Tring Athletic vs Leighton Town

Official Programme

Tring Athletic v Leighton Town

Saturday 18 February 2023, 3pm

Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Match Sponsor— Ian Ranger & Steve Johnson

Good afternoon & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for the visit of Leighton Town. After the late disappointment of defeat in the FA Vase last weekend, we’ll look to bounce back against our Bedfordshire neighbours today. Leighton currently sit second in the table but have four games in hand over leaders Stotfold and a seven point gap to make up.

We welcome their players, officials and supporters and wish them a safe journey home afterwards.

This afternoon’s match sponsor are former players Steve Johnson & Ian Ranger and we thank them for their continued support. We still have match sponsorship availability for the remaining games this season 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.

Many of our home supporters will have herd of the story of our U18s player Ryan Earle who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemie earlier in the season. We are delighted that Ryan has been in touch and sent a message of thanks to those who have help him & his family through this difficult time. Read more on pages 7 & 8 today’s programme. Click on the Just Giving banner if you are able to make a donation towards his family.

This is the third season of producing online only programmes. 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

• Page 7 - A selection of items on show from our club shop

• Page 22 — Today’s match squads

• Page 24-26—Introducing our opponents

• Page 28 The latest winners on the 100 club. You can join for just £1 a week.

• As always keep an eye on our website for all the latest information, fixtures and results.

Our Match Sponsor

Ian Ranger & Steve Johnson

Steve made his TAFC debut on 2nd May 1994 for the reserves against Bedford United reserves before moving up to the first team on 10 September 1994 in an 11-1 win againstAbbey National MK. Johnno went on to make 523 appearances for the club.

Ian Ranger joinedAthletic from Berkhamsted Town and first played against Totternhoe on 22August 1995. Range stayed atAthletic with a long career in the first team and continuing to help our youngsters in theAteam until the 2010/11 season. Ian made 374 appearances for the club.

Ryan Earle, 17 has been a Tring Athletic FC youth player for 3 years and also attends Ben Herd football academy so has links with Hertford Town FC. He was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukaemia last week and is now at UCL hospital undergoing treatment.

Ryan began this pre-season training with our first team, a testament to how well he is developing as a player with a very bright future. A few weeks ago Ryan took a knock to his head during an u18 friendly game against Leverstock Green FC, he had a small lump and also had a dizzy spell and to be on the safe side he attended where he was advised the lump was a cyst. A couple of weeks later we were playing Balham FC in the FA youth cup and Ryan felt unwell during the day and so presented himself at A&E where he collapsed.

Ryan was admitted and tests would reveal he has Acute myeloid leukaemia & is now receiving his treatment at UCL hospital in London.

All those who know or have have met Ryan know what a infectious joker he is, full of life and always laughing. The diagnosis has come as a huge shock to us all but no more so than for Ryan's family.

We have started this page to allow people to donate. The aim being to take some of the families financial stresses away so they can concentrate on supporting Ryan as he faces 6 months of treatment to overcome this diagnosis. The family will have huge expenditure with travel, accommodation, food amongst other things on top of keeping the home going. If you can help in anyway no matter how small you will make a huge difference in helping to concentrate on getting Ryan better and back home

Update from Ryan February 2023

"As I’m sure you all know I am having treatment for AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). I’ve had three rounds of chemotherapy to date and have responded well to treatment. There have been a few set backs during treatment, catching covid after round one which delayed my second round and having infections from the chemotherapy have also caused delays in between rounds. After finishing round 3 of chemotherapy a week ago the doctors and nurses are very happy how it’s all going and looks to be positive.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Tring Athletic FC including teammates who have regularly checked in on me to see how everything is going. I would also like to thank David Lawless especially who created the just giving page that create a large amount of money which helped support my family massively financially over the last few months. I'd like to thank everyone who donated and also to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos who fund raised for my family too.

I hope to finish my treatment in the next 6 weeks and looking forward to hopefully get back to possibly playing again for Tring next season. Ryan"

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.

Highlights & Social Media

Watch highlights of both games against Walsall Wood by clicking on the picture below

League Table

Table as at Monday 18th April

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

Bob Winter

Tony Stedman & Mark Weston

David Blair

Hon. Treasurer Tony Stedman

Commercial Manager

Match Secretary - South Midlands & Herts Snr

Registration Secretary

Community Officer

Club Welfare Officer

First Team Manager

First Team Assistant Manager

First Team Coaches

First Team Technical Advisor

Goalkeeping coach

Reserve Team Management

TAFC Zebras

Under 18' Management

Under 17's Management

Sports Physio

Football Co-Ordinator

Graham Bright

Tony Stedman

Trevor Langley

Darrell Osborne

Kirstie McNeil

Ryan Sturges

Lee Groves

Mick Vipond

Ian Richardson

Gary Looker

Alex Payne, Stuart Stedman

David Lawless

Hannah Childs

Vacant

Press Officer Vacant

Website

Social Media

Programme Editor

Groundsman

Facilities Manager

Membership Secretary

Catering

Bar Manager

Committee Members

Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges

Keith Eldridge , David Lawless

Keith Eldridge

Darrell Bodimeade

David Whicker

Graham Bright

Vacant

Stefan Drumea

Bob Winter (Chairman) Tony Stedman, Ian Butler, Neil Foskett, Graham Bright, David Blair, Mark Weston, Keith Eldridge, Andy Ayres., David Whicker

Our Charity Partner

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.

