Stowmarket Community Sports and Social Club CIC Bury Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1JQ 01449 612533
info@stowmarkettownfc.co.uk stowmarkettownfc.co.uk twitter.com/stowtownfc instagram..com/stowtownfc facebook.com/stowmarkettownfc
Eastern Counties League First Division Winners:
2016-17
Suffolk Premier Cup Winners: 1962-63, 1976-77, 1985-86, 1990-91
Suffolk Senior Cup Winners: 1930-31, 1932-33, 1933-34, 1950-51, 1951-52, 1957-58, 1961-62, 1964-65, 2006-07
Suffolk Junior Cup Winners:
1907-08
Essex & Suffolk Border League Winners:
1950-51
Essex & Suffolk Border League Cup Winners: 1950-51, 1951-52, 1970-71, 1991-92, 1994-95
Thurlow Nunn Reserve League Winners:
2018/19
CHAIRMAN: Kevin Blundell
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Ian Moyes
DIRECTORS:
Nigel Jarvis, (Director Infrastructure)
Doug French (Commercial Director) Paul Rudland (Director of Operations)
MANAGER: Chris Casement
ASSISTANT MANAGER: Richard Wilkins
GOALKEEPING COACH: Nathan Munson
RESERVES MANAGER: Craig Brown
UNDER-18’S MANAGER: Liam Hawkins
UNDER-18’S ASSISTANT MANAGERS: Ellis Smith
Stowmarket Town Football Club is thrilled to introduce Chris Casement as the club’s new manager/player, with a vast array of experience and achievements garnered from his 18 years in football, both as a professional footballer and coach, Chris is set to bring a
With over 450 senior games under his belt, Chris has a proven track record of success on the pitch. He played a key role in leading Wycombe Wanderers to promotion to EFL League 1 in the 08/09 season and won six League titles with Linfield FC in Northern Ireland. Additionally, he was a member of the Ipswich Town FC team that lifted the FA Youth Cup in 2005. He also boasts international experience, having represented Northern Ireland at the U17, U19, U21, and senior level.
As a coach, Chris has eight years of experience in Northern Ireland and England, working with age groups from U8s to U18s. He has also worked as Head Recruitment Officer for Suffolk, Norfolk & Cambridgeshire and as a
“First of all I’m delighted & excited to be the new manager of Stowmarket Town FC. It’s something I’ve been working towards for a while now, with my playing years catching up on me. I’d like to thank Kev & the rest of the board for showing great faith in me as a young manager to take the club forward. I’m looking forward to working with a great group of players to see what can be achieved”
The board of directors would like to extend a massive thank you to Wilks and Munno for stepping up in the interim position and helping to guide the club through a difficult period. Their dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed, and they will continue to play a vital role at Stowmarket Town Football Club. With the combined experience and enthusiasm of Chris, Wilks, and Munno.
The club is poised for a bright future. Best of luck to Chris as he takes us forward!
Chris passion for the game, combined with his extensive experience, has already made him a pivotal part of Stowmarket Town’s success in recent seasons as a player. Chris would like to express his excitement about this new opportunity, stating,
I’VE
In March, Stowmarket Town Football Club was honoured with two Isthmian League awards. Performance of the Month and Manager of the Month for Chris Casement. These awards celebrate our club’s outstanding achievements during a remarkable period, in which we secured six wins in six games.
Last month, we revitalised our play-off aspirations in the North Division, claiming five league victories and climbing into the top five. Additionally, we secured a notable 3-1 win against AFC Sudbury, advancing to the semi-finals of the Suffolk Premier Cup.
Following a remarkable run of wins, Chris Casement, was awarded the Vita Risk Solutions North Division Manager of the Month.
The month concluded with a memorable 3-1 victory over North Division leaders Hashtag United. This was witnessed by a crowd of 734, ended Hashtag’s incredible 21-match league winning streak.
