WINCHESTER CITY Fo otball Club The Citize ns Po st

Saturday October 10th 2020 Evesh am 3.00 pm

Division 1 £1

The Citize ns Po st from t he b oardroom

Good Afternoon and welcome to the Simplyhealth City Ground for today’s Southern League Division One South fixture between Winchester City FC and Evesham United FC.

We would like to offer a warm welcome to the play ers, staff, officials and supporters that have travelled south from Evesham today. We hope you enioy the match, stay safe and have a safe jour ney home.

As always, we would like to draw your attention to the club’s Covid-19 Risk Assessment that can be found on our website. The club uses the NHS Track & Trace system, hand sanitizers and we hav e a one-way system in place. Please pay by contactless where possible too.

We are still unbeaten in the league with three wins from our opening three games. On Tuesday night, we won our most recent league game, away at neighbours AFC Totton. The team performed brilliantly on the night against the self-proclaimed title favourites and it was great to see so many City fans there on the night. Sadl y we were unable to have any spectators at the Bath City fixture the weekend prior in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round – but once again the team performed valiantly and were unfortunate to lose the game, 3-2. There was a live stream of the game but we are awar e of some issues with that – so there are also highlights available on YouTube for thos e who are yet to see the best bits from the game.

Up next we are in cup action again, this time we travel to Highworth Town in the FA Trophy next weekend. This game is open to the public – so please come along and support the lads!

We are delighted to welcome Ollie Griggs back to the club. Ollie announced his return with the winning goal at Totton on Tuesday night.

Enjoy the game this afternoon and stay safe!

Up The Winch

Matt Richbell - Commercial Director Since 19 65 www .joma-sport. com Match Report By Matt Rich bell BATH CITY 3 - 2 WINCHESTER CITY Natio nal League South side, Bath City, left it late, but eventually overcame Southern League Division One South iside, Winchester City, 3-2 at in the Second Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, writes Matt Richbell.

Due to the Romans being a Step Two club, they are classified as Elite and therefore the game was played behind-closed-doors at their home ground.

For Bath City, it was their first competitive game unlike their opponents who were takin g part in their fifth competitive fixture and aiming for a fifth successive victory. However, the Romans started brightly and went ahead after just two minutes. sent a dangerous delivery into the box and Bristol City loanee, Tommy Conway, fired Bath in to the lead, giving Charlie Philpott no chance. Winchester City grew into the game as the half progressed, and skipper Jamie Barron, came close to an equalis- er o n 28 minutes when he saw off his line, but his 40-yard effort landed on top of the goal just missing the target. City continued to exert pressure and were rewarded for their efforts o n 39 minutes. Barron sent a dangerous delivery into the box and former Bristol City defender, , inadvertently headed the ball beyond his own keeper. Shortly before half-time, Tyrell Mitford latched on to a through ball and beat his man before firing low through Ryan Clarke's legs to put City ahead at the interval.

Bath started the seco nd-half brightly, as they did the first. Once again Tommy Conway was involved, with his effort well saved by Phipott. The Citizens went down the other end and Rob Carr was fouled on the edge of the box. Jamie Barron took the free-kick, but his low effort was well saved by Clarke. Olly Balmer and Kieran Douglas both came close to do ubling Winchester City's advantage but they were unable to do so as they looked to wrap up the tie. Bath City drew level on 72 minutes, when Tommy Conway scored his second of the game. Josh McCormick then twice came close to restorin g Winchester City's lead. His first effort was well saved and his follow up shot went wide. Bath then went down the other end and restored their lead. Tom Richards saw his goalbound effort beat Philpott with the aid of a massive deflection. Winchester City had a ch ance in the dying stages of the match, but Ollie Balmer's wonderfully executed strike was superbly saved by exper ienced goalkeeper, Ryan Clarke.

Bath City move in to the draw of the Third Qualifying Round, whilst Winchester City will put their focus back on to their unbeaten league start with a trip to local rivals, AFC Totton. Match Report By Malcolm Clarkel WINCHESTER CIT Y 5 - 1 MANGOTS FIELD UTD

