ROYSTON TOWN vs HEDNESFORD TOWN - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2021

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs HEDNESFORD TOWN FC Saturday 20th November 2021 Kick Off: 3pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents Hednesford 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.

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR:

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

Founded 1875 Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY

07772 086709

Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery Steve Endacott Angela Baulk, Neil MacLeod Kevin Richards

Football Management Team First Team Manager First Team Asst Manager Reserve Team Manager U18 Team Managers Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager

Steve Castle Chris Watters Lewis Endacott Dan Evans/Matt Campany Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson

Ground

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

Colours

First XI Reserves U18 Women's Vets

White/Black/White White/Black/White White/Black/Black White/Black/White White/Black/Black

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 an unincorporated association controlled by its members under the Constitution of RTFC

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

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

WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2021 AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Redditch United Banbury United v Lowestoft Town Bromsgrove Sporting v Barwell Coalville Town v Leiston Hitchin Town v Alvechurch Needham Market v Tamworth St Ives Town v Peterborough Sports Stourbridge v Biggleswade Town Stratford Town v Rushall Olympic

SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION

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

WE'RE BACKING PLAY SAFE Royston Town FC is lending its full support to Play Safe – a national FA-led campaign to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding in football.

Play Safe is being run in partnership with the NSPCC and has the full backing of the Premier League, EFL, Barclays FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship. It’s also supported and being run across every other level of the game.

The main element of Play Safe is a series of short films which emphasise the importance of clubs such as ours having safeguarding as an everyday reality. The films also explain to parents/carers and children themselves know what to do if they feel unsafe or worried because nothing matters more than making sure football is safe for everyone, especially children and young people. You can see these films on our club website and we’ve also broadcast them on our social media channels.

“As a youth team coach, I will be working with my club to ensure we support the Play Safe messaging,” says FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham. “I am also pleased that the campaign has the support of the former footballers with lived experience of abuse in football, who are on our Survivor Support and Safeguarding Advisory Group. The Group has collectively said: “Learning from the past is crucial, so that we can prevent the horrific experiences that happened to us and so many others in football, from happening again.

“As a group of survivors, we fully support the ethos and important messages that Play Safe conveys – whether to club officials, parents/carers and or vitally, children and young people themselves. Equally important is that Play Safe is not a one-off campaign – it will be used at key points in the football calendar to remind everyone in football, that children’s welfare and keeping them safe, should be at the heart of all that we do.”

As the Survivor Group points out, you’ll see Play Safe appearing at various points throughout the season to keep safeguarding front of mind in football. Together, we want to do everything we can so everyone – particularly children and young people – has a consistently positive experience of our great game.

www.roystontownfc.myspreadshop.co.uk/

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.

SUPPLIERS OF PRIZES FOR THE FAMOUS ROYSTON TOWN FC MEAT RAFFLE

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 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 1875 2012 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.

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Joe Welch (Goalkeeper) Joined us from Chelmsford City in 2016/17, Joe started his career at Southend United before joining Histon where he played over 50 games and earned a loan deal at Stevenage. Joe’s other clubs include Ebbsfleet, Bromley and St Albans City.

Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Defender) Versatile defender who re-joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes & Yeading. Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team during the 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before moving to Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Adam Murray (Defender) Adam joined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge City where he made 60 appearances. He quickly settled into the squad and has proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows.

Ronnie Henry (Defender) Signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at Billericay Town. Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to play 502 games for Stevenage (the club’s all-time record appearances) in two spells either side of two seasons at Luton Town.

Daniel Brathwaite (Defender) Club skipper, Dan joined the Crows from Chesham United for the start of 2015/16.

He is an experienced defender whose former clubs include Boreham Wood and Dover Athletic.

Dan Newton (Defender) Joined the Crows early into season 2020/21, Centre-Back Dan's previous clubs were Biggleswade FC and Northwood. He is a calm and confident defender and cousin of former Crow Joe Newton.

James Brighton (Defender) Experienced full-back who joined us in November 2019 from Kettering Town, where he had spent a successful four seasons. James has previously played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Cambridge City & Cambridge United.

Scott Bridges (Midfield) Scott re-joined the Crows in season 2020/21 after spending the previous season at Hayes & Yeading, having been a Crow for four years previously, scoring 71 goals in 194 appearances. Originally with Aston Villa until 2007, Scott then played most of his football at Banbury United.

