ROYSTON TOWN vs KINGS LANGLEY - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - TUESDAY 11th OCTOBER 2022

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs KINGS LANGLEY FC

Tuesday 11th October 2022

Royston Town FC would like to welcome this evening's opponents Kings Langley FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern League Premier Central fixture. We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable evening and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game. We also welcome tonight’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

Colours

First XI White/Black/White

U23 White/Black/White U18 White/Black/Black Women's White/Black/White Vets 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 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

AFC

WHO'S GOT WHO?

Tonight's other fixtures

Alvechurch

Basford

Bromsgrove

Coalville Town

Rushall Olympic

Town

Town

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.

SCORES ON THE DOORS!

TABLE

IN

CENTRAL DIVISION

ROYSTON TOWN WOMEN SOAR INTO NEXT ROUND OF FA CUP!

With the Women’s FA Cup having significantly increased the winner’s purse for each round, Manager Lewis Endacott had viewed our postponed game the previous weekend as an ideal opportunity to watch Hertford in action

The report back to the team was that we were facing a young, energetic side who are well coached and like to play football ALL the time with pace all over the pitch The Crows, therefore, set up in an attacking formation to take the game to our opponents from the onset

To be fair to Hertford the opening minutes were evenly balanced, with Hertford proving the report to be very accurate lots of energy, high pressing, and good football

However, on 10 minutes the experience of the Royston team started to shape the game some quick passing in the middle of the pitch ended up with the ball at EMMA SLATER’s feet some 20 yards from goal, the resulting shot ending up in the top left hand corner of the goal

WHAT'S NEW ON RTFCTV?

The Crows were today drawn at HOME to Heybridge Swifts in the First Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy

The game is due to be played at Garden Walk on SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER.

The Swifts ply their trade in the Isthmian League Division One North and are currently sitting in 9th place.

We will release more details shortly.

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 wn.

020/21, Centre Back Dan's previous clubs were is a calm and confident defender and cousin of whojoinedtheCrowsfromWelwynGardenCityat clubs include Bedford Town, Harpenden Town, ostersandColneyHeath.

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 Dan is an experienced and Dunstable Town.

FernandoBellToxtle(Midfield)

FernandostartedhiscareeratCambridgeUnitedandspenttimeonloanatStNeots Town FollowinghisreleasefromCambridgeUnited,hejoinedAFCRushden&Diamonds inthesummerof2017 InNovember2017hemovedtoBasfordUnitedinordertopursue hisuniversitystudiesinNottingham HethenrejoinedAFCRushden&Diamondsandwas akeymemberoftheirsquadlastseason

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 impressive24goalsin41gamesduringthatseasontoearnhismovetoHemel.Previous tothatMattplayedabigpartinBerkhamsted’spushforpromotionin2018/19wherehe netted43timesin54appearancesforTheComrades.

MaxBustamante-Macaire(Forward)

The18yearoldstrikerimpressedinpreseasonandhassignedfortheCrows Maxisa formerChileanyouthplayerandhasrepresentedhisnationalsideatUnder15,Under17 andUnder18levels HispreviousclubsincludeBarnetFCandStevenageFC Whilstat Stevenage,MaxhadloanspellsatKingsLangley,BiggleswadeTownandBedfordTown.

JoelNakatani-Brown(Defender)

Joelisa22yearoldleftsideddefenderwhohasimpressedduringpreseasonandjoins theCrowsfortheir2022/23SouthernLeaguePremierCentralcampaign Joel’sprevious clubsincludeWestfield,FCRomania,CockfostersandWalthamstow

ColeDaSilva(Defender)

Recentacquisition,signedfromHemelHempsteadTown.23yearolddefenderjoinedthe TudorsfromOxfordCity.CappedbyWalesatunder15level,forEnglandatunder16s andthenWalesagainatunder17,19,20,andunder21level BegaatLutonTown’s academybeforemovingtoChelsea,making2appearancesintheEFLTrophyin2017 HejoinedBrentford’sBteamin2018andin2020spenttimewithLeicesterCityunder 23s SignedforCroatianFirstLeagueclubHNKSibenikin2021,beforejoiningtheOxford Cityattheendofthe2021/22season

