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
2024-25FirstTeamManagement:
Managers -LiamLeonard&TrentWoodley
AssistantManagers-MitchTuzzeo&KallanYearwood
2024-25ReserveTeam:
Managers-DevenEllwood&MattBrown
2024-25Under18'sManagement:
Manager-RobJones
AssistantManagers-MarkTruman&JakeThomas
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
IrchesterUnited Todaysvisitors-Whitworth
ThemostrecentandaccuratehistoryofWhitworthFootballClubisthatthey wereformedin1973asaresultofthedisbandingofWellingboroughIdeal ClothiersFootballClub.MostoftheClothierswerealsoplayingfortheVictoria MillersSundayFootballClubandapproachedMr.DaveWoodleyaboutforming anewSaturdayClub.TheresultwastheformingofWhitworthFC,with, amongstothers,DaveWoodley,ChrisBeaver,BrianHiggins.RichardCroxen, PaddyBeaver&GrahamEdmundsasthefounders.
TheclubbeganlifeintheRushdenandDistrictLeaguewithlimitedsuccess. However,intheseasonof1975/76,their3rdyear,theClubwerecrowned LeagueChampions.Thisfeatwasrepeatedthefollowingyear,wheninthat season(1976/77),theteamdroppedonly8pointsfrom30games.Asaresultof theirsuccess,theClubweremovedintotheEastMidlandsAlliancePremier Division,wheretheyplayedfor8years.Whilsttheyneverwonthetitle,theydid finishashighas2ndandwerewinnersofthe“MuntonCup”ontwooccasions. Onwinningthe“MuntonCup”forthesecondtime,apieceofhistorywasmade, nevertoberepeated.AtatimewhenReserveteamswereabletoentersenior competitions,bothourteamsgottothefinalwiththeReservesrecordingan incredible6-1victory.Reserveteamswereneverpermittedtoenterthecup again.
In1985,withextensivegroundimprovementscompleted,WhitworthFCwere acceptedintotheUnitedCountiesLeagueDivisionOne.Overthenextfifteen yearswedevelopedintoasolidUCLclub.Thefirstteamfinishedrunnersupin the1996/97season.TheClubenjoyedothersuccesshavingwontheJuniorCup in1995/96andhavereachedtheSemi-Finalon3otherseparateoccasions,the mostrecentbeingthe2002/03season.OurReserveTeamwonDivisionTwoin 1986/87andagainin1995/96.TheyhavealsoreachedthefinalofTheLeague Cupin1986/87andtheLowerJuniorCupin2004/05andweresemi-finalistsin 1986/87and1995/96.WhitworthFootballClubalsowonthe“FairPlay”Awardin 1991/92
Intheseasonof2002/03,whenfacingextremefinancialdifficulties,the FootballClubcommitteewasreorganisedwithseveralnewfacesbroughtin. Thatseasonandthefollowingone,2003/04,theclubspenttimedefininganew directionaswellascreatingfinancialstability.In2004/05,withamixtureof experienceandyouth,theReservesfinishedRunners-upinDivisionTwoaswell asreachingthefinaloftheLowerJuniorCup.ThefirstteamfinishedRunnersupinDivisionOne,beatenonlyongoaldifferencebySilebyRangers.
IrchesterUnited Todaysvisitors-Whitworth
In2005/06wehadanotherstrongseason,finishing3rd..Thatseason’s highlightbeingourChristmasEvehomefixturewithWellingborough Town 2004whereacrowdof1150watchedthegame.Thisgaterepresentsthe highestconfirmedattendanceforanyfixtureinWellingborough.
Season2006/07wasourstrongestyet.UndertheguidanceofJoeSmyth,we wondivision1,goingunbeatenthroughthewholecampaignafeatnot achievedatthislevelinover100years.Itwasalsoachievedwithasquad whoseaverageagewasaround22yearsold.Promotionwasdeniedbecause wedidnothavefloodlights.Thisseasonalsosawayouthsectionaddedtothe clubwith5teamsintheWeetabixleague.
Afteradisappointing2007/08season.2008/09sawtheclubtakesignificant stridesinattemptingtotaketheclubtothenextlevel.Theclubinstalled floodlights&a100seaterstand,awalkwayaroundthewholepitchensuring thatthegroundmetthegroundgradingforpromotionshouldtheopportunity ariseagain.ThegroundwasalsorenamedTheVictoriaMillGround
The2011/12seasonwasabittersweetoneasonOctober18th2011,our clubhousewasdestroyedbyarsonists,thecommitteeralliedaround&thanks toJulianSousteratemporarybuildingwasbuiltnearthepitchsothattheclub couldfunctionandfulfiltheseasonwithoutdisruption.Onthepitch,the reservesendedtheSeasonasNorthantsLowerJuniorCupwinnersaswellas UCLReserveLeagueCupwinnersundertheguidanceofMartinGoodes& JamesDaldy.
The2012/13seasonwasamixedoneaswell,whilstthe1stteamhada disappointingone,thereservesfinishedinrunnersupspot.The2013/14season sawtheReserveswintheLowerJuniorCup.
The2014/15seasonsawtheopeningofthenewclubhousethankstomoney raisedbytheclubalongsidemoneyfromtheFootballFoundation.Ourleague positionsthisseason&thefollowing2015/16seasonwereunsatisfactory, includingthereservesendingtheseasoninlastplaceinthelatter Priortothe2016/17season,clubstalwartDaveWoodleypassedawaybutina fittingmemorytohimthefirstteamunderJamesMallowsleadership,finished theseasonintheRunnersuppositionandgainedpromotiontotheUCL Premierdivisionforthefirsttime.TheReservesendedtheseasoninfourth placebutonceagainwontheNorthantsLowerJuniorCup.
IrchesterUnited Todaysvisitors-Whitworth
Season2017/18sawthefirstteamsecuretheirPremierDivisionstatusongoal differenceandtheReservesendedtheseasonin11thplace.
TheFirstTeamstruggledin2018/19andwererelegatedbackintoDivisionOne, withSimonAndersontakingontheManagersrolewhilstJamesMallowshadto takeastepbackunderverysadcircumstances. 2019/20Seasonseesthe returnofJamestothefold,takingontheroleoffirstteammanageragain,only forthisseason&thefollowingonetobeunfinishedduetotheCovid19 pandemic.
The2021/22seasonsawmanyoftheyoungplayersthathavecomethrough theU16andU18Teamsoverthelastcoupleofseasonsplayingacrossthe 1st/ReservesandATeams,aswellasTwoU18’steams.Thefirstteamfinished theseasonin5thplaceandintheplayoffs,unfortunatelytheylostthefinal andremainintheSpartanSouthMidlandsLeagueDivision1nextseason.The Reservesendedtheirseasonin8thpositionwhilsttheAteamfinishedin6th place.
The2022/23seasonwasatougheronethanthepreviousone.Thefirstteam struggledtogetanypositiveresultsinthefirsthalfoftheseasonbutpickedup enoughinthe2ndhalftofinishin13thplace.UnfortunatelytheAteamhadto foldmidseasonduetolackofavailability.
The2023/24seasonwasour50thSeasonasaclub&wassoclosetobeinga goldenseason.Despitelosingafewplayerspreseason,ManagerJames Mallowswashappytoplayalargenumberofu18playersduringtheseason.We hadonlylost1leaguegameattheendof2023,thenthreeoftheyoungsters Jameshadblooded&developedweretemptedawaybyhigherlevelclubs.This affectedusforawhile&afewgameswerelost,howeverJamesputhisfaithin somemoreofouru18players&wegotourselvesintotheplayoffsafterfinishing in5thplace.Unfortunately,welostourplayoffsemifinal3-1atNorthampton SilebyRangersTheReservesfinishedin8thplace.
