Russell Cotes Benevolent Cup - Matchday Programme

HAMPSHIRE FA COUNTY CUP FINALS

Thursday 8th May, 2025 STONEHAM LANE FOOTBALL COMPLEX 7:45pm

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN

James Pearson On behalf of the Directors of Hampshire FA, I am delighted to welcome you all to Stoneham Lane Football Complex for the final of the 2024-25 Russell Cotes Benevolent Cup sponsored by Harold G Walker Solicitors.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome the players, officials, and supporters of all teams participating today, as well as the match officials.

Reaching the County Cup Final is a remarkable achievement, and we offer our congratulations to both teams. At the same time, it's important to acknowledge the immense effort put in by everyone behind the scenes – from coaches and managers to first aiders, committee members, and of course, the unwavering support of parents and families. Organising these Cup Finals is no small feat, and we owe a

big thank you to the Competitions Subgroup and HFA staff for their dedication and hard work in ensuring everything runs smoothly and that you have a memorable experience.

A special thank you goes to our official photographer, Graham Scambler, for capturing today’s final.

Thank you for being here and showing your support. I hope you enjoy the game and remember to observe The FA RESPECT programme throughout.

James Pearson

HAMPSHIRE FA CUP COMMITTEE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PRESIDENT Paul Scoble CHAIRMAN James Pearson CEO & FA REPRESENTATIVE Neil Cassar FINANCE DIRECTOR Steve Yeomans DIRECTORS Linda Hind Vanessa Raynbird Nick Taplin Alex Marshall David Bendall Leon Howgill Lucy Wain Mel Robinson Ian Walkom COMPETITION SUB GROUP Steve Yeomans, Chairman OPERATIONS MANAGER Darren Parker

SENIOR OPERATIONS OFFICER FOR COUNTY CUPS Cai Povey MEMBERS Gavin Bedford John Carter Roger Allen John Moody Margaret Moody Tracey Dowell REFEREES APPOINTMENT SECRETARY Brian Le Breton MATCHDAY PHOTOGRAPHER Graham Scambler TODAY’S MATCH OFFICIALS Referee Rob Ablitt Assistant Referee Adrian Knight Assistant Referee Declan Skehan Fourth Official Jacob Wright

R U O T E E M !

D N E I R F NEW Our Official Youth Engagement & Safeguarding mascot...Hammy the Hammerhead Shark

Visit Hammy's dedicated page of activities which includes: matching pairs game story-writing activity a wordsearch so much more!

Join in the fun over on Hammy's Corner and see how many activities you can complete!

HAMMY’S CORNER

Thursday 8th May 7:45pm

ROUTE TO THE FINAL Hamble Club

0

AFC Stoneham

1

AFC Stoneham

3

Millbrook

1

Brockenhurst

1

AFC Stoneham

2

AFC Portchester

2

Locks Heath

1

QUARTER FINAL

AFC Portchester

WO

2ND ROUND

AFC Portchester

3

Liss Athletic

3

SEMI FINAL

Havant & Waterlooville

AFC Portchester win 6-5 after penalties.

AFC Stoneham

Bye

1ST ROUND

AFC Portchester

Bye

LAST SEASON’S FINAL IN PHOTOS

PREVIOUS WINNERS 2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

Hythe & Dibden FC

AFC Stoneham

Brockenhurst

2020-21

2019-20

2018-19

No Competition

Sholing FC

Sholing FC

CLUB HISTORY AFC Stoneham

Founded in 1919 as the Royal Engineers (Ordnance Survey Office) FC, AFC Stoneham has grown into a community football powerhouse, now entering the 2024/25 season with over 130 teams and 1,600 players. Originally competing in the Southampton Junior League, the club underwent several transformations, including a merger with the Post Office Team and later adopting the name Ordnance Survey. After years of modest success, the club began to

build momentum in the late 20th century, claiming league titles in 1982/83 and 1992/93.

In 1996/97, they won the Premier Division of the Southampton Senior League and re-entered the county league system. By 1998, a youth policy was launched, which rapidly bore fruit. Despite losing their Civil Service Ground in 1999, the club continued progressing, eventually settling at Stoneham Park in 2002.

The turn of the millennium brought

steady advancement, including promotion to the Hampshire League Division One and then joining the Wessex League. In 2006, the club rebranded as Stoneham, later becoming AFC Stoneham in 2007, winning the Hampshire Premier League that same season.

The 2010s saw rapid expansion, on and off the pitch. The club merged with Granley Rovers FC, boosting youth development, and enjoyed success in regional competitions including back-to-back Southampton Senior Cups (2012/13). They gained promotion to the Wessex League in 2015 and began competing in national competitions like the FA Vase and FA Cup, including a memorable run in 2018/19 where they defeated higher-tier teams and reached the 2nd qualifying round in 2023/24.

FIND US ONLINE

AFC Stoneham moved into a £10m new home in 2020, marking a new era. Despite COVID-19 disrupting seasons, the club has achieved three consecutive top-five finishes in the Wessex Premier League, finishing 2nd in 2023/24 and narrowly missing promotion after a playoff final loss to Shaftesbury.

With their adult and youth sections thriving, a history of resilience, and recent standout performances—including a dramatic 5-4 FA Cup comeback win over Basingstoke Town—the club heads into the 2024/25 season with momentum, ambition, and a proud legacy.

