Official Programme
Tring Athletic v Arlesey Town Tuesday 30th November 2021 7.45pm Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Match Sponsor— Pendley Day Nursery
About Matilda’s Planet Some years ago Matilda, Social Entrepreneur David Evans MBE‘s five year old daughter, told him he should take more responsibility for the environment. Her words prompted him to establish Matilda’s Planet.
At Matilda’s Planet we are committed to finding solutions to our energy problems. The company’s values are to be socially responsible, sustainable – and to provide practical solutions to the real problem of keeping your house warm. We have a solution that’s both practical and socially responsible. We all know that changing the way we consume energy is something we
have to do – but actually doing anything about it is a challenge. Matilda’s Planet came from a little girl’s belief that it’s the job of the ‘grown-ups’ to make sure that the legacy we leave for our children is one both we, and they, can be proud of.
Grassroots Talk
Good evening & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for the visit of Arlesey Town. We welcome their players, officials and supporters and wish them a safe journey home afterwards. Our match sponsors this evening are Pendley Day Nursery who our based at Tring Athletic & we thank them for their ongoing support. Have a look at our match sponsor item on page 7 & their programme advert on page 12. We still have match sponsorship availability on future games (see page 16) including the next round of the FA Vase against Saffron Walden Town as well as local derbies against Leverstock Green and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, so please speak to Graham Bright if you are interested. If you are able to volunteer for the club on a regular basis or even just occasionally please speak to a committee member. We are always grateful for extra support. We are expecting a big crowd for the FA Vase game so any extra hands would be appreciated. TAFC are also helping the Rennie Grove Santa Float around Silk Mill on Monday 13th December 6pm to 8pm. Saturday saw a welcome victory against Milton Keynes Irish scoring three in the process as well as keeping only our second clean sheet in the league this season. Certainly a game to build upon as we look to pick up further points this evening and climb the table. You can watch George Bogdan’s highlights on page 8. Thanks once again to Sports Shots for this evening match programme cover. See more of their work via the link below including 208 photos from our FA Vase win at Cockfosters.
Today’s programme
This is the second season of producing online only programmes and we hope to keep improving this offering as time goes on. This is a work in progress so please let us know what you think. If you click on any of the logos or adverts it should direct you straight to our sponsors websites. This also means we can bring you features such as match highlights at the click of a button. Today’s programme includes •
Pages 6 - A selection of items on show from our club shop
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Page 19— Today’s match squads
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Page 21—Upcoming social events
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Pages 33 & 34 —On this Day, we look at a 5-1 win against London Colney from 2019.
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As always keep an eye on our website for all the latest information, fixtures and results.
TAFC—Club Shop Take a look at our new club shop in association with O’Neills. Click on any of the items below to take you to our page with branded leisurewear and accessories.
Today’s Match Sponsor Pendley Day Nursery
Highlights & Social Media Watch highlights of the 3-0 win against MK Irish on Saturday by clicking on the picture below
Follow, Like & Share… click on the icon to visit our pages
The League
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Leighton Town Risborough Rangers New Salamis Harpenden Town Leverstock Green Hadley Arlesey Town Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Harefield United Flackwell Heath Milton Keynes Irish Ardley United Broadfields United Oxhey Jets Dunstable Town London Colney Holmer Green Tring Athletic Baldock Town Crawley Green
20 15 15 17 18 16 16 18 16 15 17 14 13 16 19 18 17 16 13 17
12 12 11 10 10 10 7 7 6 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 3 2
5 3 1 3 2 2 2 2 4 1 4 2 1 4 3 2 2 4 1 4
Table as at Monday 29th 2021
3 0 3 4 6 4 7 9 6 7 7 6 6 7 11 11 11 9 9 11
30 37 28 9 16 10 -3 -9 13 7 -2 9 -5 -15 -20 -28 -30 -12 -13 -22
41 39 34 33 32 32 23 23 22 22 22 20 19 19 18 17 14 13 10 10
Officials Life President Life Vice Presidents
Mick Eldridge BEM David Evans MBE, Barry Johnson, Jean & Les Robins, Ralph Griffiths, Harry Bowden, Pete Stillwell, Alan Foskett, Pete Oakley, Keith Hamilton
Chairman Vice Chairman Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Commercial Manager Match Secretary - South Midlands & Herts Snr Registration Secretary Club Welfare Officer First Team Manager First Team Assistant Manager First Team Coaches First Team Technical Advisor Goalkeeping coach Reserve Team Management EJA Under 18' Management EJA Under 16's Management Sports Physio Football Co-Ordinator Press Officer Website Social Media Programme Editor Groundsman Facilities Manager Membership Secretary Catering Bar Manager
Bob Winter Tony Stedman & Mark Weston David Blair Tony Stedman Graham Bright Tony Stedman Trevor Langley Kirstie McNeil Ryan Sturges Lee Groves Gareth Jackson Ian Richardson Gary Looker Michael Churchill, Ian Butler Michael Churchill, Iain Lorimar David Lawless Vacant Vacant Vacant Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges Keith Eldridge , Terry Adams Keith Eldridge Darrell Bodimeade David Whicker Graham Bright Vacant Tash Young
Committee Members Bob Winter (Chairman) Tony Stedman, Ian Butler, Neil Foskett, Graham Bright, David Blair, Mark Weston, Keith Eldridge, Andy Ayres., David Whicker
Pendley Day Nursery is a brand-new nursery set in a unique setting in the heart of Tring, and provides quality childcare and development opportunities for children aged 6 months - 5 years. We have created a premier nursery, which will provide a fantastic experience for your child to enable them to 'Grow, Learn & Develop'. Just read our TESTIMONALS page to see the lovely things parents are saying about us. The nursery has both expansive indoor and outdoor space, and provides an ideal environment for children to learn and play in a safe and secure environment. Pendley Day Nursery is led and managed by leading childcare practitioner Natasha Young, who is also part owner of the nursery. Natasha is Level 6 qualified and she and her team will provide the highest of quality care and development opportunities for your child. We will ensure that your child's best interest are at the heart of everything we do. We have invested significantly in the setting and, with lots of brand new equipment and toys, we offer the highest of standards throughout. Our excellent facilities include: • Fully trained, dedicated staff – many at level 3 and above
• Fully equipped kitchen and trained cooks (hot lunch, tea and snacks) • Large play areas, inside and out • Large, safe front car park for easy drop off and collection • Open 8.00 – 18.00, Monday – Friday (51 weeks) • Flexible hours (mornings or afternoons) • Dedicated to children 6 months – 5 years The nursery is run by local owners who, through their team, are committed to providing stimulating activities in a caring environment, promoting all aspects of children’s development.
