The Official Matchday Magazine
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Saturday 31st August 2013 Kick-Off 3pm
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WELCOME
Welcome to Rowley Park - The Cozy Stadium and to the latest edition of the Saints Matchday Magazine, enjoy great football, great hospitality and a great read. Inside This Issue
Club Honours
03 Manager’s Notes
24
The Beautiful Game
04 Action Replay
25
Fan Feature
Southern Football League
05 Uhlsport Feature
28
Managing Directors’ Views
Division One champions, 1 time
06 SNT News
30/31
Mascot Feature
United Counties League
08/09 Match Reports
32
Game For A Laugh
10/11 Player Profile
33
Fixtures Matrix
12 Greenies Greetings
35
Fixtures Information
Premier Division champions, 2 times Division One champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 2 times
13 Club Merchandise
37
The Non-League Paper
Metropolitan League
15 Advertising Prices
38
League Focus
16 A Blast From The Past
39
Fellow Club News
17 Chairmans’ View
40/41
Season Statistics
Champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 1 time Professional Cup winners, 1 time
18/21 Redditch United Feature
42
League Table
22/23 Pull Out Poster
44
The Teams
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Chairman Mike Kearns Managing Director Lee Kearns Football Manager Iain Parr Club Secretary Gary Wilson Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard Treasurer Keith Gotch Life President John Walker Life Vice-Presidents Ena Kester Jack Blyth Mel Hancock Ken Harris David Mackian Terry Reedman Stuart Walters
Champions, 1 time Huntingdonshire League Champions, 4 times
Club Officials Owner Mike Kearns
South Midlands League
Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Team Officials Andy Davies (First Team Coach) Richard King (Goalkeeping Coach)
Club Photographer Claire Howes Assistant Photographer Paulo Soares
Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt
Programme Sales Charlie Green
Physio Carol Holland St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley Club Merchandise Linda Walters Programme Editor Mark Davies Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green
Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson Pitchcare Working Turf 200 Club Stuart Walters
Winners, 37 times Hinchingbrooke Cup Winners, 2 times
Club Information Founded 1879 The Cozy Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone
Design & Marketing Blueprawn
01480 470012
Print XL Press Limited
enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk
Email Official Website www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Forum www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum
MANAGER’S NOTES All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
100%
Effort Needed By Everyone
Ian Parr
Welcome to officials, players and supporters of Redditch United It’s been a tough start to the season and I expected nothing else from this league, every team is capable of winning on their day which makes every Saturday a challenge.
100% by all As manager of this football club I accept full responsibility for the actions and performances of my players on the pitch providing that 100% effort and commitment is shown by all of them, I’m confident today we will see that effort and take all 3 points. All the players are digging in and working hard
As manager of this football club I accept full responsibility for the actions and performances of my players on the pitch providing that 100% effort and commitment is shown by all of them in training and I’m sure this will filter through to match days. All the players are responding to my messages but these things take time and let’s remember how young this group are and the long term plan to develop youth through the ranks
which is well and truly underway. Get behind the lads again today as your support so far this season has been 2nd to none.
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
How, what, where and when The bank holiday home defeat by Cambridge City needs to be another lesson learnt very quickly, we have a footballing philosophy at this club but it will take time for the group to come round and gel on match days. There are crucial times during the game when we have understand when to play and where to play and when and how to relieve pressure and regroup. We have a young squad and this will all come with the experience they are gaining with every training session .
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Slow Coach On Saturday we encountered a four and a half hour coach trip and a delayed kick off away to Bashley to record our first win of the season, after going a goal behind we regrouped at half time and played 8 minutes of free flowing attacking football scoring 3 times. After a frank and honest discussion at half time the players lost their bus legs and responded in the best way possible. The journey home was made more enjoyable (or not) listening to Bobby and Dion sing to a song of their choice, I’m sure Joe will step up to the plate when his time comes.
‘Parry’
03
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ACTION REPLAY
04
On This Week Seven Years Ago Saturday 2nd September 2006 FA Cup Preliminary Round St Neots Town 2
Brackley Town 2
St Neots confounded expectations by producing their best performance so far this season to draw with higher graded Brackley Town and earn a midweek FA Cup replay. It was a game largely spoiled by the wind but great credit is due to both sets of players for their perseverance in the extreme conditions. St Neots played the first half with wind advantage and it was in this period where all the goals and most of the notable action occurred.The second half proved more sterile with St Neots defending with great determination and they could even have sneaked a win when Gary walker appeared to be denied a justifiable penalty kick with twelve minutes remaining. With lynch pin Jon Hoggett out with a hamstring injury Steve Kuhne chose to move back into defence and bring in Ashley Deverall playing him in a withdrawn midfield role. With five in midfield St Neots looked capable of restricting the Brackley attacking moves but this left Gary Walker as a lone front runner. Regardless of this St Neots had the first two real chances and after Deverall had shot over the bar the hosts took the lead after 12 minutes. Gary Walker set up the move with a shrewd pass inside the final defender and Mark Franklin sprinted through to score with a crisp shot. However the lead lasted just 40 seconds for Brackley hit back when Steve Kuhne misjudged a defensive header and the visitors levelled with a freak goal as a shot from Tom Winters going well wide hit a swirl of wind and curved around the helpless Martin Patching to deflect in off the far post. Brackley seemed buoyed by this and Nicky Hurst had to clear off the line from Robbie Beard and Elliott Sandy
brought a sharp save from Patching. On the break visiting keeper Richard Knight saved full length from Gary Walker but nine minutes before the break Brackley crept ahead when Patching pushed a snap shot from Les Hines on to a post and Robbie Beard followed up to tap in the rebound. Back came St Neots and five minutes later equalised with the best goal of the games as Scott Grant delivered a flighted cross to the head of Gary Walker who finished off well to send the sides in all square at the break. Matt Endersby volleyed over the bar but it was Brackley who had the better of the early part of the second half with Craig Farley going close and substitute Matt Murphy twice testing Patching. With twelve minutes left the hard working Gary Walker burst into the area and looked to be baulked by Martin Brown but the Referee waved away penalty appeals and the remainder of the game saw the visitors on top. Murphy and Farley were both thwarted by saves by Patching and in injury time from a Hines corner Murphy won the ball but headed against the crossbar. St Neots overall performance fully justified their second chance in midweek. St Neots: Patching, Grant, Lawes, Dear, Hurst, Deverall, Franklin, Claridge (Jordan 86 mins), Kuhne, Walker (Murray 86 mins), Endersby. Goals: Franklin (12 mins), Walker (41 mins) Subs not used: Sommers, Hunt and Fox Saints man of the match: Ashley Deverall
Uhlsport In Association With RAM Sports Are The Proud Technical Teamwear Supplier To St Neots Town FC To view the full 2013-14 Uhlsport Teamsport Range visit
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CLUB NEWS
06
Official Club News Feed
Never miss a thing relating to St. Neots Town Football Club! For those of you who aren’t online much then the Saints Matchday Magazine will always bring you the latest news so that you are bang up-to-date.
Our range of Club Merchandise continues to grow We now have a consignment of Pin Badges and Mugs, both carrying the New Club Crest, in stock in our Merchandise Kiosk. The pin badges, which are made of high-quality metal and finished in a high gloss detail, come with either a ‘butterfly’ fixing or ‘safety pin’ style fixing on the rear. They are sure to be a hit with both our own supporters and visiting fans alike and are priced at just £3.00 Our Tea/Coffee Mugs are available at £4.50 and carry a high definition image of our Crest. What better way to enjoy your cuppa? Get yours today! If you are interested in these items, or any of our other merchandise, please give Linda or Stuart a visit on matchdays or visit our online store at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/club-shop
A Progressive Club Leads to a ‘Proper Pint’ As a progressive Club which is receptive to Its supporters’ requests and ideas, we are now trialling sales of locally brewed CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ales) Accreditted Real Ales. The Ales, brewed by The Draycott Brewery, a small micro brewery based at Low Farm, Mill Road in the Cambridgeshire village of Buckden, near St Neots, are sold in FULL PINT bottles, will cost £3.50 each and we will be selling four different varieties. So, if you’re a fan of your Real Ales, please give them a try and support this new venture. Sales so far have been very encouraging.
