Southern League Division One Central 2019/20

Tuesday 10th September 2019 Kick-Off 7:45pm

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 Football Club Welcome to the BP Mitchell Stadium Page 3 Management Southern League Central league table Page 4 Full Results and Fixtures listing Page 5 & 6 First team Away addresses at a glance Page 6

Last seasons fixtures Pages 7 & 8 This seasons player roll call Page 9 Nicky Ironton Todays Visitors “Hitchin TownA club history” Page 10 & 11 (Manager) Players and sponsorship Pages 13 & 14 Player Roll Call by Gavin Meaden Page 15 Jon Stevenson Focus on Welwyn Garden City U-18’s Page 16 & 17 (Assistant) Are you “The Face in the Crowd” Page 19 Callem Kingsley Citizens Time-Line Page 19 In off the Post interview with Jon Stevenson Page 20 (Physio) Our latest Match reports by Phil Ravitz Pages 12, 22 & 27 Ricci Crace Hitchin Town Player Pen Pictures Pages 23 & 24 WGC FC Fantasy Football League standings Page 25 Dave Bastian Club Honours & Achievements Page 28 Phillip Neville A Cautionary tale by David Richardson Page 31 Full team line-ups Page 32 (Coaches) Dave Keenleyside Up next at the (Team Captain)

B.P.Mitchell Stadium Head Groundsman Saturday 14th September Paul Cox Kit Manager Southern League Midland Division Dave Owen

Citizens v Thame United Front cover image by Danny Loo @Danny_Loo on Twitter or on Face- Kick-Off 3:00pm book Danny Look Photography

Welcome to Herns Way & the scorer George Ironton who’s goal pulled us level on the opening day of the season. B.P Mitchell Stadium Images courtesy of Danny Loo photography Today we welcome Hitchin Town 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! Hugh Gilroy who will be assisted by Conor Griffin & Sebastian Frazer. We hope you enjoy your visit to Herns Way and have a safe journey home. COME ON YOU CITIZENS

A few words from our team manager Nicky Ironton

Good evening, I would like to welcome Hitchin Town FC to Herns Lane. WGC have started the season with 3 league wins and a draw and we know today’s encounter should be a very competi- tive game against an established Southern League Premier Divi- sion side.

I’m extremely happy with the start the squad have made, as there are a lot of new faces, so jelling the old players with the new I thought would take a little longer, but to my delight they have Eusebio Da Silva has been in fine form scoring bonded very well. freely carrying on his Pre-Season form into the We have a large squad, so competition for places will keep all the BetVictor Southern league players on their toes. We will however not get carried away with the good start as results in football can change quickly. All the players need to stay focused and take one game at a time.

Thanks to WGC fans for your support, the boys really appreciate it, long may it continue.

Enjoy the game, Cheers, Nicky

News from the U-18’s

Our U-18’s have started the new season in fine form with a fine 4-2 away win over Broxbourne Boro to register three points in the Southern Counties Floodlit Youth league, Olympian Division.

Front cover photo: Main Image, Ollie Carey cele- brates his headed goal against Wantage Town (Ollie’s effort would be ruled offside).

Inset top, Carl Mensah congratulates Eusebio Da- Silver’s winning goal. And, City players celebrate with Picture courtesy of Danny Loo Photography 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) 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 1 (1) 7 (3) 1 John-Paul Antwi 2 (2) 2 (2) Brodie Carrington (1) (4)

Ollie Carey 1 (2) 1 (2)

Toby Cleaver 5 5

Connor Clarke (1) (1)

Lee Close 4 21

Matt Crook

Eusebio Da-Silva 3 (2) 3 14 (5) 8

Dylan Ebengo 4 (1) 16 (1) 0

George Ironton 5 2 44 (13) 12

Charlie Jones 1 3

Dave Keenleyside 3 27 (1) 4 Ashley Kersey 119 (23) 66 William McClelland 3 9 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 2 2 Geraldo Smaldone (1) (1) Aundre Spencer 1 (1) 1 (1) Jonny Sexton 3 79 (1) 1 Jess Walklin 4 11 (2)

