Andrew Dunn speaks with Ricky Marheineke following the Ives 2-0 victory over Kings Langley on Saturday.

“I was delighted with the win, as it was the perfect response from the defeat at Needham Market on Tuesday night.  I felt with that game, we fell below the required standard and when you do that at this level, there is always going to be one outcome.

I felt we took the game to them, and created the best chances throughout the match, and thoroughly deserved the victory.  We watched Kings Langley in their match on Monday and we knew what their strengths were and we decided what formation to play.  With that in mind, I have to give credit to the players who executed our game plan really well.

In terms of team selection, it was really difficult to leave out Nabil Sharriff as obviously he has made an excellent start to the season.  In all honesty, it could have been any of the forwards who was left out, but when Nabil came on, I thought his contribution was excellent, and had a hand in one of the goals.

It was good to have Dylan Williams back as he was unavailable on Tuesday night and I thought Myles Cowling was great for us too, and fully deserved the sponsors man of the match award.

There were impressive performances across the park and Greg Kaziboni is getting plenty of plaudits and rightly so as on his day, he is one of the best players in the league, and he is already proving what an outstanding signing he is for us.  It’s also good to see Johnny Edwards in the goals again and I feel that the squad is in a very good place right now.

We have two matches next weekend which we are looking forward to.  Dylan Williams left the field with an injury yesterday, but that is just an impact injury and he will be OK for selection ahead of Mickleover on Saturday.  We have some footage on Mickleover and we will prepare for that one in training this week.  As for the Rushden & Diamonds game on Monday, I don’t pay attention to the fact that they are currently bottom of the league.  It’s still very early season, and they will be difficult opponents but we will be looking forward to what will no doubt be a keenly contested local derby”.

If you pay attention to early season league tables, then it’s fifth v second at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road on Saturday as St Ives host Kings Langley.

It’s the visitors who are currently second after securing two wins and a draw from their opening three games.  Their latest encounter came with a victory over Bedford on Monday night.  Prior to that, a win against Redditch and an opening day point against Mickleover ensure that the Hertfordshire outfit arrive currently unbeaten in the league.

The Ives have made an encouraging start to their league campaign.  Two wins over Bromsgrove and Stratford and a defeat at Needham Market currently see the hosts on six points.  Nabil Shariff has been in the goals already this season having found the net on four occasions already, with three of those against Stratford last weekend.  Shariff looks set to be in the squad on Saturday as the Ives bid to inflict the first defeat on Kings Langley this season.

Last season was a difficult one for Kings Langley as they escaped relegation on the final day of the season after they won 2-0 at Salisbury.  That match was in the Premier Division South and during the summer they were moved laterally to the Premier Division Central.  Last time the two teams met was in the aborted season of 2020/21 and they had to settle for a point a piece following a 2-2 draw.

Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.

Our programme is online only. (Click here to view / download it).

Match Sponsor

After two wins to open the season, St Ives travel to Needham Market on Tuesday night for their first midweek action of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Ives make the trip on the back of a thumping 5-0 win over Stratford at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road on Saturday.  Nabil Shariff was the hero with a second half hat-trick to ensure that the hosts got their second win of the season.

Dylan Williams will be missing from the Ives squad for the trip to Suffolk due to holiday commitments, but otherwise Ricky Marheineke has a full squad to select from.

Whilst St Ives were winning on Saturday, Needham Market lost 1-0 at home to Bromsgrove Sporting.  On the opening day of the season, the Marketmen secured a point courtesy of a 0-0 draw at AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Last season, both Needham Market and St Ives met each other on four occasions – twice in the league and also in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.  In the league, the away match finished 1-1 with the same result at Westwood Road for the return match in February.  In the FA Cup, the Ives lost 1-0 and, in the Trophy, it was the Marketmen who got the better of the Ives courtesy of a 2-0 victory.  That win was part of a run for Needham Market that saw them progress all the way to the quarter finals before they were eliminated 3-0 by Stockport County.

Kick-off on Tuesday evening is at 7:45pm.

GOING TO GAME

Needham Market FC
Bloomfields
Quinton Road
Needham Market
Suffolk
IP6 8DA

St Ives Town begin their home campaign in the PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division Central tomorrow when they host Stratford Town at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.

The Ives go into the game on the back of an opening day win at Bromsgrove Sporting.  A goal down at half-time, the Ives stunned the hosts with two second half goals from Johnny Edwards as they returned home with maximum points.

