Author: Moley

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

Christian Rowe – Club Statement

It is with a heavy heart that we write to all our football Friends, Players, Managers, Members and Volunteers to share the devastating news that one of our current 1st Team players, Christian Rowe, has sadly passed away whilst travelling home after our Berks & Bucks County Cup fixture on Wednesday evening this week.

Christian had only recently joined up with our 1st Team and represented the club 5 times. He was a hugely talented player and quickly earned the respect of his fellow players, fans and our Management Team here at Binfield FC. 

We were grateful to his home club Slough Town FC, who loaned Christian until the end of the season so that he could get experience playing with our talented 1st Team squad. Impressing all at Slough Town, his club were keen to maximise his development by encouraging this talented young player to get some quality game time in a senior playing environment before they themselves introduced him into their own senior side at a higher level.

A 19-year-old young man, Christian had quickly established himself as an extremely popular and capable member of our 1st Team here at Binfield FC.  We are all devastated by the news of his passing and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Christian’s family, friends, Slough Town FC and all that knew him.  A wonderful talent and popular young man, we will always hold a special memory of Christian here at Binfield FC.

As a mark of respect, we have postponed our next Isthmian league fixture against Staines Town on Saturday 22nd January 2022 and we will be holding a minutes silence for Christian at all our youth fixtures this coming weekend including our soccer school on Sunday morning with our Reception and Infant Soccer School players.

Our thoughts are with all of Christian’s family and loved ones at this difficult and hugely painful time.

Sending you all our love and thoughts.

Binfield Football Club

Binfield chairman Bob Bacon. Photo: Neil Graham.

Change at the top as Bob Bacon steps down

Following the most successful season in the clubs 129-year existence our Chairman, Bob Bacon, announced at the AGM that 2021/22 would be his last season. His tenure has seen the youth teams grow and grow; he has had a significant impact on the development of the soccer school and right throughout the club structure up to overseeing the first team’s incredible journey to Wembley and promotion up to step 4.

Bob has also been a strong advocate of raising the club’s profile in the local and wider community and supported by our other amazing volunteers, our club is now really an integral part of the community, as the support for the ‘Wembley experience’ demonstrated.

Bob has unfortunately had some recent health issues and had stated that if we could find his successor, then he was happy to handover. We believe that we have now found the right person and thus we give our thanks to Bob for all his contributions and impact, wish him good health and look forward to seeing him back at Hill Farm Lane, enjoying our continued development from a new and different perspective.

Bob’s Successor, from Jan 1st 2022, is Andy Cotton. Andy is known to many at the club having previously been Vice-Chairman, the major sponsor of the club for a number of years when he was the founder and owner of Stewarts Coaches and working alongside Graham as the club’s tournament organiser.

Many of you will have been served by Andy with a famous ‘Mole-Burger’ from the b-b-q at our annual youth tournaments. Andy has recently sold Stewarts and we have been able to persuade him that renewed involvement with Binfield Football Club can be part of his next challenge. As the Club’s Executive committee, we have met with Andy and are already feeling shared ambitions and direction for the Club. Andy shares some of his thoughts here:

“Having been involved with the club for the past 14 years in various roles (Youth Coach, Age Group Organiser, Youth Team Manager, Club Vice Chairman, Tournament Director, Main Club Sponsor, Burger Flipper etc.) I have had the privilege to be partly involved during a truly transformative time and subsequently witnessed the club and it’s amazing players, members and volunteers achieve more than could ever have been imagined by most.

“Having had the past 18 months off trying to avoid Covid and attempting to set the daily world record for “scone eating”, I have been invited back into the fold to work with the Executive Committee to support the amazing work of our first Team and all our many youth team Managers/Teams/Players & Volunteers to continue with the ambition of protecting our wonderful football club and continuing to build upon the Binfield FC legacy which others before me have sacrificed so much for. I’m hugely honoured to be invited by Bob, Rob and The Club Executive to take on the role as Chairman and I look forward to supporting all that I can both now and for the foreseeable future – I look forward to catching up with everyone so I can thank you all personally!! .”

Come on you Moles!

Andy, Craig, Graham and Glenn (BFC Executive Committee)

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

“Thank you for everything”

Following a year of excitement, nerves, tears and happiness, Binfield FC Chairman Bob Bacon talks on how proud he is of the club and how he appreciates those who helped made it happen.

I’m wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We are still in a time of uncertainty so please take care of yourself and be considerate of others.

Our Volunteers, helpers, coaches, players and staff are just the best, and they are extremely appreciated for what they have done. Thank you for everything you do and how you contribute to the football club.

Enjoy some downtime, and enjoy the company of your family and friends.

Bob Bacon

Squiggle giggle

FA Trophy: Pop-up Siren Craft Brew bar for Truro City tie

Preparations continue ahead of the eagerly anticipated visit of Truro City in the Buildbase FA Trophy on Saturday and Binfield are pleased to reveal an additional outdoor bar will be open at the ground for supporters.

