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VWELCOMEFoley Meir Football ClubCommittee / DirectorsPresident: Steve James Chairman: Andy Mapperson Vice-Chairman: Liam James Committee: Darren Durkin Committee: James Wildman Committee: Mark Lloyd Committee: Mark SkerrattFirst Team Manager: Mark Lawton First Team Assisant Manager: Adrian Maddock First Team Coach: Mitch Pattison First Team Coach: Josh Brown First Team Coach: Mark Greenhoff Goalkeeper Coach: Chris Cantrell Head Physio: Amy Buckle MJPL Under 16 Manager: Jon Owen Sunday Under 16 Manager: Liam James Under 8 Manager: Anthony DayManagementClub Secretary: Lisa Skerratt Treasurer: Steve Wright Groundsman: Adrain Purcell Stadium Facillities Manager: Liam James Club Photographer: Jamie Roberts Social Media: Ashley Nicklin Programme Editor: Ashley NicklinClub ManagementInside This Issue:03040507The Gaffer’s NotesThe President’s WelcomeFOLLOW OUR SOCIALSPlayer SponsorshipClub News09Watch Out Jamies About13The Visitors17Last Time Out18The FA Vase21From The Archives23Next Up

Firstly, I’d like to welcome everyone to the Trentham Foods Stadium for today’s FA Vase tie, along with the players, management, officials and supporters of Ashby Ivanhoe. Tuesday night at Sandbach was a frustrating evening for us. We actually played some good football in spells, but going 2–0 behind and then being reduced to ten men after Josh Bowden’s sending off in the 25th minute made an already difficult task much harder. From that point we had to work extremely hard, and although the final scoreline was disappointing, there were still things we can take from the performance. The important thing now is how we respond. Cup football gives you the opportunity to put a result behind you quickly, and today we have another big challenge against a strong Ashby Ivanhoe side who compete a level above us. We’ve already shown in this competition what we’re capable of. The victory over FC Stratford in the last round was a fantastic result for the group, and we’ll need that same level of discipline, energy and belief if we’re going to progress again today. For us, the message is to be brave, compete from the first whistle and make the most of playing here at home. We know Ashby will test us, but these are the games you want to be involved in and hopefully we can give another good account of ourselves. As always, thank you for your continued support. Having you behind the lads makes a huge difference, particularly on cup days like this, and hopefully we can give you another memorable afternoon at the Trentham Foods Stadium. Enjoy the game. Up the Foley!THE GAFFER’S NOTESFirst Team ManagerMark Lawton

Good afternoon and welcome to the Trentham Foods Stadium for today’s FA Vase tie against Ashby Ivanhoe. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the players, management, officials and supporters of Ashby Ivanhoe. We hope everyone connected with the club enjoys their visit to Foley and has a safe journey home afterwards. The FA Vase always brings something a little different to the calendar, and it is great to have another cup occasion here at home. We enjoyed a memorable afternoon in the previous round against FC Stratford, and hopefully today can provide another good advert for non-league football. Ashby arrive with a proud history and plenty of experience at Step 5 level, so it is a fixture we are looking forward to. Whatever the result, games like this are another opportunity for the club to test itself against strong opposition and continue progressing. Away from the pitch, I’d once again like to thank our sponsors, committee members and volunteers for everything they continue to do. A huge amount of work goes into preparing the ground, running the clubhouse and café, producing the programme and making sure each matchday runs smoothly. We are back here again on Tuesday evening against Cheadle Heath Nomads, so there is plenty of football to look forward to over the coming days. Your continued support at these home fixtures really does make a difference to the club. Finally, thank you to everyone who has joined us this afternoon. We hope you enjoy the game and your time at the Trentham Foods Stadium. Up the Foley!THE PRESIDENT’S WELCOMEClub PresidentSteve James

CLUB NEWSYOUTH TEAMS FLYINGIt’s been a really encouraging period for our youth section, with the Under-8s and both of our Under-16 sides all enjoying excellent starts and continuing to make great progress. The Under-8s have been putting in some brilliant performances, showing plenty of confidence, teamwork and enjoyment in their football. At that age, development is always the most important thing, and it’s fantastic to see the players improving week by week. Both Under-16 sides have also been performing strongly, producing good results and showing the quality coming through the club’s youth setup. Their attitude and commitment have been a real credit to the club and to everyone involved with the teams. A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes from coaches, volunteers and parents to give these players the best possible environment to develop, and it is great to see that effort being rewarded. The future continues to look bright at Foley, and we’re really proud of the progress being made across the youth section.

