VS THREE BRIDGES
PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE | SOUTH EAST DIVISION TUESDAY 12TH AUGUST 2025 | KICK OFF 7.30PM
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN FC
The Vistavis Community Stadium College Lane | East Grinstead | RH19 3LS
Tel: 01342 325885
WELCOME MESSAGE
Good evening everyone and welcome to the Vistavis Community Stadium for our first Isthmian League South East Division home match of the season against near neighbours Three Bridges. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the Bridges’ officials, management, players and supporters as well as this evening’s referee Billy Wootten and his assistants Hassan Rajwani and Jamie Wells and observer Robin Baker. I trust everyone enjoys their brief stay and our hospitality.
It hasn’t been a great start to the season for Wasps, losing to Eastbourne United in the FA Cup Extra preliminary round and at newly promoted AFC Whyteleafe on Saturday. We need to put those two matches completely behind us and concentrate on doing what we know the lads can do.
Tonight’s visitors will be a stern test, especially after Bridges' terrific start having beaten Shoreham in the FA Cup 5-2 and then Eastbourne Town 5-0 in the League on Saturday.
We don’t have a fixture this Saturday, so our next match will be away to Sittingbourne on Saturday 23rd August. We are then back at East Court on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August, when our visitors are Sevenoaks Town (kick off 3pm), and we are at home again on the following Saturday against Eastbourne Town.
Thank you all for coming along this evening and whatever the outcome of the match, I trust everyone enjoys their visit to East Court and I wish you all a safe journey home.
Richard Tramontin (Chairman)
OWNERSHIP STATEMENT
In accordance with the Football Association's Rule 2.13 (publication of ownership) in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 Clubs within the National League System East Grinstead Town FC is an unincorporated association / members club and a Community Amateur Sports Club (reg no CASC 02270).
Followuson:
ClubManagement:
Chair & Treasurer: Richard Tramontin
Secretary & Vice chair: Brian McCorquodale
Senior Football Officer: Steve Norris
Head of Recruitment: Matt Wheeler
Commercial Manager: Steve Norris
Club Welfare Officer: Brian McCorquodale
Disability Welfare Officer: Stuart Gibson
Safety & Facilities Officer: Barry Bryant
Bar Manager: Stuart Gibson
Press Officer: Bruce Talbot
ED&I Officer: Andy Dodson
FootballManagement
Manager: Drew Cooney
Assistant Manager and Team Coach: Ian Nicholls
Assistant Team Coach: Steve Sargent, Matt Wheeler
Physiotherapist: Kit manager:
Disability Team Manager:
Youth Coordinator & Development: Under-18 Managers:
Under-15 Manager:
Under-14 Amber Manager:
Under 13 Black Manager:
Under 12 Manager: Under-11 Manager:
Shannon McEvoy
Rowan & Andrew Kirby
Ant Bowler
Lewis McDonnell Lewis McDonnell
Sean Clarabut
Tom Butcher & Tom Geraghty
Ben Payne
Danny Smith & Andrew Fitches
FROM THE Dugout
We welcome everyone for tonight’s local derby against Three Bridges. It’s been a poor start all round from myself and the team. An early exit in the FA Cup and then a heavy 5-0 defeat against newly promoted but highly regarded Whyteleafe on Saturday.
Looking back over both games I can’t help but feel really disappointed, after what I thought was a fairly successful pre-season. The lads just haven’t clicked like I know they can. We are playing a fairly new formation to most of the players, which we thought we had got to grips with in pre-season.
Admittedly there have had to be some key changes due to personnel availability. But as a group we should have enough to make these changes without too many problems. That hasn’t been the case and the lads have got to bounce back.
I have 100 per cent faith in all of them as a squad, but with tonight’s fixture and then Sittingbourne and Sevenoaks we have got a tough few weeks ahead.
As ever we thank the fans whom I know will get behind the lads during the coming weeks.
THREE BRIDGES TheAwayEnd
Three Bridges FC has a proud history of accomplishments and has secured several notable trophies over the years. Here are some of the key highlights:
Mid Sussex Football League champions: The club's first major success came in the 1907/08 season when they were crowned champions of the Mid Sussex Football League.
Sussex Junior Cup: In the 1933/34 season, Three Bridges won the Sussex Junior Cup, marking their first significant cup victory.
Sussex County Football League Second Division champions: The club achieved this title in the 1954/55 season, just two years after joining the league.
Division Two Invitation Cup: Three Bridges won this cup in the 1962/63 season. League’s Invitation Cup: The club secured this trophy in the 1970/71 season with a memorable 3-2 victory against Southwick.
FA Vase: The club reached the last 16 of the FA Vase for the first time in the 1981/82 season and made it to the last 32 the following season.
Sussex RUR Charity Cup: Three Bridges won this prestigious cup for the first time in the 1982/83 season and again in the 1987/88 and 2007/08 seasons.
Thorn EMI National Six-a-Side tournament: The club finished as runners-up in this national tournament, winning a set of floodlights.
John O’Hara League Challenge Cup: The club won this cup for the first time in the 2010/11 season and repeated the feat in the 2011/12 season.
Sussex County Football League champions: The 2011/12 season was a standout year for Three Bridges as they became league champions and also had a superb run in the FA Vase, reaching the last 32.
Isthmian League South Division: The club has since competed in the Isthmian League South Division, with notable performances and team of the month awards in March and April during their first season.
Memorable matches
Bridges has had its fair share of memorable matches that have left an indelible mark on the club's history. Here are some of the standout moments: 1970/71 League’s Invitation Cup Final: This match is remembered for its "against the odds" triumph when Three Bridges FC won the League’s Invitation Cup against Southwick with a thrilling 3-2 victory. 1981/82 FA Vase run: The club reached the last 16 of the FA Vase for the first time, before narrowly losing to Molesey 1-2.
1982/83 Sussex RUR Charity Cup final: Bridges won the Sussex RUR Charity Cup for the first time, defeating Hastings Town 3-2 in a memorable final.
2011/12 Sussex County Football League championship decider: The final day of the 2011/12 season saw Three Bridges FC beat Championship rivals Rye United 1-0 at home, securing the Sussex County Football League title. This match was part of a tremendous run where the club lost only one of the last 29 games.
2011/12 FA Vase run: In the same season, the club had a superb run in the FA Vase, reaching the last 32 before losing in a penalty shootout to Derbyshire side, Gresley.
2014/15 Ryman Isthmian Football League South Division Survival: After being 10 points adrift at the bottom of the table in mid-February, Three Bridges went on a remarkable run of 11 matches, producing seven victories, two draws, and just two defeats. This run earned them Team of the Month Awards in both March and April and ensured their survival in the league. These achievements and memorable matches highlight the resilience, determination and spirit of Three Bridges, making them unforgettable moments in the club's history.
STANDINGS LEAGUE
FIXTURES & RESULTS
Sat 2 Aug H Eastbourne United FA
Sat 9 Aug A Whyteleafe Isthmian South East 0-5 321
Tues 12 Aug H Three Bridges Isthmian South East 7.30pm
Sat 23 Aug A Sittingbourne Isthmian South East 3pm
Mon 25 Aug H Sevenoaks Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 30 Aug H Eastbourne Town Isthmian South East 3pm
SEPTEMBER
Sat 6 Sep H Binfield FA Trophy 1st Q 3pm
Sat 13 Sep A Faversham Isthmian South East 3pm
Tue 16 Sep H Hassocks Isthmian South East 7.30pm
Sat 20 Sep A Broadbridge Heath Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 27 Sep H Deal Town Isthmian South East 3pm
OCTOBER
Sat 4 Oct A Beckenham Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 11 Oct H Crowborough Athletic Isthmian South East 3pm
Tue 14 Oct A Hassocks Isthmian South East 7.45pm
Sat 18 Oct H Ashford United Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 25 Oct A Sheppey United Isthmian South East 3pm
NOVEMBER
Sat Nov 1 H Hastings United Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat Nov 8 A VCD Athletic Isthmian South East 3pm
Tue 11 Nov A Three Bridges Isthmian South East 7.45pm
Sat Nov 15 H Merstham Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat Nov 22 A Margate Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 29 Nov H AFC Whyteleafe Isthmian South East 3pm
DECEMBER
Sat 6 Dec A AFC Croydon Athletic Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 13 Dec H Herne Bay Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 20 Dec A Eastbourne Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 27 Dec H Jersey Bulls Isthmian South East 3pm
JANUARY
Sat 3 Jan A Sevenoaks Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 10 Jan H Erith Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 17 Jan H Broadbridge Heath Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 24 Jan A Crowborough Athletic Isthmian South East 3pm
FEBRUARY
Sat 7 Feb A Deal Town Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 14 Feb A Ashford United Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 21 Feb H Sheppey United Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 28 Feb A Hastings United Isthmian South East 3pm
MARCH
Sat 7 Mar H VCD Athletic Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 14 Mar A Herne Bay Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 21 Mar H AFC Croydon Athletic Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 28 Mar A Erith Town Isthmian South East 3pm
APRIL
Sat 4 Apr H Sittingbourne Isthmian South East 3pm
Mon 6 Apr A Jersey Bulls Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 11 Apr H Faversham Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 18 Apr A Merstham Isthmian South East 3pm
Sat 25 Apr H Margate Isthmian South East 3pm
TEAM LINE UP
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. THREE BRIDGES
Rex Porter n n
Neo Wooster n n
Yashua Smith n n
Alex Andrade Filipe n n
Dan Cadman n n
Tom Cadman n n
Matt Weaire n n
Jay Richardson n n
Ollie Deurell Benito n n
Tyler Grant n n
Luke Harrison n n
George Griffiths n n
Powell Ukah n n
Warren Colman n n
Finlay Lovatt n n
Kian Price n n
James Laws n n
Liam Trevatt n n
Brady Ayoola n n
Joe Hasler n n
Terrique Hall-Anderson n n
Matt Daniel n n
Omar Folkes n n
Ollie Rawlins n n
Mason Saunders n n
NEXT HOME MATCH
Sevenoaks Town
3pm
Monday 25th August 2025
1. Sam Roberts n n
2. Dan Ferreria n n
3. Josh Hallard n n
4. Harvey Woollard n n
5.Sam Bull n n
6. Hayden Neathey n n
7. Noel Fisher n n
8. Bryan Villavicencio n n
9. Noel Leighton n n
10. Kevin Rivera n n
11. Reece Hallard n n
12. Shay Matthews n n
13. Naythan Bryson n n
14. Ade Adeyinka n n
15. Tresor Difika n n 16. Ben Holden n n
17. Hayden Velvick n n
18. Billy Irving n n
19. Dan Perry n n
20. Charlie Bennett n n
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Billy Wootten Assistant Ref: Hassan Rajwani Assistant Ref: Jamie Wells
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN HISTORY
PROGRAMMES FROM THE PAST BY LESTER MEDCALF
We have a couple of programmes to talk about for games played in the past on today's date. We start off with East Grinstead v St Francis Rangers on Wednesday 12 August 2009. It was our first home league match of the new Sussex County League season - after we had opened our season with a visit to Chichester on the previous Saturday.
Programme editor Bruce Talbot – still doing the job in 2025 - started his notes by looking back at the Chichester game rather than looking forward to the visit from St Francis. He had not been able to get to the game, but the first he heard about it was when Chairman Richard Tramontin phoned him at half-time to tell him that we were losing 5-1 (which turned into 7-1 after 90 minutes.) Team manager Steve Johnson tells us in his notes that “we were awful.” Okay we were missing seven players but we had produced “an abject performance.” The programme's match report made painful reading with our goal coming from Marc Pelling after some 20 minutes when we were already 4-0 down.
The programme notes tell us that our visitors St Francis had also lost their first game – though only 4-1 - despite taking an early lead. We are reminded that in the previous 2008/09 season we had lost the away game against them “on a wet and windy Friday evening in September" 4-1 with St Francis contributing an own goal in the last minute as well as scoring their own four goals. The game played here at East Court had ended up at 1-1 with Michael Belli scoring our goal. So how did things go in August 2009? I'm afraid that we lost again, though this time only 2-1 after Aaron MacMillan had put us ahead.
HORNETS STUNG
We joined the Isthmian League in 2014 and our first home game was East Grinstead v Horsham on Tuesday 12 August 2014. Our programme has Sam Schaaf on the front cover – and he was to appear on the front cover for our next home game as well.
No surprise that much of the programme was spent talking about the work that had been needed to bring the East Court facilities up to the standard expected by the League (and by the FA) – not just the pitch but all sorts of other things. In talking about the work needed Bruce Talbot recalls the dressing rooms that used to be “at the top of the hill” - which I remember well from my early days with the club.
Another feature of the programme was our first game in the League which we had played on the previous Saturday not too far away against Redhill – a game which I went to see (and I still have the programme). As the match report says “after a bright East Grinstead start Redhill created a host of good chances” and late in the first half Redhill took the lead, helped by a defensive mistake. We had a slightly better second half though Redhill still dominated. And as the referee got ready to blow his whistle to end the game we equalised when substitute Dan Turner chipped the ball over the Redhill keeper's head.