Inthis50thseason,RichardCroxen,BrianHiggins,ChrisBeaver&Paddy Beaverarestillinvolvedintherunningoftheclub,Whatfantasticservicethey havegiven.TheclubheldaCharitydayonSaturday28thMaytocelebratethe 50years,thiswassuperblysupportedbypeoplethathadbeenassociatedwith thecluboverthistime.Thankstothis,over£13,500wasraised&splitbetween twocharitieswithlinkstotheclub,Kelley’sHeroes&TheMaxwellMallows Foundation.
IrchesterUnited Co-Chairman’sNotes withChrisGell
WebidawarmAlfredStreetwelcometoourvisitorsWhitworths,andtotheofficials fortoday’sgame.
Whitworthshavehadamixedbagofresultsbutcapableofsomeverygoodones, includingtherecentwinoverDesborough,soIknowthiswillbeaverykeenly contestedgame,toughforbothsidesandwithmostgamesatAlfredStreetthis seasonhopefullyagoodwatch
Whilsttheclubasawholeisenjoyingafantasticseasonandonewehopewill continuethewayit’sgoing,personallyit’sbeenmytoughestseasontobeinvolved attheclub
DuetopersonalissuesIhaven’tattendedanywherenearasmanygamesasI’dlike, howeverIhavehadthefortuneinthelastfewweekstogetmyselfbacktogether andatafewmoregames.IsawthereservesathometoBuckinghamandand mostrecentlythefirstteamathometoLetchworth.
Ithoughtthefirstteamgamewasfantastic,infullcontrolofthegameand thoroughlydeservedthewin.IhavetosayLetchworthbroughtafewfanswhich wasgreattosee ThereservesagainstBuckinghamwasslightlydifferentinits result,howeverasaclubIthinkwecanallappreciatetheworkgoingintothe reservesandthedevelopmentofplayersonandoffthepitchthatcontinuesto growtheclub It’snocoincidencethatEllisChapmanwhoplayedwellinthat Buckinghamgamedespitetheresultthenstartedforourfirstteamagainst Letchworth,thisisatestamenttohimasaplayerbutalsothecoachesfromboth teamsinhowtheyworkandruntheclub
Ialsowantedtomentiontheimprovementinthematchdayexperienceattheclub, leadbythecommitteewithsupportfromthecoachesandplayers Beingatboth gameswasajoy,areallygoodexperienceandthecrowdsandgateattendances areshowingthat
Amazingworkfromthesponsorshipteamsarrangingandsortingsponsorsfor playersandmatchballsandtheground,butallthisworkjustkeepsusgoing,there isalwaysmoretodo
Ijustwantedtoshowmyappreciationtoallattheclu goneinsofar Thesuccessisnoaccidentandshould
cChris Gell Co-Chairman
IrchesterUnited JasonThompson
ThankstoDanforaskingmetosayafewwordsaboutmytimespentat IrchesterandWhitworthFCandGlyn&Liamfortheirsupportinraising awarenessforKelly’sHeroescharity.
Duringtheearly80’smySaturdayswouldbespentwatchingmyDad(Mick Thompson)playingoalforIrchesterunderacoupleofveryvocalmanagers JonnyMayesandMelLloyd,whousedtoscarethelifeoutofme!
Iwouldbeeitherstandingnexttohisgoal,fetchingtheballfromthefieldor playingfootballwiththe“Feeman’s”Matty,MartinandCarl.Sixorseven hourseveryhomegamewouldbespentoutsideonlygoingintotheclubfora bottleofpopandapacketofcrispsandIlovedeveryminuteofit!Theclub washeavilyfocussedonthecricketteamatthetime,andwewouldoftenbe shoutedatshouldafootballeverrollacrossthecricketsquare
Theawaygameswereabitdifferent;DadwouldoftenaskTimmyMaguireto keepaneyeonusyoungstersandthatwasalifeexperienceinitself!Timmy hadaknackofwindinguptheoppositionandavaguelyrecallbeingchased aroundbysomeolderladsthankstohissenseofhumour!
Ineverwantedtomissagame,Irchesterhadagreatcupruninthe81/82 season TheyplayedStevenageBoroughawayinthe¼final,asitwasa midweekgameIwasnotallowedtogoduetoschool.Therewasnosocial mediainthosedayssoIstayedawakeuntilDadgothometofindoutthe score,insteadofbeingangryhecouldnotwaittotellmeabouthissavein thepenaltyshoot-outandthattheywerethroughtothesemis!
IrchesterUnited JasonThompson
Around1984/5Dadretiredfromplayingandtookoverasmanagerofthefirst teamassistedbyhisgreatfriendEddieHughes.Iwouldgoandwatch traininginmidweekoftenjoiningin,duringthewintermonthsrunningwould takeplacebythebungalowsfollowedbyagameinthecarpark,playersdo notrealisehowgoodtheyhaveitnowadays!Theybuiltacompetitiveteam withtophalffinishes;thiswasagreatachievementconsideringthedepleted squadtheyinherited.
After2seasonsDadsteppeddownfromhisrole,ironicallythefirstweekafter this,heansweredanSOStocomeoutofretirementandplayhisfirstgamein twoseasons.(Duetoinjuries/cuprules.)Thiswasthelastthinghewantedto dobutcouldnotletaclubdownthathehadsomuchrespectfor FollowingashortsabbaticalDadmovedontoWhitworthFC,theodd appearanceplaying,helpingwiththemanagementteambeforefinally movingontothecommittee.MySaturdaysforthenextcoupleofyears remainedsimilartothoseatIrchester,playingfootballoutsideforhourson endoftengracingthe“Wembley”surfaceoftheschoolnextdoor,muchto theirannoyance.ItwasherethatImetagreatbunchoflads,severalof whichhaveremainedfriendsforlife.
MyfirstinvolvementwiththeWhitworthcommitteecamewhenmyson, JacobwasplayingforMickyGarsideintheU15’sandayearlaterIbecame treasurerforthesenioryouthteams.Acoupleofgreatseasonsfollowed, MickyalongwithClarkMorrowputtogethertwoofthebestyouthteamsin thecountywithafewofthoseplayerslikelytobeinvolvedtoday
IrchesterUnited JasonThompson
Arealeyeopenerformewashowmuchworkgoesonbytheunpaid volunteersandcommitteemembersbehindthescenes,alwaysstrivingto improvefacilitiesforplayersandspectatorsalike.Sponsorshipand fundraisinghasbecomeincreasinglydifficultovertheyearsandtheyensure everypennyraisedisspentintherightareas.Itwasfantastictoseefourof thecommitteerecentlyacknowledgedbytheFAfor50years'servicetolocal football,anincredibleachievement.
Thisseasonbothclubsappearmorealignedwiththeiraimsforthefuture, providinglocalladswithapathwaytoseniorfootball,thisisoftenpromised byclubsbutrarelymaterialises. Thealignmentcontinuesoffthefield,whenIinitiallyproposedtoMarshyand Liamaboutusingtoday’sgametohelppromoteKelly’sHeroescharitythey wereininstantagreement Thiswasbackedupbythecommitteeswhowant toensurethatallplayers,spectators,andvolunteersknowthathelpisat handshouldtheyeverneedit,acredittobothclubs.
