ST NEOTS TOWN Weymouth FC ISSUE 17: THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00 The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division
Function Room Hire available from January 2016
Due to our Scholars moving into their new classroom at Rowley Park both Function rooms (including the large Gregory Suite) at St Neots Town FC are now available to hire during the day time from January 2016. We have already catered for Toddler groups, Zumba classes, Weight watchers meetings etc and can now extend this to day time hire. We have ample parking and easy access. Please contact Lou on 01480 470012 or email stneotstownfunctions@stneotstownfc.co.uk
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WELCOME Merry Christmas and a very happy, safe and peaceful New Year from all at St Neots Town FC. Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium, home of St. Neots Town Football Club and the Mick George Academy, for today’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division match. Today we extend a very warm welcome to the Players, officials and of course, the travelling supporters of Weymouth Football Club and we hope you’ve had a good journey up this morning and continue to have an enjoyable stay with us here in Cambridgeshire before embarking on a safe journey home later this tea time. I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved with the Terras who helped out in treating our stricken supporter, Alan Palmer, when he suffered a heart attack during the match down at the Bob Lucas Stadium earlier this season. Your actions contributed to ensuring Alan’s survival from the potential life threatening situation and we as a club will be eternally grateful to you all so
once again, thank you all. Our opponents arrive here in a confident mood after smashing our bogey team Slough Town for six last Saturday and will be looking to extend their good form this afternoon. Whilst the Rebels were having an absolute nightmare down on the South Coast, we were entertaining an in form Kettering Town side in front of our second highest attendance of the season but unfortunately the end result didn’t go as would have liked with us being on the wrong end of a one – nil defeat with one time football league striker Rene Howe scoring a hotly disputed goal in the twentieth minute. I think our performance on the day could be summed up in one sentence – “plenty of effort and endeavour but no end product”. Hopefully the lads will have their shooting boots on today and their efforts will be rewarded. Our festive fixtures continue with an away fixture at Biggleswade
Town on Boxing Day (kick off 15:00) and we are back in action here on Saturday 2nd January 2016 when we entertain Kings Lynn Town FC, kick off 15:00 Today is our last game before Christmas so it leaves me, on behalf of everybody connected with The Saints, to wish everybody a very merry Christmas and a very happy, safe and peaceful New Year. We hope everybody’s dreams come true this festive season and we look forward to your continued support for the rest of this and forthcoming seasons. Seasons Greetings Mike Green
TODAY’S VISITORS
WEYMOUTH FC Year founded: 1890 Nickname: The Terras Chairman: Nigel Biddlecombe Web: www.theterras.co.uk
After four seasons in the Conference South a decade ago Weymouth have struggled to regain step two status since their relegation. Currently just outside the play off places in eighth place in the table (when these notes were written) Weymouth have in common with us the inability to maintain consistency in their results this season. Last season they finished seventh just three places behind our lads who were in the final play off place, Weymouth have this season been as high as league leaders just over two months ago but fell away after a draw at Redditch and a home defeat by Biggleswade. However that was their only home league reversal of the season but away from home they have only won three times in eleven trips. In the FA Cup this season our visitors were drawn away at lower graded Petersfield Town and lost 3-1 in the First Qualifying Round whilst in the FA Trophy they made a better start winning 2-1 away at Winchester City in the First Round Qualifying. In the next round they won 4-1 away just down the road at Bedford Town but drawn away for the fourth successive time in National competition this season they were beaten by a goal to nil at Hemel Hempstead who now play in the National League South. Club History Formed as a junior club in 1890 Weymouth won the Dorset Junior Cup for three consecutive years. In 1893 the club was reclassified as a senior club, won the Dorset Senior Cup and entered the FA Cup for the first
time. In 1909 the developing club became semi-professional and in 1921 joined the Western League winning the league title the following season. Two years later the club applied successfully to join the Southern League for the first time but after four seasons reverted to the Western League because of ‘financial difficulties’ remaining there until the outbreak of the second war. The post war period brought fame in the FA Cup. In 1949/50 back in the Southern League Weymouth reached the third round proper of the FA Cup drawn away at Manchester United where they were beaten. The club was runners-up in the Southern League three times in four seasons between 1951 and 1955 and in 1961/62 was back on the FA Cup trail again losing at Preston North End in the Fourth Round. Southern League champions in 1964/65 and again the following season the fortunes of the club seemed on the up and Southern League Cup success followed with the runners up medals in 1970/71 and the trophy itself two years later. In 1979/80 the club became members of the Alliance Premier League five times recording top ten finishes and in 1987/88 the club moved to the Wessex Stadium (now called the Bob Lucas Stadium in honour of the Club President) but the following season the club was relegated from the Conference to the Beazer Homes Southern League. For the next fifteen
seasons they remained at that level and a second placed finish in 2003/04 propelled the club back to the Conference South. The championship was won in 2005/06 and the club then had four seasons at Conference level prior to a return to the Southern League. Changes at both Managerial level and in the Boardroom have seen progress limited and the aim this season will be an improvement on last season’s finish of 7th. The incentive to do well has been heightened in recent seasons with the addition to the Premier Division of neighbours Dorchester (relegated from the Football Conference) and near neighbours Poole Town giving a Dorset trio of clubs ambitious to move up the football pyramids. Weymouth could however boast to be the best supported club in the Premier Division three seasons ago with an average home crowd of 549 – 42 more than second placed Leamington. They also had the highest league attendance that season when in their opening game of the season at home to Kettering Town they attracted a crowd of 901.Of course the addition to the league this season of Kettering Town, Kings Lynn, Merthyr Town and Leamington means that there are now five or six clubs at this level who regularly pull in more than 400 through the gate at home matches so it will be interesting to see which clubs wins the attendance record this season.
