RECENTRESULTS
WELCOMEBACK TheClubarepleasedtoannouncethereturnofBradKirkwood
SHEFFORDTOWN&CAMPTON
CLUBHISTORY
Foundedin1910,theclubplayeditsfirstfootballinSeptemberwhenit begantoenterateamintotheBiggleswadeandDistrictJuniorLeague. PlayinghomematchesatIvelRoad,theteamcontestedthislocal competitionuntil1949–50,whenSheffordbegantoenteritsteaminto theSouthMidlandsLeague.ThesidewontheBedsSeniorCupthat season,afeatitrepeatedin1953.Afterfinishingrunners-upintheBeds SeniorCupthefollowingyear,winningitagainin1955andcapping thesefeatswithtwosuccessiveleaguechampionships,SheffordTown startedtocontesttheParthenonLeagueagainstteamsfromfurther afield–someawaytripstooktheteamasfarasLondon.Inthenew league,Sheffordfinishedasrunners-upinthefirstseasonbefore spendingtwomoreyearsinthecompetition.Afterthreeyears,thelong journeysandsparseleagueprogrammeledtheclubtojointhemore localUnitedCountiesLeague.
In1960–61,theleaguechampionshipcametoShefford,andtheclub addedtheNorthBedsCharityCuptoitstrophycabinetduringthesame week.Thefollowingseasonsawadrasticchangeinfortunes,asthe teamfinishedsecondfrombottom–theclubreactedbyarranginga movebacktotheSouthMidlandsLeague.Theteamcamethirdduring thefirstseasonbackinthedivision,andin1973–74theteamfinished asrunners-up.However,theclubwasrelegatedin1975–76.Success didn'tcomebacktoIvelRoaduntiltheearly1980s–in1982–83 SheffordliftedtheDivisionOnetitle,andfinishedthefollowingseason asleaguechampions.During1983–84,SheffordalsowontheNorth BedsCharityCup,theBiggleswadeKnockoutcontestandthe BedfordshireIntermediateCup.TheNorthBedsCharityand BiggleswadeKnockoutdoublewasrepeatedthefollowingyear.
Duringthelate1980stheclubstagnated,astheteamtumbledbackinto DivisionOneafterfinishingbottomin1989–90.Afterthreeuneventful seasons,SheffordTownweremovedtotheSeniorDivisiononleague re-organisation.Thoughperformancesimproved,withtheteam finishingfifthin1993–94,theclubwaswoundupandplayeditsfinal matchon18May1994.SheffordTownFootballClubwasreformedin 2009byDanPinkertonandGrahamEarl,whohadbeeninvolvedin localyouthfootball.ThenewclubwasacceptedintotheBedfordshire CountyFootballLeagueforthe2009–10season,andassignedaplace inDivisionTwo,atlevel13oftheEnglishfootballleaguesystem.
Theclubhashadsuccessbothonandoffthepitchinrecentyearssince itsreformation,theclubwerecrownedBedfordshireCountyPremier DivisionWinnersin2011–12,2017–18and2018–19.TheBedfordshire CountyLeagueBritanniaCupwaswoninboth2011&2014andthe EastBedsCharityCupwaswonbytheReserveteamin2015.TheClub hasalsofinishedrunnersupintheBiggleswadeknock-outcupin2015, 2016&2017. Attheendof2018–19seasonSheffordannounceditsintentionstoseek promotionintotheSpartanSouthMidlandsFootballLeague,whichthey achievedbywinningtheBedfordshireCounty13LAeylaegsbuuerytitle andpassingtherelevantgroundgrading.SheffordTown&Campton enteredtheFAVaseforthefirsttimein2021–22.
LEAGUEHISTORY
TheLeagueisrelativelyyoungcomparedtoother’sbeingformedin 1922astheBedfordshireCountyLeague.Withnewclubskeentojoin fromoutsidetheCountyitwasdecidedin1929tochangethenameto theSouthMidlandsLeague.
TheLeaguecontinuedtoconsolidateandstrengthenovertheensuing 70yearsorsoprovidingqualityfootballformanyteamsoveralarge areaoftheSouthMidlands.
