Paul Edgeworth's own goal after 30 minutes was enough to give Oxford City a 1-0 win over a mixed Aylesbury United team at Court Place Farm this evening.

The Ducks' squad contained trialist Razinski Bartek, as well as Youth Team players Joe Wright, Kieran Schmidt, Justin Gordon, Jamie O'Grady and Jamie Nicholls who were all given a run out.

In truth United never really found their rythm, but the match will prove useful experience for the youngsters and another valuable assessment for Danny Nicholls as the big kick-off grows ever nearer.

Further details and mini-report now online.

Click here: Oxford Report

Aylesbury United continue their pre-season programme with a trip to Oxford City tonight (Tuesday).

The hosts were relegated from the Southern League Western Division last season, and will take their place in the South Midlands Premier Division for the forthcoming campaign (the same league that Aylesbury Vale compete in).

City are likely to name ex-Ducks Matt Brandish, Justin Merritt and Nando Perna amongst their squad, whilst United's Roni Joe will be playing against his former team.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm, at Oxford's Court Place Farm ground. Directions can be found at the below link.

Click here: Directions to Oxford City

This week's 500 Club winning numbers were drawn at half-time of Saturday's pre-season friendly against Oxford United. Making the draw was ex-England and Arsenal coach Don Howe.

The winning numbers are as follows:

1st prize ?100: 51
2nd prize ?50: 154

The below picture shows John Newman and Graham Read with Don Howe. Click for the full size version.

After two successful seasons in operation, the 21st Century Ducks text alert service is back for 2005/06.

In case you're unfamiliar with the concept, you sign up to receive text messages of every goal and the result of Aylesbury United matches.

The service is ideal for Ducks in exile, for those who can't get to away games, or just in case you want to keep track of the score whilst watching a match!

There are two price plans available - ?35 for ALL matches. ?20 for AWAY matches only.

To register for 21CD text alerts, please download and print the application form using the link below.

Click here: Text Alerts Application Form

Three goals in the last ten minutes sent Aylesbury United crashing to their heaviest defeat of the pre-season so far.

After a 19 second opener from the visitors, from Barry Quinn, Aylesbury looked to have managed to contain their opponents and be set for another respectable scoreline.

But the professionals' superior fitness levels and Aylesbury succumbed to the pressure Oxford were putting them under.

Former Hornchurch full-back Jude Stirling scored an excellent goal, Chris Hackett netted and John Ashton completed the scoring late on.

The Ducks travel to Oxford City this Tuesday night as the pre-season campaign continues, before Luton Town visit Buckingham Road on Thursday.

For the full report of today's game, click the link below.

Click here: Oxford United Report

Aylesbury United were narrowly beaten 1-0 by League Two Northampton Town in the second pre-season friendly last night at Buckingham Road.

Featuring a strong line-up, the Cobblers created a number of chances but were unable to take them, whilst Aylesbury had efforts of their own with Neil Lazarus going closest.

Northampton took the lead two minutes into the second half, Scott McGleish crashing home an unstoppable dipping effort.

There was also time for Gary Crawshaw to make his much anticipated return to Aylesbury colours late on.

For all the details, click the link below.

Click here: Ducks vs Northampton Town

Northampton Town visit Buckingham Road tonight, for Aylesbury United's second pre-season friendly.

After announcing their squad, the Cobblers look set to bring a strong side including the likes of Sean Dyche, Andy Kirk and Eoin Jess, as well as former Aylesbury goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

Kick-off tonight is at 7.30pm.

The women's FA Cup draw has paired Aylesbury United Ladies away against Kent side Lordswood in the 1st Qualifying Round. The tie will be played on Sunday September 11th.

The winners will travel to Billericay or Saffron Walden in the next round.

The Ducks pre-season campaign got underway this afternoon, with League One Swindon Town providing the opposition at Buckingham Road.

The away side, featuring a strong squad with new signings Jamie Cureton, Tony Thorpe and Gareth Whalley included, looked sharper early on, although a tame first half ended goalless.

In the second half Drew Roberts handed Aylesbury the lead with a calmly taken goal. This prompted Swindon to step up a gear, and after Cureton scored coolly in his first game for the club, Rory Fallon tucked home a header to give his side the lead.

Rather more bizarrely, the winner came from a Jay Gould cross after the Aylesbury midfielder stepped in to wear a Swindon shirt for the latter part of the game after an injury meant the visitors were down to 10 remaining players.

For further details click the link below.

Click here: Ducks vs Swindon Town

This week's winning 500 Club numbers were drawn at half-time of today's game with Swindon Town. They are as follows:

1st prize ?100: 125
2nd prize ?50: 4

Swindon Town are Aylesbury's first pre-season opponents this afternoon at Buckingham Road.

Swindon visited United's Southern League rivals Cirencester Town earlier this week, and a strong team overcame the Centurions 3-1.

Kick-off this afternoon is at 3pm.

Bill Carroll started by running through the trading history of the Club from 2001 - 2005. He explained the build up of debt year upon year and how, in only one year, had this been a calculated policy - the Cliff Hercules promotion season.

He had informed the meeting that he had twice been on the point of walking away and letting the Club go broke. Firstly, after the S Cordery failure to get to the Trophy Final and when he was faced with the need to produce £50,000 to cover losses, and in the 2003/4 season when he was absent with serious family concerns and others were managing the Club and creating crazy losses. Only the arrival of Graham Read and John Newman in answer to his plea for help prevented the Club folding in February 2004.

The 2005 results, although better, were still negative with debt still increasing - the Club again in a 'deep hole'.

Bill then showed the break down of his input into the Club over time which now totalled £520,000.

The Club finished the season completely out of money unable to pay the players' last week of wages or to pay for the annual pitch renovation. The meeting endorsed Bill's sentiments that it was a tribute to the bond which existed between Danny and his team that they are still here and trusting that their arrears will be paid.

Bill then considered the long term solution of converting the stadium and the function room into a soccer/sports centre. Danny explained how good the modern artificial pitches are and that he and his players are looking forward to playing on such a pitch.

Bill could give no figures at this date but is convinced that he will be able to raise the investment required and that a very positive return from the only such facility in the district will guarantee the future stability of the Club.

Consultants are preparing a planning submission, although he explained that no consent is required to convert the hall. He also explained that there was a valid planning consent for two 5-a-side pitches at the back of the car park. The Club would then promote indoor and outdoor 5-a-side leagues.

He will meet with Verada on 21 July and the FA on 2 August. Thereafter, he hopes to prepare a submission to the Football Foundation for a grant towards the total cost, perhaps up to 50% of a cost which could be as high as £750,000.

The last part of the meeting considered the problems of staying solvent during the upcoming season and how to pay back current debt and how, between Directors and Fans, income could be found to bridge the existing shortfall in the budget.

Bill Carroll stressed that he wanted to produce a good playing budget for Danny and offered a donation of £10,000 if sponsorship targets were reached and others joined him in meeting the shortfall.

One issue which was discussed and which John Newman, Graham Read and 21CD are to meet on is how the 500 Club can be made to work. Several fans stated that they had been able to sell tickets to friends not really interested in the Club but purely because it was a good gamble.

Although rumoured for some time, we can now release Official confirmation that Luton Town will visit Buckingham Road for a pre-season friendly in late July.

The game will bring Danny Nicholls preperation matches to a total of 7. The Hatters will come to Aylesbury on Thursday July 28th, kick-off at 7.45pm

Apologies for the lack of published 500 Club numbers from the 1st of July, week 26 draw. This draw of course contained a £5000 grand prize. The winning numbers are as follows:

1st prize £5000: 223

2nd prize £100: 218

3rd prize £50: 314

The Open Discussion Forum advertised a few weeks back is to be held at the club this evening.

Bill Carroll, Graham Read, First and Youth Team management will all be in attendance to answer questions and talk through the club's development plans.

The night gets underway at 8pm.

The Southern League fixtures have been released for the forthcoming season.

The Ducks will open their campaign with a tough looking home tie against Chippenham Town, last season's runners-up. It's then off for an early season visit to one of the League's newcomers, Cheshunt, on the following Tuesday.

Boxing Day will see the Derby remain on the schedule, with Aylesbury travelling to Chesham this season. Bedford Town are the visitors on the 2nd January.

The full fixture list is now available on this website - click the link below.

Click here: Aylesbury United Fixtures 2005/06

The winning numbers from Friday's 500 Club draw are as follows:

1st prize ?100: 492
2nd prize ?50: 224

The draw for the Berks & Bucks Women's Cup has been made.

Aylesbury United Ladies will face Wantage in the First Round. The tie will be played on Sunday 18th September, kick-off at 2pm.

The club has announced admission prices for the 2005/06 season.

Season Ticket Prices

Seating: Adults £160, Under-16s £50.

Standing: Adults £130, Under-16s: £35.

Admission Prices:

Adults: £8

Concessions: £4

Transfer to Main Stand: £2

The above prices also apply to the home pre-season friendly matches.

To get your season call into the club during office hours, or phone 01296 436350.

Aylesbury United Ladies will be holding an open training session, in an attempt to attract new additions to their squad.

In association with Aylesbury Utd Girls FC we are now opening the session up to all girls from age 10 upwards and to Ladies interested in playing.

We will be outlining our plans for the coming season and running some light training sessions.

For further details contact Andy Foster on 07840 441855 or Bethan Harris on 07867 781077.

Anyone interested in the U12 & U14 girls teams can contact Anna Stevens on 07909 912139.

The club will once again be operating the popular Player Kit Sponsorship scheme for the forthcoming season.

Prices remain the same as the previous campaign - £50 for the full kit, £30 for shirt only, £20 for shorts only, £50 for training kit or £2.50 for laces.

Also starting today, is a new 'Sponsor A Goal' scheme. The idea is that each person who signs up agrees to donate a specific amount for each goal scored by the club over the course of the season.

With plenty of early interest, Sponsor A Goal looks set to become another strong fundraising initiative this season.

The draws for the FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup have today been announced by the Football Association.

Aylesbury will begin their FA Cup campaign with an away tie for the second consecutive season. The Ducks will face either Ware, Sporting Bengal United, or Northampton Spencer in the 1st Qualifying Round, dependant upon who comes through the preliminary rounds.

The FA Trophy has produced a local derby, and another away tie, as Aylesbury will make the short trip to neighbours Thame United in the 1st Qualifying Round.

Finally, in the FA Youth Cup new manager Gary Crawshaw's side will also face a derby, although at Buckingham Road this time. Rivals Chesham United provide the opposition in the preliminary round clash.

Dates for the ties can be found on the fixtures page by clicking the respective links below.