Oxhey Jets Digi Prog Experiment

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION OXHEY JETS V HADLEY TUESDAY 12TH APRIL 2022 KICK OFF 7.30PM Good evening to you all.

Tonight we welcome the officials, players and supporters of Hadley FC for this Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division fixture.

Our visitors tonight are having a fantastic season and are in third place in the Premier Division, and are hoping - should Risborough Rangers fail in their ground grading - that the F.A will grant them the second promotion place. It would be no more than Hadley deserve, they are a great football club with friendly, welcoming staff who have always made us at Jets feel welcome when we have visited them.

Other clubs should take note at how a decent football club should behave.

Hadley are still in all divisional competitions and will play at Risborough Rangers this Thursday in the quarter final of the Premier Division Cup. They have been drawn at home to Ardley United in the semi-final of the Gladwish League Challenge Cup in late April and will meet Cheshunt of the Isthmian League Premier Division in the final of the Herts Senior Challenge Cup. Everyone at Oxhey Jets wishes Hadley FC the very best for this fantastic achievement.

Tonight could see Crawley Green get relegated. If Green lose their home match against Broadfields United and Holmer Green beat London Colney then that will see the Luton based side down. It would also mean that Holmer would just need one point from their remaining three matches and that would send London Colney down to Division One as well.

Tonight could also see Stotfold finally win Division One and gain their fully deserved promotion. A win at home against third placed Shefford Town & Campton will give Stotfold their just reward.

Whether we will see them in the SSML Premier Division remains to be seen though, with season long rumours that we may be moved over to the Combined Counties League next season. We can only wait and see what unfolds over the summer!

We welcome tonight’s officials, Referee Mr Daniel Smith and his assistants Frank Van Der Wens and Iwan Pritchard to the Boundary Stadium. We hope you all enjoy your visit, both during the game and afterwards in the bar, and have a safe journey home.

OXHEY JETS FOOTBALL CLUB. This programme entitles the holder to Temporary Membership of The Oxhey Jets Football Club. You are able to use the facilities and have entry to the Club Bar for today

ON THIS DAY 12th April

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE HISTORY

1924

The League is relatively young compared to other leagues around the country, being formed

In the first ever international match at Wembley England drew 1-1 with Scotland in front of a disappointingly low crowd of 37,250.

initially in 1922 as the Bedfordshire County League. With new clubs keen to join from

1987 Hillsborough hosted the FA Cup semi-final between Coventry City and Leeds United. For Coventry it was the first time they had reached the last 4 of the FA Cup while in the Leeds camp defender Neil Aspin was forced to postpone his wedding which had been arranged for that day. Leeds didn't have a match on that Sunday when the wedding date had been set! Well Coventry won the match - and went on to defeat Spurs in the final - and Aspin got married a couple of weeks later. I guess he was forced to do the washing-up for weeks as his penance!

The League continued to consolidate and strengthen over the ensuing 70 years or so providing quality football for many teams over a large area of the South Midlands. In 1997 it became apparent that the London Spartan League, which was very much to the South of the League’s geographical footprint, was struggling administratively and, with the full support of the Football Association, the decision was taken to merge the two competitions with the new League being known as the Spartan South Midlands League. The League now covers a wide area from North London in the South to Milton Keynes in the North and from Ware in the East to Aylesbury in the West. The League is part of the FA’s National League System (NLS)

AWAY DAYS Harefield United

outside the County it was decided in 1929 to change the name to the South Midlands League.

and comprises of three Divisions; Premier Division at Step 5, Division One at Step 6 and

SMML Saturday 16th April 2022 Kick off 3pm

Preston Park, Breakspear Road North, Harefield, Middlesex, UB9 6NE

Division Two at Step 7. The League has also provided 4 FA Vase Finalists including two winners in Arlesey Town and Hoddesdon Town FC.

01895 823474 SSML Table of Honour (Premier League Champions since 1997)

Directions: Leave the M25 at the M40 junction (16) heading into London, then exit at the Swakelys roundabout turn left signposted Ickenham, take a left at the first roundabout into Harvil road, continue down this round over one roundabout into Harefield village, at the roundabout turn right into Breakspear Road North and the ground is about 300 yards on the right-hand side.

If travelling by bus, From either Northwood or Uxbridge Station, board a 331 to Harefield.

Ask the driver to let you know when you get the village green in Breakspear Road North, Harefield. Once off the bus walk down Breakspear Road North away from the village for approx. 200m. The ground is on the right, you cannot miss it!

1997/98 Brache Sparta

1998/99 Barkingside

1999/00 Arlesey Town

2000/01 Beaconsfield SYCOB

2001/02 London Colney

2002/03 Dunstable Town

2003/04 Beaconsfield SYCOB

2004/05 Potters Bar Town

2005/06 Oxford City

2006/07 Edgware Town

2007/08 Beaconsfield SYCOB

2008/09 Biggleswade Town

2009/10 Aylesbury

2010/11 Chalfont St. Peter

2011/12 Royston Town

2012/13 Dunstable Town

2013/14 Hanwell Town

2014/15 Kings Langley

2015/16 AFC Dunstable

2016/17 London Colney

2017/18 Welwyn Garden City

2018/19 Biggleswade FC

2021/22 ??????

What did he say? Footballing Gaffs "Jordan Henderson is a player who likes to do his business in the middle of the park" Jason McAteer "It's never over until somebody sings"

Clayton Blackmore

"Matty Jarvis had acres of time there"

Stan Collymore

Arlesey Town 1 Oxhey Jets 1 SSML Premier

2nd April 2022

Strong Defence and a Jake Equaliser For A Deserved Point Jets gained a good point away at Arseley Town at the end of a troubled week for them, following the departure of their manager and several players, quite a coincidence as it was Jet’s heavy home defeat earlier in the season to the same club that prompted the exit of our former set up !! Luckily for Town, the strange freeze on Staines Town allowed them to sign a rescue package and still field a very competitive side.

