SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2THESUNOFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF SUN SPORTS FC 2026/2027 SEASON ISSUE 3 V SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 3:00PM

Club Directory: Manager: Dave Barnes Assistant Manager: Steve Kelly Coach: Luke Fox Coach: Mark Fox Physio: Andy Navarro Kitman: Archie Kelly Club Directory: Chairman: Nick Simmonds Vice chairman: Mark Fox Club Secretary: Salina McManus Programme Editor: Soulful Designs Sun Sports FC ,Bellmount Wood Ave, Watford ,WD17 3BN 01923 227453 IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE MANAGERVISITORS INFOMATIONUPCOMING FIXTURESMATCHDAY SQUADS All the information you need to know about our visitors from MK College Dave Barnes discusses his latest thoughts from the Manager’s office We look at our upcoming games this month CLUB HONOURS: LEAGUE HONOURS SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE WINNERS (1): 2013–14 HERTS SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE WINNERS (2): 1992–93, 1993–94 CUP HONOURS HERTS INTERMEDIATE CUP: WINNERS (1): 1925–26 HERTS JUNIOR CUP: WINNERS (1): 1938–39 AUBREY CUP: WINNERS (1): 1994–95 APSLEY SENIOR CUP: WINNERS (1): 1981–82 APSLEY JUNIOR CUP: WINNERS (2): 1982–83, 1992–93 Check out today’s teams3151619 SUNSPORTSFC1STSUNSPORTSFC1ST SUNSPORTSFC1ST 2026/2027 SEASON ISSUE 3

FROM THE DUGOUT Welcome back to the Spartan League and, most importantly, welcome back to everyone connected with Sun Sports FC. Today we welcome Old Bradwell United for our third home game of the season, and we're hoping for another great crowd to back the lads. It's been a memorable start to our return to senior football, and Tuesday night added another chapter to it. A hard-fought 2-2 draw away at London Colney showed a different side to the group - the character and resilience to come back into a game and take something from it on the road. Points like that matter just as much as the eye- catching wins, and they tell you plenty about the spirit in this squad. That result came off the back of what remains a special afternoon for the club: a 4-0 win over MK College in our first home game back in the Spartan League, with all four goals scored by Owen Ayres in front of a fantastic crowd of over 100. That was exactly the kind of start we were hoping for, and there's a genuine sense of excitement building around the club as a result. Finally, to our supporters: thank you for turning out in such numbers for our first home game, and for the visit of London Colney in midweek to cheer the boys on. Seeing over 100 of you here for that opening game meant a lot to everyone at the club, and we hope to see just as many of you today as we look to make it three home games without defeat. Get behind the lads - home and away. Dave Barnes3

CAPTAIN’S NOTES It doesn't matter how long you've been involved with a football club or how many games you've played - being asked to lead the team out as captain is something you never quite get used to, and it's a feeling I'm incredibly proud to have every time I put this shirt on. Our return to the Spartan League couldn't have started much better. Beating MK College 4-0 in front of over 100 supporters on our first weekend back was exactly the kind of statement we wanted to make, and having Owen get all four on the day just added to the occasion. Then just a few days London Colney visiting us on Tuesday night and coming from behind for a 2-2 draw showed a different side of this squad - the fight and togetherness that you need to have as much as the quality. As captain, seeing the lads dig in like that away from home tells me everything about the character in this group. There are always things to keep working on this early in the season, and we know today won't be easy against Old Bradwell United, but the effort and application have been there from ball one, and that's all I can ever ask of the group. I also want to mention how proud I am that we're now being sponsored by Paul Robinson - a Watford legend and someone who played the game at a level most of us can only dream of. To have someone with his history and standing in the game backing this club means a great deal to everyone here, and it's a real show of faith in the direction we're heading in. My commitment to you, our supporters, is the same every week: we will give everything for this shirt and for this club. Seeing the numbers you've turned out in so far this season - at home and on the road - has given all of us a real lift, and it's up to us now to keep giving you performances to be proud of. Enjoy the game today, and thank you as always for your support. NJack James4

CLUB NEWS5We're excited to announce that a brand new Sun Sports FC website is launching soon! The new site will be your home for all things Sun Sports - fixtures, results, news, player profiles and much more, all in one place. You'll be able to find us at pitchero.com/clubs/sunsports3 once we go live. We want this to be a website built for our supporters, so let us know what you'd like to see featured. Whether it's more behind-the-scenes content, player interviews, historical club info or anything else - get in touch with the club and have your say. Watch this space for the launch date!

