SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of your Newsletter, if you have anything to contribute, please do get in touch by email- [email protected] You can keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - @Sydwessex You are more than welcome to use any material (excluding attributed photographs) but it would be appreciated if any material used is acknowledged. It is hoped you enjoy reading this each week. With readership quite widespread, not only within our own competition, but across the three counties and beyond- if ANY club has anything they’d like to have published in here, whether that be a request for helpers, promotion of forthcoming events, items required or available for sale please contact the Newsletter Editor. As a general reminder- Match Reports, player news and photos are always welcome- it is your Newsletter!

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

ALL OFFERS RUN FROM 1 MARCH TO 31 MAY 2021. AVAILABLE IN BRANCH OR TO ORDER. OFFERS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

FAREWELL TO THE WESSEX COMBINATION

It was ten years ago that a meeting was held with most of the clubs to report back on the talks that had been held on the future of Combination football in 2011/12. The League Board were given feedback as to how the proposed Wyvern League would be established, with it originally planned to consist of Step 4 and above clubs (7-9 had at the time expressed interest), our own member clubs together with possibly some teams. Dependant on numbers this would establish a Premier Division, plus one or two further leagues on a regional or geographical basis. A number of constitutional issues needed to be addressed but it was indicated by 22 to 5 that there was an interest in this being a way forward. It was agreed that the steering committee would consult each of the member clubs to establish their individual interest and discussions would continue. Subsequently it was agreed at an EGM that the then current Combination league would cease at the end of the 2010/11 season and in its place will be the Wyvern League. The clubs involved voted 17 to 4 in favour of the new setup to provide reserve team football, and it was further confirmed that whilst the Wessex League would start on August 13th, the fresh new start for the Wyvern League would be one week later, August 20th. This is a brief look at how things panned out in the last season of Combination football as we then knew it- starting at the finish, the asterisk [*] in the final table below indicates a points adjustment.

RANK PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Sholing Reserves 40 35 4 1 161 25 136 109 2 Christchurch Reserves 40 29 2 9 142 69 73 89 3 Moneyfields Reserves 40 26 4 10 112 58 54 82 4 AFC Totton Reserves 40 25 5 10 134 49 85 80 5 Lymington Town Reserves 40 24 5 11 92 69 23 77 6 Poole Town Reserves 40 24 4 12 131 57 74 76 7 Horndean Reserves 40 20 5 15 109 95 14 65 8 Alresford Town Reserves 40 17 7 16 76 87 -11 58 9 Hayling United Reserves 40 18 4 18 84 115 -31 58 10 Totton & Eling Reserves 40 17 2 21 99 116 -17 53 11 Hamble ASSC Reserves 40 16 5 19 77 103 -26 53 12 AFC Portchester Reserves 40 15 6 19 95 96 -1 51 13 Laverstock & Ford Reserves 40 15 3 22 83 102 -19 48 14 Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves 40 13 5 22 88 129 -41 44 15 Fawley Reserves [*] 40 13 5 22 67 111 -44 43 16 Petersfield Town Reserves 40 12 7 21 65 112 -47 43 17 Alton Town Reserves 40 12 6 22 88 112 -24 42 18 Ringwood Town Reserves 40 12 5 23 80 117 -37 41 19 Romsey Town Reserves 40 9 7 24 67 121 -54 34 20 Brockenhurst Reserves 40 9 6 25 63 104 -41 33 21 Whitchurch United Reserves 40 8 5 27 52 118 -66 29

There was no League Cup competition in this final season, the 2009/10 competition was decided by penalties after it ended three each between Christchurch and Gosport Borough on the Waterside on 30 April 2010. Gosport picked up the Trophy at Gang warily following the 4-1 shootout success.

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

The league campaign went to Sholing with the results through the season looking like this, there were some big scores across the campaign as doubtless you will see from both for and against tally in the table as well as in the results grid.

The new League brought together some 35 teams, this resulted in 13 clubs allocated to the Premier Division with eleven in a second division split loosely on a geographic basis. The first Wyvern League constitution looked like this- Friday, 02 April 2021 Page 4 of 16

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

Premier Division- AFC Totton, Bashley, Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Christchurch, Dorchester Town, Eastleigh, Fleet Town, Gosport Borough, Moneyfields, Newport IOW, Poole Town, Sholing and Wimborne Town. Division 1 East- AFC Portchester, Alresford Town, Alton, Fareham Town, Folland Sports, Hayling United, Horndean, Petersfield Town, Tadley Calleva, Whitchurch United and Winchester City. Division 1 West- Brockenhurst, Downton, East Cowes Vics, Fawley AFC, Hythe & Dibden, Laverstock & Ford, Lymington Town, Ringwood Town, Romsey Town, Totton & Eling and Verwood Town. The inaugural Premier Division champions were Sholing who amassed some 59 points from their 24 match league campaign, so in a way defended their title. Eastleigh were runners up, some 14 points adrift. Division 1 West was also won by a fair margin, where Lymington Town topped the pile on 47 points whilst East Cowes Vics claimed second spot on 40 points from their 20 match campaign. Division 1 East was a close contest with Alresford Town collecting the honours on 43 points with AFC Portchester just the one win behind, on 40 points.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