From The Dugout We are delighted to bring our second episode of hosted by Damon Wood. From The Dugout aims to bring you interviews and news from our management teams, players and others around the club. Click on the image below to watch episode 2 which features a discussion with first team manager Ryan Sturges talking about our first league win of the season, a new kit and a presentation for Alfie Brittain.
Please comment, like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel so that you can tune in to future episodes
Match Sponsorship Why not support the Club by sponsoring a Match. It only costs £50 and includes free entry for two, access to the boardroom for half-time refreshments and an acknowledgement in the match programme all season. Contact Graham Bright on 07722 240963 or via email to tringathleticfc@hotmail.com
Saturday 7th August—Keynsham Town Tuesday 31st August—Holmer Green Saturday 4th September—Harpenden Town Saturday 18th October—Leighton Town Tuesday 21st October—Dunstable Town Saturday 9th October—London Colney Saturday 16th October—Flackwell Heath Tuesday 19th October—Broadfields United Saturday 6th November—Baldock Town Tuesday 23rd November—Hitchin Town Saturday 27th November—Milton Keynes Irish Tuesday 30th November—Arlesey Town Saturday 11th December—Saffron Walden Town Tuesday 28th December—Leverstock Green Saturday 8th January—Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Saturday 15th January—Harefield United Saturday 5th February—Hadley Saturday 12th March—New Salamis Saturday 2nd April—Ardley United Tuesday 19th April—Risborough Rangers Saturday 30th April—Crawley Green TBC
Oxhey Jets
The Cook Partnership Heygates Ralph Griffiths Tony Stedman & Dave Snelman Dick Lovelace Brian Lovell / The Samaritans The Cook Partnership Pendley Day Nursery Richard & Tim Solk Mick Eldridge & Ray Brimson Neil & David Foskett Pendley Day Nursery Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available
Fixture List Tue 3 Aug Sat 7 Aug Sat 21 Aug Tue 31 Aug Sat 4 Sep Sat 11 Sep Tue 14 Sep Sat 18 Sep Tue 21 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sat 2 Oct Sat 9 Oct Tue 12 Oct Sat 16 Oct Tue 19 Oct Sat 23 Oct Sat 30 Oct Sat 6 Nov Sat 13 Nov Tue 16 Nov Sat 20 Nov Tue 23 Nov Sat 27 Nov Tue 30 Nov Sat 4 Dec Sat 11 Dec Sat 18 Dec Tue 28 Dec Mon 3 Jan Sat 8 Jan Sat 15 Jan Sat 29 Jan Sat 5 Feb Tues 8 Feb Sat 12 Feb Tue 1 Mar Sat 5 Mar Sat 12 Mar Sat 19 Mar Sat 26 Mar Sat 2 Apr Sat 9 Apr Sat 16 Apr Tue 19 Apr Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr
D 1-1 W 3-0 L 2-0 L 1-2 D1-1 W2-2 L4-0 L0-4 L0-1 W1-4 D3-3 W1-0 D2-2 L1-2 7.45pm W1-1 L3-2 W2-1 L3-0 L2-1 W0-4 L0-4 w3-0 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 2pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm
Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Away Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division 2-4 pens FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division 3-4 pens FA Vase 1st Round Proper Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 2st Round Proper Home Herts Senior Challenge Cup Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home FA Vase 3rd Round Proper Away Challenge Trophy Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division
Oxhey Jets Keynsham Town Bishops Cleeve Holmer Green Harpenden Town Long Buckby Harefield United Leighton Town Dunstable Town FC Deportivo Galicia Crawley Green London Colney Hadley Flackwell Heath Broadfields United Ardley United Milton Keynes Irish Baldock Town Ardley United Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Cockfosters Hitchin Town Milton Keynes Irish Arlesey Town Dunstable Town Saffron Walden Town Bovingdon Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Harefield United Holmer Green Hadley New Salamis Flackwell Heath Oxhey Jets Leighton Town New Salamis Harpenden Town London Colney Ardley United Arlesey Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Broadfields United Crawley Green
Today’s- Squads
Tring Athletic FC
David Saunders Jonny Pitts Ben Johnson James Ferguson Harrison Cornick Oliver Butler Scott Bonner George Carbery Frankie Hercules Tommy Twelves Kieran Turner Adam Sawyer Chris Blunden Cameron Brooks John Smith Emmanuel Gbejuade Evans Lamboh Ali Mohiuddin Luke Peerless
Arlesey Town FC Ryan Hillard Jesus Mendoza Tom Millet Sernad Hoxa Shayan Ghamarinezhad Alex Taylor Ryan Lamond Bruno Brito Noah Costin Archie Sayer Reece Crowter Luke Revels Adam Randall Lincoln Gilmartin Muhammad Zilboud Eleftherios Metso Edward Nash Ethan Tuttle
Manager - Ryan Sturges Asst Manager- Lee Groves Coach—Gareth Jackson Technical coach—Ian Richardson GK Coach - Gary Looker
Interim Manager: Adam Randall Coach : Bruno Brito
Next Up
Saffron Walden Town Saturday 11th December Kick off 3pm
FREE £7.00
£7.00 FREE £4.00
TAFC Socials Saturday 11th December— Pre Match Members Lunch. Ahead of the FA Vase game £20 per person increases a main meal, desert & two drinks. Contact Ian Butler on 07889 203609 to reserve your place.
