Match Programme #9 Buckingham United

OLD BRADWELL UNITED FC

Bradwell Sports and Social Club

Abbey Road

Bradwell

Milton Keynes MK13 9AR

Chairman CLIVE CARTER

Match Secretary DAVE TYSOE

1st Team Manager DAVID KEENE

1st Team Assistants DAN SMITH, LEE KIMBERLEY, SEAN DOLAN

Media Manager BEN DYER

Development Team Manager MITCH TOYER

Development Team Assistant AARON JONES

Club Physio VACANT

CLUB HONOURS

SSMFL Division 2 League champions: 21/22

SSMFL Division 2 cup: 18/19

Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy: 18/19

Berks and Bucks Junior Cup: 94/95

Berks and Bucks Junior Trophy: 22/23

Buckingham Junior Charity Cup: 77/78, 78/79, 79/80, 90/91

NBDFL Premier Division champions: 80/81

NBDFL Division 1 champions: 79/80

@oldbradw

Matchday Programme No. 9 Season 22/23

Good afternoon and welcome the 9th and final matchday programme of the season. Its turning out to be quite the season for Keeno and the lads with the county cup final win last month, the league title almost secured (at time of writing) after the resounding win over the College on Thursday night and another cup final coming up on Saturday.

Unfortunately, due to printing and bank holiday this has been produced ahead of our fixture against Bovingdon where a victory would confirm the title so apologies in advance that some of the info in here seems a touch out of date.

On to today’s game and a warm welcome to the players, officials, and supporters of our visitors today Buckingham United.

We would also like to welcome todays match day officials.

We hope you enjoy today’s game.

K E E N O ' S

C O R N E R

Good afternoon to everyone and a warm welcome to the Players, management, Committee and Supporters from todays opponents Buckingham United

This feels like the first Keeno’s Corner in quite some time and a lot has happened since my last one Most of it positive with the odd blip along the way. At the time of writing I don’t know if we are champions after Thursday’s 6-1 win at MK College. Ahead of Saturdays trip to Bovingdon we required 2 points to secure the title with 3 games remaining. It could well be a done deal already with the unknown relating to the awarding of points as Eynesbury couldn’t field a team last weekend But depending on the Bovingdon result we may well have already retained our title That being said I will treat this post as the fact that we haven’t got over the line yet.

Its been a crazy 6 weeks with so many games having to play which its fair to say has stretched the squad considerably. What I would say is the players have been immense in their approach and commitment in this period where we have lost an entire strike force to injury and availability We have bought players in from the Development team who have stepped up and helped us continue our progress, that in addition to the dual registering of Jack and Ezra have given us exceptional quality cover.

Since my last post we have secured the Berks and Bucks cup with a comfortable and well executed 4-0 win over Finchampstead. I wouldn’t say a top drawer performance but well executed against the back drop of more injuries We departed the div 2 cup at the semi final stage to Leighton No fault of the players but probably a competition too far with the injuries and fatigue that was clearly evident at that stage Obviously we have 2 league games after this against Clinton and Totternhoe which we are hoping will be dead rubbers. The anagram final next Saturday (13th) will be a challenge. With some significant availability issues due to the worlds worst organised stag do it will be a challenge but a challenge the remaining players will no doubt relish

As this will be the last Keeno’s Corner of the season I should thank a number of people, mainly the players for putting up with me and my constant badgering of them to be the best they can be, their wives and partners who I’m sure would rather they were doing other (way more boring) stuff with them on a Saturday, the management team have helped no end, Mitch who has had an excellent season with the development team which has seen us bring numerous Dev team players into our squad and not only that have enhanced that squad. The committee and Clive for their help and support. The supporters who have followed us over some distances this season for which we are all very grateful and don’t take for granted. My family for their love and understanding, particularly Clare who has to put up with numerous sleepless nights during a season. This season has been the most special for me of the previous 11 as I had no thought at the start of the season that I would enjoy so much of this one with Ewan playing an integral part in the teams success As the managers son you have to deal with players and others questioning why he is playing, is he good enough etc. 37 appearances in a team that has (hopefully) won the double and a defence that has amassed 23 clean sheets should put that nonsense to bed. Thank you to anyone I’ve missed.

Cheers, Keeno

A W O R D F R O M T H E S K I P P E R

Good afternoon everyone. Another packed bank holiday weekend of football. After back to back away matches, it's good to be back home for the next three league games, starting today at home to Buckingham United.

