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#WeAreAscot
A S C O T U N I T E D F C
neil graham photography
THE YELLAMEN 20/21
ASCOT UNITED vs. COLLIERS WOOD UNITED
Sat 12 Sep 2020
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division
Matchday
Programme
Season
2020/21
T H E Y E L L A M E N
Yellow and Blue
T H E W O O D
Red and White
www.ascotunited.net twitter.com/AscotUnitedFC
Sam Gray (GK)
Alex Sykes (GK)
Sam Hayes (GK)
Aaron Berry
Aiden Higgs
Ben Hodges
Calum Ferguson
Chris Ellis
Dan Bailey
Elliott Carey
George Lock
Harry Laflin
Ian Davies
James Haworth
James Richardson
Jonny Denton
Josh Masters
Lamin Sankoh
Louis Bouwers
Riccardo Andrady
Rory Merrick
Sam Evans
Lewis Gallifent
Lukas Hanson-Puffer
Rmarni Blankson
Kieran Brown
Jack Buckle
Archie Drewett
Joe Dyett
Mario Embalo
Ali Fofanah
Naseem James
Nathan Mampono
Iaia Mane Banona
Adrian Nosworthy-Browne
Callum Orris
Emmanuel Quarshie
Luke Silavwe
Jordan Willis
Jamie Tompkins Manager Adam Wllis
Dan Masters Asst. Manager Dan Rangers
Jamie Ashdown GK Coach
Bjorn Dunkley Coach Glynn Stephens
Steve Quelch Coach Paul Doherty
Georgia Buddin Therapist
Mark
Kelly
Match Officials
Scott
Crowhurst
Geoff
Knock
Last Match: Camberley Town A Tue 8 Sep L 0-1
COCO
Next Match: Frimley Green H Tue 15 Sep
COCO
ASCOT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, SL5 7LJ
Chairman: Simon Negus
Club Secretary: Dan Birchmore
Director of Football: Neil Richards
1st Team Manager: Jamie Tompkins
Assistant manager: Dan Masters
Coaches: Bjorn Dunkley, Steve Quelch
Goalkeeping Coach: Jamie Ashdown
Allied U18 Manager: Josh Nice
Therapist: Georgia Buddin
Racecourse Facilities Manager: Jo Gavin
Administration Manager: Emma Paton
Bar Manager: Ellen Stearn
Clubhouse Catering: Lisa Richards
Reporting, Comms and Programme: Neal Jeffs
Directors:
Doug Page
Mark Cooper
Rob Jones
Mike Harrison
Phil Wray
Zoe Reilly
Chris Day
Ascot United Football Club Limited. Registered in
England and Wales. Registration No. 6883550
Registered Office: Ternion Court, 264-268 Upper Fourth
Street, Central Milton Keynes MK9 1DP.
Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks F.A. No. Q-B&B0165
IN THE CHAIR
with Simon Negus
A warm welcome to Colliers Wood United for
today's Cherry Red Records Combined
Counties League Premier Division fixture.
A warm welcome to you all and especially our visitors
from Colliers Wood FC for our first home league game of
the season.
It seems a long time ago since our last home league game,
and quite a lot has happened over that time! Whilst the
abrupt end to last season was a disappointment to many
football fans, it’s important to keep perspective and we
now look forward to this season and new challenges.
Having succeeded Mike Harrison as Chairman of Ascot Utd
at the start of the summer, it’s been an interesting first few
months! Mike was Chairman for 17 years, and much of the
development of the club has been down to his leadership
and hard work. His legacy is very clear for any visitors to
The Racecourse to see, including the superb 3G pitch and
clubhouse facilities. Less obvious, but no less important,
is the stability the club now has behind the scenes thanks
to his careful stewardship – this has enabled us to
weather the storm and start the season in good shape on
and off the pitch. On behalf of all at Ascot Utd Football
Club, thank you Mike for all you have done for the club
during your time at the helm.
