Saints Issue 11 Dunstable Town

ST NEOTS TOWN Dunstable Town Football Club ISSUE 11: THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00 The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

INSIDE

Issue 11 V Dunstable Town Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

Also Inside 06 Action Replay 08 Match Report - Bedworth United 12 Chairman’s Views 18 Pro Footballers that Made It Late

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20 Read All About It 24 Pull-Out Poster 30 Greenies Greetings

The Stars Who Got Us To Step 3 / This week we salute Lewis Hilliard

Todays’ Visitors / A warm welcome to The Blues

32 Leagues Review 34 MD’s Views 37 Away Days - Poole Town 38 Match Report - Ely City U18s 40 First Team Player Stats 2015/16 41 Season 2015/16 Fixtures Matrix

36 View From The Dugout / Batchy on our recent performances

46 Premier Division League Table 48 Home & Opposition Squads

Player Profile / Showcasing Brett Longden this week

Owner Mike Kearns

Fiest Team Coach John Beck

Chairman Mike Kearns

Club Secretary Gary Wilson

Managing Director Lee Kearns

Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard

Director Iain Parr

Life President John Walker

Football Manager David Batch

Team Officials Darren Plowman (Goalkeeping Coach)

Assistant Manager Steve Eastaugh

44 Season 2015/16 Statistics

Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt Physio Carol Holland Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley

Programme Editor Mark Davies Club Photographer Claire Howes Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green Programme Sales Charlie Green

Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson Pitchcare Working Turf Design & Marketing Blue Prawn Print XL Press Limited

Club Merchandise Linda Walters

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 03

Welcome to the players, management, officials and supporters of Dunstable for tonight’s league match.

It’s only a couple of weeks since we visited Dunstable and were well and truly stuffed in a second half performance that was the worst I have encountered since I’ve been Manager.

Goals change games and the five chances inside the six yard box we created in the first half should have seen us take a lead in at half time, but we found ourselves behind after a great strike from 25 yards.

The Dunstable players were audibly delighted by their performance that night and how well they played, whereas we tried to keep our heads as we do after each victory and defeat by remaining controlled about a league season that lasts

10 months, will see five thrashings in our favour, five against us and 36 other tight matches in which organisation, ethic and good decisions by good players will determine where a team finishes overall.

I was pleased with our Bedworth performance. We earned an astonishing 47 set pieces in their final third, (compared with their one corner), and were well in control of a game that should have seen a penalty for us - as well as creating a couple of other good chances.

Young Claudio up front was astonishing on his debut.

Quick, brave, executing good decisions

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well - he should be proud of his debut in senior football and more performances like that will gather lots of interest as a 16 year old.

With Lee Clarke, Drew Roberts, Ryan Hawkins and Remy Gordon all nearing fitness, it will be interesting to see what Claudio can do when mixed in with an even more experienced group than it was on Saturday. Enjoy the game.

Batchy

LOUIS VIERA AND CLAUDIO OFUSU IN ACTION AGAINST BEDWORTH

BACK SOON

FA VASE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND (20/SEPT/2008)

St Neots Town 1- 0 Great Yarmouth Substitute Ben Cole came off the bench in the second half to score only his third senior goal and kill a bogey.

St Neots had lost five times in National competition to Great Yarmouth over a period of 33 years but Cole’s goal was enough to reverse the trend and put St Neots through to the first round of the FA Vase.

There was another bumper shirt sleeved crowd at Rowley Park and they saw an absorbing contest that either side could have won.

St Neots created the better chances and they had Jon Chatfield to thank for several timely saves but the visitors who had scored nine goals in their last two matches were largely held at bay by some determined defending.

St Neots will now have further Ridgeons League opponents in the next round in two weeks when they travel to Long Melford.

The early skirmishes produced end to end football without either side creating a clear chance but then twice in a minute the visitors had half chances but Darren Lamb headed weakly at Chatfield and then Jose Vide brought a save from the keeper.

Matt Bannister had St Neots first chance but his shot was comfortably

saved by Michael Hilton and then the same player rose high to head wide.

St Neots best attacking moves were coming down the left where James Hall was seeing plenty of the ball and as half time approached St Neots began to have the better of the play.

Ten minutes before the break they produced a move worthy of a goal as Kenneford showed fine pace to get to the bye line and his pull back was won in the air by Luke Knight but his header rebounded from the inside of a post into the grateful arms of the goalkeeper.

St Neots then thought they were to concede a goal when prolific striker Stewart Roach was left unmarked ten yards out but the home side were saved by an offside flag and the sides went to their break with the match goalless.

St Neots looked the stronger after the break with Hilton having to make a full length save to deny Hall and then Pete Okechukwu through himself full length to a Bannister cross but headed just wide.

Back came Yarmouth with Vide bringing a good save from Chatfield and then the combination of the goalkeeper and Ben Dyett blocked a close range effort from substitute Jake Reed.

After 71 minutes St Neots Manager Marvin Johnson made to changes

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with straight swaps for Okechukwu and Kevin McElroy who had been booked for a clumsy tackle. Ben Cole who had replaced the striker had only been on five minutes when he scored with only his second touch of the ball.

The goal came from a fine cross field pass by Luke Knight who searched out Kenneford on the right and his pull back from the bye line set up Cole for the match winner.

Yarmouth responded by making two substitutions and pushing extra men forward and this left more room up front with James Hall bursting through but shooting over the bar.

In the time added Yarmouth had their chance to earn extra time as substitute Liam Bartley went clear but Chatfield left his line to smother the shot and maintain an important clean sheet.

St Neots: Chatfield, McElroy (D), McElroy (K), Thomas, Dyett, Dogbe, Knight, Bannister, Okechukwu, Kenneford, James Hall.

Subs: Eno (for K.McElroy 71 mins), Cole (for Okechukwu 71 mins), Hoggett & Rogers.

Man of Match: Matt Bannister Report: John Walker

ST NEOTS TOWN 2 BEDWORTH UNITED 0 FA Trophy First Qualifying Round / 31.10.2015 / Attendance: 215 / Referee: Geoffrey Russell (Thrapston)

St Neots are through to the next round of the Trophy on the back of a thoroughly uninspiring performance against an impoverished visiting Bedworth.

Throughout the match neither keeper had to make a serious save and the visitors never managed a single shot on goal. St Neots were never in danger of losing but failed to capitalise on superior possession even when camping in the visitors’ half. The highlight of a drab match came five minutes from time when St Neots central defender Shane Blackett produced a bullet header to an Isaac Galliford corner to register his first goal for the club in his seventh appearance. Manager David Batch had made six changes from the side beaten seven days earlier by Merthyr giving a senior debut start to Claudio Ofosu and including a second teenager in his line up in Luis Vieira. There were returns to the side for Matt Mitchel-King who took over the captains’ armband, Jamie Anton, Isaac Galliford and goalkeeper Andy Wilton. After the midweek league visit of Dunstable to the Premier Plus Stadium the players have a Saturday off because scheduled opponents Chesham are still in the FA Cup – and they look as if they can do with it!

St Neots began well enough creating early chances for Shane Blackett to head over and Tom Meechan to see his effort skim the wrong side of the crossbar. There was a constant stream of corners in St Neots’ favour

but the visiting defence always seemed able to get in the important clearance and when visiting keeper Denham Hinds rushed from his line to totally miss a long throw from Tom Ward it was Richard Bryan who got back to scrape the ball off the goal line. Bedworth looked to have weathered the early storm and after 17 minutes Craig Archer was tripped on the edge of the St Neots area but Daniel Creaney sent his free kick into the defensive wall. St Neots forged ahead after 25 minutes when from their umpteenth corner Matt MitchelKing headed Galliford’s cross into the net at the near post.

To their credit Bedworth tried hard to get a close passing game going but too many of their passes were intercepted or went astray and only back passes from his defenders fended off boredom for St Neots keeper Andy Wilton. Six minutes before half time the lively Ofosu was involved in a move down the right flank which culminated in Tom Meechan displaying skill to get past the last two defenders but Hinds did well to get down to block his low shot at the expense of yet another fruitless corner.

