Sleaford Town23-24

BULLSEYE MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF AFC MANSFIELD | ISSUE 01 | 2023/24 | £2 Vs SATURDAY 29TH JULY 2023 - THE UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE DIVISION NORTH Vs SLEAFORD TOWN - KICK-OFF 3pm

PAGE 2 | BULLSEYE MATCHDAY PROGRAMME CHAIRMANS CORNER Iwould like to welcome the players, officials, and supporters from Sleaford Town F.C and of course our supporters, to the Forest Town Arena, home of AFC Mansfield, to our first league game of the new season. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Buxton and his team for all the work that they have put in to build a competitive side for the 2023 / 24 season. We have played a number of preseason friendlies with varying results but can see the team coming together. I would also like to thank the committee and volunteers for their work during close season. Everyone has worked hard to make sure that this season is a better one than the last. We have been working on the ground and it’s looking better, but there’s much still to be done – work is ongoing. You will see that we have some new sponsors, many thanks to them and of course those renewing their sponsorship from last year for their much-needed support. So let’s all get behind AFC Mansfield and help to move the club forward. I hope that you enjoy your afternoon with us. Mike Abbs Chairman

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PAGE 4 | BULLSEYE MATCHDAY PROGRAMME Phil Buxton - Manager Firstly, I would like to welcome squad we have managed all the players, staff and to bring in some new faces supporters of Sleaford Town on the playing side, myself, Football Club to the Forest Joe and Jake are all happy Town arena and we hope they with the squad we have put have a safe journey home after together with a nice blend of the game. experience players and some The first game of the season young and hungry players that always brings excitement and will fit straight into the club. today is no different, we have Pre season has been a good all worked incredibly hard over one for us, winning 3 drawing pre season and we hope the 2 and losing 2 has seen us be hard work and commitment able to play the majority of the from all involved will bring us a squad and have a real look positive campaign in the 23/24 at different parts of our game season. alongside getting some good minutes in the players legs. We A lot has changed since the are hopeful that this campaign end of last season, I’m sure can be a successful one, I can lots of people will agree that reassure all involved at the club the club needed to be changed that myself, the management both on and off the field after team and the players will be a dismissal season saw the doing everything in our power club go backwards for the first to make that happen. We hope time in its history. The work that you enjoy watching the team myself, the management team this year and can get behind us and the committee have put home and alway. into the off season has been #upthebulls nothing short of amazing and I would personally like the thank Thanks all those involved. As you will see from todays The gaffer Proud to sponsor our local team AFC Mansfield Have a great season! ( 01623 468468 www.hopkins-solicitors.co.uk

