OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME PRESENTATION DAY SPECIAL!
VS CALNE TOWN FC
SOUTHAMUNITED
SATURDAY 15th APRIL 3:00PM l BOBBY HANCOCKS PARK
TO TODAY'S MATCH
TO TODAY'S MATCH BALL
THANK YOU
DAY SPONSOR: THANK YOU
SPONSOR:
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
Co-owner Lauren Thomas
Secretary Amanda Woolley
Events Manager Gates Griffin
Media Marie Thomas
First Team Rep Richard Kay
Member Alan Kinnear
First Team Liaison Group
Photographer Marie Price
Hospitality Gates Griffin
Hospitality Lisa Walkinshaw
Hospitality Amy Dunkley
Media Marie Thomas
Matchday Groundsman Paul Kay
Matchday Programme
Editor/Design Amy Dunkley
6 LETTER FROM THE MANAGER
8 CAPTAIN'S NOTES
16 OUR HISTORY
18 TODAY'S OPPOSITION
26 MEET THE TEAM
29 LEAGUE STANDINGS
CONTENTS
RICHARD KAY
A warm welcome to the staff, players and committee of Caln Town to BHP for today's Hellenic League Division 1 game.
It's one of those back to back fixtures that you sometimes get, having only played Calne recently on Good Friday. We travelled over, absolutely decimated due to injuries and player unavailability. However, with a scratch side, a makeshift back 4 and Lewis as an emergency outfield player, we were great value for the 1-1 draw Again, our tremendous team spirit shone through.
The game was spicy to say the least. I could comment about off the field matters but I won't. I'm sure the FA will do their job as footballs' governing body.
Again, I'm expecting a tough game but we are in great form and at home in front of our supporters We had to take what the Calne supporters
threw at us a week ago, so hopefully as always our supporters get right behind the team and are very vocal.
Finally, it's been an absolutely outstanding season. In nearly a year to the weekend, we have won promotion, got to the Challenge Cup quarter-final, Telegraph Cup semi-final losing on pens and have a real shot at a top 8 league finish. Everyone associated with the First Team has gone above and beyond on and off the pitch. Our Saints Army has grown week on week which was evident recently in our tremendous away support of 150+ at Copsewood and the 280 who attended our historic groundhop at BHP.
This club is about you, the supporters and the loca community. Thank you for your tremendous support that has been the 12th man.
HEAD COACH
"This club is about you, the supporters and the local community."
ANDY YEATES
With the season nearly coming to a close, it's good to reflect on how the season has gone.
We had a poor start to the season due to a stop-start preseason with players being away on holiday and coming and going so it took time for players to gel and adapt to the new league.
Once we found our feet and a way of playing, we had a good spell through the middle part of the season and had a great cup run.
We are now looking to end the season well by hopefully finishing in the top ten by winning our remaining games.
With that I'm sure the players will be itching to get back for pre-season this summer, and look to improve on the 22/23 season with hopefully some more good cup runs and see if we can push for those play off places
In all, it's been a great first season, for a lot of our players this has been their first taste of Step 6 football and they have proved they can perform at this level and that they're worthy of this level.
I would like to thank the supporters for their devoted support throughout the season, it is greatly appreciated.
Look forward to seeing you all again next season.
UTS!
CAPTAIN
MATCHREPORT
By David Hucker
UHLSPORT HELLENIC LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
UNITED 3 Lawes, Barby
Keene
At the end of the Hellenic League's Easter Groundhop, there was a crowd of 231 at Bobby Hancocks Park on Monday to see Southam United record back-toback home wins with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Littleton, completing a league double over the visitors.
Southam had won 4-0 when the two sides met at Littleton in September and looked to be on course for a repeat when Jay Lawes put them in control with two first half goals that took his seasonal tally to double figures.
When leading scorer Simon Barby added a third, it looked plain sailing for the home side, but Littleton, who have won just twice this season, pulled one back when Connor Keene scored from the penalty spot to close the gap.
