Emirates FA Cup: Second Round Qualifying
Royston Town FC Vs Stamford AFC Saturday 3rd October 2020 Kick Off 3.00pm Royston Town FC would like to welcome this afternoon’s opponents Stamford AFC for their visit to Garden Walk for the Emirates FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Round 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 have an enjoyable game.
Today’s Match
Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary
Founded 1875
Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY 07772 086709 email terry.mckinnell@talktalk.net
Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board
Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell
Webmaster Programme Editor Official Photographer
Steve Endacott Angela Baulk Kevin Richards
Football Management Team First Team Manager First Team Asst Manager Reserve Team Manager U18 Team Managers Womens 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 Ladies 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 Today’s Match Sponsor: 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
Royston Town FC Club History
So when did it all begin? 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 re-joined 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 which 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 as 1 st 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 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 set 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 the winning of 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 play-off 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 play-off zone was given a severe jolt when, at the beginning of November, Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health. 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 play-off 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.
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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 C 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 play-off 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. 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 after over five years of painstaking research and can be purchase via the Club on by visiting www.avbarlow.com.
Royston Town FC Player Pen Pics
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. Harry Smart (Goalkeeper) After joining the Crows in season 2018/19, Harry has proved to be a more than capable understudy to Joe Welch when called upon. Gus Scott-Morriss (Defender) Full-back who made his Crows first-team debut in season 2014/15, Gus was a member of our successful Under 18s team that season and has gone on to establish himself as a First Team regular with over 200 appearances to date. Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Defender) Rejoined the Crows last season after spending a season at Hayes & Yeading, Ed 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, Ed is a versatile defender who can anywhere across the back four. 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. Daniel Brathwaite (Defender) Joined the Crows from Chesham United for the start of 2015/16, Daniel is an experienced defender whose former clubs include Boreham Wood and Dover Athletic. Dan Newton (Defender) Joined us at the start of this season, Centre-Back Dan spent last season at Biggleswade FC after previously playing for Northwood. Taylor Parr (Defender) Centre-Back who re-joined The Crows in February 2019 from St Neots Town. Taylor made 59 appearances for us between 20122014 and spent three seasons at St Neots Town, making 126 appearances for The Saints. 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. Josh Castiglione (Midfield) Midfielder who was a member of our successful Under 18 team in season 2014/15 and made the step up to the First Team the following season, Josh is approaching 200 appearances & has chipped in with 30+ goals. Scott Bridges (Midfield) Scott rejoined the Crows last season after spending last season at Hayes & Yeading, having previously been a Crow for four years, scoring 71 goals in 194 appearances. Originally he was with Aston Villa until 2007, Scott then played most of his football at Banbury United. Scott was made Club Captain in 2016. Spyros Mentis (Midfield) Versatile hard-working midfielder or defender, Spyros rejoined 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 impressed when called upon and chipped in with some useful goals from midfield. Adam Watkins (Midfield) Re-joined us last season after a couple of seasons away at Chesham United & Cambridge City. Adam started his career as a 17 year old at Luton Town and in his 5 years there played 42 games for the Hatters before moving to Eastleigh and then Dunstable Town, where he scored 19 agoals in 127 appearances. Danny Green (Midfield) Joined us in December 2018 from Chesham United, Danny is an experienced midfielder whose other previous clubs include St Albans City and Dunstable Town. Jonny Edwards (Forward) Joined the Crows at the beginning of this season and made an immediate impact with four goals in the first competitive game of the season. After leaving the Stevenage Academy Jonny impressed within the Peterborough United youth set-up to earn himself a professional contract, making his First Team debut in 2015. He then spent time at Accrington Stanley, Woking, Halifax Town and Maidstone United after leaving Peterborough. Brandon Adams (Forward) Brandon 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 last season and bagged an impressive 23 league goals in 25 games. Josh Williams (Forward) Signed for the Crows this season after spending last 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 this season. Whilst with The Canaries Isaac’s performances earned him an England ‘C’ call-up.