Whilst the Ives collected an opening day win, Stratford were deprived of maximum points as Bedford struck two minutes from time to ensure it was a point a piece.  For Stratford, last season will be remembered for getting to the first-round proper of the FA Cup and a televised home tie against Shrewsbury Town.  That match ended in a 5-1 defeat for the Bards, and they finished their league games in 13^th position, one place above the Ives.

The fixture tomorrow is an early opportunity for Jordan Williams and Enoch Andoh to feature against their former club.  Both have signed for the Ives during the summer and will be in a squad that has no major injury concerns following the win at Bromsgrove Sporting.

The match is likely to be played in warm conditions, with the allowance of a drinks break.  Supporters attending the game are reminded to take the necessary precautions inclusive of staying hydrated throughout the afternoon.

Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.

Last season:

28/08/21:  St Ives Town 0 Stratford Town 4
16/04/22:  Stratford Town 0 St Ives Town 3

Our programme is online only. (Click here to view / download it).

Just prior to the kick off there will be a minutes silence in memory of Ives supporter Richard Tutt who sadly passed away at the end of last month.

Match Sponsor

FISHER DELIGHTED AS THE IVES WIN ON OPENING DAY

Andrew Dunn catches up with St Ives joint Assistant manager, Adam Fisher who gives his thoughts on the opening day win at Bromsgrove Rovers.

“I’m delighted with the result.  Bromsgrove is a hard place to go so to come back from a goal down and get maximum points is fantastic for us.  There were a few nerves during the first half, but aside from that I thought we started well.  So, it was really frustrating that we conceded in the manner that we did.

It was important that we stayed in touch at half-time so it was key we didn’t concede anymore.  We said to them at the break that we must stick to our task and we don’t feel sorry for ourselves and keep believing.  We’ve worked well on set pieces and we thought that we could hurt them if we got the delivery of those right and also just be more clinical when and we got our chances.

Second half I thought defensively, we were outstanding and I thought our fitness levels were better too and I think that gave us a bit of an advantage as we would finish stronger.   I was pleased with all the new players as they had impressive debuts.  Obviously, the likes of Jordan Williams and Johnny Herd have played at this level before, but this was the first step 3 match for Julien Sakka and I think he did really well.

Obviously, Jonny Edwards has done really well for us as he has scored both goals.  I’m really pleased for him as he’s been wanting to find the net more during pre-season, but he’s looked really sharp in training and we all know what he is capable of, and he proved it yesterday and, on his day, he will be a handful of a lot of defences in this league.

The game against Stratford on Saturday will be tough.  They got a point against Bedford yesterday, and our focus will be on having two good training sessions to prepare for the game.  There are no new injuries, and some players who didn’t feature yesterday may be involved.  But there’s a good spirit in the camp following yesterday and we want to install a winning mentality in the squad and we also want to start our home campaign on a high.”

 IVES BOSS READY FOR THE NEW SEASON

Andrew Dunn talks to St Ives Manager, Ricky Marheineke as he looks ahead to the 2022/23 season.

It was back on 23 April that St Ives last played a competitive fixture when the curtain came down on the 2021/22 season with a 1-1 draw against Tamworth.  But tomorrow, it all starts again as the Ives travel to Bromsgrove Sporting to begin another PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division Central campaign.

Ives manager, Ricky Marheineke has been busy bringing in several new faces during a pre-season campaign that has seen his side win four of the nine matches played.  “I think it’s been an excellent pre-season” said Marheineke.  “Normally you get a few ups and downs with injuries and fitness levels, but in all honesty, it has been relatively smooth both in performances and how we have managed minutes for all the players involved”.

Despite several new players having been added to the squad, Marheineke was delighted to have kept the spine of the squad from last season.  “We’ve kept the likes of Michael Richens, Nabil Shariff, Dylan Williams, Ethan Johnson and a few others and they know what we expect from them and how we want to play.  I also think we have recruited well.  We looked at it and decided that as a priority we needed to increase our defensive options.  So, it’s great to have got the likes of Johnny Herd, Jordan Williams, Owen Sherriff, and Julien Saka.  They will bring experience as well as competition for places”.

It’s not just defensive options where Marheineke has strengthened.  The Ives boss was also pleased to strengthen in other areas of the pitch too.  He added “I was delighted that striker Jonathan Edwards agreed to sign.  I’ve known him for a couple of years, and he had an exceptional record at Biggleswade and Royston as well as a decent return for FC Romania.  He knows where the back of the net is, and I hope he will excite our supporters.  I was also really pleased to sign both Greg Kaziboni and Enoch Andoh.  They are both really good players, know this level well and on their day can be a real handful for the opposition.  But we have a good squad, and we will be looking to continue with the decent form we had at the end of last season”.

