He’s back! Great to see Joe White back in a Stones shirt after he signed on loan from League Two Stevenage... and it didn’t take him long to get on the scoresheet with the first goal in the 5-2 friendly win at Staines Town THE LINE-UPS Pic: Adam Williams @ atticsnaps WEALDSTONE v WESTON S-MARE ROYAL BLUE & WHITE WHITE & BLACK G Jonathan North G Luke Purnell www.wealdstone-fc.com 2018-19 Jake Sheppard George Morris-Edwards STONES Freddie Grant Jason Pope Jerome Okimo © Jake Lee Connor Stevens Jack Goodall Godfrey Poku Jacob Kane © Jeffrey Monakana Tom Llewellyn Danny Green Jarrad Welch v WESTON Bradley Bubb Naby Diallo Joe White Gethyn Hill INSIDE: Bradley Hudson-Odoi Jamie Lucas SUPER-MARE Dave Pratt Ben Swallow BRADLEY Stefan Brown G Liam Kingston Saturday August 4, Matt Lench HUDSON 2018, kick-off 3pm Luke Williams Rhys Tyler ODOI James Clark Wadah Ahmidi INTERVIEW £3 Yado Mambo Glenn Wilson G Callum Thomas REFEREE Ben Cooke ASSISTANTS Joshua Crofts and Brian O’Sullivan BALL DONOR Alan Hill & Simon Stephens NEXT HOME GAMES v WOKING (Vanarama National League South) Monday August 13, KO 7.45pm programme, match award-winning Your sponsored by the Ruislip Social Club v CONCORD RANGERS (Vanarama National League Main club sponsor: South) Saturday August 25, KO 3pm

League sponsors

@wealdstonefc @wealdstonefootballclub WEALDSTONE v WESTON-SUPER-MARE BY MARK HYDE

Dawning of a new era very warm 2018/19 season wel- cover. We were all extremely proud to be come to all of our supporters, offi- awarded the Vanarama National League cials, players and supporters of South Programme of the Year Award at the AWeston-super-Mare and today’s match end of season gala event last month. An officials. We hope you all have an enjoy- award made special by the fact that it is able afternoon here at Grosvenor Vale. voted for by the other clubs in the With the distraction of the World Cup, division…. Wealdstone winning a popularity the summer seems to have flown by this contest, who would have thought that! year but for many around the club there has Some things never change at this level of been no break at all. Bobby and his team football and as ever we desperately need have finally been able to assemble a squad your help with funding this season’s of their own and to have a pre season campaign. Match sponsorships and match designed to bond the recruits (of which ball donations are as ever available to you there are many) and to ensure that the fit- and offer the opportunity to relax in the ness they demand is attained. boardroom before and after the game. As always on the supporters side of things, Looking to show support for a particular a group of hardy souls have spent their player? As luck would have it, we can help summer cleaning, painting and repairing the you with that with our aptly named player stadium for the benefit of us all. I am sure sponsorships. Full details of all of the you will join me in thanking them for their mentioned schemes are listed on the selfless voluntary work and should you appropriate pages within this programme come across one of the work party, buy and as ever, Paul Rumens will be happy to them a beer. advise you at [email protected] or I would personally like to thank everyone on 07710 929692. involved in the production of the match day My final words are to wish our programme last season. As I am sure you management, players old and new and you, are aware, it takes an army of volunteers to our loyal supporters, the very best for the produce a product that is worthy of the coming season. Wealdstone name proudly displayed on the Mark Who’s New? A brief guide to some of our newer Stones YADO MAMBO: WADAH AHMIDI: Yado was a popular member of the A hard-working central midfielder joins from Ebbsfleet side that got promoted in 2016/17 Staines and has played in the EFL with Charlton JEFFREY MONAKANA: Athletic, AFC Wimbledon and Shrewsbury Jefrey joined from Welling United. He was a Town. youngster at Arsenal before joining Preston RHYS TYLER: North End. He made 49 appearances for Rhys joined Hungerford Town and began his the League One club. career at Reading. Rhys then moved to JAMES CLARK: Germany wfor a five-year spell in the James joins from Hungerford. A hard professional ranks. working midfielder can also move into FREDDIE GRANT: defence and up front if needed. A left-back that joined from Oxford City. GODFREY POKU: Freddie began his career with Oxford United Joins fromOxford City. He has a wealth of CONNOR STEVENS: experience in this league and the one above Young defender who joined following his and has also played in the EFL with release by Premier League side Watford. Mansfield Town. MATT LENCH: STEFAN BROWN: Matt was a key member Slough Town’s An FA Cup record holder, Brown scored the promotion-winning side last season in fastest ever FA Cup as a whilst at AFC [email protected] TWITTER - @WealdstoneProg - TWITTER [email protected] attacking midfield Totton, Stefan joins from from Hungerford.