In1997itbecameapparentthattheLondonSpartanLeague,which wasverymuchtotheSouthoftheLeague’sgeographicalfootprint,was strugglingadministratielyand,withthefullsupportoftheFootball Association,thedecisionwastakentomergethetwocompetitionswith thenewLeaguebeingknownastheSpartanSouthMidlandsLeague.
TheLeaguenowcoversawideareafromNorthLondonintheSouthto MiltonKeynesintheNorthandfromWareintheEasttoAylesburyin theWest.
TheLeagueispartoftheFA’sNationalLeagueSystem(NLS)and comprisesofthreeDivisions;PremieratStep5oftheNLS,Division OneatStep6andDivisionTwoatStep7.
TheLeaguehasaproudrecordofpromotingclubstoStep4oftheNLS andhasalsoprovided4FAVaseFinalistsincludingtwowinnersin ArleseyTownandHoddesdonTownFC.
SPARTANSOUTH MIDLANDSLEAGUE PREMIERDIVISION
ArdleyUnited TheNolanOilsGroundArdley PlayingFieldOX277PA 07467549294 ArleseyTown NewlambMeadowHitchinRd SG156RS 07910110720 AylesburyVale Dynamos TheGreenfleetsStadium HaywoodWayHP199WZ 07715772500 BaldockTown NewLambMeadowHitchinRd SG156RS 07507445099 BiggleswadeUnited SecondMeadowFairfieldRd BiggleswadeSG180AA 07714661827 Cockfosters ChalkLaneBarnetEN49JG 07956143291 Colneyheath TheRecreationGroundColney HeathAL40NP 07769644003 CrawleyGreen TheStadiumattheBrachePark StLutonLU13HH 07762752213 DunstableTown CreaseyParkDriveDunstable LU61BB 07828604170 HarpendenTown RothamsteadParkAmenbury LaneAL52EF 07796955197 HoddesdonTown ParkViewHoddesdonEN118PX 01767631297 LeightonTown BellCloseLakeStLeighton BuzzardLU71RX 07757720833 LeverstockGreen PancakeLaneLeverstockGreen HP24NQ 07747756591 LondonColney CotlandswickPlayingField LondonColneyAL21DW 07958794109 PottonUnited TheHutchinsonHollow BiggleswadeRdSG192LX 07703442565 RisboroughRangers BEPStadiumHorsendenLane HP279NE 07855958236 SheffordTown& Campton SheffordSportsClubHitchinRd SG175JD 07885557274 Stotfold JSJStadiumNewRokerPark ArleseyRdSG54HE 07752430493 StPanteleimon HertingfordburyPark,WestSt SG138EZ TringAthletic TheGrassRootsStadiumCow LaneTringHP235NT 07825747775 SPARTANSOUTHMIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIERDIVISION DIRECTORY CLUB ADDRESS PHONE
TheHistoryofLeightonTownFootballClub
LeightonTown,whowereknownasLeightonUnitedbetween1922and1963, wereformedin1885.Theyweremainlyinvolvedinlocalleaguesuntilthe outbreakoftheGreatWarandwerewinnersoftheLeightonandDistrictLeague onseveraloccasions.
LeightonwereoneoftheoriginalmembersoftheSouthMidlandLeaguein1922 –whichatthetimewasknownastheBedfordshireCounty.Theywerealso membersoftheSpartanLeaguebetween1922/23and1951/52,buttheironly successesbeingtheSpartanLeagueDivision2titlein1923/24and1927/28. TheywereBedfordshireSeniorCupwinnersin1926/27.League
In1952,theybecameafoundermemberoftheHellenicLeague,butaftertwo disappointingseasons,movedtotheSouthMidlandsLeague.In1965/66 seasonhowever,thePremierChampionshipsatintheLeightonTown Boardroom.TheclubthenrejoinedtheSpartanLeaguein1967/68.
LeightonproceededtoconsolidatetheirLeaguesuccessbywinningthe BedfordshireSeniorCupforthreesuccessiveseasonsin1968,1969and1970. Unfortunately,someofthesuccessfulplayersmovedontootherclubs,and Leighton’sfortunesagaindeclined.AmovetotheUnitedCountiesLeague proveddisastrousandafterjusttwoseasons,theclubrejoinedtheSouth MidlandsLeague.
