sydenhams football league news 2019/20 edition … · 2020-05-16 · saturday, 16 may 2020 page 3...

Saturday, 16 May 2020 of 22

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2019/20 EDITION NUMBER 46

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of your Newsletter, if you have anything to contribute, please do get in touch by email- [email protected] You can keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - @Sydwessex You are more than welcome to use any material (excluding attributed photographs) but it would be appreciated if any material used is acknowledged. It is hoped you enjoy reading this each week. With readership quite widespread, not only within our own competition, but across the three counties and beyond- if ANY club has anything they’d like to have published in here, whether that be a request for helpers, promotion of forthcoming events, items required or available for sale please contact the Newsletter Editor. As a general reminder- Match Reports, player news and photos are always welcome- it is your Newsletter!

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I CAN SEE FOR MILES

Following from the story a few weeks back about the top ten trips by current members of the League, here- using the AA Route Planner again, are those trips of 280 miles or more (round trip) featuring members past and present. There are some truly scary trips in there as far as distance is concerned at an early stage of the competition- and in particular Hamworthy’s trip to Penryn (twice), Swanage’s trip to St Blazey in the Extra Preliminary Round and the long jaunt for Wimborne to Truro. The most observant amongst you will note a change to the Poole to Whitley Bay mileage, so there may be a few bits of tinkering to come, and of course readers are more than welcome to perhaps relate stories from any of these games for inclusion in the Newsletter. Please do get in touch.

# SEASON STAGE OF COMPETITION

HOST TEAM VISITORS MILES

1 2009/10 4th Round Whitley Bay Poole Town 728

2 2010/11 Semi Final 2nd Leg Whitley Bay Poole Town 728

3 2007/08 4th Round [Replay] Consett Poole Town 718

4 1998/99 5th Round Dunston Federation Brewery Lymington & New Milton 700

5 1999/00 5th Round Bedlington Terriers AFC Totton 694

6 2004/05 4th Round Billingham Town Lymington & New Milton 643

7 2011/12 5th Round Billingham Synthonia Bournemouth 640

8 2012/13 5th Round Spennymoor Town Bemerton Heath H’quins 612

9 2004/05 Quarter Final Bedlington Terriers AFC Newbury 608

10 2006/07 Semi Final 2nd Leg Billingham Synthonia AFC Totton 606

11 1997/98 4th Round [Replay] North Ferriby United Cowes Sports 562

12 1991/92 5th Round Bamber Bridge Newport IOW 546

13 1991/92 Semi Final 1st Leg Bamber Bridge Wimborne Town 541

14 1987/88 Semi Final 2nd Leg Emley Bashley 486

15 1998/99 4th Round Goole AFC Bemerton Heath H’quins 476

16 1998/99 5th Round Clitheroe Bemerton Heath H’quins 475

17 2018/19 Quarter Final Northwich Victoria Sholing 460

18 2003/04 4th Round Mossley Winchester City 440

19 2016/17 1st Round Helston Athletic Team Solent 440

20 1991/92 Quarter Final Diss Town Wimborne Town 432

21 1999/00 3rd Round Wroxham BAT Sports 430

22 1991/92 5th Round Newcastle Town Wimborne Town 420

23 1997/98 5th Round Kidsgrove Athletic AFC Lymington 416

24 1993/94 3rd Round Falmouth Town Andover 404

25 1996/97 1st Round Porthleven Bemerton Heath H’quins 400

26 2003/04 5th Round Wroxham Winchester City 400

27 2018/19 2nd Round Bodmin Town Alresford Town 380

28 2004/05 5th Round Bury Town Lymington & New Milton 379

29 2008/09 4th Round Market Drayton VT FC 376

30 1992/93 2nd Round Newquay AFC Lymington 374

31 1998/99 1st Round Newquay Brockenhurst 368

32 2018/19 1st Round Torpoint Athletic Sholing 356



33 2002/03 3rd Round St Blazey AFC Totton 354

34 2006/07 5th Round Ipswich Wanderers AFC Totton 354

35 1988/89 Quarter Final Sudbury Town Bashley 350

36 2002/03 2nd Round Bideford Cowes Sports 350

37 1993/94 4th Round Halstead Town Wimborne Town 348

38 2005/06 2nd Qualifying Penryn Athletic Hamworthy United 348

39 2008/09 1st Qualifying Penryn Athletic Hamworthy United 348

40 2018/19 1st Round Bodmin Town AFC Stoneham 346

41 1995/96 2nd Round Torpoint Athletic Eastleigh 342

42 2013/14 3rd Round Saltash United Alresford Town 342

43 1988/89 Preliminary Round Truro City Wimborne Town 336

44 2002/03 4th Round Newcastle Town Winchester City 336

45 2003/04 Quarter Final Bideford Gosport Borough 336

46 1990/91 2nd Round Newquay Bournemouth 335

47 2012/13 2nd Round AFC St Austell Bemerton Heath H’quins 334

48 1998/99 3rd Round Ramsgate Bemerton Heath H’quins 332

49 2003/04 2nd Round Torrington Moneyfields 331

50 2014/15 3rd Round AFC St Austell Verwood Town 328

51 2010/11 3rd Round St Blazey Bemerton Heath H’quins 327

52 2012/13 3rd Round Bodmin Town Downton 324

53 1987/88 2nd Round St Austell Swanage Town & Herston 314

54 1997/98 4th Round Braintree Town AFC Lymington 314

55 2000/01 1st Round St Blazey Bournemouth 314

56 2013/14 2nd Round Bodmin Town Bemerton Heath H’quins 310

57 1998/99 1st Round Tiptree United Cowes Sports 308

58 2003/04 Semi Final 1st Leg Bideford Winchester City 308

59 2015/16 1st Round Plymouth Parkway Blackfield & Langley 308

60 1986/87 Extra Preliminary St Blazey Swanage Town & Herston 306

61 1986/87 2nd Round Torrington Sholing Sports 304

62 2005/06 2nd Qualifying Liskeard Athletic Bemerton Heath H’quins 300

63 1997/98 1st Round Bodmin Town Bournemouth 296

64 2000/01 1st Qualifying Replay Whitstable Town Blackfield & Langley 292

65 2007/08 2nd Round Deal Town Moneyfields 290

66 2009/10 2nd Round Tavistock Brockenhurst 289

67 2003/04 5th Round Studley Gosport Borough 282

68 2005/06 3rd Round Yaxley Winchester City 282

69 1999/00 1st Qualifying Bideford Downton 280

70 2004/05 5th Round Soham Town Rangers AFC Newbury 280



BEST FA VASE VICTORIES- CURRENT MEMBER CLUBS

TEAM SEASON STAGE OPPONENTS SCORE

AFC PORTCHESTER 2013/14 2nd Qualifying Romsey Town 4-0

AFC STONEHAM 2016/17 1st Qualifying Malmesbury Victoria 3-0

ALRESFORD TOWN 2013/14 3rd Round Saltash United 7-2

ALTON 2017/18 2nd Qualifying Amesbury Town 7-3

AMESBURY TOWN 2016/17 2nd Qualifying Whitchurch United 6-0

ANDOVER NEW STREET 2007/08 1st Qualifying Clanfield 3-1

ANDOVER TOWN 2015/16 1st Qualifying Fawley 7-2

BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS 2018/19 2nd Qualifying New College Swindon 14-1

BASHLEY 2018/19 1st Qualifying AFC Portchester 6-0

BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 2016/17 1st Qualifying Downton 7-0

