2022-03-05 Leighton Town v Tring Athletic by leightontownfc

SSMFL Premier Division 2021/22 Season

Bell Close Lake Street Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX

Saturday 5th March 2022 KO 3pm

TODAYS MATCH SPONSORS

BOLSTER CONSTRUCTION

Leighton Town v Tring Athletic Admission: Adults £7 - Concessions & 13-16’s £4 - Under 13’s Free

RIP

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson, a former Leighton Town Youth coach and Beds FA referee, sadly passed away recently. Matt was a coach at Leighton Town Youth for a number of years, and we are extremely gratefully for his loyal service and contribution to the club during this time. With an infectious smile and big personality to match, Matt had a massive influence on so many players during his time at the club. Matt will be sorely missed by all that knew him, but we will cherish so many happy memories of a great man. RIP, Matt

CLUB OFFICIALS & COMMITTEE PRESIDENT : MIKE HIDE CHAIRMAN : JOHN MCLOUGHLIN VICE CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL SEAN DOWNEY VICE CHAIRMAN : IAN STEPHENS TREASURER : STEVE HARRIS CLUB &FIXTURES SECRETARY : ROY PARKER GENERAL COMMITTEE JOHN TURNER DAVID FRIEND

LEIGHTONTOWNFOOTBALLCLUB BELLCLOSELAKEST LEIGHTONBUZZARDLU71RX TELE;01525373311

WELCOME TO BELL CLOSE

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Bell Close for this afternoon's Derby game against our friends from Tring Athletic. We extend a warm welcome to the Members of their Committee, Team and Fans.We also welcome our match officials, Referee Jordan Lee,and his assistants Iwan Pritchard and Mike Heavey we hope they will enjoy the game and our hospitality afterwards. Tring by their usual standards have not had the best of seasons but recent results have lifted them away from the relegation zone. They have only lost 1 of their last 6 games and had a good win against Hadley, they have now opened a 7 point gap from the bottom 2 Clubs and I am sure we will need to be at our best to take all three points today. At the top of the table nothing much has changed with New Salamis and Risborough still occupying the first 2 places and looking likely to earn the two promotion places. I am sure Hadley and ourselves will keep battling until it is mathmatically impossible to catch up but it looks like an uphill task. Since our win over a young Luton Town side in the Beds Senior Cup we have lost to Ardley in the Premier Division Cup and dropped a point at Harpenden last Saturday and we need to get back to winning ways to keep up our challenge in the League. The Club is holding a Race Night after todays game and you are welcome to participate, Entry is free. Enjoy the Game

Fixtures Saturday 5th March – Kick Off 3.00pm PREMIER DIVISION Arlesey Town v Ardley United Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Oxhey Jets Broadfields United v Risborough Rangers Crawley Green v Flackwell Heath Dunstable Town v London Colney Harefield United v Hadley Leighton Town v Tring Athletic Leverstock Green v Milton Keynes Irish New Salamis v Holmer Green

Saturday 12th March – Kick Off 3.00pm PREMIER DIVISION Ardley United v Harefield United Arlesey Town v Dunstable Town Flackwell Heath v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Holmer Green v Harpenden Town London Colney v Leighton Town Milton Keynes Irish v Broadfields United Oxhey Jets v Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers v Crawley Green Tring Athletic v New Salamis

MANY THANKS TO TODAYS MATCH SPONSORS

BOLSTER CONSTRUCTION

TRING ATHLETIC Tring Athletic Youth FC was formed in March 1958 by a group of local men who contributed towards the purchase of 3.4 acres at Miswell Lane. The cost of providing changing rooms, fencing, equipment and ownership of the ground was approximately £2,000, a lot of money in those days. Committee members, players and friends carried out most of the work, including the building of the changing rooms and during the early days the team had to play on another pitch in Tring. Originally the Club was formed to provide football for youngsters aged under 21 and despite playing against adult teams we won many trophies in the West Herts Saturday League during the early 1960's including the Division 1 title 3 times in 5 years. THE 70's/80's We then went through a lean spell and in 1971 decided to scrap the upper age limit and drop youth from our name. Many former players returned and we had another successful period during the early 1970's. Over the years many fine players appeared in our shirts and many went on to play for professional/senior clubs. In the mid-seventies the Miswell Lane ground was sold to the Council and we had a bad time and but for the efforts of a few loyal members would have certainly folded. The Reserves were disbanded and the First Team dropped down to Division 3. We decided to turn to youth again and gradually forced our way back up through the league and by 1986 we were competing in the Premier Division and running a Reserve side again. SOUTH MIDLANDS - THE 90's In 1988 we joined the South Midlands and as a result gained senior status with the Herts FA. In 1989 we entered into a 3 year ground sharing arrangement with Isthmian League side Tring Town moving back to Miswell Lane in 1992 where the Reserves had continued to play. We established ourselves in the South Midlands by gaining promotion to the newly formed Senior Division in 1993. In 1994/95 the First Team reached the final of the Senior Division Cup whilst the Reserves were finalists in the Apsley Junior Cup for the second year running. In 1996/97 we led the Senior Division throughout the season and looked favourites to win the title. However, some unlucky defeats in the last few games saw us drop down to 3rd place. In addition to our impressive league form we also had some terrific cup runs during that season, reaching the semi-final of the Herts Charity Shield and winning the prestigious St. Marys Cup, the first time we had ever achieved such heights. In 1997/98 we just missed out on the Senior Division title by the narrowest of margins to New Bradwell St Peter - a goal difference the 2nd yeof just 2! We finished the season in fine style, suffering just 1 defeat in our last 21 league games which included a terrific run of 14 straight wins for which we won a special award from the League. The Reserves went one better by winning their league by a clear 10 points and in doing so achieved 100%

success in their league games at home. In 1998/99 we picked up our first major South Midlands trophy when we won the Senior Division Cup. We also won the St Marys Cup for the 2nd time in 3 years. In the league a terrific run of just 1 defeat in our last 28 games saw us finish in 3rd place, 4 points behind champions Holmer Green. During this magnificent run we went 15 hours without conceding a goal. The Reserves also did well finishing 5th in their first season in the top division. The 1999/2000 season proved to be one to remember. During the summer we spent over £50k on building new changing rooms and extending the social and bar area. To mark the opening of the new changing rooms we played a Watford XI in front of a huge crowd of about 1,000 people. The game was Refereed by Graham Poll and Graham Barber. The season turned out to be the most successful in the Club's history. In addition to winning the Senior Division title by 11 points we also reached 5 finals. We won the Herts Charity Shield (beating Potters Bar Town 2-1), Herts Senior Centenary Trophy (Wormley Rovers 2-0) and the Cherry Red Books Trophy in its inaugural year (Bedmond Sports & Social on penalties after a 11 draw). We were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Letchworth in the Senior Division Cup. Our achievements were recognised by the South Midlands who awarded us the Houghton Regis Cup for achievements in outside competitions and Mick Eldridge, Ray Brimson and Richard Vincent were voted Managers of the Season. In 60 games in all competitions we lost on only 6 occasions. Our other teams also enjoyed success with the Reserves reaching the Final of the Herts Intermediate Cup and the A Team in their first season finishing runners up in the West Herts Division 3. THE NEW MILLENNIUM - After finishing the old millennium in style we continued our success into the new one (2000/01) by retaining the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy (again beating Wormley Rovers 2-0) and the Cherry Red Books Trophy (Virginia Water 1-0). The Reserves won the League title and a newly formed B Team claimed the runners-up spot. The following season (2001/02) we won the Herts Charity Shield for the 2nd time beating Letchworth 4-1. The A Team reached the Apsley Junior Cup final and the B Team won the sporting award. SEASON 2002/03 - More success followed as we capture the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy for the 3rd time, to become the first club to do so. We finished 3rd in the table and won the League Cup for the 2nd time, to make 12 major trophies in 7 years. We were also finalists in the Cherry Red Books Trophy. The A Team finished runners up as did the Under 16's in their first season, the B Team won the sporting award for ar running and the Ladies had a great run in the Women's FA Cup. For the 3rd year running Darrel Bodimeade won an award for the best playing surface, which is just reward for the tremendous job he does for the club.

