. Welcome to February and another month of stories, community and competition from across grassroots football in Essex.
January proved frustrating for many clubs and leagues due to unprecedented weather disruption. Despite postponed fixtures and challenging conditions, the strength of the grassroots game has been clear and there is still plenty to report from across the county.
In this edition, our Features section highlights Southend United’s FA Trophy journey, alongside an insight into the day-to-day life of a goalkeeper coach, as we spend time with highly respected coach Andy Corton.
We also shine a light on Redwing Girls U15 and their new sponsor, the Tommy Crush Foundation, whose mission is to raise money to support teenagers vulnerable to suicide a powerful example of football supporting causes beyond the pitch.
Alongside this, we welcome back updates from Essex County FA, Heybridge Swifts and KitAid Our League Reviews return with round-ups from the Essex Olympian League, Chelmsford Sunday League proudly sponsored by Grassroots Magazine and the Essex Senior League
We hope you enjoy this month’s content. To receive a copy direct to your inbox, plus member-only offers, please subscribe "The Club House" | Grassroots Magazine.
Thank you to everyone who continues to power grassroots football across Essex. For extended coverage and matchday extras, follow us across our social channels, links are just below
The Grassroots Team
CHELMSFORD SUNDAY LEAGUE
sponsored by Grassroots Magazine
Chelmsford Sunday League
January 2025 Round-Up
A cold start to 2026 did nothing to slow the football down across the Chelmsford Sunday League,
with goals flowing freely across all divisions and several sides laying down serious markers as we head into the business end of the season. Tight battles, cup drama and statement wins all featured across a busy January programme.
Premier Division
Old Chelmsfordians enjoyed a strong month, backing up a 4-2 success at Eagle & Hind with a commanding 3-0 win over MATES. Their consistency and game management continue to make them one of the division’s benchmark sides.
Priory Sports also made a major statement, dismantling Eagle & Hind 4-0 before edging through acagey cup tie against FFB on penalties after a goalless draw a result that showed both defensive discipline and mental resilience.
Atletico Trotters produced one of the standout attacking displays of the month with a 6-2 cup win at Stock United Sunday, before returning to league action with a solid 3-1 win over Redstones. Elsewhere, FFB and Woodham Athletic shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw, while Redstones picked up a narrow but important win over Eagle & Hind earlier in the month.
Division One
January produced some eye-catching scorelines, none more so than Stock United Sunday’s emphatic 9-0 win over Woodham Radars a ruthless attacking performance that will have sent a message to promotion rivals.
Heybridge Social First continued their strong home form with a 3-1 victory over The Rodings United,while Danbury Athletic First impressed with a controlled 4-1 win against Woodham Radars.
Waltham United First and Burnham Ramblers Sunday also picked up valuable points during the month, highlighting how competitive and open this division continues to be week to week.
In cup action, Sporting 77 First edged a tight contest against Billersports after extra time, showing strong character in a game that could easily have gone either way.
Division Two
.
Goals were plentiful across Division Two in January, with several sides producing big attacking performances.
Chelmer Village recorded an impressive 5-1 win over Mayland Village, while Chelmer Wanderers picked up two strong results defeating Old Chelmsfordians Reserves and following it up with a good away win at Queens Park Hannakins
AFC Ingatestone and Great Baddow Reserves both showed strong form during the month, picking up convincing victories and maintaining pressure near the top end of the table. Meanwhile, cup fixtures added extra spice, with Queens Park Hannakins progressing in a tight contest against Mansfield Rangers First.
Division Three
January belonged to the league’s attacking sides, with several teams hitting big numbers. Beacon Hill Rovers and Heybridge Social Reserves both recorded 9-goal performances during the month, underlining their attacking firepower and depth.
Maldon Town Athletic and Maldon Social both picked up important wins to keep momentum building, while Woodham Radars A and Brooklands CSL were involved in several entertaining high-scoring encounters.
Elsewhere, Writtle Reserves experienced mixed fortunes across league and cup action but remain a side capable of causing problems on their day.
January Talking Points
• Several divisions remain extremely tight, particularly Division One and Division Two
• Cup competitions continue to produce unpredictable results and high drama
• Goal scoring levels across the league remain exceptionally high — great news for neutral spectators
The national charity KitAid takes your unwanted kit & equipment and gives it a new home in parts of the world where the game of football is loved, but participation is held back back by lack of access to resources. :
A kit donation from you can make a huge impact in some of the poorest and most troubled parts of the world. The projects with whom we work around the world use the power of football, and sport generally, to support very practical initiatives. Initiatives committed to improving health, supporting education & skills development to increase employability, promoting inclusivity for those who are otherwise excluded in society and working to keep young & older people safe, be they orphans or street children or adults facing abuse. It is why we say of our work, "It's more than just a shirt ... "
A positive start has been made to the New Year. Over 9,530 items of kit & equipment were donated in January. This takes the cumulative total of items donated since 1998 to over 1,241,565 items. It is only with your help that the momentum of the last few years can be sustained.
Though we will shortly be beyond 1.25m items, it will, how ever remarkable, be simply one more milestone to be crossed. The needs around the world to be addressed are unrelenting, and adding your support now with a kit donation will be most profound in its impact, in both spreading smiles for the love of the game and with it helping transform lives.
Check out the attached KitAid video review of the year at https://x.com/KitAid/status/2003390130774769803?s=20
Look out for Hashtag United Youth towards the end of the video.
Essex Caring to Share
In January, a super kit donation came in from Barnston FC
Boxing Up - 24th January
The first Boxing Up session of the New Year processed 5,215 kit items, now boxed up and transferred out through our charity partners. A range of Essex kit donations were caught on camera on their way through the process. Colchester Villa YFC, Hornchurch FC, Leigh Ramblers FC, Porters Soccability FC, Trinity FC.
Extend the life of your unwanted kit too
Do get involved with KitAid: ...
If your club is ready to act on the commitment to 'reuse' and 'recycle' kit and with it share kit & equipment, then KitAid is here for that.
You can donate complete or part complete kits, training wear, boots and a variety of equipment (from footballs to training cones, from corner flags to samba goals). Maybe you have just a few shirts or items of equipment left over from a kit change. Every item makes a difference.
Your donation of kit can make a huge impact in some of the poorest and most troubled parts of the world. The projects with whom we work use the power of football, and sport generally, to support very practical initiatives to improve health, supporting education & skills development to increase employability, promoting inclusivity for those who are otherwise excluded in society and working to keep young & older people safe, be they orphans, street children or adults facing abuse. It is why we say of our work, "It's more than just a shirt ... "
If you can please look to:
1. donate unwanted kit & equipment – email KitAid at kitaidcharity@gmail.com or locally barrie.2014@yahoo.co.uk
2. consider advertising KitAid at your ground, in your programme or on social media
3. share skills (promotion, marketing or design), experience (accessing relevant grant aid) or provide access to resources (storage, transport or venues for sorting kit & equipment)
We need your help:
We are a small charity doing big things, but running exclusively on the effort of volunteers, we urgently need more volunteers, access to a van and more storage.
Volunteers needed: to help collect kit donations from local Clubs. You do as many collections or as few as you want.
Transport needed for bigger collections: if you have a van to share, we need help collecting the bigger donations and transferring them to storage.
Storage needed: we need more storage - dry, clean, secure & accessible - anything from a shed to a small container.
If you want to know more about joining the KitAid team of volunteers, or can provide storage or transport, or just want to help at Boxing Up, please contact KitAid Founder Derrick Williams MBE at kitaidcharity@gmail.com
Smiley Charity Film Awards
We would also welcome your support for the KitAid submission to the Smiley Charity Film Awards. Our submission appears in the under £100k category - the title is the 'Harry Mnisi Sports Day'. You can access permission to vote for the KitAid entry at https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/2026 /films/category/0-100000
FC
Redwing
Girls U15s
Buzzards are proud to announce a new sponsorship with the Tommy Crush Foundation.
The Tommy Crush Foundation works to raise awareness of youth mental health and suicide prevention, supporting young people who may be struggling and helping them understand that they are not alone and that help is available. We are proud to help promote this fantastic cause and hope that by doing so, even one youngster might realise there is support out there if they need it.
If any young person in the UK needs help:
• Childline – 0800 1111
• Samaritans – 116 123
• Or speak to a trusted adult, teacher, or coach. Together, we’re supporting young people both on and off the pitch.
Goalkeeper Corner
by Andy Corton. Head Senior Keeper Coach at the Carl Pentney Keeper Academy (CPKA) in Colchester.
“
The Goalkeeper Coach day to day.
This is another article regarding the work we do with goalkeepers, it’s further thoughts and I have asked Dave Blackmore of Braintree Town to add to the article and we hope this shows how much work goes into sessions, session planning, prep for games, pre and post game analysis and some general frustrations we have with the football world.
The week may well start for most people on a Monday, but preparation for Monday’s training sessions start the Friday before the weekend. The work I now do includes goalkeeper coaching for: The Carl Pentney Keeper Academy (CPKA) based in Colchester, Stanway Rovers Isthmian League, Sigma Academy & Braintree Town, where I assist GK Coach Dave Blackmore. Multiple 1-2-1 sessions with various keepers of all ages and we now, as coaches, have a very significant issue to deal with. I’ll call it the “Corner effect!”
Friday the WhatsApp messages go out to the keepers at the CPKA, “Who will be training with us on Monday?” Then we have to message our coaches and make sure they are available. Often the number of gk’s we can take is dictated by the number of available coaches. Our ratio is 6 gk’s to 1 coach as a maximum. It’s not easy finding coaches. Also on a Friday we start to put together the session plan and this will include GK basics, which are covered week in and week out along with a specific topic that may go across 4 weekly sessions.
