HomeGround:
IrchesterUnited ClubInformation
IrchesterSportsAssociation
AlfredStreet,Irchester,Northants,NN297DR
2024-25Committee:
Co-Chairmen-DanBeaman&ChrisGell
Secretary&Treasurer-GlynnCotter
HeadGroundsman-MelvynTompkins
AssistantGroundsman-MarkWheeler
HeadofSponsorship-RussellSmith
Fundraising-SarahWilliams&KerryRutter
ChildWelfareOfficer-ChrisGell
ClubPhotographer/Programmeeditor-DanBeaman
MatchdayCatering-AnnBowden
Othercommittee-PhilLawrence,PeterShipton
Accreditationco-ordinator:DavidCockings
2024-25FirstTeamManagement:
Managers -LiamLeonard&TrentWoodley
AssistantManagers-MitchTuzzeo&KallanYearwood
2024-25ReserveTeam:
Managers-DevenEllwood&MattBrown
2024-25Under18'sManagement:
Managers- MarkTruman&JakeThomas
AssistantManagers-TBC
IrchesterUnited ClubHistory
TheclubwasformedasIrchesterExcelsiorin1883,changingitsnametoUnitedtwoyearslater.In 1980theclubunderwentanothernamechangefollowingamergerwithWellingboroughEastfieldto overcomeaplayershortage.In1990areturntothemoretraditionalUnitednamewasmade.
Intheearlyyearstheclubplayedat“TheBoundleys”,changingattheWorkingMen'sClub The presentAlfredStreetgroundwasfirstusedin1921althoughitwasploughedupduringthewar The clubresumedfootballattheRecreationGroundbeforegoingbacktoAlfredStreetin1952
TheRoman’sfirstsuccessofnotecamein1929whentheywonthefirstofarecordnineRushden& DistrictLeaguetitles Ayearlaterthechampionshipwasretainedwithfurthersuccessinthe NorthantsJuniorCupandIrchesterCharityCup,whichtheRomanswonontenoccasionsupto1961
TheNorthantsLeague2ndDivisionwaswonin1931and1932beforeIrchesterbriefly competedinthesemi-professional1stDivision.In1936theyreturnedtotheRushdenLeague, winningitasthereserveshaddonein1933and1934,whentheyalsowontheNorthantsJuniorCup.
InthepostwareramoresuccessfollowedastheRomanswontheJuniorCupin1949andcarriedoff fourRushdenLeaguetitlesbetween1947and1957 IrchesterreturnedtotheUCLin1969andwonpromotiontoDivisionOnein1974 Highlightssince haveincludedNorthantsJuniorCupsuccessin1976,runnersupinthesame competitionsevenyearslaterandasuperbruninthefirstopenKnockoutCupin1981-82,three Premierscalpsclaimedenroutetoasemi-finaldefeatatStamford
TheninetiessawtheRomansstrugglebutin2003theyenjoyedtheirbestseasonsinalmostthirty DivisionOnecampaignsunderBobReed&JohnDower,narrowlymissingoutonthetitleand eventuallyfinishingthird.Thesuccesshelpeddrivetheclubforwardfromafacilitiesperspective, withfloodlightsinstalledattheAlfredStreetgroundinthesummerof2005.
Afteraseriesoflowlyfinishes,theappointmentofDarenYoungasmanagerin2009revitalisedthe clubandtheDivisionOnetitlewaswonin2009-10 GroundimprovementssawtheRomans promotedtothePremierDivision,brieflytoppingthetableinSeptember2010forthefirsttimein theclubshistory After3seasonsinthetopflighttheclubreturnedtoDivisionOneforthe2013-14 season
TheclubreachedthesecondroundproperoftheFAVaseforthefirsttimein2018
Season2023-24sawtheRomansbackintheSpartanSouthMidlandsunderthemanagementof DanielStewartandhisteamofcoaches.
HavingsecuredStep6statusfor2024/25DaniellefttoworkinPeterboroughUnited’sAcademyand thenewseasonseesLiamLeonardandTrentWoodleyinchargeassistedbyMitchTuzzeoand KallanYearwood Trent,MitchandKallanareformerRomanplayers https://www.thefa.com/get.involved/respect
Beaman’s Brainteaserquiz
1) Who is the assistant manager of England under Thomas Tuchel?
2) Which Dutchman was one of the England coaches under Gareth Southgate?
3) Who did Eddie Howe succeed as Newcastle manager?
4) Who are currently top of League One?
5) Who are currently top of League Two?
6) Which Brentford player is their current top scorer with 15 goals?
7) Which Premier League goalkeeper has the most clean sheets this season?
8) Which Premier League player has had the most touches of the ball this season with 2583?
9) Which Premier League goalkeeper has made the most saves so far this season?
10) Which Premier League club has lost the most games AND conceded the most goals since the Premier League was formed?
