HERTFORD TOWN FC

TEMPORA MUTANUR NOS ET MUTAMUR ILLIS

VELOCITY TROPHY

VS CAMBRIDGE CITYTHE ACRE CARS STADIUM SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH 3PM

2019/20 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Welcome to our opening fixture of this season’s re-styled league cup campaign, now sponsored by Velocity Sports and newly featuring an opening five-team group stage. At this stage of the season and with a young squad we welcome the extra fixtures this new format brings as a means of building up our player’s experience. In addition, of course, the chance for a good cup run is always something to savour.

Welcome also to our opponents, Cambridge City from the BetVictor North League. Operating at the same tier as us and with a similarly mixed start to the season this promises to be a close fixture.

Pete HoughProgramme Editor

Welcome to The Acre Cars Stadium.

Address:The Acre Cars StadiumHertingfordbury ParkWest Street Hertford SG13 8EZTel: 01992 583716

Acting Chairman: Colin Hay

Club Secretary: Marc Sinfield

Manager: Ben Herd

Press Officer: Peter Hough

Programme Editor: As Press Officer

Safety Officer: As Club Secretary

website: www.hertfordtownfc.com

Club details.

Cambridge City FC – historyEarly yearsThe club was formed in 1908 as Cambridge Town, the direct descendant of the earlier Cambridge St Mary’s club which had folded at the end of the 1907-1908 season following a dispute with the local Cambs FA. As a torchbearer for amateur football in the days when many clubs viewed the professional game with disdain, the new club affiliated itself with the recently established Amateur Football Association rather than the local FA. Trophy success came early, with a notable victory being achieved in the International Du Nord Trophy in 1912 after beating host club Tourquennois in Northern France. Cambridge Town amalgamated with an earlier Cambridge United club in May 1914, joined the Cambs FA for the first time and in turn gained entry into the FA Cup and the FA Amateur Cup for the first time, whilst retaining their AFA links.

The club’s best ever run in the Amateur Cup came in 1928 when they reached the semi Final only to lose to Leyton at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground. The club moved to the Town Ground in Milton Road in April 1922, having previously played at Purbeck Road (1908-1911), the Hills Road Bridge Ground (1911-1914), Trinity College New Field (1920-1922) and various other grounds in the period 1919 to 1920.

Town v TownA rivalry developed with Ipswich Town during the late 1920’s and mid 1930. Huge crowds attended these games at Milton Road, peaking at 11,916 in 1929. Both clubs’ success in the Southern Amateur League prompted invitations to join the newly formed semi-professional Eastern Counties League in 1935. Ipswich accepted, but the Cambridge Committee declined on account of their commitment to amateur football, so the two Towns went their separate ways.

Within three years Ipswich had been elected to the Football League leaving Cambridge fans wondering what might have been! Cambridge Town moved on to the Spartan League, winning three league titles between 1945 and 1950. Shortly after progression to the Athenian League, Cambridge was granted City status in 1951 and with it the club’s name change to Cambridge City

Southern League ChampionsCity finally left the amateur game in 1958 and joined the Southern League, gaining a place in the Premier Division of the Southern League ahead of local rivals Cambridge

Today’s opponents.

United in their first season. City won the Premier Division in 1962/63, edging out United in an enthralling title race with the local derby at Milton Road being witnessed by over 11,500 people. The absence of automatic promotion to the Football League put a lid on City’s ambitions.

Nevertheless, City were regular challengers for the title and had the highest attendances in non-league football up until the mid-1960s. But City lost their way and were relegated to Southern League Division 1 in 1967/68. Promotion back to the Premier Division followed in 1969/70, but this was the same season Cambridge United were elected to the Football League. City were left to reflect that, in 12 Southern League seasons together, they had finished above their local rivals in 7 of them.

Strife in the 1970sCity finished Southern League runners up in 1970/71, but the latter years of the decade were dreadful. Relegation in 1975/76 saw crowds dwindle and the Club fall into decline. In 1977, Directors decided to return the Club to amateur status by joining the Isthmian League but, in scenes that would be repeated 30 years later, subsequent fans’ protests forced most of the Board to resign. The club thus remained in the Southern League.

Better timesAfter the redevelopment of the ground in the mid 1980’s, City gradually improved and a new generation of fans mobbed their heroes after the 1985/86 Southern League Southern Division championship was won on the last day of the season. The goal scoring exploits of Gary Grogan were instrumental in City’s recovery, according him a ‘City Legend ‘status. Since 1993, City have reached the 1st round proper of the FA Cup five times and the 2nd round once, which is a far better record than achieved by the more illustrious City sides of the 1960s.

Ups and downsRecent seasons have been a roller-coaster ride for the City faithful. City’s best season for 30 years saw them finish runners up in the inaugural Conference South season in 2004/05, going on to lose in the play-offs. Off the field the ground had been sold to pay off mounting debts and matters took a turn for the worse in 2006 when the then Board announced an agreement to allow City to be absorbed into Cambridge United. With City on the brink of extinction, supporters were galvanised into a campaign which eventually forced Directors to resign, to be replaced by

members of the Cambridge City Supporters’ Trust. The opening league match of 2006/07 was arguably the most memorable since the early 1960s – not merely because City won with a stoppage time winner at Havant & Waterlooville, but because it offered irrefutable proof that that City had survived a blatant attempt to kill it off and were very much alive and kicking. City celebrated their centenary in 2008, but were demoted at the end the 2007/08 season due to over-zealously applied ground regulations.

This decision ended 22 consecutive seasons in the 2nd tier of non-league football. City lost out to Gloucester City in the 2008/09 play-off. In the 2009/10 season, City won the Southern League Cup for the first time and finished one point shy of a playoff place. With the ground sold, a groundshare agreement was in place with Newmarket Town for the 2010/11 season but a last minute offer from our landlord meant that City had another season in its own stadium and celebrated by securing a place in the playoffs with a 4th place finish in the league.

However, this was met with disappointment again as the team went down one nil away to Salisbury City. Another reprieve following a new deal with the landlord gave City two more seasons at Milton Road, 2011/12 and 2012/13. Once again the play-offs were reached but again an away defeat in the semi final, this time at Oxford City. This disappointment was however tempered by the news that the club has secured a site on which to build a new stadium and training complex.

City ultimately missed out on a play-off spot in the 2012/13 season, but the club enjoyed a FA Cup run, with a televised first round proper home tie with MK Dons producing a fantastic night with a nil nil draw at Milton Road before losing in the replay at Stadium MK. With our lease on the stadium finally coming to an end, April 27th 2013 saw the last ever first team match at the ground before a large crowd with mixture of tears and smiles. Adrian Cambridge had the honour of scoring the last ever goal at Milton Road in the one nil victory over Redditch United.

New eraA new era for the club commenced in August 2013 starting with a ground-share at Histon FC. City once again reached the play-offs that season but once again tasted semi final defeat, this time at home to St Albans City. The 2015-16 season saw City move to share at St Ives Town FC. Manager Gary Roberts left in the summer of 2016 after 13 years at the club. His replacement Dan Gleeson had a short and ultimately unsuccessful spell in charge, former player Robbie Nightingale taking over as manager in December 2016. Robbie won his first game in charge to boost City’s hopes of avoiding the drop. City’s playing record improved culminating in five wins and a draw in their last six games but ultimately it was not enough and the club were relegated to step four for the first time in our history. Hopes of bouncing straight back were dashed when City lost in the play-off to Hartley Wintney. After three seasons at St Ives, City are now back at Histon FC whilst waiting for the new ground in Sawston to be built.

In the summer of 2019 City were moved laterally to The Isthmian League, which is the first time we have competed in said league .

CAMBRIDGE CITY PEN PICTURES

ROBBIE NIGHTINGALE (37) : Cambridge born and a member of City’s youth setup in his early teens , Robbie progressed into the first team and made over 350 appearances in two spells at the club , sandwiching a few years at Histon during their climb through the leagues . He left City for Royston Town in summer 2013 before becoming manager at Soham Town Rangers in 2015 .Robbie took the helm at City in December last season and nearly pulled off a miracle escape from relegation .

NEIL MIDGLEY (39): In summer 2013 Neil was appointed as first team coach. Neil is a product of Ipswich Town’s Academy but he made his name at Barnet where he scored freely. He moved on to Kettering Town via Canvey Island. Neil had a three month loan spell with City in 2006 before returning to Kettering for three weeks when he made the move to City permanent. Neil has made over 300 appearances for City and is now Assistant Manager.

DAVE THEOBALD (39) : Cambridge born and bred , Dave is one of the finest centre halves ever to play for City . In six seasons he made 261 appearances and scored 39 goals. He cut his teath in management with Robbie Nightingale at Soham : Town Rangers and joined City with Nightingale in 2016 as Head Coach.

JAMIE HEAD (25) : Jamie is an experienced keeper at this level . He started his career with home town club , Dunstable Town before switching to AFC Dunstable . Hesigned for City in 2014/15 season covering for long term injured Zac Barrett for 14 games . From City he then went via Hemel Hempstead and Biggleswade Town back to Dunstable Town and then again AFC Dunstable from where City signed him again in November last season .

LEWIS LANDERS (18) : Lewis is a goalkeeper . He spent his early teens in Aston Villa’s academy before moving across town to Birmingham City’s academy .

BEN WALSTER (25) : Ben is a defender . He made over 150 appearances for Hitchin Town over four years He then moved on to Chesham United and then biggleswade Town

SEB SIMPSON (24) : Seb is a fullback who can put in a shift in midfield or at centreback . He joined City in November last season from Kempston Rovers . Seb’s only other club was Bedford Town .

MASON SPENCE (24} : Mason learned his trade in MK Dons Academy where he captained the youth team . He was awarded a contract there but later released after one first team appearance . He moved to Colchester Town’s Academy where he was also awarded a contract. He joined City for 2017/18 season but left for Kempston Rovers towards the end of the season . Last season he was at Barton Rovers .

LEWIS ROLFE (27) : Lewis played over 250 games for Hitchin Town over a five year period . He moved to Chesham United for last season where he made 32 appearances . Predominantly a centre back he can also play full back and centre midfield

GERMAINE DUA (25 ) : Germaine is an ex Crawley Town and Farnborough centre half

ADAM WATKINS (28) : Adam joined City from Barton Rovers just before Christmas last season . He is a classy , hard working midfielder with Luton Town pedigree . His clubs since Luton have been Chesham , Bedford Town and Dunstable Town .

JAMES PETERS (27) : James plays centre midfield. After a spell with St Neots Town he made 22 appearances last season in BedfordTown’s successful playoff position bid.

HARVEY BULLIN (18) : Harvey is product of City’s youth setup and moved on to our Development Team . He spent a large part of last season on loan to Newmarket Town He is an all action centre midfielder with an eye for a pass. He finished last season in our first team squad.

WILLIAM DUPRAY (20) : William Dupray is a centre midfielder. He is a French national inspite of being born in Oxford .He was a member of Scunthorpe United’s Academy and has since turned out for Welwyn Garden City and Haringhay Borough .

TOMMY RIGBY (17): Tommy is a member of City’s youth set up and played in our Development side last season . He plays in midfield .

LUCAS KIRKPATRICK (24) : Lucas is a centre midfielder . He transferred to Biggleswade Town last season from Bedford Town .

ANDY PALMER (29) : Andy is a hard working central midfielder . He has spent most of his career with home town club Linton Granta but has played at the higher level with Soham Town Rangers and Ely City .

MAX BOOTH (20) : Max is a former Clacton Town winger . He joined City last March and quickly consolidated himself in the squad with some quality preformances .

BRADLEY BELL (19) : Bradley is a product of MK Dons academy . He can play on either wing or down the middle . Last season he played for Royston Town and Biggleswade Town .