MATCH REPORT- WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION 1 THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2009 - ANDOVER NEW STREET 1 VERWOOD TOWN 6 Hindsight is a wonderful thing, with the programme notes hinting that the game tonight was going to be a close run thing as both sides sat mid-table. How wrong this turned out to be. The opening goal came in just the second minute, DYER’s speculative but fierce shot was seemingly misjudged by Antrobus as it crashed into the net from around 18 yards out. The hosts were outplayed in most departments tonight in a game that was as one-sided as the score line suggests. However the hosts had a good chance for an equaliser just four minutes later when Murphy tried to split the Verwood defence with a pass that came to nothing. The second goal came on 11 minutes when Chivers started a move that although broken down wasn’t cleared properly and ELYSEE was able to pick up and slide home from an acute angle. Verwood continued to dominate the first half with Fawcett scarcely called upon; patient build-ups creating several opportunities so it was something of a surprise that there was no further scoring in it. Murphy was again involved in a threat on the visitors’ goal, but he wanted too much time and the defence managed to wrest control. HT 0-2 Antrobus was called upon again just three minutes into the second half, when Elysee set up Dyer only to see the strike parried by Antrobus. Goodall was following up but the second chance was turned round the post by Antrobus. Verwood’s third goal came just before the hour when an overlap from Murray saw the ball delivered into the penalty area and Chivers was bundled to the ground and GOODALL thumped home the penalty. In the 70th minute Verwood extended their lead when GOODALL completed his brace with a solo run that took him beyond the challenges of a couple of defenders to go round Antrobus. It was all over bar the shouting really yet Verwood continued to press home their advantage. The fifth goal came on 72 minutes when Goodall picked out ELYSEE and his swerving shot zipped beyond the outstretched hands of Antrobus and prompted a rather unusual goal celebration. Still Verwood weren’t finished and a sixth goal came five minutes later. CHIVERS’ determined run took him into the penalty area and he was given space to turn and shoot beyond Antrobus when a pass looked to be the only option available. With less than ten minutes remaining Verwood almost grabbed a seventh through Newbury, but the hosts were able to clear their lines and the ball was swept to the other end. An Andover New Street player was upended close to the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. The visitors protested the award but skipper STYLES was able to keep his calm and grab a consolation for the hosts from the spot. FT 1-6

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

ARE YOU LISTENING ?

Now broadcasting on Sunday 14:00 to 16:00

The Sydenhams Show is the official podcast of the Sydenhams Wessex League. We’re on air live from the 103.9 Voice FM studios in Southampton from 14:00 to 16:00 every Sunday and you can also listen live on www.voicefmradio.co.uk from anywhere in the world. You can listen again afterwards, normally just one hour after the show has finished via the same website and there is also a Voice FM App you can download to your Phone I-Pad or Computer device. Our aim is to promote all local football but specifically the 38 teams of the Sydenhams Wessex League. So far, we have had managers, chairmen, players, press officers and secretaries joining us as studio guests and phone guests; from many Sydenhams Wessex League clubs, as well as guests from local teams both higher up and lower down the pyramid. This is your show and is a platform for your club to promote its events and raise its profile. If your club produces post-match interviews please either email us a copy of the audio or give permission for us to play them on air straight from your website or social media sites, as we will aim to play them on the show. Please come and join us one Sunday, at the moment, no guests will be allowed in the Studio, but please email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. Friday, 02 April 2021 Page 6 of 16

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

FIRST TEAM TO PLAY 1000 WESSEX LEAGUE GAMES

Saturday 10 September 2011 was a memorable occasion, because that afternoon saw Bournemouth play their 1000th Wessex League game. A number of the squad playing that milestone game weren’t even the proverbial twinkle back when the first one was played. Having said that there were three people at the club who were there at the time of Game 1, current Chairman Bob Corbin, President- Ernie Stimpson and Matchday Helper- Tony Boothby. Ernie had a wealth of stories of his time with the club, a club he had been with since before World War 2; a magnificent achievement by any standards, and a true gent to boot. There were many people about the ground who helped out on match days including Dave Bragginton in the Hospitality Lounge, whose tea was almost legendary, and together with Sue Harvey at the Refreshments had given many hours of service to the club. Bernie Hallam another indispensable character behind the scenes despite the fact he’d not been with the club long had a wealth of experience on the local scene.

