Harbrorough Town 2 - 0 Boldmere St Michaels (30th Sept 23)

HTFC

HARBOROUGH TOWN v BOLDMERE ST MICHAELS

Northern Premier League Midlands Division

30 September 2023

£2

£2 2

Programme Sponsor – Avatar Dining

WELCOME TO THE BEEHIVE

Now Back to NPL Football

After the disappointment of our FA Cup exit it was on to the Isuzu FA Trophy last Saturday. This was a tricky tie at Leicester Road in Hinckley that was well negotiated, all be it on penalties. Special mention must go to youngster Johnny Carey who was brought on to despatch the fifth, and crucial, penalty. Then Elliott and Coops sorted out the rest. The draw on Monday gave us another interesting draw, at home to Southern League Step 4 side Biggleswade FC. Not to be confused with Town or United they are at present mid-table in the SL Division 1 Central. After all of the cup excitement it is good to get back to a league game where we face a team suffering a bit from second ‘season syndrome’. After an impressive start to their NPL introduction they just faltered at the end of the season and fell out of the playoff places. However, this season has been a bit of a struggle, although they too are in the next round of the FA Trophy having beaten Grantham Town last Saturday. Next month will be a busy one with at least seven fixtures already arranged, so Mitch will the need the new players that he signed in the past few weeks, and some lucky with injuries.

Peter Wade, Programme Editor

pjw52@live.co.uk

www.harboroughtownfc.org @HarbTownFC

HARBOROUGH TOWN FC LTD

A Company Limited by Guarantee Reg no. 09608591

HARBOROUGH TOWN COMMUNITY

FOOTBALL GROUND

NORTHAMPTON ROAD

MARKET HARBOROUGH

LE16 9HF

Tel: 01858 469352

E: enquiries@harboroughtownfc.org

CLUB DIRECTORY

Peter Dougan, Chairman of Senior Football at HTFC writes …

Welcome to the Harborough Town Community Football Ground (or the Beehive as many of you have now renamed it), for this afternoons Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1 league fixture against Boldmere St Michaels FC. We extend a warm welcome to our visitors today and all their Director’s, players, staff and supporters, we hope you enjoy your brief visit with us.

beating Lye Town at home 2-1 and then last Saturdays’ penalty shootout success over Hinckley LRFC, earning a home tie against Biggleswade FC on Saturday 7th October.

Directors

Co-Chairman: Peter Dougan

Co-Chairman: Greg Tickner

Vice Chairman: Andy Winston

President: Gordon Robinson

Finance Director: Siobhan Brewin

Director: Laurence Jones

Director: Pauline Winston

Football Staff Manager: Mitch Austin

Assistant Manager: David Staff

Coaches: Owen Wright, Mitch Kahan

Club Scout: Mark Forrest

Reserves Manager: Tony Sansome

Physiotherapist: Grace Westbury

BSc.Hons, MSc

Head of Youth & Club Development, Head of HTFC Academy: Maz Hayton

Operations

Football Secretary: Siobhan Brewin

Communications & Media Team: Chris & Jayne Lander

Facilities & Grounds Manager: Kez Dunkley

Photographer: Phil Passingham

Programme Shop & Club Draw Organiser: Mark Topham

Senior Steward: Dean Rushby

Club Printer: Omniprint

Football Sponsors

Playing Kit: Specialist Logistics Services

Travel & Training Kit: The Fibre Group

A Nike Partner Club Programme Member by MDH Teamwear & Trophies

It is great to get back to league action having not played a single minute of league football in the month of September. We have had to wait until the last day of the month to get back to our bread and butter, as they say. It seems strange to say we have only played four league games so far (some teams will be playing their 8th and 9th league games today!), I know the Manager and his players are really looking forward to climbing that table, with the games coming thick and fast as we play catch up.

The reason we have played such few games in the league has been down to our exploits and successes in both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy. Since my last notes we had the incredible victory at home over Stamford in the FA Cup (3-1), followed by a mouth-watering tie away at the then, Vanarama National League leaders Tamworth FC. Having had a player dismissed for two yellow cards inside the first 21 minutes, we showed real resilience with 10 men, against a very strong outfit in Tamworth and succumbed to an 88th minute winner to lose the tie 2-1. We have followed those games with two FA Trophy matches

So, we gratefully return to league action against a Boldmere side, that like us, have had a mixed start to their league campaign after just missing out on the play off’s last season, so we are under no illusions that this afternoon’s game will be very tough, as like us Boldmere will be wanting to climb the league table and fast. We follow this game with a very tough October where we will have at least seven league games to play in total, so we will not only be playing Saturdays but also have three midweek games one after the other, as we play catch up! A bit of housekeeping to finish my notes. This afternoon we have the opportunity to officially welcome to the club some new faces, with the Manager being busy over the past couple of weeks with some new signings. Firstly, we are delighted to announce the signing of prolific goal scorer Kai Tonge. Some of you may recall Kai from last season where he scored 30+ goals for Coleshill (2 of which came here at the Beehive in our 2-2 draw with Coleshill), as well as being named in the NPL team of the Year. Joining Kai are 2 young talents, Luca Miller who we have on a short-term loan from Kettering Town FC, to whom we are grateful for entrusting their player with us and Johnny Carey who played against us preseason for Bugbrooke and impressed. Welcome to all 3 players, we hope you enjoy your time at Harborough Town FC. Let’s get behind the whole team and it just leaves me to say enjoy your afternoon and let’s be that all important 12th man!

