Telford Juniors

The Citizens
West Midlands (Regional) League
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
Vs
Telford Juniors F.C.
Saturday 27th January 2018 Programme £1.00
Price £2.00

The Citizens Club Directory
Chairman:
Vice Chairman
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Neil Chambers
Tel: 07976 752698
Garry Hale
Tel: 07791139288
Gil Preece
Tel: 07593281513
Bob Jones
Club Directors Neil Chambers Keith Chambers
Rose Burley Bob Jones
General Commiee
Neil Chambers Garry Hale
Gil Preece Bob Jones
Anton Allen Dave Steventon
Rose Burley George Hancox
Keith Chambers Craig Wilkinson
Team Manager
Andy Parkes
Assistant Manager Andy Thomas
Coaches Shaun Bolton Stephen Coyne
Physio
Club Photographer Jayne Cartwright Coven Photography
Ground Address
The Paycare Ground
Bentley Leisure Pavilion
Bentley Road North
Bentley
WALSALL
WS2 0EA
Telephone 01922 616165
Email general@darlastontown1874fc.com
Website www.darlastontown1874fc.com
Programme printed by Tom Giles & Co, OLDBURY. Prog. No 16
2

The Chairman's Notes
Today we extend a warm Paycare Ground welcome to last
season’s Division Two Champions Telford Juniors. Our visitors
currently lie in thirteenth spot and we know from our very tough
away fixture against them in December that another difficult game
is also in prospect today. Our visitors have already shown their
quality and me;le this season with some excellent results against
teams in the top six including draws against Worcester Raiders &
Newport Town and a fine win against Gornal Athle=c. Win, lose or
draw their players and officials will be made welcome to join us in
the club house for our award winning hospitality.
I want to use the rest of this ar=cle to concentrate on one issue. Our game against
Bromyard last Saturday. In par=cular the fact that the game took place at all. There were
only four games played in the en=re League, the other three were all in Shropshire which
suffered far less snow than here in Walsall. Indeed, in Walsall and the surrounding towns
only Rushall Olympic and ourselves managed to get their pitch playable.
A lot has already been said about the tremendous work of our volunteer ground staff last
Saturday morning when Gil, Dave Steventon, George Hancocks, Mark James and Anton all
worked in horrendous weather condi=ons geCng soaked to the bone over 3 hours forking
the pitch, clearing the snow and sanding the worst areas. However in reality the pitch was
only playable because of the work done on the pitch immediately aDer the Bustleholme
game the previous Saturday. The pitch was already sodden before the Bustleholme game
and following the match there was plenty of surface damage. However before the players
had even finished their showers the ground staff were out on the pitch replacing divots and
rolling the pitch with the heavy roller. This proved invaluable because the weather and rain
during the rest of the week meant that it was virtually impossible to spend any more =me
geCng the pitch prepared.
Obviously cold freezing winds, snow, rain, sleet and hail cannot stop or even make a dent
on the endurance and amazing quali=es of our super hero Gil Preece and his side kick Dave
Steventon . Throughout the week they con=nued to spend as much =me as the weather
would allow working on the pitch.
So, whilst the team worked their socks off last Saturday if the manager and his team will
allow me I would like to think the 3 points last week were as much to do with the efforts of
Gil and the ground staff as it was with the efforts of the team.
So Gil Preece, Dave Steventon, George Hancocks, Mark James and Anton Allen I and the
team salute you all.
3

4

View from the Dugout
Firstly, I would like to welcome everyone to The
Paycare Ground, especially our visitors for the
day Telford Juniors.
After the shock of the couple of hours snow fall
before last week’s game against Bromyard Town
the game was certainly in doubt. The pitch was
wet before the snow started, but with the snow
the game was in serious doubt of being
postponed. But the work of Gil Preece and his
team Dave Steventon, George Hancocks ably
assisted on the day by Mark James and Anton completed to ensure the
game was played was nothing other than miraculous, and on behalf of the
Management, Coaches and Players I would like to thank them officially for
all their outstanding efforts. Also, I must thank the 97 spectators that
braved the elements to come and watch, what turned out to be great
game of football, played in the right spirt and in the most testing of
conditions.
Before the match started, we spoke to the squad about how important
starting well was and it was key to adapt to the conditions as early as
possible. We hoped this would play a massive part not only in the game,
but also the outcome of the match.
Given how wet the pitch was we knew it would cut up and could affect us
moving the ball around. The lads obviously listened because we got off to
the best possible start scoring in the first minute of the match after some
great work by Tyrone on the left-hand side, before Sammy finished well
coming in off the right wing.
Bromyard responded well, we had already singled out Liam Hodges
(number 9) who was a and the pacey left winger Dalmacio Francisco. The
front two had good movement early doors and got back in the game not
too long after making it 1-1. Bromyard’s results of late are showing they
are a quickly improving side, we knew they would keep working for the
whole game making things as difficult as they could for us.
We responded well after going behind, we started to move the ball
5

