Chasetown vs Bedworth United NPL1 Midlands 02.01.23

Good afternoon and welcome to the Scholars ground for todays game against Bedworth United. We extend a warm welcome to Bedworth and hope they enjoy our hospitality.

After a mini break it was good to get back into action on Boxing Day and I felt we were worthy of a point against a good Khalsa side. On the day, either side could have possibly taken all three points but it was important to take something from the game.

Todays game is yet another extremely tough game against a Bedworth side who have threats across the pitch. We have had a good weeks training and go into the game positively but knowing that we will have to be at our best.

Todays game also marks the half way point of the season.

We know full well that our first half has been way off the expectations that we set ourselves, and those expected of us from the supporters. The focus now is a blinkered approach to picking up as many points as possible in the second half the season. Good performances are nice, but points are now paramount in the remaining 19 games. Finally, on behalf of the players and management we wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year! Enjoy the game!

Swanny

OFFICIAL CLUB SPONSORS SEASON 2022–2023

Local man Steve Jones, Chairman of prestigious Chasetown-based company Crown Highways, has pledged the company’s support to the Scholars as Official Club sponsor for their twelfth successiveseason.

Chasetown FC and Crown Highways working in partnership.

Bedworth United - History

The first Bedworth Town football club was formed in 1895 when several matches were played against other local teams. They became founder members of the Nuneaton and District League in 1898, but by 1900 the club had disbanded.

Finishing runners up in the Second Division of the Coventry and North Warwickshire League in the 1904-05 season, the ECS changed their name to Bedworth Town on winning promotion and stayed in existence until the early 1920s. During that time, the town fielded a fine player in Jack 'Sandy' Sheldon who later played for Manchester United, Liverpool and Luton Town.

A third club came on the scene in 1925, when Collycroft United, formed in 1916, became the third team to name themselves Bedworth Town. This was the most successful of the pre-war clubs, they were members of the Coventry and North Warwickshire League and spent one season in 1936-37 in the Central Amateur League.

The last club to become Bedworth Town was formed in 1947, and as a semi-professional club, secured membership of the Birmingham Combination and soon hit the headlines.

They won the championship in successive seasons - 1948-49 and 1949-50 seasons - and in the 1949-50 season were also defeated in the final of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

For season 1954-55, Bedworth joined the Birmingham League and they qualified for the Northern Section for the league’s inaugural First Division. The Birmingham League was re-named the West Midlands League in 1962, but lack of success and problems off the field saw Bedworth Town change their name to Bedworth United in 1968.

In 1972 they obtained membership for the Southern League Division One North. In their first season they finished bottom, but this was only to be a setback as they made rapid strides into the Premier Division when the league was re-formed in 1982.

In the Premier Division, they finished 5th in 1982-83 season, and were stable in this league until a poor run saw them relegated at the end of the 1988-89 season.

On February 23rd 1982, the nonleague world was staggered when a crowd of 5,172 - then a record for the Southern League in its new formturned up at their Oval ground to watch them beat Nuneaton Borough 1-0 to go top of the league.

Bedworth United- History

After becoming Bedworth United, they won the Birmingham Senior Cup on three occasions in the 1980s and were beaten finalists to West Bromwich Albion in the 1987-88 season. Bedworth United were relegated to the Southern League Midland Division in 1988-89 season until the appointment of St Lucia-born Brendan Phillips as manager in 1990 launched a revival in the clubʼs fortunes.

From 1990 to 1997, the Greenbacks pushed for promotion back to the Southern League’s top flight and enjoyed a top six finish in four of the next five seasons. Phillips was tempted to move to Stafford Rangers during the 1992-93 season but progress was continued under the helm of former Notts County midfielder Dean Thomas. Unfortunately, achieving the heady heights of a third place finish in the 1995-96 season, the club overstretched itself financially - and they faced possible closure until a group of die-hards acted to keep the club alive. After that, the Greenbacks occupied a bottom half finish for 14 seasons until the appointment In May, 2011, of a bright, forward-thinking management team led by Steve Farmer, assistant Adam Cooper, and the experienced Ian Roper on the field.

In his first season, Farmer - at 31 the youngest manager in the club’s history - led them to their first promotion in their 65-year semi-professional history.

After finishing in a highly-creditable third place, they won promotion after beating Uxbridge 2-1 in a semi-final play-off, and defeating Beaconsfield SYCOB 3-1 in the final. Sadly, the fledgling manager showed his inexperience by changing his promotion-winning team from the start and it culminated in the club lasting just one season back in the Southern League Premier Division as they finished in 21st place and went down on goal difference.

