Tunbridge Wells FC - Supporters

18th January 2025 (Programme notes v Lordswood)

Well this is a bit of a novelty isn't it!!

 

7 weeks since our last league game, a 1-1 draw away at Glebe and a ridiculous 12 weeks since our last home league fixture, we are finally back, albeit at the unusually early kick off time of 1:30pm.

 

Not that we are complaining, I think everyone is just glad to be doing what we love in front of you good people!

 

Obviously, we are now playing catch up, due to our FA Vase run and intermittent postponements and it will be a real challenge for the group to kick start some momentum and hopefully get in and around the play off places, something we all feel we are capable of.

 

We know from last year, that converting games in hand into points on the board, is not as straight forward as it sounds. It is therefore vital that we keep all of our current squad fit and motivated, to avoid our grueling schedule from catching up with us. As a group, we passionately believe we are capable of the top 5, and are adament that all of the trials and tribulations we've faced won't impact us fulfilling our potential!

 

We need you guys now, probably more than ever, to give us the extra inspiration to achieve our goals. The support at Crawley Down was fantastic and I am calling on you all to bring that level of support and passion to every home and away game between now and the end of the season! In tough times, communities need to pull together to help each other pull through; there's no stronger community than our unique Royal Family, so I'm confident that if you bring your 'A game' we will follow suit.

 

The squad's attitude has been superb through this period and shows the togetherness and commitment they have towards each other and the badge. I anticipate having a full squad to pick from today and my biggest challenge has been deciding who misses out and how we keep them involved.

 

We now have a roof over the Courtyard, so hopefully you will take advantage and partake in some additional pre and post-match hospitality. We look forward to joining you after the game to have a chat and enjoy a pint!

 

Loyal & Royal to the end!

Over and out for now. 

Ivesy

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25th November 2024

Good Afternoon All!

 

I hope everyone has dried out after the debacle at The Den on Saturday?!

 

We now find ourselves making the lovely little trip down the M2 on a Tuesday evening to hopefully conclude our Kent Senior Trophy tie at the second time of asking!

 

One bright spot to come from a thoroughly soggy afternoon, was the opening of the cabin in the Culverden Courtyard, which provided some much welcomed post match warmth and hospitality!!

 

We’d shuffled the pack a little bit for the game to A) deal with a couple of problems we thought Faversham might pose us & B) give a few of the squad who have had to be patient an opportunity to shine. After the early calamity of the own goal, I felt we’d grown into the game and were asking plenty of questions; Siji hitting the post & Super Jack forcing a good save from their keeper. Infact, at the point the Ref called time on proceedings, I felt it looked inevitable we would equalize, so let’s see how we get on tomorrow, on what will no doubt be a very different playing surface!!!

 

We are now entering a tricky but exciting run of fixtures, that will test our ability to keep the recent run of form going. Sandwiched between challenging away games to Glebe & Corinthian, is the one you will no doubt be keeping an eye out for, the next round of the Vase at home to Crawley Down Gatwick on Saturday December 7th. At the time of writing this, CDG are sitting just outside the playoffs in the SCFL division in 6th place, notably the 2nd top scoring side in the division. After smashing 8 past Peacehaven, without response, in the last round, it would be extremely naïve of anyone to think this is going to be an easy game, but I’m confident that if you can get behind us in the manner you did against Hassocks, we can beat anyone on our day!

 

I’d like to put on record my thanks to all of you that have been able to help get the players sponsors, this has enabled me to get new tracksuits for all the squad. We currently have a really good group, who all buy into what we are trying to do, and my biggest challenge over the coming months is to keep them all onboard, as we only have 16 available places in a match day squad! I think we still have a couple of players available, for any one reading who is in a position to assist, just reach out and I’ll go through it with you! The next challenge is to get some more sponsorship boards up around the perimeter of the pitch, some of you may have noticed the addition of St. Johns Fish Bar at the last home game, thanks to Clare Robins for the initial contact on this one! I have set a personal target of 20 boards between now and the end of the season, so anyone who can help me get there, please reach out!!?

 

Enough of the sales pitches, let’s get back to the football, starting tomorrow night. I know this fixture has been thrown in at short notice, but I’m really hoping many of you will make the pilgrimage to cheer us on; the away support is always incredible & we will all be doing everything we can to do you proud and make the trip worthwhile!!!

 

Stay Loyal & Royal! 

Over and out for now.

Ivesy

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23rd September 2024

Sorry it’s been a while since I last checked in with you through the website, albeit most of us have spoken on the terraces over the last few weeks. 

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It was a relief, to safely navigate our way into the hat for the next round of the Vase. We are all aware of the Club’s history in the competition, I have to be honest and say that it does put a bit of extra pressure on my shoulders, but pressure is a good thing that keeps you focussed, and I felt it was a convincing performance in beating Glebe. With no extra time or replays this season, there’s literally no margin for error, and all the time the game stayed 0-0, the tension starts to build, particularly after hitting the woodwork twice. Thankfully, Reg stepped up to break the deadlock, and then again to seal the win, both very composed finishes, and no less than we deserved on the balance of the game. As I type this, we have just been drawn at home to SCFL Premier side Pagham, superb to be at The Den again, and I have no doubt that you will pack the place, so together let’s see how far the journey will take us this season!

