ROYSTON TOWN vs RUSHALL OLYMPIC - LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - TUES 22nd FEB 2022

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP - SEMI-FINAL

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs RUSHALL OLYMPIC FC Tuesday 22nd February 2022 Kick Off: 7.45pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome this evening's opponents Rushall Olympic FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Southern Football League Challenge Cup Semi-Final fixture.

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

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

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

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

Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

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

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

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

Ground

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

Colours

First XI Reserves U18 Women's Vets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Rushall Olympic FC Club History Research has discovered that the original Rushall Olympic Football Club was founded at least three years earlier than previously thought - with local newspapers found to contain match reports about the Olympic dating to the 1893-94 season. At this time the club were a very useful junior team who played only friendly matches, but they did join the Cannock & District Football League for the start of the 189596 season, finishing as runners-up – before later becoming members of the Junior (winning the Championship in 1903-04), Amateur, Parks and Senior sections of the Walsall & District League.

However, earlier records have indicated that football in the village of Rushall was already being played on a regular basis at least 20 years prior to that time and in fact, the opening game for the newly formed Walsall Town team was against a Rushall side at the Chuckery Ground, Walsall on the 3rd October 1874. Indeed, so many players turned up that it was decided to field a 15-a-side format, with the surplus Walsall men being "loaned" out to make up the Rushall team. Rushall, with that extra slice of experience, won the game 3-1, although some argued that the game should have finished 2-2 as one of the Rushall goals was scored by a Walsall player!

As research continues, the early years of Rushall Olympic will slowly be uncovered, but it is known that a thriving club certainly existed just after the First World War, up until the mid-1930s. During this period the team (many of whom worked at the local Aldridge pit) played on the field behind the Miners Arms Public House in Rushall - changing in the pub and enjoying a pint after the game. The team, then playing in old gold and black stripes, was a "good 'un", and won various honours along the way, including the 191920 Lichfield & District League Championship; the Walsall Charity Cup in 1920-21, 1921-22 and jointly in 1922-23; the Walsall & District Parks League Championship and Senior Cup double of 1924-25; and the Walsall Junior Cup of 1935-36 - all prior to the club disbanding prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1951, a few local lads - John Edwards, Des Hyde and Graham Wiggin, decided it was time that football made a return to the village. They approached George Hunt, the proprietor of a local fish and chip shop, for permission to use his premises as their headquarters - which was agreed to and Rowley Place was decided upon as the Pic's home ground. Other local players soon joined, including Don Griffiths, Eric Handley, Sid Yates, Wilf Trow and Ernie Lamb. Sid Whitehouse became their trainer and Jim Trow and Mr Evans joined as committee members. With the help of George Hunt, a playing strip of red and white striped shirts was purchased and entry was gained into the Second Division of the Walsall & District Amateur League, where the team soon began winning trophies. In 1952, Ernie Lamb became the Club Secretary and Arthur Steed (later to become Chairman) joined as trainer; local bookmaker Jim Edge became President, and the headquarters were moved to Rushall Labour Club. Following suggestions from local people with memories of the pre-war club, it was decided to revert back to an old gold and black strip - the club's original colours. The Olympic were back in business.

After winning the Walsall & District Amateur League Second Division Championship in 1952-53, and the First Division Championship in 1955-56, the club eventually gained promotion into the strong Staffordshire County League (South) for the 1956-57 season - and made an immediate impact by winning the Second Division title at the first attempt. Following promotion to the First Division, the club won three back to back Championships between 1960 and 1963 - but Rushall Olympic's real glory season came in 1964-65 when the club clinched the Staffordshire County League (South) First Division Championship for the fourth time in five years and also won the Lichfield Charity Cup, the Sporting Star Cup and the Walsall Senior Cup. The club continued to succeed in the Staffordshire County League (South) but failed to emulate its success of the 1950s and 60's. However in 1975, in order to take a step forward and gain a higher league status, the club moved three miles away to the Aston University Sports Ground, just off the main A34 Walsall to Birmingham road. Unfortunately, football, after many decades, had left the village - but it was soon to return thanks to Olympic's magnificent seven, namely: Brian Greenwood, Mick Clayton, Graham Wiggin, Ray Wiggin, Johnny Edwards, Brian Humphries and Trevor Westwood; who enlisted the help of Councillor Dick Arkell to obtain the lease of some land in Daw End, Rushall, where trees had to be moved, holes dug, and some filled in until the new Dales Lane ground was officially opened on Sunday 14th August 1977. The club were then accepted into the West Midlands (Regional) League in 1978, and in their first season, finished in fourth place in the First Division. The 1979-80 campaign saw the club go on to win the First Division championship by a 16-point margin and promotion to the Premier Division.

