Southern League Division One Central 2019/20 - Welwyn ...
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Southern League Division One Central 2019/20
Tuesday
10th
September
2019
Kick-Off
7:45pm
2017/18 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Champions
Southern League Division One Central
Saturday 27th April1Programme
2019 Kick-Off of Welwyn Garden City FC
3:00pm
Welwyn Garden City
Football Club
Welcome to the BP Mitchell Stadium Page 3
Management
Southern League Central league table Page 4
Full Results and Fixtures listing Page 5 & 6 First team
Away addresses at a glance Page 6
Last seasons fixtures Pages 7 & 8
This seasons player roll call Page 9 Nicky Ironton
Todays Visitors “Hitchin TownA club history” Page 10 & 11
(Manager)
Players and sponsorship Pages 13 & 14
Player Roll Call by Gavin Meaden Page 15 Jon Stevenson
Focus on Welwyn Garden City U-18’s Page 16 & 17 (Assistant)
Are you “The Face in the Crowd” Page 19
Citizens Time-Line Page 19
Callem Kingsley
In off the Post interview with Jon Stevenson Page 20 (Physio)
Our latest Match reports by Phil Ravitz Pages 12, 22 & 27
Ricci Crace
Hitchin Town Player Pen Pictures Pages 23 & 24
WGC FC Fantasy Football League standings Page 25 Dave Bastian
Club Honours & Achievements Page 28
Phillip Neville
A Cautionary tale by David Richardson Page 31
Full team line-ups Page 32 (Coaches)
Dave Keenleyside
Up next at the (Team Captain)
B.P.Mitchell Stadium Head Groundsman
Saturday 14th September Paul Cox
Kit Manager
Southern League Midland Division Dave Owen
Citizens v Thame United Front cover image by Danny Loo
Kick-Off 3:00pm @Danny_Loo on Twitter or on Face-
book Danny Look Photography
2
Welcome to Herns Way & the scorer George Ironton who’s goal pulled us level on
the opening day of the season.
B.P Mitchell Stadium
Images courtesy of Danny Loo photography
Today we welcome Hitchin Town FC to Herns Way for @Danny_Loo on Twitter or on Facebook Danny Loo
this, Southern League Challenge Cup Preliminary round tie. Photography
And we welcome the players, Officials and supporters of
our guests inviting them to join us for hospitality after the Please get behind the lads - your support
game. Our welcome extends to our visiting match officials and vocal encouragement are vital!
Hugh Gilroy who will be assisted by Conor Griffin &
Sebastian Frazer. We hope you enjoy your visit to Her ns
Way and have a safe journey home. COME ON YOU CITIZENS
A few words from our team manager Nicky Ironton
Good evening, I would like to welcome Hitchin Town FC to
Herns Lane. WGC have started the season with 3 league wins and
a draw and we know today’s encounter should be a very competi-
tive game against an established Southern League Premier Divi-
sion side.
I’m extremely happy with the start the squad have made, as there
are a lot of new faces, so jelling the old players with the new I
thought would take a little longer, but to my delight they have Eusebio Da Silva has been in fine form scoring
bonded very well.
freely carrying on his Pre-Season form into the
We have a large squad, so competition for places will keep all the BetVictor Southern league
players on their toes. We will however not get carried away with
the good start as results in football can change quickly. All the
players need to stay focused and take one game at a time.
Thanks to WGC fans for your support, the boys really appreciate
it, long may it continue.
Enjoy the game, Cheers, Nicky
News from the U-18’s
Our U-18’s have started the new season in fine form with a
fine 4-2 away win over Broxbourne Boro to register three
points in the Southern Counties Floodlit Youth league,
Olympian Division.
Front cover photo: M ain Image, Ollie Carey cele-
brates his headed goal against Wantage Town
(Ollie’s effort would be ruled offside).
Inset top, Carl Mensah congratulates Eusebio Da-
Silver’s winning goal. And, City players celebrate with Picture courtesy of Danny Loo Photography
3
Southern League Central Division - League Table August 2019
Played Won Drew Lost For Against Goal diff Points
Berkhamsted 5 3 2 0 11 2 9 11
Corby Town 5 3 2 0 10 5 5 11
CITIZENS 4 3 1 0 8 3 5 10
Aylesbury United 5 2 3 0 6 1 5 9
AFC Dunstable 4 3 0 1 8 5 3 9
Halesowen Town 4 3 0 1 8 5 3 9
Daventry Town 5 3 0 2 7 10 -3 9
Barton Rovers 5 2 2 1 14 10 4 8
North Leigh 5 2 1 2 11 8 3 7
Kempston Rovers 5 2 0 3 5 9 -4 6
Bedford Town 5 1 3 1 7 10 -3 4
Kidlington 5 2 0 3 5 9 -4 6
Biggleswade 5 1 2 2 6 8 -2 5
Yaxley 5 1 1 3 9 9 0 4
Coleshill Town 4 1 1 2 7 8 -1 4
Bedworth United 4 1 1 2 6 8 -2 4
Didcot Town 5 1 1 3 2 5 -3 4
St Neots Town 4 1 1 2 5 10 -5 4
Thame United 4 0 1 3 4 9 -5 1
Wantage Town 4 0 0 4 2 10 -8 0
4
Welwyn Garden City FC Fixtures 2019
Sat 6th July (H) Luton Town (F) L 895 1-3 Reece
Tues 10th July (H) Barnet (F) D 105 1-1 Carey
Sun 14th July (H) Maccabi GB (F) L 55 0-1
Fri 19th July (H) MK Dons (F) L 330 0-1
Tues 23rd July (A) Wormley Rovers (F) W 46 6-0 OG, Payne, Da Silva (2)
Alomenu, Cleaver,
Sat 27th July (H) St Margaretsbury (F) W 75 3-2 Da Silva (2) Keenleyside
Tues 30th July (A) Stotfold (F) W 66 5-0 Da Silva, Payne, Carey
Spencer, Ironton
Tues 6thAugust (A) Sandridge Rovers (F) W 35 3-2 Da Silva, Allomenu, Spencer
Fri 9th August (H) Chalfont St Peter (F) D 50 1-1 Da Silva
Sat 17th Aug (H) Wantage Town (SL) W 116 2-1 Ironton, Da Silva
Tues 20th Aug (A) Biggleswade (SL) W 86 3-1 Da Silva (2) Rolfe
Sat 24th Aug (A) Wingate/Finchley (FAC) L 121 0-2
Mon 26th Aug (H) Berkhamsted (SL) D 151 1-1 Mensah
Sat 31st Aug (A) Halesowen Town (SL) W 503 2-0 Rolfe, Ironton
Tues 3rd Sept (H) Harpenden Town (F) W 75 5-0 Carrington, Cleaver, Stead
Tues 10th Sept (H) Hitchin Town (SLC)
Sat 14th Sept (H) Thame United (SL)
Sat 21st Sept (A) Kempston Rovers (SL)
Tues 24th Sept (H) Hadley (HCS)
Sat 28th Sept (H) Canvey Island (FAT)
Sat Oct 5th (H) Bedworth United (SL)
Sat Oct 19th (A) Daventry Town (SL)
Sat Nov 2nd (H) Coleshill Town (SL)
Sat Nov 9th (H) Kidlington (SL)
Sat Nov 16th (A) North Leigh (SL)
Sat Nov 23rd (H) Yaxley (SL)
Sat Nov 30th (A) Aylesbury United (SL)
Sat Dec 7th (H) Bedford Town (SL)
Sat Dec 14th (A) Didcot Town (SL)
Sat Dec 21st (A) Corby Town (SL)
Thu Dec 26th (H) Barton Rovers (SL)
Sat Apr 25th (A) Bedford Town (SL)
Key: SL = Southern League, FAC = FA Cup, HCS = Herts Charity Shield, FAT = FA Trophy
5
Welwyn Garden City FC Fixtures 2020
Wed Jan 1st (A) Berkhamsted (SL)
Sat Jan 4th (H) Biggleswade (SL)
