Welcome everyone to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road as we continue our league programmewiththevisitofBishop’sStortford.
It has been a few weeks since we last had home action, and on that occasion, we witnessed a victory against AFC Sudbury coming just two days after victory at Bromsgrove Sporting. Since then, the Ives had a blank Saturday followed by a defeat at Halesowen last Saturday andthenadecentpointcourtesyofa2-2drawatLeistononTuesdaynight.
Our visitors today have started the season strongly and inflicted a heavy 4-0 defeat on Needham Market on Tuesday night. The start of the campaign for the Blues is in stark contrasttolastseasonwheretheystruggledformuchoftheleagueprogramme.
In terms of forthcoming fixtures, next Saturday, 4 October sees the Ives in Isuzu FA Trophy 3 Qualifying Round action when we host Kettering Town. A reminder that season tickets are not valid for this fixture, so it is all pay. An additional reminder that you can save money this season by purchasing tickets online in advance. Just head over to the club ticketing page which can be accessed via the club website. The following Saturday sees us host BanburyUnitedsothreehomegamesonthebounceincludingtodaytolookforwardto. rd
Since the Sudbury game, we have lost the services of Kobe Chong. Kobe made the decision to sign for Worcester which is closer to his Birmingham home. We wish him well for the future. Ricky has added midfielder Jahrel McKoy on loan from Cambridge United. Welcome Jahrel,andwehopeyouhaveasuccessfulstayattheclub.
A reminder that you can book our award-winning pre-match hospitality for all home games this season. We have received bookings for the game today and for the match against Kettering next week. The cost is £60.00 per head for a 3-course meal. Please contact Paul Reasonformoredetails: paul.reason@stivestownfc.co.uk.
The reserves have played two games since the last first team action and have won one and lost the other. They currently sit in 11th place of the GCE Hire United Counties League Reserve Division, and they are away to Wellingborough today followed by an outing (and a localderby)atGodmanchesterRoversonTuesdaynight.
But back today, and a big test awaits. Your support will be vital to get the boys three points andtokeeptheunbeatenhomerecordintact.
ComeonyouIves!
BISHOP’S STORTFORD BISHOP’S STORTFORD THIS SEASON! THIS SEASON!
After a season of struggle last year that saw the Blues finish just five points clear of the drop zone, things have certainly improved in the early weeks of the new campaign.
The visitors arrive today in sixth position and started the season all guns blazing with an unbeaten August. The opening day saw a 2-0 victory at Bromsgrove Sporting with both goals coming from the penalty spot. Next up was the first home game of the season at Woodside Park and it ended in an emphatic 6-1 win against AFC Sudbury. Saleem Akanbi and Nahum Melvin-Lambert scored a brace each.
After a victory against Stamford, it was the two aforementioned players who were back on the scoresheet in their next fixture at Stratford. Leading 2-1, the match was abandoned in stoppage time following an injury to Harry Titchmarsh.
Two days later on Bank Holiday Monday, a brace from Luka Chalwell ensured that they recorded maximum points against a Royston side who were yet to chalk up a victory. This meant that the Blues were riding high in the league going into their first FA Cup match of the season.
That came against Real Bedford and after a 1-1 draw, Bishop’s Stortford secured a place in the next round as they won the replay 1-0 to set-up a match against National League South outfit, Hemel Hempstead.
Before the match at Hemel, the Blues suffered back-to-back league defeats against Stourbridge and Leiston. When the date for the FA Cup fixture ticked round, Hemel Hempstead put the Blues to the sword as they eased through to the next round courtesy of a 4-1 victory.
Last Saturday, Kettering took maximum points at Woodside Park as they recorded a 3-1 win meaning that Bishop’s Stortford had lost three league games on the bounce. However, the Blues recorded a morale boosting 4-0 victory at Needham Market on Tuesday night as they returned to winning ways.
ColeDasilva
Age:26
ShirtNumber:2
Position:Defender
Cole is a product of the Chelsea and Luton Town academies and began his professional career at Brentford. After his release from the Bees, he had a spell at Leicester City before playing football in Croatia. On his return from Croatia, Dasilva signed for Oxford City before making the switch to Hemel Hempstead and then Royston Town.
After spells at Biggleswade Town and Bedford he made the switch to Woodside Park ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and last season was named as the Supporters Player of the Year.
AROUND THE AROUND THE
LEAGUE! LEAGUE!
The vast majority of teams have now played nine league games, and it is Harborough Town who lead the way with a four-point lead over Kettering Town The leaders have yet to be beaten this season Kettering are on 17 points and are second on goal difference after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to basement club Stamford on Tuesday night Also on 17 points are Alvechurch and Spalding with Quorn making up the top five, two points behind.
Our visitors today moved into sixth position on Tuesday after they hammered Needham Market 4-0. Also hitting four were Real Bedford who have found some form of late and have moved up to eighth in the table. Sandwiched between Real Bedford and Bishop’s Stortford are Halesowen who followed their victory over the Ives with a 1-0 midweek win against Stratford who continue to struggle.
Ives go into the game in 11th position in what is proving to be a congested mid-table. Elsewhere, Stamford remain bottom and are still yet to win a game. Royston, Sudbury and Barwell make up the other places in the bottom four.
Today is FA Cup Day, which means this league fixture is the only one in the division but there was one match on Friday night with Barwell hosting Stourbridge.
AlookaheadtothenextthreematchesfortheIves.
St Ives Town VS Kettering Town
ISUZU FA Trophy
3rd Qualifying Round
Saturday 4th October. Kick-off 3:00pm
St Ives Town VS Banbury United PitchingIN Southern League
Premier Division Central
Saturday 11th October. Kick-off 3:00pm.
Bury Town VS St Ives Town
PitchingIN Southern League
Premier Division Central
Tuesday 14th October. Kick-off 7:45pm
LAST MATCH LAST MATCH REPORT! REPORT!
Tuesday23rdSeptember
LeistonvStIvesTown
Pitching-InSouthernLeaguePremierCentral23-09-2025
Written by Nigel Howlett
Amir Hadi’s late goal rescued a point for Ives from an entertaining game on the Suffolk coast where all of the goals came in the last half an hour but there was plenty of goalmouth action at both ends throughout. Ollie Taylor claimed his first man of the match award for a number of fine saves throughout the best of which was an excellent block to deny Adam Mills after the speedy striker had got completely clear midway through the first half.
With George Munday picking up a knock in the weekend defeat at Halesowen, Jamal Adams returned to Ives starting line up to lead the line. Manager Ricky Marheineke also freshened up his side by bringing in Aaron Smith and Amir Hadi for Matty Miles and Gibou Njie both of whom dropped to the bench. Blues manager Chris Wigger made only one change from his side that had claimed an impressive point off league leaders Harborough Town three days earlier with Joao Rangel dropping to the bench to be replaced by Wyatt Hill.
After a cagy opening the visitors almost gifted their hosts an opener in tenth minute as Jordan Williams cross field ball was cut out by Willie Clemons who cut inside Duncan Idehen to bear down on goal but as Taylor came to meet him the Blues number nine could only fire his effort wide of the post.
Having survived that scare Ives went straight down the other end to create their first real chance of the game. Skipper Michael Richens picked up a ball inside and rampaged straight through the heart of the Blues back line. Instead of letting fly as is his usual, he drew in defenders before slipping the ball to Theo Alexandrou cutting in from the left. One touch to many allowed Cameron Rayworth to close him down and the defenders block took all of the sting out of the shot allowing Billy Johnson to make a comfortable save.
Back up the other end Ives were at times struggling to get the ball clear and in 14th minute the dangerous Ben Fowkes latched onto a loose ball and sped down the right before delivering a low cross to the near post where Clemons turned it just wide of the post.
Then came Taylor’s big moment where he did brilliantly to maintain the parity. The chance came about from an Ives long throw. With all of the big men up from the back the hosts showed how dangerous they can be on the break as with the ball swiftly cleared one more touch in midfield saw Mills put completely clear through the middle. Taylor came to meet the striker just inside his box and stayed big forcing the Blues striker to shoot rather than try and go around him. The agile keeper then made a brilliant reaction save to turn the ball around the post.
Taylor had a much more routine save to make in 33rd minute as a Rayworth corner was half cleared to Ryan Jarvis just outside the box. The Blues striker hit his effort well enough but it was straight at Ives custodian who held on well. It was Ives turn to break only moments later and Liam Cross was fed through the right channel. He took perhaps one touch to many and narrowed his own angle before unleashing a screamer that beat Johnson at his near post but thumped the upright and rebounded to safety.
The hosts spurned one more good opportunity to get their noses in front before the interval when Mills got down the right and perfectly picked out Clemons who had ghosted in between the centre backs but as with his previous chances the Blues number nine failed to hit the target directing his unchallenged header from ten yards wide of the post.
So plenty of action before the break but no goals. Both sides came out determined to change that in the second period. It took another smart save from Taylor to prevent Clemons opening the scoring directly from the kick off. There was only twelve seconds on the watch when he let fly with a 25 yarder that was destined for the corner of the net before the flying Taylor palmed it around the post.
Ives first effort of the second half came from even greater distance as Adams tried to catch out Johnson from fully 45 yards and the out of position keeper was somewhat relieved as the shot dipped into his hands rather than over his head.
It was now end to end stuff as both sides went toe to toe in search of the opener. Ives had the first effort in 50th minute as Adams made a clever run to take away defenders opening things up for Jernade Meade to unleash a 20 yarder that Johnson did well to keep out low to his right. Four minutes later Taylor was in action again at the other end as he leapt high to tip away a fierce cross shot from Fowkes.
Ives were almost caught out by a quick free kick in 56th minute. Rayworth was put away down the right and delivered a cross to the near post where Clemons again failed to hit the target with a close range header.
The visitors were then gifted an opener just before the hour. Richens deep free kick was met at the far post by Williams who had ghosted around the back. His first time volley was brilliantly saved by Johnson but the ball struck the unlucky Eddie Jackson and rebounded over the line.
Blues manager Wigger quickly made a change bringing on the pacy Rangel for Jarvis and it was Rangel’s introduction that made a difference. Ives were perhaps a little fortunate to survive a scramble in their goalmouth in 68th minute as Rayworth’s cross from the right bounced around box with Ives bodies bravely blocking shots from Seb Dunbar and Fowkes before the ball was scrambled clear.
They were not so fortunate when Rangel got away down the right six minutes later. His initial cross to the back post was headed away by Williams but the ball fell to Fowkes who gave Taylor no chance with a fierce drive from just inside the box that went into the net off the inside of the far post.
The hosts were now well on top and went in search of what they thought would be a winner. They got in front with seven minutes to go when Ives lost possession in the middle of the park. Clemons fed in Rangel cutting in from the right and he fired home from just inside the box to delight the meagre Tuesday night home crowd.
But there was to be a twist in the tail as Ives showed their character and a sustained period of pressure was ended with Cross unselfishly feeding in Hadi on the left. He gleefully thumped home beating keeper Johnson at his near post to silence the home crowd and give the tiny Ives contingent behind the goal their turn to celebrate.
There was still time for one more piece of noteworthy action as three minutes into the added four Idehen was forced to pull back Clemons as the striker tried to break clear. The elegant centre back picked up a yellow card for the offence but he got the last laugh as he was on hand to head clear Fraser Alexander’s free kick at the back post to end a good night on the road for the visitors. The hosts will think it was two points lost but Ives deserved their very hard earned point.
Final Score: Leiston 2 St Ives Town 2 Half Time 0 – 0
1.Who scored for us in our first game of the season against Barwell?
1.Who scored for us in our first game of the season against Barwell?
2.Who did we beat in our first home game of the season?
2 Who did we beat in our first home game of the season?
3.Who scored on his return to the side against Stourbridge?
3.Who scored on his return to the side against Stourbridge?
4.Which ground did we travel to on match week 4?
4 Which ground did we travel to on match week 4?
5.What team did we get our only goalless draw against?
5.What team did we get our only goalless draw against?
6.Which team knocked us out of the FA Cup?
6.Which team knocked us out of the FA Cup?
7.Which new signing opened their goal scoring account against Bromsgrove Sporting?
7 Which new signing opened their goal scoring account against Bromsgrove Sporting?
8.Who did we beat at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road 2 days later?
8 Who did we beat at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road 2 days later?
9. How many clean sheets have we managed so far this season?
9. How many clean sheets have we managed so far this season?
10.Who is our current top scorer this season?
10.Who is our current top scorer this season?
Want to find out how you got on?
THERE can’t be many clubs with a better record of producing players fit for the EFL – and higher – than FC Halifax Town. The number that have passed through the Shay down the years is quite something.
Our Chris Dunlavy, chief writer on sister title The Football League Paper, caught up with a former Shaymen last week after he called time on his career.
One of the privileges of this job is watching young footballers thrive in Non-League before getting their chance and then carving out a successful career in the higher levels.
Lee Gregory certainly did that, scoring 112 EFL goals for the likes of Millwall, Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday and Mansfield Town.
The striker began his journey at Staveley Miners Welfare and Sheffield FC and Glapwell before ripping it up at FC Halifax Town – alongside a certain Jamie Vardy.
But Gregory still remembers the conversation he had with Nicky Law during a brief spell on trial at Alfreton two decades ago.
“I was 17 or 18 and Nicky was the manager at Alfreton,” he recalls. “He said to me one day, ‘You don’t have to be a professional. You can have a good career in Non-League. Get a job, do this on the side, put the extra money towards a house and you’ll pay it off in 15 or 20 years’.
“I remember thinking ‘You know, he’s right’. That was my mentality when I was playing for Staveley Miners Welfare and Sheffield FC and Glapwell.
“By the time I got to 23, when I joined Halifax, I was like ‘OK, this is my life - let’s buy that house and stop dreaming’.”
Thankfully for Gregory, now 37, an intervention from Kim Holloway - wife of Ian - changed the course of his life.
Gregory scored 29 National League goals for Halifax in the 2013-14 campaign. Holloway, then in charge of Millwall, was considering making an offer but feared the forward would struggle with the jump to the Championship.
“You could be the best player in the world but if you’ve not got the right opinion behind you, you're not going to go anywhere,” says Gregory.
“It only takes one person to believe in you and in my case it was Ian’s wife. She was the one who said ‘Go on, why don’t you take a chance on the lad from Non-League?’ That one opinion changed my life.
“I did have other clubs in the pipeline. I was always going to end up in the EFL that summer. But none of them were in the Championship. I know you make your own luck, but you need help along the way. I was very lucky that she said that to him, and that he listened to her.”
Gregory is just another example of how different players will take different routes into the Football League. We’re lucky we get to see a lot of them at before they really make it.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A big thank you to everyone who has given up their time to contribute to this eddition of the Matchday Programme!
FrontCoverPhoto-Adrian Morton
Programme Content-AndrewDunn
Player Sponsor Ad-Ollie Jones
League Table Graphic-Fyn Smith
Previous Match Report-Nigel Howlett
NLPArticle-Jason Mills
Player Pictures-Jamie Read
Gameinformation-Nigel Howlett
OppositionProfiles-Bishop’s Stortford
OppositionPhotos-Bishop’s Stortford
ProgrammeAdverts-Mark Taylor
Ricky Marheineke
One of the longest serving managers in the division Ricky is entering his tenth season at the helm of St Ives Town. He has managed to ensure that Ives have retained their position at step 3 with some creditable mid-table finishes. A best ever FA Cup run was the highlight of last season and the aim is to match, or better that this season whilst also looking for a top half finish.
Adam Fisher
After a spell as a coach at Barton Rovers, Fisher made the switch to become Manager at Welwyn Garden City. A seven-and-a-half-year spell in charge of the Citizens proved to be successful as he guided the club to step 4 football for the first time in their history. After leaving Baldock, he has spent some time scouting for various clubs but is now relishing the opportunity at St Ives.
Jim Freeman
Jim was part of the coaching staff at Kettering Town and Bugbrooke St Michael with Mitchell Austin and came to Westwood Road with his former colleague in summer 2020. A former Nottingham Forest YTS player Jim moved to non league with Bridgnorth and Solihull Borough before a two year stint in the Gambian Premier Division.
Frankie Fry
An excellent 2025/26 addition to the coaching staff Frankie has been plucked from under the noses of other suitors. He comes with an excellent pedigree having spent last season as assistant manager at play-off finalists Kettering Town and prior to his spell with the Poppies he had enjoyed success at Peterborough United and Nuneaton Borough. His development as a coach had seen him working in a variety of youth development roles at locations across the UK and United States. His final claim to fame is as the son of Peterborough United stalwart Barry Fry
Paul Swannell
Paul is an important part of the coaching staff looking after the goalkeepers throughout the Club. He has worked with Ricky at both Huntingdon & St Ives and was proud to boast the joint top best clean sheet record during the successful promotion campaign. His keeper also went very close to equalling that record during 2018/19 season conceding only 43 goals in 42 games a record only bettered by the top three.
Jardaine Patel-Joseph
Experienced sports therapist Jardaine joined the Ives from local rivals Eynesbury Rovers in summer 2021. He graduated from the University of Bedford in 2019 with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation having gained experience whilst getting his degree as physiotherapist with then Southern League Division One Central Kempston Rovers. With Ricky intending to operate with a relatively small squad again this season Jardaine will once more be a vital member of the team.
Ollie Taylor
Midland based goalkeeper Ollie signed for the Ives from Redditch United during the summer. The son of former Birmingham City goalkeeper Maik Taylor was in his second spell with the Reds and he was a big figure in keeping them in step 3 last season. He has a wealth of experience at this level having played over 250 games during spells with The Reds, Bromsgrove Sporting, Alvechurch and Stourbridge.
Ethan Creary
Promising young defender Ethan started his career in the Luton Town Academy where he spent his development years. On leaving Kenilworth Road he joined Dunstable Town where he was an almost ever present before joining the Ives last season. He continued his development at quattro tech Westwood Road and quickly became a regular feature in the back line.
Jiah Medrano
22 year old defender Jiah joins the Ives from National League North Leamington where he has made 45 appearances over the past two seasons and was part of the squad that won promotion from Southern League Premier Central Division in 2023/24. He started his career in the academy at Yeovil Town and has also played for Step 4 Shepshed Dynamo.
Jordan Williams
A key member of the Ives back line, Jordan is a commanding centre back who joined the Ives in summer 2022 from Stratford Town. He started his career at Cambridge United before crossing the river Cam to enjoy two spells at Cambridge City. He then switched to Stratford for his first spell with the Bards. A move to Stourbridge followed before moving back to Stratford. Jordan was part of the Stratford team that played against league one side, Shrewsbury Town in a televised FA Cup first round tie in 2021/22 season.
Aaron Smith
Aaron is a local lad who started his footballing journey with Mildenhall Town where his performances earned him a chance at Peterborough United. After a season with the Posh he was released and went on to join Ives local rivals St Neots Town where he was a regular for two seasons. He made a successful step back up the football ladder by signing for the Ives and has been an almost ever present over the last two seasons. Has a very impressive long throw in his armoury.
Albie O’Keefe
Highly promising, powerful midfielder Albie joined the Ives on loan from League One Stevenage last season and enjoyed a successful spell in the second half of the season. Having been released by the Boro in the summer he returns to the Ives for the 2025/26 season and will be keen to make a big impression in the centre of the park.
Evan Watkins
Highly promising 17 year old midfielder Evan has worked his way through the Ives academy to earn his chance with the first team. He enjoyed a successful spell in men’s football on dual registration with United Counties League Yaxley FC last season and will benefit from that experience in his quest to get into Ricky Marheineke’s match day squad.
Gibou Njie
23 year old Londoner Gibou joins the Ives after impressing during preseason. The powerful midfielder takes a step up on his arrival at quattro tech Westwood Road having previously played for Combined Counties League Molesey and Isthmian League South Central South Park (Reigate).
SPONSORED BY JANET CARTER SPONSORED BY JANET CARTER
Claudio Dias
Claudio signed for the Ives during the second half of last season from Banbury United. The 30-year-old started his career at Northampton Town, and had several spells at Banbury, but has also played for a whole host of other clubs including Tamworth, Alvechurch and Stratford.
Amir Hadi
Exciting 22 year old striker Amir brings a new dimension to Ives front line. The hard working striker joined Ives from Step 4 Biggleswade FC where he scored six goals and three assists from sixteen appearance. He had joined FC in the summer of last year from Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Shefford Town and Campton where he had been even more prolific in front of goal.
Jamal Adams
25 year old Jamal joined Ives this summer from AFC Rushden & Diamonds where he finished top scorer last season with 13 goals from 44 appearances. Prior to that he had enjoyed similar success at Coventry United where he racked up 15 goals in 33 games in 2023/24 season. He has also played for Bedworth United, Coventry Sphinx and Studley. Good in the air and a willing runner in behind he will continue to be a handful for step 3 defenders.
SPONSORED BY JANET CARTER (IN MEMORY OF MARTIN CARTER)
SPONSORED BY JANET CARTER (IN MEMORY OF MARTIN CARTER)
Alfie Shepherd
Tricky 18-year-old winger Alfie has earned his chance with the first team by impressing manager Ricky Marheineke in his appearances for the under 18 and reserve sides. He will be keen to grab his opportunity when it comes and could become the first player since the establishment of the academy to rise through the ranks and gain a regular place in the first team match day squad.
Theo Alexandrou
Theo is a 20 year old winger who returns to the Ives for the 2025/26 season. He started his career at Stevenage before enjoying loan spell with the Ives, making the move permanent last summer. During the early part of last season, he was transferred to National League South side Dorking Wanderers where he made 11 appearances, scoring twice. However, he was then loaned to Welling United before ending the season at Wingate & Finchley.
SPONSORED BY ANDREW DUNN
SPONSORED BY ANDREW DUNN
Matty Miles
Versatile Matty is equally at home on the right side of a back four or in a defensive midfield role. He has joined the Ives from Stamford but spent the whole of last season as a regular starter for AFC Sudbury playing 41 games for the Yellows. Matty had started his career in the academy at Premier League Leicester City where he spent over ten years honing his skills. Since leaving the Foxes he has appeared for St Neots Town, Cambridge City, Biggleswade Town and prior to joining Sudbury he was a regular at National League North Peterborough Sports.
Neo Dobson
18 year old powerful, direct running, Neo joins the Ives on loan from League One Northampton Town where he has already made nine first team appearances and scored three goals. Last season he enjoyed successful loan spells at Kettering Town, Banbury United and Corby Town scoring eight goals in 29 appearances. He certainly has an eye for goal and will look to continue to impress during his spell at quattro tech Westwood Road.
George Munday
Exciting 18 year old striker George has joined the Ives on an initial one month loan from League One Cambridge United. He appeared in a number of U’s pre-season games and has so far made one appearance for the first team coming off the bench in the EFL Trophy tie against Bromley.
Jahrel McKoy
Cambridge United U18 midfielder Jahrel joins the Ives on a work experience loan. The second year scholar previously gained senior experience at Biggleswade FC.
STEVE CASTLE-Manager-Appointed as Blues Manager in the May 2024 having previously spent a decade at the helm of Royston Town Racked up over 500 Football League appearances in a distinguished playing career, captaining the likes of Leyton Orient, Peterborough Utd, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle
The UEFA 'A' Licensed coach two years as Cambridge Utd Assistant Manager after a knee injury ended his playing career before taking the reins at St Albans City. Spent three years at Clarence Park before taking charge of our neighbours Takeley for two seasons
DAN EVANS-First Team Coach-Dan joined the club in May 2024 having previously worked under Steve as Manager of Royston U23s. Dan also plays a key role in the Bishop's Stortford FC Academy.
ADAM HAYTON–Goalkeeper-Impressive young shot stopper who joined the Blues after departing Barnsley in summer 2025. Spent a decade in the youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur before heading to Oakwell on a permanent basis in January 2023.
MARK HAINES–Defender-Vastly experienced central defender who joined the Blues for a second spell in 2019 and formed a key part of our Isthmian Premier winning campaign Former West Ham Utd and Southend Utd youth player who went on to make over 300 appearances in a decade with Chelmsford City.
COLE DASILVA-Defender-Former Welsh Youth International who joined the club in summer 2024 from Bedford Town. The former Chelsea and Luton Town youngster has also represented the likes of Oxford City and Hemel Hempstead Town. Voted Players’ and Supporters’ Player Of The Season in 2024/25
JADEN OGWUAZOR-Defender-Powerful central defender who joined the club in the summer of 2024 after a stint with Championship side Queens Park Rangers. The former Stevenage youngster has also represented Bedford Town and Kings Langley
HARRY FORDE-Defender-Former Royston Town defender who joined the Blues in August 2024 from Spartan South Midlands League side Potton Utd. Netted his first Blues goal on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign at Bromsgrove Sporting
JAKE THOMPSON-Defender-Central defender Jake arrived at the club in June 2024 after a five year stint with Brightlingsea Regent Netted twice in 48 appearances during an impressive first season with the club
EYITUOYO AKINBULUMO-Defender-Powerful central defender who joined the club in November 2024 after stints with Belstone and Leverstock Green. A favourite with fans after becoming a regular on the terraces after injury bought at early end to his campaign
MICHAEL CLARK–Defender-Experienced defender who was snapped up by Steve Castle in summer 2025 having spent a number of years representing St Albans City in the National League South.
TOMMY LETHBRIDGE–Defender-Talented young full back who signed first team forms in July 2025 after impressing Steve Castle in preseason. The promising defender also gained experience last term with Potters Bar Town.
LEON DAVIES–Defender-Former Cambridge Utd Academy product who made over 60 first team appearances for the Us. Went on to enjoy successful spells with Southend Utd and Braintree Town before arriving at Woodside Park in July 2025.
ROSS MARSHALL–Midfielder-Equally at home in defence or midfield, the experienced former Stevenage man arrived at Woodside Park in July 2025 after recent spells with the likes of Barnet, Dulwich Hamlet and Torquay Utd.
HARRY TITCHMARSH–Midfielder-Former West Ham Utd and Peterborough Utd youngster who joined the Blues in summer 2025 following an award-winning last campaign with Southern League Premier Central side Hitchin Town.
JACK SMITH–Midfielder-Former Stevenage midfielder who made 30 first team appearances for our Hertfordshire neighbours before moving on to represent the likes of Dartford, Braintree Town and Enfield Town. Joined the Blues in July 2025.
BRADLEY RUSSELL-Midfielder-The former Stansted and Hullbridge Sports midfielder joined the Blues in June 2024 after an impressive spell with Isthmian North side Brightlingsea Regent. 10 goals in 40 games saw him scoop the Managers’ Player Of The Year last season.
FABIO VIRCIGLIO-Midfielder-Versatile midfielder who joined the club from Royston Town in May 2024, going on to score 3 times in 42 appearances in his first season at Woodside Park Named Blues Young Player Of The Year in 2024/25.
ERIN AMU–Midfielder-Joined the Blues in August 2024 from Kempston Rovers having previously represented Kings Langley, St Neots Town and Berkhamsted Working his way back from a serious knee injury suffered back in March.
CHARLIE CASTLE-Midfielder-Attacking midfielder Charlie joined the Blues from Royston Town summer 2024. The former Ely City man netted twice in 37 appearances during his first season at Woodside Park.
LUKA CHALWELL–Midfielder-Former Winchester City, Eastleigh and Poole Town midfielder who joined the Blues in February 2025. A British Virgin Islands international who netted his first Stortford goal in the 2-2 draw with AFC Telford Utd at Woodside Park last term.
OBI ONYEAGWARA–Midfielder-Exciting wide midfielder who arrived at Woodside Park in July 2025. Former clubs include Stevenage, Enfield Town and Biggleswade Town.
NAHUM MELVIN-LAMBERT–Striker-A product of the Reading Academy who spent time on loan with St Patrick’s Athletic and Hemel Hempstead Town during his time with the club. Nahum has since represented the likes of Weymouth and Haringey Borough before joining the Blues in December 2024.
PRESLEY EVANS-Striker-A November 2024 addition who counts Barking, Takeley and Uxbridge amongst his former clubs. Netted his first Blues goal against St Albans City in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup on 19th November
SALEEM AKANBI–Striker-Powerful young forward who joined the Blues in July 2025. The former Cambridge Utd man has also represented Hemel Hempstead Town and Chelmsford City.
The club was formed on Thursday 28th January 1874 at the Chequers Hotel in the town. Just over two weeks later the first match was played with the East of England Non Conformist Grammar School (now Bishop’s Stortford College) being defeated 2-1, with both goals coming from Rev. R J Tomes. In that first season 15 games were played, three of which were won, with seven others drawn. The club colours at that time were vivid crimson and olive green. After several years of playing just friendly matches the club became one of the founder members of the Hertfordshire Football Association in 1885 and played in the first ever County Senior Cup competition that same season, beating Aspley 2-1 away from home in their first match. The club progressed into league football in the 1890s by joining a succession of locally based competitions. The highlights between 1889 and 1929 were the “double” seasons in 1912-13, when both the Saffron Walden & District League and the Stansted & District League titles were secured, and 1919-20, when the East Herts League and the Stansted & District League were won.
The club was accepted into the FA Cup for the first time in the 1924-25 season and then it was in 1929 that the next milestone was reached when the club was accepted into Division Two (East) of the Spartan League. A good start was made with the Ministry of Health being well beaten 5-0. Three years later, at the end of the 1931-32 season, the Division Two (East) championship was won and with it promotion to Division One of the Spartan League. A year later Stortford won the Herts Senior Cup for the first time.
During the Second World War the club played mainly friendly matches against locally based service units. The 1945-46 season saw Stortford compete again in the Spartan League, where they stayed until the formation of the Delphian League in 1951.
The 1950s saw steady progress in the club’s fortunes with the Delphian League title being won in season 1954-55. Until this time progress in the FA Amateur Cup had been nothing but a dream but in season 1962-63 Stortford found themselves only two games away from Wembley. In a tense quarter-final, in front of 9,000 people, Stortford were defeated 1-0 by the Isthmian League champions Wimbledon at Plough Lane and Wimbledon went on to win the cup. The mid 1960s turned out to be a very exciting period for the club as in the space of three years, the Bishops having by now joined the expanded Athenian League, were runners-up in Division Two, champions of Division One and runners-up in the Premier Division.
The Premier Division title was eventually captured in the 1969-70 season. Then, a long-term ambition was realised when an application to join the Isthmian League was accepted for the 1971-72 season. The early 1970s was also another very successful period in the club’s history, third place in the League was achieved in season 1973-74, Stortford’s best ever position, whilst six cup final victories were achieved in the space of four seasons. The undoubted pinnacle of these highlights came fittingly in the club’s centenary season when the FA Amateur Cup was won at Wembley Stadium by beating Ilford 4-1 in front of over 30,000 spectators. This in fact was the last FA Amateur Cup final ever held. Scorers for Stortford were Dave Lawrence, Peter Leakey, Dennis Murphy and lastly Martin Smith from the penalty spot.
The rest of the decade was something of an anti-climax, with the club being relegated to Division One, but there was another huge upturn in the club’s fortunes as the 1980-81 season was another memorable one in the Bishop’s history. The club won the Isthmian League Division 1 title and the “double” came in May 1981 in the final of the FA Trophy when Terry Sullivan scored a late goal to leave lsthmian League Premier Division side Sutton United defeated 1-0 This victory came after a record breaking run of 13 games that had begun in the preliminary round in the September of the previous year. In achieving this success, Stortford became the first ever club to capture both the FA Amateur Cup and the FA Trophy.
After reaching the quarter final of the FA Trophy again in 1982 and setting the record for consecutive unbeaten matches in that competition (17), Blues turned their attention to the FA Cup. Though they had reached the competition proper fivee times before, it was in the 1982-83 season that they really made an impact. After disposing of local rivals Harlow Town, third division Reading were beaten at Elm Park in the first round and then Slough Town were defeated in the second round. The third round saw the Bishops drawn away at Middlesbrough, then managed by Malcolm Allison. In the tie at Teesside, Stortford fought back from a two goal half-time deficit to earn a well merited replay thanks to two Richie Bradford goals. The following Tuesday over 6,000 people packed into the Rhodes Avenue ground for the replay. Lyndon Lynch gave Stortford the lead on the stroke of half-time but Middlesbrough’s superior fitness told in the end and they fought back and eventually won through with two late goals. Stortford again faced League opposition in 1985 going out after a replay to Colchester United.
Towards the end of the 1980s, two former favourite players of the Rhodes Avenue crowds returned as Managers. Firstly, former England international John Radford, who had played in the FA Trophy winning side, became manager in 1987. He took the club to success in the Herts Senior Cup in his first season and continued the following season, 1988-89, by winning the Isthmian League Cup. Apart from the cup run in, he also took the team on a promotion challenge, which only faltered in the closing weeks and the club finished seventh in the table. Terry Moore, a record holder in his days as Stortford’s goalkeeper when he collected both FA Amateur and FA Trophy cup winners’ medals – the only player to do so for the same club, then became manager and he led the Blues to victories in the Premier Inter-League Cup and Isthmian League Full Members Cup.
In more recent times, the club was relegated to Division 1 at the conclusion of the 1991-92 term, but with ex-Arsenal star John Radford now as the Blues manager Stortford regained Premiership status by winning the Division One championship in season 1993-94. Life back in the Premier Division was not easy, with a best position of 12th being achieved in season 1995-96. Off the field the club suffered delays moving to its new ground at Dunmow Road having left the Rhodes Avenue ground at the end of 1997, which they had been at since 1919.
After 18 months during which home league matches were played at Boreham Wood, St. Albans City, Hitchin Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Ware, the club were once again relegated to Division One at the end of the 1998/99 season. But a new and eagerly awaited chapter in the club’s history began on Saturday 17th July 1999 when the new Woodside Park Stadium finally opened with a pre-season friendly against Norwich City. The match ended in a 2-2 draw in front of a 918 crowd.
On Friday 3rd September a crowd of 2,444 saw the official opening of the stadium performed by George Graham followed by a match against a strong Tottenham Hotspur side including Hans Segers, David Ginola, Chris Armstrong, Ruel Fox, Jose Dominguez, Mauricio Tarico, Steffen Freund, Stephen Clemence and Justin Edinburgh. Blues made the record books on Thursday 30th December 1999 when they won 5-3 at Chertsey in a Ryman League match, which was the last competitive match played in England in the 20th Century.
The club, supporters and team finally settled in at Woodside Park but only after some serious problems with the pitch had seen many postponed games and fixture headaches in those first two seasons. In the 2000/2001 campaign, Blues came with a late challenge after making wholesale squad changes at Christmas and narrowly missed out on a promotion place. However, by season 2001/2 the playing surface was immaculate and hosting Ryman and England representative games along with many local and junior league cup finals and Blues themselves were faring better in the League. Promotion back to the Ryman Premier after a three years absence was secured on the 6th April 2002 with a 2-0 home win against Walton & Hersham.
The 2002/3 campaign saw Blues back in the Premier Division and the near disaster of the Rhodes Avenue sale and ground sharing were fading in the memory. On Tuesday 14th January 2003, Martin Hayes team travelled to Tring in the semi-final of the Herts Charity Cup and recorded the club’s best ever win in a competitive match away from home with a 9-1 victory. Blues fortune in that cup continued as Hemel Hempstead Town were defeated 3-1 in the May final and Captain Rob French lifted Blues first silverware for six years. Back in February, the club had sold star striker Vinnie John to Hornchurch FC for a club record fee.
2003/04 saw the restructure of the football pyramid with Blues among the founder members of Conference South thanks to an 11th placed finish and manager Martin Hayes led them to first round proper of the FA Cup where 600 Stortford fans saw them go down 6-0 at Mansfield Town. In April, exactly 30 years to the day that Blues won the last ever Amateur Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, Stortford retained the Herts Charity Cup by defeating Cheshunt 4-1 to match that Wembley scoreline. The last game of the season saw tearful scenes as the fans said goodbye to midfield supremo, inveterate goal scorer and triple winner of the player of the season trophy, Glen Southam. His £20,000 fee to Dagenham & Redbridge set a new club record.
A brave new world opened for Blues in August 2004 as they kicked off their Conference South campaign with a 2-1 win at home to Eastbourne Borough. It was a journey into the unknown with league trips as far afield as Weymouth and Newport but Blues held their own in the autumn with a position on the fringe of the play offs before finishing tenth.
By contrast the 2005-06 season was a disappointment and yet it ended with a trophy as the Herts Senior Cup was won for the first time in 20 years with a 1-0 win over Stevenage and the season was rounded off with a record Woodside Park league crowd of 1,016 as champions elect Weymouth visited. The Blues’ leading goal scorer at this time was Steve Morison who went on to play in the Premiership for Norwich City.
In 2006-07 the club flirted with promotion to the National Conference, the top echelon of non-league football. A top-six league finish led to a play-off semi final against Salisbury City. The home leg, played in front of 1049 spectators ended in a 1-1 draw with Greg Pearson scoring for Stortford. Back at Salisbury, the score was again 1-1 after 90 minutes. But two extra time goals saw Salisbury march to the final and the Conference. The FA Cup first round was reached, but Blues lost 5-3 againts Kings Lynn.
The 2008-2009 season saw Martin Hayes record 500 games and 10 years in the job. However, a shoestring budget and poor results led to his surprise dismissal and the promotion of reserve team manager, Mark Simpson assisted by Gordon Boateng. The new management team rung the changes and Stortford rallied to move from 20th in the league table to finish 9th. Simpson remained at the helm until February 2011 during which time, in season 2009/10, Stortford again won the County Senior Cup. Simpson was replaced by ex-England and Spurs goalkeeper Ian Walker. A late three game winning run saw Walker save Blues from the drop and his side lifted the Herts Charity Cup with victory against Cheshunt. But the club where hit by a bombshell at the Conference AGM in early June when they were placed in the northern section following the demise of Rushden & Diamonds. Despite the signing of future Premier League star Dwight Gayle and on-loan Spurs keeper Jordan Archer, Blues struggled in their new surroundings and with the team in the relegation zone Walker departed early in December 2011 following a 5-0 FA Trophy at Isthmian League side Carshalton Athletic.
Under former Braintree boss Rod Stringer Blues had an excellent finish to the season, finishing tenth and winning both the Senior Charity Cups. The 2012/2013 season saw Blues drop to 17th as recruitment of players able to travel to the likes of Manchester and Workington on Tuesday evenings became an issue, but Stringers’s side did win their way through to the first round proper of the FA Cup before going out to Hastings United.
A return to Conference South saw a fine first half to the 2013/2014 campaign contending for a “play-off” place and reaching the 1st Round of the FA Cup once again. They were handed a tie at home to Northampton Town that was televised live on ITV and attracted a record crowd of 2,548. Form orm dipped in the New Year however when faced with playing 22 games in final 50 days of the season and they finished below halfway in the League table. A small consolation was that the Herts Charity Cup was won once again.
The 2014/2015 campaign was not a great one for the Blues but after some inconsistent form up until the last few months of the season they improved to steer clear of the relegation zone to ensure another year as a member of the Vanarama National South.
Stringer resigned after four and a half seasons at the end of the 2015/16 campaign to take charge of Chelmsford City. That season saw the Blues again finish around midway in the League table and win the Herts Charity Cup. Striker Elliott Buchanan was the top goalscorer in the league and won the Vanarama Conference “Golden Boot” award.
The 2016/17 season was a disaster for the club and probably the worst in the history finishing in the second-from-bottom place to be relegated to the Evo Stik Southern League after 13 seasons in the Conference set-up. Stortford had two management teams running affairs before ex Spurs, Swindon, Rotherham United, Reading and Colchester United midfielder Kevin Watson was appointed manager late in the season. Stortford did reach the Senior Cup final but lost 2-1 to Hitchin Town.
A first season in the Southern League saw Watson’s young side finish 18th in the 24 team league. A switch back to the Isthmian League saw former Witham Town boss Adam Flint step into the manager’s shoes but his reign was a short one as he was soon to be replaced in mid-September by club owner Steve Smith and former Norwich City striker Jamie Cureton. The pair took the club to seventh place in the table, just missing out on the play-offs as well as reaching the league cup semifinal.
Cureton celebrated the achievement of playing 1000 competitive games in the 3-2 win against Brightlingsea Regent, netting twice on the way to finishing as leading scorer in the Isthmian Premier.
Smith took sole charge ahead of the two COVID hit campaigns, although the Blues did manage to reach the FA Cup First Round during those difficult years, eventually going out on penalties to National North side Brackley Town having had the BT Sport TV Camera’s in town for the previous round with a famous 2-0 victory over St Albans City coming in front of a sell out crowd 600, all that was allowed during the pandemic, with most fans having to settle for watching live on TV.
The 2021/22 campaign was one of the most memorable in recent years with a settled squad setting about on a remarkable campaign that saw the club taste defeat just five times in 42 league outings, amassing 87 points to finish second behind Champions Worthing. The clubs all time clean sheet record was also broken, with an astonishing 1088 minutes without conceding a goal during the season. Unfortunately the team fell just short, suffering injury time heartbreak in a 2-3 defeat at home to eventually promoted Cheshunt.
The Blues would not be denied in 2022/23, however, collecting 88 points en-route to securing the Isthmian Premier Division Championship, the club's first league title win in 29 years.
With promotions and relegations once again not falling in the club's favour, Stortford were once again placed in the National League North, a move that placed great financial pressure on the club and saw the majority of the title winning squad depart, unable to commit to the travelling.
The celebration of the club's 150th Anniversary was the highlight of a tough 2023/24 campaign that saw relegation back to step 3 at the first attempt.
The appointment of former Royston Town manager Steve Castle at the beginning of the 2024/25 season gave the club a refreshed outlook, with a 15th placed finish in the Pitching In Southern Premier Central secured by his young side. Optimism is high for a successful 2025/26 season after a successful pre-season and the addition of more experience to the squad.
THANK YOU TO OUR THANK YOU TO
We hope you enjoyed our fifth edition of ‘10 To Tackle’ for the 2025/26 season! Some tricky ones in there, so well done to anyone who gets 10/10 this week. Let’s see how you did!
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1. Kobe Chong and Neo Dobson
2.Stamford
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1 Kobe Chong and Neo Dobson 2.Stamford 3.Michael Richens 4.Bowdens Park 5.Real Bedford 6.Berkhamsted FC 7 Jamal Adams 8.AFC Sudbury 9.4
10.Michael Richens & Ethan Creary (2)
Michael Richens & Ethan Creary (2)
We’ll have a brand new quiz ready in time for our next home fixture, when we take on Kettering Town on Saturday 4th October. Until then, thank you for playing and...
Ollie Taylor (GK)
Ethan Creary
AAron Smith
Jordan Williams
Jernade Meade
Jahrel McKoy
Ed Hottor
Michael Richens
Claudio Dias
Albie O’Keefe
Johnson Gyamfi
Amir Hadi
Gibou Njie
Theo Alexandrou
Liam Cross
Jamal Adams
Jiah Medrano
Alfie Shepherd
Evan Watkins
Neo Dobson
Matty Miles
Duncan Idehen
George Munday
Adam Hayton (GK)
Cole Dasilva
Tom Lethbridge
Jake Thompson
Mark Haines
Bradley Russell
Leon Davies
Jack Smith
Sal Akanbi Fabio Virciglio
Nahum Melvin Lambert
Luka Chalwell
Obi Onyeagwara
Harry Forde
Fabio Virciglio
Presley Evans
ManagementTeams
Ricky Marheineke (Manager)
Adam Fisher (Assistant)
Jim Freeman (Assistant)
Frankie Fry (First Team Coach)
Paul Swannell (Goalkeeping Coach
Jardaine Patel-Joseph (Physio)
Steve Castle (Manager)
Dan Evans (First Team Coach)
Mark Haines (First Team Coach)
Matt Campany (First Team Coach)
Olivya Holleyman (Physio)
KitColours
Shirts-Black and White Stripes
Shorts-Black
Socks-Black
Goalkeeper
All Green Kit
Shirts-Blue
Shorts-Blue
Socks-Blue and White
Goalkeeper
All Turquoise kit
MatchOfficials
Referee-Jamie Stevenson Assistant-Ralph Seckington Assistant-Thomas Roberts
