ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX) FOOTBALL CLUB
The Bostik League—Senior South Central Division
Saturday 30th March 2019 Kick Off 3PM
Ashford Town (Mx) v South Park FC
Welcome to the Robert Parker Stadium OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME Season 2018/2019 - For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com Ashford Town (Middlesex) Football Club Limited The Robert Parker Stadium, Short Lane, Stanwell, Middlesex, TW19 7BH Tel: 01784 245908. W: www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com E: [email protected] Members of the Southern, Suburban, Isthmian Youth and Greater London Women’s Football Leagues. Affiliated to Middlesex & Surrey FA’s. Company Registration Number: 07904731 Company Limited By Guarantee Club Directory
Directors Nick Bailey, Alan Constable, Paul Blair, Steve Clark, Robert Parker
Patrons Mr Ray Dorset, Mr Russell Grant - The Lord of Ashford (Middlesex) President Mr Bob Parker
Life Members Mr Alan Constable, Mr Bob Parker, Mr Steve Clark
Vice-President Ms. Lynne Morgan, Mr Gareth Coates, Mr Bob Lewis.
Chairman Mr Nick Bailey & Mr Alan Constable [email protected]
Vice-Chairmen Mr Nick Bailey
General Secretary Mr Alan Constable [email protected] Football Secretary Mr Paul Blair [email protected] Finance Director Mr Steve Clark Programme Editor Mr Graham Felce Press Secretary Mr Larry Mansell [email protected] Groundsmen Mr Liam Balmer & Mr Steve Honey
Membership Secretary Mr Chris Canderton
Webmaster Mr Gareth Coates [email protected]
Safety Officer Mr Liam Balmer
Welfare Officer Mrs Emma Bailey [email protected]
Football Development Officer Mr Ben Murray Mr Daryl Watson, Mr Jamie Brunton, Mr Graham Felce, Mr John Gully Mr Club General Committee Roger King, Miss S Cooley, 1st Team Manager Mr Ben Murray
Assistant Manager Mr Mark Green
Goalkeeper Coach Mr Steve Honey
Physiotherapist Mr Martin O’Connell Kit Manager Mr Chad Beadle Ladies Team Manager Mr Will Boye
Youth Team Manager
Club Photographer Mr Steve McCarthy
@ashfordtownmx @ashfordmiddxlfc @ashfordtnythfc . 2 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com
Good afternoon Everyone,
We are pleased to welcome South Park FC to Short Lane this afternoon for what will be their first competitive match here at Short Lane. Our visitors got off to a poor start this season and, as a result have been battling against the possibility of relegation for much of the season. A change of manager helped redress the balance though and they are currently in 19th position. Although we had a good win at South Park earlier in the season, we are well aware that they will be up for the fight this afternoon and they, of course, have a greater incentive than us as we now seem doomed to a mid-table position at best. That said, there needs to be a natural enthu- siasm to win games of football and, despite our recent indifferent run, we need to get ourselves back on track. March results for our opponents have been very mixed. A fairly routine draw at home to FC Romania was followed by two heavy defeats, 0-4 at Bedfont Sports and 1-6 at home to Hayes & Yeading. They reversed their fortunes last week though with a 3-0 victory at our neighbours, Egham Town, who now sadly look doomed to going down. At the time of writing this, it is looking possible that we will entertain Walton Casuals next Wednesday (3 April) in the semi-final of the S. Comb. Cup with the winners to face either Sutton Common Rovers or Hanworth Villa in the Final. This will be confirmed as soon as possible. The next league match is next Saturday when we travel to Chalfont St. Peter. We all send our congratulations and best wishes to one of our young players, Antoni Miernik who has signed forms for Chelsea. His manager Chris Clark had this to say: “He has been a pleas- ure to work with the last 2 and a bit seasons. At U6’s I remember watching him play and think- ing this lad has something about him. A month later I tried him in goal and he was good. I spoke to his parents and found out he played basketball, so was already good with his hands, I asked them if they would mind him being our designated Goalkeeper for a few games, and if he liked it, we would continue with him in goal, they showed their support in this decision. He played in goal at the start of the U7’s season and he was brave, could use his feet, positioning was good and most importantly could save. He is the best learner I have ever worked with, the term sponge is used far too often but this lad is literally a sponge for learning, he absorbs everything you say and comes up with some pretty good questions as well. His determination, self-belief and dedication has got him this opportuni- ty. As a coach I am very happy to have had a helping hand in his development and finding the posi- tion that suits his talents and am more than happy to pass him on to the next stage of his devel- opment, although we will certainly miss him next season.”