Jets were better in the first half and early indications were good when Kristian Swaby was denied by a top-class save, then Vass and Sam Denham also came close.

Jets did not have it their own way and twice Brad Shaw was beaten and saved by the post in a goalless first half.

The second half was nowhere near as decent and the weird decisions affected the match continually, but the goals were decent with Town taking the lead early in the half and Jets pushing more and more for the equaliser.

Jets were denied a 100% bolt-on penalty when Jake Tabor was banged down from behind, the most blatant non-pen I’ve seen and the home bench was laughing at the no-decision!!

Jet’s equaliser from Jake Tabor was a really good goal, with a lucky twist at the end.

Sean Giordmaina stopped a long hump out of the home defence and swivelled a probing ball back into the danger area, Mass played a cutting lay off to young Nathan Page, who cut the Town defence wide open with a perfect assist to Jake Tabor whose shot from the wide angle had their defenders in a panic in their goalmouth and the centre half sliced high into the net trying to clear.

Jets in the remaining 4 minutes had a spring in their steps pushing for the winner but the home side held out and, in honesty, both sides were glad to hear the whistle.

Jet’s man of the match was on fire today, a solid performance from Harry Brady in defence.

YouTube Highlights https://youtu.be/O3WN6jBsATQ

Kristian Swaby is Jets Player Of The Month For March The youngest player in the Jets first team squad, a local Oxhey lad who is not 18 until May, is Jets Player of the Month for March. Take a bow Kristian Swaby.

Kristian came on to score the first of our goals in a comeback 2-2 draw against Leverstock Green, was our Man of the Match in the league game against Holmer Green, and then produced a calm and collected finish to win the cup tie at Holmer Green in added time. Great stuff.

Congratulations Kristian!

ACTION REPLAY

Arlesey Town 1 Oxhey Jets 1

ACTION REPLAY

Arlesey Town 1 Oxhey Jets 1

FLASHBACK!!

JETS MATCH REPORTS FROM DAYS GONE BY 1983/84 Jets 2 Sarratt 2

Herts County League Division One Elliott’s boys finally make it!

Triumphant John Elliott didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when the Oxhey Jets side that he has managed since their South West Herts Youth League days clinched promotion to the Herts County League Premier Division on Saturday.

Loyal Elliott watched with anguish as their depleted side - missing five key players - drew 2-2 with Sarratt at Chilwell Gardens to secure the point they required to gain the third promotion spot ahead of their opponents.

Elliott admitted,” With so many people out, our heads were down a little before the start and I had almost given up hope. But the lads were superb and I am thrilled for everyone connected with the club.”

Jets trailed at halftime to an early Roger Dooson goal before fighting back. Colin Manning levelled direct from a corner and Brian Burr slotted a penalty 12 minutes form time after Jim McBride’s bullet shot had been handled on the line by Dave Bloor.

But Sarratt weren’t finished. Paul Burgess headed the equaliser and Alan Reynolds fired over the bar as the visitors poured forward in a hectic finale.

“That last seven minutes was the longest of my life! I kept looking at my watch, but it didn’t seem to be going.” said Elliott, who included reserve team boss Phil Brant and George Hodges - who hadn’t played for several months - in the team.

2001/02

Jets 2 Sun Postal Sports 1 Aubrey Cup Final Gladdy shoots Jets to Aubrey success An extra-time winner from Wayne Gladdy saw all conquering Oxhey Jets lift the Aubrey Cup by beating Sun Postal 2-1 at Harefield United on Monday, May 6.

Jets, with the Premier Division title and Herts Centenary Trophy already secured, opened the scoring five minutes from half time with an opportunist strike from Scott Simmonds.

Sun, who finished one point behind Jets in the Premier Division title race, came out with renewed purpose in the second period and deservedly got back on level terms when Robert Coldrake headed home at the far post.

With six minutes remaining in the second period of extra time, Gladdy, on as a substitute, slotted home a dramatic winner from eight yards.

JETS STAT ATTACK 2021/22 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division 2021/22 3/8/21

H

126

Tring Athletic

1-1

Stead

3/1/22

A

133

Broadfields Utd

2-0

Tabor, Giordmaina

14/8/21

A

61

Baldock Town

4-2

Brennan, Smithm Sweeney, OG

15/1/22

A

41

Crawley Green

5-4

Giordmaina 2, Tabor, Costa

28/8/21

H

52

Crawley Green

1-1

Stead

18/1/22

H

83

Harefield Utd

3-2

Tabor 2, Giordmaina

31/8/21

H

92

Arlesey Town

4-6

Brennan, Gibson, Putman, Smith

22/1/22

A

56

Ardley Utd

0-3

-----------------------

14/9/21

A

32

New Salamis

0-10

--------------

5/2/22

H

61

Harpenden Town

0-3

-----------------------

25/9/21

A

103

Flackwell Heath

2-4

Nobrega, Kediambiko

12/2/22

H

54

London Colney

4-3

Tabor 2, Giordmaina

2/10/21

A

30

London Colney

1-2

Inch

26/2/22

H

72

Flackwell Heath

0-4

-----------------------

9/10/21

H

104

Leighton Town

2-2

Charles, Wade

8/3/22

A

68

Tring Athletic

0-2

-----------------------

12/10/21

A

62

Holmer Green

2-1

Adewuyi, Charles

12/3/22

H

89

Leverstock Green

2-2

Swaby, Page

16/10/21

H

65

M.K. Irish

3-2

Williams 2, Wade

15/3/22

H

57

Ardley United

0-4

-----------------------

19/10/21

H

89

Risborough Rgrs

2-2

Williams 2

19/3/22

H

57

Holmer Green

1-4

Giordmaina

23/10/21

A

123

Harpenden Town

1-5

Bryan-Samuels

26/3/22

A

524

Leighton Town

0-2

-----------------------

26/10/21

A

94

Hadley

2-1

Williams, Giordmaina

2/4/22

A

69

Arlesey Town

1-1

Tabor

6/11/21

A

51

Leverstock Green

2-1

Williams 2

9/4/22

H

63

Dunstable Town

0-3

-----------------------

20/11/21

A

148

Dunstable Town

0-1

-------------

12/4/22

H

Hadley

-

27/11/21

H

41

Aylesbury Vale D.