Kelly’sHeroesisamenta thedevastatinglossofK IrchesterplayerJohnHe forbothclubs.Withboth seemedtheidealgame valuablefunds,theyare anddonationstocontin Furtherinformationcan https://kellysheroesorg https://www.kellys-heroe
IrchesterUnited Viewsfromthestandswith
SteveWillett
Goodafternooneveryone,mynameisSteveWillettandiamarecentrecruit totheIrchesterUnitedsupportersclub,buthaveabsolutelyloveditsofar. Afterwhatcanonlybedescribedasaverylowkeyfootballcareermyselfi wasconvertedtoaSaturdayafternoonnonleaguewatcherwhenmy middlesonDanielmovedintoadultfootball StartingwithSouthMidsDiv2 footballatOldBradwellbeforeafterafewseasonshemoveduptoplayin theSouthMidsPremwithNewportPagnell.Attemptingtowatchasmuchas waspossiblebothhomeandawayvisitingsomelovelygroundsandmeeting somebrilliantpeople.
AtthestartofthisseasonDanielannouncedhewassigningforIrchesterto getsomemoregametimeandiwasdelighted Havingasoftspotforthe clubsinceplayingcricketforthevillageintheearly90siwaskeentocome backandfollowthefootballteam Thefacilitieshavechangedquiteabitin thelast30yearswithenormousimprovementbothinsidetheclubhouseand aroundtheground.
Ihavebeenmassivelyimpressedwiththefootballteamtoo Playingsome attractive,fastpaced,attackingfootballthathasbeengreattowatch.The philosophyofthemanagementteamonyouthplusacoupleofolderheads seemstobeworkingbrilliantlywiththesideoutplayingthemajorityofother sidesandatleastmatchingsomeverygoodteams. Iamverymuchlookingforwardtotherestoftheseasonandicantseewhy ‘Irchy’cantgocloseatthetopofthetablecomeApril.Eitherwayiwillbe therecheeringonfromthesidelinesofferingencouragementtotheteam andadvicetothereferee!Lastlyinmytimewatchinglocalfootballit becameapparenthowmuchallteamsrelyonthevolunteerstofunction andbecomesuccessful.Peopledoingendlessamountofjobs,oftenunseen, toensurethefootballteamcanbeasgoodasitcanbe Sopersonallyfrom meiwouldliketothankeveryoneatIrchesterforallyoudotoallowpeople likemetoturnupandsupporttheteam,andtoallowmysontoturnupand playonacarpetofahomepitch.Seeyouonthesidelines.
UptheIrch!
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withU18manager
RobJones
Ifyouknowme,youknowI'mabitofajoker,veryrarelyserious&almost alwayshappy&smiling This"IS"oftentherealme,oratleastthemeI wantpeopletoknow&themeIwantmykids&grandkidstolove& enjoybeingaround.Thefactsarenothingcouldbefurtherfromthe truthattimes.
I'veactuallysufferedwithseveredepressionforalittleover16yrsnow.It startedwithabreakdown,thinkingIwouldlosemykidsaftermy marriagebreakup&itcontinuedbymethinkingnobodyactuallyliked meincludingmy"friends"thinkingI'dfailedateverything&Iwas pointless&useless.
Thisculminatedinmebeingmomentsawayfromdrivingintoalake, havingstrappedmyselfintomytruck.
PrettygloomyforXmasIknow butbarewith
ThankfullyIhadaphonecallfrommy8yearoldaskingif“wecouldgo tofootballtomorrow".FortunatelyIsuddenlyrealisedwhatIwasdoing &drovestraighttothedoctorsinstead.
Thenextfewmonthsweretheworstofmylife,butwiththerighthelpI gotthroughit&haveawonderfulfamily&adecentlife........
Lotsofthingshavechangedsincethen&itcanbeadailybattleat timesasthedemonsarealwaysjustaroundthecorner ButI'velearnedtocopewithitmostly&lifeisgood.
Somovingon,thereasonforsharingthisstorypubliclyforthefirsttime everisnotforsympathyorpatsontheback.Ihavethehelp&supportI need.t'sforyou,yourfriends&theirfriends.Ifyouarestrugglingto cope,feellow,feeluseless,feellikethere'snolightattheendofthe tunnelorevenconstantlytired&readytogiveup.Therearethingsyou cando
Therearepeoplewhowillhelp&therecertainlyarebetterdaysahead
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withU18manager
RobJones
Idon'twantthistosoundgeneric,soIcanonlytellyouaboutthethings Iwouldhavemissed&howthatstillscaresmenow,especiallythetimeI spendwithmytwograndchildren. ButtheonethingthatcompletelyreassuresmethatIdidtheright thingisknowingthepainInearlycausedtomyfamily,friends& especiallymykids.
Pleasedon'tsufferinsilence,evenifyoudon'thavefamily,there'sso mucharoundthecorner.It'sneverasbadasyouactuallythink. Mylifechangedcompletely,there'sabsolutelynoreasonyourscan't also.Youcaneventalktomeifneeded.
I’vebeenaskedtosharemycurrentsituationthisseason.WhichifI'm totallyhonestit'soneIdon'tfullyunderstand
Takingovertheressies&18swasabigchallenge.ButoneIfully expectedtosucceedin Althoughoverthespaceofamonthoncethe seasonstartedIcompletelylostallconfidence.IfeltIwasn'trespected, feltIwasn'tgoodenough,feltIwasn'trated&feltIcouldn'tcoach. Istartedforgettingdrills,formations,subs,teamtalks&lotsmorebasic stuff.I'dcompletelylostmymojo.Myheadwasallovertheplace. SoIthoughtitwasjustoverload.Isteppedawayfromtheressiesinthe hopethingswouldease Howeververylittlechanged,soIgottothe stagewhereIcouldn'tfacegoing&itwasmakingmephysically& mentallyill.
FortunatelywiththeamazinghelpofTruey&Jake,theyguidedmeto stepawayacoupleofmonthsago.
Istillcan'texplainitcompletely,Ijustcouldn'tfaceitanymore&I’venot beentoagamesince.
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withU18manager
RobJones
Idesperatelymissthelads&constantlyfeelIletthemdown Butthey've mademefeelbetterbyperformingexcellentlyforeachother.
I'minasafeplacenow,notdepressedorespeciallylow. HoweverIhavesomehowdevelopedananxiety&almostan agoraphobiaattimes.
OnceI'mout&workingI'mgreat,butwhenIfinishIjustwanttoget hometomysanctuary&relax
Spendingtimewithmyfamilyhasbecomeparamount&it'sagreat placetobe,plusTrueychecksonmeregularly ����
AgainIcan'texplainit,butIfeeltheonlywayIcouldpossiblyhelp anyoneistobehonest
Againnosympathyneeded,Ijustwantpeopletorealisethey'renot alone&there'sallkindsofhelpinmanydifferentplaces.
I'mactuallygreatwiththosesuffering,justrubbishwithmyself.Go figure.Lovetoall&gosteadyxx
IrchesterUnited Firstteamcoachnoteswith MitchTuzzeo
GoodafternooneveryoneandwelcometoAlfredStreet,especiallythosewhohave madethetripfromRoyston.
Asit’smyfirstcolumnoftheseasonI’llgiveyoualittlebackstoryaboutmeforthose whodon’tknowme.GrowingupIwasapromisingyoungfootballerandlikepretty mucheveryonethoughtIwasgoingtomakeit.Ispent6monthstriallingatDerby Countyat14,beforebeingreleasedandthensignedbyRushden&Diamondsona2 yearyouthcontract.ForthosethatrememberthecentreofexcellenceatNenePark you’llknowhowsuperbthefacilitieswerebutmytimeatDiamondswasseverely plaguedwithinjuryandIspentalotofmytimeonthephysiotable.Iplayedatsome fantasticgroundsaroundthecountrythoughandplayedwithsomeunrealtalent.