TONIGHT'S OPPONENTS KINGS LANGLEY FC Club History

Kings Langley Football Club is one of the oldest in Hertfordshire, having been formed in 1886, with the village doctor, Frederick Fisher as its first Chairman Founder members of the West Herts League in the 1891 92 season, Kings Langley also won the St Mary’s Cup in front of 3,500 people at the Watford Recreation Ground in the same season, retaining it the next year and losing the final on a replay the following year. Early pitches were at Groomes Meadow, Blackwell Meadow and Kings Langley Common and although it has been stated that the Club did not move to Home Park until 1913, the pitch was certainly hosting a 1898 99 match against Hemel Hempstead Town in front of 300 spectators.

After slipping down the divisions, Kings Langley’s first league honour came in 1911 12, winning the Division 3 title, followed by the Division 2 Championship in 1919 20 The following two seasons saw an uncomfortable time in the Herts County League, before returning to the West Herts Division 1 in 1922 23. A similar drop down the divisions led to the Club folding in February of 1930, only to be reformed four months later, with a Division 2 Championship and Webster Cup triumph at the end of the first season The return to the top flight lasted only two seasons, but two years later Kings Langley topped Division 2 for their fourth divisional title.

1934 saw a new pavilion built on Home Park and this was opened by the future F.I.F.A. president, Sir Stanley Rous, who kept a close interest with his local club

The Herts County League was then reformed, but Langley took the radical step of joining the Southern Olympian League, taking the second and first division titles in successive years and spending two seasons in the Premier until the outbreak of war.

A 1939 application to play in the F A Cup was accepted in the post of 1945, leaving Kings Langley to raise a side in four weeks! Amazingly, the Preliminary round was negotiated before losing in the first Qualifying round. Missing the first season, Kings were back in the Herts County League, gaining promotion from Division Two in 1946 47. In the five seasons that followed, the First Division title was won twice, runners up spot achieved twice and the St Mary’s Cup won after a 58 year gap

Kings Langley regularly competed in the F A Amateur Cup and in September 1949 entertained the famous amateurs of Corinthian Casuals. Although losing 1 3, the match provided plenty of local interest with over 500 watching the game.

Three successful seasons in the Parthenon League followed, but travelling expenses were high, so it was back to the Herts County League in 1955 56 for a tenure that would last for the next 45 years Gradual improvement led to back to back Premier League titles in 1965 66 and 1966 67, plus a Herts Charity Shield triumph (66 67) and the Aubrey Cup in 1967 68. This was probably the first ‘golden period in the club’s history and although the 1971 72 season saw the St Mary’s Cup won again, relegation followed a year later Three seasons in Division One culminated with promotion as champions, the forerunner of two seasons up, two seasons down, before another promotion was overshadowed by the loss of Home Park to redevelopment in 1980. A nomadic existence followed, playing at Oxhey, Rolls Royce and Buncefield Lane and finally the Leavesden hospital ground, until the first weekend of March 1997 saw a dream finally realised as Kings Langley’s senior and junior teams took up the residence of their new ground at Hempstead Road under the banner of the Associated Football Clubs of Kings Langley.