Today’s Opponents – Stamford AFC Club History
There is evidence to support the existence of a football club in Stamford as far back as 1870 & various clubs came & went in the next twenty years until 1894 when the town’s two most prominent clubs Stamford Town & Rutland Ironworks agreed to amalgamate. Initially the club adopted the name of the Rutland Ironworks who were viewed as the stronger of the two, but the current club’s existence is generally accepted to date back to 1896 when the Stamford Town name was adopted to give the club a higher profile. It was to be some years before the club became known as “The Daniels” after Daniel Lambert, the heaviest British man ever, who died in 1809 in Stamford weighing 52 stone or thereabouts and is buried in St Martin’s churchyard in the town. The club’s first ever match was played on Hanson’s Field, at the location of Wothorpe Road and the club has enjoyed continuous use of the ground ever since. Evidence has come to light that the site staged football in the early 1870s making it a candidate for the world’s oldest football ground. Stamford Town enjoyed success from the off and won the Younger Cup in their first season. Several other trophies followed in the next decade and a half as Stamford established themselves as one of the area’s most successful clubs. Most notable were back to back successes in the prestigious Hinchingbrooke Cup in 1907 and 1908, the trophy being won in front of four figure crowds in the finals at Huntingdon. Encouraged by these successes Stamford turned professional in 1909. Stamford was quick to progress and in only their third season of Northants League football they won the championship. In 1913-1914 Stamford enjoyed their best ever FA Cup run reaching the 5th Qualifying Round before losing 2-0 at Chatham. Financial troubles plagued the club towards the end of the thirties and in 1939 they decided to take a season’s break to put the finances right. Within a few weeks war was declared, and it was 1945 before league football resumed. After a season regrouping in the Peterborough League Stamford returned to the United Counties League, successor to the Northants League, in 1946. They soon earned a reputation as cup specialists winning the Lincolnshire Junior Cup in 1949, UCL Knockout Cup in 1952 & Lincolnshire Senior Cup ‘B’ in 1952 and 1954. Football in the early post war years captured the public’s imagination with a record crowd of 4,200 watching a 3-3 FA Cup draw with Kettering in 1953. In 1955 Stamford joined the Central Alliance before stepping up in class to join the Midland League in 1961. The sixties were years of struggle although 1961 saw Arsenal come to Wothorpe Road to beat the Daniels 9-0 in a match arranged to mark the town's quincentenary 1972 saw the Daniels return to the United Counties League where they became a power under the guidance of former Peterborough manager Norman Rigby. Another FA Cup run to the 4th Qualifying Round in 1973-1974 was followed by an excellent FA Vase campaign a year later, Stamford reaching the semi-finals of the new tournament. After several near misses Stamford won the UCL league & cup double in 1976, also going one better in the Vase, losing 1-0 to Billericay in extra time at Wembley. Malcolm Hird – later voted Stamford’s Player of the Century by supporters and goal ace Dick Smith, the club’s highest postwar marksman, were stars of this side. Stamford continued to dominate the UCL under Rigby winning a further title in 1978, their first Lincs Senior Cup ‘A’ success the following season was the highlight of a disappointing campaign under Ray Medwell, but the appointment of ex-skipper Hird as boss in the summer of 1979 proved a masterstroke. Three seasons under the management of the Casterton schoolmaster saw the Daniels complete a hat-trick of UCL championships, Knockout Cup successes in 1980 & 1982 & best of all a Wembley return in 1980, goals from Keith Alexander & Andy McGowan giving Stamford a 2-0 win over Guisborough. Under Chris Corby’s management Stamford enjoyed Lincs Senior Cup ‘A’ success in 1982-1983 and a third Wembley visit in 1984, losing 3-2 to Stansted in the Vase final, while Paul Brackwell steered the Daniels to Knockout Cup success in 1986. By now the club’s golden age was at an end although the club continued to produce good players with Keith Alexander & Andy Tillson (both Grimsby), Darren Edey (Peterborough) & Brett McNamara (Northampton) all graduating to the pro ranks. The appointment of Steve Evans as manager in 1994 started Stamford’s revival. His policy of signing high profile players brought ex-Posh favourites Trevor Quow, Steve Collins, Milton Graham and Micky Gynn to the club, along with Scottish international David Speedie and ex-Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson. The club’s centenary season saw Stamford win the UCL for a seventh time after a spectacular late burst through the pack, while 1997-1998 was even better as Stamford retained the title, also carrying off the Lincs Senior Cup’A’ & Hinchingbrooke Cup.
Promotion to the Southern League was the outcome and the club’s debut campaign in the Midland Division proved hugely eventful. After steering Stamford to Benevolent Cup success and a place in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup final manager Evans moved to Boston United with Billy Jeffrey arriving from Rushden & Diamonds to take the reins. The new manager rebuilt with younger players and a final placing of 18th in the Midland Division. League reshuffling saw Stamford placed in the Eastern Division for 1999-2000 and an 11-match unbeaten start – the club’s best ever – proved invaluable as Stamford accumulated a record 18 draws over the season, eventually finishing 17th in the table. Seventh place in the 2003-2004 season was enough to earn the Daniels a Premier Division place for the first time in their history. Unfortunately, too many draws proved costly as Stamford were relegated. In July 2005, new manager Graham Drury arrived from Harrowby and his new look side regained the club’s Premier Division place at the first attempt. After finishing fourth in Division One East the Daniels defeated Wivenhoe to progress through the play offs. Stamford fared much better on their return to the Premier Division & briefly topped the table in January. In 2006-2007 the season ended with silverware on display as the Daniels claimed their fifth different county cup, beating Brigg to win the Senior Shield at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank Stadium. In the summer of 2007, the club was transferred to the Northern League Premier Division after nine years playing in the Southern League but suffered instant relegation to Division One South after losing manager Graham Drury. Graham Drury returned to take over as manager within a couple of weeks of the 2011-2012 season ending. Graham departed for Boston United in December 2012. He was replaced by Wayne Hatswell in January 2013, which culminated in the club gaining promotion via the play-offs defeating Chasetown in the final. We then had another managerial change with Hatswell leaving for a coaching role at league 2 Newport County. His deputy David Staff was promoted for his first managerial position for the 2013-2014 campaign. The season culminated in winning the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy in the final against Brigg Town. The 2014-15 season was started at our Wothorpe Road ground, and we played out last game there on the 22 nd November before moving to our new home at the Zeeco stadium. On 13 December 2014 we started a new chapter of the club’s life with our first game at the Zeeco Stadium. Unfortunately, it took us longer than expected to get that first home league win - it came down to the last game of the season against Witton Albion when the win was the only way to say in the Premier Division. The 2015-2016 season was the first full season at the Borderville Sports Complex. This was a turbulent season which saw David Staff replaced by Andrew Wilson whose tenure only last 10 games and saw him being replaced by Graham Drury for his third stint with the club. Despite an upturn in form it was not enough to stop the Daniels being relegated. In 2016, club history was made when Stamford made the first-round proper of the FA Cup by beating Wrexham in a replay at the Racecourse ground. They were drawn against Hartlepool United in the first round, eventually losing 3-0. The 2017/18 season saw the Daniels finish sixth in the league and saw them reach the play-off final losing 2-1 in extra time to Bedworth United. 2018/19 season was disappointing for the Daniels, an early exit from the FA cup was offset with getting through three rounds of the FA trophy. In the league, the playoffs were never really threatened and Stamford mid table. 2019/20 season was one of the best in recent years with the club only losing 3 games in the league before the season was abruptly stopped due to Covid-19.
Today’s Opponents – Stamford AFC Player Pen Pics Graham Drury (manager)- Third time in charge of the Daniels having previously led the club to promotion in 2005 before leaving to manage Corby, he then returned in 2012 but left to manage Boston United. In this stint with the club he has led the side to the 1st round proper in the FA Cup as well as the Division One South playoff final Luke Hipwell (coach) – Joined the Daniels in July 2020 from local rivals Yaxley. Luke’s playing career started at Cambridge United before moving into non-league with Soham Town Rangers. Then went onto play for Yaxley, Wisbech Town and Rushden & Diamonds. A knee injury forced Luke into retirement from playing. He then went onto coach at Wisbech before joining Yaxley Mike Hogg (goalkeeping coach)- Has worked alongside Drury before at Boston United as well as with new keeper Dan Haystead at both Boston and Grantham. Natalie