With both adult and junior leagues across the county kicking off the 2025/26 season, we’d like to wish every team the very best of luck for the campaign ahead.
This month’s Team Feature shines the spotlight on Hedingham United Ladies, showcasing their story and ambitions for the season.
Over the past month, our ‘FA Cup Around the Grounds’ series has taken us to Heybridge Swifts, Witham Town, Harlow Town, and Maldon & Tiptree with player and manager interviews, behind-thescenes stories, and all the Cup drama captured along the way. The coverage is now live across our TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) channels ready for you to view.
We also caught up with Simon and Mark, the authors of Accidental Manager, as they relaunch their brilliantly candid and often laugh-out-loud book. Packed with the highs, lows, and unexpected truths of running a grassroots football club, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves the game. Find out more on page 13 and click the link to watch the interview
Don’t forget, you can catch up with Accidental Managers and our Around the Grounds discussions via the Grassroots Magazine Podcast at www.grassrootsmagazine.co.uk and on our YouTube channel @GrassrootsMagazine2022.
If you’d like to see your team featured in a future issue, please get in touch — we’re always keen to share the stories, successes, and spirit of grassroots football across Essex.
Here’s to another exciting month of grassroots football across the county!
Thanks, The Grassroots Team
Essex Women’s Walking Football League
Promoting women’s walking football. with the aim of improving physical and mental health within a safe, friendly and respectful competitive environment.
The Essex Women’s Walking Football League formed in September 2022. The first season started March 2023. We have just completed our third successful Season 2025.
We have a full complement of committee members as follows: Cheron Robinson (Chair), Debbie Leitch (Secretary), Anita Hammond (Treasurer), Alex Turner (Fixtures) Georgina Wiseman (Safeguarding), Michelle Harris (Fundraising), Alison Kay (Committee) and Debbie Lewzey (Committee). If you would like a role on the committee do get in touch.
Our main aim is to develop women’s walking football across the county of Essex. To give women’s teams a chance to play competitively. It means we can play on a regular basis without incurring lots of travelling. We also felt it would be good to form a league, in our own right.
Walking football is a great social event. It is excellent for mental health and fitness. Gives women over the age of 40+ the chance to get into football for the first time. Equally, it allows retired footballers to continue playing at a slower pace.
Our first season 2023 saw six teams compete. In our 2024 season we had eight teams and 2025 season we had 12 teams. We are hoping to start the new season 2026 with 15 teams.
Our first season 2023 saw six teams compete. In our 2024 season we had eight teams and 2025 season we had 12 teams.
We are hoping to start the new season 2026 with 15 teams.
We run two divisions: Southstreet Coffee Premier Division and the Championship Division. Southstreet Coffee (Southend) have sponsored the Premier Division and the Cup competition. If you would like to sponsor the Championship division and the Plate competition, get in touch.
All matches for the Season 2025 will be played at Great Baddow High School, Duffield Rd, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 9RZ
Dates for our new season are: Saturday 21st March, 18th April, 16th May, 6th June, 20th June, 18th July 2026
If you would like to take part in the fastest growing sport in the UK get in touch. You won’t be disappointed.
Contact Debbie EWWFL2023@hotmail.com.
League table and results can be found here: https://fulltime.thefa.com/index.ht ml?league=462871319
Link to our page on the Essex FA website: https://www.essexfa.com/news/202 3/mar/13/essex-womens-walkingfootball-league-launched
Facebook: Essex Womens Walking Football League | Chelmsford | Facebook
Instagram: Essex Women's Walking Football League (@ewwfl) • Instagram photos and videos
CHELMSFORD SUNDAY LEAGUE
(sponsored by Grassroots Magazine)
A new season is upon us with, as I write, the prospect of blazing sun and baked hard pitches for the first few games of the season making a full squad essential for clubs to rotate their players. Roll on Sunday 7th September when we begin in earnest after a few weeks of friendlies.
A number of clubs have left the competition with a few newcomers, so an interesting season in store. Multiple champions Atletico Maldon have departed and after fine first seasons in the Premier Division last year both Old Chelmsfordians (previously Beret) and Eagle and Hind will be keen to ensure further progress. Priory Sports will also be determined to reestablish their superiority in the competition but keep an eye on Atletico Trotters who have joined from the Brentwood League and will be determined to make their mark. The promoted sides will all have something to offer and a first day fixture between MATES and FFB should be a cracker.
. In Division one Heybridge Social v Billersports on the opening day of the season will tell us much about the strength of both sides this season, Billersports suffering relegation last season will be determined to bounce back strongly. Woodham Radars carried all before them in division two last year and their firepower up front will give them a chance in most games. The Rodings United are an unknown quantity to your correspondent but again a good campaign last year bodes well, a first day match at Stock United who finished last season strongly will be interesting.