We’re now just awaiting the transfer fee!
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SOUTH PARK FOOTBALL CLUB – A BRIEF HISTORY South Park Football Club was formed in 1897 and immediately became founder members of the Redhill & District Football League along with other local clubs Godstone, Meadvale and Reigate Pri- ory Reserves. The club remain members of the league today.
Although the facilities were basic the early matches were played in the original sports field which was in upper South Park between Crescent Road and Church Road. In 1925 under the direction of Canon Gregory from the local church, the football club together with the village cricket club formed the South Park Sports Association with the aim of the Association to provide sport and sporting facilities for the people of South Park. Within a few years it was realised that this new concept would be better served by an improvement in facilities and playing conditions. Fortunately for both club’s suitable land existed in Whitehall Lane, the clubs current home and with the co-operation of the public spirited landowner, Harold Swannack, four acres of ground were purchased there. Always strapped for cash in these early years, the money was raised for the field largely by public subscription, which included door to door collections.
In order to preserve the land as a permanent sports ground, great foresight was exer- cised in vesting the land and subsequent purchases of further lots of two acres and four acres making ten acres in all in the National Playing Fields Association, now known as Fields in trust. The land became known as the ‘King Georges Field’ from 1935. The changing rooms were located on the far side of the field from Whitehall Lane at the bottom of the number two football pitch. Although the facilities were an improvement on their previous home they remained basic.
The football club flourished in the years leading to the Second Great War but obviously declined during and immediately after it. A handful of stewards rallied to the cause however and quickly resurrected its fortunes. One legacy of the hostilities, the air raid shelter, became the focus of attention when it became clear that further improve- ments were needed to the facilities if sporting aspirations were to be advanced. Thus it was that a shower room and toilet block and a modest clubhouse were attached to this building. Funding for this was achieved through the tireless efforts of the ‘Friends of South Park Sports Association’ organisation. Despite these commendable efforts, the Association lived for many years on a hand to mouth basis with the management all too frequently having to put their hands into their own pockets to ensure its survival.
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During this period the playing side of the football club flourished with numerous hon- ours won in the local leagues and cups together with appearances in County Cup finals. The club were also honoured in the fact that a number of players progressed to senior football with clubs such as Redhill and Eastbourne Town in the fifties and sixties, the heyday of non league football.
The seventies and eighties brought further improvements to the changing facilities and clubroom and the purchase of the land that is now our main pitch were made. In the early seventies the football club started the junior’s section. Over the years the num- ber of teams has increased on a regular basis and today we have boy’s teams from under eight’s through to under sixteen’s.
In 1997 the football club celebrated its Centenary year, the highlight of which was a celebratory dinner held at Reigate Manor Hotel at which over 150 people attended. Many players both past and present attended along with guests from The Football As- sociation and Surrey County Football Association. The club was presented with its own unique framed certificate from the Football Association to mark this occasion.
The club was once again celebrating in 1998 when Geof Thatcher was awarded a Gold Medal by the Football Association to commemorate over 50 years service to football, the whole period with our club dating back to the war years when the club only played friendly matches as their was no competitive football during the war.
2001 saw Reigate Town Football Club move to South Park and the club became known as South Park & Reigate Town Football Club. In 2002 the club saw the formation of the first girl’s team to play under the clubs name and we now have four girl’s teams. The following the year saw the introduction of the youth team who are currently playing in the Southern Youth Floodlight League. The youth team played their home matches at Merstham Football Club from 2003–2007 as at the time we did not have floodlights.
For the 2003/04 season the club reverted back to its original name of South Park Foot- ball Club. In February 2004 the club became only the fifth in Surrey to be awarded the status of ‘FA Charter Standard Community Club’. In 2006 the first team were promoted to the Combined Counties Football League and as our new changing facilities were be- ing built played their home matches at Cranleigh. In their first season in the Combined Counties League the team finished in seventh place in the league. 2007 saw the com- pletion of our new changing rooms and the erection of floodlights around our main pitch. This ensured that our first and youth teams could now play their home matches in South Park.
