Ascot vWembley 180921 v2

A S C O T U N I T E D F C 

#WeAreAscot 

shooting-stars.co.uk 

calum FERGUSON 

ASCOT UNITED vs. WEMBLEY 

Sat 18 Sep 2021 

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North 

Matchday 

Programme 

Season 

2021/22

twitter.com/AscotUnitedFC 

www.ascotunited.net 

T H E Y E L L A M E N 

Yellow and Blue 

Sam Gray (GK) 

Alex Sykes (GK) 

Calum Ferguson 

Chris Ellis 

Dan Bailey 

Dan Price 

Danny Walden 

Duarte Surpanu 

George Lock 

Harry Laflin 

Ian Davies 

Jonny Denton 

Josh Masters 

Josh Tarrant 

Keaton August 

Louis Bouwers 

Oliver Graham 

Rory Merrick 

Sam Evans 

Sean McCormack 

Taylor Morgan 

Tom Scott 

T H E L I O N S 

Red 

Raheem Belgrave 

Calvin Osborne 

Juachin Ejimfor 

Ethan Tyrer 

Jauarn Bernard 

Rowan Larrington 

Alfie Bates 

Samuel Adetiba 

Qasim Khan 

Yassine Fehmi-Gil 

Jonathan Iley 

Ned Jones 

Mahad Osman 

Adam Hamdi 

Zaied Sabti 

Carlos Ribeiro 

Jamie Tompkins 

Dan Masters 

Jamie Ashdown 

Bjorn Dunkley 

Steve Quelch 

Chad Smith 

James 

Bird 

Manager 

Asst. Manager 

GK Coach 

Coach 

Coach 

Therapist 

Match Officials 

Anjam 

Mirza 

Ian Bates 

Peter Waller 

Keih Camucho 

TBC 

Last Match: 

Hengrove Athletic 

A 

Sat 11 Sep 

2-0 

FAV 1Q 

Next Match: Windsor H Tue 21 Sep 

BBT

ASCOT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB 

Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, SL5 7LJ 

Chairman: Simon Negus 

Club Secretary: Dan Birchmore 

Director of Football: Neil Richards 

1st Team Manager: Jamie Tompkins 

Assistant manager: Dan Masters 

Coaches: Bjorn Dunkley, Steve Quelch 

Goalkeeping Coach: Jamie Ashdown 

Allied U18 Manager: Josh Nice 

Therapist: Chad Smith 

Sports Psychology: Izzy Woods 

Racecourse Facilities Manager: Jo Gavin 

Administration Manager: Emma Paton 

Clubhouse Catering: Lisa Richards 

Reporting, Comms and Programme: Neal Jeffs 

Directors: 

Doug Page 

Mark Cooper 

Rob Jones 

Mike Harrison 

Phil Wray 

Zoe Reilly 

Chris Day 

Ascot United Football Club Limited. Registered in 

England and Wales. Registration No. 6883550 

Registered Office: Ternion Court, 264-268 Upper Fourth 

Street, Central Milton Keynes MK9 1DP. 

Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks F.A. No. Q-B&B0165 

IN THE CHAIR 

with Simon Negus 

A warm welcome to Wembley for today's 

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties 

League Premier Division North fixture. 

Welcome to The Racecourse ground for todays 

Combined Counties League game and a special 

welcome to our neighbours from Wembley. 

After a couple of weeks where the focus has 

been on Cup competitions, it’s good to get back 

to league action. Wembley appear to be a team 

in good form and so it should be a great game 

today. 

Playing Wembley also brings back happy 

memories from ten years ago when we hosted 

them in an FA Cup that saw our record ever 

crowd of well over 1000 spectators… I don’t 

expect the same numbers today, but generally 

our home crowds this season have been really 

encouraging. We even had over 200 here on 

Tuesday night to witness our U18 Allied 

Counties squad progress in the FA Youth Cup – 

several of that squad have seen regular first 

team action this season already so the future 

looks bright. 

