SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 ......Friday, 19 March 2021 Page 3 of 14 SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 38 ALL OFFERS RUN FROM 1 MARCH TO 31 MAY 2021

Friday, 19 March 2021 Page 1 of 14

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 38

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of your Newsletter, if you have anything to contribute, please do get in touch by email- [email protected] You can keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - @Sydwessex You are more than welcome to use any material (excluding attributed photographs) but it would be appreciated if any material used is acknowledged. It is hoped you enjoy reading this each week. With readership quite widespread, not only within our own competition, but across the three counties and beyond- if ANY club has anything they’d like to have published in here, whether that be a request for helpers, promotion of forthcoming events, items required or available for sale please contact the Newsletter Editor. As a general reminder- Match Reports, player news and photos are always welcome- it is your Newsletter!

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ARE YOU LISTENING ?

The Sydenhams Wessex Football League Show is the official podcast of the Sydenhams Wessex League. We’re on air live from the 103.9 Voice FM studios in Southampton from 14:00 to 16:00 every Sunday and you can also listen live on www.voicefmradio.co.uk from anywhere in the world. You can listen again afterwards, normally just one hour after the show has finished via the same website and there is also a Voice FM App you can download to your Phone I-Pad or Computer device. Our aim is to promote all local football but specifically the 38 teams of the Sydenhams Wessex League. So far, we have had managers, chairmen, players, press officers and secretaries joining us as studio guests and phone guests; from many Sydenhams Wessex League clubs, as well as guests from local teams both higher up and lower down the pyramid. This is your show and is a platform for your club to promote its events and raise its profile. If your club produces post-match interviews please either email us a copy of the audio or give permission for us to play them on air straight from your website or social media sites, as we will aim to play them on the show. Please come and join us one Sunday, at the moment, no guests will be allowed in the Studio, but please

email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

Now broadcasting on

Sunday 14:00 to 16:00

http://www.voicefmradio.co.uk/





ALL OFFERS RUN FROM 1 MARCH TO 31 MAY 2021. AVAILABLE IN BRANCH OR TO ORDER. OFFERS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY



STAT ATTACK

LEADING GOALSCORERS – LEAGUE GAMES ONLY Details are based on clubs being up to date with records on Full Time at time of going to press.

PREMIER DIVISION Connor Duffin Horndean 11 Cameron Munn Hamworthy United 10 Dan Cann Hamworthy United 9 Lee Wort AFC Portchester 9 Ashley Elson Alresford Town 8 John McKie Cowes Sports 8

DIVISION ONE Russell Jones Laverstock & Ford 14 George Bowerman Alton 12 Clayd Roach Folland Sports 11 James Franklyn United Services Portsmouth 10 [four on] 9

WATCHING BRIEF – TOP THREE LEAGUE ATTENDANCES

PREMIER DIVISION AFC Portchester V Blackfield & Langley 300 31 October AFC Portchester V Hamworthy United 300 12 December AFC Portchester V Baffins Milton Rovers 286 15 December

DIVISION ONE Andover Town V Andover New Street 289 29 September East Cowes Victoria V Newport IOW 288 29 September Laverstock & Ford V Bemerton Heath Harlequins 287 13 October

SHARPEST AND MEANEST Leading goalscoring teams in the League and the meanest defences

PREMIER DIVISION SHARPEST MEANEST Hamworthy United 50 Lymington Town 4 AFC Stoneham 35 Christchurch 8 Fareham Town 33 Hamworthy United 9 Horndean 32 Fareham Town 12 Fleet Town 28 [three on] 15 Blackfield & Langley 27

DIVISION ONE SHARPEST MEANEST Laverstock & Ford 47 Romsey Town 13 Folland Sports 33 United Services Portsmouth 13 United Services Portsmouth 30 Alton 14 Alton 29 Folland Sports 17 Newport IOW 29 Verwood Town 17 [three on] 25 [two on] 18



LEAGUE TABLES

RANK PREMIER DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS

1 Hamworthy United 14 12 1 1 50 9 41 37

2 Lymington Town 12 11 0 1 23 4 19 33

3 Horndean 13 10 1 2 32 15 17 31

4 Fareham Town 11 8 2 1 33 12 21 26

5 Blackfield & Langley 13 8 1 4 27 20 7 25

6 Christchurch 11 7 2 2 23 8 15 23

7 Fleet Town 14 6 4 4 28 20 8 22

8 AFC Stoneham 12 7 0 5 35 15 20 21

9 AFC Portchester 12 6 1 5 20 15 5 19

10 Bashley 12 6 0 6 19 22 -3 18

11 Tadley Calleva 11 5 2 4 17 18 -1 17

12 Baffins Milton Rovers 13 3 4 6 21 25 -4 13

13 Bournemouth 14 3 3 8 15 39 -24 12

14 Hamble Club 13 2 5 6 16 23 -7 11

15 Brockenhurst 10 3 2 5 10 20 -10 11

16 Shaftesbury 12 3 1 8 19 34 -15 10

17 Cowes Sports 11 2 2 7 16 24 -8 8

18 Portland United 15 2 2 11 16 51 -35 8

19 Alresford Town 13 1 4 8 14 39 -25 7

20 Amesbury Town 12 0 1 11 5 26 -21 1

RANK DIVISION ONE PL W D L F A GD PTS

1 Laverstock & Ford 14 11 3 0 47 18 29 36

2 Alton 11 9 1 1 29 14 15 28

3 Folland Sports 12 7 2 3 33 17 16 23

4 United Services Portsmouth 10 7 0 3 30 13 17 21

5 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 11 6 3 2 25 18 7 21

6 Newport (IOW) 11 6 1 4 29 19 10 19

7 Andover Town 12 5 4 3 25 22 3 19

8 Ringwood Town 12 5 2 5 25 30 -5 17

9 Verwood Town 11 4 4 3 20 17 3 16

10 Hythe & Dibden 11 4 4 3 19 21 -2 16

11 Andover New Street 12 4 3 5 16 20 -4 15

12 Petersfield Town 10 4 2 4 15 19 -4 14

13 Downton 14 3 2 9 20 29 -9 11

14 Fawley AFC 11 3 1 7 15 27 -12 10

15 East Cowes Victoria 12 2 4 6 13 29 -16 10

16 Romsey Town 8 3 0 5 11 13 -2 9

17 Whitchurch United 11 3 0 8 18 32 -14 9

18 New Milton Town 11 2 2 7 19 27 -8 8

19 Totton & Eling 12 1 0 11 10 34 -24 3



WE’LL KEEP A WELCOME

PART ONE We had a look recently at the meetings between Clubs in the Wessex and Western Leagues and now, with a slight difference, we look at meetings with Clubs from the Principality of Wales. The slight difference is that we are looking at Clubs that have played, or are playing, in the Wessex League but some of the games mentioned took place when they were higher up the Pyramid. We have also only looked at matches in the FA Cup or FA Trophy – Welsh Clubs do not play in the Vase – and the small number of Welsh Clubs involved is largely because for some years now only Welsh Clubs that play in English Leagues are permitted entry to the Cup and Trophy. Finally, the “difference” between Merthyr Tydfil and Merthyr Town. Merthyr Tydfil FC folded in the 2010/11 Season and a new Club was immediately formed and joined the Western League, taking the name of Merthyr Town, a Club which had previously existed from 1909 to 1934. They have since gained promotion to the Southern League. In alphabetical order we start with AFC PORTCHESTER and a fixture as recent as 2016-17 when Merthyr Town were the visitors in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. They were to finish third in the Southern League at the end of the season and proved too strong for their hosts on the day, winning by two goals to nil. Three games for AFC TOTTON in 2012/13, with Merthyr having to cross the Severn Bridge on the day. The home side were one step above their visitors in the Southern League saw the Stags triumph by the odd goal in five in the Third Qualifying Round tie. Prior to that, and in their title winning Wessex season of 2007/08- two Second Qualifying Round FA Cup ties against Merthyr Tydfil both ended level with the Martyrs progressing 4-3 on penalties. On to ANDOVER and four matches to recall starting in 1988/89 and the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. The Lions had to make the long journey to Ton Pentre in the Rhondda Valley with their opponents mid table in the Welsh National League whilst they were in the Southern League South and West. Six goals were shared in Wales with Andover winning the replay at the Walled Meadow by three goals to two. Andover exited the Competition in more parochial surroundings in the next round with defeat at the hands of Salisbury. 2001/02 and, in the Wessex League at the time, they reached the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and were drawn at home to Southern League Premier side Newport County who emphasised the gulf in status with a four nil victory. 