thamesmead town v cray wanderers

THE MEADTHE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF THAMESMEAD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB 2013/14

£2.00

vs. CRAY WANDERERSThursday 26th December 2013 Ryman Premier League Kick-Off: 3.00pm

Official Sponsors

03The Mead v Cray Wanderers

Company Director: Keith McMahonCompany Director: Paul Bowden-BrownCompany Secretary: Paul Bowden-Brown

HONOURABLE POSITIONS

Club President: Albert PantingVice-Presidents: Peter Tierney & Keith Dunsmore

CLUB OFFICIALSFOOTBALL COMMITTEE

Chairman: Terry HillVice-Chairman: Alan MartinSecretary: Dave JoyYouth Secretary: Paul TurnerMarketing & Communications: Mike GreenMatchday Press Officer: Colin Mair

Club Photographer: Louisa CoulthurstBoardroom Hospitality: Sue DingwellWelfare Officer: Paul TurnerWebsite Editor: Colin Mair

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

Senior Manager: Keith McMahonAssistant Manager: Steve WaitSenior Coaches: Peter Deadman & Ray BagnallPhysios: Alan Woodward & Carly PayneU21s Manager: Andy WeeksU18s Manager: Mark PaineU16s Manager: Danny HarrisU15s Manager: Spencer JonesU14s Manager: Alan PorterU12s Manager: Keith Medlen

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Daniel ParkerDuplexity Artworkwww.duplexity.co.ukTel: 07748 536 306

THAMESMEAD TOWN FCSporting Club Thamesmead

Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead,London, SE28 8NJTel: 0208 311 4211

Company Number: 03915330

WELCOME TO

SPORTING CLUBTHAMESMEAD

23Chris SaundersFormer Cray player Chris Saunders explains to the programme today why he switched to the Mead and his hopes for 2014.

05 The Manager

08 In Opposition: Cray Wanderers

13 Barry Landy

16 Action Replay: Lowestoft

23 Ryman Premier Round-Up

34 Next Up: Billericay

FROM THE EDITOR...Welcome back to Sporting Club Thamesmead today for the final time in 2013 after an eventful year for the Mead both on and off the pitch.

Of course, 2013 has been the year that the club have moved into these fantastic new facilities, as well as ventured into the unknown with the maiden campaign in the Ryman Premier League after that brilliant day in May.

Whilst life on the pitch has been tough this season, a solid run of results sees Keith and the side on a run of one defeat in seven - and such solidarity will hopefully see the Mead begin to claw their way out of trouble as we head into the New Year.

We hope you’ve had a lovely Christmas Day and will enjoy more festivities later - but we want to see you back here on January 4th as we take on Billericay Town!

BEST OF THE REST...

CONTENTS

THE MEADTHE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF THAMESMEAD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB 2013/14

£2.00

vs. CRAY WANDERERSThursday 26th December 2013 Ryman Premier League Kick-Off: 3.00pm

Official Sponsors

04 The Mead v Cray Wanderers

FROM THE CHAIRMAN:

TERRYHILL

Good afternoon everyone and, firstly, let me welcome the players and officials of Cray Wanderers to our new home here at Sporting Club Thamesmead.

On behalf of everyone at Thamesmead Town Football Club, I’d like to wish everyone here a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

It is the time of the year where family and friends get together, and today’s earlier kick-off ensures that we can still go and spend some special time with our families later on this afternoon.

As always, we will undoubtedly have far too much to eat and drink, so hopefully the football this afternoon will allow us to get some fresh air and blow off the cobwebs!

Fingers crossed the players haven’t had too much Christmas pudding and so we will be in for an entertaining game from both sides as both teams look to strive for league safety.

Without a game last week, Keith and the side have had time to prepare for this afternoon’s game, which, however you choose to look at it, is a big six-pointer for both sides.

Both clubs will feel that way and it’s also a local derby. Our friends at Cray

find themselves in a similar position to us in the bottom four, which isn’t a position that either of would have wanted to be in.

However, we are and so we are going to have to fight our way out of it during the second half of the season that is now upon us.

At this stage of the season, we really have to start winning games so let’s hope we can begin that this afternoon and string a run of results together as we head into 2014.

Cray have undergone a change in their management team since we last

played them back in August where, thanks to goals from Lewis Tozer, Michael Power, Ross Lover and Stuart Zanone we came away as 4-3 winners in an entertaining game.

Cray are having a difficult time of it at the moment though, coming into today’s game off the back of two 4-0 defeats and a 6-0 defeat before Saturday’s tough visit of Leiston.

After today, we travel to Met Police on Saturday and then away to Margate on New Year - I hope to see you all there!

Enjoy the game,Terry

“We find ourselves in the bottom four so we are going to have to fight our way out & we

have to start winning games now”

THE CHAIRMAN

The Mead need to stick together to fight their way out of trouble


FROM THE DUGOUT:

KEITHMcMAHON“It has been an up & down first half of the season - very challenging personally but

also fairly enjoyable too”

Good afternoon and welcome back for today’s Boxing Day game against Cray Wanderers, and welcome to the management and players - I hope you enjoy your short stay here and I hope you have a safe journey home afterwards.

Firstly, a Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you all had a great day with your families, didn’t go overboard and aren’t feeling at all rough today... especially my players!

Last Saturday saw us pick up another very good result with a 2-2 draw with Lowestoft. We took a right hammering at their place back in August with a 5-0 defeat, so to get a result just four months later shows how far we’ve come.

I did feel we could have had all three, though - the lads showed great fighting spirit to come back twice and it shows what we’re all about. I was especially pleased with the second forty-five as we created chances and had a lot more of the ball.

Lowestoft shaded the first half and went 1-0 up with a great cross which, unfortunately, went in after deflecting off of young Jay Porter.

The second half saw us step it up a

gear and I thought it was only a matter of time before we equalised. That happened on the hour mark with a great header from Junior Baker. We should have gone in front with just ten minutes remaining when Shamir Mullings put Theo clear through but he couldn’t hit the target.

Lowestoft thought they won it when they went 2-1 in front in the 89th minute, but we didn’t give up and went straight up the other end and got a penalty when new signing Mo Conteh was pulled down. Lewis Tozer kept his nerve to earn us what was a well-deserved point in the end.

I was really pleased with the performance. I thought our shape was good again and we defended very well as a team. We look dangerous going forward, especially with Shamir up front who was a handful all day for Lowestoft. It was another point which keeps us going in the right direction.

It’s been an up and down first half of the season - very challenging personally, but also fairly enjoyable. I knew at the beginning of the season that it was going to be very difficult for us. We are the smallest club in the division and just to compete at this level is an achievement.

After a tough start I believe we have

now got to grips with the level and are competing in every game. There is still half of the season to go and I’m still positive that we can stay up.

This week I have added another three players in Lanre Azeez from Margate, Baff Addae has resigned from VCD Athletic and Rashid Kamara from Aveley. I’m also pleased that Shamir Mullings has decided to sign for us permanently, but it has been a busy week for Dave Joy and I. We can now go into the second half of the season with a positive attitude and really kick on.

We have a difficult period over Christmas but, if we can get a couple of wins, it will build a good platform for the New Year, starting with today’s game. It will be another tough game for us as local derbies always are - Cray have improved since we played them earlier in the season and, like us, they are fighting for their lives so I’m expecting a battle today. We need to show the same discipline as we have shown recently with a little bit of quality, and I’m sure we can get a positive result.

Finally, a Happy New Year to you all - let’s hope 2014 is a positive one for Thamesmead Town Football Club.

Enjoy the game,The Gaffer

THE MANAGER

www.macron.com

MACRON OFFICIAL BENCH WEAR SUPPLIER TO THE RYMAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

WORK HARD. PLAY HARDER.

07The Mead v Cray Wandererswww.macron.com



FROM THE BOARDROOM:

PAULBOWDEN-BROWN“Keith has accommodated the changes in playing standards very well & I think the

assembled squad will hold its own”

THE BOARDROOM

May I welcome the directors, officials, players and supporters of Cray to the SCT and a safe journey home after an enjoyable game and refreshments.

I hope you all had a great day yesterday with your families, getting all of the presents you wanted and enjoying the break. May I also take this opportunity to wish you the very best for the New Year.

Hopefully our friends from Cray will also get their just rewards regarding the planning permission for a new ground - it would be a travesty if they were refused it.

Unfortunately, I won’t be joining you today as I’m having a family meal with four generations - the timing is unfortunate but, having been in football for the past twenty-five years, the day had to come where I would be family first.

I will, of course, have the phone app up and running to ensure I know the score - so I’ll be here in spirit, if not in body!

Well we’ve reached the end of 2013 now and, personally, I think it’s been a very difficult and challenging year for the club. We made our long-awaited move to our new home after numerous delays, as well as the momentous step of promotion - and we’re still dealing with the great feeling it gave us.