During the 1980s and 90's the club enjoyed fourteen seasons of moderate success in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division, with the highest finish of fifth place achieved in season 1988-89 and a League Cup Final appearance in 1982. For the start of the 1994-95 season, the club began a new era when it was named as one of the twenty founding members of the Midland Football Alliance.

Unfortunately, the first four seasons of Alliance football proved to be somewhat traumatic for the club with placings of 18th, 12th, 16th and 16th achieved under five different managerial regimes. Despite these setbacks, in September 1997 the Olympic were delighted to be able to persuade John Allen, Hednesford Town's then Assistant Manager, to join the club as their new First Team Manager who immediately went on to completely revamp the team and gave the club, as a whole, a much-needed impetus.

The turning point in the club's fortunes came during season 1998-99 when they finished in 7th place, while the following season saw the Pic's take 7th place again, but with a much-improved points tally. The club also won their first piece of silverware for exactly twenty years when they defeated Southern League club Rocester at Bescot Stadium in a penalty shoot-out to lift the Walsall Senior Cup for the first time since 1965.

Season 2000-01 saw the Pic's surpass all expectations as they just missed out on promotion to the Southern League Western Division by ending the campaign as Midland Football Alliance Runners-Up to promoted Stourport Swifts by the margin of one single goal. However, during season 2001-02 Manager John Allen moved upstairs to take on the role of club Chairman, while his assistant Kevin Hadley took over and Olympic once more ended the campaign with silverware as the club won the Midland Football Alliance Cup defeating Barwell after extra time, in addition to completing the Alliance season in 5th position.

The club made further progress during season 2002-03 as they went on to record their best ever Alliance campaign, registering their highest ever number of victories and most points achieved by the club, as they finished as runners-up to Stourbridge. Disappointingly, their efforts both on and off the pitch were still not enough to attain their long term goal of Southern League football when the Pic’s were denied a promotion place at the eleventh hour after a vote went narrowly in favour of former Southern League club Yate Town.

August 2003 saw the return of John Allen as manager after the club decided it needed a change of direction and parted company with Kevin Hadley and his coaching staff. The club were then able to enter a period of financial consolidation in order to concentrate on ground improvement work during summer 2004 that saw the construction of a Conference standard dressing room complex at Dales Lane.

However, even working under such constraints he was still able to guide his charges to the 2003-04 Midland Football Alliance Cup Final, which eventually took place in August 2004, although his side were defeated 3-1 after extra time by Stratford Town.

To focus firmly on the task in hand John Allen stepped down from the joint role of Chairman at the end of season 2003-04 and was now more determined than ever to make a sustained championship challenge in his bid to finally take the club into the higher reaches of non-league football. Indeed, after 7 seasons of trying “Mr Rushall” delivered the club’s ultimate goal as he led his side to the 2004-05 Midland Football Alliance Championship with 3-weeks to spare and by a 7-point margin. Following a 4week wait the FA eventually decreed that Olympic’s dream had come true as they secured automatic promotion into the Southern Football League Division One West for the first time in their history.

The 2005-06 campaign saw the Pic’s claim a 10th place finish during their Southern Football League debut, while they also lifted the Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, the Reserve Team also retained the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division to complete a season that was a marvellous epitaph to John Allen who then stepped down from his managerial role due to business commitments and was replaced by the former Bloxwich United, Blakenall and Bromsgrove Rovers boss Bob Green.

However, the new managerial reign lasted only 6 pre-season games during summer 2006, before John Allen was forced to return back to the hot seat in August 2006, quickly followed by former SemiProfessional England International Joe O’Connor in October 2006. Following a sequence of defeats leading into the New Year period the Pic’s decided upon a fourth managerial change in five months when former Halesowen Town manager Paul Holleran was handed the task of maintaining the club’s Southern League status in January 2007. The new manager led Rushall to a 15th place finish and the Pic’s also reached the Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup Final for the second season running, but a weakened side due to player ineligibility were comprehensively defeated by Kidsgrove Athletic at Port Vale’s Vale Park.

