2022/23 - Issue two - Godmanchester Rovers (FAC)

THE

SAINTS

Official Digital Matchday Magazine Season 2022/23

ISSUE 2 EMIRATES FA CUP

PRELIMINARY ROUND

Godmanchester Rovers Saturday 20th August 3.00pm Kick Off

Saints President - John Walker

First Team

Board of Directors

Manager - Peter Gill Assistant - Sean Greygoose GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert & Sam Roblett Kit Man - Mick Hunt Analyst - Jordan Beale

Chairman - Barry Cavilla Director of Football - Iain Parr Events Director - Louise Sales Commercial Director - Daniel Dodson Secretary - Gary Wilson Director - Mike Green Director - Jez Green

Saints Match Day Team Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Hospitality - Andy Clay, Paula Robertson and Julie Clark Stadium Announcer - Mike Green Music - Charlie Green Catering - Diane Sales Media Press Officer - Mike Green Match Reports - John Walker Photographer - David Richardson Social Media - Mike Green

Academy Manager - Iain Parr U18’s Manager - Ben Webster and Iain Parr Club Welfare Officer - Mick Hunt Club Information Address: Rowley Park, Kester Way, StNeots, Cambs., PE19 6SL Website - www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires - enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Commercial Enquiries - danieldodson25@hotmail.com Events - misslouises@yahoo.co.uk Academy - iain@stneotstown.co.uk

Ground Staff Pitch maintenance - Barry Oakley

Front cover - Image copyright protected by David Richardson, used under license.

Ownership: In accordance with the football association league rule 2.13 publication of ownership in relation to step 1-4 within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Identification Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company.

For the purposes of publication of ownership we can confirm that the following are listed as Directors of the Company: Lee Kearns (Significant interest 70%) , Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla.

Company Secretary Keith Gotch, Company Accountant Keith Gotch

Greenie’s Greetings With Director Mike Green

Good afternoon everybody and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today's Emirates Football Association Challenge Cup Preliminary Round tie.

Today we welcome the players, officials and supporters of our close friends at Godmanchester Rovers Football Club and we hope you enjoy your brief stay with us here this afternoon.

What a mouth watering tie this afternoon's game promises to be. A local derby, prize money for the winner (and loser,) the chance to progress and increase the financial gain and of course bragging rights up for grabs. Not to mention the family ties involved with the Greygoose family heavily involved with our Assistant Manager Sean and Goalkeeper Jamie pitting their wits against dad Dean, who is of course the Rovers' manager. Let's not forget the last time we met, last season here at the Premier Plus Stadium, we were soundly beaten by our visitors in the Senior Cup Semi Final so we must treat Rovers with the upmost respect and caution and make sure we are on the top of our game if we are to be victorious.

Our opening League game, played in scorching conditions ended in a deserved draw against one of the bookies favourites for promotion, Chasetown FC, with us snatching an injury time leveller afer going a goal down and playing the last thirty minutes a man light.

Tuesday evening saw us travel up the A1to face Yaxley FC and we duely returned home with a well deserved point, in fact, we dominated the game so greatly, we really should have secured maximum points had it not been for the home keeper having an absolute blinder.

Andre Hasanally and Trey Charles were our marksmen that evening.

We will be running a coach to our upcoming visit to Halesowen Town on Saturday 27th August so please keep an eye on our Social Media platforms for prices and departure times.

Sadly I will miss this game and the game before, on Tuesday 23rd when we entertain Daventry Town, so for this game there will be no tannoy announcements but I will be back for the Bank Holiday monday visit of Hinckley LR FC and normal service will resume.

Let's get behind the lads today and hopfeully come 5pm, we will be safely in the hat for the First Round Qualifying.

BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE A SAINT....

Greenie

From the Dugout With First Team Manager Peter Gill Good afternoon and welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium for today’s FA Cup tie vs Godmanchester. We offer a warm welcome to our visitors and wish them well for the season ahead.

Looking back over the last few weeks we have seen some positive signs for the season ahead.

Starting in the FA Cup vs Walsham, after a slow start to the game we ran out 6-1 winners. The score line looks emphatic, but we should mention the important saves by Jamie at both 2-1 & 3-1.

