Blue and white All whitev TRURO CITY WEALDSTONE

Jonathan NorthGlenn Wilson Ryan Sellers

Josh HillMatty Day

Jerome Okimo Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick

Sam CoxDan Fitchett Danny Green

Abobakar EisaLuke Williams Elliot Benyon

Stephane NgamvoulouElliott Godfrey

Matthew Whichelow Alan O’Brien

Ravan Constable

Tom McHale Billy Palfrey Jamie Richards Ed PalmerBen Gerring Ben Harding Aaron LamontNoel KeatsNiall ThompsonAndrew Neal Cody CookeAlex Hartridge River AllenStewart YettonChris Todd Jordan Copp Tyler HarveyFletcher Williams

FAN-TASTIC FINISH Steve Foster captures the moment the Ruislip Windows & Doors Stand

exploded with joy a fortnight ago. Abobaker Eisa (who can just be

spotted, mobbed by his team mates to the bottom right of the picture) has just netted the 88th-minute winner

against WhitehawkPicture: STEVE FOSTERaqueoussun photography

NEXT HOME GAMES: v HAYES & YEADING (Middx Senior Cup) Tuesday Nov 7, 7.45pmv HUNGERFORD TOWN (Vanarama National League South) Saturday November 11, 3pm

REFEREE: Paul Harris ASSISTANTS: Christopher Horsman and Giovanni Marasca OBSERVER Douglas Douglas

MATCH SPONSOR: Alan Couch BALL DONORS: David Leigh and family

Main club sponsor: League sponsors

Wealdstone v Truro City Saturday October 21, 2017, KO 3pm Vanarama National League South

www.wealdstone-fc.com 2017-18

Your award-winning matchday programme, sponsored by the Ruislip Social Club

£3

INSIDE: INTERVIEWWITH ALAN O’BRIEN

Former Newcastle and Republic of Ireland winger

WEALDSTONEFOOTBALL CLUB SEASON 2017/2018GROSVENOR VALE, RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX HA4 6JQ • 01895 637487 • OFFICE@WEALDSTONEFC.CO.UK • WWW.WEALDSTONE-FC.COM • COMPANY NO. 3953962

MAJOR HONOURS SINCE 1950LEAGUE TITLES1951 / 1952 Athenian League1973 / 1974 Southern League Division One South1981 / 1982 Southern League Southern Division1981 / 1982 Southern League Championship1984 / 1985 National League Premier (Gola League)1996 / 1997 Isthmian League Division Three2013 / 2014 Isthmian League Premier Division

NATIONAL CUPS1965 / 1966 FA Amateur Cup1984 / 1985 FA Trophy

LEAGUE CUPS1981 / 1982 Southern League Cup

MIDDLESEX COUNTY CUPS1958 / 1959 Senior Cup1962 / 1963 Senior Cup1964 / 1965 Senior Cup1967 / 1968 Senior Cup1984 / 1985 Senior Cup2003 / 2004 Charity Cup2010 / 2011 Charity Cup

NON TITLE-WINNING PROMOTIONS1997 / 1998 Isthmian League Division 2 (3rd)1998 / 1999 Isthmian League Division 1 (3rd, annulled)2003 / 2004 Isthmian League Premier Division (Play-Off)

PERSONNELBOARD OF DIRECTORSChairman Peter MarsdenVice Chairman Nick ArcherDirectors Paul Fruin,Mike Williamson, Pete Worby, Dominic Whyley, Nick SymmonsPresident Paul Rumens

SECRETARIESClub Secretary Paul Fruin(07790 038095)Company Secretary Andrew Lane

CLUB PERSONNELLife Vice-President Alan CouchTreasurer Barry BenvenisteGeneral Manager Nick DuGardPress Officer Nick DuGard(nick.d1@outlook.com)PA Announcer Ashley HoldingKit Manager Tony Waugh Boardroom Hospitality Alison Moran, Jacky ShoreClub Photographer Freddie Patmore Web Site Manager Alan & Matt Hill

MATCHDAY PROGRAMMEProgramme Editor Mark Hyde Production Martin Read, Tim ParksPrinting People for Print Ltd. www.peopleforprint.co.ukwfcprogramme@gmail.com

MATCH DAY OPERATIONSManager Steve MarshallSafety Officer Victor KlarfeldMatch Day Staff Paul Bowley, Tony Waller, Richard Hayward, Russell Greenberg, Adam Clancey, Matthew Impey, John Cahillane

COMMERCIAL & MARKETINGCommercial Manager Carol Griffiths (carolgriffiths@wealdstonefc.com)Graphic Design Steve FosterIT Consultant Neil RandsReporting & Social Media Chris Woods

LIAISON OFFICERSWFCSC / Social Club Markie BartonWFC / Social Club James Klarfeld

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENTManager Bobby WilkinsonAssistant Manager Jamie LeacockCoach Mike Percival Physio Stacey WoodGoalkeeping Coach Ian Hobbs

