Winchester City V Plymouth Parkway 18/01/2022

WINCHESTER CITY Football Club The Citizens Post

Tuesday January 18th 2022

Plymouth Parkway 7.45pm

Division 1 THE CHARTERS COMMUNITY STADIUM

£1

The Citizens Post

from the boardroom Good Evening Welcome to the Charters Community Stadium for tonight's Pitching-In Southern League Division One South fixture between Winchester City FC and Plymouth Parkway.

We would like to offer a warm welcome to the Players, Staff, Officials and supporters that have made the long journey up from Plymouth tonight. We hope you have an enjoyable evening here with us and have a safe journey home.

We go into tonight's game on the back of another league victory, a 4-2 triumph at Barnstaple Town. The victory in North Devon saw us reach fourth spot in the league Table and we will be looking to keep up our impressive recent run with a decent result tonight too.

The support that the club received in out recent home game with AFC Totton was magnificent and we also received excellent backing all the way down at Barnstaple. Your support never goes unnoticed and we as a club are very grateful!

We have a tough game at the weekend when we welcome Frome Town here to the Charters Community Stadium and we look forward to seeing you back here again.

Stay safe and enjoy the match!

Up The Winch! #youcitizens Matt Richbell

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Match Report

By Malcolm Clarke

WINCHESTER CITY 5 - 0 DOWNTON It has not been a good season for Winchester in cup ,competitions despite achieving some good results in the league. They had played five cup games, three against teams at a higher level than themselves and two against a decent club from their own level and won one and lost four of these, and on each occasion conceded the first goal of the game. It was pleasing therefore that they recorded a 5-0 win against Downton and led after just half an hour. Downton are two divisions below Winchester, but they are a solid Wessex League club who have been members of that league for virtually 30 years and have won trophies during that time.Their league record shoes a respectable record of 40 points from 22 league games and only two league defeats from 11 matches on their travels.

Winchester City therefore progressed to the next round of the Southampton Senior Cup and an away tie with Sholing as a result of this victory. Winchester's 16 for the match consisted 14 of the 16 that were also chosen for the AFC Totton match with only Rob Flooks and Patrick Nolan not featuring. However Ollie Griggs, Max Smith, Oli Bailey, Liam Callaghan and Dan Walster who were all on the substitutes bench on Friday and Ollie Balmer, Warren Bentley, Josh McCormick and Simba Mlambo all dropped to the bench which also included youngster Lexie Vaughan. Connall Bark was also given a starting berth, but many of the younger players were left out with an under 2w3 game on Thursday.

Downton though started the match promisingly putting in a dangerous cross in the first minute. The home team however took the lead in the 2nd minute when Oli Bailey set up Liam Callaghan to score. It was 2-0 on the quarter of an hour when a Downton player was dispossessed and this resulted in Jamie Barron being set up to score. Midway through the half Craig Feeney scored a 3rd with his effort going in off the post and on the half hour Oli Bailey scored a 4th with his effort also going in off the post.

At half time Vaughan came on for Jamie Barron and during the second half Ollie Balmer and Warren Bentley also came on replacing Liam Callaghan and Craig Feeney and against a Downton team that battled until the end Bentley scored the fifth and final goal from the penalty spot after the penalty was awarded for a push in the back. Downton tested Charlie Philpott in the Winchester goal on a few occasions and at times looked good going forward. However Winchester had other chances to score and with the pressure off after taking a convincing lead early on were able to play the remainder of the game in relative comfort.

Thursday's under 23 match against Weymouth is postponed due to a covid issue in the Weymouth camp.

Match Report

By Malcolm Clarke

BARNSTAPLE 2 - 4 WINCHESTER CITY Winchester achieved their fourth successive victory against Barnstaple with a total of 26 goals being scored in these games and moved to fourth in the table, but this was the first time they had completed the double against the North Devon club.

Barnstaple went into this match having picked up four points from 20 league games and used over 40 players this season, but it should be pointed out that these four points had all been picked up from the previous three games.

Their new chairman William Wilson has certainly wasted no time in trying to revive their fortunes.

During the week Craig Laird was appointed manager of the club and he is certainly a manager with a good track record at this level and above. He guided Weston Super Mare to seventh position in what was then the Conference South, which represents the highest position in the club's history, he has managed Dorchester at Southern League Premier Division level and has managed Yate Town level.

Three players have been signed this week and more are expected to follow as Barnstaple fight for their Southern League status. Goalkeeper Lloyd Irish joined from Southern League Premier Division outfit Taunton Town having previously been an integral part of Laird's team at Weston Super Mare where he made 119 consecutive appearances.

In addition forwards Ryan Turner and Owen Howe both forwards with good goalscoring records at this level of football, have also joined the club, so in view of these acquisitions Winchester had a very much harder task in front of them than would be suggested by the league table.

Winchester though were able to name an unchanged from the starting line-up from the AFC Totton match with even the substitutes unchanged. Early on they tested Irish a couple of times before taking the lead in the sixth minute through a powerful shot from Josh McCormick that went in off the underside of the cross bar. Six minutes later it was 2-0 when Simba Mlambo scored with a well executed lob.

However in the 21st minute Barnstaple pulled a goal back when a corner was not cleared and Ryan Keates scored from just outside the area. It only took Winchester five minutes to regain their two goal lead with Warren Bentley controlling the ball, turning and producing an unstoppable shot into the top corner for an excellent goal.

The two goal lead only lasted three minutes with defender Michael Humphreys scoring. After the firs half hour of the game had produced five goals the remainder of the half saw less goalmouth action, although by the end of the game's first period Ollie Griggs had replaced Patrick Nolan and four yellow cards had been produced, three to Barnstaple players and one to a Winchester player.

There was still very much to play for in the second half especially with both teams having dangerous forwards in their ranks, but Winchester were given a clear advantage five minutes into the game's second period when Humphreys was shown a straight red card for a foul on Warren Bentley when he was the last man. From the resulting free kick Josh McCormick hit the post.

Barnstaple responded being down to 10 men by replacing midfielder Solomon Wheatley with young defender Callum Davey which was an understandable decision given that it was a defender that had been red carded. By the end of the game both teams had used all their three substitutes with on the Winchester side OLi Bailey replacing Craig Feeney and Max Smith coming on for Warren Bentley. In the 84th minute Winchester score the all important 4th goal when substitute Bailey turned and shot home. Barnstaple responded to the goal by making their third and final substitution but with a two goal and a man advantage Winchester were able to complete the victory without much discomfort.

After the match manager Craig Davis described it as a massive result on a difficult pitch against a side who are going to get better and better, For full back Josh McCormick it was his first goal since August, but both of them had come as opening goals in victories.

On Saturday Winchester are at home to Frome.

The Citizens Post malcolms musings We welcome Plymouth Parkway to Winchester for tonight’s game. This will be I believe the first match between the clubs as only last season Plymouth Parkway were promoted from the Toolstation Western League. However the club has had a very good first season at this level of football and at the time of writing were ninth in the table having obtained 28 points from 15 league games, but could move into the playoff positions if they won their games in hand. They had however won five of their last six league games and these results includes wins against AFC Totton and Cirencester both of whom are higher in the table than themselves.

Plymouth Parkway have also won through five rounds of the F A Trophy and on Saturday were due to make the long trip to Spennymoor with a place in the last 16 of the competition at stake. These notes have been written before the result of this game were known, but to reach this stage they beat Highworth, Merthyr, Salisbury, Hampton And Richmond Borough and Dulwich Hamlet which is a great achievement as two of these teams are two divisions above them and another one of these are one division below them, and they put four goals past Salisbury without reply.

Plymouth Parkway only spent three seasons in the Toolstation Western League and two of these were aborted, but they certainly arrived in Southern League football with excellent credentials. In the first oif these three seasons they finished just two points below promoted Willand Rovers, with 30 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses from their 38 league games and had a goal difference of +73. In the two aborted seasons their record was even more impressive with their combined results being played 36 won 30, drawn 4 and lost 2 with a goal difference of +99. In the first of these aborted seasons they reached the quarter finals of the F A Vase before losing to eventual winners Hebburn Town.

They therefore have earned the right to play at this level of football.

The club was only formed as recently as 1988 and were initially known as Ex-Air Flyers Plymouth and as such made rapid progress through the divisions of the Plymouth and District League before becoming founder members of the Devon County League in 1992. However after finishing bottom of the table in their first season at this level they changed their name to Plymouth Parkway. After five further seasons in this division they joined the South Western League where they spent nine seasons before becoming founder members of the South West Peninsula League in 2007.

They performed very well during 11 seasons in this division winning the title twice and finishing runners up twice and always being comfortably in the top half of the table and the second of their championships enabled them to be promoted to the Toolstation Western League where they continued their progress up the non-league football pyramid.

I personally have a particular interest in today’s game as both of my parents were born in Plymouth and my mother lived at Wembury Park Road and my father lived near Plymouth College where he was a student and later Devonport. These locations are both two or three miles south of Plymouth Parkway’s home ground in the Manadon part of the city. Their home ground is Bolitho Park and the maiden name of my grandmother on my mother’s side had a maiden name of Bolitho. Today is in fact the 30th anniversary of my father’s death and I will be attending an event acknowledging this, but I certainly intend today’s game especially with my links to Plymouth.

Actually Winchester and Plymouth are the only two clubs in this division who come from cities and both cities have famous histories. King Alfred and Sir Francis Drake are respective icons of the two cities, although Winchester City are the principal team in Winchester, whereas the senior team in Plymouth are Plymouth Argyle, although I know that Plymouth Parkway always play a pre-season friendly with the Argyle and I am sure that neighbouring clubs competing at different levels can help each other.

In their relatively short history Plymouth Parkway have had three players in River Allen, Marcus Crocker and Kevin Parker who have played for Plymouth Parkway, having had football league experience to their name, with the first two named playing for Plymouth Argyle and the latter for Torquay.

Back to our club I would like to thank all our hard working volunteers who work hard behind the scenes and in recent weeks Ali Henderson and Hannah Raisbeck and helpers having been doing a good job behind the bar.

The Citizens Post

DAVOs diary Good evening and a warm welcome to everyone for this evenings exciting league match against Plymouth Parkway, heck of a long journey for them so I hope their players, management and supporters have a pleasant evening but most importantly a safe trip home afterwards.

Plymouth Parkway were installed as one of the big favourites for promotion this year based on the calibre of players in their ranks but also their excellent record over the last few years. They have started the season well in the league and points per game they are right up near the very top, however an outstanding run in the FA trophy as well as other factors has resulted in a massive amount of games for them to catch up with. Massive respect and commiserations for their narrow loss in the trophy at the weekend however they should be proud of their efforts, it’s a feather in our league cap to have 2 sides still at this stage as well, no doubt in my mind we will need to be at our sparkling best to get anything today and so let’s see how we go!

Last home game we were superb in defeating Totton and we will be looking to play with that same intensity today as that’s what we will need, since that game we went away to Barnstaple and what has been a routine win for teams this season against them was anything but that, they have had a huge injection of money and signed several top players and it was a very different proposition on what was a dreadful pitch, we scrapped out the 3 points by hook or by crook which was all that mattered, our record over the last 10/12 games has been outstanding and with a very tough run of games upcoming we will go into it with plenty of confidence and free from pressure, we are just enjoying what we are doing and to be where we are is beyond what we should be expecting, we are a good side built on great spirit, decent structure and an ability to attack with pace and creativity, whether that’s enough to keep us up there time will tell, however we know we will give anyone a tough game!

Player wise we are once again carrying a fair few niggles, hopefully we can recover them and be at full strength for tonight and the weeks ahead.

Please do enjoy the game but get right behind the boys, we need you roaring us on like you do and help us try and pick up a positive result.

Up the winch!!

Davo

Todays Visitors plymouth parkway The club was originally formed in 1988 when a group of players left the youth team Plymouth Kolts and joined the Plymouth & District League in Division 4. In that same year the club secured sponsorship from Exeter Airport, and as part of that deal they changed their name to Ex-Air Flyers. They were the first club in Plymouth to be sponsored from outside the city limits. The club colours of yellow and blue are from the colours of the airport logo and remain the same today.

In their first season the club gained promotion and then moved the Parkway Sports Club. The club carried on to be promoted in successive seasons until it reached Division one and was waiting to join the Premier Division when the Devon League was formed in 1992. The club decided to apply to become members of the Devon League instead as the Parkway Sports Club had sufficient facilities to join the league.

The club was accepted into the league but the club had to change its name so they become known as EAF Plymouth FC. Before the 1993–94 season the Sports Club offered a number of extra facilities and help to the club, so the club changed their name to Plymouth Parkway FC. Five seasons later in 1998 the club left the Devon league to join the South Western League. On the eve of the 2000–01 season the club became homeless with the loss of the Parkway Sports Club due to a disagreement over the terms of the lease and subsequent maintenance costs. As a result, and with special permission from the league, the club spent that season having to play all of its games away from home.

During their build up to the 2001/02 season the club announced they would be developing an area of Manadon as their new ground, to be known as Bolitho Park.

While work was being completed, with controversial assistance from Plymouth City Council, they used The Brickfields athletics ground in Devonport, before they moved to their new and current home in August 2003.

In the 2006–07 season the club entered the FA Vase for the first time, making it to the second qualifying round in their first attempt. A season later the club became founding members of the South West Peninsula League, when the South Western Football League and the Devon County Football League merged.

The identity of the football club has been built on the drive to improve and progress on and off the pitch! Having spent nearly 20 years in the South Western leagues, at the end of the 2015/16 campaign the club’s officials decided that they wanted to put a plan together to move even further up the football pyramid.

Todays Visitors plymouth parkway In order to achieve that goal, it was identified that Plymouth Parkway as a business were missing a few things. Subsequently, it was a busy summer before the 2016/17 season – the result of which Plymouth Parkway merged with another ambitious Plymouth football club formally named as Bar Sol Ona! Bar Sol Ona, who were challenging for promotion in the Plymouth and District Premier Division at the time, became Plymouth Parkway’s reserve team and moved to the East Cornwall Premier League Division One. Their under 18’s became Plymouth Parkway’s under 18’s. Off the pitch, Bar Sol Ona’s Chairman, Mark Russell, became the new Chairman of Plymouth Parkway and their first team manager, Andy Notman, became Parkway’s General Manager. Plymouth Parkway’s former Chairman, Jim Parsons, became Club President and former General Manager, Gez Baggott, became the Vice Chairman.

The merger and the new faces brought with it a fresh drive and ambition for the club to progress – not to mention stronger financial capabilities. The six members of the board (including long-term Club Secretary Genny Turner and Treasurer Brian Martin) made their intentions known immediately by applying for promotion to the Toolstation Western Football League.

Following an outstanding season in 2017-18 which saw Plymouth Parkway promoted as League Champions of the SWPL, losing just one game during the season.

2018/2019 was another fantastic season for Parkway, which commenced their first campaign within the Western League. The season proved to be nearly as good as the previous year, as we finished runners up in the League and Devon St Luke’s Bowl but winning the coveted Les Phillips League Cup. Parkway were promoted to the Southern League for the 2021/22 season after the FA’s restructure of the Pyramid System by gaining the highest Points Per Game average in the country.

Fixtures Division 1 Tuesday 18th January 2022 Winchester City v Plymouth Parkway Saturday 22nd January 2022 Bideford v Highworth Town Bristol Manor Farm v Evesham United Cinderford Town v Barnstaple Town Cirencester Town v AFC Totton Lymington Town v Melksham Town Mangotsfield Utd v Willand Rovers Paulton Rovers v Plymouth Parkway Slimbridge v Sholing Winchester City v Frome Town Tuesday 25th January 2022 Plymouth Parkway v Slimbridge

Division 1 Table

Sholing

v

AFC Totton

Wednesday 26th January 2022 Paulton Rovers v Barnstaple Town Willand Rovers v Highworth Town Saturday 29th January 2022 AFC Totton v Mangotsfield Utd Barnstaple Town v Slimbridge Evesham United v Paulton Rovers Frome Town v Bideford Highworth Town v Winchester City Larkhall Athletic v Lymington Town Melksham Town v Cinderford Town Plymouth Parkway v Bristol Manor Far Sholing v Cirencester Town

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.

ROB FLOOKS ‘Flooksy’ is another former City man that has returned to the club. He left to join Southern Premier League side, Gosport Borough, but after a spell at Privett Park, has returned to the City Ground.

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.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

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.

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.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

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.

RYAN PRYCE 'Prycey' is officially still a player for City but is more often spotted in the technical area these days. An experienced Goalkeeper that played for AFC Bournemouth First-Team on numerous occasions and made the number one spot here his own. A great character to have around has invaluable experience to provide Craig and the backroom team.

MIKE CARTER A great character to gave around the dressing room. Mike was formerly Club Secretary and has performed several other roles within the club. He now assists with the First Team and Under 23s and is a key asset to the club.

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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