THE CITIZENS POST WCFC v Gosport Borough FC Tuesday 4th September 2018 Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup

Winchester City Football Club is a committee run members club and as such is an unincorporated association.

THE CITIZENS POST FROM THE BOARDROOM

Good Evening All and welcome to tonight’s game in the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup. Our visitors this evening are Gosport Borough who make the short journey up the M27 tonight. We would like to issue a warm welcome to the Players, Officials and Supporters that have made the journey from Gosport and we hope you enjoy your evening with us and have a safe journey home. On the pitch since the last time we went to press, City made it four unbeaten in the league this season and five unbeaten as we came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Melksham Town. Joe Cook netted his second of the campaign and Simba Mlambo scored the equaliser. Both sides had chances to win the game but after being two goals behind, it was yet another rousing comeback from Craig Davis’ side. The Citizens will travel to Frome Town on Saturday 8th September in the First Qualifying Round. The club is running a coach to Frome and details of this can be found on the following link: http://wcfcfans.proboards.com/thread/3896/coach-cup-frome-town-september Thank-you all for your continued support. The Players, Managers and Officials really appreciate it! #youcitizens THE CITIZENS POST DAVO’S DIARY

Good evening and a warm welcome to our visitors Gosport Borough for tonight’s league cup tie, will be great to see their management Craig McAllister and my old mate Matty Tubbs who have done a great job getting them back on track after a tough few years. I wish all their players, staff and supporters a pleasant evening with us.

It’s been another eventful weekends football for us, a 2-2 draw with a fellow unbeaten side after being 2-0 down was in the end fairly creditable and the performance after a poor start was at times very good! Our goals came from Joe Cook and Simba Mlambo both of whom have had brilliant starts to the season so was pleased for them to get their goals. All in all it’s been a great start to the season, 10 points out of 12 and safely negotiating a bruising FA cup match, we couldn’t have asked for much more, there is however room for improvement and we will be doing our best to work with the players to bring the very best out of them, they are a smashing group of lads and we will keep pushing them.

Tonight’s the first of 2 cup games this week, there is no doubt this game will take on a lesser significance to Saturday’s, we will be making numerous changes as I am sure Gosport will do, however it is still going to serve a great purpose to us with plenty of players getting minutes and a lot of our excellent youngsters getting valuable experience, for that this game will be fantastic for us and we look forward to the challenge.

After tonight we have Frome Town on Saturday in the FA cup which is a huge game for us, it’s a tough one against a side who just won 2 on the bounce in the league above, we have watched them though and will be doing our very best on Saturday, any support you can give will as always be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the game tonight and let’s hope for a good performance from the lads.

Up the citizens!

Davo

THE CITIZENS POST TODAY’S VISITORS – GOSPORT BOROUGH FC CLUB HISTORY

Gosport Borough Athletic Club as the club were originally known, were formed just two weeks after D-Day in 1944. However, despite their 70-year history, the club have really made a name for themselves in the last 8 years. Despite winning the Hampshire League at their first attempt in 1945/46, dropping “Athletic” in the 1960s, and over the decades being a major force in county football, silverware was rare at Privett Park and the Championship was not realised again until back-to-back titles in 1976/77 and 1977/78. The two Hampshire League titles led to a successful application to join Southern League for 1978/79 and a period of 14 seasons in the (then) upper echelons of the non- league game began. After four seasons at the top end of the Southern League’s Southern Division, promotion was won to the Premier Division for 1982/83-at the time an equivalent level to the later Conference South. The Boro’ spent 7 seasons in the Premier Division before a disastrous season in 1989/90 saw the club finish bottom and relegated. This marked the start of the club’s downturn in fortunes. Despite surviving the following season, Gosport finished bottom in 1991/92 and were related back to county football (Wessex League). The club attempted to compete for a couple of seasons and did lift the Wessex League Cup in 1993 but with the club struggling for money and crowds minimal, a major rethink was required. Then Chairman Ian Hay, set up a trustee scheme which kept the club alive through their darkest days, helping to support the club with fans providing regular income. Nevertheless, it was not until the start of the new century that things started to turn for the better at The Boro’. John Stimpson succeeded Hay as Chairman and he promoted reserve team manager Mick Marsh to the first team. With the club emerging from their financial difficulties, a return to the Southern League was back on the agenda. Marsh chased the dream for 5 seasons, finishing in the top 4 in four of them before he retired in 2005; but the title and promotion eluded him. With the club now focused on promotion, John Robson was appointed but, after a difficult relationship between the boardroom and manager, the club replaced him within two months and in December 2005 Alex Pike arrived. Pike had managerial acumen in abundance at Wessex League level. Given the job of achieving the board’s goal. He guided the team to the title on goal difference in his first season (2006/07). And so, started Boro’s meteoric rise. With the club, back in the Southern League in 2007/08, the board made their intentions clear to continue to climb the Pyramid, but the spark required on the pitch eluded Pike’s squad and a serious challenge never materialised in their first four seasons. However, in 2011/12. Following an average start to the season, the team gelled and they climbed the table-eventually holding on to third spot and a play-off place. The play-offs saw Boro’ dispatch near neighbours Sholing before heading to Poole Town for a final Boro’ were losing until injury time Steve Claridge strike sent the game to extra time. Two goals without replay in the additional 30 minutes saw Boro’ promoted back to the Southern League Premier Division. A poor start to the 2012/13 campaign saw Pike’s men in danger of relegation back to the South & West Division, but a decent FA Cup run was a precursor to an unbeaten run of 23 games which lifted The Boro’ into a play-off place. Boro’ saw off second placed Stourbridge in the semi, before heading Hemel Hempstead Town 2-0 in the final only to concede two late goals before winning promotion on penalties. So the board’s planned rise from county football to Conference South was complete and Gosport started 2013/14 again looking to establish themselves at a new level. Like the season before, Boro’ struggled to find their feet at the new level and after flirting with the relegation zone for much of the season, it took another cup run to gain the belief needed to lift the team clear of danger. An FA Trophy run which started in November, ended with The Boro’ playing beneath the Wembley Arch in a final against Cambridge United in front of over 18,000. The result saw United run out 4-0 winners, but the belief that flowed through the squad as a result of the Trophy run put Gosport back on track and lifted them into a comfortable mid-table place. The club were able to plough the financial windfall from the FA Trophy run back into the club’s infrastructure. During the summer of 2014 a number of improvements were made at Privett Park including the installation of a new hospitality suite/club office building and a state of the art pitch irrigation system.

