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
In September 2024, our partners, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), launched their 'Missed Birthdays' campaign to raise awareness of youth suicide. Tragically, 6,929 young people have taken their own lives in the past decade It’s currently the most common cause of death for people under the age of 24. This year, the campaign continues. CALM wants to stop more young people feeling like suicide is their only option
We all have a role to play, and as part of this month's focus on worrying about others, we want to signpost the CALM CARE Kit Whether you’re a parent, cousin, teacher or coach, it’s here to provide you with everything you need to be there for them: https://carethecalmzonenet/
It’ll give you the tools to help you know how to start a conversation about mental health and suicide, show you what you can do if you’re worried about a young person and tell you where to get more information and advice, including in an emergency, So we can all help save lives. In addition to the CARE Kit, CALM has released a poignant new film, “Evelyn” which aired on ITV This Morning on Tuesday 28th January.
Narrated by her mum, Jenni, the film conveys the devastating impact of youth suicide on families and the birthdays that will never be celebrated. The film serves as a powerful and emotional reminder of the current youth suicide crisis in the UK, and the need for everyone to learn life-saving suicide prevention skills to help end youth suicide.
The film is accompanied by new research commissioned by CALM that shows:
Over half of Britons (52%) believe the Government is failing a generation of young people by not doing enough to prevent youth suicide 65% of adults are not confident they would know where to access practical tools to help a young person contemplating suicide.
CALM is using the film to sign-post to the CALM C.A.R.E. Kit to encourage more people to learn life-saving skills to protect the young people in their life from suicide
Together, we can end youth suicide
RYAN PETERS
Good afternoon and welcome back to York Road at the end of a week where we will have racked up nearly 1,000 miles on the road The players and staff, however, all remain in good spirits as we return home looking to extend our recent much needed much improved home form
Last time out here we defeated a Southend side who have since taken seven points from a possible nine. In fact, their loss here was their only defeat in their past six in the league and they now find themselves on the edge of the playoff race It wasn’t a pretty game on the day, in fact we felt we were poor in the first half. There were a few conversations in the changing room at half time and in the second half we felt we were good value. We had been nowhere near our levels in our previous match against Barnet and although we’d have liked another game immediately after that defeat the fortnight gap allowed us to get onto the training pitch and really understand where we went wrong
Following a very disappointing National League Cup showing here on the Tuesday, we travelled up to Hartlepool on the Friday night We faced a side who hadn’t lost on their own soil since September and a club who are looking to get into that top seven In truth, if you were sat there on the day watching that match, it wasn’t a very entertaining game But, for us we haven’t been particularly good on the road We showed resilience, we showed a desire, we showed some togetherness. I think we deserved a point We rode our luck at times – there were a few that were cleared off the line, of course Casey hit the bar for us - he’s missed the target, but I’m being harsh - but we need more and more performances like the one at Hartlepool We’ve been very good at home of late, but our away performances haven’t been so good. We had a lot of travelling fans; they were in good spirits, and I thought we gave them a good performance to make their long journey home a happy one
Today we take on a side who put an end to our improved run of form in the autumn Yeovil have a very experienced manager who knows this league and they were deserved winners in the reverse fixture, so we want to put that right today and continue to reward the excellent and patient support of our loyal and much appreciated fans
AROUND THE LEAGUE
There were huge games at the top and at the bottom of the Vanarama National League in midweek. All eyes were on the top-versussecond clash at The Hive as leaders Barnet comfortably beat second-placed York, with Dean Brennan's side moving seven points clear at the top. Adebola Oluwo opened the scoring for the Bees in the 16th minute, with Lee Ndlovu putting the hosts further ahead in the 51st minute Barnet captain Anthony Hartigan added another six minutes later from a free-kick, with Malachi Fagan-Walcott scoring a consolation goal for York in added time
At the other end of the division, AFC Fylde manager Kevin Phillips paid the price as his side were defeated at home by fellow bottom four occupants Boston United Phillips subsequently left his post. Jacob Hazel's brace gave the Pilgrims survival hopes a boost with a win at fellow strugglers AFC Fylde The 23rd-placed visitors roared ahead against the side 22nd in the standings thanks to Hazel's goals in the 14th and 25th minute at Mill Farm. Nick Haughton pulled one back for Fylde from the spot just before half-time, but Boston held out for a win that moved them to within seven points of safety