OUR TWITTER FEED: @wealdstone_FC WFC WEBSITE: www.wealdstone-fc.com [email protected] www.peopleforprint.co.uk Printing Production Programme Editor MATCHDAY PROGRAMME Web Site Manager Club Photographer Boardroom Hospitality Kit Manager PA Announcer ([email protected]) Press Officer General Manager Treasurer Life Vice-President CLUB PERSONNEL Company Secretary (07790 038095) Club Secretary SECRETARIES President Fruin, Peter Worby Associate Directors Mark Randall, JonPettifer Nick Symmons, Rory Fitzgerald, Directors Vice Chairman Chairman PERSONNEL in areport to thePolice, potential prosecution andabanfrom theClubof upto three years. around theGround willresult inthose responsible beingasked to leave theGround and,inlinewithfootball authority guidance, may result 5) Wealdstone Football theFA’s Clubsupports campaign onpyrotechnics (e.g. flares andsmoke bombs). Any misuse of suchitems inand 4) Vehicles parked ontheGrosvenor Vale site are attheowners’ risk. 3) The consumption of alcoholic drinks ispermitted INSIDEthesocial clubbarandboardroom areas. 2) Nospectator ballgames. • Usingobscene orbadlanguagelikely to cause offence to others •Hitting thesideorbackpanels of theBulla stand • Throwing any onto article thefield of play •Climbingfloodlight pylons, fences, stands or any structure orbuilding • Carrying items whichmay beconsidered adangerto others, includingcans, bottles, orglasses containing alcoholic beverages • Being drunk,orundertheinfluence of alcohol ordrugs•Usingviolence of any nature • Entering thefield of play before, duringorafter agamewithoutpriorauthorisation • Entering theground through any means other thanthrough theturnstiles orentrances 1) The clubreserves therightto ejectfrom theground any person whoisconsidered to have committed any of thefollowing acts: People are onlyallowed to entry The Vale onmatch days subjectto thefollowing rules andregulations: GROUND REGULATIONS

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[email protected] •WWW.WEALDSTONE-FC.COM Finance Ltd held by Peter Marsden Property are 03953962). Shares inexcess of 10% (2000) Ltd (Registered Number Club isWealdstone Football Club The legalnameof Wealdstone Football Goalkeeping Coach Physio Coach Assistant Manager Manager FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT WFC /Social Club WFCSC /Social Club LIAISON OFFICERS Reporting &Social Media IT Consultant Graphic Design Commercial Manager COMMERCIAL &MARKETING Matthew Impey, JohnCahillane Russell Greenberg, Adam Clancey, Waller, Richard Hayward, Match Day Staff Safety Officer Manager MATCH DAY OPERATIONS FOOTBALL CLUB

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SEASON 2018/2019

Isthmian League Division2(3rd)

Isthmian League Division1(3rd, annulled)

Isthmian League Premier Division(Play-Off) — Wealdstone FC Board of Directors Charity Cup Southern League DivisionOneSouth Senior Cup Isthmian League Premier Division Athenian League Senior Cup Southern League Cup Isthmian League DivisionThree Charity Cup Senior Cup FA Amateur Cup National League Premier (Gola League) Senior Cup FA Trophy Southern League Southern Division Senior Cup Southern League Championship