The 2007-08 campaign was an excellent one for the Pic’s in Southern Football League Division One Midlands as Paul Holleran guided the Pics to a play-off position. Unfortunately, the dream of Premier Division football was not to be realised as Rushall narrowly lost out to runners-up Leamington in the PlayOff Semi-Final. Away from league action, the Pics competed in a titanic 18 cup games, with a best ever FA Cup run to the Fourth Round Qualifying stage (with the agony of a 6-0 defeat at former Football League York City) and a best-ever Third Qualifying Round appearance in the F.A. Trophy.

May 2008 saw the Pics presented with a new challenge when in an incredible turn of events, the FA Leagues Committee met to decide on the allocation of clubs for Steps 1 to 4 of the National League System campaign – which resulted in the club being moved across the non-League pyramid into the Northern Premier Football League First Division South for the 2008-09 campaign.

The Pics debut campaign in the northern section of the non-League pyramid proved to be an extremely successful transition as they repeated the feat of twelve months earlier and reached the promotion playoff’s with another 5th place finish. Unfortunately, they suffered once more disappointment after this time losing by a single goal to Belper Town in the Play-Off Semi Final. However, Rushall did finish their campaign on a high note by claiming the Walsall Senior Cup for the first time in nine years as they grabbed a nail-biting 2-1 victory against Tipton Town.

Dramatic developments towards the end of May 2009 saw manager Paul Holleran step down from his role due to a combination of work commitments and financial restructuring within the club as a result of the credit crunch and only days later was replaced by former Pics player Neil Kitching who returned to Dales Lane from a managerial role at Coleshill Town. During the 2009-10 campaign the Pics led the First Division South table in both October and January, but they eventually faded out to a 12th place finish, while a second consecutive Walsall Senior Cup Final appearance ended in disappointment with a single goal defeat to lower league Bloxwich United AFC. Summer 2010 saw a further cut in the playing budget as senior player Nick Amos took on the role of player-assistant manager, while Ian Cooper returned to the fold to take up the position of player-coach.

However, the backroom reshuffle paid immense dividends as Olympic finished in a best-ever 3rd place in the Evo-Stik League First Division South table with a game to spare and claim a place in the Promotion Play-Off’s for the third time in four seasons.

After accounting for Brigg Town at Dales Lane in the Semi-Final they gained home advantage in the Final, where a superb display from Rushall saw them claim promotion to Step 3 of the pyramid for the first time in their history following a 2-0 victory over Grantham Town in front of 751 spectators.

Rushall’s 2011-12 debut campaign in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division was nothing short of an outstanding success as they battled to an 8th place finish. The Pics also reached the finals of The Doodson Sport (League) Cup, Staffordshire Senior Cup and Walsall Senior Cup. During the 2012-13 campaign Olympic occupied the play-off positions during the early part and latter stages of the campaign but fell short of a top-five play-off zone finish after claiming just a single victory in their final five games to finish in 6th.

The 2013-14 campaign saw the Pics once more fall short of the play-off places by finishing in 7th place.

There was also mixed fortunes in cup competitions as they claimed the Staffordshire Senior Cup against Port Vale at Vale Park but suffered a heavy defeat in the final of the Walsall Senior Cup at the hands of lower-league neighbours Chasetown. Prior to the Banks’s Stadium defeat in May 2014, the Pics had already announced that Neil Kitching had opted to end his managerial reign after five years at the club.

He was replaced by Richard Sneekes, the former Ajax, Bolton Wanderers and WBA midfielder and his assistant Steve Hinks.

The first season under the new managerial regime saw wholesale changes on the pitch and an excellent finish of 9th place was achieved. The 2015-16 campaign ended with Rushall finishing in 10th position, but they did win the Staffordshire Senior Cup and the Walsall Senior Cup. Summer 2016 saw a surprise managerial change as Richard Sneekes stepped down and was replaced

by Pics Chairman John Allen, returning to the role he last occupied in October 2006. His move back into the Dales Lane hot-seat lasted just one term when during summer 2017 the club unveiled a new managerial team headed by former Stoke City, Southampton and Burnley defender Wayne Thomas, assisted by Will Ryder and Trevor Burroughs – allowing John Allen to step aside to focus all of his attention on his role as Chairman once more.

