On The Road With The Crows
Next Up: “The Reds” Of Woodford United FC
Woodford United v Crows
Kick Off: 7:30pm, Tuesday 16th April 2013
Byfield Road, Woodford Halse, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 3QR
Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central
______________________________________________________________
So after Saturday’s soaking in Guildford, we embark on another long trip, but this time to Northamptonshire. We don’t seem to have much luck in these parts, let's hope we'll bring the points back to Hertfordshire this time.
But on more important issues we face 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)
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 Histon's 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 really horrible season for them so far. Turmoil ensued at the start of this campaign when the majority of the first team walked out with their manager. Finances have been a major problem for the Reds and the first team is made up of really young lads as you shall see shortly. Respect must be shown to this young side as they have turned up every week and have suffered hammerings upon hammerings, but still they continue. They must be due a point soon though surely? I just hope it is not us!
Their stats read played 38 and lost 38. 19 goals have been scored but 170 have been conceded. Last time out saw a 7-0 thrashing handed to them by league leaders Burnham.
They have run the likes of Leighton Town (before their implosion) and Uxbridge pretty close in 2013. Tony Choules remarked on what a good side they actually are.
Ones to Watch
As mentioned earlier, a very very young side but one that does have talent in it. I shall start with Robson Kightly. Robbo is a strong centre half and only 16 years of age has fitted in well with Southern League football. He is the current Northamptonshire County Captain. Big things are expected of this young lad. Former clubs include Burton Albion and Cambridge United.
Another young lad in defence is 17 year old Ben Oddy. A tough tackling defender whose talent belies his very young age. Another player that has a very bright future in the game. Ben was highly regarded by Burton Albion. Previous clubs include Burton Albion and Northampton Town.
One of the most experienced in the squad is Wes Emery. Wes is a tenacious midfielder who is not afraid of leading the line. Has scored one of the 16 goals this season. Former clubs include Northampton Town, Daventry Town and Wellingborough Town.
The Gaffer
Paul Oddy has the unenviable job of motivating this young side week in and week out. I met Paul at our game earlier on this season. A thoroughly likable man and is under no illusions of the job at hand. Paul is also the manager of the under 16 side.
Have We Met Before?
We have only locked horns just the once in our history and that was earlier on this season at Garden Walk. The Crows recorded a 5-0 win on the 2nd November 2012 with goals from Matt Standen, Sam Spencer, Ross Collins, Kaan Fehmi and an own goal. 173 people watched this affair and for the last 30 minutes they were pretty competitive.
Jez Izod
