Match Day programme, Sittingbourne v East Grinstead Town Saturday 31st August 2019
THE
The Brickies
BRICK
The Matchday Programme of Sittingbourne FC
Season 2019—2020—Programme 3
Sittingbourne v East Grinstead Town
Saturday 31st August 2019
KO 3.00PM
Sittingbourne Football Club is a UK company limited by guarantee:
Company registration number, 11360242.
Registered office: The Martin & Conley Stadium,Woodstock Park,
Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne, ME9 8AG
Who’s who
President: Alan Barty
Vice Presidents: Tania Spice, Andy Spice, and John Cooper.
Directors: Maurice Dunk (Chairman), Ken Medwyn (Vice
Chairman), Peter Pitts (Company Secretary) , John Pitts
(Football Secretary / Treasurer). Colin Page, Alan Barty, Glen
Parkes, Mick Sayce, Andrew Marjeram (Non Exec).
Other Committee members : Danny Appleton (Turnstile
Manager). Roger Pudner (Groundsman), Edward Lucas
Assistant First Team Secretary.
Other Key Personnel: Faye Goatham (Turnstile), Jackie
Mount (Programme sales), Tony Rickson (Match reporter),
Sandra Pitts & Lynne Lucas (Boardroom), Clive Phillips
(Club shop), Dudley Hird & Tony Rickson (Club Historians).
Roger Wilkins (Head Steward)
The Isthmian League and Singbourne FC strongly supports the FA
statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against
racism and all forms of discriminaon. Accordingly any form of discriminatory
abuse whether it be based on race or ethnicity , sexual
orientaon, gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse
will be reported to the Football Associaon for acon by that Associaon.
(The FA 0800 085 0508 / kick it out 020 7253 0162)
SITTINGBOURNE V EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN
SATURDAY 31st AUGUST 2019, KO 3.00PM
Manager: Chris Lynch
Ast Manager: Nathan Elder
Coaches: Darren Blackburn, Josh Hall,
Physio: Marc Wheeler
Kit Manager: Warren Chambers
Team Assistant: Harry Chambers
Manager: Matt Longhurst
Assistant Manager: Grant Hearn
1st Team Coach: Sonny Gladdish
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Valentine Anekwe
Assistants: Kennedy Kikulwe, Andrew Simmonds
GOALS
SUBSTITUTE
PLAYER NO
PLAYER NO
SUBSTITUTE
GOALS
1. Tom Benham
2. Lewis West
3. Emmanuel Ndew
4. Lewis Chambers
5. Cory Walters-Wright
Brannon Daly
Ollie Boulding
Karn Miller-Neave
Dan Pearse
6. Lex Allan
7. Enoch Adjei
8. Chris Webber
9. Shaun Brown
10. Tom Fagg
11. Chris Barnard
12. Hamilton
14. Jason Fregene
Brad Peters
Jack Bray
Curtis Gayler
Freddy Yao
Robin Dean
Adrian Todd
O’shaye Giraud—Hutchinson
15. Tyron Guthrie
Daniel Hogan
16. Kane Phillip
17. Festus Lori
18. Johan Caney Bryan
19. Roman Campbell
20. Stefan Lawrence
21. Caleb Roberts
22. Joshua Oliver
Kyle Woolven
Drew Cooney
Jack Meeres
Dan Mosby
Jason Davis
Reece Batchelor
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The Secretary’s Jottings
Good afternoon everyone, welcome to The Martin & Conley stadium.
Our visitors are East Grinstead Town. Welcome to their players, Officials and supporters. A welcome
also to the match officials.
All of East Grinstead’s Isthmian League matches have been at home up to this fixture. They started
the season with a 2-1 home defeat to Haywards Heath. This was followed by a 3-3 draw with
Guernsey. On Bank Holiday Monday they had a very credible 0-0 draw with Hastings United. Unfortunately,
for them, they came unstuck in the Emirates FA Cup losing to a late goal at home to
Combined Counties Premier Division side, Abbey Rangers.
Our last two matches must have delighted our supporters. On Saturday we progressed to the 1 st
Qualifying round of the Emirates F A cup by defeating Isthmian South-Central side, Uxbridge. We
had to go into this match without loan striker, Roman Campbell. Roman’s parent club, Gillingham,
would not let him be cup tied. Ironically, he would not have been able to play anyway after picking
up two yellow cards at Whitstable. Shaun Brown took over the main striker role and did not disappoint
with a superb strike to put The Brickies one up. Substitute Johan Caney-Bryan, settled the
tie with a 78 th minute penalty. The referee was a bit quick off the mark blowing for the penalty as
Johan had already put the ball in the net when he was fouled. It could easily have been 3-0 as
Tom Fagg had only the goalkeeper to beat when the referee stopped the game because of a
head injury. The referee was right to blow his whistle for this but was wrong at the restart to give
the ball to Uxbridge’s goalkeeper. It should have been given back to Sittingbourne as we were in
possession.
