THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00
Southern League Premier Division V
Hitchin Town Issue 22
14 08 The Best Midfielders In The World Today / Blue is the colour this week as we showcase David Silva and Yaya Toure
04
13
View From The Dugout / Batchy reflects on recent results
Mascot Feature / Oliver Albone (5) is our Mascot
18 Where Are They Now? / Looking back at some famous names
Owner Mike Kearns
Club Secretary Gary Wilson
Physio Chris Budd
Club Photographer Claire Howes
Pitchcare Working Turf
Chairman Mike Kearns
Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard
Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas
Design & Marketing Blue Prawn
Managing Director Lee Kearns
Life President John Walker
Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark
Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green
Print XL Press Limited
Director Iain Parr
Team Officials Darren Plowman (Goalkeeping Coach)
Football Manager David Batch Assistant Manager Steve Eastaugh
Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt
St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley Club Merchandise Linda Walters Programme Editor Mark Davies
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Programme Sales Charlie Green Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson
INSIDE
Issue 22 V Hitchin Town Southern League Premier Division
Also Inside 06 Action Replay 08 Match Report - Arlesey Town 16 Chairmans’ Views 20 Read All About It
32 Greenies Greetings / Our team bus has SOUL!
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22 The Beautiful Game 28 Focus On Youth 30 Pull-Out Poster
From The Other Side Of The Fence / Norman Hunter on Brian Clough
36 Away Days 44 MD’s Views 46 Stews Views 48 Leagues Review 50 Match Report - Burnham 53 Season 2014/15 Fixtures Matrix 54 The Non-League Paper
24 Todays’ Visitors / A warm welcome to the Canaries! Founded 1879 The Cozy Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone 01480 470012 Email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Website www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Forum www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum
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56 Season 2014/15 Statistics 58 Premier Division League Table 60 Home & Opposition Squads
Introducing Jack Wilkinson / Versatility with a great attitude Southern Football League Division One champions, 1 time United Counties League Premier Division champions, 2 times Division One champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 2 times Metropolitan League Champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 1 time Professional Cup winners, 1 time South Midlands League Champions, 1 time
Huntingdonshire League Champions, 4 times Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Winners, 37 times Hinchingbrooke Cup Winners, 2 times
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 03
Welcome to all the staff, players, officials and supporters of Hitchin Town, I hope you enjoy your day with us. I expect nothing more than a competitive encounter today - as most games tend to be at this time of the year. Being at a disadvantage of not being involved in our last very close encounter where we came out very late winners my management team have had to draw on the knowledge of trusted club Officials who witnessed that game to understand what Hitchin are all about. What I can say is they will provide very stern opposition and like every team in this league it will be a close contest.
teams who are desperate to stay up as well, which means that most of the matches each week for the remainder of the season will have at least one team who has something to play for which can often lead to ‘surprise’ results. I have had a look at the remaining fixtures and notice that many teams above us have to play each other and in one case have to play each other twice, so something will have to give. We though can only concentrate on our own position and the priority is to get into a play off position as soon as possible and then stay there. CLEAN SHEETS Last week was a good example of us being professional about our job, with two very different away
With play-off positions available, anyone in the top 10 can still fight for a place as we enter the run in. To add to this, there are 5 or 6 PAGE 04 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V HITCHIN TOWN ISSUE 22
matches to contend with. I have no doubt that 3 weeks ago we would not have been ready to keep a clean sheet away from home against a very organised and physical Hungerford side, but with the return to fitness of some very good experienced players along with the arrival of a couple that have settled in well, we gave a very resolute performance and created the better chances - with their GK named as man of the match. Easy to reflect and be disappointed that we dropped 2 points, but as often happens in football, a very tricky encounter in terrible conditions against a side fighting for their life followed on Saturday away at Burnham. In truth, any bad luck we had Tuesday was evened out by not conceding late on when the hosts created a couple of scrambled chances - albeit from refereeing decisions I haven’t seen the like of for years! TARGET ACHIEVED Therefore target achieved - 4 points and two clean sheets from two away games in a week was always © Peter Else
ACTION FROM THE 7 GOAL THRILLER AT TOP FIELD
going to be a very good return and anything more than that would’ve been plain greedy! We gave Ryan Frater, Bruce Wilson and Josh Bickerstaff a run out Tuesday night in the 21’s to gain a bit more match fitness. This will certainly help as we enter this crucial phase of the
campaign with experienced players returning to boost the squad. HUNGER GAMES With Bruce (pictured below) only featuring in my first game so far, I am looking forward to his contribution as in that short space of time I have
already witnessed the hunger he has to do well - a key attribute of any good player and every good side. Over the past couple of weeks we have had to say goodbye to a number of players not because they are not good enough but because of new additions making the squad even more top heavy than it already was, this is good in some ways but players want to play and get frustrated at lack of match time so this week we said goodbye to Ben Ford (pictured), Ryan Plowright and Max York, I would like to wish all three success in the future who ever they decide to play for. Now back to todays match, let’s hope we can show the necessary desire again today and I urge you guys to play your part in that too. Let’s get behind the team for an important performance. Batchy.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 05
A HOME THRILLER FOUR YEARS AGO
UCL Premier Division (19/February/2011) St Neots Town
3-3
Trailing 2-0 at half time and seemingly unable to find any real rhythm St Neots might well reflect that their injury time late equaliser afforded them valuable point but making a return trip to the Hunts Post Community Stadium after an earlier 4-1 Hinchingbrooke Cup defeat their Lincolnshire visitors will feel that they were robbed of a famous victory. Without injured leading scorer Shane Tolley and the unavailable Dan Jacob, St Neots pushed Theo Davis into midfield and played with Lewis Hilliard as a support striker but the experimental formation never looked credible. Blackstones arrived at St Neots on the back of a fine run of form away from home with victories at Cogenhoe, Deeping, Raunds and Yaxley and they looked full of confidence from the first whistle. With Newport Pagnell’s match postponed and Kings Lynn involved in cup football again St Neots were hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table to three clear points but that proved a forlorn hope. The opening skirmishes seemed fairly even with Theo Davis shooting wide and Jordan Gent heading over the bar and Tim Trebes doing well to keep his goal intact as he saved at the feet of Burton-Jones. The opening goal arrived midway through the first half and had more than a touch of good fortune for the visitors as Ben Porter’s mishit shot was going well wide of its target before
Blackstones it took a deflection off defender Jordan Gent to wrong foot Trebes and creep in at the post.However after 33 minutes Blackstones twisted the knife as they manufactured an excellent second goal. Billy Oliver split the square lying St Neots defence and Addy Staffieri produced an electric burst of speed to go clear and round the exposed Trebes to slide the ball into the unguarded net. St Neots tried hard to get back into the match before half time but Glen Fuff’s angled shot from a Hilliard corner was deflected wide and Kieran Davies playing against his former club collected a through ball from Stefan Moore to go around visiting keeper Mike Duggan but knocked off balance he could only bury the ball in the side netting. St Neots came out firing on all cylinders and Duggan did well to pluck a Stefan Moore header from under the crossbar but after 48 minutes a slick approach more involving Theo Davis and Hilliard saw Stefan Moore pull a goal back from close range. Three minutes later the hosts were back to square one with a two goals deficit as from an Elton Holmes free kick David Burton-Jones rose ahead of the advancing goalkeeper to glance his header into the net. Within a further minute Stefan Moore had the ball in the net at the other end but his effort was disallowed for an off the ball shove but St Neots really began to dominate proceedings and from
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that point onwards looked capable of getting some reward from the match. They redeployed Hilliard in his usual role wide on the right and this was the spark to their revival. Visiting keeper Duggan was under constant pressure saving well from Hilliard and brilliantly from a deflected defensive header. Hilliard brought another fine save from him but after 73 minutes it was a Hilliard corner that gave Stefan Moore his second goal of the match. St Neots then sent on two further substitutes playing just three in defence and Theo Davis shot wide when played clear by Stefan Moore squandering a gilt edged chance to level the scores.Kieran Davies then beat Duggan with a curling shot that rebounded from the crossbar and with the final whistle imminent it look as though Blackstones would hold out for an unlikely victory. Then two minutes into added time Stefan Moore left two defenders behind him to cross to the near post where Lewis Webb rose to claim his sixth goal in his last six starts – a magnificent haul for a midfield player.
St Neots: Trebes, Moore (D), Hyem, Webb, Fuff, Gent, Davies, Kanudu, Moore (S), Hilliard, Davis. Subs: Essendoh (for Moore (D) 72 mins), Fordham (for Fuff 85 mins), Montique (for Kanudu 80 mins) Scully & McShane. Man of the Match: Stefan Moore
r
ST NEOTS TOWN 3 ARLESEY TOWN 0 07:02:2015 / Southern Premier Division / Att 372 / Referee: Geoffrey Russell (Thrapston)
A goal and a very impressive performance on his debut by Lee Clarke led St Neots to a very comfortable victory over struggling Arlesey. The former Peterborough United and Northern Ireland U21 international dovetailed neatly into St Neots midfield and took just nine minutes to announce his arrival with a stunning finish from a Lorenzo Ferrari cross. With only two wins in their last eight league outings the Bedfordshire visitors looked short on ideas and confidence and this defeat sent them tumbling into the re-election zone. Clarke was not the only debutant in the St Neots side because 17 years old Ebey Marango a product of St Neots Scholarship system and a regular member of the Club’s U18 side was also included in the starting line up. With Ben Mackey released from his contract by mutual consent Lorenzo Ferrari was handed the striking role alongside Drew Roberts and did not look out of place. Only a third clean sheet at home must have been very pleasing for Manager David Batch who named three of his new signings in a very solid back four and the victory confirmed St Neots as within three points of a play off spot. St Neots were very quickly in control and from a fourth minute Matt Spring free kick Mat Mitchel-King rose imperiously above the defence to head his side in front. Three minutes later a long throw from Jack
Wilkinson created panic in the visiting defence and Drew Roberts bundled the ball over the line but was penalised and harshly booked for a foul on visiting keeper Nick Thompson. Ferrari then produced an acrobatic overhead effort that was palmed away by the goalkeeper and that was shortly followed by the Lee Clarke debut goal. The majority of the action continued to be around the Arlesey penalty area and Roberts brought a good save from Thompson before being brought down by the keeper on the edge of the area. The expected penalty kick was waved away replaced by a free kick on the edge of the area and a booking for Thompson. Although a spectator for much of the half home custodian Paul Bastock had to be alert to turn away for a corner a Jack Vassey shot after 33 minutes – the only serious first half effort by the visitors and Matt Spring could have twice added to St Neots tally heading his first effort wide from a Lewis Hilliard cross when left unmarked at the far post and then lobbing a speculative shot from 45 yards just wide of an empty goal after Thompson had charged out of his area to block an effort from Ferrari.
