Looking back over the season I was very pleased with our start when we set the pace and it was an honour for The Club when we were awarded Team of the Month for August. We also won it again in January. We had some great wins in The League as well as convincingly beating Mangotsfield and Bashley both from leagues above us in The Cups. We followed this with pushing Havant and Waterlooville all the way in The F.A.Cup only to lose 2-1. They of course went on to play up at Liverpool and give a great account of themselves.
If I had to pick a highlight it would be the victory here against Farnborough when we won 3-0 , this was particularly pleasing for a number of reasons. However congratulations to them for going on and winning The League and lets hope we can join them in gaining promotion. The Southern League is a very tough and competitive league where anyone can beat anyone on any given day. There are no easy games with lots of very good sides. If you asked me who are the best sides we have played I would say Farnborough on Boxing Day and Paulton Rovers when they won here in October although we did commit football suicide that day with the goals we conceded. As to the outstanding player we have come across I would have to say that Saunders at Farnborough for his performance on Boxing Day stands out. Most sides have some very good players and I am sure that some of our players are regarded highly throughout the league.
One thing however that has puzzled me is our poor disciplinary record. We are very guilty of being naïve in certain situations and this is an area in which we will have to improve as it can have a bearing on players missing games. However I do see other sides getting away with things that we seem to get punished for. During my career in football from the highest level down it is generally regarded that the bigger teams get more decisions go in their favour and it goes right down to our level. It is not right and people say that it does not happen but it does !
On a personal note I have really enjoyed the season so far and I am very proud of our achievements. As I write we are in The Play Offs, 3 Cup Finals and 1 Semi-Final. We also lost another semi-final to a team 2 leagues above us as well as enjoying the Clubs best run ever in The F.A.Cup . People say this is Fleet Town 's best ever season !
There are lots of good people involved with The Club whose contribution often goes un-noticed but are invaluable to helping our progress.
Thanks for all your support during the season which is really appreciated by myself , Steve and all the players. Really get behind the players tonight and over the next 2 weeks and see where it takes us.
Andy Sinton
26/03/08 Fleet Town Youth v Calthorpe Park Dan Ayre Memorial Match
Danny's Memorial Match was a great spectacle of football for all those who came along to enjoy the evenings entertainment. A crowd of between 350 to 400 people enjoyed a 10 goal thriller with Calthorpe Park beating the Fleet Town U16's 7-3.
All the lads from the School and the Colts can be proud of the display they put on. (view match pictures)
£920 was raised on the night for the Oxford Craniofacial Research Fund which is an amazing achievement - many thanks to all who gave their donations.
Thanks to Fleet Town FC for staging the event. Lisa and Gary should be very proud of just how popular Danny was amongst his friends and team mates, the majority of the crowd was made up by Danny's friends and their families.
If anyone would like to make further donations to this charity please see Karen at Danny's Place on Saturdays or Sundays where she will pass them onto Gary and Lisa.
Attacking midfielder Philip John made his 100 th start in a Fleet Town shirt in the Hampshire Senior Cup semi-final against Basingstoke Town on 11 th March. A marauding combative player 22 year-old Phil joined us from Burnham in August 2005 making his debut against Tonbridge Angels at the start of the 05-06 season.
Possessing both great stamina and a ferocious shot Phil has also played as a full-back and a striker during his time with the Blues and his goal return of 28 so far includes some memorable long range strikes from outside the penalty area.
Currently he is the second top scorer in the league for the Blues this season and he also holds the record for the fastest hat-trick at the club which he achieved earlier this season scoring his three goals in 21 minutes against Gosport Borough.
Away from football Phil is a proud dad and a painter by profession.
29/01/08 Paul Joins the 100-Up Club
On Tuesday night goalkeeper Paul Smith became the 4th player in the current squad to hit the 100 appearance milestone for Fleet Town in the game against Bridgwater Town.
19 year old Paul joined the Blues from the youth team set-up and he was our youngest ever first-team keeper when he made his debut as a 16 year old in September 04. He made the best possible start too in keeping a clean sheet as we beat Newport IoW in a Ryman league fixture.
A great shot stopper, with Paul between the sticks Fleet Town have won 53 and drawn 15 of the 100 games. He has kept 36 clean sheets in the process.
In his younger days he also represented Hampshire at Youth level.
Away from Calthorpe Park he is a student at Bournemouth University and for his sins, he is another of the first team squad that follows Spurs.
21/01/08 Player Transfers
There have been some questions asked about transferring of players at our level and so the following is a précis of what happens, taken from Hampshire FA handbook, membership rules no 22.