Cover photo: Silvano Obeng vs Stamford AFC by Phil Passingham

PROGRAMME SPONSOR

Harborough Town Club Shop

Our club shop is stocked with all kinds of Harborough Town FC goods, for club members and visitors alike. HTFC Programmes and publications are available in the shop. Online orders can be made at: www.harboroughtownfc.org/club-shop

HTFC Programme Shop

Our printed programme is important to the club as part of the day’s experience. It contains all kinds of information about the club, the Northern Premier League, the nonleague scene and today’s game. Worth £2 of any supporter’s money.

SHIRT SPONSOR

We are very pleased to introduce this season’s shirt sponsor, SLS.

The club has produced a number of booklets telling the history of the club and its place in the local football scene. Ask at the Club Shop to see our:

“A History of Harborough Town FC”

“They Used to Play in the United Counties League”

“The Season(s) That Never Existed”

A selection of HTFC Programmes from previous seasons is also available.

The Harborough Town Facilities

The perfect venue for wedding receptions, birthday parties, Christening celebrations and business meetings.

For more information contact

Commercial Executive & Club

Development: Marion Hayton 07785614414

maz.hayton@harboroughtownfc.org

ONE CLUB, ONE GOAL

Harborough Town F.C is the realisation of the merger of Harborough Town Juniors, Harborough Town Spencers and Harborough Minis in 2007, which created one club for all ages, gender and ability for the Market Harborough community. We are based in Market Harborough, where our impressive facilities cater for all of the club’s teams. The club became an FA Charter Standard Club in 2004 and through consistent development has achieved FA Charter Standard Community Club status which is the highest accolade currently available and recognizes best practice, on-going development and a positive impact within the local community. The club currently has teams that include Minis, Girls, Junior, Youth, Ladies, Inclusive, Senior, Veteran and Walking Football sides. Harborough Town Juniors was formed in 1975, running teams from U11 to U16. After initially playing at Symington’s, they developed facilities on Northampton Road in the 1990s. However, there was a desire to have senior football for the youngsters to move on to, and consequently they formed links with Spencers United, and in 2007 they merged with Harborough Town Spencers, as they had become called. In the early 2000s Harborough Minis had been formed to cater for U11s, and in 2007 they also joined the merger to create Harborough Town FC.

After three seasons in the Northants Combination, managed by Andy ‘Stan’ Wilson, the club won promotion to the

United Counties League. On 14 August 2010 Market Harborough witnessed the return of UCL football for the first time since Symington’s FC’s last game in 1954, and by 2012 ‘The Bees’, as they had become known, had won promotion to the UCL Premier Division.

In the early years of HTFC the Northampton Road ground had seen much improvement, with a new clubhouse, first team pitch, two stands and a 3G artificial pitch. The Bowden’s Park ground had become a fine ground, but in 2018 the installation of a Class 1 artificial pitch (3G), funded by Market Harborough District Council, a Stadium Improvement Grant and the Football Foundation, saw the creation of The Harborough Town Community Football Ground, but known as The Beehive. This was opened on 1 November 2018 with a game against an FA Representative XI.

The senior side made steady progress in the UCL and the two aborted Covid-19 seasons saw us have good starts, reflecting the clubs on field progress. In 2020 experienced UCL manager Mitch Austin joined the club and immediately changed the mindset to a much more professional one. After 10 years of steady progress at Step 5 HTFC’s ambitions in the FA Pyramid were met when we won the UCL Premier Division South in 2022. A place in the Northern Premier League Midland Division was the reward, with an excellent 8th place finish.

Photograph by Dale James of Sports Shots

PROUD SPONSORS OF

Harborough Town is proud to be a Community Club, and this page celebrates the club at all levels: ‘One Club, One Goal’ is our motto. There is no doubt that the hospitality at Tamworth was good. Sausages and chips before the game and then poor Mark and I were faced with having to eat cheesecake and cream at half time. As did the photographer Phil I have to reveal.

HARBOROUGH TOWN’S NEW SIGNINGS

By all accounts the Tamworth crowd gave Mitch quite a bit of unpleasant ‘banter’. However, as the picture shows, his quick wit won the day.

I rather liked this photograph from the game at The Lamb Ground announcing the arrival of the mighty Bees for the FA Cup game – it is very Match of the Day.

The really exciting news last week was the signing of Kai Tonge from National League North side Rushall Olympic. 26 year old Kai is a Leicester lad and has played for a number of local sides, such Anstey Nomads, Quorn and Bedworth United, before joining Coleshill Town. At ‘The Colemen’ he scored freely, 65 in 90 games to be precise, and including two against ‘The Bees’ at The Beehive last season. He was runner up in the NPL Golden Boot last season and featured in they NPL Midland Division team of the season.

Mitch was delighted with his latest addition to the HTFC squad: “To have a player like Kai onboard, a player I have long admired, I am absolutely delighted. Kai caused us many problems whe n he has faced us previously, and he joins a great group and we can't’wait to see Kai in a Harborough Town shirt doing what he does best – scoring goals.”

In addition came the news that we had taken Luca Miller on a one month loan from Kettering Town. Luca is a forward who has risen through the ranks of The Poppies’ youth system and played at Desborough Town last season scoring eight times.

Johnny Carey has also been signed from Bugbrooke St Michael in the last two weeks, and had quite a debut last Saturday.

