WALTHAM FOREST FC
£2.00
versus
VCD Athletic
10th August 2013
@walthamforestfc
/waltamforestfc
/waltamforestfc
WALTHAM FOREST Football club limited Match Day Centres, Wadham Lodge, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4JP Chairman: Turgut Esendagli Vice Chairman: Vacant Company Secretary: Vacant Treasurer & Hospitality Manager: June Brazier Secretary: Tony Brazier M.B.E. (bjmapbr@ntlworld.com, 07715640171) Assistant Secreatry: Steve Howe Communications Manager: Andrzej Perkins (andrzej@walthamforest-fc.co.uk) Front of House Co-Ordinator: Andy Perkins Fundraising Manager: Graham Larkbey Club Historian: David Chapman Life Members: A. Brazier M.B.E., J. Brazier, D. Chapman, D. Crabb, C.E. Gross, K.J. Harris, S. Howe, G. Larkbey, A & A McLean, A. P. Perkins, D. Salmon, C. Ward, D.E. Ward
Club honours
Essex Senior Cup: Winners 2005/6 Essex Senior Trophy: Winners 1995/6 Essex & Herts Champion’s Cup: Winners 1996/7 Essex & Herts Bordering Combination Cup: Winners 1996/7 Eastern Flootlit Cup: Winners 1997/8, 1998/9 London Intermediate Cup: Runners-Up 1977/8, 1981/2, 1996/7 London Challenge Cup: Runners-Up 1995/6, 1996/7 London Senior Cup: Runners-Up 1990/1 Suburban League Regional Division: Winners 2005/6 Conference Youth League: Winners 2005/6 Eastern Junior Alliance Trophy: Winners 2003/4 South-West League Junior Cup: Winners 1968/9 South-West League Intermediate Cup: Winners 1969/70 South-West League Senior Cup: Winners 1970/71 South West League Premier League: Winners 1972/3 London Junior Cup: Winners 1974/5 London Metropolitan League: Winners 1974/5, Runners-Up 1978/9, 1979/80, 1981/2 London Metropolitan League Intermediate Cup: Runners-Up 1977/8, 1978/9 Spartan Reserve League: Winners 1980/1, 1990/1, Runners-Up 1987/8 Spartan Reserve League Cup: Winners 1980/1, 1988/9, 1990/1 Essex County FA Website of the Year: 2012 Company Number: 06829224
andrzej perkins: 3
Anyone rememebr this place? That’s right, welcome to Wadham Lodge for our first league match of the season, against VCD Athletic. I never thought I would write the words “welcome to Wadham Lodge” again, but after a summer of an incredible amount of work by Tony, Turgut and the rest of the committee, we are finally home. The club was dying a slow and painful death at Ilford, and our days really were numbered. We are eternal greatful that Ilford gave us somewhere to play, and their understanding and linience made sure we were able to carry on. However, the plan was always to return to the borough, and we’ve finally done it. It’s been quite a hectic summer, but we’ve added an under 21s team, a veterans team and we’ve gained Charter Standard status. Not bah eh!
We had our final ground grading on Tuesday 16th of July, and about an hour before the inspection, there was no way the ground would have past. Turgut was running around like a madman for days before the inspection, and there was a whole manner of workmen on site errecting fences, welding gates, and ensuring the ground was in order. In the end, everything fell into place perfectly, and our D grading was achieved. We now have to push on as a club, and re-establish ourselves in the borough and the community. During our years away, I was asked countless time when we’d be returning to the borough, and told time after time that someone would come and watch once we were back. Hopefully there will be plenty of new faces here today. If anyone new to the club is reading this
programme, I encourage you to tell your friends, family, and anyone who will listen about the club, and try and drag them along to our match. The club’s standing in the community has suffered incredibly over the last five or six years, but rest assuerd, we’ll be doing everything in our power this season to rebuild those broken bridges. At this point I would also like to pause and reflect on the important people in our club’s history that we have lost recently. I hope we can do George, Terry and Alan proud by our return home. We will be looking at ways in which we will be celebrate the lives of these three great men more permenantly. I hope you all enjoy our snazzy new match-day programme. Some newlymade freinds of the club have have agreed to print our programme at a very reduced rate, meaning we can have a full-colour, glossy programme for just £2 each. Today’s bumper edition has been priced at £2.50, but at 40 pages, I think it’s certainly worth it. While we were reluctant to raise the price of the programme, the increase in quality should justify the hike. I hope you all enjoy the game this afternoon, and I hope any new faces here return sooner rather than later. Even if the result isn’t what we hope for, today is the first step on a hopefully long and successful road for Waltham Forest F.C. f
non-league news: 4 ramblers boss prepared for tough task Keith Wilson, manager of Ryman League Division One North newcomers Burnham Ramblers, is prepared for a tough task as his side prepare for life in a new league. The Ramblers were promoted last season from the Essex Senior League to Ryman League Division One North. And despite a 1-0 loss in a pre-season warmup to Felixstowe & Walton United on Saturday, Wilson insists the club is raring to go. Wilson said: “Everyone in football wants to play at the highest level they possibly can and we’re no different. “We know it’s going to be a tough task but we’re ready to go. “The match against Felixstowe wasn’t the greatest and I think there was only one shot on goal. “They gave us a good game but I thought we should have got something out of it.”
