ROYSTON TOWN vs LOWESTOFT TOWN - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - SATURDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2022

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs LOWESTOFT TOWN FC Saturday 12th February 2022 Kick Off: 3pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents Lowestoft 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:

DAVID GRAY

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

Verity Grainger is a teacher at Tannery Drift First School and she was recently diagnosed with an ultra-rare life-shortening genetic condition called MNGIE (mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy).

MNGIE affects around just 200 people worldwide! This genetic condition blocks the production a particular enzyme, causing a build-up of metabolites in the blood that damages mitochondria. MNGIE is an unmerciful condition that impacts many areas of the body and causes it to slowly degenerate.

Unfortunately, there is no proven treatment for this condition. The only unsubstantiated option we have been given is to attempt a bone marrow transplantation, which comes with considerable risk. A previous trial of this was overwhelmingly unsuccessful and the results make for grim reading.

There is, however, a safer treatment known as enzyme replacement therapy, which has previously been used in trials to treat this condition with promising results. Regular infusions of enzymes would be needed around every 4-6 weeks to allow the body to perform the function it cannot do on its own, i.e., being able to remove the mitochondria-damaging metabolites from the bloodstream.

This treatment has been approved for compassionate use, but comes at a huge cost, estimated to be around £500,000! We understand that this is an enormous sum of money if 50,000 people were to give £10 or 100,000 people gave £5, then we would achieve our goal. We ask if you can spare any donation we would be eternally grateful!

Verity Grainger is truly an incredible and inspirational lady. Despite her condition, she continues to teach at Tannery Drift First School, where she is an adored teacher, usually of Year 1 pupils, but more recently Year 3. Throughout the pandemic, she has put her life at risk to ensure her children are looked after and supported. She is a beloved friend to many and is also the most fantastic mother to her son!

If you have taken the time to read to this point, thank you so much! Please consider helping Verity and her family! Please give Verity the chance to see her son grow up! Please buy us some time for a permanent cure to become available!

DONATE HERE https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/compassionate-treatment-for-mngie

WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures SATURDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2022 Barwell v AFC Rushden & Diamonds Bromsgrove Sporting v Rushall Olympic Leiston v Banbury United Nuneaton Borough v Stratford Town Peterborough Sports v Coalville Town Redditch United v Hednesford Town Tamworth v Alvechurch

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

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

BRIAN CANNON - A TRIBUTE It is with immense personal sadness that we learned of the sudden and unexpected passing this week of Brian Cannon at his home in Scotland aged just 60.

Undoubtedly, Brian was one of the Club’s all-time legends and quite simply just a great bloke. I will never forget when Brian at the age of just 15 came to one of the very first training sessions for the newly formed ‘A-Side during the late 1970s and rather shyly asked me if he could play for the Club. From there on in there was nothing shy about when he played football and in that sense, he was following in the footsteps of his dad Paddy who player for the Club in the late 1960s.

Brian was an outstanding central defender who combined skill with grit, determination and a winning mentality. He played first-team football for the club during the early 1980s and was part of the squad under Dave Bullock who won the Herts Charity Shield. He would have no doubt played many more games but for a debilitating illness that prevented his progress. Nevertheless, he did bounce back and began to become involved in coaching and managing at both youth and reserve team levels before being appointed as first-team manager with Mark Saggers in 2005-06.

Unfortunately, things did not go well, with Brian’s passion for the game occasionally leading him as he so neatly put it as ‘not being the best of friends with referees’. However, to their great credit, Brian and Mark helped the Club avoid relegation but they did not continue in the roles in the following season.

Brian was a big personality and I’m sure along with many others we will always remember his infectious laughter and sense of optimism he brought when he was around.

On behalf of everyone at Royston Town, I offer our heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends and in particular to his lovely wife Caroline and son Ryan.

RIP Brian Alan Barlow, President

By David Richardson IT IS not often a Non-League player will turn down the opportunity to sign for a Premier League club.

During the January transfer window Lewes talent Ollie Tanner was at the centre of a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur having also received a bid from Brighton & Hove Albion. The Isthmian League Premier club had agreed in principle a deal with Spurs but the 19-year-old made a mature and brave decision to stay in East Sussex.