Stowmarket Town FC is proud to announce the recent progress of its young players in the first team. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a number of our reserves players step up and make meaningful contributions to the first team, showcasing the bright future that lies ahead for our club.
Kieran Morley, a talented midfielder/striker and local Stowmarket boy, has already made a significant impact with 7 goals in 10 games for our reserves squad. Kieran, who is related to one of our own, Tony Morley, has been called up to the first team on several occasions and is eagerly waiting for the opportunity to showcase his talent and replicate his form in the first team.
In his own words, “It’s been an honour to be involved with the first team again all these years after last being with them! To be called up again a decade later is a dream come true. As a Stowmarket boy through and through, I’m relishing the chance and can’t wait to get going.” We’re confident that Kieran has a bright future ahead of him and believe that he will continue to make a positive impact.
Joel Simmons, another promising young player, has shown great potential in both the reserves and first team. Craig Brown (Jimmy), our Reserves Team manager says, Joel is “my most consistent player in my squad.” Jimmy also praised Joel’s first team contributions, noting that “he has great feet and low centre of gravity, which makes him a valuable asset on the pitch.”
Dan Knights, a local left-back, has been called up to the first team and is eager to make an impression. With his talent and commitment, we’re confident that he has a bright future ahead of him.
In addition to our reserves players, we’re thrilled to see two U18 players from Liam Hawkins’ team called up to the first team.
We’re very excited for the future of Zach Gayfer, who, at only 16 years old, was named Man of the Match on his full debut against Hullbridge. His hard work and dedication have earned him a two-week trial with Ipswich Town, which is a testament to his exceptional talent and potential. It’s remarkable that after just one game for our first team, Zach has been given such a great opportunity, and we’re excited to see how he continues to progress.
Oliver Okeh is another young player who has been called up by Chris Casement for the Gorleston match. While he hasn’t played for the first team yet, it’s a great sign that Chris is using young players and giving them opportunities to develop.
As we enter a new era, we’re excited to see the progress of our young players and reserves squad in the first team. At Stowmarket Town FC, we’re committed to investing in the future of our club by turning to our reserves and youth. We believe in supporting and nurturing our young talent to bring success to Stowmarket Town FC. Let’s continue to support our young players as they make a positive impact at our club.
Abuse in all sport has now become a noticeably massive thing and especially in football. Since the advent of that day a year ago when some very high-profile players told their very distressing stories live on the Victoria Derbyshire show and subsequently brought about the advent and birth of the wonderful organisation The Offside Trust who have done amazing work with no funding from The Football association at all to help them and a very minimal amount from the PFA. Their help has given me the strength to deal with what happened to me all those years ago as it did to them.
As a young child I wanted nothing more than to watch football, play football and be a professional footballer. My uncle used to take me to watch Luton Town from the age of seven onwards at first my uncle was wonderful nothing was too much trouble and enjoyed our visits to watch Luton at home and used to get extremely excited at around noon awaiting my uncle’s arrival to take me and even have a kick about in the park before the game. Unfortunately, there was an ulterior motive I later found out to this as from the age of around nine we used to go to coaching sessions with a team on our way to football under the guise of they worked for Luton Town and if I did well, I would have a chance to fulfil my dreams.
Just as the season started and the coaching session became more intense, I was told that they could help me fulfil my dreams if I did something for them after the games. At first it was nothing too bad just touching etc of parts of their anatomy, but it slowly became a lot more sinister with more of our team involved in some sadistic and sordid acts including being raped over one hundred times, some even photographed and filmed. When we left the so-called house, we were all given gifts and told that we must never tell anyone that these things had happened.
The older I got the more the acts became more depraved, and the threats became even more dreadful should we go to the police etc or even tell what had happened. I retreated into a shell on my return home and would turn into an insular and exceedingly difficult person. Luckily once I reached the age of twelve my
uncle no longer came to get me and the trips to football stopped as luckily, I found a more local club to allow me to play.
This club was well run and very safe with good coaches and it made me wonder what and why the original team coaches had asked me to do the things they did. I was still fearful of telling my parents so hid the sordid things away for many many years.
About 9 years ago I was summonsed to a meeting at a solicitor’s office in London after my uncle had died and left his will. I was taken to a side room and given a letter from my uncle by the solicitor that he instructed me was going to be read out at the will reading. The letter detailed my uncles and his friends sordid past and was his was of asking the family for forgiveness from his crimes, unfortunately it was to be announced that he had abused a member of the family with his friends in an unbelievably bad way and wanted forgiveness.
The family had no idea but as you can imagine it was exceptionally harrowing for me and my mum and sisters and really was difficult for all to take, unfortunately I was blamed and called a liar by most of his side of the family meaning that I was cast aside as an outcast by that side of the family.
From that moment on I became an exceedingly difficult person to even talk to and took to drinking excessively ended up losing my wife, house, and a lot of family members. I also had to attend two court cases to see some of the dreadful people sentenced which was an exceedingly difficult experience.
As with all people that have suffered any sort of abuse, I tried to take my own life about a year ago but was found and have regular treatment from counsellors and doctors to ensure I can make the best recovery possible from these dreadful nightmares.
I apologise if this is harrowing reading, but it is the only way to get the message across and I will say I have left out the dreadful bits as no one should go through what I and my friends did for over those horrible years meaning most of us lost our childhood and still struggle dreadfully on the difficult days which we all still have.
Alan Arber A Survivor
MANAGER
ALEX ROSSIS
PLAYERS
CHARLIE WOODS
BEN MAYHEW
JOE HOOD
CARLOS EDWARDS
OLIVER FENN
LEWIS O’MALLEY
JOE WHITE
RYAN JOLLAND
LEE WATKINS
CHARLEY BARKER
BEN CURTIS
ETHAN FLACK
MAX MAUGHN
CEMAL RAMADAN
DARREN MILLS
ALEX ROSSIS
Founded in 1872, Bury Town Football Club is one of the oldest Football Club’s in the country and has a proud history dating back over 130 years.
The club was founded by Mr William Lake at a meeting in the Suffolk Hotel. The original name of the club was Bury St Edmunds FC and the first committee of the club elected to choose royal blue as the club’s colours, and therefore the club has been nicknamed the ‘Blues’ for its history.
The club took up residence at Kings Road, also know as the Cemetery Road ground, in 1888. Kings Road was the first football ground in East Anglia to operate floodlights when on Monday 12th January 1953, the Blues played their first ever floodlit game against Cambridge City in front of 2,105 spectators. A total of 14 bulbs of 1500 watts illuminated the Suffolk skyline for the first time and history was created. The lights were financed by the Bury Town Supporters Club.
A notable player for the club in the early days was Reginald De Courtney Welch who appeared a defender for Bury St Edmunds in 1877. De Courtney Welch was a member of The Wanderers side that successful won the first ever FA Cup in 1872 and he also played in the first ever official international match for England, against Scotland in November 1872.
The club was one of 11 founder members of the Suffolk County Football Association in 1885 and had won the Suffolk Premier Cup on 9 occasions.
The clubs name was changed by a vote to Bury Town in September 1885, however 10 years later the members chose to adopt the full name of the Town back as the name, before changing to Bury United in 1908. In 1923 the clubs members decided that the name ‘United’ was no longer appropriate as there were a number of sides in Bury St Edmunds, and decided to revert to Bury Town, which has remained to this day.
The club played in various local leagues until 1935 when it became a founder member of the Eastern Counties League. The club spent a total of 22 consecutive seasons in the Eastern Counties League, finishing as runners up in 1937-38. The Blues claimed the ECL title in the 1963-64 season as part of an historic treble, as they also captured the ECL Knockout Cup and the Suffolk Premier Cup.
This success saw the club move to the Metropolitan League and they kicked off their first ever game against Charlton Athletic ‘A’ at Kings Road in front of 1,150 spectators, Bury running out 1-0 winners. The club finished 4th in their first season and also retained the Suffolk Premier Cup.
Season 1965-66 was another successful season and another treble haul of trophies as the club stormed to the Metropolitan League title, won the Metropolitan League Cup and the Suffolk Premier Cup again. By this time the club were averaging over 1,000 supporters at their home matches and interest in the club was at an all time high.
In 1968, the Blues reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup and drew Third Division side Bournemouth & Boscombe at Kings Road. 3,000 spectators assembled and witnessed Bury hold the Football League side to a goalless draw. The replay saw Bournemouth win through by 3 goals to 0 at Dean Court. The season had further success when the Blues won the Metropolitan League title for a second time.
The clubs success resulted them taking the bold step to join the Southern Football League for the 1971-72 season. The club struggled to adapt to their new surroundings and after five seasons, decided to take the decision to re-join the Eastern Counties League, a decision that proved unpopular with supporters.
On Wednesday 28th April 1976, Bury Town played their final match at the historic Kings Road ground when West Ham United were the visitors. 1,750 watched on as the sides drew 2-2, and a pitch invasion signalled the end of the Blues spiritual home.
Bury Town moved into their current Ram Meadow ground in 1978 and collected the Suffolk Premier Cup as a reward. The Blues spent a total of 11 seasons in the ECL and their greatest moment came in their final season when the reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and were drawn away at Football Conference leaders Enfield. The sides drew 0-0 at Southbury Road and returned to Ram Meadow for the replay, however in front 2,500 supporters, the visitors sneaked home 1-0 to reach the First Round Proper.
The 1987-88 season saw ambition retuned to the Town and Bury were promoted to the Southern League, leaving their ECL rivals Braintree Town and Sudbury Town behind. Both clubs would later elect to follow in the Blues footsteps.
After a few seasons of promising results and large home crowds, the Blues failed to reach the Premier Division, the closest they came was finishing 4th in 1988-89. Years of overspending on players and ground improvements finally caught up and the club drifted into decline as the crowds drifted away. On the 4th May 1996, the Blues were relegated at Redditch United from the Midland Division of the Southern League, back to the Eastern Counties League; a Suffolk Premier Cup final victory over Woodbridge Town was the only thing to cheer up the supporters. The club was however in severe financial difficulty and supporters were relieved to see football at Ram Meadow in 1997.
The club spent another 10 years in the ECL, and despite some early seasons of struggles, success coincided with the appointment of former Colchester United captain Richard Wilkins to the manager’s seat. The club reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase in 2005 and then the Semi Final in 2006. Crowds rose back up and after two consecutive runners up spots in the Premier Division of the ECL, the club were promoted to the Isthmian League for the first time in their history.
The stay lasted two seasons and after adjusting to a higher level in 2006-07 with a 17th place finish, the following season saw the Blues finish in 7th position.
The FA re-organisation in 2008 saw Bury moved into the Southern League for a third spell of membership. A successful campaign saw Bury finish in 7th position in the Midland Division table, reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, losing 4-2 at Alfreton Town, and reach the Semi Final of the Southern League Cup, however in 2009-10, Bury Town clinched the Southern League Midland Division Championship on the final day of the season with a 3-0 home victory over Marlow in front of 1,550 supporters. The Blues pipped Hitchin Town to the title, scoring 115 goals during the campaign and collecting 102 points to gain promotion. Another move across the pyramid saw the Blues re-join the Ryman League for the 2010-11 season, entering the Premier Division for the first time in the clubs history.
Bury’s first season in the Premier Division saw them in contention for the championship right up until the final few weeks, when defeat at Sutton United saw the title go to the Surrey side. Bury finished 3rd in the table but exited the play off’s at the Semi Final stage. There was however silverware for the trophy cabinet as Bury collected the Suffolk Premier Cup, defeating Needham Market 2-0 at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road.