SOHAM LOSE MASON TO ROYSTON Ryman League Division One North outfit Soham Town Rangers have announced that two players have signed for the club, while Robbie Mason has signed for Calor League Division One Central side Royston Town. Striker Mason, 27, arrived at the Lane at the beginning of last season
from Kershaw League Sawston United, having previously played for Ely City and Cambridge City. In his year with the Greens, Mason scored 34 goals in 46 appearances, and finished the season as supporters’ and players’ player of the year, as well as top goal scorer. Arriving at Soham are Daniel De’Ath and Connor Wood. Full-back De’Ath, 24, signs from Saffron Walden Town, and has previously played for Linton Granta. Wood is a 17-year-old attacking midfielder or striker, and joins from Buckhurst Hill.
cup news Waltham Forest’s draws for their 2013-14 cup competitions have now been made. In the FA Cup, we are away to Aveley, with the winners facing a trip to Kingstonian. We’re away in the Trophy too, as we’ll travel to Folkstone Invicta. A home tie against Harlow Town awaits us in the Ryman League Cup, which will be known as the Robert Dyas Cup this year. Finally, the Under 21s will be at home to Earls Colne in the 2nd round of the Essex Premier Cup.
under 21s launched Forest have launched an under-21s side for the first time in their history. The side, managed by Raif Esendagli will play in the Ryman Under 21s League, with matches taking place on Saturday afternoons and midweek. They will also be playing at Wadham Lodge, and we will be trying to give them as much media attention as possible in their first season.
thurrock appeal upheld In May this year the League fined Thurrock FC and deducted 3 points from their total for season 2012.2013 as a result of the Club playing an ineligible player; the Club appealed that decision to The FA where the appeal was unsuccessful and the Club referred that decision of The FA to arbitration under The FA Rule K. That arbitration was heard yesterday and today the Arbitrator has published his decision to dismiss the claim brought by Thurrock FC. This means that Thurrock FC are relegated to Division One North and Carshalton Athletic are reprieved and will compete in the Premier Division.
three more for harlow Ryman League Division One North club Harlow Town have made three more signings as the start of the season draws closer. Defensive midfielder Scott Curley has returned to Barrows Farm from Thurrock. Curley previously played for the Hawks under the management of Ryan Kirby five years ago. In addition, Leon Antoine has returned to the club from AFC Sudbury. A new face has also arrived in midfielder Michael Awaah. He joins from Leyton Orient.
charlie ward: 6
thetreesurgeon I probably do not have to say how great it is for us to be back “home” but, I will. It’s fantastic. I am probably going to be repeating quite a lot of the sentiments expresses elsewhere in this programme, so I apologise in advance. Obviously many thanks to Matchday Centres for allowing us the opportunity to move back into Wadham Lodge and I believe that their decision will be the best one they have ever made and not just for sentimental reasons, but, also on a business level too, but, more of that a little later. Whilst I want to thank everyone who helped bring about our return to the Borough of Waltham Forest, I understand that the biggest vote of thanks has to go to Tony Brazier and our Chairman, Turgut Esendagli, who have worked ceaselessly to get our hopes turned into reality. Whilst welcoming what is a brand new beginning for the club, I would just like to pause and sat thank you to all of those people who, for five years, battled to keep the club going, against seemingly, ever increasing odds. Without their efforts, we would not have a club able to move back in this venue. People like, Andy Perkins, Andrzej Perkins, Steve Howe, June Brazier, Wale Ojelab, Azumah Cofie
& Isaac Johnson, plus, I am sure more than a few others, I am not aware of - all of them deserve our unreserved gratitude. At times, I know, it was touch and go and we came close to joining that great football stadium in the sky, but, we hung on in there and proved once again, what I gave said many times, is true, you will not find a more dedicate or hard working bunch of club committee and supporters, anywhere in this country at any level of the game. So we are here, so what now? Thanks to the drive and determination of our new Chairman we have completed phase on of his master plan and even added an under 21 side and a veterans team to the equation, which is an excellent start. But, the long term goal, as I understand it, is to start even more youth teams down to the youngest age group possible and also develop a close association with local schools and colleges, to try and harvest the cream of young talent from the Borough. Not only will that help give the club solid foundations both on and off the field, but, it will also help Matchday Centres as we will provide the headquarters for all this activity, which has to be good business for them as well.
With all the focus centred around the off the field activity, pre-season games have taken a bit of a back seat in terms of visibility, which is probably the way that the management team like it. Because I have needed to type these notes before our friendly game at Thamesmead (these editors and their deadlines), I am not entirely sure how many of last seasons squad we have retained, but, the signs are, probably about half at most, so new faces will be in abundance. We need to retain our Ryman status in order to keep a high profile to attract young talent and that has to be aim number one - as the season progresses and if we are enjoying life somewhere other than in the bottom half of the table, then let us take stock and possibly re-evaluate. To all of those new players, welcome to Waltham Forest and good luck. Finally and apologise to demoting you to a footnote in these notes (I am sure you will understand given our circumstances), a welcome back to VCD to the Division One North after an absence of about three or four years. Please feel free to enjoy the party atmosphere that will hopefully be generated today, but, please do not do what Ruslip manor did in 1995, in our first game in our first League game after our original move to Wadham Lodge and spoil he party by going away with all three points. f
wadham lodge memories: 16
my memories/ andrzej perkins As I was only six at the time of our first move to Wadham Lodge, my memories of our first few years there are slightly limited, but I will try to write about some of my memories here. I think my earliest memories are those of our FA Vase run in 2001-2, under Colin Richards. Having beaten Ashford Town in an earlier round, we were draw at home to Mildenhall Town. After going 1-0 down, we
equalised very late into normal time, and forced extra time. Unfortunately for us, Russell Ling in goal suffered an injury and had to be replaced between the sticks by midfielder Neil Tilley (Who I’m sure was practically blind: A game at Cheshunt was once stopped for about a quarter of an hour while Neil tried to find a contact lens somewhere on the field of play. The fact that the game was an evening kick-off probably didn’t help
PAPY KANYUKA AND MARC WARD AGAINST CORBY IN 2005
him very much.) Anyway, after taking the game to extra time, and dominating much of it, our opponents scored a late winner to send us out of a competition that I, at the time, thought we had a chance of winning. As supporters nationwide I’m sure would agree, there are games in every club’s history which they would rather not remember. One of the worst games for
