Holyport Football Club Official Brochure 2025 - 2026
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A HUGE WELCOME FROM MYSELF, TONY ANDREWS, AND FROM ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS AND PLAYERS WHO HELP MAKE
HOLYPORT FOOTBALL
CLUB WHAT IT IS TODAY.
HOLYPORT FOOTBALL CLUB: IF IT’S POSSIBLE, IT’S ACHIEVABLE.
Steeped in history for well over a century, our aim is to uphold the fine name of this ancient club and to represent football in the local community to the highest of standards. Win, draw or lose, we encourage everyone at HFC to carry themselves with pride. You can’t win them all, but you can always try!
Having played for and captained HFC myself in days gone by - as did my son Jason – the love I have for this club comes from within. We have seen a few moves over the years and whilst we don’t actually play in Holyport itself, we are just a few miles down the road. We have now been settled for many years at Summerleaze
Park in northern Maidenhead and this is where we shall stay for a long time to come now. I very much encourage you to get in touch if you’re a budding footballer, or if your kids are, and to come and watch & support us yourselves. We offer a fabulous day out and some really great football at a community club that welcomes all. See you soon and “up the ‘Port!”
We would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors, both past and present, for their valuable support and Ludis Group for producing this publication. Huge thanks also to our dear friend, Peter Prior, for all he has done and continues to do for the club.
HOLYPORT FOOTBALL CLUB WAS FORMED ON 1ST SEPTEMBER 1897 IN THE GEORGE PUB
IN HOLYPORT VILLAGE, WITH 20 MEMBERS
GIVING A SHILLING A PIECE TO JOIN.
The team initially played in the Maidenhead and District League and its home ground was at Windsor Road, Bray. The club slowly progressed and joined the Hayes and Giles League, playing its home games at Braywick Park.
At the beginning of the 2002-2003 season, after three very successful ones leading up to that point, Holyport was promoted to the Hellenic League Division
1 East. Two seasons later HFC moved to its current ground at Summerleaze Park in North Maidenhead. This move signalled the start of a new and exciting era for the club. Having secured the necessary planning permission as well as funding from the Football Foundation, the new ground has been in a state of continuous improvement ever since. In season 2007-8 the ground was fenced in and floodlights were installed, and since then
there have been further improvements to the changing facilities. A Hard standing surface on three sides of the ground, has also been implemented and three spectator grandstands erected, as well as a hospitality room. These changes are the culmination of several years of hard work, with the club’s Summerleaze Park ground now meeting the F.A and League requirements for Holyport to continue
to play at their current step five level of football. In 2024, the club also installed a new refreshments bar that acts as a ticket office and a turnstile is on its way shortly.
These continuous improvements, both on and off the pitch, have all contributed to progressing the club’s ambitions of playing in the F.A. Vase and the FA Cup, which it achieved in 2008 and 2010
respectively. In the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons the club was jointly awarded the Hungerford Cup (shared firstly with Shortwood United and then Thame United). The cup is awarded to the clubs who have shown the most development, on and off the field, throughout any given season.
TITLE WINNERS
The 2010-11 Season was a truly historic one for Holyport. In their first season with the club the new management team of Derek Sweetman, Kevin Carvell and Calvin Maye led the side to the uhlsport Hellenic 1 Division East title, A M Print & Copy Floodlit Cup and The Bluefin Insurance Challenge Cup.
In 2009-10 Jamie Handscomb was recognised by the League in winning the Division Player of the Year award, the third time a ‘Port player has won this trophy. Along with the Hungerford Cup, four cups in one season will probably be the club’s most successful season for a good number of years to come.
The 2011-12 Season saw Holyport finish a very respectable 13th in their debut season and also as semi finalists in The Berks and Bucks Senior Cup and League Supplementary Cup.
