STEVE TUCK
Royston Town FC would like to welcome this afternoon's opponents Stourbridge FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern League Premier Central fixture. We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable afternoon and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game. We also welcome today’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game. ROYSTON TOWN FC vs STOURBRIDGE FC Saturday 27th August 2022 Kick Off: 3pm TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR: PITCHING IN SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL STEVE TUCK
President Alan Barlow Chairman Steve Jackson Secretary Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY 07772 086709 email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Treasurer Jeff Gill Welfare Officer Angela Baulk Fixture Secretary Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Executive Board Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery Webmaster Steve Endacott Programme Editors Angela Baulk, Neil MacLeod Official Photographer Kevin Richards Football Management Team First Team Manager Steve Castle First Team Asst Manager Chris Watters U23 Manager Dan Evans U18 Team Managers Dan Evans/Matt Campany Women's Team Manager Lewis Endacott Vets Team Manager Lee Wilkinson Ground Garden Walk, Royston, Herts SG8 7HP Telephone (01763) 241204 Colours First XI White/Black/White U23 White/Black/White U18 White/Black/Black Women's White/Black/White Vets 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 Limited by Guarantee under the trading name of Royston Town FC Limited (Company Reg No 14261163) Royston Town Football Club Founded 1875
Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011
WINNERS
Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015 16
RUNNERS
South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012
Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16
Hertfordshire
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
Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17 Southern League Challenge Cup 2021/22 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
Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014
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 Women’s County Cup 2013/2014
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
CLUB HONOURS
South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012
Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013
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
WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures SATURDAY 27th AUGUST 2022 AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Ilkeston Town Barwell v Alvechurch Basford United v Leiston Hednesford Town v Bedford Town Kings Langley v Stratford Town Mickleover v St Ives Town Needham Market v Rushall Olympic Redditch United v Nuneaton Borough Bromsgrove Sporting v Hitchin Town Tamworth v Coalville Town
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.
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
SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN?
The history of Royston Town FC
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 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
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
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.
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.
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.
Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club was playing at the highest level in its 142 year history!
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 18752012 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.
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
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 2019/20 will go down in the Club’s history as one of the most successful and exciting but ultimately one which ended in bitter disappointment. Steve Castle was quick to ensure we had players who were proven goal scorers and the arrival of Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams and Claudio Ofosu did not disappoint Perhaps the only sadness that our young and highly talented left wing back Joe Newton had created so much interest from EFL Clubs that in the end, it was inevitable he would have to leave us and Joe was signed by Coventry City. No Crows fans will ever forget the team's brilliant performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy and although our FA Cup run ended with defeat to the very talented Maldon and Tiptree in front of what was then a record crowd for Garden Walk of 1152 The interest generated in the Crows both locally and beyond was immense and set the scene for what was to come in the FA Trophy It all started with very comfortable wins against Brightlingsea Regent and Haywards Heath and then were drawn away at Step 2 table topping Wealdstone which for many was one of the games of the season as Royston shot into a 2 0 lead before Wealdstone hit back to pull the tie level 2 2. In spite of being under constant pressure, the Crows mounted a great counterattack down the left and the cross was despatched by Brandon Adams to give the Crow’s victory 3 2. What followed was truly historic with home wins against Step 2 teams Boreham Wood 2 0, Chester 3 0 and away at National League Ebbsfleet 2 0, to set up a quarter final tie away at Concord Rangers. In the run up to the game, the rain had been falling heavily but our opponents declared the pitch playable and the invasion of six coach loads of Royston supporters and a convoy of cars and mini buses descended on Canvey Island As we started arriving for the kick off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable and with a sense of extreme disappointment and also a lot of anger we all returned home The following Tuesday the game went ahead but it was not to be and we were defeated 2 1 There is no doubt the Clubs achievements in the FA Trophy marked a watershed in our history which will be remembered for a very long time.
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
SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/southern football league premier central division
NUNEATON MATCH REPORT
Royston: 1 Kyriatzis, 6 Henry, 3 Brighton (14 Williams 54), 8 Mentis, 4 Mensah, 2 Newton, 7 Ironton (17-Brown 62), 10-Tshikuna, 5-Murray ©, 9-Bateman (15-Darby 62), 11-BustamanteMacaire
It was therefore somewhat against the run of play that Royston took the lead. A strong run from skipper Adam Murray was illegally stopped on the left edge of the box. James Brighton stepped up and delivered a deep out swinging free kick, that was firmly met at the back post by Dan Newton, to give the Crows the advantage.
What looked a much improved Nuneaton team from last season, where quick out of the blocks. Dimi Kyriatzis was called upon as early as the 7th minute, thwarting Kane Richards with a tip round the post as Richards ran through on goal. The Boro thought they had taken the lead in the 13th minute as Matthew Stenson cleverly turned Dan Newton but he was unlucky to see his curling shot thunder back off of the post It was Stenson again in the 26th minute who had a free header in the box, but he was unable to unduly trouble Kyriatzis
The one goal lead was short lived though, as just 4 minutes later home full back Camron McWilliams weaved his way into the box, evading some weak defending, before smashing the ball home from 8 yards, giving Kyriatzis no chance With the score at 1-1 going into the second half there was much to play for, but Royston were pinned back and struggled to get out of their own half with any meaningful possession It came as no surprise, when in the 61st minute the home side took the lead. A forceful run through the midfield area by Tyrell Waite, ended with him sliding the ball through to impish winger Charlie Dowd, who calmly passed the ball into the back of the net, much to the vocal home supporters’ delight. The Crows were forced to push forward a bit more and the game started to open out, good play from substitute Freddie Brown saw him tee up Max Bustamante but his shot was always rising over the crossbar At the other end Kyriatzis had to be alert, as he tipped over a long range effort from Ryan Beswick
Royston returned empty handed from their first away trip of the season, as they slipped to a 3 1 defeat at the Liberty Stadium, home of Nuneaton Borough.
