Welcome to Southam - Matt Pemberton

WELCOME TO SOUTHAM

The Saints have added some yet another new face to the squad this season - Here’s what you need to know about the new Saint, Matt Pemberton.

Matt Pemberton

As Southam United grows in notoriety around the region and leagues its no wonder that the club is also attracting strong, experienced players, and newest addition Matt Pemberton is no exception. The attacking midfielder began at the age of 6 with his local team Codlands Colts in Solihull. Eventually he moved on to several Midlands academies and even played for his County team, lining up with the likes of current professionals Jack Grealish and Demarai Gray. At 16 Matt joined Hinckley United for a short spell before earning a scholarship to play football in the USA at the University of Alabama and eventually Grand View University in Iowa. The accomplishment of earning a first class degree in Finance and Economics in 2017 still sticks with him to this day. “The biggest achievement in my career so far is, without doubt, being awarded a scholarship to study and play in the USA.” After a move back to England Pemberton found a home with Earlswood Town FC in the Midlands Football League where he played for 4 seasons. Throughout these experiences in academies, at universities and with local clubs, Matt has established himself as a strong midfielder. “My preferred position is as a CAM. I think my biggest asset in football is bringing my teammates into play and getting assists. Until I headed to the USA I was always and off-the-shoulder number 9, but an increase

Rich Says:

Matt recently moved to the area and was looking for a local club. He trained with a few local non- league clubs but after having trained recently for us he knew he wanted to join Southam. Matt has played for Earlswood town for the last 4 years at nonleague level so he will also bring added experience to the squad. This season has very much been disjointed for Matt and he will admit himself that he needs to get more sessions under his belt in the coming weeks to then push for a place in the 16 man squad. Matt has great pedigree having played college football in America and will add creativity and technical quality. Matt is very much an attacking midfielder so no doubt he will be looking to provide goals and assists in the second half of the season .

in age, and waist, has meant a decrease in pace!” After a move away from Birmingham, and an increase in travel needed for training and matches, the experienced midfielder was looking for a new adventure. “With Earlswood training in Birmingham it was increasingly difficult to commit and get to training week in and out so I reached out to Richard to look for an opportunity nearer to home. I came along to training and was made to feel really welcome at the Club, so when Richard asked me to sign it was a no-brainer.” Not unlike many of the new players who came before him, Matt was able to see the quality in the set up at Southam United FC and Bobby Hancocks Park, and it didn’t take long for him to see that it was something that he was excited to be part of. “It was quickly apparent that the standard on the pitch at Southam is very high for a step 7 club. Not only that but as already mentioned the lads at the club were very welcoming. “Off the pitch its clear to see that the club is ambitious and professionally ran from top to bottom. These reasons were a huge pulling factor for me joining the club.” “’I’d like to thank Richard and the lads for the welcome I have received. I cant wait to get started with Southam and help get the club back to where it should be.” Away from the pitch Southam’s newest midfielder keeps busy looking after his 6-month old golden retriever puppy, Sollu, with his girlfriend Blythe. He is also a keen golfer and has recently started learning to fly planes! Supporters will be just as eager as Matt to see him out on the pitch and making a solid difference for the Saints. Welcome to Southam Matt!

KENILWORTH SPORTING

Its another familiar, local side this weekend as we come up against Kenilworth Sporting FC in the quarterfinals of the Coventry Charity Cup.

A number of current coaching staff and players have been part of the Kenilworth organization over the years, and will be looking forward to coming up against the side in such an important match. Currently sitting in 5th place in the Midland Football League Division II, Kenilworth has not lost in six matches, with their most emphatic win coming against Triumph Athletic in the Coventry Charity Cup, a game in which they scored 8 over the oppostition and kept a clean sheet. Kenilworth will be confident that the opportunities will come in the match and with 15 different scorers so far this season, it seems that a goal could come from anyone on the pitch. Of those goal scorers David Freeman and Luke Steer lead the group with 6 goals each, with Freeman’s coming from 15 starts and Steer’s coming from only 5 starts. With Kenilworth playing their last 4 matches at home Southam will be looking to cash in on an their home-field advantage at Bobby Hancocks Park.

BOBBY HANCOCKS PARK GENERAL STADIUM INFORMATION

The address to locate the ground is;

Southam Utd Football Club Bobby Hancocks Park Lark Road - (Off the B4451 Kineton Road CV47 0FD) Southam CV47 2WF

On entering the main gate off Lark Road into the site please turn left and park in the large car park adjacent to the football pitch at the bottom of the site

Please do not use the existing entrance off Banbury Rd to park

Southam United will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual

Contact: Tel - 01926 811931 football@southamunited.com

SOUTHAM UNITED FC

SEPTEMBER OPPONENT RESULT

SATURDAY 4TH MARSTON SAINTS (H) POSTPONED SATURDAY 11TH LAUNTON FC (A) W 2-0 SATURDAY 18TH KENNINGTON ATHLETIC (H) W 2-1 SATURDAY 25TH SUMMERTOWN AFC (H) L 0-5

OCTOBER

SATURDAY 2ND GARSINGTON (A) W 5-0 SATURDAY 9TH BURE PARK FC (H) W 5-0 SATURDAY 16TH BICESTER HALLIONS (H) L 0-2 SATURDAY 23RD HALSE UNITED (A) W 1-0 WEDNESDAY 27TH COVENTRY COPSEWOOD (H) W 2-1

NOVEMBER

SATURDAY 6TH MARSTON SAINTS (H) W 4-0 SATURDAY 13TH JET BLADES (H) WALKOVER SATURDAY 20TH GORNAL ATHLETIC (A) L 0-2 SATURDAY 27TH GARSINGTON (H) W 9-1

DECEMBER

SATURDAY 4TH CROPREDY (H) L 2-3

SATURDAY 11TH KENILWORTH SPORTING (H) SATURDAY 18TH EYNSHAM ASSOCIATION (H)