20011-12 saw the club lift the Ryman League Cup with a victory over East Thurrock United and again finished in the play off places, but lost out to AFC Hornchurch in the Semi Final. 2014-15 saw our spell in the Premier Division come to an end after 5 years with relegation to Division One North. In our last two seasons back in Division One North we have finished in 13th and 11th place. 2017-18 saw the Blues finish 9th and reach the final of the Suffolk Premier Cup.
2018-19 saw the Blues press for the play off places and a hope of a return to the Premier Division. It was a successful season with a 6th placed finished achieved, the best finish the club has had since relegation in 2015.
SPONSORS
HOME NEIL PRENTICE
AWAY IAN VAN DER REE
SPONSORS
HOME TARTARS ARMY AWAY CJR SURVEYING LTD
HOME & AWAY SPONSORS
TONY MORLEY & JAMES BAXTER
HOME & AWAY SPONSOR
TONY MORLEY
HOME & AWAY SPONSOR
TONY MORLEY
ED UPSON
SPONSORSHIP RESERVED
HOME & AWAY SPONSORS
PRECON PRODUCTS
SPONSORS
HOME GS SAFETY TRAINING
AWAY TARTERS ARMY
HARVEY SAYER
SPONSORED BY THE 2 EDDIES SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
SPONSORSHIP HOME ZARKEYS
SPONSORS
SPONSORS HOME THE 2 EDDIES AWAY
SPONSORED BY THE 2 EDDIES
SPONSORED BY THE 2 EDDIES SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
SPONSORED BY THE 2 EDDIES SPONSORSHIP HOME ZARKEYS
Sponsor your favourite player and have your company advertised throughout the season across our print and online platforms. Player sponsors will have their company promoted in our matchday programme, on our website, and on our social media channels.
Sponsoring a player is the ideal way to promote your company to our supporters. A player sponsor will have their company advertised in our matchday programme, on our website, and on our social media channels throughout the season.
EMAIL VICKI@STOWMARKETTOWNFC.CO.UK
Stowmarket Community Sports & Social Club CIC was formed in 2009 with the aim to create a community club, driven by football, that builds better facilities for the good of Stowmarket.
Our mission statement focuses on five key principles:
• Community
• Equality
• Participants
• Trust and Respect Integrity and Fair Play
The CIC’s aim is to bring the community to Greens Meadow. To achieve this, our three main objectives are to:
• Improve the clubhouse facilities
• Improve the performances on the pitch
• Change the age demographic of the club to rejuvenate local interest
MONDAY CLOSED
TUESDAY - THURSDAY
7:00PM - 11:00PM
FRIDAY 5:00PM - 11:00PM
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
12:00PM - 11:00PM
THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITY ARE AVAILABLE FOR HIRE STARTING
SCAN QR CODE TO BOOK
EARLY BIRD OFFER
Stow Town fans can now cast their vote for their player of the season. Votes will close at 8pm on Thursday, 30th April. The winner will be announced at the end of the season event on Friday 5th May
STOWMARKET TOWN
(GK) JAMES BRADBROOK O
(C) TOM BULLARD O
JOE JEFFORD O
JACK AINSLEY O
CHRIS CASEMENT O
KANE MUNDAY O
TOMMY SMITH O
LUKE HIPKIN O
JACK WILKINSON O
JOSH CURRY O
KIERAN MORLEY O
ZACH GAYFER O
ELLIS GIRLING O
ED UPSON O
HARVEY SAYER O
SCOTT SLOOTS O
BURY TOWN
O CHARLIE WOODS
O BEN MAYHEW
O JOE HOOD
O CARLOS EDWARDS
O OLIVER FENN
O LEWIS O’MALLEY
O JOE WHITE
O RYAN JOLLAND
O LEE WATKINS
O CHARLEY BARKER
O BEN CURTIS
O ETHAN FLACK
O MAX MAUGHN
O CEMAL RAMADAN
O DARREN MILLS
MANAGER CHRIS CASEMENT
ASST MANAGER RICHARD WILKINS
MANAGER
“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero-tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly, any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162).The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.”