GROUND REGULATIONSPeople are only allowed entry to The Vale on match days subject to the following rules and regulations: 1) The club reserves the right to eject from the ground any person who is considered to have committed any of the following acts: • Entering the ground through any means other than through the turnstiles or entrances• Entering the field of play before, during or after a game without prior authorisation• Being drunk, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs • Using violence of any nature• Carrying items which may be considered a danger to others, including cans, bottles, or glasses containing alcoholic beverages• Throwing any article onto the field of play • Climbing floodlight pylons, fences, stands or any structure or building• Using obscene or bad language likely to cause offence to others • Hitting the side or back panels of the Bulla stand2) No spectator ball games.3) The consumption of alcoholic drinks is permitted INSIDE the social club bar and boardroom areas.4) Vehicles parked on the Grosvenor Vale site are at the owners’ risk.5) Wealdstone Football Club supports the FA’s campaign on pyrotechnics (e.g. flares and smoke bombs). Any misuse of such items in and around the Ground will result in those responsible being asked to leave the Ground and, in line with football authority guidance, may result in a report to the Police, potential prosecution and a ban from the Club of up to three years. — Wealdstone FC Board of Directors

Good afternoon and welcome to Grosvenor Vale for our league meeting with Truro City who’s

officials, players and supporters we wish an enjoyable visit. After last season’s close escape, Truro are enjoying life at the top end of the table and are currently just a single point off the top spot and should prove be a stern test for us this afternoon. The White Tigers also made a little piece of history for themselves last weekend as they became the first Cornish team in 48 years to reach the FA Cup 1st round! Congratulation to all concerned and good luck at The Valley when you take on Charlton Athletic in a few week time. From a Wealdstone perspective, our

recent home form has shown a marked improvement as Bobby and his team begin to settle into their new roles. With any luck we should see an entertaining contest. Enjoying the hospitality of the boardroom today will be our Match Sponsor, David Leigh,who introduces himself below and our Ball Donor (who needs no introduction), Life Vice President Alan Couch. Sponsorship, as I frequently point out, is of vital importance to the club and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of both David and Alan. Also joining us today as a guest of club president Paul Rumens is ex Stone Jon Pettifer. Welcome back Jon, it’s always a pleasure to see past players return. Enjoy the game Mark

WRITTEN IN STONEMark Hyde

SEASON TICKETS STILL TO BE COLLECTED Can the following fans or if you know them please see Nick DuGard or email

nick.d1@outlook.com Joe Render Fiona Johnson Andy Richards Steve Wright

BALL DONOR - ALAN COUCH

MATCH SPONSOR - DAVID LEIGHIt has become a family tradition, over the years to sponsor the game that falls on the date nearest to my birthday. I am very proud to be sponsoring the game today – not least because this marks a very signifi-cant birthday for me – and I could ask for no better way of celebrating, than by spending the day with family and friends at Grosvenor Vale. This season has already been a fairly dramatic one – and within just the first three months, we have already seen a number of significant highs and lows. One of the disappointing aspects for me, has been a lack of togetherness, at times, from the terraces. I think that we all need to remember that we are supporters – and so we should support the team. It seems to me that the players and the management are trying to get things right on the pitch; and despite some setbacks, I am sure that everyone from the Chairman to the fan behind the goal, wants the same thing – to see some good football and to get some good results. So let’s all get behind the boys, make some noise and cheer us on to victory. Come on you Stones!

Good afternoon everyone and a warm welcome to our visitors whom

have made the long trip from Cornwall. Truro of course have made a strong start to the season and we will no doubt face another tough game today. Bring it on!!

Here are some updates on a number of operational matters:

STAND UP FOR WEALDSTONE (SUFW)- This fundraiser continues to be a highly important for the club and the playing budget and a fantastic way to recognise your favourite player LEGEND; or it could be a friend/ official of the past or a family loved one! Check out the official website under the commercial tab and you will see the updated donations listing with all the details. My thanks to everyone who has so far donated BUT WE NEED MANY MORE DONATIONS TO REACH OUR TARGET! If you have any queries or questions contact me at nick.d1@outlook.com or see me at a match or speak to our website supremo Alan Hill. My thanks to Alan who is doing a great job on the website admin and the Megastore boys, Mark and Adam. Donations can be made on-line via this link:

http://www.wfcmegastore.co.uk/special-offers/1293-stand-up-for-wealdstone.html

Towards the end of the current season we’ll decide the best way to display all your nominations that will take into account a non-damage mounting in a suitable position for all to see.

NON-LEAGUE DAY - I am doing a wash up with the Prostate Cancer Charity after our very successful event two weeks ago. My contacts at PCUK were absolutely delighted at YOUR support on the day via the bucket collections, etc and by now you may have seen some great social media publicity. My understanding as I type these notes are that we achieved something of a record per head in terms of the collection take that totalled well over £300. The club will also be adding to the donations with a cheque so we will arrange a presentation. A big THANK YOU for your great support on the day. In terms of numbers through the gate, yes, we can always do better (and we will) but when we did the overall analysis and breakdown it was still a very strong and additional paying gate on top of our 506 season tickets holders.

