ROYSTON TOWN vs MILDENHALL TOWN - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - EMIRATES FA CUP 1ST QUAL RND - SAT 4th SEPT

THE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs MILDENHALL TOWN FC Saturday 4th September 2021 Kick Off: 3.00pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome this afternoon’s opponents Mildenhall Town FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Emirates FA Cup fixture.

We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable afternoon and hope the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game.

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

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR

www.drainagefm.co.uk/

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 Editor 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 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

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 play- off 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 down fall 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 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 will be playing at its highest level in its 142 year history!

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceeded 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 eventually 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 were we played Boreham Wood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 – 1.

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

Season 2018/19 saw us finishing in a respectable 9th position in what proved to be a very strong Premier Division Central. During February/March we recorded six wins out of seven league games to give us a faint hope of a playoff spot, but three straight defeats in April put paid to our chances.

We suffered another early at AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and in the FA Trophy we progressed through two rounds before being beaten in a replay at Needham Market.

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

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

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

Running alongside the cup success it was easy to forget that we had got ourselves in contention to win the League with a run of only two defeats in 20 league fixtures. With 3 games in hand and only 2 points behind Peterborough Sports and Tamworth and playing some of our best football, we looked nailed on to win the League. Then out of the blue, the Covid crisis hit all levels of football and with what many felt was indecent haste the League decided to null and void the whole season.

All our achievements were suddenly for nothing and the taste of bitter disappointment amongst all supporters of the Crows was very hard to swallow.

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

By the time we had assembled a squad, we were without key players such as Matt Bateman who moved to Hemel Hempstead and Claudio Ofosu who joined Hartlepool and with a lot of the momentum and energy generated by the now-defunct season now dissipated we were finding it hard to get going again. In the League, we seemed to slip into the habit of conceding goals when in a winning position and a string of draws meant we languished in the lower half of the division.

The FA cup again promised to provide excitement with wins against Newmarket, Wroxham and AFC Stamford before losing to our old rivals Bishops Stortford. We won our first two ties in the FA Trophy against Hythe Town and Tamworth before going out 3-2 away at Brackley by which time the League season was yet again declared null and void as the second wave of Covid took its stranglehold.

A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 1875 - 2012 first published in 2013. The book was written by the Club’s President, Alan Barlow following more than five years of painstaking research and can be purchased via the Club.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUPPLIERS OF PRIZES FOR THE FAMOUS ROYSTON TOWN FC MEAT RAFFLE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COME ON

YOU

CROWS!

CROWS PIC'ED OFF BY RUSHALL! Rushall Olympic match report

by Duncan Easley ROYSTON TOWN 2 RUSHALL OLYMPIC 3 Saturday 28th August 2021 A controversial ast-gasp Rushall Olympic winner broke Royston hearts as their spirited second-half comeback was all to no avail.

Ultimately it was a poor first-half performance that cost the Crows, as the Pics took full advantage of their lacklustre performance. From the start, it was Rushall who forced the pace, and they were rewarded with an early goal, as Alex Moore fired in a loose ball, a slight deflection taking it away from Joe Welch in the home goal.

The lead was doubled in the 33rd minute as Daniel Glover confidently rounded Welch to roll the ball into an empty net following good work from Rakeem Reid. On the stroke of half time Reid thought he had added a third, but a foul in the build-up tempered his delight.

Royston greatly improved in the second half and got themselves almost immediately back in the game, as following a neat one-two with Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams stinging low drive evaded the grasp of Pics keeper Thomas Palmer.

It was Adams again who grabbed the equaliser, just 5 minutes from time, as he latched onto a Bateman flick and again finished low in the bottom corner, leaving the home crowd thinking they had grabbed a point.

However, Rushall had other ideas, as a deep 90th-minute corner was headed back across goal by Sam Whittall and Simeon Cobourne was on hand to stab home. Despite the home sides protests that he was in an offside position, the goal stood and it was the Pics who claimed the 3 points.