Todaysvisitors: AmpthillTown
AmpthillTownareoneoftheoldestclubsinBedfordshireand datebacktothe1880s.TheyjoinedtheSouthMidlandLeaguein 1960afterplayingintheBeds.Leagueandwereputinthe PremierDivisionwhichtheywonin1962andwererunnersupa yearlater.
AfterfinishingbottomofthePremierDivisionin1965theclub wentintoDivision2oftheUnitedCountiesLeague.Theywere promotedtoDivision1despitefinishingsixththatyear.In1991 theyreturnedtotheSouthMidlandsandjoinedDiv1 Followingasequenceofupsanddownsfromthesectionsthey stayedintheSeniorDivisionfrom2001to2011whentheywere promotedasrunnersup.Theyfinishedfifthin2013andwentto thePremierandwererunnersupin2014whentheyalsoreached thelasteightoftheVasebeforelosingatEastbourne. Butinthenextyeartheclubwererelegatedafterfinishing bottom.Theclubhasconsolidatedinrecentyearsandthree seasonsagotheyreachedtheplayoffsonlytoloseathometo WhitworthsTheAmpshavefinishedjustoutsidetheplayoff placesinthelasttwocampaignsandwerehamperedbyarun oftengamesinAprillastyear.
Theywonmoregamesawaythanathomesecuringeleven winsontheirtravelswhilehomeformatEastercostthemdear withonepointfrom3games.ButTownreachedthelastfourof theChallengeTrophylastyearbeforelosingatLondonLions beatingPremierclubsStanstedandAylesburyValesaswellas NewBradwellandEatonSocon.LeverstockGreengavetheman earlyexitintheVasewhileCaldecoteendedtheircountycup hopesatthequarterfinalstage
ThisyeartheywonatOxheyJetsintheVaseonpenaltiesbefore losingathometoBritishAirwaysandtheylostatWormleyinthe ChallengeTrophyafterawinatBovingdonwhiletheircounty cuphopesendedatStotfoldreservesinthelasteight.
ChrisHarveyisinhissecondyearasmanageraftercoming fromTotternhoeandhasbeenjoinedbyColinLauderfromAFC Dunstable.SamHolmestopscoredlastyearwith25goals.
Irchester
United
DanWillett
DelroyCodrington
JakeNewman
WillHowes
DanLaw
ZakWard
AshtonMusgrave
LewisFisher
ReeceWatson
DaltonLeon
JamesHarvey
KobiBivens
JonathanJoseph
NatGosnal-Tyler
LachiCodrington
ConnorBailey
Ampthill
Town
MitchHowe
PhilDraycott
MarkBunker
EvanCawley
JackKent
DrewRoberts
WillBarrett
TejonBrown
SamHolmes
JamesYoung
SamOyediran
JamesLauder
JoshBamford
FlinnBaker-Bond
KienanMalone
TierlinWilson
https://www.thefa.com/get.involved/respect
IrchesterUnited Co-Chairman’sNotes withChrisGell
WebidawarmAlfredStreetwelcometoourvisitorsAmpthillTownandtothe officialsfortodaysgame.
Itcomestometowritethenotesfortodayshugehomegameagainst Ampthill.Therearesixhugegamesleftatthiscrunchtimeoftheseasonand itisfantastictohavepositivethoughtsandhighaspirationsforthoselastsix games Waybackinthesummerwhenwespoketothefirstteam managementteam,theywereconfidentthattheywouldbeinthemixcome theendoftheseasonandtestamenttotheirhardworkandthesupportof allattheclub,weverymuchare.Whatiwouldsayisthatihopethatinthose remaininggamestheycantrytogetintoamindsetwheretheycankeepthe freedomandpositivityintheirperformancesthathavebeenajoytowatch thisseasonandthathavegottheresultsthattheydeserve.Whenitcomes topressuregamessometimesthatcanmakeyousecondguessyourselfand trytodosomethingthathasn’tbroughtyousuccess Ihavereallyenjoyed watchingthefirstteamgamesIhaveseenthisseasonandIhopethat continues.
Ialsohadthepleasureofwatchingthereservesinaveryprofessionaldisplay attheweekend,winningeasilyagainstMoultonreserves Thesuccessofa firstteamiseasytomeasurebutthesuccessofareserveteamcomesin differentforms.Leaguepositionisn’tasimportanttome,IamsurethatMatt, DevenandMartinwouldprobablydisagreebutformeitistheopportunity fromdevelopment,thatplayerscandropdownfromthefirstteamtoget vitalminuteslikeCallumHarleyonSaturdayandalsothatplayerscango intothefirstteamsquadlikeDaltonLeonandgivefantasticsupportand performances.IneverliketocomparetopreviousseasonsbutwhatIwould sayisthatthereservesmanagementteamaredoinganamazingjobat managingagroupofyoungplayersandcontinuingtopushandprogress them.
