ROYSTON TOWN vs COALVILLE TOWN - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2022

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs COALVILLE TOWN FC

Royston Town FC would like to welcome this afternoon's opponents Coalville Town FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture. We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable afternoon and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game. We also welcome today’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game.

President Alan Barlow

Chairman Steve Jackson

Secretary Terry McKinnell

9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY 07772 086709 email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk

Treasurer Jeff Gill Welfare Officer Angela Baulk Fixture Secretary Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Executive Board Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery

Webmaster Steve Endacott Programme Editors Angela Baulk, Neil MacLeod

Official Photographer Kevin Richards

Football Management Team

First Team Manager Steve Castle

First Team Asst Manager Chris Watters

U23 Manager Dan Evans

U18 Team Managers Dan Evans/Matt Campany

Women's Team Manager Lewis Endacott Vets Team Manager Lee Wilkinson

Ground Garden Walk, Royston, Herts SG8 7HP Telephone (01763) 241204

Members of:

The Hertfordshire Football Association

Southern League Premier Division

The Herts Senior County League

Thurlow Nunn Youth League

Eastern Region Women’s Football League

The Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Ladies League

Royston Town Football Club is Limited by Guarantee under the trading name of Royston Town FC Limited (Company Reg No 14261163)

CLUB HONOURS

WINNERS

Herts County League (Div I) 1969 70, 1972 73

Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976 1977

South Midlands League (Div I) 1977 1978

South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978 1979

South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979 1980

North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978 79, 1979 1980

Herts Charity Shield, 1981 82, 1989 90, 1996 1997

Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988 1989

Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989 1990

South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992 1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992 1993

South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995 1996

Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998 1999

Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001 2002

South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004 2005

KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006 2007

South Midlands League (Div I) 2008 2009

South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008 2009

South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994 1995 2008 2009, 2009 2010, 2010 2011, 2011 2012

South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008 2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008 2009

KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009 2010

South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009 2010

BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011

BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011

South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012

South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012

Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013

Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15

Suburban Premier League 2015 16

Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17 Southern League Challenge Cup 2021/22

RUNNERS UP

South Midlands Challenge Cup, 1978 1979

Herts Charity Shield, 1978 79, 1998 99, 2004 05, 2008 2009

South Midlands League (Premier Div) 1979 1980

North Herts (Div IV) 1979 1980

North Herts (Div III) 1981 1982

North Herts (Div II) 1982 1983

South Midlands Res Section Trophy, 1982 1983

Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1986 87, 1988 1989

Herts Intermediate Cup, 1989 1990 Herts County Youth Cup, 1992 1993

North Herts (Div I), 1993 1994

South Midlands Floodlit Cup, 1995 1996

Herts F A Women’s Cup, 1998 99, 2001 2002 2013/14

Eastern Region Women’s League (Div I) 1999 2000, 2013/2014 2014/15

Eastern Junior Plate, 2001 2002

KB Tyres Division I 2008 2009, 2009 2010

South Midlands Reserve Challenge Trophy 2009 2010

South Midlands Reserves Floodlit Cup 2010/2011

Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup 2013/2014

Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN?

The history of Royston Town FC

After some intensive research, the evidence is that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest Club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop Stortford

The Club’s very first honour came in 1911/12 when they won the Creake Charity Shield beating Wisbech 1 0 in extra time.

The Club’s first major honour in more recent times came in the guise of promotion to the Herts County Premier League in 1969/70 and they went on to be champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77 In 1978 we rejoined the South Midlands League and won the Division One title at the first time of asking. Success continued with a final appearance in the Herts Charity Shield for the first time in 1979 and runners up spot in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82 and two years later the Club joined the Isthmian League Division Two North where we remained for 10 seasons before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994

After a period in the doldrums that culminated in relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of 2006/07, Paul Attfield was appointed manager with ex Spurs favourite Tony Galvin returning to Garden Walk 1st Team Coach in November 2007

Paul immediately set about building a new 1st Team squad and a run of 17 games undefeated saw the Club move from the bottom of the table to finish in 5th place in the League.

