A QUICK WORD WITH KANE DOUGHERTY...

The non-league spotlight has been shinning on Wembley's Vale Farm ground of late, as with the help of sponsorship from Budweiser, the Combined Counties Premier Division club have signed up a number of football legends to play in their FA Cup games for the season. David Seaman, Martin Keown, Graeme Le Saux, Claudio Caniggia and Brian McBride will all be involved along with technical advisor Terry Venables in the dug out when The Lions take to the field on Saturday 11th August for their Extra Preliminary Round game. ESPN will also be covering the club's fortunes in a programme entitled "Dream on...the journey of Wembley FC"   

There are also reports that the game with Spartan South Midlands League Division One Langford FC may be featured live on EPSN. TheColdEnd spoke exclusively to Langford centre forward Kane Dougherty (whom moved to Forde Park from Baldock Town over the summer) to get the away side's take on the highly anticipated upcoming game -

What's the feeling around the club following the FA Cup draw?
Everybody is buzzing. It’s always a great day for any amateur/semi-pro player when they get the chance to play in the FA Cup and the fact that we got the plumb draw against Wembley FC away just adds to that. We are all working hard to get a place in the squad on the day and pre-season has gone really well.

This must be one of the biggest game of your football career so far? Have you played in the FA Cup before??
Yes (providing I am included in the squad!!) I’d certainly say it’s the ‘biggest’ game I would have played in due to the media coverage and the opposition. I have played in the FA Cup on a couple of occasions before with our local rivals Stotfold, and it’s always a great day for everyone around the club. We also had a great run in the FA Vase at Stotfold a couple of years ago that we all really enjoyed.

With the game being covered on ESPN have any of the squad been practising goal celebrations...just in case?
I can’t lie and say we haven’t discussed it! But if I’m honest if any of us score a meaningful goal it would probably just result in a rugby tackle and an 11 man bundle!

Which Wembley star are you most looking forward to playing against?
Well if I am lucky enough to get the nod I’d certainly be looking forward to facing Martin Keown. Over the years of watching him in the Premiership I know he won’t be taking any nonsense, which would be intriguing for me as I love a physical battle.

Can Langford's back four cope with Claudia Caniggia (50+ caps for Argentina) and Brain McBride (96 caps for the USA)??
I remember watching Canniggia at the 94 World Cup and he was absolutely lightning; so I’m hoping he’s lost a yard or two since then! McBride is going to be incredibly difficult to deal with, he was playing in the Premiership less than 5 years ago and has only stopped playing in the MLS a couple of years ago. I think it’s important though that we don’t just focus on the ‘famous’ players because Wembley are going to have plenty of talented players already in their ranks.

What Langford player(s) should viewers of ESPN look out for?
Louis Taylor has also made the move over from Baldock Town (Hertfordshire Senior County Premier Division title winners for 2011/12) and is always a huge threat when going forward. Usually playing on either side of a front 3, he has pace and strength to burn so should be an exciting player to watch. I’d definitely fancy him in a foot race against Graeme Le Saux!

How well can Langford do in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One this season? Which team, aside from the Cup game against Wembley, are you most looking forward to playing?
I think that Langford is a great local club that should really be plying their trade in the SSML Premier, so that will be the aim. Obviously we are taking it one game at a time but with the players and the backroom staff we have at the club this season, I know for a fact that we can give anybody in this league a run for their money. We have Codicote in our first game of the season, and I think that will be a really interesting game. I played against them for Baldock Town last season and they were in fantastic form towards the end of the campaign, so it will be a tough game to open our season with.

You can follow Kane on Twitter @kdkane87. TheColdEnd wishes Langford FC all the best in the game against Wembley and can highly recommend a trip to Forde Park which is a lovely place to watch football.

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE OPENING FIXTURES RELEASED

The Essex Senior Football League kicks off it's 2012/13 season next Saturday 4th August. Therefore, right in the middle of London 2012, non-league football will return just a short distance from the Olympic Stadium. The closet games to the Greatest Show on Earth are at Mayesbrook Park where Southend Manor visit Barking and at Oakside where Takeley play Barkingside.

Relegated Great Wakering Rovers start their campaign with a home match against Stansted with new club London Bari making their ESL debut at Sawbridgeworth Town. Last season's bottom two face off at Gardiners Close where Clapton play Basildon United. New Ton's boss Chris Wood is an ex manager of Basildon with The Bees having a new boss for 2012/13 in John Higley who was most recently in charge at London APSA.

In the midweek games highlights include "The Battle of Basildon" where United host local rivals Bowers & Pitsea on Wednesday night and another local derby between Southend Manor and Great Wakering Rovers on Tuesday night. Gordon Boateng's new look Enfield 1893 FC side travel the short distance down the A10 to Coles Park to play Haringey and Waltham Development on Wednesday night.

The road to Wembley starts for the Essex Senior League on Saturday 11th August with last season's heroes Southend Manor starting with a home tie against Hullbridge Sports. The only other all ESL tie comes at Bowers and Pitsea who entertain Eton Manor.

TheColdEnd predicts that Great Wakering Rovers, looking to wipe out the memories of last season's relegation from the Ryman League, will contest the title race along with Takeley, Enfield 1893 and Burnham Ramblers pushing towards the top of the table. There will be a surprise team and could that be the mystery of new club London Bari who will play home games at Clapton's Spotted Dog Ground. 

Saturday 4th August
Barking v Southend Manor
Barkingside v Takeley
Basildon United v Clapton
Enfied 1893 v Burnham Ramblers
Great Wakering Rovers v Stansted
Hullbridge Sports v Haringey and Waltham Development
Sawbridgeworth Town v London Bari

Monday 6th August
Barkingside v Clapton

Tuesday 7th August
Barking v Bethnal Green United
Burnham Ramblers v Hullbridge Sports
London APSA v Stansted
Southend Manor v Great Wakering Rovers
Takeley v Swbridgeworth Town

Wednesday 8th August
Basildon United v Bowers & Pitsea
Eton Manor v London Bari
Haringey and Waltham Development v Enfield 1893

Saturday 11th August
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
ESL sides in bold
Aylesbury United v Enfield 1893
Barkingside v Great Yarmouth Town
Basildon United v Diss Town
Bowers and Pitsea v Eton Manor
Hanwell Town v Haringey and Waltham Development
Hanworth Villa v Bethnal Green United
Kirkley and Pakefield v Sawbridgeworth Town
London APSA v Long Melford
London Lions v Clapton
Southend Manor v Hullbridge Sports
Sporting Bengal United v Cockfosters
Staines Lammas v Barking
Stansted v Norwich United
Takeley v Newmarket Town
Walsham-Le-Willows v Burnham Ramblers
Woodbridge Town v Great Wakering Rovers

Tuesday 14th August
*subject to FA Cup replays
Enfield 1893 v Clapton
Great Wakering Rovers v Basildon United
Hullbridge Sports v Barkingside
Sawbridgeworth Town v Barking
Southend Manor v Burnham Ramblers
Takeley v London Bari

Wednesday 15th August
* subject to FA Cup replays
Bowers & Pitsea v Stansted
Eton Manor v Bethnal Green United
Haringey and Waltham Development v Sporting Bengal United

TOWN DRAW WITH THE CANARIES

The two teams and fans present observed a minute's silence in the memory of referee Jack Taylor OBE who sadly passed away aged 82 this week.  

Enfield Town welcomed The Canaries to a very warm and sunny Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Premier League Norwich City sent a team made up of their Academy and Development squads for what turned out to be an entertaining pre-season friendly.  City, as you’d expect, looked confident when on the ball and passed it around impressively with Town fielding nearly two different XI’s in each half also putting in a decent and encouraging performance. Tyler Campbell stood out for Town in the first half with his pace being a constant thorn in the City’s youthful side. Campbell, playing on the left wing, gave City right-back Ewan McNeil a busy first 45 minutes. McNeil was a youth player at Rangers and spent some time on loan at Scottish Division Two Airdrie last season.

The only two players who stayed on for the second period were centre back’s Crag McKay and Dave Kendall with McKay coming off with around 20 minutes to play for Rudi Hall to get a run out.

Norwich City's line up included the aforementioned McNeil along with centre back Adel Gafiati (another ex Rangers youth player), Olumide Durojaiye (an ex Tottenham Hotspur youth), Ramil Shariff (ex of Totthenham Hotspur and Jamaican Under 20 International), George Brislen-Hall (Arsenal and has trained with MLS side Colorado Rapids) and Callum Webb (QPR and Arsenal).