Brooke House College is an International Boarding College for students aged 11 to 19, who come from a huge range of countries and cultures. It is based in Market Harborough and provides an Education for Life. Inspire

• Full time courses combining daily football training with education for boys and girls; Key stage 3, GCSE, A level and University Foundation programmes Competitive games programmes including fixtures with schools, colleges and professional clubs

• Excellent examination results

• Based at the Harborough Town Community Football Ground

The United Counties League’s Reserve Division Champions 2022/23

Harborough Town Reserves play in the United Counties League Reserve Division.

After the frustration of a late postponement of the previous week’s game against Huntingdon U23s the Reserves played on Saturday 16th September.

HTFC Reserves

5 – 1

Godmanchester Rovers Reserves

‘A Win Under Their Belts’

After all the frustrations of points that got away because of poor game management the Reserves made no mistake in this match. Rovers began the season well with two wins, but had lost their last two games, so Tony’s lads went into the match with a win in mind.

Things began well with youngster Aaron Carmichael opening the scoring after just 3 minutes. Kai Magee got his first on 38minutes, as we went into the break two up.

Then second half continued with ‘The Bees’ on top; Theo Gyamfi scored his first for the club on 63 minutes and then Magee wrapped up a hatrick, with 72nd and 89th minute goals

24th May 2023

Northants Combination Premier Cup Final

Being in Market Harborough for a few days Mark asked if I fancied joining him and Phil for a trip to the Premier Division Cup Final at Northampton Sileby Rangers. Having heard plenty about the amazing pitch at the Fernie Fields ground I thought it was worth an evening out. Sadly the game was moved to Cogenhoe after being washed off two weeks before, but hey it was still a cup final.

The goal scorers: Kai Magee, Aaron Carmichael, Theo Gyamfi

HTFC Reserves

3 – 2

Desborough Town Reserves

‘Local Bragging Rights Secured’

Tony had said his side were playing well but not getting the results, well that is two wins in a row, so they are getting the idea now. And it was that man Kai Magee, shown above after the game, who scored his second hatrick in two games. His strikes on 13 and 44 minutes saw ‘The Bees’ go in at half time with a 2-1 lead, and his third on 65 minutes wrapped up the points. It was good to see Taras Petranyuk back in a Harborough Town shirt once again.

It was a lovely sunny and warm evening with hot air balloons wandering over the ground and crowd of several hundred attending. Cogenhoe United put on a good day, with a burger stand and beer tent, both manned by club people, so hopefully all the profit went to the club, plus the usual café and bar. The game was played in a good spirit, yes a few fruity tackles by the Harpole #9 but no real unpleasantness. Which was good because the referee did tend to wander around rather than run to keep up

with play. Blisworth had a centre half with a monster throw in and that got plenty of use until his hamstring went in the second half. Both teams played football, with sides that were a mix of youngsters and experienced chaps. It is fair to say that the defences were on top, well apart from the early up and under that Harpole played and which the Blisworth keeper let through his hands, then legs before dropping on the ball before it crossed the line. The posts were hit twice, but neither keeper was called on to make good saves. Then it was straight to penalties, and they were good. The first one fired high into the net, whilst others, like the one below fired into to the corner at pace. The one poor one from Harpole was under hit and with the keeper guessing the right way, made an easy save.

The penalty shoot-out was of a high standard, with 9 penalties scored and the Blisworth keeper making the one save. It was a good evening, well organised by club and league and with good company.

NB Players in red have left the club

‘Oh So Close’

Tamworth FC 2 – 1 HTFC

There were just five minutes left when Dan Creaney squeezed his far post header in to give ‘The Lambs’ this FA Cup victory. Yes they had been on top against our 10 men, but ‘The Bees’ had been holding their ball into the box game comfortably until then, such a shame. Mitch made three changes from the Trophy game, with Cooper, Williams and Malone returning to the starting line-up. Facing a team who stood third in the Step 2 National League North was always going to be difficult but there would be no shortage of effort, character or skill on the day. Tamworth were on the front foot from the beginning, plying some nice football that opened up HTFC several times without any end product but after 20 minutes came two crucial incidents when Connor Kennedy was challenged and may have led with an elbow; he was booked for this, with Tamworth players pressing the referee for a red card. He obliged a few minutes when he decided that a headed return of the ball was actually delaying the restart so went for a cheap second yellow. Malone then got on the end of a corner to give us an unlikely lead on 26 minutes and it was then backs to the wall for the next hour. A cross to the far post on 48 minutes was turned in and just as we looked as though a replay was possible came the late winner, such a shame.

‘End to End but No Goals’

Hinckley LRFC 0 – 0 HTFC (Pens 5-6)

Mitch has been busy on the transfer front recently and no less than three new players featured in this game, with great affect. He made three changes for this game – with Kennedy suspended in came Bazeley, with Tonge and Obeng paired up top. The match took a while to get going with far too many offsides being flagged. Cooper went close but Taylor was called on to make saves as well. Obeng might have done better with a header straight at the keeper, then Taylor saved again and right on half time Duffy curled one on to the bar. Tonge forced the keeper in to a save but missed the target when well positioned after good work from Walsh and Carey. In the Trophy it is straight to penalties after 90 minutes; Hinckley went first and after the five compulsory ones it was 5-5. Ours came from Williams, Tonge, Walsh, Agbenu and young Carey. Then came the crucial moments in the penalties, as Elliot Taylor saved the Hinckley 6th penalty with his legs and then Dan Cooper slid his in to the corner of the net; so bring on the Third Qualifying Round for the first time in the club’s history, on 7 th October. That’s £2 250 added to the club’s bank balance by the way.