Spyros Mentis (Midfield) Versatile, hard-working and tough-tackling midfielder or defender, Spyros re-joined The Crows in 2018/19 after a season away at Hayes & Yeading, he previously played just under 100 games for us from 2013 during his first spell at Garden Walk.

Tom Newman (Midfield) Joined the Crows at the start of 2018/19, Tom has impressed when called upon and has chipped in with some useful goals from midfield.

Isa Rotimi (Midfield) Young midfielder who signed for the Crows at the beginning of season 2019/20, Isa previously spent two seasons at Colney Heath.

Dan Green (Midfield) Joined us in December 2018 from Chesham United, Dan is an experienced midfielder whose other previous clubs include St Albans City and Dunstable Town.

Brandon Adams (Forward) Signed for the Crows in 2019, Brandon previously spent four years at Queens Park Rangers which included loan deals at Malaysian club Perlis and Linfield in Northern Ireland. After leaving the R’s in 2018 Brandon dropped into non-league hoping to catch the eye of pro clubs and has certainty impressed. After a short stint at Enfield Town he moved to Ware in 2018/19 and bagged an impressive 23 league goals in 25 games.

Josh Williams (Forward) Signed for the Crows at the start of last season after spending the previous season at Ware, where he scored 17 goals in 30 appearances, Josh previously played for FC Romania.

Isaac Galliford (Forward) Previously with Hitchin Town, St Neots Town & Hemel Hempstead after starting out with Luton Town. Isaac signed for us for the beginning of last season. Whilst with The Canaries Isaac’s performances earned him an England ‘C’ call-up.

Matt Bateman (Forward) Re-joined us for the start this season from Hemel Hempstead, where he spent last season after moving from the Crows. Matt signed for the Crows at the start of season 2019/20 and scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 games during that season to earn his move to Hemel. Previous to that Matt played a big part in Berkhamsted’s push for promotion in 2018/19 where he netted 43 times in 54 appearances for The Comrades.

Harry Draper (Forward) Signed for the Crows on loan from Stevenage at the start of this season. Harry has been with Stevenage from the age of eight, he signed his first professional deal at Boro’ in summer 2019 and then spent that season on loan at Hitchin Town.

Finlay Titchmarsh (Defender) Young defender who signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season, Finlay was originally with Barnet before having spells with Staines Town and Ware.

COME ON

YOU

CROWS!

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Hednesford Town FC Club History The Pitmen were formed in 1880 with the amalgamation of two teams, the Red and Whites (who were also known as West Hill) and Hill Top. The newly formed club played their games at ‘The Tins’, which was at the rear of The Anglesey Hotel in Hednesford and remained there until 1904 when they moved to ‘The Cross Keys’.

‘The Cross Keys’ was home to the Pitmen until 1994/95 when the club moved to the new purpose-built ‘Keys Park’ stadium, which has a 6039 capacity and holds a Football Association Grade B ground grading certificate.

Hednesford Town may have a long and proud history but it was not until January 1990 that the club’s fortunes turned for the better. The 1989/90 season had been a struggle and, at the beginning of the year, the club were in a deep relegation battle and, with gates below 300, relegation from The Beazer Homes Midland Division looked a distinct possibility. In an effort to avoid relegation the club appointed former goalkeeper, John Baldwin, as manager and he gradually began to turn the club around and relegation was avoided.

The following season the team finished third and then gained promotion to the Beazer Homes League Premier Division, after finishing the 91/92 season as runners-up. In the same season, the club became the first English football team to play at The Welsh National Stadium losing 1-0 to Cardiff City, in the final of the Welsh Cup. In the first season in the Premier Division, the Pitmen finished in fourth position and reached the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final losing to Stoke City. The 93/94 season saw the club reach a cup final for the third year running, this time it was The Birmingham Senior Cup Final where they were beaten 3-0 by a full-strength Walsall team.

The following season the club were crowned Beazer Homes League Premier Division champions with the team defeating Leek Town in front of 2776 supporters at The Cross Keys to clinch the title and promotion to the GM Vauxhall Conference.

