2022-08-02 Leighton Town v Stotfold Match Programme

SSMFL Premier Division 2022/23 Season

Bell Close Lake Street Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX

2nd August 2022 KO 7:45pm

LEIGHTON TOWN v STOTFOLD Admission: Adults £8 - Concessions & 12-17’s £5 - Under 11’s Free

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

LEIGHTONTOWNFOOTBALLCLUB BELLCLOSELAKEST LEIGHTONBUZZARDLU71RX TELE;01525373311

CLUB

SPONSORS

WELCOME TO BELL CLOSE

Good evening and welcome to Bell Close for our first home League game of the new season. Tonight’s visitors are Stotfold and we extend a warm welcome to everyone associated with their Club. Last season our visitors were Champions of Division One winning the title by 13 points and only losing 4 league games along the way. They were also losing finalists in 2 Cup competitions. They were very well supported at their new Ground and we are hoping for a good attendance tonight to start the season off and hopefully keep attendances at last season’s levels.

We also offer a warm welcome to our 3 match officials, Yashar Yetka and his assistants Matt Langthorne and Mark Sage and hope they enjoy tonight’s match and our hospitality afterwards.

Under our new management team of Lee Bircham and Tony Joyce we are hoping that we will be one of the promoted teams at the end of the season but this is a difficult Division to be promoted from with many competitive teams trying to gain the promotion slots, so nothing can be taken for granted.

Lee has been busy in the close season bringing in several experienced players from higher level Clubs and we are hoping that with the players who played here last year that we will be good enough to get a promotion place.

We are playing here again on Saturday in the FA Cup against Baldock Town, please remember that Season tickets do not cover Cup Games.

Thanks to you our fans for your support over the last few home games,at least you will know the players when the league games start.

Just a reminder to season ticket holders your tickets allow you entrance for Spartan League games only.

On Saturday 13th August our new Development team will be at home to AFC Caddington ko 3pm. Season ticket holders are entitled to free entry to these games and also Under 18 League games. Our 1st team are away at London Colney.

The Isuzu FA Vase draw has given us a home game in the 1st Qualifying round where we will play London Tigers.

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE Tuesday 2nd August – Kick Off 7.45pm PREMIER DIVISION Arlesey Town v Biggleswade United Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Baldock Town Cockfosters v London Colney Crawley Green v St Panteleimon Harpenden Town v Colney Heath Leighton Town v Stotfold Leverstock Green v Risborough Rangers Potton United v Dunstable Town Shefford Town & Campton v Hoddesdon Town Tring Athletic v Ardley United

Stotfold FC History Stotfold is a small country town with a population in the region of 9,000. It is situated in the county of Bedfordshire but being near the North Herts border has strong links with the Hertfordshire towns of Baldock, Hitchin and Letchworth. The first recorded football in the town was 1904, however it is certain that the game was played for a number of years before that. In those early 1900s, Stotfold sides played in the Biggleswade and District League.

This was followed by a spell of nearly 30 years in North Herts Football. The first record of a trophy being won was 1911 when Potton were beaten 1-0 in the Biggleswade and District Championship. Stotfold FC was officially founded after WW2 in 1946. In 1951 we joined the South Midlands League Division 2 and in 1953 were promoted to Division 1. Up until 1965 our home ground was located at Hitchin Road Recreation Ground. Football was very much at the centre of the community and locals in the village clubbed together sufficient funds to purchase a meadow named 'Roker', (previously used in 1911 by Stotfold Athletic), and developed the ground aptly named Roker Park which we occupied for 54 years. The club remained in the South Midlands League for over 30 years winning promotion to the Premier League in 1955 and winning the championship in 1980 and finishing runners-up nine times.

The club joined the United Counties League in 1984/85 season finishing runners-up twice in 1993/94 and 1995/96 under the guidance of ex-Arsenal player Ian Allinson. Phil Pateman took over from Ian stepping up after managing the reserves to League champions and Beds Intermediate success.

During 1998-2001 under his charge the club won The Beds Senior and Premier Cups, UCL League Cup, and the Hinchingbrooke Cup as well as being runners-up and finalists in two North Beds Charity Cups. The club also reached the last 32 of the FA Vase and the 3rd Qualifying Rd of the FA Cup. Phil stepped down to become Chairman in 2001 but after a brief spell under Kenny Davidson, Phil took temporary charge of the side again until the end of the season and guided the team from relegation candidates to 10th in the league, retaining the NBCC and were finalists in the Hunts Premier Cup. However, their most notable success came from being awarded national fair play team of the year by Ladbrokes in association with The Non-League paper as well as the UCL fair play award.

In 2001 after the club gained planning permission for a ground improvement, the Town Council asked us to consider giving up our long-term lease for a new stadium along Arlesey Road. We agreed subject to the facility being suitable for playing at Step 4 which would be a significant upgrade on our existing ground allowing us to play at a higher level. This was agreed but became more complex with the project integrating a whole community concept.

As such costs spiralled at a time of recession and the project stalled as monies were transferred from it.

The early 2000s saw a high turnover of managers and players with Steve Cook, Jim Benton, Glen Clarke, Ian Williscroft and Mark Teeling all unable to turn the club around. After gaining just 11 points from 17 league games and some heavy defeats in season 2006/7, Mark was replaced in December by the return of Ian Allinson and Ian Donnelly. A partnership that turned out to be the most successful in Stotfold’s history thus far. With the club staring relegation in the face, Ian recruited several senior players and the club hauled themselves out of the bottom two, winning 8 of the last 10 games. During the summer of 2007 the squad strengthened further, culminating in the most successful season in the club’s history. Both first and second team squads won their respective league and county cup competitions, (the first club and to date only one to do so), with the second team under John Philbin remaining unbeaten in the league. The club was the only UCL club to reach the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before losing to Tonbridge Angels. During the summer Ian was offered the Managers job at Ryman Premier League Borehamwood and he remains one of the best non-League managers of our time currently in charge at St Albans City. However, he left a great legacy and we promoted Ian Donnelly to the position with reserve manager Terry Kitchener stepping up to assist him. Success continued, winning the UCL League Cup and North Beds Charity Cup and finishing League Runners Up. The Reserves and the Under 18

INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLING FANS Our ground at Bell Close Lake Street LU7 1RX is situated in the centre of Leighton Buzzard opposite Morrisons.

There is a bus stop opposite the entrance to the ground.

The train station is approximately a 15 minute walk away. There are frequent trains to London, Milton Keynes and Birmingham.

If you are coming by car you can come through the Town or off the bypass A4146 down Grovebury Road, this will avoid a busy Town Centre, especially on a Saturday Afternoon.

Parking can be found at the ground, or in a number of side streets.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PARKING AT THE GROUND ON A BUSY MATCHDAY WILL BE LIMITED.

The new season tickets will provide access to all home league games for the First Team, the Development Team and the U18s. This means access to over 40 games which represents excellent value for money.

The forms are available to download from our website www.leightontownfc.co.uk There are also copies of the forms at the club.

Please return the completed form with your payment to David Friend or Andrew Parker. Both card and cash payments are welcome.

THE EMIRATES FA CUP ROUND DATES SEASON 2022-23

Extra Preliminary Round Saturday 6 August 2022 Preliminary Round Saturday 20 August 2022 First Round Qualifying Saturday 3 September 2022 Second Round Qualifying Saturday 17 September 2022 Third Round Qualifying Saturday 1 October 2022 Fourth Round Qualifying Saturday 15 October 2022 First Round Proper Saturday 5 November 2022 Second Round Proper Saturday 26 November 2022 Third Round Proper Saturday 7 January 2023 Fourth Round Proper Saturday 28 January 2023 Fifth Round Proper Wednesday 1 March 2023 Quarter Final Saturday 18 March 2023 Semi Final Saturday 22 April 2023 Final Saturday 3 June 2023.

