The Non - League thread

[Warfield Royal]

Windsor & Eton formally wound up in the High Court yesterday.

Do clubs that played W&E earlier in the season now have their results voided? Clubs are out of pocket because they can't recover the expenses for playing those wasted matches.

Not sure I'm following your point exactly but I should imagine that all clubs visiting Stag Meadow this season only came with the guarantee of immediate payment of their share of gate receipts.

My point is... There is no sharing of gate receipts for league games so travelling to an away game is a cost for the visiting club which cannot be recovered.

I'm more interested to know if W&E only drop 2 steps which could put them in at Hellenic Premier or do they start at the bottom. It could make for more good local derbies with Ascot United, Binfield, Bracknell Town (if they don't go down) and Wokingham & Emmbrook and maybe Holyport.

[Royal Rother]

Hmm, daft plank I am. (Confusing it with Cup matches.)

[Victor Meldrew]

The only way is up - if the club adopts the John Madejski model of self-sustainability, within-your-means financial governance I'm sure there is a decent future for a new club. There are some good people involved, and although a lot needs to be done before August, their collective desire, energy, skills and professionalism gives me every confidence it'll happen.

I just hope it's at Stag Meadow, for whatever league we start off in, I'll be there as will most of the 171 who turned up for Windsor and Eton FC's last ever game on Saturday. (The Tiverton supporters probably won't I guess....)

The very real and obvious challenge is to get many more than 170 along every week to the new club's games and to develop other income streams and that will undoubtedly be top priority for the new Chairman and his board, otherwise it'll just become another deep dark hole for somebody's money to be poured into.

As of last week Burnham FC hadn't paid their players for 3 months and there are bound to be many other clubs in W&E's position, (well, maybe they haven't been quite so appallingly run), so one has to expect more wind-ups in the next year or 2 in the non-leagues.

I see now why you banged on so often about all those league clubs that were certain to go out of business during the recession.
From what I can see they haven't.

[Alan Partridge]

Unfortunately I can't have TOO much sympathy for Windsor, they cheated their way out of the South and West division and have now paid the price.

If you can't afford something you don't buy it. Professional clubs can get away with it, clubs like Windsor can't.

[Royal Rother]

I don't think any Windsor supporter feels differently.

When we found out after the end of last season that we had won promotion on the back of failing to pay PAYE for 5 years, failing to pay local suppliers, failing to pay wages and all-round financial mismanagement it left a bad taste in the mouth of every supporter I have spoken with.

AFC Totton have every right to feel extremely aggrieved, yet their fans have still come on the Windsor website and offered their sympathy and support.

In fact other teams have been incredibly generous in their comments. The Chesham Chairman has even come on and offered free admission for the rest of the season to their games for anyone holding a season ticket to Stag Meadow.

Non league >>> Big league.

[handbags_harris]

Windsor & Eton formally wound up in the High Court yesterday.

Do clubs that played W&E earlier in the season now have their results voided? Clubs are out of pocket because they can't recover the expenses for playing those wasted matches.

Not sure I'm following your point exactly but I should imagine that all clubs visiting Stag Meadow this season only came with the guarantee of immediate payment of their share of gate receipts.

I think what the fella means is that the clubs W&E have played so far this season are out of pocket because they have had to pay their players their appearance fees, expenses, bonuses (if they get any) and suchlike as a result of the game taking place. Ultimately the club is out of pocket for playing a game that technically never took place. It's not exactly as if money is there in abundance in the non-league scene...

[Alan Partridge]

I don't think any Windsor supporter feels differently.

When we found out after the end of last season that we had won promotion on the back of failing to pay PAYE for 5 years, failing to pay local suppliers, failing to pay wages and all-round financial mismanagement it left a bad taste in the mouth of every supporter I have spoken with.

AFC Totton have every right to feel extremely aggrieved, yet their fans have still come on the Windsor website and offered their sympathy and support.

In fact other teams have been incredibly generous in their comments. The Chesham Chairman has even come on and offered free admission for the rest of the season to their games for anyone holding a season ticket to Stag Meadow.

Non league >>> Big league.

Nice gesture

Needless to say I agree entirely with the last bit there.

[Stranded]

It is a nice gesture but he's thinking bottom line there, may not get any more through the gate but they'll increase bar/food/programme takings.

Fair play though.

[Terminal Boardom]

Do clubs that played W&E earlier in the season now have their results voided? Clubs are out of pocket because they can't recover the expenses for playing those wasted matches.

Not sure I'm following your point exactly but I should imagine that all clubs visiting Stag Meadow this season only came with the guarantee of immediate payment of their share of gate receipts.

I think what the fella means is that the clubs W&E have played so far this season are out of pocket because they have had to pay their players their appearance fees, expenses, bonuses (if they get any) and suchlike as a result of the game taking place. Ultimately the club is out of pocket for playing a game that technically never took place. It's not exactly as if money is there in abundance in the non-league scene...

Don't forget the gate receipts, bar takings etc that the home club would have had from a visit from Windsor. Sadly, the losers are the genuine supporters of clubs like Windsor.

[Four Of Clubs]

For Royals (and 'Royalist' ) Fans and others seeking some NL 'thrills' tomorrow:

CONFS
Basingstoke v Dover
Chelmsford v Havant and W
Ebbsfleet United v Farnborough
Hampton & Richmond v St Albans
Lewes v Boreham Wood
Maidenhead Utd v Bishop's Stortford
Staines Town v Thurrock
Welling v Braintree Town

ISTH1S
Bognor Regis T v Godalming Town
Fleet Town v Chipstead

SOUTHP
Brackley Town v Chesham United
Didcot Town v Bashley
SOUTH1C
Arlesey Town v Slough Town
Ashford Town (Middx) v Daventry Town
Beaconsfield SYCOB v Bedfont Town
Burnham v Northwood
Marlow v Biggleswade Town
SOUTH1S&W
Bridgwater Town v Thatcham Town
Hungerford Town v North Leigh
Yate Town v Abingdon United

COCOP
Ash United v Mole Valley SCR
Badshot Lea v Chertsey Town @ Godalming FC
Banstead Athletic v Camberley Town
Cove v Epsom & Ewell
Egham Town v Chessington & Hook United
Wembley v Guildford City - City wobbling but still unbeaten held 2-2 @ home by bottom club Dorking on Wed
COCO1
Bedfont Sports v Hartley Wintney
CB Hounslow United v Chobham (2.00 p.m.)
Eversley v Staines Lammas (2.00 p.m.)
Farnborough North End v Farleigh Rovers (venue tba)
Farnham Town v Sheerwater
Knaphill v Cobham (2.00 p.m.)

HELLP
Ardley United v Ascot United
Binfield v Abingdon Town
Flackwell Heath v Fairford Town
Old Woodstock Town v Slimbridge
Reading Town v Highworth Town
Shrivenham v Kidlington
Thame United v Wantage Town
Witney United v Wokingham & Emmbrook
Wootton Bassett Town v Shortwood United
HELL1E
(NB KOs @ non-Floodlit Grounds revert to 15:00h in this league oddly enough the CCL still KO early for another couple of weeks?)
Chinnor v Penn & Tylers Green
Henley Town v South Kilburn
Newbury v Didcot Town Reserves
Rayners Lane v Finchampstead
Woodley Town v Milton United
Berks & Bucks FA - Intermediate Cup [ Quarter Final ]
13:30 Aston Clinton v Chalfont Wasps

WESSP
Winchester City v Blackfield & Langley
WESS1
Pewsey Vale v Fleet Spurs
Tadley Calleva v Warminster Town

[Warfield Royal]

I will be at Ardley United v Ascot United and the unpredictable Yellamen might pull off a surprise against the league users.

[Four Of Clubs]

... ooops sorry forgot tomorrow's FA Trophy Fixtures

Eastbourne Borough v Guiseley AFC
Mansfield Town v Alfreton Town
Blyth Spartans AFC v Droylsden
AFC Telford United v Darlington
Woking v Salisbury City
Eastleigh v Chasetown
Gateshead v Dartford

Luton bt Gloucester City 1-0 tonight.

[Warfield Royal]

Ardley United 6 v Ascot United 2

[Tony Le Mesmer]

W&E have plans to install a plastic pitch if they return to stag meadow. Could be controverial but i think
this is something more non league clubs should try to increase revenue. Plastic pitches are much better than they used to be and no stupid fixture pile ups either

[Four Of Clubs]

Ardley United 6 v Ascot United 2

... saw them (AUFC) get a very flattering 3-0 win on Wed night H vs Nomads in a game they ought to have lost about 4-8 !
Bit surprised that Ardley got 6 though - watched them lose away the week before @ Flackwell and they didn't look to be firing much up front.
Maybe part of my 'pet theory' that down @ certain levels NL teams can often appear to be much poorer when playing away of a midweek - possibly down to working during the day then travelling?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...here's the scores from yesterday -

