The SCHOLARS
The Official Matchday Programme of Chasetown Football Club
Saturday 1st April 2023
Chasetown v Dereham Town
Chasetown FC (2021) Limited
Pitching In NPL Midlands Division
Swanny’s Scribbles
Good afternoon and welcome to the Scholars ground for todays game against Dereham Town. We extend a warm welcome to Dereham and hope they enjoy our hospitality.
Both teams go into todays fixture fighting hard. Dereham are fighting for every point in an attempt to improve their league position, and in different circumstances so are we. We must make sure that our focus is just as sharp as it had been over the past few months which has seen us enjoy a good run of form and a good points return.
On the back of an excellent win last Saturday the players are in good spirits and looking forward to today.
Our win at Shepshed last weekend was one of the most pleasing of the season. Shepshed are a tough side to play at any time but especially at home. The day was made no easier by the downpour before kick off which made the pitch very heavy to say the least. Whilst everyone likes to watch free flowing football, sometimes the gritty, ground out victories are even better!
We followed that up with another win and good performance on Tuesday against a young Walsall FC side. Whilst they presented a young outfit, they still showed their quality at times and were certainly very resilient.
I thought we showed great maturity and control in our performance and we were disappointed not to convert more chances but delighted to go through to the final.
We were pleased to welcome Kieron Berry back to the club on deadline day. Kieron is a natural threat and is a welcome addition to help us in the run in.
It was great to see a big crowd in attendance on Tuesday evening. Hopefully, a few may be here again today to push the lads on.
Thank you for your continued support.
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 successive season.
Chasetown FC and Crown Highways working in partnership.
Dereham Town - History
Dereham Town Football Club was founded in 1884, spending many of its early years in the local Norwich District and the Dereham & District Leagues. During these early years, the Club made its first appearance in the Norfolk Senior Cup Final, when they lost to C.E.Y.M.S., in 1891-92.
Until 1965, the Club played in the Norfolk and Suffolk League prior to the formation of the Anglian Combination. In that transitional season Dereham Town won the Senior 'B' Division. In 1988-89 Dereham Town was relegated from the Premier Division of the Anglian Combination, thus losing their proud record of being the only Club to have never played outside the Premier Division since the League's formation in 1965. The following season Premier Division status was regained when the Division One title was claimed.
In 1993-94, the Senior Knockout Cup was won for the first time when Wymondham Town were comprehensively beaten 3-0 in the Final. December 1996 saw the Club move from its previous home on the Council owned Recreation Ground into the plush surrounding of the new site at Aldiss Park.
The Club's first full season at Aldiss Park (1997/98) saw the dream become reality when Eastern Counties League status was achieved with the club winning a first Anglian Combination Premier Division title. Not content with just the League title, the club also won the Don Frost Memorial Cup.
The Club's opening season in Eastern Counties League football (1998/99) saw the club finish seventh in Division One and reach the inaugural Division One Knockout Cup Final.
The 2000/01 season saw the First Team secure promotion to the (then) Jewson Premier Division. For the third year in succession, the Club received the Jewson Sportsmanship Trophy, along with the hospitality award and match day programme award.
A level of stability was then achieved by the club over the following season, with mid-table finishes being achieved.
2005/06 saw the first Norfolk Senior Cup win for the club overcoming Norwich United in the Carrow Road Final.
The following season saw the Magpies best season to date, retaining the Norfolk Senior Cup and combining this with a 6th place finish in the Eastern Counties Premier Division.
Dereham Town - History
In March 2008 former Magpies player, Matt Henman, replaced Rob Taylor as manager after captain Adam Gusterson had briefly held the reigns as caretaker manager. Fourth place in the League was achieved with victory over Mildenhall Town in the last match of last season. Season 08/09 again saw a fourth place finish in the Ridgeons Premier Division, as well as a run to the fifth round of the FA Vase.
After a couple of years of rebuilding the season 2010/11 saw the Magpies as runners up in the Ridgeons Premier League and winners the Norfolk Senior Cup at Carrow Road, defeating a strong Kings Lynn Town side.