Royston: 1-Welch, 7-Titchmarsh, 14-Brighton, 20-Newton (12-Murray M 40), 5-Murray A ©, 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 19-Mentis, 16-Rotimi (17-Williams 40), 15-Brown (11-Galliford 80), 9-Adams, 10-Bateman Unused: 17-Towner, 4-Bridges MOTM: Brandon Adams

CROWS CLIP CANARIES WINGS Hitchin Town match report

by Duncan Easley ROYSTON TOWN FC v HITCHIN TOWN FC Monday 30th August 2021 After 3 indifferent performances, the Crows produced a controlled, dominant performance to deservedly claim the 3 points in front of a large bank holiday crowd at Top Field.

The early exchanges were mainly fought out in the middle third, with chances few and far between, the first of which fell to Callum Stead, whose glancing header was the wrong side of the post. Hitchin looked to play out from the back, and on occasion when done quickly looked a threat, but conversely did look like they would leave themselves exposed if the Crows could pinch the ball high up, and this proved the Canaries undoing as the away side snatched a 37th-minute lead. Isa Rotimi, who had a fine first half, pressed the ball high, winning it on the left-hand side, the ball was quickly transferred to Isaac Galliford, via Brandon Adams, and Galliford made no mistake from 10 yards to score against his former club.

Royston upped the tempo from this point and proceeded to dominate the game, carrying this on throughout the second half as Hitchin failed to launch any meaningful attacks. Such was the Crows dominance, the one and only shot on the away goal during the entire match was courtesy of some hesitancy by Joe Welch, whose poor clearance only resulted in a looping effort that he was easily able to gather.

The vocal away support was rewarded with a second goal in the 69th minute as a James Brighton free-kick was firmly headed home by Matt Batemen for his first league goal since his return from Hemel Hempstead.

Further chances fell to Bateman and substitute Harry Draper as the pressure continued, but the Crows work had been done, and they were comfortably able to hold onto the 2 goal lead and record a morale-boosting victory before their FA Cup campaign commences at home to step 5 Mildenhall next Saturday.

Royston: 1-Welch, 7-Titchmarsh (12 Murray M 62), 14-Brighton, 5-Murray A ©, 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 4-Bridges, 19-Mentis (20-Newton 55), 16-Rotimi, 9-Adams, 10-Bateman, 11-Galliford (8-Draper 67) Unused: 15-Brown, 17-Towner MOTM: James Brighton

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Mildenhall Town Club History Mildenhall Town are a long-established club, formed in August 1898. Club records from the early years are vague, but it is known that the club won the Suffolk Junior Cup as long ago as 1899/1900 when they defeated Southwold R.A. Volunteers 4-0 in the final.

The club had to wait 93 years for their next County success, lifting the Cambs. Junior Cup in 1992/93 and then the Cambs Invitation Cup in 1996. The club joined the Bury & District League in 1945, competing well in this league until joining the Cambs. County League in 1969.

After many successful years, the club was accepted into the newly established Eastern Counties League Division 1 for the 1988/89 season. After coming to terms with this higher level of football, the club finished runners-up to Clacton Town in 1999 to attain promotion to the ECL Premier Division under the guidance of the managerial team of Steve O.Donohue, Rob Steele & Jez George. The club also reached the Suffolk Premier Cup final in 2000, losing 1-0 to Lowestoft Town.

Under the leadership of Chairman Brian Brigden, the club also underwent a major transformation during the 90’s, bringing the ground up to current standards, and building the excellent clubhouse whilst still retaining an enviable central location in the town.

Trevor Munns took over the managerial hot-seat in 2001, leading to six years of consistently creditable finishing positions in the ECL Premier Division, culminating in a superb 2nd spot in 2006/2007 garnering 97 points.

Unfortunately, Wroxham got 101 points that season.

