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Tring Athletic vs. Hertford Town

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Tring Athletic vs. Hertford Town - Sat 18th Oct 3pm
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Grass Roots Talk

Good Evening and welcome to The Grassroots Stadium for this Spartan

South Midland Premier Division game.

Today we welcome the players, officials and supporters of Hertford Town

to Tring, and we hope you enjoy your short stay with us.

We also give a warm welcome to our match officials- Referee- Mr

M.Chisholm and his assistants-Mr R.Pearson & Mr M.Ball

Tonight’s match is sponsored by our Catering Team and we would like to

thank them for their continued generous support.

We met tonight's opposition back in August at Hertingfordbury Park in The

Herts Charity Shield in which was our first game of the season

We were beaten that evening by 3 goals to 2 and our guests looked a good

side. This has been the case and at present they are 4 points behind us with

2 games in hand. They had a good 2-0 win and Colney last Saturday.

We also had a good win at Biggleswade Utd. An early goal was cancelled out

by Taylor Collins before Kieron Turner scored the winner late on

The Reserves were unfortunate to go out of the Challenge Cup to the same

opposition drawing 1-1 in the second leg after losing the first game 2-1. The

second half performance from our younger merited something from the

game side but they were unable to get the goals they deserved.

The youth team showed their improvement winning 2-0 at Chesham during

the previous week. This should have given the boys a lift and several of

them are now performing well in our adult sides.

The A Team had a convincing 7-0 win in the WH Charity Cup. to a very good

Leverstock Green side which had beaten them 8-1 only a couple of weeks

ago.

Finally enjoy the game and give your support to all involved

TRING ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB *Charter Standard Club*

The Grass Roots Stadium, Pendley Sports, Centre, Cow Lane, Tring, Herts. HP23 5NS Tel. No; 01442 891144

Website; www.tafc.co.uk email; [email protected]

Members of: Molten Spartan South Midland Football League. Hertfordshire Football Association. West Herts Football Association. Suburban Combination League.

Under 15 Wycombe Sunday League . Under 18 Southern Floodlit Corinthian League

President David Evans MBE

Life Vice Presidents Barry Johnson, Bob Allum, Jean & Les Robins, Ralph Griffiths, Harry Bowden, Pete Stilwell.

Alan Foskett. Pete Oakley

Chairman Mick Eldridge.

Programme Editor/ Vice Chairman Barry Simmons.

Hon. Secretary Robert Winter

Hon. Treasurer Keith Hamilton.

Commercial Manager Dan Barnett

South Midlands & Suburban. Leagues. Match Secretary - Tony Steadman

Match Secretary-West Herts David Stacey.

Registration Secretary Trevor Langley

Club Welfare Officer Trevor Langley

Club Coach Gareth Jackson

First Team Managers Julian Robinson, Ian Richardson.

Reserve Team Managers Colin Philips & Chris Juraszek, Stuart Stedman

A Team Managers. Steve Punshan

B Team Managers Steve Alford & Phil Monaghan

Under 18’s Youth Nick Seaton & Matt Hayward

Under 15’s Youth Graham Poll & Ian Butler

Sports Therapist. Kim Harris.

Press Officer. Ralph Griffiths/Geoff Gaut

Groundsman Darrell Bodimeade

Membership Secretary. Mick Eldridge.

Kit Laundering. Dee Wells.

Catering Jack Winter, Morgan Weston, Matt Stacey, Gill Eldridge & Sandra Foskett.

Cleaning Amanda Stacey & Alison Parker.

Committee Members. Ray Brimsom, Keith Eldridge, Paul Humphreys, Andy Ayres, Mark Weston, Richard Vincent.

Tring Athletic Football Club

CLUB HONOURS-

WEST HERTS LEAGUE

1961/2: Champions Division 1

1964/5: Champions Division 1 1962/3: R/U Division 2 (Res)

1965/6: Champions Division 1 Winners WH-Challenge Cup

1971/2: R/U Division 1, R/U Apsley Senior Cup

Champions Division 2 (Res.)

1972/3: R/U Premier Division, R/U Premier Res (Res)

Winners Marsworth Cup (Res.)

1983/4: R/U Division 1 1985/6: R/U Division 1

1986/7: R/U Watford Peace 1987/8: R/U Apsley Senior Cup

1993/4: R/U Apsley Junior Cup (Res.) 1994/5: R/U Apsley Junior Cup (Res.)

1999/0: R/U Division 3 (A Team) 2000/1: R/U Division 3 (B Team)

2001/2: R/U Apsley Junior Cup (A Team) 2002/3: R/U Division 2 (A Team)

2009/2010 Winners Sir Stanley Rous Challenge Cup (B Team)

2012/13 A Team winners Watford Peace Memorial Shield

SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE-

1994/5: R/U Senior Division Cup

1996/7: Winners St Mary’s Cup

1997/8: R/U Senior Division

Champions Reserve Division 2 (Res)

1998/9: Winners- St Mary’s Cup

Winners- Senior Division Cup

1999/0: Champions Senior Division. Winners- Herts. Charity Shield .

Winners- Herts. Senior Centenary Trophy. Winners- Cherry Red Books Trophy.

R/U Senior Division Cup. R/U Herts. Intermediate Cup (Res.). Finalists: St Marys Cup (not played).

Winners- Houghton Regis Cup.

Winners-Managers of the Year.

2000/1: Winners- Herts. Senior Centenary Trophy Winners- Cherry Red Books Trophy

Winners- Reserve Division 1 (Res.), Winner-Best Playing Surface

2001/2: Winners- Herts. Charity Shield

Winner-Best Playing Surface

2002/3: Winners Herts. Senior Centenary Trophy.

Winners- Division 1 Cup, R/U Cherry Red Books Trophy, Winner-Best Playing Surface

2004/5: Winners- St Mary's Cup, Finalists of South Midlands Floodlit Cup

2007/8: Winners-Herts Charity Shield

2008/09 Winners- South Midland League Challenge Trophy. Winners- South Midland League Premier

Div. Cup. Winners- St.Mary’s Cup

LADIES-

2005/2006: TVCWL- Runners up. League cup finalist

2006/2007: North London Div 2 Runners up

2007/2008: North London Div 1 Runners up

2011/2012: Winners- Greater London Women’s Football Northern Div., County Cup Finalists

History of Tring Athletic: Formed in March 1958 by a group of local men who contributed app. £2,000 towards the cost of the land, fencing,

changing rooms etc .Players, Committee members and friends carried out the work while the team played on another

pitch. Originally formed for youngsters under the age of 21, the team won many trophies in the West Herts. Div. 3

including the Div. 1 title 3 times in 5 years, often playing against adult sides.

The 70’s/80’s

The Club went through a lean time and it was decided to scrap the upper age limit. Many former players returned which

resulted in another successful period in the early 1970’s.

Many fine players turned out for the Club and went on to play for professional/senior clubs. In the mid-seventies the

Club nearly folded and the ground was sold to the Council. The reserves were disbanded and the First team dropped

down through the leagues. It was decided to turn to youth again. This formula enabled the Club to work back through

the leagues and by 1986 we were competing in the Premier Div. and the reserves were resurrected. South Midlands-The 90’s.

In 1988 the Club joined The South Midlands and as a result gained Senior status with The Herts. FA

In 1989 we entered in a 3 year ground sharing agreement with Tring Town.

In 1992 the first team moved back to Miswell Lane, where the Reserves had continued to play. The side established

itself in The South Midlands and gained promotion to the newly formed Senior Div.

in 1993. In 1994/5 season, the First Team reached the final of the Senior Div. Cup While the Reserves were finalists in

the Apsley Junior Cup for the second year running.

In 1996/7 after leading the Div. for the whole season, some poor results at the end found us finishing 3rd. We also

reached the semi- final of the Herts. Charity Shield and won the St. Mary’s Cup beating 5 Senior sides including

Isthmian League Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted Town In 1997/8 after winning the last 14 games we lost out on

the Title on goal difference of 2. The Reserves won their league by 10 points winning every home game.