WHO’S WHO PAT BALDWIN – A vastly experienced Centre Half, Pat joined the Terras in the closed season. A product of Chelsea’s youth academy, Baldwin transferred to Colchester United to kick-start his career, and ended up staying with the U’s for a decade. STEVE BOORE – A local Weymouth lad joined Yeovil Town as a scholar. Following his release he joined local side Chickerell United and with a series of impressive keeping performance came to the attention of the Terras management team. CALVIN BROOKS – He stated his career with local rival Dorchester Town in Conference South making – The central defender joined the Terras on loan from Yeovil Town at the start of last season. His contract with the Glovers finished at the end of January whereon Calvin opted to join the club on a permanent basis. MARK COOPER – Another new addition to the Terras defence at the start of the season. Mark came through the youth ranks at Bristol Rovers. He joined Frome Town for whom he made 152 appearances over two spells with the Robins, The 23-year-old swept the club’s end-of-season awards last season. JORDAN COPP - A player who can play in midfield or defence, Copp was a member of Plymouth Argyle’s School of Excellence before signing a pro contract in 2012. Sadly he made just one appearance for the Pilgrims before being released. He has since played for Frome Town, Truro City and Saltash United before signing for the Terras at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
DEAN EVANS – A combative but creative midfield player who can also play upfront. Dean joined the Terras in February 2015 from Evo Stick Premier rivals Paulton Rovers after impressing during a league encounter between the two sides. Dean’s previous clubs include Plymouth Argyle, Paulton Rovers, Welton Rovers & Frome Town CONOR JEVON - A striker who came to Weymouth in 20013/14 season from Poole Borough, he was also registered with Dorchester Town. A regular in our reserves who is looking to make the step up into the senior side this year. ADAM KELLY - A midfield player who has had plenty of experience with Tiverton Town, Winchester City, Bashley, Salisbury City and Truro City. He came to the club in January 2014, following his second spell at Tiverton and promptly made a starting place his own. BILLY LOWES – Bill signed for the Bournemouth academy as a ten year old and spent 4 years there before his release with a knee injury. A promising boxer, he decided to return to football and after a full recovery joined Yeovil Town’s academy, spending a full season there before the club abandoned it’s youth programme. Joined the Terras at the start of the season and has made an immediate impression. JASON MATTHEWS - The club’s goalkeeper and playermanager. Jason returned to the Terras at the start 2013-14 and became player-manager in December 2013. In his career he has played for Bristol Rovers (youth), Nuneaton Borough, Exeter City, Aberystwyth,
Clevedon Town, Weymouth (first spell - 2002-08) Eastleigh, Bath City and Dorchester Town. MARK MOLESLEY – An England C international with 4 caps Mark is a vastly experienced midfielder signed by the Terras in July 2015 following his release by Aldershot Town. CHRIS MCPHEE - A utility player who began as a trainee with Brighton before signing a pro contract in August 1999 - he also played for Aldershot Town and Swindon Town on loan. Leaving the Sussex club he joined Torquay United before playing for Ebbsfleet United, Weymouth (July 2008 - Feb 2009) Kidderminster Harriers, Torquay United (again) and Salisbury City, where he was player coach. GEORGE RIGG - A midfielder who worked his way through the ranks at Bristol City before spending a year in Stoke City’s development squad. On his release in 2013 he joined Bristol Rovers, before moving to Exeter City. He joined the Terras in January 2014 and quickly made his presence felt. CHRIS SHEPHERD - A wing back who made a number of appearances for Exeter City, who he joined in 2005 - working his way through the youth set up. Leaving the Grecians when they were relegated from the Football League in 2012 he joined Eastbourne Borough. After two seasons in Sussex he signed for the Terras in July 2014. Became a firm fans favourite and scooped a clean sweep of player of the year trophies at last season’s awards.