The best chance of an equaliser fell to Carl Mensah as Adam Murray knocked down a Nathan Tshikuna free kick, but the ball would not drop kindly for the big centre half. Indeed, from the resulting break Nuneaton should have put the game out of reach, as a quick counter attack, that looked highly promising, broke down as Revarnelle James overhit the crucial pass.
Substitute James was not to be denied his moment of glory though, as in the 91st minute he made the game safe, working space on the right hand corner of the penalty area he was able to finish low into the bottom corner and give Nuneaton a well deserved first win of the season.
Unused: 12 Keane, 16 Rolfe MOM Carl Mensah
Bedford Town FC have advised that supporters attending the game on Bank Holiday Monday purchase their ticket in advance This will save you money, and also make life easier for you when you arrive at the ground. Please visit: https://bedfordtownfc.ktckts.com/ ADULTS: CONCESSIONS (65+): 16-20 YEARS: 10 15 YEARS: UNDER 10: If you are unable to purchase online, please contact Bedford Town to order your ticket in advance for the same price. PARKING Bedford Town have also asked that supporters make sure to park in the correct car park Do NOT park in the Bedford FC car park next door. They will lock their gates if they are finished before our game, and you won't be able to retrieve your car. Parking is available at the two main car parks at the Eyrie and costs £1 IMPORTANT INFO FOR SUPPORTERS TRAVELLING TO BEDFORD TOWN £10 £7 £7 £4 FREE
Overall, the first half proved a fairly even affair, but it was the home side that took the lead in the 26th minute, as a cross into the box was misjudged by the Royston defence The ball fell at the feet of Timothy Berridge who looked to have missed the golden opportunity presented to him as he dragged the ball back towards the recovering defenders, however, he kept his composure to finish past Dimi Kyriatzis.
The second half remained fairly tight until the introduction of Matt Bateman, which led to a change of shape, opening the game up. The more open spaces created by the switch to 3 5 2 suited the Crows a lot better and began to cause the home side a number of problems. It didn’t take long for the Crows to reap the rewards, as Robson atoned for his earlier miss, with a far post header from Nakatani Brown’s deep cross levelling things up just before the hour mark
Skipper Adam Murray drew a foul 25 yards from goal and Nathan Tshikuna stepped up to drive an unstoppable shot into the top corner At this point, the Crows decided to sit back and try and protect the point on offer. Coalville started to gain some momentum as Luke Shaw saw a curling shot just clear the crossbar Straight afterwards Kyriatzis turned a Chambers shot onto the crossbar before substitute Lewis Williams did well to block the follow up effort. The Ravens thought they had won it in the 88th minute as Shaw popped up in the middle of the 6 yard box, but he could only direct his free header wide of the goal. There was still time for Kyriatzis to save well from Thomas McGlinchey, and it was the away team that was the happier, as referee Simon Kavanagh brought proceedings to a halt
The Crows were not to be kept quiet though and the deserved equaliser arrived in the 73rd minute.
A trip to the early league leaders did not faze the Crows, as they returned to Hertfordshire with a well earned point, following a pulsating encounter at Coalville.
Royston’s 2 best chances both fell to Jarid Robson, the first one looked easier to score, as he skewed the ball wide from the centre of the goal, after good work by Joel Nakatani Brown and Ronnie Henry had set up the chance. The second one saw him head over from a Nathan Tshikuna free kick.
Despite being on top the Crows could not push their advantage home as Coalville re took the lead. A surging run down the right by home skipper Joe Doyle Charles ended in a cross that was expertly finished with a well controlled left footed volley by Ashley Chambers
Royston: 1 Kyriatzis, 2 Newton, 3 Nakatani Brown, 4 Mensah, 5 Murray ©, 6 Henry, 7 Tanga (15 Ironton 78), 8 Mentis, 9 Robson (12 Williams 80) 10 Tshikuna 11 Bustamante Macaire (14 Bateman 54) Unused: 16 Rolfe, 17 Rotimi MOM Joel Nakatani Brown COALVILLE MATCH REPORT
The Crows nearly took an early lead as Max Bustamante latched onto an Adam Murray flick, only to see his effort saved by experienced home stopper Paul White.
Hi everyone, Not a bad result from the travelling Crows last Saturday but considering that our opponents, Coalville, have blasted everyone previously and had achieved maximum points before last Saturday then I feel that not only a point but a good degree of belief can come from the game. We created more chances than our hosts but they were extremely clinical with theirs something that we really need to work on
Last Sunday I popped along to Garden Walk to see the Women kick off their league campaign unfortunately, they were on the wrong side of the result but it was a very enjoyable game I feel a big part of my role is to try to bring us all together. We are very strong if we can all keep together. The Youth, Women, U18s, U23s and the First Team or any team wearing the Crows badge all need to be supported and it is my intention to get the men to integrate even more and to make sure that everyone supports one another!
