Tring Athletic vs Dunstable Town by Tring Athletic

Official Programme

Tring Athletic v Dunstable Town Saturday 31st October 2020 3pm Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Match sponsorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dick Lovelace

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Grassroots Talk

Good afternoon & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium. Today we welcome the players, officials and supporters of Dunstable Town, We wish them an enjoyable afternoon and a safe journey home afterwards. Within the Dunstable squad there are some familiar faces returning. Between Tommy Twelves, Chris Vardy, Ben Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Ryan Sturges, they have made an impressive 760 TAFC appearances and scored 150 goals. Both teams won on Tuesday evening, so today is likely to be a competitive match and another “six pointer” Today’s match sponsors is Dick Lovelace, find our more about our sponsor on page 17. We have availability on future games (see page 16) including Newport Pagnell on 14th November so please speak to Graham Bright if you are interested. Alternatively you could choose to sponsor your favourite player for the season (page 15) Sunday Opening We are hoping to open the club every Sunday afternoon for the live game on the big screen. Entry by ticket only which costs £4 and includes a drink. See page 29 & click on the advert to buy your tickets.

Covid Compliance We had visits to the ground by Hertfordshire Police and the league covid officer during our last two home matches and we have taken on board their feedback regarding the control steps we have taken. You will see stricter measures in place around the ground. There will be 10 covid compliance officers, in hi-viz vests, in strategic positions around the ground. They have full authority to deal with covid noncompliance in any way they see fit. We must be compliant, not complacent. Please continue to help us by socially distancing and adhering to the controls we have in place around the stadium.

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 & 7—Match report TAFC 1-2 Oxhey Jets

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Pages 8 & 9—Match report Wembley 1-4 TAFC

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Page 10—Saturday’s match highlights

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Page 14—Our full back Paolo Bagatti features on this week’s player profile.

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Page 22 & 23 —A message from our new chairman Bob Winter

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Page 24—Today’s match squads

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Pages 36 & 37 —On this Day, we look back to 2011 and a defeat in the Herts Senior Cup against Hitchin Town.

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Page 38 - Charity Raffle to win a TAFC Gold Membership, raising money for the Pepper Foundation. Clicking on the advert takes you straight to the site to buy a ticket.. The draw will be made during half time at today’s game.

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Page 45—Already a TAFC Gold member? We are delighted to share with you some new benefits from local businesses.

Match Report Saturday 24th October 2020 Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Tring Athletic 1-2 Oxhey Jets

For our first Saturday home game since Feb 8th we welcomed high flyers Oxhey Jets on what was a miserable autumnal afternoon. Despite what was probably our best performance of the season we finished up pointless. For the first 20 mins we played some good, flowing football and only an excellent save from their custodian who was their MOM, from a Callum Short strike which he tipped over the bar and then a double save again from a shot from the same source and a follow up Joe Naylor header. Ollie Butler then should arguably have done better from a cross to the far post. Then on 20 mins a sloppy Will Salmon pass resulted in a cross and finish from virtually the first time Oxhey Jets had seriously threatened our area. With the way our season has been there was a visible drop of the shoulders, but we'd just managed to start to recover our equilibrium when on 32 mins a near post flick from a corner doubled the deficit. At half time the players were reminded as to how much of the game they had and chances created in that first 20 and that belief together with the advantage of playing down the slope we started to get back in the game. We defended well as a unit and slowly began to create the odd half chance.

Match Report On 65 mins a smart turn and finish by Joe Naylor brought us right back into the contest. We were now mixing up our way of playing and then their full back was dismissed for a second yellow. We continued to get the ball out wide but our best chance came from a well delivered corner which James Butler should have done better with, Joe Naylor then made the keeper work and Joe Chott blazed narrowly wide with a left foot half volley but unfortunately we failed to get anything from the game. If we can keep the belief going we will begin to pick up points. We have played 7 out of the top 8 teams, 6 of them away from home and hopefully Lady Luck will start to smile on us.