‘Hall again reached the Suffolk Premier Cup final in 2003, but lost to the very strong AFC Sudbury in the final at Ram Meadow. The club also had two excellent runs in the FA Vase, losing away to Hillingdon Borough in 2006 and Billingham Synthonia in 2007, both times reaching the last 16. The 2006 run included the defeat of the then Vase holders, Didcot Town, in a replay at Recway in front of a club record crowd of 320 spectators, probably the finest night in the club’s history.

Martin Tuck succeeded Brian Brigden as Chairman in 2002, and he led the club through a turbulent, although largely successful period. Trevor Munns resigned in November 2007 to be succeeded by local duo of Dave Pinkowski and Tony Lyes. The highlight of their reign was a 7-0 drubbing of Lowestoft Town, their heaviest defeat for 50 years. This duo ended their stint during 2008/2009 and in April 2009 the club appointed former Bolton Wanderers & Norwich City star Simon Charlton as team manager. Charlton had a largely successful season in charge, culminating in a superb 3-1 victory over Wisbech Town in the Cambs Invitation Cup final at the Abbey Stadium. Simon moved on in the summer of 2010 to be replaced by ex Woodbridge Town & Stowmarket Town boss and qualified EUFA coach Christian Appleford. Christian, ably assisted by Tom Youngs, led the team to immediate success by retaining the Cambs Invitation Cup with a 2-0 victory over Haverhill Rovers in the final and finishing a creditable 5th place in the league. Christian left the club in November 2014 and was replaced by former Football League goalkeeper Dean Greygoose.

Huge progress was made under Dean’s guidance and 2015/2016 season saw the team win the Eastern Counties League Challenge Cup for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Norwich United. In 2016/2017 the league and cup double was achieved as Newmarket Town were defeated in the League Cup final and the league title won by the clear margin of 9 points, thus enabling promotion to the Isthmian League. or different reasons, both Chairman Martin Tuck and Manager Dean Greygoose vacated their positions in December 2018.

Bill Flynn stepped up to take over as Chairman of the club whilst former players Ricky Cornish and Colin Vowden were appointed as Manager & Assistant respectively. Relegation from the Isthmian League after two seasons saw a return to the Eastern Counties League at Step 5 for season 2019/2020.

Outstanding players in recent seasons include Mat Mitchel-King, who after being sold by ‘Hall to Histon in 2005, progressed into the Football League playing for Crewe Alexandra, and more recently, AFC Wimbledon.

Local legend John Sands took the Eastern Counties League by storm during his time with the club, scoring a club record 31 league goals in 2010/2011 and earning himself a transfer to Bury Town. Sands’ record lasted only one season however, as Andrew Wood won the coveted League Golden Boot in 2011/2012 scoring a club record of 33 league goals.

WHO ARE YA? Mildenhall Town Player Pen Pics RICKY CORNISH - The gaffer has been in charge since December 2018. Pasty was already popular with the fans from his playing stints with the club, where his trademark left-footed delivery created a number of goals. Played for a number of clubs locally, as well as having been on the books of the likes of Bristol City and Aldershot.

COLIN VOWDEN - Came in at the same time as Ricky as the assistant manager. Also played for the club towards the end of his playing days, having previously turned out for Cambridge Utd, Cambridge City & Dover Athletic, also scored for Kettering at Wembley.

JOSH POPE - Club legend who returned this summer after a four-season spell down the road at Soham Town Rangers. Viewed as one of the best goalkeepers in the area, Popey has made more than 500 appearances for the club at various levels.

DARRYL COAKLEY - Former pro at Cambridge United who is in his 2nd spell with the club. Former Needham & AFC Sudbury left-back will provide plenty of attacking threat with his crosses into the box.

JOE ASENSI - A member of the double-winning side, Joe has been Mildenhall's Mr Consistent for a number of seasons. Can play in a couple of different positions and an all-round top bloke!

LUKE BUTCHER - Since joining the club in 2015, Butch has led by example as captain. Rarely loses out in a tackle or in the air, and can also pose a goal threat at the other end of the pitch.