Saturday sees me getting everything ready for the Stanway Rovers match and thinking about the warm-up routine, past match comments and considerations for the day’s game and opposition. Much focus is on a positive mindset, so all preparation is from a positive stand point, no negative words or thoughts.
Monday is Sigma Academy goalkeepers and session plans are set some days before, again covering basics and a topic. Monday evening sees us at the CPKA and the junior and senior sessions. This includes pumping up the balls, we have over 100!, getting the goals out, nets attached, cones, discs, deflectors and mannequins all ready to go.
Tuesday can be Braintree training, if they have no game in the evening, I may sneak in a yoga session if I’m lucky. 1-2-1 sessions in the afternoon. We will then prepare for Stanway Rovers, either training or a match that evening.
Wednesday may well be more afternoon 1-2-1 keeper sessions. Thursday is a day with no football and Friday starts the process again, including the afternoon Sigma Academy keeper session.
Each session needs to be considered, who we are coaching, age, ability, what they need as a keeper, opposition, reviews of previous games. At National League level this will include actual review of the previous games, reviews of the opposition, all tailored to helping the keeper and defence achieve a clean sheet or as close to it as possible.
One of our biggest challenges when working with groups of keepers, is setting keepers in the right groups. Some keepers develop more quickly, some are bigger, some more technical and some less so. Keepers all react differently, some need an arm around, some need more verbal encouragement. We always make sure that each keeper group is made up of keepers who can push each other and we always try to give positive feedback and encouragement. We are coaches, not trainers and so there is much, much more than just setting out cones and kicking the ball.
Football is a tough and brutal world and to make it to any significant level, the work needed is immense, particularly for a keeper, many people will judge you on your height and the height of your parents. Many will judge you on taking high balls. Recently I’ve experienced a number of keepers declining the opportunity to play at a level lower than the level they want to play at. If you are not currently playing take any opportunity to play. If a manger is looking for keeper cover or a new keeper, the first thing they will ask is “who are you currently playing for?” If the answer is “no one” then you are unlikely to be asked to play. Match fitness is not achieved by training only and if you're given he chance to train with a pro club, take it.
One young goalkeeper recently asked for some advice. He said two things. “I play on a small pitch, U9’s and when the other team have a free kick close to the goal the ball is powerfully hit into the top of the goal. My manager has told me I have to save these shots, but it’s really hard?” He also said - “When the other team have one of those free kicks and they are close enough to my goal to shoot, their players stand on me and wrestle me in to the goal and obstruct me, making it impossible to dive for those top corner shots. What should I do?” He now has a number of things he can do to counteract this.
We all see Premier league teams crowding the goalkeeper, blocking the keeper, throwing each other to the floor and officials allowing things that wouldn’t be allowed in WWE! I call this the Corner Effect. It’s not new, it’s just even more obvious than in years past.
What are the FA doing on coaching courses for grassroots managers? Surely they are not promoting this type of tactic? What are grassroots managers doing when allowing their players to do this? What are referees doing when they do not stop the game for a foul or obstruction?
Grassroots managers and referees, don’t be swayed and influenced by what you see on TV. Don’t think that a cheap and easy goal scored this way does anything to help your players learn the game. You may be able to go home and boast of a 1-0 win in a “big” under 9’s game, but is that really teaching the players to play fairly?
Come on FA, come on Managers and Referees, just say no to the “Corner Effect.”
You can find us coaching goalkeepers in Colchester and the surrounding areas and loving every moment of it.
Thanks Andy
City to Coast: Essex Senior League
Announces Epic Multi-Game Groundhop for Non-League Day
The Essex Senior League (ESL) are proud to announce the return of its highly anticipated Non-League Day Groundhop. This year, the league is taking fans on a unique "City to Coast" journey, offering the rare opportunity to experience the magic of grassroots football with the potential to catch four matches in just 24 hours.
Groundhopping is the lifeblood of the ESL. For us, it’s about more than just the 90 minutes; it’s about the community, the unique character of every terrace and the dedication of fans who travel the breadth of the county and the country.
This year’s schedule has been meticulously designed to highlight our local rivalries, featuring a split between our storied "City" based clubs and our historic “Rural” and "Coastal" sides.
The "City to Coast" Routes
Whether you want a traditional Saturday or a unique marathon of football, we have firmed up two primary routes for enthusiasts:
Route A: The City and Two Coast Traditionalist
Start Friday night in the City at Mile End or in Woodford, then head East on Saturday: Harwich & Parkeston v Little Oakley (12pm) \ Halstead Town v Saffron Walden Town (3pm) \ Hullbridge v Benfleet (7.45pm).
Route B: The "No 3pm" Marathon
For those seeking something different: Start in the City on Friday, then on Saturday go: Basildon United v Hackney Wick (1.30pm) \ White Ensign v Great Wakering Rovers (4pm) \ Hullbridge v Benfleet (7.45pm).
