histon fc - wordpress.com · kevin lawn commercial director ... and those making the trip from...
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HISTON FC Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League
Tuesday 1st August, 2017
Kick off 7.45pm
Issue 01 £1
MATCHDAY
SPONSOR
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The Yachtsman Matchday Magazine 2017-18
Editor / Design: Lee Robson
Contributors: Adrian Gowling, Lee Robson, Tom Parke,
Chris Green
Photography: Adrian Gowling
Contents
4 Who’s Who at Wroxham
7 Chairman’s Welcome
8/9 Wroxham Club History
10/11 Wroxham Pen Pics
14 Managers’ Notes
16/17 Fixture / Results
18 League Table
19 Reserves
22 Youth Under 18s
24 Open Academy
27/28 Histon Pen Pics
31/33 Histon History
34 Today’s Teams
Wroxham Football Club
Trafford Park
Skinners Lane
Wroxham
Norfolk
NR12 8SJ
@The_Yachtsmen
Wroxham FC—The Yachtsmen
www.wroxhamfc.org
WHO’S WHO Chairman Lee Robson General Secretary Chris Green Vice Chairman Mark Wilkinson Director of Football Kevin Lawn Commercial Director Liam Brydon Finance Director Vacant Press and media officer Adrian Gowling Welfare Officer Lisa Hamilton Bars and Catering Manager Rachel Cole First Team Managers Tom Parkes Ross Porter First Team Coach Dom Jones GK Coach Martin Newson Physio Jane Kent Reserve Team Managers Jordan Southgate Jordan King U18s Mark Roe Paul Maxey Academy Leaders Matt Halliday Cedric Anselin Development Team Mark Wilkinson Martyn Lawes Richard Lincoln Club Captain Adam Smith President Pat Penn Committee Members Cynthia Feltham Alan Royall Keith Baker Sue Murray Terry Baxter Amanda Rosier
FA Vase Finalists 2009/10
Eastern Counties League.
Premier Division Champions: 1991-92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97,
1997–98, 1998–99, 2006–07, 2010-11. Division One Champions: 1988
-89
League Cup Winners: 1993, 2000, 2003
Norfolk Senior Cup. Winners: 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004,
2008, 2015
Norfolk Junior Cup. Winners: 1975
Anglian Combination. Premier Division Champions: 1981-82, 1982-
83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1987-88
Good evening and welcome to tonight’s
game. I trust that all of our supporters
and those making the trip from Histon FC
will enjoy the game and make the most of
what the Norfolk Broads offer.
It’s a great opportunity for people to see
the start of a new chapter in our develop-
ment as a top quality Eastern Counties
football club with Tom and Ross’s first
game in charge. Their addition to the club,
along with mine, have been just a couple
of lots of new and exciting things we have
been getting on with since the last ball
was kicked in anger back in early May.
Liam Brydon joins us as Commercial Di-
rector along with Kevin Lawn who has
overall responsibility for footballing mat-
ters. Kevin in particular has worked ex-
tremely hard all summer getting a new
top team in and helping recruit a lot of
new faces on the playing side.
Some of those will be familiar to anyone
who attends games around Norfolk but I
would like to welcome everyone new to
the club and those who may be coming
back hoping to see a team and a club in
the ascendant. Its classic mix of youth
and experience as all of our newbies join a
very committed group of volunteers who
have seen the good times and of course
the not so good. The new era starts today
and though we can build on the successes
of the past we cannot dwell on them. We
all want the club to be part of the cutting
edge when it comes to development of
players, facilities and how we approach
the game itself.
We also welcome a new main partner in
Kingsley Care Homes who have agreed to
be our main partners for three seasons
and tonight's match sponsor LJS Joinery
Ltd who will be key partners for the sea-
son. More about our new partners later
but we still need more so...if you can
sponsor a player or a match please speak
to me during the game or afterwards in
the bar. Join our club tonight by asking at
the bar and you will receive frequent bul-
letins and news on offers throughout the
season. Even better...if you think you can
help on match days or in any other role
then please just have a natter when we
can sort something out. Enjoy tonight.
Ahoy The Yachtsmen!