 

What we do not want to do, is let the Cup be a distraction from our league form, and on that front, there’s no chance to relax as we face an interesting Tuesday night trip to Fisher. I’m sure many of you were disappointed to see what is traditionally one of your favourite away days scheduled for midweek, what can we do though, some of the fixtures this season haven’t been kind to us. We are fully focussed on what will be a tricky game, Fisher’s home form is always good and we will need to be at our best to get anything from the game.

 

As a squad we are all in fairly good shape at the moment, except for Siji, who’s knee problem looks like it is going to keep him out for a little while. Walder picked up a knock to his ankle, which will probably see him missing tomorrow, but hopefully it’s nothing too serious, as he has been massive for us lately. Our recent form has seen us take 3 wins from the last 4 games, including 2 clean sheets, which are particularly pleasing for me, and a reflection of the hard work everyone has been putting in. Competition for shirts is healthy, and the test for me is to try to keep everyone motivated and together, something that feels in a better place than at times last season.

 

After Fisher we face another tough game as we welcome Lydd Town to The Den on Saturday, the challenges come thick and fast in this league, which is what makes it one of the best step 5 leagues in the country in my opinion.

 

My final word for now, is a request to you all; get yourselves along to a couple of our upcoming home games, and make the effort to hang around for an hour afterwards. As a squad, we always come up to The Courtyard post match, and it would be great to mingle with you all and have a chat. 

Over and out for now.

Ivesy

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24th July 2024

Hello Everyone, 

With us playing our last friendly fixture last night, away at Herne Bay, it seemed an appropriate time to check in and give everyone an update on how preseason has gone for us as a squad.

 

Those of you that have been along to watch, will notice a handful of last season’s squad are no longer with us, although the core of the group remain, complimented by a smattering of new faces!

 

Notably, our Captain & talisman last season, Trevor McCreadie has left to play in his hometown of Eastbourne. Trev was incredible during his 2 years as a Royal, and we wish him nothing but success for the future. Another Eastbournian, Matty Astle, has also flown the nest, returning to Littlehampton in the league above. Local boy Sammie McLeod has also decided to push himself at a higher level, something we will always encourage & support players in doing, again we wish him well with his new Club Sevenoaks Town. Finally, Morgan Vale returns to Sussex as he joins Hassocks, in what sounds like a great opportunity for him to play week in & out, something we weren’t always in a position to do.

 

On a positive note, all of our award winners from last season remain with the Club as Regan Corke, Jim White, Siji Akinlusi  & Harry Hudson commit to us. Ned Lewis will sign on, although playing opportunities will be limited as he returns to The States to complete his scholarship. 17 players in total remain with the Club, hopefully giving us a good foundation and continuity to build upon, in addition to those mentioned Jack Walder, George Bentley, Mo Alaka, Tommy Sceale, Ronny Little, James Shield, Rory Ward, Ryan Moir, Max Lambert, Jacob Feasey, Jack Gallagher & Brad Austin complete the set!

 

We have a few new faces added to the mix, in no particular order I am pleased to welcome to the Club:

 

• Sean Foster, Goalkeeper. Previously with Luton Town & Steyning Town

• Luke Exall, Centre Half. Previously with Hollands & Blair, Welling Town & Sutton Athletic

• Lewis Unwin, Centre Midfield. Previously with Rusthall, Crowborough Athletic, East Grinstead Town & Whitehawk.

• Kazzeem Richards, Wing Back. Previously with Croydon Athletic, Glebe & Erith & Belvedere.

• Josh McArthur-Nolan, Wing Back. Previously with Lingfield & Tonbridge Angels Academy.

• Billy Robbins, Wing Back. Previously with Lydd Town, Welling Town & Maidstone United Academy.

• Rushaar Samuel, Centre Forward. Previously with Chessington & Hook, Redhill & AMG Ballerz.

 

We are also delighted to welcome fans favourite Festos Kamara back to The Den, after finishing last season with Corinthian.

 

Preseason began for us back on Monday 17th June and after a few sessions in the tank, we began our friendlies away at Westfield on Sat 6th July. The game ending in a 5-0 victory with a Regan Corke first half hat-trick setting us on our way. We subsequently beat Halls Athletic 2-1 (Jacob Feasey with both goals), Bridon Ropes 2-0 (Jacob Feasey & James White), and Little Common 4-0 (Rory Ward 2, Jack Gallagher & Rushaar Samuel). Last Sat 20th we took the short trip down the A26 to play Crowborough athletic, a competitive encounter finishing with us taking a 1-0 victory, thanks to that man Feasey again. Last night we made the long trip to Step 4 Herne Bay, tasting defeat for the first time as the home side narrowly won 2-1, Jack Gallagher with our goal.

 

Overall we are pleased with where the squad are at, whilst there is still loads of things we could improve on, it feels like we are in a reasonable place & the squad is hungry to attack the first month of fixtures. The business begins on Saturday as we travel to Ashford, to take on Kennington, looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat from our final game of last season!

 

There has been so much hard work going on at the ground throughout the summer, I’ve witnessed first hand the love and dedication our hard-working volunteers, players and supporters have for the place, and what makes it such a special Club to be associated with. We cannot wait to see you back at The revamped Den for the FA Cup game against high achieving Farnham Town on August 3rd, let’s get The Den rocking and make it a real occasion!

Over and out for now.

Ivesy