1986/87 FINAL TABLE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Bashley 32 24 3 5 71 30 41 75 2 Road Sea 32 22 7 3 70 26 44 73 3 AFC Totton 32 20 7 5 62 21 41 67 4 Newport IOW 32 15 8 9 51 36 15 53 5 Havant Town 32 15 7 10 57 48 9 52 6 Thatcham Town 32 15 6 11 53 33 20 51 7 Wellworthy Athletic 32 14 6 12 48 50 -2 48 8 Eastleigh 32 14 6 12 40 42 -2 48 9 Sholing Sports 32 10 8 14 41 45 -4 38 10 Lymington Town 32 10 8 14 31 37 -6 38 11 Steyning Town 32 10 8 14 45 47 -2 37 12 Portals Athletic 32 9 9 14 37 46 -9 36 13 RN 32 11 2 19 43 58 -15 35 14 Horndean 32 8 8 16 42 55 -13 32 15 Bournemouth 32 7 9 16 33 59 -26 30 16 Romsey Town 32 7 7 18 25 61 -36 28 17 Brockenhurst 32 4 5 23 34 89 -55 17

That season saw the first of Bashley’s three time Championship run before gaining promotion to the Southern League. Steyning Town only stayed a couple of seasons, before returning to the Sussex County league. Lymington Town and Wellworthy Athletic amalgamated becoming AFC Lymington. Whilst Saturday’s visitors Romsey Town finished just below Bournemouth in the final standings. Ironically Bournemouth’s previous opposition (on 6 September, and by a huge coincidence, the date of Poppies’ first Wessex League game was 6 September 1986- exactly 25 years ago to the day) ended one spot higher than in that opening Wessex campaign, and indeed did the double over Bournemouth that season, and with only eight league wins a quarter of that total coming at their expense, Horndean were the only side Poppies failed to find the net against that season! As for other results, the table below shows only too well the true story! It looks like the season couldn’t end soon enough with everybody hitting the target against Bournemouth. Bashley (8), Horndean (7) and Newport IOW (6) doing the most damage and AFC Totton and Romsey Town being least effective with just one apiece.

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

As we know, Road Sea (based at Staplewood- where Southampton train and the Reserves have played, alongside the A326) and Portals Athletic didn’t participate in the league again.

POPPIES RESULTS HOME SCORE AWAY SCORE Bashley LOST 0-3 LOST 1-5 Road Sea DRAW 1-1 DRAW 1-1 AFC Totton WON 1-0 LOST 0-1 Newport IOW LOST 0-4 DRAW 2-2 Havant Town DRAW 1-1 DRAW 3-3 Thatcham Town LOST 1-2 WON 1-0 Wellworthy Athletic LOST 1-3 LOST 0-1 Eastleigh LOST 0-1 LOST 1-2 Sholing Sports LOST 1-3 WON 1-0 Lymington Town LOST 2-3 DRAW 1-1 Steyning Town LOST 0-1 LOST 1-4 Portals Athletic LOST 0-3 WON 1-2 Portsmouth Royal Navy WON 2-1 DRAW 1-1 Horndean LOST 0-2 LOST 0-5 Romsey Town DRAW 1-1 WON 3-0 Brockenhurst DRAW 2-2 WON 2-1

Sat 6th Sept - 0-1 - AWAY - Wellworthy Athletic Sat 13th Sept - 1-2 - HOME - Thatcham Town - Parrett Dates and results courtesy of Sat 20th Sept - 1-5 - AWAY - Bashley - Bolson Steve Farmery and Ray Murphy Sat 4th Oct - 2-2 - HOME - Brockenhurst - Munday, Wallace Sat 11th Oct - 1-2 - AWAY - Eastleigh - Bolson Sat 18th Oct - 1-1 - HOME - Havant Town - Dobbs Sat 25th Oct - 0-5 - AWAY - Horndean Sat 15th Nov - 2-3 - HOME - Lymington Town - Bolson 2 Sat 29th Nov - 1-1 - HOME - Road-Sea Southampton - Cox Sat 6th Dec - 1-0 - AWAY - Thatcham Town - Bolson Sat 13th Dec - 1-3 - HOME - Sholing Sports - Wallace Sat 27th Dec - 2-2 - AWAY - Newport - Cox, Trudgett Thu 1st Jan - 1-3 - HOME - Wellworthy Athletic - Cox Sat 3rd Jan - 1-0 - HOME - AFC Totton - Proctor Wed 7th Jan - 0-3 - HOME - Bashley Sat 10th Jan - 1-0 - AWAY - Sholing Sports - Proctor Sat 14th Feb - 0-2 - HOME - Horndean Tue 17th Feb - 2-1 - AWAY - Portals Athletic - Proctor, Robertson Sat 21st Feb - 1-1 - AWAY - Lymington Town - Elmes A Wed 25th Feb - 3-3 - AWAY - Havant Town - Lovell 2, Elmes A Sat 28th Feb - 0-4 - HOME - Havant Town Tue 3rd Mar - 1-4 - AWAY - Steyning Town - Trudgett Sat 7th Mar - 3-0 - AWAY - Romsey Town - Elmes A, Moore, Trudgett Sat 14th Mar - 2-1 - HOME - Portsmouth Royal Navy - Jeans, OG Sat 21st Mar - 1-1 - AWAY - Road-Sea Southampton - Proctor Sat 28th Mar - 1-1 - HOME - Romsey Town - Elmes A(pen) Wed 1st Apr - 0-1 - AWAY - AFC Totton Sat 4th Apr - 0-1 - HOME - Steyning Town Sat 18th Apr - 0-3 - HOME - Portals Athletic Mon 20th Apr - 2-1 - AWAY - Brockenhurst - Cox, Wallace Sat 25th Apr - 1-1 - AWAY - Portsmouth Royal Navy - Trudgett Thu 30th Apr - 0-1 - HOME - Eastleigh

