Brixham v Bridport 15.4.23

FISHERMEN’S TALES

WELCOME TO WALL PARK !

Brixham AFC, Wall Park Road, TQ5 9UE

Members of:

KITCHEN KIT SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE

TCS SOUTH DEVON LEAGUE

PIONEER YOUTH LEAGUE

MANAGEMENT TEAM

President: John Charles

Chairman: Phil Thomas 07725

HONOURS

S W PENINSULA LEAGUE EAST RUNNERS-UP 2022

Slayersdreams 2022 ©

Which page is Billy hiding on today?

SOUTH DEVON LEAGUE PREMIER RUNNERS-UP 2014, 2022

SDL GEORGE BELLI CUP RUNNERS-UP 2013, 2014

DEVON PREMIER CUP RUNNERS-UP 2014

DEVON COUNTY U 18’S LEAGUE SOUTH CHAMPIONS 2022

DEVON COUNTY U 18’S LEAGUE CUP RUNNERS-UP 2022

PIONEER U15’S CUP WINNERS 2018

PIONEER U12’S CUP RUNNERS-UP 2022

PIONEER U10’S CUP RUNNERS-UP 2022

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the businesses and individuals who sponsor our club, your support is greatly appreciated.

Some comments and views that may be contained in this publication may not necessarily be the views of the club. Matchday magazine point of contact fishprog@hotmail.com

‘

BRIXHAM BILLY’

WALL PARK WATCH

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to Wall Park. A particular welcome of course to our friends who have made the lengthy journey from Dorset, a safe journey home to you all. And a very warm welcome as ever to our superb Casuals - we look forward to hearing plenty of noise from you guys!

We are also pleased to welcome today League Secretary Phil Hiscox who has kindly agreed to make presentations to a few of our long-serving team. Jason has reached the 300-match mark in the dugout, while Reece and Scott have both clocked up 250 appearances. Kieran is not too far behind on 200 and Sam Green has managed 150. Every club at every level needs its quota of loyal clubmen and we’re fortunate to have you guys - well done and thank you. Also a welcome to Alex Passmore of match sponsors More Seafood and his guests who we trust will enjoy their afternoon. As ever, we are extremely grateful for the invaluable support of our sponsors. Although Bridport were members of the Western League at the same time as Brixham United the two sides never met, being in different divisions. Incidentally, among our opponents in those days were Chippenham, now of the National League South as well as current Southern League clubs Melksham, Bristol Manor Farm, Larkhall and Exmouth. Had we stayed for one more season the list would also have included Paulton, Tiverton and Wimborne. Forty-something years ago of course, but I do wonder who Brixham will be playing against in forty-something years time, although I won’t be around to find out. Perhaps my toddler grandson will be the programme editor in 2065!

Our visitors made a slow start to life in this division after dropping down from the Western League, winning just one of their first thirteen matches, but with a number of alterations to their squad and a change of manager recent results have picked up, and in their last seventeen games they have been victorious on nine occasions. We can expect as difficult a battle today as in our recent games, in all of which it has proved necessary to have a little patience.

Inside today’s programme you will find a voting slip for the various Player of the Year categories. If you have a favourite - and I’m sure you do! - just write his name down and pop the form into the box on the bar. The winners will be revealed at the club’s end of season presentation evening, which will be at the Paignton Club on Friday 16 June. More details of this event shortly.

We are at Crediton on Monday night (7.30pm) and on Wednesday we have the re-arranged trip to Cullompton, also at 7.30pm - all support welcome as ever. Next Saturday the reserves are at Ivybridge (2.30) while the first XI are at home to Holsworthy (3pm). Bring a friend if you can.

Enjoy the match, and let’s hope for a win for the Fishermen!

P.S. Huge congratulations to our under 13s team who have reached the final of their Plate competition. See you at Coach Road on May 21st!

Back issues of ‘Fishermen’s Tales’ are available at £1.50 post free. If you want more than one we’ll do you a deal! Email your requirements to fishprog@hotmail.com or speak to Ian.

LOTTERY WINNERS !

Draw date 11 April at Brixham AFC

Numbers 7 - 10 - 11 - 17 Jackpot not won

Consolation prizes:

£50 Ron Lamborn (Hookhills) £20 Linda (Bell)

£10 D Thomas (PT), D Gaze (BAFC), Tracy (Coventry)

Next Jackpot £10,000

Draw 18 April 6pm at the Bell

GET YOUR TICKET FROM THE BAR TODAY AND WIN TEN GRAND FOR A POUND !!