That brought its own set of problems, though, and anyone who thought that dealing with the promotion would be easily has most definitely been incorrect.

The jump from Ryman North to the Ryman Premier is tremendous. You play against numerous teams that hold very high playing budgets, whilst the standard of play is also very different - Keith has had to review his original squad as a result.

He has accommodated those changes very well and been busy in the market without breaking the bank - I think the squad assembled will hold its own within this league.

Our current league position provides another worry, as all of our players are in the shop window to be cherry-picked by those bigger clubs with greater financial muscle. We aren’t going to bankrupt the club by trying to pay what we can’t afford. We will rely on Keith and his abilities to work with the players within our agreed budget, although it can be difficult.

Another bombshell dropped on our desks recently after discussions with the Trust related to outstanding capital work required by a 31st March deadline in order to meet league criteria following promotion.

We were previously advised it was

within the original capital building costs covered by the Trust, but this has now changed - we are advised that the club must fund any work, so now the directors have to ensure this funding is available or else we will be relegated at the end of the season. This is extra pressure being put on the directors to covet these additional costs.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for their support during this year.

Yes, I know there’s been changes forced upon them but I think they understand the reasons, and I must not forget my fellow director Keith - be assured that without this man there would not have been a club to support. Keith is truly Mr Thamesmead and I feel honoured to work with him at the club.

Last and certainly not least, let’s not forget a thank you to all of the home supporters, new and old, that have contributed to our increased gates. Please continue to help the club and keep advising your friends, work colleagues and everyone you know to come and support your local club.

Now let’s look forward to a good game of football, and a Happy New Year to you all.

Paul Bowden-BrownDirector


IN OPPOSITION:

CRAY“Big wins over the Met Police & Dulwich

Hamlet show that the Wands can turn on the style - but time is running out for them”

It’s another big six-pointer for the Mead this afternoon, as the side look to shake off the Christmas festivities and pick up maximum points as we welcome Cray Wanderers to the SCT.

It has been the most difficult of seasons for the Wands so far, who haven’t found life any easier since the Mead stole a 4-3 win at the Courage Stadium back in August.

Having conceded 73 goals already at an average of 3.3 per game, the Wands took the decision to install Keith Bird as manager at the end of September.

Despite picking up two wins in his first four games, the Wands have gone on to collect just one point from the next twenty-one and come to the SCT off

the back of successive 4-0, 4-0 and 6-0 defeats.

Upon his appointment, Bird admitted that the job was tough.

“It’s a big job with a lot to be done,” he explained. “The budget isn’t enough really to play in this league so we’ve got a big job to do, and not just in terms of keeping the club up.”

With a 4-1 win over the Met Police and a 5-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet in the cup recently, the Wands have shown that when it clicks, they can really turn on the style.

But with the season progressing at a rapid pace, Keith Bird’s side already face a race against time if they are to salvage anything from the season.

LIKELY LINE-UP

FACT FILE

1 Charlie Grainger 2 Dmitri Larin 3 Carlos Talbot 4 Aaron Day

5 Helge Orome 6 Alex Stavrinou 7 Jack Sherrat 8 Nathan Simpson

9 Adrian Stone 10 Tommy Whitnell 11 Jack Clark

Nickname: The Wands

Founded: 1860

Ground: Courage Stadium

Chairman: Gary Hillman

Manager: Keith Bird

Last Season: 17th

1

43 5 2

118 6

7

10 9

IN OPPOSITION

The Wands’ new management team


The 2012/13 season was a critical one for the future of Cray Wanderers FC, the oldest football club in London and the second oldest in the world.

The Wands have requested planning consent from Bromley Council to build a new football stadium at Sandy Lane, in St Paul’s Cray. Unfortunately for the Wands after nearly five years of hard work and expense their initial application was thrown out on 20 September when the LB Bromley planning committee said that the club’s plan for a new football ground and community sports complex in the Crays was insufficient good reason to allow development of a site that is designated as greenbelt.

Cray Wanderers have been in exile from the Crays since 1972 when they lost the Grassmeade ground in Chelsfield Road, due to housing development. They moved to Oxford Road, on the borders of Footscray and Sidcup, but when that ground was ruled to be unsuitable for Step 5 football (the Wands were then playing in the Kent League) it became necessary from 1998/99 to play first team matches at Hayes Lane, as tenants of Bromley FC.

Cray have been most grateful to Bromley FC for granting them the ground-sharing arrangement, but with the lease due to expire in 2014 the need for Cray to have their own home ground has become paramount.

The first origins of Cray Wanderers are linked to the construction of the London, Chatham & Dover railway line during 1858 to 1860. During their leisure time, migrant workers kicked a ball around, and that is how the club originated in the St Mary Cray village. The pitch at Star Lane is now a cemetery, and is located beneath the nine-arch railway viaduct that spans the Cray Valley. The industrial belt of the River Cray, especially the paper mills, provided much of the club’s support up till the 1950s.

Cray Wanderers were a strong force in

senior county football at the turn of the century. After being Kent Junior Cup semi-finalists and finalists in 1890/91 and 1891/92 they entered the first ever FA Amateur Cup competition in 1893/94. They had a spell as a professional club between 1895 and 1907. They were a nursery club for Woolwich Arsenal during part of this period. They were one of the founder members of the Kent League in 1894/95, and they won the championship in 1901/02. Other honours included Southern Suburban League champions in 1898/99, West Kent League champions in 1903/04, and Kent Senior Cup runners-up in 1899/1900.

After World War One, Cray switched to the London League where they remained till 1934. In 1930/31 they won the Kent Amateur Cup. Cray rejoined the Kent League in 1934/35, but their four year stay came to grief when 1936 saw the loss of the Fordcroft ground in Cray Avenue, their home since 1898. Cray were forced to drop into a lower level of football, drifting from one temporary pitch to another while the club committee dwindled to a perilously small number. The team struggled badly in the South London Alliance and the Kent Amateur League.

1951/52 heralded a new era, and an upturn in the club’s fortunes, when local businessman Mick Slater took over at the helm. The club was elected to the London League and regained its senior status. Cray moved to a new ground at Grassmeade in 1955. Their stay there was a very successful period in the club’s history. Drawing extra support from the commuter town of Orpington, they played in the London League and then the Aetolian League. They were three times crowned champions, won the League Cup twice, and also won the Kent Amateur Cup three times.

Cray switched to the semi-professional Metropolitan League for five seasons commencing in 1966/67. In 1971/72 the Met London League was created by a merger of the Metropolitan League and the Greater London League.

Cray moved to Oxford Road in 1973/74. Johnny Biddle and Jimmy Wakeling proved to be successful managers. In 1974/75 Cray won the Met London League and League Cup, scoring 170 goals in all matches that season. In 1976/77 and 1977/78 Cray won the London Spartan League championship.

Cray decided to return to the Kent League in 1978/79. Success came quickly because Cray won the championship in 1980/81, having been runners-up the year before. Their powerful new team under manager Harry Richardson reached the FA Vase quarter-final and 5th round in those two seasons. After that, the 1980s decade brought only one more piece of silverware, the Kent League Cup in 1983/84. After finishing Kent League runners up in 1990/91, Cray had a lean period during most of the 1990s, with the exception of 1992/93 when they won the Kent Senior Trophy.

A new club chairman Gary Hillman arrived in 1994/95 and Ian Jenkins, a Cray player since 1993, was appointed manager in 1999. By now, Cray were tenants of Bromley FC.

As champions of the Kent League in 2002/03 and 2003/04, also reaching the FA Vase quarter-final, they achieved promotion into the Ryman League Division One. Five years later at the end of season 2008/09 came further promotion into the Ryman Premier League.

After four years of establishing themselves in the Ryman Premier, the highest level of football that the club has played at since the war, Cray Wanderers are ambitious to continue their upward progress on the field.

However, the club has a critically important agenda off the field in 2013/14 as it pursues a return to its homeland in the Crays, despite the setback from Bromley Council on 20 September 2012 when initial planning consent for a new ground was declined. A revised planning application is due to be submitted in autumn 2013.

CLUB HISTORY

IN OPPOSITION


MATCH REPORT:

ACTION REPLAY

Hendon bounced back from their defeat at Dulwich Hamlet with an utterly dominant 6-0 victory at bottom club Cray Wanderers on Tuesday night.

On a wet evening, Gary McCann made three changes to the starting line-up with debutant keeper Ross Fitzsimons, on loan from Crystal Palace for a month, replacing Tomer Sherman between the sticks, whilst Anthony Thomas and James Fisher replaced Dean Cracknell and Sam Flegg, the latter dropping to the bench.