•COMPANY NO. 3953962 WEALDSTONE v WESTON-SUPER-MARE

warm welcome to Mark McGregor will aim to be finish as high as we can. It’s his management team, players and boring but we approach it game by game, officials of Weston Super-Mare week by week and assess things as we go. AFootball Club. What you can look forward to seeing is more men out there representing Wealdstone, Welcome back, I hope you have all enjoyed players who will be more consistent and the summer break. With a fantastic world have that winning mentality. We believe we cup, we got to witness over the summer, have brought more quality to the group and www.wealdstone-fc.com having a football fix has made it go quick. we’re very excited with the potential. With that said, however, with a 5-week pre- The league this year is going to be season programme we have been desperate extremely competitive with some big clubs for today to come along and we can’t wait coming down from the National League and to get up and running. Coming in at the end some strong clubs gaining promotion. We of August last year meant we didn’t get a pre- should relish the opportunity to get to go and season, we mentioned last year how critical mix it with clubs of the stature of those in the this period is so it has been brilliant to get to league and as we’ve seen in the past the work with the lads before we kick off the sea- game isn’t won on paper so we know that if son. We’ve been happy with how pre-season we do our jobs we’ll compete. has gone right from the pre-season training Weston are a brilliant footballing side who camp, the games and how the boys have ap- with some very good technical players. We plied themselves in the sessions which have will have to concentrate and be at it as they been hard. The boys have gelled quickly have the ability to cut you apart if you switch which was most important to us with so many off. Enjoy the game and we look forward to new faces, they’re fit and we’ve worked hard seeing for the whole of the season in what is to ensure they’re clear as to how we want to sure to be a memorable one. play and know our standards and expecta- tions of been a player at Wealdstone.

Bobby and the management team. FROM NEWS THE CLUB AT LATEST We’re not setting any specific targets and WEALDSTONE v WESTON-SUPER-MARE BY SUDHIR RAWAL ELMSLIE ENDER

sustain anything higher up the pyramid but let’s not close our minds and vision to what potential we may have. This season is likely to see the strongest Conference South division for many years and those that have been around for the duration of its life, suggest it is likely to the best ever. Not only Our rather marvelous looking main www.wfcmegastore.co.uk Back by popular demand EE has the bandwagon from the east rolled stand in its new Wenzels branding... in, with a “reduced” budget of £20,000 per The staff here at programme towers can week (It was going to be 10k, then went to thoroughly recomend their dougnuts. 15k), but we also have a full-time Torquay reflects on sponsorship and the United (min 15k weekly budget), Woking you see it in the full. A few of us travelled and Dulwich as well who will have ample over to France in June to visit various World resources to spend, that’s before you even War 1 sites, including German/French and worry about Steve King’s Welling United, British/Commonwealth/German battlefields. If hat a summer! A fantastic World futility of war. Slough, Chelmsford, Dartford et al. It’s going you want to understand the futility of war see Cup full of shocks and surprises; club name and colours, everything is up for to be tough especially as our budget is likely the battle of Le Linge. For four months the England performing admirably sale. Everything. Some would argue that to be 25% lower than it was last season. French and Germans fought over a mountain Wwith pride and passion; the sun beating only the first choice colours are sacrosanct, Still credible in terms of size, but we have top and established, after down and plenty of dry weather to watch change strips are available to anyone that is a long way to travel from 20,000 were killed, that cricket in splendid settings, cracking interested in splashing some cash. Simple 11th to get into a play-off the Germans were too atmospheres with a Pimm’s in hand economics dictate that very few clubs bring spot especially with a much ‘Let’s be clear. At entrenched to dislodge (Obviously Middlesex have been pants in more revenue than they spend. Hardly stronger division. I don’t so they consolidated their but we can’t have it all). Yet there was a any in fact. The books have to be balanced normally go to friendlies but positions just yards away strange phenomenon which I can only between the ins and the outs, so external the sun and decent opposition a football club, from each other for the rest explain being due to the heat. Wealdstone commercial income is a must to assist the at home saw me venture out. of the war. Or the bravery had a new sponsorship deal. A fantastic club to grow, otherwise you are dependent What I have seen to date has bar the club name of British troops climbing local company, that is growing rapidly, on an individual or a group of individuals to been promising. The team over the top of trenches sponsoring our main stand, throwing certainly look fit and strong MAGAZINES AT THE WFC MEGASTORE: THE MEGASTORE: WFC AT MAGAZINES prop up the football club and we know that at Lochnagar when their in some money and a new scoreboard there is an aversion at the Vale from some – I don’t think we will be so and colours, leaders had told them that too. Purveyors of great bacon rolls and for this to happen. We can’t cherry pick what easily out-muscled in midfield German forces had been tantalising iced buns, what’s not to is commercial activities we like and what this season for a start– and everything is up neutralised yet were met like? But hey, the proper not happies we don’t . Anyway, I am looking forward to a pattern of play developing. with a hail of machine guns of the world were bereft as it meant the those aforementioned bacon rolls replacing I am concerned whether we bullets as they went over, main stand would be re-branded in the cheese and onions rolls in the bar and the will score enough goals, but for sale’ but still they carried on company’s colours. Gone would be blue stand looks fine as well. There are people at we won the double on a diet regardless taking horrendous to be replaced by orange and brown. Any every football club that are happy with the of 1-0 wins. Proof will be in the eating, but loses. This was repeated in many , many sane person would be overjoyed that a there seems to a quiet confidence that we ELMSLIE ENDER ENDER ELMSLIE status quo that exists because it fits into their places over what was really a royal family stand that really needs demolishing, and comfort zone. As a growing football club that will feature at the right end of the table this dispute. I would heartily recommend a trip with a longer lease would be, was being has experienced many years in the doldrums season. Let’s hope the ship sails serenely across the Channel and Roger Slater is your refurbished but there were some lunatics in our exile years, we yearn for growth and and isn’t holed below the decks early! man to organise places away from the main on the loose. development. Our limit might well be the Sometimes in life perspective is required tourist sites. Let’s be clear. At a football club, bar the Conference South as we may not be to and opportunities avail themselves where FIND OLD Sud THE BIG INTERVIEW BY TIM PARKS WEALDSTONE v WESTON SUPER-MARE THE BIG INTERVIEW