quicker, I thought we were starting to look threatening in the wide areas
once again. Leon Taylor’s goal after 20 minutes just shows that you never
give up and take the easy option. Leon chased a ball he had no right to
win, but because of his desire he scored his 5th of the season. Players at
this level will always make mistakes, this time we were able to take
advantage of it, which has not always been the case.
Even though we went in at half-time level at 2-2, I felt we had more of the
ball in the first half, I was really pleased with the way we kept possession
in periods, especially across the back line. It’s easy being brave in the last
third of the pitch and taking risks but to be composed and brave in the
defensive third in those conditions, was brave and pleasing to see. Doing
as you’re asked is one thing but believing in it is another.
I felt we weren’t playing through the thirds and penetrating in behind
Bromyard’s defence. Bromyard came out full of confidence and got
themselves back in front with another goal on the 48th minute. The
Management team, had discussed plenty of options at half time about
how we were going to approach the second half, one of those was to play
more direct, that was why I made the change as early as I did.
Scott Broadway is nearly fully fit after his illness and desperate to play
and score, so we made the change. We sent Scott on with instructions to
change things Captain Ryan McAllister drilled these out to the team and
just two minutes later we were back on level terms Tyrone Clarke getting
the equalizer. We were playing more direct and in behind something we
highlighted at half time Bromyard were brave and played with a high line
this was something we had to exploit with the front three now up top.
We were causing problems for Bromyard with the movement of the front
three, and with four minutes left Tyrone Clarke buried his second of the
match, a great finish. I saw a different side from the squad on Saturday a
real steel and dogged belief, we won the battle which in turn won us the
game and a vital 3 points.
Today’s opponents Telford Juniors are well known to both myself and
Tomo because of last season. We know we are in for a real battle this
afternoon, Telford are a workman like side who work exceptionally hard
for each other. Telford’s top goal scorer Ross Jones is suspended for
today’s game, this will make no difference to how we prepare and play,
let’s hope we manage to secure the three points on offer today
6

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7

Match Report
West Midlands (Regional) League Division One
Darlaston Town (1874) 4 Bromyard Town 3
Saturday 20th January 2018 Kick Off 2 pm
Following an herculean effort by their volunteer ground staff Darlaston Town (1874)
managed not only to beat Bromyard Town to secure a vital 3 points but also the
prevailing severe weather condi=ons. An already wet pitch which was perfectly
playable at 11.30 am then endured more than two hours of snow puCng the game in
serious doubt. Even as heavy snow was falling the ground staff worked =relessly to
ensure the game was the only game in the area to take place and one of only 4 in the
en=re league to take place, the other 3 all being in Shropshire which suffered li;le
snow.
The Darlaston faithful were
quickly rewarded for braving
such severe weather
condi=ons as the game
started with a bang as the
home side took a first minute
lead. Tyrone Clarke O'Connell
beat Bromyard’s right back
Lloyd Wade crossing to Lucas
Hough whose effort was
parried by keeper Alex
Rhodes into the path of Sam
Giles whose well hit shot from
a =ght angle found the net. Giles was not finished and a minute later a second goal
bound effort was well saved by keeper Rhodes.
Bromyard didn't have to wait long to get back in the game the equaliser coming in the
3rd minute, a fine ball out of defence by Nathan Myers found forward Liam Hodges,
the impressive striker saw keeper Aaron Morris off his line and hit a 40-yard
measured lob which beat the back-peddling Morris to level the scores.
Bromyard could have taken the lead in the 9th minute Dalmacio Francisco missing a
one on one chance from 8 yards out but keeper Morris was up to the task bringing off
a fine save. Bromyard didn't have to wait long as they took the lead on 13 minutes. A
fine interchange of passes between Martyn Smith and Liam Hodges leD Hodges to
8