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

1986/87 CUP competitions In the Wessex League matches were arranged on a Group basis, played on a home and away basis. With one win and one draw from the group Bournemouth failed to proceed further- Sat 23rd Aug - 1-1 - HOME - Eastleigh - Elmes A Sat 30th Aug - 0-1 - HOME - Newport Tue 2nd Sept - 5-0 - HOME - Romsey - Wallace 2, Bolson, Bond, Proctor Wed 1st Oct - 2-3 - AWAY - Romsey Town – Bolson, Proctor Tue 14th Oct - 1-3 - AWAY - Newport - Moore Tue 28th Oct - 0-2 - AWAY - Eastleigh

In the Bournemouth Senior Cup an initial victory over Holt United saw Poppies paired with soon to become Wessex rivals Christchurch who were then playing in the Bournemouth League, but a 2-1 reverse halted progress. Sat 20th Dec - 1-0 - HOME - Holt United - Munday Sat 24th Jan - 1-2 - AWAY - Christchurch - Cox

Things were scarcely better in the County FA competitions, only one goal in two contests, that coming courtesy of Jon Wallace in the Folland Sports Russell-Cotes tie - Tue 7th Oct - 1-3 - HOME - Folland Sports (Russell-Cotes Cup 1st Round) Sat 1st Nov - 0-3 - HOME - Eastleigh(Hampshire Senior Cup 1st Round)

The club did not enter the FA Vase or FA Cup at that time.

The season opened on August 5 when an AFC Bournemouth XI visited the Vic romping home 11-2; Poppies’ goals coming from Andy Elmes and Shaun Munday that night. The goal on 23 August was scored by Andy Elmes, so his name is in the Poppies “Hall of Fame” as he is the first Bournemouth player to score in the Wessex League. The first player to net in the league as opposed to the League Cup though was Gary Perrett in the 1-2 home defeat against Thatcham Town. The return game was on 6 December; the significance of this date is that it was the first time Poppies won a Wessex League fixture and even more interesting was that Bournemouth's record at that stage was PL 9 W 0 D 3 L 6 F 9 A 22 Pts 3 and they were bottom of the table whereas Thatcham were top PL 11 W 8 D 2 L 1 F 29 A 10 Pts 25 but Bournemouth registered their first win of the season 1-0. This came courtesy of a Thatcham supporter who was co-editor of the club's programme for a few seasons (though not in the 80's) whose name escapes me now. The first full game under lights that season looks to have been the 5-0 League Cup victory over Romsey Town back on Tuesday 2 October 1986, with the first League game under such conditions not happening until Wednesday 7 January, although the Poppies were also at home on the Thursday prior (New Year’s Day), but that may have been a normal afternoon time kick off? Over the years there’s been many great players associated with the club and also some well-known names wearing the Manager’s jacket- for example in recent years Tommy Taylor, Brian O’Donnell, Keith Williams, Shaun Brooks, Peter Moore and James Wood. Unfortunately there was a huge gap in player statistics in the first few years of the Wessex League, but with the help of Ray Murphy, a former Secretary and Programme Editor at the Vic, playing records since 1990/91 have been maintained until 2015/16.

For the record Bournemouth beat Romsey Town that afternoon, 3-1. Jon Blake, Justin Keeler and Fawzi Saadi with the Poppies goals. Simon De’Ath for the visitors with a crowd recorded as 52.