MATT FOY (20) : Matt is a product of Cambridge United’s Academy . He is a very talented central striker and spent a couple of months on loan to City two seasons ago . Since then he has had loan spells with a few East Anglian non league clubs including a 13 goal spell with Harlow Town .

TONY BURNETT (29) : Tony is a very experienced striker at this level and above . He scored over 40 goals in a three year spell at Dunstable Town and over 50 in 3 years at Biggleswade Town.

HARRY FARROW (18) : Harry is product of City’s youth setup and moved on to our Development Team . He is predominantly a striker but can play wide also. He finished last season in our first team squad.

MIKEY DAVIS (20) : Mikey was with City in his early teens before winning a scholarship with Grimsby Town . He wasn’t kept on after the scholarship and joined one of his local clubs Haverhill Borough and later switched to Haverhill Rovers . He joined City in November last season . He plays at leftback or left wing.

ISAAC MANYARD ( 22 ) : Isaac is a silky skilled hard working midfielder previously with Ipswich Town’s academy. He joined our development squad last season and soon became a regular in the first team squad .

MATTY SPARROW (24) : Matty is a product of Peterborough United’s academy. He has played for the last two seasons for Yaxley and impressed City manager enough for him to put in seven days notice for Matty. He can play wide on either side .

REECE WEEKES (18) : Reece is a winger who can play on either side of the pitch and has amazing pace . He has learned his footballing trade at AFC Wimbledon and Reading Academies .

An apologyEarlier this week the club issued the following statement in regard to a breach of FA rules last season:

Talk of the town.

Up for the CupVariously known in the past as the Ryman League Cup, Robert Dyas Cup and Alan Turvey Trophy- in tribute to the former league chairman- the Velocity Sports Trophy is the Isthmian League Cup. A new feature this season is the introduction of regionalized group stages for the first round which is how we come to face Cambridge City today and close rivals Ware on Tuesday. Harlow Town, Soham Town Rangers and Histon complete the group. As an added twist for this group stage, there will also no longer be any extra time in the event of a drawn match. Instead, each club will pick up one point and progress straight to a penalty shootout with the winners of this then earning a second point.

The trophy holders are Enfield Town, who bet Hornchurch in last season’s final. Prior to that Billericay won consecutively in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Enfield’s triumph last season was the third in their history, making them the second most successful team in the tournament’s history, behind only Sutton United with four wins. Four other clubs have won the trophy twice: Hendon Town, Tilbury (the inaugural winners in 1974-5), Kingstonian and Slough Town.

Hertford Town have never lifted the trophy and were knocked out last season by Bishops Stortford, losing 2-1 at home. A lengthy run in this year’s cup would be most welcome.

Non-league matters.

Match Report

Up for the CupVariously known in the past as the Ryman League Cup, Robert Dyas Cup and Alan Turvey Trophy- in tribute to the former league chairman- the Velocity Sports Trophy is the Isthmian League Cup. A new feature this season is the introduction of regionalized group stages for the first round which is how we come to face Cambridge City today and close rivals Ware on Tuesday. Harlow Town, Soham Town Rangers and Histon complete the group. As an added twist for this group stage, there will also no longer be any extra time in the event of a drawn match. Instead, each club will pick up one point and progress straight to a penalty shootout with the winners of this then earning a second point.

The trophy holders are Enfield Town, who bet Hornchurch in last season’s final. Prior to that Billericay won consecutively in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Enfield’s triumph last season was the third in their history, making them the second most successful team in the tournament’s history, behind only Sutton United with four wins. Four other clubs have won the trophy twice: Hendon Town, Tilbury (the inaugural winners in 1974-5), Kingstonian and Slough Town.

Hertford Town have never lifted the trophy and were knocked out last season by Bishops Stortford, losing 2-1 at home. A lengthy run in this year’s cup would be most welcome.

Photo Gallery

Can Yildiz, composed in defence in the win against Barking

With thanks to Ian Bush

Hertford pen pics.