Tamworth FC 2 – 1 HTFC

HTFC RESULTS/FIXTURES 2023/24 SEASON

Town A

Sat 21 October Gresley Rovers A

Sat 28 October Coventry Sphinx H

Sat 4 November Quorn A

Sat 11 November Sporting Khalsa H

Sat 18 November Loughborough Dynamo A

Sat 25 November Sutton Coldfield H

Sat 2 December Spalding United H

Sat 9 December Corby Town A

Sat 16 December Cambridge City A

Sat 23 December Anstey Nomads H

Tue 26 December Rushden & Diamonds A

Mon 1 January Rugby Town H

Sat 6 January Walsall Wood A

Sat 13 January Shepshed Dynamo H

Sat 20 January Coventry Sphinx A

Sat 27 January Gresley Rovers H

Sat 3 February Bedworth United H

Sat 10 February

Sat 17 February Boldmere St Michaels A

Sat 24 February Hinckley LRFC H

Sat 2 March Lye Town A

Sat 9 March

Sat 16 March Corby Town H

Sat 23 March Spalding United A

Sat 30 March Coleshill Town A

Mon 1 April Rushden & Diamonds H

Sat 6 April Sporting Khalsa A

Sat 13 April Quorn H

Sat 20 April Sutton Coldfield Town A

Sat 27 April Loughborough Dynamo H

To be arranged Hinckley LRFC A Barwell 1st Rd A

HARBOROUGH TOWN FC THE PLAYERS AND STAFF

ELLIOT TAYLOR – a reliable keeper and an excellent shot stopping goalkeeper, ever present last season.

SPONSOR: PHIL ROBINSON

JAKE WILLIAMS – a young keeper who has developed through the Brooke House Academy.

SPONSOR: Siobhan Brewin, HTFC Finance Director & Football Secretary

ASH BODYCOTE – an experienced keeper who was at Rugby Town last season, but loaned to Cogenhoe United.

SPONSOR:

DAN COOPER – powerful, raiding, full back, with an amazing long throw. Last season’s Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of Season.

SPONSOR: EMPIRE FINANCE

ISAIAH BAZELEY – joined this season after an excellent season at Step 2 with Peterborough Sports, a great addition.

SPONSOR:

PAUL MALONE – a dominating central defender, and often attacker, with an eye for a goal with his booming headers.

SPONSOR: EMPIRE FINANCE

COOPER – powerful, raiding, consistent full back with an amazing long throw

HARBOROUGH TOWN FC THE PLAYERS AND STAFF

DAN FORBES – a long serving HTFC player who is really versatile, from wing back to forward.

SPONSOR: PETER DOUGAN, HTFC Chairman

JAKE DUFFY – an experienced midfielder who was in Stamford’s Midlands Division winning side last season.

SPONSOR: THE LANDER FAMILY, Media Team

CONNOR KENNEDY – an exciting signing for this season from Peterborough Sports, who will provide the strength in midfield which we will need.

SPONSOR: CLASSIC DECORATORS

LEE TOMLIN – a very experienced player who has played over 300 league games, including in the Premier League.

SPONSOR:

MITCH AUSTIN – Manager; beginning his fourth season with ‘The Bees’, his brilliant player recruitment and leadership have taken the club to new levels.

SPONSOR: LAURENCE JONES, Director

DAVE STAFF – Assistant Manager; joins HTFC from AFC Telford United where he had been coach, having previously been at Stamford and Brackley Town.

SPONSOR:

PETER DOUGAN – Chairman; a hands on Chairman who is always around to give his support and advice.

SPONSOR: Traffco Ltd

OWEN WRIGHT – Coach; a real clubman at HTFC for many seasons, who has taken a number of roles at the club.

SPONSOR:

JOSH WALSH – A versatile, quality midfield/defensive player, whose sweet left foot provides the ammo for our strikers.

SPONSOR: ANDY WINSTON, HTFC Trust, Vice Chairman

ALEX MORRIS – the description everybody seems to use of Alex is ‘towering defender’! Captained Gresley Rovers last season, a seasoned player, but still only 27.

SPONSOR: MDH TEAMWEAR & TROPHIES

BEN WILLIAMS – our goal scoring, dominating centre half and captain. He has played over 350 senior games for the club.

SPONSOR: TECHNICAL FINANCIAL PLANNING LTD

RHYS KELLY – A great acquisition for ‘The Bees’, he is a quality young defender who is quick and reads the game well.

SPONSOR: CLASSIC DECORATORS

GARY MULLIGAN – an experienced, quality holding midfield player, although after 50 games a goal would be good!

SPONSOR: GORDON ROBINSON, HTFC President 24

JOHNSON GYAMFI – an attacking winger who is direct and quick and loves to run at defenders; previously at Peterborough United’s Academy.

SPONSOR:

DODZI AGBENU – a strong running, skilful and goal scoring midfield/striker, who can play centrally or out wide.

SPONSOR: DAVE NIBLOE

JOHNNY CAREY – a young player, signed from Bugbrooke St Michaels, who he joined form the Northampton Football & Education Programme.

SPONSOR:

LUCA MILLER – a striker who has joined on loan from Kettering Town.