Team David Saunders, Paolo Bagatti (Jack Sunderland) Kevin Mcmanus, James Butler, Gareth Terblanche, Callum Shortt, Will Salmon ( Aaron Bryan) Harrison Cornick (Joe Chott) Joe Naylor, Will Foley, Ollie Butler

Match Report Tuesday 27th October 2020 Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Wembley 1-4 Tring Athletic A great result for Tring against another side close to the foot of the table. Athletic's goals were scored by Ollie Butler (2) Joe Naylor and Harrison Cornick. Building on last Saturday's performance against Oxhey Jets, we had a second consecutive Tuesday night victory and with some of the other results going in our favour we moved away from being the "strongest " team in the Division. Our recruitment of players carries on 3 new players were introduced Aaron Bryan at left back who settled after a frenetic start to play his part, Scott Bullock recruited from Berko Raiders who had to be introduced early following yet another injury to Jack Sunderland and added a measure of experience and quality to this young squad. Returnee Mesach Hendrickson played the last 15 mins holding the ball up. With more players on the way we are looking to raise the experience of the squad without preventing the younger lads playing. On the usual superb surface at Wembley FC both sides knocked the ball about confidently. Ollie Butler headed wide from a Joe Chott cross before on 20 mins he successfully converted a Will Foley set piece with a deft header down low past their keeper. Ollie then hit the post and once again luck seemed to be against us, but on 32 mins Joe Naylor cut in (picture opposite) before reversing a cross shot to give us a 2 goal lead for the first team this season. Within 5 mins Will Foley, who improves with every game played a square pass to Ollie Butler, credit to the Official who played a good advantage to allow the Better Butler to stake his claim for goal of the season with a ferocious strike.

Giddy heights! For once we didn't look like conceding before half time.

Match Report The expected reaction from Wembley FC duly happened. They went a bit longer and on a couple of occasions, a last ditch tackle or clearance from skipper Kevin McManus and Scott Bullock repelled the danger. We seemed to have weathered the mini storm but a poor decision from an assistant who missed what looked like an obvious off side allowed our opponents to cut the deficit. The quality of our play deteriorated, but having battled hard, we then put the game to bed when Harrison Cornick converted from the edge of area after yet another Will Foley set piece was only half cleared. Impossible to fault the effort and application of the squad and although Ollie Butlers 2 goals made all the difference, this was especially in the 45 mins a genuine team performance . We now must build on this result, with the first of 4 consecutive Saturday home games, starting with local rivals Dunstable Town FC. Team David Saunders, Jack Sunderland (Scott Bullock) Kevin Mcmanus, James Butler, Aaron Bryan, Harrison Cornick, Will Salmon, (M.Hendrickson) Will Foley, Joe Chott (Callum Shortt) Ollie Butler, Joe Naylor.

Highlights & Social Media Highlights— TAFC 1-2 Oxhey Jets Click on the image below to view

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The League

POS

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

PTS

Biggleswade United

Eynesbury Rovers

Colney Heath

Oxhey Jets

Harefield United

Potton United

Leighton Town

Harpenden Town

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

Newport Pagnell Town

Baldock Town

Arlesey Town

Leverstock Green

-4

Edgware Town

-10

Dunstable Town

-9

Crawley Green

-12

Broadfields United

-5

North Greenford United

-6

Tring Athletic

-8

Wembley

-15

London Colney

-15

Table as at Tuesday 27th October

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 Coaches Reserve Team Management EJA Under 16's Brown Manager EJA Under 16's Yellow Manager Sports Physio Football Co-Ordinator Press Officer Website Social Media Programme Editor Groundsman Facilities Manager Membership Secretary Kit Laundering Kit Manager Catering Bar Manager

Bob Winter Tony Stedman & Mark Weston David Blair Tony Stedman Graham Bright Tony Stedman Trevor Langley Kirstie McNeil Chris Juraszek, James Shaw Michael East Michael Churchill, Richard Priestly & Dan Wilson Michael Churchill, Iain Lorimar David Lawless Richard â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dickieâ&#x20AC;? Smith Vacant Vacant Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges Keith Eldridge Keith Eldridge Darrell Bodimeade Bob Winter / Tony Steadman Mick Eldridge BEM Vacant Vacant Vacant Tash Young

Committee Members Bob Winter (Chairman) Tony Stedman, Ian Butler, Neil Foskett, Graham Bright, David Blair, Mark Weston, Chris Juraszek, James Shaw, Keith Eldridge.