DUGOUT TEAMMANAGER DAVE BARNESASSISTANT MANAGER STEVE KELLYCOACH LUKE FOXPHYSIO ANDY NAVARROPLAYER / COACH LOUIS STEAD

7MEET THE TEAM

Founded in 1898 as Sun Engraving, the club has a proud history stretching back more than 125 years. In 1901, the club became known as Sun Sports FC, competing in the Watford & District League and West Herts League before establishing itself as a respected name within Hertfordshire football. The club joined the Herts County League Division Two in 1947–48 and earned promotion to Division One in 1955–56. A year later, a league restructure saw Sun Sports move into the Premier Division. Although relegated the following season, the club immediately bounced back and returned to the top flight. Sun Sports continued to build its reputation, making its debut in the FA Vase in 1977 before suffering relegation in 1980. Once again, the club responded in true Sun Sports fashion, winning promotion straight back to the top division at the first opportunity. The early 1990s produced one of the club's most successful periods. In 1992–93, Sun Sports were crowned league champions, and they successfully defended their title the following season, establishing themselves as one of the leading sides in the area. In 1995, the club merged with local side Watford Postal Services F.C. and adopted the name Sun Postal Sports. After finishing runners-up in consecutive seasons, the club stepped up to the Spartan South Midlands League Division One in 2003–04. More success followed in 2013–14 when Sun Postal Sports were crowned Spartan South Midlands League Division One champions, earning promotion to the Premier Division. At the same time, the club returned to the historic Sun Sports name. The club has also played an important role in developing young footballers through its youth setup, Sun Sports Youth FC, continuing a tradition of football in the local community. The Road Back The club faced some of its most difficult years after withdrawing from the Spartan South Midlands League in September 2017, following the loss of its home ground. Attempts to secure a groundshare were unsuccessful, and the club subsequently entered the Herts Senior County League. Despite further setbacks, Sun Sports continued to fight for its place in local football. The club re-entered the Herts Senior County League as Sun Sports Watford in 2020–21, keeping the name and spirit alive through challenging times. A New Chapter: 2026–27 Now, in 2026–27, Sun Sports FC begins a new chapter. With a new management team led by Dave Barnes, the club is ready to embrace its next era and, most importantly, its rebirth in the Spartan League Division Two. The history has been written. The rebuild has begun. The next chapter starts now.HISTORY OF SUN SPORTS 9

Name Apperances Goals Freddie Burroughs 2 Ben Jackson 1 Callum Tobin 0 Dylan McManus 0 Ellis Roger Simmons 2 Ethan Goulding 3 Harrison Mead 3 Harry Barnes 0 Harvey Hoyte 0 Jack Goulding 3 Jack James 1 John Smith 2 Joseph Navarro 0SQUAD STATS 10

Name Apperances Goals Jude McKay 0 Keane Fullwood 0 Kevin Keller 0 Kieran Godman 3 1 Louis Stead 1 Matthew Pinching 2 Oliver Mead 0 Oliver Pope 0 Owen Ayres 3 7 Rares-Nicolae Iliescu .0 Ryan Barry 0 Rylie-Scott McQueen 0 Sean Reade 3 Tom Flanagan 0 Tyreeq White 3SQUAD STATS 11

YOUTHSun Sports Youth FC is proud to be part of the long-standing Sun Sports football family, with a history deeply rooted in grassroots football and the local Watford community. The Sun Sports name has been part of local football for generations, dating back to 1901. Today, that proud tradition continues through Sun Sports Youth, giving young players the opportunity to enjoy football, develop their skills and, most importantly, be part of a team. At Sun Sports Youth, football is about much more than what happens for 90 minutes on a Sunday. It is about friendships, teamwork, commitment, confidence and creating memories that players will carry with them long after they hang up their boots. Our teams compete in West Herts Youth League, with players representing the famous yellow and royal blue colours and proudly carrying the Sun Sports badge on their shirts. The club’s home is Sun Sports and Social Club in Watford, a venue with a strong connection to grassroots football and the local community. Behind every team is a group of dedicated managers, coaches, volunteers and parents who give up their time week after week. From early-morning kick-offs and midweek training sessions to cup runs, celebrations and the occasional heartbreak, they all play their part in making youth football possible. And then there are the players. Sun Sports Youth has also enjoyed some fantastic moments in recent seasons, including teams reaching county cup finals and competing at the highest levels of their respective youth competitions. Winning leagues and winning local cup competitions. The club continues to provide opportunities for young footballers to develop and enjoy the game. Sun Sports Youth is proud of its history, proud of its players and proud of the people who make the club what it is. Because Sun Sports Youth isn’t just a football club. It’s a community. It’s a family. It’s #TeamSun.12

