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674
Archie Conway
- Archie made his debut on 11th October 1981 when he
scored in a 2-2 draw vs. Luton Teachers' Social
Club. A member of the teaching profession himself,
Archie has made between 20 and 30 appearances every
season since then. A first-team regular in the
mid-eighties, Archie has made most of his
appearances for the Second string. A Vice-President
of the Club, Archie was Second Team Manager between
2000 and 2003. Archie was Players' Player for the
1st XI in 1985-86, for the 2nds in 1991-92 and
1993-94 and for the Thirds in 1995-96 and 1996-97.
He was also Manager's Player for the Seconds in
1993-94 and for the Thirds in 1997-98. He won the
President's Award for the Reserves in 1989-90 and
again the following year.
He made his 600th appearance
for the Club on 30th March 2008 in a Division 4 match
vs.Dynamo Old Boys.
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592
Kelvin Callow -
Kelvin Callow started playing for Lea
Sports in 1973 at the age of 27, but then played for each of the
next 27 seasons. His massive frame was a familiar sight in Lea
Sports' defences for many years, but he actually started off as a
half-decent goalscorer. Some of his finest performances came on the
1991 tour to Dusseldorf, where he was awarded the title by the other
players of 'European Footballer of the Year'! Kelvin was the first
player to reach 500 appearances for Lea Sports (in 1993) and is
shown (right) receiving a silver salver for this achievement.
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645
Phil Thompson -
Undoubtedly the
greatest goalscorer ever to don a Lea Sports shirt,
Phil was still banging in goals for the First Team
at the end of the 2010-11 season. He has now scored
685 goals in 671 games, since his scoring debut for
the Third Team on 21st November 1982 vs.Toddington
Farmers. Despite a spell away with illness and some
time playing with Ashcroft, Phil has notched
double-figure goal tallies every season bar two
since 1982 and now has over 330 first team goals to
his credit. Now into his forties, he was one of
the most respected strikers in the North Home
Counties. Phil was Treasurer between 1987 and 1991
and has been First Team top scorer on 9 occasions
between 1989 and 2005. He was also Third Team top
scorer 4 times between 1988 and 2000. He was voted
First Team Players' Player in 2002-03 and won the
President's Award for the Firsts in 1993-94. His
600th goal game after 20 seconds of a Reserve team game vs.Dynamo Old Boys at Lewsey Park on 30th March 2008 in a
6-0 win. Phil's 600th game was a 10-1 romp for the Reserves
away to Ashcroft Athletic on 1st February 2009 - Phil scored
four times. He was the NHC Division 3 top scorer in 2010-11.
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572
Rick Vipers - Rick
Vipers was another frustrated striker who always played his best games at
the back. He made his debut in a 3rd Team fixture vs. St.Albans Round Table
(lost 5-2) on a day when the Reserves only had 9 men! Rick then spent most
of the rest of the season in the Reserves. Most of Rick's appearances were
for the Reserves in the late eighties and early nineties, although he was a
member of the successful Third Team squad in the late nineties. Rick has
held a number of positions in the Club: in 1983-84 he was Reserve Team
Manager and was Club Secretary in 1987-88 - when he was also voted Clubman
of the Year. In 1990-91 he was joint manager of the Third Team with Ali
Hearn and was also voted Players' Player for the team that year. In 1994-95
he again took charge of the Third Team and was a joint manager of the Fourth
Team, with Mick Marsh and Kevin Knight, in 1996-97. Always a reliable
servant to the Club, Rick was renowned for never taking prisoners!
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605
Bobby McGrath -
By the end of 2007-08
Bobby had made 546 appearances, although only 3 of
those were in the current season after his move to Woodstock
Wanderers. His debut was as a substitute
for John Pawley's Third Team on 15th September 1991
in a 0-5 defeat by Strawplaiters. Since then he has
appeared for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams, as well as
the Saturday side, making over 50 appearances in a
season on no less than 3 occasions (56 in 1994-95).
Bobby has also weighed in with 69 goals in that
time, including 10 in 1993-94. Bobby was Manager's
Player for the Firsts in 2001-02; for the Thirds in
1993-94 and for the Saturday Team in 2000-01. He was
First Team Players' Player in 1998-99 and 2004-05;
Second Team Players' Player in 1995-96 and Third
Team Players' Player in 1993-94.
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528
Phil Clarke
- Another great
goalscorer, Phil joined the Club in 1974 not long
after its formation. He then scored 427 goals in 528
games, including 168 for the Firsts, 124 for the
Seconds and 110 for the Thirds. His best season was
in 1996-97, towards the end of his playing days,
when he scored 34 goals for the Thirds. Phil has
been 1st Team top scorer 5 times (between 1978 and
1984), Second Team top scorer 4 times (1988-1993)
and Third Team top scorer 4 times (1993-97). Phil
was chosen to receive the Second Team President's
Award in 1991-92.
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439
Paul Gathern -
Paul made his debut
on 11th September 1988 in a Reserve match for
Manager Bryn Holmes in an 8-1 defeat away to GIS
Leagrave. He went on to make 30 appearances that
season and made between 20 and 30 appearances in
every season up to 2003 (except for the rain-hit
2000-01 season). He has made around 150 appearances
for both First and Second Teams and another 120 for
the Thirds. He has also scored 122 goals for the
Club, with over 50 for the Reserves. A
Vice-President of the Club, Paul was Secretary in
2002-03 and secretary to the NH Counties League from
2003-06. He was Treasurer from 1996-2002 and Second
Team top scorer in 2000-01. He was voted Players'
Player for the Reserves in 1988-89 and Manager's
Player in 2002-03.
