NEWS FROM FLEET TOWN F.C. - SEPTEMBER 2007.
STILL GOING STRONG IN LEAGUE & F.A.CUP
Dear Supporter
We have had a good few weeks on the pitch at Fleet Town FC and the football has been great to watch. Last month we wrote that we had retained the majority of our players for this season and along with the management team of Andy Sinton and his assistant Steve Mellor this continuity is proving a key factor in the continuation of our progress of the past three seasons. Examples of this are that since our last newsletter we have had two centurions as Eddie Smith and James Field both clocked up 100 appearances for the club and two 50 ups from Matty Lewis and Nathan Smart. Indeed at our last league game against Thatcham Town the starting eleven players had amassed 592 games for the club and the five on the bench another 245 proving that commitment and stability will lead to success.
Utility player Damien Smith recently signed for us from Bracknell Town and we also expect to have our long term injured players returning to the squad too, at our level a strong squad is crucial if we are to maintain momentum in the hard winter months ahead.
And results? Well, we went top of the league as we beat leaders Uxbridge (3-0) at the beginning of the month and in our only other league game in September we beat Thatcham Town 2-0. We now sit handily in second spot one point behind new leaders Burnham with two games in hand and our playing record reads P6 W5 D1 L0.
All the other games this month were cup ones: our only reverse thus far coming in a 2-4 loss at Oxford City in the Errea League cup but we have progressed to the 3 rd Qualifying round of the FA Cup (Yes THAT FA Cup!) – beating Slough (4-1), Gosport (3-1) and Southern Premier team Mangotsfield United 2-0. Still a long way to go to Wembley but this is the furthest we have ever been – another first for Fleet Town under Andy Sinton!
In October we have at least four Home games if you want to see a match as we seek to consolidate our position at the ‘business-end' of the league plus we will have our next FA Cup tie on 13th although our opponents or venue aren't known as we go to press:
- Tuesday 2nd v Andover League
- Saturday 6th v Newport IoW FA Trophy (premier non-league cup)
- Saturday 20th v Oxford City League
- Saturday 27th v Paulton Rovers League
The Reserves campaign in the Suburban Premier is proving a tough one for them and the better quality teams they face are proving to be a stern test for the squad. They did however get their first points in September and their record now reads P8 W1 D1 L6.
The Youth team had a good start winning their first three games before losing to leaders Woking and they now sit in second position in their league. The team and indeed the whole club suffered a major tragedy when four of its players were involved in a car accident after training at the end of the month in which one player tragically died. Events of this kind put the sport of football into true perspective and the condolences of all at FTFC went out to the family and friends of the popular young lad who lost his life – Dan Ayre.
The other three players suffered some injuries but will make full recoveries.
Our young people's teams started their games in the month and most of the Colts teams from ages u7 to u18 have started with wins. In the girls club the older ones (u16) got off to a cracker scoring 25 goals in their first three games to go top! We expect that we will have more success again in the young clubs and will keep you updated throughout the season. Special thanks must also go to three of our senior club sponsors who have extended their sponsorship to the colts/girls too.
Away from the football our next quiz night is planned for 12 th October from 7.45pm. Last month we had over 100 attend the event for the first time ever and if you want to see how easy the questions were just log on to the Club House page on our website.
On 26 th October we will have our first ever Barn Dance at the Clubhouse. Tickets are £5.00 per person. It'll be a fun night out for those types of folk not into discos and raves or those that just fancy a pleasant break from Jaxx and Stringfellows!
Finally if you are a golfer you may still have time to enter yourself or a team in this year's Andy Sinton Golf Challenge at Wentworth on 29 th November. The person to call is Rowland Cant at the Club or on his mobile 07813 885075.
On behalf of the committee at the club thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you at Calthorpe Park very very soon.
Up the Blues!
Mike Gardner,
Commercial Manager
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