Player Profile

Players name

Paolo Bagatti

Nickname (s)

Position

Right Back

Previous club(s)

Leighton Town, Buckingham United

Occupation

Quantity Surveyor

Favourite Food

Pasta

Dream holiday destination

Maldives

Footballing hero / inspiration

Maldini / Vidic

Who do you support?

Luton Town

Favourite TV programme

Gavin & Stacey

Best ground you’ve played at

Kenilworth Road

Best football moment

N/A - (Obviously TAFC player of the month for September doesn’t rank highly enough here! — Ed)

You can only have one app on Uber Eats your phone - which one do you choose? You are in charge of the dress- Some booming house or techno ing room music for the day, what is getting played?

Player Sponsorship Why not sponsor your favourite Player's kit, It only costs ÂŁ50 for a season. If you are interested then please contact the Club on match days or via email on tringathleticfc@hotmail.com.

Sponsor Player Clem Asante

Available

Paolo Bagatti

Available

Connor Blake

Available

Ollie Butler

Available

Joe Chott

Available

Harrison Cornick

Available

Joe Cowan

Available

Will Foley

Available

Connor Goodliffe

Tay Refurbishments

Frankie Hercules

Available

Kevin McManus

Available

Adam Murphy

Available

Joe Naylor

Available

Prince Nimoh

Bob Winter

Jonny Pitts

Available

Will Salmon

JS Property Group

David Saunders

Petron Sports

Callum Shortt

Available

Matt Stacey

Available

Dan Steadman

Available

Jack Sunderland

Ralph Griffiths

Match Sponsorship Why not support the Club by sponsoring a Match. It’s 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

Tuesday 15th September 2020 Crawley Green Heygates Tuesday 29th September 2020 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos B Smart Dry Cleaners Tuesday 20th October 2020 London Colney Tony Stedman Saturday 24th October 2020 Oxhey Jets John Brannan Saturday 31st October 2020 Dunstable Town Dick Lovelace Saturday 7th November 2020 Harpenden Town The Cook Partnership Saturday 14th November 2020 Newport Pagnell Town Tuesday 8th December 2020 Potton United Pendley Day Nursery Saturday 12th December 2020 Baldock Town Ian Ranger Saturday 2nd January 2021 North Greenford United Ralph Griffiths Saturday 9th January 2021 Eynesbury United Saturday 23rd January 2021 Leighton Town Saturday 6th February 2021 Wembley Saturday 13th February 2021 Colney Heath Saturday 20th February 2021 Broadfields United Saturday 27th February 2021 Harefield United Saturday 6th March 2021 Arlesey Town Saturday 20th March 2021 Edgware Town Saturday 3rd April 2021 Leverstock Green Saturday 24th April 2021 Biggleswade United Brian Lovell - Samaritans collection day

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Match Sponsor This afternoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match sponsor is Dick Lovelace. He is joint chair of Dacorum Caring for Carers who have been continuing to support the local community during the pandemic. We would like to thank Dick for his continued support.

Fixture List Sat 12 Sep Tue 15 Sep Sat 19 Sep Sat 26 Sep Tue 29 Sep Sat 3 Oct Tues 6 OCt Fri 9 Oct Tue 13 Oct Sat 17 Oct Tue 20 Oct Sat 24 Oct Tue 27 Oct Sat 31 Oct Tue 3 Nov Sat 7 Nov Tue 10 Nov Sat 14 Nov Tue 17 Nov Sat 21 Nov Sat 28 Nov Tue 1 Dec Sat 5 Dec Tue 8 Dec Sat 12 Dec Sat 19 Dec Sat 28 Dec Sat 2 Jan c Sat 9 Jan Sat 16 Jan Sat 23 Jan Sat 6 Feb Sat 13 Feb Sat 20 Feb Sat 27 Feb Sat 6 Mar Sat 13 Mar Sat 20 Mar Sat 27 Mar Sat 3 Apr Sat 17 Apr Sat 04 Apr

