Southam United vs Shipston Excelsior Matchday Programme

CONTENTS

Management

First Team Manager Richard Kay

First Team Assistant Lee Petch

First Team Assistant Lee Walkinshaw

First Team Coach Ryan Champkins

Goalkeeping Coach Alan Kinnear

Southam United Committee

Owner/Chairman Michael Davis

Secretary Amanda Woolley

Events Manager Rachel Anderson

Media Rhian Tilley

First Team Rep Richard Kay

Member Alan Kinnear

First Team Liaison Group

Photographer Marie Price Hospitality Lisa Walkinshaw Hospitality Amy Dunkley

Media Rhian Tilley

Matchday Groundsman Paul Kay

Matchday Programme

Editor/Design Rhian Tilley

LETTER FROM THE MANAGER Richard Kay

LETTER FROM THE CAPTAIN Simon Barby

RICHARD KAY

A warm welcome to the staff, players and committee of Shipston for today’s Hellenic Challenge Cup match at Bobby Hancocks Park.

October is always cup month and todays cup match is our first cup game of the 22/23 season. The early part of the season has been hectic to say the least, so it’s a nice change to be involved in a one off cup tie

Since we re-formed in 2019 we have been a winning machine in the league securing 1st and 2nd place finishes. However cup competitions have been a sense of frustration. We have gotten to 6 quarter-finals and not progressed beyond. Some due to the season finishing for the pandemic and 2 ties, like last season, where we were in the box seat to progress but lost both ties to progress to the semis.

With our league objective clear one or two really good cup runs would be a welcome addition. Today’s cup game represents a mini vase for us this season. We can draw teams from Hellenic 2 to the Prem. It’s a great opportunity should we progress to pit our wits against regular FA vase and FA cup teams.

Today’s game is also an opportunity for us as a club at first team level to record our 50th competitive win in just 73 games. Since 2019 we have broken and smashed every club

record, so to achieve our 50th win would be another great milestone.

Our poor form in August seems like a distant memory. We look much fitter, sharper and more ruthless in our attacking play. We are much more settled as a squad with some excellent recent experienced additions. We look much more cohesive. My teams are at their best when the sum of the parts is greater than individuals. We have looked a good team the last month.

Our standard was set against Pershore. Individually and collectively no matter the game we need to keep being humble and hardworking.

Enjoy the cup tie

UTS

“MY TEAMS ARE AT THEIR BEST WHEN THE SUM OF THE PARTS IS GREATER THAN INDIVIDUALS”

SIMON BARBY

We welcome everyone back to Bobby Hancocks Park for our cup match against Shipston Excelsior.

It feels like forever played a game at BHP, but we go again and hope to get a win on Saturday and get through to the next round of the cup!

As a team we are buzzing to get back to playing on a Saturday to Saturday, continuously, and keep that momentum of winning going. There is such a positive attitude around the squad!

With the new players coming in and the old players all integrating perfectly as a team, it is showing with our recent results. Our last midweek match against Littleton showed how well of a squad and team we can be, and we hope to keep this run of form going into all our home games in October! It was a fantastic performance with some really good goals from us to win that match away to Littleton 4-0. And we came out with the clean sheet as well!

The team and the club are just going from strength to strength, on and off the pitch. There is a really good buzz at Southam!

So we hope to see as many people as possible down to support, watch and enjoy a bit of food and drink from the clubhouse!

Thanks!

Simon Barby

OUR LAST MIDWEEK MATCH AGAINST LITTLETON

SHOWED HOW WELL OF A SQUAD AND TEAM WE CAN BE...

MATCH REPORT

by David Hucker

Hellenic League Division 1, Bobby Hancocks Park, 07.09.22

SOUTHAM UNITED 0

PERSHORE TOWN 1 (Magee 53’)

In their midweek Hellenic League division one fixture, Southam went down by a single goal to table-topping Pershore Town at Bobby Hancocks Park.

In their midweek Hellenic League division one fixture, Southam went down by a single goal to tabletopping Pershore Town at Bobby Hancocks Park.

Playing in front of a crowd of 110, Southam were beaten, but not disgraced, as a 53rd minute strike by Mark Magee, his first for the club, handed the visitors their sixth win from seven league outings this season.

With the Southam defence failing to clear a cross from the left, Magee drilled the ball low into the corner past Alex Skidmore for the only goal of the match. Pershore did get the ball in the net again from a corner, but the effort was ruled out for a foul inside the penalty area.

Southam manager Richard Kay had been looking for a third successive win, only to be denied by a strong

defensive display by Pershore, who recorded their fifth clean sheet to go top of the league.

“Tonight’s game was one we have worked hard to be involved in over the last three years” said Kay. “How the

SOUTHAM UNITED: Skidmore, Bloomer, Harris, Barby (c), Watkin, Osborne, Yeates, Ellis Champkins, Mauritson, Dixon, EthanChampkins. Subs: Drummond Subs not used: King, Goddard, Tennant, O’Brien

PERSHORE TOWN: Cox, Stoddart, Beach, Webb, S. Clark, Adams, Tonchev (Cooke 76’), Jones (Thomas 80’), Magee (A. Clark63’), Willis, Baldwin (Hammond 56’). Subs not used: Sone

Vice-Captain Ryan Harris clears the ball from the back-line (main picture). Midfielder Ellis Champkins takes on a defender in the attacking third (below).

Want to make your next event something to remember? Let the Spitting Pig Company cater for your every need!

Spitting Pig are industry leaders in both hog roast and hog roast machine manufacture Find us on Facebook or www.spittingpig.co.uk

fixtures have worked out, it has been an incredibly tough start to life back at step 6. Thank you to the fans for their amazing support. It was the best atmosphere so far at Bobby Hancocks Park”

Pershore manager Danny Janes was generous in his praise for Southam’s performance.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Rich’s side as they made our night very difficult and pushed us all the way.” said Janes.

“First half we were miles off it, we were nowhere near the levels required. Our decision-making was poor, as well as our execution. Defensively we were very good which gave us a platform to build from.

Southam put a lot of pressure on us the last 15 minutes, we defended like absolute warriors. As a team, everyone played their part in the defensive display”.

Along with all football fixtures, Saturday’s home match against Hellenic division two west side Shipston Excelsior in the Bluefin Sports (UHL) Challenge Cup was postponed.

Southam have no match this coming Saturday and travel to Worcestershire to take on Littleton on Tuesday.

Team: Skidmore, Bloomer, Harris, Barby, Watkin, Osborne, Yeates, Ellis Champkins, Mauritson, Dixon, Ethan Champkins

Sub used: Drummond

Subs unused: King, Goddard, Tennant, O’Brien

MATCH REPORT

Hellenic League Division 1, Five Acres Stadium, 20.09.22

SOUTHAM UNITED 4 (Dixon 15’, Lawes 65’, Barby 80’, 85’)

LITTLETON 0

With recent positive results to improve upon, Southam United were away to Littleton FC Tuesday night for another important Hellenic League Division 1 match up.

Despite the travel times for a midweek match, the Saints came out strong behind another adjusted lineup from Head Coach Richard Kay.

It was another start from 16 year old Callum Stewart after receiving the Player of the Match award in his last match out against Kidlington at the beginning of the month. Kay also gave a start to newcomer Craig Watkin as he slotted in on the back-line beside Vice-Captain Ryan Harris.

But despite the rotated squad, Southam United proved their quality and were the first to draw blood on the evening. It only took Joshua Dixon 15 minutes before he found a well placed effort in the back of the net past Littleton’s keeper after taking the ball on the break when the referee played the advantage.

The squad was kept quiet however, until Jay Lawes made a substitute appearance as well as an immediate

impact on the pitch. It was his goal in the 65th minute that doubled the lead, and the team never looked back.

Littleton kept looking for a break through and looked to be quite resilient and willing to push for a competitive match, but Captain Simon Barby dashed any hopes when he scored

SOUTHAM UNITED: Hudson, Bloomer, Stewart, Harris, Watkin, Yeates, Dixon, Ellis Champkins, Mauritson, Barby (c), OsborneSubs: Lawes, Ethan Champkins, Neale, Goddard Subs not used: King,

LITTLETON FC: Aimes, Boyd, Hancock, Hart, Johnstone, Lee, Martin, McDonald, Phillips, Virgo-Broom, WilcoxSubs not used: Drake-Cervantes, Leek, Massanure

Ethan Champkins wins a header in the middle of the pitch (main picture). Forward Jay Lawes winds up for a shot at the opposition’s goal (below).