The match between Maldon Saints and East Hanningfield Athletic will be a match up to watch on the first Sunday of the division two season, I would expect both sides to go well, plus Old Chelmsfordians Reserves after a successful season in division three and they resume their rivalry with Great Baddow Reserves on the first Sunday. Watch out also for Writtle who improved markedly as last season progressed.
A local derby kicks off the division 3 season as Maldon Social host Heybridge Social reserves; with 2 new sides also meeting in Writtle Reserves and Witham Eagles so all to play for. Maldon and Tiptree Athletic may start as favourites to win the league but undoubtedly this will be another very competitive division as all would seem to be this year.
We do of course thank our sponsors, Grassroots Magazine, and wish all our member clubs, officials and referees a productive and enjoyable season.
KITAID CORNER
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 by lack of access to resources.
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 by lack of access to resources.
The total number of kit & equipment items shared worldwide since our formation in 1998 has now reached 1,191,680. Up to the end of August, nearly 66,000 items had been shared in this year alone. The grand total is sure to pass 1,200,000 by year end, setting sights on a new target for reaching 1,250,000 sometime in early 2026.
Your own league season is now sure to be underway and kits are most likely to have been handed out. However, if you find your Club with unwanted kit from previous seasons, then please do consider extending its life with a kit donation to others, through KitAid, changing lives and spreading smiles for the love of the game.
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. Either way, 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 are committed to 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 women facing abuse. It is why we say of our work, "It's more than just a shirt ... "
Kit Donations
Local kit donations have in the last month come in from regular contributors, Essex County FA and Rochford Town FC, as well as a significant contribution this last month from Hertfordshire based club Bury Rangers FC.
We also from time to time get a variety of family kit collections donated. In recent months this has included some private collections of Premier League Club shirts :
KitAid: ...
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 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 please contact
KitAid Founder Derrick Williams MBE at kitaidcharity@gmail.com
Grassroots Magazine met the authors Simon & Mark, watch the interview Now on YouTube by clicking the GR Badge
Fundraiser by David Neill : Help Dave Beat His
Hedinghams United Ladies From Dream to Determination
Hedinghams United Ladies
Was formed in February 2023; it all began with a family conversation. Head coach and chairman Steve Parsons recalls how his two daughters convinced him to take the leap. “They told me it was a good idea and they were right,” he laughs. What started as a simple idea has quickly grown into one of the most exciting grassroots women’s football stories in Essex.
A Team on the Rise
Now entering their third season, Hedinghams United Ladies have already made impressive strides. Competing in the Essex County Women’s Football League, the squad finished 5th in their debut season and climbed to 4th last year. This season, the target is clear:promotion to Division 1.
But it’s not just league progress that’s turning heads. Last year, the team reached the quarter-finals of the league cup, taking down some big names along the way. Their run ended against the formidable “She Can Play,” now competing at Eastern Region level. Losing only 3–0 to such superior opposition was a sign of just how far Hedinghams United Ladies had come.
Spirit, Talent, and Togetherness
The squad is as diverse as it is determined, with players ranging from 16 to 40 years old. That mix of experience and youthful energy has been vital in shaping the club’s identity.
Parsons credits the players’ spirit as much as their skills: “I’m fortunate to have a squad that knows how to have fun, but they’ll graft on the pitch too. Everyone’s keen to improve not just individually, but as a team.”
That commitment has paid off. Alongside league success, Hedinghams United Ladies are now back-to-back champions, winning the prestigious Broomfield Tournament in both 2024 and 2025.
Looking Ahead
With momentum building and promotion in their sights, Hedinghams United Ladies are a team to watch. But for Parsons, the biggest reward has been watching the players grow together, proving that passion and hard work really do pay off.
And the journey is far from over. The club is always open to new talent. If you’re ready to lace up your boots and be part of this growing success story, get in touch via Instagram: @hufcladies.
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.
Closed Sunday through Wednesday.
Grassroots gives back
Grassroots Magazine is committed to giving back to grassroots football and we are excited to sponsor a talented young player Kaci Crook & an equally talented youth team in Broomfield Lions U13’s for this season.
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LEAGUES LOCAL YOUTH
ESSEX FA
The Essex Youth Soccability League is set to launch this October at Deanes School in Thundersley, marking a landmark moment for inclusive football across the county.
Following a series of successful taster festivals during the 2024/25 season, the league will now provide a regular, structured competition for young players with disabilities. This exciting new league is the only youth disability football competition in Essex, and it will bring together more than 100 young players.