The following year we won the South Midlands Senior Div. Cup and also The St. Mary’s Cup for the second time,

defeating neighbours Tring Town in the semi-final in front of a crowd of 350, mostly Athletic supporters. In the league

after suffering just one defeat in 28 games, we finished 3rd.

The 1999/2000 season proved to be one to remember. £ 50k was spent on new changing rooms and extending the

Clubhouse and over 1000 people turned up to watch a Watford X1 refereed by Graham Barber and Graham Poll.. We

also formed a third team a Vets side and a Ladies team. The season turned out to be our most successful. Not only

winning the Senior Div. by 11 points, we also reached 5 finals. Winning The Herts. Charity Shield, Herts. Senior

Centenary Trophy and the Cherry Red Books Trophy in it’s inaugural year. We were narrowly beaten 1-0in The Senior

Div. Cup and the reached Final of the St. Mary’s Cup which was never played because of a back log of fixtures.

We were awarded the Houghton Cup for achievements in outside competitions.

The Management team were also voted Managers of the season. We lost only 6 out of 60 games all season. The

Reserves reached the Final of The Intermediate Cup and the A Team finished runners up in the West Herts. Div.

The New Millennium

We continued our success into the new one (2000/01) by retaining the Herts. Senior Centenary Trophy (again beating

Wormley Rovers 2-0) and the Cherry Red Books Trophy (Virginia Water 1-0). The Reserves won the League title and a

newly formed B Team claimed the runners-up spot. The following season (2001/02) we won the Herts. Charity Shield

for the 2nd time beating Letchworth 4-1. The A Team reached the Apsley Junior Cup final and the B Team won the

sporting award.

Season 2002/03 – More success followed as we capture the Herts. Senior Centenary Trophy for the 3rd time, to

become the first club to do so. We finished 3rd in the table and won the League Cup for the 2nd time, to make 12

major trophies in 7 years. We were also finalists in the Cherry Red Books Trophy. The A Team finished runners up as

did the Under 16's in their first season, the B Team won the sporting award for the 2nd year running and the Ladies

had a great run in the Women's FA Cup. For the 3rd year running Darrel Bodimeade won an award for the best playing

surface, which is just reward for the tremendous job he does for the club.

Season 2003/04 –Following our failure to secure floodlights at Miswell Lane we entered into an historic alliance

with Tring Town to play our first and reserve team football in season 2004/05 at Pendley where lights are already in

place. The main focus was to be to raise the funds needed to build a new Clubhouse, the previous building burnt down in

March 2003. Miswell Lane will be retained and will be used by our A, B, and Ladies sides. This new arrangement with

Tring Town secured senior level football in the town.

Season2004/05 – New season at a new ground in a new division with fantastic facilities. First team finished 6th in

the Premier Division and also won the St Mary's Cup for the 3rd time defeating Hemel Hempstead in the Final. We

were also Runners Up in the South Midlands Floodlit Cup Final losing on penalties to Oxhey Jets. Played in the F A Vase

for the first time.

Season 2005/6 –The Club entered the F A Cup for the 1st time in its history but was defeated in the prelim round.

In a disappointing season the highlight was a victory over Watford in the Herts Senior Trophy with a large crowd

enjoying a 1-0 win. Defeat in this competition came at the hands of Stevenage Borough of the Conference league

Season 2006/7-The first team finished mid table after a difficult start to the season. Went 3 rounds in the e.on

FA Cup, losing to Kings Lyn, the biggest side in the competition at that time. The events of the year however came

after the season had completed. Mick Eldridge and Ray Brimsom stepped down as first team managers after 17 years.

Ron Brimsom also after 16 years decided to hand over the reigns and our Hon. Secretary Ralph Griffiths also stood

down after 25 years in that position. A wealth of experience which thankfully will not be lost, as they are all staying on

in some capacity.

Season 2007/2008-.The new management team of Phil Casserley and Terry Nightingale ended in glory at The

County Ground, Letchworth, with the First Team lifting The Herts. Charity Shield for the 3rd time.

Season 2008/2009- A reasonable league campaign saw the first team finish in 8th position.

However in true Athletic tradition, it was in the cups in which we excelled, reaching 4 semi-finals. After being 4-2 up

with just a few minutes to go, 3 late goals meant the first one slipped away. This strengthened the resolve of the

whole team and in a remarkable last seven days of the season, three trophies were gained. Winning the League

Challenge Trophy and Premier Div. Cup for the first time and also defeating local rivals Leverstock Green to pick up the

St. Mary’s Cup for the 4th time

Ex-player, Ben Williams re-joined the club as reserve team manager mid season and will lead the side in the Suburban

League next season.

Season 2009/2010- After last season’s tremendous cup haul, this year the first team finished without a trophy.

However they finished third in the league, the highest position the club’s history so far. With the ground getting the

higher ground grading required, the management and players will be hoping to put in a challenge for the title in

2010/2011.

The B Team did pick up some silver ware winning The Stanley Rous Challenge Cup at Hemel Hempstead Town’s ground.

Season 2010/2011- The first team finished runners up in The Premier Division. They also won The St. Mary’s Cup

beating Leverstock Green in the final and reached the final of The Floodlite Cup, losing 2-0 to Royston Town

Season 2011/2012- With a new Management set up and several new faces in the First team, we were pleased to

finish in the top six and reach 3 cup semi-finals. All our sides performed well, with one of our youth sides going through

the league season undefeated. The ladies won their league and reached the final of the County Cup, losing to Arsenal

reserves.

SEASON 2012/2013 - Mixed season with the 1st team winning their initial F A Cup tie at Bedfont and then losing

in the next round to Ashford Town after a replay, in the F A Vase we lost at first hurdle to FC Romania. In the League

we finished just below half way, lost on penalties to Hadley in the semi final of the Premier Division Cup and were

finalists in the St Mary's Cup losing to local rivals Berkhamsted. The "A" Team, under Dave Adamson and James Bevan

won the West Herts Peace Memorial Cup for the first time in the Club's history. Unfortunately the Ladies team

withdrew from their league through lack of players.

SEASON 2013/2014 -First team had a good run in The FA Vase and finished mid-table. Reserves finished runners

up on goal difference and won promotion to the Premier Division. Club purchased the Free-Hold of the ground and

second pitch to ensure future football in the town.

Future Events & News

Supper Quiz Night - Saturday 18th October

The popular sixth monthly Richard Vincent's General knowledge quiz night

returns on Saturday 18th October with teams between 4 and 8 persons plus a

Ploughmans Supper. Tickets cost £6 per person and we would ask Members and

Non Members to add their names to list in the club house or email the club on

[email protected] to book your place.Come as a team or make one up

on the night. It would help us if we have numbers attending ahead of the

evening so that we cater for the correct number of persons.

Herts Senior Cup 2014/15

Athletic have been handed a bye in the 1st round of the Herts Senior Cup.

We will then face the winners of the landlords vs tenants clash between

Potter Bar & Hadley in the second round. Our home tie in the 2nd round is

likely to be played on Tuesday 2nd December at the Grass Roots Stadium but

will be confirmed once the 1st round tie is decided.

100 Club Winners - August 2014

The draw took place after the U18 match against Ampthill Town and the

lucky winners for the month of August were:- 2nd August: Mark Boniface

£10; 9th August: Lisa Bradley £10; 16th August: Martin Richards £10; 23rd

August: Amanda Stacey £10 and 30th August: Brian Rutherford £100 and

Mick Murphy £20. As usual winnings can be collected from the bar on match

days. New members welcome to join at just £1 per week and a standing form

can be downloaded from our website or collected form the Club.

The recent distributed Newsletter showed the above draw but was incorrectly

based on July dates resulting in one less winner, a further draw has taken

place with Amanda Stacey winning £10.

