Tring Athletic vs Flackwell Heath

Official Programme

Tring Athletic v Flackwell Heath Saturday 16th October 2021 3pm Spartan South Midlands Premier Match Sponsor— The Cook Partnership

About Matilda’s Planet Some years ago Matilda, Social Entrepreneur David Evans MBE‘s five year old daughter, told him he should take more responsibility for the environment. Her words prompted him to establish Matilda’s Planet.

At Matilda’s Planet we are committed to finding solutions to our energy problems. The company’s values are to be socially responsible, sustainable – and to provide practical solutions to the real problem of keeping your house warm.

We have a solution that’s both practical and socially responsible. We all know that changing the way we consume energy is something we have to do – but actually doing anything about it is a challenge. Matilda’s Planet came from a little girl’s belief that it’s the job of the ‘grown-ups’ to make sure that the legacy we leave for our children is one both we, and they, can be proud of.

Grassroots Talk

Good afternoon & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for the visit of Flackwell Heath. We welcome their players, officials and supporters and wish them a safe journey home afterwards.

This afternoon’s match sponsors are our accountants The Cook Partnership.

We welcome David and his son Curtis to the game as our guests. Learn more about the Cook Partnership on page 9.

We have match sponsorship availability on future games (see page 18) including those against Leverstock Green and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, so please speak to Graham Bright if you are interested.

The first team are back in action here at the Grass Roots Stadium on Tuesday night against Broadfields United before travelling to Ardley United in the FA Vase next weekend.

Our reserves play away this afternoon at Harpenden Town and hope to get their first double of the season following a 3-1 win earlier in the season.

Tonight we will be hosting a sport quiz, turn to page 25 for more details of this and other social night in the lead up to Christmas.

Missing football on a Sunday morning? Well our u16s play Berkhamsted in a local derby game tomorrow, kicking off at 10.30.

The second episode of From The Dugout is now available to watch on page 17 and we hope to bring a third early next week.

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.

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— Chairman’s Chat by Bob Winter

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Page 8 & 9 Match report from Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Hadley

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Page 17—Episode 2 of From The Dugout

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Page 23— Today’s match squads

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Pages 34 & 35 —On this Day, we look back to 2007 and a 1-0 win at Holmer Green

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As always keep an eye on our website for all the latest information, fixtures and results.

Chairman’s Chat Well what a difference a week makes! I really enjoyed seeing the First Team notch up their first win of the season against London Colney last Saturday. A fine, disciplined performance was topped off by a stunning goal by Chris Blunden. In truth, I’d been pleased with what I’d seen on the pitch prior to this, and was confident results would be coming. The team have been playing some good football at times this season, and consistently showing a fantastic attitude, commitment and work rate. On Tuesday night they also showed considerable character away at Hadley, recovering from a disastrous start which saw us two down after four minutes to secure a 2-2 draw – in truth we could well have won the game following a great second half performance.

It’s not just what this team does on the pitch, but they deserve a lot of credit off it as well. I’ve been really impressed with the way the players have conducted themselves, and the team spirit shown in the clubhouse after games – which feels a great place to be after games irrespective of the result. There will be further bumps in the road going forward as I keep pointing out, but I’m really pleased with how things are shaping up.

Equally pleased with our other three teams, who are also playing some nice football and showing the same team spirit that makes this such a nice club to be involved with. I’ve not seen much of the Reserves in all honesty due to my away match duties with the First Team, but have heard good thing about how the team are playing.

On the other hand, I have been able to watch the U18’s and U16’s on a number of occasions and have been very impressed with them.

Equally impressed with the parents, who seem very engaged with the club and keen to get involved helping on match days.

Off the pitch, things have been equally satisfying as we continue to strive towards meeting our five strategic objectives, which I communicated in September. One of the things I’m really keen on, is increasing the clubs engagement with people of this town and it’s great to see gate numbers and support increasing following a couple of initiative we’ve implemented – I’d love to see this continue. We’re also aiming to increase our charitable works as it’s important we put something back in to the community.