Duringthe‘70’sand‘80’s,Leightonwereunabletocapturethesuccessofthe ‘60’s.
In1990/1991theFirstTeamwontheSouthMidlandsLeagueChallengeTrophy andtheO’Brien’sPremierDivisionCup,bothforthefirsttimeintheclub’s history.
The1991/2seasonwasoneoftheclub’sbest.TheSouthMidlandsPremier Divisiontitle,whichhadeludedtheclubforsolong,waswon,andwithitaplace intheIsthmianLeague.
1992/3sawtheClub’ssuccesscontinuewhentheywontheBedfordshireSenior Cupforthefirsttimesince1970.TheClubmissedoutonpromotionintheirfirst IsthmianLeagueseasonbyjustasinglepointbuttheYouthTeamretainedthe CountyCup.
1995/6sawtheFirstTeamwinpromotiontoDivision2oftheIsthmianLeague, whilstatthesametimeretainingtheBuckinghamCharityCup.
Inthe1996/7season,LeightonwontheIsthmianLeagueAssociatedMembers Trophyforthefirsttime.1998/99sawthereturnoftheAssociatedMembers TrophyandtheBuckinghamCharityCup.
Season2003/04LeightonwontheRymanIsthmianSecondDivisiontitle.They werealsonamedRymanDivisionTwoTeamoftheYear,andPaulBurgesswas awardedManageroftheYear.TheyalsoreachedtheFifthroundoftheFAVase, andthefinaloftheBedsSeniorCup,beforelosingtoAndoverandArleseyTown respectively.
The2004-05seasonsawtheclubplacedinTheSouthernLeagueEastDivision andfinishedinacreditabletenthplace.TheyalsowontheBuckinghamshire CharityCup.TheReserveswontheBedfordshireIntermediateCupandthe U18’swontheSCYFLLeagueShield.
The05-06SeasonsawtheClubprogressagain,improvingontheyearbefore, astheyfinished8th inTheSouthernLeagueWesternDivision.Afterapoorstart, Leagueresultsimprovedandthesideonlysufferedfourdefeatsfromthestartof NovemberuntiltheendofMarch,aplay-offplacejusteludingthem.
AfterthreeexcellentvictoriesinterestintheFA.Trophycompetitionendedwitha singlegoaldefeattoeventualsemi-finalists,Borehamwood.
TheClubalsoreachedtheBedsSeniorCupFinal,butsadlytheyagainfinished asRunnersUp.
TheClubwererelocatedtotheSouthernLeagueMidlandDivisionfor06-07 seasonbutonlyoneLeaguewininthefirstsixgamesandearlyexitsinthetwo FACompetitionscostPaulBurgesshisjobinSeptember.Hewasreplacedby formerWycombeprofessionalKeithScott,resultsdidimprovebutitwasa disappointingseason,althoughTowndidwintheBucksSeniorCharityCup.
The07-08startedbrightlywiththefirstLeaguedefeatnotcominguntilmidOctober.ThreewinsintheFACupsawtheClubreachthe4th QualifyingRound forthefirsttimeinit’shistory.A3-0defeattoConferenceSouth,Havantand Waterloovillefinallyendedtherun.KeithScottthenleftinDecembertojoin WindsorandEton.InJanuary2008,AssistantManagerSeanDowneywas appointedasFirstTeamManageranddidasplendidjobastheClubendedtheir Leagueseasonin9th place,winningtheBucksCharityCupandreachingthe finaloftheBedsSeniorCuponcemore.
The08/09SeasontheFirstTeamfinished8th intheSouthernLeague,Midland Division,achievingtheirhighestpointstotaltodateatthatlevel.
The09/10seasonsawLeightononceagainfinishinthetophalfofthetable, whentheyfinishedin9th placeandtheyalsolosttheBedfordshireSeniorCup FinaltoSouthernLeaguerivals,ArleseyTownafterpenalties.
Season2010/2011,sawTownfinishin7th placeintheLeague,gaining69 points,theirbestperformancesincejoiningtheSouthernFootballLeague.
