Arlesey Town

[Savagebee]

17 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Savagebee - I think that article is rather harsh on the great man don't you and he is exactly what the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) are crying out for after 38 years of 'fat cat' Gordon Taylor. Also what other high profile player in the Country would, when asked, go back to their first Club to play in a Charity game such as Arlesey Town Legends v Crawley Green Vets, he must have trebled or quadrupled the gate at Hitchin Road on 11 May 2013:

The problem for some people who have a bit of a past is that it can come back to haunt them.

Like Dave Kitson, for example, who is now being visited by ghosts from a previous life as he bids to start a footballing revolution within the inner sanctum of the Professional Footballers' Association.

This ginger ninja wants to topple Gordon Taylor and replace him as chief executive of the players' union - a position he has held for a staggering 38 years.

Given how unpopular Taylor now is, having become one of the fattest cats in football, you'd have thought the mission to take him down would be an open goal to a journeyman striker like Kitson.

But somehow Kitson, whose campaign is being backed by so-called football PR guru David Bick, has made the crucial mistake of going into battle looking more like Judas Iscariot than Che Guevara or Mahatma Gandhi.

A quick trip back in time reveals a man, in Kitson, who betrayed his own profession with an infamous radio interview in which he blissfully exposed himself as a hypocrite at best, and racist at worst.

In December 2018 Kitson was asked about the racist abuse being dished out to Raheem Sterling, but accused him and other footballers, including black ones, of bringing it on themselves.

He said: "I do believe that players make themselves a target. I just think that we have a duty of care to ourselves as footballers, to be a little bit careful with social media, and the way we portray ourselves.

"Jealousy is an awful thing amongst the human race. I trawled through Raheem Sterling's Instagram feed to find that a lot of what he put on in his early days has now been deleted.

And it was, 'look at my cars, look at my house, look at this bathroom, look at this, look at that, look at me.' And that's going to antagonise people."

The following day Tyrone Mings was supposed to be going on the same radio station, but refused out of principle because he was so disgusted with what Kitson had said.

'Trawl' through Kitson's own social media history and you will find a collection of crude posts almost as subtle as the number of flash cars he's owned down the years.

One is of a black Ferrari including the letters 'BEL' on his humber plate. How appropriate. Another is of 'theboykitson' sitting down between two more Ferraris, or him lounging on the back of a speeding boat leaving Mallorca, or of the sunset in Dubai with the message 's**t view, hate it here'.

There was nothing remotely 'secret' about this footballer back then. But it gets worse. Posts from 2013 and 2014 also saw him compare a black Tesco worker to Danny Welbeck. For the record, Kitson used to work in Sainsbury's.

Is anyone reading this column feeling 'antagonised' yet?

Steven Reid is. The Scotland coach shot down Kitson, while Rio Ferdinand simply said 'wow'. Sam Allardyce also waded in, labelling Kitson's campaign as 'embarrassing'.

Other than Kitson himself, who thinks it's a good idea for someone like him to be head of the players' union? Answers on a postage stamp, please.

The PFA needs a wind of change to blow through it, but all Kitson's pitch does is question the integrity of the new brigade attempting to usurp the old one.

Kitson is fighting a losing battle. But whose fault is that? After all, you've brought it all on yourself mate.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/dave-kitson-apologises-for-clumsy-language-after-raheem-sterling-suffered-racist-abuse/ar-BB13yZ9p?ocid=AMZN

[Rhodes]

The great man in an Arlesey Town shirt in 2000:

Edited May 5, 2020 by Rhodes

[Savagebee]

32 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

The great man in an Arlesey Town shirt in 2000:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dave-kitson-pfa-chairman-professional-footballers-association-a9498056.html

[Rhodes]

Not the SSML but photographs and match programme from Aylesbury FC v Arlesey Town on 6 March 2018 when Arlesey Town were still in the Southern League Division One East albeit relegated to the SSML at the end of that disappointing 2017/18 campaign when finishing bottom. Aylesbury finished second to bottom but were not relegated to the SSML until the following season when they merged with Bedgrove Dynamos and changed their name to Aylesbury Vale Dynamo's. I wonder what the Aylesbury player is saying to the Referee, maybe answers on a postcard to Karen c/o the SSML, Arlesey Town won the game 5-1 with a hat trick from Billy Lannon, their first league win for six months since 16 September 2017:

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/files.pitchero.com/clubs/20577/cxDqWqNKQudSQKX16vEi_AYFC Prog Arlesey town final march.pdf

 

[Rhodes]

Some links from when anoraks, particularly The Cold End, have visited Hitchin Road over the years although the top link is their former ground at Lamb Meadow, the Club moved to Hitchin Road at the start of the 1999/2000 campaign coinciding nicely with winning the SSML Premier Division that season:

http://pieandmushypeas.blogspot.com/1994/02/arlesey-town-fc.html

http://pieandmushypeas.blogspot.com/2004/04/arlesey-town.html

https://footygrounds.blogspot.com/2013/03/arlesey-town-armadillo-stadium.html

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-famous-evening-for-netherton-united.html

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2020/02/bukele-mukudi-double-sends-arlesey-town.html

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2019/11/arlesey-town-through-against-nine-men.html

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2017/07/football-is-back-hemel-run-out-easy.html

http://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2017/03/hillingdon-borough-take-points-against.html

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2018/09/impressive-victory-for-arlesey-town-in.html

http://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2016/12/hadley-ease-through-in-challenge-trophy.html

http://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2016/09/goals-galore-in-local-derby-cup-match.html

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2018/07/late-goal-wins-john-milton-plate-for.html

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2018/08/fa-cup-glory-for-ar-tarn.html

http://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2015/10/limers-make-it-two-wins-on-spin.html

http://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2015/03/no-goals-at-for-arlesey-town-res-or-fc.html

https://groundblogger.blogspot.com/2007/01/13012007-arlesey-town-2-potters-bar_13.html

https://stadiumsandcities.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/arlesey-0-potters-bar-2/

https://londongroundhopper.blogspot.com/2012/09/fa-cup-duty-with-hamlet.html

[Savagebee]

4 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

although the top link is their former ground at Lamb Meadow

http://pieandmushypeas.blogspot.com/1994/02/arlesey-town-fc.html

No pictures of there old ground on there ?

[Rhodes]

20 minutes ago, Savagebee said:

No pictures of there old ground on there ?

Savagebee - I'm surprised Pie & Mushy Peas, who I know, didn't take any photos that day, perhaps he forgot his camera at home. Here's a photo of Lamb Meadow though prior to it being turned into yuppie flats, and the Howberry Estate, like most of the old grounds when developers get their grubby hands on them. These links are really interesting about the Club and the circumstances of how they came to ply their trade at Lamb Meadow back in the day, it's great reading old history of Club's isn't it:

https://arcangelolombari.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/arlesey-town-f-c-and-the-pontoon-club/

https://arcangelolombari.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/arlesey-town-football-club-history/

[Savagebee]

3 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Savagebee - I'm surprised Pie & Mushy Peas, who I know, didn't take any photos that day, perhaps he forgot his camera at home. Here's a photo of Lamb Meadow though prior to it being turned into yuppie flats, and the Howberry Estate, like most of the old grounds when developers get their grubby hands on them. These links are really interesting about the Club and the circumstances of how they came to ply their trade at Lamb Meadow back in the day, it's great reading old history of Club's isn't it:

https://arcangelolombari.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/arlesey-town-f-c-and-the-pontoon-club/

https://arcangelolombari.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/arlesey-town-football-club-history/

?

[Rhodes]

Here is another photo of Lamb Meadow, Arlesey Town's former ground, sadly being bulldozed to make way for the now Howberry Green Estate and yuppie flats:

Edited May 12, 2020 by Rhodes

[Savagebee]

4 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Here is another photo of Lamb Meadow, Arlesey Town's former ground, sadly being bulldozed to make way for the now Howberry Green Estate and yuppie flats:

A crying shame ?

[Rhodes]

That's a coincidence, they are also discussing Arlesey Town's old Lamb Meadow ground on another Forum:

https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forums/index.php?threads/what-ground-is-this.1465/

[Rhodes]

Again not the SSML but over 250 photographs from Hitchin Town v Arlesey Town on 26 December 2014 when Arlesey Town were riding high in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, although they were relegated that season to Division One Central of the Southern League, Hitchin Town won the game at Top Field 2-0:

 

Edited May 14, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Not the SSML but 150 photographs and match report from Arlesey Town v Slough Town, on 4 October 2014 at Hitchin Road, when Arlesey Town were an Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division Club, they were however relegated that 2014/15 season eventually returning to the SSML ranks last season where they had been founder members in 1997. Arlesey Town won the game 1-0 with a James Hatch headed goal on 36 minutes against a strong Slough Town side who hit the woodwork, had a goal chalked off and should have been awarded at least one penalty:

https://sloughtownfc.net/reports/4921

 

Edited May 16, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Rather than continually post albums of old photographs, courtesy of excellent photographer Peter Else, from past Arlesey Town matches, here is a summary of what is incorporated within this link should you be interested:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davenport_road/albums/page2

 

Arlesey Town 0 Hitchin Town 4, Pre-Season Friendly, 21 July 2018 (page 2)

Arlesey Town 1 Hitchin Town 2, Pre-Season Friendly, 2017/18 (page 2)

Hitchin Town 2 Arlesey Town 0, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 26 December 2014 (page 4)

Arlesey Town 0 Hitchin Town 2, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 25 August 2014 (page 4)

Arlesey Town 0 Hitchin Town 0, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 26 December 2013 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 1 Frome Town 2, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 9 November 2013 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 1 Thurrock 0, FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 28 September 2013 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 2 Hitchin Town 0, FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay, 17 September 2013 (page 5)

Hitchin Town 1 Arlesey Town 1, FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, 14 September 2013 (page 5)

Hitchin Town 1 Arlesey Town 0, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 26 August 2013 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 3 Chesham United 2, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 20 August 2013 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 1 Hayes & Yeading United 2, Pre-Season Friendly, 2013/14 (page 5)

Arlesey Town Legends v Crawley Green Vets, Charity Match, 11 May 2013 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 0 Leamington 2, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 26 January 2013 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 0 Frome Town 1, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 15 December 2012 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 4 Brackley Town 3, FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round, 6 October 2012 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 1 Dulwich Hamlet 0, FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 22 September 2012 (page 5)

Hitchin Town 0 Arlesey Town 1, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 27 August 2012 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 1 Salisbury City 1, Pre-Season Friendly, 2012/13 (page 5)

Hitchin Town 2 Arlesey Town 0, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 9 April 2012 (page 5)

Arlesey Town 1 St Albans 1, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, 18 February 2012 (page 5)

[Rhodes]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

Hitchin Town 1 Arlesey Town 1, FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, 14 September 2013

Two really interesting reports on this one:

https://gameofthepeople.com/2013/09/15/staying-in-their-comfort-zones-hitchin-v-arlesey-fa-cup-1qr/

https://therealfacup.co.uk/2013/09/15/hitchin-1-1-arlesey/

[Rhodes]

Not the SSML but photographs from Arlesey Town v Wingate & Finchley, on 4 October 2014 at Hitchin Road, in an FA Trophy First Qualifying Round tie in 2014/15 when Arlesey Town were an Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division Club, the hosts won 2-1 and progressed to meet East Thurrock United losing a replay 2-1 at Hitchin Road after a spellbinding 4-4 draw in Essex:

 

[Rhodes]

Sorry folks, a bit random but a photograph of the two programmes from Oxford City's FA Vase Semi Final with Belper Town in 1995, the first leg at Belper Town they lost 1-0 but won the second leg 3-1 at Marsh Lane to go through 3-2 on aggregate to meet Arlesey Town at Wembley where obviously Arlesey Town won 2-1:

 

[Savagebee]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ArleseyTownFC/status/1271875157737570310

[Rhodes]

I thought Buckingham United won an overall programme award but I realise now it was divisional, like I said it is much more of a level playing field these days now Hoddesdon Town have left the SSML:

A HUGE well done to our program editor Duncan Field for scooping the South Midlands Leagues Premier Division best program award for the 2nd year running.

Edited June 30, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Good news from Hitchin Road: