ROYSTON TOWN vs WELWYN GARDEN CITY - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - TUESDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs WELWYN GARDEN CITY FC Tuesday 14th September 2021 Kick Off: 7.45pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome this evenings opponents Welwyn Garden City FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Southern Football League Challenge Cup 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 this evening’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 Editor 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 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 play- off semi final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers.

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

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

Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh 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 victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 -0.

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

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

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceeded all expectations in our first season at Step 3.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scott Bridges (Midfield) Scott re-joined the Crows in season 2020/21 after spending the previous season at Hayes & Yeading, having been a Crow for four years previously, scoring 71 goals in 194 appearances. Originally with Aston Villa until 2007, Scott then played most of his football at Banbury 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.

SUPPLIERS OF PRIZES FOR THE FAMOUS ROYSTON TOWN FC MEAT RAFFLE

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.

Josh Williams (Forward) Signed for the Crows at the start of last season after spending the previous season at Ware, where he scored 17 goals in 30 appearances, Josh previously played for FC Romania.

Isaac Galliford (Forward) Previously with Hitchin Town, St Neots Town & Hemel Hempstead after starting out with Luton Town. Isaac signed for us for the beginning of 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.

COME ON

YOU

CROWS!

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL Alvechurch match report

by Duncan Easley ROYSTON TOWN FC v ALVECHURCH FC Saturday 11th September 2021

Royston and Alvechurch fought out a 0-0 draw, as both sides struggled to find the spark to break down 2 well-drilled defences.

Royston shaded the first half without really imposing themselves on the visitors, who for their part always looked lively going forward. Chances were at a premium and it took until the 23rd minute for the first opportunity to come as Alvechurch’s Samuel McLintock dragged a shot wide.

The Crow’s struggled to create anything worthwhile, with only a looping Adam Murray header and a stinging Spyros Mentis drive threatening the away goal, with both efforts just clearing the crossbar.

The best spell for the Crows came just before halftime as a James Brighton cross was met by a firm Harry Draper header that was well tipped over by away keeper Daniel Jezeph and Jezeph had to be alert again straight after, as he blocked an Isaac Galliford close-range header, to ensure the sides remained level at the break.

Royston started the second half brightly but continued to struggle to create chances, whilst Alvechurch started to impose themselves on the game. Like the Crows though, they struggled to threaten the goal, as most of their efforts failed to trouble home stopper Joe Welch.

There was a brief flurry of activity in the middle of the second half as Matt Bateman saw a shot beaten away, whilst following the best move of the match, Luke Yates turned Jamie Ashmore’s low cross wide when he really should have scored. But in the end, both teams were left with a point each, which on the overall balance of events was about fair.

Royston: 1-Welch, 20-Newton, 14-Brighton, 5-Murray A ©, 4-Bridges, 19-Mentis, 16-Rotimi (15-Brown 81), 12-Murray M, 10-Bateman, 8-Draper 61 (9-Adams 70), 11-Galliford (17-Williams) Unused: 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 7-Titchmarsh MOM – Dan Newton

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Welwyn Garden City FC Club History Founded in 1921, when the town itself was in its infancy, Welwyn Garden City FC began by playing friendlies before being admitted to the Mid-Hertfordshire League (Divi 2) for the 1922/23 season. The club then moved to the Bedfordshire & District League for one season - 1926/27 (finishing 9th) before joining the Spartan League for season 1927/28, where we stayed until the end of the 34/35 season.

Our first outing in the FA Amateur Cup, 1926/27, saw us lose to Wood Green after a replay in the 1st Qualifying Round. During the 1927/28 season, we gained our first honour, winning the Hertfordshire FA Charity Shield, beating Hoddesdon Town 5-2. We also entered the FA Cup for the first time, losing 7-4 away to Hampstead in the 1st Qualifying Round.

Following a successful 1934/35 season, we achieved our highest ever league position of third place in the Spartan League Division 2 East the club was forced to resign as it couldn’t find a suitable ground on which to play - the Club needed an enclosed ground to enable it to collect gate money, without which it was unable to cover running costs. As a consequence, the club was wound up in July 1935 with debts of just over £20.

This situation lasted until May 1937 when local rivals Shredded Wheat FC, members of the Hertfordshire County League, was wound up by the company management who were frustrated at the team not being allowed to compete in higher-level leagues due to a ban on company teams at those levels. Shredded Wheat management then took the generous decision of making their football facilities available for the re-establishment of a football team in the town, which included a donation to help establish the new team. This enabled the newly-established club to re-join the Spartan League for the 1937/38 season where they finished bottom. In common with all leagues, the Spartan League was suspended in August 1939 due to the war, the club only playing one league fixture. For the remainder of the 1939/40 season, we competed in the East, North & Mid-Hertfordshire Combination and then the Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Combination. However, the club committee was finding it increasingly difficult to raise a team and so in August 1940, they decided, “to carry on with the club with the present committee”. During this time, works teams, particularly those involved in important wartime production such as Murphy’s Radio, became predominant.

Our next recorded action on the pitch is from the 1944/45 season with the club competing in the MidHerts League. Things returned to normal for the 1945/46 season with the club once again competing in the Spartan League, where we remained until joining the London League for the 1950/51 season.

Our three-season stay in the London League lasted until the end of the 1954/1955 season, when we re-joined the Spartan League, where we stayed until 1959. At this time the Club was managed by Harry Hibbs, the former England goalkeeper. Harry being one of two ex-internationals to be in charge of The Citizens, the other being Alex Massie who was capped by Scotland. In 1956 we were elected Associate Members of the Football Association.

After finishing 15th in the Spartan League our next stop was county football with a move to the Herts County League for the 1959/1960 season, where we stayed until the end of the 1969/1970 season.

During this time we moved to our present home, Herns Way, in 1968 and staged our first fixture at senior level, against Knebworth in the Aubrey Cup, on the 16th November that year.

In 1970 the club joined the London League for the second time in our history. However, recurring problems with the new pitch led the Herts FA to deny the club senior status and when the following season the club became a founder member of the Metropolitan London League, it was as members of the Reserve Division 1, where we remained for two seasons before joining the South Midlands League for the 1973/74 season, winning the Premier Division championship at the first attempt - the first championship win in our history. Here we stayed for 24 seasons – our longest uninterrupted period in one league to date.

During this time, in the 1974/75 season, we reached the final of the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy, only to be beaten by Barton Rovers 3-1 on aggregate.1976/77 saw us lose our top-flight status and there began a five-year battle to reclaim it. During these First Division years, the club was to finish no lower than 5th and in 1981/82 we won the First Division title. In that leaguetopping year, we also reached the final of the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy but once again had to settle for runners-up, this time losing 3-0 on aggregate to Stotfold.

The season 1984/85 brought us cup success for the first time since the club was reformed, when under the management of John Sneddonwe beat Pirton 2-0 to lift the first ever Hertfordshire FA Senior Centenary Trophy. At the end of the season, John decided to call it a day and he was replaced by ex-Sudbury Court boss, Ray Sullivan, whose first task was to rebuild the side. Twelve months later we finished runners-up, missing out on the Premier Division title by four points.

In 1986/87 and 1987/88 we lifted the HertsFA Charity Shield, making us only the sixth team to retain the Shield. The close of the 1986/87 season also saw floodlights installed at the HernsWay ground. This was celebrated with a match versus Tottenham Hotspur.

In 1988/89 we gained a top-six league finish along with an appearance in two cup-finals, the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy and the Herts FA Senior Centenary Trophy. However, these were both lost in the space of five days. The 1990/91 season saw yet another cup final loss, losing on penalties in the final of the Herts FA Charity Shield.

Ray Sullivan stepped down as manager in 1990 and so followed a lean spell during which we tried several managerial combinations, including Dave Lawrence, Jock Bruce, former player Pat Maslen and Ian Priest. The closest we came to winning anything was another Herts FA Charity Shield Final appearance, during Pat Maslen’s reign. However, this was lost on penalties.

In 1996/97 the club looked to local man Malcolm Doctor as manager, whom the previous season had guided our arch-rivals Hatfield Town to second place in the South Midlands League. Everyone at the Club was optimistic about glory days returning to Herns Way. Two cup-finals were reached, the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy and the Herts FA Charity Shield but once again we missed out at the final stages.

1997/98 saw the merger of the Spartan League and the South Midlands League to form the Spartan South Midlands League, with the club joining the Premier North Division and finishing high enough (6th) to qualify for the Premier Division the following season.

In 1998, following the departure of Malcolm Doctor, we forged a link with near neighbours Stevenage Borough FC and strengthened our squad with Boro’s EFCO youngsters along with the management pairing of Dave Bullock and Bill Bannister. However, despite reaching the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time, (the furthest the club has ever progressed in the competition to date), the season collapsed midway through and with the break-up of the squad, a battle with relegation followed.

1999/2000 saw a rebuilding process with former SomersettAmbury V&E boss Dave Steadman being appointed manager and being given the task of leading the Citizens into the new millennium.

However the Club’s downward trend continued and at the end of the 2000/01 season, we were relegated to the First Division, thus ending one of the longest unbroken spells in the Premier Division.

Guillermo Ganet was appointed manager in 2002 with the task of restoring the glory days back to the club and after two seasons steered the club back to the Premier Division. Our first season back saw us finish in a very creditable third place. However, the end of the campaign saw the manager and most of the playing squad depart for Berkhamsted Town.

Howard Cowley was given his chance as manager in 2005/06; he brought a wealth of experience from not only the Spartan South Midlands League but also all divisions of the Ryman League. During his tenure, the team achieved a 19 game unbeaten run in all competitions and also equalled our best ever FA Cup run when losing narrowly 2-1 away to the then Conference South leaders Histon in the 3rd Qualifying Round. The team also exceeded its best-ever run in the FA Vase by reaching the 5th Round only for an administrative error to deny them the chance to go even further.

The 2006/07 season saw the club achieve fourth spot in the league, becoming the only side to beat eventual League and Cup champions Edgware Town at their White Lion ground whilst doing the double over local rivals Hertford Town with two fine victories.

Following the departure of Howard Cowley, a quick succession of managers tried to revive the fortunes of the club. However, this did nothing to ensure success; in fact, it had the opposite effect with relegation back to the First Division at the end of the 2009/10 campaign. A feature of the 2009/10 season was the forming of an ‘A’ team, managed by Simon Braine assisted by Mark Zienkowicz, which won the North & Mid-Hertfordshire League.

2010/11 saw our poor form continue, against a background of severe financial struggle which at one time threatened the survival of the club. This wasn’t helped by having three managers during the season, Phil Read, Rob Pattwell and Simon Braine. The latter, with the help of assistant manager Adam Fisher, helped to steer the club away from potentially ruinous relegation. Adam then moved on to Barton Rovers FC as their Assistant Manager.

2012/13 saw manager Scott O'Donoghue working alongside Pablo Ardiles as his assistant. Scott left at the end of the season and was replaced by our former player and assistant manager Adam Fisher, assisted by another former player, Richard Teixiera.

In his first season in charge in 2013/14, Adam led us to a highly creditable fourth place in the First Division, having challenged for promotion until the final run-in. A feature of the season was 51 goals from striker Jason Caswell, a new club record, outstripping Terry Hayes' previous best of 47 from the late 1980s. Jason was ably assisted by strike partner Joel Norris, who scored 33 goals as the side topped 100 goals for the season.

The 2014/15 season was one of the most successful for many years with a First Division Championship and Cup ‘double’.We won the division title by seven points, ahead of FC Broxbourne Borough – who were promoted alongside us–and took the Division 1 Cup for the first time - thanks to a 2-0 final victory over Crawley Green at Langford FC. Joel Norris surpassed his 33 goals of the previous season by scoring 41 in the campaign and was deservedly voted player of the season by both the management and his fellow players.

The highlight of the 2015/16 season was winning the Spartan South Midlands League Challenge Trophy for the first time, having lost in the final of this and it's South Midlands League equivalent on four previous occasions. We were also runners-up in the Dudley Latham Memorial (Premier Division) Cup. The following season, 2016/17, was one of consolidation on and off the pitch as extensive ground improvements were completed, necessary for us to compete at a higher level.

2017/18 was one that supporters will remember for a long time. On the 12th November 2017 Tottenham Hotspur Ambassador and World Cup winner Osvaldo Ardiles unveiled stadium upgrades – which included two turnstiles from the old White Hart Lane donated by Tottenham Hotspur - after we had received a Premier League grant. The league championship was won for the first time since the merger of the Spartan and South Midlands leagues and is only the second title ever for the club at this level. Even the disappointment of yet another defeat in the final of the Hertfordshire FA Charity Shield – our sixth defeat in nine finals –and another loss in the final of the Dudley Latham Memorial (Premier Division) Cup couldn’t overshadow the achievement of Level 4 football in the Southern League for the first time in our history.

Acknowledgements: Our thanks for historical information go to: Hertfordshire County Council Library and Archive Service (for allowing access to back copies of the Welwyn Hatfield Times and its forerunners) and the Football Association Archive and Roy Williams

WHO ARE YA? Welwyn Garden City FC Player Pen Pics Dave Keenleyside (midfield) Signed from Hertford Town, after an outstanding season in the SSML with Harpenden Town. Picked in the SSML team of the season for two seasons running and that league’s ‘Team of the Decade’. Talented passer of the ball and very creative in midfield, who has also played for St Albans and Dunstable.

Jesse Walklin (midfield) Played most of his early football on the South Coast for the highly successful Southampton-based outfit Sholing FC, in both Southern and Wessex League football. Combative, hard tackling midfield, who has also played representative football while at Newcastle University. Captaining the side for a third season.

Lee Close (defender) Combative, adaptable player, equally at home in central defence or midfield. Rejoined for two seasons ago having finished previous season at Barton Rovers. Began his career with Borehamwood.

George Ironton (midfield) Son of manager Nick and in his second spell with the club having been a regular in their SSML days five seasons ago. Creative midfielder who has also seen service with Cockfosters and with Tring Athletic.

Jay Rolfe (defender) Very consistent performer at the heart of the defence and very adaptable if needed. Has been at the club for five seasons, after joining from Cockfosters. Very popular with all at the club.

Charlie Payne (midfield) Left-sided midfielder who was previously with Baldock Town. Creative player with a very good left-foot.

Son of former Watford, Peterborough and Barnet midfielder Derek Payne.

Elliot Bailey (forward) Rejoined the club two seasons ago, having played the second-half of the 2018-19 campaign at Herns Lane. Experienced forward, who has previously played with Hitchin Town, St Albans and Hertford.

Jack Vasey (forward) Signed two seasons ago from Bedford Town. A local Welwyn boy, who has seen service and scored goals for Borehamwood, Royston Town and Cambridge City, prior to joining Bedford.

Jon Sexton (full-back) One of the club’s longest-serving players, who joined from Cockfosters six seasons ago. Briefly left for a short spell at Berkhamsted two seasons ago, but re-joined the Citizens at the start of 2020.

Joe Bennett (full-back/midfield) Joined the club for the curtailed 20-21 season from Newmarket Town, upon his return to live in Herts.

Had previous experience with Potters Bar Town of the Isthmian Premier Division.

Carl Mensah (centre back) Rejoined at the start of the 20-21 season from Bedford Town, for his third spell at the club. Tall centre back, who also played briefly at Kempston Rovers and Bedford Town. Has also played at Tring Athletic.

