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Good afternoon and welcome to everyone joining us for today’s UCL Cup fixture against Skegness Town. Since my last programme notes, we’ve had just the one fixture, a convincing 6–1 victory over Netherton United in the Hunts Cup. It was a pleasing performance, particularly as we fielded a mixture of first-team players and lads from our development squad. It gave us an opportunity to provide valuable senior football experience to some of our younger players, while also giving other members of the squad important minutes. I was pleased with the attitude and application of everyone involved. Credit must also go to Lee Keen for the fantastic work he continues to do with our development players. It’s important that we continue to provide opportunities for these lads and show there is a pathway into the first team. Today we welcome Skegness Town in the UCL Cup. It’s another competition we want to progress in, and we know we’ll need to perform well to give ourselves the best chance of reaching the next round. As I’ve mentioned previously, with a busy schedule of league and cup fixtures, we will continue to utilise the squad. It’s important that everyone is ready when called upon and maintains the standards we expect. It’s also been great having Steve Kuhne back alongside me in the dugout. We see the game in the same way, and I’m delighted to have him back working alongside me. Our approach remains the same. We’re not looking too far ahead or getting caught up in league positions. It’s about taking each game as it comes, working hard and continuing to improve. Finally, thank you to everyone for your continued support. Hopefully we can deliver another positive performance this afternoon and progress in the competition.
Enjoy the game.
Cameron
SKEGNESS TOWN AFC (the lilywhites) Year founded: 1947 Chairman: Jonathan Moses Club Website: www. skegnesstownafc.co.uk
GOOD AFTERNOON AND A WARM WELCOME TO SKEGNESS TOWN FOR THEIR FIRST EVER VISIT TO ST NEOTS TOWN Skegness were proud winners of this trophy just three seasons ago in 2024. They are members of the United Counties League North and at the time these notes were penned were thirteenth in the league table with three wins four draws and five defeats in their completed league matches. In their League Cup campaign this season this is their third consecutive away tie, but they have come through winning 1-0 at Maltby Main and at 4-1 West Bridgford – both opponents being members of Division One of the GCE Hire Fleet United Counties League. Skegness have enjoyed a regular mid-table berth in the final league table for four of the last five seasons with one exception. That as in the 2023/24 season when they finished fifth to earn a play-off place. They beat runners-up Lincoln United in the semi-final play-off before losing to Loughborough Students in the final. In the FA Cup this season they were drawn at home to higher graded Retford and were beaten by two goals to nil, whilst in the FA Vase they also suffered a first match defeat, beaten on penalties by Eastwood after ac 1-1 home draw. However, they still have an interest in this season’s Lincolnshire Senior Trophy after defeating higher graded Brigg Town 2-0 at home in the opening round. Last season they were out of all Cup competitions by 14th October. Last Saturday Skegness travelled to play Divisional leaders Belper United and gave a good account of themselves but were beaten by two goals to nil. Their geographical location commits Skegness to a great deal of travelling to away matches, but we hope the team and their followers enjoy our hospitality here this afternoon. Previous meetings of our teams: none
RECENT HISTORY – SKEGNESS TOWN AFC The club was founded in 1947, as a successor to the town's two pre-war clubs Skegness United and Skegness Blue Rovers. The latter having one season in the Lincoln & District League (1937–38). After a season in the Boston & District League (using Wainfleet Road Recreation Ground) and then the East Lincs Combination (at the former ground of United in Richmond Drive), the club moved to Burgh Road to become a founder member of the Lincolnshire League in 1948. After two successful seasons in the Central Alliance (South), the club were, 1960–61 apart, when the League was in abeyance, members of the Midland Counties League from 1958 to 1982, finishing as runners-up in 1978–79, missing out on the title on goal difference. The club had a season in its successor, the North Counties (East) League, before returning to the Lincolnshire League in 1983. During the 1977-78 pre-season, Skegness Town played a pre-season match against Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest and nine months later Forest became champions of England. Until 1985 the club regularly entered the FA Cup but only once reached the first round proper, in 1955–56, when they were defeated 4–0 at home to Worksop Town after beating Barton Town in the first qualifying round, Brigg Town in the second qualifying round, Grantham in the third qualifying round and finally Gainsborough Trinity in the fourth qualifying round. The club's last participation in the FA Cup was in 1985 and a 1st qualifying round trip to face local rivals Goole Town where they lost 3–2. They re-entered the F.A. Cup in 2021 Skegness Town entered the first ever FA Trophy competition in 1969–70 and competed until 1976–77 never getting past the qualifying rounds. They switched to the FA Vase, reaching the 4th round in 1978–79 where they lost to Shepshed Charterhouse and the 5th round in 1981–82, losing to Rainworth Miners Welfare. Changes in the ground grading regulations for national competitions ended the club's participation in 1990–91. They next entered the F.A. Vase in 2017. Since the Lincolnshire FA restructured its cup competitions in 2006, the club competed in its Junior Cup losing the 2007–08 final on penalties. Previously, with some success, the club participated in the Senior 'B' Cup, becoming its first winners and then adding a three further victories. For 1956–57 they were promoted to the Senior 'A' Cup winning at their first attempt going on to six wins including a hat-trick between 1968 and 1971. The club were champions of the Lincolnshire League in 2006–07 and 2007–08, thus winning their third and fourth county league titles. The Lilywhites also won the league in the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. On 25 May 2018, it was announced that Skegness Town would be promoted to the Northern Counties East Football League Division One, step 10 of the English football pyramid, thus ending a 36-year absence. Following their promotion, it was announced on 30 May 2018 that the former assistant manager of National League North side Boston United Martyn Bunce would be the side's manager for the 2018-19 season, replacing Nick Chapman. On 16 November 2018, it was announced that Nathan Collins would join the club as joint manager with Martyn Bunce. Martyn Bunce stepped down as manager on 28 January 2019, leaving Nathan Collins as the singular manager of the club. In 2021 the club were promoted to the Premier Division North of the United Counties League based on their results in the abandoned 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. Nathan Collins left the club in 2022, and Chris Rawlinson was then appointed to the position of manager, having joined the club as assistant manager at the start of the 2019/20 season. The 2023–24 season saw the club win the United Counties League Challenge Cup
Another in a series of historical records looking back at our fortunes in a past season (both good and bad!) ST NEOTS TOWN FC 2002/2003 SEASON This is another in the series of historical records, highlighting this time another season at our Rowley Park stadium depicting both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club. In the final of Chris Howell’s fourth season in charge the success on the pitch was more limited and the first team finished thirteenth, seven places lower in the league table then the previous season. For only the second time in six seasons the club had no trophy in its cabinet at the end of the season with two Cup Final defeats in the first week in May. Beaten in the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw (a.e.t.) by lower graded Hotpoint when Scott McKenzie’s effort came back off the crossbar, we then went on to lose to Wootton Blue Cross in the Hinchingbrooke Cup Final. A further embarrassment was our 1-0 home defeat by Huntingdonshire League side Great Paxton in the Huntingdonshire Premier Cup. However, on a brighter note we reached the semi-final of the UCL KO Cup competition for the first time for 34 seasons. League
UCL Premier Division
Final League position:
thirteenth/21
League playing record:
P40 W16 D4 L20 For 59 Against 69 pts 52
Cup playing record:
P18 W10 D3 L5 For 37 Against 25
Unbeaten in our first six matches (four wins and two draws) we then lost five of our next seven matches. Our performances continued to be inconsistent, and we conceded seven goals away at Newport Pagnell and six each at Buckingham and Cogenhoe. However, we recorded two 5-0 away league victories at Long Buckby and Desborough. There were also extremes in the FA Cup beating Stansted 6-0 at home but losing 7-1 away at Hemel Hempstead. The Reserve side also lost ground on the previous season finishing 12th in the UCL Reserve Division One. Our leading scorers were as follows: Steve Kuhne 36 Nick Finney 18 Wes Byrne 8 Paul Bloss 8 Scott McKenzie 6 Matt Doyle 4 This was the final season in charge for Manager Chris Howell
A League Cup report from ten seasons ago (14/12/2016) Southern League Challenge Trophy Round Two AYLESBURY 3 ST NEOTS TOWN 2 There must have been some relief that this tie was completed at the fourth time of asking but feeble St Neots bowed out of the League Challenge Trophy with a display that was probably their worst of the season against lower graded opposition. With only one win in their last nine games their form is now almost a carbon copy of that at this time last season that led to the departure of then Manager David Batch. The side seems to be devoid of confidence and ideas and their lack of composure when in possession is an alarming feature that has become apparent in recent games. Injury and unavailability once again restricted selection options but this should not be seen as an excuse for effort and performance. Leading scorer James Hall who had limped off in the previous match was out injured and two further regulars – recently signed Charlie Day and Miles Smith subject of a recent transfer approach were unavailable for selection. Into the starting line-up came Chevron McLean, Nassim L’Ghoul and a less than fully fit Dan Gleeson but significantly there was a complete lack of experience on the substitutes bench with none of the players having yet appeared for the side. Aylesbury took close to whole first half to get going but then displayed a desire and team spirit that St Neots would do well to adopt. After a slow start with St Neots totally dominating possession, they made the first significant breakthrough on ten minutes when Jonny Hall pushed forward in an unfamiliar wide midfield role provided the cross from which skipper Micky Hyem crashed home his first goal of the season. The visitors tried to push on against poor opponents and home keeper Kyle Forster saved well from Sam Mulready and Peter Clark, but they should have capitalized to a greater extent with Aylesbury barely getting within shooting distance of the St Neots goal. After 23 minutes the home side did stage a breakaway attack forcing Alex Archer to leave his line and smother at the feet of Ty Deacon but as the forward tumbled Aylesbury appealed for a penalty but this only resulted in the forward being yellow carded for simulation. Too many promising St Neots openings were halted by the offside flag although Declan Rogers tested the keeper with a free kick and Mulready went clear only to be denied by the tightness of his angle. A rare Aylesbury opportunity saw Josh Bamford shoot wide but against the run of play the home side levelled after 44 minutes when Archer blocked at the feet of Bamford only for the ball to rebound to Ty Deacon who scored from close range. However, with in sixty second St Neots had regained the lead when a long clearance was collected by Declan Rogers who accelerated past his marker to net from 25 yards with a confident finish. Just eight minutes after the break before St Neots could build on their slender advantage they were pulled back level again as Dan McAteer floated in a free kick and Ben Stevens got in front of his marker to head home at the near post – and worse was to follow because four minutes later the home side took advantage of some sloppy marking allowing Josh Bamford to claim Aylesbury’s third goal after 57 minutes. With half an hour remaining there should have been ample time for St Neots to regroup and recover but there was little sign of this. Nassim L’Ghoul twice sent in crosses to provide the chances but a Rogers shot was deflected for a corner and Mulready shot tamely straight at Forster. Two shots were scrambled off the line and a late St Neots rally saw a Rogers free kick saved and a Clark effort pass just the wrong side of the far post. Finally, Aylesbury could have increased the embarrassment as the unmarked Deacon found himself clear on goal but Archer saved at full stretch. Improvement is required for St Neots – but quickly. St Neots: Archer, Wood, McLean, Hyem, Gleeson, Parr, Clark (P), L’Ghoul, Mulready, Rogers, Jonny Hall Subs: Buddle, Maynard and Clement-McNee (none used) Cards: none Goals: Hyem (10), Rogers (45) Aylesbury: Forster, Fitzgerald, Emsden, Stevens, Jenkins (J), McAteer, Baigent, Tomlin, Bamford, O’Brien, Deacon Subs: Carty (for O’Brien 59 mins), Gordon (for Stevens 67 mins), Rusbridger (for McAteer 78 mins), West and Jenkins (A). Cards: Deacon (Y – 33) Goals: Deacon (44), Stevens (53), Bamford (57) Attendance: 50 Referee: Michael Smith (West Drayton)
Off the back of the NEW kit release, we want to build on our links with the business community and in collaboration with Teamex to produce a special limited-edition shirt. This will be a unique design made up of 100 business sponsors and will be worn by the 1st Team over the Christmas period fixtures.
Sponsorship package – £100 + vat • Limited shirt for you as 1/100 sponsors (state size required) • Special Matchday Programme focus on ALL shirt sponsors • Social media releases • Business Partner Network event in New Year (Early Jan ‘27) supported by Contact Mark Gearing mgearing@me.com or 07748986932
Deadline 30th October
Skegness Town play their football at the MKM Stadium, a facility made possible by the sale of their previous ground at Burgh Road, Skegness, which now houses a shopping complex and a pub. Their first team is a member of the United Counties League Premier Division North, which was born out of the Football Association’s restructure of grassroots football a couple of years ago. Last season they finished 11th in the league, the season prior 10th and prior to that we reached the play off final and also won the UCL Knockout Cup. Their Reserves now have a presence in the Lincolnshire League and their development side plays its football in the Boston League. History - 1947 to date After a few successful seasons in the Lincolnshire League and the Central Alliance (South), the club joined the Midland Counties League, playing their football at that level for more than 30 years, until 1982. The closest they came to winning the Midland Counties League title was in 1979 when they finished second, missing out on goal difference. They had one season in the Midland League’s successor, the Northern Counties East League, before rejoining the Lincolnshire League in 1983. During 1977 the Seasiders played a pre-season fixture against Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest, who nine months later became champions of England. Sheffield United were also regular pre-season visitors to Skegness Town because of family connections with the then chairman of The Blades. United always picked a number of first teamers for this annual event, giving the Lilywhites a night to remember and an opportunity for holidaying Sheffielders to see their heroes in action at close quarters. Needless to say the event always attracted a huge crowd and a valuable bonus for the seasiders’ coffers. Only once have the Lilywhites reached the first round proper of the FA Cup, when they were defeated 4-0 at home to Worksop Town. Big scalps claimed by the Lilywhites in that year’s competition were Barton Town, Brigg Town, Grantham and Gainsborough Trinity. Their progress in the competition in 1985 was halted by Goole Town, who beat them by the odd goal in five. Skegness entered the first ever FA Trophy competition in 1969-70 and competed until 1977, never managing to get past the qualifying rounds. They switched to the FA Vase, reaching the fourth round in 1978-79, when they lost to Shepshed Charterhouse, and the fifth round in 1981-82, when they lost to Rainworth Miners Welfare. Changes in the ground grading regulations ended the club’s participation until 2017 when they were knocked out by Hull side Hall Road Rangers in the second qualifying round. Among the notable people associated with Skegness Town over the years was George Raynor, who managed the Lilywhites from 1958 to 1960 after managing the Swedish national side to the World Cup Final against Brazil. Ray Veall started his career at Skegness Town in 1960 before winning the 1962-63 League championship with Everton. Comedian Charlie Williams finished his football career at Skegness after retiring from Doncaster Rovers in 1959. League Cup finalist with Stoke City in 1964, Calvin Palmer started his career with the Lilywhites in 1957. Former Rotherham United player Peter Madden finished his career with Skegness Town after signing from Aldershot in 1968. Honours: UCL Knockout Cup Winners: 2023-24 Lincolnshire League Champions: 1951-52; 1955-56; 2006-07; 2007-08; 2013-14, 2015-16 & 2016-17. Lincolnshire Football League Cup: 1951-52 & 1953-54. Central Alliance (South) champions: 1956-57; 1957-58 & 1960-61. Lincolnshire FA Senior ‘B’ Cup winners: 1949-50; 1950-51; 1952-53; 1955-56. Lincolnshire FA Senior ‘A’ Cup winners: 1956-57; 1959-60, 1968-69; 1969-70; 1970-71; 1974-75. Lincolnshire Junior Cup winners: 2016-17.
The draw for the Second Round of the UCL KO Cup Moulton
v
Daventry Town
Knowle
v
Heanor Town
Clifton All Whites
v
Louth Town
Harrowby United
v
Clipstone
Atherstone CFC
v
Kimberley Miners Welfare
St Neots Town
v
Skegness Town
Belper United
v
Eastwood CFC
Godmanchester Rovers v
Ashby Ivanhoe
All the matches are being played today. At this stage of the competition six clubs from the Premier Division North remain in the competition and six from the Premier Division South. The four remaining survivors are from Division One and have been paired with another from the same Division – ensuring that at least two of those will feature in the last eight in the competition. In the past four seasons honours in the competition have been evenly shared with two Premier Divisional wins (North and South) apiece. Anstey Nomads and Skegness have been the Northern Division winners whilst in the past two seasons Eynesbury and Moulton from the Southern Division have picked up the trophy.
Little Paxton under 10’s Coaches – Mike Lydon and Chris Botham Team -
Arthur Curtis Harry Botham Harry Patching Arthur Lydon Freddie Doyle Ted Rees Solomon Minteh Leo Brown
HINCHINGBROOKE CUP ROUND ONE Young Saints Run Riot St Neots Town 6 Netherton United 1 St Neots Manager Cameron Mawer must have been delighted with both his decision to blood half a dozen of his youth squad and the performance of his side in this Hinchingbrooke Cup tie. Step Six opponents Netherton United are having a decent start to their season but they were too often half a yard slower than their opponents, however, to their credit they never gave up trying. With only four players in the St Neots side surviving from their last match, it was a chance for fringe players to impress and they did just that, capably led by first team skipper Robbie Parker who scored twice from the penalty spot. St Neots now face another Step Six side in the quarter final with a visit from neighbours Eynesbury United in their first season in the competition. St Neots set out their intention from the start keeping visiting goalkeeper Sarunas Snitkas in constant action in the opening exchanges. After seven minutes he saved well from Lloyd Asamoah at the expense of a corner, but he was beaten in the next attack as the lively Adrian Pawlina opened the scoring following a second corner. The goalkeeper than dived bravely at the feet of Max McKenna-Manall, but in the next attack he was beaten as a shot from the same St Neots player rebounded from a goalpost. After 16 minutes St Neots doubled their lead when Max McKenna-Manall beat the keeper with a shot from 25 yards, but the visitors hit back quickly as Adulai Baldi pulled a goal back from close range. Just sixty seconds later the home sides’, two goals advantage was restored when Asamoah was upended as he weaved his way towards goal and from the resultant penalty award, Rob Parker put away the spot kick. St Neots continued to enjoy the attacking ascendancy and before the break Dimaggio Robinson saw an effort rebound from the woodwork. The second half was just nine minutes old when St Neots was awarded another penalty kick when Robinson was brought down and Rob Parker netted his second spot kick of the match to extend the scoreline to 4-1. A series of home substitutions followed as the Manager sought to give all his squad some game time, but the pattern of the match remained unchanged with the home side well in control. After 57 minutes Robinson cut in from the left to add a further home goal, Snitkas then produced another good save to push away a fierce drive from Max Egan, but St Neots had the final word when man-of-the-match Lloyd Asamoah added his name to the scorers list with a headed finish. St Neots: Heath, Keen, Parker, Pawlina, Grant, Joseph, Furlong, Sutton, Robinson, McKenna-Manall, Asamoah Subs: Starling (for Furlong 46 mins), Egan (for Keen 55 mins), Southern (for McKenna-Manall 57 mins), McCurry (for Robinson 75 mins), Setchell (for Asamoah 78 mins). Cards: none Scorers: Parker (2 x pen – 21 & 54 mins), Pawlina (8 mins), McKenna-Manall 16 mins), Robinson (57 mins), Asimoah (78 mins)
Netherton: Snitkas, Clemenson, Embalo, Clarke, Goodale, Hatfield, Whaley, Balde, Hook, Neil, Gibbs Subs: Wheatland (for Goodale 64 mins), West (for Balde 71 mins), Brooks, Pillin, Bingham. Cards: Neil (Y - 31mins), West (Y – 83 mins) Scorer: Balde (20 mins) Referee: Archie Sillett (St Ives)
St Neots Town
Skegness Town
Ben Heath Jake Kerins Dammy Nickels Lewis Burgess Robbie Parker Harvey Henderson Scott Joseph Micahel Amaeshike Magloire Muyembe Will Grocott Danny Baulk Connor Furlong Connor Barns Joe Sutton Lloyd Asamoah Milai Perott Dimagio Robinson
Declan Johnson Kyle Radford Jake Lovelace McCauley Parker Liam Adams Lucas Dakin Matt Ward Kieran Wressell Bailey Forth Josh Morrall Matt Clarke Conor Marshall Jordan Nuttell Harley Thompson
Manager : Cameron Mawer Asst Mgr : Steve Kuhne Coach : Caolan South GK Coach : Gary Dean Physio : Erin Wesley Kitman : Graham Horgan
Managers -Gary King Assistant - Nick Jackson Coach – Nick Lovelace Physio - Jamie Robinson