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| Mystery signing ? 28th November 2003 |
Manager Dennis Elliott signed a central midfield player last evening who will be available for Saturday’s game at Chesham. The player will be identified when we know that his former club has been informed. Further signings are under consideration. |
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| Injury/Availability latest 28th November 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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| Departures 28th November 2003 |
Robbie Bangs has been released. |
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| Departures 26th November 2003 |
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Robert Russell has been released and returned to Dagenham and Redbridge.
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| Injury/Availability latest 20th November 2003 |
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Lee Forbes and Jonathan Higgs are still unavailable Dean Allen played the second half of last nights game despite his injured toe and hopes to be available for Saturday.
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| Injury/Availability update 20th November 2003 |
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Lee Forbes is injured and will miss the Thame game tomorrow as will his fellow defender Jonathan Higgs, who has been recalled by Dagenham and Redbridge. Both Chris Rose and Dean Allen trained on Thursday and should be available tomorrow.
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| Injury/Suspension latest 19th November 2003 |
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Ben Willis expects to be fit and available for the match at Chesham United on November 29th. Robbie Bangs received his fifth yellow card and will be suspended again for one game from Tuesday December 2nd so will miss the East Anglian Cup tie v Hullbridge Sports.
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| Any questions for Dennis ? 17th November 2003 |
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On Thursday 27th November at 7.30pm our new Manager Dennis Elliott will be holding a questions and answers evening at the Club when he will talk about the challenge of taking the Blues out of the relegation zone and the task which lies ahead in building for the future. Vice Chairman, Peter Webster will also be on hand to discuss his role and answer any questions as to the management of the Football Club and proposals for the longer term. This is a unique opportunity to find out about the Manager's role, what goes on behind the scenes and the efforts being made to restore the Club's fortunes. Refreshments will be made available.
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| Injury update 17th November 2003 |
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Dean Allen’s toe injury and makes him doubtful for tomorrow’s Essex Senior Cup tie against Romford but hopes to be available for Thame on Saturday.
Ben Willis sees a specialist today after which there may be more definite news of his return.
Mark Fay has returned to training after his recent injury.
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| Essex Senior Cup draw 15th November 2003 |
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Should we be successful in Tuesday nights game against Romford we will be away to Halstead in the fourth round.
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| Vice Chairman's statement 14th November 2003 |
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Our Vice Chairman Peter Webster has asked that the following statement appear in both the match day programme and this website:-
The last few weeks have certainly been hectic with the appointment of Dennis Elliott as manager and a new management team for the reserves in Lionel Meade and Bert Hoyte, assisted by Trevor Duberry. There’s definitely a buzz around the place right through from the changing rooms to the terraces and boardroom. Hopefully, this heralds the beginning of the revival in the club’s fortunes that we are all so keen to see. Dennis has been working flat out to improve matters on the pitch and has already brought in eight new players which in itself is quite remarkable given that at this stage of the season most teams have a settled side and players are not easily attracted to join a club who find themselves at the wrong end of the league table. Not that this is the end of the story, for we will be continuing to seek to improve the team at every opportunity and I expect there will be further signings over the coming weeks and months.
The improvement in our league form speaks for itself. A draw against a hard-working Uxbridge side, followed by defeat by the odd goal at Leyton in a game where we believed we were the better side and that so precious victory at Tilbury who had only lost one of their last seven league matches. Nevertheless, we now face two very tough league games. Today’s opponents Arlesey have some highly creditable performances to their name this season and will be hard to break down whilst Saturday’s trip to Thame can be regarded as one of the most difficult away games of the season. Sandwiched in between will be a home tie against our old friends from Romford in the Essex Senior Cup.
We must not however under-estimate the task ahead. Dennis still has a major job on his hands to pull us clear from the foot of the table and with the increasing prospect that the Ryman League’s appeal against the proposed re-structuring may prove successful, relegation could become a reality for the bottom two teams. I have no doubt other clubs near the foot of the table will now be looking at their budgets and starting to fight for their future.
Lionel and Bert have impressed me with their enthusiasm and commitment in taking on the task of re-building the reserves and have themselves brought in a number of new players. There is every reason to believe that given time the results will follow, in what is a strong league.
One of the recent highlights for me personally has been the vociferous support the team received from our die-hard supporters at the away games at Leyton and Tilbury. Believe me this is a vital ingredient for success and I know the players really appreciate the encouragement they receive from the terraces.
With the kind co-operation of the Chairman, I am working behind the scenes to put together my proposals for the future management of the Football Club and will provide you with a progress report as soon as possible. In the meantime, please feel free to approach me at any time, should you wish to discuss any details.
Thank you all for your continuing support.
Best wishes,
Peter Webster
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| Dennis picks a Rose 14th November 2003 |
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Dennis Elliott has further strengthened his squad with the capture of popular forward Chris Rose. Chris, who made his name with the successful Ford United, won many friends during his previous spell at the club with his on field determination and commitment and his friendly and genial personality. He is available to play against Arlesey Town tomorrow.
