Honiton Town FC Newsletter | Issue 1 2023

WELCOME

away games, but their determination shines as they debut in the FA Vase. The anticipation for their first home game is building, and we hope to see many of you there.

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the first edition of the Honiton Town FC newsletter. As we embark on a new season, it brings with it a wave of excitement and fresh opportunities. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome not just one, but three new teams to our club. In addition to our men’s team, we’re introducing a women’s team, 2nds and u18s. This expansion is a testament to the growth and dynamism of our club, and it promises to be an exciting journey ahead.

I’d like to extend my appreciation to all the volunteers and committee members who have been hard at work revitalising our clubhouse and grounds. Their commitment has brought about significant improvements, including new patio doors, a revamped pitch-side wall, and ongoing efforts to enhance our stand with a brand-new roof. Your collective efforts truly make a difference, and we’re all grateful.

Our men’s 1st team has kicked off the season already, with a series of

This season, we extend a warm welcome to our 2nds and u18s teams, lead by Dave Haggerty. Both teams have shown immense promise during their pre-seasons, and their presence will undoubtedly propel our club forward.

Lastly, I am overjoyed to highlight the addition of our women’s team to Honiton Town FC. The team have brought a great deal of enthusiasm with them and everyone at the club wishes them well this season and hopefully successful seasons in store. Also, they have provided the get-up and go to get the new club shop up and running, the positive actions of the new set-up is infectious and this can only benefit the whole club.

We all cant wait to get to see the ladies in action at the park and I’m sure that we will get lots of people there to support and carry on the positive actions of the women’s game in general now, long may it continue, well done Amber and Nicola and all the girls.

Wishing all our teams a successful and memorable season ahead.

Best regards, Roger

Doble

ROGER DOBLE Chairman

ANDREW SYMONDS Vice Chair

ALAN MACKAY Treasurer / Fixtures Secretary

ALAN SLARK Minutes Secretary

LEROY VENN 1st Team Manager

DAVID HAGGERTY 2nds & U18’s Manager

NICOLA BROWN Women’s Manager

It’s been a busy and challenging opening to the season, kicking off with 5 away games and our debut in the FA Vase.

Our opener was a defeat away at Elburton played in ‘Storm Antoni’ creating difficult playing conditions and we didn’t adapt well enough. Next was a local derby, away to Cully, where we lost our keeper to a straight red after 20mins and fought hard to earn a 1-1 draw –and had chances to win it.

A trip to league newcomers followed, with a long drive up to the scenic Bishops Lydeard to grab our first win of the season with a polished performance to win 1-0.

Back on the bus for an equally long jaunt to Dartmouth,

1ST TEAM

in the FA Vase. It’s been a long time coming with many local players waiting many years for this opportunity. With all the effort going into the ground upgrades we were finally eligible and were rewarded with an away trip to Western Premier League giants Falmouth Town and their beautiful ground Bickland Park.

In front of a large crowd on a perfect footballing day, the infamous ‘F-Troop’ made plenty of noise behind the goal.

where we delivered our most underwhelming performance this season in a disappointing 1-1 draw.

We took the lead in front of the 220 spectators under the lights in our local derby vs Axminster and had chances to extend the lead, but a goal in first half stoppage time knocked the wind out of us and Ax ran out 3-1 winners.

So it’s 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats in our first five, not the ideal start, but we are picking up points on the road! We have two more away games before we finally get back to home comforts at Mountbatten Park.

FA Vase Debut

Last week we made our debut

Unfortunately a couple of individual errors cost us as vital times in the game and despite having our moments, including hitting the woodwork 3 times (we’re sure one crossed the line!) and having a penalty appeal waved away, Falmouth were simply too good, especially in the final third and punished us with their ruthlessness and quality to comfortably win the game.

It was a great experience and learning curve, especially for the six under 18s fielded in the squad and we look forward to having another go at it next year having had a taste of it.

Despite the result we had a great day out and won the all important ‘boat race’ in the clubhouse!

A huge thanks for the club for sorting us a coach for the 2 1/2 hour journey and to the committee members and fans who joined us for the day.

Looking Ahead

6 games lay ahead of us in September, including our first home game on Saturday 9th against currently unbeaten Bovey Tracey, a Friday night away at Crediton and a midweek under the lights when we host Bishops Lydeard on 20th September.

UPCOMING FIXTURES AS IT STANDS

It would be great to have lots of support for our home fixtures, me and the boys really appreciate it and after 8 away games we’ll be happy to be home seeing familiar faces and surroundings!

WOMEN

The last couple of months have been a very busy period for the newly formed women’s team after their inception back in May. From the initial first training session at the beginning of July, where we had a very impressive turnout, to the final tough pre-season game against Budliegh last week, the girls have worked extremely hard both on and off the pitch with some very impressive results against well established teams.

What has impressed the most is the strong team spirit the players have forged and their tenacity against any opposition. This was highlighted and tested in the first pre-season friendly against a very strong Yeovil 1st Team with a 10-4 defeat. The girls never gave up and worked hard to the end giving head coach Sally Ames and player/manager Nicola Brown lots of positives to take away from a difficult first game.