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432
Keith Lee -
Keith's first match
for the Club was on 27th August 1978 for the
Reserves in a 3-2 win over Royal Oak Reserves in
Division Seven under Manager Glen Pullen. He quickly
moved to the First Team where he won Players' Player
in 1978/79 and was a regular for the next dozen
seasons. From 1990 onwards Keith played two full
seasons for the Reserves, in 1992-93 and ten years
later in 2002-03. Keith has been Chairman for four
periods: from 1989-91, 1994-96, 1999-2000 and
2001-06. He was Secretary in 1983-85 and First Team
Manager in 1979-80 (with Elwyn Owen); in 1980-81
(with Phil Holmes); with 1982-83 (with John Forsyth)
and in 1990-92, when the Firsts were Division 3
Champions. Keith was 1st XI Manager's Player in
1984-85 and Clubman in 1983-84 and 1989-90 (with
Steve Smith). He won the President's Award in
1988-89, 1990-91 and 2001-02. Keith was also the
inaugural 'Donkey of the Year' in 1986-87! A great
servant to the Club.
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430
Dave Blake -
Dave made his debut
on 16th September 1979 in a Third Team friendly
match vs. Microwave (2-2). He played the rest of the
season in the Firsts, where he stayed for 5 seasons
before dropping to the Reserves where he was a
regular for 7 seasons, before a further 4 years in
the Thirds. Dave scored 27 goals for Lea Sports and
at least one spectacular own goal, with a bullet
header from the edge of the box in the early
nineties. He was Manager of the Reserves between
1988 and 1991, when he was renowned for his
half-time talks ("they're coming at us in droves").
Dave was Third Team Players' Player in 1991-92 and
won the 2nd XI President's Award in 1988-89.
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429
Al Mayman -
Alastair Mayman
(known to everyone as Al) made his debut on 17th
October 1982 in a Reserve Team 3-2 victory over
H-Plan in Division 7. He spent most of that season
and the next nine in the First Team, making over 170
appearances before moving to the Reserves at the end
of the eighties to make a further 150 appearances.
Al scored 108 goals in total, and his 100th goal
(away to Swan Rangers in April 1995) was greeted
with much jubilation by his fellow players. Al was
Club Secretary between 1985 and 87 and was Chairman
in the 1988-89 Season. He was Second Team Manager in
1992-93 and Clubman in 1986-87. He won the inaugural
1st Team President's Award in 1987-88 and was voted
Players' Player for the First Team in 1982-83 and
for the Reserves in 1989-90.
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407
Alan Dawson -
Another player to
have made over 400 appearances is the versatile Alan
Dawson. His debut was on 14th September 1980 when,
as a teenager, he was one of only 9 players to turn
out in a 12-2 defeat by Ashcroft School. The
following year he was a regular for the Reserves
before going up to the First Team, where he held his
place for a dozen seasons, making almost 250 First
Team appearances and scoring 109 goals. Sporadic
appearances for the Seconds and Thirds followed in
the late nineties. In 1988-89 Alan scored 48 goals,
29 of which were for the Firsts and 13 for the
Thirds in 4 appearances. In all he scored 175 goals
to make him one of the best players in Lea Sports
history. Alan was First Team top scorer in 1986-87
and 1988-89 and was First Team Players' Player in
1990-91. Al scored the Club's first goal on foreign
soil in the Tour match in Paris in May 1990.
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403
Andy Shiers -
Andy made his debut
on 15th September 1991 in a Division 5 game for the
Reserves in a 2-1 win over Casa Bianca. After a
spell in the Reserves, Andy moved to the First Team
and was a regular for six seasons in the
mid-nineties. In 1997-98 Steve Baggett tempted him
into the Thirds where he made 76 appearances in 3
seasons, before 3 seasons in the Reserves and a
return to the First Team in 2003. Always appreciated
by his fellow players, Andy has been voted Players'
Player for the Thirds in 1997-98; the Seconds in
1996-97, 2000-01 and 2001-02 and for the First Team
in 2005-06.
Andy made his final appearance on May 3rd 2009 as the
Reserves finished off their Championship season with a 7-0
thrashing of FC Toddington. He made 23 appearances before
emigrating to New Zealand in the summer of 2009.
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378
Neil Hebron -
'Geordie' made his
first appearance as a sub for the Thirds on 2nd
October 1988 in a 2-1 defeat at home to The Vine
Reserves in a South Beds.Division 3 game in the
Thirds first season of league football. Always a
reliable defender, Neil's appearances are split
almost 50-50 between the 2nd team in the early
nineties and early zeroes and the Thirds in the late
90s. He only scored 3 goals, but in October 1993
against Dunstable First & Last he made a surging run
into the opponents' box only to be brought down. The
ref (a member of the opposition) did not give the
penalty, we drew the game 0-0 and lost the League
Title by one point. Geordie was Second Team
Manager's Player in 1990-91 and 10 years later in
2000-01.
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365
Andy Thompson -
Andy was one of the
original teacher members, making over 150 First Team
appearances in the 1970's, beford playing Second
Team in the early eighties and over 100 games for
the Thirds in the late eighties. Tall and
quiet-spoken, Andy was a stalwart defender for 21
years with the Club. Andy was voted the Third Team's
Players' Player in 1988-89.
