St Neots Town Vs Bideford AFC

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00

Southern League Premier Division V

Bideford AFC Issue 25

14 08 The Best Midfielders In The World Today / Both play in Spain, that’s a clue as we reach out top two but all hail who?!

Fe Ne at w ur e!

04

08

View From The Dugout / Batchy reviews recent performances

18

Hungerford Match Report / Points shared in another key game

Coleman Balls / Hilarious comments by a true legend

Owner Mike Kearns

Club Secretary Gary Wilson

Sports Therapist Sam Palmer

Club Photographer Claire Howes

Pitchcare Working Turf

Chairman Mike Kearns

Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard

Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas

Design & Marketing Blue Prawn

Managing Director Lee Kearns

Life President John Walker

Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark

Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green

Print XL Press Limited

Director Iain Parr

Team Officials Darren Plowman (Goalkeeping Coach)

Football Manager David Batch Assistant Manager Steve Eastaugh

Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt

St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley Club Merchandise Linda Walters Programme Editor Mark Davies

PAGE 02 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

Programme Sales Charlie Green Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson

INSIDE

Issue 25 V Bideford AFC Southern League Premier Division

Also Inside 06 Action Replay 13 Mascot Feature 16 Chairmans’ Views 18 Where Are They Now?

46

20 Read All About It

38

22 The Beautiful Game 28 Easter Greetings 30 Pull-Out Poster

Stews Views / A cracking read by Craig as always!

From The Other Side Of The Fence / Legend Davie Hay on Brian Clough

32 Greenies Greetings 36 Away Days 44 MD’s Views 48 Leagues Review 50 Match Report- Cambridge City 53 Season 2014/15 Fixtures Matrix 54 The Non-League Paper

24 Todays’ Visitors / A warm welcome to the Robins!

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

40

56 Season 2014/15 Statistics 58 Premier Division League Table 60 Home & Opposition Squads

Introducing Brett Longden / Exciting right-back from Luton Town 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

Manager David Batch talks to us and gives his in-depth thoughts on Saturday’s derby against Cambridge City, which saw Saints move into the play off zone.

There is no denying the fact that we were extremely poor on Saturday away at Cambridge City.

The players have shown magnificent ethic and application since January 1st in every game, sometimes against all odds with barely 11 players available. On Saturday we probably only reached a level of 3 out of 10 in a game that was horrible to watch, play in and manage.

That said - I won’t be dwelling on it too much as a performance as “we were due one”, as they say. I am

sure that this performance will be forgotten long before the importance of the point gained is.

We’ve certainly seen progression over the last few weeks and weirdly; Saturday was also an example of that. Certainly not in terms of the quality of what was on offer, but that we could play so badly and still keep a clean sheet and gain a point in a local derby. You wouldn’t normally get away with a performance like that in that sort of game.

TOP 10 EXCUSES Interestingly, I note that most of the match reports from our league on Saturday referenced terrible matches and windy conditions as well. The difference being that most of the top 10 went on to lose and used that as an excuse whereas we didn’t, so we have to be positive about that.

In every game we have a host of stats compiled of which help us to reflect and ‘see’ the game through facts, not emotional rose-tinted glasses. On Saturday we actually came out slightly on top

PAGE 04 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

in every one of the key indicators a team needs to win games - but only marginally - hence the tightness of the game.

In recent weeks, those stats have seen us outscore opponents two and sometimes three to one, and as a result we have managed to win points AND play well.

CONTINUED BELIEF The players have rarely failed to deliver thus far, and I know the fans will keep behind them and appreciate that their team will not play well all the time and support them no matter what.

My belief in the players hasn’t altered, which is that if we play well

DREW ROBERTS SEES A CHANCE CLEARED OFF THE LINE

teams will have to be very, very good to beat us. What I have also now learned, is that if we play poorly against some teams we are still capable of getting points - which is a good trait to have.

game was the FIRST opportunity to see certain players in certain positions and certain systems, when points weren’t at stake.

WORTHY EXERCISE

FAN-TASTIC SUPPORT Finally, what support from our fans!

That was the best yet and as we get to the business end of the season they are really showing their class and positivity toward the team, something you just don’t see at other grounds’.

After our inept performance last Saturday we took the opportunity of a friendly with a very strong Peterborough United team during the week. Whilst it was nice to host our nearby professional club, cement relationships and give you guys the chance to see some professionals down here - none of those reasons were the main driver for us accepting the game.

So the exercise was well worth it.

Some players set a marker in the sand with good performances and give us more options moving into the final sprint to the finish. Others got 90 minutes of football in which was lacking, so should mean they are fitter when coming into the team.

And we also had a couple of players that we were looking at playing for them who may help strengthen us between now and May.

The improvement of our team and club is my only concern and this

Today will be another tough test against a team in form. Certainly

beating the leaders away from home last week puts them on the radar and we will have to be as prepared as ever. That said, I expect no easy games between now and the end of the season, this Saturday or next.

Lots of our rivals at the top play each other, but that is of no concern to us. Your players have worked themselves into a good position and it’s in all of our hands now to help push them over the line. We will focus solely on our performance and on how we perform for each game.

That’s all we can do and if we do it well, it will be enough.

Let’s support the players together and please get behind them as much as you have done in recent games. Finally a very warm welcome to our opponents today Bideford their Officials, Players and Supporters.

Batchy

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 05

A COMPREHENSIVE AWAY VICTORY NINE YEARS AGO TODAY United Counties League Premier Division (28/March/2006)

Deeping

0-3

St Neots Town

St Neots excellent form continued as they carved out a well-deserved victory over the improving Deeping who had not lost in their previous four league and cup matches.

The victory moved St Neots within six points of fourth placed Cogenhoe with three matches in hand. St Neots were once again solid in defence with skipper Nicky Hurst continuing his rich vein of form and Gary Watts back to his best and in the second half there was a welcome return after injury for Jon Hoggett as the longer-term injury list begins to diminish.

Deeping began well and almost went ahead in the seventh minute when Dave Robertson beat Steve Young to the ball to lob goalwards but Nicky Hurst got back to clear off the line.

Home keeper Dan Bircham then produced a quality save to push away a shot by Gary Walker after James Hatch had used his pace to outwit his marker on the quarter hour and St Neots thought they had forged ahead two minutes later when Steve Kuhne put the ball in the net but he was ruled offside.

Deeping had two more gilt edged chances to take the lead. First a mistake by Matt Endersby let in Aaron Last but his shot was too close to Young who saved well and then poor marking at a corner gave Wayne Oldacre a free header but again Young was equal to his effort.

The impressive Ricky Dear saw a shot pushed for a corner and then St Neots went ahead after a controversial decision five minutes before the break.

Steve Kuhne’s header from a Cameron Clark cross looked to have cleared the bar unaided but the referee judged that Bircham had got a touch and awarded a corner and from Mark Franklin’s cross Nicky Hurst won the ball in the air for James Hatch to stab home from close range.

The half time break saw a deterioration in the weather and St Neots kicked off the second half against a gale and driving rain. For ten minutes they struggled to get the ball out of their own half but as the rain subsided they began to boss the play again.

PAGE 06 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

After 68 minutes Mark Franklin set up his second goal of the match with a free kick to the far post headed back by Gary Watts for Steve Kuhne to apply the finishing touch. St Neots then sent on substitutes Jon Hoggett and Sean Murray for Franklin and Walker and apart from a Robertson volley that flashed wide the home side produced nothing to threaten St Neots two goals cushion.

Ten minutes from time Steve Kuhne claimed his 38th league and cup goal of the season rising unchallenged at the near post to head home a Matt Endersby corner and that clinched the three important points.

St Neots: Young, Clark, Endersby, Watts, Hurst, Dear, Franklin (Hoggett 68 mins), Maltay (Jordan 81 mins), Kuhne, Walker (Murray 76 mins), Hatch.

Goals: Kuhne 2 (68 mins & 80 mins), Hatch 40 mins.

Match Report: John Walker

ST NEOTS TOWN 1 HUNGERFORD TOWN 1 14:03:2015 / Southern Premier Division / Att 366 / Referee: Jonathan Burridge (Papworth)

Both Managers declared themselves happy with their teams’ performance in a contest that finished all square but was at times uninspiring.

“A good point each for two good teams’ declared visiting Manager Bobby Wilkinson whilst home boss David Batch said ‘I am happy with a point but I though my team’s performance deserved all three’.

Both teams separated only by goal difference on the fringe of the play offs clearly did not want to lose ground on each other and St Neots must now go on to make their game in hand over Hungerford count. The outstanding feature of the game was the corner tally for St Neots had sixteen and their opponents just two and this clearly mirrored the fact that St Neots shaded possession without being able to make it count.

St Neots made just one change in their starting line up bringing in goal scorer Nathan Frater up from with Lee Clark moving back into midfield and Ryan Frater giving way. The two sides had shared the points in a goalless meeting at Hungerford a month earlier so this was expected to be a tightly fought contest and so it proved with both defences largely in control.

The opening skirmishes saw both sides threaten without creating clear openings although an off balance Nathan Frater was disappointed when clear on goal he volleyed high over the bar.

At the other end Stefan Brown did the same for the visitors but it was Hungerford who took the lead after 20 minutes. A fairly innocuous attack saw James Clark pinned tight to the bye line but he somehow squeezed the ball into the six yard box where Brown seemingly surrounded by defenders bundled it into the net.

A direct inswinging Drew Roberts corner looked to be creeping in under the bar but visiting keeper Paul Strudley acrobatically turned it away for another corner and then Lewis Hilliard saw a net bound shot blocked by a defender.

From one of St Neots many corners Lee Clarke won the ball well but glanced his header wide of the far post and there was little seen of the home attack but St Neots went to the break within managing a single shot on target.

However the improvement in their fortunes after the break was swift and positive. Drew Roberts shot

straight at Strudley from a narrow angle after delightful approach play

by Adam Tann and Lee Clarke, Lewis Hilliard volleyed wide.

Then after 51 minutes the scores were levelled as Roberts sent over St Neots’ tenth corner of the match and the recalled Nathan Frater rose to head home.

This signalled a spell of St Neots domination but the visiting defence looked solid and Strudley saved well from Matt Spring and Clarke. On the hour a Clarke header rebounded from a post and St Neots leading scorer Drew Roberts squandered his sides’ best chance of all three points when he shot over the bar after skilfully making space for himself.