On to this week ahead and we have had a free week in regards to mid week matches but it’s been an important training time Today we host Stourbridge and although they haven’t got off to the best of starts it’s still early and they are always a tough team to play against.
Cheers for now.
Steve C Photo courtesy of Kevin Richards
Chris and I came up with a game plan, although to be honest, it was Chris that explained it to me! It was more about concentrating on stopping them rather than us taking the game to them and to a large degree it worked The downside to this approach was having to drop a few to accommodate our plan and to achieve our shape and intent As I said it worked but I must say that the lads that got left out took it very well and stayed positive throughout. I’ve said it before on numerous occasions but it really is a squad game and the group is all important.
Please don’t think I’m dripping, I’m certainly not. The boys gave their all and overall they thoroughly deserved the result There’s so much more to come from this group but the team spirit is definitely there!
WHAT'S NEW ON RTFCTV?
O’s Youngster Joins The Crows on Loan We’re delighted to announce the loan signing of Jephte Tanga from Leyton Orient for a minimum of 28 days 18 year old Jephte is a right sided player who made his senior debut for the O’s last season and was rewarded with a professional contract in June of this year. Welcome to Garden Walk Jephte!! Photos courtesy of Leyton Orient FC
On Monday the draw for the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup was made. The Crows were drawn to face local rivals Hertford Town away. The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday 3rd September Hertford Town are currently sitting 6th in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central. The Blues play at Hertingfordbury Park, Hertford, SG13 8EZ a short 30 minute hop down the A10 from Royston. Keep an eye on our social channels and the website for more info.
WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS
mi Kyriatzis (Goalkeeper) ecent addition to the Crows squad having joined us from Bedfont Sports Dimi's clubs include Brentford and Inter Leipzig u Adjaye (Defender) defender who re joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes ng Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team he 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before o Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town. Murray (Defender) ined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons bridge City where he made 60 appearances He quickly settled into the squad proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows.
Henry (Defender) or the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at y Town Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to 2 games for Stevenage (the club’s all time record appearances) in two spells wn. 020/21, Centre Back Dan's previous clubs were is a calm and confident defender and cousin of whojoinedtheCrowsfromWelwynGardenCityat clubs include Bedford Town, Harpenden Town, ostersandColneyHeath. om Kettering Town, where viously played for Hemel ns Joined the Crows this Cockfosters, Colney Heath efender, Spyros re joined ding, he previously played at Garden Walk Dan is an experienced and Dunstable Town.
GeorgeIronton(Midfield) 26yearoldmidfielderwhojoinedtheCrowsthissummerfromWelwynGardenCityFC wherehespent4years Hasimpressedinpreseasonandisrelishingtheopportunityof playingatStep3 PreviousclubsincludeTringAthletic,Cockfosters,BartonRovers,Arlesey Town,HitchinTown,Ware IsaRotimi(Midfield) YoungmidfielderwhosignedfortheCrowsatthebeginningofseason2019/20,Isa previouslyspenttwoseasonsatColneyHeath. NathanTshikuna(Midfield) FeaturedanumberoftimesfortheCrowsinpreseasonandhasimpressedenoughto joinSteveCastle’ssquadforthecomingseason Nathan’spreviousclubsincludeBedford Town,KempstonRovers,BartonRoversandAFCRushden&Diamonds Nathanscoredan impressive11goalsin44appearancesforRushden&Diamondslastseason MattBateman(Forward) RejoineduslastseasonfromHemelHempstead,wherehespentaseasonaftermoving fromtheCrows.MattsignedfortheCrowsatthestartofseason2019/20andscoredan impressive24goalsin41gamesduringthatseasontoearnhismovetoHemel.Previous tothatMattplayedabigpartinBerkhamsted’spushforpromotionin2018/19wherehe netted43timesin54appearancesforTheComrades. MaxBustamante-Macaire(Forward) The18yearoldstrikerimpressedinpreseasonandhassignedfortheCrows Maxisa formerChileanyouthplayerandhasrepresentedhisnationalsideatUnder15,Under17 andUnder18levels HispreviousclubsincludeBarnetFCandStevenageFC Whilstat Stevenage,MaxhadloanspellsatKingsLangley,BiggleswadeTownandBedfordTown JoelNakatani-Brown(Defender) Joelisa22yearoldleftsideddefenderwhohasimpressedduringpreseasonandjoins theCrowsfortheir2022/23SouthernLeaguePremierCentralcampaign Joel’sprevious clubsincludeWestfield,FCRomania,CockfostersandWalthamstow hteTanga(Forward( ecentloansigningfromLeague2sideLeytonOrient.18yearoldJephteisarightsided yerwhomadehisseniordebutfortheO’slastseasonandwasrewardedwitha fessionalcontractinJuneofthisyear.
"The Glassboys" were founded in 1876 and were originally known as Stourbridge Standard Top honours eluded the club until the 1887 88 season when the Kidderminster Cup and the Worcester Charity Cup was won By that time, it is known that that the club had changed its name to "Stourbridge Football Club" and were competing in the Birmingham and District League, where reasonable success was achieved without actually gaining the league title, but the Worcestershire Senior Cup was won on three occasions
STOURBRIDGE FC Club History
In 1971
After the Second World War, "The Glassboys" (reflecting the town's connection with the Cut Glass industry) enjoyed a particularly successful period with the Birmingham Combination Championship achieved in 1952 and the Birmingham, Worcestershire and Herefordshire Senior Cups were also won too during this particular era.