Wednesday night’s ‘six-pointer’ at The Rare Breed Meat Co Stadium saw Wealdstone come from behind to make it back-to-back away victories at the expense of Braintree Town. The hosts opened the lead in the first half with a firmly struck Matt Robinson goal, but a double burst in five calamitous minutes saw goalkeeper Henry Gray carry a free kick over his own goal line before Josh Grant completed the turnaround
It was generally a good midweek for the play-off chasing sides. Gateshead came from behind to clinch a 4-3 win against Sutton United, Luke Hannant and Jack Roles completing the turnaround in the final fifteen minutes of a topsy-turvy match which saw the home side race into a two-goal lead before temporarily falling behind in the second half Altrincham meanwhile strengthened their hopes by defeating Hartlepool at the Prestige Group Stadium. Mani Dieseruvwe twice went close for the hosts but it was Altrincham who eventually went ahead when Elliot Osborne's 87th-minute free-kick evaded the home defence and Linney rounded Adam Smith, before substitute Weaver doubled their tally in stoppage time. Substitute Nicky Featherstone pulled one back for the hosts in the seventh minute of added time Southend meanwhile edged out struggling Aldershot by two goals to one and Halifax drew nil-nil with Rochdale. Yeovil, Eastleigh and Woking recorded home wins against Tamworth, Dagenham and Solihull respectively
WOMEN’S TEAM
MUWFC bounced back to form with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Southampton Women’s football club in their last outing at York Road, writes Daisy Miners.
Despite the bitter cold conditions at York Road, Maidenhead opened the game with confidence and sustained pressure, working hard to break the visitor’s defence. Maidenhead were not shy of shots in the first half, with Libby Doyle going one on one with the keeper before being forced into a tight angle and hitting the side netting This was shortly
followed by a corner for the home side where the Magpies’ captain, Sarah Thompson, fired a shot just wide of the guests goal
The well-worked press from the home side paid off after a defensive error from Southampton allowed RJ Taborda to weave into the penalty area and draw a foul, resulting in a clear penalty. Macey Nikiah-Walters was the player to step up to the penalty spot to open the scoring with a tidy finish to put the home side in front in the 37th minute The deserved lead didn’t last long with Southampton responding only five minutes later after winning a corner. The six-yard box was crowded with red shirts as they managed to force an own goal from the Maidenhead ‘keeper to level the score
Similarly to the first half, the home side kicked off the remaining 45 minutes with a high, sustained press as they dominated the pitch and looked to be in complete control. A great ball from Mia Parker found the feet of Doyle who was then fouled by the visitor’s keeper, resulting in the second penalty of the game Once again, Walters converted the penalty and secured herself a brace in the 51st minute of the game.
Only seven minutes after Walters catapulted the home side in front, they further secured their lead through a cross-shot which the Southampton goalkeeper parried into her own net, giving Maidenhead a two-goal cushion
A free kick won by the home side in the 64th minute provided further threat to the visitors as substitute Katie Akerman whistled the ball just over the cross bar to go out for a goal kick. After registering a few more decent efforts in front of goal, the Magpies put the game to bed after Aaliyah Charles performed hard with her successful work down the line and Parker (pictured) was in place to put the ball in the net to secure Maidenhead’s fourth of the evening in the closing minutes of the game
ON THE ROAD
United earned a well-deserved point at Victoria Park following a goalless draw with Hartlepool United.
The game got off to a slow start, with little in the way of chances for the first 20 minutes A coming together between Shawn McCoulsky and Luke Waterfall saw a potential penalty appeal waved away by referee Richard Aspinall as the match heated up
Hartlepool’s approach would be to target the flanks, with Reyes Cleary creating chances at the expense of Miles Welch-Hayes While the left-winger was threatening the United defence, the Pools’ best opportunity would come from the right, when Mani Dieseruvwe hammered towards Craig Ross' goal A quick reaction from the Maidenhead ‘keeper denied an opener, and the two sides entered the break level.
The combination of Hartlepool’s attacking trio and Maidenhead’s five-at-the-back formation would dictate proceedings for much of the second half While defensively solid throughout, the Magpies’ defensive strategy invited pressure from their hosts in County Durham.
Hartlepool’s first opportunity to score in the second half came courtesy of Luke Charman The winger whipped a cross into the path of Dieseruvwe, but the underpressure striker was unable to connect. Minutes later, Will de Havilland denied Hartlepool as a header towards goal was blocked by last weekend’s goal scorer.