wadham lodge: 17 THE MEMORABLE 2001-2 SIDE
me at Wadham Lodge was the 7-0 defeat in our final season at the ground at home to Arlesey Town in the FA Cup, a team who were in the same division as us. I think the less said about this game the better! A 4-0 defeat to Barton Rovers in 2005 wasn’t too much fun either. Onto more positive memories then, some of my best matches at Wadham Lodge came when our side was under the guidance of Hakan Hayrettin. Our biggest ever win came in our last home game of the 2004-5 season against Berkhamsted Town, when we put 10 past them in one game. In a season when I only missed a handful of games, this just had to be one of them. A friend had scored some tickets to go and watch Chelsea v Fulham. A nice little Premiership derby I thought. In comparison to an end of season dead rubber, the choice was easy. What a bad choice it was. After coming out of the underground, I
received a barrage of text messages from the Old Man with news of the goals. He gave up at about five or six, and I got a single text at the end of the game informing me of the ten goals we’d scored. Lesson learnt: Never chose the Premiership if given the choice. There are two other games that really stick in my memory, and one of these was from the same season. Fisher Athletic were steamrolling the league, with huge amounts of money behind them. They had superstar non-league names like the Braithwaite brothers and Lenny Piper in their squad, while we had players like Paul Armand in ours. We won the game 3-1, and it was without a doubt one of the best performances I have seen by a Waltham Forest team. Ken Charlery had just signed from Farnborough Town (where he had been sacked as manager) and went straight into the squad. He scored two headed goals in
one of the most unexpected and deserved scores of the season. The other game I remember fondly was a 3-0 win over Boreham Wood the previous season. In a tight game, new signing Andy Burke (Who had an amazing debut but was pretty useless after that) put us 1-0 up with about an hour played. We managed to hold on to our lead well into injury time, when Luke Madjeed, a youth player making his debut, scored two goals on the break, for a tremendous result. This win was especially pleasing, as it was always extremely fulfilling to beat Noel Imber, one of the most despised goalkeepers in non-league. One final game which sticks out in my mind was a game in the 2005-6 season against Corby Town who were eventually promoted. After playing woefully, we found ourselves 0-4 down at half time. After about 20 scintillating first second half minutes were managed to claw ourselves back to level terms: 4-4. We even had a goal (wrongly) disallowed for offside, before Corby scored a late, long rage effort, which took a huge deflected to beat Charlie Hasler. Hopefully we’ll be able to enjoy more games like these in both the close and distant future, now that we are back at Wadham Lodge. f
Under 21s: 10 2013/14 ryman under 21 league - northern division P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
Enfield Town
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Grays Athletic
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Heybridge Swifts
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Leiston
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Needham Market
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
VCD Athletic
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Waltham Abbey
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Waltham Forest
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ware
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Wingate & Finchley
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
date Sunday 14th July (Friendly)
Opponents Bardag (A)
Score Scorers 3-2
Solomon, Rusev, Ademi
Sunday 21st July (Friendly)
Loxford Lions (A)
2-2
Rusev (2)
Saturday 27th July (Friendly)
Waltham Forest (Firsts)
3-5
Rusev (2), Solomon
Saturday 11th September
Enfield Town (H)
Monday 23rd September
VCD Athletic (H)
Tuesday 1st October
VCD Athletic (A)
Wednesday 16th October
Heybridge Swifts (H)
Tuesday 29th October
Enfield Town (A)
Saturday 2nd November
Earls Colne
Tuesday 12th November
Leiston (A)
Wednesday 20th November
Waltham Abbey (H)
Wednesday 4th December
Needham Market (H)
Tuesday 10th December
Grays Athletic (A)
Tuesday 21st January
Waltham Abbey (A)
Saturday 1st February
Wingate & Finchley (H)
Despite only being formed a couple of months ago, the Waltham Forest Under 21s side had already developed in to a strong and cohesive outfit. Their first game was a 3-2 victory over Bardag. In sweltering conditions, goals from Tyriquee Solomon, Mihail
Rusev and Michael Ademi gave Forest the spoils of victory. Next up were Essex Sunday Combination side Loxford Lions, where both sides cancelled themselves out in a 2-2 draw. Finally, they were beaten 5-3 by the Waltham
Forest first team, but put in a strong performance none the less. From a large number of hopefuls, the squad has now been decided and is looking forward to the league season. f
WALTHAM FOREST F.C. PARTNERS CLUB pARTNERS
COMPETITION pARTNERS
on our travels: 12
thebeerhunter Welcome one and all to the first Beer Hunter column of the season! Part of the fun of away trips is sampling the local hostelries, and this is your regular guide to finding the best pubs and the best beer on our forthcoming travels. Past columns can also be found on the Club website. Having said that, our first away fixture this season (Romford, who play at Thurrock) is in a veritable beer desert, so we’ll move swiftly on to next Saturday’s trip. This is always a pleasure, as it takes us to
a favourite destination – Sudbury in Suffolk. This fine, historic market town makes an excellent day out in its own right (enhanced if you arrive via the charming little branch line from Marks Tey), and at this time of year you can enjoy the stroll to the ground through the river meadows rather than taking the long hike round via the road The town has a number of pubs, mostly serving familiar national brands, but by far the best is the Brewery Tap in East Street. This traditional local is owned by the local Mauldon’s Brewery, and their full range can be found on tap together with seasonal specials (sadly, it may be too early for their wonderful Blackberry Porter) and guest ales. Basic pub grub is available (sandwiches, pies and soup – if only more pubs did that!), but you are welcome to bring your own food in if you prefer (if only more pubs did that too). The atmosphere is friendly, the beer is always excellent, and the main problem is
tearing yourself away in time to get to the game (even if you’re going the pretty way, allow about 30 minutes). The football club bar has handpumps dispensing local Nethergate beer, but sadly they’re not always in use. Let’s hope they’ll put it on for our visit! Finally, don’t forget it’s almost CAMRA Great British Beer Festival time – 13th-17th August at Olympia. Not only British beer either, but beers from all over the world, cider, perry, food, live music, sales stands, pub games…..in short, the drinking person’s idea of Paradise. Full details from www.gbbf.org.uk . See you there! You can read more of the Beer Hunter’s adventures on the club website, walthamforestfc.co.uk
today’s opponents: 16