The2011/2012apoorseasonsawLeightonfinishintheirlowestpositionfor severalyears.
2012/13wasalsoverydisappointingfortheFirstTeamastheyfinishedin20th place.
2015/2016After3disappointingseasonsLeightonfinishedtheseasoninthe bottomtwooftheSouthernLeagueCentralDivisionandwererelegatedtothe SpartanSouthMidlandsLeaguewheretheyhadlastplayedinthe1991/92 season.
2016/2017Thiswasadisappointingseasonwiththeclubstrugglingformuch ofthetimeafteryetanotherManagerialChange.Thingsdidpickuptowardsthe endoftheseasonandweeventuallyfinishedin16th place.
2017/18TheclubretainedScottReynoldsasManagerandfinished4th inthe LeagueandreachedtheQuarterFinalsoftheFAVASE.Gatesimprovedand itwasourbestseasonforabout8years,
2018/2019Manager,ScottReynoldsresignedinthecloseseasonandDanny NichollswasappointedasManagerbutleftinOctoberduetowork commitments.TheClubthenappointedJoeSweeneyandPaulCopson,who hadpreviouslywonthePremierdivisiontitlewithLondonColneyasthenew ManagementTeam.Theysteadiedtheshipandwefinishedinmidtable.
2019/2020WasagoodseasonfortheClubasweagainreachedtheQuarter FinaloftheFAVaseandafteraslowstartintheLeaguetheteamstartedtofind somegoodformasweslowlyclimbedupthetable.Theteamwerealso awardedtheTeamoftheMonthtwice.
2020/2021Townforthethirdtimein4seasonsreachedtheQuarterFinalofthe FAVasebutsadlylostoutto2latepenalties.AnindifferentstartintheLeague meantwecouldnotquitegainthepointsneededtogainpromotioninaCovid affectedseason.
2021/2022Weeventuallyfinished4th inthetableafteramidseason Managementchangeandafterthedisappointmentoflosingourprevious4 BedsSeniorCupFinalswewontheTrophybybeatingSouthernLeagueDiv1 Champions,BedfordTownonpenaltiesafterthegamehadendedina2-2draw.
NOVEMBERTEAMOFTHEMONTH WewerevotedTeamofthemonthforNovemberbytheSpartanSouth MidlandsFootballLeague InthemonthofNovemberintheleaguewepickedup15pointsfroma possible15. Wescored13goalsandconcededonly2.
ManythankstoeveryonewhoboughtandsoldticketsfortheChristmas drawyoursupportisgreatlyappreciated.
CONGRATULATIONSTOOURCHRISTMASDRAWWINNERS
MaxBradfield
LeightonTown3-3ArdleyUnited
Tuesdayafternoon’sSpartanactionwasatenseaffairasbothteamsshookoff thepost-ChristmascobwebstoofferupanintriguingsixgoaloutingatBell Close
Thehostsstartedthescoringjustthreeminutesin.Alongballforwardwas flickedonbyLeonLobjoittoArchieMcClelland.Withthegoalkeeperinno man’sland,McClellandprovidedasublimelob.On20minutes,McClelland wouldgrabhis,andLeighton’s,secondgoal.Latchingontoadefensive mishap,theinformstrikercutbackonhisrighttodrivelowandhard–perhaps benefittingfromadeflectionortwoalongtheway.Itwashisninthgoalinas manygames.
Beforethebreak,Ardleyhadtwoeffortsdisallowedforoffside.Thefirstwas betterthanthelastasAnacletOdhiambofiredinanoverheadkick,alastono avail.Odhiambodidgethisgoalshortlyaftertomakeit2-1on36minutesleavingitalltoplayforinthesecondhalf.
Leightonbeganthesecondhalfwell.OranJacksonforcedafinesavefromthe travellingkeeperon50’beforeinthenextrunofplay,aTowngoalwas disallowed.LeonLobjoitconverted,butReeceRobinswasadjudgedtohave fouledthekeeperastheballdropped.
AswithArdley’sdisallowedgoal,TownalsobouncedbackquickwithLobjoit scoringfiveminuteslater.Fromalongballoverthetop,hechippedthefloored keeperinsignature,deadlyfashiontomakeit3-1.