Subsequent Midland Division form was mediocre too, despite three good F A Cup runs, and a disastrous run of results in 1987 88 led to a relegation spot, however fortune was on the club's side and we were re elected to the League in the close season
The club returned to the Birmingham League in 1954 on the disbanding of the Birmingham Combination and were runners up in 1955 56. The Birmingham Senior Cup was won for a second time in 1958 59 and later, the 1967 68 season saw the club achieve a 'double' in lifting both the Worcestershire and Birmingham Senior Cups.
TODAY'S OPPONENTS
Stourbridge then went on from strength to strength, culminating in winning the Midland Division Championship in 1991 under the managership of John Chambers But disappointment followed when Southern League officials refused promotion due to the shared use of the Ground with the Cricket Club 1992 93 also proved to be a truly remarkable season Our league form was inconsistent, however following a memorable run in the Barclays Commercial Services (Southern League) Cup we reached the final, where despite the resignation of John Chambers as manager in the lead up, we upset the form book by recording a 3 2 aggregate success over Southern League Premier Division champions Dover Athletic to win the trophy. After a mixed start to the 1995 96 season, the Club parted company with boss Colin Gordon at Christmas and then Chairman Morton Bartleet took control of team affairs. He led the side to the 1996 Worcestershire Senior Cup final where the Glassboys lost 4 3 on aggregate to Bromsgrove Rovers.
Another highlight in 1973 74 was a tremendous run in the Welsh Cup, in which we disposed of both Swansea and Wrexham on their own grounds and then faced Cardiff City in a two leg final A record crowd of 5,726 saw the Glassboys lose the home leg 1 0 and then also go down 1 0 at Ninian Park Four seasons were spent in the Premier Division of the Southern League between 1974 and 1984, but little of note was achieved except for a Worcestershire Senior Cup Final victory over Kidderminster Harriers in 1981 Two centre forwards were also sold, Steve Cooper to Torquay and Tony Cunningham to Lincoln City during this time
the club was elected to the expanding Southern League and soon enjoyed success under manager Alan Grundy in the 1973 74 season, with the Division 1 (North) title and the Merit Cup (for the league's highest goalscorers) coming to Amblecote. Twin strikers, Ray Haywood and Chic Bates, each notched 50 goals that season and were transferred to Shrewsbury Town, where Bates served 13 years as both player and manager.
The 1923 24 season was one of the best in the club's history, when the Birmingham League championship was clinched by finishing seven points clear of Shrewsbury and the Worcestershire Senior Cup was won yet again.
October 1997 saw a new Chairman at the club and many impressive signings for the 1998 99 season were made under the guidance of a new manager, Steve Daniels. However early season success proved short lived as budget cutbacks then saw many of the more experienced players move on. The club finished in mid table and shortly after the end of the season, Daniels resigned as manager, and player/coach Micky Guest was promoted as his successor. The club suffered a torrid period on and off the pitch at the start of the 1999 2000 season and Micky Guest resigned. Meanwhile a new owner came to the club, and swiftly appointed Mark Serrell as Chairman and Mark Harrison as Manager. Despite an influx of new players, continued poor results meant the bell finally tolled on our 29 year spell at Southern League level with defeat in the last game of the season at Hinckley United in May 2000. We finished in 5th place in our inaugural season in the Midland Football Alliance, but the highlight of the 2000 01 season w th t f th MFA D i L C W d i t ious over Bridgnorth Town following a d w, to collect our first silverware for eight The 2001 02 seas 1 victory at League Champions Stourp Mark Harrison, with the former Bilston T remained amongst the front runners in nal Saturday of the season, we were c time goal by Brian Gray earned the po Joe Jackson again 02 03 Our record total of 101 league of Rushall Olympic and Stratford Tow 0 win at Rushall Promotion though lace at the time Joe Jackson declin placed by Jon Ford and Gary Hacket msgrove The new management team half of the season saw the Glassboys In 2004 05 we enj ompetition We put up a tremendous d ng to a 4 1 defeat after extra time In year, but after our exit from the Vase at we slipped down the league table an In May 2005 Gary step down due to work and family co Step 4 level on the cards, we looked t orts were made to enable the club to ng the last week of the season, a lea o a 1 0 defeat to Willenhall Town in the Final of the Birmingham Senior Cup and then four days later, we were pipped to the MFA title by Chasetown and had to settle for the runners up spot. Mark Bellingham had hit 61 goals for the season to break the club record, while his tally of 48 goals in the MFA also smashed the league record. An anxious two week gap followed before we received confirmation of promotion and a return to the Southern League after six years at the lower level. In our first season back in the Southern League Midlands Division, a respectable 7th place finish in 2006 07 was achieved. We also reached the final of the Worcestershire Senior Cup, but following a goal less draw at Amblecote in the first leg of the final against Evesham United, we were somewhat unluckily beaten 2 1 aet away in the second leg. In the 2007 08 season, an excellent run of results during March and April saw us seal a third place finish in the Midlands Division to reach the play offs A narrow 1 0 win at home to Sutton Coldfield took us through to the Final away at second placed Leamington and in front of a crowd of 1 634, a stunning goal from Leon Broadhurst four minutes from the end of extra time sealed a 2 1 victory to earn us a second promotion in three seasons and a return to the Premier Division of the Southern League after a gap of 24 years!