BOURNEMOUTH 2007/08 2nd Qualifying Wootton Bassett Town 12-0

BROCKENHURST 2016/17 1st Qualifying Ringwood Town 5-0

CHRISTCHURCH 2007/08 2nd Qualifying Amesbury Town 5-0

COWES SPORTS 1999/00 2nd Qualifying Portfield 8-1

DOWNTON 2011/12 2nd Qualifying Ringwood Town 9-1

EAST COWES VICTORIA 2010/11 1st Qualifying Andover New Street 3-1

FAREHAM TOWN 1999/00 1st Qualifying Peacehaven & Telscombe 7-0

FAWLEY AFC 2012/13 2nd Qualifying Hamworthy United 5-1

FLEET TOWN 1992/93 Extra Preliminary Hamworthy United 5-0

FOLLAND SPORTS 2012/13 1st Qualifying Wootton Bassett Town 6-0

HAMBLE CLUB 2017/18 2nd Qualifying Petersfield Town 5-0

HAMWORTHY UNITED 2007/08 1st Round Newton Abbot 8-1

HORNDEAN 2014/15 2nd Qualifying Replay Lymington Town 5-0

HYTHE & DIBDEN 2017/18 1st Qualifying Bagshot 4-3

LAVERSTOCK & FORD 2010/11 2nd Qualifying Almondsbury UWE 4-0

LYMINGTON TOWN 2015/16 1st Qualifying East Cowes Vics 9-0

NEW MILTON TOWN 2002/03 2nd Qualifying Wick 11-1

NEWPORT (IOW) 2017/18 1st Round Bovey Tracey 5-0

PETERSFIELD TOWN 1994/95 Extra Preliminary Hamworthy United 6-0

PORTLAND UNITED 2003/04 1st Qualifying Clevedon United 6-2

RINGWOOD TOWN 2014/15 2nd Qualifying Cadbury Heath 3-2

ROMSEY TOWN 1987/88 Preliminary Round Sherborne Town 5-1

SHAFTESBURY 2018/19 2nd Qualifying Andover New Street 5-1

SOLENT UNIVERSITY FC 2015/16 1st Qualifying Christchurch 4-1

TADLEY CALLEVA 2015/16 1st Qualifying Woodley United 6-0

TOTTON & ELING 2004/05 2nd Qualifying Shoreham 4-0

US PORTSMOUTH 2013/14 1st Qualifying Calne Town 6-1

VERWOOD TOWN 2014/15 2nd Qualifying Roman Glass St George 6-4

WHITCHURCH UNITED 2015/16 2nd Qualifying Bournemouth 6-0



In the instances of clubs achieving their highest win on several occasions only the most recent record is shown in this table. Supplementary notes to accompany the best results table-

ANDOVER NEW STREET The Clanfield win is their only one in the Competition.

FOLLAND SPORTS These wins were when they were known as GE Hamble

LAVERSTOCK & FORD They have won 4-0 on three different occasions

NEW MILTON TOWN Achieved when known as Lymington & New Milton

RINGWOOD TOWN Only the club's second Vase win

TOTTON & ELING Result achieved when known as BAT Sports

WHISTLE STOP

Laws of the Game quick Quiz Answers next week.

1) At the taking of the goal kick, the goalkeeper miskicks the ball and in an attempt to retrieve it, picks it up inside his own penalty area. What do you do ? a) Retake the goal kick b) Award an indirect free kick to the opposition c) Award an indirect free kick to the opposition and caution the goalkeeper d) Award a penalty kick to the opposition 2) There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from which three restarts of play (not including penalty kick and kick off). What are they ? 3) Which of the below is not a cautionable offence? a) handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack b) makes unauthorised marks on the field of play c) changes places with the goalkeeper at half time without the referee's permission d) verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart

Here are the answers for last week…

1) When considering whether an offence was Denying an Obvious Goal, or Goal Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO), what are the 4 criteria to consider?

i) – distance between the offence and the goal ii) – general direction of the play iii) – likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball iv) – location and number of defenders

2) With the ball in play near the corner flag, a red team player punches a team mate off the field of play, within the boundary line of the penalty area. What do you do ? c) Send off the player and award an indirect free kick on the nearest boundary line 3) At the taking of a penalty kick, the kicker and the Goalkeeper commit offences at the same time and the kick is scored. Do you ? d) Award an indirect free kick and caution the kicker



IN OTHER WORDS #3

1 CREST SWOOPS

2 DONATING LOT TEN

3 FORD PLANS LOST

4 NERVOUSLY TIES TIN

5 OUR ONE THUMB

6 POWER TO WIN

7 SHY BALE

8 TONAL

9 TWO MINNOW LENT

10 UNREADY WITH MOTH

THE A TO Z OF THE WESSEX LEAGUE CLUBS IN MEMBERSHIP 1986-2020

QK SOUTHAMPTON

Year Formed 1972 – Queens Keep Total Wessex Seasons 3

Joined Wessex From Hampshire League Tier One (currently Premier) 0

Duration in Wessex 2004 to 2007 Tier Two (2004 - date) 0

Moved to (League) Hampshire Premier Tier Three (2004-2007) 3

QR Compiled by Gary Day and Mike Robins, it’s hoped you enjoy this series which will run whilst we await the resumption of our game and will conclude in pre-season if necessary. The ‘Tier’ system explained. The names of the divisions have changed over the years. Tier 1 is the present day Premier Division. Tier 2 is the current Division One. Tier 3 lasted for just three seasons and was initially called Division 3 but had been renamed Division 2 in its final campaign.

Identify the Wessex League

team- answers next week

Answers to Number 2.

1, AFC Stoneham; 2 Hamble Club; 3, Laverstock and Ford; 4,

Shaftesbury; 5, Ringwood Town; 6, Portland United; 7, Amesbury

Town; 8, Whitchurch United; 9, East Cowes Vics; 10, Romsey Town



League Record:

Season Tier Played Won Drew Lost G For G Ag G Diff Points Pos.

04/05 T3 38 4 4 30 41 178 -137 16 19th

05/06 T3 30 2 3 25 24 123 -99 9 15th

06/07 T3 30 0 5 25 18 106 -88 5 16th

Total 98 6 12 80 83 407 -324 30

One from Gary’s archives when QK visited Wessex Premier side Laverstock & Ford in the Russell-Cotes Cup

(and an opposite outcome to when the letter ‘L’ was profiled!).

Date: 16/11/2011 Russell-Cotes Cup – Round 2 At: The Dell

LAVERSTOCK & FORD 0 QK SOUTHAMPTON (2) 7 QK Southampton: O’Rourke; Slack, Wilkinson; Williams, Pancaldi, Sillence (sub: Golden 72); Wood (sub: Smith 68), Beckett, Nailor, Penfold, Randall. Subs (not used): Sims, Patten, Brooks Notes: QK put in a miserable show having lost in the Hampshire Intermediate Cup in their last game so this looked to be a tough task at Wessex Premier side Laverstock & Ford. It was clear from the start that QK were ‘up for this one’ and they took an 11th minute lead when Andrew Wood’s corner was cleared into the path of Dan Sillence who hit the ball back with purpose and in from 18-yards. QK created further chances with Michael Nailor’s shot being well saved by Nick Safe in the home net and Ben Penfold and Martyn Randall had shots that went just wide. QK were awarded a penalty close to half-time when Nailor was tripped by Safe and up stepped Penfold to despatch the spot-kick firmly into the corner of the net to give QK a 2-0 lead. QK took complete control of the second half. A third goal came when, following a fine flowing move down the right, a cross came in and Adam Beckett fired home from 20-yards. A 3-0 lead after 57 minutes became four when Penfold unselfishly squared the ball across to Nailor who netted a deserved goal. Goal number five followed on 70 minutes when Randall crossed and Nailor got the final touch at the back post. The goals didn’t stop there as Dan Pancaldi, up from the back, headed in a Randall corner. Good work by Dan Smith and Randall, the latter providing another assist as Penfold applied the far post finish to give Pat McManus’ side a comprehensive win. It is said that ‘every dog has its day’ but for QK, this performance was the local park, Southampton Common and a first at Crufts rolled into one! It was a difficult evening for Laverstock on the pitch but their hospitality off it was absolutely first class.

Footnote: This was some evening for the Hampshire Premier League as, in addition to QK’s win, Liphook United and University of Portsmouth defeated New Milton Town and Moneyfields respectively. Liphook met QK in the quarter final and another epic game finished 4-3 and it took penalties for Christchurch to knock the East Hampshire side out at the semi-final stage. Bemerton Heath Harlequins won the trophy in the end.



RINGWOOD TOWN

Year Formed 1879 –Ringwood Hornets FC Total Wessex Seasons 15


Duration in Wessex 2004 to date Tier Two (2004 - date) 13

Current Member Division 1 Tier Three (2004-2007) 0

League Record:


04/05 T2 42 20 3 19 89 84 5 63 11th

05/06 T2 42 20 6 16 81 71 10 66 9th

06/07 T1 38 5 8 25 34 85 -51 23 19th

07/08 T1 44 5 9 30 45 124 -79 24 22nd

08/09 T2 40 17 6 17 86 80 6 57 11th

09/10 T2 40 22 8 10 79 55 24 74 5th

10/11 T2 36 18 5 13 61 60 1 59 6th

11/12 T2 34 13 7 14 62 59 3 46 9th

12/13 T2 30 10 4 16 48 71 -23 34 9th

13/14 T2 30 7 1 22 41 104 -63 22 13th

14/15 T2 28 9 4 15 42 53 -11 31 11th

15/16 T2 34 12 5 17 73 64 9 41 13th

16/17 T2 40 23 6 11 90 56 34 75 5th

17/18 T2 34 14 3 17 81 93 -12 45 11th

18/19 T2 36 12 7 17 52 77 -25 43 12th

Total 548 207 82 259 964 1136 -172 703

One from Gary’s archives when the Hampshire League aristocrats made a visit to the ‘new boys’:

Date: 29/08/1998 Hampshire League – Division 3 At: Durrington Recreation Ground

PFC DURRINGTON (1) 1 RINGWOOD TOWN (2) 6

Ringwood Town: Goodman; Reeves, Day; Mulliner, Dilling, L Naylor; S Naylor (sub: Taylor 51), Richards, Dominguez, Kelly (sub: Verey 80), Rolfe (sub: Darwin 73) Notes: A sunny early season Saturday afternoon took me into Wiltshire as Hampshire League newcomers PFC Durrington – or The Plough as they were known – took on established side Ringwood Town. Ringwood set about their task right from the start and it was clear that it was going to be a tough afternoon for the home side. A goal came on 17 minutes when Scott Naylor got down the left and crossed into the box where a home player tracking back tried a panicky clearance which turned into firing into the roof of his own goal. Adam Kelly hit the bar for Town but gradually the home side showed more spirit and they levelled when a dangerous cross came off the Town bar and Nigel Fitchett was left on his own, his first shot was blocked by Town keeper Russell Goodman but the PFC man scrambled home the rebound. Ringwood soon edged back in front when Brian Rolfe dribbled the ball into the box and had loads of time to finish. Once again Kelly hit the bar, this time with a header, before the first half closed.



Although PFC had the benefit of the slope in the second half they just weren’t in it at all. Rolfe laid the ball to Dave Richards to make it 3-1 and Rolfe sent Kelly clear who knocked it past PFC keeper Tony McGoldrick before pulling it back to Rolfe to start and finish the move. Town continued to dominate but further goals didn’t come until very late. Subs combined for number five, Andy Taylor putting in a wicked curling cross which deceived the keeper and Gavin Darwin netted with a diving header at the far post. A long cross field ball found Taylor who, with a teammate screaming to him to pass it, struck an outstanding 25-yard volley instead which flew high into the net (sparing the scorer of being screamed at further!). Footnote (1): I went to see PFC play at AFC Portchester on Boxing Day (in the same year, 1998) and there was no one around and, having struggled on the pitch which included some heavy defeats, it came as little surprise to learn that PFC had withdrawn from the league, meaning Ringwood’s trip here was for nothing. Footnote (2): It would be easy for a Ringwood follower to ask: “Why pick one of our games that didn’t count?”. There were other matches I could have chosen but, having seen Ringwood play Newport (at East Cowes) and in a home game with US Portsmouth in 2019/20, it turns out that those matches, and indeed all matches in the entire Wessex League season, ‘counted for nowt’ too. Who could possibly have known that at the time? I think the point has been made.

ROAD SEA SOUTHAMPTON

Year Formed 1973 – Road Sea FC Total Wessex Seasons 1

Joined Wessex From Southern League Tier One (currently Premier) 1


Moved to (League) Disbanded Tier Three (2004-2007) 0

League Record:


86/87 T1 32 22 7 3 70 26 44 73 2nd

Total 32 22 7 3 70 26 44 73

History in brief

Road-Sea were founded in 1973 and were named after their sponsors (a freight shipping company), they started out in the City of Southampton Sunday League, quickly rising up through the divisions. In 1976–77 they reached the semi-final of the FA Sunday Cup. The club purchased land at Staplewood, Marchwood alongside the A326 and developed the site (since further much enhanced by Southampton FC) which saw an application to join the Southern League being accepted in 1982 although they’d never played in Saturday football. A third place debut season in the Southern League Southern Division, was trumped in 1983/84, winning promotion as champions also enjoying a fine run in the FA Vase where they reached Round 5 before being eliminated by the odd goal in three away at Leyton Wingate. In 1986 they withdraw from the league and become founder members of the new Wessex League and finished runners-up in their only season with us. Despite reaching the final of the Hampshire Senior Cup and winning both the Wessex League and Russell-Cotes cups, this proved to be their swansong as they lost their financial backing, that saw their sudden demise.



Some former professionals played for the them in the Southern League. Older readers will recognise Kevin Dawtry (Southampton, Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth), Pat Earles (Southampton and Reading), goalkeeper Ian Turner (Grimsby Town, Walsall and Southampton, with whom he won an FA Cup winners medal in 1976), Paul Bennett (Southampton, Reading and Aldershot) and Dean Mooney (AFC Bournemouth).

One from Gary’s archives and going back to the successful Road Sea Sunday days.

Date: 30/03/1980 Southampton Sunday League (Afternoon Section) – Premier Division

At: Wide Lane

HENDY LENNOX (0) 1 ROAD SEA (3) 8

Road Sea: Watmore; Byrne, S O’Neill; Hounsell, Hibberd, Lock; Russell, Collins (sub: Bailey 51), M O’Neill, Fitzhenry, Swain Notes: It’s hard to decide on a random Road Sea game. Yes, I could have selected a Southern League or Wessex League match but instead I’ve gone further back because, even though Road Sea had some great names playing for them in those aforementioned times, it’s the blokes shown above that put the club into a strong position to make the big transition from the Sunday League into Saturday football. All those names listed above had turned out for Saturday Hampshire League sides (and higher) at the peak of their playing days and there would have been others in the background (such as Phil Moore, Derek Phillips and Alan Judd) waiting to get into the side. This game was played on the open spaces of Wide Lane (which is just over the boundary from Southampton in Eastleigh). It was Road Sea right from the start, but the deadlock wasn’t broken until the 21st minute when Ernie Fitzhenry stuck his shot home from seven yards following some defensive indecision in the Hendy ranks. Hendy’s were holding out well but two goals by Road Sea close to half-time put them in the driving seat (with no pun intended as their opponents dealt in vehicle sales!). Mick O’Neill a strongly built ‘old fashioned’ style centre-forward, sent a bullet-like header home following an Ian Russell cross. Dave Hibberd had come forward from defence for Graham Hounsell’s corner and, when the keeper failed to hold, he was in the right place to stab the ball home. Five minutes into the second half Mick O’Neill was pulled to the ground by the Hendy keeper and it left the referee, the highly respected Fred Sturgess, an easy decision in awarding a penalty. Hounsell took the kick and netted but the eagle-eyed ref ordered a retake for encroachment and he duly did it again. Mick O’Neill scored his second of the game, receiving a return pass from Mick Swain, he fired home from 20-yards. Fitzhenry added goal number six and sub John Bailey got the final touch to make it seven. Mick O’Neill completed his hat-trick and Road Sea’s eighth close to the end, a 12-yard header from a Hounsell cross. A minute from time a Hendy forward netted a consolation after keeper Jon Watmore, who’d been practically a spectator from start to finish, could only make a partial save. Dave Lock had an excellent game at the back for Road Sea.

ROMSEY TOWN

Year Formed 1886 Total Wessex Seasons 24

Joined Wessex From Hampshire League+ Tier One (currently Premier) 16

Duration in Wessex 1986-93; 1996-98; 2004-date Tier Two (2004 - date) 8

Current Member Division 1 Tier Three (2004-2007) 0

+ Note Romsey Town joined the Wessex League three times and from the Hampshire League on each

occasion.



League Record:


86/87 T1 32 7 7 18 25 61 -36 28 16th

87/88 T1 36 22 3 11 69 46 23 69 3rd

88/89 T1 32 9 16 7 47 39 8 43 7th

89/90 T1 36 25 6 5 84 31 53 81 1st

90/91 T1 38 20 11 7 59 35 24 71 4th

91/92 T1 36 21 6 9 72 42 30 69 4th

92/93 T1 40 3 2 35 20 168 -148 11 21st

96/97 T1 40 10 7 23 52 94 -42 37 18th

97/98 T1 38 5 5 28 40 134 -94 20 20th

04/05 T2 42 23 8 11 84 55 29 77 4th

05/06 T2 42 15 11 16 59 61 -2 56 13th

06/07 T2 36 22 6 8 68 36 32 72 3rd

07/08 T1 44 12 7 25 68 98 -30 43 18th

08/09 T1 42 16 12 14 65 75 -10 60 11th

09/10 T1 42 15 13 14 64 57 7 58 10th

10/11 T1 42 11 11 20 59 87 -28 44 16th

11/12 T1 42 21 4 17 77 66 11 67 8th

12/13 T1 40 7 1 32 38 137 -99 22 20th

13/14 T1 42 6 7 29 43 107 -64 24* 22nd

14/15 T2 28 4 4 20 40 81 -41 16 14th

15/16 T2 34 16 2 16 50 54 -4 50 9th

16/17 T2 40 17 7 16 71 67 4 58 13th

17/18 T2 34 18 6 10 74 51 23 60 6th

18/19 T2 36 26 3 7 103 44 59 81 4th

Total 914 351 165 398 1431 1726 -295 1217*

* denotes points adjustment



One from Gary’s archives when Romsey Town caused the biggest shock in Hampshire Senior Cup history.

Date: 02/05/1979 Hampshire Senior Cup - Final At: The Dell, Southampton

ROMSEY TOWN (0) 1 FARNBOROUGH TOWN 0 Romsey Town: Whitelock; Taylor (sub: Kirkland 49), Byrne; Kingsnorth, Hooker, Parsons; Snow Lambert, Jackson, Trotter, Harvey. Notes: I was still cutting my local football teeth back in 1979 and have to admit to not fully appreciating the shock result I was watching as Romsey Town, from Hampshire League Division 2, took on the might from the north of the county, Farnborough Town, who would have gone into this as clear favourites to win the competition. The 70th minute goal came after a mix-up in the Farnborough defence as Gary Snow’s cross was not dealt with and in crept Mike Harvey to shoot home. Yet it was Farnborough who dominated the game but their failure to score before that point could be attributed to Romsey’s keeper Terry Whitelock who was unbeatable on the night, making excellent saves from Tony Gunn and Danny Sheedy. Farnborough were also guilty of missed chances too. Anxiety crept into their game in the second half as they continued to draw a blank. As well as Whitelock, Romsey’s Mick Hooker had an excellent game at the back. But the game is about goals and Harvey’s effort put Romsey, who were chasing the Division 2 title, into dreamland over the Isthmian League Division 2 champions and administered the shock result which no doubt prompted a night of wild celebrations over at the By-Pass Ground. Footnote (1): Romsey’s win meant they became the first (and still only) team to win the Hampshire Intermediate Cup and Hampshire Senior Cup with their first team in consecutive seasons. Footnote (2): Romsey Town took the Hampshire League Division 2 championship at the close of this season to make it an excellent double. They were also promoted into the top division of the Hampshire League which was the first time they’d made that step in their long history.

RS BASINGSTOKE

Year Formed 1971 – Soldiers Return Total Wessex Seasons 0+


Duration in Wessex 2004-2005 Tier Two (2004 - date) 0

Moved to (League) Disbanded January 2005 Tier Three (2004-2007) 0+

League Record:


04/05 T3 0 N/A+

Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

+ denotes failed to complete the season, having played in 21 league games the club resigned from the

Wessex League.



One from Gary’s archives when RS and Queens Keep played a Russell-Cotes Cup tie.

Date: 30/01/1999 Russell-Cotes Cup – Round 2 At: Whiteditch Playing Fields

RS BASINGSTOKE (2) 4 QUEENS KEEP (0) 2 RS Basingstoke: Hargreaves; Elward (sub: Haystaff 76), B Davis; Robinson, Neller, Flanaghan; Hawke, Ging, Cook, Cenci (sub: C Davis 84), Martin.

Notes: The pitch was extremely damp and muddy and it was my very first experience of a yellow coloured football being used (it had recently been introduced in Football League matches), but when it was covered in mud the colour didn’t really matter! Queens Keep arrived with a few off the field problems as it had just been announced that the Civil Service Club in Southampton, where they played, was going to fold within a matter of days, thus putting their existence under imminent threat. But there was a football match to play first. It was an open game on the sticky top, both sides creating chances. RS took the lead on 22 minutes when the dangerous Brian Cook cut in from the right and produced a block from Keep keeper Neil Hopper and Martin Ging shot home from close range. With the visitors looking for an offside flag, Cook ran through and beat Hopper to put RS two goals ahead. Hopper made a good save from John Flanagan. Melvyn Gray pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 58th minute, heading firmly home from a Paul Wiltshire cross. This made RS step up a gear and Cook was wide with two chances and Declan Elward forced Hopper to make a save. Ging then took the ball off Keep midfielder Eugene McManus and pulled it back to John Hawke to strike an accurate shot, although it lacked power it eventually trickled into the far corner and 3-1 to RS. Two minutes later, and the 70th minute of the game, it was 4-1 when Hawke fed Paul Cenci to superbly chip Hopper. Queens Keep got a late consolation when James Bedford nodded in a further Wiltshire cross. Even then, in the remaining embers of this game, home keeper Andy Hargreaves saved further opportunities from Urias Joseph and Derek Barnes but it was RS who deservedly progressed into the next round. Footnote (1): RS lost 4-1 at Eastleigh in the next round. Sadly, the club’s Wessex League existence didn’t even make it to one season as, despite having a reasonable playing record in 2004/05, an apparent mass player exodus led to their sudden demise. Footnote (2): The Civil Service club did close but both Queens Keep and Ordnance Survey FC continued to use the ground up to the end of the season and both moved to Lordshill that summer. The following fact would probably not surprise anyone but the visiting team are now known as QK Southampton!

RYDE SPORTS

League Record:


90/91 T1 38 17 6 15 62 55 7 57 11th

91/92 T1 36 18 8 10 61 51 10 62 7th

92/93 T1 40 21 4 15 79 61 18 67 6th

93/94 T1 42 14 10 18 61 77 -16 52 12th

94/95 T1 42 16 6 20 81 88 -7 54 12th

95/96 T1 40 25 8 7 92 41 51 83 3rd

96/97 T1 40 25 4 11 77 50 27 79 4th

97/98 T1 0 N/A+

Total 278 136 46 96 513 423 90 454

+ Ryde Sports left the Wessex League in November 1997 having played 18 matches; their record was

expunged.



Year Formed 1888 Total Wessex Seasons 8



Moved to (League) Disbanded Nov.1987 Tier Three (2004-2007) 0

One from Gary’s archives when floodlights were installed at Ryde’s historic Partlands ground in the 1988/89

season, even though the venue remained for just that campaign before a move to Smallbrook occurred.

Date: 15/11/1988 Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup – Round 1 At: Partlands

RYDE SPORTS (2) 4 COWES SPORTS (0) 1 Ryde Sports: Stephens; T North, Monk; S North, D Phelps, Joshua; Taylor (sub: Marks 83), Porter, Ryan, A North, Sperry. Sub (not used): R Phelps. Notes: This was a tremendous evening as Ryde opened their lights competitively and nothing better than a Gold Cup tie with one of their old Island rivals. A healthy crowd of around 250 turned out. Ryde went in front when Glyn (Chinny) Taylor played the ball through to Gary Sperry to run through and shoot past Marc Cole in the visitors goal. Their second came bang on half-time and was direct from Tim North’s corner which the keeper strayed a little too far to claim and, in trying to adjust his position, could only touch it on its way into the net. An early second half goal put Ryde 3-0 in front when Steve Ryan charged down the right flank and his low cross to the near post was flicked home by Sperry. Cowes soon got a goal back when a free kick was first pushed up and then pushed against the bar by Ryde keeper Dougie Stephens and this enabled Terry Hopkins to bundle it over the line. Cowes had a good spell for a while and could have pulled it back further. A lunging header by Matt Porter from a Tim North cross put the game outside of Cowes’ reach with nine minutes remaining. A note was made of a sporting act as Stephens put the ball into touch to enable an opponent to receive treatment and the ball was thrown back to Ryde when the game restarted (occurred prior to this becoming an expected action). It was also well officiated by Wootton Bridge referee Mr R Farley.

Footnote (1): I did make one further visit to this ground and that was a Hampshire League Division 2 match which was also against Cowes Sports. It was right at the end of the same (1988/89) season and the Yachtsmen needed a win to keep up their challenge for a top two place (Ryde having been awarded with the championship trophy before the game). Cowes did it too, penalties by Gary Crews and Andy McDowell producing a vital 2-0 win. It looked like Cowes had claimed that vital runners-up spot but challengers AC Delco were having none of it. They defeated Fleetlands 6-0 on that last day and therefore secured the five-goal margin they needed to claim that second place. In the end, it wasn’t as crucial as it seemed

as Cowes did get promotion as well. Footnote (2): The last Ryde Sports game at Partlands came on 6th May 1989 when Malshanger visited in the league. There were a couple of Ryde & District Cup games scheduled thereafter before the doors closed on a grand old ground for the final time. Ryde made the move to Smallbrook and the developers moved in and consigned Partlands to history. Pictured right courtesy of Groundtastic and Bob Lilliman.



WE’RE GETTING THERE – PREMIER DIVISION

Public transport facilities to our grounds, under normal circumstances. I am grateful for permission from Andy Edwards to use this information. Clubs are politely requested to check and see if there is anything obviously amiss with this. Please advise me so that the author can be advised accordingly. I cannot accept responsibility for any errors or their consequences. Information based on it being a game played on a SATURDAY.

AFC Portchester - Crest Finance Stadium, Cranleigh Road, Portchester, Hampshire PO16 9DP Rail Station Portchester 1½ miles. First Portsmouth Fareham & Gosport bus, route number 3 from Rail Station to Portchester (White Hart Lane, Sandport Grove) five times per hour, journey time 10 minutes. Return bus runs from Portchester (Cornaway Lane, Sandport Grove).

Then continue along White Hart Lane, becomes Cranleigh Road, ground on right (11 minutes). For return bus, left from Cranleigh Road into Cornaway Lane and bus stop on right (10 minutes). AFC Stoneham - Stoneham Lane Football Complex, Stoneham Lane, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 2PA Rail Station Eastleigh 2 miles. Bluestar Bus, route number 2 from Rail Station to Eastleigh (Stoneham Lane, Trojans Sports Club) four times per hour, journey time 17 minutes. Return bus from stop on opposite side of road. Then continue along Stoneham Lane, going under the M27 and ground on left (4 minutes). Alresford Town - Arlebury Park, The Avenue, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9EP Rail Station Alton 11 miles. Stagecoach South bus, route number 64 from Rail Station to Alresford (West Street, Co-op) half hourly, journey time 32 minutes. Then continue to crossroads, forward into Pound Hill, becomes The Avenue, ground on right (5 minutes). Amesbury Town - Bonnymead Park, Recreation Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7BB Rail Station Salisbury 8 miles. Salisbury Reds bus, route number 8, X4, X5, Stagecoach South bus, route number 8 from Salisbury (Blue Boar Row, 11 minutes walk from Rail Station) to Amesbury (The Centre, Library) five times per hour, journey time 27 minutes. Then return to roundabout, right Salisbury Street, left Church Street, left Recreation Road, ground at end (10 minutes). Baffins Milton Rovers - PMC Stadium, Kendall’s Wharf, Portsmouth, PO3 5LY Rail Station Hilsea ¾ mile. right out of station Norway Road, over roundabout becomes Anchorage Road, over second roundabout then at end cross into Kendall’s Wharf and ground on right. Bashley - Bashley Recreation Ground, Bashley Road, New Milton, BH25 5RY Rail Station New Milton 1¼ miles. Out of station and left Station Road, becomes Fernhill Lane, over roundabout and out of town and becomes Bashley Road, ground on right, just beyond Redcliffe Garden Centre and opposite Cricket Ground. Bournemouth - Victoria Park, Victoria Avenue, Bournemouth, BH9 2RA Rail Station Bournemouth 2 miles. Morebus bus, route number 17, Yellow Buses bus, route number 6 from Rail Station to Bournemouth (Talbot Road, Talbot Roundabout) four times per hour, journey time 9 minutes. Then retrace along Talbot Road, left Frederica Road, left Withermoor Road, becomes Bengal Road and then Victoria Avenue, turn left into Namu Road, turn right at end for ground entrance (14 minutes). Brockenhurst - Meadens Skoda Arena, Grigg Lane, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RE Rail Station Brockenhurst ¼ mile. Right out of station up Station Approach, then sharp left Brookley Road, pass the Shopping Parade then right Grigg Lane, ground on left.



Christchurch - Hurn Bridge, Avon Causeway, Christchurch, BH23 6DY Rail Station Bournemouth 5¼ miles. Yellow Buses bus, route number 737 from Rail Station to Bournemouth Airport at 1137, 1337, journey time 44 minutes. There is no return bus. Then retrace up Airport Road, left Parley Lane, over roundabout Avon Causeway, ground on right (1 mile). Rail Station Christchurch 3¼ miles. Morebus bus, route number X1 or X2 from Fairfield (come out of station turn left into Stour Road then right into Fairmile Road , 2 minutes walk from Rail Station) to The Grove twice an hour journey time 5 minutes. Walk in same direction of travel, along Hurn Road to the A338 Flyover (Blackwater Bridge) and continue to next roundabout. Turn right and ground is on right. Distance walk is 2 miles. Return bus towards Christchurch 1759, 1856 (last). Alternatively, return bus towards Bournemouth 1755, 1852 (last) goes from stop you alighted at. Cowes Sports - Westwood Park, Reynolds Close, Cowes, PO31 7NT Ferry, Cowes ¾ mile. Off ferry and up Town Quay, then left High Street, right Terminus Road, becomes Park Road, right Reynolds Close, ground at end. Fareham Town - Cams Alders, Palmerston Drive, Fareham, PO14 1RH Rail Station Fareham 1 mile. First Portsmouth Fareham & Gosport bus, route number 9, 9A, E1, E2 from Rail Station to Fareham (Henry Cort Way, Redlands Lane) fourteen times per hour, journey time 5 minutes. Then retrace along Henry Cort Way and take footpath on left (close to return bus stop), right at end to ground (5 minutes). Fleet Town - Calthorpe Park, Crookham Road, Fleet, GU51 5FA Rail Station Fleet 1¼ miles. Stagecoach South bus, route number 10 from Rail Station to Fleet (Crookham Road, Leawood Road) at 1145, 1245, 1345, journey time 10 minutes, return at 1648, 1800 (last). Then retrace up Crookham Road, ground on left (5 minutes). Hamble Club - Hamble Community Facility, Hamble Lane, Hamble le Rice, SO31 4TS Rail Station Hamble ¼ mile. Right out of station Hamble Lane, right towards police facilities, ground on left. Hamworthy United - Specsavers County Ground, Blandford Close, Poole, BH15 4BF Rail Station Poole 1¼ miles. Morebus bus, route number 8, 60 from Poole (Bus Station, 6 minutes walk from Rail Station) to Poole (Blandford Road, Ashmore Avenue) five times per hour, journey time 10 minutes. Return bus, route number is Morebus bus, route number 9, 60. Then retrace along Blandford Road, left Blandford Close, ground on right (5 minutes). Horndean - Five Heads Park, Five Heads Road, Horndean, PO8 9NZ Rail Station Cosham 6½ miles. First Portsmouth Fareham & Gosport bus, route number 8 from Portsmouth (Northern Road, Cosham Health Centre, 6 minutes walk from Rail Station) to Horndean (Portsmouth Road, Napier Road) four times per hour, journey time 30 minutes. Then continue along Portsmouth Road, left Five Heads Road, ground on left (9 minutes). Lymington Town - Sports Ground, Avenue Road, Lymington, SO41 9ZG Rail Station Lymington Town ½ mile. Out of station and up Station Street, right Gosport Road, left Cannon Street, left New Street, right School Lane, continue into footpath at end and ground adjacent to cricket ground. Portland United - Weyline Stadium, Grove Road, Grove, DT5 1DP Rail Station Weymouth 6 miles. First Wessex Dorset & South Somerset bus, route number 1 from Weymouth (The Esplanade, King’s Statue, 6 minutes walk from Rail Station) to Easton (Easton Lane, Grove Corner) four times per hour, journey time 28 minutes. Then retrace along Easton Lane, right Grove Road, ground on left (7 minutes).



Shaftesbury - Cockrams, Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8PF Rail Station Gillingham (Dorset) 4¾ miles. South West Coaches bus, route number X2 from Rail Station to Shaftesbury (Christy’s Lane, Linden Park) at 1054, 1224, 1424, journey time 18 minutes. Return bus runs from Shaftesbury (High Street, Town Hall) at 1650, 1742 (last). Then turn round and left Coppice Street, ground on right (5 minutes). For return bus, right out of ground Coppice Street, becomes High Street, bus stop on left (6 minutes). Solent University FC - Test Park, Lower Brownhill Road, Southampton, SO16 9BP Rail Station Southampton Central 3½ miles. Bluestar Bus, route number 18, First Southampton bus, route number 2 from Rail Station to Southampton (Kendal Avenue, The Saints PH) fourteen times per hour, journey time 21 minutes. Return bus runs from same stop. Then retrace up Kendal Avenue, left Mansel Road West, left Lower Brownhill Road, ground on left (11 minutes). Tadley Calleva - Barlows Park, Silchester Road, Tadley, RG26 3PX Rail Station Basingstoke 7½ miles. Stagecoach South bus, route number 2 from Rail Station to Tadley (Mulfords Hill, Silchester Road) three times per hour, journey time 22 minutes. Then right Silchester Road and ground on left (11 minutes).

ALL PLAYED OUT

Having spent a fair few hours trawling through Full Time, here is the list of the top six LEAGUE appearance makers since 2005/06; no full records prior to that season unfortunately. It’s not been an easy task as there are several naming conventions seemingly in place and there are some records that may be duplicated because there have been two players of that name during the period of time under review. I believe I’ve sorted out the vast majority of them, although a handful of these duplicates appear to come inside the top 30 or so, with over 9,000 records checked- this may be updated at a later date when more time permits seeking out the duplicates. Some still plying their trade, but special mention must go to the man at the top of the pile, in that he’s served Verwood throughout the time under review. Thanks therefore to Roy Mortimer at Potterne Park who has also confirmed the player is closer to 600 appearances for the Potters, for the picture here featuring Russell in action for the club against Salisbury back in February 2016.

Russell Dyer 527 Graham Mankin 461 Gary Austin 454 Jack Slade 433 Danny Finnigan 424 Darren Powell 400

CLUB NEWS

This was announced last week, but due to time and space considerations was not published in Edition 45, apologies for that. Alresford Town have announced their new club leadership structure- with Craig Scriven the new Chairman, Joe Bradley as Vice Chair and Kevin Scriven as Director and Acting Secretary. Stan Pugh, Paddy Walshe and Barry Small will all remain involved. Work on the management structure and playing squad has already begun. Correction to a story from last week, at Andover New Street John Smith and Danny Dolan are joint managers, with Iain Meechan as Assistant. Apologies for the confusion.



There’s a new Director of Football at Cockrams. Luke Burbidge has taken the role at Shaftesbury – a role that is not a playing one. The Rockies envisage the appointment will strengthen their relationship with Champion Sports Group, with Dan Neville acting as a consultant for the club, who see the club as providing a great platform in terms of progression for young players with, amongst other things, an intention to form a Development Squad to compete in the Dorset Premier League. Exciting times ahead for our North Dorset team.

Players continue to be noted as signing or re-signing for our clubs, probably too many to mention in these pages, but a couple to note sees goalkeeper Sam Jones and Matt Nicholls, club captain for Bournemouth have signed on the dotted line. Last week we carried a story about East Cowes’ victory in the League Cup at Church Litten. Well thanks to “Groundtastic” and Bob Lilliman, here [left] is a picture of the ground. Groundtastic is THE Football Grounds magazine, and they can also be found on both Facebook and Twitter- and is a veritable treasure trove of pictures

from across the country in days gone by. Elsewhere on the Isle of Wight, Cowes Sports welcome back Alex Smith as part of the first team set up; coming in to support Max Draper and the first team management team- working alongside Steve Taylor in all things coaching. He has already been hard at work over the last month organising and developing ideas at the club. There’s been a further new Managerial appointment, Portland United have appointed Callum Brooks to the position. Further news from the west to note is that the club have initially (at time of writing) been placed 18th nationally in the Non-League section for the Soccer Club Swap Shop Programme Awards for 2019/20, congratulations to Lin McKechnie for her sterling work for the club. Other clubs mentioned on the website as having had programmes judged include AFC Portchester, AFC Stoneham, Baffins Milton Rovers, Bournemouth, Brockenhurst, Christchurch, Hamworthy United, Horndean, Solent University FC and Tadley Calleva from the Premier Division together with Hythe & Dibden, New Milton Town, Petersfield Town and Verwood Town from the First Division; with some 654 entries noted at the beginning of the month. At Downton Ben Smith has been joined as Joint Manager by Jody Rivers. Jody was until recently working with Dorchester Town and is an important capture for his wealth of knowledge for the Wick Lane side. Admin wise, there’s a new Secretary at Fareham Town with Gavin Bedford taking on the challenge. Gavin moves along from his role as Chair of the clubs youth section, a position he has held for many years. Welcome aboard.

WESSEX AT WEMBLEY

Or in this case St Andrews, season 2003-04 and Winchester City’s first stay in the Wessex League having convincingly won the Hampshire League the previous season. Some 125 miles away in Suffolk, AFC Sudbury were looking to make it four Eastern Counties League titles in a row. Both would also have had the FA Vase in their thoughts – Sudbury as beaten finalists last time round and Winchester having reached the Quarter Final stage on their first entry in to the Competition. Both Clubs commenced the 2003-04 Vase in Round Two with WINCHESTER defeating Hamworthy United – then the Dorset Premier League Champions and who were to join the Wessex League the following season after a second title winning season – by two goals to nil. SUDBURY meanwhile proved far too strong for fellow Eastern Counties and Suffolk opposition with a 5-1 win over Lowestoft Town with some 319 coming through the gate. Round Three saw WINCHESTER make the relatively short trip along the South Cost to Brighton and Whitehawk, then in the Sussex League, and under the shadow of the Racecourse the Wessex League side scored three and conceded just one in front of just 126 spectators. SUDBURY came out of the hat with



another home draw, again against Eastern Counties opposition – though this time a Division lower – in Harwich & Parkeston who memory suggests always were a force in the FA Amateur Cup in days long gone by. They gave their now more illustrious opponents a difficult afternoon before going down by the odd goal in five after extra time. There was a vast difference in fortunes in the draw for Round Four as, with the regionalisation seemingly gone by the board, Sudbury were drawn at home again and Winchester away – and away with a vengeance! Having travelled a mere seventy miles along the coast to Brighton in Round Three WINCHESTER now found themselves faced with a 440 miles round trip to Mossley on the outskirts of Manchester. Mossley had finished third in Division 1 of the North West Counties League the previous season and were to finish runners up this time but their Vase hopes ended as Winchester made the long return journey south with a 2-1 win to their credit. SUDBURY welcomed Desborough Town from Northamptonshire and the United Counties League to Suffolk and eased to a 3-1 victory. Round Five and thoughts of “Wembley” beginning to take root but perhaps tempered by both sides being drawn away from home. WINCHESTER endured another long journey, this time to Wroxham in the Norfolk Broads and ironically only around 60 miles from Sudbury. Their hosts were one of the leading sides in the Eastern Counties League – they duly finished in third place behind Sudbury – and had scored twelve goals in three ties to reach this stage, but failed to find the net this time while Winchester scored three times. SUDBURY also faced a long haul, across to Congleton in Cheshire, and a 2-0 scoreline suggested a fairly routine victory and ensured a place in the last eight. Having travelled extensively in the previous two Rounds WINCHESTER deserved, and got, a home draw in the quarter final with the icing on the cake being in the form of the opposition – local rivals Andover. Some rather unfortunate comments from the visiting secretary leading up to the day to the effect that Winchester were not “up to” staging the game, did not help their cause and an attendance in excess of 900, including the writer, saw the home side literally coast to a 5-1 victory. City were two up inside 15 minutes and three ahead at the break with Andover’s goal coming in stoppage time at the end of the second half. SUDBURY kept pace with a trip to London and a two goal defeat of Cray Wanderers in extra time to reach the last four for the second season in a row. The semi-finals, played as usual over two legs, and more travel as one would expect at this stage of the Competition. WINCHESTER headed west for the first time and a meeting with Western League Bideford, who ended the season as Premier Division Champions. Details of the first leg were beyond my research but a three all draw would have been very hard earned, with a crowd of almost 2,000 at the Kingsley Road venue. The second leg was a different matter as in front of 1,800 plus people and on a filthy day weather-wise, two goals from Andy Forbes steered the home side to a 4-0 victory with the visitors finishing with nine men in the closing stages. If, as is probably too often the case, I can make a personal observation I could not even begin to estimate how many Wessex League matches I have watched but without any doubt Andy Forbes is the best player I have seen at that level. Not just for his goals – he scored an astonishing 76 in the season under review for example - but also for his all-round ability and temperament. Back to the script and SUDBURY faced Lancashire opposition in the shape of Colne with the first leg at home. A best of five goals victory gave them a slight advantage for the trip north and a one all draw ensured a second consecutive Final. With Wembley Stadium in the fourth year of its rebuilding, the Final was played at St. Andrews, the home of Birmingham City, and whilst missing out on playing at Wembley may have been a disappointment, that was quickly forgotten as WINCHESTER made it the greatest day in the history of the Club with a 2-0 victory over their Suffolk opponents, with a reported attendance of 5,080. Andy Forbes – who else – scored early on and a Sean Dyke penalty made the game safe and capped a highly successful season for the Club. Sudbury were gracious losers and incredibly reached the Final again a year later – and again finished runners up. But this was Winchester’s day and the following side will be long remembered by those of a City persuasion, some well-known names on show that day- Simon Arthur: Dave Goss, Mark Blake, Toby Redwood: Sean Dyke, Lloyd Webber, Gary Green, Danny Smith, Matt Bicknell: Ian Mancey and Andy Forbes. Substitutes:- Steve Tate, Liam Green, Adam Rogers, Stewart Lang and Oliver Restall.



RAIDERS FROM THE NORTH REPELLED AT THE SPORTS GROUND This week’s Programme from the past takes us back to the Second Round of the Hampshire Senior Cup in the 2016/17 season and a lovely sunny afternoon in Lymington. A First Round 5-2 defeat of Whitchurch United had been rewarded with a home tie against North AC, better known as Northerners, from Guernsey for whom the season marked their first venture in the Competition. The Channel Island side had been within ten miles or so of Lymington in the First Round when they secured a goalless draw at Hythe & Dibden and then progressed 11-10 in a very protracted penalty shoot-out. So, no local derby, but a visit from totally unknown opposition who had proved their credentials by winning their League in the last two seasons and who would go on to be runners up in the current season. A two o’clock kick off to help the visitors with their travel and the home side soon found that there was to be no walkover on the cards as the blue shirted North gave as good as they got in an entertaining first half that had everything apart from goals. Both sides went forward at every opportunity but the two defences held sway presumably meaning that the respective half time team talks were a re-run of the pre-match

orations. The deadlock was broken on the hour mark when the home side took the lead and the majority of those present no doubt felt that the floodgates would now open but the visitors had other ideas and after striking the woodwork twice scored twice in as many minutes to take the lead as the game moved in to the last quarter of an hour. A defensive error allowed Lymington to get back on terms and the Channel Islanders were eyeing another penalty shoot-out only for Lymington to snatch a winner in stoppage time. With respect to the home side this was harsh on the Northerners who had been very much on top since going a goal down but perhaps showed some naivety in continuing to go forward having taken the lead so close to the end. But perhaps they should be recommended for doing so rather than trying to shut up shop. It also appeared in the last few minutes that the pace of the game was catching up on them, probably quicker over the ninety minutes than they are normally accustomed. The visiting Manager’s views in his local Press were very clear:- “Without being there and seeing for yourself it is difficult to explain how we lost the game. For 40 minutes in the second

half we were awesome and it was probably the best performance in the four years I have been here. If we had won six two Lymington could not have complained. We played them off the park, they could not live with us, but then we threw it away” Inevitably he finished with a cliché:- “The lads are gutted” As an (almost) neutral observer that was perhaps a little over the top but they did deserve a share of the spoils over the ninety minutes. They were nice people and played the game in the right spirit and found enough encouragement from their display to enter the Competition again the next season. They drew Bashley at home, were winning with less than 10 minutes to go, gave away a ridiculous penalty and lost 2-1. Sounds familiar!

The AGM this year will be held on line through video conferencing- Sunday 28 June. Clubs will be emailed, if not already, as regards this and who will attend for their club, with the contact details for that nominee

being requested. Clubs will have to reply within seven days of receipt. Please make sure you do.



FA VASE FINALS 1975 TO DATE

Year Winners Runners Up Score 1975 Hoddesdon Town Epsom and Ewell 2-1 1976 Billericay Town Stamford 1-0 (aet) 1977 Billericay Town Sheffield 1-1 (aet) [1] 1978 Blue Star Barton Rovers 2-1 1979 Billericay Town Almondsbury Greenway 4-1 1980 Stamford Guisborough Town 2-0 (aet) 1981 Whickham Willenhall Town 3-2 1982 Forest Green Rovers Rainworth MW 3-0 1983 VS Rugby Halesowen Town 1-0 1984 Stansted Stamford 3-2 1985 Halesowen Town Fleetwood Town 3-1 (aet) 1986 Halesowen Town Southall 3-0 1987 St Helens Town Warrington Town 3-2 1988 Colne Dynamoes Emley 1-0 1989 Tamworth Sudbury Town 1-1 (aet) [2] 1990 Yeading Bridlington Town 0-0 (aet) [3] 1991 Guiseley Gresley Rovers 4-4 (aet) [4] 1992 Wimborne Town Guiseley 5-3 1993 Bridlington Town Tiverton Town 1-0 1994 Diss Town Taunton Town 2-1 (aet) 1995 Arlesey Town Oxford City 2-1 1996 Brigg Town Clitheroe 3-0 1997 Whitby Town North Ferriby United 3-0 1998 Tiverton Town Tow Law Town 1-0 1999 Tiverton Town Bedlington Terriers 1-0 2000 Deal Town Chippenham Town 1-0 2001 Taunton Town Berkhamsted Town 2-1 [Villa Park] 2002 Whitley Bay Tiptree United 1-0 [Villa Park] 2003 Brigg Town AFC Sudbury 2-1 [Upton Park] 2004 Winchester City AFC Sudbury 2-0 [St Andrews] 2005 Didcot Town AFC Sudbury 3-2 [White Hart Lane] 2006 Nantwich Town Hillingdon Borough 3-1 [St Andrews] 2007 Truro City AFC Totton 3-1 2008 Kirkham & Wesham Lowestoft Town 2-1 2009 Whitley Bay Glossop North End 2-0 2010 Whitley Bay Wroxham 6-1 2011 Whitley Bay Coalville Town 3-2 2012 Dunston UTS West Auckland Town 2-0 2013 Spennymoor Town Tunbridge Wells 2-1 2014 Sholing West Auckland Town 1-0 2015 North Shields Glossop North End 2-1 (aet) 2016 Morpeth Town Hereford 4-1 2017 South Shields Cleethorpes Town 4-0 2018 Thatcham Town Stockton 1-0 2019 Chertsey Town Cray Valley Paper Mills 3-1 (aet) 2020 46th season subject to FA ruling in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

[1] replay at Nottingham Forest. Won by Billericay Town 2-1 aet [2] replay at Peterborough United. Won by Tamworth 3-0 [3] replay at Leeds United. Won by Yeading 1-0 [4] replay at Sheffield United. Won by Guiseley 3-1



The FA Vase came about when the FA did away with the distinction between Professional and Amateur status which meant the Vase effectively replaced the FA Amateur Cup. First played in 1975- and contested by just 220 clubs (compared with 638 in 2018/19), Spartan League side Hoddesdon Town were the first winners. Billericay Town, then of the Essex Senior League then staked their claim for a place in history by winning three times in the next four seasons. This remained a record until Whitley Bay won their third in 2010 and then extended the record with a fourth just one year later seeing off Coalville Town by the odd goal in five. Halesowen Town came close too with two wins from their three finals whilst members of the West Midlands Regional League. On the opposite side of the coin so to speak, spare a thought for AFC Sudbury who were bridesmaids three years running in the early 2000’s. Here is a summary list of those winners- 4. Whitley Bay 3. Billericay Town 2. Brigg Town, Halesowen Town, Tiverton Town 1. Arlesey Town, Blue Star, Bridlington Town, Chertsey Town, Colne Dynamoes, Deal Town, Didcot Town, Diss Town, Dunston UTS, Forest Green Rovers (at time of writing they are the only winners to play in the Football League), Guiseley, Hoddesdon Town, Kirkham & Wesham, Morpeth Town, Nantwich Town, North Shields, St Helens Town, Sholing, South Shields, Spennymoor Town, Stamford, Stansted, Tamworth, Taunton Town, Thatcham Town, Truro City, VS Rugby, Whickham, Whitby Town, Wimborne Town, Winchester City and Yeading. There are just ten clubs who have played in all Vase competitions, from across England- including one of our own. Here’s that list- Brockenhurst, Calne Town, Chadderton, Hoddesdon Town, Holbeach United, Saffron Walden Town, Stansted, Stotfold, Tunbridge Wells and Westbury United. This list also includes the 2019/20 season. Before the rebuilding of Wembley, the record attendance was the 26,489 who attended the Tamworth Sudbury Town game back in 1989, this was surpassed with ease in 2007 when some 36,232 poured through the gates to see Cornish side Truro City beat our representatives, AFC Totton. Wembley has always been the venue, except of course during the revamp, so in those years the Final was held at Upton Park and White Hart Lane once each, Villa Park and St Andrews on two occasions each. The Northern League have dominated the competition of late with eight wins from the last eleven contests. But with the last two winners coming from south of the Thames has the tide turned? Spoiler alert here, next week we feature Sholing in our Wessex at Wembley series with hopefully AFC Totton featuring in edition #48, fingers crossed.

WEEK FORTY TWO – THE LAST WORD

Portland United have announced they have finalised a deal to purchase their home ground, from the Crown Estate, thereby securing the land as a sporting asset to the community. The club are extremely grateful for a number of generous donations from the Community that helped the process. This will bring some hardship financially to the west Dorset club, so they’ve introduced a Lifetime Membership scheme. Costing £1,000 this will include recognition of each member's name on a special plaque, as well as complimentary tickets for entry to all league games. Complimentary sponsorship of one game per annum also forms part of the package.

There are a limited number of these memberships available, please contact the club directly if interested.

sydenhams football league news 2019/20 edition … · 2020-05-16 · saturday, 16 may 2020 page 3...

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