Bet Victor Southern League Central Division

Saturday 7th March 2020 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 'The Isabel Hospice Stadium' Page 3 Football Club Southern League Central league table Page 4

Full Results and Fixtures listing Page 5 & 6 Management Away addresses at a glance Page 6 Nicky Ironton Team management Page 7 This seasons player roll call Page 8 (Manager) Dave Coates gives us A view from the Committee Room Page 9 Jon Stevenson Todays Visitors North Leigh A club history Pages 10 & 11 Our Mystery Supporter shares his views Page 12 (Assistant) Players and sponsorship Pages 13 & 14 Anish Sachnia Player Roll Call by Gavin Meaden Page 15 Citizens Time-Line Page 16 Sophie Panons Are you “The Face in the Crowd” Page 16 (Physios) Focus on Welwyn Garden City U-18’s Page 17 Our latest Match reports by Phil Ravitz Pages 20 & 28 Ricci Crace WGC FC Fantasy Football League standings Page 21 Dave Bastian The Non-League Newspaper Column Page 23 Var: Cical - Time for a change by Reiss Tigwell Page 24 Paul Hook Club Honours & Achievements Page 25

New Rule changes for 2019/20 by the FA Page 26 Ercan Surge North Leigh Player Pen-Pictures Pages 29 & 30 (Coaches) Full team line-ups Page 32 Dave Keenleyside Up next at the (Team Captain) Head Groundsman Isabel Hospice Stadium Paul Cox Saturday 12th March Kit Manager Dave Owen Southern League Citizens v Daventry United Kick-Off 7:45 pm

Welcome to Herns Way & win against Conference side Barnet in front of almost 1500 spectators last Saturday. Should Halesowen win The Isabel Hospice Stadium their replay they will face the winners of the postponed Concord Rangers v Royston Town fixture and Today we welcome North Leigh FC to Herns Way and what could be an all Southern League tie. With the Isabel Hospice Stadium for this Southern League Southern League Premier division and neighbour’s Central division match. And, we welcome the players, Royston Town doing so well in league and cup it Officials and supporters of our guests inviting them to should make for a mouthwatering tie. join us for hospitality after the game. Our welcome Front cover photo: Citizens players, management extends to our visiting match officials Hugh Gilroy and committee celebrate the naming of the Herns who will be assisted by Neo Neophytou & Stewart Way stadium Beekman. We hope you enjoy your visit to Herns Way and have a safe journey home. Please get behind the lads - your support and vocal encouragement are vital! Admission Prices

As we approach the “Business end” of the season we COME ON YOU CITIZENS are pleased to announce that we are REDUCING ADMISSION PRICES for our remaining six home league games to just £5 for ALL fans. Under 12’s will still get free entry.

Presentation

There will be a presentation to Charlie Payne before todays match kick’s-off for becoming the February Player of the Month.

Revised Fixture

Fixture secretary Mike Isaacs has arranged with his Daventry United counterpart to play our postponed fixture this coming Tuesday 12th March for a 7:45pm kick-off. Halesowen Town visit us on the 17th of this month and we travel to Kidlington on the 25th. Charlie Jones receives his player of the Month award for January from Club Please see an important update from Vice-Chairman Chairman Ray Fiveash Dave Coates regarding coach travel on page 9.

Congratulations to Halesowen Town

Our congratulations go out to fellow Southern League Division One Central title contenders for reaching the Semi-Final of the FA Trophy after a fantastic 2-1 away

3 Southern League Central Division - League Table March 2020

Played Won Drew Lost For Against Goal diff Points Berkhamsted 27 19 4 4 68 24 44 61 Halesowen Town 25 19 3 3 67 16 51 60 Corby Town 27 17 5 5 56 25 31 56 THE CITIZENS 27 15 6 6 57 31 26 51 Aylesbury United 27 12 10 5 45 27 18 46 Yaxley 28 13 4 11 54 51 3 43 Biggleswade 26 12 5 9 42 32 10 41 Barton Rovers 28 12 5 11 63 54 9 41 Bedworth United 26 12 5 9 44 42 2 41 Thame United 26 12 4 10 50 33 17 40 North Leigh 25 12 2 11 47 48 -1 38 Daventry Town 26 11 4 11 38 44 -6 37 Coleshill Town 26 10 4 12 47 44 3 34 AFC Dunstable 27 10 4 13 50 48 2 34 Bedford Town 27 9 7 11 44 53 -9 34 Kidlington 27 8 6 13 29 48 -19 30 Didcot Town 26 7 4 15 29 48 -19 30 St Neots Town 27 6 3 18 33 58 -25 21 Kempston Rovers 27 5 2 20 29 64 -35 17 Wantage Town 27 1 1 25 15 113 -98 4

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, Alomenu, 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 10th Sept (H) Hitchin Town (SLC) W 123 5-0 Cleaver, Keenleyside,OG,Stead, Da Silva Sat 14th Sept (H) Thame United (SL) L 73 1-2 McClelland Sat 21st Sept (A) Kempston Rovers (SL) W 83 3-0 Cleaver, Ironton, Carrington Tues 24th Sept (H) Hadley (HCS) W 77 2-0 McClelland, Keenleyside Sat 28th Sept (H) Canvey Island (FAT) L 186 1-4 Stead Sat Oct 5th (H) Bedworth United (SL) D 104 1-1 Alomenu Tues 8th Oct (H) Royston Town (SLC) W 97 5-3 Bailey(2) Alomenu, Da-Silva, Cleaver Tues 15th Oct (H) St Neots Town (SL) W 125 7-1 Bailey(3)Keenleyside(2) Stead, Cathline Sat Oct 19th (A) Daventry Town (SL) D 108 2-2 Rolfe, Mensah Sat Nov 2nd (H) Coleshill Town (SL) L 82 0-3 Tues Nov 5th (H) Needham Market (SLC) L 73 1-2 Stead, Sat Nov 9th (H) Kidlington (SL) W 62 4-1 Payne, Stead, Bailey, Da Silva Sat Nov 23rd (H) Yaxley (SL) W 90 3-2 Stead, Bailey, Da Silva Mon Nov 25th (A) Hitchin Town (HSC) L 73 1-1(4-3) Stead Sat Nov 30th (A) Aylesbury United (SL) D 128 0-0 Tues 3rd Dec (H) Tring Atletic (HCS) L 60 0-1 Sat Dec 7th (H) Bedford Town (SL) W 145 4-2 Keenleyside(3) Ebengo Tues Dec 10th (A) North Leigh (SL) L 53 0-1 Sat Dec 14th (A) Didcot Town (SL) W 117 1-0 Bradshaw Sat Dec 21st (A) Corby Town (SL) L 354 0-1