MATCHDAY SQUAD AFC Stoneham Ben Godwin R

Lee WebberR

Ryan Cluett R

Lewis NagleR

Ash Wells

Dan Thompson R

Goalkeeper

Defender

Defender

R

Goalkeeper

Defender

Defender

Ben Clarke R

Dan Miller

Jake Thomson R

Mat Bainbridge R

Alex Welch R

Jim Orvis

Tom AnnettsR

Oliver Jenkins R

Stuart GreenR

Ash Pope

Owen Fee

Jamie Johnston R

Defender

Defender

Midfielder

Midfielder

Midfielder

Forward

R

Tyrrell Sampson R Forward

Defender

R

Midfielder

Midfielder

R

Midfielder

Forward

R

Forward

Duarte Martins R Forward

MANAGER’S WORD AFC Stoneham James Phillips R Team Manager

Good evening and a warm welcome to everyone joining us for what promises to be a competitive Russell Cotes Cup Final. I couldn’t be prouder of the players and staff for the commitment, resilience, and belief they have shown throughout this season’s cup competitions which has seen us make three finals, already winning one.

Cup finals are special occasions – a reward for the hard work put in across the season – and today offers another opportunity for our group to win silverware. We know we face a strong opponent in R prepared thoroughly AFC Portchester and we have to meet the challenge head-on.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters, whose backing has been outstanding.

Your encouragement lifts the players and creates the kind of atmosphere that makes occasions like this special.

Enjoy the game!

James

CAPTAIN’S WORD AFC Stoneham Jim Orvis

Team Captain

R

The Wessex League season, as with all league and non-league campaigns, is unrelenting.

Continuous highs and lows throughout, with staying level and focussed always proving the hardest tasks. We ended the season knowing we’re competing in three cup finals and in the hunt for promotion, something any club and group of players would be proud of.

We now go into our penultimate cup final and our second against AFC Portchester. It’s safe to say this has come at a good time for us. We have that R fire in the belly after the way our league season ended and a point to prove once again. This competition is one we all think fondly of at AFC Stoneham, especially after our hard-fought 3-1 victory over Millbrook FC in recent years. As always with tonight’s opponents, we know we’re in for a good test and we both come in with the responsibility to display the quality of the Wessex Premier League once again.

On the night, stay level, remain focussed and get the job done.

MANAGEMENT | PROCUREMENT | EFFICIENCY

OFFICIAL ENERGY PARTNER

CLUB HISTORY AFC Portchester

AFC Portchester's roots trace back to 1971, with a significant transformation occurring in the 2002–03 season when the club merged with fellow Portchester side Castle Royals. Before the merger, the club – then known as Wicor Mill FC – transitioned from a successful Sunday league team to Saturday football in 1988 under the management of Dave Long and Paul Summers.

After joining the Hampshire League in 1998, the club quickly

made its mark, finishing runnersup in Division 2 in 1999–2000 and winning Division 1 in 2001–02. The merger with Castle Royals paved the way for further growth, and AFC Portchester has since become one of Hampshire’s largest football clubs, running around 40 teams across youth and adult levels. The club also offers walking football and sessions for toddlers, serving players from age 2 to 80+.

A major milestone came in 2011 when the club received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (MBE equivalent) in recognition of its contributions to the local community. That same year, the first team earned promotion to the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division, and the reserves also achieved promotion and won the Hampshire Intermediate Cup. The club’s development continued with the appointment of former England international and Arsenal captain Graham Rix as manager in 2013. His leadership helped to improve the club's facilities and culture. Chairman Paul Kelly has also been instrumental in driving improvements, including upgrades to the On-site Group Stadium, which now features four bars, function rooms, three stands, and a hospitality suite.

On the pitch, AFC Portchester has enjoyed notable success. The club won the Wessex League Cup in 2014–15 and 2017–18, the Russell Cotes Cup in 2013–14 and 2016–17, and the Hampshire Senior Cup in their most recent campaign, defeating AFC Totton. The reserves also won back-to-back Wyvern League Premier Division titles in 2014–15 and 2015–16.

In 2014–15, academy graduate Andy Rinomhota signed for Reading and now plays for Cardiff City. Most recently, under the leadership of manager Dave Carter and assistant Gavin Spurway, the club won the Wessex League and reached an impressive four cup finals in a single season.

MATCHDAY SQUAD AFC Portchester Steven Mowthorpe R

Calum WhiteR

Conor BaileyR

Charlie Williamson R

Louie MartinR

Kane O’Keefe R

Olly Searle R

Archie Willcox R

Charley Brook R

Jim Cowan R

Oli Davies

Ash Howes R

Goalkeeper

Defender

Defender

Defender

Midfielder

Midfielder

R

Goalkeeper

Defender

Defender

Defender

Midfielder

Midfielder

Spencer Spurway R

Harrison Brook R

Ryan WilkinsR

Harry Willis-Chambers R

Josh Clack R

Marley RidgeR

Ryan Pennery R

Lee Wort

Midfielder

Midfielder

Midfielder

Forward

Midfielder

Midfielder

Forward

Forward

R

MANAGER’S & CAPTAIN’S WORD

AFC Portchester Gav SpurwayR Team Manager

Good evening, everyone. Tonight we play AFC Stoneham again in another cup final, We will be doing our utmost to reverse the result last R month.

Stoneham, like us, have reached multiple finals, it has certainly been a terrific season for both clubs. I hope this evening's game is a great spectacle for the fans.

Jim Cowan R Team Captain

Hello everyone & welcome to the game tonight.

This will be our 3rd final (of 4) of the season. Our first competitive game was in July, so it has certainly been a long one!

R On behalf of all the squad, I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us throughout. It has certainly helped, and made a big difference, and some of our attendances have been fantastic this season.

On tonight’s game, we know it will be a tough test, but we will be doing our best to take home the trophy.

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