By the time we switch off the lights this evening, we will
have hosted 12 games at The Racecourse today –
including our U8’s and the excitement of playing their first
5-a-side competitive match, our U13’s playing their first
fixture on a full sized pitch, and our Men’s First Team this
afternoon. The commitment of our army of volunteers
never ceases to amaze me, and they have a long season
ahead.
Ensuring the safety of all of our visitors on site, and to
comply with all of the FA & Government guidelines, has
required a monumental effort for us as it has for all
grassroots football clubs… I’d like to say a massive thanks
to our Club Secretary Dan Birchmore and our Facility
Manager Jo Gavin for all of their efforts on behalf of the
club.
Simon
FROM THE DUGOUT
Jamie Tompkins
First Team Manager
Welcome to the players, officials
and supporters of Colliers Wood
United. Enjoy the game!
Hello and welcome to Colliers Wood United FC players, staff and club committee and to all supporters in
attendance this afternoons Combined Counties Premier League fixture. It is fantastic to be back at the
Racecourse Ground after many months away and delighted to see everyone return in good health.
We welcome new recruits in Dan Bailey, Riccardo Andrady and Josh Masters, and we are extremely happy to
have them with us as we aim to continue making progress on and off the pitch.
The first two league games have seen mixed results. An emphatic score line against Molesey on the opening
day ended 7-1 with two hat-tricks from last season’s top goal scorers Ian Davies and Harry Laflin but on Tuesday
evening, a loss to a penalty meant we left Camberley empty handed. We learn more as a group and of our
players after a loss and a reminder that last season counts for nothing, we need to be better and we need to
perform to a high standard in every game if we are to compete for promotion.
Colliers Wood United join us today having drawn and lost their opening two games but I know full well how
much talent Adam has in his squad and I expect a very tough game. Bundles of talent going forwards and tend
to score many goals so we need to be at our best to earn 3 points.
A big thank you to our COVID officers – Dan Birchmore and Jo Gavin – who have worked tirelessly to make our
facility safe and compliant for us to continue training and playing games during this challenging period.
Thank you to our sponsors, club officials and volunteers for all the fantastic work they do for our football club.
Enjoy the game!
ASCOT UNITED FC MANAGEMENT TEAM: PRODULY SPONSORED BY ASCOT UNITED FC U12 YOUTH
Dan Masters
Assistant Manager
Jamie Ashdown
Goalkeeping Coach
Bjorn Dunkley
Coach
Steve Quelch
Coach
Georgia Buddin
Therapist
ON COURSE!
With Programme Editor Neal Jeffs
Welcome to the players, officials and
supporters of Colliers Wood United for this
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties
League Premier Division match.
Happy
reading, and
enjoy the
game! Neal
W E L C O M E T O T H E W O O D
Well it goes without saying it is great to be back. It’s about six months since I last wrote any
programme notes so I could probably write a book with everything in my head but I’ll try and keep it
succinct. But where do I start?! Firstly, I’ll start with the vibe around the club. Firstly, it is evident there
is a new level of professionalism and discipline running through its heart. Jo, Dan, Neil, Simon, Doug
and others have established a safe environment within which our players can train and play, and
thankfully our supporters can now watch. From the first moment I came down here in May to watch
our players training – yes, training in May – in bubbles of 2 then 6 then finally as a squad, it was clear
that we mean business in all areas. I was absolutely thrilled the players took part in a running
challenge in May that saw some of our players run over 300km in one month and two of them ran full
marathons on their own! Now, we’ve strengthened the branding both online, via merchandise, and the
new website is coming, plus we’ve got the best sponsorship set up ever (around the ground and in the
programme). The togetherness of the squad is clear to see and I am delighted we have last season’s
talented group on board to have another crack at it. But the fans are key, and to look around the
ground at Molesey on the opening day and count at least 35 from Ascot was fantastic.
Get in! Ian Davies slots
home at Molesey last
weekend watched by a
section of the travelling
faithful, of whom there
was a good turnout.