Campbell made Town’s first goal when his free kick into the near post from the left hand side was touched into the net by a Norwich player’s leg. The young City side equalised when Jacob Murphy capitalised after Town’s young goalkeeper Jake Smith blocked a shot. Murphy was able to slot the ball home to make it 1-1. Smith then showed what a promising keeper he is when pulling off a great save to deny a Norwich shot from just outside the box (from 4mins on the vide)

Town made it 2-1 when Bryan Hammatt’s shot came back off the angle of crossbar and post for Liam Hope to head home.

City pushed for an equaliser and made it 2-2 with a very well worked goal which will go down as the best one of the day.  A fantastic through ball by Josh Murphy to Jamar Loza whose deft touch skillfully took the ball around goalkeeper James Chalk allowing the impressive Dukrojaye to pass the ball into the unguarded net.

TEAM LINE UPS

ENFIELD TOWN 1st HALF	ETFC 2nd HALF	NORWICH CITY XI
1. Jake Smith	James Chalk	1. Remi Matthews
2. Lee Allen	Jordan Lockie	2. Ewan McNeil
3. Michael Badle	Danny Barber	3. George Brislen-Hall
4. Craig McKay	Craig McKay*	4. Oli Dukrojaye
5. Dave Kendall	Dave Kendall	5. Adel Gafiati
6. Dean Pennant	Michael Ewang	6. Ramil Shariff
7. Adam Wallace	Leon Fisher	7. Jacob Murphy
8. Mitch Hahn	Joe O'Brien	8. Ronnie Hawkins
9. Danile Ailey	Liam Hope	9. Jamar Loza
10. Leon Oesi	Bryan Hammatt	10. Callum Webb
11. Tyler Campbell	Walid Matata	11. Josh Murphy
	Rudi Hall * (sub McKay)	12. Paddy Hestor (on for 3)
		15. Jack Dean (on for 2)
		14. Callum King (on for 10)

HTML Tables

It was a decent game for a pre-season friendly and a good performance from both sides. For Town fans it was good to see Michael Bardle playing at left-back in the first 45 minutes. Bards had been out injured for most of last season so his return is like a new signing for the Ryman Premier Division season.  I’m sure all connected with Enfield Town will thank the Premier League club for sending a side down to play us. If they were impressed with the facilities and fantastic pitch at The Donkey Dome maybe, with manager Chris Hughton knowing the area following his time with Tottenham Hotspur, they may send a first team XI to play us next pre-season.

City’s first team were in action at Peterborough United where goals from James Vaughan and Steve Morrison secured a 0-2 win. An Enfield Town squad made up of mostly trailists travelled locally to Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Cockfosters and ended up on the wrong end of a 6-0 scoreline.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) SEASON PREVIEW AND NEWS

Enfield Town may have moved on up to the Ryman Premier Division but TheColdEnd will still be bringing you news and some matches from the Ryman Division One (North) throughout the 2012/13 season. There a number of teams in with a chance of the title and it's shaping up to be a  exciting season in the race for the top spot and play off spaces.

Needham Market, who lost to Enfield Town in the play-off final, move into their third season in the division having finished 2nd and 4th in the last two years. Seven of last season's squad have left Bloomfields and it has been reported that The Marketmen will be operating on a lower playing budget this season so it'll be a much changed XI who start the season at Ware on Saturday 18th August. Kieran Leabon and Craig Nurse have joined from Ryman Premier Bury Town along with Nathan Clarke from AFC Sudbury. Goalkeepers Alex Archer and Mark Bowden, left-sided player Jemel Fox (ex Leiston and AFC Sudbury) and striker James Hubbard have all also signed up. Hubbard scored 13 goals in 21 starts for Eastern Counties League Premier Division side Woodbridge Town last season. With all the player movement out of Bloomfields many people have been predicted that The Marketmen will not finish as high as they have done. However, TheColdEnd is not in this camp and fully expects Danny Law's side to be right up the top of the table at the business end of the season especially with a centre forward of the quality of Sam Newson still with the club.

Brentwood Town, who had last season's second best defensive record (only champion's Leiston beat them by one goal), have made some impressive signings to bolster their squad for the new season. Centre Forward Alex Read has signed from Tilbury after scoring bundles of goals for The Dockers last season along with Sherwin Stanley (ex of Aveley, Enfield 1893 FC amongst other clubs) who rejoins the club. Midfielders Greg Cohen (from East Thurrock United) and Frank Everett (from Canvey Island) have also signed. Promising goalkeeper Eliiott Justham, who had a trial with Reading last season, has also signed on after turning down some lucrative offers from other clubs. The Blues will definitely be one of the sides to watch this season. They start with a home game against Tilbury and then travel to Rush Green to face another side who will be strongly fancied in Grays Athletic.

Athletic celebrated moving into their new stadium last Friday night when they welcomed a West Ham United side for a friendly which attracted a decent crowd of 1,048. They have lost the talented midfielder Harry Agombar whom has made a move upwards to Blue Square Premier side Macclesfield Town. A great move for the attack minded player with, I'm sure, all the Grays Athletic fans wishing him all the best and following his progress during the season.

Hakan Hayrettin has added to his already strong squad by signing midfielder Leon Lalite who spent sometime with Harlow Town last season and forward Jack West who played for rival's Tilbury and Heybridge Swifts last year. Ex Towner Luke Marshall also turned out for Athletic in the West Ham United game and impressed many of the home support along with ex Romford goalkeeper Lamar Johnson. Both players have yet to officially sign for the club. Grays won the game 4-1 with The Hammers fielding a mainly youthful side including Freddie Piquionne and ex Machester United player Ravel Morrison. Athletic are a good side and it could so easily have been them (and not Enfield Town) who won the play-off semi final last season so there is no doubt they again will be up the top of the table once again. They play away at Waltham Forest and then have the Brentwood game in their opening fixtures.

AFC Sudbury have, as mentioned, lost Nathan Clarke to Suffolk rival's Needham Market. The defender who also scored eleven goals was last season's player's player and supporter's player of the year at The MEL Group Stadium. The Suffolk Free Press have reported Clarke left AFC due to a disagreement over a hernia operation. AFC finished in eighth position last season on 69 points when many people predicted them to be in the hunt for the play-offs with their poor start to the season really putting an end to their top five chances. They only won 6 points from their opening 24 available. The vastly experienced ex Stevenage Borough, Canvey Island and Grays Athletic player Lee Boylan has signed up and will be a welcome addition to the ranks. Boylan played in the Blue Square South for Thurrock last season and is sure to be amongst the goals for his new team. Harlow Town's player of the season for 2011/12 Dave Cowley has also moved to Suffolk. The winger and graduate from The Glenn Hoddle Academy had apparently turned down offers from higher level clubs to stay at Barrows Farm last season.

Another player to spend some time with the ex England manager's academy is Tom Webb whom has rejoined AFC Sudbury after spending last season with Tilbury. Ex Grays Athletic forward Danny Charge who had a spell with the club last season after returning from a nasty ankle injury which kept him out of football for a season has also signed. Left sided Eljay Worrell, who impressed for Tilbury last season, has also moved to AFC Sudbury. TheColdEnd fully expects AFC Sudbury to be much higher than last season's eighth position and thinks with the quality players they have signed they will right up in the title race this year.

Tilbury, who done so well last season, have lost a number of their players as mentioned but manager Paul Vaughan has been busy signing several new players as replacements for the forthcoming campaign.

Central midfielder Jack Carlile has joined from relegated Great Wakering Rovers. He has also represented Brentwood Town and Concord Rangers. Ex Canvey Island and Concord Rangers striker Ellis Skidmore has also signed. He scored many goals for Redbridge in the Ryman North division a few years ago. Former Millwall youth player Martin Llewellyn has also been added. He has also represented East Thurrock United and Essex Senior Side Burnham Ramblers along with right sided winger James Smith whom played for rival's Thurrock in the BSS last season. Highly rated Centre forward Emiel Aitken has stayed at Chadfields and will score goals for The Dockers this season. He missed only one league game for the club last season.

 

The unknown side are Wroxham whom are promoted to the RD1N after being crowned champions of the Eastern Counties League for 2011/12. If the examples of Lowestoft Town, Leiston and Needham Market are anything to go by then The Yachtsmen will be challenging at the top end of the table. No fewer than eight new players have been recruited by manager Dave Batch to freshen up his squad for their historic first campaign at the step 4 level of the non-league pyramid.