On Monday our improvement continued with a fantastic team performance at big spending
Ramsgate. Chris had five players missing, among them, Lex Allan who was man of the match
against Uxbridge. To say he was not missed showed how well the replacements played. It took
Ramsgate 39 minutes to have a shot on goal. By then we were 1-0 up from a confident Roman
Campbell strike. Ramsgate played better in the second half but we also played well. It was then 1
-1. Ramsgate scoring from a very dubious penalty when from about ten yards the ball was driven
against Caleb Roberts arm. I thought this sort of nonsense was just the province of the Premier
League. Sittingbourne won the match from a clever Roman Campbell shot when he received a
pass after an indirect free kick was awarded to the Brickies after the Ramsgate keeper dropped
the ball and then picked it up again. Don’t think I would like to be manager of The Rams after
reading their Chairman’s comment in the match day programme. They will have to do a lot better
to meet the expectations of him. Because of the 30 degrees plus temperature on the day all of
our board members wore shorts we were not allowed in the boardroom. We found this hilarious
and took advantage of the cheap prices in their bar. Supporters, Management and Board all had
a great day out at Ramsgate.
We have been drawn away at Bognor Regis Town in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA
Cup. This match takes place on Saturday 7 th September. We will run a coach to this fixture. Let
Darren Gibbs know if you are interested. Entrance fees at Bognor will surprise our fans. £12.00
for adults and £10.00 concessions.
Enjoy the game.
John
From the Programme Editor
Welcome everyone and a special welcome to today’s mascot who is Ben Stone. More about
Ben later.
What a bunch of Goodies we have for you in today’s match day programme! The pick of the
bunch as far as I am concerned is our very own Paul Martin’s summary of the 1962 Isthmian
League. It’s a time that I remember very well and as Paul says there was no automatic promotion
and relegation then. If you finished bottom of the football league you would probably still not
be relegated as the other football league clubs would vote that you stay. That was because
there was no football pyramid then and the non league club that I supported in those days,
Hampton (Now Hampton & Richmond), won the Spartan league on a number of occasions but
were not given promotion to the Athenian League. I lived in Hampton at the time.
Also featured are of course the match reports and part two of the history of football programmes
is also very interesting.
I’m gutted to have missed Saturday’s very satisfying victory over Ramsgate (owing to a strange
injury to my ankle as I have no recollection of hitting it or twisting it—old age I suppose!).
Apologies for the lack of PA last week. We have had problems with the usual amplifier and so I
was using a different one that has hardly been used. It worked fine for the first couple of games
but I reinstated 3 more speakers and I don’t think the replacement amp has enough power to
cope. Hopefully the original amp will work OK today but it will mean I will have to use a static
mic instead of the wireless mic.
If you have ever wanted to own a football club then perhaps the example of seven19 years old
will spur you on. They have taken over Walton & Hersham, a club that we used to play only a
few seasons ago but are now languishing in 15th place in the Combined Counties League 1
which is two steps below us. Walton & Hersham were once a top non league club and I saw
them defeat Exeter in the FA Cup but there biggest scalp must have been Bryan Clough’s
Brighton at Brighton, a game that I remember well as I missed the beginning of the match owing
to travel delays.
Walton & Hersham now share with Walton Casuals after their old and famous ground that many
of us remember in its heyday, Stompond Lane, is set for development.
Staying with the Combined Counties League 1 I see that Jersey Bulls have so far played 5 and
won 5 and scored 19 goals for none against so it may not be long before we see them in our
league. Home crowds have been over the 800 mark. Two names of clubs that caught my eye
in that league are Everseley and California (That’s one club). And the exotic sounding,
Deportivo Galicia.
Finally, we were sorry to hear that one of ex footballers, Malcolm McCleod, has passed away
recently after being involved in a car crash in South Africa. Malcolm played for us in the
1987-88 season and was 59 when he died. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Peter
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John Clarke IBF / BSF President
East Grinstead — A Brief History
1890s: East Grinstead Town Football Club was
formed on May 8, 1890 although it was another
ten years before they played their first competitive
match as founder members of the Mid Sussex
Football League. In those early days the
club played in blue and white with the town's
coat of arms on the breast pocket. It was some
years before they adopted their current colours
of amber and black and were nicknamed 'The
Wasps,' both of which survive to this day.
1900s: They won the Mid Sussex League in
1902 and their first major honour followed seven
years later when they shared the Sussex Junior
Cup with Arundel.
In 1909 they were awarded senior status which
they have held ever since apart from two seasons
when they were relegated to the intermediate
third division of the Sussex County League
in 1989.
1910s: In 1912 Grinstead reached the Sussex
Senior Cup final for the only time in their history
but lost 4-1 to St Leonards Amateurs in a ferocious
snowstorm.
1920s: The Wasps were original members of
the Sussex County League when it was founded
in 1920, but they struggled to make any impact
and after finishing bottom in 1927 and replaced
by Horsham, they were not re-elected.
1930s: Rather than returning to the Mid Sussex
League, they had four successful seasons in
the Brighton League before stepping up to the
Southern Amateur League. A fresh challenge
reinvigorated the club and they won the Division
Three title in 1932 with 15 victories out of 18.
Three years later they played on the Test match
cricket ground at Trent Bridge in Nottingham
when they defeated Nottinghamshire Amateurs
6-0 in the old FA Amateur Cup.
Determined to regain their place in the Sussex
County League, they were re-elected back in
1937 after winning the Mid Sussex League
again and finished fifth in their first season.
1940s: In those halcyon days either side of the
Second World War, four-figure crowds were the
norm at their old ground in West Street, East
Grinstead, which they shared with the town's
cricketers. The club's record attendance is
2,006 for an FA Amateur Cup tie against Lancing
in November, 1947.