2008/09 and not a very successful season for Andover in the Southern League South (18th place at the season’s end) but, at the time, a financially rewarding run in the FA Trophy. The Second qualifying Round saw Southern League Premier Merthyr Tydfil beaten three two at the Portway but Conference South side Newport County were too strong winning 3-0 and were superb visitors both on and off the pitch on the day. Three games for BASHLEY supporters to recall, all in the 1990’s. In 1991, Bashley’s first season in the Southern League Premier, they travelled to Barry Town, one Division below them, and won two nil at the soulless Jenner Park – soulless because of the eight lane running track round the playing area meaning all spectators are a long way from the action. Bashley lost to Weymouth in the next round but had far better luck in 1994/95 when they battled their way in to the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup and had the pleasure of welcoming Swansea City to the Forest. The “Bash” had dropped a Division by then and Swansea were in the Football League Division Two – where they finished six places higher than Brighton – and a single goal victory for the Swans reflected great credit on the home side. 1999/2000 and the Second Round of the FA Trophy. The FA’s geography had come into play with Bashley now in the Southern League Eastern Section involving trips to the Midlands, Essex, Kent and Lincolnshire, so a home draw was very welcome but Southern League Newport County proved too strong winning 2-1. In 1995/96 and a seeming absence of regionalisation we saw BROCKENHURST drawn away to Newport AFC in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Newport AFC had been formed after the demise of Newport County in 1989 and subsequently adopted the County name again. They had reached the Southern League Premier Division and because the local Council would not let them play at Somerton Park, they were Ground



Sharing with Gloucester City and won 5-0 at their adopted home. A couple of seasons later saw the Badgers go down 7-1 at the same stage of the FA Cup on their travels, against Merthyr Tydfil. 2002/03 and CHRISTCHURCH found themselves travelling to the Valleys at a very early stage of the FA Cup – the Preliminary Round - to meet Merthyr Tydfil. The Welsh side finished the season as Champions of the Southern League West and scored three goals without reply against their Wessex League visitors. Merthyr Tydfil also provided the opposition for FAREHAM TOWN’s only encounter with Wales as far back as 1979/80. It was the Creeksiders first season in the Southern League South whilst Merthyr were on an equal footing in the Southern League Midland Division This suggested in advance a close game and so it transpired with the visitors winning by the odd goal in five at Cams Alders. FLEET TOWN can muster two meetings, both in their Southern League days. In their initial season in the South Division they travelled to Newport AFC, one Division above them, and lost two one. A little nearer the present, when in 2012/13 they were in the Central Division and in the opening Round of the FA Trophy travelled to South West Division Merthyr Town and gained a creditable one all draw. Having done the hard, part so to speak, things did not go as per the script in the replay at Calthorpe Park with Merthyr scoring four times without reply. Surprisingly perhaps, only one game for GOSPORT BOROUGH and that in the First Qualifying Round of the Trophy in 1986/87 against opposition we have not come across to date. The Borough were in the Southern Premier Division and had to make the 350 miles round trip to Maesteg, near Swansea, to meet Maesteg Park Athletic who were to finish fourth in the Welsh National League and triumphed on the day by the odd goal in three. The last in this Part One of Two we look at HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE a Fourth Round FA Trophy visit to the north Welsh coast- Colwyn Bay, in 2002/03 ended with a 2-0 win for the visitors. Moving on and as recently as 2017/18. Havant were in the Conference South and their visitors in the FA Cup Merthyr Tydfil, were one level below them and the game went to form with a two one win for Havant at Westleigh Park. To finish, they also took Swansea City to a replay, winning that 4-2 at home to set up the small matter of a trip to Anfield in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, hard to believe that was as long ago as 2007/08. More to follow next week.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The club currently compete in the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League and were founded in August 1994 through the amalgamation of local sides Caledonian and Inverness Thistle, who had both been amongst the founding members of the Highland League. The objective being to take up one of the two available places at the time in the Scottish League. The merger didn’t get universal approval across the city. The idea to rename as Inverness City some twenty years ago fell on stony ground with over 72% rejecting the proposal. To show how far the club had come, their 2014/15 league and cup success saw them earn a place in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League, only to lose out on a game against West Ham United by failing to beat Romanian side Astra Giurgiu. They wear a red and blue striped shirt as first choice home kit.