With Bruce Wilson on for Brett Longden St Neots looked to be going for a second goal and all three points but the visitors boast the second best defensive record in the Premier Division and they seemed easily able to snuff out St Neots better attacking moves.

With six minutes left another teasing Roberts corner was tipped over the bar by Strudley and at the final whistle both sides seemed happy to preserve their goal and settle for a point apiece for the second time this season.

John Walker

St Neots Town

Hungerford Town

Bastock, Tann, Wilkinson, Clarke, Mitchel-King, Ward, Hilliard, Spring, Frater (N), Roberts, Longden. Subs: Wilson (B) (for Longden 68), Ferrari (for Frater (N) 80), Frater (R), Bickerstaff and Harty. Cards: None Goals: Frater (N) (51 mins)

Strudley, Horgan, John, Boardman, Day, Rees, Clark, Rusby, Goodger, Brown Stow. Subs: Mpi (for Stow 75), Pilling, Osei-Tutu, Wilson (S) and Chappe. Cards: Horgan (Y – 59) Goals: Brown (20 mins)

PAGE 08 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 09

JACK WILKINSON

ALL TOGETHER PAGE 12 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

Mascot feature Mascot Fact File Name: Johnathan Lovitt-Edwards Age: 8 Favourite St Neots Player: Lewis Hilliard Who do you play for?

St Neots u9’s Who do you support: Chelsea

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

WORLD’S BEST MIDFIELDERS 02. ANDRES INIESTA This unassuming midfielder from Albacete has long lived in the shadow of some of his teammates, but has demanded recognition of his own thanks to his dazzling brilliance for club and country.

After joining Barca from Albacete as a 12-year-old, Iniesta was quickly picked out as a special talent at an early age by none other than Pep Guardiola, with the then-Barca midfielder and current manager famously telling Xavi: “You’re going to retire me. This lad is going to retire us all.” But Iniesta’s quiet approach and willingness to play in a variety of positions meant his contribution was often overlooked in his early years. But in recent times his humble approach has only further endeared him to a support that revels in watching him on a weekly basis.

Alongside the supremely-talented Xavi in midfield, or operating as an auxiliary forward, Iniesta has been one of Barca’s most consistent performers and was widely hailed as one of the world’s best players when playing an influential role in Barca’s historic six trophy season. He also capped a glorious rise by smashing the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final to take Spain to the title, having shone in the showpiece, being named Man of the Match. Iniesta was also named in the Team of the Tournament, such were the high level of his displays.

Andres Iniesta Height

5’6” (1.70m)

Weight

159 lbs (72 kg)

Age

PAGE 14 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

30

Date of Birth

11.05.1984

Place of Birth

Spain

Strikers may score most of the goals, but many of the game’s real artisans reside in midfield. Here are the top two of the very best in the world today.

01.CRISTIANO RONALDO A much-vaunted prodigy when snapped up

by Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, Ronaldo is now, alongside Lionel Messi, the best-known player on the planet, and a hero for Real Madrid and Portugal.

It had been expected that Ronaldo would be eased in gently to the first-team picture at Old Trafford but a captivating cameo on his debut against Bolton Wanderers gave a glimpse of a special talent that could not be held back. By the end of his first season, he had his first trophy,scoring the opening goal in the FA Cup final victory over Millwall.

Ronaldo kept getting better and better with each season that passed and so confident was Sir Alex Ferguson in the young Portuguese’s abilities that he began to build a team around him. Ronaldo plundered an unbelievable 42 goals across all competitions. Ronaldo’s performances saw him crowned the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo made a world record 80-million-pound move to Madrid, fulfilling a lifetime ambition as he became a Bernabeu galactico. Totally unfazed by the price tag, Ronaldo hit 33 goals in 35 games in his first season. Ronaldo’s upward curve continued in 2011-12 as he won the Primera Division title with Real, netting 46 goals in 38 games along the way. Ronaldo netted a Champions League record 17 goals as Madrid also ended their long wait for a tenth European Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo Height

6’0” (1.84m)

Weight

174 lbs (79 kg)

Age

30

Date of Birth

05.02.1985

Place of Birth

Portugal

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15

THE CHAIRMANS’ VIEWS

ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET? Welcome to the Officials, Players and Officials of Bideford for todays fixture, we know it’s quite a journey from Bideford so we hope you have an enjoyable day with us but of course a pointless one.

Well finally we have reached a play off position and now have to do better than the teams around us to secure that play off position.

Considering we were the only club to get “docked” six points from the Hereford fiasco of which plummeted us down to tenth position in the league we have slowly but surely clawed our selves back up the league table.

David and his team came in on new years day changed a few players brought in some real quality both on and off the pitch and we progressed at an alarming speed with only the one loss to date down at Weymouth on a very wet Tuesday evening.

Six games to go and it will go to the very last day I think. Our last two matches where we gained a point from each game might just be the crucial results at the end of the season.

Both Hungerford and Cambridge City gave us different sorts of problems because they were both seriously focused on our game plan and us.

I’m not sure that the rest of our opponents will use that much attention to detail over the last six games. We will see but I just have that feeling our destiny is to go all the way this season, if we get there then brilliant if not then I have no doubt that we are in a very good position to really dominate this league next season.

If you look back at the promoted teams over the last couple of seasons especially the Champions they all had two tries at winning the league a very good strong first season followed by an outstanding second season which they won the league. Hemel, Leamington and Brackley are examples over the last few seasons and of course Poole Town this season. So maybe if its not our turn this season we can follow the same pattern as other

PAGE 16 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

Champions and win it next season.

Now getting back to what really makes me very proud are you our supporters, the support and noise we had at Cambridge was outstanding and considering is was a dull game to say the least you never stopped urging the team on.

Every club would love to have what we have and lets never stop this sort of enthusiasm for the club and the team and that is in winning or loosing. It makes so much difference especially to me when everyone understands and supports what we are trying to do.It does make it all worthwhile. So keep this up because many teams season is now over ours is really just beginning.

This is going to be a very long six weeks that’s for sure. I might have to go out and buy another car to calm me down.

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL Mike

WHERE

ARE THEY

NOW

?

We look back on some famous n what they are doing in their life

TONY CUNNINGHAM: MAN CITY / BOLTON As a big target man, Tony Cunningham posed problems for defenders from the late 1970s through to the ‘90s in a career that took in 11 clubs, including Newcastle, Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Defence is now his primary concern – defending those in trouble with the law as a Lincoln-based lawyer.

“When I was playing, I wanted to break the circle of just wasting my time playing golf and snooker after training.

I was always aware of my own intellect, but the problem with being a footballer is that you can’t convince anybody that you’re intellectual. That was certainly the case when I was in the game because the two didn’t go hand-inhand. The only way you could convince them was to get yourself a degree. “I did an Open University degree in Business Studies. I chose that because I didn’t know what discipline I wanted to go into after football and it gave me a broad subject area. I ended up in law because I found it was more interesting than all the other disciplines – plus my wife was a lawyer, so there would often be legal discussions in the household.

“Players used to take the mickey out of me, but it didn’t bother me because I could see that you wouldn’t still be playing at 40. You need something to get up for in the morning and there are lots of ex-players out there who’ve got no purpose in life now they’re out of football. Gazza, who I played with at Newcastle, is a good example of that.

PAGE 18 /

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

“I did the majority of my degree at Huddersfield and then I had to study at Nottingham University, which has the best reputation for law. You study all aspects of law when you’re doing your degree, then go on to do your ‘articles’ at a firm of solicitors. I joined Andrew Jay & Co in Gainsborough in 1995 and qualified four years later. I’m still with the same firm, but I’m now in the Lincoln office.

“I specialise in crime. It’s an area I enjoy and people say it’s the most interesting part of law. In other areas, you might sit in an office all day. When you’re doing crime, you spend a lot of time out of the office. You can be in court, representing your client during a trial, or going to a police station. We have a rota at the firm, taking it in turns to be the solicitor on call at the police station. ”You’ll definitely receive phonecalls if you’re on duty on Saturday night, but you might not have to go to the station because people who’re arrested that night are usually very drunk. They’re left to sleep it off and you have to see them on the Sunday. It’s a very stressful job because the clients you have are very demanding. If they’ve been charged with something and they’re in custody, the only thing that interests them is getting out. They can be quite rude and abusive to you.

“I was quite a unique person for the PFA because I don’t think they’d had anyone study law before and they helped me by funding my course fees and paying for things like a computer and books. If a footballer expresses interest in a career in the legal profession now, the PFA send them to me for advice.”

us names and see fe after football.

KEN MONKOU CHELSEA / SOUTHAMPTON Chelsea and Southampton old boy Ken Monkou reveals to FourFourTwo in November 2008 what he did after retiring from football - open a pancake house, obviously...

Signed by Chelsea from Dutch club Feyenoord in 1989, Ken Monkou won the Blues’ Player of the Year award nine months later. The hefty centre-half then enjoyed a sevenyear stint at Southampton followed by a less-successful spell at Huddersfield, where he played his final league match in 2000. “I don’t think many people realise that I finished my career at Chelsea: I went back as a reserve under Claudio Ranieri in 2003. I was going to make my second debut at the age of 38 against Aston Villa, but I pulled my calf on the Friday and young Robert Huth made his debut instead. That would have been my last game.

Back in Holland my parents ran a bar-bistro and I always wanted to start something like that when I retired: a coffee house or a tearoom. So I went to the owner of the old pancake house I used to go to as a 16-year-old and asked if I could run around in the restaurant and get some experience. He said, ‘Anytime, Ken, but you know this place is up for sale?’ Eight months later I was the owner. It’s called the Old Town Pancake House, and is in a building dating back to 1682 in a really nice part of Delft, near Rotterdam. We’ve renovated quite a bit and

WHERE

ARE THEY

NOW

?

been quite sympathetic to the history, so it took about eight months to get it up to what we thought was the right standard. That was two years ago and I’ve been running it for a year now. I do two weeks in the kitchen and two weeks off, so I brought my mum out of retirement to rule the roost. My sister works in there as well so it’s a family business, and they look after the place when I’m away.