Marheineke acknowledges that the game at Bromsgrove will be tough.  “They had a difficult season last year and will be looking to get off to a positive start.  They always get decent crowds and tomorrow will be no exception and they will want to perform for their supporters.  You can never read too much into the opening round of matches, but we will go there with a fully fit squad and the lads know what is expected of them”.

The Ives finished 14^th last season, so does Marheineke think they can match that or go better?  “We’ve set ourselves short term targets of how many points we would like to have at each stage of the season.  We also know that some so-called experts have predicted we will struggle so the lads will see that as perfect motivation to prove people wrong.  But we are looking forward to the season and hope that it will be a successful campaign”.

The opponents for the Ives tomorrow have had a reasonable pre-season having won three of their six matches.  They finished off their preparations with a 1-0 win over Bedworth at the Victoria Ground last Saturday.  Like the Ives, they have strengthened during the summer, and one player to watch will be new signing Dan Sweeney.  The striker arrives from neighbours Redditch United where he scored 13 league goals last season.  The striking options for the Rouslers have also been boosted with Andre Brown signing from Hednesford.

For any supporters heading to the game tomorrow, all the matchday information is below.  A full report from the Victoria Ground will be available on the club website over the weekend.

GOING TO THE GAME:

Bromsgrove Sporting FC
The Victoria Ground
Birmingham Road
BROMSGROVE
B61 0DR

ADMISSION PRICES:

Adults: £12.00
Senior (Over 65): £9.00
12-17’s: £6.00
3-11’s: £1.00 (with an adult)
Payment is at the turnstile by cash or credit/debit card

LAST SEASON:

23/11/21: St Ives Town 2 Bromsgrove Sporting 2
11/12/21: Bromsgrove Sporting 1 St Ives Town 0

We can announce that the following players have also signed to play for the Ives this coming season.

Re-signing
Andrew Osei-Bonsu

New Signings 
Kane Lewis – ex Liverpool from Cefn Druids (Welsh League), also played in Champions League for New Saints
Lewis Lembikisa – ex Wolves from Chester le Street United
Owen Sheriff – Boston United
Enoch Andoh – Stratford Town
Myles Cowling – Season long loan from Cambridge Utd

Click Here for player profiles

We can announce that the following players have also signed to play for the Ives this coming season.

Re-signing
Nabil Shariff
James Goff
Ty Ward

New Signings 
Greg Kaziboni – Nuneaton Borough
Wilson Chingoka – Sutton Common Rovers
Jordan Williams – Stratford Town

Click Here for player profiles

We can announce that the following players have signed to play for the Ives this coming season.

Re-signing
Tyrone Baker
Ethan Johnston
Callum Milne
Dylan Williams
Ed Hottor
Oran Jackson
Michael Richens
Fayed Rhaman

New Signings 
Johnny Herd – Peterborough Sports
Jonathan Edwards – FC Romania
Julien Saka – Soham Town Rangers

Click Here for player profiles

We can also advise of the following that have moved on for the season ahead –
Brett Solkhon – Harborough Town
Nathan Hicks – AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Ben Toseland – Kettering Town
Luke Fairlamb – Tamworth
Victor Ayielabola

More signings to follow in due course

In these tough economic times every penny counts and in recognition of this we have priced our Adult season tickets at just £100, which works at under a fiver a game. You can’t find a cheaper adult season ticket at step 3 in the Southern League.

2022/23 Season Ticket prices
Adult / Concession £100
Student £40
U16-12 £20

Click here to download a season ticket application form

Please note that the season ticket is for home league games and pre-season friendlies only.

Andrew Dunn speaks with new first team coach, Adam Fisher.

Over the weekend Adam Fisher was unveiled as a new member of the management team at the Quattro-tech Westwood Road Stadium and is ready and excited for a new challenge.

His CV is certainly impressive.  After a spell as a coach at Barton Rovers, Fisher made the switch to become Manager at Welwyn Garden City.  A seven-and-a-half-year spell in charge of the Citizens proved to be successful as he guided the club to step 4 football for the first time in their history.  His time at Welwyn came to an end when he felt the club didn’t share the same ambitions to move it forward so he switched to a role at Hertford before moving to Baldock.  After leaving Baldock, he has spent some time scouting for various clubs but is now relishing the opportunity at St Ives.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said Fisher.  “I’ve known Ricky Marheineke for a while.  We have spoken previously about me joining and when he spoke to me again during the current closed season, it felt right for me to link-up with him and the rest of the management team.  We met again last week to finalise things and it’s great to be involved again.  Like with any new role, it will take me time to get my feet under the table, but the pre-season will be for me to adjust to that and get used to how Ricky and the rest of the team work.  But I’m really looking forward to meeting the players when we report back next week”.

