Saturday January 13, 3007, British Gas Business League Premier Division: Wealdstone 3 Chippenham 1 W e’ve only met Chippenham three times before in our club’s history and honours are totally even - one win, a draw and a defeat. The draw, of course, came last October in Wiltshire when a game of few chances ended, unsurpris- ingly, goalless. But you may recall our brief sojourn in the Southern League Prem back in 2006-7 due to a geographical hiccup. Having risen to the Isthmian (Ryman) Prem we suddenly found ourselves travel- ling down the M4 every other week - and while that may have been handy for a lot of today’s Stones squad and management, 12 years ago it meant finding half a new team due to the increased travel- flying Chipps came to Chestnut Avenue for the return encounter in January (where we were ground- sharing with Northwood) the Stones hadn’t won in nine league games. Only 225 people watched in fune- real silence for the most part. It seemed rather apt as I stood with a lot of ex-Stones fans of the 80s who had come along as a mark of respect to much-loved fellow supporter Kevin Bright, who had died just a week earlier at a tragically young age. Just three days later, half a dozen of us were to travel up to Kev’s native Sunderland to act as pall bearers at his funeral - and we John Henry-Haden is taken out by the Chippnham defence on his memorable debut, scoring the third goal to seal a surprise win ling. And that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. For every Chris O’Leary we had a Gavin Bamford or a Kevin Swift. Our trip down the motorway to Chippenham was a decent game in front of a decent 447 crowd, with the Bluebirds comfortable 2-0 winners, but by the time the high- WEALDSTONE v CHIPPENHAM TOWN REWIND <<<<<<<<<< WE’VE MET BEFORE BY TIM PARKS 11 years ago we shocked the high-flying Bluebirds to give Kev Bright a fitting send off CONTINUED OVERPAGE
Transcript
Saturday January 13, 3007, British Gas Business League Premier Division: Wealdstone 3 Chippenham 1
We’ve only met Chippenham three times before in our club’s history and honours
are totally even - one win, a draw and a defeat.
The draw, of course, came last October in Wiltshire when a game of few chances ended, unsurpris-ingly, goalless.
But you may recall our brief sojourn in the Southern League Prem back in 2006-7 due to a geographical hiccup. Having risen to the Isthmian (Ryman) Prem we suddenly found ourselves travel-ling down the M4 every other week - and while that may have been handy for a lot of today’s Stones squad and management, 12 years ago it meant finding half a new team due to the increased travel-
flying Chipps came to Chestnut Avenue for the return encounter in January (where we were ground-sharing with Northwood) the Stones hadn’t won in nine league games.
Only 225 people watched in fune-real silence for the most part. It seemed rather apt as I stood with a lot of ex-Stones fans of the 80s who had come along as a mark of respect to much-loved fellow supporter Kevin Bright, who had died just a week earlier at a tragically young age.
Just three days later, half a dozen of us were to travel up to Kev’s native Sunderland to act as pall bearers at his funeral - and we
John Henry-Haden is taken out by the Chippnham defence on his memorable debut, scoring the third goal to seal a surprise win
ling. And that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
For every Chris O’Leary we had a Gavin Bamford or a Kevin Swift. Our trip down the motorway to Chippenham was a decent game in front of a decent 447 crowd, with the Bluebirds comfortable 2-0 winners, but by the time the high-
WEALDSTONE v CHIPPENHAM TOWN REWIND <<<<<<<<<<
WE’VE MET BEFOREBY TIM PARKS
11 years ago weshocked the high-flyingBluebirds to give KevBright a fitting send off
CONTINUED OVERPAGE
desperately wanted a winning send off.
That seemed a million miles away as Chippenham took the only chance of the first half, Dave Gilroy charging down a clearance and racing away to beat our keeper Lee Carroll.
But there was hope. Gordon Bartlett’s wheeling and dealing had brought in three players for their debuts (striker John Henry-Haden from Hampton, pleasingly allitera-tive, Sky TV ‘star’ Ben Walsh on the left wing and giant centre back Ben Martin) and we appeared pretty solid if not spectacular.
Then a goal out of the blue! Left-back Lee Chappell interpassed with Henry-Haden, burst into the box and rolled a low shot past Chippenham keeper Darren Snoddy. The cries of ‘Where’s your bell Snoddy?’ and ‘You could have saved that with your Big Ears’ had barely died down when a Chappell long throw fell invitingly for Dean
April 21, 2012, Ryman Prem: Met Police (away) Won 2-1
Several hundred Stones fans made their way down to Imber Court for this one
aided by the clubs very generous offer of free transport being laid on. We were pushing hard for a play off place and although the Met had very little to play for they thrived on nicking results against clubs such as oursleves.
Ben Martin, Neil McDonald, Dean Clark, Chris O’Leary, Matt Good-erick, John Henry-Haden, Ben Walsh. Subs: John Christian (for Walsh, 60), Josh Cooper (for McDonald, 45), Stuart Goodall, Hector Mackie (for Gooderick, 60).
indeed early in the 2nd half we took the lead when a cracking half-volley from our keeper Ashlee Jones (standing in for Northy after his leg break) put Richard Jolly in the clear and he calmly rolled his shot into the far corner. Of course Jols had a real dream of a season that year and he made scoring look ridiculously easy during that period.
We managed to see out the game and take a step closer to the prom-ised land of the play offs.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXTWe secured a play off semi-final
place a few weeks later but unfortu-nately we had to play away in a one-off game, away at Lowestoft a team we have still never beaten.
Clarke to steer in a second. 2-1!And our day was complete when
Henry-Haden took a Hector Mackie pass in his stride and beat the dodgy Snoddy once again. Quite a send-off for Kev. RIP mate.
Wealdstone: Lee Carroll, Josias Carbon, Lee Chappell, Carl Martin,
With our fans giving the team fine backing we opened brightly attacking the covered end but as has often been seen against the Met the presence of fans in the ground seems to spur them on -
and we were caught cold on the half hour mark when a free kick from way out by the touchline was headed home at the far post.
However their joy was short lived as we equalised not long after when Alex Dyer wrig-gled free in the box to send a deflected shot past the home keeper. So 1-1 at half time and
WEALDSTONE v CHIPPENHAM TOWN REWIND <<<<<<<<<<
6 years ago, play-off bound after win at the Met
CONTINUED OVERPAGE
Neil McDonald (right) didnt play many times for the Stones, but he was dominant in this win over Chippenham. Chris O’Leary (left) was also on song
Peter Dean gives the Met a chasing
ON THIS DAY INSTONES HISTORYBY GORDON McKAY
They were a team and manage-ment who we well versed in the dark arts so it was a very big ask. On the night we were not at our best but at 1-1 on the hour mark we were starting to dictate proceedings and looking likely winners. However we lost our discipline in the pressure cooker atmosphere and were reduced to 9 men. Even then we managed to hold on until the last few minutes when a hotly disputed penalty saw them go through to the final.
April 21 2007, Southern League Prem: Corby Town (Home) Won 2-1
This was a true six-pointer played out on the penultimate Saturday of the season at
our then home ground of North-
Robinson levelling up matters early in the 2nd half and from then on in we dominated but it looked as though it wouldn’t be our day... until Dean Clark popped up with a low drive from just inside the box to earn us three very vital points.
For me personally I had no time to hang around and enjoy the win as I had a waiting taxi to whisk me off to the airport - as I was off to watch Porto - but a fine wine was enjoyed later on to the toast the win.WHAT HAPPENED NEXTWe travelled to Yate three days later and won 4-2 to ensure our survival. As for Corby - well they were relegated so what appeared a very important game at the time was in fact the biggest and most significant game of the season. Luckily we won and lived to fight another day.
the sort of travails that have occurred every decade since. In 1952 the first great Wealdstone side finally landed a major trophy, the Athenian League, after half a century of trying. And, much like thirty odd years later, that was quickly followed by
finishing bottom of the table. The 1954-55 campaign was a rude awakening. Our two star playmakers, the Poles Henryk Mikrut and Henryk Wegrzyk had both departed and an abject season saw the Stones six points adrift of Cambridge City. Luckily there was no relegation in those days and the the club soldiered on (still watched by crowds of over 1,000) until a raft of decent players (including the returning two Henryks) signed in the summer.
wood. Having looked odds on to get relegated for much of the season, a late spurt of results (this was our third successive win after beating Banbury and Gloucester in the previous week) gave us a bit of hope going into the last three games. Corby were also down in the danger zone so it was all to play for.
A nervous opening saw Corby on top and it was no surprise when they took the lead around the 20 minute mark. Normally that would have knocked the stuffing out of us but with our new-found confidence and belief we gradually worked our way back into the game creating a few chances but still found ourselves behind at the break.
Eventually the pressure told with our Watford loanee Theo
Saturday April 21 1956. Athenian League: Wealdstone 8 Finchley 1Back in the mists of time were these mid 50s - yes even before I was born! - when the Stones were suffering exactly
WEALDSTONE v CHIPPENHAM TOWN REWIND <<<<<<<<<<
CONTINUED OVERPAGE
BY TIM PARKS
Action from the St Albans game that season with (from left)George Knox, Viv Evans and Ivor Harper eager to impress the big Lower Mead crowd
62 years ago: Stones hit eight past Finchleybut it’s an Athenian League season to forget
A spate of big wins moved us up the table- five against Sutton and Walton & Hersham and seven against hitchin- and finally this thumping of mid-table Finchley at Lower Mead.
WEALDSTONE v CHIPPENHAM TOWN REWIND <<<<<<<<<<
This is the oldest cutting we’ve ever used in the ‘Rewind’ feature... and worth a look if only for the car advert!
Chippenham Town Football Club has been in existence since 1873 and
has had a particularly vibrant recent history.
After building a firm foundation for the modern game during the 1980s with many capital projects, the present structure was formed in 1996 with the coming together of several successful business men. A historic cup run saw the club appear in the last FA Vase game at the old Wembley Stadium in May 2000 and although the Bluebirds failed to lift the trophy in front of over 20,000 supporters, this acted as a springboard for both on and off field growth.
There were back to back promotions from the Western League into the Southern League and then up into the Southern League Premier Division. Progress faltered slightly in 2003/2004 when the Bluebirds failed to gain promotion to the new Conference South following reorganisation of Grass Roots football. This together with a
general change in leadership at the club both on and off the pitch meant that for a while consolidation was the name of the game, not progress. The following season, however, saw things settle down and the team was at the top of the Premier Division almost all year. Gates reflected this success with an average attendance of 634 and a spectacular local derby game against Bath City attracted over 1,600 people. The final play-off at Hardenhuish Park saw almost 2,000 people watch the Bluebirds
narrowly miss promotion by the odd goal.
Season 2005/2006 saw a change of managers and almost a new team but despite this the Club had an unprecedented season reaching the first-round proper of the FA Cup for the first time since 1951. Although the replay with Worcester City was lost and a chance to entertain Huddersfield at home in the second round with TV rights guaranteed, the Bluebirds still attracted a capacity crowd of over 2,800 most of whom were home supporters. Once again, the side was in the top five of the league all year and only denied promotion to the Conference South by a last-minute goal in the play-off final.
Although the Club encountered a few hurdles in the 2006/2007 season, the next saw a very young and experienced side again reach the play-offs only to lose again by the odd goal this time to Halesowen after the original tie was abandoned due to the wet conditions with the Bluebirds leading 3-2. In season 2009-2010, a superb end of season run
(including a final day victory over champions Farnborough) saw the Bluebirds finish third. A 2-0 play off semi-final victory over Hednesford Town saw yet another final play-off, this time at Nuneaton. The Bluebirds took a 1-0 lead but the hosts equalised from a wrongly awarded corner. Extra time saw Nuneaton grab a 2-1 victory in front of over 3,000 fans. Thus, Chippenham Town has reached the play-offs four times in six seasons but have yet to win promotion to Conference South. In 2010-2011 the Bluebirds finished seventh whilst in 2011-2012, a disappointing eleventh place was achieved.
The start of the 2012-2013 season saw exciting changes at Hardenhuish Park with the formation of feeder club Chippenham Park along with a youthful Park reserve side. Manager of the previous six seasons, Adie Mings, became Director of Football and Nathan Rudge was appointed player-manager along with his assistant Richard Fey. Mings left his position before Christmas to take up a scouting role with Chelsea FC. On the field, the team had a mixed season. A late goal at Gloucester City saw them miss out on a possible first round FA Cup tie with Leyton Orient whilst a 17-match winless run threatened relegation until six victories in their last seven matches saw the Bluebirds finish nine points above the relegation area and in fifteenth place. The season was also notable for goalkeeper Conor Thompson moving to Torquay United and Tyrone Mings being snapped up by Ipswich Town.
THE BLUEBIRDSWEALDSTONE’S RECORD v CHIPPENHAM TOWN
P 3 W 1 D 1 L 1 F 3 A 3
The 2013-14 season began disappointingly with manager, Nathan Rudge, resigning after defeats in the first two games. Steve Winter took charge. However, as results did not improve, it was decided to seek a new manager and, in November 2013, the Board appointed Mark Collier with Tom Jones as his assistant. From then on, the team settled down with Mark making various team changes but, after such a very difficult start, it was hard to pick up desperately needed points and the Bluebirds always hovered just above the relegation zone. Matters were made even worse when Rob Dean suffered a horrific knee injury at Hungerford Town towards the end of the season. Thankfully, the Club managed to retain its place in the Premier Division.