The Pitmen commenced their first season in The Conference at their new Keys Park home and in the club’s first season in the top flight of non-league football they finished in third place behind champions Stevenage Borough and Woking.

The 96/97 season will go down as the best in the club’s history as the Pitmen reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in 72 years, eventually losing in the fourth round at Middlesbrough, in front of 27,500 supporters.

The following season saw the club finish in seventh and further FA Cup success was enjoyed as, in front of millions of Match of the Day viewers, the Pitmen beat Hull City 2-0 at Boothferry Park but in the second round lost to Darlington. In the 98/99 season, the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the third season running. This time beating Barnet 3-1 in the first round but lost by the same scoreline away at Cardiff City in the next round.

League success did not follow the cup runs and the 1999/2000 season saw the team drop to 17th position then, after John Baldwin had stepped down, the club were relegated for the first time in their history. A succession of managers were appointed to replace John Baldwin including Neil Pointon, Colin Lambert, Paul Raynor, Kenny Hibbitt and Ian Painter.

The club’s first season back in the Southern League was a big disappointment and only a last day victory away at Newport (IOW) saved a second consecutive relegation.

The team started the 2002/03 season with Ian Painter in charge but, with the Pitmen hovering around the relegation zone, Ian was replaced in February by Barry Powell, who returned to the club after a spell at Stafford Rangers. Barry had previously been assistant manager to Kenny Hibbitt.

Despite the club’s FA Trophy success in May 2004, when Canvey Island were defeated 3-2 at Villa Park, Barry Powell was replaced as manager by Chris Brindley. The club had failed during the 2003/04 season to finish high enough in the league to move into the new Conference set up but promotion came twelve months later, when a place in Conference North was gained after winning playoff games away at Merthyr Tydfil and Chippenham Town.

The 05/06 season saw the Pitmen again reach the first round of the FA Cup but were defeated 4-0 away at Histon.

The team continued to leak goals and, as a result of a number of poor results, Chris Brindley left the club by mutual consent in early December. Chris’ assistant manager, former Wimbledon star, Steve Anthrobus, was appointed Manager but was unable to save the club from relegation to the Northern Premier League.

Former Nottingham Forest player, Phil Starbuck, was appointed manager in July 2006 and, despite challenging near the top of the table for the majority of the 06/07 season, a slump in form after Christmas saw the team finish in 7th. In the 07/08 season, the Pitmen ended a disappointing season in 8th and Phil Starbuck was replaced during the summer by Dean Edwards who appointed former Scottish international, Matt Elliott, as his Assistant Manager.

The 08/09 season saw the Pitmen in commanding form for the first half of the season once again, but a loss of form in the New Year saw the title challenge fade away, with the team finishing in a disappointing 8th place. One consolation was that the side went on to win the Birmingham Senior Challenge Cup for only a second time after a wait of 73 years, beating Stourbridge 2-0 in the final.

After a disappointing start to the 2009/10 campaign Dean Edwards left the club and Simon Line, formerly of Market Drayton Town FC, was appointed to the vacant team manager position. Simon brought former Kidderminster Harriers player, Delwyn Humphreys, to Keys Park as his number two.

More managerial chaos followed in early January 2010 when Simon Line handed in his resignation for ‘personal reasons’ and this resulted in the appointment of former Pitman and Northern Ireland star, Bernard McNally into the Keys Park management hot seat. Delwyn Humphreys agreed to stay on as Bernie’s Assistant Manager, after a short spell as caretaker manager, following Line’s departure. Under this management team the Pitmen finished the season strongly and ended in a creditable fourth place, earning a play off semi-final tie away at Chippenham Town FC, which the Pitmen lost 2-0.

After a shock early exit from the 2010/11 FA Cup Bernard McNally and his then assistant Stuart Brock left the club to be replaced by the former AFC Telford United management team, Rob Smith and Larry Chambers in late September 2010.

After a very successful season finishing 2nd in the Southern League Premier Division, winning the Southern League Cup and losing on penalties to Salisbury City FC in the Play-off Final the Pitmen were moved laterally into the EvoStik Northern Premier League.

After a satisfactory first season back in the Evo-Stik NPL, finishing in 5th place and earning a Play-Off place, losing to Bradford Park Avenue, Smith set about rebuilding the team for the new season, making wholesale changes.