Aftermy16thbirthdayIwasreleasedfromDiamondsandjoinedupwithColin Ridgway,gafferatthenewlyreformedWellingboroughTownu18s. Wewereverygoodbutunfortunatelyneverwonthesenioryouthleaguetitle,coming 2ndtwicebehindCorbyTownandKetteringTown. IthenspentthenextfewyearsintheseniorsideatWellingboroughTownfirstlywith ColinRidgway,wherewegainedpromotiontotheUCLPreminourfirstseasoninDiv1 andthenwithNickAshbywhobroughtinaplethoraofgoldenoldiessuchasAndy Peaks,DarrenCollinsandTimWoodingwhichwasamazingformeafterIhadgrown upwatchingthemallplayasayoungster!
Sincethen,IhadabriefspellinSomerset,buthaveprettymuchbeenaneverpresent intheUCLplayingforWellingboroughWhitworth,IrchesterUnitedandRushden& Higham,andfinishingupatEarlsBartonintheNorthantsCombination.I’vehadsome brillianttimesduringmyplayingdays,madesomeunbelievablefriendsandwouldn’t changeanyofit(apartfrombeingsoinjurypronemaybe).SadlyIendeduptearing myACLattheageof36whichforcedmeintoretirement,muchtothereliefofmywife I’msure,asIstillthoughtIhadabitandwouldhavetriedtocarryonforever.
InthesummerireceivedaphonecallfromLiamLeonardaskingifIwantedtobe involvedinthenewmanagementteamatIrchesterUnitedandIdidn’thavetogiveit asecondthought.AlthoughstillhurtingfromthethoughtofneverplayingagainI couldn’twaittogetgoingwiththeboysandIdidn’thavetowaitlongtogetthat Saturdaybuzzback!!We’veputtogetherafantasticgroupoflocalladsandcurrently sittopofthepile,provingalotofpeoplewrongfromthestartoftheseason.
IrchesterUnited Firstteamcoachnoteswith MitchTuzzeo
Ontotoday’sgame,(hopefullyIhaven’tboredyoutoomuchandyou’restillreading). WewelcomeWellingboroughWhitworth,whoareingoodformasoflatethemselves. Theyhavewontheirlast3intheleague,andareunbeatenin90minutesintheirlast6 gamesinallcompetitions.Theladswillbetoldthattheyshouldtakenonoticeof whereWhitsarecurrentlysittinginthetable,IrchestervsWhitworthisalwaysatough gameforbothsides,andtheywilllovetryingtoruintheChristmasparty!Thiswill alwaysbeamassivegameformepersonallyhavingspentmostofmyplayingdaysat bothclubs.JamesMallowsandRyanBaxterhavealsobeenlifelongfriendsofmine too,andhopefullytodayI’llhaveallthebraggingrightsafterthegame!
Unavailabilitylatelyhascausedustobealittlebitfrustratedandit’sshowninafew ofourperformancesaswe’vestruggledtogainrhythm,albeititstillpickingup3 points.
Credittotheboysthough,attimeswe’vehadtodigverydeeptogetourwinsand ladshavecomeinandhadtostepupandshowuswhatthey’reaboutandwhythey deservetokeeptheirshirts.Althoughweliketoplaygoodlookingfootballand entertaintheirchylocals,sometimesit’sjustaboutgrindingoutanuglywin. PersonallyIthinkwestillhaveafewmorelevelstoreachyet,andwhenwehopefully haveafullyfit,availablesquadagaintheresdefinitelyexcitingtimesahead!We playedverywellinthesecondhalflastweekagainstLangfordtoturnwhatcould havebeenatrickyawayfixtureintoaverycomfortablewin.Hopefullywecantake thatsecondhalfintotoday’sgameandstartwell.
Let’shopeweturnitontodayforeveryoneatAlfredStreetandproducean entertaininggameforyoualltowatch.Allthebesttoourvisitorsfortodayandfor therestoftheseasonandhopeyouallhaveasafejourneyhome.UptheIrch!!
IrchesterUnited Reservesfeaturewith co-manager
DevenEllwood
Starting my new role as manager for Irchester Utd Reserves for the first time has been exciting. The move away from being a player to a manager came with its own set of challenges, especially when it came to coaching adults. In those first weeks, I quickly realised that managing a team of adults needed a different approach compared to coaching kids as I have done. My mindset shifted and I’m now having more discussions rather than delivering instructions. One of the most biggest take aways for me so far has been valuing the importance of building relationships. I’m making it a priority to get to know each player, understanding their strengths and how we can grow better as a team. Having the lads feel comfortable sharing their opinions matters the most so we stay engaged and on the game.
I’ve started planning different sessions and strategies to accommodate different abilities to help improve player development. Each training session has given Matt and myself the opportunity to reflect on our strengths and weaknesses as a team.
Overall, the early weeks of my managerial journey have been great and I’ve discovered a lot about myself so far, and look forward to continuing this journey and seeing us develop further on and off the field.
It seems to working well with Matt and myself; good cop bad cop relationship. We have now added Mark Anderson to the coaching team who will be a key member with his knowledge of youth players and bringing them into adult football. Up the Irch!
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
ChrisGell
IwantedtoputsomethingtowardsthiseventasIamverygladthatboth clubswhocanberivalsonafootballpitchcancometogethertoarrange awarenessofthissubject
Iwantedtosharesomeofmyrecentexperienceofmentalhealthwithoutit cominginmyacrossasselfpromotinginanyway.
Until7monthsagoIhadasuccessfulcareerinhealthandsocialcare.Ihave supportedawiderangeofpeoplewithawiderangeofneedsasasupport workerinitially,thenateamleader,amanagerandmostnotablyanarea managerof10homesacrossthecountry,allverysuccessfulandnotwithout itsstressesbutIenjoyedithugelyandwheneveranyoneaskedmeIthought thatIwoulddothatfortherestofmyworkinglife Howeverlifehadother plansasitoftendoes.Thecompanyihadworkedfor,for12years,invarious differentseniormanagementroleshadanewCEOtakeoverwithanew visionandanewplan.ThisinvolvedarestructureandlongstoryshortIwas maderedundant,thisknockedmyconfidencemorethanIrealised,Istill wentontosuccessfullymanageanother2homesbutthen7monthsagolife tookover,IfoundmyselfsuddenlyunabletodothejobIhaddonefor20 years,whetheritwasstress,depression,anxietyoramixtureofall3,Iwas suddenlyleftinahorribleparalysingpositionwhereIjustcouldn’tfunction andeverythingwasastruggle.
Ihadtoleavemyjobafterbeingsignedoffsick,whichhasneverhappened inmycareer,otherthanacoupleofsillyfootballinjuries.SoIfoundmyself satinmyhouseduringthedayhavingcompletedNetflixthinking“thisisnot whoIam,Ineedtopushback.”Doctorswereamazinglyhelpful,Iwasoffered support,theimportantpeopleinmylifeandsomeotherpeoplewho surprisedmehavebeenimmenseformeandalthoughi’mnotquiteyetback towhereIwas,it’salotclearerthepathahead.Whenthatvoicecomesthat tellsyouthatyoucan’tandyouarenotgoodenough,rememberallthe peoplethattellyouthatyoucanandhowmuchyoumeantothem
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
ChrisGell
Thereasonforthatlongwindedstoryisthatatthetimeoftheseissuesinmy lifealsocamethetimewhenmyfootballcareerhasalsocometoanend.I wonderinreflectionhowdifferentlyIwouldhavehandledallthesethings thathavehappenedifIwasstillplayinganditmayseemsillyorastrange thingtosaybutfootballgavemefarmorethanjustabitofexerciseor somethingtodo
Iwasneverthebestfootballer,afteraveryillustriousearlycareer,Ihavewon verylittleinfootball,butwhatfootballgavemewassomuchmore.Itwasa releaseofanger/frustrationfromthestressoflife.AsapersonIampretty quietbutasafootballerIfeelmoreconfidentandabletobelouderand bolder.FootballgavemeaninnerconfidencethatIhaven’tfoundanywhere else.Iwaspartofsomething,mymatesandIwouldgointobattletogether everygame,wewouldn’talwayswinbutwewoulddoittogetherandsomeof mystrongestfriendshipsareforgedthroughfootball.