Season 2014-15 saw further rebuilding of the Bluebirds’ squad and, later in the season, the return of past Club favourite, Charlie Griffin, marking his third spell with
the Club. A series of player injuries affected league position in the first half of the season but a better second half meant an eventual eleventh place finish, a considerable improvement on the previous two seasons when relegation threatened.
Season 2015-2016 saw another improvement with League Two side Newport County’s skipper Andy Sandell joining the Bluebirds in close season. Sandell went on to become the Southern Premier Division’s golden boot winner, and was joined up front mid-season by the returning Alan Griffin. The Bluebirds recorded an early morale boosting victory at eventual champions Poole Town and their good form continued into the New Year where they headed the table. The Bluebirds also reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA cup where they went out 0-2 at home to Maidstone United who went on to win promotion from Conference South. However, a very poor
March where they only picked up three points from six games saw them fade away to eighth place, albeit another improvement on the previous season. The 2016-2017 season saw most of the previous year’s squad retained and manager Mark Collier and his assistant Tom Jones spent a very busy close season adding some impressive additions with the aim of finishing in a playoff position. However, a superb run of twenty-three unbeaten games from November to Easter saw the Bluebirds crowned champions on Good Friday without even kicking a ball as rivals Leamington failed to win at Biggleswade. The following day, Easter Saturday, saw 1146 fans celebrate promotion to National League (South) after sixteen seasons in the Southern League, fifteen in the Premier division. Season 2017-2018 will see the Bluebirds welcome old friends and many new teams to Hardenhuish Park as they look to consolidate their place at Step 2.
CHIPPENHAM TOWN
ZAYN ALIMEMidfieldSigned for Chippenham Town in Sep 17 from Chippenham Park. JON BEEDENDefenderSigned for Chippenham Town in Nov 2013. Previously with Cirencester Town. After a short spell with Swindon Supermarine in October 2016 he returned to Chippenham Town and has re-signed for the 2017/18 season.
KARNELL CHAMBERS ForwardSigned for Chippenham Town in Mar 18. Previously with Gloucester City and a spell in Sweden.
SAM COLLIERDefenderSigned for Chippenham Town in Sep 17.
DEAN EVANSMidfiledSigned for Chippenham Town in May 2017 from Weymouth, he re-joins Chippenham Town for a second spell. Previous clubs include Plymouth Argyle, Paulton Rovers, Welton Rovers and Frome Town. ALEX FERGUSONMidfieldSigned for Chippenham Town in Aug 2014. He was previously on loan from Swindon Town season 2013-2014. He has re-signed on contract terms for the 2017/18 season.
JAMES GUTHRIEMidfieldSigned for Chippenham Town Jan 2011. He was previously with Highworth Town and has re-signed for the 2017/18 season.
JAKE JACKSONForwardSigned from Frome Town in Dec 2017. .
MICHAEL JONESDefender / MidfieldSigned from Hungerford Town in Aug 2017
CURTIS MCDONALDDefenderSigned for Chippenham Town in Dec 17. Previously with Merthyr Town.
NICK MCCOOTIEForwardSigned for Chippenham Town in January 2018. Previously with Bath City.
KAID MOHAMEDForwardSigned for Chippenham Town in February 2018. Previously with Bath City.
ROBBIE PATTENMidfieldSigned for Chippenham Town in Dec 17. Previously with Merthyr Town.
WILL RICHARDSDefender Signed for Chippenham Town in July 2016. Previously with Redditch Utd. Steadfast and solid defender also capable of scoring goals, he has re-signed on contract terms for the 2017/18 season.
ANDY SANDELLForwardSigned for Chippenham Town in July 2015 from Newport County. Previous clubs include Wycombe Wanderers, Aldershot, Bristol Rovers and Salisbury City. Winner of the Southern Premier League 2015/16 and 2016/17 Season Golden Boot awards for
leading scorer, he has re-signed on contract terms for the 2017/18 season
MATT SMITHMidfieldSigned for Chippenham Town in July 2015. Previously with Frome Town and Westbury Utd, he has re-signed for the 2017/18 season.
JOSHUA SMILEMidfieldSigned for Chippenham Town in Oct 2017. Previously with Fulham FC
JARED THOMPSONGoalkeeperSigned for Chippenham Town in July 2017 on loan from Chelsea FC. Jared has been capped 12 times by his country and signed professional forms in Feb 2016.