Sat Jan 11th (A) Wantage Town (SL)
Sat Jan 18th (H) Kempston Rovers (SL)
Sat Jan 25th (A) Thame United (SL)
Sat Feb 1st (H) AFC Dunstable (SL)
Sat Feb 8th (A) Bedworth Town (SL)
Sat Feb 15 (H) Daventry Town (SL)
Sat Feb 22nd (A) Coleshill Town (SL)
Sat Feb 29th (A) Kidlington (SL)
Sat Mar 7th (H) North Leigh (SL)
Sat Mar 14th (A) Yaxley (SL)
Sat Mar 21st (H) Halesowen Town (SL)
Sat Apr 4th (A) St Neots Town (SL)
Sat Apr 11th (H) Corby Town (SL)
Mon Apr 13th (A) Barton Rovers (SL)
Sat Apr 18th (H) Didcot Town (SL)
Southern League Central Division Ground locations and addresses
Club Stadium Name Postcode Distance Travel Time Map
AFC Dunstable Creasey Park Stadium LU6 1BB 29.2 45 mins Directions
Aylesbury United The Meadow HP5 1NE 30.4 45 mins Directions
Barton Rovers Sharpenhoe Road MK45 4LQ 20.3 31 mins Directions
Bedford Town The Eyrie MK44 3LW 30.7 39 mins Directions
Bedworth United The Oval CV12 8NN 84.1 1 hour 51 mins Directions
Berkhamsted Broadwater HP4 2AL 27.8 41 mins Directions
Biggleswade Langford Road SG18 9JT 22.8 31 mins Directions
Coleshill Pack Meadow B46 3JE 92.1 1 hour 57 mins Directions
Corby Town Steel Park NN17 2AE 66.8 1 hour 23 mins Directions
Daventry United Communications Park NN11 4NS 61.8 1 hour 27 mins Directions
Didcot Town Loop Meadow OX11 7GA 70.2 1 hour 29 mins Directions
Halesowen Town The Grove B63 3TB 116.0 2 hours 39 mins Directions
Kempston Rovers Hillgrounds Leisure MK42 8SZ 35.3 49 mins Directions
Kidlington Yarnton Road Stadium OX5 1AT 70.4 1 hour 29 mins Directions
North Leigh Eynsham Park OX29 6SL 76.6 1 hour 45 mins Directions
St Neots Town Rowley Park Stadium PE19 6SL 35.4 46 mins Directions
Thame United Meadow View Park OX9 3RN 50.5 1 hour 9 mins Directions
Wantage Town Alfredian Park OX12 8DW 84.8 1 hour 54 mins Directions
Yaxley In2itive Park PE7 3NA 55.3 1 hour 5 mins Directions
With thanks to Gavin Meaden for this information
Note: All travel times are approximate
Average distance - 55.8 miles
6
WELWYN GARDEN CITY - EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION ONE CENTRAL 2018/19
Sat 14th July (A) Wingate/Finchley (F) L 0-4
Tues 17th July (A) Crawley Green (F) L 3-5 Rolfe, Williams, Ferrigno
Sat 21st July (A) London Colney (F) W 2-0 Bronti, Ironton
Weds 25th July (A) Oxhey Jets (F) L 0-2
Sat 28th July (N) Hertford Town (F) W 1-0 Joy
Tues 31st July (H) Biggleswade (F) L 2-3 Clements, Bond
Sat 4th Aug (H) Knebworth (F) W 8-0 Bond(3) Rolfe, Hunt, Ironton, Williams, Bronti
Fri 17th Aug (A) AFC Dunstable (F) W 4-0 Williams(2) Clements, Lovell
Sat 18th Aug (H) Didcot Town W (257) 2-1 Hunt, Rolfe
Tues 21st Aug (A) Peterborough Sports L (207) 0-2
Sat 25th Aug (A) Brantham Ath - FAC L (68) 0-1
Mon 27th Aug (H) Barton Rovers W (146) 1-0 Williams
Sat 1st Sept (A) Bedford Town W (315) 1-0 Bronti
Tues 4th Sept (A) Kings Langley SLC Pre W (82) 1-0 Bond
Sat 8th Sept (H) Yaxley FC W (110) 3-2 Payne (2) Fehmi
Sat 15th Sept (A) Bromsgrove Sporting L (915) 0-2
Tues 18th Sept (H) Leverstock Green HCS W (60) 6-1 Hunt, (2) Rolfe (2) Ironton, Clements
Sat 22nd Sept (H) Cambridge City L (144) 0-1
Sat 29th Sept (H) Berkhamsted Town L (135) 0-1
Tues 2ndOct (H) Barton Rovers SLC 1st W (51) 2-1 Elliott, Bronti
Sat 6th Oct (A) Aylesbury United L (106) 1-3 Clements
Sat 13th Oct (A) Chipstead - FAT Pre L (125) 1-2 Clements
Tues 16th Oct (H) Bishops Stortford - HSC L (114) 1-2 Zanone
Sat 20th Oct (H) Kidlington Athletic W (94) 2-1 Zanone, Elliott
Sat 27th Oct (H) Ware (F) L (55) 1-5 Zanone
Sat 3rd Nov (A) AFC Dunstable D (115) 1-1 Zanone
Sat 10th Nov (A) Gt Wakering Rovers (F) L (50) 2-5 Zanone, Bond
Tues 6th (H) Kempston SLC 2nd W (65) 8-0 Clements(4), Zanone, Rolfe, Corran, Payne
Sat 17th Nov (H) Coleshill Town D (95) 2-2 Payne, Clements
Sat 24th Nov (H) North Leigh W (74) 3-0 Payne, Clements, Zanone
Sat 1st Dec (A) Kempston Rovers W (121) 3-2 Zanone, Keenleyside, Close
Tues 4th Dec (A) Berkhamsted SLC 3rd L (4-2 pens) 0-0 Clements(P) Elliott (P)
Tues 11th Dec (A) Yaxley L (53) 3-4 Zanone, Close, Bond
Sat 15th Dec (A) Thame United L (58) 2-4 Zanone, Keenleyside
Weds 26th Dec (A) Barton Rovers L (153) 0-1
Sat 29th Dec (A) Didcot Town D (171) 3-3 Zanone (2) Bond
League Games unless specified by competition key:
FAC= FA Cup, HCS = Herts Charity Shield, SLC = Southern League Cup, FAT = Buildbase FA Trophy, HSC= Herts Senior Cup, F = Friendly
7
WELWYN GARDEN CITY - EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION ONE CENTRAL 2018/19
Tues 1st Jan (H) Dunstable Town L (141) 0-1
Sat 5th Jan (A) Aylesbury D (111) 0-0
Tues 15th Jan (H) Sutton Coldfield Town D (138) 1-1 Sexton
Sat 19th Jan (H) Aylesbury United D (153) 0-0
Sat 26th Jan (A) Berkhamsted D (168) 2-2 Pattison, Keenleyside
Sat 9th Feb (A) Kidlington D (60) 0-0
Tues 12th Feb (H) Hadley HCS L (46) 0-1
Sat 16th Feb (H) Thame United W (126) 3-1 Da-Silva(2), Alomenu
Sat 23rd Feb (A) Sutton Coldfield Town D (169) 1-1 Da-Silva
Tues 26th Feb (H) Corby Town L (157) 2-5 Bailey(2)
Tues 5th March (H) AFC Dunstable L (93) 0-1
Sat 9th March (A) Coleshill Town L (133) 1-2 Bailey
Sat 16th March (H) Bromsgrove Sporting L (328) 0-3
Sat 23rd March (A) Cambridge City L (169) 1-4 Bailey
Sat 30th March (H) Kempston Rovers L (124) 1-2 Bailey
Tues 2nd April (H) Peterborough Sports L (130) 1-3 Campbell-Mhlope
Sat 6th April (A) North Leigh D (95) 3-3 Campbell-Mhlope, McKeown, Da Silva
Sat 13th April (A) Corby Town W (383) 4-1 McKeown(2) Da Silva, Keenleyside
Sat 20th April (H) Bedford Town L (221) 0-3
Mon 22nd April (A) Dunstable Town W (143) 3-1 Keenleyside, Campbell-Mhlope, McKeown
Sat 27th April (H) Aylesbury W (122) 2-0 Campbell-Mhlope, McKeown
All time Welwyn Garden City FC Player records
All time Record Appearances All time record Goalscorers
401 Terry Hayes (1977-78, 1980-85 & 1986-93) 214 Terry Hayes (1977-78, 1980-85 & 1986-93)
334 Durk Reyner (1985-91 & 1993-95) 106 Brian Marshall (1974-81, 1982-85 & 1987-88)
326 Stuart Fuller (1986-96) 100 Sean Giddens (1989-92, 1993-95 & 1996-97
281 Neil Draper (1988-92, 1996-98 & 2000-02) 98 Jason Caswell (2013-2016)
265 Andy Stagg (1978-81 & 1985-92) 76 Joel Norris (2013-2016)
257 Barry Hope (1990-2000) 69 Durk Reyner (1985-91 & 1993-95)
243 Garry Simpson (1983-85 & 1988-97) 67 Darren Franklyn (2002-05)
242 Sean Giddens (1989-92, 1993-95 & 1996-97) 66 Ashley Kersey (2014-Current)
221 Kieran Myles (1986-87, 1993-95 & 1999-04) 60 Mick Fredericks (1985-89)