Scott Howie, Shaun Howes, Gary Gilmore and Damian Hilton have all left Trafford Park with Batch concentrating on bringing in young players looking to make a name for themselves. Pacey centre forward Claudio Langlois has resigned for the club along with 19 year old Joe Marsden and Jamie Speller whom are both wide midfield players. Speller impressed playing for Diss Town in the Eastern Counties League last season. Goalkeeper Andrew Plummer (released from Needham Market) will be first choice between the sticks after Scott Howie's departure.

Batch has also bolstered his midfield options with the impressive signing of Danny White from Kings Lynn Town and his defensive options by gaining Matt Halliday from Ryman Premier Lowestoft Town.TheColdEnd predicts that not many teams will come away from Trafford Park with points in the bag this season as in their championship season The Yachtsmen only lost twice at home to Gorleston (1-2) and to Mildenhall Town (2-4). This statistic looks more impressive when you read that the Mildenhall defeat was on the final day of the season when the title had already been won.

Harlow Town's seventh placed finish was a massive underachievement for the Essex club whom were predicted to be title contenders in pre-season after losing in the 2011 play-off final to Wingate and Finchley. Assistant Manager Christian Wheeler has departed over the summer along with Ryan's Kirby and Maxwell, Luke Marshall and Dave Cowley so there will be some new faces in their line up for the season's opener at Heybridge Swifts. Goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu has committed for the 2012/13 season and played in the 0-2 recent friendly victory over Takeley. Donny Barnard, Jack Haverson, Danny Brown, Getro Kilapi, Jeff Hammond and Reece Dobson all started for The Hawks in that match.

Manger Justin Gardner took over at Aveley last season after a successful spell at Essex Senior League Bethnal Green United. He joined in February, replacing outgoing Lee Hodges, when it seemed all too late to save the club from relegation. At the time the appointment was made with the long term future of the club in mind. Midfielder Ricky Edwards (from Waltham Abbey) is one of the players to join The Millers for the 2012/13 campaign along with Jay Leader (from Bethnal Green) whom has been named Captain. Leader has player for Aveley before in the 2007/08 season when as a 16 year old he spent sometime on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge. Gardner has brought several players with him from East London along with assistant Amos Foyewa whom played for Woking and AFC Bournemouth in his playing career. Both Foyewa and Gardner will want to start the season with a win at home to Maldon and Tiptree to banish the memory of Hendon's 1-7 win at The Mill Field on the final day of the Ryman Premier season in April.

For Maldon and Tiptree 2012/13 read Rebridge 2011/12 season as new manager Terry Spillane has left The Motormen and taken the vast majority of his squad to The Wallace Binder Stadium. Redbridge finished in the unlucky 6th place last season missing out on a play-off spot by just four points. It's safe to say that had Redbridge not been ultra successful in their FA Cup run to the second round proper they may well have qualified for the play-offs. The Motormen played seven games in the Cup which caused a fixture backlog towards the end of the season. With some additions to and many of the Redbridge players from last season M&T will be involved in the play-off race for 2012/13.

Maldon's neighbour's and local rivals Heybridge Swifts will be looking to improve on their finishing position of sixteenth last season. Ex manager Wayne Bond who was sacked by the Swifts after a run of poor results in January 2011 has returned over the summer to take up the position of Head Scout. He had a brief stint managing Eastern Counties League side Stanway Rovers after leaving Scraley Road and has played a pivotal role in bringing in three players from his old side. Midfielder Ben Newson (twin brother of Needham Market's Sam) has joined along with striker's Michael Cheek and Russell Malton who has played for the Swifts previously. Newson clearly has an eye for goal like his brother as he hit the back of the net 29 times in 39 starts and 3 substitute appearances last season. Cheek was close behind him on 26 goals in 43 starts and 1 sub appearance. Goalkeeper Nicky Eyre (ex of Bishops Stortford and Chelmsford City) has also joined. With these additions to Mark Hawkes squad, in particular Ben Newson, they Swifts should finish much higher than 16th.

Two of the trio of East London based sides in Redbridge, Ilford and Waltham Forest have new managers in place. Kevin Lucas has moved up from Essex Senior League Enfield 1893 FC to take over from Colin Walton at Ilford with Walton moving to Cricklefield tenant's Waltham Forest as Assistant Manager. Redbridge have replaced Terry Spillane with a joint management team of Del Robinson (whom is a full time coach at West Ham United) and non-league legend Steve Portway.
Redbridge press secretary Adam Dennehey put some questions to Portway on the Redbridge website (Link here) in which the new joint boss states the new look Redbridge team will have a young side with most players playing at R1DN level for the first time. The Stags had a good 1-5 friendly win at Hatfield Town on Saturday 21st July.

The other promoted side, as well as Wroxham, are Essex Senior League Champions Witham Town. Manager Gary Kimble has added to his title winning squad signing Danny Emmanuel (from AFC Sudbury), Jason Fontaine (Grays Athletic) and Tom Devaux (Stanway Rovers but also represented AFC Sudbury). Pacey forward Emmanuel should score some goals for the league new boys next season with Fontaine injecting some speed out wide too.

Soham Town Rangers manager Steve Fallon is going about re-shaping the squad at Julius Martin Lane. A number of last season's squad have resigned with the ex Histon manager raiding The Kershaw Cambridgeshire League to sign striker Robbie Mason and Buster Harradine.

Mason played for Sawston United last season but has previously scored goals for Ely City and Cambridge City. Midfielder/Stiker Harradine signs from Great Shelford having previously Fulbourne Institute and Waterbeach. Midfielder Scott Carter has also joined for his fourth spell with the Greens.He left in March to join United Counties League Premier Division side Yaxley but has made 200+ appearances for the club and was also in Soham`s league title-winning side of 2008.

Thamesmead Town have a number of new signings in their squad with ex Ilford goalkeeper Rob Budd moving South of the river along with Emmanuel Osei (ex Harlow Town and Waltham Abbey) and Rob Carter (ex Ilford). Manager Keith McMahon has also signed 19 year old's Quentin Conteh (centre forward) and Oliver Poole (centre back) from local Blue Square South side Welling United. Both spent time on loan with Ryman League Division One (South) teams last season.

New Ware boss Kristian Munt has signed sriker/forward Shayne Wyllie from Redbridge along with winger Lewis Donovan who has rejoined the club. Stiker Tony Martin has also joined from Billericay Town. Dave Bastian, Rhys Madden, Jack Friend, Aime Blessing and Ricci Crace, whom all played for the club last season, were all in the starting XI for the recent friendly with Colney Heath.

There is not much news from Potters Bar Town in respect of new players or signings with Town fans able to run the rule over The Scholars in the friendly game next Saturday 4th August.

Romford will play their home games at Thurrock's Ship Lane for the 2012/13 season after leaving Aveley's Mill Field ground. Eight new players were in the starting XI for Tuesday night's 4-2 defeat at Essex Senior League Barking.

Chatham Town are celebrating their 130th season and staged a three team tournament on Sunday 22nd July welcoming Royal Engineers and a Gillingham Development squad to The Sports Ground. The Chats beat The Engineers 5-1 with The young Gills side losing 2-3 to The Engineers before beating The Chats 2-1. Not much news in respect of new players as yet coming from Kent.

Waltham Abbey are another side with not much news available regarding player movement. The Abbotts lost 1-3 to Hoddesdon Town (who are strongly fancied to win the Spartan South Midlands League Division One) on Tuesday night.

Tony Faulkner starts his first full season in charge of Cheshunt and will be looking to finish much higher than The Ambers did last season. Jose Espinosa, whom scored against Enfield Town in the pre-season A10 El Classico should score a few goals for his new club. He impressed for Brentwood Town against Town last season at The Donkey Dome. Ryan Wade will be amongst the goals too along with a few more new signings brought to Theobalds Lane by the ex Ware and Broxbourne Borough boss.

BetVictor are offering odds for the Ryman Divison One (North) championship and currently make Needham Market 5/1 favourites closely followed by AFC Sudbury and Grays Athletic on 6/1. Somewhat surprisingly next in the betting are Tilbury at 8/1 and Redbridge or Harlow Town at 10/1. TheColdEnd would definately rate Wroxham's (12/1), Brentwood Town (14/1) and Maldon and Tiptree (25/1!!!!) chances of winning the title ahead of both Tilbury and especially Redbridge after they lost Terry Spillane and some of his squad to M&T.