+44 (0)1784 430000 or [email protected]
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The 2008/09 season saw another landmark in the history of the club when we hosted Shoreham in our first ever FA Vase game. The 2009/10 season saw the club finish in their highest position (6th) since joining the Combined Counties League. The club has continued to progress and in August 2010 our stand will be erected which will give us the ground grading required for the first team to gain pro- motion. The 2010/11 season will saw the club participate in the FA Cup for the time with an away tie against Greenwich Borough in the extra preliminary round. This game was covered by ITV Sport to start their Road to Wembley coverage as were our subsequent ties against Horsham YMCA and Cray Wanderers. The first team won the Surrey Premier Cup Final and the Lemon Recordings Division One Chal- lenge Cup in addition to being promoted to the Premier Division of the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League.
The 2011/12 saw South Park finish in eighth position in their first season in the Com- bined Counties League Premier Division. A good run in the FA Carlsberg Vase saw us reach the Fourth Round where we were beaten by Whitley Bay, the Vase winners for the previous three seasons. Playing in the Surrey Senior Cup for the first time Park beat Ryman Premier League Kingstonian and Leatherhead before finally being knocked out in the quarter finals by Conference South Sutton Utd. Season 2012/13 saw the club reach the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with Budweiser where we played Metropolitan Police in front of a club record attendance of 643. The team fin- ished the season in 4th place in the league and reached the league cup final.
The 2013/14 season saw South Park win the Combined Counties League Premier Divi- sion and in doing so gain promotion to the Isthmian League Division One South. Our first season at step four saw us finish in a creditable 14th position. Each season has seen us improve on the previous season’s league position with an 8th place finish in 2016/17. The 2016/17 season also saw us reach the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy where we drawn away to Tranmere Rovers. South Park finished the 2017/18 season in 13th place in the league. They also reached the semi finals of the Surrey Senior Cup for the first time. Malcolm Porter announced that he would be stepping down as manager due to business commitments at the end of the 2017/18 season. The club announced at the end of April that Mick Sullivan would be taking over from Malcolm as first team manager. Mick and his management team have rebuilt the team and following the FA’s restructure we start the 2018/19 season in the new Bostik South Central Division. Mick Sullivan resigned from his position as manager in October. Jay Lovett was appointed manager and took charge of his first game at the beginning of November.
It must also be noted that without the tireless efforts of the late Fred Dearmun, Geof Thatcher, Ray Wilson and Geof Arnold to name but a few, the club would not be in the position it is today.
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. 13 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com First Team Fixtures 2018/2019
Date Result Opponent Goalscorers 11/08/2018 1-1 H—Hertford Town Wilson 18/08/2018 2-4 A—Chipstead Bitmead(3), Cottee 21/08/2018 0-1 H– Hayes & Yeading Utd (LGE Cup) 25/08/2018 4-1 A– Cray Valley (PM) (FA Cup Pr Rd) Wilson 27/08/2018 1-0 A—Hanwell Town 01/09/2018 1-1 H—Cheshunt Bitmead 15/09/2018 2-3 A—Tooting & Mitcham Utd Poley, Cottee, Webb 22/09/2018 0-5 H—Bracknell Town 25/09/2018 2-0 A—Molesey Webb, Wilson Bitmead(2), Webb, 29/09/2018 4-2 H—Heybridge Swifts (FAT XP Rd ) Cottee H– Chessington & Hook (Com Cp Lockhart– Adams 02/10/2018 2-0 Rd1) Haile, 06/10/2018 7-1 A—Hayes & Yeading Utd Howard 13/10/2018 0-0 H—Westfield (FAT Prem Rd) 16/10/2018 2-3 A—Westfield (FAT Prem Rd Replay) Lockhart-Adams, Wilson Lockhart-adams 20/10/2018 3-0 H—Westfield Bitmead (2), 23/10/2018 0-0 A—Hanworth Villa (Mdx Snr Cup) Lost on Pens 27/10/2018 1-2 H—Lewes (FAT Q Rd 1) Baigent Green, Decabo. 30/10/2018 4-1 H—Horley Town ( Surrey Snr Cup Webb, Cottee 03/11/2018 3-0 A—Northwood 10/11/2018 2-1 H—Waltham Abbey Beadle (2) 13/11/2018 2-1 H—FC Romania Bitmead, Webb 17/11/2018 2-2 A—Ware Brunton, Cottee 20/11/2018 1-1 A—Camberley Town Comb Cup R2 Kazi ( 1-3 Pens) 24/11/2018 0-3 H—Marlow Lockhart-Adams, Beadle 01/12/2018 0-5 A—Uxbridge Bitmead(2) , Baigent Bitmead(3) Cottee, 08/12/2018 2-5 A—South Park . Haile 14 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com First Team Fixtures 2018/2019