SEASON 2007/8 - Winners of Herts Charity Shield - We defeated Weylwn Garden City in the final of this County Cup to win the trophy for the 3rd time in our history. Match played at The County Ground, Letchworth. This was the first trophy for the new management team of Manager, Phil Casserley, Assistant, Terry Nightingale and Coach Julian Robinson. SEASON 2008/9 - Treble Winners - SSMFL Challenge Trophy Winners Athletic defeated Chalfont St Peter by 3-2 at Harefield United's ground to lift this trophy in their first appearance in the final of this competition. SSMFL Premier Division Cup Winners - Athletic defeated St Margaretsbury by 2-0 at Colney Heath's ground to lift this trophy in their first appearance in the final. St Marys Cup Winners - Athletic defeated Leverstock Green by 2-1 at Hemel Hempstead's ground to lift this trophy for the 4th time. SEASON 2010/11 - The First team finished in the highest position, runners up to Chalfont St Peter in the SSMFL Premier Division. They also won the St. Mary's Cup for the fifth time, defeating Leverstock Green 2-1 after extra time. The season finished with a 2-0 defeat to Royston Town in the South Midland Floodlight Cup Final. SEASON 2015/16 - The First Team won the St Mary's Cup for the 5th time defeating Sun Sports 2- 0 and finished mid-table in the SSMFL Premier Division. SEASON 2017/18 - The First Team reached the last 16 of the F A Vase for the first time losing unluckily to Melksham Town in front of a crowd of 1,236. SEASON 2018/19 - The First Team were Runners Up in SSMFL Premier Division, equalling our best ever position. SEASON 2020/21 - A season decimated due to the covid pandemic, playing in fits and starts and behind closed doors until finally the league took the decision to cancel the competition. SEASON 2021/22 - We begin this season with a new management team, headed by Ryan Sturges and Lee Groves, both former players at the Club. The covid pandemic has provided us with the opportunity to complete a number of behind-the-scenes projects including installing new floodlights and re-furbishing the clubhouse. Despite a slow start to the season on the playing side, we feel we are in a good place to achieve a three-year plan aimed at overall club progression.

LEAGUE HISTORY The League is relatively young compared to other’s being formed in 1922 as the Bedfordshire County League. With new clubs keen to join from outside the County it was decided in 1929 to change the name to the South Midlands League. The League continued to consolidate and strengthen over the ensuing 70 years or so providing quality football for many teams over a large area of the South Midlands. In 1997 it became apparent that the London Spartan League, which was very much to the South of the League’s geographical footprint, was struggling administratively and, with the full support of the Football Association, the decision was taken to merge the two competitions with the new League being known as the Spartan South Midlands League. The League now covers a wide area from North London in the South to Milton Keynes in the North and from Ware in the East to Aylesbury in the West. The League is part of the FA’s National League System (NLS) and comprises of three Divisions; Premier at Step 5 of the NLS, Division One at Step 6 and Division Two at Step 7. The League has a proud record of promoting clubs to Step 4 of the NLS and has also provided 4 FA Vase Finalists including two winners in Arlesey Town and Hoddesdon Town FC.