All Types of Roofing Installations & Repairs
2012-13 brought yet more development for Holyport FC as the club fielded its first-ever youth side in The Allied Counties League. 2014-15 saw Martin Kenealy step aside after 12 months in charge and the committee decided it was best to step down to Division One East. The side had a steady season in 2015-16 but 2016-17 was a struggle. 2017-18 saw ex Holyport player Matt Rolfe appointed as Assistant Manager and with this the team finished 5th in the league. Derek Sweetman
was appointed as Manager for the 201819 season with Rolfe, Ovens and Deverall assisting him. Along with this the side reentered the FA Cup and announced a threeyear sponsorship deal with Anthony Mullan furniture. The 2018-19 season produced a good FA Vase run and once again a 5th place in the league, also securing more points than the previous season.
A TOUGH SEASON FOR ALL
2019-20 saw the HFC First Team placed in the top 3 before Covid-19 struck and our fantastic season was wiped out altogether. After another pandemic-struck season, the club was finally awarded promotion to Step 5 on a PPG basis, moving into the newly-formed Combined Counties League Premier Division North. The club struggled at the start of the league campaign, but after being all but completely written off
by many, managed to achieve its Step 5 status via a superior goal difference on the final day.
During the summer of 2022 the club announced that Derek Sweetman would become an Ambassador for HFC - a first in the club’s history - as recognition for his 336 games in charge and success whilst at the club. Sam Lock, who had been the club’s Assistant Manager during the
season, was promoted to Manager for 2022-23 with a new management team alongside him.
The club also welcomed Holyport legends Lee Ovens and Daniel Rapley into the Seconds as joint managers along with Nick Philips as coach. The club onboarded another three junior sides to improve its offering to the local community in its 125th anniversary year.
SEASON #125: ONE TO REMEMBER
The 125th season proved to be a very successful one, with the First Team securing its position in the league, along with historic runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase. The club defeated Ascot United in the FA Cup, with Ascot then going on to win the FA Vase at Wembley. This particular season saw a number of our younger players being scouted and achieving trials for the likes of QPR and Maidenhead United.
The Second Team also had a very good season, finishing 4th and gaining promotion to the TVPL. This in itself is testament to the management and its players, as this team was only put together at the start of the season. The Reserve Team also enjoyed a great cup run, making it to the semi-final of the Reading Senior Cup, to suffer a narrow 1-0 loss to Yateley Town, who went unbeaten in the league all season.
The U8 Junior side won the club’s first-ever Junior Trophy, and the 2022-23 season saw six Junior sides with the club and an over-50s men’s side playing on Sundays. Holyport Football Club continues to grow in the community through multiple events arranged by the volunteers involved.
2023 TO PRESENT
2023-24 saw further progression for the club with more Junior sides and The
Seconds moving into the Premier Division of the Thames Valley League, where they had a very strong season, finishing 9th. After a slow start, the Firsts grew from strength to strength. As the season drew to a close, the side won 10 of its last 14 games, securing a playoff place, which was ultimately lost to Rayners Lane. The side managed to create more history for the club with a record finish – 5th place and a highest- ever points total at Step 5 football with 61 points.
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2024-25 has thus far been an exciting season both on and off the pitch, with new players, management changes and Spencers Farm housing development getting the green light adjacent to the club.
Sam Lock stepped aside due to family commitments and Adam Hopkins has taken the reins, after a successful season with Sandhurst Town the year before.
Adam continues to develop the side and, at the time of writing, HFC is in 5th place in the league and very much hoping to make the playoffs once again, as well as to finish above our record high to date.
The fantastic refreshments bar has been completed and is thriving and the club has received further permission and funding for additional works. Watch this space!
SINCE MOVING TO SUMMERLEAZE IN 2005, HOLYPORT
has seen a continuous progression of development both on and off the pitch. What started as a farmer’s field is now home to eight Junior Sides and three Adult Sides.
The Summerleaze ground has seen the addition of floodlights, concrete standing spectator areas and two stands, all installed in 2009 when Holyport was promoted to Step 5 of the non-league pyramid. Following these improvements, the ground has been fenced in and also a new £65,000 refreshment kiosk was recently opened, supported by the FA and local business. We can now offer a great quality footballing experience to the local community.
We also open the ground to local schools and clubs to play games on. We have over the years helped raise over £8,000 for local and national charities as well as schools in the area.
All of our junior players are granted season tickets to watch the adult sides, so they can see where their training is leading and be inspired for the future.
NEW REFRESHMENT
BAR & TICKET OFFICE
This wonderful new building was completed in 2024 and provides hot food, hot & cold drinks, snacks and also has a section for our ticket office. It is run by volunteers and the incredible burgers we serve come from a local butcher, one of our sponsors.
TURNSTILE ON THE WAY
Our friends at Maidenhead United have kindly donated us a lovely turnstile for the entrance to the ground. This is being collected and installed in the spring/ summer of 2025. There’s nothing like passing through a turnstile to make it really feel like matchday!
SECURITY FENCING
Over the recent winter months HFC saw the installation of an 8-foot fence along the western & northern ends of the ground. Together with the existing southern fence and the water to the east, the ground is now fully enclosed from all sides.
FIRST
The 2023-24 season was a record- breaking one, with the side finishing with 61 points and a new high spot of 5th in the league.
The First Team is proudly sponsored by Mega Electrical. FORMED IN 1897, THE MEN’S
For the 2024-25 season Adam Hopkins took the reins, assisted by Jamie Cleary, Adam Keep and Charlie Lawerence. It’s been a challenging season, with many matches cancelled or postponed due to adverse weather conditions, but it has
been and continues to be an uplifting one, nonetheless. As aforementioned, at the time of writing, the team once again sits in 5th place and is hoping for a very strong finish to the season. Up the ‘Port!
RE-FORMED IN 2020 AFTER A FIVEYEAR ABSENCE, THE SECOND TEAM WAS PREDOMINANTLY MADE UP OF OUR SUCCESSFUL U17 SQUAD FROM 2019-20.
The Thames Valley League Premier Division provides a great introduction to men’s football, where the team can develop and move up towards the Firsts.
In the 2023-24 season the team finished 7th in the Thames Valley Premier League. Mitchell Scarvaci joined as coach for the 2024-25 season, with
the side looking to build on the previous season.
The Second Team is very grateful to shirt sponsors BOCE Developments, FIT IT IN & Vita Sports, along with Pilot Pens, Active Electrical and Penhurst Insurance.
THE HOLYPORT VETS
WERE FORMED IN 2019, OFFERING FOOTBALL TO OVER 35S.
The Vets league is evidence in itself that even if you’re a little longer in the tooth & perhaps a bit slower than you once were, there’s still a place for you in football! The camaraderie amongst the vets is every bit as evident as in the First team and the passion sure hasn’t diminished!
Many of the HFC Vets are former First or Second Team players and new applicants are always welcomed.
Playing in the Uhlsport Hellenic Vets Premier League, the team is proudly sponsored by Rover Tune
DEVELOPING TODAY’S YOUTH INTO THE STARS OF TOMORROW.
Many Children at such a young age lack confidence or have had negative experiences with previous teams. Under the guidance of our passionate coaches, we want to inspire the players. They will find their rhythm and grow stronger as individuals; each player will build selfesteem and confidence, both individually and as a team, creating a strong sense of unity and belonging.
The club’s goal is to give local players and the stars of tomorrow the opportunity to develop and shine. HFC firmly believes that every child should have access to the facilities and kit that allow them to try football out in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.
We o er:
• UK & European track day car hire
• Qualified racing instructors
• Simulator to in-car driver training
• High performance driver training with road and track focus
Ever dreamt of going racing? Get on track with our training packages:
• L2R ‘Go Racing’ academy
• ARDS test coaching
• Race day coaching
No car? No problem - our car hire fleet focuses on sensibly priced and properly prepared track cars for novices and experienced racers alike! Your chosen vehicle is fully prepared in our workshop, delivered to the circuit, ready for your day!
Every car hire includes:
• Exclusive use of the car at the your chosen track day
• All fuel and tyres
• Full technical support
• Insurance - subject to the vehicle specific excess
• HD On-board footage
L2R can also arrange the booking of your preferred track day, or test day should you require. Visit:
You can rent or buy a stairlift from us to suit most stair cases. We are a local company, with over 20 years’ of experience in the industry.
