COMMUNITY TRUST MANAGER: Helen Preedy (helenpreedy@maidenheadunitedfcorg)
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
CLUB NEWS
Prior to the National League registration deadline on Thursday 27th March, manager Alan Devonshire orchestrated two transfers in and a move out of the club as we approach the final runin to the end of the season
Arriving at the club on a permanent basis was Brendan Kiernan (pictured). The 32-yearold spent his early youth career atBromley,FulhamandCrystal Palacebefore joiningAFC Wimbledonat the age of 16 He
made his league debut for AFC Wimbledon as a substitute in March 2011, at the age of 18. Following his release by Wimbledon, Kiernan joined his local clubConference SouthsideBromleyin July 2013 and went onto to have spells with Welling United, Ebbsfleet United and Lingfield before joining Harrogate Town, playing aside Kevin Lokko as The Sulphurites won the FA Trophy and the National League play-off final. Kiernan joined League Two sideWalsallin July 2021 and subsequently featured for Grimsby Town in their run to the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2022/23 Kiernan’s career later took him to Hartlepool United and more recently he was acting as a player coach for the Crystal Palace Under 21 side Brendan scored on his full debut for the Magpies with a smart volley against Rochdale
Also coming through the door from this afternoon’s opponents is Christopher Wreh, son of the former Monaco and Arsenal player. The 28 year-old joined the youth academy of Northampton Town and has subsequently played for Stony Stratford Town,Barton Rovers, AFC Rushden & Diamonds,Aylesbury Vale Diamonds, MK Gallacticos,Newport Pagnell Town,Dunstable Town,Stratford TownandRushall Olympic Wreh signed for Banbury United in 2021 and with 21 goals he helped the club achieve promotion from theSouthern Football LeaguePremier Division Central. In summer 2022, he moved up to theNational League, signing forSouthend United and the following season he joinedHartlepool United. During that season, he was sent on loan toTamworth, who he then joined permanently in summer 2024 and in February 2025, he joinedScunthorpe Unitedon a one-month loan Wreh opened the scoring against the Magpies for the Lambs in the reverse fixture in September last year.
Leaving the club on a permanent basis is Zac Bell, who joined promotion-chasing Truro City. Zac had been on loan with the Cornish side since January and has moved for an undisclosed fee to John Askey’s side Zac – who has progressed through the Bristol City Academy into their Under 21 side before joining United last summer – made five starts and five further substitute appearances for the Magpies.
RYAN PETERS
Assistant manager Ryan Peters believes that experience and support from the York Road faithful will be the difference between survival and relegation from the Vanarama National League United were unsuccessful on their trip to Victoria Road last Saturday, with Josh Rees’ header securing three points for Dagenham & Redbridge
“We weren’t very good,” said Peters when speaking after Saturday's 1-0 defeat “We looked really susceptible from the set pieces. We knew it was going to be a really ugly game. We had one of our biggest attendances, I imagine, for an away game, who deserve better.
“At this moment in time, we don’t seem to be able to create enough chances going forward,” Peters added We had Shawn [McCoulsky]’s chance in the first half - if he takes that then maybe it’s a different game - but other than that, we just don’t seem to be able to create enough chances when we’ve got enough attackers on the pitch It’s got to change We’ve six games left, we’ve got to make sure we do as much as we can.”
The Magpies have not been beaten by more than a goal in their last six games in a run which includes two draws and a 2-0 win over Gateshead. Scoring goals, however, is just as crucial as not conceding “If we keep the scoreline as low as possible then we give ourselves a chance,” said Peters. “We can’t have anybody who isn’t ready for the fight. I thought we competed well [against Dagenham], but like I said we are missing a lot of quality at this moment in time”
Relegation battles are a familiarity for one of only three part-time teams in the league, and Maidenhead have overcome the odds on more than one occasion in their eight years at the fifth level of English football. “Look, we’ve been here before, and we know exactly what it takes,” Peters explained “The characters have to be right in order to get over the line. We need those characters that have the quality to go with it that will give us that extra edge.
