Tring Athletic vs Dunstable Town

Official Programme

Tring Athletic v Dunstable Town Saturday 14th August 2021 3pm Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Match Sponsor—Heygates

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Grassroots Talk

Good afternoon & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for the visit from our friends and local rivals Dunstable Town. We welcome their players, officials and supporters for the short hop over to Hertfordshire. We wish them an enjoyable afternoon and a safe journey home afterwards. Our club s have locked horns regularly over a number of seasons in recent years with the most recent meeting in October where Town ran out 2-0 winners.

Today’s match sponsor is Heygates and you can find our more about them on page 17. We have availability on future games (see page 14) including the next home game against Holmer Green, please speak to Graham Bright if you are interested. Alternatively you could choose to sponsor your favourite player for the season (page 13) If you are able to volunteer for the club on a regular basis or even just occasionally please speak to a committee member. We are always grateful for extra support.

Next Saturday the first team travel to Bishops Cleeve in the FA Cup following our win last weekend. A coach is being organised on a first come first served basis with tickets costing £10. The Keynsham Town match report can be found on pages 6 & 7, with nine minutes of match action and highlight on page 8 of today’s programme.

Your first opportunity to see the reserves in action at home will be a midweek match on Tuesday 17th August when we host Hertford United. This is quickly followed by home games against Oxhey (21st) Hertford Heath (24th) and Harpenden Town (28th) Entry to reserve team matches is by donation & they would welcome your support.

As a club, we are also considering adding a third Saturday team for this season but would need a management team and some additional players to ensure we are adequately covered. Please email tringathleticfc@hotmail,com if you would like to join us.

Today’s programme

This is the second season of producing online only programmes and we hope to keep improving this offering as time goes on.

This is a work in progress so please let us know what you think. If you click on any of the logos or adverts it should direct you straight to our sponsors websites. This also means we can bring you features such as match highlights at the click of a button.

Today’s programme includes •

Pages 6 & 7—Match report TAFC 3-0 Keynsham Town

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Page 20—Today’s match squads

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Pages 22-25—Introducing our visitors

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Pages 30 & 31 —On this Day, we look back to 2007 and a 2-0 win against London Colney in the league.

In future editions we will introduce our reserve and youth teams to you. As always keep an eye on our website for all the latest information, fixtures and results.

Match Report Saturday 7th August 2021 Emirates FA CUP—Extra Preliminary Round Tring Athletic 3-0 Keynsham Town ITS GREAT TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN After 2 strange seasons affected by money woes then a world wide pandemic it was heartening to be back for our first game at The Grass Roots Stadium since the 12 December 2020.

During that time much has changed at the Club with a new management team led by former player Ryan Sturges and a new sensible financial approach that has seen investments in new floodlights and an upgraded bar, with plenty more improvements to follow.

We couldn't have picked a better opening game than an FA Cup tie and we crowned the occasion with a stirring second half performance that saw us run out convincing 3 nil winners. We have not had a great run in this competition in recent years having gone out at the 1st stage in the last 5 years so it was encouraging to break that trend.

Our opponents were Keynsham Town who travelled from Somerset and play in the Premier Division in the Western League. Our guests came with some form having won their first 2 games 3-0 so we faced a tough task which was reflected in a tight, cagey first half.

Our opponents probably shaded the first half hour or so but there was little in it and few scoring chances. A visiting forward did force David Saunders into a flying save with a decent shot in the 13th minute but apart from dealing with a few set pieces and crosses our young keeper was not required to show off his considerable skills. Our best moment during these early stages came in the 29th minute when Chris Blunden's pass would have sent Ollie Butler through on goal but for a timely intervention by a defender.

However during the last 15 minutes of the half we started to string some passes together and looked more threatening. Chris Blunden and skipper Keiron Turner linked up nicely down the right with the latters cross picking out Ollie Butler but he was unable to get a shot away. Soon after another flowing move instigated by George Carberry led to a fine cross from Frankie Hercules which was collected by Chris Blunden but the keeper did well to come out and block his shot.