For more information on the Draycott Brewery visit www.draycottbrewery.co.uk
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MATCH REPORT
08
Calor League Premier Division Bashley Road (Att 209) Saturday 24th August 2013 - Kick Off 15:00 - Referee Ben Cobb (Poole)
Bashley FC Odam pen (17 mins) n Strickland (67) n Richardson (I) (54) n Sills (77) n Morris (85)
1:3
St Neots Town Benjamin 2 (48, 52 mins), Hilliard pen (56 mins) n Heath (17) n Hilliard (27) n Rodgers (82)
Collins, Stephenson, Farren, Richardson (I), Middleton, Richardson (S), Casey, Strickland, Sills, Odam, Satterley
Heath, Rodgers, Steer, Sear, Sharman, Crowie, Hilliard, Fuller, Benjamin, Adjei, Taylor.
Subs: Morris (for Farren 24 mins), Brookes (for Satterley 86 mins), Gazzard, Kearn and Thomas.
Subs: Sembie-Ferris (for Fuller 76 mins), Safee, Wood and King
After a poor first half performance a half time transformation propelled St Neots off the mark for their first league points of the season at Bashley. Torrential rain and exceptionally heavy Bank Holiday traffic saw their 150 miles journey take four and a half hours resulting in a delayed start until 3.25 pm. The side then conceded two penalties in a thirteen minutes first half spell and things were not looking good. However Manager Iain Parr decided drastic action was required and without altering the shape and tactics of his side he shuffled his pack resulting in half the players starting the second half in a different position! Drastic – yes – but it had the desired effect as his team scored three times in an eight minutes spell after the break to turn around their 0-1 deficit to a winning margin. Shuffling the pack The principle changes saw Ryan Sharman moved from defence to midfield, Lewis Hilliard moved from wide to an attacking front role and Ed Adjei shifted back to his move familiar full back position. Bashley lost their shape and discipline resulting in the sending off of Brad Strickland dismissed for a straight red card tackle on Adrian Sear and St Neots coasted through the final twenty minutes never looking likely to conceded further goals. Man of the match Joe Benjamin scored twice and was a constant thorn in the side of the home defence.
An early corner for St Neots saw Sear head narrowly over the bar but it was the home side who settled to dominate proceedings. Josh Casey sent a free kick just over the bar and Daniel Heath saved well from Tim Sills but after 17 minutes an under hit back pass by Paul Rodgers let in Jack Satterley and as he tried to round Heath the keeper brought his down and for the second time in three matches looked fortunate to get away with only a yellow card. Jack Odam tucked away the resultant penalty to give Bashley the lead and the home Manager was red carded for his abuse towards the official for not sending off the goalkeeper. On the half hour an innocuous challenge by Ryan Sharman resulted in a second penalty award but to St Neots relief Odam’s second effort rebounded from a post to be cleared. St Neots almost levelled when a narrow angled shot by the hard working Bobby-Joe Taylor was cleared off the line by Gary Middleton with his keeper beaten but St Neots main
threat came from Joe Benjamin who chased everything up front. Change in fortunes The half time turnaround in both personnel and fortune soon saw St Neots take over control. Casey headed off the line from Taylor and then a delightful through pass from Sharman played Joe Benjamin clear of the defence and he netted with a low left footed shot after 48 minutes. Four minutes later Benjamin was on target again to ease Neots into the lead as he finished off a pass from Lewis Hilliard. Home keeper Chad Collins then made the save of the match to deny Hilliard but the made up for his disappointment when he stroked home a 56th minute penalty kick after Benjamin had been upended. At 3-1 St Neots looked comfortable and even more so after 67 minutes when Strickland saw red. Benjamin was denied a hat trick when Collins pushed his rising shot for a corner and St Neots gave a Southern League debut to teenager Dion Sembie-Ferris who replaced Ashley Fuller. More St Neots chances followed but by now Bashley was concentrated more on defence and apart from another Collins save from Benjamin there was little more to report. John Walker
MATCH REPORT
Rowley Park - The Cozy Stadium (Att 451) Monday 26th August 2013 - Kick Off 15:00 - Referee Martyn Holmes (Ely)
St Neots Town Sear (32 mins) n Steer (23) n Davies (27) Heath, Rodgers, Adjei, Sear, Crowie, Steer, Hilliard, Sharman, Benjamin, Davies, Taylor. Subs: Nkinga (for Sharman 46 mins), Fuller (for Adjei 77 mins), Palmer, Wood and Conroy.
1:2
Cambridge City Dawkin (31 mins), Abbs (88 mins) n Ramm (20) n Farrell (59) n Brighton (59) n Chaffey (65) Barrett, Ramm, Brighton, Lawton, Chaffey, Farrell, Lewis, Allen (L), Beech, Bacon, Dawkin. Subs: Beasant (for Beech 68 mins), Bossman (K) (for Bacon 76 mins), Abbs (for Dawkin 80 mins), Allen (A) and Bossman (A).
A shirt sleeved Bank Holiday crowd of 451 basked in the sunshine but one half of them were destined to go home disappointed. Both sides started at a lively pace and although clear cut chances were at an early premium there was plenty of end to end action to entertain. Lewis Hilliard starting up front flicked a Joe Benjamin cross just over the far whilst Ben Farrell brought a full length save from Daniel Heath. With Zac Barrett off his line Hilliard tried an outrageous chip from 55 yards that sailed just wide and then a Jay Davies free kick skimmed the crossbar. A couple of early bookings signalled the competitive nature of the match and after 29 minutes a
St Neots decided on a half time change with Jordy Nkinga coming on for Ryan Sharman in defence and Ed Adjei moving up front. In the first minutes after the restart the unsighted Daniel Heath did well to get down to save a low shot just inside the near post by Dawkin. Three minutes later Cambridge could have been ahead when Chris Bacon was played clear of the St Neots defence and he beat Heath to the ball but off balance he could only chip wide of a yawning net. St Neots then settled to their best spell of the match playing
attractive approach football but not adding the final touch in front of goal. The hardworking Benjamin twice went past defenders – the first time bringing a full length save from Barrett and the second time firing wide. The Cambridge defence looked suspect under pressure and had three of its number booked by the Referee as a series of free kicks were conceded and after 65 minutes Barrett became his sides’ saviour with an inspired double save getting down to smother a Bobby-Joe Taylor free kick before saving at point black range from Sear. Two more chances for Benjamin went begging – the first a shot pushed for a corner and the second placed wide. Cambridge sent on two front substitutes and with almost his first touch Kelvin Bossman was clean through but shot wide. The same player then set up his fellow substitute Nick Beasant but he too was off target as Cambridge mounted a late challenge. With two minutes left St Neots chose to play the ball from the back rather than clearing their lines and Jay Davies was caught in possession and the ball was squared to the third substitute Joey Abbs and he finished with a crisp shot from 25 yards to earn all three points for the visitors. John Walker
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
low snap shot by Hilliard was only a foot wide with Barrett stranded. Two minutes later a well taken goal put the visitors ahead as full back Jackson Ramm sent a fifty yard pass over the defence and inside the full back for Josh Dawkin to time his run to perfection as he collected the ball to score in on the far post with a low shot. However inside a minute St Neots were back on terms as Paul Rodgers cross from the right was met by the head of Benjamin on the far post and he cushioned the ball into the path of Adrian Sear who scored from close range. That brief spell summed up the best of the first half action although Luke Allen sent a flashing shot just wide eight minutes before the break.
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With just two minutes left in an entertaining and competitive match St Neots pressed the ‘self destruct’ button to hand neighbours Cambridge City the three points and their first league victory of the season.
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Calor League Premier Division
09
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PLAYER PROFILE
10
Dan Crowie Dan is 19 years old and was signed at the beginning of season 2013. Having starting his career at Luton Town his last club was Kettering Town where he was very impressive in the games against us. A very strong center half Dan, has so far in pre-season and the start of this campaign and seems to have made the position his own.
