At Home With The Crows: Woodford Utd

Next Up: “The Reds” Of Woodford United FC.

Crows v Woodford United FC

Kick Off: 3pm, Saturday 3rd November 2012

Evo-Stik League Southern Central Division 1
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So after 3 straight wins, we find ourselves at the start of November and in 3rd place in the league. Arr November, the nights are drawing in and it’s almost the time to quote “Remember Remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot”… It’s almost time for the US Presidential Elections (who to choose, who to choose) and our new elections for District Police Commissioner…. At 110k a year, I’d fancy that job!

But on more important issues we welcome a potential banana skin in rock bottom Woodford United FC. Where is it you all cry with anticipation (yep, don’t fool me fellow Crow’s, I do see the tumbleweed rolling past, actually whilst writing this I’m in New York watching it shoot past at 110mph!)

But to Woodford United FC, they hail from an extremely quaint village called Woodford Halse near Daventry. I speak from experience fellow Crows, as I have frequented the one and only pub called the Fleur de Lys. So if you are into your pub crawls, you would be sadly disappointed. However Malcolm the landlord does pull an extremely good pint of Banks’ Best Bitter (if he is still there!).

Fascinating fact for you all. Woodford Halse has a Moravian Church……………………….

 

After a brief pause, you going to want to know what that is about, are you not? Well a Moravian church is not for people from Moravonia (yep I made that country up, did I have you fooled?) but for a church that had its origins in Konvald and Bohemian Lands.

 

HISTORY

After the end of World War II, Woodford United formed taking the place of a previous incarnation in Woodford Central FC.

The Reds played in the Ruby & District league before moving to the Central Northants Combination League in 1964. They won these two years on the trot in 1966 and 1967. They then moved up to the United Counties League in 1970. Arr the year 1970 when the Beatles disbanded and Elton John released an album called “Elton John”, wished he hadn’t.

In 1978 WUFC withdrew from the UCL after their ground was sold off by Railways Board or more commonly known as British Rail and the famous slogan “We will get you there” in the case of Woodford United FC it was “you can’t stay there!”.

This forced “The Reds” to move to the recreation ground (abit like Histons ground then) and back to the Northants Combination League. This they took by storm with league and cup doubles in 1990, 1995 and 1998. After ground improvements they moved back to the United Counties League and they won promotion to the Premier Division in 2002.

In 2005 they reached the fourth round of the FA Vase with wins against Norwich United, Yaxley, Stansted, Eton Manor before bowing out to Brislington in a close 1-0 defeat.

The following season brought further success with the United Counties League captured on goal difference from Potton United FC. This gave them promotion to the Southern League Division One Midlands.

Here they have “remaindeth” in respectable lower to mid table finishes throughout, with a high point of 7th in 2010.

 

Their Season So Far

A wretched season so far, without a point to their name and 39 goals conceded. WUFC have only found the onion bag 3 times in the league, so you would think this would provide a perfect opportunity to improve our goals for column and more importantly, 3 points. However a wounded tiger springs to mind and there have been some good performances recorded against Rugby and Aylesbury, so the mighty Crows will have to be on their guard against a backlash.

 

Ones to Watch

With an extremely leaky defence, it would be hard to start at the back, so I shall start in the Midfield Engine room with man mountain Tom Fountain. Tom is into his 3rd spell at the club with spells at Daventry Town and Wellingborough Town sandwiched between. Tom is a leader in the park, hard but fair and is central to all the good play “The Reds” produce.

A threat at the front presents himself in former Leamington stalwart Josh Blake, with 37 goals for the Brakes, Josh was a keen signing for Woodford United last year. As yet to find the net this term, the lad is due a goal.

 

The Gaffer

With a former player of “that lot up the A1 who cannot be named”, Woodford United have a former striking legend in Howard Forinton in charge. This chap regularly used to hit the back of the net for Birmingham City, “They that cannot be named” and more recently Banbury United. I also owe this man a pint after he stood me and friends to several drinks after an FA Cup tie between Banbury and Histon, so Howard, if you are watching, a pint of water is on the bar ready for you.

 

Have We Met Before?

Another new side to play me thinks, unless anyone can prove me wrong. I’ve not been wrong so far this season, so 2 pints to anyone who can prove otherwise on Saturday (yep, I’m pretty confident!)

Jez Izod