ROYSTON TOWN vs LEAMINGTON - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - Saturday 30th SEPTEMBER 2023

ROYSTON TOWN VS LEAMINGTON 3PM, SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023 MATCH SPONSOR:

DAVID BATEMAN

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

Saturday 30th September 2023 Kick Off: 3pm Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents Leamington FC for their first ever 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. ent

We also welcome today’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game.

TODAY’S MATCH IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY

DAVID BATEMAN

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

Founded 1875 Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY 07772 086709

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, 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 Managers U23 Manager U18 Team Managers Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager

Steve Castle & Chris Watters Dan Evans Roy Smith Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson

Finance Director Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Ground

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

Colours

First XI U23 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 Spartan South Midlands Football League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football 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

MATCH REPORT Royston Town Women 0 Needham Market Women 2

MATCH REPORT contd Royston Town Women 0 Needham Market Women 2

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

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC Records show that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston Town the third oldest club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop’s Stortford.

The club's first notable achievement occurred during the 1911/12 season when they won the Creake Charity Shield by defeating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

In more recent times, Royston achieved significant success when they were promoted to the Herts County Premier League during the 1969/70 season. Subsequently, they became champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. The team rejoined the South Midlands League in 1978 and secured the Division One title immediately. The club's success continued with appearances in the Herts Charity Shield final in 1979 and as runners-up in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82, and two years later, Royston joined the Isthmian League Division Two North, remaining there for a decade before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After facing a challenging period that led to relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of the 2006/07 season, Paul Attfield was appointed as the manager, with Tony Galvin returning as the 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Under Paul's leadership, the team underwent significant changes, and a 17-game unbeaten streak propelled them from the bottom of the table to a commendable 5th-place finish in the League. This set the foundation for the successful 2008/09 season, where they secured the South Midlands Division One League title with impressive stats: W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season marked a pivotal moment in the club's history when they clinched the South Midlands Premier Division title, earning promotion to Step 4 in the form of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In their first season back at Step 4 after 19 years, Royston exceeded expectations, consistently performing well and even contending for a playoff spot. However, a last-minute equaliser in the final game dashed their hopes. The following season also saw them reach the playoffs, but the team faced challenges after Paul Attfield's resignation due to ill health. Steve Castle was appointed Manager in December 2013, and the team continued to strive for success, ultimately earning promotion to the Southern League Premier Division, marking the highest level of play in the club's 142-year history.

Seasons 2017/18 and 2018/19 were characterised by solid performances, finishing 7th and 9th respectively in the Premier Division Central. The 2019/20 season proved to be one of the most successful and thrilling in the club's history, with remarkable performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. The team's standout performance in the FA Trophy brought immense pride, especially with victories against higher-ranked teams, although the Concord Rangers quarter-final tie ended in disappointment. Despite strong contention for the league title, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the nullification of the season, leading to bitter disappointment.

Season 2020/21 was met with challenges, including the loss of key players and momentum disruption due to the pandemic. The League season was declared null and void once again due to the second wave of Covid-19.

Season 2021/22 resulted in an eighth place in the league following an inconsistent league campaign.

Performances in FA competitions were disappointing, beaten at Garden Walk by Step 4 Mildenhall Town and also exiting the FA Trophy early, beaten by Kingstonian in a penalty shoot-out. The highlight of the season was wining the Southern League Challenge Cup, beating the Southern League Premier (South) champions Taunton Town 7-0 on aggregate.

Last season injuries to key players and poor away form in the league ended with a 13th place finish in the table. In the FA Cup & Trophy Royston Town were defeated at the second hurdle, by Hemel Hempstead & Heybridge Swifts respectively.

MENTION ‘FA Cup fairytales’ and your minds naturally think back to the magic produced on the field over the years; Wimbledon’s historic win in ’88, Luton Town beating Premier League Norwich on the road, or Lincoln City’s run to the quarter-finals in 2016-17. But every year The NLP takes great delight in revealing the stories the fans don’t see that the FA Cup never fails to conjure up. This week we met three more unsung cup heroes who have their own particular reason to be glued to the action.

James Connor was cruelly denied a chance of fulfilling an FA Cup dream as a player. He had turned heads as a teenage midfielder at Aldershot when the club were liquidated in the early 90s. Labelled one of London’s top young talents at the time, Mick McCarthy swooped to offer him a 5-year deal at Millwall, but just 10 games into his fledgling career, a knee injury forced him to hang up his boots and set his sights on a different career at just 22.