Winchester's first home league match of the season yielded 3 points against a young Mangotsfield side and a 5-1 victory moved them to the top of the table after two games. It equals their best ever win against Mangotsfield having beaten them 4-0 two years ago when Tyrell Mitford scored a hat-trick. However on Wednesday AFC Totton replaced them at the top of the table. Mangotsfield despite being a relatively young side were unlucky to lose to the much fancied Frome team on the opening day of the season. Winchester announced an unchanged starting line-up from the previous Tuesday with the recently re-signed Ollie Griggs on the substitutes bench. Winchester made an excellent start taking in the lead in the 3rd minute with Ollie Balmer scoring following a good team move. It was then 2-0 five minutes later when Balmer scored with a well executed ;;lob. At that stage Winchester were well on top, but Mangotsfierld came back in the game as the half progressed with George Neill having a shot saved and Harry Simons also coming close, although at the other end Rob Carr twice came close to adding a third Winchester goal. Mangotsfield pulled a goal back in the 56th minute through Simons following a bit of goalmouth scramble, although the visitors also thought they could have been awarded a penalty in the build up. However Mangotsfield's was short lived as Jamie Barron restored Winchester's two goal lead five minutes later. Winchester were then a warded a penalty, but Jamie Barron's spot kick was saved at the expense of a corner. Ho wever from the resulting corner Kieran Douglas headed home Winchester's fourth. Griggs, Graeme Purdy and Dan Williamson came on for Winchester as second half substitutes and Max Smith scored Winchester's fifth in the closing minute of the gam e. Liam Gilbert has left Winchester having been a valuable m ember of the squad for two years, but his lack of availability for midweek g ames made it difficult to accommodate him, but we thank him for his service to the club. Hamp shire Football Association Under 16's Sunday Cup Final Under 16’s Sunday 4th October 2020 Sholi ng Development 5 Winchester City 5 Sholing win 4-1 on penalties Sholing and Winchester put on a magnificent show at Winklebury on Sunday evening with an exciting 5-5 draw and a nail-biting penalty shootout. Winchester were the first out of the blocks with Lex Vaughan going close in the first minute and then Archie Garland opening the scoring in the fourth converting a long ball from close range. It took just over a minute before Sholing equalised when Winchester's 'keeper Ben Dalgish was caught off his line and Charlie Severgnini knocked the ball home. Winchester came back strongly when Ben Dukes fed Garland whose shot hit the post and then Vaughan put in a run but his shot was just wide. Winchester came closer a few minutes later when Dukes hit a post. They eventually took the lead again in the 28th minute when Dukes collected a through ball and scored from close range. Winchester appeared to be on top until they were rocked by a red card for Vaughan ten minutes before half time which allowed Sholing to take advantage of having an additional player and Ben Taylor equalised with a close range shot in the 34th minute and they took the lead in the 43r d minute when Yumo Wan headed home a corner. Winchester fought back and were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute converted by Dom Pilich to put them bak on even terms. Sholing soon hit back with Loic Tichuenkam taking advantage of a poor clearance netted from close range and went further ahead in the 70th minute which Twickenham scored again when the ;keeper failed to hold a shot,and blasted in the rebound. Winchester hit back immediately when Jacob Gilpin put in a penetrating run from the kick off and scored with a dipping shot to the top corner. A few minutes before time Sholing too were reduced to ten men with another red card and in the dying seconds Winchester equalised again when Jacob Gilpin won the ball in the box and rolled the ball over line from close in, thus triggering the dreaded shoot out. It was Sholing who dominated the shoot-out wining 4-1 to take the cup. The match was sponsored by Savvy Accountancy Solutions and the Referee was Connor Stevens and his Assistants were Kobe Mullin and Archie Apps. The Fourth Official was Robert Crook. The Player of the Match Award went to Sholing's Loic Tichuenkam. The squads:

Sholing Development : Toby Franks, Cody Judd, Josh Aldridge, Harvin Mandair, Pharrell Van Addison, Alex Cavenett, Lioc Tichenkam, Alex Earle, James Lipscombe, Jack Prichard, Ethan Moulder, Adam French, Callum Grigg, Josh Cavenett, Ben Taylor Hannes Ulbricht and Yumo Wan.

Winchester City: Ben Dalgish, Reece Kempton, Rio Hatch Bundy, Dean Frampton, Ryan Woodf ord, Louis Cox, Ben Dukes, Leon Baker, Archie Garland, Harry Roberts, Lex Vaughan, Konrad Szysko, Dom Pilch, Jacob Gilpin, Logan Dimond and Owen Lumsden The Citize ns Po st DAVOs diary

Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to everyone for today’s league match against Evesham United, may I wish their players, supporters and management a pleasant stay with us and safe journey home afterwards.

Evesham are a club that have been knocking on the door for many years for promo - tion, they will no doubt be right up there again come the end of the season, we will be ready for another big battle ahead and need to be at our best!

Last week or so has been thoroughly enjoyable despite going out of the FA Cup. Firstly the trip to play off contenders at step 2 Bath City, we were truly outstanding throughout and went toe to toe with them, 1-0 down then 2-1 up before half time courtesy of an OG and Ty near finish! Chances came and went and they equalised with 20 to go, end to end then but we conceded again, only to have Balms strike in last minute plucked out of the top corner by their keeper! They were a side full of talented players all ex pros and we were magnificent as their Twitter and radio etc said, ultimately we lost but the display certainly confirmed to everyone what a good side we were! I was worried physically about the game against Totton on Tuesday night after the exertions still Bath, I need not have worried as once again against the huge favourites for the league having spent fortunes in the summer and also midweek signing Stephane Zubar ex pro from Weymouth, we were brilliant and deserved to be ahead through Carr, should have been more! They then equalised and somehow we came in 1-1. Second half again we were on the offensive until Kinger got sent off for 2 bookings, we had to dig deep at that point but broke away with Balmer setting up Griggsy for the winner, a truly awesome display from everyone and a wonderful 3 points!

Player wise we are carrying injuries and niggles galore, we have Dan Bradshaw missing through concussion and Max Smith missing as well, however Liam Callaghan and Simba Mlambo are back involved who have been huge misses for us.

It’s been a fantastic start, it is just that though, a start!! We will keep going and trying out best every game, they are a pleasure to work with and I couldn’t ask for more from any of them, please do get behind them and lift them today for what will be a very tough game.

Up the citizens!

Davo Division 1 South

Club PWDLFA GD-PtsPts

Cir encester Town 44 --120 12- 12

Basingstoke Town 43 1-12 75 -10

Win chester City 33 -- 9 3 6 - 9

AFC Totton 42 1110 37 -7

Paulton Rovers 42 11 7 2 5 - 7

Fro me Town 32 1- 4 2 2 - 7

Bristol Manor Farm 42 11 8 7 1 - 7

Hig hworth Town 52 12 9 9 0 - 7

Wil land Rovers 52 12 4 7 -3 -7

Sholing 42 -2 7 6 1 - 6

Cin derford Town 42 -2 512-7 -6

Slimbridge 51 221013-3 -5

Larkhall Athletic 41 12 4 6 -2 -4

Moneyfields 31 -2 6 5 1 - 3

Bideford AFC 5- 32 5 7 -2 -3

Melksham Town 31 -2 3 6 -3 -3

Barnstaple Town 4- 22 610-4 -2

Thatcham Town 4- 22 1 7 -6 -2

Evesham United 3- 12 2 6 -4 -1

Mangotsfield United 3- -3 2 8 -6 -0 Results WEDNESDAY 06 OCT 20 Cinderford Town 0 - 5 Paulton Rovers Highworth Town 2 - 2 Slimbridge Mangotsfield United 1 - 2 Willand Rovers TUESDAY 06 OCT 20 Melksham Town 0 - 4 Cirencester Town AFC Totton 1 - 2 Winchester City Thatcham Town 1 - 5 Moneyfields Basing stoke Town 2 - 1 Sholing MONDAY 05 OCT 20 Bide ford 0 - 1 Frome Town Evesham United 0 - 1 Larkhall Athletic Bristol Manor Farm 2 - 2 Barnstaple Town Leagu e Top Scorers

Lucas Vowles Bristol Manor Farm 5 George Hallahan Basingstoke Town 4 Stuar t Green Sholing 4 The UK’ s no. 1 parking app Brett Williams AFC Totton 4 Zackary Drew Cinderford Town 4 Joshua Grace-Parsons Cirencester Town 3 Mckoy Palmer Basingstoke Town 3 Nathan Cooper Barnstaple Town 3 Ryan Turner Bideford AFC 3 George Reid Basingstoke Town 3 Dann y King Slimbridge 2 Jamie Lucas Evesham United 2 FA Troph y Fixtures Ties to be played on weekend 17/18 October:

Thame United VS Cirencester Town Highworth Town VS Winchester City Thatcham Town VS North Leigh Larkhall Athletic VS Barnstaple Town AFC Totton VS Frome Town Kidlington VS Didcot Town Sholing VS Wantage Town Willand Rovers VS Bristol Manor Far Bide ford AFC VS Slimbridge AFC Mangotsfield United VS Cinderford Town Moneyfields VS Basingstoke Town Todays Visitors EVESHAM united

The Evesham United Football Club that we know today dates from just after the Second World War when soldiers r etu rning from action reformed the club and immediately joined the Worcestershire League. However , a clu b did exist in Evesham prior to the War, the “Town” reaching the F.A. Amateur Cup Final in 1923, losing 1 – 2 after extra time to London Caledonians at Crystal Palace.

Starting in the 1 951/52 season, in the club’s first five years in the Worcestershire Combination they were League Champions twice and runners-up on two occasions, their lowest position being third in that first season.

In 1956 they left to join the Birmingham League and followed this with a move to the Warwickshire League in 1959 before returning to the Worcester (now Midland Combination) in 1963. They won the league title f our times (1965/66, 1967/68, 1968/69, and 1991/92) and reached the Challenge Cup Final on six occasions, lifting the tr ophy in 1988 and 1992. Initially the club played at Crown Meadow, moving to Com mon Road in 1968 and opening the clubhouse in 1975.

A terrific season in 1991/92 saw the club complete a memorable double of Midland Combination Premier Division Ch ampions, thus achieving promotion to the Southern League Midlands Division, and the Com bination Challenge Cup. They also reached the quarter final of the F.A. Vase before losing to eventual finalists Guiseley. Some £5,000.00 was spent on the ground and they marked their first season in the Sou thern League by finishing in a creditable 15th position.

A n umber of Managers and poor seasons followed but in November 2003, former Coventry City defender, Davis Busst, was ap pointed a successor to Phil Mullen. Busst took over a club struggling near the foot of the Dr. Martens League Western Division but managed to turn things around and Evesham eventually finished mid-table with a creditable 50 points.

The 2004/05 campaign saw Evesham take their place in the Southern League Division One West, with Busst in his first full season in charge with the experienced Paul West as his assistant. It turned out to be a season to r emember for Evesham’s long-suffering fans with the Robins earning a place in the play-offs. A tense 2 – 1 victory against Ash ford Town (Middlesex) paired Evesham with local rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in the play-of f final. A crowd of over 800 squeezed into Common Road to witness Evesham romp to a 4 – 0 win an d promotion to the Southern League Premier Division for the first time in their history. After a poor run of results, Busst left in February 2006and West stepped up to take over. Despite a marked improvement, Evesham were relegated on the final day of the season, finishing just one point behind Northwood.

After selling their Common Road ground for housing Evesham entered into a ground share agreement with Worcester City whilst moves were being put in place to build a new stadium on the southern outskirts of Evesham.

In 2006/07, the club took a step in the right direction with former Wigan, and Port Vale defender, West, again at the helm. Evesham lifted the Worcestershire Senior Cup for the first time, beating Stou rbridge 2 – 1 in the final. The play-offs were also reached but unfortunately a late goal ensured Bromsgrove a narrow 1 – 0 win and eventual promotion.

Season 2007/08 turned out to be one of the most memorable in the club’s history. The club took Blue Square Premier Halifax Town to a replay in the 4th Qualifying Round of the F.A. Cup before losing 2 – 1 at the Shay. In the Carlsberg Trophy, West’s side beat higher graded Bromsgrove Rovers and Corby Town on Todays Visitors EVESHAM united

route to the 3rd Qualifying Round, before going out at Blue Square North Redditch United after a replay. However , it was Evesh am’s league form that caught the imagination. Despite suffering three defeats in the opening six games. Evesham put together a remarkable run of results and stormed to the top of the British Gas Midlan ds Division. Only two more reversals followed in 34 league games and West’s side clin ched the Championship ahead of Leamington with a game to spare. A massive 91 points were bagged, and a staggering 22 clean sheets kept in 40 games with the experienced Mark Owen topping the clu bs scoring charts with 33 goals, including two hat-tricks.

2008/09 saw Evesham back in the Premier Division and finishing in a creditable 9th position. They reached the 1st Round Proper of the F.A. Cup for the first time in their history before bowing out to Torquay United at and completed a second Worcestershire Senior Cup win in three seasons when defeating Kidderminster Harriers in the final.

2009/10 was a season of struggles as the Robins finished in 16th place. After being just outside the play-offs when the bad weather disrupted the season, a disastrous run of only 2 wins in the last 25 games saw th em in freefall, before they finally made sure of staying in the division with a point at home to Bed ford Town with three games left to play.

2010/11 was again a season of contrasting fortunes with the club in the drop zone at Christmas and staring r elegation in the face. However , some sh rewd signings saw the club enjoy a tremendous run of form and climb the table to finish in a respectable 12th spot runners-up Salisbury City. After five and a half years at the helm Manager Paul West and his brother and Assistant Manager Leon West called time on one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Matt Clarke was appointed as the new Manager at the en d of November 2011 and joining him as his assistant was Rob Elmes together with UE FA B Qualified Coach Kieran Jackson.

Season 2011/12 was a disappointment with the club being relegated from the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division an d after spending six years ground sharing at Worcester City Football Club the Robins began the 2012/13 season in Division One South & West at their new Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium. A m ediocre start to the 2012/13 season saw Matt Clarke and Rob Elmes resign from their positions with Paul W est r eturning to see the team through to the end of the season. West departed in early May 2013 and was replaced by former West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland midfielder Shaun Cunnington. The experienced Cu nnington managed previously at Willenhall Town, Alvechurch and Halesowen Town. The squad was re-vamped with high hopes for a successful 2013/14 campaign. However, after a series of poor results Cunnington resigned his position at the end of October with former Bishops Cleeve manager Paul Collicutt taking over as the new perm anent boss.

Season 2013/14 was a disappointing one for the Robins who finished 16th in the South & West Division.

Season 2014/15 will be remembered as one of success and heartache for the club. The Robins enjoyed an excellent run in the FA Cup before bowing out to Conference South side Bromley in the Fourth Qualifying Round after beating higher graded Redditch United and Histon on the way. Following the FA Cup exit a remarkable run of form resulted in just one defeat in 28 league games and a second-place finish in the South & West Division behind Champion Merthyr Town. However, despite home advantage in the play-offs Evesham suffered a disappointing defeat against Larkhall Athletic.

Season 2015/16 was another successful one for United who finished just two points short of the playoffs. Due to Cinderford’s refusal to accept promotion at the end of last season, United were originally placed in Todays Visitors EVESHAM united

the Evo-Stik North ern League, but after a successful appeal were re-instated in the Southern League Sou th & West Division.

The 2016/17 campaign saw the Robins reach the South & West play-offs for a second time in three years but were narrowly beaten by Salisbury City in the Semi-finals. For the 2017-18 season, Paul Collicutt will again be in the hot seat looking to go one better this time around.

In 2017/18 the club did not have a brilliant start to the season in either the league or in the cup competi- tions, losing to Newcastle T own in the FA Cup Preliminary Round replay, having drawn at Newcastle ‘The Rob ins’ lost 3-2 after extra time. A first-round defeat at home in The FA Trophy to Cirencester town saw more cup misery, this was compounded when Stratford Town put Evesham out of The Bigfreebet League Challenge Cup at the very first hurdle.

In the league victories were hard to come by winning just 8 of the first 18 games of the season. With mid-season form looking reasonable it was starting to look like being a mediocre season until United put together a f antastic late season run, winning 9 out of the last 12 league games. The play-off semi-final had an air of Déjà vu about it, with the scores between ‘The Robins’ & Swindon Supermarine being all level after 1 20 minutes, it was another season of not to be as Supermarine who eventually won the play-offs pushing Evesham aside 5-4 on penalties. Making the play-offs for a third time in four years was no mean feat, and one that would afford Paul ‘Colly’ Collicutt another tilt at promotion in 2018/19. The 2018/19 season was not one of Evesham’s finest, eventually finishing 7th in Evo-Stik League South Division One Sou th. A disappointing league record for the season of 19 wins, 6 draws and 13 losses caused the clu bs committee to review the position of manager, sadly it was agreed that Paul Collicutt wou ld be relieved of his duties. Next came the task of finding a replacement, very quickly it became obvious that there really was only one choice, that of a young manager called Carl Abbott. Carl had been managing Midland Football League Premier Division side Quorn, until ’The Robins’ opportunity came along an d he said, “the chance to manage Evesham was an exciting opportunity that was one he could not pass up”. Prior to Quorn, Carl had been at the helm of Market Drayton Town along with two lengthy spells at both Wolverhampton Casuals and Hinckley AFC. The club enters the 2019/20 season with renewed optimism both on and off the park. Ground Regulations Welcome to the Simply Health City Ground. Please respe ct the staff and the facilities:

◊ Please do not enter the field of play before, during or after the game. ◊ Ball games are not permitted around the ground whilst matches are in progress ◊ Please do not use rude, obscene, racial or abusive language or gestures that are likely to cause offence. ◊ Please do not take glasses outside. Alcohol may now be consumed outside, but in plastic glasses only (in accordance with new Hampshire FA ruling). ◊ Please do not climb floodlights, pylons, fences, stands and other club structures. ◊ Please do not stand in the hatched areas around the pitch. ◊ No offensive objects are permitted (including bottles, cans, glasses, smoke bombs, flares etc.) or throwing any objects on the field of play. ◊ Please note that all vehicles parked on the club premises are at owners/driver's risk. ◊ The club accepts no responsibility for any damage to vehicles. ◊ Any supporter who encroached on to the playing area will be arrested. ◊ Comments or items in the programme do not necessarily represent those of Winchester City FC. ◊ The club reserves the right to refuse admission, eject from the ground, or prosecute any person in breach of the rules Winche ster City FC CLUB HISTORY

The Winchester Football Club was founded in 1884 as a result of the endeavours of two residents of the city – Oxf ord graduate and former Rugby cap Charles Sylvester Wooldridge and Hunting- don-born all-round sportsman (and, incidentally, inventor of ice hockey!) Arnold Tebbutt. The football club, which had strong links with Winchester College, made quite an impact in the early years of in Hampshire, reaching the final of the inaugural Hampshire Senior Cup competition in 1888 and providing a number of players to represent Hampshire in county-based competitions. However financial difficulties, combined with the indifference of Winchester residents, led to the 1884 club folding in 1893.

The decline of the city’s most high-profile club left a void that was subsequently to be filled by the Winchester Swallows FC. Formed in 1891, the Swallows were less socially exclusive than the 1884 club and had a membership more reflective of that of Winchester as a whole. The club changed its name to Winchester FC at the start of the start of the 1894/95 season, and again in 1907 when it became Winchester City FC. Like the 1884 club, the Swallows appeared in a dark blue and white strip and played their home games at Bar End, before moving in 1896 to a field adjoining the Old Red Deer pub in Stockbridge Road, and relocating again to the Roebuck Inn in 1902.

The club first played in a league-based competition in 1896/97 when it entered the newly-formed South Ham pshire League. Winchester FC won the title in this first season, and repeated that feat in the each of the following three years. The club joined the Hampshire League in 1898/99 where, after struggling during their first few seasons, they remained unbeaten throughout the 1904/05 season and won the League’s North ern Section. The club also enrolled to the Southampton and District League in 1908/09, but with no notable success.

Like a number of other football clubs, Winchester City FC effectively disbanded at the start of the First World War in 1914, and didn’t reappear until 1920. The rebirth of the club signalled two significant changes. Firstly, the club had moved again, this time playing its home fixtures at the Fair Field at Bar End (now the site of the Bar End Industrial Estate), a site where it was to stay until the Second World War. Secondly, it adopted a new strip, discarding its navy-blue colours in favour of red and white stripes.

The late 20s and early 30s proved to be a purple patch in City’s fortunes. The 1929/30 season saw the side again win the North ern Section of the Hampshire League, and achieve its most successful FA Cup run to date. That year saw City reach the fourth qualifying round of the tournament where a 3-0 defeat by Thames FC at the 120,000 capacity West Ham Stadium deprived them of an away trip to Fulham in the First-Rou nd proper. Any disappointment at this would have been forgotten two years later in 1931 when City lifted the Ham pshire Senior Cup for the first time after defeating Andover at The Dell.

One of the key members of the team in that era was the teenage Ted Drake. A local gas meter-reader at the time of joining City, Drake went on to enjoy a successful career with Southampton before joining Arsenal an d also collecting five England caps. The highlight of his subsequent managerial career saw him steer Chelsea to their first (an d, until 2005, their only) league title in 1955. Play was again interru pted by war in 1939, although the club did continue to play and took advantage of the presence of a number of enlisted players that passed through the city. The end of hostilities saw City move yet again, this time taking up a lease of the Army’s playing field at Airlie Road, Stanmore.

The 1950s saw a second notable period of success at Winchester City. The side were runners up in the Ham pshire League in 1949/50 and, in the same season, won their first Southampton Senior Cup final, an achievem ent which was repeated in 1951/52. The Russell Cotes Cup was also won for the first time in 1954/55. Success on the field was mirrored off the pitch as the club enjoyed some of its largest gates with cr owds that r egu larly topped 1,000 filing into the Airlie Road stands. CLUB HISTORY

It was d uring this period that the young Terry Paine ran out for his hometown club. His prodigious talent led to his being sign ed in 1956 by Southampton with whom he made a record number of appearances (713 over 17 seasons). Paine also made 19 appearances for England, the last of which was against Mexico in the 1 966 World Cup finals for which he (belatedly) received a winner’s medal in 2009.