Season 2011/12 was relatively disappointing with the side finishing in mid table in the League; however, the younger sides continued to thrive and hopefully many of these players will be pushing for a first team place in the future.
Season 2012/13 saw the Magpies achieve promotion by winning the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Premier Division title was won and, with the necessary ground improvements in place, promotion to the Ryman League was achieved for the first time in the club’s history.
After struggling to adapt to the physicality of the step up in the opening matches, the team picked up to finish 7th in their opening campaign. This was matched the following season, combining this with a good run in the FA Cup came to an end at Conference North Boston United.
Another strong season in Ryman One North saw the Magpies end the 2015/16 season in 9th place. Again, a play-off place was briefly in view but in the event we finished 12 points off 5th place. However, the season ended on a high when a 2-0 victory against Ryman League bound Norwich United, at Carrow Road in May, secured the Norfolk Senior Cup for the fourth time in 10 years.
This season also saw a great achievement for the Under-18’s reaching the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup, bowing out of the competition at Mansfield Town – losing 4-3 to an extra-time goal. On the way Peterborough United’s Under-18’s were defeated 2-1 at Aldiss Park.
The 2016/17 season was ultimately a disappointing one as the Magpies ended the campaign in eighteenth place – the lowest finishing position since promotion to step 4 in 2013/14.
Dereham Town - History
Club manager Matt Henman stepped down in order to take on a new challenge in Dubai.
2017/18 briefly saw the team heading the Bostik Division One North, the Club’s highest ever position in the Non League System. After subsequently flirting with a play-off place a poor run of results during March and April saw an eventual eighth-place finish.
In January 2019, following a run of poor results, manager Neal Simmons was replaced by former Magpies players Adam Gusterson and Olly Willis. The pair had jointly managed and taken Harleston Town from the Anglian Combination into step 6 football, winning both League and Cup on the way. The 2018/19 season did end on a high with an extra time victory in the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road, making it a fifth County title for the club.
The 2019/20 season ended up being the season that never was, with the results and table expunged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Magpies in 9th place following a steady season. The Norfolk Senior Cup Final had also been reached for the second successive season, but was also later cancelled.
The highlight of the season coming with the Under 18’s reaching the FA Youth Cup 1st Round, losing out this time to Peterborough United 1-0 after extra time.
Ross Bilham (32) - Goalkeeper who has joined the club full time this season, having been back up for the last couple of years. A commanding presence in the area with great shot stopping ability.
Joe Rider (18) – Young goalkeeper who has stepped up to the big stage over the last couple of seasons, a graduate of the DESA programme.
Richard Black (24) – UEA Graduate, dominant and aggressive ball playing CB, joined us this summer
Chris Greenslade (25) – A product of the Norwich City academy and graduate of our DESA programme. He made his debut at 17 and led the DESA programme to the ECFA National Cup Final. He’s a leader on and off the pitch.
Dion Frary (25) – Captain. A versatile defender who can play anywhere across the backline, or as a holding midfielder. Dion has vast experience for his age with over 200 appearances for Dereham as well as at a higher level with King’s Lynn Town.
Jacob Skinner (28) – Jacob joined the Magpies this summer following a long spell in grass roots football. Can play at Centre Half or on the left of the defence.
Oli Yun (19) – Oli joins Dereham from Wroxham and is a current UEA student. Equally comfortable at full back or in holding midfield, he is also capable of producing great strikes from distance.
Aaron Powell (19) – Full back on loan from Peterborough United. A dynamic performer, Powell has good delivery into the box and displays good awareness of the position.
Alfie Mattocks (17) – Current second year DESA student. Matto was part of the Sheringham team that won promotion to Step 5 last season prior to stepping up to the first team. An attacking full back who is just as capable supporting attack as he is in defence.
Charlie Marshall (17) – A current second year DESA student. Charlie made his first team debut last season and shows a great aptitude in breaking from midfield to support in the final third of play.
Kai Thurston (17) – DESA student in his second year. Kai is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder. Equally comfortable on the ball or off it, a real player for the future.