These days, Connor runs his own successful wealth management firm and, through choice, has had no dealings with football – until recently. After agreeing to run his son’s U9s at Hanworth Villa, Connor rediscovered his love for the game and is now back in the hotseat having taken over the chairmanship of the Isthmian League South Central club from his Dad Jim, who founded the Villains back in 1976. This weekend, Connor turns their attentions to the FA Cup where victory at Horsham this afternoon will see them reach the fourth qualifying round for only the second time in the club’s history.

“To be honest, I was never a huge football fan and never really understood the mentality of a football fan, until now,” he told us. “I’ve been back in football now for two years and I’m loving every minute of it.

The Non-League scene is such an exciting place to be. It’s where it’s at. When we played Hythe Town in the first qualifying road, we took the kids swimming in the sea. Those are the stories to the ‘Road to Wembley’ that supporters of the bigger clubs don’t see. We’ve got a really tough game to come against Horsham and we’ll be playing as the underdog. But giant-killings do happen in the FA Cup, it’s what makes it such a special competition, so we’re just really looking forward to it.”

Someone far more used to the thrills and spills of a cup campaign is Paul Carden. He returns to the scene of his greatest triumph when he takes Nantwich Town to face his old club Chester. Dabbers boss Carden, 44, spent five years at the Deva during his days as an all-action midfielder. Relegated from the Football League shortly after joining the club in 2000, Carden briefly joined Doncaster but returned within months and in 2003-04 captained the Blues to the Conference title.

“I’ve got a lot of brilliant memories of Chester but that was the highlight,” says Carden, whose Nantwich side saw off Shifnal Town, Liversedge and Step 2 Banbury United en route to the Chester clash. “But are we a banana skin for Chester? Do they get complacent thinking, ‘It’s a night game, we’re at home to a side a couple of leagues below’. “Who knows? “We’ve just got to hope the stars align.”

The last remaining Step 5 side left in the draw are Emley AFC – and there’s plenty of cup magic around the Welfare Ground too. Andrew Painten went to watch Emley for the first time with his dad as a boy, and often asked when they could go back. Now, as chairman, he hopes his own son is savouring the moment – just like he did – with the West Yorkshire outfit on the up again.

“I’ve been a fan for long enough to recall we’ve often been the bridesmaid, never a bride,” Painten said of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division side. I reckon we might just now be ready to get our glad rags on.”

The Pewits’ best FA Cup run for more than 20 years is inspired in part by wanting to make the most of a second chance after they were reinstated when Avro, their conquerors in the extra preliminary round, were removed from the competition as punishment fielding an ineligible player. This week, they make the trip to National League North side Alfreton Town – a team ranked 70 places higher than them in the Pyramid – but boss Richard Tracey won’t be daunted after eliminating two higher-ranked foes to reach this stage.

Painten said: “We’ve done it the hard way after being drawn away each time since coming back in. It’s a big ask to win the next one – just look at the league tables – but football has a funny way of defying what you think will happen.”

TWO NEW CROWS!

Royston Town FC are pleased to announce the signing of Joe Boachie from National League South side Tonbridge Angels on dual registration.

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Louis Chadwick (Goalkeeper) Joined on loan from Cambridge Utd last season as injury cover and impressed with his performances. Louis has rejoined the Crows on a season-long loan from the U's . Has previously had loan spells at Cambridge City and St Neots Town 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.

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.

Mackye Townsend-West (Defender) Joined on loan from Stevenage last season and signed on a permanent basis at the start of this season. Mackye signed his first prof contract with Stevenage in October 2020. He made his professional debut in the Stevenage’s 3–2 EFL Trophy defeat against MK Dons in October 2020. Has previously been on loan at St Albans City.

Greg Sandiford (Defender) Young full-back on loan from Cambridge United. Spent the second half of last season on loan at Bigglesewade Town. Signed his first pro deal with Cambridge United in the summer of 2023.

Ange Djadja (Defender) Joined the Crows at the start of the campaign after impressing in pre-season. His previous clubs include Farnham Townand Walton & Hersham.

Alfie Williams (Midfield) Joined the Crows on loan from Stevenage last season and was signed on a permanent basis this season. Alfie joined the Stevenage from Spurs and signed a pro deal with them in April 2021. Made his professional debut for Stevenage in a 1–0 victory at Scunthorpe United in May 2021. Alfie has spent time on loan at Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead Town and Hayes & Yeading United.