vcdAthletic VCD Athletic is one of only a few clubs to have originated during the Great War when, in 1916 they were formed by workers employed at the Vickers armaments factory in Crayford. The club have played at the firm’s sports ground, Oakwood, in Old Road, Crayford, from the outset right up to the present time, save for eight seasons spent groundsharing whilst trying to get permission for the erection of floodlights. In the early days, only friendly matches were played as there were no official competitions during the war years. Records show that a club called Vickers (Erith) joined the re-formed Kent League in 1919, changing their name to Vickers (Crayford) a year later. In their first season in the Kent League they visited Maidstone
United on Boxing Day and played in front of a crowd of 13,500. The Vickers team that day contained seven Arsenal players who were finishing off their war service. Two years later, Vickers joined the Dartford & District League, followed by entry into the newly formed Kent Amateur League, Division One in 1923. Their first trophies came in 1927 when they won the Kent FA Junior Cup and the Kent Benevolent Cup. It was a further 25 years before more silverware came their way, when they won the Kent Division One title in 1953. The Kent Amateur Cup was won in 1962 and in 1964 but the following season saw a spectacular slump and relegation, with a record of P24 W0 D2 L22, goals for 25,
goals against 199. In 1993, Martin Ford joined the club as manager and, in season 1994/1995 a unique cup treble was achieved with wins in the Kent Intermediate Shield, Kent County League Cup, and the Erith Hospitals Cup. Season 1996/1997 then saw the club win the Kent County Premier Division title for the first time in their history, and by a record 15 points. Senior status was awarded that same year and a successful application was made to join the Winstonlead Kent League where, in their first season in modern times, VCD Athletic finished in a creditable ninth place. The club eventually spent five seasons as tenants of Thamesmead Town before the agreement was ended, and then Lordswood kindly
lasttime
on 17 minutes when John Akindele won a free kick centrally 30 yards out. Luke Stanley took the kick and flighted the ball deftly past the stranded James Tedder in the VCD goal. Forest only had to wait 6 minutes before marking their second when Andre Humphrey Modeste collected the ball on the left of the VCD penalty box. His low hard cross hit Tedder?s shins and the rebound fell to Pedro Knight to
score a debut goal. Akindele was called into action at the Forest end when he headed off the line twice in quick succession as VCD mounted more pressure in the second half: they scored on 65 minutes through Uche Ibemere who looked suspiciously off side. However, Forest held their nerve.
Waltham Forest 2-1 VCD Athletic, Saturday 26th September 2009, Ryman League Division 1 North Forest got their season back on track with a pleasing win over VCD who lost their way in the first half but worked hard and almost snatched a point in the second. The first goal came
today’s opponents: 17 took their place. Two seasons were spent with them, but the difficulty in attracting players to travel such a distance saw the club embark on a one year term with near neighbours Greenwich Borough. However, despite the handicap of having to ground-share, VCD were consistently one of the league’s strongest members during their time in the league. The club reached the final of the League Cup in 2002/2003, but the on the day there was no celebration as VCD were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Cray Wanderers. The following season was a disappointment as far as the cups were concerned, but a creditable third place was achieved in the league. Further cup success followed however when, in season 2005/2006 the club reached the final of the Kent Senior Trophy for the second time. Having suffered a loss in the first final on penalties, there was a reversal of fortune this time when, after having drawn 1-1 with Tunbridge Wells at the end of extra time, the VCD players held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 3-1. During 2005 the long awaited news the club wanted to hear finally arrived when planning permission for floodlights and the development of the Oakwood ground was granted by Bexley Council. At the end of the 2007 season Martin Ford resigned as manager and the club are grateful for his vision and enthusiasm over the years that took VCD from
being a Kent County League side to one that was always around the top of the table in the Kent League, and on his departure the club had just reached the last 16 of the prestigious FA Vase for the second consecutive season. Head coach Dean Frost took over as caretaker manager, and under his guidance the club obtained runners up spot in the league, narrowly missing out to Whitstable Town during the last week of the season. At the start of the 2007/08 season, team captain Paul Foley was appointed manager of the first team. A year later, after a strengthening of the back room staff, VCD then had the most successful season in its history when winning the Kent League Premier Division title together with the Kent Senior Trophy, culminating in the long awaited promotion to the Ryman Football League The first season was a success with an 8th place finish, but the club were left stunned when the Ryman League deemed ground issues warranted demotion, and despite an appeal to the Football Association, the decision was upheld and the club went back to the Kent League. Manager Paul Foley resigned to join Chatham Town, taking virtually the whole team with him, and the club appointed former reserve team manager Ricky Bennett his replacement. A team was fashioned from the VCD Reserve and Under 18 side and, together with a few
astute signings a side was assembled that once more challenged for the title, finally finishing in third place. The following season the team were also challenging for honours and but for a disappointing end to the season we certainly would have given Herne Bay a closer run to their title. Once again third place was attained but this time we had the added bonus of winning the Kent League Cup, beating Corinthian 2-0 in the final. We also lifted a second trophy with a 3-2 victory over league champions Herne Bay in the Kent League Challenge Shield which gave the club a preseason boost. Midway through season 2012/2013 Ricky Bennett decided to leave the club due to outside pressures, and in his place the club are pleased to have secured the services of Tony Russell, previously manager of Erith Town FC, who joined with his assistant Ray Powell. With most of the players leaving with the previous manager the club was in disarray, but a side was quickly formed by the new management, and a magnificent record breaking run of 17 victories and 2 draws in the last 19 league fixtures enabled the club to once more gain promotion to the Ryman League. f
pre-season round-
Pre-season friendlies are always very difficult to gauge, so while our results may not have been the greatest, it was important to see some good performances along the way. We began with the customary friendly against Billericay Town. Both sides had a number of trialists out, though ‘Ricay probably had a few more than us. We took the lead in the first third of the game,
but a number of defensive mistakes cost us and before we knew it, we were 3-1 down. We scored a late consolation goal, but the result was probably about fair. Next up, were London Bari of the Essex Senior League. It was a fairly untidy affair (mainly due to Bari’s substitutions every five or ten minutes), but we ended up taking the spoils with a late winner.