A solid start to the 2014/15 league season saw The Boro’ well placed in the league. The confidence gained from the league campaign helped the club finally make the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time. The Boro’ hosted Colchester United of League One in a tie that attracted over 2,000. Gosport acquitted themselves well in a memorable match, but ultimately lost to the Football League side 6-3. The Boro’ were well placed for a play-off place until a little wobble in March saw them drop just too far off the pace- eventually finishing sixth. But the club did have the consolation of lifting the Hampshire Senior Cup for the first time since 1988 and seeing Justin Bennett pick up the award for the Conference Souths leading goal-scorer. The 2015-16 season got off to a good start, with the club pushing into play-off contention from the off. But as the new year came, the club were hit with financial problems. Several players left the club in February and March after the club failed to pay their wages, and an unpaid tax bill meant The Boro’ were put under a transfer embargo and could not replace the players. The last few weeks of the season became a struggle, with the team recording only one win in their remaining ten league games. Talismanic striker Justin Bennett, also announced that after nine seasons at Privett Park, he would leave the club at the end of the season. But 2015-16 campaign did at least end on a high with a 2.1 win against AFC Portchester in the Russell Coates Cup Final, with Bennett recording his 262nd and 263rd goals for Gosport. As 2016-17 started, it was hoped by all at the club that their financial issues had been resolved when a party came forward offering to invest in the club. But before the season had even started, the backer had walked away leaving a massive hole in the club’s finance plans. On the pitch the season started well and Gosport were making steady headway in the top half of the table. In the back ground the club’s financial issues began to take hold. As player’s wages were delayed, the majority of the first team squad departed. Manager Alex Pike struggled to get a team together with the club embargoed. Pike was dealt a major blow soon after Christmas when assistant Mick Catlin walked out, leaving Pike alone at the helm. By February 2017 they lay six points adrift safety and despite a late rally in March relegation was confirmed in the penultimate game of the season. During the close season, a boardroom reorganisation took place. Mark Hook stepped down as Chairman and both he and Alex Pike left the Board, with Iain Sellstrom appointed Chairman and Mark Adams OBE joining as Executive Officer. The 2017-18 season started but the club was still in turmoil. By September 2017, with Gosport lying bottom of the Southern League Premier Division, Pike was sacked. He was replaced by former assistant Mick Catlin. On the same day, Executive Officer Mark Adams resigned. On 20 Dec 2017, it was announced that former Portsmouth Chairman Iain McInnes had taken control of the club. Iain Sellstrom moved to the role of vice- chairman and Ray Stainton joined as CEO. Two days later Mick Catlin departed after declining to serve as joint manager alongside Former manager Alex Pike. Pike was immediately installed as Catlin’s replacement, returning after an absence of just 95 days. Within days of Pike’s return, new faces appeared in the squad as signings and on loan, but the new players failed to make much difference and it was seven games into Pike’s new reign before his side registered their first point. Things failed to improve under Pike and he was sacked for the second time in a season on 15 March 2018 with the side still at the foot of the table. The club announced that temporary charge would be taken by striker Rowan Vine, assistant manager Louie Bell and scout Jay Keating. As the 2017-18 season drew to a close, Gosport were locked in a relegating battle with Dunstable Town. After closing the gap to three points, Gosport then beat their relegation rivals in the penultimate game of the season to leapfrog them on goal difference. The last Saturday of the season proved a tense affair but The Boro’ survived thanks to a 4-0 win at St Neots. On 25 May 2018, Ryan Northmore was appointed new first team manager, but in another turn of fate, he was forced to quit less than a month later after his Colombian Wife was refused entry into the UK and Northmore decided to put his family affairs first. Craig McAllister was appointed as first team manager on 25th June 2018 he is assisted by Matt Tubbs.

THE CITIZENS POST TODAY’S VISITORS – GOSPORT BOROUGH FC PLAYER PROFILES

Jordan Brooks Signed in July 2018 from Portsmouth, promising midfield player has represented Canada at U18s

Eddie Wakley Centre Back signed in late 2017 from Whitehawk. Previous to that he had been at Portsmouth for 6 years.

