ROYSTON TOWN vs TAUNTON TOWN - LEAGUE CUP FINAL 2nd LEG - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - TUES 29th MARCH 2022

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL - SECOND LEG

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs TAUNTON TOWN FC Tuesday 29th March 2022 Kick Off: 7.45pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome tonight's opponents Taunton Town FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Southern League Challenge Cup Final 2nd Leg 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

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.

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

CROWS RETURN FROM SOMERSET WITH A TWO-GOAL LEAD! TAUNTON TOWN MATCH REPORT

By Duncan Easley Royston produced arguably their best performance of the season as they swept aside promotionchasing Taunton Town, of the Southern Premier League, in the first leg of the League Cup final.

Backed by a large number of vocal travelling supporters the Crows were on the front foot right from the very start and were rewarded with the opening goal on 5 minutes. Spyros Mentis picked up the ball in space in the Taunton half and fed the ball through to Brooklyn Ilunga who hammered a left-foot shot past home keeper Connor Sidley-Adams.

Ilunga was causing constant problems down the Crows' left side and following a surging run and cross from him, Matt Bateman’s header forced Sidley-Adams into a fine reaction save, turning the ball away for a corner.

Having made a slow start the home side nearly equalised in the 13th minute as a Jared Lewington shot was tipped away by Dimi Kyriatzis. However, it was Royston who were in control of proceedings both territorially and possession-wise, as the midfield three of Mentis, Newton and Aransibia bossed the centre of the park.

The Crows were rewarded for their superiority right on half time, as a ball over the top found Bateman on the edge of the box. Taking a good first touch he steadied himself and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner to give the away side a well deserved 2 goal half-time cushion.

Needing to claw their way back into the tie Taunton started the second half the stronger but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities against the hard-working Crows. The arrears were nearly reduced in the 62nd minute as a Lloyd James free-kick struck the woodwork, although it looked like Kyriatzis had made a fine fingertip save. Kyriatzis was also on hand 6 minutes later to make another fine save from Gethyn Hill.

It was by no means one-way traffic though as Royston were always a threat going forward and Ilunga saw a well-struck shot hit the post before rebounding to safety.

A goalmouth scramble in the 77th minute saw a Jamie Short shot blocked, with the home players appealing for a penalty, which was dismissively waved away by the referee.

That aside, Royston competently dealt with the closing quarter of an hour and indeed could have had a 3 goal cushion for the second leg, as substitute Brandon Adams fired over before then seeing a shot saved by Sidley-Adams.

The final whistle went shortly afterwards and saw the appreciative Royston players go over to the away support who had vocally backed them throughout the 90 minutes. Celebrations were somewhat restrained, hopefully, full-bloodied ones will be seen at Garden Walk in the second leg of the final on Tuesday 29th.

1-Kyriatzis, 6-Henry, 5-Mensah, 3-Brathwaite (c), 14-Brighton (7-Titchmarsh 74), 19-Mentis, 20Newton, 8-Aransibia (16-Rotimi 82), 11-Galliford (9-Adams 61), 10-Bateman, 17-Ilunga Unused subs - 13-Welch, 12-Newman Man of the Match - Brooklyn Ilunga

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 Taunton Town FC Club History In July 2010 Tom Harris stepped down as Chairman after 29 years and was replaced by Kevin Sturmey who also took on the roles of Chief Executive and Head Groundsman. Since then the club have made major improvements on and off the pitch, continuing to maintain the ambitions to play at a higher level.

The present Taunton Town Football Club was formed in December 1947 by a few local businessmen and played their first friendly fixture during Easter 1948. They then played on a number of grounds such as Mountfields, French Weir, Victoria Park, Huish Old Boys and finished up at Denman’s Park, Haines Hill.

Having joined and played in the Somerset Senior League. The club gained admission into the Western League in 1953 and moved into Wordsworth Drive, whey they continue to play today.

The club struggled financially and depended heavily on a very active Supporters Club during the late 50s and early 60s. 1968/69 saw an upsurge in the club’s fortunes with manager Doug Hillard securing the Western League championship for the first time.