Halliday (Physio)– Joined the Daniels in the summer of 2019. Has also been with Northampton Town & Thrapston Town. Dan Haystead- Experienced shot-stopper who replaced Paul Bastock as Boston’s number one in 2012 having previously been at Hinckley United. He has also played for Grantham Town, Sheffield FC, Belper and Ilkeston having come through the youth setup at Sheffield United. Mike Armstrong- Joined for the 2017/18 from Belper having impressed the management whilst playing against us. He has also played for Long Eaton where he came through the youth system. Was manager Graham Drury’s player of the year in his first season with the Daniels. Sean Wright- Sean is in his second spell with the club having previously been part of the promotion wining side of the 2012-13 campaign. Sean is a versatile defender who likes to get forward as well. James Blunden - Centre-back joined the Daniels in 2019 having previously played for Lincoln United, Grimsby and CGB Humbertherm. He has also represented Lincolnshire at under 18 level. Jordon Cooke - Jordon originally joined the Daniels in June 2018 from North Ferriby. Moved to Matlock Town in the Summer of 2019 before returning to the Daniels in September. The centre back has previously played for Buxton, Worksop, Scunthorpe, Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers. Rob Morgan- Former St Andrews player who joined the Daniels in 2017. Has previously won both the Supporters Player of the Year award and the award for most Man of the Matches. Left briefly this season to play for Barwell before returning in January 2019. Harry Vince- Midfielder joined the Daniels in summer 2019 having previously played for Wisbech, Grantham, Pinchbeck, Matlock and Boston United, where he came through the youth ranks. He made his first team debut for the Pilgrims aged 17 and has also represented the England C side. Jon Challinor- Capable of playing at the back and in midfield with a giant throw. He originally signed for the Daniels in 2000 having come through the Rushden and Diamonds academy. He has vast experience having won the FA Trophy in 2012 with York as well as gaining promotion with them through the playoffs. He has also played for Cambridge City, Aldershot and Exeter as well as a stint in America. He was also named caretaker manager in November 2015. Dec O’Hare – Joined Stamford in the Summer of 2019. The attacking midfielder started his career at Lincoln City before going to play football in the USA. Tendai Chitza- Tendai joined Stamford in pre-season of the 2019-20 season. He has previously played for Leicester Nirvana, Aylestone Park, Eliistown & Ibstock, Anstey Nomads and Gresley where he scored 8 in 28 games. James Hicks- The striker joined the Daniels in the summer of 2019 from Anstey Nomads where he finished the top scorer. This saw him score 41 in 32 games making him the second highest scorer in the Future Lions United Counties League Division One.
Tom Siddons- Tom is a striker with a good eye for goal and is a real handful up front. Had good spells with Sleaford and King's Lynn scoring 19 and 12 goals respectively. Has also played for Grantham. Cosmos Matwasa – Joined the Daniels in the Summer of 2019. Has previously played for Quorn and Anstey Nomads Harry Limb – Joined Stamford in January 2020 following his release from Kings Lynn Town. Joined premier league side Burnley from Wisbech Town in 2017 after scoring 22 goals for the fenman. Has previously played for Boston United, Boston Town, Wisbech Town, Burnley. Joe Burgess - Joins the Daniels from Boston United in 2017 before leaving for local rivals Corby Town in 2019. Returned to Stamford in 2020. He is a versatile player that can play in midfield whilst being equally comfortable at the back either on the right or centrally. He joined Boston from Ilkeston in February 2016. He has previously played for Ilkeston, Boston United, Histon, Fleetwood, Corby Town and Peterborough United. Jack Duffy- Joined the Daniels in the Summer of 2020 from Quorn where he scored 14 goals in 16 games. He has also played for Long Eaton and Nottingham Trent University as well as the English National Universities side. Connor Bartle - Joined the Daniels in the Summer 2020 from Grantham Town. Connor, was part of the Basford United squad that won the league title in 2018. He started his career at Notts County before moving to Basford. He then went onto play for Carlton Town & Grantham. Max Peverell – Young goalkeeper who joined the Daniels in the Summer of 2020. Sam Bayly – Young forward who graduated from the youth team. Had a couple of appearances in 2019-20. Also played for Peterborough United academy. Jack Mcgovern - Midfielder Mcgovern played for the Daniels in 2012-13 before going onto play for various clubs including Lincoln United, Gainsborough Trinity & Spalding United.
