Betvictor Southern League Premier Division Central Saturday 31 August 2019 Matchday Programme £2

BetVictor Southern League Premier Division Central

Saturday 31 August 2019 Matchday programme £2

All for one and one for all When Leiston played Felixstowe in the last Spanish’ - and they did much to raise friendly of this pre-season, three Spaniards Wigan’s media profile as well as enhance took the field: our own Albert Serra their success on the field. Parrondo and Sebas Pons Llado, plus Martínez went on to become a club ‘Fernando’, the opposition centre-back. It legend, managing the club in the latter half took me back to ‘The Three Amigos’ of of their unlikely nine-year stay in the Jesús Seba, Isidro Díaz and the better- Premier League, adapting their style of known Roberto Martínez who joined play to a more patient, passing approach Wigan Athletic somewhat incongruously in despite some hair-raising experiences 1995. during that tactical transition, including an infamous 1-9 defeat at Tottenham. Most famously, Martínez led Wigan to an improbable, yet joyous FA Cup win at the expense of Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City. Memorably, Martínez said before the game that Wigan would have to be perfect on the day to achieve their goal. Perfect, they were. For ninety minutes, every Wigan Athletic’s three amigos: Jesús Seba, player gave his all, playing to well-drilled Roberto Martínez and Isidro Díaz. instructions, but with no little skill. It was Wigan Athletic was a club on the up. an outstanding performance from players Promoted into the Football League in the whose collective discipline and endeavour 1980s, they were now owned by ex- saw them overcome their considerably professional footballer and successful local sports retailer Dave Whelan. He was put in touch with the three, who were plying their trade at Real Zaragoza B, by the man in charge of Whelan’s sports stores in that city. The arrival of the three amigos piqued local interest - though Díaz was later to recall, ‘I remember turning to Roberto and Jesús and asking why the fans were Roberto Martínez with Wigan’s 2013b wearing Mexican sombreros when we’re FA Cup-winning goalscorer Ben Watson.

and the surprising addition of players from Spain, but a stubborn attachment to club ethos and principle; the bonding together of team and supporters - in Leiston’s case, under the banner of #weareaclub. These will be crucial factors in confronting and overcoming the trials that this season will inevitably continue to present. Leiston FC have punched impressively above their weight for some years more illustrious and prosperous local rivals. to be playing competitively at this level, and Martínez had led an unfashionable club with a the task has been made even harder with the middling supporter base to continued status unforgiving fortnightly journeys into and on the highest national stage, culminating in across the midlands, a factor that should not indelible success in the nation’s flagship be discounted when considering the pool of knockout tournament. players from which the club is able to recruit, and a situation exacerbated by the new-found After last Monday’s game at Needham Market, purchasing power of certain noisy neighbours many of the travelling Leiston supporters were to the west of the county. talking about how to arrest the early-season series of disappointing results, and it struck me Having enjoyed the successes of the past few that there are several parallels between years, we are now in new territory. We all Leiston FC and that friendly, relatively small need to get behind the team and management yet pugnacious and proud north-western club: and demonstrate that, as a club, we are more not merely a former-player-turned manager than just the collective sum of our parts.

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 During our friendly against Felixstowe & Walton United, we sold 120 50/50 tickets giving a prize fund of £60.00.

The draw mas made by Karen Cornforth of Total Football, and the winner was a local gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous. He kindly donated his winnings to club funds. We thank him for his kindness and generosity, and thanks too to all those who take part in the 50/50 draw and support our club. Please help your club by participating in today’s 50/50 draw. Tickets will be on sale around the ground during today’s first half. Good luck, everybody. Don’t forget that new scarves are available in the club shop, too. Steve Coulter

7 Today’s visitors

Lloyd Ransome – Goalkeeper DoB 27/07/96 Signed from Walsall Wood pre-season. Yet to make competitive debut due to injury.

Joshua Bradley-Hurst – Goalkeeper DoB 10/01/02 Signed on Work Experience from Birmingham City and made clean sheet debut v Hitchin Town on 17/08/19. Previously with Celtic and Scottish U16 International.

Josh Ezewele – Full Back DoB 21/01/97 Ex West Brom trainee who has joined from AFC Fylde. Sought after by several higher clubs and made his competitive debut v Kidderminster Harrier in WFA Senior Cup on 17/07/18.

Jamie Willets – Defender DoB 02/08/92 Signed from Hereford, and a key figure in their double-winning season and trip to Wembley in the FA Vase. Made ‘Church debut v Coventry United on 29/10/16, where he scored a late winner. Natural leader and man mountain of a defender who leads by example.

Kyle Morrison – Defender DoB 15/03/96 Returned to Church for second spell last season after joining from Halesowen Town. Can play central defence or full back. Pace and composure.

John Atherton – Midfield DoB 30/06/97 Signed pre-season from Walsall Wood. Pacey winger with two good feet. Made competitive debut v Royston Town on 10/08/19.

Kyle Rowley – Defender DoB 04/09/96 Signed from Walsall Wood pre-season. Made competitive debut v Royston Town on 8 Jordan Goddard – Midfield DoB 09/09/93 Signed pre -season from Highgate United. Composed skilful player.

Babucar Sauane – Midfield DoB 04/02/95 ‘Baba’ returns for a second spell at Church after he left last season to play for Wolves Sporting. Bags of energy and a welcome return

Stuart McNaught – Midfield DoB Experienced midfielder, joined from Walsall Wood pre-season.

Jordan Smith-Williams - Defender DoB 08/12/95 Signed from Walsall Wood pre-season. Yet to make competitive debut.

Peter Till - Midfield DoB 07/09/85 Experienced midfielder who was with Walsall Wood last season and is now part of the management staff at Church. Made competitive debut as sub v Barwell on 13/08/19

Kevin Da Veiga Monteiro – Midfield DoB 21/03/94 Joined from Walsall Wood. Previously with Rushall Olympic.

Javia Roberts – Striker DoB 03/07/94 Joined from Walsall Wood pre-season and previously a former Church player.

Ben Usher-Shipway – Striker DoB 24/08/98 Joined on loan from Solihull Moors. Developed at Boldmere St Michaels, where he played last season. Pacey winger who can pick out a pass. Made competitive debut v Royston Town on 10/08/19.

Ryan Nesbitt – Striker DoB 02/04/98 On loan from Solihull Moors. At Sutton Coldfield Town last season where he scored 23 goals. Previ- ously with Hednesford Town, Boldmere St Michaels and Chasetown. Natural goal scorer.

Ben Cassidy – Striker DoB 08/07/02 Still only 17 and success product of our Academy U18s. Made it through to 1st team last season, making debut as substitute v Highgate United in Birmingham Senior Cup on 09/10/18.

Miracle Okafor – Striket DoB 06/05/01 Previous clubs, Scunthorpe and Frickley Athletic. Made competitive debut v Royston Town on 10/08/19.

Rahis Nabi – Midfield DoB 15/04/99 Ex WBA academy and Burnley FC player. Made debut as substitute at Lowestoft Town on 15/12/18. Attacking midfielder.

Lewis Archer – Striker DoB 31/08/98 Signed from Dudley Town and previously with Hednesford Town. Pace to burn.

ALVECHURCH FC — A HISTORY Alvechurch Football Club, with its still being played at the Meadows, but as this picturesque ground providing a grandstand venue belonged to the village, no admission view of the rolling Worcestershire hills in the charge could be made. A box would be Arrow Valley and its steadily-developing Lye passed round for donations, so the club Meadow facilities presents a far different agreed to relocate to a new ground, a field picture from when the club was founded in situated below the church, where it was 1929. Then, the team had to change in a pub possible to make an admission charge. and walk over the road to the local playing However, when the land was required for fields to contest their minor league matches. housebuilding, a further move was The move to Lye Meadow in 1957 was the necessary. The club was offered a field on turning point in the club's history and it Redditch Road for £1,000. As a result of began to go from strength to strength. determined fund-raising, this sum of £1000 was raised in five years, thus providing a It took a little while after the war for permanent home at Lye Meadow. Alvechurch Football Club to re-establish itself. Several village lads, after Following the move to Lye Meadow in 1957, demobilisation, joined the factory football the club captured the imagination and team which was a successful club playing in enthusiasm of the midlands with its giant- top class amateur football. When the village killing runs in the FA Amateur Cup. In team was revived it attracted a number of 1964/65, ‘Church reached the quarter-finals, these players. By 1948, a strong football and then the semi-finals the following year, committee and supporters’ club were where a defeat against Wealdstone at formed under the chairmanship of Tom Stamford Bridge denied the village club a Atkins. The club prospered from fund-raising Wembley appearance. events, and few village clubs at the time In their second year in the FA Cup, ‘Church could own and use three different coloured reached the 1st Round proper in 1971/72 strips in a season, let alone have a after an 11-hour, six- match marathon in the committee who ensured that the kit was 4th Qualifying Round against Oxford City. washed after each match. The level of This tie is now recorded in the Guinness support for Alvechurch F.C. was such that for Book of Records. However, Alvechurch, then, a needle match against Feckenham, six went down 4-2 to Aldershot after a brave coach loads of supporters travelled from the struggle in a match that was the 12th in village. three weeks for some of the team. In During this successful period, matches were 1973/74 ‘Church reached the FA Cup 3rd