The foundations had been laid for the 2008/09 season and the first team took the South Midlands Division One League title with one of the best sets of stats for any Step 6 Club in the country W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season will be seen as a watershed in our history with winning the South Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4 in the shape of the Evo Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In our first season back at Step 4 after an absence of 19 years, it was hard to know what to expect and how we would perform Most of our supporters felt a mid table position would be an acceptable target for the season, but we quickly found ourselves exceeding all expectations as our performances propelled us towards the top of the table. Four straight wins in the first four games set the tone and a run of nine wins with just one defeat between October and December saw us maintain a play off position. In the very last game of the season a playoff was still a possibility and having gone 2 1 up away at AFC Hayes with just a few minutes of the game left it looked a near certainty But it was not to be as Hayes scored an 87 minute equaliser and our play off place was lost

In our second season at this level, our steady progress to claim a place in the playoff zone was given a severe jolt when Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health at the beginning of November. The search for his replacement began almost immediately and we were inundated with applications from some very well know and successful managers After an exhaustive selection process, the Board appointed Steve Castle at the end of November and on Boxing Day Steve officially took over securing a 0 0 draw against the League’s form team and eventual champions Dunstable Town.

Our 2014/15 season opener was at home against one of the promotion favourites Rugby Town but an impressive team display ensured their threat was stifled and we ran out winners 2 1 That victory really did set things buzzing but we were quickly brought back down to earth when on the following Tuesday night Bedworth United were the visitors winning the game 3 1.

As we all know consistency in performances provides the key to long term success and although the early stages of the season produced good results against the likes of Daventry Town and Beaconsfield these were punctuated by dismal performances against the likes of Aylesbury and Egham Town. From mid November to mid December We really lost our way with six defeats in seven games but our rollercoaster ride saw an incredible run of form over the Christmas period and into the New Year with five straight wins which helped us maintain a position in the playoff places

On a miserable Tuesday evening in February, we travelled to lowly AFC Hayes and after an abject performance, we lost the game 2 0. This prompted our Chairman to tell Steve Castle that he had given up on this team making the play offs and said that we should start preparing instead for next season That message was conveyed to players and we witnessed a most remarkable transformation in our results with a 14 game unbeaten run during which we scored 29 goals and conceded just seven resulting in us achieving the runners up spot to league champions Kettering Town and securing our place in the playoff semi final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers. After an incident packed 90 minutes and extra time the game ended in a goalless draw but it was not to be our night and we lost the shoot out 4 5 and had to suffer the agony of all the emotions which go with being defeated in this way

We started the 2015/16 season strongly and between the end of December and the end of March we produced a rich vein of form with only one defeat in 14 games and this ensured we were sitting on top of the league with just 7 games to go and with the expectation that we could win promotion outright ran high throughout the whole club However, three games in succession proved our downfall when we could only draw 0 0 with Bedford and lost to Egham away 3 1 and Godalming at home 1 0 and once again we ended up in the play offs against AFC Rushden but we failed to turn up and went out tamely to our opponents 2 1.

Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh Castiglione extended runs in the first team

However, the season didn’t start well and after four games we’d only mustered five points whilst promotion rivals Farnborough just couldn’t stop winning. Although results did improve, defeat in the FA Cup to Heybridge Swifts 4 1 and a thrashing by Barton Rovers at home 6 3 at the end of September didn’t do a great of good for our confidence.

Things took a dramatic turn thereafter with 12 successive league wins which ended with defeat 2 1 at Kidlington in early January 2017, interspersed by a magnificent run in the FA Trophy including a victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 0.

With cup football out of the way, the team put together an incredible run of 16 league games undefeated including a 5 0 thrashing of closest rivals Farnborough which saw us maintain the top spot until the end of the season by a margin of 12 points and the highest number of goals scored, 120, across all three Evostik Leagues

Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club was playing at the highest level in its 142 year history!

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceed all expectations in our first season at Step 3. Throughout the season we managed to maintain our hopes of a play off place until they were finally put to bed with two successive defeats against the eventual play off winners Slough Town and we had to be satisfied with a seventh place finish The signing of Adam Marriott, a proven goal scorer who had played for Lincoln City, Stevenage and Cambridge United was without a doubt a real coup and he was to play a key role in the progress made by the Club by becoming our leading marksman with 31 goals. A good run in the FA Trophy with wins against Enfield Town and Leatherhead came to an end against Eastbourne Borough when having managed to draw at their place we lost the replay on penalties We managed to get to the final of the Herts Senior Cup where we played Borehamwood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 1.