So how did our first Isthmian League home game go? Horsham looked the better side for much of the first half, but we just about held on. And then against the run of play we scored. Layton Schaaf was fouled on the edge of the Horsham penalty area. Up stepped Steve Sargent to curl the free kick past the Horsham keeper. Even better early in the second half captain John Sinclair scored our second goal. We should perhaps have scored some more but in the very last minute Horsham got a goal back. But 2-1 to us was how it ended.
EARLY EXIT IN THE FA CUP
Skipper Matt Wearie and Omar Folkes try to make things happen in the FA Cup defeat to Eastbourne United. Photos: Stuart Gibson
MEET THE 2025-26 SQUAD
Rex Porter
Goalkeeper Rex joined us from Bromley in the summer on a season-long loan. At 17 he already has the physical attributes to be a good keeper.
Neo Wooster
Midfielder is a product of the Dorking FC academy and has gained first team experience at Dorking and Lancing last season.
Yashua Smith
Midfielder who joined the club this summer. Played in the Combined Counties League for Wembley last season.
Alex Andrade Filipe
Experienced defender who joined the club in 2023 and has made more than 70 appearances since then.
Dan Cadman
Younger brother of Tom and, like his sibling, a full-back. Previous clubs include Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill Town.
Tom Cadman
Tom is a versatile player who has played for multiple clubs at this level and above including Burgess Hill, Whitehawk and Haywards Heath. Into his second spell with the Wasps, for whom his dad and grandfather also played.
Matt Weaire
Central defender who joined the club in July 2023. Was a youngster with Brighton and Colchester United before spells in non-league at Lewes and Cray Wanderers.
Jay Richardson
After being in our youth system, Jay has been part of the Dorking Wanderers academy and made several first team appearances at the club as well as on loan at both Bognor and Steying. An imposing central defender, Jay’s dad John also played for the club.
Ollie Deurell Benito
Another summer signing, Ollie played youth football for Kingstonian and London South Lions last season.
Tyler Grant
Defender Tyler made his first-team debut last season aged 16 having come through the club’s youth system.
Luke Harrison
Midfielder Luke joined the club in November 2024 having previously played for Horsham YMCA and Worthing.
George Griffiths
Former Burgess Hill midfielder who joined the club in pre-season. Previous clubs also include Wimborne Town.
Powell Ukah
Another summer addition to the squad, Powell’s previous clubs include Banstead Athletic and Corinthian Casuals.
Warren Colman
Industrious midfielder who joined the club from Horley Town at the end of 2024 and quickly established himself in the team, making 22 appearances in the second half of last season.
Finlay Lovatt
Skilful attacking midfielder who was in Leyton Orient’s academy and had two years as a pro with Bromley in the National League. Has also played for Dulwich Hamlet and Beckenham Town amongst others before joining the Wasps in 2024.
Kian Price
Midfielder Kian joined the first-team squad this summer, having come through the club’s youth system.
James Laws
Another product of Dorking Wanderers’ academy, attacking midfielder James scored against Crawley Town in our preseason friendly in July.
Liam Trevatt
Midfielder Liam joined the club this summer, having previously played for Reigate Priory.
Brady Ayoola
Midfielder Brady joined the club in March 2025 and went on to make 12 appearances.
Joe Hasler
Another product of Dorking Wanderers’ academy, striker Joe played 18 games for Lancing last season on loan.
Terrique Hall-Anderson
Former Charlton midfielder now in his third spell with the Wasps.
Matt Daniel
Matt joined the club in 2022 from Lancing and became a regular last season when he also chipped in with some important goals, finishing as top scorer in the league with 14 in 2023/24 before scoring ten times in the league last season. Has also played for Horsham YMCA.
Omar Folkes
Powerful striker who joined Wasps in 2022 and has become a regular member of the squad, contributing three league goals last season. Former clubs include Merstham and Three Bridges. His hold-up play is among the best in the league and he chips in with the odd goal as well.
Ollie Rawlins
Striker Ollie played for Cray Wanderers and Steyning last season on loan from Dorking Wanderers, before joining the Wasps this summer.
Mason Saunders
Another player from the club’s youth system, Mason will be looking to establish himself in the first team squad this season after making his debut in the final home game of the 2024/25 campaign.
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