THE CITIZENS POST WCFC V Evesham United FC Tuesday 13Th November 2018 Evo-Stik League South Division One South
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THE CITIZENS POST WCFC v Evesham United FC Tuesday 13th November 2018 Evo-Stik League South Division One South Thanks to Andy Corner for the Photography Winchester City Football Club is a committee run members club and as such is an unincorporated association. THE CITIZENS POST FROM THE BOARDROOM Good Evening All and welcome to the Simplyhealth City Ground for today’s Evo-Stik League South Division One South fixture between Winchester City FC and Evesham United. We would like to issue a warm welcome to the Players, Officials and Supporters that have made the journey from Evesham and we hope you enjoy your evening with us and have a safe journey home. Since we last played at home, the Citizens were beaten 3-2 away at Barnstaple Town. Thanks to all of the supporters that made the long journey to North Devon. Whilst Oli Bailey and Tyrell Mitford were both on target for the Red & Black Army, it wasn’t enough, and we unfortunately lost the game. On Saturday 10th November, WCFC made the short journey to Fleet Town. The pitch was checked by Fleet officials first thing on the Saturday morning and it was playable and no further inspections were required. When the officials arrived, they checked the pitch with Davo and confirmed that it was fit to play. However, shortly afterwards, the officials then returned to the pitch before then deciding that it was not fit to play and at 13:45 the game was called off. Thank-you to everyone that made the journey to Fleet, and an alternative date for this fixture will be announced in due course. Off the pitch, IK Hill has returned to City, re-joining the club from Alresford Town. This has signalled the departure of Matt Benham. A recent signing from Thatcham Town, Benham has joined Bitton AFC, a team closer to Bath University where he is based, so that he can get some more game time. Mark Fawley has also dual-registered elsewhere, with the full-back registering with local side, Romsey Town. Thank-you for your continued support so far this campaign – everybody at the club appreciates it! Please get behind the team for tonight’s big game and cheer the Red and Black Army on to three vital points! #youcitizens THE CITIZENS POST DAVO’S DIARY Good evening and a very warm welcome to you all for tonight’s league match against one of the favourites this season Evesham United, I wish their players, supporters and officials a pleasant stay and safe trip back later tonight. It’s safe to say that the last week or two have been frustrating to say the least. Firstly, last home game we had the gut wrenching late farcical penalty decision costing us 2 points against Highworth after dominating throughout. Next we travelled to Barnstaple and put in a very poor performance against a side who had just won their first game against Paulton 4-1, to be fair they didn’t look as bad a side as it looked on paper with their results and we lost 3-2 with a very disappointing display, I noticed they went away and beat top of table Yate 2-1 on Saturday which didn’t surprise me as much as it would have others after seeing them the previous week, no papering over it though it was a poor day for us. We then trained extremely hard all week to be ready for a trip to my old club Fleet Town, the way they handled the situation on the day was very bad, no inspection followed by a downpour and not a single person on the pitch trying to fork it to get it on, also after the referee said would give it a go their management were surrounding the referee convincing them otherwise as I went into do team talk, lo and behold game called off, I did notice a couple of players who are key for them were unavailable so it didn’t surprise me, oh well we took the opportunity to have a get together and a drink and a game of darts in a local pub and it shows what a great spirit the boys have almost everyone and several supporters were there together, that’s what we are about as a club and I love that! So, we now have had to kick our heels a bit but can’t wait to get out and get playing again starting on Tuesday! Player news long term absentee George Short is still out, Liam Gilbert has to go away with work for the next 2 weeks but after that is fine for remainder of season, Rob Carr misses next weekend but after that is also clear moving forward, we have brought IK Hill back into the club who is a breath of fresh air and eager to force his way back in, we do have a couple of other approaches going on and we will see what happens with that. On the exit front, Matty Benham has gone to get games locally to his Bath base and Reece Rusher we have agreed to move on (likely to Melksham) - unfortunately there are some codes of conduct with how to behave in my dressing room and he fell beneath that on a couple of occasions, he was left out of the squad on Saturday and requested to leave which we have happily accepted, it’s a shame as he has some qualities that he showed earlier in the season but flashes of quality is the easiest bit in football and in a group that is all about togetherness it is the correct decision. We have had a tough few weeks, but I have every faith in this group and the little bits of tweaking we are doing, I am looking forward to the remainder of the season! Enjoy the game, up the citizens!! Davo THE CITIZENS POST TODAY’S VISITORS – EVESHAM UNITED FC CLUB HISTORY The Evesham United Football Club that we know today dates from just after the Second World War when soldiers returning from action reformed the club and immediately joined the Worcestershire League. However, a club did exist in Evesham prior to the War, the “Town” reaching the F.A. Amateur Cup Final in 1923, losing 1 – 2 after extra time to London Caledonians at Crystal Palace. Starting in the 1951/52 season, in the club’s first five years in the Worcestershire Combination they were League Champions twice and runners-up on two occasions, their lowest position being third in that first season. In 1956 they left to join the Birmingham League and followed this with a move to the Warwickshire League in 1959 before returning to the Worcester (now Midland Combination) in 1963. They won the league title four times (1965/66, 1967/68, 1968/69, and 1991/92) and reached the Challenge Cup Final on six occasions, lifting the trophy in 1988 and 1992. Initially the club played at Crown Meadow, moving to Common Road in 1968 and opening the clubhouse in 1975. A terrific season in 1991/92 saw the club complete a memorable double of Midland Combination Premier Division Champions, thus achieving promotion to the Southern League Midlands Division, and the Combination Challenge Cup. They also reached the quarter final of the F.A. Vase before losing to eventual finalists Guiseley. Some £5,000.00 was spent on the ground and they marked their first season in the Southern League by finishing in a creditable 15th position. A number of Managers and poor seasons followed but in November 2003, former Coventry City defender, Davis Busst, was appointed a successor to Phil Mullen. Busst took over a club struggling near the foot of the Dr. Martens League Western Division but managed to turn things around and Evesham eventually finished mid-table with a creditable 50 points. The 2004/05 campaign saw Evesham take their place in the Southern League Division One West, with Busst in his first full season in charge with the experienced Paul West as his assistant. It turned out to be a season to remember for Evesham’s long-suffering fans with the Robins earning a place in the play-offs. A tense 2 – 1 victory against Ashford Town (Middlesex) paired Evesham with local rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in the play-off final. A crowd of over 800 squeezed into Common Road to witness Evesham romp to a 4 – 0 win and promotion to the Southern League Premier Division for the first time in their history. After a poor run of results, Busst left in February 2006and West stepped up to take over. Despite a marked improvement, Evesham were relegated on the final day of the season, finishing just one point behind Northwood. After selling their Common Road ground for housing Evesham entered into a ground share agreement with Worcester City whilst moves were being put in place to build a new stadium on the southern outskirts of Evesham. In 2006/07, the club took a step in the right direction with former Wigan, Bradford and Port Vale defender, West, again at the helm. Evesham lifted the Worcestershire Senior Cup for the first time, beating Stourbridge 2 – 1 in the final. The play-offs were also reached but unfortunately a late goal ensured Bromsgrove a narrow 1 – 0 win and eventual promotion. Season 2007/08 turned out to be one of the most memorable in the club’s history. The club took Blue Square Premier Halifax Town to a replay in the 4th Qualifying Round of the F.A.