Last weekend saw the majority of our junior 

teams start their seasons, and it was great to 

see the Racecourse site packed with young 

players… I stood in to referee games for two of 

our U7’s teams, their very first proper football 

matches, and the enjoyment they got (despite 

the dodgy ref) was clear for everyone watching. 

That’s what a grassroots community club is all 

about. 

Hope you all enjoy the game today… 

Simon.

FROM THE DUGOUT 

Welcome to the players, officials 

and supporters of Wembley. Enjoy 

the game! 

Jamie Tompkins 

First Team Manager 

Hello and welcome to Wembley FC players, staff and club committee and to all 

supporters in attendance for this afternoons league fixture. 

We are pleased to return to the Racecourse Ground having played 3 games away. 

We exited the FA Cup against a tough Hythe Town team in the league above but 

progressed in the FA Vase beating Hengrove Athletic 2-0. 

Opportunities have arisen for our talented U18 players, Ollie Graham and Danny 

Walden have been fantastic, and Alex Hall makes the first team squad for the first 

time off the back of a hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup. 

We appreciate everyone’s continued support this season and I’m sure today will 

be an interesting one, Wembley have won 5 in a row and are scoring plenty of 

goals. 

Thank you to our sponsors, club officials and volunteers for all the fantastic work 

and ongoing support towards our football club. 

Enjoy the game! Jamie 

ASCOT UNITED FC MANAGEMENT TEAM: PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: 

Dan Masters 

Assistant Manager 

Jamie Ashdown 

Goalkeeping Coach 

Bjorn Dunkley 

Coach 

Steve Quelch 

Coach 

Stuart Britton 

Strength/Condition

W E L C O M E T O T H E L I O N S 

W E L C O M E T O T H E L I O N S 

ON COURSE! 

With Programme Editor Neal Jeffs 

Welcome to the players, officials and 

supporters of Wembley for this Cherry Red 

Records Combined Counties League 

Premier Division North match. 

Happy 

reading, and 

enjoy the 

game! Neal 

Afternoon all and welcome to The Racecourse after three weeks away! Looking at the 

league table the game should be pretty close with Wembley having won four and 

drawn three matches from their seven games played. There has been a lot going on 

with our other teams recently. Firstly, the Ladies team were impressive in winning 

their first home league game of the season last Sunday – 2-0 against Woodley United 

– and that was without talented striker Sarah Leonard. More recently, the youth team 

breezed past Cove in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday as striker Alex Hall bagged a 

superb hat-trick. Away from The Racecourse I have been watching scores from 

across the nation – some of them crazy scorelines! In the Welsh Cup two weeks ago 

you might have heard Bala Town hammered third-tier Brymbo 17-1. Even more 

incredibly is that the Brymbo equalised at 1-1 and then conceded 16 goals in 74 

minutes – a goal aver 4 ½ minutes!!! Even more staggering was Hinckley FC’s FA Vase 

win at St Martin’s last weekend when they recorded a club record 18-0 triumph! 

REST IN PEACE GORDY. Brackley Town 

Saints and non-league football 

mourns the loss of Gordon Kille to 

MND. He was a true gentleman and 

had a positive outlook since his 

diagnosis. 

Looking ahead, we host Windsor on Tuesday in the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy 

and are back on the road next weekend with a return to Tadley Calleva for our FA Vase 

2nd qualifying round match. We already beat Tadley in the league earlier this season 

so they will be wanting to get equal with us, but hopefully we have a good following 

over there to get us over the line. Finally, some sad news came through that Gordon 

Kille, former manager of Brackley Town Saints, died last week after a courageous 

battle with Motor Neurone Disease. “Gordy” was a super guy who was well respected 

in the non-league scene and after his diagnosis a few years back got on with life as 

much as possible “making happy memories” as was stated on his twitter page. RIP 

Sir. Finally, back to today, bets wishes to both teams and we’ll look forward to our trip 

to Wembley later this season (maybe twice…!!!). Enjoy the game! Neal

DID YOU KNOW….? 

QUIZ TIME! 

DAN'S DOODLES 

I thought we’d introduce a new column to our 

programme this season. A short feature on 

footballing events / facts through history and a 

little quiz to get the grey matter functioning! 