It might not sound like many, but we historically don’t travel well and that is 2 to 3 times more than
normal and the players responded accordingly. If we can do that every week then it will be a big
factor in our destiny. Anyway, I’ve left myself little space for today’s game. We’re delighted to be back,
we’re delighted to welcome Colliers Wood for our first game here since March. We had a cracking
match at their place last season which could have gone either way when we narrowly won 3-2 and
they are a staple part of this league so whatever happens we wish them well. Obviously we are
looking to bounce back from the midweek frustration at Camberley but there is a long way to go and
the main thing is doing our bit both in and outside of football to ensure team sports can continue
otherwise I think I will go crazy if I miss another 6 months of standing behind the goal. Looking ahead
we are under the lights this Tuesday when Frimley Green – who I thought were going to be strong this
season but have somehow managed to lose both their opening games – and they will have something
to say to us, so we’ll need you all back down here in force for that one. Anyway, enjoy the new online
programme, we're still tinkering with it to make it look more professional but in the meantime please
bear with us! Enjoy the game.
W E L C O M E T O T H E W O O D
RESULTS AND FIXTURES 20/21
Date Opposition
H/A Comp Result Att
01-Sep Christchurch
A FAC XP L 1-2
05-Sep Molesey
A COCO W 7-1
08-Sep Camberley Town
A COCO L 0-1
12-Sep Colliers Wood United H COCO
15-Sep Frimley Green
H COCO
19-Sep Southall
A COCO
26-Sep Hanworth Villa
A COCO
29-Sep Abbey Rangers
H COCO
Scorers
Higgs
Davies 3, Laflin 3, Hodges
***Fixtures will continue to be released by the
Combined Counties League Fixture Secretary as the
season unfolds.
COCO - Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division, FAV - Buildbase FA Vase, FAC - The Emirates FA Cup, BBT -
Berks&Bucks Trophy, LC - Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup
TODAY'S FIXTURES AND RECENT RESULTS
Midweek results:
Badshot Lea 3-2 Sheerwater COCO
Banstead Athletic 1-1 Sutton Common Rovers COCO
Camberley Town 1-0 Ascot United COCO
Frimley Green 3-5 Cobham COCO
Knaphill 1-0 Spelthorne Sports COCO
Molesey 0-3 Egham Town COCO
Colliers Wood United 2-4 Hanworth Villa COCO
CB Hounslow United 0-3 Southall COCO
Guildford City 0-2 Abbey Rangers COCO
Weekend fixtures:
Ascot United v Colliers Wood United COCO
Knaphill v Molesey COCO
Redhill v Raynes Park Vale COCO
Sheerwater v Banstead Athletic COCO
Badshot Lea v Bracknell Town FAC
Chertsey Town v Abbey Rangers FAC
Cobham v Three Bridges FAC
Egham Town v Crawley Down Gatwick FAC
Hanwell Town v Spelthorne Sports FAC
Moneyfields v Camberley Town FAC
Sevenoaks Town v CB Hounslow United FAC
Southall v Ashford Town (Middx) FAC
Staines Town v Guildford City FAC
Steyning Town Community v Hanworth Villa FAC
Sutton Common Rovers v Broadfields United FAC
Westfield v Frimley Green FAC
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Premier Division Table
P W D L GD PTS
1 Southall 2 2 0 0 7 6
2 Hanworth Villa 2 1 1 0 2 4
3 Abbey Rangers 2 1 1 0 2 4
4 Banstead Athletic 2 1 1 0 2 4
5 Sutton Common Rovers 2 1 1 0 2 4
6 Knaphill 2 1 1 0 1 4
7 Ascot United 2 1 0 1 5 3
8 Egham Town 2 1 0 1 1 3
9 Raynes Park Vale 1 1 0 0 1 3
10 Spelthorne Sports 2 1 0 1 1 3
11 Camberley Town 2 1 0 1 0 3
12 Badshot Lea 2 1 0 1 -1 3
13 Cobham 2 1 0 1 -2 3
14 Colliers Wood United 2 0 1 1 -2 1
15 Guildford City 2 0 1 1 -2 1
16 CB Hounslow United 2 0 1 1 -3 1
17 Redhill 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 Sheerwater 1 0 0 1 -1 0
19 Frimley Green 2 0 0 2 -4 0
20 Molesey 2 0 0 2 -9 0
APPEARANCES AND GOALS
Below are the updated Ascot United appearance and scorers' records for
this season's squad.