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR K Kirkham & Wesham. The club was formed by the amalgamation of Kirkham Town and Wesham in 1988. A number of seasons of success followed in the West Lancashire League, and they didn’t lose one match in any competition between January 2003 and October 2004, some 21 months. In 2006 they won the Lancashire Amateur Shield for a fourth time in six years and promotion to the North West Counties league was achieved for 2007/08. The season finale saw them lift the FA Vase with a 2-1 win over Lowestoft Town at Wembley on 11 May, with both goals coming in the final six minutes through sub Matt Walwyn, son of Keith. From 2008/09, the club was relaunched as AFC Fylde and collected the FA Trophy in 2018/19 with a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient, thereby becoming the only team thus far to achieve that distinction. The Coasters currently sit 3rd in the . P Pacific FC. Based in Greater Victoria, British Columbia, the club was the seventh team to join the Canadian Premier League, the first game being in late April 2019 when they secured a 1-0 win over visitors HFX Wanderers. Club colours are a rather smart purple, teal and white, they play at the Westhills Stadium in Langford on the southern part of Vancouver Island.

THE NUMBERS GAME

rd 33 The number of 3 Round Qualifying ties played by our member clubs in the FA Cup by the 2020/21 season, plus two replays. 238 The number of “all-Wessex” ties there have been in the FA Cup by the end of the 2020/21 season. 1987 The first Wessex season ended this year.

LEAGUE NEWS

To apply for next season's FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup, clubs have been emailed with the link so that they may submit their application and payment online. Please would clubs remember that the application is ONLY available for completion online and that payment is by credit or debit card, and an individual can make the payment with a personal card on the Clubs behalf. Entry Criteria and Ground Standards for the FA Competitions in 2021/22 were attached and we STRONGLY recommend that clubs read and understand them before clicking on the link below to complete the application. https://eventspace.thefa.com/FA/the_fa_cup_the_fa_trophy_the_fa_vase_and_the_fa_youth_cup_compe titions_season_2021-22_26022021#init On successful completion of the online application and online payment, you will receive an on screen confirmation and an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the participant from The FA. However, this does NOT constitute acceptance into the specified Competition(s). Clubs need to remember that the closing date is Friday 16 April 2021. A list of entries accepted will be published in July 2021. If clubs require any further information or assistance with completing the application please email [email protected] or call 0800 1691863 x 4583 / 4622.

Go easy on those chocolate Easter Eggs this weekend….

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

PROGRAMME AWARDS

We announced last week the two winners in our competition. In the Premier Division PORTLAND UNITED’s long run of success was finally overcome by the excellent issue from BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS, although it was a close run thing in the end. It would be remiss of me not to mention other Premier Division clubs where the quality of production has improved on previous seasons, with HAMWORTHY UNITED being a prime example. Several clubs went on- line with efforts from BASHLEY and BROCKENHURST being the best. Division One winner was an easy selection in the end with that from ANDOVER NEW STREET being the best. This was an on-line edition, but hard copies were available provided the Editor had been asked in advance. A truly splendid effort. Paper versions from ROMSEY TOWN and NEWPORT IOW were also great to read and difficult to split if a Runners up prize was to be awarded. Other paper versions at DOWNTON and NEW MILTON TOWN were also well received. WHITCHURCH UNITED was one of the first to declare their digital intentions, and this was also resulted in an improvement in content. Thanks to all those Programme Editors at these clubs for their efforts, and indeed across the League as a whole. I sincerely hope that next season’s decision is more difficult to choose. The two winners will get a small trophy each plus prize money of £150.00, in due course.

A WIDER WORLD THAN WESSEX

A recent newsletter made mention of two Fareham players , JACK BREED and CASEY BARTLETT-SCOTT, having moved abroad to further their footballing careers, JACK, who also played for AFC Portchester and, I think, Whitchurch United has signed for EUROPA FC in the Gibraltar National League, He is no stranger to “The Rock” having, as of October 2020, eleven Under 21 Caps for the Country and that is shown in a list headed by former Team Solent goalkeeper Bradley Banda who has thirteen caps to his name. Banda incidentally was on the Bench for Gibraltar’s recent World Cup Qualifier with Norway in which they went down by three goals to nil. Whilst it is difficult to find the actual line ups it is likely that those Under 21 appearances have already taken Jack to such Countries as Cyprus, Belarus, Portugal, Norway and the Netherlands – all adding to the experience. There are eleven Clubs in the Gibraltar National League including Europa Point FC as well as Europa FC and with each Club having played eleven or twelve games the League appears to have been split in to two - six sides in the Championship Group and five in the Relegation Group with Europa FC currently topping the first group, level on points with Lincoln Red Imps who have dominated Gibraltar football over the years and embarrassed Celtic a couple of years ago in one of the European Competitions. The season appears to continue until the middle of May with Clubs only playing those within their own Group. This will produce the League Champions but as to whether there is any relegation is unclear, Perhaps it will be possible to find out in due course. Friday, 02 April 2021 Page 11 of 16

