Saints vs Weymouth FC

The Official Matchday Magazine

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Vs Weymouth Saturday 17th August 2013 Kick-Off 3pm

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WELCOME

Welcome to Rowley Park - The Cozy Stadium and to the latest edition of the Saints Matchday Magazine, enjoy great football, great hospitality and a great read.

Inside This Issue

Club Honours

03 Manager’s Notes

22/23 Pull Out Poster

04 Action Replay

24

The Beautiful Game

Southern Football League

05 Uhlsport Feature

25

Fan Feature

Division One champions, 1 time

06/07 SNT News

28

Managing Directors’ Views

United Counties League

08/09 Match Report

30/31

Mascot Feature

10/11 Player Profile

33

Fixtures Matrix

12 Greenies Greetings

35

Fixtures Information

Premier Division champions, 2 times Division One champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 2 times

13 Club Merchandise

37

The Non-League Paper

Metropolitan League

15 Advertising Prices

38

Game For A Laugh

16 A Blast From The Past

39

Fellow Club News

17 Chairmans’ View

40/41

Season Statistics

Champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 1 time Professional Cup winners, 1 time

18/21 Weymouth Feature

44

The Teams

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Champions, 1 time Huntingdonshire League Champions, 4 times

Club Officials

02

South Midlands League

Owner Mike Kearns Chairman Mike Kearns Managing Director Lee Kearns Football Manager Iain Parr Club Secretary Gary Wilson Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard Treasurer Keith Gotch Life President John Walker Life Vice-Presidents Ena Kester Jack Blyth Mel Hancock Ken Harris David Mackian Terry Reedman Stuart Walters

Team Officials Andy Davis (First Team Coach) Richard King (Goalkeeping Coach) Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt Physio Carol Holland St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley

Club Photographers Claire Howes Mike Tuck

Hinchingbrooke Cup Winners, 2 times

Programme Sales Charlie Green

Club Information

Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson Pitchcare Working Turf 200 Club Stuart Walters

Programme Editor Mark Davies

Design & Marketing Blueprawn

Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Sparks

Print XL Press Limited

Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green

Winners, 37 times

Assistant Photographer Paulo Soares

Club Merchandise Linda Walters

Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas

Huntingdonshire Senior Cup

Founded 1879 The Cozy Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone 01480 470012 Email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Website www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Forum www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum

MANAGER’S NOTES

Ian Parr Good afternoon and welcome to a new season here at Rowley Park.

Welcome to all from Weymouth and I wish them well for the coming season.

As soon as Searsy kicked the last ball of the season for us to win the Hunts senior Cup we started preparing for the 2013/14 season, the process proved to be an eye opener and a journey in which I have gained invaluable experience.

Dion has been on fire and is on the radar of Norwich, West Ham and Colchester, Paul Rodgers has played at some high profile clubs and arrived with an incredibly professional attitude. Welcome also to our latest signing Rene Steer.

We have retained the services and experience of Gav, Lewis, Adrian, Jay, Niall and Edd and we are in dialogue with Norwich City and Cambridge Utd regarding loan players. Add this to the new signings and younger hungry squad members that will give us competition for places all over the pitch.

People ask me about my expectations this season and it remains the same, win every game, play the attractive attacking style of football we have a growing reputation for, improve and give 100%. We are an ambitious football club with one of the best facilities in non league football, with a long term plan.

Our first season off the pitch has seen us cement good relationships

with pro clubs, entering a partnership deal with Premiership club Norwich City to develop young footballers, increasing the youth football element with St Neots Youth and Saints FC with teams ranging from U8’s to u21’s, these teams train twice a week to a structured syllabus to give all the boys an opportunity to develop as players, we are also in the process of adding a full time educational apprenticeship scheme to the club. The FA have used our facility to hold coaching courses and will continue to do so allowing all our coaching staff to attend and improve as coaches.

Bright Future If we can continue to progress and develop at this speed the future will be very bright for our club, with patience and commitment from players, staff and supporters we can all watch this wonderful journey unfold and who knows what we can achieve!!

‘Parry’

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Youth Culture We have some excellent young players at the club and most of them benefited from their step 3 experiences last season so we are ahead of schedule and expect them to be in and around the first team squad. We have added some fantastic faces to the playing staff; we have signed some experience as well as youth and a combination of both. Joe and Ola will be a handful for any defence this season adding pace, power and work ethic to our front line, Ash Fuller has worked hard in pre-season and shown what an experienced addition he will be to the squad, Dan Crowie has slotted into the right side centre half position and is playing beyond his years, young

We are an ambitious football club with one of the best facilities in non league football, with a long-term plan.

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Speaking to some established player targets at step 3 I found it hard to understand their ambition and financial expectations. We made some very good offers to some very good players, but it wasn’t to be so we wished them well and moved on very quickly. If you’re not careful you can get drawn in to a bidding war but at some point you have to step back and question your values and beliefs and look at what is right for the long term development and sustainability of the football club. We said throughout last season how we are buying into ‘Youth Development’ and I asked the supporters to be patient and the message is the same again this year.

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

This Club Has A Bright Future

03

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ACTION REPLAY

04

On This Week Nine Years Ago Saturday 14th August 2004 Good afternoon and welcome to Rowley Park, St Neots, and the start of a new and exciting season.

A special welcome for our visitors for this afternoon’s league match in the Premier Division of the Eagle Bitter United Counties League.

For the second successive season they are the players, officials and supporters of Woodford United who are appearing at Rowley Park for the third time having been promoted to the to the Premier Division at the start of the 2002/03 season. They have made a very satisfactory start to their life in the top division for this is only their seventh season at senior level. Elsewhere in the programme you can find details of their rise up to this level. Two seasons ago they finished fourteenth in the league table just one place below our lads and last season they finished twelfth to continue their gradual improvement. I am assured the reason for a second successive opening day meeting is pure chance for the League fixtures were prepared on the basis of numbers and names applied afterwards. However I am sure Woodford will be happy to get one of their longer trips out of the way.

When we met here for the first time in March 2003 there were eight places between our two clubs but Woodford’s victory at Rowley Park set them off on their best run of the season. After beating us they won eight of their last ten matches after only winning seven of their first thirty.

Their victory here also gave them a league double over us that season having beaten us at Byfield Road in the first ever meeting of our two clubs. No doubt they will hope to repeat that but I suspect our lads will have their own agenda for this afternoon. Last season our two meetings went more in our favour for we beat our visitors on the opening day by three goals to one with Danny Bartley scoring two and Steve Kuhne

one, with Dave Draper scoring for Woodford. Then in our return match both teams took a point from a 0-0 draw.

May I now on behalf of you all bid a very warm welcome to Manager John Taylor who kicks off his second league season with us today plus of course the rest of his ‘off the field’ team. Welcome also to all our new players and of course a renewed welcome to all our players who are returning having played for us last season. At this stage all clubs have high expectations and I am confident that John and the lads will entertain us as well as winning their fair share of success.

The recent news from our visitors’ camp is that after being awarded Charter Standard Development Club status in September 2001, Woodford United then progressed to the next level of the scheme and became a Charter Standard Community Club.

Now they have been awarded grants totalling £369,675 from the Football Foundation and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund. The project to be funded is the construction of four new changing rooms for players and an officials’ changing room, new relaxation and leisure facilities and new seating accommodation for spectators. These ambitious plans indicate exactly what the club intends to achieve in the future and we wish them well.

Uhlsport In Association With RAM Sports Are The Proud Technical Teamwear Supplier To St Neots Town FC To view the full 2013-14 Uhlsport Teamsport Range visit

www.uhlsport.com

or contact Richard at RAM Sports on 01963 31779

@UhlsportUK

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CLUB NEWS

06

Official Club News Feed

Never miss a thing relating to St. Neots Town Football Club! For those of you who aren’t online much then the Saints Matchday Magazine will always bring you the latest news so that you are bang up-to-date.

New Box Office Ticketing

Our new box office system is now open. It is a system used by all of the professional clubs and for many different reasons it is the way to move forward.

Pitch Update As you can see the pitch is in fantastic condition and believe it or not has already had 12 pre-season games played on it. There has been a comprehensive maintenance programme over the last 3 years of which when completed hopefully in the next 2 years will bring our pitch up to Premier League standard.

A few kind comments below...

“Not only is this the best pitch I have played on, it’s the best pitch I have ever seen” Cogenhoe Manager.

“I have never seen a pitch like this in non-league football, in fact not many league clubs can match this” Club scout West Ham Utd.

One of the main reasons we are introducing this system is because of our health and safety responsibilities.

course came back in (sometimes).

Having to reconcile all of this was proving impossible.

Previously admission was by a number of different routes for different categories, turnstiles, player’s entrance, and Reedman’s entrance. Most match days we only had 1 or 2 turnstiles open and all categories came through either turnstile. This meant that we could not count accurately the number of Adults and Children that were in the stadium. Young Children came in and went out of the ground and of

With this new system we can have a very accurate count of people in the stadium both Adults and Children. Hopefully this will elevate this particular possible health and safety issue. Please bear with us, the system is very easy to get used to and in no time it will be just part of watching football.

Young Guns Are Added To The First Team Squad

Saints And Saints Agree Ground Share

We are pleased to announce that some of our most exciting young players have been added to the first team squad for this coming season.

Ryan Sharman, Karl Safee, Dion Sembie–Ferris, Kaine Felix, Tom Wood, Andy Palmer, Jack Sellick.

Most of these players have had first team experience toward the end of last season and of course have played some part in all of our pre season games.

Well done to you all and good luck for the season.

Full details of the system can be seen on the clubs website.

We have over the summer concluded a long-term ground sharing agreement with St Neots Town Youth / Saints. The Other saints Under 21 team will play on alternate Saturdays at the stadium on the main pitch. Some of the youth teams will play some of their fixtures on the ISSI 3G pitch.

The club have also agreed to a full support package moving forward such as duel use of the main website and other facilities.

CLUB NEWS

Recruitment and Development of Young Footballers

St Neots Town FC is very excited to announce that the club have signed a contractual agreement to work in Partnership with Norwich City FC to identify, recruit and develop talented young footballers.

Lee Kearns, MD “It cannot be overstated how important the Partnership with Norwich City FC is to St Neots Town FC. It should be viewed as a statement of intent to our continued commitment to grow and develop St Neots Town FC as a brand, a business and most importantly as a highly ambitious football club. I would like to thank Norwich City FC for this fantastic opportunity”

Ricky Martin, Norwich City Academy Manager “Norwich City are delighted to agree a long term working agreement with St Neots Town FC, which will allow our academy to utilise the

A Partnership with Norwich City FC speaks volumes about our club and how we go about our business. Our Commitment to take St Neots Town FC forward and our long term objectives are there for all to see.

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

The Partnership will also encompass a program of support for our coaching staff, opportunities for our own young footballers to be part of a Premier League Academy environment (based at the Rowley Park, The Cozy Stadium) and also ensure that those who are identified as having the talent are given the opportunity to progress. St Neots Town FC will also benefit hugely from working closely with Norwich City FC to aid our own ambitions and to continue our progression up through the football pyramid.

magnificent facilities at Rowley Park as a recruitment hub for East Anglia.

St Neots Town are looking to build their club with the same objectives as our Academy, and we look forward to working with them at all levels from grassroots through to the progression of their first team. I would like to thank their MD Lee Kearns for giving us this opportunity”.

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Iain Parr, First Team Manager/ Head of Football “Any Ambitious Football Club needs to have the foundations in place that enables you to build a successful Club both on the pitch and off the Pitch. A Partnership with Norwich City FC speaks volumes about our club (S-t Neots Town FC) and how we go about our business.

Our Commitment to take St Neots Town FC forward and our long term objectives are there for all to see”.

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

St Neots Town FC In Partnership With Norwich City FC

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MATCH REPORT

Pre-Season Friendly Rowley Park - The Cozy Stadium (Att 180) Saturday 27th July 2013 - Kick Off 15:00 - Referee John Steel

St Neots Town

Spalding United

The Saints came up against big spending Spalding United who are the favourites to win the UCL Premier Division this season.The gulf between the sides was there for all to see as the Saints ran riot.

St Neots Town lined up against their United Counties League Premier Division opponents minus the holidaying Karl Safee and Ola Sogbanmu and the unavailable Ed Adjei and Jordy Nkinga and after the customary raft of substitutions in the second half, finished the game with only two players on the pitch over the age of 21 years old, those being Ash Fuller and skipper Gavin Hoyte. Saints also ran the rule over ex Nuneaton and Kettering midfielder

Ben Ford, who was in fact the first substitute to be used when the unfortunate Paul Rodgers suffered a knock in the first half and had to be replaced, with Ashley Fuller dropping to left back.

Spalding had the better of the early exchanges with Saints’ best attacking moves producing tantalising crosses from the left

by Nathan Koranteng and Joe Benjamin, only to fly across the six yard box unchallenged. In fact,

Joe Benjamin towers down on the Spalding defence

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4:0

Hilliard 16, Sear 57, Sembe-Ferris 78, Palmer 88

Spalding could well have chalked up a handsome lead but they found Niall Conroy in outstanding form, making a series of top drawer saves, which as the game went on, ultimately contributed to Saints’ second clean sheet in a row.

The home side, under the guidance of Andy Davies in the absence of manager Iain Parr, took the lead in the 16th minute when the ever impressive Lewis Hilliard lashed the ball home from fully 25 yards. The same player was unlucky not to add to his and the team’s tally when he tried his luck from the left and from the same range, this time his rasping effort dipping just over the woodwork with the keeper beaten all ends up.

Saints went further ahead in the 57th minute when Adrian Sear scored from close range with what appeared to be an overhead scissor kick.

Hopefully, the goal-cam and SNTtv will be able to confirm this in the coming days.

Both teams made a plethora of changes from this point in the game with Saints giving all their young, talented bench valuable game time and once again, every player did exactly as asked of them with our young forward line of Dion SembeFerris and Kaine Felix causing the visitors tiring defence so many problems with their searing pace and close control. Fellow substitute Tom Wood was very unlucky to see his towering header smack back off the cross bar as the chances were beginning to come thick and fast.

MATCH REPORT

Spalding United Team Sheet

Conroy, Meech, Rogers (Ford), Sear (Wood), Crowie (Sharman), Hoyte, Hilliard (Sellick), Davies (Sembe-Ferris), Benjamin (Palmer), Koranteng (Felix), Fuller

Drury, Cannoville, Jackson, Allen, Stainsfield, Beeson, Hall, Battersby, Tidswell, Cotton Subs: Mullarkey, O’neill, Steadman, Doherty, King, Horne

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It was indeed Dion Sembe-Ferris who scored number three in the 78th minute after great link up play with his striking partner Felix, producing an exquisite through ball allowing DSF to round the keeper and slide the ball into an empty net.

The visitors were now visibly tired and Andy Palmer completed the scoring in the 88th minute, slotting home at the far post after more concerted pressure on the Tulip goal.

All in all, a brilliant work out against the bookies favourites to land the UCL Championship in hot, muggy conditions, taking the lads likely into Tuesday evening’s game at home with Kings Lynn Town FC and keeping that feel good factor ticking along nicely.

Mike Green

Fans View

60 Minutes

Gavin Hoyte

Charlie Green - Main Stand

Introduced into the action were the ‘young guns’ of the club. All recently added to the first team squad they really gave the UCL Premier League favourites a bit of a run a round. Dion, Jack, Andy, Tom, Kaine, Ryan.

Our club captain lead by example, organised the team, ensured we kept a clean sheet and continuously encouraged all of the players. Mind you Gav being only 26 years old he is not too far off being a young gun himself. Well maybe not.

When St Neots played Spalding United we saw Niall in top form and making great saves to make sure that Spalding didn’t score. I was impressed with Adrian Sear’s wonder goal by doing an acrobatic overhead kick to secure the Saints second goal. I think that Dion SembieFerris played really well because he pressured the Spalding players and took the ball round the keeper to score his goal. The whole team played some great passing football and gelled well as a team.

The passing and movement was just exhilarating, work rate endless, a pleasure to watch. To add to all that, two great goals by Dion and Andy to round off a good days work.

We announced that Gav was 28 years and the senior member of the squad. He soon put us right on that one, but who is our senior player at 28years old?. If you know maybe you can tell him because we cannot possibly tell you.

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Moment of the match Man of the match

Yes six of the best.

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St Neots Town Team Sheet

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PLAYER PROFILE

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Paul Rodgers Paul can play full back or centre half, having started his career with Arsenal he represented England at U16 and U17 level on 8 occasions before moving on to Northampton Town playing over 60 first team games for the Cobblers. Paul is still just 23 years old and a great signing for the club.

PLAYER PROFILE

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and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

11

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GREENIES GREETINGS

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Raring To Go Mike Green Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Rowley Park – The Cozy Stadium for the first game of the new season.

Today is the start of yet another journey, a journey that we all can be part of. Let’s get behind the Lads from the first whistle...

Weymouth FC are our visitors for today’s game in the newly named Calor League Premier Division and we would like to extend a warm welcome to the Players, Officials and supporters of the ‘Terras’ who have made the long trip up to Cambridgeshire today and hope they enjoy their stay with us before embarking on a safe journey home.

For those of you who haven’t attended any of the pre-season games and I haven’t managed to speak to you, I hope you enjoyed your summer break and are raring to go again as we embark on another exciting rollercoaster ride that is Non-League Football. It has been a massively busy time for everyone off the park this summer with lots of planned developments coming to fruition, including the new Box Office, the Apprenticeship Scheme and of

course, the birth of St. Neots Town Youth and Saints FC. As you are probably all aware, there will be plenty of football on offer for everyone here at Rowley Park this season, with the ground share agreement with St Neots Town Youth and Saints FC, we should have either Southern League or United Counties League Football here almost every week. Admission prices to both Clubs’ home games are clearly listed at the Box Office. Not forgetting our fantastic Under 18’s, who play their home games on Thursday evenings in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League.

Admission to these league games will once again be free of charge, great value midweek entertainment I’m sure you will agree.

I would like to welcome all our new players to the Saints, namely Joe

Benjamin, Paul Rodgers, Ash Fuller, Ola Sogbanmu, Andy Palmer, Jack Sellick and Dan Crowie and hope you all have an enjoyable and very successful time with us and of course, our very talented youngsters Kaine Felix, Karl Safee and Dion Sembie-Ferris, who, after impressing pre season, have earned their place in this season’s first team squad.

Please join me in giving all the lads a warm welcome today, something I’m sure you will all do.

Get Involved, Get Featured Something we are looking to do in the Matchday Magazine this season is a ‘One minute with’ column with you, our fantastic supporters. If you are interested in answering a few fun questions and having your photo taken, come see me in the press box before any game and we can do this and your ‘page’ will appear in a future edition.

As you can see, the Matchday Magazine has had a bit of a makeover during the summer months as we strive to improve on quality and quantity year on year. I’d just like to thank every single one of you, on behalf of the Club, who has purchased the magazine over the last couple of years. Seeing it sell out on matchdays makes all the hard work that goes into it by all it’s contributors worthwhile.

Ok then, let’s get down to business.

Today is the start of yet another journey, a journey that we all can be part of. Let’s get behind the Lads from the first whistle and show everyone what we already know, that we have the best supporters in the division.

Be Loud, Be Proud, Be A Saint ‘Greenie’

CLUB MERCHANDISE All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Official Club Merchandise

Show Your True Colours A cracking range of merchandise is available to purchase on match days and online from our web store.

Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/club-shop

Official Club Polo Shirt £20.00

Sweat Training Top £30.00

1/4 Zip Top £30.00

Rain Jacket £30.00

Managers / Coach Jacket £60.00

Track Suit Bottoms £22.00

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Home Shorts 2012/13 £12.00

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

Home Shirt 2012/13 £25.00

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KAINE FELIX

GAIN EXPOSURE

Programme Advert for 2013/14 season

Triple exposure advertising for £800 +Vat

Mono

• Half Page colour matchday magazine advert

Eighth page

£125.00 +Vat

Quarter Page

£195.00 +Vat

Half Page

£475.00 +Vat

Half Page

£325.00 +Vat

Full Page

£600.00 +Vat

Colour

• 8x3 ISSI 3G Arena advertising board

Enjoy the Matchday Experience Matchday Sponsorship £100 +Vat (for the one game of your choice) Includes: • Matchday programme advert half page • Four complimentary Matchday tickets • Matchday Hospitality

Advertising Boards around the stadium pitch for one calendar year 8x3 Advertising Board

£350.00 +Vat

16x3 Advertising Board

£600.00 +Vat

These boards will offer maximum exposure during the season and with the ground share agreement with St Neots Town Saints FC you get double exposure. Your advert will also go into our Business Partner page on our bespoke website and you will also be able to take advantage of our membership data base by offering members specific monthly offers or promotions.

• Free Programme

Match ball sponsorship £50 (for the game of your choice) Includes: • Matchday programme acknowledgement • Two complimentary Matchday tickets • Matchday Hospitality • Free Programme

8x3 Advertising Board

£250.00 +Vat

16x3 Advertising Board

£450.00 +Vat

These boards offer year round exposure and are visible to all that visit Rowley Park. The ISSI 3G Arena is home to St Neots Town Saints FC Grassroots and Development Squads, The Norwich City FC Academy Hub as well as general public use.

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Advertising Boards around the ISSI 3G Arena for one calendar year

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

The advert will run in both the St Neots Town FC and the St Neots Town Saints matchday magazine throughout the 2013-2014 season.

• 8x3 Pitchside advertising board (including website advert and membership data base exposure via monthly offers)

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

2013-2014 Advertising Prices

For more information contact the Football Club on 01480 470012 or email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk

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A BLAST FROM THE PAST

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Gianfranco Zola OBE Full name: Gianfranco Zola Date of birth: 05/07/66 Gianfranco Zola was a popular figure in English football, liked and admired by Chelsea fans as well as fans of many other clubs. It was his inimitable style and flair but down to earth, publicity shy character which endeared him so much to English fans. Despite being only 5 foot 6, his brilliant technique combined with an astonishing repertoire of tricks paved the way to footballing stardom for him. He enjoyed several seasons at the top level in Italian football before a switch to join Ruud Gullit’s revolution at Chelsea in 1996.

Early Career Zola was born in Oliena, Sardinia on July 5, 1966 and his first professional team was Nuorese. In his early career he also featured for Torres, later moving to Napoli in 1989 where he would become understudy to Diego Maradona. Later he became Napoli’s first-choice striker as Maradona tested positive for drugs, ruining his Napoli career.

In 1991 Zola helped Napoli to the European Super Cup and was also called up to the Italy squad under Arrigo Sacchi. Two years later it was time for Zola to move on again and he was signed by Parma where he would partner another South American, Columbia’s Faustino Asprilla. Joining Parma proved a fruitful experience for Zola, winning the UEFA cup and finishing runnersup in Serie A and the Italian Cup. Unfortunately (for Parma or Zola depending on how you look at it) he could never fit into the managers plans and was made available for transfer.

English Football In 1996, Ruud Gullit was manager of Chelsea and was building a

continental revolution at Stamford Bridge. He was informed of the news that Gianfranco Zola had been transfer listed and had no hesitation in snapping him up in a £4.5 million move. Zola had a very successful spell with Chelsea, winning several cups and aiding their resurgence as a force in English football. At the end of his first season in the Premier League, Zola was voted the Football Writers Player of the Year, making him not only the first Chelsea player to win the accolade, but also the only player to win it without playing a full season. In the 1997-98 season, Chelsea won a cup treble of the League Cup, Cup Winners Cup and the Super Cup, owing much of this success to the displays put in

by Zola.

The 1999-00 season saw Zola become an instrumental figure in Chelsea’s Champion’s League campaign, scoring three goals. In this season Chelsea also won the F.A. Cup with Zola setting up fellow Italian Roberto Di Matteo for the winner in the final against Aston Villa. As time progressed, Zola found his first team chances limited by the arrival of new

players, particularly Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen.

He did, however, have a brief revival under Carlo Ranieri in the 2002-2003 season, scoring 16 goals and helping Chelsea qualify for the Champions League, he was also voted Player of the Year by Chelsea fans in this year. His services to English football also earned him an Honorary OBE in 2004. In 2003 though, change was the word at Chelsea. Zola agreed a move back to Italy with Sardinian club Cagliari and Roman Abramovich completed a takeover of Chelsea.

Zola subsequently led Cagliari to promotion from Serie B and stayed with them for his final year in football.

He retired from playing in June 2005 and has since become a coach for the Italian Under-21 side alongside another former Chelsea player, Pierluigi Casiraghi.

The future still looks rosy for Zola, his side are performing well with some of Europe’s best youngsters in among the fray. Zola was nearly tempted back into English football by Roman Abramovich, who wanted the Chelsea hero to join Avram Grant’s coaching staff.

Career Appearances: 627 International Caps: 35 Goals Scored: 193 All Trophies Won: 8 Career Highlight: Being awarded an OBE in 2004 for his services to football.

CHAIRMAN’S VIEWS All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

A Cracking Set Up Mike Kearns Welcome to a new season of football and a special welcome to the Officials, Players and supporters of Weymouth for todays opening league fixture.

Last season finished on a very satisfactory note with us consolidating our place in our first season in the Southern League Premier League with a very creditable 12th position.

Blue Print We set out a blue print when I purchased the club in 2009, and that was to first achieve our playing status of step 3 football where we could then implement phase 2 of our programme.

I never ever thought that all of this would happen in the time frame we set out, but it has and I believe that now we have one of the best set ups in football, of course it can be matched but I doubt if it can be bettered.

Our home grown young players are there for all to see, Ryan, Tom Edd, Karl, Dion, Kaine and others who have all experienced first team football towards the end of last

season. They are now competing for a regular place in the starting line up.

I think this proves that our policy of grooming these players into the first team for the last part of last season was the right decision.

Pitch Perfect Close season we have again spent more than we might have needed on our pitch to bring it up to premier standard, and we have already played 12 pre season matches on the pitch of which equates to half of the first teams fixtures for the season.

There will be many games this season but I’m sure the pitch will look just as good at the end of the season as it does every season.

Box Office Lastly please be patient with us as we introduce our new Box Office Ticket system. We have taken advice on how to implement this not only from health and safety experts but also from professional clubs of

Official whom all run a ticket only system.

There are many reasons why we have gone to this system and I do not need to go into them. As I have stated before we want to be as professional in everything we do both on and off the pitch.

So let’s get on with the season, much has already been achieved, more is still to be achieved - it might come quicker than we expect or take a little longer.

Be patient get behind the club and together we will achieve all that we want to.

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Our policy in conjunction with St Neots Town Youth / Saints FC is to develop young talented footballers for all of our team’s especially the first team. That is all coming together with the average age of our current squad at only 21-22yrs. The team is evolving and over time we will have a steady stream of players coming through the ranks that love and want to play for our great club.

...much has already been achieved, more is still to be achieved – it might come quicker than we expect or take a little longer.

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

The post season has seen plenty of activity on and off the pitch none more so than our Link up and ground sharing agreement with our near neighbours St Neots Town Youth and Saints FC. I would like to go on record in thanking Lee, Iain and Colin for all the time and effort they have put into making this happen.

All for one and one for all.

Mike

17

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OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT

18

Weymouth FC

The Terras

In February 2012, club director and lifelong fan Nigel Biddelcombe completed a takeover of the club. Mr. Biddlecombe and his board set up a trust which would mean no one person would ever be able to have total control of the club again. The shares Nigel, members of the board and most other shares brought over the years were officially transferred into a Trust.

Year Founded: 1890 Chairman: Nigel Biddlecombe Club Website: www.theterras.co.uk Previous Meetings: St Neots Town 4 – Weymouth 2 (25/08/12) Weymouth 3 – St Neots Town 1 (29/12/12)

A special welcome to Weymouth our visitors today who finished ninth in the table last season – three places and ten points ahead of our lads.

As the season moved into April only goal difference was keeping our visitors out of a play off place but they faded in the last half dozen games and finished eight points short of Gosport who not only scrambled into the play of places but went on to win promotion along with Leamington. Ninth last season was a significant improvement for Weymouth on the previous season when they finished seventeenth – just four points above the relegation zone. One League win apiece from

Image courtesy of www.theterras.co.uk

our two meetings last season for our sides made it honours even.

Last Season At Home St Neots 4-2 Weymouth St Neots Scorers: Ben Mackey, Stefan Moore, Lewis Hilliard and Arthur Lee Weymouth Scorers: Mark Ford and Scott Walker Notable moment: St Neots debut for Jay Davies and Ollie Thorne

Away Weymouth 3-1 St Neots St Neots Scorer: Craig Calver Weymouth Scorers: Mark Ford, Scott Walker and Sam Poole Notable moment: Only one of two SL matches completed (to St Neots relief after a long journey) on a very wet day.

We now we both look forward with eager anticipation to a new campaign.

Club History Formed as a junior club in 1890 Weymouth won the Dorset Junior Cup for three consecutive years. In 1893 the club was reclassified as a senior club, won the Dorset Senior Cup and entered the FA Cup for the first time. In 1909 the developing club became semi-professional and in 1921 joined the Western League winning the league title the following season. Two years later the club applied successfully to join the Southern League for the first time but after four seasons reverted to the Western League because of ‘financial difficulties’ remaining there until the outbreak of the second war.

The post war period brought fame in the FA Cup. In 1949/50 back in the Southern League Weymouth reached the third round proper of the FA Cup drawn away at Manchester United where they were beaten.

The club was runners-up in the Southern League three times in four seasons between 1951 and 1955

OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Adult:

£11

Concession: (over 65’s, students)

£8

Child: (Under 16’s)

£3

Bob Lucas Stadium Year Built: 1986-87 Capacity: 6600

In 1979/80 the club became members of the Alliance Premier League five times recording top ten finishes and in 1987/88 the club moved to the Wessex Stadium (now called the Bob Lucas Stadium in honour of the Club President) but the following season the club was relegated from the Conference to the Beazer Homes Southern League.

For the next fifteen seasons they remained at that level and a second

The ground, which was built to hold 10,000 with 900 seated in the stand, first saw a football kicked with the visit of Taunton Town in the Western Counties Floodlight Cup final on 18 August 1987.

placed finish in 2003/04 propelled the club back to the Conference South. The championship was won in 2005/06 and the club then had four seasons at Conference level prior to a return to the Southern League. Changes at both Managerial level and in the Boardroom have seen progress limited and the aim this season will be an improvement on last season’s finish of 17th.

Weymouth could however boast to be the best supported club in the Premier Division last season with an average home crowd of 549 – 42 more than second placed Leamington. They also had the highest league attendance last season when in their opening game of the season at home to Kettering Town they attracted a crowd of 901.

Will that be bettered this season?

Did you know?...

In April 2013 Weymouth Football Club announced that manager, Brendon King, had signed a new one year contract for season 2013 -2014. Nigel Biddlecombe Chairman stated, “Brendon has certainly proved his worth over the past season and we are confident that next season will see the club continue to build on the successes of 2012-13”.

Did you know?...

That on 28th April 2007 Weymouth played St Albans City in the National Conference Division the score that day was, Weymouth 0-1 St Albans City. Of course both teams are our opponents for this season.

Image courtesy of www.theterras.co.uk

Ron Greenwood performed the official opening of the ground on 21 October 1987, prior to an exhibition match against Manchester United - which the Terras won 1–0. The attendance for this fixture was given as 4,904.

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Did you know?...

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

and in 1961/62 was back on the FA Cup trail again losing at Preston North End in the Fourth Round.

Southern League champions in 1964/65 and again the following season the fortunes of the club seemed on the up and Southern League Cup success followed with the runners up medals in 1970/71 and the trophy itself two years later.

Disabled Access: Yes

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Admission Prices

19

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WHO’S WHO

20

Who calls the shots?...

Brendan King First Team Manager In his second season at the helm, he was managing the reserve team when Ian Hutchinson was dismissed in January 2011 and stepped up to caretaker manager of the senior side. On the appointment of Martyn Rogers he became assistant manager and this season was appointed to the managerial position in his own right. Ex Weymouth and Fareham Town player who combines an extensive knowledge of local football with his enthusiasm.

Matt Groves

Sam Poole

Assistant Manager

Defender

A striker who joined the Terras originally on loan from Dorchester early in 2011, but became a Weymouth asset a few weeks later. He has taken the role as Assistant Manager. He has also appeared for Lewes where he was a member of the side that won Conference South in 2007-08. In that season Mattie was voted as the League’s Player of the Month in November 2007.

A young player who worked his way through the youth and reserve set up to earn a contract in the 2011-12 season, with his performances earning an extension to that contract through to May 2015. A young, locally based player who we think has a good future in the game.

Jason Matthews Goalkeeper A goalkeeper whose career started with Bristol Rovers – as a schoolboy – and then took in spells with Welton Rovers, Paulton Rovers, Salisbury City, Nuneaton Borough, Exeter City, Aberystwyth Town, Clevedon Town, Weymouth, Eastleigh, Bath City and Dorchester Town before he returned to the Terras in the summer of 2013.

Michael Walker Defender A defender whose was with the Terras for a couple of seasons at the start of the millennium before moving on to play for Dorchester Town (3 spells), Poole Town, Tiverton Town, Hamworthy United (3 spells), Leamington & New Milton and Portland United.

During his 3rd spell with Poole Town he captained the Dolphins to promotion from the Southern League (South) Returned to his home town club in July 2013.

Ashley Wells

Simon Evans

Defender

Goalkeeper

A local player, Ashley joined the club for Dorset Premier League club Portland United in February 2012. After winning a contract at the start of last season Ashley suffered a broken leg in a preseason friendly with Bristol City. Thankfully he was able to make a full recovery and - following some impressive performances on his return – has now signed a contract with the club through to May 2015.

A goalkeeper who started with Weymouth as a member of our Academy before moving on to Dorchester Town in 2006.

He returned for another spell with the Terras in 2009, but then joined Rushden & Diamonds. Last season he assisted Blackfield & Langley before rejoining in the summer of 2012.

Barry McConnell Defender A vastly experienced defender who signed for Weymouth during the summer of 2012. He has represented Exeter City, Weston Super Mare (3 spells), Tamworth, Forest Green Rovers, Tiverton Town, Dorchester Town and Truro City – where he was another member of their SL title winning squad.

Jamie Symes Midfielder Jamie recently joined the Terras on loan until the end of the 2012-13 season from local rivals Dorchester Town. Highlyrated, Jamie has already had a trial with Championship side Blackpool and at the beginning of the 2010-11 season he rejected an offer

WHO’S WHO

Nathan Walker Central Defender Nathan Walker’s decision to drop down to Southern League football shows how much it means to him to play for his hometown club, according to older brother Michael. While Michael moved to the Terras from Poole Town, Nathan joined after a successful spell at Dorchester where he played a pivotal role in their run to the second round of the FA Cup. Nathan has come on leaps and bounds as a player and turned himself into a powerful centre-half, which in Dorchester’s league you need to be.

to join League One side Yeovil Town in favour of gaining more first team experience of senior football by playing for Western League club Bridport. He signed a contract with the Terras in the summer of 2013.

Scott Walker

U17, U21 and Semi-Pro level. Rejoined Weymouth just before the start of the 2012-13 season.

Mark Ford Striker

Ben Wood

Ben Joyce

Midfielder

Striker A winger who has joined the club this season from Bideford Town. Ben has previously played for Frome Town, Yeovil Town, Sherborne Town, Dorchester, Liskeard Athletic.

Danny Clay Midfielder

Kyle Critchell Midfielder Born locally, Kyle started with Weymouth before pursuing a career which took in spells at Southampton, Torquay United, Chesterfield, Wrexham, York City before returning to the Terras in 2009 and later joining Dorchester Town. He also represented Wales at

Stewart Yetton Striker A striker who started his career with Plymouth Argyle in 2003 and saw action as a loanee with the Terras in 2004.

Following a trial with St Mirren he joined Tiverton Town before moving onto Truro City where he established himself as a key member of the Cornish side that progressed from the South Western League to the Blue Square Conference: scoring 226 goals in 315 appearances. He signed for Weymouth in May 2013.

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

An experienced midfield man who has previously played for Exeter City, Crawley Town, Salisbury City, Dorchester Town, Truro City – where he was a member of the SL Premier title winning side and Tiverton Town. Signed for the Terras at the start of the 2012-13 season.

A striker who spent time with Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town as a youth, before signing a professional contract with the Robins in 2007. He later moved to Torquay United, but did not make a senior appearance, and was loaned to Weston Super Mare and Forest Green Rovers. On his release from the Gulls he joined Salisbury City before coming to Weymouth for a short spell. He joined Kettering Town towards the end of the season 2011-12, but returned to the Terras in the summer of 2012.

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

Midfield player who was another member of the Truro City SL title winning squad.

He has also played for Chippenham Town, Weston Super Mare, Newport County and Bath City. Joined the Terras for the 2012-13 season and has since been appointed captain of the side.

A striker who came into the Terras side during the later part of the 2011-12 season, having signed from Dorset Premier League Blandford United with whom he had remarkable scoring record.

A prolific scorer Mark is young player who the club feel will progress to higher levels in the game as he gains experience. One of the local players who is contracted with the club through to May 2015.

Midfielder

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

One to watch...

21

Adrian Sear

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THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

24

Here We Go! Ade Roberts Well, it’s gone really quickly hasn’t it? Here we are again, all geared up and ready to face another season, full of the same optimism we begin every season with.

Even though it’s been one of those awful ‘football-less’ close seasons, with no World Cup or European Championship to keep us going, it seems to have flown by since that final whistle blew at the last game of the 2012/13 season. There was one short spell of football in the form of the Confederations Cup and Brazil probably did deserve to win it. Hopefully, it wasn’t a dress rehearsal for the World Cup 2014 tournament in Brazil which is now only 300-ish days (and counting) away from the opening ceremony!

England will obviously win that won’t they? However, it doesn’t fill you with much confidence for the future does it, when the England Under-21 team finish bottom of their group after 3 straight defeats in the U-21 Euro Championships.

Before ‘Brazil 2014’ though, we’ve got this season to contend with.

There will be thrills and spills, high drama all tied in with our hopes and dreams of a top of the table finish.

Dare I say it; a fabulous cup run would be most welcome too.

The ground has probably seen a lick of paint in the last few weeks, the grounds-man has been busy preparing the playing surface and the ins and outs of players coming and going keeps us on our toes as we look for that big signing and also hope to retain the star performers of last term. Thank goodness for the Internet eh? How did fans keep tabs on their respective clubs’ news in the ‘olden days’?

The release of the fixture lists is always a date to look out for as we all await the dates of the local derby game/s and the opening day fixture.

Get comfortable, find the edge of your seat, because that’s probably where you’ll be for each and every game until the end of the season.

And then, just in case we need a win on the last day of the season to gain promotion, we look for the ‘H’ to indicate a home fixture right at the death to end a glorious season with outrageous celebrations on home soil.

Prior to that very first league encounter, we all anticipate the Pre-Season friendly games and look forward to a glamorous clash with a bigger club to help the finances out a little.

When we [inevitably] get beat by this bigger club, we simply blame the tinkering of the side, the ‘wet-behindthe-tabs’ trialists and the constant swapping and changing of players throughout the 90 friendly minutes.

This all adds to the atmosphere though doesn’t it?

Sadly for the football league clubs in Argentina this coming season, there will be no real atmosphere to speak

of following the AFA’s decision to ban all away fans from every league game throughout the 2013/14 season.

A little harsh perhaps you may be thinking? Not really, when you look at the statistics of Argentine football. No less than 70 football fans have been killed in Argentina during violence in or around football stadiums since 2001. The sad thing is that the tiny minority of trouble causing Argentine fans have ruined the season for the genuine fans that can no longer follow their club to away games.

Now, get comfortable, find the edge of your seat, because that’s probably where you’ll be for each and every game until the end of the season.

Enjoy the game and the emotional roller coaster of each game that follows….

‘Til next time...

Ade

FAN FEATURE

Steve Mortimore Welcome to our new feature “one minute with” you our supporters.

A simple question and answer to give us all a chance to get to know each other.

Put a name to a face, and get that face “yours” into our match day magazine. For full details see below.

I love watching the Saints and I watch as many of the teams as I can I am married to Norma and have 2 grown up daughters, we live in Kempston, Bedfordshire.

I played semi professional football for Notts County and Nuneaton Borough. As well as football I am a keen Cyclist and used to race after I retired from football.

Do you have a nick name Steve?

Who wears the trousers in your house Steve?

None

Pretty even I would say Fish and chips or curry?

3 years

Have you passed out through drinking too much alcohol?

Do you have a favourite player?

No, never

Are you scared of anything?

Adrian Sear

Do you have a favourite film?

The Unknown

What is your occupation?

Gregory’s Girl

Accountant

Most memorable goal?

Where do you see us in the next two years?

What’s your favourite colour?

Kyle Asantes Dribbler against St Albans

I will be glad to be established in our current league

Do you have any pets?

Your catchphrase?

More than Whipsnade, Cat, rabbits, and other small rodent’s.

None

How long have you followed the Saints?

Blue Wine or beer?

Beer

Both

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

What changes would you make to the football club?

Mort’s

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

Take Part!

If you would like to take part in this feature then contact Louise Sales on misslouisesales@yahoo.co.uk

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

One Minute With...

25

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Extended Match Highlights Post-Match Analysis and Interviews All the Goals, Outtakes and Behind the Scenes Coverage

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Official TV Channel

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

Sponsored by Steve Ridley

Tune in to your club... www.stneotstownfc.co.uk 27

Become a Member today at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Find your voice on the official club forum at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S VIEWS

28

The Season Begins At The End Of The Season Lee Kearns You sometimes get the impression that no one is quite sure about what goes on at a football club when the football is done.

Needless to say it’s been a very busy summer. Not only have I managed to get through all the regular stuff such as trading standards inspections, Insurance inspections, H&S reviews and Government tax inspections, I’ve also had the pleasure of helping to move things forward with regards to Youth Development, Grassroots Football and Norwich City FC. All this together with new initiatives like Apprenticeship programme’s, educational programmes, partnership agreements and Ground share agreements. Everything that has been put in place in the last two and a bit years is and will become instrumental in ensuring that the clubs long term objectives are met.

What are the long term objectives?

To have the infrastructure in place that allows us to be successful on the pitch and give a financial return that can be reinvested.

Talking Point It cannot be overstated how much time and effort others have put into the club over the last year to get us to a position where others are talking about us as a potential blue print for financial stability and on field success. I fully appreciate the great facility we have will always draw opportunities but its pointless having a Ferrari if you can’t fill it with petrol and drive it. The last 6 months in particular has seen a tremendous amount of effort put in by others.

The partnership and support package we now have in place with St Neots Town Youth & Saints is of

St. Georges Park Football Centre

What are the long term objectives? To have the infrastructure in place that allows us to be successful on the pitch and give a financial return that can be reinvested. paramount importance, however it has introduced me to a whole new concept called “The rhetorical e-mail Syndrome” whereby you receive an e-mail and while you are reading it another one turns up giving you the answer to the question that was asked during the one you are still reading.

Summer Highlight The Ground Share agreement we have in place for the Saints U21’s has to be the highlight of my summer.

I kid you not when I walked out of the meeting room at St Georges Park I turned and looked at my two partners in crime Colin Parker (Saints Chairman) and Mick Hunt and said “oh well” I then thanked Mark Frost for his support and expressed the view that maybe it was unwise for me to have argued so strongly with the FA Committee and that my “slanging

match” with one of the gents could potentially be catastrophic. What made me even more upset was that I had turned down a financially rewarding ground share agreement with a local established club in order to help the Saints pursue this new grassroots and development concept because I believed that the long term benefits to both parties was a far better path to follow. I honestly believe that the decision to allow the Saints U21’s to enter the football pyramid at step 6 is due to the fact that the FA are watching with interest.

Next programme notes I will be releasing data on the last three lots of pre-season friendly figures, (crowd numbers) some of you may be surprised.

Lee

RYAN SHARMAN

MASCOT FEATURE

MASCOT FEATURE

Rhys Sales Age: 10 Years Old Favourite St. Neots player and why?

Adrian Sear, all round hard worker Who do you support?

Chelsea & St Neots Who do you play for and in which position?

St Neots, upfront What do you want to be when you are older?

A footballer or an actor What’s your favourite food?

Chicken Curry

Do you have a pet?

A dog called Poppy

Give Rhys a big cheer as he leads the Saints onto the pitch today!

On March 23rd our home game against Kettering Town saw George and Gregory Harrison be mascots for the day. The boys not only witnessed a dramatic win but also some crazy weather to boot!

The 2 mascots are pictured opposite in the tunnel before proudly leading the team out.

• Free entry for mascot and parents • Use of our hospitality room • Signed match day programme by your favourite player, which you will also appear in • Meet your favourite player and have your photo taken • Tour of the stadium • Have a kick about on the main pitch • Lead the Saints on to the pitch • Free portion of chips and drink for the mascot

To apply to be a Matchday Mascot contact Louise Sparks on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

The Saints Matchday Mascot Experience

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

What’s your favourite TV programme?

Match of the Day

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Todays Mascot

31

Photo by Paulo Soares

FIXTURES MATRIX

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

33

GAVIN HOYTE

FIXTURES & TICKET INFORMATION

Southern Premier Division

Southern Premier Division

Stourbridge v St Neots Town

Bashley v St Neots Town

Tuesday 20th August 2013 - K.O. 19:45

Saturday 24th August 2013 - K.O. 15:00

Away Ticket Prices: Adults £10, Senior Citizens £5, Juniors (12-16 yrs) £5

Away Ticket Prices: Adults £10, Senior Citizens £8, Juniors under 16 yrs £2

Opponent Website: www.stourbridgefc.com

Opponent Website: www.bashleyfc.co.uk Team Coach Departs: TBA

Sat Nav Postcode Reference: DY8 4HN

Sat Nav Postcode Reference: BH25 5RY

Round Trip (from St Neots): 164 miles

Round Trip (from St Neots): 235 miles

Opponent Last 5: N/A

Opponent Last 5: N/A

Travel in style on the Team Coach for only £10pp return Advance bookings (recommended) can be made at the Club Bars, email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk for more information and to check availabilty. Don’t leave it late as spaces are limited to 25 for each game.

Upcoming Fixtures - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk for the latest updates 17.08.13 Calor League Premier Division

20.08.13 Calor League Premier Division

AFC Totton

v Stourbridge

15.00

Banbury United

v Chippenham Town 15.00

Arlesey Town

v Chesham United

19:45

Bashley

v Truro City

19:45

15.00

Bedford Town

v Redditch United

19:45

Chesham United

v Bideford

15.00

Bideford

v AFC Totton

19:45

Corby Town

v Burnham

15.00

Burnham

v Banbury United

19:45

Frome Town

v Cambridge City

15.00

Chippenham Town v Poole Town

19:45

Hitchin Town

v H Hempst’d Town

15.00

H Hempst’d Town

v Corby Town

19:45

Hungerford Town

v Hinckley United

15.00

Hinckley United

v Hitchin Town

19:45

Poole Town

v St Albans City

15.00

Stourbridge

v St Neots Town 19:45

Redditch United

v Arlesey Town

15.00

Weymouth

v Frome Town

St Neots Town

v Weymouth

15.00

Truro City

v Bedford Town

15.00

19.08.13

v

Hungerford Town

Calor League Premier Division

Cambridge City

Calor League Premier Division

St Albans City

21.08.13

19:45

19:45

v Biggleswade Town 19:45

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Biggleswade Town v Bashley

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

Team Coach Departs: TBA

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Saints Away Games - Everything you need for the next 2 away fixtures

35

THE NLP

For that is what English football’s big boys spend their summers doing these days; jet off around the world to spread their gospel and expand their brand. It brings in the cash and is all very nice for fans in Bangkok, New York, Sydney and Tokyo.

Last week we had two stories in The NLP that got us thinking.

But should they be doing more for the little club on their doorstep?

Now of course it’s not unusual to see a Non-League club taking on a Premier League side in pre-season.

Stoke City recently sent a full first team to Wrexham and even when the star names aren’t in tow it can be a great opportunity to see future talents at their rawest.

We might not have heard of them at the time but there is a certain satisfaction in saying, ‘I remember watching him in pre-season once,’ when they are banging them in on the biggest stages.

But all too often these teams are academy based while the main

The first was Histon answering a Friday night SOS from Spanish side Real Sociedad. La Liga’s fourth best team, who are in the mix for this season’s Champions League, needed a game the next day after their original fixture had been cancelled.

Stutes boss Brian Page had planned on having a training day for his side but couldn’t turn down an elite opposition featuring the likes of ex-Arsenal forward Carlos Vela.

Yes, Histon got an 8-1 pasting but as Page said: “Listening to the players talk about what they experienced in the game I just know it’s going to make us better.”

Then a few days later Ryman Premier Enfield Town got a fantastic opportunity to take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Premier League giant’s training ground.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas wheeled out his full team including new signings, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, the Spanish international who has just arrived from Valencia for a cool £26m. He scored a hat-trick in an 11-0 win.

Despite the scoreline, talking to Enfield boss Steve Newing you could sense how good the experience was for his players.

Both these games were played behind closed doors, which is understandable. Histon didn’t have time to get everything in place that is needed to get a game on and Enfield were guests of Spurs.

But wouldn’t it be great if the money making machines did pop around the corner in pre-season? Take the marquee names along and help small clubs bring some much needed cash into the coffers.

And while we’re on the subject of money making machines, Sky TV charge £500 for clubs to beam out all the live action – a month!

After all, it’s the saturated live schedule that is arguably contributing to low attendances at actual football games further down the Pyramid.

Sam Elliott Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper @SamElliott_NLP

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

When we read about the eyewatering sums dished out to Premier League clubs for being rubbish all season and getting relegated, it does make you wonder if a clubhouse attached to a football ground could get a small discount.

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

squad is abroad. It’s rare we see a really big name – a Van Persie, Aguero, Rooney or Bale – trotting out at a Step 4 club on a Tuesday evening.

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

LAST SATURDAY Arsenal took on Manchester City – no the Premier League season hadn’t kicked off a week early, this was a friendly.

In Finland.

@Stuhammonds_NLP @MattBadcock_NLP

37

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Find your voice on the official club forum at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum

GAME FOR A LAUGH

ES!

COMMENTATORS FOOTBALL GAFF

You can always rely on the good old football commentator to come out with a classic during the big match! Here are a few howlers!

Chris Jones Evening Standard “The new West Stand casts a giant shadow over the entire pitch, even on a sunny day.”

“Mark Hughes at his very best: he loves to feel people right behind him..”

Kevin Keegan

Ray Wilkins Speaking on BBC 1

Peter Withe Speaking on Radio 5 Live

Andy Gray Sky Sports

“Unfortunately, we keep kicking ourselves in the foot.”

“Both sides have scored a couple of goals, and both sides have conceded a couple of goals.”

“I was saying the other day, how often the most vulnerable area for goalies is between their legs...”

Alan Green Speaking on Radio 5 Live

Steve Coppell Speaking on Radio 5 Live

“You don’t score 64 goals in 86 games at the highest level without being able to score goals.”

“The lad got over-excited when he saw the whites of the goalpost’s eyes.”

Carling FA Premiership www Page

Simon Fanshawe Speaking on Talk Radio

Brian Moore ITV

“Johnson has revelled in the ‘hole’ behind Dwight Yorke...”

“What’s it like being in Bethlehem, the place where Christmas began?

I suppose it’s like seeing Ian Wright at Arsenal....”

“They [Rosenborg] have won 66 games, and they’ve scored in all of them.”

Ron Aktinson TV Interview “I would not say he [David Ginola] is the best left winger in the Premiership, but there are none better.”

Dave Bassett Speaking on Sky Sports “An inch or two either side of the post and that would have been a goal.”

Peter Reid Tyne Tees Sport Special “And we all know that in football if you stand still you go backwards...”

Terry Venables Capital Gold “If you can’t stand the heat in the dressing-room, get out of the kitchen.”

Heard a howler? Pass it on and we will look to feature it in a future issue. Email saintsmag@stneotstownfc.co.uk

38

Image credit: TalkFootball

FELLOW CLUB NEWS

Hemel Hempstead Town Defender Kieran Murphy signs from Kingstonian Hemel Hempstead Town have signed centre-back Kieran Murphy from Ryman League Premier Division side Kingstonian.He has featured for Boston United, Carshalton Athletic and Kingstonian. Hemel manager Dean Brennan said: “Kieran was one of our main summer targets, so naturally we are delighted he has come on board.”

St Albans City St Albans City have signed prolific striker John Frendo Frendo was leading goal scorer in the Premier Division last season notching thirty-two league and league cup goals and a further dozen goals in other competition Joint-manager James Gray said: “It goes without saying that John will be a fantastic addition to the squad.

18 year old Kieran Morris signs a one-year professional deal with Brentford Strourbridge`s highly rated 18-year-old central defender Kieran Morris has signed a one-year professional deal with League One side Brentford. Morris has had a fabulous last twelve months in his footballing career, playing a major part in the FA Youth Cup run enjoyed by Dave King’s side last season before going on to represent England Schoolboys earlier this year.

Poole Town Poole Town hold on to Terras target Marvin Brooks Poole Town emerged victorious in their latest transfer tussle with Premier Division rivals Weymouth by holding on to Terras target Marvin Brooks. Midfielder Brooks, 24, extended his Tatnam tenure by signing a one-year deal, despite discussions with Dolphins’ Dorset rivals.

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

Stourbridge

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

We take a look at what our fellow clubs are doing that’s making the news.

Cambridge City Manager Gary Roberts has long been an admirer of striker Bacon, whose former clubs include Mildenhall Town, King’s Lynn Town and Wisbech Town. “I think he gives us another good option. He leads the line well and comes and gets it, so he’s got a bit of everything.” Some bad news for City is striker Adam Marriott could miss the start of the season due to a hamstring injury.

Arlesey Town Arlesey Town have secured more signatures for this season Left-sided player Sam Pemberton earned himself a place in Arlesey’s squad. However, the stand-out signing is former Stevenage and Fulham striker Barry Hayles, Who started his professional career at Stevenage Borough and went on to play for a host of League clubs. More recently he has been turning out for Truro City, then in the Conference South.

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

Cambridge City and Chris Bacon could be the perfect fit

39

SEASON STATISTICS 2013/14

Become a Member today at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Find your voice on the official club forum at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum

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

40

Date

Opposition

ATT

COMP

Sat 17 Aug

H Weymouth

CLPD

Tue 20 Aug

A Stourbridge

CLPD

Sat 24 Aug

A Bashley

CLPD

Mon 26 Aug

H Cambridge City

CLPD

Sat 31 Aug

H Redditch United

CLPD

Wed 04 Sep

A Corby Town

CLPD

Sat 07 Sep

A Hemel Hempstead

CLPD

Sat 14 Sep

H (To Be Confirmed)

Tue 17 Sep

H Hinckley United

CLPD

Sat 21 Sep

H Truro City

CLPD

Sat 05 Oct

A Hungerford Town

CLPD

Mon 07 Oct

A Hitchin Town

CLPD

Sat 12 Oct

H Biggleswade Town

CLPD

Sat 19 Oct

A (To Be Confirmed)

FAT

Tue 22 Oct

H Chesham United

CLPD

Sat 26 Oct

A Bideford

CLPD

Tue 29 Oct

H Corby Town

CLPD

Sat 02 Nov

A Redditch United

CLPD

Tue 05 Nov

A Hinckley United

CLPD

Sat 09 Nov

H Hemel Hempstead

CLPD

Sat 16 Nov

A Poole Town

CLPD

Sat 23 Nov

H St Albans City

CLPD

Tue 26 Nov

H Bedford Town

CLPD

Sat 30 Nov

A Banbury United

CLPD

Sat 07 Dec

H Frome Town

CLPD

Sat 14 Dec

A Burnham

CLPD

Sat 21 Dec

H Afc Totton

CLPD

Thu 26 Dec

A Cambridge City

CLPD

Sat 28 Dec

H Stourbridge

CLPD

Wed 01 Jan

H Arlesey Town

CLPD

Sat 04 Jan

A Chippenham Town

CLPD

Sat 11 Jan

H Poole Town

CLPD

Sat 18 Jan

A St Albans City

CLPD

Sat 25 Jan

A Bedford Town

CLPD

Sat 01 Feb

H Banbury United

CLPD

Sat 08 Feb

A Frome Town

CLPD

Sat 15 Feb

H Burnham

CLPD

Sat 22 Feb

A Afc Totton

CLPD

Sat 01 Mar

H Hungerford Town

CLPD

Sat 08 Mar

A Truro City

CLPD

Sat 15 Mar

H Hitchin Town

CLPD

Sat 22 Mar

A Biggleswade Town

CLPD

Sat 29 Mar

H Bideford

CLPD

Sat 05 Apr

A Chesham United

CLPD

Sat 12 Apr

A Weymouth

CLPD

Sat 19 Apr

H Bashley

CLPD

Mon 21 Apr

A Arlesey Town

CLPD

Sat 26 Apr

H Chippenham Town

CLPD

FAC

R

Pos

1

2

3

4

SEASON STATISTICS 2013/14 Player name in these colours denotes substitute.

All the latest news at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

15 14 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5

Follow the Saints on Facebook /StNeotsTownFC

and on Twitter @StNeotsTownFC

41

ASH FULLER

Roses are Red, the Best Prawns are Blue.

Here’s to a Great Season and a Saints Promotion too! @blueprawndesign

Become a Member today at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Find your voice on the official club forum at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum

THE TEAMS

ST. NEOTS TOWN

V

WEYMOUTH

Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Colours

Burgundy Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Ian Parr

Manager

Brendon King

Andy Davies

Assistant Manager

Matt Groves

Carol Holland

Club Physio

Emma Tonkin

SQUAD

Rating Goals Rating

Jason Matthews (GK)

Paul Rodgers

Barry McConnell

Edd Adjei

Sam Poole

Adrian Sear

Michael Walker

Dan Crowie

Ashley Wells

Gavin Hoyte (C)

Jamie Symes

Lewis Hilliard

Scott Walker

Jay Davies

Ben Wood

Ola Sogbanmu

Danny Clay

Joe Benjamin

Kyle Critchell

Ash Fuller

Mark Ford

Ryan Sharman

Ben Joyce

Jordy Nkinga

Stewart Yetton

Tom Wood

Luke Winsper

Karl Saffee

Charlie Holland

Dion Sembe-Ferris

Simon Evans (GK)

Kaine Felix Andy Palmer Jack Selleck Teams will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Officials: Referee: Adrian Gillett Assistants: Colin Warn, Thomas Carter Your Man of the Match

Attendance

Match Rating

Opposition Support Rating

Ratings: Albeit just for fun - why not give your rating from 1 to 10 with 10 being perfect!

Next Home Game: We value your continued support, thank you Calor League Premier Division St Neots Town v Cambridge City Monday 26th August - 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.

44

SQUAD

Niall Conroy (GK)

Officials Rating