Given where we had started from we definitely exceeded our own and many other peoples’ expectations and this has provided us with the building blocks to face this season in the newly constituted Southern Premier Central League.

Season 2018/19 saw us finishing in a respectable 9th position in what proved to be a very strong Premier Division Central During February/March we recorded six wins out of seven league games to give us a faint hope of a playoff spot, but three straight defeats in April put paid to our chances We suffered another early at AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and in the FA Trophy we progressed through two rounds before being beaten in a replay at Needham Market.

Season 2019/20 will go down in the Club’s history as one of the most successful and exciting but ultimately one which ended in bitter disappointment.

Steve Castle was quick to ensure we had players who were proven goal scorers and the arrival of Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams and Claudio Ofosu did not disappoint Perhaps the only sadness that our young and highly talented left wing back Joe Newton had created so much interest from EFL Clubs that in the end, it was inevitable he would have to leave us and Joe was signed by Coventry City.

No Crows fans will ever forget the team's brilliant performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy and although our FA Cup run ended with defeat to the very talented Maldon and Tiptree in front of what was then a record crowd for Garden Walk of 1152 The interest generated in the Crows both locally and beyond was immense and set the scene for what was to come in the FA Trophy It all started with very comfortable wins against Brightlingsea Regent and Haywards Heath and then were drawn away at Step 2 table topping Wealdstone which for many was one of the games of the season as Royston shot into a 2 0 lead before Wealdstone hit back to pull the tie level 2 2. In spite of being under constant pressure, the Crows mounted a great counterattack down the left and the cross was despatched by Brandon Adams to give the Crow’s victory 3 2. What followed was truly historic with home wins against Step 2 teams Boreham Wood 2 0, Chester 3 0 and away at National League Ebbsfleet 2 0, to set up a quarter final tie away at Concord Rangers. In the run up to the game, the rain had been falling heavily but our opponents declared the pitch playable and the invasion of six coach loads of Royston supporters and a convoy of cars and mini buses descended on Canvey Island As we started arriving for the kick off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable and with a sense of extreme disappointment and also a lot of anger we all returned home The following Tuesday the game went ahead but it was not to be and we were defeated 2 1 There is no doubt the Clubs achievements in the FA Trophy marked a watershed in our history which will be remembered for a very long time.

Running alongside the cup success it was easy to forget that we had got ourselves in contention to win the League with a run of only two defeats in 20 league fixtures With 3 games in hand and only 2 points behind Peterborough Sports and Tamworth and playing some of our best football, we looked nailed on to win the League Then out of the blue, the Covid crisis hit all levels of football and with what many felt was indecent haste the League decided to null and void the whole season All our achievements were suddenly for nothing and the taste of bitter disappointment amongst all supporters of the Crows was very hard to swallow

Season 2020/21: As the pandemic took hold it seemed like the chances of seeing a new season start were remote but by summer 2020 there had been a massive improvement and by July the lockdown ended albeit with a host of restrictions in place

By the time we had assembled a squad, we were without key players such as Matt Bateman who moved to Hemel Hempstead and Claudio Ofosu who joined Hartlepool and with a lot of the momentum and energy generated by the now defunct season now dissipated we were finding it hard to get going again. In the League, we seemed to slip into the habit of conceding goals when in a winning position and a string of draws meant we languished in the lower half of the division. The FA cup again promised to provide excitement with wins against Newmarket, Wroxham and AFC Stamford before losing to our old rivals Bishops Stortford. We won our first two ties in the FA Trophy against Hythe Town and Tamworth before going out 3 2 away at Brackley by which time the League season was yet again declared null and void as the second wave of Covid took its stranglehold

A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 18752012 first published in 2013. The book was written by the Club’s President, Alan Barlow following more than five years of painstaking research and can be purchased via the Club.

Sham is a towering 6′ 6″ , 28 year old striker who has previously played for Bowers & Pitsea, Dagenham & Redbridge, Bishops Stortford, Solihull Moors, Barking, Brentwood, Grays Athletic and Maldon & Tiptree

Welcome to Garden Walk Sham!

Royston Town FC is pleased to announce that Shomari Barnwell has signed for the Crows from Southern League Premier South side Hanwell Town

SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/southern football league premier central division

2022/23 HALF SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

We are pleased to announce our 2022/23 HALF SEASON TICKET offer! Supporters can now buy a Half-Season Ticket to ensure they don’t miss a moment of the 2023 action in the PitchingIn Southern League Premier Central Division

Depending on your eligibility you could save up to 60% on our published matchday admission prices!

Despite making a mixed start to the 2022/2 season, your support could help the Crows push on and deliver a strong second half to the season, climb the table and hopefully make a real push for the Play Offs.

Your HALF-SEASON ticket will kick-off with our New Years HOME tie against Bedford Town on Monday 2nd January Mouth watering League clashes against promotion chasing Tamworth, Mickleover and Rushall Olympic are all included. Other fixtures included in this offer are games against Stratford Town, Needham Market, Alvechurch and the local derby against St Ives Town!

HALF SEASON TICKET PRICES:

Adult Half Season Tickets £105 a saving of 21% on Match Day admission prices

Concession price just £65 a saving of 32% Kids tickets are only £17 50 a saving of 60%

As a Season Ticket holder you also become a member of the Royston Town Supporters Club which gives you:

Free entry to Reserve/Youth Team matches 10% discount on Clubhouse hire

Season ticket holders are also eligible to take advantage of a number of different discount offers from some of our generous sponsors including Lounge India, Kooky Nohmad, Royston Tandoori and Flintshack

LAST week, NLP editor Matt Badcock spoke in his column about the alarming trend of fan misbehaviour which is sadly creeping into our game Believe me, it’s not something we take any enjoyment from, but it came to a head one Saturday night as we were preparing to put the paper to bed.

The original plan was to celebrate a National League record crowd at Notts County when a massive 16,511 supporters clicked through the turnstiles to see the Magpies take on Yeovil Town On the same day, there were over 10,000 watching Wrexham play Aldershot Town and another 7,000+ crowd at Chesterfield for the crunch clash with Solihull Moors.

So, you can imagine our angst when instead of 16,511 fans making the front page headlines it the actions of just one idiot who stole the limelight. About an hour before we went to press, a video was brought to our attention of a so called Guiseley ‘fan’ jumping over the barrier of Warrington Town’s Cantilever Park ground and switching the water bottle of Wire keeper Tony Thompson which was nestled into the net

It then emerged that the bottle in question had apparently been contaminated with urine. Thompson drank it and then approached the alleged perpetrator, prompting him to be sent off The front page headline ‘Disgusting’ said it all

While, thankfully, this is a one off incident it has once again raised concerns of bad fans’ behaviour, which is dragging the pure reputation Non League football through the mud.

With the Premier League and Championship on hold for the World Cup, Non League clubs up and down the country have worked extremely hard putting on special deals, trying to pack their bars and clubhouses for people to watch the action in Qatar and to generally propel this level of the game into the wider spotlight A celebration of Non League football if you like

As Matt rightly pointed out, the frustration is these incidents don’t appear to be isolated. On a number of occasions this season we ’ ve had to report unsavoury instances of poor behaviour inside football grounds At the start of the season, the Football Association and leagues issued a document to clubs in an attempt to help eradicate some of the issues

The problem is, what can clubs do to prevent it? Guiseley handled this particular incident expertly well. They immediately banned the young man involved and vowed to clamp down on any accomplices They deserve credit for their own swift action on what would have been a difficult weekend for them

Unfortunately, preventative methods are having consequences on the terraces and it’s a real sad state of affairs. Clubs such as Walsall Wood and Prescot Cables are refusing entry for under 16s without a supervised adult and at Coalville Town the ground staff are even wearing body cams in a bid to identify persistent offenders As necessary as measures like that are, they represents everything that Non League football shouldn’t. We should be encouraging the support of the younger generation and we certainly shouldn’t have to follow them round the ground on camera. Sadly, it’s needs must.

It seems that the pure nature of a Non League ground makes it an easy target While elite stadiums are regimented so fans are confined to one seat and one entry/exit gate, a Non League ground gives fans the freedom to wonder around and sit or stand where they want. That is being taken advantage of.