On Friday, Southam fought back from an early goal down to draw 1-1 at Calne Town, the match having kicked off 30 minutes late due to traffic problems on the way to Wiltshire.
Calne got off to a flyer when Asher Jones, with his first goal for the club, gave them a third minute lead, but after the break, Jay Lawes set up Shane Osborne for his tenth of the season to claim a point.
Southam have just four more Hellenic matches left, and play the first of them when they visit Cheltenham Saracens on Thursday, before hosting Calne Town at Bobby Hancocks Park on Saturday, kick off at 3pm.
Attendance: 231
Player of the match: Andy Yeates
SOUTHAM
LITTLETON FC 1
A great Groundhop!
Last Monday saw our match against Littleton FC selected as part of the Hellenic League's Easter Groundhop! We broke club records with an attendance of 231 and there was such a great buzz around the club!
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
1886 A significant moment in history, the story begins, Calne Town FC are born and start playing friendlies Home is the town centre Recreation Ground
1891/92 1st competitive game in the Wilts Cup – the roller coaster ride it begins!
1912/13 trophy case needed winners Wiltshire Senior Cup 1st of many is hope!
1884/85 history made our 1st game in the Wilts League, stunning 9-0 victory v Bradford Town
1920’s sees a marriage with the famous bacon factory works team, Calne & Harris United.
1960’s the club relocates to its current ground, Bremhill View and drops the bacon, back to plain old Calne Town FC … cheap bacon quickly disappears from the club house.
1979/1980 …that was quick! The modern era begins along with some sort of club record keeping!, champions Wiltshire County Division 2…nice one!
1984/85 the trophy cupboard grows, winners in the Wiltshire Senior Cup and the Ghia Senior KO Cup…. really getting a taste for Victory!
1985/86 a new committee was formed with the objective of bringing a higher standard of football to Bremhill View, seen as visionaries of their time!
1986/87 100 years old! and a birthday present received. The big time is here, our application to join the Great Mills Western League Division 2 is rubber stamped.
1991/92 further development work at the ground with the expansion of the social club to provide lounge and bar facilities – fans very appreciative…hic !
1992/93 Glory days with manager Graham Fell at the helm we are Division 2 runners up and promoted to the Premier Division.
1993/1994 Turbulent times, 3 managers in quick succession but surprise appointment of a 22 year old Tommy Saunders keeps us in the top rung. His knack for 'finding' quality players means we enjoy a successful run of top half finishes.
1997/98 An excellent FA Cup run, victorious over Fleet Town, Welton Rovers and Clevedon Town, but hearts finally broken in the last minutes of a home replay against Basingstoke.
1998 Tommy’s destiny for higher things catches up; he is off to Chippenham Town. Assistant Colin Bush, supported by ex-Calne player Lester Foxhall fills his very large boots. Despite the turmoil our highest ever finish in the Top rung, 6th place no less.
1998/99 a traumatic season! Tommy’s legacy fades as many key players desert to higher footballing echelons. New manager Mel Gingell’s hastily assembled young squad cannot compete. Mid-season Mel is dismissed, replaced by John Fisher ex. Swindon Supermarine & Wollen Sports. Too little too late, unable to deliver, relegated to Division 2… a bitter pill is swallowed!
1999/2000 new millennium brings former Calne stalwart Graham Learmonth as manager, assisted admirably by Sean Hughes and Ian Monnery. Ship steadied, the young side produced glimmers of excellence and restores some pride.
2000/01 thump!?@!, we finish bottom and Graham short reign ends, lady luck though is on our side, relegation is avoided by bureaucracy as the league is reconstructed. Phew!
2001/02 brings optimism with newly appointed management team Steve Hale and Paul Rankin. Steve resigns soon after the start leaving Paul and assistant Mark Jefferies in charge. Although again at the foot of the table club and supporters alike feel blood, sweat and tears have been given by players and management so give them some slack.
TODAY'S OPPOSITION
2003/4 new players added and the team complete some memorable performances, FA cup success still eludes. Season ends couple of places short of promotion. Proposals for new ground resurrected but short lived; yes we will stay at Bremhill!