With each way betting available at 1/4 odds for places 1,2 and 3 Maldon and Tiptree at 25/1 and Brentwood Town 14/1 may be worth a 50p investment.

Current odds for the Ryman Division One Title (can be found at BetVictor.com)
Please remember to gamble responsibly

Needham Market 5/1
Grays Athletic 6/1
AFC Sudbury 6/1
Tilbury 8/1
Redbridge 10/1
Harlow Town 10/1
Wroxham 12/1
Aveley 14/1
Brentwood Town 14/1
Thamesmead Town 20/1
Witham Town 20/1
Heybridge Swifts 25/1
Maldon and Tiptree 25/1
Potters Bar Town 25/1
Romford 25/1
Waltham Abbey 25/1
Cheshunt 33/1
Chatham Town 33/1
Waltham Forest 33/1
Ware 40/1
Ilford 50/1
Soham Town Rangers 50/1

Ryman Division One (North) Opening Fixtures
Saturday 18th August
AFC Sudbury v Cheshunt
Aveley v AFC Sudbury
Brentwood Town v Tilbury
Chatham Town v Waltham Abbey
Heybridge Swifts v Harlow Town
Potters Bar Town v Wroxham
Romford v Redbridge
Soham Town Rangers v Ilford
Waltham Forest v Grays Athletic
Ware v Needham Market
Witham Town v Thamesmead Town

Tuesday 21st August
Cheshunt v Waltham Forest
Grays Athletic v Brentwood Town
Harlow Town v Aveley
Maldon and Tipree v AFC Sudbury
Needham Market v Heybridge Swifts
Thamesmead Town v Romford
Tilbury v Potters Bar Town
Waltham Abbey v Ware
Wroxham v Witham Town

Wednesday 22nd August
Ilford v Chatham Town

ARLESEY TOWN KEEP THE JAN ANDERSON MEMORIAL TROPHY

The Sun disappears over Forde Park last night

The Jan Anderson Memorial Trophy was played on a glorious summer's evening at Langford on Tuesday night.

The visitors from the Evo-Stik Southern Premier League (step 3 of the non-league pyramid) made the short four mile trip from The Armadillo Stadium to Forde Park to play the Spartan South Midlands League Division One (step 6) side for what was an entertaining pre-season game.

Langford were relegated to Division One at the end of the 2010/11 season and finished in tenth place last season. Manager Wes Byrne will be looking to push on and finish higher up in the table this season. Arlesey Town, managed by ex football league player Zema Abbey, will also be looking to improve on the 18th place they achieved in their first campaign in the Southern League Premier Division last season. They look to have a number of promising young players from what I saw last night as well as the vastly experienced centre-back Derek Brown whom came on at half time. His former clubs include Buckingham Town, Corby, Rothwell, Nuneaton Borough, Baldock Town, St Albans City, Kettering Town and Barton Rovers.

Summer Soccer - Arlesey Town half time team talk

The higher ranked side rapped up the game in the second half with two goals. One of which was a late penalty kick after an away player had been brought down in the box. The home side did have their chances to score with a shot from the edge of the box which grazed the outside of the post and Kane Dougherty's (centre forward signed this summer from Hertfordshire Senior County League Champion's Baldock Town) free kick which stung the hands of the Arlesey keeper. ITV commentator Clive Tyldsley drew some criticism and banter across the internet during his Euro 2012 commentary for referring to a Ukranian shot as a 'Whiz Banger'....if he was in Bedfordshire last night I think he may have used this phrase again in respect of Dougherty's shot!

The Jan Anderson Memorial Trophy is played for each pre-season and Arlesey Town were the current holders going into this match. Apart from that TheColdEnd unfortunately doesn't know any more information about the Trophy. If you do know any more information regarding the competition or who Jan Anderson was please contact me and I will duly update this post.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW

LYLE TAYLOR SIGNS FOR FALKIRK

EX CONCORD RANGERS FORWARD SIGNS FOR SCOTTISH FIRST DIVISION CLUB

Lyle Taylor scored 34 goals for Concord Rangers during their 2009/10 promotion season thus earning him a move to League One side AFC Bournemouth has moved North of the border following his release from the South Coast club.

Taylor's move didn't really work out for him with loan spells spent at Lewes, Woking and Hereford United during his two season spell with AFC Bournemouth.

He joins another ex non-league player at Falkirk Stadium as Luke Leahy (a 19 year old left back) has also been signed from Evo-Stik Southern Central side Rugby Town.

TheColdEnd wishes both Leahy and Taylor the very best of luck playing in the Scottish First Division.



 

HERTFORDSHIRE SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE FIXTURES RELEASED

The provisional fixtures for the opening games in the Hertfordshire Senior County have been released today. The league season kicks off on Saturday 18th August with a new League Charity Cup trophy to play for on Saturday 11th August at the Herts FA County Ground in Letchworth. It's is a local derby game between last season's league champions Baldock Town and the Aubery Cup winner's Letchworth Garden City Eagles.
Champions Baldock Town who applied for promotion to the Spartan South Midlands League start their campaign at promoted Knebworth. Town, who were denied promotion due to ground grading issues at Norton Road aka The North Herts Arena, have set up a ground sharing agreement at Hitchin Town's Top Field stadium for the 2012/13 season.

There are four new teams in Division One. Aslan, Hatfield Royal British Legion, Hatfield Town Blues and Harvesters all join the league. Bushey Rangers also re-join after resigning from the league at the end of the 2011/12 season. London Colney Blues have left the league.

Their are now a trio of teams competing in Division One representing Hatfield. AFC Hatfield were called AFC Hatfield Town up until the end of last season, they were formed in 2008 after Hatfield Town were promoted to the Spartan South Midlands League. Hatfield RBL are a new team joining the league this season with Hatfield Town Blues newly formed for the 2012/13 season. They are apparently mainly made up of Hatfield Town's former under 18's side.

Harvesters FC are a big youth team football club from St Albans and have formed a senior men's team for 2012/13.

Aslan FC are the other new side and will play their home games at Pymmes Park in Edmonton. Many of their players played for the successful Reserve Division Two champion's Goffs Oak Reserves last season.

Goffs Oak have merged with Bush Hill Rangers youth football club and for the 2012/13 season will play under the name Bush Hill Rangers. They will still ground share at Goldsdown Road.
Stand out fixtures for the opening few weeks for TheColdEnd are an early Hatfield derby on Tuesday 21st August when Hatfield Town Blues entertain AFC Hatfield, an Enfield local derby on Wednesday 22nd August when Hinton face Bush Hill Rangers and last season's Division One champions Whitwell taking on Premier Division champions Baldock Town on Tuesday 28th August. 

Bush Hill are the only side representing the league in the FA Vase facing a tough trip to Spartan South Midlands League Cranfield United.
  

Hertfordshire Senior County League Opening Fixtures
Saturday games kick off at 3pm
Most mid-week games kick off at 6.30pm although some are at 6.15 or 7.45pm - check club's websites for details

Saturday 18th August
Premier Division
Bovingdon v Belstone
Bush Hill Rangers v Sarratt
Chipperfield Corinthians v Cuffley
Knebworth v Baldock Town
Letchworth Garden City Eagles v Hinton
Met Police Bushey v Wormley Rovers
Mill End Sports v Sandridge Rovers
Whitwell v Standon and Puckeridge

Division One
Aslan v St Peters (Colney Heath)
Buntingford Town v Hatfield Royal British Legion
Croxley Guild v Lemsford
Hervesters v Evergreen
Hatfield Town Blues v Bushey Rangers
Kimpton Rovers v Bedmond Sports and Social
Old Parmiterians v AFC Hertford
Hertford Heath v AFC Hatfield

Tuesday 21st August
Premier Division
Knebworth v Letchworth Garden City Eagles
Mill End Sports v Chipperfield Corinthians
Sandridge Rovers v Whitwell
Wormley Rovers v Cuffley

Division One
Croxley Guild v Evergreen
Panshanger v Hatfield RBL
Bedmond S&S v Bushey Rangers
Hatfield Town Blues v AFC Hatfield

Wednesday 22nd August
Premier Division
Belstone v Met Police Bushey
Bovingdon v Sarratt
Hinton v Bush Hill Rangers
Standon and Puckeridge v Baldock Town

Division One
Kimpton Rovers v Old Parmiterians
Lemsford v Harvesters
AFC Hertford v Aslan
St Peters (Colney Heath) v Hertford Heath

