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 2.13 are Peter Griffin and MUFC Ltd.
COMMUNITY TRUST
To celebrate the launch of Maidenhead United “Connect” project our Ramblers Wellbeing Maidenhead Walking Group visited Three Discovery to participate in a workshop designed to help them build confidence in using WhatsApp
The Maidenhead United FC Community Trust has been awarded a grant of £25,000 by the National League Trust in support of our Connect project.
The funding will support the delivery of a range of community events and activities for the next year, including:
Delivering of a range of both established and new programmes and activities including walking football, disability walking football, walk leader training and our older peoples physical and social engagement activities.
Running 12 Wellbeing events across the year linked to the needs of the community we serve
Promotional activity weeks and/or events focusing on targeted groups to offer advice and signposting to social and physical engagement activities delivered by the community trust and partners.
A calendar of community events to help inspire people to get involved locally Supporting Volunteers to gain skills to support our community programmes
Tanya Davis-Hussain, Maidenhead United FC Community Trust’s incoming Chair of Trustees said: “We are immensely grateful for the ongoing funding support of the National League Trust, which enables the Community Trust to continuously plan and deliver a varied programmes activities that best support and strengthen our relationships with the communities we serve. This year, the “Connect” project will focus on supporting mental wellbeing, as well as boosting the confidence and self-esteem of individuals involved”
For more information on the Maidenhead United FC Community Trust’s Community Programme, please visit our website at wwwmaidenheadunitedfcorg or email community@maidenheadunitedfcorg
Note: The National League Trust’s grant aid programme is proudly supported by its key funding partners, the Premier League and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), who have committed to backing the Trust through to 2028. With a combined annual contribution of £12 million from both the Premier League and the PFA, this generous funding enables the Trust to support National League clubs to develop and expand their community programmes, creating a positive impact in local communities across the country.
ON THE ROAD
Maidenhead United ramped home an excellent 2-0 victory over FC Halifax Town on a glorious Saturday afternoon in West Yorkshire.
Halifax kicked off the game, and would have the first half-chance after a quiet opening ten minutes. Florent Hoti charged down the middle and struck towards goal before reaching the United defence, skying his effort well over
the crossbar For the remainder of the first 45, United had most of the possession and the better of the chances. A long throw-in from Remy Clerima was not held by Toby Savin, but the hosts cleared the loose ball before a Maidenhead player could strike home an opener Savin would be called into action yet again as the half entered its final stages Joshua Johnson latched onto the ball from 20 yards out, forcing the Halifax ‘keeper to tip his shot wide of the post.
The second half was one for the neutrals as two teams – one trying to stay in the division, and another trying to get out of it – fought back and forth in search of a crucial goal Much like an hour earlier, Halifax had the first real opportunity of the half as Daniel Nkrumah charged into the box, coming together with Manny Onariase, before testing Sam Howes from a tight angle. A shot on target for Shawn McCoulsky five minutes later threatened the hosts’ hopes of a clean sheet The striker’s footwork tricked his man, allowing him to shoot at goal only for Ryan Galvin to clear off the line Moments later, Reece Smith had his shot from the corner of the box saved by the busy Halifax ‘keeper.
It was the Shaymen’s turn to have a go at goal as the game passed the hour mark, and Hoti would fire over the bar once again, albeit this time from closer distance and an unmarked Angelo Cappello to his left. At the other end of the pitch, a hasty clearance to beat McCoulsky and Tristan Abrahams allowed Savin to give his palms a rest, albeit only briefly as he was soon forced to collect the #23’s cross from a free kick
All bar 57 of the 1,485 in attendance felt aggrieved as the entertaining encounter entered the last 20 minutes. Nkrumah was brought down in front of goal which, much to the dismay of the home crowd, was waved away by the referee Substitutions can be the difference when there’s a deadlock, and Sam Barratt proved testament to that fact five minutes before stoppage time. A beautiful buildup which culminated in Smith finding his fellow midfielder on the left allowed Barratt to hammer home into the bottom right corner A game which had taken 87 minutes to produce a goal saw its second just a few minutes later McCoulsky, once a loanee at Halifax, found Savin off his line and produced a wonderful chip, much to the elation of the travelling faithful.