PLAYER PROFILE
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GREENIES GREETINGS
12
The Agony and Ecstasy of Non League Football Mike Green Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen and Welcome to Rowley Park – The Cozy Stadium for today’s Calor League Premier Division game.
of the season when we entertained Cambridge City on a very hot and sunny Bank Holiday Monday. The short sleeved crowd of 451 was treated to an entertaining, end to end game which I’m sure most people present would agree, looked most likely to end with honours even after captain Searsy had smashed home the equaliser a minute after the visitors had taken the lead with a sweet strike of their own, then we contrived to throw away the points in very disappointing fashion with just two minutes remaining when we committed defensive suicide once again. On the balance of play, we were denied at least three times by the visiting keeper so I’m sure that if we can eradicate these costly mistakes, we will be fine so stick with us, however painful it may be at times.
...from here on in, we dominated the game and the rest is history as they say and a happy trip home was had by all, buoyed by the first three points in the bag Today we extend a very warm welcome to Redditch United and hope the Players, Officials and Supporters of the ‘Reds’ have an enjoyable, if brief, stay with us before embarking on a safe journey back across into the Midlands. Holiday Emotions Well we’ve certainly experienced the agony and ecstasy of non league football over this Bank Holiday Weekend. Firstly Saturday and where do I start? Horrendous start to the trip as there seems to be some confusion over what time the coach is actually going to come and pick us up. It arrives at 10:20 and were off to pick up at Baldock, South Mimms and some lay-by off the M25 to pick up the skipper. The M25
is at a standstill with sheeting rain but after some fine driving utilising the back roads, we’re back on our way. The rest of the trip was stop/ start too and we eventually arrive at Bashley at 14:55. The match kicks off at 15:25 and it looks like it’s going to be one of those days, a goal down from the spot early on then the Ref gives another spot kick. This moment in time proved to be pivotal in the course of the game as the ball rebounded from the post and was cleared to safety and from here on in, we dominated the game and the rest is history as they say and a happy trip home was had by all, buoyed by the first three points in the bag. Derby Day Next up was our first derby game
Many Positives Thursday evening saw our Under 18s begin their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties with a home game against Chatteris Town FC here at The Cozy Stadium. Don’t forget admission is free to ALL LEAGUE games, however an admission charge will be implemented for any FA YOUTH CUP games. Too early to think Christmas? On the commercial front, we now have new pin badges in stock, carrying the new Club Crest, selling for just £3.00 as well as mugs which also carry our new crest, selling for £4.50, so if either of these items, or our other range of goods interest you, with Christmas just over the horizon, why not pay our Merchandise Kiosk a visit? Right then, on with the game and let’s get behind the boys from the off.
Be Loud...Be Proud...Be A Saint ‘Greenie’
CLUB MERCHANDISE All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Official Club Merchandise
Show Your True Colours A cracking range of merchandise is available to purchase on match days and online from our web store. Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/club-shop
Official Club Polo Shirt £20.00
Sweat Training Top £30.00
1/4 Zip Top £30.00
Rain Jacket £30.00
Managers / Coach Jacket £60.00
Track Suit Bottoms £22.00
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
Home Shorts 2012/13 £12.00
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Home Shirt 2012/13 £25.00
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JORDY NKINGA
GAIN EXPOSURE
Programme Advert for 2013/14 season
Triple exposure advertising for £800 +Vat
Mono
• Half Page colour matchday magazine advert
Eighth page
£125.00 +Vat
Quarter Page
£195.00 +Vat
Half Page
£475.00 +Vat
Half Page
£325.00 +Vat
Full Page
£600.00 +Vat
Colour
• 8x3 ISSI 3G Arena advertising board
Enjoy the Matchday Experience Matchday Sponsorship £100 +Vat (for the one game of your choice) Includes: • Matchday programme advert half page • Four complimentary Matchday tickets • Matchday Hospitality
Advertising Boards around the stadium pitch for one calendar year 8x3 Advertising Board
£350.00 +Vat
16x3 Advertising Board
£600.00 +Vat
These boards will offer maximum exposure during the season and with the ground share agreement with St Neots Town Saints FC you get double exposure. Your advert will also go into our Business Partner page on our bespoke website and you will also be able to take advantage of our membership data base by offering members specific monthly offers or promotions.
• Free Programme
Match ball sponsorship £50 (for the game of your choice) Includes: • Matchday programme acknowledgement • Two complimentary Matchday tickets • Matchday Hospitality • Free Programme
8x3 Advertising Board
£250.00 +Vat
16x3 Advertising Board
£450.00 +Vat
These boards offer year round exposure and are visible to all that visit Rowley Park. The ISSI 3G Arena is home to St Neots Town Saints FC Grassroots and Development Squads, The Norwich City FC Academy Hub as well as general public use.
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Advertising Boards around the ISSI 3G Arena for one calendar year
Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC
The advert will run in both the St Neots Town FC and the St Neots Town Saints matchday magazine throughout the 2013-2014 season.
• 8x3 Pitchside advertising board (including website advert and membership data base exposure via monthly offers)
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2013-2014 Advertising Prices
For more information contact the Football Club on 01480 470012 or email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk
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A BLAST FROM THE PAST
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Ian Wright Full name: Ian Edward Wright MBE Date of birth: 03/11/1963 If you had told the 21 year old Ian Wright in 1985 that he would become one of the greatest ever English goal-scorers, a household name, and be awarded an MBE he would probably have given you the same look of contempt he gave to many a referee over the years and return to plastering walls. Crystal Palace It was during his spell at Dulwich Hamlet FC that he was spotted by Crystal Palace scout Peter Prentice and was invited for a trial at Selhurst Park, where he impressed rookie manager Steve Coppell. Wright was soon a regular in the Palace first team and finished second top scorer in his first season with 9 goals. Wright’s career took another leap forward in the summer of 1986 with the arrival of Mark Bright from Leicester City. The two of them formed a formidable striking partnership and were the main factor in Palace’s forthcoming success. Arsenal Wright made an incredible start to his Arsenal career. He followed up a debut goal against Leicester in the League Cup with a hatrick in his league debut against Southampton. He was awarded the 1992 Golden Boot, after scoring 31 goals in all competitions for Palace and Arsenal. Wright’s Arsenal career faltered somewhat under the management of Bruce Rioch. Despite forging an impressive strike partnership at the start of the 1995/96 season with Dennis Bergkamp, Wright did not get on with the new manager and handed in a transfer request, which he later retracted. Although not playing every game, he still managed
15 Premier League goals as the club finished fifth. Under Arsene Wenger Wright felt much more comfortable under the Frenchman’s management and, despite now being in his midthirties, proved he was still one of the most deadly strikers in the league, scoring 28 Premier League goals that season. Wright had prepared a t-shirt with ‘179 - Just Done It’ written on it and when he scored his first he took off the Arsenal shirt to reveal it, only to discover that he had only equalled the record! Undeterred, Wright went on to score again just five minutes later and repeated the celebration. Ian Wright scored 185 goals for Arsenal in 288 games in all competitions. His record has recently been beaten by Thierry Henry but he is still regarded as a hero by Arsenal fans. Wright was Arsenal’s top scorer in his first six seasons with the club, scoring over 30 goals in five of them. England Wright played 33 times for his country and scored nine goals. His last game, and Hoddle’s, was a friendly against the Czech Republic
at Wembley in November 1999. Remarkably, he never played in a major international tournament. Later career, family and celebrity status Post-Arsenal, the remainder of Wright’s career was fairly nomadic. After scoring nine goals in his first season for West Ham, he struggled to get into the team the following season and had spells at Nottingham Forest, Celtic and Burnley before retiring in the summer of 2000 aged 37. After his retirement from football, Wright has become something of a celebrity. He is a regular pundit for England matches on Match Of The Day, where he has gained popularity for his straight-forward talking style and unerring patriotism. He also has a show on TalkSport radio and has appeared on popular programmes such as Top Gear, Big Brother Celebrity Hijack and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. He also fronted a campaign to tackle child obesity and is a patron of the AfricanCaribbean Leukaemia Trust.
Career Appearances: 526 International Caps: 33 Goals Scored: 313 All Trophies Won: 6 Career Highlight: Wright was awarded the MBE for his services to football in 2000.