The Essex Senior League opposition continued, as we took on FC Romania, a team comprising mainly of Romanians living in London. It was a very physical match, and was certainly not being played like a friendly. Forest dominated from start to finish, but could not capitalise on the chances created. Romania took the lead with a cross-come-shot,
-up
but Forest’s stand in ‘keeper really should have done better. A headed goal from Riacrdo Ponton and a neat one-on-one finish right at the death helped Forest come away with the win. The second defeat of pre-season was to come against Sawbridgeworth Town. We dominated the game from start to finish, but couldn’t quite make that final breakthrough.
We were punished by a quite spectacular goal from the home side, the likes of which won’t be repeated all season. Last Saturday a make-shift squad travelled to Thamesmead. For all our attacking intent and good passing, it was a number of mistakes at the back which saw us leave with a 4-1 defeat. Our final match was
on Wednesday against Potters Bar Town. As ever, the preseason matches are a time for new players to find their feet in a squad, and to get to know each other. With an overhaul in the playing squad, and a change in playing style, this summer was always going to be a transitional one. f
FAC
R1N
R1N
R1N
Sat 15 H Thurrock
Sat 22 H Aveley
R1N
R1N
8 A Needham Market
Tue 11 A Cheshunt
Sat
R1N
R1N
1 H Maldon & Tiptree
Sat 25 A Waltham Abbey
Feb Sat
R1N
R1N
Sat 18 H Chatham Town
Tue 21 H Ware
R1N
R1N
4 H AFC Sudbury
Sat
Sat 11 A Soham Town Rangers
R1N
R1N
Sat 28 A Wroxham
Jan Wed 1 A Redbridge
R1N
R1N
Sat 21 A VCD Athletic
R1N
Thu 26 H Burnham Ramblers
Sat 14 H Romford
7 A Heybridge Swifts
R1N
R1N
Sat 23 A Dereham Town
Sat 30 H Witham Town
Dec Sat
R1N
R1N
9 A Harlow Town
Sat
Sat 16 H Brentwood Town
R1N
RLC
2 A Tilbury
Wed 30 H Harlow Town
Nov Sat
R1N
R1N
Sat 19 H Barkingside
R1N
Sat 26 H Erith & Belvedere
Sat 12 A Aveley
FAT
R1N
5 A Folkstone Invicta
Sat 28 H Needham Market
Oct Sat
R1N
R1N
Sat 21 A Thurrock
Sat 14 H Waltham Abbey
Tue 24 A Ware
R1N
R1N
Wed 11 H Cheshunt
R1N
Sat 31 A Aveley
7 A Maldon & Tiptree
R1N
Mon 26 A Burnham Ramblers
Sep Sat
R1N
R1N
Sat 24 H Redbridge
Sat 17 A AFC Sudbury
Wed 21 H Wroxham
R1N
R1N
Wed 14 A Romford
R1N
F-A
Aug Sat 10 H VCD Athletic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Sub 1
Sub 2
Sub 3
Unused
R1N
R1N Sat 26 H Soham Town Rangers
R1N Sat 19 H Tilbury
Mon 21 A Chatham Town
R1N
R1N 5 H Heybridge Swifts
Sat 12 A Erith & Belvedere
Apr Sat
R1N
R1N Sat 22 H Dereham Town
Sat 29 A Witham Town
R1N
R1N
R1N Sat 15 A Brentwood Town
8 H Harlow Town
1 A Barkingside
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
1
Grays Athletic
42
32
6
4
96
38
58
102
2
Maldon & Tiptree
42
27
8
7
101
48
53
89
3
Thamesmead Town
42
28
4
10
85
49
36
88
4
Witham Town
42
24
7
11
71
47
24
79
5
Aveley
42
24
6
12
92
58
34
78
6
Heybridge Swifts
42
21
10
11
102
55
47
73
7
Soham Town Rngs
42
22
7
13
95
75
20
73
8
Romford
42
19
7
16
72
72
0
64
9
Tilbury
42
18
9
15
69
62
7
63
10
Brentwood Town
42
17
8
17
63
62
1
59
11
Potters Bar Town
42
15
13
14
64
68
-4
58
12
Cheshunt
42
16
10
16
75
73
2
55
13
Waltham Abbey
42
15
8
19
60
70
-10
53
14
Chatham Town
42
13
13
16
59
65
-6
52
15
Wroxham
42
12
14
16
68
64
4
50
16
Needham Market
42
12
13
17
61
62
-1
49
17
AFC Sudbury
42
12
9
21
57
84
-27
45
18
Waltham Forest
42
10
10
22
54
72
-18
40
19
Ware
42
10
6
26
59
105
-46
36
20
Redbridge
42
7
6
29
42
105
-63
26
21
Harlow Town
42
9
8
25
45
82
-37
25
22
Ilford
42
4
8
30
32
106
-74
20
today’s fixtures
Sat
Mar Sat
last seasonryman league division 1 north table
Aveley
v
Wroxham
Barkingside
v
Cheshunt
Dereham Town
v
Heybridge Swifts
Erith & Belvedere
v
Redbridge
Maldon & Tiptree
v
Brentwood Town
Needham Market
v
Romford
Soham Town Rangers
v
Harlow Town
Thurrock
v
AFC Sudbury
Tilbury
v
Witham Town
Waltham Abbey
v
Burnham Ramblers
Waltham Forest
v
VCD Athletic
Ware
v
Chatham Town
wadham lodge memories: 22 My standout memory goes way back to the mid eighties, Walthamstow Pennant were playing Redhill in I believe the opening day of the season on a hot balmy day in the London Spartan League. A hefty clearance by a defender sailed over the terracing opposite where the main stand is today, seconds later a resounding crash of glass could be heard. A new ball was produced and play continued, minutes later and elderly I first started coming to the Lodge in the 2003/4 season; as an exiled Brentford fan who didn’t like travelling to far-distant Bees away games, I was looking for a local “second team” to support, and discovered that this Southern League outfit called Waltham Forest were a mere 15-minute stroll from my flat. Nice and handy, and there was no risk of a conflict of loyalties as Forest were unlikely to meet Brentford in anything. I decided to check them out one Saturday, consulted the map carefully (and still got lost!) and spent an enjoyable afternoon watching
gentleman appeared and walked across the pitch, he was dressed in a string vest with braces holding up his flapping trousers, in his hand he clutched a football. He marched towards the penalty area and ceremoniously spiked the ball as per an American Footballer scoring a touchdown and walked away in disgust. The crowd responded with a mixture of laughter and applause, absolutely priceless, the rumour among
a decent 1-1 draw against Wealdstone. I became a semiregular, got to know people, and found myself becoming hooked. At that time the club was on a roll, with a strong first team and a thriving youth side who the following season had an astonishing run in the FA Youth Cup. No-one who was there will forget that extraordinary night when a packed Lodge roared Forest Youth on to beat Premier-League West Brom Youth 1-0 in the third round. I couldn’t believe it when the fourth-round draw was announced, and I discovered Forest had been drawn away at….Brentford. I’ve never been so
the spectators was that the greenhouse of the disgruntled trespasser was damaged by the offending ball, presumably not for the first time. I still chuckle all these years later when I think of the incident. I can recall a spectator near me at the time seeming to know the gentleman and that his prize marrows were growing in the greenhouse that the ball landed in!