Ienvytoday’sfootballersinawayastheworldhasmadeeverythingsomuch moreaccessible,socialmediaandthewayclubsarerunnow,thestandards aresohighintermsoffacilitiesandsafetyandofficialsandcommitteesand welfareofficers,thelistgoeson,comparedtohowitwasforme,oneman andhisdogranmyyouthteam.
Soembraceallthesepeoplearoundyoubutmoreimportantthananything, neverfeelthatyouareonyourown Thereisalwaysalisteningeararound, someoldwashedupexfootballerwhomightjustknowatrickortwothat couldhelpyou.
Nomattertheproblem,neverbeonyourownwithit,asmenitisproventhat wearenotgoodenoughatreachingout,butwhoeveryouareit’sonlyusthat canchangethat,therightpeoplearetheretolisten,youjusthavetotake thatfirsttoughstep.
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
ChrisGell
Aswitheverythinginlifeweneedapositivespintofinish.OnethingIdon’t envyaboutmoderndayfootballersistheamountofyellowandredcards flyingaboutfornothingchallengesrightnow
Iwasn’taplayerthatwastoophysicalorconfrontationalbutIthinkevenI wouldstruggletostayonthepitchnowadays.Iwatchedagametheother daywith8yellowcards,6forus,andIthinkIsawonebadtackle
Onthatnote,leavetherefereealonetoday,theyarethereasonthegameof footballisgoingahead,respectcostsnothing.Youneverknowwhattheyare goingthroughtoo.
IrchesterUnited U18roundupwith
JakeThomas
AcoldeveningatAlfredStreetsawustakeonRaundsU18forour secondencounteroftheseason.Thefirstwasa5-5thriller,with bothteamsfiringonallcylinders. Thistime,wewantedtobuildonthatresult.Winningthesecondhalf ofthefirstgame4-1gaveusthatbeliefthatwecouldgetaresultif weputintheeffortandwereatthetopofourgame.
Irchesterwereaggressivefromthestart.Astrongchallengefrom midfielderAlfieGreenesetthetone,asourladswereclearlyupfor thislocalclash.
4minutesin,CordellOthmanwonafreekickinadangerouswide area.HarryAnderson’swhippedcrosswasturnedhomebycentre backRohanRamphultogiveustheearly1-0lead.
Thefirsthalfwaseven,withRaundsseeingmoreoftheballinspells andtherewasn’tmuchbetweenthesides.Raundscapitalisedonan Irchesterlossofpossessioninourhalf.Athroughballwasnicely finished,bringingthegameto1-1inthe10thminute. Anotherfree-kicksawRohanbaghisbrace,pouncingonalooseball intheboxtoreturnourlead.HT2-1.
Thesecondhalfiswherewereallygotagripofthegame.TheIrchy boyscontinuedtobeloudandstronginthechallenge,andwereally startedtoplayourbeststuff.SubstituteRileyWoodhadanamazing impactinthemidfield,layingoffpasseswithanincrediblesuccess rate.
Thefeistyaffairwascontinued,asRaundshadaplayersentofffora secondyellowinaroundthe65thminute.Raundsdidn’tgointotheir shell,andkepttotheirphilosophyinanattempttoequalise.
IrchesterUnited U18roundupwith
JakeThomas
Theboys,manyofwhomare16,showedoutstandingmaturityaswe controlledthelast25minutesofthegame.Raunds’keepermade somegreatsaves,preventingIrchesterfromrunningawaywiththe game.Thedepletedoppositionallowedustocontrolthemidfield, andyoungdebutantRonnieAuvachewascausingallsortsof problemsonthebreak.Hismagicoffthebenchwasrewardedlate on,ashecutinandstruckfromoutsidethebox,securingthe3 pointsforIrchesterinthe86thminute.
Bigshoutouttoourdefensiveunit,withBenHession,Chester l’Anson,RohanRamphul,AlfieGreenandcaptainAlfieDayall lasting90minutes.Theylockeddownthedefenceandgaveusa greatfoundationtobuildon.
ManoftheMatch:RohanRamphul-abracefromcentreback,and agoal-preventingtackleishardtoarguewith!
MeandMarkareextremelyproudoftheboys’performance.Theydid everythingweaskedforandmore,withatotallydeservedvictory goingintothenewyear.Thisresultmeanswewonourfinal2league gamesof2024,whichwe’relookingtobuildonnextyear.
Congratulationstoalltheboys,UpTheIrch ❤
Age:27
Irchester United Meettheplayers LewisFisher
Position:Goalscoringmidfielder
Formerclubs:WhitworthsandEarlsBarton
Clubyousupport:ManchesterUnited
Bestmomentinfootball:Winningacoupleoftrophiesovertheyears
Worstmomentinfootball:Nothingworsethanlosingacupfinal
Closestteammate:ZakWard
Favouritefilm:Snatch
Favouritemusicartist:N/A
Favouritemeal:GottobeMagicChefchineseinIrchester
Tellussomethingnotmanypeopleknowaboutyou:Ihave6brothersanda sister(noneofthemareasgoodatfootballasme)
ThoughtsonIrchesterUnited:Greatclubandsetup.Reallyenjoyedmy timeheresofar,justhopewecanstayconsistentenoughtocompetewith allthebigbudgetsintheSpartan
Bestadvicegiveninfootballandwhoby:You’llenjoyfootballalotmore playingwithyourmatesforfreethanplayingwithrandompeopleforafew quid-LewisFisher
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withformerplayer TobyCottam
SinceafairlyyoungageIwasawareIwas“different”.Ifoundsocialising difficultandstruggledtoreadsocialcues,makefriendsandfitin.Onthe pitchwhetheritwastheparknearmyhome,thetraininggroundormatches fortheschool,cubsandlaterforlocalteams,footballwasaplaceIfoundI wasabletofeelrelativelynormalandthosethingsIstruggledwithdidn’t mattersomuch,asmyabilityonthepitchwaswhatwasnoticed
Nowinmymid40’s,I’mopenaboutmymentalhealthchallengesasitstill,all toooften,feelslikeataboosubjectespeciallyinyoungboys.ThosethingsI struggledwith(andstilldo)werebecauseIhaveahiddenmentaldifference. HighfunctioningASD(Autism)andmostprobably(althoughundiagnosed) ADHD.Botharespectrumdisorderssoforsomeitisexternallyvisibleto anyone,butformanyitisn’t,andtheyareoftenjustseenasdifficultor different
Whetherit’saperpetualfeeling“different”orlifeeventschallengingus, mentalhealthcanbeastruggleforanyone,evenmoresoforthosewhofind daytodaysocialinteractionsmorecomplex,andItrytobeopenaboutthe factI’vehadmyowndifficulties(andstilldo)withmentalhealth Thoseofus withASDorADHDcanfindcriticismcrippling,socialenvironments exhaustingandchangedebilitating.Thishasleadtomebattlingdepression andanxietyformanyyears,andItwasn’tuntilmy30’sthatIacceptedI neededhelpandfinallyfoundanswerstowhyIdidn’t“fitin”andfounda placetoopenlytalkaboutit
I’vebeenfortunatethatmymentaldifferencehasn’tpreventedmefrom appearingrelativelynormalfromtheoutside Havingenjoyed10years playingintheUCLforRaunds,IrchesterandBugbrooke,Iwouldbesurprised ifmorethanahandfulofplayers,managersandcoacheswereawareofmy mentalhealthbattles
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withformerplayer
TobyCottam
Beingopenaboutmyownmentalhealthhashelpedothersaroundmetalk moreopenlyabouttheirs,andforsomeithasleadthemtoexploringtheir ownmentaldifferences,providingthemwithanunderstandingand hopefullyhelpedthematleastseewhythisimpactstheirmentalhealth.I wishIcouldhaveofferedthatopennessandempowermenttotheteenage methatwalkedawayfromfootballformorethan10years,initiallythrough injury,butformuchofthattime,becauseIcouldn’tfacetheanxietyand stressofhidingmymentaldifferenceanddealingwiththesocialsideofthe gamethatIfoundsoexhaustingandconfusing.