Will TamsHarry LivingstoneNick WoodsConnor LawtonJake LloydConnor WithersJay LovattAdam ClaytonKerr DollochinSaul CullenZach RobinsonMatt PlantEden BullockLiam ConnollyFin FooteMarc GrocottSeb QuinnPlayer Sponsors 26/27Monty ParkesBRAITH & ELLWYNN ELLISDYLAN& WYN JAMESMICKEY DANIELSFused SportComplete Padel

Lucas BakerCharlie BradburyMark LawtonTyler MistryArchie EllamsLuke LewisDanny WardJake WalklettJay FinneyFreddy LloydJake LovattPlayer Sponsors 26/27Josh Miles Carl BakerBRAITH & ELLWYNN ELLISDYLAN& WYN JAMES

JAMIESJAMIESJamie Roberts Sports PhotographyWATCH OUTWATCH OUTABOUTABOUTClub Photographer Jamie Roberts has been given Unlimited Access To All Areas at The Trentham Foods Stadium.jr_sportsphotography

THEVISITORSASHBY IVANHOE

Founded in 1948, Ashby Ivanhoe have been a long-standing part of the football scene in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. For much of their early history the club played at Hood Park before moving to their current home on Lower Packington Road ahead of the 2012/13 season. The club enjoyed one of its most successful campaigns in 2010/11, completing a league and cup double by winning the Leicestershire Senior League and lifting the Coalville Charity Cup. Further progress followed, and in 2013/14 Ashby secured promotion to Step 6 after finishing third in the Leicestershire Senior League. Ashby quickly established themselves at the higher level, recording a top-six finish in their first East Midlands Counties League campaign before mounting a strong title challenge the following season. Their performances earned the club a first-ever appearance in the FA Cup in 2016/17, where victories over Quorn and Loughborough Dynamo carried them through to the First Qualifying Round. Another major step forward arrived in 2022/23. Ashby finished second in Midland League Division One before securing promotion through the play-offs, earning a place at Step 5. The same season also brought silverware as the club lifted the Leicestershire Senior Cup. Today, Ashby Ivanhoe play at The Element Ground and continue to develop both their senior and junior sections. Now competing in the United Counties League under manager Lee Barratt, the club remain focused on building on the progress made in recent seasons while continuing to strengthen their place within the local community.ASHBY IVANHOE

2025/26 SEASON REVIEWAshby Ivanhoe endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign in the United Counties League Premier Division North, but a strong recovery during the second half of the season ensured they comfortably retained their Step 5 status. The Knights struggled for consistency during the opening months and found themselves bottom of the table around the turn of the year. Results gradually improved, however, and a much better run of form allowed them to climb away from danger. Ashby eventually finished 13th, recording 12 wins, seven draws and 19 defeats from their 38 league fixtures. They collected 43 points, scoring 66 goals and conceding 67 to finish with a goal difference of minus one. There were also some positive moments in the FA Vase. A convincing 6–1 victory over Nuneaton Griff carried them into the First Round Proper, where their run ended after a goalless draw away at GNG Oadby Town, with Ashby losing 6–5 on penalties. Although the final league position was lower than they would have hoped for, the way Ashby recovered from a difficult first half of the campaign was a major positive. Having dragged themselves clear of the relegation battle, the Knights entered 2026/27 looking to build on that improved form and push further up the Premier Division North table.2026/27 SO FARAshby Ivanhoe have made a steady start to the 2026/27 campaign as they look to build on last season’s recovery in the United Counties League Premier Division North. The Knights have already produced some impressive performances, including a 6–1 victory over Aylestone Park and a 4–2 away win at Hucknall Town, while they also caught the eye in the FA Cup with a superb 3–1 victory over higher-ranked Worcester Raiders. Their latest league outing ended in a goalless draw away at Skegness Town. After nine league matches, Ashby sit 10th, having recorded four wins, two draws and three defeats. They have scored 20 goals and conceded 15, collecting 14 points. Attention now turns to the FA Vase as the Knights travel to the Trentham Foods Stadium to face Foley Meir, looking to continue their promising start and secure a place in the next round.

Foley Meir endured a difficult evening away at Sandbach United on Tuesday night, falling to a 4-1 defeat after being forced to play more than an hour of the contest with ten men. The hosts made a strong start and Foley found themselves 2-0 behind inside the opening 25 minutes. Despite the early setback, there were promising spells from the visitors as they looked to settle into the game and find a route back into the contest. However, Foley’s task was made considerably harder in the 25th minute when Josh Bowden was controversially shown a red card. The decision left Foley feeling understandably aggrieved, and already trailing by two goals, playing the remainder of the evening with ten men presented a huge challenge. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Foley continued to battle and played some good football in spells, refusing to give up on the contest. The visitors managed to find the back of the net themselves, but with the extra man Sandbach were able to take greater control as the game progressed. The hosts eventually added two further goals to put the result beyond doubt and secure a 4-1 victory, with Foley unable to complete what would have been a difficult comeback. While the result was disappointing, Foley could take positives from the way the ten men continued to compete following Bowden’s dismissal. Ultimately, the two-goal deficit and controversial first-half red card left Foley with too much to overcome on a frustrating night at Sandbach.LAST TIME OUT SANDBACH UNITED FOLEY MEIR14 SANDBACH COMMUNITY FOOTBALL CENTRE | TUESDAY 6 OCTOBERTH ATTENDANCE: 85Danny Ward (77)Max Williams (9), Joshua Fowles (11), Kyle Foley (31), Matthew Birchall (88)

Foley Meir’s FA Vase story is still a relatively new one, with the club making its first appearance in the competition during the 2024/25 season following its return to the North West Counties League. That debut campaign immediately produced some drama. Foley travelled to Coton Green in the Second Qualifying Round and played out a remarkable 4–4 draw, with goals from Jay Finney, Aiden Lloyd, Tom Wakefield and Archie Ellams. Foley then held their nerve to win 4–3 on penalties, securing the club’s first FA Vase victory. That victory took Foley into the First Round Proper for the first time, where Step 5 side Yaxley visited the Trentham Foods Stadium. Foley competed well but their inaugural Vase run eventually came to an end with a 4–2 defeat in front of 79 spectators. The 2025/26 campaign proved much shorter. Foley entered at the Second Qualifying Round and travelled to Heather St John’s, where a difficult afternoon ended in a 6–2 defeat. This season has already produced Foley’s strongest Vase run to date. Redditch Borough were the visitors in the First Qualifying Round, with the sides unable to find a breakthrough during a goalless 90 minutes. Foley prevailed 4–2 on penalties to progress. Next came another home tie against Step 5 opposition in FC Stratford. This time there was no need for penalties, as a 26th-minute goal from Fin Foote secured a 1–0 victory and, importantly, Foley’s first outright win in the FA Vase. That result has brought Ashby Ivanhoe to the Trentham Foods Stadium in today’s First Round Proper. Foley have now matched their previous best performance in the competition, but victory today would create another piece of club history by taking us into the Second Round Proper for the first time.OUR FA VASE STORY

FROM FOB TO THE FOLEY CREST How Foley’s identity changed through the years Foley Football Club’s earliest known badge was a simple shield carrying the letters FOB — standing for Foley Old Boys, the name under which the club began life in 1947. That early badge can be seen on surviving team photographs from the club’s formative years, stitched onto the shirts of the first Foley sides. Its original colours are still uncertain, but the design provides one of the clearest visual links to the club’s beginnings. As Foley developed, the club’s identity changed too. The “Old Boys” name disappeared, and the badge evolved into something with a much stronger connection to the name Foley itself. The club’s current crest is based on the Foley family coat of arms, giving the modern badge a link not only to the football club’s history, but also to the heritage behind the Foley name. From the simple FOB shield worn by the club’s earliest players to the familiar crest seen today, the badge tells its own story of how Foley has grown and changed while keeping its identity at the heart of the club.

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ASHBY IVANHOEFOLEY MEIRMonty Parkes (GK) Lucas Baker Eden Bullock Adam Clayton Liam Connolly Saul Cullen Kerr Dollochin Archie Ellams Jay Finney Finlay Foote Marc Grocott Connor Lawton Luke Lewis Harry Livingstone Freddy Lloyd Jay Lovatt Joshua Miles Tyler Mistry Matthew Plant Sebastian Quinn Zach Robinson William Tams Jake Walklett Lewis Walley Daniel Ward Connor Withers Nicholas Wood Jake Lovatt Charlie BradburyAdam Binks (GK) Alfie Hoskins (GK) Louis Anthony Spencer Bailey Samuel Birks George Clark Declan Clarke Liam Donaghy Ellis Edwards Henry Eze Joseph Goodwin Ben Gough Zachary Hill Charlie Hyde Rumai Johnson Harry Lansdowne Oscar McClure Mario Mendez Kieran O’Connell William Robson Harrison Smith Kiarhys Svarc George Teeney Nate Timbrell Jesse Vowles Nathaniel Wallace Lucca Watson-Quilter Roman Watson- Quilter Kamani WilsonToday’s Officials Referee: Ciara Barker | Assistant: Jacob Cross | Assistant: Mark HarrisonTHE SQUADS