I am currently working with a number of under graduate students from the UCFB University, Wembley campus. UCFB is a specialist football University, web: https://www.ucfb.com/ and we are working in association with the National League; the aim is to work with the students in a mutually beneficial way across agreed projects. So welcome Ben and Marshall today who will be immersing themselves within the Stones crowd today – they will be working on various marketing projects from an agreed brief, to include a supporter experience survey and other marketing projects. I am also expecting Joe from UCFB today

who is focussing on stadium management and the operational side of things so all will be thrown in at the deep end!

If YOU fancy getting involved in volunteering please see me at a game or email me!

We are looking at a number of other projects to potentially include a Craft Ale Fair next season and Leo and I have already met with CAMRA for advice.

I am also working closely with Markie Barton (wearing my supporters club hat) on the Kerry Dixon Evening on 4th November. It’s already almost a sell out but see Markie or Leo at the bar for tickets – there may still be a few left today. £25 a pop.

On the commercial side of things, if you have any advertising leads to follow up please see me or Carol. An example of this recently is the new advert in the programme for Barretts Pub in Wealdstone. Thanks to Mark McManus we followed up and we wrapped this up quickly with great support from Freddie Patmore and Mark Hyde.

In closing, and being the opinionated person that I am (no apologies for that!) the degree of negativity that sometimes arises around the club is getting out of proportion and does have consequences for the team out on the park. If you have issues why not front them up face to face at the next Q&A session – we will be arranging more following the first very lively but positive session last month.

UTS! Nick

NICK DUGARD

Nick updates us on a number of operational matters

FROM THE DUGOUT

I would like to welcome the players and officials of Truro City Football

Club.

Our last 2 games have seen us return 4 points, keeping the winning home run going and staying unbeaten away from home in the league. The performance against Whitehawk saw the boys yet again demonstrate character against a team who raised their game coming here and who will not be bottom of the league come the end of the season. Chippenham have lost 3 home league games in the last 15 months so the point will be a valuable one as they will not lose many at home this year. If we continue to win games at the Vale and pick up as many points as we can on the road we will not be far away from where we all want to be.

We are very pleased with the progress, the boys are bonding well, we continue to climb up the league and in terms of form over the last 5 games we sit fourth. Lots of positives to take forward and we only look to get better. We are becoming a more resilient side and teams we play against know they are in a game. The belief within the squad is growing and we

can see it in the eyes of the boys that they are starting to understand the expectations and what it takes to do well in this league.

At the time of writing Eddie Oshidi and Matt Wichelow have both trained so should be available for selection which is a great boost. Elliot Benyon is now jogging so also close to coming back into contention but may not make it for today but having these lads back gives us some more options and particularly the experience they all bring.

We face a tough opponent in Truro who are second in the league and have started the season extremely well. They will provide tough a great test for us but we will give it everything to be the best team on the day and take 3 points. The away support at Chippenham was exceptional and the togetherness and appreciation makes you the 12th man so more of the same today please.

Thank you

Bobby and the management team

BACK THE LADS, MAKE PLENTY OF NOISE AND

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT

THIS ISSUE EE TAKES US BACK TO HIS YOUTH AS HE FLICKS TO KICK WITH SUBBUTEO BY SUDHIR RAWAL

Back in the day, before computers, before FIFA, before childhoods

spent mostly indoors in fear of the imaginary bogeyman, we used to play board games, in between spending morning to dusk out playing at the weekends or holidays, and amongst the best was Subbuteo. Maybe the single greatest game ever invented. Certainly the greatest to ever be invented in Tunbridge Wells. That’s where, in the back room of his mother’s house, Peter Adolph conceived of a table football game in 1947 that he named after his favourite bird: the Falco subbuteo, also known as the Eurasian hobby.

The basic kit involved a green baize pitch, two flimsy plastic goals with nets, two teams of eleven miniature players perched on weighted bases, a ball and a vivid imagination. Simple yet magnificent. Or was it? Was it the uncoolest game from the world’s uncoolest town? Too geeky for cool kids. Too easy to stamp or kneel on a player, rendering a trip to the kitchen cupboard to find some glue or sellotape to stick a player back together again. Of course he was never the same again. Flimsy and weak, a shadow of his former self. ‘Flick to kick’ was the slogan and the object was to usher the ball towards the goal using your thumb and index finger to propel the tiny figurines, or at least propel the semi-circular

base they stood on. This was much easier said than done. The keepers were differently bodied than the outfielders. They had their hands permanently extended upwards in the stretching position and were attached to a stick that went under the goal so the defending player could move them around the area to thwart the attacking team. They looked the part but were essentially powerless against any shot from inside the box that was hit properly. What made the game different from most other table top sports games were the hundreds of team kits and accessories? While most games featured only two teams (usually “red vs blue” or “white vs black”), Subbuteo had several hundred-team designs, almost all representing

JEROME OKIMO He’s back at The Vale, though possibly not as fresh faced as he

appears in this 2013 squad picture

MINI MIGHTY STONES

WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS - JUST DONT ASK HOW LONG THE FLOODLIGHT BATTERIES LASTED

real teams, with the notable exception of comic book legends Melchester Rovers. While there were many famous teams such as Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, (and Sunderland..Ed.) these were complemented by many unique sides, such as Boston Minutemen, Landskrona, Antwerp, Hartford Bicentennials, Admira Wacker, and even unpainted models. There are also many additional accessories, such as new balls and goals, special figures for free kicks and throw-ins, stands and crowd, linesmen, ball-boys, streakers and policemen, floodlights, TV cameras and even a mini-Her Majesty the Queen to present the FA Cup. You could pretend Everton were Wealdstone. Whatever your team, there was a kit for it.

