Stowmarket Town vs Lowestoft Town

OLD GOLD & BLACKS

Eastern Counties League First Division Winners: 2016-17

Suffolk Premier Cup Winners: 1962-63, 1976-77, 1985-86, 1990-91

Suffolk Senior Cup Winners: 1930-31, 1932-33, 1933-34, 1950-51, 1951-52, 1957-58, 1961-62, 1964-65, 2006-07

Suffolk Junior Cup Winners: 1907-08

Essex

1950-51

Essex

Suffolk Border League Cup Winners: 1950-51, 1951-52, 1970-71, 1991-92, 1994-95

is a key to a competitive squad. They are a to none. Che likes a fry up and shot on a and kept it going and without them there you.

than ever to keep singing, banging the drum clarity on.

BY GRAHAM THEOBALD

Welcome back to Greens Meadow everyone. A warm welcome to players, staff, committee and supporters of Lowestoft Town. The weather has been interesting and keeping us on our toes.

Firstly, what a great support at Tilbury away, the young lads made some brilliant noise. It was also nice to hear that 25-30 people were in the club house watching and supporting.

After two disappointing results and performances, it was nice to get back on the horse and collect 3 points.

A run of home games, weather permitting, I hope we see desire, players playing forward and creating chances. The pitches are glue pots at the moment so we need to turn teams and get on top of winning individual battles.

Tom Bullard has suffered a knee injury and will be out for five weeks. Craig Parker is currently undergoing rehabilitation with mobility work, and Bammo is set to return in January. Natty Stewart’s status is uncertain as he await the results of a scan.

Unfortunately, Dylan Logan underwent knee surgery and will out for rest of the seaosn.

We send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to all of these players.

Please continue to raise the noise levels with your great support. Heybridge was quality from you all.

Up the Stow Muzzy

ALANS STORY

Abuse in all sport has now become a noticeably massive thing and especially in football. Since the advent of that day a year ago when some very high-profile players told their very distressing stories live on the Victoria Derbyshire show and subsequently brought about the advent and birth of the wonderful organisation The Offside Trust who have done amazing work with no funding from The Football association at all to help them and a very minimal amount from the PFA. Their help has given me the strength to deal with what happened to me all those years ago as it did to them.

As a young child I wanted nothing more than to watch football, play football and be a professional footballer. My uncle used to take me to watch Luton Town from the age of seven onwards at first my uncle was wonderful nothing was too much trouble and enjoyed our visits to watch Luton at home and used to get extremely excited at around noon awaiting my uncle’s arrival to take me and even have a kick about in the park before the game. Unfortunately, there was an ulterior motive I later found out to this as from the age of around nine we used to go to coaching sessions with a team on our way to football under the guise of they worked for Luton Town and if I did well, I would have a chance to fulfil my dreams.

Just as the season started and the coaching session became more intense, I was told that they could help me fulfil my dreams if I did something for them after the games. At first it was nothing too bad just touching etc of parts of their anatomy, but it slowly became a lot more sinister with more of our team involved in some sadistic and sordid acts including being raped over one hundred times, some even photographed and filmed. When we left the so-called house, we were all given gifts and told that we must never tell anyone that these things had happened.

The older I got the more the acts became more depraved, and the threats became even more dreadful should we go to the police etc or even tell what had happened. I retreated into a shell on my return home and would turn into an insular and exceedingly difficult person. Luckily once I reached the age of twelve my

uncle no longer came to get me and the trips to football stopped as luckily, I found a more local club to allow me to play.

This club was well run and very safe with good coaches and it made me wonder what and why the original team coaches had asked me to do the things they did. I was still fearful of telling my parents so hid the sordid things away for many many years.

About 9 years ago I was summonsed to a meeting at a solicitor’s office in London after my uncle had died and left his will. I was taken to a side room and given a letter from my uncle by the solicitor that he instructed me was going to be read out at the will reading. The letter detailed my uncles and his friends sordid past and was his was of asking the family for forgiveness from his crimes, unfortunately it was to be announced that he had abused a member of the family with his friends in an unbelievably bad way and wanted forgiveness.

THAT PERSON WAS ME

The family had no idea but as you can imagine it was exceptionally harrowing for me and my mum and sisters and really was difficult for all to take, unfortunately I was blamed and called a liar by most of his side of the family meaning that I was cast aside as an outcast by that side of the family.

From that moment on I became an exceedingly difficult person to even talk to and took to drinking excessively ended up losing my wife, house, and a lot of family members. I also had to attend two court cases to see some of the dreadful people sentenced which was an exceedingly difficult experience.

As with all people that have suffered any sort of abuse, I tried to take my own life about a year ago but was found and have regular treatment from counsellors and doctors to ensure I can make the best recovery possible from these dreadful nightmares.

I apologise if this is harrowing reading, but it is the only way to get the message across and I will say I have left out the dreadful bits as no one should go through what I and my friends did for over those horrible years meaning most of us lost our childhood and still struggle dreadfully on the difficult days which we all still have.

Alan Arber A Survivor

LOWESTOFT TOWN FC

THE SQUAD

MANAGER

JAMIE GODBOLD

ASSISTANT MANAGER

ADAM GUSTERSON

PLAYERS

WARREN BURWOOD

CHARLIE NORMAN

OWEN MURPHY

LOUIS MCINTOSH

TRAVIS COLE (CAPT)

DYLAN RUFFLES

KYLE HAYLOCK

DAVID HINTON

JAKE REED

CHRIS HENDERSON

ADAM HIPPERSON

SAM JOHNSON

JOSH HARVEY

ROBERT EAGLE

RHYS LOGAN

HENRY POLLOCK

OWEN LANE

MANAGER

JAMIE GODBOLD

HISTORY

Lowestoft Town have a fine history stretching back well over 100 years. The club is first recorded as East Suffolk F C with games, all friendlies in those days, recorded back in 1884. On merging with the original Kirkley club the title of Lowestoft was adopted in 1887 with ‘Town’ added in 1890.

When the Norfolk & Suffolk League was formed in 1897, providing the first intercounty competitive matches, Lowestoft dominated, winning the title 6 times in the first 7 years. The ‘odd’ season out 1899-1900 saw Lowestoft’s attentions turn to the F Amateur Cup with victories over such famous names as Leytonstone (9-0), and Gt Marlow (1-0) on the way to the final which brought a 1-5 defeat by Bishop Auckland at Leicester.

In 1904 Lowestoft had to appear before a F A Commission to answer charges of professionalism after a testimonial had raised just under £5 for player Fred Timoney who was about to emigrate. Norwich City who had ‘poached’ 4 of Lowestoft’s successful side amongst others were also called before the commission. Whilst City accepted the ruling and formally adopted professionalism to start on the road that has seen them up amongst the top clubs in the country, Lowestoft paid a restitution of 2 guineas to regain amateur status. In 1925 came the decision to adopt the blue and white colours that have served them so well since.

Lowestoft became founder members of the Eastern Counties League in 1935 but before starting out on this new challenge once again merged with local rivals Kirkley. The move proved a wise one with the first season seeing them sharing the title with Harwich & Parkston and then winning it outright 2 years later.

Lowestoft took the bold step of becoming semi-professional in 1962. & 7 ECL titles and twice runners up in the following 9 seasons is clear testimony to the manner in which they dominated in those years.

The ECL title was again won in 1977/8. The 1980s saw a decline in the club’s fortunes as crowds and income dropped. The unique club pavilion, originally the Yacht Club before being taken down and moved from the harbour to the Crown Meadow in 1902, was gradually falling into disrepair and the floodlighting system installed in 1964 was coming to the end of its lifespan. The floodlights were updated in 1986 and the new dressing room complex occupied in 1989 and at last attention could be paid to playing matters.

As playing fortunes declined a 19 year old local lad signed for the club in 1980 who was to figure prominently in the affairs of the club for the next 30 plus years. Micky Chapman soon became a favourite with his all action style, eye for the goal, long flowing hair and a genuine desire to bring success back to the club. 5 ‘Player of the Year’ trophies adorn his display cabinet as testimony to the respect he has earned from supporters and players alike. The 1990s saw Micky progress from captain to assistant manager and finally manager in 1994.

A persistent back injury forced Mick to hang up his boots in 1997 allowing him to concentrate fully on the managerial side. With the unwavering support of successive chairmen Mick had been able to improve the side year by year. In February 2012 he took charge of his 1000th game as Lowestoft manager.

After several years in the doldrums the 21st century has seen Micky team up with Ady Gallagher to bring a return to trophy winning days with the Ridgeons League title won twice, the League Cup collected twice and the Suffolk Premier Cup brought back to the Meadow five times.

The culmination of all that recent success came in May 2008 when joint managers Micky Chapman and Ady Gallagher proudly led their squad out onto the hallowed Wembley pitch in the F A Carlsberg Vase final. On a blazing hot Sunday afternoon in front of over 14,000 Lowestoft supporters, the Blues were in the

lead for three quarters of the game before conceding a last minute goal to lose out to Kirkham & Wesham by the odd goal of three.

Season 2008-2009 saw the first team win a League and County Cup double, as well as reach the semi final of the F A Carlsberg Vase and the season ended with promotion to the Ryman League Division One North. Success continued unabated in 2009/10 with back to back promotions seeing the Blues soar to the Ryman Premier Division at the first attempt achieving a century of points and goals for the second consecutive season. An excellent F A Cup run saw the first round proper reached with the run ended at Wrexham by a cruel deflected goal in the final minutes.

The first season in the Ryman Premier Division saw the Trawlerboys involved in the promotion race right to the end. There was just 9 minutes of the season left when Tonbridge Angels scored the goal that gave them a 3-4 victory and ended Lowestoft’s hopes of a third successive promotion. It was a similar story in the following 2 seasons with late goals in the Play Off final denying them promotion before the dream of Step 2 football was realised in 2014 with a play off victory over AFC Hornchurch and a 3rd promotion in 6 seasons.

Season 2014-2015 was one of consolidation in the highest sphere the club has ever reached and despite several early morning departures and a mere 8500 plus miles of travelling a satisfactory season ended with them holding a 16th place finish suffering just a single defeat in their final 13 fixtures. On top of this the Blues closed their season out by winning the Suffolk Premier Cup for the twelfth time; beating Whitton United 2-1 after extra time. It was also a season that marked the farewell of a true Lowestoft Town legend with Micky Chapman retiring after the last league game of the season at home to Barrow, who sealed the league title that day with a 3-2 victory over the Blues. After 32 years, 480 first team appearances, 193 goals, 1640 games and 147,600 plus minutes as a player, player/manager and then manager during that time, it was the end

of an era for a figure who will forever be etched in the history of Lowestoft Town FC.

Season 2015-2016 saw Ady Gallagher in sole charge for the first time but a season plagued with injuries saw the Trawlerboys relegated on the last day of the season on goal difference bringing a return to the Ryman League Premier Division. Season 2016-2017 was to prove one of consolidation as they adjusted to life at step 3 in a season once again plagued with injuries.

Season 2017-2018 proved to be one of turmoil as firstly Ady Gallagher stepped down to be replaced by his assistant Dale Brooks. The club was then hit by financial problems which saw the departure of several leading players but Brooks achieved a minor miracle by avoiding relegation with the remnants of his squad aided by a bevy of youth loan signings and the clubs scholar’s.

Brooks stepped down during the summer of 2018 to be replaced by two former players Jamie Godbold and Andy Reynolds who between themselves boast over 900 appearances for the Trawlerboys. Having to build a completely new side Godbold has had to cope with three season redevilled with injuries and covid resulting in relegation back to Step 4 and a move back across to the Isthmian League.

So a dozen years of non stop incident that has seen three promotions, three losing play off finals, 2 relegations and a 1st round proper venture and saw us travel as far north as Barrow, south as far as Bristol, west as far as Wrexham and Colwyn Bay sees as back to where this modern day adventure all started in the Isthmian League Division One North.

PAUL MUSGROVE

JAMES BRADBROOK

TOM BULLARD DYLAN LOGAN

TEVAN ALLEN NATHAN STEWART

Sponsor your favourite player and have your company advertised throughout the season across our print and online platforms. Player sponsors will have their company promoted in our matchday programme, on our website, and on our social media channels.

Sponsoring a player is the ideal way to promote your company to our supporters. A player sponsor will have their company advertised in our matchday programme, on our website, and on our social media channels throughout the season.

EMAIL VICKI@STOWMARKETTOWNFC.CO.UK

JOSH CURRY IS SPONSORED BY THE 2 EDDIES

I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY BEST WISHES TO AIDAN RESERVES TEAM

It was great to be back in action after the Christmas break as we welcomed Thetford Town Reserves to Greens Meadow for our first game since winning away in the league cup quarter-final against top of the table Walsham on 26th November . Unfortunately, we started the game off slow, not pressing or winning enough second balls, and we were punished on the 30th minute with a low strike from the edge of the box that beat our goalkeeper, Young Read. However, just on the stroke of halftime, we were able to draw level from a corner kick taken by Dan Knights.

Luke Bates was able to bundle the ball into the net for his second goal of the season. In the second half, we came out on the front foot, much like how we should play.

Unfortunately, Thetford then took the lead again as they caught us on the break, against the run of play, to go up 2-1. Dan Knights hit the bar before his delivery was headed home by young Joel Simmons to make it 2-2. It was a game of two halves as we huffed and puffed to come away with a share of the spoils. Well done to Thetford as they didn’t play like a team at the bottom of the table and deserved their point. We have no game next weekend, so we will work hard to put in a better performance away at Framlingham Reserves on 21st January

Lastly, I would like to extend my best wishes to Aidan Phair as he moves on to play for Brantham First Team. He always gave me everything he had and deserves this opportunity to play at a higher level. Good luck, Aidan!

Jimmy up the Stow

CRAIG BROWN SPONSORED BY ADAM RIGGEY, DENZIL KEV AND GRAHAM BRUNO BROWN

64 appearances scoring 8 goals also won mangers & players player of year last season

AIDAN PHAR

Stowmarket Community Sports & Social Club CIC was formed in 2009 with the aim to create a community club, driven by football, that builds better facilities for the good of Stowmarket.

Our mission statement focuses on five key principles:

• Community

• Equality

• Participants

• Trust and Respect Integrity and Fair Play

The CIC’s aim is to bring the community to Greens Meadow. To achieve this, our three main objectives are to:

• Improve the clubhouse facilities

• Improve the performances on the pitch

• Change the age demographic of the club to rejuvenate local interest

“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero-tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly, any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and

and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162).The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League