218 Steve Brown (1977-79, 1980-85 & 2012-13) 58 Josh Bronti (2014-Current)
198 Richard Teixeira (1997-2002, 2003-11 & 2012-13) 51 Ade Osobu (2003-2005 & 2010-15)
197 Daniel Teixeira (1997-2010 & 2012-13) 50 Matt Wardle (2005-08)
8
Welwyn Garden City 1st team Appearances & goals
2018/19 Appearances (Sub) - Goals... Career Appearances - Goals
(League & Cup games only)
Romelle Alomenu 1 (1) 7 (3) 1
John-Paul Antwi 2 (2) 2 (2)
Brodie Carrington (1) (4)
Ollie Carey 1 (2) 1 (2)
Toby Cleaver 5 5
Connor Clarke (1) (1)
Lee Close 4 21
Matt Crook
Eusebio Da-Silva 3 (2) 3 14 (5) 8
Dylan Ebengo 4 (1) 16 (1) 0
George Ironton 5 2 44 (13) 12
Charlie Jones 1 3
Dave Keenleyside 3 27 (1) 4
Ashley Kersey 119 (23) 66
William McClelland 3 9
Carl Mensah 4 (1) 1 31 (2) 2
Charlie Payne 1 (2) 1 (2)
Jay Rolfe 5 2 104 (5) 9
Connor Sansom 2 2
Rory Satterly-Hull (1)
Ryan Schmid 2 2
Geraldo Smaldone (1) (1)
Aundre Spencer 1 (1) 1 (1)
Jonny Sexton 3 79 (1) 1
Jess Walklin 4 11 (2)
9
Hitchin Town can trace its roots back to board that the club moved forward again. by 1998, relegation had come once more.
1865 when Hitchin FC was formed. The Burgess, a successful coach before he However the club won promotion back to
club took part in the first FA Cup in 1871- went to Hitchin, brought experienced the Isthmian Premier Division at the first
72, and reached the quarter finals of the players to the club who knew how to win. attempt, with a new and younger team.
competition, losing to eventual finalists In 1968-69, Hitchin finished runners-up in
Royal Engineers. That first Hitchin club, a the Isthmian League and a year later, won In an age when clubs seem to lurch from
struggling professional outfit, folded in the London Senior Cup, beating St.Albans crisis to crisis financially, Hitchin’s recent
1911, debt-ridden and the victims of a fire at 4-2 in the final. Burgess declared that history has been relatively stable. Andy
their ground. Hitchin had “arrived” by winning what Melvin stepped down in 2001, handing
was then a highly prestigious competition. over to his assistant Robbie O’Keefe. Rob-
It was not until 1928 that Hitchin Town FC Top Field was shocked a few months later bie was the mastermind of the club’s
was formed, and it was at this point that the when Burgess left the club. youth academy, and at times, O’Keefe
nickname, “The Canaries”, was established. promised to bring success back to Hitchin.
The club colours of yellow and at that time, The 1970s was a period characterised by In 2003, however, he left the club, and
blue, were also agreed upon. Prior to that, some exciting cup-ties. The Canaries former Chelsea and England striker Kerry
the old club played in white and magenta. reached the FA Cup competition proper Dixon took over. At the end of the 2003-
Hitchin gained admission to the Spartan four times – in 1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77 04 season, Hitchin left the Isthmian
League and in the 1928-29 season, enjoyed and 1978-79, although a giant-killing League after more than 40 years, and
a hugely successful campaign, winning the eluded them. By the end of the decade moved to the Southern League. At the
Herts Charity Shield and promotion to the however, the club was in decline and the halfway stage of the following season,
Spartan League Division One. 1980s was a dismal decade in which fi- Dixon, who was unable to commit himself
nances were limited and the emphasis was fully to the job, was replaced by Darren
The 1930s were halcyon days for Hitchin on youth. Salton. Salton had to rebuild a team that
Town FC. Promotion to the Spartan Premier had alarming weaknesses in every depart-
Division was won in 1931, but it was the In 1988, Hitchin Town suffered relegation
ment. The last few months of the season
cup successes that captured the imagination from the Isthmian Premier for the first
were tough and Hitchin failed to win any
of the Hitchin public. Although there is little time. Near misses in the previous three
of their last 11 games. But the following
doubt that Hitchin won more games than at seasons had hinted that a fall was coming,
year was better and at the end of 2005-06,
any time in their history, the standard of but it was still a major shock to the club. It
the Canaries won the Southern League
opposition has to be considered when deter- took five years for Hitchin to get back to
Cup, beating Bromsgrove Rovers in the
mining whether the Canaries’ side of the the Premier Divison, but in between, the
two-legged final.
period was the finest in the club’s history. club had suffered major financial hard-
ship. It was Andy Melvin, the new owner- In 2006-07, the Canaries started well and
Nevertheless there is little doubt that this manager of Hitchin Town who led the at the halfway point were among the title
was a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club back to the Premier Division, win- challengers. But a spectacular collapse,
club won the AFA Senior Cup in 1932, ning the Isthmian First Division title in fuelled by player unrest, saw Hitchin fall
beating Derbyshire Amateurs in the final 1992-93. Melvin, a good man-manager, down the table and into relegation trouble.
and in 1935, won the Spartan League Prem- was also thrifty and built a team on very Eventually, Hitchin finished 11th, perhaps
ier Division. The club entered the Athenian limited resources. In the club’s first season a flattering position, but nevertheless one
League in 1939, but after two league games back, he took them to eighth place and in which secured Premier Division football
and a Herts Charity Cup tie, all of which 1994-95, fifth position. in 2007-08. After a lack lustre start to
saw Hitchin score seven goals, Adolf Hitler 2007-08, Darren Salton was released by
intervened. Andy Melvin will be remembered for his
the club and former player Darran Hay
part in two exciting FA Cup runs, howev-
was appointed as manager. Hay had to
At the end of the 1962-63 season, the Canar- er. In 1994-95, the club became giant-
rebuild his team and it took time to turn
ies moved into the Isthmian League. This killers for the first time, beating Hereford
things around, but a revitalised squad,
move was not an easy one for the club, and United 4-2 at Top Field in the FA Cup
with a strong team spirit, lifted Hitchin out
the early years were a constant struggle. first round. The club had started its cup
of trouble.