Match Sponsorship

Match sponsorship 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

Ardley United - NP Electrics & Solar

Colney Heath —Michael Anthony Estate Agents

Biggleswade United—Volkstec Auto Engineering

Stotfold— Ralph Griffiths

Baldock—Dick Lovelace

Risborough Rangers Pendley Day Nursery

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos—Tring Winery

Arlesey Town—Tring Winery

Shefford Town & Campton Pendley Day Nursery

Burnham Ramblers Performance Adhesives Ltd

Dunstable Town—The Cook Partnership

Leverstock Green—Mick Eldridge

Walsall Wood Tring Winery

Berko Raiders Performance Adhesives Ltd

Fixture List

Fixture List

Fixture List

Today’s Squads

Tring Athletic FC

Oscar Frost

Eli Hearn

Harrison Cornick

Lennie Armstrong

Adam Sawyer

George Carbery

Jack Stevens

Harry Shepherd

Jack Harvey

Davide Pobbe

Charlie Miller

Greg Deer

Harrison Mead

Frankie Hercules

Godlove Oppong

Guiseppe Delgaudio

Riely Churchill

Ali Mohiuddin

Manager - Ryan Sturges

Asst Manager- Lee Groves

Coach—Ian Richardson & Mick

Vipond, GK Coach - Gary Looker

Physio—Hannah Childs

Leighton Town

Xavier Comas Leon

James Towell

Jason Beck

Kyle Connolly

Gary Connolly

Luke Pyman

Max Farrelly

Ethan Flanagan

Jack Harvey

Ben Spaul

Oran Jackson

Matt Cooper

Lewis Toomey

Leon Lobjoit

Archie McClelland

Kwai Marsh-Brown

Reece Robins

Will Summerfield

Kevin Marsh

Manager : Lee Bircham

Asst Mgr: Tony Joyce

Coach : Sam Pateman

GK Coach : Kevin Marsh

Physio: John Rutherford & Lorraine Smith

Next Up

Today’s Visitors

The History of Leighton Town Football Club Leighton Town, who were known as Leighton United between 1922 and 1963, were formed in 1885. They were mainly involved in local leagues until the outbreak of the Great War and were winners of the Leighton and District League on several occasions. Leighton were one of the original members of the South Midland League in 1922 – which at the time was known as the Bedfordshire County. They were also members of the Spartan League between 1922/23 and 1951/52, but their only successes being the Spartan League Division 2 title in 1923/24 and 1927/28. They were Bedfordshire Senior Cup winners in 1926/27. League In 1952, they became a founder member of the Hellenic League, but after two disappointing seasons, moved to the South Midlands League.

In 1965/66 season however, the Premier Championship sat in the Leighton Town Boardroom. The club then rejoined the Spartan League in 1967/68. Leighton proceeded to consolidate their League success by winning the Bedfordshire Senior Cup for three successive seasons in 1968, 1969 and 1970. Unfortunately, some of the successful players moved on to other clubs, and Leighton’s fortunes again declined. A move to the United Counties League proved disastrous and after just two seasons, the club rejoined the South Midlands League. During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, Leighton were unable to capture the success of the ‘60’s.

In 1990/1991 the First Team won the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy and the O’Brien’s Premier Division Cup, both for the first time in the club’s history. The 1991/2 season was one of the club’s best. The South Midlands Premier Division title, which had eluded the club for so long, was won, and with it a place in the Isthmian League. 1992/3 saw the Club’s success continue when they won the Bedfordshire Senior Cup for the first time since 1970. The Club missed out on promotion in their first Isthmian League season by just a single point but the Youth Team retained the County Cup.

1995/6 saw the First Team win promotion to Division 2 of the Isthmian League, whilst at the same time retaining the Buckingham Charity Cup. In the 1996/7 season, Leighton won the Isthmian League Associated Members Trophy for the first time. 1998/99 saw the return of the Associated Members Trophy and the Buckingham Charity Cup.

Season 2003/04 Leighton won the Ryman Isthmian Second Division title. They were also named Ryman Division Two Team of the Year, and Paul Burgess was awarded Manager of the Year. They also reached the Fifth round of the FA Vase, and the final of the Beds Senior Cup, before losing to Andover and Arlesey Town respectively.

Leighton Town

The 2004-05 season saw the club placed in The Southern League East Division and finished in a creditable tenth place. They also won the Buckinghamshire Charity Cup. The Reserves won the Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup and the U18’s won the SCYFL League Shield.

The 05-06 Season saw the Club progress again, improving on the year before, as they finished 8 th in The Southern League Western Division. After a poor start, League results improved and the side only suffered four defeats from the start of November until the end of March, a play-off place just eluding them. After three excellent victories interest in the FA.Trophy competition ended with a single goal defeat to eventual semi-finalists, Borehamwood. The Club also reached the Beds Senior Cup Final, but sadly they again finished as Runners Up.