Don’t get me wrong, 99 per cent of football fans, and Non League fans in general, are decent folk They just there to watch a game, support the club and enjoy the day. It’s vital we don’t tar everyone with the same brush. Record numbers are turning to Non League football for its integrity and its purity. Let’s not let the proud reputation of our game be ruined by the few

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS

mi Kyriatzis (Goalkeeper)

ecent addition to the Crows squad having joined us from Bedfont Sports Dimi's clubs include Brentford and Inter Leipzig

u Adjaye (Defender)

defender who re joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes ng Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team he 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before o Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Murray (Defender)

ined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons bridge City where he made 60 appearances He quickly settled into the squad proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows.

Henry (Defender)

or the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at y Town Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to 2 games for Stevenage (the club’s all time record appearances) in two spells de of two seasons at Luton Town.

Nakatani Brown(Defender)

s a 22 year old left sided defender who has impressed during pre season and joins rows for their 2022/23 Southern League Premier Central campaign Joel’s previous includeWestfield,FCRomania,CockfostersandWalthamstow

om Kettering Town, where viously played for Hemel

ns Joined the Crows this Cockfosters, Colney Heath efender, Spyros re joined ding, he previously played at Garden Walk. his season Alfie joined the Hotspur and signed a his professional debut for 1, coming on as an 83rd n at Kings Langley, Hemel

FernandoBellToxtle(Midfield)

FernandostartedhiscareeratCambridgeUnitedandspenttimeonloanatStNeots Town.FollowinghisreleasefromCambridgeUnited,hejoinedAFCRushden&Diamonds inthesummerof2017.InNovember2017hemovedtoBasfordUnitedinorderto pursuehisuniversitystudiesinNottinghamHethenrejoinedAFCRushden&Diamonds andwasakeymemberoftheirsquadlastseason

IsaRotimi(Midfield)

YoungmidfielderwhosignedfortheCrowsatthebeginningofseason2019/20,Isa previouslyspenttwoseasonsatColneyHeath

NathanTshikuna(Midfield)

FeaturedanumberoftimesfortheCrowsinpreseasonandhasimpressedenoughto joinSteveCastle’ssquadforthecomingseason.Nathan’spreviousclubsincludeBedford Town,KempstonRovers,BartonRoversandAFCRushden&Diamonds.Nathanscoredan impressive11goalsin44appearancesforRushden&Diamondslastseason

MattBateman(Forward)

RejoineduslastseasonfromHemelHempstead,wherehespentaseasonaftermoving fromtheCrows.MattsignedfortheCrowsatthestartofseason2019/20andscoredan impressive24goalsin41gamesduringthatseasontoearnhismovetoHemelPrevious tothatMattplayedabigpartinBerkhamsted’spushforpromotionin2018/19wherehe netted43timesin54appearancesforTheComrades

ColeDaSilva(Defender)

Recentacquisition,signedfromHemelHempsteadTown23yearolddefenderjoinedthe TudorsfromOxfordCityCappedbyWalesatunder15level,forEnglandatunder16s andthenWalesagainatunder17,19,20,andunder21levelBegaatLutonTown’s academybeforemovingtoChelsea,making2appearancesintheEFLTrophyin2017. HejoinedBrentford’sBteamin2018andin2020spenttimewithLeicesterCityunder 23s.SignedforCroatianFirstLeagueclubHNKSibenikin2021,beforejoiningtheOxford yattheendofthe2021/22season

nnorFurlong(Midfield) nedearlierthisyearfromAFCRushden&DiamondsPreviousclubsinclude gleswadeTown,BedfordTown,StIvesTown,OxfordCity,AylesburyUnitedandMK ns

drewOsei-Bonsu(Midfield)

yearoldjoinedMKDonsacademyattheageof8andprogressedthroughtheirage upsmakinghisfirstteamdebutintheEFLCupatNewportCountyinAugust2016. shadspellswithWealdstone,DunstableTown,Larne(NorthernIreland),StIvesTown (ce),BillericayTownandEastFife

Barnwell(Forward)

gningfromSouthernLeaguePremierSouthsideHanwellTown.Shamisatowering6′ aroldstrikerwhohaspreviouslyplayedforBowers&Pitsea,Dagenham&Redbridge, tortford,SolihullMoors,Barking,Brentwood,GraysAthleticandMaldon&Tiptree.

