May 2009

Regular visitors to the message board will have seen updates regarding the ongoing ground works at Mayesbrook Park over the summer months. Mark Harris has supplied a concise update of what the current situation is:

"The pitch surround and the area behind the dugouts are both getting mowed every week, Steve Munday has painted all along in front of the stand and has started along the far end, the end stantions and brick work within the stand have been painted, we've started weeding all along the pitch surround and the terracing and we've removed all the rubbish from inside the building that houses the water tank and from in front of 'Fred's shed'."

Mark intends to supply further updates as work continues - below are photos that Mark has taken of how the ground looks at the moment. Click on any image to enlarge:

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Barking Ladies secretary Peter Ball has provided an update on the teams that they will be fielding in the forthcoming season:

First team
Reserves
Under 14’s
Under 12’s
Under 10’s

There is also a possibility of a Under 18’s team – as previously the Ladies first team will play in the Eastern Region Woman’s Football League with their home games played at Mayesbrook Park on a Sunday afternoon. The Reserves will play in Essex Women’s League Division 3 and the junior teams in the Essex County Girls Football League.

The Ladies also looking to renew their F.A. charter standard mark for both the junior and senior sections.

We are very happy to announce that from the beginning of the forthcoming season we will be sharing our ground with another famous old club. Eton Manor have reached an agreement with Barking and Dagenham Council to play at Mayesbrook Park and we welcome this addition to the feast of football which will be available. Since losing their ground at Buckhurst Hill Eton Manor have played at Tilbury and Waltham Abbey but were keen for return nearer to their East London roots. Former Eton Manor players include Dagenham’s own Sir Alf Ramsey, England’s only world cup winning manager.
Plans are in progress for improvements to the ground to be implemented  in the not too distant future.

Subject to cup draws there will be senior football played at the ground every Saturday and on weekday evenings plus our Reserves will play home matches on weekday evenings too. This means that supporters of both clubs will, if unable to travel to away games, be able to see first class football at Mayesbrook Park every week. Of course all spectators are very welcome to attend.

As part of our club development and our work in the community we will also be running youth teams at Under 18, Under 16 and Under 15 level although not all of these games will be played at Mayesbrook Park.
We are currently preparing an extensive programme of pre season friendly matches and details will appear here in the near future.    

Eton Manor finished sixth in the Essex Senior League last season and we had a successful second half of the season under the leadership of manager Steve Munday. Both clubs will be challenging for a high position in the league as well as hoping for successful cup runs which promises some entertaining and exciting football. Our Reserves also had a successful season managed by Rob O’Brien, reaching two cup finals, and reserve games are well worth watching too.

At Great Wakering last night Rob O'Brien's reserve side were beaten 3-2 in extra time in the Essex & Herts Combination cup final despite a brave effort from the players.