ROB RUDDY - Like a number of the squad, Rudds won the double with the club. No-nonsense defender who was part of Histon's title-winning squad a couple of seasons ago.

CASEY PHILLIPS - Centre-back who joined us from rivals Newmarket Town, becoming Ricky Cornish's first signing of the summer in 2019. Good on the ball and also has an eye for goal.

CHARLIE HITCH - Right-back who has gone from strength to strength since joining the club last summer. Has had previous spells with the likes of Diss Town and Norwich United RYAN YALLOP - Versatile player who has returned to the club after some injury troubles. Yallop was previously Suffolk Under-18s' Player of the Year and has played for the likes of Bury Town, Haverhill Rovers and Stowmarket Town.

PHILL WEAVERS - Weaves has become a popular member of the squad since joining from Stowmarket Town in 2019. Always gives 100%, can play in a number of positions.

ALEX STEED - In his second stint with the club and has become a key part of the midfield since returning. A ball winner in the engine room who rarely gives the ball away.

MATT GREEN - Combative midfielder who likes to get forward and get on the end of crosses. Like Ruddy, Greeno has won the title with both Mildenhall and Histon.

SAMMY MARKWICK - One of the youngsters who has come into the senior set-up from the Under18s. Composed on the ball, loves to tackle and gets about the pitch well.

SCOTT CHAPLIN - Comfortable receiving possession anywhere on the pitch, Chappers gets the team ticking in midfield. Has played for a handful of other clubs including Bury Town, Stowmarket Town and Hadleigh United - helping the latter to win the title.

KAINE MANELS - Still young but with plenty of Step 4 and Step 5 football under his belt. Skillful, quick and strong, Kaine will hopefully cause plenty of problems for defenders

BEN NOLAN - Like Kaine, Benny is one of the squad's younger members but does not lack experience. Once he gets away from a defender there is no catching him. Scored a memorable hat-trick at Haverhill Rovers a couple of seasons back.

TANNER CALL - Had a brief spell with the club at Step 4, but since returning has made a big impression. Works hard off the ball, links play well and has a decent eye for goal.

DAN BROWN - A favourite of the supporters from his first spell at the club. Scored both goals in the cup final win over Norwich United, played up top in the double-winning season, also bagged the winner at King's Lynn in the FA Trophy. Rejoins the club from Histon.

NATTY STEWART - Eye-catching summer signing who arrives after playing for the likes of King's Lynn, Wroxham and Norwich United. Can play anywhere across the frontline and should give supporters plenty to get excited by this season.

ADAM LAKER - Young, tricky winger who has stepped up from the Under-18s. Comfortable with either foot, pacey and his delivery from the wing is sure to create plenty of chances.

BEN BARLOW - Young goalkeeper that acquitted himself well when given some game time last season. One for the future.

ANDY BARLOW - Goalkeeping coach who is a key member of the management team, keeping Popey and Ben on their toes!

NIKETA CARTNER - Physio who has been with the club since 2018. Keets helped to form our Ladies' team and was co-manager for a while last season

WHO'S GOT WHO? Some of today's other Emirates FA Cup fixtures

SATURDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2021 Stamford AFC v Redditch United Rushall Olympic v Stafford Rangers Basford United v Stourbridge Bromsgrove Sporting v Loughborough Students Hednesford Town v Cleethorpes Town Tamworth v Alvechurch Coalville Town v AFC Rushden & Diamonds Cambridge City v East Thurrock Leiston v Brightlingsea Regent Biggleswade Town v Hitchin Town Peterborough Sports v Haringey Borough Needham Market v St Ives Town Bishop's Stortford v Lowestoft Town Carlton Town v Stratford Town Chasetown v Barwell Lichfield City v Nuneaton Borough*

*Live on the BBC Red Button, IPlayer and BBC Sport website

CROWS WEEKLY DRAW ROLLOVER CURRENTLY STANDS AT

£2795!

The Crows Weekly Draw (previously known as the Royston Town FC Development Fund) was set up many years ago as a way of providing a regular source of income to help the Club improve facilities both on and off the pitch.

Recently the funds generated have helped pay for new clubhouse furniture, admissions hut/turnstiles, pitch weed killing and fertiliser and renovation of the boardroom including a new boiler.

It only costs £1 per week to join.

As the name suggests, the draw takes place on a weekly basis. The holder of the winning number will receive £25 with £10 being added to the “Rollover Fund” each week. The “Rollover Fund” will be won when the Blue Ball is drawn,with the next number taking the accumulated prize.

You can become a member & have a chance of winning a weekly prize or the Rollover – you must pay for at least 26 weeks (i.e. £26) upfront to be eligible for the Rollover Prize.

Why not join today – simply download the standing order form by downloading from the Royston Town FC Website – listed under Crows Weekly Draw and return it to our fund organiser Trevor Burrows or leave it at the club – or contact Trevor and he will register you as a member.

Trevor’s Contact Details: Telephone: 07813 327786 Email:burrowsbuildingservice@hotmail.co.uk

Latest Prize Winners – each winning £25 D Cooper K Vickers W Hannigan G Pinner A Barlow R Davey A Martin

TRAVELLERS TALES

By Brian Buck

11th game of the season (Match 13,392) Saturday 17th July 2021.

Stotfold 0 Biggleswade Town 2 (Friendly Match) att 116.

Today was a warm day, in fact, it was so warm for me that I needed to try and get out of the sun. So, it was with some trepidation that I decided to watch this match at Stotfold, as I suspected that I would get roasted by the sun, shining directly into the stand. But as luck had it, I had got my geography slightly wrong and the sun failed to shine on us until just as the game was ending. As for the game, on this flat carpet of a pitch, it was a lot closer than it looked like it might be on paper. Furthermore, in such hot conditions, both sides put on a decent display. There were no goals at the break and in truth I don’t think that either keeper had a direct shot at them to save. But eventually, we got to see a couple of goals. This seemed to hinge on a change of personnel made by the Waders on 57 minutes when they made four subs at once. Within two minutes they had taken the lead when a square cross from deep left was met first time by the scorer and he found the net with a rising shot from about six yards out.

The game was settled by a second Waders goal on 77 minutes when the keeper was beaten with power and the scorer received the ball at the far post. By now we had a problem in the stand as we found ourselves being attacked by midges, as they stopped off for a bite to eat before heading off to Scotland for the summer! As pre-season friendlies go, on such a warm afternoon, this was perhaps one where the respective teams took more from it than the spectators and I respect both sides for putting so much energy into the match, despite the conditions. It was also a good afternoon for catching up with my fellow Groundhoppers, as well as my good friends who follow both sides.

12. (13,393) Tuesday 20th July 2021.

Letchworth Garden City Eagles 4 Marston Shelton Rovers 1 (Friendly Match) att 40 approx.

After being very busy earlier in the day, despite the almost unbearable heat, I was very grateful when at short notice this game appeared on Twitter. This was my second visit of the season to Pixmore and after being beaten 6-1 by Potton United ten days earlier, Eagles had a more comfortable time of things tonight. They took the lead on 6 minutes following a well hit 20 yarder and then they doubled their lead on 20 minutes when a shot went in off the post. A feature of this game was the unforced errors made by both sides, with the visitors making more than their hosts. But at this early pre-season stage it was game time that counted most. Furthermore, the hosts seemed to be trying out new players rather than relying on a settled side. On 36 minutes we heard what was soon to be the first of many claps of thunder. Then on 41 minutes Rovers seemed to have pulled a goal back when the ball was headed home from close range following a corner, but the lively ref, who despite his advancing years, looked fitter than some of the players, blew for an infringement. Then two minutes later Eagles popped in their third goal when the scorer wriggled his way into a shooting position before finding the net from about 12 yards out. At half time, as the clouds gathered, it grew dark and the lights were switched on.

Then just as the second half commenced the heavens opened and with thunder and lightning it poured down. However, this seemed to inspire Rovers and after just 50 seconds of the new half, they pulled a goal back with another ’in off the post’ effort. After about 20 minutes or so of serious rain, it stopped and the sun came out, as did a rainbow. Now the pitch looked glorious, bathed in sunshine as well as the light from the excellent floodlights they have here. There was only one further goal in the match and that came on 80 minutes from some 25 yards out when the ball was expertly lifted over the keeper. Then it was time to get the names of the scorers, which became a bit of a problem for a while, as no one, including the Eagles manager, could initially remember their names, which is always a bit worrying for any new players at a club!

13. (13,394) Wednesday 21st July 2021.

Ely City Reserves 6 Cottenham United 0 (Friendly Match) att 40 approx.

For most of the day, I didn’t really know where I was going tonight. Most of the games on offer involved longish drives, which I didn’t really want to undertake just for a friendly game. But then midafternoon it was announced on Twitter that Orwell were going to play Eaton Socon, with a 6.30pm kick-off, which was ideal for me, as it was less than a 15 minutes drive for me to get there. I arrived 15 minutes before kick-off only to find that the game was now off because belatedly the visitors had decided that they did not want to play on the host’s extremely narrow pitch. I had a backup game though, namely this 7 pm kick-off at Ely and with there being no hold ups on the way I arrived here just as the players were entering the playing arena. This ground is quite a pleasant one at any time of the year, but bathed in the evening sunshine as the shadows formed quickly over the pitch and with its seemingly new gleaming white perimeter fencing, this was quite a peaceful place to be, especially as

you could get very clear views of Ely Cathedral in the distance. Did I say peaceful? Well, although the spectators were quiet we had music blaring over the tannoy for a lot of the match, not loud, but just enough to get on your tits. It seems that it was coming from some aerobics class outside of the ground.

As for the game, it was mainly a one-sided encounter. Ely looked impressive, but against a side who offered little in the first half, one wondered if they could have scored more than the three goals they did bag. After the break Cottenham changed tactics, now playing two upfront and with wide players pushing up when appropriate, they gave the Ely defence something to think about. So, after Ely scored again on 56 minutes, the game became more even. But as the game drew to a close, Ely scored twice more in the last five minutes.

14. (13,395) Thursday 22nd July 2021.

Langford 3 Hackney Wick 2 (Friendly Match) att 35 approx.

When I arrived here, again 15 minutes before kick-off, I soon had the same vibes I had at Orwell on the previous night. Before I even got out of the car, I saw a player heading towards his vehicle carrying his boots. Even worse I then saw the ref and his two lino’s heading back to their cars. They were the same officials who took charge of the previous Thursday’s game here. But I needn’t have worried. The ref went to have a pre-match fag and the lino’s seemed to be taking in some water. I was a bit surprised that Hackney Wick agreed to come this far for a midweek match. Furthermore, they still came, despite being about six first-teamers short. That was, according to their Twitter account. My view of the game wasn’t quite so good this week as two young men(?) decided that they could get a better view of proceedings by standing in the stand, rather than sitting in the seats provided. Anyway, the game kicked off on time and then the corner flags were put out a few minutes later. The first twenty minutes of the match were fast, skilful and frantic, but gradually the heat of the evening got to both sides. Langford took the lead on 8 minutes but Wick equalised two minutes later. I didn’t see this goal go in because some plonker was at that precise moment blocking my view by taking his seat in front of me. Langford then went back into the lead on 21 minutes with a shot when went in off the post, but on 29 minutes Wick once more equalised when the scorer received the ball with his back to goal, some twenty yards out before suddenly turning and firing the ball home, reminiscent of one of Jermaine Defoe’s goal for Spurs. The half had initially belonged to Wick, but by the end of the half Langford had done enough to look as good as them. We were in luck in the second half as the two lads who had been blocking our view now decided to sit down. They must have been players, as at this time of the year many of them can only do 45 minutes before needing a break. In this period Langford, who once again impressed me, gradually dominated proceedings. It was they who picked up the winner of 62 minutes when an extremely powerfully hit shot from some thirty yards out was deemed to have crossed the line. But unless hit the back stanchion, I’m not convinced it did, as when the ball bounced down, for me, it was on the wrong side of the line!