TODAY'S OPPONENTS

COALVILLE TOWN FC Club History

Coalville Town Football Club were formed in 1926 as Ravenstone Miners Athletic. They were the latest in a long line of association football clubs from the village of Ravenstone Ravenstone Druids being one of the founder members of the Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association in 1887. The Ravens played most of their football in the now defunct Coalville & District Amateur League, winning numerous honours including the Division One title on five occasions and the Junior Cup Northern Section on two occasions. Perhaps their greatest triumph came in 1953, when they won the League Championship and the coveted Coalville & District Charity Cup.

When the league folded in 1975, they made the logical move to the North Leicestershire League with equal success In 1976/77 they were runners up in both the Premier Division and Cobbin Trophy They won the Junior Cup in 1985/86, the League Championship in 1989 and the double of Championship and Cobbin Trophy a year later. The Ravens were rewarded for their success on the pitch with election to the Leicestershire Senior League in 1991, following the construction of a new club house at their Ravenslea home. They adapted well to the higher level of football and never finished outside the top half of the Division One table.

The ambitions of the village club far exceeded those of the parish council and, following the council's refusal to grant permission for floodlights, Glyn Rennocks was instrumental in uprooting the club and moving it to Owen Street, Coalville. A change of name followed to Coalville Football Club with the club becoming the first senior side in the town since the demise of Coalville Amateurs in 1954.

The club commenced their first season as Coalville in 1995/96 Floodlights were installed prior to the 1996/97 season and, after a slow start to the campaign, the first eleven went on to finish as runners up in Division One and gain promotion to the Premier Division Strength in depth was a major factor during this season with the second eleven going on to win the Leicestershire Combination League Division Two

The introduction of manager Lee Harriman for the 2001/2002 season heralded the most successful period in the club's history. Having led the side to back to back Senior League titles, Coalville finally made the step up to the Midland Football Alliance for the 2003/04 season. The 2002/03 season also saw the Under 18s, led by Dan Gallacher, clinching the FA County Youth Cup and finishing as runners up in the League Cup competition.

A new era, in a league as tough and prestigious as the MFA, may have seen many a team wilt at their first attempt. However, with a great start from the blocks, the Ravens hit the ground running and finished in a respectable 8th position.

With the emphasis for 2004/05 on finishing as high as possible in the league, with of course aspirations to clinch the title, the squad could have been forgiven for getting a little sidetracked by a certain cup competition the FA Cup. With Coalville never being eligible for the competition before it was apparent that this would be an experience more than a challenge for the famous cup. However, try telling that to Lee Harriman and his squad. At their first attempt, the club reached the first round proper where they came up against Football League side Wycombe Wanderers, and only bowed out of the competition by a single goal. This was made all the more special as they started in the Extra Preliminary round and became only the second club in the entire history of the Cup to reach the first round proper from the very first stage. The cup run spurred the team on in the league and, helped by a 17 game unbeaten run, a highest ever finish of 3rd place was achieved.

TODAY'S OPPONENTS

COALVILLE TOWN FC Club History contd.

Coalville began the 2005/06 season as many people's favourites for the MFA but an inconsistent campaign saw the Ravens eventually finish in 8th place. Away from the league Coalville enjoyed a memorable Westerby Cup run which only ended with a 3 2 defeat in the final against Leicester City at the Walkers Stadium.

October 2006 saw Lee Harriman bring to an end his five year association with the Ravens and former Nuneaton Borough boss Brendan Phillips was appointed in his place A difficult season for "The Bear" and Coalville ended with a disappointing 18th place finish and saw Brendan step down from the manager's post in the close season

Former player and fans' favourite Adam Stevens was appointed as manager prior to the 2007/08 season and soon set about restoring the Ravens' fortunes After leading Coalville to eighth, third and second place finishes, along with a narrow League Cup final defeat, Stevens made sure 2011 was a year that will live long in the memory of all Ravens fans

Coalville opened the season with a run of eight victories to underline their status as title favourites but were pushed all the way by Tipton Town with both teams ending the campaign on 100 points. It was Coalville’s record breaking goal scoring record of 153 goals exemplified by a final day 9 0 victory at Alvechurch that made the difference as the Ravens clinched the title and promotion to the Northern Premier League. For most teams that alone would have been seen as a very successful season but Stevens had loftier ambitions and an outstanding run in the FA Vase saw Coalville book their place in the Wembley final with a 6 2 aggregate victory against Kings Lynn Town. Although Coalville were unfortunate 3 2 losers to Whitley Bay in the final the Ravens made many friends with their open, attacking football.

A season of consolidation followed in the Northern Premier League with a high turnover of players in 2011 12. The following season Coalville were top of the Evo Stik Southern division for most of the season. This great form faltered toward the end of the season with results finishing mainly in draws and losses saw Coalville fall to second in the table behind Kings Lynn. Coalville went on to compete in the play off semi final but lost at home to Chasetown. Chasetown went on to lose against Stamford in the final. The Ravens did have some consolation after lifting the Westerby Cup beating Loughborough Dynamo 2 1 in the final at the King Power stadium.

Last following ended in the same way for Coalville but this time it was close all season with players coming impressing and being signed by clubs higher, manager Adam Stevens was really put to the test but continued to find the quality players to push Coalville to the top of the table A home defeat to Gresley on Easter Monday handed pole position back to Halesowen who secured the title on the last day leaving again as runners up This time Mickleover were the visitors to Owen Street for the players off and a 3-2 defeat left the raven following with that same feeling as the previous season, so near yet so far In the FA trophy Coalville had a memorable run beating several higher league teams such as Marine and Solihull Moors before drawing the previous seasons finalists Grimsby Town who were held to a draw at Owen Street before eventually winning through at Blundell Park

Manager Adam Stevens hoped to build on the positive aspects of the last two seasons but soon resigned as manger early on in the season, Jimmy Gray took over for a short spell in charge before Tommy Brookbanks joined from Loughborough with the task of steadying the ship The Brookbanks era started off with a hard run of games and lots of injuries but the style of football Tommy was to bring to Coalville was soon evident and lifted the spirit of the Raven faithful Off the pitch last season was a big year for Coalville as they continued to develop and improve as a club to match the progress of recent years on the pitch, the introduction of the youth development

TODAY'S OPPONENTS

COALVILLE TOWN FC Club History contd.

pathway and academy side will hopefully produce local talent for the first team in the near future. 2014 15 did see a county cup final where the Ravens lost out 2 1 to Barwell at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.

The 2015 16 started off as one of great optimism at Owen St Tommy Brookbanks had put a squad together capable of challenging for promotion and they got off to a solid start and were never out of the top 3 since September Acknowledged as probably the best footballing side in the league they were in touch with leaders Stafford, but a wobble in February and March left The Ravens looking over their shoulder However, an impressive run in saw Coalville win the promotion play off final at big spending Shaw Lane coming back from being a goal down at half time before running out 3 1 winners following a stunning second half performance

Despite being many peoples favourites for relegation The Ravens more than held their own n their first season at Step 3 and finished a creditable 16th Place in heir first season in the league

In the 2017/18 season Coalville had a tough start losing their opening three games but then went on to win the next 7 fixtures pushing them up 2nd in the league. Following that there were further runs of losses and victories but all in all was a disappointing league season with the club only just avoiding relegation. The Ravens did reach two cup finals where they defeated Loughborough Dynamo to win the Leicestershire Challenge Cup,but lost to Atherton Collieries in the final of the Integro League Cup. Following the season Manager Tommy Brookbanks left the club and he was replaced by Adam Stevens who joined for his second spell as Manager.

In his first season back Stevens guided the club to 6th place just missing out on the playoffs. The next two years were disrupted by the COVID pandemic and neither was completed. In 2021/22 he assembled an attractive attacking side which finished third in the league before losing out to Peterborough Sports in the play off final.

WHO ARE YA?

COALVILLE TOWN FC Player Pen Pics

Adam Stevens Manager

Adam returned to Coalville in May 2018 having previously managed them for 7 seasons until 2014 during the clubs most successful period In 2011 he guided the club to promotion from the Midland Football Alliance having scored an impressive 150 goals in the league and also reached the FA Vase Final where the Ravens lost out to Whitley Bay at Wembley Following his departure he had three highly successful seasons at Grantham Town (then Northern Premier league) which culminated with them losing the Play Off final to Ashton United.

Danny Davidson Assistant Manager

Danny joined in 2020 as a first team coach but was appointed assistant manager in 2021 A former Ravens striker he brings a wealth of experience having played conference north for most of his career

Paul White Goalkeeper

Summer signing from Peterborough Sports Paul brings a wealth of experience having won this league with Kettering Town during the 18/19 season A 6ft 4 stopper with a good range of passing as well

Jake Laban Goalkeeper

Jake joined in the summer of 2022 having been at Burton Albion’s Academy. He is a young goalkeeper who has a reputation as a good shot stopper

Chris Robertson Defender

Commanding central defender signed in the summer of 2020 from Grantham Town. Played pro most of his career with the likes of Torquay, Preston & Port Vale finally leaving the professional game after a spell at Swindon

Kian Taylor Defender

Joined the Ravens on loan from Shrewsbury Town in September 2019. He is from Coalville and played for The Ravens junior sides before being picked up by Leicester City. He went through their academy system before being released and then joined The Shrews for whom he signed his first professional contract in summer of 2019 Has now joined permanently on a free transfer the summer of 2020

George Wilson Defender

Summer 2022 arrival from Loughbrough University. George came through the Blackburn Rovers academy and has also had a spell in Swedish football. He impressed with the Ravens during pre season and can operate at full back or in midfield

Jake Eggleton Defender

Pacey young centre back signed from Loughborough University in 2020. A former pro at West Ham and also had spells in non league at Hendon and Hampton & Richmond in the National League South.

Eliot

Putman Defender

Joined the club from local rivals Barwell in September 2021. As a youngster he was on the books of Leicester City and has also played for Stamford. He has a real eye for goal as a left back and also posses a great set piece.

Alex Dean Defender

Alex is in his second spell at Coalville after leaving to play in the conference north with Solihull Moors who he impressed against during an FA Trophy game. Having re joined the club in August 2014 he is now the longest serving player at Coalville big favourite with the Ravens faithful.

Herve Pepe Ngoma Defender

Pepe rejoined Coalville in November 2022 from neighbours Barwell who he joined from The Ravens in September 2021. Having come through to Leicester City Academy he then joined Kettering but a serious knee injury kept him out of the game for some time. He regained his fitness and having spent a year away firmly established back in the squad

Andi Thanoj Midfielder

First new signing of the summer arriving from National League North side Boston United after a six year spell there. Andi started at Grimsby Town and comes with a huge reputation. He is an all round central midfielder who can pass, tackle and deliver a mean set piece

Tom McGlinchey Midfield

Tom joined in the summer of 2017 from Midland League side Leicester Road FC. The technically gifted winger is recognised as one of the most dangerous players in the league and was awarded in the step 3 team of the year last season

Joe Doyle Charles Midfield

2018 summer signing from Matlock Town who he had starred for the last few seasons. Highly rated central midfielder with a good work rate and excellent range of passing. Joe came through the academy at Burton Albion and has also had spells at Alfreton Town and Ilkeston. He has been appointed match day captain for this season

Steve Towers Midfield

Signed in the summer of 2016, the Leicester born player has had a long and illustrious career in non league football having played for Brackley Town and Corby in the National League. The tough tackling midfielder also has an eye for goal and is the clubs current captain alongside his new player/coach role

Luke

Shaw Midfield

2018 summer signing from Grantham Town. Pacey winger with a real eye for goal. Had a spell with AFC Telford in the National League and then suffered a serious knee injury at Grantham.

Connor Smith Midfielder

Tall imposing central midfielder who came through the youth ranks at Nottingham Forest. Signed the summer of 2020 after being a long term target of Adam Stevens.

Tendai Chitiza Midfielder

Tendai arrived from step 4 Stamford AFC in July He can operate on either wing or as a striker He possesses bags of pace alongside his relentless work rate and is sure to become a fans favourite this season.

Ashley Chambers - Striker

Another 2022 summer arrival from Buxton FC Ash has a wealth of non league and football league experience after coming through the Leicester City academy making his first team debut aged 15. Has also had spells at the likes of York City, Grimsby Town & Kidderminster Harriers.

Tim Berridge - Striker

Extremely talented striker who joined in 2018 from his local side Dunkirk Went close to securing the golden boot last year with an impressive 22 league goals The fan favourite cleaned up at the end of season awards.

Ronnie Morley - Striker

A 17 year old striker who has come through the youth ranks at Coalville now representing our under 18 and under 21 sides Has been involved throughout pre season scoring in our win against Corby Town Likely to play a supporting role this season but has a big future ahead of him.

Dimi