Southern League Division One Central 2019/20

Saturday 14th September 2019 Kick-Off 3:00pm

2017/18 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Champions

Southern League DivisionSaturday One Central27th April1 Programme 2019 Kick-Off of3:00pm Welwyn Garden City FC

Welwyn Garden City Welcome to the BP Mitchell Stadium Page 3 Football Club Southern League Central league table Page 4 Management Full Results and Fixtures listing Page 5 & 6 Away addresses at a glance Page 6 First team Last seasons fixtures Pages 7 & 8 This seasons player roll call Page 9 Todays Visitors “Hitchin TownA club history” Page 10 & 11 Nicky Ironton Players and sponsorship Pages 13 & 14 (Manager) Player Roll Call by Gavin Meaden Page 15 Jon Stevenson Focus on Welwyn Garden City U-18’s Page 16 & 18 Are you “The Face in the Crowd” Page 17 (Assistant) Citizens Time-Line Page 17 Callem Kingsley Our latest Match reports by Phil Ravitz Pages 12, 21 & 25 (Physio) The Welcome return of “The Mystery Supporter” Page 22 WGC FC Fantasy Football League standings Page 23 Ricci Crace Club Honours & Achievements Page 26 Dave Bastian Thame United Pen Pictures Pages 27 & 28 (Coaches) New Rule changes for 2019/20 by the FA Page 29 Full team line-ups Page 32 Dave Keenleyside (Team Captain) Up next at the Head Groundsman B.P.Mitchell Stadium Paul Cox Tuesday 24th September Kit Manager Dave Owen Herts Charity Shield

Citizens v Hadley FC Front cover image by Danny Loo @Danny_Loo on Twitter or on Face- Kick-Off 7:45 pm book Danny Look Photography

Welcome to Herns Way & the shields the ball from his marker. Inset topDave Keen- leyside rises highest and Dylan Ebengo clears. B.P Mitchell Stadium Images courtesy of Danny Loo photography Today we welcome Thame United FC to Herns Way for @Danny_Loo on Twitter or on Facebook Danny Loo this, Southern League Challenge Cup Preliminary round tie. Photography And we welcome the players, Officials and supporters of our guests inviting them to join us for hospitality after the Please get behind the lads - your support game. Our welcome extends to our visiting match officials and vocal encouragement are vital! Michael Chard who will be assisted by Elliott Mayor & Matthew Norton. We hope you enjoy your visit to Herns Way and have a safe journey home. COME ON YOU CITIZENS

If you were here on Tuesday evening you would have wit- nessed our lads demolish Premier Division Hitchin Town in the Southern League Cup , Goals from Toby Cleaver, Dave Keenleyside, Callum Stead Eusebio Da Silva and an own goal saw the Citizens progress into the next round.

Team News/New Signings

We would like to welcome new signings Ryan Schmid, Jack Bradshaw and Callum Stead to Herns Way. I’m sure George Ironton receives a bottle of wine from all three will be great signings and additions to an already Committee Member and Fixtures Secretary Mike excellent squad that Nicky Ironton has assembled. Isaacs for winning the August Committee Player of the month Ryan Schmid is an enormous giant of a young man who stands at 6ft 6 tall who plays is goal, joining us from Kings Langley and who previously wore the colours of our Foot- ball League neighbours Stevenage FC. Jack Bradshaw has also played for Stevenage FC and is an accomplished defender who has also seen service with Maidenhead United, St Neots Town and Royston Town and joins us from Big- gleswade Town FC. And finally, Callum Stead a young attacking player joins us from Biggleswade Town having previously seen action with Luton Town’s Youth, Boreham- wood, Hoddesdon Town and Langford.

We hope Ryan, Jack and Callum have great careers here at Herns Way and all three have made immediate impacts. Ryan’s crucial saves on his debut against Berkhamsted and Halesowen Town, Jack’s fantastic shot at Halesowen Town, resulted in a goal for George Ironton and Callum has already netted for us on his debut against Harpenden Town last week.

Front cover photo: Main Image, Romelle Alomenu 3 Southern League Central Division - League Table August 2019

Played Won Drew Lost For Against Goal diff Points Berkhamsted 5 3 2 0 11 2 9 11 Corby Town 5 3 2 0 10 5 5 11 CITIZENS 4 3 1 0 8 3 5 10 Aylesbury United 5 2 3 0 6 1 5 9 AFC Dunstable 4 3 0 1 8 5 3 9 Halesowen Town 4 3 0 1 8 5 3 9 Daventry Town 5 3 0 2 7 10 -3 9 Barton Rovers 5 2 2 1 14 10 4 8 North Leigh 5 2 1 2 11 8 3 7 Kempston Rovers 5 2 0 3 5 9 -4 6 Bedford Town 5 1 3 1 7 10 -3 4 Kidlington 5 2 0 3 5 9 -4 6 Biggleswade 5 1 2 2 6 8 -2 5 Yaxley 5 1 1 3 9 9 0 4 Coleshill Town 4 1 1 2 7 8 -1 4 Bedworth United 4 1 1 2 6 8 -2 4 Didcot Town 5 1 1 3 2 5 -3 4 St Neots Town 4 1 1 2 5 10 -5 4 Thame United 4 0 1 3 4 9 -5 1 Wantage Town 4 0 0 4 2 10 -8 0

4 Welwyn Garden City FC Fixtures 2019

Sat 6th July (H) Luton Town (F) L 895 1-3 Reece Tues 10th July (H) Barnet (F) D 105 1-1 Carey Sun 14th July (H) Maccabi GB (F) L 55 0-1 Fri 19th July (H) MK Dons (F) L 330 0-1 Tues 23rd July (A) Wormley Rovers (F) W 46 6-0 OG, Payne, Da Silva (2) Alomenu, Cleaver, Sat 27th July (H) St Margaretsbury (F) W 75 3-2 Da Silva (2) Keenleyside Tues 30th July (A) Stotfold (F) W 66 5-0 Da Silva, Payne, Carey Spencer, Ironton Tues 6thAugust (A) Sandridge Rovers (F) W 35 3-2 Da Silva, Allomenu, Spencer Fri 9th August (H) Chalfont St Peter (F) D 50 1-1 Da Silva Sat 17th Aug (H) Wantage Town (SL) W 116 2-1 Ironton, Da Silva Tues 20th Aug (A) Biggleswade (SL) W 86 3-1 Da Silva (2) Rolfe Sat 24th Aug (A) Wingate/Finchley (FAC) L 121 0-2 Mon 26th Aug (H) Berkhamsted (SL) D 151 1-1 Mensah Sat 31st Aug (A) Halesowen Town (SL) W 503 2-0 Rolfe, Ironton Tues 3rd Sept (H) Harpenden Town (F) W 75 5-0 Carrington, Cleaver, Stead Tues 10th Sept (H) Hitchin Town (SLC) W 123 5-0 Cleaver, Keenleyside,OG,Stead, Da Silva Sat 14th Sept (H) Thame United (SL) Sat 21st Sept (A) Kempston Rovers (SL) Tues 24th Sept (H) Hadley (HCS) Sat 28th Sept (H) Canvey Island (FAT) Sat Oct 5th (H) Bedworth United (SL) Sat Oct 19th (A) Daventry Town (SL) Sat Nov 2nd (H) Coleshill Town (SL) Sat Nov 9th (H) Kidlington (SL) Sat Nov 16th (A) North Leigh (SL) Sat Nov 23rd (H) Yaxley (SL) Sat Nov 30th (A) Aylesbury United (SL) Sat Dec 7th (H) Bedford Town (SL) Sat Dec 14th (A) Didcot Town (SL) Sat Dec 21st (A) Corby Town (SL) Thu Dec 26th (H) Barton Rovers (SL) Sat Apr 25th (A) Bedford Town (SL)