1950s: Success eluded Grinstead until 1952
when they won the Baldwin Cup, the forerunner
of the Sussex County League Cup. That team is
reckoned by many to be the finest the club has
ever produced. It was certainly the most entertaining
- 42 games that season in league and
cup produced 222 goals!
Grinstead were third in 1955, but their fortunes
began to decline along with crowd numbers after
that. They left West Street in 1959 and had a
spell at King Georges Field in the town centre.
1960s: Following the spell at King Georges
Field in the town centre it wasn't until 1967 that
they finally moved to their current home at East
Court after a protracted battle to get the ground,
which was prone to waterlogging, fit for football.
1970s: The club again finished third in 1973 but
that was as good as it got for another 30 years
although Grinstead did reach their first cup final
since 1952 when they lost 4-1 to Haywards
Heath in the RUR Cup in 1974 despite taking
the lead.
Wasps found themselves in Division Two for the
first time in 1979.
1980s: During the 1980s the club regularly hosted
Crystal Palace and Brighton in charity fixtures
watched by crowds of over 2,000 spectators.
However during this time the Wasps had
dropped even lower with two seasons in Division
Three before regaining senior status.
1990s: They were promoted back to Division
One in 1993, but lasted just two years.
Floodlights were installed in 1997.
East Grinstead — A Brief History Cont
2000s: Bob Smith led Wasps back to Division One in 2003 and they also won their first trophy
for 52 years, beating Three Bridges 4-0 in the final of the RUR Cup.
Unfortunately, the club were relegated back to Division Two on the final day of the 2004-05 season
and in October 2006 Smith, the longest-serving manager in the club's history, was replaced
by former player Steve Norris.
In his second season Wasps romped to the Second Division title by a massive 18 points, losing
just twice all season. Their winning run of 14 successive league games at the start of the season
meant they became the last senior non-league team in the country to drop points.
Since then the club has established itself in the top flight, most recently under former Brighton
striker Simon Funnell and their progress on the field has been matched off it.
A new drainage system laid in 2003 transforming the playing surface, which is now one of the
best in Sussex.
The club were awarded the prestigious FA Standard Chartered Development Club award in
2003 and were registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club in 2005.
In 2008 two new stands and a pitch perimeter barrier were erected.
2010s: in 2014 with the GAC Stadium already meeting the requirements of the Isthmian
Football League after installing additional seating, the club began work on a new dressing room
and hos-pitality complex, a new turnstile block and entrance and a resurfaced car park. Part of
the 2014 funding included a £50,000 grant from FA Cup sponsors Budweiser, £100,000 from
the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, £40,000 from Mid Sussex District Council and £35,000
from SITA Trust.
Funnell’s side finished the season in second place, their highest ever County League position,
and in May 2014, the club were accepted into the Isthmian League for the first time in our history.
Funnell left the club during our first season at Step 4 and Tony Beckingham returned to East
Court for a second spell. 'Becks' kept the club in the League but he resigned in October 2015
and Matt Longhurst took over. Matt made sure Wasps retained their Isthmian status in his first
season and in his two following seasons (bar a mini-break on the South Coast for a couple of
weeks)
The club runs multiple teams in the Isthmian and Mid Sussex Leagues (details of which are all
on this website). Matt is firmly committed to playing a young team and to 'developing our own'
first-team players of the future.
During 2018 the club commenced working in partnership with the local Jubilee Community Centre
to develop disability football provision in the area.
2018 also saw the Football Association announcement of a revamping of the Non-League pyramid.
From 2018/19 the two division step 4 Isthmian League Division One North and One South
(which the Wasps competed in) was replaced by 3 divisions (North, South-Central and South-
East). 2019/20 sees the Wasps kicking-off their sixth season at this level in the 20 team Isthmian
League South-East.
MFW supports and advises a wide range of local tradesman and businesses.
Our services can be tailored to suit your needs and to ensure you get the information to help run and
grow your business.
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Contact Teresa or Nicola today to see how we can help you on:
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SFC SQUAD (More to follow)
Abdel N’dew
Sponsor
Golden Goal
Caleb Roberts
Chris Barnard
Chris Webber
Corey Walters –Wright
Enoch Adjei
Festus Lori
Jason Fregene
Lewis West
Joshua Oliver
Lewis Chambers
Johan Caney-Bryan
Lex Allan
Liam Middleton
Shaun Brown
Tom Benham
Tom Fagg
Tyrone Guthrie
Todays Mascot
Todays mascot is Ben
Stone.
Ben attends South Avenue
School.
His favourite team is
Everton and his favourite
player is Gylfi Sigurdsson
and his favourite Brickie is
Chris Webber.
Ben wanted to start following
Sittingbourne when
someone told him that his
Grandad (Tony Woods)
and us kids followed them
all over the country for
years.
He wants to be like his late
Grandad and be a lifetime
Brickie.
Appearances
FA Cup 1st Qual Rnd Draw
We would have preferred a club at our level but
we have drawn Bognor Regis at home. Bognor
are 17th in the BetVictor Isthmian League
Premier Division.
A selection of other ties is below.