Any club wishing to approach a player registered with or having played for another club has to give to that Clubs secretary seven days formal written notice of their intention to talk with the player.
This has to be sent by special delivery or recorded post or a written acknowledgment of the request given by the Chairman or the Secretary of the club approached.
During the seven day notice period the approaching club may not talk to the player. Normally it is this period that the current club speaks with their player and after the period has elapsed then it is up to the player as to whether he wishes to move on.
After eight days have elapsed only then can the player be registered with the new club as one of their players.
Some other points:
The player must be registered within 21 days if he is to change clubs.
A club may not approach a player more than once in any one season
Only one player at a club may be approached at the same time
May not approach another player at the same club within 28 days.
If a player approaches a club wishing to join them then the seven day approach procedure has to be followed as above by the two clubs involved.
Breaches of the rules can lead to fines and suspensions.
23/12/07 THE CLUB CHAPLAIN WRITES …
Today is an off-the-pitch first for Fleet Town Football Club, with the club holding a carol service after the match at 7pm in the clubhouse. It will be a good chance to sing some favourite carols, hear the Christmas story and think about some of the best and worst Christmas presents we've received in the past. I do hope you'll be able to come, and enjoy seasonal mulled wine and mince pies.
One thing which I won't be torturing/treating people with tonight, but which I sometimes like to do in preaching, is to use movie clips to illustrate points I'm trying to make. At our church's carol service tomorrow evening, we'll be looking at a dramatic air-sea rescue scene from the recent movie ‘The Guardian', and thinking about God's great rescue mission which Jesus came to accomplish.
Rescuers volunteer for what they do because they know that people in peril are desperate and without hope unless rescuers intervene. I have a vicar friend living in a coastal town near a mountain range who has for many years been part of a mountain rescue team and a lifeboat crew, and sees this up close. When rescuers go out, they leave warmth and comfort for risk and danger – all to help someone else. And when Jesus came to rescue us, He chose to leave the safety and splendour of heaven because we are so important to Him – every person matters to God.
And rescues are costly. At the very least, rescuers give their time, effort and skill to rescue others. Rescuers sometimes go even further, giving their lives to rescue others in peril. The movie which the Church on the Heath will see part of tomorrow begins with a successful mission where both rescuer and rescuees survive (to see more come to Elvetham Heath tomorrow at 7.30), but it does not end that way. For Jesus too, a spectacular entrance into the world was just the beginning. God's rescue of humankind would cost Jesus his life but, like the very best rescuers, it was a price he was willing to pay. That is such good news.
As Jesus said …
“The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”
Happy Christmas, and I wish you all God's best for 2008.
Rev David Price pricesinfleet@ntlworld.com
30/11/07 - Andy Sinton Golf Challenge. 2008
Report by Rowland Cant.
This year's Andy Sinton Golf Challenge was again held at the ‘almost exclusive' Wentworth Golf Course and after experiencing some horrible traffic to get to the course a total of 37 golfers took to the links in perfect dry weather for this time of year.
Team winners were the ROADMEN with a massive total of 92 points (an average
of more than 5 points per hole)
Second team was SURREY CRICKET CLUB not too far behind with 90 points.
Individual winner was BOB SANDERS from the ROADMEN who scored a record 39
points. Bob was assisted by his "personal caddie" JOHN GOODYEAR !
Second place on a count back was DAVID HATTON from INDABA with 37 points.
David narrowly beat SADEEM SHAHID from SURREY CRICKET CLUB into 3rd place also with 37 points.
Fleet Town FC was delighted to welcome 10 teams competing and would like to
thank the following for their support.
Roadmen, SCC, R&W Plant, Erif, Indaba, Surrey Cricket Club, Maurice Digby,
Andrew Jull, Paul Ancell, and Martin Griffiths for invaluable support.
WEEK-END REVIEW – 20-11-07
BGB PREMIER DIVISION
Despite losing at Clevedon Town on Saturday, Hemel Hempstead Town remain at the top of the table, but only by a single point over Chippenham Town and Team Bath and having played more games. Meanwhile at the bottom, Cheshunt continue to gain points after a 1-1 draw at home to Mangotsfield, but stay bottom, and Gloucester City climbed a couple of places by beating fellow strugglers Hitchin Town.
DIVISION ONE SOUTH & WEST
Burnham's single goal victory at Winchester City saw them stay at the top, while Fleet Town in second could only draw at home to strugglers Godalming Town. Didcot Town have now slotted into third place, with Farnborough just behind them. Bottom placed club Newport (IoW) remain adrift of Bracknell Town after suffering at home to Paulton Rovers with a 1-2 defeat, whilst Bracknell were without a fixture. Just above those two clubs are Hillingdon Borough and Slough Town who both lost their away matches on Saturday.