Writing this on a Friday afternoon ahead of a tough fixture away to Bovingdon tomorrow. Hopefully we can seal the league title for you, following on from an epic county cup final win. Where id like to thank you all on behalf of the players for your continued support. It makes a huge difference to our performances and we can feel your support on and off the pitch, so again thank you for supporting us this season.

I’d also like to give a huge mention to the players. Every single one of you has played your part, pulled your weight and got dirty when you had to in what has been a crazily congested fixture schedule.

Trust me our legs are feeling it…especially those vets like myself maxey and bhas. Every player has stepped up when needed and all performed to our high standard which the management demand from us. Fair fucking play boys, it’s all been so worth it.

Todays game I think we can enjoy ourselves and play some good football. Ultimately we are all driven to winning football games, so that will still be our main focus.

Looking forward to ending the season on a high. Good luck saturday in the Anagram final, gutted I can’t be there but I’ve got faith in the boys to do the job.

All the best

Sammy O

Stats as of season 15/16 onwards,including COVID-19 affected seasons

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

A history of Old Bradwell United

The Club’s early history is far from clear, but formation around the late 1920s, would seem most likely. Membership of the North Bucks League began in 1930, with a visit to Potterspury and a 5-2 defeat That first season proved to be very tough and we finished last, of fourteen Clubs The first victory, 5-2 at Paulerspury, came in November but only five points, with two victories and one draw, were gained during that initial season. However, three cup matches were won, two in the County Cup and one in the Stantonbury Hospital Cup.

The following campaign saw some improvement, although the five wins gained, from twenty-two matches, could only produce an eleventh place finish, one off the bottom, on goal average Defeats in the first round, in two Cups and a second round exit to Woburn Excelsior, in the Bletchley Hospital Cup, completed a fairly average season. Research has uncovered occasional references to an Old Bradwell United Reserve Team but they seem to have played friendly matches only. There is evidence of further seasons in the League, with similar outcomes, in terms of performances, although a Buckingham Hospital Cup Final defeat to Maids Moreton, would have been the highlight Having previously suffered relegation, League success was achieved by winning Division Two, in 1937/38 but the Second World War halted further progress.

Despite the Club re-entering the North Bucks League, post World War II, for a number of years, there are no records of their performances.

Eventually, the Club again withdrew from the League but were re-admitted in 1965, as a group of lads of similar age, from within the village, took the step up from Youth (Minor) football. Although no trophies were won during a period of establishment and consolidation in the League, steady progress was made. Due to several League re-structures and the formation of a Premier Division, by the mid seventies, Old Bradwell United was an established Division One Club

In season 1977/78 the Club took the Division One title and won the Buckingham Junior Charity Cup. Promotion to the Premier Division was secured and an era of considerable success began. Several more Buckingham Junior Charity Cups followed, including three in a row and there were a number of League Cup successes also We were also Runners Up, on a number of occasions, in these Competitions, during this period A Reserve Team was formed and they too were successful in winning, both their League and League Cup and achieving Runners Up slots in both. By the mid nineties the Club was looking to step up into a higher grade and we applied to the South Midlands League, to enter for season 1995/96.

As our application to the SML was under consideration, the 1994/95 season was to produce the most significant result in the Club’s history Having battled through six rounds of highly competitive football, including an amazing tie at Beacons Bottom, where we came back from 5-1 down, with ten men, to win 8-5, after extra time, we got to the final of the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup.

Reading League Club, Cox Green, were duly despatched, 2-1, to give us the trophy. Unfortunately, fixture congestion, caused by this cup run, scuppered our title ambitions and we signed off from the North Bucks League as Runners Up, yet again.

Our South Midlands League membership was approved and we began season 1995/96 with a home fixture v Cranfield United and a 6-4 defeat It’s fair to say that since then, in twenty plus years of membership, our results and progress, have, for the most part, been disappointing. However, we have grown substantially as a Club, in many different ways and are continually striving to move forward.

The 2014-15 season continued the progress under David Keene, as we emulated our best ever season in the League, fifth place in 1996/97 and also reached the Division Two Cup Final, where a 4-0 defeat to League Champions, Hale Leys United was a disappointing outcome. A best ever third place finish, in season 2015-16, including a record 18 successive wins, continued our upward progress. The side were brilliant all season, but the early defeats to Kent Athletic and Hale Leys (twice) in the first 4 games, proved costly.

