ROYSTON TOWN FC vs STRATFORD TOWN FC - Matchday programme - Saturday 2nd November 2024

CROWS LOOK WHO’S BACK! PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

ROYSTON TOWN VS STRATFORD TOWN SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2024 MATCHDAY SPONSOR:

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

Saturday 2nd November 2024 Kick Off: 3pm Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents Stratford Town FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture.

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

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

TODAY’S MATCHDAY SPONSOR

ROYSTON TOWN OFFICIAL SHIRT SPONSOR

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

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

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, 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 U23 Manager U18 Team Manager Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager

Chris Watters Franco Nacca Roy Smith Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson

Finance Director Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Ground

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

Colours

First XI U23 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 Spartan South Midlands Football League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football League Royston Town Football Club is Limited by Guarantee under the trading name of Royston Town FC Limited (Company Reg No. 14261163)

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CLUB HONOURS WINNERS Herts County League (Div I) 1969-70, 1972-73 Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976-1977 South Midlands League (Div I) 1977-1978 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978-1979 South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978-79, 1979-1980 Herts Charity Shield, 1981-82, 1989-90, 1996-1997 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988-1989 Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989-1990 South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992-1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992-1993 South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995-1996 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998-1999 Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001-2002 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004-2005 KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006-2007 South Midlands League (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994-1995 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008-2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008-2009 KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009-2010 BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011 BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011 South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012 South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012 Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013 Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015-16 Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17 Southern League Challenge Cup 2021/22 Aubrey Cup 2021/22 Hertfordshire FA Women’s Senior Challenge Cup 2023/24 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

IMPORTANT NOTICE

WHO’S GOT WHO? TODAY’S FIXTURES IN THE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION

Whats new on new on

RTFCTV

Y A L P O T K C I L C Y A L P O T K CLIC

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC Records show that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston Town the third oldest club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop’s Stortford.

The club's first notable achievement occurred during the 1911/12 season when they won the Creake Charity Shield by defeating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

In more recent times, Royston achieved significant success when they were promoted to the Herts County Premier League during the 69/70 season. Subsequently, they became champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. The team rejoined the South Midlands League in 1978 and secured the Division One title immediately. The club's success continued with appearances in the Herts Charity Shield final in 1979 and as runners-up in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82, and two years later, Royston joined the Isthmian League Division Two North, remaining there for a decade before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After facing a challenging period that led to relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of the 2006/07 season, Paul Attfield was appointed as the manager, with Tony Galvin returning as the 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Under Paul's leadership, the team underwent significant changes, and a 17-game unbeaten streak propelled them from the bottom of the table to a commendable 5th-place finish in the League. This set the foundation for the successful 2008/09 season, where they secured the South Midlands Division One League title with impressive stats: W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season marked a pivotal moment in the club's history when they clinched the South Midlands Premier Division title, earning promotion to Step 4 in the form of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In their first season back at Step 4 after 19 years, Royston exceeded expectations, consistently performing well and even contending for a playoff spot. However, a last-minute equaliser in the final game dashed their hopes. The following season also saw them reach the playoffs, but the team faced challenges after Paul Attfield's resignation due to ill health. Steve Castle was appointed Manager in December 2013, and the team continued to strive for success, ultimately earning promotion to the Southern League Premier Division, marking the highest level of play in the club's 142-year history.

Seasons 2017/18 and 2018/19 were characterised by solid performances, finishing 7th and 9th respectively in the Premier Division Central. The 2019/20 season proved to be one of the most successful and thrilling in the club's history, with remarkable performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. The team's standout performance in the FA Trophy brought immense pride, especially with victories against higher-ranked teams, although the Concord Rangers quarter-final tie ended in disappointment. Despite strong contention for the league title, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the nullification of the season, leading to bitter disappointment.

Season 2020/21 was met with challenges, including the loss of key players and momentum disruption due to the pandemic. The League season was declared null and void once again due to the second wave of Covid-19.

Season 2021/22 resulted in an eighth place in the league following an inconsistent league campaign.

Performances in FA competitions were disappointing, beaten at Garden Walk by Step 4 Mildenhall Town and also exiting the FA Trophy early, beaten by Kingstonian in a penalty shoot-out. The highlight of the season was wining the Southern League Challenge Cup, beating the Southern League Premier (South) champions Taunton Town 7-0 on aggregate.

With injuries to key players and poor away form in the league season 22/23 ended with a 13th place finish in the table. In the FA Cup & Trophy Royston Town were defeated at the second hurdle, by Hemel Hempstead & Heybridge Swifts respectively.

ASK any manager or coach, proven goalscorers are so desperately hard to come by these days, so, to see not one, but two, Non-League striker legends hang up their scoring boots, it’s only right their achievements are celebrated. Both Sam Higgins and Dave Tarpey have bowed out of the game these last few weeks with their legendary status intact. Stacks of goals wherever they’ve played and trophies gleaming in the cabinet back home.

When Sam Higgins first stepped into Non-League football as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, little did he know he would forge a career to bring joy to so many. After nine years at the Millwall academy and a brief stint at Southend United, Higgins dipped his toes in Non-League waters and the rest was history. In 16 years, Higgins established himself as one the parttime game’s most decorated figures, scoring a whopping 403 career goals and picking up an unrivalled haul of collective and individual accolades along the way.

Undoubtedly, his highlight was an iconic first spell at East Thurrock United, which yielded 275 goals and no fewer than four Golden Boots, at Steps 2, 3 and 4. He also won the Isthmian Premier and North division titles and steered the Rocks to a first-ever Essex Senior Cup success. At Hornchurch, he lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley and Isthmian Premier title as well as a Player of the Year and Golden Boot double. With further success came at Chelmsford City (two spells), Bromley, Canvey Island, it’s no wonder Higgins made such an impact in and around his native Essex But, last week, after picking up a heel injury while playing for Hashtag United, the 35-year-old finally called time on his glittering career, to a social media fanfare from past clubs, managers, teammates and fans. From his first loan spell at Fisher Athletic to his last hurrah at Hashtag United, Higgins was highly regarded by all and will go down as one of NonLeague’s all-time greats.

“It’s been a very long time and, at some point, it had to come to an end, unfortunately,” said Higgins, before admitting he has no burning desire to return to the game in a coaching capacity.

“It was a tough decision, but it felt like the right one. I’ve had quite a few injuries over the last few seasons and a couple of weeks back I had a heel injury which is probably going to take a few months to recover from. Having a lot of injuries can be mentally draining so to be able to come out of it with a sense of achievement is something to be proud of. The thing I will miss most about the game is the people. I’ve met friends for life; managers, players and the people working within the game. Those are the best relationships, ones to last a lifetime.”

Tarpey, meanwhile, has a similar tale to tell. A hat-trick of promotions, a deal to become a professional footballer and a record-breaking goalscoring season, the 35-year-old too boasts a CV that many aspiring footballers could only dream of.

Tarpey announced his retirement last week after rupturing his ACL for a second time, while playing for Marlow against Biggleswade Town in the FA Trophy.

Starting at Basingstoke Town and then Hampton & Richmond, the skilful forward also enjoyed a spell at Farnborough before taking his game to a whole new level at Maidenhead United, scoring 44 goals in their National League South title winning season – still a league record. That earned him a two-year pro deal at National League high-fliers Barnet but Tarpey suffered a serious knee injury on his home debut, prompting a lengthy period of rehabilitation. A stint at Woking saw him rediscover his form before Bracknell Town and Leatherhead led him to a promotion-winning season at Marlow under manager Mark Bartley before his latest injury.

“I always said over the last few years, as long as I can stay injury free I’ll keep playing,” Tarpey told the Maidenhead Advertiser. “I’ve got three children and a fiancé at home who have had to put up with me travelling up and down the country for the last 13 years.I got three promotions, won numerous county cups and I can retire and say for the level I’ve played, I feel I’ve had a great career with what I’ve done. Some people don’t get promoted at all in their career, to say I’ve won three is a great achievement.”

