News Round Up - Updated 01.09.10

The Zamaretto League - News

Bank Holiday and Midweek Matches

Premier Division - Cambridge City scored twice after the break to win 2-0 at Hemel Hempstead Town and stay at the top of the table and Chesham United returned to second spot with a 2-1 win at Bedford Town with Truro City moving into third place when a penalty in each half gave them a 2-1 win at Tiverton Town while Chippenham Town and Salisbury City fought out a 1-1 in front of a gate of 858. Hednesford Town, with a hundred percent away record, were left still looking for their first home win when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leamington while Swindon Supermarine moved into the top half of the table with their second successive win, 2-1 at Cirencester Town, Didcot Town recorded a 2-1 win at Windsor & Eton, and Brackley Town picked up their first win with a 2-0 victory at Oxford City. Banbury United took the lead just five minutes from the end of their home game with Evesham United but had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw when the visitors scored four minutes later. Weymouth tasted their first defaet of the season when they crashed 4-1 at home to Bashley. On Tuesday evening Halesowen Town scored twice in six first half minutes to win 2-0 at Stourbridge and leapfrog their hosts on goal difference.

Division One Central - Hitchin Town won 3-2 at Soham Town Rangers to go to the top of the table while Slough Town, trailing 2-1 after just seven miinutes, came back strongly to record a 5-2 home win over Uxbridge and move into second place. Ashford Town (Middx), a goal behind after just three minutes, scored four before the break to win 4-2 at home against AFC Hayes while Daventry Town scored four in the opening sixteen minutes on their way to a resounding 5-0 home win over Barton Rovers. North Greenford United and visitors Bedfont Town each scored from the spot in the second half to share the points in a 1-1 draw. On Tuesday evening Beaconsfield SYCOB picked up their first points of the season when two goals before the break gave them a 2-0 win at Burnham.

Division One South & West - Mangotsfield United went to the top of the table when a goal ten minutes from time gave them a 1-0 victory at Paulton Rovers while Cinderford Town scored in the second minute of time added on to win 1-0 at home against Frome Town to move into fifth spot and Taunton Town moved into sixth place with a 2-1 win at Bideford. Last season's Runners-up, AFC Totton, recorded their first win of the new campaign in style with a 5-2 home victory over newly promoted Wimborne Town and relegated Clevedon Town also posted their first three pointer with a comfortable 4-1 win at Bridgwater Town. Hungerford Town scored five times in the final twenty two minutes to win 6-1 against bottom of the table Andover and in the day's other game Almondsbury Town snatched a 1-1 draw at Yate Town with a goal just one minute from time.

FA Cup Preliminary Round Replays - Leighton Town scored mid way through the second half to go through to the First Round Qualifying with a 1-0 victory at Heybridge Swifts. Rugby Town, a goal ahead in the first minute, cruised through to the next Round with a 3-0 win at Atherstone Town while Northwood had to come from behind to progress with a 3-1 home win over Wingate & Finchley and Thatcham Town, three up after eighteen minutes, conceded two goals in a five minute second half spell before going on to win 4-2 at Witney United. Elsewhere Arlesey Town won 2-1 after extra time at Aylesbury and Gosport Borough went out 2-1 at Erith & Belvedere.

Weekend Action

Premier Division - Cambridge City, three up after just eleven minutes, went top of the table with a 5-0 home victory over Tiverton Town as previous leaders Salisbury City were held to a 1-1 draw at home by fifth in the table Hemel Hempstead Town while Stourbridge, despite being held to a 0-0 draw at Brackley Town, maintained third place but Chesham United dropped to fourth as a result of a 2-0 home defeat by Banbury United who scored a goal in each half. Truro City, one ahead at the interval, scored eight minutes from time to win 2-1 at home against Oxford City but Chippenham Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Leamington while Hednesford Town maintained their hundred percent away record with a comfortable 3-0 win at Didcot Town and Swindon Supermarine secured their first victory of the season when a first half penalty gave them a 1-0 home win over Bedford Town. Halesowen Town were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cirencester Town and Bashley twice came from behind to take a home point from a 2-2 draw with Windsor & Eton while Weymouth closed the gap at the bottom with their first win of the season, 3-1 at Evesham United.