L 2-0 L2-3 W1-1 (5-6 pens) L3-2 L1-2 L2-1 L3-1 L4-1 L3-1 L3-1 W3-1 L1-2 W1-4 3.00pm 7.30pm 3.00pm 7.30pm 3.00pm 7.30pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 7;30pm 3.00pm 7.30pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm

Away Home Away Away Home Away Away Away Away Away Home Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Away Away Away Away Home Home Away Away Home Home Away Home Home Home Home Home Home Away Home Away Home Away Home

Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division FA Vase Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division FA Vase Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Colney Heath Crawley Green Harefield United Arlesey Town Aylesbury Vale Biggleswade United Potton United Edgeware Town Leighton Town Harpenden Town London Colney Oxhey Jets Wembley Dunstable Town Broadfields United Harpenden Town Harefield United Newport Pagnell T Edgware Town Eynesbury Rovers Baldock Town Crawley Green Newport Pagnell T Potton United Baldock Town North Greenford Leverstock Green North Greenford Eynesbury Rovers Aylesbury Vale Dyn. Leighton Town Wembley Colney Heath Broadfields United Harefield United Arlesey Town Oxhey Jets Edgware Town Dunstable Town Leverstock Green London Colney Biggleswade United

Chairman’s Message I must start by saying how honoured and pleased I am to have accepted Ian Butler’s nomination to take on the role of Chairman at this great club. I do so in the confidence that the club is in great shape, and we all owe Ian a huge debt for taking the club forward in such a positive way during a challenging period in the clubs history. I’m delighted that Ian will be staying on the Executive Committee to support me – in fact this was one of my conditions for taking the role on. On the subject of the Executive Committee, we have welcomed a number of new members in recent months and I feel we now have a really strong team in place who will ensure the ongoing success of the club. This is another reason why I approach the role with confidence. On the field, there’s no denying it’s been a tough start to the season for the First Team with results not going as we would have hoped. However, we shouldn’t lose sight of the principles we set ourselves – to consolidate and focus on providing football for local players and developing our talented youth players. Chris and his management team have risen to this challenge and produced a side that plays with a passion and level of commitment that should make us all proud. They’ve played some good football too, matching some of the more fancied sides in the league for large periods. Support has been great at all games I’ve been at, and this is an important factor in helping this young team to succeed. The Reserves deserve a special mention as well. Not only have

they made a good start to their debut season in the Herts County League, but they have played a key part in re-establishing the social fabric of the club – making it a great place to be around again, especially early evening on a Saturday.

Chairman’s Message Our playing structure is completed by two talented U16’s teams who are both doing well in the Eastern Junior Alliance – something that bodes well for the long term health of the club.

These are exciting times, with the new floodlights going up as the first initiative in our plans to invest in, and improve, the infrastructure of the club. This has been made possible by the very generous donations made to the ‘Floodlight Fund’ by our Sponsors, friends and our course our great supporters. Work is expected to complete end November and we are currently planning a big ‘switch on’ event to mark completion of this marque project. We are also establishing a new nursery operation at the club which will open in January – this will provide a healthy revenue stream for the club to enable us to realise our investment plans going forward. That’s probably enough from me for now except to highlight that, ultimately, this is a Members Club and it’s the view of members that matter. With this in mind, please do let me have your thought’s - you can either email me or catch me at a game, I’m always happy to talk. Enjoy the game – onwards and upwards! Cheers Bob

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s- Squads

Tring Athletic FC

David Saunders Jonny Pitts Paulo Bagatti Kevin McManus Adam Murphy Harrison Cornick James Butler Will Salmon Will Foley Oliver Butler Scott Bonner Prince Nimoh Connor Smith Jack Sunderland Joe Naylor Frankie Hercules Callum Shortt Joe Chott Connor Goodliffe Gareth Terblanche Aaron Bryan Manager - Chris Juraszek Asst Manager - Michael East