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| Injury update 14th November 2003 |
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Dean Allen has a toe injury and will miss tomorrow’s clash with Arlesey Town and must be doubtful for Tuesday’s Essex Senior Cup tie against Romford.
Ben Willis sees a specialist on Monday after which there may be more definite news of his return.
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| Management team 14th November 2003 |
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Dennis Elliott has appointed Blues captain Jay Devereux as Player/Coach.
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| Fixture update 13th November 2003 |
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The Essex Thameside Trophy first round tie against Brentwood at Mayesbrook Park has been arranged for Tuesday November 25th kick off 7:45pm. The kick off of the Boxing Day game away to Aveley has been provisionally set for 12 noon.
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| Under 16's cup draw 13th November 2003 |
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Following their 4-0 demolition of Pressgang, the Under 16s are away to Dagenham and Redbridge Under 16s in the Essex FA Cassells Cup Third Round to be played by December 7th.
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| Essex Senior Cup draw 13th November 2003 |
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The draw for the Fourth Round will be made live on BBC Radio Essex (95.3 and 103.5 FM) on Saturday November 15th at a time to be announced. It will then appear on the Essex FA website so we and Romford will know our potential opponents before we meet on this coming Tuesday.
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| Loan signing 12th November 2003 |
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Manager Dennis Elliott has signed 21 year old central midfielder Robert Russell on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge. Robert, who made his debut in last night's game, was formerly with Thurrock. However, he had not played this season before the Tilbury game.
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| Fixture update 12th November 2003 |
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The Yeading game recently postponed from Tuesday November 25th has been quickly re-arranged for Tuesday December 16th. The East Anglian Cup tie at home to Hullbridge Sports will be played on Thursday December 4th. Both games will kick off at 7:45pm.
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| Reserve team insight 11th November 2003 |
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The Reserve's management team of Lionel Meade and Bert Hoyte have only been with us a short while. However, they have experienced their share of ups and downs in that time. Coach Trevor Duberry has kindly typed up and provided Lionel's thoughts on the opening fixtures. This can be read by clicking here
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| Yeading game off 8th November 2003 |
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The Ryman league game on Tuesday October 25th against Yeading at Mayesbrook Park has been postponed. This is because Yeading are involved in their county cup; a new date for the rearranged game will be advised in due course.
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| Departures 8th November 2003 |
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The following changes have been announced:-
Danny Snowsill has been placed on the transfer list
Michael Black has joined Billericay
The following players have been released - Danny Cunningham, Tony Price, Andrew Goodwin, Calvin Cort, Nick York, Lee Snowsill.
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| More signings 7th November 2003 |
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Manager Dennis Elliott has signed experienced goalkeeper Chris Harvey who will make his debut at Leyton tomorrow. Harvey graduated from Ford United’s youth programme to their first team in the 2001-2 season and transferred to Thurrock (then Purfleet) in January 2003. Following the signing of former England semi professional international Paul Gothard Chris moved to Tilbury. Another signing sees the return of popular former player Stewart Moody who may also start tomorrow.
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| Injury update 7th November 2003 |
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Ben Willis expects to be out for a few more weeks but Danny Gilley, who faces an operation in several weeks, is expected to be involved tomorrow.
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| Club shop reopens 5th November 2003 |
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One of the more positive points of last night's game with Cray Wanderers was the reopening of the Club shop under the management of its founder and lifelong Blues supporter Brad Robinson. The shop, which is situated to the right of the main entrance, offers a wide range of programmes, magazines, memorabilia and clothing at reasonable prices as well as the opportunity for a friendly chat with other supporters while browsing.
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| Signing 5th November 2003 |
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Dennis Elliott has signed utility player Darren Bennett.
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| Marion Chilvers 5th November 2003 |
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As a follow up to the article on October 26th concerning Marion's break in her left arm, last night she underwent an operation to insert a plate in her shoulder. Lets hope the operation is a success and our best wishes go out to her for a speedy recovery.
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| Loans extended 3rd November 2003 |
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Following the continued absence of Danny Gilley and Ben Willis by injury, Blues Manager Dennis Elliott has secured a month’s extension on the loan of Lee Forbes and Jonathon Higgs, who have been impressive in their two games for us. We are again very grateful to Dagenham and Redbridge FC and their manager Gary Hill for their assistance.
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| Other news 3rd November 2003 |
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From The Ryman League Website - Oxby Becomes a Saint - Andy Oxby has become St Albans City's new manager Steve Castle's first signing. He has made the move from Essex Senior League side Romford. The 20-year-old midfielder started his career as an apprentice with Norwich City where he played a few times for the reserves before signing for Barking & East Ham United early this year. From there he joined Grays Athletic before moving on to Romford in September. During his short spell with Romford he scored five times in nine games. It is something of a return for Oxby who turned out for the Saints in a pre-season friendly against Icelandic side FC Trottur.
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