Alex Lafleur Signed in July 18 from Conference South side Wealdstone, Left sided player who started his career at Watford before joining Luton. While at Wealdstone enjoyed two loan spells with Harrow Borough and Chalfont ST Peter.

Tony Lee Signed from Southern Premier side Weymouth in Aug 18, striker who started with Eastleigh while at Eastleigh had loan spells at Tiverton Town, Dorchester Town, Gosport Borough and Poole Town. Tony was part of the Poole Town side that gained promotion to the Conference South in 2016/17 season. In January 17 Tony made a permanent to Gosport before moving onto AFC Totton.

Connor Hoare Signed in July 18 for his second spell at The ‘Boro, previously here when the club finished mid table in the Conference South Division. Won the Wessex League with Blackfield & Langley last season.

Joseph Lea Played at Southampton Academy from age 9-18, moved to Yeovil Town as a Professional. While their came to Gosport on loan. At the end of his Yeovil contract signed for Bognor Regis Town before signing for Gosport in early 2017.

David Jerrard David first signed for Gosport Borough for the 2015/16 season making a few appearances from the bench. David went on loan towards the end of the season at Petersfield Town. At the end of that season David joined Dorchester Town making over 50 appearances before re-joining Gosport in July 2018

Mark Childs Craig started his career with AFC Bournemouth before moving to Yeovil Town. Also had a spell at Southampton. Mark joined Eastleigh while the spitfires climbed the leagues and was part of the side which reached the National Conference. Mark enjoyed two loan spells with Gosport Borough before joining on a permanent basis in July 18

Sam Lanahan Signed in March 17 from Dorchester Town, goalscoring midfielder. Previous Clubs include Blackfield & Langley, Ham United and Gosport Borough

Harry Medway Joined the Club in 2016 from Havant & Waterlooville after 3 years with the Hawks. During his time at Havant he was loaned out to Staines Town, AFC Totton and Bognor Regis Town. Previous to Havant Harry was at Portsmouth from 8 to 18 years old

Ryan Pennery Penners joined the Boro in January 18 from Moneyfields where he was there top scorer in the 16/17 season. Previous to that he had been at Baffins Milton Rovers again ending as their top scorer.

Robert Flooks Rob started his career with Southampton’s Academy before moving to AFC Totton and was part of the side which won the Hampshire Senior Cup. He joined Gosport before moving onto Winchester City. Re-joined Gosport in early 2018.

Pat Suraci Pat was at Southampton Academy from age 9 to 15, he then signed for Aldershot for one year moving to Eastleigh in 2014. He signed a professional contract in Belgium for Lommel United. Pat joined Gosport in 2016 to play in the Conference South side. In 2017 he joined Bognor Regis Town going on loan to Weymouth before joining Gosport again.

Lewis Harvey Central defender Lewis Harvey joined Gosport Borough from Eastleigh in August 2018

Craig McAllister Player Manager, Craig joined Gosport in January 17 from Conference National side Eastleigh and was a major factor in the Club staying in the Southern League Premier Division. Has played over 650 league games for clubs including Eastleigh, Basingstoke, Woking, Exeter City, Crawley Town, Luton Town, Oxford United, and Newport County. Asked to take the role of Manager in July 18.

Bradley Stone Brad is a product of the Clubs very successful reserve side over the past couple of years. A young man with a big future, goalscoring midfielder that made his debut away at Royston last season.

Matt Tubbs Matt joined Macca as his assistant in July 18, a partnership which first came together at Crawley Town and later continued at Eastleigh. Tubbsy has made two appearances and scored two goals for the England C side in his career that totals over 500 games and over 250 goals for clubs including Portsmouth, AFC Bournemouth, Rotherham, AFC Wimbledon, Forest Green Rovers and Sutton United. Matt joined from Havant & Waterlooville where he scored goals to help the Hawks gain promotion to the Conference National last season. When Matt is not scoring goals he will be found walking his dog on the beach.

Winchester City FC Player Sponsorship 2018/19 Cost is £50 per season. Please see Rob Conway for more details.

c Harvey Clark Craig Davis Ryan Pryce Connor Cocklin

Sponsored by Sponsored by Sponsored by PHIL WATKINS MIKE CARTER ELLIOTT TRODD

Mike Carter

Elliott Trodd

Sponsored by

Joe Cook Sam Roberts Danny King Joe Hayward

Sponsored by Sponsored by ICE BLUE Sponsored by MEDIA THE ELKINS FAMILY NIKKI PERCIVAL

Josh Harfield Brad Gale Jake Rawkins Liam Gilbert

Sponsored by Sponsored by Sponsored by MATT RICHBELL PINE COURT MIKE CARTER MANAGEMENT Matt Richbell

Ice Blue Media

Simba Mlambo Josh Corner Rob Carr Jamie Barron

Sponsored by Sponsored by Sponsored by Sponsored by ELLIOTT TRODD WAYNE ELKINS PINE COURT MANAGEMENT ROB CONWAY

Reece Rusher Oli Bailey Tyrell Mitford Jo Brocksom

Sponsored by Sponsored by Sponsored by GERALDINE Sponsored by CHRIS DUNN KEVIN PERCIVAL WATKINS -VEALE MATT RICHBELL

Geraldine Percival

THE CITIZENS POST CROWDFUNDING https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/matt- richbell-1

Visit the link above to donate to the football club. Supporters are doing their bit for the club! 10km runs, Half Marathons and Tough Mudder’s are all taking place to raise money for the club. Thanks for your support!