Following on from the FA Cup opener we opened our league campaign to Chasetown. In all honesty we had to stay in the game during the first 35 minuets of the game and deservedly went 1-0 down.

After that, I thought our reaction was excellent. The last 10 of the first half we started to get into the game, then the first 15 minutes of the second half saw some excellent attacking play. The games key moment happened with Charlie Stallard receiving a red card for a last man tackle. Going down to 10 men, vs last seasons play off finalists, in 35-degree searing heat would normally see a procession for the final half an hour. However, the lads dug in and were excellent to come away with a point.

Moving onto Yaxley on Tuesday night we faced an experienced step 4 outfit. I personally thought that performance was the best in my time at the club. Some excellent play saw us create plenty of chances, but we just couldn’t find that winning goal. I want to take this opportunity to mention the supporters who travelled on Tuesday night … Thank you! It felt like a home game at time.

Moving onto today’s tie we know we face a real tough test in Godmanchester. They showed their quality last year when they won here 2-0 in a local competition. With their season starting earlier than ours they have had more opportunities to sharpen their senses in competitive football, so we know they’ll be further ahead of us in their development. We’ll certainly have to be at our best to get a positive result today.

When talking about Godmanchester we can’t not talk about the family connections! We welcome Dean Greygoose (Godmanchester Manager) who is of course the father of our Goalkeeper Jamie and Assistant Manager Sean! Dean also works with me at Cambridge United…Let’s hope everyone is on talking terms come Monday morning!

Lastly, an injury update. After meticulously planning preseason and not picking up an injury in 6 weeks…we have managed to pick up 5 in the opening exchanges! A brief update: • Declan Nche – ankle – we hope to be back fully in the coming weeks.

• Dan Barton – Shoulder – no time frame on return.

• Brandon Njoku – knee – no time frame on return – likely to be out for a while.

• Theo Sackey-Mensah – hamstring – we hope to slowly return to training in the coming weeks.

• Harvey Beckett – knee – will slowly return to training and playing this week.

Please get behind the team today. We know today will be a tough test against a team that have real quality. Your support will help the lads!

Pete

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

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First Team Shirt Sponsor

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SAINTS FOOD TERRACE

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

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Little Paxton, Saint Neots PE19, UK 07932 453477 St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

JW Match Looking ahead GODMANCHESTER ROVERS Emirates FA Cup - Preliminary Round GODMANCHESTER ROVERS Year founded: 1928 Chairman: Karl Hurst Club Website: www.godmanchesterroversfc.co.uk FOR THE THIRD TIME IN FIVE SEASONS, WE WELCOME OUR FRIENDS FROM GODMANCHESTER IN CUP COMPETITION – WITH A SCORE TO SETTLE Due to not competing at the same level, our two sides have not met in league competition, but this will be our eleventh meeting in cup competition since the turn of the century – and only our second in the FA Cup. Our other FA Cup meeting was three seasons ago when we drew 1-1 away at Godmanchester before a Prince Mutswunguma hat trick here in the replay helped us to a 3-1 victory. However, our visitors will be keen to draw your attention to our last two Huntingdonshire Senior Cup meetings on this ground where they were two times winners – 2-0 earlier this year and 6-0 in the Cup Final in 2018/19.

Interestingly several of Godmanchesters’ better Cup performances came under the managership of Matt Clements who later moved to St Neots to oversee 113 games here at the Premier Plus Stadium.

Godmanchester were recently moved sideways from the Eastern Counties League to the UCL where they are settling in nicely. In the first round of this FA Cup competition this season just two weeks ago they were convincing 3-0 home winners over visitors Rothwell Corinthians with former Saint Declan Rogers, Tommy Dear and Junior Caulker their marksmen. Last season they finished eleventh in the table just behind local rivals Eynesbury Rovers and Potton United.

With both clubs today having pocketed £1125 in prize money from their extrapreliminary round victories they will be hoping to pick up a further £1444 by winning today. The importance of this prize winning competition cannot be overstated as clubs struggle to make ends meet in inflation busting times.

JW Match Looking ahead GODMANCHESTER ROVERS RECENT MEETING OF OUR CLUBS In the Hunts Senior Cup 2002/03 Godmanchester 0-1 St Neots 2003/04 St Neots 1-0 Godmanchester 2007/08 Godmanchester 0-1 St Neots 2012/13 St Neots 1-0 Godmanchester 2016/17 St Neots 1-1 Godmanchester (St Neots won 5-4 on penalties) 2018/19 Godmanchester 6-0 St Neots 2021/22 St Neots 0-2 Godmanchester

(round three) (semi-final) (round one) (semi-final) (semi-final) (final – at St Neots) (semi-final)

In the FA Cup 2019/20 (replay)

Godmanchester 1-1 St Neots St Neots 3-1 Godmanchester

(first qualifying round)

In the FA Vase 2005/06

Godmanchester 1-2 St Neots

(first qualifying round)

Enjoy the match John Walker

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To Advertise with the Saints contact our Commercial Director Daniel Dodson on 07928494493 or email danieldodson25@hotmail.com

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Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

Som’s Salon is a Mens Barbershop and Ladies Hairdressers, we are located on Longsands Parade, Saint Neots with FREE parking directly outside the shop!

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St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints - Goldstraw Goldmiths St Neots Town FC Academy & Main Stand Sponsor The Goldstraw Goldsmith’s St Neots Town FC Academy Sponsor Goldstraw Goldsmiths is an established, trusted, successful jewellery shop in the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots. At Goldstraws Goldsmiths we’ve been designing and caring for jewellery for over 30 years. We sell all styles of jewellery; new and antique. If you have a particular item in mind, we will always endeavour to source it. Two experienced goldsmiths work on the premises, offering quality craftsmanship with every newly created piece and repair. We take pride in our work and our customers tell us time and time again that wouldn’t go anywhere else.

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Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

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St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

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St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

JW Match Report CHASETOWN FC (H) 13-08-2022 NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE MIDLAND DIVISION St Neots Town1

Chasetown

1

A dramatic goal in added time from St Neots substitute Andre Hasanally ensured that the points were shared in St Neots debut in the Northern Premier League. That outcome had seemed most unlikely when Pete Gill’s side were reduced to ten men on the hour when central defender Charlie Stallard picked up a straight red card for an injudicious challenge on visiting striker Jonathan Letford, who was heading for goal having slipped the home defence. However, with commendable determination in the afternoon heat, St Neots persevered and more than held their own despite the numbers’ imbalance and were rewarded when the visiting keeper fumbled Hasanally’s narrow angled shot.

Visiting Chasetown, having lost out on promotion in last season’s play offs, were amongst the bookie’s early favourites for promotion this time but St Neots just about deserved their point in this initial skirmish in their new surroundings. Midfielder Declan Nche missed the game having picked up an injury in the FA Cup match, so Robbie Mason came in to lead the attack with Stallard making his debut in place of Brandon Njoku who was on the bench.

St Neots created the first chance after four minutes with Charlie Stallard volleying over the bar from a Trey Charles free kick. At the other end home custodian Jamie Greygoose produced a diving one handed save to deny Jack Edwards and visiting striker Jonathan Letford produced a burst of speed to cut through the St Neots defence before firing over the bar. As the first half settled the visitors were enjoying the better of play with Edwards finding the side netting and Liam Kirton firing over the bar from distance. Greygoose then had to produce an instinctive save to deny Luke Yates whilst St Neots main attacking moves seemed to break down on the edge of the opponent’s penalty area. Trey Charles did find a way through the visiting defence, but his finish was the wrong side of a goalpost and then a Robbie Mason effort was blocked by a defender.Then three minutes before the break a long cross from the left

by Zack Foster found the tall Daniel O’Callaghan in space between defenders and his looping header was beyond the reach of the home keeper to afford the visitors a half time lead.In the little time before the break Charles who had been St Neots’ most threatening player brought an important save from the visiting keeper.

JW Match Report CHASETOWN FC (H) 13-08-2022 St Neots enjoyed their best spell having returned from their half time break.

Mason had a close range shot blocked by a defender after clever play by Joe Tarpey and Dan Barton and on 55 minutes a cross from Barton saw a Charles header rebound from a goalpost.Another Barton cross found the head of Mason who forced a fingertip save from Curtis Pond. However, that spell of St Neots pressure came to an abrupt end when the speedy Letford wriggled clear of the defence to be brought down from behind by Stallard. That earned him a red card and left St Neots reorganising their defence with Charlie Lewis moving to the heart of the defence and Tarpey slotting in at full back. St Neots sent on Andre Hasanally and Saleem Akanbi for Mason and Manny Osei as they looked to regroup and for a spell the visitors looked in control. Letward headed wide from a Foster cross when well-placed and then there was to be a dramatic ending with both sides creating openings. With a minute left in normal time a surprise shot from Luke Yates rebounded from the outside of a goalpost and St Neots broke away three minutes later with Charlie Lewis sending Andre Hasanally in on goal from the right flank. His narrow-angled shot seemed to be covered by the visiting goalkeeper but he saw the ball wriggle through his hands into the net to give St Neots their share of the points.

St Neots: Greygoose, Lewis, Smith, Anderson, Stallard, Adeyemi, Barton, Tarpey, Mason, Charles, Osei.

Subs: Hasanally (for Mason 66 mins), Akanbi (for Osei 66 mins), Njoku, Stainsby and Bent.

Cards: Stallard (RED -59 mins), Mason (Y – 47 mins) Goal: Hasanally (90 + 3 mins) Chasetown: Pond, Mansell, Foster, Unwin, Wynter, Hayward, Edwards, Yates, Letford, O’Callaghan, Kirton.

Subs: Botfield (for Hayward 73 mins), Lund (for Edwards 76 mins), Clarke (for O’Callaghan 82 mins), Evans and Taylor.

Cards: Hayward (Y – 7 mins), Mansell (Y – 84 mins) Goal: O’Callaghan 42 (mins) Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle (Oakham) John Walker

JW Match Report YAXLEY (A) 16-08-2022 NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE MIDLAND DIVISION Yaxley

2

St Neots Town

2

St Neots came from behind to earn a point in a match they really should have won. They dominated the match from the start and created several chances and won numerous corners, but they were thwarted by a first-class display by home custodian Aaron Butcher. Yaxley then produced the perfect sucker punch scoring goals in their first two credible attacks to lead at the break. It was a case of history repeating itself because this was the fifth league and cup meeting of the two sides in the four seasons post-pandemic and St Neots’ success tally is now just two draws and three defeats. On the positive side this was a solid St Neots display despite losing the services of play maker Dan Barton who had failed to recover from a weekend injury. He was replaced by Saleem Akanbi, and the other change saw weekend scorer Andre Hasanally start up front in place of Robbie Mason.

St Neots dominated the opening exchanges and could have gone ahead after six minutes when Manny Osei rounded his marker only for his cross to be inches too high for Trey Charles arriving unmarked at the far post. Osei was then upended by Jon-Paul Duncliffe on the edge of the area earning the Yaxley player the first of six bookings for his side, and from the Charles free kick, defender Charlie Stallard headed narrowly over the bar.The lively Charles then saw a shot rebound from a post and Andre Hasanally shot just wide but then after 22 minutes the pressure told as Hasanally drove home an Osei cross pulled back from the bye-line. However, the lead was short-lived because two minutes later from a poorly defended corner former Saint Jake Battersby beat the visiting keeper with a low shot to level the scores. If that shocked the visitors worse was to follow because six minutes later Jamie Greygoose was forced to leave his area in an attempt to head away a cross to an unmarked attacker, but he collided with that attacker and the ball dropped to Tom Waumsley who from around 40 yards calmly lobbed the ball into the unguarded net to put Yaxley in front. St Neots hit back quickly with Charles and Stallard both seeing shots rebound from the woodwork in the same attack before another full length save by Butcher maintained his sides’ lead.

JW Match Report YAXLEY (A) 16-08-2022 After the break the tempo dropped for a while as the home side introduced substitutes and St Neots responded with Robbie Mason introduced to boost their attack. A spectacular overhead attempt by Charles after 71 minutes flew wide but just a minute later the St Neots striker made up for that disappointment as he moved inside from the right to net his sides’ second goal to level the scores. That increased the tempo of the contest as both sides went in search of a winning goal. Yaxley skipper Dan Cotton was then sent off as he picked up a second yellow card and St Neots introduced a further substitute with Dominic Nche replacing defender Charlie Stallard. Now it was all out attack from the visitors as Charles forced a superb save from the busy Butcher.