C h a i r m a n ’s W e l c o m e
Wroxham FC were established in
1892 by GE Preston, a former captain
of the Norfolk County team, and ini-
tially played on Wroxham Park. The
club played friendly matches until
joining the East Norfolk League and
the Norwich City Junior League. In
1935 they joined the East Anglian
League, before dropping down to
the Norwich and District League in
the 1950s, a time during which they
suffered a record 24-0 defeat.
In 1963 the club became founder
members of the Anglian Combina-
tion. A successful spell during the
mid-1970s saw the club rise through
the divisions. In 1975 the club won its
first major trophy, the Norfolk Junior
Cup. The following season they won
Division Two, and the season after,
Division One. In 1981 the club won
the Knock-Out Cup, and in 1981-82
they won the Premier Division, re-
taining the title in 1982-83, 1983-84
and 1984-85, also winning the knock
-out cup in 1983 and 1985. They did
another league and cup double in
1986-87
In 1988 the club joined the newly-
formed Division One of the Eastern
Counties League. They won the divi-
sion in their first season, beating
Halstead Town to the title on goal
difference. After finishing twelfth in
their first season in the Premier Divi-
sion, the club have never finished
lower than eighth. They won the title
with a record 99 points in 1991-92,
before beating their own record with
C L U B H I S T O R Y
100 points and another title the fol-
lowing season, the club’s centenary,
in which they also won the League
Cup and the Norfolk Senior Cup. In
1993-94 they won a third consecu-
tive title. After a gap of two seasons,
the club won the Premier Division
again with 109 points in 1996-97,
also winning the Senior Cup again.
They retained the title and the Sen-
ior Cup in 1997-98, before winning
the league for a third time in a row
in 1998-99.
They won the Senior Cup again in
2000, 2002, 2004, the Premier Divi-
sion in 2006-07, and the Norfolk
Senior Cup in 2008. In 2009-10 the
club reached the final of the FA Vase,
but lost 6-1 to holders Whitley Bay.
In 2015, in a thrilling Norfolk Senior
Cup Final, they beat local rivals Dere-
ham Town 3-2 after extra time.
Since the club was formed, Wroxham
F.C. have played several venues. The
first was just off Norwich Road and
subsequent grounds were at The
Avenue and Keys Hill. The Avenue
ground has now reverted back to ag-
ricultural use, whilst the others have
been built upon.
Around the time of World War II,
Wroxham moved to their current
ground, Trafford Park, a field close to
the railway line in Skinners Lane. The
club took with them an old timber
pavilion that was erected and used
as a primitive clubhouse. Fifteen
years later this was replaced by pre-
fabricated buildings, which were
themselves flattened to make way
for a new permanent clubhouse that
was opened in 1994.
The current main stand, the Les King
Stand, was built in 1990, replacing an
earlier structure that had stood on
the same site for around 10 years.
The capacity at Trafford Park is 2,000
but the record attendance to date is
1,262 for the FA Vase semi-final
against Whitehawk in 2010.
Next Home Games at
Trafford Park.
Tuesday 8th August
v Great Yarmouth
7.45 ko
Saturday 19th August
v Stanway Rovers
3.00 ko
Tuesday 29th August
v Walsham le Willows
7.45 ko
Will Viner . Goalkeeper. Signed from Ha-
ringey Borough. A goalkeeper previously
at Barnet and shaping up to be a big in-
fluence on the team and club as it pro-
gresses.
George MacRae. Goalkeeper who will look
to challenge Will Viner for the number 1
jersey. Arrived from Diss Town and is a
good shot stopper. Will grow in confi-
dence.
Adam Smith. Midfield. Signed from Dere-
ham Town having spent 9 seasons at the
club. Has been described as the most ex-
perienced and gifted in the County. The
former Norwich City man has great touch
vision and awareness and no little aggres-
sion. Will be key to progress this season.
Club Captain. Sponsored by Chris Green
Tom Matthews. 19. Defender. Signed from
The New Saints (TNS) in Wales. Played for
NCFC academy, QPR Youth team where as
captain kept a certain Marcus Rashford
quiet in an FA Youth Cup tie. Has experi-
enced the Champions League whilst at
TNS. A player with passion, commitment
and leadership who represents the club’s
bigger goal.
Joe Manning. Diss captain who moved
with the Manager. A former Youth County
Cup winner with Norfolk FA. Plays as a
Defensive Midfielder.