“I think [experience] will be the difference,” the assistant manager added, citing Alan Massey and Remy Clerima as long serving Magpies who know what it takes to survive in the National League “They’ve been here and done it, and know exactly what Alan Devonshire is asking for. We need those characters to be ready for the fight
“Five points is the difference,” Peters said. “We play those teams around us, take points off of them, it elevates us and brings them back into the [relegation zone] –we’ve got to do that as quickly as we possibly can. Our form, whether at home or away, hasn’t been great, but if you’re going to harness something it’s that sometimes our form at home can be pretty good We’re hoping for a performance, we’re hoping for all of our fans [to rally] around us, and that should be the difference”
WOMEN’S TEAM
Maidenhead United Women made a piece of history in claiming a county ‘double’ with victory for their Development team in the Berks & Bucks Trophy. This followed similar success for the First Team in the Senior Cup final the previous weekend
Against Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League outfit Burghfield – who had previously knocked out higher division opposition enroute to the final – United dominated from the start and ran in an astonishing 14 goals. Within 90 seconds United led when Molly McKeever - one of two Magpies to score a hat-trick that day -
charged down a clearance to score the first Maidenhead were five up by the break Liberty Dieppe made it two when she turned and finished neatly after Lorena Lopez-Catalan saw her shot deflected into Dieppe’s pass. Dieppe then assisted McKeever to score with an accurate right footed finish from the edge of the box. Ava Broke-Smith scored the first of her own treble with a shot from the right wing which looped over the busy Burghfield ‘keeper and the fifth came with a left footed shot by Dieppe from outside of the box
There was no let up for the village side in the second half. Amber Saunders received a pass from Abi Mann to score with a left-footed cross shot. Sienna McGill’s pass into the box saw Dieppe and McKeever exchange a one-two with the latter scoring right footed for her hat-trick Substitute Megan Brown then got into the act with a brace – the first a fine right footed effort from the edge of the box into the roof of the net, her second chasing onto a short back-pass after Holly Sharp’s long ball forward and beating the ‘keeper to the ball The tenth and eleventh came from right and left footed shots from the edge of the area by Broke-Smith to complete her treble A Brown pass was dummied by captain Chloe Matmuja and Lopez-Catalan went round the corner and before the same player could complete the scoring into an empty net after a Matmuja cross was spilled the Magpies ‘skipper had assisted Nikki Moore for a far post, meaning that both graduates from MUFC Juniors – Dieppe and Moore – were on the scoresheet
Manager Ryan Robinson beamed afterwards: “It’s a testament to our group and our girls, they are absolutely fantastic.” McKeever added: “I thought the team definitely stepped up to the occasion and we all played so well individually and as a team It was so amazing to finish the season on such a high and I was extremely happy to get a hat-trick and be awarded player of the match”
Broke-Smith added: “The game started well from the off because all the girls gave it their all and that showed in the score line Playing at Maidenhead this season has been my first in women’s football and the environment of the club has made it such a great season. With all the experiences that I have had, to get a County Final win topped the season off.”
ON THE ROAD
A Josh Rees goal paved the way for a 1-0 defeat for Maidenhead
United at Victoria Road in a major blow to the Magpies’ survival ambitions, with results elsewhere once again not falling kindly.
Alan Devonshire made two changes to the starting XI, with Tristan Abrahams re-entering the squad after his suspension and Shawn McCoulsky returning from injury
It was a cagey start for both teams, with the only real opportunity for the hosts coming in the first minute Jake Hessenthaler found Marcus Wyllie in the box, but the striker’s powered effort towards goal found the wrong side of the net Chances were few and far between for the rest of the first half, with United’s first shot on target coming in the 27th minute. Will de Havilland’s flick onto McCoulsky left him through on goal with Jake Turner, who was directly in the path of the forward’s strike The home side had a half-chance as the first 45 drew to a close when Harry Phipps struck from distance, although his strike was well wide of the far post
Half-time: Dagenham & Redbridge 0-0 Magpies
United had the first opportunity as the teams emerged from the tunnel for the second half Excellent link up from Thierry Latty-Fairweather and Reece Smith allowed the former to cross into the box. The subsequent clearance only went as far as Smith, whose strike was blocked before it could truly threaten the Dagenham goal
Five minutes later, the hosts scored the only goal of the game when Rees headed home a Dagenham free kick. It was an easy header for the Daggers’ captain as he converted Ryan Hill’s delivery under little pressure.