Most of the time I either played at home or at my mate Mark Barnwell’s (Barney’s) house, with his older brother, Ian, the man in charge. He was like the headmaster, or the HMRC vat man that he later became, more concerned that a clumsy scrawny kid like me wouldn’t break one of his players. It did happen quite a bit. You had to have room that was big enough to lay out the field and allow space for us to clamber along the sidelines reaching our players, otherwise career ending injuries could befall the players.

Before a kick could be flicked, there were certain pre-match rituals to be performed. The most crucial of these was the ironing of the baize pitch. Not all mothers were willing to sanction this part of the process, reckoning handing a child a steam iron in a confined space was a potential violation of health and safety regulations. As

if. If your Mum was ahead of the game in the ‘elf and safety malarkey, we fastidiously smoothed out the inevitable wrinkles, persuading ourselves that we were the Subbuteo equivalent of the groundsman driving a roller across a rutted field to try to make it flat. Then, we contorted our way around the pitch, gymnastically writhing into position, balancing precariously on one hand while trying to dribble and shoot with the other. After a couple of hours of crouching, stretching and careful manoeuvring to avoid breaking any other players under our feet, we rose from the carpet with the tortured gait of the prisoners of war on an episode of Tenko.

Subbuteo was the King of board games but then along

came shiner and sexier games, Striker for example, where you pressed the head of player to kick the ball. As good as it was it wasn’t Subbuteo. As enormously popular Subbuteo was, computer games were readying the nails in the coffin for the green baize. The game fell into slow decline and then vanished from the shops entirely, despite at its height having tournaments screened on television.

But it’s back, Hasbro brought it back in 2012 actually and now there is a World Cup and of course, like most things invented in Bllghtly, Johnny Foreigner wins it.

I bought a set for my boys and then a few years later another one for my nephew, but neither lasted past the Christmas decorations. Back in the cupboard, not seeing the light of day, I thought it would be the last I see of the grand game. That was until we played at Bath.

My eye was caught by a tweet from a Bath fan saying if any Stones fans fancied a game at the Maulden Arms, they had a match set and ready to play. Of we , well No 1 son and Tom Marshall, jumped into a cab and made our way as fast as the

driver could navigate the busy streets of the lovely Georgian City. Game on and unlike in our day, the game was set on a table not the floor, so aching backs were avoided; players being crunched and maimed were too. Two teams set in the back and white stripes of the Romans and the blue of the Stones. We flicked, we manoeuvred, learned the rules on the hoof and maybe with portents for the main event later, two goalless draws were played out. It was probably the highlight of my day!

SUD

ELMSLIE ENDER

SUPPORTERS CLUB Victor Klarfeld

Good afternoon one and all and today on behalf of Wealdstone FC

Supporters Club I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Players,Officials and Supporters of Truro City F.C

Last season both games between the two sides were won by the away team and the game here saw an outstanding performance from the Truro ginger haired centre half ( I cant remember his name) who was voted man of the match by our Match Sponsors, the only time a visiting player has ever got the award !!

As far as away Travel for

our next 2 games is concerned due to the close proximity of Welling and Dartford and the fact that they can be done using an Oyster Card substantially cheaper than running a coach to these places means we won’t be running one.

Whilst on the subject of away Travel I would like to thank everyone that has supported the coaches that we have run to Bath and to Chippenham last Saturday and hope you are enjoying a better standard of Coach this season especially the ports on the back of every seat for your mobile phone.

Do not forget to see MIM for your golden goal tickets, for just £1 you can win £50 should get the correct time of the first goal or £10 for the last goal of the game.Should you be a winner

you can collect your winnings from MIM at the end of the game from the Supporters Club shop.

Tickets for the Supporters Club Evening with Kerry Dixon on Saturday November 4th are close to selling out so if you wish to go please enquire at the Supporters Club Shop. For our younger fans, please remember to bring your Junior Stones Loyalty Card to the Megastore to get it stamped so that you will be one stamp closer to receiving your free Stones gift. If you are under 14 and do not have a card, they are free from the Megastore. Collect six stamps and a free hat, scarf, mug, pennant, coaster or fridge magnet could be yours! #UTS Victor

UPDATE

MATCH SPONSOR UPDATE DOUGLAS JOHN WEST Sponsorship in all it’s forms is of vital importance to the club. Our match against Whitehawk saw the game sponsored for Douglas John West by a large group of his friends as part of his Stag weekend. Party organizer Andrew Ledger took time to thank the club as follows… I just wanted to write a few lines to say thank you to everyone involved with our match sponsorship last weekend.All of us - especially Doug - had a fantastic day, and we were made to feel so welcome by the staff at Wealdstone. We hope to make it back for a game in the near future, so all the best to everyone at the club.

WEALDSTONE v TRURO CITYALAN O’BRIEN INTERVIEW

ALAN O’BRIEN is not one to drop names into the conversation.