Dunstable Town FC Dan Gould Adam Sawyer Daniel Trif Greg Douglas Jeremiah Debayo Joseph Debayo Dylan Fitzpatrick Marlon Burton Ben Johnson Louis Octave Daniel Blackman Davide Pobbe Tommy Twelves George Mulonda Kai McArthur Roy Byron Dominic Fraser Khyreece Smith-Reid Christopher Stapleton Leonardo Pedro Teddy Daniels Joe Hankins Chris Vardy

Manager:

Gareth Jackson

Asst Mgr

Ryan Sturges

Coaches

Ivan Arapov

Physio - Dickie Smith

Rory McMullan Physio

Rebecca Hawtin

NEW FLOODLIGHTS – Fundraising Challenge Update Getting Closer! An update from the Club on where we are with the new floodlights. As previously reported we have a grant of £39,308 from the Football Foundation Stadia Improvement Fund (Funded by The Premier League) his relates to an overall cost of £56,154. With full planning permission now secured, the aim is to get the new, state of the art floodlights installed during NOVEMBER THIS YEAR. However, we do have a funding challenge and the current update is:£16,846 TOTAL ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO RAISE (full cost less grant) £ 10,040 RAISED TO DATE (many thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters so far) £ 6,806 REMAINING TARGET TO BE RAISED We would love all our great sponsors, supporters and townsfolk to join us in achieving, and hopefully smashing, this target. Any donations, however large or small, would be very gratefully received every penny donated will go directly to the floodlight fund. We are creating a Floodlights Patrons Board which will be mounted in the Clubhouse, and will be a roll of honour of all have donated. This will be a permanent recognition of support, should you donate, your name will be up on the board at the club for ever. How to donate:1)Email Club Secretary Bob Winter on Robert.winter2007@ntlworld.com to confirm your donation and the name you would like on the Floodlights Patrons Board. 2)Transfer your donation to club bank account: Sort Code 40-44-32 Account No. 21133543 . Please put your SURNAME in the payment reference. Alternatively, a cheque made payable to Tring Athletic FC can be handed in at the bar.

Together we will get those new floodlights up!

Our first team squad Goalkeepers David Saunders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Made his first team debut the day after his 16th birthday in 2018 and is now approaching 50 appearances. A local youngster and currently head boy at Tring School. Jonny Pitts - Joined in 2020 and saved a penalty 3 minutes into his first team debut. Jonny returned to the UK after some time in the US and despite living on Pancake Lane opted to us rather than Leverstock Green. Good lad! George Zammit - goalkeeper who was injured in preseason. Recovering after a knee operation & hoping to be back playing before Christmas. Formerly with Aylesbury Vale and Leighton Town. Defenders Paolo Bagatti - Made his club debut at Woking Reserves on 3rd September 2016 where we won 2-1. Paolo rejoined Athletic in 2020 playing for the first team in the FA Cup against Easington Sports.

Jack Sunderland â&#x20AC;&#x201C; One of our longest serving players having made his debut in 2010. Jack started as a forward but has been converted to a strong attacking full back. Currently on 298 appearances and 69 goals for the club. Gareth Terblanche - First played for our u18s in 2012 before regularly playing for the A team and reserves. Made his first team debut in the 18/19 season. Adam Murphy - Made his debut against Colney Heath on 12th September 2020. Adam has previously captained Harefield United and played for Chalfont St Peter & Carlton Town at Step 4.

Harrison Cornick - originally played for both our midweek and Sunday u18 teams. Harrison made his first team debut towards the end of the 19/20 season after a good spell in the reserves. Kevin McManus - A first team regular between 2014-16, Kevin returned in 2020 to Athletic to bring some experience to the back line. Previous club include Dunstable Town. Midfielders Prince Nimoh - Prince joined TAFC in February 2019 making his debut for the reserves as a substitute in a 7-0 win over Hartley Witney. He then stepped up to the first team on 8th February 2020 scoring on his debut in a 6-0 win over Leverstock Green. Frankie Hercules - came up through the ranks from our u18s making his debut in 2016 against Hitchin. Has recently made his 100th club appearance.