15th game of the season. (Match 13,396) Friday 23rd July 2021.

Old Bradwell United 3 Stony Stratford Town 1 (Friendly Match) att 30 approx.

This was one of those ‘shall I go or not’ evenings and as I didn’t feel too bad after completing my Friday afternoon three-mile walk around my home village, I decided to go, as I had no pressing alternatives in mind. Despite being just next to the West Coast railway line, this is a really attractive venue. These days the railway is masked by trees and bushes and although the ground is in Milton Keynes, Old Bradwell itself is really a pleasant village within it. While I waited for the game to start the cricket square was being prepared for a game the next day, but judging by the weather forecast this seemed rather futile. However, the groundsman seemed to know more than the Met Office and I suspect that the match took place. I parked at the top of the bank, which looked down on the playing arena and ahead of me was the pitch, railed off on three sides at this time of the year. It was a bit chilly, which meant that the midges who live in the brook between the railway line and the pitch decided to stay at home. As for the game, looking at the respective teams before kick-off it seemed that we were about to, literally, watch a contest between men and boys. So it proved and some of the visiting side looked as though they should have been at home doing their homework. It seems that the club has become rather dormant in recent seasons and now this season they are returning to adult football through last seasons youth team. By rights, they should have been thrashed by a team almost old enough to be their dads, but the youngsters were full of energy and chased and harried for every ball. Eventually, they did concede, first on 18 minutes and then again on 37 minutes. Despite this, in contrast to the visitor's approach to the match, Bradwell looked a little lethargic. They did score a third goal on 71 minutes, but the best goal of the evening came from Stony Stratford at the end, when the ball was pulled back from the byline to the corner of the area and from there it was rammed home first time.

16. (13,397) Saturday 24th July 2021.

Kempston Rovers 2 Cranfield United 1 (Friendly Match) att 50 approx.

With the aforementioned rain presumably on its way, we elected to watch a game where we could keep in the dry. But apart from a light shower early in the morning, we had no rain at all today. Before the start, we elected to have, what is these days, a rare pre-match pint. This involved getting to the bar by walking up some stairs, where customers were warned by way of a notice, which read, ‘Decking is extremely slippery when wet’. I shall remember this when I next want to deck someone! The pitch, as always here, is a decent one and today it looked extremely lush. In fact, almost as lush as the host’s green fluorescent kit. They normally play in red and white stripes, but so do Cranfield and it was they who got the nod today. The game itself wasn’t one to linger long in the memory. Rovers were of course the favourites but they were playing a mixed team of first-team triallists and young players and in the first half, it was mainly a midfield battle. Rovers were slightly the more dangerous side in this half, but only if you were standing behind the goal they were shooting into as many of their goal attempts were on the wild side. The halftime raffle was won by a club lino, which irked the new Beds County League Chairman slightly as he had the number before his. The second half saw Cranfield take the lead on 50 minutes. They had started the second half well and the goal came from a header from a cross following a corner. It looked like the score might stay that way to the end, but on 82 minutes Rovers equalised when a 20-yard direct free kick beat a five-man wall. Then six minutes later a triallist popped in the winner when from about ten yards out he managed to lift the ball over the keeper. Thank heavens for Mr Triallist!

17. (13,398) Tuesday 27th July 2021.

Potton United 1 Bedford Town 4 (Friendly Match) att 120 approx.