George Green (23) – a product of our DESA academy programme. 100% focused in everything he does, you won’t find many players going past him in a fitness test. Technically very good on the ball and able to execute a range of passing with precision.
Louis Henman-Mason (27) – A graduate of the DESA programme, Louis is nearing 50 first team appearances for the club. A utility player usually found in midfield but can fill in on either wing or at full back.
Pen
Dereham Town –
Pics
Luke Johnson (20) – Joined us from King’s Lynn Town. A midfielder who loves to get forward and join the attack, with a real eye for goal. Has stepped up this season to show the new faces how it’s done.
Joe Gascoigne (20) – an exciting midfield talent having been at the Norwich City academy and has experience at Step 1 with King’s Lynn Town. Joe joins the Magpies this summer despite interest from higher and will no doubt drive us forward.
Harry Gagen (20) – Attacking midfielder, who can play further forward. Back with the first team this season after spells at lower levels. Has a real eye for goal.
Ryan Swift (26) – UEA Graduate. Signed this summer from Cambridge City. Out and out goal scorer who is equally happy on his left or right foot.
Mo Hassan (24) – UEA graduate, technically fantastic and dangerous in possession. Has an eye for a goal of the decade contender whenever he picks up the ball.
Charlie Clarke (25) – DESA graduate who followed this with several years playing in the American College system, now in his third spell with the club. An all-around attacker who loves to take players on, with a good eye for goal.
James Cooper (25) – Another DESA graduate with experience of the US College game. Coops is a great foil at the top end of the pitch for his fellow attackers.
Lewis Dugdale (17) – A second year DESA student, Duggy can play anywhere across the front line and offers great back up to his more experienced teammates.
Harvey Gilham (17) – A first year DESA student who has broken into first team contention this year. Harvey was part of the FA Youth Cup run to the last qualifying round earlier this season.
Danno White (17) – Another second year DESA student, showing the real depth in midfield in the programme. Danno is a converted centre half who plays as a holding midfielder, comfortable on either foot for passing or shooting.
Dereham Town – Pen Pics
Match Report
Chasetown 3
An Aaron Ashford left footer and two Jack Langston strikes were the difference as Chasetown defeated Gresley Rovers 3-0.
Chasetown dominated the start and made it count when Aaron Ashford received the ball just outside the box, took a touch and curled a effort into the opposite corner.
The lead was doubled on the quarter hour mark when a cross was aimed towards Danny O’Callaghan who could not make contact. Luckily for the Scholars the ball went through to Jack Langston who elegantly smashed the ball home.
It was three minutes before half time when a mis-hit pass from goalkeeper Lewis Fenney landed at the feet of Langston who could not miss despite his effort going in via the post.
Gresley Rovers 0
The Chase came within inches of a goal when O’Callaghan latched onto a cross which he put inches beyond the post.
Chasetown kept knocking on the door and dispatched another shot which Luke Yates hit wide after the ball trickled along the floor sticking to the wet turf.
Gresley's only real chance came when Daniel Munday hit a shot that bounced off the post and into the gloves of Curtis Pond.
A fourth goal for the Scholars went begging when a shot from Ashford was palmed by Fenney into the path of Sam Wilding who could only direct it into the keeper’s midriff. Moments later a free kick from Langston was palmed away by Fenney.
Date 21/3/2023
Venue The
Kick Off
Scholars Ground
7.45pm
Match Report
Shepshed Dynamo 1
Dovecote Stadium
Chasetown 2
Date
25/3/2023
Shepshed started on the front foot and put the Scholars on the defensive. A free header from Sam Moore from a free kick went well wide.
Chasetown took the lead in the 22nd minute after a succession of dangerous corners. From the third one, Jack Langston’s kick took a number of partial clearances and fell to Ryan Shaw on the edge of the D and his right footer deflected past Brandon Ganley.
Dynamo levelled on the stroke of half time. The first shot was blocked by defender Mitch Clarke but Joel Nketia smashed the second shot off the inside of Curtis Pond’s right hand post.
After another sustained spell of pressure from the hosts, Chasetown broke quickly and Johno Atherton warmed the gloves of Ganley, with the rebound cleared before Langston could pounce.
In the 70th minute, Chasetown took the lead. Shaw’s shot was blocked, but when Shaw fired the ball back across, Atherton stabbed the ball home.
Shaw went close to his second before the hosts put Chasetown under pressure, though the visitors survived for a vital three points in their play off bid.
Venue
The
Kick Off 3pm
Match Report
Chasetown 1
Venue
The Scholars Ground
Walsall XI 0
Date
28/3/2023
Kick Off
7.45pm
A Kieron Berry thunderbolt on his first game at the Scholars Ground since returning ensured that it would be Chasetown that advanced to the Walsall Senior Cup final at the Pirelli Stadium in May.
Chasetown deservedly took the lead, in the 75th minute, when a cross rebounded to Kieron Berry who leathered the ball into the net via the bar.
The game made a quick start when Jack Langston drove into the box and hit over. In the third minute Chasetown kept asserting the pressure and missed a chance when Langston swung in a corner which Ryan Wynter hit at the goalkeeper.
The Scholars crept closer to a first goal when Ryan Shaw hit a long range shot narrowly over the bar. It was a matter of when not if Chasetown would score when Luke Yates hit a shot directly at the goalkeeper.
Walsall kept knocking at the door and came close on the half hour mark when Marvellous Onabirekhanlen hit the post.
Chasetown started the second half as they ended the first as Ben Lund had a shot that was blocked by a Walsall defender.
Another effort went begging as Langston struck an effort straight at George Barrett in the Saddlers goal. 15 minutes from time Yates came close when his long range piledriver had to be tipped over the crossbar.
Chasetown Football Club (2021) Limited League Rule 2.13
Ownership: In accordance with the Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of Ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 Clubs within the Football pyramid, we hereby confirm that the Legal Status of Chasetown Football Club (2021) Limited identified by Company Number 13194039, takes the form of a Private Company Limited by Guarantee (incorporated 10 February 2021)
For the purposes of publication of ownership we can confirm that the following named person(s) are listed as Directors of the Company (incorporated personnel)
Mr. Steve Jones Chairman
Mr. Richard Lamb Chief Executive
Mr. Andrew Cox Secretary
Mr. Fred Butler Finance Director
Mr. Andy Bond Commercial Director
Chasetown’s Pen 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.
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’s Pen 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 has an 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 stayed with 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 among his former clubs and joins us from Rushall.
Liam Kirton – Midfielder/Striker
An attacker who 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 attacking player.
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 attackingline 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’s Pen 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 delighted to have him on board. Sponsored by the Wrexham Scholars
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 St Michaels and Romulus.
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.
Chasetown’s Management Team
Manager
Mark Swann
Assistant Manager
Jamie Hawkins
Player-Coach
Kris Taylor
Goalkeeping Coach
John Birt
Sports Therapist
Liam Brown
Player-Coach
Chris Slater
Kitman
John Hawkins
MANAGER: Mark Swann
Curtis Pond
Alex Melbourne
Jordan Evans
Ryan Wynter
Mitch Clarke
Tom Unwin
Oli Hayward
Liam Kirton
Jack Langston
Danny O’Callaghan
Aaron Ashford
Luke Yates
Jonathan Letford
Jayden Campbell
Mitch Candlin
Ryan Boothe
Ben Bailey
Kieron Berry
MANAGER: Tom Parke
Ross Bilham
Joe Rider
Richard Black
Chris Greenslade
Dion Frary
Jacob Skinner
Oli Yun
Aaron Powell
Alfie Mattocks
Charlie Marshall
Kai Thurston
George Green
Louis Henman-Mason
Luke Johnson
Joe Gascoigne
Harry Gagen
Ryan Swift
Mo Hassan
Charlie Clarke
James Cooper
Lewis Dugdale
Harvey Gilham
Danno White
Emergency Defibrillator in Clubhouse
Next Game:
Corby Town V Chasetown
Saturday 8th April 2023. Kick off : 3pm.
Chasetown FootballClub @Chasetownfc1954 @Chasetownfc1954