4-5

Williams 3, Giordmaina

16/4/22

A

Harefield Utd

-

30/11/21

H

52

New Salamis

2-4

Giordmaina 2

19/4/22

A

Aylesbury Vale D.

-

4/12/21

H

48

Baldock Town

1-0

Nobrega

23/4/22

A

M.K. Irish

-

11/12/21

H

38

Broadfields Utd

3-2

Costa, Nobrega, Williams

18/12/21

A

185

Risborough Rgrs

1-4

Giordmaina

JETS STAT ATTACK 2011/22 Cup matches

F.A Cup Exr. Pre Rd

H

7/8/21

101

Bitton

2-0

Putman 2

Prelim Rd

H

21/8/21

87

Didcot Town

1-0

Putman

1st Qual Rd

H

4/9/21

300

Kingstonian

2-2

Putman 2

Replay

A

8/9/21

251

Kingstonian

1-8

Giordmaina

Wembley

0-1

Beaumont

Royston Town

0-10

------------

F.A Vase 1st Qual Rd A

11/9/21 51

Herts Senior Cup 1st Rd

A 14/12/21 141

Gladwish League Challenge Trophy 1st Rd

H 9/11/21 71

New Salamis

1-0

Williams

2nd Rd

H 25/1/22 46

Crawley Green

2-3

Tabor 2

Premier Division Cup 1st Rd

A

15/2/22

---

London Colney

A-W

Away Walkover

2nd Rd

A

22/3/22

25

Holmer Green

2-1

Inch, Swaby

¼ Final

A

29/3/22 114

Flackwell Heath

0-1

------------

The History of Oxhey Jets FC The current General Manager John Elliott founded Oxhey Jets in 1972. Playing their first season as an under 12 team in the South West Herts Youth League, having been playing friendly matches as the 2nd Oxhey Boys Brigade team for two years before that. A winning start in the League cup final on the last game of the season saw the club move on, and more youth sides were added to the clubs structure, with the original side moving up through the age groups.

In the 1978-79 season the team having outgrown youth football moved to the Watford and District men’s Saturday league, and at the first attempt won the Division One championship without dropping a point, this prompted an application to the Hertfordshire Senior County League, which was turned down because their home ground was an open playing field.

Jets instead went into the West Herts Saturday League, and started to prepare the old school pitch at the Chilwell Gardens site ready for another application to join the County League.

Chilwell was ready for use and the runners up spot was secured with three matches to spare, and they became the first Oxhey side in history to win The Watford Peace Memorial Shield.

The Herts Senior County League was increased in size and Oxhey Jets were elected into Division one in 1981 and were promoted to the Premier Division in 1983.

The biggest change to happen to the club was in the 2000-2001 season, having moved from their old Chilwell Gardens site, to a new two million pound complex in Altham Way (using Met Police Bushey for a season), Jets new ground; “The Boundary Stadium” was built to almost Rymans League standard.

While the ground was being built, the first team secured their highest ever honour, Premier Division champions of the Hertfordshire Senior County League, and the reserves finished champions as well. This was to be the start of the best run the club and county had ever seen.

The following season the first team retained the championship, while becoming the first club to add the prestigious Aubrey Cup and the Hertfordshire Senior Charity County Cup in the same season, the reserves also retained the championship and added the reserve cup as well to become another first in the county league, winning the double-double.

2002-03 saw the records come tumbling again as all were retained by the first and reserves and the Rickmansworth Charity Cup was added to the haul on Easter Monday by the first team for the first time, giving the team a clean sweep.

2003-04 started with only one aim, promotion to the Minerva South Midlands League, with all the ground improvements complete, the team needed to do the job one more time, as this time the application for the much-earned promotion would be made. This aim was achieved as the first team secured a top two place, Hadley winning the title by three points. They also won the Rickmansworth Charity Cup again and were winners of the highly prestigious St Mary’s Cup. The reserves retained the World Class Homes Reserve Division One

championship and won the Minerva South Midlands Reserve Floodlight Cup at the first attempt beating holders Dunstable in the final. This wasn’t all though as the 4th team finished Runners up in the West Herts League Div 2 and the Sunday team crowned a great season by winning the Marathon Sunday League Charity Cup and were runners up in the League.

2004-05’s season was beyond anybody's dream in the club, the first team winning a treble trophy season. The Minerva Division One championship was won at the first attempt, winning the division by seven points clear of second placed Buckingham Athletic, this was added to the Hertfordshire Centenary Trophy that had been won at The Letchworth County ground in April, beating Hatfield Town 2-0. The triple was sealed in the last game of the season, beating Tring Athletic in the Minerva Floodlight cup final on penalties after a 0-0 aet game. The Division One cup final was lost to Biggleswade United (4-0).

The 2005-06 season, Jets’ first in the Premier Division, saw the Oxhey team finish in 13th place. Jets entered the FA Cup for the first time, gaining a bye from the extra preliminary round and getting a home draw against Lowestoft Town in the first preliminary round, the Sussex side won the game 2-1. Jets reached the semi-final of the Herts FA Senior Challenge Cup where they lost to Bishop’s Stortford in extra time. Their path to the semi-final gave them their first ever fixture against football league opposition when they met Barnet at home.

Our 2 – 1 victory was watched by a club record crowd of 257, an event that was marked by a presentation to the club from Barnet to commemorate the occasion. Jets would go on to knock out Hemel Hempstead Town in the quarter final before meeting Bishop’s Stortford.

The 2006-07 season was without doubt the clubs best ever season, finishing 7th in the Premier Division and reaching the Premier Division cup final where they lost to Edgware Town by the only goal of a closely fought cup tie.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the season was in the FA Cup when, after knocking out Concord Rangers, Aveley and Ruislip Manor, Jets visited AFC Wimbledon in the second qualifying round, where despite defeat all associated with Jets experienced an unforgettable day.