The Greens took the advantage early on, as they took the lead in the third minute. A free kick was swung into the box, and the ball found Chris Seeby completely unmarked in front of goal, and he had an easy task to turn the ball into the net for his first league goal for the club.

In the 10th minute, Michael Bryan had a good run with the ball, but his shot was straight at the keeper, but the second goal was only another ten minutes away.

A corner from Tony Taggart was delivered to the far side of the six yard box where James Fisher rose unmarked to head the ball home. This was his first goal for the club in his 87th appearance.

Just three minutes later Hendon were three goals to the good when Jefferson Louis bundled home a dangerous cross from Michael Bryan from close range.

The passing from the Greens throughout the game was of the highest quality. In particular a move that started with Seeby, involved Thomas, Jack Bennett and Seeby again

ended with Dave Diedhiou being inches away from heading the ball home.

Another move involving Casey Maclaren, Diedhiou and Taggart set up Louis for another chance, but Charlie Grainger was able to turn the ball away for a corner.

The fourth goal came just before half time when Louis received the ball out wide, and he delivered a delicious cross which found the unmarked Anthony Thomas who slammed the ball into the net with delight.

Cray, who had tried to play the game the right way on the occasions they had possession started the second half brightly and had a couple of chances early in the period, but they were unable to test Fitzsimons.

Yet another superb passing move involving Taggart, Bryan and Thomas ended with Louis heading side, but the fifth goal came in the 55th minute when Louis headed home a cross from Thomas to score his 20th league goal of the campaign.

The final goal of the evening came with 25 minutes to go when Sam Flegg rose to head the ball home - the goal being the 50th league goal the club have scored this season in just the 21st game. Last season saw the Greens score just 48 in the whole league campaign.

There was still time for Thomas to hit the post, and the Greens to try and set Louis up for his hat-trick, whilst at the other end the home side’s best effort was a 30 yard drive from Tommy Whitnell late on which flew just over the bar.

This really was an excellent performance by Hendon, even taking into account the fact that Cray Wanderers are currently in the midst of a very poor run of results. Credit must go to the home side who never gave up, even at 6-0 down, and tried to play the game the right way.

The result moves the Greens back into the top half of the table, in 11th place, as they now go into a nine day break before the Christmas and New Year fixtures begin at Wingate & Finchley on Boxing Day.

06 HENDON

Seeby (3), Fisher (21), Louis (24, 55), Thomas (44), Flegg (66)

CRAY WANDERERS

ACTION REPLAY

Tuesday 17th December 2013The Courage Stadium

Jefferson Louis netted twice


IN OPPOSITION

MANAGEMENT

KEITH

BIRD

Keith, and his assistant Mike Paye, both joined the Hayes Lane side at the end of September to take over from Ian Jenkinson.

The duo have been working together for the last eight years and have enjoyed considerable success with the Bromley FC U18s side, as well as the club’s reserve team.

Keith is working towards his UEFA B coaching badge and Mike is a former Wanderers player who, prior to that, played for Charlton Athletic.

They have been joined at the Wands by Michael McDonald who will fill the coaching and physio roles.

Club chairman, Gary Hillman, said: “I was very impressed with how Keith and Mike have performed in their management roles at Bromley – particularly the professionalism they’ve displayed and the strong organisational skills they have demonstrated.

“They are born winners. I see this appointment as a three to five year project. Although its going to be very hard at the beginning with the limited resources and league position they have inherited, I believe they will turn it around allowing the club to kick on.”

10.08.2013 Leiston L1-413.08.2013 Canvey Island W2-117.08.2013 AFC Hornchurch L1-620.08.2013 Dulwich Hamlet L0-4

26.08.2013 Thamesmead Town L3-431.08.2013 Wealdstone L1-7

07.09.2013 Carshalton Athletic D0-011.09.2013 Maidstone United L0-517.09.2013 Hampton and Richmond L0-421.09.2013 East Thurrock United L0-324.09.2013 Bognor Regis Town L0-4

05.10.2013 Metropolitan Police W4-126.10.2013 Bury Town L1-302.11.2013 Harrow Borough L2-409.11.2013 Lowestoft Town W2-0

16.11.2013 Wealdstone L0-320.11.2013 Lewes L1-423.11.2013 Wingate and Finchley D1-1

30.11.2013 Billericay Town L0-107.12.2013 Kingstonian L0-414.12.2013 Canvey Island L0-4

17.12.2013 Hendon L0-621.12.2013 Leiston26.12.2013 Thamesmead Town

28.12.2013 Dulwich Hamlet01.01.2014 Hampton and Richmond04.01.2014 AFC Hornchurch

07.01.2014 Grays Athletic11.01.2014 Enfield Town

18.01.2014 Margate21.01.2014 Bognor Regis Town25.01.2014 Carshalton Athletic08.02.2014 Grays Athletic11.02.2014 Maidstone United

15.02.2014 East Thurrock United23.02.2014 Lewes01.03.2014 Metropolitan Police

08.03.2014 Lowestoft Town15.03.2014 Hendon

23.03.2014 Wingate and Finchley29.03.2014 Billericay Town

05.04.2014 Kingstonian12.04.2014 Bury Town

19.04.2014 Harrow Borough21.04.2014 Margate

26.04.2014 Enfield Town

CRAY WANDERERSRYMAN PREMIER LEAGUEFIXTURES & RESULTS

Business Account Card

4

4

A5_Charity Gala Ad 2013.indd 1 22/07/2013 11:20


Business Account Card

4

4

A5_Charity Gala Ad 2013.indd 1 22/07/2013 11:20

BARRY LANDY’S DOWN IN THE BOX

www.downinthebox.co.uk | @BarryLandyDITB

While Tim Sherwood steers the Tottenham Hotspur ship through muddy waters and a customary hectic Christmas schedule this week, it’s highly unlikely that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy holds the same level of confidence in the interim manager’s abilities as Jack Walker once did.

Having won the then FA Premier League in 1995, Blackburn Rovers boss Kenny Dalglish expressed an interest in signing the Bordeaux midfielder Zinedine Zidane, to which Walker reportedly and infamously replied, “Why do you want Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?”

Prior to his stint in charge of Spurs, Sherwood has never managed a professional side, taking the club’s youth sides including in the Next Gen Series, defunct for now. Hardly the pedigree to manage one of English football’s top sides.

At least, having picked up a Premier League medal and a place in the PFA Team of the Year in 1995, Walker had a basis, if retrospectively embarrassing, for Sherwood’s championing.

Daniel Levy will look elsewhere for Andre Villas Boas’ replacement in the White Hart Lane dugout, as will Jeremy Peace at West Bromwich Albion, in the search for Steve Clarke’s successor. By the time you read this, one or both of these teams may be helmed by new men. Like Sherwood, Keith Downing shouldn’t get too cosy.

For, it is the structure at these clubs, not the managers, or head coaches to be exact, that dominate direction, strategy

and decision making.

For the purposes of clarity, let’s call them managers. They, managers, want to work, and at attractive clubs too of which Tottenham Hotspur and West Brom are two. But trends suggest they are more so than ever seen as the dispensable ‘Head Coach’ figure working within a Director of Football structure which leaves them more vulnerable than ever before.

Their role now is akin to a mere fall guy. The ‘manager’ is just a dispensable tracksuit at folly of men in power.

It should be qualified that this isn’t a black and white case of the good guy manager working under the looming shadow of a threat to his authority. At West Brom especially, the Director of Football structure has worked well in the past, most notably when Dan Ashworth and Roy Hodgson combined to consolidate

the Baggies’ Premier League presence. At Spurs, Villas Boas has paid the price for failing to gel sufficiently quickly the swathe of new signings made in large part by Franco Baldini, himself a summer 2013 recruit. Other factors will have played a part though. His demeanour often failed to lend itself to currying favour and some decisions, such as his handling of the Hugo Lloris concussion scandal, and defensive set ups let him down.

Clarke arrived at West Brom a renowned coach, assisting at Newcastle, Chelsea and West Ham. With a non-existent managerial reputation, he was perhaps viewed as the ideal man on the ground as operations were ran and transfer targets made from above.

It is little surprise that Mike Phelan and Gianfranco Zola continue to be linked with the vacancy. The club made a last gasp attempt to re-sign Romelu Lukaku on loan at the end of the summer transfer window. Clarke will have undoubtedly been open to keeping the Belgian since he started impressing, twelve months ago.

The director of football though, will face no consequence for his failure to capture Lukaku, instead bringing in Victor Anichebe.

Compare Clarke’s plight with Everton’s fine season, spearheaded by the young striker. Yet the coach, a conqueror of Manchester United and so very almost of Chelsea, bites the bullet. Within an impregnable structure, they key personnel remain sadly dispensable.