Tottenham had a frustrating transfer window – even manager Antonio Conte described it as “strange” – as seven players departed and only two arrived which will have dented their top-four hopes. Some of their supporters turned their dissatisfaction towards Lewes and Tanner on social media after the Step 3 club revealed the teenager had been unable to agree personal terms.

“The subsequent level of abuse on social media he and the club received was unforgiving,” Lewes chairman Stuart Fuller wrote in Sunday’s NLP. “Whilst many of them relayed the “facts” as they believed, or made up, we kept our council knowing that the attention would soon turn to another players and another club.”

Lewes have become accustomed to scouts from professional clubs coming to their matches to watch their players. Tanner is the latest example of a youngster that has been given a chance to continue their football career – and developed – at the Dripping Pan having been tossed out of the professional game by Arsenal and then Charlton. Lewes manager Tony Russell is doing an excellent job along with assistant Joe Vines and head of recruitment Adam Drew since taking over last summer. It says a lot about Tanner’s decision to continue playing first-team football at the seventh tier instead of in the top-flight where he might have only ever played U23 matches.

“I went with him to watch a Spurs U23 game and I think it made him think about what his career path would be if he went there,” Russell told the Sussex Express. “What he’s ended up deciding is that going straight from Step 3 of Non-League to a Premier League club would be a step too far.

“In some ways it could be seen as a dream move but think about it: What would be his chances of getting in their first team?”

That, is what some of those abusive Tottenham fans appear to have not considered. The 15-goal Tanner will have learnt more from Russell and co while playing competitive matches than he would have done in the cosy environment of the Premier League’s U23 league.

“What is certain is Ollie’s time will come,” added Fuller. “It may be this summer, it may be in 12 month’s time but there is no doubt he will play at a higher level in the game. Perhaps if some of those social media abusers watched football at our level on a regular basis they would be less forgiving and more understanding that is isn’t about money in the Non-League game.”

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 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.

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.

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.

Marcus Goldbourne (Forward) The 20-year-old pacey winger or striker came through the Stevenage U18 ranks and spent time on loan at Dunstable Town whilst on Boro`s books. Also had a brief spell in Swedish football with Ytterhagdaka IK before returning to the UK signing for Hitchin Town. In the summer he signed for Braintree Town and had a loan spell with Brightlingsea Regent.

Rhamar Garrett-Douglas (Defender) Young defender who started his career at Barnet and was a regular in their U18s. He was previously at Bishop's Stortford and has also had spells with Maldon & Tiptree and Hullbridge Sports.

Carl Mensah (Defender) 25 year-old towering central defender who joined the Crows from Welwyn Garden City at the end of November. His previous clubs include Bedford Town, Harpenden Town, Kempston Rovers, Tring Athletic, Cockfosters and Colney Heath.

Dimitrios Kyriatzis (Goalkeeper) A recent addition to the Crows squad having joined us from Bedfont Sports. Dimi's previous clubs include Brentford and Inter Leipzig.

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Lowestoft Town FC Club History Lowestoft Town has a fine history stretching back well over 100 years. The club is first recorded as East Suffolk FC with games, all friendlies in those days, recorded back in 1884. On merging with the original Kirkley club the title of Lowestoft was adopted in 1887 with ‘Town’ added in 1890.

When the Norfolk & Suffolk League was formed in 1897, providing the first inter-county competitive matches, Lowestoft dominated, winning the title 6 times in the first 7 years. The ‘odd’ season out 18991900 saw Lowestoft’s attentions turn to the FA Amateur Cup with victories over such famous names as Leytonstone (9-0), and Great Marlow (1-0) on the way to the final which brought a 1-5 defeat by Bishop Auckland at Leicester.

In 1904 Lowestoft had to appear before an FA Commission to answer charges of professionalism after a testimonial had raised just under £5 for player Fred Timoney who was about to emigrate. Norwich City who had ‘poached’ 4 of Lowestoft’s successful side amongst others were also called before the commission. Whilst City accepted the ruling and formally adopted professionalism to start on the road that has seen them up amongst the top clubs in the country, Lowestoft paid a restitution of 2 guineas to regain amateur status. In 1925 came the decision to adopt the blue and white colours that have served them so well since.