THE CITIZENS POST MATCH REPORT – BY MALCOLM CLARKE WCFC 2-2 MELKSHAM

Winchester and Melksham both maintained their unbeaten starts to the season as for the second successive home league game Winchester recovered from two goals down, but this time could not score a winner as this time the match finished 2-2. Melksham are newly promoted from the Toolstation Western League having last season finished runners up to Street who were also promoted and recently moved to a new ground which helped fuel their promotion ambitions having failed to go up at the end of the 2014/15 season despite finishing champions due to ground grading issues. Winchester bought in Brad Gale to replace the suspended Oli Bailey as the only change to the starting line-up from Monday's win at Moneyfields. However, Melksham drew first blood in the 7th minute when Neikell Plummer scored with a low shot in to the corner of the net. The influential Jon Davis who previously played for AFC Totton whilst Stuart Ritchie was manager then had a shot saved by Ryan Pryce, while a good block from Connor Cocklin kept out Davis. At the other end following a cross from Joe Cook resulted in Tyrell Mitford having a shot deflected for a corner. It was Melksham though who scored the second goal when Neikell Plummer beat the offside trap and found himself clean through in the 14th minute and made no mistake from close range. Not long afterwards two goal hero Plummer had to go off injured and was replaced by Jamie Lyons. Davis came close again, while Simba Mlambo forced a routine save from Kent Kauppinen, Winchester however did step up a gear and Kauppinen had to make good saves from Reece Rusher and Mitford at the expense of corners and it was following a corner that Winchester reduced the deficit with Joe Cook getting on the end of the set piece delivery. After scoring a first goal Winchester had a great chance to another when Tyrell Mitford was in a good position to receive a cross from Simba Mlambo, but with the ball moving and needing to hit the ball first time his effort was wide. Both teams had attacking moments during the remainder of the first half, but Winchester if anything were looking the more threatening. They certainly started the second half well with Kauppinen being tested in the opening minute of the half. Five minutes into the half the scores were level when Simba Mlambo headed home a cross from Joe Hayward. After this both teams had their attacking moments, but some good saves by the goalkeepers and important interceptions by the defenders ensured the remainder of the game was goalless, Rusher and Davis from free kicks forced saves from the opposing goalkeeper, with Pryce doing well to tip Davis's effort over the bar. Simon Gilbert set up Jamie Lyons who shot just over, while Mlambo had an effort blocked, but overall a draw was a fair result, After Tuesday's league cup tie with Gosport Winchester turn their attention to Saturday's FA Cup tie with Frome. Earlier in the week I found information on the internet which indicated that the Danny Greaves who manages Frome is the same Danny Greaves who is the son of Jimmy Greaves, but it appears that is not correct. The Frome manager in fact joined the club from Bradford Town whom he guided into the last 16 of the FA Vase last season. The fact that Frome managed their first home win of the season on Saturday means that they may not need to call on the services of white witch Titania Hardie. In the 2003– 04 season, the club attracted attention nationally when they asked her, to help improve their home form. The witch blamed the Decor of the changing rooms, and once the club changed them the team won eight of their nine remaining home games.

Good wishes to club stalwart Rob Conway on his wedding this Saturday to Jo. THE CITIZENS POST A WORD FROM MALCOLM… Saturday will see us play our 7th match in 22 days and if we draw on Saturday it will be 8 matches in 25 days. I noted that last week the Eastleigh manager Andy Hessenthaler was unhappy with having to have played 8 games in 29 days. Whereas I sympathise with him in operating with a small squad and trying to do the very best for his own team, which I am sure is a situation that Craig Davis is very familiar with, I do not see a perfect solution to this issue other than reducing the size of the National League or extending the season, neither of which I expect will be universally popular.

As things stand the National League comprises 38 weeks and with four Saturdays allocated for F A Cup and F A Trophy rounds it will be difficult for clubs to go throughout the season in my view for teams to avoid scenarios in which they play on five successive Saturdays and have at least three midweek fixtures sandwiched between these to make it 8 games in 29 days. This is a matter close to my heart as I have been fixtures secretary of the Southampton Chess League for 20 years and spend a sizeable amount of my August Bank Holiday working on these and have clear principles which I work to, even if I do not want to interfere directly with the work that hard working secretaries do all over the country.

I think though with this issue that Winchester might benefit from having 4 fewer league games to play this time around and certainly last season’s scenario of playing 3 games a week in the latter stages of the season is something that is not desirable to repeat this time around. The unfortunate thing about the 2017/18 was the relatively high number of postponements in the spring months which causes its’ own problems. Certainly, one reservation I have about summer football is that finishing the season as winter approaches does not seem to be the most sensible way forward.

People might ask what I am doing discussing matters relating to Eastleigh on here. As well as having seen virtually every Winchester City home match in the last three years I am also a season ticket holder at Eastleigh and have seen them play well over 1000 times which is more than many people currently supporting the club have done.

THE CITIZENS POST RESULTS

DATE FIXTURE COMPETITION ATTENDANCE Sat 18/08/18 Mangotsfield United 1-2 WCFC (Bailey, Mitford) League 150 Tue 21/08/18 WCFC 3-2 Thatcham Town (Rusher, Cook, Mitford) League 220 Sat 25/08/18 WCFC 1-0 Bournemouth (Mitford) FA Cup 109 Mon 27/08/18 Moneyfields 0-2 WCFC (Barron, Bailey) League 102 Sat 01/09/18 WCFC 2-2 Melksham Town (Cook, Mlambo) League 160

THE CITIZENS POST FIXTURES

Tue 04/09/18 WCFC v Gosport Borough (League Cup) Sat 08/09/18 Frome Town v WCFC (FA Cup) Sat 15/09/18 WCFC v Paulton Rovers (League) Tue 18/09/18 WCFC v Hartley Wintney (Hampshire Senior Cup) Sat 22/09/18 Cirencester Town v WCFC (League) Sat 29/09/18 Slimbridge v WCFC (FA Trophy) Sat 06/10/18 AFC Totton v WCFC (League) Tue 09/10/18 WCFC v Highworth Town (League) Sat 20/10/18 WCFC v Evesham United (League) Sat 03/11/18 Barnstaple Town v WCFC (League) Sat 10/11/18 Fleet Town v WCFC (League) Sat 17/11/18 WCFC v Yate Town (League) Sat 24/11/18 Slimbridge v WCFC (League) Sat 01/12/18 WCFC v Larkhall Athletic (League) Sat 08/12/18 Street v WCFC (League) Sat 15/12/18 WCFC v Bideford (League) Sat 22/12/18 Bristol Manor Farm v WCFC (League) Wed 26/12/18 WCFC v Moneyfields (League) Sat 29/12/18 WCFC v Mangotsfield United (League) Tue 01/01/19 Blackfield & Langley v WCFC (League) Sat 05/01/19 WCFC v Cinderford Town (League) Sat 12/01/19 Thatcham Town v WCFC (League) Sat 19/01/19 Paulton Rovers v WCFC (League) Sat 26/01/19 WCFC v Cirencester Town (League) Sat 02/02/19 Highworth Town v WCFC (League) Sat 09/02/19 WCFC v AFC Totton (League) Sat 16/02/19 Evesham United v WCFC (League) Sat 23/02/19 WCFC v Barnstaple Town (League) Sat 02/03/19 Bideford v WCFC (League) Sat 09/03/19 WCFC v Street (League) Sat 16/03/19 WCFC v Slimbridge (League) Sat 23/03/19 Larkhall Athletic v WCFC (League) Sat 30/03/19 WCFC v Fleet Town (League) Sat 04/04/19 Yate Town v WCFC (League) Sat 13/04/19 WCFC v Bristol Manor Farm (League) Fri 19/04/19 Melksham Town v WCFC (League) Mon 22/04/19 WCFC v Blackfield & Langley (League) Sat 27/04/19 Cinderford Town v WCFC (League)

For the latest league tables in the Evo-Stik League South, please click here THE CITIZENS POST WCFC FORTHCOMING RESERVE FIXTURES

Thursday 6th September – AFC Portchester v WCFC (Wyvern Premier Division)

Sunday 9th September – WCFC Under 18s v Moneyfields Under 18s (League Cup Round 1)

Saturday 15th September – Poole Town v WCFC (Wyvern Premier Division)

Sunday 16th September – WCFC Under 18s v Brockenhurst Under 18s (League)

THE CITIZENS POST WHO’S WHO?

BEHIND THE SCENES

PRESIDENT – JOHN MOODY RPSL CHAIRMAN – ELLIOTT TRODD DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL – DAVID MALONE VICE PRESIDENT –STEVE BRINE MP & COUNCILLOR IAN TAIT LIFE VICE PRESIDENTS – TERRY PAINE MBE & TERRY BONE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN – SECRETARY – MATT RICHBELL TREASURER – PAUL MURRAY MBE COMMITTEE MEMBERS –WAYNE ELKINS, ROBERT CONWAY, SALLY STATHAM, STEVE (RONNIE) RAINBIRD, ELLIOTT TRODD, MATT RICHBELL, MIKE CARTER, JO BROCKSOM, ALLAN HIGGS, KEN RAISBECK, JOHN MOODY, MARGARET MOODY, JUDY MALONE, JUDITH TOWERTON, DAVID MALONE, RYAN ANDRESS, MARTIN MOODY, LIAM DIFFORD HEAD OF COMMERCIAL – MIKE CARTER & MATT RICHBELL CAR PARKING & STADIUM – SALLY STATHAM STADIUM ANNOUNCER – WAYNE ELKINS WEBSITE – STEVE (RONNIE) RAINBIRD PROGRAMME EDITORS – MATT RICHBELL & MIKE CARTER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY – WAYNE ELKINS GROUND MAINTENANCE – MIKE CARTER & DAVE GREEN GROUNDSMAN – RAY BULPIT CHIEF STEWARD – STEVE RAINBIRD BAR MANAGER – KEVIN WATKINS PHOTOGRAPHER – TONY SMITH PLAYER SHIRTS SPONSORS – ROB CONWAY SHOP MANAGER – NIKKI PERCIVAL ASST. SHOP MANAGER – ROD YOUNGMAN CLUB CATERING – JUDY MALONE, JUDITH TOWERTON, TINA ELKINS, MARGARET MOODY & SALLY STATHAM CAR PARKING – SALLY STATHAM, DAVE GREEN 50-50 DRAW – JUDY MALONE, JUDITH TOWERTON. TURNSTILE OPERATORS – RICH PICKETT & ALLY BROWN

ON THE PITCH FIRST-TEAM MANAGER – CRAIG DAVIS FIRST-TEAM ASSISTANT MANAGER – JOHN McFARLANE DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL – DAVID MALONE SPORTS THERAPISTS – JO BROCKSOM CHIEF SCOUT – PETE MILLARD RESERVE TEAM MANAGER – RYAN ANDRESS ASSISTANT RESERVE TEAM MANAGER – DARREN NICHOLSON HEAD OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – ELLIOTT TRODD THE CITIZENS POST CONTACT US

[email protected] [email protected]

Winchester City Football Club

@wincityfc @WCFC-Staff @WCFC_Fans

The Simplyhealth City Ground, Hillier Way, Abbots Barton, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7SR. 07825 828918.

THE CITIZENS POST CUP DRAWS

Hampshire Senior Cup 2nd Round – Tuesday 18th September WCFC v Hartley Wintney

FA Trophy Extra Preliminary Round – Saturday 29th September Slimbridge v WCFC

FA Trophy Preliminary Round – Saturday 13th October Slimbridge or WCFC v Melksham Town

FA Cup First Qualifying Round – Saturday 8th September Frome Town v WCFC

FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round – Week beginning 17th September WCFC v Moneyfields

Southampton Senior Cup 2nd Round WCFC v Folland Sports OR Athletico Romsey

Southern League Challenge Cup Preliminary Round – w/c 3rd September WCFC v Gosport Borough

THE CITIZENS POST MALCOLM’S MUSINGS

We welcome Gosport Borough to Winchester for tonight’s league cup tie. Gosport are a Southern League Premier Division team who are managed by Craig McAllister with Matt Tubbs his player coach, with the pair forming a successful strike force at Crawley and helped the Sussex club into the football league. I first came across Craig as a 19- year-old who Derek Holloway signed for Eastleigh from Pirelli General in 1999 and his success with Eastleigh enabled Basingstoke to sign him and he went on to play for many football league clubs. I first came across Matt when he played for Salisbury in the 2006/07 season and that season he helped them get promotion and reach the 2nd proper of the FA Cup where Matt’s goal earned them a replay against Notts Forest, where a 3rd round tie with Charlton Athletic then a Premier Division club awaiting the winners. Matt, like Craig also played for several football league clubs.

Last season a young Winchester City team went out to AFC Totton at the first hurdle of this competition in a match which I missed due to being on holiday, but two years prior to this we enjoyed a good run in this and beat Hungerford from the league above away from home. This season with an additional division being created there will be 84 clubs taking part as opposed to 66 so for some clubs they will need to play one additional game if they want to go all of the way in this.

Gosport have in their ranks former Winchester City favourite Robbie Flooks and their goalkeeper is Mark Childs whom many Eastleigh fans rate highly. Mark was in fact in goal for Bridgwater when they played at Winchester in the early part of the 2016/17 season.

Gosport are a long-standing Hampshire club who first came into national prominence in the late 1970’s when they reached the last 8 of the FA Vase and joined the Southern League. Having finished in the top four in the Southern Division in four successive seasons they were promoted to the Premier Division where they enjoyed two seventh placed finishes, the second under the management of Trevor Williams whom I still see, but two relegations in three seasons saw them play in the Wessex League.

Under Roger Sherwood’s management Gosport won the Wessex League cup in their first season in this league, but although they enjoyed seven top five placings prior to this it was not until 2006/07 that under Alex Pike they won the league and promotion back to the Southern League. Alex also led them two further promotions and an FA Trophy final. In 2016/17 they suffered relegation and last season they remarkably escaped relegation despite only obtaining 19 points from 42 league games.

I have been to Privett Park on several occasions and at the start of last season attended the pre-season friendly between Gosport and Winchester at this ground. Anyway, enough about Gosport, let us hope that our own squad can give a good account of themselves tonight.

THE CITIZENS POST SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND DRAW Ties to be played in week commencing 3rd September 2018: Alvechurch v Bromsgrove Sporting Chesham United v Dunstable Town Coleshill Town v Sutton Coldfield Town Corby Town v Peterborough Sports Didcot Town v Thame United Fleet Town v Farnborough Hitchin Town v Harrow Borough Kempston Rovers v AFC Dunstable Kings Langley v Welwyn Garden City Leiston v Cambridge City Mangotsfield United v Larkhall Athletic North Leigh v Banbury United Redditch United v Rushall Olympic St Neots Town v Bedford Town Swindon Supermarine v Yate Town Tamworth v Coalville Town Taunton Town v Street Walton Casuals v Beaconsfield Town WCFC v Gosport Borough Yaxley v St Ives Town

THE CITIZENS POST FA CUP 1st QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW TIES TO BE PLAYED ON SATURDAY 8th SEPTEMBER TIES OF INTEREST…

Hednesford Town v Tamworth Redditch United v Rugby Town St Neots Town v Bishop’s Stortford Cambridge City v Brightlingsea Regent Aylesbury United v Marlow Heybridge Swifts v Newmarket Town AFC Sudbury v Royston Town AFC Hornchurch v Harrow Borough AFC Dunstable OR Swindon Supermarine v Woodbridge Town Hayes & Yeading United v Deeping Rangers OR AFC Rushden & Diamonds Wingate & Finchley v Didcot Town OR Aylesbury Hastings United v Kingstonian Met Police v Cray Wanderers OR Rusthall Faversham Town v Worthing Farnborough v Molesey OR Lewes Fleet Town v East Grinstead Town Egham Town v Staines Town Corinthian Casuals v Whyteleafe OR Saltdean United Margate v Horndean Moneyfields v Thamesmead Town Whitstable Town v Bognor Regis Town Pagham v Whitehawk Burgess Hill Town v Folkestone Invicta Dorking Wanderers v Hartley Wintney Sittingbourne v Gosport Borough Weymouth v Banbury United Melksham Town v Merthyr Town Bitton v Westbury United AFC Stoneham v Cirencester Town Salisbury v Yate Town Bodmin Town OR Cadbury Heath v Cinderford Town Binfield v Buckland Athletic Frome Town v WCFC Wimborne Town v Dorchester Town Shaftesbury v Poole Town Sholing v Hamworthy United Plymouth Parkway v Street Taunton Town v Thatcham Town OR Bemerton Heath Harlequins Paulton Rovers v Basingstoke Town Bridport v Tiverton Town Bishop’s Cleeve v Slimbridge OR Wantage Town Chipping Sodbury Town v Bideford OR Bristol Manor Farm Lymington Town v Royal Wootton Bassett Town OR Lydney Town THE CITIZENS POST LEAGUE HONOURS

Southern League: Play-Off Semi-Finalists (2016)

Wessex Premier League: Winners (2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2011-12)

Runners-Up (2004- 2005, 2014-2015)

Hampshire County League: Winners (1928-1929)

Hampshire Premier League: Winners (2002-2003)

Hampshire League Division 1: Winners (2001-2002)

Runners-Up (1929-1930, 1949-1950 & 1970-1971)

Hampshire League Division 2: Winners (1957-1958, 1973-1974 & 1991-1992)

Hampshire League Division 3: Runners-Up (1967-1968 & 1979-1980)

Hampshire League Division 3 East: Runners-Up (1949-1950 & 1951-1952)

Hampshire League North Division: Winners (1904-1905 & 1928-1929)

Runners-Up (1909- 1910, 1911-1912 & 1919-1920)

Hampshire League Championship Shield: Winners (1928-1929)

Hampshire League Combination Division 2: Winners (2005-2006)

South Hampshire League: Winners (1896-1897, 1897-1898 & 1898-1899)

North Hants League: Winners (2002-2003)

THE CITIZENS POST CUP HONOURS

FA Vase: Winners (2004)

Hampshire Senior Cup: Winners (1935 & 2005)

Finalists (1888 & 2016)

Hampshire Tournament Cup: Winners (1888)

Finalists (1889 & 1890)

Hampshire Floodlit Cup: Winners (2005)

Finalists (2003)

Russell Cotes Cup: Winners (1955 & 1971)

North Hants Senior Cup: Winners (1982, 1987, 2002 & 2015)

North Hants League Cup: Winners (2003)

Southampton Senior Cup: Winners (1950, 1952, 2001 & 2003)

Finalists (1909) Basingstoke Senior Cup: Finalists (2002)

Andover & District Open Cup: Winners (2002)

Hampshire Intermediate Cup: Winners (1952, 1968, 1973 & 2002)

Wessex League Cup: Winners (2004)

Wyvern Challenge Shield: Finalists (2013)

Hampshire League, League Cup: Winners (1994 & 2003)

Hampshire League Combination Cup: Finalists (2002)

Hampshire Chronicle Cup: Winners (2005)

Southern Newspapers Invitation Cup: Winners (1971)

Inter-League Challenge: Winners (2001 & 2002)

THE CITIZENS POST CLUB SPONSORS

THE CITIZENS POST PLAYER PROFILES

RYAN PRYCE – Ex-AFC Bournemouth Goalkeeper that also lists Salisbury City, Gosport Borough and Fleet Town amongst his former clubs. Pryce made five senior appearances for the Cherries, making his debut against Southend United.

DANNY KING - Left sided defender, the clubs longest-serving player currently and a real fans favourite. A teacher by trade, he has played for Chelsea and Southampton in his youth. Danny reached his testimonial year last season and had his testimonial at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

JOSH HARFIELD – 21-year-old defender who was City reserve player three seasons ago. Since played for Whitchurch United and most recently, Fleet Town, Harfield has returned to City last summer, a player with real potential for the future.

JOE HAYWARD – Defender who joined us last season having previously been with Eastleigh FC, unfortunately broke his leg recently but returned quickly and showed what great potential he has. Delighted he is with us again this year and look forward to seeing him in action.