Round, going down 4-2 at Bradford City after team switch to Lye Meadow, bringing the bulk beating Exeter City at St James Park in the of their Northern Premier League side to First Round. Worcestershire. ‘Church pushed reformed Hereford all the way, registering a record 101 The 1981/82 season produced a see-saw points in claiming the runners-up spot. battle to retain the League Championship, but Nuneaton finished the stronger to push Next season found ‘Church playing catch-up Alvechurch into the runners-up position. to Westfields who established a commanding During that season, Alan Smith gained points advantage alongside their impressive international honours when representing the FA Cup run. By the end of November, ‘Church England Non-league team, and subsequently held top spot, and by the beginning of March, joined Leicester City. He then joined Arsenal Westfields’s challenge had faded. The title for £800,000 where he gained full was claimed with one game to spare in April. international honours playing for England. A 2-1 win in the League Cup final at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium was followed a week later by Financial speculators gained control of the a 4-1 win over Wednesfield at Wolves’s club in 1992 resulting in closure the following Molineux Stadium. Promotion was confirmed November 1993. In 1994 a dedicated band of with ‘Church’s acceptance into the Evostik supporters resurrected the club as Alvechurch League South for the 2017/18 season, Villa, rebuilding the seated stand and heralding a return to this level exactly 25 refurbishing the clubhouse to gain admission years after leaving the Southern League in to the Midland Combination Premier Division, 1992. finishing in fifth position in the league and beaten finalists in the Smedley Crook Cup. The In 2017/18, there were strong runs in the FA team went on to reach the League Cup Final Trophy and FA Cup, with higher league the following season opposition in the form of Grantham Town and Cambridge City despatched along the way. In 1996 the club reverted to its original name, ‘Church registered only seven league defeats Alvechurch. The next few seasons were a all season as they secured runners-up spot struggle, but 2002/03 witnessed ‘Church’s and promotion to the Evostik South Premier best season in 20 years with the Combination Central Division. Premier League and Challenge Cup. At the end of the season, Church were promoted into the 2018/19 saw ‘Church reach the play-offs in Midland Football Alliance. the Southern League Premier Central Division. The current season has seen a large turnover In 2013/14, the club reached the 3rd Round of in playing staff as several members of last the FA Vase before going out 1-0 to season’s playing and management teams Westfields. 2015 saw Tividale’s management decamped to Stourbridge FC.

13 Today’s fixtures Barwell v Kings Langley Bromsgrove Sporting v Banbury United Hednesford Town v Needham Market Hitchin Town v Tamworth Leiston v Alvechurch Nuneaton Borough v Lowestoft Town Peterborough Sports v Stourbridge Redditch United v AFC Rushden & Diamonds Royston Town v Rushall Olympic St Ives Town v Coalville Town Stratford Town v Biggleswade Town 1st Team Appearances 2019/20 BVSCP SLC FAC FAT SPC TOTAL Kyle Hammond 5 5 Jerry Kamanzi 5 5 Harry Knights 5 5 George Keys 3 3 Byron Lawrence 5 5 Joshua Hitter 3 (2) 3 (2) Matt Blake 5 4 Rhys Henry 4 4 William Davies 2(1) 2(1) Charlie Beckwith 3 3 Thomas Woerndl 4 4 Robert Eagle 3 (1) 3 (1) Kyran Clements 3 (1) 3 (1) Jake Jessup 2 2 Sebastia Pons Llado (2) (2) Albert Serra Parrondo (3) (3) Mason Sinclair (1) (1) McKeown 2 2 Ryan Sharman 1 (1) 1 (1) 14 BetVictor Southern League Premier Division Central Premier

Pos. Team P HW HD HL HF HA AW AD AL AF AA +/- Pts 1 Rushall Olympic 5 3 0 0 13 2 1 1 0 3 2 12 13 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 5 3 0 0 8 1 1 0 1 3 3 7 12 3 Hednesford Town 5 2 0 0 5 1 2 0 1 5 2 7 12 4 Stourbridge 5 2 0 1 5 5 2 0 0 4 1 3 12 5 Royston Town 5 1 1 0 4 1 2 0 1 6 2 7 10 6 Coalville Town 5 2 1 0 9 6 0 2 0 2 2 3 9 7 Kings Langley 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 10 6 4 8 8 Redditch United 5 1 1 0 5 3 1 1 1 5 5 2 8 9 Banbury United 5 2 1 1 6 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 8 10 Tamworth 5 1 0 2 4 5 1 1 0 3 2 0 7 11 Stratford Town 5 2 1 0 8 5 0 0 2 2 7 -2 7 12 Lowestoft Town 5 2 0 1 4 3 0 0 2 4 7 -2 6 13 Bromsgrove Sporting 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 6 5 1 5 14 Needham Market 5 1 2 0 6 3 0 0 2 1 3 1 5 15 Peterborough Sports 4 0 2 0 3 3 1 0 1 4 3 1 5 16 Barwell 5 1 0 1 3 3 0 1 2 5 7 -2 4 17 Alvechurch 5 1 1 1 7 4 0 0 2 0 6 -3 4 18 Nuneaton Borough 5 1 0 1 1 3 0 1 2 4 8 -6 4 19 Biggleswade Town 5 1 0 2 2 8 0 1 1 2 4 -8 4 20 St Ives Town 5 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 3 0 4 -6 1 21 Hitchin Town 4 0 0 2 2 4 0 1 1 1 6 -7 1 22 Leiston 5 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 3 1 14 -14 1

Goalscorers 2019/20

BVSCP SLC FAC FAT SPC TOTAL Matt Blake 1 1 William Davies 1 1 Rhys Henry 1 1

Age - 24 Previous clubs - Cambridge academy, West Ham academy, Southend academy, St Neots, Soham, Cambridge City Place of birth – Cambridge, and live there still Position - striker/no.10 What are your playing strengths? - hold up play, heading, passing, shooting, movement. What brought you to the club? - gaffer really wanted me, good reputation at the club, higher level, new challenge. Which team are you most looking forward to playing this season? - Biggleswade - up against a centre half who is a good friend of mine Which club, apart from Leiston, do you support? - Liverpool Best and worst footballing memory/experience? (as a player or a supporter) - as a player on a tour in Japan with West Ham playing in the final of a tournament at the Ecopa Ryan Sharman Stadium (55,000 capacity - 2002 World Cup stadium where Ronaldinho scored against England) - as a supporter watching Liverpool win the FA cup against West Ham. Who’s your best friend at the club? - everyone, but has to be car school: Byron and Blakey What’s your job outside football? - operations manager at Premier (teaching company) What’s your favourite tv programme and film? Why? - TV programme Only Fools and Horses (also dad’s favourite) and film is any of the Marvel films (love a superhero movie) What’s your favourite type of music? - all genres Best holiday you’ve ever had or favourite place in the world and why? - New York - unreal place would love to live there one day What interests do you have outside of football? - all sport, cinema (love a film), travelling the world Who is your favourite footballer of all time? Why? - Steven Gerrard - idol growing up - best English midfielder of all time Any advice for aspiring footballers? - work hard, listen to your coaches, dream big Who has the worst dress sense at the club? - Blakey - doesn’t own a Rolex Who is the best player you have ever played with / against? - with - Luke Chadwick - ex pro at Man Utd with premier league medal (can’t get the ball off him) Against - Glen Little (Ex pro, also can’t get the ball off him) Who is the biggest joker in the group / who makes you laugh the most? - Blakey/Byron, good laughs in the car Who is the hardest/most technically gifted/dedicated player in the squad? - hardest - me and Blakey , technically gifted - Byron/Hitter, dedicated - Hammo (skipper) Who spends most time in front of the mirror? - Blakey doing his make up for the Ming outfit Who is the most cultured and clever player in the squad? - Byron Finally – What is your favourite aspect about playing for Leiston Football Club? - new challenge, young squad but hungry with good team spirit, great club with big potential, also a higher level for myself and looking forward to doing well and giving my all for the club.

