VS VCD ATHLETIC
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE | SOUTH EAST DIVISION TUESDAY 17TH MARCH 2026 | KICK OFF 7.30PM
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN FC
The Vistavis Community Stadium College Lane | East Grinstead | RH19 3LS
Tel: 01342 325885
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
Relegation was finally confirmed last Tuesday but I went away from the Sheppey game feeling quite positive despite the 3-2 defeat. Against admittedly poor opposition we competed well and you can see the progress our youngsters are making. There is no question they have the ability to play at this level - getting used to the physicality and intensity takes a bit more time.
But with more exposure their readiness to compete at Step 4 will only get better and this will hold us in good stead both for the remaining games and next season of course.
Even on Saturday at Herne Bay there were more good signs despite the 4-1 loss.
It would be great to finish the season by picking up a few more points, hopefully starting tonight.
OWNERSHIP STATEMENT
In accordance with the Football Association's Rule 2.13 (publication of ownership) in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 Clubs within the National League System East Grinstead Town FC is an unincorporated association / members club and a Community Amateur Sports Club (reg no CASC 02270).
Followuson:
FROM THE Dugout
Good evening and welcome back to the Vistavis Community Stadium as we host VCD Athletic in this league encounter. We would like to welcome the travelling contingent for what is no doubt an intriguing game at the foot of the table.
Last Tuesday night saw us on the wrong end of a 3-2 defeat, however I was pleased with our performance from the young squad against Sheppey United.
Mason Saunders made further progress and Fin Wigmore was more than effective on his debut. I feel aggrieved with the result as the performance deserved so much more. A soft penalty ultimately decided the game while the referee waived away what can only be described as a stonewall penalty for us in the final minute. As deflating as the result was, there was plenty of positives to take away, namely such a strong performance with six under-18s in the squad.
We followed that up with a 4-1 away loss to Herne Bay on Saturday - a result that once again was not reflective of the game. Dan Perry opening the scoring making it two in two games for the hitman. We were undone by two corners back to back which was frustrating as they were practically mirror images of each other. However just before the break Omar rattled the post and 2-2 at half-time would have been a fairer reflection than the 2-1 scoreline.
Young Fin missed an opportunity early doors second half, before Herne Bay hit a thunderbolt themselves that rattled the post, rolled across the goal and went in off the other post and then subsequently over the line. It about sums our luck up at the moment. That said it was a performance the young squad could take a lot of credit from again as six U18s featured. This time young Josh Cryer made his first team debut.
The pleasing thing over the past few games is we are starting to look a threat up top. Omar has been immense alongside Pezza. New goalkeeper Harry Howes has been top drawer since arriving from Hastings United. At 18 he is a fantastic talent and we are pleased to have finally signed our long term goalkeeper. Tonight against VCD will be tough as always. They are a side in the relegation places looking to manoeuvre their way out. They have players who can cause damage as their 6-2 win last time out suggests, so we will have to highly disciplined off the ball.
Our relegation was confirmed after our battling performance against Sheppey but I can assure our fans that the rebuild behind the scenes is underway, from identifying player targets and further appointments in the backroom staff which are upcoming. All work now points to the 26/27 season. As always your support is paramount. Enjoy the game and get behind the boys.
VCD ATHLETIC TheAwayEnd
THE LAST 30 YEARS ...
In 1993, Martin Ford joined the club as manager and, in season 1995/1996 a unique cup treble was achieved with wins in the Kent Intermediate Shield, Kent County League Cup, and the Erith Hospitals Cup. Season 1996/1997 then saw the club win the Kent County Premier Division title for the first time in their history, and by a record 15 points. Senior status was awarded that same year and a successful application was made to join the Winstonlead Kent League where, in their first season in modern times, VCD Athletic finished in a creditable ninth place. The following season saw the club begin a groundshare with Thamesmead Town, finishing up in seventh place but also reaching the final of the Kent League Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Deal Town in a closely fought match. Deal at this time were assembling the side that was later to win the FA Vase at Wembley.
A season later the club went one better, beating Faversham Town 4-0 in the final to bring the club a first ever senior trophy, and the season after that the club made its third consecutive cup final appearance when they reached the final of the Kent Senior Trophy. However, they narrowly missed out on more silverware when they went down 10-9 on penalties to Whitstable Town. The club eventually spent five seasons as tenants of Thamesmead Town before Lordswood FC kindly took their place for two seasons. Then the club embarked on a one year term with near neighbours Greenwich Borough, and despite the handicap of having to ground-share, VCD were consistently one of the league's strongest members during their time in the league.