First Team League Table Pitchin In Southern League 2020/21 Premier Division Central Team Needham Market Stourbridge Tamworth Rushall Olympic Lowestoft Town Stratford Town AFC Rushden & Diamonds Coalville Town Redditch United Banbury United Kings Langley Bromsgrove Sporting St Ives Town Biggleswade Town Hitchin Town Nuneaton Town Peterborough Sports Royston Town Barwell Hednesford Town Alvechurch Leiston
P 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
W 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -
D 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 -
L 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 3
F 8 6 7 6 3 7 9 6 3 4 6 5 5 7 6 4 2 5 3 1 4 5
A Diff 4 4 2 4 4 3 4 2 1 2 6 1 3 6 3 3 2 1 3 1 6 0 5 0 6 -1 6 1 9 -3 5 -1 3 -1 7 -2 5 -2 6 -5 10 -6 12 -7
-Pts -
Pts 7 7 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 0
Forthcoming League Fixtures 2020/21
Team
Date
Women’s
Sunday 4th October
st
1 Team U18’s st
Kick Off th
Tuesday 6 October th
Thursday 8 October th
Opponent
Competition
Venue
2.00
BrettVale FC
Womens FA Cup
Home
7.30
Biggleswade Town
League
Home
7.45
Bury Town U18’s
League
Home
1 Team
Saturday 10 October
3.00
Stourbridge
League
Home
Women’s 1st
Sunday 11th October
2.00
Colney Heath Ladies
League
Away
Women’s Dev
Sunday 11th October
2.00
Langford Ladies
League
Away
Player Sponsorship 2020/21
Player: Dan Brathwaite Sponsored by: Katherine Thompson
Player: Ed Asafu-Adjaye Sponsored by: Jake Easley
Player: Adam Murray Sponsored by: Jeff Gil
Player: Josh Castiglione Sponsored by: Scott, Ryan-Lewis, Jacob, Lillie-Rose, Stanley Clowery, Lexie Tuck & Timothy Hutchinson
Player: Joe Welch Sponsored by: Ryan Easley
Player: Taylor Parr Sponsored by: Cambs Roofing
Player: Gus Scott-Morriss Sponsored: Luke Easley
Player: Jonny Edwards Sponsored by: Billy Baulk
Player: Adam Watkins Sponsored by: Toby Pendrick
Player: Spyros Mentis Sponsored by: Graham Hagger
Player: Isaac Galliford Sponsored by: Graham Hagger
Anyone interested in sponsoring a player please contact Alan Barlow on matchdays. ÂŁ150 per player
ROYSTON TOWN FC RESERVES - 2020/21
ROYSTON TOWN FC U18’S – 2020/21
ROYSTON TOWN FC WOMENS – 2020/21
ROYSTON TOWN FC VETS – 2020/21
Royston Town Fixtures & Results 2020/21 Date
Kick Off
Opponents
Competition
12th September 2020
3.00
Newmarket Town
19th September 2020 22nd September 2020 26th September 2020 29th September 2020 4th October 2020 6th October 2020 10th October 2020 17th October 2020 24th October 2020 26th October 2020 3rd November 2020 7th November 2020 14th November 2020 17th November 2020 21st November 2020 24th November 2020 28th November 2020 5th December 2020 8th December 2020 12th December 2020 19th December 2020 26th December 2020 2nd January 2021 9th January 2021 16th January 2021 23rd January 2021 30th January 2021 6th February 2021
3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.30 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
Banbury United Wroxham Alvechurch Needham Market Stamford AFC Biggleswade Town Stourbridge Tamworth Hednesford Town Hitchin Town St Ives Town Stratford Town Nuneaton Borough Leiston Redditch United Barwell Bromsgrove Sporting Peterborough Sports Biggleswade Town AFC Rushden & Diamonds Rushall Olympic Kings Langley Lowestoft Town Tamworth Stourbridge Hitchin Town Hednesford Town Stratford Town
Emirates FA Cup: Preliminary Round League Emirates FA Cup: 1st Qual Round League League Emirates FA Cup: 2nd Qual Round League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League
Venue
Result
Score
Royston Scorers
Home
Won
6-0
Edwards (4), Gallimore, Mentis
Home Home Away Away Home Home Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Away Home Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home
Drew Won Drew Lost
2-2 2-0 2-2 1-3
Castiglione, Adams Edwards, Galliford Adam (2) Edwards
Date
Kick Off
Opponents
Competition
13th February 2021 20th February 2021 27th February 2021 2nd March 2021 6th March 2021 13th March 2021 20th March 2021 27th March 2021 3rd April 2021 5th April 2021 10th April 2021 17th April 2021 24th April 2021 1st May 2021 3rd May 2021 8th May 2021
3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
St Ives Town Bromsgrove Sporting Peterborough Sports Needham Market Banbury United Alvechurch AFC Rushden & Diamonds Rushall Olympic Coalville Town Kings Langley Leiston Nuneaton Borough Redditch United Barwell Lowestoft Town Coalville Town
League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League League
Venue Away Away Home Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away
Result
Score
Royston Scorers
34
www.roystontownfc.co.uk
CROWS BLOG: A WIN IS A WIN! 23/09/2020 Not pretty last night but eventually we got a hard-fought victory for us against a very resilient Wroxham team. Fair play to them, they really made a game of it. We really should and could have killed it off but by not doing so until the last few minutes of the game, they always had a chance to equalise and take the tie to penalties and then it’s a lottery on whether we win or not. We set ourselves up nicely in the first half by getting 1-0 up but probably all of us were expecting us to kick on but for some reason we didn’t. Making for a nail-biting second half. Yet again Wroxham must take a lot of credit – they threw everything at us. Our defence were superb throughout and an upset didn’t happen. Why did we not kick on you ask? If me, Chris and the players knew that we would obviously address it! The longer I’m involved in football the more it never ceases to surprise me. I suppose that’s why we all love it so much. I have my thoughts and to articulate them through a blog isn’t easy. I do believe