Date Opponents Score Att. 1 2 3 4 5 Sat. 10 Coalville Town 1—1 218 Beckwith Hammond Woerndl Kamanzi Knights Tues 13 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1—5 446 Beckwith Hammond Woerndl Kamanzi Knights Sat. 17 Rushall Olympic 0—6 186 Jessup Hammond Eagle Clements Knights Aug. Sat. 24 Tamworth 1—2 242 Jessup Hammond Woerndl* Kamanzi Knights Clements Mon. 26 Needham Market 0—3 474 Beckwith Hammond Woerndl* Kamanzi*** Knights Clements Sat. 31 Alvechurch Sat. 7 FA Cup Sat. 14 Stourbridge Sept. Tues. 17 Biggleswade Town Sat. 21 FA Cup Sat. 28 Peterborough Sports Sat. 5 Hitchin Town Sat. 12 Barwell Tues. 15 St Ives Town Oct. Sat. 19 Hednesford Town Tues. 22 Kings Langley Sat. 26 FAT Sat. 2 Bromsgrove Sporting Sat. 9 Royston Town Nov. Sat. 16 Banbury United Sat. 23 Stratford Town Sat. 30 Nuneaton Borough Sat. 7 Redditch United Sat. 14 Peterborough Sports Dec. Sat. 21 Hitchin Town Thurs. 26 Lowestoft Town Weds. 1 Needham Market Sat. 4 Coalville Town Jan . Sat. 11 AFC Rushden & Diamonds Sat. 18 Tamworth Sat. 25 Rushall Olympic Sat. 1 Alvechurch Sat. 8 Stourbridge Feb. Sat. 15 St Ives Town Sat. 22 Barwell Sat. 29 Hednesford Town Sat.. 7 Kings Langley Say. 14 Royston Town Mar. Sat. 21 Bromsgrove Sporting Sat. 28 Stratford Town Sat. 4 Banbury United Sat. 11 Biggleswade Town Apr.. Mon. 13 Lowestoft Town Sat. 18 Nuneaton Borough Sat. 25 Redditch United 20

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 Keys Lawrence Hitter Blake Henry Davies Gaffer Eagle Sinclair Clements Keys Lawrence Hitter** Blake Henry* Davies Gaffer Eagle** Sinclair*** Clements* Keys Lawrence Kamanzi Blake*** Henry** Hitter* Parrondo** Davies* Llado*** Woerndl Clements Lawrence Eagle Blake* Henry** McKeown Hitter*** Ppns Llado Serra P** Sharman* Clements Lawrence Eagle Sharman* Henry McKeown Keys Hitter* Llado** Parrondo***

27 Season 2019/2020

Fixtures Match Sponsor Ball Sponsor

Sat 10th 15.00 Coalville Town SLC Haven Logistics A th Godbold u Sat 24 15.00 Tamworth SLC Properties Mr Barry Spall g Sat 31st 15.00 Alvechurch SLC S Sat 7th 15.00 Tie to be announced FAC Brooks & Wood e Tue 17th 19.45 Biggleswade Town SLC Mr Barry Spall p t Sat 21st 15.00 Venue TBC FAC Sat 5th 15.00 Hitchin Town SLC O Tue 15th 19.45 St Ives Town SLC The Douglass Family c th t Sat 19 15.00 Hednesford Town SLC Mr Barry Spall Sat 26th 15.00 Tie to be announced FAT

N Sat 2nd 15.00 Bromsgrove Sporting SLC o th v Sat 16 15.00 Banbury United SLC

D Sat 30th 15.00 Nuneaton Borough SLC Mr Barry Spall e th c Sat14 15.00 Peterborough Sports SLC Tim Jacobs Tracey Bacon Sat 1st 15.00 Needham Market SLC J & Alan Crane Associates a Sat 11th 15.00 Rushden & Diamonds SLC n Sat 25th 15.00 Rushall Olympic SLC

F Sat 8th 15.00 Stourbridge SLC Sue Tugwell & Steve Coulter e nd b Sat 22 15.00 Barwell SLC Sat 7th 15.00 Kings Langley SLC M a Sat 14th 15.00 Royston Town SLC r th Tracey Bacon Trop- Sat 28 15.00 Stratford Town SLC ic Skincare A Mon 13th 15.00 Lowestoft Town SLC Brooks & Wood p th r Sat 25 15.00 Redditch United SLC 28

Match and Ball Sponsorship If you would like to be a match or a ball sponsor please contact Andy Crisp ([email protected]) or Peter Douglass ([email protected]).

