
1 -- 3
1 -- 1
13-Dec
3 -- 3
21-Mar
14-Feb
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
Truro City 01-Jan
0 -- 2
14-Mar
04-Apr
3 -- 0
1 -- 2
2 -- 0
17-Jan
25-Apr
11-Apr
07-Feb
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
28-Feb
21-Mar
03-Jan
1 -- 1
2 -- 2
3 -- 2
1 -- 3
14-Feb
13-Dec
06-Apr
2 -- 0
17-Jan
1 -- 1
07-Feb
21-Mar
03-Jan
0 -- 3
3 -- 0
29-Nov
tba
1 -- 3
26-Dec
13-Dec
0 -- 3
2 -- 3
28-Feb
0 -- 1
1 -- 2
25-Apr
tba
11-Apr
14-Mar
Weymouth
Some say football is a young man’s game, but there are plenty of Peter Pans still out there playing and proving that theory isn’t always right. Take veteran striker Neil Grayson (below). England hadn’t won the World Cup when the former Doncaster Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Northampton Town arrived in this world. Last Saturday he celebrated his 50th birthday the only way he knows how – by scoring a goal. Grayson has reached his half-century but he’s not letting that stop him from playing every week for Glapwell in the Central Midlands division. For a man who won the Conference title and has also banged the ball in for Boston United, Forest Green Rovers, Stafford Rangers, Carlton Town and Heanor Town, the least we at The NLP could do was send a cake along on his big day. Grayson had his cake and ate it with a goal and an assist, as well as man of the match, in their 2-1 win at Welbeck Welfare. When I asked Grayson if the end was nigh, his response was as quick as the predatory instincts that made him a fans’ favourite wherever he went. “Not yet – I’ve just bought some new boots!” he laughed. “I love playing, it wouldn’t feel right not to join in,
and I still get that same buzz. Even in training when you smack a decent one in.” It’s great to see footballers who have achieved so much still playing just because they love the game. Barry Hayles is 42 and went from Non-League Willesden Hawkeye to the Premier League with Fulham.
Sometimes it is necessity that sees a manager reluctantly stick his boots back on. While manager at Dorchester Phil Simkin had to register as a player and put himself on the bench just to make up the numbers – aged 60!
Hayles is going strong in the Southern League with Truro City. Last season he was winning player of the year at Arlesey Town.
Last month FA Cup winning goalkeeper Dave Beasant (below), 55, was named as a substitute at League Two Stevenage, where he is goalie coach.
He’s still based around London but every Truro home game he travels down to Cornwall to stay in a caravan on a Thursday in preparation for the weekend game.
Ironically it was as back-up for Chris Day, no spring chicken himself at 39, after Beasant’s son Sam was injured.
Darren Sheridan carried on playing in his 40s. After leaving his role as joint-boss at Barrow alongside Dave Bayliss, the former Barnsley midfielder turned out for Radcliffe Borough and Droylsden.
But sometimes it’s just for sense of occasion. After leading Tamworth to the Conference North title in 2009, boss Gary Mills came out of retirement for the final game of the season to play the final minutes of a glorious season.
And in June it was the end of an era on the south coast as Steve “Taffy” Richardson finally hung his boots up aged 47 having played a full season in the Southern League Premier with Poole Town. The legendary Sir Stanley Matthews famously was still playing when he was 50, proving it’s not all about bikram yoga and sports science.
PAGE 54 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
We can only salute all these OAPs – Old Age Players! Matt Badcock Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper @SamElliott_NLP @Stuhammonds_NLP @MattBadcock_NLP
Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in BOLD CAPS denotes goal scorer.