Despite having pre-season to get to know the players, Fisher will still have to hit the ground running as his boss is away for the first two games of the season.  “I don’t think Ricky has lost many opening games, so the pressure will be on.  But seriously, I always judge the start of the season as a crucial part of the campaign.  You don’t want to get off to a bad start and play catch-up, you want to get points on the board early doors.  If you look at the form towards the end of last season, we were decent and we will be looking to replicate that in the opening matches”.

Fisher is also an admirer of the new facilities at the Quattro-tech Westwood Road Stadium.  “They are great” he said.  “Having a 3G pitch ensures a lot of things as not only is it great for the community, but it guarantees training and also, it’s a good selling point when you want to sign new players”.  

Like with anyone who follows football, Fisher is excited for the new season.  “If I didn’t think the club was moving in an upward trajectory or if I couldn’t make a difference, I wouldn’t have accepted the job.  Our absolute minimum once again will be to retain our step 3 status.  But who says we can’t push on from that?  You look at what North Leigh achieved as a Step 4 club last year.  They were one of the favourites for the drop, and gate crashed the play-offs and ended up getting promoted.  So, we should take inspiration from that and I am looking forward to the challenge”.

Supporters can see how the Saints are shaping up ahead of the new campaign with a number of pre-season friendlies throughout July.

As we approach the start of the new season we are delighted to announce the arrival of Adam Fisher to the club.

Manager Ricky Marheineke has added the former Welwyn Garden City boss to his staff following the departure of Mike Ford and Anton Sambrook.

Fisher, who has also had spells with Barton Rovers and Baldock Town will take up the role as first team coach.

We can now confirm the staff for next season.

Manager – Ricky Marheineke
Assistant Manager – Jim Freeman
First team coach – Adam Fisher
GK coach & Kit man – Paul Swannell
Head of analysis – Gary Marheineke
Sports Therapist – Jardaine Patel-Joseph

ST IVES TOWN FC – MEDIA OFFICER

This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring sports journalist or media officer to gain valuable experience in a football environment.

The role involves live updates on match days via Twitter, Facebook & Instagram (Saturdays and most Tuesdays) using a range of media including video, images and text and utilising the latest social trends, as well as conducting interviews with the coaches and players (primarily at away games), and providing other relevant social media posts and web pieces.

The volunteer will be entitled to FREE entry to home & away games. (Transport can be arranged for away games.)

As St Ives Town FC is a community, non-league football club, this is a volunteer, unpaid position. However, it does provide invaluable experience for anyone passionate about a career in sports media.

This is a great opportunity to be part of something special and add that crucial experience to your CV.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Dave Hook – 07960 256749 or email hooklevi@aol.com 

As a massive thank you for all your loyal support and in recognition of the tough economic times we now live in the club has decided to maintain last season’s prices for all season tickets. A full priced season ticket is £100 which works out at less than £5 per home game and it also includes all preseason friendlies.

2022/23 Season Ticket prices
Adult / Concession £100
Student £40
U16-12 £20

Click here to download a season ticket application form

Please note that the season ticket is for league games and pre-season friendlies only.

GODMANCHESTER ROVERS v ST IVES TOWN FC

Hunts FA Senior Cup Final – Tuesday 26 April 19:45

The Ives round off the season with a visit to St Neots to take on Godmanchester Rovers in the Hunts FA Senior Cup Final.

We ended our league campaign with our 2nd highest ever final position in the football pyramid of 14th place with 47 points from 40 games and to top it off by taking home the County Cup would certainly round off a successful season.

Godmanchester currently ply their trade at step 5 having completed the season in the UCL Premier South Division finishing in 11th place with 45 points from 38 games.

The two sides last met in the Hunts Senior Cup Final just shy of 10 years ago on 4 May 2012 with the Ives running out 3-1 winners.

If you haven’t done so already, Marina Howlett will have forms available at the game this evening to enable you to cast your vote for the ‘Supporters Player of the Season’. Alternatively you can cast your vote by sending a DM through either our Twitter, Facebook or Instagram accounts.

Tonight’s match programme is online only. Click here to view it

St Neots Town FC
Kester Way
St Neots
Cambs
PE19 6SL

Admission Prices
Adults – £8
Concessions – £5
Under 16 – £5
U12 – Free

Route to the Final

Quarter Final
St Ives Town 4-0 Eynesbury Rovers

Semi Finals
Yaxley 0-8 St Ives Town
St Neots Town 0-2 Godmanchester Rovers