It’s quite a difference, from playing to standing behind the stove flipping the pancakes. It’s good, though, and for me it’s sport. Once you’re busy it gets you going, as there’s only two of you in the kitchen and you’re trying to make 150 pancakes a day. I don’t reckon any of the present players would do it!

Delft is an old pottery town, so we get a lot of English people coming on day trips. It’s quite funny seeing their faces when they walk in and go, ‘I know him from somewhere.’ We’ve had a couple of Chelsea fans over because someone took a picture of me there and they got hold of it, so I’m sure my old team-mates will start coming over to get free pancakes too. It’s all good fun and I love working here because I’m a real people person. Pancakes are very traditional in Holland, and we do loads of different ones, with 99 different fillings. I think my favourite is banana and raisin – that’s very nice – but I don’t get tempted too often. Once you’ve been in the kitchen all day, for about 10 hours, the smell, the taste, the look of them... No! No! No! We don’t really have any plans to expand – it’s just a little family business that fell into my path. I guess you could say I’ve got enough on my plate!”

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / 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.

FROME TOWN

WEYMOUTH

Frome Town announced the signing of Chris McGrath from Premier Division rivals Bideford.

Central defender McGrath formerly played for Taunton Town and Bridgwater Town, while as a youngster played for both Liverpool, Walsall and Burnley as well as representing the Republic of Ireland.He joins the Robins with two important months of the season to go. Of course he also has a famous father, the ex-Manchester United, Aston Villa and Ireland defender Paul McGrath.

Weymouth have signed Bristol City keeper Joe Wollacott on a month`s loan to cover for playermanager Jason Matthews who is struggling with a thigh problem. Wollacott has been playing regularly for City`s under-18s and also the under-21 side in recent months.

ARLESEY TOWN Zack Reynolds has left Southern Division One Central club Aylesbury United and joined Arlesey Town. Quick, skillful player capable of playing as a winger or full-back on either flank, Reynolds had been with the Ducks ever since he was released by Crawley Town in August 2012, where he was an academy player. Always capable of a gamechanging moment, he has matured with every season at the club and became a crucial member of the team. He played ninety-seven games for the Ducks and scored 14 goals prior to stepping up a level.

HITCHIN TOWN Hitchin Town have clarified the current position regarding its Top Field ground after recent events. The great news is that the club now have a twentyfive-year lease that does not expire until 2039. The break clause which basically would have allowed Tesco to build a superstore on Top Field and re-locate the Football Club to the proposed Stevenage Road site no longer exists. This means the club can no longer be forced off Top Field against their will. The management committee of HTFC would like to thank everybody who supported the `Save Top Field Campaign` and in particular those who attended the protest march.

There is no doubt the message the march sent out was instrumental in affecting the decisions of Tesco and Richard Daniels. The way the

PAGE 20 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

whole community came together to support the club in its hour of need has been quite humbling and has only increased the resolve of all the club officials to move on to stage two of the campaign which is to build a modern stadium at Top Field that the Hitchin community can be proud of. Stage two of the campaign now begins in earnest. The current state of the facilities at Top Field is no longer acceptable and with a long lease now secured the opportunity is there to start regenerating the stadium. It is essential the club now move forward after twenty-five years of stagnation and the uneven battle to keep plugging holes that has been the nature of the fight to keep the current stadium in a useable condition must now be replaced by the need to rebuild Top Field and move the club in to the 21st century.This will need a major fundraising campaign together with the ability to obtain various grants that are available. “The current `Save Top Field` fund has a balance of £6,413.80. This money will not be used until we have held a further open meeting when we will seek the views of the public on how it should be spent. At this meeting we will be setting out our ideas for the future and at all times we will be totally open and transparent.”

REDDITCH UNITED Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division club Redditch United’s £750,000

plans to install artificial pitch at the Valley Stadium could be wrecked by a rent wrangle.

Chairman Chris Swan wants the club follow in the footsteps of Sutton Coldfield United and Bedworth United with a money-spinning 3G playing surface on the club’s notoriously poor playing area. The Reds were set to partly pay for the work through FA funding, grants and money-raising – as well as Swan investing £200,000 of his own money into the project. The club and landlords Redditch Borough Council had agreed a longer lease for the ground, which is a stipulation of the FA, but talks broke down after it was revealed United’s rent would increase by five times. Property developer and entrepreneur Swan currently bankrolls the club by putting £1,500 a week into cash-strapped United, but he is not prepared to invest in ground improvements if the rent goes up. The impasse has prompted the club’s owner to look at options re-locating United and the club had enquired into taking up residence at Edgar Street in Hereford.

Herefordshire Council eventually opted to hand the lease to phoenix club Hereford FC – recently formed following the demise of Hereford United – but Swan is still looking into several opportunities. It is not the first time that the club has clashed with Redditch Borough Council.

United’s hopes of a purpose-built facility in Washford were turned down by the local authority. A council

spokesperson said: “Redditch United currently pays a reduced rent of £2,000 per annum for the Valley Stadium football ground. The Council are in ongoing discussions with the club in respect of renegotiation of the lease which includes rental sums.

“The Council are in regular contact with the club and are presently awaiting additional detail from the club. Any concession would need to be formally considered by members.”

TRURO CITY Truro City have confirmed the signing of River Allen from Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of this season.It comes after Allen completed a one-month stint with Vanarama Conference South play-off chasers Gosport Borough.

Allen signed his first professional contract with Argyle before the start of the current season. It completes a seven-year odyssey for the Plymothian, who specialises in setpieces and who first signed Centre of Excellence forms in October 2006 at the age of 11. The former student at Marine Academy originally played for Tamarside FC before representing Plymouth Schools` under-11s and under-15s. He made a number of appearances for Argyle under-18s while still a schoolboy before becoming an apprentice at Home Park. He has made four senior

appearances for Argyle to date.

Allen`s arrival is great news for the club and gives manager Steve Tully another option in the holding and attacking midfield role.

BURNHAM Burnham have followed up the signing of Ollie Emsden with two more new arrivals.

Emsden joins from Cambridge City as reported elsewhere on this site, and now goalkeeper Jake Somerville (pictured) and Joe Oseyemi have signed from respective league rivals Slough Town and Banbury United. Somerville joined Slough in June 2013 from Godalming Town, following jointmanagers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood from the Gs. Somerville came through the youth ranks at Farnborough, making thirteen appearances in the Conference South before joining Godalming on loan in December 2011.

DORCHESTER TOWN Dorchester Town have announced that Ashley Nichols has signed on dual registration terms with Vanarama Conference South side Maidenhead United. Nicholls numbers Ipswich Town, Darlington, Cambridge United, Grays Athletic, Boston United and Bishop`s Stortford amongst his previous clubs and the midfielder has had three spells with Maidenhead.

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 21

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

EASY TIGER! How often in football does a club give something back to the fans, other than a decent recent now and again?

As supporters, we don’t ask for much do we? Sometimes, we don’t even mind losing as long as we can see that the team gave their very best and the loss was a result of lady luck being totally against us on the day. Obviously, a promotion every so often is something we all look for as we embark on each (and every) season, however, as long as we feel entertained, we’re relatively happy with the return we get for paying our entry fee. We’ve seen clubs run initiatives such as kids for a quid to generate interest in the club by engaging the ‘future fan.’ There has also been the rare case of the odd club asking supporters to pay what they want on a specific match day. This venture sounds great as it will always boost the attendance significantly if the fans can get in for next to nothing. It can also have a negative effect on the season ticket holders of the club. They paid in advance for their match ticket yet they see the opportunists and the stay-away fans getting in for pennies.

What we’ve not seen before, until now, is a football club actually paying supporters to enter the ground and watch the team perform. That’s exactly what happened recently when the brand new club Hull United AFC played their very first home game in the Humber Premier League.

The club paid each supporter £2 as they entered the ground. Sounds crazy doesn’t’ it? The game attracted a crowd of 418 and the new boys also won the game 4-1. What you

have to realise is that for each of those 400+ in attendance that were paid the two pounds, if each of those had brought a pie, or a programme, or a drink of some description, they’d have spent the £2 and more on the day and put it back into the club.

What a great gesture by a football club though. One that we see all too rarely, especially from those with the big bank balances.

The club Hull United club chairman is the modern day Robin Hood of football. Not so much a Tiger, more of a pussycat. The two pound he paid each fan on the day will be the cost of entry for the games throughout this season and the way HUAFC have started, they could be on track for a cracking campaign.

Traditionally, the ‘kind’ gestures from football clubs have some kind of hidden agenda which benefits the club in some way. You can’t blame the club for trying out new ways of attracting the footfall into the ground. Ultimately, it benefits us too as it helps build and mould our respective club and potentially improves the atmosphere within stands, thus improving the overall experience for all. Blackpool Football club made a gesture to its fans last season in a bid to save their Championship status. Whilst sat in the relegation zone prior to their trip to Wigan, Blackpool Chairman Karl Oyston forked out for 3000 tickets for the game and gave them away to the Blackpool faithful. The gesture paid off as Blackpool beat Wigan

PAGE 22 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

2-0 and managed to hold onto their Championship status, even though they started this season with a team barely able to compete in a 5-a-side tournament!

One gesture by a club showed no hidden agenda at all, simply a big heart. You may have guessed already that it’s not a club here in the UK. This particular gesture occurred at the start of last season involving Feyenoord in Holland. One of their fans Rooie Marck had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and one of his last wishes was to see his beloved club play. His pals took him to the first training session of the season. During the session, training was ceased and an enormous banner of Rooie was revealed, flares were let off and the players and fans all sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ to Rooie whilst he lay in his mobile hospital bed. Rooie Marck died three days later but what an amazing gesture from the players to have given him such a tribute.

Let us pay tribute to the boys out there today by getting behind them and getting the result we’re all looking for.

ADE

TODAY’S VISITORS

BIDEFORD AFC

Close to the play offs on this day last year when they visited the Cozy, Bideford are this time perched comfortably in mid table.

Today we welcome to our visitors for our next engagement in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

They are the players, Directors and supporters of Bideford and we extend to them our usual warm welcome to the Cozy Stadium. Bideford have had a ‘yo-yo’ existence in the Premier Division recently. Two years ago they were fighting relegation and last year they were still hoping for a place in the play offs.