Date
ATT
COMP
R
Pos
2
3
4
Sat 09 Aug
Opposition Hereford United
568
SLP
2-0
7
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Ford
F
Tue 12 Aug
Chesham United
331
SLP
3-3
5
Abbey
Spence
LEE
Spring
F
Sat 16 Aug
WEYMOUTH
312
SLP
2-0
2
Abbey
Powell
LEE
Bickerstaff
F
Tue 19 Aug
REDDITCH UNITED
310
SLP
0-3
9
Abbey
Powell
Lee
Bickerstaff
Sat 23 Aug
Truro City
503
SLP
3-2
8
Abbey
Spence
LEE
Bickerstaff
Mon 25 Aug
Corby Town
518
SLP
3-1
6
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Bickerstaff
Sat 30 Aug
PAULTON ROVERS
298
SLP
1-1
7
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Bickerstaff
Sat 06 Sep
Biggleswade Town
301
SLP
2-2
6
Abbey
Spence
Wilson
Bickerstaff
Tue 09 Sep
HISTON
401
SLP
4-0
4
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Farrell
Sat 13 Sep
DEREHAM TOWN
312
FAC
1-1
-
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Spring
Sat 20 Sep
Banbury United
281
SLP
1-1
5
Greygoose
Spence
Lee
Farrell
Tue 30 Sep
Arlesey Town
217
SLP
3-1
2
Greygoose
Spence
Bickerstaff
Hilliard
Sat 04 Oct
BURNHAM
282
SLP
3-1
3
Greygoose
York
Lee
Wilson
Mon 06 Oct
Hitchin Town
291
SLP
4-3
2
Greygoose
York
Lee
Wilson
Sat 11 Oct
POOLE TOWN
619
SLP
3-2
2
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Wilson
Sat 18 Oct
Cirencester Town
141
SLP
1-1
2
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Thorne
Tue 21 Oct
CHESHAM UNITED
233
SLP
2-3
2
Bastock
YORK
Bickerstaff
Thorne
Sat 25 Oct
HEREFORD UNITED
329
SLP
1-0
2
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Wilson
Mon 27 Oct
Redditch United
141
SLP
0-2
3
Bastock
York
Lee
Cracknell
Sat 01 Nov
ILKESTON TOWN
330
FAT
2-1
-
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Ford
Sat 08 Nov
TRURO CITY
299
SLP
0-2
3
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Ford
Sat 15 Nov
DARLINGTON 1883
715
FAT
3-1
-
Bastock
Deeney
York
Ford
Tue 18 Nov
CAMBRIDGE CITY
322
SLP
0-1
3
Bastock
Deeney
York
Ford
Sat 22 Nov
Bideford
199
SLP
1-1
4
Bastock
Deeney
Adjei
Ford
Sat 29 Nov
AFC SUDBURY
431
FAT
1-1
-
Bastock
York
Adjei
Ford
Tue 02 Dec
AFC Sudbury
FAT
FAT (R)
0-1
-
Bastock
York
Adjei
Ford
Sat 06 Dec
DORCHESTER TOWN
SLP
Tue 09 Dec
SLOUGH TOWN
SLP
Sat 13 Dec
Chippenham Town
SLP
Sat 20 Dec
FROME TOWN
SLP
Fri 26 Dec
CORBY TOWN
SLP
Thu 01 Jan
Dunstable Town
SLP
Sat 03 Jan
HEREFORD UNITED
SLP
Sat 10 Jan
Paulton Rovers
SLP
Sat 17 Jan
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
SLP
Tue 20 Jan
Weymouth
SLP
Sat 24 Jan
Histon
SLP
Sat 31 Jan
BANBURY UNITED
SLP
Sat 07 Feb
ARLESEY TOWN
SLP
Sat 14 Feb
Burnham
SLP
Sat 21 Feb
HITCHIN TOWN
SLP
Sat 28 Feb
Poole Town
SLP
Sat 07 Mar
CIRENCESTER TOWN
SLP
Sat 14 Mar
HUNGERFORD TOWN
SLP
Sat 21 Mar
Cambridge City
SLP
Sat 28 Mar
BIDEFORD
SLP
Sat 04 Apr
Slough Town
SLP
Mon 06 Apr
DUNSTABLE TOWN
SLP
Sat 11 Apr
Dorchester Town
SLP
Sat 18 Apr
CHIPPENHAM TOWN
SLP
Sat 25 Apr
Frome Town
SLP
PAGE 56 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
F
T
B
Player name in these colours denotes substitute
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
Frater (R)
Hoyte
Spring
Davies
Dillon
Hilliard
Powell
NOLAN
FRATER (N)
15
Frater (R)
Hoyte
DAVIES
Ford
Nolan
Hilliard
Powell
FRATER (N)
Frater (R)
Hoyte
DAVIES
Spring
Nolan
Ford
Frater (N)
Spence
Hilliard
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Nolan
Frater (N)
Ford
Roberts
Ferrari
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
FRATER (N) 2
Ford
Powell
Roberts
Ferrari
Farrell
Frater
Hoyte
Ford
Spring
Frater (N)
ROBERTS 2
Farrell
FERRARI
Davies
Powell
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
ROBERTS
Farrell
Ford
Ferrari
Wilson
Powell
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
FRATER N
ROBERTS
Powell
Deeney
Nolan
Farrell
FRATER
Hoyte
DAVIES
Powell
Nolan
ROBERTS 2
Hilliard
Wilson
Ferrari
Bickerstaff
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Wilson
NOLAN