28/10/08 Milestones and New (ish) Faces.
The last couple of weeks have seen several new faces in the first team – Gavin Muir made his debut against Mangotsfield having starred for our youth team, Terry Davies returned to the Club from Slough Town, James Rose re-joined from Kingstonian and Mark Anderson moved to the Blues from Godalming Town to increase our attacking options. The experienced former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Graham Hyde also joined from Halesowen Town and the return from injury of Mark Paterson and Gavin Barnes means that we probably have one of our strongest squads ever and possibly one of the strongest in our level of football.
With injuries and suspensions starting to ‘kick-in' (hopefully Eddie's and Fieldy's clear up soon!!!) this strong squad is critical to maintain our promotion push.
We have also had more appearance milestones as central defender Steve Hemmings made his 50th appearance against Paulton Rovers on Saturday and Mark Paterson and Adam Wallace are also closing in on the same number.
17/10/07 - Marlow sees the skipper hits the ton-up milestone
Club Captain, Steve Noakes became the third player this season to hit the 100 appearances mark for the Blues when he led the team to a victory at Marlow on Tuesday evening. Still only 26, Harrow born Steve joined us from Burnham and has scored 7 goals from his defensive position since his debut against Tonbridge Angels at the start of the 05-06 season.
A natural winner on the pitch Steve leads by example in commitment and has been a key element of the Blues' success over the past 2-3 years an in so doing become a firm fans favourite.
Away from football Noakesy is a plumber by trade. An avid Liverpool FC fan he also lists horse racing and boxing as two other sports that he enjoys, the latter helping to explain why he collects his fair share of yellow cards!
22/09/07 - Fieldy joins the ton-up club
Following hard on the heels of Eddie Smith (100) and Nathan Smart (50) James Field also hit a personal appearance milestone against Thatcham Town as this was his 100th appearance for Fleet Town.
Frimley born James, 20 joined the club from Aldershot Town, made his debut in September 05 against Lymington & NM and in his 100 appearances (plus 13 as a sub) he has scored 26 goals. Many of these have been long range shots or superb free kicks; apparently there was even almost a headed one too.
A football coach by profession James follows Chelsea and is a keen tennis and golf player – that would explain why he hits a lot of aces for the Blues and rarely perform below par!
15/09/07 - Spot the cliche - a view from the terraces
I dont think there's any doubt that Andy, Steve and the team have served up a cracking start to the season [oh dear, l promised myself I wouldn't use any of those tired old Match Of The Day phrases but how can you avoid them?]
The players have played with real passion and commitment and the football they've served up has been the best, most exciting and direct I've seen since Steve Beek's Wessex team of 2001/02. I have been particularly impressed with how Andy has managed to keep this squad largely intact - those of us who follow the team closely will remember the times when the first match of the season was often a case of trying to spot the players who we remember from the previous year in a sea of new faces; now we look to try to see who's left close season. This is such an important part of our success over the past 2 years or so and is a compliment to all those involved.
However, it is a smallish squad and the season's a long one so there's no doubt it will be a tough test of the manager's motivational and tactical skills, the players calves and ankles and the supporter's nerves.
Whilst some may have had misgivings about our move from the Ryman to the Southern League, personally I was looking forward to resuming battle with old rivals like Andover , Winchester and, perhaps best of all, Farnborough. The matches so far have mostly been pretty competitive and we're now on top of the table on merit. Of the opening matches, whilst the Didcot game was definitely one of two halves, we have been over the moon with the other results. Last Saturdays game against Uxbridge was a real treat for the spectators; it had everything goals, excitement, incident and some outstanding personal performances. What l do like however is that sense of realism from all concerned with the club, we're doing well, we're delighted to be where we are right now but we know that it'll take continued hard work to make sure we're still there or there abouts at the end of the season.
And so to the F.A. Cup. Welcome to those who have travelled up from Gosport this afternoon. They too have had enjoyed an excellent start to the league after last season's promotion. Although we beat them in the Russell Cotes final, it's now a whole new ball game and we start all square. So whilst we wish them well we dont really want them going home with a share of the spoils.
On the way to the Slough game l told Russ that this was our year, we could go all the way. On top of our league success, a good cup run would be nice as John Goodyear was keen to remind me last week. Unrealistic ambition? Well, let's look at it again at 4.50 this afternoon for a better assessment. After all, although it's one match at a time, in the Cup it's anybody's game...........
Oh and by the way, how many cliches did you spot? I counted at least a dozen
Up the Blues.
25/08/07 - EDDIE SMITH 100 not out!
