ROYSTON TOWN vs PETERBOROUGH SPORTS - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - SATURDAY 2nd APRIL 2022

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs PETERBOROUGH SPORTS FC Saturday 2nd April 2022 Kick Off: 3pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents Peterborough Sports FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture.

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

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

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR:

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

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

Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

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

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

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

Ground

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

Colours

First XI Reserves U18 Women's Vets

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

Members of: The Hertfordshire Football Association Southern League Premier Division The Herts Senior County League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football League The Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Ladies League Royston Town Football Club is an unincorporated association controlled by its members under the Constitution of RTFC

ROYSTON TOWN FC

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

CHALLENGE CUP

WINNERS 2021/2022

CLUB HONOURS WINNERS Herts County League (Div I) 1969-70, 1972-73 Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976-1977 South Midlands League (Div I) 1977-1978 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978-1979 South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978-79, 1979-1980 Herts Charity Shield, 1981-82, 1989-90, 1996-1997 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988-1989 Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989-1990 South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992-1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992-1993 South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995-1996 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998-1999 Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001-2002 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004-2005 KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006-2007 South Midlands League (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994-1995 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008-2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008-2009 KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009-2010 BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011 BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011 South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012 South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012 Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013 Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015-16 Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17 Southern League Challenge Cup 2021/22 RUNNERS UP South Midlands Challenge Cup, 1978-1979 Herts Charity Shield, 1978-79, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2008-2009 South Midlands League (Premier Div) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div III) 1981-1982 North Herts (Div II) 1982-1983 South Midlands Res Section Trophy, 1982-1983 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1986-87, 1988-1989 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1989-1990 Herts County Youth Cup, 1992-1993 North Herts (Div I), 1993-1994 South Midlands Floodlit Cup, 1995-1996 Herts F.A. Women’s Cup, 1998-99, 2001-2002 2013/14 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div I) 1999-2000, 2013/2014 2014/15 Eastern Junior Plate, 2001-2002 KB Tyres Division I 2008-2009, 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Trophy 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserves Floodlit Cup 2010/2011 Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup 2013/2014 Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16

WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures SATURDAY 2nd APRIL 2022 AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Leiston Banbury United v Tamworth Bromsgrove Sporting v Redditch United Coalville Town v Hednesford Town Hitchin Town v Lowestoft Town Needham Market v Nuneaton Borough St Ives Town v Rushall Olympic Stourbridge v Alvechurch Stratford Town v Barwell

Photo courtesy of Kevin Richards

, D A E H S HI N O P , U D C A E E U H G S HI LEA N A T O O P G U EC U HE'S G A E L A T O G S ' HE Photo courtesy of Kevin Richards

On behalf of everyone at Royston Town FC, I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of those people in Royston and beyond who made a special effort to support the team in our League Cup Final 2nd Leg on Tuesday night. Your amazing support cheered us on to a great and historic victory and helped us set a new attendance record of 1,335!

Your support was fantastic and created a very special and unforgettable atmosphere. I know that the players really appreciated your support as did the Management team, the Board members and all of our volunteers and staff. It was great to see the community come out and support THEIR club. The record attendance pushed our resources to the limit but in true Royston style, nobody moaned they just enjoyed the occasion. We thank you all for your patience on Tuesday evening from queuing to get into the ground and also at the bar, food truck and other facilities.

I’d also like to pay tribute to all of our young fans, including the numerous members of Royston Town Youth FC, who came along you were all amazing. I’m pretty sure that The Brian Racher Stand is still shaking from all the noise and great atmosphere you created. To the parents and guardians – apologies for the late bedtime on a school night but hopefully, your kids had a night that will live long in their memories!

We have another big game this today at Garden Walk when the Crows take on high flying Peterborough Sports in the league so I hope to see as many of you as possible down here to cheer us on.

Thanks again for your support on Tuesday night and as always, COME ON YOU CROWS! Alan Barlow, Club President

THE TASTE OF Photo courtesy of Kevin Richards

VICTORY!