With three points seen as a minimum requirement, the Magpies sought a pivotal equaliser which ultimately never came Latty-Fairweather’s charge into the box resulted in a shot which was remarkably cleared off the line by Hill as the hour mark struck.
Fresh faces in the form of Brendan Kiernan and Chris Wreh made little difference to United’s fortunes. A Will de Havilland header in the 84th minute was well reached by the centre-half, but little came of it as his effort was off target. Even with Craig Ross coming up for a last-minute corner, Dagenham held on for all three points, leaving the Magpies in a challenging position with six games remaining in the 2024/25 campaign
Full-time: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Magpies
MEET THE OPPOSITION
After back-to-back promotions, Tamworth have enjoyed another magnificent season under the management of Andy Peaks Having won first the Southern League Premier Central division and then the National League North, Tamworth have made the transition to National League football with ease in a season where they have also captured national attention for their cup exploits.
Two televised cup ties have showcase what Tamworth can do Tom Tonks long throw caused high-flying EFL League One side Huddersfield Town to come a cropper at the Lamb Ground in the FA Cup First Round tie as goalkeeper Chris Maxwell could only punch the ball into his own net. Another EFL side – Burton Albion – were then defeated on their own patch, 4-2 on penalties and The Lambs were rewarded with a plumb Third Round tie as Tottenham Hotspur were drawn to visit Staffordshire.
As it turned out, in any other season, Tamworth would have earned a lucrative replay against the Premier League giants Ange Postecoglou's side required a scrambled own goal from Tamworth's Nathan Tshikuna to break the deadlock after 101 minutes. Substitute Dejan Kulusevski added a superb strike, and then Brennan Johnson curled in a third after Postecoglou was forced to introduce his biggest attacking weaponry to break down Tamworth The home side performed magnificently and could not have been begrudged one of the FA Cup's biggest shocks had they clinched victory in normal time Goalkeeper Jas Singh saved crucially from James Maddison and Timo Werner, who also saw a header cleared off the line by Haydn Hollis, in normal time. Spurs, however, lived right on the edge, with Tamworth arguably looking more likely to score in the final moments before extra time, especially when Antonin Kinsky saved crucially from Jordan Cullinane Liburd with seconds left A rule change – brought in only this season to benefit over-worked Premier League sides – saved Tottenham the bother of a replay.
Maidenhead know full well how difficult a side this afternoon’s visitors are In the return fixture back in September, Chris Wreh – who has since joined the Magpiesmet Ben Acquaye’s corner at the far post to give Tamworth the lead in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half. Wreh returned the favour for Acquaye to smash home a second 10 minutes after the break, and Nathan Tshikuna put the issue beyond doubt in the final quarter Maidenhead had hit the crossbar
Peaks joined Tamworth as first team manager on 15 February 2022 on an initial 18month contract, with the task to ensure The Lambs survival in the Southern League Premier Division. Two promotions later he is establishing the Staffordshire club back in the National League A final day championship victory took The Lambs back into the National League North after a five year hiatus at the end of 2022/23 With a slightly reshuffled squad, The Lambs maintained their winning mentality and mean defence in 2023/24, taking top spot in early September and secured another title with three games to go and just four points short of the 100 mark
Peaks started his career at Northampton Town before going on to make over 200 appearances in 5 years at Nene Park with Rushden Town. He later featured for Raunds Town, Wealdstone and Stamford and after obtaining his coaching badges joined Long Bucky and Daventry Town in assistant manager positions before taking the main role at Northampton Spencer Peaks later enjoyed success at AFC Rushden and Diamonds, helping guide the side from the United Counties League to the Southern League Premier Central division.
THREE TO WATCH
Jas Singh is a goalkeeper previously with Shrewsbury Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Solihull Moors, Gloucester City and AFC Telford United Jas was a long-term target for The Lambs and came to the club during the summer of 2018 He was named Player’s Player of the 2021/22 season and Manager’s Player of the 2023/24 campaign. Now in his sixth season as first choice Lambs custodian with nearly 250 competitive appearances
Tom Tonks is a 34-year-old central midfielder and long throw specialist, who first signed for Tamworth in the summer of 2020 having previously been at Stourbridge After leaving Tamworth he featured for Stafford Rangers and Rushall Olympic from whom he joined The Lambs again in November 2023, becoming an integral part of the title-winning side before re-signing in the summer of 2024
Jordan Ponticelli initially linked up with Tamworth in preseason 2024, although injury prevented him signing so he enjoyed a spell at Halesowen Town netting 8 times in 10 games before linking back up with Andy Peaks squad in December 2024 Former Wrexham man Ponticelli notched twice against the Magpies in the FA Cup for Coventry City in November 2017
LAST TIME OUT
Maidenhead United and Rochdale AFC shared the points in front of a bumper crowd at York Road for Non-League Day 2025.