Thereservesare5pointsawayfromtheirbestpointstotalinover12years andagainthathasmanypeopletothankforthatbutformesuccessas wholeinvolvesallofthoseelementsImentionednotjustthepointsgained
IrchesterUnited
Co-Chairman’sNotes
withChrisGell
ThenaquickwordontheUnder18sandagainabigthankyoutothe managementteamthere.Under18sbeingre-establishedwasonourlistof prioritiesfromlastyearandagainIwouldechothatsuccessisnotalways aboutpointsgained,althoughtheyhavebeenunluckyinthatsenseaswell havinghad9pointschalkedoff,butindevelopingplayerstoalevelwhere theyarecomfortabletoplayforthereserves.
IwatchedBenHessionbeoneofthebetterplayersforthereserveson Saturday,lookedverycomfortableandnotoutofplaceatall Thatisjustone exampleandthereareothers(AlfieDay,Jahmetc)sowhenwetalkabout successesagainIthinkwecanbeverypositivetheretoo.
Abigthankyouasalwaystothevolunteersaroundtheclub,theusual suspects,youknowwhoyouare.Thankyoutoallinvolvedforyourfantastic supportandgreatattitudesaroundtheclub
Sostrapyourselfinforcrunchtime.Enjoyth id dl ’ h i k us
Enjoythegametoday,andpleasesupport
C’montheIrch!!
cChris Gell
Co-Chairman
IrchesterUnited FirstteamCo-Managernoteswith TrentWoodley
HelloandwelcomebacktoAlfredStreetforanothermassivegame,whichcanbe seenasasixpointerforbothsides.I’dliketoofferawarmwelcometoAmpthilland allfansfrombothteams
OnthebackofwhatIthoughtwasaverymatureperformanceatBuckingham, whichsawcomeawaywitha2-1victory,welooktoreallypushoninourbidforplayofffootball.InthereversefixtureagainstAmpthillitwasaveryclosecontestedgame andweexpectanothergameofthesamenatureastheyareaverywellorganised sideandI’veseensomeverygoodresultsthisseason.Theboyswillhaveclear instructions;theyknowexactlywhatneedstobedone.Theyknowtheimportanceof thisgameandhowitcanshapeourseason Ourformin2025hasn’tbeenatthe standardsthatwewouldexpectandweseemtohavemadethingsalittlebitharder thanwhatwewouldliketohavedoneintheclosinggamesoftheseason Withthat beingsaidatthestartoftheseason,ifyouwould’vesaidtomethatwecouldbein thispositionatthistimeoftheseasonthenIwould’vebittenyourhandoff.Especially withtheteamsaroundusbeinginafortunatepositiontobeabletospendalittlebit ofmoney(oralot)togetplayersintohelpthempushthroughinjuriesandjustadd qualitytothesquad However,Idoalsohavefullfaithinthesquadthatwehaveto achievethegoalsthatwehavesetoutandIwholeheartedlybelievethatwewill achieveexactlywhatwewanttocometheendoftheseason
GoodlucktobothteamsandthankyouasevertoDanBeamanforputtingsomuch effortintoourMatchdayprogrammeandmakingitthebestintheleague
AmpthillTown
Managernoteswith ChrisHarvey
Weareintooursecondseasonasamanagementteam;ourultimateaimwasto progressasagroupandasaclub,andsofarIthinkthere’sdefinitelysignsofthaton andoffthepitch.
Wehaveimprovedintermsofoverallsquadandtheplayershavetakenonthe majorityofmessageswehavetriedtogetacross.Our‘goalsagainst’columnhas greatlyimprovedandwe’reuptherewiththebetterdefensiverecordsacrossthe SouthMidlandsleagues,butthe‘goalsfor’columnisprobablyourundoingacrossthe seasoncomparedtothosealsochallengingfortheplayoffspots.
Offthepitch,thechairmanandvolunteershavebeenbusywiththegroundandpitch improvementsrequiredandthefacilitiesarewellbeyondwhatI’veexperiencedeven atlevelsaboveandthecrowdswegetmosthomegamesareincredibleanditfeels liketheydeservetobeentertainedandthedreamisatlevelsabove.
Aswithmostclubs,injurieshavebeendevastatingtoourconsistencylosingsomekey playerslongterm.Itdefinitelyfeelslikea‘whatif’typeofseasonsofar.
We’reverymuchlookingforwardtotodayafteracloseencounteratourplacewith thesinglegoalseparatingthesides.
