Winchester City V Lymington Town 18/4/2022

WINCHESTER CITY Football Club The Citizens Post

Monday April 18th 2022

Lymington Town 3.00pm

Division 1 THE CHARTERS COMMUNITY STADIUM

£1

The Citizens Post

from the boardroom Good Afternoon Happy Easter to you all!

We would like to offer you a warm welcome to the Charters Community Stadium for this afternoon's Pitching-In Southern League Division One South fixture between Winchester City and Lymington Town. A warm welcome goes to the Players, Staff, Officials and supporters that have made the short journey up from the South of Hampshire today. We hope you have an enjoyable Easter Monday here in Winchester and have a safe journey home.

These notes are being produced before Saturday's game at Evesham United, so thank-you in advance to everyone that made the journey up to the game Also a big thank-you to everyone that went down to Sholing on Wednesday night. Your support was very much appreciated by everyone and unfortunately it wasn't meant to be, but it was great to see young Henry Brooks starting the game once again as he gained further valuable first-team experience. Greg Peel, who has spent much of the season dual-registered at Shaftesbury, also started the game, and was a strong presence throughout the tie. The game was marred by an injury to former City keeper, Lewis Noice, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Today is our last home game of the season and you will have the opportunity to vote for your Supporters Player of the Season - please go and see Nikki in the club shop for your chance to vote.

Thank-you for your fantastic support throughout the season and we hope to see as many of you as possible at Bristol Manor Farm on Saturday.

Enjoy the game and get behind the team as always do!

Up The Winch! #youcitizens Matt Richbell

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The Citizens Post malcolms musings We welcome Lymington Town to Winchester City for this afternoon’s Easter Monday fixture. Earlier in the season we won 1-0 at Lymington thanks to a 9th minute goal from Simba Mlambo in what was a fairly scrappy game. Lymington Town in their first season after promotion from the Sydenham’s Wessex League were at the time of writing fourth from bottom, but ten points clear of the bottom two.

At the match at Lymington it was nice to bump into Paul Masters in his capacity as co-manager of Lymington Town.

Apart from the fact that he shares the same birthday as me and is a former brother in law of football legend Alan Shearer he was of course a former Winchester City manager and led us into the playoffs of this league in season 2015/16. That season we obtained 83 points from 42 games and finished in fifth place with Warren Bentley captain and leading goalscorer and Jamie Barron an important cog in our midfield. As I write this it is now certain that any club whose average of points per game is better than this will finish outside the playoffs.

I first visited the Lymington Sports Ground where they play in the 1988/89 and the club playing at home that day were AFC Lymimgton. At the end of the 1987/88 season AFC Lymington was formed as the merger of Lymington and Wellworthy Athletic with Lymington who previously played at the club’s current ground having just finished bottom of the Wessex League which had at that time only one division with 7 draws and 9 victories from 36 league games.

With Wellwortthy Athletic having also finished fifth from bottom the merger worked out well for both clubs and in their first season the newly merged club and finished fifth in the league. This started a very successful 10 years for the club in which they won the title three times, finished runners up twice and never finished in the lower half of the table. In fact during the 1996/97 season the club incredibly won 35, drew and lost 0 of its’ 40 league games, a reversal of the winless 198788 season. In fact the club only lost 9 league games in 3 seasons, but wanting promotion and being unlikely to achieve it at their current ground they merged with New Milton to form Lymingtoin and New Milton Town.

The merged club continued the club’s success story, in seven seasons they were champions twice, runners up twice and never finished outside the top six. TYhey played one season in the Isthmian League and one in the Southern League before the club changed their name back to New Milton and returned to the Wessex League.

Even when the merger took place a separate club Lymington Town remained and this club played in the Hampshire League Division 3 and at the home of the previous Lymington club. In the first season after the merger they finished third, but when the league was reorganised the following season they were placed in the Premier Division. After five seasons in the Hampshire League Premier Division they joined a newly formed Wessex League Division 2.

After winning the Wessex League Division 2 title at the first attempt they were promoted to the top flight of Wessex League football where they remained until their elevation to this league at the start of this season. At the end of last season prior to the season being curtailed they had the impressive record of 11 wins and 1 draw from 12 league games.

This season the players who have played for them include the experienced duo of Craig Stanley and Craig McAllister.

Both Stanley and McAllister were important players in the Eastleigh team that reached the National League playoffs in 2014/15, and Stanley is a former captain of Aldershot, while McAllister has made over 500 senior appearances in a career spanning more than 20 years.

Lymington Town recently signed Full back Michael Green, who is a player who left Eastleigh at the end of last season having been a regular player with the club for ten seasons, seven in the National League \and three in the National League South. Mike’s Dad Kevin was previously an important defensive player in the successful teams of AFC Lymington and Lymington and New Milton teams having earlier played for Bashley when they were at the height of their powers.

At the fixture between the clubs on New Year’s Day it was nice to see Brian Perrett, John Osey and Ian Snook whom I remember from AFC Lymington days (They were vrivals of Eastleigh at the time). Brian writes the club’s Non-League Paper reports and his sons Dave and Russell both played for AFC Lymington with Dave being a prolific scorer and Ruseell went on to make over 200 football league appearances playing for Portsmouth, Cardiff, Luton and AFC Bournemouth.

Anyway as regards today’s game we are in a very tight battle for a top ,five placing with six clubs in the running as Sholing appeared to, have faded from the picture and it is likely that every point will prove crucial and on Saturday we travel to promotion rivals for our final league match of the season, although obviously we hope to be involved in the playoffs.

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Match Report

By Malcolm Clarke

EVESHAM UNITED 1 - 5 WINCHESTER CITY Winchester went into Saturday's game with Evesham needing seven points from their last three games or six from three if they get three of them at Bristol Manor Farm and they got three of them at Evesham to complete their first ever double against the Worcestershire side with Ollie Balmer scoring a hat-trick to bring his tally of goals in the last six league and Southampton Senior Cup games to thirteen, two of which we appeared as a second half substitute. With all of the other teams in the top six winning the position at the top of the table remains unchanged.

Evesham are a club who in each of the last five completed seasons have finished in the top seven and have reached the playoffs in three of them. However this season they have tried to use more local young players and have used a lot of players in the campaign and have not done so well this campaign with this defeat dropping them into the bottom four. They however have an excellent clubhouse, a strong fanbase and it is likely that they will appoint an exoerienced manager for next season.

Winchester made one change to the starting line-up from the previous Saturday with Craig Feeney coming in for Oli Bailey The one change to the substitutes bench saw Connal Bark come in for Joe Hayward.

Evesham's young team started the match brightly and they had plenty of pace on the flanks. They forced the first corner of the match oin the opening minute and Brandon Smalley shot just wide. At the other end Simba Mlambo sets up Ollie Balmer whose cross is intercepted by the home goalkeeper. Danny King has a cross deflected for a corner, while Evesham captain Adam Mace makes an important block to keep Winchester out, At the other end Toumani Sidibe who liked ;lively forced the Winchester defence to intercept at the expense of a corner.

Winchester however took the lead in the 28th minute when Winchester captains past and present combined with Warren Bentley setting up Jamie Barron to score. However a minute later the scores were level when Toumani Sidibe converted a cross from the right. Three minutes after the goal Lorcan Sheehan was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Jamie Barron. However despite playing with only 10 men Evesham were playing with a lot of energy and it required an important block by Dan Walster to keep them out. Smalley also shot just wide, but Winchester also had chances although Winchester had three attempts on goal during the latter stages of the first half, although none was on target.

Evesham started the second half brightly, with Kyle Belamonte going on a couple of dangerous runs, one of which resulted in the ball being deflected for a corner. However as the second half progressed Winchester began to get on top. Simba Mlambo has an effort deflected for a corner, Warren Bentley forced a save from Lewis Clayton in the home goal and only a goal line clearance keeping Winchester out.

With just over half an hour remaining of the game Winchester made their first change of the afternoon with Henry Brooks replacing Craig Feeney. Although Toumani Sidibe made another good run which was not matched by his delivery Winchester continued to have the lion's share of the game. Full back Josh McCormick was overlapping to good effect and Brooks was denied by a good block with Evesham defending with determination.

Just as it looked like it could be one of these days when Winchester were unable to get the breakthrough midway through the second half when Henry Brooks scored with a low shot after holding off several challenges. Shortly before the goal Winchester had replaced Pip Nolan with Ollie Griggs and shortly after the goal Liam Callaghan replaced Warren Bentley, but Winchester very much in the ascendancy now even though Belmonte had a couple of off target efforts for the home team.

Winchester have a goal disallowed, Clayton makes a good save to deny Brooks and Balmer shoots narrowly wide.

Winchester however do score their third goal when after Clayton saved from Brooks Balmer followed up to score. Balmer scores his second six minutes later.

Liam Callaghan and Simba Mlambo come close to scoring a fifth, but with the final kick of game Ollie Balmer completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Josh McCormick was bought down. Coincidentally all of Winchester's last ten goals in league and Southampton Senior Cup goals have been scored by players whose surname begins with the letter B. After the game Winchester's travelling support who exceeded 30 in number cheered their players off the pitch. ON Saturday Winchester play their final league match of the season when they travel to Bristol Manor Farm for a crucial fixture and the club are running a coach to the game.

Match Report

By Malcolm Clarke

WINCHESTER CITY 3 - 0 MELKSHAM In their last Saturday home fixture of the season Winchester continued their challenge for a top five placing with a 3-0 win against Melksham, and they maintain in fifth place on a day where all four of the teams above them played each other and AFC Totton in sixth place won.

Earlier in the season the teams drew 2-2 at Melksham and despite the defeat Melksham remain in eight place having won more games than they have lost and have achieved useful results this season, tasking four points off Plymouth Parkway, beating Bristol Manor Farm and Sholing and holding Frome to a draw on their home pitch.

With Craig Feeney unavailable Simba Mlambo came into the starting line-up with Joe Hayward and Henry Brooks on a bench that did not include Kieran Douglas in an otherwise unchanged team from the previous Saturday. The Melksham team contained the familiar face of Kyle Tooze, but their bench included their joint management team of Richard Fey and Nathan Rudge as well as one of their most experienced players in Luke Ballinger.

Early on Oli Bailey set up Warren Bentley who shot just wide, while Oli Bailey had a shot saved, but generally there was not much goalmouth action in the early stages. Charlie Philpott had to make a headed clearance, but Winchester were beginning to make more dangerous. Physical education teachers past and present combined with Danny King setting up Warren Bentley whose shot was saved, Jamie Barron hit a powerfully struck shot just over, King had a shot saved himself and and Ollie Balmer who was linking up well with the forwards put in one dangerous cross that a Melksham defender was just able to intercept in the nick of time, while Oli Bailey was looking lively.

However although Winchester were very much having the lion's share of the game Melksham were very much still in the game and they were not too far off target following a free kick. However two defensive errors enabled Winchester to break through and score two goals before half time. The first came in the 34th minute when Melksham goalkeeper Emmanuel Idem lost possession of the ball and in his efforts to retrieve it he bought down Oli Bailey and Warren Bentley scored from the resulting penalty.

The second error came when a Melksham player failed to intercept a Winchester through ball and this resulted in Ollie Balmer finding himself clear of the away defence and he was able to control the ball and pick his spot fol a good finish to put Winchester 2-0 at the interval.

Having got the two goals just before the interval Winchester scored the third goal four minutes into the second half when a corner was not cleared and Ollie Balmer was on hand to score his second goal of the game.

With a three goal lead the game was virtually safe and Winchester began to play some lovely football with some goo cross field balls and they came close to adding a fourth with Bailey and Balmer forcing saves from Idem, and Balmer and Pip Nolan also came close.

With the gam effectively won Winchester made their three substitutions with Max Smith, OLLIE Griggs and Henry Brooks entering the field of play to respectively replace Warren Bentley, Jamie Barron and Simba Mlambo. Although Winchester still had chances to score a fourth Melksham had more shots on goal in the final 20 minutes of the game than the previous 70 minutes with Charlie Philpott having to make a couple of saves one of them from Jay Malshanskyj and they had a couple of efforts off target and it was a good comfortable win for Winchester and a solid team performance. Winchester have now won four and drawn two of their six league games with Melksham, with three of these victories by a three goal margin.

It was only the second time in 10 home league games that a team has gone 1-0 up and gone on to win the game, but Winchester certainly did not want to have to recover from two goals down early in the game as they did in the return fixture.

Winchester also attracted a crowd of over 200 which is certainly an improvement as the team have everything to play for during the remainder of the season.

On Wednesday Winchester play AFC Totton at Sholing in the semi final of the Southampton Senior Cup and on Easter Saturday travel to play Evesham. On Easter Monday they play their final home league match of the season when Lymington Town are the visitors. to make it three matches in less than 120 hours.

The Winchester under 23 team beat their Whitchurch counterparts 3-0.having taken a 2-0 lead at the interval and scoring the third with virtually the final kick of the game.

Match Report

By Malcolm Clarke

AFC TOTTON 2 - 1 WINCHESTER CITY Winchester City were beaten 2-1 by AFC Totton who now play Folland Sports in the final of the competition at ST Marys Both teams went into this match with an impressive record in the four previous rounds albeit against mostly lower league opposition with AFC Totton scoring 30 goals without reply and Winchester scoring 24 times and conceding just one. The two teams were the highest ranked in terms of league status of those competing in the semi finals.

Both Winchester City and AFC Totton are very much involved in the battle for a playoff place and both have important league games on both Easter Saturday and Easter Monday thus meaning three matches in less than 120 hours. Manager Craig Davis certainly expressed the view before the contest that he would have preferred to the schedule to be less hectic. Sometimes it is not always easy to schedule cup matches that they blend in easily with league fixtures, but on the Wessex League site the AFC Totton v Winchester City match is listed as taking place at Hythe and Dibden's ground on the Tuesday and the other semi final between Folland Sports and Fawley at Sholing on the Wednesday. With Fawley completing their fixtures on Saturday and Folland having completed their regular league programme this arrangement might have made it easier to avoid the need for key players to be rested.

This last paragraph is a bit of a digression as at the end of the day both teams fielded competitive teams for this fixture and despite the result Craig Davis saw some of the objectives he had for the fixture met. For the match Winchester made six changes to the starting line-up from Saturday with Greg Peel, Joe Haywatd, Liam Callaghan, Max Smith, Henry Brooks and Craig Feeney who was unavailable on Saturday coming in and Warren Bemtley, Jamie Barron and Ollie Balmer dropping to the bench which also included Tyrell Mitford and youngster Reece Kempton. Simba Mlambo, Callum Chugg and Oli Bailey did not feature at all. AFC Totton started with 6 of the players who started Saturday's match against Evesham, and four players who were on the bench for that game. In addition the AFC Totton bench contained four players who had started against Evesham, With Lewis Noice and Brett Williams starting for AFC Totton and Rob Flooks and Adam Tomasso on the bench there were a fair amount of former Winchester players in the opposition ranks.

Early in proceedings Ethan Taylor had an effort blocked at the expense of a corner, while from another corner Shaq Gwengwe's header went into the side netting. Winchester had a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions, but the AFC Totton defence were able to defend these, while Danny King put in a cross that eluded everyone. Although Gwengwe forced a save from Charlie Philpott in the 36th minute neither goalkeeper had very much to do during a goalless first half, with Gwengwe hit the post following a good run.

Early in the second half Jake Adams for the home side and Henry Brooks with a header for Winchester had efforts that were just wide. On the hour Tyrell Mitford came on for Liam Callaghan and shortly afterwards Adam Tomasso came on for AFC Totton and Jamie Barron comes on for Pip Nolan. However midway through the second half AFC Totton take the lead when a penalty is awarded for a foul on Gwenwge and Hisham Kasimu who came on as substitute fo Brett Williams at the interval converts the spot kick.

Josh McCormick forces a save from Lewis Noice in the AFC Totton goal and Winchester replace Henry Brooks with Ollie Balmer who has a free kick deflected just wide. However with 10 minutes to go AFC Totton score their second when Kasimu turns provider and puts Gwengwe through.Craig Feeney forces a good save from Lewis Noice as Winchester try to get back in the game, while AFC Totton take off Gwengwe who has played a part in both of their goals. In added on time Ollie Balmer is fouled by Lewis Noice giving Winchester a penalty. Noice has injured himself and outfield player Ethan Taylor has to go in goal for the remainder of the game. Balmer converts the penalty, but this proves to only be a consolation goal.

The recently appointed AFC Totton manager Jimmy Ball son of footballing legend Alan Ball in his post match interview acknowledged that Winchester were a good side and was pleased with the win. For youngsters Henry Brooks and Reece Kempton being part of the first team squad for a match against one of the better teams in the division is a good experience and of course Brooks has already made an impact at first team level.Winchester are away to Evesham on Saturday and at home to Lymington Town on Easter Monday. Midweek results have completely ended any hopes Sholing had of reaching the playoffs. while Plymouth Parkway's victory has put them eight points ahead of Winchester with just three games remaining.

Both Winchester under 18 teams were in action over the weekend and between them recorded a 2-1 loss to their Dorchester counterparts and a 4-4 draw against Baffins Milton Rovers.

The Citizens Post

DAVOs diary Good afternoon and a warm welcome to everyone for todays final home league match of the season against Lymington, we wish their players, management and supporters a pleasant afternoon and trip home afterwards.

Lymington are in their first season since promotion and look to have done a good job in what is a very difficult league this year, hopefully they can do enough to retain their place at this level for next season. We know it will be a difficult match as they are fighting hard and we will need to be at our best to get the result that will keep us in the play off hunt!

This is being written prior to Saturdays fixture which we know will have been a tough game against Evesham away. Midweek we lost narrowly to a near full strength Totton side whilst we made vast amounts of changes, we also had to contend with yet another appalling referee decision (from the same person who did what they did v Plymouth!!!), 2-1 loss was not the end of the world but I am still so disappointed in the decision to play it on a Wednesday meaning we had to make the vast amount of changes that we needed to with this weekend in mind. Good luck to Totton in the final.

Player wise we are just battling away the niggles that you have to put up with on such a long hard season, the ongoing absence of Kieran Douglas has been hard to take, we also have Joe Hayward unavailable today as well as Oli Bailey, the rest will be battling hard to see if we can reach the play offs which would be such a huge achievement given the relative resources to the others in the league! Whatever happens we are very proud of the efforts of the group to get to where we have, just that bit more effort needed to get us in there and in with a chance to go up!

Enjoy todays game, shout us on as hard as you can to push us to a performance that we will need to get us the result we need!

Enjoy the game, up the citizens!

Davo

Todays Visitors lymington town History: The Club can trace its roots back to 1876 when it started with a tent, balls, poles and flags – the minimum requirement in those far off days – and played on the site of the present ground. Little is recorded of the early years though they were long time members of the Hampshire League. In 1986, playing as Lymington FC, they became founder members of the Wessex League and two years later merged with Wellworthy Athletic, who were based in the town, and became AFC Lymington.

The Club enjoyed considerable success in the 1990’s before moving to Fawcetts Field in New Milton in 1998 and amalgamating with the local Club to form Lymington and New Milton FC. However this merger was not to the liking of many of the local people and Lymington Town FC was re-formed with their base still at the Sports Ground.

After something of a battle with the Football Administration, the Club were allowed into the Hampshire League Division Three with David Peach, a member of Southampton’s 1976 FA Cup winning side, as manager. Progression through the Leagues followed until acceptance into the Wessex League at the end of the 2003/04 season.

Under Manager, John Pyatt they quickly reached the Premier Division and won the League Cup in 2007. John departed from the club citing personal complications for his decision. Several managers followed in the ensuing years including Stuart Hussey, Dave Morris, Andy Leader and former Portsmouth player, Stuart Doling.

When Doling stood down in 2014 the then, Chairman, George Shaw, asked John Pyatt to return which he did with some considerable improvement to the club’s fortunes.

Five seasons ago John brought in former Bashley and Newport IOW player Dave Lewis to become first team manager whilst he took on a “Director of Football” role.

After a few successful seasons, Dave agreed to share managerial commitments with former Saints player, Paul Masters and together with coaches, Bob Sullivan, Shaun Coles and Physio, Yo Fowler- Wright they led the team to promotion to the Southern League in 2021.

In 2019 Lymington Town FC merged with Lymington Town Sprites Youth FC and now caters for teams from 7 years old right through to veterans as well as 3 girls teams.

The Chairman of the Sprites, Ian Loveless is now overall Chairman of Lymington Town Football Club.

Results Division 1 Tuesday 12th April 2022

Bristol Manor Farm 3 - 0

Plymouth Parkway 2 - 0 Highworth Town

Evesham United

Larkhall Athletic

1-5

Winchester Cit AFC Totton

Highworth Town

0-3

Lymington Town

3 - 2 Cinderford Town

Wednesday 13th April 2022

Melksham Town

1 - 2 Barnstaple Town

Larkhall Athletic

Plymouth Parkway 4 - 0 Mangotsfield Utd

Slimbridge

3-0

Sholing

0 - 2 Mangotsfield Utd

Saturday 16th April Bideford

0 - 2 Cirencester Town

Division 1 Table

Sholing

2-1

Willand Rovers

Slimbridge

0-2

Frome Town

Fixtures

Division 1

Monday 18th April 2022 AFC Totton

v

Saturday 23rd April 2022 Sholing

Bideford

v

Mangotsfield Utd

Barnstaple Town

v

Plymouth Parkway

Bristol Manor Fa

v

Winchester City

Cinderford Town

v

Evesham United

Evesham United

v

Larkhall Athletic

Cirencester Town

v

Highworth Town

Highworth Town

v

Willand Rovers

Frome Town

v

Paulton Rovers

Lymington Town

v

Frome Town

Larkhall Athletic

v

Melksham Town

Paulton Rovers

v

Cirencester Town

Mangotsfield Utd

v

Slimbridge

Plymouth Parkway

v

Cinderford Town

Willand Rovers

v

Bideford

Sholing

v

Barnstaple Town

Winchester City

v

Lymington Town

Slimbridge

v

AFC Totton

COACH TO BRISTOL MANOR FARM Well.. Last game of the season. And it’s an important one as the lads go for a play-off place. And you can be there to cheer them on.

We are running a coach to Bristol Manor on Saturday 23rd April. If you would like a place on the coach, go to the website (www.winchestercityfc.oc.uk) and follow the link to our Facebook page where you can reserve your place

TOP SCORERS

ByMatt Badcock

NORTHERN PREMIER League chairman Mark Harris has a good way of explaining the value of volunteers. If you offer a club £10,000 or ten volunteers, he poses, then the majority will take the volunteers without a second thought. Volunteers are so vital.

They are the heartbeat that keep Non-League clubs going. Turn up at a random Non-League ground during the week, and the chances are pretty high someone will be there, be it cutting the grass, adding a lick of paint to the fences – all done for the love of the game and their club.

We’ve seen the value of volunteers through the covid pandemic. The fact so many clubs were able to withstand the gates being shut for so long is, in the majority of cases, down to the selfless work of so many.

It’s a reminder that Non-League clubs will only thrive if they are able to find people to give up some of their spare time. People probably underestimate how they can help.

It’s not only about weeding the terraces, there are so many different skills that are invaluable to clubs and transfer across from the world business, social media or many other different walks of life. And sometimes even just distributing a few fliers advertising games around the town can make a big difference.

We’re really excited to have the return of the annual National Game Awards this season. If you’ve grabbed a copy of the paper recently, you would have seen all about it.

Among the individual and team awards for achievements on the pitch, there is a very special gong that never fails to raise a smile.

Our title sponsors Buildbase are also putting their name to this year’s Unsung Hero award. Every club has that special person who goes above and beyond. Not that they do it for the pats on the back, but it’s nice to give them some recognition.

We need your help to make sure this year’s Unsung Hero ends up in the most deserving hands. If you know of someone you think should be in the running, then please drop us a line.

We’d love to hear all about the work they do at your club – and how valuable they are.

Drop us a line to nlp@greenwayspublishing.co.uk

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

CHARLIE PHILPOTT Young Goalkeeper who has made the number one berth his own in a second season at the club, dual-registered from National League side, Eastleigh. A Wales Futsal International with a bright future ahead of him.

DANNY KING Left sided defender, the clubs longest-serving player currently and a real fans favourite. A teacher by trade, he has played for Chelsea and Southampton in his youth. Danny reached his testimonial year last season and had his testimonial at the end of the 2017-18 campaign. ‘Kinger’ also skippers the side in the absence of Jamie Barron.

JOE HAYWARD Defender who joined us having previously been with Eastleigh FC, unfortunately broke his leg early in his City career but returned quickly and showed what great potential he has. Joe scored a memorable goal, City’s spot kick, in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup away to Torquay United in the 2018-19 campaign.

JAMIE BARRON Re-signed from Gosport Borough Jamie has played for Salisbury, Andover, Sholing and Folland Sports. A winner of a Schools National Cup medal. Appointed Captain for another season and a really important player for us. ‘Baz’ has remained loyal to City despite interest from elsewhere.

SIMBA MLAMBO Also signed from Davis’ former club, Fleet Town. Mlambo has spent some time in North Hampshire and was an Alton Town player before this. Can play wide or up front and a player with immense speed and power in the air. Another playing starting his fifth season with City. Simba works tirelessly for the cause and scores important goals as well.

MAX SMITH Max Smith - Max has previous experience at Moneyfields and most recently and, Alton Town, before joining City ahead of the 2019-20 season. He started his career at the Portsmouth FC academy. A dynamic Midfielder that we have high hopes for in the season ahead.

KIERAN DOUGLAS - Young Defender signed from the Wessex leagues’ Christchurch FC, where he had been Captain for two successful seasons. A tall, strong and composed player who has settled in very well at the club already and we only see good things for the future. Kieran re-joined Christchurch on dual-registered forms for their FA Vase run in the 2020-21 season but he is now back at City once again.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

back at City once again.

OLLY BALMER 21-year-old Forward who has signed from Poole Town, having played for them at the Conference South level. Olly is technically skilled with an eye for the goal, so we are looking forward to him flourishing with the Citizens this year. Balmer has turned in many influential displays for City, including scoring a memorable last-minute free-kick at Cirencester Town which made him a fans favourite.

OLLIE GRIGGS Combative Midfielder who we are pleased to be signing permanently for the Citizens this season having played with the club on two occasions in the past whilst at Southern Premier club, Dorchester Town. Griggsy has played for both City and Dorchester in recent years and has now signed for City once again for the 2021-22 season.

NICK HARVEY Young Goalkeeper, Nick Harvey, has signed first-team forms for City this season. Harvey played for City’s Under-23s last season whilst dual-registered with Ringwood Town. An agile young Goalkeeper, with a bright future ahead.

LIAM CALLAGHAN A tricky former AFC Totton winger that has signed forms a second consecutive season for City. Callaghan featured heavily for City’s Under-23s at the end of last season once their title winning campaign restarted and was a constant threat for opposition defences.

LEX VAUGHAN Lex burst onto the scene by performing outstandingly in Jamie Ricketts' successful Under-16s side. Lex was promoted directly to the Under-23s where he impressed last season, so much so that he too has signed first-team forms for the 2021-22 season.

TYRELL MITFORD City’s FA Cup hero has re-signed for the club once again. Mitford will be hoping to emulate his recent goalscoring exploits. An excellent finisher who lists Ramsgate, Kings Langley, Beaconsfield and Team Solent amongst his former sides.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

OLI BAILEY A club legend that has moved back to the area and re-signed from Gresley Rovers. Bailey had several prolific seasons at the club before re-locating but he is now back in the area and back at City. A former Gosport Borough forward.

JOSH McCORMICK ‘Macca’ has signed first-team forms once again City. A former City youth team player that went on to play first team football elsewhere, including at Bognor Regis Town. Josh is now converted to a full-back and has been a regular in Davo’s plans since returning to the club.

WARREN BENTLEY 'Wazza' has returned 'home', after scoring over 100 goals during his last spell at The City Ground. Bentley left in 2016 to join Gosport Borough and has since played for Hungerford, Poole Town, Weymouth, Salisbury and most recently has a second spell at National League South side, Hungerford Town. A prolific striker and a firm fans favourite.

PIP NOLAN 'Pip', Patrick Nolan, is another returning Citizen. Nolan is a central defender that has stepped-in with Kieran Douglas gaining an injury in November. Nolan joined City from AFC Stoneham and has also recently served Brockenhurst and Team Solent in the Wessex League.

DAN WALSTER A talented central defender that has dual-registered with City from National Premier League side, Aldershot Town. Walster started out at AFC Bournemouth Academy before he then switched to Aldershot's Academy. Dan most recently played first-team football at Chichester City and has now become a regular in the heart of the City defence.

HENRY BROOKS Young midfielder that made his senior debut for the club away at Mangotsfield United in December 2021. Brooks came off the bench that day, got an assist and a goal and has never looked back. A key part of the matchday squad now.

PAT COX - Cox has returned for a third-spell at the Charters Community Stadium having previously been registered with Camberley Town this season. 'Coxy', a target man, is a popular character amongst the City supporters. He lists Fleet Town, Farnborough, Staines Town, Basingstoke, Salisbury and Hayes and Yeading United amongst his former sides after starting out at Reading U18s.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

ROB CARR A hero and true club great, the tricky winger, based in East Hampshire, has been playing closer to home this campaign for Sydenhams Wessex Premier League side, Alton. Carr joined City from Fleet Town and previously played for Chertsey Town and Woking.

STAFF PROFILES CRAIG DAVIS Player-Manager who came to City from Fleet Town after relinquishing his position as Manager. Took over as Interim Manager until the end of the 2016-17 season before taking over the reins permanently. His playing career started off as a pro at Cardiff City before spells at Bashley, Salisbury, Gosport Borough and AFC Totton. Has won both the Southern League South and West and Premier as a player. ‘Davo’ has had several opportunities to move on from City, including an opportunity at a higher level, but he has shown his commitment and loyalty to City and we are delighted to have him at the helm.

SEAN BIRCHNALL Assistant Manager now in his third season with the club. Sean is an experienced coach who has managed the Army football team as well. Struggles with availability at times due to work commitments but a huge asset to Craig’s backroom staff when available.

CRAIG MARTIN First Team Coach. Craig has been at the club for several season now. He played with Davo at Fleet Town and is based locally.

MARC COLE Goalkeeping Coach. ‘Coler’ has been an ever-present on matchdays for the First Team since his arrival at the club from Alresford Town.

JO BROCKSOM Jo is in her 6th season now at Winchester as Sports therapist, this is her 2nd season taking a leading role though, has been integral in keeping our players on the pitch and delighted to have her with the club again this season.

Ground Regulations Welcome to the Charters City Ground.

Please respect the staff and the facilities: ◊

Please do not enter the field of play before, during or after the game.

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Ball games are not permitted around the ground whilst matches are in progress

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Please do not use rude, obscene, racial or abusive language or gestures that are likely to cause offence.

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Please do not take glasses outside. Alcohol may now be consumed outside, but in plastic glasses only (in accordance with new Hampshire FA ruling).

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Please do not climb floodlights, pylons, fences, stands and other club structures.

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Please do not stand in the hatched areas around the pitch.

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No offensive objects are permitted (including bottles, cans, glasses, smoke bombs, flares etc.) or throwing any objects on the field of play.

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Please note that all vehicles parked on the club premises are at owners/driver's risk.

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The club accepts no responsibility for any damage to vehicles.

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Any supporter who encroached on to the playing area will be arrested.

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Comments or items in the programme do not necessarily represent those of Winchester City FC.

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The club reserves the right to refuse admission, eject from the ground, or prosecute any person in breach of the rules

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Winchester City FC CLUB HISTORY

The Winchester Football Club was founded in 1884 as a result of the endeavours of two residents of the city – Oxford graduate and former England Rugby cap Charles Sylvester Wooldridge and Huntingdon-born all-round sportsman (and, incidentally, inventor of ice hockey!) Arnold Tebbutt. The football club, which had strong links with Winchester College, made quite an impact in the early years of association football in Hampshire, reaching the final of the inaugural Hampshire Senior Cup competition in 1888 and providing a number of players to represent Hampshire in county-based competitions. However financial difficulties, combined with the indifference of Winchester residents, led to the 1884 club folding in 1893.

The decline of the city’s most high-profile club left a void that was subsequently to be filled by the Winchester Swallows FC. Formed in 1891, the Swallows were less socially exclusive than the 1884 club and had a membership more reflective of that of Winchester as a whole. The club changed its name to Winchester FC at the start of the start of the 1894/95 season, and again in 1907 when it became Winchester City FC. Like the 1884 club, the Swallows appeared in a dark blue and white strip and played their home games at Bar End, before moving in 1896 to a field adjoining the Old Red Deer pub in Stockbridge Road, and relocating again to the Roebuck Inn in 1902.

The club first played in a league-based competition in 1896/97 when it entered the newly-formed South Hampshire League. Winchester FC won the title in this first season, and repeated that feat in the each of the following three years. The club joined the Hampshire League in 1898/99 where, after struggling during their first few seasons, they remained unbeaten throughout the 1904/05 season and won the League’s Northern Section. The club also enrolled to the Southampton and District League in 1908/09, but with no notable success.

Like a number of other football clubs, Winchester City FC effectively disbanded at the start of the First World War in 1914, and didn’t reappear until 1920.

The rebirth of the club signalled two significant changes. Firstly, the club had moved again, this time playing its home fixtures at the Fair Field at Bar End (now the site of the Bar End Industrial Estate), a site where it was to stay until the Second World War. Secondly, it adopted a new strip, discarding its navy-blue colours in favour of red and white stripes.

The late 20s and early 30s proved to be a purple patch in City’s fortunes. The 1929/30 season saw the side again win the Northern Section of the Hampshire League, and achieve its most successful FA Cup run to date. That year saw City reach the fourth qualifying round of the tournament where a 3-0 defeat by Thames FC at the 120,000 capacity West Ham Stadium deprived them of an away trip to Fulham in the First-Round proper. Any disappointment at this would have been forgotten two years later in 1931 when City lifted the Hampshire Senior Cup for the first time after defeating Andover at The Dell.

One of the key members of the team in that era was the teenage Ted Drake. A local gas meter-reader at the time of joining City, Drake went on to enjoy a successful career with Southampton before joining Arsenal and also collecting five England caps. The highlight of his subsequent managerial career saw him steer Chelsea to their first (and, until 2005, their only) league title in 1955.

Play was again interrupted by war in 1939, although the club did continue to play and took advantage of the presence of a number of enlisted players that passed through the city. The end of hostilities saw City move yet again, this time taking up a lease of the Army’s playing field at Airlie Road, Stanmore.

The 1950s saw a second notable period of success at Winchester City. The side were runners up in the Hampshire League in 1949/50 and, in the same season, won their first Southampton Senior Cup final, an achievement which was repeated in 1951/52. The Russell Cotes Cup was also won for the first time in 1954/55. Success on the field was mirrored off the pitch as the club enjoyed some of its largest gates with crowds that regularly topped 1,000 filing into the Airlie Road stands.

CLUB HISTORY It was during this period that the young Terry Paine ran out for his hometown club. His prodigious talent led to his being signed in 1956 by Southampton with whom he made a record number of appearances (713 over 17 seasons). Paine also made 19 appearances for England, the last of which was against Mexico in the 1966 World Cup finals for which he (belatedly) received a winner’s medal in 2009.

Prior to the 1970s City had played virtually all of its competitive football, with the exceptions of the Amateur and FA Cups, within the confines of the Hampshire county border. However, after the club’s Russell Cotes Cup victory and a creditable second spot in the Hampshire League in 1970/71 the club’s Board decided to make the step up and enter the Southern League for the first time. City survived for just two seasons at that higher level, achieving disappointing final positions of 12th out of 16 (1971/72) and 21st out of 22 (1972/73), before electing to return to the Hampshire League.

For the remainder of the 1970s City yoyo’d between the top two divisions of the Hampshire League before a potentially fatal blow hit the club in 1981. In that year the lease agreement with the Army for Airlie Road expired and was not renewed. Briefly homeless, the club eventually moved to its current ground, a pitch leased from the City Council at Hillier Way. The ground needed a considerable amount of work to get it up to scratch, as did the team which had tumbled into the Hampshire League’s third division by 1982/83. The ignominy of this decline was made all the greater by the success of local rivals Winchester Castle in the first division – City could no longer claim to be Winchester’s premier club.

The continuing existence of Winchester City FC throughout the 1980s owed much to the work of Geoff Cox who at various times acted as Chairman, Manager, Coach and Groundsman at the club. Under his guidance the club was eventually to return to the Hampshire League’s top division in 1993/94.