Thereisn’ta“fix”formentalhealth Lifeishard,unfairandforsomanytheir hiddendifferencesmakethisevenmorecomplicated.Thestatisticsfor suicideratesinmenarefrighteningandIwasveryclosetobecomingjust oneofthosestaticswhenlifealteringchangeswerethrownmywaythatjust feltliketoomuchtocopewith.
Supportingmentalhealthcharitiesissoimportanttoensuringthatfor friends,families,thelocalcommunityandforourselves,thehelpandsupport isthereifandwhenweneedit,andthatthetopicofmentalhealthisn’t hiddenaway,butisopenlydiscussedandacknowledged.
Irchester United RetroRomans/Flourmen
DanSpaughton
IjoinedIrchesterasmygoodfriendsMattyFreemanand StevenSargentwerejointmanagersandIknewquiteafewof theplayers.IenjoyedmytimeatIrchesterandalwaysfound thattheclubandeveryoneinvolvedmadeyoufeelwelcome.
OnthepitchIhadsomegreatteammatesandwehadsome greatawaydaysintheFAVasepickingupsomefantastic results.Itwasalwaysagreatchangingroomandwewereall veryclose.Wealsohadsomefantasticendofseasontours.
Iprobablyspentmaybe4seasonsatIrchy;afterSarge steppeddownMattywentalonebutresultsseemedtobe gettingharderandMattyendedupgoingaswell.Alotof playerswentanditneverfeltthesameanymore.Iendedup leavingasIwasofferedachanceatWhitworthsandIalways saidIwantedWhitstobemylastclubasthatiswhereitall startedforme.
IalwayslookfortheIrchesterresultsandtheyareflyingthis season.Ifitwasn’tformycommitmenttomykidsfootballI wouldbehelpingMattyBrownwiththeRessies.
Whoknowswhatthefutureholdsthough,Icouldreturn...
IrchesterUnited MeetthePlayers
DanWillett-experiencedandvocalkeeperwhohasbeeninvolvedwithtwo NewportPagnellTownsquadsatWembley Alsoourkeepercoach
JensonLeon-Promising18yearoldkeeper Verygoodshotstopperandcommands hisarea.PlayedfirstteamfootballatEarlsBartonlastseason.
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
JackPlummer-centreback/CDM,goodleadershipskillsandverycomfortablein possession.FormerlyofourU18sandWollastonVics.
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.
StedmanWhittaker-Bigstrongforwardwithaneyeforgoal.
IrchesterUnited CoachFocus Firstteamco-manager TrentWoodley
Clubsasaplayer: WellingboroughTown,Whitworths,Sileby, EarlsBarton
Clubs/rolesasacoach/manager: AFCWellingborough,TheMightyIrch
Teamyousupport: Arsenal
Favouriteproplayersovertheyears: ThierryHenry,SantiCazorlaandRonaldinho Favouriteproplayersnow: SalibaandMessi
Favouritepromanagersovertheyears: Wenger,SirAlexandMourinho Favouritepromanagernow: Don’treallyhaveone,there’ssomanyIlikefordifferentreasons Favouriteprogameeverwatched: MyfirstgameatHighbury,1-0winvsBlackburn Bestmomentinfootballpersonally: ScoringatStGeorge’sParkinCollegeNationals Worstmomentinfootballpersonally: Semiretiringat26!
Wordsofadvicetoyoungplayers: Lookafteryourbody.Listentotheexperiencedplayersaroundyouandleaveeverything onthepitchineverygameyouplay.
Irchester United RetroRomans/Flourmen VicGoodes
The“transferring”ofplayers“acrossthewater”goesbackalongway, withmebeingoneofthemanywhohaveplayedforbothclubstaking parttoday,asIhadtwospellsatIrchester,playingalongsideanumber of“IrchesterBrothers”ClubSecretaryGlynnCotterandyoungerbrother Gary,aswellasRoyandGaryGeevesandHendyandKennyCodrington, who’snephewsnowplayhereaswell–DelandLachi.
IplayedforJohnnyMayesforanumberofgamesandIremember playingagainstRothwelloneeveninggame,whenhavingwontheball intheair,Ichallengedfortheballagain,onlyfortheircentreforward NeilCrabbtojumpintomeasIwascomingdownfromthesecond headerandtearingagashinmyforehead.Johnnycameonto“treat” meandjustsaid“F&**ingHell”ashelookedatthebloodpouringfrom myhead.
IspentalotofmyplayingcareerplayingformybrotherMartin(Peggy), alwaysbeingaccusedof“youonlygetintheteambecauseheisyour brother”,soasmy2ndspellatIrchesterwaswhenhimandHoward Downsweremanagingthe1stTeamandIspentmostofmytime playingfortheReserves,untiltheybothgotthesackand2weekslater theNewManagercalledmeupforthe1stTeamandaftertwogamesI wasmadecaptainandplayedforthe1stTeamuntiltheendofthe season!
SomeofthecharactersIhadthepleasurealongsideincludedBilly Meminger,whoonthewaybacktotheClubhouseafteragame, knockedoverapheasant,soBillygotoutandpickedituptoonlygoand dothe“FreddieStarr”trick,ofbitingitsheadoff!!Andthenbroughtits footintothebarandwaspullingthetendonsto“movethefeet”.
Ihopewehaveanentertaininggametodayandwishyoualla ProsperousNewYearin2025
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withReservesco-manager
DevenEllwood
GoodAfternoonandwelcometowhatwehopefullybeafantasticlocal derby.Ihavebeenaskedtowriteashortpieceonmyexperienceonmental health Ondaysliketodayitsoknottobeokandsomeoneisalwaysherefor you.
Backin2020IsufferedwithworkrelatedstresstowhichIdidnotknowatthe timeasIdidn’tseethiscoming.ThissoonleadtohavementalissuesthatI neededtoovercome
PriortoChristmas2019whilstatworkIwouldalwaysgetabadthroatthenat homeIdidn’t IputthisdowntotheenvironmentIwasworkingatduringthis time.Thiswashappeningforacoupleofmonths.Iwasdoingalotofdriving toandfromworkduringthistimewhichgavemealotoftimeforthinking.
MymindconvincedmethatIhadthroatcancerandthatIwasgoingtodie. InmyheadIwasarrangingthingsforthefuturetosupportmyfamily,such asensuringIwouldbewritingmyyoungchildren’sweddingcardsforthemto openontheirbigdayinthefutureasIwasadamantIwouldnotbetherefor them
ItwasonlyafterChristmasthefirstweekbackin2020whenIwasonmyway towork IhadbeenonthephonetoJonnyHazellforanhourandneededto getsomefuel.IcancelledthecalltoJonny,filledthecarupandthoughtasI wasabouttopayforthefuelIwouldgrabacoffee SuddenlyIfelttheblood drainfrommybodyandIstartedtosweat.Ithenreturnedtothecarandmy heartwasbeatingfast.IpanickedandwasadamantIwashavingaheart attack Icalled999andwasrushedintoBurtonUponTrentA&Eforloadsof testsetcandeverythingcamebackfine.