FA Trophy 3rd Round
Eastbourne Borough 1 - 1 Guiseley
Mansfield Town 1 - 1 Alfreton Town
Blyth Spartans 2 - 2 Droylsden
AFC Telford United 0 - 3 Darlington
Woking 0 - 2 Salisbury City
Eastleigh 1 - 3 Chasetown
Gateshead 3 - 0 Dartford

CONFS
Basingstoke Town 3 - 2 Dover Athletic
Chelmsford City 1 - 2 Havant & Waterlooville
Ebbsfleet United 0 - 3 Farnborough
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 - 0 St Albans City
Lewes 2 - 2 Boreham Wood
Maidenhead United 2 - 2 Bishop's Stortford
Staines Town 1 - 1 Thurrock
Welling United 1 - 3 Braintree Town

ISTH1S
Bognor Regis T 2-0 Godalming Town
Fleet Town 1-1 Chipstead

SOUTHP
Brackley Town 1 - 1 Chesham United
Cirencester Town 1 - 1 Chippenham Town
Didcot Town 0 - 2 Bashley - att 136 no immediate 'Ady effect' then - have a tricky local dust up at Oxford City on Tue eve.
Halesowen Town 0 - 8 Evesham United
Oxford City 5 - 0 Weymouth
Truro City 0 - 1 Bedford Town
SOUTH1C
Arlesey Town Ab Slough Town - injury to Referee on 22’
Ashford Town (Middx) 1-4 Daventry Town
Beaconsfield SYCOB 1-1 Bedfont Town
Burnham 2-3 Northwood
Marlow 0-0 Biggleswade Town
SOUTH1S&W
Bridgwater Town 0-4 Thatcham Town
Hungerford Town 1-2 North Leigh
Yate Town 1-0 Abingdon United

COCOP
Ash United 2 - 0 Mole Valley SCR
Badshot Lea 1 - 2 Chertsey Town
Banstead Athletic 0 - 4 Camberley Town
Colliers Wood United 2 - 3 Dorking
Cove 0 - 1 Epsom & Ewell
Croydon 3 - 4 Raynes Park Vale
Egham Town 0 - 0 Chessington & Hook United
Hanworth Villa 6 - 1 Bookham
Molesey 4 - 0 Horley Town
Wembley 0 - 4 Guildford City
COCO1
Bedfont Sports 1 - 0 Hartley Wintney
CB Hounslow United 2 - 2 Chobham
Eversley 1 - 1 Staines Lammas
Farnborough North End 0 - 4 Farleigh Rovers
Farnham Town 3 - 0 Sheerwater
Feltham 1 - 1 Westfield
Knaphill 3 - 1 Cobham
South Park 1 - 1 Hayes Gate
HELLP
Ardley United 6-2 Ascot United
Binfield 2-1 Abingdon Town
Flackwell Heath 2-2 Fairford Town
Old Woodstock Town 2-3 Slimbridge
Reading Town 2-4 Highworth Town – att 54
Shrivenham 2-2 Kidlington
Thame United 0-0 Wantage Town – att 189 – probably still benefitting from the novelty of the new stadium
Witney United 1-1 Wokingham & Emmbrook
Wootton Bassett Town 1-5 Shortwood United
HELL1E
Chinnor 1-2 Penn & Tylers Green
Henley Town 1-0 South Kilburn
Newbury 4-0 Didcot Town Reserves - att 58
Rayners Lane 1-2 Finchampstead
Woodley Town 2-2 Milton United – att 42
Berks & Bucks FA - Intermediate Cup [ Quarter Final ]
Aston Clinton 2-3 Chalfont Wasps
WESSP
Winchester City 1-1 Blackfield & Langley
WESS1
Pewsey Vale 4-1 Fleet Spurs
Tadley Calleva 5-2 Warminster Town

[Royal Rother]

W&E have plans to install a plastic pitch if they return to stag meadow. Could be controverial but i think
this is something more non league clubs should try to increase revenue. Plastic pitches are much better than they used to be and no stupid fixture pile ups either

Things are moving fast but the last I heard when we were still looking at CVA, (so financial situation has improved massively since then!!!) to get the full pitch done would be too expensive so they were just looking at training area and 5 a side pitches behind the main pitch.

If we can now look at converting the match pitch itself then the revenue potential is huge for a club of this size. (Ermm, not that it's any size at all right now of course!)

Being the first of the (current generation) local non-league teams to go under puts Windsor in a good position to exploit the opportunities artificial surfaces present.