THE GAFFER TAPE

It’s fair to say that despite three tough away games which heralded nine brilliant and much needed points we find ourselves looking forward to being back at home comforts this afternoon.

The lads did brilliantly to go to Axminster last Tuesday and then Dartmouth on Good Friday and produce resilient if not spectacular performances.

To then have to make the tough travel through plentiful traffic on Easter Monday to today’s visitors Bridport and also come away with maximum points just demonstrates the determination of this group when not particularly at their best. Monday was a tough game, well officiated in our opinion, and we’ll have to show a similar level of steely grit to grab another victory today.

It’s good to have the Casuals with us today. Some long overdue Fishy songs; the lads will absolutely be buoyed by having not just their support but the great following we’ve had recently by so many. It’s always greatly appreciated!

Let’s hope for a good game in a lively atmosphere and another three Fishy points!

Couchy & Ports

THE AWAY END BRIDPORT

‘TheBees’

Bridport FC was established on 7 October 1885 and in their early years played in a variety of leagues, including the Dorset League, South Dorset League, West Dorset League, and Perry Street League.

They were founder members of the Dorset Combination in 1957. Bridport joined the Western League in 1961 where they played until part way through the 1983-84 season when they resigned and their record was expunged. Taking their reserve side's place in the Dorset Combination, the club finished third in 1984-85 and then went on to win the league three times in a row. Following the third title, Bridport were accepted back into the Western League, this time playing in Division One. A runners-up performance in 1993-94 allowed the club to return to the Premier Division, but an 11-year run in the top flight came to an end with relegation following the 2004-05 season. They were promoted again in 2010-11 but last season’s bottom placing saw them relegated once more, this time to our division.

They moved to their present ground, St Mary’s Field, in 1953. Floodlights were installed in 1990 and inaugurated with a match against Yeovil on 8 August, with Bridport winning by the odd goal in seven.

Honours:

Western League Cup winners 1971, 1973, 1978

Dorset Combination Champions 1986, 1987, 1988

Dorset Combination League Cup winners 1958, 1959, 1987, 1988

Perry Street League Champions 1913, 1923, 1932

Dorset Senior Cup winners 1988, 2005

Manager: Chris Herbst Assistant: Mark Lock

Chairman: Adrian Scadding

Secretary: Chris Tozer sevie@tiscali.co.uk

Colours: Red and black Change: All Yellow

Seated stand: Yes Covered stand: Yes Clubhouse: Yes

Nearest pub: The Woodman, South Street, 12 minutes

Nearest chippy: Long’s, West Street, 14 minutes

Some of our other friends

JT MOTORS, Lower Manor Road

HAMMER AND NAILS, Bolton Street

THE PANTRY, Summercourt Way

…

MARE AND FOAL SANCTUARY, Fore Street

BRIXHAM BARBER & SALON, Bolton Street

YES @ THE EDGE, Fore Street

SMARDONS, Bolton Street

DAVID’S, Bolton Street

BRIXHAM TYRES, New Road

BURTON HOTEL, Burton Street

CROWN & ANCHOR, The Quay

FORE SEASONS, Fore Street

Car servicing and repairs

Ironmongery and garden requisites

General store

Charity shop

Gents hairdresser

Charity shop

Newsagents & general store

Fish and chip shop

Tyre replacement

Public house

Public house

Fruit and veg shop

STAR FISH ! JASONCOUCH

Born Lindford, Hampshire, 15 April 1975 (Aries) Happy birthday Gaffer!

Nickname Couchy

Age 48 Height 6ft Weight 14st 10

Occupation Account manager

Lives Paignton

Marital status Married

Children One son, one daughter

Position on pitch In the dugout

Former clubs Galmpton, Stoke Gabriel

Best player played with William Kilgallon Couch

Best player played against Matt Green

Favourite other team Southampton

Favourite food Stella

Favourite holiday destination Centre Parcs Longleat

Favourite TV show The UK Office

Dogs or cats? Dogs

Night in or night out? Out

Hobbies outside football Playing golf badly

Which person in the world would you most like to meet?

Kieran Parkin holding the League trophy

Photo: Stuart Richards

UP FOR THE CUP !