Official Fixture List
Friday Night (7.45pm Kick-off)
Soul Tower Hamlets v Sporting Bengal
Woodford Town v Buckhurst Hill
Saturday Fixtures
12.00pm: Harwich & Parkeston v Little Oakley
1.30pm: Basildon United v Hackney Wick
3.00pm: Halstead Town v Saffron Walden
3.00pm: Ilford v Barking *
3.00pm: Romford v Frenford *
3.00pm: Athletic Newham v West Essex
4.00pm: White Ensign v Great Wakering Rovers
7.45pm: Hullbridge v Benfleet
* Still in discussion to tweak fixtures to create a city hop. Further details to follow hopefully.
The "Boarding Pass" & Partnerships
To make this experience seamless, we are reintroducing our exclusive groundhopper ticket: This year it will be the Boarding Pass. This all-access pass will allow fans to navigate their chosen route with ease. Further details regarding pricing and availability will follow shortly.
We are also delighted to confirm the renewal of our partnership with Prostate Cancer UK. After a successful collaboration last year, we remain committed to using our platform to raise awareness for this vital cause. We are also in advanced talks with several other organisations to expand our impact this year. League Statement
“We are keen to release our firmed routes and we can't wait to get the groundhop underway. The 'City to Coast' theme captures the spirit of our league and while we are still in talks with our London venues to potentially create a 'London Hop' variant, we wanted to give fans the chance to start planning their weekend now.” – Michelle Dorling (League Secretary)
#NonLeagueDay #ESL #ESLNLD
Great Baddow FC & Mid-Essex League: More Than a Game
On a Saturday afternoon in Great Baddow, football is more than ninety minutes. It is history, routine, and community—woven together by a club that has stood alongside the grassroots game for well over a century.
Founded in 1898, Great Baddow Football Club emerged at the same moment as the Mid-Essex Football League, a coincidence that speaks volumes about the expansion of organised football in England at the end of the 19th century. While the professional game looked toward stadiums and league tables, clubs like Great Baddow laid the foundations of football at its most local level. From early village pitches to the modern recreation ground the club calls home today, Great Baddow FC has been a constant presence in Essex Saturday football. Like the Mid-Essex League itself, the club has survived war, economic change, and the shifting priorities of modern life. Seasons were paused for two world wars, resumed during post-war recovery, and later adapted to new challenges such as rising costs and evolving league structures.
The Mid-Essex League has long provided a competitive and respected platform for clubs in central Essex. Sitting within the English football pyramid, it has acted as both a proving ground for ambitious sides and a reliable home for community clubs. Great Baddow FC’s relationship with the league reflects that balance periods of success and promotion interspersed with consolidation and rebuilding, always grounded in sustainability rather than short-term gains.
Off the pitch, the club’s importance is just as clear. Generations of local players have worn its colours, from young adults beginning their football journey to veterans extending it. Volunteers, family members, and supporters have kept the club alive through changing times, maintaining a sense of identity that transcends results.
In the modern era, as grassroots football faces renewed pressures, Great Baddow FC remains a quiet example of why local football still matters. It provides structure, friendship, and tradition—week in, week out within a league that has done the same since the Victorian age.
More than 125 years on, Great Baddow FC and the Mid-Essex League continue their journey together. Not flashy, not famous but essential. Because at this level, football isn’t just played. It’s passed down
CLUB HISTORY SIDEBAR
Great Baddow Football Club at a Glance
Founded: 1898
Location: Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex
Home Ground: Great Baddow Recreation Ground
Colours: Traditionally black and white League Football:
o Mid-Essex Football League (founding-era participant)
o Periods competing in the Essex Olympian League
Notable Achievements:
o Multiple Mid-Essex League titles and cup successes
o Winners of competitions including the Mid-Essex Cup and other county-level honours
Teams Fielded:
o Saturday First Team
o Reserve / Second teams (historically)
o Veterans’ sides
Club Identity:
A long-standing grassroots club built on local players, volunteers, and tradition balancing competitive ambition with community roots for over a century.
PLAY YOUR FOOTBALL WITH GREAT BADDOW FC
New Players Wanted – All Positions
Great Baddow Football Club is recruiting players for the upcoming season. Founded in 1898, we are one of Essex’s longestrunning grassroots clubs and a proud member of the Mid Essex Football League.
Whether you’re returning to football, new to the area, or simply looking for a competitive Saturday side with a good atmosphere, we’d love to hear from you.
What We Offer
• Saturday football in the Mid Essex League
• Friendly but competitive environment
• Experienced coaches and organised setup
• Well maintained home ground in Great Baddow, Chelmsford
• Strong club culture built on respect, commitment, and enjoyment
We believe periods shouldn't be a barrier to sport and yet the facts, particularly surrounding young girls’ participation in sport, are alarming. We are committed to ensuring the barriers involving menstruation and sport are removed and we are proud to work with a number of organisations to #tackleperiods in sport
Pest Management in Hornchurch, Essex
LEAGUES LOCAL ADULT
LEAGUES LOCAL YOUTH
ESSEX FA
VENUES CONFIRMED FOR 2025/26 ESSEX COUNTY CUP FINALS
Dates and venues for Essex’s 26 highly-anticipated showpiece 2025/26 County Cup Finals have now been confirmed, kicking-off with a treble of #GirlsFinalsDay matches taking place on Sunday 1st March.