square the ball to the oncoming Andy Hudson who had just Morris to beat which he
did with ease.
Darlaston did not lie back
and in the 16th minute
midfielder Dave Richards had
a shot blocked on the edge of
the area and a Lucas Hough
header was saved by Rhodes.
The home side capitalised on
their period of pressure
equalising in the 20th
minute, a pass from leD back
Ryan Jones behind the
Bromyard defence lead to a
race between Bromyard’s keeper and Darlaston’s forward Leon Taylor, Rhodes won
the race, but whilst sliding on the wet surface dropped the ball which Taylor collected,
ran wide, bea=ng the keeper and two covering defenders with a fine finish.
ADer such an exci=ng and
evenKul 20 minute the
remainder of the half
descended into a midfield
ba;le. Both sides cancelling
each other out. Both teams
were looking to get the ball
wide at every opportunity,
however as the condi=ons
deteriorated it became
difficult to play out on the
flanks of the pitch rather
than through the middle. The only efforts of note in the remainder of the half were
two off target Bromyard efforts from Martyn Smith and Liam Hodges who were both
proving a handful for the Darlaston defence.
The second half started very much the same as the first with an early goal going the
way of the visitors who took the lead for the 2nd =me. Andy Hudson picked the ball
up just inside the Darlaston half and was allowed to run 30 yards unchallenged before
unleashing an 18 yard powerful drive which forced Darlaston keeper Aaron Morris
into a fine save, but he could only push the ball to Bromyard’s winger Dalmacio
Francisco who followed up to pounce on the rebound and score from close range.
9

Another chance fell to Francisco on 53 minutes, but keeper Morris was again in fine
form to deny the speedy striker.
On 57 minutes Darlaston boss Andy Parkes made an inspired tac=cal subs=tu=on
bringing on the Division's top scorer Sco; Broadway for Sam Giles. The introduc=on
of Broadway saw him combine with Taylor to form a twin central strike force which
immediately paid dividends. Just two minutes later the home side were again on level
terms. Clarke O'Connell levelled the scores latching onto a through ball from Taylor,
skipping over a last-ditch tackle, he drew the keeper off his line before calmly sloCng
home his 7th goal of the season under the advancing Rhodes.
Bromyard answered immediately with an Andy Hudson shot s=nging keepers Morris’s
hands. Darlaston were forced into a second subs=tu=on aDer an injury to Lucas
Hough, midfielder Anthony Follows entered the fray to bring a degree of steel and
composure to the midfield.
Darlaston were now in charge
Clarke-O’Connell tried a
curling effort which went
narrowly wide. The home side
had a penalty appeal turned
down on 68th minute aDer
Taylor was chopped down by
Nathan Myers just outside sixyard
box unfortunately
referee Kiely did not agree
with Darlaston players, management or supporters and waved play on.
Both teams appeared not to be sa=sfied with a point and were aDer all three points.
Bromyard had a Liam Hodges effort from a corner narrowly go over the bar whilst
Darlaston centre half Ashley Jus=n could not quite direct a 6-yard header on target
from a free kick following a foul on Sco; Broadway.
As a pulsa=ng game was coming to an end Bromyard's hearts were broken as the
Darlaston faithful were treated to a superb winning goal in the 86th minute,
subs=tute Sco; Broadway threaded a ball behind the Bromyard defence for Tyrone
Clarke O’Connell to collect at full pace , bea=ng the offside trap he beat Bromyard
right back Lloyd Wager for pace just inside the area before driving home a superb
angled 15 yard drive to secure all 3 points, a just reward for their never say die effort
and for the ground staff who had worked so hard to get the game on.
The win con=nues Darlaston's five game unbeaten league run picking up 13 points in
the process. Manager Andy Parkes and his team con=nue to pick up points despite
not quite playing at their best.
10