However, St Neots almost paid the price for their all-out attacking ambition as on a quick break Yaxley had the ball in the net but fortunately an offside flag saved St Neots blushes. There was still time for one final St Neots chance to snatch victory, but home hero Butcher produced a flying save to push Charles’ late header over the bar for a corner.

St Neots: Greygoose, Lewis, Smith, Anderson, Stallard, Adeyemi, Osei, Tarpey, Charles, Hasanally, Akanbi.

Subs: Mason (for Akanbi 66 mins), Nche (for Stallard 83 mins), Plummer, Abbott and Bent.

Cards: none Goals: Hasanally (22 mins), Charles (72 mins) Yaxley: Butcher, Duncliffe, Garner, Harris, Airen, Ikpo-Ondo, Silva-Morais, Hook, Waumsley, Cotton, Battersby.

Subs: Salmon (for Garner 32 mins), Hamill (for Hook 55 mins), Baughan (for Silva-Morais 82 mins), Rowell and Osilaja.

Cards: Cotton (RED – 2 x Y – 74 mins), Duncliffe (Y – 8 mins), Salmon (Y – 58 mins), Garner (Y – 62 mins), Airen (Y – 77 mins) Goals: Battersby (24 mins), Waumsley (30 mins) Attendance: 110 Referee: Gareth Davies (Lutterworth) John Walker

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St Neots Town 1 Chasetown 1

Opponent Spotlight GODMANCHESTER ROVERS GODMANCHESTER ROVERS FOOTBALL CLUB – HISTORY Situated on the banks of the River Great Ouse, 16 miles North West of Cambridge, on the A14.

Godmanchester is a town, not a village as it was chartered in 1212 and again in 1604.

Godmanchester has been inhabited for over 2000 years and was a very important Roman settlement.

Football has been played in Godmanchester since the late 1890’s Godmanchester Rovers came into existence in 1911, previously playing as Godmanchester Town.

The first recorded mention of the club is from the ‘Cambridge Independent Press’ newspaper dated Friday 26th December 1913 where Godmanchester Rovers had a fixture against St-Ives on Boxing Day. During the 1928–29 season, when they won the Hunts Junior Cup. They played in the Huntingdonshire League for many years before joining the Cambridgeshire League. They won the Hunts Junior Cup again in 1988–89, and in 1992 were promoted to the top division of the Cambridgeshire League. In 1994–95 they won the League Cup, retaining it for the next two seasons. However, they were relegated to the Senior Division in 2000.

With the club about to move into a new ground, they made a speculative application to join the Eastern Counties League in 2002. Despite being in the second tier of the Cambridgeshire League, the club were successful. They finished bottom of the division in 2004–05 but were not relegated as the league was under strength in terms of numbers. In 2011–12 the club won the Eastern Counties Division One on goal difference to earn promotion to the Premier Division, also winning the Division One Knock-out Cup, defeating Whitton United 1–0 in the final.

In the 2014-15 season the club finished as runners-up in the Premier Division also adding the Hunts Senior Cup to an all-round successful record for the season. At the end of season, Nev Nania, retired from his role as First Team manager.

The 2015-16 saw the appointment of Matt Clements as First Team Manager, with Matty Haniver keeping his role as First Team Player Coach. The season ended as the previous season with a second-place finish, unbeaten in the last 17 League games.

Before the start of the 2016-17 season Rovers saw the resignation of Matt Clements and the appointment of Adrian Cambridge as First Team coach. At the same time, much of the established first team players moved to different clubs, leaving Aidy Cambridge with the job of rebuilding the first team. Shortly into the new season Matty Haniver, 1st team Player Coach, departed, with his role filled by John Bitting.

After 19 games in charge, Manager Aidy Cambridge and Assistant John Bitting stood down from their roles at the club. The clubs football consultant, Former Godmanchester Rovers player, Chris Hyem was appointed First Team manager after being released from Histon FC. After securing Premiership football for the 2017-2018 season Chris Hyem stood down as manager. Ollie Drake was appointed first team manager, fresh from winning the Kershaw League, Drake will be joined at Rovers by his father Steve.

Opponent Spotlight GODMANCHESTER ROVERS The 2017-2018 Season was marred with high number of postponed games creating a large backlog of matches to be played, several players that departed at the end of the 2016-2017 season put a run of 7 winning games putting Rovers in 10th position at the start of October. The next 6 weeks then proved to be a difficult period, losing three premiership games, and knocked out of the Hunts Senior Cup and FA Vase.

Fortune then returned and from Mid-November through to the end of the season, Rovers won 24, drew 1 and lost 6 of their remaining 31 matches landing Roves a 4th place finish in the seasons 24 team league. This also included a run of 9 games undefeated.

The 2018-2019 season saw the retention of most of the squad from the previous season. Despite a strong winning run of pre-season matches and a win in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round, Rovers lost their opening League match but bounced back with a FA Cup win in the next game. This was the start of pattern that Godmanchester had throughout the season, In Cup competitions, Godmanchester progressed to the FA Cup First Round Qualify, losing away to Histon. With the FA Cup exit, Godmanchester focused on the FA Vase, winning games against West Essex, Great Yarmouth and Holbeach United to reach the 4th Round and a home tie against Sporting Khalsa.

The Club went on to win The Hunts Senior Cup for the 2nd time, The Hinchingbrooke Cup, and the Mayors Cup. As we all know the 2019-2020 ended abruptly due to the Covid-19 outbreak, as with the 2019-2020 season and Covid-19, 2020 -21 started with no spectators and just 9 games played before the season was ended and nulled. The club took the opportunity whilst the ground was void of any sport and spectators to embark on several ground improvements and renovations. The biggest undertaking was a large expansion on the Club House, adding a new larger kitchen for match day refreshments and larger patio area.

Before the start of the 2021-22, First Team manager, Ollie Drake departed the club making way for Dean Greygoose to take charge with a fresh squad of players. The 2021-22 season see us move into the United Counties League from the eastern Counties League, a move that had been coming for a couple of years, with anew strong management team and a new group of exciting young players in the squad it was a great time to be around the club and building a new long-term project. On the field we finished mid table for our first season in the UCL and Dean and the young team was starting to come together nicely.

The 2022-23 season has just started, and Dean has moved some players out and moved some new players in to the squad, the great work from within the club now sees 6 of our current and last season U18’s making it into the senior squad on match days, this is great for the future of the football club. Dean and his team are building a good squad and we look forward to the season ahead.

Of the field the club management and committee are working very hard behind the scenes and making sure the long term of the football club is a great place to be in and around, we now have our senior team, Reserves team competing in the UCL Reserve league and our U18 team still competing in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League. We now have our youth section running 18 teams and we have just started a brand-new Ladies and Girls section to our football club.

Opponent Spotlight - PLAYER PROFILES GODMANCHESTER ROVERS FC Finley Iron (GK) Finley is a great addition to our squad, young and has a superb distribution of the ball. Finley has played at step 4 before and brings experience to our squad, has played for Soham and Yaxley.

Ollie Butler (GK) Ollie is a young upcoming keeper, last season’s U18 now progressing into this season’s senior squad. Ollie is keen to learn and always ready to step into the hot seat.

Jack Galatis (GK) Jack is also on our books as a goalkeeper but is also duel signed locally to get game time, always ready to jump into the hot seat when called upon as and when needed.

Richard Chadwick Senior member of the team with great experience, versatile forward with over 200+ goals at this level, good in the air and a great left foot, also can put a shift in at the back Isaac Moss Hard working ginger centre back, won’t shy away from a challenge! some people say he looks like the Sherminator from American Pie. Tommy Dear Very talent young attacking centre mid, can play wide also if needed, Tommy was in our U18’s last season and has made the jump up into senior football for this season. Tommy is a great lad to have in the team and still learning his trade but will be one to watch.

Josh Lewis Josh is the better footballer of the two brothers as we had CJ with us last season, Josh is a sloid young right back, he great pace and oversees the tunes in the changing room.

Michael King 27 years old with a body of a 40-year-old, had a tough paper round. Centre midfielder who loves a Hollywood pass. Previously played for Kettering Town, Hitchin, Biggleswade Town, Kings Langley, Cambridge City and Haverhill Borough.

Simon Unwin What can you say about this lad, true leader on and off the pitch, was captain last season and has would have been captain this season too, Simon is only with us for six weeks as he is moving due to his job!! One of the most senior players in the squad, midfield machine that don’t stop working from box to box.

Junior Caulker Young demanding centre back who brings much needed calmness to our back line, prefers to get the ball down and play. Junior has a sweet right foot.

Matthew Allan 3rd season with the club and one of the senior players now, very talented striker / forward, quick, direct and loves scoring goals. Credit to the club and fans favourite.

Opponent Spotlight - PLAYER PROFILES GODMANCHESTER ROVERS FC Declan Rogers (Captain) What can you say about this man, he has been there done it and got the T shirt, great addition to our squad for this season, forwarded who has the best left foot I have ever seen. Declan brings many years of experience at playing at step 3 & 4 football, Declan will be our captain and is great with the younger players in the squad.

Ben Tait We chased and chased Ben last season but he was loyal to his previous club (which is good, great guy) Ben is a young centre attacking midfielder who has a great engine.

Jason Kissi Young striker from our U18 team, He’s a big number 9 for his age, who will run the channels all day and loves winning headers, big powerful beast upfront who has a sweet throw-in too.

Lewis Lindsey New addition to our squad very quick player with flair to dazzle defenders. We are delighted to have him and look forward to what he will bring to our team this season centre midfielder.

Sammy Fisher-Diaz Young flying left back who likes to get forward when he can, Sammy is keen to learn and always first to training and last to leave.

Tom Spark Returning player from a couple of seasons ago, been away and realised the grass is not always greener. Tom can play in many positions on a football pitch and great addition to our squad for this season.

Junior Augusto One of the very talented U18 players who have stepped up to the first team, who likes to go forward and express himself with skill, pace and very direct, creates lots of opportunities and is very clinical.

Sam Tagg Young centre mid from this seasons U18 team, Sam impressed during the pre-season and has been called up to the senior squad, great left foot that even Kingy is impressed with.

Jordan Atkin Jordan is another player from this seasons U18 squad, again impressed so much during preseason has been called up to the first team, Jordan can play either side on the wing or step in as afull back when needed.

Zac Chaudhari Zac was one of last seasons U18 players who has worked hard over the summer and has been selected for the senior squad, Zac can play a ranger of positions and has a sweet left foot.

Jonny Hall Jonny is another player that has returned to the mighty Rovers for this season after trying to fund some greener grass elsewhere, Jonny is a solid left back and has a sweet pass in his locker.

Out of the Hall twins we defiantly have the better one on our books for this season.

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Manager - Peter Gill Assistant - Sean Greygoose Coach - Marc Abbott GK Coach - Gary Dean Physios - Craig Lambert & Sam Roblett Kitman - Mick Hunt

Manager - Dean Greygoose Assistant Manager - Dan Gleeson Fitness Coach - Errol McCammon Head Coach - Paul France Kit Man - Richard Cosbey Physio - Mark Swan Goalkeeping Coach - Ben Dunmore

Squad List

Squad List

Jamie Greygoose (GK) Alex Bent (GK) Theo Sackey-Mensah Aaron Smith Toib Adeyemi Charlie Lewis Harvey Beckett Charlie Stallard Joe Tarpey Decland Nche Callum Anderson Manny Osei Saleem Akambi Daniel Barton Andre Hassanally Brandon Njoku Robbie Mason Tremayne Charles

Finley Iron (GK) Ollie Butler (GK) Jack Galatis Tommy Dear Josh Lewis Simon Unwin Isaac Moss Junior Caulker Lewis Lindsey Michael King Declan Rogers (CAPTIAN) Tom Spark Matthew Allan Sammy Fisher-Diaz Richard Chadwick Jordan Atkin Jason Kissi Sam Tagg Zac Chaudhari Junior Augusto Ben Tait Jonny Hall

Colours Navy/Light Blue quarters Dark blue short Light blue socks

Colours Red Shirts Red Shorts Red Socks

Referee Darren Lander Assistant 1 Simon Cheney Assistant 2 Andrew Phillips

Next Home Match verus Daventry Town Saturday 23rd August 3.00 pm KO