2021/22 Issue Three - Kidlington FC

Issue Number 3

Official Online Matchday Magazine Season 2021/22 Admission Information Adults £8.00 Concessions £6.00 16 – 18 years £2.00 Under 16 FREE (Must be accompanied by an adult)

Saturday August 28th 3.00pm KO

Kidlington FC Proud members of The Southern League Division One Central

Saints President John Walker Board of Directors

First Team

Chairman – Barry Cavilla Director of Football – Iain Parr Events Director – Louise Sales Commercial Director – Mehmet Mimoglu Secretary – Gary Wilson Director – Mike Green Director – Jez Green Director - Andy Clay Director - Brian Barnes

Manager – Peter Gill Assistant – Sean Greygoose GK Coach – Gary Dean Physio – Craig Lambert Kit Man – Mick Hunt Analyst – Ben Williamson Match Ball Retriever – Stan Scotcher

Saints Match Day Team

Contact – Iain@stneotstownfc.co.uk

Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Hospitality – Andy Clay Stadium Announcer – Mike Green Music & Scoreboard – Charlie Green Catering – Diane Sales

Academy

Media

Club Welfare Officer – Mick Hunt

Press Officer – Mike Green Match Reports – John Walker Photographer - Dave Richardson Social Media – Rowan Presland / Mike Green

Club Information

Ground Staff

Website – www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires – enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Events – Louise@stneotstownfc.co.uk Academy - iain@stneotstown.co.uk

Pitch maintenance – Barry Oakley

Sports Scholarship

Manager – Iain Parr Development Manager – Alex Minall U18’s Manager – Alex Minall

Address – Rowley Park, Kester Way, St Neots, Cambs., PE19 6SL

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: significant interest Lee Kearns, Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla, Company Secretary Keith Gotch , Company Accountant Keith Gotch

GoodComing Afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Soon Stadium, home of the Saints and the Goldstraw Goldsmiths Academy, for today’s Pitching In Southern League Division One Central match.

Today we welcome the players, officials and supporters od Kidlington FC and we hope you all spend an enjoyable afternoon with us here in St Neots before taking a safe trip home later this evening.

Two league games completed so far, both against league ‘new-boys’ in the form of FC Romania and Hertford Town and rather unluckily, only one point to show after two performances that offered plenty of positives, especially in the Hertford game, going ahead with a superb strike from Neo R-N and going on to pepper their goal only for a mixture of poor finishing and inspired defending prevented us from extending the lead and then the inevitable happened, conceding a very late equaliser.

Last Saturday saw us flirt briefly with the Emirates Cup, going down 3-0 to a very solid, experienced (and probably very expensively assembled) Bedford Town side at the Eyrie and exit this year’s competition at the Preliminary Round stage. This was always going to be a big ask against the bookies favourites for the league this year and sadly proved to be exactly that.

For those of you that would like to get involved with eh voting for our Man of the Match at matches, if you use Whatsapp on your mobile device, please send a text message to PHIL on 07957 472907 with your name and he will add you to the growing group.

Come on You Saints

Firstly, I’d like to wish a warm welcome to everyone from Kidlington. I hope you enjoy your visit to St. Neots and wish you well for the season ahead.

I’ll start by reflecting on the opening week of the season. After a positive pre-season we were finally ready to get underway last Saturday with the visit of FC Romania. We were set and ready before being rocked by some COVID-19 news on the morning of the game.

We had to change our team on the day, however (despite some of the reports) the boys performance levels were good, and we narrowly lost out with FC Romania claiming a 2-1 victory. When we looked back at the key stats of the game, we could see we matched Romania in almost every area and entered their final third on more occasions. However, as is the way in football, the only stat that counts are the goals.

Then onto Tuesday night where we welcomed Hertford Town FC. A game I really enjoyed (until the 89th minute of the game!) and I’m sure one that would entertain any fan.

Hertford are like us in terms of age, style and intensity so it made for a really fast-paced game. Hertford created the better chances in the first half, however a slight tweak to our shape at half time nullified their threat and the boys executed the game plan perfectly.

Well, almost perfectly. We were undone by a last gasp equaliser and naturally the boys were devastated.

Then we moved onto the FA Cup game at Bedford Town. While we will want to move on very quickly from the result and incidents around the day, I can comment on the actual game and processes around that. We went into the game as the underdogs coming up against a well put together team with an impressive budget to suit. The boys again performed well out of possession and restricted Bedford to very little. However, 3 set plays did for our FA Cup ambitions for the season. We know as a group; we can perform much better with the ball and create more and of course better goal scoring chances.

Moving onto this important Bank Holiday Weekend. We face Kidlington and Kempston in two tough tests. Kidlington proved their quality and ability in their recent FA Cup win over North Leigh. To bounce back from a goal down shows good resilience and character so we expect a tough test this afternoon. Then on Monday we travel to Kempston who have recently appointed a new manager so we can disregard their early results. We know they will be much changed and with 10 days to prepare for the Bank Holiday weekend games.

Lastly a message to the supports. It was fantastic to see so many of you travel to the Bedford game. I’m sorry we could not produce the result to match what wonderful support you gave us. As I previously stated, this is a young team that need all the support they can get. So, as you always do, please get behind the boys today and Monday. We’ll do our upmost to entertain and put some important points on the board.

Here’s to an entertaining game and hopefully 3 important points.

Up the Saints!

