2023/24 - Issue Ten - Great Wakering Rovers by St Neots Town Football Club

Magazine

MARCHING IN

Official Digital Matchday Magazine Season 2023/24

ISUZU FA VASE FIRST ROUND PROPER

St Neots Town F.C. Established Established 1879 1879

President - John Walker

Board of Directors Joint CEO - Louise Sales & Mehmet Mimoglu Chairman - Barry Cavilla Secretary/Director - Gary Wilson Director of Football - Iain Parr Director - Jez Green Director - Mike Green Board Member - Brian Barnes Board Member - Andy Clay Board Member - Daniel Dodson

First Team Manager - Cameron Mawer Assistant - George Thorne Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kit Man - Mick Hunt U18Manager - Nick Schleising

Academy Manager - Alex Minall Club Welfare Officer - Chrissie Manly

Saints Match Day Team Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Hospitality - Andy and Evelyn Clay, Paula Robertson Stadium Announcer - Mike Green Music - Charlie Green Catering - Diane Sales

Media Press Officer - Mike Green Match Reports - John Walker Photographer - David Richardson Social Media - Mike Green

Ground Staff Pitch maintenance - Barry Oakley , Barry Cavilla, Bob Carpenter

Academy enquiries - Alexsntfcacademy@gmail.com

Club Information Address: Rowley Park, Kester Way, St Neots, Cambs., PE19 6SL Website - www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires - enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Commercial Enquiries - mehmetmi@hotmail.com Events - misslouises@yahoo.co.uk

Front cover - Image copyright protected by David Richardson, used under license.

Ownership: In accordance with the football association league rule 2.13 publication of ownership in relation to step 1-4 within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Identification Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company.

For the purposes of publication of ownership we can confirm that the following are listed as Directors of the Company: Lee Kearns (Significant interest 70%) , Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla. Company Secretary Gary Wilson

Greenie’s Greetings With Director Mike Green "Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today‘s Isuzu FA Vase First Round Proper tie. Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Great Wakering Rovers Football Club and we hope you enjoy our hospitality this afternoon“. Today we focus our attention on the long, winding road to Wembley as we face new opponents for the very first time, Great Wakering Rovers. Situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea, Our visitors ply their trade in the Essex Senior League Premier Division and as we meet, they currently sit in ninth place out of twenty teams. They warmed up for today’s game with a 6-1 home win over Buckhurst Hill last Saturday and were 3-0 up inside four minutes so we will need to be switched on from the very first whistle. Last Saturday saw us overcome a dogged GNG Oadby Town side 5-2 away from home on a bumpy surface with long grass so I‘m sure the boys will be so glad to be back on our carpet this afternoon. Saturday also saw Lorrell Smith return to the fold with an appearance from the bench so please join us in welcoming him back to the Club. This game followed our midweek home 1-0 win over Cogenhoe United, a game in which we created and had lots of chances to increase the margin of victory but failed, for whatever reason, to take them but the boys certainly answered all those questions on Saturday. I sadly missed both of these games after picking up Covid but I‘m told the noise levels here on Tuesday evening were immense and certainly helped the boys to get over the line. I‘m back today on the mic and can‘t wait to see the boys back in action and hopefully seal a place in the Second Round Proper. SHOULD TODAY’S GAME BE LEVEL AT FULL TIME THE TIE WILL GO STRAIGHT TO A PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

