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

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN

Two views of the wonderful beach at Bognor

The Rocks agonisingly lost the 2010/11 Division One (South) title by goal difference of +1 and then went onto lost to Dulwich Hamlet (whom had finished an amazing 31 points below them) in the play-off semi-final. For 2011/12 they were top of the division for most of the season but were pipped to the title by Whitehawk who pushed their South Coast rivals into the play offs for the second year running. The Rocks won an amazing semi-final against Godalming Town which finished 4-4 AET - Godalming battled back from 1-0 & 3-2 down with The Rocks fighting back from 2-1 and 4-3 down and eventually winning 5-3 on penalty kicks. They gained revenge against Dulwich Hamlet in the final with a 1-0 victory in front of over 2,000 people at Nyewood Lane.

The club were founder member of the Conference South in 2004/05 and stayed in the division for five seasons finishing in 9th, 12th, 12th, 18th and 21st. For 2009/10 they competed in the Ryman Premier Division and were relegated for a second season in succession when they finished bottom of the table entering the 2010/11 season in Division One (South) as shown in the first paragraph.

Darin Killpatrick and Jamie Howell are joint managers and have been in charge since the summer of 2009. Howell is a club legend having played over 400+ games between 1997 and 2007. He was previously in charge of Burgess Hill Town. Killpatrick was coach for three seasons prior to being made manager and also played a number of games for Town.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB
Top scorers in Division One (South) last season with 105 goals in just 40 league games.

FACT ABOUT THE TOWN
On the beach between Bognor Regis and Aldwick lies the wreck of a Floating Pontoon. It is part of the Mulberry Harbour which was towed across to Normandy on D-Day 6 June 1944. This particular section did not make it across the Channel and was washed up on the beach shortly afterwards. It is clearly visible at low tide throughout the year.

BEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD 2011/12
 2,002 v Dulwich Hamlet - Play Off Final

BURY TOWN

Bury Town were founded in 1872 and are among one the oldest football clubs in the country. Ram Meadow has been their home since 1978 and over the last few years they have hopped between leagues since moving back up to Step 4 football in 2006. Played in the Ryman Division One (North) for two season and then moved across to the Southern League Midland Division which they won in 2010 to achieve promotion to the Ryman Premier Division.

Since moving up Town have been right up the top of the division being in contention for the title/play offs over the past two seasons. They finished fifth last season and were beaten by AFC Hornchurch in the play-off semi-final. In 2010/11 they finished third and lost out to Suffolk rival's Lowestoft Town at Ram Meadow.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB
Lifted the 2011/12 Alan Boon Isthmian League Cup by beating East Thurrock United 1-0 at Staines Town.

FACT ABOUT THE TOWN
The Nutshell public house, located just off the town's market place, has a bar measuring just 15ft by 7ft. It holds the title of the smallest pub in Britain as declared in The Guiness Book of Records. It first started selling beer in 1867! You'll be surprised how much is inside the pub which includes a mummified cat, military items and an aeroplane propeller for you to view whilst enjoying a pint. Got to be worth a visit!!

BEST HOME LEAGUE HOME CROWD 2011/12
868 v Lowestoft Town

CANVEY ISLAND

Two views of the seafront at Canvey.

The meteoric rise of Canvey Island from the Essex Senior League in 1994 to The Conference in 2004 is well documented. Jeff King who was owner and manager during this time and when he left at the end of the 2005/06 season the club resigned from the Conference and dropped three divisions to Ryman Division One (North). During the decade of success the club lifted the FA Trophy in 2001 and also qualified for the 2004 final when the lost 2-3 to Hednesford Town. Finished in 18th and 14th positions in their time at non-league's top table.

Spent two seasons in D1N and were promoted via the play-offs at the end of the 2007/08 season. Since then they have finished in 12th, 16th, 6th (missed out on play offs by goal difference) and 8th place.

John Batch stood down from the manager's position in January and was replaced by ex Waltham Abbey, Ware and Harlow Town boss Glen Alzapiedi who was the club's coach at the time.

Jeff King has recently returned to his spiritual home after spending time as Chelmsford City's manager and Director of Football but this time will take more of a back seat on the club's board and develop the youth and community side of the football club.