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351
Trevor Taylor -
Trevor made his debut
as sub in a Reserve game in Division 7 on 23rd
October 1983, in a 4-1 defeat to Boater Reserves.
Throughout the eighties and nineties he made almost
150 appearances for the First Team and 175 for the
Seconds, including being a member of Laurence
Freed's 'invincible' Reserves in 1994-95. He was the
first winner of the 'Ted' Trophy in 1991-92 and was
First Team Players' Player in 1991-92
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350
Dave Pymont -
Another original Club
member Dave Pymont scored 108 goals in 166 First
Team appearances in the 1970s. Another 84 goals
followed in 125 Second Team appearances in the 1980,
before Dave notched another 25 in 50 games for the
Thirds. Dave was Club President in 1986-7 and again
between 1988 and 1991. He was Chairman between 1983
and 1988. Dave was top scorer for the First Team in
1979-80 and for the Reserves in 1980-81, 1981-82 and
1983-84.
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345
Alistair Hearn -
The player known to
all as Ali made his Club debut in 1977. A member of
the teaching fraternity, Ali played a full season
for the Firsts in 1977-78, scoring 14 times. Despite
2 more seasons playing for Steve Smith's First Team
in the mid-eighties, Ali played most of his games in
the Seconds and Thirds, scoring 40 times in 140
games for the Reserves.
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332
Charlie McNerney
- Charlie made his
debut on 4th December 1977 with Steve Smith in the
Reserves after the 'big transfer' from Royal Oak of
the two players. The match was against Globe Sports
in Division 7 and since Globe had beaten us 5-0 just
2 weeks before the team was happy with a 0-0 result.
Both players moved up to the Firsts and Charlie made
over 90 appearances for the First Team and then over
200 for the Reserves, scoring a total of 61 goals
for the Club. Charlie was Second Team Players'
Player in the 1986-87 season.
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328
Tony Riley -
Tony made his debut
in 1975, but made only four appearances in his first
2 seasons. In 24 seasons with the Club he made only
15 First Team appearances, but played most of his
football in midfield for the Seconds (in the late
seventies) and in the Thirds (in the eighties and
early nineties). He was voted Third Team Players'
Player in 1982-83.
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327*
Mick Marsh -
Mick made his debut
on 1st February 1981 in the First Team under the
Managership of Phil Holmes and Keith Lee. Mick came
on as sub as the Firsts beat Luton Expo '75 5-1 at
Leagrave Park. Mick was a First Team regular for
four seasons, followed by 3 years in the Reserves,
before reclaiming his First Team place in 1987-88.
In all, he made over 150 First Team appearances
scoring 9 goals. It is said that it was Mick's love
of Sheffield Wednesday that led to the Club's badge
being an owl today. Mick took charge of the Reserves
with Bill Hind in the 1986-87 season and ran the
Thirds in 1995-96 before helping Rick Vipers and
Kevin Knight run the Fourths in 1996-97. Mick won
the President's Award in 1995-96 and was Manager's
Player for the Seconds in 1984-85.
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298
John Darley -
Another player who
would play anywhere if asked, John made his debut on
18th September 1977 in Glen Pullen's Reserve team in
a 5-1 defeat to Park Town Reserves in Division 7.
John played most of his football in the Reserves
(over 130 games) but did play a full season in the
Firsts in 1982-83. In all John scored 21 goals in
almost 300 games for the Club.
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295
Phil Hudspeth -
Phil made 60 First
Team appearances for the Club in its first four
seasons, before playing 148 games for the Reserves,
both as a goalkeeper and central defender. Fifty
games for the Thirds followed, before Phil finally
bowed out with a Veterans game in 1994.
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292
Mark Williams -
Mark made his debut
in April 1999 for the Third XI, but that was his only
appearance for the Club that season. He played in the First
Team for 6 seasons before moving to the Reserves in 2006-07
and being a part of the Championship-winning side in
2008-09. Mark has now scored 112 goals for the Club.
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Simon Jackson -
Jacko started life at
Lea Sports in August 2000, playing for the Saturday side and
it was not until 2005-06 that he made his debut for the
Sunday First Team. Since then he has made over 150 First
Team appearances, dropping down to join the Reserves midway
through the 2011-12 season. He was First Team Players'
Player in 2006-07.
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Simon Mayes -
'Maisie' made his
debut for the Sunday Reserves on 14th October 2007 and went
on to make a further 199 appearances for the same team,
scoring 68 goals in the process. Always a classy and
committee midfielder, he has gone on to help manage the
Jaguars youth team from their first appearance in 2018.
Simon was the Reserves' Players' Player in 2015-16.
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Lewis Manning -
Lewis is one of the
youngest recipients of the 200 Club award, beginning his Lea
Sports life in the Under 7 Panthers & Pumas, managed by Alan
Scott, in 2010-11. He made 174 appearances in the
mini-soccer setup, before playing 11-a-side for the Under 13
Panthers in the 2016-17 season. His 200th appearance came
when playing for the Under 14 Panthers in the 2017-18 season
- his last for the Club.
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Brian Langley -
Brian made 2
appearances for the First Team in the 1975-76
season, starting with a 2-3 defeat vs. The Brewery
on 11th April 1976 (the week after losing the
Beds.Lower Junior Cup Final). Brian made 30 First
Team appearances at full back over all, but over 90
for the Reserves and 80 for the Thirds, before going
over to the dark side and becoming a well-known
local referee!