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

CASEY has gone somewhat further afield by signing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC who play in the Eastern Conference USL Championship, which is the second tier of football in the States, Casey is no stranger to playing in America having had a successful time in College Football at Columbia College. Because of the vast distances involved in terms of travel the Eastern Conference USL Championship is split in to four sections involving four or five Clubs and in each section each Club plays each other Club four times. The other four Clubs in the section in 2019, which seems to be the last completed season, were Hartford Athletic, New York Red Bulls II, Philadelphia Union II and Loudoun United though the last named, for reasons not explained, played three games less than the others. What happens then is difficult to follow - one website mentions the dreaded points per game and another produces a full League Table of eighteen Clubs each having played thirty four matches with Pittsburgh Riverhounds proudly sitting in first place. You pay your money and take your choice would seem to cover things. The set up for 2021 seemingly proposes two Divisions of eight Clubs with Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Division along with previous opponents Hartford, Loudoun and New York Red Bulls II together with Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, Miami FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Their first home game is against Mountain Division side Austin Bold. One can only hope it all takes place. We wish Jack and Casey good luck in their new ventures.

ANDOVER LEAGUE OPEN CUP - UPDATE

1985 New Street This is a Competition that has been staged virtually throughout the 1986 New Street period of the Wessex League’s existence though lacking information over 1987 Andover Reserves round by round results and indeed the Finals themselves down the years, 1988 Andover Reserves 1989 Stockbridge some more details have come to light since our original story, but the 1990 New Street plea for assistance still stands- 1991 Stockbridge If anyone has the missing information or can help fill in any other gaps, 1992 Stockbridge please do get in touch. 1993 New Street 1994 New Street Year Entries - The year shows the season ended, so 2010 denotes the 2009/10 1995 New Street season. 1996 New Street [*] The 2014 Final was decided on penalties with the Otters winning 5-4, and 1997 New Street the 2017 Final was also decided on penalties with Ludgershall winning 3-2. 1998 New Street [1] Played at the Portway Stadium, Andover 1999 Winchester Castle [2] Played at Foxcotte Park, Andover New Street 2000 Winchester Castle [3] Played at Longmeadow, Whitchurch United 2001 Winchester Castle 2002 Winchester City Reserves 2003 Colden Common 2004 Stockbridge 1-0 Mottisfont 7 April [1] 2005 Whitchurch United 1-0 Andover Reserves 5 May [1] 2006 Stockbridge ?-? M & T Awbridge 23 March [1] 2007 Stockbridge 2-1 Alresford Town 30 April [1] 2008 [details unknown] 2009 Whitchurch United 4-2 Stockbridge 22 April [1] 2010 Otterbourne 2-1 Stockbridge 21 April [1] 2011 [details unknown] 2012 [details unknown] 2013 Stockbridge ?-? ? 2014 Otterbourne 3-3 [*] Andover Town 30 April [2] 2015 Stockbridge 1-0 Overton United ? [2] 2016 Otterbourne 4-0 South Wonston Swifts Reserves 3 May [2] 2017 Ludgershall Sports 2-2 [*] Winchester Castle ? [2] 2018 Andover New Street 3-0 Alresford Town 25 April [3] 2019 Andover New Street 3-1 Andover New Street Swifts 14 May [2]

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

THE ROAD TO QATAR

Following on from the British Virgin Islands story in the last Edition, now that the initial batch of Qualifying Round games have been played, time for reflection on the results in CONCACAF Group C.

25 March Curacao 5-0 St Vincent & The Grenadines 25 March Guatemala 1-0 Cuba 27 March British Virgin Islands 0-3 Guatemala 28 March Cuba 1-2 Curacao 30 March St Vincent & The Grenadines 3-0 British Virgin Islands

Steering Curacao to their opening win with a brace was Huddersfield Town’s Juninho Bacuna, the team have well known and much travelled Guus Hiddink in the Managerial hot seat. Southampton had a player called Cuco Martina who played 24 games for them over two seasons between 2015 and 2017 and then had a short spell at Everton. He scored one goal for Saints - against Arsenal - and was the first player from that Country to score in the Premiership, he was also the national captain in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and is one of their most capped players and is still in the team for this tournament. Trailing 2-0 at the break there was no cup upset last Saturday evening, Guatemala winning 3-0 against the British Virgin Islands, Darwin Lom (California United Strikers FC) hitting a double for Los Chapines. There were starts for Josh Bertie, Charles Medway and Jamie Wilson. Sadly Medway received a red card in the dying minutes with the other two also picking up yellow cards during the game. A case of déjà vu in their next game. A 3-0 loss at the hands of St Vincent & The Grenadines, with starts for Bertie and Wilson. A gap of a couple of months now before the final phase of the First Round, here’s those ties. 2nd June, sees Cuba provide the opposition with the final tie on 5th June against Curacao.