Saturday 25th August
Premier Division
Baldock Town v Chipperfield Corinthians
Belstone v Sarratt
Bush Hill Rangers v Whitwell
Knebworth v Wormley Rovers
Letchworth Garden City Eagles v Bovingdon
Met Police Bushey v Cuffley
Mill End Sports v Hinton
Standon and Puckeridge v Sandridge Rovers

Division One
Hertford Heath v Hatfield RBL
AFC Hatfield v Panshanger
Bedmond S&S v Croxley Guild
Buntingford Town v Harvesters
Bushey Rangers v AFC Hertford
Evergreen v Kimpton Rovers
Hatfield Town Blues v Aslan

Tuesday 28th August
Premier Division
Mill End Sports v Bovingdon
Sandridge Rovers v Knebworth
Sarratt v Chipperfield Corinthians
Standon and Puckeridge v Letchworth Garden City Eagles
Whitwell v Baldock Town

Division One
Croxley Guild v Bushey Rangers
Evergreen v Bedmond S&S

Wednesday 29th August
Premier Division
Belston v Cuffley
Wormley Rovers v Bush Hill Rangers
Hinton v Met Poliuce Bushey

Division One
Hertford Heath v Panshanger
AFC Hertford v Buntingford Town
Lemsford v Kimpton Rovers
Old Parmiterians v Harvesters
St Peters (Colney Heath) v Aslan

A QUICK WORD WITH LUKE GIDDINGS...

Essex Senior League side Eton Manor have a new manager for the 2012/13 season. Luke Giddings, who at only 24 years of age, must be one of the youngest managers ever in the non-league game takes over from Kevin Durrant who left at the end of the 2011/12 season.

The Cold End asked him a few questions about his footballing life so far and his plans for the club this season.

Football History
I am a UEFA B qualified coach which was done at the David Beckham Academy and I also have a degree in 'sports science with professional football coaching' at the University of Greenwich. I spent two weeks working with the first team at League 1 side Yeovil Town FC thanks to a unique opportunity from Terry Skiverton whom was their Manager at the time.

I played at Leyton and in the Stansted league winning side and for three seasons prior under Terry Spillane (now manager of Maldon and Tiptree). I was Assistant Manager at Cheshunt last season under Dave Bricknell and outside of non league I also work within youth football running soccer schools and doing private one on one coaching.

Plans for this season
I aim to improve on Eton Manor's League position last season which should of been higher (14th of 18 teams)and also improve the very young squad we have. Also to bring up a lot of surprises along the way, turn some heads and we'll see where that will take us

Luke has signed goalkeeper Sam Tanner (previously played at Leyton, Waltham Forest, Stansted and Enfield 1893 FC), John Bricknell (Leyton, Stansted and Enfield 1893 FC), Joe Johnson (Stansted)  and Craig Wood (Stansted & Redbridge) as well as keeping some of last season's squad in Jack Leechman, Tommy Phillips and Jake Giddings (Luke's younger brother who was top scorer for Manor last season netting 12 times from midfield) amongst others

Manor have two friendlies arranged and both will be played at Waltham Abbey's Capershotts ground where Manor are currently ground sharing. They welcome Waltham Forest on Wednesday 25th July (7.45pm) and face their landlords on Saturday 28th July (3pm). There are no league fixtures released as yet for the Essex Senior League but in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Manor travel to face ESL rival's Bowers and Pitsea on Saturday 11th September and in the FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round they have a trip to Ipswich Wanderers (of the Eastern Counties Division One) on Saturday 1st September.

Game most looking forward to
Looking forward to going back to Stansted next season & also Takeley as the pitch is always good !!

The Cold End wishes Luke the very best of luck at Eton Manor this season. If your on twitter you can follow him  @l_giddings123

ENFIELD TOWN'S FIXTURE LIST FOR 2012/13

Here is Enfield Town's fixture list as it stands for the 2012/13 Ryman Premier Division season. The Town have a long trip to Leiston (our new 'league local rivals') on Boxing Day instead of the derby games versus Cheshunt or Waltham Abbey we've been used to as well as lengthy journey for Bury Town to The Donkey Dome on New Years Day.

The first three away trips are to The Dripping Pan, Imber Court and Hartsdown Park. Hopefully with all this rain and rubbish weather we've been having the summer may extend into September so we can enjoy an ice cream or two in Sunny Margate. The two away games after this to Hastings United and Bognor Regis Town are dependent on Town's and their opponent's particapation in the FA Cup.

Town start their Premier Division home campaign with a game against our local rivals Wingate and Finchley and then by entertaining Whitehawk, whom are one of the favourites for the league title.

The games versus Wealdstone which many people are looking forward to come on the 15th December away and Saturday 9th February at home.

The game on Bank Holiday Monday 27th August against Metropolitan Police FC maybe moved as the club have moved games on this date before so it doesn't clash with the Notting Hill Carnival poilicing plans. Last season's home game with Leatherhead was moved to the Wednesday nigh.

Fixtures are copyright of the Ryman League

Saturday 18th August    – Lewes 
Tuesday 21st August     – WINGATE AND FINCHLEY 
Saturday 25th August    – WHITEHAWK
Monday 27th August      – Metropolitan Police   
Saturday 1st September  – HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH
Saturday 8th September  – KINGS LANGLEY, ST MARGARETSBURY or LEIGHTON TOWN (FA CUP 1st QR)
Saturday 15th September – Margate 
Saturday 22nd September – CONCORD RANGERS      (or FA CUP 2nd QR)
Saturday 29th September – CAMBRIDGE CITY       (FAT  1st QR)
Saturday 6th October    – Hastings United      (or FA CUP 3rd QR)
Tuesday 9th October     – EAST THURROCK UNITED
Saturday 13th October   - CRAY WANDERERS 
Saturday 20th October   – Bognor Regis Town    (or FA CUP 4th QR)
Saturday 27th October   – HARROW BOROUGH       (or FAT 2nd QR)
Saturday 3rd November   – Canvey Island 
Saturday 10th November  – Carshalton Athletic  (or FAT 3rd QR)
Saturday 17th November  – HENDON
Saturday 24th November  – Kingstonian          (or FAT 1st RD)
Saturday 1st December   – LOWESTOFT TOWN
Saturday 8th December   – THURROCK
Saturday 15th December  – Wealdstone 
Saturday 22nd December  – METROPOLITAN POLICE
Wednesday 26th December – Leiston   
Saturday 29th December  – Whitehawk 
Tuesday 1st January     – BURY TOWN
Saturday 5th January    – East Thurrock United  
Saturday 12th January   – HASTINGS TOWN 
Saturday 19th January   - Cray Wanderers 
Saturday 26th January   – BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
Saturday 2nd February   - Thurrock
Saturday 9th February   – WEALDSTONE 
Saturday 16th February  – KINGSTONIAN
Saturday 23rd February  - Lowestoft Town
Tuesday 26th February   – Wingate and Finchley 
Saturday 2nd March      – LEWES  
Saturday 9th March      – Hampton and Richmond Borough
Saturday 16th March     – MARGATE 
Saturday 23rd March     – Concord Rangers 
Saturday 30th March     – Bury Town 
Monday 1st April        - LEISTON 
Saturday 6th April      – Harrow Borough
Saturday 13th April     – CANVEY ISLAND 
Saturday 20th April     – Hendon 
Saturday 27th April     – CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE OPENING FIXTURES

As one massive sporting event will be drawing to a close over the weekend of Saturday 11th August and Sunday 12th August 2012 another will just be starting as the Spartan South Midlands League seasons kicks off with one Premier Division and a number of Division One games. Most of the member clubs are in action in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round.
Spartan South Midlands League Opening Fixtures

Saturday 11th August 2012

Premier Division
London Tigers v Dunstable Town

Division One
Bedford v Kentish Town
Buckingham Athletic v Chesham United Res
Codicote v Amersham Town
Harpenden Town v Welwyn Garden City
Stony Stratford Town v Southall
Sun Postal Sports v Winslow United

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
SSMFL clubs are in bold
AFC Dunstable v Ampthill Town
Aylesbury United v Enfield 1893 FC
Bedfont Sports v Tring Athletic
Biggleswade United v Cranfield United
Crawley Green v Stotfold
Hadley v Hertford Town
Hanwell Town v Haringey & Waltham Developement
Harefield United v Hillingdon Borough
Haringey Borough v AFC Kempston Town
Hartley Witney v Holmer Green
Hoddesdon Town v Berkhamsted
Kings Langley v St Margarestsbury
London Colney v Hatfield Town
London Lions v Clapton
Oxhey Jets v Leverstock Green
Sporting Bengal United v Cockfosters
Wembley v Langford
Wodson Park v Colney Heath

Tuesday 14th August
Fixtures dependant on FA Cup results and potential replays

Premier Division
Ampthill Town v Dunstable Town
Berkhamsted v Hillingdon Borough
Biggleswade United v St Margaretsbury
Colney Heath v Leverstock Green
Hanwell Town v London Colney
Harefield United v Tring Athletic
Haringey Borough v London Tigers
Hatfield Town v Oxhey Jets
Holmer Green v Hadley

Division One
Cockfosters v Southall
Cranfield United v Bedford
Kentish Town v Amersham Town
Kings Langley v Chesham United Res
Langford v Codicote
Stony Stratford Town v New Bradwell St Peter
Winslow United v Buckingham Athletic

There are some really good fixtures to look forward. Southall make their SSMFL debut with trips to Stony Stratford Town and Cockfosters with Codicote entertaining Amersham Town and then making a trip up the A1 to Langford on Tuesday night for their first fixtures.