The club reached the final of the League Cup in 2002/2003, but on the day there was no celebration as VCD were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Cray Wanderers. The following season was a disappointment as far as the cups were concerned, but a creditable third place was achieved in the league. Further cup success followed however when, in season 2005/2006 the club reached the final of the Kent Senior Trophy for the second time. Having suffered a loss in the first final on penalties, there was a reversal of fortune this time when, after having drawn 1-1 with Tunbridge Wells at the end of extra time, the VCD players held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 3-1. During 2005 the long awaited news the club wanted to hear finally arrived when planning permission for floodlights and the development of the Oakwood ground was granted by Bexley Council. This, together with a substantial grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, part of the Football Foundation, enabled work to commence early in 2006. The pitch was levelled, rotated 90 degrees and re-laid. New perimeter paths were laid, along with perimeter fencing to enclose the pitch. Floodlights were erected in June 2006, at the same time that work on enhancing the changing rooms also began. The spectator stand was re-sited and extended, and further additions included a new raised hospitality area situated to overlook the pitch, and a new tea bar adjacent to the popular members bar. At the end of the 2007 season Martin Ford resigned as manager, and the club are grateful for his vision and enthusiasm over the years that took VCD from being a Kent County League side to one that was always around the top of the table in the Kent League, and on his departure the club had just reached the last 16 of the prestigious FA Vase for the second consecutive season. Head coach Dean Frost took over as caretaker manager, and under his guidance the club obtained runners up spot in the league, narrowly missing out to Whitstable Town, and then the following season Paul Foley was appointed manager of the first team, with Dean Frost reverting to his former position of head coach. Under their stewardship the club finished runners up once more. A year later, the club finally won the Kent League Premier Division title together with the Kent Senior Trophy, culminating in the long awaited promotion to the Ryman Football League.
The first season was a success with an eighth place finish, but the club were left stunned when the Ryman League deemed ground issues warranted demotion, and despite an appeal to the Football Association, the decision was upheld and the club went back to the Kent League. Manager Paul Foley resigned to join Chatham Town, taking virtually the whole team with him, and the club appointed former reserve team manager Ricky Bennett his replacement. Under his leadership VCD achieved third place in his first season, and the season after the team was also challenging for honours and, but for a disappointing end to the campaign we certainly would have given Herne Bay a closer run to their title. Once again third place was attained but this time we had the added bonus of winning the Kent League Cup, beating Corinthian 2-0 in the final. We also lifted a second trophy with a 3-2 victory over league champions Herne Bay in the Kent League Challenge Shield which gave the club a pre-season boost. Midway through season 2012/2013 Ricky Bennett left the club due to outside pressures, and in his place the club secured the services of Tony Russell, previously manager of Erith Town FC, who joined with his assistant Ray Powell. With most of the players leaving with the previous manager the club was in disarray, but a side was quickly formed by the new management, and a magnificent record breaking run of 17 victories and 2 draws in the last 19 league fixtures enabled the club to once more gain promotion to the Ryman Football League Division 1 North. Starting as favourites for relegation, the club had a stunning run, winning the first15 games and heading the table for all but a couple of weeks throughout the campaign, and on the last day of the season, sitting in 2nd place the Vickers defeated Romford FC 6-0 while leaders Witham Town could only draw their last game which saw us secure the title by a point, taking the club to the Premier Division, its highest ever level in the pyramid. The club struggled for a lot of the season, spending most of the time in the relegation places but winning the last 6 games saw us climb to safety, finally finishing in 18th position to maintain our place in the division.
Manager Tony Russell immediately resigned, joining Cray Wanderers FC in Division 1, taking his entire side with him but the club acted quickly to secure the services of Keith McMahon as new First Team Manager. Keith came with a wealth of experience having taken neighbours Thamesmead Town from the Kent League to the Ryman League Premier Division but, with no players at the club and only a few weeks to the start of the 2015/2016 season Keith was up against it from the beginning in trying to assemble a side to compete at the higher level. He worked tirelessly and brought in some excellent players, but despite some good performances we were unable to find the consistency needed in the Premier Division and were relegated back to Division 1 (North).
