View Vs Redditch Borough FA Vase flipbook.
MEIRT H EP R I N C I P A L C L U B P A R T N E RO F F I C I A L K I T S U P P L I E RF O L E Y M E I R C H A R I T A B L E O R G A N I S A T I O N C H A R I T Y N U M B E R : 1 1 8 6 9 74V S R E D D I T C H B O R O U G HO F F I C A L M AT C H D AY P R O G R A M M EK I C K O F F 3 P MS A T U R D A Y 1 5 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6T HI S S U E 3 - 2 0 2 6 / 2 7
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 Redditch Borough. It has been a busy start to the season and, with four games already played, we have probably been a little up and down so far. After a disappointing opening day at Bridgnorth, we responded well with a very good 3–2 win over Sandbach United before a difficult afternoon against Shawbury. Tuesday night’s 3–0 victory away at Crewe FC was much more like the performance we are looking for. We have added a number of new players to the squad this summer and, with some of the lads who have been carrying injuries gradually getting back towards full fitness, competition for places is becoming stronger. Hopefully that will help us find the consistency we are looking for as the season progresses. Today gives us a different challenge as we welcome Redditch Borough from the Midland Football League. The FA Vase is always a great competition to be involved in and it is nice to test ourselves against a side from another league. A good run would be fantastic for the players and everyone connected with the club, so hopefully we can put in a performance that takes us into the next round. I would also like to thank the committee and everyone behind the scenes for the work they continue to put in every week, and welcome Lisa to the club as our new secretary. Finally, thank you to everyone who continues to come down and support us. Your backing makes a real difference to the lads and hopefully we can give you a performance to enjoy today. Enjoy the game and get behind the lads. Up the Foley!THE GAFFER’S NOTESFirst Team ManagerMark Lawton
Welcome to the Trentham Foods Stadium for today’s FA Vase fixture against Redditch Borough. A warm welcome goes to the players, officials, committee members and supporters of Redditch Borough who have made the journey to be with us today. We hope you enjoy your visit to Foley Meir and, whatever the result, have a safe journey home afterwards. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to any Swansea City supporters joining us this afternoon. We hope you enjoy your visit to Foley Meir and your time with us at the Trentham Foods Stadium. The FA Vase is always a special competition for clubs at our level. It gives everyone the opportunity to dream of a run in one of non-league football’s most prestigious competitions and, ultimately, a day out at Wembley. We know there is a long road ahead, but today is the first step and hopefully we can produce a performance that keeps our journey going. It has been great to see the support around the club during the opening weeks of the new season. Your backing from the side of the pitch makes a huge difference to the players, and we hope to see that continued again this afternoon. Cup football can often bring something a little different, so hopefully we are in for an exciting afternoon. As always, I would also like to thank our sponsors, volunteers and everyone working behind the scenes. Matchdays simply could not happen without the people who give up their time to help the club, from those on the gate and in the kitchen and bar to everyone preparing the ground and facilities. Thank you all for joining us today. Enjoy the game, get behind the lads and hopefully we can take another step forward in the competition. Up The Foley!THE PRESIDENT’S WELCOMEClub PresidentSteve James
CLUB NEWSFOLEY JUNOIR MEMBERSHIPSJUNIOR MEMBERSHIP – JUST £5 Our Foley Meir Junior Membership is available for supporters aged Under-16 for just £5 for the entire season. The membership includes entry to all Foley Meir home league and cup fixtures, making it a fantastic way for our younger supporters to follow the lads throughout the 2026/27 campaign. We want to encourage the next generation of Foley supporters to get involved with the club, enjoy matchdays at the Trentham Foods Stadium and become part of the Foley family. For more information or to sign up, speak to a member of the committee on matchday. The future is Foley.