In 2009 10 Gary Hackett became the first Stourbridge manager to take the club through to the First Round Proper of the F A Cup with the Glassboys earning a home tie with Walsall. In front of a crowd of 2,014 at the War Memorial Athletic Ground the Saddlers ran out narrow 1 0 winners on a momentous day for the club. Some excellent results in the second half of the campaign also saw Stourbridge finish in 9th place in the league. 2010 11 saw the Glassboys taste cup final success as we defeated Worcester City 2 0 to lift the Worcestershire Senior Cup at Kidderminster Harriers. Another solid Premier Division season ended with Stourbridge finishin 8th In 2011 12 we rea three seasons and after a fabulous 3 of 2,519 saw the Glassboys defeat t s to reach the 2nd Round Proper for t nded by Stevenage who won 3 0 a also remained in contention for the re saw us just miss out on goal differe We got our 2012 y at Kidderminster Harriers enabled u from the previous season, but our e wards though, we showed more con pot in the Premier Division The Wor pril 2013, but we needed penalties t d ended goal less, however a week la home by Gosport Borough in the sem In 2013 14 the clu once again A 4 1 home victory ove d us an away tie at Stevenage where w w at Hitchin Town secured 5th spot a semi final we were beaten 2 1 at lea We were moved e members of the Northern Premier L pointing campaign, a dismal run of one lace. A host of new sig 2015 16. Another remarkable run in and Dover Athletic saw the club reach the Second Round Proper once again before going down 2 0 to Eastleigh in front of 2,086 at the War Memorial Athletic Ground and we also reached the last sixteen of the F A Trophy before succumbing to Nantwich Town. There was some late season disappointment, however, when defeats in our last two league games saw us consigned to a 6th place finish, therefore narrowly missing out on the play offs. The club once again enjoyed success in the F A Cup in 2016 17. In the 2nd Round Proper the Glassboys defeated League One club Northampton Town at home 1 0, in front of a crowd of 2,520, to famously reach the 3rd Round Proper for the first time in our history, where with the backing of over 2,000 travelling fans, we fell to a narrow 2 1 defeat away at Wycombe Wanderers. Soon afterwards defender Dan Scarr was sold to Birmingham City for a five figure sum. A strong April saw us finish 3rd in the Premier Division to secure a play off berth, but after overcoming Workington at home in the semi finals, we lost 1 0 away to league runners up Spennymoor Town in the play off final to miss out on promotion
After a difficult start to our return to the Premier Division, we eventually acclimatized to life at the higher level with a final placing of 16th. We also reached our third senior cup final in four seasons with a fine run in the Birmingham Senior Cup, however we once again suffered heartbreak in the final as Hednesford Town defeated us 2 0 at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium.
The 2017 18 campaign saw the Glassboys have mixed fortunes in the league, eventually ending in 10th place, but the club reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the F A Cup and 2nd Round proper of the F A Trophy and the season ended on a high note with the lifting of the Birmingham Senior Cup with a 2 1 win over Hednesford Town in the Final played at St Andrew's. The Club returned to the Southern League for 2018 19 as a member of the newly created Premier Division Central. Home wins over National League North teams Leamington and Kidderminster saw the Glassboys once again reach the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round before being beaten 3 1 at Guiseley AFC. In the league we held a top two spot for much of the campaign only to slip to 3rd on the final day of the season with a home defeat to King’s Lynn Town. We then had to give up home advantage in the play off semi finals and were subsequently defeated 2 1 at Alvechurch to see our promotion hopes dashed once more.
A day after the pla ff l G H k tt i d hi t t b i th t i d on an outstanding 16 years in charg o followed him in leaving. Ian Long m. Despite a large turnover of players Cup again before losing to Eastleigh d of his duties with Mark Yates subseq was brought to a premature end by The 2020 21 seas ned again, but the Glassboys exited b penalties away to Tamworth after a 0 home defeat to Stamford AFC in th A disappointing sta k Yates in October 2021 with popula hurst subsequently returning to the Gl ue, however some success was enjoye y before losing 1 0 at home to Natio hed the Final of the Birmingham Senio
An experienced an 022 He first linked up with the Glassb Swifts the previous season. Prior to tha also had stints with Gresley Rovers, D eges. Originally a bustling striker, he son and he was a stand out performe he was named as the supporters', manager's and player's player of the year. He left in January 2016 and played more locally with Team Dudley and Lye Town before returning to the War Memorial Athletic Ground nearly twelve months later for the remainder of the 2017/18 season. After starting the following season with the Glassboys, he moved on to Lye Town in November 2017 before spending the past three seasons with AFC Wulfrunians.
CHRIS KNIGHT
WHO ARE YA?