The following couple of games were a different story, with big wins against Crediton (7-1) a team in the Premier division and Seaton (10-0). Here the girls ruthless attacking prowess and relentlessness shone through with impressive hat-tricks in both games from Amber Guy-Kemp and one from Siena Barada. It also was the first clean sheet for brand new goal keeper Tash Grabauskas who has taken to

her new role in goal like a duck to water! All of her previous years of catching an egg shaped ball clearly paying off!

Another tough game soon followed against Ilminster Town Ladies, a side 3 league’s higher. Here the team had to show their adaptability and resilience going into the game with key players missing and bare 11 due to injuries and holidays. A 4-0 defeat was testament to the hard work and game management displayed by all, again with lots of positives to take away.

The pre-season friendlies came to an end with a 3-3 draw against a very tough (physically) Budleigh Salterton side, again playing in the Premier division. Not the best performance from the girls but again the effort and hard work displayed by all being most impressive and rounding up a pretty successful pre-season campaign with 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw.

The season starts in earnest on the 3rd September, away to another newly formed team, Hemyock Women where the whole team are hoping to kick the season off with a win. September see’s two more games, away to Appledore and home to Alphington. Expectations are high for the season so it will be great to get going with the league games and hopefully get the ball rolling!

Siena Barada

Credit: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

SOPHIE BAMFORTH

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Sleeve sponsor: B! Health & Fitness

Honiton Town 2nd team will be managed by Dave Haggerty and Steve Paramore, coaching both u18’s and 2nd’s will be a challenge but at the same time very rewarding.

Pre-season has been very succesful with the players putting in so much hard work. The pathway for the u18’s to come up through will be great to see and of course help any player who wants to step up to the 1st team.

Leroy, the 1st team manager, has been a breath of fresh air with the opportunities he has already given. We saw Ethan Hawes,

2ND TEAM

Finn Garman, Jenson wells, Makan Coulibaly, Russell Bracey and Miles Barron have their chance in pre-season. The aim is to make the 1st team stronger in time, at the same time being very competitive in Division 4 Devon and Exeter Football league.

The 2nd team captin will be Ollie Courter. Ollie is a strong Defender with a lot of experience to give. Oliie, is already respected by the team, which is great seeing as we have only played 4 games together.

Our first game was against Budleigh 2nds team. I looked at 5 different groups and laughed to myself because we were just about to play a game of football together.

The 5 games we have played, we have become stronger as a team and we are more than ready for the season ahead of us.

Our season opener ended in a competitve 1-1 draw with Elmore 3rds. Man of the match who also scored the goal was Jamie Faulkner. Next up it’s a trip to Morchard Bishop 1st Team on 02nd September.

Our first home game is 16th September - v Uplyme 1st - we hope to see you at the Park!

2ND’S PLAYER OF THE MONTH

MILES BARRON

As voted for by the players, this month’s player of the month is Miles Barron

Ollie Courter, 2nd Team Captin

AS IT STANDS

TOP GOALSCORER

Striker Taylor Murphy is the 2nds top goalscorer, with 3 goals in preseason!

Windmill Garage are sponsoring the 2nd team for 23-24.

Full Of Beans will be supplying the 2nd team with delicious food on home games.

A huge THANK YOU to both!

With the u18’s starting, it’s been nothing more than a pleasure with the support from the Honiton Town Youth and the Men’s side of it. Dave Haggerty, Chris Wright, Steve Paramore and Reece Alexander are really looking forward to this season coming, coaching such a talented group of players.

Reece Alexander has joined the coaching team, Reece also plays for Honiton 2nd Team, however Reece really wants to get into the coaching side of football. Dave Haggerty and the other coaches are more then happy to help him along the way with the u18s.

This season we have a mix of 1st and 2nd year u18 players with a couple of u16’s. Alex Haggerty, Troy Jackson and Adam Paramore have already been involved with u18s. The team

U18 TEAM

U18 TEAM PLAYER OF THE MONTH

ALFIE

DOWN

As voted for by the players, this month’s player of the month is Alfie Down

captain will be Alfie Down. Alfie is a very good defender, who can lead this team with a great attitude and good leadership skills.

We open our campaign this Sunday, 03rd September, at home to Broadclyst U18. September also see’s us play our first County Cup game, at home to Plymstock United Colts U18’s.

Alex Haggerty is 15 – he’s one of the u16s stepping up.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

23-24 LEAGUE TABLE

TOP GOALSCORER

Striker Shay Corrick is the U18’s top goalscorer, with 3 goals in preseason

U18 TEAM SPONSORS

Paul Richards Motors are proud to sponsor the U18’s!

U18 warm up tops are sponsored by Arena Screen & Design!

TEAM OF THE MONTH

MONTH

RUSSELL BRACEY

GOALKEEPER - 2NDS & U18S

Sponsored by: Could this be you?!

JEMMA MURPHY

DEFENDER - WOMEN’S TEAM

Sponsored by: Simon A Martin Accountants

OWEN HANKS

DEFENDER - MEN’S FIRST TEAM

Sponsored by: East Devon Windows

HARVEY MADDOCK

DEFENDER - U18 TEAM

Sponsored by: Could this be you?!

OLLIE COURTER

DEFENDER - 2ND TEAM

Sponsored by: Could this be you?!

JOEL JACKSON

MIDFIELD - MEN’S FIRST TEAM

Sponsored by: Southwest Home Improvements

CHRIS LONG

MIDFIELD - MEN’S FIRST TEAM

Sponsored by: S&H Construction

HANNAH RANDLE

MIDFIELD - WOMEN’S TEAM

Sponsored by: Fernhill Retreat

RYAN MURPHY

MIDFIELD - 2ND TEAM

Sponsored by: Could this be you?!

SHAY CORRICK

STRIKER - U18 TEAM

Sponsored by: Could this be you?!

AMBER GUY-KEMP

STRIKER - WOMEN’S TEAM

Sponsored by: B! Health & Fitness

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR A PLAYER PLEASE CONTACT: andrew.symonds10@icloud.com

DYER’S DIALOGUE

Can you believe it?

The club have let me loose with my own column in the new monthly newsletter (I know I can’t believe it either)!

Join me in this monthly column as I discuss all the goings on with the Women’s team and of course the Men’s team(s) from results to interviews to myself just generally not being able to keep my mouth shut about various things around the club and the beautiful game.

Right let’s get down to business shall we?

There’s nothing like the anticipation of a brand new season is there? The sights, the sounds among so much more and there seems to a real buzz around the club at the moment and I feel it’s being reflected in the results with the girls putting teams to the sword in pre-season and with Leroy and the lads also playing with a swagger – albeit a mixed start to the season with a win against Bishops Lydeard, a loss against Elburton and 2 draws as the boys travelled to Dartmouth and Cullompton. I’ve been really impressed so far this season however with plenty of positives including chance creation defensive acumen and the overall hunger to improve on the last campaign. And like I said on Saturday, we really should have claimed all 3 points at Longcross in what was a dominant display especially in the second period where we played some lovely stuff down the flanks in particular but in an all too Common fashion it just wouldn’t fall for us.

Despite this, there’s reason for optimism not just in the collective performances but also the individual displays particularly Owen Hanks at the back who’s organisational skills have been crucial and his positional awareness exceptional with his performance at cully. The stand out Chris Long and Joel Jackson

Photo © TimBadgerPhotos

midfield paring have been an absolute a joy to watch too, putting balls on a sixpence for others and those swashbuckling drives with the ball have created so many opportunities it’s unreal. All of this bodes well for the months ahead.

Speaking of busy months ahead this is what September looks like for the 1st team – a trip to Torridgeside to open and then finally some home games – we welome Bovey Tracey to the Park first followed by a midweek clash v Bishops Lydeard.

We’re getting off track apologies. The lionesses may have inspired the country yet again but the real heroes are stationed at Mountbatten Park and by that I mean the newly formed Honiton Town Women. They may have only been established in the summer but they’ve been making waves already putting established sides like Crediton and Seaton to the sword beating the two sides 7-1 and 10-0 respectively. The work that Nic and Sal have put in such a short space of time especially to get the squad match fit is nothing short of remarkable and it’s been a pleasure to be involved thus far and I can’t wait to see what the girls achieve when the season starts on the 3rd of September. I’ve been really impressed with

how the group have applied themselves over the course of pre-season the standard they’ve set has been superb and the character as well as the team performances have been particularly impressive.

Right for once i’m going to let someone else do the talking as I caught up with striker Amber Guy-Kemp and Head Coach Sally Ames earlier in the week to discuss pre-season, hopes for the season and more. On the topic of preseason Amber stated. “I’m proud to be a part of it we’ve put a lot of graft in behind the scenes especially tactically highlighting different aspects of play and I think that’s shown in our performances against some really difficult sides.” Sally added “it’s exceeded expectations, I couldn’t be happier. Nic organised a great pre-season schedule and it’s been a real learning curve but everyone has contributed and we’ve put in some quality performances.”

With both entering uncharted territory – Sally had this to say on starting her coaching journey: I’ve held an interest in coaching since I was 18 and completed my badges while at Uni. Since then I’ve done a bit at some of my former clubs and now i’m retired I can put my full focus into coaching.”

On the upcoming season Sally

told me “the aim is certainly promotion I’ve known the girls for a long time so I know the quality they bring first and foremost though it’s about helping the group develop and keeping the standards we’ve set over the summer.” Amber echoed the ambitions continuing, “of course we want to win the title, every team does and I genuinely believe that with our balance of youth and experience we can do that and accelerate through the leagues.” On the impact of the recent Women’s World Cup the pair said “the euros and world cup is inspiring young girls the world over and we want to play our part. It gives us the opportunity to elevate the club to a new level alongside the first team and hopefully gain more support from the community. It’s just a great feeling that people are coming up to me talking to me about Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly etc.”

It’s clear what it means to these girls having spoken to them at length. You can see there’s a real eagerness to get going and to be successful as well as inspire which is wonderful to see and I’m sure they’ll do just that when the league campaign starts in September.

I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got time for in this columns debut. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next month!