2004/5 one of the most successful seasons in our clubs history Automatic promotion as runners up, secured by victory in the last game of the season…get in there! The bar gets some stick and we are all off to the heady heights of the Premiership. To cap it all an appearance in the League Cup final… but football is a cruel mistress, The Double is not to be, a painful loss on the lottery of penalties to Bridgwater Kelvin CV shining resigns to take over at Melksham.
2005/6 builds on success; new management in Robbie Lardner and Simon Hillier and loyal players ensure the season ends in our highest league position in our 120 year history.
2006/7 sees our longest FA Vase run for some time, losing eventually by a slim margin to Slimbridge. In the league, early promise whimpers out and the team finish mid-table.
2008/9 fast out of the blocks winning most matches before Xmas. Maybe too much turkey as the 2nd half of the season is downhill slipping to 16th place. Not all doom and gloom as we finish runners-up to in the Les Phillips Cup Final losing 2 - 1 in last minute to Oldland Abbotonians As season ends Manager Robbie and Assistant Simon call it a day
2009/10 Mark Barrett announced as new Chairman and Kelvin Highmore returns as manager assisted by Paul Thompson…. who promptly leaves for Devizes Town and is replaced by Tommy Dryden. Winners of the Wiltshire FA Senior Cup, defeating Laverstock and Ford at Salisbury City stadium gives some celebration, but no such luck in the league, poor results means relegation back to Division 1 and the swift resignation of the management team.
2010/11 season, we welcome a new management team in Jeff Roberts, Nick Vitale and Drew Youngsam
2011/12 Jeff and Drew stay in place supported by Anthony “Browner” Brown. We finish our successful campaign a creditable 4th … our best position for many a season.
2012/13 the Jeff and Drew combination remain, riding their luck until it is obvious promotion is not beckoning, they leave and Browner steps up and seeing out the season as manager.
2013/14 struggling for players following the mercenary exodus of 99% of 1st team players over wage cuts the reserve team step up after winning their Wiltshire Premier League race the previous season Browner is replaced at the top by Simon Gardner following his success as Captain and motivator with the squad in the previous season and a mid-table finished is secured.
2014/15 change all around. In the summer break, Simon steps up as Chairman and Neurin Jones our solid team captain is confirmed as our new Player (for a while at least!) Manager
2015/16 Neurin learns the ropes with a young team of local talent supported by influx of Chippenham players - finish 15th in Toolstation Western league Division 1.
2016/17 Early in the season poor results leads to player commitment issues – Neurin disillusioned and out of ideas steps down as manager to be replaced with Dave Ferris Not enough and finish 2nd bottom!
2017/18 Committee makes tough decisions, Dave exits in the summer and new local talent Clive McDaid and Ben Redford offered managers role. No reserves team and a ground share with Bremhill FC
2018/19 Ben and Clive bring in a handful of new signings and finish the season in a respectable 8th place. At the end of the season Clive steps down as joint manager and is replaced by the experienced Trevor Rawlings.
NEW SPONSOR ALERT!
Brindley Twist Tafft & James Solicitors are delighted to be sponsoring Southam United FC as the match ball sponsor for the remainder of the season.
Our local office is located on Coventry Street in the heart of Southam, as a local business we wholeheartedly wish the club every success.
Private Client Solicitor Katie Nightingale, based at our Southam office says “We are thrilled as a firm to be supporting Southam United FC. Working in Southam and being part of the local community, we are keen to see our local club flourish “
Brindley Twist Tafft & James (or simply BTTJ) is a leading firm of solicitors in and around Coventry and Warwickshire. We can trace our beginnings back to 1797 and since then, we’ve not stopped developing great relationships with our clients. This is what helps us deliver the best legal service possible – both to businesses and to individuals. We offer a full range of legal services from our offices in Southam, Coventry, Warwick & Balsall Common.
Our clients often talk about our law firm’s personal touch. That’s because we take the time to understand our clients’ needs and shape the work around them.
BTTJ solicitors are specialists in their fields, committed to providing the same high quality, trusted and effective legal advice that they have offered for more than two centuries.
Our solicitors are on hand to offer expert advice to individuals across a myriad of specialities including Wills, LPA’s & Probate, Employment Law, Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce or Medical Negligence,
And if you’re a business, you’ll find our lawyers have the specialist knowledge and expertise to provide effective tailored solutions, whether it’s Corporate and Commercial advice Dispute Resolution, Commercial al Services. Visit www.bttj.co re information.
"Thank you to everyone at the club , every moment stands out for me. It's been a pleasure getting to know you all."Andy
club president
"Making so many wonderful new friends and being involved in the club at such an exciting time!" - Amy Dunkley, volunteer
Meeting our new 'lucky charm' - Benson!
"My boy being inspired by the first team was such a joy to see. His confidence has grown so much. The lads were so great with the under 9 devils." - Kit L Elli, Southam supporter
Tibbatts,
"There have been so many, it's impossible to choose just one! Going away to Calne with a scratch side and drawing 11, our Groundhop day getting a club record attendance, and getting out first point at Step 6 away at Stratford after 5 straight defeats at the start of the season!" -
Lee Petch, first team assistant
"For me, it's been finding out a few surprises about our very own Petchy! I still can't believe he's never mentioned any of this!" - Mike
Davis, chairman
"There have been so many great moments this year, lots of memories made. The progress on and off the pitch has been incredible - thank you to everyone! I feel the Remembrance game was a very special one with the Remembrance service and the guy playing the Last Post - gave me goosebumps. Also, a very proud Mum when Harry read his poem on the pitch next to his Dad and little brother. Overall, what a season! The club is going from strength to strength."
Lauren Thomas, co-owner
OUR SEASON IN STATS (SO
FAR...)
MEETTHE 2022/23TEAM
22/23 LEAGUE STANDINGS
Hellenic League Division 1
3 points were deducted from Bourton Rovers for: 07/10/22 Reason Unknown
APRIL FIXTURES
1st Newent Town (H)
7th
Calne Town (A)
10th
Littleton (H)
13th
Cheltenham Saracens (A)
15th
Calne Town (H)
18th
Moreton Rangers (A)
22nd
Long
Crendon (A)
Season Results
Season Results
SATURDAY 15th APRIL - 3:00PM
BOBBY HANCOCKS PARK
Southam United Football Club Calne Town Football Club
First Team Manager: Richard KAY
First Team Assistant: Lee PETCH
First Team Assistant: Lee WALKINSHAW
First Team Coach: Ryan CHAMPKINS
Goalkeeping Coach: Alan KINNEAR
Simon BARBY (C)
Solomon BLOOMER
Ellis CHAMPKINS
Ethan CHAMPKINS
Josh DIXON
Theo DRUMMOND
Sam DUNN
Charlie GREEN
Bradley GODDARD
Ryan HARRIS
Lewis HUDSON
Ryan KING
Jay LAWES
Kyle LOCKLIN
Melvin MAURITSON
Adam NEALE
Patrick O'BRIEN
Shane OSBORNE
Kasey SMITH
Alfie SPEED
Callum STEWART
Ben TENNANT
Craig WATKIN
Andy YEATES
Referee: Kevin DUDLEY
Managers: Trevor RAWLINGS
Head Coach: Alex BLAKE
Coach: James STOBBART
Coach: Graham LEARMONTH
Physio: Tim SMITH
Bailey LEACH
Nick MILLS (C)
Cameron SANCHEZ
Danny BOWYER
Stuart WINDSOR
Matthew ROBINSON
Josh BRIGHT
Joe WILLIAMSON
Declan McSTRAVICK
Harrison SARTIN
Will FOWLER
Tom ROGERS
Matthew ASHMAN
Gabe COSTELLO
Oscar WEBSTER
Jack SMITH
Asher JONES
Jake BRAND
Owain WHEELER
Assistant: Malcolm STEWART
Assistant: Rodney HADDRELL
