One of the most popular “days” on the tour so far was Day Eleven. It was Christian Obray’s article about “The Rise Of Non-League Football.” I thought it was so good and so timely that I asked him if I could reproduce it and he kindly agreed. We have kept in touch and I am delighted to confirm that his blog Through the Turnstile is now live. He kindly (again!) allowed me to reproduce part of it. It’s a great read about Chatham Town a club living in the shadows of a “big” club (Gillingham – well they WERE in the Championship!) and how they are not only surviving but growing.

He says, ”

THROUGH THE TURNSTILE @ CHATHAM TOWN

Welcome to Through the Turnstile, this series of features are intended to shine the light on some of non-league’s leading stars. The series is not intended to be about me, I am merely the impartial host who will be putting them all together for you to hopefully enjoy!

During each feature we will look back at the history of the club and the journey they have taken to be where they are today. The infrastructure at the club including the stadium, the staff, key players and the fan base. Of course, one of the main interest points is the matchday! So on every club we will look at what this looks like and how much £ it would set you back, from your ticket, a programme and a pint.

Finishing off with the clubs plans for the future. So without further ado let’s kick off the series with my very own hometown club: Chatham Town.

A brief history of the Club

Chatham Town Football Club, based in Kent, England, currently competes in the Isthmian Premier Division and is known as “The Chats.” Established in 1882 as Chatham United, the club has a rich history, including hosting the debut matches for both Portsmouth and West Ham United. Initially playing at “The Lines,” they moved to Maidstone Road Ground in 1889, prompted by a successful FA Cup quarter-final run. This move influenced the Football Association’s decision to mandate fully enclosed grounds for future FA Cup matches.

Throughout its history, Chatham experienced financial challenges, voluntary relegations, and league changes. After World War I, they won the Kent Victory Cup and re-joined the Southern League. Financial strains led to withdrawals, voluntary relegations, and a return to amateur status in the 1930s. Post-World War II, the club merged with Shorts F.C., adopting the name Chatham Town. Shifting between leagues, they joined the Southern League in 1983, but financial……

Now to read the rest CLICK HERE You are going to love the burger table! (Shout out for Woodley United!)”

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks

Share

FUNDRAISING

As regular readers will have noted, we have had several blogs this week about sponsorship.
One thing comes through LOUD and CLEAR ….. every grassroots and junior club needs MORE money. It might be for the very first kit, maybe a replacement kit. It could be for cones and bibs or it could be for something more substantial like a tournament abroad. Paul Stephens at PhotoDay contacted me and showed me a way how EVERY club can fundraise in a fun and quick manner. He kindly sent details today.

Working with football clubs nationwide

We at PhotoDay work with football clubs across the UK to create unique and memorable images of individual players & their teams. 

We shoot studio quality images of every individual from which we digitally assemble team images, including a bespoke team image for each & every player where they uniquely feature front & centre of the team….your STAR player image.  

We then place all team & individual images onto a variety of backgrounds which are personalised to your club using your club colours & badge.

Once the photoshoot is complete it will take us a few days to process the images & get them uploaded to a secure gallery for each subject.  Once ready, we’ll notify parents of their unique link/access code so they can view & order their exclusive set of images including their unique STAR player team shot. There is absolutely no obligation to buy.  If parents do want to purchase a photo of their child we have individual items to suit all budgetsand also great value packages. We can also create bespoke sibling/buddy or parent & child images on request.

Why Choose Us

For Your Club Football Photos

Firstly and most importantly, we’re FREE. In fact it can be a great FUNDRAISER!

We understand the budgets of football clubs aren’t huge. Clubs often rely on sponsorships and parent support to get by. So there’s no charge to come along and take the photographs.

No hidden costs at all, when we say we’re free we mean it…

Secondly, we use bespoke technology you won’t find with any other photography company. We are the nationwide industry leader. We have unique software which allows us to create a unique team image for every team member where they feature front & centre as the STAR of the team. Finally, we give FREE team photos & sponsor team shots to further support your club & raise its profile in your community.

Contact us today to find out about the FUNDRAISING opportunities that come with our photoshoots!