Following a poor start to the 2017-18 campaign the managerial team were relieved of their duties in October 2017 after 17 games and were replaced by former Redditch United, Hednesford Town and Solihull Moors manager Liam McDonald. The new regime worked wonders and quickly revamped the squad to lift the Pics from joint bottom to a final finish of 8th place – before suffering a 12 point deduction at the end of the campaign for fielding a player in 17 league games whose contract registration was ruled not to have been approved in accordance with the league and FA rules. Despite dropping down to 18th in the standings there was a positive end to the campaign by clinching the Walsall Senior Cup. Following ten seasons as members of the Northern Premier Football League, May 2018 saw Rushall return to the Southern Football League after the FA undertook a major reallocation of clubs to increase the previous three Step 3 divisions of 24 clubs to four divisions of 22. Following a slow start the Pics debut campaign gathered momentum during the run-in and they finished just outside the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division Central play-off places in 8th position.

The summer of 2019 saw the end of an era and the beginning of an exciting new future as the Dales Lane turf was finally torn up after 42 years and replaced with a state-of-the-art 3G surface, which will not only help to secure the Pics future, but also allow closer links to be established between the clubs First Team, U21’s, U-18’s, Education & Football Academy, Development Section and local community groups and organisations.

Unfortunately, the 2019-20 campaign was curtailed on Saturday 7 March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and all playing records were expunged, which was a major disappointment with the Pics with then sitting nicely in 5th place in the Southern League Premier Division Central standings with 33 games out of 42 played and with Birmingham and Staffordshire Senior Cup Semi-Finals still to be played, plus a Walsall Senior Cup Quarter-Final.

Sadly, season 2020-21 ultimately failed to last past the second month of competition after Southern League Premier Division Central commenced in September 2020 and no more league games were played after a second national lockdown was imposed in early November 2020 with the Pics handily placed in 4th position. Steps 3 to 6 of the National League System were then curtailed with immediate effect in February 2021.

WHO ARE YA? Rushall Olympic FC Player Pen Pics Liam McDONALD – Manager.

Appointed by the Pics in October 2017 as manager after parting company with Solihull Moors. He began his playing career with Worcester before moving to Bromsgrove Rovers during the 2005-06 campaign.

Spells followed with the likes of Boldmere St. Michaels, Halesowen Town, Sutton Coldfield Town, Halesowen Town, Cradley Town, Barwell, Stafford Rangers, Kettering Town, Tamworth and Redditch United. In May 2013 he began his managerial career as boss of the Reds at just 28. In May 2016 he moved to Hednesford Town. In November 2016 he left Keys Park to join Solihull Moors. After 11 months in charge, he left the club by mutual agreement joining Rushall Olympic. At the end of his first campaign, he guided the club from 23rd position in the Northern Premier League Premier Division to 8th on the final day of the campaign – only to have that cruelly snatched away by a FA ruling that ended with Olympic being deducted 12 points after fielding an ineligible player in 17 league fixtures. At the end of his first full campaign at Dales Lane, he had guided the club to an 8th place finish just seven points outside play-off places. At the end of the Covid19 pandemic curtailed 2019-20 campaign he had guided the Pics to 5th place in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

Nick GREEN – Assistant Manager.

Teamed up with Manager Liam McDonald for the fourth time when he was appointed by the Pics in October 2017 as their Assistant Manager. As a versatile and influential defender or midfielder, he began his career at Aston Villa, featuring in youth football for the Villains between 2001 and 2004. Upon being released he linked up with Redditch United, before moving to Stourport Swifts, Racing Club Warwick, Quorn, Barwell, Kettering Town, Solihull Moors before linking up with former playing colleague Liam McDonald at Redditch United as Assistant Manager. In May 2016 he followed Liam McDonald to Hednesford Town before the pair moved on yet again to join Solihull Moors in November 2016.

Trevor BURROUGHS – Coach.