MEET www.afcmansfield.net | PAGE 5 THE TEAM

PAGE 6 | BULLSEYE MATCHDAY PROGRAMME SLEAFORD The summer of 2023 has seen Sleaford League champions in 1980/81 and 2003/04, Town Football Club celebrate their Challenge Cup winners in 1980/81, 1989/90 100th anniversary and the club and 1990/91 and Supplementary Cup winners in ushered in that milestone by registering a 1988/89, 2001/02 and 2002/03 amongst a plethora record-breaking campaign last season. The of other silverware. Greens 5th placed finish in United Counties League Premier Division North represented The club moved to RAF Cranwell in 2004/05 the clubs highest ever finish and this was as a result of their long-anticipated promotion achieved alongside a record points total and into the United Counties League Division One a record wins total. The Greens took their with the facilities at The Rec not meeting league chances of promotion into the final week standards. The club won the Division One title the of the campaign and with Player/Manager following season but, with the clubs new facilities Tom Ward gathering another strong squad at Eslaforde Park not quite complete, the Greens for season 2023/24 – hopes are high for were unable to take promotion to the Premier another successful campaign in NG34. Division. That long-awaited move to Eslaforde Park arrived the following season as did promotion The current club can trace their roots right to the United Counties League Premier Division back through to the summer of 1923 when which allowed the club to enter the FA Cup and FA amateur side Sleaford Red Triangle entered Vase for the first time. the Ruskington League for 1923/24. The clubs name was changed to Sleaford Brian Rowland retired at the end of the 2011/12 Amateurs during the 1927/28 season before season following a staggering 33 years in their first silverware arrived in the form of the charge triggering short spells for a succession Culverthorpe Cup in 1931/32. of managers including two more club legends, Jamie Shaw and Paul Ward. Alongside new club 1952 saw the club claim the prestigious Chairman Dean Williams, it was Paul’s son Tom Lincoln Amateur Cup at Lincoln City’s who arrived in September 2021 to complete a Sincil Bank ground before a move to a family line of succession that saw Grandad Brian, new council-owned recreation ground in Dad Paul and Son Tom all take on the managers 1966/67 bought a Lincoln League title and role at Sleaford Town. Tom immediately set a second Lincoln Amateur Cup. The clubs about transforming the fortunes of a struggling current name of Sleaford Town was adopted club, taking the Greens from rock-bottom of the in June 1968 and with it came a switch Premier Division North into mid-table safety before into the Lincolnshire League and the club registering last season’s record-breaking campaign subsequently won Division Two at the first with a squad packed with local, homegrown talent. time of asking. More silverware followed including another Culverthorpe Cup, the SLEAFORD TO+WN FACTFILE: Billingborough Cup, the Lincolnshire Junior Cup and most notably, the Lincolnshire YEAR FOUNDED 1923 League Charity Cup in 1973/74. NICKNAME TOWN/GREENS CHAIRMAN DEAN WILLIAMS Summer 1979 saw club legend Brian MANAGER TOM WARD Rowland appointed Player/Manager at the LEAGUE TITLES 1 club and, over the next three decades, HIGHEST LEVEL STEP 5 he became one of the longest serving BEST FA CUP RUN 1ST QUAL ROUND managers in the country as well as the BEST FA VASE RUN 4TH ROUND most successful manager at county league level. The club were to become Lincolnshire

www.afcmansfield.net | PAGE 7 TOWN Ones to Watch GK – Liam Flitton Part of the youth setup at Lincoln City, ‘Flitts’ returns for a second season with the Greens after impressing last term. Awarded with Managers Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year at the clubs end of season awards last season Liam is known for his incredible shot-stopping ability and an eye for good distribution. CB – Joe Braithwaite Vastly experienced central defender ‘Braith’ completed an impressive 2022/23 season by picking up the clubs Player of the Year award. A no nonsense defender with a knack for sensing danger he joins the Greens for a second consecutive season after spells at Holbeach United and Deeping Rangers amongst others. CDM – Charlie Ward Better known for his quality as a commanding centre back, club Captain Ward has moved into a holding role this campaign alongside Lewis Daff and has flourished. With quality on the ball and an eye for a pass, ‘Wardy’ is comfortable either stifling or starting attacks. CM – Finlay Armond Classy midfield operator Finn turned down offers from step four to remain part of the Greens project for 2023/24. Formerly of Boston United – where he played first team minutes – Armond is tenacious and skilful on the ball with an eye for a pass and a desire to get forward at every opportunity. LW – Marcus Pancho Signed this summer from Yaxley FC, Marcus has impressed during pre-season with his pace and direct running. Fearless on the ball, ‘Panch’ is at his most dangerous around the box with a handy knack of regularly finding a useful end product. RW – Jacob Fenton The life of the party, ‘Fenny’ is a popular figure in the dressing room and that is not just because of his personality. With pace and good close control, Fenton is a nightmare for defenders with his direct running and fierce shot, equally comfortable setting up goals as well as scoring them – registering 18 goals last term. ST – Ryan Rushen Last season’s top-scorer ‘Rushy’ showed fine form over pre-season including bagging himself four goals in one game against Stamford AFC. With 22 in all competitions last term Rushen is a fearless attacker and is equally dangerous with his feet and head – providing a real stern test for any defender. The rest of the Greens Tristan Drummond, Tom Ward, Issa Gaye, Dominic Kew, Shaun Harrad, Ryan Flitton, Lewis Daff, Mackenzie Burdass, Ryan Lennon, Kyle Watkins, Max Ward, Sam Wright