9 Hitchin Town can trace its roots back to board that the club moved forward again. by 1998, relegation had come once more. 1865 when Hitchin FC was formed. The Burgess, a successful coach before he However the club won promotion back to club took part in the first FA Cup in 1871- went to Hitchin, brought experienced the Isthmian Premier Division at the first 72, and reached the quarter finals of the players to the club who knew how to win. attempt, with a new and younger team. competition, losing to eventual finalists In 1968-69, Hitchin finished runners-up in Royal Engineers. That first Hitchin club, a the Isthmian League and a year later, won In an age when clubs seem to lurch from struggling professional outfit, folded in the London Senior Cup, beating St.Albans crisis to crisis financially, Hitchin’s recent 1911, debt-ridden and the victims of a fire at 4-2 in the final. Burgess declared that history has been relatively stable. Andy their ground. Hitchin had “arrived” by winning what Melvin stepped down in 2001, handing was then a highly prestigious competition. over to his assistant Robbie O’Keefe. Rob- It was not until 1928 that Hitchin Town FC Top Field was shocked a few months later bie was the mastermind of the club’s was formed, and it was at this point that the when Burgess left the club. youth academy, and at times, O’Keefe nickname, “The Canaries”, was established. promised to bring success back to Hitchin. The club colours of yellow and at that time, The 1970s was a period characterised by In 2003, however, he left the club, and blue, were also agreed upon. Prior to that, some exciting cup-ties. The Canaries former Chelsea and England striker Kerry the old club played in white and magenta. reached the FA Cup competition proper Dixon took over. At the end of the 2003- Hitchin gained admission to the Spartan four times – in 1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77 04 season, Hitchin left the Isthmian League and in the 1928-29 season, enjoyed and 1978-79, although a giant-killing League after more than 40 years, and a hugely successful campaign, winning the eluded them. By the end of the decade moved to the Southern League. At the Herts Charity Shield and promotion to the however, the club was in decline and the halfway stage of the following season, Spartan League Division One. 1980s was a dismal decade in which fi- Dixon, who was unable to commit himself nances were limited and the emphasis was fully to the job, was replaced by Darren The 1930s were halcyon days for Hitchin on youth. Salton. Salton had to rebuild a team that Town FC. Promotion to the Spartan Premier had alarming weaknesses in every depart- In 1988, Hitchin Town suffered relegation Division was won in 1931, but it was the ment. The last few months of the season from the Isthmian Premier for the first cup successes that captured the imagination were tough and Hitchin failed to win any time. Near misses in the previous three of the Hitchin public. Although there is little of their last 11 games. But the following seasons had hinted that a fall was coming, doubt that Hitchin won more games than at year was better and at the end of 2005-06, but it was still a major shock to the club. It any time in their history, the standard of the Canaries won the Southern League took five years for Hitchin to get back to opposition has to be considered when deter- Cup, beating Bromsgrove Rovers in the the Premier Divison, but in between, the mining whether the Canaries’ side of the two-legged final. period was the finest in the club’s history. club had suffered major financial hard- ship. It was Andy Melvin, the new owner- In 2006-07, the Canaries started well and Nevertheless there is little doubt that this manager of Hitchin Town who led the at the halfway point were among the title was a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club back to the Premier Division, win- challengers. But a spectacular collapse, club won the AFA Senior Cup in 1932, ning the Isthmian First Division title in fuelled by player unrest, saw Hitchin fall beating Derbyshire Amateurs in the final 1992-93. Melvin, a good man-manager, down the table and into relegation trouble. and in 1935, won the Spartan League Prem- was also thrifty and built a team on very Eventually, Hitchin finished 11th, perhaps ier Division. The club entered the Athenian limited resources. In the club’s first season a flattering position, but nevertheless one League in 1939, but after two league games back, he took them to eighth place and in which secured Premier Division football and a Herts Charity Cup tie, all of which 1994-95, fifth position. in 2007-08. After a lack lustre start to saw Hitchin score seven goals, Adolf Hitler 2007-08, Darren Salton was released by Andy Melvin will be remembered for his intervened. the club and former player Darran Hay part in two exciting FA Cup runs, howev- was appointed as manager. Hay had to At the end of the 1962-63 season, the Canar- er. In 1994-95, the club became giant- rebuild his team and it took time to turn ies moved into the Isthmian League. This killers for the first time, beating Hereford things around, but a revitalised squad, move was not an easy one for the club, and United 4-2 at Top Field in the FA Cup with a strong team spirit, lifted Hitchin out the early years were a constant struggle. first round. The club had started its cup of trouble. Money was a problem, and there was a hint run in the First Qualifying Round and had of scandal when club President Syd Staple- been close to exiting on more than one After a poor start to the 2008-09 season, ton revealed to the media that the club was occasion. A year later, the Canaries Darran Hay left Hitchin in January 2009. paying its “amateur” players. It took some grabbed their biggest scalp, beating Bristol Colin Payne, the former Chertsey, North- time before the clouds dispersed and during Rovers 2-1 in the first round, thanks to wood and Boreham Wood manager was this period, the club said farewell to Laurie two early goals. It gave them a second appointed in February 2009, but despite an Scott. round tie at Gillingham, which was lost 3- improvement, the club was relegated at the 0. At this time the club gained more media end of the campaign. Payne rebuilt the It was not until Vince Burgess came on attention than at any time in its history, but Hitchin squad in the summer of 2009, with