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Oliver Palmer -
Ollie made his debut
for the Sunday Reserves in September 2008 in a North Home
Counties Division 4 victory over FC Toddington. He played a
total of 13 seasons all for the same team, apart from one
appearance as substitute for the First XI in 2009 in a
Premier Cup match, when he scored twice! Ollie was
Manager's Player for the Reserves in 2009-10 and 2012-13 and
Players' Player in 2011-12 and 2016 17.
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Ben Bayley -
Ben was one of the
crop of players making his debut at Under 7, playing for the
Panthers and Pumas. He was a natural goalscorer, notching 38
goals in his first season and going on to score 165
mini-soccer goals in 192 appearances in his 6 mini-soccer
seasons. A further 25 games followed between 2016 and 2018
at 11 vs. 11`, but the goals dried up as Ben only scored a
further 5 goals in those 2 seasons. Nevertheless, his total
of 170 goals in 217 appearances is a remarkable record.
Ben won the Mini Golden Boot for top scorer at 7-a-side in
2010-11 (jointly with Louie Lomas), 2011-12 and 2012-13
(jointly with Alex Matsukatov). He won the Nines Shield, for
top scorer in the 9 vs. 9 format, in 2014-15.
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Henry Huxley -
Henry made his debut
in October 2011, playing for the Under 8 Panthers and Pumas.
In 5 mini-soccer seasons, he made 183 appearances, including
52 in 2013-14. He scored 56 mini-soccer goals, before
playing 35 more matches at 11-a-side between 2016 and 2018.
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Liam Brooks -
Like Sam Tonge,
Oliver Scott, Teddie Rowe-Trelford and Ben Bayley, Liam
made his Club debut on 11th September 2010 for the Under 7
Panthers & Pumas. Liam made 156 mini-soccer appearances up
to 2016, then a further 63 for the Panthers, then the
Cougars up to 2019.
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Felix Folbigg -
Felix made his debut
for the Under 7 Leopards on 8th January 2017 and went on to
make 195 mini-soccer appearances, scoring 120 goals,
including 47 appearances on Saturdays and Sundays in
2018-19. 18 appearances for the Under 13 Cougars Whites in
2022-23 saw his induction into the 200 Club.
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Elijah Bean -
Elijah is one of the
youngest players to join the 200 Club, having made his debut
for the Under 7 Leopards on 10th September 2016. Elijah made
187 mini-soccer appearances up to 2022, then made 24
appearances for the Under 13 Cougars in 2022-23.
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Sam Tonge -
Sam made his debut
for the Under 7 Panthers & Pumas, managed by Alan Scott, on
11th September 2010. He made 160 appearances for that team
up to 2016, then played 11 v 11 for the Panthers in 2016-17
and 2017-18. His final season, in 2018-19 was for the Under
15 Cougars, who unfortunately lost all 11 matches played
that season.
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Joe Hennem -
Joe is one of the
finest goalscorers to play for the Club, making his debut
for the Saturday 1st XI on 9th August 2014 in the Beds
County League Division 3. The following year he won the
Golden Boot with 20 goals in Division 2. He went on to win 2
further Golden Boots: in 2018-18 with 32 goals in Division 1
and again in 2020-21 with 23 goals, also in Division 1. By
the end of the 2022-23 season, he had made 207 appearances
and scored 169 goals.
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Steve Bingham -
Steve made his debut
on 13th August 1991 for the Reserves against Kent's
Athletic Reserves (lost 0-3): at the same time as
Gavin Campbell. Bingy went on to make exactly 100
appearances for the Seconds between 1991 and 2000,
scoring 69 goals along the way. He was almost
ever-present in Laurence Freed's very successful
side of 1994-95, finishing up as top scorer with 25
goals. (He was also top scorer for the Fourths in
1992-93, despite only 3 appearances!). Steve
also made over 50 appearances for the First and
Third teams, scoring over 20 times for each, in a
total of 125 goals for the Club.
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Ben Thomson - Since
joining the Club in September 2001 Ben has made most of his
appearances for the Reserves, appearing for his brother Ed
during his time as Manager. Ben was in fact top scorer in
2005-06, but with only 6 goals! He was Manager's Player for
the Reserves in 2001-02 and again a decade later in 2011-12.
Ben has been Players' Player on 3 occasions: 2003-04,
2005-06 and 2008-09.
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Phil Holmes -
Phil was an original
member of the Club and turned out for Lea Sports for
21 years from 1973 to 1995. He made 120 First Team
appearances, scoring 25 goals, before dropping to
the Reserves where he appeared a further 55 times.
Phil then appeared a further 30 times for the Thirds
before making his final appearance in a Veterans
game on 30th September 1994. Phil was Club Secretary
between 1977 and 1979, before becoming Chairman in
the 1979-80 season. He then adopted the Club
Presidency between 1981 and 1985.
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Dan Little -
Dan made his debut in
October 2012, playing for the Sunday Reserves, but has since
played on Saturdays and Sundays in approximately equal
measure. Always a reliable keeper, Dan always fancied
himself as an outfield player too, but successive managers
have not agreed!
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Gavin Bidgood -
Gavin made his first
and only appearance for a Lea Sports youth side when
playing for the Under 18s on 31st August 1995. Since
then he has gone on to make over 100 appearances for
the Reserves and over 30 for the First Team. Always
a reliable keeper, Gavin is known as a specialist
penalty saver and has made some important penalty
saves in his time.
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Bill Hind -
Bill started his Lea
Sports career in goal in a 5-0 defeat at the hands
of Microwave in a Division 7 game for the Reserves
on 16th October 1977. Fortunately, he didn't stay
there long and most of his games were in defence,
where he gained a reputation as an awkward, if none
too skilful, full-back. Bill was always ready to
help out, however, and although he made 92 starts
for the Reserves, he made 97 appearances as
substitute for the second string. In all, of Bill's
227 games, 113 were as a sub. Bill was Second Team
Manager in Division 6 from 1984 to 1988 (jointly
with Mick Marsh in 1986-87) and was Clubman of the
Year in 1985-86.
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Teddie Rowe-Trelford -
Teddie was another
mini-soccer player who began with the Under 7 Panthers and
Pumas in 2010, under Manager Alan Scott. He went on to make
175 mini-soccer appearances, scoring 50 goals in 6 seasons,
before playing 2 seasons for the Panthers at 11 vs. 11. In
all, he scored 68 goals in his 226 appearances.
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Graham Carter -
Graham spent 12
seasons at the Club, although in his first season,
in 1990-91, he made just one appearance - in a Third
Team game on 4th November 1990 against King William
Reserves in the Luton Sunday League Division 1 (lost
1-3). Graham then made 16 appearances for the First
between 1992 and 1996, although he played 130 times
for the Thirds in their successful sides of the
mid-nineties. Graham could play in defence, midfield
or in goal and also made fifty appearances for the
Reserves and 25 for the Fourth Team, scoring 37
times in all. Steve Baggett named him as his
Manager's Player for the Thirds in 1996-97, as the
team won the Challenge Cup.
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Chris Gathern -
Chris actually spent
12 seasons at the Club, making his debut for the
Under Thirteens on 25th October 1992 as a sub in a
3-3 draw away to Lewsey Centre. Unfortunately, Chris
became typecast as a substitute and although he
played for the Under Thirteens, Under Fourteens,
Under Fifteens, Under Sixteens, First, Second, Third
and Fourth teams he always made more appearances as
sub than starts. In total, he started 84 games, but
appeared 144 times as a substitute, scoring a total
of 13 goals for the adults and one for the Under
Fifteens.
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Richard Randall -
Randall made his
debut for the Sunday First Team in January 2004 and was
Manager's Player in the 2003-04 season. He has since made
over 200 appearances in the First Team, scoring 15 goals to
the end of 2011-12. In 2005-06 he took over as joint First
Team manager with Greg Whelan and after the 2006-07 season
he assumed the post on his own leading the team to third
place in Division 1 in 2011-12.
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Andy Bownes -
Andy played his first
game in a First Team fixture on 7th April 1988 at
home to Lilley Rangers in Division 3 (lost 1-2). He
was a regular in the firsts for the next two
seasons, before dropping down to the Seconds, where
he made almost 90 appearances. Andy played over 30
times for both the Third and Fourth teams in his
eight years at the Club. He was Fourth Team
Manager's Player in 1994-95 as the Fourths under
Kevin Knight took the Championship of the Luton
Sunday League Division Two.
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Matt Day
- Matty made his
debut for the Club as a 12-year-old in September 2004. In
2011-12 he established himself as a regular in both Saturday
and Sunday First Teams and was voted Sunday 1st XI Players'
Player.
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Steve Goldsmith
- Goldie made his
Club debut in a Luton Sunday League Division 1 game
for the Thirds against Stopsley Athletic on 23rd
September 1990 (lost 0-2). He went on to make almost
150 appearances for the Thirds in 11 years with the
Club. He did play over 60 Reserve team games,
however, between 1990 and 1993 and a dozen games for
the Firsts. Steve was Manager's Player for the
Reserves in 1991-92.
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Jim Gahagan -
Another holder of the
Long-Service Award presented to players who appeared
in many unrecorded games in the seventies. Jim's
first recorded appearance was in goal on 18th
September 1977 as the Reserves lost 5-1 at home to
Park Town Reserves in Division 7. Although Jim
played 31 times for the First Team and 48 times for
the Reserves, most of his career was spent in the
Thirds, for whom he made 150 appearances - all of
them in goal. Jim spent at least 14 seasons with the
Club and was a great servant to Lea Sports. He was
joint Manager of the Thirds in 1987-88 and 1988-89
and was Third Team Players' Player in 1984-85 and
Manager's Player for the Thirds in 1990-91.
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Mark Turner -
Mark joined the Club
in 1984, making his debut in defence for the
Reserves on 23rd September in a 5-1 defeat at home
to Luton British Rail in Division 6 - although he
did score the team's consolation goal. In total,
Mark made almost the same number of appearances for
the Firsts, Seconds and Thirds in his 11 seasons
with the Club (about 75 appearances for each). An
uncompromising defender, Mark could also turn his
hand to goalkeeping when things got tough. Mark was
also active off the field, taking the Club
Chairmanship between 1991 and 1994. Mark won
Manager's Player for the Reserves in 1989-90.
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Matthew Morton -
Matthew made his
debut for the Under Sevens on 11th September 2010 and is the
first Lea Sports player to make over 200 mini-soccer
appearances. Playing on Saturdays and Sundays he made 59
appearances in the 2013-14 season, while in 2015-16 he won
the Nines Shield with 40 goals, as well as being U12 Cougars
Manager's Player and U12 Panthers Players' Player.
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Ashley Burgess -
Ash made his Club
debut with John Temple in the First Team friendly
vs. Ashcroft Reserves on 13th August 1992 (lost
0-2). He made 120 Reserve team appearances for the
Club, including in the Division 5 Championship side
under Laurence Freed in 1994-95. In fact, Ashley
took over as Manager from Laurence at the end of
that season, but found the job tougher than he had
expected. Ash was also a Saturday team regular with
Sheppard, Connolly and Temple in the mid-nineties.
He scored 52 goals in all in his eight seasons with
the Club.
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Kevin Connolly -
Irishman Kev Connolly
was undoubtedly one of the most skilful players to
appear in the Lea Sports' midfield. His first game
was on 15th October 1989 as the Thirds lost 2-3 in
the South Beds Sunday League Division 3 to Luton
College, but he spent the rest of that season in the
Reserves, scoring 7 times. The following year he
played for the First Team, where he stayed for six
seasons, including the Division 3 Championship side
of 1990-91. In all, Kev made 135 First Team
appearances, plus 30 for the Reserves and 60 for the
Saturday side in nine seasons with the Club. Kev was
First Team Manager's Player in 1991-92.
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Oliver Scott
- Oli was one of the
first 200 Club members to begin life in the mini-soccer
format, playing for dad Alan in the Under 7 Panthers and
Pumas. In 6 mini-soccer seasons he made 181 appearances,
including 55 in 2013-14. He played 59 games at 11-a-side,
ending up in the ill-fated Under 15 Cougars team of 2018-19.
Oli scored a total of 41 goals in his 240 appearances.
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Rob Hennem
- Rob made his Lea
Sports debut 2 weeks after his brother Joe, as substitute
for the Saturday 1st XI in a 4-0 win over Clifton in the
East Beds Junior Cup on 23rd August 2014. Since then, he has
played a further 206 games for the First XI (plus 1 for the
Reserves) as the team has risen to the top of Division 1.
Rob has scored 29 goals in that time, but his total of
assists must far outweigh that. He is pictured with brother
Joe.
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Russell Sheppard
- Russell's
lightweight frame belied the fact that he was one of
the best midfield players ever to wear a Lea Sports
shirt. His debut was in a 1-1 First Team draw at
home to Markyate in a Division 3 fixture under
Manager Steve Smith on 15th November 1987. He
quickly established himself in the team and was a
First Team regular for 7 seasons, scoring 55 First
Team goals. He was also a fixture in the Saturday
side in the mid-nineties, scoring 23 goals in 23
games as top scorer in 1993-94. His overall tally
was 119 goals in 240 matches for the Club. Russell
also scored 109 goals in 96 five-a-side matches for
Lea Sports as the team won league and cups in the
1990s. Russ was voted Players' Player for the First
Team in 1989-90.
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Steve Moreton -
Steve made his
official debut in the same match as Geoff
Richardson: on 4th September 1977 for the Reserves
against UGA in Division 7 (lost 0-3), although he is
the holder of a Club long-service award given to
players who played many in many unrecorded games in
the seventies. The majority of Steve's games were
for the Thirds, sometimes in goal (although we don't
talk about those games!). After a 4-year break from
1989, Steve came back to play 30 games for the Vets,
although he never once scored for Lea Sports in 22
years. Steve was Treasurer from 1985 to 1987. He
unfortunately passed away in 2011.
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Tom Newland -
Tom is one of the Lea
Sports goalscoring legends. He joined the Club for the
2008-09 season, under Manager Ed Thomson, and his total of
14 goals that season helped the team to the top spot in the
North Home Counties Division 4 (Phil Thompson top scored
with 34 that year). In the following 12 seasons, Tom was top
scorer for 11 of those, with only Phil Thompson spoiling his
run in 2010-11. Playing all his games for the Sunday 2nd XI
(which became the First XI in 2016-17) Tom has scored an
amazing 218 goals in 246 games and won the Golden Boot in
2018-19. Tom was Manager's player in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and
Players' Player in 2009-10, 2012-13 and 2013-14.
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Marek Diduszko -
Marek joined the Clun
in August 2008, playing for the Sunday First team in the
North Home Counties Division 2. He played for 13 seasons in
all, making 241 appearances, of which 214 were for the First
XI and 31 for the Reserves (plus 3 for the Vets and one
appearance as sub for the Saturday XI in 2010). Always a
dependable midfielder, Marek scored 9 goals in total.
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Chris Castle -
Chris was another
original Club member. Built like a bull, he played
over 150 games in the First Team midfield in the
late seventies, before another 50 games for the
Reserves and 30 for the Thirds in his 11 seasons
with the Club. Chris was the first secretary of the
Club in 1973 and did another stint in 1974-75.
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Ryan Darby -
Darbs' first season
with the Club was in 2010-11, playing for the Saturday
Reserves side in the Beds County League Division 4, when he
managed just one goal in 19 appearances. He returned to the
Club in the 2014-15 season, recording 30 appearances for the
Saturday 1st XI, scoring 16 goals in Division 3. Since then,
he has regularly made over 20 appearances for the Saturday
1st team each season, appearing a total of 253 times and
scoring 65 goals.
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Bruce Bonfield -
Bruce was one of the
original members of the Club, gradually moving from
First to Second and then to Third Team in his 13
seasons with Lea Sports. He played in the
Bedfordshire Lower Junior Cup Final in 1976 and will
be remembered as a soft-spoken but hard-tackling
full-back.
