Tring Athletic vs Harpenden Town

Official Programme

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Tring Athletic v Harpenden Town

Thursday 20 April 2023, 7.45pm

Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Match Sponsor— Pendley Day Nursery

Good evening & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for the visit of Harpenden Town. We welcome their players, officials and supporters and wish them a safe journey home afterwards.

This is our last home game of the season and a vital one for both sides to grab 10th place and a top half of the table finish. Our visitors are a point below us in the league both with one more game to play after this evening. In 12th place sit Crawley Green who play Harpenden on Saturday, we finish the league campaign at 4th placed Risborough Rangers.

We still have interest in the cup as we visit Oxhey Jets the following weekend.

This afternoon’s sponsor are Pendley Day Nursery & we thank them for their ongoing support. You can find out more about them on page 4, 13 & 14. Just click on their advert to take you to their website 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 heard of the story of our U18s player Ryan Earle who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 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 6 & 7 of 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 23 — Today’s match squads

• 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.

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

League Table

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, Barry Simmons, Dave Stacey

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

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

Football Co-Ordinator Vacant

Press Officer Vacant

Website

Social Media

Programme Editor

Groundsman

Facilities Manager

Membership Secretary

Catering

Bar Manager

Committee Members

Darrell Osborne

Keith Eldridge , David Lawless

Keith Eldridge

Darrell Bodimeade

David Whicker

Graham Bright

Isalie

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

• Name/Logo on the matchday sign on the front of the stadium

• Two complimentary admissions

• Free pre-match drink for two people

• Company / Personal details on the front cover of matchday programme

• Overview of Company within matchday programme

• Mention on Chairman's notes and on the PA system

• Post match presentation/photo with the man of the match Contact Graham Bright on 07722 240963 or via email to tringathleticfc@hotmail.com

Match Sponsorship

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

Bury AFC—Performance Adhesives Ltd

Leighton Town—Steve Johnson & Ian Ranger

Cockfosters—Pendley Day Nursery

St Panteleimon— Pendley Day Nursery

Potton United NP Electric & Solar

Hoddesdon Town Tring Winery

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos—Mick Eldridge

Harpenden Town— Pendley Day Nursery

London Colney— Isalie

Crawley Green—Rennie Grove Hospice

Fixture List

Fixture List

Fixture List

Today’s Squads

Tring Athletic FC

Eric Negraru (GK)

Lewis Todd (GK)

Eli Hearn

Harrison Cornick

Lennie Armstrong

Adam Sawyer

George Carbery

Jack Stevens

Harry Shepherd

Jack Harvey

Davide Pobbe

Luke Peerless

Greg Deer

Harrison Mead

Godlove Oppong

Guiseppe Delgaudio

George Wainwright

Leo Farruch

Callum Shortt

Liam Mann

Manager - Ryan Sturges

Asst Manager- Lee Groves

Coach—Ian Richardson & Mick

Vipond, GK Coach - Gary Looker

Physio—Hannah Childs

Harpenden Town

Alex Desmond

Jake Anthony

Tom Colbourne

Curtis Dibley

Josh Dooley

Isiah Hilaire

Nathan McGreevy

Ryan Plowright

Joshua Rodriguez

Josh Setchell

Mickey Shuttlewood

Miles Habashi

Ivan Machado

Spencer O’Leary

Sam O’Nions

James Younger

Manager : Mickey Nathan

Coach : Steve O’Reilly & Rob Swan

GK coach :

Physio:

Today’s opposition

Harpenden Town Football Club was formed as Harpenden F.C. 1891 playing in both the MidHerts and Herts County Leagues, winning the Mid-Herts on numerous occasions. Town was added in the 1908.

Town climbed into the South Midlands League in 1957 winning the Premier Division title in 1962 and 1965 and in 1968 adding both the Herts Charity Shield & the South Midlands League Shield to their trophy haul.

Season 1990-91 saw the last significant investment in the club with the erection of the Centenary Stand, and, the installation of floodlights. The Club obtained entry to the FA Cup for the first time in 1998 and is a regular contender in the FA Vase.

After a turbulent period resulting in relegation from the Premier Division in 2000 and 2005. At the start of the 2006/07 season a new committee was in place their first move was to gain the Football Associations Charter Standard Accreditation, which ensured the correct structures were in place.

On the field the club also required stabilising and it was felt that more local community approach was needed so links with Harpenden Colts were established to bring through local young players ensuring a pathway from under sevens to adult football.

Success soon followed and after only one year Harpenden Town was named Herts FA Charter Standard club of the year thanks to their community work, which included hosting an anti racism event, an adult seven aside competition, free coaching offered to schools/junior teams and the development of women

Harpenden Town

The past two seasons has seen Harpenden make strides to secure its long term future however with possibly the worst facilities in the league due to lack of investment and vandalism over the past 20 years we face a massive task to completely turn around the clubs fortunes. We now have a new football management set up with local loyalties and most new players come from the local area. Off the field there is a new committee of local football fans who have not been involved with the club before supported by the old committee and others who still assist with the running of the club.

In 2015 having successfully obtained £100k of funding the club’s facilities have been refurbished which has had a positive impact on the club and its profile.

2018-19 was the last for the very successful manager Danny Plumb that included promotion back to the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division and a memorable Divisional Cup triumph inspired by local PE teacher David Keenleyside.

Courtesy of @Harpenden-Town on Twitter

Next Up

Today’s Officials

Referee Yashar Yekta

Assistant Referee Kovilen Sawmynaden

Assistant Referee Mark Mellor

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.

March winners

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

£100 The Griffiths Family

£50 Dave Richards

£20 Jamie Robbins

£20 Clare Rutherford

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 & Solar

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

Uxbridge 6-1 TAFC

Wokingham & Emmbrook 3-1 TAFC

Brook House 5-1 TAFC

TAFC 2-3 Walton & Hersham

TAFC 2-3 Harrow Borough

TAFC 0-1 Uxbridge

Harrow Borough 3-1 TAFC

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