ST NEOTS TOWN FIRST TEAM PLAYER STATS 2015/16
12 13 5 18 8 5 14 22 1 6 19 1 20 16 2 4 1 10 14 13 13
3
5 1 1
1
2
1
2
2 5
10 1
2 1 4
12
1 4 1 4 6 1
2 1 7 6 4
7 3 4
3 1 4 2 2 5 1
1 17 3 1
1
3
6 1 8 6 4
2 5 9 5 1 2 3 8 3 8 5 3
2 1 1 1
3
1
1
1 1 1
1
1 1
1
4
1
1 4
3 2 3 1
2
1
2 4 1
3 1 1
1 2 2
27 1 1 1 9 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 16 0 0 1 0 1 8 0 16 4 1 5 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 1 24 2 3 5 9 0 0 0 5 1 2 2 22 0 0 4 28 1 0 9 0 3 10 1 5 6 2 1 6 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 21 2 1 0 6 5 12 1 29 0 0 20 21 1 0 4 3 8 3 1 6 1 1 1 4 0 10 0 18 5 6 1 3 10 6 2 22 1 0 3 18 0 3 0 16 0 1 0
Details correct up to and including Saturday 12th December
1
RED
GOALS
UNUSED SUB
APPS
1
USED SUB
TOTAL GOALS
UNUSED SUB
1 1
USED SUB
1 1 1
APPS
1 1
GOALS
20 6
CUP
UNUSED SUB
USED SUB
Anton Jamie Beech Josh Berkes George Blackett Shane Burton Ben Clarke Lee Dean Jack Frater Ryan Galliford Isaac (L) Gay Danny Gordon Remy Hall Connor Hawkins Ryan Hobbs Dan Horne Ryan (L) Jones Ben Lewis CJ Longden Brett Mailancol Guy Meechan Tom Mitchel-King Matt Ofosu Claudio Roberts Drew Sutton Ollie Tann Adam Vieira Luis Ward Tom Wilton Andy Wilkinson Jack
APPS
LEAGUE
YELLOW
St Neots Town First Team Player Stats 2015/16
1
3
1
3
1
1 3 7
1
3 6
1
2 4 1 4 1 2
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (20/December/2005)
ST NEOTS TOWN 1-1 HOLBEACH For only the third time this season St Neots recorded a run of three unbeaten matches with this home draw with Holbeach. The visitors have an excellent record at Rowley Park having not lost at that venue since 2000 and in the final analysis a draw was a fair result with both sides looking happy to wind down for the festive season. In a rather moribund first half the goalkeepers were never really tested with a 35 yards shot from Jon Hoggett the nearest thing to a goal attempt. Much of the play was in midfield and although Holbeach had the better of possession they created little mainly because St Neots had opted to play Gary Walker as a lone striker. However after the break there was a change in tactics from St Neots as Steve Kuhne pushed forward to his more accustomed position alongside Walker and this resulted in a more open game.
Visiting keeper Kevin Cross raised the home hopes when he lost a cross from Danny Griggs but with the St Neots players slow to react he dived to reclaim the ball. Then after 52 minutes a corner from Russell Lawes was only cleared as far as the edge of the area where Jon Hoggett fired in a low shot. Nicky Hurst challenged the keeper who misjudged the flight of the ball and it went straight in to the net to give Hoggett his second goal in three matches.
go clear but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. St Neots best chances came from set pieces with Nicky Hurst bringing two saved from Cross from corners floated in by Russell Lawes. At the other end Damian Matthews robbed substitute Steve Barnes after he had drifted in behind the defence and both sides seemed pleased with a share of the spoils.
