This issue/booklet is produced to provide a record for all age groups and the Club History, and to acknowledge the support of the Programme and Team Sponsors we had for 2019-20. The Corona Virus/Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all our lives. Holmer are not letting the lockdown stop their preparations for next season. Team Manager Matt Stowell has committed himself to the Club for 2020-21. Having come through a tortuous initiation to the Hellenic Premier he now knows who in the squad he wants for next season and has identified those positions he still needs to strengthen. He has been busy on the ‘phone speaking to players and is confident that whenever the season starts we will have a squad capable of competing with the best in the League. It looks unlikely that we will run a Development Team in The Suburban League next season, but there are other options being taken up. Ian Lancaster will continue to oversee the Allied team but knows that with renewed competition getting good players to join the Club is going to need all his experience. There is another major initiative that Holmer are in the process of finalising and this should help to strengthen his squad. Off the pitch we do have plans to improve the changing rooms ready for the new season. Of course, with the longer close season the pitch will be very well prepared and ready for the restart whenever that is allowed. Confidence remains high that the Club will be able to bounce back next season, well supported by a committed group of volunteers. Come on you Greens!

Rob Shed Club Chairman

SPONSOR - A - MATCH Support HGFC and Sponsor a Home Match Only £30 UHLSPORT HELLENIC LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION MATCH Date SPONSORED BY Royal Wootton Bassett 03-Aug Steve Powell Shrivenham (FA Cup) 13-Aug Bill Scholes Raunds Town 31-Aug Pinpoint Marketing Virginia Water 03-Sep Paul Jarrott Decorating Longlevens 21-Sep Ripley Developments Ltd Newport Pagnell 08-Oct The Carrot & Coriander Flackwell Heath 29-Oct George and Jim Bishops Cleeve 02-Nov S Ellis Consulting Ltd Tuffley Rovers 16-Nov Adams Garden Services Lydney Town 07-Dec Holmer Green Double Glazing Binfield 28-Dec Chris Allen Brackley Town Saints 11-Jan Halls of Hazlemere Burnham 08-Feb Sygnus Office Partnership Easington Sports 03-Mar John Anderson Windsor Harry & Kathy Reading City LBS Electrical Ardley United J Walsh Newsagents Shrivenham Brimscombe & Thrupp Derek and Martin Fairford Town Malcolm & Alistair Westfields Contact Rob Shed 07539 267 948 or John Anderson [email protected] Match Sponsorship entitles you to 2 free tickets to your sponsored match, an advertisment in the Match Day programme, acknowledgement of your sponsorship in every programme, and hospitality at half time.

Ironically as the season was suddenly “ended”, Holmer Green’s Hellenic season had picked up. With 5 points gleaned in February, as many as in the previous 6 months! The Match Reports of our two league wins are reproduced in this issue. There was also the possibility of no relegation anyway? As the season had been played with only 19 clubs in the division instead of 20, and Brackley Town Saints had already indicated that they would not be carrying on into the next season. Our Development team had a strange first season in the Suburban League. They had just played their first away game of the season when the halt was called. An expected tough season had, however, included the bonus of beating the runaway league leaders in the League Cup. Since all football was stopped in mid-March, we have been waiting for top level football to start again even if it is behind closed doors. Age-group football and lower non-league leagues were abandoned early on, and gradually all but the top national leagues in big footballing countries stopped. The Division Two was ended fairly early on. On Tuesday June 8th League One, which contains our local side Wycombe Wanderers, followed suit. A decision has now been made to decide final positions on a points-per-game played basis. Wanderers will play Fleetwood in the play-offs to enter The Championship; at Step Two of the English game for the first time in their history. By the end of June Northampton Town had beaten Exeter City to clinch the third promotion place into Division One. Wycombe start their play-off journey on the first weekend in July (about the time of intended publication of this issue, to coincide with the partial re-opening of the HGSA). England’s Premiership restarted on Jun 17th. throughout the top four tiers of English football will take place. Barrow will be promoted from the National League to Division Two. Almost 50 years after failing to be re- elected to the then Football League in favour of Hereford United, who had famously defeated Newcastle in The FA Cup. Continued

German Bundesliga games were first to resume on the weekend 16th/17th May, with some good matches. Inevitably at least two goals were chalked off due to VAR, despite no actual protests from the defences involved! Fixtures were completed by the end of June. Bayern won again, and will be joined in The Champions’ League by Dortmund, Leipzig, and Hoffenheim. Paderborn and Dusseldorf are relegated. Bremen and Heidenheim will play off for the final Bundesliga place. The French, Belgian, and Dutch leagues had already been terminated fairly early, with Scotland following suit on May 18th. The French had decided that PSG were Champions anyway. Toulouse and Amiens had gained a Court Order to prevent their relegation. Lyons have likewise won a Court case to prevent their possible exclusion from Champions League participation. The French League were ordered to think again. However on 23/6 The French League made the same decision again, although citing new reasons! However, the 20 current top tier clubs have since voted with a majority to keep the division at 20 clubs and not increase it. The French FA have “confirmed the relegation” of the two objecting clubs. It is not known if they will appeal further, perhaps eventually to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which has had the final say on problematic situations in the past. On July 1st the Lyons President, Jean-Michel Aulas, publicly slated the French league for “a massive error” which showed “a lack of leadership”. Clubs like his, along with PSG and Marseilles will forfeit enormous sums of ticket and television money. Lyons are in their twenty-third consecutive season of European competition, and hold a 1-0 First Leg lead over Juventus in the still to be completed last sixteen this season. Not participating next season could mean a £63m pound reduction in income.

Continued The Dutch declared the season null and void, the Government there having banned football “until September”. Cambuur Leeuwarden claiming it was “shameful” to deny them promotion to the Eredivisie. Eventually a compensation scheme was reluctantly imposed. Including Utrecht, Cup Finalists, getting £0.5m (no European place), & Leeuwarden, Second Division Leaders, (denied Promotion) £340,000. In Belgium FC Brugge (Bruges) were confirmed as Champions Waas-Beveren, bottom of the top tier, have gained a Court Injunction to prevent their relegation. The Belgian League has been ordered to “think again”. In Scotland a very early decision to curtail all football was made, like France, Belgium, and Holland. This has been very controversial and damaging. Hearts have started legal action to prevent their demotion from The Premier Division. Partick Thistle likewise on their demotion from The Championship. Also the two clubs are claiming £8m, and £2m, respectively, in compensation from The SPFL. Stranraer, demoted to Division Two, decided that they could not afford to embark on legal procedure. Non-League contenders Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts have been denied the chance of Promotion to Division Two, replacing Brechin City. An initial hearing is being held in the Scottish Court of Session on Wednesday 1st July. In Northern Ireland the League only officially terminated in mid- June. A decision on Champions, and relegation/promotion between first and second tiers was announced (27/6) on current league positions. Londonderry based Institute FC have appealed their subsequent demotion. Due to be replaced by second tier winners Portadown, Institute want an increase to a 14 team top division (“based on the Danish Model”), which would reprieve them.