Coaches ‘a dispensable tracksuit’ in football’s layered management structure

proud to be the official camera crew for Thamesmead Town FC


It’s that time of the year for resolutions and reflections.

So what better place to begin those resolutions and reflections than looking at last year’s... err... resolutions and reflections!

At the end of 2012, we at The Non-League Paper, along with Alan Alger and BBC Non-League Show’s Caroline Barker donned our tin hats and gave our opinions of the previous 12 months.

Best moment, best goal seen live, player and team of the year – you know the drill.

We also took time to look ahead to 2013 so let’s now see how that went.

HOPES FOR 2013

Our News Editor Sam Elliott was clearly fed-up of all the postponements we were having at the time with his call for no more rain.

Ambitious maybe, but compared to last November/December we’re not in bad shape so far!

Elsewhere, Alan Alger and NLP reporter Steve Coney were hoping for a Conference Premier title race that went to the wire – and they got that

with Mansfield Town winning it on the final day.

Chief reporter Stuart Hammonds is still waiting for the Football League to allow clubs to play on 3G pitches, while my vision of successful Non-League managers getting a chance higher up the chain has been met with a big fat slap in the face.

FEAR FOR 2013

Caroline Barker said it was time for more clubs to get fans on board in order to halt the worrying trend of clubs dying.

That was a familiar answer for this one and still we see clubs like Hinckley United going to the wall with insurmountable debts.

Overall clubs seem to be getting better and new financial rules appear to be having an effect. But you wouldn’t bet your last pound on everyone surviving 2014.

Sam was worried about more rain.

WHAT YOU’D CHANGE IN 2013

The powers that be obviously didn’t agree with this section. Alan wanted three-up/three-down between the

Conference Premier and League Two, Sam thought the FA should fund new pitch covers.

Stuart wanted away with the rule that every player who receives treatment has to leave the pitch, Steven said clubs should lower ticket prices and Caroline insisted on allowing Conference clubs to play on 3G pitches.

At least the Conference North and South play-off finals will be on a Saturday this season as was my wish.

PLAYER TO WATCH 2013

A roaring success here. Alan, Sam and Steve went for Kidderminster Harriers’ Jamille Matt who was soon on his way to the Football League when Fleetwood Town forked out around £300,000.

Stuart went for Antoni Sarcevic – now at Fleetwood – after continuing to star in Chester’s Conference North title win before a wonderful goal on his England C debut.

And I went for Altrincham’s Duncan Watmore.

He scored one of the goals of the season and, after interest from Peterborough, was snapped up by Premier League Sunderland.

NON-LEAGUE PAPER

Matt Badcock from the Non-League Paper takes a look back at

the year of 2013 as it ends


MATCH REPORT:

ACTION REPLAY

A pulsating end to end fascinating and truly intriguing game saw The Mead twice come from behind to salvage a deserved point after a moment of magic had seemingly won the game for Lowestoft and taken the points up the A12 to Suffolk.

The Gaffer was understandably happy after the game and admitted that he even thought that his side were unfortunate not to get all three points.

Two contrasting sides - one looking to challenge for the play-offs whilst the other are battling to try and get a foothold in the division - but what a fabulous contest they provided.

The visitors were quickly into their stride and on 12 minutes, Chris Henderson cut in from the the left and was desperately unlucky with a curling shot that beat Rob Budd only to cannon to safety off of the left post - that was to become the “theme”of the game.

Disaster struck for the home side on 16 minutes when a cross from Stuart Ainsley was allowed to bounce through the box and after taking a shocking bounce hit the unfortunate

Jay Porter on the shoulder and ricocheted beyond the prone figure of Buddy and into the net.

Both sides then struck the frame of the goal as the game swung one way and then the other.

Ross Jarvis thought he’d doubled the lead when his shot beat Buddy but the bar came to the home sides rescue whilst at the other end Junior Baker sent the Lowestoft bar shaking as his header (from Chris Saunders’ corner) was

denied by the woodwork.

And so the game which was played at a terrific pace throughout

swung again as Theo Fairweather-Johnson

drilled the ball across the face of goal fractionally in front of the lunging Shamir Mullings.

The visitors went into the break in

front and came out the other side firing and

almost doubled the lead within seconds as Buddy was forced into a fine tip over save.

22 LOWESTOFT TOWN

Porter (16og), Reed (89)

THAMESMEAD TOWNBaker (61), Tozer (90p)

ACTION REPLAY

Saturday 14th December 2013Sporting Club Thamesmead

SKIPPER SPOT ON AS LATE POINT IS SAVED

“BOTH SIDES THEN STRUCK THE

FRAME OF THE GOAL AS THE GAME SWUNG ONE WAY & THEN THE OTHER

IN A FABULOUS CONTEST AT

THE SCT”

Junior Baker opened the scoring and picked up MOTM


The boys though were not to be put off and deservedly levelled just past the hour as Junior powered home a head from another fine set piece delivery into the Lowestoft box.

With the score level, the pendulum swung more and more - a chaotic exchange took place in the home box as bodies flew in all directions to block shots before the chance as eventually cleared, before Shamir and Theo broke

brilliantly only for the latter to drag his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

It then seemed that a true moment of brilliance from Robert Eagle seemed to have won the game for the visitors.

A terrific run left defenders in his wake and when he centred, Reed soared at the back post to power what appeared to be an 89th minute winner.

But there was another twist in this pulsating game, as debutant sub Mo Conteh (who had been on the pitch for less than five minutes) went down in the box and referee Goldsmith had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Up strode Lewis Tozer and the skipper duly blasted the spot kick beyond Jones and into the net to give the home side a deserved share of the spoils.

ACTION REPLAY

PROUD SPONSORS OF ALAN WOODWARD

www.clevelandcable.com

The foremost distributors of electrical cables in the UK


FESTIVE FOOTBALL

The last time the majority of league clubs played matches on Christmas Day was in 1957 when 38 league matches were played. After that, the number of games played dropped dramatically - largely due to a lack of public transport and the wish of fans to stay at home on Christmas Day. Indeed in just two years, 38 had become just two with games at Ewood Park, Blackburn, and at Highfield Road, Coventry. It was to be six years until the next match played on Christmas Day took place at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, on December 25th 1965.

Only once since has any club tried

playing on December 25th and that was 30 years ago in 1983! Brentford had scheduled their Third Division match against Wimbledon at 11am hoping, as a Brentford spokesman was quoted at the time as saying, that the Bees were looking “to revive the old tradition of husbands going to football on Christmas Day while the wives cook the turkey”.

But the wives thought differently and supporters protests saw the match brought forward to Christmas Eve.

So what was the atmosphere like for a Christmas Day match? The following is reproduced the recollections of a Sheffield United

MIKE GREEN looks back at a football tradition

of years gone by - Christmas Day football

supporter who attended his first Christmas Day match in 1948: “The match kicked off in the morning and, as there were no trams running, my dad and I made an early start and walked to Bramall Lane from Millhouses. Once inside the ground it was clear this was no ordinary occasion, for the atmosphere was something special - particularly to a nine-year-old.

“The band played Christmas carols and many of the crowd sported their presents. New scarves and gloves were much in evidence, whilst the aroma of cigar smoke hung everywhere. Spirit flasks were passed among groups of friends and swigged with a slightly furtive air.”

Because of travelling problems, Christmas Day fixtures were generally local derbies, but that was not always the case. In1954 Portsmouth had to travel to Blackpool, a 500 mile round trip! Two days later Blackpool had to travel to Portsmouth for the return fixture, a match in which Jimmy Armfield made his debut for Blackpool.

In later years, Armfield remembered the difficulties in travelling to that match: “We had to take the bus from Blackpool to Preston, then get a train from Preston to London, stay overnight in London, get up the next morning, get on a bus to Waterloo station where we took the train to Portsmouth, had lunch and went to Fratton Park. And by the time we got there, the gates were closed, it was a full house!”

Plenty of goals have been scored in Christmas Day matches. Jimmy


FESTIVE FOOTBALL

Greaves scored his first League hat-trick (he eventually scored 4) in Chelsea’s 7-4 victory over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge on Christmas Day 1957.

Leicester’s John Duncan scored a club record six goals in the 7-0 Second Division defeat of Port Vale at Filbert Street on December 25th 1924.

Unsurprisingly, the footballing rules were more relaxed in war-time. On Christmas Day 1940 two famous footballers each played two matches - for different clubs! Len Shackleton played for Bradford Park Avenue in the morning and Bradford City in the afternoon and Tommy Lawton turned out for Everton (against Liverpool) in the morning and for Tranmere in the afternoon.

On the same day in Norwich the visiting Brighton & Hove Albion side arrived with just five players. They made up the numbers with Norwich reserve players and fans who turned up expecting to be spectators. Norwich won 18-0!

