TMUFC_SeasonReport

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“FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1939 - WHEN

THE WORLD PREPARED TO GO TO WAR - A

SEASON HAS BEEN ABANDONED...”

As we all trooped dejectedly away from

Imperial Fields on Saturday 8th February,

following a disappointing 2-1 reverse

against Chertsey Town, who would have

believed we had just witnessed our last

home game of the season? At that stage,

there were still sixteen matches left to play,

seven of which were scheduled for our

own turf. Although we had dropped from

fourth to eighth during the course of the 90

minutes, and occupied our lowest placing

of the season (outside the play-off spots for

the first time), optimism remained high and

with plenty of football still to be played,

hope was intact. Of course, we all now

know what happened next and a virus that

had already been identified in the far east

as a potential global hazard subsequently

brought not only an end to all levels of

football in the UK, but the whole of Europe,

and much of the world, came crashing to a

grinding halt.

So, for the first time since 1939 - when the

world prepared to go to war - a season has

been abandoned and an announcement

has been made that the outstanding

fixtures will not be played out. Officially,

the completed matches have been rendered

‘null and void’; usually, when this occurs

(for example, if a team folds in mid-season

and results involving them are expunged),

appearances made and goals scored have

effectively not occurred, and are therefore

not included when official statistics are

compiled. Quite how that leaves this season

remains to be seen, as twenty-two league

matches have been completed, as well as

a significant number of cup-ties; does this

mean James Shaw, for instance, who played

every minute in all of them - is yet to make

an official appearance for the club? (signed,

as he was, in the close season of 2019).

Well, these questions are yet to be answered

but we can still reflect upon what the season

provided - the usual highs and lows, hope

and regrets; and, as always, the belief that

‘there’s always next season’, when all our

dreams may be fulfilled.

The summer of 2019 brought a number of

high-profile departures - we had known

before the previous campaign ended that

Isaiah Jones would be taking his prodigious

talents to the north east to link up with

Middlesbrough’s development set-up; in the

event, he had a friendly face to accompany

him as Sam Folarin also accepted an offer

from the ‘Boro. Abraham Odoh crossed

south London to join up with Charlton’s

youngsters, and Lexus Beeden made the

journey west to sign on with Reading; four

graduates from the class of 2018 moving

on to the second tier of professional

football is not bad for a club at our level,

and strengthens once again the reputation

Tooting & Mitcham United have for bringing

through quality youngsters.

In other moves, Tope Fadahunsi left these

shores to link up with third tier Finnish

side Kemi City and fans favourite Saidou

Khan stepped up two levels to sign for

Maidstone. Danny Bassett joined him in the

National League south, accepting an offer

from Canvey Island based Concord Rangers.

Former Tooting boss Frank Wilson raided

his old stamping ground and enticed Peter

Wedgeworth, Eddie Dines and 2018/19

player-of-the-season Antonio Simeone

to join him in the Isthmian Premier at

Merstham. Stefan Illic also made the jump

into the higher division when he signed

for Lewes and their delightfully eccentric

Dripping Pan ground.

But it wasn’t all one-way traffic, as there

were plenty of new faces arriving also. There

was shock news when it was announced

that consistent wing-back Ajani Domingo-

Carrington was involved in a car accident.

Happily, his injuries were not overly serious

but we wouldn’t be seeing him in action for

some weeks. George Ademiluyi was signed

as his replacement, and his credentials

could not have been better, as he had spent

the previous campaign with both of the

sides promoted from the division - Hayes

& Yeading United and Cheshunt. Another

defensive arrival was old favourite Dean

Hamlin who rejoined from Chipstead, a

decade after his previous stint as a Terror.

The back line was further bolstered by the

arrival of Nathan Daly from Hythe Town, and

Alex Filipe making the short journey from

Molesey. A new custodian between the

posts was secured as James Shaw arrived

from Three Bridges to don the goalkeeping

jersey.

The midfield ranks were bolstered by David

‘didi’ Castanho who signed from Walton &

Hersham, and the strike-force given a boost

with promising young striker Nebay Haile,

who’d scored an impressive goal against

us for previous club Ashford Town at the

back end of the previous season, adding his

name to the roster. Additionally promising

youngsters such as Omari Hibbert, Dontai

Stewart and Ahkeem Belford were preparing

to step up from the successful U23s setup

and challenge for first-team places; the

squad was starting to take a settled shape.

