Archived News: May 2003

The club have released a response to their decision to stage Wimbledon FC in a pre-season friendly:

In common with virtually all of the footballing world this club deplored the decision of the Commission appointed by the FA to make the final decision on Wimbledon's re-location to Milton Keynes. Apart from the principles involved we were not happy with a senior club moving into our area very close to our patch. This also had probably adverse consequences for our Football in the Community and our junior development programmes.

As a result Bill Carroll actively canvassed the FA to have the decision of the Commission challenged. But, the terms of that Commission made the decision final and unable to be challenged although there were several members of the FA and indeed of the Premier League very unhappy with the decision.

Given the decision is final and that Wimbledon will actually begin to play at Milton Keynes from August there is nothing that can be done but accept the situation. We appluade and wish well the supporters and directors of the 'new' Wimbledon - AFC Wimbledon, but Aylesbury United has to live with a new neighbour from a higher league.

In the circumstances the Directors have decided that it can only be in the club's best interests to co-operate with Wimbledon FC and to make the best of this new situation. A further aspect is that on a personal level good relations exist between the team management and coaching staff at Wimbledon and personnel at Aylesbury and we are grateful for Wimbledon's co-operation in loaning Lee Worgan to the club for long spells last season.

We are currently holding exploratory discussions with Wimbledon on how we can co-exist as near neighbours without causing conflict over such matters as junior development, fooball in the community etc.

We trust that this response explains the reasoning behind the decision to host a pre-season friendly against our new neighbours.

Today I caught up with Aylesbury United owner Bill Carroll for a chat, and to find out his views on some of the key topics under discussion.

On Steve Cordery's Resignation"I was out of the country at the time, in New York, so was not involved in any discussions with Steve. As you can imagine I was most surprised to learn of his departure upon my return.

Les Baycroft tried to persuade Steve to stay, but could not match the offer tabled by Staines.

I'm sorry to see Steve go, but wish him well for the future. Of course, I understand his reasons for going. It is a blow because we had hoped for a period of stability."

On The Possible 'Player Exodus' and Other Team News

"Craig Maskell, Fiston Manuella, Danny Gordon, Rory Hunter and Adam Campion are all under contract, although they may still choose to move on.

Phil Dicker has retired, and Joe Baker was released at the end of last season, one of Steve's last actions at the club. There is also a chance that Lee Worgan could return next season, but we are only in preliminary discussions at this time."

On Aspirations For Next Season

"Once more, Premier Division security is of upmost importance to myself and the directors. We do not yet know if re-organisation is to occur in the near future, or what is likely to happen. This makes budgeting for the forthcoming season very difficult, if not impossible. A lot could still take place this summer..."

On The New Manager

"We have already received a number of applications for the vacant manager's job. In fact, the first came in 30 minutes after Steve Cordery resigned! There are a selection of candidates, including some usual names, and some new applicants. We will be interviewing potential managers next week, and we hope to have the position filled as soon as possible."

And Finally - Can I Be Manager?

"No!"

It is with great regret that we have today to report that Steve Cordery has resigned from his role as first team manager at Aylesbury United, and has taken up the vacant position at Staines Town. Staines are Steve's local club, and have made him an offer that Aylesbury cannot match at this time.

We would like to thank Steve for the tremendous effort he put in last season, and wish him well for the future.

You will no doubt have noticed that the Official Aylesbury United Website has undergone something of a makeover. This is something I have been working on for a number of weeks now, and the work has now paid off.

Why The New Design? Well the Old Site was good, it just needed some improvements. The new site also features a number of new features, which you'll have to find for yourselves!

As always, if you have any comments or suggestions to make, please do not hesitate to contact me. Either use the 'Feedback' link at the top of the page, or see the 'Contacts' page.

Well done to Burscough, who after defeating us in the FA Trophy Semi Final went on to beat Tamworth and lift the Trophy themselves. A 2-1 win was good enough, with two goals from Gary Martindale.

The player of the season, as voted for by fans, was awarded at the Presentation Evening, with the results as follows:

Player of the Year:
1st Place - Craig Maskell
2nd Place - Lee Worgan
3rd Place - Greg Williams

So well done to Craig and thanks to everyone who voted. Also awarded was the players' player of the year, which went to Fiston Manuella, so well done to him too.

The 9th May saw the Chicken Run FC take to the field against the Staff side, in the annual Supporters v Staff match. The supporters were narrowly beaten by a very strong Staff side, which included: Steve Cordery, Craig Maskell, Danny Gordon, Greg Williams, Adam Wheeler, Danny Gray and Cliff Hercules, as well as Pete Ash, Peter Wright, Jerry Dimond, and outplayed the supporters completely in the 1st period, going into a 4-0 lead.

However, the Chicken Run bounced back in the 2nd half, and spearheaded by a driving Chris Miles performance, pulled the scores back to 4-2, courtesy of a Craig Maskell og., and a goal from the excellent no.14 whose name I missed.

Unfortunately the staff added more, but a goal from Miles following a superb flick on by Leroy Cotton, and a Frank (yes that Frank) goal in the final minute saw the scores end at 4-7.

Other moments of interest:

-A world class save by Bennets - with the ball travelling at high speed towards the top corner he extended his right hand and somehow turned it onto the bar.

-A quality chip onto the crossbar by Hercy.

-Leroy going mental with the lineo - craig maskell - for not awarding a handball.

-Danny Gray's 60-yard run and sidefoot finish which left the entire supporter's team for dead.

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