Money was a problem, and there was a hint run in the First Qualifying Round and had
of scandal when club President Syd Staple- been close to exiting on more than one After a poor start to the 2008-09 season,
ton revealed to the media that the club was occasion. A year later, the Canaries Darran Hay left Hitchin in January 2009.
paying its “amateur” players. It took some grabbed their biggest scalp, beating Bristol Colin Payne, the former Chertsey, North-
time before the clouds dispersed and during Rovers 2-1 in the first round, thanks to wood and Boreham Wood manager was
this period, the club said farewell to Laurie two early goals. It gave them a second appointed in February 2009, but despite an
Scott. round tie at Gillingham, which was lost 3- improvement, the club was relegated at the
0. At this time the club gained more media end of the campaign. Payne rebuilt the
It was not until Vince Burgess came on attention than at any time in its history, but Hitchin squad in the summer of 2009, with
10the aim of achieving promotion at the first manager Colin Payne returned to assist the tations and finished in third place in the
attempt. Management team, and the Canaries man- League, showing a marked improvement
aged to pull through with three or four on the previous season and qualifying for
Hitchin enjoyed a successful 2009-10, astute loan signings bolstering both confi- the Play-Offs. Here they took a 2-0 lead in
winning 31 of 42 league games. A vibrant dence and results. They finished a credita- the semi-final against the eventual winners
young side was moulded by Payne and his ble thirteenth, but despite this Carl decided Hungerford Town, but eventually ran out
assistant Carl Williams and for long peri- it was time to take a break from the mana- of steam and succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.
ods, the Canaries topped the Zamaretto gerial role and focus on his young family.
Midlands Division. Hitchin lost just four Again despite this tremendous disappoint-
games in the league but Bury Town Mark Burke was appointed manager in the ment, this young team showed great
topped the division by two points – despite summer of 2013 and Carl’s side almost strength of character and picked itself up
Payne’s men amassing 100 points. As only entirely moved on. Despite this Burke and again to beat National League Boreham
one team was automatically promoted, his assistant Adam Parker recruited some Wood to win the Hertfordshire Senior Cup
Hitchin had to enter the play-offs for the new young talent and finished in a credita- for the first time in 19 years.
second promotion place. Sadly, the young ble 13th position, same as the previous
Canaries ran out of steam and lost the play season. The 2016-17 season started with great
-off semi-final to Slough, a team that fin- hope, and most certainly did not disap-
ished 23 points behind Hitchin! Season 2014-15 saw the addition of Jonny point. The now established squad fared
McNamara from Arlesey and Charlie Hor- even better than the previous season, qual-
A few days after the end of the season, lock on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, ifying for the Play-Offs in fourth place but
Payne left the club to join Hemel Hemp- and the experienced Brett Donnelly return- with more league points than the previous
stead. In his place, Carl Williams was ap- ing to the club for a second spell from season.
pointed as manager. He had a tremendous Biggleswade Town. With a solid backline
first season in charge and for much of the including Alasan Ann and Dan Webb and After a fantastic penalty shoot-out victory
2010-11 campaign, Hitchin looked cer- the huge promise of youngsters such as in the semi-finals at Merthyr Town, the
tainties for the title. But a mid-season drop Sam Barker, Matt Lench and Lewis Rolfe Canaries took on Leamington for a place
in form gave local rivals Arlesey the being realised, the flowing football pro- in the National League South.
chance to take top place. On the final day duced reaped dividends and Hitchin fin-
They came within one minute of promo-
of the season, the two clubs met at Top ished in ninth position, their best-ever in
tion in normal time before conceding a
Field for the title decider. Arlesey won 1-0 the Southern League.
90th minute penalty equaliser, and then
in front of over 1,500 people, but the occa-
succumbing to a winning goal from Leam-
sion was marred by the ungentlemanly
ington six minutes from the end of extra
behaviour of Hitchin’s opponents. Wil-
time.
liams and his team cast that disappoint-
ment aside to beat Slough and Daventry in They retained the Hertfordshire Senior
the play-offs to claim the second promo- Cup by beating Bishops Stortford 2-1 and
tion spot. In their first season back in the also reached the Herts Charity Cup Final,
Premier, Hitchin enjoyed some bright mo- where a “bad day at the office” resulted in
ments, notably beating eventual champi- a 0-1 defeat against lower league opposi-
ons Brackley and promotion chasing AFC tion in the form of Cheshunt.
Totton and Cambridge City. Once again,
the goals of John Frendo lit up the cam- The Canaries enter the 2017-18 season
paign and attendances at Top Field were knowing that the League competition will
among the best in the division. The final be considerably tougher this season with a
placing of 14th was considered satisfacto- greater number of well-established and
ry and the club went into 2012-13 looking hopeful teams. Hopefully they can com-
to improve on that showing. The 2015-16 season proved to be even pete again – third time lucky?
better. The season started with the prestig-
Carl Williams’ second season in charge ious game against a full-strength Premier
started brightly but despite the massive League Norwich City side, to celebrate the
goals contribution of John Frendo (who 150th anniversary of the formation of the
won the non-league football “Golden first Hitchin football team. Despite the ten
Boot” the previous season with 44 goals), goal defeat, and defeat on the first day of
it proved a difficult season overall. How- the season to the newly promoted Strat-
ever, despite a couple of months where ford Town at home, Mark Burke’s young
confidence had ebbed away and relegation side (average age 24) picked up, went
looked a distinct possibility. Previous from strength to strength, defied all expec-
11FA Cup Preliminary round Wingate & Finchley 2-0 Welwyn Garden City 24/07/19
Following an even first 45 Minutes Dylan Ebengo fire high and wide fol- mide Oluwatimilehin whofired past
where both teams found chances at a lowing a George Ironton corner as Charlie Jones in the Citizens goal.
premium, City succumbed to an early City began to look dangerous on the
2nd half goal from Olumide Oluwatim- counter attack. And, at the other end It was tough on City because up to that
ilehin. The same striker added a late the Citizens defensive quartet of Eben- point they had coped well with any-
strike in the dying minutes to give the go, Mensah, Rolfe and Sexton for The thing that the Rymans Premier side
score-line some gloss. Citizens were producing some excel- threw at them.
lent well-timed saving tackles to deny
City came into the match off the back of the hosts clear opportunities. Nick Ironton rang in the changes when
two fine Southern league wins against Connor Clarke replaced Ollie Carey
Wantage Town (2-1) and Biggleswade A rare opportunity from the well and Eusebio Da Silva replaced JP Ant-
FC (3-1) but found the Rymans Premier shackled Toby Cleaver up front for wi.
Division side a stronger and more diffi- City, saw the big striker break free
Another quick break by the home-
cult prospect altogether. from his marker but his fierce shot
sides Kennedy down the left flank saw
from an acute angle brought off a
In a largely even first half, City mid- his cross evade everyone when all it
smart save from Shane Gore in the
fielder Jess Walklin had the game's needed was a toe end on the ball - a
home goal.
opening chance. Bursting through the real let off for City.
middle of the last third of the pitch. As the half neared its conclusion two
Charlie Payne replaced the injured
However, his well struck effort was just fine tackles from Jess Walklin and
Dylan Ebengo on 75 minutes. As City
too straight and the experienced home Carl Mensah prevented Wingate's
changed their shape to just three at the
goalkeeper Shane Gore saved all too Kennedy and Mendy from firing in
back - Jay Rolfe pressed higher up to a
easily. shots on Charlie Jones’s goal.
more attacking role and Eusebio Da
An unsavoury foul on City left-back As half-time beckoned, Good link up Silva joined Toby Cleaver up-front.