IrchesterUnited Reservesco-manager noteswith
MattBrown
Sincethelasthomegame,thereserveshavehadamixedbagofresults,a fantastic5-2winagainstthatbunchacrosstheriver,somenicebragging rightsthatweneededtowinbackafterearlierintheseason Welooked comfortablefromstarttofinishandreallylookedlikeateamjelling
WemovedontoBugbrookeawaywhichisalwaysatoughgame,Ithinkinmy manyvisitsthereovertheyearsIamyettopickup3pointsfromthemandlast gamewasthesame,wewent1-0upandlookedlikethebetterteambutour goalkickedthemintogearandtheygotthe3pointsandwelldeservedtoo.
OurlastgamewasagainstMoultonwhohavenothadthebestseason,butdo seemtostepupagainstthebiggerteamsintheleaguesoweexpecteda toughtest.Westartedsowellandeveryoneoneofoursquadputinatleastan 8outof10Performance.Asareserveteamit’simportanttokeepaneyeonthe youthandhelpdeveloptheseyoungladstoalevelwheretheycanmakethe stepuptofirstteamandrecentlywe’vehadsomegreatperformancesfrom ouryoungladsJahmaiAkande,AlfieDay,Michael(MJ)NuquiandBenHession allimpressinginrecentweeks WeofcoursehavetomentionDaltonLeonwho hasbeengettingallofourgoalsandplayingwell,somuchsohewasinthe firstteamsquadagainstBuckingham AthankyoutoMartinGardnerwhohas steppedupinacoachingroleinrecentweekswhichhasalsohelpeduskick on.ItreallyisagreatsquadtobeapartofandI’mhappymeandDevhave beengiventhechancetomanagethem.
Animportantfewgamesaheadforbothteamsandwewillbedoing everythingwecantosupportthefirstteamintheirquestfortheplayoffs
UptheIrch
Browny
Age:17
Irchester United Meettheplayers
Michael‘MJ’Nuqui
Position:Winger/LB
Formerclubs:ONChennecks,SYL,Rushden&Higham,Wellingborough Town,OldGrammarians
Clubyousupport:Chelsea
Bestmomentinfootball:WinningtheNDYALleagueandcup
Worstmomentinfootball:LosingtoBugbrookein2cupfinalsinarow!
Closestteammates:Jahmai,AlfieDay,HarryAnderson
Favouritefilm:AvengersEndgame
Favouritemusicartist:Drake
Favouritemeal:Nando’sDoublechickenwrap,periperichipsandgarlic bread
Tellussomethingnotmanypeopleknowaboutyou:IwasborninEssex
ThoughtsonIrchesterUnited:Greatclubranandmanagedbybrilliant people.Givenmeapathwayintomen’sfootballandi’mthankfultoDanfor bringingmeovertotheclublastseason
Bestadvicegiveninfootballandwhoby:Confidenceiskeyandplayevery gamelikeit’syourlast
IrchesterUnited Viewsfromthestandswith
JamesWager
Beforeyou'reboredofreadingwhatIwriteIwanttostartoffbypraisingthe committeemembers/volunteersatIrchesterandallotherclubsforthatmatter I dontthinktheyevergetthecredittheydeserveandclubsdontrunwithoutthem. Thisgoesfromgroundsmenandcarparkstewardstocoaches/managementand allin-between
Whenyouseethecommitmentthat'sputinfromvolunteerseveryday/weekthen someplayerswon'tplaycosit'stheirdogsbirthdaythenextdayjustshowsthe differentmentalities.Soabigthanksfromagrassrootsfan.
I'vebeenfollowingWhitworthsforanumberofyears,prettymuchsincemy playingdays(alongtimeagonow),soIhavealwaysnoticedIrchesters performanceswiththembeinglocalrivals Theyhavemostlybeenaclubthatare verywelcomingbutIthinkit'sfairtosayhaven'talwaysbeensostrongonthe pitch Althoughonegamealwayssticksinmyhead TheyearIrchesterwonUCL Division1theyannihilatedWhitworths Ithinkitwas5-0athalftimeandthey didn'tevengoinforteamtalk,theystayedoutsideanddoneshootingpractice!
ThisyearItookmoreofaninterestwatchingIrchesterduetomatesbeinginvolved orplaying
Fromtheoutsideneutral,Irchesterweretippedforarelegationbattleandsome wereevensayingbottomoftheleague Thiswasjustanignoranttakefrom UCL/Spartanattentionseekersinmyopinion.IfyouknewLiamandTrentthey werealwaysgoingtobeanorganisedsideandtheplayersthey'dassembledyou knewtheywouldbetakenseriously.Ateamcombinedwithexperience,youth,and somemakingthejumpupfromtheNorthantsCombinationatStep7forthefirst timewhowereclearlygoodenough
Mybiggestfearforthemwasbeingabletokeepeveryonehappy Theyhadsigned onalotoftalentedplayersandfromwhatIhaveseentheyhavedoneapretty goodjobkeepingmost,alongwithpickingupacouplemorealongtheway.Abig credittothemanagement
InthegamesI'veseenyoucanseethetogethernessoftheplayers Thisshowson thepitchwithfightandoffitintheclubhousewiththelaughter.Inthisleagueyou seeplayerstraveltogetacoupleofquidandwhenthishappenstheygenerally don'thavethesamebondasateamandthewillingnessfortheteamshows
IrchesterUnited Viewsfromthestandswith
JamesWager
MyfavouritegameoftheseasonsofarwouldbeDesboroughaway.Despiteitnot beingawinitreallymadeastatementintheleagueagainsttopoftheleagueand onetheleaguesfavourites 3-1downthroughlapsesinconcentrationbuthaving theabilityanddeterminationtocomeback.Thesubswerehighlyimportantand hadthegamebeenafewminuteslongertheywouldhavetakenhomeall3points Thedisappointmenttheyhadatthefinalwhistlespeaksvolumes.
Iwasn'tgoingtodropanynamesinthispiecebutIwanttogiveElliotClarkea shoutout.Steppedupfromareserveteamregulartoaverycomposedfirstteam player HehadafewdoubtersbutIthinkhe'scomfortablyprovedthemwrong Knowshislimitsandplaystohisstrengths...andhehasn'thadtoomanyyellow cards!
WiththeleaguedrawingtoacloseIhopetheycanfinishonahigh.Iamnotsure whatthemanagement'sintentionswereatthestartoftheseasonbuthowever theyendittheyhaveagreatplatformtobuildonfornextseason.Promotedor not
LastgameoftheseasoncouldendupbeingagainstWhitworthsforaplayoff place ItwouldbefantasticfortheneutralbutIhopeitdoesn'tcometothat personally.I'drathertheybothgetplayoffsandmaybemeetinthefinal.
IrchesterUnited MeetthePlayers
DanWillett-experiencedandvocalkeeperwhohasbeeninvolvedwithtwo NewportPagnellTownsquadsatWembley Alsoourkeepercoach
EllisAndrews-paceyandcomposedrightbackwithgoodtechnicalabilitywhowas atEarlsBartonlastseason.
DelroyCodrington-asolidverstiledefenderwhohashadspellsatWhitworths, Sileby&EarlsBarton.
JakeNewman-experiencedstrikerturnedcentreback,Hasplayedhigherlevelsat thelikesofDiamonds,Kettering,Newport,StIvesandStamfordtonameafew
ZakWard-versatileplayerwho’sgoodintheairandlikesatackle Averybig characteramongstthesquad.FormerlyofourU18sandWollastonVics.
DanLaw-experiencedandvocalcentrebackfromlocalrivalsWhitworths. Occasionallypopsupwith30yardscreamers!
CallumHarley-youngleftbackpreviouslywithWhitworthandEarlsBarton,who missedmostoflastseasonthroughinjury.
AshtonMusgrave-teenagefullback/midfielder,aformerIrchesterRomanwho movedontoplayforWhitworthU18sbeforearecentmovetoplaycollegefootball inAmericawhichdidn’tworkout.We’redelightedhechosetoplayforusonhis recentreturntotheUKashehashugepotential
IrchesterUnited MeetthePlayers
ElliotClarke-MrComposed.Centremid/backwhohasbeenatWhitworthsfor8 years Averygoodleaderwithacalminginfluence AnotheroneofourexU18s!
LewisFisher-centremidwithgreattechnicalabilityandvision Formerlyofour U18sandWollastonVics.
JamesHarvey-attackerwithsuperbskill,visionandareadingofthegame.Hewas atWollastonVicslastseasonbuthasplayedhigher.Playsfortheloveofthegame.
ReeceWatson-midfielder/forwardwithaneyeforgoal,joinsfromWollastonVics buthashadStep6experiencewithRushden&Higham AnotheroneofourexU18s!
ConnorBailey-rapidwideplayerfromWollastonVics,goodluckcatchinghim! Worksveryhardtotrackbackwhenhe/welosepossession.
KobiBivens-youngforwardwhogetsamongstthegoalsandbringsothersinto play HasplayedStep6forafewyearswiththelikesofWhitworthsandSileby Rangers.PlayedyouthfootballatNorthamptonTownandKetteringTown.
LachiCodrington-18yearoldwideplayerwithelectricpaceandeyeforgoal. PlayedforEarlsBartonlastseasonbuthasplayedforLiamLeonardsinceavery earlyage.
CavellJarvis-experiencedattackerfromEarlsBartonwhospentmanyyearsat Step6localrivalsWhitworths Greatfortheyoungerplayerstolearnfrom Hehas alsopoppedupwithsomeimportantgoalssofarthisseason.
NatGosnal-Tyler-Experiencedattackerwithsublimefootworkandaneyeforgoal.