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION

Ardley United

Arlesey Town

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

Crawley Green

Dunstable Town Flackwell Heath

Harpenden Town

Holmer Green

MK Irish

New Salamis

Baldock Town

Hadley

Broadfields Utd

Harefield United

Leighton Town Leverstock Green London Colney

Oxhey Jets

Risborough Rangers Tring Athletic

Spartan South Midlands League CLUB Ardley United

Pemier Division Directory ADDRESS

PHONE

Hadley

The Nolan Oils Ground Ardley Playing Field Oxford Rd OX27 7PA New lamb Meadow Hitchin Rd SG15 6RS The Greenfleets Stadium Haywood Way HP19 9WZ New Lamb Meadow Hitchin Rd SG15 6RS Tithe Farm Social Club Rayners Lane HA2 0XH The Stadium at the Brache Park St Luton LU1 3HH Creasey Park Drive Dunstable LU6 1BB Wilks Park Magpie Lane Bucks HP10 9EA Brickfield Lane Arkley Barnet EN5 3LD

Harefield United

Preston Park Breakspear Rd UB9 6NE 01895 823474

Harpenden Town

Rothamstead Park Amenbury Lane AL5 2EF Watchet Lane High Wycombe HP15 6UF Bell Close Lake St Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX Pancake Lane Leverstock Green HP2 4NQ Cotlandswick Playing Field London Colney AL2 1DW The Irish Centre Manor Fields MK2 2HX Coles Park White Hart Lane N17 7JP

Arlesey Town Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Baldock Town Broadfields United Crawley Green Dunstable Town Flackwell Heath

Holmer Green Leighton Town Leverstock Green London Colney MK Irish New Salamis Oxhey Jets Risborough Rangers Tring Athletic

The Boundary Stadium Altham Way WD19 6FW BEP Stadium Horseden Lane HP27 9NE The Grass Roots Stadium Cow Lane Tring HP23 5NT

07793 804643 or 07467 549294 07910 110720 07557 982908 01462 734504 0208 8688724 07762 752213 or 700883

07796 955197 01494 711485 01525 373311 01442 246280 01727 822132 01908 375978 07534 874734 0208 4216277 07849 843632 01442 891144

The History of Leighton Town Football Club Leighton Town, who were known as Leighton United between 1922 and 1963, were formed in 1885. They were mainly involved in local leagues until the outbreak of the Great War and were winners of the Leighton and District League on several occasions. Leighton were one of the original members of the South Midland League in 1922 – which at the time was known as the Bedfordshire County League. They were also members of the Spartan League between 1922/23 and 1951/52, but their only successes being the Spartan League Division 2 title in 1923/24 and 1927/28. They were Bedfordshire Senior Cup winners in 1926/27. In 1952, they became a founder member of the Hellenic League, but after two disappointing seasons, moved to the South Midlands League. In 1965/66 season however, the Premier Championship sat in the Leighton Town Boardroom. The club then rejoined the Spartan League in 1967/68. Leighton proceeded to consolidate their League success by winning the Bedfordshire Senior Cup for three successive seasons in 1968, 1969 and 1970. Unfortunately, some of the successful players moved on to other clubs, and Leighton’s fortunes again declined. A move to the United Counties League proved disastrous and after just two seasons, the club rejoined the South Midlands League. During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, Leighton were unable to capture the success of the ‘60’s. In 1990/1991 the First Team won the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy and the O’Brien’s Premier Division Cup, both for the first time in the club’s history. The 1991/2 season was one of the club’s best. The South Midlands Premier Division title, which had eluded the club for so long, was won, and with it a place in the Isthmian League. 1992/3 saw the Club’s success continue when they won the Bedfordshire Senior Cup for the first time since 1970. The Club missed out on promotion in their first Isthmian League season by just a single point but the Youth Team retained the County Cup. 1995/6 saw the First Team win promotion to Division 2 of the Isthmian League, whilst at the same time retaining the Buckingham Charity Cup. In the 1996/7 season, Leighton won the Isthmian League Associated Members Trophy for the first time. 1998/99 saw the return of the Associated Members Trophy and the Buckingham Charity Cup.

