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WELCOME Good afternoon and welcome to The McLaren Enclosed Ground for this Isuzu FA Trophy First Round fixture between Whitehawk and St Albans City.

We welcome the players, staff and officials from our visitors to the East Brighton coast, wish them an enjoyable stay and hope they have a safe journey home back to Clarence Park after the game this afternoon. A further welcome goes to today’s match sponsor, Sackville Construction Ltd. Sackville Construction Ltd are a family-run specialist bricklaying and construction/ project management company operating across the south-east and London from a base in Bristol Gardens, Kemptown. Founded by father and son team Mark and Asa Holliday, the company was built on decades of hands-on experience as bricklayers and a deep understanding of the construction industry. Thank you for your support today, and we hope you enjoy the game!

Hawks go into today’s game looking to turn their fortunes around after a tricky start to the campaign, which has seen the appointment of Rob Kember as the new First Team Manager following the dismissal of Jay Lovett and his staff. Rob’s tenure got underway with a draw away at Cheshunt last weekend, and the former South Park boss will be looking for his first win in charge this afternoon. Kember was in charge of South Park Reigate until early last month. Rob took over at the Sparks in November of 2024, and he and his management team left their side in second place in PitchingIn Isthmian South East. Today’s game kicks off a run of three home games in a week - with a home game against Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday night coming before we face St Albans again next weekend - this time in league action. Please respect the officials, players, fellow supporters and staff. Enjoy the game, and COME ON YOU HAWKS!

Anthony

COYH Editor

OUR CLUB

Founded: 1945 The McLaren Enclosed Ground, Wilson Avenue, Brighton, BN2 5TS Leadership Co-Chairmen: Ned McDonell & John Summers Co-Vice Chairs: Michele Fogden & Kay Stringer Digital Operations Manager: Henry Summers Director of Football: Shaun Saunders Officers President & Historian: Andy Schofield Vice Presidents: David Shrigley & Derek Sweetman Secretary & Treasurer: John Rosenblatt Match Secretary: Adam Hart Commercial, Media & Events Commercial Manager: Adam Bradley Head of Media: Alex Rathbone Events Manager: Gemma Beaver Deputy Events Manager: Andy Gully Photographers: Andy Schofield & David Pillman Match Reporter: Sean Farley Programme Editor: Ant Scott

Club & Ground Groundsmen: Keith Collingbourne & Roy Staughton Volunteers: Jim Burrell & Mike Carter Head Steward & Safety Officer: Simon Chandler Shop Manager: John Ayling Club Ambassador: Chris Gunn Men’s First Team Manager: Rod Kember Assistant Managers: Stuart Booth and Rob Smith Coach: Dean Sammut Physio: Velichka Atanasova Women’s First Team Director of Football: George Parris Manager: Ian Hickley-Smith Coach: Pam Chandler Secretary: Michele Fogden

LEAGUE HONOURS Isthmian League Premier Division Winners (1): 2012–13 Isthmian League Division One South Winners (1): 2011–12 Isthmian League South East Division Play-off Winners (1): 2022–23 Sussex County Football League Division One Winners (4): 1961–62, 1963–64, 1983–84, 2009–10 Sussex County Football League Division Two Winners (2): 1967–68, 1980–81 Brighton, Hove & District Football League Division 1 Winners (2): 1950–51, 1951–52 Brighton, Hove & District Football League Division 2 Winners (1): 1949–50 Brighton, Hove & District Football League Division 3 Runners up (1): 1948–49 Brighton, Hove & District Football League Division 4 Winners (1): 1947–48

CUP HONOURS Sussex FA Senior Cup Winners (4): 1950–51, 1961–62, 2011–12, 2014–15 Sussex FA RUR Charity Cup Winners (3): 1954–55, 1958–59, 1990–91 John O’Hara League Challenge Cup Winners (3): 1982–83, 1993–94, 2008–09 Sussex FA Intermediate Cup Winners (1): 1949–50 Sussex FA Junior Cup Winners (2): 1947–48, 1948–49 Hove & Worthing Cup Winners (1): 1945–46 Brighton Junior Cup Winners (1): 1945–46 Sussex Community Shield Winners (1): 2012 Whitehawk Football Club is a football club owned by its members who vote in a management committee to run it’s affairs. The management committee is overseen by the Executive committee. The club is regulated and governed by its club constitution.

The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the Football Association’s statement that there should be a zero-tolerance approach against all forms of discrimination. Any inappropriate conduct toward others, including but not limited to that based on an individual’s sex, race, colour, weight, size, religion and belief, national origin, age, marital or domestic-partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, will not be tolerated and will be reported to the relevant authorities. The Isthmian League and our Member Clubs are committed to promoting equity and equality by treating all people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of our communities.

THE DUGOUT WITH FIRST TEAM BOSS rob kember

Welcome to The Enclosed Ground for what promises to be a closely fought contest as we entertain fellow PitchingIn Isthmian League Premier side St Albans in the First Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the players, staff, officials and supporters travelling from St Albans City, and let’s hope for a brilliant afternoon of football here at The Enclosed Ground. Firstly, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the club and board of directors for the trust and opportunity to be appointed First Team Manager. It’s a real honour, and I’m excited to get started, working with the players and staff to help drive the club forward from its current position. I’m looking forward to the challenge and giving everything I have to bring success to the club and its supporters.