The Birmingham born, former England C International arrived in the summer of 2021 from Barnet FC where he had spen at Stourbridge saw him win the 2021/ d, committed right back who also like ed his career in the youth ranks at Birm ll player boss Paul Merson in Februar all Town and AFC Telford United be our years with the Shropshire outfit, h handed the chance to play League foo m for Cheltenham Town. He was a re that ultimately saw them relegated to overs in November 2015 with that mo 017/18 season he returned to Kidder ional League club Solihull Moors in F ing released at the end of the 2019/2 e more returned to AFC Telford in the curtailed in 2021, he moved to Barn ort term contract at the end of that sea
Experienced and r September 2021 Well regarded for earances and had been a key figure City at the start of the 2015/16 seaso
LEE VAUGHAN
Stourbridge FC Player Pen Pics
CHARLIE PRICE
A strong central defender who re joined Stourbridge for a second spell in December 2021. He first came to prominence at Kidderminster Harriers where he progressed from the youth set up to the fringes of their first team before joining Redditch United for the 2010 11 campaign. The following summer he moved on to Hinckley United before linking up with Stourport Swifts in September 2011 and then later that season returning to Redditch. He joined Halesowen in the autumn of 2012, and he spent three and a quarter years there before moving to Stourbridge in February 2016. He was with us for eight months but found his opportunities limited at times After a brief 'loan' stint with Tividale, he signed for Rushall Olympic in October 2016 and then in June 2019 he left the Pics to move to Bromsgrove Sporting before signing for their Worcestershire neighbours Alvechurch FC in December 2019
Goalkeeper who first joined the club in May 2015 from Tividale and he made 14 appearances for the Glassboys in 2015 16 before ending that campaign on dual registration to Lye Town. He moved to Alvechurch in the summer of 2016 after his year at Stourbridge but in June 2019 he returned for a second stint at the War Memorial Athletic Ground. Some strong performances early in 2020 saw him go on to secure the no. 1 jersey and he has been the first choice stopper since then.
JACK WILSON
JOE HULL
The experienced midfield campaigner joined the Glassboys from Leamington in the summer of 2022 He was with Wolves as a schoolboy. After being released at the age of 16 he had a break from the game before resuming playing for Redditch United. He also had a spell 'on loan' at Cinderford Town. Spells followed at Tividale and Boldmere St Michaels before he subsequently made the move to Alvechurch in 2006 where he enjoyed four good years before signing for Kidderminster Harriers in August 2010 and moving into full time football where he spent five seasons and made over 150 appearances In the summer of 2015, he joined Solihull Moors, but he spent the last month or so of the campaign on loan at Leamington FC. He initially signed for AFC Telford for the 2016/17 season, however by October 2016 he was back with Leamington and he went on to chalk up over 200 appearances for the Warwickshire outfit over the course of the next five and a half years or so, helping the Brakes to win promotion to the National League North via the play offs and win the Birmingham Senior Cup three times REECE KING
CALLUM GITTINGS
ALEX MOORE
The rugged 6ft 3 ins tall central defender first came to prominence with spells at Sutton Coldfield Town and Tividale He returned to Sutton Coldfield in the summer of 2012 before joining us in March 2014 just before the transfer deadline. That summer he opted to make the move to Halesowen Town for linking up with Sutton Coldfield for a third time in February 2015. He remained with the Royals for the 2015/16 season before joining Rushall Olympic in the summer of 2016 In December 2016 he was handed the chance to move up the levels with Solihull Moors and enjoy a spell playing in the National League Twelve months later he joined Tamworth on loan initially before making the move more permanent in March 2018. He agreed a 1 year deal with the Staffordshire outfit that summer to remain with the Lambs for 2018/19 but in June 2019 he joined Nuneaton Borough. In August 2021 he left the Warwickshire club to link up with Bromsgrove Sporting and he was subsequently appointed as captain of the Rouslers MOUSSA KOITA
A creative midfielder who is also adept at dead ball situations He was signed from Rushall Olympic in the summer of 2022 having been the Manager's Player of the Year for 2021/22 after consistently strong performances for the Pics. Often referred to by his nickname 'Scholsey', he was initially at the Walsall FC academy until the age of 14. He would later return to Walsall to take up a post within their Football Community set up On the playing side he played for Wolverhampton Casuals and Shifnal Town before joining Wolverhampton Sporting Community where he was a key member of their West Midlands Regional League Premier Division title winning side of 2017/18. He subsequently made the step up with Sutton Coldfield the following season before signing for Rushall Olympic in the summer of 2019. He spent three years with Rushall before making the move to the War Memorial Athletic Ground.
Linked up with the Glassboys for a second spell in the summer of 2022 after agreeing a move from Bromsgrove Sporting He previously had a brief stint at Stourbridge towards the end of the 2013/14 season, making one substitute appearance
JOEL KETTLE
The French passport holder is an athletic midfielder who looks to get forward when he can. He impressed in friendly matches ahead of the 2022/23 campaign having previously featured for Team Dudley in the West Midlands Regional League since April 2021.
Signed for the Glassboys from Buxton in 2021. The tall, powerful central midfielder began his career at Malvern Town, making his first team debut in the 2011/12 season at the age of 16 He chalked up over 100 appearances for them before he signed for Gloucester City ahead of the 2017/18 campaign following a successful trial spell In September 2017 he joined Hednesford Town initially on loan before making the move to Keys Park more permanent towards the end of that year. In the 2019 close season he signed for Leamington FC, however after being restricted to a handful of substitute appearances in his first month at the Warwickshire club, he opted to re join Hednesford Town where he then continued to be one of the mainstays of their side In February 2020 he completed a move to Buxton FC, linking up again with Gary Hayward and he remained with the Bucks for the truncated 2020/21 season before deciding to join a club closer to home for the 2021/22 campaign.
JASON COWLEY
A promising attacking midfielder or winger signed in August 2021 after successful trials. He progressed through the youth and reserve ranks into the first team fold at Worcester City in 2018/19 He had a couple of loan stints at Malvern Town before making the move on a more permanent basis during the 2019/20 season He has also more recently been involved with the Kidderminster Harriers academy set up and he also linked up with Lye Town in October 2020
A hard working forward who likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender and look to get in behind down the channels He signed for Stourbridge in September 2021 from Hednesford Town and at the end of season awards in May 2022 he was named managers ’ player of the year as well as winning the supporters award The much travelled striker started out in the youth system at Hednesford before making his first team debut in April 2007 Spells followed with Grantham Town, Coalville Town and Shepshed Dynamo before a move to Chasetown in October 2009 saw his playing career really take off 13 goals in 15 appearances brought him to the attention of then Conference Premier outfit Forest Green Rovers and he signed for the Gloucestershire club in January 2010. He spent the next four years at Forest Green, although a ruptured ACL in February 2013 put him on the side lines for eight months. In January 2014 he joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the 2012/13 season before he was released by Forest Green at the end of that season. In 2014, he signed a 2 year deal with Kidderminster Harriers, however the move didn't really work out. In October 2014 he was loaned out to Tamworth, and ended up spending most of the remainder of the season with the Lambs He started the following season back at Kidderminster before linking up with Macclesfield Town, on loan, towards the end of October 2015 In May 2016 he signed for Gateshead before he moved to Tamworth in January 2017 In November 2017 Reece was transferred to Darlington for an undisclosed fee and he became something of a cult figure there with 18 goals in 33 appearances before he was sold to Alfreton Town in October 2018 In May 2019 he signed for Hereford before moving again to Bromsgrove Sporting in February 2020, but he made only one appearance for the Rouslers before the covid 19 pandemic brought a premature end to the season. He agreed a move to Buxton FC for the 2020/21 season that proved to be a short lived affair and then in May 2021 he returned to Hednesford for a second stint. Reece has also featured for Gibraltar in both UEFA Euro qualifiers and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Joined the Glassboys from AFC Telford in 2020
The livewire striker joined from Bromsgrove Sporting in the summer of 2021 He first caught the eye with Redditch Borough where his goals helped them to win the Midland Combination Division 3 title in 2015/16 He signed for Redditch United in the summer of 2016 but with opportunities limited there he joined Bromsgrove Sporting on dual registration in September 2016 The exciting attacker soon became a pivotal player for the Rouslers as he played a significant role in the Worcestershire side winning three promotions in a row with Sporting climbing from the Midland Football League Division One to reach the Southern League Premier Division Central in May 2019. He scored twice as Sporting beat Corby Town 4 3 AET in the Southern League Division 1 Central play off final and took his tally to 107 goals in 127 appearances for the club. His goalscoring prowess had not gone unnoticed and shortly afterwards he signed for Stevenage FC. However, the Hertfordshire club had a 2019/20 season to forget, going through four managers before the covid 19 pandemic brought a halt to proceedings in March 2020 He had a loan stint with Solihull Moors early in 2020 before being released by Stevenage in the summer of 2020 He subsequently signed for Macclesfield Town only to see the Silkmen wound up a few days later due to outstanding debts to leave him unattached again In October 2020 he re joined Bromsgrove Sporting and made a handful of appearances before the Southern League season was halted early in November 2020 At the beginning of 2021 he joined Kidderminster Harriers on loan and he made a favourable impression with the Aggborough club before the National League North campaign also came to a premature end the following month and he returned to Bromsgrove.
The Suffolk born playmaker can operate at the head of a midfield diamond or out wide He started his career with his hometown club, Ipswich Town, before spending time on loan at Yeovil Town, later making the move to Somerset on a permanent deal He has also had two spells with Kidderminster Harriers, as well as stints with Newport County, Solihull Moors and Tamworth respectively before signing for AFC Telford in the summer of 2018 He made 64 appearances during his two seasons with AFC Telford United and netted seven times for the Shropshire outfit.
DARRYL KNIGHTS
ETHAN MORAN
REECE STYCHE
A skilful left sided winger who started at Derby County where he progressed through the ranks to make 2 first team appearances with his debut coming in October 2009 He also spent time on loan with Solihull Moors, Macclesfield Town and AFC Telford United Following his release by the Rams he signed for AFC Telford United in August 2011, but with opportunities limited, he joined Worcester City in January 2012. He moved on to Boston United in March 2013 before signing for Barrow that summer. In October 2013 he joined King's Lynn Town on a month's loan before linking up with Corby Town the following month again on loan Greg flourished there, eventually joining the Steelmen on a permanent basis He spent two and a half years with the Northamptonshire side, playing his part in their 2014 15 Southern League Premier title success with over 20 goals that season He moved on to Tamworth in the summer of 2016, but in January 2017 he joined Nuneaton Town where he was re united with Tommy Wright, his former boss at Corby. When Wright became manager of Darlington in November 2017, he soon agreed a move to the north east and made 16 appearances for the Quakers netting once He signed for Stourbridge in the summer of 2018 and scored 24 times to be the outgoing Manager’s Player of the Year for 2018/19 He transferred to Bromsgrove Sporting in October 2019 but was brought back to the Glassboys for a second stint during the summer of 2020 by Mark Yates. He missed the vast majority of the 2021/22 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury in August 2021 but resumed playing in July 2022 ahead of the latest season.