Sadly that hope did not materialise after their 2-0 defeat here and then this season they flirted with the bottom of the table for a while but now sit exactly half way with just six games remaining. Their rather unexpected victory at Poole last Saturday allegedly came courtesy of two goalkeeping errors but it will have been very welcome to Corby Town who still nurture hopes of grabbing that all important automatic promotion place.

Geographically located on the north Devon coast Bideford have to commit to a great deal of travel in this Division with regular round trips of over 500 miles which can prove very challenging especially in midweek.

St Neots have failed to win on any of their three trips to Bideford but can boast two drawn trips – the most recent last November when Dean Cracknell’s first goal for the club looked like a winner until Ben Watson bundled in an 88th minute equaliser to make the trip back seem longer than it should.

However this afternoon our lads will be looking for a third consecutive home victory over the Robins and of course hoping to maintain our push for that play off place that could bring Conference football to the Cozy Stadium next season.

CLUB HISTORY Bideford A.F.C. is an English non-league football club from

PAGE 24 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

Bideford, Devon that plays in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division with rival clubs from the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire. Managed by Sean Joyce, the club is nicknamed “The Robins” due to their all-red strip. The club plays its home matches at The Sports Ground, Kingsley Road, Bideford.

Founded in 1946, the club played three seasons in the Exeter & East Devon League before joining the Western League in 1949. Bideford had a request to be elected to the Second Division denied, and had to play in the Third Division instead. This was the only season the Western League ran a Third Division, and Bideford won it without losing a game. Two seasons later they also won Division Two, and so took their place in Division One.

Year founded: 1946 Nickname: The Robins Chairman: Roy Portch Bideford won the Western League three times before joining the Southern League in 1972. The club spent three seasons at that level before the expense involved and increased travelling took its toll, and they had to drop down back to the Western League. During their Southern League days, the club set an all-time FA Cup record, when in 1974-75 they played thirteen FA Cup games in a single season - they faced numerous replays in qualifying rounds including needing five games to beat Falmouth Town and four more to beat Trowbridge Town in the next round.

With the subsequent abandonment of second and further replays, this record is likely to stand for a very long time. Two more Western League titles followed in the early 1980s.

Several players from the club have progressed to Football League status, the most recent of them being Tony Dennis and Shaun Taylor. Two former internationals have played for the club

Website: www.bidefordfc.co.uk Stadium: The Sports Ground Capacity: 2,000 at the end of their career, Welshman Leighton Phillips, and Dermot Curtis from the Republic of Ireland.

Bideford have won the Toolstation Western Premier League 9 times over the years, as well as lifting silverware in the Devon St Lukes Bowl, Devon Professional Cup, and Western League Cup. In FA competitions, Bideford AFC’s record is quite impressive, reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Cup on four occasions, and reaching the Semi-Final of the FA Vase in 2003/04.

In 2008/09 the FA Vase campaign saw Bideford reach the quarter-final stages, where they were knocked out by an impressive Lowestoft.

Previous Meetings: 2013/14 St Neots 2-0 Bideford 2014/15 Bideford 1-1 St Neots Bideford AFC gained promotion from the Toolstation Western Premier League at the end of a fantastic 2009/10 season, in which they did the double winning the League and the Westinsure Devon St Lukes Bowl where they beat Exeter City 2-1 in the Final. Bideford AFC were promoted to the Evo-Stik Southern League South & West Division in May 2010, the first time they have played in the Southern League in 35 years. After finishing that first season in a credible 10th place, the 2011/12 season saw them crowned Champions by an impressive 11pt margin, gaining promotion for the first time in their history so the Southern League Premier Division.

Manager Sean Joyce is an exprofessional footballer, who spent his career playing for Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City and Torquay Utd. He has managed Bideford since 1998, bringing an unprecidented level of success to the Club during his time here.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 25

WHO’S WHO

THE ROBINS

SEAN JOYCE

GRANT FISHER

SEAN JOYCE MANAGER A former League professional, who played for Cambridge United, Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City; Torquay United and then NonLeague with Elmore and Taunton Town. Sean made 200 Football League appearances and took over as Bideford Manager, during the 1998/99 season. Bideford were at that time a struggling Western League Premier division side, and since then, Sean has taken the club from success to success during his sixteen years as club manager, gaining Promotion to the Southern League South West Division one and then up to the Southern League Premier. Sean lives in Torquay with his wife Jo and runs his own business.

ROB DRAY ASSISTANT MANAGER Rob was formerly Manager of Bridgwater Town, and lives in Bridgwater where he runs his own catering business; as well as working as Danny D’Vito’s double.

GOALKEEPERS GRANT FISHER Grant lives in Torquay, and has also played for Exmouth Town and Truro City. Grant has made over thirty appearances for Bideford.

PAGE 26 /

DAN HARRISON

STEVE OLIVER Steve lives in Bideford, and is a sales manager and lives with his family in Bideford. Steve has also played for Ilfracombe Town, Appledore and Witheridge. Steve He has made over 60 appearances for Bideford.

DEFENDERS NICK BARKER Nick is single and hails from Dartington; he is 27 years of age, and works for a Sports retailer Pro Direct. He is primarily a Defender, but is capable of putting in a fine performance anywhere on the pitch, and over the years has played in almost every position, including in goal for the Robins. He has played over 340 games, scoring over 30 goals in the process. Nick has also played for Dawlish Town, Totnes, Dartington Sports Club and Harbetonford. He has won the Throgmorton Cup twice; and with the Robins, The St Luke’s Bowl, the Western League Premier Division and the Southern League Division One South and West.

DAN HARRISON Dan is in his first season with the Robins, and is a 24 year old Central Defender. He has previously played for Newport County and Cinderford.

Dan is a teaching assistant, and lives in Torquay with his partner. Dan has now made over 20 appearances for the Robins.

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

KEVIN SQUIRE

NICK MILTON Nick aged 22, is now in his second spell with Bideford he is a central defender who lives in Torquay. Nick has made over 60 appearances for the Robins. He has also played for Torquay United and Stoke Gabriel.

He won the young player of the year award last season. Nick works in the Accident and Emergency department in Torquay Hospital.

DANNY TAPP Danny is a new addition to the Bideford Squad, having previously played for Axminster, Barnstaple Town, and Elmore. He lives in Tiverton. Danny has now made over ten appearances for the Robins.

MATT VILLIS 30 year old Matt is In his first season with the Robins, He plays as a Centre Half and has also played for Plymouth Argyle; Torquay United; Bridgwater Town; Tiverton Town; and Weston-Super-Mare. He has made 40 Football League appearances.

Matt lives in Bridgwater, where he works as a driver. Matt has now made over 30 appearances for the Robins.

MIDFIELDERS ADAM COPP Adam lives locally, and works as a double glazing installer. Adam has also played for Appledore.

Sean Downing (Striker) Sean has played over 210 games for the Robins, scoring over 70 goals in the process.

He has been leading goal scorer two seasons on the trot as well the player of the year.

He made his England C debut last season.

MICKY PARCELL

GEORGE SWAIN

RICHARD GROVES Richard who is 23 years of age, hails from Torquay, and has previously played for Plymouth Argyle youth; Oxford United (with whom he won the Oxfordshire Cup 2008/09); Banbury United; Brackley Town; Yate Town and Weymouth. Richard is Club Captain, and he has played over 140 games for the Robins, and scored over 30 goals in the process. He won the Southern League Division One South and West with us. Richard is a personal trainer.

MATT HOCKLEY Matt was a professional footballer with Torquay United gaining the nick name “Pitt Bull” for his energetic tackling, he made 239 appearances, and scored 10 goals, He also won promotion with them after they won the Second Division. He also played for Truro City and now plays with Dereham Town in the Ryman League.

Matt is 32 years of age, works with Learning difficulties patients. Matt is a legend with the Bideford fans, and has won the supporters player of the year trophy. He has made over 200 appearances for the Robins, scoring over 40 goals in the process. Matt has won the St Luke’s Devon Cup three times, and also the Western League Premier Division as well as the Southern League Division One South and West Title.a MICKY PARCELL Micky is a tenatious player with a massive engine room, working hard for the team nonstop for the ninety

BILLY TUCKER

minutes. Currently on loan from Torquay United, and has made over ten appearances for the Robins.

STEPHEN REED 29 year old Steven has played League football for both Torquay United and Yeovil Town. He has also played for Macclesfield, Weymouth, and Holsworthy. He has won the Conference Premier title, and lives with his wife here in Bideford, where he works for Jewson’s, the builder’s merchants. Stephen has made over 60 appearances for the Robins.

IAN SAMPSON Ian who is aged 23, hails from Holsworthy in North Devon, and has previously played for Oxford United; Didcott Town and Tiverton Town, where he was player of the year. Ian has played over 120 games for the Robins and with us won the Southern League Division One South and West. He works as a P.T Instructor/Teacher.

GEORGE SWAIN George lives in Bude and formerly played for St Blazey.

BEN WOOD Ben who hails from Sherborne in Dorset, is 27 years old, and works as a Teacher. He is in his third spell with Bideford, and has made over 210 appearances for the robins, scoring 20 goals in the process. Ben has also played for Yeovil, Weymouth and Frome Town. He has won the Toolstation Western League, The

CRAIG VEAL

South West Southern League, and the Devon St Luke’s Bowl. Ben has a partner, Laura, and his mum is an ardent supporter.

STRIKERS KEVIN SQUIRE Kevin is 36 years old and is now in his fourth season with the Robins, after previously playing for Ilfracombe Town, and Barnstaple Town. Kevin has played over 260 games for the Robins, and scored over 70 goals in the process. He lives in Ilfracombe with wife Jenny and Daughters Rebecca and Emily. He works as a production operative in a factory in Ilfracombe. Whilst with the Robins, Kevin has won the St Luke’s Bowl; the Western League Premier Division and the Southern League Division One South and West.

BILLY TUCKER Billy is back with the club for a second time, having also played for Barnstaple town. Where he lives Billy has now played over ten games for the Robins.

CRAIG VEAL Craig is in his first season with the Robins, and has previously played for Exeter City; Taunton Town; Tiverton Town; Bridgwater Town and Willand Rovers. Craig aged 23, lives in Exeter, with his wife and is a trainee Teacher. He has won the Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup. Craig has now played over 30 games for the Robins.