As half time approached there were calls from the home supporters for a penalty when the Keynsham centre back appeared to grab Chris Blunden in the area but the referee waved away our appeals. So a tough, competitive half ended goalless. HT : 0-0

Match Report It looked as if the first goal was going to be crucial and fortunately it fell to us within 5 minutes of the restart. It followed a corner which was cleared but recycled back to Frankie Hercules and with the support of Manny Gbejuade managed to lay it off to Kieron Turner who from the left wing whipped over a magnificent cross to the far post where Ollie Butler lost his marker to place a header wide of the keeper. Score 1-0.

The visitors came back strongly with their No. 9 producing nice skills before firing a shot over the bar. In the 57th minute they had a great chance to pull level when their left winger latched onto a poor header back to Dave Saunders but he shot wide.

That proved to be a key turning point in the game because 2 minutes later we stretched our lead to 2 nil. It started when Frankie Hercules chased down a ball into the area which then fell to Chris Blunden who was pushed from behind for a soft penalty. Worse was to follow for our guests because the defender was red carded which seemed harsh unless of course he said something to the referee. Chris Blunden coolly slotted home the spot kick. Score 2-0.

The odds were now firmly stacked against Keynsham but to their credit they kept looking for an opportunity to pull a goal back but we defended well to give Dave Saunders plenty of protection.

With 8 minutes to go we put the game beyond our opponents reach when Kieron Turner, who was immense in midfield picked out Ben Johnsons run down the right wing with a super pass, Tommy Twelves got his nose in front of the defender and swept home Bens fine cross. It was a terrific finish from Tommy and was just reward for a fine game from the midfielder. FT Score 3-0.

A Gold Star performance from the players to add to the fine draw they secured in midweek at much fancied Oxhey Jets. Considering this is a new team with a sprinkling of young players this has been a very encouraging start to the season but Manager Ryan Sturges will know that there is still a long way to go but so far so good.

Man of the Match was given to Ollie Butler who had an outstanding game but this was a fine overall team performance and everyone did they part.

Team: 1 Dave Saunders 2 Harrison Cornick 3 Cam Brooks 4 Tommy Twelves 5 Scott Bonner 6 George Carbery 7 Frankie Hercules (17 Ben Johnson 73) 8 Ollie Butler (16 Luke Cestrone 76) 9 Chris Blunden 10 Kieron Turner (Capt) 11 Emmanuel Gbejuade (14 Chris vardy 73). Subs not used: 12 Tom Shaw 15 Joe Chott 18 Toni Bankole.

Scorers: Oliie Butler (50), Chris Blunden Pen (59), Tommy Twelves (82)

Highlights & Social Media Highlights — TAFC 3-0 Keynsham Town Click on the image below to view

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The League

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Milton Keynes Irish Broadfields United Leverstock Green Ardley United Hadley Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Holmer Green Arlesey Town Harpenden Town Leighton Town Oxhey Jets Risborough Rangers Tring Athletic Harefield United New Salamis Crawley Green Flackwell Heath Baldock Town London Colney Dunstable Town

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table as at Thursday 5th August 2021

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1

4 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 -1 -2 -3 -4

3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Officials Life President Life Vice Presidents

Mick Eldridge BEM David Evans MBE, Barry Johnson, Jean & Les Robins, Ralph Griffiths, Harry Bowden, Pete Stillwell, Alan Foskett, Pete Oakley, Keith Hamilton

Chairman Vice Chairman Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Commercial Manager Match Secretary - South Midlands & Herts Snr Registration Secretary Club Welfare Officer First Team Manager First Team Coach Reserve Team Management EJA Under 18' Management EJA Under 16's Management Sports Physio Football Co-Ordinator Press Officer Website Social Media Programme Editor Groundsman Facilities Manager Membership Secretary Kit Laundering Kit Manager Catering Bar Manager

Bob Winter Tony Stedman & Mark Weston David Blair Tony Stedman Graham Bright Tony Stedman Trevor Langley Kirstie McNeil Ryan Sturges Lee Groves, Kieran Turner Michael Churchill, Ian Butler Michael Churchill, Iain Lorimar David Lawless Vacant Vacant Vacant Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges Keith Eldridge Keith Eldridge Darrell Bodimeade Bob Winter / Tony Steadman Graham Bright Vacant Vacant Vacant Tash Young

Committee Members Bob Winter (Chairman) Tony Stedman, Ian Butler, Neil Foskett, Graham Bright, David Blair, Mark Weston, Keith Eldridge, Andy Ayres.

Player Sponsorship Why not sponsor your favourite Player's kit, It only costs £50 for a season. If you are interested then please contact the Club on match days or via email on tringathleticfc@hotmail.com.

Player

Sponsor

Temi Bankole

Available

Chris Blunden

Available

Scott Bonner

Available

Cam Brooks

Available

Ollie Butler

Available

George Carbery

Available

Luke Cestrone

Available

Joe Chott

Available

Harry Cornick

Available

Joe Cowan

Available

James Ferguson

Available

Emmanuuel Gbejuade

Available

Frankie Hercules

Available

Ben Johnson

Available

Evan Lamboh

Available

Kevin McManus

Available

Joe Naylor

Available

Jonny Pitts

Available

David Saunders

Available

Tom Shaw

Available

Kieran Turner

Available

Tommy Twelves

Available

Match Sponsorship Why not support the Club by sponsoring a Match.

It only costs £50 and includes free entry for two, access to the boardroom for half-time refreshments and an acknowledgement in the match programme all season.

Contact Graham Bright on 07722 240963 or via email to tringathleticfc@hotmail.com

Saturday 7th August—Keynsham Town Saturday 14th August—Dunstable Town Tuesday 31st August—Holmer Green Saturday 4th September—Arlesey Town Tuesday 7th September—Broadfields United Saturday 18th October—Leighton Town Saturday 9th October—London Colney Saturday 16th October—Flackwell Heath Tuesday 26th October—Harpenden Town Saturday 6th November—Baldock Town Saturday 27th November—Milton Keynes Irish Saturday 11th December—Oxhey Jets Tuesday 28th December—Leverstock Green Saturday 8th January—Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Saturday 15th January—Harefield United Saturday 5th February—Hadley Saturday 12th March—New Salamis Saturday 2nd April—Ardley United Tuesday 19th April—Risborough Rangers Saturday 30th April—Crawley Green

The Cook Partnership Heygates Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available

Today’s Match Sponsor

In Tring Hertfordshire there has been a flour mill since 1875. Originally it was a windmill, and the company was run by Mr.William Mead. Sadly the windmill was demolished in 1910 to make way for a wheat silo. In those days, William Mead lived on site, in a handsome house next to the yard, and only owned half the area taken up by the mill of today. The remaining space was occupied by a boatbuilder, Bushell Brothers, who built narrowboats. A perfect location, right on the canal that is such a delightful feature of today’s mill.

The Heygate family took over William Mead’s business in 1945, and today mills in excess of 100,000 tons of wheat in a year. This is mainly bakers flour, but there is also a major commitment to wholemeal for biscuits, bulk outlets, and a large output of 1.5 kilo bags from the prepacked flour plant – especially for the consumer market.

As in the bygone days of the Tring windmill, only two men are needed to operate the system - but in those days they milled half a ton per hour, and now, with a fully automated computerised installation, more than twelve tons per hour is produced.

Heygate’s Tring mill has eighty employees, and sixteen trucks delivering to companies and outlets throughout the south of England.

CLICK ON THE LOGO ABOVE TO GO TO HEYGATES WEBSITE

Fixture List Tue 3 Aug Sat 7 Aug Sat 14 Aug Sat 21 Aug Tue 31 Aug Sat 4 Sep Tue 7 Sep Sat 11 Sep Tue 14 Sep Sat 18 Sep Sat 2 Oct Sat 9 Oct Tue 12 Oct Sat 16 Oct Sat 23 Oct Tue 26 Oct Sat 30 Oct Sat 6 Nov Sat 13 Nov Sat 20 Nov Sat 27 Nov Sat 4 Dec Sat 11 Dec Sat 18 Dec Tue 28 Dec Mon 3 Jan Sat 8 Jan Sat 15 Jan Sat 29 Jan Sat 5 Feb Sat 12 Feb Sat 5 Mar Sat 12 Mar Sat 19 Mar Sat 26 Mar Sat 2 Apr Sat 9 Apr Sat 16 Apr Tue 19 Apr Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr

D 1-1 W3-0 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm

Away Home Home Away Home Home Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Home Away Away Home Away Away Home Away Away Home Away Home

Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Oxhey Jets Keynsham Town Dunstable Town Bishops Cleeve Holmer Green Arlesey Town Broadfields United Long Buckby Harefield United Leighton Town Crawley Green London Colney Hadley Flackwell Heath Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Harpenden Town Milton Keynes Irish Baldock Town Ardley United New Salamis Milton Keynes Irish Dunstable Town Oxhey Jets Baldock Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Harefield United Holmer Green Hadley Flackwell Heath Leighton Town New Salamis Harpenden Town London Colney Ardley United Arlesey Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Broadfields United Crawley Green

Today’s- Squads

Tring Athletic FC

David Saunders Jonny Pitts Ben Johnson James Ferguson Kevin McManus Harrison Cornick Oliver Butler Scott Bonner Joe Naylor Joe Chott Joe Cowan Frankie Hercules Tom Shaw Tommy Twelves Kieran Turner Chris Vardy Chris Blunden Temi Bankole Cameron Brooks Fraser Bryden Luke Cestrone Emmanuel Gbejuade Evans Lamboh Manager - Ryan Sturges

Asst Manager- Lee Groves

Dunstable Town FC Dan Gould Matt Ellis Daniel Trif Gregg Douglas Jeremiah Debayo Jamie Gill Roy Byron Charlie Jackson Joe Mead Charlie Oddy Craig Packham Sam Gibson Drew Phillips Simon Richards Charlie Black Chris Stapleton Gianluca Sinatra

Manager:

Gareth Jackson

Asst Mgr:

Anthony Christophi

Next Up

Holmer Green Tuesday 31st August Kick off 7.45pm

FREE FREE £7.00 FREE £4.00

Our opponents IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS. DUNSTABLE TOWN FC BECOME A COMMUNITY BENEFIT SOCIETY. Dunstable Town FC have an interesting history. I think that’s the polite way of putting it. Formed in 1883 the Club had several homes before finding permanent residency at Creasey Park in the post-war years.

Those of a certain vintage may have witnessed the mercurial magic of George Best when he graced the hallowed turf of Creasey Park in 1974, playing three times for the Blues as a favour to his old Manchester United teammate, Barry Fry, who was the Club’s Manager. Fry, in his first job in football management went on to manage Barnet, Birmingham City & Peterborough Utd, where he is Director of Football.

The BBC covered the story of how George Best came to play for Dunstable Town on its website in May to mark what would have been Best’s 75th birthday.

But Best hasn’t been the only former International to wear the Club’s colours, former England player Jeff Astle scored 34 times for the Blues in the 1974 -75 season.

Kerry Dixon is another former England International who started his career at Dunstable Town, before going on to play for Reading & then heading to the bright lights of London’s Kings Road, where he scored 193 times for Chelsea making him the Club’s all-time third most prolific goal scorer.

More recently, Luton Town player Peter Kioso played for the Club as an 18-year -old in the 2017 -18 season, and at the end of last season another 18-year-old, Eric Ameyaw left the Club to sign for Fulham.

But, to misquote Freddie Mercury, it hasn’t always been a “bed of roses and a pleasure cruise”. Tales of money in brown envelopes, dodgy dealings and financial mismanagement have also seen the Club lurch from peak to trough and back again on too many occasions causing the Club to go out of business for four years in the mid to late 1990’s and a partial shut-down in the 1970’s.

Us football fans, are, by and large, masochists. We derive a perverse sense of pleasure from following our teams’ (mis)fortunes, getting battered by the elements on uncovered terraces, travelling long distances on bitterly cold Tuesday nights to see our teams succumb to a penalty from a blatant dive in the last minute of stoppage time. And because we’re masochists and creatures of habit we do it every season.

But we at least have the certainty that our Club will be still in existence for us to experience this self-inflicted pain and punishment we secretly enjoy.

But try asking the fans of Macclesfield, Bury, and North Ferriby who have all seen their Clubs fold recently due to the financial pressures of boom-andbust football economics, about the certainty of where they’ll be at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.

Dunstable Town (continued) Football isn’t all about success no matter how much we aspire to achieve it. For every Club that finishes top of the league, another Club has to finish bottom.

The pressure to achieve success at all costs comes at too high a price for many Clubs.

