June 2003
 
Ladies opening league fixtures 29th June 2003

Following the Clubs relegation from the FA Premier League, the Ladies look forward to their first season in the South East Combination League. The fixtures are out and the their opening fixtures are as follows :-

Sunday 17th August v Rushden & Diamonds - Home.

Sunday 24th August v Crystal Palace - Away
Ladies announce friendlies 29th June 2003

The Ladies have arranged the following pre-season friendly matches:-

Sunday 20th July: Reserve Team v Wellington School U16's (USA) Kick Off 11am

Sunday 20th July: First Team v Chelsea Ladies Kick Off 3pm

Sunday 27th July: First Team v Millwall Lionesses Kick Off 2pm

Sunday 3rd August: First Team - Watford International Tournament

Thursday 7th August: First Team v St Michaels College (USA) Kick Off 7pm

Friday 8th August : Reserve Team v Rhode Island U15's (USA) Kick Off 7pm

Sunday 10th August : First Team v Bryant College (USA) Kick Off  7pm

 
Ladies back in training 29th June 2003

The Ladies Senior section reported back to pre-season training today after their summer break. First Team Manager was delighted with the turn out with all of last year’s squad returning. Manager Paul Glibbery was also able to welcome a few new players who will be trialling over the next few weeks before any decisions are made. He said afterwards "We had nearly a full turn out, a few players are still away or had prior commitments but everyone has been in touch and we are looking forward to the weeks ahead. "
Bryco Cup draw 27th June 2003
We have details of our opponents in the Ryman League Bryco Cup. In the first round we travel to Marlow and the winners entertain Boreham Wood. dates to be announced.
Ryman restructure press release 27th June 2003

The Ryman League has issued the following press release:

“The Board of Directors of the Ryman Football League met yesterday, Monday, to consider the decisions taken by the FA Council at its meeting held on 21st June 2003. The Board deeply regret the decision taken by the Council to approve the recommendations to implement a 1-2-3-4 structure for season 2004-2005 and to invite the Southern Football League to administer two of the “Step 4” leagues. It is felt that the decision taken was unfair and that the member clubs of the League have not been treated with proportionality compared to member clubs of other competitions. It is also felt that the structure approved is not in the best interests of the game as a whole and therefore the Board intend to seek legal advice on the merits of a challenge to this decision. No further comment will be issued by the League Board until that legal advice has been received. The League will continue to contribute to the Working Party of the Alliance leagues to ensure that the interests of all member clubs are considered in the event that the structure approved by the Council does come to fruition.”
Other news 23rd June 2003
Former Barking defender Billy Smith, having recently resigned from his long term managerial post at Crawley Town, is returning to the Ryman League as manager of newly promoted Premier Division Carshalton Athletic.
Return to training 23rd June 2003
The First Team return for pre-season training this coming Saturday June 28th.
Youth Team news 23rd June 2003
The new Under 18 and Under 16 teams will play in the Eastern Junior Alliance, in which the club enjoyed great success with its last venture into youth football. The players will come initially from Forest Gate FC but other players will be welcome. The Under 18s will be run by Dee Sager and Keith Clarke with Calvin Gentle and Rupert Nelson looking after the Under 16s. Dee said that they are looking to the future with a view to eventually setting up a school of excellence. Trials were held over the weekend of June 14/15 and attracted a turnout of 35. Some players were recruited and further trials will be held. Club manager Richard Thomas was involved and said “The trials for the U16's, U18's and the Senior teams went very well and were very well organised by Dee and his team. There were a number of players with very promising potential and I'm excited about getting involved with Dee when required to bring these players through the system we now have in place at the club.” As part of the club’s ongoing relationship with the Asian community, initially inaugurated by the presence at the club of goalkeeper Imran Khan and furthered by the match against an Asian X1 for the Canary Wharf Shield and the involvement of chairman John Edgeworth in other Asian community football events including opening the new Asian Sunday League, four Asian players participated in the trials. The weekend culminated in an internal trial match against last season’s Forest gate team, in which two of the Asian players featured. Mr Sager said “We are inviting players from all over Essex to get involved .It is a massive opportunity for young people to become involved with a professional club and have the chance to go on and play Ryman League football.”
League restructuring 23rd June 2003
An announcement on the Football Association website states that the FA Council approved proposals for 2004-5 on Saturday. The Ryman League is opposed to the F.A. proposals and is understood to intend to refer them to arbitration. Most people are probably familiar with the proposals which can be summarised as follows-
Level 1 - Football Conference
Level 2 - Conference North/Conference South
Level 3 - Northern Premier/Southern Premier/Isthmian Premier Level 4 - Four Feeder Leagues administered by Northern Premier/Isthmian and Southern. The Southern League would administer two of the feeders.
Levels 5-7 - Further Feeder Leagues 
Should these proposals take effect, in view of the fact that we are unlikely to be promoted next season due to ground grading requirements, we would probably be placed in one of the level four feeders but not necessarily that administered by the Isthmian League. The mechanism for promotion and relegation at each level has not yet been announced but it is understood that play offs would be involved.
League constitution confirmed 23rd June 2003
The line-up of Ryman Division 1 North as outlined in the article dated 27th of May has been confirmed.