Mat Mitchel-King had been injured just past the half hour by an unpunished clumsy foul by an onrushing Arlesey player and he failed to appear after half time suffering from a thigh injury with skipper Adam Tann moving seamlessly into the centre of defence. Substitute Sam Harty quickly made his presence felt setting up Clarke for a fierce volley just wide of the far post with the keeper rooted to his spot. Roberts had two chances marauding down the right flank putting the first over the bar and seeing the second from a narrow angle well saved by Thompson. A close range header from a corner by Adam Tann brought his best save of the match from the visiting keeper and the almost constant pressure paid off after 65 minutes when Drew Roberts beat the offside trap to collect a superb ball over the to from Tom Ward to net with a perfectly placed low shot just inside a post. That third goal killed off the game and although Arlesey did not give up and produced another effort from Vassey to test the reflexes of Paul Bastock the result was never in doubt. John Walker
St Neots Town
Arlesey Town
Bastock, Tann, Wilkinson, Clarke, Mitchel-King, Ward, Hilliard, Spring, Ferrari, Roberts, Marango. Subs: Harty (for Mitchel-King 46), Vieira (for Marango 62), Ford (for Hilliard 75), Bickerstaff and Plowright (R) Cards: Roberts (Y – 6), Marango (Y – 47) Goals: Mitchel-King (4 mins), Clarke (9 mins), Roberts (65 mins)
Thompson, Longden, Willett, Plowright (W), Sage, Corran, Powell, Gregson (L), Vassey, Lee, Ironton. Subs: Lobjoit (for Willett 50), Gregson (J) (for Gregson (L) 57), Bailey (for Lee 72), Tavernier and Kegni. Cards: Thompson (Y – 23), Plowright (W) (Y – 64), Gregson (J) (Y – 83) Goals: None
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WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 09
EBEY MAKES HIS DEBUT
Our previous home game saw Benjamin Williams (10) be Mascot for the day. Pictured with his friend Jack Morehen and his favourite player Lewis Hilliard, he proudly lead the teams out before tucking into a huge portion of chips and watching St Neots Town coming out 3-0 winners!
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Mascot feature Mascot Fact File Name: Oliver Albone Age: 5 Favourite St Neots Player: Drew Roberts – he scores lots of goals Who do you play for? No one yet What position would you like to play in? Hopefully midfield Who do you support: Man United What do you want to be when older: Plumber like my Dad! Favourite food: Jacket potato with cheese and beans Favourite television programme: Match Of The Day Do you have any pets? A Dog called Max
The Saints Matchday Mascot Experience! • Free entry for mascot and parents • Use of our hospitality room • Signed match day programme by your favourite player, which you will also appear in • Meet your favourite player and have your photo taken • Tour of the stadium • Have a kick about on the main pitch • Lead the Saints on to the pitch • Free portion of chips and drink for the mascot
To apply to be a Matchday Mascot contact Louise Spark on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 13
WORLD’S BEST MIDFIELDERS 08. DAVID SILVA
The tough confines of the Premier League do not appear ideally suited to the Spanish midfielder’s subtle skills. But after a slow start following his move from Valencia to Manchester City in 2010, the playmaker has emerged as one of the best players in the league. If Silva had not made it as a player, he would have wanted to become a surgeon, which comes as little surprise given the way he slices through Premier League defenses with those deft through balls and incisive dribbles.
“I do not agree that I am too small. I know people say you have to be big and strong to play in the Premier League but you cannot just judge a player by their size. You have to look at their other qualities too. Look at Spain, we won the World Cup with small players. In the Spanish team, we have the three main attributes of a winning team. We are good technically, we are quick, but also strong. I’m confident I can be a success in English football. As I have said all along, I just need time. ”
David Silva Height
5’6” (1.70m)
Weight
148 lbs (67 kg)
Age
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29
Date of Birth
08.01.1986
Place of Birth
Spain
Strikers may score most of the goals, but many of the game’s real artisans reside in midfield. Here are 10 of the best of the very best in the world today.
07. YAYA TOURE Watching the Manchester City star slip through the gears as he carries the ball through midfield is reminiscent of a Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira in his pomp. Yaya felt undervalued at Barcelona but has emerged as one of the key players in City’s ambitious project. The 2011, 2012 and 2013 African Footballer of the Year has deceptive pace, is tigerish in the tackle and scores his fair share of goals in a more attacking role than he was previously accustomed to. “When you spend a lot of money on one player, you want him to prove himself, but the way football works, one day you can be good, the next you can be bad, and the next after that, you can be very bad. I have come to Manchester City to work very hard and to help my friends make Manchester City great.”
Yaya Toure Height
6’2” (1.89m)
Weight
172 lbs (78 kg)
Age
31
Date of Birth
13.05.1983
Place of Birth
Côte d’Ivoire
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15
THE
CHAIRMANS’ VIEWS
WE KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO Welcome to the Officials, Players and supporters of Hitchin Town for todays local derby, lets hope we can secure the same outcome as our last meeting earlier in the season where we came our very narrow winners. After a very good run of results the team are looking very solid at the back and are beginning to be very hard to beat. I think congratulations and a well done to David and his management team on settling the squad down and getting the right results since they have been with us, lost only one game in nine, and conceding just four goals in the process so it shows that the changes made in defence are having the desired effect. Even more so when they do not know too much about the opposition or indeed seen them play, of course limited work is done on our opponents but they do have a disadvantage over other managers. Interestingly the one loss was by the single goal midweek down at Weymouth, now that was a very long tiring journey in midweek. We have had three nil - nil away draws at very tough grounds to get any result - Paulton, Hungerford and Histon. Paulton where we played for sixty minutes with only ten men, Histon where we should and could have won where the home team have not been beaten at home since last August, and midweek down at Hungerford where we really did batter them for the whole match. Like all of you I will now be counting the points we all think we might get to secure our place in a play off position, yes lets all have a bit of excitement and see what we all think but I must say that results in this league surprise all of us so anything can happen. We know what we have to do and every match is a cup final for us for the rest of the season. Saying that we do not have many cup finals against teams who are above us at the moment where they all have to play each other so something will have to give. Let’s hope our results and other
results go our way for the rest of the season. I am biased but I do not believe we have faced a better team than us this season, and we have recently ‘gone for it’ by adding some really top draw players in vital positions to the squad. So do I think we can do it, well yes I do and I think that if we do get a play off place then we will be very strong mentally to go all the way.
Now I must mention our wonderful support especially at our away games where we have made some serious noise; it’s the loudest there is in this division that’s for sure. Having visited Burnham last Saturday and yes I also made comments about the state of their pitch, mainly because it puts us at a serious disadvantage where you just cannot pass the ball at all and slip and slide everywhere. Yes I hear people say it’s the same for both teams and yes that is correct but one team is used to that pitch and set their team up accordingly, and have players suited to that sort of game. I think that’s why it was such a horrible game and credit to our lads they really battled in the mud for the three points. Burnham are a good club with very nice people and I will say full credit to them for just keeping the club going let alone in the Premier Division, as I have said before non-league football is nothing more than a “Financial Dogfight” and if you cannot compete in that dogfight then
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you cannot expect to have success on the field. From what I see at Burnham they also struggle with match day income, so they have even more problems than most. But they are there every week, turn out a competitive team and always make you most welcome. You can only sow what you seed and I admire them for that. We at St Neots have the very best of everything but do not think for one moment that we are “Rolling” in it because we are certainly not. We work so hard trying to generate income so that we do not have to put even more strain on my bank balance, and only because we can hopefully see the light at the end of the tunnel that I allow us to try and progress the way we are doing right now. One day we will get it right and the way forward is of course what everyone says “produce your own players” this process is well under way and David and his management team are fully on board with that process. I’m very pleased that we have already introduced some very talented young Academy players not only into the first team squad but they are getting match time as well. I was watching the substitutes warming up before the players came out for the Burnham match and how the senior players like Ryan and Bruce took Ebey under their wing, playing keep ups with the looser getting a flick around the ear by the others, all good banter and great for team moral. And yes young Ebey lost and ended up with a red ear, no Ryan and Bruce did not let him off the hook on that one. This is a great club with some great people and im proud to be in your company. ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL Mike
WHERE
ARE THEY
NOW
?
We look back on some famous n what they are doing in their life
VINNIE JONES: WIMBLEDON Vinnie Jones achieved cult status in England during the ‘90s. His hard-man image meant that he wasn’t universally loved, but he always wore his heart on his sleeve and he was one of the most instantly recognisable characters of the era. Sent off 12 times throughout his career, Jones was a classic antihero. You may not have liked him, but you always wanted to watch him to see what he was going to do next. Between 1986 and 1999, Jones played almost 400 games for Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Chelsea combined. He also made nine appearances for Wales. An integral member of Wimbledon’s “Crazy Gang”, Jones was also a popular figure at Leeds, where he
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“Over the years, I’ve had about 80 stitches in my head and face from football incidents and bar incidents, so I have lots of scars. I don’t think I look intimidating, but I’m sure other people have their opinions.”
got the club’s crest tattooed on his leg. Queens Park Rangers was his last destination as a footballer, but he soon found a new career in acting, making his acting debut in Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Often cast as a thug, hooligan or violent criminal, Jones has been in a string of Hollywood feature films since.
us names and see fe after football. PAOLO DI CANIO: SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY & WEST HAM UNITED Long before he was a controversial manager, Paolo Di Canio was a controversial player. And supporters loved him for it. Like Vinnie Jones, Di Canio assumed cult status by treading the path of the pantomime villain. He complained, he got sent off, he’d brawl, infamously he pushed a referee over and he was one of the biggest characters in the game. After playing for Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan and Celtic, he signed for Sheffield Wednesday in 1997, scoring 12 goals in his first season at the club. Following the referee incident, Di Canio was banned for 11 matches, as seen on the BBC News website, and his Wednesday career never really got back on track. He was sold to West Ham in 1999. At Upton Park, he became a crowd favourite through his explosive personality, some incredible goals including this volley against Wimbledon in 1998/99. The same year he was voted the club’s player of the season. Di Canio scored 48 goals in 118 top-flight appearances with the Hammers and his reputation as a
WHERE
ARE THEY
NOW
?
troublemaker was restored somewhat after an incident at Everton in 2000/01 when he caught the ball to allow Toffees keeper Paul Gerrard to get medical attention. This gesture led to him being given the FIFA Fair Play award. The Italian, who has proclaimed himself as “a fascist,” as seen in the Telegraph, moved into management after his playing days came to an end, guiding Swindon Town to League One promotion in 2011/12. He resigned from the post in 2013 and was soon snapped up by Premier League side Sunderland. Di Canio kept the club in the top flight at the end of last season, but after only 13 games in charge, he was fired by the Wearside club.