Finals have been booked for competitions involving male, female and mixed teams across the county, at age groups from Under 12s through to veterans. These fixtures are major highlights in the local grassroots football calendar every year, and further information has now been shared relating to the arrangements for the showpiece events.
These occasions will be held at nine venues across Essex, including at Colchester United FC’s JobServe Community Stadium, which will play host to the BBC Essex Senior and Women’s Cup Finals. The schedule is kickedoff with the three Girls Cups at Aveley FC. There will then be a further 23 finals staged at venues around the county, finishing-up at Billericay Town FC for the Essex Pelly Under 18s Cup Final on Wednesday 6th May.
For 2025/26, we have been building on the success of establishing a secondary Under 13s competition by introducing a similar competition for Under 14s teams, whilst a new Essex Under 15s Girls Cup has completed the pathway from Under 12s to Under 18s in the female game. This year will welcome their first ever cup finals.
Mark Wallis, from the County FA’s Competitions Department, is excited to see the prestigious events get underway, commenting: “These games are amongst the highlights of the football calendar, and we’re really looking forward to them all. To see so many players, club and match officials and spectators enjoying the Essex County Cup Final action is truly worthwhile.”
The full list of Essex County Cup Final venues and dates for the 2025/26 season can be found on the next page. You can also find out more about Essex’s County Cups in the ‘Cups & Competitions’ menu above, and by following us on social media.
ESSEX COUNTY FA CUP FINALS 2025/26
all supported by GoCardless
Essex Under 13s Girls Cup, Sunday 1st March, Kick-Off 10:00am, Aveley FC
Essex Under 14s Girls Cup, Sunday 1st March, Kick-Off 1:00pm, Aveley FC
Essex Under 15s Girls Cup, Sunday 1st March, Kick-Off 4:00pm, Aveley FC
Essex Under 16s Girls Cup, Sunday 8th March, Kick-Off 11:00am, Bowers & Pitsea FC
Essex Under 18s Girls Cup, Sunday 8th March, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Bowers & Pitsea FC
Essex Sunday Veterans Cup, Wednesday 1st April, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Concord Rangers FC
Essex Saturday Junior Cup, Wednesday 8th April, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Heybridge Swifts FC
Essex Sunday Junior Cup, Sunday 12th April, Kick-Off 10:30am, Bowers & Pitsea FC
Essex Sunday Premier Cup, Sunday 12th April, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Bowers & Pitsea FC
Essex Cassels Under 16s Cup, Wednesday 15th April, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Heybridge Swifts FC
BBC Essex Women’s Cup, Thursday 16th April, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Colchester United FC
Essex Under 14s Trophy, Sunday 19th April, KickOff 11:00am, Buckhurst Hill FC
Essex Andrews Under 14s Cup, Sunday 19th April, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Buckhurst Hill FC
BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup, Wednesday 22nd April, Kick-Off 7:30pm, Billericay Town FC
Essex Sunday Junior Trophy, Friday 24th April, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Heybridge Swifts FC
Essex Under 12s Cup, Sunday 26th April, Kick-Off 11:00am, Concord Rangers FC
Essex Under 12s Girls Cup, Sunday 26th April, Kick-Off 2:30pm, Concord Rangers FC
Essex Women’s Trophy, Wednesday 29th April, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Heybridge Swifts FC
Essex Saturday Junior Trophy, Friday 1st May, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Brentwood Town FC
Essex Cordell Under 13s Cup, Sunday 3rd May, Kick-Off 10:00am, Aveley FC
Essex Under 13s Trophy, Sunday 3rd May, KickOff 1:00pm, Aveley FC
Essex Rosser Under 15s Cup, Sunday 3rd May, Kick-Off 4:00pm, Aveley FC
Essex Pelly Under 18s Cup, Wednesday 6th May, Kick-Off 7:30pm, Billericay Town FC
ESSEX FA
INCLUSION ADVISORY GROUP AND AMBASSADOR OPPORTUNITIES IN ESSEX
Making Grassroots Football Fairer and More Welcoming for Everyone
Members of the Essex grassroots football community - including players, coaches, referees, volunteers, parents and supportershave an opportunity to become a member of the Essex County FA’s Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) or to support the game by sharing their experiences as an Inclusion Ambassador.
We are promoting a new Expression of Interest Form for individuals who’d like to help shape an inclusive future for football across the county. The form will remain open on an ongoing basis, with applications reviewed as opportunities become available.
The Inclusion Advisory Group plays a vital role in advising, supporting and constructively challenging existing processes, helping to continually embed equality, diversity and inclusion into policies, programmes and everyday practice across grassroots football. Alongside this, Inclusion Ambassadors help to bring inclusion to life by sharing real stories and lived experiences, showing others that there is a place for everyone in the game.