Charlie Crowley (goalkeeper) Joined the club for the 20-21 season from Isthmian South Central club Waltham Abbey, Experienced keeper, who has also seen service with Wingate & Finchley and Hayes & Yeading.

Ryan Doherty (defender) Powerful young defender who is a product of the club’s Under 23’s side. Originally with Essex Senior Leaguers Hoddesdon Town, he has been a regular performer for the first-team in the last season.

Jordan Kinoshi (winger): Welwyn GC boy, who has signed for the club after returning from the United States last year. Played college football in both New York and California in his six years in the USA. Tricky winger, who was with Luton Town and Norwich City, prior to going Stateside. Had brief spell with St Albans City.

Cyrus Babaie (forward): Athletic, pacy young forward, who has come through from the club’s Under 23 side to claim a spot for the 21-22 season. Began with Hoddesdon Town of the Essex Senior League. Very highly rated.

Jordon Watson (forward): Powerfully built forward who rejoined the club for a second spell from Ware, from whom he originally joined three seasons ago. Troubled by injury, but on his way back to full fitness. Previously served Hertford, Aveley and Tilbury.

Ben Spaul (midfield): Hard-working midfielder, who rejoined the club for a second spell after three seasons with Berkhamsted, where he was captain for a time. Reliable performer, who first came to WGC five seasons ago from Cockfosters.

Matty Campbell-Mhlope (forward): Another returnee to Herns Lane after a couple of seasons away, the former Millwall and AFC Wimbledon junior has played for a number of clubs at both National League and senior Southern League level.

Callum Taylor (midfield): Has also returned to play at WGC for the 21-22 season, rejoining from Isthmian Premier outfit East Thurrock United. Midfielder or full-back who played at Herns Lane two seasons ago, whom he joined from Royston Town.

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TRAVELLERS TALES

By Brian Buck

27th game of the season. (Match 13,408) Tuesday 10th August 2021.

Stevenage 2 Luton Town 2 (Carabao Cup 1st Round) (Stevenage won 3-0 on penalties) att 3,856.

I was all set to go somewhere else tonight, but at around 5 pm the phone rang and I was offered a free ticket for this game, with the only proviso being that I had to pick up and drive the provider of the ticket to the game. On the way, I realised that I would be ‘sitting’ behind the goal with the Luton fans in it. Now, I’m sure that most of them are really nice people, but really, I prefer to watch matches from along the side of the pitch. My luck was soon in when I bumped into another friend, a Luton Town fan, who had obtained tickets in with the Stevenage fans, but really preferred to be with the Luton people.

So, we swapped tickets and I ended up sitting not far from where I usually sit when I come here. No programmes, but team sheets were available for 20p. The match itself was entertaining. Stevenage took the lead on two minutes when a long ball forward caught the visiting keeper out of position and a wide-angled shot went in off a defender. Luton were level on 5 minutes after the ball was slotted home from an unnecessarily conceded free kick. Stevenage then regained the lead on 26 minutes, by way of a direct free-kick from the edge of the area. The Luton (or Looern, according to their chanting fans) keeper was unlucky here in that he seemed to have the shot covered until it took a very slight deflection off a defender and deceived him. Now, had Stevenage held on to the lead until half time I thought that they had a great chance of going on the win the game, but a sudden quickly hit shot on 40 minutes put paid to that. The second half was generally quite even although Stevenage had one short spell when they dominated. In the closing minutes Luton threw everything at Stevenage to try and get the winner, but these days the Stevenage defence is well organised and they held out quite easily. So, onto penalties, and to be blunt Luton were awful. Stevenage converted all three they needed to take. Two of Luton’s efforts were saved and the other went over the bar. By the end, the result was a great confidence booster for Stevenage and a lesson for Luton. Put out a stronger side if you want to win games like this. Their fans were rightly unhappy that they lost to their local rivals 28. (13,409) Wednesday 11th August 2021.

