| Latest Issue |  |
|
|
||||
 |
1 | |
||
|
||||||||||||||
|
2 | |
||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3 | |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this afternoon’s visitors Wick.
Last Saturday, the 1st team had a disappointing away defeat against Chalford not helped by being reduced to 10-men early in the game. The lads and management team will be looking to put this result behind them and get back to the levels that are both expected, and they are capable of.
The Reserves and A’s both had a decent results last weekend winning 2-0 and drawing 0-0 at home to Avonmouth Reserves and AC Moose respectively. The B team lost 1-0 away to Portland OB’s in the County Cup, however, both the Sunday and Under 18’s had good wins to improve their league positions.
Please come and search me out or contact me through our website if you can help with sponsoring a match, player, or pitch side advertising board, or would just like to help and get involved with the running of the club. We are always looking for more help with match days, pitch works, fundraising or just being part of an active committee.
Finally, please remember ‘we win together, we lose together but most importantly we stick together’. |
||
|
4 | |
|
5 | |
|
A warm welcome to the players, management and officials of Wick to today's fixture at Arnall Drive. Last week was a double game week, with the lads first facing Cribbs Reserves in the second round of the GFA Cup on the Wednesday night, followed by an away trip up to Chalford on the Saturday. The cup fixture finished 1-1 in normal time, with the lads dominating the game from start to finish, with the recurring issue of not putting the ball in the back of the net coming back to haunt us with Cribbs capitalising on the only error we made on the night. Thankfully, no harm was done, with all 5 penalties scored before the heroics of Dunning as he got down well to his right to save the final spot kick. A third round tie against Hambrook & Brimsham awaits.
If the performance against Cribbs was dominant and high quality, the Chalford fixture was the other end of the spectrum. An injury depleted squad struggled on a heavy pitch against a resilient Chalford, with 3 good chances put wide in the first half, it felt like one of those days again. Things were not helped by the early sending off of Harvey Moran for two yellow cards. Frustrating as that was, the work rate of the lads was phenomenal to play for 70+ minutes with 10 men and to still be in the game. Alas despite George James' bullet header cancelling out an early second half penalty from Chalford, a rare mistake at the back gifted the Chalford forward with what turned out to be the winner. Reflecting after the game, it was hard not to be disappointed, as this very much felt like 3 points dropped, and all of the things which went against us were controllable and avoidable - a lesson to take into future games.
Fixtures against Wick in the past have
proven to be dramatic, with Tate Shaw's
last minute stoppage time winner here
last season - here's hoping for more of the
same today.
I hope you enjoy today's fixture.
|
||
|
6 | |
|
||||||||||||
|
7 | |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
8 | |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
9 | |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
10 | |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
11 | |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
12 | |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
13 | |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
14 | |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
15 | |
||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
16 | |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
17 | |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
GLOUCESTER COUNTY LEAGUE
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
18 | |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||
|
19 | |
|
As old photographs will show Wick had a village football team long before a group of young local lads formed Wick CA in 1971. Unable to play at Oldbury Lane at that time, they played their first couple of seasons on a patch of land off Naishcombe Hill, as Oldbury Lane was home to Wick Athletic (whose history we can trace back to the 1930's), and Partridge & Love. The young Wick side quickly saw success, winning ther Regional division without losing a game. A feat almost repeated the following season when they finished as runners up. Then came a switch to the Bristol & District league, where success continued taking the division 4 title in 1974, and winning the GFA Minor cup the season after. When Partridge & Love disbanded, it gave Wick CA the opportunity to relocate to Oldbury Lane, where they later amalgamated with Wick Athletic to form a single club in the mid 70's. This sparked a lengthy period of progress for the club with the introduction of a Reserve side. The 1st team’s triumph in the 1978 Junior Cup was followed by double celebrations in 1982 when both club sides were promoted - the 1st team winning the B&D Senior Div and the Reserves as runners up in B&D Div 4. Success continued and two seasons later Wick had another double celebration with the 1st team taking the Bristol Prem Combination div 1 title and the Reserves the B&D div 3 crown. The following years were a lean period for the club which included relegation. Then with a name change to RMC Wick (through its sponsorship from the local quarry) fortunes turned in 1998 with a second success in the GFA Junior Cup. This was the catalyst to another successful period at the club, and in the 1999/2000 season the First team returned to the Bristol Prem Comb after taking the B&D Senior Div title. Another promotion the following season saw the First team in the Premier Div of the Bristol Prem where they won the Bristol Prem Cup in both 2003 & 2005.