it’s a confidence thing! Why we aren’t confident I don’t know – but I do feel at times we let a down period in games get to us too much – both individually and personally. We all know that this group are very talented. They can take on any non-league team and compete, we’ve shown that last year but on occasions when it doesn’t quite happen then we let it get to us and can struggle against teams from any level. Hopefully not too negative but honest. So onwards and upwards, and a very tough match away to Alvechurch this Saturday. They didn’t have a great start but that’s a dangerous situation for us. They will be going all out to get their campaign up and running. We have to concentrate on our own performance. We know that we are a good team and we now need to prove it regularly like we did last year. The ability is definitely there and we need to show it for 90 minutes week in, week out. A mission that most teams are striving for so not unique! On another note, I do hope that everyone’s keeping themselves well. It really is unusual times but it’s nice that we at Royston are back playing in front of a crowd. It is really taking an amazing effort by all the volunteers and helpers, so ‘Thank you’ from all of us players and staff to you guys. Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Lewis Endacott and the Women’s team on their victory on penalties over Peterborough United in the Women’s FA Cup last Sunday. They’ve got a home tie in the next round and its great to see the club progressing on all fronts! Take care, Steve C
TRAVELLERS TALES 4 By Brian Buck 13th game of the season. (Match 13,272) Friday 21st August 2020. Elstow Abbey 1 Potton United Reserves 0 (Friendly Match) att 40 approx. On our arrival here, some 15 minutes before kickoff, I found that I was unable to get a parking space in the car park. But this was hardly surprising really, as not only was there a kiddies cricket match taking place, but Potton United had enough players for two sides, as we were about to find out during the match. There was a good gathering of spectators present tonight and some of us were gathered on a couple of park benches, which were actually the home and away benches. Also, in attendance was a massive dog, complete with owners. When I asked where he sleeps the reply was “Where he wants to!” apparently his kennel is bigger than some peoples flats and he has his own three seater settee! This was a very windy night and there was a hint of rain in the air. But although we were visited by some very dark clouds the rain never materialised. Elstow were all over Potton at the start and soon they had a claim for handball, but it wasn’t given. Then, moments later they put in another appeal for the same thing, ball to hand and this time it was given. However, the diminutive keeper made the first of quite a few saves from the resultant spot kick. This was another of a good number of pre-season friendlies I’ve seen this season where possession was fairly even, but with one side, namely Elstow in this match, created more scoring chances. However, Potton also had their moments and had three unsuccessful headers and a disallowed goal for offside. During the half time team talk the Elstow management were joined by the former Luton Town ex-superstar Lil Fuccillo, but only in a watching brief. The second looked as though it was going to be devoid of goals as well. Potton had the ball in the net again on 56 minutes but again it was disallowed for offside. Then four minutes later Potton changed nearly all of their side. On 79 minutes we finally got the only goal of the game. It came from a direct free kick, from at least 30 yards out and it simply flew into the net. It may have been a wind assisted effort but the keeper stood no chance of stopping it. So, this turned out to be a pleasant evening out, in the company of some nice people. 14. (13,273) Saturday 22nd August 2020. Ickwell & Old Warden 0 Biggleswade Reserves 2 (Friendly Match (10.30am kick off) att 20 approx. It was good to see that Ickwell have reformed after their sabbatical last season. A lot of their old personnel were there too and in truth it seemed like nothing had changed much. Today they were up against an enthusiastic visiting side who like to focus on skill and keeping out of trouble. This was generally a sunny morning but there was a strong cold wind blowing which felt even colder when the sun went in. There was also a bit of rain around, but when it did fall, it had stopped by the time I had moved myself and my trusty garden chair to under the old oak tree which lies within the boundary of the overlapping cricket ground. The early kick off was apparently because cricket was due to take place there later. The fact that the playing area of the respective sports overlap means that the cricket part of the football pitch is the better maintained part. It was Biggleswade who took the lead on 6 minutes when an inswinging corner was headed home from close range. Thereafter Ickwell, looking for a scalp here, got more into the game and a couple of meaty challenges followed. The main perpetrator was warned several times by the ref. He was subbed at half time and we (and the ref perhaps!) thought that this was the last we would see of him. But he reappeared later on in the second half and along with a colleague he was eventually booked. Skill wise Biggleswade were much the better of the two sides throughout and so they will be disappointed to manage only one further goal, which came on 90(+1) minutes. Credit to Ickwell for preventing them from scoring more and once they get a few more games under their belts I’m sure that we will see more from them.