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Farrell
Powell
Frater
Hoyte
DAVIES
Wilson
Nolan
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Ford
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
THORNE
FRATER N
ROBERTS
Wilson
Ferrari
Spring
Nolan
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
ROBERTS 3
Hilliard
Thorne
Nolan
Peacock
THORNE
Hoyte
Farrell
Spring
FRATER N
ROBERTS
Hilliard
Ford
NOLAN
Ferrari
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
ROBERTS 2
HILLIARD
Ford
Nolan
Thorne
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Nolan
Roberts
HILLIARD
Ferrari
Ford
Frater
Hoyte
DAVIES
Spring
Nolan
Roberts
Hilliard
Cracknell
Ford
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Nolan
ROBERTS
Hilliard
Frater N
Cracknell
Lee
Bickerstaff
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
Roberts
Ford
Farrell
Hilliard
Ferrari
Deeney
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
FRATER N
Roberts
HILLIARD
Ferrari
Deeney
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Dillon
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
ROBERTS
HILLIARD 2
Cracknell
Dillon
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Dillon
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Nolan
Frater
Ward
Davies
CRACKNELL
Dillon
Roberts
Hilliard
Mackey
Frater
Ward
Davies
SPRING
Dillon
Roberts
Hilliard
Mackey
Ferrari
Nolan
Frater
Ward
Cracknell
Spring
Mackey
Roberts
Ferrari
Hoyte
Hilliard
Davies
Ferrari
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 57
SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 04.12.14
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
+/-
Pts
01
Poole Town
17
14
2
1
36
11
+25
44
02
Cirencester Town
22
10
8
4
45
23
+22
38
03
Corby Town
21
11
5
5
33
24
+9
38
04
Redditch United
20
11
4
5
40
21
+19
37
05
St Neots Town
21
10
6
5
39
30
+9
36
06
Weymouth
15
11
2
2
32
18
+14
35
07
Truro City
21
11
2
8
34
31
+3
35
08
Chesham United
21
8
8
5
40
27
+13
32
09
Hungerford Town
21
9
5
7
27
17
+10
32
10
Dunstable Town
21
9
4
8
39
35
+4
31
11
Hitchin Town
22
9
4
9
37
34
+3
31
12
Slough Town
21
8
7
6
39
39
0
31
13
Cambridge City
23
7
8
8
35
34
+1
29
14
Hereford United
23
8
5
10
34
35
-1
29
15
Chippenham Town
19
7
6
6
25
22
+3
27
16
Biggleswade Town
20
6
7
7
27
32
-5
25
17
Histon
21
6
4
11
22
33
-11
22
18
Bideford
20
6
4
10
37
51
-14
22
19
Dorchester Town
20
6
3
11
24
34
-10
21
20
Paulton Rovers
21
4
7
10
28
34
-6
19
21
Arlesey Town
21
4
4
13
18
42
-24
16
22
Burnham (-3)
19
5
3
11
28
38
-10
15
23
Frome Town
19
4
3
12
22
48
-26
15
24
Banbury United
19
3
3
13
17
45
-28
12
PAGE 58 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DORCHESTER TOWN ISSUE 15
Don’t succumb to just putting up a bookshelf, show your walls some love! Wall Art
Wallpaper
Wall Stickers
www.ilovemywalls.co.uk
Manager: Gary King Assistant Managers: Liam George & Matt Spring
Manager: Graham Kemp Assistant Manager: Stuart Heath
Goalkeepers
Alan Walker-Harris
Paul Bastock
Oakley Hanger
Jamie Greygoose
Matt Oldring
Defenders
Andy Robinson
Josh Bickerstaff
Nathan Walker (C)
Ryan Frater
Chris Dillon
Gavin Hoyte (C)
Nick Crittenden
Tom Ward
Sam Lanahan
Max York
Robbie Matthews
Ryan Plowright
Dan Smith
Midfielders
Mason Walsh
Dean Cracknell
Jack Odam
Jay Davies
Ryan Murray
Matt Spring
Jamie Gleeson
Lorenzo Ferrari
Tony Rolls
Ben Ford
Jason Brookes
Lewis Hilliard Edd Adjei David Hutton Forwards Ben Mackey Bruce Wilson Chris Dillon Nathan Frater Matt Nolan Drew Roberts
Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks
Colours Black & White Shirts, Black Shorts & Socks
The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: James Turner Assistants: Junior Jones / Matthew Hopton Next Home Game: St Neots Town v Slough Town Southern League Premier Division / Tuesday 9th December / KO 19:45
As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.