The bar will primarily serve a range of locally brewed Siren Craft Brew cans but will also have other delights available for supporters.

Among the Siren beers we’ll have available, these include:

  • Squiggle Giggle (4.2% Hazy Pale Ale)
  • Your Codename Is (4.7% Juicy Pale Ale)
  • Euphoria (4% Kiwi & Lime Gose)
  • Lumina (4.2% Session IPA)
  • Flex (5.3% California Pale Ale)

Binfield are competing in the Buildbase FA Trophy for the first time in the club’s history following promotion to step 4 of the English Football Pyramid in the summer.

The Moles have already beaten North Leigh on penalties in the Second Qualifying Round and defeated Cinderford Town 3-0 in the First Round on the 13th November.

Truro come to Hill Farm Lane as a step 3 side playing in the Southern League Premier Division South.

Tickets for the fixture (as well as our other forthcoming home fixtures) are available in advance on our online ticket portal here.

Kensley Maloney. Photo by Neil Graham.

Binfield add Webb and Maloney to Isthmian League squad

Binfield have made two additions to the clubs Isthmian League squad as managers Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg look to build on a great start to the season.

One player that will be very familiar to Moles fans is Kensley Maloney – a big star of the clubs run to the final of the 2020/21 FA Vase – and former teammate of both Withers and McClurg at Bracknell Town.

Maloney adds legs and no little skill on the ball to the midfield and has already appeared four times this season for the Moles, scoring in the 3-2 win over Sutton Common Rovers at the weekend.

Withers and McClurg have also added experienced midfielder Nathan Webb to the squad.

‘Webby’ has experience at clubs like Beaconsfield Town, Slough Town and Hayes & Yeading United.

FA Trophy

FA Trophy draw finally gives Binfield a home tie

Following on from Saturday’s FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round win at Herne Bay in Kent, Binfield have been handed a home tie in the First Round.

Yes, a home tie!

The Moles famously played out the entire 2020/21 FA Vase campaign without playing a home fixture and that run continued this season in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

Now though, the First Round draw has been published and will see Binfield welcome Southern League Cinderford Town to Hill Farm Lane on Saturday 13th November.

Tickets for the fixture are on sale now on the Moles ticket store as well as tickets for all the November matches (please be aware that we’re waiting on a new date for the Thatcham Town game so that will move).

Isthmian League Velocity Trophy

As well as the Trophy, Binfield have been given a bye in the First Round of the Isthmian League Cup, the Velocity Trophy.

Callum bunting scores for binfield

November fixtures: Binfield FC tickets now on sale

Binfield have three home fixtures as it stands in November in the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division One.

Thatcham Town, Hanwell Town and Tooting & Mitcham United all head to Hill Farm Lane for fixtures and we’re pleased to announce tickets are now on sale for these games – as well as the FA Trophy tie with Cinderford Town.

Tickets will also be available on the gate, but if you’d like to get ahead of the game you can buy tickets for the three games here:

Binfield Football Club has signed up with TicketPass for the 2021/22 season and tickets for all our matches will be available here. One of the benefits of TicketPass is that they donate 50% of their service fee to charity. So far we have donated £120 this season to a variety of local charities.

The main seated area at Binfield FC. Photo: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

Ground development update at Hill Farm Lane

Binfield’s Club Resources Development Manager Glenn Duggleby has provided an update on the state of the ground developments at Binfield FC to ensure Hill Farm Lane is up to standard for Step 4 football following the club’s elevation to the Isthmian League.

Glenn revealed: “The planned kitchen project is on hold at present, we decided to group that project in with the new stand project which we need for step 4 ground grading, which is why it hasn’t happened yet.

“Planning applications have gone in for two new covered areas, a seated stand for 50 people and a covered terrace along with two new 10 to 12 people dugouts and turnstiles.

The away dugout at Binfield FC. Photo: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com
The away dugout at Binfield FC. Photo: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

“The new stands will go between where the current away dugout and the floodlight in that corner.

“The seated area will be the same make and design as the current one and we’ll have a covered terrace for 110 people all along that space.

“The planning application is due to be heard mid-October and we have an application in to the Football Foundation for this on top of what we’ve got for the new tea bar/kitchen.

“We’ll be able to give the clubhouse a little bit of a refurb and we’ll be able to do the vast majority of the work during this season.”

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The Siren Craft Brew beer of the week for Binfield vs South Park is..

We know you love Siren Craft Brew, we know you love drinking Siren Craft Brew at Hill Farm Lane.

So now for every home game in the 2021/22 season, we’ll be stocking a beer of the week behind the bar from the Finchampstead brewery, and we’re pleased to reveal the first one for the Isthmian League fixture between Binfield and South Park on Saturday 2nd October is..

Squiggle Giggle!

A Hazy Pale Ale coming in at 4.2%. You can read more about it here.

Tickets for Binfield vs South Park can be purchased in advance online here. More about the Moles matchday experience here.

Kian Duncan. Photo: Neil Graham.

Binfield vs Staines Town tickets on sale now

Tickets are on sale now for Binfield’s home game with Staines Town.

The Moles will play the Swans in the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division One on Tuesday 14th September 2021 (ko 7:45 pm).

Binfield Football Club has signed up with TicketPass for the 2021/22 season and tickets for all our matches will be available here. One of the benefits of TicketPass is that they donate 50% of their service fee to charity.

The Moles have chosen Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs as the recipient charity for this fixture. You can find out more about them here.

Click here to buy your tickets and don’t forget to let us know your interest in a replica shirt. Details here.

You can also get ahead of the game and book tickets for the next Binfield home fixtures including games against South Park, Staines Town and Westfield here.

You can read more about TicketPass and their Ethical Ticketing here.

Binfield vs Slough Town. Photo: Andrew Batt.

Binfield FC vs Slough Town – FREE entry to friendly

Binfield host Vanarama National League South side Slough Town on Tuesday night at Hill Farm Lane in an early season friendly.

Entry to Hill Farm Lane on Tuesday night for the game is FREE with kick-off at 7:45 pm.

Owing to the FA Cup, Binfield did not play at the weekend while Slough drew 2-2 with Welling United and are expected to send a mixed side to the village.

Links between the two sides go back some way with Moles co-boss Jamie McClurg playing under Slough managers Jon Underwood and Neil Baker at the Rebels as well as Godalming Town.

Next up for Binfield in the Isthmian League is a trip to Chipstead, while Staines Town are the visitors on Tuesday 14th September – tickets for that game can be purchased here.

Lewis hall england u18 squad

From Binfield FC Soccer School to an England under 18 call up

One of our own has earned another Three Lions call up!

Lewis Hall, younger brother of Chorley’s FA Cup hero and fellow former Mole Connor, was called up to the England under 18 squad for a friendly with Wales which the Three Lions won 2-0.

16-year-old Chelsea midfielder Hall was an unused sub in the game – he already has three under 15 caps – but will have gained valuable experience alongside players from Manchester City (including Liam Delap – son of Stoke’s long-throw expert Rory), Liverpool and Manchester United.

Hall played ten times in the under 18 Premier League last season scoring once and has three in two games this season, he has also featured for the Blues in the 2021/22 EFL Trophy.

You can find out more about Binfield’s Soccer School which creates a welcoming environment for children ages 3 and up to year 1 here.

A match report from the Wales u18 vs England u18 game is here.

Asa Povey playing for Binfield at Wembley in the FA Vase Final. Photo: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

Asa’s road to recovery – Povey preparing for Binfield return

It’s been seven months out for Asa Povey – barring that substitute appearance in the FA Vase Final – but the Binfield striker is nearing a return but ‘will not push himself too quickly’.

Speaking to Dave Wright for Football in Berkshire, Povey revealed all about what has kept him out of football, how he was able to feature in the Final and why it’ll be ‘trial and error’ on his road to full fitness.

In the article which you can read in full here, Povey said: “Scans, tests and X-rays didn’t show anything, but the following day I got a call from the Royal Berks to say a specialist had looked at my X-rays and noticed there was air between my lung and chest wall. He described it as like being a balloon in a bucket, there shouldn’t be any gaps between them, it should be tight.”

He revealed that his consultant had given him the green light to play in the final but said “If something does happen you are going to know about it. It is up to you if you want to take the risk.”

Povey played 20 minutes, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute alongside his lifelong friend Jack Thomson-Wheeler but is now taking a more pragmatic approach to his return after that once in a lifetime opportunity: “I have to be careful and I will know when I am ready. If I mess it up and try to get back too quickly it will affect me work-wise. I can’t afford not to be working after having seven months off. As much as I love football, work must come first. I will do as much as I can when I can. It will be trial and error to see how I feel.”

More Binfield FC news on Football in Berkshire here.

The Binfield flag pegged out at Hill Farm Lane. Photo: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

Vote for your Binfield Player of the Month for August 2021

It’s time to cast your votes for the first Binfield FC Player of the Month for August 2021, and the Moles first in the Isthmian League.

Each month we will ask a supporter or volunteer to nominate the players they believe are deserving of the award and this months selection comes courtesy of Lee Povey.

Lee has selected six players for you to choose from: Jack Thomson-Wheeler, Josh Helmore, Joe Gater, Liam Tack, Kian Duncan and Elliott Legg.

Voting will close on Friday 11th September with the winner announced after the home game with Staines Town (tickets for that game can be purchased here)

Cast your votes below! (All photos on this page by  Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com)

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED