Southam Utd vs Newent Town FC Official Match Day Programme

Management

First Team Manager Richard Kay

First

Southam

First

RICHARD KAY

A warm welcome to the staff, players and committee of Newent Town for today's Hellenic 1 league game

The reverse fixture before Christmas was action packed to say the least. Close to a four hour round trip midweek, an unplayable frozen pitch and a very entertaining game Credit to both sets of players on the night It's another game we managed to come from behind and win. As always in this league, I'm expecting a very tough game today.

We are on a great run Last week's game at Malmesbury has shown just how far we continue to progress We have played a lot of the top 6 sides recently, and how the fixtures have played out over Christmas and into the New Year has been gruelling.

I thought in our last home game against Hartpury that we were good for a point It was a high level step 6 game where it came down to fine margins. The Malmesbury game was another great advert for the Hellenic league. Two teams going toe to toe to win the game. Chances galore and a real nail-biting game Again we went behind early but again our reaction was superb We turned the game around to lead 2-1 with 20 minutes to go but the home side were awarded a baffling penalty to snatch a draw. Malmesbury are a good side, with one of the league's

best frontlines The resilience we showed to get a result was the most pleasing aspect of the performance We came under severe pressure at times, and as a group we had to suffer in periods of the game. The mentality of the players as a collective has improved so much We will always score goals and be a threat, but to be a successful team is all about mentality

The next week or so is the most important period of the season. With the Chinnor game added on the 24th, we now have 4 games in 8 days It's going to take a monumental effort One we are more than up for

Enjoy the game.

"We will always score goals and be a threat, but being a successful team is all about mentality"

SIMON BARBY

I would like to start off by saying Happy New Year to all of the supporters, management staff, all of the players, everyone who helps out behind the scenes and all of the volunteers.

We welcome Newent Town to BHP ground. The last time we played these, we had a long trek over for a midweek game on a frosty, icy pitch but we dug deep and took all 3 points. We are hoping to take 3 points again, We're in good form and we need to keep that momentum going so we can climb the league. We are looking to get back to winning ways and keep building momentum to finish the second half of the season off!

Targets for this year are to finish as far as possible up the league and give a good push to see how far we can go - maybe even see if we can get into the playoffs We've played some really good football and played with confidence and belief in each other Players who came on off the bench made a big impact which helps to have a big squad to rotate and freshen up The whole of the Southam squad are just enjoying football and have good banter on and off the pitch, like one big happy family! We are very happy to have such a good spirit at BHP!

Also we have Ellis Champkin's 50th appearance for the club today. I'm so happy for him, he's such a nice, young, talented footballer - an engine workhorse in midfield! Also a big special mention to Andy Tibbatt's 80th birthday! Hope you have a great day and that we can secure 3 points on your special day!

Right, back to it, 3 games in 5 days next week - 2 cups and a leagueall come thick and fast. It'll be a big test, we'll need to use all of our squad depth and will be very busy playing games which we have been forced into playing with small amounts of recovery time. But we're Southam and we will make sure we do a job to get through the cups and earn 3 points, keep the great momentum and the performances coming in

Hope to see everyone down watching us today - hot food, drinks and lovely hospitality! Cheers!

"Targets for this year are to finish as far as possible up the league and give a good push to see how far we can go"

MATCHREPORT

By David Hucker

HELLENIC LEAGUE DIVISION 1

THE CORINIUM STADIUM, 14.1.23

MALMESBURY VICTORIA 2 Packer 8', Witt 65'

SOUTHAM UNITED 2 Dixon 35', Barby 64'

With their own pitch underwater after flooding, Malmesbury Victoria switched their Hellenic League Division One encounter with Southam United to Cirencester Town's The Corinium Stadium and the match ended in a 2-2 draw, the same score line as when the two clubs met back in November.

Manager Richard Kay made one change from the side that had lost to Hartpury University the week before as Ellis Champkins came into the starting line up, with Callum Stewart on the bench.

Malmesbury, who started the match in sixth place, took the lead after just eight minutes through Jamie Packer, but Southam were back on level terms by half-time thanks to a 20-yard shot into the bottom left-hand corner by leading scorer Josh Dixon.

Southam goalkeeper Lewis Hudson pulled off some fine saves after the break to keep the scores level and they went ahead through captain Simon Barby in the 64th minute, only for the home side to square the match through a disputed penalty converted by Kyle Witt.