The lead last just ten minutes and then Cameron Clark caught out of position attempted to retrieve the ball but only brought down Tom Fielding and a penalty was awarded. Steve Young was unable to reproduce his weekend heroics as Matt Warfield sent him the wrong way to level the scores. Three minutes later Holbeach could have snatched a winner as their player/manager Shaun Keeble best the offside trap to
St Neots: Young, Clark, Lawes, Matthews, Hurst, Hoggett, Maltay, Phillips (Franklin 89 mins), Kuhne, Walker, Griggs (Endersby 70 mins). Subs not used: Dellar and Shamlian Goal: Hoggett (52 mins)
ST NEOTS TOWN 0 KETTERING TOWN 1 Southern League Premier Division / 12.12.2015 / Attendance: 438 / Referee: James Turner (Kings Lynn)
This match will be remembered for two controversial goalmouth incidents – one at each end – and precious little else. Unfortunately for St Neots the decision against them settled the outcome of a disappointing encounter that was as drab as the weather. Still without injured defenders Tom Ward and Shane Blackett, St Neots looked short of ideas and confidence and a further blow came when Drew Roberts failed to shake off a thigh strain. However Tom Meechan was back after his three match suspension but he received little service from his side in a match in which neither sides came to terms with the blustery conditions. Defensively St Neots looked fairly sound but having to play Matt Mitchel-King at the back robs them of some steel in midfield and although the versatile Isaac Galliford looked bright their overall performance was well below par. So at the halfway stage of their season St Neots suffered their fourth home defeat and start the remainder of their programme from the bottom half of the league table. With the elements in their favour Kettering began the stronger of the two sides. James Brighton sent a free kick the wrong side of a post and from a corner by the same player Dom Langden sent a looping header over the defence but saw the ball rebound from the crossbar. St Neots first attack through a long throw by Brett Longden tested the visiting defence but Chris Carruthers headed over his own bar to relieve the pressure but Kettering were
using the wind well and created further chances as Liam Canavan had a low shot finger tipped for a corner by Andy Wilton and then visiting skipper Brett Solkhon sent a header onto the roof of the net. St Neots seemed to be chasing shadows as Kettering kept the ball well but St Neots did go close in a quick break when from a Meechan corner, Mitchel-King had a close range shot blocked on the goal line then after 20 minutes a searching cross by Brighton saw St Neots keeper Andy Wilton rise to grasp the ball but under what looked to be an illegal change the ball squirmed loose to be rolled into the empty net by Renee Howe and St Neots protests fell on deaf ears. Brighton shot over the bar and at the other end Meechan went down under a strong challenge by Carruthers but his penalty appeals were ignored. St Neots were creating little and having to rely on half chances and just before the break Meechan chased down a through ball and cleverly made space for himself but shot disappointingly over the bar. The second half challenge was for St Neots to utilise the conditions as well as Kettering had in the first 45 minutes but this proved a vain hope. The visitors looked happy to defend their slender lead without making any real move to increase it and it was frustrating for the home side
who dominated possession but created very little. Ryan Frater and Mitchel-King easily snuffed out any forward moves by Kettering but the home side needed a play maker to create openings for the front players. They swapped Ryan Hawkins and Lee Clarke to add variation and in a rate Kettering sortie to the St Neots end Liam Canavan shot well wide when the home side looked vulnerable. After 74 minutes a teasing Jamie Anton cross was well held by Keeper Paul Walker at full stretch and Remy Gordon went through the Kettering defence with pace but was blocked as the keeper left his line. Five minutes later St Neots thought they had an equalising goal when leading scorer Tom Meechan forced the ball into the Kettering net from a Hawkins free kick but after vehement protests by the visiting side Meechan was booked for handball and the effort ruled out. Meechan then limped off to be replaced by Chris Lewis and Wilton had to be alert to deny substitute Courtney Baker-Richardson a second Kettering goal a minute from time. In added time St Neots might have snatched a point but Lee Clarke’s full length header was deflected for a corner. Overall it was a poor performance by St Neots who must now find a second gear in order to improve their position. John Walker
St Neots Town
Kettering Town
Wilton, Anton, Longden, Galliford, Frater, Mitchel-King, Clarke, Jones, Meechan, Hawkins, Gordon Subs: Lewis (for Meechan 82), Mailancol, Hobbs, Tann and Dean Cards: Mitchel-King (Y – 39), Meechan (Y – 79) Goals: None
Walker, Bateman, Carruthers, Solkhon, Langden, Pepe-Ngoma, Carvalho, Mulligan, Howe, Canavan, Brighton Subs: BakerRichardson (for Howe 46), Grocott (for Carvalho 84), Stephens (for Canavan 84), Sandy and Hill Cards: Stephens (Y – 90) Goals: Howe (20 mins)
Hi and welcome to all from Weymouth for todays match. Weymouth visit us today on the back of a tremendous victory last Saturday when the just blew Slough Town away. A great win for them and after our unlucky draw against Slough the other week I know just how difficult it will be for us today. Confidence breeds confidence and I’m sure Weymouth will have plenty of that today. As for us we need to after a good run of away games gaining valued points away we sort of tripped up a little in our last two home games against Histon and Kettering both were very different matches where we struggled to get players fit for the Histon match but still gained a draw and the Kettering match where first half I would have taken a goal down at half time
knowing how strong the wind was second half. Unfortunately we just did not do enough to get back into the game and maybe a little luck with Remy’s attempt and who knows what would have happened.
Today we will probably be without Drew and also Ryan starts his one match ban after the farcical way he was sent off at Leamington. When I talk about luck that’s what it is all about some say that you make your own luck and believe me I have been trying to find out how you do that. Coming up to the Christmas period thankfully we have only the short trip to
Biggleswade and a very tasty match at home to Kings Lynn of which I know will be a great game as the two clubs fought out that great battle to gain promotion from the United Counties league a few years back, I understand that there was nothing between the teams and it was us who got to the winning post where Lynn got to the FA Vase semi final only to lose out. A competition I have great memories of as I took Wroxham to wembely only to lose out in the final. I will though say that I definitely over achieved that season by getting to Wembley. On to todays match and lets hope there is no wind and a very good match to day Have a great Christmas and lets hope we can get into the mix for promotion in the second half of the season. Batchy
MIKE AND LEE KEARNS WISH ALL STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
HOW DID THIS NOT GO IN?
