March 2004
 
End of Season Disco announced 29th March 2004

Manager Dennis Elliott has arranged an end of season gathering at the club on the evening of May 1st following our last league match of the season. For the nominal price of £5 supporters and others can join the Players and Management in celebrating our successful late season run Tickets can be obtained from Dennis or Jay Devereux and supporters Ray Atkins and Mark Harris. 
Player news 29th March 2004

The ever-busy Dennis Elliott has made eight signings before the Ryman League transfer deadline of March 31st. Jermaine Hammond, a wide wing back, was introduced to the club by goalkeeper Tony Tucker and made his debut at Boreham Wood on Saturday. Jermaine has youth football experience at Chelsea and Luton. Another new face and product of the Tucker connection is centre half Ebow Mansah, who has played for London APSA , whose Assistant Manager is Dorian West – our former Reserves Manager and long serving East Ham United stalwart. Ebow also debuted on the bench on Saturday. Jamie Bly, a central midfielder, has joined from Barkingside.

The other five players are all popular former Barking players who will be welcomed back by supporters. They are Danny Benstock, Jason Friend, Jimmy Prue, Mickey Rogan and Paul Rogan. All except Jimmy Prue have been playing for Romford.
Ex-Blues on the move 29th March 2004

Following East Thurrock’s league defeat at Barking Gary Ansell has joined Chelmsford City.
Death of long serving supporter 29th March 2004
We are very sad to have to report the death of Eric Miles, a well known supporter who had followed Barking for most of his 78 years - died of a heart attack last week. The family tradition of support will be continued by his son Councillor David Miles and grandson Danny.
Ladies prepare for Cup Final derby 29th March 2004

Next Sunday, April 4th sees the tenth Essex County F.A. Women's Cup Final at Maldon Town which will be contested between Barking Ladies and Dagenham & Redbridge Ladies, kick off 3pm. This will be the Club's fifth appearance in the Final. In 1997 under the previous name of Collier Row Women's we defeated Clapton Ladies 2-1 at Witham Town F.C. The following season we were beaten 3-1 by Chelmsford City, again at Witham Town F.C. When the Club changed its name to Barking Ladies and gained promotion into the F.A. Women's Premier League, the Club spent a couple of season with the Reserves playing in the Competition as the number of League matches and travelling around the Country meant the County Cup was an unwelcome distraction However the Club returned to the competition and first season back we reached the Final at Thurrock FC in 2001 and beat Dagenham & Redbridge Ladies 4-0. The club missed out in 2002, but re-gained the Cup in 2003 at Maldon Town F.C. with a 3-2 win against Colchester United Ladies. Next weeks game will be a very close game. The Ladies were relegated from the FA Premier League at the end of last season, a number of players have left and the Club are re-building with a very young side, whilst our opponents have enjoyed a successful season at Regional League level, one step underneath our current Combination status. Club Secretary Paul Glibbery said "We are very determined to regain the trophy again this season, but have no illusions this is going to be a tough game. We will need every player to be at their maximum, and we will be doing all we can to prepare the players for this game both physically and mentally. We hope to have a full squad to choose from. Nicole Manning has been out for four weeks with an ankle injury, but hopes to have a run out with the Reserves in a friendly this Tuesday Night against a touring American side. Otherwise we should all be fit and looking forward to the game"