Nick Hayes – Nick is on loan from Premier League side Norwich City. A very talented young keeper, Nick is an England youth international.

Ben Herd – Player/Manager Ben is an experienced right-back who started his career at Watford before amassing 400 football league appearances for Shrewsbury and Aldershot.

Andrei Rus – talented young right back, Andre made his Isthmian League debut at 16 for Potters Bar Town.

Max Jessop – Teenage central defender starting only his second season in senior football, played last season at Hatfield. Played his youth football at Potters Bar Town.

Hugo Atkinson – Formally of Mildenhall Town and Romford, Hugo is a classy central defender with good speed and technical ability.

Samuel Whiting – A tenacious left back with good experience, Sam had previously played with Ware and Aylesbury.

Isaac Pedro – Strong and technically gifted young midfielder, Isaac made his senior football debut last year at Broxbourne Borough.

Elias Moses – attacking midfielder who was once on the books of Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham, Elias is an experienced non-league campaigner. Played at Arlesey last season.

Dane Batt – formerly of Colney Heath, Dane is another teenager looking to make his mark in senior football. A gifted attacking midfielder.

Georges Ehui - Georges is an Ivorian-born defensive midfielder who played for Wycombe Wanderers in Football League Two. Previous clubs include Eastbourne, Margate and Hayes.

Marco Merlo – Hertfordshire native who played last season as a professional in the Czech League for FC Vysocina. Still in his teens, Marco is an all-action midfielder.

Niall Jones – another young player with senior experience, Niall made his senior debut last season aged 17 at Cranfield. Niall is a strong runner with huge potential.

Luke Gymer – another Hertfordshire teen who played his youth football at Biggleswade Town, Luke is a intelligent attacking midfielder with great invention.

Patrick Tshikala – Pacy winger with fast feet, Pat is an exciting winger capable of creating and scoring wonderful goals. Spent last season at Hitchin Town.

Prince William Domafriyie – Fast, powerful forward who can occupy a wing or centre-forward position, Prince recently returned to the UK having spent 4 years in the US College system.

Connor McBrien – another young player from Herts, Connor played with Luke Guymer at Biggleswade. Another crafty number 10, who can also play across the front three.

Elliot Bailey – proven goalscorer and a fans favourite, Elliot previously played for St Albans and Dunstable. He returns to the club after a short spell at Welwyn Garden City.

Sam Belshaw – local lad and Hertford Town fan, Sam is a graceful forward who made his senior debut at 17 for Hatfield last season.

Sukru Can Yildiz – Can is a strong, effective central defender who previously played for Enfield Borough and Potters Bar.

Luke Gymer (above) and Georges Ehui (below) bossing midfield in the 4-2 pre-season friendly win over Hullbridge Sports. With thanks to Ian Bush from the Mercury.

Ware, Velocity Trophy (Tuesday September 10th 19.45)Wadesmill RoadSG12 0UQ

CarJoin the A10 and head North towards Cambridge. Take the exit signed for Ware A1170 and then the first exit at a roundabout from the slip road. Wodson Park is on your left after around 300 metres.

Public Transport384 or 383 bus

Make a day of itThe football ground is adjacent to a large sports centre so you could book a fitness class, game of badminton or various other activities before or after the game.

Next on the road.

Nick HayesBen Herd

Andrei RusMax Jessop

Hugo AtkinsonSamuel Whiting

Sami BessadiIsaac PedroElias Moses

Dane BattGeorge EhuiMarco Merlo

Niall JonesLuke Gymer

Prince William DomafriyieConnor McBrien

Elliot BaileySam Belshaw

Sukru Can Yildiz

Lewis LandersBen WalsterMikey DavisAdam Watkins ©James PetersSeb SimpsonMatt SparrowWilliam DuprayArel AmuLucas KirkpatrickMax BoothIsaac MaynardJamie HeadBradley BellHarry FarrowReece Weekes

Referee: Stevens, MarkMichael Mackey - Referee

Paul-Valentin Mihalache - AssistantAaron Fricker – Assistant

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Cambridge City FC