ABOUT

PhotoDay formed in 2017 by a group of photographers who have worked for a collective 30+ years in an around youth sports clubs and schools

We offer  high quality, original Team & Individual photography to schools, clubs & their parents while also creating a no-risk fundraising opportunity

Action photography is a speciality at school & club events, with onsite printing to delight your guests 

NB. As you would expect all our staff are DBS checked to enhanced level & we operate a child protection policy

Please contact Paul for more details and for an estimate of how much you could raise for club funds.

Share

I have been speaking to Clare McEwen on FB over the past week or so. A very interesting lady who has written a book about the Lionesses and you can have a free copy.

I will let her tell her own story.

“A Girl In Love With the Beautiful Game

Hi, I’m Clare and I fell in love with football when I was about 9-years-old. I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the exact moment the beautiful game touched my heart because that was nearly 40 years ago. But I do remember the moment I got my very own proper football. And the moment I put on my first pair of football boots (Golas for those who remember them). I was already in love with the game by then but these prizes sealed the deal.

Me with my first boots and ball. Around 1985. That haircut though.

There were no opportunities (that I’m aware of) for girls football in deepest, darkest Cornwall in the early 1980s. Heck, there isn’t even a professional men’s team in Cornwall now. But there was football to be had for a determined “tomboy”. At every opportunity, I’d be playing in the local park or the school playground with my mates, but I was always miffed that they’d get to go off for weekend matches and I was left with a hole in my football calendar.

I did the natural thing and recruited some of my girl friends to create our own team – Girls United. It was destined to fail: I knew nothing about football teams, there were only five of us (at best) and I had slight megalomaniac tendencies. I was the central midfielder, captain, manager, and general know-it-all – I imagine everyone got fed up with me quite quickly! Nonetheless for a few beautiful weeks we met on a Saturday afternoon to plan our rise to world domination.

The rest of the week I played headers and volleys in the park or Wembley at school. I will be forever grateful to my male mates for allowing me to join in. As weird as that may sound now, without their support, I wouldn’t have got to play at all. Good job I was deemed “good enough” to join in!

The 10-year-old me –  who pretended to be Bryan Robson or Marco van Basten – has sprung to mind a lot in recent years. I was at Wembley with my husband and son in November 2019 when England’s women played Germany in front of a then record crowd. I spent much of the game trying not to let tears of joy spring forth from my eyes. It was such an emotional moment to see the Lionesses welcomed out in front of a packed stadium. A moment 10-year-old me could literally only dream of. Those dreams of scoring at Wembley when I was kicking around in the park, trees for goalposts, were a reality for these women. Mind-blowing.

Similar feelings resurfaced when England’s Lionesses lifted the 2022 Euros trophy. Pride, joy, almost disbelief at what I was seeing. The enormous journey from when I was a girl in the 1980s to where the women’s game is now. It’s hard to explain the feelings. And they fizz up inside me every time I watch a women’s football match.  If I’m honest, there’s a little jealousy mixed in there too – a bit of disappointment for all the 10-year-old girls who missed out. 

Women’s football is so much more visible now, but it has always been there. I wish I’d known that when, at 10, I thought I was the only one.

Now I’m writing a book on the history of women’s football so everyone knows how it has grown both in England and throughout the world. The stories, the struggles, the amazing women and men who fought against the governing bodies, defying bans, battling disrespect, and suffering abuse. 

The stories are often remarkable and, for me, poignant. More than one lone woman started a team by writing to the local paper looking for players – I wish I’d thought of doing that. I wish I’d been brave enough. 

I’m about halfway through writing the first draft of my book and am constantly inspired by the stories and struggles. Women’s football is not an overnight success, it’s been grafting away for almost as long as men’s football. It was banned for 50 years and scuppered at every turn for decades after that. My book will map out its rise to visibility and bring some of the individual stories to life.

If you’d like to follow my author journey and learn about some of the trailblazers of women’s football, I have a fortnightly newsletter. As a thank you for subscribing you’ll be able to download my mini book, “A Brief History of England’s Lionesses” for free. Sign up here: https://subscribepage.io/uZWNmQ

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks

Share

Non-League Day

Yes, it’s that time of year again. It’s just a few weeks to Non-League Day.

Non-League Day is a day set aside in English football where supporters of clubs playing at the highest levels of the game are encouraged to experience football at non-league level with which they may be unfamiliar.