We managed fifth place, yet again, in 2016-17, despite having to play all our Home matches at Stony Stratford Town FC, due to our Dressing Rooms at Abbey Road being classed as too small. Their reconstruction, with the help of FA and Parish Council grants and despite having to resolve many frustrating planning issues, was completed in October 2017, which meant our first game at Abbey Road in the 2017-18 season wasn't until November and a disappointing exit from the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy against Newport Pagnell Reserves The season in general was up and down as the team struggled for consistency and once again we finished 5th

With the previous two seasons a little disappointing compared to 2015-16, for probably the first time in his tenure, manager David Keene was a lot more active in player recruitment than before ahead of the 2018/19 season. A tough start against new side Bovingdon ended in a resounding 4-0 defeat and indicated that once again we might fall short his soon changed as we won 12 games on the bounce, our run came to an end in game 14 as we went out on penalties against Premier Division Colney Heath in the Challenge Trophy. Sandwiched in between that was a lucky penalty win against North Bucks side Hanslope.

Despite the form, our title challenge were dented in December as we drew with Mursley and defeated at home by Berkhamsted Raiders. This would prove to be true as Bovingdon went on a superb winning run to have the title won by the time they came to us in April. We would have our best finish in our history as we were runners up, 4 points behind the champions and 10 clear of 3rd

It was the in the cups though that would finally end a 24 year wait for a trophy. Reaching the Division Two Cup final without conceding a goal, we faced Aston Clinton in the final. An early red card looked to have made it an impossible task, but a resolute performance from the 10 men meant the game finished 0-0. The game went to penalties, where we won the trophy 3-2

In the Berks & Buck Senior Trophy, we opened up with 2 3-0 wins against Stewkley and MK Gallacticos, respectively. Only to nearly come unstuck against Hanslope. A late winner from Peter Maxey saw us past Aston Clinton and in to the semis. We met Step 6 Sandhurst Town where we won through 2-0.

In the final, we faced a Marlow United team who had reached (and lost) the previous 2 finals Despite some excellent support, we never really got going and in truth Marlow had the better chances Once again it ended 0-0 and went to penalties With Marlow needed to score to win it, the kick was blazed over and we eventually won it 5-4 on penalties.

So the 2018-19 season ended as our most successful to that point, however, the Covid-19 pandemic then denied us our League winning ambitions, with seasons 19-20 and 20-21, both null and voided, with us leading the pack

However, 2021-22 would see us achieve that long awaited Trophy, when a late goal for Pitstone & Ivinghoe, at Aston Clinton, denied the Home side the title and we pipped them on goal difference, having lead the table for almost the whole season.

OUR VISITOR'S...

BUCKINGHAM UNITED

Year Founded: 2011 Nickname: United Home: Lace Hill Sports and Community

Centre Honours: North Bucks and District Division 1 Cup 2017/18

HEAD TO HEAD

6 GAMES 38 GOALS

OVERALL RESULTS

HOME GAMES

AWAY GAMES

Venues)

GOALS

RECORD SCORES

BIGGEST WIN: 2-14

2 JANUARY 2023, SSMFL DIVISION2

HEAVIEST DEFEAT: N/A

LAST HOME MEETING LAST AWAY MEETING

SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2021

SSMFL DIV2

OLD BRADWELL 5

(Valentinex2, Cooke, Douglas-Smith Bentley)

BUCKINGHAM 1 (Cruse)

Att: 57

MONDAY 2 JANUARY 2023

SSMFL DIV2

BUCKINGHAM 2 (Parkin x2)

OLD BRADWELL 14

(J.Douglas-Smithx4, D.Smithx4, Cookex3 King, Don, Valentine)

Att: 92

(inc Neutral

TRASFERTA 5 - PRE-ORDER

Issue number 5 of our magazine about football. Due June 2023

@TrasfertaZine

PLAYER

Name: David Keene Age: 48 Position: Centre Forward, now The Gaffer Year

First Joined the Club: Late 90s Number of Apps: Unknown Number of Goals: Over 300 career goals fella Favourite Team: Arsenal, Brentford and St Johnstone Favourite Player: David Rocastle and Robert Pires Best Performance You've Seen (Team or Individual): The Grebe's County Cup win in 2007ish Dream 5aside team: Dingle, Anthony Perry, Wellsy, Lee Campbell and Myself

Teammates...