Highly experienced and respected coach who arrived at Dales Lane in May 2016 from Sutton Coldfield Town as Assistant Manager. As a goalscoring forward during his playing career he featured for Moor Green, Coleshill Town, and Paget Rangers, before moving into various coaching and managerial roles with a number of clubs. Having been assistant manager at neighbours Boldmere St Michaels, he left Church Road during summer 2008 to take up the same position with Cradley Town. During March 2009 he linked up with Evo-Stik League First Division South neighbours Romulus as coach, before moving to Halesowen Town in October 2012 as assistant manager. In April 2015 he left Halesowen and joined Sutton Coldfield Town. During summer 2017 his services were retained by Pics manager Wayne Thomas and then assisted John Allen for three games after the former managerial regime’s departure during October 2017, before continuing as part of the new set-up under Liam McDonald.

James ARCHER – Defender.

Talented young central defender who was promoted to the Pics senior squad during the 2020-21 campaign. First came to prominence with the Pics U18’s side in season 2018-19 and was a member of the side that won the double of the Staffordshire F.A Floodlit Youth Cup and the Joel Richards Memorial Cup. He ended the 2018-19 campaign by being named as the U-18’s Player of the Season.

Richard BATCHELOR – Midfielder.

A combative midfielder and skipper who predominantly plays centrally but can also play wide or up front.

He arrived at Dales Lane in November 2019 from Mickleover Sports. Began his career as a trainee with Birmingham City, and joined Alvechurch in 2006. Has also played for Romulus, Chasetown, Leamington, Hednesford Town, Brackley Town, Worcester City, Stourbridge, Highgate United, Redditch United, before moving on to Mickleover Sports during the close season of 2019.

Mitchell CLARKE – Midfielder/Defender.

A versatile player who transferred to Dales Lane during summer 2019 from Sutton Coldfield Town.

Comfortable in both defensive and midfield positions, he first came to prominence with Wolverhampton Sporting CFC before joining Sutton Coldfield Town where he was captain.

Jay CLEMENT – Midfielder Highly regarded midfielder who has made the step up into the first-team squad at Dales Lane, having progressed through the Pics youth development system.

Callum COYLE – Midfielder Skillful and energetic midfielder with an eye for a goal, arrived at Dales Lane during summer 2021, from Stafford Rangers. As a youngster he was part of the Walsall F.C. Academy system and after being released linked up with Solihull Moors. In November 2017 he went out on loan to Romulus and in August 2018 he joined National League North side Nuneaton Borough on an initial one-month loan and then in October 2018 moved to Hednesford Town on a similar deal. In December 2018 he went out on loan to Halesowen Town, in a spell which eventually lasted until March 2019, when he linked up with Grantham Town on another loan deal. In August 2019 Redditch United secured his signature from Solihull on a three-month loan deal, but he was eventually recalled by his parent club in December 2019 and linked back up with Nuneaton for another loan spell. January 2020 saw him return to Grantham for a second loan period, but during summer 2020, he left Damson Park for the final time and joined Stafford Rangers.

Jonathan FLATT – Goalkeeper A highly-rated keeper who was originally signed by the Pics in August 2019. He began his career within Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy at the age of 8 and signed his first pro contract with the club in 2014. He made his senior football debut for Wrexham during a loan spell in 2014 and then linked up with Chesterfield in 2015, but failed to make an appearance. Towards the end of the 2015-16 campaign, he was loaned out to Cheltenham Town, where he made 10 appearances and helped them clinch the Conference Premier title and gain promotion to League Two. During January 2017 he joined Conference Premier club Barrow on loan from Wolves for the remainder of season 2016-17, during which he made 25 appearances. In June 2017, he rejoined Cheltenham Town on a season-long loan but was recalled 6 months later, after making 7 appearances. In February 2018, he joined Kidderminster Harriers on loan for a month, but at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, he was released by Wolves. In summer 2018, he signed a one-year deal with Scunthorpe United. In the summer of 2019 spent some time with Rushall before opting to remain at Dales Lane. In September 2021 he re-signed for the club combining playing for the Pics and his role as Academy Goalkeeper Coach with Aston Villa.

Danny GLOVER - Forward.