The competition represents a vital step forward in creating more opportunities for young people of all abilities to play competitive football in an accommodating and welcoming environment. Essex County FA Equality and Inclusion Officer, Milly Morgan, explained: “We’re incredibly proud to see the Essex Youth Soccability League kicking-off for the first time.”
“This is a huge step forward in providing more opportunities for young people with disabilities to enjoy competitive football in a supportive and inclusive environment. It reflects our ongoing commitment to making the game accessible for everyone, regardless of ability, and we’re excited to see the positive impact this league will have on players, families and clubs across the county.”
The league will continue to work closely with clubs, coaches, and volunteers to ensure that young players not only have the chance to play, but also to grow in confidence, make new friends and be part of the wider football community.
Any clubs or teams interested in joining the Essex Youth Soccability League can contact League Secretary, Richard Coleman, for more information. Further details can be found in the menus above, and you can also interact with us on social media.
ESSEX FA
A local derby between Basildon United and Benfleet was one of the highlights of the BBC Essex Senior Cup Second Round draw when it was broadcast by the competition’s supporters on Friday 29th August.
Elsewhere, Lymore Gardens, who are participating in the competition for the first ever time, were rewarded with a trip to Burnham Ramblers having won 4-3 at Hutton in Round One. Great Wakering Rovers staged an incredible fightback from 5-1 down to defeat May & Baker Eastbrook Community, 6-5, in the last round. They now travel to play West Essex.
Stanway Rovers Community and Takeley entered the competition at this stage, having been exempt until the Second Round. All the ties are due to take place during the week beginning 22nd September, and the remaining Essex clubs from Steps 4 and above in the pyramid are exempt until Round Three. Two guests assisted with the draw - Victoria Polley from BBC Essex was responsible for the home clubs, while Andy Chaplin, Chair of the Essex County FA, drew out the away teams.
Follow this link to follow the progress of all the Essex County Cups, and you can also interact with us on social media.
BBC Essex Senior Cup Second Round (week commencing Monday 22nd September)
o Halstead Town vs Stanway Rovers Community
o Frenford vs Little Oakley
o West Essex vs Great Wakering Rovers
o Basildon United vs Benfleet
o Woodford Town vs Rayleigh Town
o Burnham Ramblers vs Lymore Gardens
o Harlow Town vs Hullbridge Sports
o Romford vs Takeley
o Saffron Walden Town vs Athletic Newham
o Basildon Town vs Harwich & Parkeston
Exempt Until Third Round:
Aveley, Billericay Town, Bowers & Pitsea, Braintree Town, Brentwood Town, Brightlingsea Regent, Canvey Island, Chelmsford City, Colchester United, Concord Rangers, Dagenham & Redbridge, Grays Athletic, Hashtag United, Heybridge Swifts, Hornchurch, Maldon & Tiptree, Redbridge, Southend United, Tilbury, Waltham Abbey, Walthamstow, Witham Town.
ESSEX FA
Grassroots football in Essex is set to benefit from a brand-new partnership, as MH Goals have been confirmed as an official partner of the Essex County FA prior to the start of the 2025/26 campaign, bringing exclusive discounts and expert support to local clubs.
MH Goals are one of the UK’s leading sports equipment manufacturers, with decades of experience in designing and supplying high-quality football goals and accessories. Through this new partnership, they will be offering exclusive benefits to all Essex County FA-affiliated clubs, including:
* 20% discount across a wide range of MH Goals packages
* 20% discount on standard football nets and net hooks (excluding coloured and hex mesh nets)
* a dedicated Club Account Manager, on-hand to deal with enquiries from Essex clubs quickly and effectively
* expert guidance on goal procurement, maintenance and safety, helping clubs to make informed decisions and keep players safe
This collaboration will not only provide financial savings for clubs, but it will also ensure grassroots football in Essex has access to high-quality, durable equipment supported by specialist knowledge, key goals of the Essex County FA #MovingForward Strategy 2028.
Essex County FA Chief Executive, Brendan Walshe, spoke of his delight about the new partnership: “We really appreciate the opportunity to welcome MH Goals as a partner of the Essex County FA. The support they are offering will provide real value to our grassroots community, ensuring clubs can access equipment at a reduced cost, with expert advice to back it up.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Harrod, MH Goals’ Sales Director, added: “MH Goals are passionate about supporting grassroots football. We’re proud to partner with the Essex County FA and look forward to helping local clubs to strengthen their facilities, providing the safest possible environment for players of all backgrounds.”
Essex County FA Head of Development & Investment, Nick Emery, also said: “MH Goals’ commitment will deliver significant value to grassroots football by providing clubs with access to equipment at preferential rates, supported by expert guidance. MH Goals share our dedication to developing and safeguarding the grassroots game, and we are proud to collaborate with them.”
