COMMUNITY TRUST MANAGER: Helen Preedy (helen.preedy@maidenheadunitedfc.org)
MAIDENHEAD UNITED IN THE COMMUNITY: Mark Nisbet
The Club operates its commercial activities through Maidenhead United FC Ltd, York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SF Company No: 05691046, VAT No: 442328173 The Club is a member of the Vanarama National League and is therefore subject to the league’s rules and regulations The persons of significant control in the Club as defined in National League rule 213 are Peter Griffin and MUFC Ltd
CLUBNEWS
Maidenhead United are saddened to learn of the passing of former Magpies player manager John Dempsey at the age of 78 Our thoughts are with John’s family at this sad time
Hampstead-born John started his professional career with Fulham, making his debut in 1963 and playing 149 times for the Cottagers over six years before moving to local rivals Chelsea in January 1969. Whilst with Chelsea he won the FA Cup after a replay following a classic 1970 final against Leeds United and the following season Dempsey himself – a defender by trade - scored a memorable volley in the European Cup Winners Cup final against Real Madrid, a match that Chelsea won by two goals to one in Athens After making 166 appearances for The Blues, he left the UK in 1978 to participate in the Northern American Soccer League with Philadelphia Fury In 1979, he was voted the NASL's defender of the year, beating no less a name than Franz Beckenbauer into second place He had previously played in the NASL with the Serbia White Eagles franchise based in Toronto.
John – who also won 19 Republic of Ireland caps in his decorated playing careerwas appointed player-manager of Isthmian League Division One side Maidenhead United in the summer of 1981. The highlight of his spell in charge was in reaching the final of the Southern Combination Cup, otherwise United had a disappointing season under Dempsey’s charge in 1981/82, finishing 16th in a 21-team division In December 1982 – with United faring little better than the previous campaign –Dempsey was relieved of his position following a 6-1 defeat at Harlow Town
Dempsey subsequently had spells in charge at Dundalk in Ireland and at Egham Town but he never reached the heights of his time as a professional in his subsequent managerial career. Making 57 appearances for United – plus a further four as a substitute – John scored four goals for Maidenhead and in 75 matches as manager he won 20 matches, lost 40 and drew 15 games with his side scoring 102 goals but shipping 162.
RYANPETERS
Welcome back to York Road where the focus returns to the league after two cup matches
On Saturday against EFL League One side Crawley Town we felt we were very good value against a side which were expected to beat us. We were four minutes away from winning the tie and again in extra time we had moments where we could potentially have gone on to score a winner We didn’t take our chances, and it was gutting to concede late in extra time We said to the boys at half time that we felt they were there for the taking We were solid for most of the game, but you talk about fortune and key moments and that extra bit of quality at the death did for us.
We haven’t had to prepare for extra time for a long while, but we felt that we had the resilience there. You’d expect that maybe extra time against a fully professional side would come down to fitness but in reality, we saw more Crawley players going down with cramp than our own, so we feel our fitness is there to be seen. Overall, we are incredibly proud of the boys If we can take the individual and collective performances into our next games, it will stand us in good stead
On Tuesday night we had our second National League Cup tie It was a great opportunity to utilise our squad once again We had some boys coming back from long term injury too, so it was a chance for them to get some minutes This is a new and exciting competition for us. It was a good team effort on the night, but congratulations to Joseph for his brace and it is great to have Tobi back on the scoresheet again. It was an opportunity for a few young players to get an opportunity as well. It was a good showing from them, and it gives the gaffer some decisions to make today which is what we all want.
Today we welcome one of the leading teams in the division Forest Green are a tough side with some terrific individual players in their squad We are going to have to be wary of them and we are still licking our wounds a little bit after the FA Cup tie, but we want to give a good account of ourselves and start another good run It is down to us today to put on another good performance for the fans, who, by the way, were fantastic last Saturday. When we went into thirty minutes of extra time, they were driving us on and if we can have that same noise again today it will be very much appreciated by the boys and the backroom staff.
AROUNDTHELEAGUE
Maidenhead United were not the only Vanarama National League side to fall foul of the new Emirates FA Cup directive last weekend which has consigned replays in the competition proper to history Today’s visitors made the long trip to Stockport County and ordinarily would have had the opportunity to bring the League 1 side back to their place after Christian Doidge’s 82nd minute equaliser at Edgeley Park. However, Kyle Wootton’s closerange goal in extra time won it for the Cheshire side
Southend United also suffered heartbreak in the extra thirty minutes that followed a thrilling three-all draw with League 1 outfit Charlton Athletic Two down on the cusp of half time, the Shrimpers had hope through Jack Bridge’s penalty kick Oli Coker levelled things up early in the second half, but it looked like the Addicks would progress thanks to Matt Godden’s goal midway through the second half before Josh Edwards deflected into his own net in injury time. After a goal at the end of 90 minutes there was ultimately to be a winner in the 120th minute when Gassan Ahadme capitalised on a Southend defensive mix up.