SPONSOR:

RHYS HOENES – another of Mitch’s great signings from higher clubs, proving to be a quick and tricky goal scoring forward.

SPONSOR:

KAI TONGE – a proven goal scorer at Coleshill Town in recent seasons, who joins us from Step 2 side Rushall Olympic.

SILVANO OBENG – a big, lively stri ker who re-joins HTFC after successful seasons at Brockenhurst, Winchester City and AFC Totton.

SPONSOR: PETER WADE, Programme Editor

MITCH KAHAN – Goalkeeping Coach; a vital cog in ensuring the keepers are ready for every game.

SPONSOR:

MARK FORREST – Scout; a UEFA ‘B’ holder whose role is watch the opposition and advise on ways to beat them.

SPONSOR:

GRACE WESTBURY – Physiotherapist; a major influence in keeping the players fit and healthy with her expert knowledge.

SPONSOR:

Ever thought of volunteering to help your local football club?

There are many different volunteer roles in non-league football and Northern Premier League football clubs need your help with them.

The Trident Leagues and Pitching In’s online Volunteer Hub is the place where you can find opportunities and contact your local football club.

Please visit Pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk to find out more

29th September 2018

WELLINGBOROUGH WHITWORTH 2 – 1 HTFC United Counties League, Premier Division

The Victoria Mill Ground in Wellingborough is old school. Down the end of a lane, passed the Town ground of the Dog and Duck. Facilities are limited but it has a certain quaintness about it.

MARKET HARBOROUGH FOOTBALL IN PROGRAMMES 5

Rugby Town vs Symington’s 1950

HTFC Manager Stu Spencer was beginning his first full season at the club and it was not going too well, with four defeats in the first six UCL games. To be fair the late commissioning of the new artificial pitch meant early away games, with the first game on it being an FA tie. ‘The Flourmen’ had just avoided relegation the previous season but had begun the new season taking one point from six games and we had already won there 1-0 in the FA Cup in August, so hopes were high in the ‘The Bees’ camp.

The starting line-up was: Glen Giles, Tony Bartlett, Ben Williams, Callam Traynor, Finlay Gray, Alex Morris, Daniel Kitching, Peter Taylor, Jordon Lever, Dan Forbes, Aaron Preston. Subs used on the day were Harry Henbury, Alfie Harris and Lewis Jackson. Stu had brought in exper-

ience in Lever and Kitching, with Morris and Gray stepping up from the reserves.

After 32 UCL Division 1 seasons Whitworths had made it to the Prem. the previous season and would crash and burn in their second season, winning just twice and taking only 9 points in the whole season.

A crowd of just 35 attended the game, but most would go home happy as ‘The Bees’ could not shake the lethargy of the disappointing start to the season. ‘The Flourmen’ took a third minute lead but when Dan Forbes equalised in 20th minute things looked more promising. However, it was a false dawn as Brittain scored his second on 65 minutes and HTFC were sunk.

It was to be the first of their two wins (remind you of Yaxley at all!).

In the third season after World War 2 Symington’s were still in the United Counties League. Having finished mid-table the previous season ‘The Corsetmen’ were looking for a stronger campaign, which in the end did not materialise. Rugby had won the Central Amateur league in 1947 and moved to the UCL for the next season and also finished mid-table. Having begun as Rugby Town Amateurs they amalgamated with Rugby Oakfield and took the name Rugby Town. In this season of 1949/50 Town would finish ninth, whilst Symington’s would end up twelfth in the 21 team league. The programme followed the style of programmes for that period, having eight A4 pages, in black and white. The front cover shows that Town were playing at the Thornfield Ground on Hillmorton Road, where they would remain until they folded in 1973. The majority of the 2d programme is taken up with adverts, but page 3 is a ‘Club Comments’ page. The page focuses on the club ’s left inside right, their No.10, who is described as a “penalty kick specialist”. The write r wants more than just stats so describes his career and we learn he is the brothe r of Aston Villa and England fullback, Tom, and has two other brothers who play. Bill plays billiards and captains Blackheath WMC. Leaving school at 14 Len joined his works team of Muxloe Brothers, but was soon recruited by Folkestone, then was signed by Wolves, then Bournemouth, when WW2 arrived. 30 year old Len, we never did find out about his penalties, joined from Lye Town.

As with most programmes of the time, the centre pages had the team in 2.3.5. formation surrounded by adverts of local businesses.

GROUND BOARD SPONSORS AT THE BEEHIVE

Thank you to all the companies below who have supported HTFC with ground boards. If you would like to join us in this contact Siobhan Brewin at siobhan.brewin@harboroughtownfc.org

