28 January, 2007 - Melford Notes

With no first team game last Saturday attention focused on the Reserves at home to AFC Sudbury, against a Sudbury team that looked like a Melford team of days gone by. Two of the Melford old boys Darren Pratt and Phil Battell had some bearing on the game, each scoring and each having commanding games in the Sudbury defence. With a paying crowd of 67 it was good by all standards, and the game was fairly interesting, with Melford perhaps slightly unlucky to lose by the measure of 3 - 1. Man of the match for most at Melford was Carl Cook who despite being around the 40 yr mark inspired both with his ability, stamina and enthuaism. Some of the younger players hopefully will take note that you are expected to battle right to the end of a game, indeed as Carl did for Melford. On the player front Trevor Dinig who had his debut in goal last week managed to damage his hand at work and will be out until March, with Craig Rulton out with a shoulder injury, there is a keeping crisis at the Club which may be difficult to solve. The Under 18s who are one of the success stories at the Club won by virtue of a solitary goal from Jack Taylor which crept into the net between the keeper and the post to give Melford all the points against the visiting Haverhill team. With the gale force winds recently many fence panels were down we have to thanks Maple Builders who stepped in to do the work as a kind gesture, without all these little pieces of help it would indeed be very difficult to keep a club running and with adequate finance. On Saturday we entertain Gorleston who we defeated away, but with some players missing it will be hard to emulate. The following week we have a tough game with Saffron Walden coming to Long Melford.  Bone fide Villager

24 January, 2007 - Melford Notes

After the battering at the hands of the Bloaters the previous week (no pun intended), Melford consolidated a little with a tighter game against Haverhill at Stoneylands. On the day John Taylor gave sixteen year old Steve Adams a debut at centre  back and in goal with the present crisis, Trevor Dinig made his appearance between the sticks  Although Haverhill  took control over the first period  Melford came back and snatched two goals for a close finish. As my colleague last week said we still need some experience in the team and we will have to keep trying the seven day approaches. In the warm Med sun  the writer took in a number of games and was surprised to note that local teams based in Malta area are now taking in more and more Eastern European players. With Marshalox now topping the Premier League and managed by Ex-Ipswich player Bryan Talbot, they have in their ranks a Serbian by the name of Daniel Bogdanovic. who was playing for a team on Gozo last year, and he was so good that the writer gave his name to Ipswich Town last season. It was interesting to note that this player last week was having an extended trial with Premier League Watford, so perhaps the talent spotting was not that bad after all  !!  No game on Saturday but the Reserves entertain the AFC Sudbury Reserves with a number of Melford old boys making a return.  Bona fide Villager.

8 January, 2007 - Melford Notes

With Hamlet Croft like most pitches gushing with water, Melford like many were an idle force last Saturday. The writer taking in the Senior Cup game at Cornard played in pretty awful conditions, saw a good game from both teams, with ex Melford keeper Colin Athey producing the winning saves in the penalty shootout to see Cornard through. The Brantham team under "Albert" Hall impressed very well and will more than hold their own if they progress back to the Ridgeons League at the end of the season.  With our Chairman ALF" returning from his sojourn this week to New Zealand ,he and the left arm round the wicket Over 60 s bowler will be in charge of the reports and notes for the next week or so.  Hopefully whilst he and others will not be getting too rusty at Great Yarmouth on Saturday the writer will have had time to down the tools; and watch a little of Brian Talbots opposition at play in the warm Med sun. Watching frequently soccer in that part of the world it would be nice to bring back the odd Albanian, Nigerian or Libyan International to play in the Ridgeons League and see what impression they would make at that level of football.!!  Meanwhile at Long Melford the hunt goes on for players to reinforce our meagre squad, but as many will know with poor results and limited resources it is difficult to attract players with the "Uni" boys Norton and Alder returning to studies, and hopefully James Hawkins recovered from his nasty facial injury, we will muster up a worthy squad to face Yarmouth on Saturday.  The following Saturday we take on Haverhill at Stoneylands, at the moment the 27th is vacant and on Febuary 3rd we entertain Gorleston at Stoneylands.    Bona fide Villager.

8 January, 2007 - Saturday

Due to a waterlogged pitch the game at Haverhill was called off, only two Ridgeons games were played although Cornard won through on penalty shootout to the Semi Final of the Suffolk Senior Cup, the hero for Cornard was ex Melford keeper Colin Athey who made two penalty saves during the shootout,  Long Melford are away at Great Yarmouth next week with Joe Norton and Mark Alder returning to University, At the moment James Hawkins is doubtful due to the facial injury sustained in the Whitton match that required several stitches to a mouth wound.  The search goes on for players and two seven day notices have been put in for players, and there are likely to be one two players joining the Club in the near future.  Bona fide Villager

2 January, 2007 - Melford Notes

After a good victory with a slightly flattering score-line 4-1 at Cornard with Player Manager John Taylor leading the way with two goals, assisted with one each from Danny Stokes and Joe Norton, it was a black Saturday for Melford with the first team being hammered by seven goals at Ely and the Reserves losing 4-1 at home to Halstead Reserves.  It would be easy to blame the debacle at Ely on the weather - that would be churlish in view that both teams had to face the same weather and conditions. To those who made the 40 mile journey from Long Melford it was a huge disappointment, and in the second half bordered on being an embarrassment for the hardy supporters. The first half with the rain into their faces  Melford competed, and with the second goal on the halftime whistle being down to the elements, there was some feeling that the game could be rescued. The opposite was to emerge, with only sporadic attacks from Melford, the home team took total control, the reason for this could enter some debate, The youthful Melford team were not so fit as their more mature opponents? The team lacked in fighting spirit?  Was it down to physical strength? Probably a combination of all those factors, coupled with the fact that watching the ability of some players to be up in attack and back in defence, it seems that some players are carrying injuries from game to game (that is my observation anyway). We of course have to acknowledge that overall we are still minus some three or four players of the required standard to match the better teams at this level, but with limited resources that situation will take a time to change. The one person to shine like a beacon over all this was keeper Craig Rulton who made some great saves to keep the score to single figures and such was his performance he was applauded as he left the field by the home supporters. At the home game the Reserves were outclassed by the young Halstead team with Luke Moore slotting our goal from a Dean Stalker corner. Assistant Manager Mark Dack in charge for the Cornwall break of Nick Cook, was also let down by the non-appearance yet again of one of the selected players, not a good start to a game. The game on Tuesday night against Whitton could have restored some pride but is was not to be. After Danny Stokes put Melford ahead it was all downhill from there, we lost James Hawkins early on with a badly gashed mouth (we will keep away from how that occurred!) and then we had to replace Mark Alder at halftime who had a hamstring problem and Paul Walker who was feeling unwell. From thereon it was not a problem for the Ipswich team and they recorded a fairly easy win. To cap a bad night we made a cock-up with the catering, and no food arrived for players and officials after the game. Our sincere apologies  to both Whitton and the officials for this problem, the first time this has happened since we have been in the Ridgeons League. The only bright note was to see and speak to ex-Melford joint Manager Jason Stalker, who was down from Yorkshire and came to watch the game, and he sends his regards to all his friends in the area, and he is now a successful Manager of his own Pub Team in the Yorkshire Sunday League.  Bona fide Villager

29 December - Melford Notes

This is a difficult report to file, with no first team game on Saturday 23^rd and the next first team game on December 27th at Cornard past the filing time for reports. The game at Cornard will have been a difficult game with the rise in strength of Cornard and the  static situation of Melford, hopefully Melford will have risen to the game and have got  a point from the match. Saturday will see us at Ely City who are having a good season and we will have been lucky to secure any rewards for our journey to the Cathedral City. The Reserves played Stanway at home on Saturday and it turned out to be an entertaining game, with our visitors snatching victory in the last seconds of the game. At least watching the Reserves does encourage for the future with some excellent young players waiting to get the call to the first team. Outstanding were 15 yr old Tommy Perry who is very quick and very positive for his age, the writer is particularly pleased as many years ago after a tip off from the then local sports Editor Peter Lockyer, Tom�s father Adie Perry was brought to Melford to play from the obscurity of the Monks Eleigh Swan Sunday team,  and what a good player he proved to be. The other starlets who took the eye in the Reserves were keeper Sam Mansfield who had a blinder and Scott Barr in defence. Both the Melford goals were scored by Dave Jenkins, who although a little more mature, should surely get his first team call up sometime. So a disappointing season so far for the first team, perhaps we can come good early in the New Year and rise a little up the table away from the drop zone, the Reserves likewise, but the plaudits should go to Trevor Warren and the Under 18 s team who have performed very well and hold  a top four position in their League. What of New Year Wishes well several pertinent to football. Can someone please extend the vocabulary of the Stowmarket supporter who rather like a speaking clock shouts "ANYWHERE" every few minutes throughout the game, it does get slightly boring!! Hopefully despite our fairly spartan facilities at Long Melford, players from all teams will be reminded that the shower is not the place to wash and clean your boots !!  That our match officials (thank you for your work and efforts) will start to take some action over the pretty dreadful language that we all have to listen to on the field of play, which is particularly disrespectful to the ladies who are supporters of Clubs. And finally to all those in power who produce the endless stream of red tape from on high please remember that the dedicated few who keep local football alive are mostly dedicated UNPAID VOLUNTEERS, that fact should be taken into account. Next game for Melford is at home January 2nd ko 7.45 at Stoneylands against Whitton Utd, Peace be with you and have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.   Bona fide Villager