Greenie

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Boardroom Gossip From The Dugout With Chairman BarryCameron Cavilla With Manager Mawer " I’d like to welcome everyone associated to Great Wakering Rovers to The Premier Plus stadium.Our opponents today have recently changed manager and last Saturday saw the effect it can have, by winning 6-1 they will be full of confidence for todays game“. They have the 4th best defensive record and 4th best goal scoring record in their league, so that shows just how tough a side they will be to break down or to stop scoring. We are on a good run at present, five unbeaten in the league, with four wins from those five games. We have found a formula that is working but every test is different and we know when sides come and play us at our ground they raise their game tenfold, with the facilities and the pitch on offer, so it makes it even tougher for us. The last few games Yaxley, Cogenhoe and Oadby Town were 3 very tough fixtures, especially to have them in the space of 7 days and to come away with a 7 point return makes me really happy. We are certainly not looking at the league table or thinking about the end of the season, we are just taking it game by game. Today brings our second game in the FA Vase, after over coming a tough first game against Thetford Town in the last round. Cup competitions are a different beast to the league, it’s about who performances on the day and who comes out on top of the little battles all over the pitch. This competition is something every step 5 and step 6 club will be eager to progress in with the opportunity of playing at Wembley waiting for the lucky two sides who can make it. Today will take another huge effort on and off the pitch, so I can’t wait to see you all drive the boys on come Saturday at 3pm.

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Boardroom Gossip Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla With Chairman Barry Cavilla “ A very good afternoon to you all and welcome to today’s match where we are back in cup action in the FA Vase after a successful run of league games”. I would like to welcome all the players, officals and supporters of Gt Wakering Rovers, our visitors to the Premier Plus Stadium for todays FA Vase game . I believe this will be our 1st ever meeting between the club in this prestigious competition. Our Visitors from the Essex senior league have had a promising start to their league campaign and are a top half side looking to progress forward on all fronts , so this should be an intriguing contest between the 2 strong teams today. After a busy few weeks of league fixtures Cameron and the team have put in some fine performances home and away and looked very impressive last Saturday at GNG Oadby, recording their best away result for many years 5-2 . Hopefully the Saints can continue in that form and give their best to stay in the FA Vase against strong opponent today. After today we are back on league duties away at high flying Racing Club Warwick on the 28th October , so we would love to see as many as possible to support the lads and give them that extra boost from our fantastic supporters.

Have a great day everyone and cheer the Saints to victory

Your Town, your Team.

Barry

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Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla

As of Wednesday 18th October 10:00am

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

Suite Hire Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/facility-hire to find out more...... THE REEDMANS SUITE HOLDS UP TO 80 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR SMALLER WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND PARTIES Suitable For: Smaller wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Smaller conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Funeral wakes Event hire Music events Presentation events A modern bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drink We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques, Small dance floor perfect for any party or small wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements. This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration. Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Plenty of parking Very adaptable All our facilities are wheel chair accessible

For all enquiries and quotations please contact Louise on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk or call 07753222683 THE GREGORY SUITE HOLDS UP TO 200 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR WEDDINGS AND LARGE FUNCTIONS. FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED Suitable For: Wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Large funeral wakes Event hire Trade & Craft Fares etc Music events Presentation events A large, impressive bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drinks We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques. Stage area for bands, disco, and productions A large roomy dance floor perfect for any wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Plenty of parking All our facilities are wheel chair accessible We do have a large projector in the Gregory Suite that can be used for corporate events.

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BLAST FROM THE PAST Saturday 7th October 2006

FA VASE ROUND ONE St Neots

Blackstones

St Neots produced what will be regarded as a surprise result as they toppled the in-form visiting Blackstones side to progress to the Second Round of the FA Vase. Blackstones were surprisingly easily contained by a St Neots side showing four changes from that which had played at Buckingham in midweek. The match was a personal return triumph for Russell Lawes who had missed the last five matches through injury for he laid on both goals that game in the opening 24 minutes of the match. A feature of the St Neots performance was their individual and collective effort throughout the ninety minutes against a side fourth in the league table whose free scoring record had seen them knock in twenty-one goals so far this season – almost twice as many as their hosts. However, the St Neots defence were so effective that the visitors substituted both of their striker’s midway through the second half. St Neots looked determined from the start and created two early chances, but Robbie Blowers cleared off the line from Joe Jordan and Mark Franklin looked to be brought down in the area, but his penalty appeals were waved away. However, after 19 minutes a carefully flighted cross from Russell Lawes picked out the unmarked Ashley Deverall at the far post and his clinical volley from twelve yards put St Neots ahead. Five minutes later the score was doubled as Deverall was fouled just outside the area and Lawes’ stinging free kick was dropped by Ian Flavell and Sean Murray was quickly in to stab the ball home. Richard Jones wasted Blackstone’s best first half chance heading wide from a Kevin Ainslie corner and the first half was marred by an unsightly flare up.With Sean Murray lying injured from an off the ball incident Ashley Deverall got too involved with a group of defenders and was booked by the Referee. The match then became rather flat until the break but the resumption produced a change.