Whitstable Town Vs Folkestone invicta
Chesham United Vs Fleet Town
Whyteleafe Vs Merstham
Chertsey Town Vs Sheppey United
Chichester City Vs Chalfont St Peter AFC
Hartley Wintney Vs Spelthorne Sports
Bracknell Town Vs Carshalton Athletic
Kingstonian Vs Walton Casuals
Leatherhead Vs Lewes
Hanwell Town VS Staines Town
South Park VS Badshot Lea
Tooting & Mitcham United VS AFC Varndeanians
Whitehawk VS Abbey Rangers
Broadbridge Heath VS Worthing
Haywards Heath Town VS AFC D'stable / Hayes & Yeading
Harrow Borough VS Binfield
Horley Town VS Balham
Cray Wanderers VS Bedfont Sports Club
Westfield VS Chipstead / Hassocks
Haringey Borough VS Herne Bay / AFC Croydon Athletic
Corinthian Casuals VS Sevenoaks Town
Sutton Common Rovers VS Beaconsfield Town
Ashford United VS Farnborough
Ramsgate VS Arundel
Sutton Athletic VS Flackwell Heath
VCD Ath / AFC U'field VS Moneyfields
Little Common VS Hendon
DATE OPPOSITION COMP Sc ATT 1 2 3 4
5
17 Aug 2019
20 Aug 2019
24 Aug 2019
26 Aug 2019
31 Aug 2019
03 Sept 2019
07 Sept 2019
10 Sept 2019
14 Sept 2019
17 Sept 2019
21 Sept 2019
24 Sept 2019
05 Oct 2019
12 Oct 2019
19 Oct 2019
22 Oct 2019
26 Oct 2019
02 Nov 2019
05 Nov 2019
09 Nov 2019
16 Nov 2019
23 Nov 2019
30 Nov 2019
07 Dec 2019
14 Dec 2019
26 Dec 2019
28 Dec 2019
04 Jan 2020
11 Jan 2020
18 Jan 2020
25 Jan 2020
01 Feb 2020
04 Feb 2020
08 Feb 2020
15 Feb 2020
22 Feb 2020
29 Feb 2020
07 Mar 2020
14 Mar 2020
21 Mar 2020
28 Mar 2020
04 Apr 2020
11 Apr 2020
13 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020
25 Apr 2020
Whitstable Town
Cray Valley PM
Uxbridge
Ramsgate
East Grinstead Town
Sevenoaks Town
Bognor Regis Town
Ramsgate
Faversham Town
Ashford United
Guernsey
VCD Athletic
Whyteleafe
South Park
Hythe Town
Phoenix Sports
Hastings United
Haywards Heath Town
Cray Valley PM
Herne Bay
Chichester City
VCD Athletic
Burgess Hill Town
Sevenoaks Town
Whitehawk
Phoenix Sports
Ramsgate
East Grinstead Town
Three Bridges
Hythe Town
Whyteleafe
Guernsey
Ashford United
Whitehawk
Sevenoaks Town
Hastings United
Haywards Heath Town
Herne Bay
Chichester City
Faversham Town
Three Bridges
Whitstable Town
Cray Valley PM
Phoenix Sports
VCD Athletic
Burgess Hill Town
League
League
FA Cup Pr
League
League
Velocity Trop
FA Cup 1stQ
Kent Snr Cup
League
League
League
Velocity Trop
League
FA Trophy Pr
League
Velocity Trop
League
League
Velocity Trop
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
A
H
H
A
H
A
A
H
A
A
H
H
A
H
H
A
H
A
H
H
A
H
A
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
1-1
1-3
2-0
2-1
318
166
159
208
Benham
Lawrence
Benham
Benham
West
West*
West
West
N’daw
N’daw*
Fregene
Fregene
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Walters-Wright
Walters-Wright
Walters-Wright
Roberts
Next home match
Kent Senior Cup
Tuesday 10th September 2019
Ramsgate
KO: 7:45pm
KEY to above grid:
@ = After Extra Time
& = Lost on Pens
+ = Own Goal
# = Sent Off
1,2,3, etc after players name = goals scored
* = Subs used and players substituted
** = Sub was Substituted
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17
Allan
Allan
Allan
Walters-Wright
Adjei*
Campbell1
Barnard*
Adjei*
Webber*
Webber
Guthrie
Oliver*
Campbell 1p#
Brown
Brown 1
Campbell 2
Fagg
Fagg
Fagg*
Fagg
Barnard*
Bernard*
Adjei
Lori*
Fregene
Roberts
Roberts
N’Daw
Brown*
Oliver
N’Daw
Guthrie*
Guthrie*
Fregene*
Oliver
Middleton*
Lori*
Adjei*
Lori
Caney-Bryan*
Caney-Bryan
Lori*
Caney-Bryan*1
The Offical Sittingbourne FC Website
for up to the minute news and stats.
www.sittingbournefc.co.uk
News, Reports, Fixtures, Photo’s, Ex Players,
Brickies Lottery winners, Directions and much
more. Also an extensive archive.
Follow us on Twitter @SittingbourneFC
This season has heralded the news that yet another island team are hoping to enter the Non-
League pyramid.
Following in the footsteps of Guernsey, who play at Step 4 and the newly formed Jersey Bulls,
who are currently competing in Step 6, a group from the Isle of Man have unveiled plans to create
their very own football club, with ambitions to play in the Northwest Counties League in time
for the start of next campaign.
This is brilliant news both for the Non-League system and players and fans living on the Isle of
Man.
Last year I went to visit Guernsey, where I thoroughly enjoyed watching a match and have subsequently
interviewed their manager Tony Vance on a number of occasions.