17 December - Melford Notes

Pecking order this week goes to the Reserves who against predictions overcame Braintree Reserves 2-1 at Stoneylands. The first ten minutes saw Braintree over-run Melford who then reverted from the 4  4  2 system to match the Braintree formation of  3....5...2, this evened the game up and the score-line at halftime was 0...0. The second half saw 15 yr old Tommy Perry on for Luke Simpson and he brought Melford onto a dominating second half. Striker Dave Jenkins put Melford ahead on 59 minutes. Braintree levelled on a break on 81 minutes, but Dave Jenkins provided the winner on 83 minutes to give Melford a deserved victory. It will be the last game today for Matt Snazell who is joining the Royal Navy, we wish Matt well for the future and thank him for his efforts at Melford. Meanwhile the first team were at Hadleigh against the in-form home team, who had Goulbourne in their squad and almost read like a half Melford squad from the past. The start for Melford was not good as Danny Stokes had a car failure on the way and arrived just at the kick off time, so young Andy Fisher (16yrs) took his place up front. Also in the Melford lineup was Joe Norton back from Keele University, good to note there are not any inter County restrictions as yet from UEFA, so Joe unlike Paul Donnelly will be able to enjoy his football in out of term time. To be frank after a promising start Melford were under the cosh from Hadleigh for much of the half, with Fleming deceiving keeper Rulton with a long range shot and Smith bundling home an un-cleared corner. With several efforts hitting the Melford woodwork the scoreline at half time left Melford with a chance. If Hadleigh took the first half then the second period belonged to Melford with Stokes netting after a poor back pass from Sadler and Tony French showing all his experience in the Melford defence to keep Hadleigh out of control. In truth in the last few minutes, to use a Boxing clich�, "Hadleigh were on the ropes", but the equaliser would not come for the spirited Villagers. Saturday will see the Reserves at home to Stanway Reserves, with Melford playing their local derby game against CORNARD at Blackhouse Lane on Wednesday 27th December ko 3 pm. The outcome may be fairly controversial in the household of this writer, and sadly we will not be able to say SNAP to Chris Symes to his Polish Striker from Monkwick, as Polish Dan our defender left for his Christmas break in Katowice last Friday and missed the Hadleigh game, hopefully to be seen in the New Year back at Stoneylands. On December 30 the First Team visit Ely City for what will be a hard game. To all those avid people who work so hard to keep grassroots football alive, and all at LONG MELFORD Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year (when it comes). Bona fide Villager.

16 December - Melford Squad to Face Hadleigh United on December 16th

Rulton, Durell, French, Woiciechowski, Vaughan, Frost, Hawkins, Walker, Stokes,  A. Smith, Grindrod, Knibbs, Norton, Wiggins, Daw, Taylor, C. Green     