While the hosts had the majority of the chances, it’s not to say that Maidenhead were reluctant to attack A heavy touch in the penalty box by Gary Madine led to an excellent counterattack by Shawn McCoulsky, and his pitch-long run was not rewarded with the goal it deserved as the striker fired wide. In what some may consider as his strongest performance of the season, Casey Pettit was agonisingly denied by the crossbar with 15 minutes of the game to go His half-volley as a result of a good piece of build-up play by the Magpies cruelly struck the crossbar, and Hartlepool cleared the danger on the rebound.
Craig Ross performed well in the United uprights, and a flurry of saves with ten minutes to go - helped by the outstretched leg of Kevin Lokko on one occasionkept the Magpies playing for a well-earned point. Despite a fantastic performance in between the sticks, the save of the game would go to Lokko rather than Ross. With the game now in its 99th minute, Lokko got himself in the way of Louis Stephenson’s strike with the Maidenhead ‘keeper off his line Another five minutes passed before the final whistle, but, despite a stressful end to the game, Maidenhead departed Hartlepool with a hard-fought point.
Full-time: Hartlepool United 0-0 Magpies
MEET THE OPPOSITION
Since promotion to the National League after a fantastic season in National League South, topping the league by 11 points, Yeovil Town have had a satisfactory season so far by their recent standards, writes Thomas Lloyd They’ve struggled for consistency throughout the season and have been disappointing in the cup competitions, but Glovers supporters would surely be content to finish around the middle of the league table
Their season kicked off with a 1-0 home defeat to Hartlepool United, responding a week later with centre-back Morgan Williams getting the only goal in an away win against another promoted side, Braintree Town. The Glovers then beat Ebbsfleet United 3-2 for their first home victory of the season but would then go on to lose to Gateshead away 3-1 and then again a few days later to Rochdale due to a 90th minute strike. Yeovil finished August with a 3-1 away win to Boston United.
A match-of-the-season contender commenced September when Dom Bernard sealed the comeback for in a 4-3 thriller vs Flyde, however they couldn’t get a third win in a row as they lost 1-0 to Solihull Moors and throughout the rest of the month Yeovil could only gain a singular point from matches with Altrincham, Sutton United, Aldershot and Oldham Athletic. October saw the Glovers get their first win in six, Ciaran McGuckin scored the only goal of the match against Dagenham & Redbridge A week later, they’d concede very late on a Chesham United in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round to lose 1-0 Yeovil tore apart Wealdstone in a terrific 3-0 away victory before a goalless draw at Tamworth. They defeated the Magpies at home; a 3-1 win with two goals from Aaron Jarvis and a superb Charlie Cooper volley, Shawn McCoulsky scoring our only goal
Into Novemberand James Plant found the net to secure victory at Roots Hall against Southend United prior to a 1-0 home defeat to Halifax, a landslide 4-0 loss at Halifax and a late 2-1 defeat to Barnet. However, Yeovil ended the month positively by beating Woking away 2-0 Yeovil started the festive season off disappointingly with a 2-1 loss in the FA Trophy third round against local rivals Weymouth Yeovil put 3 past Braintree after being a goal down, however they would lose away to Hartlepool 2-1 and a point could only be secured against Eastleigh on Boxing Day as both sides scored in the closing stages of the match.
The Somerset club’s mediocre form would continue throughout the whole of January, defeated by Forest Green Rovers before draws against Woking, Ebbsfleet United and Gateshead. The month would end in the worst possibly way as Yeovil were thumped 4-0 away at Rochdale. Into February, another stalemate for Yeovil was their 4th draw in 5 matches, this time against Dagenham & Redbridge Their run extended to 9 games without a win, defeated by at Huish Park 2-1 last Saturday before the relief of a midweek victory against Tamworth by the same score.
The Gaffer – Mark Cooper
Cooper has been in management for over 20 years and has been in charge at 10 different teams Known for his attractive possession-based style of football and being able to work well with limited resource, he is proven at rebuilding clubs into competitive teams. Starting at Tamworth, he managed to get the Lambs to the FA Cup third round twice. In 2007 he joined Kettering Town, where he won the Conference North He managed to get Kettering an eighth place finish in the fifth tier and also guided them to the FA Cup fourth round This earned him a move to EFL Championship side Peterborough United, but Cooper would leave the club after only one win in 13 games.