BLAST FROM THE PAST Saturday 7th October 2006

Blackstones looked really fired up and for ten minutes or so they looked the better side. After 48 minutes they bundled the ball into the net but an eagleeyed Assistant Referee flagged for a push on a defender. However, two minutes later a downward header from St Neots skipper Nicky Hurst had no length and the ball fell to Elton Holmes who hit an unstoppable half volley past the statuesque Martyn Patching who looked unsighted.St Neots had to substitute the injured Gary Hoy sending on substitute Kevin Ashby and gradually St Neots recovered from their setback and in the last quarter of the match they looked the more likely side to add to their tally. A close-range Murray shot was pushed for a corner and Mark Franklin shot wide after drifting past two defenders. Craig Reynolds had a shot blocked on the line and Joe Jordan should have wrapped up the victory in injury time when he contrived to find the side netting from close range after skilful work by Deverall. Blackstones rather dismal FA Vase record continued and in addition they had Manager Tony Lowther sent off for abusing one of the Match Officials but for St Neots it was only their second win in eleven games and their first at Rowley Park since the end of August. Team: Martyn Patching, Gary Hoy (Kevin Ashby 55 mins), Russell Lawes, Scott Grant, Nicky Hurst, Ben Singleton, Craig Reynolds, Joe Jordan, Ashley Deverall, Sean Murray, Mark Franklin. Subs not used: David Coles, Ryan Hunt, James Warboys and Rory McKay. Goals: Ashley Deverall (19 mins) and Sean Murray (24 mins))

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Little Paxton, Saint Neots PE19, UK 07932 453477 St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

The Saints Community Memorial Wall We would like to formally announce that the Saints Community Memorial Wall is now ready and opportunities for Supporters to remember their loved ones, who may have been Saints Supporters themselves, are now available. The Wall is completely under cover and protected from the elements and the flowers/shrubbery are cared for and tended to on a daily basis by our dedicated grounds staff. We would like to thank Kite Utilities, Ballinger Construction and Oasis Promotions and Print for all their collective help in getting this project from an idea by Chairman Barry Cavilla to a quite splendid addition to our stadium. Stainless steel wall plaques are now available for loving messages to be engraved in the following two options: 6” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch) Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued Total cost £36.00 8” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch) Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued Total cost £48.00 Any interested supporters should contact Chairman Barry Cavilla for further details via email on bcavilla77@gmail.com or in person at The Premier Plus Stadium on a matchday.

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St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

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John Walker's Match Preview GREAT WAKERING ROVERS

Year founded: 1919 Chairman: David Patient Club Website: www.gwrovers.com GOOD AFTERNOON AND A WARM WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM TO OUR VISITORS FROM ESSEX One of the main attractions of FA competition is the opportunity to meet opponents for the first time and in the fiftieth year of this competition we are up against Great Wakering Rovers for the first time ever.We therefore have pleasure in welcoming the players, officials, and supporters of our visitors to St Neots this afternoon. Our two clubs have one thing in common – we were both relegated from Step Four last season so our common goal (apart from a financially beneficial run in this competition!) is to win promotion back to the higher level at the end of the season. Great Wakering is situated in Essex four miles from Southend-on-Sea and are members of the Essex Senior League and were ninth in their league table following their 6 – 1 victory over Buckhurst Hill last Saturday. They are one of several of their league teams involved today in the FA Vase including their neighbours Hullbridge Sports who will be in action this afternoon just down the road at Potton United. Great Wakering have a proud history in the FA Vase competition having two reached the fifth round – in 1997/98 and again in 2001/02.Last season like us they competed in the FA Trophy, so this is a return to the competition for both of our sides.The 2017/18 season was particularly memorable for our visitors. Not only did they earn promotion to Step Four but they scored 107 league goals in their 40 league matches, conceding just 29. Their five seasons at Step Four included the two incomplete seasons due to COVID and their best finish at that level was 15th. In the last round of the FA Vase Great Wakering defeated Buckhurst Hill 4-3. This afternoon there are just seven of our Divisional clubs left in the FA Vase, five of whom are playing away from home including our neighbours Eynesbury Rovers who travel to Arlesey. The only other divisional team enjoying home comforts are Cogenhoe United who host Eastwood Community FC who are members of the North Division of the UCL. Previous meetings of our teams: none Enjoy the match. John Walker