10 the aim of achieving promotion at the first manager Colin Payne returned to assist the tations and finished in third place in the attempt. Management team, and the Canaries man- League, showing a marked improvement aged to pull through with three or four on the previous season and qualifying for Hitchin enjoyed a successful 2009-10, astute loan signings bolstering both confi- the Play-Offs. Here they took a 2-0 lead in winning 31 of 42 league games. A vibrant dence and results. They finished a credita- the semi-final against the eventual winners young side was moulded by Payne and his ble thirteenth, but despite this Carl decided Hungerford Town, but eventually ran out assistant Carl Williams and for long peri- it was time to take a break from the mana- of steam and succumbed to a 3-2 defeat. ods, the Canaries topped the Zamaretto gerial role and focus on his young family. Midlands Division. Hitchin lost just four Again despite this tremendous disappoint- games in the league but Bury Town Mark Burke was appointed manager in the ment, this young team showed great topped the division by two points – despite summer of 2013 and Carl’s side almost strength of character and picked itself up Payne’s men amassing 100 points. As only entirely moved on. Despite this Burke and again to beat National League Boreham one team was automatically promoted, his assistant Adam Parker recruited some Wood to win the Hertfordshire Senior Cup Hitchin had to enter the play-offs for the new young talent and finished in a credita- for the first time in 19 years. second promotion place. Sadly, the young ble 13th position, same as the previous Canaries ran out of steam and lost the play season. The 2016-17 season started with great -off semi-final to Slough, a team that fin- hope, and most certainly did not disap- ished 23 points behind Hitchin! Season 2014-15 saw the addition of Jonny point. The now established squad fared McNamara from Arlesey and Charlie Hor- even better than the previous season, qual- A few days after the end of the season, lock on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, ifying for the Play-Offs in fourth place but Payne left the club to join Hemel Hemp- and the experienced Brett Donnelly return- with more league points than the previous stead. In his place, Carl Williams was ap- ing to the club for a second spell from season. pointed as manager. He had a tremendous Biggleswade Town. With a solid backline first season in charge and for much of the including Alasan Ann and Dan Webb and After a fantastic penalty shoot-out victory 2010-11 campaign, Hitchin looked cer- the huge promise of youngsters such as in the semi-finals at Merthyr Town, the tainties for the title. But a mid-season drop Sam Barker, Matt Lench and Lewis Rolfe Canaries took on Leamington for a place in form gave local rivals Arlesey the being realised, the flowing football pro- in the National League South. chance to take top place. On the final day duced reaped dividends and Hitchin fin- They came within one minute of promo- of the season, the two clubs met at Top ished in ninth position, their best-ever in tion in normal time before conceding a Field for the title decider. Arlesey won 1-0 the Southern League. 90th minute penalty equaliser, and then in front of over 1,500 people, but the occa- succumbing to a winning goal from Leam- sion was marred by the ungentlemanly ington six minutes from the end of extra behaviour of Hitchin’s opponents. Wil- time. liams and his team cast that disappoint- ment aside to beat Slough and Daventry in They retained the Hertfordshire Senior the play-offs to claim the second promo- Cup by beating Bishops Stortford 2-1 and tion spot. In their first season back in the also reached the Herts Charity Cup Final, Premier, Hitchin enjoyed some bright mo- where a “bad day at the office” resulted in ments, notably beating eventual champi- a 0-1 defeat against lower league opposi- ons Brackley and promotion chasing AFC tion in the form of Cheshunt. Totton and Cambridge City. Once again, the goals of John Frendo lit up the cam- The Canaries enter the 2017-18 season paign and attendances at Top Field were knowing that the League competition will among the best in the division. The final be considerably tougher this season with a placing of 14th was considered satisfacto- greater number of well-established and ry and the club went into 2012-13 looking hopeful teams. Hopefully they can com- to improve on that showing. The 2015-16 season proved to be even pete again – third time lucky? better. The season started with the prestig- Carl Williams’ second season in charge ious game against a full-strength Premier started brightly but despite the massive League Norwich City side, to celebrate the goals contribution of John Frendo (who 150th anniversary of the formation of the won the non-league football “Golden first Hitchin football team. Despite the ten Boot” the previous season with 44 goals), goal defeat, and defeat on the first day of it proved a difficult season overall. How- the season to the newly promoted Strat- ever, despite a couple of months where ford Town at home, Mark Burke’s young confidence had ebbed away and relegation side (average age 24) picked up, went looked a distinct possibility. Previous from strength to strength, defied all expec-