It was brilliant to see how the island’s community had really embraced the team and the atmosphere
on matchday was a superb thing to be a part of.
When speaking to Vance it quickly becomes clear just how much pride he has taken in the project
and the importance that it has had in developing young players on the island.
Whereas before, making the jump into the professional ranks was extremely hard for young footballers
on the island, they now have the opportunity to showcase their talents in England throughout
the year.
One of the big drawbacks of starting an island team is the high costs involved, which include having
to pay for the travel of both themselves and their opponents, however both Guernsey and Jersey
Bulls have demonstrated how, with the support of their local communities, these steep financial
commitments can be managed.
The fact that Jersey Bulls were able to attract almost 1000 fans for their very first fixture at the
start of the month shows both how island clubs can develop revenue and help to cultivate a special
following across the community.
The Isle of Man bid is being led by National Team manager Paul Jones.
When interviewing him last week I was immediately struck by his immense passion for football on
the island and his determination to see the project through
There have been plans in the pipeline to start a team on the Isle of Man for almost 15 years but
for one reason or another the project has never come to fruition, until now
I wish Paul and his colleagues the absolute best of luck in creating a club because these island
teams have the potential to unite their communities in such a unique way.
Hugo Varley
Paul Martin—Isthmian League Clubs 1963
At the end of the 1962/63 season, the Isthmian
League invited four Athenian League Clubs to
join their ranks to increase their number from 16
to 20. You might appreciate that at this time,
there was no promotion or relegation from either
the Isthmian League or the Southern
League, gaps only being filled previously when
clubs dropped out for whatever reason. Promotion
was only available by applying to the Football
League to replace a bottom side in Division
Four which rarely happened. The Southern
League was widely regarded as the stronger
League of the two at this time.
As a result of this invitation, Enfield (Athenian
League Champions the previous three seasons),
Hendon, Hitchin Town and Sutton United
were elected. The interesting thing about this
League constitution is that only 5 of the 20
Clubs are still playing at the same ground. Can
you name them?
Bromley and Sutton United continue, albeit with
artificial surfaces now. St. Albans City, Hitchin
Town and Woking are the other 3 but probably
looking a bit different over 50 years later (not
visited any of them recently though my spies tell
me that Hitchin Town has not changed a great
deal).
What of the other 15? Sadly, Ilford, Leytonstone
and Walthamstow Avenue are no more although
all three attempted amalgamations and
rebirths in later years ending up as Redbridge
Forest. All three grounds were wonderful to visit,
especially Green Pond Road, Walthamstow
Avenue, a favourite of mine for midweek
games. Leytonstone (Granleigh Road) was also
a unique venue – you could watch the game
from the platform on Leytonstone High Road
station if you were so inclined.
That leaves 12 more to consider who have all
moved grounds (at least once). They are:
Wycombe Wanderers, Wimbledon, Kingstonian,
Hendon, Enfield, Oxford City, Tooting &
Mitcham United, Corinthian Casuals, Maidstone
United, Barking, Clapton and Dulwich Hamlet.
Of these, Wycombe Wanderers have made the
most progress moving grounds from Loakes
Park to Adams Park and into the Football
League. Wimbledon also reached the Football
League, left Plough Lane to share at Selhurst
Park and on to Milton Keynes with AFC Wimbledon
beginning from scratch at Kingsmeadow
which was the home of Kingstonian after they
left Richmond Road. Kingstonian have now
moved again to share with Corinthian Casuals
who, themselves, had periods sharing with Dulwich
Hamlet and Tooting & Mitcham before being
able to build their own ground at King
George’s Field. Hope you are still with me!
Hendon now share with Edgware at Silver Jubilee
Park after leading a nomadic existence after
leaving Claremont Road. Enfield became Enfield
1893 and Enfield Town after leaving
Southbury Road, Enfield Town progressing the
higher up the pyramid so far. Oxford City were
evicted from their White House Ground and
some years later moved to a new ground on the
outskirts of Oxford (which I have yet to visit!).
Similarly, Tooting & Mitcham United moved
from Sandy Lane (another classic venue) to a
new purpose built stadium in 2002. Maidstone
United had several venues (and existences) before
reaching their current site. Dulwich Hamlet
moved just a few yards backwards to a new development
in Champion Hill. Barking moved
from Vicarage Field to Mayesbrook Park. Clapton
are now in the Essex Senior League but
have recently been forced out of the Old Spotted
Dog (another fine old ground which holds so
many memories for me) and their long term future
must be in some doubt.
I think this is a reasonably accurate synopsis of
what has happened to these original clubs
since 1963 without going into meticulous detail.
For the record, Wimbledon became League
Champions that season with the “usual suspects”
at that time, Clapton, Corinthian Casuals
and Dulwich Hamlet holding up the rest. At the
end of the season, Wimbledon departed to the
Southern League and turned “professional”.
FROM THE
SCRAPBOOK
25 YEARS AGO.....
Twenty five years ago
Sittingbourne entertained Crawley Town
at Central Park for a Beazer Homes
Southern League Premier Division fixture.
Pointless Sittingbourne had already suffered
a 0-2 home defeat to Burton
Albion followed by away defeats at
Dorchester Town and Solihull Borough.
The visitors were struggling themselves
and arrived looking
for at least a point.