The 2012-13 campaign was one of the best in the history of the club, with the club finishing second in the league and then gaining promotion through the Play-Offs, beating AFC Fylde and then FC United of Manchester, the Final setting a new attendance record at Keys Park of 4412. The promotion to the Conference was complemented by winning both the Birmingham and Staffordshire Senior Cups in a truly historic season.

The success story continued in 2013-14 with Smith and Chambers once more guiding the team to the play-offs, losing narrowly over two legs to Altrincham FC who were eventually promoted. The team also acquitted themselves well in the FA Cup getting to the First Round proper, losing 2-1 to Crawley Town FC and also got to the Final of the Birmingham Senior Cup, losing to Conference Premier side Tamworth FC. The 2014-15 season was a season of consolidation for the Pitmen who were in playoff contention at Christmas but faded in the run-in, finishing in a creditable 8th place in the Conference North.

Soon after the commencement of the 2015-16 season the club were rocked by the news that Smith and Chambers were leaving to take up the vacant management positions at rivals AFC Telford United. Former manager Bernard McNally was appointed to the manager position to be assisted by club stalwart Chris Brindley, however, after a poor run of results in which the team only picked up 8 pts in 11 league matches McNally was relieved of his duties.

In mid-December 2015, former Chelsea and Leicester City star Frank Sinclair was appointed to the manager’s position, bringing in Chris Millington as his Assistant. Despite their best efforts Frank and Chris were unable to avoid relegation and left the club in April 2016. After much interest in the vacant manager role, the club appointed Liam McDonald fresh from a very successful season with Redditch United.

After losing Liam McDonald to Solihull Moors FC in November 2016 there followed another period of management instability with Paul Casey having three months in charge followed by his assistant manager Gary Birch. When Gary Birch resigned at the end of the season the club moved quickly to appoint manager Neil Tooth who had been the preferred external candidate when the previous internal appointment had been made, however, in September Neil Tooth left the club and this heralded the return of Rob Smith and Larry Chambers to Keys Park.

The new management team heralded a strong mid-season resurgence by the Pitmen but this did not last and the performances dropped off towards the end of the season, finishing in a disappointing 16th position in the League.

The 2018-19 season started with mixed results but took a turn for the worse in late November when Smith and Chambers left the club to take up a position elsewhere, the club decided in late December to appoint Nicky Eaden as Manager who was joined by Gary Hayward as Assistant Manager. After a strong finish to the season Gary Hayward was appointed as team manager and recruited Mark Ward from AFC Mansfield as his Assistant and fans favourite Danny Glover as player/coach. In early December 2019, Gary Hayward and Mark Ward left to take up a management offer at Buxton FC, Danny Glover and Ben Bailey took immediate charge of team affairs and was joined by experienced former Port Vale FC manager, Dean Glover to assist in the dugout. This was the season that coronavirus struck with the season shut down in mid-March and all results expunged. Amidst all of the chaos though, 2020 saw Hednesford Town FC move into a new era of ownership as Graham Jones took over the club as Chairman along with his partner Hayden Dando on 1st May. Shortly afterwards, Andy Morrell was appointed as team manager with Danny Glover as his Assistant Manager and former Stafford Rangers manager, Alex Meechan, joining the coaching staff. With only a few weeks of the new season past and with the Pitmen on the bottom of the league and out of the FA Cup, Andy Morrell and Alex Meechan left the club and were replaced by Keenen MeakinRichards and Graham Deakin as the interim management team. In another disrupted season due to the pandemic, Keenen Meakin-Richards and Graham Deakin were confirmed as the management team, they were joined by Jemiah Richards as coach and Richard Mills as goalkeeper coach.

WHO ARE YA? Hednesford Town FC Player Pen Pics Keenen Meakin-Richards – First Team Manager Keenen stepped up to the position of first-team manager from the Youth Academy following the departure of Andy Morrell. Having previously played for Hednesford Town, Keenen has had an extensive playing career turning out for Hinckley United, Halesowen Town, Bromsgrove Rovers, Chasetown, Highgate United, Walsall Wood and Sporting Khalsa amongst others.

Graham Deakin – Assistant Manager ‘Deaks’ began his career with Walsall playing a handful of first-team games before moving on to Tamworth. He had a successful non-league career with spells at Halesowen Town, Redditch and Bromsgrove before becoming 1st team manager at Romulus, later stepping down and becoming the Academy manager for 4 years.