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 27

Easter greetings from our Club Chaplain...

The transfer market last summer saw around £860million change hands, with a further £130 million spent in January of this year – a billion pounds, give or take a bit, over the whole season! I wonder what the figures will be for the season ahead.

I can still remember all the publicity around the first million pound player, Trevor Francis, bought by Brian Clough for Nottingham Forrest.

That sum fades into insignificance now, given the amounts exchanged for players like Bale (£77 million) or estimated in any conversation involving Messi or Ronaldo (£85+ million).

That haircut makes you look a million pounds Trevor!

More recently and more locally, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to smile at the £231 million price listed for the Manchester United eleven that twice faced the £0 Cambridge United team in the 4th round FA cup draw!

Mulling on all of the above has got me thinking about what we reckon we’re worth – what would somebody pay for me?!

PAGE 28 /

That’s the core question actually at the very heart of the Easter story – a story which saw Jesus ‘sold’ by Judas in exchange for 30 pieces of silver; 3 or 4 month’s salary at the time…The absolute irony of that of course is that Jesus knew that the price he would pay at Easter was his whole life, his very death; the price of undoing our mess and misery.

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

Heaven only knows how much you are worth because only heaven has paid the price, and that’s the story at the heart of Easter! Have a happy one!

Helene Tame

Sponsored by Steve Ridley

No

FR

To b

Su

sc

Vi EE e tio w n R !

rip

eq

ui

re d

Official TV Channel

Extended Match Highlights Post-Match Analysis and Interviews All the Goals, Outtakes and Behind the Scenes Coverage Tune in to your club... www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

NATHAN LEAPS TO SCORE

GREENIES GREETINGS

Three points today will help cement our place in the Play-Off positions Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to Rowley Park – The Cozy Stadium for today’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division game.

Today we extend a very warm welcome to the players, officials and of course, the travelling supporters of Bideford Football Club and we hope you enjoy your brief stay with us here in Cambridgeshire before embarking on a safe trip back down to North Devon this evening.

Saturday saw us maintain our current unbeaten run to 10 games as we played out a goal-less draw at near neighbours Cambridge City. The game turned out to be something of a damp squib with the home side generally coping with anything we could throw at them but as I have posted on social media, we played better in last season’s corresponding fixture yet came home empty handed. Slightly disappointing you may say? Yes, probably but how valuable could that point become when the final league positions are revealed. The point gained also moved us up into the playoff positions so three points today will help cement our place in there.

Tuesday evening saw us entertain Skybet League One outfit Peterborough United here at the Cozy Stadium in what turned out to be a very entertaining and worthwhile encounter for both clubs as fringe players for both sides were given valuable minutes on the pitch as they looked to stake a place in the respective starting elevens this Saturday. The game was arranged last weekend, at the request of Posh manager Dave Robertson for the

reasons previously mentioned and of course, it allowed us to bring in some welcome revenue, as well as players getting game-time. Not a bad attendance, three hundred and seventy-one, on a cold evening for a relatively hastily arranged game and funnily enough, The Posh announced they would be streaming the game ‘LIVE’ on their YouTube channel shortly before kickoff on social media and at the peak, there were another 450 watching via the internet, including their Chairman, Daragh MacAnthony, who is currently at his home in Florida. Something the Peterborough Chairman does for every game which worked very well and it’s great that we were able to be part of it. I wonder if a certain person is now getting ideas of doing similar things? Only time will tell no doubt.

PAGE 32 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

The game itself ended four-two in favour of our more senior visitors but we more than held our own for a long period in the match, trailing two-one at the break, with Lewis Hilliard scoring from the spot and centre back Ryan Frater add a second for ourselves three minutes before the end of the game. Dean Cracknell and Bruce Wilson both got a full ninety minutes under their belts as they look to give manager Dave Batch a selection problem ahead of today’s game. Ok then, back to today’s offering as we look to bed down in the play off positions and continue our good home record against Bideford here at the Cozy. If you guys could produce an atmosphere anywhere near last wekend’s efforts, I’m sure the lads will respond accordingly on the pitch.

PUMP UP THE VOLUME GREENY

LEWIS WITH A CHANCE

AWAY DAYS

HOLLOWAYS PARK A trip to Holloways Park the home of Slough Town for our next away fixture Slough Town have been ground sharing with Beaconsfield Fc for quite some time now, but hopefully they will get the home their history deserves at some point in the future.

Slough after a very good first half to the season have slipped a little of late but they are always up for a game against the Saints.

The Saints and Slough have some recent history when we both competed to the final weeks for promotion from the southern league central division.

Holloways Park is located just off Junction 2 of the M40 motorway.

Immediately after leaving J2, take the A355 towards Slough, and then take the first left at the traffic lights. This is signposted Beaconsfield SYCOB FC and will take you into the Service Station area. Make a complete circuit of the roundabout before heading back towards the traffic lights, where you will turn right. The entrance to Holloways Park is around 20-30 yards on the left. Follow the road down for around 200 yards. The club’s main car park is on the right hand side. The overflow car park (field) is almost directly opposite, on the left hand side.

Slough did the double over us that season but we came out on top winning the league and promotion.

Unfortunately slough lost in the play offs that season and had to wait until last season to find themselves in the Premier division.

Our meeting this season at Rowley Park ended with Slough coming out comfortable winners by three goals to nil. A result we really need to reverse if we want to keep our play off chances alive. So a big away support is needed.

DIRECTIONS

PAGE 36 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

GROUND SHARE WITH BEACONSFIELD SYCOB Slough Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks, HP9 2SG Wheelchair Access: Yes Car Parking: Yes Matchday Magazine: £2 Capacity: 3,500 Round Trip from (PE19 6SL): 130 Miles

FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE

BRIAN CLOUGH Some great stories about the people who knew and worked under the great man Lat Orders Celtic legend Davie Hay

odd thousand die-hard Celtic fans.

I had a pub called Davie Hays just five minutes from Glasgow Airport and because Cloughie had been so fantastically hospitable to us in the first leg. I said in passing that he must have a drink in my pub when he was next up here.

I don’t think he knew exactly what he was doing, I know he did.

I was manager of Celtic and we had drawn with Forest in the UEFA Cup third round, first clash at their place. I certainly didn’t think we were home and dry, but its fair to say that the general perception was that Celtic were as good as through.

It was December 1983 and the feeling was that they didn’t fancy coming to our place in front of 60

I couldn’t make it because we were shacked up in our traditional pre European base at the Seamill Hydro Hotel, and cloughie knew I would not be able to get there so he had an audience all to himself.

Not only that but Cloughie and the likes of Garry Birtles, Ian Boyer, and Kenny Swain who chose to do part of their big match preparation in MY bar in front of Celtic regulars.

Brian Clough pulled off one of his greatest psychological masterstrokes right in my own back yard.

And just for good measure he executed it right there in my Glasgow pub.

“were pretty relaxed about it all”.

The locals just could not believe it! You can imagine cant you – MY regulars all phoning their pals and saying, “ You’ll never guess who’s in here having a drink.

Imagine to my surprise when my brother in law Gerry rang me at the luxury hotel and spa where I was preparing for the big match with my team, to tell me that Cloughie and all his players were in the bar having a drink.

Gerry could not believe it – and I certainly couldn’t. What the hell was he playing at, having a pint or two with all his players the night before such a massive game? I sensed what he was doing and all these years later I can’t help thinking it was a masterstroke of footballing genius.

There he was, with all his players in tracksuits having a few beers and signing autographs for gobsmaked locals as if to say,

PAGE 38 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

It really was an astonishing thing to do, and for me, underlines what a genius the man was.

Word got out of what had happened and it completely deflected the pressure off them.

And guess what yes of course Forest won the game 2-1 in front of 66,000 fans and left us crying in our beer.

MY WIFE AND MOTHER-IN–LAW WERE ABSOLUTELY WON OVER BY HIM. SO IN ONE FELL SWOOP, MY MISSES THINKS HES ONE OF THE MOST CHARMING MEN SHE’S EVER MET, HE’S HAD A DRINK WITH MY REGULARS AND THEN GONE OUT IN FRONT OF 66,000 SCOTS AND KNOCKED MY TEAM OUT OF EUROPE. The punters in my pub were talking about it for years. It’s gone down in Glasgow folk law.

The background to it all was that when we had gone down for the first leg, it was in November and really frosty and he had invited me over to have a look at the pitch and have a chat.

He was very pleasant indeed and when someone came in to say that my wife and my mother-in-law Margaret were outside, he insisted they came in to see him.

He made such a fuss of the pair of them that my missus was just charmed off her feet. We told him that we had a pub not five minutes

from the airport. I didn’t think anymore about it, but he clearly did and clocked it. I honestly didn’t give the matter a second thought until I took that call from Gerry. You’ll never guess who’s just come in the pub Davie; he said I hadn’t a clue.

Only Brian Clough, Peter Taylor and his bloody entire team there’s a coach load of them. What do I do? I told him to serve them and pass on my regards and the more I thought about it, I couldn’t help thinking what a canny bugger he was. Clough had taken time to find out where my pub was and get there and in a way completely deflect the pressure off his team. It

was like he was saying there was nothing to worry about.

I have to say that I had total and utter respect for the man before our paths crossed. That certainly wasn’t diminished from meeting him. My wife and Mother-in–law were absolutely won over by him. So in one fell swoop, my misses thinks hes one of the most charming men she’s ever met, he’s had a drink with my regulars and then gone out in front of 66,000 Scots and knocked my team out of Europe.

And I still think he’s great. Now that is genius.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 39

INTRODUCING

BRETT LONGDEN Brett plays right back or midfield and is currently on loan from Luton Town.

A young right-back / Right midfield player who signed his first professional contract with Luton Town in the summer of 2013 after impressing the Hatters’ coaching staff with mature performances at both youth and development squad level. Brett made his first team debut in the FA Trophy during 2012.

He has been out on loan recently with Boreham Wood and more recently with Arlesey Town.

PAGE 40 /

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 41

BEST SUPPORTERS IN NON LEAGUE

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 43

MD’S VIEWS

AWAY DAY FOOTBALL I actually managed to get to an away game last weekend. Cambridge City was not a game of football that I particularly enjoyed watching, we were poor the pitch was poor and the overall feel for the place was equally poor.