ball?” I asked him crowd on their feet and it’s really exciting to “Well, I got on as substitute in that game think of us playing down the flanks. and got a shot off which went wide. But I “But the whole squad is strong and with a also played for Hereford United in League lot of flexibility. I’ve been impressed with the One when I was younger, one game at manager, his enthusiasm and organisation Leeds in front of 35,000 so it wasn’t that and the club have done really well to get all eye-opening. Don’t forget we had a big the new signings completed so quickly - it’s radley Hudson-Odoi is game at Wealdstone three years ago rare to have a squad like this with no egos absolutely ‘buzzing’ for against Colchester... I scored my special and with the time to sort out a style of play the new season! goal (off my knee) and for a little while early in pre-season. BThe 29-year-old striker left we dared to dream!” “The training weekend has really helped Grosvenor Vale for Sutton “But was a shock really on the cards build team spirit and we’re all raring to go.. United two years ago but he’s that day?” the friendlies have been coming thick and back “a better, more dynamic www.wfcmegastore.co.uk “It might have been. That Stones fast with a good mixture of opposition so let’s player” in his own words. team had a lot of quality but in the end hope it will all come together or August 4”. “I’ve lost a bit of weight, I’m it was fitness that did for us. Colchester radley is a football more powerful, injury-free and agent, now working for it’s so good to come back to 1st Access Sport and Wealdstone” he said. “And I’ve Bis concentrating on a wide had two more children since range of players from non- I left! Life is very good at the ‘I love this club to League to Premier League. moment”. His insanely-talented Brad became non-League’s younger brother Callum, 17, Fabian Delph last month when is part of Bradley’s stable and his wife Annie gave birth to bits and I think the is all set for a make-or-break daughter Miami on the day of year with Chelsea - unless one the Bracknell game. “The man- of the major European clubs is ager, Bobby, was very good to ready to meet the Blues’ £20m let me miss that game and An- fans know what to valuation. nie had our daughter just one The Bradley sway is back! Just minutes “It’s good to still be playing day after the due date. And into his first game (the friendly win at before you ask, no it wasn’t a while working as an agent” Swindon Supermarine) he was dropping says Brad. “My clients respect David Beckham name-choice, shoulders and ghosting to the byline expect from me...’ nothing to do with the place of conception or that I’ll give it to them straight. Below: Brad lets fly against Shkodranan although you have to avoid a conflict of anything!” he laughed. could go up a gear and we couldn’t live with Mustafi in the Sutton-Arsenal FA Cup tie interest if you represent a player at your The couple now have four children, three them. own club. It can be hard to concentrate on girls and a boy, under 11. Not a lot of sleep FA Cup run (they beat Leeds United on the “My season ended prematurely so I never your own game and that will always be my for our returning wide-man then? way to defeat by Arsenal at Gander Green really got to say goodbye to the fans - I priority”. “No, about five hours a night tops but I Lane) but suffered a bad injury at Torquay landed awkwardly on my knee in the last Bradley played most of last season on loan did manage to go with the boys down to United just after the Arsenal match. A rup- home game of 2015-16, against St Albans, at Hampton & Richmond Borough, helping Bournemouth for the bonding and tured achilles tendon - it kept me out for and had to come off so I missed the trip to them into the play-offs with 10 goals in 29 training weekend at the begin- the rest of the season and, looking Truro on the last day. games. Not a bad return! ning of July. Annie’s been great, back, I had a lot of niggles that I “I love this club to bits, the fans especially, “The manager, Alan Dowson, went to never complaining about am convinced was due in part to and I think they know what they’re going Woking at the end of the season and was ne- football and I’m blessed.” the 3G pitch. to get from me - pace, power, driving at gotiating for me to follow him. But I was then radley says he left “When I signed for them, Wes defences and goals hopefully!” finally out of contract with Sutton and free to Wealdstone “with Parker the Stones captain said nly Jonathan North remains from choose for myself - so I chose Wealdstone!” a heavy heart” two ‘Are you sure? That surface will that team of April 2016. So will Byears ago, after an out- give you back and knee prob- Bradley find it hard to assimilate standing season at the Vale. lems’ and so it proved. Owith a new group of players? Coming up in the next four issues: Sutton United, newly promoted “But there were some good “Not at all - I know half a dozen of the Big Interviews with Matt Lench, Yado to the National League, came in memories at Sutton and the FA Cup squad really well (Sam Cox, Bubbsy, Jerome, with a good offer and the fact that he lives run, especially the Arsenal match and all the Yads Mambo) and played with Jeff Mambo, Freddie Grant and Godfrey in Wimbledon was a major factor. TV build-up was memorable. Monakana at Sutton a couple of years ago. “I had some good times at Sutton with the “Was that your biggest moment in foot- Jeff is a real matchwinner who gets the Poku... and many more to follow! FIND A WHOLE OF THE WORLD WEALDSTONE MEMORABILIA MEGASTORE: AT Pic. [email protected] STEVE FOSTER BRADLEY HUDSON-ODOI Back Row: Ian Hobbs (Goalkeeper Coach), Joe White, Wadah Ahmidi, David Pratt, Jeffrey Monakana, Godfrey Poku, Matthew Lench, Mark Povey (Physiotherapist) Middle Row: Christopher Humphris (Assistant Kit Manager), Jake Sheppard, Stefan Brown, Glenn Wilson, Jonathan North, Callum Thomas, Yado Mambo, Connor Stevens, James Clark, Tony Waugh (Kit Manager) Front Row: Bradley Hudson-Odoi, Bradley Bubb, Danny Green, Mark Percival (Coach), Bobby Wilkinson (Manager), Jamie Leacock (Assistant Manager), Jerome Okimo (Captain), Rhys Tyler, Freddie Grant