Full-time: Halifax 0-2 Magpies
MEET THE OPPOSITION
Woking manager Neal Ardley insisted after the Cards heartbreaking late defeat to local rivals Aldershot Town in the FA Trophy a little under a fortnight ago that his team had bigger games to come, and true to the manager’s word his team have bounced back with six vitals points from their two most recent National League games to all but eliminate the prospect of relegation to the southern division
Few would have expected the Cards to immediately bounce back from the disappointment of losing out on a place at Wembley but that is exactly what they have done. Just days later, they faced the long midweek trip to play-off hopefuls Oldham Athletic The fourth-placed Latics, failed to take advantage of the thirdminute lead given to them when Kian Harratt converted a rebound from Mike Fondop's shot. Woking launched a fightback after the break with Dion Kelly-Evans heading home his first goal of the season from Lewis Walker's cross to the far post, four minutes after the break Walker then made it two goals in as many games by lobbing goalkeeper Mathew Hudson in the 58th minute to secure only a second win in nine league matches
That recent record became three wins in ten last Saturday afternoon. They secured a 1-0 home victory against struggling AFC Fylde Chances were at a premium in a poor first half, with Nick Haughton's free-kick comfortably saved by Woking's Will Jaaskelainen in the 22nd minute and Ashley Boatswain's tame 38th-minute effort failing to trouble the goalkeeper. The home side started the second half well, with Tariq Hinds' shot saved by Ben Winterbottom in the 50th minute and after Josh Osude was denied, Lewis Walker hit a post from the loose ball after 64 minutes Woking grabbed the winner after 77 minutes when Dale Gorman found the bottom-left corner with a drive from just outside the box.
United need to redress the balance this afternoon after Inih Effiong scored twice in a 3-1 home win over our 10-men on the opening day of 2025 in the reverse fixture The hosts took the lead just four minutes in with their first opportunity of the game, as Frank Vincent rounded Craig Ross before teeing up Effiong to slot home. Maidenhead hit the crossbar through Will de Havilland before levelling in the 39th minute, when Tristan Abraham picked up a half-clearance from Cian Harries and moved the ball onto his left foot before finding the net The game shifted in Woking's favour just after the hour mark, when Miles Welch-Hayes was adjudged to have fouled Harry Beautyman inside the box, with Miles seeing red before Beautyman converted the penalty United went close to levelling when Tyrese Dyce's header was hooked off the line by Jermaine Anderson with 10 minutes to go, but Effiong had the final word with his second in stoppage time
The Gaffer – Neal Ardley
Neal brings a proven track record of success and experience to Woking Football Club from a long and distinguished coaching career Highlights include reaching play-off finals with Notts County in 2020, Solihull Moors in 2021 as well as gaining promotion to EFL League One with AFC Wimbledon in 2016.
52-year-old Epsom-born Ardley enjoyed a distinguished playing career before building his journey into coaching. He spent the majority of his playing career withWimbledon, making his debut for them on 20th April 1991 at the age of 18 in a 2–1 away win overAston Villain theFootball League First Division A regular in the Dons side for more than ten season, he later went on to make over 100 appearances forWatfordbefore having spells atCardiff CityandMillwall
THREE TO WATCH
Harry Beautyman saw his controversial red card in that dramatic FA Trophy semi-final defeat at Aldershot rescinded. A Leyton Orient academy product, Beautyman joined Sutton United in the National League South in 2011 before singing for Welling United Subsequent spells with Peterborough United, Northampton Town and Stevenage followed before Beautyman rejoined Sutton in 2017.