Continued Italy, and Spain, seem to have restarted OK at the top level. EUFA Champions’ League and Europa League games have been out on hold, but a plan is in place to complete the two competitions later in the summer. As well as beginning the 2020-21 versions with a revised date and match schedule. Holmer Green FC will still count results, appearances, and goal- scorers in their Club Records and History; but from the FA’s and Hellenic/Suburban/Allied Counties Leagues’ etc., point of view our season never happened. What repercussions this unique situation has on each of our teams in fairly unpredictable? We may not run a development team. Although the Academy which will be based at Watchet Lane next season have expressed an interest in taking on the fixtures. Possibly in the regionalised Hellenic league Division Two, outside of the national pyramid. Chris Allen is restarting an Old Boys team, probably in The Aylesbury League. Will our younger players have decided that they did not miss their football anyway, and will some of the younger age-groups have to “buddy-up” to continue? Will the need to catch up on missed schooling result in less time being available for our age-group teams to train or play football? Similarly will our First Team, with no Club Sponsor for several years, be able to compete on a more even playing field? Because other previously well-sponsored clubs may not have recourse to thriving local sponsors, in the wake of the inevitable downturn in the economy. Bet Victor had already announced that it is terminating its support for the Isthmian, Northern Premier, & Southern Leagues, covering Steps 3 and 4 of the English non-league pyramid. Unfortunately, due to the Pandemic, the planned re-organisation of the Leagues at Holmer Green’s Step Five has been put off until next year. Meaning that our 1st XI is probably again faced with ridiculous journeys to and , when football eventually resumes with a new season.

President, & Programme Editor John Anderson Hellenic League - Premier 2019-20 Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Westfields 26 20 6 0 81 24 57 66 2 Binfield 22 17 2 3 55 23 32 53 3 Fairford Town 23 16 1 6 57 37 20 49 4 Shrivenham 27 13 4 10 53 52 1 43 5 Brackley Town Saints 27 12 2 13 49 46 3 38 6 Longlevens AFC 25 11 4 10 52 41 11 37 7 Burnham 27 12 1 14 42 42 0 37 8 Easington Sports 23 11 3 9 35 35 0 36 9 Flackwell Heath 24 9 6 9 41 40 1 33 10 Reading City 26 9 6 11 32 35 -3 33 11 Windsor 26 9 5 12 53 55 -2 32 12 Lydney Town 25 9 5 11 29 35 -6 32 13 Bishops Cleeve 21 9 4 8 48 32 16 31 14 Virginia Water 26 8 5 13 42 48 -6 29 15 Tuffley Rovers 21 7 7 7 47 50 -3 28 16 Royal Wootton Bassett Tn 27 8 4 15 50 65 -15 28 17 Brimscombe & Thrupp 24 6 9 9 36 49 -13 27 18 Ardley United 26 5 8 13 38 68 -30 23

19 Holmer Green 26 2 4 20 24 87 -63 10

2019-20 Suburban Football League - Central Division Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Abbey Rangers FC Dev XI 15 12 2 1 55 17 38 38 2 Thatcham Town FC Dev XI 14 6 4 4 36 30 6 22 3 Dunstable Town U21 12 6 4 2 21 16 5 22 4 Hartley Witney Reserves 11 5 1 5 27 25 2 16 5 Westfield FC Reserves 14 5 1 8 35 47 -12 16 6 Harefield United Reserves 10 4 2 4 20 16 4 14 7 Leverstock Green Reserves 10 4 1 5 20 22 -2 13 8 AFC Hayes Reserves 9 3 2 4 18 30 -12 11 9 Eversley & California Dev 8 1 1 6 11 23 -12 4

10 Holmer Green Dev XI U-25 11 0 4 7 21 38 -17 4

2019-20 Allied Counties Youth Football League - North Division (Under 18's) Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Burnham 7 7 0 0 24 6 18 21 2 Holmer Green 8 6 0 2 19 8 11 18 3 Winslow United 7 5 1 1 23 10 13 16 4 Abingdon United 10 4 2 4 15 14 1 14 5 AFC Hayes 7 4 0 3 23 17 6 12 6 Buckingham Athletic 10 2 1 7 14 31 -17 7 7 Chalfont St Peter 6 2 0 4 7 11 -4 6 8 Thame United 7 2 0 5 8 17 -9 6

9 Flackwell Heath 10 2 0 8 6 25 -19 6

Thames Valley Counties Women's Football League - Division 2 Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Holyport Ladies 9 6 1 2 39 26 13 19 2 Milton United Ladies 7 6 0 1 32 13 19 18 3 City Women U23 13 5 3 5 36 37 -1 18 4 North Leigh United Ladies 9 5 1 3 40 26 14 16 5 Hawley Ladies 8 4 0 4 31 30 1 12 6 Kennington Ath. Ladies 9 3 0 6 23 31 -8 9 7 Kingsclere Ladies 8 2 2 4 15 18 -3 8

8 Tower Hill Ladies 11 2 1 8 20 55 -35 7 *Chesham United & Holmer Green Ladies withdrew from League March 2020

2019-20 South Bucks Youth League - Division 2 (U18's) Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Chinnor Youth 11 8 2 1 46 13 33 26 2 Pitstone & Ivinghoe Jun. 12 6 5 1 37 24 13 23 3 Gerrards Cross & Fulmer 14 5 4 5 42 37 5 19 4 Ruislip Rangers Clarets 11 5 3 3 30 27 3 18 5 Penn & Tylers Green 10 5 2 3 28 21 7 17 6 Langley Green Athletic 11 5 2 4 28 22 6 17 7 Holmer Green Rangers 13 4 4 5 42 47 -5 16 8 Risborough Rangers 8 3 0 5 14 27 -13 9 9 Naphill 14 1 4 9 19 47 -28 7

