www.wealdstone-fc.com 2017-18

WEALDSTONE v BATH CITY ROYAL BLUE & WHITE WHITE & BLACK STRIPES Wealdstone v Bath City Jonathan North Luke Southwood Saturday April 7 2018, KO 3pm Jake Sheppard Miles Welch-Hayes Vanarama Ryan Sellers Anthony Straker Eddie Oshodi Matt Richards Glenn Wilson Jack Batten Jerome Okimo © Dan Ball Ricky Wellard Opi Edwards Sam Cox Tom Smith Dave Pratt Antoine Semenyo Daniel Green Andy Watkins Bradley Bubb Jack Compton Matthew Whichelow Nat Jarvis Dan Fitchett George Rigg Jeffrey Monakana Kevin Amankwaah Ian Gayle James Morton Tarfiq Olomowewe Kieran Hodges Marcus Johnson-Schuster Ravan Constable

REFEREE Alex Blake ASSISTANTS Craig Kissi and Steven Scott OBSERVER Barry Firmin MATCH SPONSORS 1) In memory of Ian Spicer (2) ProKit UK (3) Daniel Wicks NEXT HOME GAMES v OXFORD CITY (Vanarama National League South) Wednesday April 11, 2018, KO 7.45pm v CHIPPENHAM TOWN (Vanarama National League South) Saturday April 21, 2018, 3pm GOALLESS AT TWERTON PARK The first meeting between City League sponsors and the Stones back in Your award-winning match programme, September ended in an sponsored by the Ruislip Social Club uninspiring 0-0 draw. Dan £3 Fitchett is denied by the Bath keeper as we pressed in the Main club sponsor: second half PICTURE: STEVE FOSTER aqueoussun photography WRITTEN IN STONE Mark Hyde RAINY DAYS

ood afternoon and a very warm on Wednesday night (11th) against Oxford City, welcome to the Officials, players and then away again on Saturday (14th) against supporters of Bath City Welcome also Poole Town. The Supporters Club are looking Gto you our supporters. We hope you enjoy to run a coach to Poole, departing at 10am and your afternoon and have a safe journey at a cost of £25 Adults, £20 Concessions with a home. £2 surcharge for non members – contact Victor The rather wet and miserable weather over on 07881 624890 if you are interested. the Easter Bank Holiday has left us with a bit Thanks as always to our sponsors today, of a busy month on the fixture front. As I write We are always grateful for the generosity of and with fingers crossed that this afternoon’s our supporters when it comes to match and game takes place, we still have nine league ball sponsorship as these play a big part in our matches to play before the 28th April. Following financial stability. We still have sponsorship today’s encounter with our old friends from opportunities left this season so please get in Bath, we are away to Hungerford Town on touch if you are interested. Monday evening (9th). Home here at the Vale Enjoy the game Mark MATCH SPONSOR IN MEMORY OF IAN SPICER

MATCH SPONSOR ProKit UK BALL DONOR KEITH & ALAN HILL MATCH SPONSOR DANIEL WICKS I am proud to sponsor today’s match in celebration of my 21st birthday this week! Along with my good mate Laurence Mason, I’ve been coming to ‘The Vale’ since Wealdstone moved to Ruislip. The club and fans have been fantastically welcoming, and I love the passion and camaraderie, especially at away games. I’ve made so many friends and feel part of the club, not just a number in the crowd. Sadly, I’ve not seen too many games these past three seasons, since I’ve been living in Cheltenham studying at the University of Gloucestershire. However, I do follow on twitter and get the alerts, though I must admit it can be far more suspenseful ‘watching’ in this way! I love music and play guitar and keyboards, so the Friday night ‘Tropic at Ruislip’ means I sometimes get to go to a gig and a match the same weekend. Wealdstone have made a fabulous impact on Ruislip and long may that continue. Come on you STONES!

WEALDSTONE FOOTBALL CLUB SEASON 2017/2018 GROSVENOR VALE, RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX HA4 6JQ • 01895 637487 • [email protected] • WWW.WEALDSTONE-FC.COM • COMPANY NO. 3953962

PERSONNEL MATCH DAY OPERATIONS MAJOR HONOURS SINCE 1950 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Manager Steve Marshall Chairman Peter Marsden Safety Officer Victor Klarfeld LEAGUE TITLES Vice Chairman Nick Archer Match Day Staff Paul Bowley, Tony 1951 / 1952 Athenian League Directors Paul Fruin, Waller, Richard Hayward, 1973 / 1974 Southern League Division One South Mike Williamson, Pete Worby, Russell Greenberg, Adam Clancey, 1981 / 1982 Southern League Southern Division Dominic Whyley, Nick Symmons Matthew Impey, John Cahillane 1981 / 1982 Southern League Championship President Paul Rumens 1984 / 1985 National League Premier (Gola League) COMMERCIAL & MARKETING 1996 / 1997 Division Three SECRETARIES Commercial Manager Carol Griffiths 2013 / 2014 Isthmian League Premier Division Club Secretary Paul Fruin ([email protected]) (07790 038095) Graphic Design Steve Foster NATIONAL CUPS Company Secretary Andrew Lane IT Consultant Neil Rands 1965 / 1966 FA Amateur Cup Reporting & Social Media Chris Woods 1984 / 1985 FA Trophy CLUB PERSONNEL LIAISON OFFICERS Life Vice-President Alan Couch LEAGUE CUPS WFCSC / Social Club Markie Barton Treasurer Barry Benveniste 1981 / 1982 Southern League Cup WFC / Social Club James Klarfeld General Manager Nick DuGard Press Officer Nick DuGard MIDDLESEX COUNTY CUPS FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT ([email protected]) 1958 / 1959 Senior Cup PA Announcer Ashley Holding Manager Bobby Wilkinson 1962 / 1963 Senior Cup Kit Manager Tony Waugh Assistant Manager Jamie Leacock 1964 / 1965 Senior Cup Boardroom Hospitality Alison Moran, Coach Mike Percival 1967 / 1968 Senior Cup Jacky Shore Physio Stacey Wood 1984 / 1985 Senior Cup Club Photographer Goalkeeping Coach Ian Hobbs 2003 / 2004 Charity Cup Web Site Manager Alan & Matt Hill 2010 / 2011 Charity Cup

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME The legal name of Wealdstone Football NON TITLE-WINNING PROMOTIONS Programme Editor Mark Hyde Club is Wealdstone Football Club 1997 / 1998 Isthmian League Division 2 (3rd) Production Martin Read, Tim Parks (2000) Ltd (Registered Number 1998 / 1999 Isthmian League Division 1 (3rd, annulled) Printing People for Print Ltd. 03953962). Shares in excess of 10% are 2003 / 2004 Isthmian League Premier Division (Play-Off) www.peopleforprint.co.uk held by Peter Marsden Property Finance Ltd [email protected] GROUND REGULATIONS People are only allowed entry to The Vale on match days subject to the following rules and regulations: 1) The club reserves the right to eject from the ground any person who is considered to have committed any of the following acts: • Entering the ground through any means other than through the turnstiles or entrances • Entering the field of play before, during or after a game without prior authorisation • Being drunk, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs • Using violence of any nature • Carrying items which may be considered a danger to others, including cans, bottles, or glasses containing alcoholic beverages • Throwing any article onto the field of play • Climbing floodlight pylons, fences, stands or any structure or building • Using obscene or bad language likely to cause offence to others • Hitting the side or back panels of the Bulla stand 2) No spectator ball games. 3) The consumption of alcoholic drinks is permitted INSIDE the social club bar and boardroom areas. 4) Vehicles parked on the Grosvenor Vale site are at the owners’ risk. 5) Wealdstone Football Club supports the FA’s campaign on pyrotechnics (e.g. flares and smoke bombs). Any misuse of such items in and around the Ground will result in those responsible being asked to leave the Ground and, in line with football authority guidance, may result in a report to the Police, potential prosecution and a ban from the Club of up to three years. — Wealdstone FC Board of Directors IAN SPICER – ‘SPICE’ (1966-2017)

and they were never slow to tracked. No, what I meant was remind us newbies of our status. the marriage didn’t go the full 90. Ian was an excellent footballer Spice was a stalwart of the lively who, as a boy, played at county music scene surrounding the level. He also loved music. An club and played, indeed stole the avid gig goer, he learned the show, at each of the Stonesaid bass in his teens and played concerts that provided such in numerous bands. He made excellent light relief and much a living at it for a time, touring needed fundraising during the in the UK and abroad with Stones wilderness years. He, Lisa Dominque. Whilst with a along with Kaney, Johnson and band called Jerod he was the Dave, as both Ginger Whine and last to play the Wardour Street latterly mygaymonkey were the Marquee before its closure. tour-de-force on the iconic Sticks Ian would attend Stones games n Stones LP. almost always with a girlfriend Ian resided in West Ealing for in tow. He may well hold the the last 20 years of his life. His record for bringing the most sporadic ill health meant he females to Stones games. Of couldn’t always get to games, our generation only Grim could and eventually he fell out of the yet realistically surpass him. habit. He will be missed by all oday, we welcome Ian’s They blinkin’ loved the football, who had the pleasure of meeting mum Claude, brother those girls. Everyone has their him. In parts, he was the wittiest, Paul with his wife Lorna favourite. Who’s yours? This most cutting, most erudite, most Talong with Ian’s favourite bird n footy combo culminated well-read, most intellectual and, nephew James, one-time in Ian’s wedding reception being sadly too often, most inebriated partner Bingo avec entourage cut short so he and the delightful bloke you could wish to meet. and many others who have bride, Maltese Klarissa (not my We all love ya Spice, RIP. come to celebrate the life of fave), could hotfoot it down to Mark Lloyd our great friend Ian Spicer. the Warren, yes This celebration of him is THE WARREN, close to the occasion of what in order to see would have been his 52nd Dennis Byatt’s birthday. Ian tragically left us jaw-droppingly last June. awful team I first met Ian back in 1969. He succumb to the was 3 and I was 5. We grew usual miserable up together five doors apart home defeat. in South Kenton. We both It didn’t last discovered the delights of Lower obviously. No, Mead a bit late, not becoming Byatt went and regulars until 82/83. My brothers Bartlett came in. David and John had been Sorry, got side- coming for a couple of years, Spice (behind GB) invented the photo bomb TEAM DRAW - MARCH WINNERS

1. Roger Slater £125 2. Paul Rumens £75 3. Carol Gridley £50 4. Peter John-Baptiste £25 5. Alan Jenkins £25 Voucher Robert Matthews 6. Chris Andrews £10 7. Sudhir Rawal £10 8. John Fairman £10 Quarterly Prize of a Television for 9. Jeremy Albert £10 holders of 3 or more entries: 10. Nick Symmons £10 John Cord ELMSLIE ENDER POSTPONEMENTS HAVE THEIR USES - AN EE PERSPECTIVE. BY SUDHIR RAWAL

fashioned mud heaps that were being played on. Dartford verses Hampton being a prime example with players squelching and sloshing through the mud and water. Not for the footballing purists, but I’m sure it must have been a spectacle to watch! To play in such conditions, you need two managers and a referee that are prepared to put aside so called health and safety n just over forty-eight hours United, Woking, Brackley Town, issues. Fair-play to them. Wealdstone’s season was Hereford, Billericay Town and The constant postponements over. Dulwich Hamlet could all pitch will always bring to the fore the I up in this division next season, question about the need to have Defeat in the Brackley semi even if half of them do, the route a 3G pitch or not. I’m not a fan final, which I have written to the top will be significantly to be honest and that might be about in the East Thurrock harder. to do with the fact our record on programme that might see the It was a strange weekend for plastic pitches is so bad, with light of day sometime, and football over the Easter break no wins on synthetic surfaces. then two days later defeat at as the typical washout bank Whilst the surface gives you all home to Eastbourne Borough holiday weekend resulted in no year round ability to generate consigned Stones to another football at all; not sure when income, do you really get to season in the Conference that has happened last. April is see a decent game? There’s no south, just a day after the now chock-a-block with games reason why a very decent pitch clocks went forward. Let’s be that will see two/three games , such as St Albans or Wingate, honest, with the resources every week before the season can’t be as successful or even a spent on the squad, to be out ends; there will be some clubs hybrid pitch which some of the of the promotion race so early who will play-off matches to Conference sides are looking just isn’t good enough however play at the end of this month at that currently play on plastic which way you spin the story. having played out a congested if they were promoted to the At the start of the campaign the April. There’s not much you can Football League. Do you get minimum objective was of a do with a deluge of water and bigger crowds when other clubs play-off spot and whilst we had here at Wealdstone we have a are off? Locally Hendon have a magnificent run in the Trophy, pretty decent pitch but dead fox a plastic pitch and on Easter that doesn’t hide nor mask the corner is down to the typography Saturday with so many games fact that the main goal has of the land/site and there are off, they couldn’t even get three been missed by a long way in only some miracles that the hundred people through the a season when the Conference ground staff can perform. Some gate despite being in the play-off South has never been weaker. games were played though. spots in the division below. A missed opportunity especially There were some incredible when you think that Torquay images on social media of old SUD NICK DUGARD