With an influx of new players, Wick were able to introduce a third side with this A team starting in B&D div 6. 2004 saw the First team finish fourth in the Bristol Prem, and |
||
|
20 | |
|
promotion for both the Reserves and A teams, although the Reserves tasted relegation to B&D div 2 the following season. Wick's dreams of promotion to the County League were dashed in the 2004/5 season when a poor end to the season saw them lose their leading position at the half-way stage. In the 2007/8 season the reserves were promoted to the B&D Senior div, but there was little further success for the clubs three Saturday sides until the 2016/17 season, which saw the first team narrowly pipped for the Bristol Prem Comb title but gain promotion to the Marcliffe County League under the reins of Mike Strawford.
The 2017/18 season saw the A team fold through a lack of younger players, but the formation of a second veterans side playing on a Sunday, where both vet sides enjoyed league and Cup success. The 2019/20 season looked set to be a fantastic year for both the first team and reserves, but with league and Cup honours in sight, the season fell foul to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the upside the reserves were promoted to the Prem Comb Div 1. Progress on the field continued the following season with the first team taking the County League title after an epic battle with Shirehampton. Unfortunately our planning application for step 6 development took too long to get and so Shirehampton was given the promotion slot. Failing to gain promotion resulted in an exodus of players and management all eager to play at step 6, which meant a complete rebuild of the squad in the 2021/2022 season managed by Kev Pollard and Jamie Johnson assisted by Nathan Broe (Coach) and Tom Darby (goalkeeper coach).
Last season was a mixed bag for Wick FC, which saw it's reserve team and management leave part way through the season to join a local step 6 side, which caused Wick to pull the reserves from the Prem Comb.vThe first team continued to rebuild, the A team won promotion, Vets won a league and cup double, while Wick Sunday enjoyed a successful season, winning the league cup. |
||
|
21 | |
|
The new 2024/25 season will see a new young first team management team in place, with Callum Fudgell and Josh Brown bringing a fresh group of players to the club, to continue our ambition for step 6 football at Wick. After finishing a credible fourth, the same group will now aim for major honours this season. The club continues to grow with the formation of a new over 55 vets team, and a girls section led by Josh Pollard in the 2025/2026 season.
MANAGEMENT Callum Fudgell - Manager Previous Clubs: Hanham Athletic, AEK Boco & Nicholas Wanderers."
Josh Brown - Manager Previous Clubs: Hanham Athletic, AEK Boco & Oldland"
Ben Mackenzie - Assisted Manager / Head Coach
|
||
|
22 | |
|
PLAYERS
Kai Wilson – Goalkeeper
Kyle Russell – Defender
Deke Langdon – Defender
Liam Robson - Defender
Callum Ball - Defender Experienced defender who brings a real calming presence at the back. Not shy of a challenge and a great reader of the game. Callum is a real leader on the pitch and played a huge part in our good form in the second half of last season, loves an energy gel.
|
||
|
23 | |
|
Harry Madge – Defender
Frank Taylor-Fox - Midfielder "Frank is club captain and plays the 6 role as good as anyone, intercepts the play and plays the easy pass or can drive through the midfield with his engine and quality feet. Huge player for us, hopefully cuts down on his holidays this season and sorts the moustache out
Jaye Rudge - Midfielder "Loves a moan but still one of the most gifted players in the squad. Quality feet, makes things tick and a great finisher as well. Best trainer
Tyrone Fudgell - Midfield "Another player who joins us with big western league and county league experience. Ty is calm on the ball and loves a tackle. Even at the age of 37 is one of the fittest players in the squad.