In the FA Vase victories continued, beating Raunds Town, Bedfont Green and Romford 3-1 (after a 4-4 draw away from home), Jets reached the dizzy heights of the third round proper where they lost to Ipswich Wanderers (4-0). But Jets’ giant killing act continued in the Herts Senior Challenge Cup when they defeated St. Albans City by a memorable 4 goals to 1 before losing in the next round to Borehamwood in extra time, after drawing 1–1 at the end of normal time.

The 2007-08 season was a difficult one for the club due to the long term injuries suffered by many of the key players. Jets finished in 19th position in the league and lost to Welwyn Garden City in the Herts FA Charity Shield semi final.

However, Jets saw off Bovingdon and Tring Athletic to reach the final of the St. Mary’s Cup where unfortunately they were soundly beaten 5 – 1 by Hemel Hempstead Town from the BGB Football League.

The 2008–09 season saw us finish in 13th position in the league but they managed to reach the final of the South Midlands Floodlight Cup where we lost by 2 goals to 1 to Royston Town. The reserve team finished as champions of Reserve Division 1 which they won by 9 clear points from London Colney reserves The club reached two county finals during the 2009-10 season.The first being the Intermediate Cup, where the Reserves were beaten 3 – 0 by Hemel Hempstead Town Reserves.

Jets’ second visit to The County Ground saw them win the Charity Shield for the first time ever, beating St Margaretsbury, by 4 goals to 2. While in the league the Jets reserve team retained the Reserve Division 1 title as the first team finished in a very creditable 11th place following a poor start to the season, gaining only one win out of the opening seven league matches of the season. Once again they reached the St. Mary’s cup final, disposing of Hemel Heampstead Rovers and Berkhamsted on the way, but finishing once more as runners-up to Hemel Hempstead Town.

The 2010-11 season saw Jets finish in 19th position, which equalled their worst ever position since joining the league. The reserves finished as runners-up, losing the league title, which they had held for two years, on the last day of the season. A victory was required at bottom of the table Crawley Green, but the ressies could only draw with what was actually the Crawley Green first team, and despite Hadley losing on the same day, they beat Jets reserves to the title.

The club celebrated their 40th anniversary during the 2011-12 season, and were once again a successful cup team despite their lowly 17th position finish in the Premier Division.

That season they broke their club attendance when a total of 376 supporters watched as Jets were narrowly edged out by Hendon by 2 goals to 1 in the FA Cup after vanquishing Wodson Park, Great Wakering Rovers (after a replay), and Hertford Town on the way.

Jets were only the second South Midlands League side to reach the Herts Senior Challenge Cup Final where, after beating Hadley, Royston Town and Cheshunt in the semi final, they met but were well beaten by Bishops Stortford, losing the final 7-2.

Their second county final of the season saw Jets knockout Hadley (who must have been sick of the sight of us that season!), London Colney, in an entertaining 6-4 win, and demolished Broxbourne Borough 5-0 to meet Kings Langley in the Herts FA Charity Shield to lift the title for the second time in the last three seasons with an outstanding 4-1 victory.

Five days later the third cup final of the season was in the St Mary’s Cup where after thrashing Chipperfield Corinthians 10-0 and narrowly knocking out Tring Athletic in the semi final, Jets faced Hemel Hempstead Town where the only goal of the game from Andrew Lomas secured victory for the Jets over their old rivals in this competition.

It had to be said that the 2012-13 season has been the clubs most successful league season so far in its history. Due to the worst weather for many years the club finished the last few weeks of the season having to play three matches each week and the runners-up spot was lost when both Haringey Borough and Hadley beat Jets in the final week of the season, both by 1-0 scorelines, giving Aylesbury United second place after they beat London Colney on the penultimate game of the season.

Jets finished the season in 3rd position behind Aylesbury United and Dunstable Town, who completed the season without losing a league fixture. Jets retained the Herts FA Charity Shield defeating Hertford Town 4 – 0 in the final, and the last match of the season in mid May saw us beat Cockfosters to win the South Midlands Floodlight Cup. One of the players of the team that season was getting media coverage from Sky Sports among others! Lewis Putman scored an amazing 81 goals in all competitions that season.

Needless to say the attention caused bigger clubs to sniff around the prolific goalscorer.

One such club was Luton Town, a scout from the club came to watch him and when he was pointed out to the scout he was seen with a cigarette in one hand and a can of Redbull in the other! The scout left the ground before kick off, Putman scored a hat trick that day!

In Her Majesty the Queen's 2013 birthday honours list the club founder John Elliott was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to young people and the community in South Oxhey. This was a great and much deserved reward for over 40 years of hard work creating and managing Oxhey Jets Football Club.

The start of the 2013-14 season was a difficult one for the club as we found out that all except three of last season’s team had decided to move to other clubs.

With just two weeks to kick off Wayne Gladdy was appointed as manager to try and put a team together. At the end of January with just 20 points gained, Wayne started to recruit new players and from then on we only lost one league match which secured our status for the new season. We also reached the final of the St Mary’s Cup where we beat Leverstock Green 3–2.

Our reserves finished as runners-up in the Herts FA Intermediate Cup and our Academy team were winners of the Allied Counties East Division.

The 2014-15 season saw us continue building for the future under our manager Wayne Gladdy and we finished mid-table in 12th position with 57 points. Our success was largely due to the goals from Lee Armitt who finished as the league’s leading goalscorer with 35 goals in 30 games. Our third team, consisting of our most senior players, reached two cup finals run by the West Herts Saturday league but unfortunately finished as runners-up in both.

After two managerial changes at the start of the 2015-16 campaign we found ourselves in a relegation battle during the second half of the season. Bob Wyatt took over the reins and

following many new signings a more settled side was found for the last two months and a 17th position was achieved. The rebuilding continued into the next season. Our Academy provided a source of new talent and several members played at both reserve and first team levels during the season. Our Vets team reached the Webster cup final and finished runners-up losing to the only goal of the game.