11 FA Cup Preliminary round Wingate & Finchley 2-0 Welwyn Garden City 24/07/19

Following an even first 45 Minutes Dylan Ebengo fire high and wide fol- mide Oluwatimilehin whofired past where both teams found chances at a lowing a George Ironton corner as Charlie Jones in the Citizens goal. premium, City succumbed to an early City began to look dangerous on the 2nd half goal from Olumide Oluwatim- counter attack. And, at the other end It was tough on City because up to that ilehin. The same striker added a late the Citizens defensive quartet of Eben- point they had coped well with any- strike in the dying minutes to give the go, Mensah, Rolfe and Sexton for The thing that the Rymans Premier side score-line some gloss. Citizens were producing some excel- threw at them. lent well-timed saving tackles to deny Nick Ironton rang in the changes when City came into the match off the back of the hosts clear opportunities. two fine Southern league wins against Connor Clarke replaced Ollie Carey Wantage Town (2-1) and Biggleswade A rare opportunity from the well and Eusebio Da Silva replaced JP Ant- FC (3-1) but found the Rymans Premier shackled Toby Cleaver up front for wi. Division side a stronger and more diffi- City, saw the big striker break free Another quick break by the home- cult prospect altogether. from his marker but his fierce shot sides Kennedy down the left flank saw from an acute angle brought off a his cross evade everyone when all it In a largely even first half, City mid- smart save from Shane Gore in the needed was a toe end on the ball - a fielder Jess Walklin had the game's home goal. opening chance. Bursting through the real let off for City. middle of the last third of the pitch. As the half neared its conclusion two Charlie Payne replaced the injured However, his well struck effort was just fine tackles from Jess Walklin and Dylan Ebengo on 75 minutes. As City too straight and the experienced home Carl Mensah prevented Wingate's changed their shape to just three at the goalkeeper Shane Gore saved all too Kennedy and Mendy from firing in back - Jay Rolfe pressed higher up to a easily. shots on Charlie Jones’s goal. more attacking role and Eusebio Da An unsavoury foul on City left-back As half-time beckoned, Good link up Silva joined Toby Cleaver up-front. Jonny Sexton saw bookings for City's play between Jess Walklin and George Great work down City's left saw Euse- centre back Dylan Ebengo and City Ironton paved the way for City Cap- bio Da-Silva reach the by-line and the boss Nick Ironton for dissent as well as tain Dave Keenleyside to power burly striker pulled his pass back for the home sides former Football league through the middle of the pitch and Toby Cleaver to fire in a fine first-time professional Marvin Morgan. fire in a fine effort but his shot from effort, however Shane Gore managed edge of the penalty area was well to get down quickly and save for a Cit- Good link up and interplay involving saved by the home custodian. Toby Cleaver, Dave Keenleyside & Jess izens corner. Walklin created an opening for Jay Half-Time 0-0 As City pushed men forward, they al- Rolfe whose cross-shot had Shane Gore most equalised following a George scurrying across his goal-line as the ball After the interval, the home side took Ironton free-kick. The midfielder’s just sailed over the bar, landing on the the game to the Citizens and a break cross saw a goalmouth melee from roof of the net in the process. down the right flank by the dangerous Oluwatimilehin saw the strikers cross which City almost equalised. Howev- The home side had to wait until the 23rd elude everyone, much to the relief of er, the ball was cleared and following minute for their first attempt on goal as the Citizens supporters. two swift passes from left to right The Citizens defence were coping well flank, that man Kennedy fed Olu- with everything thrown at them. Marvin A fine run and shot by City's midfield- watimilehin who made no mistake Morgans looped header comfortably er Jess Walklin saw his effort flash from 10 yards out - Harsh on City as saved by Charlie Jones, making his first past the post as City attempted to they bow out of the FA Cup at the first City appearance of the season. throw men forward in an effort to put hurdle. their hosts under pressure. A few minutes later the same striker WGCFC: 1) Sansom 2) Rolfe 3) Sex- produced a fine save by Charlie Jones's However, on 50 minutes City fell be- ton 4) Ebengo (Payne) 5) Mensah 6) legs as the Rymans Premier Division hind. Another quick break by the Walklin 7) Carey (Ckarke) 8) Ironton side started to take a stranglehold on hosts, this time by the fleet-footed Al- 9) Cleaver 10) Keenleyside 11) Antwi possession. phonso Kennedy, saw the wide player (Da Silva) skip past the challenges of Jay Rolfe However, a spell of City pressure saw and Dylan Ebengo to square to Olu- Att: 121

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

Antwi

Payne

Ebengo

Alomenu

Smaldone

Carey

DaSilva

Smaldone

Carrington

Antwi

Payne

Harris

DaSilva

Mensah

Jones

Sansom

Payne

Antwi

Walklin

Spencer

Alomenu

Walklin

Keenleyside

Cleaver

Ironton

Carey

DaSilva

Walklin

Mensah *

Mensah

McClelland

Mensah

McClelland

Ebengo

Bradshaw

Antwi

Sexton

Mensah

Rolfe

Jones

Schmid

Sansom

Pos

Att

503

151

121

149

116

2-0

1-1

0-2

3-1

2-1

Score

Opponents

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

KIDLINGTON

COLESHILLTOWN

DaventryTown

AFC Dunstable AFC

BEDWORTH UTD BEDWORTH

CANVEY ISLAND CANVEY

HADLEY

KempstonRovers

THAME UTD THAME

HITCHIN TOWN HITCHIN

HalesowenTown

BERKHAMSTED

WingateFinchley&

Biggleswade

WANTAGE TOWN WANTAGE

HCS

FAC

SLC1

SLCup

Comp

FAT-EP

Date

25-Jan

18-Jan

11-Jan

04-Jan

01-Jan

19-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

09-Nov

02-Nov

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 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