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START OF THE SEASON

The season proper got underway with a tricky

trip to Hertford, and their unpredictable

surface; Omari Hibbert came off the bench

to net the only goal of the game with time

running out. The home campaign got off

to a flying start with a 230 crowd turning

out for a 3-1 win over Ashford - not bad

for a midweek fixture. A bank holiday derby

triumph at Chipstead and Razzaq Coleman’s

gleefully despatched last minute winner

in a come-from-behind victory at home to

Northwood rounded off the month with

a 100% start, and the leadership of the

division.

PRE - SEASON

As the pre-season matches approached,

optimism was high - and was lifted further

with the news that Danny Bassett was back

training with the team, and would likely play

in the friendly matches after deciding the

journey out to the Essex coast, coupled with

his full-time day job, was too much of an

undertaking. Although one shouldn’t read

too much into pre-season games - being as

they are a chance to integrate new arrivals

into the set-up, and experiment with tactics

and formations - the nine warm-up matches

saw seven wins, one draw and one defeat.

Pick of the triumphs were a 3-2 home win

against Championship side Reading, albeit

their U23 side, and a 3-0 win at local rivals

Carshalton - Danny Bassett amongst the

scorers. The only reverse was at home to

Charlton, with ex-Terror Abraham Odoh

netting a penalty on the return to his roots.

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BACK TO THE LEAGUE

Back in the league, we continued to progress

the trip to Margate - one level above us in

in the right direction; when Hanwell

the pyramid - but plenty of travelling Terrors

visited for a top-of-the-table clash in early

made the journey, and were rewarded with

November, both teams were still unbeaten

a 4-0 mauling of the hosts. Danny Bassett,

and pole position was up for grabs. Seven

‘didi’ Castanho (2) and the increasingly

wins and two draws saw us comfortably

impressive Razzaq Coleman the scorers on

tucked in behind the leaders (due largely

the day. Our reward for such a display was

to games in hand accumulated during

to be drawn against the winners of the

FA CUP RUN

the runs in the FA cup & trophy - more of

which shortly). Unfortunately, the unbeaten

Carshalton Athletic v. Frome Town tie. Just

when the travelling masses were plotting

record disappeared that day as Hanwell led

a journey westward to cider country, the

through a very early penalty and held on

Robins threw a spanner in the works by

with no further additions to the scoresheet.

prevailing in the delayed match and our

A highlight of the early weeks was the run

in the FA cup; we were fortunate to benefit

from a series of home ties, but Faversham

Town (narrowly) and AFC Varndenians

(comfortably) were both seen off to set

up an intriguing encounter with Dorking

Wanderers. There was some history between

the clubs, dating back to the 2016/17

promotion season when we both broke the

100 point mark, but a goal difference of 7

going well in the National League south.

On the day, a fired-up Terrors side overcame

the sending off of skipper Sol Patterson-

Bohner to run out comfortable 1-0 victors

courtesy of Danny Bassett, and spark scenes

of joy not witnessed in these parts since the

aforementioned championship campaign.

Just when we were starting to harbour

thoughts of a place in the first round proper

(a mere two tantalising victories away),

One defeat became two as our bogey team,

Staines Town, arrived for a midweek fixture

and despite taking an early lead through

‘didi’, we lost the initiative and the game as

the struggling visitors took the points with

a second half winner.

As I alluded to earlier, our cup form was

impressive - allied to our run in the major

competition, we had safely negotiated three

travel plans were drastically altered as we

instead made the short walk to our nearest

geographical rivals. Still, you can’t beat

a local derby and Carshalton being in the

upper echelons in the division above us

gave us the opportunity to gauge ourselves

against a team in a position we aspire to. In

the event, we shaped up well and took an

early lead through Hady Ghandour. Midway

through the second half, and still seemingly

in our favour annexed the championship

top of their table Poole came to town and

tricky ties in the Trophy; the short journey

in control, the tie was turned on its head

with Dorking losing out in the play-offs. Of

ended our hopes with a clinical 2-0 success.

to Whyteleafe had seen an impressive 3-1

by two quickfire strikes for the home side.

course, the elevation for us was sadly short-

Still, the run had been fun while it lasted

victory, with promising youngster Jamarie

With the game threatening to get away

lived and as we returned from whence we

and new fans had been made aware of

Brissett amongst the goalscorers. A narrow

from us, we dug deep and ground our way

came, Dorking leapfrogged us with backto-back

promotions taking them into their

current position : two levels higher and

what was occurring in our little corner of

south London, rendering the venture a huge

success overall.

1-0 win at Sittingbourne set us up for one of

the most impressive outings of the season;

sadly, an impending holiday meant I missed

back into it with only a fine save from the

home ‘keeper denying Hady a second on

the day, and us an attractive home replay.

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But the championship remained our aim,

those clad in black and white dug deep

for him we’d have comfortably had double

record of six wins and three draws (no

with a play-off place the minimum we were

looking for, and departure from the cups

(we had also severed our interests with the

Velocity Trophy and Surrey Senior cup by

this stage) enabled us to focus on the bread

and butter of league points. We rounded off

November with a goalless home encounter

against draw specialists Marlow and finished

the month in seventh; eight points behind

leaders Hanwell, but with three games in

hand.

December opened with a trip to Chertsey,

the reigning FA Vase holders who stood one

point and one place above us in the table

(albeit having played three games more).

and strikes from Danny Bassett and Jamarie

Brissett gave us a half-time advantage.

Despite bossing a second period in which

we could have added to our tally, no further

goals were scored and we went into the

Christmas holidays in third place and good

heart.

The less said about the next two home

games, the better! Local rivals Chipstead

visited on the first Saturday after Christmas,

and took the points with a thumping 4-1

win in our worst display of the season. Two

weeks later, Uxbridge brought the best

away record in the division to Imperial Fields

and showed why as they adapted better

figures - and his efforts were one of the

reasons they managed the small triumph

of a goalless second period. We followed

this up with a hard-earned point at Staines,

courtesy of another Jamarie Brissett strike

(his eighth in all competitions) and another

impressive three points at home as Waltham

Abbey - in a good run of form and above

us in the table - were seen off 3-0 in the

first game of February to leave us in fourth

place.

It was an impressive statistical fact that we

had lost only once in sixteen away league

outings in the calendar year of 2019; in

season 2019/20, we had amassed an away

defeats) away from home to extend this

run. What followed was rather unexpected

then, as we lost three in a row on the road.

The sequence started on a Tuesday night in

the shadow of Heathrow Airport at Bedfont,

with a 2-0 reverse. Following the home

loss to Chertsey with which I began this

piece, we then went to Ware and Barking

and, despite leading in both matches, went

down 2-1 in each. A rare 29th February

outing (which would have been the first ever

on this date at home) was stymied by an

overnight downpour and standing surface

water, resulting in a postponement on the

morning of our fixture with Bracknell.

What followed was another high point of

to the swirling wind and took the points

our season. An early lead was consolidated

back to west London after a 2-1 triumph.

by James Shaw’s penalty save, and by the

Thankfully, between these two reverses,

final whistle the Terrors had netted five

our away form was holding up well as Hady

times without reply. Hady Ghandour took

Ghandour’s late strike secured the points at

the scoring honours on the day with four of

Northwood, and Dominic Morgan-Griffith’s

them (denied a fifth only by the crossbar),

half volley from the edge of the box was the

although everybody sporting away-day

pick of the strikes in a 4-1 win at Chalfont

plum was a hero in a tremendous team

St. Peter.

performance. The following week saw

another huge hurdle overcome, as league

History was made in our next outing in front

leaders Ware came to fortress Imperial

of our own fans, as we scored six times in

boasting eighteen goals in their previous

the first-half against struggling FC Romania

three league outings. A bumper pre-

- this was the highest tally of goals we’d

Christmas crowd took advantage of free

ever recorded in the opening 45 minutes of

entry on our Festive Fun day but looked like

any competitive fixture in our history! It has

going home disappointed as Ware took an

to be noted that the opposition ‘keeper was

early lead with their first attack. However,

one of their better players on the day - but

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NEW YEAR SIGNINGS

AND DEPARTURES

Despite Hanwell pulling one back to only

trail 1-2 at the break, Danny Bassett’s volley

from distance re-established our two goal

lead. Another Hanwell goal threatened a

nervy last ten minutes, but late strikes from

Williams again and another new arrival,

Klajdi Cani put the seal on the points.