WALTER C PARSON LEAGUE CUP

Semi Finals

Axminster v Okehampton (Apr 18 at Newton Spurs)

Liskeard v Newton Spurs (Apr 25 at Ivybridge)

Final May 13 at Launceston, 2pm

ISUZU FA VASE

Holders: Newport Pagnell Town

Semi Finals

WALTER C PARSON CHAMPIONS BOWL

Champions of West Division v Champions of East Division (May 8 at Cullompton, 2pm)

Congleton Town 2 Newport Pagnell Town 2 (2-3 pens) 1,436

Corsham Town 2 Ascot United 2 (4-5 pens) 1,736

Final (May 23 at Wembley)

Ascot United v Newport Pagnell Town

BAYSIDE GRAPHICS ST LUKE’S BOWL

Final (May 5 at Coach Road)

Tiverton v Willand

HERALD CUP

Holders: Kingsteignton Athletic

Quarter Finals

Ivybridge Res 3 Paignton Saints Res 1

Kingsteignton 5 Ilsington 4 aet

Stoke Gabriel Res 2 East Allington 3

WBB v Newton 66 (Apr 15)

Semi Finals

Ivybridge Res v WBB or Newton 66 (date tbc)

East Allington v Kingsteignton (Apr 26)

PIONEER U13s PLATE

Semi Finals

WBB Blue 0 Brixham 4

WBB Yellow v Ipplepen (home w/o)

Final (May 21 at Coach Road)

Brixham v WBB Yellow

PIONEER U12s PLATE

Semi Finals (Apr 30)

Brixham v Chudleigh

Kingskerswell v KM United White

GEORGE BELLI CUP

Apr 1

Group A

Brixham v East Allington (away w/o)

Apr 8

Group A

Paignton Saints 1 Brixham 2

East Allington 0 Ivybridge 2

Group B

Elburton 4 Chudleigh 1

Kingsteignton v Waldon Abandoned

Newton 66 5 Buckfastleigh 1

Apr 12

Group B

Chudleigh v Kingsteignton

Apr 15

Group B

Buckfastleigh v Elburton

Chudleigh v Waldon

Apr 22

Group A

Ivybridge v Brixham

Paignton Saints v WBB

Group B

Buckfastleigh v Kingsteignton

Waldon v Elburton

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE EAST

(correct to April 14)

BRIXHAMAFC SUPPORTERS CLUB NEW BONUS BALLLOTTERY

Our brand new competition is about to go live!!

Here’s how it works.

The competition is limited to just 59 people, and there’s a prize every month. Hence, your chance of winning one of the twelve prizes each year is fractionally better than one in five.

Every month, the winning number - only 59 of them to choose from, rememberwill win a prize of £200.

And the December draw prize will be a whopping £1,000!

The winning number each month will be the bonus ball drawn in the National Lottery on the last Saturday of the month.

The cost to enter per number is just £10 a month, which over the year works out to just over a couple of quid a week. There are only the 59 numbers available so you’ll have to be quick!

Get a form from the bar, fill it in, give it back and you’re in! Simples. And good luck!!

(In the unlikely event that the winning number remains unsold for that month, half the prize will be rolled over to the following month, the other half will be given to the nearest number that has been sold)

TODAY’S MATCH SPONSOR

ABOUT US

More Seafood is a fully integrated seafood company. The whole supply chain from sea to end consumer is owned and operated by the Passmore family who are a 5th generation fishing family based in Brixham, England’s premier fishing port. The Passmore family have been fishing for over 300 years, the knowledge of catching fish and scallops being passed down through the generations, allowing them to be at the forefront of the industry, continually developing and evolving.

OUR BOATS

Our state of the art trawler/scalloper ‘Emulate BM1’ is one of the most efficient boats in its class, with fuel efficiency and crew comfort in mind. The hull shape and propulsion unit have been designed to give maximum power using minimum fuel and the automated catch handling makes the job more efficient for the crew and keeps the catch in better condition. All products are placed into the boat’s cold store ‘fish room’ within 10 minutes of coming aboard. The temperature is controlled all the way to the end consumer using our chilled transport and being processed in our temperature controlled factory. www.seafood

Every so often in Non-League football something will spark a new major talking point. Recently it was the revelation from the PFA warning players about changes to player contracts from July 1 that they say they can’t support. However, the PFA don’t have an agreement in place to represent Non-League footballers. In case you missed it, here’s the rundown.

The FA is introducing a document that National League System clubs wanting to place players on contract must now sign. It comes into effect this summer, specifically from July 1. Minimum conditions will apply to all new contracts, as well as renewed ones – including extensions. In a statement, the FA explained it has updated the arrangement ‘to better reflect current employment legislation and to provide each party with greater certainty.’

The NLP understands that the existing contract, which has been used for some time, no longer complies with UK employment law. Lawyers hired by the game’s governing body, in addition to others consulted for a second and separate opinion, both concluded that it needed amending to protect against legal challenges.