2020-21 All-time
App Goals App Goals
R Andrady 3 3
D Bailey 3 7
A Berry 2 10 3
L Bouwers 3 131 11
E Burden 31
E Carey 3 44 4
I Davies 3 3 38 26
J Denton 3 154 19
C Ellis 53 1
S Evans 1 3
C Ferguson 2 18 1
S Gray 3 64
J Haworth 2 73 1
S Hayes 1
A Higgs 2 1 25 10
B Hodges 3 1 98 10
E Jabbari
H Laflin 3 3 88 38
G Lock 3 103 5
J Masters 1
R Merrick 20
J Richardson 2 51 9
L Sankoh 1 23 1
J Taylor 1
42 8 1040 139
50 up! James
Richardson (left) made
his 50th appearance for
Ascot at Christchurch in
the FA Cup. Not bad for a
youngster, who played
for England Schoolboys
and is an exciting
prospect for the future.
Well done James!
w: www.sl4vintage.com
t: 01753 37 36 31
e: sales@sl4vintage.com
FOOTBALL IN BERKSHIRE
Here, Tom Canning writes his weekly grass-roots update for programme editors. His
website, Football in Berkshire, is a staple for local grass-roots football.
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? But welcome back to non-league football, I hope you are all
safe and well.
It is an interesting time to be trying to write these notes about the game we love when
news of a legal limit of no more than six people allowed to congregate in a group is
being widely reported along with an exception of Covid secure sporting events.
What that actually means for supporters attending games is, well it’s anyone’s guess
but I think, if the #LetFansIn campaign proved anything in recent weeks it is that the
depth of feeling for the game in the lower levels of the pyramid is a feisty and as strong
as ever.
So it remains to be seen whether we’ll be able to attend games, but the other thing that
remains is that it’s perfectly possible - as has been proven at games I have attended -
for spectators to socially distance themselves from each other.
In games I’ve been to, I have had my temperature checked by former Aldershot Town
and AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown, I’ve had my track and trace details taken and
I’ve made use of the resurgent QR codes. I particularly enjoyed the blue 2 metre
spaced footprints sprayed around the ground at Eversley & California.
So everything I have seen myself and heard second hand suggests that clubs are as
Covid secure as they can be, let’s just hope that the example set is enough to ensure
we’re able to continue going to games.
A final word on something new, our new website launched a couple of weeks ago and I
hope you enjoy it, it makes great use of some of the amazing imagery provided by some
brilliant photographers. We’ll continue to report on the men’s, women’s and
grassroots game in equal measure into 2020/21. Stay safe everyone.
Tom Canning,
www.footballinberkshire.co.uk coeditor.
MATCH REPORT ROUNDUP
SOLITARY SPOT KICK DOWNS ASCOT IN DERBY
Camberley cling on to sink misfiring Ascot 1-0
Tuesday 8th September 2020 - Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League
Premier Division - Camberley Town 1 - 0 Ascot United
Ascot United huffed and puffed but failed to blow Camberley Town’s house down as they lost 1-0 to a solitary
second half penalty in Tuesday night’s local derby. A disjointed performance yielded little on a frustrating
evening for the travelling faithful, who watched on as their side threw the proverbial kitchen sink at
Camberley at the closing stages, albeit to no avail.
On paper, Ascot went into the game as favourites after their 7-1 opening day mauling of Molesey whereas the home
side slumped to a 2-1 reverse at Raynes Park Vale. However, local derbies are often great levellers, and the two
sides have traded bragging rights in recent cup exploits whilst sharing five goals in last season’s tightly
contested league outing at The Racecourse. This was the first league visit to Krooner Park for the Yellamen having
lost last season’s fixture to lockdown, and the first half was a totally forgettable affair where the ball spent too
much time in the air and quality was at a premium.