Sittingbourne took
just five minutes to
score. Lee McRobert
collected a Matt
Stock pass and
advanced on goal. A
great tackle by a
Crawley defender
stopped the striker in
his tracks but the ball
spilled out to midfielder
Andy
Blondrage who fired a left footed shot in
to the net to open the scoring.
Five minutes later Crawley restored parity
through Paul Fishenden who ran
straight through the five man
Sittingbourne defence.
The first half finished one apiece, however
the booking of Andy Blondrage left
him on a knife edge for the second half.
According to the East Kent Gazette
Blondrage was booked for a 12th
minute tackle that arrived in the 13th
minute!
Blondrage was inspirational in midfield
with his non stop running and his take
no prisoners tackling. Sittingbourne
raised their game which encouraged the
787 onlookers to become more vocal as
the home side began to up the tempo.
Simon Ullathorne used his pace down
the left causing havoc for the Crawley
defence. Simon Beard saw his shot hit
the post and Dave Fleming headed a
great chance wide.
At the other end Efrem Ebbli made a
great near post save and Crawley’s
Steve Payne shot
over the bar.
As the game moved
into the last ten minutes
it was
Sittingbourne who
looked more likely to
score as their superior
fitness and stamina
began to show.
From a throw-in
McRobert sent the
ball across goal to the far post where
Beard was rushing in to score. In a nail
biting last few minutes James Strouts
headed home an Ullathorne cross to put
the game out of the reach of the visitors.
The sounds of jubilation sounded
around the stadium as three valuable
points had been secured.
A series of articles by the author of the book ‘A History and Guide to Football Programmes’
describing how programmes have changed over a century-and-a-half of Association
Football. These articles will appear throughout the season in the Sittingbourne FC
programme.
1900’s - The First Recognisable Programmes
Programmes started to adopt something approaching
their modern appearance when the clubs and authorities
discovered that they could charge buyers a penny,
thus introducing the possibility of the programme making
a financial profit. To justify such a price they had to
provide some value for money, which meant including
more information on the club, their opponents and their
respective players.
Printers and publishers quickly cottoned on to the example
shown by other branches of entertainment,
chiefly the theatre, and attracted paid advertising to the
issue. That, in turn, required sufficient sales to keep
the advertisers happy, which meant that content had to
be good enough to attract buyers at the match.
By this process, the match programme evolved from a
single sheet, to a folded, and then stapled, publication.
Liverpool first issued in September 1892 with the visit
of Rotherham Town to Anfield Road, and their 1d programme
was a four page affair, with teams listed on
the front page, surrounded by adverts; first and reserve
team fixtures and results surrounded by adverts,
and two pages of features on players, officials and recent
matches, and “Notes”.
The programme issued by Chester for the visit of Welsh club Druids on Christmas Day 1907 had
the teams (in 2-3-5 formation) on one page, surrounded by adverts, and on the inside of the 4
page folded programme was substantial editorial entitled “Club Gossip”, a photograph and description
on one of the home players, reserve team results and scorers, and “Notes by Rambler.”
A number of clubs were more ambitious in their programme production. In 1887 Aston Villa entertained
London Casuals and issued a “Programme Card” but by 1906-07 they had launched
“The Villa News and Record” in multi-page form. This remained at 1d, but sold far more copies
than the brief team sheets of a few years previously, which in turn satisfied the multitudinous advertisers.
Not every League club issued for every fixture, and it often took a special occasion to compel the
club to print. One such milestone was Cardiff City’s first ever match at Ninian Park, against Aston
Villa in September 1910, and a special souvenir programme was issued, some time before City
contemplated a regular programme.
Saturday 24 th August 2019
Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Sittingbourne 2 (Brown 49 mins, Caney-
Bryan 77 mins (pen), Att: 159
By Peter Pitts
The FA Cup this year has more prize money
available than ever before and for the first
time at this stage of the competition the losers
also get some cash which will at least pay the
expenses, so this competition can be a lifeline
at Sittingbourne’s level.
Sittingbourne’s recent record in this competition
is poor with them going out to lower level
teams twice in the years 2015 to 2018. Last
year they went out to 1-0 at home to Gosport
Borough, in the first qualifying round. The year
before that they went out to Pagham in a replay
at Pagham. In fact the last time they got
beyond the first Qualifying Round was September
2015, defeating Metropolitan Police 1-
0 in a replay before again losing to a lower
league team in Hoddesdon Town.
Sittingbourne and Uxbridge play at the same
level so at least there wasn’t going to be a
“giant killing”, and amazingly they have identical
playing records after the first two games of
the season, so a draw looked pretty much on
the cards.
Sittingbourne were without the injured Chris
Webber and also Roman Campbell who was
serving a suspension for the red card received
against Cray Valley PM, but wasn’t allowed to
play anyway as Gillingham didn’t want him
cup tied.
The more likely winners in the first half were
Uxbridge who caused Sittingbourne plenty of
problems from both flanks with crosses. Lex
Allan, along with the whole defence, were superb
though blocking most of the dangerous
shots, and when they got through Tom Benham
in goal was a steady pair of hands. The
closest Uxbridge actually came to scoring
came on 32 minutes when the dangerous Olie
Harris fired straight at Tom Benham, who just
Match Report
managed to block the ball.
Sittingbourne changed their shape for the second
half and got onto the front foot quickly.
Just four minutes into the half Shaun Brown
went steaming down the left and fired the ball
from an acute angle past Tyler Tobin in the
Uxbridge goal and it nestled in the far corner
of the net to give the Brickies the lead.