Jonny Sexton saw bookings for City's play between Jess Walklin and George
Great work down City's left saw Euse-
centre back Dylan Ebengo and City Ironton paved the way for City Cap-
bio Da-Silva reach the by-line and the
boss Nick Ironton for dissent as well as tain Dave Keenleyside to power
burly striker pulled his pass back for
the home sides former Football league through the middle of the pitch and
Toby Cleaver to fire in a fine first-time
professional Marvin Morgan. fire in a fine effort but his shot from
effort, however Shane Gore managed
edge of the penalty area was well
Good link up and interplay involving to get down quickly and save for a Cit-
saved by the home custodian.
Toby Cleaver, Dave Keenleyside & Jess izens corner.
Walklin created an opening for Jay Half-Time 0-0
As City pushed men forward, they al-
Rolfe whose cross-shot had Shane Gore
scurrying across his goal-line as the ballAfter the interval, the home side took most equalised following a George
the game to the Citizens and a break Ironton free-kick. The midfielder’s
just sailed over the bar, landing on the
roof of the net in the process. down the right flank by the dangerous cross saw a goalmouth melee from
Oluwatimilehin saw the strikers cross which City almost equalised. Howev-
The home side had to wait until the 23rd elude everyone, much to the relief of er, the ball was cleared and following
minute for their first attempt on goal as the Citizens supporters. two swift passes from left to right
The Citizens defence were coping well flank, that man Kennedy fed Olu-
with everything thrown at them. Marvin A fine run and shot by City's midfield- watimilehin who made no mistake
Morgans looped header comfortably er Jess Walklin saw his effort flash from 10 yards out - Harsh on City as
saved by Charlie Jones, making his first past the post as City attempted to they bow out of the FA Cup at the first
City appearance of the season. throw men forward in an effort to put hurdle.
their hosts under pressure.
A few minutes later the same striker WGCFC: 1) Sansom 2) Rolfe 3) Sex-
produced a fine save by Charlie Jones's However, on 50 minutes City fell be- ton 4) Ebengo (Payne) 5) Mensah 6)
legs as the Rymans Premier Division hind. Another quick break by the Walklin 7) Carey (Ckarke) 8) Ironton
side started to take a stranglehold on hosts, this time by the fleet-footed Al- 9) Cleaver 10) Keenleyside 11) Antwi
possession. phonso Kennedy, saw the wide player (Da Silva)
skip past the challenges of Jay Rolfe
However, a spell of City pressure saw and Dylan Ebengo to square to Olu- Att: 121
12Welwyn Garden City FC Player Sponsorship
JP Antwi Brodie Carrington Connor Clarke Ollie Carey
Sponsor Sponsor Sponsor Sponsor WGC Golf Club
Lee Close Eusebio Da-Silva Dylan Ebengo Matt Crook
Sponsor David Coates Snr & Jnr Sponsor Dave Vass & Andy Cornish Sponsor Gavin Meaden
Dave Keenleyside Charlie Payne George Ironton Ryan Schmid
Sponsor Ed Clark Sponsor Russell Giblin
Will McClelland Charlie Jones Carl Mensah Jack Bradshaw
Sponsor @WGCFC fans
13Welwyn Garden City FC Player Sponsorship
Connor Sansom Jay Rolfe Jonny Sexton Rory Satterly-Hull
Sponsor Sponsor Sponsor Mick Barnett & Wayne Norwood
Jess Walklin Toby Cleaver Alex Harries Romelle Alomenu
David Owen Callem Kingsley Aundre Spencer Geraldo Smaldone
Nick Ironton Jon Stevenson Ricci Crace Dave Bastian
To sponsor a player for the season at £25 please speak with one of the committee
14WELWYN GARDEN CITY FC. BETVICTOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION 1. 2019-2020
Date Comp Opponents Score Att Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16
17-Aug SLC1 WANTAGE TOWN 2-1 116 5 Sansom Rolfe Antwi Ebengo McClelland Close Da Silva 1 Ironton 1 Cleaver Keenleyside Spencer Jones Mensah Carey Alomenu
20-Aug SLC1 Biggleswade 3-1 149 4 Sansom Rolfe 1 Mensah Ebengo McClelland Close Da Silva 2 Ironton Cleaver Walklin Alomenu Jones Antwi Carey Smaldone
24-Aug FAC Wingate & Finchley 0-2 121 4 Jones Rolfe Sexton Ebengo Mensah Walklin Carey Ironton Cleaver Keenleyside Antwi Sansom Da Silva Smaldone Payne
26-Aug SLC1 BERKHAMSTED 1-1 151 3 Schmid Rolfe Sexton Ebengo Mensah 1 Close Da Silva Ironton Cleaver Walklin Payne Jones Harris Carrington Antwi
31-Aug SLC1 Halesowen Town 2-0 503 2 Schmid Rolfe 1* Sexton Bradshaw McClelland Mensah * Close Ironton 1 Cleaver Keenleyside Walklin Jones Payne Da Silva Ebengo
10-Sep SLCup HITCHIN TOWN
14-Sep SLC1 THAME UTD
21-Sep SLC1 Kempston Rovers
24-Sep HCS HADLEY
28-Sep FAT-EP CANVEY ISLAND
05-Oct SLC1 BEDWORTH UTD
08-Oct SLC1 AFC Dunstable
19-Oct SLC1 Daventry Town
02-Nov SLC1 COLESHILL TOWN
09-Nov SLC1 KIDLINGTON
16-Nov SLC1 North Leigh
23-Nov SLC1 YAXLEY
30-Nov SLC1 Aylesbury Utd
15
07-Dec SLC1 BEDFORD TOWN
14-Dec SLC1 Didcot Town
21-Dec SLC1 Corby Town
26-Dec SLC1 BARTON ROVERS
Welwyn Garden City Roll Call 2019/2020 -
01-Jan SLC1 Berkhamsted
04-Jan SLC1 BIGGLESWADE
11-Jan SLC1 Wantage Town
18-Jan SLC1 KEMPSTON ROVERS
25-Jan SLC1 Thame Utd
01-Feb SLC1 AFC DUNSTABLE
08-Feb SLC1 Bedworth Utd
15-Feb SLC1 DAVENTRY TOWN
22-Feb SLC1 Coleshill Town
29-Feb SLC1 Kidlington
07-Mar SLC1 NORTH LEIGH
14-Mar SLC1 Yaxley
21-Mar SLC1 AYLESBURY UTD
Thank you to Gavin MeadenSouthern Counties Floodlit Youth League - Olympian Division
Played Won Drew Lost Goal diff Points
Enfield Town 14 12 2 0 22 38
Broxboure Boro 14 11 0 3 23 33
Takeley 14 10 2 2 19 32
St Margaretsbury 14 4 5 5 -4 17
Hertford Town 14 3 3 8 -10 12
Codicote 14 3 2 9 -11 11
CITIZENS 14 3 2 9 -22 11
Sawbridgeworth 14 2 0 12 -43 6
Thurs August 30th (A) St Margaretsbury (League) 1-1 Carrington
Tues September 4th (H) Sawbridgeworth T (League) 5-2 Carrington(3) Reed(2)
Weds September 5th (A) Cheshunt (FA Youth Cup Pre) 20-0
Tues September 11th (H) Broxbourne Boro (League) 2-6 Coats(2)
Thurs September 20th (H) Ware FC (FA Youth Cup 1Q) 4-2
Tues September 25th (H) Berkhamsted (Hitchings Cup 1st) 7-6 Reed(2) Carrington, Slark, Nanou, Nixon, Andreas
Tues October 4th (H) Buckingham Ath (FAYC2Q) 9-0
Thurs October 11th (A) Codicote (League) 4-5 Andreas, Reed, Colbolt, Gammon
Thurs October 18th (A) Broxbourne Boro (League) 3-8 Coates, Ramsdale, Taylor
Thurs October 18th (H) Andover Town (FAYCup 3Q) 1-3 aet
Tues October 21st (H) Haringey (Hitchings Cup 2nd) 1-3 Taylor
Thurs November 8th (A) Takeley (League) 2-12 Taylor, Edge
Thurs November 22nd (A) Sawbridgeworth T (League) 3-0 Reed (2) Ramsdale
Tues December 11th (H) Codicote (League) 1-4 Ramsdale
Tues January 8th (H) Takeley (League) 1-3 Ramsdale
Thurs January 24th (A) Hertford Town (League) 3-0 Carrington, Reed, Coates
Mon 28th January (A) Enfield Town (League) 2-5 Carrington(2)
Tues February 5th (H) Enfield Town (League) 2-3 Carrington, Satterly-Hull
Tues February 19th (H) Hertford Town (League) 3-5 Carrington(2) Reed
Thurs March 7th (H) St Margarestsbury (League) 3-3 Carrington(2) Coates
Thurs March 21st (H) Sawbridgewoth T (Merton Shield) 3-3 Banahene Colbolt Kendrick
Thurs March 28th (A) St Margaretsbury (Merton Shield) 0-2
Thurs 4th April (A) Cockfosters (Merton Shield) 0-5
Tues 16th April (H) Takeley (Merton Shield) 1-4 Taylor
16Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League - Olympian Division 2019/20
Played Won Drew Lost For Against Goal diff Points
Welwyn Garden City 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3
Sawbridgeworth Town 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