Date Result Opponent Goalscorers 11/12/2018 1-4 H - Chipstead (Surrey Snr Cup R2) Haile 15/12/2018 2-0 H—Chalfont St Peter Cottee, Haile 22/12/2018 1-4 H—Hanwell Town Beadle 29/12/2018 4-0 A—Bedfont Sports 05/01/2019 2-1 H—Egham Town Webb, Gockman 08/01/2019 2-1 H—Southall (Mdx C Cup) Bitmead, Haile 12/01/2019 1-0 A—Cheshunt 19/01/2019 0-2 A—FC Romania Cottee ( 2) 26/01/2019 2-2 H—Hayes & Yeading Utd Bitmead (2) Haile, Lockhart- 05/02/2019 2-3 H—Molesey Adams 09/02/2019 0-1 A—Hertford Town Cottee 16/02/2019 0-0 H– Chipstead 23/02/2019 2-1 H– Northwood Cottee, Gockman 26/02/2019 2-1 A– Westfield Beadle 02/03/2019 2-1 A– Waltham Abbey Webb 09/03/2019 1-3 H—Ware Gokmen 16/03/2019 1-0 A– Marlow 19/03/2019 1-1 A—Abbey Ranger SCC Q/F Beadle (won on Pens 23/03/2019 0-1 H– Uxbridge 30/03/2019 H– South Park 06/04/2019 A– Chalfont St Peter 13/04/2019 H– Tooting & Mitcham Utd 20/04/2019 A—Egham Town 22/04/2019 H– Bedfont Sports 27/04/2019 A—Bracknell Town TBA H—Hanworth Villa MCC Q/F TBA H—Walton Casuals SCC Semi Final
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ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX)
SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP (£60 + VAT) Complementary Match Ticket to game of your Choice Company listing on the website Photo of you and the Player
MATCHDAY SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE 1 (£150 + VAT) Four Matchday Tickets Company Logo on Programme cover Company listing on the website Reserved seating in clubhouse Bar Complimentary refreshments
MATCHDAY SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE 2 (£200 + VAT) Four Matchday Tickets Company Logo on Programme cover Company listing on the website Reserved seating in clubhouse Bar Complimentary refreshments Junior Mascots for the day
MATCHBALL SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE 1 (£50 + VAT) One Matchday Ticket Company Logo on Programme cover Company listing on the website
MATCHBALL SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE 2 (£75 + VAT) One Matchday Ticket Company Logo on Programme cover Company listing on the website Junior Mascot for the day
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Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC Player Sponsorship Player Sponsor
Adam Baigent Tom Brunton Eddie Hutchinson
Mark Bitmead John Gully
Brannon Daly
Russell Canderton Lynne Morgan
Jack Beadle Paul Blair
Leo Decabo Thomas Dilloway Joe Green Nebay Haile Tom Howard Samad Kazi Dan Butler Kofi Lockhart-Adams Steven Loveridge
Elliot Pooley Tyler Tobin Graham Felce Max Webb Simon Gibson Scott Weight Nick Bailey Ben Murray Bob Lewis
Mark Green Bob Lewis
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. 19 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com Ashford Town Middlesex Brief History Until recently, it was assumed that Ashford Town Football Club was formed in 1964. However, new research has indicated the club was formed in 1958 as Ashford Albion and first competed in the Houns- low & District League. Albion won two consecutive promotions to reach the Premier Division of the Hounslow League and were still competing at this level when the club changed its name to Ashford Town in 1964. It was at this time that the club adopted its distinctive Tangerine & White colours. The club endured a difficult first campaign as the Town club and withdrew from the Prem- ier Division, assuming the Reserve Team's place in Division Two. Having rebuilt the club with a very young team, Ashford Town rapidly advanced through the various divisions of that League, absorbing Staines Youth Club FC. on the way. Several individuals from that era have remained with the Club and now form the backbone of the Committee, including the Vice-Chairman and Sec- retary. The Club were elected to the Surrey Intermediate League (Western) in 1967 and were promoted at the end of their first season. The Ash Trees were League Cup finalists in 1970-71 and League runners-up in 1972-73. In 1974-75, Ashford enjoyed their best season under the managership of ex-Fulham player Frank Reid, winning the League by three points from perennial contenders Merrow. Although the championship eluded the Club in following seasons, it usually fin- ished in the top four and prior to season 1982-83 an invitation was extended by Surrey County FA. to become founder members of the Surrey County Premier League. The invitation was readily accepted and Ashford played their first match in the new league on 4 September 1982, drawing 0-0 away to Farleigh Rovers. Almost from its foundation, the Club had aspirations to acquire its own ground and after one or two disappointments, this was achieved in August 1985, when a long lease was signed with Spelthorne Borough Council, enabling the Club to move to its present home at Short Lane, Stanwell. From what was nothing