It was a different game now and the Uxbridge
threat down the wings diminished as Sittingbourne
took control.
Johan Caney-Brown came on for Chris Barnard
and he was instrumental in Sittingbourne
extending their league when on 77 minutes
the ball was whizzed into the Uxbridge area
where Caney-Bryan was lurking and as he
turned he was brought down. The referee immediately
whistled for a penalty, but in the
meantime the ball had been headed into the
Uxbridge net. Caney-Bryan took the kick himself
and justice was done when he curled his
kick into the left hand corner of the net and
doubled the lead.
The crowd must have expected a tense last
13 minutes but in truth Uxbridge never bothered
Sittingbourne again and it’s the Brickies
who go into the hat for Tuesday’s 1 st Qualifying
round draw.
Sittingbourne: Tom Benham, Lewis West, Jason
Fregene, Lewis Chambers, Cory Walters-
Wright (C), Lex Allan, Chris Barnard (Johan
Caney-Bryan 70 mins), Tyrone Guthrie, Shaun
Brown, Tom Fagg (Liam Middleton 63 mins Yellow
Card), Enoch Adjei. Subs Not used: Caleb
Roberts, Abdel N’Daw, Joshua Oliver, Festus
Lori.
Uxbridge: Tyler Tobin, Remell Clarke (Adam
Morris 63 mins), David Thomas (C), Callum
Duffey (Yellow Card), Elliott Poley, Alan Hedley,
Jack Beadle (Michael Kalu 70 mins), Alex
Paine, Mark Bidmead, Olie Harris, Mahlodo
Martin. Subs not used: Mark Goodman, Daniel
Nielsen, Paul McCarthy.
Referee: Mr Alexander Bradley (Brighton), Assistants:
Mr David Ellis (Brighton), Mr Duncan
BetVictor Isthmian League South East
P W D L F A +/- Pts
1 Haywards Heath Town 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 7
2 Whyteleafe 3 2 1 0 9 5 4 7
3 Cray Valley PM 3 2 1 0 4 1 3 7
4 Ashford United 2 2 0 0 7 1 6 6
5 VCD Athletic 3 2 0 1 8 7 1 6
6 Chichester City 3 2 0 1 6 5 1 6
7 Hastings United 3 1 2 0 2 0 2 5
8 Whitehawk 3 1 2 0 5 4 1 5
9 Whitstable Town 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 4
10 Sevenoaks Town 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
11 Herne Bay 3 1 1 1 5 6 -1 4
12 Faversham Town1-0 3 1 1 1 4 5 -1 4
13 SITTINGBOURNE 3 1 1 1 4 5 -1 4
14 Burgess Hill Town 3 1 0 2 9 9 0 3
15 Hythe Town0-1 3 1 0 2 4 8 -4 3
16 EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 3 0 2 1 4 5 -1 2
17 Guernsey 3 0 2 1 7 10 -3 2
18 Ramsgate 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 0
19 Phoenix Sports 3 0 0 3 3 7 -4 0
20 Three Bridges 3 0 0 3 3 10 -7 0
Todays Matches
3pm Ashford United
3pm Chichester City
3pm Hastings United
3pm Haywards Heath Town
3pm Herne Bay
3pm Hythe Town
2pm Phoenix Sports
3pm Sevenoaks Town
3pm VCD Athletic
v Burgess Hill Town
v Faversham Town
v Whyteleafe
v Three Bridges
v Cray Valley PM
v Whitehawk
v Guernsey
v Whitstable Town
v Ramsgate
Bournecreet House, Bonham Drive, Sittingbourne, Kent,
ME10 3RY, T: 01795 426775, E: info@denmaur.com
Match Reports by Tony Rickson
Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August 2019
BetVictor Isthmian League SE Division
Ramsgate (1) 1 (S Smith (pen) 42)
Sittingbourne (1) 2 (Campbell 19, 80),
Attendance: 208
What a 48 hours for Sittingbourne Football Club.
They enjoyed their first win of the season in Saturday’s
FA Cup-tie, kept a clean sheet, and ended
with a nice little earner in prize money.
Back on the field within two days in the hottest of
seaside weather, and against all the odds, they
then picked up their first league win of the season
down at Ramsgate.
Against all the odds? Well, they were without four
players who would surely have been in the starting
XI. Missing for various reasons including injury
and work commitments, were Lex Allan, Chris
Webber, Shaun Brown and Chris Barnard.
They had to dig deep into their squad, and give
full debuts to central defender Caleb Roberts and
midfielder Josh Oliver and a first start for winger
Festus Lori. They were left with just four substitutes
– Sittingbourne had as many photographers
pitchside as they had subs!
But at least they had Roman Campbell back after
a one-match suspension, and he took his tally to
four goals from three games in a stunning start to
his month’s loan. If this young man doesn’t make
it all the way through to the Gillingham first team
I, for one, will be mighty surprised.
Ramsgate went into the match with confidence on
the back of a 4-1 away win in the FA Cup, and
with the familiar figures of Nick Davies and Tony
Cornwell leading them from the sidelines.
Understandably in the heat, and given the quick
turn-around since the previous games, both
teams started quite slowly, though Sittingbourne’s
new-look back four immediately looked up for the
job.
Soon after Tommie Fagg had undercut an ambitious
long shot with the Ramsgate keeper off his
line, Sittingbourne grabbed the lead.