Ardleyweren’tdeterredandaddedtoatrifectaofdisallowedgoals.Admittedly, Towndidn’thandlethepressureandon76’thedangerousOdhiamboscored againbeforealateflurryofattackshadLeightonheadsspinning.Astrayfoot gaveArdleyafreekick.JordyNgatheblasteditthroughawearywalltoendthe game3-3.
ForanowthirdplacedLeightonTown,thenewyeargetsunderwayat RisboroughRangersonthesecondofJanuary.
LTFCXI:Shaw;Towell,Connolly,Farrelly,Beck,Pyman,Robins,Spaul(C), McClelland,Lobjoit,Summerfield.
Subs:Cooper,Toomey,Jackson,Fulton,Marsh-Brown.
MATCHREPORT27/12/22
MANOFTHEMATCH2712/22 LEONLOBJOIT MANYTHANKSTO MINICLIPPERLOGISTICS AND MARSHALLSCOACHES FORSPONSORING THEMATCH ANDFORYOUR SPONSORSHIP THISSEASON YOURSUPPORTISVERY MUCHAPPRECIATED
HOMEKITSPONSOREDBY BUTTLE’S&GEORGELINES MANYTHANKSFORYOURSUPPORTITISVERY MUCHAPPRECIATED
MaxBradfield
RisboroughRangers2-3LeightonTown
LeightonTownkickedoff2023withanawaywinatRisboroughonMonday. Winning2-3atWindsorPlayingFields,Towncontinuedtheirpushtothesummit oftheSpartanwithvitalgoalsfromLeonLobjoitandWillSummerfield. Thevisitorsappliedpressurefromtheoff.Threeminutesin,ConnorHuntbegan adayoffinesavesashekeptoutaheaderfromcloserange.AfterTownargued withtherefthattheballhadcrossedtheline,Huntmadeanotherexcellentstop on25’.Summerfieldfiredlowandhard,buttheRangers’keeperwasequaltoit beforehisdefencecleared.
On32minutes,Risboroughfinallyfolded.AropeybackpasssetLobjoitthrough. HuntstoodnochanceastheprolificmanroundedtheRisboroughno.1. Thesecondhalfstartedwithpenaltyshoutsallround.First,thehosts’Ollie Hoggwentdowntonoavail.Then,uptheotherend,JoeFitzgeraldlookedto handletheballwithTownupinarmsbutyetagain,therefwasn’tinterested. Followingthis,thegameenteredahightempophase.
On70’,Leightondoubledtheirlead.GoodworkfromArchieMcClellandbobbled throughtoWillSummerfield.Composed,hesmashedhomeemphatically. Bircham’ssidewerejubilant,butRisboroughtooklittletimetorespond-asjust sixminuteslaterAsherYearwoodprovidedalifeline.
Rangers’headsdippedslightlywiththedismissalofJoelReadforabad challengeonBenSpaulon77’.Huntwascalledintofurtheractionwithagreat stopdowntohisleftbeforeRisboroughbuckledoncemoreandconcededa penaltythreeminutesbeforetime.Lobjoit’sinitialkickwassavedwellbutthe keepercouldn’tstopthereboundtomakeit1-3.Risboroughplayedtothevery lastwhistleandmadeit2-3inaddedtime.However,thisheaderfromdebutant MichaelHardingwasjusttoolate.
Townnowmovesecondintheleagueafterthisone.ThenextgameforLee Bircham’ssideisyetanotherawaygame–HoddesdonTownintheleagueat TheStewartEdwardsStadium.
LTFCXI:Kirkwood;Towell,Connolly,Connolly(C),Jackson,Pyman,Flanagan, Spaul,McClelland,Lobjoit,Summerfield.
Subs:Robins,Marsh,Toomey,Fulton,Marsh-Brown.