Player of the match: Lewis Hudson Attendance: 64

Malmesbury Victoria: Josh Langley, Matt Fusco, Andy Baker, Biaggio Mazzota, Dale Richards, Lewis Toop, George Peare, Chalmers Phin, Jack Smith, Jamie Packer, Kyle Witt {Capt }

Subs: George Evatt, Ollie Crosby-Clarke, Ben Patey, Any Brown

Southam United: Lewis Hudson, Sam Dunn (Ryan Harris), Craig Watkin, Andrew Yeates, Adam Neale, Ellis Champkins, Jai Newell-Holley, Simon Barby {Capt }, Shane Osborne, Ethan Champkins, Joshua Dixon

Subs not used: Bradley Goddard, Callum Stewart, Theo Drummond

Ellis Champkins

I would firstly like to congratulate Ellis on his 50th appearance for the Southam United first team.

It seems ages ago, with a global pandemic in between, that Ellis made his First Team debut early in the 2019/20 season. Ellis was part of the U18s, but it quickly became apparent that he needed to firstly step up and train with the first team, then make his debut against Long Crendon Res. It was some debut, as like in many games that have followed, he was all action in an 8 or 9 nil win away from home. Since that game Ellis has been an ever present.

Ellis is a coaches dream - so coachable and always leaves everything out on the pitch For a player who is still only 20 years old, he has gained so much experience already.

The biggest compliment I can give Ellis is that you rarely see many 20 years old playing regularly in the middle of the park.

Ellis has like so many of the players who have represented the club since 2019, given so much to the club along with his unbelievable family and his girlfriend Mia.

Congratulations on your 50th appearance Ellis, and thank you for giving me everything a manager could ask for in a player and a young man

Much love and respect, Rich

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.

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

NEWENT TOWN FC

Newent Town AFC was established in 1920. So we’ve just had our Centenary year. We still have a team photo of the 1920 team on the clubhouse wall !

Through history they have played in the North Gloucester league and were promoted to the Northern Senior League in the 1970s. Then spent a while bouncing down and back up again, before finally reaching the Gloucester County League and becoming a founder member.

They remained in the Glos County League for 6 years. After a tumble, the big push started in 2012 when Newent won the North Glos Premier League Title on the last game of the season.

Milkwall were top, 2 points clear of Newent. But the 2 teams played each other in the very last fixture. So a draw was enough for Milkwall, but Newent needed all 3 points to become Champions.

It all came down to a last minute header, to win the last game of the season 1-0. Moving Newent from 2nd place to Champions in a flash.

They then completing a back-to-back promotions from Northern Senior 2 the very next season. They spend 3 years in Northern Senior 1, with a best place finish of 3rd, picking up the League Cup twice in a row.

Having spent considerable money and work on the facilities, Newent were invited into the Hellenic League system in Div Two West (playing best teams across Hereford, Glos, Oxford, Staffs, Bristol & Wiltshire). Controversially, they attempted to leave a team in the Northern Senior League, claiming that the Hellenic teams was a new one. But after 6 games, an EGM was called and their ejection was voted on by the clubs. The result of the vote was 16 for ejection and 16 against. So the Management Committee took the deciding vote and they were kicked out with immediate effect.

TODAY'S OPPOSITION

NEWENT TOWN FC

The Hereford League threw the team a lifeline with a league place in Div 2. So the team at least had some football to look forward to, but they started with 6 games in hand. Amazingly, this team actually won the Hereford League, beating Bartestree on the last game of the season. But, as if there wasn’t enough controversy. After the season finished and Newent had completed their presentation evening. The Hereford League pulled Newent up on a rule breach and awarded then Title to Bartestree (although the Medals were never returned). Meanwhile, the Hellenic Newent 1st team, under the new Management of Ben Stringer and Martin Elton (former Newent players), finished as Champions at the first attempt. Again, they held their nerve to win it, at home on the last game of the season, edging out 2nd place by 3 points. They were awarded a £100,000 grant from the FA, installed Floodlighting and a 75 seater stand and claimed their promotion to Hellenic Div 1 West. With this promotion to Div 1 West, Newents other team (the Reserves) immediately rejected the Hereford Promotion and jumped across to Hellenic Div 2 West, where they still play now. Having joined Hellenic 1 West in 2018/19 (the highest level in their history), they have adapted pretty well to the National League step 6 standard.

With Floodlights and a ground grading ‘G’, they entered the FA Vase last season, winning their first round game and then getting edged out 2-1 at Longlevens. This season Newent made their debut in the FA Cup, losing narrowly out at Cribbs 3-1 and putting themselves firmly on the map.

We now a UEFA Grade coach in charge. Executive Committee over the last 7 years have been

Chairman - Dennis Stringer

Secretary - Phil Clarke

Treasurer - David Smith

Commercial Manager - Ross Allard

MEETTHE 2022/23TEAM

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 L 3-1

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

, 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

hampkins, El Champkins, Osborne, Barby, Dixon

Drummond, Goddard, Stewart

First

First

First

First

Simon