Key: SL = Southern League, FAC = FA Cup, HCS = Herts Charity Shield, FAT = FA Trophy

5 Welwyn Garden City FC Fixtures 2020

Wed Jan 1st (A) Berkhamsted (SL) Sat Jan 4th (H) Biggleswade (SL) Sat Jan 11th (A) Wantage Town (SL) Sat Jan 18th (H) Kempston Rovers (SL) Sat Jan 25th (A) Thame United (SL) Sat Feb 1st (H) AFC Dunstable (SL) Sat Feb 8th (A) Bedworth Town (SL) Sat Feb 15 (H) Daventry Town (SL) Sat Feb 22nd (A) Coleshill Town (SL) Sat Feb 29th (A) Kidlington (SL) Sat Mar 7th (H) North Leigh (SL) Sat Mar 14th (A) Yaxley (SL) Sat Mar 21st (H) Halesowen Town (SL) Sat Apr 4th (A) St Neots Town (SL) Sat Apr 11th (H) Corby Town (SL) Mon Apr 13th (A) Barton Rovers (SL) Sat Apr 18th (H) Didcot Town (SL)

Southern League Central Division Ground locations and addresses

Club Stadium Name Postcode Distance Travel Time Map AFC Dunstable Creasey Park Stadium LU6 1BB 29.2 45 mins Directions Aylesbury United The Meadow HP5 1NE 30.4 45 mins Directions Barton Rovers Sharpenhoe Road MK45 4LQ 20.3 31 mins Directions Bedford Town The Eyrie MK44 3LW 30.7 39 mins Directions Bedworth United The Oval CV12 8NN 84.1 1 hour 51 mins Directions Berkhamsted Broadwater HP4 2AL 27.8 41 mins Directions Biggleswade Langford Road SG18 9JT 22.8 31 mins Directions Coleshill Pack Meadow B46 3JE 92.1 1 hour 57 mins Directions Corby Town Steel Park NN17 2AE 66.8 1 hour 23 mins Directions Daventry United Communications Park NN11 4NS 61.8 1 hour 27 mins Directions Didcot Town Loop Meadow OX11 7GA 70.2 1 hour 29 mins Directions Halesowen Town The Grove B63 3TB 116.0 2 hours 39 mins Directions Kempston Rovers Hillgrounds Leisure MK42 8SZ 35.3 49 mins Directions Kidlington Yarnton Road Stadium OX5 1AT 70.4 1 hour 29 mins Directions North Leigh Eynsham Park OX29 6SL 76.6 1 hour 45 mins Directions St Neots Town Rowley Park Stadium PE19 6SL 35.4 46 mins Directions Thame United Meadow View Park OX9 3RN 50.5 1 hour 9 mins Directions Wantage Town Alfredian Park OX12 8DW 84.8 1 hour 54 mins Directions Yaxley In2itive Park PE7 3NA 55.3 1 hour 5 mins Directions With thanks to Gavin Meaden for this information Note: All travel times are approximate Average distance - 55.8 miles 6 WELWYN GARDEN CITY - EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION ONE CENTRAL 2018/19 Sat 14th July (A) Wingate/Finchley (F) L 0-4 Tues 17th July (A) Crawley Green (F) L 3-5 Rolfe, Williams, Ferrigno Sat 21st July (A) London Colney (F) W 2-0 Bronti, Ironton Weds 25th July (A) Oxhey Jets (F) L 0-2 Sat 28th July (N) Hertford Town (F) W 1-0 Joy Tues 31st July (H) Biggleswade (F) L 2-3 Clements, Bond Sat 4th Aug (H) Knebworth (F) W 8-0 Bond(3) Rolfe, Hunt, Ironton, Williams, Bronti Fri 17th Aug (A) AFC Dunstable (F) W 4-0 Williams(2) Clements, Lovell Sat 18th Aug (H) Didcot Town W (257) 2-1 Hunt, Rolfe Tues 21st Aug (A) Peterborough Sports L (207) 0-2 Sat 25th Aug (A) Brantham Ath - FAC L (68) 0-1 Mon 27th Aug (H) Barton Rovers W (146) 1-0 Williams Sat 1st Sept (A) Bedford Town W (315) 1-0 Bronti Tues 4th Sept (A) Kings Langley SLC Pre W (82) 1-0 Bond Sat 8th Sept (H) Yaxley FC W (110) 3-2 Payne (2) Fehmi Sat 15th Sept (A) Bromsgrove Sporting L (915) 0-2 Tues 18th Sept (H) Leverstock Green HCS W (60) 6-1 Hunt, (2) Rolfe (2) Ironton, Clements Sat 22nd Sept (H) Cambridge City L (144) 0-1 Sat 29th Sept (H) Berkhamsted Town L (135) 0-1 Tues 2ndOct (H) Barton Rovers SLC 1st W (51) 2-1 Elliott, Bronti Sat 6th Oct (A) Aylesbury United L (106) 1-3 Clements Sat 13th Oct (A) Chipstead - FAT Pre L (125) 1-2 Clements Tues 16th Oct (H) Bishops Stortford - HSC L (114) 1-2 Zanone Sat 20th Oct (H) Kidlington Athletic W (94) 2-1 Zanone, Elliott Sat 27th Oct (H) Ware (F) L (55) 1-5 Zanone Sat 3rd Nov (A) AFC Dunstable D (115) 1-1 Zanone Sat 10th Nov (A) Gt Wakering Rovers (F) L (50) 2-5 Zanone, Bond Tues 6th (H) Kempston SLC 2nd W (65) 8-0 Clements(4), Zanone, Rolfe, Corran, Payne Sat 17th Nov (H) Coleshill Town D (95) 2-2 Payne, Clements Sat 24th Nov (H) North Leigh W (74) 3-0 Payne, Clements, Zanone Sat 1st Dec (A) Kempston Rovers W (121) 3-2 Zanone, Keenleyside, Close Tues 4th Dec (A) Berkhamsted SLC 3rd L (4-2 pens) 0-0 Clements(P) Elliott (P) Tues 11th Dec (A) Yaxley L (53) 3-4 Zanone, Close, Bond Sat 15th Dec (A) Thame United L (58) 2-4 Zanone, Keenleyside Weds 26th Dec (A) Barton Rovers L (153) 0-1 Sat 29th Dec (A) Didcot Town D (171) 3-3 Zanone (2) Bond

League Games unless specified by competition key: FAC= FA Cup, HCS = Herts Charity Shield, SLC = Southern League Cup, FAT = Buildbase FA Trophy, HSC= Herts Senior Cup, F = Friendly