Our first team squad Joe Chott - joined Athletic in the 19/20 season as a regular in the reserves. Made his first team debut against Easington Sports in the FA Cup in September . Olly Butler - Made his debut aged 16 in 2012/13 and has now racked up 250 club appearances turning out for the u18s, B, A, reserve and first teams. Will Salmon - First played for Tring in 2010 in our u18s and spent most of his career with the A & B sides. Became a reserve team regular in 2018/19 before making his first team debut in February 20 against Leverstock Green and getting on the scoresheet. Connor Goodliffe - Connor joined in 2020 on the recommendation of the Hemel u18s manager. He made his debut off the bench at Colney Heath on 12th September before starting against Crawley Green a few days later. Scott Bonner - Scott made his TAFC debut in the FA Cup on 1st September 2020 against Easington Sports. His former clubs include Kings Langley, Sun Sports, Berkhamsted, Leverstock Green & Oxhey Jets.

Will Foley - Another local lad coming up through the u18s and a regular in the reserves. Made his first team debut against Leverstock Green in February 2020. Forwards Joe Naylor - Local boy Joe has been with the Club for a number of years now, since making his First Team debut as a teenager back in 2014/15. He is strong, quick with good technical skills as well as an eye for goal. At the start of the 20/21 season heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d made 231 club appearance scoring 105 goals. Callum Shortt - Made his debut in March 2020 against Oxhey Jets. Previously played for Kempston Rovers. Clem Asante - A regular for the reserves since 2018/19 with a good goal scoring record. Yet another to make his first team debut against Leverstock Green in February 2020. Stephen Eboine - Joined from Wembley FC In February 2020 having already scored 14 goals in 26 appearances for them. Made his Tring debut against Colney Heath on 22 February before scoring his first goal 10 days later against his former club in a 1-0 win.

Connor Smith - Returned to Tring in October 2020 scoring twice against London Colney. Connor played 58 times between 2010 & 2015.

Next Up

Sunday football on the big screen

Our opponents TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT For a Club that can boast the signatures of George Best & Jeff Astle, the first rung on the managerial ladder for a young Barry Fry, the events of May 2017 were a troubling period in the Club’s history. Initially formed in 1883 the Club’s history has many of the cliched tales shared with other non-league clubs who have dreamt big, spent unwisely and repented at their leisure and the frustration and sadness of their fans. Between 1994 and 1998 there wasn’t even a Dunstable Town playing competitive football as the Club folded at the end of the 93-94 season. Re-established four years later the Club had a snakes and ladders period enjoying three promotions in a relatively short period of time before suffering relegations and a points deduction at the end of the 2008-09 season. And here we are again, eleven years later pitting our wits against others in the SSML. The “Invincibles” team of the 2012-13 season got promoted from the SSML Premier Division without losing a single game. Back to back promotions took the Club back into the Southern League Premier Division and all appeared well. With Creasey Park having been redeveloped at the turn of the decade the Club could boast a superb playing surface carefully tended by the Council’s dedicated grounds team. But with gates around the 150 mark at Step 3, and no income from match day food and drink sales nor a club house to hold functions in to raise much needed cash, the Club was always going to struggle to compete in terms of playing budgets and ultimately to survive. Events culminated at the end of the 2016-17 season when a midtable finish and early Cup exits led to wholesale departures from the Club of the Board, coaching and playing staff.