R Royal Marines. Based in Lympstone, near Exmouth the committee and players were all serving or retired Royal Marines. An all-white kit was worn for home fixtures. A short lived existence saw them win promotion at the second time of asking from the South West Peninsula League Division One East in 2009/10. At the end of the 2011/12 season, the club withdrew from the South West Peninsula League Premier Division after a bottom placed finish- amassing just six points from the 38 games played. Increased operational commitments were certainly a factor in their demise.



BLAST FROM THE PAST

MATCH REPORT - WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION 1 TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2009 DOWNTON 1 WHITCHURCH UNITED 4 The Robins had their wings clipped again tonight by a powerful visiting side; and they remain without a solitary point from their home games this season and found their north Hampshire visitors a very difficult team to break down. Whitchurch took the game to their hosts almost from the start and Chudy had a decent free kick parried well by Hopkins at the Salisbury end whilst George at the other end made a good header to deny Hopkins’ long clearance that created an opening for Thick. The striker was again denied in the sixth minute when Pearce played a good ball through for Thick but the visiting defence closed him down before the shot could come in. Hopkins in the Downton goal was the busier of the keepers, and on 11 minutes he was forced to claim a good teasing cross from Davies and then moments later a half volley was punched to safety. The opening goal soon came though. On 19 minutes DAVIES was able to control the ball well and on the turn was able to crash his shot past Hopkins who could only get a hand to it but not enough of one to stop the ball finding the back of the net. Three minutes later CHUDY added a second following a direct approach from a long clearance from Kabamba. The visitors were certainly in control of the game now, and on 25 minutes came close again with Davies doing all the hard work but then having a poor finish. This was remedied on the half hour however when DAVIES grabbed his second again making a turn to wrong foot his marker and his shot was again just hard enough to cross the line despite Hopkins’ best efforts. Davies nearly got a hat trick just four minutes later when picked out by Pemberton and although in plenty of space the Robins defence quickly closed down the chance. And on 36 minutes Martin’s 60 yard pass to Pemberton right in front of goal saw Hopkins quickly react and closed down the angle straight away. Downton grabbed their goal in unusual circumstances with five first half minutes remaining. PRATT’s fierce shot was only tipped upwards by Kabamba and it looped over his head and he scrambled the ball away but not before it had crossed the line. HT 1-3 Into the second half, Whitchurch continued to press for further goals with Davies and Chudy both creating opportunities, but the first real chance of the half came to Downton on 52 minutes when Camelleri was able to control the ball well but his shot was off target. Barely three minutes later Cross was on hand to clear one off the line as Whitchurch again started to press for a goal, and George stayed up front from a corner and the second ball was played in by Davies but the big defender was clearly offside as he headed for goal. However Downton were soon three behind again. Caswell’s long ball up the flank released Chudy. Unselfishly he crossed the ball into the middle of the penalty area and it was swept home by DAVIES to complete his hat trick. With George at the back wrapping up everything that the hosts could throw at him it seemed unlikely that Downton would get another chance to get a goal back. However when Bridges upended Pratt the free kick was fractionally wide of the mark. In the dying seconds there was confusion in the home defence as the ball pinged about in the penalty area, and although Davies was quickest to react Hopkins recovered well to prevent any further goals albeit at the expense of a corner. FT 1-4