CHAIRMAN’S VIEWS All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
An Indifferent Start Mike Kearns Good afternoon to the officials, player and supporters of Redditch for today’s game. An indifferent start to the season one win and three loses. Looking at the teams we have lost to both Weymouth and Stourbridge are among the favourites to win this division and Cambridge City will always be a close game as most derby games are.
We are a very young squad and we are learning very fast. Long-Term Programme Iain gets very frustrated at times but the message I always relay to him that this is a long-term programme and it is impossible to get to where we want to quickly unless we spend a lot of money. Well we have been there and will not go there again.
230 young footballers are on their books, that is an amazing amount of footballers for a club to look after, but they know exactly what they are doing and that can only be good for the club long term. Looking Back So sometimes when I get a little disappointed and that can always happen in football I just look at where we were a few years ago and where we are now. It is good to read some of John walker’s action replay reports on
historic matches and see what has been achieved. Kind Words I still pinch myself when I see our name come up on Sky Sports and think of some of our older supporters who I doubt thought that something like that would ever happen to their club. Speaking to Gary Roberts the manager of Cambridge City before our game he looked out at the pitch and stadium in general and said ‘Mike don’t stop what you are trying to do as a club and a team because I have
never seen any club in non league do what you are attempting. knowing the people I have met at this club you just might get there.’ Kevin Stetchell the Chairman asked me about the pitch because they are trying to get their new stadium under way, and he said ‘the trouble about playing at Rowley park on that pitch is that you only get the one opportunity each season’. Kind words indeed from one of our local rivals.
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
The youth system is up and running and I was invited to attend the Youth / Saints committee meeting last week. I did not know just how hard they all work and how many young footballers at youth and grassroots level they cater for.
I still pinch myself when I see our name come up on Sky Sports and think of some of our older supporters who I doubt thought that something like that would ever happen to their club.
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Loosing two of those games very late on was disappointing as we deserved at least a draw, but this is a league that if you do not concentrate for the whole game you will get punished.
All for one and one for all. Mike
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OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT
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Redditch United
The Reds
Redditch did a Houdini act to survive relegation by one point back in April. They played cat and mouse with relegation last season finding themselves in deep trouble in January and February when they occupied the second relegation spot ahead of doomed Kettering Town but they rallied to finish a point clear of Bedworth who accompanied the Poppies in the drop. Year Founded: 1891 Chairman: Chris Swan
Club Website: www.redditchutdfc.co.uk
Previous Meetings: St Neots Town 1 – 2 Redditch United Redditch United 1 – 0 St Neots Town (02/02/13)
A special welcome to our visitors this afternoon for our next match in the Premier Division of the Southern League. We have pleasure in welcoming back the players, officials and supporters of Redditch to St Neots who were midweek visitors to this stadium last year, won by the odd goal in three and then completed a league double later in the season in the return match. Redditch was one of six Premier Division sides to record that distinction last season. Now in their third season in the Calor Southern Premier Division, Redditch have struggled to find their feet since their relegation from the Conference North and this season are playing under a new Player/Manager Liam McDonald and we wish him well (after 4.50 p.m. this afternoon). They kicked off
their campaign two weeks ago with a 3-1 home defeat by Arlesey before a midweek visit to Bedford Town to record a creditable 2-1 victory thanks to a 90th minute winner from Patterson. Last weekend they came up against our recent opposition travelling to Weymouth prior to their Bank Holiday home match with Stourbridge.
Club History Redditch Town was established in 1891 and immediately joined the Birmingham Combination, where they played for a single season. The club achieved its first success
by winning the Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1894 and becoming runners-up in 1898. In 1914 they won the Birmingham Combination Championship for the first time and, finally, the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1925. The 1930s were a much more rewarding period for the club and its supporters, starting by winning the Worcestershire Senior Cup and the Birmingham Senior Cup in successive seasons. Reds almost achieved a notable double in 1932–33 when, having won the Combination, they were defeated in the Senior Cup Final. Apart from an unsuccessful appearance in the Birmingham Senior Cup final just before the World War, Reds moved into a fallow period. In 1953 Redditch regained the Combination Championship and was runners-up in the Worcestershire Senior Cup. This Championship success was repeated in 1955. In 1957 they were runners-up in the Birmingham Senior Cup. In 1971–72 the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 6–0 in the replay at Peterborough United after a 1–1 draw at home in front of a crowd of 4,500. At the end of the season they finished sixth in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division and joined Division One North of the Southern League. They won the Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1974 and 1975. The following season they won Division One North and were promoted to the Premier Division. In 1978–79 they finished eighth in the league and became founder members of the Alliance Premier League (now the Football Conference). However, they
OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT
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The Valley Stadium
Concession: (over 65’s, students)
£6
Capacity: 5000 Disabled Access: Yes
Child: Under 16yrs
£2
Adult:
Car Parking: Per Car
£1
In 1997–98 the Reds reached two cup finals, the Southern League Cup and the Birmingham Senior Cup. Both were lost, and the cup run caused a large fixture backlog that resulted in the club having to play nine matches in nine days at the end of the season. In 2003–04 the club won the Southern League Western Division. Due to league
re-organisation caused by the establishment of the Conference North and South, the club entered play-offs to be promoted to the new leagues. After beating King’s Lynn 1–0 and Merthyr Tydfil 3–0 the club was promoted to the Conference North. After a ninth-place finish in 2004–05, Redditch struggled in 2005–06, only avoiding relegation on the final day of the season. Although they won the Worcester Senior Cup beating local rivals Worcester City the following year, they only avoided relegation again after Scarborough received a 10-point penalty for going into administration. After a very difficult 2010–11 campaign in the Conference North Redditch was relegated to the Southern League Premier Division.
Last Season At Home St Neots Town 1-2 Redditch Utd St Neots Scorer: Ben Mackey Redditch Scorers: Andy Grandison, Connor Deards Notable Moment: Ed Adjei’s first start for St Neots Away Redditch Utd 1-0 St Neots Town Redditch Scorers: William Richards Notable Moment: Arthur Lee sent off – St Neots played last 30 mins with ten men.
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finished bottom in its first season and dropped into the Southern League’s Midland Division. After finishing as runners-up in 1985–86 the club was promoted to the Premier Division, where they remained until relegation in 1989. The following season they reached the first round of the FA Cup losing 3–1 to Merthyr Tydfil. At the end of the season they beat Northwich Victoria 4–3 over the two-legged final of the Staffordshire Senior Cup.
In 1971–72 the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 6–0 in the replay at Peterborough United after a 1–1 draw at home in front of a crowd of 4,500.
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Admission Prices
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WHO’S WHO
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Who calls the shots?... Liam McDonald First Team Manager Liam McDonald takes charge of Redditch United in his first senior managerial role this season as player manager. Liam has played for Redditch United for the previous two seasons; Liam has also had spells with Tamworth and Kettering. Liam is currently working towards his UEFA B Level 2 and coaches the Academy team for NEW College in Redditch.
Sam Hornby Goalkeeper Sam at 18 year old stands at 6’ 4” tall and is extremely confident on crosses along with tactical awareness and shot stopping making Sam a great addition to the squad this year. Sam joins the Reds this season from Hednesford Town and previously Burton Albion.
Troy Larrissy-Hinds Defender Troy joins this season from One Hundred Acre. Troy is an extremely confident Centre Back who is comfortable in possession and strong in the air. Troy’s previous clubs include Castle Vale and Rushall Olympic.
Joel Caines Defender Joel, at 17 joins this season from Walsall FC. Joel had four years working his way through the Walsall Youth Academy and is a quick left back who likes to press forward at every opportunity.
agile defender who has previously been on youth development with Walsall and also played football for the Army.
Jordan Anderson Defender Jordan joins this season from Halesowen Town. Jordan has played in the FA Youth Cup and also Bilston’s league team of the Season
Rikki Bains Defender Rikki has joined this season from Coventry Academy. The 25 year old Centre Half is a pacey organised player. Rikki’s previous clubs include Coventry, Accrington Stanley, Macclesfield, Darlington and Tamworth.
Charlie Reece Midfielder At 24 Charlie is a fantastically experienced player who is exciting to watch. The versatile midfielder has had eight years with Aston Villa as well as six years as a professional at Bristol Rovers before moving on to Worcester City.