If the local fans were looking for an increased impetus from their side after the break they were going to

St Neots Town Wilton, Anton, Hall, Beech, Ward, Blackett, Vieira, Mitchel-King, Meechan, Ofusu, Galliford Subs: Frater (for Ofosu 61), Tann (for Mitchel-King 87), Horne (for Galliford 88), Longden and Wilkinson Cards: Vieira (Y – 86) Goals: Mitchel-King (25 mins), Blackett (85 mins)

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be disappointed. St Neots hardly got out of third gear despite still hogging possession and dominating in midfield through the excellent Josh Beech and skipper Matt Mitchel-King. However their good intentions had no positive outcome and apart from a Galliford free kick well gathered by Hinds St Neots had little to show for their efforts.

For a second time in the match visiting keeper Hinds dashed from his line but failed to gather the ball and Blackett’s resultant headed just cleared the bar and even the introduction of substitute Nathan Frater did nothing to improve St Neots chances.

Jamie Anton joined the attack to have a lengthy effort comfortably saved but almost inevitably after so much pressure a second goal arrived five minutes from time as Blackett joyfully recorded his first for St Neots. Ironically in the final five minutes and time added St Neots created three further scoring chances but from Ryan Hall’s cross the unmarked Galliford scuffed his shot wide, Meechan saw his effort blocked and Vieira brought the final save of the match from Hinds with a tired shot.

John Walker

Bedworth United Hinds, Tullin, Rowe, Westwood, Creaney, Bryan, Marsden, Jepson, Wint, Archer, Kelly Subs: Chester (for Westwood 74), McGarrity and Cartwright. Cards: Wink (Y – 35) Goals: None

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 09

LOUIS VIERA

Welcome to the Officials, Players and Supporters from Dunstable Town for tonight’s league fixture.

Our encounter just a couple of weeks ago saw what was probably our worst performance of the season, of course that’s not taking anything away from our visitors tonight who went on to beat Cirencester 5-1 away the following Saturday, what a result that was. Maybe that just goes to show that there are many more aspects to winning a football match than we sometimes believe and momentum, moral and definatly a little piece of luck are some of the main ingredient’s.

Our season quite frankly has had none of those element’s so far and obviously having so many players injured at any time has not allowed us to gain any momentum or build moral, even the luck part has not been kind to us. Still we have many games to play and are only coming up to just a third of the season played, seems like an eternity whenISyour hoping that THE MACK BACK! we will have a full squad to pick a

team from. Looking at the league table it is quite astonishing that the points gap between the team in 7th place Dorchester and us who are in 18th place is only 5 points just 2 wins, and we have 3 games in hand over them. Yes 2 wins easier said than done but we do have 2 or 3 games in hand over most of the teams above us and just to remind ourselves those games in hand are 2 at home and 1 away. Having played our Hunts Senior Cup game last Tuesday night of which I will go into later there was also a near full league programme on that night.

Well yes some real crazy results as well, the top two Poole and Leamington both lost the later to an in form Redditch United who now go third who seem to be doing well again this season under Liam MacDonald who I have a lot of respect for in that the Redditch playing budget is one of the lowest in the league, they do though have a very wide area to recruit players from being just a few miles from Birmingham, Still though a great achievement, and always a pain for us when we play them as they done the double over us last season. The other 2 teams in the play off positions Weymouth drew away to Frome and Chippenham who drew at home to an in form Slough Town.

And it goes on, who ever said “Its not over till its over” really

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has got it right in this division.

It’s a real crazy situation, but as we all know any team can beat any one in this division so how does that make us feel being in 18th position at the moment. Well seeing that we still have plenty to play for and could after our three games in hand be in a play off position it is as they say all in our hands. Having read our website publication the “crisis what crisis” article on our list of injuries and the 5 players mentioned I can

honestly say that there is not one team out there who could just go out right now and sign 5 players of that quality to add to their team, its just impossible. I speak to David on many occasions of course and recently I asked him if he wanted to try and get some quality players in as the injury list just never gets shorter, his reaction was, so tell me just whom could we bring in “that was available” and of the quality

we need at this time. Well he answered his own question there and yes it’s a waste of time even trying, our season really has not started yet and what a frustration it is for us all that we have never been able to play our best team or anywhere near our best team this season. We have of course been able to give the chance to other players but at this level you really do need the majority of players to have experience at this level and unfortunately many with experience are injured at this time.

Moving on to our last performance against Yaxley in the Hunts Senior Cup where we produced a very good performance and scored goals that would if they had been scored in the professional Premier division would be shown on Sky TV all week. They were that good, people might say well we are entitled to beat lower opposition and yes I suppose they are right, it was the manner of how we beat them that was impressive and at least 4 of the goals would have been scored against any team. David told me in a recent

discussion that he was going to tweak our playing style for that game and no not because of any kind of pressure but because we just do not have the availability, quality or confidence to play our usual style at this moment. Now I really don’t want to get into that one and I would like certain people to not say told you so,

just throw more money at it. We are on a mission to get out of the Southern League Premier Division as soon as we can, not if but when and quite frankly I don’t care how we do it as long as we do it. Only then does everything open up for us as a team and a club just one division from the very top of non league, yes have a read of that

“we might disappoint a few on the way but I dare say that when we achieve that goal we will make many more happy. ” as I do know what we are trying to achieve as a club and our ambitions match that. I could say been there done that, smashed teams by playing great passing football, of course we have but I know how much that particular team cost me and we were playing against and all due respect to them “Chicken fodder” sometimes it was just a total miss match and you would never ever get away with and win this league playing football that way, even if I did

again because it will happen, we might disappoint a few on the way but I dare say that when we achieve that goal we will make many more happy.

Onto tonight’s match and defiantly expect a very hard contest of which can go either way; this is after all the Southern league premier division.

All for one and one for all.

Mike

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 13

PRO FOOTBALLERS THAT MADE IT LATE Ian Wright came to professional football relatively late. Despite having had trials at Southend United and Brighton during his teens, he was unable to attract sufficient interest to win a professional contract offer.

Reverting to playing for amateur and non-league teams, he was left disillusioned about his chances of a career as a professional footballer.

A Crystal Palace talent scout, Peter Prentice, happened to see Wright playing for Dulwich Hamlet and invited him to have a trial at Selhurst Park. Having impressed then-manager Steve Coppell, he signed professional terms for Crystal Palace in August 1985, just three months short of his 22nd birthday.

Wright moved on to play for Arsenal where he won both major domestic trophies, and the European Cup Winners Cup He played 581 league games, scoring 387 goals for seven clubs in Scotland and England, earning 33 caps for the English national team.

Not bad for a Southend United and Brighton reject.

LORENZO FERRARI PAGE 14 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

IAN WRIGHT MBE WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15

CLAUDIO OFUSU

LEWIS HILLIARD PAGE 18 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

THE STARS WHO GOT US TO STEP THREE A loyal and long standing player who was with the club for five seasons.

He played his first match in the opening United Counties Premier Division match on 7 August 2010 at home to Northampton Spencer scoring twice in a 6-0 victory. A week later he made his FA Cup debut for the club scoring one of the two goals in St Neots’ 2-0 victory over Dereham Town.

He scored 16 goals in that first season and scored his fiftieth goal on 18/Feb/2014 in a home league match against Arlesey Town on his 173rd appearance for the side. He was the leading scorer in 2013/14 scoring 24 goals in 51 appearances.

At the end of his contract in the 2014/15 season Lewis wanted to explore other avenues and try and play at a higher level where he joined St Albans in the Conference South where he started this season, unfortunately things didn’t work out and he has now signed for our near neighbours Biggleswade Town.

Lewis grew up with the recent Saints history and you just never know what the future holds.

He twice scored hat tricks (at home in league to Biggleswade Town 12/ Nov/2013 and away in Red Insure Cup at Redditch United 24/Feb/2014) and won a UCL championship medal, a Red Insure Cup winners medal and three Huntingdonshire Senior Cup winners medals scoring in two of those winning finals.

Career Record MATCHES PLAYED 231 plus 21 as substitute GOALS SCORED 72 APPEARANCES IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE ERA 182 plus 17 as substitute GOALS SCORED (2011/12 ONWARDS) 56

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

CIRENCESTER

Mangotsfield United.

Sam Chaney has joined Bideford on a month`s loan from Vanarama National League neighbours Torquay United.

Matt Liddiard has returned to Cirencester Town on a dual registration deal.