Harley Black. 19. Midfield. New signing
from Dereham Town. Great range of pass-
ing and fond of a trick or two. Formerly
with NCFC Academy. And Cambridge
United.
Michael Sommerfield – A dominant De-
fender who played for Sheringham and
Dereham last season. Is well-known at
Trafford Park having represented the club
in the Ryman League the season before
last. Played football in USA and another
who will go where it hurts. Free kick spe-
cialist.
Payton Swatman. 22. Defender. A player
that needs no introduction at Trafford
Park. Started last season at the club but
moved over to Yarmouth around Christ-
mas time. Also turned out for Dereham
Town and is reported to be the life of the
changing room.
Connor Laskey – A striker that has repre-
sented Norfolk at Under 18 level. Joins the
club from Poringland.
Adam Plumstead. 26. Defender. Formerly
with Gorleston and Wymondham Town.
Aggressive centre back with good range
of passing.
Matt Cook. 19. Ex Dereham Town and
made the English School national squad.
Left footed hard working midfielder to-
tally aware of team needs.
Craig Bussens,. 27. Midfield. Former NCFC
youth captain and Cambridge United pro-
fessional. Serial winner with Dereham
Town, Lowestoft and others; and it shows
in the way he plays. Drive commitment
and never say die!
Robbie Sweeney. 20. Attacking midfield.
Formerly with Norwich City and Steve-
nage Town. Will bring pace, tempo, excite-
ment assists goals and a few penalties.
W r o x h a m F C
Another who will drive the Yachtsmen on
this season.
Ben Fowkes, Joined at the start of the sea-
son, following a dual registration with
Diss Town & Lowestoft. Scored for Diss af-
ter 30 seconds on his debut against Stow-
market, so hoping he will soon find the
net for Wroxham.
Shaun Taylor - Midfield – last season’s Re-
serve Captain and Player of the season.
Looking to step up to the next level. Skil-
ful player who scores goals as an attack-
ing midfielder.
Lewis Meecham. 19. Forward. Ex Shering-
ham, Norwich City Academy and Easton
College.
Ross Gilfedder. Forward. Signed from
Kirkley & Pakefield, Strong player who has
scored regularly with all his previous
clubs. Wroxham’s top scorer last season
with 10 goals;
Pete Wiltshire. 19. Forward. – Previously
with NCFC Academy. And Dereham Town,
leads the line well, good with both feet
and great movement. Great eye for goal
and takes responsibility as good striker
should. Should develop over the season as
one of the players for the Yachtsmen.
Sponsored by Lee Robson
Ollie Ebbage – Defender. Ollie developed
through the club reserve side and filled in
last season when he returned from Leeds
University. Now taking a year out from
studies on work experience locally but
hopes to be available regularly. Solid de-
fender.
Ross Potter – Joint Manager. Former Nor-
folk County U18 Manager with Tom Parke.
Gained experience with Long Stratton in
Anglian Combination Premier Division be-
fore joining Diss Town in the Eastern
Counties League and just missing out on
promotion last season.
Tom Parke – Joint Manager. Found his
niche as a youth team coach gaining a
UEFA A Licence through the Northern Ire-
land FA scheme. A teacher and coach with
DESA, Dereham Town’s Academy. But now
taking his skills and enthusiasm into adult
football.
Jane Kent. Physio Previously physio for
Diss Town and Norfolk Under 18’s. Jane
brings a wealth of experience to assist the
management team in getting their best
players on the pitch week.
SPONSOR YOUR FAVOURITE
PLAYER
Just £50 per season.
Visit www.wroxhamfc.org and
pay with pay pal or credit card
via our club shop.
M a n a g e r s ’ N o t e s
Good evening and welcome to tonight’s
game from both Ross and myself and also
from Dom, Jane and Mark who join us to
complete the new senior management
team at the Yachtsmen. I think I can speak
for all of us plus the two Jordans in charge
of the reserves when I say we’ve been
made very welcome by everyone at the
club and thank Kevin (Lawn) for getting us
to consider the opportunities we can
make and take here at Trafford Park.
We’re all really excited to be able to start
afresh and build something new and last-
ing which is why we’ve made real attempt
to get eth best younger players around to
complement some real experience in
Smudger (Adam Smith), Will Viner and
Sommers. Together we can create that
right mix of youth experience, hard work
and creativity we know we need to thrive
at this level of the pyramid.