Of course, it should never be forgotten that Christmas Day has a religious significance and players had the right not to play on Christmas Day (or Good Friday). Many took up that right. Amongst them were Sunderland’s Arthur Bridgett and Swindon’s Harold Fleming, who were both England internationals.

There are many tales and stories that go with December 25th football, with one of the best coming from the First Division match between Chelsea and Charlton on Christmas Day 1937 which suffered an abandonment when heavy fog

descended on Stamford Bridge. The fog was so bad that Charlton ‘keeper Sam Bartram was unaware that the match had ended, assuming that his inactivity was due to the play being in the Chelsea half. It was 15 minutes or so before a policeman told him that the game had been abandoned!

When Arsenal moved to their new rented Highbury ground in 1913 their landlords were the St John’s College of Divinity and, because of the religious connection, they were banned from playing matches at Highbury on Christmas Day and Good Friday. That prohibition stayed with them until they bought the ground for £64,000 and

so, in 1925, Arsenal presented the Highbury faithful with

their first Christmas Day match, a 3-0 First

Division defeat of Notts County.

It is said that Charles Sutcliffe

was the man who we all have to thank

for organizing football in this country. In the 60 years

or so before his death in 1939 he had done practically everything in the Football League - from playing in it to becoming President of it, as well

as organising the fixture list in those pre-computer days and forming the Referees Association.

In that job one Christmas Eve a referee informed him that he couldn’t officiate at a Christmas Day match because of illness. Sutcliffe decided to forego his own Christmas to referee the match himself and at 9am on a freezing Christmas Day morning he caught a train (yes they had Christmas Day trains in those days, it’s a true story!) for a three-hour journey across Lancashire.

Arriving with plenty of time to spare, he spent the next couple of hours in the empty streets - he was teetotal, so no pubs for him. After the match he donated his referees’ fee and expenses to the players’ Christmas Box at which point he was invited to share a Hot Pot with the players in the dressing room. After that bit of warmth he started his long and cold journey back home.

While waiting at the railway station he was surprised to see the home club secretary chasing after him. The secretary said he was pleased to have caught him as he had forgotten to pay for the Hot Pot!

Fancy going to a European away match on Christmas day? It did happen. European club competition started in 1955 and on Christmas Day 1955 Barcelona hosted an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (now Europa League) match. The visitors were Stævnet - the Copenhagen representative side - with Barcelona winning 6-2. The idea didn’t catch on!

So the concept of Christmas Day is nothing new, but I wonder if it truly has been consigned to the history books.

Time as they say will tell, but if it does, I cant really see Mrs Green letting me watch it any time!

“FANCY GOING TO A EUROPEAN AWAY MATCH ON CHRISTMAS DAY? IT DID HAPPEN, BUT THE IDEA

DIDN’T CATCH ON AFTER!”

GRAPHIC I web dESIGN

audio

TRIGGER LONDON

visual

BESPOKE DESIGNRESPONSIVE WEBSITES

WEBSITE SEO (search engine optimisation)

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONMOBILE APPLICATIONS

LOGO DESIGN

CONTACT USweb: www.triggerlondon.com email: [email protected]

tel: 01322 341 576 mob: 07411 494 495

EVERYONE IS CREATIVE WE JUST AIM TO TRIGGER THAT CREATIVITY

QUALITY IS EVERYTHING TO USWE CHERISH ALL PROJECTS WE TAKE ON WHETHER

BIG OR SMALL

OUR FOCUS IS ON CREATING WELL CRAFTEDDETAILED DESIGNS THAT BRING REAL BENIFIT TO OUR CLIENTS

AND USERS ALIKE

BACKING TRACKSSOUND EFFECTSJINGLESSOUND ENGINEERINGMUSIC PRODUCTION

PHOTGRAPHYPHOTO RETOUCH

BUSINESS CARDSCORPORATE LITERATUREPACKAGING

FABRIC DESIGN

Proud website providers for Thamesmead Town FC


THE FEATURE INTERVIEW:

ONE-ON-ONE WITHCHRIS SAUNDERSThis season has seen the Mead squad changing quite frequently as Keith McMahon looks to adapt his side for the challenges of the Ryman Premier Division.

One of those additions, Chris Saunders, will be a familiar face to today’s visitors having made the switch from Hayes Lane not so long ago after four years with the Wands.

Speaking to today’s matchday programme, Chris explained that he was keen to be a part of the project here at Sporting Club Thamesmead.

“I think we’re a club on the up and Keith was very keen to sign me,” he explained. “It’s an exciting project and I’m delighted to be a part of it.

“I played for Cray for four good years but, to be honest, this is probably the toughest that the Ryman Premier has been in my time - people take their chances against you and you’re punished for mistakes a lot more often.”

With the Mead now half way through their maiden voyage in the Ryman Premier League, the side have really found their feet in recent weeks - as just one defeat in the last seven league games testifies.

And Chris believes that the side have now settled down and adjusted to the step up: “There’s a definite step up in the standard, but we’re knuckling down now and have to make sure we’re as tight as we can be at both ends of the pitch.

“It’s going to be a long season, but everyone here is up for the challenge.

“There’s been games where we’ve not taken chances and been punished, but we can take positives with each game we play.

“There are some really dominant sides at the top of the division who play really good football, and that makes our job that bit tougher - it’s a big challenge to match them!

“But that’s what we have to do, and pretty quickly at that. There’s still a long way to go in the season and I’m sure we’re starting to head in the right direction.”

Chris revealed that Mead boss Keith McMahon was an instrumental factor in bringing him to Sporting Club Thamesmead, and explained how the gaffer injects so much belief into the squad.

“Keith always demonstrates that he is willing to put the work in to ensure we as prepared as we can be for each game,” Chris revealed.

“That leaves me with a lot of confidence, personally.

“He’s very good to play for

simply because you can feel his passion from the side and how much he wants it.

“His talks are passionate and his preparation is meticulous, and that’s what we need as players to go out on the pitch and give it our all.”

“I THINK WE ARE A CLUB ON

THE UP - IT’S AN EXCITING PROJECT & I’M DELIGHTED TO BE A PART OF IT - WE’RE GOING

IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”

FEATURE INTERVIEW

Favourite other team?West Ham

Favourite other player?Steven Gerrard

Which four people would you invite for dinner?Rihanna, Boyonce, Rita Ora and Kelly Brook

Out of the current squad who’s bottom of your invite out list and why? Danny Phillips - the guy can’t handle alcohol!

QUICK FIRE FOURGRAPHIC I web dESIGN

audio

TRIGGER LONDON

visual

BESPOKE DESIGNRESPONSIVE WEBSITES

WEBSITE SEO (search engine optimisation)

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONMOBILE APPLICATIONS

LOGO DESIGN

CONTACT USweb: www.triggerlondon.com email: [email protected]

tel: 01322 341 576 mob: 07411 494 495

EVERYONE IS CREATIVE WE JUST AIM TO TRIGGER THAT CREATIVITY

QUALITY IS EVERYTHING TO USWE CHERISH ALL PROJECTS WE TAKE ON WHETHER

BIG OR SMALL

OUR FOCUS IS ON CREATING WELL CRAFTEDDETAILED DESIGNS THAT BRING REAL BENIFIT TO OUR CLIENTS

AND USERS ALIKE

BACKING TRACKSSOUND EFFECTSJINGLESSOUND ENGINEERINGMUSIC PRODUCTION

PHOTGRAPHYPHOTO RETOUCH

BUSINESS CARDSCORPORATE LITERATUREPACKAGING

FABRIC DESIGN

Hit the net 24/7 at robertdyas.co.uk

Robert Dyas – look at our latest line upWhen you’re not at the game, you can rely on Robert Dyas to give you a great result. We’re packed with really useful products to help your home run smoothly week in, week out.

RD Football Full Page 168x238.indd 1 30/07/2013 15:20


Hit the net 24/7 at robertdyas.co.uk

Robert Dyas – look at our latest line upWhen you’re not at the game, you can rely on Robert Dyas to give you a great result. We’re packed with really useful products to help your home run smoothly week in, week out.

RD Football Full Page 168x238.indd 1 30/07/2013 15:20

RYMAN LEAGUE ROUND-UP

LEAGUE ROUND-UP:

RYMAN REVIEW

AFC Hornchurch came twice from behind to maintain their place as Ryman League Premier Division leaders against Margate.

The Kent visitors took the lead twice in the game before being pegged back both times, and then the Urchins went ahead for the first time before holding out for a 3-2 win.

Wealdstone remain in second spot after a good 3-1 win at Nyewood Lane against sixth-placed Bognor Regis Town.

The Rocks found themselves two-down inside half an hour and, just past the hour, Jonathan Wright added a third before a late consolation.