The central defender, who has previously played for Yate Town and Paulton Rovers, is the latest to join the much-changed Robins squad and boss Nick Bunyard was again pleased to have persuaded a key target to join the Blindmans Brewery Stadium revolution saying: “Maps was a key part of my promotion-winning team at Paulton and will be a great signing for us. He is a left-footed central defender who is big, strong and a real threat from set pieces. He’s a talented footballer who can also play in midfield if needed.” Further changes to the Robins squad have seen Jake Hutchings leave purely down to work commitments and the long commute from his London home, while Bunyard also confirmed that striker Lewis Haldane has been allowed to leave. “Lew has struggled to find his best form since joining Frome and with the emergence of Liam Monelle I can’t guarantee him football,” Bunyard said. “He doesn’t train so really needs to find a club that he can start at and regain his form and I felt the

Last January, Chaney was sent out on loan with Ryman League Division One North side Waltham Abbey to gain some experience.

Chaney signed professional terms with Torquay in May 2014.

WEYMOUTH Weymouth have signed Cameron Brown on a shortterm deal.

Brown is an ex-Clevedon Town, Westonsuper-Mare, Aldershot Town, Frome Town and Bristol City winger, who signed for Weymouth`s league rivals Paulton Rovers in the summer.

He had a bit of time out of the game and then turned out for Winterbourne United in the Toolstation Western League but impressed then boss Richard Fey in pre-season and put pen-to-paper after a friendly win against Bristol Rovers.

A Gloucester City youth team graduate who was a fans` favourite last season, he returned to the Vanarama National League North outfit in the summer after being voted players` player at the Corinium Stadium, but his appearances since his return have been limited. Liddiard was an ever-present in the Cirencester side who were champions of the Southern League Division One South & West in 2013/14 and won last season’s Gloucestershire Senior Challenge Cup. The talented young midfielder was thought of as a future club captain by Ciren boss Brian Hughes and indeed he captained the senior Hartpury College team to the British Universities and College Sports championship title last year.

FROME TOWN Frome Town have announced the signing of Marcus Mapstone from Southern Division One South & West side

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budget would be better utilised elsewhere and with Corby Moore coming in from Forest Green Rovers, I think we have a better balance now.”

CAMBRIDGE CITY Gary Roberts, manager of Cambridge City, has released striker Andrew Phillips from his squad.

Phillips joined City in March 2014 and played in the play-off semifinal two months later against St Albans City. It was the following season where he made a real impact scoring 20 goals in all competitions. However, the current campaign has seen him restricted to appearances from the substitutes` bench after struggling to replicate the form from the previous season.

Roberts said: “It was mutually decided to part company. I have always had a good relationship with Andrew and he has made an excellent contribution over the last two years. It’s a shame that it hasn’t worked out for him this season and I wish him well as he moves on to the next chapter of his football career.”

AYLESBURY UNITED Following a thorough application and interview process for the position, the Board of Division One Central club Aylesbury United have announced the appointment of Glyn Creaser as first-team manager.

A former Wycombe Wanderers and Barnet defender with over 300 appearances in the professional game, Creaser takes over after a brief interim spell in the role following the resignation of Tony Joyce.

Joined the Ducks five years earlier as first-team coach after spells locally with, amongst others, New Bradwell St Peter and Ampthill Town. Creaser`s vision and plans for the future of the club mirrored the aspirations of the Board in creating a longterm sustainable future through the attraction and retention of both experienced and up and coming talented players who share the club`s culture and are committed to its success. Under Creaser’s management, there will be a much stronger link to the reserve, youth and academy

sections of the club with a much clearer path for development through to the first-team Creaser will be joined by Steve Tucker and Gary Hawksworth, who will carry out coaching and scouting duties.

BEDFORD TOWN Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central club Bedford Town have announced the signing of Solomon Sambou and the departure of Luke Rowland (pictured).

Nineteen-yearold midfielder Sambou’s previous club is Fulham, and he has the distinction of scoring in the 2014 FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea.

Rowland has completed his transfer to neighbours and league rivals Arlesey Town.

Defender Rowland signed for the Eagles three months ago from Barton Rovers.

For the very latest news visit www.southern-football-league.co.uk/league-news WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 21

SOLID IN DEFENCE

MAT SCORES THE FIRST

TODAY’S VISITORS

DUNSTABLE TOWN

Just two weeks ago the Blues caught us on a very bad evening and inflicted on us our heaviest away league defeat for two seasons A very special welcome for our next Southern League Premier Division engagement with Dunstable Town our visitors this evening for a rearrangement of this match originally scheduled for 15th September. The Duns won their way to the Premier Division of the Southern League last season by cruising to the Midland Division championship in 2013/14 and they finished a creditable 14th in the Premier Division last season with 34 of their final tally of 57 points coming from away matches. In fact only three sides in the Division lost fewer matches away from home (6) and they were St Neots (2), and Corby and Redditch (5 each). So our visitors today clearly travel well whilst at home they had the distinction this season of being the first side to beat Bedfordshire neighbours Biggleswade Town. The last meeting of our two teams on this ground earlier this year on Easter Monday resulted in a pulsating 3-3 draw that could have finished with a win for either side.

Matt Mitchel-King put St Neots ahead early in the game but then we had a player sent off after 27 minutes which also resulted in an equalising Dunstable goal. Our visitors then went 3-1 ahead before half time but second half goals from Lewis Hilliard and Lee Clarke ensured the share of spoils for the ten men. In the final analysis that point was instrumental in seeing our lads finish just one point ahead of Redditch to earn their place in the play offs and of course the rest is history. Just two weeks ago the Blues caught us on a very bad evening at Creasey Park and inflicted on us our heaviest away defeat for more than two seasons. Two second half goals sealed our lads’ fate after a closely contested first 45 minutes. However we have no time to reminisce because we are now playing twice a week until Christmas as we attempt to cut back on the backlog of fixtures created by our protracted FA Cup involvement this season.

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CLUB HISTORY It would appear that Dunstable Town first saw the light of day in October 1883. On 2nd January 1894, Mr. GH Barford of Luton Town wrote to all known clubs in the county, and invited them to a meeting in the Cowper Arms Coffee Tavern, Luton.

The meeting, held on January 16th 1894, was for the purpose of deciding if it were possible to form a County Association, which became necessary due to a recent FA stipulation. Nine clubs turned up, a Mr. White and a Mr. Bull representing Dunstable. A month later the County Association was formed, with Luton Town, Bedford Town, Markyate and Dunstable Town. Although detailed history is very sketchy for the next few years, the club was “re-awakened” in 1950 and Dunstable enjoyed a relatively safe first season in the Metropolitan League, finishing 11th in a league of 16 teams. With the ever-expanding Metropolitan League size, Dunstable’s end-of-season position got better

Year founded: 1883 Nickname: The Blues Chairman: Roger Dance

Website: www.dunstabletownfc.org.uk Stadium: Creasey Park

Previous Meetings: 2014/15 Dunstable 1-3 St Neots

and better. Whilst records are unclear as to the final position and results of the majority of games, the 1965-66 season saw Dunstable promoted to the Southern League. Dunstable were to remain in the Southern League, and climb into the Premier before long. The club was then shut down in the 1975-76 season. Dunstable Football Club was formed to take over the fixtures of Dunstable Town, and they finished 8th out of 22 in the 1975-76 season. Unfortunately, due to being a ‘new’ club, they had to begin the next season in Division 1 North, where they finished in the bottom three. The South Midlands Division One was stormed during the 1999-00 season with The Blues winning the title and going unbeaten through the entire season to gain promotion. The following season was again a promotion season, finishing 2nd to move into the South Midlands Premier. The first season in the South Midlands Premier saw a 7th place finish. and Dunstable Town then

stormed the league to be crowned Champions and earn promotion into the Ryman League Division 1 North and due to league restructuring, Dunstable were promoted into the Southern Premier for the 2004-05 season. This was to be one of the toughest seasons in Dunstable’s history. A 6-0 home defeat at the hands of Chippenham on the opening day of the season saw the start of a very tough battle.The Blues were eventually relegated to Division One West before 2005/06 saw another worrying point for the Blues. Following their first ever relegation, pre-season saw a large number of players leave to other local sides. 2010/2011. With the manager’s job in the hands of John Mcloughlin Dunstable finished 7th in South Midlands Premier division and runners up in the Beds Senior cup, but Darren Croft was already planning the future. 2011/2012 September saw the finish of the Development of Creasy Park and the 6 year wait for the new stadium

was over. The season was to be a good one for the Blues, but they lost out on the league in the last few weeks to Royston and were beaten in the Beds Senior Cup at Kenilworth Road by Luton in a thrilling game 5-4 after extra time. Dunstable and Luton were not finished yet as they had to contest the Beds premier Cup and this time Dunstable ran out the winners 1-0. 2012-2013 become a record breaking season for Dunstable when the SSMFL Premier League was won undefeated, with a record of 36 wins and 6 draws in 42 matches.

This enabled Dunstable to claim the title the Invincibles, previously only held by two clubs, Preston North End and Arsenal, the only teams to go unbeaten in the football pyramid.

Adding to the league trophy was the Beds Premier Cup with a 1-0 win against Luton Town, and the SSMFL Challenge Trophy completed a historic treble for the club. Dunstable were now back in the Southern league.

2014/15 St Neots 3-3 Dunstable

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 27

WHO’S WHO

THE BLUES

ANTHONY FONTANELLE

DANIEL TALBOT

GOALKEEPERS Paul Bastock His career began at Coventry City in 1988. Paul’s clubs include, Scarborough, Dag & Red, Rush & Diamonds, Boston Utd (where he was Player of the Year in ‘93 & ’03) and Sabah FA in Malaysian Super League. He achieved his 1000th senior game in Oct ’14 with St Neots Town.

Bart Pedrycz Bart was spotted playing for a Luton based Polish team before joining Hitching Town, Barts other clubs include London Colney DEFENDERS Charlie Smith Full back and winger who joined Dunstable on loan from Luton Town last season. Charlies previous clubs include Hitchin Town, St Albans as well as Luton Town.

James Kaloczi Central Defender and midfielder who has played for Potters Bar but more recently James made 26 apps for Conference South side St Albans last season.

Zac Reynolds Full Back who can also play on the wing. Zac has played for Aylesbury utd and a short spell at Arlesey Town. Last season Zac played in the Conference South with Hemel Hempstead.

Ryan Plowright Returns to Creasey Park. After making 16 apps for Dunstable last

PAUL BASTOCK

season Ryan moved on to St Neots and Harpenden Town.

Ollie Thorne Central Defender and midfielder who started his career at MK Dons youth team before being signed up by Blue Square Bet Premier side Forest Green Rovers on a one year deal.

Ollie has also been with Newport County, Kidderminster Harriers, Rushden & Diamonds, Braintree Town as well as Hemel Hempstead Mason Spence Full Back who started his career at MK Dons youth team before joining Colchester United with a loan spell at Concord Rangers. Mason has been capped by Wales at U19 level.

Previous clubs include St Neots Town, Hayes & Yeading United and Chelmsford City.

MIDFIELDERS David Keenleyside Exciting wide midfielder spent some time at Conference South side St Albans last season making 27 apps.

Over sides include London Colney and Harpenden Town.

Chris Marsh Technically gifted wide attacking midfielder who was a Dunstable Town player back in the 2006/07 season after coming up through Hemel Hempstead youth set up. Chris returned to the fold in 2013/14 having had spells at Hemel Hempstaed, Aylesbury Utd and Arlesey Town.

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ADAM WATKINS

Adam Watkins Dunstable fan favourite Adam is an attacking midfielder who has been capped at England C level.

The former Luton Town, Eastleigh and Kidderminster Harriers player is a passionate and hardworking midfielder.

Lorenzo Ferrari Winger Lorenzo has a good turn of pace and vision. He made 33 apps last season for fellow South Premier side St Neots Town. Other clubs include Bedford Town, North Greenford Utd and Cockfosters.

Danny Talbot Assistant Manager and solid central midfielder started his career at Rushden & Diamonds with stints at Cambridge City, Potters Bar, Hemel Hempstead and Chesham United before joining The Blues.

FORWARDS Matt Nolan Centre Forward returns to Dunstable after spells at St Neots and Spalding Utd. Matt left The Blues in 2013 for Hemel Hempstead. The former Hitching Town player spent time at Peterborough Utd, Cambridge Utd, Kings Lynn and AFC Telford.

Gary Wharton Centre Forward hard working and quick footed attacker. Other clubs include Potters bar and Hitchin Town.

Lee Roache: (Striker) A product of Barnet’s youth academy and after 3 years at the club gaining promotion from the Conference, Lee joined Conference South side Cambridge City. Other clubs include Histon, Forest Green Rovers, Braintree Town and Hemel Hempstead before joining The Blues were he scored 25 Goals in 26 games including 2 hat-tricks.

DAVID KEENLEYSIDE

JAMES KALOCZI

ZACK REYNOLDS

CHRISOPHER MARSH

GUILLERMO BAUZA PICTURED PLAYING FOR SWANSEA CITY

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 29

GREENIES GREETINGS

MY LOVE OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Good evening everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium, home of St Neots Town Football Club and The Mick George Academy, for tonight’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division Match against Dunstable Town. We hope everyone connected with our visitors has an enjoyable evening here and has a safe journey home later tonight.

Due to my limited availablilty this weekend and tight time constraints for printing, I have decided to share with you an article sent to me by TalkSport’s Tony Incenzo. Hope you enjoy his insight into his love for the game and my normal ramblings and drivel will be back next time...

MY LOVE OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL IN THE BEGINNING I’ve been watching Non-League football on a regular basis since I was 10 years old. What I like most is that the players, club officials and supporters are there for the love of the game. The true spirit of football exists at Non-League level. I grew up in North-West London and I was taken by my family to see my local club QPR as a child in the 1970’s.

I’ve always supported the R’s, but when they were playing away from home I started going to see my local Non-League clubs – Hendon primarily, but also Finchley, Barnet and Edgware Town.

GROUNDHOPPER From there, I decided to visit every Non-League club in London as my groundhopping bug began. By the time I was 17, I had visited all 92 Football League grounds and I visited all the Scottish League grounds whilst still a teenager. Since then, I’ve continued travelling all

around the country to visit Non-League clubs. Earlier this season, I chalked up my 2,000th ground at FC United of Manchester.

WORLD RECORD One of the best groundhops was being part of a world record in March 2004. I joined 250 other groundhoppers to watch five matches at five different football grounds in one day in the Central Midlands League. This is listed in the Guinness Book of Records and we received certificates confirming the world record at the end of the fifth game.

INSIDE PRISON! In December 2011, I set about watching a match inside Feltham Prison in Middlesex. This featured a team called Phoenix FC, who had to play all their fixtures at home (for obvious reasons!) as inmates of the Young Offender Institution at Feltham. I received special permission by email to attend a fixture, but I was told not to bring a phone or a camera with me. I was instructed to arrive in the main car park along with the match referee and the visiting players

PAGE 30 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

from Hanworth Villa Vets. We were met by members of the prison staff who escorted us all in together… via an airport-style metal detector, a body search, numerous locked gates and along a path to the changing rooms. This process took 45 minutes. After the players and ref got changed, we were then accompanied through more locked gates out to the playing area. A high mesh fence with barbed wire on top surrounded the football pitch. There were dug-outs along one touchline and I watched the match from there as the only spectator.

THE FUTURE By going to FC United, I recompleted visits to the top 16 divisions of English football down to Non-League step 4. Then at step 5 I need 30 grounds and another 81 at step 6. There are endless possibilities at step 7 and below. Also, I’ve been to 35 European countries plus the USA for football – so it would be nice to visit more countries.

Follow Tony Incenzo on Twitter @TONYINCENZO ENJOY THE GAME GREENY

SHANE GETS THE SECOND

Scorelines..

A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter FA Trophy First Round Qualifying Action 1 November 2015 On Friday, Weymouth, behind on the half hour mark, scored twice in the second half to go through 2-1 at Winchester City, who had a player sent off shortly before the end.

Kettering Town, who missed a first half penalty, also won away when a goal sixteen minutes from time gave them a 1-0 victory at St Ives Town.

On Saturday, there were home wins for Cirencester Town, who beat North Leigh 2-1, Dorchester Town, who scored twice in the final six minutes to overcome Chippenham Town 2-1.

Evesham United, scored twenty minutes from time to beat Redditch United 1-0, Leamington, who scored three in each half to humble Barwell 6-1, Mangotsfield United, who also had a 6-1 success against Bashley and Marlow, who dispatched Larkhall Athletic 1-0.

Merthyr Town, who scored with five minutes remaining to oust Poole Town 1-0.

St Neots Town, who struck in each half to defeat Bedworth United 2-0, and Hitchin Town, who, after twice going behind, scored twice in the final ten minutes to eliminate Burgess Hill Town 3-2.

Chesham United scored a goal in each half to come away from Billericay Town with a 2-0 victory whilst Frome Town recovered from going a goal down after nine minutes to win 2-1 at Egham Town. There were also victories on the road for Bedford Town, 3-1 at Northwood, Swindon Supermarine who, after twice trailing to luckless Paulton Rovers, scored twice in the final eight minutes to go through 3-2.

Royston Town with a 2-0 success at Wingate & Finchley, and Tiverton Town, who scored three in the second half to oust Peacehaven & Telscombe 3-0.

Kings Lynn Town, one up at the break, conceded a goal with ten minutes to go to draw 1-1 at Belper Town.

Aylesbury recovered from going behind in the sixth minute to hold visiting Brentwood Town 1-1 and Bideford took the lead on the half hour but drew 1-1 at home when Farnborough scored on the hour, Histon were held

PAGE 32 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

0-0 at home by Stratford Town, and Hungerford Town drew 0-0 with visiting Banbury United.

Taunton Town, who had taken the lead shortly before the midway point of the second half, conceded a penalty seven minutes from time to draw 1-1 at home with Dorking Wanderers.

Kings Langley conceded a goal in each half to go out 2-0 at Bury Town.

Cambridge City conceded a goal two minutes before the break to go down 1-0 at home to Ilkeston and Leighton Town crashed out 4-0 at Enfield Town.

Biggleswade Town lost 2-1 at Grays Athletic and Dunstable Town lost 3-1 at home to Haringey Borough.

Chalfont St Peter were eliminated 3-1 at home by Waltham Abbey, and Didcot Town went out 1-0 at Molesey.

On Sunday, Slough Town became the eighteenth Club to make it through to the Second Round Qualifying they took a sixth minute lead which was doubled before the break and went on to complete a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Romford.

MD’S VIEWS Welcome Dunstable Town We have an ongoing problem which at present is difficult to solve.

nurturing these kids and we spend a considerable amount of money (on all off the above) as well as spending money on putting out coaches through their coaching qualifications and badges and yet I get naff all in way of compensation if one of these lads gets picked up by a league club.

So why should I bother?

You see the FA is very proactive in what they describe as “the next generation” or in other words they are keen as mustard to see a successful England team.

Development, development development is a word that is very easy to say but not quite so easy to put into practice. English born quota playing for the first 11, English born quota representing academies da de da de da.

We now have 4 lads (3 from our scholarship program and one from our academy) who have caught the eye of a number of “professional league clubs” in the last few weeks.

Can’t sign forms if they are in full time education??

They are all in full time education till they are 18 tears old it’s the law. done, express and interest, which to be fair is great for our reputation and the lads in question, ask that they come in to train with their academy, dito dito dito, offer them a placement, dito dito dito and what do we get for all the time, energy and effort gone into developing these kids, sweet FA. So here’s a question to the FA. Dear Mr FA, you want to have an England team to be proud off and you want to develop young talent.

All have been in our development programme for a few years with one 15 year old being coached by us since he was 7 (when I say us I mean Parry).

Here’s the problem, as far as we can make out they can (the league clubs) contact us, which to be fair they have

Not all coaches outside of the top 4 or 5 leagues are crap and not all clubs outside of the top 4 or 5 leagues are useless at developing players, however I’m getting very angry at us doing a great job at coaching these kids, a great job at educating these kids, a great job and

PAGE 34 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

If you are serious about being proud of the next generation of English players and it’s not just hot air then I suggest you look at a well structured, simple compensation program for those that care and are doing things right. In fact would this not openly encourage development ?

All Fighting for the same kids?

No if you are the best in the area then kids will trial, it’s that simple.

Oh and what it might also do is stop a number of non-league clubs going under because the emphases is on bringing kids through to the first team which saves a pretty penny on the playing budget.

Am I talking nonsense, is it that simple.

LEE

JOSH BEECH

INTRODUCING

BRETT LONGDEN A young right-back / Right midfield player who signed his first professional contract with Luton Town in the summer of 2013 after impressing the Hatters’ coaching staff with mature performances at both youth and development squad level.

He made his first team debut in the FA Trophy during 2012. Brett was loaned to the Saints for the last 2 months of season 2014-15 and we were able to make the transfer permanent in the summer of 2015 where Brett signed a playing contract for the club.

but has found his way into the centre of midfield where he has been a cornerstone of the team.

A feisty player who started at full back or wide midfield

PAGE 36 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

POOLE TOWN Our next away day to down to Dorset to The Tatnam Ground the home of Poole Town.

Poole and ourselves seem to have very tight matches and last season’s results were no different with us winning at home and drawing the away league fixture. The highlight was of course our away victory at Poole in the play off semi final by a goal to nil. It was though a little harsh on Poole not only because they were probably the best team on the night but because they had come so far and really should have won the league outright. But that’s football and Poole Town will learn from last seasons experience and Tom Killick the Poole manager will learn from last season and ensure there are no mistakes this term. Poole are currently top of the league and look just as strong as last season. Our previous meeting in our first home fixture of the season saw Poole run out winners by three goals to two.A day where we really did gift them all there goals, something you just cannot do against a team as good as Poole Town.

DIRECTIONS: From Fleetsbridge, travel along Fleets Lane towards Poole. (Go past B&Q on your right). About half a mile from Fleetsbrdige there is a road to the left from Fleets Lane called Palmer Road. Go up that road and take the first right into School Lane.

Go in through the school gates and you can park anywhere in here on match days. Pitch is on your right as you enter school car park. To see the ground just keep travelling along Fleets Lane from Fleetsbridge and it will be on your left just prior to Sterte Bridge.

THE TATNAM GROUND Oakdale School, School lane, Off Palmer Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 3JR Matchday Magazine: £2 Capacity: 2,000 Round Trip from (PE19 6SL): 320 Miles

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 37

ST NEOTS TOWN U18 4 ELY CITY U18 1 Thurlow Nunn Youth Cambridge Division St Neots ran out comfortable victors in this match – the first league meeting of the two sides – despite trailing at the break.

Although both sides are in the lower half of the table the match was competitive and entertaining throughout despite the heavy rain.

However after three successive league defeats and dismissal from the FA Youth Cup this was a victory very much needed by the home side.

The only down side to the win was the harsh sending off of midfielder Erhan Nurettin deep into added time for deliberately throwing the ball at an opponent after the Referee appeared to have missed a foul on the St Neots player.

The visitors had the best of the early play. Finlay Logan had an early shot from distance pushed on to the crossbar by Evan Jeckells before Lewis Hook squandered an opening following a Lewis Beeton free kick.

Ely then had the ball in the net but an offside flag disallowed the effort but the early pressure paid off after 11 minutes when Luke Mansfield burst into the penalty area to be brought down by Shae Humphrey and

a penalty was awarded that Mansfield netted himself.

This setback seemed to galvanise St Neots efforts and Ben Southwood forced visiting keeper James Barrett into a smart save. However Ely looked the better side until the last ten minutes of the half when St Neots came to life. Chris Lewis outpaced the defence to set up the unmarked Southwood at the far post who appeared to get a bad bounce as he fired wide.

Liam Hutchings then ran the length of the field cutting through the Ely defence to bring a save by the keeper’s legs and Dan Lewis sent the rebound wide but in successive attacks Barrett twice denied Chris Lewis.

The second half saw a reversal of the first with St Neots dominating from the start.

Within ninety seconds they were level when Dan Lewis ran on to a long ball out of defence to go past his marker and shoot beneath the diving body of the keeper.

That was the impetus St Neots required and six minutes later

they were in front when Dan Lewis crossed from the right and as Barrett fumbled the ball Chris Lewis was on hand to tap in from close range.

Ely had little answer as St Neots began to dominate in midfield through Charlie Lewis and substitute Jamie Gooderham and after 66 minutes their persistence paid off when Chris Lewis dribbled though a rather static defence to claim his second goal and give St Neots a 3-1 advantage.

There could have been further goals but visiting keeper Barrett was the hero as he practised damage limitation making three excellent saves to deny Chris Lewis, Dan Lewis and Zac Rudman.

Southwood had a shot scraped off the line by a defender and in a lone Ely attack Sean Francis tested Evan Jeckells.

However St Neots had the last word when Chris Lewis completed his hat trick a minute into added time.

John Walker

St Neots Jeckells, Hutchins, Harris (C), Lewis (Charlie), Humphrey, Rudman, Southwood, Clarke, Lewis (Chris), Nurettin, Lewis (Dan) Subs used: Gooderham, Theodoulou and Ofosu. Cards: Nurettin (RED – 90+3 mins), Southwood (Y – 69 mins) Goals (St Neots): Chris Lewis 3 (53, 66 & 90+1 mins), Dan Lewis (47 mins)

PAGE 38 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

MAT MITCHEL-KING PICTURED AGAINST BEDWORTH UNITED

BACK SOON

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 39

ST NEOTS TOWN FIRST TEAM PLAYER STATS 2015/16 St Neots Town First Team Player Stats 2015/16

4 9 9 8 3 13 13

5 3

1

1

2

12

14 8

1 8 13 4 13

1 1

2 2 4 3 1 3

4 1

6 1

1 14 2

1 1 1

3

2 4

4 4 1

1 1

1

PAGE 40 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

1 3 5 1

3

1 1 1

2 1

6 5 3

1 1

2 5

1 1

7 3 1

2 6 3 7 4 3

3

1 3 1 1 1

1 1

3 1 1

2 1 2

2 2 1

GOALS

5

UNUSED SUB

2

USED SUB

5 3 1

5

APPS

1 1

TOTAL

16 8 0 7 0 0 5 12 14 9 3 19 18 0 3 0 14 5 0 21 11 1 0 0 3 14 3 20 8 16

1 1 1 0 1 5 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 2 4 0 0 1 4 1 0 0 3 6 0 0 0

1 1 0 0 8 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 1 1 1 6 1 0 0 1 4 0 6 4 3 0 2 1

1 1 0 1 0 0 3 1 1 0 2 3 7 1 0 0 0 1 0 17 3 1 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 0

GOALS

1 1

UNUSED SUB

GOALS

1 1

USED SUB

UNUSED SUB

11 5

APPS

USED SUB

Anton Jamie Beech Josh Berkes George Blackett Shane Burton Ben Cisse Bamoussa Clarke Lee Frater Nathan Galliford Isaac (LOAN) Gay Danny Gordon Remy Hall Connor Hawkins Ryan Hobbs Dan Horne Ryan (LOAN) Jeckells Evan Longden Brett Mailancol Guy Marango Ebey Meechan Tom Mitchel-King Matt Ofosu Claudio Ossei-Addo Kelvin Roberts Drew Sutton Ollie Tann Adam Vieira Luis Ward Tom Wilton Andy Wilkinson Jack