The relationship we have with Cambridge City is a good one and I’m sure that will continue, however I have to say that the exchange of words that I had at the end of the game with a so called Cambridge City supporter left a somewhat bad taste.

The idiot in question was not one for making a coherently understood and intelligent point but then if your IQ is somewhat limited I guess that form of conversation may have been slightly too much to have hoped for. I’ve always taken the view that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I completely respect that however if that opinion is from the oppositions support and it’s done in such a poorly constructed manner (and in front of my 8 year old) I generally take offence. Twat

feeling there is an optimism around the place that can aid growth and help get the books to balance.

Next season for me behind the scenes is a pivotal one, with both new and improved income steams coming on line and a better understanding of how these can be grown over the next few years, so things are looking positive.

The next month as always is a busy one.

Already we have staged two cup finals with a further 5 still to come, however we will not be staging the Hunts Senior Cup final

We keep chugging on behind the scenes trying to get things right and to improve the business as a whole and to that end I’d like to say a big thank you to all concerned for helping this process along.

Not just those that support and spend money but also to all staff and volunteers as well. We clearly cannot get it right every time but I get the PAGE 44 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

this year due to a request (from the Hunts FA) to move the date back from the end of April to the middle of May but hopefully it will be back with us next season.

Couldn’t do a May Final because we’d already committed to pitch renovation work and unfortunately with the state of the middle of the pitch we needed to get working on this as soon as the final league or hopefully play off fixture had been fulfilled.

LEE

STEWS VIEWS

IT’S TIME TO DO BUSINESS, IT’S TIME TO GET EXCITED! Well folks, the business end of the season is here and we have something to cheer and get excited about.

Our new management team and the signings they have made continue to develop, in what for me anyway is the most exciting end to a season ever!

be desired is inspiring. Yes there’s a few grumbles, me included, but overall the fans enthusiasm matches the players endeavours out on the pitch.

To even contemplate the possibility of conference level football, via the playoffs, is quite frankly a massive achievement, in such a short space of time. Not content with standing still, the management team are also trying to strengthen the squad in the run-in, by adding players that fit into the ethos and structure of the club.

The run in to the end of the season, pits many of rivals against each other, whereas we play either mostly mid / lower table sides. This doesn’t make our task any easier as every team in this league can give a performance of sorts and “upset the apple cart”.

However, as the management and many fans have said, it’s likely that they’ll be some ups and downs along the way, when referring to the performances of the team, which on reflection, have been under par in the last two weeks, but ultimately still good enough to secure two very important points in our bid for promotion, in two difficult fixtures.

This speaks volumes about the new found resolve within the club.

This resolve is also being shown by the fans, particularly the ones that go home & away each week. The support shown when quite frankly the football on offer has left a lot to

You only have to look at our opponents today, Bideford, who impressively won away at Champions Elect Poole last time out. No easy games indeed, but with the likes of Weymouth having to play Corby and Poole and lots

PAGE 46 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

of other match ups too, points will be dropped and we may be able to capitalise on this!

We have been brilliant away from home almost all season, having lost only two games on the road. I really do fancy us to beat anyone on our day, home

or away and although Corby away in the playoffs appears on paper to be quite daunting, we have already won once their this

MAKE IT RAIN RAHIM, MAKE IT RAIN

season, it’s a good playing surface and it’s quite close as well, so you just know we’d get an amazing following their come what may.

With the current domination of a handful of teams in the Premier League, their quite obvious failings on the biggest

footballing stage in the world, “The Champions League”.

It’s quite refreshing to see hard fought games week in week out at non league level. My other team Arsenal seem to be coming good, probably just in time the knick the last Champions League place away from other hopefuls, thus keeping there hugely successful, but nether less vilified by many manager, Arsene Wenger in his job for another

year, before a successor can be identified and signed, allowing “The Professor” to take a job on the board.

The fact I find myself more inclined to hunt the websites and forums of the other teams in our league, for any gossip and reaction and that I’m able to do this, without the listening of looking at the constant “Barrage of Bullshit” peddled by our over zealous media means my allegiances and associations now appear to be fully in line with St Neots Town FC. Most weeks I see our players earn every penny of their wages, which in some cases probably puts them in the bracket of best remunerated in the league!

I have no interest in the likes of Rahim Sterling of Liverpool trying to renegotiate his contract to the tune of £150K a week! What planet are these guys on!

Yours Aye Craig

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 47

Scorelines..

A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter Midweek Premier Division (w/c 24th March)

Corby Town held on to top spot when, after going behind in the eleventh minute at Slough Town, they converted a penalty in first half stoppage Town before completing a 2-1 victory with a goal seven minutes from time while Poole Town remain a point behind, with three games in hand, after scoring a goal in each half to win 2-0 at third from bottom Arlesey Town. The night’s other match produced a remarkable eleven goals which saw Histon, despite trailing no fewer than four times, running out 6-5 winners over visiting Chesham United.

Weekend Premier Division (21st March)

Corby Town scored just after the hour mark to win 1-0 at Redditch United to go back to the top of the table replacing Poole Town, who conceded two goals in the opening nineteen minutes and couldn’t find a reply until a minute from the end, slipped to a surprise 2-1 home defeat by Bideford while Truro City climbed into third place with a 2-1 victory at Chippenham Town with Weymouth, reduced to ten men and conceding an own goal before the break, dropped to fourth after a 1-0 defeat at Paulton Rovers. Fifth in the table St Neots Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Cambridge City but Cirencester Town who, having

equalised, trailed two behind at the break before going down 5-3 at home in a thrilling encounter with Slough Town while Hitchin Town, behind to a penalty but level at the break, went down 2-1 at Dunstable Town when the home side scored just after the hour and Chesham United, behind after seven minutes and again after twelve, crashed to a shock 3-1 home defeat by third from bottom Arlesey Town. Dorchester Town took the lead with sixteen minutes remaining but had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Frome Town equalised ten minutes later and Biggleswade Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home by second from bottom Banbury United while Histon, ahead at the interval, conceded an equaliser five minutes after the restart but secured a 3-1 away success over bottom club Burnham when they scored five minutes from time and again in time added on.

Weekend Division 1 Central (21st March)

Leaders Kettering Town, ahead after just four minutes but pegged back by half time, went behind on the hour but made sure of a point from a 2-2 draw at Uxbridge when they equalised thirteen minutes later but second placed Aylesbury scored twice in the first half to set up a 3-0 home victory over third in the table Bedworth United and fourth in the table Royston town, behind to a first

PAGE 48 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

half penalty, scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to record a 2-1 home win against Hanwell Town while Rugby Town and Barton Rovers, occupying fifth and sixth places, played out a 0-0 draw. Godalming Town took a third minute lead and, after conceding an equaliser before the interval, secured a 2-1 home win over Chalfont St Peter when they scored three minutes into the second half and Northwood, a goal ahead at half time, scored again in time added on to win 2-0 at Marlow while St Ives Town, held goalless in the first half, scored four times after the break to secure a comfortable 4-0 home win against third from bottom Leighton Town. Egham Town scored twice in the opening fourteen minutes and added a third from the spot four minutes before the interval to set up a comprehensive 4-0 success at Daventry Town but Aylesbury United, behind a minute before the break, needed a goal six minutes from time to snatch a 1-1 home draw with bottom of the table North Greenford United and Beaconsfield SYCOB, trailing four minutes after the break, also drew 1-1 at home when bottom of the table AFC Hayes conceded nine minutes from the end while Potters Bar Town, ahead after fifteen minutes, conceded an equaliser four minutes from time and slipped to a 2-1 home defeat when Bedford Town hit a winner in the second minute of time added on.

THE CAPTAIN

CAMBRIDGE CITY 0 ST NEOTS TOWN 0 21:03:2015 / Southern Premier Division / Att 431 / Referee: James Whittaker (Harlow)

Football can sometimes be a very strange game.

After what had almost certainly been their worst team performance under Manager David Batch, St Neots came off the field to discover that their clean sheet and point gained had pushed them into the play off places for the first time since 20th December when they were docked the six points they had gained from their two victories over Hereford.

Hungerford were the odd team out on the day, Redditch and Cirencester had both been beaten and so St Neots go into their final six league matches knowing that six victories guarantees a place in the play-offs for promotion into the Football Conference. Mind you with three draws in their last four matches that looks to be a tall order even though their unbeaten run has been stretched to eleven games.This was the match that looked on paper to be the difficult one – and so it proved – for Cambridge had won each of the last four meetings of the two sides and they were on a five match unbeaten run of their own.

St Neots were able to name a completely unchanged line up from their previous match – and even had the same five substitutes on their bench. The match was a scrappy affair and most of the drama came in time added on for an injury to home defender Adam Murray who had received almost five minutes on the

pitch attention to a head injury.

In the eight or so minutes added Cambridge had three gilt edged chances to steal all three points whilst Referee James Whittaker seemed to lose control as he handed out a red card and three yellows.

Long throws by both sides were to be a feature of the match and the first attempt on goal after five minutes was a Tom Ward back header from a Matt Mitchel-King throw gathered comfortably by Zac Barrett. Barrett then did well to gather a low shot from Drew Roberts following a free kick and then at the other end after 12 minutes Chris Bacon beat Adam Tann to a loose ball but stabbed it wide of the goal.

Four minutes later the Cambridge goal had a massive let off when a misdirected back pass went over Barrett’s head but Lee Chaffey somehow got back to clear off the line. Despite their being half chances at either end the contest was untidy with the ball in the air for too long as the sides forgot their patience.

Lewis Hilliard had a shot blocked and a Matt Spring free kick was well saved by Barrett whose general confidence in dominating his penalty area was a factor behind St Neots inability to create clear chances.

So the two sides went to the break standing all square seemingly needing some fresh ideas.

St Neots reaction was to introduce two substitutes for the start of the second half with Lorenzo

Ferrari coming on up front to partner Roberts with Nathan Frater withdrawn to play wide in place of Brett Longden. Also on came Ryan Frater with Matt Mitchel King moved into midfield to replace the substituted Matt Spring.