Match Sponsors receive 6 tickets & programmes, access to the boardroom for hospitality pre-match, at half time and post-match. They choose and present the Man of the Match.

Ball Sponsors receive 2 tickets & programmes, access to the boardroom for hospitality pre-match, at half time and post-match.

All sponsors will be acknowledged on social media and the website in the lead up to the game and after the game. On the matchday, sponsors will be acknowledged in the programme, on the stadium tannoy and on official teamsheets.

31 The 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup County Football League and again finished being a club target, we look at our runners-up. Also in this season FC Romania prospective opponents as we enter the won the Middlesex County Senior Open competition at the 1st Round Qualifying Cup, beating Brantham 3-1 in the final at stage. On 7 September, we travel to either Uxbridge FC. The club applied for promotion FC Romania or Ware FC: to the Essex Senior League and played their first season in the ESL in 2013-14 finishing 5th. The following year FC Romania slipped one place to 6th

In 2012 -13 season the club entered the FA Vase for the first time only getting past the 1st round. In 2014-15, the club entered the FA cup reaching the 2nd qualifying round just losing out to Sutton United 3-2, after

FC Romania beating Haverhill Rovers, Heybridge Swifts and AFC Sudbury on the way. FC Romania were founded in August 2006 by a group of Romanian workers in England The club has gained a lot of attention in its who wanted to play football in their spare short life from various media outlets in time. Ion Vintila entered the team into the England, abroad and, of course, in Romania. Sunday London Weekend League playing The club and the manager have appeared in their games on Hackney Marshes. FC sports newspapers and magazines, Romania won their Division in the first - including BBC Sport, Gazzetta dello Sport, season and finishing runners-up in the next. L’equipe, and FourFourTwo magazine, to In 2008, FC Romania switched to Saturday name but a few, and on television in the UK football and joined the Essex Business on BBC, on Japanese TV with NHK, and on House Football League, playing at Low Hall Romanian TV stations Pro TV and Digi Sport. Recreational ground in Walthamstow, north The club has developed into a focal point -east London. In 2010, the club moved to for the Romanian community, but has also the Middlesex County Football League attracted many local and English fans as Division One, playing at Leyton Sports well. Centre, and finished runners up in the first season gaining promotion. The following The club has ambition to progress through season in the Premier league FC Romania the leagues and reach higher standards of finished runners-up but were denied football while developing the club further. promotion to senior football due to ground The aim is to eventually have our own home regulations. and become a respected and establish part of English football encompassing all the 2012 FC Romania started their ground- good things about England and Romania sharing relationship with Ryman League and being successful in everything we do. outfit, Cheshunt FC in Hertfordshire. They played another season in the Middlesex

32 Delphian and Athernian Leagues. Two promotions, two league cup wins and two reserve championships paved the way for progress in the FA Cup. In this, Ware reached the first round proper for the first time in 1968 Ware FC when they travelled to Luton Town. The opposition had a 100%, home record but the game was scoreless with 30 minutes to go before a judicious substitution broke the The club was founded in 1892 and was stalemate and left Ware beaten 6–1 at the instrumental in founding the East Herts final whistle. League, winning it on two occasions. The club moved on to the North Middlesex League in In these successful circumstances, it was not 1907 and then to the Herts County League in surprising that Ware pressed for entry to the 1908. expanding Isthmian League. This was achieved for season 1975–76, and they have After the First World War, the club gained a maintained their place in the league ever league and cup double with a second Herts since. This is thanks most recently to their County League Championship and a fourth Division 2 championship season of 2005–06 Herts Senior Cup win in 1922. The local paper which carried them into Division 1 just before reported that "Large crowds awaited the Division 2 was disbanded. Another FA Cup 1st return of the special train to Ware, everybody round appearance in 2007 has added further being in high spirits. The Cup was marched distinction with a narrow home defeat against through the town in front of a cheering Kidderminster Harriers being watched by throng." It was later recalled that the cup was 2,123 people, a record for the current ground taken through the town on subsequent nights at Wodson Park. and that stops were made outside public houses where it was charged with beer before Ahead of the 2015-16 season, following being drained by the crowd. Clevedon Town's demotion from the Southern Football League, Ware were transferred from Shortly after, Ware joined the Spartan League the Isthmian League Division One North to the [1] in which they were to enjoy several successes, Southern League Division One Central but winning the Division 2(B) Championship in following further reorganisation by the FA 1926, Division 1 in 1951 with the highest Leagues Committee, 2016–17 saw them "goals for" total ever, and the Premier Division return to the Isthmian League. in 1952. In these later years, the club also made significant progress in the old Amateur Cup meeting many famous sides on the way. One of these was Hendon, against whom Ware drew their largest attendance of 3,800 in the first round in January 1957.