Enfield Town 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3
Colney Heath 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hoddesdon Town 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Maccabi London 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
St Margaretsbury 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Takeley 1 0 0 1 2 3 -1 0
Broxbourne Boro 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
Codicote 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
Thursday 29th Aug League Away v Broxbourne Boro W 4-2 Carrington(2), Desa, Gibson
Thursday 5th Sept FAYC Home v Takeley W 6-5 Carrington(4), Desa, Edge
Thursday 12th Sept League Away v Codicote
Monday 30th Sept League Away v Colney Heath
Tuesday 8th Oct League Home v St Margaretsbury
Monday 14th Oct League Away v Enfield Town
Tuesday 29th Oct League Home v Takeley
Thursday 7th Nov League Away v Maccabi London
Tuesday 12th Nov League Home v Hoddesdon Town
Thursday 21st Nov League Away v Sawbridgeworth Town
Tuesday 26th Nov League Home v Broxbourne Boro
Tuesday 3rd Dec League Home v Codicote
Tuesday 10th Dec League Home v Colney Heath
Thursday 19th Dec League Away v St Margaretsbury
Tuesday 7th Jan League Home v Enfield Town
Thursday 16th Jan League Away v Takeley FC
Tuesday 21st Jan League Home v Maccabi London
Thursday 30th Jan League Away v Hoddesdon Town
Tuesday 4th Feb League Home v Sawbridgeworth Town
1718
Citizens Timeline
1921 First WGC FC formed
1922 Joined Mid-Hertfordshire League
1926 Joined Bedfordshire & District
League
1927 Joined Spartan League
1935 Resigned from the league at the
end of the season as they could not
find a suitable pitch. At an AGM held
24th July 1935 it was agreed to wind
up the club.
1937 At a meeting held on the 20th
May 1937, after they were offered the
A word of special thanks to Nicholls and Clarke who kindly sponsored and
facilities of Shredded Wheat FC, it was
supplied all of the tiles in not only both of our recently redecorated toilets but
City players celebrate George Ironton’s equaliser against Wantage Town agreed to set up a new Welwyn Garden
also in the newly built disabled toilet facilities too, a great gesture thank you.
City FC.
Are you “ The Face in the crowd ? 1937 Joined Spartan League
1939/1940 Joined East, North & Mid-
Hertfordshire Combination and then
the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire
Combination.
1944 The ‘recently revived’ team
joined the Mid-Hertfordshire League
1945 Joined Spartan League
1951 Joined London League
1955 Joined Spartan League
1959 Joined Hertfordshire County
League
1970 Joined Greater London League
(Division 2)
To thank you, our fans, the supporters of
Welwyn Garden City Football Club we offer free 1971 Joined Metropolitan London
League(Reserve Division 1)
tickets to fans who appear in this slot of the pro-
gramme. It is our way of saying thank you for your 1973 Joined South Midlands League
loyalty in supporting us. 1997 Joined SS MidlandsLeague
Are you one of the “Face in the Crowd” If so then 2018 Joined the Southern League
please contact One of the Committee members for
Information kindly collated by club
your free ticket
supporter Mick Barnett
19In off the POST an interview with Jon Stevenson by Gavin Meaden
Can you talk us through your
tact with Nick Ironton and what does I think that over the years, the Eng-
playing career and previous
he do that maybe other managers land team has suffered because of
coaching appointments, sparing
don’t? the lack of English players playing
no detail?
I first met Nick when I signed for Ware, regularly from a relatively young
I started my playing career with age in the Premier League. I have a
he came in as manager but I knew of
Enfield FC coming through the theory that Scotland have probably
him from his Arlesey Town days. For
u18's before making my way into
me Nick is a players dream in terms of suffered more. There are hardly
the 1st team. However it was the
manager as he simply says it how it is. any Scots in the Premier now and
same year that the ground was sold
He will be honest whether it be good or going back to when Scotland quali-
which resulted in me moving to fied for tournaments, all top teams
bad. That style of management was
Boreham Wood to play games, after had two or three at least. What do
perfect for me as a player.
two years I then moved to Potters you think?
Bar Town where I was part of a Who did you support as a lad?
winning team which went onto win I do believe that the amount of
the Spartan Premier League. After I have always been an arsenal fan overseas players playing in the
this I had a number of moves at the How familiar with WGC FC were Premier League may have caused
following clubs Enfield Town, the England team to suffer how-
you before coming in?
Hitchin Town FC, Hemel Hemp- ever it's also due to the lack of
stead, Borehamwood (where we I knew of Welwyn from my St Mar- trust from coaches in young play-
won the league and reached the garetsbury days, it was the year they ers and are England as good as
semi final of the FA trophy) St Al- won the league and I remember playing we all think ?
bans, Harlow, Slough, Brimsdown, them both home and away which we VAR. Yes or no? i was in the yes
Ware and lastly St Margretsbury won one and lost one.
camp but the way it was imple-
where I started my managerial ca-
The old adage is, “Ah, but can he do mented in the summer made a
reer. This gave me the step into
it on a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke mockery of games in my opinion.
management as I was player assis-
in November?” What’s your town of Where do you stand?
tant but I found the playing side a
choice near the A50?
little difficult due to injuries so Nope not a fan at all. The game has
spent two seasons as assistant man- Let's go with Derby (first thing I no- always been made from snap deci-
ager. It was a hard transition at the ticed with Google search) sions and the old quote of they al-
start but I wanted to see if I could ways level out over a season was
make the move over which looking If you had the opportunity to coach fine for me. The game that I grew
back now I'm glad I did. or manage in a different country, up watching and played is going in
which would you choose and why? my opinion.
What would you describe as your
strong points? I would say England simply because we Out of the current playing squad
don't dive or cheat as much as the other based on your experience so far
I would say my strong points would leagues. Although it's starting to get after the friendlies, who would
be having a winning mentality and worse. I hate players cheating. you least like to hear singing kar-
being very passionate. Hard work aoke and why would this be?
will always pay off. As a player I What was the first football match
was a centre half or centre mid- you can remember attending as a This is a tough one as the majority
fielder who enjoyed the physical boy? already have too much to say let
side of the game. I'd like to think I alone hearing them sing ha ha ha...
It was Arsenal at Highbury. I went with
was firm but fair but I'm sure Ricci I would hate to hear Closey to be
my dad and remember Alan Smith scor-
and Basto would disagree. fair as he would moan throughout
ing.
the song let alone sing. But I reckon
How did you first come into con- Mensah would be a decent shout.
