October 2003
 
Romford date confirmed 30th October 2003

The home tie against Romford in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup. Has been scheduled for Tuesday November 18th kick off 7:45pm
Another old face returns 26th October 2003

Further to the four new faces outlined below, late on Friday night Dennis Elliott swooped to sign Michael Black from Bishops Stortford. Michael made his second debut for the Blues in Saturdays draw with Uxbridge.
Injury crisis 26th October 2003

Not in the dressing room but in the board room. Match secretary and boardroom hostess Marion Chilvers, holder of the Bromley Referees’ Association trophy for the best tea and hospitality, has suffered a painful break to her left arm (Marion is left handed) which is currently in plaster pending further treatment. Husband and club secretary Roger can now add yet another task to his long CV – which preparation of boardroom refreshments which he fits in during the intervals between signing players,  acting as referee’s assistant for the Under 18’s side, refereeing junior football and the myriad tasks which make a secretary’s life so interesting. The major casualty has been the delicious home made cake which makes half time at Barking an eagerly anticipated event and which Roger has not yet attempted. However it takes more than a broken limb to subdue a stalwart like Marion and she was back in her boardroom on Saturday dispensing tea and sympathy with her other arm.
Four new signings 24th October 2003
New manager Dennis Elliott has been very busy in the three days since his appointment was announced. As well as meeting the existing squad, most of whom reported for training, Dennis has made four new signings. Following the capture of Jay Devereux, the former Ford United star who recently joined Waltham Forest, Dennis has brought back Dean Allen who made a significant impact in his previous spell with the club, and secured on loan two defenders from Dagenham and Redbridge, namely Jonathan Higgs and Lee Forbes. Dennis is unable to select the injured Danny Gilley or Ben Willis, who is recovering from an operation, and we are extremely grateful to Daggers manager Gary Hill for his help in loaning the above mentioned players. Discussions are continuing with other players and more signings could follow.
New Manager announced 22nd October 2003

Vice Chairman Peter Webster has revealed the identity of Mark Shelton's successor in the following statement:-