Worst Haircut: Bhas

Worst Trainer: Darryl

Biggest Moaner: Ewan

Worst Clobber: Bhas

Teachers Pet: Not Ewan

Future OB Manager: Im still waiting for someone to step up. Ennis?

Finally, favourite OB Player - Past or Present: Steve McFadyen

MATCH REPORT BERKS AND BUCKS JUNIOR TROPHY FINAL

OLD BRADWELL UNITED 4 - 0 FINCHAMPSTEAD FC

Line Up: Jahn, Wade, King, Butler, Maxey, Keene, O'Neill, Cox, Valentine, Smith, Green

Subs: Wade, Adebiyi, Don, Hamilton, Harrington

The restructure of the county cup competitions since we won the Senior Trophy in 2019 hasn’t helped the competitiveness Our run to the final of Berks & Bucks FA Charles Twelftree Trophy had seen us score 40 goals without conceding any Up to the final we had only faced one team at the same level. In our view it is not good to win a semi final 9-0 and this is not a slight on Haddenham United

Anyway, to the final and similar to 2019 we faced a team from the Thames Valley Premier League In truth, we snatched that trophy after spending much of the game on the back foot. It had been mentioned that in 3 finals under David Keene, we had yet to score in open play and we had taken the trophy home in 2 of them.

Not much was known about our opponents Finchampstead, who had waited an unbelievable amount of time to play the semi final, as the county FA dealt with an unofficial VAR incident in the previous rounds Despite our run, we paid them the respect they deserved having won their league the previous 2 seasons and beaten some good teams along the way

The fixture congestion had caused injuries to mount up, but we were dealt surprising lift when Darryl Smith passed a fitness test ahead of the game The game started at a decent pace, as both teams tested each other out, but defences on both sides limited any decent chances. Then we were gifted a chance in the 12th Minute as an under hit back pass was intercepted by BEN GREEN who rounded the keeper and scored in the empty net to make it 1-0. Only minutes later it was 2-0 when a Keene throw wasn’t dealt with and after a bit of pinball the ball was in the net via a Finchampstead player. On 20 minutes, Darryl Smith unfortunately injured the same knee and was replaced by Brandon Hamilton It was harsh on Darryl who had started well on his return.

Finchampstead had reacted well to going behind and their forwards were moving us about, but clear cut chances were difficult to come by One moment saw Keene take a yellow card on the half way line to prevent a chance With their back 3 coming out with the ball with ease, we made some changes to the formation which helped stem the flow a bit.

On half time, the game was all but sealed. After seeing Sam O’Neill blaze a free kick over minutes earlier, SCOTT VALENTINE produced a moment of magic from almost the same spot. His 30 yard free kick nestled in the top left corner despite the attempts of the goalkeeper. It was a typical moment of skill we have come to see from Scott for his 31st goal of the season

HALF TIME : OLD BRADWELL 3-0 FINCHAMPSTEAD

The message at half time was simple, just do the basics well and we will win the game. To the players credit they did exactly that Finchampstead make a change and pushed another player forward, but in truth the 2nd half saw hardly any action on goal from either team As the game wore on our midfield and in particular captain Sammy O’Neill stamped their authority on the game, consistently breaking up play to limit any momentum for the opposition.

A flurry of substitutions throughout the half, saw Adebiyi, Don, Harrington & Wade replace Cox, Green, Keene and King

Two of those substitutes combined to make it 4-0 A Don free kick was directed towards goal by ADEBIYI’s head and looped over the keeper Having taken over that end all game, the players finally had the opportunity to celebrate with the excellent travelling fans

It was the finishing touch to what had been a controlled display for 90 minutes and saw us lift the trophy. With many games still to play, it was nice to take home some silverware for the efforts from the squad

As the management were debating the man of the match decision, the County FA took it out of our hands awarding it to Scott Valentine for his sublime free kick.

FULLL TIME: OLD BRADWELL 4-0 FINCHAMPSTEAD

Photos by Andew Batt

MATCH CENTRE

SOUTH MIDLANDS DIVISION 2

TODAYS SOUTH MIDLANDS DIVISION 2

FIXTURES

AFC Caddington V Berkhamstead

Old Bradwell V Buckingham United

61 FC V Pitstone and Ivinghoe

Totternhoe V Bovingdon

THE STATS

FIXTURES/RESULTS

FIXTURES/RESULTS

H E C L U B