Key: SL = Southern League FAC = FA Cup HCS = Herts Charity Shield, FAT = FA Trophy HSC = Herts Senior Cup 5 Welwyn Garden City FC Fixtures 2020

Wed Jan 1st (A) Berkhamsted (SL) W 162 1-0 Bailey, Stead, Watson, Vasey Sat Jan 4th (H) Biggleswade (SL) W 148 1-0 Watson Sat Jan 11th (A) Wantage Town (SL) W 54 5-1 Stead, Keenleyside, Rolfe, Vasey, Bailey Tues 21st (A) AFC Dunstable (SL) L 58 2-0 Sat Jan 25th (A) Thame United (SL) D 143 2-2 Ironton, Da-Silva Tues Jan 28th (H) Barton Rovers (SL) W 68 4-1 Da Silva, Ironton, Keenleyside, Stead Sat Feb 1st (H) AFC Dunstable (SL) W 66 3-1 Close(2) Bradshaw Sat Feb 8th (A) Bedworth Town (SL) L 157 0-2 Tues Feb18th (H) Kempston Rovers (SL) W 52 4-2 Keenleyside(2)Stead, Berchiche Sat Feb 22nd (A) Coleshill Town (SL) D 93 0-0 Sat Mar 7th (H) North Leigh (SL) Tues Mar12th (H) Daventry United (SL) Sat Mar 14th (A) Yaxley (SL) Tues Mar 17th (H) Halesowen Town (SL) Tues Mar 25th (A) Kidlington (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) Sat Apr 25th (A) Bedford Town (SL)

Tues Apr 28th Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd May Play-Off Final

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 FC - Management Team

Nick Ironton Jon Stevenson Ricci Crace Dave Bastian 1st Team Manager Assistant Manager 1st Team Coach Fitness Coach

Ercan Surge Paul Hook Anish Sacnia Dave Owens G/K Coach Coach/Physio Club Physio Kit Manager

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve teamed up with sports equipment company Net World Sports

The partnership will see the club receive new football goal posts which will be used on the 3g pitch. Net World Sports sell sports equipment to countries all over the world and their FORZA goals are used by many of the world’s leading football clubs including Manchester United.

Following the announcement of the partnership Ray Fiveash, Chairman of Sophie Panons Welwyn Garden City Football Club said “We are delighted to partner up with Net World Sports who will be providing us with all of our future football Club Physio equipment needs.”

Net World Sports are equally delighted about the partnership saying “It’s great to be working with Welwyn Garden City and we hope that the FORZA football goals we’ve supplied serve the club well for years to come!”.

7 Welwyn Garden City 1st team Appearances & goals

2019/20 Appearances (Sub) - Goals... Career Appearances - Goals League & Cup games only Jean-Paul Antwi 2 (2) 2 (2) Romelle Alomenu 17 (6) 2 34 (7) 4 Elliott Bailey 13 (2) 9 25 (5) 14 Hani Berchiche 1 (1) 1 1 (1) 1 Jack Bradshaw 26 (2) 2 26 (2) 2

Matty Campbell-Mhlope 15 (1) 5

Brodie Carrington 2 (6) 1 2 (10) 1

Ollie Carey 2 (9) 2 (9)

Lee Close 29 2 46 2

Eusebio Da-Silva 14 (10) 9 25 (13) 14

Dylan Ebengo 13 (4) 1 27 (5) 1

Alex Harris 2 (3) 2 (3)

George Ironton 28 5 67 (13) 15

Charlie Jones 13 15

Dave Keenleyside 25 (3) 11 49 (4) 15 Imani Matthews 1 (2) 1 (2) Ali Nije 3 3 Thomas Opoku 1 (4) 1 (4) Abushan Pant 1 1 Charlie Payne 7 (2) 1 7 (2) 1 Jay Rolfe 28 (1) 4 128 (6) 11 Rory Satterly-Hull 1 (2) 1 (2) Geraldo Smaldone 5 (9) 5 (9) Jonny Sexton 12 (6) 88 (7) 1 Callum Stead 26 (3) 11 26 (3) 11 Marco Tavares 10 10 Callum Taylor 12 (2) 12 (2)

Jack Vasey 5 (3) 2 5 (3) 2

Jess Walklin 26 33 (2)

Jordan Watson 8 (2) 2 8 (2) 2 8 Dave Coates - Vice Chairman A View from the Committee Room This is the first of what will be a regular column from me giving you the latest updates from the club committee. As of writing this piece we sit proudly in 4th place in the league, in the playoff spots, 8 points ahead of the 6th place team Yaxley. This is a fantastic achievement from Nicky, his management team and all the players. We haven’t finished the season yet and you can’t take anything for granted, but to be where we are at this stage of the season has exceeded all our expectations. The weather has been awful over the last few months with persistent rain and storms. This has affected our ability to get regular Saturday games on at home and this has also had an impact on our attendances as midweek fixtures see a natural decline in spectators. Taking this into account we have decided to urge the town to help us with our “Push to The Playoffs” so we will be reducing our prices to £5 entry to all fans for the rest of the season with under 12’s gaining free entry. Running a club of this size is a challenge. This committee is not prepared to put the club into debt or spend above our means. Therefore, we have had to make some tough decisions especially in relation to coach travel for away games. However, we will be providing a coach for the rearranged Kidlington away fixture, so we hope to see you on board with the cost of the coach travel being £20 return. Confirmation of the new date will be advised as soon as possible. (Now confirmed as 25th March) We have already starting planning for next season and I will update you further on what those plans are over the coming weeks. In the meantime, thank you for your support and Up the Citizens. David Coates - Vice Chairman

Our WGC Youth U-7’s were our guests of hon- our and performed ball- boy duties and are pic- tured here with their coaching team

9 North Leigh were formed in 1908, Cup where they were only nar- seventh place in the league but but it was only following the Sec- rowly beaten by their Oxford- the highlight was the truly mem- ond World War that the club start- shire rivals Witney Town 1-0 orable run in the FA Cup as the ed to make its mark in Witney and after extra time. last Hellenic team left in the District League. The season 2001/02 was without competition defeating Deal The club won the Witney and doubt been the most successful Town, Walton Casuals and Edg- District League Premier Division in the club’s history to date. Af- ware Town and only losing out title seven times in the 1950’s and ter a superb season of consist- to Conference South outfit New- also enjoyed success in the Ox- ently high performances and an port County in Wales after hold- fordshire Senior Cup. In the epic struggle with both Glouces- ing them to a draw at Eynsham 1980s the club resumed its trophy ter United and Yate Town Park. winning habits with five succes- throughout the season to occupy In season 2005/06 after an ex- sive Witney and District League top spot, the club eventually suc- cellent start and leading the table titles earning it a place in the Hel- ceeded in winning for the very during the early part of the sea- lenic League Division 1 for the first time, the Premier Division son the club narrowly missed season 1990/91. title. The club also reached the out on promotion to the South- final of both the Oxfordshire The club enjoyed a good first sea- ern League finishing in fourth Senior Cup and the Hellenic son in the Hellenic League, fin- place after a disappointing late League Challenge Cup. ishing in 4th position and being run. the Division’s highest goal scor- In season 2002/03 the club went In season 2006/07 after a head to ers apart from Champions Cinder- one better and with smaller head contest with Slimbridge ford Town. In the club’s second squad than the previous year and and narrowly finishing behind season it again achieved 4th posi- arguably stronger league opposi- them after an epic struggle and a tion averaging two points per tion, retained the title with a particularly strong finish to the game, scoring 84 goals in the pro- winning margin of 10points over season including a double win cess. Yate Town (the team pipped the home & away against them, the previous year) and local rivals In the third season, the club fin- club were severely disappointed Carterton. Unfortunately the ished runners up to Tuffley Rov- to learn of their withdrawal from ground at this stage was not up ers in Division 1 and so took its promotion to the Southern to required standard for the team place in the Hellenic League League at a stage too late for to take promotion to the next Premier Division along with the them to be replaced them even level. champions. though North Leigh’s home In season 2003/04 a disappoint- ground had by now received the In 1997/98 the club reached the ing eighth place in the league necessary FA approval to play at second round of the FA Vase for was offset by a tremendous run the higher level. the third time before losing to in the FA Vase where club Elmore. They finished the season In season 2007/08 in the club’s reached the last 32 and with rea- in 4th place in the Hellenic League centenary year it looked to be a sonable luck would have pro- Premier Division, and capped minor image of the previous gressed further. their season off by reaching the year with the team vying for the final in the Oxfordshire Senior In 2004/05 the club finished in top spot throughout the season and just losing out in the final

10 push for promotion. However the past eleven years has been a James took the helm with an almost in a truly magnificent finish to model of consistency finishing in impossible task ahead. Arriving the season the team overhauled a top ten position in every season from years working in the Oxford the long term leaders of the di- until last. Major changes oc- City youth programme, they had a vision, Almondsbury Town in curred in 2016 with the departure strong desire to play young attack- their very last league game, of long serving Manager Mark ing football but a very limited play- winning the league title and Gee and the appointment of John ing budget meant a lot of hard re- promotion on goal differences. Brough who had just won the sults to swallow including an 8-1 In addition and a few weeks league with Cinderford Town. home defeat to Corby Town. De- later prior to winning the John had a successful first season spite occupying a relegation zone league title, the club won the steering the club to its best ever spot for most of the season and being 8 points from safety with 6 Oxfordshire Senior Cup for the FA Cup and Trophy run and just games to go, the Millers completed first time in history defeating missed out on a play off place in the great escape with a final day on Oxford United team in the the league. draw against league champions QF and Banbury United 2018/19 saw North Leigh Peterborough Sports. (Southern League Premier in fighting for their survival both in the final. the Southern League and as a So the club climbed to its high- club with financial struggles im- est ever position in the non- pacting every decision made on league pyramid by joining the and off the pitch. With the depar- Southern League S&W in 2008 ture of John Brough, joint Man- and during its membership over agers Craig Dore and Darren

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 (2014-2018)

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 (2014-2018)

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)

11 Views from our “Mystery Supporter”

played excellent football to beat the sions, and for the benefit of all levels leaders 4-1. The Berko keeper had of football the Offside rule has to be one of those headless chicken days, changed or removed. Improving but our forwards were turning the VAR will only help the top (and Berko defenders inside out to the wealthy) levels of football. Whatever The Mystery Supporters Diary keeper’s dismay. That excellent per- the rule is it should work throughout formance was followed up by a hard- Christmas Day was wonderful, Boxing football, and all officials should be fought 1-0 win over Biggleswade FC Day was awful. I am talking about the able to enforce the rule correctly. with a goal from Jordan Watson. weather, not the visit that the Mother-In- Goal-line technology has already Law made to us. The 25th was a beauti- As a break from football I went to the shown us that some things will be in ful day with a clear blue sky and I was so Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge the domain of the rich, and the poor looking forward to the Boxing Day for a public session on Cosmic Colli- will have to go without. There are match against Barton Rovers. When the sions and the fate of the Milky Way. problems with VAR and with the weather changed and the match was It’s hard to believe but Galaxies are rules of football. I saw a goal scored called off it felt like all my presents had colliding with each other. Probably on tv from a free-kick where a player been taken away. where the title ‘Star Wars’ comes was offside, in front of the goalkeep- from. A cosmic collision is the spec- With no match at Herns Lane on the er, waving his arms about and yet tacular result of gravity pulling to- 28th, two of us football addicts went to the goal was allowed to stand. I gether planets, stars, and galaxies. see Biggleswade Town v Stourbridge. don’t believe the rule as written They say it’s what created the condi- The Waders had played on Boxing Day, works properly. tions essential for life on Earth—the so maybe this match came too soon. Sun's warmth and ocean waves. The Citizens had chance for quick They started well and scored on 35 revenge at home to Dunstable, but minutes, and hadn’t conceded a goal for I witnessed the defeat at Dunstable on went a goal down early on. Some over 400 minutes when Stourbridge the 21st, the draw at Thame and the great football and 3 goals earned the scored an excellent header 10 minutes excellent win over Barton Rovers. On victory, but with a cost of 2 more into the second half. The Stourbridge the way to Thame United I had seen injuries. visiting supporters were very friendly many red kites flying lazily around. It and when I could tune into the black had been a mild winter until then but The Citizens lost on the 8th February country accent - I thought one of the vis- watching the Barton match was like at Bedworth, and suffered more inju- itors went to the tea bar, asked for a kip- standing on Thwaites Glacier. The ries. In the 8 matches played in per tie, and got a cup of tea - it was obvi- glacier, aka The Doomsday Glacier in 2020, we have won 5 and drawn 1 ous they expected to get the next goal as the Antarctic, might be melting but I which is good, but we could now be The Waders had never beaten The Glass- was frozen. short of strikers. boys. With 5 minutes to go Stourbridge scored the winner which must have made The water company last September On the same day the New Roker the coach journey home quite acceptable. threatened us with a hosepipe ban in Park stadium opened with an impres- the Spring of 2020. This week they sive attendance of 644 fans. Stotfold On New Years Eve I was sent out to buy emailed me to say that the threat has came from behind to win 5-3 against a few food items and I got stuck in the passed (not a surprise to most of us), local SML Division One close rivals supermarket lift trying to get down to but they still asked me to reduce my Shefford & Campton, played in win- the car park. It was lunchtime, and I was shower time by 1 minute in order to ter sunshine with a chilly breeze. stuck for 2 hours getting very cold and save water! After an uninspiring time to late Oc- very hungry. I didn’t fancy the fresh tober, the Eagles have won eight mushrooms in my trolley. I enjoyed the article in the match pro- league games in a row from the 16th gramme on the 1st February about November, and are still in 3 cups. I recovered from the ordeal to travel to VAR, and we will have many differ- far west Herts for the Citizen’s match ent opinions. My own is that VAR The Citizens have 2 home matches with leaders Berkhamsted on a wonder- has shown us how difficult it is for in a row, Saturday and Tuesday – ful New Year’s Day, as the Citizen’s officials to be correct on Offside deci- bring it on!

12 Welwyn Garden City FC Player Sponsorship

JP Antwi Romelle Alomenu Elliot Bailey Jack Bradshaw

Brodie Carrington Ollie Carey Lee Close Eusebio Da-Silva Sponsor WGC Golf Club Sponsor David Coates Snr & Jnr Sponsor Dave Vass & Andy Cornish

Dylan Ebengo Alex Harris George Ironton Fin Jordan Sponsor Gavin Meaden Sponsor Russell Giblin

Dave Keenleyside Imani Matthews Thomas Opoku Charlie Payne Sponsor Ed Clark

13 Welwyn Garden City FC Player Sponsorship

Greg Adinna Jay Rolfe Rory Satterly-Hull Hani Berchiche

Jonny Sexton Geraldo Smaldone Callum Stead Abushan Pant Sponsor Mick Barnett & Wayne Norwood

Ali Nije Taylor Steer Marco Tavares Callum Taylor

Jack Vasey Jess Walklin Jordan Watson

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

Welwyn Garden City Roll Call 2019/2020 - Compiled by Gavin Meaden

Antwi

Stead

Harris

Bailey

Harris

Sexton

Schmid

Adinna

Schmid

Ebengo

Tavares

DaSilva

Sansom

Spencer

Alomenu

Smaldone

Bradshaw

Smaldone

Carrington

McClelland

Stead

Carey

Antwi

Opoku

Harris

Payne

Schmid

Ebengo

DaSilva

Mensah

Alomenu

Nkansah

Alomenu

Mensah

Smaldone

Keenleyside

Carey

Opoku

Bailey

Harris

Payne

Sexton

Adinna

Ebengo

Mensah

DaSilva

Mensah

DaSilva

Alomenu

Matthews

Smaldone

Stevenson

Carrington

Keenleyside

Carey

Stead

Carey

Antwi

Taylor

Payne

Harris

Opoku

Sexton

Ebengo

Watson

DaSilva

Cleaver

DaSilva

Mensah

Cathline

Alomenu

Ebengo

Alomenu

Smaldone

Bradshaw

Carrington

Rolfe

Carey

Vasey

Jones

Taylor

Payne

Harris

Payne

Sexton

Adinna

Ebengo

Adinna

Ebengo

Vasey

Cleaver

DaSilva

Watson

Cleaver

Sansom

DaSilva

Cathline

DaSilva

Bradshaw

Carrington

McClelland

Taylor

Bailey

Payne

Antwi

Ebengo

Adinna

Walklin

Watson

Bailey

Spencer

Alomenu

Bailey

Alomenu

Watson

Bradshaw

Carrington

Bradshaw

Payne

Adinna

Walklin

DaSilva

Bradshaw

Carrington

Keenleyside

Keensleyside

Keenleyside

Vasey

Carey

Taylor

Bailey

Vasey

DaSilva

Cleaver

DaSilva

Bailey

DaSilva

Cathline

DaSilva

Cleaver

DaSilva *

DaSilva

Payne

Ironton

Payne

Ironton*

Ironton

Bradshaw

Ironton

Rolfe

Stead

Carey

Stead

DaSilva

Stead

Bradshaw

DaSilva

Bradshaw

Rolfe

Ebengo

Rolfe

Walklin

Mensah

Mensah *

Njie

Rolfe

Ebengo

Mensah

McClelland

Mensah

McClelland

Ebengo

Walklin

Cleaver

Walklin

Ebengo

Walklin

Mensah

Walklin

Mensah

Bradshaw

Taylor

Harris

Antwi

Sexton

Taylor

Sexton

Mensah

Alomenu

Rolfe

Eales

Harris

Ebengo

Watson

Rolfe

Bradshaw

Smaldone

Bradshaw

Smaldone

Bradshaw

Jones

Schmid

Tavares

Sansom

Pos

Att

157

143

148

162

354

117

145

127

108

125

104

187

125

503

151

121

149

116

0-2

3-1

4-1

2-2

0-2

5-1

1-0

4-1

0-1

1-0

0-1

4-2

0-1

0-0

1-1

3-2

4-1

1-2

0-3

2-2

7-1

5-3

1-1

1-4

2-0

3-0

1-2

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

KEMPSTON ROVERS KEMPSTON

DAVENTRY TOWN DAVENTRY

BedworthUtd

AFC DUNSTABLE AFC

BARTON ROVERS BARTON

ThameUtd

AFC Dunstable AFC

WantageTown

BIGGLESWADE

Berkhamsted

CorbyTown

DidcotTown

NorthLeigh

BEDFORD TOWN BEDFORD

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07-Mar WELWYN GARDEN CITY FC. BETVICTOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION 1. 2019-20201. DIVISION CENTRAL LEAGUE SOUTHERN BETVICTOR FC. CITY GARDEN WELWYN 15 Hard working midfielder Jess Walklin in action and typically winning the ball 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 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 To thank you, our fans, the supporters of (Division 2)