Inih Effiong scored twice for the Cards in the reverse fixture between our sides at the start of 2025 Previously with St Albans, Boreham Wood and Biggleswade Town, Effiong joined Woking prior to a spell with Scottish Premiership side Ross County in January 2018. Dover Athletic, Stevenage, Barnet, Notts County and Dagenham were further destinations for this experienced player prior to rejoining Woking from Braintree for a third spell
Dale Gorman was made Woking club captain having joined in May 2024 A Northern Ireland under-21 international, Gorman joined Stevenage in 2013 and made 71 appearances for the club before Leyton Orient in June 2018 Gorman made 22 appearances in the 2018/19 National League season as Orient were promoted and was subsequently with Barnet and Yeovil Town
LAST TIME OUT
Maidenhead United breathed potentially new life into their season with a muchneeded and well deserved victory over an inform Tamworth side
Alan Devonshire had been forced into a major change due to goalkeeping injuries which gave new signing Sam Howes a debut Brendan Kiernan was also reinstated to the starting line-up.
The first 20 minutes were dominated by Maidenhead Inside the first five minutes Nathan Ferguson’s through ball sent Reece Smith away and his early shot was deflected behind. Brendan Kiernan then stole the ball off the toes of Munashire Sundire but Shawn McCoulsky could only screw his shot wide. The lively Smith then saw a dangerous cross just evade the forehead of Kiernan at the far post and there was a glorious opportunity minutes later when Reece took the ball away from the full back and whipped in another delicious centre only for Kiernan to steer the ball over the bar on the stretch inside the six yard box
A goal was coming, and it duly arrived midway through the half Predictably Smith was involved in the opener His well-weighted pass gave Kiernan a chance to send the ball in from the right and there was McCoulsky to bundle the ball home at the near post.
United started the second half well and some early pressure led to a Ferguson ball into the box being nodded behind by a hard-working Tamworth defence The mood set, Maidenhead doubled their lead seven minutes into the second period The Magpies broke at pace and McCoulsky swept a cross/shot across goal which snuck in past Singh at the far post with Kiernan claiming a touch Certainly, the Magpies midfielder’s intervention wrong-footed the Lambs ‘keeper
Tamworth, to their credit, hit back. Callum Cockerel-Mollett will feel he should have done better with a headed opportunity off target from a corner and before the hour Ben Milnes nodded against the crossbar at the far post following a dangerous cross from the right. Smith cut in and shot wide as United threatened on the break, but Casey Pettit made an unfortunate intervention in his own area inside the final fifteen minutes, conceding an obvious penalty given by referee Mr Watkins and dispatched by Milnes to thwart Howes hopes of a debut clean sheet
Thereafter Maidenhead stood firm Remy Clerima sliced a half chance well wide and the game was sewn up in injury time when substitute Sam Barratt’s persistence on the edge of the box saw the ball break for Joshua Johnson to thrash home a game-clinching third. The majority of the 1,034 crowd almost had another goal to acclaim in time added on but Singh saved well from Johnson after a cut back from substitute Welch-Hayes.
Full-time: Magpies 3-1 Tamworth
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 final edition of ‘The Magpie’ for this month, the latest in a series of articles celebrating the ‘silver anniversary’ of promotion we turn the clock back exactly 25 years to April 2000
The only feel-good factor from a trip to Staines at the start of a new month came in the shape of funds raised for a roof at the Canal End of the ground by Magpies fans who made a sponsored walk along the Thames to Wheatsheaf Park United were made to
feel April fools as Mark Butler’s shot beat stand-in ‘keeper Kieron Drake for the only goal of the game, Maidenhead’s luck summed up by the fact that regular ‘keeper Garath Ormshaw had been held up in traffic.
The weather then intervened to ensure that a flooded York Road could not host successive scheduled matches against Wealdstone and leaders Croydon. In between times however there was joy as a five-game run without a win was ended at Bognor Regis; Mickey Creighton winning it at the death when Tim Cook’s long throw was helped up on Steve Croxford’s mishit overhead kick landed perfectly for Creighton to score from six yards out
A frustrating eleven-day lay off due to the bad weather was at least enlivened by a jaunt to Jersey to play the Channel Island’s XI in a friendly match, a trip which Dev admitted was “a break for us and could work in our favour” The manager added with honesty: “I’m pleased there has been a bit of rain. Our change in form has been since the grounds have hardened and the ball’s been bobbling about.”