United fielded a much-changed line up prior to kick off Brendan Kiernan made his maiden start in midfield, with Tobi Sho-Silva starting up top and Reece Smith returning to the first XI
The first 15 minutes were a quiet affair with
few chances for either side, but the visitors would take the lead shortly thereafter Effective build-up from Rochdale left Aidan Barlow with a chance to cross, and his curled delivery was converted home by Ian Henderson’s header from close range
United sought an equaliser, and were able to create chances if not convert them. Casey Pettit’s strike from range saw him fire over the bar in the 23rd minute, while Brendan Kiernan struck wayward under pressure four minutes later. Their best chance of the half came as Sho-Silva played through Kane Ferdinand on the left flank The midfielder charged down the wing, crossing across the face of goal, but a player in black and white stripes was not there to tap home
With half-time approaching, United continued to pile on the pressure, but their momentum was temporarily interrupted as Manny Onariase went to ground in a mid-air collision with Kairo Mitchell There was pause in play while the centre-half received treatment, but after a short spell on the sidelines, Onariase was allowed to continue. With three minutes added on, United had one last chance in the half as Kiernan crossed to Sho-Silva, who was unable to get a full contact. The ball was easily collected by Sam Waller, marking the end of the first half action.
The Magpies have always preferred shooting towards the Bell Street End, and it took just five minutes in the second half for the bumper crowd at York Road to witness why Reece Smith played a looping cross over to Kiernan, who scored on the half-volley past a befuddled Waller
United had the upper hand, and Thierry Latty-Fairweather had an excellent opportunity to make it two when Smith sought his second assist A tight angle left the wingback little room to slot past Waller, who blocked TLF’s attempt.
Despite United’s persistence, the Dale threatened Craig Ross’ goal in the closing minutes. A fine save by the Magpie ‘keeper denied Leon Ayinde on more than one occasion, while Mitchell was also blocked by Rossy. Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the closing stages, and it was a point apiece when the full-time whistle blew
Full-time: Magpies 1-1 Rochdale
THE ISTHMIAN BOYS
May 2025 will mark 25 years since Alan Devonshire led Maidenhead United to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the first time. In the latest in a series of articles celebrating the ‘silver anniversary’ of promotion, we delve into the gaffer’s memories of that historic campaign.
This afternoon’s game will be Alan Devonshire’s 885th game in charge of Maidenhead United. The first of his two promotions across two spells with the club came at the end of match 228. On a Thursday night against champions Croydon in SL6, United clinched promotion
to the Isthmian League top-flight after 27 years of trying and great celebrations followed 27 years was coincidentally the time that had elapsed in terms of first team silverware when Dev led his team to the Isthmian League Full Members Cup in match 52. Throw in five Berks & Bucks Senior Cup wins to complete the openand-shut case for the undisputed greatest MUFC manager of all time
As with the 2016/17 National League South title win, success came on a modest budget. Top-scorer Chuk Agudosi – 25 goals in 45 starts, “6-foot-4, quick, basic and brave” the gaffer recalls – came from Sunday League football. Dev remembers that he inherited “an ageing squad we only kept a few”, but there were still some key personnel already in situ at York Road Club legend Garry Attrell for example is recalled by Dev “a very good player a scout from Brentford asked me about him and I had to tell them ‘he’s 35!’”.