CUP

APPS

LEAGUE

1 2 2

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 41

Bedworth United

2 -- 2

2 -- 1

2 -- 1

4 -- 1

21.9.15

5 -- 1

2.1.16

20.2.16

Frome Town

Histon

Hitchin Town

Hungerford Town

Kettering Town

Kings Lynn Town

2 -- 1

6.2.16

2 -- 0

1 -- 0

Weymouth

1 -- 0

5.3.16

17.11.15 28.11.15

Stratford Town

St Neots Town

Slough Town

26.3.16 21.11.15

16.1.16

0 -- 1

3 -- 0

2 -- 0

1.12.15

6.1.16

16.1.16

Redditch United

0 -- 0

0 -- 0

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

22.9.15

1 -- 0

7.11.15

2.1.16

5.3.16

2 -- 1

26.3.16

19.3.16

20.2.16

29.9.15

1 -- 1

Chesham United 1 -- 0

3 -- 0

2.1.16

19.3.16

5.3.16

3 -- 1

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

9.1.16

1 -- 1

16.4.16

26.12.15

13.2.16

2.4.16

28.11.15 14.11.15

16.4.16

2.4.16

3 -- 1

0 -- 0

14.11.15

28.3.16

6.2.16

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

0 -- 0

20.2.16

6.2.16

26.3.16

2 -- 0

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

16.1.16

2.4.16

16.4.16

1 -- 3

Dunstable Town

18.11.15

23.1.16

4 -- 3

3 -- 1

3 -- 4

0 -- 3

9.1.16

28.3.16

4 -- 1 26.3.16

12.3.16

1 -- 1

6.2.16

1 -- 0

4 -- 1

2 -- 0

0 -- 0

2.4.16

20.2.16 26.12.15

2 -- 1

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

0 -- 1

3 -- 0

1 -- 4

26.12.15 20.2.16

28.3.16

0 -- 5

23.1.16

20.2.16

16.4.16

16.1.16

12.3.16

3 -- 2

0 -- 0

0 -- 0

2.4.16

TBA

5.3.16

16.4.16

12.12.15

20.10.15

4 -- 2

5 -- 4

5 -- 0

2.1.16

1.12.15

5.3.16

16.4.16

9.1.16

0 -- 0

2.4.16

0 -- 1

26.3.16

1 -- 0

1 -- 2

TBA

7 -- 1

2 -- 2

3 -- 1

23.1.16

1 -- 2

0 -- 0

17.11.15

2.4.16

28.9.15

5 -- 1

0 -- 4

1 -- 3

9.4.16

12.3.16

5.12.15 10.10.15

0 -- 0

4 -- 1

23.4.16

5.3.16

2 -- 1

20.2.16

9.4.16

6.2.16

28.3.16

2 -- 2

9.1.16

2 -- 1

28.11.15 19.3.16

14.11.15

23.1.16

27.2.16

24.10.15 1.12.15

30.1.16

5 -- 1

9.1.16 7.11.15

Kings Lynn Town 3 -- 0

3 -- 2

23.1.16

2 -- 1

12.12.15

9.1.16

30.11.15

1 -- 0

0 -- 1

21.11.15

3 -- 2

26.12.15

30.1.16 12.12.15

2 -- 0

1 -- 2

19.3.16

13.2.16

5.12.15

0 -- 1

30.1.16

2 -- 2

0 -- 3

0 -- 0

0 -- 2

19.3.16

16.4.16

9.1.16

3 -- 2

2.1.16

2 -- 2

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

28.11.15

1 -- 0

1 -- 2

2 -- 0

6.2.16

16.4.16

1 -- 2

3 -- 0

23.1.16

1 -- 1

9.1.16

3 -- 3

1 -- 1

9.4.16

5 -- 1

30.1.16

2 -- 1

Slough Town

7.11.15

1 -- 5

1 -- 2

9.4.16

10.10.15

13.2.15

5.12.15

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

9.4.16

0 -- 0

6.2.16

28.11.15

5.3.16

4 -- 1

28.3.15

9.1.15

2 -- 3

1 -- 3

30.1.15

13.2.15

23.1.15

12.3.15

3 -- 2

28.11.15

0 -- 0

9.4.16

5.3.16

26.12.15

20.2.16

0 -- 2

2 -- 1

12.3.16

28.3.16

0 -- 1

6.2.16

0 -- 0

16.11.15

1 -- 2

7.11.15 10.10.15 12.12.15

St Neots Town

1 -- 1

1.12.15

12.12.15

1 -- 1

12.3.15

1 -- 0

30.1.16

1 -- 0

27.2.16

17.11.15

27.2.16

2 -- 5

9.4.16

1.12.15

28.3.16

19.3.16

3 -- 3

23.4.16

13.2.16

9.1.16

3 -- 0

27.2.16

9.4.16

1 -- 1

26.3.16

16.1.16

29.9.15

3 -- 0

2.1.16

23.4.16

16.1.16

3 -- 2

1 -- 1

2.1.16

1.12.15

7.11.15

1 -- 1

9.4.16

0 -- 1

12.12.15 13.2.16

2 -- 3

30.1.16

1 -- 1

23.1.16 12.3.16

2 -- 2

5.12.15

19.12.15

5.12.15 21.11.15 19.3.16

TBA

1 -- 0

0 -- 3

1 -- 1

27.10.15 21.11.15

3 -- 1

30.1.16 20.10.15

1 -- 1

7.11.15 19.12.15 23.4.16

28.10.15 7.11.15

26.12.15 13.2.16

4 -- 4

0 -- 6

Stratford Town

19.12.15 21.11.15 26.3.16

27.2.15

23.4.15

3 -- 0

7.11.15

26.3.16

2.1.16

3 -- 1

1 -- 2

28.3.16 26.12.15 23.4.16 28.11.15

19.3.16

6 -- 0

17.11.15 27.2.16 28.11.15 16.1.15

20.2.16 14.11.15 17.10.15

2.4.16

5.12.15

1 -- 1

5.3.16

0 -- 1

17.11.15

2.4.16

3 -- 1

23.4.16

0 -- 1

1 -- 2

Redditch United

23.4.16 17.11.15 7.11.15

2 -- 1

14.11.15 28.3.16 17.11.15 20.2.16

2.1.16

16.4.16

2 -- 0

16.1.16

19.12.15

2 -- 0

27.2.16

2 -- 1

4 -- 1 9.1.16

19.12.15 3.10.15

26.3.16

1 -- 1

27.2.16

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

1 -- 0

Poole Town

23.1.16 12.12.15

Paulton Rovers

13.2.16 26.12.15

26.3.16 28.11.15 16.1.16

1 -- 2

30.1.16 10.10.15 14.11.15

2 -- 1

27.2.16

1 -- 2

4 -- 0

2.4.16 2.12.15

Merthyr Town

26.12.15 12.3.16

Leamington

7.11.15 21.11.15 23.1.16

28.3.16

10.10.15 21.11.15 23.4.16

30.1.16 21.11.15 13.2.16

12.12.15

1 -- 0

6.2.16

5.12.15

Hungerford Town 0 -- 2

Kettering Town

12.3.16 26.12.15 13.2.16

1 -- 1

1.12.15 26.12.15

3 -- 0

13.2.16 14.11.15

1 -- 1

5 -- 1

19.12.15 14.11.15 19.3.16

16.4.16

12.12.15

1 -- 3

Histon 2.4.16

Hitchin Town

21.11.15 26.12.15 28.3.16

3 -- 0

2 -- 0

14.11.15 20.2.16 19.12.15

2 -- 3

5.3.16

3 -- 1

6.2.16

0 -- 0

1 -- 5

28.11.15

2.1.16

1 -- 1

17.11.15

12.3.16

7.11.15 12.12.15 16.1.16

23.1.16

5.3.16

12.3.16

Frome Town

16.4.16 14.11.15 27.2.16

Dorchester Town

23.4.16 28.11.15

3 -- 2

9.4.16

30.11.15 5.12.15 21.11.15

3 -- 1

23.1.16

28.3.16

26.3.16 21.11.15 14.11.15

19.3.16

20.10.15

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

9.1.16

30.1.16 19.12.15 1.12.15

5.12.15 24.10.15

27.2.16

2.1.16

2 -- 3

0 -- 4

30.1.16

16.1.16

1.12.15

Cirencester Town

12.3.16 24.10.15 12.12.15

27.2.16

10.10.15 12.12.15

19.3.16 19.12.15

9.4.16

Poole Town

6.10.15

16.4.16

16.1.16

3 -- 0

5.12.15

2.1.16

2.4.16

2 -- 0

Chippenham Town

13.2.16 10.10.15 21.11.15

Cambridge City

5.12.15 17.11.15

20.2.16

23.4.16

2 -- 4

Biggleswade Town

Paulton Rovers

0 -- 0

23.4.16

Dunstable Town

5.12.15

0 -- 1

7.11.15

Dorchester Town

Leamington

19.3.16

26.3.16

Cirencester Town

Merthyr Town

19.12.15

5 -- 0

Chippenham Town

3 -- 1

5.3.16

Chesham United

6.2.16

4 -- 2

28.11.15 14.11.15

9.4.16

Bideford

Cambridge City

Biggleswade Town

Bideford

Bedworth United

Weymouth

YOU’RE never far away from a “oh I remember him” or a “I used to enjoy watching that fella” when sitting down to watch TV on a Saturday evening.

And no, I’m not talking about the ridiculous amounts of Dad’s Army and Only Fools and Horses repeats on monotonous channels like Dave.

I am, of course, referring to the beautiful game.

Just last week, former England C, Hinckley United and Luton Town forward Andre Gray finally sealed a move away from Brentford – signing for Championship rivals Burnley. The fee? A staggering £9m!

It seems you can’t get through an episode of the new Football League Tonight or even the good old Match of the Day without seeing a former Non-League star light up the screen.

This is the same Andre Gray that was discarded by both Wolves and Shrewsbury Town, becoming yet another promising youth player tossed on the Non-League scrapheap. Full credit must go to him for knuckling down and working his way back up. Oh how Wolves and the Shrews must regret their decisions now. I’m sure Luton Town, who could earn up to £1.8m from their sell-on clause, are glad they took a punt.

Youngsters in the semi-professional ranks are constantly told that if you work hard enough, you could well get a chance in the full-time game. And the evidence is there for everybody to see.

A couple of other former NonLeague strikers making their names on the big stage are Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson and Charlie Austin of QPR – although for how much longer nobody knows.

In yet another summer where transfer fees have inflated beyond belief and millions are exchanging hands like monopoly money, it’s clear to see that Non-League players provide fantastic value.

For little outlay, clubs in the lower reaches of the Football League can take a punt and with some of the figures quoted, and already spent, on former semi-pro stars, it seems a no brainer.

Wilson scored a predatory hat-trick at West Ham to give his side a 4-3 win and often points out that his spells on loan at Kettering and Tamworth – both in the Conference at the time – were key to his progression.

PAGE 42 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

I don’t think many who saw him in those spells, in which he scored twice in 20 appearances, would have predicted his current success but it was vital in getting Wilson – used to the cushty life in professional academies – to “man up”.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Austin returned to former club Poole Town to watch the Dolphins take on Hungerford in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier.

In the modern age of football in which mercenaries run wild, it’s refreshing to see a man who has climbed from the bottom to the very top remember his roots. His goal-laden spell in 2008 and 2009 was impressive but I’m sure even the most diehard Poole supporter would admit they couldn’t see Austin being valued at £15m just six years later!

There are also great stories elsewhere with the likes of former Chippenham defender Tyrone Mings, signed by Bournemouth for £8m, and Hull’s Sam Clucas who was working in a Debenham’s cafe not too long ago.

While the price of both tickets and transfer fees skyrockets at the top level of the game, Non-League once again proves it can’t be beaten when it comes to value for money.

Steven Coney Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper

Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in BOLD CAPS denotes goal scorer.

THE FAMOUS FIVE! Date

ATT

COMP

R

Pos

Sat 8 Aug

Opposition Bideford

233

EVO

4-4

11

Gay

Anton

Wilkinson

Tann

Tue 11 Aug

LEAMINGTON

368

EVO

1-0

5

Gay

Tann

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Sat 15 Aug

POOLE TOWN

366

EVO

2-3

11

Gay

Anton

Wilkinson

Tann

Tue 18 Aug

Bedworth United

193

EVO

6-0

5

Gay

Anton

Wilkinson

HALL

Sat 22 Aug

STRATFORD TOWN

298

EVO

2-2

6

Gay

Anton

Wilkinson

Hall

Sat 29 Aug

Weymouth

608

EVO

1-1

9

Gay

Longden

Wilkinson

Hall

Mon 31 Aug

BIGGLESWADE TOWN

456

EVO

2-0

6

Gay

Longden

Wilkinson

Hall

Sat 5 Sept

Chippenham Town

382

EVO

1-1

9

Gay

Tann

Wilkinson

Hall

Sat 12 sept

Tilbury

110

FAC

1-1

-

Wilton

Tann

Wilkinson

HALL

Sat 19 Sept

Hungerford Town

116

EVO

3-3

9

Wilton

Tann

Wilkinson

Hall

Tue 22 Sept

Tilbury

97

FACR

5-2

-

Gay

Tann

Wilkinson

Hall

Sat 26 Sept

WORTHING

342

FAC

1-1

-

Wilton

Anton

Wilkinson

Tann

Sat 3 Oct

CIRENCESTER TOWN

306

EVO

1-2

16

Wilton

Anton

Wilkinson

Hall

Tue 6 Oct

Worthing

403

FACR

5-6 (P)

-

Wilton

Tann

Mailancol

Longden

Sat 10 Oct

Paulton Rovers

180

EVO

5-2

14

Wilton

Tann

Hall

Clarke

Tue 13 Oct

St Ives Town

173

RIC

2-1

-

Sutton

Tann

Galliford

Beech

Sat 17 Oct

DORCHESTER TOWN

313

EVO

1-0

12

Wilton

Anton

Wilkinson

Beech

Tue 20 Oct

Dunstable Town

154

EVO

0-3

9

Wilton

Anton

Hall

Tann

Sat 24 Oct

MERTHYR TOWN

280

EVO

1-2

15

Wilton

Tann

Hall

Beech

Tue 27 Oct

Yaxley

98

HSC

6-1

-

Sutton

Anton

Hall

Beech

Sat 31 Oct

BEDWORTH UNITED

215

FAT

2-0

-

Wilton

Anton

Hall

Beech

Tue 3 Nov

DUNSTABLE TOWN

Tue 10 Nov

CAMBRIDGE CITY

RIC

Sat 14 Nov

HITCHIN TOWN

EVO

Tue 17 Nov

BEDWORTH UNITED

EVO

Sat 21 Nov

Poole Town

EVO

Sat 28 Nov

BIDEFORD

EVO

Tue 1 Dec

Leamington

EVO

Sat 5 Dec

Slough Town

EVO

Sat 12 Dec

KETTERING TOWN

EVO

Sat 19 Dec

WEYMOUTH

EVO

Sat 26 Dec

Biggleswade Town

EVO

Sat 2 jan

KINGS LYNN TOWN

EVO

Sat 9 Jan

Frome Town

EVO

Sat 16 Jan

CHIPPENHAM TOWN

EVO

Sat 23 Jan

Stratford Town

EVO

Sat 30 Jan

Cirencester Town

EVO

Sat 6 Feb

HUNGERFORD TOWN

EVO

Sat 13 Feb

Histon

EVO

Sat 20 Feb

REDDITCH UNITED

EVO

Sat 27 Feb

DORCHESTER TOWN

EVO

Sat 5 Mar

PAULTON ROVERS

EVO

Sat 12 Mar

SLOUGH TOWN

EVO

Sat 19 Mar

Kettering Town

EVO

Sat 26 Mar

FROME TOWN

EVO

Mon 28 Mar

Kings Lynn Town

EVO

Sat 2 Apr

CAMBRIDGE CITY

EVO

Sat 9 Apr

Merthyr Town

EVO

Sat 16 Apr

CHESHAM UNITED

EVO

Sat 23 Apr

Hitchin Town

EVO

EVO

PAGE 44 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

2

Player name in these colours denotes substitute

Hall

Mitchel-King

Frater

Longden

MEECHAN 3

Hawkins

GORDON

Clarke

Cisse

Ward

Hall

Frater

Longden

MEECHAN

Hawkins

Gordon

Anton

Clarke

Cisse

Ward

HALL

Frater

Longden

Meechan

Clarke

GORDON

Cisse

Ossei-Addo

Mailancol

WARD

Mitchel-King

CLARKE

Longden

MEECHAN 2

Hawkins

Galliford

MAILANCOL

Cisse

Trottman

Ward

Mitchel-King

Frater

Longden

MEECHAN 2

Hawkins

Galliford

Trottman

Cisse

Tann

Ward

Anton

Frater

Mitchel-King

MEECHAN

Hawkins

Galliford

Ward

Anton

Frater

Mitchel-King

MEECHAN

HAWKINS

Galliford

Tann

Trottman

Ward

Anton

FRATER

Mitchel-King

Meechan

Hawkins

Galliford

Mailancol

Longden

Ward

Anton

Frater

Mitchel-King

Meechan

Hawkins

Mailancol

Galliford

Longden

Ward

ANTON

Beech

MITCHEL-KING

MEECHAN

Hawkins

Galliford

Vieira

WARD

Anton

Vieira

Mitchel-King

MEECHAN 2

HAWKINS

Mailancol

HOBBS

Ward

Hall

Frater

Galliford

Meechan

Hawkins

Mailancol

Vieira

Ofosu

Ward

Blackett

Frater

Longden

Meechan

HAWKINS

Galliford

Vieira

Clarke

WARD

Hall

Frater

Horne

Meechan

HAWKINS

Galliford

CLARKE

Ofosu

Ward

Blackett

BEECH

Longden

MEECHAN 2

HAWKINS 2

Wilkinson

Ofosu

Galliford

Horne

Ward

Blackett

CLARKE

Longden

Meechan

HAWKINS

Horne

Ofosu

Vieira

Mailancol

Ward

Blackett

Clarke

Longden

MEECHAN

Hawkins

Galliford

Ward

Blackett

Beech

Longden

Meechan

Hawkins

Galliford

Vieira

Horne

Ward

Blackett

Frater

Longden

Meechan

Hawkins

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Horne

WARD

TANN

VIERA

Horne

Mailancol

MEECHAN

GALLIFORD

OFOSU

Berkes

Ward

BLACKETT

Vieira

MITCHEL-KING

Meechan

Ofosu

Galliford

Tann

Frater

Burton

Beech

Vieira

Horne

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 45

EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 01.11.15

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

+/-

Pts

01

Poole Town

16

10

3

3

33

18

+15

33

02

Leamington

17

9

5

3

23

12

+11

32

03

Redditch United

17

9

5

3

22

15

+7

32

04

Weymouth

18

8

7

3

20

10

+10

31

05

Chippenham Town

16

7

7

2

26

15

+11

28

06

Hungerford Town

18

7

6

5

30

25

+5

27

07

Dorchester Town

17

7

4

6

30

26

+4

25

08

Slough Town

18

7

4

7

30

30

0

25

09

Cirencester Town

16

7

2

7

22

25

-3

23

10

King's Lynn Town

17

7

2

8

17

22

-5

23

11

Merthyr Town

17

6

4

7

28

22

+6

22

12

Dunstable Town

15

6

4

5

26

20

+6

22

13

Hitchin Town

14

6

4

4

27

23

+4

22

14

Chesham United

16

6

4

6

28

25

+3

22

15

Biggleswade Town

15

7

1

7

26

23

+3

22

16

Kettering Town

15

7

1

7

23

25

-2

22

17

Cambridge City

14

6

3

5

21

18

+3

21

18

St Neots Town

14

5

5

4

30

23

+7

20

19

Stratford Town

15

5

5

5

22

22

0

20

20

Histon

17

6

1

10

33

36

-3

19

21

Frome Town

18

4

6

8

16

34

-18

18

22

Bideford

17

2

6

9

17

31

-14

12

23

Bedworth United

17

2

3

12

16

43

-27

9

24

Paulton Rovers

16

0

6

10

11

34

-23

6

PAGE 46 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V DUNSTABLE TOWN ISSUE 11

PROUD TO SUPPORT AND SPONSOR THE SAINTS

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Manager: David Batch Assistant Manager: Steve Eastaugh First Team Coach: John Beck Goalkeeping Coach: Darren Plowman Goalkeepers Andrew Wilton Ollie Sutton

Manager: Anthony Fontenelle Assistant Manager: Daniel Talbot Physio: John Bell Squad 01: Paul Bastock (Captain) 02: Zac Reynolds 03: Luke Pennell 04: Daniel Talbot

Defenders Brett Longden Jack Wilkinson Adam Tann (Captain) Tom Ward

05: James Kaloczi 06: Adam Pepera 07: Adam Watkins 08: David Keenleyside 09: Connor Calcutt

Connor Hall

10: Steven Gregory

Jamie Anton

11: Victor Osobu

Sam Harty Shane Blackett

12: Lee Roache 14: Bartosz Pedrycz (Gk) 15: Gregg Mitchell

Midfielders Ryan Hawkins Lee Clarke Mat Mitchel-King

16: Jamale Mckenzie-Lowe 17: Matty Nolan 18: Kai Gardner

Guy Mailamcol Remy Gordon Josh Beech Forwards Drew Roberts Tom Meechan Nathan Frater

Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Colours Red Shirts, Shorts & Socks

The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Andrew Aylott Assistant 1: Mark Simmons Assistant 2: Jeffrey Aldous

Next Home Game: Hitchin Town The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division Saturday 14th November / KO 15:00

As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.