Southam United vs Hartpury University Matchday Programme

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

RICHARD KAY

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone associated with our great club, Southam United I hope everyone had a magical Christmas and got to spend time with loved ones and friends, which is the true meaning of Christmas.

On a personal note I had a fantastic week or so off, only the second week off I've given myself in 2022 It's now that time of year where we all have our New Year's resolutions Mine is definitely that sometimes less is more and to give myself more time off and more R&R Since 2019, I haven't missed a scheduled First Team training session or competitive game The commitment is borderline insanity especially in the winter months but it's my passion and what I love to do

Like everyone, I was poorly in the week leading up to Christmas, and over Christmas There has been so much illness and fatigue this winter A number of the squad and management have been really struggling for weeks with no end in sight Hopefully we can get through this period We have a very small squad of players, with no safety net of reserves 18s or academy The players and management will always give everything but it's going to take time for us to get back to full tilt and momentum like we had a month ago

We welcome Hartpury University to BHP for todays Hellenic League 1 game It wasn't so long ago that we made the journey to Gloucestershire where we ost 3-1 Hartpury in terms of sports facilities, is a world class set up Hartpury are in a fantastic position to climb the league It's two clubs that have had a similar trajectory. Both clubs started in Hellenic 2 with nowhere to go Both clubs had to go through the Step 7 senior leagues to earn our place at Step 6 In terms of resources, facilities and recruitment though, the two clubs couldn't be more different

Pershore and Hartpury are by far in my opinion the best two teams in the division Hartpury are a fulltime outfit, very well coached with some excellent young players As a club we simply can't compete on paper, however since I've been manager, we have never played games on paper or to the form guide. Again, we need an exceptional collective effort and to be at our best, from the staff to the players to supporters We have shown what an atmosphere we can generate at BHP where the players respond with high level performances

Since we came into the league I don't think we've been given the respect we deserve, certainly not from some clubs or the administration Again we are battling the league to let us play in our Telegraph Cup quarter final We have had to resign from playing the Charity Cup quarter final already The Telegraph Cup is a prestigious local, historical cup with the chance to play at the Ricoh Arena All we are asking for is an opportunity and a level playing field We have fulfilled every midweek away game some that have been absolutely ridiculous travel-wise for the players staff and supporters

As a club we have never asked for more than we have earned on the pitch I'm sure many will be disappointed that we are not quite the fodder club everyone expected in this league We will continue to play with pride, passion and heart which is the true identity of my team and this club

Get right behind the team today and as always be a loud and proud Saint!

"Get right behind the team today and, as always, be a loud and proud Saint!"

SIMON BARBY

We welcome Calne Town to BHP, after a long journey from them, they will want to get a good result, start strong and get on the front foot. They are one point ahead of us in the league and are going to be difficult opposition, but we fear no one at all!

With our form home and away having the last few games unbeaten, we go into the game positive and ready to score more goals and get a good performance, while the Southam team on and off the pitch is buzzing at the moment! We have some really good team bonding and spirit, it has just clicked for us

We are on a good run of form and intend on continuously knocking on the doors of teams just above us. Climbing that league, all we can do is continue to play well, stick together and put points on the league table!

The new players who have come into the team have only made our Southam team much stronger. Players fighting for places makes everyone play that

little bit harder to retain their place in the team.

I have recently been putting goals in myself, scoring three in two games, and hearing that I have scored the 250th goal for Southam is brilliant news! I'm very proud!

We played a midweek league game this week, a two hour journey over to Newent Town wasn't great for a midweek game. As we got there, their pitch was frozen but playable, not great conditions all round and not much time to prep or warm up But we grouped together as a squad, rolled our sleeves up and battled to the last minute, and like in recent weeks, our grit and determination came through and we got the winner late on! We had a great journey back with three points, but our next aim is to follow it up this weekend with another win! Then we can celebrate with the Southam Xmas do and hope that England can bring it home!

"We are on a good run of form, continuously knocking on the doors of teams just above us!"

MATCHREPORT

By David Hucker

HELLENIC LEAGUE DIVISION 1

THE CORINIUM STADIUM, 27.12.22

CIRENCESTER TOWN DEVELOPMENT 2 Pemberton, Hussain

SOUTHAM UNITED 6 Champkins 15', Dixon 80', Barby 89'

Southam United bounced back from their heavy defeat at Pershore Town just before Christmas, beating both the elements and the opposition at The Corinium Stadium, posting a comfortable 6-2 win over Cirencester Town Development.

Manager Richard Kay made just one change from the side that started at Pershore, with Callum Stewart replacing Ben Tennant at full back. Strong winds and rain saw this become a test of stamina as well as football by the end but, having raced to a 4-0 lead at halftime, Southam were always in control.

Leading scorer Josh Dixon gave Southam an early lead and defender Adam Neale headed home to double the advantage in the 20th minute. It was another defender in Craig Watkin who made it 3-0 with a powerful header from an Ethan Champkin corner before player of the match Stewart

surged forward to set up Champkins for the fourth and put Southam firmly in the driving seat at the break.

Cirencester pulled one back from a corner at the start of the second half, but Shane Osborne made it 5-1 to quash any hopes of a home revival. A left-foot volley from captain Simon Barby extended the lead further and, although the home side got a second, the outcome was never in doubt.

Southam United: Hudson, Harris (Dunn), Stewart, Neale, Watkin, Yeates, Ethan Champkins (NewellHolley), Ellis Champkins, Osborne, Barby [Capt.] (Goddard), Dixon (Drummond)

Subs not used: Tennant

Bookings: Goddard, Neale, Petch, Watkin

Player of the Match: Callum Stewart Attn: 60

Southam United: Hudson, Harris (Dunn), Stewart (Adair), Neale, Watkin, Yeates, Ellis Champkins (Newell-Holley), Ethan Champkins, Osborne (Drummond), Barby (C), Dixon

Subs not used: Goddard

As well as looking forward to 2023, we've also been looking back at 2022...

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.

SOUTHAM UNITED FC

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 as of 2021/22 season are now play Oxford Senior League Premier, from where they are looking to springboard to the next level.

TODAY'S OPPOSITION

HARTPURY UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL CLUB

2020/21

Hartpury University FC formed.

Entered Hellenic Division Two, season stopped due to global pandemic.

2021/22

Entered Herefordshire County Premier (Step 7).

Won the Herefordshire County League, winning 20/20 games.

Won the Herefordshire County Cup beating Hereford FC 2-1 at Edgar Street.

Won the Herefordshire Senior Cup beating Forest Green Rovers XI 5-1.

2022/23

Entered Hellenic Division One (Step 6).

In loving memory of Paul Stevens

MEETTHE 2022/23TEAM

Hellenic League Division 1

Fixtures & 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 19th 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) Chalfont Wasps (H) 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)

RESULT

W 2-1 L 5-2 L 1-0 L 0-3 D 0-0 L 1-3 W 6-3

W 3-1 L 1-0 W 4-0

W 8-1 L 3-2 W 2-1 L 2-0 W 1-0 L 3-2 L 3-1 D 2-2 W 4-1 D 2-2 W 2-1

Postponed Postponed W 6-2

Postponed

STARTING XI

Hudson, Bloomer, Speed, Neale, Fitzmaurice, Barby* Hudson, Dunn, Bloomer, Neale, Fitzmaurice, Barby, E Hudson, Dunn, Green~, Neale, Harris, Yeates, El Cham Hudson, Bloomer, Green, Neale, Locklin, Yeates, El C Hudson, Dunn, Green, Neale, Barby, Yeates, El Cham Hudson, Dunn, Green, Neale, Barby* , Yeates, O’Brien, Hudson, Dunn*, Green, Neale, Harris*,Barby, El Cham

Skidmore, Dunn, Stewart,Barby, Harris, Yeates, El Ch Skidmore, Bloomer, Harris,Barby, Tennant, Osborne, Hudson, Bloomer~, Stewart, Harris, Watkin, Yeates, D

Feasey, Bloomer, Tennant, Harris, Watkin*, Yeates, El Hudson, Bloomer, Tennant, Harris*, Watkin, Yeates, S Hudson, Bloomer, Stewart,Harris, Watkin, El Champk Hudson, Bloomer, Tennant, Watkin, Locklin, Yeates, B Hudson, Harris, Tennant, Neale, Watkin, O’Brien, Dixo King, Dunn, Tennant, Neale, Watkin, Yeates, Dixon, O Hudson, Harris, Tennant, Neale, Watkin, Yeates, El Ch

Hudson, Locklin, Stewart*, Neale*, Watkin, Yeates~ , E Hudson, Harris, Stewart, Neale, Watkin, Yeates, El Ch Hudson, Harris, Stewart, Neale, Watkin, Yeates, Osbo Hudson, Dunn, Stewart, Barby, Watkin, El Champkin-

Hudson, Harris, Stewart, Neale, Watkin, Yeates, Et C

, El Champkins, Et Champkins, Osborne, Lawes, Mauritson El Champkins~, Et Champkins, Mauritson*, Osborne*, Dixon mpkins, Barby, Mauritson, Osborne, Et Champkins hampkins, Et Champkins, Drummond, Lawes, Dixon pkins, O’Brien, Mauritson, Osborne, Et Champkins Osborne, Mauritson, Lawes, Dixon pkins, Yeates, Bloomer, Lawes**, Osborne*

hampkins, O’Brien, Osborne, Mauritson**, Dixon* Yeates, El Champkins, Mauritson, Dixon, Et Champkins Dixon*, El Champkins, Mauritson, Barby**, Osborne

l Champkins, Et Champkins*, Mauritson,Barby, Dixon*** Smith,Barby, Mauritson*, Lawes, Dixon kins, Et Champkins, Smith, Mauritson*, Osborne, Dixon Barby, El Champkins, Lawes, Et Champkins, Osborne on*, El Champkins, Osborne,Barby, Et Champkins O’Brien,Mauritson*, El Champkins, Et Champkins* hampkins, O’Brien,Barby, Et Champkins, Osborne

El Champkins, Lawes, Osborne, Et Champkins, Dixon hampkins, Osborne, Lawes, Et Champkins, Dixon rne, El Champkins, Lawes, Et Champkins, Dixon s Et Champkins, Osborne, Adair, Newell-Holley, Dixon

hampkins, El Champkins, Osborne, Barby, Dixon

SUBSTITUTES

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

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

Goddard*, Neale*, O’Brien*, Osborne, Stewart Goddard, Locklin, Stewart, Neale, Dunn Lawes* (61), King, Locklin, Tennant~ (45’), O’Brien (70’) Dixon, Mauritson, Neale, O’Brien, King Mauritson (71), Dunn (92), Bloomer, King, Goddard (83) Osborne, Hudson, Bloomer, Harris, Barby Lawes*, Dunn, Goddard, Feasey, King

O’Brien, Dunn (58’), Goddard, King, Barby King (80), Dunn (61), Goddard (57), Tennant (69), Barby Goddard (90+3), Barby (15), King, Tennant, Dunn Drummond, Goddard, King

Dunn, Newell-Holley, Goddard, Drummond, Tennant

Southam