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Richard Knock -
Knocky started out
playing for the Under Elevens on 13th April 1997 as
his Dad Godfrey began to put a team together which 3
years later would be Champions of the Chiltern Youth
League Under Fourteen Division 2. That season the
team remained unbeaten in the league until the final
match when, despite Knocky scoring, the team let
slip a 5-1 lead to lose 6-5 at home to Ampthill!
Having made 140 youth appearances, Richard has now
claimed a First Team place and played over 60 games
for the premier adult side, scoring 16 times to add
to his 40 youth goals. Richard was voted Players'
Player for the Under 12s in 1997-98 and Manager's
Player for the Under Seventeens in 2002-03. In the
2008-09 Season he was chosen as Manager's Player, scoring 12
goals in 20 games, as the First Team claimed runners-up spot
in Division Two.
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Jack Baggett -
Jack first played for
the Club in September 2002 for the Under 12s when he came on
as a substitute vs. Luton Asians in a 2-2 draw in which
Steve Smith's son Chris scored one of the goals. He went on
to make over 150 youth appearances, finishing in another 2-2
draw in March 2009, playing for the Under 18s vs. Celtic
alongside Matt Day. Since then he has played over 70 times
for the Reserves, with the occasional First team appearance.
His tally of 63 goals to the end of 2012-13 include 34 for
the youth teams and 26 for the Reserves.
Jack was voted Players'
Player for the Reserves in 2010-11.
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Dave Newman -
Dave's Lea Sports
career started on 6th November 1983 in a First Team
match in Division 5 at home to Griffin Reserves
(lost 2-3). He made 43 First Team appearances in
all, being first choice in 1987-88. Although he made
76 appearances for the Thirds and 38 for the
Fourths, most of Dave's appearances were in goal for
the Seconds (just under 100 games). In his 17
seasons with Lea Sports he scored just one goal - in
a howling gale at Stopsley on 12th February 1995 he
scored the winning goal against Wells Stars with an
enormous kick downfield which bounced once and flew
into the net.
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Geoff Richardson
- The holder of a
Club long-service award given to players who
appeared in many unrecorded games in the seventies,
Geoff's official debut was for the Reserves on 4th
September 1977 against UGA in Division 7 (lost 0-3).
The vast majority of his football was played in the
Thirds and he never once appeared in a First Team
match. All those who knew him will remember Geoff's
distinctive style and single-mindedness when it came
to scoring goals...
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Steve Baggett -
Baggy joined the Club
in 1991, making his playing debut on 8th September
in a Third Team game vs. Independent in the Luton
Sunday League Division 1. Baggy came on as sub and
scored as John Pawley's side ran out 7-0 winners.
Since then Baggy has appeared for the Firsts,
Seconds, Thirds, Fourths, Saturday Firsts, Saturday
Reserves and Veterans teams, although the majority
of his 250 appearances have been for the Third Team
(107, plus 59 as sub). Steve was Manager of the
Thirds from 1996 to 2000 when they won the Challenge
Cup twice, were league champions and runners-up and
TT Trophy finalists. He was given the President's
Award in 1993-94 and 1997-98. From 2000 to 2005
Steve was First Team Manager, taking the Division 3
Championship in 2001-02. He was also joint manager
of the Saturday side in 2002-03 and sole manager in
2003-04. Since leaving the manager's post Steve
continued to take an active role in the Club through
refereeing and coaching with the youth teams and
agreed to manage the Reserves again in 2010-11, taking them
to 2 Cup Finals and 6th place in Division 3.
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Pete Mather -
Known principally as
a goalkeeper Pete was also an accomplished midfield
player. He first played on 30th November 1986 in
goal for the Thirds as they thrashed Oaklands
College 10-0 in a friendly. He played 15 times for
the Thirds that year, followed by a season split
between First and Second Teams in equal measure. He
disappeared from the radar in 1988-89, making just
one Reserve Team appearance, but in all played over
120 First Team games up to 1997. He also made 70
appearances for the Seconds and fifty for the
Thirds, scoring 29 goals in all. Perhaps his most
memorable performance was on 3rd November 1996 when
the Firsts lost a County Cup tie to Langleybury Old
Boys 4-1 - Pete famously threw his boots away after
the game.
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Steve Moorhouse
- Steve made his
debut in a Third Team victory over Central Round
Table (6-3) on 22nd November 1981, but he only made
24 appearances in his first four seasons with the
Club. Over the next 15 years he made over 50 First
Team appearances, 90 for the Reserves, 75 for the
Thirds and over 30 for the Saturday team. His long
flowing black hair and uncompromising tackling meant
that he stood out whenever he played.
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Gavin Campbell -
Gavin Campbell looked
anything but a footballer when he turned up to play
in a friendly vs. Kent's Athletic Reserves for Steve
Smith's Reserve team on 13th August 1991. He proved
himself as a defender, however, and played 20 times
for the Reserves that season before moving up to the
First Team where he commanded a regular place for
five years. In all Gav played over 200 times for the
First Team in a Lea Sports career spanning 12
seasons. He was awarded the 'Ted' Trophy in 1992-93
and was First Team Players' Player in 1993-94 and
1996-97. He was also First Team Manager's Player in
1993-94, 1994-95 and 1996-97.