Lowestoft became founder members of the Eastern Counties League in 1935 but before starting out on this new challenge once again merged with local rivals Kirkley. The move proved a wise one with the first season seeing them sharing the title with Harwich & Parkston and then winning it outright 2 years later.

Lowestoft took the bold step of becoming semi-professional in 1962. & 7 ECL titles and twice runners up in the following 9 seasons is clear testimony to the manner in which they dominated in those years.

The ECL title was again won in 1977/8. The 1980s saw a decline in the club’s fortunes as crowds and income dropped. The unique club pavilion, originally the Yacht Club before being taken down and moved from the harbour to the Crown Meadow in 1902, was gradually falling into disrepair and the floodlighting system installed in 1964 was coming to the end of its lifespan. The floodlights were updated in 1986 and the new dressing room complex occupied in 1989 and at last, attention could be paid to playing matters.

As playing fortunes declined a 19-year-old local lad signed for the club in 1980 who was to figure prominently in the affairs of the club for the next 30 plus years. Micky Chapman soon became a favourite with his all-action style, eye for the goal, long flowing hair and a genuine desire to bring success back to the club. 5 ‘Player of the Year’ trophies adorn his display cabinet as testimony to the respect he has earned from supporters and players alike. The 1990s saw Micky progress from captain to assistant manager and finally manager in 1994.

A persistent back injury forced Mick to hang up his boots in 1997 allowing him to concentrate fully on the managerial side. With the unwavering support of successive chairmen, Mick had been able to improve the side year by year. In February 2012 he took charge of his 1000th game as Lowestoft manager.

After several years in the doldrums the 21st century has seen Micky team up with Ady Gallagher to bring a return to trophy-winning days with the Ridgeons League title won twice, the League Cup collected twice and the Suffolk Premier Cup brought back to the Meadow five times. The culmination of all that recent success came in May 2008 when joint managers Micky Chapman and Ady Gallagher proudly led their squad out onto the hallowed Wembley pitch in the F A Carlsberg Vase final. On a hot Sunday afternoon in front of over 14,000 Lowestoft supporters, the Blues were in the lead for three-quarters of the game before conceding a last-minute goal to lose out to Kirkham & Wesham by the odd goal of three.

Season 2008-2009 saw the first team win a League and County Cup double, as well as reach the semifinal of the FA Carlsberg Vase and the season ended with promotion to the Ryman League Division One North. Success continued unabated in 2009/10 with back to back promotions seeing the Blues soar to the Ryman Premier Division at the first attempt achieving a century of points and goals for the second consecutive season. An excellent F A Cup run saw the first round proper reached with the run ended at Wrexham by a cruel deflected goal in the final minutes.

The first season in the Ryman Premier Division saw the Trawlerboys involved in the promotion race right to the end. There were just 9 minutes of the season left when Tonbridge Angels scored the goal that gave them a 3-4 victory and ended Lowestoft’s hopes of a third successive promotion. It was a similar story in the following 2 seasons with late goals in the Play-Off final denying them promotion before the dream of Step 2 football was realised in 2014 with a playoff victory over AFC Hornchurch and the 3rd promotion in 6 seasons.

Season 2014-2015 was one of consolidation in the highest sphere the club has ever reached and despite several early morning departures and a mere 8500 plus miles of travelling a satisfactory season ended with them holding a 16th place finish suffering just a single defeat in their final 13 fixtures. On top of this, the Blues closed their season out by winning the Suffolk Premier Cup for the twelfth time; beating Whitton United 2-1 after extra time. It was also a season that marked the farewell of a true Lowestoft Town legend with Micky Chapman retiring after the last league game of the season at home to Barrow, who sealed the league title that day with a 3-2 victory over the Blues. After 32 years, 480 first-team appearances, 193 goals, 1640 games and 147,600 plus minutes as a player, player/manager and then manager during that time, it was the end of an era for a figure who will forever be etched in the history of Lowestoft Town FC. Season 2015-2016 saw Ady Gallagher in sole charge for the first time but a season plagued with injuries saw the Trawlerboys relegated on the last day of the season on goal difference bringing a return to the Ryman League Premier Division. Season 2016-2017 was to prove one of consolidation as they adjusted to life at step 3 in a season once again plagued with injuries.