The Club were relocated to the Southern League Midland Division for 06-07 season but only one League win in the first six games and early exits in the two FA Competitions cost Paul Burgess his job in September. He was replaced by former Wycombe professional Keith Scott, results did improve but it was a disappointing season, although Town did win the Bucks Senior Charity Cup.

The 07-08 started brightly with the first League defeat not coming until midOctober. Three wins in the FA Cup saw the Club reach the 4th Qualifying Round for the first time in it’s history. A 3-0 defeat to Conference South, Havant and Waterlooville finally ended the run. Keith Scott then left in December to join Windsor and Eton. In January 2008, Assistant Manager Sean Downey was appointed as First Team Manager and did a splendid job as the Club ended their League season in 9th place, winning the Bucks Charity Cup and reaching the final of the Beds Senior Cup once more.

The 08/09 Season the First Team finished 8th in the Southern League, Midland Division, achieving their highest points total to date at that level.

Leighton Town

The 09/10 season saw Leighton once again finish in the top half of the table, when they finished in 9th place and they also lost the Bedfordshire Senior Cup Final to Southern League rivals, Arlesey Town after penalties. Season 2010/2011, saw Town finish in 7 th place in the League, gaining 69 points,their best performance since joining the Southern Football League.

The 2011/2012 a poor season saw Leighton finish in their lowest position for several years. 2012/13 was also very disappointing for the First Team as they finished in 20th place. 2015/2016 After 3 disappointing seasons Leighton finished the season in the bottom two of the Southern League Central Division and were relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League where they had last played in the 1991/92 season. 2016/2017 This was a disappointing season with the club struggling for much of the time after yet another Managerial Change. Things did pick up towards the end of the season and we eventually finished in 16th place.

2017/18 The club retained Scott Reynolds as Manager and finished 4th in the League and reached the Quarter Finals of the FA VASE. Gates improved and it was our best season for about 8 years, 2018/2019 Manager, Scott Reynolds resigned in the close season and Danny Nicholls was appointed as Manager but left in October due to work commitments. The Club then appointed Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson, who had previously won the Premier division title with London Colney as the new Management Team. They steadied the ship and we finished in mid table.

2019/2020 Was a good season for the Club as we again reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase and after a slow start in the League the team started to find some good form as we slowly climbed up the table. The team were also awarded the Team of the Month twice. 2020/2021 Town for the third time in 4 seasons reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase but sadly lost out to 2 late penalties. An indifferent start in the League meant we could not quite gain the points needed to gain promotion in a Covid affected season.

2021/2022 We eventually finished 4th in the table after a mid season Management change and after the disappointment of losing our previous 4 Beds Senior Cup Finals we won the Trophy by beating Southern League Div 1 Champions, Bedford Town on penalties after the game ended in a draw.

Today’s Officials

Referee Chaolun Tan

Assistant Referee Michael Heavey

Assistant Referee Guy Koskas

The TAFC 2 Club

Support Tring Athletic, Join our 200 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.

January winners

The monthly 200 club draw was undertaken recently. The lucky winners were:

£100 Jamie Robbins

£50 Keith Butler

£20 Tony Stedman

£20 Miles Blumson

Once again winnings will be paid directly to the winners bank accounts.

TAFC Reserves

TAFC 3-1 Buntingford Town

Click on the image below to see match highlights from last season

Our reserves are sponsored by NP Electrics

Suburban League—North Division

Results

TAFC 1-1 Uxbridge

TAFC 4-2 Marlow

TAFC 1-5 Flackwell Heath

Aylesbury 1-3 TAFC

TAFC 0-4 Welwyn (Cup)

TAFC 7-3 Hartley Wintney

Harrow Borough 1-0 TAFC

TAFC 0-2 Wokingham & Emmbrook

TAFC 1-2 Aylesbury Vale

ENTRY TO RESERVE TEAM MATCHES AT HOME ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR TAFC MEMBERSHIP. IF YOU CAN’T TRAVEL TO WATCH THE FIRST TEAM, THEN PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT OUR YOUNGSTERS.

RESULTS—CONTINUED

Flackwell Heath 3-1 TAFC

Brook House 3-1 TAFC

TAFC 1-2 Harrow Borough

Hartley Wintney 1—2 TAFC

TAFC 1 –2 Uxbridge

ENTRY TO RESERVE TEAM MATCHES AT HOME ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR TAFC MEMBERSHIP. IF YOU CAN’T TRAVEL TO WATCH THE FIRST TEAM, THEN PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT OUR YOUNGSTERS.

TAFC Membership

GOLD - £99 (£75 concessions) Free entry to all home league games. 20% discount at the bar. Please see the opposite page for additional offers from local businesses.

SILVER—£50 (£40 cons) Free entry to the first six matches each season. 20% discount at the bar.

BLACK—£20 (£10 cons) Club membership and 10% discount at the bar. Click on the Gold Card below to go to our membership page & application form

TAFC Gold Membership Benefits

Team Sponsors