10 St Peters Iver Corinthians 8 1 0 7 9 30 -21 3

2019-20 Wycombe & South Bucks Minor Football League - U13 Division 3 Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Risborough Rangers Jun. 11 8 1 2 0 0 0 25 2 Marlow Royals 11 7 2 2 0 0 0 23 3 Holmer Green Minors 9 7 1 1 0 0 0 22 4 Wendover Juniors Youth 15 6 1 8 0 0 0 19 5 Delaford Colts Blue 12 5 3 4 0 0 0 18 6 Gerrards Cross & Fulmer 12 4 2 6 0 0 0 14 7 Thame Boys 13 3 3 7 0 0 0 12 8 Chalfont Saints 11 3 2 6 0 0 0 11 9 Explorers Reds 5 3 1 1 0 0 0 10 10 Bourne End JSC 8 2 1 5 0 0 0 7

11 Chalfont St Peter 11 2 1 8 0 0 0 7

2019-20 Wycombe & South Bucks Minor Football League - U12 Division 1 Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Delaford Colts Blue 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 24 2 Chalfont Saints Cobra 10 8 0 2 0 0 0 24 3 Singh Sabha 14 7 1 6 0 0 0 22 4 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 11 7 0 4 0 0 0 21 5 Taplow Utd Youth 10 5 1 4 0 0 0 16 6 Berkhamsted Raiders Yth 9 5 0 4 0 0 0 15 7 Ruislip Rangers Clarets 13 5 0 8 0 0 0 15 8 Marlow Youth 8 4 0 4 0 0 0 12 9 Holmer Green Minors 12 2 0 10 0 0 0 6

10 Flackwell Heath Minors 13 2 0 11 0 0 0 6

Team Sponsors 2019-20

Under 13 Minors – Westlake Motor Services Under 12 Minors – Holmer Green Service Centre & OW (Owen White Solicitors) Under 12 Colts – Holmer Green Service Centre & OW (Owen White Solicitors) & Azteq Under 11 Minors – Pile Designs & Instron Under 10 Minors – LBS Under 9 Minors – SFE Under 8 Minors – L Carro Under 7 Minors – EWA (Entertainment Wrestling Association)

UHLSPORT HELLENIC FOOTBALL LEAGUE DATE PREMIER DIVISION 2019-20 F-A Att Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 SUB #1 SUB #2 SUB #3 OG Sat 3 Aug H Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3-3 57 8 P Pykett Britton Lancaster Parsons Booker Lynch p Holbrook Griffin I Pykett Wooster Rice Page Riley White Tue 6 Aug A Flackwell Heath 0-2 98 14 Corden Booker Lancaster Parsons Bestley Lynch Holbrook Griffin Anguzu Wooster Rice Britton MacDonald White

Sat 10 Aug A Shrivenham FA Cup Ex Prel Rd 1-1 38 14 I Pykett Ryll Lancaster Booker Parsons Bestley Holbrook Wooster Lynch Griffin Rice Riley MacDonald Tue 13 Aug H Shrivenham FA Cup Replay 1-1 78 14 I Pykett Williams Lancaster Booker Parsons Bestley White Wooster Lynch Holbrook Rice Riley Griffin MacDonald Tue 20 Aug A Windsor 1-5 106 17 Landon Ryll Lancaster Booker Parsons Bestley Wooster Blackman Lynch Rice Williams Warland White Griffin Mon 26 Aug A Ardley United 0-0 66 16 Bryant Jarrott Kerry Booker Bestley Wooster Paynter Lynch B Gray White Blackman Ryll Warland Rice

Sat 31 Aug H Raunds Town FA Vase 1st Q Rd 0-1 41 17 Bryant Warland Jarrott Ryll Booker Paynter Wooster Lynch Riley Rice Keeble Holbrook Hurley Tue 3 Sep H Virginia Water 2-1 58 13 Bryant Warland Kerry Bestley Booker Wooster Rice Lynch Riley Page Lancaster Colverd Holbrook Paynter Sat 7 Sep A Lydney Town 0-2 67 15 Bryant Mbevi Page Booker Vaughan Bestley Wooster Rice Colverd Paynter Warland Aston Tue 10 Sep A Abingdon Town BL Floodlit Cup 2-3 30 15 Bryant Page Kerry Bestley Vaughan Wooster Keeble Hurley B Gray Lynch Lancaster Din Dandridge Tue 17 Sep A Abingdon United League Cup 0-2 nd 15 Bryant E-Evans Lancaster Wooster Page Booker Rice Hodges Kotwica Colverd Riley Holbrook Hatt Morgan Sat 21 Sep H Longlevens 0-2 35 15 Bryant E-Evans Hatt Wooster Booker Page Holbrook Tyler Colverd Gibbons Jarrott Aston Morgan Vaughan Wed 25 Sep A Brackley Town Saints 0-7 67 17 Bryant Harrison Hatt Booker Heady Tyler Holbrook Todd Kotwica Paynter Aston Morgan Vaughan Tue 1 Oct H Penn & Tylers Green BSSC R1 0-1 110 17 Hall Stables Bryan Page Booker Smith Wooster Tyler Kotwica Osei Holbrook C Gray Hatt Morgan Sat 5 Oct A Fairford Town 1-4 57 17 Hall Mbevi Bryan McIntosh Tyler Page Wooster Odumoso Kotwica Hatt Todd Morgan Vaughan