Cain Keller (Midfield) Promising wide player who joined the Crows at the start of this season from Hertfordshire rivals Kings Langley. Came through the ranks at Stevenage before joining Hendon in November 2021 and then went on to play for Biggleswade Town and before switchging to Kings Langley.

Rod Orlando Young (Midfield) Rod re-joined the Crows in July 2023 having previously played for the club in the XXXX season. He began his career with Norwich City, making appearances for their U18s and U21s before moving on. A pacey forward with a keen eye for goal and has the ability to change a game. Previous clubs include Ilkeston Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Grantham Town, Frickley Athletic and Long Eaton.

Florian Tsguim (Midfield) Florian signed for the Crows in the summer of 2023 from Corby Town. Flo has previously been at Kings Lynn Town, Wisbech and Yaxley, while also featuring in Step 3 for Peterborough Sports.

Samson Esan (Midfield) Exciting and dynamic midfielder who joined the Crows in July 2023. Samson signed for Maidenhead United in February 2022 from Potters Bar Town but spent the rest of the that season back on loan at the Scholars. Prior to playing at Potters Bar, Samson played at Enfield Town and was a youngster at Norwich City.

Josh Coldicott-Stevens (Midfield) Made the short trip up the A505 when he joined the Crows from local rivals Hitchin Town in the summer. He began his career at Boreham Wood in 2016 and went out on loan to St. Neots and Kings Langley - who liked what they saw, and signed him on a permanent deal. He spent two seasons there before signing for Hitchin Town in the 2019-20 season.

Tom Newman (Midfield) Originally joined the Crows at the start of the 2018/19 season and apart from a short spell in Spain last season has been at Garden Walk since. Tom often impresses when called upon and has chipped in with a number of important goals.

Matt Bateman (Forward) Re-joined the Crows from Hemel Hempstead, where he spent a season after moving from Garden Walk. Matt signed for the Crows at the start of season 2019/20 and scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 games 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.

Juwon Akintunde (Forward) Joined the Crows at the start of this season. Started his career in college football in America before playing for East Grinstead Town, Harrow Borough, Chalfont St. Peter, Aylesbury. GPS Portland Phoenix in USA, Uxbridge and Northwood.

Kian Harness (Forward) Exciting young striker who made his 1st team debut last season after impressing in PreSeason. Kian is a local lad who has come through the ranks of Royston Town Youth and our Under 18s.

Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite (Defender) Recent signing from Enfield Town. Started at Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, and has also accrued non-league experience with Carshalton Athletic, Potters Bar Town and St Neots Town.

TODAY'S OPPONENTS LEAMINGTON FC Club History

TODAY'S OPPONENTS LEAMINGTON FC Club History contd

TODAY'S OPPONENTS LEAMINGTON FC Club History contd

WHO ARE YA? LEAMINGTON Player Pen Pics

LEAMINGTON FC Player Pen Pics contd.

LEAMINGTON FC Player Pen Pics contd.

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP LOUIS CHADWICK

COOPER MCKINNEL

RONNIE HENRY

DAVID GRAY

ADAM MURRAY

JEFF GILL

ED ASAFU ADJAYE

JAKE EASLEY

JAMES BRIGHTON

KELSHALL PLASTICS

TOM NEWMAN

&

RORY SHERIDAN

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP JOSH COLDICOTT STEVENS MACKYE TOWNSEND WEST MATT BATEMAN

TREVOR & ALISON DEARDS MATT & CLOWERY

SAMSON ESAN

JACOB & STANLEY CLOWERY

FLORIAN TSAGUIM

KATHERINE THOMPSON

ALFIE WILLIAMS

MICK & ENID TOOVEY

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP CAIN KELLER

RYAN CLOWERY

JUWON AKINTUNDE

RACHEL & LILLIE CLOWERY

ROD ORLANDO YOUNG

PETER MILLER

ANGE DJADJA

JOHN CHAMBERLAIN

GREG SANDIFORD

PHIL THOMPSON

JOE BOACHIE

AVAILABLE

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP DEQUANE WILSONBRAITHWAITE

AVAILABLE

BEN DE LACEYTURNER

AVAILABLE

SQUADS Saturday 30th September Kick Off: 3PM

Steve Castle / Chris Watters MANAGERS Paul Holleran / Martyn Naylor Scott Taylor / James Smith SPORTS THERAPISTS Kristian Malcolm / William Jackson

TODAY’S MATCHDAY SPONSOR

DAVID BATEMAN