The 2016-17 season saw us continue the rebuilding process under manager Lee Stedman and a 15th position with a points total of 49 was achieved. Our final run-in saw us lose just one of our last eight league fixtures and we were awarded team of the month for April. Our Vets team for the third year running reached the Webster cup final and again finished as runners-up. They did however finish as Division 1 champions beating their closest rivals The Engineer in the last match of the season.

The 2017–18 season saw Jets struggle to achieve a mid -table finish and with just a few matches left to play were deep in a relegation battle. Tim O’Sullivan and Pat Fallon were brought in in April and by the last match of the season, Jets needed to win by two clear goals against Berkhamsted, the league champions, at their Broadwater home to secure their Premier Division status. In an exciting,nail biting match, Jets managed to win by the requested amount of goals, with a 4-2 scoreline, the winning goal coming from the head of Vass Mandeville (pictured below in green) in injury time, sending Cockfosters down instead to Division One.

This was followed a year later with a match against RAF Icarus, the RAF Champions returned in 2019 and 2021 saw Oxhey Jets play against The Coldstream Guards.

All money taken from every one of these matches has gone towards the Red Cross Poppy Appeal.

Tom Lake has since had a road named after him by Three Rivers Council called Tom Lake Way, so that his memory will live on.

Managers Tim and Pat in the 2018-19 season took the Jets to 9th position in the league which was our highest finish since 2013. The last match of the season saw us in the final of the West Herts FA St. Mary’s Cup where we narrowly lost by the only goal of the game to Berkhamsted at Hemel Hempstead’s Vauxhall Road ground. The reserve team were the team of the season, winning the Herts FA Intermediate Cup at the County Ground beating Royston Town Reserves by two goals to nil. They also finished as runners-up in the Herts County League Senior Division One and also reached the final of the Aubrey Cup where they lost by the odd goal in three to premier division runners-up New Salamis who would be playing in the Spartan South Midlands League from the next season.

Our Vets team finished as league runners-up in their first season in the Herts Senior County League.

2017 also saw Oxhey Jets play the first of their Armistice matches against a team from the armed forces. This was not only in remembrance to those who have lost their lives in conflict over the years, but also holds a personal chance to remember and honour the former Jets player, Private Tom Lake, who was killed in action on 20th November 2011 in Afghanistan.

The first of these matches was against Tom’s own company, The 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales Regiment “The Tigers”.

The 2019 – 20 season saw Stuart Atkins appointed as first team manager following the retirement from football management of Tim and Pat. The season was disrupted by the

Covid-19 pandemic and was curtailed after March 7th with Jets in 5th position after 29 matches played.

The start of the 2020 -21 season was delayed due to the pandemic. Matches started during mid-September and only managed to complete 12 league matches when lockdown was introduced and the league was once again curtailed. At this stage we were in 2nd position with 25 points.

The 2021/22 season started on time after lockdown ended, and Oxhey Jets were made one of the pre-season favourites for the title and promotion after the previous two seasons saw Jets as one of the top in form teams pre-Covid.

The season started with Jets drawing at home to Tring Athletic, this was followed by the start of the FA Cup campaign and a 2-0 home win for Jets over Bitton AFC of the Western Football League Premier Division, both goals coming from Jets’ legend Lewis Putman.

Putman scored again in the next round, this time it was the only goal of the game against Division One Central Southern League side Didcot Town. Jets were then drawn at home against the famous Kingstonian of the Isthmian League Premier Division.

But before then, and after a 4-6 home defeat to Arlesey Town in the league, manager Stuart Atkins left the club and took the majority of the first team players with him. Jets were in trouble, managerless and virtually playerless too, Jets had four days to beg, borrow and nearly steal to get a team together for one of the biggest FA Cup ties in their 49 year history.

In front of a crowd of 300, a mixture of Jets youth and vets players combined to hold Kingstonian to a 2-2 draw, the replay wasn’t so successful as Jets lost the replay 8-1. While still searching for a manager, Jets results continued to suffer and their position plummeted to become relegation contenders.

But in came Kevin Christou, who had previous managerial experience with Tring Athletic and Hullbridge Sports, who brought in a variety of players to help give Oxhey Jets hope. And with vital wins against the likes of Leverstock Green, Baldock Town, Hadley and Holmer Green as well as draws against league leaders Leighton Town and unbeaten Risborough Rangers, the new-look Jets were on course for a safe mid table position.

When we last met 27th October 2021

Hadley 1 Oxhey Jets 2 SSML Prem Jets bounce back in fine style

Jets bounced back from a disappointing Saturday coming from behind with a 1-2 away win at Hadley, one of the promotion favourites. Manager Kevin Christou has a fantastic buzz brewing around the club again, but he showed the ruthless side making seven changes from the Harpenden defeat, but explains every one of them to the players. Jets looked a different outfit from the start but it’s very difficult to get anything from Hadley, they are a top side with fantastic facilities and one of the best grounds in the SSML. The first half was very tight and very competitive with only two real bits of goalmouth action. Jets had the ball in the net via Dean Florence but ruled out for offside, and Hadley had a piledriver off the post. The hit for Jets was with the game just minutes old, a tackle twisted the knee of Steve Wade and he had to limp off and was replaced by Kenny Nobrega who was to have a good match.

The second half hotted up the action and the disputes that are still ongoing from those loyal “bricks fans”. The game had barely kicked off and Hadley got the lead with an excellent back flick header from Jordan Edwards (47 mins). It was very open and an excellent match to watch with chances coming at both ends. Dean Florence had the ball in the net a second time with a cheeky lob over the advancing keeper but was again denied by the flag.

The “inspired substitution” by Typhoon Kev was to swing the match, as the rain started, yes Kev and rain go together. He put on Sean Giordmaina who had an immediate impact on the wing, giving Jets the twin option with an on-fire Kyal Williams on the other side.

Jets almost instantly drew level when straight from a corner Sean Giordmaina scored his first league goal of the season. The funny part of this, captured fully on camera, was the face of Hadley’s keeper as he was hanging onto the net watching the ball in the goal, but then ripping at the net and trying to con the officials that it went in the hole he ripped, also nail on camera! The officials were not falling for that. 1-1 (62 minutes) Dean Florence notched again..but nope, it’s a hat trick of lino flags so once again denied but this one looked very, very tight. Jets had a lucky escape with a defender clearance hitting the bar as both sides went for the win. With just seven minutes to go a Jets player tried to intercept but the leg was high, the ball fell to Hadley in clear space but the player played in a teammate who lost control. Then, the Jets player, Daryl -Bryan Samuels, played an absolute peach to Sean Giordmaina who roasted the line and pinpointed a backwards ball to Dean ( to make sure he was on-side this time, who took no chances with a defence-splitting cross box ball to red hot Kyal Williams (83) to notch and go top of Jets goal-scoring charts for this season so far. It caused a dispute as Hadley wanted the advantage reversed and it let to a straight red for them as language got heated. Jets dug in and a superb stoppage-time save by recalled Lewis Todd secured three superb points for Jets and the transformation for Kevin’s team, up from the bottom to 11th in the league with the best points run of the season.

YouTube Highlights

https://youtu.be/c3GZqhjz-wk

MEET THE JETS

Kevin Christou - Manager Joined Jets in September 2021 and helped the stable the ship after the previous manager left and took the squad with him. Kevin has previously been in charge of Hullbridge Sports of the Essex League and Tring Athletic.

Bradley Shaw - Goalkeeper A young goalkeeper with a big future. Brad started as understudy to Lewis Todd but has taken over the number one spot on his own merit, A great shot stopper

Kenny Nobrega - Defender Ken can play on the left or right side of defence and has played 32 matches this season, scoring three goals. Previous club; Hadley

Harry Brady - Defender Harry started off at Kings Langley but moved over to Berkhamsted Raiders before joining Jets at the latter part of this season. Another youngster with potential for the future

Harry Beaumont - Defender/ Midfielder Captain Fantastic! Harry is a loyal member of Jets who has been here since 2013. A contender for Player of the Season as he has helped the youngsters in the team as well as giving his all in every match. Rarely scores but netted for Jets this season against Wembley in the FA Vase. Previously with Sun Sports.

Daryl Bryan-Samuels - Defender An excellent left back. Made 30 appearances for Jets scoring one goal - against Harpenden Town. Started his career at Edgware Town and has also played for Wembley, Northwood and Marlow.

Massoxi Barradas - Defender/ Midfielder Full name Massoxi Emmanuel Barradas. Mass is a versatile player, slipping into wherever needed and doing a great job with it. Previous clubs: St. Panteleimon and Cockfosters

Onome Emovon - Defender Onome was a youth product at Sun Sports and has also worn the shirt of Codicote, Harpenden Town and Leverstock Green.Has played 23 times for Jets this season and is a vocal motivator on the field.

JETS VETS STAT ATTACK 2021/22 2022

Vassili Mandeville - Midfield Vass can play in defence or midfield and headed his way into becoming a Jets legend as he scored the vital fourth goal against Berkhamsted to keep Oxhey Jets in the Premier Division on the last day of the 2017/18 season. Vass is a strong player who will give 100% in every match he plays. Previously played for Hadley Wood & Wingate and Colney Heath.

Kristian Swaby - Midfielder A youngster who seemed to come from nowhere into the Jets first team, making his first team debut by coming on as a sub in the home defeat to Harpenden Town. Kristian has scored three goals this season.

Sean Giordmaina - Forward The “Malteser Geezer!” Sean smashed onto the Jets scene in 2018 and soon became a firm favourite with the Jets’ fans with his darting runs and well taken goals and is this season’s top goal scorer.

Jake Tabor - Forward Jake is Jets’ second top scorer this season with ten goals. He started his career with Sarratt and then moved on to Berkhamsted Comrades and Berkhamsted. But it was while he was at Crawley Green, scoring three goals in five matches, that he was picked up by Kevin Christou and brought down the M1 to Jets.

Div 3

15/1/22 A

Sarratt Reserves

3-2

O’Mara 3

Cup

22/1/22 H

Apsley Argyle

2-3

O’Mara 2

Div 3

29/1/22 H

Bedmond United

3-2

Hart, O’Mara, Page

Div 3

5/2/22

A

Evergreen Reserves

3-0

O’Mara, Gladdy, Hart

Div 3

12/2/22 H

Lemsford Reserves

3-3

Page 2, O’Mara

Div 3

26/2/22 H Chorleywood Common 3-1

Danslow 2, Page

Div 3

5/3/22

Div 3

12/3/22 A

Tring Cor. Reserves

4-1

Ayres, Harding, O’Mara, Page

Bedmond United

5-1

Danslow 2, Sims, O’Mara, Marren

Div 3

19/3/22 A Chorleywood Common 2-0

Danslow, O’Mara

Div 3

26/3/22 A

Div 3

2/4/22

Div 3

9/4/22

Div 3

H

Hinton Reserves

5-2

O’Mara 3, Ayres 2

A

Hatfield Town Res.

0-3

----------

A

Hadley Vets

1-5

O’Mara

16/4/22 A

Tring Cor. Reserves

-

Div 3

19/4/22 H

Bovingdon “A”

-

Div 3

23/4/22 A

Mill End Sports

-

Div 3

26/4/22 H

Hadley Vets

-

Div 3

30/4/22 H

Hemel Hemp. Rvrs

-

Div 3

3/5/22

A

Lemsford Reserves

-

Div 3

5/5/22

H

Hatfield Town Res.

-

Div 3

10/5/22 H

Mill End Sports

-

JETS DEVELOPMENT TEAM STAT ATTACK 2021/22 2022

Hertford Heath Res.