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Seasons Past - With John Walker This Edition Focuses on Season 1985/86

This is another of the series highlighting one of our final seasons at Shortsands to depict both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club. This was the first ever year of a three years’ sponsorship of the League by the Nene Group so there was a small modicum of financial benefit available to our club that was beginning to struggle as a result of regular large rent increases.Searching for some comfort after a largely poor league showing I note that the side – despite finishing just two places above the relegation zone – were the highest scorers in the bottom eight places in the final league table., but another poor season in cup competition with just one victory in our four competitions. League:

UCL Premier Division

Final League position:

18th/21

League playing record:

P40 W9 D9 L22

Cup playing record:

F 56

A 74

pts 27 (two for win)

F 6 A 11

There was a rare occurrence of two players notching a league hat trick (Steve Kuhne and Val Simpson) but both were recorded away from home Our 7-1 home league victory over Bourne Town on 21st April 1986 was our biggest victory in that fifteen seasons spell in the UCL – and we had lost 2-1 at Bourne in the first league meeting earlier in the season Our only league victory (2-1) came away from home in the league KO Cup at Stewart & Lloyds Corby avenging a 3-1 league defeat earlier in the season but we did manage a home 1-1 draw with Eynesbury Rovers in the Hunts Senior Cup but were beaten in the replay at Hall Road The Reserve team also managed seven goals at home in a league match with Ford Sports and that match featured a rare goal for Craig Lambert The top goal scorer was Steve Kuhne with 19 goals followed by Val Simpson with 9 goals The Manager was Mick Kemp

John Walker

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Youth Team Match Report St Ives Town (A) 09-10-2023 Thurlow Nunn Youth League West Division ST IVES TOWN U18

ST NEOTS TOWN U18

This was the first league meeting of these two sides at St Ives since 26th March 2015 when they fought out a goalless draw. Since then, they have been in different divisions apart from the two COVID interrupted seasons when both scheduled matches at St Ives were not played. This proved to be a very different encounter with the visitors dominating the first half to ease to a three goal lead but St Ives coming back to almost snatch a share of the points with two second half goals. St Neots began confidently and goals from Will Jolly, Lucca Ugarte Edwards and Uriah Brewster putting them in a very strong position. However, a sending off of a player from each side (Caleb Wright, St Neots and Jack Thomas, St Ives) saw the match turned on its head. Goals from Jack Hodgson and substitute Joshua Charter put the home side within touching distance of completing a come-back, but St Neots held on to take all three points to cement their second place in the table behind leaders Deeping Rangers. St Neots: Bent, Hughes-Graham, Olive, Webster, Baker (A), Jolley (J), Smith, Brewster, Camfield, Jolley (W), Ugarte-Edwards Subs: Coleman, Tonks, Baker (L), Collins, Wright. Cards: Wright (RED) Referee: Brendan Smith

John Walker

Youth Team Match Report St Ives Town (H) 16-10-2023 Thurlow Nunn Youth League West Division St NEOTS TOWN U183