CROWS WIN LEAGUE CUP! MATCH REPORT Duncan Easley

A dominant performance from the Crows saw them lift arguably the biggest prize in the club’s long history, as they defeated Taunton Town 5-0 in the League Cup final second leg, to give them an overall aggregate victory of 7-0. What was not arguable however was the size of the crowd, as 1335 people packed into Garden Walk to cheer the Crows home and record the largest attendance ever seen, beating the previous record when Maldon & Tiptree were the visitors in the FA Cup. The hard work had been done in the first leg the previous week, and this was acknowledged by the away side who fielded a much-changed, more youthful side, that was no match for the rampant home side.

Royston started the game at a break-neck pace and could have scored on 3 or 4 occasions before the opening goal arrived in the 24th minute. A long diagonal ball from Carl Mensah was headed down by Matt Bateman and Brandon Adams was on hand to finish low into the corner. The home side completely bossed the first half with Taunton struggling to get out of their own half, and it was no surprise when the second goal arrived in the 42nd minute, as Matt Bateman rose to head home a pinpoint Ronnie Henry cross.

The second half followed the same vein, although Royston played more sideways than forwards, looking content to hold onto their considerable advantage. With the bench demanding a more positive attitude on the ball, the players responded and were rewarded with 3 further goals to give the scoreline a truer reflection of the difference between the two sides.

Devonte Aransibia capped an impressive all-round performance with 2 goals, both close-range finishes in the penalty area, after the away defence had struggled to deal with crosses firstly from Spyros Mentis and then James Brighton. The final goal arrived in the 83rd minute as substitute Tom Newman’s 30yard free-kick found its way into the bottom corner of the net.

The final whistle followed shortly afterwards, to cue the start of wild celebrations, as the crowd surged onto the pitch to share the moment with the players. The scenes continued into the night and capped a memorable evening for everyone involved with the club.

Royston Town: 1-Kyriatzis, 6-Henry (12-Newman 75), 8-Mensah, 3-Brathwaite © (5-Murray 69), 14Brighton, 19-Mentis, 2-Asafu-Adjaye (20-Newton 62), 8-Aransibia, 9-Adams, 10-Bateman, 11-Ilunga Unused: 13-Welch, 16-Rotimi MOTM – Devonte Aransibia

Photo courtesy of Kevin Richards

Photo courtesy of Kevin Richards

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC After some intensive research, the evidence is that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest Club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop Stortford.

The Club’s very first honour came in 1911/12 when they won the Creake Charity Shield beating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

The Club’s first major honour in more recent times came in the guise of promotion to the Herts County Premier League in 1969/70 and they went on to be champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. In 1978 we rejoined the South Midlands League and won the Division One title at the first time of asking. Success continued with a final appearance in the Herts Charity Shield for the first time in 1979 and runners up spot in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82 and two years later the Club joined the Isthmian League Division Two North where we remained for 10 seasons before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After a period in the doldrums that culminated in relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of 2006/07, Paul Attfield was appointed manager with ex-Spurs favourite Tony Galvin returning to Garden Walk 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Paul immediately set about building a new 1st Team squad and a run of 17 games undefeated saw the Club move from the bottom of the table to finish in 5th place in the League.

The foundations had been laid for the 2008/09 season and the first team took the South Midlands Division One League title with one of the best sets of stats for any Step 6 Club in the country W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season will be seen as a watershed in our history with winning the South Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4 in the shape of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In our first season back at Step 4 after an absence of 19 years, it was hard to know what to expect and how we would perform. Most of our supporters felt a mid-table position would be an acceptable target for the season, but we quickly found ourselves exceeding all expectations as our performances propelled us towards the top of the table. Four straight wins in the first four games set the tone and a run of nine wins with just one defeat between October and December saw us maintain a play-off position. In the very last game of the season a playoff was still a possibility and having gone 2-1 up away at AFC Hayes with just a few minutes of the game left it looked a near certainty. But it was not to be as Hayes scored an 87-minute equaliser and our play-off place was lost.

In our second season at this level, our steady progress to claim a place in the playoff zone was given a severe jolt when Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health at the beginning of November. The search for his replacement began almost immediately and we were inundated with applications from some very well know and successful managers. After an exhaustive selection process, the Board appointed Steve Castle at the end of November and on Boxing Day Steve officially took over securing a 0 – 0 draw against the League’s form team and eventual champions Dunstable Town.

Our 2014/15 season opener was at home against one of the promotion favourites Rugby Town but an impressive team display ensured their threat was stifled and we ran out winners 2 -1. That victory really did set things buzzing but we were quickly brought back down to earth when on the following Tuesday night Bedworth United were the visitors winning the game 3 – 1.

As we all know consistency in performances provides the key to long term success and although the early stages of the season produced good results against the likes of Daventry Town and Beaconsfield these were punctuated by dismal performances against the likes of Aylesbury and Egham Town. From mid-November to mid-December We really lost our way with six defeats in seven games but our rollercoaster ride saw an incredible run of form over the Christmas period and into the New Year with five straight wins which helped us maintain a position in the playoff places.

On a miserable Tuesday evening in February, we travelled to lowly AFC Hayes and after an abject performance, we lost the game 2 – 0. This prompted our Chairman to tell Steve Castle that he had given up on this team making the play–offs and said that we should start preparing instead for next season. That message was conveyed to players and we witnessed a most remarkable transformation in our results with a 14 game unbeaten run during which we scored 29 goals and conceded just seven resulting in us achieving the runners up spot to league champions Kettering Town and securing our place in the playoff semi-final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers.

After an incident-packed 90 minutes and extra time the game ended in a goalless draw but it was not to be our night and we lost the shoot out 4-5 and had to suffer the agony of all the emotions which go with being defeated in this way.

We started the 2015/16 season strongly and between the end of December and the end of March we produced a rich vein of form with only one defeat in 14 games and this ensured we were sitting on top of the league with just 7 games to go and with the expectation that we could win promotion outright ran high throughout the whole club. However, three games in succession proved our downfall when we could only draw 0 – 0 with Bedford and lost to Egham away 3- 1 and Godalming at home 1- 0 and once again we ended up in the play offs against AFC Rushden but we failed to turn up and went out tamely to our opponents 2 - 1.

Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh Castiglione extended runs in the first team.

However, the season didn’t start well and after four games we’d only mustered five points whilst promotion rivals Farnborough just couldn’t stop winning. Although results did improve, defeat in the FA Cup to Heybridge Swifts 4 – 1 and a thrashing by Barton Rovers at home 6 – 3 at the end of September didn’t do a great of good for our confidence.

Things took a dramatic turn thereafter with 12 successive league wins which ended with defeat 2-1 at Kidlington in early January 2017, interspersed by a magnificent run in the FA Trophy including a victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 -0.

With cup football out of the way, the team put together an incredible run of 16 league games undefeated including a 5 – 0 thrashing of closest rivals Farnborough which saw us maintain the top spot until the end of the season by a margin of 12 points and the highest number of goals scored, 120, across all three Evostik Leagues.

Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club was playing at the highest level in its 142-year history!

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceed all expectations in our first season at Step 3. Throughout the season we managed to maintain our hopes of a play-off place until they were finally put to bed with two successive defeats against the eventual play-off winners Slough Town and we had to be satisfied with a seventh-place finish. The signing of Adam Marriott, a proven goal scorer who had played for Lincoln City, Stevenage and Cambridge United was without a doubt a real coup and he was to play a key role in the progress made by the Club by becoming our leading marksman with 31 goals. A good run in the FA Trophy with wins against Enfield Town and Leatherhead came to an end against Eastbourne Borough when having managed to draw at their place we lost the replay on penalties. We managed to get to the final of the Herts Senior Cup where we played Borehamwood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 – 1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 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.

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

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

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

By Jon Couch WE HAVE a saying at NLP Towers, probably not too dissimilar to the thoughts of thousands of fans up and down the country each and every Saturday. While the concept of Non-League Day must be embraced and celebrated, for us, every day is Non-League Day. We live and breathe it 365 days a year as I know you all do too. So, even though last Saturday was ‘just another day’ at the office for us, for others it opened up the game at this level to a wider audience while players from the top two tiers of the English game were representing countries over their clubs. And what an introduction they had. Back after a two-year Covidforced absence, Non-League Day made a hard-hitting return to the fixtures calendar with fans flocking in their droves to get a piece of the action.