CLUB SPONSORS13As we prepare for the new season, Sun Sports FC First Team would like to thank all of our sponsors for their valued support. Their backing plays a vital role in helping the team compete throughout the season and is greatly appreciated by everyone involved. We are proud to represent such a fantastic group of businesses and look forward to working together in the season ahead. Thank you for your continued support. @thehomeshuttercompany @lordsbm @davewright59 @barnesfencing15987xx @dt_flooring_ @simcrossweldingservices @firesafefm @langleyserve_plumbheat @acme_construction_ @mr_amenity_ltd @jsfunerals @rinsebespokedetailing @smithandlatimer Intercept fire and security

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITES14Sun Sports is proud to return to Watford — and we’re building something ambitious both on and off the pitch. We’re offering a range of sponsorship opportunities for local businesses to be part of our journey. Several key partnerships have already been secured, including our home and away kits, main stand, training wear, and selected pitchside boards — a reflection of the strong support behind the club’s return. A number of exciting opportunities still remain available. If you’re interested in partnering with a historic club entering a new era, we’d love to hear from you.

The Club’s early history is unclear, but it is believed to have been formed in the late 1920s, with membership of the North Bucks League beginning in 1930. Early seasons were challenging, although the Club won the Division Two title in 1937/38 before the Second World War brought a halt to proceedings. Following the war, the Club returned to the North Bucks League before eventually withdrawing. It was re-admitted in 1965, when a group of local players stepped up from youth football. After several years of consolidation, Old Bradwell United became an established Division One Club. The 1977/78 season marked a significant breakthrough, with the Club winning the Division One title and Buckingham Junior Charity Cup and earning promotion to the Premier Division. A successful period followed, with several Charity Cup and League Cup victories, as well as success for the newly formed Reserve Team. In 1994/95, the Club achieved one of its most significant early successes by winning the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup, defeating Cox Green 2-1 in the final. The following season, Old Bradwell United joined the South Midlands League, beginning a new chapter in the Club’s history. After a number of difficult years, the Club began to make significant progress under longstanding manager David Keene. A third-place finish in 2015/16, including a record 18 consecutive wins, represented a new high point. Further fifth-place finishes followed in 2016/17 and 2017/18. The 2018/19 season became the most successful in the Club’s history at that time. We finished as league runners-up and ended a 24-year wait for silverware by winning both the Division Two Cup and the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy, both victories coming via penalty shootouts after 0-0 finals. The Club’s progress was then disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons declared null and void despite being top of the league. The long-awaited league title finally arrived in 2021/22, winning the title on goal difference after leading the table for much of the season. The following season saw further success, as the Club retained the league title by eight points and completed a historic treble by also winning the Division Two Cup and Berks & Bucks Charles Twelftree Trophy. A fourth trophy was narrowly missed after defeat in the Anagram Records Trophy final.MEET THE OPPOSITION OLD BRADWELL 15

THIS MONTH’S FIXTURESBe sure to come down to support The Sun! There will be regular updates via our social media channels and website so please keep an eye out!16

A huge thank you to everyone involved in getting the main pitch into a fantastic condition , the hard work has definitely paid off . 17

18THE STANDINGS

SUN SPORTS Blue/Yellow FREDDIE BURROUGHS (GK) OWEN AYRES (C) LOUIS STEAD OWEN DEAMER KIERAN GODMAN JACK GOULDING ELLIS SIMMONS MYLES PROCHNIC HARRISON MEAD TOMMY EVERITT OLIVER MEAD MATTHEW PINCHING SEAN READE JOHN SMITH JUDE MCKAY TYREEQ WHITE FREDDIE BURROUGHS (GK) OWEN AYRES (C) LOUIS STEAD OWEN DEAMER KIERAN GODMAN JACK GOULDING ELLIS SIMMONS MYLES PROCHNIC HARRISON MEAD TOMMY EVERITT OLIVER MEAD MATTHEW PINCHING SEAN READE JOHN SMITH JUDE MCKAY TYREEQ WHITE LIAM JAHN (GK) EWAN KEENE (C) DANIEL QUILL JUDE DENT LEE COX JEFF KAMAU BRANDON HAMILTON BEN JOHNSON JOSH EVANS JOSHUA DONALD CALUM ROZZIER DAIRAN BROWNE JAKE BECKETT FRANK BOANAH NICO MOUNTFORD-HILL IAN KATUMBA KIERAN ROBERTS KYLE FOX KIAN BINNS ARIF SAID OLD BRADWELL UNITED Navy TODAY’S SQUADSMATCH OFFICALS REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREES NEXT UP AT HOME Saturday 19th September 3:00pm Kick off CAN SUTCLIFFE PHILLIP MAYER NEWTON GORDON