TODAY’S FEATURED BOARDS

Freedom Support Solutions Ltd

www.freedomsupport.co.uk

Gladstone Heating

www.gladstoneheating.co.uk

Allica Bank

www.allica.bank

Anand Shoes

www.anandshoes.co.uk

Avatar Restaurant

www.avatardining.com

Berry Accountants

www.berry.uk.com

Bluebear Transport

www.bbtransport.co.uk

Corporate Architecture

www.corporatearchitecture.co.uk

DS Ronald Building Contractors

01858 431792

Dyno Plumbing www.dyno.com

Empire Finance

www.empirefinance.co.uk

Golden Scissors

50 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough

Harborough Autos Ltd

www.harboroughautos.co.uk

Harborough District Council

www.harborough.gov.uk

Harborough Leisure Centre

www.everyoneactive.com

Harborough Lotto

www.harboroughlotto.co.uk

Harborough Stores

90 Northampton Road, Market Harborough

HFM

www. harboroughfm.co.uk

Hollingworth Solicitors

www.hlegal.co.uk

Hortons Estate Agents

www.hortons.co

J Stamp & Sons Ltd

www.jstampandsons.co.uk

Market Harborough & Bowdens Charity

www.mhbcharity.co.uk

Master Fry

www.masterfryharborough.com

Matthew & Brian Coe

Plumbing Heating

E: the1stmattcoe@icloud.com

07702893350

Mick George Ltd

www.mickgeorge.co.uk

MJ Engineering Ltd

www.mjengineering.net

Munton Roofing Contractors

www.commercialroofing contractors.co.uk

N Burton Home Improvements

07714 598901

Omniprint

www.omniprint.org.uk

01858 462152

Papa Johns Pizzas

www.papajohns.co.uk

01858 810900

Smiths Construction

www.smithsportscivils.co.uk

Smiley Garden Service 07883329350

Specialist Logistics Services

www.specialistlogisticsservices.com

Stephen Sanderson Transport Ltd

www.sandersontransport.com

The Mortgage Doctors Ltd

www.the mortgagedoctors.co.uk

USA Bites

25 High Street, Market Harborough

Zaun Fencing

www.zaunfencing.co.uk

SEA RAIL ROAD AIR

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The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation is a charity set up in memory of Daniel Wilkinson who died in 2016 aged 24, while playing the game he loved, from an underlying heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Dan played football from an early age and joined Hull City AFC when he was 10, earning a professional contract aged 18. Loughborough University followed where he completed a degree in Accounting and Financial Management while playing non-league football. He was an athlete who enjoyed the gym and took his health and nutrition very seriously. He lived life to the full and had so much ahead of him.

Other than feeling light-headed on a few occasions in the month before he died, he had no symptoms!

SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN THE YOUNG (SCD)

SCD is the leading cause of death in young athletes during sport and the majority of deaths occur with NO SYMPTOMS or family history.

ARVC can be found in one in every 1,000 to 5,000 young adults - IF IT IS LOOKED FOR.

Warning signs may include light-headedness, fainting, palpitations, swollen legs, breathlessness.

Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people (aged 35 and under) die from previously undiagnosed heart conditions.

In Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, they have reduced the incidence of young sudden cardiac death by 89%.

OUR MISSION

The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation has been set up to raise awareness of SCD and to provide funding towards heart screening, defibrillators and CPR/defibrillator training primarily for grass-roots sporting teams.

Tragedies can be prevented through cardiac screening. It is vital that young people are identified and treated.

Find out more dwfoundation5

@dannywilks5

thedanielwilkinsonfoundation

contact@thedanielwilkinsonfoundation.org

thedanielwilkinsonfoundation.org

To donate: mydonate.bt.com/charities/thedanielwilkinsonfoundation

A GROUNDHOPPING BEE …..

As always Callum, our ‘double Bee’ fan, has been attending matches far and wide, big and small; here is a recent foreign one.

RFC Seraing: deep in Wallonia, in the outskirts of Liege sits the industrial town of Seraing. Under the smoking chimneys and nestled between the terraced housing is the Stade du Pairay, the home ground of RFC Seraing who currently play in the Challenger Pro League, the second tier division in Belgium. The RFC part of the name is an acronym for Royal Football Club, not Rugby Football Club as I first feared! The ground itself is very compact and mainly comprises of three sides. The main stand runs the length of the pitch and has seen many years of football; it is full of character (complete with wooden seats and numerous supporting pillars). The entrance is literally a door and doorman from a side street; making it one of the most low key ways into a football ground I have ever seen. I was sat on the other side of the pitch, in a very modern stand which cannot be more than a couple of years old. Seraing’s most vocal supporters gathered at the front of this stand directly behind the home bench- they were great at creating a fantastic atmosphere all game supporting their side with lots of flags, megaphones and even a drum. Behind one of the goals at the top end of the ground was where the away fans were housed, this is a pretty large uncovered terrace with q uite an imposing fence running along the front of the stand, not something you see too often in England any more. The remaining end of the ground is largely unoccupied, housing a few corporate boxes and the players’ dressing rooms. The game I attended was a league match between Seraing and Waregem, played on a Friday night under the lights. 0-0 at half time, the game came to life shortly after half time during a period of intense rain (got to feel sorry for the away fans!) but they weren’t worried as their side managed to take a 5-0 win. Seraing were slightly unlucky to receive a red card whilst it was only 0-1, but in the end there was little contest and Waregem took the 3 points back to Flanders with them. A gem of a ground in a place which I am sure not too many tourists get the joy of visiting, perfect fodder for international groundhopping!

Ground Rating 4/5

Game Rating 2/5

The hopp continues…

The HTFC Juniors U18 side is now well underway, with ‘league’ matches in the Midlands Junior Premier League. This league contains 55 teams spread far wide; from Banbury to Belper to Stafford to Pershore and will give the Harborough lads some real competition this season. It is sponsored by our good friends at MDH Teamwear.

The HTFC U18s were at home before we headed off to Tamworth, which gave me the chance to have a look at them. They were playing Nuneaton Griff U18s and the first thing that was evident was they are a side who get the ball down and want to play out from the back, keeping possession whenever possible. They drew 2-2 with Joshua Berwick scoring twice. From what I saw it was a game they will feel they should have won.