Season 2003/04 Leighton won the Ryman Isthmian Second Division title. They were also named Ryman Division Two Team of the Year, and Paul Burgess was awarded Manager of the Year. They also reached the Fifth round of the FA Vase, and the final of the Beds Senior Cup, before losing to Andover and Arlesey Town respectively. The 2004-05 season saw the club placed in The Southern League East Division and finished in a creditable tenth place. They also won the Buckinghamshire Charity Cup. The Reserves won the Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup and the U18’s won the SCYFL League Shield. The 05-06 Season saw the Club progress again, improving on the year before, as they finished 8th in The Southern League Western Division. After a poor start, League results improved and the side only suffered four defeats from the start of November until the end of March, a play-off place just eluding them. After three excellent victories interest in the FA.Trophy competition ended with a single goal defeat to eventual semi-finalists, Borehamwood. The Club also reached the Beds Senior Cup Final, but sadly they again finished as Runners Up. The Club were relocated to the Southern League Midland Division for 06-07 season but only one League win in the first six games and early exits in the two FA Competitions cost Paul Burgess his job in September. He was replaced by former Wycombe professional Keith Scott, results did improve but it was a disappointing season, although Town did win the Bucks Senior Charity Cup. The 07-08 started brightly with the first League defeat not coming until mid-October. Three wins in the FA Cup saw the Club reach the 4th Qualifying Round for the first time in it’s history. A 3-0 defeat to Conference South, Havant and Waterlooville finally ended the run. Keith Scott then left in December to join Windsor and Eton. In January 2008, Assistant Manager Sean Downey was appointed as First Team Manager and did a splendid job as the Club ended their League season in 9th place, winning the Bucks Charity Cup and reaching the final of the Beds Senior Cup once more. The 08/09 Season the First Team finished 8th in the Southern League, Midland Division, achieving their highest points total to date at that level. The 09/10 season saw Leighton once again finish in the top half of the table, when they finished in 9th place and they also lost the Bedfordshire Senior Cup Final to Southern League rivals, Arlesey Town after penalties. Season 2010/2011, saw Town finish in 7th place in the League, gaining 69 points,their best performance since joining the Southern Football

League. The 2011/2012 a poor season saw Leighton finish in their lowest position for several years. 2012/13 was also very disappointing for the First Team as they finished in 20th place. 2015/2016 After 3 disappointing seasons Leighton finished the season in the bottom two of the Southern League Central Division and were relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League where they had last played in the 1991/92 season. 2016/2017 This was a disappointing season with the club struggling for much of the time after yet another Managerial Change. Things did pick up towards the end of the season and we eventually finished in 16th place. 2017/18 The club retained Scott Reynolds as Manager and finished 4th in the League and reached the Quarter Finals of the FA VASE. Gates improved and it was our best season for about 8 years, 2018/2019 Manager, Scott Reynolds resigned in the close season and Danny Nicholls was appointed as Manager but left in October due to work commitments. The Club then appointed Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson, who had previously won the Premier division title with London Colney as their new Management Team. They steadied the ship and we finished in mid table. 2019/2020 Was a good season for the Club as we again reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase and after a slow start in the League the team started to find some good form as we slowly climbed up the table. The team were also awarded the Team of the Month twice. 2020/2021 Town for the third time in 4 seasons reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase but sadly lost out to 2 late penalties. An indifferent start in the League meant we could not quite gain the points needed to gain promotion in a Covid affected season. 2021/2022 Leighton are hoping to be challenging at the top end of the table but we are well aware that this is a difficult Division and several other strong teams will be competing to finish in the top 2 places. .