The Pics pulled off a major coup in tempting this highly prolific goalscorer to Dales Lane after Hednesford Town during late October 2020. He began his career with Port Vale, signing professional terms in 2007 and made his senior debut in October 2007. In 2009 he joined Salisbury City on loan and also League Two rivals Rochdale on loan, He was released by Port Vale in 2010 and joined Stafford Rangers in the Conference North. During summer 2010 he linked up with Worcester City before moving on to Nuneaton Borough. Despite winning promotion with "Boro" he opted to leave Nuneaton and return to former club Worcester City during summer 2012. In March 2013 he moved to FC Halifax Town on loan before subsequent moves to Bradford Park Avenue, Hednesford Town, Stockport County, AFC Telford United, a return to Hednesford Town, a loan spell at Alsager Town, before opting to leave Keys Park once again, this time to Nantwich Town. In May 2019, he returned to Hednesford for a third spell, combining his goalscoring duties with a coaching role. November 2019 saw him step into the manager's role alongside some fellow senior players to form an interim management team. In the summer of 2020, he was named as player/assistant manager to new manager Andy Morrell. However, following a poor start, Morrell was sacked, and after initially continuing to assist the interim manager, he left Keys Park.

Kristian GREEN – Defender.

Vastly experienced right-sided defender who transferred to Rushall from Stourbridge in summer 2021.

Previous clubs include Gornal Athletic, Halesowen Town, Stourbridge, Sporting Khalsa and Solihull Moors.

Summer 2018 saw him leave Solihull and join Tamworth – winning their Player’s Player of the Year award for 2018-19. However, during summer 2019 he agreed to return to Stourbridge.

Tyler LYTTLE – Defender.

The son of former WBA and Nottingham Forest favourite Des Lyttle, he began his career with Wolves. After being unable to make the breakthrough at Molineux he linked up with Bristol Rovers in 2014. He signed his first professional deal in June 2015 and two months later made his professional debut against Leyton Orient. In December 2015 he was loaned out to Nuneaton Town. In October 2016 he joined Truro City on loan and in March 2017 he signed for Stafford Rangers. For the 2017-18 campaign he initially transferred to Hednesford Town, prior to moving on to Sutton Coldfield Town during October 2017. He then put pento-paper on a deal at Dales Lane during July 2018. An excellent debut campaign with the Pics saw him named as Players' Player of the Season and Manager's Player of the Season.

Bradley MANSELL – Forward.

Prolific young front runner who first stepped up to the Pics First Team squad in November 2019, having progressed through the U-18’s and U-21’s ranks. His goals led the Pics U-18’s to the FA Youth Cup First Round Proper for the first time in their history during the 2019-20 campaign. As part of the Pics U18’s side during the 2018-19 campaign, he was in the squad that won the cup double of the Staffordshire F.A Floodlit Youth Cup and the Joel Richards Memorial Cup. Jourdain MASIDI – Midfielder.

An energetic footballer who is tidy on the ball, covers every blade of grass and likes to get forward, he transferred to Dales Lane during November 2021 from Bromsgrove Sporting. He originally came through the ranks with neighbours Romulus, progressing from the youth set-up into the first team and also had a spell with Alvechurch. For the 2019-20 campaign he linked up with Littleton FC in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division, making 23 appearances before the season was curtailed by Covid-19 in March 2020. During May 2021 he featured for Midland League Division Two outfit Fairfield Villa in a Post-Covid Lockdown Charity Cup competition. Summer 2021 saw him make the move up to Step 3 by joining Bromsgrove Sporting.

Reece MITCHELL – Defender.

Highly rated left-sided defender who signed for the Pics from Boldmere St Michaels. An outstanding young talent with plenty of pace and who likes to get forward. He first came to prominence in non-League circles with Cadbury Athletic but moved on to Boldmere in February 2018. During the 2018-19 campaign he shone for the Mikes and was a key member of the side who won the Walsall Senior Cup against their neighbours Sutton Coldfield Town in May 2019.

Alex MOORE – Midfielder.

A creative, ball-playing midfielder who is adept at dead-ball situations, he transferred to Dales Lane during summer 2019 from Sutton Coldfield. He first came to prominence in the non-league scene with Shifnal Town, before ending the 14-15 campaign with Wolverhampton Casuals, before eventually moving on to Wolverhampton Sporting CFC. Following a spell of coaching in the USA, he returned to Hazel Lane for the 17-18 campaign. However, following the break up of the side during summer 2018 he was snapped up by Sutton Coldfield Town and was a key part of the side that led the Royals to a fourth-place finish.