Welcome to the Officials, Players and supporters of Weymouth for today’s fixture, I hope you have a great day with us. My new series of topical subjects today takes in the style of play clubs adapt to and the reasons why they maybe choose to play the way they do. Firstly I like all football supporters want to see my team either it be St Neots Town or Chelsea play free flowing attacking football that entertains me from start to finish, win every game and be top of the league. A tall order and many do not just wish that but “demand” it and if the club fall short of that they go onto social media and let loose with all sorts of abuse on the club, mainly the manager as it is assumed that everything stems from him. Well I know of only one league in Europe that have teams that possibly play that free flowing football in what is just a two team league who basically batter all the rest every week and that is Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both spend oceans of money on their players in what is really when it comes down to it an annual two horse four game race. Wonderful to watch, very predictable and most of all hugely expensive. The rest of the teams in European leagues have far more competition and therefore have
to yes spend loads of money to compete but cannot “Turn on the style” every game, as the leagues are much stronger and more competitive.Our own English Premier League is a prime example and probably only Arsenal of the top teams try to pass the other side silly every single game and hope to win, great to watch but how successful have they been over the last ten years and how many times have we heard the shout of we need to tighten up and do what’s needed to win games to put us top of the league and win the title, funny thing is that the last time Arsenal won the premier title their team was built on one of the meanest defences ever seen. Arsenal sometimes remind me of the Harlem Globetrotters basket ball team very entertaining a joy to watch a bit of a cabaret but if they played say the Chicago Bulls they would lose every time.So what about the other teams in the English premier division who cannot afford to compete financially with the big spenders but have to try and compete on the pitch and win games. Well they have there own game plan and that reminds me of what many teams try and do to get something out of a game, and a quote that comes to mind was made by Don Revie manager of the famous Leeds United side once said “if the opposition don’t score then we don’t lose”
simple but true.Some say if they score three we can score four well only if you have better players and spend more than the other teams and that is never a guarantee that’s for sure, and for most that statement should really be called “Boom or Bust”. So this brings me onto St Neots Town, we were once called the Barcelona or Real Madrid of non-league football (yes we really were) when we were playing in the UCL and indeed the Central Division of the Southern League. Scored goals for fun won two leagues broke all sorts of scoring records a delight to watch, but how was that really achieved yes it was because I spent more money than anyone else on the top players so maybe we were entitled to win most games and I say most games because when it came to the most important games over those two seasons we fell very short indeed. For those of you who were not with us over that period our main challengers in those two leagues were Kings Lynn Town in the UCL and Slough Town (nothing changes with Slough) in the Central Division. Both of them knew what they had to do and that was not to try and compete with us by playing free flowing football but stop us playing, both were robust very solid with a determination not to get beat, indeed both won the games at
Rowley Park. The Premier division of the Southern league is just about the toughest league in football we see it every week with the unexpected results that now never really shock us anymore. There is not one team that tries to play free flowing football or for that matter are allowed to try and attempt it because if they did they would lose many more games than they would win. A clubs playing style is also down to the playing budget and what the manager is allowed to spend, no one fully knows what each clubs budget is and only when you try and sign the same player do you get any idea.Most Chairmen have some sort of idea, as we are the people who have to allow a competitive budget to be able to at least compete. This league is about playing to your strengths and the opposition’s weakness, problem in this league is that every team plays the tough robust way and the first priority is survival in our division as many Chairman have stated to me and firstly not to lose and anything else is a bonus home or away. St Neots in the second half of last season adapted a way of playing where we made ourselves hard to beat but also able to win football matches and we lost only one game in that whole period which nearly achieved us promotion this was built on continuity and momentum even though we did not play the system that well because the quality of passing was not to the standard required, we still though achieved our goal. There was no moans or groans about our play just very happy in what we achieved every week. Nothing has changed this season except we have added players that we think will give us that little extra and the young players we signed are all on long-term