For more information on how your club can take advantage of these benefits, please get in touch or interact with us on social media.
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS F.C
Once again it has been a very busy time at the club, with lots of charity games and events on at the club as well as 1st team games.
At the last game we had a very successful Budweiser day, and we would like to thank them for their attendance at the game, as well as bringing some great giveaways and helping with the presentations of the MOTM trophies.
We now have the return of the youth football from this weekend, so there will be plenty to see with games for all ages on both the Stadium and the youth pitches down the back. Please do come along and watch our youngsters enjoy themselves.
The bar will be open for all so please also pop in for a drink. Everyone is welcome to come in, watch the TVs whilst enjoying refreshment from the bar, or indeed a coffee from the machine. Also remember we are dog friendly club so feel free to bring your dogs over. We even have free treats on the bar for them!
The 1st team are now unbeaten in 4 games over 90 minutes. It was a shame that we exited the FA trophy on a penalty shootout, but now we can hopefully build on our current run and start to climb the table.
As there has not been a game of late, it has given us an excuse to go and watch some of the training and the boys are all working hard. It has also been great seeing Mason Gillam and Riley Prendergast get some minutes in the 1st team and it was also seeing Josh Parker join the 1st team training last Thursday.
It shows that our pathway offered to boys is taking shape. It was also great to see the young lads progress in the FA Youth Cup with 2-1 win over Walthamstow, Let’s hope they can continue that in their next game away at Hemel Hempstead.
Steve Spreadbury
Heybridge Swifts Chairman
Upcoming Fixtures
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
WHO WE ARE
The DT38 Foundation has beenset up in memoryof Dylan James Tombides.Dylan was an Australian International and WestHam United professional football player who passed away aged 20 in April 2014 after a 3-year battle with testicularcancer. The WestHam Family thought so highly of Dylan that theyretiredhis number38 and madeDT38 one of their principal charities.
The charity has beenformed as a resultof Dylan being misdiagnosed. Our vision is to change the way testicularcancer is diagnosed by implementingbest practicediagnostic guidelines for patients who presentwith testicularsymptoms.
We also aim to arm future generationsof young menwith the necessary knowledge about testicularcancer that will enable themto be confident when taking health matters intotheir own hands.
Our missionis to raiseawarenessand change the stigmaassociated with men’shealth issueswith a focus on testicularcancer.We aim to do this througheducational programsand opportunitiesfor the youth of our community,to help shapea generationof children who are selfaware about their health and wellbeing.
OUR MAIN GOALS ARE TO
✓ Drive the SELF-AWARENESScampaignfor the early detection of testicular cancer
✓ Focus on youth EDUCATION through various teaching programmes aligned to national curriculum
✓ Partnering with the COMMUNITY to promote the changes needed for increased male awareness and openness towards discussing their health matters
✓ Collaborating with GOVERNINGBODIES to foster a best practice mentality for the early detection of testicular cancer
OUR HISTORY
The charity is based in both the United Kingdom and Australia. The charity was launchedon the 28th February 2015in the United Kingdom when West Ham United came up againstCrystal Palace at Upton Park. At the 38th minute mark the spectators from both sides stood and clapped as a mark of respect. The charity officially launchedin Australia on September 1st 2015 when Premier Colin Barnett and the Tombides family unveiled a bronze statue of Dylan outside NIB Stadium- Perth’s home of football. Both events were extremely momentous occasionsand highlight the high regard in which Dylan was held both as a footballer and a person.
The charity has come about as a direct response too Dylan’s personal story and the current status of testicular cancer awareness in society. Testicular cancer affects younger men aged 15- 49. It is the second most commoncancer in young men in Australia. There was 732 cases diagnosedin Australia in 2011 and 25 deaths. The rate of men diagnosed with testicular cancer has grown 50% in the past 30 years and the reason is unknown.The survival rate is 98%. There is currently no routine screening tests in place for testicular cancer. We at the DT38 Foundationbelieve that awareness is the key to addressing this illness. We know that our vision and mission clearly state the changeswe plan to bring aboutin the future.
At the moment we have a small team of 4 directors and many volunteers in Perth, Western Australia. The foundationis growing at a rapid pace and so is the number of people becoming involved with DT38. We have found the need to have the Australian Company (DT38 Australia Pty Ltd) registered as a charity and the direction we are heading is very clear to us. We are now at the stage where we require funding to assist us in beginning various projects.
We at DT38 recognise the potential impact we canhave on a large scale and are proud to be part of an organizationlike ours. We believe that we have the correct structures and procedures in place to assist us in developing our key milestones and we lookforward to continuingto spread the DT38 message with the world. To read about our latest developments head to our newspage
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.