Jamie Berrie
quiet at a football match (Brentford won 2-0). Shortly after that, the bubble burst, and despite everybody’s valiant efforts things began to slide, culminating in enforced exile first to Witham (hardly local!) and then Ilford. Both clubs made us welcome, and indeed enabled us to stay alive, but it wasn’t the same, and the last year or so has been particularly difficult. It’s with great rejoicing therefore that we return to the Lodge today for the start of an exciting new era for Waltham Forest Football Club – back home where we belong. Onwards and upwards!
An amusing memory of Wadham Lodge comes from very early on. It was when both bars were open and we were using the one at the other end of the hall, overlooking the car park. The news was that Wokingham Town had been delayed en route. It was approaching three o’clock when I glanced out of the window to see the Wokingham mini coach arrive. Being so late you would have thought they would have already got changed and immediately run into the dressing room. But, no, the coach just stood there with no sight of life. Then the roof opened and out clambered a Wokingham player – somehow they were locked in the coach.
Graham Larkbey
david chapman
wadham lodge: 23
From the tweeter’s mouth FOOTBALL IS COMING HOME - Brilliant news for all @walthamforestfc - great club who deserve a HOME ground
@thecoldend Great to see a brighter future for @walthamforestfc upon their return to Wadham Lodge for the 2013/14 campaign
@EssexcountyFA Great news, congrats
@DanfisherFc Terrific news for @ walthamforestfc who finally move back to Wadham Lodge stadium, Walthamstow after 5 years in exile @ Ilford’s Cricklefield
@essexfootie Fantastic news! Look forward to seeing you play there at some point.
@mike_bayly Good news. They will miss cricklefields though I bet..!!
@Mramkin Congratulations to @ walthamforestfc on their return to the borough.
@misterg05 Good to have you back!
@chappelendward That’s great news, I’ll defo come and watch a game!
@gavinb1001 Great news for the club today!! @walthamforestfc well done to all those involved and those no longer with the club players & staff!!
@mattwald28 Excellent news 4 the club & the area,well done 2 all involved,good luck this season bar 2 games of course lol
@tellspill Congratulations. Can’t wait to find out what it feels like to finally get back home. Enjoy it.
@grays_athletic Well done chaps! Best of luck for the new season back in your true home.
@malmo58 Great to hear @ walthamforestfc are returning home to Wadham Lodge. Hi 5s all round!
@pudalove excellent news love the lodge
@berrers1982 great news for forest , good luck to them
@andy1726 Great news that Forest are returning to Wadham Lodge.
@adennehey87
Very happy to hear with the lose of leyton Waltham forest could do with the club back
@bighamster I missed all this but congratulations to @ walthamforestfc on their return to Wadham Lodge
@romfordreject No more trips to the Crap Nou! Hallelujah!
@thegaffaa No more Cricklefield nowhow tragic players’ will be happy
@kev_wozza Good luck to @ walthamforestfc on their return to their spiritual home
@tonyincenzo Delighted to welcome @ walthamforestfc back home to the borough. First game at Wadham Lodge on 10 August.
@markrusling
wadham lodge memories: 22
Wadham Lodge, as it was when we first moved here in 1995.
Eighteen years ago, the decision was made to leave the hare & hounds ground that had been my second home for the previous, thirty odd years of watching my football team and move to ground I had never even heard of. Having completed the formalities of the merger of Leyton FC & Walthamstow Pennant FC at the Hare and Hounds, I can remember that my first trip to Wadham lodge, was a journey into the unknown. I expected either a run down site or a ramshackle ground which would need
wadham lodge memories: 23
my memories/ CHARLIE WARD
plenty of improvements to meet the Isthmian ground grading standard, after all, they were in the Spartan league and I had no idea of the standard of facilities at that level. As soon as I drove through the gates I was impressed, first of all they had a car park and a damn big one. Then I went into the ground and there was space everywhere, room to develop, room to expand and apart from the lack of perimeter boards, the ground was ten times better than the one we were leaving behind, to say I was impressed would be an understatement. The social facilities
were no less impressive, good comfortable club house and two bars and a superb function room, the potential was obvious. Likewise, the dressing rooms were well kept and clean and everything about the place gave me a warm glow of expectation and most of all it already felt like home. The more I visited the place, to carry out those essential summer upgrades, the more I warmed to the place and felt this was a ground that was suitable for a club who were looking to establish themselves in the higher realms of Non League. Come the day of the inspection by messers Turvey & Robinson, to confirm we had got the facilities up to scratch, was one of the
most nervous of my football watching life - what if we failed, what next? Luckily, apart from a few minor things we were given the green light and so began life at our new home in Walthamstow and if I am honest, I did not spare a thought for our former ground in Lea Bridge Road - this was home That is why that I am delighted we are back there now - not just because we have a ground of our own, but, because I feel that we genuinely have returned home. f
david beckham - wadham lodge
david beckham & wadham lodge From the time I was seven, Dad was taking me to training with Kingfisher on midweek evenings down at a place called Wadham Lodge, just round the North Circular Road from us. I’ve got great memories of those nights, not just being with Dad and his mates, but of the ground itself. It was about ten minutes from the house in the car. We’d drive down this long street of terraced houses and pull in through a set of big, blue wooden gates, past the first car park and onto the second car park, which was right next to the training ground.
The pitch was orangecoloured gravel and cinder, with proper goalposts and nets, and there was a little bar, the social club, that overlooked it. Beyond that pitch, there were three or four others, including the best one which was reserved for cup games and special occasions. It had a little wall all around it and two dugouts. It seemed like a massive stadium to me at the time. I dreamt about playing on that pitch one day. Wadham Lodge wasn’t very well looked after back then. I remember the changing rooms were pure Sunday League: mud on the floor, really dingy lighting and the water dribbling out of cold showers. There was the smell of the liniment that players used to rub on their legs. It would hit you as soon as you walked in. There were floodlights - just six lamps on top of poles - but at least once every session they’d go out and somebody would have to run in and put coins in a meter that was in a cupboard just inside the changing room door. As well as training with Kingfisher during the football season, we’d be back at
Wadham Lodge in the summer holidays. Dad used to run, and also play for, a team in the summer league, so I’d come to games with him. We’d practise together before and after then, while his match was taking place on the big pitch, I’d find some other boys to play with on the cinder next door. I’ve had most of my professional career at clubs with the best facilities and where everything’s taken care of, but I’m glad I had the experience of a place like Wadham Lodge when I was a boy. I mean, if I’d not been there with my dad, I might have grown up never knowing about Soap on a Rope. More to the point, it was where I started taking free-kicks. After everybody else had finished and was in the social club, I’d stand on the edge of the penalty area and chip a dead ball towards goal. Every time I hit the bar was worth 50p extra pocket money from my dad that week. And, just as important, a pat on the back. f An extract from ‘My Side’, by David Beckham with Tom Watt
Classic Progra19mme A new feature this season will see us take a look at a programme from our past. Programmes will include Leyton, Leyton Pennant, Waltham Forest and Walthamstow Pennant publications, the later of which is often forgotten. We start with our match from the 6th of April, when we took on Maidenhead United. You have to go 12 pages into the programme before you finally get past the adverts - an indication of how much sponsorship has changed for our club in the last 18 years. A brief search online reveals that very few of these sponsors are still existence. Three of them alone are for club/competition newslines. The programme notes comment on the club’s shock of challenging for promotion that season: “It really is hard to believe that we have just two more home games in the current season, a season that has brought us some unexpected success which have brought us to the edge of the promotion places with a great chance of a top three finish should the next few weeks go our way”. (Leyton Pennant finished fourth that season, narrowly missing out on promotion. The notes go on to talk about achieving the highest possible finish, to earn some prize money from Icis take note Mr Paphitis!
95-6
The notes end with news of two cup matches. Our reserves would first face Thurrock Reserves in the final of the now defunct Essex Senior Trophy. In the Essex Thameside Trophy we would go on to play Collier Row some five months after they had won their match in the previous round! The programme includes a social page, for what must have been a very active social club back then. It talks of race nights, pool leagues and raffles for FA Cup final tickets.
In his corner, manager Paul Taylor expresses his disappointment at the previous week’s defeat to our old adversaries Thame United. He doesn’t exactly hold back either, saying “the defence was the slackest I’ve seen it in months, and the players generally treated the ball like a hot potato and instead of getting it down and playing our usual passing game, just seemed to want to help it on as quickly as possible.” 17 years later, nonleague hasn’t changed much.
Some things never change “ We subjected to six minutes of inury time which was a complete mystery to all at the ground”. And then the following week: “a referee with his own unique interpretation of the laws of the game did not help our cause.
don’t fix what isn’ by barry colins
When the high command of the Lewes programme committee asked me to deliver my blueprint for the future of non-league football, I’m happy to admit I struggled - because I honestly don’t think there’s too much wrong with the slightly less beautiful game in the first place. True, the standard of refereeing is positively Sunday League. Too many appalling decisions made by overweight fortysomethings who are too keen on the sound of their own whistle, instead of keen young referees trying to impress their way into the Football League. But attracting young referees is a football problem, not a non-league specific one, and someone has to referee
the bloody matches - rather Captain Mainwaring than me. And I certainly agree with the member of the Hastings FC management team that the number of games being squeezed in at the end of the league season is crackerdogs. Several Ryman Premier League clubs ended last season playing almost every other night, sapping the players’ fitness, the patience of their employers (these guys have day jobs, don’t forget), and much-needed gate receipts. We’ve got four more league games to squeeze in this season: let’s hope we don’t have another winter with pitches as sloppy as Alan Shearer’s punditry, or we’re going to be playing midweek
matinees come April. By and large, however, I’m proper smitten with non-league football. I’m entering my fourth season as a Lewes FC supporter, and I’ve seen my interest grow from the odd home game, to owner and season-ticket holder, to only missing a fistful of home and away games all season. If the Ryman League want to publish a Rothman’slike directory of its football grounds, they need only print off the addresses saved in my satnav. I’m entirely sold on the idea of standing on the terraces, supping a pint of real ale, occasionally having a chinwag with the opposition keeper - and then walking up the other end and doing
’t broken
exactly the same in the second half. And as much as I love the throng of a decent crowd, I genuinely don’t mind those unspeakably cold Tuesday nights in February when I could write down the names of the entire Lewes away contingent on the back of my Golden Goal ticket, because I’m going to watch a game of football with my mates. What’s not to like? In fact, if I’m going to fulfill the brief of delivering my blueprint for the future of non-league football, I’d offer only one piece of advice: stop mucking around with it. Last season, for example, some overpaid wonk in Budweiser’s marketing department came up with the painfully moronic idea of dragging
Terry Venables and a bunch of ex-professionals out of retirement, and getting them to play for Wembley FC in the FA Cup. The cheque was clearly large enough for Wembley FC to waive its dignity, allowing a beer company to pick the team instead of Ian Bates. Even to this day, the squad list on the club’s website lists Ugo Ehiogu and Graeme Le Saux, alongside greats such as Fred O’Connell and Marco Black. Fortunately, Uxbridge ended this short-lived charade by stuffing Wembley FC 5-0 in a preliminary round replay, and Le Saux, Parlour, Keown et al went back to their day jobs of waiting by the phone for TalkSport to call.