contracts hopefully giving continuity for the future.Last seasons squad was mostly made up of how could I put it, lets say journeymen players who had historically moved around the clubs each season for a few quid more and I certainly mean no disrespect to any of them, its how it is. No consistency in that for our club so we had no option but to move players on and bring in players who we could trust to hopefully be with us for a little longer. Both myself and David believe that our squad is good enough to gain promotion from this league but as we all know because of the horrendous injuries we have had have restricted us and we have only played the same team twice this season against Leamington and Slough last week, then three days later we played Histon and had five experienced top players out. Our style of football is proven and is very effective for gaining promotion from this league, unfortunately we have not implemented it that well this season, as we have not been able to have continuity of being able to field a settled side. I said to David once but cant we have a plan B and he said it would be nice if we could get plan A right first as that plan will win us football matches whoever the opposition are or the style of play they adapt, we proved that last season. As I have said before I want to get out of this division as soon as possible and yes I too get frustrated at times and Histon and Kettering were no exceptions but driving home I thought hey a point is better than none against Histon but I believe that a full squad to pick a team from would have won all three points. Against Kettering was one of real frustration as I thought we just did not do enough in that game. Winning is
all that counts in real men’s football at the right budget and not the tippy tappy Barcelona style that as my bank balance knows only too well is a waste of time in this particular league. If anyone needs proof then look no further than the teams who have won this league over recent years. Brackley, Leamington, Hemel Hempstead and Corby. They all played Barcelona type football; passed everyone silly had the fans singing ole ole. Did they hell, they battled there way through every game as do all the top teams in our division at this moment. St Neots Town will play what ever way the manger believes is the Most suitable style of play to help us to that holy grail and promotion out of this league because that’s the way it will be as its always that managers shout and not mine or anyone else’s and if people are not comfortable with us winning football matches, getting to play offs or even winning the league if and when that happens then I’m sorry to say but they will have to stay uncomfortable, because that’s what all clubs do and try to survive or achieve success by playing to their strengths within their playing budget. So please have faith keep off the Social media key board as real supporters want their club firstly to be here tomorrow and then hopefully be successful but not at any cost, or do they. I get frustrated you get frustrated but lets keep our frustration to a minimum, hard at times but we support our club what ever. Happy christmas everyone and lets hope we can have as good a second half of the season as we did last time. All for one and one for all Mike
A Tribute to
Robert Frederick Chelsea “Bobby” Moore OBE (12 April 1941 – 24 February 1993) He captained West Ham United for more than ten years and was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time, and was cited by Pelé as the greatest defender that he had ever played against. Moore is a member of the World Team of the 20th Century. He won a total of 108 caps for the England team, which at the time of his international retirement in 1973 was a national record. This record was later broken by 125cap goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Moore’s total of 108 caps continued as a record for outfield players until 28 March 2009, when David Beckham gained his 109th cap. Moore had plenty of controversial incidents in his life no more than before the 1966 world cup finals On the verge of his greatest triumph, details were released to the press in early 1966 that Moore wanted to leave West Ham. Moore had let his contract slip to termination, and only after the intervention of Sir Alf Ramsey and realisation he was technically ineligible to play, did he re-sign with West Ham to allow him to captain LORENZO FERRARI
the England team of 1966. Ramsey had summoned West Ham manager Ron Greenwood to England’s hotel and told the two of them to resolve their differences and get a contract signed up Again controversy before the 1970 world cup finlals The year 1970 was a bittersweet, mixed and eventful one for Moore. He was again named as captain for the 1970 World Cup but there was heavy disruption to preparations when an attempt was made to implicate Moore in the theft of a bracelet from a jeweller in Bogotá, Colombia, where England were involved in a warm-up game. A young assistant had claimed that Moore had removed the bracelet from the hotel shop without paying for it. While there was no doubt that Moore had been in the shop (having entered with Bobby Charlton to look for a gift for Charlton’s wife, Norma), no proof was offered to support the accusations. Moore was arrested and then released, he then travelled with the England team to Mexico. In April 1991, Moore underwent an emergency operation for suspected colon cancer, though at the time it was just
reported that he had undergone an “emergency stomach operation”. On 14 February 1993, he publicly announced he was suffering from bowel and liver cancer; by this stage the cancer had spread. Three days later, he commentated on an England match against San Marino at Wembley, alongside his friend Jonathan Pearce. That was to be his final public appearance; seven days later on 24 February, at 6.36 am, he died at the age of 51. Bobby Moore was described by the greatest and most famous footballer in the world Pele as the greatest defender ever, and for those who had the pleasure of seeing him play would not disagree with that.
