Author: Moley

The official mascot of Binfield Football Club. I do website posts, newsletters and digging.
Eddie Lee. Photo: Neil Graham.

Binfield through in Isthmian League Cup at Basingstoke Town

Binfield made progress in the Velocity Trophy – the Isthmian League Cup – on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Basingstoke Town.

Eddie Lee (who scored for Reading City at the weekend) and James Beauchamp were on target for a much-changed Moles side in a game that included debuts for three of the clubs under 23 players Max Reid, Jake Fisher and William Mabukwa.

The home side were hamstrung in the first half when Shaun Dallimore was sent off after 20 minutes and the Moles certainly capitalised.

Jack Craske’s match report from the fixture is here.

Next up for the Moles is an Isthmian League South Central tie at home to Walton & Hersham on Saturday. Tickets are available in advance via the Moles Ticketstore.

Binfield will play Sutton Common Rovers in the next round of the Velocity Trophy after they beat Three Bridges on penalties. Matches are due to be played by November 11th.

Restart a Heart day at Binfield FC.

Binfield hosts CPR demonstrations

Sunday was Restart a heart day so in conjunction with Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Binfield Football Club hosted a defib and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) demonstration session at the club.

Moles vice chairman Craig Gilbert writes: “We had coaches, committee members, parents and even a couple of the junior players in attendance.

“Simon from Thames Valley Air Ambulance gave an excellent presentation after which we all came away that little bit more confident in performing CPR in the unfortunate event we would need to.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance is one of the local charities you can choose to support when you buy your Binfield FC match tickets online. Our ticketing partner TicketPass donates 50% of their admin fee to charity for every ticket sold.

More details on Restart a Heart Day here on the British Heart Foundation website.

More on Thames Valley Air Ambulance here: www.tvairambulance.org.uk

Pitch Improvements

Hill Farm Lane Pitch Update

Moles Chairman Andy Cotton gives us an update on the work on the pitch improvements. Contractors have been out this week and work has continued on improving the pitches at the club. All 3 pitches Vertidrained and getting prepped for early autumn seeding.

Pitch condition prior to successful Allied County game last night.

Pitch 2 coming along nicely too

The Binfield FC badge. Photo: Neil Graham.

Binfield u23s adapting to Thames Valley Premier League life

Binfield’s Under 23 development side have begun their inaugural season in fine style in the Thames Valley Premier League Division Three.

The young Moles are unbeaten in their opening four games, winning three and drawing 2-2 with Goring United Reserves to leave them top of the table ahead of a return clash with Finchampstead on the 22nd.

Goals have certainly flowed in the games so far with 14 scored and seven conceded across the four games including a 5-1 win at Finch on Saturday.

Goals have been shared across the side so far with Reegan Basilio Artman, Connor Gonzalez and Luke Territt having three apiece and thus far just three bookings administered.

At the start of the season, we highlighted the launch of the new Development side and plans for its growth, as well as its immediate purpose. As chairman Andy Cotton wrote at the time: “This [the u23 team] is intended to provide an opportunity for those 18 / 19-year-olds who have just finished their Junior and Youth football journey, in the fullness of time it is hoped that it will further develop the young Binfield talent pool and provide a pathway (along with the resurrection of the u18 Allied Counties side under Nick White and Martin Smith) to senior football, hopefully for some lads at Binfield FC.”

The young Moles have no scheduled league game on Saturday but have arranged a tough-looking test away to Thames Valley Premier League Division One side Windlesham United U23.

The Binfield FC badge. Photo: Neil Graham.

Binfield draw Amersham Town in County Cup

Binfield will face Spartan South Midlands League Division One opposition in the First Round Proper of the Berks & Bucks County FA Senior Cup.

The Moles were drawn out of the hat on Thursday lunchtime and will play Amersham Town away on Tuesday 1st November 2022.

The match will be Binfield’s first in County Cup competition this season while Amersham have beaten Milton Keynes Irish 3-0 and Holmer Green 10-9 on penalties in the qualifying rounds.

The full Berks & Bucks County FA Senior Cup First Round draw

Newport Pagnell Town v Didcot Town 
Thatcham Town v Marlow 
Maidenhead United  v Slough Town 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Beaconsfield Town
Amersham Town v Binfield 
Hungerford Town v Sandhurst Town
Buckingham Athletic v Flackwell Heath 
AFC Aldermaston v Shrivenham 
Windsor v Bracknell Town
Aylesbury United v Chesham United 

Garry Haylock. Photo: Dan Westwell.

‘Garry Haylock guaranteed goals’

Our friends at Football in Berkshire have produced a little profile on new Binfield boss Garry Haylock, describing him as a ‘dream No9’ during his playing days.

Haylock played for much of his career in Ireland and Northern Ireland, featuring for clubs such as Shelbourne, Portadown, Glenavon, Glentoran, Linfield, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers.

Portadown fan and former BelfastLive editor Chris Sherrard wrote for the publication: “Haylock made such a big impression when he joined Linfield that he was the dream No9 for any team to have because he guaranteed goals – and success.

“I was delighted when he signed for Portadown and, sure enough, with him came so many goals and also trophies including a coveted league title.”

Read the full article on Football in Berkshire here.

Garry Haylock in Ireland, a goalscoring montage

New Binfield manager Garry Haylock.

Club statement: New first team manager

Binfield FC are absolutely delighted and excited to announce Garry Haylock as new First Team Manager with immediate effect.   