Dunstable Town An emergency meeting was held in May 2017, and rather than face the ignominy of seeing the Club fold yet again or allow a Business Consortium to take over and seek voluntary relegation back to Division 1 of the SSML, the fans decided to run the Club themselves Three seasons later, we’re still here. We had consecutive relegations out of the Southern League but last season steadied the ship, finishing slightly below mid table before the season ended prematurely as the Covid-19 Pandemic struck with devastating speed and cruelty. End of season form would have had us in the play off places had it been consistent all season. Our arrangements with the local Council remain unchanged and undoubtedly our fortunes lie within our own hands. There’s no mileage to be gained by complaining about a contract we signed up to years ago by which Creasey Park receive all the bar and food takings on match days and the proceeds from any events held in the Clubhouse. That for the time being is inscribed in tablets of stone. Our task is to fund the running of the Club differently from conventional models because conventional models are not applicable in our case. Ideally we’d like to double or even treble our home support back to the 400 level in the Best& Astle era forty odd years ago. Despite everyone’s best efforts that doesn’t look like happening anytime soon so a Plan B, C, and D must be devised for us to continue. And why would we stop ? Since the fans took over the running of the Club, three players from “our era” have gone on to sign pro contracts with Football League teams. Peter Kioso at Luton Town, Nathan Harness at Charlton Athletic and Nick Hayes at Salford City.

We’re doing something right obviously. In Gareth Jackson & Ryan Sturgess we have two young managers who share our dreams, our visions and our philosophy, and that, coupled with the passion and desire of our loyal fans spurs us all on to keep the Club going.

Reserved for the reserves

Saturday 24th October An excellent 4-1 win away at Aldenham with goals by Joe Cowan (2) Lewis Dwight and James Smisson sends Tring above our opponents on goal difference and into 4th place. Saturday 17th October The reserves suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away at league leaders Oracle Components. At time of writing the reserves do not have a game scheduled for this afternoon. Click on the image below to watch the goals from the reserveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win against Bovingdon back in September.

Herts Senior County League - Division One POS

PTS

Oracle Components First

Hatfield United First

Oxhey First

Tring Athletic Reserves

Aldenham FC First

Bovingdon Reserves

Standon & Puckeridge FC Blues

Evergreen FC First

Sun Sports Watford First

Buntingford Town First

-3

Wheathampstead Wanderers (HSCL) First

-10

Hinton First

-3

Old Parmiterians First

-9

Hertford Heath First

-3

Bushey Rangers Saturday First

-4

Knebworth First

-11

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Officials Referee Assistant Referee Assistant Referee

Marc Rister Kyfer Mayhew Steve Williams

Meet the Players Action photos from our game at Colney Heath

Player of the Month

Player of the month Sponsored by Olive Limes

September Paolo Bagatti

On This Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;2011 We exited the Herts Senior Cup at Hitchin Town on Halloween night but this was no horror show and Julian Robinson and Tony Armitage can take a lot of positives from this performance. Hitchin play in the Premier Division of the Evo Stick Southern League which is 2 levels above us in the football pyramid so it was a tough challenge for our lads. Our hosts may not have fielded their strongest side but they had 12 players who appeared on the team sheet for their weekend game against Chippenham Town so their team had plenty of senior experience. Recent games at The Grass Roots Stadium have seen teams arrive with the sole intention of closing us down to stifle our pattern of play so it was pleasing to meet a side who wanted to play football and the outcome was a thoroughly enjoyable match. The home sides superior experience and know how proved to be decisive in the end but we played some lovely football and were a match for our opponents for much of the game. We just need to transpose this form to our home competitions. We started slowly perhaps feeling a bit over awed at the occasion and Hitchin took the early initiative. Jerome Anderson stung Mike Underwoods hands with a fierce shot and Jamie Arlick put a header well over the bar when well placed at the near post. Stewart King had our first attempt but his shot went wide. The last thing we need was to concede an early goal but in the 17th minute we did just that. Player Manager Carl Williams, who has played nearly 500 games for Hitchin, knocked over a high hanging cross to the far post and Jerome Anderson arrived to head home from close range to put his side into a 1-0 lead. The home team started to knock the ball around nicely but we showed a lot of character to start to put some nice moves together ourselves. Stewart Kings pace was a constant threat and he turned and shot wide from a typical barnstorming run. Stewart King was involved again in the 27th minute and when the ball fell to Paul Jeffrey he fired in a great shot to force the home keeper into a fine save. A minute later we had a great chance to equalise when a corner found Stewart King unmarked at the far post but from close range he headed the ball down and it bounced over the bar. We were growing in confidence and matching the play of our more senior hosts. After another good passage of play Connor Waite shot over. Hitchin were still dangerous going forward and Jamie Arlick headed a near post corner over the bar. Thus a good first half came to an end with us being a little unfortunate to being a goal down. The home side brought on first team regular Ieuan Lewis for Jerome Anderson at the start of the second half and he was a tad lucky to escape a booking for a couple of late challenges. But this was not dirty match so the Referees action was probably in keeping with the spirit of the game.