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15
MATT IN CONTROL
WE’VE all met one of them. You know, the person who thinks they are being really helpful but ultimately they are just creating chaos for everyone else. That’s exactly how most of Non-League football feels about the Football League right now. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. For the National League clubs they are sitting between the devil and the deep blue sea. On one hand, more money is being injected into the lower levels. That’s always a positive, except it’s coming to just two clubs in the form of parachute payments – and the fear is that everyone else is going to get left lagging behind.That’s paraphrasing, and, as it happens, putting it quite nicely. Two leading figures within the league are frankly foaming at the mouth. The issue is that the Football League, with a fair element of self-congratulation, announced that those clubs relegated from League Two will be coming down with an additional £500,000 in their back pocket. Those joining the Conference will now fall with £474,000 in their first season, and in their second season they will also
have £237,000 planted into their accounts. Nice.Riches, many feel, earned for failure. A kickback so juicy that Lee Harding, the long-serving Braintree chairman, believes is almost a temptation to cut costs at Football League level and bank a nice cheque to come on down. Harding feels the situation will destroy the game at this level. The reason is a footballing one, clubs like his Braintree – eyeing a place in the 92 after building organically over a number of years – will have next to no chance of achieving their dreams. Neither will the likes of
Dover, Gateshead or Woking – and those ex-League clubs still trying to get back up, Wrexham, Grimsby et al, are now up against it even more. National League clubs take in around only £40,000 for being a part of the league. That means whoever comes down will have a half-amillion head start. I watched Cheltenham for the first time last Tuesday and they were smashing. Guiseley had no
answer as Gary Johnson’s side rolled them over 5-0. If they beat Forest Green Rovers today then they’ll be firm favourites to go straight back up. They made the point excellently. You don’t need a huge helping hand. Promotion needs to be earned. Fact is, if the Robins left their relegation another 12 months, they could afford over the two years they are enjoying these parachute payments, three more top class players for this level each season. Johnson endorses Harding’s view. He wasn’t speaking out of bitterness having not had that extra £474,000 to splash on his squad. He cares about the game, he loves the romantic notion that a club the size of the Braintree chairman’s one can rise through the Leagues like Burton Albion have. He doesn’t feel it should be suffocating, and only the rich ones given a chance with progression stunted with no sign of three up, three down. And he wants answers as to why they are changing a system that works. Johnson is doing a wonderful job of perfectly illustrating the foolhardy Football League’s irrational thinking, and why this hand out is just not welcome. Sam Elliott Follow us on twitter: @NonLeaguePaper
Scorelines..
A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter FA Trophy First Round Proper 13 December 2015 Hungerford Town, who had conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half time two minutes after going ahead, struck with twenty minutes remaining to win 2-1 at Corinthian Casuals while Cirencester Town found themselves trailing two down at half time but converted a penalty twenty minutes after the break before securing a 2-2 draw at National South Truro City with a goal in the second minute of time added on. Leamington’s tie at Altrincham was called off because of a waterlogged pitch and has been rescheduled for Tuesday. On Sunday, Chesham United travelled to Plainmoor and, outstandingly, held National League Torquay United to a 0-0 draw to earn a replay at Chesham on Tuesday.
Premier Division 12 December 2015 Poole Town scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at second from bottom Bedworth United and, with Chippenham Town and Hungerford Town without a League fixture, opened up a twelve points lead at the topof the table while Redditch United, despite being held to a 0-0 draw at Histon, moved into fourth replacing Leamington, who were on FA Trophy duty, while Dunstable Town took the lead five minutes before the break to set up a 2-1 victory at basement club Paulton Rovers. Seventh in the table Weymouth scored three first half goals in six first half minutes and added three more after the break to
complete a comprehensive 6-1 home win over Slough Town but Hitchin Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Bideford while Kettering Town struck after twenty minutes to win 1-0 at St Neots Town and Biggleswade Town scored with eighteen minutes remaining to defeat visiting Dorchester Town 1-0. In the day’s other match, Kings Lynn Town scored with just eight minutes left to send Frome Town back to Somerset with a 1-0 defeat and Cambridge City also won 1-0 at home when Merthyr Town conceded a goal just after the midway point of the second half.
Division One Central 12 December 2015 Leaders AFC Rushden & Diamonds struck with just a minute remaining to secure a 1-0 victory at Uxbridge while second placed Chalfont St Peter, a goal up at the interval, conceded a penalty midway through the second half but struck in time added on to wrap up a 2-1 win at Royston Town, who dropped a place to fifth, whereas third in the table St Ives Town conceded an equaliser on the half hour nine minutes after going ahead and had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Northwood and Kings Langley moved into fourth when two goals in each half gave them a comfortable 4-1 home win against Potters Bar Town. Bedford Town took a sixth minute lead and, after going behind by the half hour, equalised from the spot a minute before the break before going on to secure a 3-2 home win over Ware and Egham Town, ahead after three minutes,
conceded an equaliser soon after the half hour but scored twice before the interval to set up a 3-1 success at Godalming Town while Beaconsfield SYCOB opened the scoring after just two minutes and struck two more before half time to initiate a 3-1 home win against Hanwell Town. Aylesbury, a goal down at the break, scored just before the midway point of the second half and completed a 2-1 victory at second from bottom Leighton Town with a strike a minute from time but while Arlesey Town were held to a 0-0 home draw by Aylesbury United but Petersfield Town, behind after just five minutes, struck twice in the second half, including a penalty to inflict a 2-1 home defeat on bottom of the table North Greenford United.