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THIS - I IMAGINE

In all sports, records are set and sometimes quickly and sometimes after many years broken, but in the recent England victory over San Marino (masterminded by James Ward-Prowse) an albeit obscure record that has stood for over 130 years was equalled so still remains unbroken writes John Gorman. Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice and became only the second player with a double barrelled name to score two goals in a game for England. The first to achieve the feat was one William Bromley-Davenport in the 1883/84 Home Championship which in those days consisted of each of the four Home Countries playing the other just once, Scotland came out on top with a 100 per cent record, England won twice, Wales once and Ireland were fairly heavily defeated in all of their three matches. Bromley-Davenport played in the 1-0 defeat by Scotland and scored twice in the 4-0 win over Wales – and those were his only two appearances for his Country. One accepts that life and sport were different in those days but he is or was about as far removed from the modern day footballer as possible. He was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford and played football for Oxford University and The Old Etonians, though one imagines the number of matches played in his career was fairly small. Two years after his goalscoring feat he was elected MP for Macclesfield and whilst an MP fought in the Second Boer War. He lost his Parliamentary post in 1906 and in the Second World War commanded the 22nd Mounted Brigade of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He combined his Military Career with Public Service; he was Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire for 30 years - and boasted a string of honours after his name - KCB, CMG, CBE, ASN, TD, DL and JP. As stated certainly very different from today’s players and today’s world but a very accomplished and notable gentleman who deserves a mention. And James Ward-Prowse came within a goalkeeper’s fingers of also equalling the record.

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

HAMPSHIRE SENIOR INVITATIONAL CUP

Following the movement of clubs both in and out of the above competition, the organising Committee have now arranged details of the Cup. There will be an initial group stage with the 20 competing clubs organised in four groups of 5 which are regionalised. These groups are set out below. After the group stage the competition will split into two knockout groups with the top two teams in each group going through to the main cup and the third, fourth and fifth placed teams taking part into a supplementary cup. The draw for that stage has not yet taken place. The group stage is planned to take place with five match dates (mostly on Saturdays) between April 12th and May 1st but there is flexibility within the rules for clubs to agree alternative match dates. Final approvals are being given to the rules and these will be distributed later this week. Fixtures will probably have been circulated by the time you have read this. The groups are: GROUP 1 GROUP 2 AFC Portchester AFC Totton Folland Sports East Cowes Victoria Hamble Club Fawley Petersfield Town Hythe & Dibden United Services Portsmouth Blackfield & Langley

GROUP 3 GROUP 4 Winchester City Hartley Wintney Bemerton Heath Harlequins Alton Brockenhurst Andover Town New Milton Town Cove Ringwood Town Whitchurch United

SAFER TRAVEL GUIDANCE

Please find the updated travel guidance from the Department of Transport that was updated on 29 March https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers This was distributed to our Clubs with the reminder that it is imperative that they follow this guidance. Clubs should take specific attention of the section relating to restrictions on Car Sharing: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#private-cars- and-other-vehicles and Private Hire vehicles: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#taxis-and- private-hire-vehicles Clubs must consider if they meet the travel for work exemption. This was available as a policy for all clubs at Steps 3-6 for league fixtures and FA competitions. As the season has been curtailed for league fixtures this universal policy does not now apply for all fixtures except those in FA Competitions. Therefore, for supplementary cup competitions or friendlies clubs must be confident on a case by case basis that they meet the ‘for work’ definitions outlined in the guidance.