Jack Wilson
Leavi Oshungbure
Defender
Midfielder Jack is a product of the youth academy joining from the Reserves. Jack is a tough tackling,
Leavi is also a product of our Youth Academy making his second full season in the first team.
Leavi has a great engine and superb spacial awareness in the middle of the park. Leavi has previously been on youth development with Leicester and played for England School Boys.
Danny Brain Midfielder Jordan joins this season from Birmingham City Youth Academy. The talented 17 year old’s previous honours include U18’s Youth Cup Final and a proud member of Birmingham City, Derby County and Burton Albion youth teams.
Alex Price Midfielder Alex re-joins this season from Solihull Moors FC. Alex is a midfield dynamo who closes opponents down quickly. Alex progressed through the Birmingham Academy and has also had a short spell at Highgate United.
Dominic Oliver Midfielder Dominic is an attacking midfielder with great vision. Dominic has previously played for Aston Villa and Stoke City Colts.
WHO’S WHO
Harry Austin Defender / Winger Harry at 18, is 6’ 3” tall and is an extremely confident defender with tremendous pace who will stretch defences this season. Harry has great tactical awareness for his age along with the ability to find pin point passes and comfortable with either foot. Harry joins Redditch this season from Burton Albion after surprisingly being released.
Edwin Ahenkorah
Jamie Molyneux
Midfielder
Striker
Striker / Winger
Daniel is a 20 year old experienced midfielder joining this season from Highgate United. Daniel is a tough tackling no nonsense player who is good under pressure.
Edwin joins this season from Rocester FC. He has previously had spells at Darlaston and Birmingham City. Edwin is a physically strong and pacey attacker with a proven scoring record.
Jamie has been with West Brom and Walsall from a young age. He has also played for Stratford Town and has had trials with Aston Villa.
Passeka Kargbo
Kyle Patterson
Winger / Midfielder
Striker / Winger
Passeka is a small but extremely talented and pacey winger / midfielder. ‘Seka’ loves the ball at his feet and is very dangerous taking on and running at opponents. Passeka joins this year from Halesowen Town and his previous clubs include PSV Eindhoven.
Mark Hands Midfielder
Harvey Headley Striker Harvey has previously had spells at Longwood University, Knoxville Force, Tamworth and Solihull Moors FC.
Signed by the Baggies as a 13-yearold, his West Brom teammates included Leicester City’s Lloyd Dyer and Solihull and Redditch’s defender Phil Midworth. Patterson spent six months in Sweden before returning to the Midlands with stints at Hednesford Town, Tamworth and Nuneaton Town. After an injury-hit 12 months, he is looking forward to linking up with former Tamworth teammate McDonald.
Forward Jermaine keeps his position in the first team squad after moving up from the Reserves last season. He has previously played for Continental Stars, Birmingham City and Kidderminster Harriers.
Bradley Catlow Goalkeeper Bradley’s excellent shot stopping and all round presence will make the manager’s choice for first team keeper extremely tough this season. Brad’s previous teams include Shirley Town and Bristol Rovers Academy.
David Bridgwater Player/Coach David has returned to The Valley this season. His previous clubsinclude Preston North End FC (apprentice), Telford United FC, TNS FC and Aberystwyth Town FC.
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
Mark is starting his second season at Redditch United and is an extremely hard working, tough tackler. Mark has reached the FA Cup 1st round with Evesham as well as winning the Birmingham Senior Cup, 2 x Worcester Senior Cup.
Kyle’s key qualities are his workrate and his finishing abilities along with plenty of experience. Kyle’s footballing journey has taken him from West Bromwich Albion to Hednesford Town via Finland, America and Sweden. He has also rubbed shoulders with a few footballing icons along the way – playing alongside David Beckham at LA Galaxy and facing Xavi and Danny Alves in a friendly in front of 90,000 fans!
Jermaine Hylton
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Daniel Pitt
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One to watch...
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THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
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Pushed To The Limits? Ade Roberts Our expectations of the players within our team are simple, we want them to give 100% in every game. We want them to challenge for every loose ball, jump the highest in an aerial battle, win every 50/50 ball and above all else, we just want three points after the whistle blows. That’s not too much to expect is it? Sometimes we’re not that fussed if we’ve not even been entertained, as long as we win, however scrappy it’s been. Sometimes [in fact most of the time] we expect the players to run the length of the pitch in attack, put in several tackles, then run back and defend without considering whether they need to draw a breath at some point! Sometimes, we have to tell ourselves that they’re not robots. Yes, we expect them to be as fit as a fiddle, after all, they train hard to enhance their bodies’ performance. We’ve all heard of players continuing to play in matches with injuries, some even have the pain-killing injections before kick-off to help them through the game. The most incredible story is that of goalkeeper Bert Trautmann who played for Manchester City from 1949 to 1964. Sadly Trautmann passed away in July of this year but City fans [and many others] remember Trautmann for playing in the FA Cup Final of 1956 with a broken neck after an earlier collision with an opposing players’ right knee. For those of you that remember the footballers of old, these were not the athletes we see in todays game. During the 60’s and 70’s it was acceptable for footballers to drink heavily and smoke 20 fags a day. They were proper ‘blokes’ back then. They didn’t bother with shin-pads or anything like that and they certainly didn’t look after themselves in the way players do nowadays. Perhaps they did go over the top with drink,
fags and gambling but most still played the game well and some went onto to earn legendary status for their football. Today’s player is a different kind of being altogether. They spend time in the gym, keep to a strict diet, drink when they’re allowed to and smoking is out of the question. Why is it then that we keep hearing about football players having heart attacks and health issues when they’re regularly tested during medicals. Are the clubs [or the individuals] pushing themselves too hard as they strive for glory on the pitch? One of the most shocking incidents in recent times was that of Bolton’s Patrick Muamba who, in March 2012, suffered a cardiac arrest during the televised FA Cup match against Tottenham. Thankfully, even though his heart stopped for over an hour he recovered but still felt it necessary to retire from professional football in the August of that year at just 24 years old. Even more rently than Muamba’s incident is that of the Ex Birmingham City Striker Christian Benitez who died of heart failure just hours after his debut for Qatari club El Jaish and he was just 27 years old.
Back in the olden days, players died, sometimes on the pitch but we need to remember, these were times when medical science was in its infancy and the nearest you’d get to an anaesthetic was to bite down hard on a towel! Players often died of tetanus, sceptic wounds, burst blood vessels, or pneumonia because of the lack of medical knowledge. Did you know that in the past, five association footballers from around the world have died from lightning strikes [two of them in the same game!] Players having heart attacks and cardiac failure is not a new phenomena by any means, there have been dozens over the years but in this day and age, whilst players look after themselves well and clubs look after their players’ welfares, the risk of heart problems should be minimised. Just remember, whilst we give the players banter from the stands, they are only human and although they [hopefully] have the same desire as us to win the game, they are skin and bone just like you or I. Here’s to victory! Ade
FAN FEATURE
Freddie Almond Welcome to our new feature “one minute with” you our supporters. A simple question and answer to give us all a chance to get to know each other. Put a name to a face, and get that face “yours” into our match day magazine. For full details see below.
I have been a most fortunate man within both my family and military life and am very proud to have served my country A professional soldier for 22 years, member of her majesty’s the queen’s guard and a drinking parent to the duke of Edinburgh. I am far too modest to inform you of my achievements but one of my proudest moments was to be described as a humanist. We can learn a lot from crayons, some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colours, but they all have to live in the same box. What changes would you make to the football club? Scoreboard, All red on black Have you passed out through drinking too much alcohol? Yes, yes and yes! Do you have a favourite film? Touching the void Most memorable goal? Lewis 30 yard scorcher Do you have any pets? Patch, boarder collie Who wears the trousers in your house Freddie? Patch
Fish and chips or curry? Both together, lovely Are you scared of anything? Putting hand down a rabbit hole Where do you see us in the next two years? Consolidation, consolidation. Your catchphrase? Lovely legs, shame about the face.