Tue 8 Oct H Newport Pagnell Town BBSC R1 1-5 26 17 Hall Mbevi Bryan Page Booker McIntosh Wooster Todd Kotwica Hatt Odumosu Holbrook Tyler Heady Sat 12 Oct A Tuffley Rovers 1-2 88 18 Hall Stables Fernandes Wooster Page Greenslade Heady McIntosh Hatt Holbrook Morgan Todd Mbevi Tue 29 Oct H Flackwell Heath 0-2 85 18 Hall Page McIntosh Greenslade Booker Pepelyarski Wooster Holbrook Kotwica Colverd Odumosu Tyler Morgan Hatt Sat 2 Nov H Bishops Cleeve 0-4 46 18 Hall Page McIntosh Wooster Greenslade Muzinga McCarron Pepelyarski Kotwica Odumosu Osei Holbrook Hatt Tyler Sat 9 Nov A Westfields 0-6 nd 18 Hall McIntosh Lancaster Femiola Page Muzinga Wooster Pepelyarski Hatt Odumosu Osei Morgan Kotwica Mbevi Sat 16 Nov H Tuffley Rovers 3-4 53 18 Latter Page McIntosh Muzinga Tyler Wooster Femiola Pepelyarski Workman Odumosu Hatt Kotwica Paynter Stables Mon 18 Nov A Reading City 0-3 nd 18 Latter Page Stables Tyler Muzinga Wooster Femiola Pepelyarski McIntosh Hatt Dimitrzjevic Morgan Sat 23 Nov A Shrivenham A-A 32 19 Hall Page McIntosh Stables Tyler Greenslade Morgan Pepelyarski Workman Colverd Hatt Paynter Sat 30 Nov A Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3-7 67 19 Latter Page Jeffers Kambasha Muzinga Pepelyarski Femiola Todd Workman Kotwica Wright Morgan Hepute Sat 7 Dec H Lydney Town 1-3 37 19 Hall Page Stables Tyler C-Martin Wright Wooster McIntosh Workman Kotwica Holbrook Pepelyarski Morgan Hatt Sat 21 Dec A Burnham 0-3 68 19 Latter Jarrott Lancaster Muzinga Tyler Wright Femiola McIntosh Britton Workman Hatt Joseph E-Evans Odumosu Sat 28 Dec H Binfield 3-6 82 19 Hall Riley Lancaster Britton Tyler Wright Williams Ryll Workman 2 Rice Holbrook Harrison E-Evans Hatt Sat 4 Jan A Virginia Water 0-4 nd 19 Latter E-Evans Lancaster Williams Tyler C-Martin Holbrook Riley Workman Britton Hatt Wright Wooster Parsons Sat 11 Jan H Brackley Town Saints 0-7 54 19 Latter E-Evans Jarrott Parsons Tyler Sullivan Wright McIntosh Workman Hatt Riley Williams C-Martin Kotwica Sat 25 Jan A Binfield 1-2 103 19 Stallard Harrison Evans Tyler Parsons Sullivan McIntosh Penemo Workman Hatt Pepelyarski Odumosu Wright Sat 1 Feb A Brimscombe & Thrupp 2-2 55 19 Latter Harrison Evans Warburton Sullivan Wright McIntosh Dimitrzjtevic Hatt Pepelyarski Odumosu 2 Adams Morgan Sat 8 Feb H Burnham 2-0 102 19 Latter Page Harrison Parsons Warburton Sullivan Dimitrzjevic Penemo Odumosu Pepelyarski Hatt Tyler McIntosh Workman Tue 11 Feb A Thame Rangers WSC QF POSTPONED Tue 18 Feb H Reading City A-A 30 19 Axworthy Harrison Tyler Warburton Parsons Sullivan Barry Penemo Workman Pepelyarski Hatt Sat 29 Feb H Brimscombe & Thrupp POSTPONED Tue 3 Mar H Easington Sports 0-0 63 19 Axworthy Harrison Bryan Parsons Warburton Sullivan Penemo Dimitrzjevic Workman Pepelyarski Hatt Odumosu Tyler Burnett Sat 7 Mar A Bishops Cleeve 1-6 42 19 Axworthy Harrison Bryan Parsons Warburton Sullivan Dimitrzjevic Wright Odumosu Pepelyarski Hatt McIntosh C-Martin Kotwica Tue 10 Mar H Windsor POSTPONED Pepelyarski 4, Lynch 3, Kotwica 3, Workman 3, Lancaster 2, Odumosu 2, Hatt 2, Tue 17 Mar H Reading City POSTPONED Parsons, Rice, Booker, Wooster, Keeble, McIntosh, Holbrook, Morgan, Tyler, & Riley, 1 each. Sat 21 Mar H Ardley United POSTPONED Tue 24 Mar A Easington Sports Season Terminated due to Coronavirus Pandemic Sat 28 Mar H Shrivenham Sat 4 Apr H Fairford Town The FA Council ratifies decision to end season with NO PROMOTION OR RELEGATION Sat 11 Apr A Shrivenham Sat 18 Apr A Longlevens Sat 25 Apr H Westfields Players name in bold indicates scorer Players name in shaded box indicates 1st XI debut FOND RECOLLECTIONS OF AN OLD BANKER By Bill Scholes (Life Member)

For a long time dyed in the wool non-league football aficionado, the last few months have been painful. Timing could not have been worse as apart from lock-down and no football. We were in the throes of moving from our rental in Farnham, to our new bungalow in Four Marks, . Try getting removal men during lockdown!! With no live footie to follow I found myself reflecting on the highs and lows of the last 30 years or so of the changing face of Holmer Green football up at Watchet Lane. My love affair with HGFC began towards the end of the 1980’s and has continued to this day, encompassing various roles as roles as Secretary, Chairman and Match Secretary. At the time I was Referees Secretary on The Old Boys’ League (the largest league in the world with over 450 clubs!) and was on the look - out for new referees. An evening match up at Holmer Green seemed a good opportunity to nosy around and I got into conversation with John Anderson, who was at the time lining on the . We struck a deal - John would join our panel of referees and I would become Secretary of HGFC! The catalyst for changing from one of the best village clubs around, – good local players, good ground with almost certainly the best playing surface in Bucks - to becoming the Step 5 club that it is now, was probably the appointment of Barry Hedly as Manager at the beginning of the 1990’s. Barry had just returned from coaching in the USA, and was a vastly experienced coach with ex-Football League club Southport. John Anderson heard that Barry had been unsuccessful with an application at Henley Town and tipped off then-Chairman Rupe Perry. Barry produced 2 letters of recommendation at his interview – one from Phil Thompson (ex-Liverpool and England) and one from Eric Harrison, the now legendary coach of Man Utd’s A and B teams at that time. Barry brought with him a degree of professionalism which rather shocked a few of the older committee members. Dress code for matches, ties to be worn by Committee members, water cooler at training sessions! His advice to some of the younger lads was invaluable e.g. teaching Larty (Shaun

Continued Martin) how to anticipate and ride the agricultural challenges he received at the hands (or should I say from the legs) of Coopers’ full backs! Jez Hodges returned from Burnham FC and Ian Shiell joined from Maidenhead Town, having moved house to Widmer End. Barry’s contacts also enabled the club to enjoy a pre -season trip on 8th August 1992 up to the north-west to take on Man Utd Juniors. The result of the match, which we lost 2-0, is printed in the Man Utd 1993 Official Yearbook, as is the team details as follows: Pilkington, O’Kane, Riley, Casper, Neville G, Rawlinson, Gillespie, Beckham, Johnson, Savage, Scholes. Goal-scorers were Johnson and Savage. 8 of that team went on to play for Utd’s first team. We also played a Preston North End XI at Bamber Bridge FC. The following year, we returned up north to play an Everton youth team. Drawing 2-2 at their Bellfield training facility.