Welwyn Garden City Football Club 1971 Joined Metropolitan London we offer free tickets to fans who appear in this slot of League(Reserve Division 1) the programme. It is our way of saying thank you for 1973 Joined South Midlands League your loyalty in supporting us. 1997 Joined SS MidlandsLeague Are you one of the “Face in the Crowd” If so then please contact One of the Committee members for 2018 Joined the Southern League your free ticket Information kindly collated by club supporter Mick Barnett

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

Played Won Drew Lost For Against Goal diff Points Colney Heath 9 8 0 1 49 9 40 24 Takeley 8 7 0 1 47 7 40 21 Enfield Town 8 7 0 1 34 9 25 21 Welwyn Garden City 8 6 0 2 30 15 15 18 Broxbourne Boro 8 3 1 4 22 17 5 10 Sawbridgeworth Town 9 3 0 6 21 31 -10 9 Maccabi London 8 2 1 5 15 34 -19 7 St Margaretsbury 10 2 0 8 15 65 -50 6 Hoddesdon Town 10 0 0 10 4 50 -46 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 Wednesday 19 Sept FAYC Away v Braintree Town 1st Qual W 6-2 Carrington(3), Desa (2) Harris

Thursday 26th Sept BH Cup Home v AFC Dunstable W 4-4(P) Reed(2) Desa, Gammon Monday 30th Sept FAYC Away v Aveley L 1-2 Desa

Thursday 10th Oct League Home v St Margaretsbury W 13-0 Carrington(4)Desa(4) Reed, Dones, Satterly-Hull, Coates, Kendrick-Gibson Monday 28th Oct League Home v Takeley L 0-5 Thursday 21st Nov League Away v Sawbridgeworth Town W 2-1 Coates, Jordan Tuesday 7th Jan League Home v Enfield Town L 0-3

Thursday 23st Jan League Away v Maccabi London W 5-3 Harris(2) Desa,Gammon,Jordan Tuesday 4th Feb League Home v Sawbridgeworth Town W 3-0 Harris, Birke, Zinga Thurs 27th Feb League Away v St Margaretsbury W 3-1 Dones, Abe, Zinga

Mon 9th March League Away v Colney Heath Thurs 12th March League Home v Hoddesdon Town Tues 17th March League Home v Maccabi London Tues 24th March League Home v Colney Heath Tues31st March League Home v Broxbourne Boro

WGC youth team have been badly affected this season by the wet weather and to date have only played four league games meaning they face a backlog to finish the campaign. Of the four games played so far they have won 3 and lost the other. They kicked off the season with a 4-2 victory over Broxbourne and a hugh 13-0 home victory over St Margaretsbury. This was followed up by a 0-5 loss at home to Takeley and a 2-1 Victory away at Sawbridgeworth.

The youth went through three rounds of the FA Youth Cup, the first being a narrow 6-5 home win over Takeley followed by a thumping 6-2 away victory at Braintree. They exited the cup on a wet and windy night away to Aveley with a narrow 2-1 defeat.

17 18 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]

19 Southern League Central Coleshill Town 0-0 CITIZENS 22/02/2020

A DESPERATELY depleted WGC acting skipper Jack Bradshaw and keeper Jones proved dangerous in side took a hard earned point from central defender Ali Nije, supported the high wind and when Coleshill’s their second visit to Coleshill Town by sound displays from the likes of Mannion jabbed the loose ball goal- - a side that had beaten the Citizens Jay Rolfe, Jon Sexton, Callum Stead wards, young defender Harris did in the clubs’ last two meetings. and Charlie Payne, WGC began the wonderfully well to get across and game in good shape, Nije making a stop it in front of goal, before clear- WGC- lacking nine of their first- fine interception to set up a shooting ing for a corner. team squad through injury and una- opportunity for Stead, which he With six minutes to go, Watson was vailability - could just about field a struck just wide in four minutes. side, but their makeshift line-up gave put clear for the second time in the a defiant display and adapted much Coleshill’s dangerous George Wash- game. Coleshill’s impressive central better to the synthetic surface at bourne broke forward menacingly, defender Cole half stopped him Coleshill, then they did at Warwick- but his goalbound effort struck Nije with a full blooded challenge, but shire neighbours Bedworth, where to deflect for a corner, moments later. the WGC forward staggered on, on- they lost 2-0 on a disastrous after- WGC had a glorious chance to take a ly to go down from the impact. noon a fortnight earlier. 10th minute lead, when new boy Ber- With forward, defender and home chiche glided on a fine header into keeper Paul Hathaway all grounded, Match Report by the path of Jordon Watson. He was it was a question of who got up clean through, but pulled his final first. Sadly for WGC, it was the Phil Ravitz shot across the face of goal. keeper who managed to smother the At the other end, the gusting wing on ball, before Watson could recover In addition, the Clarets lost skipper a very exposed pitch, helped to turn it into an empty net and the Jesse Walklin and George Ironton to Coleshill’s Antonio volley just wide, visitors’ best chance of snatching a injury that afternoon and that injury before Nije came forward to meet a late victory was gone. list has since swelled with Dylan WGC corner, only to head over, in- WGC: Jones, Pant (Harris 62), Ebengo (groin) and Callum Taylor juring himself in the process, when Nije, Rolfe, Sexton, Matthews (unwell) from their midweek win falling heavily. He recovered after (Opoku 46), Bradshaw, Payne, over Kempston. treatment. Stead, Berchiche (Smaldone 62), Watson. In addition, mainstays Lee Close and The Citizens made a change at the Dave Keenleyside were unavailable break, replacing Imani Matthews Att: 93 for this trip, meaning WGC gave full with Thomas Opoku, the diminutive debuts to recent signings striker Matthews clearly having difficulty in It is also worthy of mention that three players made their full debuts Hani Berchiche and full-back making an impression in the difficult for the Citizens at the match. Abushan Pant, while keeper Charlie conditions. Jones (foot) passed a fitness test to The home team’s raiding full-back Imani Matthews, Hani Berchichi play. made a strong run, slipping Opoku and Abushan Pant. WGC needed their remaining first and Pant to burst through, but fired Add to that Geraldo Smaldone, Ali choices to play well to take some- wildly over when well placed. Nigi, Jordan Watson, Alex Harris, thing from a match-up with a A double change for WGC midway Charlie Payne and Thomas Okopu Coleshill side with a good home rec- through the half, saw teenager Alex who have all made under 10 ap- ord. They succeeded in being the Harris and Gerardo Smaldone replace pearances for the club. first side this season to prevent the Pant and Berchiche, who had a recur- Midlands side scoring on their own A truly remarkable achievement rence of an old knee injury. patch. Prog-Ed A back header from Sexton to his With outstanding performances from