Headline makers from the National League included Tamworth, who won the Friday night televised game thanks to an error by Huddersfield ‘keeper Chris Maxwell who punched a Tom Tonks long throw into his own net Meanwhile Dagenham, Oldham and Wealdstone all proved there is perhaps not a lot to choose between the National League and EFL League Two with victories away from home against tier four sides Crewe, Tranmere and Grimsby respectively
High-flying Barnet did themselves proud as Exeter City required two injury time goals to clinch an eight-goal thriller and leaders York City were defeated by the odd goal in five at promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers of League One. Solihull Moors swept aside Step 2 outfit Maidstone United, Woking were defeated by a solitary goal at Kingfield by Cambridge United whilst Braintree Town suffered shoot-out misery at Brackley Town Rochdale were involved in an astonishing game against League Two Bromley, conceding twice in the opening three minutes before fighting back to lead with ten minutes remaining with former Magpie Sam Beckwith leading the charge with the first goal Bafflingly, Bromley came back to win in ‘normal’ time with injury time efforts from Levi Amantchi and Corey Whiteley Aldershot meanwhile had a short-lived first half lead given to them by Jack Barham wiped out by three second half Bradford City goals and Sutton were defeated by a first half Birmingham City goal.
WOMEN’STEAM
Maidenhead United Women were unable to break through a stubborn Abingdon United last Sunday afternoon at York Road and had to settle for a hard-fought goalless draw against the battling visitors.
A game that in truth saw very few clear goalscoring opportunities was dominated largely by defences. Natalie Cowell saw an early turn and shot saved by the impressive Cailtin Crierie in the Abingdon goal before the dangerous Mimi Hodges fired a snap-shot wide for the away side. Maidenhead had failed to defeat Abingdon United in four encounters over the previous two seasons in league and cup and they were frustrated again in this local derby clash as Crierie turned away goal-bound Amy Saunders headers not once but twice from Magpies corner kicks
Between times, Molly Lygo tested returning goalkeeper Kenny Clarke from range after some sloppy play by Maidenhead before Hodges drilled another effort off target after a rare mistake by the hard-working Katie Akerman Clarke also dealt with an effort from Erin Hartigan before the break as the Oxfordshire side ended the half well.
The second period began with Maidenhead on top again and they worked plenty of openings, particularly down the right-hand channel, but the final ball never resulted in a decisive opening. Inside the final ten minutes, intelligent play by Izzy Stockton put substitute Tia Johnson through on goal but she was unable to generate enough power on her shot. The visitors had the ball in the net through the dangerous Hodges albeit from a position ruled offside by the officials as Abingdon ended the game the stronger side with both teams ultimately having to settle for a draw.
Meanwhile, United’s Development side moved into the quarter-finals of the FAWNL Reserve Plate with a 4-3 victory at Cheltenham Town Reserves Ryan Robinson’s side earned their passage with a hat-trick from Amelie Mayani which included a virtuoso strike from fully 40 yards for the teenage forward who earlier this season became the first player to score for MUFC Academy, MUWFC Development and MUWFC First teams. Molly McKeever scored United’s other goal and they will now face Billericay Town Reserves in the quarter-final on Sunday 1st December.
Maidenhead’s First Team are back in action at York Road on Sunday 10th November when they entertain Keynsham Town in a 1:30pm kick off. Admission as usual will be FREE for MUFC Gold Members, otherwise priced at £5 for adults and £2 concessions with cash and card accepted at the gate.