2013-14 The Greenbacks played in the Evo Stick Northern League Division One South. Andrew Fuller took over as Manager, however he resigned after a few weeks and was replaced by Nick Hawkins who unfortunately was unable to improve the results.

He was then replaced by our current Manager, Stuart Storer along with Andy Penny as his assistant. Both came from Hinckley United. After a difficult start they produced a settled squad and staved off relegation at the end of the season.

2014-15 The Greenbacks returned to the Southern Football League.

Stuart Storer remained as manager and in his first full season in charge the club once again won promotion after a 2-0 win over Barton Rovers in the play-off final. This was after finishing 4th after the league programme had been finished. This was the clubs first season on its new artificial grass pitch.

2015-16 The club played once again in the Southern Football League Premier Division. The season started slowly and a number of changes to playing staff made up until Christmas. The club pushed to avoid relegation but ultimately were unsuccessful, although all agree this was due to the start of the season and not the group of players at the club at the end. We have now returned to the Northern Premier League Division 1 South.

The 2016-17 season saw the club play once again in the Northern Premier League Division 1 South. A season that saw a number of injury problems and changes in playing staff saw a mid-table finish. The club did have a successful run in the FA Cup, eventually losing out to National League side Curzon Ashton.

2017/2018 Saw the team struggle in the league early on with injuries and Stuart Storer was unable to field the same team for 2 games in a row. Come Christmas though with the team becoming more settled results started to come and the Greenbacks push saw them finish 4th in the league and make the playoffs where they met Chasetown in the semi final running out 2-1 winners to book a place against Stamford in the final.

Bedworth eventually won 2-1 after extra time after conceding 7 minutes into injury time. With the restructuring of the Leagues Bedworth were now promoted into the Evo Stik Southern premier league central. Unfortunately this foray into step 3 of the Non League ladder was short lived and the team were relegated back to step 4 at the end of the 2018/19 season.

In the Season that never was due to Covid-19 The Greenbacks were getting a head of steam up and were looking like they might have made the play-offs but with the season being brought to a premature halt Bedworth would start the 2020-21 season in Step 4 again.

Bedworth started well in the 202021 season only suffering defeat in the games they played and were sitting second in the league when again due to Covid the season was curtailed.

After a poor start to the 2021-22 season a good run in December and January saw the Greenbacks come within touching distance of the play-offs but a poor ending to the season saw them finish 12th .

SAM LOMAX - Sam started off his career at Aston Villa. After being released he began his non-league journey with Rugby Town, having made 40+ appearances. As a summer signing last season the larger than life goalkeeper has settled well within the squad and has become a bit of a cult hero due to his height amongst the junior section at the club.

LUKE ROWE - Luke is a local lad, and he has grown in stature under the guidance of the coaching team. Luke a left sided player was one of the managers‘ first signings from Hinckley, where he played under the current management team. He has played in New Zealand for Wellington making several appearances for the New Zealand national youth team and has a senior cap for his country. He always seem to feature in the end of year award ceremonies.

ELLIOT PARROTT - Elliot is quite an experienced player despite his young age. The combative midfielder was a youngster at Coventry City and played for Nuneaton Town youth team before joining Bedworth. He has made well over 200 appearances for the club and can play in a number of positions with relative ease.

REECE BLACKMORE - Reece is now in his 6th season with Bedworth, Reece as a youngster up until U16 was playing at Derby County where he then moved on to play youth football at Kettering Town. Bedworth signed him from Coventry Sphinx and since then he has been a regular in the team becoming a fan favourite because of his combative style of play and no nonsense attitude to the game.

Pen Pics

RICHARD BLYTHE - Richard is a centre midfielder who is happy to mix it but is equally good with the ball at his feet, Richard is another player who has returned to the club after a season at Rugby. He was club captain in the promotion winning season and hopes that he can relieve that glory again this season. Weighed in last season with his share of goals.

KYLE BARNETT - Kyle is a strong centre back and also a new signing for this season. Kyle has come to us from Daventry Town and has a footballing CV that lists Coventry United, amongst others. Kyle has impressed in his time here at Bedworth United and has formed a good relationship with his defensive peers.

CURVIN ELLIS - Curvin is a new addition for this season signing from Stratford Town. Curvin who has affectionally been ‘Swervin Curvin’ at his previous clubs is a big six foot five forward who will bring something different to the team. He has been playing for Sutton Coldfield last season. He has a big strong physical presence who has a great attitude.

RYAN MOORE - Ryan comes to Bedworth United from Sutton Coldfield FC. He signed in July 2021 and has made over 50 appearances at our current level. The cultured 23 year old full back started his career off at Birmingham City FC youth set up. Ryan is a quiet steady performer who never lets his level drop always an 8 out of 10 every week.