Eddie Smith became a member of a select group of F lee t Town FC players when the game at Abingdon on 25 th August saw him start his 100 th game for the club. Since making his debut in 2002, 22 year old local lad Eddie has scored 46 goals and also made 67 appearances as a substitute.
As a keen cricketer too Eddie is used to making centuries but his appearances leading the line at FTFC has made him a cult figure to our young fans and chants of 'Eddie Eddie Eddie' have often been heard as he has scored several crucial goals in the past two seasons.
In a short time and barring injuries James Field and Steve Noakes should also join the select Centurions club this season too as they sit on 94 & 89 appearances respectively.
19/08/07 - Player Sponsorships:
We have sold many sponsorship packages this season and most of the first team squad have already been sponsored, however some still remain and so if you want to help in the running of Fleet Town FC by sponsoring one of our players then check out the player profiles in the first instance and select your player then contact Mike Gardner at the club and for £80 for the full season you get your name in every programme and on the website and will receive all the benefits of being a sponsor - first newsletters, invitations to sponsors match and priority booking at golf tournament.
Its a great way of showing your personal support for the club, its appreciated by the players and if you want to do it with some of your mates too then that's allowed also.
09/08/07- Mike Gardner, Commercial Manager writes.......
It seems ages since last season and as August 18th approaches and because we don't have our next newsletter until the end of the month I thought I could share some of my thoughts with you via the website.
The BGB League S & W Division: A few familiar clubs are returning to Calthorpe Park this season and it will be good to get some more 'local' games. I found the treks down to Kent and Sussex a bit knackering last season although was grateful for the generosity shown to us as we returned with three points more often than not.
On paper this league looks easier but I bet it won't be. Some of the newer teams may be tough and my spies tell me that Taunton and Didcot will be difficult trips and Oxford City have picked up players from Banbury United and could challenge for honours. Thatcham will be a dark horse and they always surprise me with the quality of their footie and Andover have the potential to cause a few upsets too. I think Godalming and Winchester have had their moments of glory though. As for the former conference boys, I believe Slough dropped a long way from their 90's success and as for the other ex-conference side, our close neighbours at Farnborough, well I'm looking forward to our games but all the local hype and expectation might come back to haunt them after all its all about eleven fellas facing eleven fellas on the day.
Our Chances? We have had a good pre-season and look a better squad than last season. We have kept the bulk of our team from the Ryman and added some good players too. The young squad is now one year older and this year we look to have more players for each position than last season. The strikers have looked sharp in pre-season and our defence continues to be impressively mean. No doubt selection will be a positive headache for Andy and we may have some frustrated non-players at times. Incidentally it's good to see Andy and Steve at the helm for their third season too as management change is not good for a club, just ask Man City and Man U fans!
My prediction is that we will be in the top three.
It will also be nice to have a run in one of the national cups too and I dream of a first round proper game at Leeds U in the FA Cup! That said it will be nice to get beyond the second qualifying round as this will be a first anyway.
The Club? We all want the club to continue to progress. We have made changes to the ground - covered areas, new turnstiles, upgraded tea-bar etc etc. The pitch however was not looked after properly during the close season and as such we are actively seeking a new groundsman to take up the task of improving the surface.
As with all improvements though our biggest hurdle is determining priorities and then funding them. It would be great to win the lottery and create a Dartford FC style club set-up for the town but failing that we need to work hard to increase our fan base and generate income whilst at the same time encourage the local council to take a more supportive interest in the club and all it strives to do for the area.
Anyway, not much more I can want to say apart from the fact that lets pray for great football. lots of goals for the Blues, lots of refereeing decisions going our way, no stupid yellow or red cards, lots of noise from the Frontline, lots of fun for us all and above all more and more success.
Mike Gardner
01/07/07 - Season Ticket Prices
The club this week announced prices of season tickets for the 2007-08 season.
First the good news - they are to be the same price as last season at £150 for all the first team, reserves and youth teams home league games.
Now the even better news - buy your ticket before September 1st 07 and pay only £100.00! Yes an amazing 33% discount for our 'True Blue' fans who don't want to miss a minute of what will be a great season.
And there's even more if you are one of our 'Silver Blue' Fans. If you are 65 years old or over on 18th August 07 (when our season actually starts) your season ticket this season is only £65.00.
So what more incentive do you need to get ahead of the game and show your commitment and support by buying a season ticket, no better value anywhere else in the area!
Eddie Smith became a member of a select group of F lee t Town FC players when the game at Abingdon on 25 th August saw him start his 100 th game for the club. Since making his debut in 2002, 22 year old local lad Eddie has scored 46 goals and also made 67 appearances as a substitute. 