Tring Athletic

[Rhodes]

It's a shame that this all ended in tears isn't it:

 

[Rhodes]

Nice photographs from a pre-season friendly, at Cow Lane on 28 July 2015, between Tring Athletic and Aylesbury FC which Aylesbury FC won 2-0. Tring Athletic had a mediocre 2015/16 campaign finishing twelfth in the SSML Premier Division however they did lift the West Herts St Mary's Cup beating Sun Sports 2-0 at Vauxhall Road and lost the Herts FA Charity Shield Final a week later, 3-1 to Hadley at the County Ground in Letchworth:

 

[Rhodes]

YouTube highlights from the 2015/16 West Herts St Mary's Cup Final between Tring Athletic and Sun Sports on Monday 9 May 2016 at Vauxhall Road, Tring Athletic won 2-0 with both goals from Taylor Collins on 58 and 62 minutes:

 

Edited July 16, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Photographs from an FA Vase Second Qualifying Round Replay, at Cow Lane on Tuesday 6 October 2015, against Rothwell Corinthians which Tring Athletic won 2-1 with two goals from Chris Vardy, after a thrilling 3-3 stalemate after extra time in Northamptonshire, reaching the First Round proper that 2015/2016 season before going down 4-1 at Barking: 

Edited July 16, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Following on from the above 2015/16 FA Vase Second Qualifying Round win over Rothwell Corinthians, here are photographs from Tring Athletic's First Round tie at Barking on Saturday 31 October 2015 which they lost 4-1:

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 30/06/2020 at 10:13, tringarmy said:

Not heard about Herts County League placing - I suspect we’d start in D1 subject to which other teams emerge after football can start again. Don’t believe they’ve had their AGM yet. Suburban League was great but a huge amount of travel for a reserve side with regular trips round the M25 to Kent, Surrey etc

TringArmy - I see your Reserve team will be in Division 1 of the Herts Senior County League:

Edited July 21, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Another one for TringArmy who I believe played, over 100 photographs from a Charity game at Cow Lane between Tring Athletic Legends and Watford Legends on Sunday 28 September 2014, the Watford team included Steve Terry, Neil Price, Micah Hyde, Richard Johnson, Derek Payne, Andy Hessenthaler, Luther Blissett, Gifton Noel-Williams, David Johnson, Clint Easton, Ian Richardson, Garry Phillips and Alan Paris and the score was 4-4:

 

[tringarmy]

Yes I played - it was rather competitive at times!

 

Legends Share Honours (posted Wed 1st Oct 2014)
Tring Athletic Legends 4 Watford Legends 4 Sunday 28 Sept 2014

The game lived up to its pre match billing with lots of goals, excitement and superb Brazilian style football (or perhaps they had no alternative but to play it at walking pace!). The weather was warm, the game well attended and it was great to see old (sorry we mean former!) players and their families. There were a lot of children present which suggests the players have found something else to do on Saturday afternoons!

In addition to our legends who between them would have clocked up thousands of appearances (and the odd goal!) there were also some famous names amongst the Watford team the most notable being Luther Blissett who holds the all time record of appearances and goals for Watford (503 and 186 respectively) who also won 14 England caps and played for Italian giants AC Milan.

Other luminaries included Neil Price who played in the1984 FA Cup Final against Everton as did Steve Terry who went on to clock up over 400 football league appearance for Watford, Hull and Northampton, Micah Hyde who played alongside a certain David Beckham at youth level and went onto play over 250 times for Watford before moving to Burnley, winning 17 caps for Jamaica along the way. Gifton Noel-Williams is another well known name who turned out for Stoke, Southend and Peterbro after leaving Watford and Derek Payne who also played for Barnet, Southend and Peterbro as well as Watford.  

Also amongst the Watford Legends was Ian Richardson who as well as being Julian Robinson's right hand man in running our First Team also created history 31 years ago to the day when he made his debut as a 19 year old for a Watford side that included John Barnes to score 2 vital goals in a 3-0 win over German side F C Kaiserslautern to secure a place in the next round of the UEFA Cup. To relive those moments visit:

On this date in Watford FC history (From Watford Observer)

The game got off to a cracking start with Julian James calmly sweeping home a 30 yard shot that flew into the net to put us ahead after only 2 minutes. As Julian made over 300 appearances for Luton he would have enjoyed the moment. Score 1-0. Five minutes later Tony Mendicino doubled our lead after some nice interplay involving Stuart "Beamer" Stedman and Jamie Robbins. It has to be said that Mendy didn't look old enough to play for the legends and looked good and fit enough to fit into any team. Score 2-0.