IrchesterUnited MeetthePlayers
LukeAridegbe-Midfielder/leftbackwhoquithisroleasRaundsTownco-manager toresumeplayingagain Nowmuchfitter,heisgivingCallum&Ashtonatough battleforthatleftbackspot!
MasonLeonard-Youngcentremid,previouslywithWhitworthandEarlsBarton. Havingspendalotoftimeoutthroughlongterminjurieshe’senjoyingregular footballinourreservesandispushingforafirstteamplace.
JonathanJoseph-youngspeedyattackerwithaneyeforgoal Currentlyatuniin Nottinghambutplays(andplayswell)whenhecan.
WillHowes-Young,vocalandfeistycentralmidfielderwhobreaksupplaywelland hasgoodtechnicalability Doesn’tlookoutofplaceafterplayingStep7
EllisChapman-17 yearoldcentralmidfielderwhohascomeonleapsandbounds thisseasoninourReserves,andispushinghardtobreakintothefirstteammore regularly Histimewillcome!Akeeneyeforanassist(andagoal)
JahmaiAkande-youngattackerwithbagsofpace,whohasbeenwithourU18s andReservesthisseason.Hasdoneajobforthefirstteamwhenneeded.His highlightoftheseasonsofarbeingahatrickfortheReservesatRothwell
JasonCampbell-ExperiencedstrikerwhobagsgoalsforfunintheNorthants Combination.JasonhasbeenbetweenourfirstteamandReservessofarthis seasonandistryingtofindhisfeetwitharegularrunofgames
IrchesterUnited VolunteerFocus with PeterShipton
Clubsasaplayer: WestBletchleyCA(who),BuckinghamAthletic,OlneyTown Clubs/rolesasacoach/manager: MiltonKeynesLadiesmanager,OlneyTownColtsGKcoach Teamyousupport: Arsenal
Favouriteproplayersovertheyears: JackKelsey,PatJennings,DavidSeaman Favouriteproplayersnow: None
Favouritepromanagersovertheyears: ArseneWenger,BrianClough Favouritepromanagernow: None,alltheIrchesterUnitedmanagersandcoachesfrom1stteamtoU18 Favouriteprogameeverwatched: LiverpoolvArsenal1989 Bestmomentinfootballpersonally: CountyCupwinwithBuckinghamAthletic.UCLDivisionOneChampionswith OlneyTown.AndbeingDoublewinnerswithBelsizeAFC(BletchleySundayLeague) Worstmomentinfootballpersonally: Losingacupfinal,andnotmakingitthroughaLutonTowntrial Wordsofadvicetoyoungplayers: Befullycommitted,listentothoseexperiencedpeoplearoundyou,andenjoythe game
Irchester United SponsorFocus RobGoodman
Irchester United RetroRomans DanSmith
IjoinedIrchesterbackin2017afterThrapstonfoldedtheirreserveteam.I’d playedregularlyfortheirreserveteamandhadmadeafewappearancesfor thefirstteam,butwantedtocontinueplayingregularfootballsodecidedI wouldmovetoaclubnearbywithacompetitivereserveteamandagoodfirst team.Ireachedouttotheclubandjoinedupforpreseason,notknowingthen thatIrchesterwouldbemyfootballclubforthenext7years.Ifeltathomeat Irchesterstraightaway,scoringavolleyfromoutsideoftheboxonmydebut awayatHarboroughandthengettinginjuredimmediatelyafterawayat Bugbrooke.LittledidIknowthen,thatthiswouldbeareoccurringthemeover thenext7years.AcoupleofseasonsafterplayingatIrchester,Ienjoyed playingattheclubsomuchthatImanagedtoconvincemyyoungerbrother MattytocometoIrchesterfromThrapstontoo.
MyhighsofIrchesteraresimple,I’vereallyenjoyedthepeopleI’veshareda dressingroomwithovertheyears.Inmytimeattheclub,Irchesterveryrarely keptholdofsomeonewhodidn’tcontributepositivelytotheteam,whether thatwasaplayeroracoach.Wehadsomebrilliantresultsovertheyears, beatingandtakingpointsoffsomereallystrongteamsbystickingtogether, diggingdeepandbeingreallyhardtobeat.ChrisGellepitomisedthatand alwaysmadesurethatwhoeverwewereupagainst,wealwaysmadeithard forthemtoplayfootballagainstusandthatwe’dbetoughtobreakdown. Teamsdidbeatus,buttheybeatuswiththeirqualitynottheirworkrate.Gelly andDanBeamanfosteredareallyniceculturetobepartof,onewherewe couldgooutandplaywithconfidenceandwithoutfear.Bothofthemwerea significantpartastowhyIstayedattheclubforsolong,despitenearly leavingtwice.Whentheydidmoveon,Iverymuchenjoyedworkingwith Mariusandhisteamformylastyearattheclub,especiallywithusbeating somegoodteamsandgettingtoacupfinal.