The idea was suggested in 2010 by James Doe. It is a non-profit and volunteer-run initiative and is set to coincide with a break in fixtures in the football calendar when Premier League and Championship sides do not have games. This is so that international fixtures can be played and top level players will be on international duty. It has received widespread backing from the Premier League and from Football League clubs as well as MPs, media organisations, charities and from non-league clubs themselves. The Football Association also gives its backing to the campaign. Clubs often look to this day for a boost in attendance figures and offer reduced admittance prices to fans of other clubs for games played on Non-League Day. Clubs can also offer incentives for fans to attend. In August 2014 Bungay Town handed-out mushrooms to supporters attending their match with Martham in the Anglian Combination League Division Two doubling their normal match-day attendance to 100.

…and there’s more! Ian Bailey is famous for the NLD badges. He explains,

“Ahead of the 18/19 Season NLD I suggested to James Doe that we sell pin badges to promote the event and any money raised go Prostate Cancer UK who already were engaged alongside NLD.

These are purchased funded by my company IBCDM and then once badges are sold money repaid then all profit is sent to PCUK. Following 2023 NLD a sum of £534 was sent on from badge sales alone.

We only purchase a limited number supplied by Gorilla Badges and once sold no more are produced. To date every year has been sold out thanks to badge collectors and groundhoppers.”

This seasons are on sale from Ian Bailey contact via “X”  (Twitter) @ibcfc61

There will be much more on non-league day in the weeks ahead. The important thing at this moment is to get it marked off in your diary! Where do you want to go? Well, if it’s in London, I would be failing not to recommend FC Deportivo Galicia* near Heathrow. All London games will be featured on the excellent The London Football Guide website

*Incidentally we have a re-scheduled game TONIGHT

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks

Share

Sponsorship

My post about sponsorship last week definitely got people talking.

In a Facebook group for Grassroots Football a conversation developed and I was interested to see how sponsorship works at different levels of the football pyramid. “Let’s start at the very beginning…. a very good place to start as Mary Poppins would say. “Let’s hear it for the sponsors” as Deniece Williams perhaps did not sing!

Paul Glenwright wrote, “We are Hebburn Town Valencia u12s. Our sponsors are SR Shopfitters, Nearby Taxis and Britannia Autos. We are fortunate that one of our parents owns his own business and sponsored our home kit, one of my former employees sponsors our training kit and a local taxi firm kindly bought all the lads coats, so maybe its more about who you know.”

A very valid final point!

Christopher Ferrey said “Scholes Park Raiders under 9’s have been very lucky.

Kit sponsor – Sunset Wines
Training kit sponsor – GasElect and Scalby Mills Autocentre
Training jackets – Auto Diesel

And just last week we had a new tracksuit supplied by GT Garages Ltd. All local businesses in Scarborough who have helped make the team look and feel like a professional outfit. We try and promote their company once a week as a thank you for their support.”

That final point is so important – JF Kennedy comes to mind!

Onkar Sandhu continues, “So far I’ve been fortunate to have access to a charity fund, Making A Difference Locally, via my business Sandhu Stores . On top of this we have been able to apply for grants and currently provide:
Under 7s with a kit and jackets
Under 8s with a kit and jackets x 2
Under 10s with a kit and jackets
Ladies first team with a kit
Some coaches jackets also.
In return the club (Tamworth, Coton Green FC) give us a shout out etc.
My children benefit from taking the pressure off the coaches.”

This sounds like a GREAT win-win!

Ross Whiteside of Shortlees Youth F.C. says that “We have been sponsored a full set of bespoke kits designed by our very own 7 year old kids. Our sponsor is a local company ECOCEL energy who we are extremely grateful to. We were sponsored a new hoodie for every child by local small business McLean’s bricklaying service.

Everything else we have – goals, balls, training equipment, rain jackets, first set of strips etc has been funded using donations via a sponsored walk, bucket collection, hidden team cards and funding from our local community champion from Asda. We are extremely thankful for everyone who has helped us no matter how big or small.”

I answered, “Great attitude. The one part of my original post that I am not getting answers to is, “What benefit is in it for the sponsor?” Is it a nice warm glow, is it a deeply held desire to help the local community, is it because they were players themselves, is it “blackmail”, is it a genuine belief that by investing £x000, they will increase revenue by £y000 and profit by £z000?