Non-league football doesn’t need to be turned into a second-rate testimonial game to make it relevant. If the TV cameras and national newspapers only turn up when Terry Venables is in the dugout, I’d rather they didn’t turn up at all. Budweiser and its corporate chums have helped turn the Premier League into a bloated mess, with fans as plastic as the beer glasses that you’re only allowed to drink from at halftime. Non-league’s an escape from all that. Shove your cheques up your Premiership, if it’s all the same. f
wadham lodge memories: 33
Waltham Forest Football Club
kit sponsors Waltham Forest FC would like to extend sincere thanks to our player kit sponsors. The funds raised are vital in ensuring the continuation of our club.
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If you would like to sponsor a player kit, please speak to a committee member today, or contact june@walthamforest-fc.co.uk.
500reasonstolovefootball.blogspot.co.uk: 36
500 reasons 1. People who listen to radios at a game. 2. George Best: ‘On the pitch, he could beat everybody, off it, he couldn’t beat himself’ 3. League Ladders: No explanation required - you either laddered or you didn’t and if you were a ‘first 3 or 4 weeks of the season then never again’ updater, you should be ashamed of yourself. 4. Knowing all the lyrics to John Barnes’s ‘rap’ in World in Motion: Best performed with Keith Allen messing around in the background
optional.)
15. Marco Gabbiadini
9. The football pages on Ceefax: 302 to 338 inclusively.
16. Drinking Bovril At a football match in winter? Perfectly acceptable.
10. This poster for Lewes v Aveley
17. Escape to Victory
Anywhere else at any other time of year? A bit odd.
18. A shopping cart full of beer 11. Brazil’s 1982 World Cup side 12. Huddersfield Town’s 1991/92 away shirt
5. The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw: The Robin Friday Story by Paul McGuigan and Paolo Hewitt
13. A stand made entirely of scaffolding & plastic sheeting at Wakefield FC’s old ground College Grove
6. Dogs at Non-League games: Dog + Football = Joy
14. Pique, mascot of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico: A chilli-pepper that can play football - what’s not to like?
7. 7. Gazza scoring ‘that’ goal against Scotland 8. 2 tier Subbuteo grandstands (Crowd figures
to love football
19. Robbie Savage has retired 20. Real Betis slippers
romford v Forest Ryman League Division 1 North, wednesday 14th august 2013, 7.45 PM Romford are playing at Thurrock FC, South Way, Ship Lane, Aveley, RM19 1YN. Telephone: 01708-737556. By Road Make your way to the A13 eastbound and at the junction with the M25 (Junction 29) turn left into Ship Lane (the exit before the M25). The
Ground is on the right. There is ample car parking. By Public Transport From Romford Station take bus 103 (about every 10 minutes) to Rainham Station, then take bus 372 (about every 20 minutes) to the Ground.
afc sudbury v Forest Ryman League Division 1 North, wednesday 14th august AFC Sudbury play at The Mel Group Stadium, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, CO10 7HN. Telephone 01787-376213. By Road Make your way to the M11 northbound to junction 4 and head east on the A120 towards Colchester. After about 18 miles join A131 and go through 4 roundabouts. At the bottom of the hill turn left at the traffic lights into Bulmer Road and then right into Brundon Lane. Ground is on the right.
By Public Transport Take Greater Anglia train from Liverpool Street or Startford to Marks Tey (you may have to change at Shenfield). Then Greater Anglia train from Marks Tey to Sudbury. From the station walk along Station Road, turn left into Friars Street, then left into Church Street. Turn left into Cross Street, go over bridge and road becomes Ballingdon Street. Turn right into Bulmer Road and then right into Brundon Lane.
Our opponents on Twitter: @AFCSudbury @AveleyFC @BarkingsideFC @BrentwoodTownFC @BurnhamRamFC @ChathamFc @Cheshunt_FC @derehamtown @ErithBelvedere @HarlowTownFC @HeybridgeSwifts @MaldonTiptreeFC @Nmfctweet @TheMotormen @RomfordFootball @SohamTownRanger @ThurrockFC @tilburyfc @Ware_FC @abbey_fc @walthamforestfc @witham_fc @The_Yachtsmen
Programme
01 Director of football: Turgut Esendagli Colours: White shirts, blue shorts, blue socks
Manager: Tony Russell Colours: Green and white shirts, green shorts, green socks
Charlie hasler ricardo ponton Chris Cordara ahmed mohammed Opeyemia Atta matt waldron Issac Mwafo lusi mustafa brandow dujon chris taylor steve bursford
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
NICK BLUE BARNEY WILLIAMS LEE CRAIG NICK REEVES (C) BEN PAYNE PETER SMITH KARL DENT JAMES DUCKWORTH SHERWIN STANLEY OLA RABIU UCHE IBEMERE
manny sackey jevoy blair lusi mustafa dinon kartal erol hassan
12 14 15 16 17
JAMIE HUMPHRIS STEPHEN OKOH ENOCH ADJEI RYAN MAHAL ASHLEY SAINS
walthamforest-fc.co.uk The Ryman Football League strongly support recent FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.