Regards

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become a partner

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

Welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium for this afternoon’s home fixture in Southern Football League Division one game as Saints take on Kidlington FC. I want to start my report by congratulating Goldstraw Goldsmith for winning our Academy naming Promotion draw.. Our Youth academy for the next two seasons will be named ‘St Neots Town FC Goldstraw Goldsmith Academy’.Goldstraw Goldsmith is our long and established business partner and I want to thank them for their continued support from us all involved in the Club.

As a Club we had to work very hard on our Commercial Activities to weather the storm brought about

by Covid 19. Everyone’s hard work in the Club from Directors, Hospitality Staff, Volunteers, Coaching Staff, Ambassadors and players one way or the other contributed and complimented the commercial activities.

As a result of the much appreciated hard work of all involved as a club we are now very proud to have the following: • Stadium naming rights sponsor.

• 3G Arena naming rights sponsor • All 3 main pitch stands sponsored • 3G Viewing Area Sponsored • First team kit sponsors • 16 Firms supporting our Academy activities • Social Media Sponsors • Both of our U18 Teams Sponsored • Individual sponsors for our U16,U13 and U11 teams • And we have over 80 business banners at differing sizes at Entrance of club, on main pitch and 3G arena.

In total, as a club on differing levels of support we have over 70 business partners. This is a very substantial number for a Club at our level. The number of businesses we currently have in partnership is so important that our priority can now mainly be to maintain all our existing agreements and relationships to ensure that our commercial worth to sponsors stays at the highest possible level.

This does not mean that we will not be open to new businesses partnerships however I feel that maintaining and not losing what we have is now more important than entering into new partnership agreements.

This is where as loyal fans I would like to request that you to look into this match programme in great detail. Every business that helped us to achieve the commercial comfort summarised above is named in this match programme. Please take time to look at every business partner’s services and if their products/services are of interest to you or people that you know, please use and promote their services and products as much as possible. The more we use their products/services, the more firm our business partnership will become.

As always, I have no doubt that you will get behind the lads today and show your continued superb support. The Players and all of us at the Club appreciate your support on and off the pitch. the pitch.

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become a partner

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

The Saints First Team Shirts Saints-FirstSponsor Team Shirt

Sponsor

Reliable and Professional plumbing and heating service. Preferred Plumbing and Heating Ltd in Cambridgeshire 07733304549 www.preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become a partner

Saints Food Terrace

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

A warm welcome to our supporters and the visiting officials and players of Kidlington for today’s game at The Premier Plus Stadium.

We are truly up and running with this season’s fixtures and although a slow start from our talented squad, I am sure Pete and his team will be ready to push forward and get a first win under his leadership and have learnt a lot in the early stages of this season’s competition with the high tempo and physical performance our opposition have shown as the footprint to this level of football.

The club is slowly getting it’s functions and events back up in action and bringing much needed revenue to club and community projects .

We have also added some new Ambassadors to help support the club both on and off the field and build on all the hard work done by the current team over the past challenging year.

I would also like to ask if there are any of you who would like to come and join our hard working team and help on match days with stewarding and looking after match day tasks to help make it a safe and enjoyable experience for all to enjoy.

If you have the time and would like to help, please contact myself or any club official and we would love to get you on board with this great team.

Enjoy today’s game and I look forward to seeing you around the ground.

Your Town , your team

COYS

Cheese & Wine Society

Saints Ambassadors

Jeremy & Daniel Frome

Andy Clay

Clean-Windows

Michael Rea

Little Paxton Cricket Club Under 13’s

Rodney Buckenham

Saints Ambassadors

Zoe & Abbie Sandle

Mark Cowling Zack FM

Becky and Dan

Chris Chapman

07514 691581

Syneriox Ltd

Priory Saints

Epiphany Communications

Claire Holloway The Bolton Family

Syneriox Ltd

Bob Carpenter

Mark Gearing

Zoe & Abbie Sandle

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

www.stneotsloftconversionsltd.co.uk 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.

St Neots Take away –Shop local, support local

orders@takeaway-stneots.com Pizza/fried chicken, Turkish, British, British Cafe Order through our app Order online Order on the pay store

To Advertise with the Saints contact our Commercial Director Mehmet on 07946 318888 or email mehmet@stneotstownfc.co.uk

AF Golf Store AFGolfStore offers everything a golfer could need, from premium club fitting using Trackman 4 technology to individual or group lessons for all ages and abilities. Whether you're a beginner or elite golfer, child or adult, we have something for you!

Contact AFGolfStore Peterborough Feel free to contact a member of our team with any enquiries you may have using the form below. Alternatively you can call the team direct on 01733 215989 We can be found at Unit 10, Slater Court, Harrier Way, Eagle Business Park, Yaxley PE7 3SE Peterborough Store Opening Times Monday 9am-6pm Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday 9am8pm Thursday 9am-6pm Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday CLOSED Contact AFGolfStore Cambridge Feel free to contact a member of our team with any enquiries you may have using the form below. Alternatively you can call the team direct on 01763 262943.

We can be found at Kingsway Golf Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, Cambridge, SG8 6EY Cambridge Store Opening Times Monday 9am-8pm Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday 9am-8pm Thursday 9am-8pm Friday 9am-8pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 9am-5pm www.afgolfstore.co.uk

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

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.

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

Som’s Salon is a Mens Barbershop and Ladies Hairdressers, we are located on Longsands Parade, Saint Neots with FREE parking directly outside the shop!