As our own experience in the 1970’s and 1990’s showed, we’ve also ridden the football financial rollercoaster and fallen from grace in so doing.

The global Covid pandemic wrought havoc and despair to the lives of millions.

While the nation mourned the lives of countless thousands, many of the Club’s commercial sponsors saw their own businesses and livelihoods severely affected by lockdowns and the cessation of normal trading.

Faced with a loss of nearly half its income the Club had to fold its Cup winning Development Team, circle the wagons and concentrate on keeping just one senior team playing last season.

Dunstable Town became managed by the Club’s fans in 2017. Fan ownership is a relatively recent concept of running a football Club. Many clubs, even at nonleague level, rely heavily on the generosity of individual donors to keep their clubs afloat, or own their own facilities and can supplement match day income by hiring out their facilities to community groups, or running popular social events from their clubhouses.

As tenants of the Council and with no individual benefactors that is simply not an option for Dunstable Town FC. Therefore, in order to protect the Club’s history and ensure a sustainable future we began talks with the Football Supporters’ Association earlier this year and started the new season as a Community Benefit Society (CBS) Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, the Club operates as a social enterprise combining both traditional football activities with working in our local communities on improving the mental and physical health and well-being of individuals.

Regulars on match-days at Creasey Park may not notice much of a difference.

It’s during the week from Monday through to Friday that being a CBS club starts to do things very differently. Our links with NHS groups, charities and community groups, and the range of free activities we provide, is what sets us apart from 99.9% of every other FA affiliated club up and down the country.

The Club has been fortunate over the past few seasons to have developed a strong relationship with Mind BLMK (Beds, Luton and Milton Keynes) and for the past three seasons have had the Mind BLMK logo on the front of the playing kit. There is ample anecdotal evidence to suggest that this move encouraged and empowered many people to seek help for emotional and psychological problems they were facing from both statutory and non-statutory mental health services.

Dunstable Town With Mind BLMK as a strategic partner the Club has worked on initiatives to actively promote better mental health through football and exercise.

We are also part of the CALM Collective and work in support of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) More recently we have established links with Minds2gether, a mental health peer support group in Dunstable.

A little-known fact. Endorphins are the body’s own natural antidepressants and are released by the brain when you exercise. Exercise is not just good for your heart and lungs, it’s also good for your mental well-being and helps you feel better in yourself.

All of the services we offer are free to join and participate in.

We provide weekly Walking Football groups, a Walking groups and a weekly Support group for socially isolated and lonely people which meets at The Glider public house every Monday.

Our intention is to help people who want to lose weight, lower blood pressure readings and blood sugar levels by taking part in these groups.

Additionally, they’re a huge amount of fun as heydays are re-lived and glory years re-enacted, complete with bad backs and dodgy knees.

We have also established links with the local NHS Community Mental Health team and will be offering free coaching sessions and 5 a side games for service users in recovery. We have the invaluable support of our partners at DKD Coaching who provide UEFA B coaches All very noble and worthwhile you may say, but how does this benefit the Club’s supporters?

The answer is very simple. Supporters, and members of the general public, can become owners of Dunstable Town FC. By simply purchasing a maximum of one share per person a supporter automatically becomes an owner of Dunstable Town FC. It’s a scheme that has been championed by League clubs like AFC Wimbledon, Newport County, and Exeter City, and non-league clubs such as AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Lewes FC and FC United of Manchester. It is the ultimate manifestation of fan power and the pinnacle of supporter commitment to become an owner of the Club you support.

It means that you don’t have to be the owner of an oil well or a gas field to own your own football club, you can be like 1,600 people who own Lewes FC or 800 who own AFC Rushden & Diamonds, receive your owner’s share certificate and be part of the Club that is a benefit to the community.

Owners enjoy benefits from the Club’s Blue Card, shop and save discount scheme, receive preferential rates from Club partners in the health and leisure sector, the Club’s own Nike kit supplier and a growing number of shops and traders in the town, keen to do their bit and show support for the Club with a Purpose. For details on how to own your local club, please visit our website; www.dunstabletownfc.co.uk/ownership

Dunstable Town—Player profiles 1. Dan Gould, Goalkeeper, Previous Club Crawley Green.

2.Matt Ellis, Defender, Previous Club Kings Langley Under 18s, Leverstock Green under 18s.

