BetVictor Southern League Premier Division Central Tuesday 17 September 2019 Online match programme 2 Director of Football’s Notes A warm welcome to the players, officials and game. supporters of Biggleswade Town FC. They responded I’m having to write these notes before the well to going 0-1 weekend when we will have made the long down and when journey to Stourbridge. Let’s hope that we conceding the returned with at least a point from what on equaliser for 2-2. paper will be one of our toughest fixtures this This perseverance season. was rewarded when they grabbed a well-deserved winner in As everyone will be aware, the start to the the 90th minute. There is no better feeling in season in the league has been a tough one, football that scoring that last-minute winner. and obviously last week’s defeat in the FA Cup was very disappointing. Our victors, Ware, The Under-18s currently sit top of the league could well be facing tonight’s opponents after two great home wins v Felixstowe and Biggleswade in the next round, provided they Hadleigh, but were disappointed to exit the managed to overcome St Neots in a replay. I FA Youth Cup at the first hurdle away to Long do think it fair to say that we have deserved Melford, despite enjoying the majority of the something from the majority of the games possession. Last Monday, I witnessed what played, but we must take our chances, defend literally was a game of two halves when we well when required and show more resilience visited Woodbridge in the Suffolk U18 Cup when we do concede a goal. These are all and were 2-0 up at half time, having struck aspects that the manager, Stuart Boardley, the woodwork three times, before eventually has been working on in training, but it is down losing 4-2, conceding three goals in the final to the players when the match starts. ten minutes. With all of the team being first year at this level, these things will happen Last Saturday with Ian Cornforth (Reserve and, hopefully, the players will learn from Team Manager) travelling with the first team, these experiences. On Thursday, they resume and Paul Stannard (Reserves Assistant their league programme when they entertain Manager) unavailable due to work Framlingham with a 7.45pm kick off. If you get commitments, I, along with Matt Morling the chance, please do come along and (Under 18 Assistant Manager), took charge of support the boys. the Reserve team here at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium where Framlingham were I hope you enjoy tonight’s game. the visitors. Personally, I was very pleased by Trevor the attitude of the players throughout the 3 4 5 Leiston FC Club Information: Club Officials: President: Robin Watson Chairman: Andy Crisp Vice Chairman: Peter Mayhew Club Secretary: Trevor Elmy Director of Football: Trevor Elmy Fixtures Secretary: Steve Cooper Welfare Officers: Peter Douglass , Alastair Browning Safety Officer: Target Zero Safety Solutions Financial Board Members: Robin Watson, Andy Crisp, Peter Mayhew, Team Management: Steve Coulter, Peter Douglass, Trevor Elmy, First Team Manager: Stuart Boardley Alisdair Douglas Reserves Manager: Ian Cornforth Reserves Assistant Manager: Paul Stannard Matchday Committee: U18 Manager: Rick Kerry Sue Tugwell Chris Barker, Steve Coulter U18 Assistant Manager: Matt Morling Gerald Bray, Kevin Smith, James Spink, A Team Manager: Trevor Elmy Roger Cowley, Stephen Barker, A Team Assistant Manager: Roger Hitchman Lance Freeman, Craig Cooper, Steve Club Goalkeeper Coach: Nigel Ling Cooper Coach Development: Steve Foley Hospitality: Kevin Smith Physio: Sports-Med East Press Officer: Craig Cooper Head Groundsman: James Mayhew Match Reports: Craig Cooper Asst. Groundsman: Matt Murphy Programme Editor: Laurence Ball Kit Manager: Trevor Harrison Website Administrator: Peter Douglass Filming Tech: Peter Phillips Marketing/Advertising: Jenny Cooper, Leiston FC is an unincorporated association controlled by its members under the constitution of Leiston6 Football Club and the LTAA. 50/50 DRAW 150 tickets were sold during our last home league match against Alvechurch on 31st August, which gave us a prize fund of £75.00. The draw mas made by Mr Dougie Griffiths, director of Alvechurch FC, and the winner was Leiston supporter Mr Sean Clements with ticket number 4317. Congratulations to Sean and thanks to all those who took part. So far this season, the 50/50 draw has raised £450 towards club funds, and paid the same amount in prizes. Please look out for our sellers during today’s first half. Good luck, everybody. Steve Coulter 7 Today’s visitors Lee Allinson - Manager: Lee had a successful first season in management taking us on our