Ross definitely has the JFK attitude, “Well, personally I am from a deprived area and want to be able to give back to the kids in the local community.”

“Bartley Reds U14 East were fortunate enough to have kit sponsorship from WR Composites, our training warm gear sponsored by Ease Your Step Chiropody, our man of the match awards sponsored by South Coast Insulation Services and home games sponsored by Bright Spark Electrical.” Anthony Pedley, South Birmingham.

Rob Sayers says they have been very fortunate with both sponsors and volunteers at Cradley Town D.C.

“Away Kit – Mcnulty Mechanical Services

Home Kit – Via Myself and have provided free kit sponsorship to Midlands Air Ambulance

Tracksuits – Merlin Diesel Systems Ltd

Drill Tops – Matt Talbot
Further a shout-out to the volunteer parents that help raise funds for social team building events for the team…just as important

Parents/Volunteers
Donna Sayers, Rayna Korkmazcan, Jordan Eggington, Tracey Parsons, Kathryn James.”

Yes, let’s never forget the volunteers.

Steven Gardner at Whitley Bay Sporting Club adds,

” My U14 Tigers girls are sponsored by Hills Landscapes  for home strips (and more, they’ve been very good to us!)

RMS Electrical Engineering Ltd for our mid-layers

And Footy Fantastic for our away shirts

We also got a fund from Velux Windows from their community grant which was brilliant.”

Duane Young makes valid points, I believe.

“We have approximately 40 teams at Leamington Brakes Junior FC, from u7s to u16s that we tried to get sponsorship for and it’s a big outlay.

If a bespoke kit, then you could have multiple sponsors to share the cost.
In my experience, it’s easier for individual teams to source sponsors from kind-hearted local firms who care as much about their communities, although that’s more work for volunteer coaches to do…..and don’t forget that a lot of it goes unnoticed

Myself (D.A Decorators, and a parent, John Hallett (J.G Hallett and Associates Accountancy Services), both sponsor the away kit of the u12s team I coach and did last year too…Leamington Brakes U12 Orange

My website is dadecorators.co.uk “

Nice website, hope this gets you some enquiries!


What I see from everyone is their gratitude. They see it as a two way process. Hopefully some of you will pop by the websites of the sponsors and if you are looking for their products and services you will consider using them. If you do, please do mention the grassroots club. Hopefully the sponsor will feel moved to renew sponsorship next time round!

What I have also seen is the need for sponsors. Many of the clubs would not be able to continue at the level they are without sponsorship. If you have not read the initial article, this may help!

Good Luck to all….. a BIG thanks to both the sponsors and those who volunteer to ensure the players can play with quality kit and equipment.

Crowhurst Youth AFC

Jen Morris wrote, “Our Under 9’s team have been very lucky with Timeless Recruitment Ltd sponsoring their home kits, Vicary’s Garage Battle sponsoring their away kits and Helia Renewables purchasing each of the children a lovely warm and waterproof coat for each of them! 

Honestly without our sponsors none of this could happen! Luckily we have found them via our boys families!”

Share

So, it’s that time of the week again and Darren Ashley’s vlog was again popular last week. This week he is at Sporting Khasla in Willenhall. They were like FC Deportivo Galicia set up by immigrants and the parallels in their stories are interesting. Sporting Khalsa Football Club are members of the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands, who play their home games at Noose Lane in Willenhall, West Midlands. Being founded by the local Sikh community in 1991, they are the first British Asian club to own their own ground, which they bought from Willenhall Town in 2010 after moving from Abbey Park, the former home of Bloxwich Town.

So, what did Darren find out? ” For yesterday’s Non League vlog, I took in another new ground thanks to a kind invite from Sporting Khasla’s Jake (who is head of security), for their home match against high flying Anstey Nomads.

Joined again by my best mate Thunder, Jake met us on arrival, took us in the ground and showed us around.

We was told most things were accessible to us, and introduced to various people, some to potentially interview.

During this, I realised I had been so happy chatting that I hadn’t actually done any filming, so, I needed to get my butt into gear!

Walking around, what struck me was, what a lovely ground Sporting Khalsa has, very pleasing on the eye with the colours, and, there is a fair bit of raised level viewing which gives you an even better view of the action.

So, all the filming I needed before kick off completed, I could relax again and chat to some more people before kick off.