01480 589037

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.

Saints-Goldstraw Goldmiths St Neots Town FC Academy & Main Stand Sponsor

The Goldstraw Goldsmith’s St Neots Town FC Academy Sponsor The Goldstraw Main Stand Goldstraw Goldsmiths is an established, trusted, successful jewellery shop in the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots. At Goldstraws Goldsmiths we’ve been designing and caring for jewellery for over 30 years. We sell all styles of jewellery; new and antique. If you have a particular item in mind, we will always endeavour to source it. Two experienced goldsmiths work on the premises, offering quality craftsmanship with every newly created piece and repair. We take pride in our work and our customers tell us time and time again that wouldn’t go anywhere else. Why not come in and say hello we” be happy to help www.goldstraw.co.uk 01480 407704

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

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.

MT General Builders MT General Builders are a St Neots family business, father and son in fact, Tony and Max Stevens. They offer a range of services all carried out to the highest degree of workmanship whilst maintaining high standard of cleanliness whilst works are carried out. These giuys come very highly recommended by an number of Saints supporters who have had various works carried out by Max and Tony 07766 091279

CPC FINANCE CPC Finance is a UK brokerage and packager. We source and package a range of property-based funding, including buy-to-let, commercial, auction finance, property development and secured loans. As packaging specialists, we source and process mortgage applications from the start, through to completion. Our team is here to support your case every step of the way in order to help you secure the right finance as efficiently as possible 01923655441

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

Call 01480 470931 Mobile 07950 496568

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.

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

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.

Brewers Decorator Centre Brewers are the UK's largest independent decorator’s merchant. We go out of our way to get professional decorators whatever they need to deliver a fantastic finish every time. Brewers Decorator Centres the trade decorator's choice – paints, wallpapers, tools & supplies 01480 598479 www.brewers.co.uk

Oasis Print and Promotional What can Oasis offer my business? The Oasis team provide your business the opportunity to consolidate all of your business Office, Print, Design and Marketing needs with just one phone call. Promotions Mugs, pens, caps or clothing, whatever your marketing giveaway may be the Oasis Team are here to help. Request a bespoke presentation from our design team to see relatable branded goods for your business sector. Print For all your business stationery, exhibition, POS, and literature needs, our print quality and prices are second to none. Marketing Need help with a new marketing campaign? Our team here at Oasis can provide your business with strategic marketing tools to ensure you get the most effective outreach and achieve your projected goals. Design Brainstorms, brochures, illustration.

Our in house design team are a creative hub of design excellence. Always ready to come up with unique and vibrant ways of sustaining brand awareness and providing print-ready artwork across all your projects. Fulfilment Pick and Pack, storage, fulfilment? We have all those areas covered and provide a bespoke tailored service for your company no matter how big or small. Price We make sure that you meet your budget requirements whilst maintaining quality and ensuring you always get the best value for money.

01480 716917 www.oasispandp.co.uk

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

www.sellnew.co.uk 0333 5772796

www.abclifesupport.co.uk 0800 0467 410

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.

ADP Fire and Security ADP Fire & Security - Alarms, CCTV, Access Controls & Fire Safety Providing fire safety and security solutions for homes and businesses across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire The aim of ADP Fire & Security is to install, maintain intruder alarms, CCTV systems, access control systems and fire alarm systems utilising the latest technologies, all at an affordable cost to you. No hidden costs, no nasty T & C’s.

Loves Farm Pharmacy Welcome to Loves Farm Pharmacy, your caring local independent pharmacy in St Neots. As well as giving you your prescriptions we are committed to helping keep you healthy. We can give you advice on your medicines, vaccinations, diet and many other health services, not just treat you when you are unwell. We provide a high-quality service and reliability is our priority. Our team is friendly and keen to help. Our pharmacists are fully qualified with a broad range of experience and are keen and happy to help. Please have a look around our website for more information on how we can assist you. You can also come into the pharmacy, you do not need to make an appointment, just pop in and talk to our friendly qualified pharmacist and team who will be happy to give you professional and confidential advice. www.lovefarmpharmacy.co.uk 01480 215665

Saints

Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to become an Advertiser

www.kazbarsystemsinc.com sales@kazbarsystemsinc.com 01234 780 177

www.cpcfinance.co.uk contact@cpcfinance.co.uk 01923 655 441

www.evolutionpayments.com 0800 001 6190

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 First Team Shirts Saints- Social Media Sponsor

Sponsor

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When it comes to your security, you can trust in us. At Blueline Security Limited we know how important integrity and reliability is to our customers. That’s why we draw our operational staff exclusively from Police and HM Armed Forces backgrounds, and have a stringent selection process to ensure that only the best people join our team.

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Saints

Functions and Events Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to Book an Event

We have three rooms available for any number of functions and events.

These include a board room/meeting room that holds up to 12 people.