Cooper would later manage Darlington to seventh place in the Conference, winning the 2011 FA Trophy Final against Mansfield Town A single match in charge again at Kettering followed due to off-field problems and in 2013 he was briefly appointed manager of AFC Telford United. In his first season Swindon he guided the Robins to a playoff final defeat to Preston North End. In 2016, he became interim manager of Notts County, keeping them in League Two He led Forest Green to promotion to the EFL for the first ever time in his first year in charge He was appointed as gaffer Barrow in 2021, before joining Yeovil in October 2022.
THREE TO WATCH
Brett McGavin joined the Glovers from Torquay United and has been a star player for his team A set-piece specialist who can viciously whip the ball in the box from either side of the pitch and can shoot from long-range. His 7 goals and 3 assists have been crucial for Yeovil Maidenhead should be advised to not give the former-Ipswich player too much space, especially from just outside the box
Aaron Jarvis has been crucial for the side from Somerset He can play the role of a poacher wonderfully, finishing off Yeovil’s assault with a simple finish, whether it’s a one-on-one or a header in the top corner. He is currently joint top-scorer for his side and he’ll be looking to add to his tally today
Frank Nouble is an experienced striker who has played as far afield as China The 33-year-old now plays a midfield role, helping both sides of the wing and being available just outside the box to assist with the offence He has adapted well to this role with four assists to his name so far this season. Nouble’s know-how can be utilised when he’s being used as support in the midfield and attack
LAST TIME OUT
A Will de Havilland header paved the way for a fantastic three points as Maidenhead United beat Southend at York Road, writes Scott Hargreaves.
It took nearly half an hour for either goalkeeper to be tested, Nick Hayes was called into action first. A surging run from Casey Pettit threatened the Southend goal, with the challenge ricocheting into the path of Shawn McCoulsky, the forward’s effort couldn’t squeeze past Hayes’ outstretched leg
As the game began to ramp up, Gus Scott-Morriss drilled his shot low across the goal, but Craig Ross was more than equal to his effort, with Will de Havilland eventually clearing any danger Southend again were applying pressure, but United’s defence was holding strong. Noor Husin this time tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his shot was deflected out of harm’s way by Nathan Ferguson.
The Shrimpers came close again just before the break, Ben Coker’s cross from the left was headed against the crossbar by Scott-Morriss and eventually cleared away to see the sides go in the interval level. Coming out for the second half, the Magpies’ brightest spark was still Shawn McCoulsky The number nine did brilliantly to take the ball under, with his back to goal, before turning his defender inside out –but his eventual shot couldn’t quite squeeze under Hayes
Next time it was McCoulsky’s strike-partner causing havoc Tristan Abrahams delivered a beautiful free kick from deep landing perfectly on the head of Will de Havilland. The centre-half got in front of man before glancing a beautiful header over Hayes and into the far corner to give Maidenhead the lead.
McCoulsky again proved to be a brilliant attacking outlet for United, this time taking a beautiful first touch to turn his man before looking to slot between Hayes’ legs The Southend ‘keeper reacted just in time to close the gap and stopped United doubling their advantage The game had become much more open following de Havilland’s opener, Southend nearly levelled through Tom Hopper, but he diverted Scott-Morriss’ cross wide from just over six yards out
As we approached the full-time whistle, Southend still probed for a late equaliser but as it had done all afternoon United’s defence stood strong and dealt with anything that came their way.
Full-time: Magpies 1-0 Southend United
THE ISTHMIAN BOYS
May 2025 will mark 25 years since Alan Devonshire led Maidenhead United to the Isthmian League Premier Division In the second of a series of articles celebrating this milestone, United director Steve Jinman penned ‘Part Two’ of his memories of that historic season.
Eight points were taken from four matches played in April, the last ending as a jittery draw at Whyteleafe when
despite Adrian Allen’s goal looking to have given the Magpies the three points, a late equaliser led to panic in the ranks.
A tumultuous last week of the season had been set up, with four matches to be played on the first six days of May, starting with the League Cup Final on May Day Bank Holiday against Premier Division Farnborough. ‘Keeper Ormshaw’s season ended following injury, whilst with his opposite number Stuart McKenzie in outstanding form, the match went to extra time, only for Keith Dublin to score the winning goal for Boro just two minutes into the additional period
Now able to focus on the league the task was clear. Six points from three matches, all to be played at York Road over four days. The first hurdle was easily negotiated on the Wednesday, lowly Romford thrashed 4-0 24 hours later, champions Croydon would visit whilst on the final Saturday it could be a case of winner takes all against the only team able to pip United for the final promotion spot, Thame.