FA Cup Preliminary Round - Eleven Zamaretto clubs recorded home wins with Bedworth United leading the way with a 6-1 victory over Dudley Town and Mangotsfield United beat South & West leaders Abingdon United 5-0 while Bishops Cleeve went through 4-0 against Westbury United and Paulton Rovers beat Larkhall Athletic 4-1. A further ten clubs progressed to the First Round Qualifying with away wins including Clevedon Town, 6-0 at Bridport, Biggleswade Town, 5-1 conquerors of Newmarket Town, and Slough Town, 4-1 winners at Lancing, while Arlesey Town, Atherstone Town, Aylesbury, Gosport Borough, Leighton Town, Northwood, Rugby Town, Stourport Swifts, and Thatcham Town all face replays next week. Beaconsfield SYCOB bowed out on Sunday when they lost 3-1 at Romford.

Non-League Day

The Zamaretto, Ryman and Evo-Stik Leagues have announced that their 200 clubs would all be encouraged to support Non League Day on September 4th.

September 4th is a day when football fans are encouraged to support their local non league side, in the absence of any Championship or Premiership football that weekend. The three Step 3 & 4 leagues, whose clubs stretch from Durham to Truro have given the initiative their unanimous blessing, and gone further by agreeing a common approach, as Ryman League chairman Alan Turvey explains. "This is a fantastic opportunity for football fans to sample the unique atmosphere of the non-league game, and we will be suggesting our member clubs make special offers available to fans of professional clubs that will persuade them to come and watch their local teams."

Zamaretto chairman Ken Turner confirmed that teams in all three leagues who wish to take part in Non League Day are being encouraged by league bosses to give free or discounted admission to season ticket holders at any Premiership or Football League clubs. "We would never force our clubs to take part, especially if they are already expecting a big crowd on September 4th, however we're optimistic that a substantial number will want to take this opportunity to attract first time visitors to their games."

This move is the latest example of cooperation between the three premier semi-professional leagues, as Evo-Stik League chairman Mark Harris elaborates. "These are difficult times for all clubs at Steps 3 and 4 (of the non league pyramid). As leagues, we can become stronger and more effective if we speak with one voice on key issues, and especially when it comes to attracting new fans to the semi-professional game. Fans want to see leagues learning from each other, and to adopt a consistent approach to opportunities such as Non League Day, that arise."

For more information please visit individual Club websites or www.nonleagueday.co.uk

Bromsgrove Rovers

Following the decision taken by the Board of Directors at its meeting on 11 August 2010, I now confirm that Bromsgrove Rovers’ membership of the Southern Football League has been formally withdrawn. The Club had until 25 August 2010 to exercise their right of Appeal to the Football Association but made no submission by the due date and therefore the Board decision became effective from 26 August 2010.

The Club, which has been in Administration since October 2009, had, because of the unusual circumstances it found itself in, particularly in respect of the lease on their ground, been given until 9 August 2010 to provide the League with assurances that it would be able

a. to continue trading beyond the expiry of the current Administration arrangement on 19 October 2010 and

b. to guarantee security of tenure of a ground possessing the required grading thus enabling it to complete all of its fixtures for the 2010/2011 season

The League Secretary, in attempting to find a solution, was in continuous dialogue with Club officials as well as with Bromsgrove District Council and the Football Association. However, despite his tireless efforts, the assurances were not forthcoming by the given date (just five days prior to the scheduled start of the Season). The Board, having taken full account of the interests of the other Member Clubs, particularly those competing in Division One South & West, were unfortunately left with no alternative other than to withdraw the Club’s membership of the League in accordance with League Rules.

It is regrettable that Division One South & West will now have to operate this Season with only twenty-one clubs but, irrespective of applying League Rules, this was considered preferable to the likelihood that Bromsgrove Rovers, if they had been allowed to remain in membership without the assurances sought, would have been unable to complete the Season with the consequent expunging of the record of any games they did play. Ken Turner, Chairman (27 August 2010)

Club News

Leamington - Former Brakes' player Guy Rippon has been appointed Community Development Director of Leamington Football Club and joins the Board of Directors with immediate effect. He was part of the re-formed Leamington FC team in the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons and still plays regularly for Whitnash Town in the Coventry Alliance. Rippon has extensive experience with both community and funding agencies plus significant local contacts and takes over the role of Community Development Director from current director Russell Davis who has moved sideways into the role of Business Planning.