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Tommy Dixon-Hodge (Goalkeeper) Joined the Crows from Kings Lynn Town in the summer of 2024. Started his career with Ross County before moving to Braintree in January 2021. Had a loan spell at Maldon & Tiptree before switching to FC Romania and then rejoining the Jammers. In March 2023 he joined Kings Lynn Town of the NLN. 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.

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.

Harvey Beckett (Defender / Midfield) Signed in July 2024 following his release by Cambridge United. Whilst at The Abbey he spent time on loan at St Neots Town, Concord Rangers and a succesful spell with the Crows at the start of the 23/24 campaign Charlie Johnson (Defender) Rejoined the Crows in November 2023 from St Ives Town, having previously been with us in 2018/19. Charlie started out at the Cambridge United academy and has previously played St Neots Town and Bury Town.

Josh Coldicott-Stevens (Midfield) Made the short trip up the A505 when he joined the Crows from local rivals Hitchin Town last summer. Began his career at Boreham Wood in 2016 and went out on loan to St. Neots and Kings Langley - who liked what they saw, and signed him on a permanent deal. He spent two seasons there before signing for Hitchin Town in the 2019-20 season.

Josh Dawodu (Midfield / Defender) Signed in February 2024. Started his career at Arsenal academy where he spent a decade before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 2017. Signed his first pro contract with the Owls in 2018. Josh was released by Wednesday in July 2022 and joined Hendon. Has also appeared for Braintree Town, Wingate & Finchley and Kingstonian.

Ben Weyman (Midfield) Joined the Crows at the start of this season from AFC Dunstable after winning both their Manager’s and Fans player of the year last season. Prior to joining AFC Dunstable Ben played for Colney Heath and Hertford Town.

Jesse Akubine (Midfield) Started his career at Brentford before moving to Queen of the South in 2017. After 2 years North of the border Jesse joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds before spells with Stratford Town, Bedford Town and Waltham Abbey. Joined the CRows at the start of this season.

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

SAVE

Tyrone Baker (Midfield) Joined the Crows in the summer of 2024. Previously had spells at Potters Bar Tow, St Ives Town, Basildon United, Bowers & Pitsea and Heybridge Swifts.

Zane Hamilton-Campbell (Midfield) Promising and combative young midfielder who joined the Crows at the start of this season. Previous clubs include Sawston United, Newmarket Town and Haverhill Rovers Harrison Rookard (Forward) Joined the Crows at the start of this season from Cockfosters FC. Harrison was Cockfosters’ leading goalscorer last season and won their Players Player award. Previously played for St Magetsbury and Hertford Town .

Tayo Oyebola (Forward) Exciting forward with a gymnastic goal celebration signed from Cray Wanderers in the summer of 2024, Tayo previously spent time at Hastings United, Corinthian Casuals, Marlow and Hartley Witney.

Edu Toiny-Prendred (Forward) Imposing striker who joined the Crows in the close-season. Previous clubs include Watford, Kings Langley, Berkhamsted, Hertford Town, Berkhamsted Raiders and St Mary’s Rattlers (USA) Luke Johnson (Midfield) Luke signed from Gorleston FC in the summer of 2024. Began his career at Kings Lynn Town before a switch to Dereham ahead of his move to Gorleston.

Daniel Izekor (Forward) A summer arrival at Garden Walk. Previous clubs include Ilford, Athletic Newham and Walton & Hersham.

Bradley Roberts (Midfield) A product of the Hemel Hempstead Town U18s, Bradley has signed on a season long loan deal from the Tudors. Made his National League South debut for Hemel coming on as a substitute against Dover in 2023.

Reuben Rabstein (Goalkeeper) Recently rejoined the Crows after coming in at the tail-end of last season. The big shotstopper’s previous clubs include Leverstock Green, Welwyn Garden City, New Salamis, Haringey Borough, Wingate & Finchley.

