Manager Sought - 2nd June

Chinnor FC held their AGM last night, the majority of the previous year's committee agreed to stand again.

The only noticeable change was in the position of Chairman where Kevin Avery who had held the position for the previous 2 years asked to stand down due to other commitments was replaced by Jim Marshall.

The first task for the new committee is to fill the first team manager vacancy which has stood vacant since the end of last season. Anyone interested in the position should contact secretary Richard Carr (via email to richard.carr@eu.sony.com) ASAP as the club are looking to make a decision within the next seven days.

Carr Steps Down At Awards Night - 9th May

Chinnor FC held their annual awards evening on Saturday, manager Richard Carr announced that he would be stepping down as first team manager.

First team player of the year went to Jon Ayres with the players player award going to veteran striker Craig Johnston.
The reserves manager's award was shared jointly by George Harman and Ryan Chapman, with the players award going to Tom White.

The A team awards went to Nigel Evans and Jacob Davis, the B team awards went to Tom Lethbridge and Billy Morris.

From a league perspective 2010/11 was a disappointing season for Chinnor as all four sides struggled in their respective leagues. The only highlight of the season was the Reserves Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup final triumph over local rivals Thame United.

At the end of the awards presentation, first team manager Richard Carr announced that he will be stepping down from this position with immediate affect. Carr still intends to continue his playing career although admits this may have to be outside of the first team. Anyone interested on applying for the manager's role should apply via email to richard.carr@eu.sony.com

Chinnor Stalwart's Milestone - 21st April

This Saturday's Division One East league game away to Finchampstead sees Chinnor player/manager Richard Carr chalk up his 200th Hellenic League game for the club.

Carr was instrumental in bringing Chinnor into the Hellenic League back in 2003, since that date has enjoyed two periods as manager whilst maintaining his position at the centre of the defence. The only period he was out of the side was in 2005 when he suffered a snapped Achilles tendon. Carr's Hellenic career is actually a lot longer than this as he made his debut for Thame United Reserves back in 1983 against Maidenhead Reserves, making his first team debut in 1985 away at Swindon Supermarine. Carr remained in the Hellenic until Thame left the league in 1988.

After seven years away from the league playing for Thame United and Chalfont St Peter in the Ryman League he returned to the Hellenic family briefly in 1995 when he played for Didcot Town under Bob Pratley before taking over at Chinnor who were at the time in the Oxfordshire Senior League. When pressed as to whether 200 games was a fitting total for a 43 year old to finish on Carr would not be drawn.

Craker Returns For Chinnor - 4th February

Chinnor head into this Saturday's crunch home game with Penn & Tyler's Green nearly at full strength. They welcome back Lewis Craker (pictured) from injury and Adam Brooks who was unavailable the previous week.

The only absentees are goal keeper Matt Tapping and player/manager Richard Carr. Both of these are still out injured and look unlikely to return in the next few weeks. Last Saturday Chinnor lost in the Challenge Cup to Bicester 3-1, manager Carr felt his team failed to show enough effort in what were difficult playing conditions. Carr knows his side will need to be at their best to get something against an improving Penn side. The game at Penn earlier in the season finished 1-1, another close encounter is anticipated.

Carr Hamstrung - 29th January

Chinnor FC go into this weekend's Challenge Cup game at home to Bicester without the boss on the pitch.

Player/Manager Richard Carr has a hamstring injury, but Chinnor do welcome back Michael Byrne and Craig Johnston who were both unavailable last weekend. Despite defeat last Saturday 2-1 at Rayners Lane Carr does believe his team are improving, remaining confident they can pull away from the foot of the table. Carr commented "Despite losing last weekend I was pleased with the fact that we created four or five excellent chances. Now that we have Gary Marshall back fit and having secured Adam Stallwood back from Thame United I am confident we will start scoring the goals we need to climb the table"

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Lots Of Chinnor Optimism - 22nd December

Chinnor FC head into the Christmas and New Year period bottom of Division One East but full of optimism for 2011. On the field the side have struggled for consistency in both performance and personnel but manager Richard Carr is buoyed by the news that Adam Stallwood who recently signed from Thame United is now available again after suspension, long term absentees Lewis Craker and Gary Marshall should also be available in the New Year.

Off the field committee members have been working hard to raise the funding required for the planned new clubhouse and floodlights with all funding applications due to be entered in early 2011. Terry Devine chairman of the Community Club seems very optimistic that funding will be granted, should this be the case it is planned for redevelopment work to start as soon as the current season finishes.

Wycombe Cup Action For Chinnor - 18th November

Chinnor FC have a break from league action this weekend as they play away at former Hellenic side Prestwood in the Wycombe Senior Cup.

Player/Manager Richard Carr will be absent with a calf strain, as will Lewis Craker who is recovering from a appendicitis. Adam Stallwood and Michael Byrne are both suspended. Carr does welcome back Ed Barnett from suspension & Adam Brooks & Ian Braun who were unavailable the previous weekend due to work commitments.

Carr is hoping his side can start to go on a run as they try to claw themselves away from the foot of Division One East. Saturday's hard earned draw at Penn & Tylers kept Chinnor in 11th place and they now face back to back cup matches before the visit of bottom of the table Finchampstead in early December.

Fly The Flag - 3rd November

Chinnor supporters scale new heights to spur the team on to victory!

It appears that Chinnor supporters will go to any length to support their team as the club's flag is flying high behind the goal at their Station Road ground.

The flag actually belongs to one of Chinnor's sponsors Ben E Morgan Building who are renovating the house which belongs to Bernie Braun, father of Chinnor forward Ian and Thame United's Stuart.

The flag obviously did spur the team on as they recorded only their second league win of the season against South Kilburn.

Victory Essential - 29th October

Chinnor FC go into tomorrow's league clash with South Kilburn knowing victory is essential if they are to start climbing away from the foot of the table.

Having not played a league game for two weeks Chinnor find themselves second bottom of the league with only one win all season. Their chances against South Kilburn will not be helped by the absence of defenders Richard Carr and Ed Barnett through suspension, plus captain Ryan Davis who is at a wedding. Having already drawn with South Kilburn on the opening day of the season Chinnor know that they face a tough challenge if they are to secure the three points.

Desperate For Win - 8th October

Chinnor entertain Didcot Town Reserves tomorrow in desperate search of their first home league victory.

Whilst proving hard to beat the side have struggled to create chances, their record of only five goals for in eight league games goes a long way to explaining their league position. Jon Ayres will again be missing but Chinnor do welcome back Ed Barnett after a two game absence.

Is This a Record? - 23rd September

After last night's 13-0 demolition of Stonesfield, Chinnor Veterans were left wondering if centre forward Craig Johnston had broke any Hellenic records with his tally of eight goals in one game?

Johnston scored five times in the 1st half as Chinnor turned round 8-0 up & added a further 3 goals during the 2nd half. He was joined on the score sheet by Richard Carr, Matthew Wakelin, Nicky Barnes, & Paul Hanson 2. Is anyone aware of a bigger individual tally?

Carr ‘Benched’ - 10th September

Player manager Richard Carr will have to confine himself to the dugout tomorrow as a hamstring injury means he will miss the home game against unbeaten Hungerford Town Reserves

Carr is expecting a very tough game as Hungerford have already scored eleven goals this season and have yet to concede. Chinnor in contrast have found goals hard to come by having only scored four times in their opening five games. That said they have been equally as tight at the back having only conceded five goals in those games. Carr will again have youngster Matt Tapping in goal due to an injury to Ben Taunton and is also still without Gary Marshall who is awaiting an operation on his groin.

First 10/11 Home Game & Planning Granted - 3rd September

Chinnor FC host their first home game of the season tomorrow when Rayners Lane are the opponents. Four games on the road have brought a return of four points, manager Richard Carr will be hoping that home advantage will bring his side a victory.

So far this season all of the games Chinnor have played have been close affairs with the maximum winning margin being a single goal. Carr knows that his side need to start producing more in the final third of the pitch if they are to really push up the table this season. Chinnor do welcome back defender Lewis Craker on Saturday after he has missed the last three games through holiday. James Hawes also returns after missing the Bank Holiday game.

Off the field the club have received the fantastic news that their latest planning application has been granted permission. Chairman Kevin Avery commented “Getting this application passed means finally we believe we have an achievable goal to aim for”. The management committee of Chinnor Playing Fields now face the tough task of raising the necessary funding but all going well the goal is for developments to commence in the late Spring next year.

Chinnor Seeking First Win - 27th August

Chinnor FC go in search of their first win of the season when they travel to play Farnborough Reserves.