The 1990’s were certainly a good time to be involved with HGFC, whether as a player, committee member or a supporter. Looking back on it, the decade was split into two distinct halves – the early part concerned our time in the Chiltonian League, with the latter half taking in our formative years in the . Having been a founder member of the Chiltonian League (see Club History in Programme), we were becoming increasingly frustrated. As we felt our ambitions to progress were not matched by the Chiltonian who were replacing clubs who left with those with inferior playing and facility standards. We decided to set 2 objectives: 1. Increase level of fund raising so we could improve facilities and secure a sound base for the future. 2. To win the League again, which would allow us right of promotion. The work of Commercial Manager Mike Hughes mainly, and others such as Mick Short and Ron Ryan allowed us to achieve the first objective. The second was achieved in May 1994 when we won the league yet again. Because we were a clearly ambitious club, we were not the Chiltonian’s favourite members and that became evident the day we clinched the title. Not a League Officer in sight to present the Trophy etc., despite the Chairman living just down the road in Prestwood. I nipped round to his house in an attempt to pick up the

Continued Trophy. He refused to give it to me, saying our win was not yet official. The following week, the Secretary turned up at the HGSA, with the Trophy and medals in a Tesco bag, which he dumped in the clubhouse and left without a word!! And some people wondered why we wanted to leave. Winners of the Chiltonian, since our initial successes, Peppard, Eton Wick and Reading Town, had progressed to the Parasol (Combined Counties) League, but despite a very positive inspection, they were not keen on our geographical location. Unfortunately, the other two options (Spartan League and South Midlands League) both required for promotion to their Premier Divisions. The South Midland League were however very happy to accept us into the newly formed Senior Division (without lights) but because it was, in theory, the same level we were playing at already, the Chiltonian would have had to give their permission for us to move across. The Chiltonian, of course, refused! The future was now clear – the Chiltonian were never going to release us of their own volition so we either needed floodlights (not possible in the short term) or we had to resign from the League at end of season and opt out of the system. We had another try, asking for permission to move - this was again rejected. We then resigned from the League and went to an Appeal with The County FA. With the Chairman and Secretary of the Chiltonian on the Appeal Board, the odds were stacked against us and we lost. It was now July 1995 and we began making preparations for a season of friendlies, but we had one more avenue to try, which was to go to an FA Tribunal comprising the full FA Board, some 20 odd members. This took place on 2 August 1995 at FA Headquarters at Lancaster Gate. I produced a 30 page Submission, (with laminated cover!) and Jez, Ian and myself rocked up resplendent in white shirts, blue blazers and green and white striped ties – purchased the day before from Sock Shop in High Wycombe ! Shortly afterwards we heard that we had been successful in our appeal, and we were free to join the Senior Division of the South Midlands. Cue jubilation and celebration. We had already obtained planning permission for a covered stand so had to move “smartish” in order to get it in place. Local builder Martin Shaw worked wonders and we were ready to roll. The first four years

Continued that we were in the Senior Division were the most enjoyable, for various reasons. We were overjoyed to have finally broken the shackles of the Chiltonian League, and we found ourselves in an extremely friendly and hospitable League – talk about chalk and cheese.

Player management was in the very capable hands of initially Ian Shiell, and then Jez Hodges with his trusty assistant Andy Duncan. Every week was a new challenge – either entertaining a new club at Watchet Lane or visiting a totally new ground, where the facilities were at least as good as ours, if not, in some cases, better. I still can recall our very first game in the SML – it was a League Challenge Trophy match away at Premier Division Buckingham Athletic. A number of the Old Bankers made the trip and were amazed to be offered drinks, both on arrival and after the match by the Athletic Chairman. It was a good game, and we ran out 4- 3 winners, including a veritable 35-yard screamer from Phil (Golders) Golding. Another eye opener was the Referee Karl Cousins – the youngest referee we had seen for many a year and an excellent one to boot, and the more we moved into the season we realised t he was not an exception. Goals were not in short supply as we clocked up a total of 357 in the four seasons, mainly due to our lethal strike force of Shakey Richard Dryden, the aforesaid Larty and Damo (Damian Roscoe). Unrivalled in the Division – in the year that we gained promotion to the Premier they accounted for just over 100 goals between the three of them. In our four seasons in the Senior Division, we finished 1st, 2nd, 4th and 1st, winning the Senior Division Cup twice and reaching the final of the League Challenge Trophy – the first non-Premier Division club to do so. It was now 1999 and winning the Senior Division entitled us to automatic promotion to the Premier. For that to take place, we needed floodlights and the race was on have them erected by start of season. Despite the doomsters predictions, and because we went for retractable lights, we had obtained planning permission straight away. All we needed now was the money, and thanks to our earlier fundraising activities, plus generous financial assistance from ex- players like Mark Williams and Dave Brockwell, the lights were finally erected in September 1999. A proud time as HGFC had arrived on

Continued the floodlit football scene and could stand alongside the likes of Flackwell Heath, Burnham and Chalfont St. Peter, locally. The lights also enabled us to enter national competitions – firstly the FA Vase and then the FA Cup. Some very memorable occasions - our first Vase match away to Carterton – a coach trip of course – a midweek replay up to Norfolk to play Watton using the Wycombe Wanderers coach, complete with video, card tables and toilet. Our very first entrée into the FA Cup was only a local trip to Uxbridge, but we had a coach thanks to Paul Cook’s generosity. I remember the surname of Holmer’s first ever goal scorer in the FA Cup as it was the same as mine! Another away draw, I think the following year, saw us visit Hemel Hempstead. We lost 4-1 but had to play 89 and a half minutes with only 10 men due to our keeper Richard Lockey being sent off in the first few seconds. As we kicked off a couple of minutes earlier than the agreed 3.00pm, this may qualify as the quickest ever sending off in an FA Cup match! Later we had another trip up to Norfolk, this time to Great Yarmouth. It was August, holiday time, so we of course stayed overnight and sampled the delights of the Disco on the Pier.! The new Millennium saw Holmer Green playing in a senior league, encompassing midweek floodlit games which basically meant playing twice a week rather than just Saturdays. This was a novelty for the first couple of years and we more than held our own in the higher stratosphere, but gradually the strain began to tell and a few players began to drift away – not to other clubs but more likely family pressures.