Season 2017-2018 proved to be one of turmoil as firstly Ady Gallagher stepped down to be replaced by his assistant Dale Brooks. The club was then hit by financial problems which saw the departure of several leading players but Brooks achieved a minor miracle by avoiding relegation with the remnants of his squad aided by a bevvy of youth loan signings and the club's scholars.

Brooks stepped down during the summer of 2018 to be replaced by two former players Jamie Godbold and Andy Reynolds who between themselves boast over 900 appearances for the Trawlerboys. With a mixed squad of experience and exciting young prospects, a season plagued by injuries saw them flirting with relegation but a tremendous run of 7 wins in their final 9 games saw them finish in a comfortable mid-table position. Season 19/20 was on course for a similar finishing position before everything was brought to a halt by the covid pandemic with season 2020/21 suffering a similar fate

WHO ARE YA? Lowestoft Town FC Player Pen Pics JAY BARBOR (dob 11 Jan 2003) Product of the Trawlerboys scholarship programme whose progress over the past year has earned him a contract. Industrious midfielder who made his debut away to Bromsgrove Sporting on 8th February 2020.

20 app 0 goals WARREN BURWOOD Local boy who was released by Cardiff City in the summer of 2020 and joined Lowestoft Town at the start of this season once international clearance had been obtained. Made his debut in Suffolk Premier Cup final against Needham Market on 20th October 2020.

21 apps 0 goals TRAVIS COLE (dob 19 Nov 1997) Local boy who signed a permanent deal with Lowestoft having been released by Ipswich in November 2016. Appointed the manager of the club’s academy in March 2018. Previously at Lowestoft on work experience.

163 apps 15 goals JOSH HARVEY (dob 10 July 2005) Currently a member of the Trawlerboys Scholars and has impressed sufficiently to be included in the first team squad. Debut away to Biggleswade Town on17th August 2021.

17 apps 5 goals CHRIS HENDERSON (dob 4 Aug 1990) Rejoined Lowestoft in July 2021. Originally joined Lowestoft in 2011 from Bury and had 6 successful years before leaving to join Leiston and later Kings Lynn Town whom he helped to 2 successive promotions. After a brief stay with Gorleston opted to rejoin the Trawlerboys.

254 apps, 62 goals KEIRON HIGGS (dob 14 Dec 1998) Tricky attacking midfielder who came through the Norwich City Youth ranks but his time there was hampered by injury. Joined Lowestoft in August 2018 making his debut against Halesowen Town. Missed all of last season through injury.

73 apps 12 goals RYAN JARVIS (dob 11 July 1986) Midfielder who rejoined Lowestoft in the summer of 2021 from Kings Lynn Town. Previously with the Trawlerboys from 2015-2017. Started his career with Norwich City and includes Leyton Orient, Walsall, Torquay United and York City amongst his other clubs.

116 apps, 14 goals SAM JOHNSON (dob 30 Sept 2002) Young full back signed from Oxford United in the summer of 2021. Debut came on 14th August 2021 v Barwell.

22 apps, 4 goals HARRY KNIGHTS (dob 28 May 1999) Signed for Lowestoft in the summer of 2021 after 4 years with neighbours Leiston. A strong dependable central defender Harry has also been a part of the England Universities squad recently appearing in their warm up matches. Debut v Barwell on 14th August 2021.

19 apps 1 goals LOUIS McINTOSH (dob 3 Nov 1998) Norwich lad who progressed through the Canaries youth system into their Under 23 squad. Released in June 2019 he signed for the Trawlerboys in August 2019. Debut away to Hednesford Town on 10th August 2019.

72 apps 11 goals.

OWEN MURPHY (dob 8 Feb 2001) Promising teenage defender who joined Lowestoft from Dereham Town in September 2020. Debut v Bury Town in Suffolk Premier Cup semi final on 15 September 2020.

40 apps 1 goals JAKE REED (dob 13 May 1991) Despite being a local lad his early career was with Gt Yarmouth Town before joining Dagenham & Redbridge where he made 38 appearances scoring 1 goal. Joined Lowestoft in October 2013 becoming an instant fans favourite by hitting 4 goals in his home debut against Carshalton Athletic. Now in his 3rd spell with Lowestoft after 2 short spells at AFC Sudbury and Leiston.