The early signs in pre season have been
very good with players taking on board
pretty much everything we ‘ve had to say
and trying to take the lessons from the
training ground to the playing pitch. So
far so good. But it has all been in pre-
season friendlies so the real test is to-
night. We are up against a team with
some great FA cup history and indeed
league pedigree who like us suffered the
ignominy of relegation last time out. Like
us they too will want to put that behind
them and on reputation alone I expect
Histon to be in there or thereabouts come
April next year. Will we be close to them?
Who knows?
The Chairman, who again is new to the
club, has been great to work with so far
and although he has spelled out his ex-
pectation of a promotion or two we’re
also on the same page when it comes to
the reality of our situation and that it is
better to create a improving sustainable
football team (and club) over a longer pe-
riod than to try and shoot for the stars
too early. ‘Work in progress’ is what the
sign outside the door would say. So long
as we can see the progress on and off the
pitch then everyone is in for a very enjoy-
able experience not just tonight but over
the next few years.
Enjoy the game. See you in the bar after-
wards.
Tom & Ross.
W r o x h a m F C
It’s been steadily developing pre season
for the Potter/Parke Project.
The first pre-season game ended
in defeat as The Yachtsmen went down to
a well-organised Hellesdon side in the
mid-day sun at the FDC at Open on July
8th.
The first half saw Wroxham go in at the
break 1-0 to the good with Pete Wiltshire
scoring the goal. Unfortunately, the sec-
ond half didn’t go to plan for Ross Potter
and Tom Parkes as Hellesdon scored
three without reply.
Potter and Parkes were philosophical
about the result which is more about
playing minutes at this stage of the sea-
son and looking at as many players as
they can before the season begins with a
home league game against Histon FC.
A draw against CEYMS another Anglian
Combination team saw a little more pro-
gress before Wroxham ran out 5-1 win-
ners in their latest pre-season friendly on
the 4g pitch at Easton & Otley College
against Anglian Combination side Mul-
barton. Going into the half-time interval
2-1 ahead, the Yachtsmen scored 3 more
goals in the second half to gain a com-
prehensive victory. Goalscorers for Wrox-
ham were Bryant (2), Swatman (2) and
Bussey
A lovely committed performance against
Downham earned a 3—0 win and the
\yachtsmen were starting to show some
pedigree. This was tested again in a visit
to league rivals Essex based Coggleshall
Town home to Olly Murs. Whoever he is.
Goals from Lewis Meecham and Ross Gil-
feddar in the first half saw The Yachtsmen
return home with another victory in their
pre-season schedule. Coggeshall’s goal
came by virtue of a second-half penalty.
Crackers game v Mundford ended 5—4
to the Stags.
S u m m e r 2 0 1 7
P r e s e a s o n f r i e n d l i e s
f i x t u r e s / r e s u l t s
P R E M I E R D I V I S I O N
1st AUG ECL Histon FC H LJS JOINERY
5th FAC Southend Manor A
08 19:45 ECL Great Yarmouth H
12 ECL Wivenhoe Town A Broad Lane
19 ECL Stanway Rovers H
26 ECL Long Melford A Stoneylands
29 19:45. ECL Walsham le Willows H
02 SEP ECL Saffron W’ldn Town H
05 19:45 ECL Stowmarket Town A Greens Meadow
09 ECL Newmarket Town A Town Ground
15 19:45 ECL Thetford Town H
20 19:45 ECL Walsham le Willows A Summer Road
30 ECL FC Clacton A Rush Green Bowl
06 OCT
19:45
ECL Great Yarmouth
Town
A The Wellesley
14 ECL Haverhill Borough A
21 ECL Coggeshall Town H
24 19:45 ECL Gorleston H
28 ECL Saffron Walden A Catons Lane
31 19:45 LCC Diss Town A Brewers Green Lane
04 NOV ECL Brantham Athletic. H
07 19:45 ECL Thetford Town A Mundford Road
11 ECL Stanway Rovers A Hawthorns
18 ECL Fakenham Town H
25 ECL Stowmarket Town H
02 DEC ECL Ipswich Wanderers A Humber Doucy Lane
09 ECL Haverhill Rovers A The New Croft
16 ECL Haverhill Borough H
23 ECL Ely City A The Unwin Ground
26 11:00 ECL Kirkley & Pakefield A Walmer Road
30 ECL Long Melford. H
06 JAN ECL Godmanchester Rovers A Bearscroft Farm
13 ECL FC Clacton. H
20 ECL Hadleigh United. H
27 ECL Felixstowe & Walton Utd A Goldstar Ground
03 FEB ECL Wivenhoe Town. H
10 ECL Coggeshall Town A West Street
17 ECL Ely City H
24 ECL Histon. H
03 MAR ECL Haverhill Rovers. H
10 ECL Brantham Athletic A Brantham LC
17 ECL Ipswich Wanderers H
24 ECL .Fakenham Town A Clipbush Park
30 19:45 LCC Gorleston A Emerald Park
02 APR ECL Kirkley & Pakefield. H
07 ECL Felixstowe & Walton Utd H
14 ECL Newmarket Town. H
28 ECL Hadleigh United A Millfield
05 MAY ECL Godmanchester R’vs. H
SPONSOR A MATCH DAY OR BALL
Just £150 or £50 for match ball.