TONIGHT

THE HISTORY OF HERTFORD TOWN FC

A long time ago in a town not so far away…

Hertford Town Football Club actually commenced its career as Port Vale Rovers, and brought the Herts

Junior Cup to Hertford in 1901. A general demand for the club’s recognition as the Town Club resulted in

the Association granting permission to change the name to Hertford F.C. and after amalgamation with

Hertford United, Hertford Town eventually resulted. For several years the club used Hartham as the

only ground available, although the junior clubs Horns and Blue Cross had private enclosures at

Hertingfordbury Park and Mutton Close. There was great rivalry between all of the clubs, and in 1908

the Blue Cross amalgamated with the town, this being the official date of formation of Hertford Town

F.C. as a senior club, and Hertingfordbury Park was used as the ground. This season the East Herts

League was won for the first time, then the following season, the Horns Club, having lost their ground,

joined the Town and helped to keep the East Herts League Cup in the Town for another season. The

County League was also nearly won, the club missing out by one point.

Pre & Post War Years

The club continued to play most of its early football in the Herts County League before progressing into

the Spartan League in 1921. Early success included reaching the Herts Senior Cup Final in 1933/34. In

1939, they gained promotion to the Premier Division of the Spartan League, but finished bottom when

the league resumed fully in 1946/47, and were out of football completely in 1947/48, due to the

unavailability of their ground. The club were admitted back into the Spartan League Division One (East)

for the 1948/49 season and were champions the following season. In 1955/56 and also in 1956/57, the

Blues were runners-up in the Premier Division.

A Time for Success

The club then had a successful period under manager Alec Massie. In a four-year stay in the Delphian

League from 1959, they won the championship twice (196/61 and 1961/62) and were runners up twice. A

hat trick of wins was only denied when the competition was abandoned due to a harsh winter in 1962/3.

Despite the Blues being clear at the top of the table, they then lost in the Emergency Competition to

Edmonton. Cup success during this period included being Herts Senior Cup finalists in 1962/3 and 63/4,

and two East Anglian Cup Finals against Boston Utd in 1960/61 and 62/63, the second a 1-0 victory

before a home crowd of 3000.

In 1963 the Delphian League became Division Two of the Athenian League, and in finishing fourth, the

Blues gained promotion to Division One. In 1966/67 Hertford won the Herts Senior Cup for the first

time, defeating Boreham Wood 5-4 in a two legged final. The following year, Hertford reached the final

again, this time losing 1-0 to St Albans City at Watford. The club consistently challenged for promotion

to the Premier Division, but missed out on several occasions. In 1972 the Blues then joined the Eastern

Counties League. They finished third in the league and won the League Cup by defeating Great Yarmouth

over two legs. During this period the Herts Charity Cup was won for the only time in the club’s history.

In 1973/74 the Isthmian League formed a second division (now Division One) and Hertford Town

became one of the sixteen original members. The Blues finished third, narrowly missing out on promotion

behind Dagenham and Slough Town. The Club’s best season in Division One after this came in 1982/83

finishing in 4th place. In 1977/78 they reached the Hitachi Cup Semi-final, defeating Enfield,

Carshalton and Walthamstow Avenue before eventually losing to Dagenham in the second replay.They

again reached the Herts Senior Cup Final in 1981/82 an 1983/84, losing both times to Watford.

Ups and Downs

In 1985 the club finished bottom of Division One, with subsequent relegation to Division Two (North),

however fifth position in their first season in the lower division was achieved along with reaching the

third round of the F.A. Vase. 1987/88 was disastrous with the Blues finishing bottom, a tense play-off

with Petersfield Utd being won 3-1. The 1989/90 season was the club’s best for many years. A superb 2-

1 victory over Barnet in the semi-final of the Herts Senior Cup put Hertford Town into the final against

St Albans City. The match, played at Boreham Wood, was won 2-0 by the Blues to give them the County’s

senior trophy for only the second time in the history of the club.

1990/91 saw the club finish in the bottom half of the division, and therefore in the following season

they became founder members of the newly constituted Division Three. The Blues went on to finish 13th

in their first season in this division, but enjoyed some cup success by reaching the F.A. Cup 3rd

qualifying round. In 1993/4 the Blues lifted the Southern Combination Cup, defeating Potton Utd, and

were finalists in the Roy Bailey Memorial Trophy, losing 1-0 to Cheshunt. They again reached the 3rd

Qualifying round of the F.A. Cup in 1995/96 after beating Ware, Tufnell Park and Wealdstone.

In 1997/98 the Blues finished runners up in Division Three under manager David Whitehead, but

enjoyed only one season in Division Two before being relegated again – mainly due to financial

difficulties. The Club were rescued from oblivion by new chairman Mike Schultz who promised

Conference football inside five years. The 1999/2000 season saw the arrival as manager of ex England

International Graham Roberts, who took charge in February 2000. He attracted a number of high class

players, including current England non-league squad member Micky Engwell. Mike Schultz brought about

the building of a much needed clubhouse before stepping down in August of the same year. Roberts left

and Martin St Hilaire took over as player/manager. After only a few months “Saint” decided to stand

down as manager, and former Ware manager Dave Edwards stepped into the breach.

2000 – 2010

The winter of 2000/2001 saw new Chairman David Thomas and his committee, players and the fans

having to endure some amazingly wet weather, with the pitch being under more than two feet of water

at the end of October, and from then until the end of January only one home league match was played.

It was down to David and his small committee that the club survived this desperate period.

2001/2002 saw the Club in with a chance of promotion to the new Division 1, if a top six place could be

achieved. Under new manager Andy Prutton, and with a very inexperienced squad, it appeared an unlikely

ambition. New find Kevin Cooper rattled in 36 league goals however and with some excellent results

being enjoyed, it was a disappointment that only 11th place was achieved. This turned out to be high

enough, however. Because of ground grading problems for a number of higher placed clubs, Hertford

just crept in as the last qualifier for the new Division 1 structure.

So the Blues looked forward to enjoying life in Division One North of the Ryman League in 2002/2003.

November 2002 saw The Blues bottom of the league, and after a league cup defeat by neighbours

Cheshunt, Andy Prutton resigned to be replaced by ex Ware manager Graham Norcott and his

management team of Dave Dobson, Dave Edwards and Paul Wildman. They could achieve no improvement

in the four months at the helm however, and mid March 2003 saw a change in Chairman when Ray Hill

replaced David Thomas. Ray removed Graham Norcott and his team and recruited Brian Owen, an

experienced coach who had until recently been at Crawley Town, until the end of the season. He

immediately brought in Dave McEwen, a striker whose previous clubs include Tottenham Hotspur, and

Jimmie Berry, from Harrow Borough. Curtis Johnson was another major signing. Despite raising

everyone’s spirits and radically improving the overall standard of the team, Brian was unable to lift the

Blues off bottom spot. Relegation to Division 2 was therefore a disappointing consequence of not being

good enough at the higher level.

Season 2003/4 saw the Club have a real go at a quick return to Div 1, but despite leading the division for

practically the whole season, a final third placing was not enough to gain promotion. Back again Kevin

Cooper scored 34 goals to maintain his fine scoring record with the Blues, and captain Curtis Johnson

scored 14 times from midfield/defence. A substantial increase in support gave us the Division’s highest

average attendance record, and our support at away matches was tremendous.

Season 2004/5 was very much the same. Although manager Brian Owen called it a day in October, new

man Dave Pentecost was an instant hit and won the Ryman 2 Manager of the Month for November. Once

again Kevin Cooper was top scorer, with 36 goals this time, and picked up the Ryman Div 2 “Golden Boot”.

Despite a very strong mid season, which saw the team set new club records for consecutive wins, and a

highest league win of 9-0, form tailed off and only 4th place was achieved. Manager Dave Pentecost

resigned, and season 2005/6 began with ex St Margaretsbury boss Kelvin Hart at the helm.

Plagued by mass defection of many of the previous season’s squad, and injury to key new players, Kelvin

and management team colleagues Ray Greenall and Dave Steedman found it difficult to achieve any sort

of success, apart from a fine showing in the “makeweight” Associate Members Trophy competition, in

which a pair of fine wins against arch local rivals Ware was the highlight. Other cup competitions

brought no success, apart from a good 1-0 victory at Southern League Premier side Cheshunt in the

Herts Senior Cup. Under incessant pressure from several sources, chairman Bob Brown felt he had no

choice but to relieve the new management of their duties after a 6-1 defeat at Witham Town at New

Year. Reserve team boss Gary Conner accepted the opportunity to manage the first team for the rest

of the season, and set the team a final target of 30 points. This was eventually achieved with a fine run

in to the campaign which saw the side finish with a four match unbeaten run. Gary, with coach don

Nicholson, built on Kelvin Hart’s success in the Associate Members Trophy by guiding the Blues to their

first Cup Final in many a year. The Club resurrected its Reserve Team after a short break, and when

Gary took over the first team, one of Kelvin Hart’s key signings, Lee Judges, took over. The reserves did

very well in the Spartan South Midlands League Reserve Division One, and fully justified the decision to

run a reserve side again.

Season 2006-2007 saw the Blues moved to the Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Divison, after

34 consecutive seasons in the Isthmian League under its various guises. Chairman Bob Brown stepped

down, to be replaced by London businessman Mark Bohm. Manager Gary Conner resigned early in the

season, with his side top of the league, and former skipper Dave Greenwood was appointed in his place.

The Blues found the SSMFL much to their liking, finishing third and scoring 122 goals in the process,

with Ryan Redford accounting for 40 of them, and Kevin Cooper 37. The Reserves, managed by former

Hoddesdon Town boss Billy O’Driscoll, went one better than the First Team, finishing an impressive 2nd

in Reserve Division One and also winning the Reserve Section of the South Midlands Floodlit Cup.

Season 2007-8 began with yet another new chairman, this time Mick Clarke. With almost all of last

season’s successful squad retained, the Club hoped to build on their excellent showing with a bid for

promotion in its 100th season. A disappointing 4th place was the outcome, however, although Billy

O’Driscoll’s Reserves achieved a magnificent league title and South Midlands Floodlight Cup double. The

Club celebrated its 100th season with a Centenery Dinner in May, but Chairman Mick Clarke resigned at

the end of the season.

The club began the 2008-09 season with no chairman, though manager Dave Greenwood successfully

retained a large part of the squad from the previous season. The Club was rocked, however, by the

resignation firstly of acting chairman, Bob Brown, and secondly by that of Greenwood in September for

personal reasons. Following the resignations of Brown and Greenwood, a number of other players and

officials also departed. Following a period of uncertainty when the club was run by a small number of

remaining individuals and assistant Dave Steedman took control of the team, stability began to return.

Mick Clarke returned to the club for his second spell as chairman, and appointed Pablo Ardiles as

manager with former reserves’ boss Billy O’Driscoll as his assistant. New signings were also made to fill

the vacancies left by departing players and a number of former players returned to the club. Important

additions were also made to the coaching staff, namely the experienced Martin Paine, who made training

sessions just that little bit more interesting! Given the Autumn uncertainties, 10th place in the league at

the end of the season was a creditable finish.

The club went into the 2009-10 season with Pablo Ardiles as manager, but with a new assistant; Scott

O’Donoghue. Martin Paine remained as chief coach and O’Donoghue also started the season as manager

of the newly resurrected reserves side, which joined the Capital League, with Glen Maybury as his

assistant. Chairman Mick Clarke left the club for the second time in less than two years in October

2009, the club has been run by the committee since then. Ardiles also resigned as manager and Scott

O’Donoghue took over in the hot seat. Once again several players also departed and Scott’s remit was to

keep the club in the Premier Division, which he managed admirably.

2010-2011

After the previous jittery season the committee planned to form a solid foundation for the club to build

on with financial stability, achieved through the Blues Lotto, advertising/sponsorship and hard work! The

season started well for the Blues with wins in the Herts Charity Shield against London Lions and a

superb 4-0 win at Takeley in the FA Cup with Matt McArdle scoring a hat-trick (his second goal was also

goal of the season). The FA Cup run came to an end at the hands of Ryman Division 1 North side Maldon

& Tiptree, beating the Blues 4-2 but the travelling support still enjoyed the day.

Two new faces in the team gave the Blues great hope, James Peagram and Reece Dobson, both on loan

from Harlow Town and lightning fast. September was a glorious month with 5 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

This included wins in the FA Vase, firstly beating Mauritius Sports 3-0 at home and winning 1-0 away to

Ascot United, Peagram finishing the month with 9 goals in 10 games.

The winds of change started to blow in October, firstly being knocked out of the FA Vase 4-3aet at

Aylesbury United then the Challenge Trophy and Premier Division Cup. After their good run of form the

duo of Peagram and Dobson were recalled by Harlow Town, and the Blues faltered in the league seeing

them drop from 7th to 17th by January. An excellent 2-1 win in the Herts Senior Cup against Blue

Square South team Borehamwood saw the Blues regain some composure and get back to winning ways

although consistency was their biggest enemy.

Despite being knocked out of every cup competition the Blues played hard in the league to the final

game of the season. The month of April was one of the highlights of the year, 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss

earning Scott O’Donoghue the accolade of SSML team of the month. The most notable win was against

newly crowned champions, Chalfont St Peter who were winning 3-1 with 10 minutes to go and lost 4-3 at

a raucous Hertingfordbury Park. The Blues superb form saw them finish 9th in the league. Knowing how well the side can play has filled supporters with confidence for the coming season where the introduction of a new

under-18′s team will help the club become even stronger.

CLUB NOTICE

Please

Be considerate when parking your car;

Do not drop litter around the ground, either take it home or use the bins provided;

Do not use foul or abusive language or obscene gestures;

Do not throw any items onto the pitch;

Do not run onto the pitch or encroach the playing area;

Do not sit on, or in front of, the barrier surrounding the playing area;

Note that no alcohol - in cans, bottles or glasses - is allowed outside the

Clubhouse whilst matches are in progress.

Note that any form of racial abuse, or language used to incite or provoke others

is an arrestable offence.

Tring Athletic Football Club reserves the right to refuse admission or to eject from

the ground any person at any time.

FIXTURES FIRST TEAM RESERVES

Sat 18th Oct Hertford Town-League-Home Hadley -Away Herts Int. Cup

Sat 25th Oct Kings Langley-League-Home

Tues 18th Oct Holmer Green Away Prem. Cup

Sat 25th Oct Kings Langley-League-Home

Tues 28th Oct Holmer Green Away Prem. Cup

Sat 1st Nov Enfield 1893-Vase-Away

League Table Season 2014/2015 inc-10/10/2014

MSSML.PREMIER DIVISION P W D L GF GA GDS PTS 1 Berkhamsted 12 9 1 2 33 14 +19 28 2 Sun Sports 13 8 1 4 33 20 +13 25 3 Harefield United 12 7 2 3 30 17 +13 23 4 Cockfosters 12 7 1 4 22 20 +2 22 5 AFC Dunstable 12 7 1 4 27 26 +1 22 6 Tring Athletic 13 6 3 4 22 16 +6 21 7 Kings Langley 10 6 2 2 20 10 +10 20 8 Colney Heath 13 6 2 5 29 21 +8 20 9 Oxhey Jets 13 6 2 5 24 21 +3 20

10 Wembley 11 6 1 4 22 18 +4 19 11 Hertford Town 11 5 2 4 19 15 +4 17 12 London Colney 11 5 2 4 16 12 +4 17 13 Leverstock Green 11 4 3 4 20 24 -4 15 14 St Margaretsbury 11 3 5 3 24 21 +3 14 15 Hoddesdon Town 11 4 2 5 17 22 -5 14 16 Stotfold 11 4 2 5 17 26 -9 14 17 Hadley 9 4 0 5 17 17 +0 12 18 Biggleswade United 10 3 1 6 18 26 -8 10 19 London Tigers 8 2 2 4 14 19 -5 8 20 Hillingdon Borough 12 2 1 9 24 34 -10 7 21 Holmer Green 11 1 1 9 12 37 -25 4 22 Ampthill Town 11 0 1 10 5 29 -24 1

Suburban Premier Division 2014/15-inc 04/10/2014

Suburban .Premier Division P W D L GF GA GDS PTS

1 Sutton United 6 5 1 0 20 4 +16 16 2 Metropolitan Police 6 4 1 1 24 15 +9 13 3 Hampton & Richmond Borough 7 4 1 2 14 10 +4 13 4 Uxbridge 6 3 2 1 9 8 +1 11 5 Carshalton Athletic 8 3 1 4 16 20 -4 10 6 Royston Town 7 3 0 4 17 17 +0 9 7 Tonbridge Angels 5 2 2 1 12 10 +2 8 8 Corinthian-Casuals 7 2 2 3 11 11 +0 8