more than a field, the facilities were quickly developed, with the first match at Short Lane taking place in February 1986, following two postponements for snow. The Club now possesses a modern clubhouse and bar, kitchen facilities and boardroom. Floodlights were erected in September 1995, whilst the pitch is railed all round and partly walled, with standing covered accommodation, plus a purpose built 150-seater stand, built in 1998 (pictured). An additional 100 seats were installed on the opposite side of the ground to this stand in 2006, after the club won promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division. For both geographical and historical reasons, Ashford affiliate to both Middlesex and Surrey F.As and in 1989-90, their last season as an Intermediate Club, they reached the final of both Counties Premier Cup competitions, beating Farnham Town in the Surrey version but losing to Willesden Hawkeye in the Middlesex . 20 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com Ashford Town Middlesex Brief History—Continued 2 final. Runners-up spot in the League was also secured and with it the opportuni- ty to enter senior football, as members of the Combined Counties League, sen- ior status having been granted in May 1990. It was at this point that the club changed its name to Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC, to avoid confusion with the Kent club of the same name. During its ten year membership of the Combined Counties League, the Club never finished below sixth place, and after finishing 3rd and 2nd in seasons 1992-93 and 93-94, it went on to win the League Championship for four succes- sive seasons. It was a relative disappointment to only come 4th in 1998-99, even though the Club won the League Cup but a 5th championship in just six seasons was secured in 99-00, along with the Middlesex Charity Cup, the first ever senior county cup honour. With the ground up to the required standard, Ashford took their place in the Isthmian League for season 2000-2001 and by finishing in 3rd place, secured promotion to Division 2 at the first attempt. The first season in Division Two did not the Club making sufficient progress and after a series of indifferent results, long serving manager Dave Kent left the Club on 28 March. His replacement was Nathan Wharf, an ex long serving player, who stepped up from Reserve Team management. Further major improvements were made to the ground to enable the Club to be granted a B-grade and to take its place in the newly regionalised Division One of the Ryman League. A poor start saw the Club in the bottom echelons of the table but a number of new signings saw a significant improvement and a 17th place finish, which was an excellent performance after winning just one of the opening 16 league matches. Further progress was made in 2003-04 as the Club finished 12th in Div 1 South. In the close season prior to 2004-05, the pitch has been completely re- laid to include both irrigation and drainage systems, at a cost of around £50,000, mostly financed by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund. Further medium term plans include new changing accommodation adjacent to the pitch, which will allow enlargement of the present clubhouse, and a hard surface floodlit train- ing area. The Club embarked upon new adventures in season 2004-05 in the Southern League for the first time, having been transferred over as a result of the FA Re- structure. The 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup was reached for the first time and Mark Butler, renowned goal scorer in his day with Aldershot Town, Staines Town etc, was promoted from Assistant Manager to Manager following the resig- nation of Nathan Wharf in December 2004. The play-offs were reached but re- sulted in a narrow defeat at Evesham United after extra time. In 2005-06, Ashford went one better, finishing second in Division One West of the Southern League, to secure promotion to Step 3. This brought about a re- turn to the Isthmian League for season 2006-07 and saw Ashford competing at their highest ever level. The season brought consolidation with the added bonus