Remember, none of our players were getting paid, unlike the majority of the opponents we faced, some of whose budgets defied the laws of gravity. Jez and Andy eventually stood down and the club went through a number of different managers, - some of whom were a bit strange. One exception was Tony Thompson, who had experience of running Aylesbury and Chesham Youth teams, but unfortunately only lasted a year. It was however a good year, and once the team understood what was required, they embarked on an unbeaten run of 12 /13 games which saw us climb up to the dizzy heights of 3rd in the table – the highest the club has ever been in the non-league pyramid. Off the field the relationship with the HGSA was becoming

Continued strained, and I relinquished the FC’s Chairman’s role in 2005. I stayed on for another year as Match Secretary, but eventually joined the Board of the Spartan South Midlands League. Continuing to follow H.G.’s fortunes from afar, but visiting when I could. A couple more managers followed Thompson before relegation due to ground grading. Chris Allen arrived from Penn & TG to bring stability - a stay that lasted for 10 years, almost certainly the longest reign of any HG manager. A true reflection of Chris’ success was keeping Holmer in the Premier Division, sometimes against all odds. HG did drop down (demoted NOT relegated) to Division One as he took over in 2009, but that was due to the ground grading not meeting the required standard. The Club bounced back immediately by winning the Division under Chris in his first season in sole charge, pulling clear of the pack containing eight other teams in the second half of the season. Off the field, I believe the Club is now in good and safe hands under Chairman Rob Shed, backed up by the experienced John Ostinelli, and I understand work is continuing at a pace both on and off the field. Over the last couple of years I have been able to help raise a bit of money via Match Sponsorship. Talking to potential sponsors, I get the feeling that the future is bright and the good times will soon be back. Particularly once we find ourselves in a League much better suited to our geographical position.

C’MON HOLMER, LET’S BE HAVING YOU

H O L M E R G R E E N F O O T B A L L C L U B Founded 1908 H O N O U R S B O A R D

1908 - 1934 CHESHAM & DISTRICT LEAGUE 1934 - 1984 WYCOMBE COMBINATION & WYCOMBE LEAGUE 1984 - 1995 CHILTONIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1995 - 1999 SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1999 - 2018 SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2018 - today HELLENIC FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1ST XI BERKS & BUCKS SENIOR CUP QUARTER-FINALISTS 1981 BERKS & BUCKS SENIOR TROPHY RUNNERS UP 1999 BERKS & BUCKS SENIOR TROPHY SEMI-FINALISTS 1996, 2000, 2001, & 2016 BERKS & BUCKS INTERMEDIATE CUP WINNERS 1977 BERKS & BUCKS INTERMEDIATE CUP SEMI-FINALISTS 1991 BERKS & BUCKS JUNIOR CUP WINNERS 1953 & 1965 SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS DIVISION LEAGUE - DIVISION ONE WINNERS 2010 SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - SENIOR DIVISION WINNERS 1996 & 1999 SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - SENIOR DIVISION RUNNERS UP 1997 SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - SENIOR DIVISION CUP WINNERS 1997 & 1998 SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - CHALLENGE TROPHY RUNNERS UP 1999 WYCOMBE SENIOR CUP WINNERS 1975, 1982, 1992, 1994 & 2001 WYCOMBE SENIOR CUP RUNNERS UP 1976, 1979, 1991, 2000, 2006, & 2019 CHILTONIAN LEAGUE WINNERS 1985, 1986 & 1994 CHILTONIAN LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 1995 CHILTONIAN LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALISTS 1986 & 1991 WYCOMBE LEAGUE WINNERS 1972, 1974, 1977 & 1981 WYCOMBE LEAGUE RUNNERS UP 1973, 1976 & 1978 WYCOMBE LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 1981 WYCOMBE LEAGUE CUP RUNNERS UP 1983 CHESHAM CHARITY CUP WINNERS 1939, 1949, 1953, 1962, 1964 & 1965 RESERVES BERKS & BUCKS INTERMEDIATE CUP SEMI-FINALISTS 1993 SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - RESERVE DIVISION TWO WEST WINNERS 2002 SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - RESERVE DIVISION TWO WEST WINNERS 2008 SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - RESERVE DIVISION N&W WINNERS 2016 SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - RESERVE DIVISION TWO RUNNERS UP 1998 SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE - RESERVE DIVISION THREE RUNNERS UP 1996 CHILTONIAN RESERVE SECTION WINNERS 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993 & 1995 CHILTONIAN RESERVE LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 1987, 1989 & 1993 CHILTONIAN RESERVE LEAGUE CUP RUNNERS UP 1995 WYCOMBE JUNIOR CUP WINNERS 1987, 1993 & 1995 READING JUNIOR CUP WINNERS 1987 U-18 YOUTH TEAM ALLIED COUNTIES YOUTH LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 2013, FINALISTS 2016 ALLIED COUNTIES YOUTH LEAGUE EAST DIVISION WINNERS 2013 RUNNERS-UP 2016, 2018 'A' TEAM REG WILKS CUP WINNERS 1990 & 1991 READING JUBILEE CUP RUNNERS-UP 1980 OLD BOYS BERKS & BUCKS JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINALISTS 1999 WYCOMBE & DISTRICT LEAGUE - SENIOR DIVISION RUNNERS-UP 2008 WYCOMBE & DISTRICT LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION WINNERS 1998, 2000 & 2007 MAIDENHEAD & NORFOLKIAN JUNIOR CUP RUNNERS UP 1996 & 2000 WYCOMBE JUNIOR CUP Winners 2007, RUNNERS UP 1997 & 2005 CHALFONT & GERRARDS CROSS CUP WINNERS 2004