7 WELWYN GARDEN CITY - EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION ONE CENTRAL 2018/19

Tues 1st Jan (H) Dunstable Town L (141) 0-1 Sat 5th Jan (A) Aylesbury D (111) 0-0 Tues 15th Jan (H) Sutton Coldfield Town D (138) 1-1 Sexton Sat 19th Jan (H) Aylesbury United D (153) 0-0 Sat 26th Jan (A) Berkhamsted D (168) 2-2 Pattison, Keenleyside Sat 9th Feb (A) Kidlington D (60) 0-0 Tues 12th Feb (H) Hadley HCS L (46) 0-1 Sat 16th Feb (H) Thame United W (126) 3-1 Da-Silva(2), Alomenu Sat 23rd Feb (A) Sutton Coldfield Town D (169) 1-1 Da-Silva Tues 26th Feb (H) Corby Town L (157) 2-5 Bailey(2) Tues 5th March (H) AFC Dunstable L (93) 0-1 Sat 9th March (A) Coleshill Town L (133) 1-2 Bailey Sat 16th March (H) Bromsgrove Sporting L (328) 0-3 Sat 23rd March (A) Cambridge City L (169) 1-4 Bailey Sat 30th March (H) Kempston Rovers L (124) 1-2 Bailey Tues 2nd April (H) Peterborough Sports L (130) 1-3 Campbell-Mhlope Sat 6th April (A) North Leigh D (95) 3-3 Campbell-Mhlope, McKeown, Da Silva Sat 13th April (A) Corby Town W (383) 4-1 McKeown(2) Da Silva, Keenleyside Sat 20th April (H) Bedford Town L (221) 0-3 Mon 22nd April (A) Dunstable Town W (143) 3-1 Keenleyside, Campbell-Mhlope, McKeown Sat 27th April (H) Aylesbury W (122) 2-0 Campbell-Mhlope, McKeown All time Welwyn Garden City FC Player records

All time Record Appearances All time record Goalscorers

401 Terry Hayes (1977-78, 1980-85 & 1986-93) 214 Terry Hayes (1977-78, 1980-85 & 1986-93)

334 Durk Reyner (1985-91 & 1993-95) 106 Brian Marshall (1974-81, 1982-85 & 1987-88)

326 Stuart Fuller (1986-96) 100 Sean Giddens (1989-92, 1993-95 & 1996-97

281 Neil Draper (1988-92, 1996-98 & 2000-02) 98 Jason Caswell (2013-2016)

265 Andy Stagg (1978-81 & 1985-92) 76 Joel Norris (2013-2016)

257 Barry Hope (1990-2000) 69 Durk Reyner (1985-91 & 1993-95)

243 Garry Simpson (1983-85 & 1988-97) 67 Darren Franklyn (2002-05)

242 Sean Giddens (1989-92, 1993-95 & 1996-97) 66 Ashley Kersey (2014-Current)

221 Kieran Myles (1986-87, 1993-95 & 1999-04) 60 Mick Fredericks (1985-89)

218 Steve Brown (1977-79, 1980-85 & 2012-13) 58 Josh Bronti (2014-Current)

198 Richard Teixeira (1997-2002, 2003-11 & 2012-13) 51 Ade Osobu (2003-2005 & 2010-15)

197 Daniel Teixeira (1997-2010 & 2012-13) 50 Matt Wardle (2005-08)

8 Welwyn Garden City 1st team Appearances & goals

2018/19 Appearances (Sub) - Goals... Career Appearances - Goals (League & Cup games only) Romelle Alomenu 2 (1) 8 (3) 1 John-Paul Antwi 2 (2) 2 (2) Jack Bradshaw 2 2

Brodie Carrington (2) (6)

Ollie Carey 1 (2) 1 (2)

Toby Cleaver 6 1 6 1

Connor Clarke (1) (1)

Lee Close 5 22

Matt Crook

Eusebio Da-Silva 3 (3) 4 14 (6) 9

Dylan Ebengo 4 (2) 16 (2)

George Ironton 6 2 45 (13) 12

Charlie Jones 1 3

Dave Keenleyside 4 1 28 (1) 5 Ashley Kersey 119 (23) 66 William McClelland 4 10 Carl Mensah 4 (1) 1 31 (2) 2 Charlie Payne 1 (2) 1 (2) Jay Rolfe 5 2 104 (5) 9 Connor Sansom 2 2 Rory Satterly-Hull (1) Ryan Schmid 3 3 Geraldo Smaldone (1) (1) Aundre Spencer 1 (1) 1 (1) Jonny Sexton 4 80 (1) 1 Callum Stead 1 1 1 1 Jess Walklin 5 12 (2)

9 Thame United were formed 1997 and, with a dramatical- left to join Slough Town and in 1883 making it one of Ox- ly reduced operating budget, defender Tony Joyce was fordshires' oldest clubs. The the side were relegated into appointed player /manager. Ryman Division Two. The early years were spent in var- By July 2005 the Club were Club bounced straight back ious Oxfordshire Leagues in financial trouble and, fol- into Ryman Division One and in 1906, 1909 and 1910 lowing a visit from Bailiffs and reached the semi-finals Thame won the Oxfordshire acting on behalf of HMRC, of the FA Vase. 1999/2000 Senior Cup and the Senior the landlord enforced a saw the Club come within League in 1907,1908, 1910, clause in the tenancy agree- two points of achieving pro- 1930 and 1931. A switch to ment and evicted the club motion to the Premier Divi- the Hellenic League then from Windmill Road. How- sion. brought further success cul- ever, shortly thereafter minating in the Hellenic 2000/2001 season the team Thame United reached a League title in 1961-62 and lead the way for most of the formal agreement with the 1969-70, as well as being season, putting together a new owners of Windmill runners up in 1960-61, 1976- club record of 12 consecu- Road that secured £1.7 mil- 77 and 1980-81. The Oxford- tive league wins but a slump lion to enable a new facility shire Senior Cup was won in in form in the latter part of to be constructed in the both 1976 and 1981 but a the season resulted in a 5th town and, after several op- poor spell in the mid eighties place finish. A mid-table tions had been explored and preceded a crossing of the finish followed in found to be available, set- pyramid in 1988-89 to join 2001/2002 season but the tled on Church Farm on the the South Midlands League. Oxfordshire Senior Cup was northern edge of the town. The Club finished runners up retained. Mark West was ap- Whilst the Club progressed in both 1988-89 and 1989-90 pointed player/manager procurement of the new site, before eventually winning the when Andy left United dur- and the necessary planning title in 1990-91. ing the Summer of 2003. In permission, a ground share October 2003 the Club Thame received the green agreement was reached with reached the 4th qualifying light to join the Diadora neighbours Aylesbury Unit- round of the FA Cup for the League in 1991/92. 1994-95 ed and, with the side strug- first time in its history, be- saw the Club win the Divi- gling at the foot of the fore being beaten 1-2 by sion 2 Championship with 93 Southern League Division 1 Conference side Farnbor- points - an 11 point margin. West, Tony Joyce resigned ough Town. After a mid- In 1995/96 the Club reached in December 2005, with a table finish the Club moved the 3rd Round Qualifying in new joint managerial part- to the newly formed South- the FA Cup and the FA Tro- nership of Richard Searl and ern League, Division 1 phy. In the league we fin- Alan Thorne appointed. West. In October 2004 the ished a creditable 13th in our Relegation to the Hellenic Club again reached the FA first ever season in the Isth- League was confirmed later Cup 4th qualifying round mian League Division One. in the season. Andy Sinnott was appointed and finished the season 11th first team manager in June in the league. Mark West Continued on next page

10 A ground share agreement most significant in the son without losing at home, was reached with AFC Club’s recent history. With United were crowned Hel- Wallingford for the 2006/07 work on a new £3.1m lenic League Premier Divi- season. Mark West returned ground at Meadow View sion Champions on the final to the Club mid-way Park commencing in March day of the season, defeating through the season but 2010, United returned to Henley Town 9-0 to over- could not save the Club Thame at the ASM Stadium turn a seven goal deficit. from relegation to the Hel- on 11 December 2010, just United were duly promoted

lenic League Division 1 over five years after their to the Southern Football East. The 2007/08 season enforced eviction from the League, returning after a provided greater stability for town. Boasting eight pitch- spell of twelve years away. the Club, with Mark West es, a floodlit 3G training In the first season back at and new assistant, Frank pitch and 8000sqft club- Step 4, United finished in a Thompson, looking after house, United now have one comfortable mid-table posi- first team affairs. A mid- of the best sporting facilities tion, enjoying a successful table finish resulted, which in the County. The official run in the FA Trophy. Last was followed by a ninth opening against Oxford season United secured an 8th placed finish in 2008/09. United on 18th January place finish. 2009/10 saw the Club win 2011 set a record crowd of the Division 1 East title by 1,382. six points and reclaim their The corresponding fixture Season 2016-17 was one of last season saw The Citizens place in the Premier Divi- the most successful in the win 3-1 with goals from Eu- sion. recent history of the Club. The 2010/11 season was the Going the whole league sea- sebio(2) & Romelle Alomenu 11 FA Youth Cup Preliminary round Citizens U18 6-5 Takeley 05/09/2019 WELWYN GC’s under 18s WGC’s teenage striker to tie the game up at 4-4 team swept into the second Brodie Carrington scored midway through the half. qualifying round of the FA four of his side’s six, WGC got their noses in Youth Cup by just edging opening the young Citi- front again with 15 an 11 goal thriller at Herns zens’account in three minutes remaining, skip- Lane, in front of a near 100 minutes, adding a second per Sam Edge forcing a strong crowd. in 34 minutes and com- rebound home after a Har- pleting his second hat- ris header from a corner trick in three days, with a Match Report by had hit the Takeley wood- shot through the keeper’s work, before the visitors Phil Ravitz hands, eight minutes from levelled a fifth time within the break. But WGC’s passage to an a minute. away tie with National The 17-year-old had Carrington’s fourth a fine League South Braintree scored three in a hastily shot on the run restored Town’s youth side at the arranged friendly with the lead seven minutes next stage, was mired in Harpenden Town just two from time, at 6-5, but just controversy two minutes nights earlier, in a 5-0 when a penalty shoot-out from time of this exciting WGC win. looked inevitable, Takeley tie. Takeley had pulled one appearing to have come Referee Unuafe blew his back between Carrington’s back a sixth time, the ref- whistle seconds before second and third goals, eree’s intervention proved Takeley put the ball in the but went 4-1 behind two otherwise and it was WGC net for what looked like the minutes after the restart, who squeaked through. 12th goal of an extraordi- when substitute Erald De- WGC Yth (starting line- nary evening, only for the sa scored a fine individual up): Bannion, Edge, Har- official to rule out the goal, goal to make the tie look ris, Lamour, Robinson (J), send off WGC defender safe. Maozya, Jordan, Coats, Alex Harris for pulling But it was far from that. Robinson (M), Kendrick- back a Takeley opponent Gibson, Carrington. Subs:- and award the Essex side Takeley scored three in Desa, Slark, Satterley an indirect free-kick out- eight minutes, capitalising Hull, Gammon, Banahene side the area, which they on a slip by WGC keeper wasted, sweeping it over Dominic Bannion and two the bar. poor pieces of defending Att: 100

12 Welwyn Garden City FC Player Sponsorship

JP Antwi Brodie Carrington Connor Clarke Ollie Carey Sponsor Sponsor Sponsor Sponsor WGC Golf Club

Lee Close Eusebio Da-Silva Dylan Ebengo Matt Crook Sponsor David Coates Snr & Jnr Sponsor Dave Vass & Andy Cornish Sponsor Gavin Meaden

Dave Keenleyside Charlie Payne George Ironton Ryan Schmid Sponsor Ed Clark Sponsor Russell Giblin

Will McClelland Charlie Jones Carl Mensah Jack Bradshaw Sponsor @WGCFC fans

13 Welwyn Garden City FC Player Sponsorship

Connor Sansom Jay Rolfe Jonny Sexton Rory Satterly-Hull Sponsor Sponsor Sponsor Mick Barnett & Wayne Norwood

Jess Walklin Toby Cleaver Alex Harries Romelle Alomenu

David Owen Callem Kingsley Aundre Spencer Geraldo Smaldone

Nick Ironton Jon Stevenson Ricci Crace Dave Bastian

To sponsor a player for the season at £25 please speak with one of the committee

Welwyn Garden City Roll Call 2019/2020 - Thank you to Gavin Meaden

Spencer

Clarke

Harris

Sansom

Spencer

Smaldone

Antwi

Payne

Ebengo

Alomenu

Smaldone

Carey

DaSilva

Smaldone

Carrington

Antwi

Payne

Harris

DaSilva

Mensah

Carrington

Jones

Sansom

DaSilva

Payne

Antwi

Walklin

Spencer

Alomenu

Walklin

Keenleyside

Cleaver

Ironton

Carey

Stead

DaSilva

Walklin

Mensah *

Mensah

McClelland

Mensah

McClelland

Ebengo

Walklin

Ebengo

Bradshaw

Antwi

Sexton

Mensah

Rolfe

Bradshaw

Jones

Schmid

Sansom

Pos

Att

503

151

121

149

116

5-0

2-0

1-1

0-2

3-1

2-1

Score

Opponents

BedfordTown

DIDCOT TOWN DIDCOT

BartonRovers

CORBY TOWN CORBY

St NeotsSt Town

HALESOWEN TOWN HALESOWEN

AYLESBURY UTD AYLESBURY

Yaxley

NORTH LEIGH NORTH

Kidlington

ColeshillTown

DAVENTRY TOWN DAVENTRY

BedworthUtd

AFC DUNSTABLE AFC

ThameUtd

KEMPSTON ROVERS KEMPSTON

WantageTown

BIGGLESWADE

Berkhamsted

BARTON ROVERS BARTON

CorbyTown

DidcotTown

BEDFORD TOWN BEDFORD

AylesburyUtd

YAXLEY

NorthLeigh

HitchinTown

KIDLINGTON

COLESHILLTOWN

DaventryTown

ST NEOTS TOWN NEOTS ST

AFC Dunstable AFC

BEDWORTH UTD BEDWORTH

CANVEY ISLAND CANVEY

HADLEY

KempstonRovers

THAME UTD THAME

HITCHIN TOWN HITCHIN

HalesowenTown

BERKHAMSTED

Wingate&Finchley

Biggleswade

WANTAGE TOWN WANTAGE

HSC

HCS

LC1

FAC

SLC1

Comp

FAT-EP

Date

25-Apr

18-Apr

13-Apr

11-Apr

04-Apr

25-Jan

18-Jan

11-Jan

04-Jan

01-Jan

19-Oct

15-Oct

08-Oct

05-Oct

29-Feb

22-Feb

15-Feb

08-Feb

01-Feb

28-Sep

24-Sep

21-Sep

14-Sep

10-Sep

31-Aug

26-Aug

24-Aug

20-Aug

17-Aug

26-Dec

21-Dec

14-Dec

07-Dec

30-Nov

23-Nov

16-Nov

12-Nov

09-Nov

02-Nov

28-Mar

21-Mar

14-Mar

07-Mar WELWYN GARDEN CITY FC. BETVICTOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION 1. 2019-20201. DIVISION CENTRAL LEAGUE SOUTHERN BETVICTOR FC. CITY GARDEN WELWYN 15 Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League - Olympian Division