Kai Shellard - Midfield "Kai joins us for this season from Bitton Reserves but did play a handful of games for their first team in the western league last season. He is comfortable on the ball, has great feet and always looks to play forward.
|
||
|
24 | |
|
Freddie Mogg - Midfield "Moggy has a brilliant attitude and leaves everything out on the pitch, runs all day long and is strong in the tackle for a little lad. One of the first names on the team sheet at only 18 years old and is very versatile will do a job in any position he’s put in. Loves sticking up down the skittle alley at The Swan in his spare time
Toby Rennie - Midfield "Tobe had a year off football last season as he took on plenty of marathons during the football season. But he’s back this year and adds real quality to our squad, loves getting on the ball and is class in the air. Plenty of experience at leagues above. One to watch this season as long as he stops falling off his bike
Michael Hardiman- Midfielder "Delighted to have Mike with us for this season. Oldest player in the squad but a gifted footballer who’s creative in midfield and gets into the opposition box. County league winner last season with Almondsbury.
Fred Taylor-Fox - Midfield "Younger brother to Frank. Technically gifted footballer, an absolute nightmare to get the ball off will turn you inside and out with his slick dribbling and skill. Huge miss for us at the back end of last season when he got injured, if we can keep him fit and available we’ve always got a chance in any game as long as he’s available & not seeing his missus in London.
|
||
|
25 | |
|
Bayley Rudge - Forward "One of the most two footed players you’ll ever see I still don’t know what foots his strongest now. Runs at defenders all day long and loves an assist. Still yet to win a MOTM award which he moans about every week. Fine master this season.
"Can play out wide or through the middle. Scores all sorts of goals & has got bags of pace always looking to run in behind the defence. Wicks all time leading scorer in a single season after last years 43 goals in all competitions. Hopefully Mr Worldwide can pick up this season where he left off last year as he’s been all round Europe this summer, serious lack of pre season.
Louis Short - Forward "Wicks top goalscorer in the 23/24 season with 13 goals in 23 appearances. Lou has bags of energy and pace a real nightmare for defenders. He can play anywhere across the front line and a strong lad as well for his height, bit of a weight lifter in his spare time
"Lloydy is a managers dream as he can play anywhere across the front three or even in midfield. He will add bags of quality to our side and has played at various clubs in the western league including Bitton and AEK Boco. He also played a huge part in the 2015/2016 Cinderford Town team that won the Southern League Division 1 South & West.
|
||
|
26 | |
|
After a break in proceedings for the County Cup Sharpness reinforced their position as top dogs with an away win at the notoriously difficult Ruardean Hill Rangers. Frampton retain second spot after a midweek win at Quedgeley whilst Filton surprisingly dropped points against Cribbs.
Up in the Forest, Ruardean Hill Rangers took on leaders Sharpness and made a good start as early as the third minute when a bicycle kick from Max Telling caused panic in the Sharpness area which Clark cleared off the line. A few minutes on Fin Jones twisted and turned and fed Luke Brown who shot over from 30 yards. The game then settled and after that early spell of Hill pressure neither team created much and up to the break neither keeper was troubled. Ten minutes into the second half an Underwood goal kick was flicked on for substitute Stephens who lifted the ball over a stranded Clark but also over the bar. On the hour Sharpness broke forward down the flank and a cross put in by Kier Bennett was headed back across goal but was cleared straight up the other end and Hill’s Steve Clark had the chance but shot wide. A few minutes later a free kick for Hill saw another Steve Clark effort tipped wide by Sharks keeper Clark. The winner for Sharpness came in the 88th minute when a Bennett cross was acrobatically turned in by Michael Bryant with an overhead kick and 1-0 it was.
Cribbs Reserves hosted Filton Athletic at the Lawns and it was the visitors who rather expectedly started the brighter and took full control of the game and created several good chances and it was only thanks to Cribbs’ 16-year-old debutant keeper Ashby Turner who kept the score goalless with a string of fine saves. Unfortunately, there was a nasty clash of heads between two Filton players forcing substitutions which clearly disrupted their balance and Cribbs took advantage and finished the half the stronger of the teams. Filton picked up after the break and deservedly took a 55th minute lead, when a deep corner was rescued at the far post and poked home by Keiran Cooper.
|
||
|
27 | |
|
Cribbs, however, remained resolute and stayed in the game and eventually equalised when a Dan Monk free kick into the box was not dealt with by the Filton defence allowing Andy Forward to force home. There were further chances at both ends but no goals and as it happened, a much better point for the home side than the visitors, 1-1.