Southam’s third on the night in the 80th minute. But the Saints stalwart was not finished yet when he added a second to his tally in the 85th minute, all but putting the match to bed and sealing a celebratory journey back to Southam.

With the entire team coming together and showing their quality it was tough to choose just one that stood out, but that was the task that Amy Dunkley, a traveling Southam supporter, was given, and in the end she highlighted right-back Sol Bloomer for his all-around performance and gave him Man of the Match. Sol has seen playing time in that less familiar defensive position a few times so far this season and is really starting to show his quality and take ownership of the role.

However, Bloomer wasn’t the only one to receive accolades after the match. Kay announced after the match that the club has been nominated to be in the running for Hellenic Division One September Manager/Team of the month. With the results to be determined in time, its an impressive step up from the shaky start of the season only a few short weeks ago.

Kay praised his team after the match calling the effort “superb from everyone involved”.

Supporters that made the journey to Littleton praised the team for their resilience and quality throughout the whole squad.

Joe Oliver described tough playing conditions but was

impressed with a “great battling performance in the end [...] 3 points on the road and a clean sheet”.

Paul Kay added, “Great evening for football. The lads controlled the game. The home side, to their credit, kept going but had no answer to our play”. He also credited Man of the Match defender Sol Bloomer saying, “Mention to Sol tonight, a great performance”.

The away victory has pushed Southam up the league table into 14th place, picking up some much needed points.

With a home Bluefin Sports (UHL) Challenge Cup match against Shipston Excelsior coming up on the 1st of October, the Saints won’t see league play again until the following week (8th of October) when they welcome mid-table team, Cheltenham Saracens, to Bobby Hancocks Park.

Team: Hudson, Bloomer, Stewart, Harris, Watkin, Yeates, Dixon, Ellis Champkins, Mauritson, Barby (c), Osborne

Subs Used: Lawes, Ethan Champkins, Neale, Goddard

Subs Not Used: King

Attendance: 26 •

Our growing team of foot health practitioners strive to offer you the best foot care treatment available. So whether it’s for you or a loved one, we will give you quality time and do our very best to make those feet feel like new!

HealthyFeetClinic.co.uk

SOUTHAM UNITED FC

Southam United was founded in 1905 following the amalgamation of two village teams. Southam United, or “Saints” as they are known, has a long and distinguished history

From 1947 to 1956 the club won most of the titles in the then prestigious Coventry and North Warwickshire League culminating in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup.

Saints moved into the Midland Combination in 1980/81 and immediately won the Division 3 title and completed the double by winning the Vase Final with a 3-1 victory over Kingsbury United. When the League was reorganised in 1983/84, United were invited into the Premier Division but after struggling for several seasons they were downgraded to Division 1 when it was discovered that their pitch was now too short owing to the construction of a bowling green next to it. It took until 1995/96 for United to get back into Premier Division football. In 1997/98 Saints enjoyed their most successful season in the Midland Combination finishing as Premier Division Runners Up and winning the Birmingham County FA Vase with a convincing 3-0 victory over Shirley Town.

All time leading goalscorer (over 1,000 goals) and record appearance holder is Bob Hancocks who served the Club loyally in virtually every capacity. In 2002 Bob and his wife Anne received a presentation from the Club to mark their over 50 years of loyal service to Southam United and their contributions to the game were finally recognised by the FA Long Service Award in June 2012.

In 2001 the Club merged with Southam Town FC, a progressive junior club formed in 1972 which, amongst other things, has pioneered Ladies and Girls football in Warwickshire. Long-term development plans have now been put into place to strengthen the football base in Southam both on and off the field.

The Club is an FA Charter Standard Community Club.

Currently, the Club’s range of junior teams runs from the Mini Soccer School (boys and girls of 5 years upwards) being introduced to the game in a fun and safe environment through the junior age groups up to the Under 16’s with some 250 players participating in coaching sessions and games throughout the season. The club also maintains a successful Wildcats and Girls section, encouraging more girls into the game and hoping to retain them for the future. This is with a view to eventually growing our own Ladies team.

Southam United are also fully committed to supporting it’s volunteer coaches and developing homegrown officials. All managers and coaches are supported in following their ambitions to complete FA coaching courses and as of the 21/22 season, the club has supported 3 of its former junior players to undertake their referee qualifications. With more to follow - subject to courses being available.

First Team results from 1998 to 2004 were largely disappointing. A sixth placed MidComb Premier Division finish in 2004/05 augured well for the future but could not be improved upon in season 2005/06 thanks to inconsistent league form. There was, however, some comparative success in Cup competitions, including an appearance in the first ever Cup Final at the Ricoh Arena, when Saints finished as Runners Up to Coundon Court in The Coventry Charity Cup.

Cup success was achieved in 2008/09 as the Club lifted the BCFA Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup with a convincing 3 - 1 victory over Darlaston Town and again in 2010/11 with victory in the Telegraph Challenge Cup Final at The Ricoh Arena. Runners Up spot in the Premier Division was achieved in 2011/12 when the team fell away with the finishing line in sight.

In both 2012/13 and 2013/14 the Club were runners up in the BCFA Midweek Floodlit Cup; and in 2014/15 were beaten finalists in the Les James Cup at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium and the Coventry Charity Cup at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena.

Following a period of transition for the First Team and an absence of several seasons, the First Team successfully returned in 2018/19 playing in the Hellenic league and managed by Rich Kay. Since this time, and despite the challenge of COVID, the team have gone from strength to strength, gaining promotion and in the 2021/22 season are playing in the Oxford Senior League Premier. After one season in the OSL Prem the team was promoted to the UHL Hellenic League Division 1 at step 6 football, where they are looking to springboard to the next level.

Today’s opposition

SHIPSTON EXCELSIOR

Shipston Excelsior Football Club was established in 1903 and are located in Shipston on Stour. They are a FA Charter Standard Club. They have four senior teams, Saturday 1st entering in the Hellenic League, Saturday Reserves in the Banbury & Lord Jersey League then Sunday 1st & Reserves play in the Evesham & District League. They have junior teams from U6/7 through to Under 16 who play in the Ambassador Evesham League.

RICHARD KAY

SIMON BARBY

Position: Midfield DOB: 11.12.1989

RYAN HARRIS

Position: Defense DOB: 21.05.1996

WALKINSHAW

PATRICK O’BRIEN

Position: Midfield DOB: 12.08.1992

CHAMPKINS

BEN TENNANT

Position: Defense DOB:

KINNEAR

CRAIG WATKIN

Position: Defense DOB:

JAY LAWES

Position: Forward DOB: 02.07.2000

SOLOMON BLOOMER

Position: Forward DOB: 06.07.1999

ADAM NEALE

Position: Defense DOB: 24.04.1998

KYLE LOCKLIN

Position: Defense DOB:

CALLUM STEWART

Position: Defense DOB: 31.01.2006

MELVIN

MAURITSON

Position: Forward DOB: 24.06.2002

CHARLIE GREEN

Position: Defense

DOB: 02.08.2000

LEWIS HUDSON

Position: Goalkeeper

DOB: 01.08.2000

ROSS KING

Position: Goalkeeper DOB:

ETHAN CHAMPKINS

Position: Forward DOB: 28.09.2000

ANDY YEATES

Position: Midfield DOB: 02.01.1991

SAM DUNN

Position: Defense

DOB: 12.01.1997

SHANE OSBORNE

Position: Forward DOB: 26.06.1995

BRADLEY

GODDARD

Position: Forward DOB:

ELLIS CHAMPKINS

Position: Midfield

DOB: 01.09.2002

THEO DRUMMOND

Position: Forward DOB: 18.10.2004

JOSH DIXON

Position: Forward DOB: 16.11.1999

FIXTURES AND LINEUPS

AUG 2022

Wednesday 3rd

Saturday 6th

Tuesday 9th

Saturday 13th

Wednesday 17th

Saturday 20th

Monday 29th

SEPT 2022

Saturday 3rd

Wednesday 7th

Tuesday 20th

OCT 2022

Saturday 1st

Saturday 8th

Saturday 15th

Monday 17th

Saturday 22nd

Wednesday 24th

Saturday 29th

NOV 2022

Saturday 5th

Saturday 12th

Saturday 19th

Saturday 26th

DEC 2022

Saturday 10th

Saturday 17th

Tuesday 27th

JAN 2023

Monday 2nd

Saturday 7th

Saturday 14th

Saturday 21st

Saturday 28th

FEB 2023

Saturday 4th

Saturday 11th

Tuesday 21st

Saturday 25th

MAR 2023

Saturday 4th

Saturday 11th

Saturday 18th

Saturday 25th

APR 2023

Saturday 1st

Saturday 8th

OPPOSITION

Bishops Itchington (H)

Long Crendon (H)

Abingdon United (A)

Milton United (H)

FC Stratford (A)

Bourton Rovers (H)

Morton Rangers (H)

Kidlington Res (A)

Pershore Town (H)

Littleton (A)

Shipston Excelsior (H)

Cheltenham Saracens (H)

Cirencester Town Dev (H)

Smethwick Rangers (A

Clanfield 85 (H)

Kidlington Res (H)

Hartpury University (A)

Malmesbury Victoria (H)

Newent Town (A)

Shortwood United (H)

Stonehouse Town (A)

Calne Town (H)

Cheltenham Saracens (A)

Cirencester Town Dev (A)

Clanfield 85 (A)

Hartpury University (H)

Malmesbury Victoria (A) Newent Town (H)

Shortwood United (A)

Stonehouse Town (H)

Abingdon United (H)

Long Crendon (A)

Bourton Rovers (A)

Milton United (A)

FC Stratford (H)

Moreton Rangers (A)

Kidlington Res (H)

Pershore Town (A)

Littleton (H)

STARTING XI

Hudson, Bloomer, Speed, Neale, Fitzmaurice, Barby*, El Champkins, Hudson, Dunn, Bloomer, Neale, Fitzmaurice, Barby, El Champkins~, Hudson, Dunn, Green~, Neale, Harris, Yeates, El Champkins, Barby Hudson, Bloomer, Green, Neale, Locklin, Yeates, El Champkins, Hudson, Dunn, Green, Neale, Barby, Yeates, El Champkins, O’Brien, Hudson, Dunn, Green, Neale, Barby*, Yeates, O’Brien, Osborne, Hudson, Dunn*, Green, Neale, Harris*, Barby, El Champkins, Yeates,

W 3-1

1-0

4-0

Skidmore, Dunn, Stewart, Barby, Harris, Yeates, El Champkins, Skidmore, Bloomer, Harris, Barby, Tennant, Osborne, Yeates, Hudson, Bloomer~, Stewart, Harris, Watkin, Yeates, Dixon*, El

RESULTS

Symbols:

* Goal Scored

Captain

~ Player of the Match

Champkins, Et Champkins, Osborne, Lawes, Mauritson

Champkins~, Et Champkins, Mauritson*, Osborne*, Dixon

Barby, Mauritson, Osborne, Et Champkins

Champkins, Et Champkins, Drummond, Lawes, Dixon

O’Brien, Mauritson, Osborne, Et Champkins

Osborne, Mauritson, Lawes, Dixon Yeates, Bloomer, Lawes**, Osborne*

Champkins, O’Brien, Osborne, Mauritson**, Dixon*

El Champkins, Mauritson, Dixon, Et Champkins

El Champkins, Mauritson, Barby**, Osborne

SUBSTITUTES

Skidmore, Boe(74), Drummond*(68), Green(85) O’Brien, Drummond(72), Boe, Green, Speed Drummond(sub), Skidmore, O’Brien(sub), Dixon(sub), Boe Dunn, Speed, Osborne, Mauritson, Barby Dixon (sub), Bloomer (sub), Boe (sub), Feasey Bloomer (sub), Drummond (sub), Boe (sub), Fitzmaurice Dixon*(sub), O’Brien (sub), Tennant (sub), Skidmore

Goddard (sub), Bloomer (sub), King, Drummond, Tennant

King, Goddard, Watkin, O’Brien, Drummond (45’) Lawes* (sub), King, Et Champkins (sub), Neale (sub), Goddard

SOUTHAM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

First Team Manager: Richard KAY

Simon BARBY (c)

Solomon BLOOMER

Ellis CHAMPKINS

Ethan CHAMPKINS

Josh DIXON

Theo DRUMMOND

Sam DUNN

Charlie GREEN Bradley GODDARD Ryan HARRIS

Lewis HUDSON Ross KING Jay LAWES

Kyle LOCKLIN

Melvin MAURITSON Adam NEALE Patrick O’BRIEN Shane OSBORNE Callum STEWART Ben TENNANT

Craig WATKIN

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: James ALLIBAND