Saturday 11th December—Club Christmas Party. From 7pm. All welcome. Friday 17th December— TAFC Veterans vs Berkhamsted. Kick off 7.45pm
Saturday 15th January —Presidents Dinner. Details to follow on the website
Our opponents ARLESEY TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB A Brief History... Arlesey Town Football Club celebrated their centenary in 1991, having been formed by a group of local people before the turn of the last century. Before the Second World War, Soccer was played on a localised basis, and in common with many clubs in the area, Arlesey competed in the flourishing Biggleswade & District League and entered the Biggleswade Knock-out Cup. During the 1920's, the club joined the Bedfordshire County League - which was later to become the South Midlands League. Arlesey originally played at 'The Bury' before moving to their former home, 'Lamb Meadow.' The ground took its name from 'The Lamb,' a former Public House situated near the site which, for many years acted as the club's headquarters and changing rooms. The birth of the modern era is owed to the foresight of officials of the late 1940's and early 1950's. They purchased the premises and became landlords for the princely sum of just £500 in 1948. Four years later, in 1952, an adjoining area was bought and this is where the clubhouse used to stand. The story goes that two Committee members missed their train to Kings Cross and with time to kill, saw a notice in a local Estate Agent's window for a forthcoming auction of the land. They returned the following week and purchased the said land for the clubhouse. The area lay unused for a number of years until the arrival of 'Biggs Wall' who negotiated with the club to build temporary offices and canteen facilities - which the Football Club then bought back, turning them into what was then, the clubhouse. The first competitive match under floodlights was played in January 1981 against the now defunct ‘Pirton FC’ and two months later the Blues played host to Luton Town for the official opening in front of over 1,000 spectators. Playing fortunes have fluctuated since the war and season 1950-51 saw the Blues finish as runners-up to Bletchley Town in the S.M.L. Premier Division. The following season the 1st XI lifted the championship crown and the second string were crowned S.M.L. Division Two champions with the Youth team winning three trophies. The 1952-53 season began North Beds Charity Cup final win over Biggleswade Town (the match was held over from the previous season), and ended with a second successive championship win, Arlesey amassing S.M.L. record 52 points. In February 1954, the developing Arlesey Town Colts, local players, reached the 4th round of the F.A. Youth Cup and were drawn away to Portsmouth. The 1950's had seen the Blues compete in the South Midlands and Parthenon Leagues. Season 1968-69 saw one of Arlesey's favourite sons in charge of team affairs; Roland Legate, (who played football professionally for Luton Town) took the helm as player-manager and during his four-year spell, he took the Blues to a league runners-up spot. The start of the 1975-76 season saw Legate return as manager and the trophies came with him, 3 Hinchingbrooke Cup successes, one Beds Senior Cup, the Biggleswade K.O Cup twice and the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy once. Supporting the Executive Committee's wish to cross the pyramid to the United Counties League. With two indifferent terms in the U.C.L., Arlesey lifted the Premier Division crown in season 1984-85. During the late 1980’s the Blues won the United Counties League, Premier Division Cup and a Beds Premier Cup final appearance against Luton Town. During the 1991 centenary year in the blues lifted the South Midlands Floodlight Cup with a fine victory over fellow U.C.L. side Irthlingborough Diamonds, who went on to become Rushden & Diamonds in the football league. With the rising cost of UCL travel and the attraction of more 'local derbies' in 1991-92 it was decided to resign from the United Counties League and cross to the familiar surroundings of the South Midlands League. A successful first year campaign saw the Blues finish in third place and in their second season finished sixth in the league and lifted the Premier Division Cup. The club also gained national recognition following a marvellous run in the FA Vase to the quarterfinals, with victories Flackwell Heath 2-0, Ware 1-0, Haverhill Rovers 2-1, Eastwood Hanley 2-1, Fal-
mouth Town 5-3, and Oadby Town 2-1. In the quarterfinal the blues faced old U.C.L. foes Boston in a thrilling game and lost out to an injury time winner.