17 18 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

19 In off the POST an interview with Jon Stevenson by Gavin Meaden

Can you talk us through your tact with Nick Ironton and what does playing career and previous I think that over the years, the Eng- he do that maybe other managers coaching appointments, sparing land team has suffered because of don’t? no detail? the lack of English players playing I first met Nick when I signed for Ware, regularly from a relatively young I started my playing career with he came in as manager but I knew of age in the Premier League. I have a Enfield FC coming through the him from his Arlesey Town days. For theory that Scotland have probably u18's before making my way into me Nick is a players dream in terms of suffered more. There are hardly the 1st team. However it was the manager as he simply says it how it is. any Scots in the Premier now and same year that the ground was sold He will be honest whether it be good or going back to when Scotland quali- which resulted in me moving to bad. That style of management was fied for tournaments, all top teams Boreham Wood to play games, after perfect for me as a player. had two or three at least. What do two years I then moved to Potters you think? Bar Town where I was part of a Who did you support as a lad? winning team which went onto win I do believe that the amount of the Spartan Premier League. After I have always been an arsenal fan overseas players playing in the Premier League may have caused this I had a number of moves at the How familiar with WGC FC were the England team to suffer how- following clubs Enfield Town, you before coming in? Hitchin Town FC, Hemel Hemp- ever it's also due to the lack of stead, Borehamwood (where we I knew of Welwyn from my St Mar- trust from coaches in young play- won the league and reached the garetsbury days, it was the year they ers and are England as good as semi final of the FA trophy) St Al- won the league and I remember playing we all think ? them both home and away which we bans, Harlow, Slough, Brimsdown, VAR. Yes or no? i was in the yes won one and lost one. Ware and lastly St Margretsbury camp but the way it was imple- where I started my managerial ca- The old adage is, “Ah, but can he do mented in the summer made a reer. This gave me the step into it on a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke mockery of games in my opinion. management as I was player assis- in November?” What’s your town of Where do you stand? tant but I found the playing side a choice near the A50? little difficult due to injuries so Nope not a fan at all. The game has spent two seasons as assistant man- Let's go with Derby (first thing I no- always been made from snap deci- ager. It was a hard transition at the ticed with Google search) sions and the old quote of they al- start but I wanted to see if I could ways level out over a season was make the move over which looking If you had the opportunity to coach fine for me. The game that I grew back now I'm glad I did. or manage in a different country, up watching and played is going in which would you choose and why? my opinion. What would you describe as your strong points? I would say England simply because we Out of the current playing squad don't dive or cheat as much as the other based on your experience so far I would say my strong points would leagues. Although it's starting to get after the friendlies, who would be having a winning mentality and worse. I hate players cheating. you least like to hear singing kar- being very passionate. Hard work aoke and why would this be? will always pay off. As a player I What was the first football match was a centre half or centre mid- you can remember attending as a This is a tough one as the majority fielder who enjoyed the physical boy? already have too much to say let side of the game. I'd like to think I alone hearing them sing ha ha ha... It was Arsenal at Highbury. I went with was firm but fair but I'm sure Ricci I would hate to hear Closey to be my dad and remember Alan Smith scor- and Basto would disagree. fair as he would moan throughout ing. the song let alone sing. But I reckon How did you first come into con- Mensah would be a decent shout. 20 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]

