The Celebrations Start - 5th May

The first team, and supporters, returned to the Oxford Road club house to carry on the celebrations after lifting the Bluefin Hellenic League Challenge Cup on Monday evening.

Saturday the May 8th will see more celebrations, when 35 players and committee are off to Ascot Races. Stopping off for breakfast at the Bull at Bisham Abbey, where presentations will take place.

The season has been long and hard but rewarding. Seventh place in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, League Cup champions, and Troy Bryan the leading goalscorer in the Division.

Freezing weather yet again played havoc with the Premier Division programme and all games were postponed. The enforced layoff from the ongoing winter weather has more consequences than just not playing matches. League General Manager Brian King spoke to fellow Board members Richard Carr of Chinnor and Norman Stacey of Ardley United on Saturday:

Chinnor Secretary Richard Carr said; “For the 4th week running on the trot Chinnor of One East find their Oxfordshire Senior Cup tie with Rover Cowley postponed, like many others in the Hellenic League. As well as games being called off training has been virtually impossible with the whole ground under 6-8 inches of snow”. Off the field there are also major implications in what is normally a vibrant clubhouse on a Saturday has sat virtually empty for weeks. The only advantage the club has over other clubs it is used as a social club and with its central position in the village trade has continued although drastically reduced."

Ardley United has not played a home fixture since the 1st of December and Chairman Norman Stacey said; “The club bar is only open on match days and beer that is out of sell by date will be thrown down the drain. With no income the clubs finances are under severe strain, but overheads still have to be paid. The clubs last game was away against Thame United in mid December. With players coming from several surrounding counties training has been suspended as most would be unable to make the journey, hopefully the fitness levels will be kept up by putting some effort in at home” Stacey continued; “however, the worry is that after the snow and frost we will suffer from waterlogged grounds as the frost comes out of the ground. Thankfully the Hellenic League saw fit to fixture two games a week in the first half of the season, still giving us a fighting chance to complete the outstanding games by the end of April."

"Whilst this is the comments from two clubs I am certain many more member clubs are suffering exactly the same way." Stated League General Manager Brian King. He continued saying; “Every effort is being made to ensure that fixture scheduling flows for member clubs but with continued and welcome activity in the FA VASE and County Cup Competitions adding to the re-fixturing headache it will not be an easy second half to the season. Hopefully clubs will accept that some flexibility is necessary to ensure all League fixtures are completed by the due date required by the FA. This may mean that some cup matches will continue into May”.

Ex-Ardley Boys Doing Well - 27th November

Abingdon United’s new striker Leon Gordon may have to be satisfield with a place on the bench when they host Division 1 South & West leaders Windsor & Eton tomorrow.

The former Ardley United frontman, who moved up a league level this month signing for the Zamaretto League club, scored a hat-trick on his debut in Monday’s 3-1 Red Insure League Cup win at Beaconsfield, but his new boss Andy Slater has not decided on the line-up for Saturday.

“He gives us another option upfront with his pace,” said Slater, whose side are fifth in the table. “We will see whether he makes his league debut, but he has done his chances no harm at all. You can’t really do any more than score a hat-trick on your debut.”

Another "ex-player" doing well, two league levels above, is "Elvis". Though Elvis (aka Jason Costello) is signed on the Hellenic League register as an Ardley player, he has been plying his trade this season with Didcot Town in the Zamaretto Premier League.

The Didcot Town secretary commented. " Jason quickly became a favourite with the crowd, and has featured in the majority of Towns' games this season. Football at this level is a not only a new experience for Jason, it is also a new experience for the club (Didcot were promoted last season). We are up against some very strong sides, and it's a learning curve for both the club and the team. Costello has not been overawed by the jump in competition, and is playing his part, along with the others, in Didcot's quest to establish the club at this level".

Southampton Here We Come -18th September

Ardley will depart from the club house at 11.30 am tomorrow morning by coach, to meet Totton and Eling, nick named the "Millers" from the Sydenhams Wessex League in the Second Qualifying Round of theThe FA Vase.

With near a full squad to choose from manager Kevin Brock will have decisions to make for his starting line up, to face a team who lie 6th in their league having 14 points from 7 starts.

The Gaffer has made it well known that he expects a good run in the Vase this season, with a full bench those lucky enough to start will need to perform well or face the consequences.

There is limited room on the coach for supporters at £5.00 per head.

Success At Awards Night -12th June

Chairman Norman Stacey collected awards to the monetary value of £953.00 at The Hellenic League Awards Dinner on June 5th.

Norman collected the Reserve Division Two Championship Trophy on behalf of the team and also the Premier Division Fair Play Award which was one of the highlights' of the night for the first team.

The awards were presented by ex Bradford, West Bromwich, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Don Goodman, who was the guest speaker at the dinner.

Rumour has it that Norman cast an eye over Goodman, wondering if he might get half a season out of the 43 year old at The Recreation Ground next season!

In all an excellent finale to the 2008/9 season for Ardley, with deserved rewards attributed to both the club, the players and the hard work by all involved at Ardley United.