Kingstonian, Maidstone United and Dulwich Hamlet complete the top five with victories.

K’s won 1-0 at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium against Enfield, while the Stones struggled to overcome second-bottom Carshalton - in the end, one goal proved to be enough.

Dulwich, meanwhile, saw off Hendon 2-0 at Champion Hill, breaking the deadlock on the hour-mark and then completing victory thanks to an own goal.

Lewes and Lowestoft Town still harbor hopes of mounting play-off challenges in the New Year, but both had to settle for away draws.

The Rooks failed to take advantage of having an extra man for three-quarters of the game against Hampton & Richmond, even falling behind.

But in the second minute of injury-time, Nathan Crabb turned in a cross to grab an important equaliser.

Cray were comprehensively beaten 4-0 at Park Lane by Canvey Island, for whom on-loan Tony Stokes bagged a brace.

It wasn’t until the 64th minute that the Gulls were able to relax when they were awarded a penalty.

A third defeat on the trot for Harrow meant that they’re starting to look over their shoulders again.

Leiston enjoyed one of their best wins of the season, beating Grays Athletic 4-1 at Victory Road to leap-frog their victims into twelfth place in the table.

Two quickfire goals provided comfort before a third finished the contest off.

Met Police eased their relegation fears with a convincing 3-0 win at fellow strugglers Wingate & Finchley, taking Jim Cooper`s side level on points with the hosts and seven in front of fourth-bottom Thamesmead.

Elliot Taylor gave the Met a great start with a goal inside the opening four minutes.

Steve Sutherland doubled their advantage on 21 minutes and Bradley Hudson-Odoi, having just hit the bar, lowered his sights slightly to make it 3-0 in the 62nd minute.

Billericay Town twice came back from behind to earn a 2-2 Essex derby draw at Rookery Hill against East Thurrock United.

Steve Whitney rounds up the the recent action from the Ryman Premier Division

P Tot

AFC Hornchurch 21 5

Bognor Regis Town 21 6

Wealdstone 19 6

Margate 21 7

Hendon 19 7

Maidstone United 18 11

Hampton & RB 18 14

Dulwich Hamlet 18 16

Wingate & Finchley 20 17

Enfield Town 19 17

Thamesmead Town 22 19

Cray Wanderers 20 19

Leiston 21 21

Lewes 20 21

Billericay Town 20 24

Lowestoft Town 20 28

Bury Town 19 28

Carshalton Athletic 19 28

Kingstonian 20 29

Canvey Island 21 34

Harrow Borough 20 35

Grays Athletic 18 42

East Thurrock United 18 47

Metropolitan Police 20 68

RESPECT TABLE

Dave Bryant gave the Rocks a 22nd minute lead that Joseph Ekim levelled six minutes before half-time.

Bryant restored the home side’s advantage on 66 minutes, but nine minutes later James Robinson scored what proved to be the point-saver for the Blues.

www.macron.com



25The Mead v Cray Wandererswww.macron.com



MAN OF THE MATCH

THE FIRST TEAM:

THE MEAD MANOF THE MATCH

Since the East Thurrock United game here on October 5th when a Tyrus Gordon-Young goal sealed all three points for the Mead, the club have been awarding a Man of the Match.

Each home game, the award will be made by the Cooper family, pictured above, who have very kindly sponsored the Mead Man of the Match award for the rest of the campaign.

Our sincere thanks go to the family for their continued support, whilst the Man of the Match award winners are listed below - who will add their name to the list this evening?

East Thurrock - Rob BuddMet Police - Lewis TozerBognor Regis Town - George MongerAFC Hornchurch - Danny PhillipsCarshalton Athletic - Lewis TozerHampton & Richmond - Sean RobertsLeiston - Jay PorterLowestoft Town - Junior BakerCray Wanderers -Billericay Town -Grays Athletic -Maidstone United -Enfield Town -Wealdstone -Kingstonian -Harrow Borough -Lewes - Canvey Island -Bury Town -

Junior Baker vs Lowestoft


IN OPPOSITION

COMMERCIALCORNER

Good afternoon everyone as we welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Cray Wanderers to Sporting Club Thamesmead for Boxing Day football which, if you’re like me, is one of the highlights of the festive season! This afternoon you can still buy tickets for our 2014 New Year’s Draw. With prizes being added to the list all the time, tickets cost £1 each and £5 per book. The draw is set to take place after our first home game of the New Year, which is due to be on Saturday 4th January as we welcome Billericay Town to Sporting Club Thamesmead.

I’d like to extend another big thank you to the Cooper family for their ongoing sponsorship of the home Man of the Match award - the winner from our last home game two weeks ago gainst Lowestoft was Junior Baker received his prize in the Mead Lounge after the game.

Who will celebrate their Christmas by picking up the star award later on this afternoon? Well why not stay and see the presentation in the Mead Lounge at around 3.15pm to show your congratulations to the recipient?! We’re still looking for local companies who would like to become part of our family here at the SCT. We can offer you and your friends and/or colleagues a great afternoon out. Interested? Simply get in touch with me on a matchday or by the contact details listed elsewhere on the page. Finally from me this afternoon, on behalf of all the directors, officials, and the players here at Thamesmead Town Football Club, thank you all for your support during 2013 - which has been, without doubt, the biggest that the club has ever had!

Enjoy your New Year revelries wherever they may be - best wishes for the New Year, and we’ll see you on the first Saturday of 2014 when we return with a very special home game against Billericay Town. Season’s Greetings!Greenie

07845 [email protected]

CONTACT US TODAY

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE COMMERCIAL CORNER


FIRST TEAM KITSPONSORS

KeithMcMAHON

Terry Hill

RobCARTER

Peter Tierney

TheoFAIRWEATHER-JOHNSON

Albert Panting

AlanWOODWARD

Cleveland Cables

DanielAILEY

Available

RichardSTEVENS

Gareth Connaleigh

RossLOVER

Scarbutts Printers

TomJEWERS

Available

AshleyPROBETS

Peter Tierney

LewisTOZER

The Cooper Family

RobBUDD

Albert Panting

DannyPHILLIPS

Available

The Roberts FamilyRichardBUTLER

A&R Foods Limited

PLAYER SPONSORS

SteveWAIT

Terry Luthwaite

RayBAGNALL

Available

PeterDEADMAN

Available

The Roberts FamilyChrisSAUNDERS

Gareth Connaleigh

JayPORTER

Available

AntoneDOUGLAS

Available

The Roberts FamilyJamesDONOVAN

Available

JuniorBAKER

Available


PLAYER SPONSORS

The Roberts FamilySeanROBERTS

Alan Martin

The Roberts FamilyGeorgeMONGER

Available

JordanHIBBERT

Available

WANT TO SPONSOR YOUR

FAVOURITE?

Please see Mike Green on matchdays, e-mail

[email protected] or call 07845 751319

The Roberts FamilyAdemRAMADAN

Available

The Roberts FamilyEmmanuelUDOJI

Available

ShamirMULLINGS

Paul &Richard BB

Boux Avenue stores are located nationwide or shop online at www.bouxavenue.com


RYMAN LEAGUE STATISTICS

RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE: FACTS & STATS

P W D L F A GD Pts1 AFC Hornchurch 22 14 5 3 44 24 +20 472 Wealdstone 20 13 6 1 48 17 +31 453 Kingstonian 21 14 2 5 40 14 +26 444 Dulwich Hamlet 20 14 2 4 44 25 +19 445 Maidstone United 20 12 6 2 41 19 +22 426 Bognor Regis Town 22 11 3 8 49 37 +12 367 Lewes 21 9 8 4 33 24 +9 358 Lowestoft Town 21 9 6 6 35 20 +15 339 Bury Town 20 9 5 6 35 31 +4 32

10 Canvey Island 22 9 4 9 26 27 -1 3111 Hendon 21 9 3 9 50 36 +14 3012 Billericay Town 21 8 5 8 33 31 +2 2913 Leiston 22 8 4 10 39 40 -1 2814 Grays Athletic 19 8 4 7 31 33 -2 2815 Margate 22 8 4 10 27 35 -8 2816 Hampton & RB 19 6 6 7 24 25 -1 2417 Harrow Borough 21 6 6 9 30 36 -6 2418 Wingate & Finchley 21 6 4 11 30 39 -9 2219 Metropolitan Police 21 5 7 9 20 29 -9 2220 East Thurrock United 19 5 5 9 25 30 -5 2021 Thamesmead 23 3 6 14 26 56 -30 1522 Enfield Town 20 3 4 13 25 52 -27 1323 Carshalton Athletic 20 2 5 13 17 38 -21 1124 Cray Wanderers 22 3 2 17 19 73 -54 11