Jemiah Richards – First Team Coach Jemiah began his career with Stafford Rangers playing national conference football. He continued his non-league career with spells at Worcester City, Halesowen Town, Redditch, Bromsgrove Rovers and Walsall Wood. Jemiah is a qualified sports therapist and used these skills as a physio at Walsall Wood before become coach at the wood, moving on to coach at Alvechurch. Before coming to Hednesford he was first-team coach at Racing Club Warwick.

Richard Mills – Goalkeeper Coach Millsy played at Stafford Rangers as a young man. He then decided to focus on his coaching and teaching. Millsy has been coaching at Birmingham city for a number of years, alongside working as a tutor and goalkeeping coach at Romulus Academy.

Andy Wycherley – Goalkeeper Andy spent two loan spells with the Pitmen during the curtailed and then expunged 2019-20 season. In what must be a rare occurrence, the two loan spells were from two different parent clubs, as between them he moved from AFC Telford United to Solihull Moors. Rejoined the Pitmen on a permanent basis, following his release from Moors.

Jonathan Brown - Goalkeeper Jonathan ‘Jono’ Brown joined the Pitmen in mid-September 2021 from neighbours, Stafford Rangers FC. Jono is a popular and capable goalkeeper with much experience at Kidderminster Harriers, Bromsgrove Sporting, Rushall Olympic and others.

Carter Lycett – Defender Carter is an England Schoolboy International, where he was made captain and is an exciting young prospect who really showed his impact in the first team last season. This year will be a chance for Carter to demonstrate his talent over a full season.

Sam Griffiths – Defender Sam rejoined the Pitmen during summer 2020 after a short spell at Halesowen Town. Sam brings experience to the team, having turned out at this level for Stafford Rangers as well as Braintree and Carshalton Athletic.

Ben Bailey - Defender Ben is a commanding defender and club captain. With over 400 games for the Pitmen during three spells, he is closing in on the all-time record for appearances. Ben also played for AFC Telford and more recently Newtown FC. Lewis Ludford-Ison - Defender Lewis is a dominating defender with great pedigree. Ison who turns 24 next month, began his career with Coventry United where his impressive performances earned him a move to football league side Bristol Rovers. In 2019 after 18 months at the Memorial Stadium Ison moved back to Coventry United where he picked up where he left off with some impressive displays prior to the lockdown in December that caught the eye of the Hednesford Town management team who despite lockdown continuing wanted to bring the young defender to the PRG Stadium.

Josh Webb – Defender Josh is a former England youth international who joined the Pitmen summer 2021 from Coleshill Town. Josh began his career at Aston Villa through the youth system through to the U23’s where he turned pro for 5 years at Villa. His impressive performances earned him a move to Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock. Josh's non-league clubs include Kidderminster Harriers.

Callam Mendez-Jones – Defender Callam is a strong central defender who started his career with West Bromwich Albion. He moved onto Accrington Stanley on loan before joining the Pitmen in 2017. Moving on to Halesowen Town, Rushall Olympic and Redditch United, Callam rejoined the Pitmen last season to bolster the defence.

Kyle Rowley – Defender Kyle 23, joined the Pitmen from Walsall Wood whom he joined in summer 2020 from Southern Premier Central side Alvechurch, with whom he had spent two seasons. Kyle, a talented centre back who likes the ball at his feet, began his career at Walsall before moving to Rugby Town where he spent two years before earning his move to Alvechurch.

Ryan Pryce – Defender Ryan is a versatile defender who joined the Pitmen summer 2021. Ryan began his career at TNS as a scholar after being released from Shrewsbury town. His impressive performances earned him a move to Cardiff City. Ryan’s previous clubs include Bala Town.

Jed Davies – Midfielder Jed is a 25-year-old creative midfielder who is no stranger to Keys Park as he was on loan back in 2017 and then signed permanently in 2018, only to leave for Stafford Rangers in 2019. He began his career as a junior with Chasetown, before moving on to Coalville Town and Tamworth.