WEALDSTONE FC 2018/19 FIRST TEAM SQUAD Pic. STEVE FOSTER [email protected] WEALDSTONE v WESTON SUPER-MARE BY STEVE MARSHALL

ood afternoon everyone and That’s how it should be. We intend to keep I hope you are enjoying the it that way. summer period. I cannot recall I have been around long enough to know Gcommencing a season this early before…I how passionate our fans are. Naturally, just hope the conditions are conducive to we have no intention of changing that. fast flowing football…leaving the walking Unfortunately as last season progressed, www.wfcmegastore.co.uk football to our more ‘mature’ supporters! we were receiving an increase in complaints about the behaviour of some of our I am contributing to this opening programme supporters, primarily offensive language, and for 2 reasons… the singing of a highly inappropriate song. I Firstly our perennial request for help! We know the former is extremely difficult to deal are always in need of people to assist with..if we acted upon every ‘F’ word, there with the operations on match days…. would be few left in the ground either on or stewarding, turnstiles, car park management off the pitch…but a quiet word in your ear are examples of what you assist with..not could be forthcoming! necessarily every match , but now and again The singing of that song, concerning would be very helpful. Do catch me or Nick WW2 events , offended quite a number of Dugard if you can spare some time, which spectators, including visitors who had no will be much appreciated. allegiance to either side, and MUST stop. So please do not even think about it. Channel