. 21 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com Ashford Town Middlesex of reaching and winning the Westview (League) Cup Final when Ashford triumphed 4-1 over Dover Athletic at Brom- ley. The Reserves also lifted a trophy, securing the Middle- sex Premier Cup. Ashford built on this success, rallying from the foot of the ta- ble in November 2007 to narrowly miss a place in the promo- tion play-offs at the end of the 2007-08 season, a campaign which saw all of the club's senior sides challenge for hon- ours. The senior side reached the Final of the Southern Combination Cup, the Reserves reached the Finals of both the Middlesex Premier and Surrey Premier Cups, while the Under 18s, led by club stalwart, Mick Snowden were champions of the Southern Youth League. The 2008-09 season saw Ashford begin the campaign in electrifying form, win- ning their opening six matches to top the table. Mark Butler's side followed this up with a fantastic FA Cup run which saw them come agonisingly close to elimi- nating Forest Green Rovers in the Fourth Qualifying Round at Short Lane. Rov- ers won the replay and went on to run Derby County close in the Third Round. Ashford endured a difficult winter, which saw them flirt with relegation, before a late resurgence saw the side safely into mid-table. The cup competi- tions added much adventure to the season, as Ashford followed up their exploits in the FA Cup with runs to the semi-finals of both the Middlesex Senior and Isth- mian League Cups and end their campaign by defeating Conference Premier outfit Woking 3-2 at Metropolitan Police to win the Surrey Senior Cup. The 2009-10 season saw Ashford make a reasonable start to the campaign, but the Ash Trees were shocked when manager Mark Butler tendered his resigna- tion on Friday 23rd October, in order to take up the Manager's role at Margate FC, who were struggling at the foot of the table. Ashford appointed former Leicester City and Bradford City midfielder Jamie Lawrence as his replacement, and the Jamaican international immediately led his new charges on a twelve- match unbeaten run. However, issues off the pitch were causing problems for the club and a number of players, including leading goal scorer Byron Harrison left for Carshalton Athletic, where Mark Butler had accepted a coaching role af- ter leaving Margate, where he had been in charge for just three months. Ash- ford found scoring a problem after Harrison left and a dreadful run of form saw them go from the fringe of the play-off zone to battling relegation. Ashford went into their final match knowing a win would almost guarantee survival, while a draw would see them finish fourth from bottom - technically a relegation place, but certain to receive a reprieve owing to the demise of various other clubs. Sadly, a heavy defeat for Ashford, coupled with wins for Carshalton and Margate saw the latter two clubs survive - Margate receiving the reprieve for fin- ishing fourth from bottom. During the summer of 2010, the club were initially placed in the Central Division of the Southern League but were then offered the chance to remain at Step
. 22 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com Ashford Town Middlesex
Three of the non-league pyramid. However, as this offer was as a direct replacement for defunct Southern League side Merthyr Tydfil, the decision was made that the vast increase in travelling would be too great a burden for the club and the club elected to remain in the Central Division. During this time, Bob Parker stepped down from his role as Chairman after twenty-eight years in the role. The club's home ground was renamed the Robert Parker Sta- dium in honour of Bob, who remains at the club as President. The club entered a new era in the Central Division of the Southern League with Jamie Lawrence at the helm and with a mixture of established local players and new faces but the season was a challenging one. The club played some spar- kling football at times and enjoyed an exciting run in the FA Trophy, reaching the Last 32 in the competition before losing at home to Dartford. However, League form was patchy and the club finished 16th. One bright spark was the club win- ning the Southern Combination Cup, defeating Hanworth Villa 1-0 in the Final. Jamie Lawrence resigned as Manager in June 2011 and the club immediately appointed his assistant, Paul Burgess, to take the helm after more than 21 years at the club, including 683 First Team appearances. Despite having little time to do it and few resources at his disposal, "Burgo" assembled a young and exciting team. Although any hopes of a tilt at the promotion play-offs were dashed by a dreadful run where the club failed to win at home for four months, Ashford fin- ished the season strongly, winning two Cup Finals in 48 hours. In the Middlesex Charity Cup Final, the Ash Trees were 3-0 down to Northwood after 48 minutes before substitute Kofi Lockhart-Adams scored four times to put his team ahead. the game finished 4-4, with Ashford winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2. Two days later, Ashford defeated Badshot Lea 3-1 to add the Aldershot Senior Cup to the cabinet, aided by a fine performance from Paul McCarthy, who had saved two penalties in the first Final. A memorable season was capped by the club being named winners of the Southern League Fair Play Award.