Tyrone OFORI – Forward Highly rated front runner who arrived at Dales Lane in October 2021 from Stafford Rangers. He began his career in the Aston Villa academy and in February 2016 he linked up with Shrewsbury Town. Having been released by The Shrews, he signed for Tamworth in August 2018. In a surprise move in November 2018 he linked up for training with Italian Serie C side Cavese 1919 and in February 2019 he received international clearance for his transfer to the Campania region-based club. In summer 2019 he joined Cefn Druids AFC in the Welsh Premier League and netted two goals in 17 outings for the Druids during the 2019-20 campaign. Ahead of season 2020-21 he made the switch from Wrexham to Powys to join Newtown AFC and enjoyed a prolific season by finding the net 9 times in 28 games. He particularly found form in Phase Two of the season, scoring five and assisting one, as Newtown headed into the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs. Having edged out Penybont in the semi-final, they claimed a place in the first qualifying round of the competition by defeating Caernarfon Town in the final. During June 2021 he opted to move on from Latham Park and linked up with Stafford Rangers, making 10 league and cup appearances for Boro’ during the early part of season 2021-22 before his move to The Pics.

Tom PALMER – Goalkeeper.

Highly rated custodian who arrived at Dales Lane in July 2021 on loan from Kidderminster Harriers in a deal that runs until Jan 2022. He signed his first pro contract with the Harriers in September 2016 and has been involved with the first team since, while also developing as a goalkeeping coach with Harriers’ U19s Junior Academy. During August 2017 he went out on loan to Worcester City and then joined Stourport Swifts on a similar deal. In summer 2019 he penned a new deal for the 2019-20 campaign. Prior to linking up with the Pics, he had featured in 12 first-team games for Kidderminster.

Owen PARRY – Midfielder.

An intelligent and technically gifted footballer who brings something different to the squad, he arrived at Rushall during summer 2021 having played for the last six seasons at Boldmere St Michaels. Having turned down the advances of other clubs to sign for the Pics, he was initially on the books of Sutton Coldfield Town and during summer 2016 was also part of the Birmingham Metropolitan College team that won the AoC National Championships. Having progressed through Boldmere’s youth team, he made an instant impact for the first team with a goalscoring debut at Long Eaton United in April 2016.

Rackeem REID – Forward The Pics first signing of summer 2020 when they beat off a lot of interest from elsewhere to secure the services of the exciting front runner who impressed admirers greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed 2019-20 campaign, where his goals and performances helped Quron AFC to top spot in the United Counties League Premier Division standings, until the premature ending. He began his career as a Scholar with neighbours Chasetown, before moving to Nottingham Trent University and featuring for their team in the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division during the 2015-16 campaign and also for Gedling Town in the East Midlands Counties League Premier Division. He later went on to link up with Long Eaton United prior to joining Quorn AFC for season 2019-20.

Kory ROBERTS – Defender The Pics pulled off a real coup in November 2021 when they signed the versatile defender on loan from National League side Bromley until January 2022. The 23-year-old, who can operate at centre-back, fullback or central midfield, joined the Ravens in early September 2020 following his departure from Walsall at the end of season 2020-21. The Birmingham born defender originally joined the Walsall academy in 2014 at the age of 16. In his first season with the Saddlers, he was named their Young Player of the Season. He signed his first professional contract in 2016. Having gone on to make another 28 appearances over the next eighteen months he suffered a double leg fracture. His employers showed their faith in him and he was offered a new contract with Walsall in October 2018 that ran until June 2020. October 2019 saw him return to action against Southampton U21s in the EFL Trophy. Having made a total of four appearances during the Covid-19 curtailed 2019-20 season, he was unable to secure a regular spot in the team and was released in May 2020. In September 2020 he signed for Bromley and made 22 appearances in his first season with the Ravens. In September 2021 he moved to AFC Telford United to bolster their backline on a two-month loan deal, before linking up with the Pics on a similar deal.