After a comfortable County Cup win last week Tytherington Rocks welcomed Stoke Gifford SGS United to Hardwicke Playing Fields in a match that started with Gifford looking the better of the two. The game settled with plenty of possession from both sides but no clear-cut chances until ten minutes before the break a ball played out wide by Rocks Stu Nelson was brilliantly controlled by Ali Al Fadhli who took one touch before curling the ball into the top corner for 1-0. Tytherington doubled their lead in time added on when a quick Nelson free kick was met by Jake Haynes who forced keeper Jack Sheppard to push the ball into the path of Ollie Briggs to head home. The second half started in favour of Rocks who made it 3-0 in the 59th minute when Haynes shot was dropped by Sheppard for Nelson to run in and tap home. Tytherington were pushing for a fourth but were hit by an SGS break and Patryk Kosciolek slotted home a through ball with half an hour still left. Both sides were still creating chances and it was Gifford who scored again, in the 83rd minute, when a free kick on the edge of the box was saved by Billy Pullin but Ray Oppong tapped in from close range. Tytherington held out for a big 3-2 win. |
||
|
28 | |
|
Originally Hanham Athletic’s home fixture this match was reversed to Bromley Heath United’s Pomphrey Hill due to a pitch preparation problem at Vicarage Road. With both clubs pleased to get the game on the match started at a fast pace with both teams looking bright. But it was Bromley who created the more clear-cut chances in these early encounters with Hanham clearing one effort off the line, Luke Bessell hitting the post and a goal disallowed for offside. Bromley continued to pile the pressure on creating numerous chances and it was no surprise when they took a 35th minute lead, Hanham failed to clear a free kick and the ball was hammered in from close range by centre half Dec Mannion. They deservedly went two-up just before the break when Charlie Snell played a smashing ball into the far post which was headed back across goal for dangerous Jacob Millward to score. Hanham started the second period brightly, having plenty of the ball but without creating anything clear-cut. And it came as no surprise on the hour when Bromley went further ahead, the ball won in midfield was given to Ollie Hanham who advanced towards goal and unleashed a fierce shot from 25 yards giving the keeper Lincoln Tooker no chance. With the game over the final 25 minutes lost intensity and Bromley fully deserving a 3-0 win.
Once again, the Oldbury Lane pitch was in fantastic condition as Wick welcomed Tewkesbury Town for the first time. Tewkesbury began strongly having the best of the opening exchanges, but it was Wick who had the first effort on goal in the 10th minute when a bursting run by George Lloyd saw his shot clear the crossbar. Immediately after Tewkesbury continued to turn the screw and two minutes later should have taken the lead but a scuffed shot from the edge of the six-yard box only found keeper Mason Hawkins.They continued pressing and a flicked shot on 20 minutes clipped the outside of the post. Wick were limited to the occasional beak and on 20 minutes a great cross
|
||
|
29 | |
|
from the right almost found Cory Langdon in the Tewkesbury 6-yard box. Tewkesbury went in front on the half hour with Scott Jordan rising head and shoulders above the Wick defence to head home and ten minutes later a well struck Town shot was well saved by Hawkins. Wick started the second half much brighter and struck the Tewkesbury post but Town still looked dangerous on the break and doubled their lead on the hour when a Wick clearance fell to Alex Roder on the edge of the box, who initially missed his attempted volley but had time to spin 180 degrees and smash his shot into the Wick net. On 70 minutes Wick reduced the arrears, a great through ball from Deke Langdon set Bailey Rudge away down the left flank, and his fired cross into the Tewkesbury box found an on-rushing Cory Langdon to slot home. Any chance of Wick getting anything out of the game was snuffed out in the 80th minute when a fluke cross by Jamie Goodwin from wide on the right avoided everyone and found the top corner of the net to give Tewkesbury a deserved 3-1 win.
At Highfield Road Chalford gained their first League points of the season against Henbury & Rockleaze, this following up a County Cup win last week. Henbury & Rockleaze started strong but wasted several chances. On 16 minutes, Chalford's Lewis Newell was unlucky as the keeper made a great save. 27 minutes, Harvey Moran received a yellow card for the visitors. Two minutes later, Henbury had an goal disallowed for a clear offside. On 33 minutes, Harvey Moran was sent off after a silly second booking for kicking the ball at the linesman. Cam Kerr's strike was well saved by Trett in the H&R Goal, before a mistake by Keylock left H&R one-on-one, but Hart made a fantastic save. The first half ended 0-0. At 47 minutes, Chalford earned a penalty, which Andy Maryon converted. At 53 minutes, George James equalised for H&R with a header from a corner. Two minutes later Cam Kerr's scored from a great cross by Marshfield to seal the points. |
||
|
30 | |
|
|
||
|
31 | |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
32 | |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
By Jon Couch THE week leading up to Halloween proved to be something of a horror show for Non-League bosses everywhere as the managerial merry-go-round clicked into overdrive.