MylowsatIrchesteraremorepersonallowsthanclublows.Throughoutmy7 years,Icouldnevergetthroughaseasonwithoutasignificantinjury. Hamstring,groin,anklesandtowardstheend,MCLinjuriestobothknees ensuredthatIcouldnevergettomybestfortoolong.Form,fitnessand availabilityarekeytogettingashoutatfirstteamfootballandwiththe constantabsencesitwasveryhardtobreakthroughovertheyears.Theother biglowwasbeinginjuredforthecupfinalinMarius’syearattheclub.Wehad agreatsquadandreallybelievedwecouldwinthatfinal,butwecouldn’tget overthelineontheday.Beinginjuredandnotabletocontributeonthepitch wasoneofmyworstlowsattheclub.
Irchester United RetroRomans DanSmith
lIeftIrchesterinthesummerof2024.Returningtotheclubinpre-season training,itwascleartheclubhadanenormousamountofplayersavailable forjusttwoteams.IthinkatonepointstheIrchestergroupchathadcloseto 80players,soIknewitwasgoingtobetoughtogetminutesinpre-season withsomanyplayerstolookat.MattByfordatHighamaskedifIwouldplayin afriendlyforHighamTownandIagreedandfromthereIneverlookedback.It wasclearthatHighamwererebuildingateamandhadareallysolid foundationoftalentedplayerswhenIarrived.Oneofthetoughestdecisions aboutleavingIrchesterwasthatI’dbeenplayingwithsomeplayersforalong timeandwouldmissplayingwiththem,sowhenHighamandIrchester createdapartnershipthatallowedsomeoftheIrchesterplayerstosignonat Higham,itwasperfect.Itwasdefinitelytherightdecision,I’vereallyenjoyed mytimeatHighamthisyearandamreallyimpressedwithboththecoaches andtheplayersthatwehaveatthisclub.Havinghadasolidstarttothe seasoninacompetitiveleague,I’mreallyexcitedaboutwhatthisgroupcan achieveasweheadintothelastpartoftheseason.
FinallyIwouldliketosaythankyoutoallofthevolunteersthathelptomake Irchestertheclubthatitis.Withoutthethanklessworkofthosebehindthe scenes,theplayingexperiencewouldn’tbeanywherenearasgood.It’sbeena wonderfulandunexpectedseasonforthe1stteam,soI’mwishingthemand thereservesthebestofluckandhopingtheycanfinishtheyearasstronglyas they’vestartedit.
Refereeramblingswith GaryCapps
lgotintorefereeingover33yearsago,afteraninjuryplayingforDesborough TownintheUCLaged30.Iwantedtokeepinvolvedinthegameandwasnot readytogiveupfootballonaSaturday.
IconsideredcoachingbutIcouldnotputupwithparentsinyouthfootball,or thebigkidsinadultfootball!Ithinkwithcoachingkidsyouneedamedalto keepsomeparentshappy.
AndmanagingintheUCLwasn'tforme-ifIwasamanagerorcoachI'dbe sackedformoaningatthereftoomuch!
IwasabitofamoanerasaplayerbutIhavetosayrefsinthosedaysgaveit back...
AsaplayerIthoughtIcoulddoabetterjobthanthemaninthemiddlesoI tookitup.
Ithinkthesedaysalotofrefshaven'tgotgoodmanmanagementskills,so that'swhythecardscomeout.
I'moldschool-Ilovetoseethegameflow,andItalkbanterwiththeplayers. ButIfeeltheFAarepushingsomeofthemthemtooquickintomensfootball andsomehavenotgotit...
Thebestrefsaretheoneswhowanttorefbecausetheyenjoyitandsmileina game-theywanttobetherenotjustforthemoney.IlikeyoungJoeWoolmer -hecameoutwithme,pickeduphowIrefandenjoyedthegame...greatlad.
HowhastheUCL/Spartanchangedsincemyplayingdays?
WellI'mgoingtosayithasgotworse-whenIstartedreffingontheUCLitwas tough.Playersweremorephysicalandwereallowedtobe.Somegoodplayers aroundinthosedaysbutyoucouldtacklethenandgetstuckin.
Thereweresomemanagerswhomadeyourjobhardaswell,suchasSteve Evans.Fromwhenyoucrossedthatlineonthepitchhewantedtowinno matterwhat..butoffthepitchagreatbloke.
IhavetosayIhaveneverhadarealproblemwithmanagers.Ifeelifyoulook fortroubleyouwillgetit.IfIdoanhonestjobthey'rehappy.
PlayersagainareneveraproblembutifIhadtochoosesomeitwouldbe ScottGoodwinandDarrenLynch-twoverycompetitiveplayersinmytime. AlwaysonmycasewhetherIwasrightorwrong!