During the middle 1970s Ron Gingell became manager and the club were runners up for four consecutive seasons. In 1977 the club were elected and they became a limited company in 1981. The new board soon decided that Southern League football was too expensive and the club reverted to the Western League in 1983. Seven years later the championship pennant returned to Wordsworth Drive under the management of Keith Bowker.

In 1994 the team then managed by Terry Rowles battled through to the F A Vase final at Wembley Stadium but Diss Town won the trophy in extra time.

Russell Musker was appointed manager in November 1994 and another championship followed in 1996. After two seasons as runners up three consecutive titles followed together with the club’s first ever Cup success – a 2 – 1 victory over Berkhamsted Town in the F A Carlsberg Vase final at Aston Villa’s newly modernised Villa Park stadium. This ended a sequence of 18 defeats in cup finals since the 1950s. Another Cup victory was achieved in 2003, lifting the Somerset Premier Cup for the first time with a 2-1 win over Yeovil Town in a final played at Clevedon Town’s Hand Stadium.

Peter Beadle took over as Manager in 2005 but left after only 14 games to join Newport County and former Hallen manager Gary Domone stepped into the hot seat – after a disappointing start results began to improve and the club won its second Somerset Premier Cup by beating a strong Mangotsfield United side at Weston super Mare. Domone resigned as Manager in December 2007 and was replaced by Ian Jones, who himself resigned in April 2009.

Former player Paul West, who lifted the F A Vase in 2001, took over and rebuilt the team with a local emphasis. West left the club in May 2012 and was replaced by Leigh Robinson. In the previous season the club finished with a run of nine consecutive victories culminating with the club’s third Somerset Premier Cup triumph, beating Frome Town 1-0 in the final played at Paulton Rovers FC. This was especially notable as no goals were conceded in five games.

Off the field the club suffered a major blow in July 2011 when the clubhouse was badly damaged by a fire which was caused by an electrical fault – what remained of the clubhouse was extensively smoke damaged and the whole building had to be demolished. A mobile bar was brought in on matchdays but the following year a modular building was opened despite the original builder going into administration.

2014-2015 was one of the most successful seasons in recent history with fourth place in the League, and the retention of the Somerset Premier Cup, beating Yeovil Town in the final. We also retained the Southern League Groundsman of the Year award and were in face voted the second best club at Step 3 & 4. Our programme also won a prestigious award being voted the best in the Southern League and 18th nationally.

The club reached the play offs for three seasons in a row but finally it all clicked and the West Division title was clinched by a massive 19 points with only one League defeat all season.

Manager Leigh Robinson left in September 2018 but the club maintained its successful run under head of football Rob Dray, assisted by coach Matt Villis. The club finished runners up in the Southern League Premier Division South, but lost out to Poole Town in the end of season play offs as well as reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before losing 1-0 to Billericay Town in a replay.

The last two seasons have been curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic but we were within touching distance of the play offs on both occasions so there is hope for another great season

IT'S GOTTA BE THE BOOTS

WHO ARE YA? Taunton Town FC Player Pen Pics ROB DRAY: HEAD OF FOOTBALL Appointed to the backroom team in the summer of 2016. Previously manager at Bridgwater Town before joining Bideford as assistant manager from 2012 until May 2015. A short spell at Yate Town followed. Has been an integral part of the management team since his arrival at the club and has been in charge of first team affairs since the departure of Leigh Robinson in 2018.

MATT VILLIS: ASSISTANT MANAGER Joined the coaching team in the summer of 2018 after being forced to retire through injury. An experienced centre half who played league football at Torquay United before going on to make more than 100 appearances for Weston-super-Mare plus spells at Tiverton, Bideford and Yate. Joined Taunton in November 2015.

MICHAEL MEAKER: COACH Returned to the club in 2019 after a previous stint as Assistant Manager. Formerly with Queens Park Rangers, Bristol Rovers and Yate Town.

CONNOR SIDLEY ADAMS: GOALKEEPING COACH Played for the club between 2010 and 2013 and also played for Bridgwater town, Clevedon Town and Wellington. Rejoined in 2021 as goalkeeping coach.