GREG TINDLEDefenderTeam captain and resolute defender. Previously with Chippenham Town for 3 years, he re-joined the Club in Feb 2013 via Frome Town and Calne Town. He has re-signed on contract terms for the 2017/18 season.
MEET THE PLAYERS
CHIPPENHAM TOWN
Meet the ManagerMARK COLLIER
Ex-Swindon Supermarine manager. Mark has been managing for 9 years and
previously coached at Swindon Town Academy for 7 years. He took Chippenham Town to the National League South as Southern League
Premier Division Champions in Season 2016/17 with a record 103 points total.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH 16TH APRIL 2018
Chelmsford City kept their slim title hopes alive after comfortably
beating Wealdstone 3-0 at the Melbourne Stadium on Monday night. Bagasan Graham opened the scoring on 14 minutes before a Chris Dickson brace secured the victory.
Stones boss Bobby Wilkinson made three changes to the side that lost at Poole Town at the weekend. Ricky Wellard, Dan Fitchett and Bradley Bubb came in for Matty Whichelow and Jeffrey Monakana who dropped to the bench and Danny Green, missing with a knee injury.
The hosts dominated the opening stages and took a 14th minute lead after a series of Chelmsford backheels in the Stones area eventually found their way to Graham, he beat Eddie Oshodi and smashed an effort into the roof of the net from close range.
He should’ve doubled his tally
four minutes later when Jonny Giles cut inside and delivered a perfect cross onto his head but he nodded it straight at Jonathan North.
The Clarets doubled their lead on 28 minutes after Ryan Sellers headed clearance went straight to the in-form Scott Fenwick who played in his strike partner Dickson who then rifled an effort past North.
Wealdstone then enjoyed their best spell of the match and Glenn Wilson would’ve left wondering how he didn’t score after he powered a diving header goalbound only for Sam Beasant to tip it onto the crossbar with a quick-fire reaction save.
Wilson did beat Beasant just minutes into the second half. Monakana’s free kick round the defender’s head again but this time Josh Wallen was there to clear off the line.
Despite having a much quieter second half it was the hosts who scored the next
goal. Dickson collected the ball out on the left, cut inside and unleashed a wonderful 25-yard swerving effort into the far top corner that gave North no chance and sealed the three points.
The Stones did pose a threat from set pieces and went close again late on. Monakana’s delivery from a corner found Oshodi this time, he headed into the ground and the ball bounced just over the crossbar.
WEALDSTONE FCFIRST TEAM, SEASON 2017/18 as at 4th April 2018A = STARTING APPEARANCES • S = APPEARANCE AS SUBSTITUTE • G = GOALS SCORED * = HAS NOW LEFT CLUB
Vanarama National League South 2017/2018 @ 17th April 2018 P W D L F A P W D L F A P W D L F A
Home AwayAllOppositionResults +/- Pts
12345678910111213141516171819202122
HOME
FIXTURES
AWAYEast Thurrock UnitedVANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTHMonday, 23rd April, 7:45pmHALF PRICE ADMISSION FOR PREMIER / FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Oxford CityVANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTHThursday, 26th April, 7:45pmHALF PRICE ADMISSION FOR PREMIER / FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
WhitehawkVANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTHSaturday, 28th April, 3:00pmwww.whitehawkfc.com
DartfordVANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTHTuesday, 21st November, 7:45pmwww.oxfordcityfc.co.uk
THE CLUB HAS CONFIRMED MATCH DAY ADMISSION AND SEASON TICKET CHARGES FOR THE 2018/19 SEASON. MATCH DAY ADMISSION CHARGES TO THE VALE NEXT SEASON WILL START AT £15 ADULTS, £10 CONCESSION/PRO CLUB AND £5 U18S – UNDER 14S FREE WITH AN ADULT AT VNL GAMES.
THERES AN ‘EARLY BIRD’ SEASON TICKET DEAL AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES:ADULTS – £125 CONCESSION/PRO CLUB – £100 UNDER 18S – £25
THIS OFFER WILL RUN UNTIL 31 MAY 2018 WHEN THE PRICES WILL INCREASE TO:ADULTS – £150 CONCESSION/PRO CLUB – £125 UNDER 18S – £30
YOU CAN ORDER YOUR SEASON TICKET TODAY BY VISITING THE WFC MEGASTORE OR ONLINE AT WWW.WFCMEGASTORE.CO.UK
