St Neots Town Vs Chippenham

THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00

Southern League Premier Division V

Chippenham Town Issue 27

08 Frustation at Slough / Read the match report from our away fixture versus Slough Town which saw 6 goals and 1 point

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View From The Dugout / Batchy acknowledges key ‘players’

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Stews Views / Craigs top ten moments from 2014/15

Where Are They Now? / Looking back at some famous names

Owner Mike Kearns

Club Secretary Gary Wilson

Sports Therapist Sam Palmer

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 27 V Chippenham Town Southern League Premier Division

Also Inside 06 Action Replay 13 Mascot Feature 14 Best Football Quotes Ever 16 Chairmans’ Views

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20 Read All About It 22 The Beautiful Game 30 Pull-Out Poster

News From The Youth / Get Involved with SNT Saints!

From The Other Side Of The Fence / We conclude our tribute to a legend

32 Greenies Greetings 36 Away Days 40 Match Report - Dunstable Town 48 Leagues Review 50 Match Report - Dorchester Town 53 Season 2014/15 Fixtures Matrix

24 Todays’ Visitors / A warm welcome to the Bluebirds!

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

The Non-Leage Paper / Showcasing the National Game Awards 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 players, officials and management of Chippenham.

The last home game of the season and it seems as though it has come around too quickly. After joining on 1st January, I really don’t feel as though we’ve had enough games here, but I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed every second of my time so far and really believe that between us, we can make things happen.

DROPPED POINTS The last 2 games we have dropped points and each situation has been bitter / sweet. Firstly the Dunstable game saw an unbelievable come back and spirit from the players, nearly capped by an impossible win despite being down to 10 men and 3-1 behind.

The pleasure and delight at seeing that kind of character was tempered by the fact that we dropped out of the play off positions after such a great effort.

Away at Dorchester, we had a below par performance which saw another draw. Despite having 10 shots on target and creating enough to win, it was very disappointing not to have taken all 3. The flip side was that we moved up a place back into the play offs! - Football!

We can all reflect and reminisce on what could have been, and let me tell you - ALL teams in the league do it. The ones at the bottom wish they hadn’t let in that goal that cost them a point in the last minute.

The ones in the middle, wish they hadn’t conceded in the last minute to cost them a win and the ones challenging at the top reflect on the one that was cleared off the line that if ONLY it went in, would see them go top.

GOOD HABIT Anyone can bemoan what hasn’t happened, but experience tells me that not losing and gaining points -regardless of the circumstance is a good habit to be in.

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So the last two games are upon us and what do we expect? Chippenham will be very, very direct and will not give us an easy game - as most aren’t.

Frome away on the final day will also be hard, especially as they may well be fighting to stay up. Either way in both games, we have to be bold, brave and confident and stick together no matter what.

I’m confident that we will be more organised than most teams in our league but now is the time to show it.

THANK YOU Finally a few words of thanks. Firstly of course, the players have been a joy to work with and we have easily integrated new ones into the group.

“Mick Hunt - the most pro active, professional and helpful guy that I’ve ever seen associated with a Club”

at the club, you help to make this club the most professional in Non-league.

Iain Parr and Anton have been a massive help with bringing in some of the younger players and that will happen more and more in the future.

Gary Wilson has been very supportive behind the scenes as well as our fixture Secretary Marion Izzard and of course there is Mick Hunt who is the most pro-active, professional and helpful guy that I’ve ever seen associated with a Club.

Whilst I’ve commented on the Supporters many times before, it is perhaps better in this case to let you know that EVERYONE I’ve ever talked to whom visited our club,

All in all, everyone connected to this club deserves success so let’s hope we can bring it.

Batchy

comment on how vocal and positive you all are. Thanks for your support and let’s keep that going.

To the Chairman. Whilst it may seem like a bit of a ‘love in’, I haven’t yet come across anyone as supportive as him at any club I’ve been at. I hope that I can contribute toward the success that he deserves.

Lastly to all the Staff and Volunteer’s

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 05

OUR FINAL HOME LEAGUE MATCH SIX YEARS AGO UCL PREMIER DIVISION (25/April/ 2009)

St Neots Town

2-2

Despite being two goals down following some dubious decisions by the match officials, Saints fought back to salvage a point against visitors Holbeach.

Holbeach applied the early pressure in the game but St Neots began to create a number of chances but could not find the finishing touch or accurate final pass with Lee Bassett and Tony Scully, whose effort was saved, prominent. However, it was Holbeach who took the lead when an innocuous challenge by Steve Dogbe was deemed to be a foul by the referee and Matthew Warfield tucked away the penalty.

The players and crowd alike were stunned by this decision and Holbeach almost doubled their lead when Cartwright shot just over. The home side fought their way back with a Jon Hall shot blocked for a corner before a brilliant interchange

Holbeach of passes down the right saw Chris Johnsons’ shot turned round the post on the half hour mark by James Doughty. Doughty, in fact, was lucky to stay on the pitch when he clearly handled the ball outside the area which was ignored by the officials and the Saints were denied a penalty of their own for a clear handball.

Cartwright was close again before Ross Nichols free kick was saved

by Mackney. In first half injury time Chris Johnson was just too slow in shooting and was foiled by a saving defensive tackle as he seemed likely to equalise.

Holbeach started the second half well and an excellent free kick 25 yards out from Cartwright beat Mackney but rebounded from the post. The home team tried to regain the fluency of the first half with Legwinski flashing a header across goal.

However, an error by Mackney was rescued by a goal line clearance before Liam Nimmo, clearly in an offside position, was able to receive the ball and put Holbeach two goals ahead. Manager Steve Lomas responded to this set back by sending on a second substitute, Matt Kenneford and this proved a catalyst for the Saints recovery as he picked up a loose ball and shot home from the edge of the box on seventy four minutes.

Tony Scully was just wide with an effort and Bassett had his effort saved. Kenneford, Ehui and Bassett, again, all went close before a fine cross from the left from Jon Hall was headed home by Bassett to give the Saints a deserved point. In fact, they nearly snatched all three in the last minute when Ehui volleyed just over.

St Neots: Mackney, Dogbe, Jon Hall, Hyem, Fuff, Legwinski, Scully, Webb, Bassett, Johnson, James Hall Subs: Knight (for Webb), Abraham, Ehui (for Johnson), Bannister, Kenneford (for James Hall) Man of Match: Scully Report: John Walker

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SLOUGH TOWN 3 ST NEOTS TOWN 3 04:04:2015 / Southern Premier Division / Att 354 / Referee: Shaun Barry (Northampton)

St Neots flattered to deceive as they squandered an early three goals advantage to return home with just a single point.

It was their fourth draw in their last six outings and this constant haemorrhaging of points is beginning to reduce their chances of a much cherished play off place at the end of the month. With Redditch losing to Truro they remain in fifth place but it is getting very tight with seven clubs still in contention for the four playoff places. The suspended Tom Ward was a notable loss in defence in the side as it conceded three goals away from home for only the third time this season and to add to the problems his automatic replacement Ryan Frater managed just 45 minutes before being forced off feeling ill.

However the reshaping of the attack bore immediate results with Lee Clarke moved up to lead the attack coming up with the second of St Neots three goals. Matt Spring returned in midfield after injury and it would be wrong to be ultra critical of the result because Slough needing a point to be mathematically sure of the Premier Division berth next season were very worthy of their result as they produced a determined performance. Slough started strongly with their long throws in causing the visiting defence some early problems. Brett Longden then burst through to fire narrowly wide and Lee Clarke deftly set up Lewis Hilliard whose low shot brought a full length save from home keeper Luke

Williams. Paul Bastock then was in action at the other end making a one handed save to deny home skipper Ben Edwards – all this goalmouth action coming in the first ten minutes. St Neots then took control with two goals in the spell of ninety seconds. After a quarter of an hour Nathan Frater employed wide right in the attack pulled a cross back from the bye line and leading scorer Drew Roberts joyfully claimed his first goal since 21st February to give his side the lead. In the very next attack Roberts registered an important assist as he found Lee Clarke with a short pass and his snap shot beat the keeper. However it was not all one way because Jake Parsons was played clear of the St Neots defence and he saw a net bound shot deflected for a corner by Jack Wilkinson and then from a Parsons corner the unmarked Tom Moran skied the ball high over the bar. Then after 25 minutes the voluble visiting supporters must have thought their side had taken a huge step towards three points when from a long throw

by Matt Mitchel-King the Slough defence dithered and Lewis Hilliard picked his spot through a crowded penalty area to make it 3-0. Adam Martin volleyed narrowly wide from a Parsons corner for the hosts and Daniel Reid hit the crossbar with a speculative lob but with ten minutes to go before the break Slough

got their reward for persistence when Reid capitalised on a poorly defended long throw to fire his side back into the contest. St Neots needed a solid start to the second half to defend their lead but got just the opposite. Just three minutes after the restart from a well delivered Parsons corner kick defender Reece Yorke rose high above the St Neots defence to head down for Daniel Read to bundle home his second goal of the game from close range.

St Neots now looked ragged at the back and six minutes later a Guy Hollis free kick was blocked on the goal line and Reece Yorke scored from close range with the St Neots marking not very good. At that point they could have fallen apart but they rallied with Roberts and Clarke bringing saves from Williams. Two St Neots defenders were booked as they unsuccessfully tried to curb the pacey runs down the left of Chris Henry and as the tempo dropped both sides looked happy to settle for a point although both Roberts and Longden had late chances to snatch a winning goal for the visitors – the latter seeing his shot blocked by the goalkeeper’s feet. This result still left St Neots with a target of maximum points from their last four matches to guarantee a play off play – subject of course to the other results.

John Walker

Slough Town

St Neots Town

Williams, Moran, Parsons (R), Hollis, Yorke, Martin, Parsons (J), Edwards, Harris, Read, Henry. Subs: Smith (for Harris 76), Fraser, Short, Palmer and Betts. Card: Yorke (Y – 64) Goals: Read 2 (33 & 48 mins), Yorke (54 mins)

Bastock, Longden, Wilkinson, Mitchel-King, Tann, Frater (R), Frater (N), Spring, Clarke, Roberts, Hilliard. Subs: Bickerstaff (for Frater (R) 46), Vieira, Marango, Harty and Wilson. Cards: Longden (Y – 53), Spring (Y – 62), Wilkinson (Y - 74) Goals: Roberts (25 mins), Clarke 16 mins), Hilliard (25 mins)

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Pictures Courtesy Of Horsham Rebel Photography

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 09

MATT WITH A DIVING HEADER

Our previous home game saw Millwall fan Archie Shotter (6) be Club Mascot for the day.

Pictured with his favourite player, Lewis Hilliard - Archie saw 6 goals and bucket loads of drama as the Saints drew 3-3 with Dunstable Town.

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Mascot feature Mascot Fact File Name: Thomas Rose Age: 6 Favourite St Neots Player and why: Tom Ward, he’s got a cool name!

Who do you play for?

I play football with friends What position do you play in?

Forward Who do you support? Barcelona What do you want to be when older?

RAF Favourite Food: Pepperoni Pizza Favourite Television Programme: Spongebob Squarepants Do you have any pets?

Just my sister ;)

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

The best football quotes ever!

Michael Owen to Newcastle is the biggest transfer of the season so far - and it will be until theres a bigger one

Without being too harsh on David, he cost us the match Ian Wright

Ive been consistent in patches this season THEO WALCOTT

Jim White

I look forward to hearing from the silent majority

I can learn as much from Darius Vassell as he can from me - but he can learn more

ALEX McLEISH

LORENZO FERRARI PAGE 14 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

Andrew Cole

I havent seen it, but it looks generous ARSENE WENGER

They can push the bat a little bit more than others at that level STEVE CLARIDGE

I spent four indifferent years at Goodison, but they were great years.

Martin Hodge

Paolo Di Canio is one picnic short of a hamper ALAN BRAZIL

The last six games of the Invincibles season were the most pressurised, because we were under pressure RAY PARLOUR

Id like to have seen Tony Morley left on as a down-andout winger Jimmy Armfield

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15

THE CHAIRMANS’ VIEWS

We have something very special here Firstly welcome to the Officials, Players and Supporters of Chippenham Town for todays last home fixture of the season.

I remember that last season was also our last home fixture against todays opponents where we lost our long home unbeaten record stretching back to the previous late November coincidently we are again on another long unbeaten home record this time stretching back to last Boxing day, lets hope history does not repeat itsself. Going back a couple of matches and the encounters with Slough Town and Dunstable Town that produce two three, three, draws I must say that we were so unlucky in both games for different reasons, the Slough game we threw away a three goal lead of which I have no doubt Dave has had his say on that one, but against Dunstable we were given what they call a little bit of a “Bums Rush” in that game with major decisions going against us with Brett in my and the video evidence showing he was very unlucky to be sent off and the dramatic last save from the Dunstable keeper that I’m convinced went over the line.

A winning goal for us after fighting back from two goals down with just the ten men, we could not have asked more of the players that day and they made us all feel very proud indeed of their never say die attitude.

Two points lost but we seriously found out about our teams will not to get beat. Results never went our way that day so we dropped down to sixth place and needed a slip up from others above us to allow us back into the top five. A long trip down to Dorchester was next on the agenda of a very exciting last three games of the season, where we gained a very valuable point to put us into a play off position, so

still everything to play for. Whatever happens in todays match and the last fixture away to Frome I will be more than happy with the management set up of the club. Of course we all want a play off spot and promotion if we can achieve that but lets take a longer term view and that we have a great management set up that will see us improve as a club through all of our teams, David has already introduced three of our youngsters and has no trouble in starting them or bringing them on at some point in the match, like young Dan Hobbs (below) who came on

and made an immediate impact against Dorchester, well done to the young man. It makes at all worth it when you see these young players being given a chance to shine and get much needed first team experience. They are the bloodline of the club and I’m sure that David and his team will tap into that in the future.

All in all a great season, some stressful times for myself and being first team manager for a couple of games was the worst experience of the season for me. Highlight is the signing of David Batch in fact I think that’s the best signing I have ever made. So what ever happens over

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these last two games there is always next season whatever league we may be in, mind you I just have that feeling lady luck might go our way as we certainly have not had much this season on the pitch that’s for sure.

Thank you to everyone, Volunteer’s (whom we just could not function without you) officials who give their time up for the cause, you know who you are, management, players and of course the best supporters in non league, you guys have a reputation of the friendliest supporters there are and are a credit to the club, you are also the loudest and most passionate. And now to the most important person in the club Marion Izzard. Many see her every Saturday doing many things but Maz is also the match fixture Secretary and has been for some 22 years, how many of our other teams she covers as Secretary even I don’t know, probably all of them.

Maz just gets on with it, without doubt the most professional person I have ever worked with. Thank you for every thing Maz you are a true star.

Lastly thanks to our managing Director Lee Kearns for all the hard work you put into running the club.

A great TEAM on and off the pitch.

Thank you all, we have something very special here.

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

MARCO GABBIADINI In his playing days his was a name to put fear in the hearts of defenders across the land. Now Marco Gabbiadini is serving up bed and breakfast in a city frequented by the Vikings.

“I was lucky as a player in that I never spent any serious amount of time out of the game – the longest break I had was about five weeks with a cartilage injury – but when I came to the end of my career I was ready for a change.

The hotel was an idea that myself and my wife came up with together one night, which is handy because we can both blame each other if anything goes wrong. The Bishops Hotel was already in business when we took it over and we’ve now been running it for nearly four and a half years.

It’s hard work – we’ve now expanded so we’ve got 13 rooms – and it’s certainly not glamorous.

I seem to spend a lot of time doing renovations and improvements, and there’s often times when we’ll both be working 18-hour days but it’s very rewarding and the wife loves it. I think running a hotel must be every woman’s dream because there’s always something that needs decorating.

There’s a mindset that just because you are, or were, a footballer, means you’ve got loads of cash, but in the lower leagues, where I finished my playing days, it’s very cut-throat and not especially lucrative so there’s very often a need for a plan B when you hang your boots up.

You give up everything to be a footballer and don’t get a lot of sympathy when you start saying that you don’t get much time to go on holiday, but it’s true. You’ve got such a small window of opportunity every summer, you can never just nip off for the weekend during the season and you’re at the beck and call of the manager throughout your career.

Now we’ve got the hotel and have staff living in there’s

a lot more chance to get away with the kids and do all the things we couldn’t when I was still playing.

I started my career at York City as a 17-year-old so I’ve always had a soft spot for the place. It won an award for being the best tourism city in Europe last year and there’s no doubt that tourism is the biggest business here, so there’s a lot of competition. On a busy weekend there could as many as 36 staying here so it’s all hands to the pump.

My son is now at the York centre of excellence so I spend quite a bit of time watching him play and when we’ve got a spare minute we’ll head off to watch Sunderland or maybe Leeds. I don’t get to watch live football every weekend, and I’ve never really been one for sitting down in front of the TV and watching football all Sunday. I love the Champions League though, it’s really taken European football to another level.

As for me, when I called it a day I had probably had my fill of football, but after four years out of the game I’m starting to get itchy feet. Nothing beats the buzz you get when you score a goal and it has been a huge part of my life from such an early age. There have been a few offers of work within the game but nothing has really appealed to me yet. Who knows though, I wouldn’t rule anything in or out...”

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us names and see fe after football.

PETER MARINELLO Peter Marinello was just 19 when Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign him from Hibernian in 1969, paying £100,000. Such was his talent, he was already dubbed ‘the Scottish George Best’.

When he scored a solo winner at Old Trafford on his Arsenal debut, the stage seemed set for an illustrious career, but things quickly went wrong. Seduced by the big city lights, the teenager went on to become “the guy who wrote the manual on how not to do it,” - and that was just the start of his troubles. “Looking back I think I made two big mistakes: the first was leaving Hibs too early.

As a youngster in the game, I had nobody to advise me.

Everything happened so fast. I think it even took Arsenal by surprise. I suppose London wanted its own George Best, and chose me. Looking back, it was incredible.

There were advertising deals, appearances on Top of the Pops, a newspaper column - I’d only been in the game for two minutes. The George Best comparison was flattering he was one of my heroes – but it brought added pressure.

My second big mistake was leaving Arsenal for Portsmouth in ’72. When I put in a transfer request, [manager] Bertie Mee tore it up, but I was headstrong and chasing the money.

It was a bad move, and afterwards I drifted from club to club. After a stint in the US, playing in the Indoor Soccer league for Phoenix, I ended up back in Edinburgh, with Hearts.

By that stage, I’d already had a couple of business ventures. I’d done a house conversion with a school friend, and bought a pub. But my choice of business partners was never the greatest. Football cocoons you from the world – everything was done on a handshake, and nobody cheated you. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case elsewhere. After my first partner left us in trouble, I went in with a guy whose dad I’d known at Portsmouth.

He turned out to be a conman and more or less assetstripped the company. I’d signed all the personal

WHERE

ARE THEY

NOW

?

guarantees, but he looked after the money and I never paid much attention to the bills. By the time I found out it was too late. He disappeared and left us in the lurch. We were meant to be starting a new venture over in Spain.

