Boreham Wood Football Club can announce to its supporters that having finished the season so well, we have actively been agreeing deals, speaking with many of last year’s squad and of course speaking with some new targets for next season’s campaign.

Although other negotiations will remain ongoing, our Manager Ian Allinson and his Player/Assistant Manager Luke Garrard, are pleased to announce that financial agreements have been reached with the following: -

• Luke Garrard
• Mario Noto
• Charlie O’Loughlin
• Callum Reynolds (Signed from Tamworth)
• Mark Jones
• Chez Isaacs (Signed from Watford)
• Graham Montgomery
• Inih Effiong
• Robert Hastings

Letters of re-engagement have also been sent to: -

• David Hutton
• Ruddock Yala
• Omar Beckles
• Harvey Scott-Morris
• Simeon Akinola
• Sammy Doolan

Manager Ian Allinson said “I’m pleased that the Chairman has again made funds available to me to compete in this league and I’m happy we’re putting together a squad that’s full of experienced heads and talented younger players that can complement each other and progress the club… We have lost Osei Sankofa to Eastleigh, but let’s face it we’re never going to be in a position to compete with the wages that Eastleigh are paying at present, as I’m sure other clubs at our level are about to find out.

“However, Our Chairman and my management team have worked overtime in bringing Chez Isaacs to the club from Watford. He played very well last season when on loan with us and formed a very good midfield partnership with Sam Cox.  As such he was very high on my shopping list, so I’m delighted to get him.

“Towards the end of last season when I had targets, funds were again made available to me, so we brought in Callum Reynolds from Tamworth and Graham Montgomery from Eastleigh and both have now also signed deals for next season which again strengthens us hugely.

Allinson ended “Last season was difficult at times, as we played the majority of the season’s campaign without our Club Captain Luke Garrard and Team Captain Mario Noto, which for us was a massive set back. So having both these lads back and raring to go, will be like 2 new signings for us”.

With so many games to cram into a 10 day period and with little help from opposing clubs or certain league officials. They also had to cope with the added problem of losing Sam Doolan on England College duty. So it was never going to be an easy period and it would ultimately stretch our Elite PASE squad to the limit.

However from little acorns, Oak tree’s grow and without quite sweeping the board. The efforts of the BWFC Coaches, Medical team and Elite PASE Squads, should be applauded and celebrated as ultimately success followed success!!

Our 10 days had started poorly, as our Under 19’s eventually failed to retain our National College Cup crown, drawing 0-0 after extra time and finally losing on penalties. It should be remembered though that this group had never lost a game in 90 minutes or extra time, over the two years that BWFC has entered this prestigious National competition.

However, in a tight game played in Wales and against Welsh opposition Swansea. Although we just about held the upper hand. It was no surprise that after 90 minutes and extra time the game remained goalless.

Penalties as we all know are penalties and in the shootout we finally came up short.  As such all our congratulations must go to the new ECFA National Cup winners Swansea, on their hard fought victory and we wish them well…

Less than 48 hours later, after returning from Wales.   A very tired BWFC Under  18’s took to the field to play in the Brian Hitchings Cup final.  Admittedly against a more local team in Waltham Abbey, but without any time for 7 of our National Cup line up to recover  from their penalty defeat ordeal.

In fact Wood’s under 18’s found themselves 1 – 0 down after just 20 minutes and again looking down the barrel of another Cup final defeat. Thankfully, we build them from stronger stuff in Boreham Wood and after Dean Rubenia’s equalizer, there was only ever going to be one winner and as adrenalin took over it was fitting that BWFC’s Clubman of the year and Under 18’s skipper Harvey Scott-Morris, got our winner with just 10 minutes remaining.

Having lifted the Brian Hitchings trophy,  there was no time to celebrate as it was onto the next game and just 48 hours later and with no recovery time, Wood’s were again made to play. This time to contest the ‘Champion of Champions Cup’, against Nemean league Champions Codicote.