Mywifecametopickmeupandtookmebackhomethatnight Thisiswhen mymentalhealthtookadive.
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withReservesco-manager
DevenEllwood
ThiswaswhenIhitalowIfeltworthless,Iwasembarrassedaboutthe situation.Ididnotwanttogooutsideortalktoanyone.
Iwasfeelingaddedpressureofneedingtoprovideforthefamilybutthe thoughtofhavingtodothismademestressedandcouldn’tfindawaytodo this Afterafewdaysoffeelinglikethisandseeinghowharditwasformy wifetoholdthefamilytogetherandsupportingmewasbreakinghertoo. That’swhenIdecidedtogetsomeprofessionalhelp
IknewIcouldnottalktoanyoneabouthowIwasfeelingasIdidn’tactually knowhowIfeltmyself,andfoundittohardtoopenup ThiswaswhenIthen contactedDuncanSpeddingwhoisaprofessionalanxietyspecialistandis anexprofessionalfootballer.Hewelcomedmeinandwehadagoodchat. HepromisedmethatassoonasIwalkedoutofhishouseIwouldbea differentpersonandmylifewouldbeback.AsyoucanimagineIwas thinking‘Icantseehowyoucan’and hewasjustsellingittome ButwowI waswrong.Itturnedoutthatmymindwasplayingtricksonmeandthatthe wobblewasmymindpushingmetothelimitsandputmeinafightorflight andIpanicked,whichwasacausemebeingrushedintohospitalwitha panicattack.Havingthatsessionmademeunderstandmentalthoughts thatarenegativeandhowtodealwiththem.Ofcourse,Istillhavebaddays butnowIknowhowtocopeanddealwiththembutitdoesnotstopmefrom mebeingaparent,husbandandcarryingoutallmyactivities.
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withReservesco-manager
DevenEllwood
Everyonehassomesortofmentalconditioninonewayoranother,andyou justarenotalwaysawareofthem.
Ifanyoneoutthereisstruggling,andIknowitseasyforpeopletosaycome totalktomebutwhenyouarethatlowyouwontwanttotalk.Buthavea lookaroundyou andseethepositivesinyourlifeandreachouttosomeone youfeelyoucanhaveaconnectionwith.IchoseDuncanpurelyasheisex footballer,andhedoesn’tknowme Thismademetoopenupsoeasyaswe spentalotoftimetalkingaboutfootballandwehadsomethingincommon.
Ifyou’rereadingthisandhaveasimilarpathasminethenIammorethan happytospeaktoyoutodiscussmoreofmyexperience.
LastlyIwanttowishyouallaHappyChristmasandNewYear
PLEASEREACHOUTTOSOMEONE,YOUARENOTALONEANDSOMEONEWILL ALWAYSHELPYOUTOSEETHELIGHTATTHEENDOFTHETUNNEL
Irchester United RetroRomans/Flourmen MickGarside
MytimeatIrchesterwasquiteashorttimebutaveryenjoyabletime.I joinedin95/96andplayedforthe1stteamundertheguidanceofAndy ToonandRoyGeeves….absolutestandupguys,theylovedfootball almostasmuchasapint Theclubwasreallywellrunandithadagreat communityspiritaboutit.I’llalwaysbegratefulasitwasIrchesterthat gavemeastartinmen’sfootballwhenIwasjust15yearsold.18months laterIwasback‘acrosstheriver’andsignedforWellingborough Whitworth.
ThisiswhereIspentagoodfewyearsplayingandalsowatchingand helpingoutduringtheperiodswhenIwasinjured(whichwasquitea lot).I’vealwaysfeltathomeatWhitworthFCandfinishedmyplaying daysthereattheageof24.Ithenwentontohaveacoupleofcameos fortheVetsteamandlaterranyouthteamsthroughtheclubwhichwas ahighlightinfootballforme.IlaterwentontohelpMarshywiththe1st team,whichagainIhavesomegreatmemoriesof.Now,Iliketogoand watchonaSaturdayafternoonespeciallyifmyladsplayingandfrom thecomfortoftheBarIcangivemy‘professional’opiniononwhat’s what! Tosummarise,2greatclubswhichdoalotforlocalgrassroots footballwiththeiryouthsetups,bothhaveU18’steamsintheNYSL,1st teamsinstep6andreserveteamsalso,whichgivessomuch opportunitytoyoungfootballers.Aspecialmentiontoallthevolunteers andcommitteemembersfrombothclubs.Theseclubssimplywouldn’t existwithoutyourhardworkandefforts Afinalnote,welldonetoboth clubstodayforthepromotingofKelly’sheroeswithinthismatch.An absolutelyamazingcharitydoingamazingthings.Let’sallremember, kindnesscostsnothingandweneverreallyknowwhatsomeoneisgoing through.Let’shopeforagreatgameoffootball(andaWhitworthwin) andtohaveadrinkandcatchupwithsomeoldfaces!!MerryXmas everyonex
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
DanBeaman
MymentalhealthisnotreallysomethingItalkabout-notbecauseI'm ashamedtotalkaboutit(notthesedaysanyway)-butbecauseasmenwe don'treallytalkaboutitsoitneverreallycropsupinconversation,notinthe footballenvironmentanyway.I'veopeneduptoplayerswhohaveopenedup tomefirst,andI'vehadplentyofplayersthathavestruggledbuthavebeen comfortableenoughtoconfideinme,whentheirteammatesandprobably eventheirfamilyaretotallyunawareoftheirstruggles.
Asamanagersometimesplayerswouldn'tplay/trainforaweek,oramonth, whilsttheywereonaperiodofhighanxietyoralowdepression,andI'msure theirteammateswouldhavethoughtitwasunfairwhenI'dbringthemback intothesideaftertheywent"awol".
Asanextremeexample,aplayerreturnedtoplayformeacoupleofyears agotohelpmeoutafterafewyearsaway,andhewasthemostconfident playerinthechangingroomashearrived,crackingjokesandshaking hands,andgenerallylaughingaroundwithpeoplehedidn'tknowinthe warmup.HeplayedsowellIrecommendedhimtothefirstteam,andhesaid yesnoproblem Thenoverthecomingdayshetotallyignoredmytexts, Facebookmessagesorevenanswerhisphone.Afewdayslaterhe apologisedsayinghewasparalysedwithanxietyandbarelyleftthehouse. AnditwasthereasonhestoppedplayingregularlyafewyearsagoupuntilI askedhimtoplayagain.
Itwasdifficulttounderstand,butmentalhealthisdifficulttounderstand. There'susuallynopattern,nologic,notimescale,nospecificreason. Whetherit'sanxiety,depression,bi-polarism,Autism,ADHD,OCD,PTSDetc
Anxietyordepressioniseithergenetic,ortheconsequenceofstressora traumaticeventsuchasarelationshipbreakup,afootballinjury,adeathin thefamily,thelistgoeson.Anxietycanleadtodepression.Ordepressioncan leadtoanxiety Peopleoftenhavedepressionorbothatthesametimefor shorterperiods,oranxietyformuchlongerperiods.
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
DanBeaman
IhavesufferedwithanxietyforaslongasIcanremember,inonewayor another,sinceinfantschoolIguess.Itnevergoesaway,althoughIhave worseperiodsandcalmerperiods Thisleadsmetothinkitisgenetic,as membersofmyfamilyhavealsosuffered,goingbackgenerations.