Visit our club shop on www.wroxhamfc.org and pay with credit card or pay
pal. Simple.
P RE MI E R D IV I S I ON
1 Brantham Athletic 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 Coggeshall Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Ely City 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 FC Clacton 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Fakenham Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Felixstowe & W’lton Utd 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Godmanchester Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Gorleston 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Great Yarmouth Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Hadleigh United 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Haverhill Borough 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Haverhill Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 Histon 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 Ipswich Wanderers 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 Kirkley & Pakefield 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 Long Melford 0 0 0 0 0 0
17 Newmarket Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 Saffron Walden Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 Stanway Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0
20 Stowmarket Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 Thetford Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 Walsham le Willows 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 Wivenhoe Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
24 Wroxham 0 0 0 0 0 0
R E S E R V E S
Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination
P R E M I E R D I V I S I O N
15/08 18:30 Lge Stalham Town A Rivers Park
19/08 Lge Harleston Town A Harleston Recr
02/09 Lge Long Stratton A Stratton Playing Field
09/09 Cup UEA A UEA #1
P W D L GD PTS
1 Acle United 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 Beccles Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Blofield United 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Bradenham Wanderers 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Caister 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Harleston Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Hellesdon 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Long Stratton 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Mattishall 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Mulbarton Wanderers 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Norwich CEYMS 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Reepham Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 St Andrews 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 Stalham Town 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 Waveney 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 Wroxham Res 0 0 0 0 0 0
SPONSOR A RESERVE TEAM GAME AND MATCH BALL
JUST £75
MEN’S Category 1 group 5
13/09 Lge Simon Balle BHPP Academy H
20/09 Lge Easton & Otley College A
27/09 Lge Tresham College H
04/10 Lge Milton Keynes College A
11/10 Lge West Suffolk College H
18/10 Lge Moulton College Men's 1 A
01/11 Lge Dereham Education A
08/11 Lge Dereham Education H
29/11 Lge Simon Balle BHPP Academy A
13/12 Lge Easton & Otley College H
10/01 Lge Tresham College A
17/01 Lge Milton Keynes College H
31/01 Lge West Suffolk College A
07/02 Lge Moulton College H
H i s t o n F C
Ayden Duffy. Aged 30
Experienced ‘keeper who signed
for Histon in February 2017 mak-
ing his debut against Chalfont St
Peter later that month.
Max York . Age 25
Max returned to Bridge Road for
the fourth time in summer 2016
having move to Biggleswade
Town during last season. Made
his first team debut in 2009/10
and can name Rushden and Dia-
monds, Kettering Town amongst
former clubs. Club Captain.
Evan Key. Age 22
Evan was with Bury Town as
youngster before moving to Big-
gleswade, then to Histon and
back to the Waders before set-
tling at Bridge Road in February
2017.
Pat Bexfield. Age 28
Midfielder who came through Nor-
wich City Academy and made the
first team bench in 2007. Released in
2008 and joined Wisbech Town be-
fore spells with Needham Market,
Cambridge City. St Ives Town and
Soham Rangers. Finally arrived at
Histon in Feb 2016.