Reece Flanagan – Midfielder 25-year-old Reece began his career with Walsall making 39 appearances for the Saddlers before leaving the club and moving on to Leamington in the National League North, a short spell at Rushall Olympic followed before he joined Stratford shortly before the curtailment of the season 2019-20. Reece is a hardworking, determined midfielder with a great range of passing.

Courtney Richards – Midfielder Courtney, 26, arrived at the pitmen in November 2020 after impressing with his performances at Bromsgrove.

Courtney began his career at Coventry City youth system, moving on to Brighton & Hove Albion where he signed his first pro deal. Courtney then moved onto Torquay United where he established himself as club captain. Courtney’s previous non-league clubs also include Solihull Moors, Macclesfield, Nuneaton, Alvechurch and Stratford.

Todd Parker – Midfielder Todd is a dynamic midfielder who signed for the Pitmen in the summer of 2021. Todd has an excellent pedigree coming through the youth ranks at wolves. He is looking to really place a stamp on this league this season.

James Hill – Midfielder James joined the club in early October after a string of impressive performances with AFC Wulfrunians. The talented and hard-working midfielder will be a great addition to the squad.

George Cater - Forward A tricky attacker who rejoined the club after spending three successful years with Chasetown, where he scored prolifically. George was previously with the Pitmen between March and August 2017.

Shaquille Master - Midfielder Shaq was transferred in from Rushall Olympic FC in October and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with his skill and creativity. The former Northampton Town Academy player who then shone in the non-league with Leicester Nirvana FC before moving to Dales Lane will bring different attacking options to the team.

Andre Landell – Forward Andre is a talented and versatile forward player who can operate a number of positions. Andre returns to the Pitmen following a spell with us early in his non-league career. Andre joins Hednesford Town FC after a short spell at Bromsgrove Sporting. His career has seen him play consistently in this league at a number of clubs including Stourbridge, Rushall Olympic & Alvechurch as well as in the USA as a youngster.

Andre Brown – Forward Brown, 25, began his career in the respected Crewe Alexandra youth set up where he came through the ranks and signed his first contract. He then moved on to join Kidderminster Harriers before moving to AFC Telford United for a two-year spell that included a loan move with Pitmen, before going to Stourbridge on loan. Previous clubs include Worcester City, Rushall Olympic and Nuneaton.

Niall Rooney - Forward Highly rated Niall Rooney, who is currently attracting much attention in Solihull Moors Academy team has joined the Pitmen in order to further his experience of senior football. Rooney is a quick and strong natural finisher and will be a valuable member of the squad in the coming months.

TRAVELLERS TALES

by Brian Buck 87th game of the season (Match 13,468) Monday 18th October 2021.

Tottenham Hotspur U23 3 West Ham United U23 4 (Premier League 2 Division 1) (Played at Stevenage) att 434.

I had the choice of two circuses tonight, one being in the car park on the opposite side of the road to the ground and secondly the one inside it! Having successfully gained access into the stadium by the scanning system we then found that our reserved seats were blocked off and so we were given tickets by a steward to sit elsewhere. This ‘elsewhere’ meant we were sandwiched between a ‘high octane Hammers fan on one side of us and an extremely big bloke on the other side, whose sheer size blocked part of my view of the pitch. But he didn’t move or speak during the whole match, leading me to worry if he was still alive! In fact, the whole crowd was squeezed into one-third of the main stand. Meanwhile, a quick scan of the adverts around the ground led me to believe that the French President now sponsors Stevenage, or at least I assume that the ‘Macron’ board I saw means that he does! The game itself was a decent one. Thankfully this season clubs have abandoned spending the whole game trying not to concede goals and have finally realised that banging them in the onion bag as many times as possible is what football is really all about.

So it was that the Hammers took the lead on 8 minutes when a blocked shot was followed up with power. Spurs equalised two minutes later with an angled shot after the scorer wriggled himself into position. They then took the lead six minutes later when the scorer ran on to a pass and his shot went in off the post. But then goals on 24 minutes, from just inside the corner of the area and two minutes later, an own goal, after a cross was turned into the net, saw West Ham take the lead. But it was all square by the 37th minute after Spurs scored from the spot, when Jack Clarke, a regular at this level ‘won’ the penalty. The second half saw the pace drop. On 49 minutes West Ham also scored from the spot. The award of the kick was slightly dubious from my angle, but it was probably the correct decision, with the ‘winner’ of the kick having had two other ‘tries’ turned down moments earlier. Spurs made an effort to get the equaliser late on, but on the night the Hammers probably deserved their win.