Guy Rippon said ‘I am delighted to be asked to be involved again with Leamington FC. The club is very ambitious and has got a fantastic infrastructure on and off the field. That is a real testament to all those working behind the scenes, both past and present. Football at all levels plays a massive role in society today. It is not only the world’s most popular sport in terms of participation, but it can also play a positive role in the personal and social development of individuals and communities, purely through a strong club brand – which Leamington FC undoubtedly has. The excellent partnership with the Brakes and Lions clubs offers a huge number of playing opportunities for people of all ages and we will be working together to continue and develop this further. We will also be looking to link up with other key partner organisations to see what other roles the club can play in the local community.’

Rippon spent a number of years managing local authority sport-based projects for young people in Coventry and Rugby, with the aim of reducing crime and anti-social behavior before going on to manage the Sport and Recreation Department of Rugby Borough Council. From there he joined the UK's largest sports charity - The Football Foundation, as a Regional Community Manager. He now works for the Football League Trust – the department of the Football League that oversees youth development and community work at the 72 professional Football League clubs across the country. The Trust provides funding and support for the Football in the Community schemes, with clubs delivering projects to promote participation in sport, address health issues, improve educational attainment and promote social inclusion. His role as the Midlands Regional Manager is to support the community schemes at the likes of Coventry City, Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Norwich City.

Any individuals or organisations interested in finding out more about the community work of the club, can email community@leamingtonfc.co.uk Leamington Chairman Jim Scott said, ‘Guy’s experience, contacts and skills speak for themselves and we are delighted that he has joined the Board of Directors. He has been tasked with widening and developing our current community involvement and has the expertise to do this on both a practical and funding level. His appointment has enabled director Russell Davis to move into the role of ‘Business Planning’. Russell has considerable experience in this field and has been tasked with reviewing all areas of the club's income and expenditure plus further developing the club's business plans for the next five years. Recently appointed director Graham Moody has been handed responsibility for ‘Marketing and Promotions.’ These changes at boardroom level are designed to move the club forward to meet the challenges that lie ahead both on and off the field. We hope to make a number of announcements in the coming months regarding projects designed to develop the club.’

Paulton Rovers - When Rob Cousins reached his 1,000th appearance in non league football midway through last season, the club agreed to arrange a testimonial match for the ever popular "Trigg". As Rob began his career and made one appearance for Bristol City they seemed the natural choice of opponent. However, so far it has not been possible to find a suitable date but with the Championship club being clear during International week we are now pleased to confirm City will be at Winterfield Road, with what we hope will be a strong line up, on the 7th of September.

Admission will be £5 for an adult and £2.50 OAP/Child under 16. We will be producing a souvenir programme and any contributions by way of old articles, photos etc would be very welcome – please email the Rovers’ secretary on ahbr23112@blueyonder.co.uk. It is anticipated the “Rovers” line up will not only include many of the Paulton players who performed alongside Rob but also many of his former colleagues from his other clubs.

The club hopes to raise additional funds through a post match auction and again any donations would be very welcome. As a club, Paulton Rovers are very proud and grateful for Rob's efforts on our behalf, both off and on the field and it is hoped as many people as possible will come along and give him the support he deserves on the night.

Swindon Supermarine - It's likely that clubs' websites and matchday programmes have Swindon Supermarine FC's ground indicated as Hunts Copse, which has recently changed name. The committee at Marine would be very grateful if clubs would be kind enough to please change the ground name on their club websites and matchday programmes to the Webbs Wood Stadium as a sponsor, H J Webb & Son, has recently been acquired.

Fans Forums/ Discussion Boards

The Board of the Southern Football League Ltd wishes to emphasise that the Southern Football League has no association or affiliation with ANY Fans Forum or Discussion Board website and does not endorse or have any influence over content that may appear on such sites. Anyone who has cause for complaint concerning content on Fans Forum/ Discussion Board sites should contact the respective site Administrator directly. All hyperlinks on the Southern Football League website are to Official member club websites only; any onward links to Forum/ Discussion sites from member clubs’ Official websites are outside the control of the League.