Lee Smith. Age: 29
Joined Histon as a youngster before
moving on to Bury Town in 2011,
then to Lowestoft, Bigglewade and
again Lowestoft. Re-joined Histon in
2015 before moving again to Kings
Lynn but returned in February 2017
Shaun Jenkins. Age 28
Signed on dual registration forms
from Fulbourn in November 2016.
Danny Gould. Age 19
Versatile right sided midfielder
who can operate at full back.
Youth product graduating from
the academy and made his break-
through after impressing in the
U21s
Simon Unwin. Age 25
Histon Scholar signed from God-
manchester Rovers in 2016. Good
footballing brain and can operate
centrally as a playmaker or in a
more advanced role.
James Carman. Age 28
Goal scorer with experience at a
number of different clubs, most re-
cently Sawston United from whom
he signed in December 2016. Imme-
diately showed he make the step up
in levels with goals in each of his first
two games.
Tommy Wright. Age 24
Attacking midfielder returned to
the club in December from
Cambridge City. A Histon
scholar from the class of 2011.
Jos Gwynne. Age 19
Forward who signed first team
forms in summer of 2016 after
completing his scholarship.
Scored a stunning goal within
seconds of kick off v Marlow but
rest of the season blighted by
injury. Looking to establish him-
self second time around.
H i s t o n F C
A club histor y
The club was formed in 1904 as Histon In-
stitute FC and played for many years in
the Cambridgeshire Football League. John
Chivers, the chairman of the major em-
ployer in Histon & Impington, the jam
company Chivers, helped to found the
Histon Institute in 1903 from where the
football club has its origins. The company
donated a field then covered in roses for
the club to play on, which is commemo-
rated in the rose on Histon’s crest.
In 1960 the club (which by now had dropped the
“Institute” from their name) joined the Delphian
League but just three years later this league dis-
banded and Histon, along with most of the other
member clubs, joined the Athenian League. In
1966 they switched to the Eastern Counties
League where they were to play for nearly twenty
-five years. When the ECL adopted a two-division
format in 1988, Histon were placed in the Premier
Division. In the 1989/90 season Histon won the
Jewson League Cup but lost players Lance Key
and Shaun Sowden to Sheffield Wednesday and
Giuliano Maiorana to Manchester United.
In 1993 a new club committee was formed. The
club was relegated to Division One in 1995 but
were promoted back up two years later. During
this time manager Graham Daniels departed for
Cambridge City and this meant the arrival of
Simon Allen and he guided the first team back to
the Premier Division. The 1997/98 season saw
Neil Kennedy establish a club record by scoring
46 senior goals in the season, winning the golden
boot for the League, and Histon finished 3rd. The
club also won the Fair Play award for the third
season running. In the same season Sean Audley
also established a club record by scoring the
most goals recorded to date in one season. He
scored a record 79 goals in the reserve side and
by doing so he earned himself the golden boot
for the League’s top scorer. The following season
produced another manager in Trevor Collins who
took over the role and took the team to 4th in
the league. In the 1999/2000 season they won the
Premier Division title under the management of
another manager, former Cambridge United
player Steve Fallon, and were promoted to the
Southern Football League. The title was won on
the last day of the season with a 2-1 defeat of
Gorleston.
The start of the 21st century was slow and in the
first three seasons Histon managed 4th spot
twice and a disappointing 10th, which momentar-
ily halted the rise they had experienced with
Steve Fallon. The 2003/04 season saw us finish
2nd in the Southern League’s Eastern Division to
claim promotion to the Premier Division. The fol-
lowing year Histon took on League Two side
Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup 1st Round
Proper, setting up a 2nd Round tie at home to
Yeovil Town with a 2-0 victory. They lost to Ye-
ovil in the 2nd Round but it did not affect their
league performances as they clinched the South-
ern League Premier Division title on the last day
of the season and with it promotion to Confer-
ence South, the highest level at which the club
had ever played.
In their first season at this level Histon finished in
5th place, enough to secure a place in the play-
offs for promotion to the Conference National.
They won their first game away at Farnborough
Town 3-0, but lost 2-0 in the play-off final at
Broadhall Way against St. Albans City.
CONT’d 33
In the FA Cup they reached the second round
proper after beating Hednesford Town in the first
round. The team managed a draw away at
Nuneaton Borough but were defeated in the re-
play at Bridge Road 2-1 and would have played
Premier League club Middlesbrough if they had
won. The second round replay saw 3,077 people
at Bridge Road, the highest attendance of the
whole season. The season was also notable for a
5-0 win against local rivals Cambridge United in
the FA Trophy.