THE NUMBERS GAME

8 Our leading goal scoring team in the 2020/21 FA Cup season- Bashley.

41 The number of FA Cup goals scored by our Premier Division sides in the 2020/21 season.

36143 Prize Fund allocation in sterling awarded to our member clubs in the FA Cup for season 2020/21.

GOING UP ? The FA are seemingly continuing, and perhaps completing, their reorganisation of Leagues within the Pyramid though the lack of perhaps valid League Tables in another truncated season surely must be a handicap to their workings. On a parochial note the list of Clubs across the Country that have applied for promotion from Step Seven to Step Six include four in the Hampshire Premier League, who would join the Wessex League if promoted and we look at all four now in alphabetical order, with current league position in brackets. BUSH HILL [1st] Have long been based at Mansel Park in Southampton until agreeing to play home matches at Solent University’s Test Park last season. The Club moved from the Southampton Saturday League to become founder members of the Hampshire Premier League Division One in 2013-14 and topped the table in that inaugural season with forty eight points from a possible fifty four. This meant instant promotion to the Premier Division and in their five completed seasons at that level prior to the Pandemic they were Champions in 2017 and 2019 – scoring 126 goals in the latter – Runners up in 2018 and fifth in the other two seasons -an impressive record. They are managed by Eugene MacManus, brother of Brockenhurst’s Pat, so any future meeting between those two Clubs will have added spice. With their record and the use of the University facilities they have the necessary credentials for promotion, a recent merger with Oakwood Youth will see a relaunch of the club under the name of Millbrook FC going forwards. FLEETLANDS [5th] Technically in Gosport but the ground is just off the Fareham to Gosport road. The Club was founded in 1947 and joined the Hants League Division Three (East) almost immediately. They finished bottom of the table in a League that included Reading A, Aldershot A and Winchester Reserves as well as two Clubs of which the writer has never heard in Docks and Marine Sports and Airspeed (Portsmouth). Fleetlands remained in the Hampshire League until 1963 when they opted for Portsmouth Saturday football. They returned to the Hampshire League in 1988, twice finishing third in Division Three before joining the new Wessex League Division Three in 2003/04. Under re-organisation this became Division Two and Fleetlands took the title in 2006/07 finishing three points ahead of Tadley Calleva. The following season they became founder members of the Hampshire Premier League where they have remained until this day with a best finish of second place behind Bush Hill in 2017. They have carried out considerable improvements to their ground over the last two years which has enabled them to seek Wessex League football again.



INFINITY [3rd] Their home until relatively recently has been at Knowle, near Fareham. but they have enjoyed a rather nomadic existence as regards grounds over the years, and recently this has hindered or halted their efforts to attain Wessex League football. The Clubs covers football at a number of age levels and joined the Hampshire 2004 League from Winchester Junior Football in 2009-10 and the following season finished as runners up to Durley. Their upward progression continued in 2013-14 when they joined the Hampshire Premier League Division One and after finishing third in their inaugural season, they topped the Division twelve months later, gaining promotion to the Premier Division. In the four seasons prior to the Pandemic they finished second and third in the final two campaigns, topping the one hundred goal mark each time and have proved themselves to be a force at that level. Last season they arranged a Groundshare Agreement with Hythe and Dibden, an agreement which is still valid, whilst still urgently seeking a ground of their own with a proposed new Complex at Wickham very much in their thoughts. STOCKBRIDGE [8th] The Club dates back to 1894 and for many years they played in local football in the Andover and Winchester Leagues. They moved to their current ground in 1978 and joined the North Hants Senior League in 1984, winning the Title in 1987/88. Three years later they became members of the newly formed Hampshire league Division Three and progressed through to the First Division. In 2004/05 they joined the Wessex League Division Two finishing eighth in their inaugural season behind Champions Lymington. They left the Wessex League in mid-season in 2013/14, the departure caused by a number of reasons – the bad weather leading to a long gap in fixtures causing a loss of players the primary one – and they joined the Hampshire Premier League the following season since when in five completed campaigns their best placing has been seventh. In 2018/19 they entered the FA Vase for the first time and the ground now includes a smart new dressing room complex and they would very much like to return to Wessex League football. Here is the Hampshire Premier League table as at time of writing, with the season curtailed.

