Sittingbourne v Peacehaven & Telscombe 190316
Sittingbourne v Peacehaven & Telscombe Match Day Magazine 19/03/2016 Sittingbourne v Peacehaven & Telscombe Match Day Magazine 19/03/2016
NON-LEAGUE has received plenty of positive coverage from the national media that normally disregards it this season so it was a shame to see negative headlines dominating coverage over the weekend. On our Non-League Paper front page, we covered the story concerning Martin Potton, chairman of United Counties League side Wellingborough Town, who had been banned after being found guilty of telling referee Mary Harmer that she “wasn’t fit enough to referee a woman’s match, let alone a men’s game”. Then news came out on Sunday that police and the Football Association were investigating after Altrincham’s Josh Ginnelly reported he was racially abused in their game at Barrow. These sort of headlines are not good for Non-League, clubs are struggling enough as it is to entice people through the turnstiles. The grass-roots game has long been known for its general friendliness between supporters, players and management. That’s part of what makes Non-League so special. But we’re in danger of losing it. If incidents like these start becoming the norm, people will be turned off. One of the big reasons people don’t attend Non-League games is because it is seen by many as 'living in the past' while others think the game at our level hasn’t evolved. They couldn’t be more wrong but stories like the one with Potton only feed into those theories. The Doughboys’ chairman insists he didn’t make the comments which were reported to the FA by Lindsay England, founder of equality group Just A Ball Game. England attended Town's UCL game against AFC Rushden & Diamonds back in April 2015 and said the comments aimed at Harmer came flying out after Wellingborough went 7-0 down. When contacted by my colleague Sam Elliott, Potton claimed he had been “hung out to dry” by the official and the BBC who, he claims, purposely published the story of Tuesday March 8 – International Women’s Day – to cause controversy. “There was a group us – what she says was said, but not by me,” Potton said. “There’s an agenda there. She has picked me out of the line up as I’m the only club official and has singled me out because the others were just everyday fans. “There was banter flying around and a tongue-in-cheek comment was made. This has now got out of hand. Why didn’t she just come to me and allow me the chance to explain myself? Instead she runs to Rushden and then to the FA. “No, I don’t think women should be allowed to referee in the men’s game. That is a personal opinion and that, I’m afraid, is my view. It’s not because I am a sexist, it is because of other factors. They get intimidated very easily and I don’t agree with it.” It may be a personal opinion, but it’s one that most, thankfully, don’t share. There are good referees (surprising I know!) and bad referees. Gender has little to do with it. As the popularity of women’s football increases, more females will seek to get involved with the beautiful game. Whether that be the ladies’ side or the men’s game, it can only be a positive. Then the news about Ginnelly came out and once again, Non-League was dragged into a racism row. Grimsby Town defender Toto Nsiala and Gresley forward Gary Ricketts were also allegedly subject of racist comments recently. It would be naive to sweep these under the carpet and claim Non- League is 99 per cent pure. Much like society in general, it definitely isn’t. But we must do our best to uphold the integrity of the game at our level. If you see or hear anything that’s not right, tell somebody. Dulwich Hamlet displayed the true Non-League spirit of community by playing a Syrian refugee awareness game against FC Assyria last week. Non-League has long been known for its inclusion and welcoming attitude - we need to make sure we don’t lose it. EQUALITY - “The Ryman Football League strongly support recent FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (Useful numbers:-The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162)
Player sponsorship Adam Molloy sponsored by John Andrews Stefan Wright sponsored by Alan Crowshaw Hicham Akhazzan sponsored by Peter Pitts Nick Davis sponsored by Maurice Dunk George Crimmen Sponsored by the BGs Road Show Tom Brunt sponsored by Cyclops Engineering Limited Conrad Lee sponsored by Colin Page Jono Richardson sponsored by Alan Barty Jack Steventon Sponsored by Ken Medwyn Miles Cornwell sponsored by Mark Smith Ollie Bankole sponsored by John Pitts Billy French— sponsored by John Cooper—pic to follow All other players and management open to sponsorship. Please see any committee member to arrange. Cost is £40 for the season. Away Travel details Saturday 26th March, Walton Casuals, playing at Merstham whose address is Moatside Stadium, Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey RH1 3QB Directions: M20, M26, M25, Leave the M25 at junction 6, then at Godstone Interchange roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Godstone Hill - B2235 (signposted Godstone). At roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A25 (signposted Redhill, Godstone). After 1.7 miles turn right onto Little Common Lane.After 0.5 miles continue forward onto Pendell Road. After 0.5 miles bear left onto Merstham Road. After 0.6 miles bear left onto Bletchingley Road.After 0.6 miles. After 0.9 miles turn left into Weldon Way. The clubhouse and small car park are 100 metres on the right. Nearest Stations: Merstham Station on the London to Brighton line. Trains from London: Go over the footbridge turn left pass the front of the station and take the road to the left (Station Road South) pass the car park. Proceed to the top of the road and turn left down School Hill. Take 5th right (Weldon Way), The Clubhouse and small car park are 100m on right.
