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| Restructuring update 28th December 2003 |
The arbitration hearing requested by the Ryman League is now scheduled for February 19th and 20th after which we will know our potential fate. If restructuring goes ahead we are likely to play at a lower level next season even if we climb out of the relegation zone due to the interpolation of the proposed Alliance into the pyramid which will effectively push all lower leagues/divisions down a level. The bottom two clubs in each of Divisions 1 North and South would be relegated at the end of the season but would hope to be among those clubs invited to form the new Division 1. If restructuring does not proceed next season the bottom two clubs in each Division 1 would be relegated either to Division 2 or a feeder league (e.g. the Essex Senior League) providing there were sufficient suitably qualified applicants to replace them. |
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| Player availability 28th December 2003 |
Stewart Moody has flu and may be doubtful for tomorrow’s game.
Dean Allen goes into hospital for an operation on December 6th and is therefore only available for the next two games. His post operative recovery period could be up to two and half months. |
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| Waltham Forest game rearranged 22nd December 2003 |
Saturday's postponed home game against Waltham Forest has been rearranged fro Tuesday February 3rd kick off 7:45pm. |
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| Giving youth a chance 17th December 2003 |
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Director of Youth Football Dee Sagar has provided the following information on the history, aims and future of the youth side of our club -
Wellington FC 1996 Forest Gate FC 1998 Barking & East Ham United 2003
Grass roots sports on a shoe string success story
This has been a remarkable year so far for the young members of Barking & East Ham United Youth Football Club, a youth development policy put together by Mr Dee Sagar of what was formerly known as Forest Gate Football Club based in Newham and Wanstead Flats, although the origin of the football development dates back to 1996 when it was known as Wellington FC under 11s, from its birth both Wellington and Forest Gate have won titles and trophies at various age stage in almost all the years of its existence, with the Forest Gate club being the most profiled. Wellington FC was the brain child of Keith Clarke and Dee Sagar who became involved in grass roots football in the Newham league having witnessed the lack of provision for young people and thought of ways in which they could deliver improved facilities to the youngsters on limited resources, facilities which included indoor training at Rokeby school and better equipment and kits, at most times working on a shoe string budget and very dependant on donations from parents, after two successful seasons together Dee Sagar decided to form a more community based link in sports and Forest Gate FC was born in season 1998/99.
Forest Gate FC attracted the attention of talented young players who was of a high standard and with some members often invited for trials to academies and to take part in high profile games and competitions, in that same season Dee Sagar was accepted as a representative of the Wimbledon football club academy and gained a valuable insight into the academy soccer programme. After two seasons gaining some of the experience and workings of the academy a younger Forest Gate side was developed, now with 36 members in the Newham league and working in partnership with Mr. Rupert Nelson the Manager/Co-ordinator of the younger side, a decision was made in season 2002/3 to join the Barking league, taking the players to another level. After much sponsorship soul searching of local businesses in Forest Gate and being declined ,the club finally attracted its very own sponsor, local timber merchants AA timber of Romford road who promptly funded Forest Gate FC with new kits and taking them out of park football and into the Terence MacMillan stadium, Newham leisure, as its home ground.
It was whilst in the Barking league that Dee Sagar and Rupert Nelson decided that FGFC had gone as far as it could in terms of grass roots and needed more of a challenge in terms of its community link it was now beginning to develop, having already affiliated a martial arts club based at Rokeby school, West Ham to its programme and with a team bus now bought for the club by AA timber, it was felt that the club either ceased or grow and as Dee Sagar was passionate about youth in sports and disappointed at the limited high profile sporting provisions available to young people, growing seemed the only option, as there was a number of talented young people residing in Forest Gate and Newham dependent on what was being provided, as well as a number of existing team members who had joined the club in 1996 when only 10 years old and still remained, now aged 17 and 18 years old.
Whilst working for Connexions as a key worker and based in Barking and Dagenham an invitation was made to Dee Sagar by Barking Football Club to put together a joint sports project with a view to profiling the club and with the involvement of the youth offending team and Connexions in October 2002 a two day sporting event took place, a further project took place in March 2003 involving only Connexions and on both occasions the projects were successful with a total attendance of 34 and 38 young people attending over each of the two day periods. With the success of the above projects and having departed company with Connexions, Dee Sagar decided to approach the Director of Barking Football Club, Mr. John Edgeworth, with a view to setting up a youth sports inclusion programme using the valuable experience gained through the workings of the Wimbledon academy and the Connexions framework, he decided the focal point should not only be on sports, but in addition to empower young people to integrate and reintegrate with their peers using sports as a tool, giving them the opportunity to safely work and play together outside their boroughs.
The programme targeted surrounding areas of Newham and Barking & Dagenham, it was necessary to link with a semi professional club as this was the way forward in gaining access to a higher standard of sports required and membership to the Eastern Junior Alliance, one of the best youth football league in the country and belonging to a semi professional club was a criteria. Due to difficulties associated with the long dark winter evenings and distances in traveling for training sessions, the club decided to split its venues for easy access to its members with training sessions at Forest Gate school on Tuesday night for Newham based players and Barking Football Club ground on Fridays for Dagenham and Essex players, both sessions under floodlights, training is also held on Saturdays from 10-2 at Wanstead flats to accommodate all under 16 and under 18 members.
An application was made by Westhamians under 15 FC to join the Barking youth squad and was accepted by Dee Sagar under the guidance of the Barking youth policy and will form the new under 16 team for season 2004-2005 managed by Mr. Mark Donaghy, it will include 18-20 new members who reside in and around the London Borough of Redbridge aged between 15-16 years old who are committed to sports and are capable of developing at a higher level. All staff and volunteers and are Police and /or CRB checked. players and staff are provided with and encouraged to wear club kits, track suits- club socks-weather proof suits, shorts and polo shirt to training sessions and club jackets and ties to matches.
Although with limited funding and resources the realisation of a sports and soccer school of excellence draws ever nearer for Dee Sagar and with the partnership of Rupert Nelson and once again Keith Clarke the future in terms of youth participation at Barking and East Ham United FC looks bright.
The Forest Gate FC tag was changed to what is now known as Barking & East Ham Utd youth football club, various working policies have been developed, ranging from child protection, education, sports programme , youth policy, staff conduct to equal opportunities. There is a youth committee made up of representatives of the players and club committee, with the youth programme being delivered from Barking FC, Mayesbrook Park
In season 2004/5 the club will see its youth policy operate in various boroughs Newham – Barking & Dagenham - Redbridge- and some surrounding Essex regions, membership will grow to 100 and more in season 2004/5 with the addition of an under 15 squad of which trials will take place for these new members in June 2004, unless applications is received from an already established club/clubs. The Barking & East Ham Utd youth policy will seek to be more involved in outside community projects as it recognises the diversity of the boroughs in which the young people reside and aim to support the young people by moving away from the office and desk environment to deliver structured sporting facilities.
The youth policy is delivered in two parts :-
1 The Youth Sports Programme
2 The Youth Inclusion Sports Policy. The YSP is able to use the facilities of the club, the training ground, the pitch , office space and any hospitality areas provided by the Barking club and management.
A) To provide structured team sports.
B) To enable young people to train together safely
C) To promote health and hygiene
D) To promote confidence and self esteem
E) To promote choice and input by young members.
F) To promote fitness, fun and potential
G) To promote natural progression to reserve and/or first team status.
The YISP work with young people from different backgrounds, ethnic and social, some with very difficult issues, when necessary mentoring and advocating on their members behalf.The Youth Inclusion Sports Policy has looked at the possibility of working closely with the london action trust, from offending to employment and is in discussion with Vicky Marshall of FOTE
The YISP will continue the sporting link in partnership with other community sports projects in organised sports events, helping to breakdown barriers by bringing young people of different boroughs together. Dee Sagar, Director of Youth Programmes at Barking FC will continue the work presently being done with schools, youth clubs, colleges and local providers and is looking to deliver a community sports, programme in the near future, with a special emphasis on young people excluded, to bring not just football but to access sports across a wider spectrum ,to suit the individuals needs, which can lead to sports coaching and courses of a chosen field, leading to NVQs and possible gainful employment or work experience in the voluntary sector, however this can only be achieved with adequate funding.
Barking & EHU FC will endeavor to continue its link with the communities it presently serves and aim to keep its youth policy in place, however with the present growth anticipated it has become apparent that the need to serve the community in a more active role has become necessary. young people need quality provisions, programmes and projects that reflect their needs and the youth inclusion sports programme can provide this. Dee Sagar would like to thank all the people who made this youth programme possible, the Director of Barking & EHU FC Mr John Edgeworth, the sponsors AA Timber, all staff at Barking FC, Under 16 Manager Rupert Nelson, Asst Manager And Welfare Liaison Personell Keith Clarke, Head Coach Trevor Duberry, Asst Coach Martin Heaton, Parents who attend events and matches, the people behind the scene who prepare the hospitality and keep the kits clean and most importantly the 55 young members who actively participate in the programme.
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| Injuries/Suspension/Availability update 17th December 2003 |
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Stewart Moody is suspended for the games against Waltham Forest, Aveley and Wingate & Finchley.
Tommy Lee is unavailable for the games against Waltham Forest, Aveley and Wingate and Finchley due to a family commitment
Nick Savidge missed last night’s game due to illness but hopes to be available for Saturday
Bradley Woodards had to be substituted during the second half v Yeading but hopes to be fit for Saturday.
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| Player news 15th December 2003 |
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Dennis Elliott has signed Ford United central defender Bradley Woodards on loan
Danny Gilley will be unavailable for an undetermined period following his operation
Stewart Moody is suspended for the games against Waltham Forest, Aveley and Wingate & Finchley Former Player and Under 18 coach Gordon Boateng has been appointed first team coach by Hoddesdon Town
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| Availability update 12th December 2003 |
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Danny Gilley will be not be available tomorrow as he will be having his operation - Nick Savidge will be available for Tuesday's game against Yeading.
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| Suspension confirmed 10th December 2003 |
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Stewart Moody will be suspended for three games following his dismissal against Berkhamsted Town and will miss the games against Waltham Forest, Aveley, Wingate and Finchley.
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| Cup draw 10th December 2003 |
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Our second round Essex Thameside match will be away to Essex Senior League side Basildon United who won 2-1 at Ilford. Date to be arranged.
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| More signings 8th December 2003 |
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Dennis Elliott has made two important acquisitions with the signing of forward Tommy Lee from East Thurrock United and left back Tom McGowan - who has Conference experience - on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge. Both players will start against Oxford City on Tuesday. Martin Tuoy and Leo Doda have returned to Dagenham & Redbridge.
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| Fraud warning 8th December 2003 |
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The Club has issued the following statement :
'Barking Football Club has been advised by a resident in Valence Road, Dagenham, that two boys are attempting to sell raffle tickets on behalf of the club. Barking Football Club would like to make it clear that they are not operating a door to door raffle and would advise anybody approached to refuse participation and report the individuals responsible to the police. Barking Football Club cannot be held responsible for any person who may have already purchased a ticket in this way'
John Edgeworth, Chairman
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| Player news 8th December 2003 |
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Chris Rose is expected to be available for tomorrow night’s game against Oxford City
Nick Savidge will be unavailable for the Oxford game and Saturday’s at Enfield due to educational commitments
Stewart Moody will be suspended on December 20th when we entertain Waltham Forest
Dennis Elliott has signed Leo Doda and Martin Tuoy from Dagenham & Redbridge. Both players were on the bench on Saturday with Tuoy coming on as a substitute. The players have signed Ryman League forms for the Blues but can still play for Dagenham who will have first call on their services.
Danny Gilley will be temporarily unavailable after the weekend as he will be having surgery on a nasal injury sustained earlier in the season.
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| Under 18's management team 8th December 2003 |
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The new Under 18’s head coach is Trevor Duberry who will assist Manager Dee Sagar in all aspects of youth football development. The Assistant Coach will be Martin Heaton.
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| Enfield game in doubt 8th December 2003 |
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Enfield’s last two games have been postponed and their fixture on Tuesday away to Wealdstone is listed as provisional so the forthcoming away game on Saturday may be in doubt.
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| Player news 5th December 2003 |
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Sammy McCarthy has returned to the club and played for the reserves last Saturday and the First Team against Hullbridge Sports on Thursday
Dean Morris has been released
Chris Rose missed Thursday evening’s game with flu and must be doubtful for Saturday’s vital six pointer against Berkhamsted Town
Dean Allen will be unavailable for up to two and a half months following his operation
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| Injury latest 1st December 2003 |
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Danny Gilley’s surgery has been scheduled for December.
Ben Willis injured an ankle at Chesham but expects to be fit for selection on Thursday.
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| Signing 1st December 2003 |
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Manager Dennis Elliott’s latest signing is central midfield player Gregg Thompson who made his debut at Chesham. Gregg will be familiar to supporters as he played against us for Brentwood last Tuesday.
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| Thomo moves on 1st December 2003 |
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Former Player/Manager Richard Thomas has left Billericay and joined St Alban's City as Player/Coach to Steve Castle formerly of Leyton Orient. Richard is joined at the Saints by former Blues Gary Wraight, Jay Murray and Andrew Oxby. However, Richard will still continue to run our Youth Academy on Monday nights from 5:30 to 7:00pm for boys and girls aged 6 to 13.
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