A promising young left sided defender who was signed after performing well in friendly matches ahead of the 2022/23 season. He was previously with the Walsall academy where he played for the U18’s. He then spent the second half of last season with Haverfordwest County in the Cymru Premier
HARRY LEWIS
Another teenager to have made his first team debut last season having featured regularly for our academy side and for Team Dudley in the West Midlands Regional League. He has shown his versatility by featuring in midfield, up front and at right back at various times
ALEX WORLEY
GREG MILLS
RACKEEM REID
ELLIOTT BALL
Teenage wide midfielder or attacker who progressed into the first team fold from our youth set up last season, making his senior debut at Lowestoft Town in April 2022. He is the son of former Bromsgrove Rovers and Stourport Swifts striker Richard Ball who now manages our U21 team. Elliott spent time in the Walsall academy set up before linking up with Stourbridge
TYLER SMITH
A talented and hardworking wide player or attacker signed from Rushall Olympic in the summer of 2022 who brings pace and power. He was a scholar at Chasetown before linking up with Paget Rangers. He then headed off to university in Nottingham in 2014 and went on to play for Belper Town and Long Eaton United before a campaign with Quorn FC in 2019/20 brought him to the attention of Rushall boss Liam McDonald He joined the Pics in May 2020 and impressed greatly last season
Lively and hardworking teenage forward who progressed from our youth and academy ranks into the first team set up last season, making his senior debut against Coalville Town in the Southern League Cup in October 2021. He also had a stint at Bewdley Town after being dual registered with the MFL Premier Division club
STUART PIERPOINT (Joint Manager)
Returned to Stourbridge in October 2021 as the newly appointed joint manager with Leon Broadhurst and his playing registration was transferred across from Coalville Town at the same time. An experienced and commanding central defender, he originally saw service with Oldbury United and Sutton Coldfield Town and was then recruited by Halesowen Town in the summer of 2005 before joining Stafford Rangers in 2008. In the summer of 2009, he moved on to Nuneaton where he spent two years before signing for Solihull Moors in 2011. Ahead of the 2014 15 campaign he switched to Leamington to link up for a second time with their boss Paul Holleran, but on this occasion the move didn't work out and he joined Brackley Town in December 2014 where he played his part in helping the Northamptonshire outfit to avoid relegation from step 2. He was snapped up by Stourbridge from Brackley in June 2015 and was soon appointed as club captain. He spent four years with the Glassboys and made 165 appearances before moving to Coalville Town ahead of the 2019/20 campaign where he continued to perform with distinction before taking his first steps into management by accepting the opportunity to take charge of the Glassboys.
Returned to Stourbridge in October 2021 as the newly appointed joint manager with Stuart Pierpoint and his playing registration was transferred across from Bromsgrove Sporting at the same time. He holds the Club record for most appearances having made 780 appearances for Stourbridge between 2003 and 2019, scoring 154 times and he enjoyed a well deserved testimonial in April 2014. Leon originally signed for Stourbridge in the summer of 2003 having previously played for Bromsgrove Rovers and Fairfield Villa, subsequently returning to Bromsgrove for a short time towards the end of the 2004 05 campaign before heading back to the War Memorial Athletic Ground. He re joined us for a third stint in October 2009 after a brief spell with Leamington at the start of the 2009/10 campaign. A highly regarded and tireless player who has spent most of his time with us playing in the centre of midfield but has also appeared at left back or centre half. He opted to sign for his hometown club Bromsgrove Sporting in June 2019. The evergreen campaigner chalked up 53 appearances and scored five goals for the Rouslers before being lured back to Stourbridge for a first crack at management.
LEON BROADHURST (Player & Joint Manager)
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP Dimi Kyriatzis Cooper McKinnell Ed Asafu-Adjaye AVAILABLE James Brighton Kelshall Plastics Ronnie Henry David Gray George Ironton Robin Coles Isa Rotimi AVAILABLE Adam Murray Jeff Gill Jay Rolfe Phil Thompson
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP Matt Bateman DFM Matt Clowery Spyros Mentis Mick & Enid Toovey DanNewton CambridgeWine Royston Steve Castle Kelshall Plastics Carl Mensah Alison & Trevor Deards Max Bustamante Royston Town Youth FC Nathan Tshikuna David Gray Jarid Robson Rachel Clowery
Joel Nakatani-Brown AVAILABLE Dan Green AVAILABLE Lewis Williams AVAILABLE Chris Watters AVAILABLE
Dimi Kyriatzis (GK) Ed Asafu-Adjaye Joel Nakatani-Brown Carl Mensah Adam Murray (c) Ronnie Henry Nathan Tshikuna Jay Rolfe Max Bustamante-Macaire Matt Bateman George Ironton Lewis Williams Oliver Williams (GK) James Brighton Louis Tigwell Isa Rotimi Jephte Tanga Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Taylor Newman Kian Harness SQUADS Saturday 27th August 2022 Kick Off: 3PM TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Chay Hathway ASSISTANTS: Jack Coupar, Kenneth Reeves 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Charlie Price (GK) Lee Vaughan Jack Wilson Callum Gittings Joe Hull Joel Kettle Darryl Knights Reece King Chris Knight Jason Cowley Rackeem Reid Moussa Koita Greg Mills Ethan Moran Alex Worley Elliott Ball Tyler Smith Harry Lewis Steve Castle / Chris Watters MANAGERS Stuart Pierpoint / Leon Broadhurst Scott Taylor / Arron Benstead SPORTS THERAPISTS Richard Drewett / Jess Banks TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR: STEVE TUCK