88. (13,469) Tuesday 19th October 2021. Potton United 0 Desborough Town 1 (Abandoned after 24 minutes – Floodlight failure) (uhlsport United Counties League Premier Division South) att 68.

I arrived here just over 15 minutes before kick-off to be followed into the car park by the sudden arrival of a load of other cars, most of whom I suspect belonged to the Potton Ultras. Potton started the match well, having a header in the first minute. But after creating a few half chances Desborough suddenly scored with their first foray into the Potton half on 6 minutes. The home custodian hadn’t got his posts covered properly as he came out to close down the attacker, who was able to roll the ball past him from about fifteen yards out and this well-placed effort went in just inside the far post. Potton were soon into their stride though, and they then created a couple of scoring attempts, one of which came back off the post. But then on about 20 minutes all the floodlights on one side of the pitch suddenly went out, just as they had done a few weeks earlier here at a Reserve game. On that occasion, the game was played to a conclusion as there were only a few minutes left in the match, but tonight the excellent ref obviously rightly decided that this would not be possible. The usual practice in these situations was followed, but after waiting a while before switching them back on again made no difference and so there was no alternative left but to abandon the match.

89. (13,470) Wednesday 20th October 2021. Hitchin Town U19 Pro Direct 1 Soccer Elite FA Limited SEFA Blue 2 (Played at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock) (1 pm kick-off) att 17.

Although the league website had this game down to be played at Top Field, heavy overnight rain saw this match switched to the 3G pitch at the former Baldock Town ground. Back here for the first time in a while, I saw a few familiar faces, but not that of the ref whom I mistook for one of the managers! He had a decent game, but I was rather surprised that he allowed the Hitchin keeper to play in a white top, bearing in mind the away team were also wearing white shirts. Furthermore, some of the non-playing players with the hosts were present, but this time I managed to distance myself from the harmless racket they made, by sitting elsewhere in the ground! The visitors have a 100% record in this league and in the first half, they showed why. It was they who took the lead on 18 minutes when the keeper seemed to see a shot from the edge of the area rather late. He was either unsighted by the players in front of him or blinded by the sun because he wasn’t wearing a cap. Then on 25 minutes, the visitors doubled their lead when the scorer homed in on goal from the right and scored with an angled shot from about 15 yards out. At this point, you felt that Hitchin might be on the way to a big thrashing, but on 31 minutes they pulled a goal back from the spot, following a gentle trip only just inside the area. From this point onwards play played with a bit more confidence. At half time I went into the clubhouse for tea. Hitchin Town manager Mark Burke, doing his day job, served me. The price of tea here has gone up 50% since my last visit, but as a loyal fan, he agreed that I could have it at the old rate. So, if the Canaries end up getting relegated the club can blame me for blowing their transfer budget! While I was talking to Mark and telling him that I had given up my Spurs season ticket, citing one of the reasons being that I didn’t enjoy it anymore and didn’t even cheer anymore when they scored, another man with us said that he didn’t cheer when Spurs scored either, but then added that this was because he was a Gooners fan!

Back at the game, the sun had gone in by and we had a brief heavy rain shower. The game was more even now and fewer chances were created. Although Hitchin defended well the visitors were still the overall better side.

90. (13,471) Wednesday 20th October 2021. Langford 3 Bedford 4 (Spartan South Midlands League Division 1) (7.45 pm kick-off) att 80 approx.

After having a decent amount of time between games to go home and get something to eat and drink, I was then back on the road again and I arrived here about fifteen minutes before kick-off to find a rather packed car park. No disrespect to either club, but I found this rather surprising, as despite the game being a local derby, neither club is usually this well supported. Perhaps with more people moving into our ever-expanding nearby towns, such as Biggleswade in particular, our local football clubs are benefitting from this local population expansion. Anyway, the way in which this game panned out had similarities with my afternoon match. As I walked round to take my seat I heard someone ask someone, who was I suspect a manager of one of the teams, “Aren’t you going to speak to the players before the start?” to which his reply was. “I’ll leave it up to them. They’ll probably sort it out themselves!”

