ROYSTON TOWN vs WELWYN GARDEN CITY - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - TUESDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2021

HERTFORDSHIRE FA SENIOR CUP

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs WELWYN GARDEN CITY FC Tuesday 12th October 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 Hertfordshire FA Senior 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

SUPPLIERS OF PRIZES FOR THE FAMOUS ROYSTON TOWN FC MEAT RAFFLE

7-UP FOR THE CROWS ON THE ROAD St Ives Town match report

by Duncan Easley ROYSTON TOWN FC v ST IVES TOWN FC Saturday 9th October 2021

A ruthless display of finishing by Royston saw them brush aside St Ives in a somewhat one-sided encounter at Westwood Road on Saturday.

A lively opening saw both goalkeepers make good early saves, as well-struck efforts from Ed Asafu-Adjaye and Michael Richens were tipped away. However, home stopper Paul White could do nothing about Brandon Adams low 20-yard strike that was arrowed into the bottom corner in the 21st minute to give the Crows the lead.

The lead was doubled in the 38th minute as Harry Draper headed in an in-swinging James Brighton corner from close range to put the away side 2 goals ahead at the break.

Any hopes of a home team comeback were quickly squashed, as 3 goals in the opening 18 minutes of the second half saw a rampant Royston capitalise on the home team’s poor defending. Adams helped himself to his second goal in the 48th minute as persistent wing play from Josh Williams saw him outfox the home defence, before seeing his shot blocked that fell kindly to Adams to finish.

Adams quickly completed his hat-trick, latching onto substitute Matt Batemans’s flick-on, before advancing to confidently slide the ball beyond White. Bateman himself scored the fifth as he capitalised on White’s hesitancy to shut the keeper down, with his resultant block hitting the underside of the bar and falling just over the goal line.

The Saints response to this 3-goal salvo was a goal of their own, as one minute later Nabil Shariff latched onto Ed Hotter’s defence-splitting ball, before rounding Joe Welch and finishing.

With the game ended as a contest, Royston continued to control proceedings and ended up putting the icing on the cake with 2 late goals. In the 88th minute, Bateman scored his second of the afternoon, picking up a loose ball and firing home a curling effort from 30 yards, leaving White rooted to the spot, before Adam’s added his fourth of the afternoon in stoppage time, as he emphatically finished from close range after more good wing play from Williams.

Royston: 1-Welch, 7-Titchmarsh, 14-Brighton, 5-Murray A ©, 20-Newton, 4-Bridges, 19-Mentis (6-Henry 43), 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 9-Adams, 8-Draper (10-Bateman 49), 11-Galliford (17-Williams 39) Unused: 3-Brathwaite, 15-Brown MOM – Brandon Adams

CROWS BLOG WHAT A DAY! Hi everyone, Wow! The boys did good, didn’t they! 7-1 away from home to our local rivals! It can’t get much better than that! A massive well done to everyone concerned. I’m so pleased for the front boys, all three of them got on the score sheet yesterday. They all know that they all have a task to start games. With how we are playing at the moment it will mean that one out of the three will miss out but no moans from any of them. They have all got on with it and their attitude has been first class. I’ve got some hard choices ahead!

But I don’t want to leave the other players out – yesterday wasn’t all about the forwards. The midfield especially has been very pleasing. Ed Asafu-Adjaye in particular, was superb yesterday as he has been recently. Scott Bridges and Spyros Mentis have also delivered some brilliant performances. Not to mention the defence who have been extremely solid. It’s all so very positive moving forward.

I did feel a little for St Ives yesterday. They just weren’t allowed any mistakes. We capitalised on everything yesterday. On another day they could have maybe got away with the odd mistake but yesterday we punished everything.

Yesterday’s result has now put us in a very competitive position but that is it. I don’t want to take anything away from our recent achievements but we can’t rest on our laurels. We must keep these high standards up and repeat them. We still need to keep pushing, get the results and keep going. I’m sure that we will have tougher matches coming up but the title race is well and truly on!

At this time I want to praise the staff around me. All have contributed fully. From Jay coming in as goalkeeping coach. To Scott who has been a constant as our fitness coach, to Chris who is completely invaluable with his input. With my position as manager, I have received plenty of positive comments but let me tell you that if it wasn’t for ALL of us doing what we are doing it just wouldn’t happen. I also want to include the experienced players in this praise too – players such as Dan Brathwaite. They are constantly helping with the group. If standards aren’t the height they need to be then they will try to get them up. As with Chris’s contribution, it’s vital so thanks, EVERYONE! I think the message coming from me is, and it’s not the first time I’ve said this in my blog posts, the group is THE most important thing, not one or two of us doing well but that the whole group are achieving what we all want to achieve.

With so many games coming up in such a short space of time, we will have to field different teams, possibly play different formations but as long as the group is positive and strong we can all help one another to keep the levels where we all want them to be.

Cheers, Steve C

ST IVES POST MATCH INTERVIEWS

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.

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!

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.

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch

Ryan Easley

Ed James Brighton Asafu-Adjaye

Kelshall Jake Easley Plastics

Ronnie Henry

David Grey

Daniel Brathwaite Katherine Thompson

Scott Bridges

Luke Easley

Adam Murray

Jeff Gill

Isa Rotimi

Martin Pendrick

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Matt Bateman Brandon Adams Spyros Mentis

Martin Pendrick DFM Mick & Enid Royston Matt Clowery Toovey Plastering

Dan Newton

Graham Haggar

Josh Williams Tom Newman

Trevor & Alison Clive Deards Middlemass

Isaac Galliford

Steve Tuck

Steve Castle

Garrett Pennery

SQUADS Tuesday 12th October 2021 Kick Off: 7.45PM

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Lee Grimsey ASSISTANTS: Philip Sharp / Conor Browne

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Joe Welch Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Scott Bridges Adam Murray Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Harry Draper Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman James Brighton Fred Brown Isa Rotimi Josh Williams Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Ryan Towner

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Charlie Crowley (GK) Lee Close Jay Rolphe John Sexton Joe Bennett Carl Mensah Jesse Walklin Charlie Payne Luke Yates Elliot Bailey Jack Vasey Ryan Doherty Jordan Kinoshi Cyrus Babaie Jordan Watson Ben Spaul Matty Campbell-Mhlope Callum Taylor

MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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Nick Ironton / Ricci Crace