Dunstable Town, who are considered to be one of the favourites for the Premier Division, play two away games at London Tigers and promoted Ampthill Town.

RYMAN LEAGUE FIXTURES OUT TOMORROW

Tomorrow is the eagerly awaitied day when fans of Ryman League clubs find out who they will be playing on the opening day and which local derbies will occur on Boxing Day along with all other games throughout the season.

Keep an eye out on the Ryman League official site, Not The ETFC FORUM and ETFC.CO.UK during the day for news and updates.

ENFIELD 1893 FC EDGE OUT COLNEY HEATH IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

BRITISH SUMMER TIME???
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES ARE USUALLY PLAYED IN THE BLAZING HOT SUNSHINE.
NO CHANCE HERE....THE BROLLIES WERE OUT & PEOPLE SHELTERED UNDER THE NEARBY TREES

Colney Heath of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division entertained Enfield 1893 FC from the Essex Senior League on a wet Tuesday evening in Hertfordshire. This was the first time The Cold End had seen the club formed in 2007 play aside from the Middlesex Charity Cup game against Enfield Town two seasons ago.

The game was played on the second pitch at Colney Heath's ground with the main pitch only partly marked at present and no goals in place.

It was an entertaining game as rain poured down during most of the first half with it brightening up a little in the second period. 1893, now managed by Gordon Boateng, looked a good side taking a 0-3 lead into the half time break. It really was a game of two halves as Colney Heath fielded a completely different side (and kit...red and white stripes in the first and bright orange in the second) in the second half with the visitors also making a raft of changes as both managers took a chance to run the rule over a number of players.

Colney brought the game back to 2-3, one through a penalty kick from a handball in the box, only for 1893 to score a late goal, which was nearly cleared off the line by a home defender, to make it 2-4.

 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW -

THE COLD END RECOMMENDS....NON-LEAGUE 365

The Cold End recommends a new website which has been launched over the past few weeks.

NON-LEAGUE 365 contains lots of new from the local and national non-league clubs. Well worth visiting on a regular basis to get your fix of football news.

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION THIS SEASON

Five member clubs have played in the Conference National/Blue Square Premier

Wealdstone spent eight seasons from 79-81 and 82-88 where they famously where the first team to complete the non-league league and cup double when they won the Conference and FA Trophy in 2005.

Canvey Island were members of non-league's top division in 04/05 and 05/06 before they took voluntary relegation into the Ryman Division One (North).

Lewes spent one season in the Blue Square Premier in 08/09 when they finished bottom of the table.

Kingstonian spent three season from 1998 through to 2001 finisihing in fifth place in 2000.

Margate also spent three seasons from 2001 to 2004 when they finished in 16th place well above the drop zone but were  relegated due to problems with their Hartsdown Park Ground.

Three member clubs have lifted the FA Trophy

Wealdstone (as mentioned above) won the famous Trophy in 1985 when they beat Boston United 2-1 at Wembley.

Kingstonian won the Trophy in 1999 beating Forest Green Rovers and retained it in 2000 when Kettering Town were beaten 3-2 in the last final at the old Wembley Stadium.

Canvey Island won 1-0 against Forest Green Rovers at Villa Park in 2001.

Five member clubs have been champions of the Isthmian League's top division

Kingstonian (3) 1933/34, 1936/37, 1997/98
Hendon (2) 1964/65, 1972/73
Harrow Borough (1) 1983/84
Canvey Island (1) 2003/04
Hampton and Richmond Borough (1) 2006/07

Six clubs have lifted the Isthmian League Cup

Hendon (1) 1976/77
Bognor Regis Town (1) 1986/87
Kingstonian (1) 1995/96
Thurrock (1) 2003/04
Wingate & Finchley (1) 2010/11
Bury Town (1) 2011/12

FA Cup record of the Premier Division clubs last season

AFC Hornchurch 1st QR Lost at home to Concord Rangers 1-3
Aveley 2nd QR lost away at Hanworth Villa 1-0
Billericay Town 3rd QR lost at home to Leatherhead 0-3
Bury Town 2nd QR lost away to Redbridge 1-0
Canvey Island 2nd QR lost at home to Bishops Stortford 0-1
Carshalton Athletic 2nd QR lost away to Dover Athletic 3-0
Concord Rangers 2nd QR replay lost at home to Wroxham 1-2
Cray Wanderers 3rd QR lost at home to Dartford 1-2
East Thurrock United 1st Round Proper lost at home to Macclesfield Town 0-3
Harrow Borough 2nd QR lost away to Dartford 5-0
Hastings United 1st QR lost at home to Cray Wanderers 0-3
Hendon 4th QR lost away at Luton Town 5-1
Horsham 2nd QR replay lost at home to Burnham 2-3
Kingstonian 1st QR lost away to Poole Town 3-0
Leatherhead 4th QR replay lost at home to Sutton United 2-3
Lewes 1st QR lost away to Chertsey Town 4-1
Lowestoft Town 3rd QR lost at home to Chelmsford City 2-5
Margate 3rd QR lost at home to Bromley 2-3
Met Police 1st QR lost away at Beckenham Town 2-4
Tooting and Mitcham 1st QR lost away at Margate 0-3
Wealdstone 1st QR lost at home to Beaconsfield SYCOB 0-2
Wingate and Finchley 1st QR lost at home to Redbridge 0-3

Nine (Aveley, Bury Town, Concord Rangers, Horsham, Kingstonian, Lewes, Met Police, Wealdstone and Wingate & Finchley) of the twenty two clubs suffered defeats to lower ranked clubs in last season's competition.

Three clubs reached the 4th Qualifying Round (East Thurrock United, Hendon, Leatherhead) with only East Thurrock United reaching the First Round Proper where they lost to League Two side Macclesfield Town.

ENFIELD TOWN'S LEAGUE OPPONENTS 2012/13 - PART FIVE

THURROCK

The Fleet had spent eight seasons in the Blue Square South division up until their relegation at the end of last season. They finished in the relegation zone for 2010/11 as well but were lucky enough to escape with a reprieve rewarded following the demise of Rushden and Diamonds from the Blue Square Premier. They also received a reprieve at the end of 2008/09 when they finished in the drop zone but were saved as Team Bath folded and left the division.

Their best season at BSS level came in 2004/05 when under long serving manager Colin McBride they finished in 3rd position and lost in the play-off semi-final to Eastbourne Borough.

Formed as Purfleet in 1985 they joined the Essex Senior League in 1986 and then the Isthmian League in 1988. The club changed their named to Thurrock FC in 2003.

Ex Barnet, Grays Athletic, Gillingham, Stevenage Borough manager Mark Stimson has taken over in the hot-seat during the summer. He was last at Kettering Town in the Blue Square Premier where he was in charge from September to January 2012.

Stimson will once again team up with midfielder Stuart Thurgood at Ship Lane for 2012/13. They tasted lots of success together in their time with Grays Athletic. Thurgood, born in Enfield, played for Thurrock in the Conference South last season.

BIGGEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD OF 2011/12 - 729 versus Chelmsford City

FACT ABOUT THE TOWN -
The Circus Tavern, which hosted the PDC World Darts Championship from 1994 through to 2007, is still one of the places to go in the local area with boxing nights held regularly amongst other events and party nights. On Friday 14th September an evening of Championship darts takes place featuring Adrian Lewis, Raymond Van Barneveld, Bobby George, Wayne Mardle and Keith Deller amongst others.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB -
The club's first competitive game came in the Essex Senior League Reserve Division where they spent their first season in 1985/86. Canvey Island Reserves were beaten 3-0 on 24th August 1985.