Division One South & West 12 December 2015 Cinderford Town’s sixteen match unbeaten run came to an end when Evesham United, two ahead at the interval, completed a 3-0 home victory over the leaders and North Leigh scored twice in three first half minutes to secure a 2-0 victory at Mangotsfield United to move into second place replacing Winchester City, who lost 2-1 at Taunton Town after conceding goals two minutes either side of the midway point of the second half while Tiverton Town, having raced into a three goal lead in the opening fourteen minutes, conceded a goal before the interval and another five minutes into the second half but held on to win 3-2 at Wimborne Town.
Mascot feature Mascot Fact File Name: Harry Hancock-Grimes Age: 10 Favourite St Neots Player: Drew Roberts Who do you play for? St Neots under 10’s What position do you play in? Midfield Who do you support? St Neots / Liverpool What do you want to be when older? Footballer Favourite Food: Sunday roast Favourite Television Programme: Match of the day Do you have a pet?: A dog, Marley
The Saints Matchday Mascot Experience! • Free entry for mascot and parents • Use of our hospitality room • Signed match day programme by your favourite player, which you will also appear in • Meet your favourite player and have your photo taken • Tour of the stadium • Have a kick about on the main pitch • Lead the Saints on to the pitch • Free portion of chips and drink for the mascot
To apply to be a Matchday Mascot contact Louise Spark on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk
READ ALL ABOUT IT We take a look at what other non-league clubs are doing that’s making the news this week. TRURO CITY
LEWES FC
Vanarama National League South club Truro City have entered a ‘groundshare’ agreement with National League outfit Torquay United to play their matches at Plainmoor next season. The Gulls have made no official announcement, but Truro chairman Peter Masters has issued a statement confirming the deal. Truro are due to leave their current Treyew Road ground at the end of this season, but a new stadium has been plagued with difficulties . “The plan is that we will vacate here after the final game at the end of April and start at Torquay,” said Masters. “We have the whole season booked there if we need it, but if the new ground is finished, we can go back and play there.”
Lewes FC have announced the launch of a 12th Man Scheme commencing from 12 December 2015. The 12th Man Scheme is a supporter-led initiative to increase the team’s playing budget and for fans to make a direct contribution on the pitch as well as from the terraces. It’s been used successfully at other clubs, such as Dulwich Hamlet. Money raised by the 12th Man Scheme does not replace the money already allocated by the club for player wages — it is a ring-fenced fund that can be accessed by the manager for the sole purpose of paying new players — and will never be used for any other means. The Scheme will work on a ‘payas-you-want’ basis. It can be for as little or as much as fans wish to contribute — and can be paid via a one-off payment or by a regular donation through a weekly, monthly or annual standing order. New Lewes FC Director, John Peel, said: “I am delighted to get this scheme underway, which gives fans a recognisable identity on the pitch as well as off it. Whilst the initiative is long term, I very much hope that the scheme takes off and that we see the benefit this season.” Lewes FC Manager, Darren Freeman, said: “We appreciate all the work involved in this scheme. This will enable us to strengthen our
CAMBRIDGE CITY Michael Malcolm has left Cambridge City with the EvoStik League Southern Premier Division club cancelling his contract by mutual consent. The 30-year-old joined City on the eve of the season and scored 9 goals in all competitions. However, travelling to the games has proved to be difficult for the striker and with his form suffering in recent weeks, manager Gary Roberts has decided to release the player from the club.
squad, which is very important to us at this stage of the season.” BIGGLESWADE TOWN Barclays Premier League outfit Aston Villa have signed EvoStik League Southern Premier Division club Biggleswade Town`s 17-year-old Keinan Davies on a professional contract. Villa have trialled the young Wader over the last four weeks and offered an eighteen-month contract to turn professional. Davies, who has featured in the Waders` firstteam squad, is one of a number of very good players under-18 manager Dave Northfield has assembled. He picked up a several players released by pro clubs and their recent performances have drawn the attention of many League clubs this season. Northfield said: “Keinan is a great young lad, a gifted player who has earned a second chance. “Several months ago he was released by Stevenage FC, coming to Biggleswade as a young lad feeling that he had a future, but unsure what direction to take. “Hard work and a real talent have lifted the young lad, and he has showed he has a great future.
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Manager: David Batch Assistant Manager: Steve Eastaugh Goalkeepers Andrew Wilton Ollie Sutton Defenders Brett Longden Adam Tann (Captain) Tom Ward Jamie Anton Shane Blackett Ryan Frater Midfielders Ryan Hawkins Lee Clarke Mat Mitchel-King Guy Mailamcol Remy Gordon Issac Galliford
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Next Home Game: Kings Lynn Town Evostik League Southern Premier Division Saturday 2nd January 2016 / KO 15:00
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