You may have got sick and tired of reading this, as every week, I say the same thing…I won’t spoil what happened in the game as hopefully you will watch the vlog which is found in the comments section below….but, trust me, it was a very entertaining match with plenty of action.

It’s also worth watching, for 2 interviews in particular..Nathan, who told me what Khalsa means to him after the passing of his father, and also Anstey Nomads FC fans Luke and Kai, who, despite having season tickets for Leicester City, watch and prefer to follow Nomads.

So, the match ends, I film the wrap up of the vlog and leave the ground…where, one of the Sporting Khasala staff hurriedly catches me up, stops me to give me back my selfie stick which I hadn’t even realised i had dropped.

It was the final classy act from a classy club, where Thunder and I were looked after brilliantly.

I would love to read anybody’s comments about visiting Noose Lane to learn of their experience, and woukd also love to film a vlog at Anstey Nomads if they would have me.

Thanks for reading and please subscribe to my You Tube channel. (No cost, all welcome!)”

Share

Sponsorship

Let’s forget the Premier League and the money from success in the European competitions. Outside the top six/ten clubs in the UK, everyone is looking for money. Everyone, everybody, everyone. Some clubs have rich benefactors … but how long will they stay interested? I am thinking of Wrexham, Manchester City, Newcastle United. Some clubs have their accumulated debts written off … but how long will the new owners commit to when they begin to understand what a black hole running a club is? (Gillingham) Some clubs sell out, get a huge cash injection and then sit back helplessly as the new owners strip the clubs (Sheffield Wednesday, Reading, Charlton.) For the overwhelming majority of clubs from Level One to Level Ten (Step 6) life is TOUGH. Maybe a good cup run pays the bills, maybe you sell the star player for a huge profit, maybe you have some land to sell off for a supermarket or residential housing. Maybe you get a huge sponsorship which pays all the bills. Maybe ….
For the rest, the other 95% of clubs it is a constant struggle to stay afloat.

So, I was delighted to receive this from our friends at FATJOE. I think it is a great overview, an A-Z of attracting sponsorship. I was even more delighted that they were happy to make a donation to FC Deportivo Galicia in return for sharing the piece. Thanks. If you find this guide useful, please do pass it on to local clubs. I hope they will be equally grateful. If you or they gain new sponsors, a donation to FC Deportivo Galicia would be appreciated. Good Luck.

Alright, so you’re part of an up-and-coming football team, brimming with talent and ambition, but let’s face it – the team’s bank account isn’t exactly mirroring Manchester City’s. But don’t stress about it. Securing sponsorships can be less daunting than trying to explain the offside rule to a cricket fan.

Via Pexels

First things first, know your worth. Your team might not be in the Premier League, but that doesn’t mean you’re playing Sunday league with jumpers for goalposts. You’ve got a unique story, a passionate fan base, and a dream that’s more infectious than a chant on a big match day. These are your selling points.

Wooing Sponsors: It’s Not You, It’s Us

Sponsorship is a two-way street. Sure, you need the funds, but what can you offer in return? Think beyond the usual logo on the kit. Are there opportunities for engaging content on your social media channels, or can your players make appearances at their events? It’s like dating – you’ve got to show you’re interested in more than just their wallet and looks.

Getting Noticed: Standing Out In A Crowded Field

In a world where even the local pub team has an Instagram account, standing out can be tough. This is where creativity kicks in. Organise an event that gets people talking, something as memorable as a goalie scoring a last-minute equaliser. Consider community activities that align with potential sponsors’ values. After all, who doesn’t want to be associated with a team that’s as much a part of the community as the corner shop?

Building Relationships: The Long Game

Ever heard of a one-season wonder? Don’t let that be your approach to sponsorship. Building long-term relationships with businesses is key to maintaining a sponsorship. This isn’t a hit-and-run for quick cash. It’s more like nurturing a promising youth player into a first-team regular. Regular updates, showing appreciation, and involving them in club decisions where appropriate can turn a one-off sponsorship into a partnership that grows with the team for years.

The Proposal: More Than Just A Fancy Document

When it’s time to send out your sponsorship proposals, remember – a little flair can go a long way. Your proposal should stand out like a flare on a foggy night. Tailor it to each potential sponsor. Show them you’ve done your homework about their specific business and you know exactly why your team is a match made in football heaven for their brand.