In a 3 way round robin tournament, which also included the Delphian league champions Crawley, to find the ‘Champion of Champions’ Cup Winners.

Codicote arrived having already lost their opening round robin game a week earlier against Crawley  2 – 0. But arrived at Meadow Park fresh, knowing they had to win the game to give themselves any chance of winning the overall tournament. So with a tired Wood failing to finish numerous chances, Codicote duly obliged by winning the game 1 – 0.

So ultimately it meant a whole year’s work for our under 18’s, would come down to  the final game of the season. We needed to go to Crawley with one simple scenario – Win away from home by two clear goals on the night, for the right to call ourselves the  ‘Champion of Champions’ and lift the trophy…

Thankfully although missing our leading goal scorer Dean Rubenia through suspension. Wood  finally had a full 6 days to recover from their crazy match schedule, which meant we could train and prepare correctly…

That proved decisive and with the game locked at 1 – 1 and with just 15 minutes to go, the management and players knew we still needed to score twice to become Champion of Champions.

Fortunately that 6 day break, gave Wood the legs to remain strong, remain focused and when Manager Luke Garrard went to a 4-3-3 formation, our extra fitness and fire power showed and in a stunning finish Wood produced  3 goals in the last 15 minutes to win the game 4 – 1 and take the ‘Champion of Champions’ title.  It was in truth a performance full of spirit, team work, belief and character and to a man they fully deserved to finish the season as overall Champions.

BWFC 2011/2012 PASE roll of honour

• SESSA Cup Winners
• ECFA League two title winners
• Conference National Cup Semi-finalists
• ECFA National Cup finalists
• 11 PASE players who have played for 1^st Team
• 3 players selected for England Colleges’
• 1^st Round proper of FA Youth Cup
• Southern Counties Floodlit Youth Corinthian League Champions
• Brian Hitchings Cup Winners
• SCFYL ‘Champion of Champions’
• Pelly Ruddock sold to West Ham United
• 3 American University scholarships awarded to PASE players

Academy Director Luke Garrard perfectly summed up the season and said “This Club from top to bottom works so hard to achieve excellence.  The success we get year on year, is earnt by sheer hard work, great Attitudes, great Discipline and great Desire.  We are already planning for next season but for now all the Players, Managers, and Coaches deserve to look back on a season of achievement with pride knowing that their endeavors’ have been rewarded.”

WELL DONE BOYS!

(Cohenel College Enfield Centre 73 Hertford Road,Enfield, Middlesex, EN3 5HA.)

If you are unable to attend this trial then there are other trial dates at both Boreham Wood Football Club and Cohenel College (Enfield) so do not worry. Please call the PASE department on 020 8953 5716 to book your place on this trial or express your interest for another trial date.

PLEASE NOTE: WALK ON TRIALISTS ARE WELCOME, HOWEVER WE DO RECOMMEND YOU BOOK YOUR TRIAL PLACE IN ADVANCE.

UPCOMING TRIALS

Boreham Wood Football Club

Wednesday 6^th June 2012

College of Haringey and North East London (Enfield centre)

Thursday 7^th June 2012

For more information on next year’s PASE scheme, please download an information booklet and application form, by visiting the ‘EDUCATION’ section of this website or contact the football department direct on 020 8953 5716.

Home Pre-Season Extravaganza

Boreham Wood Football Club have put the finishing touches on an amazing set of home Pre-Season fixtures.

Chairman Danny Hunter spoke of his delight at the quality of the opposition who will visit Meadow Park in July “Over the last 13 seasons, we’ve worked tremendously hard to build up our Club, our contacts and our facilities to a level that’s deemed  acceptable to our local professional clubs.  Year on year we have tried to improve ourselves and it has enabled us to invite our friends from the Pro Game to include us in their Pre-Season preparations. They have been hugely accommodating and  safe in the knowledge that our pitch, facilities and improving team will give them not only a true surface to play on but a good work out into the bargain.”

Hunter Concluded “I’m very grateful to Arsené Wenger, Brian McDermott, Sean Dyche, Gary Smith and Sam Allardyce and the various club staff and secretaries at these clubs, for their co-operation and help in putting this exciting programme together with us.”

Confirmed  home  Pre-Season Fixtures

Stevenage      Saturday 14^th July    Kick Off 3pm

Watford     Tuesday 17^th July    Kick Off 7:45pm

Arsenal XI     Saturday 21^st July     Kick Off 3pm

West Ham United     Fixture Confirmed/Date to be confirmed

Reading XI     Tuesday 24^th July     Kick Off 7:45pm

Our Chairman takes our responsibility of looking after the Premier Ladies Team in the Country very seriously..  I believe the stability of the long standing relationship between the two clubs and the Arsenal Ladies dominance in the  domestic game, is definitely  helped by the fact that ‘Meadow Park’ is their spiritual home and has been for over a decade.  In that time it we have  seen title after title and cup after cup being won and of course the ladies also won the Women’s Champions League here for the first time in their history and it’s a wonderful memory that we  hope can be repeated in the next three years” he concluded.

In the presence of the Town’s Lady Mayoress Sandra Parnell, the Clubs founding member and President Bill O’Neill and the Evenings guest of honour Kurt Hintz from Cohenel College. Everyone enjoyed a fabulous reception and three course meal and memorable speeches from President Bill O’Neill, Manager Ian Allinson and the Clubs Chairman Danny Hunter.

The First Team awards went to: -

• Osei Sankofa (Chairman’s ‘Player’ of the Year)
• Charlie O’Loughlin (Manager’s ‘Player’ of the Year)
• Sam Cox (Player’s ‘Player’ of the Year)
• Osei Sankofa (Player’s ‘Player’ of the Year runner up)
• David Bryant (Supporters ‘Player’ of the Year)
• David Bryant (Top Goalscorer)
• Charlie Hunter (Young ‘Player’ of the Year)
• Daniel Braithwaite (100 appearances)

A happy First Team Manager, Ian Allinson, spoke and said “These boys have thoroughly deserved their plaudits tonight. Sam Cox joined us from Barnet earlier in the season. He is one of the nicest men in football and has been exceptional in the centre of our midfield. Osei Sankofa has been invaluable and a true professional in the dressing room, on the training pitch and on a match day. Charlie O’Loughlin is a real winner. Every time he steps on to the pitch he gives 100% and this is the type of hungry young player I need if we want to progress from this division. David Bryant has also led the line for us this campaign with 12 league goals and youngsters like Charlie Hunter have stepped in when needed, showing a real maturity, although we now lose him as he begins a new chapter of his life with a scholarship in America.”

Chairman Danny Hunter went on to say “It is important not to forget our whole squad, who have had a battle up for us this season. Our dressing room has been a pleasure to deal with, they are a hard working, honest bunch of lads who have given us some truly great moments and great performances. I must also thank Luke Garrard and Mario Noto for all their efforts on the coaching side, both have been fantastic and if we keep the majority of this squad together and I can create the finances for the Gaffer, to add a few additions, we could well surprise a few people next season.”

The Chairman was upbeat and said “It is extremely important to also thank our supporters as well for their continued support and we rewarded that support by giving awards to Barry Moss and Mo Silverman who are recognised at the Awards Dinner by receiving our Supporters of the Year trophy.”

The Chairman also thanked the Clubs sponsors; Hertsmere Borough Council, Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council and Cardif Pinnacle, amongst others and the Clubs Education Partners Cohenel College and Verulam School.”

For the Reserve team awards, England College Captain Ruddock Yala won both Manager’s and Player’s Player of the Year awards. Whilst Robert Hastings, Harvey Scott-Morris and Sam Doolan also picked up awards.