[Four Of Clubs]

Today's 'local' NL offerings:-

FA Vase 5th Round - full draw for info - vaguely southern clubs in bold

Whitley Bay v Dunstable Town
Coalville Town v Holbrook Sports
Torpoint Athletic v Billingham Synthonia
Poole Town v Spennymoor Town - possibly game of the round: Poole coasting along at their usual dismissive best in the Wessex League - still unbeaten though 2nd behind Winchester City, albeit with plenty in hand - vs bookies favourites
(I think)

Leverstock Green v Rye United - Lev Gn probably the closest club to Reading left in - is a 'suburb' of Hemel - play at the wonderfully named 'Pancake Lane'

Leiston v Long Buckby
Kings Lynn Town v St Neots Town
Stansted v Dunston UTS

CONFS
Basingstoke v Eastleigh
Bishop's Stortford v Woking
Boreham Wood v Dorchester
Braintree Town v Dartford
Bromley v Staines Town
Hampton & Richmond v Welling
Havant and W v Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead Utd v Lewes
St Albans v Chelmsford
Thurrock v Farnborough - 'boro suffered a terrible result MW lost 0-1 vs bottom side Boreham Wd

ISTH1S
Godalming Town vs. Burgess Hill Town
Worthing v Fleet Town

SOUTHP
Bedford Town v Didcot Town - massive 3-0 win for Diddy at Oxford C on Tuesday - ironically they visit Adie's previous (albeit short-term) employers
Chesham United v Swindon Supermarine
SOUTH1C
AFC Hayes v Marlow
Bedfont Town v Arlesey Town
Hitchin Town v Beaconsfield SYCOB
Rugby Town v Ashford T (Mx)
Slough Town v Aylesbury
SOUTH1S&W
Andover v Bishops Cleeve
North Leigh v Bideford
Paulton Rovers v Hungerford Town
Thatcham Town v Frome Town

COCOP
Bookham v Molesey
Camberley Town v Hanworth Villa - Cambo looked pretty good on Wed eve when I saw them win 3-1 at Chess & Hk
Chertsey Town v Guildford City - match of the day in this league 2nd vs unbeaten 1st
Chessington & Hook United v Ash United
Cove v Banstead Athletic
Mole Valley SCR v Colliers Wood United
Sandhurst Town v Dorking
COCO1
Chobham v Knaphill
Frimley Green v Sheerwater
Hartley Wintney v Cobham
Hayes Gate v Farnham Town
Staines Lammas v CB Hounslow United
Westfield v Eversley

HELLP
Abingdon Town v Kidlington
Bracknell Town v Ardley United - can't see this ending well for the Robins - Ardley put 6 past Ascot last w/e!
Carterton v Reading Town - after disappointing defeat at Witney in MW anything other than three points against fellow strugglers here and Roddy S. could be in serious bother. - Ironically if RTFC continue to plummet and finish down in the bottom four, they might get replaced in the Premier by Henley Town next season
Flackwell Heath v Witney United
Oxford City Nomads v Highworth Town
Thame United v Binfield - Moles had an excellent 3-0 win at in-form Highworth last Tuesday - moved up to 7th with games in hand on a few around them. .
Wantage Town v Old Woodstock Town
Wootton Bassett Town v Shrivenham

HELL1E
Holyport v Chinnor
Milton United v South Kilburn
Reading Senior Cup Q-F
14:00 Finchampstead v Marlow United
14:00 Highmoor Ibis v Newbury
14:00 REME Arborfield v Wokingham & Emmbrook
WESS1
Downton v Tadley Calleva Tadley visit unbeaten league leaders but have had some surprisingly good scores amidst their general dross this season
Fleet Spurs v Ringwood Town
Whitchurch United v Verwood

...undecided on our destination this PM - eldest is at John Nike 'til about 13:00 - practicing for his School Ski-ing Trip - so we'll head off somewhere from Bracknell after picking him up - I'd have quite fancied the Vase game above at Leverstock but it'll probably be 'Anorak-bound' - I think he's suggested somewhere down Brizzle way so I hope the M4's behaving.