Min Max Ave1 Maidstone United 1,517 2,138 1,7792 Dulwich Hamlet 466 843 6163 Lewes 287 788 5464 Wealdstone 425 686 5425 Lowestoft Town 257 653 4956 Bognor Regis Town 372 506 4337 Bury Town 202 737 3608 Enfield Town 289 554 3529 Margate 142 887 343

10 Hampton & Richmond Borough 149 769 33611 Kingstonian 226 504 32912 Billericay Town 163 434 31513 Canvey Island 185 461 31014 AFC Hornchurch 145 360 23315 Grays Athletic 127 344 23216 Carshalton Athletic 144 374 22017 Leiston 168 254 21118 Harrow Borough 101 452 19819 Cray Wanderers 104 521 19520 Metropolitan Police 68 425 18021 East Thurrock United 124 267 17522 Hendon 103 251 15823 Wingate & Finchley 95 225 14024 Thamesmead Town 56 202 86

1 Jefferson Louis 18 Hendon

2 Charles Moone 16 Hampton & RB

3 Ryan Moss 14 Kingstonian

4 Andre McCollin 13 Kingstonian

= Erhun Oztumer 13 Dulwich Hamlet

= Frannie Collin 13 Maidstone United

= George Purcell 13 AFC Hornchurch

= Stefan Payne 13 AFC Hornchurch

9 Terry Dodd 11 Bognor Regis Town

10 Scott McGleish 10 Wealdstone

11 Chris Moore 9 Wealdstone

= Joao Carlos 9 Grays Athletic

= John Sands 9 Canvey Island

= Liam Hope 9 Enfield Town

= Stephen Butterworth 9 Harrow Borough

Tuesday 10th DecemberBury Town 2-0 Wingate & FinchleyLeiston 5-2 Bognor Regis TownMargate 1-2 Billericay Town Wednesday 11th DecemberGrays Athletic 1-3 Hendon

Saturday 14th DecemberAFC Hornchurch 3-2 MargateBognor Regis Town 1-3 WealdstoneCanvey Island 4-0 Cray WanderersDulwich Hamlet 2-0 HendonEast Thurrock United 2-2 Billericay TownEnfield Town 0-1 KingstonianHampton & Richmond Borough 1-1 LewesHarrow Borough 0-2 Bury TownLeiston 4-1 Grays AthleticMaidstone United 1-0 Carshalton AthleticThamesmead Town 2-2 Lowestoft TownWingate & Finchley 0-3 Metropolitan Police

Tuesday 17th DecemberCray Wanderers 0-6 HendonDulwich Hamlet 2-0 Maidstone United

TOP GOALSCORERS LATEST RESULTS

LEAGUE TABLE ATTENDANCES

Boux Avenue stores are located nationwide or shop online at www.bouxavenue.com


DATE OPPOSITION COMP ATT. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14AUGUST

Sat 10 Hendon H RP 0-4 81 Budd Edwards Porter Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Wilson Zanone Gordon-Young Fairweather-Johnson Carter MainTue 13 Lowestoft Town A RP 0-5 520 Budd Edwards Thomas Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Addae Main Gordon-Young Phillips CarterSat 17 Billericay Town A RP 2-3 261 McGeehan Tozer Thomas Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Lover Main Carter Phillips AileyTue 20 Metropolitan Police H RP 0-0 60 Turner Tozer Douglas Hopkins Scarborough McGeehan Roberts Lover Main Zanone Phillips Ailey (9) Wilson (3) Corne (8)Sat 24 Margate H RP 0-2 94 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough McGeehan Roberts Lover Power Zanone Phillips Donovan (6) Fairweather-Johnson (10) Corne (8)Mon 26 Cray Wanderers A RP 4-3 149 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Lover Power Zanone Phillips Ailey Fairweather-JohnsonSat 31 Enfield Town A RP 1-3 339 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough McGeehan Roberts Lover Power Zanone Phillips Ailey Fairweather-JohnsonSEPTEMBER

Sat 7 Wingate & Finchley H RP 1-2 64 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough Butler Roberts Wilson Power Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Main (8) Carter (9) Douglas (6)Wed 11 Dulwich Hamlet H RP 1-3 202 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Ibemere Main Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Carter (5) Power (9)Sat 14 Redhill H FACQ1 2-0 51 Budd Tozer Thomas Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Main Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Power (9) Carter (8) Ailey (11)Sat 21 Wealdstone A RP 0-2 686 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Main Ollie Phillips Butler Carter ScarboroughTue 24 Maidstone United A RP 0-4 1,517 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Campbell Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Main (5) Bankole (11)Sat 28 Sittingbourne H FACQ2 1-2 123 Budd Tozer Bankole Douglas Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Scarborough (3) Jewers (5) Power (9)OCTOBER

Tue 1 Maidstone United A KSC2 1-4* 315 Budd Tozer Butler Power Jewers Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Murphy (5) Ailey (4) Stevens (10)Sat 5 East Thurrock United H RP 1-0 56 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Bankole Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Campbell Phillips Douglas (10) Butler (9)Sun 13 Kingstonian A RP 1-4 249 Budd Butler Porter Hopkins Bankole Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Campbell Phillips Hibbert (8) Douglas (5) Monger (7)Sat 19 Metropolitan Police H FATQ1 1-2 TBC Budd Tozer Butler Hopkins Saunders Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Campbell Phillips Fairweather-Johnson (8) Bankole (3) Hibbert (9)Sat 26 Hendon A RP 2-5 103 Budd Tozer Bankole Baker Saunders Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Suarez Campbell Phillips Gordon-Young (10) Ailey (3) Hayles (8)NOVEMBER

Tue 5 Bognor Regis Town H RP 1-2 93 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Gordon-Young Monger Phillips Bankole (8) Ailey (9)Sat 9 AFC Hornchurch H RP 1-2 96 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Saunders Suarez Monger Phillips Fairweather-Johnson (10) Gordon-Young (9)Sat 16 Harrow Borough A RP 2-1 126 Budd Tozer Saunders Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Suarez Monger Phillips Butler (10) Ailey (8)Tue 19 Ware A LC 3-5 36 Budd Butler Saunders Hopkins Baker Hibbert Hayles Ibemere Gordon-Young Monger Fairweather-Johnson Ailey Jewers RamadanSat 23 Carshalton Athletic H RP 1-1 87 Budd Tozer Saunders Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Suarez Monger Phillips Fairweather-Johnson (8) Gordon-Young (10)Tue 26 Hampton & Richmond H RP 1-1 57 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Gordon-Young Saunders Phillips Butler (9) Ibemere (4)Sat 30 Lewes A RP 1-1 567 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Gordon-Young Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Monger (9) Butler (4) Ramadan (8)DECEMBER

Tue 3 Canvey Island A RP 2-2 204 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Gordon-Young Saunders Phillips Monger (10) Butler (4)Sat 7 Leiston H RP 2-4 58 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Mullings Saunders Fairweather-Johnson Monger (9) Butler (10)Sat 14 Lowestoft Town H RP 2-2 76 Budd Tozer Porter Butler Baker Saunders Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Mullings Monger Phillips Hibbert (11) Conteh (9) Jewers (10)Thu 26 Cray Wanderers H RPSat 28 Metropolitan Police A RPJANUARY 2014

Wed 1 Margate A RPSat 4 Billericay Town H RPSat 11 Bury Town A RPSat 18 Grays Athletic H RPTue 21 Maidstone United H RPSat 25 Wingate & Finchley A RPFEBRUARY

Sat 1 Enfield Town H RPSat 8 Bognor Regis Town A RPTue 11 Dulwich Hamlet A RPSat 15 Wealdstone H RPSat 22 Kingstonian H RPMARCH

Sat 1 East Thurrock United A RPSat 8 AFC Hornchurch A RPSat 15 Harrow Borough H RPSat 22 Carshalton Athletic A RPSat 29 Lewes H RPAPRIL

Sat 5 Leiston A RPSat 12 Hampton & Richmond A RPSat 19 Canvey Island H RPMon 21 Grays Athletic A RPSat 26 Bury Town H RP

2013/14 FIRST TEAM

FIXTURES & RESULTS

2013/14 FIXTURES & RESULTS

*After extra-time


DATE OPPOSITION COMP ATT. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14AUGUST

Sat 10 Hendon H RP 0-4 81 Budd Edwards Porter Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Wilson Zanone Gordon-Young Fairweather-Johnson Carter MainTue 13 Lowestoft Town A RP 0-5 520 Budd Edwards Thomas Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Addae Main Gordon-Young Phillips CarterSat 17 Billericay Town A RP 2-3 261 McGeehan Tozer Thomas Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Lover Main Carter Phillips AileyTue 20 Metropolitan Police H RP 0-0 60 Turner Tozer Douglas Hopkins Scarborough McGeehan Roberts Lover Main Zanone Phillips Ailey (9) Wilson (3) Corne (8)Sat 24 Margate H RP 0-2 94 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough McGeehan Roberts Lover Power Zanone Phillips Donovan (6) Fairweather-Johnson (10) Corne (8)Mon 26 Cray Wanderers A RP 4-3 149 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough Donovan Roberts Lover Power Zanone Phillips Ailey Fairweather-JohnsonSat 31 Enfield Town A RP 1-3 339 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough McGeehan Roberts Lover Power Zanone Phillips Ailey Fairweather-JohnsonSEPTEMBER

Sat 7 Wingate & Finchley H RP 1-2 64 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Scarborough Butler Roberts Wilson Power Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Main (8) Carter (9) Douglas (6)Wed 11 Dulwich Hamlet H RP 1-3 202 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Ibemere Main Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Carter (5) Power (9)Sat 14 Redhill H FACQ1 2-0 51 Budd Tozer Thomas Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Main Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Power (9) Carter (8) Ailey (11)Sat 21 Wealdstone A RP 0-2 686 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Main Ollie Phillips Butler Carter ScarboroughTue 24 Maidstone United A RP 0-4 1,517 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Campbell Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Main (5) Bankole (11)Sat 28 Sittingbourne H FACQ2 1-2 123 Budd Tozer Bankole Douglas Pennant Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Scarborough (3) Jewers (5) Power (9)OCTOBER

Tue 1 Maidstone United A KSC2 1-4* 315 Budd Tozer Butler Power Jewers Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Murphy (5) Ailey (4) Stevens (10)Sat 5 East Thurrock United H RP 1-0 56 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Bankole Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Campbell Phillips Douglas (10) Butler (9)Sun 13 Kingstonian A RP 1-4 249 Budd Butler Porter Hopkins Bankole Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Campbell Phillips Hibbert (8) Douglas (5) Monger (7)Sat 19 Metropolitan Police H FATQ1 1-2 TBC Budd Tozer Butler Hopkins Saunders Donovan Roberts Gordon-Young Beckford Campbell Phillips Fairweather-Johnson (8) Bankole (3) Hibbert (9)Sat 26 Hendon A RP 2-5 103 Budd Tozer Bankole Baker Saunders Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Suarez Campbell Phillips Gordon-Young (10) Ailey (3) Hayles (8)NOVEMBER

Tue 5 Bognor Regis Town H RP 1-2 93 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Gordon-Young Monger Phillips Bankole (8) Ailey (9)Sat 9 AFC Hornchurch H RP 1-2 96 Budd Tozer Porter Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Saunders Suarez Monger Phillips Fairweather-Johnson (10) Gordon-Young (9)Sat 16 Harrow Borough A RP 2-1 126 Budd Tozer Saunders Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Suarez Monger Phillips Butler (10) Ailey (8)Tue 19 Ware A LC 3-5 36 Budd Butler Saunders Hopkins Baker Hibbert Hayles Ibemere Gordon-Young Monger Fairweather-Johnson Ailey Jewers RamadanSat 23 Carshalton Athletic H RP 1-1 87 Budd Tozer Saunders Hopkins Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Suarez Monger Phillips Fairweather-Johnson (8) Gordon-Young (10)Tue 26 Hampton & Richmond H RP 1-1 57 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Gordon-Young Saunders Phillips Butler (9) Ibemere (4)Sat 30 Lewes A RP 1-1 567 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Gordon-Young Fairweather-Johnson Phillips Monger (9) Butler (4) Ramadan (8)DECEMBER

Tue 3 Canvey Island A RP 2-2 204 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Gordon-Young Saunders Phillips Monger (10) Butler (4)Sat 7 Leiston H RP 2-4 58 Budd Tozer Porter Udoji Baker Hibbert Roberts Ibemere Mullings Saunders Fairweather-Johnson Monger (9) Butler (10)Sat 14 Lowestoft Town H RP 2-2 76 Budd Tozer Porter Butler Baker Saunders Roberts Fairweather-Johnson Mullings Monger Phillips Hibbert (11) Conteh (9) Jewers (10)Thu 26 Cray Wanderers H RPSat 28 Metropolitan Police A RPJANUARY 2014

Wed 1 Margate A RPSat 4 Billericay Town H RPSat 11 Bury Town A RPSat 18 Grays Athletic H RPTue 21 Maidstone United H RPSat 25 Wingate & Finchley A RPFEBRUARY

Sat 1 Enfield Town H RPSat 8 Bognor Regis Town A RPTue 11 Dulwich Hamlet A RPSat 15 Wealdstone H RPSat 22 Kingstonian H RPMARCH

Sat 1 East Thurrock United A RPSat 8 AFC Hornchurch A RPSat 15 Harrow Borough H RPSat 22 Carshalton Athletic A RPSat 29 Lewes H RPAPRIL

Sat 5 Leiston A RPSat 12 Hampton & Richmond A RPSat 19 Canvey Island H RPMon 21 Grays Athletic A RPSat 26 Bury Town H RP

2013/14 FIXTURES & RESULTS


NEXT AT THE SCT:

BILLERICAYNext time the Mead are in action here at Sporting Club Thamesmead it will be 2014, with Craig Edwards’ Billericay side the opposition.

The Blues would have had their sights set on an immediate return to the Conference South following last season’s relegation, but a slow start has left them lagging somewhat in the race for promotion.

Perhaps the New Lodge side suffered a hangover of sorts from their relegation, but just six points from their opening seven games left them well off the pace, despite following it up with a run of five wins in six.

The Essex club currently find themselves some thirteen points adrift of the top five, whilst three of the four play-off spot occupants also hold a game in hand.

Most recently, the Blues were denied all three points on their travels by John Coventry’s East Thurrock United side,

and Edwards admitted afterwards that he believed his outfit ought to have been heading back with all three points.

“It is frustrating as we had to score two very good goals to cancel out two bad goals,” he explained.

“These are the sort you games we need to win but four points in a week

away from home isn’t too bad.”

If the boys from New Lodge are to mount a play-off surge, though, they will rely on the goals of hotshot, Ricky Sappleton - and Edwards believes he has the division’s best striker.

“Ricky was fantastic and is the best in the division in my book. He did everything but score.”

ON THE ROAD:METROPOLITAN POLICE

Saturday 28th December Kick-off: 3.00pm KT8 0BT 29 miles 1 hour, 12 minutes

Follow the A2 westbound along the Thames before joining the A3 southbound by the Oval cricket ground. Remain on the A3 until you reach the A309 signposted for Staines.

Whilst on the A309, turn right at the first roundabout to remain on the road and then, at the second roundabout, take the first exit left signposted for E & W Molesey. Imber Court is directly in front of you as you then approach the end of that right - take a right and immediate left to enter the car park.

NEXT HERE

Saturday 4th January 2014 15.00POSITION: 12th LEAGUE FORM: LWLWD LAST: East Thurrock (A) D 2-2

Billericay will need to improve to mount a promotion push

THAMESMEADManager: Keith McMahon

Rob BuddJay PorterLewis TozerSean RobertsJames DonovanTheo Fairweather-JohnsonRobert CarterRoss LoverRichard ButlerChris SaundersRichard StevensDaniel AileyAntone DouglasDanny PhillipsGeorge MongerJordan HibbertJunior BakerAdem RamadanShamir MullingsMo ContehEmmanuel UdojiLanre AzeezRashid KamaraBaff Addae

OFFICIALSReferee:Nick Dunn

Assistants:Gerry Heron Jamal Horne

OTHERFIXTURESTodayAFC Hornchurch v BillericayBognor Regis v LewesCanvey Island v BuryDulwich v GraysEast Thurrock v CarshaltonEnfield v WealdstoneHampton & RB v KingstonianHarrow v Met PoliceLeiston v LowestoftMaidstone v MargateThe Mead v CrayWingate & Finchley v Hendon Saturday 28th DecemberBillericay v MaidstoneBury v AFC HornchurchCarshalton v Bognor RegisCray v DulwichGrays v Wingate & FinchleyHendon v LeistonKingstonian v HarrowLewes v East ThurrockLowestoft v Canvey IslandMargate v EnfieldMet Police v The MeadWealdstone v Hampton & RB

NEXT UP

Billericay TownSaturday 4th JanuaryRyman Premier LeagueKick-Off: 3.00pm

“The Ryman Football League strongly support the recent FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation,

gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.”

CRAY WANDERERSManager: Micky Chapman

Charlie GraingerDmitri LarinCarlos TalbotAaron DayHelge OromeAlex StavrinouJack SherratNathan SimpsonAdrian StoneTommy WhitnellJack ClarkElyon Marshall-KatungGary BeckettDanny YoungRhys ColemanJason Henry

thamesmead town v cray wanderers

Documents