H-W

Home win

15/1/22 H

Stanmore Jafferys

1-1

Akinpelu

Div 4

22/1/22 H

Hinton Development

1-2

Parker

Div 4

29/1/22 H

Knebworth Res.

2-2

Akinpelu, Voss

Div 4

5/2/22

Letchworth GC U21

0-4

------------

Div 4

19/2/22 H

Bushey Rangers

P-P

-----------

Div 4

5/3/22

Welwyn Pegasus

P-P

----------Home walkover

Div 4

8/1/22

Div 4

H

A

H

Div 4

19/3/22 H

Colney Athletic

H-W

Div 4

23/3/22 H

Chipperfield Cor. Dev.

4-4

Div 4

26/3/22 H

Hertford Heath Res

2-3

Dudziak-Lynch, Hird

Div 4

5/4/22

H

Welwyn Pegasus

2-1

Garvey, Heard

Div 4

23/4/22 H

Bushey Rangers

-

Div 4

30/4/22 H

Aldenham Reserves

-

COME ON OVER AND SEE MICHELLE, OUR VERY OWN BURGER QUEEN BEFORE THE MATCH OR AT HALF TIME FOR SOME TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS REFRESHMENTS CHEESE BURGER BURGER HOT DOG CHIPS COFFEE BOVRIL HOT CHOCOLATE COLD ROLLS TEA CANS WATER CUPPA SOUP CRISPS CHOCOLATES BISCUITS

£3.50 £3.00 £2.50 £1.50 £1.50 £1.50 £1.50 £1.00 £1.00 £1.00 £1.00 £1.00 80p 80p 40p

Today’s visitors....HADLEY Hadley Football Club was founded in the 1882/83 season. A notable achievement during the early years was a 1-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur, although Tottenham then was not of the calibre that it is now. The 1880's and 1890's were glamour times for Hadley when the club used to attract crowds of several hundred to Hadley common. With regret however, the progressive Barnet FC etc. drew players away from Hadley. This was at about the turn of the century. Club activities became low key around 1912 with Barnet FC becoming more prominent. Between these years and 1922 the club was up and down like a yo yo. Club fortunes again changed close to World War II and thereafter, with the emergence from the Hadley ranks of the famous Lester Finch who went on to play for Barnet FC and become a full amateur international.

Records show an upturn in Hadley FC activities after World War II. The club became a member of the Barnet and District League and, from about 1947, played at Wrotham Park at the Barnet end of Kitts End Road. Hadley played there until about 1955 when it then moved to Barnet Playing Fields in order to "have some better facilities". The club played in the North Suburban Intermediate League at this time. Still playing at Barnet Playing Fields, the club then joined the Mid Herts League and with Peter Gray as 1st team manager, we were Premier Division Winners in 1975/76 and 1976/77. We also won the Mid Herts Premier Division Shield in 1976/77. Having won the Mid Herts Premier Division twice, the club wanted to progress to the Herts Senior County League so therefore moved to a pitch with better facilities in St. Albans Road, Barnet (current home of The Shire London Golf Club).

We won the Herts Senior County League Division Three at our first attempt during this season.

The club left the Herts Senior County League to join the Southern Olympian League and moved grounds again to play at the Woodside Park Club, Southover, Totteridge. In 1992 the club moved to a ground in Brickfield Lane, Arkley, Barnet and re-joined the Herts Senior County League in the 1999/00 season. We won the Division One championship in 2001/02 to move up to the Premier Division in 2002/03, where we finished mid-table.

Mick Hore was appointed manager in 2003/04 and we enjoyed a very successful season with the 1st team winning the Herts Senior County League Premier Division and the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy. 2004/05 was also very successful with the 1st team retaining the Premier Division title and success continued into 2005/06 with the 1st team winning the prestigious Aubrey Cup. In 2006-07 the 1st team finished Runners Up in the Herts Senior County League Premier Division. An application to join the Spartan South Midlands league was blocked by the Herts County League, so the following season (2007-08) the club played all of its football in the West Herts Saturday League. During this season, all Hadley teams (3 teams) won their respective leagues for the first time in the club's history. We again applied to join the Spartan South Midlands League and our place in Division Two was accepted for the start of the 2008-09 season. At the start of this season, the 1st team began playing home matches at Potters Bar Town FC. Our first season in the Spartan South Midlands League turned out to be a very successful one with the 1st team gaining promotion to Division One at the first attempt after finishing one point behind The 61 FC (Luton). The 1st team also won the Division Two Cup after beating Totternhoe in the final.

Our second season in the Spartan South Midlands League (2009-10) surpassed everyone’s expectations when we achieved another promotion after finishing in second place behind Holmer Green. We also won two matches in our first attempt at the FA Vase, beating Harpenden Town and then Leverstock Green, eventually being knocked out in a tight 1-0 defeat at Stanway Rovers.

The 2010-11 season saw us again playing at the highest level in the club’s 128 year history (Step 5 of the National League System), and we also enjoyed our first ever outing in the FA Cup, drawing 0-0 with Barking before losing 1-0 in the replay. Another highlight of the season was playing against Barnet in the 2nd round of the Herts Senior Cup, drawing 1-1 after 90 minutes before losing 4-1 in Extra Time.

We started the 2011-12 season with the same aim as the previous year – to stay in the Premier Division. The start of the 2012-13 season saw Franco Sidoli join and we enjoyed a successful season with a comfortable mid-table finish and our first ever win in the FA Cup following a 2-0 victory over Hertford Town. We also reached the final of the Premier Division Cup when we were unlucky to lose 3-2 against Aylesbury United (After Extra Time), having taken the lead twice in the match.

A highlight during the 2013-14 season was drawing Watford FC in the 1st Round of the Herts Senior Cup. We lost 2-0 with goals from Luke O’Nien and Bernard Mensah securing the win for Gianfranco Zola’s Championship side.