Garry brings to the club a significant amount of playing and managerial experience.  A full-time professional footballer, Garry played for many seasons at Huddersfield Town and enjoyed some very successful seasons playing in the top flight of Irish League Football where he won many awards and accolades, including winning the Republic of Ireland League Championship twice and the Northern Ireland League Championship twice. His honours list also includes three FAI Cups and two IFA Cups.  A Golden Boot winner on two occasions, Garry also played 26 times in European competition and even has a season of playing in Greece to add to his significant and experienced playing career.

Garry has had an equally impressive managerial and coaching career. He was manager at Hayes & Yeading United for a number of years and won promotion to the National League with them in 2009. He was First Team Coach at Exeter City for four seasons as well as manager at Farnborough, Walton & Hersham and has been involved in numerous high-profile academies and enjoys close ties to many local clubs that play at a higher level.

Related: New Binfield boss was ‘dream No9’ in Ireland

Garry Haylock. Photo: Dan Westwell.
Garry Haylock during his second spell with Hayes & Yeading. Photo: Dan Westwell.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Garry has spent his whole life involved in football.  There’s just too much to list here other than to say that he will be retaining his day job role as Director of Football at King Edwards School, combining this with his role at Binfield FC.

Binfield FC Chairman Andy Cotton noted: “Securing Garry’s signature is a huge milestone for our football club.  His playing and managerial experience, combined with his incredible coaching knowledge and history of player development is remarkable.  I’m absolutely thrilled that Garry has come aboard and I know that our hugely talented First Team will be equally delighted that he’s joined the Binfield family. Garry has been following the progress of the team for some time now and is eager to just get started, excited about the group and the challenge ahead”

We are delighted to confirm that current caretaker boss Roger Herridge, Liam Day and Tony Perry are staying as part of the First Team Management group as this underpins our ambition of always keeping Binfield club people involved.  We hope to announce the details of our new physio very soon.

FA Trophy

Binfield drawn away in FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round

After a hard-working 2-1 win over Thame United on Saturday in the FA Trophy, the Moles have been drawn away in the Third Qualifying Round.

Binfield will travel to Step 3 Hendon of the Southern League Premier Division South on Saturday 8th October 2022 with the winners due £2,450, a game that will reunite our number one, Chris Grace, with his former club.

So another away day following on from the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round draw that pitches the Moles against Beckenham Town.

Meanwhile, the Moles will host Marlow on Tuesday night in the Isthmian League Cup, the Velocity Trophy. Ticket details here.

Watch Roger Herridge’s post match reaction after Saturday’s FA Trophy win at Thame United

Jamie mcclurg and carl withers

Binfield FC Club Statement: Carl Withers & Jamie McClurg

Binfield FC are disappointed to announce the departure of joint managers Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg and the First Team Coaching Support team following an approach from Bracknell Town over their vacant management position.

The timing of this news, particularly on the back of the club’s recent success on the pitch in both league and all cup competitions where we remain unbeaten, coupled with the enormous effort by the club in supporting our move up to Step 4 football through significant investment in Ground improvements, is somewhat disappointing.

Carl Withers - Binfield FC
Carl Withers – Binfield FC joint manager. Photo: Neil Graham.
Jamie McClurg - Binfield FC
Jamie McClurg – Binfield FC joint manager. Photo: Neil Graham.

The club would of course like to put on record our sincere thanks to both Carl & Jamie for their service to the club. The pair oversaw the overhaul and development of the First Team these past couple of seasons as well as managing us through one of the most successful periods in the club’s history in 2020/21 with promotion from the Hellenic League and reaching the FA Vase final in the same season. Both also played for the club over their playing careers, with Carl Withers making over 650 appearances for the Moles. We wish them both the very best for their future footballing ambitions and we are sad to see them go at this time.

Binfield FC at Wembley for the FA Vase Final. Photo: Neil Graham.
Binfield FC at Wembley for the FA Vase Final. Photo: Neil Graham.

Chairman Andy Cotton said “Binfield FC is a wonderful football club which plays a hugely significant role within our borough of Binfield and beyond. We are proud of being one of only a handful of clubs nationally that play at Step 4 whilst also running 36 Junior Boys and Girls Teams plus an Allied Counties Under 18’s and Under 23 Development team – all of which is achieved on a voluntary basis. We shall miss Carl and Jamie and I want to express my thanks to them both and to the coaching team for all their hard work over the past couple of seasons. I wish them the very best.

“They leave us with a wonderful group of First Team players whom we will continue to nurture and support as we’ve always done. I’m pleased to announce that Roger Herridge who is part of this season’s First Team Coaching group will immediately take over as Caretaker Manager supported by Tony Perry and Keith Pennicott-Bowen. We are obviously in safe hands as Roger has years of Management experience and was our First Team Manager for a number of years prior to the departing managers.”

A statement will be released over the coming days with information regarding the vacant managerial position.

Binfield tonbridge angels facup 23

Away day for Binfield in FA Cup Third Qualifying Round draw

Binfield will be back on the road for the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round draw after stunning Tonbridge Angels at the weekend.

The Moles will travel to Beckenham Town in Kent after the draw was revealed on Tuesday afternoon.

Binfield breezed past Vanarama National League South Tonbridge on Saturday, winning 4-0 in front of 389 spectators on a pristine playing surface at Hill Farm Lane.

Beckenham – a fellow Step 4 side – have started the season as well as Binfield, winning all four of their opening Isthmian League South East Division One but were knocked out of the FA Trophy on penalties at home to Heybridge Swifts.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 1st October 2022 which means the Moles trip to Westfield in the league will be moved to accommodate.

In Pictures: Binfield Stun In FA Cup Thrashing