9 Welling United 6 2 1 3 13 16 -3 7 10 Tring Athletic 7 2 1 4 9 14 -5 7 11 Corinthian 7 1 2 4 12 19 -7 5 12 Boreham Wood 6 1 0 5 6 19 -13 3

TODAY’S BIG MATCH – HERTFORD TOWN

Previous Results

2006/07 Home Lost 1-7 P Martin Away Won 1-0 Duncan 2007/08 Home (Cup) Drew 4-4 Caseman, I Wilkinson,

Thornley 2 Away (Cup) Lost 0-2 Home Lost 2-6 Iannone, Caseman Away Lost 3-4 Burfoot 2, Gibbs 2008/09 Away (Cup) Won 4-2 Burfoot, Whicker, Mullins 2 Away Drew 1-1 Whicker P Home (Cup) Lost 1-2 Gibbs Home Lost 0-2 2009/10 Away (Cup) Lost 0-1

Away Won 4-2 Addison 2, Franklin P, C Salmon

Home Lost 0-1 2010/11 Home Won 2-0 Redford 2 Away Won 4-1 Redford 2, Hall 2 2011/12 Away Won 3-1 Humphreys 3 Home Won 4-0 King 2, Jarvis, OG 2012/13 Home Won 6-0 Iannone 2, King 2, Addea,

Jarvis Away Lost 0-2 2013/14 Away Drew 1-1 Iannone Home Won 3-1 Vardy 2, Hall 2014/15 Away (Cup) Lost 2-3 Vardy P, King

Our Record

P W D L F A GD

Home 10 4 1 5 23 23 0 Away 12 5 2 5 23 20 3 Totals 22 9 3 10 46 43 3

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Tring Athletic score first STATISTICS Date Opponents Competition V Att R Score 1 2 3 4

31-July Hertford Town HertsCharity Shield A ? L 2.3 M.Evans K.McManus C.Harrison D.Steadman 9-Aug London Colney League A 53 D 1.1 M.Evans O.Butler M.Green R.McMahon 12-Aug Berkhamsted League H 120 L 1.5 M.Evans O.Butler C.Salmon T.Gibbs 16-Aug Holmer Green FA Cup Ex.Prelim H 93 L 3.4 M.Evans O.Butler K.McManus M.Green 19-Aug Cockfosters League A 48 L 0.1 M.Evans O.Butler P.Jeffrey K.McManus 23-Aug Hadley League H 74 W 3.1 M.Evans K.McManus P.Jeffrey O.Butler 26-Aug Hoddesdon League H 75 W 6.1 M.Evans K.McManus P.Jeffrey T.Gibbs 30th Aug Ampthill Town League A 35 W 2.O M.Evans O.Butler K.McManus C.Salmon 6th-Sep Leverstock Green League H 113 W 2.O M.Evans M.Green K.McManus C.Salmon 9th Sep Hillingdon Boro League A 32 W 2.O M.Evans M.Green K.McManus C.Salmon 13th Sep Harefield Utd League H 86 D 1.1 M.Evans M.Green O.Butler C.Salmon 20th Sep Oxhey Jets League H 76 D 1.1 M.Evans L.Benning O.Butler C.Salmon 23rd Sep Stony Statford Ch.Trophy A 35 W 9.O M.Evans M.Green K.McManus C.Salmon 27th Sep Colney Heath League H 71 L 0.1 M.Evans L.Benning K.McManus C.Salmon 4th Oct Woodford Utd FA Vase

H 62 W 2.1 M.Evans K.McManus P.Jeffrey C.Salmon

7th Oct Cockfosters League H 55 L 1.2 M.Evans M.Green P.Jeffrey K.McManus 11th Oct Biggleswade Utd League A 40 W 2.1 M.Evans M.Green P.Jeffrey S.Joliffe 18th Oct Hertford Town League H

25th Oct Kings Langley League H

1 st Nov Enfield 1893 FA Vase A

15th Nov St. Margaretsbury League A

22nd Nov Holmer Green League H

29th Nov Wembley League A

6th Dec AFC Dunstable League A

13th Dec Ampthill Town League H

20th Dec Kings Langley League A

27th Dec Sun Sports League H

3rd Jan AFC Dunstable League H

17th Jan Hillingdon Boro League H

24th Jan Biggleswade Utd League H

31st Jan Hertford Town League A

7th Feb Harefield Utd League A

14th F London Tiger League H

21st Feb Berkhamsted League A

28th Feb Holmer Green League A

7th Mar London Colney League H

14th Mar Hadley League A

21st Mar Stotfold League H

28th Mar Leverstock Green League A

4th Apr TBA

7th Apr Hoddesdon Town League A

11thApr Wembley League H

18th Apr Oxhey Jets League A

25th Apr St Margaretsbury League H

SEASON 2014/2015 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 subs 5 6

M.Green C.Salmon R.Sturgess L.Dunstan S.King C,Vardey S.Bailey-Aird R.McMahon V.Iannone S.Jollife C.Salmon R.Sturgess S.Bailey-Aird G.Deer V.Iannone C.Vardey S.King T.Gibbs S.Steadman T.Colllins M.Green R.McMahon R.Sturgess G.Deer S.King C.Vardey T.Colllins V.Iannone S.Bailey-Aird

A.Toone C.Salmon T.Gibbs G.Deer V.Iannone- C.Vardey T.Colllins-[2] S.King L.Benning

A.Toone L.Benning C.Vardey T.Gibbs V.Iannone- G.Deer T.Colllins S.King R.Sturgess R.McMahan A.Toone C.Salmon C.Vardey T.Gibbs S.King G.Deer T.Colllins R.Sturgess- S.Bailey-Aird R.McMahon A.Toone C.Salmon T.Colllins G.Deer S.King C.Vardey R.Sturgess S.Bailey-Aird A.Toone T.Gibbs C.Vardey R.Sturgess S.King G.Deer T.Colllins R.McMahon S.Bailey-Aird L.Benning A.Toone T.Gibbs R.Sturgess G.Deer S.King C.Vardey S.Bailey-Aird T.Colllins O.Butler A.Toone T.Gibbs R.Sturgess G.Deer T.Colllins C.Vardey S.Bailey-Aird S.King R.McMahon A.Toone R.McMahon R.Sturgess G.Deer T.Colllins S.King S.Bailey-Aird L.Benning K.Turner P.Jeffrey A.Toone R.McMahon R.Sturgess K.Turner C.Vardey T.Colllins P.Jeffrey S.King M.Green O.Butler A.Toone S.Jollife S.Bailey-Aird G.Deer T.Colllins C.Vardey O.Butler K.Turner T.Gibbs P.Jeffrey A.Toone S.Jollife K.Turner G.Deer O.Butler T.Colllins S.Bailey-Aird T.Gibbs P.Jeffrey A.Toone T.Gibbs K.Turner G.Deer T.Colllins C.Vardey R.Sturgess M.Green O.Butler S.Bailey-Aird A.Toone T.Gibbs R.Sturgess G.Deer O.Butler R.McMahon L.Dunstan L.Dunstan S.Jollife T.Colllins A.Toone T.Gibbs R.Sturgess G.Deer O.Butler C.Vardey L.Dunstan T.Colllins K.Turner S.Bailey-Aird

Fixtures subject to changes-Please use

www.tafc.co.uk

Tring Athletic First Team Appearances.