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Team Name Manager Points Coatesy Hotspurs David Coates 1537 Alan Peyniril Yiyeni Mike Winter 1441 The anarchists Paul Butters 1414 Welwyn Spurs Steve Lovejoy 1371 Best of British Dave Fallon 1339 Pique Blinders Alex Harries 1283 DJ Gooner HM Stroud 1282 2inPink1inStink Brodie Carrington 1229 Vauxhall Insigne Ollie Carey 1226 #Merky Eddie Corbit 1164

21 22 The Non-League Newspaper Column - this week Matt Badcock THEY say age is just a num- Perhaps it’s something Stimson describes Cureton ber but in football it’s one about those genuine as a “clever” player and he’s that can increasingly count goalscorers that, while the sure the youngsters in their against you – especially as it legs might not be as quick squad will take plenty on increases! as they used to be, the board from the former Nor- minds is just as sharp. That wich City man. So let’s show our apprecia- gets them into the right tion for some Golden Oldies, Cureton himself says it is all goalscoring positions and who are doing their bit to about diet and re-fuelling then, when the ball is at show if you’re good enough, the right way after matches. their feet or the cross is in you’re young enough also When I spoke to Cureton the right place, they just rings true. last year as he reached his know how to stick the ball 1,000th game, he said he After all, it was only a few into the back of the net. genuinely felt like he could years ago that Chris Swailes Jamie Cureton has scored at do a job in the League still. became the oldest scorer at every level from the Prem- And while you’re feeling Wembley when he notched ier League down. At 44 he good, why not keep play- for Morpeth Town in their 4- isn’t just on the back nine of ing? 1 FA Vase final win over his career, he’s strolling up Hereford. Back in the FA Vase, there the 18th. was a familiar name on the Swailes was 45 years old But he’s still one of the scoresheet in Wroxham’s when he turned the ball into leading scorers in the Isth- win over Stowmarket Town. the net to silence the mass of mian Premier Division and Hereford fans who had made Grant Holt, another former despite a surprise departure the trip. Norwich striker, turns out from Bishop’s Stortford last regularly for the Thurlow Not bad for a defender who week – the club couldn’t Nunn Premier Division has had a long, career that guarantee his continuing Yachtsmen. He hit a penalty took in plenty of stops in the role as player-manager next in the 2-0 win that has put Football League. season – he has already them in the last eight of the found the net for new club Non-League is always good competition. A final hurrah Hornchurch. for an evergreen footballer, at Wembley Stadium for particularly the strikers. Paul I caught up with his new Holt? Brayson has been a regular manager, Mark Stimson, Although aged 38, he could scorer for Newcastle Ben- last week and he spoke to have far more opportunities field in recent years and he is Cureton’s desire to get in yet. Just ask Swailes! still knocking them in aged behind the back four burn- 42. ing as bright as ever.

23 an idea which has been implement- ed in the Bundesliga. This would allow the referees to physically see the incident for themselves, rather than relying on others. Not only that, but a so-called ‘wrong decision’ would be in the hands of the referee rather than those at ‘VAR HQ’ which may help to cut down the length of time it takes to make a decision. Or, perhaps the answer is more fan involvement when decisions are taking place which would at least allow fans to become more en- in any way, and are left wonder- VAR-cical: Time for change gaged and it may help to remove ing what on earth is going on at Fans brand VAR a “failed experi- the agony of what feels like a life- Stockley Park and why it is taking ment” but would its removal be time for a decision to be made. so long. right for the modern game? Just a few weeks ago, Teemu Puk- It is strikingly odd that outside of The issues surrounding VAR has ki’s goal for Norwich in a Premier the Premier League, VAR is im- surfaced once again for the wrong League home match was ruled out plemented in some games, but not reasons, as they have and will con- by VAR, albeit by the finest of others. Take the third-round FA tinue to do all season long. margins. Cup tie between Middlesbrough and Tottenham for example. Yet fans continue to complain Article Created and written by about these decisions. An offside is There was no VAR in the first Reiss Tigwell game at the Riverside, a match simply an offside. Whether its off-

which ended in a 1-1 draw. How- side by a hand, a toe, a nose or a Before the introduction of VAR, ever, for the replay at White Hart boot it does not matter. It is hard to fans up and down the country called Lane, VAR was in place. A sympathise with fans who argue for its implementation, but now it is strange choice and one which with this. If it is an offside by the here, fans are sceptical. seems unfair. laws of the game, then surely there is no argument in this department. It is fair to say VAR is suffering So what is the answer? Improve- from teething problems, as do many ment, not removal. VAR is need- Human error is not something that things in the sporting world, but ed. The level of officiating in this is limited to the sporting sphere. It there is no doubt that improvements country has deteriorated signifi- is not possible for officials to get are needed, and fast before fans be- cantly. Removing VAR would be everything right on the pitch. It is come even more disillusioned than taking the game in a backwards inevitable that they will miss they already are. direction, to a time where fans things, particularly given how fast the modern day game is. As a concept, its brilliant. But what moaned at officials for getting is has produced so far, is not bril- things wrong, costing their team Just as goal-line technology was liant at all. The amount of time it points, a place in a cup competi- needed, as is VAR. The introduc- takes to make a decision is quite tion, or even worse a trophy. tion of VAR is part of the progres- frankly ridiculous. Fans at the One answer may be the introduc- sion and is representative of the games like myself are not involved tion of pitch-side TV monitor’s, modern day game.

24 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

25 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 - 26 Welwyn Garden City FC Officials

Ray Fiveash - Chairman Dave Coates - Vice Chairman Gemma Carter - Club Secretary

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

Chairman: Ray Fiveash Secretary: Gemma Carter

Members: Ray Fiveash, Leigh Corbit, Maureen Hay, Gemma Carter & Phil Ravitz & David Coates Jnr.