11

Player & Managem
Aaron Morris Dan Elwell Ryan Lees-Stevens Sam Giles
Sponsored by
Andy Butler
Sponsored by
Alan Dulleston
Sponsored by
Pete & Alma Davies
Lucas Hough Ryan McAllister Liam Cox Tyrone Clarke
Sponsored by
Derek Rogers
Sponsored by
Graham & Brian Lloyd
Sponsored by
G. Ingles
Sam Lynex
Ricky Kelly
Nick Lewis
Adonijah Allen
Sponsored by
Adam & George Hancocks
Sponsored by
Garry & Lynne Hale
12

ent Sponsorships
Kieran Payne Ryan Kingdon Ryan Jones Mar'n Stanton
Sponsored by
Mr & Mrs Kingdon
Sponsored by
Pete & Azza Iddles
Dave Richards Luke Charlton Ant Follows
Mason Hodgson
Sponsored by
Howard Green & Family
Sponsored by
Anton Allen
Sponsored by
Lee and Ann Hughes
Sponsored by
Scott & Jamie Follows
Leon Taylor
Sco Broadway Steve Mason Ant Nicholls
Sponsored by
Sue & Bob Jones
Andy Parkes Andy Thomas Shaun Bolton Stephen Coyne
Sponsored by
Dave Haskett
13

14

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Website www.gmb-westmids.org.uk
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16

17

A Look Around the
League
All Premier Division games were postponed last Saturday and only
two games survived in each of Division One and Two. In addition to
our 4-3 home win against Bromyard the only other game in the
Division saw second placed Wem Town trounce Shropshire rivals
Allscott 6-0. Christian Oldham netted a brace with Jim Astley, Paddy
Townsend, Callum Briscoe and Adam Jones also on the scoresheet.
Just two games beat the weather in Division Two. Market Drayton
Town Reserves were the big winners with a 6-2 home win against
Gornal Colts who started the game in second spot. A Dan Frances
hat- trick lead the way with Liam Dunphy netting a brace and Cam
Muir completed the rout. In the other game Wolverhampton United
edged out AFC Ludlow 3-2, the win saw United leapfrog Gornal Colts
into second spot.
I thought it would be interesting to look back 5 years at how the
League looked in the 2012/13 season compared to this season.
There were 22 teams in the Premier Division (compared to 20 this
season). Of the 22 only 13 remain in the Premier Division today. Two
clubs, Bartley Green and Darlaston Town folded with four now
playing in the Total Motion Midland Football League Premier Division
(AFC Wulfrunians, Lye Town, Shawbury United and Sporting Khalsa)
whilst three are in Division One viz Willenhall Town, Bustleholme and
Bromyard Town plus ourselves as a re-formed club. There are no
teams now in Division Two which played in the Premier Division in
2012/13 season.
Division One is a very different story. There are still 17 teams in the
Division but unbelievably only three remain in the Division today they
are Wem Town, St Martins and Wyrley.
18

Seven clubs have folded (Blackheath Town, Mahal, Penncroft,
Trysull, Shenstone Pathfinder, Hanwood United and AFC
Wombourne United) whilst Leominster Town now play in the
Herefordshire County League and one club Haughmond have had
two promotions and now play in the Total Motion Midland Football
League Premier Division. Shenstone has since re-formed and now
play in the Staffordshire County League Division One. Of the five
remaining clubs, four are in the West Midlands Premier (Regional)
League Premier Division, Smethwick, Bilston Town Community,
Stone Old Alleyians and AFC Bridgnorth. Just one club
Wolverhampton United currently play in Division Two.
There are still 15 teams (as in 2012/13) in Division Two but
staggeringly only one club, Sikh Hunters were in Division Two in
2012/13 and remain in Division Two today. One club, Hereford Lads
Club are in the Premier Division, whilst two other Herefordshire
based clubs, Ledbury Town and Tenbury United play in the
Herefordshire County Premier Division. Five clubs have folded or
withdrawn, Malvern Town Reserves, Malvern Rangers, Gornal
Athletic Reserves, Wolves Sporting Reserves and FC Stafford whilst
Bartestree resigned from the League and were then re-formed and
are enjoying their first season in the Total Motion Midland Football
League Division 3. Two teams Red Star Alma and Penkridge play in
Division Two of the Staffs County League with just three teams
currently playing in Division One, Newport Town, Team Dudley and
Wrens Nest after gaining promotion.
So of the 54 teams in the League in 2012/13 only 30 teams remain in
the league today whilst 17 remain in the same Division as they did 5
years ago. Fourteen have folded with three subsequently re-formed.
Only one club Haughmond has been promoted twice whilst five clubs
now play in the Total Motion Midland Football League Premier
Division, 1 club plays in Midland Football League Division 3, three
play in the Herefordshire County league and three play in The
Staffordshire County League.
19