ANTHONY CORNISH: SPORTS THERAPIST Anthony rejoined the club in July 2020 after spells with Street and Melksham Town WILL BUSE: GOALKEEPER Signed on loan from Bristol City. Formerly with Dorchester Town and Truro City.

JAY FOULSTON: DEFENDER Defender signed in Summer 2020 from Newport County. Has also played for Merthyr Town and Chippenham Town.

JAKE WANNELL: DEFENDER Joined from Salisbury in Summer 2020. Has also played for Exeter City, Chippenham Town, Poole Town and Weymouth.

IOAN RICHARDS: DEFENDER Signed from Redditch United in Summer 2021. Formerly with Gloucester City and Cheltenham Town, also Port Talbot Town and Newport County.

NICK GRIMES: DEFENDER AND CAPTAIN Signed in 2019 from Tiverton Town. Brother Mark plays for Swansea City. Also played for Exeter City, Slimbridge, Cinderford Town and Truro City.

BEN ADELSBURY: DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER Recruited from Truro City in the summer of 2017. After being on youth forms at both Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City, he joined Salisbury City for two and a half years in 2009. A brief spell at Truro City was followed by nine months at Eastbourne Borough before returning to the West Country and signing for Bath City in June 2013. Rejoined Truro in February 2016. Joint winner of the Players’ Player award for 2017-18.

ROSS STALEY: DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER Returned to the club last season following a spell playing and coaching in Australia. Formerly with Yate Town, Gloucester City and Hereford.

LLOYD JAMES: MIDFIELDER Joined earlier this season on loan from Bath City. Previous clubs Southampton, Colchester United, Crawley Town, Leyton Orient, Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers and Torquay United

JOE GUEST: MIDFIELD Signed from Yate Town on Summer 2020. Also played for Chipping Sodbury Town and Paulton Rovers.

LEE LUCAS: MIDFIELDER Signed from Merthyr Town in Summer 2020. Has also played for Burton Albion, Cheltenham Town and Motherwell.

ZAC SMITH: MIDFIELD Signed in July 2021 after being released by Bristol City. Had a previous loan spell in 2019-2020.

JOE BUDD: MIDFIELD Recently joined on loan from Bristol Rovers ROSS STEARN; MIDFIELD Recent signing from Chippenham Town. Formerly with Bath City, Sutton United and Eastleigh.

DAN SULLIVAN: MIDFIELD/FORWARD After impressing for a Tavistock side which knocked Taunton out the FA Cup in September 2017, he soon moved to the Cygnet Health Care Stadium. Came up through the youth ranks at Torquay United where he made several first team appearances. Moved on to Truro City in January 2015 before dropping into the Peninsula League with firstly Bodmin Town and then Tavistock. His performances saw him crowned Supporters’ Player of the Year for 2017-2018.

TOBY HOLMES: FORWARD Signed from Salisbury in Summer 2020. Formerly with Parley Sports, Poole Town, Dorchester Town and Wimborne Town.

GETHYN HILL: FORWARD Signed from Merthyr Town in Summer 2020. Previous clubs include Cardiff City, Cinderford Town, Weston super Mare and Hereford.

JARED LEWINGTON: FORWARD Signed in Summer 2021 from Tiverton Town. Formerly with Bovey Tracey, Buckland Athletic, Truro City and Torquay United.

HARRY WARWICK: FORWARD Recent signing from Chippenham Town, Formerly with Bristol Rovers.

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

AVAILABLE

Steve Tuck

AVAILABLE

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

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

Contact ALAN BARLOW for details

SQUADS Tuesday 29th March 2022 Kick Off: 7.45PM

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Jack Bloxham ASSISTANTS: Thomas Cartwright, Thomas Frost 4th OFFICIAL: Emily Heaslip

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

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Will Buse Joe Budd Jay Foulston Ben Adelsbury Nick Grimes (c) Jake Wannell Lloyd James Toby Holmes Sully McKenna Joe Guest Harry Warwick Ross Stearn Gethyn Hill Zac Smith Ross Staley Jared Lewington Ioan Richards Connor Sidley- Adams (GK)

MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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Rob Dray / Matt Villis Anthony Cornish