Tackling The Tough Times: Creative Solutions In Adversity

In times when the economy is as unpredictable as a penalty shootout, consider alternative forms of sponsorship. Trade deals, for example, can be a lifesaver. Maybe a local business can provide sports shelters for training sessions in return for some advertising space. It’s a win-win – your players don’t get drenched, and the business gets exposure.

Leveraging Digital Platforms: The Modern Marketplace

The digital world is your oyster. Social media platforms offer endless possibilities to showcase sponsors. Engage your fans with content that brings your sponsors into the heart of the club’s narrative. Imagine a TikTok challenge involving your players and a sponsor’s product; something like this could go viral faster than news of a last-minute transfer signing.

Understanding The Legalities: Avoiding Own Goals

Sponsorship deals, like any contract, come with legal considerations. Ensure you understand the terms and don’t promise what you can’t deliver. It’s like defending a lead in the final minutes of a game; you need to stay focused, and not make any rash decisions that could cost you a title win.

The Follow-Up: Not Just A Thank You Note

Once you’ve secured a sponsorship, the work isn’t over. Keep your sponsors engaged and happy. Share success stories and metrics of how their involvement is making a difference for your team and the whole community. Think of it as the post-match analysis – it’s crucial for understanding what worked and what can be improved.

Embracing Rejection: Not Every Shot Scores

Lastly, be prepared for rejection. Not every company will see the genius of your proposal or the value behind a local sports team sponsorship. And that’s okay. It’s not the end of the world, or the season. Learn from each ‘no’, refine your approach, and go again. Remember, even the best strikers don’t score with every shot.

Securing sponsorships for your football team is a journey filled with challenges, but also immense rewards. With creativity, persistence, and a bit of charm, you’ll find businesses eager to be part of your team’s story. So, go out there and show them why investing in your team is the best decision they’ll make this season. After all, it’s not just about the money – it’s about being part of something bigger, something that brings people together every weekend, come rain or shine.

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks.

Hint-recognise the ground above?

Share

It’s Friday, it’s 5 O’clock and it is time to think about the weekend. (Sorry Crackerjack lovers!) As a football fan for 59 years, 11 months and a few days, this means FOOTBALL!

Me, I am off to Tilehurst where Woodley United share with Reading City in a ground that is easy to get to from precisely nowhere! However there is always a good welcome and a good game. So, the adrenaline is flowing and after a 6-5 home defeat to Bedfont this week, a great chance to get three points on the board. NOTE 2pm K.O. tomorrow.

EDIT: A game of two halves. Woodley United absolutely ran all over the London side in the first half and it could easily have been four or five nil. In the second half they backed off and it finished 1-1 with the away team even missing a penalty. Why we love football.

What do I know about Woodley United? Not a lot. Fortunately their website has a great overview

Woodley Town F.C. can trace its roots back to 1904, while it is thought a team existed in Woodley in the nineteenth century. One of earliest successes for the club was in 1909/10 season when they won the “double’ of Champions of the Wargrave & District League and Cup Winners. This was followed in 1923 – 24 when they became the first team outside of the Borough of Reading to win the Reading Junior Cup with a 1 – 0 win over Shinfield at Elm Park. History would repeat itself in 1998 – 99 when Shinfield were again defeated, this time 2 – 1 to win the Reading Challenge Junior Cup.The club were the last team to win the Wargrave and District League was also in 1926 – 27 before moving to the Reading & District League where they finished bottom of Division Two in 1927 – 28.Success in the Reading & District League was limited with most success enjoyed in the fifties culminating in the club being Champions of the Premier Division in 1957 – 58 and 1958 – 59. Woodley became only the third team in the League’s history to successfully defend the Premier Division title. It would be nearly thirty years before the Premier title or any trophy, would be won again in 1985 – 86.

The club then went into a period of decline. 1990 – 91 season saw the Saturday First Team start the season in the Premier Division of Reading Football League while the Reserves where in Division 4 Kennet. However, an exodus of players saw the First Team fold mid season leaving just the Division 4 team in operation.Season 1993 – 94 once again saw the introduction of a Reserve Team, which was promoted to Division 1 Thames of the Reading Football League for season 2001 -02 the highest division this team has competed in.Currently enjoying a period of success, the Saturday First team followed up the Reading Evening Post Junior Cup victory with the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup in 2000 and promotion to the Reading Football League Premier Division in 2001 where the team finished in the runners up position.The club also ran a Sunday section during seasons 1980 – 81 – 2001 – 02, firstly in the Reading & District Sunday League and then the Bracknell Town and District Sunday League. During this time the Berks & Bucks FA Sunday Junior Cup was won in 1984 and the Berks & Bucks FA Junior Trophy in 1995.