furthest run in the FA Trophy and only just missed out on the play-offs. Sam Donkin: Sam joined us last season and enjoyed a successful first season, keeping 13 clean sheets in the league Matty Miles: Matt joins us from St Neots where he was their captain last year. As a youngster, Miles was at Leicester. Jordan Gent: Jordan joined us mid-season last year. He is a real aerial presence, winning everything in the air. Tommy Smith: Tommy gives us a real balance at the back and had a number of good performances last year. Lucas Perry: Lucas is a fans’ favourite and is here for another campaign. Lucas is a modern full-back being able both to go forward and defend. Kieron Forbes: Our captain who leads by example and sits in the midfield making us tick over. Kayne James-Thompson: Kayne is a new addition in the midfield. He is a very combative player but is also good with the ball at his feet. 8 Peter Clark: Peter is a player that brings us real energy; he makes great forward runs and doesn’t stop working. Luca Allinson: Luca has really developed over the past year seeing him earn more opportunities. He also has a good set piece in his locker. Matt Ball: Last year, Matt mostly played on the left, but he can also play central midfield, and his vision can open up any defence. Shaun Lucien: Shaun came in at the back end of last season. His tricky play will definitely cause a lot of full backs trouble this season. Ruben Jose Soares: Ruben joins us from Hertford Town. The Portuguese forward is a really powerful and pacy player. Liam Brooks: Liam stays for another season. He can play anywhere in the forward areas, and is a real finisher. Joe White: Joe returns from Stevenage FC for another loan. He was our top scorer with 20 goals in 29 games last season. Shane Bush: Shane is a real physical presence. He can play upfront or in the hole, and will bring goals to the team. Eddie Mcloughlin: Eddie is the man who takes charge of the coaching side and is the calmer side to the management team. Ronayne Marsh-Brown: Ronayne is new to the management team, but can also still play,. His experience will be invaluable. Charlie Merson: Charlie has been with us now for three seasons and is a real asset to the coaching team. Caolon South: Caolon is new to the coaching staff and is the youngest member, but has lots of experience in youth coaching to bring with him. 9 BIGGLESWADE TOWN FC CLUB HISTORY 1874 - 1954 - the First 80 Years of hard work and changes gradually moving the club forward. As the 2008/09 Biggleswade Town were originally season beckoned, the new stadium was formed as Biggleswade FC in 1874 and ready for occupation, and the seasons in began by playing friendlies. They the 'wilderness of ground sharing' were became one of the founder members of over. For the first time in the club’s 134- the Biggleswade and District League in year history, it finally had a home of its 1902/03 and won the championship at very own. the first attempt. The successful season was climaxed by winning the 2008 – 2009 - Moving into the new Bedfordshire Senior Cup - the first of ground certainly created a great feeling eight victories so far in the competition. at the Club, and new faces began to The ‘Waders’, as the club are known, appear on the playing side as well as first entered the FA Cup in 1904. behind the scenes. As the final whistle blew on the last friendly, there was a 2008 - Chris Nunn became manager in definite feeling of readiness for the Nov 06 after a very poor start to the forthcoming season. season saw the team heading for certain relegation. In Feb 07, the team had The Waders’ first season (2009-10) at made up a lot of points but were still Step Four proved a tough start, but bottom of the Premier table. The team gradually the team strengthened and avoided relegation on the last league finished in a comfortable twelfth place day of the season. The winning of the with the team taking points off every NBC Cup in the very last match of the side that season except Bury Town and campaign reinforced that optimism. Hitchin Town, who finished first and second respectively. The 2007/08 season saw the squad develop further with new signings, and 2010-2011 - This season saw the Waders for the first time in 15 years the club climb to their highest-ever position in found itself top of the division at one the football pyramid, finally finishing in point. A final position of 3rd was a result 4th place and with a resultant position in 10 the playoffs. Waders travelled to 3rd -off positions. Winning the Beds Senior place Daventry Town, a team they had Cup for the second successive season was previously beaten both home and away in the icing on the cake.