HOLMER GREEN FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYING RECORD from 1984/85 CHILTONIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION Season P W D L For Agst Pts Position 1984/85 32 22 5 5 62 22 71 1st 1985/86 18 15 1 2 56 21 46 1st 1986/87 20 8 5 7 32 32 29 5th 1987/88 28 10 5 13 47 52 35 6th 1988/89 28 8 6 14 37 56 30 11th 1989/90 28 12 5 11 44 42 41 6th 1990/91 26 10 4 12 51 53 34 8th 1991/92 26 15 7 4 54 32 52 3rd 1992/93 24 11 3 10 45 47 36 5th 1993/94 26 17 7 2 65 20 58 1st 1994/95 24 17 2 5 70 38 53 2nd SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE - SENIOR DIVISION Season P W D L For Agst Pts Position 1995/96 26 19 5 2 71 31 62 1st 1996/97 26 18 1 7 71 21 55 2nd 1997/98 30 20 3 7 94 41 63 4th 1998/99 42 30 6 6 121 42 96 1st SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION Season P W D L For Agst Pts Position 1999/00 40 12 10 18 56 92 46 15th 2000/01 36 18 2 16 58 58 56 6th 2001/02 38 12 6 20 59 98 42 15th 2002/03 36 5 3 28 40 108 18 19th 2003/04 36 5 4 28 41 106 19 19th 2004/05 38 14 7 17 47 58 49 13th 2005/06 38 18 7 13 69 59 61 7th 2006/07 40 9 9 22 49 91 36 19th 2007/08 42 8 9 25 49 99 33 20th 2008/09 40 6 10 24 36 80 28 20th 2010/11 44 14 11 19 74 75 53 17th 2011/12 42 9 8 25 66 106 35 20th 2012/13 42 5 5 32 55 155 20 22nd 2013/14 42 16 8 18 85 87 56 12th 2014/15 42 10 4 28 64 121 34 20th 2015/16 42 22 4 16 86 82 70 7th 2016/17 42 13 10 19 56 60 49 14th 2017/18 40 11 13 16 53 75 46 14th SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE - DIVISION ONE Season P W D L For Agst Pts Position 2009/10 42 28 9 3 95 31 93 1st UHLSPORT HELLENIC LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION Season P W D L For Agst Pts Position 2018-19 36 14 6 16 47 65 48 12th 2019-20* 26 2 4 20 24 87 10 19th * Season uncompleted due to Covid-19 Pandemic Don Want came to Holmer Green

Don Want came to Holmer Green on Friday November 13th 1964. On his first full day in the village he heard shouting and yelling coming from The Common, and decided to investigate. Thus begun a 53-year, so far, stint of being totally immersed in village life for the benefit of so many people. Don hadn’t played football for about three or four years, but the excitement he found on The Common that November afternoon in 1964 made an impression. He didn’t become a regular player but was persuaded to join the Football Club Committee. Within a matter of weeks he was both Secretary and Treasurer. Over the past years he has also been Chairman and eventually President until 2000 with a break of only four years. He has never missed a Saturday other than two days of illness, holidays and the odd family wedding. Don was really positive when it was announced that a piece of ground on the outskirts of the village was to be made available for sport. He recognised that this was the way forward. When on the 14th February 1968, The Holmer Green Sports Association was formed, he volunteered to sit on the Committee. At the first Committee Meeting the new Secretary did not turn up and Don took on the job temporarily. Over the next 18 years he served on the Committee without a break, including terms as Chairman of the Fund-Raising Committee, and as Membership Secretary. He drew up the Membership Rules which form the basis of today’s criteria. For his services to the HGSA, he was made their first Life Vice-President. Don took over the role of Groundsman some 30 or so years ago and continued until Neil Gardner began. On the two occasions he intimated that he was retiring, Don was persuaded to carry on. The grounds with the four football pitches, cricket pitch, and training area, cover nineteen acres. The surrounding hedge has also to be maintained. Don kept all this under control despite being severely hampered by lack of funds at most times. He begged and borrowed equipment, maintaining it himself. Considering the paucity of the machinery available to him, Don kept the grounds looking great. He was also honoured with an Award from the Berks and Bucks Football Association in their “Groundsman of the Year” competition in recognition of his upkeep of the main football pitch, which was the envy all sporting opponents. Don’s place in the village’s sporting history was recognised when the main stand at Watchet Lane was named in his honour about 15 years ago. Today, his cheerful face can be seen manning the pay box week in and week out.

A brief history of Holmer Green FC

Originally founded in 1908, Holmer played initially in The Chesham and District League. Matches were played at Campbell’s Meadow, (now the Rosetti Estate), close to a tennis racket factory. Sometime before 1934 the Club moved to Holmer Green Common and set up headquarters in The Bat and Ball. In 1934 the Club switched to The Wycombe Combination League. The first known trophy to be won by Holmer Green was The Chesham Charity Cup in 1939, the first of 28 Cups and Championships won thus far by the 1st XI. Foremost among these, pre-1975, were the successes in winning the Berks and Bucks Junior Cup in both 1953 and 1965. The early 70’s saw the start of a very successful thirty years in the Club’s history. Holmer Green moved to their present ground, Watchet Lane, in 1975 when the new Holmer Green Sports Association pavilion at Watchet Lane was fully ready. Holmer won The Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup in 1976-77. Senior Status was thus achieved, and since then the Club has striven to play at the highest level possible for a strictly amateur club. The Club, through current President John Anderson, was heavily involved in the moves that set up The Chiltonian League in 1984. That League embraced clubs from no less than six different counties, before being swallowed up by The Hellenic. Holmer had been very successful in the Chiltonian, and believed that a move to a better run league, where the clubs were encouraged to improve facilities, should be the next step. The Chiltonian, only naturally, were reluctant to lose their “flagship” club and tried to stop the move to the The South Midlands League. Not until August 17th 1995 did Holmer Green finally exhaust the FA’s appeal system, successfully, being allowed to switch Leagues. This move gave Holmer Green the impetus to finally erect a Stand, now called The Don Want Stand in honour of their former long-serving Groundsman who still helps out with his time and expertise, on a regular basis. Don was presented with some mementos in November 2014 to mark his 50 years with the Football Club. Over the following years huge strides were taken which made possible the erection of floodlights, thanks to the fund-raising, grants, and a loan from ex- player Mark Williams. Premier Division status was achieved in 1999 after winning the Senior Division twice in four seasons, being 2nd and 4th in between. A financial crisis arose some 15 or so years ago, after more ground improvements, Mick Bowler came in to help steady the ship, with great financial assistance from former player John Walters. Centenary events started with a visit from a full Wycombe Wanderers team in July 2007 when the ground record of over 800 was recorded. In 2008 the Senior Club formally merged with Holmer Green Minors FC to become “One Club” and this occasion coincided with the new Club as a whole being named “ Club of the Year 2008” by Bucks & Milton Keynes Sports Partnership. Season 2008-09 was Holmer’s 10th successive one in the Premier Division. After an unexpectedly long stay in the Premier Division Holmer Green was demoted to Division One for season 2009-10 due to Ground Grading, despite avoiding the two relegation positions.

Work immediately began to regain the “F” Grading required for Step 5 football to return to Watchet Lane. With Manager Jason Weinrabe, who had twice led the Club to avoid the relegation positions in difficult circumstances, going to work in Australia, the Club promoted Coach Chris Allen to the Manager’s job. The 1st XI won the First Division by three points in 2009-10 losing only 3 of 40 games. The coveted “F” Grading was achieved again in 2011. Premier Division status was maintained until and including season 2017-18, when Holmer Green FC was transferred laterally across the FA’s Non-League Pyramid to The Hellenic League.