JAMIE BARRON - Resigned from Gosport Borough Jamie has played for Salisbury, Andover, Sholing and Folland Sports. A winner of a Schools National Cup medal. Appointed Captain for another season and a really important player for us.

OLI BAILEY – 20-year-old striker who has joined the club last summer from Gosport Borough, has also previously played for Swindon Supermarine and started out as a youngster at Southampton FC. Pacey, enthusiastic forward with a bright future. Scored 21 goals last season and is looking to push on again this campaign.

ROB CARR – 24-year-old highly rated winger that has previously played for both Woking and also Fleet Town. Another regular goal scorer with 20 goals plus in his last 3 seasons for Fleet Town. Entering his second season with the Citizens.

SIMBA MLAMBO – Also signed from Davis’ former club, Fleet Town. Mlambo has spent the past few seasons in North Hampshire and was an Alton Town player before this. Can play wide or up front and a player with immense speed and power in the air. Another playing starting his second season with City.

JOSH TOMBS - 17-year-old youth team goalkeeper who was promoted to the first team squad this year after an excellent season in the reserves last season.

JOSH CORNER - midfielder who is still in the youth team but made several appearances and impressed last season despite his young age.

HARVEY CLARK - Another youth team player who made a first team debut last season, he is a defender who we have high hopes for.

SAM ROBERTS - Defender signed this summer from AFC Totton, delighted to have this powerful player in the squad who has great experience at this level.

LAMAR KOROMA - 18-year-old midfielder signed from Woking, has really impressed during pre-season.

TYRELL MITFORD - Forward player signed from Team Solent, played for Gosport at step 3 last season, excited to have this player on board and has already settled in well after signing this summer. Mitford previously has football league experience with QPR. REECE RUSHER - Wide player who has re-joined the club this season after playing for us in our Wessex League days, part of the Andover Town side who gained promotion only to not take it this summer.

JAKE RAWKINS - Diminutive tricky winger who we signed from Bemerton in the Wessex league after scoring a lot of goals for them last season. He has played at this level previously for AFC Totton.

LIAM GILBERT - Combative ball playing midfield player in his first full season for the Citizens after signing halfway through last season, previously captain for AFC Totton.

MATT ANDREWS - Forward player signed this summer from Fareham Town, has played at this level in the past for Petersfield Town. Currently dual-registered with Fleetlands in the Hampshire Premier League.

CONNOR COCKLIN - Defender who is another player part of Andover Town promotion season last year, Davo is a long- time admirer and delighted to have signed him this season.

BRAD GALE - Powerful midfielder who has signed after a brief spell last season, played for Verwood Town and Poole Town where he was highly regarded by their supporters.

BEN SUNLEY - goal scoring Forward player who had a fantastic season in the reserves last season, still a youth team player but has been heavily involved in the 1st team already.

CALLUM KITCHER - Delighted to sign Callum this season, he joined our reserves after the deadline day at end of last season, played a number of games for the reserve team and impressed, look forward to having him in the squad this season. Currently dual-registered with Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

STAFF PROFILES

CRAIG DAVIS – Player-Manager who came to City from Fleet Town after relinquishing his position as Manager. Took over as Interim Manager until the end of the 2016-17 season before taking over the reins permanently. His playing career started off as a pro at Cardiff City before spells at Bashley, Salisbury, Gosport Borough and AFC Totton. Has won both the Southern League South and West and Premier as a player.

JOHN McFARLANE - Assistant Manager to Davo who was appointed this summer after doing the same role successfully with Andover Town last season. John returns to the club having previously been on the management team at Winchester in the past, also at Blackfield and Langley, welcome back.

JO BROCKSOM - Jo is in her 3rd season now at Winchester as Sports therapist, this is her 1st season taking a leading role though, has been integral in keeping our players on the pitch and delighted to have her with the club again this season.

PETE MILLARD – Scout – Someone Craig Davis brought to the club this season and has previously worked for Bashley FC and Craig at Fleet Town, has a wealth of knowledge and provides important information to Craig throughout the season, really crucial member of the management team. THE CITIZENS POST TODAY’S SQUADS

WINCHESTER CITY FC (From): GOSPORT BOROUGH (From):

RYAN PRYCE MARK CHILDS DANNY KING JORDAN BROOKS JOE HAYWARD EDDIE WAKLEY JOSH HARFIELD ALEX LAFLEUR CRAIG DAVIS ROB FLOOKS SAM ROBERTS CONNOR HOARE SIMBA MLAMBO JOSEPH LEA JAMIE BARRON © TONY LEE MATT ANDREWS DAVID JERRARD LAMAR KOROMA SAM LANAHAN JAKE RAWKINS HARRY MEDWAY TYRELL MITFORD RYAN PENNERY FABIO MANUEL PAT SURACI HARVEY CLARK LEWIS HARVEY REECE RUSHER CRAIG McALLISTER CONNOR COCKLIN MATT TUBBS BRAD GALE BRADLEY STONE FILIP KRYGIER JOSH CORNER ALFIE TRODD JOSH TOMBS (GK)

Referee – Gary Parsons

Asst. Referee – Andrew Bailey

Asst. Referee – Lee Nowacki www.winchestercityfc.co.uk