15. (13,274) Saturday 22nd August 2020. Langford 0 Earls Colne 1 (Friendly Match) (3pm kick off) att 30 approx. After the previous match had finished, I had ample time to return home for something to eat and drink before setting out again for my afternoon fix. I arrived here early enough to have my first pre-match pint since March and this must have been the first time ever that I have paid for my drinks (including a coffee at half time) by debit card. It was also interesting to note that Langford were using part of the bar as their dressing room and my friend was able to eavesdrop on their pre-match team talk. Earls Colne had come from a village between Colchester and Halstead for this game. We wondered what the link was, as it seemed to us that neither side could know much about the other, especially Langford most of whom probably hadn’t got a clue where Earls Colne is. But there was a link between one of the goalkeepers. By now the weather had warmed up and the strong wind had eased off a bit, helped probably by the fact that this ground is largely treelined, there offering some protection against the elements. Earls Colne play at Step 7 level, so their Step 6 hosts will be a tad disappointed that the visitors were generally the better side throughout in this match. In fact, in the first half Langford managed only one shot and that came on the stroke of half time. By now Earls Colne had created half a dozen scoring chances and they looked to be focused and in good shape. At half time we waited patiently for our hot drinks to be composed for us and eventually they were gratefully received. For the first 15 minutes after the break Langford played better, but they fell away again. Earls Colne were still creating chances, but those of us who get a bit itchy when we don’t see a goal in a game, were getting close to biting our nails. But on 70 minutes we stopped panicking as from a corner a second header finally found the net. As a form of possible punishment, the scorer was then immediately subbed! By the end the visitors had deserved their win, but like the morning game I think that Langford deserved some credit for preventing Earls Colne from scoring more and of course the respective clubs could well be in different stages of their preseason build up, or perhaps not! 16. (13,275) (3,648th ‘new’ ground) Tuesday 25th August 2020. Slip End United 2 Lancot Park 0 (Friendly Match) att 15 approx. Having done my homework, I knew where this ground was located, but others might struggle as the entrance to the playing field is not signed. However, it is on the way to Airparks, where people leave their cars (at a cost) before flying out from Luton Airport and it is next to St Andrews Church, which is signed. Slip End play in the Leighton & District Sunday League and the visitors tonight were Lancot Park of the Beds County League and they put in a decent warm up session before the match started promptly at 6.30pm. Meanwhile the hosts appeared in drifts and drabs and did a token warm up just before kick off. As this ground is right next to the M1, I was expecting to be deafened by the noise of the traffic, but with a combination of a high wooden fence and the wind blowing in the ‘right’ direction you couldn’t hear it at all. The match kicked off roughly on time and it saw the hosts attacking the end which had a ‘Danger Archery in progress’ sign behind the goal, which was irrelevant on such a windy night as this. On 35 minutes we had a brief rain shower and then three minutes later Slip End scored. It was a curious goal. A long ball was played forward towards the centre forward. He had his back to it but knew it was coming and indeed it did, as it went over his head. He then waited to see where it bounced before deciding whether to chase it or not. But as it was ‘within range’ he decided to and he soon collected the ball, ran on and slotted home easily. In this half Lancot Park had started well, but the spoils went mainly Slip End’s way. The second half was slightly more even, but for me the hosts still shaded it. Both sides were now making subs but as they had very few to bring on it was more of giving players a rest before they returned. At the end I went to the ‘bench’ get the goalscorers name, only to be told that he got both goals! But I’d only seen one. Despite this he had scored twice, as he told me as he helped take the nets down. Perhaps I was watching the planes passing overhead from nearby Luton Airport when he got his other goal!