ST IVES TOWN U18

The second meeting of these two sides in eight days produced an identical result but a very different contest. At St Ives it was a game of two halves with St Neots dominating the first 45 mins but St Ives coming back to almost snatch a point. This match saw a see-saw contest throughout, with each leading the other before a third goal by the home side clinched the points. A feature of this match were the injuries and time-wasting after the break which saw eleven and a half minutes extra time added at the end of the game. St Neots were quickly into their stride when a crisp finish by Harleigh Camfield after six minutes saw them take the lead. St Ives defended well after this early setback but created little in attack with Rocco Smith, Frankie Webster and Camfield all spurning chances to increase the lead. Then just before the break the St Neots defence failed to mark visiting defender George Shepherd and he headed home an equaliser from a corner to leave the sides all square at half time. The visitors began the second half well with Evan Watkins firing wide after the home defence had been breached. The pattern continued and after 51 minutes when a visiting player tumbled just inside the penalty area Jack Hodgson put St Ives 2-1 ahead from the spot. St Neots rallied and a cross from Rocco Smith rebounded from the cross bar, and Uriah Brewster shot wide. Then, with 15 minutes left St Neots levelled as Will Jolley took advantage of defensive hesitancy. At 2-2 St Neots went for the kill dominating the remaining time and they were rewarded three minutes into added time when Harleigh Camfield claimed his second goal of the match. The result opened up a gap of eight points between the top two and the chasing pack with St Neots two points behind leaders Deeping Rangers. St Neots Town:Bent, Hughes-Graham, Olive, Jolley (J), Webster, Baker (A), Smith, Brewster, Camfield, Jolley (W), Ugarte-Edwards Subs: Baker (L), Coleman, Tonks, Khoo, Collins. Cards: Webster (Y – 72 mins). Referee: Simon Ward

John Walker

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John Walker's Match Report GNG OADBY TOWN (A) 14-10-2023

GNG OADBY TOWN

ST NEOTS TOWN

St Neots Town maintained their top of the table berth with a comfortable away win over Oadby Town. They scored five goals away from home for the first time since January 2016 but were disappointed to concede two late in the second half when the match was effectively won. All credit to the home side who competed well regardless of their defensive frailties, but the result will be good for the confidence of the team going into next Saturday’s important FA Vase match. A settled team is always a good recipe for results and there was just one enforced change from the midweek home victory, with Dean Dummett returning to the side in the place of skipper Kyle Lincoln who was unavailable. St Neots began in confident mood with home keeper Frederick Craven forced into an early save at the feet of Jordan Brown. Twelve minutes later following a Harvey Williams corner, Nathan George saw a net bound effort deflected over the bar and James Hatch just failed to reach an Israel Ajana cross in front of a beckoning net. Oadby hit back with Henry Langley joining the attack to fire narrowly wide from 30 yards and then visiting keeper James Goff did well under pressure to gather a cross from Suleiman Nassor. Yash Chavda volleyed wide as the home side began to look the more threatening but the pressure on St Neots was relieved in a four minutes’ spell as half time approached. After 43 minutes the lively Harvey Williams switched wings and cut through the home defence to open the scoring with a well-placed low shot, and two minutes into added time the scoreline was doubled as Jordan Brown stabbed home from close range after James Hatch had headed down a Tommy Reynolds free kick from the right. St Neots returned after the break to carry on where they had left off. After 51 minutes it was 3-0 when a Williams cross field pass set up Israel Ajana and his low shot was misjudged by the home keeper Frederick Craven who helped the ball into the net. Seven minutes later it was 4-0 as Dammy Nickels sent a perfectly placed lob over the defence and Jordan Brown ran through unchallenged to beat the keeper.

John Walker's Match Report GNG OADBY TOWN (A) 14-10-2023

Four minutes later a mistimed challenge by Magloire Muyembe upended an attacker to concede a penalty kick, confidently tucked away by Suleiman Nasser to give the home side a foothold. After 73 minutes it was 5-1 when the hardworking James Hatch was left unmarked to head a Tommy Reynolds free kick into the home net, but Oadby had the last word with a 90thminute second goal from Mussa Bham.