I probably lost in excess of £300,000 over the years. I was made bankrupt in Scotland and all my property was seized. We ended up living in Butlins in Skegness for six weeks. I went looking for my business partner – I wasn’t the only one – he owed money left right and centre. In the end, I got picked up by the police, as he accused me of attempted murder. We moved down in Bournemouth when a friend offered to put us up, and we’ve stayed down here ever since. These days I run an amateur team.

I always used to take my boots along in case they needed an extra player, but I had a hip replacement a few years ago and was advised not to play any more. Mind you, I’m still involved with the Arsenal veterans, and I’m about to go to Norway with them. I’ll have to be the sponge boy, but maybe I’ll come on with the last 20 minutes and just use my left foot.

My wife has had a lot of problems with depression, and one of our sons got into a bad way with drugs, but he’s been clean now for several years. We’ve not got the material things that we had, but we’re a lot stronger as a family, and I’ve got my first grandchild on the way in October. They say truth is stranger than fiction. With me it seemed to be one calamity after the other, and I got myself into so much bother over the years. I’ve recently published my autobiography, and there is talk of a film. I don’t expect it to make me a fortune, but then I didn’t do it for the money, it was just something I needed to do.”

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.

BIDEFORD AFC Bideford AFC has been issued with a windingup petition by HM Revenue & Custome over unpaid tax.

Just a day after the Poppies secured promotion, the club’s management has revealed that it has been offered a deal to start talks on a long-term lease at their current home Latimer Park.

However, a club spokesman said the current deal is not financially viable.

Merthyr will play in the Southern League Premier division next season.

RED INSURE CUP Poole Town lifted the Red Insure Cup after sharing

The petition was presented to the club last month and is due to be heard in London on Monday, May 18th, at 10.30am.

It means the club could be left homeless, despite having a strong desire to remain in the Borough of Kettering.

a goalless draw with Corby Town in the second leg at Tatnam on Tuesday night.

Bideford dispute the PAYE figure which was demanded after an inspection and a chartered accountant is working on the issue on the club’s behalf. Officials are believed to be confident the club still has a future.

Poppies chairman Ritchie Jeune has confirmed that discussions have taken place with Corby about the possibility of playing at Steel Park again after they staged matches there in the midst of their financial crisis two years ago.

The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division leaders and second-placed Corby Town failed to add to the 1-1 draw at Steel Park in the first leg last week.

It is understood the unpaid figure is not a significant amount but this development is another blow to the club which was struck with a £25,000 bill for essential work on their floodlights earlier this season.

MERTHYR TOWN

KETTERING TOWN Newly-crowned Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central champions Kettering Town have opened discussions about a possible move to play at Southern Premier neighbours Corby Town.

The Poppies` attempts to secure a fresh lease at Latimer Park in Burton Latimer hit a stumbling block.

Merthyr Town, needing just a point to clinch the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & West championship, did it in style after completing a resounding 9-0 home win over second-bottom Bishops Cleeve at the Cigg-e Stadium.

A crowd of 1,534 saw Ryan Prosser, Ian Traylor and Kayne McLaggon all bag braces.

Matt Harris, Dan Summerfield and Kerry Morgan completed the rout to take the Martyrs` goals for column to 115.

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Corby`s Herve Pepe N`Goma hit the post on the hour-mark as the crowd of 510 enjoyed an entertaining encounter, despite the lack of goals.

Last seasons winners were St Neots Town also of the Premier Division.

UPS AND DOWNS SO FAR It is a two horse race for the premier division with Poole Town and Corby Town going head to head in the final game of the season which could see a winner take all situation, how was that for fixture planning.

Elsewhere Truro have confirmed a play off position with the other two places to be fought out between Hungerford Town, St Neots Town, Weymouth and Redditch United with Hungerford Town and St Neots Town holding the advantage at present.

At the other end of the table Burnam are now relligated and it looks like barring a miracle that Banbury and Arlesey Town will join them.

Coming down from the Conference will be Staines and Farnborough from the southern section of which both are already religated with possibly Leamington and Brackley from the north.

Leamington, and Bedworth and maybe Rugby if either make promotion or relegation could be moved to Northern Premier with a possible move side ways to the Ryman Premier for Cambridge City and Histon.

If St Neots Town miss out on promotion then they could also be considered for a sideways move.

An interesting fact could be that Cambridge City will be ground sharing with St Ives Town making them further north / West than St Neots Town.

All very subjective but you just never know, we await a thrilling end to what has been quite a dramatic season.

Coming up from the central division will be Champions Kettering Town with Royston, Aylesbury, Bedworth and Rugby looking likely play off contenders.

Division one south and west league we have Merthyr Town already champions with Stratford, Evesham, Taunton and Larkhall as play off contenders.

Overall it looks like there will be a geographical change needed for some clubs who will be playing in the Southern league Premier division next season.

Cambridge City and Southern Division One Central outfit St Ives Town have announced a groundshare agreement that will see the Lilywhites play their home games at the Pro Edge Stadium for season 2015/16.

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 21

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

KIT CONUNDRUMS In a recent French game a substitution was enforced simply because a player ‘ran out’ of replacement shirts. Sounds a little odd doesn’t it?

Marseilles’s Andre Ayew was substituted following a lack of shirts to replace his two previous bloodied shirts following a head wound.

Although the club tried without success to customize a shirt with the number 33 on the reverse to a number 10, the ref instructed them to substitute him. Surely, someone in the crowd had a number 10 shirt on featuring Ayews name on the back that he could’ve borrowed? Didn’t they think of that?

Most of us have encountered kit issues at some time. I’m sure I’m not the only one who forgot their PE kit at school and had to wear the contents of the ‘Lost Property’ box as my substitute kit. I still have flashbacks now, decades later, when I picture myself in that green leotard and blue PE skirt! It was horrific, it chaffed like hell too. The only alternative was to participate in the lesson in just my vest and pants. Is that still allowed in this day and age?

If I, along with thousands of other kids had to endure this, how come it’s ok for the kit-men from professional football clubs to forget theirs? Surely, it’s not that simple to forget an enormous bag/box containing a squads’ shirts is it? As a kit-man, there are a few simple tasks to carry out. Gather the kit together, put it through the laundry process, gather it together again and take it with you to the next game.

It’s hardly the science of rockets is it? As simple as it sounds, we seem to have regular occurrences

in the world of football when teams have to wear borrowed kit from their opponents because of some kit malfunction of some description.

I wonder how many Kit-Men are sacked throughout as season as a result of this? Sometimes, it’s not even the opponent’s kit they have to wear. During the 1978 World Cup in Argentina the France National side were playing Hungary, not in their Famous blue kit with the Chicken badge on, they wore the green and white stripes of Argentinian Sunday pub team Kimberley. France hadn’t forgotten their kit on this occasion; it was simply that the Black and white TV viewing public would not be able to differentiate between the two sides and therefore, the French had to wear the striped shirts.

This happened a lot in televised football prior to Colour televisions.

One such incident forced BOTH clubs to change their kit. In the 1952 Irish Cup final between Ards and Glentoran, both teams’ kits, although totally different colours were hoop designs and therefore looked identical on the black and white tele. Ards wore the jerseys of Linfield FC and Glentoran wore the shirts Cliftonville FC. It must have been a strange spectacle for the fans in attendance that day! Another kit change linked with TV coverage was that of Sheffield United back in 1982. Nothing to do with the colours clashing on black and white TV’s (some still had these) but the Blades were forced to change because

PAGE 22 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

their kit featured a shirt sponsor which was a no-no for a televised game back then. It’s so confusing for players and fans alike when the team turn out in shirts which they are unaccustomed to. More often than not, the team in the unfamiliar shirts are often on the wrong side of decent result. Remember the ‘invisible kit’ that Manchester United wore in the mid 90’s? It was grey in colour and the players complained that they couldn’t pick each other out on the pitch to pass to. At 3-0 down at half-time, away at Southampton, Alex Ferguson ordered a kit change after the players complained and sure enough, wearing a different kit for the second half, United’s game improved to such a degree that they scored a goal and still lost 3-1!!

So, it’s not always the fault of the kit man when teams wear alternate kit.

I guess we can’t blame black and white TV anymore or sponsorship issues. The referee can’t be blamed if the colours of both teams clash and force a change of shirts.

There’s no doubt that clubs need to do a little more research prior to travelling away to ascertain their opponents selected colour. Away at Barnet, Oxford took their black kit to Underhill, only to find that Barnet had changed their home kit to black at the start of the season.

Enjoy the game today, make some noise and if things do get a little tense…please keep your shirt on!

ADE

TODAY’S VISITORS

CHIPPENHAM TOWN

Today we welcome to our visitors for our final league engagement in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division this season.

They are the players, Directors and supporters of Chippenham Town and we extend to them our usual warm welcome to the Cozy Stadium. For the first two seasons that we competed in the Premier Division of the Southern League Chippenham were a bit of a bogey team for they won three of our four meetings with the other match drawn. However in December at our first meeting this season a Drew Roberts penalty gave us a 1-0 victory to break the jinx. Chippenham are currently in eleventh place in the table and need to advance just one place to record their best finish since the 2010/11 season when they finished seventh. The previous season they had their best ever season finishing third in the table but losing out in the play off final to Nuneaton Town who moved up to the Conference.

Coincidentally the fixture computer has for the second successive season sent Chippenham here as our last visitors of the season and of course the result of this match could have a

significant impact on our hopes for the play off place in a couple of weeks time. (these notes were written prior to Easter because of early deadline dates). However I am sure that both of our sides will be already mentally gearing up for next season and so every match still counts regardless of the present position in the league table. Can I therefore sign off for this season with thanks to all who have helped the lads to make this a memorable 2014/15 season – guaranteed to be our most successful season ever in terms of our league performance.

Special mention to Manager David Batch and his backroom team who have masterminded our success – see you all next season.

CLUB HISTORY The club was formed in 1873 and in 1904 the Club took the decision to join the Western League and play alongside Trowbridge, Radstock,

PAGE 24 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

Welton Rovers, Staple Hill, Bristol East, and the reserve teams of Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town and Bristol City. Chippenham’s playing record was poor and the Club came bottom the first season and third from bottom the next. It was then decided to withdraw and play in the local Wiltshire League – a move that resulted in the Town winning their new league in 1907-08 and 1908-09.

After playing at four different locations during the early days, Chippenham made Hardenhuish Park their HQ on the 24th September 1919 and they rejoined the Western League for the 1930-31 season. The Club went on to win the Western League title for the only time in its history in 1951-52 but in the 1960’s and 1970’s the club had spells in the Wiltshire League and the Hellenic League and promotion to the Premier Division of the Western League was gained in 1981.

The 1999-2000 season saw a superb increase in support at Hardenhuish

Year founded: 1873 Nickname: The Bluebirds Chairman: Neil Blackmore

Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/ chippenhamtown/

Stadium: Hardenhuish Park Capacity: 2,815 (500 seated) Cuurent League Position: 11th

Park with the highest attendance figures in the country achieved for the fifth, sixth and semi-final rounds of the F.A. Vase. This culminated in a crowd of 20,083 the second highest in the history of the competition attending the final at Wembley against Deal Town which unfortunately the Bluebirds lost by one goal to nil but the Club finished fourth in the League.

Success continued on and off the pitch for the Bluebirds in the 20002001 season with the club finishing the season second in the league thereby qualifying for promotion to the Dr. Martens Southern Football League.

finished fifth in the league and were semi-finalists in the League Cup. The 2004-2005 season saw the Bluebirds finish runners-up in the Southern League Premier Division their highest ever league finish, but unfortunately they just failed to win promotion via the play-offs when they were beaten one nil by Hednesford Town in the final.

moving the club forward. During the next three seasons the club was continuously around the play-off zone and with Adie’s policy of using young players the future looked bright.

The 2001-2002 season was meant to be one of consolidation but as the season progressed so did the team’s performances and much to everyone’s surprise we finished as league runners-up thus securing promotion to the Dr. Martens Premier Division at our first attempt. The club adapted well to life in their first season in the Dr. Martens Premier Division. They

The 2005-2006 season proved to be another excellent one for the Bluebirds. They just failed to win promotion for the second season running via the play-offs when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Bedford Town to a last minute goal in the playoff final. However, the club reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for only the second time in its history finally losing in a replay away to Worcester City.

During the 2006-2007 season Adie Mings was appointed Manager and brought about a much needed improvement in the teams’ fortunes,

Season 2009-2010 saw the club have great runs in the two main FA Competitions and following a fantastic run at the end of the season found ourselves in the end of season play-offs. A cracking two nil home victory over Hednesford Town in the semi-final saw the team pitted against big spending Nuneaton Town away in the play-off final. However, despite scoring first the team were unlucky to lose out eventually by two goals to one.

The season of 2010/11 was another good one and although we were not very successful in either the FA Cup or the FA Trophy we did get to the semifinal of the Red Insure Cup, being defeated by Hednesford who then carried on to win the competition.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 25

WHO’S WHO

THE BLUEBIRDS

MARK COLLIER

KENT KAUPPINEN

MARK COLLIER MANAGER Ex Swindon Supermarine manager.

Mark has been managing for 8 years and previously coached at Swindon Town Academy for 7 years.

TOM JONES ASSISTANT MANAGER Ex Swindon Town and Aberdeen player. He was Youth Team manager at Swindon Town and has coached in S. Korea. He has been working alongside Mark Collier for 4 years.

KENT KAUPPINEN GOALKEEPER (12/12/1991) Signed Jan 2014. Previously played in goal for Swindon Supermarine.

CONOR THOMPSON GOALKEEPER (24/2/95) Signed Dec 2014. Previously played in goal for Larkhall Athletic.

LEE PHILLIPS FORWARD (16/09/1980) Signed Jul 2012. Previously played for Bath City, Exeter City and Torquay United.

CONNOR MACCORMACK

JAMES GUTHRIE

Signed Jan 2011. Previously played for Highworth Town

Signed Jul 2014. Previously with Gloucester City FC.

IAIN HARVEY MIDFIELD (5/09/1977) Originally signed in 2005. Previous clubs include Bath City, Clevedon Town and Swindon Town. Has made over 300 appearances for the Club.

CONOR MCCORMACK DEFENDER (25/4/1995) Signed Jul 2014 and was captain of the England school boys’ team.

Previously with Yate Town and Clevedon and had a season playing in Iceland.

TOBY OSMAN MIDFIELD (24/9/1990) Originally signed in 2011. Previous clubs include Eastleigh, Frome Town and Mangotsfield United.

JON BEEDEN DEFENDER (5/11/1991) Signed Nov 2013. Previously with Cirencester Town.

JORDAN ROBERTS MIDFIELD (10/11/1992) Signed Jul 2014. Previously with Swindon Supermarine.

MARK PREECE DEFENDER (3/6/1985) Signed Sep 2014. Formerly with Gloucester City and Oxford City.

ALEX FERGUSON MIDFIELD (23/09/1994) Signed Aug 2014. Was on loan from Swindon Town season 2013 - 2014.

JACK ODAM FORWARD Signed Jan 2015. Formerly with Dorchester Town.

MICHAEL POOK MIDFIELD (22/10/85) Signed Sep 2014 from Hungerford Town. Also played for Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town and Oxford City

RYAN CAMPBELL MIDFIELD (8/10/1993) Chippenham Park player.

ASHAN HOLGATE FORWARD (09/11/1986) Signed Dec 2014. Previously with Oxford City but also played for Newport County, Basingstoke and Swindon.

GREG TINDLE DEFENDER (16/02/1989) Previously with Chippenham Town for 3 years and re-signed in Feb 2013 from Frome and Calne.

JAMES GUTHRIE MIDFIELD (14/01/1991)

MATT COUPE DEFENDER (7/10/1978)

PAGE 26 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

CHARLES GRIFFIN FORWARD (25/6/79) Signed for a third spell with Chippenham Town in Feb 2015 from Gloucester City. Previous clubs include significant spells at Stevenage, whom he helped into the Football League, Woking, Forest Green Rovers, Newport County, Salisbury City and Bath City.

Luke Ballinger (Midfield) Played for Chippenham in 2012-13 season. Other Clubs include Frome Town and Paulton Rovers. Captains the England Futsal team.

JOHN BEEDEN

ALEX FERGUSON

BRYAN SMITH

LEE PHILLIPS

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 27

Focus on Youth...

St Neots Town U18’s St Neots completed their home league matches with an excellent comeback win over neighbours Huntingdon after twice being behind.

ST NEOTS TOWN U18 4 : HUNTINGDON TOWN U18 2 Thurlow Nunn Youth West Division Their second half inspiration came from substitute Claudio Ofosu who scored their third goal and set up the fourth for leading scorer Chris Lewis to complete his first league hat trick of the season. Second from bottom in the table Huntingdon looked far better than their lowly league position suggested and they must have been very disappointed to return home empty handed after an impressive first half performance. St Neots now have two away fixtures to complete their season and record yet another impressive finish in the top four of the table. Huntingdon began very impressively and could have scored twice in their first attack after four minutes. Toby Marumahoko used his pace to go clear of the home defence only for Evan Jeckells in the St Neots goal to block his low finish with his legs and when the defence failed to clear the loose ball Bradley Bennett beat the keeper with his follow up only to see the ball rebound from a post. However this was only a temporary reprieve for St Neots for nine minutes later a

slick move out of defence set up Conner Lewis to open the scoring with a crisp finish. St Neots rallied and created chances of their own with Chris Lewis bringing a good save from visiting goalkeeper Bass Craig and then seeing a second effort blocked on the line by a defender. From a Mitch Taylor through ball Daniel Lewis then had a net bound effort pushed for a corner by Craig but the pressure paid off and after 21 minutes Erhan Nurettin won the ball in midfield and set up Chris Lewis for the St Neots leveller. The visitors still looked the sharper side and they regained the lead after half an hour with the best goal of the match as Marumahoko won the ball and with his back to goal set up Bennett on the right flank and his inch perfect cross picked out Conner Lewis whose well place firm header gave Jeckells no chance. It could have been worse for St Neots because three minutes before the break a Jake McFarlane volley rebound from the foot of a post.

St Neots adopted a more attacking approach immediately after the break with substitutes Owen Bevan and Ofosu marauding down the flanks with pace and after just three minutes Chris Lewis claimed his second goal of the game to once again level the scores as he netted from a very tight angle with Craig looking at fault. However the keeper made amends with a brave save at the feet of Daniel Lewis just three minutes later and also saved well from Ofosu. As the half wore on the visitors seemed to tire quickly leaving gaps in defence and St Neots had the pace and skill to expose the shortcomings.

With fifteen minutes left St Neots were ahead for the first time when Ofosu too advantage of a quickly taken throw to get around the back of the Huntingdon defence to score from a narrow angle.

After that there was only going to be one winner as Ofosu set up Chris Lewis for the fourth goal and Bevan almost added a fifth but his shot came back into play off the crossbar.