Would you like to know more?
Please call us on 07517 392118 or email us at info@home-stairlifts.co.uk
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For just £3 a session the club offers football lessons for boys and girls aged 3-6, providing them with their first real experience of playing ‘the beautiful game’. All coaches are volunteers, giving their time for free to benefit the community and its youngsters.
In addition to its Satutrday morning
Soccer School, Holyport offers football to youths all the way up to the under 18s side. After this, they can progress into our adult sides, all the way up to the Vets.
Soccer School sessions are pay-per-play, so there is no commitment if any takers decide after a few sessions that football isn’t for them.
THE U11 LIONESSES JOINED US IN JUNE 2024.
Holyport FC is proud to be a firm believer in ‘football for all’ and in 2024 our Lionesses squad was formed. Girls and ladies alike show such passion for - and skill in - football these days and indeed it’s the fastest-growing sector of the sport percentage-wise for both new players and fan attendance in the UK.
We hope to see some of our youngsters develop into true stars and go on to play football at the top level, potentially even for the England Lionesses!
Please contact us if you have a girl looking to develop her skills in the beautiful sport.
The Lionesses play in the Berkshire County Girls Football League.
All home games are played at Summerleaze (SL6 8SP) on Saturday mornings.
Please contact us if you’d like your girl to trial for the side.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER
From £50 to £5,000+, we offer multiple sponsorship packages to suit all budgets
MATCH DAY SPONSORSHIP
• Match day admission for two people
• Mention across all social media platforms
• Logo on the front of the match day programme
• Advert in the match day programme
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP
• Free entry for one league game for two people
• Mention across all social media platforms
• Wording in match programme
• Mention if player scores, announced POTM
POTM SPONSORSHIP
• Sponsorship of player of the match for one season
• Mention across all social media platforms after every game for the player of the match
• Mention in the match day programme
PITCH SIDE BOARD
• 2600mm x 700mm
• Mention across all social media platforms
• Displayed on holyportfc.co.uk with link to your site
• Advert in the match day programme
MATCH INTERVIEW SPONSOR
• Match day admission for two people
• Logo on all match day interviews
• Logo in match day programme
• Displayed on holyportfc.co.uk with link to your site
PROGRAMME ADVERT
• Feature in circa 25 programmes a season
• Logo on the club website with link to your site
• Mention on all socials on deal completion
• Colour adverts encouraged; B&W possible
GROUND NAMING RIGHTS
• 2 x season tickets
• Mention across all social media platforms before and after each home match
- First & Second Teams
• Advert in the match day programme
• Entrance signs with your branding
Partnering with us is more than just sponsorship; it’s an investment in the future of local young athletes and a chance to demonstrate your commitment to fostering youth potential and community spirit. Together, we can help children and adults alike to achieve even greater success while highlighting your brand’s dedication to making a positive impact.
HOLYPORT HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED LOCAL KIDS IN VARIOUS WAYS.
As mentioned, all of the club’s junior members get a free season ticket. This entitles them to attend all the adult games free of charge. This means they can sample adult football without the worry of large costs to their parents or guardians.
We also offer schools and the junior sides the opportunity to be mascots for games,
whether this is on a Saturday afternoon or a game under the bright lights for a midweek fixture, which the kids love. Throughout the course of the season the club also offers local school kids free admission to some games. With money tight for lots of families, this will likely be a very welcomed, cost-free day out for them.
HOLYPORT FC HAS A GREAT FOLLOWING ACROSS ITS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
With over 6,000 followers and over 100,000 website visits annually, the club also has dedicated social media channels for its Juniors and Soccer School players, so they can get the dedicated coverage they deserve.
The club also creates a newsletter, which goes out to all of the parents of the Juniors, keeping them up-to-date on the club and showcasing our fantastic sponsors.
The summer of 2025 will see a completely revamped and hugely improved club website.
The postcode takes you to the main road outside the ground.
Please enter via the electric gate (to the left as you turn in off the main road), follow the track over the speed bumps, over the bridge and past the sports club.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN ANY ADJOINING HOUSING ESTATES.
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