Now that's a hat-trick…in more ways than one 

(West Ham v Newcastle 1986) 

Many players dream of scoring a hat-trick for their side (3 goals in the same 

match), but few can lay claim to what West Ham and England defender Alvin 

Martin has achieved during his career. In West Ham’s 8-1 thriller against 

Newcastle United back in April 1986, Martin scored an incredible three goals 

against three different opposition goalkeepers in the same match. 

The defender scored his first goal against goalkeeper Martin Thomas, who 

was then replaced by Chris Hedworth due to injury. Martin then scored 

against the substitute keeper, who was then replaced by Peter Beardsley 

toward the end of the match, when he scored his third to complete his 

unusual but remarkable feat. 

1. Which Swedish footballer once had a clause inserted into his Premier 

League contract that prohibited him from travelling into space? 

2. Which Ballon d'Or-winning footballer had a galaxy named after them in 

2015? 

3. Can you name the former Germany international who went on to become a 

professional wrestler in the WWE? 

4. Which former England internationals reached number 12 in the UK Singles 

Chart with the 1987 song 'Diamond Lights'? 

5. The England Euro '96 song 'Three Lions' was a hit by which comedy double 

act? 

6. Which former Tottenham manager has competed in the Dakar Rally? 

7. What was the name of the hotel Jose Mourinho lived in when he managed 

Manchester United? 

8. Which Spanish club's nickname is Los Colchoneros, which translates to 

English as 'The Mattress Makers'? 

9. English rock star Elton John was twice the owner of which football club? 

10. Rangers tried to sign which superstar after Alex McLeish was alerted to 

his ability through the popular video game Football Manager? ***Answers on 

next page!***

RESULTS AND FIXTURES 21/22 

Date Opposition 

H/A Comp Result Att 

06-Aug Holyport 

H FAC XP 3-0 450 

14-Aug Southall 

A COCO 0-5 50 

17-Aug Tadley Calleva 

A COCO 5-1 n/k 

21-Aug Risborough Rangers A FAC P 1-1 175 

24-Aug Risborough Rangers H FAC P R 3-2 277 

28-Aug Reading City 

H COCO 2-2 

31-Aug Wokingham/Emmbrook A COCO 2-1 

04-Sep Hythe Town 

A FAC 1Q 0-1 278 

11-Sep Hengrove Athletic 

A FAV 1Q 2-0 

18-Sep Wembley 

H COCO 

21-Sep Windsor 

H BBT 

25-Sep Tadley Calleva 

A FAV 2Q 

28-Sep Burnham 

H COCO 

02-Oct Edgware Town 

A COCO 

09-Oct North Greenford United H COCO 

16-Oct Windsor 

A COCO 

06-Nov Spelthorne Sports 

H COCO 

13-Nov Hanworth Villa 

A COCO 

20-Nov St Panteleimon 

H COCO 

27-Nov CB Hounslow 

A COCO 

04-Dec Southall 

H COCO 

11-Dec Virginia Water 

A COCO 

18-Dec Reading City 

A COCO 

27-Dec Wokingham/Emmbrook H COCO 

08-Jan Windsor 

H COCO 

15-Jan Wembley 

A COCO 

22-Jan Edgware Town 

H COCO 

29-Jan Spelthorne Sports 

A COCO 

05-Feb St Panteleimon 

A COCO 

12-Feb Holyport 

H COCO 

19-Feb Abbey Rangers 

A COCO 

26-Feb Burnham 

A COCO 

05-Mar Virginia Water 

H COCO 

12-Mar Holyport 

A COCO 

19-Mar CB Hounslow 

H COCO 

26-Mar Tadley Calleva 

H COCO 

02-Apr North Greenford United A COCO 

05-Apr Hanworth Villa 

H COCO 

18-Apr Abbey Rangers 

H COCO 

23-Apr Egham Town 

H COCO 

Scorers 

Laflin, Lock, Surpanu 

Laflin 2, Lock, Morgan, Denton 

Laflin 

Scott, Lock, Evans 

Laflin 2 

Laflin 2 

August, Laflin 

TBC Egham Town 

A COCO 

QUIZ ANSWERS--> 

COCO - Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North, FAV - Buildbase FA Vase, FAC - The 

Emirates FA Cup, BBT - Berks&Bucks Trophy, LC - Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup

SPONSORSHIP 

Sponsor a Yellaman! Contact Neil Richards at neil.richards@ascotunited.co.uk.

TODAY'S FIXTURES AND RECENT RESULTS 

Midweek results: 

Weekend fixtures: 

Looking ahead:

LEAGUE TABLES 

Premier North: 

Premier South::

APPEARANCES AND GOALS 

Below are the updated Ascot United appearance and scorers' records for 

this season's squad. 

2021-22 All-time 

App Goals App Goals 

R Andrady 2 0 20 

K August 9 1 9 1 

D Bailey 8 0 37 4 

L Bouwers 0 0 146 11 

I Davies 8 0 67 35 

J Denton 9 1 185 20 

C Ellis 8 0 65 1 

S Evans 3 1 20 1 

C Ferguson 4 0 24 1 

S Gray 9 0 95 

H Laflin 9 9 118 61 

G Lock 9 3 133 8 

J Masters 7 0 15 

R Merrick 7 0 27 

S McCormack 1 0 1 

T Morgan 4 1 20 4 

D Price 2 0 46 10 

T Scott 7 1 7 1 

D Surpanu 9 1 16 3 

A Sykes 0 0 1 

J Tarrant 1 0 1 

D Walden 3 0 3 

122 18 1059 161 

Need a room for your 

function? The Clubhouse 

is a perfect choice for 

hosting work or leisure 

events, please email 

events@ascotunited.net 

to explore availability and 

pricing.

PROUD SPONSORS OF CHRIS ELLIS

MATCH REPORT ROUNDUP 

ASCOT KICK OFF VASE CAMPAIGN WITH HENGROVE WIN 

Yellamen ease into next round with 2-0 win in South Bristol 

Saturday 11th September 2021 - Buildbase FA Vase 1Qr - Hengrove Athletic 0 - 2 

Ascot United 

Ascot United overcame Toolstation Western League Division One outfit Hengrove Athletic on Saturday 

afternoon to book a Buildbase FA Vase second qualifying round tie at Tadley Calleva in two weeks’ 

time. After dominating, the visitors finally broke the deadlock through Keaton August’s strike in first 

half injury time, before Harry Laflin kept up his fine scoring form with a second-half header. 

It was pretty much one-way traffic in the first half against a side struggling near the foot of their 

league – one step lower than Ascot - so it was to their credit they almost held out for 45 minutes. 

Josh Masters saw an early shot well-saved, Ian Davies then struck a post and Laflin’s effort was 

cleared off the line, but it was Masters who turned provided in first half stoppage time when his 

excellent cross was converted by August at the far post (video screen grab, below - click image for 

link). 

Red-hot-striker Laflin nodded Ascot into a 2-0 lead from Sean McCormack’s assist six minutes after 

the restart and despite plenty of further chances and a numerical advantage when Pete Shepherd and 

Jackson Brown were sin-binned for the hosts late-on, there would be no further goals. 

The victory was also a fine end to Director of Football Neil Richards’ week having cycled to Bristol from 

Weybridge via Oxford in aid of Cancer Research. Neil’s fundraising page can be found at 

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/neils-cycle-300-giving-page-6. 

Ascot United: Gray, Lock, Masters, Ferguson (Scott), Bailey, Ellis, McCormack, Denton, Davies, Laflin 

(Graham), August (Surpanu). Sub unused: Sykes

PHOTOZONE 

A selection of photos from the FA Cup defeat at Hythe Town on 4th September (shootingstars.co.uk), 

including a Crimewatch Identity Parade!

ASCOT UNITED LADIES 

Ascot United Ladies play in the Southern Region Women's’ Football League – the highest level at 

which they have competed. The Ladies’ section starts down at the junior level with a host of teams – 

beginning with mixed teams at U7 - rising through girls’ sides from U10 up to a senior Development 

(reserve) side playing in the Thames Valley League. The junior sides operate on Saturdays or 

Sundays, with the Seniors (First and Development) playing on Sunday afternoon. The first team are 

managed by Darrel Evans and coached by Alix Todd. The reserve team is managed by Jon Swallow. 

Find out more on our website. Sponsorship packages now available - ask a member of the committee! 

Ascot United Ladies scored a goal in each half on Sunday afternoon as they 

comfortably eased past local rivals Woodley United 2-0 in the Southern Region 

Women’s Football League. The Yellawomen took the lead early in the first half 

when Georgia Luckhurst-McCord headed home Sarah Davern’s corner from 

close range. However, despite creating a number of other chances, they could 

not add to their lead before half time. 

The play was easy on the eye for long spells – a testament to the new coaching 

regime – driving a noticeable step-change in the Ladies’ passing and movement. 

In the second half it was a similar story and after Amy Woollard had struck the 

crossbar with a fine cross-shot that she had engineered for herself, she would 

ultimately turn provider with a fine through ball for half-time substitute Georgia 

Bowers to slot in at the near left-hand post. In between those chances, the 

excellent Isobel Woods’ brilliant left-wing cross should have been converted 

and Woollard herself might have scored when clean through – only to take a 

heavy touch and allow the ‘keeper to claim – but it was a job well done for Darrel 

Evans’ side. 

Ascot 

United 

Woodley 

United 

SRWFL 

Ascot 

United 

Reserves 

Guildford 

Saints 

TVL 3E 

2 

0 

6 

1

St Kitts Veterinary Group proudly sponsor Ascot United Ladies 

striker Sarah Leonard. The Group have practices in 

Basingstoke, Yateley, Church Crookham and Hartley Wintney. 

Visit stkittsvet.co.uk

Ian is a Biomechanics coach, supporting players returning from injury and 

improving strength and conditioning.

PEN PICS AND SPONSORS - ASCOT UNITED 

Sam Gray – goalkeeper 

Solid goalkeeper, confident with the ball at 

his feet. Established first teamer since 18/19 

and was players’ player of the year in 19/20 

when he appeared in every league game. 

Sponsor: 

Josh Masters - defence 

Established left-back having broken into the 

team in 20/21 following a move from local 

rivals Holyport. Sponsor: 

Alex Sykes – goalkeeper 

Goalkeeping coach and reliable backup. Has 

International experience having played for 

the England Futsal team. Sponsor: 

Dan Bailey – defence 

Experienced centre back who skippered 

Flackwell Heath in 19/20. Previously played 

at a higher level with Marlow and has a level 

2 coaching qualification. Sponsor: 

Louis Bouwers – defence 

A physical and dominant centre half who 

signed from Faringdon Town in 16/17 and now 

well-established as club captain. Made 146 

appearances heading into 21/22 but must 

wait to add to that tally whilst he recovers 

from injury. Sponsor: 

George Lock – defence 

A fearless right back previously with Binfield 

and Bracknell. Technically strong and a 

consistently high performer. Supporters POY 

in 18/19 and has now featured in well over 

100 games pushing him into the top 15 on the 

all-time appearance list. Sponsor: 

Chris Ellis – defence 

Signed in 18/19, a strong and dominant 

defender. Vastly experienced having played 

for Camberley Town, Egham Town and 

Chipstead. Looking to re-establish himself in 

21/22 following a year out with serious 

injury. Sponsor: Novem nine 

Danny Walden - defence 

Ascot United Allied U18 captain who is 

expected to feature for the senior side 

during 21/22. Sponsor: Cox Green Academy 

Jonny Denton – midfield 

Former Ascot Youth team star who returned 

in 17/18 after a scholarship in the U.S. A dead 

ball specialist, he has now twice won the 

player of the year award. 'JD' starts the 21/22 

season having made 176 appearances. 