Last Saturday the trekked 73 miles to Pershore in Worcestershire to play Pershore Town Youth U18 Bullets. They once again drew 2 -2, meaning they have an unbeaten three match start to the season, having won 5-0 at Coventry United U18s previously, with Berwick score twice in that game as well.

They were at home to Sporting Khalsa Youth U18s this morning.

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THE NPL SINGLE DIVISION IN THE 19 80s

In 1980 a major change occurred in non -league football with the creation of the Alliance Premier League, effectively a fifth division in football, and the top league in non-league football. The APL had 7 teams from the NPL and 13 from the Southern League and it was only from the APL league that promotion to the Football League could be sort from that time.

For the next 8 seasons the NPL continued be just one division, before changes in the non-league structure saw a second division added for the 1987/88 season . The strength of the league was obviously reduced in the 1980s with the creation of the APL. Promotion to the APL by the winners of the NPL was assured, as long as the ground criteria were met; this only happened once in 1980 to Mossley.

The NPL Winners

1980 Mossley 1981 Runcorn 1982 Bangor City

1983 Gateshead 1984 Barrow 1985 Stafford Rangers

1986 Gateshead 1987 Macclesfield Town 1988 Chorley

1989 Barrow

Mossley, from East Manchester, repeated their 1979 triumph by edging out Witton Albion by one point and would be runners up for the next three seasons! Runcorn were the runaway winners in 1981, by 16 points, then it was Bangor City’s turn by 6 points. ‘The Citizens’ would be the only non-English side to win the NPL, and would also lose in the FA Trophy final of 1984. The three times reborn former Football League club Gateshead won the 1983 title with a record points haul, at that time, of 100, scoring 114 goals. Another former Football League club in Barrow won the title the next year, followed by Stafford Rangers in 1985. After just a one year stay in the Alliance Premier Division Gateshead won the NPL again, leading Marine by 2 points. Macclesfield Town had been runners up to Stafford and were champions for the third time in 1987, holding off Bangor City by a single point.

At the end of the 198 6/87 season a second division of the NPL was created, Division 1, with the top division being called the NPL Premier Division. Its first winners Chorley who beat Hyde United from Manchester by 3 points. At the end of their second APL season Barrow had finished bottom but recovered in their second NPL season to finish top by 7 points by from Hyde United.

WEEK,

to a young man whose life had been turned upside down due to one innocuous moment on the football field: “I went in for a 50/50 ball, nothing at all sinister, and ended up with his shin wrapped around his leg” Ashford United winger said Adem Ramadan speaking of the incident which occurred during the Nuts & Bolts’ Bank Holiday Monday derby clash with Hythe Town. “I went to get up and my leg just folded. It was just one of those things, an unlucky accident.”

Sadly for Adem, that ‘unlucky accident’ had far-reaching consequences. The 27-year-old was taken to hospital with a horrific double leg break, an injury has now ruled him out of football for up to a year but, more importantly, forced him out of work, as a self-employed electrician, for the next six months. Thankfully for Adem, an Isthmian League insurance policy through his club, coupled with a GoFundMe page set up by family and friends, then Adem won’t suffer too much in the way of undue financial hardship during his long period of recovery. It’s hard for him to comprehend at the moment, but he is actually one of the lucky ones. Adem told me of one of his team mates at Ashford who has just bought his first family home for his new wife and two

young children.

What if it was he whose leg buckled over and wasn’t quite so lucky?

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing,” Ramadan, the former Margate and Folkestone Invicta midfielder said.

“You always think ‘it won’t happen to me’, but it could, so easily. It makes you realise just how important it is for players of any level really to get protected. There are personal insurances out there for between £7 and £10 a month. In hindsight, I’d have definitely paid that knowing what I know now. I’m a single man so, as a result, I don’t have to worry too much about paying the bills while I’m off work. It’s a huge weight off my shoulders. But if the same happens to my teammate it might be a different story and that’s why I would urge players to get some advice and at least look into getting insured and protecting themselves. Paying £7-£10 a month, or whatever, is nothing compared to the risk of losing your house. It could be the best money you’ve ever spent.”

For as little as £1 to register, members have access to affordable insurance policies as well as a whole network of benefits – and clubs can benefit too.

Don’t delay, get yourself covered. As Adem says, it could be the best money you’ve ever spent.

This week's NLP column was written by John Couch

LAST

I had the pleasure of speaking …

Boldmere St. Michaels Football Club is a football club based in Boldmere, which is near Sutton Coldfield. The club was established in 1883 as a youth football team attached to the local church, hence the name; they first joined a league in 1912. The club subsequently progressed through several leagues before joining the Birmingham AFA League and then in 1937 moved to the Central Amateur League, and were league runners-up in 1939 and won it in 1947. In 1948 Boldmere reached the semi-finals of the FA Amateur Cup, eventually losing 2–0 to Barnet in front of 26,000 spectators at High-bury. The following season saw Boldmere win the Central Amateur League, after which they joined the Birmingham & District League. When the B&D League merged with the Birmingham Combination in 1954, ‘The Mikes’ were placed in the South Division for a transitional season and having finished bottom were placed in Division Two for the following season. In 1963 the club moved into Division One of the Worcestershire Combination. The league was renamed the Midland Combination in 1968 and the club were Challenge Cup winners in 1978 before winning the league's Tony Allden Cup in 1979. Division One became the Premier Division in 1983 and the club were league champions in 1986. After finishing as runners-up in 1988, they won further titles in 1989 and 1990, a year when the league, the League Cup and the Tony Allden Cup treble.