The new millennium ushered in a period of unprecedented success for Winchester City. Prompted in part by the arrival of new and ambitious members to the Board, the club merged with Winchester Castle and began a rapid rise through the local league structure. Promotion to the Hampshire Premier League was achieved in 2000/01, and followed two years later by promotion to the Wessex League. The Wessex League title was secured at the first attempt.

That same season witnessed the club’s greatest ever triumph. May 2004 saw City face Suffolk side AFC Sudbury in the final of FA Vase at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s ground. Few that were there will forget the spine-jangling moment when club captain Danny Smith lifted the trophy after the 2-0 victory.

Further successes were recorded in the seasons that followed – 2004/05 saw City win the Hampshire Senior Cup for the second time, beating Aldershot 2-1 at Bournemouth’s Dean Court ground, whilst 2005/06 witnessed the club regain the Wessex League championship and win promotion to the Southern League for a second spell.

City’s return to the Southern League lasted three seasons. Financial problems, followed by a final day points deduction saw City return to the Wessex League for the 2009/10 campaign. Despite a concerted push to gain promotion back to the Southern League which ultimately proved successful in 2011/12, the resources required to sustain the club’s position at that level proved elusive. Winchester City FC finished the 2012/13 season at the foot of the Southern league and facing an uncertain future. The late spring of 2013 saw a takeover at the club and, with a new Committee structure and financial backers in place, the 2013/14 season heralds the start of a new chapter in the history of Winchester City FC. 2013-2014 saw a season of re-organisation and team building, with City retaining a place in the Sydenhams Wessex League.

2015-2016 – City made a valiant attempt to take the Wessex title but just fell short to a very successful Peters field Town side who were rightly promoted to the Southern League. City under the Managership of Paul Masters then set about strengthening the squad to win the title next season when out of the blue they were offered a place in the Southern League due to a withdrawal. The Club were given 24 hours to pay their fees and attend the AGM in Torquay. A frantic drive by Director of Football Dave Malone saw him arrive just in time with the relevant papers and bank draft! As a result, our neighbours, Peters field Town, were moved out of Division 1 South and West to accommodate City and placed in the Central Division!

CLUB HISTORY City's first season back in the Southern League was a success with them reaching the play-offs final losing to Banbury United in the quarter finals, who were promoted and coming within minutes of winning the Hampshire Senior Cup losing on penalties to Havant and Waterlooville. City's preparation for this season were disrupted by the unexpected resignation of Manager Paul Masters in the middle or pre-season friendlies. The Club quickly filled the vacancy by appointing Petersfield Town's Manager Ian Saunders to the post.

The club started the season brightly and made it to the fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, beating US Portsmouth, Street and Truro City before finally succumbing to Harrow Borough. The club also had a successful run in the FA Trophy, thanks to wins against Petersfield Town, Fleet Town and Phoenix Sports before getting knocked out narrowly by Dulwich Hamlet. Craig Feeney and Howard Neighbour forced a strong strike partnership, added to that the midfield flair of Captain Stuart Green and winger, Andy Jenkinson, City recovered from a difficult spell before Christmas to mount a play-off push in the early stages of the New Year. Manager, Ian Saunders, went away with the military, and during this time, Mick Catlin stepped in to take over the running of the First-Team. When Saunders returned, form deteriorated and Saunders subsequently left the club and was replaced by Interim Manager, Craig Davis, who joined the club from Fleet Town. Davis took control of the club until the end of the season, when it was announced that he would officially be becoming Permanent First Team Manager.

‘Davo’ finished 11th with City in his first full season in charge, a season that saw a successful run, resulting in a Hampshire Senior Cup Semi-Final where City eventually lost to Blackfield & Langley. The Citizens also hosted Southampton FC in the Southampton Senior Cup and achieved memorable league victories against Didcot Town, Evesham United, Swindon Supermarine and Wimborne Town as well as impressive away draws at both Swindon Supermarine and Salisbury, the latter seeing City come from 2-0 down to salvage a point at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

In the 2018-19, City had an impressive pre-season including victories over Dorchester Town and Eastleigh. City started strongly in the league too. This went hand-in-hand with a cup run that saw the Citizens make it through to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, following victories against Bournemouth Poppies, Frome Town, Merthyr Town and Cirencester Town before eventually losing 4-1 away at Torquay United. City’s league form dipped slightly during this period but a strong finish to the season meant that City missed out on the play-offs on the last day of the season. City needed three points away at Cinderford Town, but the game finished 0-0 meaning it was in fact Cinderford that finished in the final play-off berth.

Tyrell Mitford, Joe Cook and Josh Harfield left the club during the 2019-20 pre-season and into the club have come Kieran Douglas, Keith Emmerson, Olly Balmer and Dan Williamson has returned to City. City performed well during the 2019-20 campaign and were 4th in the league with a play-off berth looking likely when the season was curtailed due to Covid-19. City made the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before losing to Taunton Town but impressive cup runs in the local competitions took place once again. City were also League Cup semi-finalists, securing £1000 prize money for doing so.

A belated pre-season campaign took place in August 2020 with away wins at Bedfont Sports, Hartley Wintney and Marlow FC. Tyrell Mitford has returned to the club along with Josh McCormick and new faces Graeme Purdy, Jack Wilson, Felix Davies, Charlie Philpott, Josh Davies and Kel Akpobire have all joined the club.

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