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 Sport
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
THEVISITORSREDDITCH BOROUGH
Founded in 2006, Redditch Borough began life as a junior club established by Julian Workman to provide local children with opportunities to play football. Initially based at Churchill Middle School, the club later moved to the Valley Stadium before taking the significant step into adult football in 2014. Borough were accepted into Midland Football League Division Three for the 2014/15 season and finished an impressive fourth in their first campaign. Promotion followed the next season as runners-up, with Jak Albutt and future professional Jason Cowley prolific in front of goal. That campaign also brought silverware as Borough lifted both the Midland League Challenge Vase and the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup. The club later moved to Cherry Tree Walk, now known as The Cherry Tree Stadium, where considerable work was carried out to improve the facilities. Success continued with further Evesham Hospital Cup victories before Borough defeated Knowle 2-1 at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium to win the Les James Challenge Cup. One of the club’s biggest achievements arrived in 2023/24 under John Edwards. Facing a remarkable schedule of 13 league matches in just 29 days, Borough produced 11 wins and two draws to secure promotion to the National League System. The following season they finished second in Hellenic League Division One before narrowly losing 3-2 to Wantage Town in the play-off semi-final. Today, Redditch Borough are managed by Rob Bruce and continue to develop both on and off the pitch. The club now boasts around 40 affiliated teams across senior, junior, women’s and disability football, while in 2025 Borough received recognition from both Worcestershire FA and The FA for their contribution to inclusive and disability football.REDDITCH BOROUGH
2025/26 SEASON REVIEWThe 2025/26 campaign proved to be a season of mixed fortunes for Redditch Borough as they competed once again in the Hellenic League Division One. After finishing runners-up the previous season, Borough headed into the campaign looking to build on that strong showing. However, consistency proved more difficult to find, with an entertaining but unpredictable season eventually seeing them finish 10th in the 18-team division. Redditch recorded 14 victories from their 34 league fixtures, alongside three draws and 17 defeats, collecting 45 points in total. Goals certainly weren’t in short supply, with Borough finding the net 63 times over the course of the campaign. At the other end, 64 goals were conceded, leaving them with a goal difference of minus one and highlighting just how fine the margins were during a number of their matches. Although a 10th-place finish represented a step back from the previous campaign, there were still plenty of positives to take from the season. Their attacking return demonstrated the threat Borough could pose going forward, while 14 league victories showed their ability to compete strongly on their day. With Rob Bruce now at the helm, Redditch Borough will be hoping to turn that attacking potential into greater consistency as they look to climb the Hellenic League Division One table during 2026/27.2026/27 SO FARRedditch Borough have experienced a mixed start to the 2026/27 campaign as they begin another season in the Hellenic League Division One. Borough opened their league programme in positive fashion with a 2–1 victory over Cheltenham Saracens at the Cherry Tree Stadium, getting their first three points on the board at the earliest opportunity. Two difficult away fixtures followed. A 3–1 defeat at Alcester Town was followed by a heavy 8–1 loss at Wantage Town, leaving Redditch looking to respond quickly after a challenging week on the road. After their opening three league matches, Borough have recorded one victory and two defeats, scoring four goals and conceding 12. They currently sit 14th in the Division One table with three points. Attention now turns away from league action as Redditch make the trip to the Trentham Foods Stadium for today’s FA Vase tie. With a place in the next round at stake, Borough will be hoping the competition provides the perfect opportunity to bounce back and build some early-season momentum.