We also have two function rooms

Reedman's Hold up to 80 guests and is idea for smaller wedding, parties, Funeral wakes, Fitness classes, smaller trade fairs and much more

The Gregory Suite Holds up to 250 guests and is ideal for Wedding receptions, larger parties, Dance groups, presentation events, Business networking and much more

Our dedicated team have lots of experience and will be on hand to assist in any way possible. Full flexible catering service is also available Give Louise a call on 07753 222683 Full information is available at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Saints Functions and Events To book and event visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL St Neots Town

1

FC Romania

2

After their impressive pre-season showing of just a single defeat in eight outings a pallid looking St Neots side was deservedly beaten in their opening league match of the new season by newcomers FC Romania. It was a disappointing underperformance and even their late added time goal was no consolation. There was no threat in attack from a side that had found the back of the net twenty- three times in eight friendly matches and their midfield quartet created very little despite enjoying a much greater share of possession. There are still injured players to return to the squad, but this performance can only be described as disappointing in front of an excellent shirt-sleeved crowd that expected a continuation of the pre-season form.

Only skipper Lee Watkins had survived from the previous starting line-up in their last league match almost ten months earlier, and the late substitutions came too near the end of the match to be significant. It is four years since St Neots lost their opening day league match at the Premier Plus Stadium and on that occasion, they did not record a league victory until their seventh match – a run they will not want to repeat this time around.

The visitors were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men after just four minutes when Eusebio Da Silva was only yellow carded for a dangerous scything tackle on Miles Cowling as he skipped through the visiting defence. That established a pattern of nononsense tackling by the visiting side that seemed to knock St Neots out of their early stride. St Neots first attempt on goal after twelve minutes saw Neo RichardNoel unselfishly set up the unmarked Joe Rider, but he appeared off balance as he placed his effort high over the bar. The visitors’ more direct approach was paying dividends as striker Da Silva twice took on the St Neots defence to give himself scoring opportunities but both times his finish was off target. After 22 minutes the hardworking Charley Barker found Joe Rider in space and his first-time volley was well saved by visiting keeper Adrian Darabant and the same St Neots player headed over the bar from a Barker free kick. In a very lively midfield battle Myles Cowling was booked for an overenthusiastic challenge and towards the end of the first half the visitors’ seemed to grow in confidence, and home keeper Luke Chadwick had to produce a couple of smart saves. Then with just a minute to go before the break, Romania made an important breakthrough as an attack down the right ended with Anthony Edgar producing a skilful lob beyond the reach of Chadwick to claim a half time lead for the visiting side.

Early second half substitutions by both sides did nothing to alter the pattern of play with St Neots still enjoying better possession but creating little and the visitors always looking lively on the break. Full back Harvey Steel powered forward taking a return pass before testing the visiting keeper from the edge of the area on the hour, and four minutes later another effort from the same home player sailed narrowly over the bar. St Neots were clearly lacking in ideas and penetration and the visiting side had the confidence to refresh their side by utilising their full complement of substitutes in the first 65 minutes whereas St Neots persevered with no increasing success. Substitute Florian Tsaguim was looking the most likely player to affect a breakthrough for the home side as he switched from flank to flank but he lacked support and sent his best shooting chance well wide. Becoming increasingly concerned at the eficit as the second half ticked away St Neots became defensively careless and were caught short at the back to a visiting attack four minutes from time, as full back Taishan Griffith marauded down the right flank to cross for the unmarked Jonathan Edwards to slide the ball into the net from close range. Ironically with only four minutes plus added time left, St Neots produced their most determined spell being rewarded with a late goal from substitute Arel Amu. St Neots: Chadwick, Heal, Steel, Anderson, Smith, Marfo, Cowling, Barker, RichardNoel, Rider, Watkins Subs: Tsaguim (for Rider 50 mins), Amu (A) (for Cowling 80 mins), Hammond (for Richard-Noel 89 mins), Thomas and Amu (E).

Cards: Cowling (Y – 31 mins), Goals: Amu (A) (90 mins) FC Romania: Darabant, Griffith, Petrov, Lupu, Armoo, Da Cruz, Bonnett-Johnson, Taban, Da Silva, Edgar, Edwards Subs: Adeniji (for Edgar 50 mins), Stylianides (for Armoo 54 mins), Danquah (for Da Silva 65 mins), Russell and Fejzo.

Cards: Petrov (Y – 69 mins), Taban (Y – 80 mins) Goals: Edgar (44 mins), Edwards (86 mins) Referee: Shaun Barry (Northampton) Attendance: 254 (John Walker)

OPPONENTS SPOTLIGHT (28/August/2021) KIDLINGTON TOWN Year founded: 1909 Chairman: David Platt Club Website: www.pitchero.com/kidlington fc THIRD TIME LUCKY - WE HOPE - AS KIDLINGTON FC TRAVEL FROM OXFORDSHIRE TO PLAYAT THE PREMIER PLUS STADUIM FOR THE FIRST TIME A special welcome this afternoon to our visitors Kidlington FC for the first ever meeting of our two clubs here in St Neots. Statistically this should be the fifth meeting of our two clubs but as you will be well-aware the previous two seasons were cut short and abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our two sides have in fact met once so far at Yarnton Road, Kidlington, in a Southern League tie and that was on 30th November 2019 when our hosts beat us by a goal to nil scored by Declan Benjamin. It was a feisty encounter with one red card and eight yellow cards issued by a very busy official. The subsequent three diarised league matches were all lost to the pandemic, which we all hope is now behind us.

Our visitors are in their sixth season at this level of football. They won promotion to Step Four at the end of the 2015/16 season and were placed in the Evo-Stik Division One West for the 2016/17 season where they finished 11th of 22 teams. In 2017/18 they finished 12th and the following season they were less successful finishing 18th of 20 teams but finishing three points ahead of the two relegated sides. Then came the two aborted seasons.

Kidlington have been beaten in their first two League matches – by Ware away and Aylesbury United at home. In the FA Cup last weekend, they made the short trip to North Leigh and came from behind to win by the odd goal in three whilst in the FA Trophy they drew a First Round Qualifying bye and must travel to Cirencester Town for the Second Round Qualifying on 9th October.

Enjoy the match John Walker

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL St Neots Town

1

Hertford Town

1

A much-improved performance by St Neots saw a conceded added time equaliser that left them still searching for their first league victory in the new season. It was the ultimate sucker punch dealt out by visitors Hertford Town after the home side had dominated much of the second half. A combination of outstanding goalkeeping by visiting custodian Luke Mewitt and some speculative finishing cost Manager Pete Gill’s side two points their performance had deserved. So, after two league matches without a victory, St Neots now make the short trip along the A421 to face neighbours Bedford Town in the FA Cup in their next outing. The Manager made just one team change with Arel Amu replacing Joe Rider up front and his pairing with Nehemiah Richard-Noel in attack promises much for the future. Again, it was St Neots’ midfield energy that ensured their greater share of possession but early second half saves by Mewitt from Amu, Richard-Noel and Watkins earned his side an unexpected share of the spoils.

The opening phase of the match was evenly contested and after an early effort by Jack Hewitt that sailed over the home crossbar, Myles Cowling shot narrowly wide from a Charley Barker free kick. Visiting striker Samuel Faniyan had two openings but failed to find the target but St Neots were looking confident in possession and creating chances of their own. They deservedly took the lead after 17 minutes with a slick move as Ben Heal found space on the right flank before setting up Nehemiah Richard-Noel who spotted the visiting keeper out of position to net at the near post.

However, that was to be the visiting keeper’s only mistake! After 33 minutes he dived bravely at the feet of Richard-Noel after good approach play by Cowling, but the visitors were exploiting the full width of the pitch with the home defence guilt of playing too narrow a defence. Louis Chadwick saved well from Obinna Ogbonna and right on the break St Neots almost doubled their lead when Richard-Noel went clear of the defence from a neat Amu flick, but the keeper saved well at his feet.

St Neots began the second half well and Barker and skipper Lee Watkins combined well for the latter to test the keeper with a low shot. The keeper then pushed an Amu shot for a corner at full stretch and some desperate defending by the visiting side saw Ben Weyman booked for a cynical challenge. Play was moving swiftly from end-to-end with St Neots getting the ball in the net but being denied by an offside flag, and from the free kick Hewitt saw his effort rebound from the St Neots crossbar. After a spell of play largely in midfield, St Neots saw the industrious Barker set up Richard-Noel whose finish was too high and then visiting substitute Jacob Samber-Richards shot over the bar after going clear of the defence. With sixteen minutes left St Neots introduced substitute Florian Tsaguim for the limping Amu and he was quickly in the thick of the action shooting over the bar from a narrow angle. St Neots increased the pressure in the last ten minutes and Mewitt made significant saves from Cowling and Tsaguim and another Cowling effort just skimmed the crossbar. As the final whistle approached Hertford introduced substitute Jake Bunyan and he was involved in the 92nd incident in which another substitute Kit Brown snatched the goal to give his side an unlikely first point of the season.

St Neots: Chadwick, Heal, Steel, Anderson, Smith, Marfo, Cowling, Watkins, Amu (A), Richard-Noel, Barker Subs: Tsaguim (for Amu 74 mins), Amu (E), Rider, Hammond, and Sutton.

Cards: Richard-Noel (Y – 60 mins), Watkins (Y – 65 mins) Goals: Richard-Noel (17 mins) Hertford: Mewitt, Smith, Njorge, Empson, Herd, Gosling, Weyman, Makuendi, Faniyan, Hewitt, Ogbonna Subs: Samber-Richards (for Empson 46 mins), Brown (for Weyman 72 mins), Bunyan (for Makuendi 90 mins),Bryant, and Erkarslan.

Cards: Empson (Y – 16 mins), Weyman (49 mins), Herd (85 mins) Goals: Brown (90+2 mins) Referee: David Nicholson (Bury St Edmunds) Attendance: 200 (John Walker)

FA CUP – FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND Bedford Town

3

St Neots Town

0

St Neots’ FA Cup adventure this season was short-lived as they were well beaten by Bedford Town after their short trip down the A421 in the First Qualifying Round.

It was a pallid display by St Neots who discovered that genuine effort and commitment was insufficient again their expensively assembled neighbours and despite competing well, the visitors finishing lacked confidence and penetration with the home keeper seldom tested. Both sides finished a man short with Bedford losing central defender Charlie Sanders after a horror two-footed tackle on Ben Heal early in the second half, and St Neots substitute Joe Sutton followed him for an early bath nine minutes from time following an incident with the home crowd. All three of the home sides’ goals came from headed efforts to set pieces and this will have given St Neots’ Manager Pete Gill food for thought as he constructs his defence for future matches.

In theory St Neots’ defence should have been boosted by the return of central defender Charlie Johnson with Aaron Smith moved to his more familiar full back slot but further tightening at the back looks the main priority. True, the home attack was taller and more positive, but some remedial action is urgently required. Also included in the starting line-up for the first time were striker Lawrence Hammond who received little service and Erin Amu in midfield in place of Callum Anderson.

The first ten minutes was fairly even, and the visitors registered the first real noteworthy mention as Johnson won the ball in the air from a corner but never really tested the home custodian. After twelve minutes an unfortunate clearance struck a defender to play Connor Tomlinson clear on goal, but Louis Chadwick stretched, to fingertip the ball for a corner. However, Bedford took full advantage as Lewis Miccio’s corner was met by a towering header by Charlie Sanders to put Bedford in front. Seven minutes later the lead was doubled as from a teasing Danny Setchell free kick, former Peterborough United Striker Rene Howe got in front of his marker to glance the ball past the helpless Chadwick. St Neots were being outplayed and had some defending to do for a spell but towards the end of the first half they rallied to create chances of their own. Skipper Lee Watkins making his 50th appearance in a St Neots shirt scythed through the Bedford defence but saw his shot blocked by a defender and then Nehemiah Richard-Noel cut in from the right to test home keeper Alex Street.

There was a dramatic start after the break when six minutes in, Bedford were reduced to ten men following a horror tackle by Sanders on Ben Heal. The home side regrouped with a couple of substitutions, adopting a more defensive approach with former Peterborough United striker Craig Mackail-Smith left to forage up front.

He cut in after 61 minutes to open up the visiting defence but shot well over the bar.

St Neots, meantime tried to utilise their numerical advantage but made little significant progress. Pushing forward they were caught on the break after 65 minutes, conceding a corner from which Zac Brown rose high above the defence to convert a Danny Setchell’s cross. St Neots’ play became ragged, and they never really took advantage of their extra player, although from a Myles Cowling cross, Charley Johnson dived full length to put his effort just wide. After the games’ second sending off there was little goalmouth action although St Neots substitute Arel Amu replaced his brother to shoot over the bar from St Neots’ best second half move. Finally, Richard-Noel created an opening for himself following good work by the hardworking Cowling, but his finish was also off-target.

The two sides meet again at the same venue in five weeks’ time in the Preliminary Round of the FA Trophy.

St Neots: Chadwick, Heal, Smith, Watkins, Marfo, Johnson, Cowling, Barker, Richard-Noel, Hammond, Amu (E) Subs: Sutton (for Hammond 59 mins), Amu (A) (for Amu (E) 69 mins), Rider (for Heal 79 mins), Anderson. Thomas, Tsaguim, and Peacock.

Cards: Sutton (RED – 81 mins), Heal (Y – 63 mins) Goals: none Bedford: Street, Richardson, Miccio, Brown, Sanders, Alban-Jones, Tomlinson, Donnelly, Howe, Setchell, Walker Subs: Steele (for Walker 53 mins), Mackail-Smith (for Howe 53 mins), Harriott (for Donnelly 74 mins), Mahanzu, Page, Summerfield, and Duffy.

Cards: Sanders (RED – 50 mins), Setchell (Y – 45+3 mins) Goals: Sanders (12 mins), Howe (19 mins), Brown (65 mins) Referee: Philip Evans (Hornchurch) Attendance: 388 John Walker

The Saints Community Foundation Making the most of your

Community Football Club THE SAINTS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION is an independent committee who will work with St Neots Town FC on all matters relating to Community and Charitable fundraising events ST NEOTS TOWN FC is fully committed to providing use of the clubs facilities FREE OF CHARGE to help raise funds for good causes and to help drive and engage in Community initiative.

THE SAINTS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TRUST FUND. This monetary initiative will see 20% of new advertising board income gifted to The Saints Community Foundation to aid local Community initiatives and Charity Fundraising events

Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk for more information or call Louise 07753 222683

Getting a Kick Out of Physical Education Who we are....

As Qualified Sport Professionals we are dedicated

to increasing engagement and learning within school sport by using our knowledge and experience to educate staff and pupils to lead and sustain a healthy and active lifestyle.

We provide a Partnership

that is aimed to best fit and mould into your schools values and beliefs by tailoring our support to your school needs and going above and beyond to ensure your school reaches its full potential within sport and physical educations.

We offer continued support and development

from our staff members who are continuingly learning and adapting to the ever changing world of physical education amongst children. We look to work with staff on everything from the planning process, health and safety, and delivery to boost your staff’s confidence and understanding.

We achieve high Standards

through being punctual and professional at all times. Sticking to our own “BE ACTIVE” rules along with adhering to your schools behaviour codes of conduct.

ACTIVE CHALLENGE

BE ACTIVE

We continuing to emphasise this when we deliver any activity in school.

We keep “BE ACTIVE” visible for pupils to see so they can follow and abide by the “BE ACTIVE” principles

We Are Approachable, we

TEAM IMPROVE VERSATILE ENVIROMENT

are always open to new ideas, sharing our facilities, staff and contacts to best improve or provide for your schools sporting needs.

ACTIVE: getting your body and your mind working through exercise CHALLENGE: Taking risks and trying to push yourself TEAM: Supporting each other, working together and sharing idea’s IMPROVE: Learning and developing physical skills and understanding VERSATILE: Trying something new and different ENVIROMENT: Being Happy and having fun

Visit wwwstneotstownfc.co.uk for more information on how we can work with you, your school and your pupils

THURLOW NUNN YOUTH LEAGUE WEST DIVISION ST NEOTS TOWN U18

14

THETFORD TOWN U18

1

St Neots U18 side kicked off their season in style by thrashing Divisional newcomers Thetford U18 by fourteen goals to one. Six different players featured on the scoresheet for the home side as they recorded their highest ever Thurlow Nunn league victory. Ironically the second half substitutes scored more goals than those who started the match, many of whom were replaced by the substitutes. As they are an age-group side there are bound to be multiple changes season to season but a quick glance at the records shows that only seven of the sixteen players (including substitutes) played for the side last season.

An explosive start saw St Neots take the lead after just twelve seconds as the visitors kicked off and dithered in defence allowing Alfie Carberry to steal the ball and slot past the surprised visiting keeper. Three minutes later the score was doubled as Max Smalley crossed for Carberry to score from close range. Julinho Gomes then joined the party mesmerising the visiting defence to help himself to two goals after 12 and 14 minutes to maintain the pressure. When Smalley limped off injured, he was replaced by Marley Ugarte-Edwards who added a fifth goal ten minutes after he appeared. It could have been even more goals as Carberry was tripped in the area but from his spot kick, he saw the under-siege visiting goalkeeper save his tamely struck penalty kick five minutes before the break.

Gomes completed his hat trick after 52 minutes taking advantage of an unkind rebound off the goalkeepers’ body to make it 6-0 and then St Neots sent on their substitutes to ‘freshen up’ their attack. Substitute Joseph Jackson increased the lead but then visiting striker Herdul Datocampol defiantly snatched a consolation goal for the visitors after 64 minutes. However, that was as good as it got for the Norfolk visitors with Ugarte-Edwards and Charlie Clark adding further goals to make it 9-1. The final eight minutes saw one-way traffic towards the Thetford goal with five further goals added from Clark, Max Kimpton, Jackson, and Ugarte-Edwards (2).

St Neots: Anthony, Hargreaves, Thomas, Nshangalume, Perry, Plummer, Smalley, Clark, Carbery, Kobus, Gomes Subs used: Ugarte-Edwards, Musgrove, Kimpton Jackson, Addai Cards: none Referee: Paul Dobbs (John Walker)

HISTORY – KIDLINGTON Kidlington FC was founded in 1909 & played local village football up to the 2nd world war. Success was slow in coming & records show that the club’s first trophy was achieved in 1929, when Fritwell were defeated 2-1 in the Lord Jersey Cup Final on the Bicester Town ground. The Lord Jersey Cup was a competition highly prized among the villages in the Cherwell Valley & rivalry was so keen that players had to prove they were residents of the village for whom they played.

In 1945, Kidlington moved from village football to play in the Oxford City Junior League, where they had a good deal of success in both league & cup. By 1951 they were looking for stronger teams to play & entered the Oxfordshire Senior League, where competition was provided by the likes of Witney Town, Morris Motors, Pressed Steel & Thame United.

In 1953 The Hellenic League was formed. The Oxon Senior League immediately lost some of its stronger clubs to the new league. Kidlington won the Senior League title that season & joined the new league in 1954. Early days in the Hellenic League showed quite clearly the difference in standard but Kidlington settled to finish just above the bottom two places! Regular faces in the Kidlington team of this period were stalwarts like the goalkeeper North, Fred Treble & probably the best centre-half not to have played League football Jim Brennan. Kidlington maintained a Premier Division place for a time but spent most of the sixties in Division One. The eighties saw Kidlington back in Division One, the County Cup [Oxon Senior Cup] had generally produced few consistent performances, other than in 198384 when Kidlington were 5 minutes away from a place in the final.

Unfortunately, Oxford City were given a lifeline & won comfortably in extra time.

The early nineties were steady, but we never threatened the championship.

Season 1994-95 saw some silverware at last, the Reserves managed by Martin Baker did the league & cup double. The next few seasons saw an upturn in the club’s fortunes when Manager Karl Grossmann assembled a formidable tough tackling side that finished in the top 6 of Division One in four successive seasons. During the late nineties we entered a newly formed third team into the Oxford Senior League. This produced some fine players who worked their way into the Reserves & First teams. After a few seasons though, they broke away to set up their own club (Kidlington Old Boys).

The new millennium brought with it a major overhaul to the committee & with it a new Chairman in Geoff Talboys. The 2004-05 season, under the guidance of Kevin Walton saw the first team finish in third place in the League & were promoted back into the Hellenic Premier Division and with the Reserves playing in the top Reserve Division, the club was again competing at a top level. Many facility improvements were carried out to enable the club’s promotion; this was achieved with the assistance of a “Football Foundation” grant & an awful lot of effort from Committee, Managers, Players & Supporters.

In 2012/13 a new first team manager in Ex-Oxford United striker Paul Berry was installed. However, he resigned after only three matches to pursue alternative opportunities. Gordon Geary and his previous backroom staff were persuaded to come out of retirement and were re-appointed during the second week of the season. During the summer break the club installed Martin Wilkinson as 1st team manager for season 2013-14 and we finished 6th in the league, making clubs history with its highest position, also reaching the Senior Cup Final again after beating Oxford United in the Semis. Unfortunately, once again we lost, this time to fellow Hellenic side Ardley United.

Season 2014-15 saw Martin Wilkinson again at the helm assisted by Paul Harwood. The team finished in their highest league position of 4th place after topping the table for several weeks. Our reserves finished as runners up in Div 2 West. For the first time the club also ran a Ladies team who were entered into the Thames Valley Ladies League, they did exceptionally well, winning the league and cup double.

The season 2015-16 again saw Wilkinson in charge assisted by Julian McCalmon and coaches Paul Harwood and Jermaine McSporron. Season 2015-16 was undoubtedly the best season in the clubs 108 years history, in fact a dream come true for everyone at KFC. Manager Martin Wilkinson and his management team of Paul Harwood, Julian McCalmon and Jermaine McSporran led our 1st team to the Hellenic League Premier Division Championship. The club also had our best-ever runs in both the FA Vase, where we reached the last 8, before bowing out to Bowers & Pitsea after a replay, coupled with a very healthy run in the FA Cup, losing eventually to conference side Gloucester City. Truly our best-ever season by some margin.

Season 2016-17 Wilkinson led the side as we embarked on our 1st season at level 4 of the football pyramid in the Evo-Stick League Division One Central.

For season 2017-18 because of geographical restrictions Kidlington 1st team were transferred across to the Evo-Stik League South-West. The club were fortunate to retain the services of McCalmon as manager and he had Jermaine McSporran & Rhys Denton as his assistants.

Both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons were uncompleted due to COVID-19 so we look forward to a completed season in 2021/22.

Christian Lawrence Age 25 Signed from Ardley United , Christian proved to be a solid shot stopper, who possesses excellent handling. A technically solid goalkeeper and positive influence in the dressing room.

Mark Flanagan Age 32 Flanny is an energetic full back, who reads the game really well. A good character and experienced at this level. Previously played for Swindon Supermarine and Wantage Town.

Dec Peart Age 24 Powerful centre back who rarely gets flustered.

Dan West Age 26 A huge talent. Strong and dominant in the air and technically very good. Previously with Oxford City Nomads and Ardley United.

Ryan Markham Age 28 'Titch' has Southern League experience with Wantage Town and Didcot Town,.

Energetic midfielder or full back with a great engine and good range of passing.

Harry Sturgess Age 20 Young left back previously with Heyford Athletic and a product of the Procision Oxford Football Academy.

Tom Moore Age 26 Cultured midfielder who reads the game well. Made the step up from the development team and excelled during the last two curtailed seasons.

Lewis Gabbidon Age 32 Club Captain Gabby's former clubs include Banbury United, Marlow and North Leigh. The central midfielder is a vital part of our side and sets the tone with his work rate and quality.

Jack Dunmall Age 31 A cultured midfielder, JD joined us from Easington Sports. Previously he was a key part of Wantage Town’s squad and has played for Kidlington before.

Connor Mattimore Age 28 Connor is an attacking player with pace and an eye for goal. Connor previously won the Hellenic League with Wantage, scoring 11 goals. He then joined Didcot Town before moving to Kidlington.

Billy Gillett Age 25 An attacking midfielder with great technical ability, Billy joined from North Leigh two seasons ago. Previous clubs also include Oxford City and Ardley United.

Liam Gilbert Age 32 Central midfielder signed from Winchester City. Approaching 200 Southern League appearances. Good quality on the ball and an excellent communicator.

Steve Robertson Age 32 Steve is a prolific goal scorer who scored an impressive 82 goals in 105 games at our management teams previous club, Wantage Town. Robbo is a key player for us.

Jack Gaul Age 23 Jack is a quick, young midfielder who has rejoined us this season from Abingdon United.

Tom Griffiths Age 20 Tom is a composed young player with an impressive passing range. He can play comfortably in defence or midfield. Another recruit from Abingdon United.

John Mills Age 31 John is an experienced Striker signed from North Leigh. His previous clubs include Hereford Utd, Didcot Town, Banbury United, Didcot Town and Bath City.

Jordan Godfrey Age 24 Jordan is an accomplished midfielder signed this season from Ardley United.

Ryan Holmes Age 17 Ryan is a young striker who has joined us on Work Experience from MK Dons

Saints Match day gallery by

Official Media Sponsors

Official Benchwear Suppliers

Official Club Kit Suppliers

The Southern League Division One Central

Manager – Peter Gill Assistant - Sean Greygoose GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kitman - Mick Hunt Squad List Louis Chadwick George Whitehall Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite Lee Watkins (c) Callum Anderson Joe Rider Neo Richard-Noel Myles Cowling Wynford Marfo Arel Amu Erin Amu Charlie Johnson Joe Sutton Lawrence Hammond Charley Barker Aaron Smith Ryan Thomas Harvey Steel Florian Tsaguim Ben Heal Peter Gill Colours Navy/Light Blue quarters Dark blue short Light blue socks

Manager – Ben Sadler Assistant - Paul Braithwaite Coach - Callum Wright Coach - Mark Massingham G/K Coach - Nick Lacey Physio - Shannon Crawford Asst Physio - Steve Kenny Kit Man - Adam Wareham Squad List Christian Lawrence Liam Gilbert Mark Flanagan Lewis Gabbidon (C) Dec Peart Dan West Connor Mattimore Tom Moore John Mills Steve Robertson Billy Gillett Ryan Holmes Jordan Godfrey Ryan Markham Jack Dunmall Tom Griffiths Colours Orange Shirts Black Shorts Orange Socks

Match Officials Ref Lee Hartley Asst 1 Oliver Potter Asst 2 Simon Lilley

Next Match V Kempston Rovers (A) Monday 30th Aug 3.00 pm KO Gates open 1.30pm

Next Home Match V Barton Rovers Tuesday 14th Sept 7.45 pm KO Gates Open 6.30pm