21 Southern League Central Welwyn Garden City 1-1 Berkhamsted 26/08/19

WELWYN GC plundered a forced the pace, Lewis Toomey But their improvement was set point from their only Herts der- stabbing wide after Jonathan back on its heels, when the by in the Southern League Div Lacey’s run and cross down the visitors took a deserved lead 1 Central, when a stoppage left in the opening 10 minutes. on 66 minutes. time goal earned them a 1-1 New keeper Schmid then kept A long ball down down the left draw with Berkhamsted on WGC on terms with a fine save saw the dangerous Toomey get Bank Holiday Monday. with his feet to thwart another the better of WGC’s Jon Sex- Both sides went into the clash Toomey effort. ton and cross in low, where his with 100 per cent records from WGC weren’t offering much at strike partner Lacey was wait- their opening pair of games, this stage, although Toby Cleav- ing to ram it home on the back but it was visitors Berko who er got on the end of a clever post. must have been wondering how swinging free-kick from Iron- Both sides rang the changes ton, to stab just past the Berko after this breakthrough, includ- Match Report by woodwork. ing WGC making three chang- Phil Ravitz Further good work from es. Schmid foiled the visitors with These included bringing on a couple of very sharp saves youth team striker Brodie Car- they hadn’t extended that run, from close quarters, denying rington for the final 25 after a game in which they Toomey and central defender minutes and the teenager had dominated. Ryan Kinnane, before at the one of the best efforts of the Only an outstanding debut in other end Berko keeper Leon game, hitting a 20 yarder just the home goal by new keeper made a fine tip around save to wide after a loose clearance Ryan Schmid and some waste- thwart Eusebio Da Silva, when fell to him. ful finishing didn’t see the WGC’s big striker outmuscled With time running out, WGC Comrades from the west of the Dan Murphy to a through ball, stepped up the pressure to fi- county, return home with a The half ended in a flurry of ac- nally find a way through maximum reward. tion, Schmid making his best Berko’s defences, with Men- But although out of sorts, stop so far to keep out a sah’s header and earn what t WGC staged a late revival to Toomey close-in effort at one can only be considered a fortu- force a succession of corners in end, before in the half’s final nate point. the dying moments of the game attack, Cleaver got up on the WGC: Schmid, Rolfe, Ebengo and on 93 minutes, big central back post to a Jay Rolfe cross to (Smaldone 79), Mensah, defender Carl Mensah got head inches wide. Close, Sexton (Carrington 67), above everyone to head a After a stern team talk, WGC Walklin, Ironton, Payne George Ironton corner home, to seemed to enjoy a greater share (Antwi 61), Da Silva, Cleaver. keep his side unbeaten. of the play in the early stages of Att: 151 That didn’t look like early in the second-half. the game as Berkhamsted

22 Charlie Horlock: 24 year old goal keeper who re-joins the Canaries for the 2019/20 season from Has- tings United. Began his career at Wycombe Wanderers and joined the Canaries on loan in November 2014, making the deal permanent in the summer of 2015. Made 87 appearances and helped the club reach the 2015/16 Southern League Premier Division Play-off Semi-finals before moving to Eastbourne Bor- ough.

Ciaran Gordon-Stearn: 19 year old goal keeper who was a former youth team player at both Ips- wich Town and Luton Town. Previous clubs include Billericay Town and Gottne IF in Sweden.

Josh Mollison: Highly rated 19 year old keeper who impressed during the Club’s FA Youth Cup run of 2017/18. Signed for the first team in March 2018.

Alex Anderson: Right sided full back or midfielder who signed in the summer of 2018. The 25 year old’s previous clubs include Maldon & Tiptree United, Biggleswade Town and Witham Town.

Josh Bickerstaff: 28 year old versatile defender who is equally comfortable at left back, central defence or in midfield. First signed for Hitchin in March 2011 from Stotfold. Joined St Neots Town for the 2014/15 season before returning to the Canaries in 2015/16. Has made nearly 300 appearances for the club.

Marcus Crowther: Teenage central defender signed in March 2019. Previous clubs include Bishops Stortford and Saffron Walden Town.

Lewis Ferrell: Vastly experienced, 28 year old commanding central defender who signed for the Canaries in the summer of 2018. Began his career at Brentford before making 32 Conference Premier league appearances for Hayes & Yeading in 2010/11. Has played for Hampton & Richmond Borough, Staines Town and Farnborough in the Conference South. Previous clubs include St Ives Town and Co- rinithians of San Antonio in USA. Made over 50 appearances for the Canaries last season.

Joe Gauge: 18 year old summer signing from Biggleswade United where he was ever present last season. The impressive central defender was voted Biggleswade United’s Player’s Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season and Player of the Season for 2018/19.

Jack Green: 21 year old full back or wide midfielder signed from St.Albans City. Previous clubs include Barton Rovers and Dunstable Town. Tenacious player who scored the winning goal at Leather- head FC to take the Canaries to last season’s 1st round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Jordan Norville-Williams: 19 year old left sided defender signed on loan from Cambridge United in August 2019. Has also spent time on loan at Cambridge City, Harlow Town, Royston Town and St Neots Town, where he scored 4 goals in 31 appearances.

Max Ryan: 20 year old central defender or midfielder who joined from Kings Langley in January 2019. A product of the Watford Youth Academy who joined Kings Langley in September 2018 following his release from the Hornets.

Daniel Webb: 29 year old defender and team captain who was first spotted playing for Shefford and Campton FC in the Bedfordshire League, Joined the club in 2012/13 and has made over 300 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals.

23 Mo Ahmed: Exciting, attacking midfielder signed in August 2019. The former MK Dons Under 18 player spent two seasons with MK Gallacticos where he scored 29 goals before joining Potton United in January 2019.

Lewis Barker: Combative central midfielder who joins the Canaries for the 2019/20 season from Baldock Town where he was captain and won the 2018/19 Player’s Player of the Year Award.

Leo Donnellan: 21 year old midfielder signed in August 2019. A former Queens Park Ranger’s youth team player and Republic of Ireland Under 18 International. Previous clubs include Dagenham & Redbridge and Maidstone United. Leo is the son of former Fulham footballer, Leo Donnellan Senior and brother of Woking defender, Shaun Donnellan.