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
Do you have a nick name Freddie? Freddie red drawers How long have you followed the Saints? This is my third season Do you have a favourite player? They all are What is your occupation? Sales Retired Gentleman What’s your favourite colour? Sage Wine or beer? Both good substitutes for real ale
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Take Part! If you would like to take part in this feature then contact Louise Sales on misslouisesales@yahoo.co.uk
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One Minute With...
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MANAGING DIRECTOR’S VIEWS
28
Balancing Act Lee Kearns
It’s like this really, nothing more complicated than the fact that we are trying to get a balance between what is expected (by both the club and the supporters) and what the finances will allow us to achieve. The bottom line The Partnership with Norwich City, the relationships we have with Cambridge United and Peterborough United, the Partnership we have with St Neots Town Youth & Saints and the New Apprenticeship Programme that will commence on the 16th September are all long term solutions to a short term problem. If established footballers who have played at step 3 (or above) are in it for the love of the game or to progress their football careers then great. If they were all like Mr Sear or Mr Hilliard or Mr Crowie or Mr Hoyte then great but guess what, some are not and therein lies one of the problems with Non-League football. Just because we are currently playing at step three doesn’t mean that we can’t have a long term objective, the difficulty is of course trying to balance the chosen path against any short term detrimental impact a long term objective strategy may have on the club over the next year or so. I understand the fact that to rabbit on about all the positives we are doing behind the scenes doesn’t change the fact that the supporter’s priority is the first team, how it performs and the results it achieves. That’s football and it’s no different at any other club non-league or other wise and that’s the way it should be. I’m no different, Iain’s no different, the old man’s no different we all want the performance and the result. However the club needs to be viewed as a whole (not a hole) with the end product being the first
I understand the fact that to rabbit on about all the positives we are doing behind the scenes doesn’t change the fact that the supporter’s priority is the first team, how it performs and the results it achieves. team. Nothing is ever easy, nothing happens just like you want it to, nothing is ever straight forward, but that’s life and it would be boring if it were any different. The Apprenticeship programme is the next stage in what has been a fantastic year in the development of St Neots Town FC. The programme will start week commencing the 16th September. We will start our identification and recruitment drive for next year’s programme over the coming months with the hope that by year two (2014-2015) we will have up to 80 full time, paid apprentices that will form the back bone of our older age group development squads. As I write we still have space for a few more talented lads (please e-mail enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk)
Another great piece of news is that we will soon be connected by a bridge to the other side of St Neots. Great because it is just great but also great because I’m looking at ways of turning our car parking spaces into a commercial income stream. And so onto today’s game and welcome to Redditch and welcome to any travelling supporters I hope you enjoy your day and go home this evening in a happy mood because of our wonderful supporters and our wonderful hospitality. Lee
KARL SAFEE
MASCOT FEATURE
MASCOT FEATURE
Shay Western Age: 7 Years Old Favourite St. Neots player? Adrian Sear. He plays the same position as me and he’s a good player. Who do you support? I support Arsenal and St Neots Town Favourite Arsenal player? Jack Wilshere Who do you play for? I play for St Neots Town Academy u8s
All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Todays Mascot
What do you want to be when you are older? I want to be a footballer when I’m older.
Do you have a pet? I have 3 lizards
Give Shay a big cheer as he leads the Saints onto the pitch today! Bank Holiday Monday at home to Cambridge City saw Teddy Ryan Bartram be mascot for the day. Unfortunately the result didn’t go well for the Saints but he had a great day leading the team out in the sunshine!
• 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
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
The Saints Matchday Mascot Experience
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What’s your favourite food? Sunday roast dinner
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Find your voice on the official club forum at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum
GAME FOR A LAUGH
ES!
COMMENTATORS FOOTBALL GAFF
You can always rely on the good old football commentator to come out with a classic during the big match! Here are a few howlers! Robbie Keane “Top players don’t come much topper than Gerrard and Carragher”
“You don’t want to bite your nose off to spite your face”
Ray Wilkins
Paul Merson
“Arsene took too long to replace those players, and they were irreplaceable”
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John Hartson “His legs have gone and it’s time to hang them up”
Alan Smith
Bradley Johnson
“Suarez’s hunger for the game seems unquenchable”
“I call myself a 100 per center because every week I give 110 per cent”
Glenn Hoddle “United will break caution to the wind”
Ian Danter
“How many people is 1.2billion?”
David Moyes
“It looked as though he’d damaged ligaments, or had ligament damage”
Paul Merson
“Blackpool always fly by the skin of their pants”
Roy Keane
Jamie Redknapp
“When you’re comfortable, and you think you’re comfortable, it’s uncomfortable”
Ian Abrahams
“Over a season, the decisions spread out”
Martin Tyler “This is a rollercoaster of a feast”
Micky Quinn “Barcelona play football to die of”
Steve Bruce “One lack of naivety from us and we lost the match”
“Fabregas misses out but Samir Nasri will be the benefactor”
Alan Mcinally “Alan Pardew has had to juggle his pack”
Chris Waddle “It definitely would probably have been a penalty”
Alan Brazil “He’ll probably say his quote was lost in transfusion
Micky Mellon “The boys’ performance today was so good I’ve run out of expletives to describe it”
Heard a howler? Pass it on and we will look to feature it in a future issue. Email saintsmag@stneotstownfc.co.uk
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Image credit: TalkFootball
FIXTURES MATRIX
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RYAN SHARMAN
FIXTURES & TICKET INFORMATION
Calor League Premier Division
Calor League Premier Division
Corby Town v St Neots Town
Hemel Hempstead Town v St Neots Town
Wednesday 4th September 2013 - K.O. 19:45
Saturday 7th September 2013 - K.O. 15:00
Away Ticket Prices: Adults £10, Senior Citizens £7, Under 16yrs £2 Opponent Website: www.corbytownfc.co.uk
Away Ticket Prices: Adults £10, Senior Citizens £6, Under 18 yrs £3, Under 12 yrs £2, Under 5yrs £Free
Team Coach Departs: TBA
Opponent Website: www.hemelfc.com Team Coach Departs: TBA
Round Trip (from St Neots): 54 miles
Sat Nav Postcode Reference: HP2 4HW Round Trip (from St Neots): 68 miles
Travel in style on the Team Coach for only £10pp return Advance bookings (recommended) can be made at the Club Bars, email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk for more information and to check availabilty. Don’t leave it late as spaces are limited to 25 for each game.
Upcoming Fixtures - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk for the latest updates 31.08.13 Calor League Premier Division
02.09.13 Calor League Premier Division
v Redditch United
15:00
Hitchin Town
v
St Albans City
19:45
Bashley
v
15:00
Redditch United
v
Hungerford Town
19:45
Hungerford Town
v Chesham United
15:00
Truro City
v
15:00
Bedford Town
v Stourbridge
Poole Town
v Biggleswade Town 15:00
Weymouth
v Cambridge City
15:00
Arlesey Town
v
Hinckley United
15:00
Burnham FC
v
H Hempst’d Town
15:00
St Albans City
v Corby Town
15:00
Banbury United
v Frome Town
15:00
Bideford Hitchin Town
Chippenham Town v AFC Totton
15:00
15:00
03.09.13 Calor League Premier Division HAFC Totton
v
Truro City
19:45
Bideford
v
Weymouth
19:45
Biggleswade Town
v
Burnham
19:45
Chesham United
v
Bashley
19:45
H Hempst’d Town
v
Bedford Town
19:45
Hinckley United
v
Banbury United
19:45
Stourbridge
v
Chippenham Town 19:45
04.09.13 Calor League Premier Division Cambridge City
v
Arlesey Town
Corby Town
v
St Neots Town 19:45
19:45
Frome Town
v
Poole Town
19:45
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
St Neots Town
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Sat Nav Postcode Reference: NN17 2FB
All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Saints Away Games - Everything you need for the next 2 away fixtures
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THE NLP
So in the aftermath of one the more strange red cards on record last weekend, we thought we would chart the very best – or very worst – of the ones that have got on the wrong side of referees. Now that’s a mis-timed tackle! Louis Smith wasn’t having the best of days last Saturday. Left out of the AFC Croydon side to face Colliers Wood in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, at 5-2 down there was little he could do when he got the call to come on finally came after 66 minutes.