But in Wealdstone terms he can probably out-Little Glenn Little with some stand-out memo-ries from his time playing with the ‘big boys’ at Newcastle in the Premier League, and internationally for the Republic of Ireland.

Our left-winger was happy to chat for an hour while driving north to Manchester last week, the sort of trip that is pretty much commonplace for a man who now buys and sells cars for a living.

‘Yes, I’m used to spending a lot of time on the motorway now - not ideal if you’ve just got a back inju-ry!’ said the 32-year-old Dubliner. He laughed off my suggestion of a beady seat cover (“ideal for restoring circulation” according to the advertising blurb) that might hasten his return after the knock he received in the early stages against Whitehawk last week.

“Injuries seem to be part and parcel of my life as a footballer” he reflected. “I can’t deny that that I’ve thought more than once in the last couple of years about hang-ing up my boots, but I just love the game so much. The craic, the training, the matches, even

are horrible to watch, because teams will come to spoil and upset our rhythm, so you have to be able to mix it up a bit. Find a way to win those games.

“He’s the most passionate, most committed person I’ve ever met in football and his quest is to get that passion into the hearts of the players.”

Alan has clearly not lost his own love of the game. So where did it all start and what is the story of his life in football?

‘Wow, how far back do you want to go?! Well, it started for me at the age of 11 or 12... I didn’t really play the game before that, I was more into Gaelic Football but then I was out having a kick-around with my mates in Dublin and somebody from Cabinteely FC asked to me to go and train with them. From

I was excited to cometo Wealdstone..goodcrowds, lovely pitch..it’s like being back in the League again

TIM PARKS on the man who’s played on a bigger stage

the travelling... I still think I can affect games, get past people, get crosses into the box. I think I can play a decent part in getting Wealdstone into the National League.

‘Bobby (Wilkinson) has been great for me, as much a friend as a manager. I was excited when he asked me over to play for Wealdstone - I came off the bench for Hungerford here last season and I really liked the place. The atmosphere is very good, the fans are really pas-sionate and the pitch is lovely. It’s a bit like playing for a League club again.

“And to be honest the squad here is impressive - technically as good as any I’ve seen since my days in the League. Bobby is right though: Sometimes you’re going to have games that

WEALDSTONE v TRURO CITYALAN O’BRIEN INTERVIEW

there it was on to St Josephs who are a youth football club with great links to the English game. A feeder club really.

“I played for the Republic at un-der 14s, under-15, under-16s and under-19s level, and Newcastle came in for me at the age of 16 when I moved away from my family in Dublin to live in the North East. A very young age to be away from home - it wasn’t easy.

“After a couple of years of youth and reserve football I was sent out on loan to Carlisle Unit-ed. I didn’t want to go, I was only a boy but it helped me enormous-ly - really toughened me up. I was in a men’s environment and one where the results really mattered. I scored within ten minutes of my debut for Carlisle and that helped endear me to the fans but in truth I’ve not scored nearly as many goals as I should have done.. I’ve got a shocking record. Just five goals in all my appearances in the league and non-League!

“One great memory of nearly scoring was on my full interna-tional debut for the Republic of Ireland against Holland in August 2006. It was a friendly and I came off the bench in the second half against a fantastic Dutch side (van Persie, Huntelaar, Arjen Robben, van der Vaart etc etc) who were stuffing us 4-0. I got away on the left and hit a low shot that was saved by Edwin van der Saar, though Robbie Keane was in the middle complaining that I should have squared it. That would have been a notable addi-tion to my goals tally. But we drew 0-0 while I was on the pitch!

“ But yes, after I came back from that loan spell at Carlisle the Newcastle manager Graeme Souness put me straight into the first team squad. I thought he was a great manager, very straight and you were either good enough or you weren’t. No messing about.

“I came off the bench a few

but we had a lot of injuries and I was down to wear the No.3 shirt against probably the best player in the world at that time. But commonsense won the day - Souey decided that to make my debut, out of position, at Old Trafford would have been a bit much. He drafted in David Edgar, a centre back, to play there and he did really well to keep Ronaldo quiet for the 90 minutes. Probably more than I would have done!”

In the summer of 2007, with Glenn Roeder now in charge at Newcastle, Alan was the subject of a bid by Hibernian (reportedly costing them £300,000 com-pensation). Roeder, with a small squad, didn’t want him to go but

Alan in the colours of Newcastle, Hibernian (where he appeared as a Scottish Prem Panini sticker!), Swindon Town and Yeovil Towntimes that first season (2005-6) in the Premier League but my only full 90 minutes was against West Ham the following season when we won 1-0. Alan Shearer got the winner close to the end”.

(I Googled this game and it was in fact Alan Shearer’s record-equalling 200th goal for Newcastle in front of a 50,000+ crowd. He broke Jackie Mil-burn’s Toon goalscoring record in the next game)

Alan has an even better memory of his ac-tual debut for Newcastle

however. He was expecting to make his bow at left-back for the club at Old Trafford, marking Cristiano Ronaldo!

“Thankfully it didn’t happen,

WEALDSTONE v TRURO CITYALAN O’BRIEN INTERVIEW

wingers Damien Duff and Alberto Luque were ahead of him in the St James’ Park pecking order and Alan just wanted to be playing matches.

“Was it a mistake to leave Newcastle? No, not a mistake as it was financially a good move for me and I knew I would be in the starting XI. But I was progressing at Newcastle and as it turned out Duff got injured that next season, which would have given me a chance to break through.

“But Hibs were a good club and to play at Parkhead against Celtic, and at Ibrox against Rang-ers are the sort of games you never forget.”

Alan had started his first full game for the Republic only a few months earlier - and

it turned out to be his last. “Yeah, it was a real shame as

I had played four times as substi-tute the previous season, coming on in European Championship qualifiers against Germany (lost 0-1 to a Podolski goal), Cyprus (lost 5-2) and the Czech Republic (drew 1-1 with a Kevin Kilbane equaliser) as well as the Holland game.

“Then we had a friendly in Bos-ton, Massachussetts against Bo-livia at the Foxborough Stadium. I was in the starting XI and Shane Long headed us in front from my left-wing cross (it’s there on You Tube) after just 12 minutes.. it ended 1-1 and Bolivia used it as a warm-up for their Copa America match against Brazil the following week.

“So not a bad result. But it was my last involvement with the na-tional team and possibly my move to Hibs at that time didn’t help”.

Alan suffered a bad knee injury in his first season at Easter Road, but played pretty much the whole of the 2008-9 season. He then asked to be released early from his contract to sign for Danny Wilson at League One Swindon Town - only for another aggravat-

asked him.“Well, I can’t deny it’s tough.

I work with Gordon Greer, who plays for Kilmarnock and was my captain at Swindon, in our own business selling new and used cars. I was working for Mercedes and managed to sell lots of cars to friends in the game, just passing on Mer-cedes’ number, and Gordon and I just thought: Why don’t we work in the same business for ourselves?

“It’s going well. We can get our customers better deals than the dealerships and it’s also a lot of fun. I live in Swindon, but I’ve got friends in London and my family in Dublin so I organise my time around training, and matches, and seeing my daugh-ter who’s now five. I pick her up from school on Fridays and I also have Sundays with her, which is great.

“Injuries are a pain, but I won’t give up football just yet. Not while I’ve still got the passion”.

ing injury, this time a hamstring, saw him make just 30 appear-ances in his two years at the County Ground.

Then it was off to League Two Yeovil - and then Gateshead in the Conference National. Not the most convenient of moves? I asked.

“Definitely not - especially as my ex-girlfriend had just had a baby girl and I was spend-ing most of the week travelling from Swindon up to the North East! “Gateshead had made me a decent offer but it wasn’t ideal. Before long I was back in Wiltshire and joining Bobby at Hungerford.

“I was there for five years and we had some good times, including three promotions. Then I signed for Chippenham last summer, just because I fancied a change. And now Wealdstone... Bobby is very persuasive!”

How have you found it adjust-ing to being part-time after so many years in the pro game? I

HERE’S proof that our winger Alan O’Brien has been leading a secret double life as Belgian international centre forward Laurent Depoitre (above). When allegedly unavail-able through injury, O’Brien has been zooming up the M1 and stepping into his customised platform boots, adding four inches to his height and turning out for Huddersfield in the Premier League.

“I suppose it had to come out sooner or later” said the Irishman, who admits he has struggled speaking Flemish in his other life. “Apart from the money there have been some benefits” said O’Brien. Have you met Depoitre’s girlfriend Shana (above right)?”

Lookalike corner

PIC. www.freddiepatmore.com

Alan O’Brien

WEALDSTONE v TRURO CITYFAN IN THE STAND

Name: Chris WoodsWhere do you live? Currently in Greenford with my other half, but I grew up in Northolt.Are you working (and where?): Yes. I work behind the bar at the Hare & Hounds in Greenford and also at the Alec Reed Academy in Northolt where I work in the Sports Centre. (My bosses will love this free publicity!)First Stones game attended? Leyton Orient last pre-season in a friendly.What or who persuaded you to become a Stones fan? I guess Nick DuGard & Craig Whitehead can have the credit for that! I had originally joined just to help out over the summer but eventually took over Craig’s old job and Nick had me doing several press-relat-ed tasks. And after time I would proudly call myself a Stones fan now!How did you get involved in Stones TV and other PR stuff? I studied Sports Journalism down at Southampton Solent University for three years and just wanted to see if any local clubs

they came from.How do you fit watching

football, and Wealdstone, into your family/working life? It’s tough but thankfully I have two part-time jobs that are very flex-ible and can allow me to get to games as much as possible.How big a part of your life is the game? I think anyone who is involved in the game that isn’t a player always grew up wanting to be a footballer. I did, wasn’t good enough but love the game enough to still want to be involved, and I’m glad I can say I am.Most memorable game/s you’ve EVER seen? Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona stands out as the best game I’ve seen live. A true Mourinho masterclass, 3-0 up in-side 20 minutes against the best team in the world. Ronaldinho produces some magic to get them back in the game and JT wins it near the end. And most memorable Weald-stone game, and moment? Southport away last season.