In recent times Ashford now managed by Ben Murray and ably assisted by Mark Green have been renowned for playing attractive football firstly in the Combined Counties and after the team gained promotion in the Southern League. The re- turn of the side into the Combined Counties was a result of being relegated in the 2013-14 season from the Southern League. That season despite a late run of good results after the team was invigorated by the appointment of Ben Murray the team just fell short in trying to stay up. In the 2014/15 season the team had a fantastic start to the campaign winning ten League games in succession after losing the first game at home to Cove. Despite that Ashford lost out to Molesey for the title and finished third as Cam- berley Town took second place. The exciting brand of football made Ashford very pleasing on the eye to watch but the doggedness of the Molesey side saw . 23 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com
In the 2015/16 season Ashford again started the season excellently and were amongst the front runners but found the red hot form of the excellent Hartley Wintney too much to take the title but due to the Champions ground grading not being of step 4 standard Ashford took the promotion place on offer to the run- ners up. This was achieved on the last game of the season as rivals Camberley Town went down 3-2 at champions Hartley Wintney. Mark Bitmead scored an impressive 42 goals in the season with Dan Fleming scoring 25 goals. Back in the Southern League Ashford started brightly in the 2016/17 season oc- cupying one of the play off places in October before a dip in form in the winter period cost Ashford and the team slid down to mid table. A strong ending to the season culminated in Ashford finishing in 9th place. The side also won the Mid- dlesex Senior Cup Final played at Hanwell Town by beating Conference South side Wealdstone by two goals to one. Alex Fisher and Dan Fleming were the scorers on the evening. Russell Canderton was outstanding on the evening making one miraculous clearance off the line. Samad Kazi caught the eye as the supporters player of the season. The current season saw Ashford win three rounds of the FA Cup before losing out to Leatherhead in the 3rd Qualifying Round. Unfortunately serious injuries to Joe Green and Mark Bitmead saw Ashford fall out the play off places again. Mark had started tremendously well in the season scoring 11 goals in the first 11 games. A poor run in the winter months saw Ashford hover in midtable but once again the side has returned to form and have currently have only lost one out of the last nine games. The return of Mitchal Gough has been instrumental in the recent good run. Alex Fisher, James Cottee, Max Webb & Jack Beadle have been impressive throughout the season.
And so to the New Season, 208/2019 looks set to be one of Transition for the club, with the sad loss of our Chairman Dave Baker during the close season the position of Chairman has been split into a joint role between Alan Constable & Nick Bailey both of whom are keen to continue the development of the club and its ever-growing Tangerine brand, on the playing front there too have been some changes with a number of the previous incumbents moving on during the close season to a higher level within the Non-League Pyramid we wish them all the well and thank them for there efforts whilst in the Tangerine colours, and now allows for the next chapter to be written and some new faces to entertain the tangerine faithful.
. 24 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com
Why not enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee !! Just present this voucher
at the snack bar for your free
Cup of tea or coffee
Only 1 voucher per person
Only valid on Saturday 30th March 2019 Cannot be redeemed for anything else. No cash value . 25 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com