[Four Of Clubs]

... and today's scores:-

FA Vase 5th Round
Whitley Bay 5 – 1 Dunstable Town
Torpoint Athletic 1 – 0 Billingham Synthonia
Coalville 1-1 Holbrook Sp FT (H W 3-1 aet)
Poole Town 3 – 2 Spennymoor Town
Leiston 2-1 Long Buckby
Leverstock Green 1 – 2 Rye United
Kings Lynn Town 2 – 1 St Neots Town
Stansted 0 – 2 Dunston UTS

CONFS
Basingstoke 1-2 Eastleigh
Bishop's Stortford 0-4 Woking
Boreham Wood 0-0 Dorchester
Braintree Town 1-1 Dartford
Bromley 0-1 Staines Town
Hampton & Richmond 0-1 Welling
Havant and W 2-3 Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead Utd 0-2 Lewes
St Albans 0-2 Chelmsford
Thurrock 2-4 Farnborough

ISTH1S
Godalming Town 1-1 Burgess Hill Town
Worthing 3-3 Fleet Town

SOUTHP
Bashley 2-1 Truro City – that’s 4 defeats in the last 7 for the Cornishmen – Salisbury now only 1 pt behind with 3 games in hand – though they also surprisingly lost at the Terras this PM (see below)
Bedford Town 1-1 Didcot Town
Chesham United 4-0 Swindon Supermarine
Weymouth 2-0 Salisbury City
SOUTH1C
AFC Hayes PP Marlow
Bedfont Town 0-0 Arlesey Town
Hitchin Town 4-0 Beaconsfield SYCOB
Rugby Town 0-1Ashford T (Mx)
Slough Town 3-2 Aylesbury
SOUTH1S&W
Andover 0-5 Bishops Cleeve
North Leigh 5-4 Bideford
Paulton Rovers 1-4 Hungerford Town
Taunton Town 3-1 Abingdon Utd
Thatcham Town 0-0 Frome Town

COCOP
Bookham 1-1 Molesey
Camberley Town 2-1 Hanworth Villa
Chertsey Town 3-0 Guildford City – unbeaten record goes with a bang. Lead cut to two points.
Chessington & Hook United PP Ash United
Cove 2-3 Banstead Athletic
Mole Valley SCR 2-2 Colliers Wood United
Sandhurst Town 2-0 Dorking
COCO1
Chobham 2-4 Knaphill
Frimley Green 0-1 Sheerwater
Hartley Wintney 3-1 Cobham
Hayes Gate PP Farnham Town
Staines Lammas 0-1 CB Hounslow United
Westfield 3-2 Eversley

HELLP
Abingdon Town 2-4 Kidlington
Bracknell Town 4-1 Ardley United - unbelievable!
Carterton 1-3 Reading Town
Flackwell Heath 1-2 Witney United – also a bit of a shock on current form/position
Oxford City Nomads 2-4 Highworth Town
Thame United 0-2 Binfield - two away wins in a row for the Moles
Wantage Town 3-2 Old Woodstock Town
Wootton Bassett Town 1-1 Shrivenham

HELL1E
Holyport 1-0 Chinnor
Milton United 4-2 South Kilburn
Reading Senior Cup Q-F
Finchampstead 0-1 Marlow United
Highmoor Ibis 1-3 Newbury
REME Arborfield 0-4 Wokingham & Emmbrook
WESS1
Downton 2-1 Tadley Calleva
Fleet Spurs 5-1 Ringwood Town
Whitchurch United 4-3 Verwood

... had a late change of mind and swerved (almost literally) south at M4 jn 11 to attempt AFC Portchester v Pewsey Vale - arr 14:45 - game had been called off by a local Ref mid AM
- didn't think to call ahead - other postponements today all seemed to be over in the East AND the Wessex league's own site wasn't showing any postponements when we set off.
Mad dash back round the A27/A32 and down to Gosport Borough v Bridgwater feisty 1-1 and food was OK - nice traditional rickety Non-league ground with large bench seated stand.
Also fortunate we didn't continue westwards earlier on - our initial destination had been Oldland in E.Bristol - their game with Devizes was Abandoned on 30 odd mins due to player injury!

[AthleticoSpizz]

another good result for Adies Didcot (plunged a few league places south, courtesy of the double victory 6 points firstly won against W&E...then subsequently deducted when they got wound up)

[Elmer Park]

another good result for Adies Didcot (plunged a few league places south, courtesy of the double victory 6 points firstly won against W&E...then subsequently deducted when they got wound up)

Agreed. Adie must be reasonably pleased with four points from the week's two away matches even though they did a Reading yesterday and dropped points to a late goal.

Mind you their form on the road has been decent all season and their win at Oxford City in the week was their seventh including the Windsor victory. The big problem Adie needs to rectify is their home form where they have only won two matches and lost ten. Again one of the victories was against Windsor so that is now expunged. One home win and two draws out of the thirteen matches that now count is pretty grim.

Chance of silverware though in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup where they are in the semi finals against imploding Maidenhead United. Wycombe - Chesham in the other semi so Maidenhead are the only Club still in Berkshire remaining in the Competition.