Arlesey Town With changes to support and playing staff for 1994/5 the results exceeded expectations. The South Midlands League championship was won with a record 107 points, but even this memorable feat was eclipsed when Arlesey Town defeated Oxford City at Wembley Stadium in front of over 13,000 spectators to lift the F.A. Carlsberg Challenge Vase on May 13, 1995. On their way to the greatest day in the club's history, the Blues had beaten Hoddesdon 2-0, a vengeful 2-1 victory at Boston, a 2-0 win at Barnstaple, a 1-0 home win over the holders Diss Town and a 3-0 quarter-final demolition of Cammel Laird before facing U.C.L. side Raunds Town in a two -legged semi-final. The first leg, played at Raunds, saw Arlesey beaten out of sight by a score of 30 and very few pundits gave them much chance of overturning the deficit in the return match the following week at Lamb Meadow. Three nil at 90 minutes and 5-0 after extra-time, including a penalty save by Arlesey 'keeper Steve Young meant that the Blues were off to grace the most hallowed of turf! Arlesey Town's Wembley side that day were:- S. Young, N. Cardines, G. Bambrick, P. Palma, C. Hull, P. Gonsalves, S. Gyalog, G. Cox, N. Kane, R. O'Keefe and G. Marshall. Subs: A. Ward & T. Nicholls. The Vase travelled home to Bedfordshire for the first time. In 1995/5 season saw the Blues crash out of the Vase at the first hurdle but the South Midlands League Championship Crown was retained. The season culminated in three Cup finals for the club; the 1st XI were runners-up to Ely City in the Hinchingbrooke Cup, the Under 16 Youth side were beaten East Anglian Youth Cup finalists while Peter Milton's Reserve side lifted the S.M.L. Reserve Challenge Trophy. After finishing in third place the 1996/7 campaign ended with the Blues relinquishing the S.M.L. title. However the Lamb Meadow trophy cabinet remained in a healthy position as they lifted the Beds Senior Cup (the first time since 1979) and also lifted the Hinchingbrooke Cup (last won in 1982). May 1997 saw Robbie O'Keefe tender his resignation, moving on to a higher grade of football with Baldock Town. In just three seasons Arlesey Town had achieved national recognition with F.A. Vase success and two league championships, a County Senior Cup victory and a Hinchingbrooke Cup triumph. For season 1997-98 team were unable to keep pace and their championship aspirations soon evaporated. An FA Vase 3rd round exit occurred in Cornwall's Porthleven in December and the Blues' last chance of picking up any silverware disappeared at the hands of arch rivals Stotfold who loosened Arlesey's grip on the Hinchingbrooke Cup with a 2-0 semi-final victory. After a lengthy campaign the club finally received planning permission for a new ground just a few hundred yards along Hitchin Road. After a development project the club moved in on April 30th, 1999 and are now able to boast some of the finest facilities in the area with a purpose built Members Bar, multi-purpose Function & Conference Suite, all-seater stand and training pitch. During the 1998/99 close season, Arlesey Town appointed Gary Pilsworth as manager however, things didn't work out and after 16 matches with the club rooted at the bottom of the league table, the management team replaced him with Nicky Ironton who had gained a wealth of experience having been at QPR, Barnet, Maidstone, Enfield, Barking and Baldock Town. Nicky was a former England semi-professional international. Nicky brought as his assistant former team-mate Billy Harrigan and together with Russell Ball, their objective was to avoid relegation and build a side capable of attaining promotion to the Ryman Isthmian League the following season. The Blues ended the season without silverware however, but a fantastic run from the end of January signalled the club's intents. Manager Nicky Ironton had built a side more than capable of attaining Arlesey's aim of playing a higher grade of football and the Blues looked forward to season 1999-2000 with optimism. The first season at the new Hitchin Road ground began with nine straight Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division victories as Ironton's men stormed to the top of the table. A mid season blip in form threatened the side's hard work but having secured the services of coach Alan Dawson, the Blues went from strength to strength and went on to lift their fifth South Midlands League Championship. A run in of eight consecutive victories culminated in a 2-0 triumph at Milton Keynes City on Thursday 4th May meant the Blues secured the championship. With their ground grading 'Arlesey Town were promoted to the Ryman Isthmian League Division Three.
Arlesey Town The sale of Dave Kitson to Nationwide Football League Club Cambridge United halfway through the season, did little to upset their cause indeed, the signing of ex Stevenage Boro' striker Neil Trebble boosted their season. A prolific striker, Trebble netted an amazing 18 goals from 17 starts and one wonders just how many he would have scored had he been with the Blues at the start of the season. A magnificent first season in the Ryman League, saw the club lose just two league matches (one at home and one away) as they raced away to win the Third Division Championship scoring an Isthmian League record of 138 goals and the Blues also gained the record of being the first club to attain a 100 + goal difference in the league's 96 year history. During 2002 season Chairman Bryan Ellis fulfilled his promise to elevate the club to another level following a successful application to the 'Football Stadia Improvement Fund.' A six-figure grant enabled the club to meet the league's ground-grading criteria that gave the Blues a new covered stand for 600 spectators, a new open terrace and two new turnstiles. On the pitch, Arlesey boss Nicky Ironton led his side to the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase, secured a highly creditable final Division Two fourth place and lifted the Beds Premier Cup for the first time since 1984. The 2002/2003 season was a consolidation for the rapid successes of the previous years and the highlight was an extended run in the FA Cup winning 4 away matches in reaching the fourth qualifying round. The reward was yet another away fixture, this time at Nationwide Conference club, Hereford United. Arlesey Town represented the Ryman League Division One north and after going behind to a sixth minute 'soft' goal, they more than matched their opponents in all departments, even having a goal disallowed. It was such a gallant performance that at the end of the tie, the relieved Hereford fans gave their guests a standing ovation. At the end of the 2002/3 Arlesey's Hitchin Road ground hosted two EUFA Ladies qualifying fixtures including England versus Spain. It was seen as a just reward for all the hard work that had been done at the Club by many of its members in recent years. Season 2003/2004 saw Arlesey Town yet again in the national limelight following a fantastic run to the last 16 of the FA Trophy defeating on the way, both after away draws ‘Hayes FC’ from the Ryman Premier Division and ‘Dagenham & Redbridge FC’ from the Nationwide Conference league. This resulted in an away game with ‘Exeter City FC’ who had just been relegated from the football league. Although losing the game the blues gained respect with an outstanding performance. The season ended with Arlesey Town failing to gain promotion to the new premier structure on goal difference but small consolation was gained when the Blues lifted the ‘Bedfordshire Senior Cup’ after defeating fellow Ryman League club outfit Leighton Town at Hitchin Road in May. In season (2004/05) Arlesey Town played in the Southern League Division One East and after the successful six-year reign of Nick Ironton it was a consolidation period. Because of the club’s success, visibility and recognition most of the players moved to play in the ‘Conference League’ and premier league. After an indifferent start to the season Nicky Ironton decided to hand over the manager’s position to Jon Taylor, whom he had dealings with in the past. Jon imported a new team of players during November with the single objective of maintaining the club’s status within the Southern League Division 1. This was achieved with a mid-table position and during that close season Jon added more players with a wealth of football league and senior club experience. The season (2005/06) Arlesey Town again played in the Southern League Division One East with Jon Taylor and Scot Houghton in charge. With an exciting start 9 wins out of 10 culminating in destroying Boreham Wood’s unbeaten run 3 – 0 at their home fortress. In both the FA Cup and Trophy there were unfortunate fixtures at Premier Clubs, Heybridge Swifts (1 – 0) and Leyton (90th minute goal) ending our cup interests. Arlesey Town had a mixture of excellent and mediocre results and achieved a mid-table position. The 2006/2007 seasons saw Arlesey Town reverting to the Ryman Isthmian Football league along with many of last season’s opponents also being reassigned. Again during the close season Jon Taylor had added players with a wealth of football league and senior club experience for the next season’s campaign we were looking to climb the non-league structure.
Arlesey Town Darren Hay took on the team management during the early stages of 2006/2007 season, when Jon left for personal reasons, with Mike Brooks as the assistant manager and coach and they put together a very young and eager team for the coming 2007 campaign. This included both experienced senior players supporting by young players who broke into the first team towards then end of the previous season. During the season there were several disruptions and there were three chairmen and three managers in succession which disrupted the development of the team because of the club management changes. Arlesey Town finished in the bottom half of the Ryman league with Matt Corbould as the manager and a very young side. Season 2008/2009 saw Arlesey Town reverting to the BGB Southern League with the consequence of substantial extra travelling miles and additional costs. Because of the league restructure Matt had to put together a totally different team comprising of a number of young players. As a result of Arlesey Town successful cup runs there were three players who were playing professional football for the 2008 season with Dave Kitson, was is a main A.T.F.C. sponsor, and who moved from Reading to newly promoted Stoke City to remain in the Premiership, Craig Machail-Smith and Shane Blackett were with newly promoted Peterborough United. This is a record to be proud of for a small club like Arlesey. Season 2008/2009 saw Arlesey Town escape relegation by the skin of their teeth. No honours were forthcoming in the season. But the Club were hoping season 2009/2010 would be more fruitful, which it so proved. With a complete new management structure in place and a new Management team, of: Gary King Director of Football, Lee Cowley Manager, Zema Abbey Assistant Manager, and Darren Staniforth as Coach, Arlesey played the season with renewed style and passion, finishing the season in 9th place in the League and getting through to the first round proper of the F.A. Trophy and lifting the Beds Senior Cup in the last game of the season. Season 2010-11 saw them staying in the Zamaretto Southern League in the new “Central Division” and saw them looking forward with a lot more hope and even more optimism, with the whole team showing great experience and growing in strength and confidence on and off the field all of the time. The season in which Arlesey were in the top echelons all season finished in dramatic stile as they won 10 games on the bounce, had 9 points deducted on the day they thought they had won the league away at Hayes and then beat long term arch rivals and near neighbours Hitchin Town on Hitchin’s own ground on their last game of the season to be finally crowned League Champions. This was followed soon after by beating Biggleswade Town to retain the Beds Senior Cup at Luton Towns Kenilworth Road ground to give Arlesey a League and Cup Double and see them promoted to the new Evo-Stick Southern League Premier Division, a truly tremendous season. The season was topped of in early August of this year as Arlesey beat neighbours Luton Town in the Beds Premier Cup to make a quite unique “treble” for the side. The first season in the Premier League was seen as a settling in period targeting staying up and a good cup run, both of these ambitions were achieved with the club reaching the F.A. Cup 1st round proper for the first time in their history.
Arlesey Town The second season again saw a good FA Cup run that went again to the 1 st round proper before it ended at the Ricoh Stadium against Coventry City. The season finished on a knife edge as Arlesey missed out on the play off spot of the Premier Div by just a single point. Although promotion was narrowly missed the Red Insure League Cup was won in a 2 legged final v Frome to bring home yet another impressive piece of Silverware. The squad like all good squads was rebuilt again through the summer and we looked forward to another successful season. But as the Abbeys left to take up management elsewhere we had a change of Management and in November 2013 Rufus Brevett arrived to take the club forward. Although his 1st season was “steady” a very difficult season in 2014-15 saw several changes of management as results failed to materialise a Rufus gave way after Christmas to ex manager Nick Ironton but again this failed to halt the slide and he in turn gave way during the season as Zema Abbey came back with brother Nathan as joint managers, Although this led to an improvement in playing style but they were unable to prevent relegation in the end back to the Central Division. The new season saw us struggle to get to grips with the style of the new division and early form showed us propping up the division but a second half resurgence saw us push up the division to finish in a mid-table position. Last season saw us with most of last season’s players returning to try to prove their point that they somewhat under achieved in the previous season. Season 2017-18 proved a very difficult year with a season plagued by injuries and problems and indeed a terrible record of no league wins at home all season saw us unfortunately get relegated from the Southern league. This now presents a new challenge in the South Midlands league for this year and to that end a new management team of Matt Endersby and James Hatch were appointed during the close season and they have rebuilt the team and gathered together a whole new coaching staff. We look forward to the new season with a degree of confidence that was perhaps missing in the previous season. The new League started well with a good start although a cup run eluded us and things went reasonably well until the Christmas period when a series of injuries knocked results but things were slowly rebuilt leaving us an 8 th place finish that left a feeling of under achievement that led again to a rebuild. A change in management as Matt Endersby left the club at the beginning of October the club appointed Chico Ramos in November to try to push the club forward again. His reign has been blighted by the Covid pandemic with two uncompleted seasons although some progress seems to be happening on the pitch. Also off the pitch much change is happening with a complete refurbishment of the clubhouse and dressing rooms.
Arlesey Town—Pen Pictures 21/22 Ryan Hilliard; Goalkeeper Local lad who has come up through the youth section and has impressed all the way through. went to Royston to gain some experience at senior level and has returned to claim the keepers shirt this season. Wa Si Lei; Goalkeeper Wasi has come Chinese Macau. Looks athletic and agile and is competing for the starting keepers shirt.
Shayan Ghamarinezhad; Defender Talented defender who can play central or full back. Previous clubs include London Tigers, Baldock, and Sporting Bengal. Sernad Hoxa; Defender Strong central defender who lists Tooting and Mitcham as his previous club Adetokunbo Orenaike; Defender Strong central defender with Tower Hamlets, Hendon, and Kingsbury town as previous clubs. Jack Ellwood; Defender Young defender who just looks at home in the team and defiantly deserves his place. Looks strong and confident and will only get better with every game. Derek Feyi; Defender A big and strong and experienced centre half who comes to us from Aylesbury Vale. He has previously been with Aylesbury FC, Thame Utd and Winslow. He has impressed from the start and considerably strengthens the defence. He can also play at full back. Adam Randall; Defender An experienced player who has also played for Ampthill Town. An accomplished centre back who has proved to be an asset to the team. Made team Captain last season Jesus Mendoza; Defender/Midfield A quick and tricky player who hails from Spain whoes previous club was UD Bellvitge. Good defender who is equally comfortable going forward. Ryan Lamond; Defender/Midfield Young defender who has come up through the youth policy. He started with the under 7s and has progressed through the reserves before progressing into the 1 st team squad last season. Hard worker with the “right attitude”. Plays either at full back or on the wing where he is equally comfortable. Manny Richardson; Midfield Back for his 3rd spell at Arlesey a busy attacking midfielder who is tricky on the ball. Started at Norwich City academy and has played for Dunstable, Aylesbury, Bedford Town & Cranfield. Transferred in from Crawley Green just before the start of last season.
Arlesey Town—Pen Pictures 21/22 Alex Taylor; Midfield Luke Revels; Midfield Ruben Alves; Midfield Lincoln Gilmartin; Midfield/Forward Tricky and quick midfielder who has come to us from Langford. Looks dangerous going forward and is still learning and getting better with every game. Herson Alves; Midfield/Forward Bruno de Brito; Forward/ midfield A vastly experienced player who come to us from Aylesbury Vale for whom he scored against us last season. He has a long list of clubs in England, Portugal from where he originates Cyprus, and China where he played for Macau and scored 30 goals in 33 games. Herculano Carvalho; Midfield/Forward A quick and tricky winger who can also find the net. Another Portuguese import that comes from Vitoria Setubal. Gaining confidence every game he plays. Josh Setchell; Forward Young forward moving up in the game looks quick and lively up front Jalen Miller; Forward A quick forward who has already shown he knows how to find the goal. He has been playing in Spain at Masnou FC coming to this country last year. Archie Sayer; Forward Young forward who has come up from the u23s and impressed straight away. Noah Costin; Forward Muhammad Zilboud; Forward Young forward breaking into senior football. Looks a useful player with loads of enthusiasm.
Today’s Officials Referee
Ben Jerrams
Assistant Referee Assistant Referee
Toby Carlisle Jakub Gierczyk
The TAFC 1
Club
Support Tring Athletic, Join our 100 Club. This is one of the most popular fund raising activities in the UK, probably the easiest to enter, and the size of the weekly/monthly prize will depend upon the number of people participating. The more people the larger the prize. 50% of all takings go in cash prizes. At the current time we have a weekly CASH prize of £20 and a Monthly 1st prize of £100 and 2nd prize of £50. It costs just £1 per week. Ask a committee member for details. October winners The monthly 100 draw was undertaken at half time during the Baldock Town game. The lucky winners were: £100 Alan Dumpleton £50 Georgina Webb £20 Lorraine Humphreys £20 Marion Griffiths £20 Andy Simmons Once again winnings will be paid directly to the winners bank accounts.
THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF “NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE WEEKEND HEADLINES Shefford Town & Campton claimed top billing in the headlines with their performance of beating higher ranked Risborough Rangers in the FA Vase. Wellingborough Whitworth score seven at Raunds Town while Tring Athletic hit four on the road at Cockfosters. Manager less Arlesey Town defeat London Colney 5-1 to record back to back league wins. Leverstock Green, Bovingdon and Pitstone & Ivinghoe all progress in the Gladwish Challenge Trophy. Saturday 20th November / Sunday 21st November THE BUILDBASE FA VASE Second Round Saturday’s Buildbase FA Vase Second Round ties saw two SSML sides achieving their best progress in the competition by reaching the Third Round for the first time, Shefford Town & Campton (in their FA Vase debut) produced an excellent performance in their all SSML tie against Premier Division Risborough Rangers, the Division One side coming from a goal down before winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw while New Salamis saw off visiting Ipswich Wanderers 2-0. There were two ties that saw former SSML clubs hosting current day members and accounts on both of these games can be found later in these Ramblings. Elsewhere it was a late stoppage time goal that ended the hopes of Flackwell Heath as visiting Combined Counties League side Guildford City progressed while Harefield United gallant fightback against Combined Counties League side Berks County saw the visitor edging it by the odd goal in five. Sunday’s action saw plenty of late drama in an all SSML tie, Hadley finding themselves 0-2 down with six minutes remaining at Baldock Town before a brace from Ofori took the tie to a penalty shoot-out which the visitors won 5-4. GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY First Round Three more First Round ties in the newly named Gladwish Challenge Trophy took place on Saturday, two of which were all Division Two affairs with the other being a Premier Division v Division Two contest. Leverstock Green avoided any shocks when entertaining Tring Corinthians AFC, the Premier Division side running out comfortable 5-0 winners against their Division Two opponents. Bovingdon were also amongst the goals in their ‘local derby’ tie with Sarratt, the hosts winning 4-0 while the other tie again a ‘local derby’ saw Pitstone & Ivinghoe booking their passage with a 2-0 over visiting Aston Clinton. PREMIER DIVISION With the top two involved in FA Vase action the attention turned to third placed Harpenden Town to try and close the gap at the top as they travelled to Ardley United, but it was not to be as the hosts recorded back to back 3-0 home wins. At the other end of the table Crawley Green remain bottom after going down by the odd goal in three at home against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos while Holmer Green hoover above the relegation places after they were beaten at home by Milton Keynes Irish, the visitors winning 2-1. Arlesey Town, still under temporary management, were the Premier Division biggest winnings on the day with a 5-1 success against visiting London Colney while in the days other action Dunstable Town recorded back to back league wins with a solitary goal success at home against Oxhey Jets.
The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt A weekly column courtesy of the SSML Fixture Secretary
DIVISION ONE Leaders Stotfold travelled to third placed Buckingham Athletic, the hosts looking to extend their six match winning league run however it was not to be as the visitors maintained their push for the title with a solitary goal win. Second placed Winslow United recovered from 0-2 down to win 4-3 at Northampton Sileby Rangers. Ampthill Town returned to third spot after a 5-0 win at struggling Amersham Town. At the other end of the table Burton Park Wanderers still seek that first elusive league as they lost 1-2 at home against Rushden & Higham United in front of their biggest crowd of the season, 171 in attendance while bottom club Irchester United also lost 1-2 at home against London Tigers, a result that saw Tigers climb out of the relegation zone. It was goals galore at Raunds Town however it was visiting Wellingborough Whitworth who bagged most of them in a 7-3 win while two other sides netted four on their travels, Long Crendon winning 4-0 at Langford and Kidlington Reserves enjoyed a 4-1 win at Letchworth Garden City Eagles. The day’s other action saw honours even as Bedford were held 1-1 at home by Thame United Reserves. COMMITTEE AWAYDAYS SSMFL Committee member Dave Henman sends this report from his travels on Saturday. I revisited Cockfosters after a 3 year absence but my focus was on the opposition, namely Tring Athletic who are still in the South Midlands League. I went with low expectations bearing in mind Tring’s precarious league position, and with the hosts just over halfway up their league. Boy, was I in for a very pleasant shock! The game started with Tring penned in their own half, and having difficulty in keeping Cockfosters at bay. In their first foray into home territory they took the lead with a neat move. From a short corner the ball was played to captain Keiran Turner 25 yards out. He unleashed a decent shot which the keeper failed to hold and George Carberry was in the right place to follow up after 7 minutes. The talking incident happened after 10/15 minutes when Tring were about to defend a corner. There was the usual jostling, and a touch of handbags when Cockfoster’s Charncey Dash took it upon himself to head-butt a defender – or so it seemed. Apart a brief “argument” the referee went to speak to the assistant for guidance/clarification. With that a straight red was issued. It was a needless act by the Cockfosters number nine. If my memory serves me right he played for Tring early last season, before the mass evacuation occurred mid-season. Maybe he had a grudge to settle? Who knows? Anyway Cockfoster’s passing went very much astray and they were finding Tring’s players, rather than their own. You could see Tring growing in confidence as the game progressed and they scored their second after 39 minutes courtesy of John Smith. What Cockfosters needed as soon as the second half began was a quick goal to get back into the game. The opposite happened after 47 minutes when some lovely passing movement led to Emmanuel Gbejuade slipping the ball into the empty net. But where were the Cockfosters defence – playing statues. By now it was game over and you could see the homesters’ heads drop, whilst Tring were gaining in confidence all the time. The final goal by George Carberry after 87 minutes was merely icing on the cake. When the majority of our sides fell by the wayside in the Vase it was nice to see an unexpected, but thoroughly deserved win. Tring also bought a fair number of supporters in what I estimated to be a crowd of 100 to 120.
On This Day—30th November 2019 FIVE STAR, FIVE GOAL FIRST HALF FLOORS COLNEY High quality football, composure, organisation and clinical finishing were the hallmarks of our first half display. London Colney were taken apart as we blitzed them with an attacking display which, if we can carry it through to the end of the season, will have our title contenders severely worried. It is always good news when your strikers get amongst the goals, as this is their job and what they are in the team to do. So, two goals for Max Mitchell, two for Marcus Melling and one for Terry Dixon mean we have an in-form strike force with goals in their locker. The goals. A penalty converted by Max on 15 minutes after Luke Dunstan had been brought down, a second simple header for Max from a Jay Lovell free kick on 16, Marcus opens his account for the day on 20 from a Max cross, Terry crashes home from a Max pass after 41, and Marcus finishes off the scoring in the first half. 5 goals in 30 minutes – and I won the 50/50! Perfect! Well, not quite perfect because we had the disappointment of Jay’s dismissal just before the break. This is our 5th sending off this season. These dismissals hurt us because, not only is there an impact on the match in question, but the player misses three subsequent matches due to suspension. We can’t afford to have such a talented player as Jay sitting in the stand watching the season go by without being involved. The less said about the second half the better. It is difficult to get fired up when the match is over as a contest and we lost our zip and, in all honesty, our hunger. No doubt the Colney half time team talk went something along the lines of “Let’s go out there and recover some pride. Let’s win the second half” – and they did just that, converting a late penalty for the only goal of the half, and deserve credit for not buckling under.
TAFC 5-1 London Colney The strength of our bench is an indication of the talented squad we have. Two tough matches await us this week, playing step 4 club Welwyn Garden city in the County Cup on Tuesday and third place Newport Pagnell on Saturday. This time next week we will have a clearer indication as to just how good we are. Come on boys!
Team: C Mann, B Johnson, J Sunderland, J Lovell, T Fletcher, P Lowen, L Dunstan (K Turner 60), D Ferrigno (M Rickman 62), M Mitchell (J Carter 55), M Mealing, T Dixon. Click on the picture below for full video highlights of the game
TAFC Reserves TAFC 0-0 Old Parmitarians—Match abandoned Click on the image below to see brief match highlights
Our reserves are sponsored by NP Electrics
Sponsored by NP Electrics Herts Senior County League - Division One POS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Results
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Hertford Heath First Hinton First Oracle Components First Buntingford Town First Harpenden Town Reserves Hertford United FC First Aldenham FC First Evergreen First Bovingdon Reserves Tring Athletic Reserves Knebworth First Standon & Puckeridge FC None Hatfield United First Oxhey First Old Parmiterians First Wheathampstead Wanderers First
14 15 13 14 12 14 13 14 13 16 14 11 13 13 11 0
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13 11 11 9 6 6 6 6 4 3 3 3 3 2 0 0
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1 1 0 2 3 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 1 2 2 0
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0 3 2 3 3 5 5 7 5 10 9 7 9 9 9 0
36 27 25 23 6 4 -8 -6 -7 -12 -21 1 -5 -21 -42 0
PTS
40 34 33 29 21 21 20 19 16 12 11 10 10 8 2 0
Sat 13th November Hatfield United 3-1 TAFC Sat 20th November TAFC A-A Old Parmitarians
Sat 27th November Evergreen (A) 2pm KO
Next up
Sat 4th December
Knebworth (A) 2pm KO
Sat 11 December
Hertford Heath (A) 2pm KO
Sat 18 December
Knebworth (H) 2pm KO
ENTRY TO RESERVE TEAM MATCHES AT HOME ARE BY DONATION. IF YOU CAN’T TRAVEL TO WATCH THE FIRST TEAM, THEN PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT OUR YOUNGSTERS.
U18s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U18s Blue POS
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PTS
1 Ware FC Academy U18 EJA
7
6
0
1
14
18
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7 6 8 4 6 9 5
5 3 3 3 3 1 0
0 1 1 0 0 1 1
2 2 4 1 3 7 4
13 6 0 8 -2 -27 -12
15 10 10 9 9 4 1
Results
Next up
St Albans City FC Academy U18 London Lions U18 EJA BSC FC Youth U18 EJA London Colney Youth U18 EJA Leighton Town Youth U18 Baldock Town U18 EJA Tring Athletic U18 EJA
Sun 7th November
TAFC 1-4 London Colney
League
Sun 14th November
Billericay Town 4-0 TAFC
Cup
Sun 5th December
Borehamwood (H) KO TBC
Cup
Sun 12th December
St Albans City (A)
League
U16s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U16 Green POS
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PTS
1 Ryan (Youth) U16 Red EJA
8
6
1
1
15
19
2 Enfield Borough (Youth) U16 Leopards 3 Cockfosters (Youth) U16
7
5
2
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27
17
9
4
2
3
12
14
4 Hemel Hempstead Town Youth U16 Blacks 5 Edgware Town U16
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4
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12
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6 Berkhamsted FC Youth U16 EJA
7
2
2
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7 Tring Athletic U16 EJA
6
2
1
3
0
7
8 London Colney Youth U16 EJA
8
2
1
5
5
7
9 Hadley Youth U16 EJA
7
0
0
7
-65
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Results
Next up
Sun 21st November
TAFC 0-1 Cockfosters
League
Sun 28th November
Ryan Youth 2-2 (1-3 pens)
Cup
Sun 5th December
Edgware Town (A) TBC
League
Sun 12th December
Enfield Borough (H) TBC
League
Sun 19th December
Hemel (A)
League
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