Dennis signs three 26th March 2004
Dennis Elliott has been busy bolstering his squad before the Ryman League transfer deadline with the signing of two players introduced to the club by goalkeeper Tony Tucker. They are Ebow Mensah, a Centre Half who has played some games for London APSA in the Essex Senior League (Assistant Manager Dorian West – our former Reserve Team Manager), and Jermaine Hammond, a wide wing back who has been with Chelsea and Luton Town. Both players will travel with the team tomorrow. Dennis has also signed former Blue Jimmy Prue and hopes to make other signings prior to the end of March transfer deadline.
Dennis Elliott has almost a full squad to select from for the match at fourth placed Boreham Wood tomorrow with the unavailable Nick Savidge and Terry Beck being the exceptions. Fortunately nobody is ruled out by injury. 
Thameside update 25th March 2004
Our ninth final will pit us against the winners of the Ford United/Romford Semi Final , who are scheduled to play their semi final on April 14th at Rush Green subject to the availability of the stadium. We have won four and lost four of our previous finals. It would be our third final v Romford (won one/ lost one) but our first against Ford United . Should our opponents be Ford then Managers Dennis Elliott and Craig Edwards would both be facing their former clubs. The match is to be played at Mayesbrook Park on a date to be specified.
Barking memories 22nd March 2004
Carly Makin is the daughter of record appearance holder Bobby Makin. 
Click here to read her memories of Barking FC and Mayesbrook Park.
Player news 22nd March 2004
Liam Baptiste’s loan has been extended to enable to be available for the Essex Thameside Trophy semi final at East Thurrock United tomorrow night
Meanwhile, Liam’s brother Shaun Baptiste who has played for both the First Team and Reserves this season has joined Enfield in search of first team football. We wish both brothers every success, subject to the usual proviso - except if they play against us.
Lee Carter spent Saturday afternoon on the bench resting the injury he has been carrying.
Gregg Thompson will be unable to play at East Thurrock as he is “cup tied”, having played against us in the Essex Thameside Trophy for Brentwood.
Manager Dennis Elliott may add to his squad before the Ryman League transfer deadline on March 31st.
Ben nears ton 22nd March 2004
Saturday’s game was Ben Willis’ 99th appearance for the club and barring unforeseen circumstances tomorrow night will see Ben make his "ton-up".
Player news 19th March 2004
We are sorry to have to announce that Liam Baptiste’s loan period expires after tomorrow and Waltham Forest have had to recall him as they have several injuries.
Danny Gilley is unavailable tomorrow.
Lee Carter has been carrying an injury and will probably start on the bench tomorrow
Gregg Thompson will be available again after being “cup-tied” against Chelmsford City Nick Savidge will be unavailable next Saturday.
Thameside Trophy update 19th March 2004
Ford United beat Aveley 2-1 in last evening’s quarter final and are away to Romford in the semi final.
Thameside Trophy semi final arranged 18th March 2004
We will play East Thurrock United twice in four days as we visit them on Tuesday March 23rd for our semi final following our narrow defeat of Chelmsford City. We lost 5-0 to the ‘Rocks in October but our team has changed since then. The other semi final will be between Romford, who beat Southend Manor 6-0, and Ford United or Aveley, who play this evening.
Barking go into Europe 18th March 2004
Director of Youth Football Dee Sagar has arranged for the Under 18s and Under 16s to play in an Easter International Tournament in Prague from April 7th to 13th. 
Player news 12th March 2004
Manager Dennis Elliott has a full squad available for selection for tomorrow’s game against Wealdstone with nobody ruled out by injury. Bradley Woodards and Lee Carter have been receiving treatment during the week. With a superior goal difference to Enfield, a win or a draw would be enough to lift us off the bottom of the table if Enfield lose. Goalkeeper Lee Richards has left by mutual consent. Young forward Chris Theodore will play for the Reserves at Dagenham tomorrow. The squad also includes four triallists selected from midweek trials.
Player news 8th March 2004
We say au revoir to two players this week with the departure of Steve Shaw and Kevin Warren and we would like to thank them both for all their efforts. Steve, whose tireless running and application and his ability to out jump players of greater height together with his friendly demeanour has always been exemplary, leaves by mutual consent while Kevin, who has put in some impressive performances since his return, has been invited by Harlow Town to join their push for Premier Division status next season.
As the exit closes the entrance swings open with the arrival of Chris Theodore, an ex Arsenal Academy forward, who came off the bench to make a brief debut against Cheshunt on Saturday.
Ryman League update 8th March 2004
A general meeting of clubs is set for Friday 26th March, at Staines Town FC, beginning at 7.30pm. The reason for this meeting is to discuss the arbitration procedure and to try to answer any queries clubs may have about the future. It is hoped that the full reasons for the decision of the Panel will be known by the time of this meeting.
Essex Thameside Trophy 8th March 2004
In our last chance of success at senior level this season be an achievement in the circumstances), we entertain Chelmsford City in our quarter final on Tuesday March 16th.The winners will be away in the semi final to East Thurrock United who were awarded their quarter final tie against Grays Athletic after it was abandoned at 0-0 due to the frozen pitch, with a potential final against Ford United, Romford or Aveley.
Ladies star in county draw 8th March 2004
Three Barking Ladies players took part in last Thursday nights thrilling 4-4 draw for Essex FA against Cambridgeshire FA at Cambridge City FC Barking's 15-year-old Reserve Team keeper Sarah Ball played the full 90 minutes along with forward Kelly Stock. Barking midfielder Nicole Manning made her debut for the County in defence but only lasted five minutes picking up a lateral ligament to her ankle, which now makes her doubtful for Barking's County Cup final against Dagenham & Redbridge on April 4th.
Ladies final arranged 1st March 2004
The Essex County F.A. have confirmed that this season's Women's County Cup Final will be played at Maldon Town F.C. on Sunday 4th April with a 3pm kick off. The Final will be a re-run of the 2001 final between Barking Ladies and local rivals Dagenham & Redbridge Ladies which Barking ran out 4-0 winners. Club Secretary Paul Glibbery said "We are delighted to win through and have the chance to retain the trophy which we won last year against Colchester United; we are slightly disappointed as I am sure Dagenham & Redbridge are that we both have to travel to Maldon Town. In 2001 we played at Thurrock FC in front of a good crowd and it would have been nice for the players and the Women's game in general to have played locally and therefore give it maximum publicity for both clubs."
Ryman League respond to arbitration 1st March 2004
The Ryman League has received notice that the unanimous decision of the Arbitration Panel is to dismiss their claim. Reasons have not been given yet for the decision. The League has expressed their disappointment at this news and will make a further statement when the full decision has been received. The allocation of clubs to divisions will be made at a meeting of the Alliance Committee on May 9th.
New Goalkeeper signed 1st March 2004
Dennis Elliott has further strengthened his squad with the acquisition of Tony Tucker, who has packed a lot of valuable experience into his 23 years. Tony started as a young player at Leyton Orient, followed by a four year spell at Fulham, then managed by Kevin Keegan. This was followed by two seasons with Woking, for whom he made 37 appearances in the Conference. He joined Walton and Hersham during the close season but as he lives locally he was happy to accept Dennis’s invitation to join us, making an impressive debut on Saturday. Although we lost 2-1 Tony was not at fault with either goal and made two outstanding saves to keep us in the game, as well as providing a commanding presence in his goal area. 
Ashley's unlucky break 1st March 2004
Under 18’s striker Ashley Taylor-Forbes sustained a broken tibia in his leg in the game against Ilford Under 18’s and will be out for four months. Ashley will be sorely missed and we wish him a complete and successful recovery.
Chairman's report 1st March 2004
Chairman John Edgeworth, accompanied by Richard Grady of the Football Foundation, visited Barking Town Hall to meet with the Head of Leisure Services for Barking and Dagenham last Friday (February 13th) to discuss the possibility of making an application to the Football Foundation for a sporting complex development at Barking Football Club. In order for any application to succeed we would need the Council to agree to become a business partner in the venture. The Council have agreed that John Edgeworth can create an outline plan of such a complex which could hopefully include the additional land behind the training area stretching down towards the brook. Barking & East Ham United appear to have an excellent opportunity of being successful in any application to the Football Foundation due to the club's structure including both Ladies and Youth football, our developing links with disabled sports and schools and community programmes and the general use of our facilities by groups promoting health, disabled groups, and sporting and social activities.
At the same meeting it was finally agreed between the two parties that the terms for a new 99 year lease for the Club are acceptable and it is hoped that completion will now take place within the next few weeks. The agreed terms include the replacement of the boundary wall one meter inside the North wall and will be compensated by the addition of approximately two meters at the training ground end towards the brook. The playing surface has now been scanned by Turftrax Ltd and a report sent to the FSIF for their consideration. In the report it is recommended that a new underground drainage system be installed and comprehensive groundwork undertaken on the pitch itself. Our main problem however is not water coming off but water going on and in this respect the FSIF do not fund irrigation for this purpose. Jonathan Farmer of Farmura Ltd turf specialists are therefore going to install a water tank system together with the mechanics to overcome the problem of lack of water supply and pressure. Ironically we have been informed that we have an old river bed running under our training ground area so plenty of water under the ground but not enough going on top. The application to the FSIF also includes new additional floodlights and assistance towards the cost of the new boundary wall.