Jay Dowie: 27 year old tenacious, tough tackling central midfielder signed from Concord Rangers in February 2017. Began his career with Histon. Previous clubs include Boston United.

Leon Okuboyejo: Young winger or forward signed in July 2019 who came through the Reading FC youth system. Previous clubs include Boreham Wood.

Brett Donnelly: Experienced striker who returned in the summer of 2019 as player/coach from Big- gleswade Town. The influential striker was an integral member of the 2015/16 and 2016/17 squads that reached the Southern League Premier Division play-offs. Scored 52 goals in 198 appearances for the Ca- naries.

Harry Draper: Exciting, powerful striker signed on a season’s loan from Stevenage FC. The 18 year old spent two months on work experience with the Canaries last season, scoring 4 goals in eleven appearances. Has also spent time on loan at Stratford Town, Great Yarmouth Town and Biggleswade Town.

Devonte Simms: 17 year old forward who joined the Canaries in the summer of 2019 from Steven- age, where he was a member of their Under 18 Squad.

James Verney: 20 year old striker who joined the Canaries in the summer of 2019 after impressing during pre-season. A product of the Luton Town Academy, James joined Hitchin on loan from the Hatters in Sept 2016, making 5 appearances. Previous clubs include Barton Rovers and Tring Athletic, for whom he scored 8 goals in 17 appearances last season.

24 Jeffrey Haggerty Associates ------Consulting Building Engineers

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42 Daniells, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 1QX

Telephone: 01707 887618 Mobile: 07885 659798

Email: [email protected]

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

To join our league please go to Fantasy Premier League.com and search for the Welwyn Garden City League option. You will then be requested for a code which is rsog3h

25 26 Southern League Central Biggleswade FC 1 - 3 Welwyn Garden City 20/08/19

WELWYN GC took their second James Connell, cleared off the line. latched onto another Ironton free- scalp of a newly promoted side in kick six minutes after the restart, But three minutes later underlined before the dangerous Coles wrong- three days, as they stretched their their strong start, when Romelle footed WGC’s Carl Mensah before unbeaten start to the new Southern Alomenu – in the starting line-up shooting over the bar, as Biggles- League Div 1 Central campaign to after his fine second-half display wade gave a better account of two wins from two games, at Big- on Saturday - crossed high to the themselves in the second-half. gleswade in midweek. back post, where the raiding Jay The victory sees Nick Ironton’s side Rolfe looped a header over Connell A fine curving pass from Da Silva one of five sides to win both their into the opposite corner for 1-0. put Cleaver in for a good opportunity, but the striker allowed Big- opening games – Berkhamsted, Three minutes on and the in-form gleswade defender Michael Fisher Halesowen, AFC Dunstable and Eusebio Da Silva laid on a shoot- to get to him and block out the dan- newcomers Daventry – being the ing chance for Alomenu, but the others. ger. wide player dragged it across goal. Both sides rang the changes – Match Report by Cleaver stabbed a George Ironton WGC bringing on Jean-Paul Antwi, corner just past a post on 18 Aundre Spencer and Olly Carey – Phil Ravitz minutes, but a minute later WGC with Dylan Ebengo, Will McClel- doubled their advantage, Da Silva land and finally Cleaver making If both clubs steer clear of an FA taking a through ball, cleverly way. Cup replay, then WGC will host switching feet to slip a challenge Berkhamsted on Bank Holiday Mon- and crash in his second goal in as Four minutes from the end, keeper day at Herns Lane, before travelling many games. Sansom failed to collect a corner to Halesowen the following Satur- and Coles fired in a consolation Moments later, he almost had a day, in what looks to be a tough amid the resulting scramble and the second, heading a long free-kick week for the Citizens. home skipper spurned another over. This game was the polar opposite to chance almost on the final whistle, Saturday’s opening day win over But WGC’s pre-season top marks- from a free-kick. man wouldn’t be denied and just Wantage, when WGC overpowered Had that counted it would have giv- past the half-hour he notched his last season’s Hellenic League cham- en the game an unjust scoreline. pions with a very strong second-half second and the side’s third, when showing. an Ironton free-kick eluded the en- WGC dominated this clash for the tire home defence and Da Silva had opening two-thirds, although man- This time, Ironton’s men tore into a simple task of tapping home. ager Ironton will be less pleased their successors as Spartan South with the way his side closed it. Midlands League champions – Big- Biggleswade didn’t have their first gleswade FC – from the first whistle chance until five minutes from the WGC: Sansom, Rolfe, Ebengo and had built up a 3-0 lead by the interval, when Lee Northfield’s (Antwi 63), McClelland (Spencer first half-hour. dipping volley just cleared WGC 63), Mensah, Walklin, Close, Iron- keeper Connor Sansom’s crossbar. ton, Cleaver (Carey 70), Da Silva, It was after the interval that WGC Alomenu. slackened off when comfortably in Sansom was called into action on control and allowed the home side in the stroke of the break, making a Att: 86 for a late consolation, just before the fine body block to keep out a Tom end. Coles effort, as the Beds side im- proved in the half’s closing stages. The Herns Lane side had a sixth minute effort, a clever back-header Da Silva struck a hat-trick chance from Toby Cleaver past home keeper straight at keeper Connell, when he