After lifting silverware at the end of season one and an agonising promotion near miss the following campaign, Dev admits that 1998/99 had been a “transitional season”, albeit another trophy-winning one. Philosophically, the experienced gaffer admitted “I was trying to get a team together. It takes a year to 18 months at a new club to establish a successful team” – echoes of the building of that fantastic titlewinning side of 2017 after Dev’s return in 2015, when again he retained a mere handful of players from a squad which had flattered to deceive
Alan Devonshire’s arrival at Maidenhead United in 1996 saw his career go full circle. The forklift truck driver signed by West Ham from the Magpies Isthmian League rivals Southall came back into non-league football after a high-profile career as a top-flight footballer, FA Cup winner and England player, and he recalls: “I know non-league football… I learned from being kicked when playing for Southall, it made me a better player.” He was able to channel what he’d learned about what makes and motivates a good non-league footballer and what makes them tick He assembled not one but two promotion winning sides here, as well as a further promotion in between times at Hampton
LEAGUE TABLE
ON THIS DAY
April 5th gives me a chance to look through a few old diaries and reflect on past United matches taking place on today’s date. In 1994 I made the short drive to Stag Meadow with a couple of mates to see a local derby with Windsor & Eton who were deep in relegation trouble at the time Despite their predicament the home side won 1-0 and I noted ‘game was dreadful’. Regardless of local bragging rights Windsor failed to escape the drop from the Isthmian 1st Division, and I can still remember suffering this sorry spectacle on the grass banks in a freezing wind. Moving on three years I made my first ever visit to a bookie to put a bet on the Grand National – only for the race to be abandoned due to an IRA bomb threat At least events at York Road ended happily when Mickey Creighton’s 69th minute penalty being enough to sink Uxbridge in an Isthmian League Division 1 match Steve Brown’s run from midfield into the area was ended when Stuart Bamford clipped his heels, Creighton (incidentally making his 100th appearance for the club) netted the resulting kick to score his fifth goal in five games
2008 saw another sporting abandonment, though not quite on the same scale as 1997 - a group of us made the trip by train down to Weston-Super-Mare for a Conference South match; whilst we made it down to the Somerset coast in good time the players didn’t! A serious crash on the M4 led to the team coach being stuck in severe traffic and the match was called off On the plus side we enjoyed a satisfying fish and chip lunch then it was on to the pub to see ‘Comply or Die’ win the National
Two goals from Danny Green and another from Harry Grant saw Maidenhead rise above the Conference South bottom three in 2014 with a surprise 3-2 home win over title-chasing Sutton United. Jamie Taylor gave Sutton the lead in the 8th minute, the visitors had further chances to increase their advantage before Grant equalised on the stroke of half-time Taylor once again put Sutton ahead on 68 minutes but four minutes later Green restored parity tapping home a ball from Mark Nisbet Green poked home the winner in the 88th minute from Jonathon Constant’s corner kick
By Maurice Cann
MANAGER: Alan Devonshire
HARVEY COLLINS (GK) 1
TYRESE DYCE 3
WILL DE HAVILLAND 4
KEVIN LOKKO 5
THIERRY LATTY-FAIRWEATHER 6
RUBEN CARVALHO 7
NATHAN FERGUSON 8
SHAWN McCOULSKY 9
KANE FERDINAND 10
JAYDEN MITCHELL-LAWSON 11
BRADLEY KEETCH 12
CRAIG ROSS (GK) 13
TOBI SHO-SILVA 14
JOSHUA JOHNSON 15
CASEY PETTIT 16
REECE SMITH 17
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON 18
OWEN COCHRANE 19
REMY CLERIMA 20
BRENDAN KIERNAN 21
MILES WELCH-HAYES 22
TRISTAN ABRAHAMS 23
ALAN MASSEY 24
SAM BARRATT 25
CHRIS WREH 26
JAMIE DAVIES 27
JOSHUA McMENEMY 28
JADYN DUNDAS 29
MANNY ONARIASE 30
RICKY KORBOA 31
JOSEPH AJOSE 32
NOAH STEWART 33
MANAGER: Andy Peaks
1 Jas Singh (GK)
2 Matt Curley
3 Callum Cockerill-Mollett
4 Tom Tonks
5 Kennedy Digie
6 Alex Fletcher
7 Kyle Finn
8 Ben Milnes
9 Dan Creaney 11 Luke Fairlamb 13 Jack Hitchman (GK) 14 Kai Williams
15 George Morrison 16 Ben Acquaye 17 Jamie Willetts 18 Jordan Cullinane-Liburd
19 Tom McGlinchey
21 Leon Phillips (GK)
22 Beck-Ray Enoru 23 Kai Lissimore 26 Haydn Hollis