On a dank Thursday night, the Maidenhead players formed a guard of honour as Croydon received the Division One Championship Trophy In the 25th minute, Maidenhead struck Tom Hickey fed Chuck Agudosi on the right, who travelled cross pitch to deliver the ball to Obi Ulasi on the left. He drove goalwards laying the ball off to Barry Rake who tacked left again, sending a cross over to the far post from the edge of the box Chris Ferdinand met the ball with his chest and it rebounded into the back of the net in front of the empty Canal End, still being rebuilt Rushing off to celebrate with the fans temporarily gathered in front of the railway embankment, the team now had something to hold onto.
The Magpies managed the game perfectly, conserving energy to see the result through to full time and avoid the need to take anything from the final match Eventually the final whistle sounded, emotion took over Later in Stripes Alan Devonshire quoted Churchill to me “this is not the end, this is the end of the beginning”. How right he was.
LEAGUE TABLE
ON THIS DAY
By coincidence United’s last opponents on 22nd February were Yeovil Town in a National League match which also took place at York Road three years ago today. The visitors thought they had taken the lead in the 14th minute. However, Luke Wilkinson’s effort was ruled out for a foul Two minutes later United suffered the same fate when Remy Clerima’s header was adjudged to be offside. With 18 minutes on the clock Yeovil did take the lead when Olufela Olomola unleashed a powerful low shot into the far corner of the net Kane Ferdinand struck the crossbar midway through the half and he was credited with the equaliser following some calamitous goalkeeping from Grant Smith who failed to hold on to a long throw -in just before the break allowing Ferdinand to poke home.
Smith redeemed himself in the second half making two fine saves from Dan Sparkes, substitute Reuben Reid bundled the ball over the line in injury-time, however Yeovil celebrations were cut short when his late effort fell foul of the linesman’s flag The game finished level for the second time that season following a goalless draw in Somerset in October.
Whilst away venues have brought much success to the Magpies in recent seasons on February 22nd , you have to go back to 1983 to find our last victory on home soil. First half goals from Lance Cadogan, Wayne Wanklyn (penalty) and Mark Davis gave United a comfortable 3-1 half-time lead against Walton & Hersham in an Isthmian League 1st Division match. The Surrey side pulled one back midway through a somewhat nervy second forty-five but United held on to gain some vital points and ease their relegation worries. The club made an apology to supporters in the following match programme for not having the tea bar open on the coldest night so far that winter!
The weather was also the talk in 1908 when Maidenhead Norfolkians hosted Southall in a Great Western Suburban League match; strong winds, torrential rain and a muddy surface made playing conditions very difficult. The Norfolks won 3-1 but did not exactly enjoy their victory as the Maidenhead Advertiser’s reporter noted “The players presented a queer appearance, being mud-besmirched and soaked to the skin, and when the final whistle blew they had had apparently quite enough of it”
By Maurice Cann
MANAGER: Alan Devonshire
HARVEY COLLINS (GK) 1
ZAC BELL 2
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
MILES WELCH-HAYES 22
TRISTAN ABRAHAMS 23
ALAN MASSEY 24
SAM BARRATT 25
JAMIE DAVIES 27
JOSHUA McMENEMY 28
JADYN DUNDAS 29
MANNY ONARIASE 30
RICKY KORBOA 31
JOSEPH AJOSE 32
NOAH STEWART 33
MANAGER: Mark Cooper
1 Aidan Stone (GK) 2 Jordan Thomas 3 Alex Whittle
4 Morgan Williams 5 Finn Cousn-Dawson
6 Jake Wannell 7 Lewys Twamley 9 Aaron Jarvis
Frank Nouble
Jacob Maddox
Brett McGavin 16 Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Sean McGurk
James Plant
Josh Sims
Kyrell Wilson
Matt Gould (GK)
Michael Smith
Charlie Cooper
Harvey Greenslade
Ollie Hughes
Dom Bernard
Ciaran McGuckin
Kofi Shaw 38 Korey Koerner
TODAY’S OFFICIALS
Referee: Callum Walchester Assistants: Timothy Walker & James Hurst