Pires booked for taking the..... When you’ve got to go you’ve got to go. Welling’s Loick Pires couldn’t wait in September 2011 during the Wings Conference South clash with Woking. He jumped over the barrier in the first half and legged it into the supporters’ toilets for a comfort break. His return was greeted with a yellow card for re-entering the field of player without permission. It left likeable Pires feeling rather flushed! Borat blunder is not niiiice! Ashley Vickers isn’t a man to be messed with. So when a fan ran onto the pitch wearing nothing but a green mankini made famous by Borat and the stewards can’t catch him, the 6’2 powerhouse is going in! The 38-year-old Dorchester player manager knew the importance of three points against Havant back in March 2011, and time was running out. So Vickers took down the illusive intruder and presented him to the club’s security – only to be rewarded with a red card.
It’s a wind breaker! Levi Foster became the first player in the history of the game to be yellow carded... for breaking wind! The AFC GOP player was having his boots checked by referee Bunny Reid before the Portsmouth Sunday League clash with Apsley House in November 2009. The 30-year-old couldn’t hold it in – and was lucky to be allowed to continue after team-mates talked the unimpressed official round after a red card looked to be forthcoming. Levi, who went on to win man of the match in the 5-0 victory, blamed a dodgy Saturday night curry. Goal king Matt gets a bum rap! Wellingborough striker Matt Judge thought it would be a good ‘craic’ to moon AFC Rushden fans in the Northamptonshire Senior Cup last October. But it was a bum steer – as referee Scott Millar was watching. By the time he pulled his shorts up, the red card was in the air. The United Counties League side were forced to issue a statement apologising, labelling their player “stupid”. The cheek of it!
Stuart Hammonds Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper @SamElliott_NLP
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
Referees don’t like these thermal cycling shorts that seem to be in fashion, and whistle blower Jack Ohene didn’t believe Smith when he said he had taken them off when the black ones he warmed up in didn’t match the club’s maroon shorts.
Sent off for flashing an official, his game was over before it started.
“It beggars belief,” he grumbled. “The stewards actually thanked me!”
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Referees are letting little slide these days. The book is coming out for increasingly bizarre incidents, there’s little place for comedy where the men in black are concerned.
Smith protested that he’d removed the offending undergarment.... by not so subtly proving it!
All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
COMICAL red and yellow cards are becoming more and more common – and considering our love for football funnies here at The NLP, long may that continue!
@Stuhammonds_NLP @MattBadcock_NLP
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LEAGUE FOCUS
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A brief round up of the weekly results from the leagues that matter.
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Premier Division Bank Holiday Matches
Division 1 Central Bank Holiday Matches
In the top of the table clash Poole Town, trailing to a goal in time added on at the end of the first half, scored twice in five minutes around the hour mark but had to settle for a 2-2 home draw when Weymouth scored twelve minutes from time as both clubs lost their hundred percent start to the season.
Daventry Town became the only club with a hundred percent record when, after scoring three times in the opening fifteen minutes, they completed a 5-0 home win over previously unbeaten Rugby Town while Barton Rovers continued their impressive start when a goal in each half gave them a 2-0 home win over Leighton Town and Beaconsfield SYCOB, trailing at the interval, scored three times in eleven second half minutes to complete a 3-1 ‘away’ win over tenants Slough Town. Uxbridge, ahead from a seventh minute penalty and three up at half time, completed a resounding 4-0 victory at AFC Hayes to maintain their unbeaten start as did Royston Town who, having taken an eighth minute lead, drew 2-2 at Dunstable Town but St Ives Town suffered their first defeat when Kettering Town scored after seventeen minutes to secure their first points with a 1-0 away win.
Meanwhile Stourbridge, two up at the interval, scored four times in the second half to complete a resounding 6-1 win at Redditch United and move to within a point of the two leaders along with Hemel Hempstead Town, who won 3-0 at Banbury United, and Hitchin Town, 1-0 winners at home against Arlesey Town. Bideford scored a goal in each half to continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Truro City and Burnham, two ahead at the break, won 3-2 at Hungerford Town while a fourth minute strike gave Chesham United a 1-0 home win over St Albans City. Chippenham Town scored three second half goals to wrap up an impressive 5-0 victory at Frome Town and Biggleswade Town, a goal ahead at half time, completed a comfortable 4-1 home win against Bedford Town while Cambridge City scored two minutes from the end to record their first win of the season, 2-1 at St Neots Town. Corby Town, behind in the tenth minute, also registered their first win when they defeated Hinckley United 3-1, leaving the visitors at the bottom of the table with just a single point, while AFC Totton, trailing after just two minutes but ahead at the break, gained their first points when a goal five minutes from time completed a 3-1 home win over Bashley.
Egham Town, having equalised a minute after going behind to an early strike, completed a 4-1 home win to leave Chertsey Town at the foot of the table with a single point but Aylesbury United, a goal behind at the break, went down 3-1 at home to give Aylesbury their first points of the season while Northwood scored in the first half to win 1-0 at North Greenford United and Marlow recovered after conceding a seventh minute penalty to win 2-1 at home against Ashford Town (Middx). In the day’s other game, Potters Bar Town, trailing at the break, drew 1-1 at home with Chalfont St Peter.
Division 1 South & West Bank Holiday Matches Bridgwater Town, a goal up at half time, lost their hundred percent record when Wimborne Town secured a 1-1 away draw with a goal ten minutes from time leaving Paulton Rovers to take over at the top of the table when, having been two behind after twenty eight minutes, they recovered to complete a 6-3 victory at previously unbeaten Shortwood United while Swindon Supermarine, two up in just nine minutes, scored with a minute remaining to win 3-2 after visiting Cirencester Town had levelled with two penalties and Yate Town came from behind to win 2-1 at home against Bishops Cleeve. Merthyr Town completed a comfortable 3-0 win at Cinderford Town while North Leigh won 2-1 at home against Didcot Town but Stratford Town scored ten minutes from the end to take a point from a 1-1 draw at Evesham United and Mangotsfield United secured a home 1-1 draw against Clevedon Town with a goal nine minutes from time. Thatcham Town were held to a 0-0 home draw by Fleet Town while Tiverton Town secured their first win of the season when a goal a minute from time gave them a 2-1 home result over Taunton Town and Godalming Town gained their first points when a goal mid-way through the first half defeated neighbours Guildford City 1-0.
For more information visit www.southern-football-league.co.uk/news
FELLOW CLUB NEWS
Frome Town Frome Town sign striker Charles. The club are delighted to announce the signing of striker Ryan Lavelle - better known in the football world as Ryan Charles. The former Luton Town, Cambridge United and Newport County player impressed in his first outing for the Robins on Saturday against Weston-super-Mare and completed formalities after the match sealing a switch from Calor League side Hitchin Town where he had signed earlier in the summer. Manager Derek Graham was delighted to have secured his signature: “It’s a big signing for the Club as despite his age he is really experienced and has played at a very good standard - he wants to get back to enjoying his football again”
Arlesey Town Arlesey Town have announced the signing of Ryan Frater for the 2013/14 season.
Poole Town Tom Killick celebrated his 500th game in charge of Poole Town on Bank Holiday Monday. Tom Killick celebrated his 500th game in charge of Poole Town on Bank Holiday Monday – where the Dolphins took on Weymouth. Killick – who joined the Dolphins in May 2004 – had a non-league playing career and has used this in his term as manager, using his connections to sign players. During his non-league career, Killick played in the FA Vase-winning Wimborne side in 1991-92. In this season, he also won the Non-League Player award. After his playing career, Killick joined Salisbury as assistant manager before joining The Dolphins.
Chippenham Town
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Frater has made 96 appearances for Arlesey in the last three seasons, and his experience in defence will be crucial to Arlesey’s success again this season. Frater has not spent pre-season with the club but his signing came just in time for Arlesey’s first game of the season away to Redditch United on Saturday 17th August. He is familiar with the way the management want to play, and will be able to slot straight into the team and get on with the job at hand.
All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
We take a look at what our fellow clubs are doing that’s making the news.
Manager Nathan Rudge has resigned with immediate effect.
