SOUTHAM UNITED F.C.

SOUTHAM UNITED CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF FOOTBALL HISTORY

Southam United 0 Coventry City FC (1987 Cup Winning Team) 1
Centenary Match
Sunday 19th June 2005
Match Report & Photo's By Glenn Lawrence

In a Day which had everything for Lad's, Lassies and the True Football supporter it was the Teams from Coventry City that ran out Winners as Southam United FC marked 100 Years of Football History. The Days events opened at 10.45am as Southam Under 6's took on Wellesbourne Wanderers that was Followed by Ladies Football as Southam United Ladies 2004/2005 West Midlands Regional Ladies League Division I South Champions were awarded their League Trophy, The Team have capped a Marvellous Season under Manager Ian Ray by being Promoted to the Premier Division, They took on Coventry City Ladies, Coventry Ladies snatching a narrow 3-2 Victory as the Saints staged a comeback from being 2 Nil down after just 11 minutes.After that it was the turn of the Under 7's to take on Wellesbourne before the Main Game as Kirk Stephens brought his 1987 Coventry City Cup Winning Team to Banbury Road helped out by a few ways and strays which made up the Coventry City Team. In the Evening the Players, Officials and Supporters of all the Southam United Teams were honour in the Club's Annual Awards Night.

In front of around 500+ Supporters On an afternoon where it was all about enjoying Yourselves and trying to stay cool rather than any Serious Soccer the Football was Enjoyable and Entertaining Southam United had a Great start after just 2 minutes when Neil Stacey found Tom Thacker but he blazed over the City Crossbar with United firing on all cylinders Tom Thacker rattled the far Post with a Thunderous 18 yard effort.The Only Goal of this Game come after 65 minutes when Dean Thomas hit home from the Penalty Spot following handball which was flagged for by the Assistant on the Banbury Road touch-line, Thomas giving United Goalkeeper and Assistant Manager Paul Brassington no chance with a well driven spot-kick. Southam Manager Curly O' Callaghan donned a Coventry City Shirt but was well marshalled by Gary Puddifoot and in the closing stages he released Paul Culpin following a neat run. Barry Shearsby forced City Goalkeeper and Southam Team Mate David Shepherd to save well but on a Hot Afternoon where the focus was on enjoyment rather than too much serious Soccer it was City that ran out narrow 1-0 winners.Southam paraded new signings Chris Handrahan, Barry Shearsby along with Ex-Professional Goalkeeper Jason Pearcey (who keep Goal for Coventry City) this afternoon during the First Half.

Southam United should be congratulated for an Excellent well run Day and although the Coventry City Sparkle and skill was clearly evident the Legs for many have all but failed full credit too All the Southam and Coventry City Players who battled through the sweltering South Warwickshire Heat to make this Day an Enjoyable and Entertaining in which the Quality of Football both from the Ladies and Men Teams was a Credit given the baking hot sticky conditions.

Congratulations and Thanks for The Hard Work must be sent to the Southam United FC President Rex Sharples and Chairman Charles Hill and all the backroom staff without the Help of the Following People Today's Events would not have been possible Glynis Hill, Alan and Bev Freeman, Tony Cragg, Anna and Booby Hancock's Manager's Mark O'Callaghan and Ian Ray to mention just a few of the many Staff who helped out put Today's Events together.

& BEFORE THE EVENT

Southam United FC members are planning a major centenary celebration - with the help of Arsenal and Coventry City. The Banbury Road club will stage the biggest day of football ever seen in the town on Sunday June 19 to mark the 100th anniversary of the merger between Southam Town and Southam Vics. Saints' Midland Combination team will take on the popular Sky Blues FA Cup winning team of 1987, while the successful women's side will face Arsenal - the most powerful force in the women's game in England. That prospect excites ladies' manager Ian Ray, who guided his side to the Women's West Midlands Division One South league title and promotion this season. "There is no one bigger in the women's game than Arsenal ladies," he said. They look like they will retain their Premier League title this year and to play them will be a tremendous experience for our players. "It's a great honour for the club that they have agreed to come and play us." Ray immediately identified Arsenal as his dream opponents when the celebrations were first mooted. They agreed to come after persistent efforts by men's manager Curly O'Callaghan. Ray added: "It should be a really good spectacle - people will be able to see the highest standard of ladies' football in the country. We played Birmingham in the FA Cup earlier this season and now we're playing Arsenal." It promises to be a special day for club chairman Charles Hill, who has presided over a renaissance at Banbury Road since taking up the reins in 2001 and engineering a merger with the successful Southam Town junior set-up. "With the men playing the Coventry City cup winners and the women playing Arsenal it's going to be a big day," he said. "We will be looking for a big crowd because there will be a full day's entertainment. It will end with a party in the clubhouse." Tickets for the celebration day cost £5 for adults and £3 for children and senior citizens. Family tickets (two adults, two children) are £12.50. To buy in advance contact chairman Charles Hill on 07802 949781 or the club on 812091.