"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dennis Elliott as the new Manager of the club. Steve Brice will be taking up the position of Assistant Manager/Coach. As many of you know, Dennis has previously managed the club and has enjoyed considerable success at Ford United where he won promotions from the Essex Senior League through the Ryman League Divisions Three, Two and One to the Ryman Premier Division. He also led Fords to a number of cup exploits including a famous FA Cup First Round tie with Preston North End. Dennis faces a major challenge in steering the club away from the relegation zone but I am confident this can be achieved and we can set about restoring the club’s long term fortunes."
Under 18's change Manager 22nd October 2003
Sadly our successful Under 18’s Manager Gordon Boateng has had to resign for personal reasons Gordon writes “I would like to say a big sorry to all the Under 18's for my sudden departure, but due to personal reasons I can no longer stay as Under 18's manager as it won't be fair to the boys. These boys are a wonderful set of lads who I have the utmost respect for and hope they continue to play well and develop as young men as well as footballers. I would like to finally say I wish everybody well at Barking & East Ham and I would again like to thank Dee Sagar (Director of Youth Football) without whom the youth set up would have not happened, and finally I would like to thank Keith Clarke who was joint manager with me for all his hard work. “
Essex Senior Cup draw 22nd October 2003
Saturday's ESC draw has paired Barking against former Captain and Assistant Manager Mark Lord, who joined Romford this season to extend his playing career, in the Essex Senior Cup. After byes in the first two rounds the draw has paired the Blues with old rivals Boro’ in this third round tie be played at Mayesbrook Park on or before November 15th.
Reg Webster 22nd October 2003
The Club has received the following e-mail from former player and favourite Reg Webster :-
Hello Barking FC,
Being new to the computer world, at a ripe old age of 70, I was pleased to find your web site. My name is Reg Webster a player with Barking in the 1950s 1960s a long time ago. I thought you might pass a message to David Murrant, how much I enjoyed the article on his Dad who was very well liked and respected by all at the club. We all had some great times at the Vicarage field. Best Wishes for a good season
Reg Webster
If you’re reading this Reg - thanks and welcome.
Ladies win Canary Wharf award 21st October 2003
Last season Barking Ladies Under 16's team went to Denmark on a six day tour ending with a tournament which they won. The girls fund-raised and trained all year even though their league collapsed half way during the season. They were however honoured for the commitment to football and fund-raising. Now playing senior football the girls were overjoyed to receive the Junior team of the year award 2003 from Canary Wharf. On Tuesday 14th October they traveled to Cabot Hall in Canary Wharf for a presentation night and were presented with the award in front of 200 other guests and nominees from many different areas of sport. Commercial manager Debbie Moore said of the girls ' We are really proud of the commitment the girls have shown in fund-raising and winning the tournament in Denmark. To be recognized by this award is brilliant. We have struck up a good relationship with the Danish and are expecting them to come to Barking next year and hope that we can send our younger teams to Denmark for many more years. "
Ladies keeper honoured 21st October 2003
Barking's goalkeeper Sarah Ball 15, received a prestigious merit award at Cabot Hall Canary Wharf on Tuesday 14th October. Sarah was recommended for the award by Club Secretary Paul Glibbery who said '"Sarah at 15 has a very bright future in football, she has at 14 already played for Barking's first team and regularly represents Essex Under 16’s in goal. Recently she has also been called up to play for Essex's Under 18's. We are extremely proud of her and have no doubt that England's call up is just around the corner".
Well done Sarah.
Departure of Mark Shelton 19th October 2003
Vice Chairman Peter Webster has asked for the following release to be made:-
"I wish to announce that manager Mark Shelton has left the club by mutual consent. His assistant Carlos Roberto Paulette has also departed. The club is appreciative of Mark’s efforts in rebuilding the team, having taken up the appointment only just before the beginning of the season. However, the club’s position at the bottom of the league and without a win in fourteen games has necessitated a change being made. A new management team will be appointed as soon as possible and details will be confirmed in due course."
Coach departs 19th October 2003
Prior to the above departures Coach John Higley had resigned earlier in the week.
Injury update 19th October 2003
Danny Gilley sustained a suspected broken nose at Dunstable and his availability is subject to medical confirmation.
Message from the Vice Chairman 13th October 2003
Our new Vice Chairman and Sponsor Peter Webster has asked for the following statement to be released;-
"As many of you will now be aware, I have recently accepted John Edgeworth's invitation to take up the position of Vice Chairman of the Club. I will be fully responsible for all first and Reserve Team matters but, in addition, I will also be undertaking a detailed review into the operation of football related matters at the club with the intention of establishing a fully independent structure for the future management thereof. I am under no illusion as to the difficulty of the task ahead on the football front with the First Team rooted to the bottom of the league without a win this season and knocked out of both the F A Cup and F A Trophy at the first hurdle. We certainly need to adopt a far more professional and positive approach if we are to achieve the success we strive for. I am however fortunate enough to be able to restructure my business interests in order to devote a considerable amount of my time and energy into improving matters and I am also providing additional funds to the playing budget . This has initially resulted in the signing of Billy Read who has a proven record as a goal scorer and hopefully further signings will follow in the near future. Whilst I have only been involved with the club for three seasons I am well aware of the club's illustrious past and I believe there remains the opportunity to recapture former glories. Over the coming weeks I will be looking at the options for the future control of the football interests of the club on a basis whereby everyone from officials to supporters can play a part. I will keep you informed of progress in this respect and, at the appropriate time, will be arranging a series of meetings with everyone connected with the club. Initially, and with the full co-operation of the Chairman, John Edgeworth, I will be looking at the financial and legal implications and issues affecting our standing with such bodies as the Football Association, Ryman League and Football Foundation. In due course I will notify you of a new e mail address enabling you to contact me with any matters you wish to discuss. In the interim you are welcome to approach me at any time to talk about the issues involved and the progress thereon. Finally I must take this opportunity to thank the supporters. They have been a credit to the club this season, even applauding the players off the field following the heavy defeat at Cheshunt. I hope I can repay them by achieving the success they deserve. Re-building will take time and patience is called for but I am confident the future is bright.
Best wishes Peter Webster "
London Senior Cup update 13th October 2003