Anyway, I did indeed take my seat in the stand, which when you do this here, means that you sacrifice seeing the pitch in one corner of the ground because your view is blocked by the height of the dugouts. As for the game, things started disastrously for Langford. They went a goal down on 6 minutes when from the remnants of a corner the ball was stabbed home from close range. Three minutes later the lead was doubled when again from close range, the ball was sided footed home from a square pass. Then on 12 minutes, the score became 0-3 when a spot-kick was converted, following a trip. A further goal on 25 minutes saw Bedford go in 4-0 up. But then on 41 minutes, Langford pulled a goal back. You could have put your mortgage on Bedford not buggering this up in the second half, but they nearly did! On 48 minutes Langford reduced the lead again when the scorer cut inside and hit the ball home from 15 yards out and in now torrential rain, on 71 minutes a header from a not properly cleared corner made the score 3-4. But Langford hadn’t quite got enough about them to improve their lot any further in this very exciting game.

PENALTY HEARTBREAK FOR CROWS IN FA TROPHY Kingstonian match report

by Duncan Easley ROYSTON TOWN FC 1 KINGSTONIAN FC 1 Kingstonian win 3-4 on penalties

Saturday 13th November 2021 Royston were knocked out of the FA Trophy in the cruellest way possible as Kingstonian advanced to the next round on penalties. It was Elliott Buchanan who stroked home the winning penalty after Isaac Galliford saw his penalty saved by K’s custodian Rob Tolfrey.

The first half was a fairly even affair as the contrasting styles of the 2 teams made for an entertaining encounter. Two early chances fell to the Crows Brandon Adams but both times Tolfrey was equal to the efforts as he saved well with his feet.

It was however the away side that took the lead. A fast counter-attack, after a Royston free-kick, saw Daniel Ajakaiye break clear, but Joe Welch in the home goal was quickly out to make the save. It was however Ajakaiye who picked up the loose ball and in doing so drew a foul from Ed Asafu-Adjaye that the referee deemed bad enough to award what looked like a very soft penalty. It was Gus Sow who stepped up and confidently curled the ball into the top corner, giving Welch no chance.

The Crows found the equaliser at the start of the second half as a great leap from Dan Newton saw him rise to head home a James Brighton corner. It was Royston who continued to press forward, as they forced Kingstonian deeper and deeper, but they struggled to create any clear cut chances and were ultimately made to pay as it was Kingstonian who prevailed in the shoot out.

Royston: 1-Welch, 6-Henry (16-Rotimi 81), 5-Murray ©, 20-Newton, 14-Brighton, 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 19Mentis, 4-Bridges, 8-Draper (12-Newman 88), 9-Adams, 11-Galliford Unused: GK-Williams, 3-Brathwaite, 7-Keeley, 15-Brown MOM – Dan Newton

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch

Ryan Easley

Ed James Brighton Asafu-Adjaye

Kelshall Jake Easley Plastics

Ronnie Henry

David Gray

Daniel Brathwaite Katherine Thompson

Scott Bridges

Luke Easley

Adam Murray

Jeff Gill

Isa Rotimi

Martin Pendrick

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Matt Bateman Brandon Adams Spyros Mentis

Martin Pendrick DFM Mick & Enid Royston Matt Clowery Toovey Plastering

Dan Newton

Graham Haggar

Josh Williams Tom Newman

Trevor & Alison Clive Deards Middlemass

Isaac Galliford

Steve Tuck

Steve Castle

Garrett Pennery

SQUADS Saturday 20th November 2021 Kick Off: 3PM

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR:

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Michael Robertson-Tant ASSISTANTS: Steven Marr / George Lowe

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Joe Welch Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Scott Bridges Adam Murray (c) Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Harry Draper Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman Ollie Williams James Brighton Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Makai Murray Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Andy Wycherley (GK) Carter Lycett Sam Griffiths Ben Bailey (c) Lewis Ludford-Ison Josh Webb Callam Mendez-Jones Kyle Rowley George Cater Andre Landell Ryan Pryce Jed Davies Jonathan Brown (GK) Reece Flanagan Courtney Richards Todd Parker James Hill Shaquille Master Andre Brown Niall Rooney

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

MANAGERS Keenen Meakin-Richards / Graham Deakin SPORTS THERAPISTS Eve Littler / Natalya Birch