ClubsIenjoygoingtoareWhitworths-lovethebanterandgreatfoodafter.. alsoSilebyanothergoodclub.RaundsIalsolovegoing..infactIcouldname most,butthesestandoutforme.
Goodplayingsurfaces,nicegrounds,Igetwelllookedafter...
Refereeramblingswith GaryCapps
Mymatchdayritual:Bagandkitreadythenightbefore...checkwithclubsif theweathersnotgreat,andgoodcheckmyassistantsareokforthegame andhavetransport.Travelarrangementsetc....andtryforaearlynightbefore agame..
Thenjustgetuprelax,listentomymusic-SoulMotown,getready,acoffee beforeIgothenoutthedoorreadyforagame.
ThedayshavegonewhenIleftmyhousesay10amfora3pmkickoffwhenI reffedatahigherlevel,andgethomenearlymidnight..stuckontheM25etc.I don'tmissthat.Sonowit'sleavemyhousesay1pmor1:30...gettotheground, meettheSecretary.,getteamsheets,acupofcoffee,getbanterfromthe playerswhentheyseeitsmeturningup...thenalittlewarmupandgameon.
IhavebrieflyretiredbeforebutImissedittoomuch,andmymissusspendsmy moneywhenwe'reoutshoppingsoIprefertobeonafootballpitchona Saturdayinstead.Andihatespendingmoney! I'llcarryonuntilmylegssayno.Mybrainsaysyes;ifIcankeepgoingIwill. UntilIfeelIcan'tgiveanymore!
Enjoyyourfootball,that'swhatit'sallabout....andPLAYON!"
Beaman’s Brainteaserquiz
1) Who is the assistant manager of England under Thomas Tuchel? Anthony Barry
2) Which Dutchman was one of the England coaches under Gareth Southgate? Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank
3) Who did Eddie Howe succeed as Newcastle manager? Steve Bruce
4) Who are currently top of League One? Birmingham City
5) Who are currently top of League Two? Walsall
6) Which Brentford player is their current top scorer with 15 goals? Bryan Mbeumo
7) Which Premier League goalkeeper has the most clean sheets this season? Matz Sels - Nottingham Forest
8) Which Premier League player has had the most touches of the ball this season with 2583? Virgil Van Dijk - Liverpool
9) Which Premier League goalkeeper has made the most saves so far this season? Mark Flekken - Brentford
10) Which Premier League club has lost the most games AND conceded the most goals since the Premier League was formed? Everton
Asweenteranewseason,withlotsofnewfaceseitherplayingfor IrchesterUnitedorvisitingastheopposition,we'dliketogiveawarm welcometoeveryoneandhopeyouenjoyyourtimeatAlfredStreetthis seasonandbeyond.
Maywepostafriendlyreminderofsomeofour"rules",whicharen't hardtofollow,butmakeallthedifferencetooursmallbandof volunteers:
*Nodogsinthegroundplease,apartfromguidedogs
*NoparkingonAlfredStreet-residentsstruggletogetoutoftheir drives.Ifthecarparkisfull(whichVERYrarelyhappens,usethe overflowparkingalongthesideofthepitchbythebungalows-DON'T parkinfrontofthisaccess!)
*Goalkeepers-pleasedon'twarmupinthegoalmouths,we'llgiveyou polestousetowarmupinthecornersofthepitch
*Nooneisallowedintothechangingroomblockapartfromplayers, coachesandofficials.Thisistoprotectpeople'spersonalbelongingsas wellasourownequipmentetc.Everythingwillbelockedduringthe gameunlessaPLAYERneedstogoin.NochildrenforSafeguarding reasons(playersshoweringetc).
*Pleaserespectourfacilities.Don'tcleanyourbootsintheshowers(the mudclogsthedrains),anddon'tbangyourbootsonthewalls-we've justpaintedthem!Doitonthepitchorintooneofthebins...
*Pleasesuperviseyourchildreniftheyattendgames.Thegroundisnot a playground, neither is the clubhouse. We welcome children to watch and support the teams but if you can't see them they might be somewheretheyshouldn'tbe...
* Please don't take beer glasses outside. Broken glass is a danger to players, spectators and children (who play at the ground on Sundays). Plasticpintcupswillbeprovidedifdrinkingoutside.
*Thereisasmokingareaatthebackoftheclubhouse-ifyou'reunsure whereisthenask.NOSMOKINGORVAPINGINTHECLUBHOUSE.
*Ifaballgoesintosomeone'sgarden,pleasedon'tclimbtheirfenceto get it. Either go round and knock (through the alley by the rec), or wait forthemtothrowitbackover.Anyonedamagingpropertywillbeasked topayforrepairs.
*andlastly......don'tcutthesocks!
https://www.thefa.com/get.involved/respect
https://www.thefa.com/get.involved/respect
https://www.thefa.com/get.involved/respect
https://www.thefa.com/get.involved/respect