As a result, it caused endless nightmares for us at NLP Towers as the news pages had to be constantly updated and, in the case of John Coleman’s Friday afternoon arrival at Aldershot Town, ripped up and rewritten completely.
We were perhaps given a sign of what was to come when Kettering Town announced the departure of Simon Hollyhead just minutes after their 4-0 defeat at Redditch United on Saturday with the former assistant at Champions League side Malmö having resigned from his Poppies’ post at two days previous.
It’s fair to say it wasn’t a good week for Isthmian League bosses with a high percentage of departures coming in and around the M25.
Club legend Drew Cooney left East Grinstead Town after four years in charge. Cooney made over 500 appearances for the Wasps before taking over the hotseat in 2021. He quit after picking up just one win from his opening 11 games in charge of the Isthmian South East club.
League rivals Hastings United also made a change with former Whitehawk boss David Altendorff replacing Lee Carey in the U’s hotseat, while former England manager Peter Taylor stood down at Isthmian North side Canvey Island after five months in charge following the Gulls’ midweek defeat to Benfleet in the Essex Senior Cup.
Tilbury too have new joint-bosses with George Christou and Jack Toghli coming in for Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace, who left the Dockers by mutual consent.
|
||
|
33 | |
|
It was all change also at Lewes after it was announced that popular former boss Craig Nelson had returned to the Dripping Pan hotseat after six months away, replacing Bradley Pritchard. Nelson steered the Rooks to their best league start in over a decade last season before being snapped up by Tonbridge Angels.
There’s no busier owner in English football right now than Bracknell Town’s Kayne Steinborn-Busse. He is looking for his FIFTH manager in the space of just 17 league games after dispensing with former Wealdstone and Notts County assistant Matt Saunders.
Saunders had just one point and an FA Cup win over Tadley Calleva to show for his seven games in charge of the Robins – a tenure which will be remembered for releasing the club’s two longest serving players after questioning the commitment of the senior members of the squad.
Perhaps the highest profile departure last week was that of Altrincham chief Phil Parkinson after eight years at Moss Lane. The 44-year-old led the Robins to two promotions in three seasons, from the NPL Premier to the National League, and then a play-off campaign in 2023–24, where they finished fourth before falling to Bromley in the semi-finals.
However, after losing a plethora of key players in the summer, including the likes of Regan Linney, Justin Amaluzor and Alex Newby, the Robins have struggled to find the same consistency this season and Parkinson leaves after a seven-match unbeaten league run.
Altrincham will now be looking to appoint a new man in charge, much like league rivals Aldershot Town, who brought in John Coleman to replace Tommy Widdrington, who left a fortnight ago, and has since rejoined Eastbourne Borough. |
||
|
34 | |
|
Harsh perhaps on Alan Dowson, who took interim charge of team affairs for Saturday’s trip to Scunthorpe and told The NLP of his desire to make the most of his opportunity in the Shots hotseat.
Dowson, the former Woking, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Kingstonian boss, has now left the EBB Stadium and looking for his next challenge.
At Step 5, Richard Brodie left Glossop North End after two years in charge of North West Counties League side and is now back playing with former club Skelmersdale United at the age of 38.
Dan Bailey quit as player/manager and coach of Combined Counties Premier North strugglers Virginia Water, Mark Scott resigned from South West Peninsula Premier East side Axminster Town after a 12th successive defeat and Clay Cross Town’s management team of Ian Cotton, his assistant Ian Birtley and player/coach Kieran Coupe joined United Counties Premier North rivals AFC Mansfield.
Aaannnndd breathe. Until the next instalment anyway. Happy Halloween everyone. |
||
|
35 | |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
ACTUAL LINE UPS AVAILABLE 15 MINS PRE KICK OFF |
ENSURE TO REFRESH SCREEN |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||