3.Daniel Trif, Defender, Previous Club London Tigers.

4.Gregg Douglas, Defender, Previous Club Langford.

5.Jeremiah Debayo, Defender, Previous Club Egham Town.

6.Dylan Fitzpatrick, Defender, Previous Club AFC Dunstable Under 18s.

7.Jamie Gill, Defender, Previous Club Totternhoe.

8.Roy Byron, Midfield, Previous Club Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

9. Charlie Jackson, Midfield, Previous Club Winslow.

10. Joe Mead, Midfield, Previous Club Luton Town.

11.Charlie Oddy, Midfield, Previous Club Burton Albion.

12. Craig Packham, Midfield, Previous Clubs Arlesey Town.

13. Sam Gibson, Midfield, Previous Clubs Barton Rovers.

14. Drew Phillips, Forward, Previous Clubs Barton Rovers.

15. Simon Richards, Forward, Previous Clubs St.Joesphs.

16.Charlie Black, Forward, Previous Clubs Biggleswade United.

17.Chris Stapleton, Forward, Previous Clubs Aston Clinton.

18. Gianluca Sinatra, GoalKeeper, Previous Clubs Dunstable Town Development Team.

Managerial & Coaching Staff.

Gareth Jackson, Manager. Now in his Fourth season at the Club, Gareth is a UEFA B coach and part of the group of supporters and officials who saved the Club from obscurity in May 2017. A great student of the game and highly respected by fans and Club officials alike.

Anthony Christophi, Assistant Manager. Started coaching at AFC under 18s went on to manage Ampthill Town and is now Gareths Assistant. Currently holds his Level 2 coaching badge.

Ivan Arapov. Coach. Ivan is also a UEFA B coach who has won silverware with London Colney. Ivan came on board mid-season 2019-20 season and has proved to be a great addition to the coaching set-up.

David Paredes, Goalkeeper Coach, Previous Clubs London Colney, Berkhamstead FC. Sarah Keen, Sports therapist.

Today’s Officials Referee

Mark Mellor

Assistant Referee Assistant Referee

Frank Van der Wens Steven Pordes

THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF “NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE Game Day Two and the dreams of Wembley for the players in the SSML Premier Division, who will win through and land that plum home tie. For Division One clubs it was the bread and butter of league action while in Division Two the new campaign got underway for a selection of clubs including new boys Eynesbury United.

FRIDAY 6th AUGUST/SATURDAY 7th AUGUST/SUNDAY 8th AUGUST WEEKEND HEADLINES Plenty of goals about to satisfy those hardened fans. A waterlogged pitch in August. A dream start for Eynesbury United as they hit nine. Two three figure crowds in Division Two surpassing all the attendances in Division One. Weekend Stats: 33 games played of which 16 were home wins, 13 away win and 4 draws.

Weekend Stats: The 33 games produced a total of 110 goals, an average of 3.33 per game.

Weekend’s Highest Attendance: 214 Baldock Town v Wembley (FA Cup), 185 Harpenden Town v Romford (FA Cup) and 148 Dunstable Town v North Greenford United (FA Cup).

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Premier Division Clubs): 337 Leighton Town v Risborough Rangers, 214 Baldock Town v Wembley (FA Cup) and 185 Harpenden Town v Romford (FA Cup).

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division One Clubs): 317 Stotfold v Letchworth Garden City Eagles, 175 Ampthill Town v Langford and 146 Wellingborough Whitworth v Irchester United.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division Two Clubs): 112 Bovingdon v Sarratt, 109 Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe and 65 Berkhamsted Comrades v Old Bradwell United.

THE EMIRATES FA CUP Extra Preliminary Round The opening round of the FA Cup began with a shock on Friday night as New Salamis were beaten at home by one of the few Step 6 sides in this season’s competition. Kensington & Ealing Borough winning 3-1. So onto Saturday and 18 other SSML clubs taking the stage (although that was to become 17 as Crawley Green’s tie at Walthamstow was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch). For 10 of those clubs the appointment with their tailors remains as they booked their place in the Preliminary Round, for Tring Athletic 3-0 winners against Keynsham Town, it was their first win at this stage for six years. Broadfields United made it into the next round for the third time in four attempts with a 4-1 home success against Cribbs, can they make history with a win in two weeks’ time. On the other side of the coin Dunstable Town suffered an Extra Preliminary Round defeat for the first time in eleven years as they were well beaten 1-5 at home against former SSML side North Greenford United. For Hadley it was a short trip to another ex SSML club, Edgware Town, a trip that was made worthwhile with a 3-0 win. Harefield United enjoyed a much longer trip with a 2-1 success at Chipping Sodbury Town. Other winners on the road were SSML newbies Flackwell Heath who won 2-0 at Cadbury Heath and Leighton Town who won at the seaside with a solitary goal success at FC Clacton. Arlesey Town were made to work hard at home against Thetford Town winning by the odd goal in seven while both Ardley United and Oxhey Jets enjoyed 2-0 home successes against Ashton & Blackwell United and Bitton respectively. Elsewhere Risborough Rangers defeated visiting Lydney Town 1-0 and Harpenden Town drew 1-1 at home against Romford to book their places in the hat. Alas it is a case of putting those new suits back and cancelling the open top bus parade in May for Aylesbury Vale Dynamos (0-1 at home to Longlevens), London Colney (0-1 at Southend Manor), Leverstock Green (against Stanway Rovers, another solitary goal defeat on the road), while both Holmer Green and Milton Keynes Irish went down by the odd goal in three at Roman Glass St George and Enfield respectively. Finally Sunday saw further SSML success as Baldock Town overcame visiting Wembley by a solitary goal. Full results and goalscorers (where known) are listed below.

The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt A weekly column courtesy of the SSML Fixture Secretary

winning by the odd goal in seven while both Ardley United and Oxhey Jets enjoyed 2-0 home successes against Ashton & Blackwell United and Bitton respectively. Elsewhere Risborough Rangers defeated visiting Lydney Town 1-0 and Harpenden Town drew 1-1 at home against Romford to book their places in the hat. Alas it is a case of putting those new suits back and cancelling the open top bus parade in May for Aylesbury Vale Dynamos (0-1 at home to Longlevens), London Colney (0-1 at Southend Manor), Leverstock Green (against Stanway Rovers, another solitary goal defeat on the road), while both Holmer Green and Milton Keynes Irish went down by the odd goal in three at Roman Glass St George and Enfield respectively. Finally Sunday saw further SSML success as Baldock Town overcame visiting Wembley by a solitary goal.

DIVISION ONE Four clubs can still boast 100% records after round two of Division One fixtures, Winslow United head the table after winning 3-0 at Shefford & Campton and they are followed by newbies Northampton Sileby Rangers and old campaigners Stotfold and Bedford. Northampton enjoyed a 6-2 home success against Amersham Town while Stotfold returned from their trip to newbies Kidlington Reserves with a 4-0 win. Bedford made it successive 3-2 wins when they edged out visiting Wellingborough Whitworth, the ‘Flourmen’ were the morning table toppers after winning 7-1 in midweek. Both Thame United Reserves and Irchester United clocked up their first SSML league points with 3-1 wins on the road, Thame winning at Letchworth Garden City Eagles while Irchester were successful at London Tigers, results that leave the two host clubs occupying the bottom two spots in the table. Another away day success saw Langford edge out hosts Penn & Tylers Green by the odd goal in three. Buckingham Athletic made it four points from six as they saw off the challenge of visiting Burton Park Wanderers by a solitary goal. Elsewhere it was honours even as Ampthill Town snatched a 3-3 draw at Rushden & Higham thanks to a very late equalizer and two newbies, Long Crendon and Raunds Town, shared the spoils after a goalless draw.

DIVISION TWO It was a limited start to the Division Two season with originally five fixtures scheduled although that became four when Codicote requested a postponement at the start of the week due to management and players being pinged. On the field it was a great start by new boys Eynesbury United as they hit nine against Pitstone & Ivinghoe, the visitors scoring five themselves. Old Bradwell United conceded a goal eight minutes into stoppage time and had to settle with one point from their excursion to Berkhamsted Comrades. New Bradwell won by the odd goal in three at Tring Corinthians while the day’s other action saw Bovingdon defeat neighbours Sarratt by two goals to nil.

On This Day—14th August 2007 Goals from Paul Aldridge and Vinnie Iannone secured back to back victories for Athletic tonight.

With 3 wins in a week this has been a dream start for our new management team. After inflicting a heavy 4-1 defeat on London Colney last Tuesday a much tougher game was expected for our first home league game of the season, especially as Colney had a good 4-2 win over Hanwell Town on Saturday. Two changes were made from Saturday’s line up with Ian Wilkinson returning in place of Dave Whicker and Ty North coming in for David Foskett. The latter move meant that Kerry Gordon moved from left back to central defence and he was made captain, a proud moment for a local lad who has come through from the Reserves.

Last week Colney found themselves 4 goals behind after only 34 minutes, and again they were hit by an early goal, falling behind after less than a minute when Paul Aldridge headed in at the back post after a cleverly worked corner between Steve Hutchins and Danny Gray. We started to put together a number of good moves and Colney must have feared another goal rush, but they gradually played themselves back into the game although their custodian Elliot Thomas was the busier of the 2 keepers, first smothering a chance from Vinnie Iannone and then saving a free kick.

Although conditions were far from perfect with a strong wind and slippery surface, both sides were playing neat football. In the 22nd minute Colney were unlucky not to equalise, the goal being disallowed by the linesman’s flag for a foul on Paul Aldridge. They were made to pay the price 2 minutes later when a long high pass deceived their defence but not Vinnie Iannone who was well placed to lob the ball over the advancing Elliot Thomas to score his 4th goal against Colney in 7 days and make the score 2-0.

We started to create numerous chances, but we were being denied by Elliott Thomas who was having a fine game, making a number of vital saves. In the 33rd minute Colney’s number 4 Jamie Parsons slipped, letting Steve Hutchins through, but his effort was scrambled away for a corner. The scoring opportunities were falling our way as most of Colney’s attacks were stifled by our defence, restricting the visitors to long range shots. At the break it was 2-0 to us.

TAFC 2-0 London Colney The second half started with Colney on the attack but we were threatening to cause further damage on the break. In the 57th minute Vinnie Iannone was unlucky to see his shot strike the underside of the bar following a good move involving Paul Aldridge and Ali Thornley.

Shortly afterwards Vinnie picked up an injury and was replaced by Andy Humphreys, who bagged a hat-trick for the Reserves a few days earlier in a friendly.

In the 66th minute a stinging shot brought the best out of Craig Ringsell, pushing the ball onto a post then quickly gathering up the loose ball before any visiting player could follow up. There were a number of substitutions made by both sides with Rob Duncan replacing Danny Gray and Trevor Gibbs coming on for Andy Humphreys who suffered an unfortunate injury, whilst Colney Gareth Devotti was replaced by Craig Meyrick. Despite the changes play was end to end with even our defenders pushing forward with Kerry Gordon nearly getting on the end of an Ali Thornley’s cross.

In the 88th minute Trevor Gibbs was through on goal, however, he was pushed in the back

by Jamie Parsons and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Steve Hutchins but keeper Elliot Thomas capped a good game by guessing right and making a save. The final score was 2-0 to us.

An excellent performance with no bookings in a match well controlled by the match officials. After 2 games we are 2nd in the Table on goal difference behind Chalfont. Still a very long way to go yet, but this has been an extremely encouraging start and lets enjoy the fact that after 3 games we have 3 wins with 9 goals scored and only 1 conceded. One interesting fact is that 8 of the goals have come in the first half.

Athletic: Craig Ringsell, Chris Salmon, Ty North, Paul Aldridge, Kerry Gordon (Capt), Steve Hutchins, Ali Thornley, Ian Wilkinson, Vinnie Iannone (Andy Humphreys) (Trevor Gibbs), Greg Shaw, Danny Gray (Rob Duncan). Subs not used: Terry Phillips, Dave Whicker. Goals: Paul Aldridge (1), Vinnie Iannone (24) London Colney: Elliot Thomas, Craig Piper, Mark Paradise, Dan McCafferty, Matt Chuggs, Stuart Childs, Cain Davey, Gareth Devotti (Craig Meyrick), Jermaine Davey, Liam Donnelly.

Subs not used: Mark Bunker, Leeroy Odd, Neil Dumpleton, Mark Whittaker.

Crowd: 77

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