MATCHREPORT2/1/23
MANOFTHEMATCH2/1/23 LEONLOBJOIT VRISBOROUGHRANGERS
AWAYKITSPONSOREDBY DEAKINWHITE MANYTHANKSFORYOURSUPPORTITISVERY MUCHAPPRECIATED
LeightonTownPartner/SponsorshipPackages 2022/23Season Wanttobeapartnerwithanambitious,progressive,localfootballclub; onethatalsotakesitssocialandcommunityresponsibilitiesseriously? ThenlooknofurtherthanLeightonTownFC. InrecentyearsLeightonTownFChasbuiltstrongrelationshipswithalarge numberofbusinessesandcommunityorganisationsinthetown.Weare seekingtobuildfurtherlinksandweofferawiderangeofopportunitiesfor interestedpartiestobecomepartnersinmovingtheclubforward. IfyouwanttojointheLeightonTownfamily,thenthereareavarietyof waysthatyoucandoso. Partnership/Sponsorshippackages LocalcompaniesandbusinessescanpurchaseoneofourGold,Silver,or BronzeSponsorshipPackages,allofwhich,representexcellentvaluefor money. Clickhere formoredetails,includinghowtocontacttheclubif interested. MatchBallSponsorsforFirstTeamhomegames Beamatchballsponsorforonly £35 andhaveyourname/companydisplayed onthefrontoftheon-linematchdayprogramme.Email sdowney0207@outlook.com tosecure.First20receivedwillbeallocateda gameinthecomingseason. Thereissomethingforeveryoneandeverybudget.Allproceedswill servetosupporttheclubbothonandoffthepitchtocontinuebuildinga communityfootballclubwecanallbeproudof.
MAXBRADFIELD
HoddesdonTown0-8LeightonTown
LeightonTownwereruthlessontheroadonSaturdaywithanear-faultless0-8 routofHoddesdon.ThereweresixgoalscorersinthisoneasTownresumetheir pursuitoftabletoppingStotfoldwithagameinhand.
ThemeninpurpleweredominantfromthestartandJamesTowellopenedthe scoring13minutesin.KyleConnollyloftedinaprecisedeepcrossandTowell wasthereatthebackposttoheadpastgoalkeeperLiamNugent.Forthesecond goal,Connollywentfromprovidertoscorerjustbeforethehalfhourmark.The wingbackcutinfollowingasurgingrunontherightandfiredabrilliant,lowdrive backacrossgoal.Clippingthebaseofthepost,itwasthedefinitionofunsavable.
Beforethefirst45wasup,ArchieMcClellandmadeitthreeforthevisitors.Leon Lobjoitsethisstrikepartnerupwellwithaskilfulbackheelbutnothingshouldbe takenawayfromthesmartfinishthatfoundthebottomrightcorner.
Withbothsidesbackoutafterthebreak,McClellanddidn’ttaketoolongto continuethescoring.Hewasinforhissecondon63’withasuperbgoal.Firsthe latchedontoLeonLobjoit’sflick.Then,hehadtheHoddesdondefencebumbling beforefindinghisfeetandpickingoutthebottomleftinpinpointfashion.
TravellingTownweren’tdonewithfourgoals,andalateflurryembodiedacoldbloodedattackingethosthat’sbeenbubblingunderthesurfaceoflate.Afterbeing involvedinpreviousattacks,Lobjoitgotonthescoresheeton76’,artfully noddinginaReeceRobinscross.Justamereminutelater,Townwonapenalty asatiredHarryNormanwasdeemedtohandletheballontheline.Substitute LewisToomeyconfidentlymadeitsixfromthespot.
ItthelasttenminutesitwastheWillSummerfieldshow.Hisfreekickblazinginto thetoprightcorneron79’wastheposterchildforanawaydaydoneproperly.His secondfreekickgoal,(yessecond!)wasthecherryontopasLeightontravelled backtoBedfordshireeightgoalstothegood.Afterthisexcellentdisplay,focus nowshiftstomidweekDudleyLathamCupactionagainstSheffordbeforean excitingFAVaseclashagainstholdersNewportPagnellonSaturday.
MATCHREPORT7/1/23
LTFCXI:Comas;Towell,Connolly,Connolly(C),Jackson,Pyman,Flanagan, Spaul,McClelland,Lobjoit,Summerfield. Subs:Beck,Farrelly,Little,Robins,Toomey.
MANOFTHEMATCH7/1/23 WILLSUMMERFIELD VHODDESDONTOWN