In an effort to shake things up ahead of the

end of season run-in, several players were

brought in and a few had departed. Omari

Hibbert and Nebay Haile had both left earlier

in the campaign after failing to claim regular

places in our attack. Antonio Simeone had

returned from his hiatus at Merstham via

Staines, but departed again early in the new

year to Chertsey. David Castanho left to link

up with Northwood and Hady Ghandour

was rewarded for his impressive form

with a trial at Charlton. Razzaq Coleman’s

game-to-game improvement had not gone

unnoticed and Hampton & Richmond

Borough gave him the opportunity to show

his talents two levels higher.

Meanwhile, Stefan Illic returned from Lewes

(and scored in his first game back at Ware);

defenders Ermis Mezini and Antone Douglas

stiffened up the back line and prolific strikers

Duncan Culley and Daniel Williams bolstered

the attack. With Dominic Odusanya coming

into midfield, and identical twins Abdel and

Abdelah Sahnoun stepping up from the

U23s to provide competition at wing-back

the squad looked in good shape for the

crunch games ahead.

We stopped the rot of defeats with a battling

point at third placed Westfield; an early goal

threatened to undermine us again, but the

team knuckled down and Daniel Williams’

late equaliser was the least we deserved.

We followed this up with another testing

encounter at Hanwell Town.

Hanwell were second in the table, and

were vying with Ware as the only realistic

championship contenders. Their previous

home game had seen them put six past

play-off hopefuls Waltham Abbey and they

had, of course, wrecked our unbeaten

record four months earlier. Truly, this was a

major test of our play-off credentials. In the

event, we gave perhaps our most complete

display of the season, with several of the

new signings showing up particularly well.

Ermis Mezini won everything in the air, the

Sahnoun twins were causing havoc on the

flanks and the Culley-Williams partnership

was starting to gel up front. 90 minutes

later, the team trooped off the field having

run out 5-2 winners; Williams had opened

the scoring with his third in four matches,

Daryl Coleman had smashed in a longrange

special to double our advantage.

LEAGUE ON THE EDGE

And that, as it turned out, was that. Our So we look back at what might have been

scheduled Tuesday night outing to South with a few regrets; the poor run of form

Park was curtailed by the weather and in February had left us outside the play-offs

by the following Saturday, all sporting for the first time in the season, but with

events were under threat from impending fixtures scheduled against fellow contenders

lockdown. Despite fixtures going ahead Westfield, Uxbridge and Bracknell Town

in south London at Dulwich, Fisher and (home and away) along with a comfortable

Sutton United, the Isthmian league showed run-in (on paper), we had every hope of

commendable foresight and placed our extending our season into the lottery of the

league on temporary suspension, which was play-offs with, potentially, the chance of

to become permanent a few weeks later. elevation back to the premier division.

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FAREWELL

BUT NOT

GOODBYE

And so we look forward and hope that on

the resumption, all those who regularly

congregate at Imperial Fields will return

safe and well. We look forward, once again,

to enjoy the exceptional talents of some

of south London’s finest youngsters before

they get the chance to ply their talents in

the higher echelons of non-league (and

hopefully, league) football; and we trust

that those who remain will be able to assist

the club’s ambitions and propel us up the

pyramid.

THE PLAYERS

Danny Bassett once again led the scoring

charts with twenty-one in all competitions

(and only one from the penalty spot), David

Castanho weighed in with ten (prior to

his departure) - an impressive tally from

midfield. Jamarie Brissett proved to be one

of the finds of the campaign, contributing

eight before an injury ruled him out of the

closing fixtures, and Hady Ghandour had

notched up seven when he left to trial at

Charlton. With the uncertainty pervading

all around at the moment, it remains to be

seen whether they will be in a position to

take him on when football resumes. But

if he does get the chance to transfer his

talents to the professional game, he will be

wished well by everybody at Imperial Fields

and welcomed back at any time. A special

mention must be made of James Shaw,

who was ever present in all competitions

and proved himself to be one of the most

popular characters at the club.

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WRITTEN BY EDWARD PARLETT

DESIGNED BY ISABELLA ASHFORD

IMAGES COURTESY OF SAM CONQUEST

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