STANDINGS LEAGUE
FIXTURES & RESULTS
28 Oct H Deal Town
14 Feb A Ashford
17 Feb H Erith Town
3 Mar A Deal Town
10 Mar H Sheppey United
14 Mar A Herne
11 Apr H Faversham
Sat 18 Apr A Merstham
Sat 25 Apr H Margate
South East
TEAM LINE UP
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN
Harry Howes
Luke Leppard
Steve Smith ©
Curtis Gayler
Dan Perry
Tommy Seale
Tariq Richards
Omar Folkes
Tyler Grant
Leo Vowles
Harry Piper
Lewis McDonnell
Mason Saunders
Reegan Jeffery
Harry Bushell
Ethan Covus
Max Marshall
Jhon Murillo-Castillo
Declan Spittles
Josh Cryer
ATHLETIC
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN HISTORY
PROGRAMMES FROM THE PAST BY LESTER MEDCALF
We're going to have a look at a couple of programmes we produced for past games played close to the date of today’s match. I’m going back a number of years for the first match, East Grinstead v Crowborough on Tuesday 17 March 1992 in division two of the Sussex County League.
Bruce Talbot was our programme editor, just as he is in 2026. He has a quick summary of our recent matches, in particular with an eye on their effect on our league position. The programme’s league table shows that we are fourth from bottom. We have games in hand over the three teams below us and, provided we don’t have a disastrous finish to the season, we should avoid relegation. But we need to continue picking up points.
We had played three away games since our last home match - with that last home game being against the league’s bottom team. Bruce makes brief comment on these four games, though we also have fuller match reports. We had beaten the bottom team (East Preston) 4-1 with a hat-trick from Simon Doran, but against the team just one place above us (Saltdean) we had disappointingly lost 3-0. In games against teams in the top half of the league we had lost 3-0 (Worthing United) but did well to pick up a point against Selsey in a 11 draw thanks to a Steve Norris header.
The programme had an important piece of information for us about a fixture being arranged for April. Crystal Palace had confirmed that they would come down to East Court for an end of season friendly to mark the opening of our new floodlights.
We of course do have a welcome for our opponents from Crowborough - whose manager Roger Crouch lives in East Grinstead. They were in a comfortable mid-table position in the league. We had played the away match against them in the middle of January and they had beaten us 2-1 with our goal coming from Lee Power.
Here at East Court in front of over 200 spectators there was a long wait to the first goal which eventually arrived after some 60 minutes from our Neil Brassett. However Crowborough responded immediately as they went straight down to our end to equalise. 1-1 was how it ended.
CHICHESTER BEATEN AT EAST COURT
Moving on a few years we’ll have a look at the programme for East Grinstead v Chichester City on Saturday 15 March 2014 in division one of the Sussex County League.
Richard Tramontin’s chairman notes tell us that he had to miss a couple of recent matches - which saw us collecting just one point - but on his return we had beaten Dorking Wanderers 3-0 here at East Court to maintain our hope of gaining promotion (to the Isthmian League). The position at the top of the league was “all very tight."
In his welcome to the visitors from Chichester, Richard points out that they have recently been securing points with goals in the last few minutes and so we must remain focussed until the ref blows his final whistle. In the away game in Chichester in October we had won 3-1 with our goals coming from Sam Schaffer, Michael Belli and Marc Pelling.
Richard goes on to talk about the building work that needs to be done, as well as the work on the pitch, over the summer. “The turn in the weather has been a huge relief," he wrote. There are still 15 matches to be fitted in over the next four weeks!
Team manager Simon Funnell was of course pleased with that 3-0 win against Dorking especially as a number of the other top teams slipped up in their games. We do have a match report on the game from Stewart Ward. ”It wasn’t as comfortable as the scoreline suggested” with Dorking having much of the game for the first 60 minutes or so. Then a Kieran Pamment corner - “a beautiful delivery” - was headed home by Sam Schaaf. And with some 10 minutes to go Sam scored again and in the very last minute another corner from Kieran Pamment was headed home by Marc Pelling.
So how did the Chichester game go? The programme’s league table had us in fourth place and Chichester ninth and we were to win 3-0 with goals from Sam Schaaf, Michael Belli and a first goal for us from Kieran Pamment.
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