Continued overpage

Chris enjoys the ambienceat his favourite other non- League ground, Bath

Meet Chris, the man behind the Stones TV microphone.He’s ditchedChelsea forthe other Blues!

wanted some help and I could gain some valuable experience from it. Wealdstone replied first and I haven’t looked back!Do you follow any other team? Yes, Chelsea. Started going around 98/99 with my dad. The trips to Stamford Bridge have somewhat dwindled over the years though.Do you prefer lower-League football? Be honest! Top-flight football really does give that wow factor, I remember watch-ing Zola and expecting magic every time he got the ball. But non-league and grassroots re-ally is where the life and soul is, you can really feel apart of the club and feel as if you’re doing your community a service by supporting your local non-league football club.Any disadvantages? I think you do get these League 1/League 2 sides with a rich non-league heritage really forget themselves sometimes and forget where

ChrisWoods

WEALDSTONE v TRURO CITYFAN IN THE STAND

Not just because of the result but the fans. There’s a lot of big teams from the division above that wouldn’t have taken that following, or make as much noise as we did in Southport.What really gets your goat watching football? The big clubs complaining about too many games.Fixture conges-tion is a myth!Have you ever played the game yourself and most memorable moments? Only ever Sunday League. Currently playing for my local pub team! One memorable moment is scoring an absolute peach of an own goal, five Jonathan North’s wouldn’t of saved it. I’ll never hit a ball sweeter in my life again.Any suggestions to improve your Stones -watching experi-ence at the Vale? A toilet up the Mick Wells Stand end of the ground could save me a trip especially when it rains.Favourite current Wealdstone line-up (1-11, with reasons)? Too tough, I don’t even know how Bobby does it!Favourite all-time Stones line-up (with reasons)? I’ll run with this seasons and last seasons: North - Easy choice. Oshodi - Better at RB, also chips in with important goals now and then. Sellers - Shrewd business bringing him in, he’ll play at a better level than this. Hamblin - Shame to lose him to Hemel, he steadied a rocking ship last season. Brown - Same reason as Sellers. Plus it’s good to support local talent. Day - Really grown on me already. I’m confident he’ll be a fans favourite this year. Cox - Loves a tackle. You know you’re getting 100% out of him. Godfrey - Another who will give you 100%, a Ryman Champion and credit to the club. Green - I think after our bad run last year he really stepped up and has improved game after game. Plus I need a dead-ball specialist! Eisa - What I like about Abo is that every time

Where do you like to stand (or sit) at the Vale? You’ll find me in the Press Box.What are your expectations for the Stones for this sea-son? Top 7, minimum expecta-tion.How does the current pro-gramme compare with others you see?What I love about the Stones programmes are that they’re crammed with content, not adverts, and it’s different every week. Visiting journalists in the Press Box have also given the programme high praise.Any articles or features that you’d like to see? I saw a few days ago that some clubs have had these multimedia pages installed into their programmes. Basically the reader downloads an app and hovers their device over the page, and then video content plays on the device. From a selfish point of view it would be nice to see one of my interviews with Bobby or the players like that. You can always just check out our YouTube page anyway!What do you think of the bars and catering at The Vale? Any beers or food you’d like to be added? I’m not too fussy in that aspect. All’s good.What’s your wealdstone claim to fame? Mark Hopson drinks in my local.Finally, where do you see the club in five years’ time? Hope-fully in the Football League and hopefuly still at The Vale.

he’s on the ball people stand up and expect something. He’s a box of tricks but has an end product to that, which is key. Benyon - Proper striker, you can just tell he played in the Football League.Best away trips to watch foot-ball? I love a trip abroad. Being in Munich to watch Chelsea win the Champions League was special.What was your highlight of last season? One that stands out is talking to Gordon Bartlett at the East Thurrock away match. The season had ended, we normally do the interviews after the game and shake hands and give the old “I’ll see you next week”, I’m sure he had a couple of drinks waiting in the bar too, but instead of nipping off we had a proper long chat about Wealdstone and football in general, and you could just see how honest and passionate he was about the game. He still had that spark after a disappointing match and season and to have that after all those years in the game too, people like him are the reason why people get into football. The man is a legend of the sport.Best non-League ground you’ve visited? Bath. Big old-fashioned terraces and a picturesque backdrop.Best stadium you’ve EVER visited? I’ve always enjoyed going to Old Trafford, particularly as I’ve never seen United win there!

FANTASTIC FOLLOWING Some of the 300-odd

Stones fans at Southport last season

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH 07/10/2017

Abobaker Eisa’s dramatic late winner gave Wealdstone

a textbook smash-and-grab victory over bottom of the table Whitehawk at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday in front of a boisterous Non-League Day crowd of 953.

The Stones had to come from behind after Kyjuon Marsh-Brown had opened the scoring for the Hawks in the first half but Wealdstone equalised through a Danny Green penalty and won it in the 88th minute when sub Eisa shot past keeper Simon Jorgensen.Bobby Wilkinson rung the changes following Stones shock 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Burgess Hill Town last week, making seven altogether. The most notable was centre half Glenn Wilson making his debut as a makeshift right-back with Sam Cox away on international duty with Guyana. Fellow new signing Harry Goodger made the bench.