Essex County FA Equality and Inclusion Officer, Milly Morgan, explained: “Inclusion is about making sure every voice is heard, and every person feels they belong in football. This Expression of Interest Form gives people across Essex the chance to help shape real, positive change. Our Inclusion Advisory Group and Ambassadors play a crucial role in helping us to listen, learn and improve. We want to hear from people who care about making football fairer and more welcoming for everyone.”
We particularly welcome applications from individuals whose lived experiences provide valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities around inclusion in football. No previous formal role is required - what matters most is a commitment to positive change and a willingness to share ideas, insight and experience.
The Expression of Interest Form is now live via this link. You can also interact with us on social media
ESSEX FA
Veo, our Official Sports Recording Solutions and Related Services Provider, are inviting coaches, teams and players to have their say on the future of the Veo platform - and you could win some incredible prizes in the process!
Veo are currently running a short feedback survey designed to gather insight from the football community. The feedback received will play a key role in shaping future developments, new features and ongoing improvements to the Veo platform. As a thank you to everyone who takes part, Veo are offering the chance to win:
* 1st Prize: Veo Cam 3 with all add-ons included - Live, Spotlight and Analytics - free for a year * 2nd Prize: Veo Go set-up, with an annual subscription
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, and everyone who participates will be automatically entered into the prize draw. Sports recording solutions and related services provider, Veo, have renewed their link-up with us to last throughout 2026, forming a forward-thinking partnership which brings a range of benefits to local grassroots football.
An element of the partnership will see us facilitate exclusive discounts on cameras for affiliated clubs, and Veo will continue to work collaboratively on providing online coaching content. Veo challenge the idea that sports technology is only for the elite. Hence, aiming to make it accessible to all, to help every player and team to take their game, and their sport, up a level. Veo believes in the power of technology to amplify football’s positive global impact.
Technology has the power to make players better players, and coaches better coaches. Veo cameras can automatically record football using a state-of-the-art analysis platform, all powered by AI. Veo also provides the opportunity for clubs, teams and players to live stream games at the touch of a button. This allows friends, family and fans to experience the greatest moments when they happen and when it matters… in real time!
Off the pitch, Veo make it simple for coaches and players to analyse their game, and easy for fans of grassroots football to stream and share every moment. Anytime, anywhere. Coaches are busy people. With Veo, they can dedicate their time on the pitch to coaching, not filming.
The survey, available via this link, closes on Sunday 22nd February, so don’t miss your chance to share your feedback and be in with a chance of winning. Your voice matters - help to shape the future of Veo and football performance analysis. You can also interact with us on social media.
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS F.C
Good day to you all,
Once again, it has been a very busy period for everyone at HSYFC. With a number of fixtures cancelled and others rescheduled onto the 3G pitch, we have worked hard to ensure that all teams still get the opportunity to play on the stadium pitch whenever possible. We have seen some excellent results across our youth teams recently, along with strong performances from our older boys, who continue to work extremely hard as they push towards our pathway teams.
As mentioned in our last publication, one of our teams has won the Thurlow Nunn Youth League an outstanding achievement. We have also seen some of our boys gain valuable minutes in men’s football with a Step 6 side, and we are hopeful that even more will continue their progression with us at Heybridge. This season alone, four players from our youth section have already made appearances for our first team, which is fantastic to see.
Our reserve team is also enjoying a strong season, as are our EJA and community teams. While achieving positive results, they are all clearly enjoying their football, and it would be great to see more of these players continue to progress through the pathway we are building. Seeing both boys and girls enjoying their football at the club is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.
It is also brilliant to see so many of our young players attending first-team matches, spending time around the clubhouse, meeting the players, and getting involved in Man of the Match awards. It truly highlights what a great family and community club we have here. Everyone who has worked so hard over the years should be immensely proud to see so many children enjoying themselves at such a fantastic facility.
We are currently working on a number of tournaments that will take place throughout the summer. Once all details are finalised, these will be shared across our social media channels. Full contact and registration information will be provided, and we hope teams can join us for some sun, fun, and football—while parents can enjoy refreshments in the clubhouse.
Once again, we would like to thank Grassroots Magazine for their continued support in helping us promote everything we are doing at the club. As always, please feel free to attend any first-team home games and see for yourselves what a great facility we have. Finally, we hope all teams enjoy their games throughout February, continue to see positive results, and, most importantly, stay safe while playing.
Steve
Spreadbury Heybridge Swifts Chairman
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FROM ONLY £100, NAME IN PROGRAMME WITH YOUR PLAYER PHOTO WITH YOUR PLAYER AT THE END OF THE SEASON. CONTACT CHRIS FOR MORE INFORMATION HSFCDAINES@AOL.COM
Would you like to get involved?
There are lots of ways you can get involved from sponsorship opportunity’s, fan ownership, become a volunteer or if you just want to read more about our plan, please click the links below to find out more.
Sponsorship Opportunity
Partner with our 100% fan owned football club by taking up one of our sponsorship packages. We have several options available.