Foley Meir bounced back in impressive fashion with a 3-0 victory away at Crewe, producing a clinical second-half display to secure all three points. The opening 45 minutes proved to be a closely fought contest, with neither side able to find the breakthrough as the teams went into the interval level at 0-0. Foley came out strongly after the restart and were rewarded in the 57th minute when Finlay Foote opened the scoring, giving the visitors the advantage and something to build on. Crewe looked for a response, but Foley remained organised and continued to carry a threat going forward. Their pressure eventually told again in the 76th minute when Freddy Lloyd doubled the lead to put Foley firmly in control. Lloyd then struck for a second time just four minutes later, finding the net in the 80th minute to make it 3-0 and put the result beyond doubt. Foley comfortably saw out the remaining stages to complete an excellent evening’s work, returning home with three goals, a clean sheet and all three points. After defeat at the weekend, it was exactly the response Foley were looking for, with a strong away performance ensuring the side quickly returned to winning ways.LAST TIME OUTCREWE FOLEY MEIR30 THE EXCEL | TUESDAY 11 AUGUSTTH ATTENDANCE: 155Finlay Foote (57), Freddy Lloyd (76), Freddy Lloyd (80)
The FA Vase has become one of the most prestigious competitions in English non-league football, offering hundreds of clubs from across the country the chance to embark on their own journey towards Wembley Stadium. The competition was introduced by the Football Association in 1974, following the abolition of the distinction between amateur and professional players. This brought an end to the historic FA Amateur Cup, with the FA Vase created to provide clubs from the lower levels of the non-league game with their own national knockout competition. The inaugural FA Vase took place during the 1974/75 season, with more than 200 clubs entering. The first final was played at Wembley Stadium, where Hoddesdon Town made history by defeating Epsom & Ewell 2-1 to become the competition’s first winners. Since then, the Vase has produced countless memorable stories, giant-killings and remarkable cup runs. For many clubs, simply progressing through the early rounds can create unforgettable occasions, while those fortunate enough to reach the latter stages suddenly find themselves just a handful of matches away from Wembley. Several clubs have become synonymous with the competition. Billericay Town were one of the early dominant forces, winning the Vase three times between 1976 and 1979, while Whitley Bay later established themselves as the most successful club in the competition’s history. The North-East side have lifted the trophy on four occasions, including an incredible run of three consecutive victories between 2009 and 2011. The final has not always been played at Wembley. During the redevelopment of the national stadium, the showpiece fixture moved around several major grounds before returning to the new Wembley in 2007. Since 2016, the FA Vase final has formed part of Non-League Finals Day, alongside the FA Trophy final, giving supporters from across the non-league game the opportunity to enjoy two national cup finals at Wembley on the same day. The beauty of the FA Vase is that it gives clubs at Steps 5 and 6 of the National League System the opportunity to dream on a national stage. Players who spend their working week away from football can find themselves competing in front of thousands of supporters at Wembley just a few months later. Every season begins with hundreds of clubs sharing exactly the same ambition. Most journeys will end somewhere along the way, but for two teams, the final destination will be Wembley. That is what makes the FA Vase so special — from the opening qualifying rounds all the way to the national stadium, every club has its own Road to Wembley.THE FA VASE
On this day in 1985 By the summer of 1985, years of hard work were finally coming together as Foley prepared to open their new home in Meir. A newspaper report from 8 August 1985 revealed that the club had spent around £15,000 getting the ground ready. Chairman Arthur Parsons, one of Foley’s surviving founder members, said the club had been searching for a ground of its own for at least 25 years and regarded securing the new home as one of Foley’s greatest achievements. At the time, the report noted that Foley had already collected an incredible 56 trophies in 38 years, but the new ground represented something different — a foundation from which the club could continue to progress. Just one week later, on 15 August 1985, Foley officially opened the ground with Eccleshall providing the opposition. The occasion was marked in unforgettable fashion as Foley recorded a remarkable 9–0 victory, giving their new home the perfect beginning. After decades of searching, Foley finally had a ground to call their own — and a new chapter in the club’s history had begun.
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REDDITCH BOROUGHFOLEY MEIRMonty Parkes (GK) Lucas Baker Jake Braxton-Lloyd 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 BradburyRené Adigbo (GK) Cephason Anderson Jordan Assoua Ajay Bryant Daniel Carlin Ethan Davey Dale Edwards Romay Francis George Gillon Sulayman Hangero- Cham Ashton Honeyghan David Kayigwa Scott Loader Luca-Theodor Macsim Luke Manning Kenzie McKeon Callum Daniel Monaghan James Mudie Louis O’Sullivan Henry Smith Raheem Spencer Harry Stone Leo Thomas Taylor WhittToday’s Officials Referee: Bradley Cope | Assistant: Oliver Brookes | Assistant: Mark HarrisonTHE SQUADS