Blunham 0 Soccerlise 6 (Friendly Match) (Played at Moggerhanger Recreation Ground) att 12.

After all the drama of the previous night, we settled for something more low key tonight, although this only applied if you weren’t taking part in the match. Blunham have been around for years, but these days they operate in Division 4 of the Beds County League. Meanwhile, although Soccerlise are new to the league, they have been placed in Division 2. By the end of this game, you could see just why.

Apparently, Blunham were without some of their key players tonight and soon it showed. By the sixth minute, they were 2-0 down with the second goal being scored by a playing lying on the floor. Then after a third goal was scored on 21 minutes the fourth one arrived four minutes after that when a 50yard direct free kick bounced its way into the goal, deceiving everyone. We were sitting on the only park bench at the break, so we heard the Blunham halftime team talk, which didn’t go well, especially as one player subbed himself immediately before the game was due to restart with all players back on the pitch. Soccerlise, looking to be a well-organised side, made some changes themselves and in the second period, the game became more even, compared to the first half. The visitors increased their lead on 69 minutes when the home keeper was caught too far off his line from 40 yards out and the last goal arrived twelve minutes from time. At the end, we spent some time with the ref and I had the feeling that we’d crossed paths before. It turned out that he told me that this was back in June when on one Saturday afternoon he was one of the lino’s in a cup match at Sheering, near Bishop’s Stortford when he was a Hertfordshire based ref. Now he’s moved to the greener pastures of Bedfordshire!

29. (13,410) Thursday 12th August 2021.

Litlington Athletic 3 Melbourn 7 (Friendly Match) att 13.

Garden chair night! I arrived here a bit early and saw a friend sitting by the touchline in his garden chair. Then four Melbourn fans appeared and they took their garden chairs pitchside as well. The good thing about going to a game by car is that you can prepare for all eventualities. So, I opened the boot and after moving my wellies and rain gear out of the way, I found my garden chair and went and joined the other five ‘chair holders’. This was quite an entertaining match, even though some of the goals scored were rather comical. This didn’t apply to the first Melbourn goal, which arrived on 25 minutes as it came from a 25-yard direct free kick. Littlington were level on 38 minutes following on from a bit of ping pong in the area when just about everyone had a swipe at the ball. But before the

game could restart the lino on the far side had had to retrieve his flag. He had given it to what looked like a five-year-old boy who ran off with it! Then on 42 minutes, Melbourn were back in the lead after a back pass was intercepted. Within 96 seconds of the restart, Littlington levelled again. They were soon to tire though and a goal on 60 minutes, after a defensive cock-up, and 64 minutes saw Melbourn go into a definitive lead. But Littlington weren’t quite dead yet as on 79 minutes the visiting keeper managed to push a spinning ball into his own net. But three goals in the last ten minutes sealed a comfortable win for Melbourn in this enjoyable non-friction match, which was well refereed by a gentleman I have seen many times in this area, even though he doesn’t live locally.

30. (13,411) Friday 13th August 2021.

Haverhill Borough 0 May & Baker 2 (Thurlow Nunn League First Division South) att 82.

I hadn’t been this way for a while, so I was surprised to see that they have put up average speed cameras between Linton and Haverhill. Can’t they afford some decent ones? I arrived a bit early, partly to make sure that I got a decent seat in the stand, which I did. This was no real problem as, despite the size of the crowd, people were well spread out and because of this, the stand wasn’t full.

Borough play on the 3G pitch here, next to the one Rovers use for their games. The only problem is that there are no toilets within the Borough complex, so if you need to go then you have to use the ones in Rovers ground. Since my last visit, the 3G pitch has acquired lots of other pitch markings, all in different colours and at times everyone had to be fully focused to make sure that the game tonight was played within the white football markings. Anyway, the game was started a couple of minutes early by the match officials, who were in the latter years of their refereeing careers. They weren’t troubled too much on the night, apart from the closing stages of the game, by which time May & Baker had embarked on a series of time-wasting, theatrical falling to the floor, out of sight of them of course, all complaining of cramp. I recall the old days when refs just played on if a player got cramp.

Furthermore, if you do get cramp, it just doesn’t suddenly go away. After watching a barrage of preseason friendlies, largely gamesmanship free, it was disappointing to see a return to feigning injury once the competitive stuff starts. Both sides were guilty of this. As for the game, it was not a particularly good one and so I was grateful for the presence of some people to talk to during the match. In fact, it was a good night for my erstwhile friend, who won £10 on the 50/50 draw. I did find it a bit strange though that the young lady who approached him to present him with his prize, asked him if he had ticket 126. How did she know? In the first half, M & B were dominant and when they took the lead on 25 minutes, it had been coming. The second half saw Borough play better and soon it was their turn to dominate, but on 83 minutes they were caught on the break and it was effectively game over as Borough didn’t have the wherewithal to stage a comeback.

31. (Match 13,412) Saturday 14th August 2021.

Long Bennington 3 East Leake Robins 1 (Notts Senior League Division 2) att 25 approx.

This game took my fancy, especially as once I joined the A14 at Godmanchester it was only an hours drive to the turn off to Long Bennington, between Grantham and Newark on the A1. Furthermore, there were no roundabouts to encounter. But all was not straightforward on the day. At the start of the week, the host’s opponents were Aslockton & Orston Reserves (3 pm). By Thursday, I think, this had been changed to Colterworth (3 pm) and the next day it had been changed to East Leake Robins. On the league website, the kick-off was now 2.30 pm but East Leake had it down as 2 pm. I took no chances, arriving here shortly after 1.30 pm and it transpired that the 2.30 pm kick-off time was right.

The ground can be found on the north side of the village and with a wide main road passing through it, I’m guessing this is the route the A1 once took. There was no car park at the ground, but there was plenty of street parking available. There is also a clubhouse, but I couldn’t see that it contained a bar.

What it did have though was an excellent tea bar. I had a bacon bap which must have contained at least five rashers of bacon, served to me by a very pleasant lady, wearing her ‘Planet Bake, The Pavilion’ apron. But her main speciality were her cakes which she makes as a hobby and it’s worth coming here alone for a slice of at least half a dozen large ones she’d made. But there was a football match to be watched. The ground is very pleasing on the eye, but not on the ear, as it’s right next to the busy aforementioned A1, even though it’s masked by some trees, which surround just over half the pitch. The pitch itself is flat, having been cut out of some banking on two sides, thus offering decent viewing. There was also a Football Foundation sign here, so I am assuming that they have been involved here. As for the game, it was one I think that the visitors were expecting to win. They looked to have experienced players in their side, whilst the hosts were quite young-looking. It was the hosts who took the lead, on 14 minutes after East Leake started better. The goal came from one of their energetic young strikers and the other one scored their second goal five minutes later when he dispossessed the visitors left back before rifling the ball home from the edge of the area. But on 25 minutes East Leake

pulled a goal back and I felt that they might go on and win the match. But, things didn’t turn out that way, on 66 minutes the two home strikers combined to generate the defining goal. It came from a long diagonal pass from the left, which was met first time by the scorer who guided it home, beating the keeper, who guessed wrong as to which side it would go. There was just time for a bit of stupidity before the final whistle. Firstly, on 84 minutes a visiting player picked up two yellows in a matter of seconds for things he said to the ref and then 10 minutes later a home player was sin-binned for booting the ball away after the ref had given him offside. Overall, a decent day out, with plenty going on. Afterwards, as I supped my remaining coffee from my flask, it was interesting to watch players of both sides walking back to their cars, up the up, still in their full kit, a great reminder of how football used to be!

32. (13,413) Monday 16th August 2021.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Chelsea 2 (Premier League 2 Division 1) (Played at Stevenage) att 766.

Time for a break from my usual Monday night Zoom Meeting, which I host, so I can get out a bit more.

The evening was not without problems before a ball was kicked though. Firstly, they have put up a tall fence in the middle of the dual carriageway outside the ground, meaning that you can’t cross the road to get to the car park and risk getting killed anymore. This is rather annoying for those who do and now you have to walk under the underpass to get to the ground instead, which takes longer. Secondly, they have done away with concessions, so it now costs £5 rather than £2 to get in, which is another kick in the teeth for us hard up pensioners! Thirdly, it's difficult to get a team sheet. There were some, but for officials and scouts only! I did get one, but that was only by asking a scout to get one for me. Even then he was intercepted by a Spurs official who took it from him before he passed the holy grail onto me personally.

What planet do these idiots live on? As for the game, it was one of the better ones we are likely to see here this season. Spurs looked to field a stronger side than Chelsea, which was unusual as the opposite usually applies and indeed, they played Ryan Sessegnon in the first half. For most of the game Spurs were all over Chelsea, but on 20 minutes an incorrectly awarded spot-kick saw them go a goal down and on 43 minutes a defensive slip saw them concede a second goal. However, on 48 minutes, a narrow angled shot saw them pull a goal back and 20 minutes later a powerful 25 yards effort saw them equalise. Then they had a chance to win it from the spot on 83 minutes, but the resultant shot was saved.

33. (13,414) Tuesday 17th August 2021.

Gamlingay United 0 Eaton Socon 5 (Kershaw Premier League) att 40 approx.

This game was fairly local and on this rather dull night, I arrived with about ten minutes to spare. Both sides hadn't started the season without problems. Gamlingay had just come out of a period of selfisolation, and Eaton Socon, seemingly going for the title this year, had lost their first home game of the season 7 days earlier. Consequently, the first half was devoid of much excitement as both sides took time to settle. Socon looked to be the better side but couldn’t find the net until the 40th minute when the ball was dinked past the keeper from ten yards out, although the ref had to chat to the lino before he gave the goal. The same player scored again, on the stroke of halftime when he banged home a 20-yard direct free kick. Meanwhile, our eyes were often drawn to some young lads and an older girl having a kick around behind us. If she was their coach then she did it by example and continually hogged the ball.

She was wearing ripped jeans. If she likes wearing this stuff then I have a few pairs of my old trousers she can have! I think that at the break Socon were encouraged to up their game, as in the second half they were far more energetic. On 52 minutes an overhead kick put them three up and then on 65 minutes there was a scuffle following an overreaction to a loose tackle, cue a yellow each to the main protagonists. Then two further goals in the closing stages of the game saw Socon get the goals their eventual dominance warranted.

34. (13,415) Wednesday 18th August 2021.

Potton United Reserves 2 St Josephs 1 (Friendly Match) att 25 approx.

This match turned up on the clubs weekly info bulletin and after a busy day, it was good to watch something close to home. This was a good game to watch and it got better as it went along. On the immaculately prepared pitch, both sides seemed evenly matched. Potton looked slightly fitter, whilst St Josephs had more experience. It was Potton who took the lead though, on 36 minutes, via a powerful shot from the edge of the area. Talking to the ref at the break, he remarked just how fit-looking Potton were and he considered that with the possibility of St Josephs tiring in the second half, Potton might end up dominating the game. But it didn’t pan out that way. Potton seemed to ease up a bit whilst St Josephs did much better. The score looked to remain the same for the remainder of the game, but we had an exciting finale to the match. On 73 and 87 minutes, Potton had two good claims for spot-kicks turned down later St Josephs had a not so strong claim for one also turned down. On 81 minutes St Josephs equalised when the Potton keeper miskicked a clearance to one of their players, which went to another who hit home from close range. On 87 minutes there was a coming together between the players, but the ref just played on after he got them to separate. Finally, on 89 minutes Potton got the winner.

SQUADS Tuesday 14th September 2021 Kick Off: 7.45PM

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Neil Bailey ASSISTANTS: Gavin Jolley / Ian Pascu

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