Hitchin Town 3-1 TAFC Winger James Edgerley did a nice turn and shot but his effort went over. Hitchin were pressing forward looking to kill off the match with a crucial 2nd goal and unfortunately we gifted it to them in the 58th minute. We gave the ball away in midfield and Louis Lee gratefully accepted the opportunity by striding forward and cracking the ball past Mike Underwood to make the score 2-0. Jack Thomson came on for Tony Fields and although we faced a big task we didnt give up and continued to play football. The home defence had been troubled by Stewart King throughout the match and in the 72nd minute he was upended by the keeper and the Referee pointed to the spot. Graham Hall stepped up to coolly slot the ball past the keeper to make the score 2-1 and get us back into the game. Unfortunately the 2 goal lead was re-established within 2 minutes when Carl Williams whipped over a great cross for Jamie Arlick to head home at the near post to make the score 3-1. A minute later there was a moment of controversy when the home keeper Bartolomiej Pedrycz handled the ball outside his area but failed to foil Stewart King who now had an opportunity to slot the ball home albeit from an acute angle. But the Referee blew and awarded us a free kick instead which regrettably came to nothing. Surprisingly the keeper escaped a red card. Mark Burfoot came on for Connor Waite to make his first appearance of the season and we were still intent on taking the game to Hitchin. Following a good move Stewart King forced the home keeper into making a sharp save down by the post. Hitchin showed equal attacking intent which made for an entertaining evening and Mike Underwood had to save a header then Rob Duncan did really well to block a shot from James Edgerley who found some space in our area. The last opportunity fell to Mark Burfoot when he intercepted a pass then curled a lovely shot just wide of the far upright. There was no more action of note and the game ended with a 3-1 victory to the home side who now have an attractive home game against Stevenage Borough in the next round. Our hosts superiority in the last 3rd of the pitch eventually made the difference but we were far from disgraced and can take a lot of credit for the way we played the game against a team containing a lot of players with much more senior experience. We put out a young squad with 8 players aged 22 or under and hopefully they will have learnt a lot from his experience. What we need to do now is repeat this form in our bread and butter games starting at Harefield United on Saturday. HT:Bartolomiej Pedrycz, Tony Fontenelle, Josh Bickerstaff, Jack Nelly (Luke Gregson 70), Marc Leach, Callum Donnelly, Carl Williams, Louis Lee, Jerome Anderson (Ieuan Lewis 45), Jamie Arlick, James Edgerley. Subs not used: Mitchell Cole, Zak Burke, Martin Bennett. TA:Mike Underwood, Rob Duncan, Paul Jeffrey, Chris Salmon, Andy Hughes, Sam Joliffe, Tony Fields (Jack Thomson 68), Connor Waite (Mark Burfoot 73), Andy Humphreys (Sam Mitchell 81), Graham Hall (Capt), Stewart King. Subs not used: Matt Hewitt, Matt Prestridge.

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The Future of our Club

Above we see our new under 16s brown team who will be playing in the EJA League this season.

EJA U16s Brown POS

PTS

Leverstock Green U16

St Albans City FC Academy U16

Baldock Town FC U16 EJA

Tring Athletic Youth U16 Brown

Cockfosters (Youth) U16

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Ware FC Academy U16 EJA

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Letchworth Garden City Eagles U16 Golds Stotfold U16

Codicote Wolves U16

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BSC FC Youth U16 EJA Brown

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