Our Plan
We believe in transparency as a football club, by clicking here you can view our full business plan. As we grow as a club we will continue updating this document with more detial.
Fan Ownership
For as little as £5 you can become an owner of East Thurrock Community Football Club. Get a say in how the club is run as well as full financial updates on a weekly basis.
BECOME AN OWNER
Our Plan
We believe in transparency as a football club, by clicking here you can view our full business plan. As we grow as a club we will continue updating this document with more detial.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
ALL THE ESSEX NONLEAGUE GROUNDS WE HAVE BEEN TO THIS SEASON
We will add to this page as we visit more grounds this season. Check out some great interviews and videos we have captured along the way, available Now across our social media channels.
SUPPORT LOCAL FOOTBALL!!
Gus Saves the Day!
Southend Edge Past Brave Chatham in FA Trophy Thriller
In a gritty, edge-of-your-seat FA Trophy Fifth Round battle at the Bauvill Stadium, Southend United punched their ticket into the quarter-finals, eking out a 1-0 win over plucky Chatham Town on Saturday afternoon.
It was a tie that had everything drama, penalty intrigue, and a moment of individual brilliance that ultimately separated the sides.
Underdogs Bite Back But Fall Just Short from the first whistle, it was clear that Chatham Town were far from overawed by their higher-ranked visitors.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Chats matched their National League opponents in effort and intent, carving out what could have been a dream lead just before the half-hour mark.
A foul in the box saw referee Isaac Searle point to the spot and Chatham’s Matty Macarthur stepped up, eyes on the prize. But on loan Southend debutant goalkeeper Owen Mason had other ideas, diving low to his left to keep out the effort and keep the score level.
Despite that let-off, Chatham continued to press, forcing Southend into uncomfortable moments as the rhythm of cup football took hold
Gus Scott-Morriss: The Hero of the Day
After a goalless first half that simmered with tension, the breakthrough finally came minutes after the hour mark. Southend were awarded their own spot-kick when skipper Ben Goodliffe was brought down inside the area. Up stepped Gus Scott-Morriss cool under pressure but denied initially by Chatham’s keeper Harvey. Yet, in true striker’s fashion, ScottMorriss was first to react to the rebound, slotting home to give Southend the lead and ignite wild celebrations among the Blues’ travelling supporters.
It was a defining moment in what was a tight, tense contest — and a goal that ultimately proved the difference.
Late Drama, Massive Heart
With the lead secured, Southend had to weather a late Chatham onslaught. The hosts threw caution to the wind, with goalkeeper Harvey even venturing forward for set pieces deep into added time. A frantic goalmouth scramble ensued that had fans at both ends holding their breath but the ball never quite crossed the line, and Southend’s defence stood firm.
What’s Next
For Southend United, progression to the FA Trophy quarter-finals is a significant achievement one that keeps alive hopes of a deep cup run and the dream of Wembley glory. For Chatham Town, despite the defeat, there will be little shame in their performance; they gave the higher-ranked Shrimpers a real scare and showed true non-league spirit.
This was cup football at its most compelling: drama, grit and a moment of magic that will live long in the memory of Southend fans. Now, all eyes turn to what awaits in the last eight.
ESSEX OLYMPIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
January 25 Round Up
Premier Division
January delivered a month of statement results, high scoring contests and subtle shifts in momentum at the top of the Premier Division, as the promotion picture began to take clearer shape following the festive reset. The month opened in dramatic fashion as Bishop’s Stortford Swifts edged a remarkable 76 win at Shenfield Association one of the games of the season so far and a reminder of the attacking quality spread across the division. Catholic United quickly reasserted their authority with a dominant 50 win over ACD United, while Barnston picked up an impressive 31 victory at Leigh Ramblers.
Catholic continued to set the benchmark across January. A professional 30 win at Herongate Athletic underlined their consistency, even as rivals attempted to close the gap. Shenfield responded strongly after their early setback, defeating Wakering Sports 10 and later producing arguably the result of the month with a 21 victory over Catholic United, proof that the title race still has life in it. Leigh Ramblers produced one of the strongest overall months in the division. Wins over Harold Wood Athletic, Bishop’s Stortford Swifts and Herongate Athletic highlighted their attacking strength and resilience, positioning them firmly as a potential disruptor in the promotion race.
Elsewhere, Wakering Sports continued to provide entertainment with back to back 33 draws, while Old Southendian picked up valuable points, including a strong win over Harold Hill and an emphatic cup victory over Herongate Athletic that could feed confidence back into league form. As January closed, Catholic United remain the side everyone is chasing, but the chasing pack led by Shenfield and Leigh Ramblers are showing they are capable of sustained pressure.
Division One
Division One remains one of the most competitive divisions in the league, with January reinforcing the sense that no side is likely to run away with the promotion places. Manford Way continued to look promotion ready throughout the month. A strong away win at Catholic United Reserves and a disciplined victory over Basildon Town Reserves highlighted a side comfortable winning in different ways.