None more so than at Notts County for the big game of the day where a stonking crowd of 10,334 witnessed their derby visit of promotion rivals Chesterfield, who themselves contributed 2,719 visiting fans to that gate. At Step 2, a gate of 3,317 saw in-form York City take on Leamington – and turnstiles clicked furiously lower down the pyramid with Ilkeston Town attracting just short of 1,000 for their visit of Yaxley at Step 4.

Non-League Day, as we know, is renowned for its special events and celebrations – and this year’s occasion didn’t disappoint. South Shields’ 1st Cloud Arena was the destination for Alex Scott and the BBC’s Football Focus team as the cameras witnessed the celebration of the Mariners’ visit of Stafford Rangers. Those who stuck around after the match were able to watch England’s friendly with Switzerland and even join in with a bit of karaoke!

Dover Athletic fans had a day to remember too. Those who made the long trip up to Wrexham were not only treated to free pies by their hosts, but also an 11-goal thriller with Jordan Davies’ 98th-minute winner clinching a stupendous 6-5 victory for the home side. Co-owner Ryan Reynolds should be used to such scripts as a Hollywood A-lister but even he tweeted that he had “lost nine years of his life” given the highoctane entertainment which saw his side hit back from 5-2 down against the already-relegated Whites.

In Southern Central League Division One, Welwyn Garden City celebrated their centenary with a bumper crowd clicking through the turnstiles for their match against Wantage Town. Fans watched the match for free and at the same time learned about the club’s 100-year history with an exhibit in the clubhouse with many former players and coaches turning up to support them.

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos also allowed fans in for free if they donated an item of clothing to those affected by the war in Ukraine or KitAid Africa.

Half-price tickets were on offer at Harrow Borough as they took on Merthyr Town in the Southern Premier South while, at Redcar Athletic, entrance was just £4 by proudly wearing a red Middlesbrough FC shirt.

A dance troupe and marching band greeted fans of Wessex League side US Portsmouth – and it was an all-singing-all-dancing affair also for former Arsenal and Barnet goalkeeper Graham Stack, who came out of retirement at the age of 40 to turn out for Chesham United against Poole Town. Stack demonstrated the spirit of Arsenal’s Invincibles side as the Generals netted a last-minute winner to win 3-2 – but only after Stack had given away a penalty!

So, another huge Non-League Day success and plenty to crow about as the season comes to a nail-biting head, both in the leagues and on the road to Wembley in the FA Trophy and FA Vase. But, as mentioned earlier, every day is Non-League Day for us regulars and your continued support remains as vital as ever in keeping your football club alive – and at the heart of community Again, Happy Non-League Day, everyone!

www.nonleagueday.co.uk

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 Peterborough Sports FC Club History Peterborough Sports football club was founded in 1908 and was initially known as Brotherhoods Engineering Works a non-competitive factory side for the company that was founded by Peter Brotherhood in 1867 that was famed for designing and manufacturing the first steam turbine engine in the world. The club honours its heritage to this day with the turbine engine featuring in the club badge and “The Turbines” as the club nickname. We were called Bearings Direct in the 1990s and then changed to Peterborough Sports all at the same Lincoln Road ground which has undergone a major revamp since 2012 funded by a combination of Parkway Social Club, the Football Foundation and former Manager & Chairman and now Managing Director Tommy Cooper.

The club started competitive life in the Northants League in 1919 (which became the UCL in 1934) winning the title in that first season before joining the Peterborough League in 1923. The club once entertained Tottenham Hotspur at Lincoln Road before the 2nd World War in front of a crowd of 4,000 at a time when a stand went down the whole length of the ground and drew over 3,000 for the visit of local rivals Peterborough & Fletton United (now Peterborough United).

Without doubt, the club's most famous player is Victor Watson (pictured) who played in the Northants League title-winning team of 1919/20 before moving onto West Ham United for £50 via Wellingborough in March 1920. He remains the Hammers record goalscorer with 326 goals from 505 appearances. Watson played 5 times for England scoring 4 times between 1923 & 1930 including a brace against Scotland in 1930 and played in the first FA Cup Final at Wembley in front of 200,000 fans v Bolton

Much of the clubs early years were notably unsuccessful. The Northants League win in 1920 was followed 6 years later with a Peterborough League Division 3 title in 1926, with a gap then to the Peterborough Football Association Minor Cup win in 1940. The barren spell of success continued right up until 1976 when the Peterborough Division 3 title was secured again, which was repeated in 1981.

The club enjoyed a brief golden period at the start of the 1990’s with promotion secured back to the Peterborough Premier Division and 2 Northants Lower Junior Cups being landed in 1994 & 1995 under the management of current Managing Director Stephen “Tommy” Cooper The club again had some barren time before the Turbines suddenly became successful in the 2006/07 season when both the Peterborough Premier Division and Northants Junior Cup were secured for the first time in the clubs history under the management of Al Lenihan & Tommy Flynn. Unfortunately the club did not follow up on this success and in the ensuing years almost went out of existence. It was only the efforts of current life president Colin Day (who has been at Sports over half a century), Secretary Roger Martin & manager Chris Bartlett that kept the club running.

Tommy Cooper returned to the club in the role of Chairman in January 2011 and in that 2010/11 season the club secured its first PFA trophy since the 2nd world war when lifting the Challenge Cup and was promoted back to the Peterborough League Premier Division for a short 2 season stay.

Bartlett was replaced as manager by Seamus Morgan for the 2012/13 season and the former Peterborough Northern Star reserves manager steered the club into the United Counties League with a 3rd place position in 2012/13 when Netherton turned down their promotion having finished in 2nd.

The Reserves enjoyed 3 successive promotions after reforming at the start of the decade and are now in the Peterborough League Premier Division themselves, which they won in 2016/17.

The club's 1st season at UCL level started well but ultimately ended in a disappointing 16th placed finish with Morgan replaced as manager by former QPR & England Under 21 manager Chris Plummer in January. The following season 2014/15 saw the side challenging for promotion right to the end of the season, but a run of 7 away games to finish, saw them eventually finish in 5th.

At the end of that season Plummer stood aside and his assistant Jimmy Dean took the reins for the 2015/16 campaign. In his first year, the club won the title at a canter by a huge 21 points, helped by winning their first 23 games. The side also picked up the UCL League Cup, becoming the first side from Division 1 to ever do so, after a penalty shoot-out triumph against Premier Division Holbeach United. The side also added the Northants Junior Cup for a 2nd time and the prestigious Hinchingbrooke Cup for the 1st time and was to be forever dubbed the Fourmidables.

That success was continued into 2016/17 as the team won the UCL Premier Division with a league record points tally of 112 and were the top scorers in the top 11 levels of English football with 150 in the league and 205 in all competitions. The Hinchingbrooke Cup was also retained with a 2-1 victory over 2nd placed Deeping Rangers and the side had its best-ever run in the FA Vase reaching the 4th round.

The side entered the Northern Premier League for the 2017/18 season and initially found the going tough – indeed the side went into 2018 bottom of the table before a dramatic turnaround saw the Turbines finish a most respectable 12th with that summer seeing the side transfer across to the Southern League with Grant Biddle replacing Tom Cooper as Chairman and Paul Venters joining as Vice Chairman With an additional step 4 league implemented for 2018/19 Sports were moved into the Southern League to play in the Division 1 Central section where the side duly won their 3rd title in 4 years under Dean. The side only lost 3 games all season (which included twice to runners up Bromsgrove Sporting) which was a mark of their consistency. The side also had probably the best win in its history when beating National League North and former football league side Boston United 2-0 away in the FA Cup 2nd qualifying round. Their reward was a home tie with unbeaten National League North side Chorley with the game screened on the red button on the BBC which attracted a peak viewing figure of 240,000 and a club record 404 in attendance. Unfortunately, Sports went out 3-0 on a stinking day weather-wise, which was replaced with the glorious weather at Easter and the raising of the Championship, secured on the Saturday with a 2-0 win away at Kidlington with the trophy presented on the Monday before the derby win over Cambridge City. We then went on to beat the Southern title winners Blackfield & Langley 5-1 in the Championship Match Season 2019/20 was to be spent in the Central Premier Division at Step 3 for the first time in the clubs centenary year and Sports were leading the way when the league for declared null and void due to COVID-19.