However, Camberley would be the happier of the two sides at the break and only the sharp reflexes of Sam Gray
would keep them out as he made a couple of strong saves before Ascot finally mustered an opportunity of their
own. Gray was at full stretch to palm Alfie Gibbons’ third minute free kick over but his save in the eleventh minute
was even better as he got down low to turn Carlo Santoro’s shot away after Sam Hutchings, Antonio Dembele and
Mark Jordan had linked up well to fashion the chance. Ascot youngster Sam Evans, starting at left back for the first
time, made a fine block to charge down Jordan’s shot midway through the half before Ascot finally created a
couple of half chances. Firstly, Ben Hodges skied his effort went unmarked after George Lock had overlapped
Riccardo Andrady to deliver a right wing cross – 37 minutes played - before Aiden Higgs would get contact on
another teasing cross from Lock, albeit he ran out of pitch and his effort at stretch went wide two minutes before
the break.
The second half could not have been any worse than its predecessor, and for the neutral it was an entertaining
affair as Camberley defended resolutely, backed up by the heroics of ‘keeper Jordi Wilson, who produced a
number of fine saves to thwart Ascot. However, it was Camberley who threatened first and it was the telling
moment of the game when Dembele was softly fouled just inside the penalty area; Jordan duly converting into the
bottom right for what proved a 49th minute winner. Dembele would race clear in the 52nd minute and round Gray,
but the angle proved too tight and his chance to double Camberley’s lead disappeared.
But after that it was Ascot who created most of the chances. Andrady’s shot was deflected wide and had Louis
Bouwers’ header from the resultant corner been either side of Wilson – whose body he struck – it would surely
have been one-all. Laflin was then denied by Wilson’s sprawling save in the 64th minute when Laflin looked oddson
to squeeze the ball home at the far post, before his 77th minute free header glanced agonisingly wide after Dan
Bailey had nodded back across the box. But Camberley still posed a threat and Santoro raced clear only to see his
thunderous shot blocked by Gray, although quite how he missed an open goal from the rebound only he will ever
know. That chance arrived in the 84th minute – but there would still be 12 further minutes of action for Ascot to
salvage something – which they almost did. Progressively throwing more players forward – Bouwers remaining
up top as a makeshift striker – they asked repeated questions of the hosts, but it was from the final play of the
game that their best chance came in the 96th minute. Gray pushed up for a corner, substitute Jonny Denton swung
it in, and Laflin met the ball from close range with a header that Wilson saved and gleefully smothered; once again
anywhere else and it was surely a leveller. But it wasn’t to be, and the Yellamen will regroup for their homecoming
against Colliers Wood on Saturday.
Ascot United: Gray, Lock (Denton 62’), Evans, Carey, Bouwers, Bailey, Andrady, Hodges (Ferguson 46’), Davies
(Richardson 66’), Laflin, Higgs. Sub unused: Sankoh
PHOTOZONE
A selection of photos from last weekend's victory over Molesey FC and the midweek defeat
at Camberley Town (shooting-stars.co.uk).
Clockwise from top: Ian Davies scores, Ben Hodges scores,
Calum Ferguson, Sam Gray makes a fine save, Harry Laflin
scores.
Ian is a Biomechanics coach, supporting players returning from injury and
improving strength and conditioning.
PEN PICS AND SPONSORS - ASCOT UNITED
Sam Gray – goalkeeper
Solid goalkeeper, confident with the
ball at his feet. Established first
teamer since 18/19 and was players’
player of the year in 19/20 when he
appeared in every league game.
Sponsors: Gorilla Hub and Westcott
Building Services
Sam Hayes – goalkeeper
Talented Youth Team ‘keeper who
made his debut in a league cup win
over Balham in 19/20. Sponsor: FJ Lane
& Son
Alex Sykes – goalkeeper
Former England international Futsal
team goalkeeper
James Haworth – defence
Winger who joined in 18/19 from Fleet
Town, having previously played for
Aldershot Town. Likes to get forward.
Sponsor: Ascot United Ultras
Louis Bouwers – defence
A physical and dominant centre half
and a leader on the pitch. Signed from
Faringdon Town FC in 16/17 and now
well-established as club captain.
Sponsors: Just Mortgages and Ascot
United U18 Racing
Chris Ellis – defence
Signed for 18/19, a strong and
dominant defender. Vastly
experienced having played for
Camberley Town, Egham Town and
Chipstead.
George Lock – defence
A fearless right back previously with
Binfield and Bracknell. Technically
strong and a consistently high
performer. Supporters player of the
year in 18/19 and part of a select few
who have made 100 appearances.
Sponsor: Dave Bucktrout
Dan Bailey – defence
Experienced centre back who
skippered Flackwell Heath in 19/20.
Previously played at a higher level
with Marlow and has a level 2
coaching qualification. Sponsor: Total
Market Solutions
Jonny Denton – midfield
Former Ascot Youth team star who
returned in 17/18 after a scholarship in
the U.S. A dead ball specialist with
over 150 appearances, he has twice
won the player of the year award.
Sponsors: Darcliffe Homes and
Westcott Building Services
Elliot Carey – midfield
Combative midfielder who was signed
in 18/19. Has a good ability to read the
game. Sponsor: Code 3 Security
Ben Hodges – midfield
A talented player previously with
Holmer Green. Very committed, Ben
has great composure and an eye for a
killer pass. Sponsor: P&P Litho
PEN PICS AND SPONSORS - ASCOT UNITED
Lamin Sankoh – midfield
Experienced player who played at a higher
level with Thatcham Town before returning to
Ascot during 19/20. Skilful with good vision.
Sam Evans – midfield
Played for the U16s and U18s in 19/20 before
making his first team debut in the same
season. Exciting prospect having been with
the club since his debut for the U8s. Sponsor:
SL4 Vintage Handpicked Clothing
Calum Ferguson – midfield
Signed in 19/20 having previously starred for
a National League youth side. Also had a spell
with Highworth Town. Sponsor: Ascot United
Foundation Academy
Aiden Higgs – forward
Energetic forward who always gives 100%.
Signed from Burnham during 19/20 and was
in excellent form just before the season
ended. Sponsor: Terry's Badges
Rory Merrick – forward
Signed for 19/20 and continues to improve.
Calm and composed figure on the pitch and
has great technical ability.
Ian Davies – forward
Prolific goalscorer who scored 25 goals for
Binfield in 18/19 before top scoring for Ascot
with 23 goals in the curtailed 19/20
campaign. Sponsor: Zipcar UK
James Richardson – forward
A talented forward who made his debut in
17/18 aged just 16 and has won several
England Schoolboys International caps. An
exciting prospect with dazzling skills,
tremendous work ethic and an abundance of
energy. Sponsor: Ascot United U12 Aces
Harry Laflin – forward
Laffers joined in 18/19 when he scored 13
goals. Added another 22 goals in 19/20
despite often playing out of position, earning
him the supporters’ player of the season
award. Sponsor: Cameron Webb
Aaron Berry – forward
Returned in 19/20 for his second spell at the
club. Strong and leads the line well.
Previously with Burnham.
Riccardo Andrady – forward
Signed from Basingstoke Town for 20/21.
Pacey and skilful wide player. Sponsor: Omni
Plastering, Ascot
Jamie Tompkins – manager
Highly respected throughout the club who
guided the team to league cup glory in 18/19
before taking the team to top of the league
before the 19/20 campaign was curtailed.
Football Development manager at Brentford
FC. Sponsors: Ascot United U16 Youth and
Ascot United U12 Youth
Jamie Ashdown - goalkeeping coach
Needs little introduction, former professional
Jamie began his career with Reading before
making over 100 appearances for
Portsmouth between 2004-2012. A huge asset
to the club where he coaches at all levels.
Sponsor: Ascot United FC Veterans
Dan Masters – asst. manager
Dan is in his third season with Ascot Utd and
is a crucial part of the coaching staff.