LASTTIMEHERE
Maidenhead United’s 138 year wait for an appearance in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup continues after dramatic extra time defeat to EFL side Crawley Town. In the opening moments Casey Pettit’s ball into the channel saw Sam Barratt well positioned, but with only Jojo Wollacott to beat he slammed his first time shot into the side-netting. Crawley began to settle with patient possession football and their first opening inside the opening twenty minutes came when Joy Mukena pulled the ball back from the right at the end of a patient move and the loose ball just evaded Tola Showunmi in the middle of the 18 yard box. Craig Ross had to punch a dangerous cross away from the head of Gavan Holohan before a ball in from the tricky Crawley midfielder was fumbled behind by Ross after Toby Mularkey glanced a header towards goal with the Magpies ‘keeper off balance Overall it was in truth a rather turgid first half
The second period started with more Crawley dominance but a rare Maidenhead foray forward saw Barratt’s long throw cause issues in the Crawley box which resulted in Reece Smith having a form drive blocked. There was a big moment just before the hour when Ross bailed out a rare mistake by Kevin Lokko; Jack Roles clear on goal couldn’t defeat the Magpies ‘keeper. In the 63rd minute the complexion of the game changed. Crawley were caught in possession by Reece Smith who sent Shawn McCoulsky clear to thrash the ball into the roof of the net to send Magpies fans at Bell Street ballistic A good overlap then saw Smith’s ball gathered bravely at his near post by Wollacott who was injured in the process and required replacing by Jasper Sheik
Crawley’s confidence seemed to have visibly dipped by this stage The Magpies were winning a series of set pieces and from one such free-kick Nathan Ferguson shot for goal from a tight angle but Sheik gathered the ball confidently at his near post. Nerves nearly cost Crawley a second as Bradley Ibrahim’s back header was fumbled under no pressure by Sheik but scrambled clear with McCoulsky lurking. Smith then set up McCoulsky for an effort well saved by the ‘keeper. As passions threatened to run over a late challenge on Ferguson resulted in a melee that saw the United man and Crawley’s Ibrahim cautioned As the fourth official indicated eight minutes of injury time a neat move involving Latty-Fairweather and Smith saw the latter set up Pettit for a flying header which went wide at the near post An equalizer didn’t seem likely at this stage but it came nonetheless in the 94th minute when Golding mis-controlled a cross to the near post and the loose ball was driven home by Toby Mullarkey
A cagey first period of extra time saw Hepburn-Murphy’s fierce curling effort go over Craig Ross’s crossbar. The ball was in the net in the 101st minute but both Craig Ross and the ball had been bundled home after Adeyemo’s cross, free-kick to Maidenhead. The second period saw Ferguson drill a powerful shot just over. With four minutes remaining in extra time – and United looking the most likely at this stage - Tola Showunmi held off the challenge of De Havilland following a knockdown to win the game
Full-time (AET): Magpies 1-2 Crawley
MEETTHEOPPOSITION
For the third season in a row, Forest Green Rovers have started life in a new division. Promoted from EFL League Two as champions at the end of 2021/22 under Rob Edwards, Rovers were demoted back from whence they came finishing bottom of League One in 2022/23 and at the end of ‘23/24 they suffered the double-whammy of relegation back to the National League which they had only left as recently as 2017
After Edwards departed to Luton Town in the summer of 2022 – leading the Hatters to the Premier League at the end of his first season – the Rovers have seen five subsequent managerial appointments come and go prior to the arrival of the experienced Steve Cotterill. They come into today’s game just one point off the top of the table and unbeaten in their last five league games since defeat at Oldham Athletic back at the end of September. Last time out in the league a fortnight ago today they were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Woking. Rovers looked set for a long afternoon when defender Ryan Inniss was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge after just 21 minutes But Cotterill’s side were leading at the break after Christian Doidge flicked the ball into the path of Kyle McAllister who cut inside before slotting the ball into the bottom corner in the 42nd minute Woking were level in the 53rd minute when the impressive Dan Moss looped in a header, but they could not find against ten men
Formed in October 1889 by Rev. E. J. H. Peach, the club became founder members of the Mid Gloucestershire League five years later. In 1894 the club was renamed Nailsworth Association Football Club, withdrawing from the League at the end of 1896/97 but being re-established in 1898 under the Forest Green Rovers name. Competing in various local league competitions for much of the 20th century, they won a multitude of league titles They became founder members of theGloucestershire County Leaguein 1968, before they were moved up to the Premier Division of theHellenic Leagueseven years later From the Hellenic, Rovers progressed through the Southern League and into the National League by 1998
Rovers under Cotterill do not make a habit of losing, with just two single-goal away defeats in the league, both to sides in the top five – Oldham and Barnet – from their sixteen goals so far this campaign. Only Barnet have scored more than the 29 goals the Rovers have notched in the National League so far this season.
The Gaffer – Steve Cotterill
Gloucestershire footballing royalty, Steve Cotterill was appointed to the FGR hotseat in January 2024 Starting his coaching career in Ireland, Cotterill led Sligo Rovers to third place in the League of Ireland and to the final of the League Cup, qualifying for the UEFA Intertoto Cup Cotterill took over his home town club Cheltenham Town in 1997 and is still widely regarded as their best ever manager, taking the Robins from the sixth tier to the third tier in the space of five years. He also won the FA Trophy in 1998.
Cotterill stepped up a division to join Stoke City in the pre-season of 2002. His spell at the Potters was short lived, leaving after 13 games to become Assistant Manager at Sunderland under Howard Wilkinson In 2004 he started a four year spell in charge at second tier Burnley and in 2010 he led Notts County to the League Two title A year at the helm of Portsmouth followed before a similarly short spell at Nottingham Forest A successful period with Bristol City – promotion from EFL League One and the EFL Trophy – followed and more recently Cotterill has been with Birmingham and Shrewsbury.
THREE TO WATCH
Ben Tozer was the long-throw specialist in the Wrexham side which won this division at the end of 2022/23 Plymouth-born Tozer returns to the South-West with nearly 600 career appearances to his name having been involved in The Dragons back-to-back promotions fromNational League to League One. Tozer has plenty of EFL experience, not least with Rovers local rivals Cheltenham Town.
Kyle McAllister is the National League player of the month for October An international for Scotland at Under 17 and Under 21 level, versatile McAllister has operated as wing-back, number 10 and as a false nine. McAllister has Scottish Premiership experience with his home town club St Mirren and has also been with Dery County.
Christian Doidge is a striker in his second spell with FGR. The Welshman played in League Two with Dagenham & Redbridge and scored 25 league goals at Rovers were promoted from this division in 2017 Doidge played north of the border with Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership and has also had spells with Bolton Wanderers and with Kilmarnock
NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP
The Magpies made it five points from their two National League Cup ties so far with a shoot-out victory over Derby County Under 21s at York Road on Tuesday night
The ninety minutes itself rather lived up to the old ‘game of two halves’ cliché United were very much on top in the first period against the young Rams. Inside the first five minutes Zac Bell’s cross from the right was glanced over the top by Tobi Sho-Silva The big striker’s moment would come however as he was Johnny-on-the-spot to stretch decisively for the loose ball after a delicious free-kick from Sam Barratt came back off the post
It was a good night for Joseph Ajose in a United line-up which showed ten changes to the exhausting two-hour FA Cup tie on Saturday. From a deflected Barratt cross Joseph time his run to the far post to perfection to head Maidenhead two ahead. It could have been three before the break when another Barratt free-kick was well cleared at the far post. From the resultant corner the returning Remy Clerima’s header came back off the crossbar albeit a free-kick had been awarded against United
The second period was only three minutes old when Derby began their fight-back A corner was scrambled off the line by Sho-Silva, but Lennon Wheeldon crashed home the loose ball Just after the hour the Rams levelled it up when Darren Robinson headed another corner home at the far post. The pendulum appeared to swing back towards Maidenhead with twenty minutes remaining when the visitors were careless in possession and Ajose squeezed a shot home at the near post. Back came Derby, however, and within three minutes a ball from the right was nudged back into the danger zone by substitute Joseph Osong for Harry Hawkins to bury a splendid effort The visitors nearly won the game at the death when the dangerous Osong struck a post
A point apiece and the game went into a shoot-out to determine which side would take a bonus point United went first and the sides exchanged twelve successful kicks with Sho-Silva, Will De Havilland, Ruben Carvalho, Casey Pettit, Owen Cochrane and Ajose converting Maidenhead’s kicks at the Canal End. Zac Bell struck a post with his kick but both Hawkins and Darren Robinson saw their subsequent efforts kept out by Harvey Collins with Academy prospect Josh McMenemy converting his kick to secure a 7-6 shoot-out win.
Maidenhead now go top of Group A ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion who triumphed 3-2 at Aldershot Town Fulham picked up their first points of the campaign with victory at Wealdstone whilst Woking won the bonus-point shootout 3-0 after a thrilling 4-4 draw with Southampton
OPPONENTREWIND
Today marks the first ever league meeting between Maidenhead United and Forest Green Rovers, but it is far from the Gloucestershire side’s first visit to SL6.
Between 1980 and 1982 today’s visitors shared a division with Courthouse Road based Maidenhead Town FC On 11th October 1980, Rovers visited Maidenhead for the first time, defeating a Town side featuring future Maidenhead United favourites Dave Harrison and Andy Smith in a Hellenic League Premier Division fixture thanks to two early goals The return fixture in March saw Town win 4-1, former Magpie Ian Shiell netted a hat-trick with Colin Williams goal for Rovers a mere consolation. The following campaign Rovers became champions of the Hellenic Premier, defeating Town 2-0 at home. Today’s visitors, however, suffered one of only six league defeats all season when Town defeated them 2-1 in the return at Courthouse Road.