The 2020/21 season was again greatly affected by COVID-19 but this did not stop Sports progressing well in both the FA Cup (reached 3rd Qualifying Round) and the FA Trophy (Reached 5th Round).

WHO ARE YA? Peterborough Sports FC Player Pen Pics PETER CROOK Peter has recently joined sports on loan from Boston Town, he is a very experienced keeper and should offer sports some great support for the promotion push.

LEWIS ELSOM Lewis is a young keeper who served an apprenticeship at Posh, after leaving Posh he had a spell as Kettering number two before moving to Deeping rangers and establishing himself as number 1. He carries himself with great professionalism and with a bit of experience will become a top goalkeeper.

JOHNNY HERD Jonny is an experienced full-back with a fantastic footballing cv, he has played league football for Southend Utd, in the National League for Ebbsfleet, in the Conference North for Bishop Stortford and in the Southern central premier for ST NEOTS. He has been very unfortunate with injuries the last 18 months but if he can beat them he will undoubtedly have a big part to play for Sports this season.

LUKE WARNER ELEY Luke is a player who can play anywhere down the left side but is definitely a LB, he first caught our eye playing against us for Barton Rovers at step 4 and has since gone on to play for numerous teams at steps 2 and 3. He's someone who adds quality to our squad and we are delighted to have him.

ISAIAH BAZELY Isaiah is an ex Aston villa scholar and that shows in his technical ability. Its his first season in men's football and manager Jimmy Dean believes that he can kick on over the next few years. Equally happy at playing Centre back or right-back he is another who definitely lifts the quality in the Sports squad.

RYAN FRYATT Ryan comes with a proven pedigree, having played for Kings Lynn for the best part of a decade and securing 4 promotions with them to the National League Premier. He subsequently left Lynn last summer and then went on to have a short but successful spell at Kettering Town. He adds fantastic quality/competition to the Centre Back position and will be a huge part of any success we might have over the next few years.

RICHARD JONES Centre half Jones made his name at PNS and was in the 2012 side that made the FA Vase Quarter Final before securing a move to Stamford Town & then Boston United. Jones joined Sports in the summer of 2016 – Born 27th January 1988 BRAD MCGOWAN Brad is an assured defender with a very good pedigree. His previous clubs include Notts County, Grantham, Alfreton Town, Boston United & Frickley Ath. After a terrible injury and a long lay off Brad has the bit between his teeth and is looking to make a big impact at Sports this year.

DAN JARVIS After serving an apprenticeship at Posh DJ has spent a few years in non-league with local clubs Deeping and Yaxley. He can play a variety of positions and from the 1st training session in pre-season he has impressed the management and teammates with his ability. He is a young local boy and is tipped to have a big impact for Sports this year.

JIM STEVENSON Midfielder Stevenson joined Sports in October 2018 having most recently played for Chelmsford City.

He began his senior career at Histon in the Conference North before moving to Luton Town. He appeared in the football league, firstly on loan and then on a permanent deal with Aldershot Town. He moved to National League club Dover Athletic in 2016 and onto Chelmsford in 2017

LAMINE SHERIF Lamine has recently joined sports from Kettering Town, a good footballer with a good eye for goal.

LEWIS HILLIARD Peterborough based midfielder Hilliard joined Sports on-loan from Southern League Prem side St Ives Town in October 2017 and names St Neots Town as a former club DAN LAWLOR Former Peterborough United graduate Lawlor is a midfielder with a vast array of passing skills and joined Sports in the spring of 2016 from higher grade Spalding United in time to play in the UCL League Cup & Hinchingbrooke Cup winning sides JOSHUA MCCAMMON Young midfielder McCammon joined Sports in August 2017 from Northampton Town following a trial at Watford JORDAN NICHOLSON Jordan joins Sports with a great pedigree and at 26 is a very good age .After gaining league experience at Posh and Barnet he has had a very successful non league career with the likes of Nuneaton Borough, Darlington and Hereford. Another local boy with a good personality, he is a versatile attacker and adds a different dimension to the playing squad.