The reformation of Kings Langley Youth Football Club in 1989 after a 19 year absence was to play its part, as both junior and senior supporters combined to launch a project of obtaining the Hempstead Road land, laying two pitches and building a pavilion. Sponsors included the National Lottery, Herts. F A, Dacorum Borough Council, Kings Langley Parish Council and the club’s great benefactor, Graham Gaywood, who tragically passed away so soon after the dream was realised The ground is named Gaywood Park as a tribute to someone who made it all possible

However, the new home did not bring an immediate turnabout in results and despite winning the Rickmansworth Charity Cup, Langley were involved in relegation battles for the next two seasons. Form improved and as the first season of a new century ended, a top four finish was achieved This was followed by the heartbreak of losing the title race on goal difference in 2000 01 and the decision was taken that the time was right to apply for a higher level of football. Promotion was accepted to the Spartan South Midlands League at Division One level and while the club held its own with three mid table finishes, the continuing upgrading of ground requirements by the League at this level saw relegation to Division Two in 2003 04

The first season in the lower tier was disappointing and Steve Heath was appointed manager for the next campaign A sixth place was followed by the runners up spot the next season, but ground standards were still an issue and promotion was denied 2007 08 saw magnificent treble success of League, Division 2 Cup and the retention of the Herts Intermediate Cup This included a club record run of 47 consecutive matches unbeaten in all competitions between 15 09 07 and 15 10 08 Promotion was granted on the basis of floodlights being in operation by late March 2009, but the slow turning wheels of the Local Planning system meant that this deadline was missed by a matter of weeks Although seating improvements had been made in anticipation of Premier status, this was not considered and the club remained in Division One Hard work ensured that the facilities accorded with standards for Step 5 in the pyramid, but by the start of the 2009 10 season, Steve Heath had moved on He was succeeded by the experienced Paul Hobbs, who took a new young side to an encouraging 7th placed finish, as well as the semi finals of the Herts F A Senior Centenary Cup and quarter finals of the Challenge Trophy and Division One Cup. 2010 11 saw his emerging side further improve to third place and narrowly miss promotion, as the Club celebrated its 125th anniversary.

2011 12. The Club took fourth place in Spartan South Midlands League Division 1, won the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy for the first time and were Herts Charity Shield & Division One Cup runners up. Paul Hobbs retired at end of season and Ritchie Hanlon & Paul Hughes were appointed joint managers.

2012 13. An encouraging sixth place in SSML Division 1 was achieved, with the bonus of winning the League Division 1 Cup

2013 14. Kings were Division 1 Runners Up and promoted to SSML Premier Division. Winners of the League Division 1 Cup, retaining trophy.

2014 15 Became SSML Premier Division champions at first attempt and won promotion to Evo Stik Southern League Division One Central Also won the Challenge Trophy (League Cup)

2015 16 Won 3rd consecutive promotion as champions of the Southern League Division 1 Central

2016 17 A turbulent season saw the departure of Paul Hughes and Ritchie Hanlon at the end of October and the return of Paul Hobbs as manager The season was a battle against relegation from the Southern League Premier in the debut season and back to back wins in the last two games ensured safety

2017 18 The reorganisation of Steps 3 and 4 for 2018 19 meant only one team was relegated and while failing to improve on last season ’ s record, Kings were never in danger Steve Conroy was promoted from coach to manager in December, succeeding Paul Hobbs.

2018 19. Achieved highest placed position in the history of the Club, finished 6th and missed the play offs by one point. Steve Conroy departed at the end of the season due to failure to reach a financial agreement.

2019 20. Dean Barker appointed manager, but was succeeded in September by Chris Cummins. Club moved laterally to Southern League Premier Central. Ten match unbeaten run at start of 2020 took Kings to edge of play offs before season was concluded in March due to global pandemic.

2020 21. Season again abandoned due to pandemic.

2021 22 Club moved back to Southern League Premier South and avoided relegation with back to back wins in the final two games

The Youth section continues to flourish and now boasts twenty six boys youth teams and two girls youth teams, ranging from Under Six up to Under Eighteen

The club has now been granted FA Charter status and looks to further improve its facilities as well as to make further progress up the football pyramid.

2021 22. Lateral switch to Premier South on resumption of a full season. Injuries and narrow defeats condemned Kings to a relegation dogfight, and against the odds, status was preserved on the last day with a win at Salisbury.

WHO ARE YA?