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21

Division One
Form Table
(Last six League Games)
1 St. Mar'ns W L W W W W
2 Wem Town W W W W L W
3 Newport Town W W W W L W
4 Darlaston Town (1874) L W D W W W
5 Gornal Athle'c W L L D W W
6 Bustleholme W W W D L L
7 Old Wulfrunians L D W D W D
8 Kington Town L W L L W W
9 Bromyard Town L L W W L W
10 Worcester Raiders W D D L L W
11 Wrens Nest W L L L W L
12 Team Dudley D L D L L W
13 Willenhall Town L L L L W D
14 Allsco D L D L W L
15 Tipton Town L L L W L L
16 Telford Juniors L W L L L L
17 Wyrley L L L L L L
Division One Top Scorers
13 Christopher Brown Bustleholme
13 Scott Broadway Darlaston Town (1874)
12 Christopher Knight Team Dudley
10 Rob Millington Newport Town
10 Simon Jackson Newport Town
22

WMRL Division 1 Table
Pos P W D L GD Pts
1 Newport Town 21 14 4 3 47 46
2 Wem Town 21 15 1 4 33 46
3 Darlaston Town (1874) 19 11 5 3 16 38
4 Gornal Athle=c 20 11 3 6 16 36
5 Team Dudley 21 10 5 6 16 35
6 Worcester Raiders 18 10 5 3 12 35
7 Old Wulfrunians 18 10 5 3 10 35
8 St. Mar=ns 19 10 0 9 13 30
9 Bustleholme 20 9 2 9 -6 29
10 Bromyard Town 19 9 1 9 0 28
11 Tipton Town 17 6 3 8 -4 21
12 Allsco; 19 6 3 10 -10 21
13 Telford Juniors 21 6 2 13 -18 20
14 Kington Town 19 5 0 14 -17 15
15 Wrens Nest 18 5 0 13 -21 15
16 Willenhall Town 19 2 4 13 -50 10
17 Wyrley 19 2 3 14 -37 9
Future Fixtures
Saturday 3rd February
Wyrley F.C.
vs
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
Kick Off 2 pm
Saturday 10th February
Allscott F.C.
vs
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
Kick Off 2 pm
23

DARLASTON TOWN (1874)
SQUAD LIST
Aaron Morris
Ryan Lees-Stevens
Dan Elwell
Sam Giles
Ryan Kingdon
Lucas Hough
Mar'n Stanton
Ryan McAllister
Liam Cox
Kieran Payne
Luke Charlton
Ant Follows
Ricky Kelly
Dave Richards
Nick Lewis
Steve Mason
Sco Broadway
Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell
Adonijah Allen
Mason Hodgson
Anthony Nicholls
Leon Taylor
Ryan Jones
Sam Lynex
Adam Hill
TELFORD JUNIORS
SQUAD LIST
Ryan Asson
Liam Davies
Luke Dent
Brent Drew
Ross Jones
Dale Jones
Louis Jones
Mitchell Delamere
Russell Grainger
Kailum Higgins
Ebrima Amadou Jallow
Daniel Hickling
Charlie Knowles
Alex Nolan
William Plant
Ian Preece
Macauley Pugh
Craig Ryan
Mark Jordan-Sankey
Michael Sheridon
Patrick Udoh
Duane Upton
Tom White
Dave Thomas
Joey Moore.
Management Team
Manager: Andy Parkes
Assistant Manager: Andy Thomas
Goalkeeping Coach: Shaun Bolton
Coach: Stephen Coyne
Referee:
Mr Jack Presco;
Assistants:
Mr Alan Sarginson
Mr James Wright
Officials