_FC MEGASTORE: WFC The second reason is also a request and concerns us all. You will all be familiar with your energy into supporting our team which what is expected of us whilst following our is what we all desire. So please, refrain from great club. The Ground rules and regulations behaving in this way! Any continuation will are displayed within the ground and are lead to ejection from the ground and who included in every match programme. It wants that? wealdstone is disappointing to record the fact that on This level of football requires significant no less than 5 occasions last season we safety measures, and we will be introducing were required to respond to the Football random searches upon entry when we feel Association to explain events that had it is appropriate. This is for the benefit of occurred, and what remedial action we were everyone. Feel free to alert a steward if you taking. feel it is necessary..we will act promptly to We pride ourselves here at Wealdstone prevent a situation developing. Everyone has on ‘low key’ stewarding. We did face a right to watch a game of football free of some tough challenges during last season, intimidation and fear so please act sensibly particularly when a high volume of visiting and here’s to a successful season on and off supporters were present. It really makes for a the pitch! great atmosphere and adds to the occasion. Steve OUR TWITTER FEED: @ WEALDSTONE v WESTON-SUPER-MARE BY TERRY HISSEY

ello and welcome to our visiting fans from Weston- super-Mare in Somerset Henjoy your stay and please visit the megastore before you leave.

A phrase you often hear in military circles is ‘Don’t volunteer for anything’. And so it was that I instigated and organised the Sup- porter’s Club Diamond Jubilee Dinner in February. Last season’s programmes carried reflections from Committee members, so I can only echo them in thank- ing everyone for their efforts. A hugely succeeding night which raised approx £5k for the Supporters Club. The’re back..Pick up your FREE Another new experience for me was host- Juniour Stones Loyalty Card today. ing a supporters coach to Brackley Town for the FA Trophy semi-final. It certainly was strongly recommend the latter! a very cold day remembered The Committee will have met www.wfcmegastore.co.uk for the weather rather than the for the first time this season by result. Ok we didn’t get to play the time you read this and are at Wembley but in perspective it considering fundraising events was a fine achievement. By my and away travel for you, our sums we made one appear- loyal supporters. Do check social ance at that stage in the first 36 media for announcements, a new seasons we entered, (1972-95 Junior Stones loyalty card will and 1998-2010). To reach two be available from the megastore semi-finals in six years is nothing today for example. New faces short of fabulous! So let’s put and therefore ideas are most that disappointment behind us welcome, just speak to a committee member and make it three times in seven seasons.... in the shop after the game. Adam and Mark have both been busy Don’t forget your golden goals from Mim _FC MEGASTORE: WFC over the close season restocking the shop by the turnstiles. Enjoy the game and do with some new lines, including the very remember to visit the megastore. popular wall clocks and programme binders. As Retro programmes Sales Manager I Terry

Supporters Club coach to Billericay wealdstone Subject to a minimum of 30 bookings the Supporters Club will run a coach for our first Saturday away game at Billericay Town on August 11th. The coach will depart the ground at 11.30am going straight to the ground and return to the club immediately after the game. Flat fare of £20 per person for everyone,should we get 40 or more people on the bus then the fare will drop to £15 per person. Bookings are now being taken by text to 07881624890 or via email to [email protected] Please ensure you quote the Full name/names of the person/people you are booking for and

a contact phone number. OUR TWITTER FEED: @ WEALDSTONE v PAUL HAMER WESTON SUPER-MARE