Our opponents in the second round of the London Senior Cup are to be Cray Wanderers who we will entertain at Mayesbrook Park on Tuesday November 4th kick off 7:45pm. This means for the second time the home game against Enfield will need to be rescheduled.
More signings 10th October 2003
Mark Shelton has made three more signings starting with the promotion from the Reserves of Danny Cunningham; Danny is a midfielder and will be on the bench for tomorrow’s game against Harlow. Also, signed is Johu Rantala. Johu is a tall Finnish defender who was a regular in Billericay’s first team in the Premier Division last season and is a journalist by trade and his reports led to a Finnish supporters club being formed and coming over for games so who knows - it could happen here. ? The last signing is the return of Ben Willis, who needs no introduction. Ben signed on the dotted line when secretary Roger Chilvers rushed the form to his home on this evening and will play against Harlow. Despite not having played this season due to an operation on his mouth Ben has trained regularly and has kept himself fit. In addition to his defensive skills Ben has always been very good going forward and has scored some spectacular goals in his career. He will be a great asset as the process of rebuilding gathers pace.  A earlier unreported signing is that of Pedro Arisi, a 21 year old Brazilian attacking midfielder who was at Harlow Town earlier in the season.
Return of a familiar face 7th October 2003
Mark Shelton has strengthened his squad with an exciting signing with the return of Billy Read after a brief spell at Waltham Forest. Billy is well known for his consistent record for local teams including Ford United and scored twenty times for the Blues last season to finish as joint top scorer to add to the five scored in a brief previous spell with the club. Mark said that Billy will go straight into the team for this evening’s match at East Thurrock United as Barking seek their first victory of the season. Billy has already made an impression on the Blues campaign by scoring a superb goal for Waltham Forest in their victory over us earlier this season.
Rearranged fixtures 6th October 2003
The Club has rearranged the following fixtures :-
Tuesday November 4th home to Enfield kick off 7:45pm
Tuesday December 9th home to Oxford City kick off 7:45pm We are scheduled to play a London Senior Cup tie on November 4th against Cray Wanderers or Hoddesdon Town and if our potential opponents have played their earlier round that will take precedence and the Enfield match will have to be re-arranged again.
Suspension update 6th October 2003
Mark Fay will be available for tomorrow nights game against East Thurrock following his suspension. Robbie Bangs will be available for the Harlow game providing tomorrow’s game goes ahead. Simon Green is still suspended. 
New Reserve Team Manager 6th October 2003
Mark Shelton announced “I have appointed the new management team for the Reserves. Manager Lionel Meade is a UEFA B qualified coach and has worked for years with his Assistant Bert Hoyte for teams such as Fulham Youths, Ilford Reserves and Ilford Under 18’s. They will be bringing eight or nine players of a high standard and will take over on Thursday. Trevor Duberry, who has kindly been acting manager since the departure of Dorian West, will remain as coach and will be in charge of Tuesday’s game.” 
Power of the press 6th October 2003
The club has been contacted by Dorian West who advises:-
"I was going to take a break from football for a while but London APSA read your little piece in the paper about me resigning and they got on the phone to confirm if it was true and they promptly offered me the Assistant Managers job which I decided to accept (so much for my break away from football) so I partly have you to thank for that. If it wasn’t for your article I would be relaxing on a Saturday afternoon - I love it really. I took up my post on Thursday met the players and took a training session and my first game was yesterday against Bowers which we won 3-0."
With typical modesty Dorian fails to mention that this is a step up into senior management as London APSA play in the Essex Senior League and we wish him a very successful career.
Ladies confirm sponsorship 6th October 2003
Barking Ladies received their first year’s sponsorship from Netbusters of Ilford and Sportsmatch this week. The Ladies were delighted to receive their first year’s monies totaling £4,000.00 this week. The sponsorship will enable the club to renew existing old equipment, purchase new kits and send more coaches on courses over the next few years. The club being one of the biggest in Essex would like to expand their teams further and by receiving the sponsorship from the same source they will be able to reach/advertise in more schools / youth clubs/sports centres across Barking, Dagenham and surrounding areas.  Commercial Manager Debbie Moore said "This is an exciting time for Barking, to receive this money means we will be able to attract more girls interested in playing football and improve our equipment etc. Girls football is the fastest growing sport in the UK and we are looking to bring more girls and coaches into the club and thanks to this sponsorship we will be able to achieve this goal a lot quicker."
New Vice-Chairman 2nd October 2003
The Club has released the following announcement :-
STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN
I am pleased to report that Peter Webster, the club's principal sponsor for the last three seasons, has accepted an invitation to take up the position of Vice Chairman of the club. In this capacity he will have full responsibility for the Men's First Team and Reserves. Peter will also be undertaking a detailed review into the operation of the Football Club with the intention of putting together a new fully independent structure before the end of the current season. Everyone connected with the Football Club will be encouraged to contribute and further details will be announced in due course.
John Edgeworth, Chairman
Rearranged fixtures 1st October 2003
Last Saturday's postponed game away to East Thurrock United has been rearranged for next Tuesday October 7th kick off 7:45pm. This is subject however, to neither side being involved in a FA Trophy replay. On Saturday October 11th we were due to entertain Oxford City at Mayesbrook Park but like East Thurrock before them they are still involved in the FA Cup and subsequently this fixture will be rescheduled for later in the season. A replacement has been arranged in the form of a home game with Harlow Town kick off 2pm. Please note this earlier than usual start time.
New Coach 1st October 2003
The Club are pleased to welcome new first team coach John Higley who has a wealth of experience with clubs including Sawbridgeworth, Bowers United and Ilford. 
Signings 1st October 2003
Mark Shelton has made three signings:–
Ben Mathers, a right sided midfielder in his early 20s from Billericay,
Calvin Cort, a lively young centre forward,
Tony Price, a 6ft tall centre half from Hornchurch.
All three players featured in last nights game against Boreham Wood.
Suspension update 1st October 2003
Robbie Bangs - providing the East Thurrock game takes place Robbie will be available for the Harlow fixture therefore, completing his five match ban
Mark Fay - will complete his weeks ban on October 6th
Simon Green started a 35 day suspension on September 29th
Ladies FA Cup draw 1st October 2003
One downside of the Ladies relegation from the FA Premier League is the requirement to enter the Women's FA Cup in the First Round, rather than the Third Round as previously. However Monday's draw saw Barking drawn away to fellow Essex and South East Combination League side Colchester United Ladies. The teams have yet to meet this season, but last season Barking won the Essex County Cup by beating Colchester 3-2 at Maldon Town. The match will be at Wivenhoe Town FC on Sunday 26th October.