Season 2014/2015

Player 1ST Team Total As Sub Total

Goals

1st Team As

Sub

Goals

Stewart King 75 ? 30 11 3 4 Matt Evans 17 0 0 17 0 0 Greg Deer 27 0 6 15 0 2

Taylor Collins 40 9 12 16 4 7 Chris Salmon 337 24 29 14 0 0 Chris Vardy 58 2 23 14 3 9

Ryan Sturges 60 15 3 14 2 1 Trevor Gibbs 380 ? 44 14 3 4

Sonney Bailey-Aird 13 6 1 13 6 1 Ryan McMahon 10 5 0 10 5 0

Adam Toone 36 1 2 14 0 1 Kevin McManus 13 0 0 13 0 0

Ollie Butler 48 16 5 14 3 3 Michael Green 40 3 2 12 2 0 Vinnie Iannone 218 60 76 5 2 1

Lee Benning 43 10 1 6 3 0 Paul Jeffreys 106 4 11 3 0 Carl Harrison 2 1 0 2 1 0 Kieron Turner 7 4 4 7 4 5 Dan Steadman 22 4 0 1 1 0 Luke Dunstan 3 0 0 3 0 0

Sam Joliffe 110 21 1 5 2 0 Stuart Steadman 391 N/K 2 1 1 0

David Salmon 139 14 4 0 0 0

Sat 4th Oct 2014

Suburban League

Carshalton Utd 2-1 TAFC Reserve team

TAFC goals: Joe Naylor

The Ressies have now ended a long run of 7 away games with arduous journeys out of 8 fixtures - which

was a novelty at first but had grown to be a burden. They can now look forward to fixtures coming up with the opposition having to shake off the joys of the M25 rather than them. On Saturday there was no Beamer

Bus and Stuart Stedman himself pulled out on Saturday morning - being replaced by James Cotterill. Nathan

Williams, Joe Naylor and Joe Fitzgerald were called up with Jack Hopwood making his debut in goal.

In the first half, Tring were overpowered and simply weren't at the races. The usually dependable Tom

Cullimore didn't just take a day trip to Weston-Super-Mare, he booked a taxi and took several of his

colleagues with him - all adorned with "Kiss-Me-Quick" hats. The lads simply didn't perform to the levels

and standards that they have set themselves over the last couple of years. For the second week running lethargic defending and marking sent them down in the first 5 minutes.

It didn't get better quickly. On 20 mins it was 2-0 to the home team as Dan Steadman was sucked into

making a tackle in the middle of the park and the centre forward was left free.

It was shocking stuff but the lads rallied. A great move between Groom and Thomas set Thomas free but he

missed. A great cross found Smethers all on his own 6 yards out but he failed to make a proper connection

and another excellent chance had gone begging.

In amongst all that, the Carshalton number 6 got himself sent off for slapping and throwing a punch at Luke

Dunstan - actions which were totally out of the context of the game. At half time he said that he would see

Luke "after the game" (but, in a surprising twist was nowhere to be seen at the final whistle).

Half-Time came and the air was blue in the Tring Dressing Room.

Half Time - Carshalton Ath 2 TAFC Res 0

Changes were made and (with Joe Naylor already on the field for the injured Caterer) Nathan Williams was

introduced for his debut - in which he performed excellently.

The impact was immediate - with Youth Team Player Joe Naylor darting through to finish with aplomb.

It was all Tring and were asserting their authority to dominate proceedings. Groom found a gap on several

occasions but fired wide. Reon Thomas was sent through one on one but was hesitant and shot tamely at the

keeper. As the game petered out James Butler was sent up front but could not emulate his brother and

headed wide.

The game finished 2-1 and despite a better second half showing the lads were gutted. The Youth Team players, Fitzgerald, Naylor and Cullimore can feel proud of their efforts - as can 17 year old Luke Dunstan.

It has been a long couple of months and the lads are still in all Cups and in a decent position to consolidate

in the League - so the atmosphere should still be positive - but changes may have to be made to freshen

things up with several home games to come.

Team - Hopwood, Cullimore J, Fitzgerald, Cullimore T (Naylor) , Steadman, Butler, Thomas, Smethers,

Groom, Dunstan, Caterer (Williams), Sub not used - Cotterill.

Thu 30th Oct 2014: Stephen Simmons Live Concert The club is delighted to announce that the Nashville country artist Stephen Simmons will be

live in concert at the club on 30th October 2014 as part of his European Tour. Stephen is a

widely respected artist in Nashville and Europe and has 6 albums released and has appeared

in session on BBC Radio 2 and other leading radio stations on the continent. It’s something of

a coup to have Stephen playing in Tring and advance purchase of tickets is recommended (we

have already sold some of the limited allocation). Ticket Details – Priced at £10 each

(advance purchase price) tickets are available over the bar at the club, through our Hon

Secretary Bob Winter – contact Bob on 07979 816528 or [email protected].

Click here for more details and tickets.

Wed 8th Oct 2014-League-Chesham United 0-2 TAFC Youth Team

TAFC goals: Joe Naylor, Dan Quirk

“Good things come to those who wait” is how this SCFYL fixture could be fairly summed

up for Tring’s U18 squad. Tring travelled to Chesham United’s Meadow ground with only one point from their opening four

league games but had shown in recent weeks, positive signs that they were starting to adjust to

the demands of this highly competitive league.

Recent additions to the squad have fitted in seamlessly and with healthy competition for places,

individuals are now beginning to realise that a place in the starting line-up is not guaranteed and

only their “A game” is now good enough to get a shirt!

With a 16-man squad at his disposal, Manager Nick Seaton fielded a defensive 4-5-1 formation

to begin with, in order to see what the home side had to offer. In the opening exchanges the

sides were evenly matched with both sets of defences looking fairly solid.

As the game progressed, Tring settled down the quicker of the two sides and were beginning to

play with a growing confidence, most notably, Joe Naylor, who, up front was starting to make

some probing runs and make a real nuisance of himself. Playing up front on your own can be a

lonely and frustrating experience but Naylor was causing a growing sense of unease in the home

defence. His unselfish running and positive contribution was richly rewarded when latching on to a

through-ball he headed straight for goal and confidently slotted the ball past the on-coming

keeper to give the visitors a well-deserved lead. Half-time 1-0.

Although the atmosphere in the visitor’s half-time dressing-room was one of positive optimism that

the game was there to be won, the manager was quick to highlight that the team both collectively

and individually must eradicate many of their basic mistakes if they were to achieve their first

victory of the season!

The second half was again an equally contested affair. The introduction of Dan Quirk for Tring

nearly paid immediate dividends when with his first touch, a header from close range was

acrobatically tipped over the bar by the Chesham keeper and another effort by Quirk minutes

later that saw the ball go narrowly wide. However as the clock ticked down Chesham started to

have far too much possession in the visitors half and too many free kicks were being needlessly

conceded. With only 5 minutes remaining Chesham were awarded yet another free kick that hit

the Tring upright and fortunately bounced out.

However, with only a couple of minutes remaining Tring’s James Patton went through on goal only

to see his effort hit the post, but luckily rebound out to the in-coming Quirk who duly converted

to make it 2-0 to the visitors and see them grab all 3 points. Full-time: 2-0

This victory was well deserved after a month of disappointments and was testament to the squad’s

hard work and determination to overcome all the setbacks they have confronted whilst trying to

establish themselves at this level of football. The squad must now not become complacent or “rest

on their laurels” as their next fixture is a tough away game to AFC Dunstable on Thurs 16th Oct

were their credentials will once again be severely tested.

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NEWS FROM OUR TWO NEW YOUTH SIDES.

The Under 15's

Sun 5th Oct 2014

W&SBMFL Div 1

Thame Boys 7-1 TAFC U15 Youth Team TAFC goals: Will Darraugh (pen)

A game of two halves; in the first Tring started well but every small mistake was

punished by a goal. There were good performances from Lee Hatch, Will Alexander,

George Hill and Ryan Higgins from the bench. Will Darraugh also worked hard and

scored our only goal from the penalty spot after good work from Connor Hearn

earned us a penalty.

The Under 18's

Wed 8th Oct 2014

League

Chesham United 0-2 TAFC Youth Team TAFC goals: Joe Naylor, Dan Quirk

Joe Naylor opened the scoring for Tring on 27 minutes at Chesham

United. Dan Quirk came on as a second half substitute and nearly made

an immediate impact on 67 minutes forcing the home keeper into a

great save. With 10 minutes to go Quirk was through one on one but

again denied by the home custodian. Chesham hit the post from a free

kick with 8 minutes to go Tring were not to be denied all 3 points. In

the 88th minute Dan Quark made the game safe following up a James

Patton shot that had rebounded off the post.