For a spell St Neots began to dominate roared on by an excellent backing from their travelling support with Roberts and Hilliard testing Barrett who was by far the busier keeper. A Josh Dawkin header from a rare Cambridge corner brought a punched save from Paul Bastock and as the game moved into its last ten minutes St Neots seemed to lose their rhythm and confidence allowing Cambridge to make a late push for victory. Right on time Ryan Frater produced a brilliant intercepting tackle to rob Danny Kelly as he bore down on goal and then substitute Andrew Phillips was played clear through the St Neots defence but shot wide. Tom Ward earlier harshly booked was then sent off for allegedly bringing down Kelly just outside the box although the ball was running through to the keeper and then that flurry of yellow cards saw Mitchel-King and Roberts booked for disputing the sending off and from the final action a well placed Kelly free kick was tipped over the bar to allow Bastock to keep his sixth clean sheet in his last eight games for St Neots.

John Walker

Cambridge City

St Neots Town

Barrett, Murray, Day, Gardiner, Chaffey, Harradine, Lewis, Reynolds, Kelly, Bacon, Dawkin. Subs: Lowe (for Harradine 59), Phillips (for Bacon 76), Okenhabirhie, Collins and Kaye. Cards: Reynolds (Y – 56), Dawkin (Y – 45 + 5)

Bastock, Tann, Wilkinson, Clarke, Mitchel-King, Ward, Hilliard, Spring, Frater (N), Roberts, Longden. Subs: Ferrari (for Longden 46), Frater (R) (for Spring 46), Harty (for Frater (N) 83), Bickerstaff and Wilson. Cards: Ward (RED – 45 + 3 and Y – 75), Wilkinson (Y – 59), Roberts (Y – 45 + 3), Mitchel-King (Y – 45 + 4)

PAGE 50 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 51

We look at the late and great sports commentator David Coleman for those too young to remember him some of his sporting comments were truly hilarious.

They called them “Coleman Balls” Here’s a few to get this series started.

“That’s the fastest time ever run – but it’s not as fast as the world record.”

“If that had gone in, it would have been a goal.”

“A truly international field, no Britons involved.”

“This evening is a very different evening from the morning we had this morning.”

“Don’t tell those coming in the final result of that fantastic match, but let’s just have another look at Italy’s winning goal.”

“I think there is no doubt, she’ll probably qualify for the final.”

“He is accelerating all the time. The last lap was run in 64 seconds and the one before that in 62.”

“It’s gold or nothing ... and it’s nothing.

He comes away with the silver medal.”

“There is Brendan Foster, by himself with 20,000 people.”

“Forest have now lost six matches without winning.”

“The front wheel crosses the finish line, closely followed by the back wheel.”

“And here’s Moses Kiptanui – the 19-year-old Kenyan who turned 20 a few weeks ago.”

PAGE 52 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

“Nobody has ever won the title twice before. He (Roger Black) has already done that.”

“Both of the Villa scorers – Withe and Mortimer – were born in Liverpool as was the Villa manager Ron Saunders who was born in Birkenhead.”

“And the line-up for the final of the women’s 400 metres hurdles includes three Russians, two East Germans, a Pole, a Swede and a Frenchman.”

And the greatest quote ever when talking about the penultimate F1 race in 1976 “the tension is so great you could cut it with a Cricket Stump”

0 -- 0

04-Apr

6 -- 1

25-Apr

1 -- 5

2 -- 1

3 -- 0

06-Apr

0 -- 4

1 -- 1

1 -- 3

3 -- 0

28-Mar

3 -- 2

3 -- 1

Bideford

Biggleswade Town

Burnham

Cambridge City

Chesham United

Chippenham Town

Cirencester Town

Corby Town

Dorchester Town

3 -- 0

2 -- 0

06-Apr

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

4 -- 1

1 --0

2 -- 0

tba

6 -- 2

3 -- 1

2 -- 0

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

18-Apr

3 -- 0

Histon

Hitchin Town

Hungerford Town

Paulton Rovers

Poole Town

Redditch United

Slough Town

St Neots Town

Truro City

Weymouth

2 -- 3

Frome Town

3 -- 2

tba

0 -- 0

4 -- 0

4 -- 2

5 -- 1

2 -- 3

Dunstable Town

3 -- 1

3 -- 0

tba

2 -- 2

0 -- 2

Banbury United

Arlesey Town

2 -- 2

Banbury United

Arlesey Town

Bideford

2 -- 1

5 -- 0

28-Mar

4 -- 1

7 -- 2

1 -- 2

06-Apr

2 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 2

1 -- 1

3 -- 3

tba

6 -- 2

25-Apr

4 -- 2

18-Apr

5 -- 1

3 -- 0

2 -- 3

0 -- 1

Biggleswade Town

3 -- 2

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

18-Apr

1 -- 0

3 -- 2

28-Mar

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

0 -- 1

2 -- 0

tba

1 -- 1

3 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

11-Apr

2 -- 2

2 -- 1

Burnham

28-Mar

2 -- 1

3 -- 1

2 -- 2

0 -- 0

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 0

18-Apr

2 -- 1

1 -- 2

4 -- 2

1 -- 0

3 -- 1

25-Apr

3 -- 1

06-Apr

3 -- 0

1 -- 0

4 -- 2

0 -- 2

2 -- 1

Cambridge City 1 -- 0

1 -- 0

0 -- 1

0 -- 4

2 -- 4

28-Mar

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

06-Apr

1 -- 1

2 -- 1

25-Apr

2 -- 2

3 -- 1

4 -- 0

11-Apr

4 -- 4

1 -- 2

tba

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

Chesham United 2 -- 1

0 -- 3

2 -- 3

0 -- 3

2 -- 2

3 -- 0

1 -- 1

11-Apr

4 -- 1

6 -- 5

1 -- 1

04-Apr

0 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

0 -- 2

1 -- 3

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

0 -- 3

Chippenham Town 0 -- 1

2 -- 0

18-Apr

2 -- 2

2 -- 1

3 -- 1

2 -- 1

0 -- 0

1 -- 1

1 -- 3

06-Apr

5 -- 1

0 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

28-Mar

1 -- 1

tba

0 -- 2

5 -- 0

0 -- 2

0 -- 0

Cirencester Town 2 -- 0

1 -- 4

4 -- 0

1 -- 2

tba

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

0 -- 0

11-Apr

0 -- 1

0 -- 3

0 -- 1

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

0 -- 3

1 -- 3

0 --1

04-Apr

0 -- 2

0 -- 5

1 -- 2

Corby Town tba 18-Apr

2 -- 0

2 -- 1

6 -- 5

2 -- 1

1 -- 2 2 -- 4

3 -- 0

0 -- 0

18-Apr

0 -- 2

0 -- 0

1 -- 0

1 -- 3

3 -- 5

28-Mar

6 -- 1

2 -- 1

3 -- 2

04-Apr

1 -- 5

4 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

Dorchester Town

0 -- 1

25-Apr

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

tba

06-Apr

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

0 -- 0

0 -- 2

0 -- 1

2 -- 2

0 -- 3

3 -- 2

04-Apr

0 -- 5

1 -- 2

Dunstable Town 2 -- 2

28-Mar

06-Apr

0 -- 3

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 2

0 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 1

1 -- 2

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

tba

1 -- 2

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

0 -- 2

Frome Town 4 -- 2

tba

3 -- 1

18-Apr

2 -- 0

7 -- 0

tba

1 -- 1

tba

1 -- 2

0 -- 4

1 -- 1

3 -- 0

3 -- 1

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

2 -- 2

3 -- 1

1 -- 2

4 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

Histon 3 -- 0

7 -- 2

4 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

2 -- 0

04-Apr

1 -- 0

0 -- 0

4 -- 2

1 -- 3

2 -- 0

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

6 -- 0

1 -- 3

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

18-Apr

2 -- 1

Hitchin Town 2 -- 2

3 -- 0

6 -- 2

2 -- 1

0 -- 0

11-Apr

3 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

04-Apr

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

2 -- 0

2 -- 3

2 -- 3

0 -- 1

2 -- 4

0 -- 0

3 -- 7

2 -- 1

0 -- 3

0 -- 2

Hungerford Town 3 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

1 -- 2

0 -- 2

1 -- 0

2 -- 3

0 -- 2

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 6

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

18-Apr

0 -- 1

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

1 -- 2

04-Apr

Paulton Rovers 2 -- 4

2 -- 0

1 -- 1

4 -- 2

0 -- 2

1 -- 0

25-Apr

1 -- 0

tba

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

3 -- 4

4 -- 1

0 -- 1

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 0

2 -- 3

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

28-Mar

11-Apr

Poole Town tba

2 -- 2

3 -- 2

0 -- 4

0 -- 1

4 -- 5

0 -- 0

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

0 -- 1

0 -- 2

06-Apr

1 -- 0

tba

04-Apr

18-Apr

0 -- 2

1 -- 3

1 -- 2

0 -- 6

0 -- 1

0 -- 2

Redditch United 1 -- 1

3 -- 2

0 -- 3

1 -- 7

0 -- 1

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

4 -- 0

28-Mar

0 -- 4

2 -- 1

0 -- 1

0 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 1

0 -- 2

11-Apr

2 -- 5

1 -- 1

0 -- 0

25-Apr

Slough Town 3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 3

4 -- 0

2 -- 1

2 -- 2

06-Apr

28-Mar

0 -- 0

1 -- 1

11-Apr

25-Apr

1 -- 2

3 -- 5

2 -- 0

0 -- 0

3 -- 3

0 -- 2

3 -- 3

2 -- 0

tba

1 -- 0

St Neots Town 1 -- 0

2 -- 3

04-Apr

2 -- 0

0 -- 0

0 -- 0

0 -- 0

3 -- 4

0 -- 0

25-Apr

1 -- 3

11-Apr

1 -- 3

1 -- 1

0 -- 1

3 -- 3

0 -- 0

0 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

1 -- 3

Truro City 1 -- 0

0 -- 2

1 -- 2

04-Apr

3 -- 0

1 -- 2

2 -- 0

1 -- 2

25-Apr

1 -- 0

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

1 -- 2

3 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

3 -- 2

1 -- 3

1 -- 2

2 -- 3

06-Apr

2 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 1

tba

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

0 -- 3

3 -- 0

3 -- 1

1 -- 3

0 -- 3

5 -- 1

0 -- 3

2 -- 3

7 -- 2

0 -- 1

1 -- 2

25-Apr

tba

11-Apr

0 -- 1

Weymouth

THE beautiful game can often be cruel and is well versed in kicking you when you’re down – just ask Conference North side Hyde.