We could have been better in possession at times, but we tried to be a bit more solid and we worked really hard off the ball. We rode our luck a little bit, they had some good chances in the first half, but the boys stood up to it really well. It was pleasing to get that late equaliser - we knew it was going to be a tough game and we were going to be under pressure, but we stood up to that. It’s a clean slate for the team, but right now its about being harder to beat and build one game at a time. There were a lot of positives to take from last weekend, but at other times you saw the things we need to work on. Thank you for your support. Come on you Hawks! Rob Kember First Team Manager | Whitehawk FC

Reflecting on last weekend, we met the boys for the first time ahead of the game and we tried to get back to basics.

ON THIS

DAY - 24 OCT. ANDY SCHOFIELD LOOKS AT HOW HAWKS HAVE FARED ON THIS DAY OVER THEIR HISTORY 1953; Lost 2-3 v Chichester City (A) - Sussex County League Division 1 Scorers: Bill Blunt, Harry Sargent. Manager: Bill Day Hawks line-up: M Robins, J Oliver, B Miller, B Blunt, S Towner, J Sturgess, F Sallis, B Thew, J Sallis, H Sargent, R Bliss On their second ever visit to Oaklands Park, Hawks went into this game as league leaders but were surprisingly beaten by a City side who featured three new forwards. Blunt’s goal direct from a free kick was noted in the Argus as ‘lucky’, while Chi keeper Wilson played like a ‘wonder boy’ to deny the Sallis brothers, Thew and Bliss. Sargent scored Hawks’ second with the last kick of the game 1959; Lost 0-1 v Atherstone (A) - FA Amateur Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Scorers: none. Manager: Billy Thew Hawks line-up: K Carter, R Banks, R Cox, R Pavey, K Powell, H Sargent, H Tharme, R Holder, E Richardson, M Barker R Bliss Hawks were edged out of the FA Amateur Cup and lost their unbeaten record to a single goal in the 60th minute against the Surrey Senior League side. Hawks had three goals disallowed for offside and the least they deserved was a replay. Harry Tharme had the ball in the net twice but was unable to celebrate to go with the birth of his son Kevin the previous day 1964; Won 2-1 v Bognor Regis Town (H) - Sussex County League Division 1 Scorers: OG, Johnny Cotton. Manager: Glen Wilson Hawks line-up: M Ince, J Marchant, K Brecht, A Whittaker, B Bassett, J Milton, E Richardson, J Cotton, D

Olney, R Holder, R Bliss An uninspiring, drab match was settled by Cotton’s 20-yarder on the hour. The Argus noted the numerous passes that went astray as Hawks benefitted from a 23rd minute own goal from Bognor’s left winger Cunningham. Ron Holder missed a penalty and a chance to make the game safe, three minutes after Cotton’s strike 1970; Lost 1-3 v East Grinstead Town (A) - Sussex County League Division 1 Scorer: Peter Edmonds. Manager: Jack Bertolini Hawks line-up: D Corrigan, R Harman, G Watts, P Godley, K Powell, P Cooper, M Packham, P Edmonds, W Ford, C Burgess, D Evans After leading at the interval Hawks were hit by three second half goals in 20 minutes. Edmonds had fired the Hawks in front after 11 minutes under new manager, the former Albion professional Jack Bertolini. Edmonds and Billy Ford scored 38 goals between them as Hawks finished a md-table 9th 1981; Lost 0-3 v Three Bridges (A) - Sussex County League Division 1 Scorers: none. Manager: Brian ‘Sammy’ Donnelly Hawks line-up: C Pontin, P Thacker, M Wheatland, M Langley, C Townsend, M Dunk, K Brackpool, T Reeves, C Edgell, K Townsend, D Mills Bridges went top of the league with a comfortable sixth win in succession – after missing a good number of chances to have won by a bigger margin, including hitting the woodwork twice. Kenny Brackpool made his Hawks debut after signing from Peacehaven

1987; Lost 0-2 v Arundel (A) - Sussex County League Division 1

Scorers: Ryan McBride 2, Sam Fisk 2, Josh Jones, Marc Whiteman, Jay Lovett, OG

Scorers: none. Manager: Tony ‘Butch’ Reeves

Joint Managers: George Parris and Darren Freeman. Attendance: 68

Hawks line-up: M Judge, R Mitchell, T Louis, M Langley, A Winton, A Dove, M Wakefield, D Gearing, D Mills, R Gunn A disastrous run of 7 successive defeats included this loss to Champions Arundel. Hawks recovered in the second half of the season to finish a respectable fifth 1993; Won 6-0 v Teynham (A) - SE Counties Womens League Division 1 Scorers: Emma Mead 3, Anne Thraxter 3. Manager: Ken Longhurst Hawks line-up: M Walklett, K Eaton, E Mead, D Grevatt, P Watson, J Morgan, A Watson, M Tutt, M Rooney, A Thaxter, S Godden, N Rice Emma Mead scored 92 goals in the 93-94 season for Hawks Women to equal Billy Ford’s club record set in 1962. She went on to score regularly at step 2 for Brighton & Hove Albion after leaving the Hawks in 1999 2009; Won 8-1 v Crawley Down (H) - Sussex County League Division 1