A revitalised Whitehawk, with a new Manager and full of new signings, could have gone

ahead twice before Marsh-Brown’s opener, with Jonathan North denying Pape Gueye and Enoch Andoh from close range.

Marsh-Brown then gave the Hawks a deserved lead when he beat Glenn Wilson and sent a curling, low effort past North on 28 minutes.

The forced first half introduction of Eisa brought more energy to the Stones attack and he had a chance just before half time when trying to lob the giant 6ft 10” frame of Jorgensen in goal, which the keeper just about held.

Stones pressed much harder after the turnaround and a breakthrough looked inevitable as the attacks mounted.

The equaliser arrived when Rose brought down Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick and Referee Aji Ajibola immediately awarded a disputed penalty. Green sent Jorgensen the wrong way with panache.

Hawks debutant Kodi Lyons-Foster was next to draw a save from the ever alert North

when his header was tipped wide.

But late on the Stones dramatically grabbed the victory to reverse the fortunes of the previous week’s debacle. A goal kick from Jorgensen was powerfully headed to Eisa by Jerome Okimo, he beat his man with tremendous pace and rounded the keeper to slot into an empty net, allowing the home fans a chance to celebrate another vital home win and three points, although they were holding their breath deep into added time when sub Dominic Vose pulled a last-gasp save out of the excellent Jonathan North with a shot from the edge of the area.

Wealdstone: North, Wilson (Brown 81), Sellers, Hill, Day, Williams, Hippolyte-Patrick, Okimo, Fitchett (Goodger 55), Green, O’Brien (Eisa 36).Subs not used: Wellard, Ngamvoulou

Attendance: 953Words: Chris WoodsPicture: Steve Foster

Wealdstone 2 Whitehawk 1

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH14/10/2017

Wealdstone slugged out a typically hard fought National

League South match at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday and came away with another point that keeps them in 12th spot in the league with other clubs in FA Cup action.

The main talking point in this encounter was the sending- off of the Blue Birds No 11 Jamie Guthrie after only 24 minutes play for an awful foul on the match-long battered Ryan Sellers, meaning that Stones had a man advantage for much of this clash of two sides with polar opposite home and away records. However, those experienced in the game will know that losing a player can create as much of a challenge for the team with the supposed advantage as the depleted side doubles up and is usually psychologically spurred on - and so it proved.

Not that the away side didn’t have their chances because they did have several, particularly in a better second period on a pitch that looked like it needed a good cut. Stones problems in front of goal continue to frustrate and is clearly a priority for Manager Bobby Wilkinson who nevertheless was pleased with a clean sheet and, overall, a sound defensive performance still without the key athleticism of Eddie Oshodi, out of the side with a back injury.

After the game Bobby Wilkinson was quick to praise his players: “I am pleased overall – it was always going to be a tough one with their

excellent home record and after their bad result last week. We looked more composed in the second half and had enough chances to win the game 2 or even 3 nil, so frustrating in that sense. No, we didn’t get the win but I felt it was a particularly good team performance today”

Asked about the possible return of key injured players, Oshodi, Matty Whichelow, Elliot Benyon and Alan O’Brien, he said: “They all need extra treatment and most are still 50/50 at best for next week, they will probably need more time to be fully recovered”

Chippenham started very strongly and burst into Stones box from the kick-off but the danger was cleared for a very early scare. Sam Cox made a welcome return to the starting line in the centre of midfield and immediately made his presence felt with some close attention and crunching tackles.

The Blue Birds main threat came from their experienced ex Bath City striker Dave Pratt who was thorn in the side of Stones defence all afternoon with his strong, clever running off the shoulder. The home side continued to dominate the danger area possession in the first period and were picking up the loose ball better than Wealdstone.

Stones had a great chance to take the lead on 20 minutes when a powerful strike from Matt Day through a crowd of bodies in the box was somehow held by excellent ‘keeper Jared Thompson who was later named man of the

match.Then, 4 minutes later,

Sellers was upended with a two- footed challenge and Guthrie was shown red. There was no discernible difference for much of the remainder of the half as Stones struggled to break down a stubborn Blue Birds defence despite several corners and free kicks awarded to the away side.

Stones looked more composed in the second period and pushed up with greater tempo. After Day had lost the ball to Pratt and North came to the rescue the same player, Day, almost found the net but Thompson expertly tipped over the header.

Abo Eisa was introduced and made an immediate impact with some good runs at goal as did the wily Harry Goodger. Stones were desperately unlucky with an ‘almost’ own goal that bounced off the upright and then from the resultant melee Thompson saved again in the 60th minute.

The game then settled into a kind of entertaining war of attrition with both sides trying to nick the win. Goodger to his credit battled to carve out a couple of late chances with his muscle power that were blasted wide.

Wealdstone: North, Wilson, Sellers, Hill, Day, Williams, Cox, Okimo, Fitchett, Green, Hippolyte-Patrick. Subs used: Goodger, Eisa, WellardSubs not used: Brown, Ngamvoulou

Attendance:723Words: Nick DuGard

Chippenham 0 Wealdstone 0