Back to reality, United now faced an epic eight matches in 18 days A Wednesday night 2-0 York Road victory over Wealdstone (Webster & Agudosi) was a timely boost ahead of the Easter fixtures – a 2-2 draw at Bedford (Brown and Agudosi) on the Saturday before another 2-0 win on Easter Monday, this time against struggling Chertsey (the inevitable Agudosi goal and substitute Terry with the other) A 1-1 draw at promotion-rivals Whyteleafe (Adrian Allen) may have been even more rewarding were it not for Steve Milton’s late equaliser for the home side.
Into the final week of the campaign, the position was clear – as well as what would have in usual circumstances been a massive fixture, an Isthmian League Cup final at Basingstoke against Farnborough, United had three home matches to contend with. Anything less than six points from Wednesday (champions Croydon) and Thursday night (Romford) fixtures and they would face a winner-takes-all promotion shoot-out with Thame United on the final day
LEAGUE TABLE
ON THIS DAY
Maidenhead celebrated winning the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup for the seventh time in 1931 with a 3-0 victory over Chesham United at the Dolphin ground in Slough. The initial tie, played at Loakes Park in High Wycombe on the Easter Monday watched by a crowd in excess of 9,200 had finished goalless, the Buckinghamshire side should have won comfortably but were thwarted by a brilliant performance from the Maidenhead captain and goalkeeper Gerry Richens
A smaller crowd of just over 4,600 gathered at the Dolphin for the replay, the Advertiser noted in reference to the official attendance that this was “a little disappointing” and was blamed on the poor weather earlier in the day Chesham looked the better team in the first-half but were found the opposition a lot tougher than the initial encounter, Maidenhead’s sound defence ensuring things remained goalless at half-time
The Buckinghamshire side started the second forty-five brightly, but it would be Maidenhead who took the lead when George Copas took advantage of the Chesham keeper’s hesitancy to clear after a scramble in the box to open the scoring Two minutes later Copas doubled Maidenhead’s lead, after some excellent play on the left wing the ball hit a Chesham back and Copas fired the loose ball past Gray. On 65 minutes the impressive Copas turned provider when his pass set up Bonny Barton for Maidenhead’s third and final goal of the game The players were met by a huge cheer as they made their way back to the dressing room; a dinner was then held at The Dolphin Hotel in Slough where the players, officials and various dignitaries delivered their speeches, recorded in great detail by the Maidenhead Advertiser, including the numerous “hear, hears” and “applause”. Richens was presented with the trophy by the president of the Berks & Bucks FA –possibly explaining its non-appearance in the photo above, presumably taken shortly after the final whistle? Following the presentations the team arrived back in Maidenhead on an old horse brake towed by a lorry and headed by the Town Band to the Bell Hotel (now O’Neil’s) where further speeches were made from an upper window to the cheering crowd below. Now, nearly 100 years later, success in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup is met with very little interest at all
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
SAM HOWES 34
MANAGER: Neal Ardley
2 Dan Moss
3 Jacob Jones
4 Chinwike Okoli
5 Timi Odusina 6 Jamie Andrews
7 Harry Beautyman 8 Dale Gorman
9 Aiden O’Brien 10 Lewis Walker 11 Dennon Lewis 12 Inih Effiong 14 Tariq Hinds
15 Adam Chicksen 16 Tunji Akinola 17 Matt Ward 18 Joshua Osude
19 Jokubas Mazionis
20 Sam Ashford 21 Ben Wynter 22 Will Jaaskelainen (GK) 23 Jermaine Anderson 24 Rohan Ince 27 Dion Kelly-Evans 28 Ollie Webber (GK)