Welwyn Garden City FC

Leigh Corbit - Treasurer FA League Rule 2.13 Maureen Hay - Memberships

Ownership: In accordance with The Football 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 Garden City Football Club, takes the form of an Unincorporated Associ- ation. It has a constitution which sets out the rules that govern its relationship and membership, and elects a Management Committee to run the organisation on behalf of its Private Members. That committee is currently:

Chairman: Ray Fiveash,

Secretary: Gemma Carter

Members:

Leigh Corbit (Club Treasurer)

Maureen Hay (Membership Secretary)

Phil Ravitz (Football Secretary)

David Coates Jnr (Vice-Chairman)

Phil Ravitz - Football Secretary Mike Isaacs - Fixture Secretary

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

27 Southern League Central CITIZENS 4-2 Kempston Rovers 22/02/2020

Keeper Charlie Jones was troubled the effort around a post. WELWYN GC cemented their fourth with a foot injury so Marco Tavares spot and play-off place in the South- But that was clearly a warning and was recalled, while Thomas Opuku ern League Div 1 Central table and two minutes after the restart, Kemp- was given a full debut and Charlie quickly erased the memory of their ston had reduced arrears. A high ball Payne played for the first time in four last display, away at Bedworth 10 in from the left, deflected off Close’s months, in a midfield lacking skipper days previously, when they lost 2-0. head, again to Johnson who this time Jesse Walklin, out for the rest of the drove it past Tavares for 2-1. The three points from the win in this season with a broke tibia. re-arranged fixture with second bot- It needed an immediate response The Clarets also had Ali Nije at the tom Kempston Rovers, also completed from the home side and that was what heart of their defence, for only the sec- a quintet of victories for the Citizens the paltry crowd on a an inclement ond time this season. over the teams from the neighbouring night got. Opoku got over a good cross from the county of Bedfordshire, in their divi- Opoku did well to get over a cross, right within two minutes of the start, sion. Payne had a goalbound effort with no one on hand to take advantage, blocked, but Stead was on hand to but WGC had a let-off in seven poke the loose ball home to restore Match Report by minutes, when keeper Tavares com- the two goal lead. pletely missed a corner and a close-in Phil Ravitz header from Kempston skipper Jordan New boy Berchiche replaced Opoku, Wright shaved a post. before Kempston again reduced arrears when a pass from Robbie Good- On 17 minutes, the Herns Lane side The victory, meant that WGC have man somehow eluded Jon Sexton, had the lead, from the penalty spot. triumphed over all five Beds sides – Payne and the outstretched Close, to Lee Close’s long ball from the back Bedford Town, Biggleswade, Barton let Johnson in again. This time he saw Jordon Watson cut through the Rovers, AFC Dunstable and now crossed to the back post and fellow visiting defence only for him to be Kempston – when they have visited winger Ben Baker had an easy finish. Herns Lane. brought down by Kempston defender Stefan Bailey. Ironton brought on Callum Taylor for But, at times, in this largely dominant Sexton and saw his team respond by Referee Lunganella awarded the spot- display by Nick Ironton’s side, they again restoring the two goal cushion kick and Dave Keenleyside obliged, had to work hard for the win. with 18 minutes to go. sliding his shot wide of keeper Hud- Twice Kempston came back to close son’s dive. Stead began this one with a fine the advantage to a single goal, but cross, the impressive Payne then On the half-hour, Keenleyside doubled WGC always managed to keep their chipped up a perfect ball for new- his and the side’s tally, with a spectac- noses in front to justify the victory. comer Berchiche to dive full length ular strike at the end of some good It was pleasing for Ironton that his and head firmly beyond Hudson, to WGC build-up, crashing his shot past a latest signing, striker Hani Berchiche put the game beyond Kempston and static Hudson, to see the effort rebound came on for the final 35 minutes to secure another vital win towards that off a post and in. score the goal of the night - WGC’s play-off place. Then the midfielder came with a fourth - and show signs that he will WGC: Tavares, Rolfe, Nije, Close, help the side overcome the injury cri- whisker of a hat-trick, when Opoku Opoku (Berchiche 53), Ebengo sis that has bedeviled their strikers. and Callum Stead set up a shooting (Matthews 74), Keenleyside, Payne, chance, but the effort pinged off a post. WGC currently have Eusebio Da Silva Sexton (Taylor 68), Stead, Watson. (calf), Elliot Bailey (ankle) and ham- Tavares was brought to his first real Att: 52 string victim Jack Vasey all sidelined save of the game in first-half stoppage along with teenage frontman Brodie time, when Kempston winger Sam Carrington, who hopes to be fit in a Johnson got the better of Jay Rolfe, to fortnight. bring a fine save from Tavares, turning

28 COACHING STAFF Joint Manager’s – Craig Dore & Darren James – Both managers played for Oxford United and Oxford City during their onfield careers. Before joining the Millers at the start of the 18/19 season they coached alongside each other looking after various youth teams at Oxford City. In their inaugral season of mens football management last year, they guided North Leigh to Southern League survival on the final day of the season. Coach – Julian McCalmon – Former Kidlington boss joined the Millers management team at the start of 2020 having resigned from his position at the helm of local rivals. He was a massive part of Kidlington’s recent history, taking charge of over 150 matches over the last four years and notably winning the Hellenic League Premier Division title in 2016. Millers` manager Craig Dore was keen to snap up McCalmon for his coaching excellence and knowledge of the level. Coach – Michael Alexis – Returned to the Millers at the start of the season in a role that has developed into a player/coach arrangement. Has vast experience having played originally with Oxford United, Forest Green Rovers and Burton Albion, but has gone on to enjoy a lengthy career in non-League football with the likes of Slough Town, Abingdon United and Mar- low. Can be seen on a match-day taking charge of the warm up’s and issuing instructions from the technical area, if he’s not playing that is. Physio – John McDonough – “Macca” has been with the club for that many years that nobody actually knows how long. He keeps himself in shape playing regularly for, and organising, the North Leigh Veterans team. He’s great experience in his field and is an integral part of the coaching setup at the club. PLAYERS Charlie Twiss - Coming through the Procision Oxford football academy and Clanfield 85’s youth section, local lad Charlie is a future goalkeeping star in the making. At just 16-years-old, he has phenomenal reflexes has already made his 1st team debut for the Millers. Freddie Lapworth - Second year scholar with Cheltenham Town FC, has joined the Millers on loan to gain valuable match experience, had loan stints last season at Lydney Town and Gloucester City. Grew up watching and supporting Banbury United FC. Adam North - Although he is only 19-years-old, Adam joined the Millers with a huge variety of experience already. Start- ed his career in the Northampton Town academy, but has experience at this level having played for AFC Rushden & Dia- monds at 17. He then joined Bodens BK in 2018, playing in the Swedish football pyramid. Has already made 17 appearances this season for Cogenhoe United in the United Counties League Premier Division. Ben Brown - Our skipper rejoined in the club in 2018 after leaving in the 2013/14 season. Cemented as the first team captain, solid at the back and calm under pressure, his experience was essential in our unbeaten run to survive when times get tough at the end of last season. Andy Gunn - Enjoying his 2nd stint at the Millers, Andy has played for Oxford United and Banbury Town amongst others. Possesses a calmness on the ball, is great in the air and is strong in communication. A solid defender who has the experience and commitment to the cause. Adam Learoyd - After helping Oxford City win promotion to the National League South in 2012, Adam moved to Didcot Town and has spent 5 seasons with the Diddy making over 250 appearances and captaining the side to the playoffs in 2018. The experienced centre back now joins the Millers hungry for a new challenge. Warren Mcskelly - As a new addition in October, Warren has hit the ground running going straight into the starting line-up at left back despite being only 19. He is one of the most composed players both on and off the ball and has already shown he has an eye for a killer pass. Ross Edwards – Another new addition in October that impressed on debut against Banbury United in the League Cup. He has gone on to make his position in the Millers back line his own, playing with composure beyond his years. Scott Isherwood - Development Squad defender for Bristol Rovers FC, has joined on a youth loan deal in order to get first- team football. Has shown himself to be a very solid defender with great athleticism and composure for his age. Loves to get forward and has already scored and notched assists since joining. Harry Stanley - 18-year-old Stanley came through the youth ranks at Carterton FC before being awarded a 2-year scholarship at League Two side Swindon Town. He became a key member of the Robins' U18 squad and made several appearances 29 for the Reserve side.

Josh Dutton-Black - Having spent 2 seasons at Eynsham Park back in 2013, Josh has since developed a lot with his time at Didcot Town and abroad. Now with the stamina of a marathon runner, his knowledge of the game has also come a long way and he has looked deadly in front of goal so far in pre-season. Harry Grant - The heart of the midfield in the latter of the 2018/19 season our tough tackling box-to-box midfielder has proved invaluable in motivating the young Millers when times got tough last season. Previous stints at Sheff Weds and Gillingham, Harry was signed from Reading City – In 2018 he played in the FA Vase final at Wembley. Callum McNish - Part of the clubs most successful season in 2016/17 Callum returns after a stint at Division One rivals Didcot Town. A powerful Midfielder with a slick passing game which is encompassed by a great desire to be on the winning side. George Mitchell-Gears - A product of the Hemel Hempstead academy, George is a wonderfully talented youngster. His quick feet and the ability to hold onto the ball make him a great attacking midfielder who is only going to grow with experience. Morgan Williams - A North Leigh legend who has re-signed for the 2019/20 season following a couple of years away. A strong running left sided attacking midfielder player who has the ability to been a match winner from out of nowhere. Aaron Heap - Signed on Loan from Oxford United in October 2019. The competitive midfielder was offered his first pro contract by the U’s in the summer of 2018 after impressing for the U18s. A product of Division One Central side Kidlington’s youth side, Aaron signed a scholarship with the U’s in April 2016 having been with the academy since the age of nine. Lewis Gabbidon – Experienced midfielder who joins this Millers having made 18 appearances this season from local rivals Kidlington. He controls the midfield area where he is strong on the ground and tough the air. As well as Kid- lington, he has also had spells with Marlow, Oxford City and Thatcham Town. Henry Landers - Scoring 24 goals in the 2018/19 season, he was the hero of North Leigh’s great escape. An incredible 1st season in senior football earned his contract at National League side Maidenhead United. He returns to Eynsham Park much to the delight of the Windmill Army fans. George Seacole - Adored fan favourite George has put away 71 goals in the previous three seasons for the Millers. Every year the Eynsham Park fax machine goes wild with approaches, some even announce his signature, others claim to have signed him who have never seen him play. Leaves defenders wanting and throws in the assists. Clinical. Aaron Woodley - Returning from a lengthy injury spell, super striker Aaron is set to start his 5th season at Eynsham Park. With his eye for goal looking sharper than ever, he will undoubtedly be making a few headlines throughout the season and will be a great asset to this strong side. Lance Williams - Returning to Eynsham Park from local rivals Didcot Town, talented midfielder Lance has shown his abilities in previous seasons. Another of the 2016/17 season squad, he helped the Millers lift the Oxfordshire Senior Cup and set a record in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. He is excellent on the ball and his experience in the midfield is sure to be a welcome sign to his fellow teammates. Noah Alabi – Rejoins the club following a short stint at Thame United at the start of this season. Noah is lighting quick and will cause havoc on the wings for any defender that underestimates him. Scored the match winner on his second Mil- lers debut against Welwyn Garden City.

30 MALMECH & MANNION

Motor Engineers

4, Southfield,

Chequers Industrial Estate,

Welwyn Garden City, Herts Telephone: 336111

Free MOT with full service

Manager: Nicky Ironton Manager: Craig Dore Assistant: Jon Stevenson Assistant: Darren James

Coach: Ricci Crace Coach: Michael Alexis Physio: Anish Sachnia Physio: John McDonough

Welwyn Garden City v North Leigh Wearing: All Claret Wearing :Yellow and Black

Marco Tavares (G/K) Charlie Twiss (G/K)

Charlie Jones (G/K) Freddie Lapworth (G/K)

Alex Harris Scott Isherwood

Jay Rolfe Andrew Gunn

Dylan Ebengo Adam Learoyd

Callum Taylor Warren McSkelly

Ali Nije Ben Brown

Jonny Sexton Ross Edwards

Lee Close Aaron Heap

George Ironton Lewis Gabbidon

Dave Keenleyside (C) Harry Stanley

Jack Bradshaw Josh Dutton-Black

Imani Matthews Harry Grant

Greg Adinna Callum McNish

Callum Stead George Mitchell-Gears

Charlie Payne Morgan Williams

Thomas Opoku Noah Alabi

Eusebio Da Silva Lance Williams

Elliot Bailey Henry Landers Hani Berchiche Aaron Woodley Ollie Carey George Seacole

Today’s match officials: Referee: Hugh Gilroy Assistants: Neo Neophytou & Stewart Beekman