Ware enjoyed another successful period in the 33

Good afternoon, everyone, & welcome to the The Lambs fans I spoke to as they came in Watson & Hillhouse Stadium Victory Road for through the turnstiles were really friendly & more Betvictor Southern League Premier top people & represented their club in a Division Central action (I know, hardly rolls really positive way, & I would certainly wish off the tongue does it?) I think if we're all them all the best for the rest of the season. brutally honest, the start of the season has However, I was slightly disappointed by the been fairly disappointing, with last Saturdays conduct of one of their bench whose 2-1 home reverse to Tamworth a case in aggressive & provocative reaction to their point. Just like the Coalville game on the late winner was both unnecessary & certainly opening day, we played OK & took the lead; unwelcome, but there you go. Rhys Henry took his first goal since his return To cap a truly miserable afternoon, the to the club really well, following up after the Reserves went down 5-2 at Haverhill Borough keeper had made a great save to deny Byron to continue their poor start to the season Lawrence. However, once the Lambs while Ipswich Town somehow went top of equalised with half an hour to go you could League One after crushing Bolton Under 11s. clearly see the nerves set in as we started to If Carlsberg made Saturdays, they certainly drop deeper & deeper & we started to look wouldn't look much like that I can tell you. At more & more vulnerable, & although we least the Sky Blues won! probably deserved a draw, the heartbreak of watching the Blues concede a 93rd minute Anyway, todays opponents Alvechurch arrive goal was hard to take. It was such a in Suffolk on the back of a - 3 0 loss at straightforward goal to concede as well; Hednesford Town last Saturday, so they too headed home from close range after we will be looking to bounce back this afternoon. failed to clear a corner. A couple of positives: We are clearly going to have to scrap & fight firstly it was great to see a crowd of over 240 for every crucial point the season. in attendance, if not enjoying the result then certainly the glorious sunshine, & also the Fingers crossed there'll be some good news performance of new signing Rory McKeown from the Bank Holiday Monday fixture over who is with us on a short term deal, I believe. at Bloomfields as both Leiston & Needham The left-sided player clearly has something Market were looking to kick start their about him & is going to be asset in his time seasons & move away from the lower end of with us, I feel! Welcome to the club, Rory. the table. Again, here's hoping...... Nonetheless, our third defeat on the bounce left us rock bottom of the league with just a solitary point. Enjoy this afternoon’s game, everyone.

Leiston FC Alvechurch FC

Blue shirts, white sleeves Green shirts Blue shorts Green shorts Blue socks Green socks

Stuart Boardley Manager Darren Byfield Nigel Ling Asst. Manager Peter Till

Jake JESSUP 1 Josh BRADLEY-HURST Kyle HAMMOND (C) 2 Kyle MORRISON Tom WOERNDL 3 Kyle ROWLEY Jerry KAMANZI 4 Stuart McNAUGHT Harry KNIGHTS 5 Jamie WiILLETS George KEYS 6 Kevin DA VEIGA MONTEIRO Byron LAWRENCE 7 Joshua EZEWELE Josh HITTER 8 Ben USHER-SHIPWAY Matt BLAKE 9 Ryan NESBITT Rhys HENRY 10 Javia ROBERTS Will DAVIES 11 John ATHERTON Ryan SHARMAN 12 Miracle OKAFOR Albert SERRA PARRONDO 14 Lloyd RANSOME Charlie BECKWITH 15 Jordan GODDARD Sebastia PONS LLADO 16 Peter TILL Robert EAGLE 17 Jordan SMITH-WILLIAMS

Referee: Joshua Crofts Asst. referees: Ahmed Mohamed, Nathan Walker