268 apps 132 goals DYLAN RUFFLES (dob 21 Oct 2001) Had a spell with Lowestoft on work experience from Ipswich Town in 2019/20 and after a short spell in Sweden signed for the Trawlerboys at the start of this season.

48 apps 1 goals.

ADAM SHERWOOD (dob 29 May 2005) Another member of the current Trawlerboys Scholars who has featured in several pre-season games and has earned the right to become a member of the 1st team squad. Made a goakscoring debut against Leiston in the Southern League Cup 0n 5th Pctopber 2021 4 apps 1 goals ADAM TANN (dob 12 May 1982) He started his career with Cambridge United making his debut against Barnet at the start of a 10 year Football League career including spells with Notts County and Leyton Orient. There then followed a further 4 years in the National League with Histon and Chelmsford City. Joined Lowestoft as player coach in the summer of 2018. Debut against St Ives Town on 14 August 2018.

95 apps 6 goals.

LUIS TIBBLES (dob 20 June 1996) Goalkeeper signed from Bury Town in July 2019. His form in 2018 saw him called up to the England ‘C’ squad for their tour of the Falklands. Has played for manager Jamie Godbold twice before at Kirkley & Pakefield and AFC Sudbury. Debut away to Hednesford Town on 10th August 2019.

65 apps, 0 goals JACK WILKINSON (dob 17 Oct 1991) Solid defender signed from Cambridge City in November 2018. Previous clubs include Harlow Town, Mildenhall Town, St Neots Town and AFC Sudbury. Made his debut against Royston Town on 20th November 2018.

67 apps 0 goals.

MARCUS WILKINSON (dob 21 Dec 1996) Rejoined Lowestoft in the summer of 2021 for his second spell with the Trawlerboys. A speedy forward player with an eye for a goal he returns to the fold after spending last season’s curtailed season with Leiston.

His debut came as a substitute away to AFC Rushden & Diamonds on 12th January 2019.

62 apps 3 goals.

JAMIE GODBOLD. (Manager) Former Lowestoft favourite who made exactly 500 appearances for the club as a player. He then started his managerial career which saw him learn the management ropes with Kirkley & Pakefield, AFC Sudbury and Wroxham before returning to his home town in the summer of 2018.

ANDY REYNOLDS (Assistant Manager) Has always been Jamie’s assistant since the pair moved into management. Andy too is a former Lowestoft favourite making 406 appearances for the club. (appearances up to and including 5th February 2022)

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch Ryan Easley

Daniel Brathwaite Katherine Thompson

Ed James Brighton Asafu-Adjaye Kelshall Jake Easley Plastics

Brandon Adams Martin Pendrick Royston Plastering

Isa Rotimi Martin Pendrick

Ronnie Henry David Gray

Adam Murray Jeff Gill

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Matt Bateman DFM Matt Clowery

Marcus Goldbourne AVAILABLE

Spyros Mentis Mick & Enid Toovey

Isaac Galliford

Dan Newton Graham Haggar

Carl Mensah

Tom Newman Clive Middlemass

Steve Castle

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Steve Tuck

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PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Dimi Kyriatzis AVAILABLE

Finley Titchmarsh AVAILABLE

Fred Brown AVAILABLE

Rhamar Garret-Douglas AVAILABLE

Sponsorship available from

£150

per season

Dan Green

Makai Murray

Chris Watters

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Contact ALAN BARLOW for details

SQUADS Saturday 12th February 2022 Kick Off: 3PM TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR:

DAVID GRAY

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Matthew Fletcher ASSISTANTS: Fanran Meng, Simon Parbery

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Joe Welch (GK) Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Carl Mensah Adam Murray (c) Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Harry Draper Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman Dimitrios Kyriatzis (GK) James Brighton Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Makai Murray Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Marcus Goldbourne Rhamar Garrett-Douglas

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Luis Tibbles (GK) Owen Murphy Dylan Ruffles Ryan Jarvis (c) Adam Tann Travis Cole Kieran Higgs Tai Fleming Jake Reed Josh Harvey Marcus Wilkinson Jay Barbor Owen Lane Louis McIntosh Mitchell Belmar Adam Sherwood

MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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Jamie Gobold / Andy Reynolds Luke Pearce