There was plenty of goal mouth action and both sides spurned chances throughout the game. Derek Payne also looked very sprightly in midfield and he wacked a shot against our post before curling home a sumptuous shot in the 20th minute. Score 2-1.

The quality of the football was high and both teams played the ball on the deck which was very sensible considering the warm conditions and the average age of the players! There was one moment of concern for our supporters when Ian Butler weaved his way through the Watford defence. Players were rather ridiculously calling for the ball (they were obviously not aware that the self styled Legend does not pass the ball when in sight of goal) as Ian bore down on goal looking determined to score until Andy Humphreys came to the rescue to whip the ball off his toes and smash it over the bar! Ian has been known to clear the bar after he has scored!

Watford were getting more and more into the game with Micah Hyde looking very impressive in midfield but 5 minutes before half time Mendy cracked home his 2nd goal to make the half time score 3-1. Ian Richardson showed he had not lost any of his talent as he ghosted into the area like Martin Peters to meet a cross only to strike it like Mary Peters over the bar!

Half Time:Tring Athletic Legends3Watford Legends1

At the start of the second half Gary Langdale looked in disgust at his boots after slicing a shot wide and Steve Johnson rose like a salmon to meet an Andy Humphreys cross only to head it like a herring wide.

Max Price did his dad Neil proud by producing a great finish in the 62nd minute to reduce the deficit to one goal. Score 3-2. Steve Johnson made up for his early miss by slotting the ball home in the 69th minute after he started the move with a lovely dummy. But a minute later the impressive Micah Hyde slotted a shot past Keith "Junior" Eldridge to keep his side in touch. Score 3-2.

With a couple of minutes to go promising young Referee Graham Poll awarded Watford a penalty. When asked about the other 2 penalties not given Graham said he only gives every 3rd one. That seems quite reasonable and we are sure that Graham will go far in the game!

Micah Hyde dispatched the penalty to make the score line a nice round 4-4 which keeps everyone happy. The only disappointment was the non appearance of "T" Rice. "T", who drove every ground hopper mad because he would not allow his Christian name to be divulged, had been flown over at great expense from Thailand for a cameo appearance. But despite being a finely honed athlete of the highest quality he is rumoured to have knackered himself bending down to tie his boot laces!

One final point, it was like old times having Mick Eldridge, Ray Brimson and Richard Vincent in the managerial hot seat and thanks must go to them and Alan Palmer from Watford Legends for organising what was a very enjoyable, nostalgic day. Also thanks to all the other helpers who made it a success. 

Teams:

Athletic:Tom Vincent, Andy Playle, Keith Eldridge, T Rice, Trevor Gibbs, Gary Langdale, Grant Mosley, Tony Fields, Graham Hall, Jamie Robbins, Andy Mullins, Ian Butler, Andy Humphreys, Paul Lewis, Julian James, Steve Johnson, John Perry, Jamie McBeath, Stuart Stedman, Tony Mendicino, Chris Salmon.

Watford:Gary Phillips, Luther Blissett, Ian Richardson, Neil Price, Christopher Matheson, Steve Terry, Micha Hyde. Gifton Noel Williams, David Johnson, Denis Elliott, Adam Price, Max Price. Derek Payne, Dejan Noel Williams.  

Officials:Graham Poll, Martin Bayliss and Tony Stedman.

Scorers:

Athletic:Julian James (2), Tony Mendicino (7, 40), Steve Johnson (69)

Watford:Derek Payne (20), Max Price (62), Micha Hyde (70, Pen 88)

Crowd:163

[Rhodes]

1 minute ago, tringarmy said:

Crowd:163

TringArmy - That's great, thanks, the crowd figure could have been a bit more couldn't it on a warm Sunday afternoon even though the report says the game was 'well attended'. How did you get Graham Poll to Referee, does he still live locally as I know he was born and bred in Hitchin.