KINGS LANGLEY FC Player Pen Pics

EMMANUEL ADEBIYI Age: 22. Position : Previous Clubs : Watford, Aylesbury United, Colney Heath, Westfield, Hayes& Yeading. Midfielder who started with Watford before a spell with Enfield Town and Aylesbury United Signed for Colney Heath before moving to Hayes & Yeading in March 2022 and Kings in September 2022

HAFED AL DROUBI Age : 27. Position : Goalkeeper. Previous Clubs : Luton Town Academy, Besiktas U19, Manchester 62 (Gib), Chesham United, Harrow Borough, Beaconsfield Town, Northwood, Potters Bar Town Experienced keeper with an excellent reputation in the Southern League, who Kings were pleased to sign on a contract in the close season prior to 2022 23

ERIN AMU Age : 24. Position : Midfield. Previous Clubs : Berkhamsted, Kempston Rovers, St Neots Town. Transferred to Kings in October 2021 and was an ever present as a holding midfielder for the rest of the season, scoring the final goal that ensured Premiership survival

ALIE BANGURA Age : 23. Position : Forward. Previous Clubs : Broxbourne Borough, Enfield Borough, Tring Athletic, Biggleswade United, Berkhamsted. Wide striker who had two highly successful seasons with Enfield Borough, scoring 28 goals in 48 games Signed for Berkhamsted in 2020 where he scored 13 in 42 games Joined Kings on a transfer in March 2022 and was influential in late run that avoided relegation.

JOSH BOORN Age : 20.Position : Midfield. Previous Clubs : Luton Town U18, Chalfont St. Peter. With Luton from the age of thirteen, he signed for Chalfont during the 2021 22 season and cught the attention of Kings Langley, who signed him in summer 2022

RYAN CASE Age : 28.Position : Defence. Previous Clubs : Bashley, Braintree Town, Basingstoke Town, Wealdstone, Slough Town, Poole Town, Bath City, Oxford United, Dulwich Hamlet, Chippenham Town, Hartley Wintney Much travelled right back signed from Hartley Wintney to solve problem spot for the successful run in that preserved Premier League status

UDOKA CHIMA Age : 20. Position : Defence. Previous Clubs : Burnley, Queen of the South, Harrow Borough, Cheshunt. Powerful centre back who began as a scholar at Burnley. Released in 2021, he spent a season at Queen of the South in Scotland Signed for Harrow Borough and was dual registered with Cheshunt before signing for Kings in September 2022

HARRY CRAWFORD Age : 30. Position : Forward. Previous Clubs : Southend United, Dover, Dartford, Barnet, Boreham Wood, St Albans City, Welling, Hampton & Richmond. Experienced attacker / midfielder who made his Southend debut in March 2010 and made over 30 appearances for the EFL Club A variety of clubs followed before he signed for Kings Langley in summer 2019 Has two Republic of Ireland U21 caps.

RIO DEALL Age : 19.Position : Midfield. Previous Clubs : Milton Keynes Dons U18, Winslow United. Goal scoring midfielder who hit the net 11 times in 33 games for Winslow, before joining Kings, initially on a dual registration, at the tail end of the 21/22 season

WILSON DE CARVALHO Age : 29. Position : Midfield. Previous Clubs : Corby Town, Kettering Town, Oxford City, Stratford Town, Hampton & Richmond, Hendon, Walton Casuals. Pacy winger who has had a variety of clubs Moved to Hayes & Yeading in summer 22, and signed for Kings in September

DEAGO DUNBAR BONNIE Age : 19 Position : Defence Previous Clubs : Leyton Orient U18, Hullbridge Sports, Maldon & Tiptree. Left back who graduated through Leyton Orient’s Academy before moving to Maldon & Tiptree via Hullbridge Sports. Joined Kings in summer 2022.in 2019/20

KENNEDY FEYI Age : 25 Position : Forward Previous Clubs : Aylesbury, Thame United, Aylesbury United, Tamworth, Stratford Town, Brightlingsea Regent, Margate Powerful central striker who came to prominence with 14 goals in 25 appearances for Aylesbury United in season 2019/20. Signed on the eve of the current campaign following pre season squad injuries.