13 December - Melford Notes

At last Melford recorded their first home victory 4-1 against Thetford Town last Saturday  a deserved victory with a flattering score-line. The game saw Melford taking an early lead then conceding the customary goal, going into recess for twenty minutes and allowing Thetford to dominate, but after heroics from keeper Craig Rulton, coming back with some second half goals including the best of the match when Darren Frost ran some forty yards past several tackles and slotted past keeper Snowden. Perhaps this will signal a revival today against Hadleigh, we need the points badly. As  is normally the case the long trip to Lowestoft on Tuesday in the EA Cup meant that we had five players not available from the squad against Thetford, bearing this in mind the writer had parked his car for a sharp exit in case of heavy defeat. With very much a shadow team out Lowestoft were given a hard battle by the Melford half shadow team, With keeper Craig Rulton outstanding and Ez Durell taking on the central defender position with aplomb. The sharp exit was not required, with the 18 th minute strike from MacAleese being the only difference between the two teams. The very young players Carl Daw (16 last week) and Andrew Fish 16 performed well and Melford can be proud of this performance. It now appears that through UEFA rules Paul Donnelly will not be allowed to play for Melford in his term times from Glasgow University; instead he will be playing for East Kilbride in term time and will have to spectate during his holidays. What an absolute farce football and this country is becoming through red tape!!, in  a period when prisoners in our jails have had their rights upheld through the Human Rights  Act, it appears that the rights that apply to the freedom of the individual in choice where to exercise or carry out their interests is to be denied. Surely matters such as this apply to our highly paid professional footballers and not to those who play for enjoyment.   Bona fide Villager.

2 December - Squad to Face Hadleigh United

Rulton, Durrell, Knibbs, Vaughan, French, Wojciechowski, Hawkins, Walker, Smith, Frost, Grindrod, Taylor, L. Cawtheray, Daw, Moore, C.Green,

2 December - Melford Notes

Last Saturday at around midday the weather mimicked the April showers situation, the Downham team and officials when they turned up at 1.30 pm thought it was April Fools Day when the referee called the game off at 1.40pm with some puddles of water on the pitch. As people arrived to watch the game with the sun shining the well known comment of "I don"t believe it" rung out in unison round the ground. The much maligned Stoneylands has one quality and that is perfect drainage, the forecast was for the sun to shine and it did!, and this decision was taken at 1.40 pm with the visitors having travelled some 60 plus miles. Don�t criticize officials you say, perhaps difficult not to on this occasion !!  The Reserves turned the game against AFC Sudbury Res at  the Sudbury ground into a good game on Friday evening, although under the cosh for much of the game, the Melford team with two 15 year olds and the others with the exception of three under the  twenty age group gave a sterling performance in the last twenty minutes. Very promising for the Club, with some exceptional talent waiting to come onto the first team. The under 18s gave Clacton a caning by 5-0 midweek and this shows the talent we have at the Club.  Bona fide Villager

25 November - Long Melford v Downham Town

After a midday downpour the referee adjudged  Stoneylands unplayable at 1...40pm  although Downham had arrived  from their 60 mile journey, the fact that Stoneylands drains quickly and bright weather was forecast for later in the day (SUN CAME OUT AT 3...30pm) that was (in my opinion a very poor) his decision. So sorry everyone.   Bona fide Villager

11 November - Squad to Face March Town United

With players again not available Melford Manager John Taylor has to bring in players from the Reserves for the  six pointer against March Town United at Long Melford today. Melford Squad:-   Rulton, Durell, Knibbs, French, Frost, Vaughan, Walker, Wojciechowski, Hawkins, Taylor, Smith,   Cawtheray, Grindrod, Moore, Chisholm, Statham, M. Green

7 November - Melford Notes

A good performance by Melford against high-flyers Debenham in the end produced no reward. At last the  Team are starting to produce some good linking football without overambitious passing and for parts of the game you would have been hard-pressed to have recognised  The Villagers  as a team resting near the bottom of the table. Without Kirk Vaughan and striker Danny Stokes both away,, Manager John Taylor had to shuffle the pack once again. All the team performed well but exceptional was the keeping of Craig Rulton who kept the score-line reasonable, the positional sense and anticipation of Dan Wojciecskowski, who with better fitness improves every game and the sheer determination of little and young Sam Knibbs who battles hard the whole game. Seasoned pundits surveying the team now seem to think we are perhaps minus two midfielders from being a half decent team, that is why we still have some 7 day notices going out for players. On Saturday we will have seen an important match at home to fellow strugglers March Town it will hinge on how close we can keep tabs on the Brand Brothers, as to how the final result will have gone. The Reserves slipped up once again losing two goal nought to Hadleigh ( having won away earlier in the season) according  to Manager Nick Cook we are still lacking a person up front to convert the many chances we make, so is there anyone out there?? bona fide villager

2 November - Squad to face Debenham LC

With regular central defender Kirk Vaughan away, Melford Manager John Taylor is hoping to play some loan players to bolster his team for the game at Debenham. The Villagers secured a rare 6 - .0 victory last week at Godmanchester and will want to continue on a positive course.

Melford:- Rulton, Durell, Knibbs, Wojciechowski, Lofts, Frost, Hawkins, Walker, French, Stokes, Smith, Isom, Stevens, Moore, Taylor, Bidgood Cawtheray 

This will probably be the squad that takes on Hadleigh at Stoneylands, 7.45 pm on Monday evening, November 6th

2 November - Melford Notes

Restful recuperation took over from active participation last Saturday, so instead hearing rather than live watching was the order of the day. Hard luck to both Haverhill and AFC Sudbury on their valiant efforts sounded as though Sudbury were unlucky to surrender to their visitors Leatherhead, but overall their joint efforts have done much for the area and local football. When the results came through on the magic box, it was a nice surprise to note that Melford away to Godmanchester had recorded an excellent six goal victory. Not to be hailed as the event of the season, as in honesty Godmanchester are not a great team but perhaps a changing point for the team who have struggled so hard this season. Nice to see that Craig Rulton was back in goal after his nasty injury. A little bit the other way to notice that Danny Stokes after such a great season so far got sent off in the first half. The scorers for Melford were James Hawkins, Ez Durell, John Taylor, Paul Walker Kirk Vaughan and Tony French from the penalty spot. According to the report penned by my friend the veteran slow left arm round the wicket bowler, Melford played well and for once took the chances as they came. The previous Tuesday at Tiptree we had four players on loan from Foxash, thank you to Keasy and Co. and in an entertaining game we went down  four goals to two. We played with some spirit and a good share of luck, after dropping three goals behind we came back to 3...2, at this point John Taylor had a goal bound header hacked off the goal line, so it did get close at one time. The spirit was led on a Churchiliian basis by massive loan keeper Richard Churchill, who had a great game, as did the other loanees, hopefully when needed they will be available for other midweek games. The Reserves went two goals behind at Melford early in the first half to Stanway, Scoot Chisholm got a goal back, after Stanway were reduced to ten men. Despite all the efforts Melford were unable to make up the deficit and ended up with a defeat,

21 October - Melford Notes

15 October - Richard Carter parts company with Haverhill Rovers

Former Melford Manager Richard Carter has parted company with Havetrhill Rovers according to a statement issued by the club (see below):-

22 September - Squad to face Ipswich Wanderers in the FA Vase

Already very much the underdogs the Villagers have big problems in getting a team for this VASE game. Goalkeeper Craig Rulton is sidelined with a broken ankle, Tony French is out with a knee injury, Danny Stokes with hamstring problems, Gavin Bensley is suspended and both Norton and Donnelly have gone off to University. In addition Mark Powling has left to join Hadleigh Utd. Melford from:- I. Frost, Durell, Brind, Vaughan, Hawkins, Taylor, Hawkins, D. Frost, S. Green. A.Smith, Hart, Walker, Grindrod, Fitton, L. Cawtheray, Radford, Statham

Player Leaves for Hadleigh United

Regrettably, defender  Mark Powling has decided to leave Melford and play for Hadleigh, we thank Mark for his efforts and hope that some day he will return to Long Melford.

Latest News

Keeper Craig Rulton who has been in excellent form sustained a broken ankle playing football on Sunday, he is likely to be out for several months, a search goes on for a replacement keeper.

Melford Notes

Just to take up a point made by Evergreen from Gorleston about reporting Gorleston as giving a "niggedly performance" in the Greenun last week. The Gorleston website seemed to indicate that the defeat was greatly down to poor refereeing so through different eyes you achieve a different perspective on the game. Going by the fouls committed in the game, the six bookings, the bad language towards the officials the performance to me from the home team was "niggedly". Perhaps a system introduced at Melford by John Taylor might help whereby players booked for dissent are punished within the Club�s internal system might be worth looking at by the Greens management. So sorry the writer begs to differ with Evergreen over this. It was a great game at Melford on Saturday on the  goal front anyway. After going behind by three goals half way through the first half it looked curtains for Melford, but it was not to be. The introduction of little Joe Norton turned the whole game, his pace, trickiness and determination was a problem for the experienced Debenham defense. With some superb work from John Taylor, Tony French and new signing Sam Green from Haverhill Rovers who had an impressive debut, Melford leveled in the second half and would  not have been flattered to have taken all the points. A great display from all with Mark Powling probably the pick of the Melford defense so keep up all the good work boys. With Paul Donnelly now away at Glasgow University, Danny Stokes sidelined with a hamstring problem and Gavin Bensley suspended this was indeed a good performance. It is a great pity that we also lose Joe Norton next week to Keele University, on the plus side it was good to see Danny Brind perform so well after coming on for the injured Tony French. With manager John Taylor still talking to players who want to join us there could be one or two additions to the squad over the next few weeks, and so the nightmare start to the season may transform itself into a dream finish at the end of the season. Whilst it went well for the first team the Reserves were hammered  7...0 away at Felixstowe, conceding six goals in the second half. Manager Nik Cook was gutted with the team performance, and really had little positive to say for his team so not a lot to report other than to say Melford were very poor. In midweek the Under 18s recorded a good 2..1 victory away at Haverhill, after going behind Melford won with two penalties being converted by Sam Bareham so keep up the good work boys. - Bona fide Villager

25 August - Melford Notes

The Reserves have had some good victories this season in friendlies winning 6...2 against Glemsford and winning away at Old Newton  4....3. Against Glemsford the evergreen Carl Cook got a hat trick plus Ashley Williams 1, Dwain Reader 1 and an own goal. The game at Old Newton saw  Dwain Reader net 2, Mark Arnold 1 and  Dave Jenkins 1. This brings Readers tally to 4 goals in three games, according to Nick Cook, Reserve Manager together with Jenkins, and keeper Craig Rulton, Reader should be knocking on the first team door this season. At Long Melford old rivals Cornard Utd fully deserved their victory in the FA Cup, for most of the first half Melford were almost non-existent with Cornard running the game. The Villagers paid the penalty of not marking closely danger man Craig Cutts and he soon put Cornard two goals to the good. Second half after an even start, Melford took more command of the game with John Taylor showing how easy it was to play football. Despite conceding another giveaway goal, Melford fashioned enough chances to have leveled the game, with Danny Stokes heading a consolation from a John Taylor cross. The overall opinion from the home supporters was that we are lacking in real bite in the midfield, we have the ability up front and our defense had an off day on Saturday, we need some good midfielders who can win tackles, hold and fetch and carry, at the moment we have little ability in that department. According to sources at the Club we are speaking to players who should be able to fulfill that role. According to those who have watched warm up games we have some foreign players, who when we have International clearance should be first team material, so hopefully with all of this we shall start to get results in the next few weeks.  Bona fide Villager

24 August

Long Melford A 3, Foxash 1

This was a good run out for both teams with Melford trying out several players on trial including two Polish players. On twenty five minutes the returning Danny Brind put Melford ahead (after three years out with injury) a just reward for his patience recovering from a serious injury. On thirty nine minutes after good work by Brind and Danny Stokes the excellent Joe Norton scored the second. Just midway through the second half Ian Cooper pulled one back for the visitors and on the final stroke of time Makowski rifled home from the edge of the box for the Melford third goal.

6 August - Melford Notes

The poor preseason display continued with another 4...1 defeat last Saturday, it can only get better. Manager John Taylor is still talking to various players hoping that with limited finances he will still be able to attract some further players to the fold. Many of the new signings are from the lower leagues, with Danny Stokes and Liam Fitton joining from Border League outfit Foxash, Chris Pallant from IDL side Old Newton has signed, keeper  Gareth Motteram from Downham Town, Marc Remnant from Hingham United, Darren Frost back from Halstead Town, Gavin Bensley from Heybridge Swifts (subject to 7 day approach from Haverhill). In addition we have been emailed by 4 players  from Haverhill, others from Walsham, Ipswich Wanderers and Bury Town, whether anything will materialize remains to be seen. At the moment two players from the team that ended the season have not signed, so on that front we have to wait and see. Whilst  we have perhaps some concerns on the playing front the far larger concern is the state of the pitch, the dry weather has left it looking yellow and dead, the light sub-soil of course does not held any real water table, the lack of water has made the pitch look the worst for some twenty years. In fact the officers at the Club have seriously considered  reversing our early fixtures, so the word is please be gentle with your comments we cannot help the dry weather!!! and we cannot afford to water the ground 24/7. The Reserves recorded a 1...1 draw against Salvation Army last Saturday so that it one small bright spot for the Club.  Congratulations from everyone at the Club to Simon Garden (director and) Nick Cook (reserve manager} who on the same day became fathers. Best wishes also to their respective partners. Next week will see us battle against Cornard United in the extra Prelim. Round of the FA Cup.  Having seen them play twice pre season Melford will have a hard contest on their hands. Any way despite the slight air of gloom around the pitch and  team please come down and give  your support, as one of the TV pundits said recently, the crowd support can be worth extra  players, and at Melford we will need it!!   Bona fide Villager

6 August - Forthcoming Fixtures

August 12^th: Long Melford FC v Great Yarmouth Town, ko  3.00 pm. August 19^th: Long Melford FC v Cornard United, ko 3.00 pm (FA  Cup  Extra Prelim Round). August 26^th: March Town  away,  Tuesday August 29^th:  Whitton United away, ko 7.45 pm.

30 July - Pre-Season Friendly Fixtures

Wednesday August 2nd at Cockfield, ko 6.30 pm. Saturday August 5^th, ko 2.30 pm  at Cockfield against winners or losers of midweek matches. August 8th away to Diss Town, ko 7.45 pm.   Reserves: Saturday August 5^th, home v Salvation Army, 3.00 pm.

30 July - Pre-Season Friendlies

7 July - Melford to play Cornard in FA Cup

The draw for the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup has been made and Melford are to play local rivals Cornard United at home on Saturday 19^th August at 3.00 pm. If Melford overcome Cornard they will entertain either March Town United or St. Ives Town in the Preliminary Round to take place on Saturday, 2^nd September at 3.00 pm. Success here will see Melford through to the First Round Qualifying where they will meet Boreham Wood away on Saturday 16^th September at 3.00 pm.

6 July - Update on Training Sessions

Despite the counter attractions of the World Cup semi-finals and holidays, some thirty two players turned up for the first training session of the new season at Long Melford. Melford player manager John Taylor was wanting to see some of the players in action before making any decisions on signings. Many have the approached the Club via the website and some of these were to attend in the next week or so. Training sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the  time being 7.15. The invite still applies for those players wishing to try their luck at Long Melford with the fact that if good enough they will be given a chance to prove themselves with the Villagers.

24 June - Training begins.....

Manager John Taylor has announced that training will start at Long Melford Football Club on July 4th and then on Thursday July 6th and continue every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter. Provision will be made to work round the World Cup semi finals etc as this could impact upon attendance.(ie television at the Clubhouse). Initially the training will be at Long Melford but may then take place away from the Club due to the pitch reseeding etc.

24 June - Pre-Season Friendlies

The following pre-season friendlies have been arranged:-

18th July         Needham Market H                KO 7.45 pm
22nd July        Haughley A                            KO 2.30 pm
25th July         Mildenhall H                           KO 7.45 pm
3rd August      Tournament at Cockfield
6th August      Tournament at Cockfield

8th August      Diss Town A                           KO 7.45 pm

 24 June - Fulbourn Institute withdraw from Ridgeons League

Melford will enter the First Round of the Ridgeons League Challenge Cup with an away draw with either Tiptree United or Haverhill Rovers. The match to be played week commencing 23^rd October. In the First Division Knock-Out Trophy Melford are to play local rivals Cornard United away in the Preliminary Round to be played week commencing 6 November. If Melford get through to the first round they will entertain another local side Hadleigh United at home.

1 June - Progress Update for the Forthcoming Season.

24 May - News Regarding New Signings

Melford Manager John Taylor has been speaking to several players, some have indicated interest and others are more intent on pursuing the quest for the biggest penny. It is anticipated that when training starts on July 4th there will be at least 12 or so new faces, some from Kent Blaxill Border League Clubs, some from the IDL one or two from Ridgeons  Premier and others with experience in the Rymans League. Until then it unlikely that Melford Manager Taylor will be announcing to the Public any new signings, the boss considers that to be the best way forward. And yes, we have had an approach from the Haverhill direction for at least one player!!!  And we are still waiting for your contact if you want a trial !! - Bona fide Villager

23 May - Saturday Awards Night

A very successful day was held with Youth awards starting in the afternoon and the Senior awards in the evening. Manager John Taylor was there to make most of the awards and overall it was a successful event. The Youth section will be providing all their own information. Under 18s Player Award: Joe Norton, Managers Player Award: Matt Warren, Reserve Players Awards: Robbie Radford and Dean Stalker, First Team Awards: Paul Donnelly and Paul Walker, Clubman of the Year: Richard Powell and Special Dedication Award to  Craig Leonard (who hardly missed a training session).

8 May - Richard Carter

2 May - Announcement Re John Taylor