Match Report, Tuesday 3rd September 2019 Holmer Green 2 Virginia Water 1

The Greens chalked up their first win of the league season at the fifth attempt. In the process reversing the score of last season, in which they were unfortunate to lose to say the least. With returns to studies impending, Luke Ryll and James Jarrott were replaced by Kyle Bestley and Brian Kerry. There was no such luxury available up front. Where Adam Riley’s pace and aggression was complemented by Alex Rice’s trickery, and Martin Lancaster’s work rate in an unfamiliar forward position. Bailey Page returned in midfield, but Matt Wooster would again be looked towards for inspiration. He didn’t disappoint, despite some heavy treatment in a match which saw both sides give the ball away too easily. On 34 minutes Holmer got their noses in front. Rice tricked his way along the goal-line on the left. He pulled the ball back for Riley, who moved it on to the unmarked Lancaster at the far post. The ball was swiftly passed into the net. But Holmer was unable to hold out until half-time. On 42 minutes a long throw into their penalty-area was headed on. Although Tom Bryant made a very good save from the initial effort, the ball fell kindly for McNamara to put home. HT 1-1 On 62 minutes, Alex Colver came on for Page. Four minutes later, Rice again tormented the visitors’ defence. From the right, his pass was intercepted by a desperate lunge. The ball however was now out of the defence’s control. Wooster followed up to steer the ball inside the post from ten yards, before ‘keeper or colleagues could intervene. With over 30 more minutes of actual play remaining, this time the home side made a better fist of keeping Virginia Water out. There were alarms, but these were at both ends. The closest to another goal again involved Rice as architect. His eventual left wing cross found substitute Alex Colver at the far post. But in heading the ball down instead of

Continued trying to bury it, the pace was taken off the ball and the ‘keeper tipped the rising ball over.

Team: Bryant, Warland, Kerry, Bestley, Ben Booker, Wooster ©, Rice, Ollie Lynch, Riley, Page, Lancaster. Substitutes Used: Colver, Harrison Holbrook, and George Paynter. Substitutes Not Used: Luke Hurley, and Ollie White.

Report by John Anderson

Match Report, Saturday 8th February 2020 Holmer Green 2 Burnham 0

The dark days of 21 successive defeats may eventually define The Greens’ season; but the improvement in performances, in the five games since we played the same opponents away just before Christmas, was graphically displayed here. With James Evans unavailable, Holmer welcomed back Ryan Parsons, Josh Penemo, and Bailey Page. But an injury to Page meant Liam Tyler replaced him at right-back for the second half; and a limping Denis Pepelyarski was substituted on 50 minutes, Khedive McIntosh coming on. There were impressive performances all round, but especially young Jack Warburton in only his second appearance, and Dom Sullivan in just his fourth start. Oscar Harrison successfully switched full-back positions, and Ryan Parsons has quickly regained his customary coolness at the back following long-term injury. On a blustery day, the early exchanges were even. The home side took the lead on 17 minutes, when the sort of good fortune that seems to have been missing all season went in their favour for a change. A promising home attack was halted by a blatant foul just outside the Burnham penalty-area. Pepelyarski stepped up and his firm attempt was deflected past Williams. But The Greens’ propensity for conceding just after battling ahead almost repeated itself three minutes later, Slack marking all over the Continued defensive shape allowed the visitors a clear chance to convert a low cross. But the possibility was spurned with a scuffed shot past the post. This let-off seemed to inspire Holmer to press on with their fine display, and they got better throughout the afternoon. On 34 minutes Jethro Odumosu was put in on goal, but saw his shot come back off the angle of post and bar. The lack of a second goal nearly cost Holmer just before the break, but Ryan Latter athletically tipped over a speculative long range shot. HT 1-0 With the two early second half changes being seamlessly accommodated, The Greens had two distant opportunities to go further ahead on 57 and 63 minutes. First McIntosh played Odumosu in, but the advancing ‘keeper beat the effort away. Then Odumosu was sent through by Alex Dimitrzjevic, shooting against the foot of the post. The rebound appeared to sit up kindly and centrally for McIntosh, but his shot did not find the target. The Dimitrzjevic set up Matt Hatt, who was denied by last- ditch tackle. The visitors tried to reverse the growing Holmer dominance with a double substitution, but Holmer’s defence was in defiant mood. Lewis Workman came on for Odumosu who had kept the Burnham defence on their toes all afternoon. But his initial enthusiasm was curbed when he clattered the ‘keeper in an excessively hopeful chase for the ball. With The Greens looking progressively comfortable at the back, the game was deservedly wrapped up in stoppage time. Hatt ran onto a headed flick-on of a long ball, comfortably outpaced the defence and steered the ball under Williams.

Team: Latter, Page, Harrison, Parsons ©, Warburton, Sullivan, Dimitrzjevic, Penemo, Odumosu, Pepelyarski, Hatt. Substitutes Used: Tyler, McIntosh, & Workman. Substitutes Not Used: Greg Wright, & Matt Wooster.

Report by John Anderson

STOP PRESS Werder Bremen and Heidenheim drew 0-0 at The Weser Stadium in the first leg of the Bundesliga relegation play-off on Thursday 2nd July. The second leg in Southern Germany on Monday 6th July ended in an exciting 2-2. Bremen escaped relegation by virtue of the “away goals” rule. The German Cup (“Pokal”) Final was played on Saturday evening 5th July in Berlin, Bayern Munich beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-1. Napoli had already beaten Juventus in The Coppa Italia Final. They needed penalties to beat the Turin side, who appear well on course to win the “Scudetto” (Italian League Title). Hearts and Partick Thistle have been told by Scottish Court of Session to go to arbitration with the SPFL first, before they go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But the Clubs have won the right to see details of the SPFL’s actions in the original vote in which Dundee appeared to have cast a vote against the League plans, only for it to be recorded as a vote in favour later! and Oxford United drew 1-1 at Park in the first leg of their EFL Division One play-off semi-final. The second leg ended in a similar score at The and United prevailed 5-4 on penalties. Fleetwood Town entertained Wycombe in the other semi-final first leg. Wanderers ran our 4-1 winners, aided by the home side having a player sent off in each half. The return Wycombe v Fleetwood game at saw the Lancashire visitors outplay Wanderers. But although having almost 80% of possession, gaining 10 corners to Wycombe’s 1, and with 21 goal attempts to the home side’s 7, Fleetwood could only manage a 2- 2 draw. The Final at Wembley (behind closed doors) on Monday 13/7 finished Oxford United 1 Wycombe.Wanderers 2.