- but will have to change Then you had the non my viewing point as a few stop singing and at- colourful words fly around the mosphere in the stand ‘If you buy into Bulla! I only work Monday to and that goal, actually Friday so work doesn’t really Ricky Wellards whole interfere too much but I don’t performance in that what Wealdstone get to many midweek away match was outstanding. games. I do enjoy the Mon- The Billericay game day night games at the Vale, was strange as you are all about it’s it makes Monday’s at work had all the hype around a bit easier to get through them but on the morn- as you know you’ll be at the ing of the game I just easy to become game that night. had a feeling we would How big a part of your life win - though I could is the game? Football is never have dreamed we part of the family a massive part of my life, would have won how I was obsessed as a kid. I we did. The atmosphere would spend every moment was electric and it just ... and become got better and better as I could playing or watching Paul (right) and brother-in-law Dom Whyley it. My home as a kid backed each goal went in. Also get busy making bubbles! onto a park and in the the Hemel game when really addicted!’ school holidays and weekends my friends Benyon scores that hat Name: Paul Hamer Where do you live? viously our home attendances are one of the and I would play from sunrise to sunset. It trick was pretty special. Ruislip for the past 7 years. best in the league. I think if you buy into what was handy that my mum could hand drink Did you ever visit Lower Mead? Do you Where do you work? I work for an enforce- Wealdstone is all about it is easy to become and food supplies over the fence so we had find it strange that supporters cling onto ment agency company recovering outstand- part of the family and become really addicted no need to go home! I played to a decent the past? No I’m a Johnny come lately. I ing debts. to it. Also you are closer to the players - that standard and then started to fall out of love don’t think it’s strange - it is part of the history has its advantages and disadvantages. I with it a bit as I wasn’t as committed as of the club. With all that went on after the First Stones game attended? It was the people wanted me to be. I hated training and sale and the collapse of the new stadium I playoff semi final defeat to Concord Rang- think the crowd play a massive part at this level, getting behind the team can get that warming up, all I wanted to do was play a think it is important that the past is remem- ers in 2013. Can’t believe we didn’t win after match. I try to kid myself that I’m not as both- bered. If it wasn’t for the supporters I don’t totally dominating the game. extra bit out of them whilst getting on their back can have a negative effect. It’s also a lot ered anymore but I still watch as much as I think there would be a club now. I follow a What or who persuaded you to become better value for money, the early bird season can. My son is four now and my wife says lot of the fans on Twitter and it’s great to see a Stones fan? I had always had an interest ticket has been a great idea and I’m pleased she is surprised that I haven’t been pushing the old photos put up from the Lower Mead in non league football as my Grandad would that the propesd increase in on the day ticket him to play but I think football is something times, especially as there a few dodgy ones take me to watch Hayes when I was a kid. prices has been shelved. you either have a passion for or you don’t. featuring Dom! But to see the same fans still But the main influence would have to be my He is still young so I’ll let him make his own turning up now shows how unique this clubs brother in law - a certain Mr Dominic Whyley. Any disadvantages? Not really, I do find it annoying when you try and talk non league to mind up. fanbase is. His love for this club is very infectious. I was Most memorable game/s you’ve seen? I Have you ever played the game yourself lucky that my first season was the champion- someone who only watches premier league football and they don’t understand why you was lucky to witness Spurs beating Arsenal and most memorable moments? I played ship winning season. Dom and I took our 5-1 in a league cup semi final live. As a kid I to a decent non-league standard and played families away for a week in Shropshire and are so passionate about it. It’s true that some people don’t believe football exists outside of remember the Liverpool v Newcastle games on Sundays until recently. I played with then we ended up leaving them to drive back that ended 4-3 two seasons in a row. I’ve our own Mr Jolly whilst we were at Hayes for the Lowestoft game that would see us win the premier league. How do you fit watching football, and watched so much football that I could prob- together, he was a lot better than me! Dom the league if we won - but we drew. We drove ably going on forever listing games. took great pleasure in pointing me out in a all the way back and then, on our return on Wealdstone, into your family/working life? Terribly if you ask my wife! That’s the exact And most memorable Wealdstone game? team photo at a certain darts club down the the Saturday, we dumped the family off and road when we use to visit there. headed to Aveley for the Grays game which answer she gave when I read out this ques- It’s tough to pick one as I’m so torn between again we drew. I couldn’t make it to Margate tion. I’m not much of a planner so I will tend two matches, Southport and Billericay both in Any suggestions to improve your Stones and missed us being crowned champions. to tell her Saturday morning that I’m going the Trophy. Two very different games, South- -watching experience at the Vale? I to football. I have a young family so some- port was a game against a side a league touched on it earlier, I think it was a bit of a Do you prefer lower-League football? I mistake to think about increasing the walk-up prefer certain aspects of lower league foot- times it’s hard to get to games and the way above which I went more expecting just to things pan out sometimes I can miss a few enjoy the away day rather than seeing us ticket prices. I’ve seen it debated a lot on ball. I like how much more real and involved the forum and if we are trying to grow the you feel at this level. The Wealdstone fan games in a row and then it feels like I haven’t win, but we put in a great performance and been in a lifetime. But my kids are getting to deserved to win. The number of Wealdstone fanbase you can’t expect to charge people base is exceptional, to take the numbers we more for the standard of football that has do to away games is second to none and ob- ages where I can start bringing them along fans getting off the train in Liverpool singing was amazing. CONTINUED OVERPAGE FAN IN THE STAND PAUL HAMER CONTINUED...