Sponsor: Ascot United U12 Youth
Georgia Buddin - Therapist
Stepped up to be the lead therapist at Ascot
United in 19/20, supporting the fitness and
recovery of the squad
CLUB HISTORY - ASCOT UNITED
Ascot United as we know it, was founded in 1965 by a men’s team who played their games at Sunninghill with “after
match meetings” in The Wells in Cheapside village (now Mikado’s). teams playing as long ago as 1928 under the name
Ascot United but nothing to link them directly to the current club. In 1965, the club had gained permission from the Ascot
Racecourse Trustees to convert the land east of coach park 10 into a football pitch. A wooden clubhouse was built and
this team went on to win many prestigious trophies in the years that followed.
Various youth teams represented Ascot United over the years up to 1988, and 1992 the East Berks 7-a-side Association
was formed by our then Chairman Keith Wicks introducing small-sided junior games and having disbanded in 1980 the
men’s team also reformed. The club continued to grow, entering into partnership with Charters School and being
awarded FA Charter Standard status in 2004. The men’s senior team enjoyed early success through the East Berks
League gaining continued promotions to the Senior division and winning various Cups including the Fielden Charity Cup
in 1996/7. 2001 saw the 1st team join the Reading Senior League and winning the Evening Post Senior Cup at the
Madejski Stadium in 2006. Promotion to the Hellenic League soon followed in 2007, followed by promotion to the
Hellenic Premier Division in 2009. The club today has grown to become one of the largest Community football clubs in
the UK with over 1000 registered players and over 70 teams playing every weekend embracing all ages and abilities
from 5 year olds through to Vets. A new clubhouse opened in September 2010, together with an improved main pitch,
floodlights and a stand.
The club has enjoyed much success at all levels particularly in the Ladies and Girls Section where they are regularly
winners of leagues and county Cups. Our senior Ladies won promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern Region
Women’s’ Football League in 2017-18 and consolidated their position with a mid-table finish in 2018-19. Meanwhile, 2018-
19 was an outstanding one for our junior Boys’ teams who won an array of county cups at various age groups, a feat
we’ve rarely previously achieved.
The past decade has been hugely successful for our first team; our debut in the FA Cup in 2011 attracted 1,149 people to
the Racecourse on a Friday evening where the famous trophy itself was on display and the match was streamed live on
Facebook. Between 2012-13 and 2015-16 we reached the Quarter Final of the FA Vase twice, enjoyed two top-three
finishes in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division, and won both the Bluefin Sport Challenge Cup and Perpetua
Press Floodlit Cup. More recently, our players’ development took the spotlight, as a host of Yellamen have enjoyed
success with other local sides and many of our talented development players stepped up into the first team. After
finishing 2017-18 in style, in 2018-19 new manager Jamie Tompkins led his side to the top of the table for long spells,
winning two team-of-the-month awards, and finishing with league cup glory once again by defeating Windsor 3-1 on 6th
May.
We were transferred into the Combined Counties League for the 2019-20 season, playing on our new 3G pitch facility,
which transformed the club by facilitating more of our teams’ matches and training at The Racecourse. The stronger
platform facilitated further player development, and Jamie’s young side would lead the table for long periods before
establishing what looked like a title-winning margin at the top shortly before the league was aborted due to the global
virus pandemic.
Jamie has retained most of his squad for the 2020-21 season and they are eager to make another attempt at winning the
title. One of the benefits of not winning promotion last season is that we will re-acquaint with some of the new friends we
made along the way! But most importantly, the club is committed to ensuring the health and safety of players, officials
and supporters so that grassroots football can continue to thrive in the way that it should.
CLUB HISTORY - COLLIERS WOOD UNITED
The club, one of the oldest in the country, and which has now been in existence for 144 years, received a well
deserved recognition award from the FA for 125 years of playing football during 2011.
There is a wall memorial at the Surrey FA headquarters in Dorking acknowledging The Wood as the second
oldest senior football club in Surrey having been formed in 1874 (four years after Reigate Priory FC).
Colliers Wood United FC was founded way back in 1874 and the early years of their existence were spent in the
Wimbledon and Sutton leagues before moving on to the Surrey Intermediate League (Southern Division). During
the late sixties and early seventies, the club were members of the Surrey Senior League for a short time, playing
in the newly formed division one where they won the league title in 1969/70. The reserves won their division in
1970/71 going undefeated.