GENERAL MANAGERS UPDATE

ELCOME everyone as possible and announcements regular fans will know, has been today as we finally will be made rapidly as to how constructed at considerable return to National and when to purchase. cost so do please support the WLeague South action following SUFW campaign! https://www. a completely blank Easter At the clubs recent AGM the wealdstone-fc.com/commercial/ programme due to the club announced ‘Early Bird’ stand-up-for-wealdstone/ New miserable rain! Season Ticket prices for the posters have been designed to 2018/19 season of:- recognise our fantastic donors • SEASON TICKETS and you can see these in the 2018/19 season.I have been Adults £125 club house and donors are listed working on a new and more Concession £100 under the commercial tab at the efficient centralised on-line Under 18s £20 website approach to our ticketing arrangements, to include season these prices will apply only until • WiFi tickets initially as a trial. We 31 May 2018 after which they The board is also seeking to must update and modernise our will rise to:- introduce ground wide WIFI and facilities and I am very keen to more progress news on that push ahead with this once the Adult £150 when available. reviews are completed; a cost/ Concession £125 benefit proposal has been put Under 18s £25 • FANS SURVEY to the responsible directors Thanks again to everyone that and we await a decision asap ST sales will commence shortly, completed the survey – overall – almost certainly by the date look out for an announcement 147 of you. The draft results of this match. Fulfilment of 500 via the official WFC Media have been sent to the board for plus season tickets on a manual (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/ consideration and review and basis and other inefficiencies WFCTV) channels as well as the I will be guiding them on some are no longer viable in the website. key recommendations once I medium to long term in my view have had some initial feedback. but we may have to continue • THE ROOF I would like to thank Marshall with the previous semi- manual The roof has been fully re- and Ben of UCFB Wembley for system on cost grounds. If the instated to the El Pirata stand their great work on putting the new system proposal is not following the storm damage. questionnaire together. accepted, then I understand that New advertising fascia boards Nick Symmons will be taking have been put up that also responsibility for issuing tickets enhance the appearance of UTS! on a manual/other basis as soon the structure. This stand, as Nick DuGard

Pic - Steve Foster

SUPPORTERS CLUB NEWS MARK BARTON

Bookings by text to 07881624890 ground for £1 a ‘go’ (there’s one ood Afternoon and or email victor.klarfeld@ for every 30 seconds and a nil-nil) welcome to today’s btinternet.com Please quote full The holder of the ticket with the Vanarama National name of person/persons contact time of the first goal will receive GLeague South clash against number also required. £50, and that with the time of Bath City. I hope that the Bath Supporters Club AGM will be the last goal will receive £10 City supporters, players and held on Thursday 19th April in (unless there is only one goal). officials enjoy their visit to the the Aquarium Bar from 7:30pm Prizes can be claimed from Mim Vale and leave after seeing an All supporters are welcome to at the end of the game in the entertaining match. attend. Megastore, behind the dugouts. Supporters Club Megastore The details of the winning goal Our next planned Supporters Shop has a new selection of time (s) will be posted on the Coach is to Poole Town on bobble hats and scarves to keep forum and on twitter via @ Saturday 14th April. you cosy, so why not show your GoldenGoalStone you can also Depart the ground at 10am, stop support by popping in to see claim at the next home match if in Poole for lunch, then on to the what else from their diverse you discover a ‘Golden’ ticket in ground. Return straight after the range takes your fancy. your pocket. game. As per usual on a match day, Adults £25, Concessions £20, Mim will be selling Golden Goal Up The Stones surcharge £2 for non-members. tickets at the entrance to the Markie ONE LESS UNKNOWN SOLDIER...... Private Frederick Farmborough BY ROGER SLATER