- Page 1 and 2: THE BRICKIES Division 1 South, Seas
- Page 3 and 4: TEAM CHECK SATURDAY 19TH MARCH 2016
- Page 6 and 7: MACRON OFFICIAL BENCH WEAR AND BALL
- Page 8: PEACEHAVEN & TELSCOMBE A BRIEF HIST
- Page 15: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 Brown
- Page 19 and 20: Match Reports By Tony Rickson Satur
- Page 21 and 22: From the Programme editor I’d lik
- Page 24: Stores Nationwide www.bouxavenue.co
- Page 27: Sponsorship Opportunities “Sponso
NON-LEAGUE has received plenty of positive coverage from the national media that normally disregards it this<br />
season so it was a shame to see negative headlines dominating coverage over the weekend.<br />
On our Non-League Paper front page, we covered the story concerning Martin Potton, chairman of United Counties<br />
League side Wellingborough Town, who had been banned after being found guilty of telling referee Mary Harmer<br />
that she “wasn’t fit enough to referee a woman’s match, let alone a men’s game”.<br />
Then news came out on Sunday that police and the Football Association were investigating after Altrincham’s Josh<br />
Ginnelly reported he was racially abused in their game at Barrow.<br />
These sort of headlines are not good for Non-League, clubs are struggling enough as it is to entice people through<br />
the turnstiles.<br />
The grass-roots game has long been known for its general friendliness between supporters, players and management.<br />
That’s part of what makes Non-League so special.<br />
But we’re in danger of losing it. If incidents like these start becoming the norm, people will be turned off.<br />
One of the big reasons people don’t attend Non-League games is because it is seen by many as 'living in the past'<br />
while others think the game at our level hasn’t evolved.<br />
They couldn’t be more wrong but stories like the one with Potton only feed into those theories. The Doughboys’<br />
chairman insists he didn’t make the comments which were reported to the FA by Lindsay England, founder of<br />
equality group Just A Ball Game.<br />
England attended Town's UCL game against AFC Rushden & Diamonds back in April 2015 and said the comments<br />
aimed at Harmer came flying out after Wellingborough went 7-0 down.<br />
When contacted by my colleague Sam Elliott, Potton claimed he had been “hung out to dry” by the official and the<br />
BBC who, he claims, purposely published the story of Tuesday March 8 – International Women’s Day – to cause<br />
controversy.<br />
“There was a group us – what she says was said, but not by me,” Potton said. “There’s an agenda there. She has<br />
picked me out of the line up as I’m the only club official and has singled me out because the others were just everyday<br />
fans.<br />
“There was banter flying around and a tongue-in-cheek comment was made. This has now got out of hand. Why<br />
didn’t she just come to me and allow me the chance to explain myself?<br />
Instead she runs to Rushden and then to the FA.<br />
“No, I don’t think women should be allowed to referee in the men’s<br />
game. That is a personal opinion and that, I’m afraid, is my view. It’s not<br />
because I am a sexist, it is because of other factors. They get intimidated<br />
very easily and I don’t agree with it.”<br />
It may be a personal opinion, but it’s one that most, thankfully, don’t<br />
share. There are good referees (surprising I know!) and bad referees.<br />
Gender has little to do with it.<br />
As the popularity of women’s football increases, more females will seek<br />
to get involved with the beautiful game. Whether that be the ladies’ side<br />
or the men’s game, it can only be a positive.<br />
Then the news about Ginnelly came out and once again, Non-League<br />
was dragged into a racism row. Grimsby Town defender Toto Nsiala and<br />
Gresley forward Gary Ricketts were also allegedly subject of racist comments<br />
recently.<br />
It would be naive to sweep these under the carpet and claim Non-<br />
League is 99 per cent pure. Much like society in general, it definitely isn’t.<br />
But we must do our best to uphold the integrity of the game at our<br />
level. If you see or hear anything that’s not right, tell somebody.<br />
Dulwich Hamlet displayed the true Non-League spirit of community by<br />
playing a Syrian refugee awareness game against FC Assyria last week.<br />
Non-League has long been known for its inclusion and welcoming attitude<br />
- we need to make sure we don’t lose it.<br />
EQUALITY -<br />
“The Ryman Football League strongly support recent FA statement that there should be a<br />
zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any<br />
form of discriminatory abuse whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation,<br />
gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association<br />
for action by that Association.” (Useful numbers:-The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it<br />
Out 020 7253 0162)
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