MICHAEL GASH GASHY is a major signing for us and is living proof of how far the club has come in the last 6 years. Its well documented that he is a fantastic player but its also worth praising his drive and personality which we seen on the pitch and in the changing room. He’s a local lad too living In Orton and just comes as a perfect fit for Peterborough Sports.

MARK JONES Whilst Jones also has PNS and Blackstones in his CV, he really came to prominence as a high level striker at Gainsborough Trinity, Spalding United and in 2015/16 Boston United in the Conference North before joining Sports in the summer of 2016 JOSHUA MOREMAN Quality striker Josh Moreman joined Sports from Spalding United in February 2016. He 1st burst onto the scene as a 16 year old at PNS and was part of the UCL Cup winning squad before trying his luck higher at Corby Town & Kettering Town after a spell with Deeping Rangers DION SEMBIE-FERRIS Dion joined last season from St Neots and had an instant impact driving the club to winning a title last season, he is a Peterborough lad who wears his heart on his sleeve whilst still having fantastic technical ability. He has signed a long term contract with the club and we are delighted that he decided to do so.

KYJUON MARSH BROWN Kyjoun joined recently from St Neots Town and has made a good start to his sports career, he is a tricky winger who loves to get at a full back.

ABDURAMANE MAMADU SANO SANI Maniche (as he is known) joined midway through last season after moving from Portugal, despite speaking little English when he joined Sports he still caught manager Jimmy Deans eye with some eye catching performances and some important goals.

CAMERON GOW Cam has returned to the club after leaving a few years away and never really getting close to fulfilling his undoubted potential. An ex Posh youth who was tipped for stardom but for whatever reason this has not happened yet, now he has an opportunity kick on and show people what he is about.

PIERRE ANGE OMOMBE Pierre played at a very decent level in France and came over with the intent of proving himself in the English game. Now having had time to adapt to English culture and the English game he is ready to show everyone what he is about. A skilful lively attacker who knows where the net is.

KYLE ROWELL Kyle has come through the Peterborough Sports youth section and has caught the manager's eye with some good performances in training games and pre-season. A young boy who is a Left Back and plays the game with a mature head, he is definitely one to watch over the next year or two.

JIMMY DEAN - MANAGER Dean had a long career as a central midfielder at Yaxley, PNS & St.Ives. He came to Sports at the start of 2015 as Chris Plummer’s assistant, taking over the reins at the start of the 2015/16 season and winning the UCL Division 1 title at his 1st attempt as well as the UCL League Cup (becoming the 1st ever Division 1 side to do so) the Northants Junior Cup & Hinchingbrooke for an incredible 4-timer. The following year the side became the first to win the UCL Division 1 & Premier Division back-to-back with a league record points tally and 150 league goals – the highest in the country with the Hinchingbrooke Cup retained for good measure DANIEL RUSCILLO - ASSISTANT MANAGER & PHYSIO Dan was a competent defender who names Wisbech & St.Ives among previous clubs. He performs a dual role of the pitch at Sports in both a Coaching and a Physio capacity since the summer of 2015 LEWIS WEBB - COACH Lewis joined Sports in the Summer of 2015 and has had a trophy laden career at clubs such as St.Neots & Spalding United where picked up a UCL Premier Division winners medal in 2013/14 – Born 17th December 1989

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch Ryan Easley

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Dimi Kyriatzis AVAILABLE

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SQUADS Saturday 2nd April 2022 Kick Off: 3PM TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR:

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Nathan Oakes ASSISTANTS: Jack Ridge, Paul Sturton

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

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Peter Crook Luke Warner-Eley Johnny Herd Brad McGowan Ryan Fryatt Daniel Lawlor Dion Sembie Ferris Lewis Hilliard Michael Gash Jordan Nicholson Kyjuon Marsh Brown Mark Jones Lewis Elsom Richard Jones Lamine Sherif Shaun Keane Joshua McCammon Dan Jarvis Joshua Moreman Jim Stevenson Kobe Chong Jordan MacLeod Lewis Moat MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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Jimmy Dean / Lewis Webb Daniel Ruscillo