s many of you will the Persian Gulf, then marching Fred Farmborough had been know, I’ve spent a lot to Ctosiphon where shortly a goalkeeper with Wealdstone of time over the last afterwards, he was wounded. Wanderers in 1897, prior to their Acouple of years researching It is believed that he recovered amalgamation into Wealdstone those players and officials of from the wounds and returned to Albion (then Wealdstone FC Wealdstone FC that lost their his regiment only to be killed in as we know it today) and he lives in both The Great War of action a couple of months later became primarily a Reserve 1914 - 1918 and the Second on 12th October 1916. player, featuring in what was World War, 1939 – 1945. The He is commemorated on Panel thought to be the first Reserve result of this research was 30 and panel 64 of the Basra fixture of the new Wealdstone the Memorial Booklet FC in October 1899, a 0-12 that was included with reverse against Queens the match programme Park Olympic. last November, updating He did make two our records to what was appearances in the thought to be a complete Wealdstone First Team: The record. first, in September 1900 was his only known League Thought to be, as there appearance in a Willesden was one name that I knew & District League Division 1 I knew, but could not defeat (by two goals to nil) locate – and indeed a name against West Hampstead that was missing from the Reserves and then he recorded list of Wealdstone played in the first match of FC’s fallen… the re-formed Wealdstone Well, a few months FC (the club reformed after further on, I believe that I the split from Wealdstone have now joined the dots Church Athletic), playing as and I can add Private Frederick Memorial. a forward and scoring his only Farmborough, S/No TF/265283, What is perhaps also goal for the club in a two – nil 1/9th Battalion, Middlesex understandable is how Fred friendly win against West London Regiment, a former Harrow Farmborough was overlooked Old Boys. Postman and Wealdstone FC when the original list of the Now one hundred and one goalkeeper to the list of names fallen was produced for the years since his death, he can of those we remember. Wealdstone FC Golden Jubilee be added to the Wealdstone FC The Battalion, a Territorial Handbook in 1950… Roll of Honour. Regiment, (it is likely that Fred During my research joined prior to the outbreak of I came across the the Great War) was mobilized name and had some in October 1914 and left feint recognition, and Southampton docks en-route to I also checked on the India, arriving in Bombay on 2nd Wealdstone war Memorial, December 1914. where Fred Farmborough In July 1916 Private is also listed, but it Farmborough left the wasn’t until I went back 1st/9thMiddlesex to join the 2nd through records and Norfolk Regiment as it was re- reports of the clubs that constituted. became Wealdstone He moved with the regiment to FC that I found the link. WEALDSTONE v BATH CITY REWIND SPECIAL

The strange story of how the night of John Lennon’s murder, the making of a New England Patriots legend, gridiron history & Wealdstone Football Club are interwoven.. TIM PARKS reveals the intriguing tale of JOHN SMITH... MASTER OF BOTH CODES Saturday April 14 1973, South- John Smith juggles a football ern League Division One South: with young fan at the height Wealdstone 1 Winchester City 0 of his fame in the US EALDSTONE FC and American football – gridiron – are not often to lead to the emergence of the Philadelphia Eages. They are the Wmentioned in the same breath but New England Patriots as a major Barcelona of American football. this game at Lower Mead almost player in the NFL… and cement But for 20 years, the Patriots 45 years ago saw the two mighty his own place in the history of were an under-achieving, middle- codes joined at the hip by the a game watched by millions of ranking NFL Eastern Division mention of one man: John Smith. Americans. team with no hope of Super Bowl Who? What? A brand of How come? Well, you may glory and with only one player bitter? A labour politician? No, my have heard of the Patriots. They holding a place in the American friends. John Smith was a centre- won three Super Bowls in four consciousness – John Smith. forward who turned up on the years in the early 2000s, and And yes, it all began at Lower Winchester team bus that spring became the first team to reach Mead in April 1973. afternoon in Harrow and put in ten Super Bowls in February Let me take you back to a con- motion a chain of events that was this year - only to lose to the CONTINUED OVERPAGE WEALDSTONE v BATH CITY REWINDSPECIAL

versation I had later that evening at my mate Derek’s house. We had watched the Stones v Winchester City game together with Derek’s dad Charlie (a QPR fan). It was a pretty turgid affair livened only by the Stones’ brilliant forward pairing of George Duck and Bill Byrne. The 6ft 3in, 14 stone Byrne, who turned 21 that week, scored the only goal but would be missing for the final few games as he had been selected to tour Japan and South Korea with the Middlesex Wanderers representa- tive side. ‘Who’s going to play SMALL BEGINNINGS Winchester City’s J. Smith gets his up front with George Duck now?’ name in the Stones programme in April 1973 Derek asked. ‘I don’t know about Bill Byrne, but the best player on the pitch though we had the pleasure of couple of months’ time….. today was the Winchester No.9’, seeing J.Smith turn out in our e take up the story a said Charles as he looked up from colours just four times as the few weeks later, thanks his Radio Times. ‘Just a thought’. season drew to a close. to information from an Quite a good thought, though. The Minehead game looked Warticle ‘Whatever happened to The strong-running Winchester like ending as a disastrous John Smith’ printed in the New centre foward with the explosive debut for our new No.9 as we York Herald News three years shot had turned our best defender trailed 3-0 at half time…. but ago. Apparently, the previous – Eric Burgess, ex-Colchester we roared back down the slope summer of 1972, Smith had been United – inside out for 90 minutes towards the Cinema End in the at college in Hampshire coaching and how he hadn’t scored was second half with Terry Dyson, football but was then asked over little short of a miracle. Paul Fairclough and an Eddie to America to teach students at Presland penalty all finding the ow bizarre then, to pick up a camp in Pittsfield, Massachus- net in an inspired 45 minutes. It sets. my copy of the Midweek ended 3-3. Harrow Observer a few “One of the boys brought out Hdays later and read that ‘John Smith and Duck had caused an American football,” said Smith. Smith, an amateur from Win- panic in the Somerset side’s “I had never seen the game chester City, had been signed defence… and the powerful before, the ball was oval, and it after making such a good impres- Smith was on the mark in a 2-1 was strange to me. I had played sion in Saturday’s game. He will defeat at Dorchester on Easter rugby at school in Southampton be making his Wealdstone debut Saturday, and then again in a and that ball is much fatter than a at home to high-flying Minehead 2-0 win at Bletchley on Easter football, but that was as close to tonight. He will replace the touring Monday. We ended the season a girdiron ball as I had seen.” Bill Byrne’. with a 2-1 defeat to Bath City It was while kicking rather than at Lower Mead the following Extraordinary! As David throwing the football around that evening, and John Smith swung Smith was noticed by a man Coleman would say. Was Derek’s his kit bag over his shoulder with dad as good a judge of a player named Jack Rohan, who was the a cheery wave, vowing to be men’s head basketball coach at as our manager Sid Prosser? back for pre-season training in a Well, it turned out he was, even CONTINUED OVERPAGE WEALDSTONE v BATH CITY REWINDSPECIAL

Columbia University. “He said, ‘you should have a go at kicking,’” Smith recalled. “I didn’t know what American football was. I knew it was a game that was played with helmets, but my first thought was, what the hell does a kicker do? “He asked me if I could stop in Newark (New Jersey) and kick a few balls for a friend of his. I did. I kicked some and went home. A little while later I got a letter from TRUSTY LEFT BOOT Dead-eye Smith shows the the Jets, but I was playing form that made such him a hit for the Patriots amateur soccer and I told them that I was finishing college and I want to play soccer.” his first NFL field goal - without (Part of the opposition line- The following May (a few his helmet, which was resting backer’s job was to try to put off weeks after playing for the comfortably on the other field the kicker, especially if he was a Stones) he received a phone call with his soccer ball. rookie) from “an American lad who said mith laughs when he “It was the first time I’d lined there was a plane ticket waiting thinks about his first pre- up for a kickoff with live people for me for a tryout with the New season game. He in front of me and this linebacker England Patriots. Sbecame the first-ever player in was yelling all sorts of abuse ‘So there I was, 22 years old the history of American football towards me and my mother,” he and about to get married, but to play in a game before he’d said. “By the time I kicked the they told me they would send a even watched one! ball, I forgot about kicking it clean ticket for my wife, too. I was hop- “It was a ‘Hall of Fame’ game out of the end zone. I was just ing to play soccer, but I decided against the San Francisco watching the linebacker. I barely to go out there and see what 49ers,” he said. “They didn’t kicked it to the 20-yard line.” happened. I figured I could al- even tell me what a down was. I The legendary TV announcer ways come back to England and had no clue what was going on.” Howard Cosell, who was report- play soccer for Wealdstone or Smith says he can still see ing that game, said Smith would Winchester if I wanted to.” and hear the 49ers linebacker be flying straight back to England The naïve John Smith had an lined up across the field as he if he continued to kick like that! abrupt introduction to gridiron. prepared for his first kickoff. Smith recalled, “My wife was Soon after arriving, Smith was watching at home contently juggling in Boston and was a soccer ball on an nervous when she adjacent practice field heard Cosell. She when he heard New thought: Will they re- England coach Chuck ally send him back?” Fairbanks yelling his The answer was name. yes, and no. Smith He ran over to the was cut after the field where the Patriots Hall of Fame Game were scrimmaging the but earned the Washington Redskins HIGH FLYER John Smith, now kicking job the next in a practise session . 68, poses on the London Eye year with a young An irritated Fairbanks during a flying visit back to and upcoming barked, “We need you Patriots team. He to kick.” Smith ran onto London.. Strangely, not held on to it for 10 the field and kicked wearing a Stones top CONTINUED OVERPAGE WEALDSTONE v BATH CITY REWIND SPECIAL ing the game on “He had been clearing the lines TV listened to every five yards all game. I was Cosell deliver the clearing the snow and he made a news, all they saw veer right between me and Matt, was Smith prepar- clearing a path directly in front years... ing for a field goal for me to run up and strike the Smith led the NFL points- attempt. His kick was blocked, ball. The ball sailed between the scoring charts in 1979 and 1980. disappearing into the aqua and posts for the only points of the For the Patriots, this was their orange of Miami’s defensive line, game and Dolphins coach, Don last chance to remove the label of and the Dolphins scored on the Shula was really p****d off about “paper champions.” first possession of overtime to the whole thing. He tried to get Considered one of the most win 16-13. the rule about clearing the pitch talented teams in the league, the “I was upset and mad changed, and he did.” Patriots won 50 games, losing just because we didn’t make the hen he retired from 26 from 1976 to 1980 but could kick.. but then hearing the news playing in the late 1980s, not win a playoff game. about John Lennon put things in Smith moved back to During that time Smith – who perspective.” WEngland and became an expert was reputedly offered £12,000 for ohn Smith’s other claim to summariser for the hit weekly his first May to October contract fame is his role in the fa- Channel 4 NFL show. American with the Patriots, a small fortune mous “Snowplough Game” football was really taking off in in those days – earned his place Jin December of 1982 when his this country with regional teams in US folklore. It was the night 33-yard, fourth-quarter field goal all around the country watched John Lennon was shot dead in accounted for the only points by crowds in excess of non- New York: December 8, 1980. in a 3-0 victory over the Miami League gates. Football, in the ens of millions of viewers Dolphins – one of the lowest- wake of the Hysel and Hillsbor- were watching “Monday scoring games in NFL history. ough disasters, was something Night Football” as New ‘We called a timeout so I of a pariah and gridiron suddenly TEngland Patriots were tied 13-all could get set. Matt Cavanaugh became an acceptable alterna- going into the last three seconds was the holder (the man who tive. NFL Europe was born with of their game with the Miami held the ball while Smith kicked) pro sides operating out of all the Dolphins. John Smith trotted onto and we were clearing our spots major European cities: London, the Dolphins’ Orange Bowl field to when they sent the tractor out. Edinburgh, Barcelona, Cologne, kick the decisive points… and for There was a brush about 3 or 4 Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and those who remember the next few feet wide attached to it and they Amsterdam. moments, Smith and the game had this guy who did 15 years Smith fronted the show for itself have become historical and for armed robbery driving it. several years before the craze cultural markers forever slowly died out – ‘soccer’ get- connected to Howard Co- ting its act together with the sell’s announcement that Taylor Report and the birth of John Lennon had been the Premier League focus- shot and killed. sing, once again, our eyes in “Remember, this is just the right direction. a football game, no matter Today, Smith runs his own who wins or loses,” Cosell soccer academy in Milford, told TV viewers. Massachusets. From two- “An unspeakable year-olds learning to dribble, tragedy, confirmed to us to 18-year-olds with college by ABC News in New and professional aspirations, York City: John Lennon, Smith and his daughter Felici- outside of his apartment ty (who has played for Arsenal building on the West Side Ladies) guide the way. of New York City, the most He still can’t believe his link famous, perhaps, of all the to those iconic moments in Beatles, shot twice in the US sport. back, rushed to Roosevelt “It’s amazing I was as- Hospital, dead … on … sociated with John Lennon’s arrival. Hard to go back to death, growing up a Beatles the game fter that news The snow plough, driven by a fan and being the only Eng- flash, which in duty bound, prison inmate on work release , lishman in pro football. It’s we have to take.” controversially clears a way for amazing how things happen Smith to kick his famous points in this world.” As stunned fans watch- in the winter of 1982 STANDING UP FOR THE STONES For a minimum donation of £60 to sponsor a seat in the new stand at Grosvenor Vale, Wealdstone fans can play a crucial part in pushing the club towards promotion. For very penny donated will be directed to manager Bobby Wilkinson’s playing budget. Each seat will be sponsored in the name of a WFC legend and you can dedicate the name of your favourite player.. or even a whole team for £500! You can pay online using a credit or debit card via the WFCSC Megastore http://www.wfcmegastore.co.uk/ or by electronic bank transfer to WFC (2000) Ltd, Act No 43154759 + Sort Code 09-06-66. Or print out the application form from the club’s website www.wealdstone-fc.com and follow the instructions. Come and make the difference!

WE’VE SPONSORED A SEAT.. HAVE YOU? VICTOR KLARFELD GORDON THOMPSON MARK BARTON ADAM WILLIAMS OF WEALDSTONE WFC SUPPORTERS CLUB FRIENDS NICK WOOLFORD NICKY CLARK NEIL RANDS PETER JOHN-BAPTISTE MARK HYDE TIM PARKS MICK FISHMAN DOM WHYLEY PAUL HARVEY SALLY MORRIS MICHAEL VINCENT TONY MAIDMENT SIMON HEANEY ROGE SLATER NIKHIL RAWAL HARRY LEIGH SUDHIR RAWAL AKHIL RAWAL MATT HILL NICK ARCHER JOHN FENNELLY ALYSON ANGELIDES MARK CONBOY TOBY JACKSON ‘A PRINTER’ JOHN ORCHARD CLIVE LEAPER MARTIN & SYL ALLEN KATHLEEN, SHANE, SINEAD AND STEVE MIKE WESTON MARK HOBBS MARILYN BERNARD NICK DUGARD ALAN HILL PETER MARSDEN WARREN LADD ALAN COUCH TOM MORRIS BRIAN & SHIRLEY PETTIFER ADAM WILLIAMS TERRI MOFFITT TERRY HISSEY JAMES KLARFELD MIRIAM GOODMAN MIKE WESTON TERRY STERN PAUL SAFFER GEOFF HAINES BARRY BENVENISTE ‘A LOVING FAMILY’PETER WORBY OLD WEALDEN ASSOCIATION PAUL SAFFER JAMES KLARFELD DAVID LEIGH ALF GOLDSMITH JON TAFFEL PETE WORBY MIRIAM GOODMAN GRAHAM JONES RAY CORNER NOTE: MANY OF THESE SPONSORS ARE MULTIPLE DONORS

Picture by Steve Foster, Aqueous Sun Photography