The Reserve Team awards went to: -

• Ruddock Yala (Reserves Manager ‘Player’ of the Season)
• Ruddock Yala (Reserves Player’s ‘Player’ of the Season)
• Robert Hastings (Reserves Player’s ‘Player’ of the Season runner up)
• Sam Doolan (Reserves Most Improved ‘Player’ of the Season)
• Harvey Scott-Morris (Clubman of the Year)
• Charlie Hunter and Simeon Akinola (Reserves joint Top Goalscorers)
• Charlie Hunter (England College Cap awarded)
• Ruddock Yala (England College Cap awarded)

Head PASE coach, Luke Garrard, said “Our Reserve Team is a continuation of our Elite and Under 18’s squads. They have again had an exceptional season at all levels.

Luke continued “On Wednesday we play in the English Colleges National Cup Final. On Friday our Under 18’s play in the Brian Hitchings Cup Final and on Sunday we play in the Champion of Champions Cup so the Season isn’t over yet!”

The presentation was concluded with a speech from the Clubs honorary President Mr Bill O’Neill, who spoke proudly about the Club he co-founded and helped build. He thanked the present Chairman Danny Hunter for their long standing friendship and the feeling that he’s still given of being a big part of the Club’s progression. It was fitting that after 60 years of involvement and service, Bill O’Neill was given a warm and heartfelt standing ovation…

Sammy will join Charlie Hunter and Ruddock Yala who have represented the ECFA all season and who will also be making the trip to Italy. This will now take the Clubs total of England Internationals to 8 in the last 3 seasons and proves that the PASE Scheme at Boreham Wood is flourishing.

Sammy’s recent performances at such a tender age of just 17 has caught the eye of many professional outfits and his call up is more than deserved!

Head PASE Coach, Luke Garrard, said “Sammy has worked extremely hard this season and this has been paid off with his England College call up. Sammy, on his 17^th birthday, was also handed his First Team contract, so at such a young age he is really catching the eye of myself, the England selectors, our First Team manager and now even the professional clubs.”

Boreham Wood have reached the Final in some style, beating defending champions Chesham United 9-0 in the Quarter Final and Kings Langley in the Semi’s 8-0, but Waltham Abbey will for sure be a tougher test for this talented group of young players.

This will be the first of three important games in a week for the Under 18′s after progressing in this Cup and winning their Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League has left them with a Brian Hitchings Cup Final versus Waltham Abbey and a Champion of Champions round robin versus Codicote and Crawley Green, so it is an intense end to the season.

Come down and get behind the boys as they look to clinch an Under 18’s double over the next week.

C’mon the Wood!

Boreham Wood Under 19’s travel to North Wales on Wednesday to take on Gower College, Swansea in the final of the All England and Wales National College Cup. Wood are the holders having won this trophy in some style last season, conceding just one goal throughout the competition, so these youngsters are desperate to retain and win their second National Cup in as many years.

Then on Friday Boreham Wood’s Under 18’s host Waltham Abbey in the final of the Brian Hitchings Cup, kick off 7.30pm. Their form has been impressive with a comprehensive 9-0 win over the holders Chesham United in the Quarter Final and 8-0 win away at Kings Langley in the Semi’s.

Lastly Wood’s Under 18’s take on Codicote on Sunday in a Champion of Champions Cup game. Having both won their respective Southern Counties Floodlit Youth Leagues. They now enter a 3 team round robin, where the victors will be crowned Champion of Champions.

Head PASE Coach, Mario Noto, said “It’s a huge week for all the boys involved with the Under 19’s and Under 18’s. Their attitude and application has seen them get to this stage, they must apply themselves and we hope we succeed what we all set out to achieve at the start of the season which seems such a long time ago right now.”

Graeme celebrated in fine style by scoring the opening goal during Saturday’s win and has been instrumental in Wood’s recent run of good form which saw the Club finished 8^th in the Blue Square Bet South.

Club Captain/Assistant Manager, Luke Garrard, said “Monty typifies the type of player we want at Boreham Wood. He has a great pedigree, has superb quality on the ball and he works tremendously hard both on the training pitch and on a match day.”