Smethwick Rangers

Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
vs
Smethwick Rangers F.C.
West Midlands (Regional) League
Premier Division
Saturday 21st December 2019 Programme £1.00

Chairman:
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
Club Directory
Neil Chambers
Tel: 07976 752698
Vice Chairman:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Garry Hale
Tel: 07791139288
Gil Preece
Tel: 07593281513
Bob Jones
Club Directors: Neil Chambers Keith Chambers
Rose Burley Bob Jones
General Commiee: Neil Chambers Garry Hale Bob Jones
Gil Preece Anton Allen Keith Chambers
Rose Burley George Hancocks Craig Wilkinson
First Team Manager:
First Team Coaches:
Sports Therapist:
Andy Parkes
Ant Follows & Nick Lewis
Mike Howe
Trainee Sports Therapist: Aimee Clemson
Club Photographer:
Ground Address:
Jayne Cartwright Coven Photography
The Paycare Ground
Bentley Leisure Pavilion
Bentley Road North
WALSALL
WS2 0EA
Telephone: 01922 616165
Email: general@darlastontown1874fc.com
Website: www.darlastontown1874fc.com
Graphics contribuon Richard Cooper
Programme printed by Tom Giles & Co, OLDBURY. Prog. No 53
2

News & Views
from the
Boardroom
Today we extend a warm Christmas welcome to the players,
management, officials and supporters of Smethwick Rangers. As always
we know another tough game is in store but the players, management
and officials will be welcome to join us for post match hospitality.
As this is our last home game of 2019 I thought I would take a look back
at what has happened at The Paycare Ground on and off the field over
the last 12 months.
On the field we of course finished the 2018/19 Division One season in
magnificent fashion. Obviously the major highlight and achievement of
2019 was our promotion to the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier
Division. Here at The Paycare Ground we finished the Division One
season in fine style, In seven home league games from 5 January 2019
we won 6 and drew 1 to ensure promotion to the WMRL Premier Division.
Since moving to the Premier Division we have played 9 home league
games winning 5, drawing 1 and losing 3. So in 16 home league games in
2019 we have won 11, drawn 2 and lost 3 an average of 2.19 points per
game. Pretty damn good I would say and massive congratulations to Andy
his management team and the players.
Also Nick Lewis and Ant Follows joined the management team after Scott
Moore left to join AFC Wulfs. Of course we also hosted Walsall FC in
front of a record crowd of 451 for the official opening of the floodlights.
In 2019 off the field has also been immensely busy. We have of 3

6

course erected floodlights, redecorated the main club room, built a players
gym, and improved the medical facilities. We now have 7 youth teams, two
playing in the Midland Junior Premier League on Saturday Mornings. The
remaining five play on Sundays in the Walsall Junior Youth League. We
have introduced a Ladies team playing in Division One of the Birmingham
Womens County League, which has proved to be very successful so far.
They have won 8 of their nine games so far this season, losing once,
accruing an impressive goal difference of 54. As the teams enter their
Christmas break they lead the table by three points.
We hosted more than two dozen weddings, parties and christenings as
well as several club nights. We also held our annual Halloween evening as
well as our fifth sell out family pantomime – oh yes we did. We have also
fund raised and supported numerous charities including the British Heart
Foundation, the British Legion and Cancer Research. We also won, for the
third time in 4 years, the West Midlands (Regional) League Hospitality of
the Year Award.
Not bad for “little old Darlo” run entirely by volunteers.
Thank you all for your magnificent support in 2019 and letʼs hope for 2020
to be just as fruitful and successful.
Enjoy todayʼs game …………………………………..
7

