Haverhill Rovers F.C.
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Haverhill Rovers F.C. are a football club based in Haverhill, England. They were established in 1886 and joined the Eastern Counties Football League in 1964. In the 1986-87 season, they reached the Quarter-Finals of the FA Vase. For the 2006-07 season, they are members of the Eastern Counties Football League First Division. They currently play their home games at Hamlet Croft, with the team scheduled to move home in September 2008.
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[edit] History
Haverhill Rovers were founded in 1886, but their beginnings are shrouded in some mystery.
The club first started playing at Hamlet Croft in 1913; previously they played at Seven Acres, an area bordered on two sides by the old railway line and Wratting Road.
They spent the 1908/09 season in the East Anglian League. Other clubs in that league at that time included Clacton Town and Halstead Town.
At the start of the 1924/25 season Rovers joined the Essex & Suffolk Border League but, after finishing bottom at the end of the 1927/28 season, elected to leave that league. Eight years later, in the 1935/36 season, Rovers rejoined the Border League. In 1946/47, Rovers were runners up behind Colchester Casuals; however, the following year Rovers won not only the championship but also the Knock Out Cup, beating Brightlingsea United 1-0 in the final.
In 1950/51 Rovers were runners up behind Stowmarket Town. In 1962/63 they won the league for the second time, retaining the title the following year, when they also won the Knock Out Cup again to record their second "double".
In 1964 Rovers joined the Eastern Counties League, finishing a creditable sixth in their first season and also winning the League Cup, defeating Stowmarket Town. The following year, Rovers again reached the final of the cup, but lost out to Lowestoft Town. Rovers finished in the bottom three every year from 1970 until 1967. In 1978, under the guidance of former player Roger Staples, Rovers were champions for the first and, so far, only time, pipping Great Yarmouth Town by one point. A crowd of 1,300, a record at the time, packed in to Hamlet Croft to see the last game, the decider, against Chatteris Town. Unfortunately this proved to be a one off, as the following season saw them finish in the lower half of the table.
After this the club made steady progress : 7th in 1989, 14th in 1990 and an excellent 4th in 1991, the first full season under manager Martin Murray. A glut of injuries at the start of 1991/92 meant a final placing of eighth. In 1988 Rovers reached the final of the League Cup for the fourth time, losing to Braintree Town.
In national competitions Rovers have never reached the first round of the F.A. Cup, but reached the 6th Round (Quarter Finals) of the F.A. Vase in 1986/87, losing 3-1 at home to Warrington Town. The attendance on that day was 1,578, which broke the previous record attendance.
The club has never won the Suffolk Premier Cup, losing in the final twice, in 1965/66 2-1 to Bury Town and in 1990/91 3-2 to Stowmarket Town. They have lifted the Cambridge Invitation Cup three times.
Rovers won the East Anglian Cup in 1990/91, beating Eynesbury Rovers 2-1 at Eynesbury in the final.
Season 1995/96 saw Rovers relegated for the first time in their long history, but this disappointment was sweetened by winning the Suffolk Senior Cup for the first time (at Portman Road) at the end of the 1996/97 season. They were also defeated finalists in the Jewson League Cup, losing 2-0 at Harwich & Parkeston.
1997 saw Rovers win the Suffolk Senior Cup after they defeated Ipswich Wanderers 4-1 at Portman Road. They are also the only team to have lifted the First Division Knock Out Trophy twice (2-1 after extra time against Needham Market in 2001 and 2-0 against Kirkley in 2004).
This year is due to be Rovers' last at Hamlet Croft after their 93 years there. Plans are at an advanced stage for a new Community Football Club complex near Samuel Ward Upper School and Technology College to encompass the many teams at several levels that are now a part of the club.
The new stadium will have a state of the art 3G artificial pitch, the best in the region by some design and miles, which will be used from January 2007 onwards if plans are successful. It will also be up to Ryman League standard with a new stand/clubhouse built next to the enclosed pitch area.
In an excellent send off for Hamlet Croft Rovers had their best result in the past few years when, in the F.A. Cup Second Round Qualifying and in front of 504 spectators, they defeated Eastbourne Borough 1-0 on 30th September 2006.
Eastbourne were in the Conference South at the time, a huge four divisions above Rovers, but a goal by striker Paul Shaw three minutes into added time at the end of the game was enough to see them through and invoke a roar that was heard all around the town.
This was then followed two rounds later with Aldershot Town, who were in the Conference, coming to the Croft in the F.A. Cup Fourth Qualifying Round.
Although Rovers lost 4-0 on the day an amazing 1,730 people packed into the ground to become the biggest gate ever as the team's best F.A. Cup run to date ended at the final hurdle before the First Round Proper.
The playing side is currently managed by Steve Taylor (since October 2006) who is assisted by "Will" Jones.
[edit] Squad
ROVERS F.C. - PLAYERS' PEN PICTURES
Marc Abbott : 21 year old midfielder signed from Newmarket Town this season. Has also been on Cambridge City's books. Excellent all round player with good movement and feet.
Arron Benstead : 24 year old goalkeeper signed this season from King's Lynn. Has also played for Cambridge City, Newmarket Town and Wealdstone. Commands his defence well and can pull off a good save when called upon.
Ant Blanford : 18 year old striker who has had a trial at Manchester United. Signed at the start of this season. A great talent with good pace who never gives up on the ball and strikes a ball with great aplomb.
Neil Cogger : Returned to the club three seasons ago for his third spell. "Coggs" has spent time at Cambridge City and Tiptree United amongst others. 27 years old and has great ability on the left wing, whether it be "skinning" defenders, putting in a cross or getting a left foot shot on target. A real eye for goal.
Ben Cowling : 30 year old midfielder in his third spell at the club. Previously with Steeple Bumpstead, Long Melford and Helions Bumpstead, Ben has also had trials at Cambridge United and Norwich City. His mazy runs and determination cause many a problem for defenders.
Roger Dourado : 26 year old full back who returned to the club last season after a few years away. Reads the game well and knows exactly when to put his foot in and stop an attack from the opposition. His long passes down the wing almost always hit their spot.
Sam Green : 24 year old signed three seasons ago. A good midfielder/striker and dead ball specialist. Came back from a loan spell at Long Melford this season looking like a rejuvenated player.
Joe Harvey : 18 year old aggressive holding midfielder signed from CRC this season. Has previously been at Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town. Played at Bury Town last season before playing for CRC prior to signing for Rovers.
Jamie Hampshire : 18 year old defender who is happy at centre back and left back. A former product of Cambridge City's youth set up he reads the game brilliantly and is reliable at the back in halting the opposition's progress.
Richard Heller : 19 year old left sided midfielder signed from AFC Sudbury this season. "Rich" has previously been with Tottenham Hotspur and played for their academy side. Has some tremendous feet and ability to steal the ball and go past more opposition players than he probably should.
Marcus Hunt : 26 year old utility player who has had a trial at Cambridge United. In his eighth year at Haverhill. A fan favourite who shows maturity and stylish play way past his age. Club captain. Supporters' Player of the Year last year.
Andy Palazon : 31 year old midfielder who keeps returning to the club. Has excellent skills on and off the ball and can seemingly run forever with his fantastic stamina.
Dan Pilcher : "Pilch" was signed four seasons ago from Newmarket Town. What this 24 year old defender/midfielder lacks in stature he makes up with skill. Hard working with good ball control and not afraid to chase the ball. Well respected off the pitch and on it.
Lee Reed : 20 year old left sided midfielder signed at the start of this season. A great crosser of the ball who seems to always find space for himself.
Paul Shaw : 30 year old striker with plenty of goals and experience with top clubs under his belt. "Shawy" was signed from Newmarket Town this season and seems to almost always be in the right place at the right time.
Colin Vowden : 35 year old centre back signed this season from Mildenhall Town. Experienced at many levels having played at Cambridge City, Histon, Kettering Town, Cambridge United, Dover Athletic and Newmarket Town previously. Not the quickest of players but excellent in the air, solid on the ground and knows what to do.
Dave Walton : 27 year old goalkeeper in his second spell at the club. Has previously been at AFC Sudbury, Halstead Town and Newmarket Town last season. Has a wealth of experience at Jewson League and Dr Martens League levels. Previously with West Ham United, Southend United, Watford and Baldock Town. A great shot stopper that would make any defence improve.
John Welsh : 22 year old left sided player who is fast becoming a first team regular again. Knows when to run into space as well as providing a key pass. First Team Player of the Year last season.
Lee Wilson : 21 year old left back who is another good contender of many for the spot in the first team. Can always see the pass to make and shepherds the left side of defence well when called upon. Has a sweet left foot.
Steve Taylor (manager) : Steve joined the club this season after enjoying plenty of success at Ely City over the years, including helping them to promotion to the Premier Division and winning the First Division Knock Out Trophy on two occasions. An excellent coach who always has an answer to a problem. Took over as manager in October 2006 after being assistant manager.
Graham "Will" Jones (assistant manager) : 30 year old left sided player who can play in defence or midfield. Good all round skills, awareness and set pieces. Also an up and coming coach, hence his appointment as assistant manager. Has been involved with coaching and management for several teams at the club at various age groups already. Is showing a cleverly disguised level head when it comes to managing. Is also son of…
Bryan Jones (physiotherapist) : Bryan has supported Rovers for goodness knows how long and makes a welcome return after being physio at Newmarket Town. A fantastic character who knows his stuff when it comes to the "magic sponge".
[edit] Trivia
The ground's small brick dugouts, supplemented by park benches, were featured in David Bauckham's book Dugouts. [1]
[edit] References
- ^ Bauckham, David (2006). Dugouts. New Holland. ISBN 1-8453-7478-9.
[edit] External links
| Eastern Counties Football League First Division 2006/07 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cornard United | Debenham LC | Downham Town | Ely City | Fakenham Town | Godmanchester Rovers | Gorleston | Great Yarmouth Town | Hadleigh United | Haverhill Rovers | Long Melford | March Town United | Saffron Walden Town | Stowmarket Town | Swaffham Town | Thetford Town | Tiptree United | Walsham-le-Willows | Whitton United edit |
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