RANK SENIOR DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS PPG

1 Bush Hill 14 11 1 2 62 16 46 34 2.4286

2 Locks Heath 16 10 3 3 42 16 26 33 2.0625

3 Infinity 13 8 5 0 41 17 24 29 2.2308

4 Paulsgrove 10 9 1 0 49 14 35 28 2.8000

5 Fleetlands 12 8 3 1 43 13 30 27 2.2500

6 Hayling United 14 7 2 5 47 29 18 23 1.6429

7 Overton United 15 7 1 7 31 37 -6 22 1.4667

8 Stockbridge 13 6 2 5 20 26 -6 20 1.5385

9 Clanfield 13 4 1 8 31 29 2 13 1.0000

10 Colden Common 11 3 3 5 32 26 6 12 1.0909

11 Liphook United 9 4 0 5 22 26 -4 12 1.3333

12 Liss Athletic 12 4 0 8 30 47 -17 12 1.0000

13 Winchester Castle 11 2 2 7 11 28 -17 8 0.7273

14 Chamberlayne Athletic 11 0 5 6 13 42 -29 5 0.4545

15 Sway 11 1 1 9 14 68 -54 4 0.3636

16 Lyndhurst 13 0 0 13 12 66 -54 0 0.0000

We wish all four Clubs good luck in their endeavours.



RUSSELL-COTES CUP MISSING RESULTS 1988/89 First Round Petersfield United H-W Alton Town [Result not known- late September 1988] Second Round Romsey Town v Sholing Sports, or it may have been Sholing Sports v Romsey Town [Result not known- early February 1989, and in any event, Romsey must have won] 1990/91 First Round Downton A-W Fleet Town [Result not known- late January 1991] 1991/92 Preliminary Round Petersfield United 1-0 aet ? [Opposition not known- 22 October 1991] 1992/93 First Round Bemerton Heath Harlequins H-W Aerostructures S&S [Result not known- 17 November 1992] Horndean ?-? Malshanger [Result not known, but looks to have been a draw as Horndean won a replayed game, on 4 February 1993] 1993/94 Second Round Netley Central Sports H-W Awbridge [Result not known- 10 November 1993] 1994/95 First Round Alresford Town A-W Fleetlands [Result not known- late September 1994] Cove H-W Winchester Castle [Result not known- late September 1994] 1996/97 First Round Bass Alton A-W Blackfield & Langley [Result not known- mid September 1996] 2001/02 First Round Alton Town H-W Pirelli General [Result not known- mid/late September 2001] Any help would be greatly appreciated, please get in touch with the Editor at the usual address. Thanks in advance.

LEAGUE NEWS Whilst confirmation is awaited, it would appear that clubs can enter the 2021/22 FA competitions from this weekend. Applications may only be made on-line, and entry remains open until Friday 16 April, so clubs are encouraged to do so as soon as they can. It would appear that the Extra Preliminary Round has been pencilled in for Saturday 7th August, with the Preliminary Round scheduled for Saturday 21st August. One question for which the answer is not known, is how the FA will decide on those Step 6 clubs who would be eligible for entry this coming season, as there are no finished tables from which to make that assessment, let’s see what develops.

I am missing several Russell-Cotes Cup results from 1986/87 to date, dates or approximate dates of those missing games are shown, can anyone help fill in the blanks please?



SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IN FOOTBALL

From Mark Bullingham, Chief Executive, The FA. I want to personally thank you and your committee for your hard work and resilience, in what has – and continues to be – an exceptionally challenging season with all the impact Covid-19 has had on our great game. We know from speaking with many people within leagues and clubs just how challenging this has been and how much effort has been put in by so many people across the game. The impact of Covid-19 has been widespread for us all. Some players may find they are not as physically fit as they were before lockdown. Others may have struggled mentally and emotionally by being away from the game. Sadly, there will be some who’ve seen family members become unwell, or who have experienced a bereavement, or witnessed or suffered abuse in the home. With all the above in mind, please would clubs report any concerns that may come to light about a child’s welfare, (including 16/17-year-olds in the open-age game) to the appropriate County FA, The FA or statutory authorities. On a wider level, you may have seen media coverage about the publication of Clive Sheldon QC’s independent review into non-recent child sexual abuse in football. The FA commissioned this review in December 2016, shortly after many former footballers from professional and grassroots football bravely spoke out about the appalling abuse they had suffered as children in football. We wanted to let you know directly about the Review, you can find The FA’s statement about it here- https://www.thefa.com/news/2021/mar/17/the-fa-responds-to-sheldon-report-20210317 I have issued a heartfelt apology to survivors that such appalling abuse took place in football and there is a framework of support in place to assist those survivors who want to access it. Further information can be accessed on the FA website. Please be assured that we remain committed to building on the strong safeguarding foundations we have established across the game over the past two decades. To fulfil this commitment, we need your continued help and support. Together, we must strive to create football environments in which children feel ever safer, more included and most importantly, have fun. This means everyone being vigilant and confident to tackle unacceptable or abusive behaviours. Together, let’s continue our efforts to create child-friendly football environments and ensure the welfare of

children and young people – whether they are players, coaches, referees or volunteers – is at the centre of

our decision making.

For those of you working with youth teams some resources that you may find helpful to refer members to are:

• The free FA online Safeguarding For All training for volunteers and helpers.

• The new Safeguarding Children e-learning course available in April 2021 for coaches/managers.

• Further safeguarding information is available on TheFA.com website. Contact details for your County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, which can be found on the appropriate County FA website.

We have three requests in relation to parents/carers connected to youth teams:

1. Please ensure they have the current contact details for your Club Welfare Officer and are clear about

how to report concerns or seek help.

2. Make your Safeguarding Policy readily available.

3. Please again share the parent/carer film ‘Let’s talk about keeping children safe in football’, this will

help parents/carers understand their responsibilities, be aware of the safeguards clubs have in place

and what collective responsibility really means.

https://www.thefa.com/news/2021/mar/17/the-fa-responds-to-sheldon-report-20210317



For those of you working with open-age teams that have 16/17-year-old players please ensure you have:

1. Adopted and adhere to Affiliated Football’s Safeguarding Children Policy

2. Identified which teams have 16/17-year-old players.

3. Identified the coaches/managers (including assistant coaches/managers) and medics for these teams

and list them on The FA’s Whole Game System

4. Supported coaches/managers (including assistant coaches/managers) and medics working with

16/17-year-olds to complete an FA DBS Check

5. Provided 16/17-year-old players with safeguarding information which can be found

6. Encouraged club officials to complete the free FA online Safeguarding For All training

CLUB NEWS

Folland Sports require an enthusiastic new Club Secretary to handle administrative matters for their Wessex League One, Hampshire Combination and CSYL teams. This provides an exciting opportunity to take a route into local football administration with a very long-established and respected club. The outgoing secretary will provide all necessary instruction and support to the successful candidate. Would those interested please contact Jason Simmonds (Vice Chairman) on 07920 513552 or [email protected] On the Isle of Wight East Cowes Vics have announced that it is their intention to have an Island League side next season, subject to approval by the Island League committee. Having an Island side will give the Beatrice Avenue side a footprint within the local competition and we wish them well with their application. Moneyfields have announced the appointment of a new Manager, Glenn Turnbull makes the short journey across the city from United Services Portsmouth to take up the role vacated by Dave Carter (now at AFC Portchester as reported previously). This will be finalised once the current campaign ends for the Burnaby Road outfit, who still have involvement in our own League Cup and the Buildbase FA Vase. In the Portsmouth Senior Cup 2019/20 competition, the semi-final between Moneyfields and Fareham Town has been scheduled for a 15:00 kick off on Saturday 24 April, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, all this is depending on progress in the Buildbase FA Vase by the Creeksiders. Baffins Milton Rovers await the winner in a Final intended to be played at Fratton Park. We have heard of further news from the Cams, the club website has announced that Casey Bartlett-Scott has agreed terms to join Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (subject to international clearance) who play in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. Shortly on the heels of Jack Breed signing professional terms with Europa FC in the Gibraltar National League, another Creeksider is moving into the professional ranks. “Whilst everyone at the club is disappointed to lose Casey, it’s a natural progression for the player and is great testament to the hard work Pete Stiles and his coaching staff have done that two members of the playing squad have moved into the realms of professional football in quick succession”. Congratulations indeed to both club and players involved, and good luck to them both A vacancy has arisen at Downton the Treasurers position has become available. We are looking for anyone who would be interested to get involved with our great club. Experience would be great but not essential. For more info contact our chairman at [email protected]

