More Appointments - 21st May

Following the announcement about Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty taking over from Stuart Scammell, Ascot United announce some further appointments.

Rob Lamb (Jeff's brother) is appointed Reserve team manager taking over from Ady Milne who will focus on the key role of managing the Allied Counties squad. We will be making further appointments in due course - busy times at the Racecourse!

Also Ian Watson, a Director of the club, takes over as Head of men's football from Mike Harrison who remains Chairman of the club and will focus on the next stage of its development. There are now four heads of Football:

Mens Football - Ian Watson Youth Football - Ady Milne Ladies and Girls Football - Terry Brazier Junior Football - Mark Cooper

Mike said "We are putting in place a strong team off the pitch to take the club forward at all levels. We are fortunate to have so many able and committed people"

Ascot Festival, Nae Horses! - 5th May

The four day Football Festival at Ascot United was played in glorious sunshine and record crowds of over 6,000 people visited the ground over the weekend.

Friday 29th April - Under 7s Tournament Great start to the Festival with the U7s on Friday. Fair Play awards were given to 5 teams and all players in the 20 teams who took part received a medal.

Saturday 30th April - East Berks Cup Final Day East Berks Youth League held 10 cup and plate finals in front of huge crowds.

Sunday 1st May - Ascot United Presentation Fun Day Its Mayday and its Ascot United's Annual Presentation Fun Day. If we thought the previous 2 days were busy!!! One of the highlights was over 200 people in the clubhouse to watch Arsenal v Man U.

Monday 2nd May - Festival Tournament for Under 8s and 9s In the morning it's the U8s Tournament with 20 teams from all over the south taking part and in the afternoon it's the Under 9s turn who have a competitive tournament with Winners and Runners up trophies and medals for Cup, Trophy and Vase competitions. Winners of the Cup were Ruislip Rangers, the Trophy was won by Junior Bees and the Vase by Holtspur Dragonflies.

Congratulations to all the 60 teams who played in the three tournaments of the Festival.

New Management At Ascot - 4th May

Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty have taken over management of Ascot United first team following Stuart Scammell's decision to step down as manager.

Chairman Mike Harrison said. "Stuart has been heavily involved with our first team for 10 years and has led us from the Reading Senior League into the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier division where we finished 12th this season. We are very grateful for Stuart's enormous contribution to the development of men's football at Ascot United and he leaves with all our best wishes. Stuart's decision to step down was related to work, where promotion has brought with it more overseas travel, though he will continue to be involved at the club as his son who plays in the Junior section next season. Thanks also to Steve Webbe, coach and John Gavin our physio who are also stepping down".

Following discussions that have taken place over the last couple of weeks we are pleased to announce that Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty(pictured) have been appointed to the roles of Manager and Assistant Manager respectively. Both Jeff and Paul have been regular members of the first team in recent seasons and have always made it clear that they wished to move into managing and coaching. The directors are fully committed to supporting Jeff and Paul in their new roles. Jeff said "This is a new challenge for Paul and I and we are both looking forward to working with the players and directors of Ascot United. The club is in an enviable position and has the drive, determination and potential to climb the league ladder in years to come. It is my intention to be a part of this"

Harrison added "Once we knew that Stuart would be stepping down we were very keen to appoint a young management team who understand the club and how we want to progress. We are all looking forward to working with Jeff and Paul to build on the success achieved by Stuart and his management team"

Scammell Steps Down - 29th April

Stuart Scammell stepped down as manager of Ascot United on Wednesday night following their 4-3 defeat to Purton in the semi-finals of the Hellenic Supplementary Cup.

Scammell informed both players and club officials of his decision at the end of the seven-goal thriller at the Racecourse

.

'Yellamen' News - 12th April

In what has been a real rollercoaster of a season so far for the Yellamen and their supporters, Ascot United's season is still very much alive in the final weeks. With a top 8 finish in the league still a possibility and a semi final against Abingdon Town in the Floodlit cup, and quarter final against Thame United in the Supplementary cup to come over the next week the hunt for silverware from the season continues.

After a great start to the season the Yellamen found getting consistently good results hard to come by, not helped by the loss of 1st choice keeper Chris Grace with a broken ankle. This led to a number of players tried in that position, and it fell to outfield player Jeff Lamb being asked to fill the role, which he did very well. It has been great to see Chris return to the team recently after months of recovery. Over the past half a dozen games however there have been signs of a renewed team spirit as manager Stuart Scammell's policy of trying the up and coming talent from the club's youth teams blending well with the more established members of the team. In particular centre back Jessie Wilson, centre forward Oliie Lawson, defensive midfielder Jordan Chandler and full back Harry Holloway-Pratt. Forward Jon Bennett has been finding the net consistently over this period, and veteran Paul McGrotty has formed a great partnership with Jeff Lamb, Tim Standing and Lee Boon in midfield. Also the return of Philippine international defender Rob Gier has allowed Nick Curtis to partner Jessie Wilson at centre half. So all at the club hope to have much to cheer over the coming few weeks, making the first season with our new clubhouse facilities a memorable one.

Philippines Move Up A Gier - 28th January

The Yellamen finally welcomed back Rob Gier from International Duty with the Philippines last week after a 3 month absence.

Rob represented his Country in both the Long Teng Cup, and then the Suzuki Cup, in which the Phillipines reached the Semi Finals – their best ever finish in the Competition.

Rob played in all 5 games in the tournament, which culminated in a narrow 2-0 defeat over 2 legs in the semi finals to Malaysia. The first leg was played in Jakarta in front of 70,000 partisan fans – a far cry from the Ascot racecourse ground on a cold Wednesday night….!!

Highs of 26-Chance Of Light Rain -10th December

Not quite the outlook for many in recent weeks, but as this fantastic picture from NSAMBYA Sports Club in Kampala - Uganda shows, hopefully there will be football played in Ascot Kit this week despite the Siberian blast that we are currently facing.

Ascot United donates any spare kits each year that are then distributed to football teams in Africa enabling sides to be fully kitted out.

Nsambya FC  was formed in 1911 and Steve Brine, who organises the distribution of team kit has received a letter of thanks to AUFC and this photograph. Thanks to Doug Page and DP Worldwide Freight who have continued to sponsor the Senior Men's kit for many years at Ascot United.

Shock For Young Ascot Players - 23rd September

Young footballers fled in terror as a gunman, who had just shot another man, ran in their direction wielding a weapon. A victim was shot in the car park of Don Beni restaurant in Winkfield Row as Ascot United's under-11s trained on the adjacent field, just before 7.30pm on Thursday, September 9.

The gunman then turned and ran in the direction of the young players before jumping into a nearby car and driving away. It is thought his victim, a man in his twenties, was shot in the leg and received hospital treatment but was discharged the following afternoon. Police have not made any arrests in relation to the incident and are appealing to the public for information.

Helder Silva, manager of Don Beni, said: "A white van and a car parked up in the car park. "They were arguing and then one man put the gun in the other's face. Then one man shot the other, he was standing outside the van and he shot through the door. Ascot United, they play on the play ground, and the guy with the gun ran towards them and the children were all running away into the trees."

Mike Harrison, chairman of Ascot United Football Club, added: "They heard the shots and then they saw someone running away in their direction. It was a bit of a shock but no one at the club was hurt and the adults at the club are helping police in any way they can."

The restaurant was busy with around 20 to 30 diners at the time of the incident but most of them only became aware of the incident when police arrived. All the diners were interviewed. They were instructed to leave their cars in the car park overnight while police investigated. Helder added: "They were stuck here for two or three hours, so of course we gave them a drink. Everyone was very calm, very relaxed about it."
Neighbours say they are shocked and surprised by the incident in such a quiet village. One, who asked not to be named, said: "It's not nice to think that there is someone prowling around with a gun. We didn't actually hear anything so it was a real surprise when we heard there had been a shooting right outside." Another added: "I looked out of the window and I could see loads of police - at least three cars. I went outside and someone told me shots had been fired but I hadn't heard anything. "It's very shocking because you just don't expect that sort of thing to happen somewhere so quiet."

Ch Insp Simon Bowden, police commander for Bracknell Forest, said: "This is a very unusual and isolated incident for Bracknell Forest and I would like to reassure the local community that we are doing all that we can to investigate the circumstances and catch those responsible. We are keeping an open mind as to the motive and will keep the community updated as the investigation progresses."

Report submitted by Ascot United 22nd September.

Whats On At The Racecourse? - 22nd September

Itinerary of the events this week as provided by Ascot United.

Wednesday 22/9
Big game - Ascot United v Ardley United -Uhlsport Hellenic Premier League 7.45ko
Bar, Catering and if you get cold Scunthorpe v Man U on HD (well on second thoughts perhaps not!)
Thursday 23/9
See the stars of tomorrow as Berks and Bucks U16 Trialists v Ascot United U16s ko 7.45pm, Catering and the Bar open
Saturday 25/9
Following a full morning of 7 a side matches at the Racecourse why not stay, have lunch, and see the multi-billionaires play each other - Its Man City v Chelsea at 12.45 on Sky HD (Got to be better than shopping!!) and the bar will be open from noon.

No game on in the afternoon so you can get back home early to sort out some of those jobs that you promised to do before the season started!!
Sunday 26/9
Two girls 7 a side matches kicking off at 10.30 on the bottom pitches

The Following Week
Ascot United U18s v Knaphill U18s - Allied Counties - 28/9 ko 7.45
Ascot United v Shrivenham - County Cup - 29/9 ko 7.45
Ascot United v Fairford Town - Uhlsport Hellenic Premier League - 2/10 ko 3pm

Cup Fever Grips Ascot - 16th September

After a tremendous performance in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase against Staines Lammas, Ascot will this weekend host Hertford Town (nickname the Blues) of the Molten Spartan South Midlands League.

A large crowd is expected and the fixture provides a great opportunity for local people as well as Ascot Utd junior and Youth players to see good quality football at a reasonable price. Entry is £5 (accompanied children free of charge), concessions £3 and only £1 entry for U16s.

Wednesday's league match against Wootton Bassett has been postponed until 20th October as the Wiltshire side had an FA Cup replay to play on Tuesday evening which provides a great opportunity for Ascot to prepare well ahead of the cup tie.

Ascot's recently opened Saints Pavilion is already proving popular for pre and post match entertaining so make Saturday a local football day to remember by supporting your local club. The Clubhouse will be showing the Stoke City v West Ham game on the HD big screen KO 12.45 ahead of the FA Carlsberg Vase match KO 3pm.

What A Difference - 10th September

Ascot United manager Stuart Scammell is welcoming the selection headache he is set to face, admitting the club’s fortunes have gone full circle in a year.

In their opening campaign in the Hellenic Premier Division last season, Ascot were ravaged by injuries, and boss Scammell struggled to send out a stable side. As a result, the Yellamen suffered an awful start to life in the division, and only pulled away from the relegation zone in the closing stages of the season. This time around, however, Ascot’s fortunes are the complete opposite, and Scammell has the luxury of putting out a settled team.

Now, following the addition of striker Lee Boon to the squad, Scammell is now facing having to leave out one or two of his forwards. Boon, 21, moved to the area in the summer after a succesful season with Cambridgeshire side Godmanchester Rovers.

Scammell is delighted to finally have some strength in depth to choose from. “We had Lee training with us in pre-season, he’s got bags of energy and knows where the goal is,” said Scammell. “He comes with a bit of a pedigree having been manager’s player of the season last year (at Godmanchester) so we’re looking forward to having him with us. (Jon) Bennett has found his scoring touch and (Rob) Saunders and (Sam) McIntyre are scoring as well. We still have Andy Lunn and Jon Finnieston out injured so there is another pair of strikers to come back. There’s some nice selection headaches for me which is in stark contrast to last season – I think I’d already used about 30 players by this point last year, but this season I have been lucky enough to have 15 or 16 players each week so it has been very different for us.”

Despite Scammell’s options up front, none of his forwards were among the goals in their 2-2 draw away at Abingdon Town on Tuesday night. Though the point in Oxfordshire keeps Ascot riding high at the top of the division, two points clear of second-placed Binfield.

The reserve team, under new management of Ady Milne, start their new season tomorrow at the Racecourse, kick off 3.00pm. With many new faces, including some of the youth team, and all players pushing for first team spaces, it should be a good game against Launton Sports. Please come down and support, all the normal match day facilities available. The club will also be open early for the Everton v Manchester United Premiership game.

Opening Of The Saints Pavilion - 7th September

The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Catherine Bursnall - flanked by the Member of Parliament Adam Alfriye (left), Ascot United Chairman Mike Harrison and ex Norway international and Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo - officially opened the Ascot United Saints Pavilion on Saturday.

This brings to a conclusion the tremendous re-development of the Ascot United football facilities at the Racecourse Ground.

Ascot Vase Debut - 3rd September

Ascot Utd takes it's first step in the FA Carlsberg Vase tomorrow as they entertain Staines Lammas in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

The curtain raiser for Saturday's game will be the formal opening of the Saints Pavilion on Saturday morning by The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

The clubhouse will also be open tonight for the Euro 2012 England qualifier against Bulgaria.

Open Day & Official Opening - 27th August

Ascot United Football Club are pleased to announce the completion of an extensive re-development programme at its home ground off the Winkfield Road.

To mark the occasion the club is holding an opening ceremony on the morning of Saturday 4th September commencing at 9.30am. The new building will be opened by The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Adam Afriye MP will be present.

The directors of the football club would very much like you and any guests and family members to join us on this special occasion for the club. There will be an opportunity to see round the new facilities and light refreshments will be available. Our younger boys and girls teams will be playing friendly matches from 9.15am to 11.00am and the event will conclude around 11.15am. In the afternoon 3pm kick off, the club's first team make their first ever appearance in the FA Vase, a national competition for junior football clubs with its final at Wembley Stadium in May 2011 and you are more than welcome to stay or return in the afternoon to share in what will be a historic day for Ascot United and its thousands of parents and players.

Tough Week For Ascot - 24th August

After an excellent start to the season overall, Ascot face a gruelling 7 days.

With the prospect of two home games in quick succession over the Bank Holiday weekend against current leaders Slimbridge on Saturday and then a visit on Bank Holiday Monday from Reading Town who retain their 100% record so far going into the bank holiday period. Before that, Ascot travel to unbeaten Wantage on Tuesday evening keen to put behind them the disappointment of a below par performance on Saturday against Highworth Town.

The Waiting Is Finally Over - 20th August

Ascot Utd v Highworth Town
After years of tremendous effort by many members of the club. The curtain will finally raise this weekend on the first match to be played at Ascot United's newly developed Racecourse ground.

The Uhlsport Hellenic League match between Ascot United and Highworth Town will be the first to utilise the new changing rooms and clubhouse facilities and will also be the first game to be played on the newly laid pitch. All players, supporters and members of the club throughout all the age groups are encouraged to attend the game to mark this landmark occasion for our community club.

Kick Off is 3 pm and with Ascot currently riding high with 3 wins from 3 away games it promises to be a day to remember. The formal opening of the new clubhouse facility - the 'Saints Pavilion' will take place on September 4th to co-incide with the return from school holidays when we will have a number of junior games taking place as well as welcoming Staines Lammas in the club's first foray into the FA Vase.

Wall Of Fame - 13th August

Stuart Flurry turns his building skills to build the wall of fame that will be finished in time for Ascot United's Open Day on 4th September.

Last Saturday Ascot United had the second of what will a long list of work party days when the Racecourse pitch marked out by the first team management.

Home Straight For Ascot - 6th August

The fruition of a dream will occur late on Friday 6th August when Uhlsport Hellenic Premier club Ascot United agreed that the new clubhouse and changing facilities was complete, subject to final snagging, that will be completed during the next week.

As a result at 5pm control of the building formally passed from the builders to the club. The image shows the veranda with some of the railings installed and the remainder will also be fitted next week.

The race is now on to get all the fitting out finished in time for the new season which starts with three away fixtures. Thame United on 10th, Carterton on 14th and Oxford City Nomads on 18th before the first home fixture using the new facilities against Highworth Town on 21st August.

Keeper Joins Ascot - 5th August

Goalkeeper Chris Grace, who was among the mass exodus of players to follow manager Colin Millard from Reading Town to Thatcham, has joined Town’s Uhlsport Hellenic League rivals Ascot United on loan.

Midfielder Ian Brooks has also made a similar move while Tristam Dennis looks set to go on-loan to Sandhurst.

Reading Town visit Ascot on Monday, August 30, and Millard said more Thatcham players could be going out on loan deals. The Hellenic League said close to 1,100 players have already registered and expect the figure to top 1,500 by kick-off time next week. The Premier Division kicks-off on Monday evening with a match between Binfield and Witney United, while Holyport visit Milton in Division 1 East.
www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football

Finneston Joins Yellamen - 20th July

Former Camberley and Reading Town hitman John Finnieston has joined Ascot United. Having managed to hang on to all of his squad from last term, manager Stuart Scammell is confident the former Charters School student will add an extra dimension to the Yellamen.

He said: "John is an out and out striker, a real fox in the box. That is something we have been missing from the team the last few seasons. He is very experienced at this level and has the instinct to always know exactly where to stand. He will score us the kind of tap-ins we haven't really been getting the last few years. But don't get me wrong. He is a quality player too. He has played for me before and I've seen him score a lot of very good goals as well. He is experienced at this level and we're pleased to have him on board."

Last season, United's first ever in the Premier Division, started with 11 defeats in the first 13 games to leave them looking odds on for relegation. However a tremendous turnaround saw the Yellamen finish 17 points clear of the drop. Scammell has challenged his side to carry on that form in the new campaign. He said: "We gave ourselves too much to do in the second half of the season last time and we don't want to be playing catch-up again this year. We put that poor first half to bed with the way we played in the second half of the season. We haven't lost anyone from last season, everyone has been at training, and the aim is to carry on where we left off."

Rainbow Magic - 21st June

Ascot United just about got through Royal Ascot week without watering so it was good to give the pitch a good soaking today.

The last stage of the pitchworks will be carried out this week by Kestrel and then we have to make sure its ready for the middle of August.

If you note a horse with Rainbow in it's name running at the Royal Course in meetings to come . . . . who knows this could be a winning omen!.