Ben Usher-Shipway – Midfielder Highly regarded wide player who arrived at Dales Lane for a second spell when he rejoined in late November 2021 on a one-month loan deal from Conference National high-flyers Solihull Moors, which was then extended until the end of the 2021-22 campaign. He began his career by progressing through the ranks with neighbours Boldmere St Michaels, before joining Solihull Moors in June 2019. Loan spells at Alvechurch, Nuneaton Borough and Sutton Coldfield Town followed. Having agreed on a new contract with the Moors during the summer of 2020, he eventually made his league debut for Solihull in October 2020, before first linking up with Olympic on a one-month loan deal later that month. He later went on to feature regularly for Solihull from mid-February 2021 onwards, proving his versatility by not only being utilised in his usual winger role but also as a right wing-back and a right-back. A player with a long throw-in at his disposal that can be an extremely useful weapon to call upon in and around opposition boxes, just after the commencement of season 2021-22 he linked up with Stourbridge on a one-month loan deal.

Tom THORLEY – Midfielder.

The Pics pulled off a real coup in tempting the midfielder to Dales Lane in October 2020 from Stafford Rangers. He began his career at Stoke City, before signing his first professional contract in 2008. In October 2008 he joined Burscough on loan and had two separate loan spells at Stafford Rangers. At the end of the season, he moved to Marston Road on a permanent basis. Despite being named as Rangers Player of the Year 2009-10 he moved on to Worcester City while undertaking a Sports Science degree at the local University. After being named as City’s Player of the Season for the 2012-13 campaign, he was appointed as Worcester City captain for the new season. However, in November 2013 he made the decision to transfer to rivals Hednesford Town. At the end of season 2013-14, he was named by the Pitmen Supporters' as Player of the Season. During summer 2015 he initially signed for AFC Telford United, but had second thoughts and pulled out of the deal and returned to Hednesford Town without playing a game for the Bucks. During summer 2018 he completed a move to hometown club, Stafford Rangers for an undisclosed fee, having played over 200 games for the Pitmen after first signing for the club in November 2013. During summer 2020 he once again moved back to Stafford Rangers Sam WHITTALL – Defender/Midfielder.

Arrived at Dales Lane in summer 2016 from Stourbridge. Tall, powerful and stylish and with an eye for a goal, he began his career with Wolves, progressing through the Academy system to secure a professional contract in March 2012. In spring 2014 he was released by Wolves and joined Cambridge United.

However, after only making a couple of league appearances he joined Brackley Town in December 2014.

In January 2016 he signed for Stourbridge on a short term deal before joining the Pics in summer 2016.

During the 2017-18 campaign he topped the Dales Lane appearance charts, featuring in 51 of the Pics 59 games, and he also chipped in with 4 goals. For the second season running 2017-18 saw him again crowned as Player’s Player of the Year.

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch Ryan Easley

Daniel Brathwaite Katherine Thompson

Ed James Brighton Asafu-Adjaye Kelshall Jake Easley Plastics

Brandon Adams Martin Pendrick Royston Plastering

Isa Rotimi Martin Pendrick

Ronnie Henry David Gray

Adam Murray Jeff Gill

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Matt Bateman DFM Matt Clowery

Marcus Goldbourne AVAILABLE

Spyros Mentis Mick & Enid Toovey

Isaac Galliford

Dan Newton Graham Haggar

Carl Mensah

Tom Newman Clive Middlemass

Steve Castle

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Steve Tuck

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PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Dimi Kyriatzis AVAILABLE

Finley Titchmarsh AVAILABLE

Fred Brown AVAILABLE

Rhamar Garret-Douglas AVAILABLE

Sponsorship available from

£150

per season

Dan Green

Makai Murray

Chris Watters

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Contact ALAN BARLOW for details

SQUADS Tuesday 22nd February 2022 Kick Off: 7.45PM

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Karl Sear ASSISTANTS: Paul Sturton, John Duffy

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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 Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Makai Murray Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Marcus Goldbourne Rhamar Garrett-Douglas

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Jonathan Flatt (GK) James Archer Richard Batchelor Demetri Brown Mitchell Clarke Callum Coyle Daniel Glover Kristian Green Tyler Lyttle Brad Mansell Jourdain Masidi Reece Mitchell Thomas Palmer (GK) Alex Moore Owen Parry Rackeem Reid Thomas Thorley Ben Usher-Shipway Sam Whittall

MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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Liam McDonald / Nick Green Sam Mullings