A message from Bob Winter There has been much talk around the club regarding the installation of a 3G playing surface. I will be clear that this is a personal aspiration of mine as I believe it will be transformational in terms of propelling the club forward and meeting our objectives. I’ll be equally clear though that it’s a club decision and we will be discussing this at AGM. We’ve successfully taken the first steps, on what will be a long journey, to deliver this project with the approval of Pendley Sports Centre for the club to submit a formal planning application.

David Blair is leading the task of preparing the application.

On the social side of things, you will note that there are of a number of club events scheduled between now and the end of the year. Please do support these events – not only is it great for the social fabric of the club, but also to generate revenue to support our footballing activities.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank todays match sponsors – The Cook Partnership. David and Pam Cook, as well as generously supporting the club, are also our accountants and do a great job, along with Tony Stedman, of ensuring that we are in good financial order. If anyone reading has any accountancy needs I would personally recommend The Cook Partnership.

Drawing things to a close, which I always struggle with, look out for the next episode of ‘From the Dugout’ on our YouTube channel.

Please do watch via the link on page 17 then hit subscribe/like – it’s really important from a commercial perspective that we get this channel out there with a significant number of followers.

Finally, I do hope you enjoy today’s game. Do catch me if there’s anything you would like to discuss – I’m always happy to talk.

As ever – onwards and upwards!!

Cheers

Bob

TAFC—A new club nickname?

The club has never really had a formal nickname and we are considering introducing one. Below are a few thoughts that have been thrown around & we’d be interested to hear your views

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The Yankees, paying homage to George Washington's great grandad being from Tring The Pirates in homage to Sir Francis Verney (went on to be a pirate!) born at Pendley Manor The Barbers in honour of Tring's only VC winner Edward Barber who lived on Miswell Lane The Laners (Miswell and Cow Lane connection) The TAs (abbreviation on Tring Athletic) The Hurricanes

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The Wardens (Tring Museum)

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The Moos (Cow Lane)

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The Rangers (Tring Park)

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The Bankers (Rothchilds)

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The Millers (Heygates flour mill)

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The Marketeers (Tring market)

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The Jesters (Pendley Court)

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The Rustlers (Cattle market)

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The Kites / Red Kites Athletic We don’t need one!

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Today’s Match Sponsor

We are Chartered Accountants based in Tring, providing the full range of accountancy, taxation and management solutions.

We provide all the necessary accounting support to enable you to focus on your business.

You may simply need a book-keeping function, a payroll operated or monthly management accounts, or you need year end accounts and tax computations. Perhaps you need your selfassessment tax return prepared or require tax advice ? We have the personnel and experience to meet these needs.

Our aim is to consistently provide a professional, pro-active and prompt service at a cost effective price.

Understanding our client’s business is fundamental to providing a service tailored to their precise needs.

Being approachable and friendly with regular communication is an essential part of the support we provide our clients.

Whether you are considering a change of accountants or you are a new business, we would love to hear from you.

THE COOK PARTNERSHIP Unit 7, The Forum Icknield Way Tring Hertfordshire HP23 4JY Telephone 01442 891 991

CLICK ON EITHER LOGO TO VISIT OUR SPONSOR’S WEBSITE

Match Report Tuesday 12th October 2021 Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Hadley 2-2 Tring Athletic Word has it that Ryan is looking for a club song that the players walk out to at every match. May I suggest the Walker Brothers number one hit from 1965 ‘Make it Easy on Yourself’ because at the moment the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, Climb Every Mountain, seems to be ringing in their ears.

Five minutes gone, 2-0 down and our key defender Harry Seabrook is limping off and out the game. Well, at least it had stopped raining!

I have a piece of advice for your training sessions Ryan – invite Linford Christie along and he will teach the boys his ‘go on the b for bang’ starting philosophy because at the moment we seem to be ‘sleeping with the enemy’, (Genesis 2021).

Enough of the musical memorabilia and enough of the negativity because in fact this was a really good effort from the boys, showing resilience and character which are qualities just as important as class when viewed over the season as a whole. Every player deserves credit in the way they dug in and continued to believe despite the horrific start.

I must though make specific mention to two individuals, firstly Harrison Cornick. Harrison proved me wrong when, in my last report, I suggested he was a consistent 7 out of 10 performer. He wasn’t a 7 yesterday, he was a 9, slotting perfectly into the centre of the defence when called up. But the star turn of the night was undoubtedly Kieran Turner. He was a class act, outshining even their highly dangerous number 7. Every time Kieran received the ball he looked to be creative, progressive, never playing safe. This high risk strategy doesn’t always come off but when it does it is a game changer. His goal, struck out wide, dipping and swerving and crashing into the net

Hadley 2-2 TAFC (or, as the Hadley supporter next to me suggested, a flukey, mishit

cross that our keeper misjudged) was a thing to behold.

Tommy Twelves had given us a lifeline half way through the first half and Tommy has develop a very useful knack this season of scoring important goals at important moments. That lifted us and, from that point, we looked dangerous every time we attacked, even when it was just Chris Blunden ploughing a lonely but willing furrow up front.

We have now put together a useful string of results, especially laudable given that, with suspensions, injuries and unavailabilities our squad is being stretched to its absolute limits. Confidence boosted, gradually rising up the table, we go into Saturday’s game looking for a further lift.

Team: David Saunders, Harrison Cornick, Harry Seabrook, Scott Bonner, Adam Sawyer, Kieran Turner, Tommy Twelves, Frankie Hercules, Evans Lamboh, Ollie Butler, Chris Blunden Playing subs: Ben Johnson, Jimmy Doherty.

Highlights & Social Media Highlights — TAFC 0-1 Dunstable 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

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

13 9 10 10 11 10 9 10 10 11 10 9 9 9 5 11 9 9 9 11

7 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 2 2

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

Table as at Friday 15th October 2021

3 0 2 2 4 3 2 2 5 6 5 4 5 5 2 6 4 4 7 9

13 25 22 7 10 10 1 5 -6 -10 -12 -4 0 -1 -4 -5 -12 -9 -11 -19

24 23 22 20 19 17 17 16 13 13 13 11 10 10 9 9 9 7 6 6

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 Coaches First Team Technical Advisor 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 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, Gareth Jackson Ian Richardson Michael Churchill, Ian Butler Michael Churchill, Iain Lorimar David Lawless Vacant Vacant Vacant Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges Keith Eldridge Keith Eldridge Darrell Bodimeade David Whicker Graham Bright Vacant Tash Young

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

From The Dugout We are delighted to bring our second episode of hosted by Damon Wood.

From The Dugout aims to bring you interviews and news from our management teams, players and others around the club. Click on the image below to watch episode 2 which features a discussion with first team manager Ryan Sturges talking about our first league win of the season, a new kit and a presentation for Alfie Brittain.

Please comment, like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel so that you can tune in to future episodes

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 Tuesday 31st August—Holmer Green Saturday 4th September—Harpenden Town Saturday 18th October—Leighton Town Tuesday 21st October—Dunstable Town Saturday 9th October—London Colney Saturday 16th October—Flackwell Heath Tuesday 19th October—Broadfields United Saturday 6th November—Baldock Town Tuesday 23rd November—Hitchin Town Saturday 27th November—Milton Keynes Irish Tuesday 30th November—Arlesey Town 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 Ralph Griffiths Tony Stedman & Dave Snelman Dick Lovelace Brian Lovell / The Samaritans The Cook Partnership Pendley Day Nursery Richard & Tim Solk Mick Eldridge & Ray Brimson Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available

Fixture List Tue 3 Aug Sat 7 Aug Sat 21 Aug Tue 31 Aug Sat 4 Sep Sat 11 Sep Tue 14 Sep Sat 18 Sep Tue 21 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sat 2 Oct Sat 9 Oct Tue 12 Oct Sat 16 Oct Tue 19 Oct Sat 23 Oct Sat 30 Oct Sat 6 Nov Sat 13 Nov Tue 16 Nov Sat 20 Nov Sat 27 Nov Tue 30 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 W 3-0 L 2-0 L 1-2 D1-1 W2-2 L4-0 L0-4 L0-1 W1-4 D3-3 W1-0 D2-2 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 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 7.45pm 3pm 3pm

Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Away Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division 2-4 pens FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 1st Round Proper Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Oxhey Jets Keynsham Town Bishops Cleeve Holmer Green Harpenden Town Long Buckby Harefield United Leighton Town Dunstable Town FC Deportivo Galicia Crawley Green London Colney Hadley Flackwell Heath Broadfields United Ardley United Milton Keynes Irish Baldock Town Ardley United Aylesbury Vale Dynamos New Salamis Milton Keynes Irish Dunstable Town 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 Harrison Cornick Oliver Butler Scott Bonner George Carbery Frankie Hercules Tommy Twelves Kieran Turner Chris Vardy Chris Blunden Cameron Brooks Fraser Bryden Emmanuel Gbejuade Evans Lamboh

Manager - Ryan Sturges Asst Manager- Lee Groves Coach—Gareth Jackson

Technical coach—Ian Richardson GK Coach - Gary Looker

Flackwell Heath FC

Jonathan O'Sullivan (GK) Brandon Eaton Ben Fraser Jamie Essex Mo Ceesay Cory Hathaway Alan Akerman Jack Taylor Simeon Weekes Ashley Howell Adam Thomas Tyler Gregory Jack Shakespeare Kane Guy Sanchez Parkes James Burrell

Next Up

Broadfields United Tuesday 19th October Kick off 7.45pm

FREE £7.00 £7.00 FREE £4.00

TAFC Socials Saturday 16th October—Sports Quiz from 7.30pm. £6 pp (including food) with teams of up to 6. Book a space via Ian Butler.

Friday 29th October—TAFC Veterans Reunion night. Pool, darts, music, food & drink. From 7pm all former players welcome.

Saturday 30th October— Halloween Night. Details to follow

Friday 19th November—Presidents Dinner. Details to follow Saturday 11th December—Club Christmas Party.

All welcome

Our opponents Flackwell Heath FC was founded in 1907 and the club joined the High Wycombe and District League for its inaugural season. The Heathens proved to be a major force in local football, having won twelve Wycombe League championship titles and fourteen High Wycombe Senior Challenge Cup finals. In the 1950’s Flackwell joined the Great Western Combination League and won this league twice before returning to the Wycombe League. In 1956 the club moved to its current home, the new ground being donated by the Wilks family.

Through the 60s and 70's the club continued their success on and off field and the new clubhouse was built in 1974 as the first stage of their rise into senior football. In 1975 The Heathens won the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup and the Reading Senior Cup. In 1977 the club achieved Senior status and moved up into the Hellenic League Division One. Promotion to the Premier Division was achieved at the first attempt. After five seasons in this league, during which time floodlights were installed at Wilks Park, Flackwell were elected into the Athenian League. In 1984 they joined the expanding Isthmian League. The clubs first season in this competition saw them playing in Division Two (North) and against some tough opposition they finished in a respectable eighth position.

The following season Flackwell was switched to Division Two (South) where life turned out to be even tougher. At the end of season 1990-91, after finishing below mid table, The Heathens found themselves placed in the newly formed Ryman League Division Three. At this stage the club installed a 150 seater stand to stay in senior football, and new home changing rooms were built to comply with new ground gradings. For the next 10 years the club carried out further ground improvements and they established themselves in senior football. In 2002/03 for the first time in their history Flackwell reached the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup losing 4-1 at home against Crawley and finished third in the newly formed Ryman League Division Two, the highest position achieved to date. In season 2004/05 The Heathens reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the second time in three years, this time losing 3-0 at Ryman Premier Division Billericay Town and were runners-up in the Ryman League Associate Members Cup, losing 2-1 after extra time to Division Two champions Ilford on their own ground. Flackwell finished fourth in Ryman League Division Two in 2005/06, narrowly missing out on promotion. After the end of 2006/07 the FA reorganised the non-league pyramid and we were due to be relegated into the South Midlands Spartan League until Barking and East Ham United went out of

Flackwell Heath business and we were given the opportunity to take their place in the Ryman Division One (North). Unfortunately we finished bottom of the league and were relegated into the Hellenic Premier Division for season 2008/09. The 2014/15 season saw us gain promotion into the Southern League Division 1. However, a late move by the Southern League of us from the Central Division into the South West Division meant FHFC were unable to accept promotion and we stayed in the Hellenic League Premier Division for season 2015-16. 2014-15 also saw us with places in the final of the Berks & Bucks Trophy (losing to Windsor FC) and the High Wycombe Senior Challenge Cup (winning against Penn & Tylers Green FC). Earlier that season we reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup losing to Conference side Weston Supermare 4-1. For the first time in club history we also reached the last sixteen of the FA Vase losing 3-2 to Shaw Lane Aquaforce. 2015/16 season under the continued management of Graham Malcolm assisted by Paul Shone saw us finish 3rd in the Hellenic League also winning 3 cup finals – the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy (against Newport Pagnell FC), the Uhlsport Challenge Cup (against Brackley Town Saints) and the Wycombe Senior Cup (against Pitstone and Ivinghoe FC). After Graham Malcolm's decision to move to Spain, Paul Shone took over the managerial role assisted by Sean Kelleher. Unfortunately, this combination did not work out and in November 2017 they were replaced by Marcus Richardson, formerly of Highmoor Ibis FC, assisted by Fabian Coultress.

Marcus had to start rebuilding the team from scratch, bringing in lots of young players and former Youth team players. That season the team finished a respectable 5th, following with 8th position in 2018/19. The past 2 seasons have been limited by Covid-19 restrictions with our 2019/20 season finish of 9th, with games in hand, being declared null and void. The past season was similarly curtailed, leaving FHFC top of the Hellenic League having only lost one game. However, FA promotions and restructuring using a points per game system saw us finishing 4th over the previous 2 seasons, thereby missing out on promotion for 2021/22. The restructuring has seen us take up a place in the Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division. This disappointment was tempered by a very successful run in the 2020/21 FA Vase. FHFC reached the Quarter Finals for the 1st time in their history finally losing to US Portsmouth FC 2-0

Today’s Officials Referee

Thomas Frost

Assistant Referee Assistant Referee

Peter Kwak Lawrence Gregory

The TAFC 1

Club

Support Tring Athletic, Join our 100 Club. This is one of the most popular fund raising activities in the UK, probably the easiest to enter, and the size of the weekly/monthly prize will depend upon the number of people participating. The more people the larger the prize. 50% of all takings go in cash prizes.

At the current time we have a weekly CASH prize of £20 and a Monthly 1st prize of £100 and 2nd prize of £50. It costs just £1 per week. Ask a committee member for details.

September winners The monthly 100 draw was undertaken at half time during the London Colney game. The lucky winners were: £100 Phil Casserley £50 Dave & Pamela Dorman £20 Keith Hamilton £20 Steve Johnson £20 Natasha Young Once again winnings will be paid directly to the winners bank accounts.

THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF “NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE

Saturday 9th October Premier Division table toppers part company with manager Joe Sweeney. Tring Athletic finally win in the league. New Bradwell St Peter claim their biggest away win since October 2008.

Buckingham United suffer heaviest defeat since joining SSML Premier Division The big story of the day concerns Premier Division leaders Leighton Town, having drawn 2-2 at lowly Oxhey Jets it was announced that manager Joe Sweeney was parting company with the club, the game had seen the visitors recover from 0-2 before securing a point and to add insult they even missed a very late penalty. Risborough Rangers closed the gap at the top to just two points as they saw off the challenge of visiting Arlesey Town 4-1 while Harpenden Town stay third after squeezing past Ardley United 3-2 in Hertfordshire. At the other end of the table Tring Athletic climbed off the bottom of the table as they recorded their first league win of the campaign with a solitary goal success against visiting London Colney, replacing the at the bottom are Dunstable Town who suffered a 0-4 defeat at the much improving Harefield United, the ‘Hares’ climb into the top ten as a result of their win. Elsewhere New Salamis are in seventh heaven after their seventh successive league win, this time winning 6-0 at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos while Holmer Green came out on top of a seven goal thriller at home against Hadley. The day’s Premier Division action was completed with away successes for Broadfields United and Crawley Green, Broadfields winning 3-0 at Baldock Town and Crawley winning 3-1 at Flackwell Heath.

Division One Division One leaders Stotfold bounced back from last week’s defeat to edge out visiting Amersham Town 2-1 in front of a crowd of 257 (the third highest Division One crowd of the season) while closest challengers Thame United Reserves remain five points behind after winning 2-0 at Rushden & Higham United. Wellingborough Whitworth returned to third place when leap frogging visiting Ampthill Town 3-1 while Winslow United moved into the play-off places with a 6-0 home win over second bottom side Irchester United. Bottom club Burton Park Wanderers picked up their third point of the campaign with a 2-2 draw at Penn & Tylers Green while Shefford Town & Campton eased their relegation fears with a 5-0 home success over Buckingham Athletic. Elsewhere they were big wins for Long Crendon (6-0 at home against Langford) with James Hawkes bagging a hat-trick for the second successive Saturday while Bedford won 7 -3 at London Tigers. The day’s remaining game saw the points shared as Raunds Town and Letchworth Garden City Eagles played out a 1-1 draw at Kiln Park.

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

Division 2—No changes at the top of the standings as the top two both recorded big wins on the road, leaders Old Bradwell United enjoyed an 8-0 win at Codicote which sent their hosts to the bottom of the table while second placed New Bradwell St Peter went one better with a 9-1 win at Buckingham United, the result being the hosts heaviest defeat since joining the Spartan South Midlands League. Eynesbury United moved up to third with a 6-0 win at Bovingdon on a day that saw six of the seven games ending in away wins. Pitstone & Ivinghoe continued to be the club to watch if you want goals, their 5-4 win at Tring Corinthians AFC being the eighth game from ten that has seen six or more goals. Despite losing 0-3 at home to Aston Clinton, The 61FC (Luton) climbed off the bottom of the table while Sarratt went down by the odd goal in three at home against Milton Keynes College Football Academy. The day’s only hoe success saw Berkhamsted Comrades edging out Risborough Rangers Development 3-2.

Saturday brought about 132 goals from the 28 games (an average of 4.71 per game) with Ben Green (Old Bradwell United) and Elton Anning (New Bradwell St Peter) each bagging five, Lee Bassett (Eynesbury United) a four goal haul while Josh Bamford (Bedford), James Hawkes (Long Crendon), Lewis Workman (Winslow United) and Jay Caines (Berkhamsted Comrades) all netting hat-tricks.

9 October Stats: 28 games played of which 11 were home wins, 13 were away wins and 4 draws.

Without A League Win to date: Burton Park Wanderers.Without A League Defeat to date: Risborough Rangers. Without A League Draw to date: Amersham Town, Aston Clinton, Baldock Town, Broadfields United, Codicote, Dunstable Town, London Tigers, Risborough Rangers Development, Sarratt, Stotfold, The 61FC (Luton) and Winslow United.

Saturday’s Highest Attendance: 257 Stotfold v Amersham Town, 208 Flackwell Heath v Crawley Green and 159 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v New Salamis.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Premier Division Clubs): 418 Leighton Town v Harpenden Town, 361 Hadley v Enfield Town (FA Cup) and 350 Harefield United v Hastings United (FA Cup).

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division One Clubs): 317 Stotfold v Letchworth Garden City Eagles, 283 Stotfold v Langford and 257 Stotfold v Amersham Town.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division Two Clubs): 175 Bovingdon v Berkhamsted Raiders 130 Totternhoe v Old Bradwell United and 128 Milton Keynes College Football Academy v Berkhamsted Raiders.

On This Day—16th October 2007 An early goal from Danny Gray was enough to secure our 3rd consecutive win and move us up 3 places to 9th in the table within touching distance of the top teams.

We have had some epic encounters against Holmer Green in the past and our record against them in the first 12 games was good, with just 3 defeats. But over the past 3 seasons they have held the whip hand and have come out on top in 4 of the 5 games, so it was nice to redress the balance a bit. With Phil Casserley enjoying a round of golf in the Spanish sun the team was left in the capable hands of Terry Nightingale and Julian Robinson, and they made one change from Saturday’s line up, with Steve Huchins replacing Fran Silver who was joined on a very strong bench by Andy Humphreys, Ty North, Ian Wilkinson and Terry Phillips. The weather was far from ideal with driving rain throughout the game, but despite the very damp conditions the pitch held up well and some good football was played. This was definitely one of those matches that falls into the category of a game of 2 halves. We dominated the first 45 minutes and should have been out of sight by half time, but credit to Homer Green they came back strongly in the 2nd half and put us under pressure.

We started strongly playing some great stuff, knocking the ball to feet and going for the returns. In the 5th minute Mark Burfoot went past Adam Chaumeton with a nice shimmy and had a clear run of goal, albeit from a difficult angle just outside the left hand side of the penalty area, when the full back chopped him down. The Referee amazingly waved play on and it was one of those situations you would loved to have seen a video replay. Two minutes later Mark Burfoot was involved again with a clever pass that released Phil Otum down the right and his cross found Danny Gray coming in unmarked to claim his 2nd goal of the season. It was fitting that Phil and Danny were involved in the goal as their speed and trickery down the flanks caused all sorts of problems for the home defence during the first half. We were well on top and a good move presented Steve Hutchins with a shooting opportunity which went wide. Trevor Gibbs then got in on the act and his fierce shot was saved by Holmer keeper and captain Dave Clark at the 2nd attempt. Holmer were quick and sharp in attack and Michael Lavender showed great composure to catch an inswinging corner under the bar. The home side were forced to make change midway through the half when Matt Stringer got an accidental bang in the face and was replaced in central defence by the lanky James Apps. Despite the slippery surface we continued to take the game to our hosts and in the 27th minute a free kick found Danny Gray unmarked in the area and his intelligent backheel set up Phil Otum who perhaps was over eager and fired a good opportunity over. Phil should have made amends a minute later when a mazy run saw him go past 3 defenders into the area but this time he shot wide. The chances kept coming and in the 36th minute a great move led to Steve Hutchins slipping a lovely ball through a square defence for Mark Burfoot to run onto. On Saturday he scored on his debut with a similar chance but this time Mark shot wide of the goal. Soon afterwards Mark hit a scorching shot from outside the box that flew just over the bar. But after dominating the first half and creating a number of good opportunities we held just a slim 1-0 lead at half time.

Holmer Green 0-1 TAFC We started the 2nd half well with Holmer conceding possession straight from their kick off. Danny Gray cut in from the left and hit a rasping shot that the keeper couldn’t hold. But gradually the home side played their way back in the game and started to dominate possession. We didn’t help ourselves by hitting long passes rather than playing to feet. The lively Daddy Moses had a good run but shot wide. Holmer lifted their game and we had to sustain periods of pressure but the defence held firm magnificently and young Michael Lavender was only required to field long range efforts, many of which went wide. In the first half Holmer won few corners but after the break they had a succession and their main threat came from this source as they swung them into the goal mouth. Fortunately we dealt with them superbly apart from on one occasion when James Apps was found unmarked beyond the far post and he headed wide from a difficult angle when it would have been better to have nodded the ball back across goal. Holmer also won a number of free kicks but these were mainly wasted by being well over hit.

The pattern continued with Holmer’s attacks breaking down on our solid defence and with us unable to develop any real forward momentum. On a couple of occasions there were some dangerous moments but interceptions by Kerry Gordon and Chris Salmon averted any problems. Midway through the half Andy Humphreys and Ty North came on for Phil Otum and Greg Shaw and we moved to a more adventurous 4-42 formation. Holmer still had the better of the play but we looked a bit more dangerous going forward now. Holmer did break quickly from one of our corners but Adam Morris took the wrong option of shooting from a long distance which was an easy save for Michael Lavender when the better option would have been to try and find a colleague in the middle. Michael Lavender had to come off his line to clear the danger a couple of times and on one occasion he bumped into Daddy Moses, but he Referee waved away calls for a foul. Most of the danger came from the quick and energetic Daddy Moses but his efforts mainly failed to hit the target. With 8 minutes to go Fran Silver came on for Danny Gray and he almost created a goal when his run and cross was missed by a couple of our players. Michael Lavender had to be alert to just beat Daddy Moses to a through ball and last word went to Trevor Gibbs who received a nice flick from Mark Burfoot and hit a firm shot from a tight angle which produced a flying save from Dave Clark. The game ended with a narrow 1-0 win, our 6th victory at Watchet Lane in 10 visits.

After a good first half we were a bit disappointing in the 2nd although we must give credit to Holmer Green who raised their game after being outplayed for 45 minutes. What was satisfying was how sound we looked defensively, denying the hosts any real scoring opportunities. In the last 3 games we have conceded just 1 goal and we must build on this solidity. Bearing in mind the conditions this was a good 3 points and if we are to achieve any success this season we need to be able to go to difficult places in midweek and carve out wins.

Athletic: Michael Lavender, David Foskett (Capt), Chris Salmon, Paul Aldridge, Kerry Gordon, Greg Shaw (Ty North 69), Steve Hutchins, Trevor Gibbs, Mark Burfoot, Danny Gray (Fran Silver 82), Phil Otum (Andy Humphreys (69). Subs not used: Ian Wilkinson, Terry Phillips. Goal: Danny Gray (7)

TAFC Reserves

A Taylor Boniface penalty gave the reserves a point against Standon & Puckeridge. The lads were disappointed not to have taken all three when a late goal was disallowed for offside.

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1 Hertford Heath First

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14 18 16 5 -8 11 2 -3 -6 -8 -11 -14 -6 -32 0

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Results

Next up

Hinton First Buntingford Town First Oracle Components First Hertford United FC First Aldenham FC First Standon & Puckeridge FC None Harpenden Town Reserves Evergreen First Oxhey First Bovingdon Reserves Tring Athletic Reserves Knebworth First Hatfield United First Old Parmiterians First Wheathampstead Wanderers First

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TAFC 0-1 Oracle Components

Sat 9th October

Buntingford Town 2-0 TAFC

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Harpenden Town (A)

League

Sat 23rd October

Bovingdon (H) @ 2.30pm

League

Sat 30th October

Old Parminarians (H) @ 2.30pm

League

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U18s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U18s Blue POS

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1 St Albans City FC Academy U18

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Results

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London Lions U18 EJA Leighton Town Youth U18 London Colney Youth U18 EJA Ware FC Academy U18 EJA BSC FC Youth U18 EJA Tring Athletic U18 EJA Baldock Town U18 EJA Sun 26th September

London Lions 6-2 TAFC

League

Tues 28th September

TAFC 2-4 Hashtag Utd

Cup

Sun 3rd October

TAFC 3-2 Cockfosters

Cup

Sun 17th October

London Colney (A) @ 10.30

League

Sun 24th October

St Alban City Academy @ 10.30

League

U16s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U16 Green POS

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1 Cockfosters (Youth) U16

4

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2 Enfield Borough (Youth) U16 Leopards 3 London Colney Youth U16 EJA 4 Ryan (Youth) U16 Red EJA 5 Tring Athletic U16 EJA 6 Berkhamsted FC Youth U16 EJA 7 Hemel Hempstead Town Youth U16 Blacks 8 Edgware Town U16 9 Hadley Youth U16 EJA

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Results

Next up

Sun 3rd October

Brantham Athletic 2-3 TAFC

Cup

Tue 5th October

TAFC 1-4 Ware Academy

Cup

Sun 10th October

TAFC 5-1 Edgware Town

League

Sun 17th October

Berkhamsted (H) KO 10.30am

League

Sun 24th October

Ryan Youth (A) KO TBC

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