Istruggledtounderstanditasachild/teenager/youngman,itfeltnormalas itwasconstant,althoughIknewitwasn't"normal"ifthatmakessense.I alwaysfelt"different"toeveryoneelseandaccepteditovertime Asyouget older,especiallyintomy30s,whenpeopletalkmoreaboutmentalhealth, especiallyonsocialmedia,yourealiseit'salotmorecommonthanyouthink. Youselfreflect,selfdiagnose(Idon'tneedadoctortolabelmewith anything,what'sthepoint?),andinformationanddiscussionsonthesubjects arewidelyavailableonline.Icouldtalkaboutmyexperiencesandfeelings duringsituationsinmylifebutIdon'thaveenoughpagesinthisprogramme, butI'llgiveafewexamples.
Socialinteraction-evenfromanearlyage,duringinfantschool,junior schoolandsecondaryschool,Ineverfittedinwithaparticularfriendship group I'dhavefriendswhoI'dspeaktoobviously,orsitwithinclass,butas soonastheyjoinedupwithgroupsofpeoplewhoIdidn'tknowaswell,I wouldn'tjoinin.Lunchtimeswereanightmare.I'dhatesittingontablesto eatmylunchwithpeopleIdidn'thaveinmysmallfriendshipgroup,andyou didn'talwaysgetachoice,yousatwheretherewasspace.Ifitwaspeoplein myyearbutIdidn'tclickwith,I'deatacoupleofmouthfulsandgetoutof there.Iftheonlyseatsleftwereontableswithpeopleinadifferentyear group,myfoodwouldgointhebinandI'dgetoutofthereandnoteatuntilI gothome Iwouldn'tplayfootballatlunchtimeunless100%ofthegroup playingwerepeopleIclickedwith-95%ofthetimeI'dmakemyexcusesnot toplayandfindaquietcornertohideaway.SometimesI'dsitinthe cloakroomalllunchtimeandhideundercoats Whataweirdo!During secondaryschoolI'dspendmostlunchtimesdoinglapsoftheschoolto makeoutIwasgoingsomewhere,soIwouldn'thavetotalktoormixwith anyoneIdidn'tknowthatwellorknowatall.Frominfantschooltoleaving schoolat18,Ialwaysfeltlikepeoplewerewatchingorjudgingme,whichof coursetheyweren't
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
DanBeaman
Butthat'showirrationalanxietyis.Beingforcedtododramaormusicat schoolterrifiedme,oranythingwhereIhadtodemonstratesomething.
Iusedtohaverandompanicattacks.Irememberwalkinghomefromschool whenIwasaround12,andfornoreasonatallmylungsstoppedworkingand IwasconvincedIwasgoingtodie Ofcoursethedoctorprescribedmean inhaler,butitwasn'tasthmaasithadnopatterntoit-I'dhaveattacks regardlessofweather,pollenorphysicalactivity
Iusedtofeelworthless.I'drefusedrinksorfoodfromparentswhenaround friends'houses,eventhoughIwantedthem- Ididn'twanttoputthemout I neverwantedanythingfromanyone,andeventothisdayIneverborrow moneyoraskforanythingIcan'tpayfor.
Fastforwardtoadulthood-Istillhatebeinginplaceswithstrangers/crowds -weddings(Ioftenmakeexcusesnottogo),funerals,pubs,shops,parties (I'venotbeentoonesinceIwas16,Irefusetogo),thelistgoeson.Rushden LakesisHellonEarthforme,I'veonlybeenabout5times.IfIgotoTescoI generallykeepmyheaddownandgetinandoutassoonasIcan Even footballpresentationdays-ifIhavetgoonstagewithamicrophoneit terrifiesmeandIworryaboutitforweeks,eventhoughit'sinfrontofpeopleI seeeveryweek It'sjustanunfamiliarsituationthing Itwaspartofthe reasonIretiredfrommanaging!
ForsomereasonIfelttotallyfineinafootballenvironment,eitheronthe trainingpitchorinadressingroom.90%ofthetimeanyway.Therewouldbe theoddtimeI'dstruggletogiveateamtalkbecausemyheadfeltfuzzyandI couldn'tthinkstraight,andsometimesI'dforgetwhatIwasgoingtosaymid sentence.ButgenerallyIwasok.
Ididn'tlearntodriveuntilmylate20'sasIdidn'thavetheconfidence,and3 yearsafterpassingmytestmycarburstintoflamesinthefastlaneofthe A45onthewaytofootball,-I'mluckytobeheretoday Butthatrosemy anxietyevenhigherandtothisdayIstruggletogettheconfidencetodrive morethan45minutesfromhome.I'dlovetovisitfamilyinBathordriveto thecoast,butIjustcan'tdoit
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
DanBeaman
ManythingsthatpeoplethinknothingofareahugedealformeandI'ma prisonerinmyownhead.Anexample-onSaturdayIhadtopulloverhalf waytoLangfordtoGooglethewayonmyphonetodoublecheckthatmy portablesatnavwasn'ttakingmethewrongway.That'showmymindworks. I'mprettysureI'monthespectrumalthoughIwouldn'twanttolabelmyself withanythingspecific ImainlyhavetraitsfromAnxiety,Neurodiversityand Autismtosomedegree.
Peoplewithanxietymayexhibitthefollowingtraits:
Personalitytraits:Neuroticism,lowesteem,shyness,andconscientiousness
Behaviour:Worrying,obsessivethinking
Physicalsymptoms:Increasedheartrate,rapid/difficultybreathing, sweating,trembling,nausea,abdominaldistress,baddigestionanddifficulty sleeping
Mentalsymptoms:Difficultyconcentrating,feelingirritable,tense,orrestless, andhavingasenseofimpendingdanger,panic,ordoom
Ihavealloftheabove-althoughdifferenttraitscanbeveryloworveryhigh. Notwodaysortwoweeksarethesame
SometraitsofAutisminclude:
Socialandcommunicationdifficulties:Thesecaninclude: Difficultyunderstandingwhatothersarethinkingorfeeling
Difficultymakingfriendsorpreferringtobealone
Difficultysayinghowyoufeel
Appearingblunt,rude,ornotinterestedinothers
Repetitivebehaviours:Thesecaninclude: Repeatingwordsorphrases
Repetitivemovements,suchasflappinghandsortappingfeet
Makingthesamenoiserepeatedly
Rocking,flicking,orpacingrepeatedly
Ihavemostoftheabove.Ialsostrugglewithloudnoises-particularlytrains goingpast(ifI'monawalkneararailwaylineIhavetoputmyfingersinmy earsandclosemyeyesasatrainpasses)
IrchesterUnited MentalHealthexperiences withco-chairman
DanBeaman
Neurodivergentpeoplemayhaveavarietyoftraits,including:
Socialinteractions:Difficultywithsocialinteractions,makingeyecontact, orreadingbodylanguage
Learning:Learningdisabilitiesthataffectreading,writing,orcalculations
Focus:Difficultyfocusingorstayingstill
Memory:Difficultywithmemory
Overstimulation:Tendencytobecomeoverstimulatedbytheir surroundings,likeloudnoises
Routine:Strongpreferenceforroutineandpredictability,anddifficulty copingwithchangesortransitions
Ihavemostoftheabove.Asyougetolderyoulearnhowtoloweranxiety, stressordepression.I'vefoundbeingaloneinthefieldsforafewhoursreally helps,whichiswheremywildlifephotographybecomesatherapy Notonly forme,butI'vemetalotofwildlifephotographersonmywalksorinhides, andonceyougettalkingtothemyourealisealargepercentagedoit becauseiteasestheiranxietyordepression Photographersaremoreopen thanfootballersthat'sforsure!
IfanyonereadingthisrelatestowhatI'vewrittenIhopeitgivesthemcomfort thattheyaren'taloneor"weird"-manypeopleouttherearelikeus,andmy inboxisalwaysopen.
C'montheIrch!
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