20Should you or your company wish to advertise with us, either in the programme, pitch surround or on our
club web-site then in the first instance please contact Leigh Corbit via email leighcorbit@hotmail.co.uk
21Southern League Central Welwyn Garden City 1-1 Berkhamsted 26/08/19
WELWYN GC plundered a forced the pace, Lewis Toomey But their improvement was set
point from their only Herts der- stabbing wide after Jonathan back on its heels, when the
by in the Southern League Div Lacey’s run and cross down the visitors took a deserved lead
1 Central, when a stoppage left in the opening 10 minutes. on 66 minutes.
time goal earned them a 1-1 New keeper Schmid then kept A long ball down down the left
draw with Berkhamsted on WGC on terms with a fine savesaw the dangerous Toomey get
Bank Holiday Monday. with his feet to thwart another
the better of WGC’s Jon Sex-
Both sides went into the clash Toomey effort. ton and cross in low, where his
with 100 per cent records from WGC weren’t offering much at strike partner Lacey was wait-
their opening pair of games, this stage, although Toby Cleav- ing to ram it home on the back
but it was visitors Berko who er got on the end of a clever post.
must have been wondering how swinging free-kick from Iron- Both sides rang the changes
ton, to stab just past the Berko after this breakthrough, includ-
Match Report by woodwork. ing WGC making three chang-
es.
Phil Ravitz Further good work from
Schmid foiled the visitors with These included bringing on
a couple of very sharp saves youth team striker Brodie Car-
they hadn’t extended that run,
from close quarters, denying rington for the final 25
after a game in which they
Toomey and central defender minutes and the teenager had
dominated.
Ryan Kinnane, before at the one of the best efforts of the
Only an outstanding debut in other end Berko keeper Leon game, hitting a 20 yarder just
the home goal by new keeper made a fine tip around save to wide after a loose clearance
Ryan Schmid and some waste- thwart Eusebio Da Silva, when fell to him.
ful finishing didn’t see the WGC’s big striker outmuscled With time running out, WGC
Comrades from the west of the Dan Murphy to a through ball,
stepped up the pressure to fi-
county, return home with a
The half ended in a flurry of ac- nally find a way through
maximum reward.
tion, Schmid making his best Berko’s defences, with Men-
But although out of sorts, stop so far to keep out a sah’s header and earn what t
WGC staged a late revival to Toomey close-in effort at one can only be considered a fortu-
force a succession of corners in end, before in the half’s final nate point.
the dying moments of the game attack, Cleaver got up on the
WGC: Schmid, Rolfe, Ebengo
and on 93 minutes, big central back post to a Jay Rolfe cross to
(Smaldone 79), Mensah,
defender Carl Mensah got head inches wide. Close, Sexton (Carrington 67),
above everyone to head a
After a stern team talk, WGC Walklin, Ironton, Payne
George Ironton corner home, to (Antwi 61), Da Silva, Cleaver.
seemed to enjoy a greater share
keep his side unbeaten.
of the play in the early stages of
Att: 151
That didn’t look like early in the second-half.
the game as Berkhamsted
22Charlie Horlock: 24 year old goal keeper who r e-joins the Canaries for the 2019/20 season from Has-
tings United. Began his career at Wycombe Wanderers and joined the Canaries on loan in November
2014, making the deal permanent in the summer of 2015. Made 87 appearances and helped the club reach
the 2015/16 Southern League Premier Division Play-off Semi-finals before moving to Eastbourne Bor-
ough.
Ciaran Gordon-Stearn: 19 year old goal keeper who was a for mer youth team player at both Ips-
wich Town and Luton Town. Previous clubs include Billericay Town and Gottne IF in Sweden.
Josh Mollison: Highly r ated 19 year old keeper who impr essed dur ing the Club’s FA Youth Cup
run of 2017/18. Signed for the first team in March 2018.
Alex Anderson: Right sided full back or midfielder who signed in the summer of 2018.
The 25 year old’s previous clubs include Maldon & Tiptree United, Biggleswade Town and Witham
Town.
Josh Bickerstaff: 28 year old ver satile defender who is equally comfor table at left back, centr al de-
fence or in midfield. First signed for Hitchin in March 2011 from Stotfold. Joined St Neots Town for the
2014/15 season before returning to the Canaries in 2015/16. Has made nearly 300 appearances for the
club.
Marcus Crowther: Teenage centr al defender signed in Mar ch 2019. Pr evious clubs include Bishops
Stortford and Saffron Walden Town.
Lewis Ferrell: Vastly exper ienced, 28 year old commanding centr al defender who signed for the
Canaries in the summer of 2018. Began his career at Brentford before making 32 Conference Premier
league appearances for Hayes & Yeading in 2010/11. Has played for Hampton & Richmond Borough,
Staines Town and Farnborough in the Conference South. Previous clubs include St Ives Town and Co-
rinithians of San Antonio in USA. Made over 50 appearances for the Canaries last season.
Joe Gauge: 18 year old summer signing fr om Biggleswade United wher e he was ever pr esent last
season. The impressive central defender was voted Biggleswade United’s Player’s Player of the Season,
Young Player of the Season and Player of the Season for 2018/19.
Jack Green: 21 year old full back or wide midfielder signed fr om St.Albans City. Pr evious clubs
include Barton Rovers and Dunstable Town. Tenacious player who scored the winning goal at Leather-
head FC to take the Canaries to last season’s 1st round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Jordan Norville-Williams: 19 year old left sided defender signed on loan fr om Cambr idge United in
August 2019. Has also spent time on loan at Cambridge City, Harlow Town, Royston Town and St Neots
Town, where he scored 4 goals in 31 appearances.
Max Ryan: 20 year old centr al defender or midfielder who joined fr om Kings Langley in J anuar y
2019. A product of the Watford Youth Academy who joined Kings Langley in September 2018 following
his release from the Hornets.
Daniel Webb: 29 year old defender and team captain who was fir st spotted playing for Sheffor d
and Campton FC in the Bedfordshire League, Joined the club in 2012/13 and has made over 300 appear-
ances for the club, scoring 31 goals.
23Mo Ahmed: Exciting, attacking midfielder signed in August 2019. The for mer MK Dons Under 18
player spent two seasons with MK Gallacticos where he scored 29 goals before joining Potton United in
January 2019.
Lewis Barker: Combative centr al midfielder who joins the Canar ies for the 2019/20 season fr om
Baldock Town where he was captain and won the 2018/19 Player’s Player of the Year Award.
Leo Donnellan: 21 year old midfielder signed in August 2019. A for mer Queens Par k Ranger ’s youth team
player and Republic of Ireland Under 18 International. Previous clubs include Dagenham & Redbridge
and Maidstone United. Leo is the son of former Fulham footballer, Leo Donnellan Senior and brother of
Woking defender, Shaun Donnellan.
Jay Dowie: 27 year old tenacious, tough tackling centr al midfielder signed fr om Concor d Ranger s
in February 2017. Began his career with Histon. Previous clubs include Boston United.
Leon Okuboyejo: Young winger or for war d signed in J uly 2019 who came thr ough the Reading FC
youth system. Previous clubs include Boreham Wood.
Brett Donnelly: Exper ienced str iker who r etur ned in the summer of 2019 as player /coach fr om Big-
gleswade Town. The influential striker was an integral member of the 2015/16 and 2016/17 squads that
reached the Southern League Premier Division play-offs. Scored 52 goals in 198 appearances for the Ca-
naries.
Harry Draper: Exciting, power ful str iker signed on a season’s loan fr om Stevenage FC. The 18 year
old spent two months on work experience with the Canaries last season, scoring 4 goals in eleven appear-
ances. Has also spent time on loan at Stratford Town, Great Yarmouth Town and Biggleswade Town.
Devonte Simms: 17 year old for war d who joined the Canar ies in the summer of 2019 fr om Steven-
age, where he was a member of their Under 18 Squad.
James Verney: 20 year old str iker who joined the Canar ies in the summer of 2019 after impr essing
during pre-season. A product of the Luton Town Academy, James joined Hitchin on loan from the Hatters
in Sept 2016, making 5 appearances. Previous clubs include Barton Rovers and Tring Athletic, for whom
he scored 8 goals in 17 appearances last season.