My first visit of the season to the Hutchinson Hollow. As I left home there were a few drops of rain in the air, but I got to the ground before it arrived in Potton, although there was a rainbow later as the rain soon did arrived and kept going, on and off for the remainder of the game. This season, rather than sponsoring the club in various ways, I have decided to become a £50 season ticket holder here instead. I won’t be watching every game of course, especially on Saturdays, nor with I see the 17 games I need to save money, but the club is welcome to have the difference. Furthermore, it’s a big saving on the £1,500 plus I would have had to play for a Spurs season ticket and also the close to £400 I would have had to pay for one at Stevenage, although I might review that one next season.

Tonight, there was a good atmosphere at the game, as there always is when a decent-sized crowd turn up. I was told that Barry Fry was here as well but personally I didn’t see him. I sat next to a gentleman whom I see a lot at Biggleswade United, but have never really spoken to before. He was introduced to me by Mr Dilley (Senior) and it turned out to be Steve Grenfell, who played for the Spurs youth teams in the early 1960s. I never saw him play, but I did watch his son, with the same name, mirror his father’s achievements later on in the 1980s for Spurs. It was great to trade names of the players we’d come across over the years as the match tonight progressed. This was a game I expected Bedford to win. They have some decent players in their side and made some astute signings during the summer.

Potton meanwhile have been involved in some high scoring pre-season friendlies, not always being on the right end of them. But from what I saw tonight, the signs are promising, as they had managed to retain most of last seasons players as the swap from the SSML to the UCL. Bedford were 2-0 up by the 24th minute, but Potton competed well and were rewarded when they pulled a goal back on 39 minutes via a header from a corner. Then up to the break, they looked quite good but shipped a third goal seconds before the break. The second half saw Potton have a lot more of the ball, but not being able to find the net with it. Bedford did pop in a fourth goal on 62 minutes though. This half had a competitive feel to it and turned out to be the best game I’d seen up to this point in the season.

18. (13,399) Wednesday 28th July 2021.

Shefford Town & Campton Reserves 3 AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College 1 (Friendly Match) att 25 approx.

After hearing the sad news that one of my long time Groundhoping friends, Don Scott, had sadly passed away earlier in the day, I hoped, that it was going to be a quiet and peaceful night here when we turned up some 15 minutes before the start. Then, just before kick off the boys turned up, the Development team I suspect. They seemed to be a nice bunch of lads, but some of them weren’t even watching the match with at least one of them was often standing back to goal, which is a tad annoying when you are actually trying to watch the match. The game in fact seemed to be going on without any animosity, but on 35 minutes the visiting skipper vented his feelings on the ref too much and was sin binned. Meanwhile, still in search of my ‘peace and quiet’, we moved to the other, unoccupied stand,

but while we were doing this, we missed a rogue tackle on a Kempston player, which a Shefford player may have been booked for. After a while although the injured player was able to sit up, it was not going to be easy to move him off the pitch for some time and with it now raining as well the game appeared to get abandoned and indeed the tone of the refs whistle seemed to signify this. So, as the players trooped off the pitch, most of the spectators headed for their cars and went home, as we did.

But later it transpired that the player did recover and that the second half got played. I wouldn’t normally ‘count’ the game, but in this instance I will, because we were erroneously led to believe that it had been terminated early!

SQUADS Saturday 4th September2021 Kick Off: 3PM

MATCH SPONSOR:

TODAYS OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Mario Stetakovich ASSISTANTS: Nicholas Vermaat / Adrian Copsey

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Joe Welch Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Scott Bridges Adam Murray Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Harry Draper Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman James Brighton Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Josh Williams Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Ryan Towner Elliot Kettle Louis Matthews

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Josh Pope Charlie Hitch Darryl Coakley Joe Asensi Luke Butcher Rob Ruddy Casey Philips Ryan Yallop Phill Weavers Alex Steed Matt Green Samuel Markwick Scott Chaplin Kaine Manels Ben Nolan Tanner Call Dan Brown Nathan Stewart Adam Laker Ben Barlow MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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