Manager

Neil Kitching

Founded 1883 Stadium

Trevor Brown Memorial Ground

2022/23 highest crowd

437

Nickname The Mikes

Miles from Beehive

49 miles

In 1994 Boldmere were founder members of the Midland Alliance, and were league runners-up in 2014, the league's final season. When it merged with the Midland Combination to form the Midland League, the club became members of the Premier Division. There followed a series of mid-table finishes but a 5th place in 2019 showed progress, which was fulfilled last season with a comfortable second place finish to Hanley Town.

Last season ‘The Mikes’ finished 9th in the NPL Midlands Division. Having been in the promotion playoff places for most of the season a poor finish saw them drop out of contention.

BOLDMERE ST MICHAELS PLAYERS

Lewis Allison

Lewis is a product of our Mikes youth policy and has recently stepped up to the first team squad from the U21 squad. He is equally at home at full back or in midfield.

Mitch Botfield

Mitch, a midfielder signed fr Mikes for season 2023-24. He was with Darlaston Town last season anf his previous clubs include Stourbridge and Halesowen Town. He also had a spell in the USA playing for Ashville FC.

Tazivaishe Chibaya

Taz is a young defender who has joined Mikes on a dual registration with Chelmsley Town. It’s hoped he will grow into the football at this level and is showing great promise.

Harry Craven

Harry is a product of Mikes Youth and is now in his eighth season with the first team. He has been a representative at County level. He plays at centre back where he has developed into a stalwart of the defence. He has been awarded the captain’s armband on several occasions. He had exceeded 200 games for Mikes before his 24th birthday

Ricardo Dudley

Ricardo has joined Mikes for season 2023-24. He is a defender with previous experience at Barwell, Bedworth United, Racing Club Warwick and more recently Fairfield Villa.

James Mace

James joins Mikes for the 2023-24 campaign after a twelve season spell at Leamington where he was a favourite with the supporters. He is a defender.

Dan Moore

Dan has joined Mikes for season 2023-24 as our goalkeeper. After being at Burton Albion and Belper Town, Dan had a short spell at Leamington last season.

Owen Parry

Owen returned to Mikes in October 2022 after 2 seasons at Rushall Olympic. He is a midfielder/forward who was with Mikes from his academy days.

Harry Sweeney

Harry joined Mikes from Chelmsley Town in 2019 and has been a regular left back in the first team. He is gradually developing into a wing back and that’s probably where his future lies.

Michael Tait-Moran

Michael signed for Mikes in January 2023. He came through the junior ranks at Aston Villa where he had brief first team experience. His other previous club were Stafford Rangers and Tamworth. He is a forward.

Owen Woodhouse

Owen is an addition to our back line players joining Mikes in August 2023. He has previous experience at Tividale and Halesowen Town.

Jack Byrne

Jack joined Mikes in August 2023 from Halesowen Town. He is a midfielder who has had previous spells at Solihull Moors and AFC Telford United.

Sam Cooksey

Sam, a goalkeeper has been a regular in Mikes U21 team after being in the youth set up at Rushall Olympic.

Renelle Davis-Lawrence

Renelle came to Mikes at the start of season 2023-24. He has experience at Stoke City Academy and is developing his game. He is a tight dribbler and has an eye for goal.

Callum Gittings

Callum is a midfielder who has joined Mikes for a second spell. He was originally at the club as a young player before moving on to Alvechurch, Kidderminster Harriers and Stourbridge.

Joe Hull

Joe signed for Mikes in August 2023 after a spell at Stourbridge. He is a central defender. His previous clubs include Alvechurch and Darlaston Town.

Ben Usher-Shipway

Ben, who came through Mikes’ youth set up and played for the seniors for three seasons before moving to Solihull Moors, Stourbridge and Leamington, has returned in September 2023 and will be deployed in a wide role.

HARBOROUGH TOWN

Manager: Mitch AUSTIN

 Elliott TAYLOR

 Jake WILLIAMS

 Ash BODYCOTE

 Dan COOPER

 Isaiah BAZELEY

 Ben WILLIAMS

 Alex MORRIS

 Paul MALONE

 Rhys KELLY

 Jake DUFFY

 Connor KENNEDY

 Josh WALSH

 Dodzi AGBENU

 Johnny CAREY

 Gary MULLIGAN

 Lee TOMLIN

 Rhys HOENES

 Kai TONGE

 Luca MILLER

 Johnson GYAMFI

 Silvano OBENG

 Dan FORBES

BOLDMERE ST

MICHAELS

Referee: Martin BEARD

Assistant Referees:

HORNER

Manager: Neil KITCHING

 Daniel MOORE

 Ricardo DUDLEY

 Tazivaishe CHIBAYA

 Joseph HULL

 Harry CRAVEN

 Jack BYRNE

 William SHORROCK

 Mitch BOTFIELD

 Owen PARRY

 Lewis ALLISON

 Kaden MAY

 Michael TAIT-MORAN

 James MACE

 Harry SWEENEY

 Callum GITTINGS

 James SPIERS

 Renelle DAVISLAWRENCE

 Owen WOODHOUSE

 Ben USHERSHOPWAY

 Sam COOKSEY

 Bilal REDJDAL