THE FA VASE ROUND DATES SEASON 2022-23

First Round Qualifying Saturday 27 August 2022 Second Round Qualifying Saturday 24 September 2022 First Round Proper Saturday 22 October 2022 Second Round Proper Saturday 12 November 2022 Third Round Proper Saturday 3 December 2022 Fourth Round Proper Saturday 14 January 2023 Fifth Round Proper Saturday 11 February 2023 Sixth Round Proper Saturday 11 March 2023 Semi Final Saturday 1 April 2023 Final Sunday 21 May 2023.

Leighton Town Partner/Sponsorship Packages 2022/23 Season Want to be a partner with an ambitious, progressive, local football club; one that also takes its social and community responsibilities seriously?

Then look no further than Leighton Town FC. In recent years Leighton Town FC has built strong relationships with a large number of businesses and community organisations in the town. We are seeking to build further links and we offer a wide range of opportunities for interested parties to become partners in moving the club forward.

If you want to join the Leighton Town family, then there are a variety of ways that you can do so.

Partnership/Sponsorship packages Local companies and businesses can purchase one of our Gold, Silver, or Bronze Sponsorship Packages, all of which, represent excellent value for money. Click here for more details, including how to contact the club if interested.

Match Ball Sponsors for First Team home games Be a match ball sponsor for only £35 and have your name/company displayed on the front of the on-line match day programme. Email sdowney0207@outlook.com to secure. First 20 received will be allocated a game in the coming season.

There is something for everyone and every budget. All proceeds will serve to support the club both on and off the pitch to continue building a community football club we can all be proud of.

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 administratiely 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

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS

PREMIER DIVISION

LEAGUE

DIRECTORY

CLUB Ardley United Arlesey Town Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Baldock Town Biggleswade United Cockfosters Colney heath Crawley Green Dunstable Town Harpenden Town Hoddesdon Town Leighton Town Leverstock Green London Colney Potton United Risborough Rangers Shefford Town & Campton Stotfold St Panteleimon Tring Athletic

ADDRESS The Nolan Oils Ground Ardley Playing Field OX27 7PA New lamb Meadow Hitchin Rd SG15 6RS The Greenfleets Stadium Haywood Way HP19 9WZ New Lamb Meadow Hitchin Rd SG15 6RS Second Meadow Fairfield Rd Biggleswade SG18 0AA Chalk Lane Barnet EN4 9JG The Recreation Ground Colney Heath AL4 0NP The Stadium at the Brache Park St Luton LU1 3HH Creasey Park Drive Dunstable LU6 1BB Rothamstead Park Amenbury Lane AL5 2EF Park View Hoddesdon EN11 8PX Bell Close Lake St Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX Pancake Lane Leverstock Green HP2 4NQ Cotlandswick Playing Field London Colney AL2 1DW The Hutchinson Hollow Biggleswade Rd SG19 2LX BEP Stadium Horsenden Lane HP27 9NE Shefford Sports Club Hitchin Rd SG17 5JD JSJ Stadium New Roker Park Arlesey Rd SG5 4HE Hertingfordbury Park, West St SG13 8EZ The Grass Roots Stadium Cow Lane Tring HP23 5NT

PHONE 07467 549294 07910 110720 07715 772500 07507 445099 07714 661827 07956 143291 07769 644003 07762 752213 07828 604170 07796 955197 01767 631297 07757 720833 07747 756591 07958 794109 07703 442565 07855 958236 07885 557274 07752 430493

07825 747775

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. 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. League 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 midOctober. 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 the 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 We eventually finished 4th in the table after a mid season Management change and after the disappointment of losing our previous 4 Beds Senior Cup Finals we won the Trophy by beating Southern League Div 1 Champions, Bedford Town on penalties after the game had ended in a 2-2 draw.

THE EMIRATES FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND KO 3pm

LEIGHTON TOWN V BALDOCK TOWN BELL CLOSE LAKE ST LU7 1RX

Admission: ADULTS £8 CONCESSIONS £5 U11 FREE

LEIGHTON TOWN FIXTURES AND RESULTS 2022/23 Day TUES SAT SAT TUES SAT SAT TUES SAT TUES SAT SAT SAT TUES SAT SAT TUES SAT SAT SAT TUES TUES SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT

Date 02 AUG 06 AUG 13 AUG 16 AUG 27 AUG 03 SEPT 06 SEPT 10 SEPT 13 SEPT 17 SEPT 01 OCT 08 OCT 11 OCT 15 OCT 22 OCT 25 OCT 05 NOV 12 NOV 19 NOV 22 NOV 03 DEC 10 DEC 17 DEC 27 DEC 02 JAN 07 JAN 14 JAN 21 JAN 28 JAN 04 FEB 11 FEB 18 FEB 25 FEB 04 MAR 11 MAR 18 MAR 25 MAR 01 APR 08 APR 10 Apr 15 APR 22 APR

Opposition

H/A Stotfold Home Baldock Town Home London Cloney Away Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Away London Tigers Home Leverstock Green Home Codicote Home Baldock Town Away Baldock Town Home St Penteleimon Away Biggleswade United Home Dunstable Town Away Crawley Green Home Cockfosters Away Harpenden Town Home Tring Athletic Home Colney Heath Home Arlesey Town Away Harpenden Town Away Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Home Shefford Town & Campton Home Potton United Away Arlesey Town Home Ardley United Home Risborough Rangers Away Hoddesdon Town Away Dunstable Town Home Crawley Green Away Stotfold Away Hoddesdon Town Home Cockfosters Home Tring Athletic Away Biggleswade United Away Colney Heath Away London Colney Home Shefford Town & Campton Away Potton United Home Baldock Town Away Risborough Rangers Home Ardley United Away St Panteleimon Home Leverstock Green Away

Comp.

SSML FAC EP SSML SSML FA V 1RQ SSML GCT PREM D CUP SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML SSML

Att.

Score

Leighton Town FC is the perfect venue for anything from a wedding reception to a charity event. With it’s own separate bar, room for 100 guests, it’s own separate entrance, and disabled facilities, ample free parking.

Our venue is perfect for: * Wedding Receptions * 21st and above Birthday Parties * Christenings, religious celebrations * Charity Events * Corporate events * Funeral receptions Whatever event you have planned please feel free to contact us on 07887 964 117 to discuss your requirements. We will strive to make your event a special and memorable experience for you and your guests.

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Saturday 13th August – Kick Off 3pm Bovingdon v New Bradwell St Peter Buckingham United v Eynesbury United Leighton Town Development v AFC Caddington Milton Keynes College Football Academy v Aston Clinton Pitstone & Ivinghoe v The 61FC (Luton) Potton United Development v Berkhamsted Raiders Sarratt v Old Bradwell United Totternhoe v Risborough Rangers Development Tring Corinthians AFC v Codicote

The Development Team working hard in training, as the start of the 2022/23 season gets closer.

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE

DIVISION 2

SQUAD FROM

Leighton Town

Stotfold

Red & White / Red / Red

Yellow/Black/Black

Xavi Comas Joe Fitzgerald Matty Cooper Gary Connolly (c) Robbie Goodman Luke Pyman James Towell Ben Spaul Lewis Toomey Leon Lobjoit Jack Harvey Kevin Marsh Mustapha Dumbaya Kieran Turner Stevie Ward Connor Butler Ayo Akinbobola

Nathan Amaning Kade Bagge Josh Bamford Jack Bradshaw (c) Alex Coppin Arron Diviney Liam Gooch GK Aaron Hector Samuel Nicholls Scott Piggott Joseph Ryan Daniel Sears Devonte Simms Codi Lee Spavins Mason Spence Jordan Stevenson Jordan Stewart Jack Woods Kyle Young

Manager: Lee Bircham Assistant: Tony Joyce Physio: John Rutherford & Lorraine Smith

Manager : Brett Donnelly Assistant :Paul Donnelly Physio : Ryan Jefferies

Match Officials Referee : Yashar Yekta Assistants Matthew Langthorne : Steven Healey