Forest Green started the following campaign in the Southern League and haven’t looked back since; promotions in 1997, 1998, 2017 and 2022 took them to EFL League One before back-to-back relegations saw Rovers back in the National League Maidenhead Town meanwhile folded in 1990 but a new club bearing that name now operate in the Thames Valley Premier League, playing at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre – last weekend’s 2-1 win over AFC Winkfield cementing their position at the top of that division, which is at Step 7 of the national league system
Rovers first and only visit to York Road to date came in an FA Cup tie on 30th September 1989. Today’s visitors were by now an established Southern League Midland Division side, and they face a United side undergoing a third season in the depths of Isthmian League Division 2 South. Rovers were now known as ‘Stroud FC’ following a short-lived name change which was reversed in 1992 This Second Qualifying Round tie was played in front of 232 spectators, which was to be the second largest York Road crowd of the season
Clifford Alleyne was the hero for Maidenhead on the day Paul ‘Noddy’ Holder’s shot after 33 minutes came back off a post and fell kindly for Alleyne to fire home from eight yards. Shaun Penny hit a post for Stroud and Dave Webb forced a good save out of Magpies ‘keeper Peter Rackley before United made sure of progress at the death. Mark Boucher and John Donaghy combined to set up Alleyne for his eight of the campaign.
MAIDENHEADUNITED SUPPORTERSGROUP
Maidenhead United Supporters Group (MUSG) is the name of the new fan-led group dedicated to enhancing the experience that MUFC supporters have with their club and supporting the club in all its endeavours.
MUSG have already seen a 50% increase in membership this season, which is really positive MUSG is now looking to grow representation across all teams operating under the MUFC banner
We’ve had a good take-up for the coach to Eastleigh on 21st December, and we are happy to confirm it will run. Special offer is extended to today’s game so please visit our stand opposite the Kelme Club Shop today before the match. Currently we are running the coach for just £20 Adults and £15 Juniors.
Today we will also be running our Christmas raffle Some decent prizes are available, including a signed men’s first team football, £50 Kelme Voucher and 2 x Hospitality Tickets Raffle tickets are available today for £1 a ticket - come on down, join MUSG, buy a badge, a 50/50 draw ticket, a Golden Goal ticket and have a chat with us about our activities for the season Otherwise keep an eye out on the website, our programmes notes and our ‘X’ account, @MUSG YorkRoad
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE TABLE
The Amateur Cup was the talk of the town today in 1946 when United hosted local rivals Marlow in the Divisional Final A crowd of 2,984, the highest so far that season were reported to be kept at fever pitch in a rousing game packed with excitement from start to finish With less than a minute on the clock Maidenhead took the lead when a long ball from David Pattison found Dennis Webb who passed to the unmarked John Turner to fire the ball past Hildreth Webb added a second after just six minutes converting a free kick from Pattison, Frank Bowers should have made it three when he burst through with the goal at his mercy only to drive the ball over the bar. Bowers’ miss would prove costly as the visitors came back strongly and pulled a goal back via Ross shortly before half-time. Marlow were level two minutes from the restart when Alf Wiltshire failed to hold on to a soft shot from Tomlin, play went from end to end and once again Maidenhead took the lead, Jimmy Doe crossing to Turner to make the score 3-2 Marlow rallied again and equalised on 72 minutes when Gruitt converted a rebound off his knees The Buckinghamshire side exercised their right to decline extra time and won the replay 2-1 the following Saturday at Oak Tree Road
Six goals were also shared in 1968 when Grays Athletic were the visitors for an Athenian League Premier Division match, eleven of Maidenhead’s thirty league games ended all square making them the season’s draw specialists. Jim Hartridge, Dave Woolley and substitute Keith Harrington scored for United.
York Road would once again witness six goals in 1982 but this time the Magpies would run out easy winners scoring five of them. 42 years ago today John Dempsey’s dismal managerial reign would reach a brief high point with a 5-1 thrashing of Chesham United in an Isthmian League game First half goals from Dempsey and Godfrey Cordice put Maidenhead 2-0 up at the break Cordice added a third straight from the re-start before Chris Nash got one back for Chesham on the hour Despite Keith James receiving his marching orders for a reckless tackle Cordice completed his hat trick on 64 minutes before Benny Laryea completed the Buckinghamshire side’s misery three minutes later.