2014-15 was very successful as we ended in 9th position in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division - our highest ever finish.

We surpassed this in the 2015-16 season with another excellent season as our 1st team ended in 6th position in the league and we also won the Herts Charity Shield for the first time following a 3-1 victory over Tring Athletic in the final.

The 2016-17 season saw the return of our 1st team to Brickfield Lane in Arkley, Barnet, following over £400,000 worth of facilities improvements and eight years of groundsharing with Potters Bar Town.

The 2017-18 season saw a change of first team management with Anthony Clark being appointed in October 2017. In the summer of 2019, following correspondence with the Football Association, a lateral movement saw Hadley FC moved to the Essex Senior League for the 2019-20 season after 10 seasons in the Spartan South Midlands League. This move was part of the Football Association’s ongoing restructuring of the National League System and their move towards a “pure pyramid”. A highlight of the 2019-20 season was reaching the Third qualifying round of the FA Cup, equalling our best ever run from the 2016-17 season. We eventually lost at Havant &Waterlooville, but getting that far in such a prestigious competition was an excellent achievement by Anthony Clark’s team.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season then ended early and was declared null and void. Similarly, the 2020-21 Essex Senior League season was also curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but we had a fantastic run in the FA Vase, reaching the Fifth Round for the first time in the club’s history.

We were unfortunate to lose on penalties to Binfield who went on to reach the final at Wembley - this was another excellent achievement from Anthony Clark’s team.

In the summer of 2021, the Football Association again carried out some restructuring of the National League System and we were moved from the Essex Senior League back into the Spartan South Midlands League. It was a shame that we could not complete a full season in the Essex Senior League, and we enjoyed our time in that league and meeting some new clubs, but we now look forward to the 2021-22 season back in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE TABLE Premier Division as of 10th April 2022

Hadley FC Timeline 1977-78 Joined Herts County League Division Three Herts County League Division Three Champions Promoted (two divisions !) to Division One 1978-79 Herts County League Division One runner-up Promoted to Premier Division 1984 Relegated to Division One 1985 Left Herts County League 1999-00 Rejoined Herts Senior County League (ex-Herts County League) 2001-02 Herts Senior County League Division One Champions Promoted to Premier Division 2003-04 Herts Senior County League Champions 2004-05 Herts Senior County League Champions (2nd time) 2006-07 Herts Senior County League runner-up 2007 Left Herts Senior County League 2008-09 Joined Spartan South Midlands League Spartan South Midlands League Division Two runner-up Promoted to Division One 2009-10 Spartan South Midlands League Division One runner-up Promoted to Premier Division 2018-19 Missed runner-up spot on goal difference 2019-20 Joined Essex Senior League 2021-22 Rejoined Spartan South Midlands League

1

New Salamis

36

29

3

4

85

90

2

Risborough Rangers

34

27

6

1

76

87

3

Hadley

35

23

7

5

41

76

4

Leighton Town

35

19

10

6

38

67

5

Flackwell Heath

35

19

5

11

26

62

6

Harpenden Town

36

18

8

10

19

62

7

Ardley United

34

16

8

10

24

56

8

Leverstock Green

35

16

4

15

7

52

9

Dunstable Town

36

13

8

15

-9

47

10

Arlesey Town

16

13

8

15

-15

47

11

Harefield United

34

11

10

13

6

43

12

Milton Keynes Irish

35

11

8

16

-7

41

13

Aylesbury Vale Dyn.

35

11

7

17

-24

40

14

Tring Athletic

35

11

6

18

-10

39

15

OXHEY JETS

34

11

6

18

-37

39

West Herts Saturday League Champions 2007–08

16

Broadfields United

34

11

1

22

-24

34

Herts Senior Centenary Trophy Winners 2003–04

17

Baldock Town

34

7

7

20

-24

28

Herts Charity Shield Winners 2015–16

18

Holmer Green

34

7

6

21

-64

27

Best FA Cup performance: Third qualifying round, 2016–17, 2019-20 Best FA Vase performance: Fifth round, 2020–21

19

London Colney

35

7

3

25

-64

24

20

Crawley Green

34

5

5

24

-44

20

Honours Spartan South Midland League Division Two cup winners 2008–09 Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division champions 2003–04, 2004–05Division One champions 2001–02 Division Three champions 1977–78 Aubrey Cup winners 2005–06 Centenary Trophy winners 2003–04 Mid-Herts Football League Premier Division champions 1975–76, 1976–77 Premier Division Shield winners 1976–77

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION TUESDAY 12TH APRIL 2022 KICK OFF 7.30PM

V BRADLEY SHAW LEWIS TODD DARYL BRYAN-SAMUELS LEON COKER KRISTIAN SWABY ONOME EMOVON SAM DENHAM KENNY NOBREGA HARRY BEAUMONT MASSOXI BARRADAS JACK STANDING KYLE MATTHEWS NATHAN PAGE CRAIG-ELLIOTT ADU-ADJEI ALEX LAWLOR SEAN GIORDMAINA JAKE TABOR OWEN AYRES

KEVIN CHRISTOU MATTHEW COKER

TIERNAN PARKER BILLY BAIRD LUKE ALFANO NNAMDI HAROLD-EGOLE SOLOMON OFORI JORDAN EDWARDS YEMI BURAIMOH ZACK URIBARRI LUKE JUPP SAM EDWARDS ED DAVIS CAMERON FERGUSON TOM MILTON BILLY HAYES DAVIS BOATENG AARON SCOTT PETER ROSEMIN BRADLEY MARRIOTT

MANAGER: ANTONY CLARK ASST MAN/COACHES: JUNIOR MATTI DANNY PLUMB

TODAY’S OFFICIALS REFEREE: MR DANIEL SMITH ASSISTANTS: MR FRANK VAN DER WENS & MR IWAN PRITCHARD

TONIGHT’S OTHER PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES Crawley Green v Broadfields United London Colney v Holmer Green Risborough Rangers v Harefield United 13th April Baldock Town v Ardley United