[Rhodes]

Nice photographs and a brief match report from a pre-season friendly, at Cow Lane on Saturday 16 July 2016, between Tring Athletic and Ardley United which Tring Athletic won 3-0. Tring Athletic had a good campaign in 2016/17 finishing in fifth place in the SSML Premier Division, or joint fourth with Wembley who had the same points but a better goal difference. They also lifted the West Herts St Mary's Cup again beating Kings Langley 1-0 at Vauxhall Road and reached the Final of the Hertfordshire FA Charity Shield, losing 3-2 to Berkhamsted also at Vauxhall Road:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ardleyunited/teams/63206/match-centre/0-3334139/report

 

Edited July 27, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Photographs from a SSML Premier Division fixture, at Cow Lane on Tuesday 5 April 2016, between Tring Athletic and Stotfold resulting in a 1-1 stalemate, Stotfold took the lead on 55 minutes however Chris Stapleton equalised for the hosts with ten minutes remaining in what was a pretty uneventful end of season encounter: 

Edited July 27, 2020 by Rhodes

[tringarmy]

6 hours ago, Rhodes said:

TringArmy - That's great, thanks, the crowd figure could have been a bit more couldn't it on a warm Sunday afternoon even though the report says the game was 'well attended'. How did you get Graham Poll to Referee, does he still live locally as I know he was born and bred in Hitchin.

Yes, he still lives close to our old Miswell Lane ground & used to use it for his fitness work. Graham always refereed at least one pre season game for us - his first game after the 3 yellow cards at the World Cup was one of our matches- he came into the dressing room pre match & told us he has 3 yellows & wasn’t afraid to use them ?

Graham also managed one of our youth sides & his son has been playing for our A team too. More likely to be seen on the golf course these days & was playing with my dad last week.

[tringarmy]

Club statement in relation to pre season games
 

Following a committee meeting on Tuesday, we have decided to cancel a number of pre season matches planned for various teams within the club up to and including 15th August. The FA has published guidelines under which competitive football can return behind closed doors providing a large number of conditions are met. It is the club's opinion that we are unable to put on meaningful competitive football whilst keeping strictly to these guidelines which have various grey areas open to individual club interpretation. We have weighed up the benefits of match fitness for our players alongside the potential risks to participants and volunteers. We are also conscious that failing to adhere to the guidelines set out by the FA, as our governing body, may invalidate our public liability insurance in the event of an incident at the club.

There is a conference call on Monday for the SSMFL member clubs and on the same day we understand the FA Cup draw will be published, with the extra preliminary round pencilled in for Tuesday 1st September. Step 5 league matches could then potentially start on Saturday 5th September. Both competitions however will only start once paying spectators are allowed within grounds and therefore we would expect further guidance from the FA in the near future. The club will keep it's stance under review and provide an update in due course. We look forward to seeing our supporters and sponsors back for the 2020/21 season.

[Savagebee]

1 hour ago, tringarmy said:

Club statement in relation to pre season games
 

Following a committee meeting on Tuesday, we have decided to cancel a number of pre season matches planned for various teams within the club up to and including 15th August. The FA has published guidelines under which competitive football can return behind closed doors providing a large number of conditions are met. It is the club's opinion that we are unable to put on meaningful competitive football whilst keeping strictly to these guidelines which have various grey areas open to individual club interpretation. We have weighed up the benefits of match fitness for our players alongside the potential risks to participants and volunteers. We are also conscious that failing to adhere to the guidelines set out by the FA, as our governing body, may invalidate our public liability insurance in the event of an incident at the club.

There is a conference call on Monday for the SSMFL member clubs and on the same day we understand the FA Cup draw will be published, with the extra preliminary round pencilled in for Tuesday 1st September. Step 5 league matches could then potentially start on Saturday 5th September. Both competitions however will only start once paying spectators are allowed within grounds and therefore we would expect further guidance from the FA in the near future. The club will keep it's stance under review and provide an update in due course. We look forward to seeing our supporters and sponsors back for the 2020/21 season.

Feel this could be the first of many of these kind of statements from clubs regarding early pre season games.

Might be easier not Play early pre season games or maybe any pre season games at proper grounds.

Maybe just use 3g cage pitches (hate em ?) or public open grass pitches if you can find one ?

I don't know?