WILL HOSKINS Age : 36 Position : Forward Previous Clubs : Rotherham United, Watford, Bristol Rovers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Oxford United, Exeter City, Hemel Hempstead Town, Northcote City (Aus). Began career with Rotherham, scoring 23 goals in 73 matches, before signing for Watford in 2007, making 60 appearances for the Hornets Signed for Kings in 19/20 Has five England U18 U20 caps

JAMIE JELLIS Age : 21.Position : Midfield. Previous Clubs : Aylesbury United, Stevenage. Highly promising young midfielder who made his first team debut for Aylesbury United at 16. Joined Stevenage Academy, returning on loan to Aylesbury United, where he was a regular before being signed on a transfer by Kings in October 2021

JORELL JOHNSON Age : 26.Position : Defence. Previous Clubs : Watford Academy. Captained Watford U18s and signed pro forms in 2014 On loan for two seasons at Hemel Hempstead Town and St Albans City, he signed for Kings in August 2016 and has been a first team regular and inspirational leader ever since.

JAMES KALOCZI Age : 27 Position : Defence Previous Clubs : St Albans City, Dunstable Town, Hemel Hempstead Town had two spells with St. Albans (134 ga als. Also captained Dunstable Town (4

CAIN KELLER Ag Biggleswade Town Promising full bac anks at Stevenage. Joined Biggleswad

ALEX LAFLEUR Ag n, Chalfont St Peter, Gosport Borough ng back who was transferred from B of the season.

ALFIE MARRIOTT a Work Experience loan for 2021 22, a penalty in the last match of the seaso

BARSA MIRTAHNA Oxhey Jets Young defender who ap in the summer of 2022/23, but sign

JAMES MULLEY A AFC Wimbledon, Braintree Town, M ll Town, Uxbridge, Ware Vastly expe , including clubs in the National Leag mer ’22.

SAMUEL OKOYE

& Finchley, Hitchin Town, Sittingbour d Hitchin Town in October 20 Move oining Kings in the summer of 2022.

JORDAN PARKES

Hempstead Town, Billericay Free sco rnet before making over 200 appear and captaining the promotion side. Si

ARYAN TAJBAKHSH Age : 31. Position : Midfield. Previous Clubs : Aveley, Cheshunt, Ware, VCD Athletic, Enfield Town, Cray Wanderers, Crawley Town, Wealdstone, Dover Athletic, Maidstone United, Dulwich Hamlet and others Experienced holding midfielder who has appeared for nearly twenty clubs over a fourteen year career, Joined Kings in February 2022.

NOYAN TAJBAKHSH Age : 25.Position : Forward. Previous Clubs : Fenerbahce U19 21, Sariyer, Tepecikspor SK (Turkey), Uxbridge, St Pantaleimon Striker who is equally comfortable across the front three, he hit 21 goals for St Pantaleimon in season 2019 20 and joined his elder brother at Kings in the summer of 2022.

BRADLEY WADKINS Age : 28.Position : Forward. Previous Clubs : Chesham United, St Albans City, Potters Bar Town, Aylesbury, Slough Town, Enfield Town Came through the ranks with Chesham United in 2011 12 and enjoyed considerable success in two spells with the Generals Appeared for Slough and Enfield Town, before signing for Kings in October 2019, but injuries continued to dog his career.

Samuel Okoye-Ahaneku

Lafleur

Jorell

Aryan Tajbakhsh

Udoka Chima Jordan Parkes

James Mulley Kennedy Feyi Harry Crawford

Jamie Jellis

Cain Keller

Alfie Marriott (GK)

Bradley Wadkins

Wilson Carvalho

Noyan Tajbakhsh

Alie Bangura

Ryan Case

Josh Boorn

Deall