A Veterans team was also entered into the Umbro National over 35’s competition during seasons 1992/93 – 1999/2000. The team’s best season was 1998/99 when they were losing semi finalists.Season 2002 – 03 saw the club decide to focus it’s football solely on Saturday football and the newly created youth section known as Woodley Town Kestrels which have gone on to enjoy considerable success in League, Cup and small a side tournaments they enter. The most notable success is winning the Berks & Bucks Minor u13 cup in 2007 – 08.Season 2007 – 08 saw the Men’s section enjoy cup success when the “A” team won the Reading Challenge Jubilee Cup for the club’s second time and this was followed in 2008 – 09 with the Men’s section enjoying it’s best ever season culminating in a remarkable four cup final appearances and the First team winning the Reading Football League Double of the Senior Division and BTC Senior Cup, the latter being played at Madejski Stadium, Reading. 2008 – 09 also saw the club awarded the FA’s Chartered Standard Development kite mark. In gaining promotion to the Hellenic League Division One East, the club was playing at the highest level any team from Woodley had competed at and finished its debut season of 2009 – 10 in a very creditable fourth position. The season also saw the Reserve team gain promotion to the Premier Division of Reading Football League.

The club continued to enjoy success in 2010 – 11 season with the “A” team finishing runners up in Reading Football League Division Two and the “B” team champions of Division Four. Further details on the website Currently, they sit mid-table in the Combined Counties League.

More interesting is probably where Mark Crowther is going this week! Mark is CYCLING to EVERY Premier League game to support his beloved Luton Town. Absolute TOTAL respect warrior. From Luton it is a three DAY trek to Newcastle United and in this weather it is t.o.u.g.h. You can learn more here. He is raising money for four separate charities including Prostate Cancer UK. and has already raised more than £1,000 to each of them. I am in awe of his commitment and integrity. When the going gets tough the tough get going. Just think where he is cycling to – Manchester x2, Liverpool x2, Bournemouth, Newcastle etc. Yes, I have been to all of them and remember the hills near Burnley but I was rarely against the clock.
Please have a look at his page and/or follow him on Twitter

…and don’t forget Sunday if you are in London. A great programme fair

Share

Well, this is EXCELLENT.

Not only on but also two (apologies to Dudley Moore and Peter Cook!) separate people saw my article about Carlisle United and offered to add meat to the bone. Fantastic.

Graeme Jolly from Alicante, Spain wrote, “I have been a Carlisle fan for 50 years (sad, I know.) *

My first match was the day before my 16th birthday, 24/9/74, Carlisle v Man City in Carlisle’s only season in the top division. (0-0), since then I’ve been to hundreds of matches, home and away. My son is also a huge fan and goes to many games every season. The most memorable match was in 1995 at Wembley for the Auto Windscreen Shield v Birmingham which we lost 0-1 to a golden goal in extra time in front of 76,000. Little did I know that Carlisle would go on to feature in 6 Football League Trophy Finals.
It’s always up or down with Carlisle, never a dull moment! With new owners at the helm,  hopefully, the future is bright, but it’s a struggle this season.

Living now in Montesinos, Alicante it’s difficult to get to matches, but I did get to the first two matches this season. ( Photos attached) Good luck in your quest!”

*No, I don’t think it is sad at all. I think it’s fantastic that you have stayed loyal to your club. Full disclosure – Gillingham supporter, 59 years, 11 months and three days!

Thanks for your memories and good wishes.

… and Simon Clarkson the supporter liaison officer at Carlisle also kindly sent me this overview.

Carlisle United was founded in 1904, and Brunton Park has been the home since 1909. The Club is located in Carlisle city centre, nine miles from the border with Scotland, making us the most northerly-based in the Football League. Carlisle is the only city in the county of Cumbria and can feel isolated – our closest geographical football rivals are over 50 miles away.