“I am fascist, not racist. I do the Roman (fascist) salute to greet our supporters and those who share my ideas. This gesture is in no way an incitement to violence and even less about racial hatred.”
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 19
READ ALL ABOUT IT We take a look at what other non-league clubs are doing that’s making the news this week. BANBURY UNITED Former Queens Park Rangers and Fulham defender Rufus Brevett has agreed to assist with the coaching at Banbury United. He has recently had just over a year as manager of United’s league rivals Arlesey Town before leaving the post last month. United manager Paul Davis said: “I am delighted that Rufus has agreed to help out with the coaching at Banbury United. “Obviously as a club we cannot stand in his way if a managerial opportunity should arise elsewhere but in the meantime I am sure the players will benefit from his knowledge and experience. Banbury have also appointed a new director of football in Steve Clarke who lives locally and is an ex-professional with Everton, Charlton Athletic and Gillingham and has also had extensive playing and coaching experience in Spain. CHESHAM UNITED Andy Leese, manager of Chesham United, re-signed fans` favourite and ex-skipper Danny Talbot ahead of Saturday`s disappointing home defeat by Cirencester Town. Talbot left Chesham for Vanarama
Conference South side Hemel Hempstead Town in November 2012. The midfielder previously played in the Football League for Rushden & Diamonds, and also had spells with Cambridge City and Potters Bar Town. He made 262 appearances for Chesham over five years, scoring 35 goals. The son of former Arsenal, Ipswich and England star Brian Talbot, he is excellent from set-pieces and possesses a cultured left foot. Leese said: “I am pleased to bring Danny Talbot back to the club. “Talbs has enjoyed success at Hemel since he left us, and was their players` player of the season last year. “I go back a long way with Dan and am delighted he has agreed to return to help us push on in the business end of the season.” TRURO CITY Supporters of Truro City are a step closer to their new home, following the announcement by developer Helical Retail that it has acquired an option from Wycliffe Estates to purchase a site known as Silver Bow, at Threemilestone, for the club’s relocation. The site, just off the A30 on the A390, is directly opposite the entrance to the proposed Langarth Development, which has planning consent for 1,500 houses. Helical Retail expects to submit a planning application for a football ground and related uses, in the next few months.
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Philip King, development manager for Helical Retail said: “This is an ideal location for TCFC’s relocation. It is close to the Park and Ride and a number of bus routes and will offer the Club a springboard to develop their facilities in the years to come.” Truro City chairman Peter Masters said: “The acquisition and development of the Silver Bow site will create long term certainty for the club to implement its plans. We can now put the uncertainties of the past few years behind us and focus on our plans to build a new Stadium for Truro City Football Club to Conference level standard whilst incorporating a much needed youth academy to channel young footballers throughout Cornwall into playing at the highest level.” POOLE TOWN Poole Town have taken youngster Ben Close on an initial month`s youth loan from Sky Bet League Two side Portsmouth. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder player has made six first-team appearances for Pompey this season, including three from the substitutes’ bench. Close has also started every league match for Portsmouth’s reserve side so far. It is the second time this season that Poole boss Tommy Killick has looked to Fratton Park for a loanee, having borrowed winger Jack Maloney
earlier this season. Killick also confirmed that AFC Bournemouth striker Joe Quigley had extended his youth loan with the Dolphins. HISTON FC Brian Page, manager of Southern Premier Histon, has added midfielder Ryan Auger to their squad. Born in Cambridge, the 20-year-old joined Southend United as an 11-year-old and progressed through their Academy and into their Scholarship programme before earning a two-year pro deal with the Shrimpers. He was released in August 2014 though and signed for Vanarama Conference South outfit Bishop’s Stortford where he made fourteen starts this season, scoring on 3 occasions. Page said: “He’s a dynamic, passing central midfielder who will add creativity in the centre of the park. He comes with great pedigree and will bring real competition for places in the team.” Meanwhile, striker Mateusz Kuzimski has been released as he has returned to his native Poland. CORBY TOWN Corby Town have completed the signing of midfielder Claudio Hoban from Southern Division
One Central neighbours Kettering Town. The former Leicester City midfielder was a finalist in the 2012 Samsung `Win a Pro Contract` competition and came within 90 minutes of earning a deal with either Swindon Town or Leyton Orient. Highly-rated Hoban initially joined the Steelmen in February 2014. He is a left-sided player who can play either as a winger or centrally. After impressing at Steel Park, he ended the season at Conference outfit Tamworth, before starting 2014/15 at Conference Soutyh side Sutton United. Manager Tommy Wright is delighted to secure the return of Hoban, who became a firm fans favourite during his previous spell in Corby. DUNSTABLE TOWN Striker Gary Wharton to has joined Dunstable Town from Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division rivals Hitchin Town. Twenty-five-year-old Wharton signed for Hitchin at the start of the 2013/14 season from Potters Bar Town. A pacey, hard-working striker, he started out with Barnet and has also featured for Fisher Athletic, Aylesbury United and Dover Athletic. ARLESEY TOWN After less than a couple of months back in charge at Arlesey Town, Nicky Ironton has been sacked.
Chairman Manny Cohen said: “After a meeting of the committee of Arlesey Town Football Club, it was decided to part company with manager Nick Ironton. We wish Nick, who is highly respected at the club, every success for the future.” Arlesey are languishing near the bottom of the league table. FROME TOWN Adrian Foster, manager of Frome Town, has bolstered his squad with the signing of Josh Morgan-Williams. The 17-year-old midfielder has been with Sky Bet League Two outfit Oxford United. Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that Mendip District Council have granted planning permission for the new and improved floodlighting system at the Blindmans Brewery Stadium. The new 250 Lux system will replace the ageing and outdated current floodlights with the money being raised through the Supporters Club. “As a club we cannot move onto the next stage which will be the application for grant money until the Supporters Club confirm that they have reached the original total that was set of £24,000. “They have done an amazing job so far in raising around £16,000 of that amount so it`s getting closer and closer now.”
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THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
UN-SOCIAL MEDIA Isn’t technology great? Tap something into a YouTube search relating to a goal you missed, a dirty tackle, a penalty shoot out or an end of season celebration and you can more or less guarantee that it’ll be there. You can then watch the footage that some random geezer uploaded on his mobile phone. It’s unreal. The BBC and Match of The Day camera’s missed it (or were not present at the game) but Dave down the road, he caught it all in full colour with Dolby digital sound to accompany the footage. That’s the positive side of all this social media stuff. There are also many clips that you’d rather not watch relating to the game, although I do like to watch the clips of nasty tackles and legs and ankles bent where they shouldn’t bend as a result of the said tackles. It’s a little twisted I know but we all have weird little things don’t we. It’s no different to seeing an ambulance at the scene of a crash, en route to an away game and then slowing down to see what’s kicked off – we all have a look to see what we can see don’t we? As well as the ‘You tube’ facility, there’s Facebook and Twitter with which we can keep up to date with Celebs and even the players. It’s almost as if we’re their bestmate- ever when we make a little comment and they reply! You’ve got to remember that all this is brand new to some of the older fans (like me). The best we used to get, if we couldn’t make it to the match was a crackling transistor radio held firmly against the lughole whilst fighting with a telescopic rod (also known as an ariel) which never did what it should. It always crackled more when our boys were in attack and goal-bound. Let me tell you, these were frustrating times! Nowadays, it’s a click here and there
or a touchscreen tap and within seconds you have LIVE action, blow by blow accounts of the entire game. Even football betting has been revolutionised and you can now bet on how many cups of tea the ref has at the half-time interval amongst other things. Once upon a time, to place a bet on the football, you had to walk to the bookmakers shop, fill in a slip with a pen that rarely worked, stand in a smoke filled environment polluting your lungs and all you had as options on the outcome of a game were H,A&D. Home win, Away Win or Draw. You placed a cross in a box, paid your stake PLUS TAX, and then waited until Monday if you were lucky enough to win to be able to pick up your fortune. (Bookies were shut on Sunday’s back then). In this day and age, you can cash out at various stages of the game (if you’re chicken!) and should you win, the ‘cash’ goes straight into your electronic account until you lose it the next day on the Man Utd v Southampton result which never goes to plan! How things have progressed eh? With the ‘selfie’ phenomena going strong currently, Social media technology has reached a new height / low? During a match in America featuring Sporting Kansas City, their English striker Dom Dwyer was yellow carded after celebrating a goal. Not because he took off his shirt (jersey) and shorts (pants) and ran the length of the pitch somersaulting. No, he was booked for taking a ‘selfie’ with a mobile phone that he’d strategically
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placed behind the opposition goal before the kick-off! He must have been confident of scoring to have done that. Or, the phone had been there for each of the previous 10 games, he just happened to score at this one! Personally, I blame the producers of the world cup coverage on TV. They were asking for us to
send them our ‘goal-face’ selfies throughout the world cup so he thought he’d have a bash at one. Perhaps if England had scored more than just the ONE goal over their 270 minutes of their Brazil World Cup existence, more of us may have sent in a goal-face selfie? I probably wouldn’t have done one due to the broken ariel on my 1980’s brick sized mobile. I probably tried to use the ariel on my transistor radio last week! Hopefully, there’ll be no silliness from the players today trying take ‘selfies’ after scoring a dramatic goal. If the bloke next to you in the stand tries to take one of his goalface, make sure you get in behind him before he does it and smile. More importantly, let’s hope we’re all smiling after these 90 minutes resulting in a victory for the boys! Ade
TODAY’S VISITORS
HITCHIN TOWN
Hitchin is currently involved in a desperate struggle to retain the use of their historic ‘Top Field’ premises currently under threat of development. Today we offer our usual warm welcome to our visitors for our next engagement in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division. They are the players, Directors and supporters of Hitchin Town and we extend to them our usual warm Cozy Stadium welcome. You will have read in the Press about Hitchin’s fight to retain the use of their historic ‘Top Field’ premises and allied to this the Club has launched a new campaign which St Neots is pleased to support and publicise that campaign as follows: Hitchin Town Football Club is pleased to announce the launch of a far-reaching campaign that will celebrate the formation of Hitchin FC, the forerunner to the current football club. The Hitchin 150 campaign is being launched in partnership with Proceed Archiving Solutions Ltd, a Letchworth-based SAP document and data management company
that specialises in the provision of individually-designed archiving projects. The campaign shall include a broad range of commemorative events, including: • A football match against a highprofile club from the Football League or Premier • A 100-page book telling the story of the club • A commemorative programme that includes details of all major events around the campaign • A dinner and/or special lunch event • One-off vintage football kit – Hitchin FC colours of magenta and white -to be worn for one special game and will be subsequently auctioned
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• A merchandise range to mark the campaign We all wish them well in their efforts. This will be the eighth meeting of our two teams in the past three seasons and the matches have always produced goals – 29 in those eight meetings. Hitchin are currently tenth in the table – just three places and six points below our lads but with a match in hand. Both of us have aspirations for a play off place and so the points today will be very important to the winners. Our visitors won our first meeting at the Cozy two years ago but since then there has been a St Neots victory and a draw. CLUB HISTORY It was not until 1928 that Hitchin Town FC was formed, and it was at this point that the nickname, “The Canaries”, was established. The club colours of yellow and at that time, © Peter Else
Year founded: 1928 Nickname: The Canaries Chairman: Terry Barret
Website: www.hitchintownfc.co.uk Stadium: Top Field Capacity: 4,000
Previous Meetings: 2013/14 St Neots 5-0 Hitchin (RIC) 2014/15 Hitchin 3-4 St Neots
blue, were also agreed upon. Prior to that, the old club played in white and magenta. Hitchin gained admission to the Spartan League and in the 1928-29 season, enjoyed a hugely successful campaign, winning the Herts Charity Shield and promotion to the Spartan League Division One.
and England, Wally Odell and Les Clarke, there is little doubt that this was a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club won the AFA Senior Cup in 1932, beating Derbyshire Amateurs in the final and in 1935, won the Spartan League Premier Division. The club entered the Athenian League in 1939, but after two league games and a Herts Charity Cup tie, all of which saw Hitchin score seven goals, Adolf Hitler intervened.
club enjoyed arguably its greatest period in the early 1960s. In 195859, the club met Football League opposition for the first time in the FA Cup, narrowly losing to Millwall after a replace. Two years later, Hitchin travelled to Crystal Palace and played in front of 21,000 people. The 1970s was a period characterised by some exciting cup-ties and players like Paul Giggle, Peter Watson, Neil Bunker and Dave Archibald. The Canaries reached the FA Cup competition proper four times – in 1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77 and 1978-79, although a giant-killing eluded them. In 1988, Hitchin Town suffered relegation from the Isthmian Premier for the first time. At the end of 2003-04, Hitchin left the Isthmian League after more than 40 years, and moved to the Southern League.
The 1930s were halcyon days for Hitchin Town. Promotion to the Spartan Premier was won in 1931, but it was the FA Amateur Cup and AFA Senior Cup that captured the imagination of the Hitchin public. Although there is little doubt that Hitchin won more games than at any time in their history, the standard of opposition has to be considered when determining whether the Canaries’ side of the period was the finest in the club’s history. Nevertheless, with players like Reg Smith, who later played for Millwall
Two years later, a crowd of 7,878 watched Hitchin beat Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 in the competition, but the club failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals again. In 1958, Hitchin’s Peter Hammond became the club’s first England international. It was around this time that Hitchin appointed former Arsenal and England international Laurie Scott as manager. He brought a new approach to the club. The
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WHO’S WHO
THE CANARIES
DANIEL WEBB
CHARLIE HORLOCK: 19 year old keeper on loan for the season from Wycombe Wanderers. Confident stopper who commands his area and communicates well. MARTIN BENNETT: Currently the longest-serving member of the Hitchin Town squad, 27 year old goalkeeper originally signed for Hitchin Town in 2007 from Bedford FC. MICHAEL JOHNSON: 21 year old goalkeeper who has impressed during the pre-season and has now signed for the Club. Previous
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BEN WALSTER
SEAN MORRISON
clubs were Stotfold and Letchworth Garden City Eagles. LEWIS ROLFE: 22 year old Lewis arrived at the club from Chesham United at the start of the 2013/14 season. A versatile player, he can play in defence or midfield but has established himself in the right back position. ALASAN ANN: 21 year old who first signed for Hitchin at the start of the 2013/14 season as a forward. Moved to St Neots briefly last season before returning to Top Field where he successfully converted to the centre
ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V HITCHIN TOWN ISSUE 22
DAVID CORRAN
back position and is now established in our back line. Team captain. Hails from The Gambia. STUART PEARSON: 27 year old Stuart relocated to the area at the start of the 2013-14 season from the West Country. Comfortable as either a Central Defender or Full Back, Stuart is a hard-working and competitive player who has previously played for Odd Down FC and Paulton Rovers. DANIEL WEBB: 23 year old Defender who was first spotted playing for Shefford and Campton FC in the
© Peter Else
Brett Donnelly (Striker) 32 year old striker who signed in July 2014 from Biggleswade Town for his second spell with Hitchin Town. Previous clubs include Barton Rovers, Arlesey Town and Stotfold FC.
LEWIS ROLFE
BEN WALSTER
SAM BARKER
SIMON MARTIN
Bedfordshire League, Joined the club in 2012/13 and is now the Team Captain. BEN WALSTER: 20 year old left back who joined the club at the start of this season. Previous club was Milton Keynes Dons. CALLUM DONNELLY: Last season’s captain who has recently returned to the club after a (very) short spell with Cambridge City. Previous clubs include Stotfold and Barton Rovers. SAM BARKER: 22 year old Sam is a holding Central Midfield player with a good range of passing, Also signed for Hitchin Town at the beginning of the 2013-14 season from Chesham United. Originally came through the successful youth system at Luton Town FC. DANIEL GREEN: 24 year old midfielder who has recently signed from St.Albans City. MICHAEL NOONE: Skilled 25 year old midfielder who has recently returned to the Club. Previous clubs include Eastbourne Borough and Tooting and Mitcham United. JONNY MACNAMARA: 20 year old Jonny signed in the close season from neighbours Arlesey Town. Competitive midfielder with an eye for goal. Formerly played for Stotfold FC and Hitchin Town Youth.
MATTHEW LENCH: 21 year old Matt joined the club at the start of the 2013-14 season from Chesham United. A young exciting talent, Matt is an attacking midfielder and can also play at full back. LUCAS KIRKPATRICK: 19 year old is a hungry combative midfielder who is a product of the Club’s Scholarship Scheme. Signed at the start of the 2013-14 season, but went out on loan for part of last season to Langford FC and then AFC Kempston Rovers, returning to play a part in our final games. Has shown a lot of promise during the pre-season. SEAN MORRISON: 19 year old midfielder who signed for Hitchin Town as a 17 year old in August 2012. Spent some time on loan at
Langford FC during the latter part of last season. SIMON MARTIN: Experienced 35 year old striker, Simon signed from St Albans City at the start of the 2013-14 season, and has previously played for Hucknall Town, Cambridge City, Thurrock and Slough Town. GARY WHARTON: 23 year old Gary signed at the start of the 2013-14 season from Potters Bar Town. Lightning fast, hard-working striker. SHAUN OKOJIE: Powerful young 19 year old striker who signed for Hitchin Town in January 2014. SAUL WILLIAMS: Attacking 20 year old wide player recently signed from Hayes and Yeading FC, Previous clubs include Forest Green Rovers. WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 27
Focus on Youth... St Neots Town U18’s St Neots squandered a two goals lead to slump to a surprise defeat at the hands of Chatteris Town.
ST NEOTS TOWN U18 2 : CHATTERIS TOWN U18 3 Thurlow Nunn Youth West Division It was their first defeat since 2nd October and was due in part to a lack of experience after naming five sixteen year old players in their squad. It marked the end of a long period of inactivity for the side that has lost their last five league matches due to the weather. Chatteris proved determined opposition as they staged a stunning comeback to score three times in the final twenty minutes to register only their second away victory of the season. There was a very slow start to the match with St Neots producing some very attractive approach play but failing to carve out any significant goal attempts. However after nineteen minutes Owen Bevan was impeded in the penalty
area by Josh Brittin and skipper Cameron Crisp stroked home the penalty to give St Neots the lead. A silky move five minutes later involving three St Neots players came to an end when Erhan Nurettin’s shot was blocked by a defender and this was typical of the visiting side whose defence looked solid throughout. Bevan had a rising shot saved by Matthew Nooteboom at the second attempt whilst at the other end Evan Jeckells raced from his line to save bravely at the feet of Adam Reditt. The half ended with a Bevan free kick being pushed for a corner. Having dominated much of the first half St Neots extended their lead after 56 minutes when Chris Lewis showed great skill to go past two defenders and
the goalkeeper to flick the ball into the empty net from a narrow angle. Leading 2-0 St Neots looked comfortably in control but that seemed to spur the visitors into greater effort. After 70 minutes they were back in contention when Brittin put Adam Reditt clear of the defence and he netted with a skilful lob past the advancing Jeckells. Six minutes later the scores were levelled as Brittin produced an inch perfect free kick around the wall to find the top corner of the net and even worse was to follow for St Neots when Reditt chased a ball to the bye line to cross for Will Grant to score the match winning goal ten minutes from time. John Walker
St Neots Town U18
Jeckells, Crisp, Stewart, Coleman, Whittle, Heywood, Ofosu, Mattin, Chris Lewis, Nurettin, Bevan Subs used: Waters, Luff, Humphrey and Charlie Lewis Goals (St Neots): Crisp, Chris Lewis
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LORENZO AT PACE
GREENIES GREETINGS
THE COACH JOURNEY HOME WAS TO BE A HAPPY ONE! Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Rowley Park – The Cozy Stadium, for today’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division game. Today we extend a very warm welcome to the players, officials and of course, the travelling supporters of Hitchin Town Football Club. Last Saturday saw us travel down to Burnham and we returned home with all three points, winning the game one-nil courtesy of Lewis Hilliard’s fourth minute bullet header as he got on the end of a perfect cross from the left from Lorenzo Ferrari. From this point onwards,
the game ended as a footballing spectacle as the rain turned the pitch, which was already sticky and uneven, into something which resembled a paddyfield / marshland hybrid. Full credit has to go to every single one of our players who gave every single ounce of effort for the cause in protecting the narrow lead and a special mention to Bazza, who pulled off two exceptional saves at the death to ensure that the coach journey home was to be a happy one. Talking of the coach journey home, it was one of banter, sing-songs and much laughing as the ‘newboys’ had to perform their initiation songs at the front of the coach. As it turned out, young Ebey Marango was the star of the show, belting out his tune in a professional, soulful
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way, so much so that the supporters have now christened him The Voice. Once again, we were urged on by a large, noisy following and I would confidently say we had at least half the recorded attendance cheering us on. Tuesday saw us hold our second open trial day for potential Scholars joining our Sports Academy this year and the attendance on the day was very high. We believe we are offering the very best educational opportunities to go with our obvious first class coaching and facilities. If you know of anyone who may still be interested in joining, please do email Iain Parr at Iain@stneotstownfc.co.uk with their details. Right, back to today’s game. Our clashes with Hitchin Town have been, in the general, very entertaining matches with lots of goals. Let’s hope this continues today, but the only net they are flying into is that of the Canaries, as we look for that fourth clean sheet on the spin. I’m sure there will be a healthy crowd in attendance today with plenty coming along to cheer on our visitors so please do play your part, you’re a integral part of the team, so get behind the boys from the start and hopefully we will get the three points we need to keep the pressure on the top five. PUMP UP THE VOLUME GREENY
LUIS VIEIRA CHALLENGES
AWAY DAYS
TATNAM GROUND Our next trip is to the Dolphins of Poole Town who are currently the best performing side in the division. Poole just lost out on a play off place last season and considering poole were docked 3 points for fielding an eligible player they can feel a little hard done by. History shows that you need a couple of good seasons to be able to gain promotion from this division and Poole Town were always going to be the team to beat to win the league. Having lost there last season we know just how tough it is to get any kind of result at their place. But confidence is high with the Saints and our 3-2 victory at home against the Dolphins was far easer than the score line suggests. A very tough fixture for both teams.Your support on the day is vital, so come along and help us get the result we know we can get.
take the first right into School Lane. Go in through the school gates and you can park anywhere in here on match days. Pitch is on your right as you enter school car park. To see the ground just keep travelling along Fleets Lane from Fleetsbridge and it will be on your left just prior to Sterte Bridge.
DIRECTIONS From Fleetsbridge, travel along Fleets Lane towards Poole. (Go past B&Q on your right). About half a mile from Fleetsbrdige there is a road to the left from Fleets Lane called Palmer Road. Go up that road and
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TATNAM GROUND Stanley Green Road, Poole BH15 3AH Adults £10, Concessions £7, U16s £1 Wheelchair Access: Yes Car Parking: Yes Matchday Magazine: £2 Capacity: 2,000 Round Trip from (PE19 6SL): 256 Miles
FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE
BRIAN CLOUGH Some great stories about the people who knew and worked under the great man Bubbly Exit Leeds legend NORMAN HUNTER
Later I had discovered that he tried to sign me for Nottingham Forest, so he can’t have thought I was all that bad. But, he genially never said anything nice to me in all his time with the club. For most of his days at Leeds he was trying to sign Colin Todd to replace me! Even though Clough turned out to be a disastrous appointment at Elland Road, only a fool would fail to acknowledge his greatness as a manager.
I find myself strangely protective towards the memory of Brain Clough despite the fact that it took him until the 44th day of his reign at Leeds to say anything nice about me. Not bad considering he was famously only in charge for well 44 days. I didn’t have any relationship with Clough whatsoever. But oddly, on the famous day he was sacked, he walked into a meeting of my testimonial committee. He was carrying a bottle of champagne and I think he had a few as well, raise all the money you can for this man because he deserves it, he told them.
What happened at Leeds was one heck of a tale. Don Revie, the gaffer was leaving to take over England and recommended Johnny Giles as his successor. Promote from within, the Liverpool way, seemed like a solid idea. Maybe the club wanted to mark a change in direction but we were all very surprised at the Clough appointment. It was no secret he had a problem with us and the way we played. Every time we came up against him he would be jumping up and down shouting from the touchline.
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There was hostility right from the start because we knew he never liked Leeds or what we stood for. He had been appointed at the start of the week, but the next three days passed and we were asking “where is he, when is he coming” What’s going on? Then when he finally turns up it is to tell us to “throw our caps and medals in the bin along with the infamous comment about Eddie Gray, how if he had been a race horse he’d have been shot’ a bit harsh. I’m sure he was never going to have much of a chance after that. The players didn’t “Down Tools” on him because we were professionals. But the atmosphere was awful and in those
EVERY TIME WE CAME UP AGAINST HIM HE WOULD BE JUMPING UP AND DOWN SHOUTING FROM THE TOUCHLINE. THERE WAS HOSTILITY RIGHT FROM THE START BECAUSE WE KNEW HE NEVER LIKED LEEDS OR WHAT WE STOOD FOR.
circumstances, you are never going to play your best. The Gaffer does not get the credit he deserves for being the best side in Europe. He also created a family atmosphere, which didn’t last under Clough. I remember getting on the team bus with our keeper David Harvey and on the news they were saying Leeds were trying to sign Colin Todd and Peter shilton.
That was the first we’d heard about it and was the sort of thing that wouldn’t happen under the gaffer. Watching the film “The Damned United” brought back a few memories and the basic truth is in there. Clough didn’t give himself a chance at Leeds, which was a shame, if he had come in softly, softly, making changes as he went along, perhaps it could have worked. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 39
INTRODUCING
JACK WILKINSON Jack Wilkinson was signed on an 18 month playing contract from AFC Sudbury for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Jack has earned plaudits this season and has had several step 3 clubs courting him following some outstanding and consistent displays playing Left Back at David Batch’s old club. He joined from Haverhill Rovers after spells at Needham Market and as a youngster, Ipswich Town. He has also been effective at wide left and even centre midfield at times, bringing a flexibility that David Batch is keen to develop; Dave Batch our First team manager stated,
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‘Players who can be trusted to perform in multiple positions are important. They keep the squad size lower, which have an effect on budget and camaraderie, as well as allowing in-game changes without wasting substitutes’. Jack has been a very good signing for the Saints and has played in numerious positions for the club.
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LEE CLARKE SCORES ON HIS DEBUT
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MD’S VIEWS
THE NEXT STEP FORWARDS Tuesday 17th February (Tuesday just gone) was for me the start of the next chapter in what has been a slow process. that is not necessarily based around football because not everyone who wants to do sports based academics wants to be a footballer!
Hopefully you have all read about our new scholarship academic partners The SNLP (sounds like a political party) and hopefully a majority will be aware that we had an open trial day on Tuesday. We had 8 lads that couldn’t make it (these lads are already committed) but we still had 25 talented footballers make the effort to come and see us and show case their talent. Last year at the same time we had 7 lads attend which over the next few months grew to 27 committed lads on the programme.
Physiotherapy is a good example of a pathway that needs to be investigated as part of our ongoing ambition to continue to expand on what we can offer year 11 school leavers. If they can do it at college we can do it here at the club and do it better because we have better experience opportunities and there’s nothing like gaining valuable life skills.
Within five years I would like to A. Have a first team squad that is at the least 35% home grown (playing conference football)
Out of the 25 lads only 3 already attend Longsands or Ernulf or roughly 10%, so hopefully the numbers will increase.
B. Have at the least 6 lads over the five years to have had the opportunity to play for a league club
Our aim is not only to attract the best young footballers but also to provide a pathway for those students who wish to do a sports based programme that will lead to a career in sport or higher education
C. For St Neots Town FC to become a fully integrated part of the educational system I do not for one minute believe that everything will just fall into place
however I do believe that all the above is possible and that in five years time we will have 80 plus students attending the football club and not just for a football scholarship programme. A quick update on the Holiday course we held on Thursday, at the time of writing this piece (Tuesday evening) we have 40 names on our attending list but expect around 60 4-12 year olds to turn up. This is not only a fantastic endorsement for the club but it’s also part of our current scholars academic programme. We encourage all scholars to get their level one coaching badges (all our second years passed this last year) but also to attend and carry out afterschool clubs etc etc. Some of these lads manage your son or grandson!! I’d like to welcome all their supporters, officials and players to Rowley Park hope you have a great time enjoying our hospitality. Hitchin Town is my home club, I have lived in or close to Hitchin all my life and have even played football at Hitchin many years ago representing the County. I’ve watched them play at various times over the last 35 years or so, so I do have a soft spot for them. That soft spot will continue but only after todays game. LEE
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STEWS VIEWS
THE 10 CLOSEST FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINISHES With our own league pretty much either Poole Town FC or Weymouth Town FC’s to win, the next in the series of “Football Top 10’s” takes a look at nail biting end of the season finishes With this season’s Premier League title race about to ravage as many fingernails as bookmakers’ biros, we could be looking at one of the most open and exciting final run-ins ever witnessed. Interesting fact: if the Premier League title race can’t be decided on points, it goes to goal difference, then goals scored. If there’s still no winner, there’s a play off. Alas, that’s incredibly unlikely. In fact, the last time one of Europe’s big five leagues
06
(England, France, Spain, Italy and Germany) had to be decided by a tiebreaker was in the Series A back in 1963-64. However, the tie-breaker in Italy, in those days, was used as the way to separate sides who finished on equal points. Goal difference was ignored. So, essentially, it’s never happened. Prior to 1976, goal difference wasn’t used to separate teams that finished on the same points, but rather goal average, calculated by taking the
number of goals scored and dividing it by the number of goals conceded. Bright sparks spotted that this actually encouraged scoring less goals so goal difference was created, which favoured sides that score more. You’ll find both methods in the following list. Crikey, that was a very long-winded intro into our top 10 closest English top flight finishes. Hopefully we’ve all learned something...
1964-65 Congratulations: Man United Commiserations: Leeds Utd Beaten by: Goal Average
Despite losing 2–1 at Aston Villa on the final day of the league season, Manchester United (with George Best - pictured) were crowned First Division champions for the sixth time in their history (and the first time since 1957) on goal average ahead of Leeds. It was a truly sickening season for Leeds, in fact, who lost in the FA Cup final to Liverpool - who won the trophy for the first time in their history. This was also the season that Match Of
The Day was introduced for the first time for top flight games and saw Stanley Matthews play the final competitive game of his 35-year career.
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1923-24 Congratulations: Huddersfield Town Commiserations: Cardiff Beaten by: Goal Average This season represents the cruelest of moments for Cardiff City, who equalled Huddersfield’s points tally and even scored more goals. Their points difference was the same,
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1949-50 Congratulations: Portsmouth Commiserations: Wolves Beaten by: Goal Average
This was the season when Manchester United finally returned to a rebuilt Old Trafford eight years after it had been damaged by the Luftwaffe. They were inspired to a fourth place finish, just 3 points behind eventual winners Portsmouth (pictured). Wolves were pipped to the title on goal average with Sunderland finishing third, just one point behind the top two. There was an interesting battle in the Second
03
but back then, as we all learned in the riveting intro, goal average won through. Huddersfield pipped it despite only 5 players scoring for them throughout the entire season. Horribly morbid fact coming up. During this season (November 1923), Aston Villa centre-half Tommy Ball was shot dead by his neighbour, becoming the only Football League player to have been murdered.
Division, too. Going into the last game of the season, Sheffield
Wednesday needed to beat Tottenham to clinch promotion at the expense of their local rivals Sheffield United. The resulting 0–0 draw meant Wednesday won promotion by a goal average difference of just 0.008. Trust us, that’s tiny. A 1–1 draw would have left the two great rivals level on points and goal average, and a unique play-off match would have had to be played. It wasn’t.
1952-53 Congratulations: Arsenal Commiserations: Preston North End Beaten by: Goal Average This was the closest championship win in English league history at the time, with Arsenal claiming the title by just 0.099 of a goal. They were freescoring. They put 10 past Liverpool (5 at home and 5 away) and recorded a 6-4 away
win at Burnley a 5-3 home win against Wolves and put 6 passed Derby at Highbury. They also netted four goals against four other clubs. Both Arsenal and Preston had identical records aside from their goal averages. Had goal difference been the deciding factor, as it was from 1976-77 onwards, Arsenal would still have won with +33 to Preston’s +25, unlike in 1989 when they would have finished second on goal average.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 47
Scorelines.. A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter Premier Division
Valentine Day’s League Action Leaders Poole Town went behind soon after the hour mark at Histon but secured a 1-1 draw with a goal two minutes later while second placed Weymouth, having taken the lead midway through the second half, also had to settle for a 1-1 draw when visiting Redditch United scored fifteen minutes from time but third in the table Truro City recovered from going behind at bottom of the table Banbury United to secure a 2-1 victory just before the hour mark and Corby Town also had to come from behind before a penalty three minutes from the end gave them a 2-1 home success over Chippenham Town. Hungerford Town scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 at Hitchin Town while Cirencester Town scored twice in the opening ten minutes and twice more after the interval to complete an emphatic 4-0 home victory over Cambridge City while a goal after just four minutes was enough to give St Neots Town a 1-0 win at second from bottom Burnham but Chesham United, leading at the interval, had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Frome Town when the home side
scored in time added on. Paulton Rovers continued their climb up the table when, having taken the lead eight minutes after the break but gone behind with thirteen minutes to go, they secured a 3-2 home win against Biggleswade Town with two goals in five minutes but Dunstable Town, ahead after two minutes and leading 3-1 twenty minutes later, were reduced to ten men before the interval and slipped to a 5-3 home defeat by Dorchester Town while a first half strike gave Slough Town a 1-0 home win over third from bottom Arlesey Town.
Division One Central
Valentine Day’s League Action Leaders Kettering Town, ahead at the break, needed a penalty eight minutes from the end to snatch a 2-1 home victory over second from bottom AFC Hayes while Rugby Town moved up into fourth place when, after trailing at half time, they scored three times after the break to win 3-1 at Leighton Town and Royston Town, ahead after three minutes and three up at the changeover, won 3-1 at home against Daventry Town. Northwood played out a 0-0 draw
PAGE 48 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V HITCHIN TOWN ISSUE 22
at Chalfont St Peter but Godalming Town scored twice in each half to secure a 4-1 home win over Aylesbury United and St Ives Town scored after four minutes and again just after the half hour to set up a 3-1 success at Potters Bar Town while Beaconsfield SYCOB took the lead ten minutes from time and added two more before the final whistle to inflict a 3-0 home defeat on bottom of the table North Greenford United.
Premier Division
(w/c 15th February)
Poole town, two ahead at the interval, moved five points clear at the top of the table when a goal ten minutes from time gave them a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Chesham United. In Wednesday’s top of the table clash Corby Town moved into third place when they scored after four minutes and again in the sixth minute of time added on at the end of the first half to set up an emphatic 5-1 home victory over second in the table Weymoiuth while Frome Town did nothing to move clearer of the drop zone when Dunstable Town secured a 1-0 away win twenty minutes before the break.
I CAN STILL GET THAT ONE
BURNHAM FC 0 ST NEOTS TOWN 1 14:02:2015 / Southern Premier Division / Att 116 / Referee: Richard Kendall (Luton)
On a very wet pitch that resembled a ploughed field St Neots ground out an important result against one of the bottom markers in the league. pace. Joshua Webb shot wide and when just before the hour Ryan Frater came on to replace the limping Marango St Neots had to reshuffle.
It was never going to be a pretty match and as the game progressed St Neots were never going to be able to produce in the mud their usual brand of neat flowing football. The valuable points came at a cost with two of their strikers – Nathan Frater and youngster Ebey Marango – both forced off with hamstring injuries and they may need intensive treatment if they are to recover in time for the next match. However a third clean sheet in a row for the first time ever in the Premier Division was a measure of how well Manager David Batch has remodelled his defence. The lockout was down on this occasion to the agility of goalkeeper Paul Bastock who produced two vital saves in the final three minutes to deny Burnham and goal and most probably a point. Playing up the slope against the driving rain St Neots took the early initiative and after Drew Roberts had sent a shot wide the visitors took a fifth minute lead. Lee Clarke picked out Lorenzo Ferrari on the left flank and his early cross into the box was headed home by Lewis Hilliard. Clarke almost repeated his feat seven minutes later when his astute ball picked out a run by
Matt Spring but his finish was less accurate and flew wide. Roberts was booked by the over-fussy Referee for diving – an incident that looked more like an inevitable slip on the waterlogged surface and after 31 minutes Burnham created their only decent first half opening. A through pass from Joshua Webb saw Adam Dickens get past Tom ward to go clear but Paul Bastock anticipated his shot to save. Three minutes later Nathan Frater limped off with a hamstring pull to be replaced by Ebey Marango but sadly he only lasted around twenty minutes before suffering the same fate as the player he had replaced. Meantime Burnham striker Inih Effiong tested Bastock from distance and Ferrari brought a save from Alex Lynch with a miss-hit shot. By the start of the second half the pitch had deteriorated badly and St Neots were beginning to look unhappy as Burnham upped their
With Mat Mitchel-King playing in front of the reconstituted back four and Ferrari leading the attack St Neots were pushed back with much of the play now in midfield. Hilliard flashed a shot just wide after more good work by the impressive Lee Clarke and St Neots then made their final change with Sam Harty on to boost midfield and Clarke moving up front. Apart from a lone shot by Roberts most of the goalmouth action in the last fifteen minutes was at the opposite end with Bastock producing two magnificent saves to deny Nathan Webb and substitute Adam Bernard. It was a case of survival for the visitors as Burnham threw everything – including their goalkeeper late in the game – into attack. Tom Ward and the returning Ryan Frater won all the important aerial battles and St Neots took their recent record to five wins and three draws in nine games since the turn of the year. John Walker
Burnham FC
St Neots Town
Lynch, Montgomery, Gray, Brown, Page, Gordon, Fogarty, Webb (J), Effiong, Dickens, Webb (N) Subs: Bernard (for Dickens 70), Lossaso (for Fogarty 77), Davies (for Brown 85), Thompson-Wheeler and Risbridger. Cards: Montgomery (Y – 90 + 3)
Bastock, Tann, Wilkinson, Clarke, Mitchel-King, Ward, Hilliard, Spring, Ferrari, Roberts, Frater (N) Subs: Marango (for Frater (N) 34), Frater (R) (for Marango 57) Harty (for Ferrari 71) Bickerstaff and Wilson. Cards: Roberts (Y – 19), Spring (Y – 40) Goals: Hilliard (5 mins)
PAGE 50 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V HITCHIN TOWN ISSUE 22
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 51
I WILL LOOK AFTER YOU DREW
21-Mar
04-Apr
6 -- 1
25-Apr
1 -- 5
14-Mar
3 -- 0
06-Apr
0 -- 4
1 -- 1
21-Mar
3 -- 0
28-Mar
3 -- 2
3 -- 1
Bideford
Biggleswade Town
Burnham
Cambridge City
Chesham United
Chippenham Town
Cirencester Town
Corby Town
Dorchester Town
3 -- 0
2 -- 0
06-Apr
2 -- 1
2 -- 1
4 -- 1
07-Mar
2 -- 0
tba
6 -- 2
3 -- 1
2 -- 0
1 -- 0
3 -- 0
18-Apr
3 -- 0
Histon
Hitchin Town
Hungerford Town
Paulton Rovers
Poole Town
Redditch United
Slough Town
St Neots Town
Truro City
Weymouth
2 -- 3
Frome Town
3 -- 2
tba
0 -- 0
4 -- 0
4 -- 2
5 -- 1
2 -- 3
Dunstable Town
3 -- 1
3 -- 0
tba
2 -- 2
0 -- 2
Banbury United
Arlesey Town
28-Feb
Banbury United
Arlesey Town
Bideford
2 -- 1
5 -- 0
28-Mar
4 -- 1
7 -- 2
21-Mar
06-Apr
28-Feb
3 -- 2
tba
0 -- 2
1 -- 1
3 -- 3
tba
6 -- 2
25-Apr
4 -- 2
18-Apr
5 -- 1
3 -- 0
2 -- 3
0 -- 1
Biggleswade Town
3 -- 2
07-Mar
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
18-Apr
1 -- 0
3 -- 2
28-Mar
14-Mar
3 -- 0
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
0 -- 1
tba
tba
1 -- 1
3 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
11-Apr
2 -- 2
2 -- 1
Burnham
28-Mar
2 -- 1
3 -- 1
2 -- 2
0 -- 0
1 -- 0
3 -- 0
1 -- 0
18-Apr
2 -- 1
1 -- 2
4 -- 2
1 -- 0
07-Mar
25-Apr
14-Mar
06-Apr
tba
1 -- 0
4 -- 2
0 -- 2
21-Feb
Cambridge City 1 -- 0
1 -- 0
0 -- 1
07-Mar
2 -- 4
28-Mar
1 -- 1
2 -- 0
06-Apr
1 -- 1
2 -- 1
25-Apr
2 -- 2
3 -- 1
4 -- 0
11-Apr
4 -- 4
1 -- 2
21-Feb
tba
2 -- 0
0 -- 2
Chesham United 2 -- 1
0 -- 3
2 -- 3
0 -- 3
2 -- 2
3 -- 0
07-Mar
11-Apr
4 -- 1
21-Feb
1 -- 1
04-Apr
0 -- 0
1 -- 1
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
0 -- 2
1 -- 3
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
0 -- 3
Chippenham Town 0 -- 1
2 -- 0
18-Apr
2 -- 2
2 -- 1
3 -- 1
2 -- 1
0 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 3
06-Apr
5 -- 1
0 -- 1
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
28-Mar
1 -- 1
tba
0 -- 2
5 -- 0
07-Mar
0 -- 0
Cirencester Town 21-Feb
1 -- 4
07-Mar
1 -- 2
tba
2 -- 1
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
0 -- 0
11-Apr
14-Mar
0 -- 3
0 -- 1
2 -- 1
2 -- 1
0 -- 3
1 -- 3
0 --1
04-Apr
0 -- 2
0 -- 5
1 -- 2
Corby Town tba 18-Apr
2 -- 0
2 -- 1
6 -- 5
2 -- 1
tba 2 -- 4
3 -- 0
0 -- 0
18-Apr
0 -- 2
07-Mar
1 -- 0
1 -- 3
3 -- 5
28-Mar
6 -- 1
2 -- 1
3 -- 2
04-Apr
1 -- 5
4 -- 1
21-Feb
2 -- 1
1 -- 0
Dorchester Town
21-Mar
25-Apr
1 -- 0
3 -- 0
tba
06-Apr
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
2 -- 1
0 -- 0
0 -- 2
0 -- 1
2 -- 2
0 -- 3
28-Feb
04-Apr
0 -- 5
1 -- 2
Dunstable Town 07-Mar
28-Mar
06-Apr
0 -- 3
2 -- 1
1 -- 0
2 -- 2
0 -- 0
3 -- 2
1 -- 2
0 -- 1
1 -- 2
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
tba
1 -- 2
2 -- 0
0 -- 2
1 -- 2
21-Feb
0 -- 2
Frome Town 4 -- 2
tba
3 -- 1
18-Apr
2 -- 0
7 -- 0
21-Feb
1 -- 1
tba
1 -- 2
28-Feb
21-Mar
11-Apr
3 -- 1
1 -- 0
3 -- 0
tba
3 -- 1
1 -- 2
4 -- 0
1 -- 1
2 -- 2
Histon 3 -- 0
7 -- 2
4 -- 0
1 -- 1
2 -- 0
2 -- 0
04-Apr
1 -- 0
tba
4 -- 2
1 -- 3
28-Feb
1 -- 0
2 -- 0
1 -- 0
2 -- 1
6 -- 0
21-Mar
1 -- 1
14-Mar
18-Apr
2 -- 1
Hitchin Town 2 -- 2
3 -- 0
21-Feb
2 -- 1
tba
11-Apr
3 -- 0
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
04-Apr
21-Mar
2 -- 1
2 -- 0
2 -- 3
28-Feb
0 -- 1
2 -- 4
0 -- 0
3 -- 7
2 -- 1
0 -- 3
0 -- 2
Hungerford Town 3 -- 1
2 -- 1
14-Mar
1 -- 2
0 -- 2
1 -- 0
2 -- 3
0 -- 2
2 -- 1
07-Mar
2 -- 6
1 -- 0
1 -- 1
18-Apr
0 -- 1
1 -- 2
2 -- 1
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
1 -- 2
04-Apr
Paulton Rovers 2 -- 4
2 -- 0
1 -- 1
4 -- 2
0 -- 2
1 -- 0
25-Apr
1 -- 0
tba
2 -- 0
0 -- 2
3 -- 4
4 -- 1
0 -- 1
1 -- 1
2 -- 2
14-Mar
28-Feb
1 -- 0
3 -- 0
28-Mar
11-Apr
Poole Town tba
21-Feb
3 -- 2
0 -- 4
0 -- 1
4 -- 5
0 -- 0
1 -- 0
1 -- 1
0 -- 1
14-Mar
06-Apr
1 -- 0
tba
04-Apr
18-Apr
0 -- 2
1 -- 3
tba
0 -- 6
0 -- 1
tba
Redditch United 1 -- 1
3 -- 2
0 -- 3
1 -- 7
0 -- 1
1 -- 0
21-Feb
4 -- 0
28-Mar
0 -- 4
2 -- 1
14-Mar
0 -- 0
3 -- 2
1 -- 2
0 -- 1
tba
11-Apr
2 -- 5
07-Mar
0 -- 0
25-Apr
Slough Town 3 -- 2
1 -- 2
0 -- 3
28-Feb
2 -- 1
2 -- 2
06-Apr
28-Mar
0 -- 0
1 -- 1
11-Apr
25-Apr
1 -- 2
21-Mar
21-Feb
0 -- 0
3 -- 3
0 -- 2
3 -- 3
2 -- 0
tba
1 -- 0
St Neots Town 1 -- 0
2 -- 3
04-Apr
2 -- 0
28-Feb
0 -- 0
0 -- 0
3 -- 4
0 -- 0
25-Apr
1 -- 3
11-Apr
1 -- 3
1 -- 1
0 -- 1
3 -- 3
21-Mar
0 -- 1
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
1 -- 3
Truro City
1 -- 1
tba
21-Mar
2 -- 0
0 -- 3
3 -- 0
tba
1 -- 3
0 -- 3
5 -- 1
0 -- 3
2 -- 3
28-Feb
0 -- 1
1 -- 2
25-Apr
tba
11-Apr
14-Mar
1 -- 0
0 -- 2
06-Apr
2 -- 0
14-Mar 3 -- 0
04-Apr
3 -- 0
1 -- 2
2 -- 0
1 -- 2
25-Apr
1 -- 0
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
28-Feb
21-Mar
3 -- 0
1 -- 1
2 -- 2
3 -- 2
1 -- 3
1 -- 2
2 -- 3
Weymouth
A TRIP to Brazil in the middle of the season is not on every manager’s to do list.
Many Premier League teams have recently returned from trips to Dubai and Spain following a period of ‘warm weather training’, but Corinthian-Casuals’ trip to South America was more a re-run of history. The Ryman South team were in Brazil to play SC Corinthian Paulista in a friendly. The match was originally meant to be played 100 years ago, but was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War One.Casuals lost 3-0 to former world club champions amid crazy scenes in front of almost 40,000 fans at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, but they didn’t disgrace themselves. They held their hosts at 0-0 for over an hour, but for manager Matt Howard, the trip showed just how influential football can be in the continent. Howard said: “It is impossible to really put into words what we experienced but in front of such a crowd on such an occasion, you have to stand back and try and take it all in. “There must have been over 1,000 locals there just to see us train. You won’t find many PAGE 54 /
players excited about the prospect of training, but this trip was always going to be a little different.” For Corinthian-Casuals, it was a once in a lifetime trip but it’s not the first time a Non-League club have taken on world famous opposition. Step 5 club Nelson have their own little bit of history. For the first English team to beat current European champions Real Madrid on their home patch was not Manchester United or Liverpool. Nor was it Nottingham Forest or Chelsea. In the summer of 1923, the Lancashire side visited the continent for a pre-season tour, and after beating Real Oviedo, they turned Los Blancos over, winning 4-2. And for Welsh side Pontypridd Town, they travelled to Spain last summer for a friendly with La Liga giants Valencia. It was a Valencia reserve team who took to the field, comfortably beating the Welsh Division Three side. But the trip to Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, Valencia’s state of the art training
ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V HITCHIN TOWN ISSUE 22
ground, was something that will stick in the memory. Pontypridd manager Dominic Broad said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of us to line-up against one of the biggest clubs in the world and I actually thought the game went well. “The whole trip was absolutely phenomenal. All the media attention we had was quite unbelievable. We can’t thank everyone enough for what they’ve done and this is something that will live long in all our memories”
Maidstone United continued their rise in the summer of 2013 as they travelled across the channel to face Calais Racing Union. About 250 Stones fans made the trip, and the game didn’t disappoint either as it finished 4-4, despite the Kent visitors taking a 4-0 lead. So while Europe may seem a distant dream for many, a prestigious trip may be closer in the offing than expected! Joshua Peck Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper
Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in BOLD CAPS denotes goal scorer.
Date
ATT
COMP
R
Pos
2
3
4
Sat 09 Aug
Opposition Hereford United
568
SLP
2-0
7
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Ford
F
Tue 12 Aug
Chesham United
331
SLP
3-3
5
Abbey
Spence
LEE
Spring
F
Sat 16 Aug
WEYMOUTH
312
SLP
2-0
2
Abbey
Powell
LEE
Bickerstaff
F
Tue 19 Aug
REDDITCH UNITED
310
SLP
0-3
9
Abbey
Powell
Lee
Bickerstaff
Sat 23 Aug
Truro City
503
SLP
3-2
8
Abbey
Spence
LEE
Bickerstaff
Mon 25 Aug
Corby Town
518
SLP
3-1
6
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Bickerstaff
Sat 30 Aug
PAULTON ROVERS
298
SLP
1-1
7
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Bickerstaff
Sat 06 Sep
Biggleswade Town
301
SLP
2-2
6
Abbey
Spence
Wilson
Bickerstaff
Tue 09 Sep
HISTON
401
SLP
4-0
4
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Farrell
Sat 13 Sep
DEREHAM TOWN
312
FAC
1-1
-
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Spring
Sat 20 Sep
Banbury United
281
SLP
1-1
5
Greygoose
Spence
Lee
Farrell
Tue 30 Sep
Arlesey Town
217
SLP
3-1
2
Greygoose
Spence
Bickerstaff
Hilliard
Sat 04 Oct
BURNHAM
282
SLP
3-1
3
Greygoose
York
Lee
Wilson
Mon 06 Oct
Hitchin Town
291
SLP
4-3
2
Greygoose
York
Lee
Wilson
Sat 11 Oct
POOLE TOWN
619
SLP
3-2
2
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Wilson
Sat 18 Oct
Cirencester Town
141
SLP
1-1
2
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Thorne
Tue 21 Oct
CHESHAM UNITED
233
SLP
2-3
2
Bastock
YORK
Bickerstaff
Thorne
Sat 25 Oct
HEREFORD UNITED
329
SLP
1-0
2
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Wilson
Mon 27 Oct
Redditch United
141
SLP
0-2
3
Bastock
York
Lee
Cracknell
Sat 01 Nov
ILKESTON TOWN
330
FAT
2-1
-
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Ford
Sat 08 Nov
TRURO CITY
299
SLP
0-2
3
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Ford
Sat 15 Nov
DARLINGTON 1883
715
FAT
3-1
-
Bastock
Deeney
York
Ford
Tue 18 Nov
CAMBRIDGE CITY
322
SLP
0-1
3
Bastock
Deeney
York
Ford
Sat 22 Nov
Bideford
199
SLP
1-1
4
Bastock
Deeney
Adjei
Ford
Sat 29 Nov
AFC SUDBURY
431
FAT
1-1
-
Bastock
York
Adjei
Ford
Tue 02 Dec
AFC Sudbury
229
FAT (R)
0-1
-
Bastock
York
Adjei
Ford
Sat 06 Dec
DORCHESTER TOWN
292
SLP
6-5
4
Bastock
Deeney
York
Hutton
Tue 09 Dec
SLOUGH TOWN
299
SLP
0-3
5
Bastock
Deeney
Wilson
Hutton
Sat 13 Dec
Chippenham Town
285
SLP
1-0
4
Bastock
York
Ford
Wilson
Sat 20 Dec
FROME TOWN
307
SLP
3-1
5
Bastock
YORK
Davis
Cracknell
Fri 26 Dec
CORBY TOWN
462
SLP
2-4
8
Bastock
York
Ford
Cracknell
Thu 01 Jan
Dunstable Town
205
SLP
3-1
7
Bastock
York
Plowright
Ford
Sat 10 Jan
Paulton Rovers
167
SLP
0-0
8
Bastock
York
Wilkinson
Tann
Sat 17 Jan
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
491
SLP
2-1
8
Bastock
York
Davis
Tann
Tue 20 Jan
Weymouth
409
SLP
0-1
8
Bastock
York
Plowright
Tann
Sat 24 Jan
Histon
386
SLP
0-0
9
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Hutton
Sat 31 Jan
BANBURY UNITED
319
SLP
2-1
8
Bastock
York
Bickerstaff
Mitchel-King
Sat 07 Feb
ARLESEY TOWN
372
SLP
3-0
7
Bastock
Tann
Wilkinson
CLARKE
MITC
Tue 10 Feb
Hungerford Town
100
SLP
0-0
7
Bastock
Tann
Wilkinson
Clarke
Mi
Sat 14 Feb
Burnham
116
SLP
1-0
7
Bastock
Tann
Wilkinson
Clarke
Mi
Sat 21 Feb
HITCHIN TOWN
SLP
Sat 28 Feb
Poole Town
SLP
Sat 07 Mar
CIRENCESTER TOWN
SLP
Sat 14 Mar
HUNGERFORD TOWN
SLP
Sat 21 Mar
Cambridge City
SLP
Sat 28 Mar
BIDEFORD
SLP
Sat 04 Apr
Slough Town
SLP
Mon 06 Apr
DUNSTABLE TOWN
SLP
Sat 11 Apr
Dorchester Town
SLP
Sat 18 Apr
CHIPPENHAM TOWN
SLP
Sat 25 Apr
Frome Town
SLP
PAGE 56 /
ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V HITCHIN TOWN ISSUE 22
F
T
B
F
Player name in these colours denotes substitute
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
Frater (R)
Hoyte
Spring
Davies
Dillon
Hilliard
Powell
NOLAN
FRATER (N)
15
Frater (R)
Hoyte
DAVIES
Ford
Nolan
Hilliard
Powell
FRATER (N)
Frater (R)
Hoyte
DAVIES
Spring
Nolan
Ford
Frater (N)
Spence
Hilliard
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Nolan
Frater (N)
Ford
Roberts
Ferrari
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
FRATER (N) 2
Ford
Powell
Roberts
Ferrari
Farrell
Frater
Hoyte
Ford
Spring
Frater (N)
ROBERTS 2
Farrell
FERRARI
Davies
Powell
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
ROBERTS
Farrell
Ford
Ferrari
Wilson
Powell
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
FRATER N
ROBERTS
Powell
Deeney
Nolan
Farrell
FRATER
Hoyte
DAVIES
Powell
Nolan
ROBERTS 2
Hilliard
Wilson
Ferrari
Bickerstaff
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Wilson
NOLAN
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Farrell
Powell
Frater
Hoyte
DAVIES
Wilson
Nolan
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Ford
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
THORNE
FRATER N
ROBERTS
Wilson
Ferrari
Spring
Nolan
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
ROBERTS 3
Hilliard
Thorne
Nolan
Peacock
THORNE
Hoyte
Farrell
Spring
FRATER N
ROBERTS
Hilliard
Ford
NOLAN
Ferrari
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
ROBERTS 2
HILLIARD
Ford
Nolan
Thorne
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Nolan
Roberts
HILLIARD
Ferrari
Ford
Frater
Hoyte
DAVIES
Spring
Nolan
Roberts
Hilliard
Cracknell
Ford
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Nolan
ROBERTS
Hilliard
Frater N
Cracknell
Lee
Bickerstaff
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
Roberts
Ford
Farrell
Hilliard
Ferrari
Deeney
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
FRATER N
Roberts
HILLIARD
Ferrari
Deeney
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Dillon
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Frater N
ROBERTS
HILLIARD 2
Cracknell
Dillon
Frater
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Dillon
Roberts
Hilliard
Ferrari
Nolan
Frater
Ward
Davies
CRACKNELL
Dillon
Roberts
Hilliard
Mackey
Frater
Ward
Davies
SPRING
Dillon
Roberts
Hilliard
Mackey
Ferrari
Nolan
Frater
Ward
Cracknell
Spring
Mackey
Roberts
Ferrari
Hoyte
Hilliard
Davies
Ferrari
Hoyte
Ward
Davies
Spring
DILLON
ROBERTS 3
HILLIARD
Wilson
MACKEY
Cracknell
Ward
Hoyte
Davies
Spring
Dillon
Roberts
Hilliard
Mackey
Cracknell
Frater (N)
Deeney
Ward
Cracknell
Spring
Mackey
ROBERTS
Hutton
Plowright
Frater (N)
Hilliard
Frater
Ward
Hilliard
Spring
Mackey
ROBERTS
HUTTON
Davies
Plowright
Frater N Ferrari
Frater
Ward
Hilliard
Frater N
Mackey
ROBERTS 2
Hutton
Davis
Davies
FRATER
Ward
Ferrari
Wilson
FRATER N
ROBERTS
Hutton
Vieira
Davis
Frater
Ward
Hutton
Ford
Frater N
Roberts
Plowright
Adjei
Mackey
Frater
Ward
HILLIARD
Wilkinson
Frater N
Roberts
Adjei
Plowright
Hutton
FORD
Frater
Ward
Hilliard
Wilkinson
Frater N
Roberts
Ford
Adjei
Ferrari
Davis
Tann
Ward
Hilliard
Spring
Mackey
Roberts
Wilkinson
Vieira
Adjei
Ford
Tann
Ward
HILLIARD
Spring
Mackey
ROBERTS
Wilkinson
Vieira
Harty
Ferrari
MITCHEL-KING
Ward
Hilliard
Spring
Ferrari
ROBERTS
Marango
Harty
Vieira
Ford
Mitchel-King
Ward
Hilliard
Spring
Frater (N)
Roberts
Ferrari
Harty
Mitchel-King
Ward
HILLIARD
Spring
Ferrari
Roberts
Frater (N)
Marango
Frater (R)
Harty
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 57
SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 19.02.15
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
+/-
Pts
01
Poole Town
29
22
3
4
60
16
+44
69
02
Weymouth
32
20
4
8
58
45
+13
64
03
Corby Town
31
19
6
6
59
33
+26
63
04
Truro City
33
20
3
10
63
46
+17
63
05
Hungerford Town
34
17
9
8
49
28
+21
60
06
Cirencester Town
33
16
9
8
64
37
+27
57
07
St Neots Town
33
16
9
8
59
47
+12
57
08
Redditch United
31
15
7
9
56
34
+22
52
09
Chesham United
34
13
11
10
59
49
+10
50
10
Hitchin Town
32
14
6
12
55
48
+7
48
11
Paulton Rovers
33
13
8
12
54
50
+4
47
12
Dunstable Town
34
14
5
15
57
57
0
47
13
Slough Town
31
11
10
10
48
52
-4
43
14
Chippenham Town
33
11
10
12
36
41
-5
43
15
Bideford
31
12
4
15
54
70
-16
40
16
Cambridge City
30
8
10
12
47
49
-2
34
17
Dorchester Town
33
10
4
19
50
62
-12
34
18
Biggleswade Town
31
7
10
14
44
57
-13
31
19
Histon
31
8
7
16
33
53
-20
31
20
Frome Town
32
7
6
19
36
66
-30
27
21
Arlesey Town
32
7
3
22
30
66
-36
24
22
Burnham (-3)
32
5
7
20
32
57
-25
19
23
Banbury United
31
4
7
20
32
72
-40
19
PAGE 58 /
ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V HITCHIN TOWN ISSUE 22
Don’t succumb to just putting up a bookshelf, show your walls some love! Wall Art
Wallpaper
Wall Stickers
www.ilovemywalls.co.uk
Manager: David Batch Assistant Manager: Steve Eastaugh Goalkeeping Coach: Darren Plowman
Manager: Mark Burke Assistant Manager: Adam Parker Goalkeeping Coach: Mark Mellor
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers
Paul Bastock
Charlie Horlock
Jamie Greygoose
Martin Bennett
Defenders
Michael Johnson
Josh Bickerstaff
Defenders
Sam Harty
Lewis Rolfe
Adam Tann
Alasan Ann
Ryan Frater
Stuart Pearson
Tom Ward
Daniel Webb
Jack Wilkinson
Ben Walster
Theo Davis
Midfielders
Midfielders
Callim Donnelly
Dean Cracknell
Sam Barker
Lee Clarke
Daniel Green
Ebey Marango
Michael Noone
Matt Spring
Jonny Mcnamara
Lorenzo Ferrari
Matthew Lench
Lewis Hilliard
Lucas Kirkpatrick
Mat Mitchel-King
Sean Morrison
Forwards
Forwards
Bruce Wilson
Simon Martin
Chris Dillon
Brett Donnelly
Nathan Frater
Gary Wharton
Matt Nolan
Shaun Okojie
Drew Roberts Luis Vieira
Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks
Colours Yellow Shirts, Green Shorts/Socks
The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Paul Evans Assistants: Daniel Glazewski / Michael Dunkley Next Home Game: St Neots Town v Cirencester Town Southern League Premier Division / Saturday 7th March / KO 15:00
As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.