Prior to the 1 970s City had played virtually all of its competitive football, with the exceptions of the Amateur and FA Cups, within the confines of the Hampshire county border. However, after the club’s Russell Cotes Cup victory and a creditable second spot in the Hampshire League in 1970/71 the club’s Boar d decided to make the step up and enter the Southern League for the first time. City survived for just two seasons at that higher level, achieving disap pointing final positions of 12th out of 16 (1971/72) and 21st out of 22 (1972/73), before electing to return to the Hampshire League.

For the r emainder of the 1970s City yoyo’d between the top two divisions of the Hampshire League before a potentially fatal blow hit the club in 1981. In that year the lease agreement with the Army for Airlie Road exp ired and was not renewed. Briefly homeless, the club eventually moved to its current ground, a pitch leased from the City Council at Hillier Way. The ground needed a considerable amount of work to get it u p to scratch, as did the team which had tumbled into the Hampshire League’s third division by 1982/83. The ignominy of this decline was made all the greater by the success of local rivals Winchester Castle in the first division – City cou ld no longer claim to be Winchester’s premier club.

The continuing existence of Winchester City FC throughout the 1980s owed much to the work of Geoff Cox who at various times acted as Chairm an, Manager, Coach and Groundsman at the club. Under his guidance the club was eventually to return to the Hampshire League’s top division in 1993/94. The new millennium ushered in a period of unprecedented success for Winchester City. Prompted in part by the arrival of new and ambitious members to the Board, the club merged with Winchester Castle and began a rapid rise through the local league structure. Promotion to the Hampshire was achieved in 2000/01, and followed two years later by promotion to the Wessex League. The Wessex League title was secured at the first attempt.

That same season witnessed the club’s greatest ever triumph. May 2004 saw City face Suffolk side AFC Sudbury in the final of FA Vase at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s ground. Few that were there will forget the spine-jangling moment when club captain Danny Smith lifted the trophy after the 2-0 victory.

Further successes were recorded in the seasons that followed – 2004/05 saw City win the Hampshire Senior Cu p for the second time, beating Aldershot 2-1 at Bournemouth’s Dean Court ground, whilst 2005/06 witnessed the club regain the Wessex League championship and win promotion to the Southern League for a second spell. City’ s r etu rn to the Southern League lasted three seasons. Financial problems, followed by a final day points deduction saw City return to the Wessex League for the 2009/10 campaign. Despite a concerted push to gain promotion back to the Southern League which ultimately proved successful in 2011/12, the resources required to sustain the club’s position at that level proved elusive. Winchester City FC finished the 2012/13 season at the foot of the Southern league and facing an uncertain future. The late spring of 2013 saw a takeover at the club and, with a new Committee structure and financial backers in place, the 2013/14 season heralds the start of a new chapter in the history of Winchester City FC.

2013-2014 saw a season of re-organisation and team building, with City retaining a place in the Syden- hams Wessex League.

2015-2016 – City made a valiant attempt to take the Wessex title but just fell short to a very successful Peters field Town side who were rightly promoted to the Southern League. City under the Managership of Paul Masters th en set about strengthening the squad to win the title next season when out of the blue they were offered a place in the Southern League due to a withdrawal. The Club were given 24 hours to pay their fees and attend the AGM in Torquay. A frantic drive by Director of Football Dave Malone saw him arrive just in time with the r elevant p apers and bank draft! As a result, our neighbours, Peters field Town, wer e moved out of Division 1 South and West to accommodate City and placed in the Central Division! CLUB HISTORY

City's first season back in the Southern League was a success with them reaching the play-offs final losing to Ban bury United in the quarter finals, who were promoted and coming within minutes of winning the Hampshire Senior Cup losing on penalties to Havant and Waterlooville. City's preparation for this season wer e disru pted by the unexpected resignation of Manager Paul Masters in the middle or pre-sea- son friendlies. The Club quickly filled the vacancy by appointing Petersfield Town's Manager Ian Saunders to the post.

The club started the season brightly and made it to the fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, beating US Portsm outh, Street and Truro City before finally succumbing to Harrow Borough. The club also had a successful run in the FA Trophy, thanks to wins against Petersfield Town, Fleet Town and Phoenix Sports before getting knocked out narrowly by Dulwich Hamlet. Craig Feeney and Howard Neighbour forced a str ong strike partnership, added to that the midfield flair of Captain Stuart Green and winger, Andy Jenkinson, City r ecover ed from a difficult spell before Christmas to mount a play-off push in the early stages of the New Y ear . Manager , Ian Sau nders, went away with the military, and during this time, Mick Catlin step ped in to take over the running of the First-Team. When Saunders returned, form deteriorated and Saunders subsequently left the club and was replaced by Interim Manager, Craig Davis, who joined the club from Fleet Town. Davis took control of the club until the end of the season, when it was announced that he would officially be becoming Permanent First Team Manager.

‘Davo’ f inished 11th with City in his first full season in charge, a season that saw a successful run, resulting in a Hampshire Senior Cup Semi-Final where City eventually lost to Blackfield & Langley. The Citizens also hosted Sou thampton FC in the Southampton Senior Cup and achieved memorable league victories against Didcot T own, Evesham United, Swindon Supermarine and Wimborne Town as well as impressive away draws at both Swindon Supermarine and Salisbury, the latter seeing City come from 2-0 down to salvage a point at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

In the 2018-19, City had an impressive pre-season including victories over Dorchester Town and Eastleigh. City started strongly in the league too. This went hand-in-hand with a cup run that saw the Citizens make it th rough to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, following victories against Bourne- mouth Poppies, Frome Town, Merthyr Town and Cirencester Town before eventually losing 4-1 away at Torquay United. City’s league form dipped slightly during this period but a strong finish to the season meant that City missed out on the play-offs on the last day of the season. City needed three points away at Cin derford Town, but the game finished 0-0 meaning it was in fact Cinderford that finished in the final play-off berth.

Tyrell Mitford, Joe Cook and Josh Harfield left the clu b during the 2019-20 pre-season and into the clu b have come Kieran Douglas, Keith Emmerson, Olly Balmer an d Dan Williamson has returned to City . City perform ed well during the 2019-20 cam paign and were 4th in the league with a play-off berth looking likely when the season was curtailed due to Covid-19. City made the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before losing to Taunton Town but impressive cup runs in the local com petitions took place once again. City were also League Cup semi-finalists, securing £1000 prize money for doing so.

A belated pre-season campaign took place in August 2020 with away wins at Bedfont Sports, Hartley Wintney and Marlow FC. Tyrell Mitford has returned to the club along with Josh McCormick and new faces Graeme Purdy, Jack Wilson, Felix Davies, Charlie Philpott, Josh Davies and Kel Akpobire have all joined the club. WINCHESTER CITY Football Club covid risk assessment statement

Sounds dull doesn’t it? We take your safety seriously. We urge you to read our risk assessment statement. To familiarise yourself with what we exepct of you so that fooball can continue to be enjoyed by us all, safely.

As well as instructions here, you will find many new signs around the ground. Please respect and obey the instruc tions

Intr oduction This document is for all Players, Coaches, Staff, Volunteers, Officials and Spectators to prepare to the return of football at The Simplyhealth City Ground.

Winchester City F ootball Club has followed all FA guidance and risk assessed each directive to provide a policy that meets the criteria set by the F A. Many o f the dir ectives ar e mandato ry, and if not, are at the very least, adviso ry, to ensure the complete safety of all those that enter the Simplyhealth City Ground.

It is critical that this document is r ead by all attending The Simplyhealth City Ground. As per F A Guidance on 17th July 2020 r elating to grassroots football, the following is applicable at The Simplyhealth City Gr ound:

Covid Of fic er All Clubs must appoint a Covid-19 O fficer. This Officer must constantly monitor FA Guidelines and ensure that all updated information is communicated to all Players, Coaches, Staf f, V olunteers, Officials and Spectators (when they ar e permitted to return).

Code of Conduct It is the clubs’ r esponsibility to ensur e that T he Simplyhealth City Gr ound is a safe environment for all and we ther efo re need to minimise the risk of infection and use close care and attention in all aspects of preparation for the r etur n of F ootball.

If you or anyone in your household is experiencing symptoms r elated to Covid-19, please do not enter The Simplyhealth City Gr ound. If you do experience any symptoms, you should stay at home, arrange a test and self-isolate. This applies not just to Spectators, but also to Players, Coaches, Staff, Volunteers and Officials.

If you develop any symptoms whilst at The Simplyhealth City Gr ound, please make a member of staff aware and leave the stadium to return home, arrange a test and self-isolate.

Guidance fr om both the Government and also the FA is changing on a regular basis so please ensure that you know the latest guidance befo re attending The Simplyhealth City Ground.

Before you arrive at The Simplyhealth City Ground, when you arrive at the stadium and also before you leave the ground, please wash your hands. There will be sanitizer available throughout the ground, so please make sure that you apply this r egularly.

Please ensur e that you maintain Social Distancing thr oughout The Simplyhealth City Ground. The two-metre rule is still applicable so please keep two metr es apart wher ever possible.

You will be requested to sign-in upon your arrival at The Simplyhealth City Ground and give your details in line with the g overnment’s Track and Trace guidelines. This will be done evePaSS – an App that can be downloaded, altho ugh there will also be a paper sign-in sheet. These details will be destroyed within 21 days to ensure that the club r emains GDPR compliant.

Cont.. covid risk assessment statement

Please be considerate of others when yo u ar e using the facilities at The Simplyhealth City Gr ound.,

Travel If you have to travel to the g round with someone, please ensure that you always travel with the same person. Ensur e your windows ar e open to pr ovide ventilation and do not sit face-to-face.

Wher e possible, try and use alter native metho ds of transpo rt rather than driving and ensure a car is cleaned both befo re and after a journey. Please ensure that face masks are worn both to and from The Simplyhealth City Ground as well as to and from away fixtures.

Upon your arrival at The Simplyhealth City Gr ound, please ensure that you follow all guidelines that have been set by the club. Ther e will be signage in place ar ound the ground, as well as floor markings and restrictions on the facilities at the club. T oilet facilities will observe a strict ‘one-in, one-out’ policy, this will apply for both inside and outside toilets.

When you arrive at The Simplyhealth City Gr ound, please make sure you wash and sanitize your hands. There is ample handwash and sanitizer available ar ound the ground. Please also ensure that you wash and sanitize your hands befo re you leave the ground too.

Players, Match O fficials and Coaches/Staff are required to arrive at the ground already changed and showered wher ever possible. Changing Rooms will be available, but there will be social distancing measurers in place.

Spectators must also observe all guidelines in place at the ground and maintain good hygiene and social distancing when it is safe for them to return to The Simplyhealth City Ground.

During M atches There will be no pre-match handshakes (as was the case pre-lockdown). Make sure you wash and sanitize your hands befo re matches. There will be no team talk huddles – all team talks are to be carried out whilst maintaining social distancing, along with both warm-ups and cool-downs. There is no spitting permitted by either players or coaching staff. Players are reminded not to shout in each other’s faces.

All O fficials and Players must always socially distance on the touch lines and in dug outs etc. Due to the size of the dug -outs at The Simplyhealth City Ground, there will be a designated, socially distanced area for those that ther e is not r oom for.

Goal posts and balls must be sanitized before the games, at half-time and also again at full-time. There are to be no goal celebrations and no sharing of water bottles. Players are advised to bring their own drinks bottles with them. No equipment whatsoever is permitted to be shar ed.

Clubhouse All drinks pur chased in the clubhouse at The Simplyheal th City Gr ound will be served in single use disposable glasses. There is a one-way system in the clubhouse, entry through the main doors by the toilets and exit thr ough the door heading out towards the pitch. Social distancing measures are in place in the clubhouse. After the game, the clubhouse ar ea will be used pur ely for ho spitality – as this can be offered with social distancing, provided that the numbers are restricted within the area. Spectators will still be able to purchase drinks and consume these outside the clubhouse area.

Cash payments will be accepted, but car d payments ar e the preferred method of payment. PPE (Personal Pr otective Equipment) is available on-site for staff and volunteers should they wish to wear it.

Final st atement Winchester City F ootball Club thank-you for both reading and following our club guidelines. This statement will be updated when further guidelines are issued by both the FA and the Government. WCFC STAFF

BEHIND THE SCENES

PR ESID ENT JOH N MOODY R PSL CH AIRMA N KEN RAISBECK VICE PR ESID ENT STE VE BR INE MP & COUN CILLOR I AN T AIT LI FE VICE PR ESID ENT TERRY P AINE MBE CLUB S EC RET ARY MIKE C ARTER TR EASURER PHIL GOUGH COMMITTEE ME MBER S MIKE CARTER MATT RICHBELL STEVE RAINBIRD WAYNE ELKINS JO BROCKSOM PHIL GOUGH KEN RAISBECK JOHN MOODY JUDITH TOWERTON ALLAN HIGGS MARK DODD SALLY STATHAM

COVID-19 OFFICER MIKE CARTER CLUB WELFARE OFFICER MIKE CARTER CHARTER STANDARD OFFICER MIKE CARTER STADIUM GENERAL MANAGER MIKE CARTER STADIUM ANNOUNCER WAYNE ELKINS GROUND MAINTENANCE DAVE GREEN WEBSITE STEVE RAINBIRD MEDIA OFFICER MATT RICHBELL PROGRAMME EDITOR MATT RICHBELL MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY WAYNE ELKINS CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER GARY MARSH GROUNDS STAFF RAY BULPITT & IZZY MEW CHIEF STEWARD STEVE RAINBIRD BAR MANAGER MIKE CARTER CLUB CATERING SALLY STATHAM, JUDY MALONE, JUDITH TOWERTON, MARGARET MOODY, JOHN MOODY, LYN BONE 50-50 DRAW JUDY MALONE & JUDITH TOWERTON TURNSTILE OPERATORS RICH PICKETT & ALLY BROWN

ON THE PITCH

FIRST-TEAM MANAGER CRAIG DAVIS CONTACT AND SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT MANAGER SEAN BIRCHNALL FIRST-TEAM COACH CRAIG MARTIN [email protected] GOALKEEPING COACH MARK COLE [email protected] SPORTS THERAPIST JO BROCKSOM PHYSIO NINA PARKINWinchester City Football Club UNDER 23S MANAGER LUKE HAMPTON

@wincityfc @WCFC-Staff @WCFC_Fans Winchester City Football Club is a committee The Simplyhealth City Ground, run members club and as such is an Hillier Way, Abbots Barton, unincorporated association Winchester, 07825 828918 TO DAYS SQUADS

Charlie Philpott Lewis Clayton Josh Rogers Josh McCormick Ryan Paddock Danny King Jordan Staten Dan Bradshaw Jordan Lymn Kieron Douglas Will Davidson Rob Flooks Matt Williams Max Smith Callum Clayton Jamie Barron (c) Charlie Johnson Tyrell Mitford Will Holland Olly Balmer Henry McMahon Rob Carr Lorcan Sheehan Josh Davies Dan Tustin Ryan Pryce Harry Franklin Dan Williamson Adam Mace Reece Ru sher Joe Heywood Graeme P urdy Jack Horrell Olli Griggs Calvin Dinsley Joe Hayward Jamie Clarke Ben Hayes Jamie Lucas Todays Officials Aaron Basford Josh Hunt Refe ree: Thomas Holden As sistant Ref er ee: Adam Hillier As sistant Ref er ee: Declan Skehan