Hawks line-up: S Robinson, J Lovett, S Fisk, D Taylor, J Head, S Holmes, K Townsend Jnr, M Geard, R McBride, M Whiteman, J Jones Hawks powered back to the top of the table after losing their previous game to Shoreham. Parris felt Crawley Down were unlucky to catch the backlash from that defeat – even though the Hawks could have scored double figures. Hawks went on to finish the season as County League champions. 2015; Won 2-0 v Poole Town (H) - FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round Scorers: Danny Mills, Sam Deering. Manager: Steve King. Attendance: 450 Hawks line-up: C Ross, N Arnold, B Van den Bogaert, D Ijaha, D Leacock, JC Gotta, S Deering, S Torres, J Robinson, D Mills, D Martin Manager Steve King was “over the moon” as Hawks made history by reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in 70 years. Mills set up the win with a tap in from a Deering cross a minute after half time, but it wasn’t until the 90th minute that

Ryan McBride had scored 14 goals by mid-November, including two on this day against Crawley Down in 2009

Sam Deering’s goal against Poole Town in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round secured victory on this day in 2015 the win was secured, by Deering’s cool finish into the bottom corner against the 10-men from Dorset. 2020; Drew 1-1 v Faversham Town (H) - Isthmian SE Division Scorer: Marvin Hamilton. Manager: Jude MacDonald. Attendance: 400 Hawks line-up: J Broadbent, M Hamilton, L Emberson, L Cotton, F Chappell, A El-Abd, L Rodrigues, H Muggeridge, R Sobowale, A Abdulla, L Unwin Sri-Lankan international Marvin Hamilton with his back to goal, scores with a cute backheel to equalise against Faversham Town on this day on 2020. Hamilton had three spells with the Hawks, but it was only late in his final term that we discovered he had a powerful long throw 2023; Won 3-2 v Bognor Regis Town (H) - Isthmian Premier Division Scorers: Imran Kayani, Jack Dixon, Charlie Lambert Manager: Shaun Saunders. Attendance: 395 Hawks line-up: M Walker, H Morrison, S Wright, R

Worrall, J Tennent, L Cocoracchio, J Daly, J Dixon, C Lambert, C Walker, I Kayani Charlie Lambert celebrates with Worrall, Cocoracchio and Kayani, what turned out to be the winning goal against Bognor Regis on this day in 2023

Management Solutions and Training “Plan for the Unexpected”

Ever thought of volunteering to help your local football club? There are many different volunteer roles in non-league football and Isthmian League football clubs need your help with them. The Trident Leagues and Pitching In’s online Volunteer Hub is the place where you can find opportunities and contact your local football club. Please visit Pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk to find out more

2026/27

ISTHMIAN PREMIER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Enfield Town Welling United Lewes Dartford Ramsgate Eastbourne Borough Carshalton Athletic Burgess Hill Town Wingate & Finchley Chatham Town St Albans City Dulwich Hamlet Leatherhead AFC Whyteleafe Cheshunt Aveley Maldon & Tiptree Cray Wanderers Brentwood Town Three Bridges Whitehawk Stanway Rovers

+/-

PTS

12 12 13 13 13 11 15 12 12 11 9 12 10 14 12 13 14 9 11 13 13 12

9 9 8 8 7 7 7 5 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 2 1 1

1 0 2 0 1 1 1 5 2 0 2 2 3 3 6 2 1 3 0 3 3 1

2 3 3 5 5 3 7 2 4 5 2 5 3 7 3 7 9 3 7 8 9 10

33 24 20 19 29 21 23 23 24 23 18 20 18 22 12 20 18 19 18 23 12 9

16 12 14 17 17 11 28 17 23 14 13 20 17 25 15 21 35 14 19 36 32 32

17 12 6 2 12 10 -5 6 1 9 5 0 1 -3 -3 -1 -17 5 -1 -13 -20 -23

28 27 26 24 22 22 22 20 20 18 17 17 15 15 15 14 13 12 12 9 6 4

FIXTURES & RESULTS SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER AFC Whyteleafe Aveley Cheshunt Dulwich Hamlet Lewes Three Bridges Welling United Wingate & Finch

2-1 1-0 1-1 2-2 1-1 3-3 4-2 4-1

Dartford Chatham Town Whitehawk Carshalton Ath Maldon & Tiptree Enfield Town Burgess Hill Stanway Rovers

MONDAY 19 OCTOBER Aveley 1-2 Maldon & Tiptree

TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER Brentwood Town Dulwich Hamlet Ramsgate Three Bridges Wingate & Finch

3-0 0-4 2-0 0-2 4-2

Dartford Chatham Town Stanway Rovers Eastbourne Boro Carshalton Ath

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER AFC Whyteleafe 2-3 Burgess Hill

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER

ISTHMIAN SOUTH-EAST 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Hastings United South Park (Reigate) Erith Town Faversham Town Whitstable Town Margate Ashford United

+/-

PTS

11 12 10 11 10 12 10

8 7 6 5 6 5 5

1 3 2 4 0 3 2

2 2 2 2 4 4 3

26 26 24 26 18 19 22

15 14 11 19 15 20 15

11 12 13 7 3 -1 7

25 24 20 19 18 18 17

+/-

PTS

14 14 13 12 12 13 12

11 9 7 7 7 7 7

2 3 3 3 2 2 2

1 2 3 2 3 4 3

32 47 33 26 28 29 24

9 18 19 14 11 23 18

23 29 14 12 17 6 6

35 30 24 24 23 23 23

Chatham Town Maldon & Tiptree Stanway Rovers

v v v

Welling United Dulwich Hamlet Cheshunt

TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER Brentwood Town Enfield Town Maldon & Tiptree St Albans City Stanway Rovers Welling United Whitehawk

v v v v v v v

Cheshunt Chatham Town Eastbourne Boro Burgess Hill Cray Wanderers Leatherhead Dulwich Hamlet

SCFL PREMIER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Haywards Heath Town Eastbourne United East Grinstead Town Hassocks Roffey Lingfield Guernsey

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NLP COLUMN WITH jon couch

THIS week, we at NLP Towers caught up with two of our old contacts who continue to prove that life very much begins at 40 at this level of the game. For years, Justin Bennett swept up Non-League defences in the south, banging in goals for the likes of Andover, Gosport Borough, Oxford City and Salisbury. Now, at the age of 44, the legendary striker has reached another milestone by racking up 700 career goals – not bad considering he supposedly retired four years ago! Bennett achieved the feat while turning out for Step 7 Shrewton United in an 8-2 Wiltshire Premier League win over Bradford Town reserves. “I’ll be honest, this season I’ve not felt as sharp as I used to be,” Bennett admitted. “But I hit a bit of a purple patch. I got two in midweek and then I felt I had a good chance last Saturday.” Fans’ favourite Bennett was a major part of Gosport Borough’s famous run to the FA Trophy Final back in 2014. He hung his shooting boots up back in 2022 after hitting 55 goals as Bemerton Heath Harlequins to the Wessex League Division One title. But the phone kept ringing. “I was nearly 40, had just won the league with Bemmy so it was a good time – and I was happy, I wasn’t looking to go back and play,” said Bennett, who hit 200 goals on the nose for Andover earlier in his career. “But I am a sucker when the phone rings and someone says, ‘Can you come and help us out?’ For whatever reason it’s, ‘Yeah, alright’. I’ve probably retired about three times! “In my mind, if I am still getting out there and still having an impact on games and scoring then maybe

I should keep going. My body tells me otherwise on a Sunday morning.” The same can also be said for former Telford, Tamworth and Altrincham striker Kyle Perry, who has crammed more into his 40 years than many people have in a lifetime. Professional footballer, rock star and podcaster, among other career highlights - Perry is now having a crack at management – at Step 5 Coton Green. Assisted by his brother Todd, he has taken over as manager and assistant of the Midland Football League club following Nic Oakley’s departure to Lichfield City. “I have always been here, there and everywhere,” Perry told us. “Last season I got a call to go in as assistant manager at Romulus, which is Step 5. “I really enjoyed working with the young lads. I just feel I needed to give back because I’ve got a lot to offer. “My brother has been in Non-League from playing for Kidderminster when he was a kid all the way down to Step 7. It’s a no brainer – let’s go and do it together. “I’m the manager, Todd’s the assistant but it’s definitely a family affair. We’ve signed Mason, Todd’s son, who is 17 and has recently had England schoolboy trials. “Management has been on my radar. It’s tough when you’re navigating getting older as a player. Especially when you’re the type of player I was – or am.” And Justin and Kyle are not alone. A groundhopper’s travels will see them cross paths with a vast number of wily campaigners still playing well into their fifth decade. It’s like an inch you’ve just got to scratch. 13

WHITEHAWK FC

trophy preview With all of the Qualifying Rounds cast into history we’ve reached the First Round of the FA Trophy, with quite a collection of our sides in action- and we know that we’ll have at least seven sides in Round Two because fourteen of them play each other! Aveley are at home to Carshalton Athletic, both sides seeking some respite from poor runs in the League. The Millers have won only two of nine in all competitions, whilst for the Robins that tally is three wins from their last thirteen, and four defeats from their last five. The last three meetings between the sides have ended all square. Someone will have to emerge victorious this time. Cray Wanderers will have to put their FA Cup glory- and their upcoming tie with Stockport County- to the back of their minds as they travel to take on Berkhamsted of Pitching In Southern Premier South. The hosts are also in the First Round of the Cup, and they defeated National League Southend United to get there, so most certainly shouldn’t be underestimated by their visitors. Dartford and Three Bridges meet at Princes Park, Bridges looking for revenge after a three-two defeat on the opening day of the season. The Darts have lost their way a little, with four defeats from five in all competitions, whilst Bridges have only two wins from their last ten in League and Cups. We’ve a South East v North battle on the Kent coast, as Deal Town play host to Hashtag United. Town have had an extremely mixed start to their season, and sit just outside the drop zone- but they were three unbeaten until defeat against Faversham Town in midweek. The Tags also suffered a midweek defeat, but prior to that were seven unbeaten in all competitions, and they knocked out Premier Division opposition in the previous round of the Trophy. Egham Town have found their form over the last few weeks, and the Sarnies- who have won four in a row and have only one defeat from nine- won’t be dismayed by the arrival of Pitching In Southern Premier side Uxbridge, as they knocked out a Step Three side in the last round. Uxbridge, however, are in superb form, sitting second in their League -although they have been better at their own Honeycroft than they have been on the road.

Top flight leaders Enfield Town are at home to a side we know well, Hanworth Villa making a trip around the M25. The Towners have only one defeat from seven, and the Villains, these days in Pitching In Southern Premier, are also in good form. They sit fourth in the table - but they were knocked out of the cup by Isthmian opposition in the shape of Leatherhead. Erith Town have had a fantastic start to their Pitching In Isthmian South East campaign, and they’ll have a chance to test just how far they’ve come as Premier Division side Burgess Hill Town make the trip. The Dockers have lost one of seven, whilst Hill have also been in good form, with only one defeat from six in the league, their latest result seeing them come from two down to defeat AFC Whyteleafe on Wednesday evening. Faversham Town versus Newmarket Town looks to be an intriguing clash. The South East Lilywhites sit fourth in their table and four unbeaten having won their last two, whilst the North Division Jockeys are in second place in their table, twelve unbeaten in League and Cups -and eight unbeaten on their travels, winning their last six. South East leaders Hastings United face the challenge of Waltham Abbey. Hastings have put the travails of last season firmly behind them to blaze a trail, and come into this one five unbeaten having won four of them; whilst the Abbotts are in ninth place in Pitching In Southern Division One Central, but have games in hand over all the sides above them. Seventeen matches in all competitions have brought only three defeats- they will not be pushovers at Pilot Field. Leatherhead will need to quickly put their Cup defeat in Yeovil in midweek behind them, Eastbourne Borough coming to call. Borough also departed the Cup to higher-level opposition, but that loss apart have won ten of their last eleven. They did lose to the Tanners, however back in August, and will be searching for revenge. Whitehawk are at home to St Albans City. The Hawks have only two wins from fifteen matches in all competitions so far this season and one solitary draw to show from their last five, whilst the Saints have only one defeat from their last ten in League and Cups. The sides meet again in the League on the same ground only a week later.

the visitors

st albans city

St Albans City Football Club, affectionately known as “The Saints”, holds a revered position within the tapestry of English non-league football. Based in the historic Hertfordshire cathedral city, the club’s narrative spans over a century of triumph, resilience, and unique footballing folklore. From its late-Victorian predecessor to its modern standing under manager Gary McCann, the history of St Albans City FC encapsulates the authentic spirit of community-driven sport. Organised football first left a permanent footprint in the local area during the 1860s, but it was not until September 1881 that a structured club formally bearing the city’s name was created. The original St Albans Football Club spent its early years operating as a nomadic outfit, establishing brief residencies at Hatfield Road, Bernard’s Heath, Holywell Meadows, and Gombards. A monumental shift occurred in the autumn of 1892 when Sir John Blundell Maple announced his intention to present a new public park to the citizens of St Albans. Delayed slightly by a dry summer in 1893 that slowed grass preparation, Clarence Park officially

opened on 23 July 1894. The original football club moved into the park for the 1894–95 season, wearing amber and navy blue and competing in the Southern League by the late 1890s. However, structural and financial difficulties mounted. Rebranded briefly as St Albans Town and later St Albans Amateurs, the club suffered a disastrous 1903– 04 campaign in the South-Eastern League, frequently falling to crushing defeats against the reserve teams of elite London clubs. Exhausted of resources, the original club formally disbanded in 1904. For four years, senior football was absent from Clarence Park. The vacuum was resolved on 13 April 1908 when a passionate public meeting was convened at the local Town Hall. Orchestrated by George Wagstaff Simmons, the meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to establish a brand-new institution: St Albans City Football Club. The newly formed Saints set up their initial administrative headquarters at the Crystal Palace public house. Returning immediately to Clarence Park, the club spent its foundational years sharpening its competitive edge in local leagues. They clinched the

Spartan League championship in the 1911–12 season, quickly building a fierce reputation across Hertfordshire before competitive football was suspended due to the outbreak of the First World War. The post-war resumption heralded the golden era of St Albans City FC. Elected to the Athenian League in 1920, the Saints achieved immediate dominance by capturing back-to-back league championships in 1920–21 and 1921–22. This remarkable run paved the way for their immediate election to the highly prestigious Isthmian League in 1923. The club adjusted effortlessly to the step up, capturing the Isthmian League championship at their very first attempt in the 1923–24 season. The Saints repeated the feat twice more in 1926–27 and 1927–28, firmly cementing Clarence Park as one of the premier strongholds of English amateur football. It was during this decade that the club etched its name permanently into the national record books. On 22 November 1922, St Albans hosted a legendary FA Cup fourth-round qualifying replay against Dulwich Hamlet. The match became immortalised when Saints forward Wilfred Minter achieved the astonishing feat of scoring seven goals. In a twist of dramatic irony, his solo masterclass was not quite enough, as St Albans suffered a heartbreaking 8–7 defeat in extra time. Though the league titles dried up after the 1920s, St Albans City remained a model of structural stability within the Isthmian League, a division they would continuously call home until 2003. The club frequently served as a vital springboard for top-tier talent. Among the most famous names to progress from the club were Arthur Grimsdell—who went on to captain Tottenham Hotspur to an FA Cup victory in 1921—and Harold Miller, who enjoyed a prominent 14-year career leading the line for Chelsea. The club also added unique pieces of footballing trivia to its ledger. During their run to the AFA Senior Cup final in the 1930–31 season, one of the notable match referees was Stanley Rous, the pioneering official who would later become the long-serving Secretary of the FA and eventually the President of FIFA. In the post-World War II landscape, the club progressively modernized its home ground. Permanent floodlights were unveiled at Clarence Park during the 1963–64 season, marked by a high-profile exhibition match against Charlton Athletic. This era of midcentury resilience was personified by the iconic defender Phil Wood. Making his senior debut at the dawn of the 1960s, Wood became the ultimate oneclub man, racking up a club-record 900 appearances across 25 years before hanging up his boots in 1985.

The closing decades of the 20th century saw the Saints transition into a modern semi-professional model. Under the guidance of manager John Mitchell, the club secured a vital promotion as runners-up in the Isthmian League Division Two in 1984. A new generation of fans was treated to cup magic during the 1998–99 season, when a dramatic cup run carried the club all the way to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy. The turn of the millennium brought immense financial strain, pushing the club to the precipice of bankruptcy before a critical takeover by local businessman John Gibson restored off-field stability. This rescue act timed perfectly with a major structural shakeup of the English non-league pyramid. St Albans City became proud founder members of the newly minted Conference South (Step 2) for its inaugural 2004–05 season. Managed by the tactically astute Colin Lippiatt, the Saints achieved a historic promotion to the Conference Premier (the fifth tier of English football) by winning the play-offs at the end of the 2005–06 season. Though their stay in the top tier of non-league football lasted only one year before relegation, the campaign brought unprecedented media attention and record crowds to Clarence Park. Following a brief financial regression that saw them slip down to the Southern League in 2011, the club initiated a dramatic fightback. In the 2013–14 season, under the co-management of Jimmy Gray and Graham Golds, the Saints secured their return to the sixth tier via a thrilling 3–1 play-off final victory over Chesham United. The subsequent years in the National League South brought memorable cup encounters, notably during the 2021–22 FA Cup campaign. In front of a raucous, televised Clarence Park crowd, the Saints pulled off a famous giant-killing by defeating League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers 3–2 in the first round proper. Following a period of consolidation and a recent nonleague realignment, St Albans City actively competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club is structurally guided by owners Lawrence Levy and John McGowan, who have continuously prioritized community engagement and modern financial sustainability. On the pitch, the first team is led by manager Gary McCann, who was appointed in November 2025 to spearhead the club’s push back up the English football pyramid. Off the pitch, the Saints retain their status as a cultural phenomenon within the football community, maintaining their globally recognized shirt sponsorship deal with the internationally acclaimed, St Albans-born rock band Enter Shikari—a partnership that marries the city’s rich musical subculture with Clarence Park.

the visitors

the archive > First ever meeting in 2014

Gold Omotayo, Tomi Adeloye

> 10 league and 3 FA Trophy meetings

FA Trophy

> Won 6, Drawn 4, Lost 3

2016; (H) Drew 1-1 - Wilfried Tagbo

> In 15-16, both games finished 6-0 to the home side

2016; (A) Won 1-0 - Danny Mills

National League South 2014; Won 3-2 (A) - Jake Robinson, Danny Mills, Osei Sankofa 2015; Won 2-1 (H) - Scott Neilson, Danny Mills

2017; (H) Lost 1-2 - Ky Marsh-Brown Isthmian Premier 2025; Drew 1-1 (H) - Alfie Rogers 2026; Won 5-3 (H) - Charlie Harris, Destiny Ojo, Andrew Briggs, Grant Hall, Ikechi Eze

2015; Won 6-0 (H) - Nick Arnold, Sam Deering 2, Danny Mills, Dave Martin, Stefan Ngamvoulou 2016; Lost 0-6 (A) 2016; Lost 1-3 (A) - Sergio Torres 2017; Drew 1-1 (H) - Glenn Southam 2017; Drew 1-1 (H) - Papa Gueye 2018; Won 3-0 (A) - Nassim L’Ghoul,

Picture: Andrew Briggs puts Hawks 3-0 up from the penalty spot in our last encounter with St Albans. After City pulled it back to 3-3, two late goals sealed the three points for the Hawks

LAST TIME OUT

KEY MOMENTS

Cheshunt 1 Hawks 1 > First game in charge for new Hawks manager Rob Kember, but little time to change things on the pitch, only meeting the side on the day of the game > Hawks looking to recover from the 5-0 midweek defeat to Whyteleafe

91’ Another right foot rocket from Ryan looks goal bound but is blocked by Hawks sub Mehmet Halim [1-1] 93’ All square at full-time [1-1]

KEY MOMENTS

Cheshunt manager James Elliott’s headlines: “Over 20 opportunities in the Hawks penalty area, with numerous chances to wrap it up. They defended for their lives and looked increasingly dangerous on the counter attack. A touch of complacency crept in. I don’t think we deserved to win that game of football today”

63’ Hugo Fisher dives to his right to save Sam Granville’s spot kick, harshly awarded against Adam Reeves

“We deserved something from the game. Energy was better and we worked hard for each other” [Finlay Chadwick]

75’ Cheshunt top scorer Tommy Wood converts a cross at the far post after a break down the right wing [0-1]

“In the main we worked really hard and rode our luck with their chances in the first half and the penalty save by Hugo. We could have nicked it at the end. There’s a lot of positives from today although our ball retention wasn’t great” [Rob Kember has the final word]

> Finlay Chadwick skipper for the first time, with Grant Hall and Dan Bowry injured

88’ Karmani Ryan almost equalises from 25 yards, with his floated shot smacking the crossbar [0-1] 90’ Ryan’s equaliser. 1 on 1, he went to the keeper’s left. He got both hands to the shot, which was powerful enough to bounce on into the net [1-1]

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2026/27 AUGUST

F-A

ATT

SAT

WELLING UNITED

0-2

927

MUCA

BOWRY

BELFORD

JONES 2

KROKHIN

HALL

TUE

LEWES

0-0

606

MUCA

BOWRY

BELFORD

JONES 3

KROKHIN

HALL

SAT

AVELEY

2-3

306

MUCA

BOWRY

BELFORD

CHADWICK 1

KROKHIN

HALL

SAT

CHATHAM TOWN

0-3

367

MUCA

BOWRY

BELFORD

BOLGER 4

KROKHIN 2

HALL

SAT

ENFIELD TOWN

1-5

604

MUCA

BOWRY

BELFORD 3

BOLGER

KROKHIN 4

IKEBUASI

MON 31

BURGESS HILL TOWN

1-1

536

MUCA

BOWRY

AIYE 1

CHADWICK 3

IKEBUASI 2

HALL

SEPTEMBER SAT

EASTBOURNE BORO’ [FAC Q1]

2-4

303

MUCA

BOWRY

MORGAN

DRAIS

KROKHIN

HALL

SAT

MALDON & TIPTREE

2-3

330

FISHER

BOWRY

REEVES

DRAIS 3

KROKHIN

CHADWICK

TUE

THREE BRIDGES

3-2

115

FISHER

BOWRY

REEVES

DRAIS

KROKHIN

HALL 4

SAT

AFC WHYTELEAFE [FAT Q3]

4-1

FISHER

BOWRY

REEVES

DRAIS

BOOTH

HALL

TUE

DARTFORD

1-2

702

FISHER

BOWRY

REEVES

DRAIS

KROKHIN

HALL 2

1889

OCTOBER SAT

LEWES

0-1

FISHER

BOWRY

REEVES

DRAIS

KROKHIN

CHADWICK

TUE

LANCING [SSC 2]

10-0 -

FISHER

BOWRY 1

REEVES

JONES

KROKHIN 1

CHADWICK

SAT

RAMSGATE

1-4

316

FISHER

BOWRY

REEVES

DRAIS 5

DIFIKA

HALL 1

WED 14

AFC WHYTELEAFE

0-5

147

FISHER

BOWRY

REEVES

DRAIS 1

DIFIKA

NKWONTA 2

SAT

CHESHUNT

1-1

323

FISHER

NKWONTA

REEVES

DRAIS

KROKHIN

DIFIKA

SAT

ST ALBANS CITY [FAT 1]

TUE

DULWICH HAMLET

SAT

ST ALBANS CITY

NOVEMBER SAT

STANWAY ROVERS

SAT

WINGATE & FINCHLEY

SAT

CRAY WANDERERS

SAT

BRENTWOOD TOWN

DECEMBER SAT

LEATHERHEAD

SAT

ENFIELD TOWN

SAT

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC

MON 28

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

JANUARY SAT

BURGESS HILL TOWN

SAT

ST ALBANS CITY

SAT

STANWAY ROVERS

SAT

WINGATE & FINCHLEY

SAT

CRAY WANDERERS

FEBRUARY SAT

THREE BRIDGES

TUE

AFC WHYTELEAFE

SAT

DARTFORD

SAT

DULWICH HAMLET

SAT

BRENTWOOD TOWN

MARCH SAT

LEATHERHEAD

SAT

MALDON & TIPTREE

SAT

CHATHAM TOWN

SAT

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC

MON 29

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

APRIL SAT

AVELEY

SAT

RAMSGATE

SAT

CHESHUNT

SUBSTITUTES LEE

BOLGER

MURPHY

MOORE

RYAN 1

LAMBERT 1

CHADWICK

OVERY 2

BOOTH

ELLIOTT

LEE

BOLGER

LAMBERT 1

MOORE

RYAN 2

OVERY

CHADWICK 3

ELLIOTT

BOOTH 2

MURPHY 1

LEE

BOLGER 3

MURPHY 1

MOORE

RYAN 1 2

JONES 3

OVERY 2

ELLIOTT

IKEBUASI

BOOTH 1

RYAN 1

JONES

MURPHY 5

MOORE 3

LEE

HALIM 3

ELLIOTT 5

IKEBUASI 2

BOOTH 1

CHADWICK 4

LEE 1

ELLIOTT

HALIM 2

MOORE 5

BOOTH 1

KAYANI 1

RYAN 4

AIYE 5

MURPHY 2

CHADWICK 3

LEE

BOLGER

MURPHY 1

MOORE

HALIM

JONES 3

RYAN

KAYANI 2

BOOTH 1

FREEMAN

LEE 1

CHADWICK

MURPHY 1

MOORE

KAYANI

AIYE

HAMOUCHENE BOOTH

JONES

RYAN

LEE 5

AIYE 4

MURPHY 2

MOORE 1

KAYANI 2

HALL 3

JONES 4

LEE 1

CHADWICK 5

RYAN 2 1

MOORE

KAYANI

JONES 4

HAMOUCHENE 2 AIYE 2 3

LEE 1

CHADWICK 2

RYAN 4

MURPHY

KAYANI 3

MOORE 1

JONES

LEE

CHADWICK 1

RYAN 1

MOORE

KAYANI

JIMENEZ

HAMOUCHENE AIYE 2

BOOTH 1

LEE 2

MOORE 4

RYAN 2

MURPHY 3

KAYANI

JONES 4

HALIM 3

AIYE 2

HAMOUCHENE BOOTH 1

LEE

BOOTH

RYAN 1

MOORE 1

KAYANI 1

HAMOUCHENE 1 JIMENEZ 1

HALIM 1

AIYE 2

DRAIS

LEE 3

MOORE 2

RYAN 1

MURPHY

KAYANI 4

KROKHIN 5

NKWONTA 1

COOK 4

BOOTH 2

CHADWICK 3

COOK 3

CHADWICK

RYAN 4

MURPHY

KAYANI 5

KROKHIN 2

JONES 1

MOORE 4

LEE 3

AIYE 5

LEE 1

CHADWICK

RYAN 1

COOK 2

KAYANI 3

MOORE

JONES

AIYE 3

HAMOUCHENE 2 HALIM 1

HAMOUCHENE 2 RYAN 1 BOOTH 5

HAMOUCHENE 3 AIYE

BOOTH 5 MURPHY 1 KROKHIN 2

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THE NEW ISUZU D-MAX

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ISUZU.CO.UK

DRIVEN TO DO

All fuel consumption and emission values are based on the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) test cycle which uses real-world driving data. Official fuel economy for the standard Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Low: 26.9 - 24.4 (10.5 - 11.6); Mid: 33.6 - 31.4 (8.4 – 9.0); High 39.2 - 37.2 (7.2 – 7.6); Extra-High 32.5 - 31.0 (8.7 - 9.1); Combined 33.6 - 31.4 (8.4 - 9.0). CO2 emissions 220 – 235g/km. Visit Isuzu.co.uk for more information.

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ST ALBANS

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Manager Rob Kember

Manager Gavin McCann

Victor AIYE Beaux BOOTH Dan BOWRY Fin CHADWICK Luke COOK Tresor DIFIKA Yannis DRAIS Hugo FISHER [GK] Sam FREEMAN [GK] Mehmet HALIM Grant HALL Arezki HAMOUCHENE Ezra IKEBUASI Eddie JIMENEZ Matty JONES Imran KAYANI Nikolai KROKHIN Seokjae LEE Liam MOORE Rhys MURPHY Hugo ODOGWU-ATKINSON Joe OVERY Adam REEVES Kamarni RYAN

Sam DONKIN [GK] Jack JAMES Frankie MUSONDA Alex DYER Remi SUTTON Jake GRAY Inih EFFIONG Zak SOWDEN-FLETCHER Ollie KNIGHT Kai BROWN Mikey FAULKNER Lewis PAGE Sam AYOLIE Jai-Dea MOULTON Tobi AKINYIMIKA Darion FURLONG Darcy TURNER

REFEREE JORDAN MCRITCHIE ASSISTANT CALLUM ALLEN ASSISTANT DAVID STAPPLETON

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DULWICH HAMLET Tuesday 27 October | 7.45pm PitchingIn Isthmian League Premier

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