Southern Premier League Central Club Directory Club
Address
Postcode
Phone
Return Mileage
Hayden Road Sports Ground, Hayden Road, Rushden
NN10 0HX
01933 359206
91
53 Redditch Road, Alvechurch
B48 7RS
0121 445 2929
227
The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium, Station Approach, Banbury
OX16 5AD
01295 263354
140
Kirkby Road Sports Ground, Kirkby Road, Barwell, Leicester
LE9 8FQ
01455 843067
184
Langford Road, Biggleswade, Beds
SG18 9JT
01767 318802
30
The Victoria Ground, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcs
B61 0DR
01527 876949
244
Coalville Town
Owen St Sports Ground, Owen Street, Coalville, Leics
LE67 3DA
07496 792650
197
Hednesford Town
Keys Park, Keys Park Road, Hednesford Cannock, Staffordshire
WS12 2DZ
01543 422870
240
Hitchin Town
Top Field, Fishponds Road, Hitchin
SG5 1NU
01462 459028
34
Kings Langley
Gaywood Park, Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, Herts
WD4 8BS
07730 410330
72
Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk
IP16 4DQ
01728 830308
167
Crown Meadow (Amber Dew Events Stadium), Love Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk
NR32 2PA
01502 573818
205
Needham Market
Bloomfields, Quinton Road, Needham Market, Suffolk
IP6 8DA
01449 721000
117
Nuneaton Borough
Liberty Way, Nuneaton, Warwicks
CV11 6BB
02476 349690
178
The Bee Arena, Peterborough Sports & Leisure, 651 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, Cambs
PE1 3HA
01733 567835
94
Redditch United
The Trico Stadium, Bromsgrove Road, Redditch
B97 4RN
01527 67450
228
Rushall Olympic
Dales Lane, Rushall, Walsall, West Midlands
WS4 1LJ
07909 560407
226
St Ives Town
Pro Edge Stadium, Westwood Road, St Ives
PE27 6DT
01480 463207
46
Stourbridge
War Memorial Athletic Ground, High Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge, W Mids
DY8 4HN
01384 394040
250
The DCS Stadium, Knights Lane, Tiddington, Stratford-Upon-Avon
CV37 7BZ
01789 261037
194
The Lamb Ground, Kettlebrook Road, Tamworth, Staffs
B77 1AA
01827 65798
217
AFC Rushden & Diamonds Alvechurch Banbury United Barwell Biggleswade Town Bromsgrove Sporting
Leiston Lowestoft Town
Peterborough Sports
Stratford Town Tamworth
Photo courtesy of Royston Crow
From ÂŁ150 to incl bar staff
Photo cour The image part w ith relationship ID rId48 w as not found in the file.
Saturday 3rd October 2020 3.00pm Kick off
Royston Town FC
White & Black Shirts Black Shorts White Socks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 17 19 20 22
Today’s Match Officials: Referee: Joe Woolmer Assistant Referees: Jake Bloom/Stuart Lathan
Scott Taylor/ Arron Benstead
Red Shirts Red Shorts Red Socks
Dan HAYSTEAD Jordon COOKE Connor BARTLE Tendai CHITZA Sean WRIGHT Mike ARMSTRONG Rob MORGAN Henry VINCE Tom SIDDONS James HICKS Cosmos MATWASA Dec O’HARE Harry LIMB Jon CHALLINOR Jack McGOVERN Jack DUFFY Joe BURGESS James BLUNDEN
Joe WELCH (GK) Ed ASAFU-ADJAYE Dan BRATHWAITE (C) Scott BRIDGES Adam MURRAY Taylor PARR Josh CASTIGLIONE Adam WATKINS Brandon ADAMS Johnny EDWARDS Isaac GALLIFORD James BRIGHTON Josh WILLIAMS Spyros MENTIS Dan NEWTON Gus SCOTT-MORRISS Harry SMART (GK) Tom NEWMAN
Steve Castle/Chris Watters
Stamford AFC
Managers/Coaches Sports Therapist(s)
Graham Drury/Luke Hipwell/ Mike Hogg Natalie Halliday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21