been served up recently. A working remember too much of the Truro trip as that scoreboard would be nice but I have Rattler is pretty strong stuff. Looking forward heard that is in the pipeline. to Torquay this season as well. Favourite Wealdstone line-up? I’ve Best non-League ground you’ve visited? only been coming since the championship As a player Met Police was good as it was winning system so it’s not a massive pool good playing surface and had the novelty of to select from but some good players have a bu communal team bath in the changing been in the team. rooms. As a fan, have to say Bath just as it is 1. Jonathan North- Easily the best keeper a classic old football stadium. in this league, forget how many times I’ve Best stadium you’ve EVER visited? It’s said “what a save” ...the double penalty save hard to say, for a slightly different take I’ve against Bognor is a standout moment. been to stadium concerts at Wembley and 2. James Hammond- very solid and consis- the Stade de France and when you stand tent in the title winning team. Maybe would in the middle of the pitch it’s quite a sight have solved that problem right back position as it’s a completely different view from what if he had stayed. you experience as a fan. I did the White Hart 3. Jerome Okimo- Was outstanding in the Lane stadium tour just before it was knocked championship winning team, was equally as down and that was quite impressive and good going forward as defending. does make you think that all these old stadi- 4. Hamblin- proper centre back, won every- ums are going to eventually be replaced with thing in the air and was a threat from set generic modern stadiums. pieces. What are your expectations for the Stones 5. Ciaron Brown- When moved to centre for this season? I hope we can at least back for the run in two seasons ago showed make the play offs but with such a large the quality which probably earned him his upheaval of the playing staff it all depends on move. how we start. My main worry is that if we start 6. Elliott Godfrey- Mr Wealdstone, thought badly and the fans get on the managers back he’d been written off time after time but kept we could be back in the same position as we coming back time after time. were last season having to play catch up. 7. Glenn Little- Was so lucky to witness him playing for Wealdstone. Just showed if you How does the current programme com- have a football brain you don’t need the legs. pare with others you see? It doesn’t, it is by He changed games single handedly and far the standout programme at this level and scored that goal. probably above. 8. Abs Eisa- Only got to see him for 6 months What do you think of the bars and but he carried that team for most of the catering at The Vale? It’s great - since I first period. Was worth coming to see alone and started coming it’s improved greatly and you some of the goals he scored were amazing. just have to read and hear comments from 9. Scott McGleish- Scores the guys that got other clubs fans to know how good the facili- us up and kept us up. Great work rate and ties are. I do have the luxury of getting Dom lead by example considering his age. to pop into the boardroom to grab us a pint if 10. Jonny Wright- loved his dedication and the queue is long at the bar. commitment, just wished he had scored Have you visited the clubshop? No, but more goals. I do have a shirt that was given to me in a 11. Tom Pett- was great to watch the cham- secret Santa at Christmas. pionship winning season. Gave you that Finally, where do you see the club in five excitement something was going to happen years time? This is a tricky one, ideally we when he got on the ball. will be in the National Conference with a plan Best away trips to watch football? The in place regarding our future. I know a lot of games I always look out for when the fixtures this will come down to the lease and if we will are released are Bath and Truro. The Bath still be playing at the vale. Dom and I have game away at the height of raider mania often talked about winning the lottery and that we won in the last minute was some- how much money we would need to invest to thing else and the trip to Truro on the last build a new home and start our journey to the day a few seasons ago was epic. Not that I premier league!