Beacon Hill Rovers produced one of the standout results of the month with a commanding 50 victory over May and Baker EC A, while Basildon Town Reserves continued to quietly accumulate points, reinforcing their reputation as one of the hardest sides in the division to beat.
May and Baker experienced a turbulent month, suffering a heavy defeat before bouncing back with an impressive 52 win over Toby First, a reflection of the unpredictable nature of Division One this season. Leigh Town and Catholic United Reserves both showed they can impact the promotion race, with Catholic picking up a strong away win at Leigh Town mid month. With the table remaining compressed and results continuing to swing week to week, Division One looks set for a promotion battle that could go deep into the spring.
Division Two
Division Two saw momentum swings across January, with several sides showing they are capable of putting together promotion challenging runs. Roydon continued to look like one of the division’s benchmark sides, picking up key results including a hard earned win at Heybridge Swifts Reserves. Rawreth Lane also produced statement performances, including a convincing win at Leigh Ramblers Reserves and a dominant cup victory that reinforced their attacking threat. Galleywood enjoyed a positive month, including an important away win at Old Southendian Reserves and a draw at Roydon, results that could prove crucial in shaping the promotion picture. Herongate Athletic Reserves also impressed, producing a standout 41 win at BKS Sports and continuing to build consistency. With several sides trading results and no clear runaway leader emerging, Division Two remains one of the most open promotion races in the league.
Division Three North West
January reinforced the sense that Division Three North West has clear benchmark sides but also plenty of chaos underneath. Broomfield continue to look like the side to beat. A strong league win over Manford Way A, combined with dominant cup performances, showed their consistency and attacking depth. Epping Town announced themselves as serious challengers with a huge 72 win over Springfield A, while Harold Hill Reserves enjoyed a strong month, including a big away win and continued scoring form. Hannakins Farm produced one of the division’s most eye catching results with a 61 win over Barnston Reserves, showing their ability to overpower opponents when in form. With goals continuing to flow across the division, the race for promotion remains wide open behind Broomfield’s consistency.
Division Three South East
Division Three South East produced some of the most extreme scorelines of the month, underlining the attacking quality across the division. South Woodham Ferrers United enjoyed an outstanding January, including a 51 win and a strong victory over Basildon Town A. South Essex United produced arguably the division’s headline result with a remarkable 120 victory over East Thurrock Community Reserves. Rochford Town continued to show promotion credentials with a narrow but important win over Basildon Town A, while Shoebury Town were involved in one of the games of the month, drawing 55 with Ashingdon With multiple sides capable of big wins, this division remains one of the hardest to predict week to week.
Division Four North West
The promotion picture in Division Four North West continued to develop through January, with Broomfield Reserves producing a strong month including a commanding win over Ekota Hutton B also impressed, picking up key wins including a strong victory over Old Chelmsfordians Reserves and important points against promotion rivals. Elsewhere, Emerson and Upminster and Canning Town Reserves both produced strong results across league and cup competition, highlighting the depth of competition across the division.
Division Four South East
Division Four South East delivered high scoring and big swings in momentum throughout January. ATF Southend Saturday continued to strengthen their promotion push with wins over Southend Collegians and Pitsea Athletic Saturday Reserves, while Rayleigh First maintained strong form with convincing wins early in the month. Pitsea Athletic Saturday Reserves produced one of the most eye catching scorelines of the season with a 100 victory, underlining the attacking potential across the division.
Division Five
Division Five once again delivered goals and unpredictability in equal measure. Shoebury Town Reserves produced the biggest league scoreline of the month with a 100 victory over Southend Collegians A. Ekco Park Reserves enjoyed a strong January, including wins over ATF Southend Reserves and Pitsea Athletic A. Rochford Town Reserves continued to show promotion credentials, including cup success and important league results, while HODS remained competitive across both league and cup fixtures. With multiple sides capable of scoring heavily, Division Five remains one of the most entertaining divisions in the league.
JanuarySummary
January 2026 proved to be a defining momentum month across the Essex Olympian League. In the Premier Division, Catholic United remain the benchmark, but challengers particularly Shenfield and Leigh Ramblers showed they are capable of closing the gap. Division One continues to look like a promotion race that could go to the wire, while Division Two remains wide open with multiple sides showing promotion calibre form. Across the lower divisions, high scoring matches, cup crossover momentum and emerging benchmark teams including Broomfield and several promotion chasing sides are beginning to shape the second half of the season. If January is any indication, the run into spring promises tight promotion races, unpredictable results and plenty more goals across all tiers of the Olympian League
A LOCAL, FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS IN THE HEART OF ESSEX.
Fancy a browse? A pint in our taproom?
Picking up a click-and-collect order? This is where and when you can:
OPENING HOURS
Thursday 4 - 7 pm
Friday 4 - 9 pm
Saturday 12:30 - 6pm
Last orders, drinking up time + 15 mins
We advise double checking on Google for accurate hours. We sometimes have markets, open early or have extended hours.