CLUB SPONSORS

OUR CLUB PHYSIO John Rutherforford

John Rutherford MCSP DC HCPC PT Chicago USA Physiotherapy Chiropractic Sports Medicine MSK consultancy Harley Street London since 1990 Clinics: London- Leighton Buzzard- Cheddington Tel: 07850 699534 I have been a licensed Physiotherapist since 1982. In 1990 I founded the PTR Clinic with Giles Webster, Exercise Physiologist. The consultancy is now based at 9 Upper Wimpole Street London W1G 7LJ I completed post graduate study in Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Sports science and body movement analysis for injury prevention. Post injury rehabilitation programs are focused on joint, muscle and ligament recovery, with strength and conditioning protocols. I have many years’ experiences treating and resolving all types of back pain. Consultancies and Appointments Consultant and team Physio for Leighton Town FC since 2019. My role in player care is to achieve full body alignment and maximal athletic function. Strength and conditioning protocols are based on scientific research. Correct body alignment is the basis for injury prevention, allowing gains in strength, mobility, cutting, jumping and running speeds Ultrasound imaging of muscle and joint injuries provides clarify in diagnosis. West Ham United with Physio John Green. Lancashire County Cricket Club with Manager Alan Ormrod UAE football squad pre–World Cup 1990 by invitation from Dr Mustafa Obeid

Physio for Southall FC season 1985/86. Edgware Town and Hendon with Physio Steve Pembroke Back pain and sports injuries treatments at St Elizabeth’s Hospital Chicago with Dr Farahvar Chicago USA 1986/88 Ski injury prevention and Treatment. Body mechanics and injury prevention for young baseball pitchers. Isokinetic training and sports injuries treatment McNeal Memorial Hospital Berwyn Illinois Advanced Postural Biomechanical Correction Seminars and teaching with Robbie Goodrum MCSP DO, London, Bristol and Chiang Mai Thailand NHS medical rotation training program 1981/86

MATCH REPORT 22/2/22 Ardley 3 – 2 Leighton Town Leighton Town were knocked out of the Spartan Premier Division Cup yesterday after defeat at Ardley United. In a five-goal game not short of excitement, Town ended their time in the competition with eight men. After quiet opening exchanges, the game seemed to kick into life on 24 minutes. A free kick for the visiting Town was cleared only as far as Tom Bryant, but his shot was well over. It could’ve been considered a warning shot as Leighton grew in confidence. Their continued pressure would reap rewards just over ten minutes later as Brian Foulger broke the deadlock. An excellent cross from Josh Hatton found Foulger on the penalty spot and his guided header beat the keeper, nestling in the back of the net. Now in the ascendency, Bonham’s side were quick to add to their goal. Less than five minutes later, Campbells Ashton and Jervon were a handful for the home side. Firstly, the prior’s shot following a quick counter was saved one-on-one before Jervon could tap in following a defensive slip. Although looking destined to go into the break two goals up, Leighton couldn’t rest easy. Ardley got one back on ’43 with a brilliant 35-yard effort from Liam Howard, before Jimmy Casbierd made it double delight in the space of two minutes. The half time whistle signalled the end to a hectic final ten minutes of football and the second period opened with the same ferocity. On 52 minutes, Leighton were screaming for a penalty. Ashton cut back skilfully but looked to be wiped out by the back tracking defender. The ref wasn’t convinced although the linesman looked to have given the foul. More frustration would be administered on the travelling Reds by the referee as Ethan Flanagan would be dismissed on ’55. Movement from the Leighton bench proved little influence as Ardley completed their turnaround in the 67th minute. Daryl Harris with a smart half volley from a ball on the left gave the hosts the lead. Heads looked to have gone and in the 75th minute Town were reeling. With late challenges flying in, Joe Fitzgerald went into the book. Tom Bryant picked up a second yellow and became the second Leighton player to

receive his marching orders. Town were down to nine and it would soon be eight. Sonny Newbury-Barr was sent to the sin bin on ’86 and Ben Collins went into the book – capping a frustrating Tuesday evening. Ardley progressed to the next round whereas Leighton will be left thinking what could’ve been at a ground where, for the second time, they’ve ended a game with eight players. Max Bradfield

LEAGUE TABLE