[Rhodes]

Nice photographs and match report from a 2015/16 SSML Premier Division fixture, at Cow Lane on Monday 28 December 2015, between Tring Athletic and Berkhamsted, resulting in an impressive 4-0 win for Tring Athletic with two goals from Taylor Collins, a 35 yard wonder strike from Sam Joliffe and Kieran Turner in front of a decent holiday crowd of 205. Despite the result Berkhamsted went on to finish fifth in the table that season with Tring Athletic eleven points back in twelfth, coincidentally Berkhamsted won the fixture at Broadwater 4-0 on 26 March 2016:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/berkhamstedfootballclub/teams/109087/match-centre/0-2972919/report

 

[Rhodes]

Nice photographs from a pre-season friendly, at Cow Lane on Friday 21 July 2015, between Tring Athletic and Royston Town which Tring Athletic won 2-1 against their Southern League Division One Central opponents who finished second to Kings Langley that season only to lose a Semi Final play off at Garden Walk:

Edited August 24, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Photographs and match report from Tring Athletic v London Tigers in a 2014/15 SSML Premier Division encounter, at Cow Lane on Saturday 14 February 2015, which resulted in a 4-1 win for Tring Athletic with goals from Kieran Turner, Taylor Collins and a brace from Chris Vardy, it looks like there were some handbags at the end following two dismissals for London Tigers players Ilyes Mohammed and Abdullahi Wassan:

https://www.tafc.co.uk/report-r.php?fixture_id=2376

Edited August 24, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

I see that, worryingly, there has been a steep increase in Covid-19 cases in the Tring and Berkhamsted areas this week, perhaps Tring Athletic are justified afterall in being so cautious of late and cancelling all their pre-season games other than the one with Hemel Hempstead Town last week:

https://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-rise-confirmed-cases-tring-and-berkhamsted-2951528

The public health chief for Hertfordshire County Council is reminding residents to follow the Government guidelines around social distancing following a rise in the number of cases in Dacorum.

Over the weekend Dacorum recorded 14 new cases, there are now 578 confirmed cases in the borough, a rate of 373.5 per 100,000 - according to Public Health England.

There has been a small number of positive cases in Tring and Berkhamsted, particularly among young people.

Cllr Tim Hutchings, executive member for Public Health said: “We can confirm there is currently a small number of positive COVID-19 cases in the Tring and Berkhamsted area, primarily amongst young people (17-19yrs old).

Contact tracing has begun and early indications is that transmission is likely to have taken place in a number of social gatherings. Although this number may yet spread further over the next few days, it is contained within this locality and age group.

We want to take this opportunity to remind particularly young people to stick to the rules regarding social distancing and the number of people you meet from outside your household. If you think that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are feeling unwell, you should speak to an adult or call 119 or visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.”

[Rhodes]

Photographs from Tring Athletic Reserves v Northwood Reserves in a 2015/16 Suburban League Shield Group C tie, at Cow Lane on Wednesday 10 February 2016, Tring Athletic Reserves won 2-1 and there appeared to be some handbags during the proceedings. Tring Athletic Reserves went on to win the Suburban League North Division that season as well as the Challenge Plate where they also beat Northwood 2-1 in a Semi Final at Cow Lane, in addition they beat Northwood twice in the two League matches between the sides:

Suburban League North Division - 2015/16
 Pos  Name                            Pld    W    D    L   GF   GA  Pts
   1  Tring Athletic reserves          18   13    3    2   59   18   42
   2  North Greenford United reserves  18   11    2    5   42   30   35
   3  Kings Langley reserves           18   11    1    6   61   33   34
   4  Dunstable Town reserves          18    9    4    5   42   39   31
   5  Northwood reserves               18    9    3    6   33   20   30
   6  Hartley Wintney reserves         18    8    2    8   37   41   26
   7  Camberley Town reserves          18    8    1    9   39   42   25
   8  Leverstock Green reserves        18    5    3   10   35   59   18
   9  Biggleswade United reserves      18    3    2   13   21   44   11
  10  Berkhamsted reserves             18    1    3   14   17   60    6
      Aylesbury reserves               Record expunged

 

[Rhodes]

Photographs (click on the link) and a match report from last Saturday's (29 August 2020) pre-season friendly at Cow Lane between Tring Athletic and Aylesbury United, resulting in a 3-0 win for the visitors despite Tring Athletic holding them to 0-0 at the break. It would appear that the lack of match fitness told in the end due to the Club's over cautious approach to COVID-19 and that's a big worry for this evening's FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at Easington Sports: 

https://www.tafc.co.uk/report-r.php?fixture_id=3798

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aylesburyunited/albums/72157715768971301/with/50285527466/

Edited September 1, 2020 by Rhodes