At Home With The Crows: Aylesbury FC

At Home With The Crows

Next Up: The Moles of Aylesbury FC

Crows v Aylesbury FC
Evo-Stik League Southern Central Division 1
Saturday 12th January 2013 Kick Off 3pm
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So after last Saturday’s performance that we shall never speak of again, our next game is a visit from Aylesbury, no not the famous Ducks of Aylesbury United, famous for many a scalp of football league clubs, famous for the duck cup waddle, famous for Cliff Hercules in bygone eras, but the young upstarts of Aylesbury…. Confused.com, yes I am.

But what can I tell you about the town of Aylesbury? Well a puritan town and was the site of the famous battle of Aylesbury in 1642, the year Bruce Forsyth presented his first show. Just for the records, Parliamentarians 1-0 Royalist’s.

Famous people include Arsenal Ladies and England player Ellen White, Linda Bellingham of Oxo adverts fame and Ludwig Guttman, father of the Paralympic games lived and died in the town.

On a musical note, Aylesbury brought us “The Friars” club, which hosted the likes of Otis Redding, Queen, U2 and the Monkee’s at the start of their respective careers. So not like SG8 then or the Green Man (Which will sadly close its doors for the last time on Sunday, another victim of modern Britain.)

 

HISTORY

They only become Aylesbury FC in 2009, but enjoyed incarnations of many names beforehand, I’ll try and explain…

Stocklake F.C.

They were founded as Stocklake F.C. in the 1930’s as the Negretti and Zambra company which was then based in London’s King’s Cross district. Yep, I’ve heard of that one too. They then moved to the Stocklate Industrial park in 1949, can you imagine if the Crows were called Orchard Road FC (Hang on, there was a team called that in the 1990’s, I know this to be true, I played for them!!!).

They joined the Aylesbury & District League in 1954 and achieved great success locally, they gained senior status in 1988 to the Chiltern League (I’m learning new stuff all the time!) They beat Wycombe Wanderers in 1995 to win the Wycombe Senior Cup.

Belgrave F.C.

Still confused, I am! But anyhow, Belgrave FC started up in 1983 by a chap called Jim Sullivan, a man with two sons who were passionate about football, any crows fans in the same situation, stop getting ideas now, we don’t need another Royston club. Anyhow, this chap called Jim lived in. Belgrave Road and decided to set up his own team. In 1990 they were pretty big by local league standards and decided to enter a senior team in 1996, by which time they had over 200 registered players, sounds just like Manchester City or more local, Looton Town.

Haywood United F.C.

Are you still with me? In 2000-2001 Belgrave and Stocklake merged, a plot now thickens confused Crows fans! Haywood United FC??? Where did that one come from? Well from the ground sillies!!

Well they joined the Spartan South Midlands leagues and were pretty good. They won promotion into Division 1 after just two seasons, again, just like Man City!
They then won promotion into the SSML Premier in 2004 and finished 3rd in 2005.

Yet Another Name Change: Aylesbury Vale F.C.

At the beginning of the 2005–06 season the members of Haywood United voted to change the club’s name to Aylesbury Vale F.C. Why the Vale, I have no idea? But they wanted to Identify with the local people, why they could not do this in 1954 I have no idea, would have saved a lot of typing, a lot of crumpets, food variety people, although I am partial to a bit of Kiera Knightly, she is crumpet of the highest order. The Club did pretty well, finishing fairly high up the SSML and reaching the 2nd Round of FA Cup Qualifying. This feat happened in those heady days of 2008 when England reached the Final of Euro 2008, then I woke up.

And Now We Get To Aylesbury F.C.

At the end of the 2008–09 season Aylesbury Vale changed its name to Aylesbury F.C and at last we get there. Why did they do it? Promotion to the FA Premier League me thinks, no, it was to get more fans through the gate. They wanted to merge with Aylesbury United, but the ducks said NO!
During their first season under their new guise, Aylesbury went on the club's best FA Cup run beating local rivals Chesham United but then lost to Wealdstone, but this set the club's best ever attendance of 682. They have not beaten our record attendance though!
Aylesbury then went onto win the SSML title on the 25th April 2010, with one game to spare.

 

Their Season So Far

After a slow start which saw “The Moles” languishing near the foot of the table, results have improved and they are making a dash for the play-off places. Some excellent results of late, including a creditable draw at Daventry Town on Tuesday evening. I was chatting to the Dav manager this week and he told me that his side were fortunate to walk away with a point. That cheered me up no end after our recent visit!
Currently sitting on 29 points with 8 wins 5 draws and 5 defeats, last time saw Aylesbury secure a draw with in-from Daventry Town. Previous to that saw them clinically beat Northwood 3-0 at home and on New Year’s Day, they came from behind to beat Leighton Town 5-3.

 

Ones To Watch

A recent signing from Northwood, Leon Osie is a powerful and skilful player. A former Ghanaian youth international, this lad has experience with QPR, that lot down the A1(M), Newport County and Wingate & Finchley. 3 goals from his 7 appearances so far.
Joining Leon upfront, we may come across Brian Haule, who has 16 goals from his 27 appearances so far. A bit of a hot shot then! Hauley scored the 4th minute opener against in early September, so we know a little about him then. Previous clubs include Hendon and Harrow Borough.
Highly rated midfield maestro Sonny French controls the engine room of midfield, 7 goals to his name so far this season, he is deadly at set pieces. Has a fantastic range of passing and is not scared to run at defenders. We will be in for a difficult time against this lad.

 

The Man In Charge

Former Dunfermline fans favourite Craig Faulconbridge took over from Steve Smith in June 2012 after previously signing player forms.
“Faulco” has had previous spells with Coventry City, Wycombe Wanderers, Hull City and Oxford City. Well liked at Haywood Way, he is beginning to make his mark on an extremely talented “Moles” side.

 

Have We Met Before?

On the 4th September 2012, we came away with the share of the spoils after a very disjointed Crows performance at Haywoods Way. “The Moles” took the lead on 4 minutes through Brian Haule and could have extended their lead several times if it had not been for a fabulous performance by Will Norris in the Crows goal. An 80th Minute penalty from Robins saved the day after Ryan Ingrey had been fouled in the Aylesbury box. It could have been all 3 points for the Crows had Richard Roberts not pulled off a fantastic double save.

Jez Izod