Over the years, “The Wood” have reached a number of Surrey FA Cup Finals. In 1988/89 they lost 1-2 to Bradbank
Sports in the Intermediate Cup Final. In 1991/92 they beat Woking & Horsell 4-0 in the final of the same
competition. The reserves reached the final of the 1988/89 and 1989/90 Lower Junior Cup but were beaten on
both occasions.
The local recreation ground prevented the progress of the club due to the limited facilities and a search for a
new ground was launched. Adequate facilities were found at Wibbandune Sports Ground in 1991 and the ground
has steadily improved since then.
2001/2 saw the club enter the Surrey County Senior League where they finished a creditable 5th. The following
season, they finished as runners up.
In 2002/3, the league amalgamated with the Combined Counties League and the club were founder members of
the new division 1 where they finished as runners up and were promoted to the Premier Division.
They have continued to improve. In 2004/5, they finished 14th of the 24 clubs. The following season, they
finished fourth and had a fine FA Vase run, beating Chichester City United, Raynes Park Vale and Greenwich
Borough, before losing to VCD Athletic in the 2nd round proper.
In 2006/7 they entered the FA Cup for the first time, defeating Chipstead after a replay before succumbing to
Worthing 0-3.
After a brief ground share at Croydon FC, the club moved back to Wibbandune where ground improvements
included the addition of excellent flood-lighting, a new covered terrace and a 120 seat stand. In March 2012, the
club added a new away team changing room, new spectator ground lavatories and relaid the entire playing
surface including drainage thanks to a £71,000 grant from the Football Association. They also reached the
2011/12 final of the League Cup at Farnborough FC on 4th May v Guernsey FC in front of 667 spectators, which they
lost 0-2 after extra time, becoming the first club to keep a 90 minute clean sheet against The Islanders.
Following a second renovation of the pitch in April, the club returned to Wibbandune in July 2013 and the under
18 youth section was re-started.
In 2014/15, Wood reached the FA Vase 4th round (last 32 nationally) and the Surrey Senior Cup quarter finals for
the first time in their history. They reached the final of the League Cup once again in 2014/15 but, once again,
they lost in extra time, this time 1-2 to Camberley Town in front of 385 spectators at Woking FC.
On March 8th 2016, the club were awarded the FA Charter Standard accreditation by the Football Association.
The club won the CCL Sportsmanship Award for 2015/16 having received just 32 cautions throughout the season.
In 2016/17, the reserve team won the SSEC Junior League Cup and were runners up in the Surrey FA Junior Cup.
Wood 1st team have reached the Surrey FA Senior Cup quarter finals for only the second time in 2017/18.
Record CCL Win 9-1 v Bedfont 2009
Record Other Win – 9-2 v Lingfield 2014 (FA Vase)
Record CCL Home Attendance - 151 versus Guildford City on Friday 6th August 2010.
Record Overall Home Attendance – 288 v AFC Wimbledon (Surrey Senior Cup) 2010
FA Vase Best Season - 2014/15 - 4th Round Proper (lost in extra time 2-4 at Ascot United).
ASCOT UNITED LADIES
Ascot United Ladies play in the Southern Region Women's’ Football League – the highest level at which they
have competed. The Ladies’ section starts down at the junior level with a host of teams – beginning with
mixed teams at U7 - rising through girls’ sides from U10 up to a senior Development (reserve) side playing in
the Thames Valley League. The junior sides operate on Saturdays or Sundays, with the Seniors (First and
Development) playing on Sunday afternoon. The first team are managed by Darrel Evans and coached by
Stephen Jeffery. The reserve team is managed by Jon Swallow. Find out more on our website.
Above: pre-season action against Maidenhead
United. Right: Delayed end-of-season awards night.
Below: 2020/21 squad picture. Ascot United Ladies
commence their season next weekend on Sunday
20th September here at The Racecourse when they
entertain Swindon Supermarine in the Womens FA
Cup qualifying round.