We are traditional and proud of our heritage. We are used to highs and lows and have enjoyed success and adversity. We are part owned by our Supporters’ Trust and they have representation as directors of the Club on its boards. Our fans are fiercely proud and loyal. They are strong-minded and vocal. Many come and go from our region, but they remain as Cumbrian’s and Carlisle fans – there are supporters branches all around the world including London (established in 1974) and even Norway.

The club’s traditional kit is blue with white and red detail, whilst the badge takes elements from the city’s coat of arms by including two Wyverns. They are nicknamed the “Blues”, due to their kit, as well as the “Cumbrians”. 

In 1949, the club became the first to appoint Bill Shankly as manager.

2024/25 marks a major anniversary in the Club’s history: the 50th anniversary of Carlisle United’s only season in the topflight of the English football league.

In the 1974–75 season, Carlisle won their first three fixtures (including 1-0 against Tottenham Hotspur before 18,426 spectators) to go top of the English football pyramid. 

Bill Shankly, an FA Cup and League Championship winning manager by that time, branded Carlisle’s climb to the top as “the greatest feat in the history of the game.

The 1994–95 Season was one of the Club’s most memorable, with the club attaining only their second Championship in the club’s history by taking the Third Division Championship with a record number of points for the Club, with Carlisle gaining some 91 points for the League Championship. David Reeves scored 25 league goals to help Carlisle achieve long-awaited success ending their eight-year ordeal in the league’s basement division. This Season also witnessed the Club’s first appearance at Wembley in the Auto Windscreens Shield Final against Birmingham City, with a record crowd, for this competition, of 76,663. A nail biting finish went into extra time and history was made again when the “Golden Goal” principle was used for the first time at Wembley to decide the winner, when Birmingham scored to gain a 1–0 victory. 

Carlisle were promoted out of the Conference at the first time of asking in 2004–05, winning the play-off final by defeating Stevenage Borough 1–0 at the Britannia Stadium. Carlisle’s excellent form under manager Paul Simpson continued into the following season as they returned to the Football League with a bang, clinching the League Two title.

In February 2022, Paul Simpson returned as manager with the club in 23rd place. “Simmo” led the blues to pull the club from the relegation zone and keep Carlisle in the Football League. In the 2022–23 season, Carlisle finished 5th, securing a play-off spot. In the play-off semi-final, Carlisle defeated Bradford City to win the tie 3–2 on aggregate. In the play-off final, the Cumbrians defeated Stockport County on penalties after a 1–1 draw to earn promotion back to League One after nine years in League Two. In November 2023, Castle Sports Group became the club’s owner and the club entered an exciting new era.

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks.

Share

Tuktuk Days

Those of you who know me, know that I have had a tuktuk journey planned for at least four years. Sadly a SCA followed by an extended (!) period in hospital put paid to my plans. Initially I had hoped to do a tour in the UK and then I decided that I would do it in Italy and finally decided it would have to be the UK. The doctors had other ideas! Anyway, I would like to give a shout out to two guys who inspired me during the planning stage and if a real life tuktuk experince is for you, please let me introduce you to Mark and Julian the guys behind at Large Minority

About Large Minority

“We offer adventurous, team-based competitive group travel experiences that give back. In addition to having the time of your life on our adventure challenges, you’ll be contributing to the lives of locals and the environment. 5% of every dollar we get goes straight back to our flagship charity projects in the countries we visit.

We take your safety seriously, so we organize all of the Challenge logistics & legal stuff (i.e support team, ambulance or medic, mechanics, luggage trucks, permits, etc.) We also include emergency & medical travel insurance for the duration of the Challenge.

There are plenty of reasons to get up from that couch and embark on an adventure. Active holidays give you the opportunity to reinvigorate yourself and view life from a brand new perspective. All at once, you can challenge yourself, improve your physical and mental health while feeding that hungry sense of wanderlust.”

They offer two types of adventure – fully-guided in places as diverse as Sri Lanka and Italy or Cambodia and Pakistan. Alternatively, they have organised tonnes of private adventures of all levels and weird and wonderful experiences. Along with all our other destinations we can also offer two incredible adventures in the Philippines and the Amazon.

Yes, I know it is not Luton or Croydon and it is not Luton Town or Crystal Palace but …… hehe!

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks.

Share