Bedworth United – Pen Pics

LIAM LOCKETT - Liam started his football journey at Worcester City progressing through their youth ranks to their first team. Liam is a skillfull midfielder who seems to glide past opponents and has an eye for goal in his time here at Bedworth he has hit the net with some sublime goals at vital times and is definitely one to watch this season.

JOSEPH SMITH - Defender signed this season from Coventry United. Aggressive defender with a winning mentality lists Racing Club Warwick and Coventry Sphinx before Coventry United.

WILLIAM EDJENGUELE - Experienced strong defender with a wealth of experience has played not only in this country but in the top divisions in France, Switzerland, and Greece. Played a season at Coventry United where he quickly became a fan favourite unfortunately his time at the Sky Blues was brief due to Coventry’s financial issues at the time

KHALLEM BAILEY-NICHOLS - Khallem returns for the third time back to The Oval a strong tricky striker with an eye for goals has recently been at Kettering Town, Worcester Town and Redditch United.

TYLER HADDOW - Tyler has come to us from Barwell where he was top scorer last season a striker who knows where the goal is previously at Coventry United.

LIAM MURPHY - A physical mobile striker who always puts 100% in a product of our junior and youth setup a key member in last season’s dominance by our U21s and Youth sides

Match Report

Chasetown 1

Venue

The Scholar Ground

Hanley Town 1

Date

6/12/2022

71 brave supporters embraced a bitterly cold Tuesday night game as Chasetown won a penalty shootout.

Chasetown made an early break through when Joe Morley cut inside the Hanley penalty box and slid the ball into the path of Oli Hayward, who side footed home his third goal of the season.

The visitors were level with virtually the last kick of the first half. Curtis Pond conceded a spot kick and Danny Glover fired home.

Chances after the break were few and far between. Keiran Harrison saved from Danny O'Callaghan, while Joe Morley was off target with two shots cutting in from the wing.

Kick Off 7.45pm.

Hanley had a goal ruled out for offside before the game went to penalties. Hanley converted first, levelled by Kris Taylor before the visitors put their second penalty wide and O'Callaghan fired Chasetown ahead.

Two more kicks made it 3-2 with Pond rifling home his kick before saving Hanley's fourth. Ryan Wynter netted the Scholars fourth to wrap up victory with one penalty to spare.

MatchReport

Sporting Khalsa

Venue

Noose Lane

Chasetown 1

Date 26/12/2022

After an enforced break of almost three weeks due to the bad weather, Chasetown returned to action and made a positive start in an end-to-end game.

Leading scorer Jack Langston was the first one on the offensive, with a shot deflected wide for an early corner. Jayden Campbell, then Ryan Winter both went close to the target as the visitors looked to end a Boxing hoodoo of no victories since 2013 on the postChristmas fixture.

Aaron Ashford tested the home keeper who beat away a low effort, but the Khalsa number 1 could do nothing about the opening goal. From outside the box, the keeper was stranded as Ashford netted a superb chip into the back of the net. His first goal since his return from injury.

Khalsa increased the pressure and an equaliser before half-time was just about deserved on the balance of the play, with Miracle Okafor netting in the 40th minute.

KickOff

3pm.

In fact, the hosts probably should have gone in a goal to the good but a close range chance was blazed over the crossbar with the half-time whistle imminent.

Khalsa probably would feel they had the better of the second half and missed a couple of chances in front of goal, before Curtis Pond pulled off a top save high to his right to keep out a free-kick.

That said, Chasetown were never out of the game and substitute Jonathan Letford saw a shot blocked, Jordan Evans warmed the keeper's gloves from long range and Langston's speculative effort near the end almost looped beyond keeper Sam Arnold.

A busy January ahead:

Mr. Fred Butler Finance Director Mr. Andy Bond Commercial Director

Chasetown inthe Community.

ChasetownFChave alwaysbeencommittedto becomea clubforthe communityandoverrecenttimeswehave madestridesforwardin thisarea withtheintroductionorhostingofgroupsfordifferentages groups at our club.

Youmay have seen in our ‘Chasetown Times’puttogether by our supporters club that we are now hosting afternoon Bingo session on Tuesdays are now postponed for the winterand willstart again March 2023.

Another relatively new hosting opportunity we have taken on is hosting ToddleWaddle Walk session run by local group Spark. These session are run on Tuesday’s at the momentthisistakinga break but please check our social mediaand Sparks for whenthisstartsagain in the spring.

Pleasecheck ‘Sparks’facebookpage for updates regarding thesesessions.