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www.afcmansfield.net | PAGE 9 ABOUT THE BULLS A FIRST YEAR FULL OF SUCCESS goals, at first glance it would be expected that AFC won the NCEL Premier Division Why the Bull Logo?? AFC Mansfield was formed in 2012 and joined that season, but they actually finished in third the Central Midlands Football League, signing behind Pickering Town on goal difference and Many have asked about the reason a 10-year rolling deal to play at the Forest league winners Pontefract who recorded a behind The Bull Logo. Town Arena. ridiculous 102 points. Firstly, it is a strong and imposing The newly-formed club - nicknamed ‘the Bulls’ Thanks to a reshuffle in the step above in beast but has been an important - began their journey in the 2012/13 season, the football pyramid, however, the Bulls were symbol in many cultures, farming when they fought on four fronts and nearly promoted alongside Pontefract and Pickering won the lot. to the NPL East Division. being one of them. ​Despite mustering 176 goals and losing just EXPERIENCING THE NORTHERN PREMIER The site where AFC Mansfield now twice, the Bulls had to settle for a runners- LEAGUE play was formerly part of Crown up place to Dronfield, who dropped just five points all season to clinch the league title. But For the first time in the Bulls’ history, they Farm and once was open farmland. success would come in the Notts Intermediate found difficulty in adapting to their new league Cup final where they defeated Beeston AFC, despite a promising start to the 2018/19 In this industry The Bull is always and a Floodlit Cup final victory over Newark campaign. the top animal and the prized Town would earn a cup double for the Bulls in asset. their first ever season as a club. The ray of sunshine in the first half of their season was another impressive FA Cup run Mansfield Colliery was later sunk It could have been a hat-trick of cup titles, but which ended at a much higher side in Kettering around 1901 on the farm and later a tiresome nine-man AFC would be beaten in Town, who could only just edge past the Bulls injury time by Clifton All Whites in the League with a 2-1 win despite a very nervy ending. became known as Crown Farm Cup final at Alfreton Town. Colliery. Manager Rudy Funk was sacked in February MORE SILVERWARE & A RISE UP THE 2019 with the AFC bottom of the pile, and new The Welfare was built to quench LEAGUES boss Mark Ward steered his side to safety by the miner’s thirst and Mansfield 15 points, but ground grading issues meant Colliery FC played their football at The club entered the FA Vase for the first time that the club would be playing Step 5 football the Welfare pitches as well as the in the 2013/14 season, and were eventually once more which resulted in manager Mark knocked out in a replay by step five side Ward stepping down from his role. Cricket Club on the top pitch. Huntingdon Town. Ward was then replaced at the start of the Mansfield also has strong farming But much more success was to come later 2019/20 season by Matt Chatfield who links and held a cattle market that season, as the Bulls clinched the Central quickly went to work transforming the club, Midlands Football League North Division securing six consecutive home wins in his that we can all remember, where title before beating Thorne Colliery in the opening season and signing the likes leading the swimming baths now sit, until League Cup final to earn their fourth piece of goal-scorer Ross Duggan before the Covid-19 around 1983. When a Bull was silverware in two seasons... Although a treble pandemic put a halt to proceedings with the eluded them once again with defeat in the NCEL declaring the season null and void taken to market it would have Floodlit Cup final to Bulwell FC. caused quite a stir in the town. The Bulls once again made a positive start In their first season in the Northern Counties to the 20/21 season opening their account The Bull has a link to the heritage East football League Division One, the Bulls with a strong 3-1 FA Cup victory against of Mansfield and the symbolic came one game away from an FA Vase Gainsborough Trinity under the lights at quarter-final by reaching the fifth round - a the Forest Town Arena with the Bulls only strength of the animal is something record run - but were knocked out 3-0 by managing to play 9 league games, with we admired hence it is proudly Tadcaster Albion. pandemic in full swing the season ended was displayed on our badge. declared curtailed. FA CUP GLORY & FURTHER PROMOTIONS At the start of the 21/22 season u21 Manager The next three seasons would be full of further and club captain Phil Buxton was announced success. In 2015/16, AFC earned promotion as the new AFC Mansfield Boss after Matt to the NCEL Premier Division with a second Chatfield resigned as Manager to take up a place finish, and a year later made club history new role elsewhere. with an FA Cup run lasting all the way to the Third Qualifying Round, where they would be 21/22 saw the club finish 15th in their last knocked out by Stamford in a close 2-1 defeat. season in the NCEL and they start the 22/23 season in the UCL Premier Division North. The 2017/18 season was perhaps the best in With new grounds to visit the season will be an AFC’s bountiful but brief history to date, with exciting one for all at the club. the Bulls matching their FA Cup run from the previous campaign and clinching promotion to With 2 Owners, 3 Managers and over 50 the Northern Premier League East Division - players signed on the club struggled for step eight in the football pyramid. stability and narrowly avoided relegation. Phil Buxton, back for his 2nd stint as Manager The Bulls got past Hall Road Rangers, Quorn, leads The Bulls into 2023-24 with a new Dunkirk and Rushall Olympic before being committee and backers in place the club is beaten by National League North side Boston looking to improve this season. United in front of over 600 spectators in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round. Mustering 96 points and scoring 110 league

PAGE 10 | BULLSEYE MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 1 2 34 56 2023 V Competition Att. F-A o.g. Date Opposition Jul-23 Sat 29 SLEAFORD TOWN H UCLPN Aug Tues 01 KIMBERLEY MW A UCLPN Sat 05 SKEGNESS TOWN A FAC EP Sat 12 BELPER UNITED A UCLPN Wed 16 HEANOR TOWN H UCLPN Sat 19 SHEFFIELD FC H FAC PR Sat 26 LEICESTER ST ANDREWS A FAV 1Q Mon 28 NEWARK & SHERWOOD UTD A UCLPN Sept Sat 02 DEEPING RANGERS H UCLPN Sat 09 ASHBY IVANHOE H UCL CUP Sat 16 WISBECH TOWN H UCLPN Wed 20 MELTON TOWN A UCLPN Sat 23 KIMBERLEY MW H FAV 2Q Sat 30 PINCHBECK UNITED H UCLPN Oct Sat 07 BOSTON TOWN A UCLPN Wed 11 EASTWOD CFC H UCLPN Sat 14 HUCKNALL TOWN A UCLN Sat 28 SKEGNESS TOWN H UCLPN Nov Sat 04 LINCOLN UNITED A UCLPN Sat 11 ASHBY IVANHOE A UCLPN Sat 18 BELPER UNITED H UCLPN Sat 25 LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS A UCLPN Dec Sat 2 LINCOLN UNITED H UCLPN Sat 09 DEEPING RANGERS A UCLPN Sat 16 HEANOR A UCLPN Sat 23 HUCKNALL TOWN H UCLPN Tues 26 SHERWOOD COLLIERY A UCLPN Sat 30 EASTWOOD CFC A UCLPN Jan-24 Sat 06 KIMBERLEY MW H UCLPN Sat 13 WISBECH TOWN A UCLPN Sat 20 NEWARK & SHERWOOD UTD H UCLPN Sat 27 LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS H UCLPN Feb Sat 10 SKEGNESS TOWN A UCLPN Sat 17 MELTON TOWN H UCLPN Mar Sat 02 ASHBY IVANHOE H UCLPN Sat 16 BOSTON TOWN H UCLPN Sat 23 SLEAFORD TOWN A UCLPN Apr Mon 01 SHERWOOD COLLIERY H UCLPN Sat 06 PINCHBECK UNITED A UCLPN Goalscorers in BOLD RED 1st Sub 2nd Sub 3rd Sub 4th Sub 5th Sub MoM CAPTAIN

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www.afcmansfield.net | PAGE 15 THIS WEEKS FIXTURES United Counties Premier Division North Saturday 29 July 2023 15:00 AFC Mansfield V Sleaford Town 15:00 Deeping Rangers V Heanor Town 15:00 Lincoln United V Kimberley Miners Welfare 15:00 Loughborough Students V Boston Town 15:00 Newark & Sherwood Utd V Belper United 15:00 Pinchbeck United V Ashby Ivanhoe 15:00 Skegness Town V Sherwood Colliery 17:00 Hucknall Town V Wisbech Town 20:00 Eastwood Community V Melton Town Tuesday 01 August 2023 19:45 Ashby Ivanhoe V Eastwood Community 19:45 Boston Town V Deeping Rangers 19:45 Kimberley Miners Welfare V AFC Mansfield 19:45 Wisbech Town V Pinchbeck United Wednesday 02 August 2023 19:45 Belper United V Hucknall Town 19:45 Heanor Town V Loughborough Students 19:45 Melton Town V Newark & Sherwood United 19:45 Sherwood Colliery V Lincoln United 19:45 Sleaford Town V Skegness Town

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LEAGUEwww.afcmansfield.net | PAGE 17 TABLE 2022-23 Overall LEAGUE TABLE PWD L FA GD PTS 91 20 71 93 1 Anstey Nomads 38 29 6 3 96 53 43 82 98 32 66 81 2 Quorn 38 25 7 6 84 49 35 79 77 38 39 77 3 Loughborough Students 38 24 9 5 58 46 12 67 76 42 34 63* 4 Melton Town 38 25 4 9 78 54 24 62 52 42 10 62 5 Sleaford Town 38 24 5 9 78 61 17 59 64 85 -21 53 6 Boston Town 38 19 10 9 74 74 0 49 73 75 -2 47 7 Sherwood Colliery 38 22 3 13 59 84 -25 43 46 75 -29 35 8 Newark & Sherwood United 38 17 11 10 41 100 -59 28 40 86 -46 27 9 Skegness Town 38 19 5 14 35 88 -53 23 31 74 -43 21 10 Kimberley Miners Welfare 38 16 11 11 27 100 -73 14 11 Wisbech Town 38 16 5 17 12 Deeping Rangers 38 14 7 17 13 Heanor Town 38 14 5 19 14 Belper United 38 11 10 17 15 Leicester Nirvana 38 9 8 21 16 Eastwood Community 38 7 7 24 17 Pinchbeck United 38 8 3 27 18 AFC Mansfield 38 5 8 25 19 Heather St John's 38 4 9 25 20 Selston 38 3 5 30 * denotes 6pt deduction NEXT UP TUESDAY 01 AUGUST 2023 Vs KIMBERLEY TOWN (A) - KICK-OFF 7.45PM

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TEAMS AFC MANSFIELD SLEAFORD TOWN (MANAGER) PHIL BUXTON TOM WARD (MANAGER) (ASST.) JOE KEARNEY LOUIS BLAND (ASST.) (COACH) JAKE HEMSTOCK PAUL WARD (ASST.) (PHYSIO) JAKE SLEAFORD MARC PRIESTLEY (PHYSIO) P S PS ADAM REVUELTA LIAM FLITTON ADAM BRATLEY ISSA GAYE SEAN DEVLIN JOE BRAITHWAITE TOM WARD JOE HARRISON (C) LEWIS DAFF MCKENNA PARTON FINLAY ARMOND RHYS WALWYN-ALSOP RYAN RUSHEN RYAN LENNON JOSH HOBSON MAX WARD EWAN MCKENNA MARCUS PANCHO SURAFEL TEFERA KYLE WATKINS CHARLIE WARD (C) MAX JEMSON JACOB FENTON MATT MCBRIDE DOMINIC KEW TOM LEES-COLLIER TRISTAN DRUMMOND DEVANTE REITTIE MACKENZIE BURDASS LUKE WALKER SAM WRIGHT JACK COCKRAM LIAM TUNSTALL TREMERE LINDO RYAN FLITTON KRISTERS ZALUZINSKIS ANRAJ BATH GARRY DORAN JOE MEAKIN LUKE CULLEN KAYLUM MITCHELL SHAE O'ROURKE OFFICIALS REFEREE: TOM BINGLEY ASSISTANT: DARREN REYNOLDS | ASSISTANT: DEREK SPRAY