WEALDSTONE

It's safe to say that Wealdstone and the old Enfield FC had an eventful rivalry in the 1980's when they both competed in and won Non-League's top division prior to when promotion to the football league was brought in. Since The Stones left non-league's top table in 1988 it's been a roller coaster of a ride of ups and downs for the club. Their ground, Lower Mead, was sold to a supermarket and subsequently demolished with a near two decade period of ground sharing at Watford, Yeading, Edgware Town and Northwood.

In 1995 the club requested to be moved from the Southern League to the Isthmian League to help with increasing travelling costs. The FA agreed but insisted on the club joining at the league's lowest level being the then Division Three which was effectively a drop of two steps from the Southern League Southern Division they had been playing in.

Following plans to build a new home at Canons Park in Harrow the project ended due to various reported financial and building problems. Happily the Stones found a new home in 2008 when they moved into Grosvenor Vale which had been the home of Ruislip Manor. They remain here to date and have made extensive improvements since being at the stadium. The Vale is approximately four and half miles from the club's spiritual home in Wealdstone.

Last season was Wealdstone's most successful for a number of years as they reached the play-off semi-finals and the FA Trophy semi-finals. Gordon Bartlett has been manager since 1995 and is assisted by Leo Morris whom was Captain of Yeading (then managed by Bartlett) in the 1990 FA Vase final.

In their glory FA Trophy run they beat Tooting and Mitcham United, Margate (after a replay), Banbury United (after a replay), Uxbridge, Barrow, Dartford (after a replay) and Cambridge United only to be narrowly beaten 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final with Newport County.

Up front they have the Ryman Premier Division golden boot winner for 2011/12 in Richard Jolly. Jolly was with The Stones between 2003 and 2006 whereby he scored over 100+ goals and rejoined from Sutton United in the summer of 2011 after spending sometime on loan during the 2010/11 season. The goal machine scored 48 league and cup goals last season. He has recently announced he will spend one more season playing before hanging up his boots in 2013.

Bartlett has also recently signed goalkeeper Rikki Banks whom started his career with Crystal Palace and has also played for Worthing, Lewes and Eastbourne Borough. Banks will provide cover for the currently injured Jonathan North who is scheduled to return in December 2012. North suffered a clean break to both his tibia and fibula in a match with Canvey Island back in March.

Aside from one season in 2003/04 when The Stones played against the old Enfield FC, then based in Boreham Wood, in the Isthmian League Division One (North) football between the two Middlesex towns has been avoided in league competition since the 1987/88 GM Vauxhall Conference season.

Enfield Town have played Wealdstone on two competitive occasions since we were formed in 2001. On Tuesday 9th May 2002 Jim Chandler's Essex Senior League Enfield Town capped an end to a wonderful first season by beating Wealdstone (then of Isthmian League Division One) in the Middlesex Charity Cup final at Brook House. Town won 4-3 on penalties with ex Enfield FC hero Martin St Hiliare scoring the winning kick. A decent crowd of 459 people saw this game.

Then last season Wealdstone visited The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Tuesday 6th December 2011 and ran out 0-6 winners in a Middlesex Senior Cup 2nd Round game. Town manager Steve Newing fielded a much changed side from the one that had played against Grays Athletic in the league the previous Saturday with only Dave Kendall remaining in the starting XI. The Stones were very impressive with Brit Assombalonga and Connor Smith (both on loan from Watford) standing out. This was a much more low key affair than the 2002 game with only 137 people watching. Match highlights are below.

Assombalonga scored 6 times in 11 games in his loan spell for The Stones and went onto spend a month with Blue Square Premier Braintree Town where he scored five times in five games before being recalled to Vicarage Road. Assombalonga made his debut for The Hornets in their game on the 17th March 2012 with Coventry City. The striker, who turns 20 in December, has a big future in the game.



So instead of The Town End v The Elmslie End or Southbury Road v Lower Mead from the 1980's it's The Vale v The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium for 2012/13. The games are bound to attract decent crowds with many fans from both sides recalling the matches that took place in the 1980s between The Stones and the old Enfield FC.

BIGGEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD OF 2011/12 - 876 v Harrow Borough

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB -
Marvin Sordell (born in Harrow), who recently joined Bolton Wanderers from Watford, spent some time on loan with The Stones in 2008. Sordell is also in Stuart Pearce's Great Britain Olympic squad.

FACT ABOUT THE TOWN -
The famous "Weald Stone" marking the boundary between the parish of Harrow and Harrow Weald is located outside The Weald Stone Inn public house (formerly The Red Lion). It is made from Sarsen Stone and records show it went missing between 1549 and 1834 when it was thought to be buried. It is located on the High Road at the junction with Long Elmes.

WHITEHAWK

Formed in 1945 (as Whitehawk and Manor Farm Old Boys) and another trip to the seaside for 2012/13. Whitehawk is a suburb to the East of Brighton. The Enclosed Ground is a short walk from the delights of Brighton Marina Village which itself is a longer walk along the sea-front from the main town centre and Pier.

The club spent 1945 until 2010 in the Sussex County League when after a succession of near misses (from 2002/03 to 08/09 - 2nd, 8th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 12th) at the top of Division One The Hawks won the league title and with it promotion to the Ryman Division One (South).

In their debut season they qualified for the play-offs and lost at home to Leatherhead before last season they won the title by 2 points from runner's up Bognor Regis Town. The margin would of been 5 points as The Hawks had 3 points deducted from their eventual total.

The club did have permission to move to Brighton & Hove Albion's former ground at The Withdean Stadium whilst their own ground is revamped but a change of plans has seen them develop the ground whilst still playing there. The club are very ambitious with talk of promotion to the Conference and maybe even beyond being the aim for them.

Darren Freeman is the manager who made over 100+ appearances in the football league for Gillingham, Fulham, Brentford and Brighton & HA. He is assisted by Ross Standen (whom has been at the club for over two decades) and Paul Dollner.
BIGGEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD FOR 2011/12 - 326 v Bognor Regis Town

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB -
1,896 people saw Whitehawk lift the 2012 Sussex Senior Cup at The Amex Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Crawley Down.

FACT ABOUT THE AREA -
If we get a Summer time game (or winter as it's open all year round) at Whitehawk you could (if your brave enough) take a tent with you and arrange to pitch it in The Sheepcote Valley Caravan Club Site. The reviews on ukcampsite.co.uk all seem to be very good with an average rating of 8/10. August/September and maybe March/April in a tent would be nice but in December it might be slightly too cold!!

WINGATE AND FINCHLEY

Another club well known to Enfield Town fans following our games with them in the Ryman Division One (North) up until their promotion at the end of the 2010/11 season. The most famous match being Town's 2-3 victory in the 2010 play-off semi-final at The Harry Abraham's Stadium. The Wingate fans, players and officials reaction to the defeat in wishing Enfield Town all the best won them many friends and much admiration from the travelling fans that night.

Clearly manager David Norman drew the positives from the defeat and made up for it in 2011 when our neighbours defeated Harlow Town and Brentwood Town in the play-offs to achieve promotion up to the Ryman Premier Division.

Gained a very respectable 13th placed finish last season after Norman kept the faith with the majority of the squad which had gained promotion from Division One (North).

Wingate and Finchley were formed in 1991 when the two clubs merged. Finchley were struggling at the bottom of Division Two (North) of the Isthmian League with Wingate playing in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division after a spell in the Herts Senior County League from 1984 through to 1989.

Wingate FC had lost their ground at Hall Lane in Hendon in 1972 which saw the club formed in 1946 drop into junior football for a number of seasons. A merger and a move East to Leyton to form Leyton-Wingate brought the club back to senior football in 1975 with Leyton dropping the Wingate from their name in 1992.

The new club stayed for four seasons in the Spartan League and joined the Isthmian League in 1995.

BIGGEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD FOR 2011/12 - 285 v Horsham

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB -
Wingate FC came about in 1946 when Major Harry Sadow, Frank Davis, George Hyams and Asher Rebak formed a Jewish Football Club believing the field of play was a ground of battling the ignorance of anti-Semitism. The club was named after General Orde C. Wingate who oversaw the creation of the Israeli Army during the Second World War.

FACT ABOUT THE AREA -
Finchley Borough had four twin towns (Finchley now falls under the London Borough of Barnet whom still maintain links with the towns) one of which is Mountclair, USA. The town is located in the Essex County of the state of New Jersey. Cult TV show The Sopranos used the town to film many scenes and it also boasts the uniquely named 'Yoggi Berra Stadium' which is home to minor-league baseball team The New Jersey Jackals.

NON-LEAGUE DAY 2012

Saturday 13th October is the date that has been set for Non-League Day. As their fantastic website states "Non-League Day is a celebration of the semi-professional and amateur game and a chance for fans of bigger clubs to experience football at a level they may be otherwise unfamiliar with. Moreover, it helps promote hundreds of clubs across the country who are almost exclusively volunteer run and do so much good for the local community."

The Cold End is a supporter of the day and encourages anybody to get out and about, get involved and go to a local game on not just the 13th October but whenever you can.

Click on the link to the left hand side of The Cold End for more details of Non-League Day.

VICTORY FOR LEWES AND ENFIELD TOWN

The Supporters Direct Cup and Trophy games took place at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium today with Lewes lifting the Trophy thanks to a 1-0 victory against Fisher and Enfield Town winning 3-1 against a youthful Wrexham side. Liam Hope (2) and Mark Kirby scored the goals for Town in the first half with a number of youth team players and trailists getting some game time in the second half.

No footage of the game today as I was busy being Dad to my little boy who enjoyed his visit to The Donkey Dome. The above picture is Jack's (he turns 5 next month) interpretation of his Dad scoring (more by luck than judgement I think!) in the half-time penalty competition between supporters of Enfield Town and Wrexham which Enfield Town won. The Fisher fans won their shoot-out with Lewes.

Even though the weather was miserable a good time was had by all so The Cold End wishes Wrexham along with Fisher and Lewes the best of luck for the forthcoming season.

Wrexham's official club page has a report on the match here

ENFIELD TOWN'S LEAGUE OPPONENTS FOR 2012/13 - PART FOUR

LOWESTOFT TOWN
We all know about The Trawler Boys who we played in the Ryman Division One (North) in the 2009/10 season with a large percentage of Enfield Town fans fully expecting the Suffolk side to be one of either the Blue Square South or North divisions by now.

In two seasons in the Ryman Premier Division they have the following records  -

SEASON	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	POS	DETAILS
2011/12	42	25	7	10	80	53	+27	82	3rd	Lost in Play Off Final
2010/11	42	20	15	7	68	30	+38	75	4th	Lost in Play Off Final

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If they improve by 7 points as they did so last season they will have a total of 89 points which would of won them the title in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

In both seasons they have narrowly lost out in the play-off final and with Ady Gallagher and Mick Chapman strengthening their already impressive squad for the forthcoming season it's no surprise to see they are favourites for the title.

They have signed midfielders Danny Cunnigham and Lee Smith from league and Suffolk rival's Bury Town. Cunningham scored some vital goals for Bury Town last season with both players welcome additions to the squad at Crown Meadow. Striker Jack Defty has also signed whom spent last year with Kings Lynn Town in the United Counties league firing in 26 goals in 34 starts.

As well as going forward they have strengthened their back-line by signing Dan Gleeson who was with Blue Square Premier side Luton Town last season. He played 11 times for the Kenilworth Road club and is also an ex England C International.

As well as Bury Town they will renew their old Eastern Counties League local rivalry with Leiston for this season. When they last met in the ECL in the 2008/09 season their games attracted 672 at Crown Meadow and 631 at Victory Road so expect big crowds for those games this season.

BEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD FOR 2011/12 - 1,158 versus Wealdstone in the Play-Off Semi-Final

FACT ABOUT THE AREA - The town is the second largest in Suffolk with only Ipswich having a bigger population.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB -
Shared the first Eastern Counties League Championship/title with Harwich and Parkeston in 1936.

MARGATE

Unfortunately another club to suffer ground problems and very nearly lost their Hartsdown Park ground amid numerous problems with its redevelopment. At one point it was reported the club may even fold completely. The original ground was demolished in early 2003 but due to planning problems the development dragged on. Thankfully, after three nomadic seasons ground-sharing with Dover Athletic and Ashford Town, they returned home in August 2005.

The club whom were known as Thanet United in the 1980's won the Southern Premier Division in 2001 and achieved promotion to the Conference where they spent three season's finishing 8th, 10th and 16th. Despite their finish well above the relegation zone in 2004 they were placed in the Conference South due to the ongoing concerns with their ground (as detailed above) and suffered a second successive relegation at the end of the 2004/05 season to the Isthmian Premier Division.

Chris Kinnear (boss from 1996 to 2006) returned in 2011 after the club a succession of managers between 2006 to 2011 including Robin Trott, Barry Ashby, Terry Yorath, Neville Southall (as Caretaker) and ex Great Wakering Rovers boss Iain O'Connell.

Kinnear steered them to a 15th place finish and TheColdEnd expects them to improve on that position this season.

BIGGEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD FOR 2011/12 - 536 versus Billericay Town

FACT(S) ABOUT THE AREA -
If the Town are lucky enough to play Margate away on the opening day of the season which is Saturday 18th August you can book a double room in the various B&B's around the town from as little at £49!

The house used as the famous 'Villa Bella' guesthouse featured in the iconic Only Fools and Horses Jolly Boy's Day Out Episode was located in Dalby Square in the town...but has since been demolished.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB -
One of the club's original grounds known as the Hall-by-the-Sea ground is where the Dreamland Amusement park (closed since 2006) stands today. Hartsdown Park is a short walk from the sea-front in the town.

METROPOLITAN POLICE FC

Formed in 1919 and have been members of the Isthmian League since 1977 playing in the lower divisions until 2011 they won the Division One (South) title on a dramatic final day of the season to win promotion to the Premier Division for the first time. In recent years the club have relaxed the rule that to represent them players had to be serving police officers or staff.

In 2010 the club lifted their first ever Senior Trophy by beating AFC Wimbledon 4-3 on penalty kicks after an amazing 4-4 draw in the final of the London Senior Cup. Their previous appearances in the final had come in 1941 when they lost to Barnet and 1935 to Enfield FC.

Finished in a respectable 12th position last season so will look to improve on that this campaign.

A player Town fans will know is Sos Yao (whom has played against us for Maldon and Tiptree and Brentwood Town recently) has moved to Imber Court this summer.

BEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD FOR 2011/12 - 412 versus Kingstonian

FACT ABOUT THE AREA -
Imber Court is in East Molesey. Molesey FC's ground is only a stone's throw away in West Molesey.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB -
Won promotion on their debut season in the Isthmian League finishing 2nd in Division Two. Epsom and Ewell pipped them to the title.


COMING SOON THE FINAL PART FIVE. FEATURING THURROCK, WEALDSTONE, WHITEHAWK AND WINGATE AND FINCHLEY.

FA COMPETITION DRAWS ARE MADE

Cup fever and excitement has taken over at The Cold End and in local football today as the Football Association made the draws for early rounds of the world's greatest competition alongside the FA Trophy, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup competitions.

Enfield Town are exempt until the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup this season and have received a home draw against either Spartan South Midlands League sides St Margaretsbury, Kings Langley or Evo Stik Southern League Division One Central side Leighton Town.

The road to Wembley starts with Division One Kings Langley entertaining Premier Division St Margaretsbury on Saturday 11th August in the Extra Preliminary Round with the winners welcoming Leighton Town on Saturday 25th August and the game at The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Saturday 8th September. The winners of the game receive a healthy prize of £3,000 from the FA for getting through to the 2nd Qualifying Round.

In the FA Trophy Town have another home draw as we enter in the First Qualifying Round on Saturday 29th September by welcoming Cambridge City to North London. They finished 5th in the Evo Stik Southern Premier Division last season losing out to Oxford City in the play-off semi-final.

The FA Youth Cup sees what will be a hugely anticipated local derby take place at Goldsdown Road between Enfield Town and Enfield 1893 FC. The First Qualifying Round game is scheduled to take place the week beginning of Monday 17th September.

Another tie of interest in the FA Cup see Spartan Division One side Langford under the spotlight as they travel to Wembley in the Extra Preliminary Round. Wembley, as most people will have read, will include a host of ex-professional players for this game. It will probably be the case that most non-league fans will firmly be supporting the Forde Park side in this game.

Full draw details can be found on thefa.com website.