Sponsor: 

Tom Scott - midfield 

Signed for 21/22 having had spells with 

Harrow Borough and Beaconsfield. A 

tenacious ball winner with great 

communication. Sponsor: 

Calum Ferguson – midfield 

Signed in 19/20 having previously starred for 

a National League youth side. Also had a spell 

with Highworth Town. Sponsor: 

Sam Evans – midfield 

Played for the U16s and U18s in 19/20 before 

making his first team debut in the same 

season. Sam has been with the club since 

his debut for the U8s and is now an 

established part of the senior side with 

maturity belying his age. Sponsor:

PEN PICS AND SPONSORS - ASCOT UNITED 

Dan Price - midfield 

Popular attacking midfielder who returns to 

Ascot for 21/22 having been out for two years 

with a serious knee injury. Previously 

appeared 44 times in 18/19 when he scored 

10 goals. Sponsor: 

Sean McCormack - forward 

Skilful forward signed from Walton and 

Hersham for 21/22 having also played for 

Maidenhead United and Bracknell Town. 

Sponsor: 

Taylor Morgan - forward 

Pacey forward who impressed whilst playing 

against us for Fleet Town during pre-season 

20/21. Has played at a higher level including 

several seasons in the US Major League. 

Previous clubs include Toronto, Ostersunds 

(Sweden), Falkirk, Airdrie and Whitehawk. 

Sponsor: 

Rory Merrick – forward 

Signed for 19/20 and continues to improve. 

Looking to re-establish himself after injury in 

an already-disjointed previous campaign. 

Calm and composed figure on the pitch and 

has great technical ability. Sponsor: 

Keaton August - forward 

Signed from Windsor FC for 21/22. Can play 

anywhere across the front three and has an 

abundance of pace. Has a keen eye for goal 

backed up by providing plenty of assists. A 

personal trainer, he works hard and is 

physically strong. Sponsor: 

Ian Davies – forward 

Prolific goalscorer who scored 25 goals for 

Binfield in 18/19 before top scoring for Ascot 

with 23 goals in the curtailed 19/20 

campaign. Netted another 12 from 24 games 

in 20/21. Sponsor: Zipcar UK 

Harry Laflin – forward 

Laffers joined in 18/19 and has become a goalmachine 

despite often playing out of 

position. Enters the season having scored 52 

goals in 109 appearances with an improving 

goals-per-game ratio. Has previously won 

supporters’ player of the season award. 

Sponsor: 

Oliver Graham 

Duarte Surpanu - forward 

Skilful winger wit lighting quick feet, signed 

midway through in the 20/21 season and has 

the potential to cause problems for any 

defence. Sponsor: Maidenhead United 

Josh Tarrant 

Jamie Tompkins – manager 

Highly respected throughout the club who 

guided the team to league cup glory in 18/19 

before taking the team to top of the league 

before the 19/20 campaign was curtailed. 

Football Development manager at Brentford 

FC. Sponsor: 

Dan Masters – asst. manager 

Dan is in his fourth season with Ascot Utd and 

is a crucial part of the coaching staff. 

Sponsor: 

Jamie Ashdown - goalkeeping coach 

Needs little introduction, former professional 

Jamie began his career with Reading before 

making over 100 appearances for Portsmouth 

between 2004-2012. A huge asset to the club 

where he coaches at all levels. Sponsor: 

Chad Smith - Therapist 

Sponsor:

CLUB HISTORY - ASCOT UNITED 

Ascot United as we know it, was founded in 1965 by a men’s team who played their games at Sunninghill with “after 

match meetings” in The Wells in Cheapside village (now Mikado’s). Teams played as long ago as 1928 under the name 

Ascot United but nothing to link them directly to the current club. In 1965, the club had gained permission from the Ascot 

Racecourse Trustees to convert the land east of coach park 10 into a football pitch. A wooden clubhouse was built and 

this team went on to win many prestigious trophies in the years that followed. 