THE LAST WORD

In last week’s edition we made mention of the distance travelled by Percy Main to play an FA Amateur Cup tie with Bournemouth Gasworks, well this week we have seen on Social Media that the Tyneside club will disband at the end of this season. The Northern Alliance club indicate that this is because of several factors, including lack of volunteers, funds and the Pandemic. Sadly it is likely that there will be more similar stories in the coming weeks, let us hope it doesn’t happen to any of our member clubs.





We had an email from the FA late in the week, providing an update on the return of Grassroots football from 29th March 2021, and up to and including 11th April 2021. Whilst this does not apply to our member clubs it is strongly recommended that clubs make themselves aware of the changes that are coming at the end of the month. As part of the next stage of the Government’s roadmap out of national lockdown, outdoor sports facilities can open, and organised outdoor sport can take place. This means that from Monday 29th March, organised outdoor football, following all FA and government protocols, can take place. Organised outdoor disability football can currently take place, including under national lockdown. The aim of this note is to share with you all what the FA currently know about what the return to football at the end of March will look like to help your planning. This is based on their conversations with the Government to date and information published on the Gov.uk website. Please note that their full guidance will be published as soon as it has received the DCMS guidance. Current expectation is that this will be early in the week commencing Monday 22nd March. Please note that we will need to regularly update our FA guidance as we move through the different steps of the Government’s roadmap. This note applies to all youth and adult grassroots football and futsal, including all formats of the game. Information for clubs with teams who compete in the men’s National League System (our level) and the Women’s Football Pyramid (Tiers 3 to 6) will be communicated separately. All government guidance on hygiene and social-distancing measures must be followed. Tiers The tiered system has now been removed and the Government’s approach moving forward, will be a national approach. Travel The Government guidance on travel is that the ‘stay at home’ rule will end on Monday 29 March, but many restrictions will remain in place. As organised sport can resume, all participants may travel to games but should avoid travel at the busiest times and routes, as well as minimising any unnecessary journeys where possible. All participants must follow the Government’s guidance on safer travel, which the FA expect will be updated shortly. Changing rooms Changing rooms cannot be used as part of step one in the roadmap out of lockdown and must remain shut. Changing facilities can only be used in emergency situations, or by disabled people who are taking part in organised sport and physical activity. The FA are working with the Government on what this will look like through each step of restrictions being lifted. They will update the guidance as soon as they have any further information. Toilets will be allowed to open, 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after training and/or matches. Spectators No spectators are allowed at grassroots football as part of step one of the Government’s roadmap, unless for safeguarding purposes which should be limited to one parent or carer per child. Indoor football Indoor sport is not currently allowed. This is planned to return no earlier than Monday 17th May, as part of step three of the Government’s roadmap. Currently, no indoor football or futsal can be played apart from disability football, which can take place indoors from the 29thMarch. Safeguarding and First Aid Before re-starting play, it is imperative that all clubs must carry out a risk assessment and record the procedures and checks put in place. It is essential that everyone is clear about the restrictions and works together to manage social distancing, strict hand hygiene and all other protocols in our detailed guidance. Clubs should also update their medical emergency action plan around player care and strictly follow the first- aid guidance document which will be updated and published on TheFA.com, alongside the new guidance.

In finishing the FA would like to thank you for your hard work and resilience during this challenging period and look forward to continuing to work with us to bring the game back safely. These thoughts are echoed by all Board members.

Documents

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 ......Friday, 19 March 2021 Page 3 of 14 SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 38 ALL OFFERS RUN FROM 1 MARCH TO 31 MAY 2021