27 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

28 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

29 MALMECH & MANNION

Motor Engineers

4, Southfield,

Chequers Industrial Estate,

Welwyn Garden City, Herts Telephone: 336111

Free MOT with full service

30 A Cautionary Tale from David Richardson of the Non-League Newspaper

By David Richardson and protect football’s assets from football clubs are not just like any speculators and chancers coming other businesses, they are cultural The demise of Bury should be the into the game,” Andy Walsh of and community assets in their local turning point for football regula- the FSA told The NLP in the towns and cities and therefore they tion across all levels in the coun- wake of Bury’s expulsion from deserve a greater level of protec- try. the EFL. tion.”

On Monday (September 2) The “Football clubs in this country The FSA are also calling for the Football Supporters’ Association still represent the biggest expres- Owners’ and Directors’ Test to be met with the Alliance Committee sion of community identity of strengthened with a more stringent – the National League, Northern any organisation in towns and process put in place. Premier League, Southern League cities up and down the land. and Isthmian League - to put for- “The provisions within the Own- ward proposals on how to protect “Some football clubs sit on very ers’ and Directors’ Test we believe football clubs. healthy assets, pieces of land that to be inadequate,” said Walsh, ref- their ground has been built on erencing the ownership of Steve The FSA’s proposals – which they and have been in the club’s own- Dale at Bury and Bolton’s Ken An- believe should apply to all levels ership for generations. That is derson. “Those tests clearly need to of football including Steps 1-4 in quite an attraction to some spec- be strengthened. Non-League – have two key prin- ulators. Those assets deserve “We also believe there should be ciples: the community signifi- some protection. The FA can greater scrutiny of spending at cance of football clubs and avoid- provide that. The FA would deter football clubs to ensure they are ing conflicts of interest in regula- speculators and chancers from being run in a sustainable manner. tion. taking over our football clubs. “Stewart Day, who owned Bury The FSA believes The Football “You can’t expect clubs to regu- before he sold to Steve Dale, Association should be the overall late themselves. You need some racked up millions of pounds worth regulatory body following the independence in the regulation. of debts incurred because of over failure of clubs self-regulating un- We believe the most appropriate spending. No action was taken by der their respective leagues. regulator is The FA. the Football League or The FA. It would eradicate conflicts of in- “The leagues are privately owned “There needs to be a review of the terest in the way that rules and entities owned by the football finances in the game. We would regulations are set and adminis- clubs themselves and they are argue there needs to be a fairer dis- tered by the leagues, and especial- going to be less likely to vote for tribution of wealth but that should ly where some of the decisions on stronger regulation. the conduct of owners and direc- be done within a regulatory frame- tors of clubs are taken by the own- “Self-regulation in the EFL has work because we equally do not ers and directors of other clubs. been shown to have failed and want to see owners such as the it’s now time for The FA to step Oystons, who took advantage of “We will be emphasising the need in and apply that regulatory their stewardship of Blackpool to for reform of the regulations structure. enrich themselves. One thing is for around ownership of clubs be- certain, we cannot stand still.” cause we want to protect clubs “If The FA doesn’t step in then it should be government because 31

Manager: Nicky Ironton Manager: Mark Burke

Assistant: Jon Stevenson Assistant: Adam Parker Coach: Ricci Crace Coach: Brett Donnelly Physio: Callem Kingsley Physio: Charlotte Wright Welwyn Garden City v Hitchin Town Wearing: All Claret Wearing: Yellow & Green Ryan Schmid (G/K) Charles Horlock (G/K) Charlie Jones (G/K) Joshua Mollison (G/K) Jonny Sexton Lewis Farrell Jay Rolfe Joseph Gauge Dylan Ebengo Jordan Norville Williams Carl Mensah Charlie O’Keefe Jack Bradshaw Max Ryan Romelle Alomenu Daniel Webb Lee Close Devonte Simms Will McClelland Charlie Hayford Dave Keenleyside (C) Jack Green Jess Walklin Leo Donnelly Brodie Carrington Jay Dowie George Ironton Brett Donnelly Callum Stead Charlie Thake Toby Cleaver James Verney Charlie Payne Charlie Thake Eusebio Da Silva Leon Okuboyejo

Ollie Carey Harry Draper

Today’s match officials: Referee: Hugh Gilroy Assistants: Conor Griffin & Sebastian Frazer