Various youth teams represented Ascot United over the years up to 1988, and 1992 the East Berks 7-a-side Association 

was formed by our then Chairman Keith Wicks introducing small-sided junior games and having disbanded in 1980 the 

men’s team also reformed. The club continued to grow, entering into partnership with Charters School and being 

awarded FA Charter Standard status in 2004. The men’s senior team enjoyed early success through the East Berks 

League gaining continued promotions to the Senior division and winning various Cups including the Fielden Charity Cup 

in 1996/7. 2001 saw the 1st team join the Reading Senior League and winning the Evening Post Senior Cup at the 

Madejski Stadium in 2006. Promotion to the Hellenic League soon followed in 2007, followed by promotion to the 

Hellenic Premier Division in 2009. The club today has grown to become one of the largest Community football clubs in 

the UK with over 1000 registered players and over 70 teams playing every weekend embracing all ages and abilities 

from 5 year olds through to Vets. A new clubhouse opened in September 2010, together with an improved main pitch, 

floodlights and a stand. 

The club has enjoyed much success at all levels particularly in the Ladies and Girls Section where they are regularly 

winners of leagues and county Cups. Our senior Ladies won promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern Region 

Women’s’ Football League in 2017-18 and consolidated their position with a mid-table finish in 2018-19. Meanwhile, 2018- 

19 was an outstanding one for our junior Boys’ teams who won an array of county cups at various age groups, a feat 

we’ve rarely previously achieved. 

The past decade has been hugely successful for our first team; our debut in the FA Cup in 2011 attracted 1,149 people to 

the Racecourse on a Friday evening where the famous trophy itself was on display and the match was streamed live on 

Facebook. Between 2012-13 and 2015-16 we reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase twice, enjoyed two top-three 

finishes in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division, and won both the Bluefin Sport Challenge Cup and Perpetua 

Press Floodlit Cup. More recently, our players’ development took the spotlight, as a host of Yellamen have enjoyed 

success with other local sides and many of our talented development players stepped up into the first team. After 

finishing 2017-18 in style, in 2018-19 new manager Jamie Tompkins led his side to the top of the table for long spells, 

winning two team-of-the-month awards, and finishing with league cup glory once again by defeating Windsor 3-1. 

We were transferred into the Combined Counties League for the 2019-20 season, playing on our new 3G pitch facility, 

which transformed the club by facilitating more of our teams’ matches and training at The Racecourse. The stronger 

platform facilitated further player development, and Jamie’s young side would lead the table for long periods before 

establishing what looked like a title-winning margin at the top shortly before the league was aborted due to 

Coronavirus. Retaining much of the same squad for 2020-21, Jamie saw his side in and around the challengers before 

another pandemic-curtailed season, although they battled through to the league cup final where they were ultimately 

beaten on penalties by Redhill. 

As Ascot enjoy a third season in the Combined Counties League, everyone hopes for a safe and consistent campaign, 

and if silverware comes with it then that will surely be a bonus in current times!

CLUB HISTORY - WEMBLEY 

WEMBLEY FOOTBALL CLUB was formed in 1946 following an 

amalgamation of various junior clubs, predominantly Sudbury 

Ratepayers Association and Sudbury Rangers. Nicknamed the 

'Lions', (the symbol of the British Empire Exhibition held at 

Wembley in 1924/25, the emblem was also used by the local 

speedway and ice-hockey teams), they found a home at Vale Farm 

and have remained there ever since, developing a roped-off pitch 

into a respectable non-League football ground. 

continued on next 

page 

Entry was immediately made into the Middlesex League. After finishing a creditable fourth in their first season they 

went on to win the championship in 1947/48. A further season was spent in this league before the Club progressed 

into the Spartan League in 1949/50. Here they stayed for two years, clinching the Western Division title in 1950/51 

as a result of which they became founder members of the Delphian League. 

In season 1955/56 they reached the finals of both the London Senior Cup and Middlesex Senior Cup and also 

finished runners-up in the Delphian League. In recognition of these achievements they were invited to join the 

Corinthian League and subsequently vastly improved the facilities at Vale Farm. 

Following a quiet period the Club moved into the Athenian League (1963/64) which had absorbed both the 

Corinthian and Delphian Leagues to create three divisions. Wembley were placed in the middle section. Malcolm 

Allison (1962-1963) and Allen Batsford (1964 -1965) were both employed as coaches by the Lions during this period, 

although their respective spells were brief. Both gentlemen went on to have distinguished careers elsewhere and 

who knows where the Club might be today had either one of them remained at Vale Farm. 