Position Team P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Hayes & Yeading United 32 25 4 3 116 29 +87 79 2 Bracknell Town 31 18 8 5 85 41 +44 62 3 Marlow 31 18 8 5 54 24 +30 62 4 Cheshunt 32 18 8 6 61 38 +23 62 5 Westfield 32 17 6 9 63 47 +16 57 6 Ware 32 15 9 8 74 48 +26 54 7 Waltham Abbey 32 17 1 14 53 51 +2 52 8 Tooting & Mitcham United 32 14 9 9 57 48 +9 51 9 Northwood 32 15 6 11 62 58 +4 51 10 Hanwell Town 32 13 9 10 63 61 +2 48 11 Ashford Town (Middx) 32 13 5 14 48 56 -8 44 12 Bedfont Sports 32 12 6 14 65 63 +2 42 13 Chipstead 32 12 4 16 50 59 -9 40 14 Uxbridge 32 10 6 16 43 64 -21 36 15 Chalfont St Peter 31 8 11 12 43 50 -7 35 16 FC Romania 32 9 3 20 40 77 -37 30 17 Hertford Town 32 5 10 17 48 74 -26 25 18 South Park 32 7 4 21 39 80 -41 25 19 Molesey 30 5 6 19 27 63 -36 21 20 Egham Town 31 2 5 24 20 80 -60 11
. 26 For all the latest club news, visit our website at www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com
1958-59 Hounslow & District League Division Two Runners-Up (promoted) 1959-60 Hounslow & District League Division One Runners-Up (promoted) 1965-66 Promoted from Hounslow & District League Division Two (3rd place) 1966-67 Hounslow & District League Division One Runners-Up (promoted) 1970-71 Surrey Intermediate League (Western) League Cup Finalists 1974-75 Surrey Intermediate League (Western) Champions Surrey Premier Cup Winners 1989-90 Middlesex Premier Cup Finalists Surrey Premier League Runners-Up (promoted to Combined Counties League) 1991-92 Dan-Air Class Elite Cup Finalists 1992-93 Parasol Challenge Cup Finalists Parasol Challenge Cup Finalists 1993-94 Parasol Challenge Vase Finalists Combined Counties League Runners Up 1994-95 Combined Counties League Champions Combined Counties League Champions 1995-96 Southern Combination Cup Winners Combined Counties League Champions 1996-97 Southern Youth League Champions 1997-98 Combined Counties League Champions 1998-99 Worldwide Carpets Premier Cup Winners Combined Counties League Champions 1999-2000 Middlesex Charity Cup Winners 2000-01 Promoted from Isthmian League Division Three (3rd place) Southern Combination Cup Finalists 2001-02 Lord of Ashford in Middlesex Charity Bowl Joint Winners 2002-03 Aldershot Senior Cup Winners 2003-04 Aldershot Senior Cup Finalists 2004-05 Middlesex Premier Cup Finalists Southern League – Div One West Runners-up. 2005-06 Promoted to Ryman League – Premier Division Isthmian League Cup Winners 2006-07 Middlesex Premier Cup Winners Southern Combination Cup Finalists Finalists Middlesex Premier Cup 2007-08 Finalists Surrey Premier Cup Champions Southern Youth League Surrey Senior Cup Winners 2008-09 Lord of Ashford in Middlesex Charity Bowl Winners Southern Youth League West Division Champions and League Runners-Up Jim Richardson Memorial Trophy Winners 2009-10 Suburban League Cup Finalists Jim Richardson Memorial Trophy Winners 2010-11 Southern Combination Cup Winners Middlesex Charity Cup Winners Evo-Stik Southern League Fair Play Trophy Winners 2011-12 Aldershot Invitation Cup Winners Jim Richardson Memorial Trophy Winners 2012-13 Middlesex Senior Cup Finalist 2013-14 Lord of Ashford in Middlesex Charity Bowl Winners 2015-16 Promoted to Evo-Southern Central Division One 2016-17 Middlesex Charity Cup Winners . 27 TODAY’S SQUADS 30th March 2019 Bostik South Central Division
Ashford Town (Middlesex) V South Park FC
Tangerine & White Colours All Blue
Tyler TOBIN © 1 Michael EACOTT Steven LOVERIDGE 2 Tom SUMMERFIELD Tom DILLOWAY 3 Harry POLLARD Adam BAIGENT 4 Liam HARWOOD Elliot POLEY 5 Matt MALES Scott WEIGHT 6 Ryan HEALY Jack BEADLE 7 Jay BRADLEY Max WEBB 8 Charlie PITCHER
Kofi LOCKHART-ADAMS 9 Great EVANS
Tom BRUNTON 10 Ryan RUCHEFOND James COTTEE 11 Ryan CATMULL Joe GREEN 12 Andrew HERRING Leo DECABO 14 Sam REMFRY
Russell CANDERTON 15 Chevan XAVIER
Nebay HAILE 16 Jordan SERRATO Samad KAZI 17 Hayden SKERRY Tom HOWARD 18 Callum McALLISTER Gurkan GOCKMEN 19 Harry ARNOLD Ben MURRAY MANAGER Jay LOVETT Mark GREEN ASSISTANT Matt BUBB Russell CANDERTON COACH Steve HONEY COACH Martin O’CONNELL PHYSIO Natalie FRENCH
Today’s Match Officials: Referee: Gerry Heron Assistants: Chimango Gondwe James Amadori