The big focus as been on injured players. Under the new contract, if a player suffers an injury while playing, they will only receive their full wages for 12 weeks at Step 1, and six weeks if playing at Step 2 or below. If the player is still ill or injured after this initial period on full wages, the club can reduce their wages to Statutory Sick Pay – a little over £99 per week – until they are fit again. In addition, a contract can be terminated, with three months’ notice, if in the opinion of a club-instructed medic the player is unable to play for a period of four months. Every contracted player will also be entitled to receive holiday pay, awarded pro-rata if they are not engaged for a full calendar year. Those on a 39-week deal would be entitled the equivalent of four weeks’ leave.

A lot of the focus has been on the injury aspect of the new contract. A reminder, clubs must conform to the minimum standards when they sign a player on contract. However, they can offer to continue paying players in full if they sustain an injury – much as they do now. For that to happen, players ‘opt in’ to the arrangement by ticking a box.

Macclesfield, on course to be promoted to the Northern Premier League’s top flight this season, have already said they will do exactly that. Boreham Wood have expressed support for players too and it will be interesting to see how the game reacts as time goes on.

National League players have quickly mobilised, impressively so. Yeovil Town captain Josh Staunton gathered the 24 Step 1 captains into a WhatsApp group and they’ve released a statement calling for talks on the situation. Their stance has garnered support from their peers and on social media, fans seem to have their backs. Staunton told us: “In the League we’d have the PFA. Unfortunately we don’t have anyone so we had to make sure we had togetherness or else it would get dismissed really quickly and we’d be bowing down to something we don’t believe in. Ultimately, as a person, you have to stand up for what you believe in, don’t you?”

So, what are the likely consequences? One immediate and obvious impact is on clubs’ wage bills – well, those with contracted players, who are now entitled to holiday pay. The more players they have on deals, the more money they must find. It remains to be seen if that leads to fewer contracts being offered. Ironically, should that happen, there would be an increase in non-contract players who have even fewer rights and benefits.

Competitions that make up the National League System, together with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), were consulted by the governing body on the changes. It means officials have been able to warn clubs they were coming, and to prepare.

Northern Premier League chairman Mark Harris has urged clubs to think carefully before deciding how they will adjust to changes in the contracts. He said: “We can help by passing on information, but we can’t give legal advice. Like any businesses, clubs have to seek their own. And that’s how it should be; every player is different, and so is every negotiation. “The PFA was closely involved in discussions up to the point of launch, and it’s since made its position clear. “It remains to be seen how many clubs use the discretion they have to go above and beyond the minimum standards attached to the new contract.”

It seems this story will run for a while yet.

THE BLUE ARMY ON TOUR !

AXMINSTER TOWN

Tiger Way EX13 5HN

56 miles, 75 minutes

BOVEY TRACEY

Mill Marsh Park TQ13 9FF

20 miles, 40 minutes

BRIDPORT

St Marys Field DT6 5LA

67 miles, 90 minutes

CREDITON UNITED

Lords Meadow EX17 1ER

37 miles, 50 minutes

CULLOMPTON RANGERS

Speeds Meadow EX15 1DW

42 miles, 55 minutes

DARTMOUTH

Longcross TQ6 9LW

7 miles, 35 minutes (via ferry)

ELBURTON VILLA

Haye Road PL9 8HS

30 miles, 50 minutes

ELMORE

Horsdon Park EX16 4DB

51 miles, 60 minutes

HOLSWORTHY

Upcott Field EX22 6HF

69 miles, 90 minutes

HONITON TOWN

Mountbatten Park EX14 1AW

45 miles, 55 minutes

IVYBRIDGE TOWN

Erme Valley PL21 9ES

23 miles, 40 minutes

NEWTON ABBOT SPURS

Recreation Ground TQ12 2AR

15 miles, 30 minutes

OKEHAMPTON ARGYLE

Simmons Park EX20 1GE

50 miles, 65 minutes

PLYMOUTH MARJON

The Campus PL6 8BH

36 miles, 55 minutes

SIDMOUTH TOWN

Manstone Lane EX10 9TF

41 miles, 60 minutes

TEIGNMOUTH

Coombe Lane TQ14 9EX

19 miles, 35 minutes

TORRIDGESIDE

Donnacroft EX38 7BU

66 miles, 90 minutes

TORRINGTON

Vicarage Field EX38 7AJ

67 miles, 90 minutes

THE STAND-BY CREW 2022-23

(All matches 2.30pm kick-off unless stated otherwise)

May

May

tba Chudleigh Athletic

SOUTH DEVON LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Home matches in BOLD CAPITALS. DPC Devon Premier Cup. GBC George Belli Cup. HC Herald Cup

SMALL FRY UPDATE

PIONEER UNDER 16 DIV ONE

PIONEER UNDER 14 DIV TWO

PIONEER UNDER 13 DIV ONE

PIONEER UNDER 12 DIV ONE

(correct to April 15)

*Reporting results of younger age groups is prohibited by the F.A.

PENINSULA LEAGUE UPDATE

Wednesday 29 March

Brixham 2 Elburton 1

Saturday 1 April

Bovey Tracey 1 Cullompton 4

Tuesday 4 April

Axminster 1 Brixham 2

Bovey Tracey 1 Ivybridge 0

Honiton 2 Bridport 1

Plymouth Marjon 3 Newton Spurs 4

Sidmouth 2 Elburton 4

Torrington 0 Teignmouth 2

Good Friday 7 April

Dartmouth 0 Brixham 2

Bridport 4 Axminster 2

Cullompton 3 Elmore 2

Elburton 1 Ivybridge 2

Honiton 4 Sidmouth 3

Okehampton 1 Holsworthy 2

Teignmouth 2 Newton Spurs 0

Torridgeside 3 Torrington 2

Saturday 8 April

Bovey Tracey 0 Crediton 3

Easter Monday 10 April

Bridport 1 Brixham 2

Bovey Tracey 4 Newton Spurs 2

Elburton 2 Cullompton 4

Honiton 0 Okehampton 3

Teignmouth 2 Torridgeside 1

Saturday 15 April

Brixham v Bridport

Bovey Tracey v Elburton

Dartmouth v Cullompton

Holsworthy v Teignmouth

Honiton v Torrington

Ivybridge v Okehampton

Newton Spurs v Axminster

SMALL FRY FIXTURES

April 16

U16s Home v Bovey Tracey (11.00) (Away fixture reversed)

U14s Season finished

U13s No match

U12s Home v Torquay Academy (9.30)

U11s Away v Ocean City (10.30) at Sparkwell

U8s Season finished

Monday 17 April

Crediton v Brixham (7.30pm)

Tuesday 18 April

Elburton v Plymouth Marjon

Elmore v Dartmouth

Sidmouth v Torridgeside

Wednesday 19 April

Cullompton v Brixham (7.30pm)

Bovey Tracey v Bridport

Ivybridge v Honiton

Sidmouth v Torridgeside

Thursday 20 April

Elmore v Teignmouth

Holsworthy v Dartmouth

Friday 21 April

Elburton v Torridgeside

Saturday 22 April

Brixham v Holsworthy (3pm)

Bovey Tracey v Elmore

Bridport v Ivybridge

Dartmouth v Newton Spurs

Honiton v Cullompton

Okehampton v Torrington

Teignmouth v Axminster

Monday 24 April

Elmore v Torrington

Holsworthy v Bridport

Tuesday 25 April

Teignmouth v Brixham (6.30pm)

Wednesday 26 April

Elmore v Elburton

Holsworthy v Bovey Tracey

Torrington v Axminster

PIGS PLAY FOOTBALL TOO

Every major tournament sees an increase in players taking up the game, and the 1990 World Cup Finals were no exception. In England an unexpected group started playing the game - pigs!

Prior to the finals Bernard Hoggarth went to the Paris Agricultural Show and saw an item that he thought might be suitable for his pig business in Yorkshire near Driffield. A Danish company were displaying their product “Domino Stress Ball” - they said that football-playing pigs are less stressed and aggressive so become happier and tend to put on more weight.

Pigs are known to be intelligent and when bored they can become aggressive; this leads them to fight with others in the pen, biting their ears and tails. Pig keepers often put hanging chains into pens and other items for their livestock to chew on.

The Stress Balls were said to be indestructible, made from sturdy plastic and have a bearing in the middle that makes them rattle when touched, and they can easily be disinfected before being moved to different pens. Pigs don’t really kick the balls, they “snout” them.

Bernard bought some to trial back on his Cranswick Mill Farm, putting one in a pen of around fifteen pigs. They tended to play a solo game, with one taking over after the previous one had had enough. He started marketing them in Britain and received orders from stables as well as pig producers. There are videos on the Internet of horses and cows playing with footballs; cows tend to chest them along while horses certainly can hoof a decent shot.

Should pig football become a spectator sport, managers and players of teams on a losing run will almost certainly be destined for the chop.

Beware the Ides of March

TODAY’S CREW

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