John Walker

St Neots Town U18

Jeckells, Luff, Heywood, Taylor, Loasby, Ball, Lewis (Chris), Lewis (Charlie), Lewis (Daniel), Nurettin, Coleman. Subs used: Ofosu Clarke. Whittle, Bevan and Harris.

Goals (St Neots): Chris Lewis (3) (13, 48 & 85 mins), Claudio Ofosu (75 mins).

PAGE 28 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

Sponsored by Steve Ridley

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THIS IS PAINFUL HE NETS THE WINNER

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Well, here we are, the last home game of the 2014/15 season and probably the most important game in the Club’s history as we look to secure a playoff spot. Realistically, we are now looking at finishing in fifth place, which would mean a playoff match at the team who finishes second, so this is going to be either Poole Town or Corby Town, midweek in the week commencing Monday 27th April. Of course, we need two wins from our final two games and Weymouth to slip up in at least one of their remaining games, which include games with Corby Town, Poole Town and lastly away at Biggleswade Town so all to play for still.

Whatever happens, we are set for our highest ever finish in the league so without actually winning

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any silverware, it means it’s been a successful season in my opinion on and off the pitch with the Youth section going from strength to strength and the arrival of David Batch and his management team who are shaping the club up nicely from top to bottom.

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SAINTS

Saturday saw us travel down to Dorchester Town in Dorset and we returned home with a vital point, courtesy of Tom Ward’s equaliser in a game in which we largely dominated but failed to convert the chances we created.

Not having top scorer Drew Roberts available didn’t help matters as we missed his non-stop running and his set piece delivery but this isn’t to say that others didn’t put in a shift as I think the lads sweated blood on a sunny afternoon in an impressive looking stadium, cheered on by a fantastic following once again with supporters travelling by coach, car and train to be part of the promotion push.

I’d personally like to just thank everyone who has helped produce this fantastic match day magazine, all our contributors,

PAGE 32 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

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Mark and Mike for giving it such a professional polished look and XLpress for printing it on time every week and most importantly, you, the fantastic supporters who purchase it every game.

Hopefully we can once again win best Southern League Programme and improve on our 6th Best Non League Programme from last season.

This season’s Presentation Night will take place on Saturday May 9th. Please keep an eye on our website and social media lines for more details in the near future.

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Ok then, back to today’s action. Plenty of noise from you guys today and next Saturday at Frome and who knows, we may have an extra game or two to play.

That’s it from me for this season. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my notes and stats etc. Enjoy the remainder of the season and I’ll see you all back here for our pre season schedule, details of which will appear on the website as fixtures are confirmed.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT AND ENJOY YOUR SUMMER !!!

GREENY

Division

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Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to Rowley Park - The Cozy Stadium, for today’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division game.

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Issue 03

SAM HARTY, TRAVELS FROM SHEFFIELD EVERY WEEK

AWAY DAYS

BLINDMANS BREWERY STADIUM Our last visit of the season is to “Blindmans Brewery Stadium” down in Somerset the home of Frome Town.

A very important game in this our last league fixture of the season, having beaten Frome at home over the Christmas period they have become quite a formidable outfit and only us being at our very best will we see the result we require. It’s a “Dress up like Eamonn day” a great bloke and true supporter (pictured below).

DIRECTIONS From Bath, take A36 and then A361.

At third roundabout, follow A361 and at fourth roundabout take A3098.

Take first righ and ground is one mile on left hand side. From south follow A36 (Warminster) and take A3098 to Frome. At T Junction turn right and take second exit at roundabout.

Ground is first right and follow road for one mile on left hand side.

PAGE 36 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

BLINDMANS BREWERY STADIUM Badgers Hill, Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2EH Wheelchair Access: Yes Matchday Magazine: £2 Capacity: 3,000 (500 seated) Round Trip from (PE19 6SL): 320 Miles

FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE

BRIAN CLOUGH In the last of the series this just about sums up the great man

GOLDEN GESTURE

By Ex-forest chief scout Alan Hill One of my fondest memories of Brian was when I recall something that happened in the summer of 1983. I was with him on a four-day charity walk on the Pennines.

That walk has gone down in history as the one he heard that his old mate Peter Taylor has signed John Robertson and sparked the acrimonious break up of one of the games greatest ever partnerships.

But I will remember it for something completely different.

I cant remember exactly how we came to be on the walk but Brian was raising some money to buy an electric wheelchair for a young girl who lived in West Bridgeford near the forest ground.

Anyway, we had stopped to have a drink in this lovely little pub along the way when this little lad comes up to Brian and says “Hey, its Cloughie” “Mr. Clough to you” he corrected him. “Hey Mr. Clough, would you do me a favour” the lad said.

PAGE 38 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

“If I Can”.

“Would you mind if I went and got my granddad and brought him to see you?”

“Where is he?” Asked Brian.

“Just down the road. I can go and get him.”

“Aye, all right then. Run along with ya”, came the reply.

A little while later the lad returned, carefully steering his grandad who was quite clearly blind. “Watch the step grandad,” he’d say.

I KID YOU NOT, WE WERE THERE FOR HOURS, HAVING A CUP OF TEA AND SOME CAKE AND BY THE TIME WE LEFT, I RECKON HALF THE VILLAGE HAD BEEN THROUGH THE HOUSE, STARING ON IN DISBELIEF AT CLOUGHIE’S KINDNESS IN GIVING ONE OLD COUPLE A GOLDEN WEDDING DAY, THEY’D NEVER FORGET!!

“Watch it there grandad there’s some cow muck,” the boy continued, gently getting the old fella towards us.

We had the warmest welcome you could ever imagine and word spread around that the gaffer had made an impromptu visit.

“Right, if you put your hand out grandad, you can shake Brian Clough’s hand,” the lad said.

I kid you not, we were there for hours, having a cup of tea and some cake and by the time we left, I reckon half the village had been through the house, staring on in disbelief at Cloughie’s kindness

The gaffer, clearly touched, moved towards the old man and gave him a massive hug.

in giving one old couple a golden wedding day, they’d never forget!!

BRIAN CLOUGH 1935 - 2004 Aged 69 Simply the greatest football manager of all time

“I idolize thee” he said in a thick Yorkshire accent. “You don’t know how much this means to me”.

The gaffer was quite moved and assured him the pleasure was all his.

“You’ve made my day and that takes some doing because it’s a special one for me today”.

“How come?”

“Its my golden wedding”

“Where’s your good lady” he asked.

“She’s just down at the house” The next thing I knew, we were making our way down to the old fella’s house.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 39

ST NEOTS TOWN 3 DUNSTABLE TOWN 1 06:04:2015 / Southern Premier Division / Att 446 / Referee: James Turner (Kings Lynn)

On the face of it St Neots could have blown their chances of a play off place with this disappointing home draw but that bland statement does not give the picture of a most extraordinary match.

They slipped out of the play off places to sixth swapping places with Hungerford but all the top sides still have at least three matches to play so one of those could do St Neots a favour - provided St Neots win their three remaining matches after drawing five of their last seven.

The ultimate outcome of the match hinged on a 27th minute incident when they were reduced to ten men and worse was to follow as they surrendered a one goal lead to concede three in seventeen minutes to go in at half time trailing 3-1. The side was well on top with both central defenders up for a set piece when Brett Longden left in charge at the back misjudged a high ball forward allowing Gary Wharton to squeeze past him to go clear.

Longden as last man was adjudged to have brought down his opponent from behind and was sent off.

However subsequent video evidence suggested that Longden had first been fouled by Wharton – an incident missed by the Referee. That decision reduced St Neots to ten men for the final 63 minutes and left them with a mountain to climb. The St Neots side unchanged from their starting line up at Slough 48 hours earlier began extremely well once an early snap shot from visiting striker Chris Marsh had rebounded from a post. After just four minutes Matt Mitchel-King netted only his second goal for St Neots with a brave diving

header to a Drew Roberts corner to put them ahead and then as they buzzed around the Dunstable goal both Ryan Frater and Lee Clarke had close range shots blocked on the goal line – both from corners. St Neots set piece threats were keeping the visiting defence at full stretch although on the break Charlie Henry cut in to shoot the visitors second attempt at goal wide of the far post.

Then that sending off incident that stunned St Neots and they were further set back when Danny Talbot sent the resultant free kick through the defensive wall to level the scores leaving goalkeeper Paul Bastock helpless. The St Neots bench St Neots reacted swiftly to reshape their side sacrificing Nathan Frater and sending on Bruce Wilson and playing three in midfield without a wide attack. For ten minutes play was fairly even but then in a catastrophic two minutes period leading up to half time St Neots conceded two very sloppy goals. The first was a gift misjudged pass by Wilson who set up Adam Watkins to beat Bastock with a crisp finish and then the unfortunate substitute was again involved when Watkins broke clear to sent a shot onto the crossbar and as the defence stood statuesque Jamale McKenzie Lowe was left with the simplest of headed finishes into the unguarded net. In added timer St Neots should have pulled a goal back when Lee Clarke found himself

unmarked ten yards from goal but he mistimed his effort heading the ball over the crossbar. Wilson never appeared after the break and so Sam Harty was sent on in his place in midfield. St Neots needed a herculean second half performance to salvage anything from the match and they produced just that. Never looking a man short they almost totally dominated the second period.

Reshaped again in a 3-4-3 formation they pounded the Dunstable defence and after 50 minutes Matt Spring brought the save of the match from visiting keeper Charlie May whose reflexes protected his sides’ two goal advantage. However a minute later Spring was hauled down on the edge of the penalty area and a trademark quality free kick by Lewis Hilliard reduced the deficit to a single goal.

Now Dunstable’s only aim seemed to be to keep the ball out of their penalty area and they were lucky not to concede a penalty when May appeared to handle outside his area but play was waved on. With 13 minutes left St Neots pressure paid off as Jack Wilkinson found Matt Spring who fed Lee Clarke and from 20 yards his low shot beat May to level the scores. In a frantic last ten minutes Roberts saw a shot blocked on the line and the ten men of St Neots trooped off at the final whistle justifiably convinced that they had deserved to win.

John Walker

St Neots Town

Dunstable Town

Bastock, Longden, Wilkinson, Mitchel-King, Tann, Frater (R), Frater (N), Spring, Clarke, Roberts, Hilliard. Subs: Wilson (for Frater (N) 28), Harty (for Wilson 46), Vieira (for Hilliard 81), Bickerstaff and Marango. Cards: Longden (RED – 27), Hilliard (Y – 35), Roberts (Y – 71) Goals: Mitchel-King (4 mins), Hilliard (51 mins), Clarke (77 mins)

May, Bailey, Smith, Longe-King, Blackett, Talbot, Watkins, Henry, McKenzie-Lowe, Wharton, Marsh. Subs: Fontanelle (for Bailey 53), Dixon, Gardner, Jones and Lynn. Cards: Longe-King (Y – 48), Henry (Y – 65) Goals: Talbot (27 mins), Watkins (43 mins), McKenzie-Lowe (45 mins)

PAGE 40 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 41 39

DREW WITH A GREAT EFFORT

MD’S VIEWS

TIME TO TALK? As I’m righting these notes I’m sitting in a camper van somewhere in the new forest slowly getting more and more excited about Saturday’s game against Chippenham.

Ok it’s not going to give me the same unhindered pomp of excitement i had earlier in the day as my 8 year old pulled out the line to reveal a fifth crab or the thrill I gleaned from teaching myself to open a bottle of red with a screw, a screw driver and pair of pliers but, bearing in mind, this is a pretty important game of football for St Neots Town FC. Is it the most important game in the clubs history?

I can’t pretend to know the history behind every important game the club has played but if a game is judged on where it could take us then yes it probably is.

Four years ago I spent the Easter holiday at the club on my own, when I say on my own I actually mean on my own for the whole two weeks apart from a Saturday first team game of football, this year we’ve been pretty booked out with Soccer days, FA coaching days, weekend parties etc etc. I mention this because this is also a great indicator of how important Saturday’s game is to me and to what myself, Parry and Louise and trying to achieve behind the scenes.

Iain Parr - Instrumental in the ongoing development of the football club The trials we had for next years scholars was again a fantastic success with 30 new lads attending, I guess the fact that we have (and will always) put their education first is starting to get known and again I have to thank Longsands and Ernulf for their support. I’d also like to put something out there if I can. Not to far away from us there is another scheme that is not as flexible and knowing how these things run there is probably not much of the funding getting back to the parent club.

PAGE 44 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

Personally I got pretty fed up with talking to colleges and independent educational providers because in my experience the last thing on their mind is the learner and the club that is trying to produce future first team footballers.

Maybe it’s time to talk?

LEE

STEWS VIEWS MY TOP 10 MOMENTS FROM SEASON 2014/15 WITH ST NEOTS TOWN FC Throughout the season I have looked at a couple of “Top 10’s” including, “Top 10 Non League Players Ever” and “Top 10 Away Days with St Neots Town FC”.

My 10th Favourite Moment from this season; 9th August 2014 Hereford Utd Away and just arriving on the coach was a great moment for me. My first time back too Edgar Street, since my playing days and it was a both a real pleasure to visit with my home town team and a disappointment to behold what the club had become since that first visit. Score 0-2 Saints.

Moment number 9; 6th September 2014 Bigglewade Town Away. One of the many seesaw games that as fans we have bear witness too. Should if been out of sight and 2 or 3 goals to the good, then fortunate to get away with a point in then end. The moment came after the then assistant manager and goalkeeper, Nathan Abbey had been shown a red card and a penalty awarded, up steps big Ryan Frater for the gloves and saves the penalty which was more or less the last kick of the match. Score 2-2.

Moment number 8; 6th December 2014 Dorchester at Home. An unbelievable game with a truly unbelievable scoreline 6-5 saints! Ben Mackey busting the net with a trademark close range volley to win the game.

Moment number 7 and Moment number 6; New Years Day 1st January 2015 Dunstable Away. On the day 2 of the 3 Saints goals scored were of real quality. The first one scored by ex Dunstable player Nathan Frater on 71mins, finishing off a fine move and then an absolute beauty from Drew

PAGE 46 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

Roberts only 3 minutes later, curling exquisitely into the top corner, right in front of the travelling Rabble.

Score 1-3 Saints Moment number 5 and Moment number 4; 6th October Hitchin Town FC Away. Standing with amongst others the Chairman, the quality of the heckles aimed at the Hitchin Town Management team and their response to the was hilarious. Fair play to them for having a laugh with us, in what was a tight and sometimes fraught affair. In another one of those see-saw games quite

A STANDING OVATION FROM THE RABBLE AWAY AT HEREFORD UNITED

often seen this season, the last laugh was on them as Matt Nolan nicked all three points in added time, with a winning goal. Score 3-4 Saints Moment number 3 and moment number 2; Both occurred as recently as last weekend 11th April 2014 at home to Dunstable. Louis Hilliard, quite often the Saints saviour got his team mates back into a match they should of really been in complete control of, with a superbly taken free kick. Disguise was the key as the keeper actually went the wrong way, completely out foxed by the

cuteness of the strike. Again in a real humdinger of a match, that included a red card, bad officiating, time wasting and some great goals, Lee Clarke’s equaliser lifted the rabble like little else this season. Relief that something had been taken from the game and quite simply what could be the most important goal scored this season.

Moment number 1; My favourite moment however came in the home game against Biggleswade on 17th January 2015.

It came courtesy of Ben Ford, who for me spent nearly all the

season in the shadow of Jay Davies undeservedly so. A really nice lad and a quality baller his moment came late in the game against our nearest logistical rivals. Latching on to a wonderful pass, he buried ball into the back of the net, in front of the Rabble, which included his dad, whom he ran up too and celebrated with. A lovely moment for him, in which must if been up to that point a quite frustrating season, playing second fiddle to another player.

Looking back for particular moments in games can sometimes be difficult, but this season has provided many good and forgettable moments in games. On balance we have seen many more good moments than bad, so on balance, whatever happens in our last two matches, in my mind it’s been a great season so far. Here’s to making the playoffs and having the chance to get promoted, which was always the goal this season! We are nearly there.... Yours Aye Craig

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 47

Scorelines..

A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter Midweek Premier Division (8th April)

On Wednesday, Poole Town’s Title challenge took another knock when Cirencester Town, a goal up at the interval, went on to record a 3-2 home win despite conceding an equaliser just after the hour mark.

Weekend Premier Division (11th April) Leaders Corby Town, having taken the long trip back to third in the table Truro City, went ahead after four minutes but slipped to a 2-1 defeat when they conceded an equaliser eight minutes into the second half and a penalty three minutes from time allowing second placed Poole Town to close the gap to four points when, despite having led early in the second half after going behind in the sixth minute, they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Hitchin Town who equalised on the hour.

Fourth in the table Hungerford United converted two second half penalties to secure a 2-0 home win over Chesham United while second from bottom Banbury United, having taken the lead on the stroke of half time, completed a 3-0 home win with a penalty two minutes from time which sent Weymouth out of the play-off places to be replaced by St Neots Town who equalised five

minutes after going behind in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw at Dorchester Town. Redditch United kept their slim play-off hopes alive when two first half strikes gave them a 2-0 win at bottom of the table Burnham as did Cirencester Town who, after going behind in the third minute, scored midway through the second half to secure a 1-1 draw at Histon while third from bottom Arlesey Town shared a 0-0 draw with visiting Paulton Rovers and Chippenham Town, ahead after four minutes, drew 1- 1 at home when Cambridge City struck four minutes later. Slough Town, two down before the half hour mark, pulled a goal back before the break and scored three more in the second half to win 4-2 at Dunstable Town while Biggleswade Town picked up three valuable points in their fight against relegation when a goal after fifteen minutes gave them a 1-0 victory at Bideford.

Weekend Division 1 Central (11th April) Champions Kettering Town scored twice in the second half to win 2-0 and send hosts Barton Rovers out of the play-off places to be replaced

by Bedworth United who scored twice in the opening seven minutes and completed a 3-0 home win against Potters Bar Town with a third

PAGE 48 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

five minutes before the break while Rugby Town dropped to fifth when a goal five minutes before the interval lifted AFC Hayes off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 home win and Aylesbury, who secured a 1-1 draw at Beaconsfield SYCOB with a penalty eight minutes from the end, lost second place to Royston Town who, level one each at the break, scored three times in seven minutes early in the second half to record a 4-1 win at Leighton Town.

Hanwell Town went behind midway through the second half but secured a 1-1 home draw with Marlow three minutes from time but a first half strike gave Godalming Town a 1-0 victory at Bedford Town and St Ives Town scored in the final minute to win 1-0 at home against Egham Town while Northwood, ahead after twelve minutes but trailing early in the second half, scored twice in four minutes to secure a 3-2 home win over Aylesbury United.

Uxbridge took a first half lead but had to settle for a 1-1 home draw when Daventry Town scored five minutes from time while Chalfont St Peter, two behind just after the hour mark, secured a 2-2 home draw with a goal a minute from time which sent North Greenford United back to the foot of the table and confirmed their relegation.

THE USUAL AWAY SUSPECTS

DORCHESTER TOWN 1 ST NEOTS TOWN 1 11:04:2015 / Southern Premier Division / Att 383 / Referee: Andrew Bennett (Devon)

This was a case of a repeat of the Saints’ recent form with valuable points potentially surrendered against opponents with little to fight for themselves.

St Neots created almost all the better scoring chances, they dominated possession especially in the second half and were quite clearly the better side but that all important goal that should have won them the game did not materialize. The players cannot be criticised for their effort because that was there in abundance but they were at times unlucky and at other times wasteful with their best chances. However with only one defeat in their last eighteen outings under Manager David Batch this should surely be the springboard for more success than they are assured of at this late stage of the season.

In Drew Roberts St Neots have one if the leading scorers in the league but sadly he missed this match due to a long time private commitment elsewhere and that final spark in front of goal was missing. His absence meant that defender Tom Ward returned to the reshaped side after serving a two match suspension and it was he who got the vital goal that did ensure that the side did not return from Dorset empty handed.

St Neots began this match confidently against a side that last season was playing in the Conference South. After three minutes Brett Longden cut in to set up Lewis Hilliard who shot was pushed for a corner at full stretch by Alan Walker-Harris. From that corner the ball ran loose to Matt Spring who saw his shot blocked and

then Nathan Frater failed to catch a through ball with the home defence square. Dorchester responded with Nick Crittenden heading wide from a Bradley Tarbuck cross to the far post and then Lewis Horsburgh played clear saw his effort well saved by Paul Bastock.

Despite play being end to end clear chances became few with each defence well on top but the sides were guilty of not playing enough creative football with the option of a long ball over the top in use too frequently. St Neots did create three more good chances in the first half but failed to convert them. After 21 minutes a trademark Hilliard shot from outside the area was only just too high and then a deft flick fron Lee Clarke freed Nathan Frater whose low shot was well saved by the keeper. However the outstanding chance of the half was created after 26 minutes when Nathan Frater did well to beat his marker close to the bye line and his perfect cross was met by the arriving Brett Longden whose free header sailed harmlessly over the bar. Another positive start after the break saw St Neots reverting to a 4-3-3 formation with Hilliard joining the two strikers up front and it brought dividends with Nathan Frater seeing Walker-Harris produce a fine save to deny him and then when a Hilliard blockbusting shot was dropped by the keeper it was Clarke who followed in but

he could only lift the ball over the crossbar. For a ten minutes spell St Neots bombarded the Dorchester goal winning three successive corners and from the third of these Ryan Frater got up above the defence but saw his header land on the roof of the net. The Dorchester management realised they had to do something to counter this so they changed the shape of their side by introducing two substitutes and for a spell the game settled. St Neots was still enjoying the bulk of possession and Matt Mitchel-King saw a shot blocked with the home keeper out of position and Hilliard sent a volley over the bar. Then after 64 minutes and totally against the run of play Dorchester took the lead. A long clearance saw Adam Tann slip as he attempted to head away allowing substitute Dan Smith to go clear and beat Paul Bastock with as low shot. To their credit St Neots showed great character to recover from this setback and seven minutes later after an Adam Tann header from a Matt Spring free kick had rebounded from a post Tom Ward claimed his third goal in a month heading home a Jack Wilkinson corner to level the scores. After that St Neots introduced fresh legs in a bid to snatch a winner but the closest they came was in added time when a Clarke header from another Spring free kick was deflected wide by a defender. John Walker

Dorchester Town

St Neots Town

Walker-Harris, Murray, Smeeton, Morgan, Walker, Dillon, Crittenden, Lanahan, Watson, Horsburgh, Tarbuck. Subs: Smith (for Horsburgh 56 mins), Jermyn (for Crittenden 56 mins), Brookes, Old and Gleeson. Cards: Morgan (Y – 80) Goals: Smith (64 mins)

Bastock, Tann, Wilkinson, Mitchel-King, Frater (R), Ward, Longden, Spring, Clarke, Frater (N), Hilliard. Subs: Hobbs (for Hilliard 64 mins), Harty (for Tann 74 mins), Vieira (for Frater (N) 86 mins), Bickerstaff and Ferrari. Cards: Ward (Y – 80), Frater (N) (Y - 84) Goals: Ward (71 mins)

PAGE 50 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

Pictures courtesy of Phillip Standfield

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 51

News from the Youth...

Get Involved

St Neots Town Youth F.C. is entirely run by volunteers, who give up their time free of charge, to ensure our local players can enjoy the game of football. So a club for the community run by the community.

We are looking to run the following teams for the 2015/16 season: Age Groups - St Neots Town Youth (Season 2015/16) Under 7s

Under 11s

Under 14s (Girls)

Under 8s

Under 12s

Under 15s

Under 9s

UNDER 12S (GIRLS)

Under 16s

Under 10s

UNDER 13S

Under 10s (Girls)

Under 14s

Under 18s (Girls) Under 21s

As ever we are always looking for help and the club will support anyone who would like to get involved. So we would love to hear from you if interested in any of the following: • Coaching • Administration (including committee positions) • Fund raising

Anyone interested can contact us at enquiries@stneotstownyouthandsaints.com We look forward to hearing from you

PAGE 52 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

0 -- 0

0 -- 3

6 -- 1

25-Apr

1 -- 5

2 -- 1

3 -- 0

0 -- 1

0 -- 4

1 -- 1

1 -- 3

3 -- 0

1 -- 1

3 -- 2

3 -- 1

Bideford

Biggleswade Town

Burnham

Cambridge City

Chesham United

Chippenham Town

Cirencester Town

Corby Town

Dorchester Town

3 -- 0

2 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

4 -- 1

1 --0

2 -- 0

2 -- 0

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

2 -- 0

0 -- 0

4 -- 0

4 -- 2

5 -- 1

2 -- 3

Dunstable Town

3 -- 1

3 -- 0

2 -- 2

2 -- 2

0 -- 2

Banbury United

Arlesey Town

2 -- 2

Banbury United

Arlesey Town

Bideford

2 -- 1

5 -- 0

1 -- 0

4 -- 1

7 -- 2

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

2 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 2

1 -- 1

3 -- 3

1 -- 2

6 -- 2

25-Apr

4 -- 2

18-Apr

5 -- 1

3 -- 0

2 -- 3

0 -- 1

Biggleswade Town

3 -- 2

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

18-Apr

1 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

0 -- 1

2 -- 0

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

3 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

0 -- 1

2 -- 2

2 -- 1

Burnham 3 -- 3

2 -- 1

3 -- 1

2 -- 2

0 -- 0

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 0

18-Apr

2 -- 1

1 -- 2

4 -- 2

1 -- 0

3 -- 1

25-Apr

3 -- 1

2 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 0

4 -- 2

0 -- 2

2 -- 1

Cambridge City 1 -- 0

1 -- 0

0 -- 1

0 -- 4

2 -- 4

3 -- 2

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

2 -- 1

25-Apr

2 -- 2

3 -- 1

4 -- 0

1 -- 1

4 -- 4

1 -- 2

1 -- 4

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

Chesham United 2 -- 1

0 -- 3

2 -- 3

0 -- 3

2 -- 2

3 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

4 -- 1

6 -- 5

1 -- 1

3 -- 2

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

0 -- 0

5 -- 1

0 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

0 -- 3

1 -- 1

0 -- 0

0 -- 2

5 -- 0

0 -- 2

0 -- 0

Cirencester Town 2 -- 0

1 -- 4

4 -- 0

1 -- 2

0 -- 0

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

0 -- 0

1 -- 1

0 -- 1

0 -- 3

0 -- 1

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

0 -- 3

1 -- 3

0 --1

1 -- 0

0 -- 2

0 -- 5

1 -- 2

Corby Town 2 -- 1 18-Apr

2 -- 0

2 -- 1

6 -- 5

2 -- 1

1 -- 2 2 -- 4

3 -- 0

0 -- 0

18-Apr

0 -- 2

0 -- 0

1 -- 0

1 -- 3

3 -- 5

2 -- 2

6 -- 1

2 -- 1

3 -- 2

3 -- 0

1 -- 5

4 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

Dorchester Town

0 -- 1

25-Apr

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

2 -- 4

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

0 -- 0

0 -- 2

0 -- 1

2 -- 2

0 -- 3

3 -- 2

1 -- 3

0 -- 5

1 -- 2

Dunstable Town 2 -- 2

0 -- 0

3 -- 3

0 -- 3

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 2

0 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 1

1 -- 2

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

0 -- 2

Frome Town 4 -- 2

2 -- 1

3 -- 1

18-Apr

2 -- 0

7 -- 0

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

1 -- 2

0 -- 4

1 -- 1

3 -- 0

3 -- 1

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

2 -- 2

3 -- 1

1 -- 2

4 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

Histon 3 -- 0

7 -- 2

4 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

2 -- 0

0 -- 3

1 -- 0

0 -- 0

4 -- 2

1 -- 3

2 -- 0

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

6 -- 0

1 -- 3

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

18-Apr

2 -- 1

Hitchin Town 2 -- 2

3 -- 0

6 -- 2

2 -- 1

0 -- 0

2 -- 2

3 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

0 -- 3

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

2 -- 0

2 -- 3

2 -- 3

0 -- 1

2 -- 4

0 -- 0

3 -- 7

2 -- 1

0 -- 3

0 -- 2

Hungerford Town 3 -- 1

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

1 -- 2

0 -- 2

1 -- 0

2 -- 3

0 -- 2

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 6

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

18-Apr

0 -- 1

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

1 -- 2

2 -- 3

Paulton Rovers 2 -- 4

2 -- 0

1 -- 1

4 -- 2

0 -- 2

1 -- 0

25-Apr

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

3 -- 4

4 -- 1

0 -- 1

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 0

2 -- 3

1 -- 0

3 -- 0

0 -- 1

0 -- 0

Poole Town tba

2 -- 2

3 -- 2

0 -- 4

0 -- 1

4 -- 5

0 -- 0

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

0 -- 1

0 -- 2

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 0

18-Apr

0 -- 2

1 -- 3

1 -- 2

0 -- 6

0 -- 1

0 -- 2

Redditch United 1 -- 1

3 -- 2

0 -- 3

1 -- 7

0 -- 1

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

4 -- 0

1 -- 1

0 -- 4

2 -- 1

0 -- 1

0 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 1

0 -- 2

0 -- 2

2 -- 5

1 -- 1

0 -- 0

25-Apr

Slough Town 3 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 3

4 -- 0

2 -- 1

2 -- 2

2 -- 0

5 -- 2

0 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 4

25-Apr

1 -- 2

3 -- 5

2 -- 0

0 -- 0

3 -- 3

0 -- 2

3 -- 3

2 -- 0

tba

1 -- 0

St Neots Town 1 -- 0

2 -- 3

3 -- 3

2 -- 0

0 -- 0

0 -- 0

0 -- 0

3 -- 4

0 -- 0

25-Apr

1 -- 3

1 -- 1

1 -- 3

1 -- 1

0 -- 1

3 -- 3

0 -- 0

0 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

1 -- 3

Truro City 1 -- 0

0 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 4

3 -- 0

1 -- 2

2 -- 0

1 -- 2

25-Apr

1 -- 0

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

1 -- 2

3 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 2

3 -- 2

1 -- 3

1 -- 2

2 -- 3

2 -- 0

2 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 1

4 -- 0

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

0 -- 3

3 -- 0

3 -- 1

1 -- 3

0 -- 3

5 -- 1

0 -- 3

2 -- 3

7 -- 2

0 -- 1

1 -- 2

25-Apr

1 -- 2

3 -- 0

0 -- 1

Weymouth

The football season may be coming to an end but we’ve still got the drama of the play-offs to look forward to – as well as our National Game Awards!

We know that Non-League is the lifeblood of our national game which is why we try and bring you the best coverage from around the country each Sunday.

Trophy final. If so, you might want to be voting in the Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year award for Adam Nicklin who made the all important penalty save.

And it’s also why we try and honour the best Non-League has to offer and give them the recognition they richly deserve.

If you think North Shields or Glossop North End should be rewarded for reaching the FA Vase final, make sure your voice is heard. Our Toolstation Cup Run of the Year gong is ready to go to a good home.

Our National Game Awards are back and we need your votes to ensure the right contenders are in the running.

The annual bash is taking place at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on Wednesday, May 20 and is set to be bigger and better than ever.

This year we’re backed

by Dean Holdsworth’s brilliant NonLeague Footballers’ Association and this is a plea for you to have your say while you still can.

The general election may be coming up, but there’s another important vote you need to cast before then!

You might be a North Ferriby fan still on cloud nine after your brilliant win in the FA

The Red Insure Team of the Year award is always a tough one to call and it looks like it will be again this time around.

From Steps 1 to 4 there are plenty of sides who could lay claim to the title.

Your votes will help them win it.

As well as team related prizes, we also want to celebrate the best individuals Non-League has to offer – both on and off the pitch.

There are plenty of great youngsters plying their trade outside of the Football League. Maybe you’re a Bristol Rovers fan who has been impressed by Tom Lockyer’s form this season? Boss Darrell Clarke even claimed the young Welshman would “kick his own grandma if it meant winning a football match”!

Andy Yiadom has also impressed for a Vanarama Conference high-flyer in Barnet while at Step 2 the likes of Solihull Moors’ Omar Bogle, Oxford City’s Adi Yussuf (pictured) and Lee Angol of Boreham Wood could easily

PAGE 54 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

have their names on the trophy.

And then there are those who do their fare share behind the scenes that equally deserve their spot in the limelight.

The NLFA are also backing the Unsung Hero award and William Hill are once again supporting the Fan of the Year prize.

There are also awards for Manager of the Year, Player of the Year and Goal of the Season amongst others. so make sure your club is represented at our awards ceremony next month.

Just like the race for Downing Street, if you don’t vote, you can’t moan about the winner! Email who you think should be rewarded to ngavotes@greenwayspublishing. com or tweet us using the hashtag #NGAVotes.

Steven Cooney 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

547

SLP

6-2

6

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Wilson

Mi

Sat 28 Feb

Poole Town

387

SLP

0-0

6

Bastock

Tann

Bickerstaff

Mitchel-King

Sat 07 Mar

CIRENCESTER TOWN

428

SLP

4-0

6

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Sat 14 Mar

HUNGERFORD TOWN

366

SLP

1-1

6

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Clarke

Mi

Sat 21 Mar

Cambridge City

431

SLP

0-0

5

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Clarke

Mi

Sat 28 Mar

BIDEFORD

409

SLP

1-0

5

Bastock

Longden

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Sat 04 Apr

Slough Town

356

SLP

3-3

5

Bastock

Longden

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Mon 06 Apr

DUNSTABLE TOWN

446

SLP

3-3

6

Bastock

Longden

Wilkinson

MITCHEL-KING

Sat 11 Apr

Dorchester Town

383

SLP

1-1

5

Bastock

Tann

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Sat 18 Apr

CHIPPENHAM TOWN

SLP

Sat 25 Apr

Frome Town

SLP

PAGE 56 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

F

T

B

F

F

F

F

G

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

Mitchel-King

Ward

HILLIARD

Spring

CLARKE 3

ROBERTS 2

Longden

Harty

Bickerstaff

Vieira

Frater R

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Clarke

Roberts

Wilson

Longden

Cracknell

Hobbs

Frater R

WARD 2

Hilliard

Spring

CLARKE

Roberts

Longden

FRATER (N)

Wilson

Bickerstaff

Mitchel-King

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

FRATER (N)

Roberts

Longden

Ferarri

Mitchel-King

Ward

Hilliard

Spring

Frater (N)

Roberts

Longden

Harty

Frater (R)

Ferrari

Tann

Ward

Marango

Clarke

Frater (N)

Roberts

HILLIARD

Ferarri

Vieira

Tann

Frater R

Frater N

Spring

CLARKE

ROBERTS

HILLIARD

Bickerstaff

Tann

Frater R

Frater N

Longden

CLARKE

Roberts

HILLIARD

Wilson

Harty

Vieira

Frater R

WARD

Longden

Spring

Clarke

Frater (N)

Hilliard

Vieira

Harty

Hobbs

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 57

SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 14.04.15

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

+/-

Pts

01

Corby Town

42

27

7

8

82

45

+37

88

02

Poole Town

41

27

6

8

79

31

+48

87

03

Truro City

42

26

5

11

79

54

+25

83

04

Hungerford Town

42

21

12

9

61

34

+27

75

05

St Neots Town

42

19

15

8

78

57

+21

72

6

Weymouth

41

22

6

13

69

66

+3

72

7

Redditch United

42

19

12

11

69

43

+26

69

8

Cirencester Town

42

19

11

12

75

53

+22

68

9

Hitchin Town

43

19

10

14

74

63

+11

67

10

Paulton Rovers

42

18

10

14

63

58

+5

64

11

Chippenham Town

42

16

12

14

53

50

+3

60

12

Chesham United

42

15

12

15

77

69

+8

57

13

Dunstable Town

43

16

8

19

70

77

-7

56

14

Bideford

42

16

6

20

65

83

-18

54

15

Cambridge City

42

13

14

15

69

61

+8

53

16

Slough Town

41

13

11

17

64

81

-17

50

17

Histon

42

12

10

20

50

69

-19

46

18

Dorchester Town

42

12

8

22

58

72

-14

44

19

Biggleswade Town

42

10

12

20

53

72

-19

42

20

Frome Town

42

10

9

23

47

78

-31

39

21

Arlesey Town

42

10

6

26

41

78

-37

36

22

Banbury United

41

7

10

24

46

85

-39

31

R

Burnham (-3)

42

5

8

29

41

84

-43

20

PAGE 58 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V CHIPPENHAM TOWN ISSUE 27

Showcasing an incredible limited edition collection

by JJ Adams - the biggest selling artist in the UK!

www.ilovemywalls.co.uk

Manager: David Batch Assistant Manager: Steve Eastaugh Goalkeeping Coach: Darren Plowman

Manager: Mark Collier Assistant Manager: Tom Jones

Goalkeepers

Team from:

Paul Bastock

Kent Kauppinen

Jamie Greygoose

Conor McCormack

Defenders

Jon Beeden

Josh Bickerstaff

Matt Coupe

Sam Harty

Jordan Roberts

Adam Tann

Mark Preece

Ryan Frater

Alex Ferguson

Tom Ward

Michael Pook

Jack Wilkinson

Charles Griffin

Theo Davis

Ashan Holgate

Brett Longden

James Guthrie

Midfielders

Toby Osman

Dean Cracknell

Lee Phillips

Lee Clarke

Greg Tindle

Ebey Marango

Jack Odam

Matt Spring

Luke Ballinger

Lorenzo Ferrari Lewis Hilliard Mat Mitchel-King Forwards Bruce Wilson Chris Dillon Nathan Frater Matt Nolan Drew Roberts Luis Vieira Dan Hobbs Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Colours Lime Shirts, Grey Shorts & Green Socks

The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Mathew Buonassisi Assistants: David Jarrett / Wayne Bright

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.