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Jamie Richards -
Jamie played five
youth games for the Club - at Under 14 - before
moving up to the senior ranks. He scored a hat-trick
on his debut on 26th January 1997 in a 6-1 win over
Markyate in the Chiltern Youth Division 3 and
followed it up with another hat-trick in the next
match away to Crawley Rams in a 4-1 win. He scored a
further 8 goals in 3 games for the Under 14s that
season. The following 2 seasons brought 24 goals in
32 games for the Thirds. Since then, Jamie has made
over 70 appearances for both First and Second teams,
scoring 30 First Team goals and over 50 for the
Reserves. He was Reserve team top scorer in three
successive seasons from 2002 to 2005, before
becoming top scorer for the Firsts in 2005-06.
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Steve Close -
Closey made his debut
on 10th December 1989, scoring one of the goals in
the Reserves 4-2 win away to Luton YS in Division 5.
He made almost 100 First Team appearances in the
first half of the nineties, scoring 33 times. In the
last 10 years he has made just over 60 appearances
for the Club. Steve was top scorer for the First
Team in 1992-93 and bizarrely won the 'Best
Newcomer' award for the Saturday Reserve team in
2001-02!
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Colin Bradley -
Colin made his debut
in the Reserves on 10th April 1988 in a 2-2 draw at
home to Old Moat House in Division 6. In the nest 5
seasons he made over 80 appearances in the First
Team defence before making 131 appearances for the
Reserves and a further 30 for the Third Team in a
total of twelve seasons with the Club. Colin was
voted Third Team Players' Player in 1994-95.
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John Temple -
After making his
debut on 13th August 1992 in a First Team friendly
vs.Ashcroft (0-2), the 'Serial Killer' played just 7
seasons for Lea Sports, but racked up 276
appearances in that time and 167 goals. John's 180
First Team appearances were made in Division 2 (4
seasons); Division 1 (2 seasons) and the Premier
Division (1 season). He also played 78 times for the
Saturday Team, scoring 67 goals. John was top scorer
for the Saturday side in 1994-95 and 1995-6 and for
the First Team in 1995-96 and 1997-98. He was the
First Team Manager's Player in 1995-96 and 1997-98,
although he did win the dubious honour of the Old
Golden Boot (score at all costs) in 1996-97.
Undoubtedly one of the best strikers to play for the
Club.
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Mark Booth -
Boothy actually
started his Lea Sports career with an appearance in
the Vets on 13th October 1996! Since then he has
played over 160 times for the First Team, 65 times
for the Saturday team and 30 times for the Reserves,
scoring a total of 72 times for the Club.
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Alan Palmer -
Al Palmer made his
debut on 25th November 1984 in a Third Team 2-2 draw
with Sugarloaf, but he soon moved to the First Team
and made 75 appearances in the late eighties,
scoring 27 goals. After just a dozen appearances in
3 seasons in the early nineties, Al returned to the
Fourth Team in 1994 and scored 14 times in 15 games.
Four more seasons followed in the Thirds and Fourths
producing 54 goals before Al returned to the
Reserves, making 50 appearances between 2000 and
2005. Al was top scorer for the Seconds in 1985-86
and was voted First Team Players' Player in 1988-89.
He was also Fourth Team Manager's Player in 1997-98.
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236
255
200
201
226
217
218
218
219
211*
207
207*
206
213*
211
213
227
225
228
379*
229
317
230
298*
231
237
235
238
241*
240
240
241
246*
249
298
243
253*
254
255
262
256
257
259
262
416
266
393
389*
381
276
291
Greg Whelan -
Club Chairman between
2006 and 2010 Greg
Whelan made his debut in the Reserves in February 2003, but
spent most of that season playing for the Saturday team.
Since then most of his appearances have come in the First
Team, where he was top scorer in 2007-08 and 2009-10, when
he won the Golden Boot. Greg was
given the President's Award in 2006-07.
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341
Ed Thomson -
Ed made his debut for
the Club in August 2000, but it was to be one of only six
appearances for the First Team, as he established himself in
the Reserves. In 2003-04 he took over from Archie Conway as
Player/manager of the second string and had seven successful
seasons in charge. During that time the Reserves went from
Division 5 to Division 3, including winning Division 4 in
2008-09 with an unbeaten league record. They also reached
the Final of the North Home Counties Challenge Cup (losing
2-0 to Bird & Bush). In 2009-10 they were semi-finalists in
the Beds.Lower Junior Cup, while they were Reserve Cup
semi-finalists in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2009-10. Ed was
Players' Player for the Reserves in 2004-05.
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318
Jonathan Whitehead -
All but two of Jon's
appearances for Lea Sports have come for the Sunday Reserves
since his debut in September 2001, when he scored twice
against Lilley Rangers in a 3-3 draw. A very skilful player
with great ball control. Jon has now scored over 60 goals in
his eleven seasons with the Club to date.Back to Top
306
283
241
Paul Maclennan -
Macca joined the Club
in the 2003-04 season and was virtually ever-present in the
Reserves for the next 6 years. In 2011-12 he took over as
Reserve Team manager and made most of his appearances
thereafter from the substitute's bench. All of his
appearances have been in the Second Team, plus a couple for
the Vets.
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261
Ben Alderton -
Sunrise made his Club
debut in August 2005 for the First Team, where he has made
the vast majority of his appearances. He was First XI
Clubman in the 2011-12 season and again in 2013-14.
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289
263
Scott Morgan -
Scotty made his debut
in the Saturday side in July 2000 and scored twice on his
debut, playing alongside Bobby McGrath and Simon Jackson.
They were his only appearances on Saturdays as he went on to
play over 200 games for the Sunday First XI - the majority
in goal. Scott took over as First XI Manager for the 2015-16
season.
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