Last week the poor Tigers were finally put out of their misery with the hugely impressive 1-1 draw at high-flying AFC Fylde not enough.

Despite their stark improvement since the return of Gary Lowe – who led the club to the Conference North title in 2011-12 – in early January, there was just too much to do and the Tigers’ second straight relegation was confirmed.

The game against the Coasters, rather aptly, came almost two years to the day since one of the best evenings in Hyde’s recent history.

Jamie Milligan’s late penalty at Kenilworth Road secured the club a famous 2-1 win at Luton Town and Hatters fans even clapped Scott McNiven’s men off the pitch.

Fast forward to now and Luton are in the hunt for promotion to League One while the Tigers prepare for Step 3 next season. It just shows you how much momentum, or lack thereof, matters in football. League winners, especially in Non-League, often challenge again the following campaign as they ride a crest of a wave.

Those unfortunate to suffer relegation can sometimes find themselves in another scrap despite the drop in quality of opponents.

Losing, just as much as winning, can become a habit that’s tough to shift.

That’s what makes Darrell Clarke’s job at Bristol Rovers so impressive. Rovers could become the first side to secure an instant return to the football league since Carlisle a decade ago.

Bashley, much like Hyde, look set to experience two straight relegations.

The New Forest club suffered the drop from the Southern League Premier last season and now sit bottom of the Southern South & West. Their total of eight league points surely point to more problems than just on the pitch but hopefully Bash can consolidate at Step 5 and make a return.

At the other end of the scale, AFC Fylde and Chorley are both doing well in the Conference North following promotion from the EvoStik Northern Premier League last season.

We are now entering the final stretch of this season which seems to have come round ridiculously quickly.

It feels like only yesterday had we just seen the back of the dreaded pre-season friendlies! The run-in showcases why we all love football:

PAGE 54 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

the unpredictability. Struggling teams find a new lease of life from somewhere and defy their lowly standing. Clubs at the top chasing for promotion start slowing down as the pressure cranks up and you start seeing results you just wouldn’t predict.

Last Saturday in the Conference South, bottom club Staines at the very least put relegation to Step 3 on hold with a fine away victory at leaders Bromley.

As any manager will tell you at this time of the season, there are plenty of twists and turns still to come and would us punters have it any other way?

For supporters of clubs fighting for promotion: good luck and keep your nerve. For those backing clubs at the other end of the table: keep fighting and remember, it’s not over until the fat lady sings!

Steven Coney Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper @SteveConey_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

229

FAT (R)

0-1

-

Bastock

York

Adjei

Ford

Sat 06 Dec

DORCHESTER TOWN

292

SLP

6-5

4

Bastock

Deeney

York

Hutton

Tue 09 Dec

SLOUGH TOWN

299

SLP

0-3

5

Bastock

Deeney

Wilson

Hutton

Sat 13 Dec

Chippenham Town

285

SLP

1-0

4

Bastock

York

Ford

Wilson

Sat 20 Dec

FROME TOWN

307

SLP

3-1

5

Bastock

YORK

Davis

Cracknell

Fri 26 Dec

CORBY TOWN

462

SLP

2-4

8

Bastock

York

Ford

Cracknell

Thu 01 Jan

Dunstable Town

205

SLP

3-1

7

Bastock

York

Plowright

Ford

Sat 10 Jan

Paulton Rovers

167

SLP

0-0

8

Bastock

York

Wilkinson

Tann

Sat 17 Jan

BIGGLESWADE TOWN

491

SLP

2-1

8

Bastock

York

Davis

Tann

Tue 20 Jan

Weymouth

409

SLP

0-1

8

Bastock

York

Plowright

Tann

Sat 24 Jan

Histon

386

SLP

0-0

9

Bastock

York

Bickerstaff

Hutton

Sat 31 Jan

BANBURY UNITED

319

SLP

2-1

8

Bastock

York

Bickerstaff

Mitchel-King

Sat 07 Feb

ARLESEY TOWN

372

SLP

3-0

7

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

CLARKE

MITC

Tue 10 Feb

Hungerford Town

100

SLP

0-0

7

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Clarke

Mi

Sat 14 Feb

Burnham

116

SLP

1-0

7

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Clarke

Mi

Sat 21 Feb

HITCHIN TOWN

547

SLP

6-2

6

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Wilson

Mi

Sat 28 Feb

Poole Town

387

SLP

0-0

6

Bastock

Tann

Bickerstaff

Mitchel-King

Sat 07 Mar

CIRENCESTER TOWN

428

SLP

4-0

6

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Sat 14 Mar

HUNGERFORD TOWN

366

SLP

1-1

6

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Clarke

Mi

Sat 21 Mar

Cambridge City

431

SLP

0-0

5

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Clarke

Mi

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 BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

F

T

B

F

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

Hoyte

Ward

Davies

Spring

DILLON

ROBERTS 3

HILLIARD

Wilson

MACKEY

Cracknell

Ward

Hoyte

Davies

Spring

Dillon

Roberts

Hilliard

Mackey

Cracknell

Frater (N)

Deeney

Ward

Cracknell

Spring

Mackey

ROBERTS

Hutton

Plowright

Frater (N)

Hilliard

Frater

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Mackey

ROBERTS

HUTTON

Davies

Plowright

Frater N Ferrari

Frater

Ward

Hilliard

Frater N

Mackey

ROBERTS 2

Hutton

Davis

Davies

FRATER

Ward

Ferrari

Wilson

FRATER N

ROBERTS

Hutton

Vieira

Davis

Frater

Ward

Hutton

Ford

Frater N

Roberts

Plowright

Adjei

Mackey

Frater

Ward

HILLIARD

Wilkinson

Frater N

Roberts

Adjei

Plowright

Hutton

FORD

Frater

Ward

Hilliard

Wilkinson

Frater N

Roberts

Ford

Adjei

Ferrari

Davis

Tann

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Mackey

Roberts

Wilkinson

Vieira

Adjei

Ford

Tann

Ward

HILLIARD

Spring

Mackey

ROBERTS

Wilkinson

Vieira

Harty

Ferrari

MITCHEL-KING

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Ferrari

ROBERTS

Marango

Harty

Vieira

Ford

Mitchel-King

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Frater (N)

Roberts

Ferrari

Harty

Mitchel-King

Ward

HILLIARD

Spring

Ferrari

Roberts

Frater (N)

Marango

Frater (R)

Harty

Mitchel-King

Ward

HILLIARD

Spring

CLARKE 3

ROBERTS 2

Longden

Harty

Bickerstaff

Vieira

Frater

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Clarke

Roberts

Wilson

Longden

Cracknell

Hobbs

Frater

WARD 2

Hilliard

Spring

CLARKE

Roberts

Longden

FRATER (N)

Wilson

Bickerstaff

Mitchel-King

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

FRATER (N)

Roberts

Longden

Ferarri

Mitchel-King

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Frater (N)

Roberts

Longden

Harty

Frater (R)

Ferrari

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 57

SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 26.03.15

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

+/-

Pts

01

Corby Town

38

25

6

7

74

39

+35

81

02

Poole Town

35

25

5

5

69

21

+48

80

03

Truro City

38

23

4

11

71

53

+18

73

04

Weymouth

38

22

5

11

66

58

+8

71

05

St Neots Town

38

18

12

8

70

50

+20

66

06

Hungerford Town

38

18

11

9

53

31

+22

65

07

Redditch United

38

18

10

10

65

37

+28

64

08

Cirencester Town

38

18

9

11

70

48

+22

63

09

Hitchin Town

39

16

9

14

62

58

+4

57

10

Chesham United

38

14

12

12

73

61

+12

54

11

Paulton Rovers

37

15

9

13

59

54

+5

54

12

Bideford

38

16

6

16

63

76

-13

54

13

Chippenham Town

38

14

10

14

48

49

-1

52

14

Dunstable Town

39

15

6

18

62

68

-6

51

15

Cambridge City

37

11

13

13

58

54

+4

46

16

Slough Town

37

12

10

15

55

69

-14

46

17

Histon

38

11

8

19

44

65

-21

41

18

Dorchester Town

38

11

6

21

53

65

-12

39

19

Frome Town

39

10

8

21

47

74

-27

38

20

Biggleswade Town

37

8

11

18

49

66

-17

35

21

Arlesey Town

38

9

4

25

37

74

-37

31

22

Banbury United

36

5

9

22

39

81

-42

24

23

Burnham (-3)

38

5

7

26

38

74

-36

19

PAGE 58 /

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V BIDEFORD AFC ISSUE 25

Showcasing an incredible limited edition collection

by Katie Jade Dobson - available to buy online.

www.ilovemywalls.co.uk

Manager: David Batch Assistant Manager: Steve Eastaugh Goalkeeping Coach: Darren Plowman

Manager: Sean Joyce Assistant Manager: Rob Dray Physiotherapist: Tony Beal

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers

Paul Bastock

Grant Fisher

Jamie Greygoose

Steve Oliver

Defenders

Defenders

Josh Bickerstaff

Nick Barker

Sam Harty

Dan Harrison

Adam Tann

Nick Milton

Ryan Frater

Danny Tapp

Tom Ward

Matt Villi

Jack Wilkinson

Midfielders

Theo Davis

Adam Copp

Brett Longden

Sean Downing

Midfielders

Richard Groves

Dean Cracknell

Matt Hockley

Lee Clarke

Micky Parcell

Ebey Marango

Stephen Reed

Matt Spring

Ian Sampson

Lorenzo Ferrari

George Swain

Lewis Hilliard

Ben Wood

Mat Mitchel-King

Forwards

Forwards

Kevin Squire

Bruce Wilson

Billy Tucker

Chris Dillon

Craig Veal

Nathan Frater Matt Nolan Drew Roberts Luis Vieira Dan Hobbs Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Colours Red Shirts, Shorts & Socks

The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Ellis Clark Assistants: Matthew Whitwell / Nicolae Monolescu Next Home Game: St Neots Town v Dunstable Town Southern League Premier Division / Monday 6th April / 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.