This was a very good all round performance and we have seen a

gradual improvement in the games played as the season has progressed

and the boys should be very pleased with their performance in this

match

MATCH REPORT – SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER 2014

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER DIVISION

BIGGLESWADE UNITED (1) 1 TRING ATHLETIC (0) 2

SECOND HALF RECOVERY DOES THE TRICK

For the second Saturday running Athletic found themselves a goal down and in need of some help after a poor first 45 minutes and again Managers Julian Robinson and Ian Richardson came up trumps. On came Taylor Collins and Kieran Turner and the two 19 year olds repaid the faith placed in them by scoring the goals that clinched victory.

With Chris Salmon and Kevin McManus missing Athletic were short of central defenders so Sam Joliffe was drafted in alongside Adam Toone and the midfielder performed extremely well in an unexpected role.

The home side had won only one of their last six games but that victory was over league leaders Berkhamsted and so they were a side to be wary of and that illustrated during the first half in which they were the better side.

United won two corners within the first 50 seconds and Athletic's sloppy start was punished in the sixth minute when Jude Eboji converted a cross from Jack Boyd. Score 0-1. After this shaky start Athletic started to impose themselves and Greg Deer's fine pass found Ollie Butler who fired a shot that the keeper saved. Later Butler latched onto a free kick and whipped over a precise cross which Chris Vardy headed wide of the post.

Midway through the half United won four corners in a row which Athletic struggled to deal with and the visitors were relieved that the final outcome was a header from Tre Grant that went wide of the post. Greg Deer's lovely pass found Chris Vardy but with only the keeper to beat his shot went the wrong side of the post.

But the home side's tails were up and Athletic were forced into some frantic defending with Keeper Matt Evans sticking a foot out to save a shot from Eboji and he later beat a shot away from Jack Boyd. Jason Darvall and Tre Grant both dragged shots wide with Athletic relieved to hear the half time whistle with the damage restricted to just one goal, although they did fail to put away two very good chances themselves. Half Time: Biggleswade Utd 1 Tring Athletic 0

Whatever was said during the break had the desired affect because Athletic were a different proposition in the second half. Greg Deer slipped a lovely pass through to Chris Vardy, who rounded the keeper but his shot was cleared by a retreating defender.

This was much better stuff from Athletic but further tactical changes were made with Sonny Bailey-Aird and Kieran Turner coming off the bench. The two subs were soon combining with Turner making a great run down the right before supplying a fine cross which seemed to hit Bailey-Aird by surprise after it was missed by a couple of players in front of him.

A further change was made in the 68th minute involving Taylor Collins and his impact was immediate as he struck the equaliser within a minute. A pass found Collins out to the right of the opposition area and he cut in on his favoured left foot a fired a shot into the bottom far corner. Score 1-1.

Collins tested the keeper with another shot and Ollie Butler was denied a goal after he beat the keeper to a free kick but a defender managed to get back to clear his header off the line. Athletic were now in the driving seat but had to be careful not to over extend themselves. They nearly paid the price when United broke quickly but Matt Evans made a great save to deny Tom Cookham.

With eight minutes to go Athletic's trio of teenagers produced the move to cap a fine second half revival. Ollie Butler linked up nicely with Taylor Collins who slipped over an accurate cross to pick out Kieran Turner. There was still a lot to do but Turner kept his head to steer a precise shot wide of the keeper and in off the far post. It was a very cool finish to make it five goals from seven games, a handsome return for a midfielder.

The home side tried to make a late rally but Athletic were comfortably in control and held on for a valuable three points and maintain their tremendous record at Biggleswade with only on defeat in 18 visits and that was a decade ago. Full Time: Biggleswade Utd 1 Tring Athletic 2.

Full marks to the management team for using their tactical nous to make changes and to the players for turning their fortunes around in the second half.

Teams:

BU: 1 Grant Beckwith 2 Jason Darvall 3 Ollie Peters 4 Lee Bilcock (Capt) 5 Adam Randall 6 Sean Murray 7 James Peters 8 Tom Cookman (12 Jordan Cleghorn 63) 9 Jack Boyd 10 Jude Eboji (14 Nick Threadgold 61) 11 Tre Grant (15 James Chisholm 73). Sub not used: 16 Stuart Richardson.

TA: 1 Matt Evans 2 Michael Green 3 Paul Jeffrey 4 Sam Joliffe 5 Adam Toone 6 Trevor Gibbs (Capt) 7 Ryan Sturges 8 Greg Deer (16 Kieran Turner 57) 9 Ollie Butler 10 Chris Vardy (12 Taylor Collins 68) 11 Luke Dunstan (17 Sonny Bailey-Aird 54). Subs not used: 14 Ryan McMahon, 15 Chris Cutler.

Scorers:

BU: Jude Eboji (6)

TA: Taylor Collins (69), Kieran Turner (82)

Crowd: 40

MATCH SPONSORSHIP – 2014/2015 Sponsoring a match is a valuable way of contributing to the running of the club.

Contact any Committee Member for details:

Team Date Sponsor

First Team - League Games

AFC Dunstable 3rd Jan Timothy Solk

Amptill Town 13th Dec

Berkhamsted 12th Aug Cambridge Motors, H Hempstead

Biggleswade United 24th Jan

Cockfosters 7th Oct Ralph Griffiths

Colney Heath 27th Sep

Alan Foskett

Hadley FC 23rd Aug Alan Foskett

Harefield United 13th Sept Dave Foskett

Hertford Town 18th Oct The Catering Team

Hillingdon Borough 17th Jan

Hoddesdon Town 26th Aug Barry Simmons

Holmer Green 22nd Nov

Kings Langley 25th Oct Cambridge Motors, H Hempstead

London Colney 7th Mar Ralph Griffiths

London Tigers 14th Feb

Leverstock Green 6th Sep Cambridge Motors, H Hempstead

Oxhey Jets 20th Sep

Dick Lovelace

St Margaretsbury 25th Apr Timothy Solk

Stotfold FC- 21st Mar Dick Lovelace

Sun Sports 27th Dec Cambridge Motors, H Hempstead

Wembley 11th Apr Watford Printers

First Team - Cup Games

FA Cup-Holmer Green 16th Aug Watford Printers FA Vase-Woodford Utd 4th Oct Mick Eldridge

Herts Senior Cup Dec 2nd

Tue 7th Oct 2014 League Sponsored by Ralph Griffiths TAFC First team 1-2 Cockfosters TAFC goals: Oliver Butler It would be harsh to say that Cockfosters did a smash and grab raid on us on Tuesday night but they were

guilty of larceny after they left Tring with all 3 points in their pockets. The visitors were well organised and took their chances but they must have been bemused like the spectators that we only managed to find the net

once after creating some decent chances.

Some poor finishing and some terrific goalkeeper from former Athletic player Sam Styles were the major reasons behind the final score line but there were lots of positives to take from the game. We played lots of

good football and had plenty of possession particularly in the second half and we never gave up.

There were a number of changes to the line up from Saturday with Skipper Chris Salmon and leading scorer Chris Vardy both missing through injury and they were replaced by Michael Green and Ollie Butler, with

Trevor Gibbs wearing the Captain's arm band. In addition Taylor Collins and Kieran Turner dropped to the

bench and were replaced by Ryan McMahon and 17 year old Luke Dunstan. Luke was making his 2nd

appearance after some impressive performances in the Reserves and he had a very good game on the left hand side of midfield.

We started well but lost our concentration in the 9th minute when we failed to deal with a routine long ball

down the middle and Fosters excellent midfielder Ben Hammond ran through to score. Hammond read the situation superbly and took his opportunity well but from our point of view it was a very soft goal to give

away especially so early on in the game. Score 0-1.

Despite this early set back we kept playing the ball to feet rather than resort to long hopeful passes. It was clear early on that the visitors had a game plan to defend in depth and hit us on the break and they looked

dangerous on the counter attack. Early in the game Adem Ali and Brian Mooney linked up nicely with the

latter firing a shot into the side netting from a very tight angle. Mooney then got his head to a fine cross

after a good move down their right but the ball flew wide of the target.

We should have equalised in the 16th minute from a move started by Adam Toone after he swept a fine pass

out to the left to pick out Paul Jeffrey. Jeffers precise cross was met by Ollie Butler and his header looked

destined to find the net but Sam Styles tipped it onto the bar and post. The scoring opportunity was still there as Trevor Gibbs fired in a shot but it was deflected and spun agonisingly just past Ollie who

would have had a simple tap in.

Soon afterwards Ollie Butler showed his skill and pace as he left the defender in his wake with a

scintillating run down the left but from an acute angle his shot found the side netting. We were doing most

of the attacking but we had to be on our toes at the back and Luke Durnin showed some nice skills to work

an opening but his shot was saved by Matt Evans who then promptly lost the ball when trying a quick throw

out but fortunately we managed to clear the danger.

We kept our patience and kept probing the opposition back four but they defended well and it was clear that

that they would not cave in easily. Adem Ali nearly played Brian Mooney in with a clever chip but Matt

Evans was out quickly to gather. Later Mooney found some space but shot straight at Matt Evans.

We nearly finished the half on a high note when Michael Green's cross picked out Greg Deer but his firm

header from close went straight at Sam Styles. If the header had gone either side of Sam it might have

yielded a goal.

Thus after a good half in which we had probably been the better side we were a bit unlucky to be a goal

behind but there was plenty of hope that we could get back in the game because we were playing well and

had created some good openings.

Half Time: Tring Athletic 0 Cockfosters 1

We nearly had a dream start to the second period when Adam Toone's cross to the far post picked out Luke Dunstan who smashed a shot which Sam Styles did brilliantly to save. But Sam could do nothing about

Greg Deer's follow up header but unfortunately it went the wrong side of the post.

The last thing we wanted to do was concede another goal and unfortunately we did just that in the 58th

minute. Adem Ali broke down the right but Matt Evans was unable to keep hold of his cross/shot and Brian

Mooney had a simple tap in. Score 0-2.

The visitors dropped back to defend their lead and it became like a training ground routine with our attack against their defence. Ollie Butler fired a shot just wide and then volleyed the ball over the bar but we lost

our way for a bit as our attacks broke down against a very solid Fosters defence.

But we made a number of changes and kept plugging away. A corner fell to Ollie Butler in the area but he sliced his shot and then we had a great opportunity to reduce the arrears when Paul Jeffrey whipped in a

terrific free kick which Ollie Butler headed over at the far post when he should have scored.

We were pushing players forward in numbers and nearly paid the price when our opponents broke away in the 73rd minute but Matt Evans came to our rescue with a fine save from Brian Mooney. A third goal would

have killed off the game and would have been very unfair on us.

Another great opportunity arrived in the 86th minute when the ball was pulled back to Ollie Butler in the area but his fierce shot was superbly saved almost at point blank range by Sam Styles. We were still going

for it in the hope that a late goal would give us hope and Ollie Butler had a goal bound shot deflected just

wide of the post.

We did eventually scored when Ollie Butler converted at close range in the 94th minute but by then it was

just a consolation. Score 1-2.

Full Time: Tring Athletic 1 Cockfosters 2

Full marks to the visitors who claimed their first ever double over us and only their 4th victory in 22

encounters. A disappointing result that saw us drop down 3 places to 8th in the table but the performance

was far from a disappointment from our young side (we had 4 teenagers on the pitch in the second half) who will have benefited from the experience. On another day we may have got something out of the game but it

was pleasing to see the lads play in the right way and they deserve full marks for keeping going to the very

end.

After 4 league games at home we play away on Saturday at Biggleswade United. Hopefully Chris Vardy

will be fit and Vinnie Iannone might be on his way back from injury and may turn out for the Reserves on

Saturday, which is good news as we are rather short of forwards at the moment. The news on Chris Salmon

and Stewart King is less clear but hopefully they will recover soon.

Teams:

TA: 1 Matt Evans 2 Michael Green (17 Kieran Turner 68) 3 Paul Jeffrey 4 Kevin McManus 5 Adam Toone 6 Trevor Gibbs (Capt) (14 Sam Joliffe 73) 7 Ryan Sturges 8 Greg Deer 9 Ollie Butler 10 Ryan McMahon

(12 Taylor Collins 61) 11 Luke Dunstan. Subs not used: 15 Lee Benning, 16 Dan Steadman.

Crowd: 55

Premier Division

AFC Dunstable – Creasey Park Stadium,Brewers Hill, Dunstable,BedsLU61BB..T01582891433

Ampthill Town

Amptill Park,Woburn Road, Ampthill,MK45 2HX-T01525 404440

Berkhamsted- Broadwater,Lower Kings Rd ,Berkhamsted.Herts-HP4 2AL.T01442 865977

Biggleswade United –- Second Meadow.Fairfield Rd,Biggleswade-SG18 0BS-T-07714661827

Cockfosters –- Cockfosters Sports Ground,Chalk Lane,Cockfosters-EN4 9JG-T-02084495833

Colney Heath-- The Recreation Ground,High Street,Colney Heath-AL4 0NP-T-01727 826188

Hadley- Potters Bar Town FC,

Parkfield, Watkins Rise,Potters Bar-EN6 1QB-T--01707 654833

Harefield United-- Preston Park,Breakspeare Rd NorthHarefield,Midd. UB9 6NE T-01895823474

Hertford Town-- Hertingfordbury Park,West Street,Hertford, Herts SG13 8EZ T.01992 583716

Hillingdon Borough- Middlesex Stadium,Breakspear Road,Ruislip, Middlesex. HA4 7SB

. T.01895639544

Hoddesdon Town- The Stewart Edwards Stadium,Lowfield,Park View, Hoddesdon EN118PX

T 01992 463133

Holmer Green – Airedale Park,Watchet Lane, Holmer Green,Bucks-HP15 6UF-T01494 711485

Kings Langley- Gaywood Park,Hempstead Rd,Kings Langley HertsWD4 8BS-T 07976 692801

Leverstock Green- Pancake Lane,Leverstock Green,HP2 4NQ T-01442 246280

London Colney- Cotlandswick Playing Fields,London Colney,Herts-AL2 1DW- T.01727 822132

London Tigers- Avenue Park,Western Avenue,Perivale, Greenford, Middlesex-UB6 8GA T-0207 289 3395

187 Oxhey Jets- The Boundary Stadium, Altham Way,[off Little Oxhey Lane], South Oxhey. Watford,Herts0WD19 6FW-T-020 8421 6277

St Margaretsbury- Station Road, Stanstead Abbotts,St.Margaretsbury,Herts-SG12 8EH T-01920 870473

Stotfold – Roker Park,The Green, Stotfold, Hitchen, Herts,-SG5 4AN-T-01462 730765

Sun Postal Sports- Bellmountwood Ave. Watford WD17 3BN T-01923 227453

Wembley- Vale Farm,Watford Rd, Wembley Middlesex HA0 3HG T-020 8904 8169

TRING ATHLETIC

(Red & Black)

Matt Evans

Michael Green

Ollie Butler

Paul Jeffrey

Kevin McManus

Adam Toone

Chris Salmon

Greg Deer

Taylor Collins

Trevor Gibbs

Kieron Turner

Ryan Sturges

Stewart King

Luke Dunstan

Sam Joliffe

Sonny Bailey-Aird

Ryan McMahon

Lee Benning

Dan Steadman

Stuart Steadman

V

HERTFORD TOWN

(All Blue) Harry Ricketts

Dajour Buffonge

Sion Hardy

Sam Ruff

Charlie K. Smith

Bradley Fraser

Louis Rose

Charlie E. Smith

Tommy Wade

Leigh Rose

Jordon Watson

Ross Clemo

Mattie Crook

Ini Amaegbe

Adam Lawton

Tegana James

Julian Robinson

Ian Richardson

Gareth Jackson

Kim Harris

Manager

Assistant Manager

Coach

Physio

Paul Halsey

Ricci Crace

Paul Halls

Nicola Gibson

Referee- M.Chisholm

Assistants-. R.Pearson & M.Ball

Match Sponsored By The Catering Team


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