Another new venture we launched in the summerwasour Wildcatsprojectforall of the budding female footballersin our community.Is your daughter the next Lucy Bronze or LeahWilliamson?

If you followour ChasetownYouthFC on Facebook you willsee whereyou can sign up online forthenext session.

Chasetown’sPen Pics

Curtis Pond – Goalkeeper

The shot-stopper came through the youth set up before breaking through into the first team. He became the favoured number one in the October of the 2016/2017 season. Pond has held this position as number one keeper throughout different managerial changes and continues to hold this position for the 2022/23 season.

Alex Melbourne – Defender

Alex signed for Chasetown in July 2019. He is a good defender and has experience of playing in high divisions for teams such as Stafford Rangers and Hednesford Town. He is a pacey, happy to assist in attacking play and isn’t afraid to get the tackles in.

Ryan Wynter – Striker/Defender

Wynter re-signed for the Scholars in August 2020 after a brief spell with local rivals Stafford Rangers. Starting out as a striker Wynter has now been moved to the backline and is a powerful and commanding defender. He picked up Supporter’s Player of the Season for the 2018/2019 season.

Jordan Evans – Defender

Jordan joined the Scholars in July 2020 from neighbours Lichfield City after four years at the club. An athletic, attack minded left back will really add competition in that area for us.

Zack Foster – Defender

Zack joined The Scholars during 2020 and has committed to stay with The Scholars, he is a pacey defender who isn’t afraid to get forward and get crosses into the box and help with the Chasetown attack. However, he can also get in a strong tackle and match any pacey winger of the opposition.

Tom Unwin – Defender

Joined us over the summer and has an impressive CV that includes Kettering Town, Coalville Town and Grantham.

Mitch Clarke – Defender

Mitch joined the club from Rushall Olympic in the summer of 2022. He is a commanding and athletic centre half who has plenty of experience within nonleague to help strength our back line.

Chasetown’sPen Pics

Oli Hayward – Midfielder

Oli is an attacking midfielder or right back that joined Chase in June 2017. Very skilful with great energy levels, the former Lichfield player also hasan eye for goal. Hayward has returned stronger after suffering a double leg break at the start of the 2018/19 season. Hayward is a strong midfielder who helps protect the defenders by putting in the tackles in the centre of the pitch.

Jack Langston – Midfielder

Jack re-signed in November 2017 after a short spell at local rivals Stafford Rangers. He originally joined the club in March 2014. Jack has stayedwith the club through managerial changes and is a favourite amongst the fans which is helped by him knowing where the goal is and achieving top goal scorer for the club on multiple occasions.

Danny O’Callaghan – Midfielder

Having won everything in sight for our reserve side under Mark Swann, Doca has since gone on to forge a fantastic career in non league. Danny lists Romulus, Sutton Coldfield, Telford United and Stourbridge amonghis former clubs and joins us fromRushall.

Liam Kirton – Midfielder/Striker

An attackerwho has established himself within our youth set up and has announced himself within the senior squad over the last few seasons. Kirton has grown as a player even inviting interest from Walsall FC. He is a pacey, tall and strong attackingplayer.

Luke Yates – Midfielder/Striker

Luke joined from Sporting Khalsa in Summer 2022. He is an athletic, fast paced and creative attacking player, he will add another option to our attacking line up.

Jayden Campbell – Winger

An exciting young player who has broken into the first team squad during November 2022. With his pacey and tricky feet he is a handful for any defender and we look forward to seeing his career progress.

Chasetown’sPen Pics

Ben Lund – Striker

Ben joins us from Rushall Olympic following Danny O’Callaghan in making the move to the Scholars Ground. A powerful, pacey wide man or forward, Lund was a key target of manager Mark Swann and we are delightedto have him on board. Sponsored by the WrexhamScholars

Mitchell Botfield –Midfielder

A fantastic all rounder and can play in a number of the midfield positions, Botfield joined The Scholars from Alvechurch in July 2021. His character, mentality and experience will only aid a relatively young Chasetown side.

Aaron Ashford – Striker

Aaron joins the club after impressing against us in pre-season when he notched four goals. He adds Chasetown to an impressive CV that includes West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City, Stourbridge, Boldmere StMichaels and Romulus.

Jon Letford – Striker

Joined us towards the end of pre-season from Bromsgrove Sporting andmade his debut in the 1-1 season opener at St Neot’sTown.

Mitchell Candlin – Striker

Candlin joined the Scholars in November 2022, and since then he has found himself repeatedly as part of the first team squad. With him making a handful of appearances so far we look forward to seeing his career progress at Chasetown.