dial square issuu - final

ISUZU FA VASE

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

Matchday Sponsor

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£2.50

VS DIAL SQUARE FC SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 2026

7:30PM KICK OFF HARTSDOWN PARK

FOUNDED 1911

FOOTBALL CLUB

3RD TEAM (1911) MANAGER TBC

VICE-CHAIRMAN Gary Beckett

SUNDAY TEAM MANAGER Greg Richardson

SECRETARY Steve Farbrace

SUNDAY TEAM COACH Reece Trythall

1ST TEAM MANAGER Ian Wallace

VETERANS TEAM MANAGER Steve Farbrace

1ST TEAM ASSISTANT MANAGER Liam Morris

U18 YOUTH TEAM MANAGER Russell Wilson

1ST TEAM COACH Tom Hickman

U18 YOUTH TEAM COACHES Andrew Weatherley Andy Walker

CLUB OFFICIALS

CHAIRMAN Colin Holden

WOMENS TEAM MANAGER Steph Meek WOMENS TEAM COACHES Paige Godden Andy Long RESERVE TEAM MANAGER Elliot Austin

U16 YOUTH TEAM MANAGER James Wells MEDIA MANAGER Russel Goldsmith CLUB OPERATIONS OFFICER Liam Taylor

RESERVE TEAM ASSISTANT MANAGER James Elms

MEMBERS OF: SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE

THANET SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

KENT COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

LEN MARTIN THANET & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

CANTERBUTY & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

KENT YOUTH LEAGUE

SOUTH EAST COUNTIES WOMENS FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FAVERSHAM & DISTRICT YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FROM THE CHAIR COLIN HOLDEN

CLUB CHAIRMAN Like waiting for a bus and two turn up at the same time. Barely a week after our historic opening SCEFL fixture, we now mark another milestone as the club plays in the FA Vase - our highest-level cup competition to date. We welcome Steve and the Dial Square squad to East Kent today after their long journey from the Woking area of Surrey, and we hope it proves to be a great contest. Dial Square FC are on a similar path to us, having reached Step 6 for the first time this season, and today also marks their debut in the FA Vase. Whatever the result we wish them well for the season ahead and for the journey home of course.

It is perhaps fitting for me to make reference to another memorable cup match in our history when we were defeated by Burham FC in the Kent Junior Cup on 10th January 2015. The player making his debut for the club that day and scoring a 10th minute header to

give us the lead was a certain Ian Wallace – the man who leads out the team today having eventually hung up his boots and then managed the first team to this moment tonight at Hartsdown Park. That particular match didn’t go our way on the day but in terms of how this club has progressed since then it was the biggest signing of my managerial career! Thank you, Sir, for getting us to where we are this evening and helping us shape the club in a way that has kept our spirit and culture as it was 11 years ago.

You can read more about Dial Square FC’s history later in the programme, but in many ways we are facing the original Arsenal FC today ! Given the earlier reference to our 2015 Kent Junior Cup defeat to Burham FC, it also feels fitting to acknowledge the two remaining Minster players from that day who are still in the squad - and both huge Arsenal supporters – Curt and Todd Jordan. These brothers have also contributed so much since then in terms of Todd’s many goals and Curt’s leadership and midfield strengths.

Oh dear – back to normal – I’m reminiscing again !

It’s the age of course.

Thank you for coming, thanks for reading through the programme and most of all thank you for your continuous support. Enjoy the game !

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FROM THE BOSS IAN WALLACE

1ST TEAM MANAGER

Good evening and a very warm welcome to Hartsdown Park for today’s Isuzu FA Vase First Qualifying Round fixture against Dial Square FC. We extend a warm greeting to the players, management team, officials, and supporters who have made the journey from Surrey.

Today is a landmark occasion for both clubs, as Minster FC and Dial Square FC make our debut appearances in the FA Vase. Reaching a national cup competition represents a massive milestone in our development, marking our official step onto the national stage after years of hard work to elevate the club to Step 6 football. What makes the FA Vase so special for non-league clubs at our level is the ultimate prize at stake: the road starts here today, but it leads all the way to the world-famous Wembley Stadium.

Reflecting on our SCEFL Division 1 opener against Croydon last weekend, the 4–1 scoreline was a harsh outcome and not fully reflective of the match itself, but one we will need to learn from quickly. In many ways, the lads performed well, matching a very experienced side for long periods. An early goal disallowed for offside and a disciplined, resolute defensive and midfield display saw us head into the halftime break locked at 0–0.

A tough ten-minute spell early in the second half proved decisive, as we conceded three quick goals from set pieces, with Croydon adding a fourth deep into injury time. However, the squad showed great character to keep pushing, and our efforts were rewarded with a quality goal: a sharp move down the left flank saw Zack Jobe whip in an excellent cross for Jake Munday to finish neatly at the near post, claiming our first-ever SCEFL goal.

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It was brilliant to see an attendance of 87 last weekend, boosted by a lively away support. As we continue to establish ourselves at this level, we hope to see more and more of our local supporters coming through the turnstiles at Hartsdown Park as the season progresses, cheering on the team as we look to deliver energy, quality, and commitment every single week.

At this point, our entire season of fixtures has been released, so you can plan ahead!

We must carry those positives and lessons forward as we balance cup duties with a busy league schedule.

Up next in SCEFL Division 1, we travel away to Lydd Town on the evening of Wednesday, 19th August, before returning home on Saturday, 22nd August to host Tooting Bec. In these games, we will look to take the learning from our fixture last week and start to collect valuable points as the season really begins to get going.

Today, however, all eyes are on the FA Vase.

Knockout cup football leaves zero room for error, and we know Dial Square will be equally motivated to mark their debut with a result. It will require a sharp, disciplined, and relentless 90-minute performance from the group to secure our place in the next round, and we look forward to getting to the task at hand in this historic competition. It is important for us to note the relevance in the history of our club, and as we do so, we are equally here to compete with all we have and to win - in representation of our club, our badge, and our community!

Thank you as always for your backing. Get behind the team today, make plenty of noise, and let’s make our FA Vase debut one to remember!

Up the Minster!

VS CROYDON FC

8TH AUGUST 2026

Photos taken by Cadan Boynton

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OUR MAIN SPONSORS

Founded by lifelong friends Lawrence Rose and Elliot Payne, ARTO is already a global leader in life sciences talent solutions, dedicated to helping Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and MedTech companies secure the people they need to drive innovation and growth.

With a focus on providing bespoke, high-impact talent strategies across Europe and America, they partner with leading organisations to meet their staffing

Tradefit4U are a family run company with a name synonymous with local football. Father and son duo Tony and Jayme Wisker are both very well known in Thanet Football – Tony often having battled with Minster FC on the pitch during the 80s and 90s.

Jayme played for some of the all-conquering Thanet Sunday League sides in his time and along with his brothers Danny (former Margate, Whitstable & Herne Bay) and Kyle (US Scholarships and Whitstable) it is clear that football has always run deep in the Wisker family.

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needs through an efficient, flexible, and insight-driven approach.

Elliot is no stranger to the football club having played for them as part of his introduction into adult football.

He would go onto play in the KCFL for East Kent College Bears under our 1 Team assistant manager, Liam Morris. Elliot is also a registered player for the Minster Old Boys (Vets) side.

Tradefit4U work alongside some of the best manufactures of UPVC, aluminium, composite and timber products to supply and fit guttering, windows, doors and conservatories.

Working in both the domestic and commercial sectors and based in Manston, Tradefit4U are well positioned to serve Thanet and the South East of England.

Shapes is a dynamic Canterbury-based firm combining digital accounting and creative marketing under one roof. Founded in 2023 by Jim Leeves (chartered accountant and Xero expert) and Steve Kreeger (UX strategist and storyteller), the team crafts tailored solutions for small businesses in the UK. Their services cover ‘Better Accounting’ - tax, forecasting, digital finance systems - and creative ‘Shapes Marketing’, offering branding, websites, graphic design, video, and digital strategy. With values of simplicity, integrity, transparency, energy, and space, they aim to bring freedom, relief, and delight to clients.

Twenty 4 Seven Education is a fast growing UK education recruitment agency with offices in London, Manchester, Canterbury and beyond. Founded by experienced education professionals, the agency prioritises honesty, transparency and individualised care for both schools and candidates.

They place teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists and support staff in permanent, fixed‑term and supply roles across primary, secondary and special schools. Their Teaching Assistant Academy offers a two‑week training course for newcomers.

With a friendly, responsive team and strong candidate feedback, Twenty 4 Seven feels supportive, professional and genuinely invested in helping educators thrive.

Shapes feels friendly, values-driven, and imaginatively practical - a local partner that makes running a business feel effortless and inspired.

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ABOUT DIAL SQUARE F.C Dial Square F.C. was reborn on 7 January 2020.

Burgundy was adopted as the club’s principal colour with a nod to the shirts worn by Dial Square (which was the first name of Arsenal) when it was originally founded in 1886.

The club’s logo features a sundial and oak leaves, drawing its sentiment from the Royal Oak pub in Woolwich, which Dial Square used as a base for their very first matches.

Dial’s reincarnation saw them join the Guildford & Woking Alliance Premier Division for the 2020/21 season, playing their home matches at Addlestone Moor (home of Abbey Rangers FC). Unfortunately, the season was null and void due to the covid pandemic.

The following season (2021/22), Dial finished runners-up to Laleham & Kempton to gain promotion to the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Division One at the first attempt.

On 3 April 2022, Dial announced that it had secured a new groundshare agreement with Chertsey Town to play their home games at Alwyns Lane for the 2022/23 season.

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Steve Brown was appointed as player-manager on 28 December 2022. His appointment brought about an immediate upturn in performances, which enabled Dial to gain back-to-back promotions to the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division, after again finishing runners-up to Laleham & Kempton.

Under Brown’s guidance, Dial lost just one game during the 2023/24 season to be crowned champions by 20 points and secure a third successive promotion. Dial also won the Premier Challenge (League) Cup after beating Milford & Witley 4-0 in the final, while Dial striker Harry Rice also picked up the golden boot award for scoring a record 41 goals (49 in all competitions) in just 26 league games.

After gaining promotion to the Surrey Premier County Football League for the 2024/25 season, Dial narrowly missed out promotion to Step 6 of the National League System on goal difference.

However, that objective was achieved on 6 April 2026 after Dial clinched a top-five finish after a 4-0 win away at Addlestone.

STEVE BROWN & JAKE KENNETT MANAGER & FIRST TEAM COACH

On 13 April 2026, Dial announced it had secured a three-year groundshare agreement with Knaphill at Redding Way, effective from the 2026/27 season.

This following month, club reached the 2025/26 Surrey FA Saturday Intermediate County Cup final, but were edged out on penalties by Worcester Park at the Meadowbank Stadium after the match finished 3-3.

On 26 June 2026, The FA confirmed that Dial Square had been accepted into 2026/27 FA Vase competition, sponsored by Isuzu, for the first time after being promoted to the Southern Combination Football League Division One. Dial Square is 100% fan-owned club with 108 registered shareholders spread across four continents.

Photos taken from www.dialsquarefc.com

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FIXTURES

SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 2026

THE CENTRE

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FA VASE FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING

Abbey Rangers v Sheppey Sports AFC Greenwich Borough v Sheerwater Bearsted v Redhill Beckenham Town v Sutton Athletic Hassocks v Petts Wood & Holmesdale Kennington v Guildford City Lordswood v Corinthian Mile Oak v Banstead Athletic Minster FC v Dial Square Roffey v Hollands & Blair Seaford Town v Halls Athletic SE Dons v Little Common

SCEFL FIRST DIVISION

Greenways v Bridon Ropes SC Thamesmead v Croydon Stansfeld v Rochester United Tooting Bec v Lydd Town Welling Town v Hythe Town

PAGE STATS

ONE FURTHER CUP DRAW HAS BEEN MADE DATE IS TO BE CONFIRMED SCEFL Division One Cup, 2nd Round: Rochester United FC or Sheppey Sports FC v Minster FC

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FIRST TEAM SCEFL - DIVISION 1

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TEAM

LAST WEEKS RESULTS SCEFL FIRST DIVISION

POS

P

W

Bridon Ropes 1-3 Staplehurst Monarchs United FC Elmstead 1-2 Lydd Town Halls AFC 0-1 Hythe Town Lordswood AFC 3-0 Banstead Athletic Minster FC 1-4 Croydon Rochester United 3-0 Welling Town Sheppey Sports 0-2 Lewisham Borough Tooting Bec 0-3 Greenways Sporting Club Thamesmead 0-0 Stansfeld First

D

L

F

A

GD

PTS

RESERVES TEAM KCFL - DIVISION 2 C&E The 2025/26 season was a transitional period for the Reserves, with the club making a conscious decision to prioritise player development over short-term results.

The aim was to build long-term sustainability for the First Team by developing players within the club and providing a clear pathway into senior football.

This approach saw the average age of the squad reduce significantly, with a number of talented young local players joining the club. The decision has already begun to pay dividends, with Barras, Austin, Coveney, Elms and Harris all making First Team appearances during the season, while Hobday and Hulme established themselves as regular members of the First Team squad.

Although the focus on development had an impact on results, performances were often much better than the league position suggested, with many games decided by fine margins. More importantly, the season laid strong foundations for the Reserves to progress in line with the club’s wider development plan.

The 2026/27 season sees us begin with an exciting squad that combines youth with valuable senior experience. The senior players have been carefully selected not only for their ability on the pitch, but also for their attitude and leadership, ensuring they can act as positive role models for the younger members of the squad.

We are also delighted to welcome back several previous First Team favourites, with Sexton, Belsey, Twyman and Jevons returning to help lead and develop the next generation of players.

There have also been additions to the coaching team, with Elliot being supported in the dugout by James Elms. Tom McGuirk returns as captain for the upcoming season and will also take on a coaching role, further strengthening the link between the playing and coaching groups.

With the league format expanded to include a number of local derbies, the 2026/27 campaign promises to be an exciting one for our new-look Reserves.

We look forward to seeing the squad continue to develop, compete and provide a pathway for the next generation of First Team players.

Elliot Austin Football Development Manager

THE KCFL DIVISION 2 C&E SEASON COMMENCES ON THE 22ND AUGUST 2026 11

1911 TEAM CDFL - DIVISION 1 The 2025/26 season for the 1911 side got off to a bright start, with the squad matching and going close against some of the stronger teams in the league, including the sides that would eventually finish first and second.

A shock managerial departure then left the club with a significant void to fill. However, rather than allowing this to derail the season, senior members of the club stepped up to ensure continuity. First-team and reserves coaches took responsibility for training, while club chairman Colin Holden took on the managerial role for the remainder of the season, supported by senior players Alfie Holden and Craig Palmer.

As with the reserves, the 1911s’ results did not always reflect the level of performance, effort and commitment shown by the players. Many games were considerably closer than the final scorelines suggested. This was demonstrated particularly well in an entertaining cup tie against a team two divisions higher in the Kent County League, where our young side more than matched their opponents for long periods before fatigue eventually told and the game was decided late on.

The club’s philosophy of developing local young players continued with the 1911s, with a number of younger players joining the squad and the average age reducing. The focus was not solely on short-term results, but on the long-term development of both the players and the football club. We wanted to provide an environment where young players could develop, express themselves and enjoy their football while being given the opportunity to progress.

That philosophy was reflected in the performances of several players, with Harris, Dyer, Holden and Stagraczynski all earning opportunities to make appearances for the reserves during the season.

The club’s commitment to giving young players senior football also saw a number of 16-year-olds make their senior debuts. While this approach may, at times, have had an impact on short-term results, the benefits became increasingly clear as the season progressed, with the side becoming more competitive from game to game.

That same philosophy has continued into pre-season, with our first friendly seeing us field a side with an average age of just 18.

The future of both the 1911s and the football club looks extremely promising. A number of our talented U18 players are now beginning to make the transition into senior football through the 1911s and reserves, and we believe that, over the coming seasons, we will see some of these players develop into regular first-team players.

The journey is about development, opportunity and building for the future — and the foundations being laid now give us plenty of reason to be excited about what lies ahead.

Lastly each season there is also a select group of players who truly embody the club’s philosophy, representing all three senior sides. This season, that group was Austin, McGuirk, Dodds, Harris and Barras.

Elliot Austin Football Development Manager

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WOMENS TEAM SECWFL - DIVISION 2 Minster’s debut season in the SECWFL could hardly have gone better. The Hinds topped Division Three East as champions, finishing with 46 points from 18 games (15 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat) to secure an immediate promotion.

Their form was built on more than results — the squad’s team spirit was the hallmark of the campaign, with plenty of smiles and laughter along the way as much as the hard-earned points.

Now it’s onwards and upwards to Division Two East, a step up in quality that manager Steph Meek and her assistants Paige Godden and Andy Long are looking forward to. The Hinds’ success has caught the eye too, with a growing number of players keen to get involved for the new campaign. Training resumed a fortnight ago, friendlies are being lined up, and the season will kick off in early September.

The Hinds have certainly settled in well with the club ethos of enjoyment and lasting friendships through football.

THE SECWFL KENT DIVISION 2 SEASON COMMENCES ON THE 6TH SEPTEMBER 2026

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WELCOME TO MINSTER FC You will have seen from the club crest that we are over 100 years old with only World Wars getting in the way of continued existence – a matter not taken lightly as club players and staff fought for their country during these difficult times. The club photos in our Minster pavilion main hall reminds us of our history and the generations of players that have represented our club.

Throughout these years there have been successful teams – most notably in the 1960s – that have played the game in the right spirit and have set the foundations for future generations to continue. A difficult time in the early 1980s saw the club – with only a single team at the time - almost fail to finish a season in the Thanet League due to lack of players and support.

My father Ralph (also known locally as Colin) stepped in to gather as many eligible youngsters – including myself – to register and play those final matches to keep the club alive. The results didn’t matter – there was a much larger motive to keep the continuity of the club. For us 16/17 year old lads at the time we were finally playing for Minster – a team we had watched from the sidelines for many years. The following seasons saw the club continue to build from the very bottom upwards.

Our club has now grown very quickly in these last 12-13 years as we have built on the success of a very young team – managed by Ian Wallace - that have progressed through the Canterbury & District League and further into the Kent County Football League to the Premier Division where we consolidated our standing with 2nd, 4th, 2nd and 2nd places across those 4 seasons. This has now led us to be accepted for promotion to the Southern Counties east Football League Division 1 as we start an historic 2026/27 season playing at Step 6 of the national system for the first time. This is the highest level the club has competed at since it was formed in 1911 and we are proud to have reached this moment.

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1956

2016 We now have three further adult teams that have been added in the last 6 years and we have seen our club develop a pathway for young players within the area to progress with their football. Our veterans team continue to enjoy their football in the local Len Martin Thanet & District League. We now have two youth teams at U16 & U18 age groups and our previous youth teams have provided players into our adults squads over the years as the pathway has started to take shape. Last season the club developed a women’s football team for the first time since the 1960s when Minster were one of the original female teams in the area.

Whilst we have had good fortune on the pitch these last few years backed by a huge amount of effort away from match days, we continue to be a club that see long term friendships and a sense of community spirit as being the real “winning.”

A village team that will continue to use football to build competitive spirit alongside friendships that will last a lifetime.

SPONSORS & COMMUNITY We are delighted to welcome back Daniel Hobbs Electrical as our matchday sponsor for another season. Based in Broadstairs and serving the Thanet area since 2005, Daniel Hobbs Electrical is a NICEIC-registered, fully insured electrical contractor with a well-earned reputation for reliable, tidy and professional work.

The team handles the full range of domestic electrical services - from consumer unit upgrades and rewiring to socket installations and general maintenance - but they’ve also built strong expertise in renewable energy, with accreditation to the Renewable Energy Consumer Code covering solar power installations. Whether it’s a straightforward home project or a full solar setup, Daniel and his team pride themselves on quality workmanship at a fair price.

Once again thank you for supporting Minster FC.

CLUB SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PROJECTS

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ZERO TOLERANCE

The Southern Counties East Football League strongly support recent FA statements that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination, accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to the relevant County Association for action by that Association.

SWEARING - LET’S TACKLE IT The Southern Counties East Football League supports the ‘Swearing – Let’s Tackle It’ campaign and strongly condemns the use of foul and abusive language at football matches

WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK! QR e e h t har n a Sc e & S ughts Cod r Tho You

YOUR INPUT HELPS US IMPROVE OUR CLUB AND YOUR MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

SCEFL SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE

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SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ITRUST

PHOTOGRAPHER

CADAN BOYNTON

“Cadan Boynton is a young photographer from Thanet, whose work is starting to catch the eye of local football clubs and media outlets such as Kent Online. Football is his main focus, but his talent stretches across other sports too. We’re always happy to welcome him pitchside at Minster FC on matchdays as we head into the new season.”

@CADANBOYNTONPHOTOGRAPHY

MATCHDAY SQUADS MANAGEMENT COLOURS Ian Wallace Amber Liam Morris Black Tom Hickman Black

COLOURS Burgundy White Burgundy

MAGNUS LEWIS (GK) DANE BOUGH (GK) BOBBY HULME CHARLIE SHARP CURT JORDAN DAN ADAMS DARCY CHURCHWARD FIN WADDELL HARRY HOBDAY JAKE COLTHAM-LAI JAKE MUNDAY JOHN ARGYRIDES JOSH NEAVES LEWIS RAY MATT WEATHERLEY OLLIE HARRIS SCOTT BANKS TIM MCARTHUR TODD JORDAN TOM COYNE (C) ZACK JOBE

MANAGEMENT Steve Brown Jimmy Norman Jake Kennett

GEORGE MEAD (GK) ADAM AZIZ AIDAN DORAN CALLUM ABRAHAM-BARLOW DANIEL MARTIN CENZANO DANIEL WANYONYI DANNY TAYLOR GEORGE FRITH GEORGE LAWRENCE JEREMIAH ABBEY JIMMY NORMAN JOE ATKIN JOS COOPER JOSEPH APENI JOSHUA ADJEI LUKE TAYLOR MATT HAYES ROSS EWEN SALVATORE FEDERICO STEVE BROWN TOSIN OYEBOLA

MATCH OFFICIALS

ASSISTANT 2 ASSISTANT 1 REFEREE Grant Moody Piotr Zachwieja Freddie Waldron

NEXT MATCH

AWAY SCEFL - 7:45KO

19TH AUGUST 2026 VS LYDD TOWN FC