Wembley did manage to gain promotion to the Premier Division in 1967/68. To anticipate further progress 

floodlights were installed, a new clubhouse and dressing-room complex were built and eventually admission to 

the expanding Isthmian League was granted in 1975. Finished runners-up in their final season justified Wembley's 

elevation. 

Wembley began their first season in the Isthmian League (1975/76) in the second division (now the first division). 

The closest they came to promotion to the Premier Division was in 1985/86. After completing their fixtures, 

Wembley headed the table, but missed out on going up by two points when both St.Alban's City and Bromley won 

their respective games in hand. Only two teams went up in those days. Despite failing to achieve promotion, 

Wembley obtained some minor compensation by recording various cup successes during this period. In 1980/81 

they reached the First Round Proper of the F.A. Cup for the one and only time, losing 0-3 to Enfield at Southbury Road. 

The Middlesex Charity Cup was won outright for the first time in 1982/83, while the Middlesex Senior Cup was also 

clinched for the first time a season later with a dramatic 5-1 success over Hendon . In 1986/87 Wembley won the 

coveted Middlesex Cup double with final wins over Hayes in the Senior Cup and Feltham in the Charity Cup, a feat 

nearly repeated during the following season.

CLUB HISTORY - WEMBLEY 

Both finals were lost although the disappointment was tempered by beating Brentford at Griffin Park in the 

semi-final of the Middlesex Charity Cup, and having the final played at Wembley Stadium. 

Several unprofitable years have followed and a fire at Vale Farm during the summer of 1992 almost ended 

Wembley's existence. Fortunately, thanks to some splendid off-the-field work, new facilities were quickly 

erected and the Club survived. 

Wembley last won some silverware in 1994/95 with a 2-0 victory over Hampton in the final of the Middlesex 

Charity Cup. The Lions also went on to reach the second round proper of the F.A. Trophy in 1995/96 (their 

best run in the old F.A. Amateur Cup was also ended at the second round proper stage 1966/67 and 

1968/69). However, their lengthy first division status was ended at the finish of that season when they 

suffered relegation into division two (now in Step Five). 

By claiming third place, a quick return to the first division was achieved a season later, but their division 

one tenure lasted just two seasons and they relegated again at the end of 1998/99. As a result of the 

restructuring of the Isthmian League's constitution, Wembley regained a berth in the first division (north) 

for the 2002/03 season. But they were unable to maintain their place and were demoted into the second 

division at the end of that campaign. 

Wembley were forced to leave the Isthmian League set-up at the end of the 2005/06 season following the 

disbanding of the second division. They joined the Combined Counties League. A sterling effort was made 

to win promotion during their first season (2006/07)), but they ran out of steam to end the term in third 

place. 

Apart from that, they failed to make a real impact, although they did reach the final of the Combined 

Counties League Cup in 2010/11, but lost to Sandhurst Town, 0-1, at Farnborough. However, after their 

participation in the following season's F.A. Cup, (their Extra-Preliminary Round tie with Ascot United was 

covered live on Facebook) the competition sponsors, Budweiser, offered the Lions a much-publicised deal 

which they could not refuse. This included the signing of several retired professionals to help the Lions 

progress as far as possible in the 2012/13 F.A. Cup under the guidance of Terry Venables. Unfortunately, 

Wembley only played three games in the competition before bowing out. 

After eight years, Wembley's membership of the Combined Counties League was ended by a lateral move 

across Step Five of the non-League pyramid into the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, 

joining in 2014/15. Here they stayed for seven seasons. Their highest placing was fourth in 2016/17, and the 

closest they came to winning a trophy was also in the same season, when they were runners-up in the 

Premier Division Cup, beaten nil-one by Hoddesdon Town in the final at Oxhey Jets. 

Following two curtailed seasons in the S.S.M.L due to Covid 19, and further alterations to the non League 

structure, Wembley were moved back into the Combined Counties League (2021/22), and celebrate their 

75th anniversary in the newly formed Premier Division North.

Ascot vWembley 180921 v2

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