Played Won Drew Lost Goal diff Points Enfield Town 14 12 2 0 22 38 Broxboure Boro 14 11 0 3 23 33 Takeley 14 10 2 2 19 32 St Margaretsbury 14 4 5 5 -4 17 Hertford Town 14 3 3 8 -10 12 Codicote 14 3 2 9 -11 11 CITIZENS 14 3 2 9 -22 11 Sawbridgeworth 14 2 0 12 -43 6 Thurs August 30th (A) St Margaretsbury (League) 1-1 Carrington Tues September 4th (H) Sawbridgeworth T (League) 5-2 Carrington(3) Reed(2) Weds September 5th (A) Cheshunt (FA Youth Cup Pre) 20-0 Tues September 11th (H) Broxbourne Boro (League) 2-6 Coats(2) Thurs September 20th (H) Ware FC (FA Youth Cup 1Q) 4-2

Tues September 25th (H) Berkhamsted (Hitchings Cup 1st) 7-6 Reed(2) Carrington, Slark, Nanou, Nixon, Andreas Tues October 4th (H) Buckingham Ath (FAYC2Q) 9-0 Thurs October 11th (A) Codicote (League) 4-5 Andreas, Reed, Colbolt, Gammon Thurs October 18th (A) Broxbourne Boro (League) 3-8 Coates, Ramsdale, Taylor Thurs October 18th (H) Andover Town (FAYCup 3Q) 1-3 aet Tues October 21st (H) Haringey (Hitchings Cup 2nd) 1-3 Taylor Thurs November 8th (A) Takeley (League) 2-12 Taylor, Edge Thurs November 22nd (A) Sawbridgeworth T (League) 3-0 Reed (2) Ramsdale Tues December 11th (H) Codicote (League) 1-4 Ramsdale Tues January 8th (H) Takeley (League) 1-3 Ramsdale Thurs January 24th (A) Hertford Town (League) 3-0 Carrington, Reed, Coates Mon 28th January (A) Enfield Town (League) 2-5 Carrington(2) Tues February 5th (H) Enfield Town (League) 2-3 Carrington, Satterly-Hull Tues February 19th (H) Hertford Town (League) 3-5 Carrington(2) Reed Thurs March 7th (H) St Margarestsbury (League) 3-3 Carrington(2) Coates Thurs March 21st (H) Sawbridgewoth T (Merton Shield) 3-3 Banahene Colbolt Kendrick Thurs March 28th (A) St Margaretsbury (Merton Shield) 0-2 Thurs 4th April (A) Cockfosters (Merton Shield) 0-5 Tues 16th April (H) Takeley (Merton Shield) 1-4 Taylor

16 Citizens Timeline

1921 First WGC FC formed

1922 Joined Mid-Hertfordshire League

1926 Joined Bedfordshire & District League

1927 Joined Spartan League

1935 Resigned from the league at the end of the season as they could not find a suitable pitch. At an AGM held 24th July 1935 it was agreed to wind up the club.

1937 At a meeting held on the 20th May 1937, after they were offered the A word of special thanks to Nicholls and Clarke who kindly sponsored and facilities of Shredded Wheat FC, it was supplied all of the tiles in not only both of our recently redecorated toilets but City players celebrate George Ironton’s equaliser against Wantage Town agreed to set up a new Welwyn Garden also in the newly built disabled toilet facilities too, a great gesture thank you. City FC.

Are you “ The Face in the crowd ? 1937 Joined Spartan League

1939/1940 Joined East, North & Mid- Hertfordshire Combination and then the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Combination.

1944 The ‘recently revived’ team joined the Mid-Hertfordshire League

1945 Joined Spartan League

1951 Joined London League

1955 Joined Spartan League

1959 Joined Hertfordshire County League

1970 Joined Greater London League (Division 2) To thank you, our fans, the supporters of Welwyn Garden City Football Club we offer free 1971 Joined Metropolitan London League(Reserve Division 1) tickets to fans who appear in this slot of the programme. It is our way of saying thank you for your 1973 Joined South Midlands League loyalty in supporting us. 1997 Joined SS MidlandsLeague

Are you one of the “Face in the Crowd” If so then 2018 Joined the Southern League please contact One of the Committee members for your free ticket Information kindly collated by club supporter Mick Barnett

17 Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League - Olympian Division 2019/20

Played Won Drew Lost For Against Goal diff Points Welwyn Garden City 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3 Enfield Town 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3 Colney Heath 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hoddesdon Town 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Maccabi London 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 St Margaretsbury 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Takeley 1 0 0 1 2 3 -1 0 Broxbourne Boro 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0 Codicote 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0 Thursday 29th Aug League Away v Broxbourne Boro W 4-2 Carrington(2), Desa, Gibson Thursday 5th Sept FAYC Home v Takeley W 6-5 Carrington(4), Desa, Edge Thursday 12th Sept League Away v Codicote Monday 30th Sept League Away v Colney Heath Tuesday 8th Oct League Home v St Margaretsbury Monday 14th Oct League Away v Enfield Town Tuesday 29th Oct League Home v Takeley Thursday 7th Nov League Away v Maccabi London Tuesday 12th Nov League Home v Hoddesdon Town Thursday 21st Nov League Away v Sawbridgeworth Town Tuesday 26th Nov League Home v Broxbourne Boro Tuesday 3rd Dec League Home v Codicote Tuesday 10th Dec League Home v Colney Heath Thursday 19th Dec League Away v St Margaretsbury Tuesday 7th Jan League Home v Enfield Town Thursday 16th Jan League Away v Takeley FC Tuesday 21st Jan League Home v Maccabi London Thursday 30th Jan League Away v Hoddesdon Town

Tuesday 4th Feb League Home v Sawbridgeworth Town

18 19 Should you or your company wish to advertise with us, either in the programme, pitch surround or on our club web-site then in the first instance please contact Leigh Corbit via email [email protected]

20 Friendly Welwyn Garden City 5-0 Harpenden Town 03/09/2019

TEENAGE striker Brodie Car- minutes after Da Silva laid off a ing on recent signing Jack rington scored a fine hat-trick fine, deep cross from Steven Bradshaw, central defender as Welwyn GC filled in a free Wade. Carl Mensah and striker Toby week with a hastily arranged Cleaver and it was Cleaver The Harpenden keeper did even friendly against Spartan South who made it four, adding a better to keep out a close-in Da Midlands League neighbours much need goal in the first at- Silva header with an excellent Harpenden Town. tack of the second-half, finish- block seven minutes later, but ing off more good work by then blotted his copybook three Carrington. Match Report by minutes later, when Carrington scored his first, at the second The Herns Lane side complet- Phil Ravitz attempt, a low shot going ed their nap hand five minutes straight through the keeper’s after the restart, when Carring- The Citizens were without a hands. ton scored the pick of his hat- game at the weekend, follow- trick, clipping a fine dipping There was nothing fortunate ing their FA Cup exit at Win- effort over the keeper from about the Carrington second, a gate & Finchley, so manager Payne’s long cross in from the very smart volley into the far Nick Ironton invited right. corner 10 minutes later as WGC Harpenden - in the top six of dominated. The final half-hour saw the the SSML after a good start to game drop off in its quality, the campaign - over for a mid- but an outstanding save from week friendly. Conor Sansom midway WGC didn’t field any of the through, when he tipped a line-up that started the previous fiercely-strick effort onto the Saturday’s fine away win at woodwork and held on to the Halesowen at the start of the rebound, was worthy of men- game, although there were tion and denied a well beaten starting places for three of the Harpenden even a consolation substitutes – Dylan Ebengo, Brodie Carrington goal. who skippered the side, Charlie Ten minutes from the break, WGC: Jones (Sansom 45), Payne and Eusebio Da Silva. new WGC signing Callum Clarke (Bradshaw 45), Ebengo Six of the WGC first choice Stead, from Biggleswade Town, (Mensah 45), Harris, Wade side – keeper Ryan Schmid, capped a busy performance by (Smaldone 60), Payne, Satterly Will McClelland, Jon Sexton, cutting in from the right and -Hull (Quarrington-Carter 45), Jesse Walklin, Dave Keenley- ending his run with a low effort Carrington, Da Silva (Cleaver 45), side and George Ironton – all into the far corner, for number Stead. had the evening off. three. Att: 85 The eager Carrington brought a The Citizens made six changes fine save from Harpenden after the break including bring- keeper Alex Desmond in eight 21 Views from our “Mystery Supporter”

different tooth from that specified in home loss 0-3 to Bedford Town, a 3 the paperwork. -1 win at Dunstable Town and finally a 2-0 win over Aylesbury. The Having struggled with the road clo- season finished with 6 teams below sure to get there, I now couldn’t have The Citizens in the table. the tooth extracted and would have to come back. Fortunately he agreed to With happy friends from East Lon- squeeze me in the next day, so I just don who support Leyton Orient I had to persuade my dental surgery to was at Wembley for the FA Trophy send new paperwork at the speed of final. They were disappointed that Storm Gareth struck with Hurricane light so when I turned up the next Orient lost 1-0, but delighted that force in March 2019 in what was a bad morning my upper left 5 could be they had won the Conference and week for me. I had decided to visit sent to the recycling bin, or wherever were also in a Final, which became Bradford for an evening football match teeth go. the Promotion Party. The new at Valley Parade and a daytime visit to Wembley stadium is really excel- At the end of the week The Citizens the amazing Salts Mill in Saltaire which lent. I hadn’t been since they lost at home, and the season had be- is a former textile mill and is now an art knocked the old concrete dump come very difficult. gallery, shopping centre, and restaurant down. complex. Sir Titus Salt actually built a A week later and I travelled to His- I believe that The Womens World town and the mill in 1853. Calling it a ton, where I had seen the impressive Cup occurred during the summer. I textile mill doesn’t do it justice as the and upwardly mobile Histon FC may be alone in thinking that wom- mill was the largest industrial building quite a few times in the ‘noughties’ en should not play football – they in the world by total floor area. as I worked nearby, to see Cam- cannot fall properly – and should bridge City hosting the Citizens. It The storm rather ruined the trip as the play games like netball, rounders, was a disaster for the Citizens. One wind and rain blew throughout the hockey and tennis, but that’s what I day the ‘Lilywhites’ will play at their match, and even under cover I was think, and it isn’t from any lack of own ground in Sawston, where con- soaked and cold as the wind was so respect for women because I have a struction work is set to begin in Sep- strong. I drove home early the next day great deal of that. I very much enjoy tember 2019. Good luck to them, and to escape the storm, and to prepare for spending time with women, but I their sideways move to the Isthmian having a tooth out on Thursday. I ar- am not going to watch women’s League, but on the day they were a rived home to find damage to the roof football. I did see the joke badge for far superior team and we finished and to fence panels, unsurprisingly. the England women’s team which like a team who could get relegated. had 3 Irons on it, for the Ironesses. The extraction was to take place at an On the 30th March Aylesbury and Oral Surgery in Watton-on-Stone. I took I was disappointed that Welwyn Dunstable Town both lost at home, the direct route through Datchworth on- Garden City stayed in the same di- and the Citizens lost at home to ly to find that the road was closed for vision in the Evo-Stik, as I was hop- Kempston Rovers. April showers roadworks. The diversion was diabolical ing for a lateral move to the Isthmi- looked likely to wash us back into and I was a little agitated on arrival at an League aka BetVictor South the Spartan league, especially as Pe- the Oral Surgery. I filled in forms and Central Division. A few years ago terborough won 3-1 at Herns Lane on drank some water, and had one of those because a friend of mine was in- the 2nd April. Dunstable Town did- moments when you think someone is volved with Arlesey Town I saw n’t get any points in April, and having a little joke with you. The paper- Nicky Ironton on many occasions, Aylesbury only got 3 by beating work from my dentist should have said and I am delighted that he has be- Aylesbury Utd 3-1. The Citizens upper left 5, but erroneously pointed the come manager of The Citizens. managed to get 10 points in April, pliers at my lower left 7. My dentist There’s a lot to look forward to with which was the best of the bottom 7 couldn’t be contacted, and the surgeon excellent signings, and winning is a teams, with a 3-3 draw at North wouldn’t agree, despite the horrible con- habit which Nicky enjoys. Bring it Leigh, a 4-1 win at Corby Town, a dition of my upper left 5, to remove a on! 22 Jeffrey Haggerty Associates ------Consulting Building Engineers

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Welwyn Garden City FC Fantasy Football

Team Name Manager Points Coatesy Hotspurs David Coates 239 Alan Peyniril Yiyeni Mike Winter 216 The anarchists Paul Butters 214 Welwyn Spurs Steve Lovejoy 205 #Merky Eddie Corbit 192 Pique blinders Alex Harris 183 DJ Gooner HM Stroud 162 2in Pink1inStink Brodie Carrington 162 Best of British Dave Fallon 156 Vauxhall Insigne Ollie Carey 112

23 24 Southern League Central Halesowen Town 0-2 The Citizens 20/08/19

WELWYN GC gave a tremendous Good work by skipper Dave Keen- Ashley Sammons’ long-range team performance to take three cru- leyside kept the ball in play. He shooting was a major threat to the cial Southern League Div 1 Central found Jesse Walklin, whose excel- WGC lead and when one of the points off pre-season promotion fa- lent lofted pass to the right found midfielder’s many efforts of the vourites Halesowen Town, despite Rolfe coming in to keep calm and afternoon was deflected, it cleared finishing the game with nine men! slide the ball past Brendan Bunn in keeper Schmid to hit the crossbar, Jesse Walklin got in a vital clear- The Citizens played all the second- the home goal. ance when the ball dropped. half with 10 after wide midfielder Halesowen responded with Reece Jay Rolfe – scorer of their opening Hewitt racing through, only to WGC introduced Eusebio Da Silva goal – was sent off by referee Jamie thrash his effort wide of goal. with 20 minutes to go and within a minute of coming on, the big striker Conde for two yellow cards. There was a chance of a WGC sec- latched onto a big goal kick from ond, when Keenleyside broke Match Report by Schmid to turn and strike an effort clear, but lost out in a block tackle just past Bunn’s post. Phil Ravitz with keeper Bunn, who emerged with the ball to clear. Schmid then pulled off a fine save But after an outstanding second-half from Halesowen’s Robbie Bunn as But a WGC second wasn’t long in the home side threw caution to the rearguard action, that thwarted all coming. On 28 minutes, debutant winds in the closing stages. that Halesowen could throw at them, Jack Bradshaw, signed from Big- WGC lost a second player two gleswade Town last week, raced The biggest scare to WGC ironical- minutes from the end of normal through to finish his run with a ly came from one of their own time, when Carl Mensah was given a fierce 20 yard drive. players. Mensah miscued a back straight red, pulling down the Yelt- header that found Schmid off his Keeper Bunn parried it away, but z’s substitute Luke Yates, when he line. The big keeper race back to only to George Ironton, who got clean through. clutch the ball on the goalline and checked inside before lofting a fine held it up to show it hadn’t fully The WGC nine further repelled the finish into the top corner beyond crossed. West Midlanders for the remaining the keeper. two minutes plus seven minutes Mr Conde and his assistants obvi- Goalscorer Rolfe was booked for stoppage time, to retain their unbeat- ously agreed – without the benefit bringing down fast-raiding full- en start to the season and take Hales- of VAR – and waved play on! owen’s previous unblemished rec- back James Bowen moments later ord. and then three minutes from the Two minutes from the end, Mensah break, the midfielder received a red was sent packing for hauling down In the first meeting of the clubs in when he pulled down the same Yates, as the little winger threat- front of a 500 strong crowd at The player outside the box to receive ened to break clear, forcing the vis- Grove, Halesowen attacked from the his marching orders. itors to play out the last nine off and in the opening minute, full- minutes with nine men, but they It made for a difficult second-half back Jamie Ashmore attacked down just wouldn’t be breached and took for the Citizens, who changed to a the right to put over a high cross that home the vital three points to Hert- back four, in which Bradshaw and Montel Gibson headed just past the fordshire. far post. Will McClelland, particularly took the eye. WGC: Schmid, Rolfe, Sexton, Brad- WGC keeper Ryan Schmid smoth- shaw, McClelland, Mensah, Close ered well at the feet of Gibson in The cautions began to pile up for (Payne 85), Keenleyside, Cleaver (Da five minutes, but a minute later WGC, as Jon Sexton, Lee Close Silva 68), Ironton (Ebengo 89), WGC were ahead in their first at- and Ironton all collected yellow Walklin. cards. tack. Att: 503

25 Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 1TA Telephone: (01707) 329358 Club website: www.welwyngardencityfc.org.uk

South Midlands League Champions 1974/74, 2017/18 South Midlands League Runners-Up 1985/86 South Midlands League Division One Champions 1981/82 Spartan South Midlands League Division One Champions 2014/15 South Midlands League Challenge Trophy winners 2015/16 Dudley Latham Memorial Cup Runners-Up 2015/16, 2017/18 Division One Cup Winners 2014/15 Herts Charity Shield Winners 1927/28, 1968/87, 1987/88 Herts Charity Shield Finalists 1948/49, 1994/95, 1996/97, 2003/04, 2007/08, 2017/18 Herts Senior Centenary Trophy Winners 1984/85 Herts Senior Centenary Trophy Finalists 1988/89, 2003/04 Southern Combination Cup Finalists 1996/97 SSML Reserve Division One Runners Up 2005/06 SSML Reserve Division Two Runners-Up 2003/04 SSML Reserve Division Two East Runners-Up 2002/03 North & Mid-Herts Premier Division Winners 2009/10 SML Reserve Challenge Trophy Winners 1986/87 SSML Reserve Challenge Trophy Winners 2005/06 SSML Reserve Challenge Trophy Finalists 2006/07 SCYFL Olympian League Champions 2015/16 SCYFL Championship Play-Off winners 2015/16 Herts County U-18 Cup Winners 1981/82 North & Mid Herts League Winners (A-team) 2009/10 Record attendance of 825 v Luton Town in a Pre-season Friendly 2019

26 Craig Hill: Goalkeeper (Age: 24) Now in his third season with the club having joined from Oxford City. Previously with Aston Villa and Kettering Town. Matt Peake-Pijnen: Defence (Age: 21) Versatile player who is comfortable on either flank. Joined United in December 2018 from neighbours Aylesbury United. Previously with Oxford City and Banbury United. Callum Mapley: Defence (Age: 21) Arrived at the Club in the close season from neighbours Aylesbury United. Previously been with Beaconsfield Town and already proved to be a solid and assured defender. James Essex: Defence (Age: 26) Joined the Club in December 2017 from Hellenic League side Flackwell Heath. Strong and powerful central defender with previous experience at Ab- ingdon United and Chinnor. Finlay Murray: Defence (Age: 18) Spent much of his youth football at Barnet FC, before joining the Club in the latter half of the 2016/17 season and quickly progressed to the senior side. David Lynn: Defence (Age: 24) Solid and assured left back with good technical ability. Now in his fifth season with the Club having previously been with Oxford United, Chesham United and Banbury United. Calvin Evans: Defence (Age: 27) Long serving player who made the transition to defence four seasons ago. Quick and reads the game well. Nathan Simms: Defence (Age: 20) Joined in the close season having previously been with North Leigh. Quick and committed defender. Duran Martin: Midfield (Age: 23) Joined at the start of last season from Kidlington having previously been with Oxford United. Quietly effective central midfield player with full passing range. Jack Tutton: Midfield (Age: 20) Joined United from North Leigh in January 2019 having previously been with Oxford City. Energetic & hard working midfield player who gets forward & causes problems in the opposition area. Greg Hackett: Midfield (Age 23) Signed at the start of the season having spent the latter half of last season with Didcot Town. Another wide player who contributes his fair share of goals. Previously with Oxford United Ben Sturgess: Midfield (Age: 32) Club captain who arrived at the start of the 2017/18 season from Flackwell Heath. Vastly experienced central midfield player who commands respect and expects nothing less than winning. Conor Harris: Midfield (Age: 24) Close season signing from Hellenic League side Ardley United. Good close control and eye for a pass.

27 Thomas Ashworth: Midfield (Age: 21) Progressed through the youth team to be an ever-present for the last three seasons. Keeps it simple, but scorer of important goals. Noah Alabi: Midfield (Age: 18) Joined in the close season having previously been with North Leigh and Oxford City. Wide player with explosive pace and good close control. Harry Mepham: Midfield (Age: 21) Joined at the start of the 2017/18 season from Bea- consfield Town and has been a virtual ever-present since. Reads the game well with good distribution. Daniel West: Striker (Age: 26) Joined seven years ago from Oxford United, initially as midfield player, but moved forward scoring 25 goals in the Championship winning side of 2016/17 before claiming the Golden Boot in the Southern League East Division in 2017/18 Lynton Goss: Striker (Age: 23) Prolific striker who, scored over 80 goals for United in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons before making the move to Harrow Borough. Returned to the Club in October 2018. Andy Gledhill: Striker (Age: 30) Joined the Club six years ago from Launton Sports, scoring 35 goals before the end of December in the Championship winning side of 2016/17, before suffering injury that plagued him for 18 months. Returned last season Mark West: Manager (Age: 53) Former player with Thame United who re-joined the Club for his second spell as Manager in January 2007. Prolific goalscorer with Wycombe Wanderers, Slough Town and Farnborough Town. Stuart Blaik: Assistant Manager (Age: 48) FA Level 3 Coach now in his fifth season with the Club. Previously with Aylesbury United, Corby Town, Nuneaton Borough, Brackley Town, Buckingham Town and Tring Town. Ben Johnson: Coach (Age: 33) Former player who has since gone on to manage the De- velopment side and Reserve Team. Stepped-up to First Team level last season Matt Timberlake: Goalkeeping Coach Been involved with Thame United and of other local sides for a number of years, brings experience and expertise.

28 The latest FA Rule changes For the 2019/20 season The latest FA Rule changes

Football's new laws - changes to back- Another change to the handball rule relates to or if the net or posts are still moving after being passes, penalties, handballs and subs for the goalkeeper: touched. The goalkeeper must have one of his/ 2019-20 her feet partly on the goalline (or above it if If the goalkeeper attempts to clear ("release jumping) when the kick is taken. He or she can- Goalkeepers picking up backpasses (sort of), into play") a throw-in or backpass and their not stand behind or in front of the line. The law uncontested drop balls and more handball clearance fails, then they can handle the ball will come into the Premier League this season, decisions - football's laws have changed "when the goalkeeper clearly kicks or tries to but the decision will be left for the on-field offi- again. But, they are bound to cause plenty of kick the ball into play, this shows no intention cials and VAR will not be used to look out for it. talking points in the opening weeks of the to handle the ball". season as every tournament worldwide, in- The other change to penalties means an attacker cluding the Premier League, adopts them for Goal-kicks can take a penalty if he needed treatment (as long the coming season. as the treatment is quick). Before now, a player Another change involving goalkeepers is to would have to go off the field until after the kick Drop balls goal-kicks, which can now be played to a was taken if he needed medical help. team-mate inside the penalty area. The law Drop balls can no longer be contested, but now says the ball is considered in play once Substitutions the change is more positive than it sounds. If the kick is taken. Until now a goal-kick had to play is stopped, the ball will be dropped to a be retaken if it did not leave the box. Oppo- A player who is being substituted must leave the player on the team that last touched the ball - nents must still remain outside the penalty pitch by the nearest point on the touchline or and where they touched it. All other players area until the kick is taken. byeline - unless the referee says they can leave must be 4.5 yards (4 metres) away. What that quickly at the halfway line - or elsewhere for means is if a team's attack is stopped, they Free-kicks safety or injury reasons. This change is to stop will get the ball back in that position - instead players time-wasting. Any player who "infringes of the opponents booting the ball down the When a defending team has three or more the spirit of this law" will be booked for unsport- field. However, any play stopped in a penalty players in a wall, the attacking team can no ing behaviour. area will be returned to the goalkeeper, even longer place a player in or next to it. If an if the attacking team had the ball. attacker is standing within one yard (1m) of Cards for coaches the wall when the kick is taken, they will be Another big change now sees a drop ball penalised with an indirect free-kick. A team official guilty of misconduct can be awarded if the ball hits the referee and goes shown a yellow card or red card. If the offender to the other team as a result, or if the referee Another change means - similar to the goal- cannot be identified, the senior coach in the tech- accidentally scores a goal, as happened in the kick change above - if a defending team takes nical area at the time will receive the card. Dutch fourth division a week before the law a free-kick in their own area, the ball is con- change. sidered in play immediately and does not have The other changes to leave the box before another player touches Handballs it. Again, opponents must remain outside the A player can now be booked for celebrating - for box. removing his shirt or celebrating with the fans - The law remains that deliberate handball is even if the goal is disallowed. The team that wins an offence. But accidental handball will also Quick free-kicks the pre-match coin toss can now choose whether be a free-kick or penalty if the ball goes into to take the kick-off or which goal to attack - pre- the goal off an attacker OR a player gets the If the referee is about to show a yellow or red viously they could only choose which goal to ball using his or her arm or hand and then card but the non-offending team takes a quick attack. scores, or creates a goalscoring opportunity free-kick and creates a scoring chance, the (such as Ellen White's disallowed goal official can come back and show the card There is now a difference between cooling breaks against Sweden in the Women's World Cup when the ball goes out of play. Before the new (90 seconds to three minutes) and drinks breaks third-place play-off) OR the player's arm or change, the card would have to be shown (maximum of one minute) in certain competi- hand is above their shoulder (unless the play- before the free-kick could be taken. However, tions played in high humidity and temperatures. er has controlled the ball onto his own arm or if the referee had distracted the offending Multi-coloured or patterned undershirts are al- hand) OR a player's hand or arm has made team by starting to show the card, the quick lowed if they are the same as the sleeve of the their body "unnaturally bigger" free-kick is not allowed. main shirt.

In addition a handball will not be a free-kick Also if the offence was going to be a red card if: for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, but the opposition take a quick free-kick, The ball is knocked on to a hand by the play- then the player will only be booked because er in question or a nearby player, the arm or the other team are considered to have restarted hand is close to their body and "has not made their attack. their body unnaturally bigger" a player is falling and the ball touches their hand or arm Penalties when it is between their body and the ground to support the body - but not extended to The laws have changed concerning what goal- make the body bigger. However, keepers can do for penalties. "unnaturally bigger" is open for some debate. The penalty kick cannot be taken while the goalkeeper is touching the woodwork or nets - 29 Welwyn Garden City FC Officials

Welwyn Garden City Football Club is a Members Club. All positions below are elect- ed annually by members of the club at the Annual General Meeting which is held in Au- gust of each year as per club rules.

Chairman: Ray Fiveash Secretary: Ron Oliver

Members: Ray Fiveash, Leigh Corbit, Ray Fiveash - Chairman Maureen Hay & Phil Ravitz. Ron Oliver - Club Secretary

Welwyn Garden City FC

FA League Rule 2.13

Ownership: In accordance with The Foot- ball Association Rule 2.13 Publication of Ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 clubs within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm that the Legal Status of Welwyn Leigh Corbit - Treasurer Garden City Football Club, takes the form of Maureen Hay - Memberships an Unincorporated Association. It has a con- stitution which sets out the rules that govern its relationship and membership, and elects a Management Com- mittee to run the organisation on behalf of its Private Members.

That committee is currently:

Chairman: Ray Fiveash,

Secretary: Ron Oliver

Members:

Leigh Corbit (Club Treasurer)

Maureen Hay (Membership Secretary)

Phil Ravitz (Football Secretary). Phil Ravitz - Football Secretary Mike Isaacs - Fixture Secretary

Dave Fallon - Programme Editor Tracy Woolhouse - Hospitality Malcolm Kiely -Youth Secretary

30 MALMECH & MANNION

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Manager: Nicky Ironton Manager: Mark West

Assistant: Jon Stevenson Assitant: Stuart Blaik Coach: Ricci Crace Coach: Ben Johnson Physio: Callem Kingsley Physio: Claire Jarrett

Welwyn Garden City v Thame United Wearing: All Claret Wearing: White and Black Ryan Schmid (G/K) Craig Hill (G/K) Charlie Jones (G/K) James Essex Jonny Sexton Calvin Evans Jay Rolfe Matt Peake-Pijnen Dylan Ebengo David Lynn Carl Mensah Callum Mapley Jack Bradshaw Finlay Murray Romelle Alomenu Jack Tutton Lee Close Ben Sturgess (C) Will McClelland Harrison Mepham Dave Keenleyside (C) Duran Martin Jess Walklin Conor Harris Brodie Carrington Gregory Hackett George Ironton Thomas Asworth Callum Stead Noah Alabi Toby Cleaver Greg Hackett Charlie Payne Daniel West Eusebio Da Silva Lynton Goss

Ollie Carey Andrew Gledhill

Today’s match officials: Referee: Michael Chard Assistants: Elliott Mayer & Matthew Norton