On 14 April 2007 the Stutes beat Welling United 1
-0 at Bridge Road to secure promotion to the
Conference National for the first time in their his-
tory, Adrian Cambridge scoring the winner in the
89th minute. Two days previously, officials from
the Conference had passed Bridge Road as fit for
Conference football, paving the way for promo-
tion (the club’s fourth in 7 years) to the highest
point in the football league pyramid reached in
the club’s history. In the same season striker Neil
Kennedy got his 300th goal for the club with a
hat-trick against Havant & Waterlooville.
In Histon’s first season in the Conference Na-
tional the Stutes played their first televised game,
Setanta broadcasting their 1-0 home win against
Oxford United. Later in the season the club broke
their record home attendance when a crowd of
3,721 saw Histon beat local rivals Cambridge
United 1-0 on 1 January 2008. Histon finished the
season in 7th, two places and 9 points away from
the play-offs and bade farewell to the club’s re-
cord goalscorer, Neil Kennedy. He played his last
competitive game against Forest Green Rovers
on the last day of the season in a substitute ap-
pearance.
Histon’s second season of Conference football
started well and the Stutes were top of the divi-
sion during November. They finished third that
season, qualifying for the play-offs, where they
were defeated 2-1 on aggregate by Torquay
United in the semi-final. In the FA Cup Histon
reached the third round for the first time after
beating Football League opposition in Swindon
Town 1-0 at home in the First Round, and Leeds
United 1-0 at home in the Second Round, the first
time Leeds had lost to a non-league side. They
lost 2-1 to Swansea City at home in the third
round.
In November 2009 Gareth Baldwin ended his 17-
year tenure as chairman of the club when he was
replaced by Tony Roach, citing “ill-health and
stress” as the reason he was standing down. In
January 2010 Steve Fallon was sacked as Histon
manager and replaced by Alan Lewer who left
the club at the end of that season. John Beck’s
brief stint as Manager ended after two months
and he was replaced by former Millwall Captain
David Livermore. During that season the club
were fined £5,000 and docked 5 league points
after pleading guilty to “submitting misleading
financial information”, finishing the season bot-
tom of the league and relegated to the Confer-
ence North for 2011-12. Histon finished their first
Conference North season in 16th place and man-
ager Livermore left the club at the end of that
season, returning to Millwall as a Coach. Dennis
Greene took over but left the Club in December
2012 following a poor start to the season, to be
replaced by former Reserve Team Manager and
Histon player Nacer Relizani who was assisted by
the Club’s Youth Team Coach Brian Page. The
duo led the team to Conference North safety on
the last day of the season before Relizani
stepped down and Page took over the top job.
2013-14 started brightly with the team in the top
half of the table until September but ultimately a
very young Stutes side couldn't maintain Confer-
ence football and relegation to the Southern
League followed.
The first season back in the Southern League Pre-
mier Division ended with a comfortable 18th
place finish, securing Step 3 football for another
season. Under Page’s management the club fo-
cuses on youth development and has established
a clear pathway from Academy through Scholar-
ship and into the First Team for our young play-
ers, building a growing reputation for finding
and developing young players good enough to
move up into the professional game.
Today’s teams (from)
Will Viner
Mark Shadrack
Myron Abodunde
Olly Ebbage
Tom Matthews
Joe Manning
Matt Cook
Harley Black
Adam Smith
Shaun Taylor
Sam Bryant
Craig Bussens
Payton Swatman
Robbie Sweeney
Ben Fowkes
Ross Gilfedder
Pete Wiltshire
Ryan Fuller
George Macrae
Wroxham FC Histon FC
Today’s Matchday Officials:
Referee - Adrian Sannerude
Assistant - Bartosz Potrawski
Assistant - Bradley Mingay LJS Joinery Ltd
Today’s Matchday
Sponsor
Ayden Duffy
Max York
Evan Key
Danny Gould
Lee Smith
Shaun Jenkins
Simon Unwin
Pat Becksfield
Brendan Lees
Charlie Brown
James Carman
Ed Rolfe
Tommy Wright
Jos Gwynne