Corby Town Chris Plummer has resigned as Manager of the Premier Division club. The news comes in the wake of the Steelmen’s 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Hemel Hempstead Town in Tuesday night’s Premier Division fixture. Corby had started the season with a poor display and a 3-0 defeat to Burnham at Steel Park at the weekend and the loss to Hemel proved to be a step too far for Plummer as the news of his departure was confirmed on the club’s Twitter feed. It also said that chairman Kevin Ingram would make a statement on Wednesday morning. Plummer took over as Manager following the resignation of Ian Sampson, which came after the club had lost the first five games of last season.
and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC
Chairman Neil Blackmore accepted Rudge’s decision with much regret. The Club has lost both of their Premier Division games this season. Assistant Manager, Steve Winter will take charge of first team affairs until the Board appoint a permanent replacement.
39
SEASON STATISTICS 2013/14
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Find your voice on the official club forum at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum
Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in bold CAPS denotes goal scorer.
40
ATT
COMP
R
Pos
1
2
3
4
Sat 17 Aug
H Weymouth
354
CLPD
0-2
22
Heath
Rodgers
Adjei
Sear
Tue 20 Aug
A Stourbridge
447
CLPD
1-2
22
Heath
Rodgers
Steer
Sear
Sat 24 Aug
A Bashley
209
CLPD
3-1
15
Heath
Rodgers
Steer
Sear
Mon 26 Aug
H Cambridge City
451
CLPD
1-2
18
Heath
Rodgers
Adjei
SEAR
Sat 31 Aug
H Redditch United
Wed 04 Sep
A Corby Town
CLPD
Sat 07 Sep
A Hemel Hempstead
CLPD
Sat 14 Sep
H (To Be Confirmed)
Tue 17 Sep
H Hinckley United
CLPD
Sat 21 Sep
H Truro City
CLPD
Sat 05 Oct
A Hungerford Town
CLPD
Mon 07 Oct
A Hitchin Town
CLPD
Sat 12 Oct
H Biggleswade Town
CLPD
Sat 19 Oct
A (To Be Confirmed)
FAT
Tue 22 Oct
H Chesham United
CLPD
Sat 26 Oct
A Bideford
CLPD
Tue 29 Oct
H Corby Town
CLPD
Sat 02 Nov
A Redditch United
CLPD
Tue 05 Nov
A Hinckley United
CLPD
Sat 09 Nov
H Hemel Hempstead
CLPD
Sat 16 Nov
A Poole Town
CLPD
Sat 23 Nov
H St Albans City
CLPD
Tue 26 Nov
H Bedford Town
CLPD
Sat 30 Nov
A Banbury United
CLPD
Sat 07 Dec
H Frome Town
CLPD
Sat 14 Dec
A Burnham
CLPD
Sat 21 Dec
H Afc Totton
CLPD
Thu 26 Dec
A Cambridge City
CLPD
Sat 28 Dec
H Stourbridge
CLPD
Wed 01 Jan
H Arlesey Town
CLPD
Sat 04 Jan
A Chippenham Town
CLPD
Sat 11 Jan
H Poole Town
CLPD
Sat 18 Jan
A St Albans City
CLPD
Sat 25 Jan
A Bedford Town
CLPD
Sat 01 Feb
H Banbury United
CLPD
Sat 08 Feb
A Frome Town
CLPD
Sat 15 Feb
H Burnham
CLPD
Sat 22 Feb
A Afc Totton
CLPD
Sat 01 Mar
H Hungerford Town
CLPD
Sat 08 Mar
A Truro City
CLPD
Sat 15 Mar
H Hitchin Town
CLPD
Sat 22 Mar
A Biggleswade Town
CLPD
Sat 29 Mar
H Bideford
CLPD
Sat 05 Apr
A Chesham United
CLPD
Sat 12 Apr
A Weymouth
CLPD
Sat 19 Apr
H Bashley
CLPD
Mon 21 Apr
A Arlesey Town
CLPD
Sat 26 Apr
H Chippenham Town
CLPD
Date
Opposition
CLPD
FAC
S
SEASON STATISTICS 2013/14 Player name in these colours denotes substitute.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
Steer
Hilliard
Taylor
Benjamin
Sogbanmu
Fuller
Sharman
Safee
Palmer
Nkinga
Crowie
Hilliard
SHARMAN
Benjamin
Adjei
Taylor
Safee
Sharman
Crowie
HILLIARD
Fuller
BENJAMIN 2
Adjei
Taylor
Sembie-Ferris
Steer
Crowie
Hilliard
Sharman
Benjamin
Davies
Taylor
Nkinga
Fuller
All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
5 Crowie
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LEAGUE TABLE
Become a Member today at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Find your voice on the official club forum at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum
First Team - Calor League Premier Division (26.08.13)
42
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
+/-
Pts
Weymouth
4
3
1
0
9
2
7
10
Poole Town
4
3
1
0
8
5
3
10
Stourbridge
4
3
0
1
14
6
8
9
Hemel Hempstead Town
4
3
0
1
11
3
8
9
Hitchin Town
4
3
0
1
5
2
3
9
Bideford
4
2
2
0
9
3
6
8
Burnham
4
2
1
1
8
5
3
7
Arlesey Town
4
2
1
1
7
5
2
7
Chesham United
4
2
1
1
8
7
1
7
Chippenham Town
4
2
0
2
8
4
4
6
Biggleswade Town
4
1
3
0
6
3
3
6
St Albans City
4
2
0
2
6
5
1
6
Banbury United
4
2
0
2
6
7
-1
6
Cambridge City
4
1
2
1
4
4
0
5
Truro City
4
1
2
1
5
6
-1
5
Bedford Town
4
1
1
2
7
10
-3
4
Corby Town
4
1
1
2
4
11
-7
4
St Neots Town
4
1
0
3
5
7
-2
3
AFC Totton
4
1
0
3
6
12
-6
3
Redditch United
4
1
0
3
4
13
-9
3
Bashley
4
0
2
2
4
8
-4
2
Frome Town
4
0
2
2
1
8
-7
2
Bashley
4
0
2
2
4
8
-4
2
Frome Town
4
0
2
2
1
8
-7
2
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THE TEAMS
ST. NEOTS TOWN
V
REDDITCH UNITED
Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks
Colours
Red Shirts, Black Shorts & Socks Liam McDonald
Ian Parr
Manager
Andy Davies
Assistant Manager
Nick Green
Carol Holland
Club Physio
Pete James
SQUAD NUMBERS
Rating Goals Rating
SQUAD NUMBERS
1. Niall Conroy (GK)
1. Sam Hornby (GK)
2. Paul Rodgers
2. Troy Larrissy-Hinds
3. Edd Adjei
3. Joel Caines
4. Adrian Sear
4. Harry Austin
5. Dan Crowie
5. Jack Wilson
6. Gavin Hoyte (C)
6. Jordan Anderson
7. Lewis Hilliard
7. Rikki Bains
8. Jay Davies
8. Charlie Reece
9. Ola Sogbanmu
9. Leavi Oshungbure
10. Joe Benjamin
10. Danny Brain
11. Ash Fuller
11. Alex Price
12. Dion Sembe-Ferris
12. Dominic Oliver
14. Ryan Sharman
14. Daniel Pitt
15. Karl Saffee
15. Passeka Kargbo
16. Kaine Felix
16. Mark Hands
17. Tom Wood
17. Harvey Headley
18. Jordy Nkinga
18. Edwin Ahenkorah
19. Jack Sellick
19. Kyle Patterson
20. Andy Palmer
20. Jamie Molyneux
21. Dan Heath (GK)
21. Jermaine Hylton
22. Rene Steer
22. David Bridgwater
23. Bobby-Joe Taylor
23. Bradley Catlow (GK)
Teams will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Officials: Referee: Jake Hillier Assistants: David Jarrett, Martyn Gospel Your Man of the Match
Attendance
Match Rating
Opposition Support Rating
Ratings: Albeit just for fun - why not give your rating from 1 to 10 with 10 being perfect!
Next Home Game: We value your continued support, thank you Calor League Premier Division St Neots Town v Hinckley United Tuesday 17th September - 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.
44
Officials Rating