Archie Locke (Defender) Recent signing from Harpenden Town. Archie is a versatile and commanding defender with an eye for goal. He has also played for Hertford Town.

Eunis Lievins (Midfield) Featured in all the Crows pre-season games and secured himself a deal for the 24/25 campaign. Previous clubs include Mansfield Town, Melton Town and Peterborough Sports

SEASON TICKET & RTYFC CARD HOLDERS

SAVE

Stratford Town FC history

Stratford Town FC history

Stratford Town FC history

Stratford Town FC history

Stratford Town FC history

WHO ARE YA? STRATFORD TOWN PEN PICS

WHO ARE YA? STRATFORD TOWN PEN PICS Dan Vann Previous Clubs played for: Walsall, Stafford Rangers, Chasetown, Matlock Vannsy joined from Walsall where he started in youth team football. Where he progressed to the first team, a few loan spells away from the Saddlers and this brought him to Stratford where the versatile defender has been an inspiration to the dressing room, fully recovered from a season ending injury last year he will be back at whatever position needed.

Dan Lafferty Previous Clubs played for: Coventry City Youths Laffs came straight to Stratford from Coventry City where he went through their youth system, he also gained Northern Ireland youth caps at U17 level.

Lewis Ison Previous Clubs played for: Coventry United, Hednesford.

Former Hednesford club captain joined The Bards in February last year and instantly added the foundation to the midfield, his all-action style made him an instant fan favourite who can score spectacular goals. The 25-year-old had a couple of years in the Bristol Rovers academy before injury stopped his progress.

Tom Solanke Previous Clubs played for: West Brom U21, Stourbridge, Weymouth, Alvechurch, Ilkeston, Boston.

Tom was brought through the youth ranks at West Brom before moving into senior football at Stourbridge he has risen through the divisions and last year was at Boston.

The rock-solid tenacious midfielder was the interest of several higher league clubs this summer, but he chose The Bards.

Josh Hawker Previous Clubs played for: Birmingham, Leamington, Solihull Moors Rushall, Hereford, Halesowen, Midfield general Hawks has returned to Stratford from Halesowen, He was joint top scorer for The Bards last season. His career start in the Birmingham youth set up and he has player at higher levels with Hereford, Leamington, and Solihull Moors.

Charlie Williams Previous Clubs played for: Burton Albion, Leamington, Banbury, Redditch Charlie is a product of the Burton Albion Youth system and had loan spells at Leamington and Banbury before signing for Stratford last season, he made an immediate impression for The Bards in his debut coming on as substitute against Leiston by scoring an injury time equaliser for The Bards.

WHO ARE YA? STRATFORD TOWN PEN PICS

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP TOMMY DIXON-HODGE

DAVID GRAY

CHARLIE JOHNSON

ROBIN COLES

ADAM MURRAY

JEFF GILL

ED ASAFU ADJAYE

JAKE EASLEY

JAMES BRIGHTON JOSH COLDICOTT STEVENS

KELSHALL PLASTICS

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP TYRONE BAKER

AVAILABLE

BEN WEYMAN

STEVE ENDACOTT

HARRISON ROOKARD

KATHERINE THOMPSON

JESSE AKUBINE

PAUL FANTHORPE

JOSH DAWODU

AVAILABLE

LUKE JOHNSON

AVAILABLE

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP HARVEY BECKETT

MICK & ENID TOOVEY

EDU TOINY PENDRED

AVAILABLE

ZANE HAMILTON CAMPBELL

AVAILABLE

DANIEL IZEKOR

PETER MILLER

BRADLEY ROBERTS

AVAILABLE

TAYO OYEBOLA

SLICE OF PRICE

Saturday 2nd November Kick Off: 3PM

ball

Chris Watters / Harry Smart Scott Taylor / Juan Borrageiro

MATCHDAY SPONSOR:

MANAGER Gavin Hurren / Paul Davis SPORTS THERAPISTS Nadine Tipple