A huge throw-in from Lewis Chambers out on the
left caused predictable havoc in the six-yard area
but Ramsgate cleared it to the edge of the area.
Oliver tried his luck with a shot from there – the
bad news was it slewed off target, the good news
was that it fell perfectly to the feet of Campbell.
His control was instant, and I almost turned away
to note the time of the goal so confident was I
he’d score from that position.
And he did.
Ramsgate passed the ball around well enough
but they could find no way through a stubborn defence
and it was 38 minutes before Tom Benham
had a save to make in goal. A comfortable one it
was, too.
But a couple of minutes later and the Rams
equalised from the penalty spot, after a shot was
driven against Roberts from very close range and
hit his arm. No way did it look deliberate, but that
isn’t the point any more.
Ramsgate used their attacking players in a different
formation after half-time, a compliment to the
way Sittingbourne had so successfully stifled
them in the first half. The popular Allan, for one,
won’t easily walk back into the team the way Roberts
and fellow central defender Cory Walters-
Wright kept Ramsgate out, with good support
from their full-backs.
Sittingbourne were disciplined and organised in
the way they went about the game and held
Ramsgate out so well. They’re definitely showing
improvements in every match.
Fagg, Walters-Wright and sub Liam Middleton all
had chances without being able to make the most
of them, while at the other end, Benham made a
good save to his right and Rams’ Jack Morrell,
who was with Sittingbourne on loan from Gillingham
at the end of last season, went close with a
shot as he advanced from left-back.
Sittingbourne won it with 10 minutes to go. The
assistant referee spotted Rams keeper Godmon
handling the ball just outside his area. Fagg
slipped the free-kick to his left and Campbell bent
a left-footed low shot round the defensive wall
and in off the post. A classy and mature finish and
a goal worthy of winning any match.
Not sure how Ramsgate kept Kane Rowland on
the subs’ bench for 75 minutes given the way he
performed week-in week-out for Sittingbourne the
season before last, but he could make no difference
when he eventually got on.
Benham had to make one picturesque save, arching
backwards to tip a shot over the bar, but generally
this makeshift Sittingbourne team continued
to work hard all over the pitch to see the game
out.
Overcoming the non-availabilities was a pretty
significant effort. The players rightly enjoyed the
adulation of their fans behind the goal at the end
after completing a highly successful and pretty
exhausting weekend double.
Sittingbourne: Tom Benham, Lewis West, Jason
Fregene, Lewis Chambers, Caleb Roberts, Cory
Walters-Wright, Enoch Adjei (Liam Middleton, 54
min), Josh Oliver (Tyrone Guthrie, 54 min), Roman
Campbell, Tommie Fagg, Festus Lori (Johan
Caney-Bryan, 65 min). Sub not used: Abdel
Ndew.
Brickies Lottery Results
The lottery is now even more attractive. There is now an annual prize (in December) of £500, and
each month a prize of £100. In addition Each week there are draws for £40 ( 3 prizes except for
the week when there is a £100 prize when there will be two £40 prizes).
Week Commencing 26th August 2019
£40, Ticket number 161, Nigel O'Reilly, Sittingbourne
£40, Ticket number 544, Daphne Dempsey, Sittingbourne
£40, Ticket number 670, Belinda Wisdom, Canterbury
Week Commencing 19th August 2019
£40, Ticket number 171, Roger Wilkins, Rainham
£40, Ticket number 180, Sheila Laming, Sittingbourne
£40, Ticket number 564, Holly Neal, Sittingbourne
Week Commencing 12th August 2019
£40, Ticket number 060, Carol Cooper, Sittingbourne
£40, Ticket number 154, Karen Newcombe, Sittingbourne
£40, Ticket number 638, Geof Rudd, Sittingbourne
Week Commencing 5th August 2019
£40, Ticket number 068, Fay Jordan, Sittingbourne
£100, Ticket number 549, David Cummins, Queenborough
£40, Ticket number 667, Stephen Horn, Sittingbourne
Now is the time to join our lottery, see John Pitts or Peter Pitts (On the PA) or the bar for a form,
cost is just a £1 a week! (Payable monthly. Quarterly or annually)
Sponsorship Opportunities
Match Day Sponsor - this gives the sponsor and guests (Up to four)
access to the boardroom to enjoy half time and post match food and
drink. Costs of this is a very reasonable £175
Matchball Sponsor - £50
Mascot - An ideal present for a football mad youngster = £50 Includes
mascot plus three guests plus Hospitality.
Man of the Match - Your chance to be the official "Man of the Match"
awarder £15
Sponsor a Brickie and have your name in the programme as a sponsor
for the entire season, rates are:
Complete Player...............................£50
Socks only........................................£10
Shorts only.......................................£15
Shirt only...........................................£20
Boots only.........................................£15
Web site advertising—An exciting opportunity to advertise on a web
site that has a verifiable 3000 plus hits a month. Box Advert, £75. All
enquiries for web site advertising to Peter Pitts via
bournefc@hotmail.com or call 07785 906627
Inside Programme Advertising: (Black & White or Colour). From
£50.00 (Business card size)
Ground Perimeter Boards: Size 8 feet x 3 feet = £200, then £150
per year renewal.. Other sizes negotiable
For any of the above see any committee member. Or email
andrew@sittingbournefc.co.uk
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