6

View from the Dugout
Good afternoon and welcome back to the
Paycare Ground for the last home game
of 2019. Firstly, I like to wish all the
supporters, volunteers and committee
members, along with today’s opponents
Smethwick Rangers, a Merry Christmas &
Happy New from my staff and myself.
Some may say this year has been
successful especially when you consider
the club was promoted back into the
Premier Division. for the first time since
reforming. It has taken awful lot of work
by many people on and off the field to
name and far too many to mention over
the five seasons since the club returned
to competitive League action.
The backing and support this year from
you the supporters both home and away
has been nothing but outstanding. The support that follows the team all over the
region is tremendous, and rest assured we will be working hard as a
management team over the Christmas period and in the new year to try and
bring more success to the club in 2020.
Last week’s 4-3 loss at Wem Town was disappointing, we had several players
unavailable due to illness and injury, but it's no excuse for the result. We still had
a lot of quality within the matchday squad. Going down early in the game and to
concede a second goal before half time was tough to take as we played some
decent stuff in the first half. Two mistakes were punished, and we didn’t take our
chances. The Wem keeper was proving difficult to beat and when we did, we hit
the frame of the goal.
At half time we spoke about making an impact in the second half, and how best
to find our way back in the game. We started badly conceding a third within
minutes of the half restarting after yet another mistake. After the goal we started
playing and imposing ourselves on Wem.
7

8

The reward came shortly after some good build up play Luke Charlton’s great out
swinging cross was met by Leon Taylor who scored with a top-quality header.
The goal gave us confidence and we started to dominate the key areas. Six
minutes later we were in with a shout of getting something from the game a
surging run into the box by new signing 21-year-old Dahmarnae Sinclair caused
the home defence to bring him down allowing Isaac Cooper to score his third
goal in three games since re-joining the team from the penalty spot.
Twenty minutes remained in the game, more than enough opportunity to get
something from the game. After a spell of pressure, we gave a silly free kick away
deep in our half and again for the fourth time in the game a mistake was made
costing us and gifting Wem a fourth goal
To be fair to the boys, straight from the kick-off we went on the offensive again,
and a short time after conceding the fourth we should have been awarded a
second penalty when Leon Taylor was blatantly fouled. The referee and his
assistant waived the claim away, this is one decision I'll never ever understand
one of the most blatant penalties I've ever witnessed. To make matters worse the
Wem dug out wholeheartedly agreed it was a penalty.
Well into extra time we created another opportunity which fell to Isaac Cooper
who made no mistake making the game 4-3 too little too late as they say
because only 34 seconds remained.
Overall the result was very disappointing, but I can't say the performance was. We
controlled periods of the game, moving the ball at times especially in the final
third. The bottom line is we cannot make four individual errors in a game and
expect to get a result. It's a harsh lesson, but one I hope we've learned from, we
now push on and grow from the experience.
Today’s opponents Smethwick Rangers are a side on the up, with a new
management team in place since the last time we meet drawing 2-2 early in the
season. Their last six league games have resulted in four wins (Bilston, Wem,
Worcester Raiders, Dudley Sports) and two losses (Bewdley and Wolves Sporting)
so we are definitely expecting a tough encounter today and will need to be right
at it right from the first whistle to get a result against a well drilled and talented
Smethwick side.
I hope to hear the Darlo faithful cheering the boys on.
And also catch up with some of you in the bar later to enjoy a mince pie or two.
Enjoy the game
9

Wem Town 4
Walbyoff 11, Cohen 35, Astley 49, Ricketts OG 74
Darlaston Town (1874) 3
Taylor 60, Cooper 66 (pen), 90+6
Following two excellent wins and performances at Shawbury and
Pershore Town. Darlaston travelled to Shropshire hoping to make it 9
points from 9 against lowly Wem Town who had taken just one point
in their last 10 games. Whilst Wem have improved significantly
recently Darlaston still looked to consolidate their position in the top
four of the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division.
Their task was not made any easier with Wilson, Clarke O'Connell,
Blackham, Holder, Heal, Agyemang and Graham all unavailable for
various reasons, Manager Andy Parkes was forced into several
enforced positional changes with Connor Fellows and Lucas Hough at
centre half and Liam Smith in midfield alongside debutant
10

Dahmarnae Sinclair
and Leon Taylor
ploughing a lone
furrow up front.
Unfortunately the
changes created a
disjointed
performance against
a lively Wem side
whose performance
and work rate belied
their lowly position.
Wem made the
better start Darlaston
surrendering
possession far too easily, forcing long range passes when simple 5-10
yard passes were available. The visitors were made to pay in the
11th minute as Fellows looked to usher the ball out for a goal kick
the hard working Dan Cohen forced the defender to concede a
needless corner. Josh gamble's right wing corner was met by Dave
Walbyoff who rose unchallenged at the back post to open the
scoring.
The goal gave the
home side immense
confidence and
despite their lowly
position the quality
of their football was
impressive with
Dan Cohen and
James Astley
causing the
disjointed Darlaston
defence all the
problems they
could handle.
Cohen and Astley
forced saves from Darlaston keeper Liam Whittaker, Cohen then
rattled the inside of the post and was just inches away from doubling
Wem’s lead. Darlaston’s only chance of note in opening 20 minutes
ended with Isaac Cooper smashing the ball against Wem’s right hand
post from 18 yards.
As Darlaston looked to ease themselves into the game
hesitancy at the heart of the defence saw Cohen nip into
11

round keeper Whittaker and slot home the easiest of goals from 10
yards. As both
teams entered
the halftime
break Darlaston
needed to find
some inspiration
early in the
second half to
get back into the
game as the next
goal would go a
long way to
deciding the
game.
Darlaston were
all at sixes and
sevens with only
Taylor and Cooper looking threatening but any progressive moves
broke down quickly with sloppy passing and poor decision
making .Wem were fully deserving of their interval lead and again
poor defensive play gave the visitors their third goal on 49 minutes.
Yet another poor defensive clearance was pounced upon by James
Astley who converted in style. Wem's confidence was now sky high
whilst Darlaston simply could not get any aspect of their play right.
They were a shadow of the side that had performed so well in their
last 3 games.
The visitors
did have a
glorious
chance to pull
a goal back
but debutant
Sinclair
snatched at
his shot from
18 yards with
only keeper
James Rehan
to beat.
Walybyoff
and Callum
Briscoe both
had half
chances saved by Whittaker but Darlaston still looked second
best. 12

Darlaston boss Andy Parkes introduced Reis Nadat at the expense of
Fellows and changed formation which made an immediate impact.
The changes gave Darlaston a lifeline on 60 minutes when Leon
Taylor scored a towering header from 10 yards converting an Luke
Charlton cross.
For the first time in the game Darlaston showed a degree of urgency
and made it 3-2 six minutes later. Sinclair burst into the penalty area
only to be felled by a clumsy challenge by Rhys Mellings .Cooper
stepped up to smash the ball home from the penalty spot.
With 24 minutes remaining and Darlaston now briefly in the
ascendancy the chances of an unbelievable comeback was now
possible. Luke Charlton drove inches wide from 22 yards and an
equaliser looked on the cards until on 74 minutes Darlaston contrived
to shoot themselves in the foot once again. A needless free kick was
conceded in midfield, the resulting free kick skimmed off the head of
Ricardo Ricketts, past Whittaker to restore Wem's 2 goal lead.
On 89 minutes a bizarre refereeing decision denied Darlaston a
penalty as Taylor turned Mellings, and with the goal at Taylor's
mercy, Mellings tripped Taylor only for the referee to wave play on.
With a minute of added time remaining Isaac Cooper reduced the
arrears with an emphatic left foot finish.
Darlaston got exactly what they deserved- nothing. Wem gave
themselves a lifeline near the foot of the table and fully
deserved the 3 points.
13

Darlaston Town (1874) 3
Blackham 3, Charlton 47, Cooper 47
Pershore Town 0
Following their midweek win at Shawbury United Darlaston made it
6 points in 5 days taking them to fourth in the West Midlands
Regional League Premier Division table.
Darlaston made a hesitant start and as early as the 2nd minute a
mix up between Luke Wilson and keeper Liam Whittaker allowed
Matt Pinder to pounce but the in form striker could not capitalise.
A minute later Darlaston took the lead. An Isaac Cooper throw in
was cleared to the edge of the box, the ball fell to Aidan Blackham
who unleashed a low drive into the bottom corner for his first goal
of the season.
14

On 7 minutes
Darlaston full back
Sam Causton
sustained a nasty
injury resulting in
him leaving the
fray to be replaced
by Reis Nadat.
Despite the goal
Darlaston were
pegged back by a
lively
and
impressive
Pershore team
with Pinder and former Stourbridge midfielder Drew Canavan
pulling the strings. Dan Noke had a header saved whilst two
Canavan efforts were blocked by some excellent defending by
Lucas Hough and Ricardo Ricketts.
As the half progressed Darlaston started to ease themselves into
the game as Tyrone Clarke O'Connell hit a free kick wide and
Ricketts and Hough both failed to convert headers from 10 yards.
On 43 minutes Whittaker saved well from Sam Whitton's 20-yard
drive.
The game was evenly balanced throughout the first half, but top
scorer Leon Taylor had a glorious chance to double the lead on the
stroke of half time. The striker beat Dan Noke in a foot chase but
with only keeper Matthew Gwynne to beat the striker failed to
connect cleanly and Gwynne saved easily.
Whilst the first half
was pretty even,
Darlaston asserted
themselves in the
second half their
work rate, effort
and quality a
delight to watch.
On 47 minutes
Luke Charlton
notched his first
goal of the season
to put the
home side
15

two goals to the
good. Luke Wilson
and Isaac Cooper
combined down the
left, Cooper slipped
past his marker to
whip in a superb
cross to the back
post, Charlton rose
to place his looping
header into the
opposite corner of
the net beyond
Gwynne.
After a long injury lay off Tyrone Clarke O'Connell made his first
start of the season and created a superb opportunity for Cooper on
52 minutes. The pacey winger broke down the right flank crossed
for Cooper who in acres of space misplaced his header high and
wide.
Charlton headed over before Darlaston added their third on 61
minutes. A superb clearance by keeper Liam Whittaker picked out
Clarke O'Connell who flicked on for Cooper whose burst of pace
took him past full back Whitton, Cooper cut inside the box, his 15
16

yard angled shot finding the far right hand corner of the net, for a
superb team goal.
A minute later the visitors missed a superb opportunity to pull a goal
back, the unmarked James Baldwin heading over the bar from 10
yards.
On 67 minutes the tireless Leon Taylor created a chance for himself
with a sublime piece of skill. The ball was played into Taylor on the
edge of the box, his close control and swivel on the turn, created the
space for a shooting opportunity but unluckily for the striker his 15-
yard shot went inches wide.
Pershore continued to prompt and probe but found it difficult to
penetrate a strong Darlaston defence superbly organised by Hough
who had an outstanding game. Another Charlton header brought a fine
save from Gwynne on 69 minutes, the keeper also saved well from
Blackham's 20 yard shot.
On 83 minutes the unmarked Dan Noke missed a glorious chance for
the visitors heading against the bar from 10 yards.
In the final minute substitute Romano Graham hit the foot of the post
from 18 yards with a curling effort after being set up by some neat
approach work by Taylor.
17

Player & Management
Andy Heal
Liam Whittaker
Andy Heal
Connor Hopkins
Sam Causton
Sponsored by
Dominic Harvey
& family
Sponsored by
Stan Jackson
Sponsored by
Pete Burke
Sponsored by
Simon Hingley
Luke Wilson
Scott Stevenson Aiden Blackham Reis Nadat
Sponsored by
Stuart Hale &
Katie Price
Sponsored by
Bob & Sue
Jones
Sponsored by
TG Property
Renovations
Sponsored by
George Hancocks
Isaac Cooper
Daniel Bolzon
Sponsored by
Keith Chambers
Sponsored by
Dave Haskett &
Kelly Emery
Andy Parkes
Sponsored by
Allan Dulleston
18

Sponsorships 2019-20
Ricardo Ricketts Liam Smith Connor Fellows Ryan Jones
Sponsored by
John Acton and
Roger Roberts
Sponsored by
Andy Butler
Sponsored by
Rose Burley
Sponsored by
Pete and Alma
Davies
Luke Charlton Jamie Holder Lucas Hough
Liam Cox
Sponsored by
Anton Allen
Sponsored by
Christine Ceney
Sponsored by
Neil Chambers
Tyrone Clarke
Leon Taylor
Zico Agyemang
Romano Graham
Sponsored by
Leah Tranter
Sponsored by
Coven
Photography
Sponsored by
H Steventon
Sponsored by
Graham & Brian
Lloyd
Ant Follows Nick Lewis Mike Howe
Sponsored by
Scott Follows
& Jamie Green
Sponsored by
SMT Painters &
Decorators
Sponsored by
Matthew
Redsell
Aimee Clemson
Sponsored by
Mark James
19

“Beyond the
Dressing Room”
When I initially wrote something for the programme a
while ago, little did I think I would still be doing it all
this time later. Sometimes I think it's a real blessing to
have a platform to share things with you all but on the run up to Christmas
when there literally doesn't seem time to wee it's arghhhhh!
My day job is crazily busy like a lot of our volunteers this time of year,
supporting the homeless at Christmas is a real tough job. It's a time we all look
forward to sharing time, love and gifts with loved ones but for many that means
isolation, loneliness and a lack of services open that prop them up on a daily
basis this of course leads to an influx on services like A&E where our amazing
health professionals spend time away from their loved ones to support all of
us. So why am I telling you all this and I guess it's because ultimately, we are
the fortunate ones.
We have a community at our club even if we don't have great big extended
families we have so many events and games over the festive period that we
ultimately spend so much time together, we have our New Yearʼs Eve party
extravaganza where we see out one year and bring in another.
It is for many a complete time of loneliness so please take care of each other,
look after your neighbours and nearest and dearest. Don't resent the charades
or the snoring Uncle Albert does in the corner of the room over the Gavin and
Stacey Christmas special because these are the moments that you look back
on in years to come and smile.
The end of the year always makes me reflective and this year at the
club we have continued to progress and reach milestones we didn't 20

always believe we would. There have been some real amazing moments this
year that we have shared collectively. You might want to remember a game, a
goal, a club night, an event but for me the best achievement I can pinpoint
this year is our ladies team. It's something I was passionate about the club
creating. They have started their season with real gusto and now some of the
girls have now become volunteers embracing the ideals and values of the club
and have fast become part of the furniture, especially Drew Harris and Shani
Fieldhouse.
The work that goes on behind any team is considerably more than anyone
realises but both girls in different ways are amazing club ambassadors. Shani
as the ladies club captain for her passionate and sometimes demanding
approach to ensure all the girls and team have exactly what they need. In a
welfare sense as well as the practical sense. It's been a real privilege seeing
this side of her club ethic. Drew has been for me up there with the best and
must be in the running for club person of the year. The amount of running
around, nights and shifts she has covered at the club recently to offer a
helping hand and cover events is remarkable for someone who wasn't linked
to the club not all that long ago. Drew is a long-time family friend of my family,
she was Lauren's best friend growing up and I know has been on the fringes
for some time and in my opinion has really shone like a diamond recently.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank every coach, manager, player,
parent, sibling grandparent, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend and supporter this
year for making Darlaston what it is. Youʼre all an amazing bunch of people
who make the hard work worth it. I hope Santa looks after you all and you get
all you dreamed of because I think we have a lot to be thank you for.
So, enjoy today, get behind the lads. Shout, chant and cheer. Urge them on.
Let's bring Christmas in with an amazing performance with unrivalled support.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
#darloaywe
21

22

23

The Leeds-suppor,ng ar,st
brightening up the streets around
Elland Road
Electric boxes – itʼs doubtful you, or
anyone you know, has any strong feelings
about them. Primary school teacher and
part-time street artist Andy McVeigh, on
the other hand, certainly does. Heʼs been
daubing dull electric boxes around Leeds
since 2018, replacing the lifeless green
with vibrant Leeds United-themed murals
depicting classic shirts, lyrics of chants
and stencils of players past and present.
Popular with fans and residents alike,
McVeigh creates his designs independently – he isnʼt paid for his time or imagination –
simply seeking to improve the aesthetics of his local neighbourhoods and honour his
home club. “Thereʼs virtually no Leeds United art anywhere in the city, which seems
daft to me,” Andy explained. “Even in the City Museum thereʼs a pretty pathetic token
gesture to the club when itʼs one of the most famous things about the place.”
The murals leading to the ground have become part of the matchday experience for
many, with fans such as Julian Lyons tapping the boxes for luck before each home
game. Younger fans are also enamoured with his colourful compositions. “Kids love it,
which is brilliant because Iʼm a primary teacher and had that in mind when I did them.
One bloke told me his kids asked him to do a tour of them with him.”
In September this year, 14 of McVeighʼs murals were vandalised with black paint in the
dead of night. Murals around Elland Road were targeted, including one dedicated to the
late Gary Speed which was destroyed on the eve of his 50th birthday. A group of
busybodies dubbed Leeds Residents Against Graffiti took responsibility for the mass
vandalism, emailing the Yorkshire Evening Post to outline their dubious
reasoning. Citing a lack of interest in football and claiming to “represent the
24

90 per cent of the citizens of Leeds who are not obsessed with Leeds United”, the
group vowed to systematically cover up all of the football-themed boxes across the
city.
McVeigh offered to sit down with his adversaries in an effort to build bridges but this
was rejected, the group stating: “We have no interest in ʻhaving a coffeeʼ with this
person. He simply needs to desist in his vandalism.” McVeigh recalls the devastation
he felt when news reached him. “Obviously I was gutted. Each one probably takes two
or three evenings to do. At my own cost. It was bewildering why someone destroyed
them. A very ʻtroubledʼ person, I guess. The person responsible sent very sinister
emails which were actually quite disturbing.”
Local fans were aghast at the senseless destruction of Andyʼs quirky artwork. “The
vandalism was nothing but targeted bullying,” states season ticket holder Jack
Sanderson, who argues that the murals have become a symbol for the positivity
returning to Elland Road in recent years. “The art itself is absolutely brilliant and an
asset to the matchday experience. Projects like Andyʼs have been a light in a very dark
place, and Andy himself is absolutely golden . He genuinely just wants to make people
happy through his talent.”
The club and community rallied around McVeigh, fundraising to replenish his paint
supplies and allow him a few days off to repair his artwork. Leeds United offered him
and his son complimentary tickets for his efforts, and in a joint collaboration with
Leeds City Council and Virgin Media commissioned McVeigh to officially decorate the
electric boxes surrounding Elland Road. Heʼs since returned to his work, bolstered by
the positive reaction of fans and neighbours alike. “Every time Iʼm out painting now, I
get loads of people beeping horns, shouting encouragement, giving me the Leeds
salute. Tons of people stop for a chat. The reaction was genuinely overwhelming.
Sounds cheesy but itʼs true. Itʼs like the whole city came together. Even people who
lived in that area and donʼt like football said they loved the art and were disgusted by
it being vandalised.”
As official commissions, any further efforts to deface Andyʼs art will be a criminal
offence, effectively safeguarding his work for future generations of fans. I ask McVeigh
if he has intentions of painting a promotion mural soon. “Iʼve got a backlog of about
ten ideas I want to do at the moment. But if we actually go back to the Premier
League, that one will take priority. Please let us go up this time.”
Article by Joe Marczynski produced for WSC
25

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26

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Regional Secretary Joe Morgan
Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, HALESOWEN, B63 3HP
Tel 0121 550 4888 Fax 0121 550 4272
Email: joe.morgan@gmb.org.uk
Website www.gmb-westmids.org.uk
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27

Around the League
The weather took its toll again at the weekend with the matches at Worcester
Raiders, Pershore Town and Cradley Town all being postponed. It is staggering
that more than 4 months into the season 8 Premier Division clubs still have at
least 21 League games to play. It is going to be a very busy New Year for many
clubs.
With Bewdley Town unexpectedly losing at Wednesfield and Wolves Casuals
game at Pershore postponed Shifnal Town took full advantage to extend their
magnificent winning streak to 14 League games. Shifnal extended their lead at
the top of the table to 12 points with a 4-1 home win against Dudley Town.
Ashley Bellingham, Tom Hill, Dan Westwood and Kyle Montague were amongst
the goals whilst former Darlaston defender Ben Lawley netted for Dudley.
At Amos Lane second placed Bewdley Town fell to only their third defeat of the
season at Wednesfield, Jake Pain put the home side ahead with Dylan Hart
equalising from the spot before half time, second half goals from Ellis Blakemore
and Callum Wood settled the points. On Tuesday evening Bewdley made amends
with a 2-0 home win against previously unbeaten Wolves Casuals whilst
Wednesfield made it 6 points in 4 days with a 1-0 win at Wolves Sporting. A first
half goal from Ben Novis was enough to secure the points.
In the only other games to beat the weather a single Troy Baker goal was
enough to see Black Country Rangers take all 3 points at AFC Bridgnorth. A
Geoff Hill goal was enough to see today’s visitors Smethwick Rangers win the
Black Country derby against Dudley Sports at Packwood Road, Tividale.
In Division One top of the table Droitwich Spa’s game against Sikh Hunters
postponed and second placed Wellington Amateurs without a game Gornal Colts
had the chance to go to the top of the table. Unfortunately for the Colts, Old
Wulfs had other ideas as they held Colts to a 1-1 draw at Brinsford Lane. Levi
Salmon put Colts ahead before a late Jake Sedgemore penalty earned the home
side a point.
Bustleholme moved off the bottom of the table with a 2-0 home win against
Team Dudley, Jake Fairhurst and Nathan Turner both on the scoresheet at York
Road.
Over at Queen Street FC Darlaston eased their worries near the foot
28
of

the table with a 3-0 win against fellow strugglers Wyrley. First half goals from
Wayne Price and a brace from Kieran Matthews put them in control. Former
Darlaston keeper Aaron Morris denied Wyrley from the spot with a superb save
from Alex Jones spot kick.
In form Wrens Nest progressed in the League Cup with a 4-0 home win against
Willenhall Town, Ethan Delaney (two), Alex Idoine and Jamie Hunt with the goals.
In the Birmingham FA Vase current holders Tipton Town progressed in this
year’s competition against Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division Rugby
Borough. In a 3-3 draw a Conner Scott hat trick took the game to penalties.
Tipton triumphed 5-3 in the penalty shoot out.
In Division Two only one game beat the weather, Church Stretton taking full
advantage and moving into second spot with a 10-1 home win against
Worcester Raiders Reserves. Dean Richards netted 6, Campbell Naylor and a
James Hill hat trick rounded off a comfortable win.
In the Birmingham FA Vase top of the Midland League Division Two Solihull
United entertained West Midlands League Division Two league leaders AFC
Bentley. The home side came out on top 3-0
WMRL Premier Division Goal Scorers
Player Team Apps Goals
Tom Hill Shifnal Town 17 26
Kyle Montague Shifnal Town 16 17
Dylan Hart Bewdley Town 15 16
Adam Garmson Bilston Town 19 15
Ben Billingham Littleton 18 14
Luke Morris Bewdley Town 16 14
Roland Krol Worcester Raiders 14 13
Anwar Olugbon AFC Bridgnorth 17 13
Leon Taylor Darlaston Town (1874) 20 12
Kevin Nickle Bilston Town 15 10
Lewis Taylor-Boyce Dudley Town 15 9
29

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Premier Division
League Table
Pos P W D L GD Pts
1 Shifnal Town 14 14 0 0 44 42
2 Bewdley Town 14 11 0 3 25 33
3 Wolves Casuals 12 8 3 1 17 27
4 Darlaston Town (1874) 18 7 4 7 3 25
5 Dudley Town 14 8 0 6 5 24
6 Li7leton 15 7 2 6 13 23
7 Black Country Rangers 13 7 2 4 10 23
8 Worcester Raiders 14 7 1 6 4 22
9 Wolves Spor8ng Comm 14 6 4 4 4 22
10 Bilston Town 17 7 1 9 -7 22
11 Pershore Town 15 6 3 6 8 21
12 AFC Bridgnorth 14 6 1 7 -8 19
13 Smethwick Rangers 15 5 2 8 -11 17
14 Wednesfield 13 5 1 7 -9 16
15 Shawbury United 11 3 3 5 -8 12
16 Wem Town 17 3 1 13 -41 10
17 Dudley Sports 13 2 2 9 -25 8
18 Cradley Town 13 1 0 12 -24 3
Next Game
Wednesfield vs Darlaston Town 1874
Saturday 28th December KO 3.00 pm 31

PLAYER APPEARANCE
32

S SEASON 2019-20
33

Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
Ground Regulations
1. Permission to enter or to remain within the Ground is at the absolute
discretion of the Club or any authorised officer.
2. In the event of the postponement or abandonment of the Match,
refunds (if any) will be made at the discretion of the Club. The
Club will have no further liability whatsoever.
3. All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Club’s
right to search any person and to refuse entry to or eject from
the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search.
4. The following articles must not be brought into the Ground knives,
fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, musical instruments,
weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass
vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon,
compromise public safety or annoy neighbours. Any person in breach
of these requirements will be refused entry or will be ejected from
the Ground.
5. The use of threatening behaviour, foul, aggressive, racist or abusive
language is forbidden and will result in immediate ejection from the
Ground at the discretion of the Club. The police will be called if
appropriate.
6. Racial abuse, chanting or harassment is strictly forbidden and will
result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground at the discretion of
the Club. A ban for one or more matches will be imposed.
7. The following acts are arrestable offences under the Football
(Offences) Act 1991, as amended and conviction of such acts
may result in a banning order being imposed on the guilty party.
7.1 The throwing of any object within the Ground without lawful
authority or excuse.
7.2 The chanting of anything of an indecent or racial nature.
7.3 The entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to
which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful
authority or excuse.
8. Nobody may stand in any seating or marked area whilst play is in
progress. Persistent standing in seated areas whilst play is in
progress is forbidden and will result in ejection from the Ground.
9. The obstruction of gangways, access ways, exits and entrances,
stairways and like places is strictly forbidden. Nobody
34

entering the Ground shall be permitted to climb any structures within
the Ground.
10. Smoking in No-Smoking areas is strictly forbidden.
11. Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 as
amended, the following are offences for which a person can be
arrested by a Police Officer and conviction will result in a
Banning Order being made:
11.1 Attempting to enter the Ground or being inside the Ground
whilst drunk or in possession of alcohol.
11.2 The consumption of alcohol is entirely at the discretion of
the club, glass will not be allowed pitch side.
12. Any individual who has entered any part of the Ground designated
for the use of any group of supporters to which they do not belong
may be ejected from the Ground either for the purposes of their own
safety or for any other reason.
13. No goods of any nature may be offered for sale without the prior
written permission of the Club.
14. Photographs and videos
14.1 Photographs and videos cannot be taken or recorded at any
Youth Team games without specific consent being obtained
prior to the fixture or permission is granted from the relevant
Darlaston Town (1874) Youth Team manager prior to kick off
14.2 Photographs and videos are allowed to be taken or recorded at
all First Team matches. To enhance its standing with the
football and local community, to promote the interests of the
club and sponsors, and to keep supporters and followers fully
informed the club has a legitimate interest in publishing First
Team photos and videos including in their match day
programmes on their website and on their social media sites.
The photographs and videos will be destroyed in line with
GDPR Regulations
15. At all times whilst in the Ground, persons must comply with any
and all instructions of any committee member or authorised person.
Failure to comply with any instruction will lead to ejection from the
Ground.
16. The Club reserves the right to eject from the Ground any person
failing to comply with any of the Ground Regulations or whose
presence within the Ground is, or could reasonably be, construed as
constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any
other person or neighbour. This will lead to further action by the
club including, but not limited to the issue of a banning order.
17. Entry to the Ground shall constitute acceptance of the
above Ground Regulations. 35

DARLASTON TOWN (1874)
SQUAD LIST
Aiden Blackham
Daniel Bolzon
Sammy Causton
Luke Charlton
Ezekiel Agyemang
Tyrone Clarke-O'Connell
Liam Cox
Connor Fellows
Romano Graham
Andy Heal
Jamie Holder
Connor Hopkins
Lucas Hough
Ryan Jones
Reis Nadat
Ricardo Rickes
Dahmarnae Sinclair
Liam Smith
Sco Stevenson
Leon Taylor
Liam Whiaker
Luke Wilson
Manager:
Coaches:
Management Team
Andy Parkes
Ant Follows
Nick Lewis
Sports Therapist: Mike Howe
Trainee Sports Therapist
Aimee Clemson
SMETHWICK RANGERS
SQUAD LIST
Joshua Benne
Mark Benne
Chris Bladen
Michael Bridges
Stefan Cameron
Ryan Cheshire
Adam Callinswood
Jason Chilton
James Cro7s
Mark Ganderton
Aarondeep Grewal
Harry Harris
Sam Heath
Geoff Hill
Thomas James
Tatenda Kanuyuchi
Milan Parchment
Christopher Rabone
Colin Smith
George Taylor
Sam Taylor
Tom Taylor
James Thompson
Harvey Walker
Liam Williams
Lewis Worsey
Match Officials
Referee:
Thomas Palmer
Assistants:
John Mayhew
Alex Shaw