Southam Utd vs Abingdon Utd 18.2.23 - Official 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

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 Amy Dunkley & Rhian

Tilley

6 LETTER FROM THE MANAGER

10 MATCH REPORT

15 BOOTS' BIRTHDAY!

17 OUR HISTORY

22 TODAY'S OPPOSITION

28 LEAGUE STANDINGS

RICHARD KAY

A warm welcome to the staff, players and committee of Abingdon to BHP for today's Hellenic League Game

The reverse fixture was only our second game in the league, back in August which Abingdon won 10 late in the game. I felt on the night that a draw was a fair result, but Abingdon have shown this season that they are a good who are in the playoff mix

At the time of writing this, we go into another big last 16 cup tie at Cirencester Dev, on the back of a good point in our local derby against FC Stratford. We haven't lost back to back league games since August, so the progress in terms of being much more stable and resilient is there for all to see The next part of this team's development is to play with the quality I know we have more consistently I would say we are one of the most hardworking teams in the league, and a lot of teams have commented on how organised we have become. To win these fine margin games, or really think about being a top 6 team, we

have to play with more quality week in week out. For us to finish in the top half and get to a cup final, we will need real moments of quality and manage key moments in games much better.

Today's game should be another great advert for the league

Enjoy the game.

"The progress in terms of being much more stable and resilient is there for all to see."

SIMON BARBY

Today we welcome Abingdon to the BHP ground!

We have had some decent form in recent weeks, winning cup matches, getting points on the league table, great performances and great team spirit! Not only through the squad but from all of the Southam volunteers to the supporters - it's all become one big family!

There's a big buzz around Southam and BHP at the moment. We played a local derby against FC Stratford last week. It was a well fought battle between two teams. The first half didn't have a fast start or any real chances for either side, but second half there was a difference in us We came out strong, battled hard, created chances and went 1-0 up deservedly The game wasn't helped with some questionable decisions by the officials, including their equalising goal, a handball in the box which led to a penalty In my opinion it was very harsh and a soft decision! He overlooked a lot of handballs during the game, but we came out of the game with a draw and a point

We have a cup match on Tuesday (14th) which we may or may not have won by the time this comes

out, away to Cirencester in the last 16, so fingers crossed we'll be in the last 8 by the time we are reading this!

I would like to say a big happy 40th birthday to Lee Walkinshaw, aka Boots. Absolute legend and great coach. He is a very approachable guy, will always talk and have great things to say, and will solve your problems. Have a great day mate!

I hope to see all the supporters back down to enjoy all the hot and cold drinks and food. Enjoy DJ Rav's music entertainment after the game with a few beers!

Enjoy all the hospitality!

Cheers, Capitano Simon!

"There's a big buzz around Southam and BHP at the moment. Not only through the squad but from all of the Southam volunteers to the supporters - it's all become one big family!"

MATCHREPORT

By David Hucker

HELLENIC LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

SOUTHAM UNITED 1 Osborne 56'

STRATFORD FC 1

Sones 80'

With manager Richard Kay away, assistant manager Ryan Champkins took charge for this local derby against FC Stratford and it ended all square, just as the first meeting between the two sides had finished back in August.

Both sides were looking to bounce back after defeats the weekend before, but the match was still goalless at the interval. Southam took the lead through Shane Osborne in the 56th minute, but they couldn't hold on as Stratford equalised from the penalty spot in the 80th minute when 'keeper Lewis Hudson just failed to reach Robbie Sones' well-placed strike into the bottom corner.

On Tuesday, Southam are away to Cirencester Town Development in the Bluefin Sports (UHL) Challenge Cup.

Player of the match: Ethan Champkins

Attendance: 73

Southam United: Lewis Hudson, Ryan Harris, Ellis Champkins, Craig Watkin, Simon Barby {Capt.}, Joshua Dixon, Ricky Barby, Shane Osborne, Ethan Champkins, Andrew Yeates, Adam Neale

Subs: Bradley Goddard, Jacob Rabone, Callum Stewart, Sam Dunn, Theo Drummond

Stratford FC: Callum Monaghan, Cian Hodson, Benjamin Cook (Paddy McGrory 72), Kian Hamer, Sacha Everard, Joshua Aspinall-Smyth (Leon MacHisa 64), Daniel Atkins, Daniel Chaundy, Matthew Reed, Robbie Sone, Jake Collins

Subs not used: Oliver Taylor, Joseph Waterfield, Harry Cook

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.

H A P P Y 4 0 T H B I R T H D A Y B O O T S !

Boots' birthday message from the Chairman

Well, Lee, what can I say here, aside from the fact that it's about time you started grafting brother

In all seriousness, after a long time in football, with many different coaches, players and back room staff, I have to say you're one of the most genuine, hard-working, dedicated, passionate, respectful, insightful and loyal coaches I've ever had the pleasure of working alongside.

Not only you, but your family as well, have gone way past above and beyond, for the badge, players, community and fans here at Southam, something that means the world to us all and has been noticed by all involved at the club.

We as a family at the club could never truly show you how grateful we all are but I hope this message demonstrates, even a fraction, of our overall appreciation for what you have brought into Southam

I want to wish you, we want to wish you, an amazing, outstanding and fantastic birthday that you certainly deserve. We hope to be able to write another one of these birthday messages for many years to come.

Today, let's raise a glass to Boots, happy birthday!

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.

MEETTHE 2022/23TEAM

22/23 LEAGUE STANDINGS

Hellenic League Division 1

3 points were deducted from Bourton Rovers for: 07/10/22 Reason Unknown

FEBRUARY FIXTURES

LOST0-1

4th Stonehouse Town (H)

7th

11th

18th

21st

25th

POSTPONED

Shortwood United (A)

DREW1-1

FC Stratford (H)

Abingdon United (H)

Long

Crendon FC (A)

Bourton Rovers (A)

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

Friday 27th

FEB 2023

Saturday 4th

Saturday 11th

Saturday 18th

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)

FC Stratford (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*

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

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

Hudson, Dunn, Watkin, Yeates, Neale, Et Champkins

Hudson, Harris, Stewart, El Champkins, Watkin, Barb

Hudson, Harris, Watkin, Yeates, Neale, El Champkins

, 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

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

hampkins, El Champkins, Osborne, Barby, Dixon

hampkins, El Champkins, Osborne, Barby, Dixon Newell-Holley, Barby (C), Osborne, El Champkins, Dixon

Dunn, Newell-Holley, Goddard, Drummond, Tennant

by (C), Dixon, R Barby, Osborne, Et Champkins, Newell-Holley , Et Champkins, R Barby, Osborne, S Barby (C), Dixon

Drummond, Goddard, Stewart Goddard, Stewart, Drummond, Harris Myton, Rabone Goddard, Rabone, Stewart, Dunn, Drummond

SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY - 3:00PM

Southam United Football Club Abingdon United 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

BOBBY HANCOCKS PARK