St Neots Town: Goff, Reynolds, Nickels, Dummett, George, Josh Brown, Ajana, Muyembe, Jordan Brown, Hatch, Williams Subs: Rowley (for Ajana 66 mins), Romero (for Muyembe 74 mins), Smith (for Williams 81 mins), Kalek, and Mawer. Cards: none GNG Oadby Town: Craven, Chavda, Okoro, Francis, Bains, Langley, Nassor, Bhandal, Parkes, Hussain, Hodges Subs: Bham (for Chavda 51 mins), Morton (for Langley 85 mins), Gill, and Hatega. Cards: Chavda (Y – 13 mins) Attendance: 35 Referee: George Younger (Nottingham)

(John Walker)

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Opponent Spotlight GREAT WAKERING ROVERS FC

The club was formed in 1919 by soldiers demobbed after World War I and finding employment in the local brickfields. Not much in memory remains of the early years of the club although the club do poses some wonderful pictures from around that period. We first played in one of Southend's oldest leagues, the Southend & District League, where the Rovers stayed until 1982. Rovers were the leagues most dominant clubs, especially in the 1960s and 1970s and to this day remain so on record. The switch in 1982 saw the club move to the newly formed Southend & District Alliance Football League, but sadly this league folded in 1989 leaving Rovers with a decision to move back to the Southend & District League or take a step up in standard. With what most Rovers feel to be the best squad amassed by a manager, in this case Eddie Nash, Rovers took the decision to step up to intermediate level and joined the Essex Intermediate League. Rovers remained in the Essex Intermediate League for three seasons, winning the championships of Divisions Three and Two in successive seasons. After the latter, Rovers successfully applied to join the Essex Senior League and found themselves in Step 5 of the Non-League pyramid, which for a village club was a tremendous feat. In the 1994-1995 season Rovers narrowly beat Sawbridgeworth Town FC for the Essex Senior League title. Rovers had collected 71 points for the season and lost just three times although the title win was only won on goal difference (18). During that season Rovers forward Paul Flack scored 28 goals, which included a haul of 4 goals away at Eton Manor as Rovers celebrated a 9-0 victory. Also included in his stunning season were two further hattricks. That season his strike partner Neil Ramsey grabbed 20 goals as Rovers hit home 82 goals. Rovers defence of the Essex Senior crown would falter the following season, finishing 2nd behind Romford. In the 1996-1997 season Rovers would also finish second again, behind Ford United by just three points. The 1997-1998 season would be Rovers worst season in the Essex Senior League, finishing mid-table, 7th, and 36 points behind winners Concord Rangers.

Opponent Spotlight GREAT WAKERING ROVERS FC

The club's final appearance in the Essex Senior League saw them finish 2nd behind Bowers United. However, due to Bowers United failing to meet ground grading requirements for promotion, Rovers were promoted to the Isthmian League in their place. With Isthmian League Division Three on the horizon for the 1999-2000 season, Rovers move into Step 4 of the league pyramid was complete. At the very first attempt Rovers were promoted to Division Two finishing behind East Thurrock Utd by three points. Promotion to Division Two gave Rovers some stiffer opposition and the season finished with Rovers in midtable. In 2002 the Isthmian League then reorganised and Rovers found themselves in a new look Division One North, finishing mid-table but more than holding their own in what was a very competitive league. In 2003 the club were embroiled in a relegation fight, although this was won convincingly as Rovers finished 15 points ahead of the relegation zone. A further league reorganisation in 2004 saw the club switch to the Southern Football League Eastern Division for two seasons. The 2004-2005 season saw Rovers miss relegation by one point due to Erith & Belvedere FC being deducted three points, but in the 2005-2006 season Rovers bounced back to finish safely in mid-table. For the 2006-2007 season Rovers found themselves in familiar territory, switching back to the Isthmian League Division One North, where we finished 12th. Two further seasons saw Rovers finish 13th and stabilise themselves as a Ryman League club. The 2009-2010 season brought a record number of points for the Rovers at Ryman League level, 64, but towards the end of the season manager Iain O'Connell was offered the management of Ryman Premier League side Margate leaving assistant Ryan Wilkinson and physio Cleve Taylor to take over temporary control with 12 games to go. In a season that saw Rovers top the table for 9 weeks, the dizzy heights would eventually get to O'Connell's side as they finished in 9th place, 13 points behind the playoffs.

Opponent Spotlight GREAT WAKERING ROVERS FC

Ryan Wilkinson and Cleve Taylor would be implemented as joint-managers for the 2010-2011 season and their first season in charge would offer up 44 points and 15th place in the league. Their start to the 2011-2012 season wasn't what they had hoped and after one win in their opening nine games, both offered their resignations. Rovers made first team coach Danny Heath caretaker manager and he brought temporary stabilisation back to the side as they recorded two wins and three draws from his seven games in charge. Rovers would offer the management post to Danny Greaves, son of exTottenham and England legend Jimmy Greaves. Danny saw that a clean sweep of the side was required and let go the majority of the squad, bringing in loanees whilst trying to sign up new players. Unfortunately this plan didn't work and after a miserable run of six losses in a row, he too offered his resignation. Rovers would offer ex-Captain and stalwart Dan Trenkel the position as manager in November 2011 in an effort to stabilise the club. However, Trenkel was playing for Redbridge FC at the time who were on a fantastic run in the FA Cup, and it would be two weeks before he would be unveiled at the club, Danny Heath taking temporary control again, although this time losing both games. Trenkel would bring back a number of players previously released by Danny Greaves, and opened his management career with a 2-2 draw at home to Waltham Forest , followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Harlow Town. However, although the side were performing better, results would continue to go against him and after just three wins in the remaining 21 games, including 6 draws, Rovers would find themselves bottom of the table and staring relegation into the Essex Senior League. In 2014, they won the ESL by one point on the final day of the season, and were promoted back to the Isthmian League.

Opponent Spotlight GREAT WAKERING ROVERS FC

2016/17 season was probably the most turbulent the club has ever experienced. Seeing two Chairman leaving their posts, together with two Managers also losing their jobs. In total 71 players were used in the fight against relegation without any success. As we were finally relegated after two seasons at step 4 in the FA Pyramid returning to the Essex Senior League. Manager Iain O’Connell, in his second spell with the club has been working hard during the summer to put together a strong squad and to lay down the foundation to mount a serious challenge for promotion to enable Great Wakering Rovers to get back to Step 4 in the FA pyramid the club expects, they went on to win the league at the first attempt, earning promotion back to the renamed North Division of the Isthmian League.

Manager - Cameron Mawer Assistant - George Thorne Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physios - Craig Lambert Kitman - Mick Hunt

Manager - Marcus Bowers Assistant - Aron Peters Coach - Lee Bunn Physio - Steven Patient

Squad List

James Goff (GK) Tommy Reynolds Dammy Nickels Kyle Lincoln Nathan George Rav Kalek Malaki Black Dean Dummett Joshua Brown Demi Romeo Sam Johnson Magloire Muyembe Harvey Williams Tom Rowley Israel Ajana James Hatch Jordan Brown Matteo Perkins Dom Lawless

Callum Boylan Aiden Brown Danny Cossington Thomas Duffy Jack Frost Max Gnandi Jake Gordon Connor Hart Louie Hunt Oliver Jenkins Oscar Jones Jay Nash Jack Nolde Kieron Owusu Shemarie Perkins-Palmer Thomas Ranger Teddy Rumsby Ben Search Luis Shamshoum Harry Talbot Daniel Taylor Harrison Topliss

Colours Navy/Light Blue Quarters Dark Blue Shorts Dark Blue Socks

Referee

Ellis Mills Assistant 1

Colours Green/White Stripe Shirts Green Shorts Green Socks

Jacob Benstead Assistant 2

Next Home Match.... GNG Oadby Town UCL Premier Division South Saturday 18th November 3.00 pm KO

Stewart Horn