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

HAMPSHIRE SENIOR INVITATIONAL CUP AND OTHER FIXTURES - APRIL/MAY 2021

Saturday April 10th *U.S. Portsmouth v Hamble Club (1) Buildbase F.A. Vase 3rd Round Tuesday April 27th Plymouth Parkway v Fareham Town Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Tuesday April 13th AFC Portchester v U.S. Portsmouth (1) Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Blackfield & Langley v Fawley AFC (2) Alton v Andover Town (4) Cove v Alton (4) Brockenhurst v New Milton Town (3) Hartley Wintney v Whitchurch United (4) Hamble Club v Folland Sports (1) Petersfield Town v Folland Sports (1) Hythe & Dibden v East Cowes Vics (2) Ringwood Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins (3) Ringwood Town v Winchester City (3) Friday April 30th Wednesday April 14th Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Winchester City v Brockenhurst (3) AFC Totton v Fawley AFC (2) Saturday May 1st Whitchurch United v Cove (4) Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Saturday April 17th Blackfield & Langley v Hythe & Dibden (2) Buildbase F.A. Vase 4th Round East Cowes Vics v AFC Totton (2) Plymouth P’way/Fareham Town v Clevedon Town *Folland Sports v U.S. Portsmouth (1) U.S. Portsmouth v Christchurch Hamble Club v AFC Portchester (1) Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Hartley Wintney v Andover Town (4) Andover Town v Whitchurch United (4) New Milton Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Brockenhurst (3) (3) Cove v Hartley Wintney (4) Whitchurch United v Alton (4) East Cowes Vics v Blackfield & Langley (2) Tuesday May 4th and Wednesday May 5th Fawley AFC v Hythe & Dibden (2) Hampshire Supplementary Cup 4th & 5th place Folland Sports v AFC Portchester (1) play off New Milton Town v Ringwood Town (3) Saturday May 8th Petersfield Town v Hamble Club (1) Hampshire Senior Invitational & Supplementary Tuesday April 20th Cup Quarter Final Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Tuesday May 11th and Wednesday May 12th Hythe & Dibden v AFC Totton (2) Sydenhams League Cup Semi Final U.S. Portsmouth v Petersfield Town (1) Hamworthy United or Whitchurch United v Winchester City v New Milton Town (3) Folland Sports or Bashley Saturday April 24th U.S. Portsmouth v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Buildbase F.A. Vase 5th Round Saturday May 15th U.S. Portsmouth or Christchurch Hampshire Senior Invitational & Supplementary Sydenhams League Cup Quarter Final Cup Semi Final Folland Sports v Bashley Saturday May 22nd Hamworthy United v Whitchurch United Sydenhams League Cup Final Portsmouth Senior Cup Semi Final 2019/20 (at AFC Portchester 15.00) Moneyfields v Fareham Town Saturday May 29th Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup Group Stage Hampshire Senior Invitational & Supplementary AFC Portchester v Petersfield Town (1) Cup Finals AFC Totton v Blackfield & Langley (2) The number in parentheses refers to the Group number, Alton v Hartley Wintney (4) details of which are elsewhere in the Newsletter. Andover Town v Cove (4)

Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Winchester City (3) Please note that all these fixtures are subject to Brockenhurst v Ringwood Town (3) alteration at short notice. Fawley AFC v East Cowes Vics (2)

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 40

PLAYER STATUS GUIDANCE

Clubs will have been emailed this circular from the FA following the curtailment of the 2020-21 League Season, this includes some specific guidance in relation to any supplementary cup competition. Any queries on either the attachment or the below guidance, please direct these to [email protected] - I would be appreciative of both guidance notes being sent to your clubs. Non contract players must be registered with the league to participate in the competition. Clubs are advised to confirm with their League that existing non contract players remain registered following curtailment of the season. Following the passing of the registration deadline (of the 4th Thursday in March), clubs are unable to register new non contract players unless the League permits this under their rules. Please note that the normal Notice of Approach rules (FA Rule C2.1.2) apply in respect of any new registrations of a non-contract player. Clubs with players under written contract are reminded that they should continue to meet their obligations to the players under the terms of the contract until the contract expiry date. For those contracts that are due to expire on the first Saturday in May 2021, please note that as these fixtures are non-first team fixtures, the contract registration will expire on 1st May 2021 in accordance with the playing contract. At this point the club must either extend the contract (new contract agreement and G2 form which expires on the first Saturday in May 2022, or a new contract agreement and G1 for the period of one calendar month), and submit accordingly to The FA, or register the player as a non-contract player in order to be eligible to participate in the competition. However, clubs should be aware that the re-registration of a player under a contract for one calendar month or under a different status (i.e. non contract) may result in the club’s compensation rights being forfeited. Clubs should also be mindful that if a player under the age of 24 whose contract expires on 1st May 2021, is offered new terms by his current club (in accordance with the retention process outlined in FA Rules) but decides to register with a new club (for the avoidance of doubt, on either a contract or non-contract basis), for the period from 2nd May, the new club registering the player may be liable for compensation in accordance with FA Rules. Only loan players already registered with The FA can participate in these competitions. These loans may be extended to cover these competition fixtures provided that the extension is a continuation, i.e. there are no gaps in the loan, for example where the current loan expires on 25th of the month, the continuation should commence from 26th. Loan continuation documents must be submitted to The FA. Please be aware that the period of any loan cannot go beyond the expiry date of the player’s contract with the parent club. New loan agreements will not be accepted.

THE LAST WORD

Clubs have been emailed with a PowerPoint presentation. It is hoped that you watch it and get in touch. Three weeks ago, and as circulated to clubs in an email, the League is receiving the support from Laura Smith, an FA Club Consultant, to help us and our member clubs through this difficult time. In order to identify how we can best support clubs within our league over the coming months, clubs were asked to please complete a short online survey which would only take a few minutes to complete, and to do so before the end of March. At time of writing it was disappointing that fewer than half of our 39 clubs have completed the survey. A further request to complete the survey before the deadline was issued. Club feedback will help inform what support is provided; for example if a large proportion of clubs specify finances as an area where support would be appreciated, the League will focus on developing resources and guidance on this theme. Similarly, if governance is of interest, the League will prioritise producing support in this area, and so on. Friday, 02 April 2021 Page 16 of 16