Talks between Canvey Island and local rival's Concord Rangers in order form an Island super club were held earlier in the year but the idea never took off and once again the two clubs will again play each other in league fixtures next season.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB
Lifted the 2012 Essex Senior Cup by beating Colchester United 1-0 at Thurrock's Ship Lane ground.

FACT ABOUT THE TOWN/ISLAND
Musician Wilko Johnson, best known for being a member of Dr Feelgood, was born on the Island in 1947.

BEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD 2011/12
763 v Concord Rangers

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC

The Robin's were considered one of the pre-season favourites for the title last season but ended up finishing in a disappointing sixteenth place. Tasted glory in the FA Trophy when they beat Blue Square Premier Lincoln City in a replay at Colston Avenue. They lost out away to future finalist's Newport County in the next round

The club are managed by current club owner Paul Dipre who has attracted protests from supporter groups last season. Amongst other things this included an organised boycott from some fans of the club's final home game of the season reported on the CAFC website here.

Dipre has already been really busy recruiting players for the 2012/13 season as well as retaining a large number of last season's squad. Top scorer, Paul Vines, who (18 goals) scored 37.5% of the club's disappointing league goals tally last season (48) has stayed with a number of forwards/attackers joining. Jack Clark (16 goals for Cray Wanderers) has signed along with Ola Sogbanmu and the experience of Wayne Gray from Woking. Sogbanmu spent some time on loan at Colston Avenue last season. Joe Benjamin, another forward, who spent time in the Blue Square South with Tonbridge Angels has also been signed. Midfielder Ashley Carew who played regularly for Cambridge United in the Blue Square Premier has also been added along with keeper Darren Bechet (ex of Tooting and Mitcham and AFC Hornchuch)

With the quality players added expect The Robins to be right up the top of the league next season. They will certainly score more than 48 goals in the 42 league games they did in 2011/12.

 

 

TWO FACTS ABOUT THE CLUB
(1) A Grandstand was acquired from Epsom racecourse in 1926. It was dismantled, moved and rebuilt at the ground surviving until 1968 when gale force winds blew it down.
(2) Roy Hodgson finished his playing career with the club in 1976 when he retired early through injury.

FACT ABOUT THE TOWN
Carshalton appears in Domesday Book as Aultone.Carshalton was known for its springs; this may have given the town its name Cars - Aul - ton. Aul meaning well or spring. Ton meaning an enclosed farm. .

BEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD OF 2012/13
834 v Billericay Town

CONCORD RANGERS

Thames Road has been a familiar venue for Town fans over the years.
Top - Town fans travelled in huge numbers for the 2010 play off final
Bottom - The main stand

It's a case of wherever Enfield Town go Concord Rangers go and vice-versa since our formation in 2001. Rangers followed Town up to Step 4 and now we follow Rangers up to Step 3 after their victory in the play-off final of 2010 against Town saw Rangers promoted to the Ryman Premier.

They have adapted to life in the Premier Division well finishing 14th (2011/12) and 8th (2010/11).

Danny Scopes has recently stood down at joint boss allowing Danny Cowley to take up the reigns as sole manger for next season. Former Grays Athletic assistant manger (to Julian Dicks) has joined as assistant manager for the forthcoming season. He was boss at relegated Tooting and Mitcham United last season.

FACT ABOUT THE CLUB
They only joined the Essex Senior League in 1991 and were crowned champions in 1999, 2004 and 2008 when they were promoted to the Ryman Division One (North). Won the 2008 title on goal difference to runner's up  Enfield FC 1893.

FACT ABOUT THE TOWN/ISLAND
Salt and Pepper were a famous pair of Children's horse arcade type horse rides which stood on Canvey seafront from 1946 through to 2010. They feature in the Dr Feelgood film 'Oil City Confidential'. Anyone who has spent time in Canvey during these years will know them.

BEST HOME LEAGUE CROWD 2011/12
672 v Canvey Island


Coming soon
CRAY WANDERERS
EAST THURROCK UNITED
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH
HARROW BOROUGH