24Jeffrey Haggerty Associates
------------------------------------------------
Consulting Building Engineers
Party Wall Surveyors
------------------------------------------------
PLANNING
BUILDING REGULATIONS
PARTY WALL NOTICES
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
REPAIR / MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
STRUCTURAL SURVEYS
SUBSIDENCE INVESTIGATORS
42 Daniells, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 1QX
Telephone: 01707 887618 Mobile: 07885 659798
Email: jeff.haggerty@ntlworld.com
Welwyn Garden City FC Fantasy Football
Team Name Manager Points
Coatesy Hotspurs David Coates 239
Alan Peyniril Yiyeni Mike Winter 216
The anarchists Paul Butters 214
Welwyn Spurs Steve Lovejoy 205
#Merky Eddie Corbit 192
Pique blinders Alex Harris 183
DJ Gooner HM Stroud 162
2in Pink1inStink Brodie Carrington 162
Best of British Dave Fallon 156
Vauxhall Insigne Ollie Carey 112
To join our league please go to Fantasy Premier
League.com and search for the Welwyn Garden
City League option. You will then be requested for
a code which is rsog3h
2526
Southern League Central Biggleswade FC 1 - 3 Welwyn Garden City 20/08/19
WELWYN GC took their second James Connell, cleared off the line. latched onto another Ironton free-
scalp of a newly promoted side in kick six minutes after the restart,
But three minutes later underlined
three days, as they stretched their before the dangerous Coles wrong-
their strong start, when Romelle
unbeaten start to the new Southern footed WGC’s Carl Mensah before
Alomenu – in the starting line-up
League Div 1 Central campaign to shooting over the bar, as Biggles-
after his fine second-half display
two wins from two games, at Big- wade gave a better account of
on Saturday - crossed high to the
gleswade in midweek. themselves in the second-half.
back post, where the raiding Jay
The victory sees Nick Ironton’s side Rolfe looped a header over Connell A fine curving pass from Da Silva
one of five sides to win both their into the opposite corner for 1-0. put Cleaver in for a good oppor-
opening games – Berkhamsted, tunity, but the striker allowed Big-
Three minutes on and the in-form
Halesowen, AFC Dunstable and gleswade defender Michael Fisher
Eusebio Da Silva laid on a shoot-
newcomers Daventry – being the to get to him and block out the dan-
ing chance for Alomenu, but the
others. ger.
wide player dragged it across goal.
Match Report by Cleaver stabbed a George Ironton
Both sides rang the changes –
WGC bringing on Jean-Paul Antwi,
corner just past a post on 18
Phil Ravitz minutes, but a minute later WGC
Aundre Spencer and Olly Carey –
with Dylan Ebengo, Will McClel-
doubled their advantage, Da Silva
If both clubs steer clear of an FA land and finally Cleaver making
taking a through ball, cleverly
Cup replay, then WGC will host way.
switching feet to slip a challenge
Berkhamsted on Bank Holiday Mon- Four minutes from the end, keeper
and crash in his second goal in as
day at Herns Lane, before travelling Sansom failed to collect a corner
many games.
to Halesowen the following Satur- and Coles fired in a consolation
day, in what looks to be a tough Moments later, he almost had a
amid the resulting scramble and the
week for the Citizens. second, heading a long free-kick
home skipper spurned another
over.
This game was the polar opposite to chance almost on the final whistle,
Saturday’s opening day win over But WGC’s pre-season top marks- from a free-kick.
Wantage, when WGC overpowered man wouldn’t be denied and just
Had that counted it would have giv-
last season’s Hellenic League cham- past the half-hour he notched his
en the game an unjust scoreline.
pions with a very strong second-half second and the side’s third, when
showing. an Ironton free-kick eluded the en- WGC dominated this clash for the
tire home defence and Da Silva had opening two-thirds, although man-
This time, Ironton’s men tore into ager Ironton will be less pleased
a simple task of tapping home.
their successors as Spartan South with the way his side closed it.
Midlands League champions – Big- Biggleswade didn’t have their first
gleswade FC – from the first whistle chance until five minutes from the WGC: Sansom, Rolfe, Ebengo
and had built up a 3-0 lead by the interval, when Lee Northfield’s (Antwi 63), McClelland (Spencer
first half-hour. dipping volley just cleared WGC 63), Mensah, Walklin, Close, Iron-
keeper Connor Sansom’s crossbar. ton, Cleaver (Carey 70), Da Silva,
It was after the interval that WGC Alomenu.
slackened off when comfortably in Sansom was called into action on
control and allowed the home side in the stroke of the break, making a Att: 86
for a late consolation, just before the fine body block to keep out a Tom
end. Coles effort, as the Beds side im-
proved in the half’s closing stages.
The Herns Lane side had a sixth mi-
nute effort, a clever back-header Da Silva struck a hat-trick chance
from Toby Cleaver past home keeper straight at keeper Connell, when he
27Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 1TA
Telephone: (01707) 329358
Club website: www.welwyngardencityfc.org.uk
South Midlands League Champions 1974/74, 2017/18
South Midlands League Runners-Up 1985/86
South Midlands League Division One Champions 1981/82
Spartan South Midlands League Division One Champions 2014/15
South Midlands League Challenge Trophy winners 2015/16
Dudley Latham Memorial Cup Runners-Up 2015/16, 2017/18
Division One Cup Winners 2014/15
Herts Charity Shield Winners 1927/28, 1968/87, 1987/88
Herts Charity Shield Finalists 1948/49, 1994/95, 1996/97, 2003/04, 2007/08, 2017/18
Herts Senior Centenary Trophy Winners 1984/85
Herts Senior Centenary Trophy Finalists 1988/89, 2003/04
Southern Combination Cup Finalists 1996/97
SSML Reserve Division One Runners Up 2005/06
SSML Reserve Division Two Runners-Up 2003/04
SSML Reserve Division Two East Runners-Up 2002/03
North & Mid-Herts Premier Division Winners 2009/10
SML Reserve Challenge Trophy Winners 1986/87
SSML Reserve Challenge Trophy Winners 2005/06
SSML Reserve Challenge Trophy Finalists 2006/07
SCYFL Olympian League Champions 2015/16
SCYFL Championship Play-Off winners 2015/16
Herts County U-18 Cup Winners 1981/82
North & Mid Herts League Winners (A-team) 2009/10
Record attendance of 825 v Luton Town in a Pre-season Friendly 2019
28Welwyn Garden City FC Officials
Welwyn Garden City Football Club is a
Members Club. All positions below are elect-
ed annually by members of the club at the
Annual General Meeting which is held in Au-
gust of each year as per club rules.
Chairman: Ray Fiveash
Secretary: Ron Oliver
Members: Ray Fiveash, Leigh Cor bit,
Ray Fiveash - Chairman Maureen Hay & Phil Ravitz. Ron Oliver - Club Secretary
Welwyn Garden City FC
FA League Rule 2.13
Ownership: In accor dance with The Foot-
ball Association Rule 2.13 Publication of
Ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6
clubs within the football pyramid, we hereby
confirm that the Legal Status of W elwyn
Leigh Corbit - Treasurer Garden City Football Club, takes the form of Maureen Hay - Memberships
an Unincorporated A ssociation. It has a con-
stitution which sets out the rules that govern its relationship and membership, and elects a Management Com-
mittee to run the organisation on behalf of its Private Members.
That committee is currently:
Chairman: Ray Fiveash,
Secretary: Ron Oliver
Members:
Leigh Corbit (Club Treasurer)
Maureen Hay (Membership Secretary)
Phil Ravitz (Football Secretary).
Phil Ravitz - Football Secretary Mike Isaacs - Fixture Secretary
Dave Fallon - Programme Editor Tracy Woolhouse - Hospitality Malcolm Kiely -Youth Secretary
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