Manager Richard Carr hopes to welcome back Richard Avery but is still without Lewis Craker, Gary Marshall and Ed Barnett. It also looks likely that Tim Rantle will be leaving the club as Carr has received a seven day approach from a Hellenic Premier League side.

Asked about this Saturday’s game Carr commented “It’s always a difficult place to go as it’s a big pitch and they have a young mobile side. I expect a tough encounter as both sides will be keen to get their first win of the season”

Third Time Lucky? - 20th August

Could it be third time lucky for Chinnor FC as this week they have resubmitted plans for the redevelopment of their clubhouse and ground to include everything necessary for step 6 football.

The latest plans have had to be amended as the positioning of the floodlights was not to the liking of the Environmental Officer. The new plans mean moving the first team pitch completely but have been submitted after consultation with the Planning Officer and appear to tick every box. These new plans actually position the floodlights where original planning approval was granted two years ago but unfortunately mean part of the main clubhouse will need demolishing to fit the pitch in. The planning granted two years ago involved a much larger new building which unfortunately proved beyond fund raising capabilities. Currently the decision date scheduled for a planning response is the 2nd September. Chairman of Chinnor FC Kevin Avery is extremely hopeful that planning will be granted and if this is the case the he believes all going well redevelopment would start at the end of the season.

Cricket Keeps Chinnor On The Road -19th August

Chinnor take to the road again for their second game of the season, this time away to Newbury on Saturday, due to the conflict with cricket at Station Road until the end of August.

Ian Braun, Michael Byrne and Matt Tapping will return to first team contention after missing the trip to South Kilburn but Chinnor will be without Ed Barnett and Lewis Craker, in addition to their longer term absentees. Last season neither game could see Chinnor and Newbury separated and in both games it was the Berkshire side who came from behind to earn a share a spoils, so another tight game should be expected on Saturday at Faraday Road.

Manager Richard Carr was extremely pleased with how his side performed in the opening game at South Kilburn despite missing six regulars from last years side, Chinnor could easily have come away from West London with a victory. Carr commented “The young lads who came in did everything that was asked of them & we stuck to our game plan throughout. If we can eradicate the mistakes we made which cost us both goals I am sure we can enjoy a successful season”.

Six Out For Start - 13th August

Chinnor go into Saturday’s league opener away at South Kilburn missing six of last years first team through a combination of injuries and unavailability.

Last years two leading scorers Gary Marshall and Tim Rantle are both out as well as defenders Richard Avery, Michael Byrne, and Andy Louise. Chinnor do welcome back defender Ed Barnett who has returned to the club after a season away playing for local rivals Thame United. Other additions to the squad are youngsters Rory Lonsdale and James Hawes who both step up from the reserve team along with new signing Jon Ayres who joins the club from local football.

Manager Richard Carr is in fairly buoyant mood despite the early season absentees, commenting.“South Kilburn away is always a tough fixture but I am confident our strength in depth & team spirit will mean we will still be competitive on the day”. This season is particularly important to Chinnor as they expect a decision on their latest planning application by the first week of September, if the decision is positive the potential of having G grade facilities in place for season 2011/12 will become a real possibility.

Charter Status for Chinnor - 2nd July

Richard Carr, Secretary of Division One East Club Chinnor, has announced that the recently formed “Chinnor Football in the Community” have achieved FA Charter Standard Community Club” status.

This achievement comes as a result of a tremendous amount of work led by Chairman Terry Devine. The men’s club has always had strong links with Chinnor Youth with the majority of the senior side having come through the ranks. This new “Community” status should enhance this relationship and help ensure the future of football within Chinnor. The coming season marks the 40th anniversary of Chinnor Youth, this award is the icing on the cake.

A second piece of positive news is that yesterday a new planning application was submitted to South Oxon District Council. This revised plan sees the club’s Station Road ground brought up to Grade G status including floodlighting & covered accommodation. It also includes a completely renovated clubhouse on the existing site. The club are very hopeful that this application will be passed without too much trouble as an earlier application has already been granted permission. If everything runs smoothly the plan would be for work to take place in the summer of 2011 ready for the 2011/12 season.

Training Starts - 28th June

Chinnor FC of Division 1 East commence training for the new season this Thursday 1st July at 7pm at their Station Road ground. The club will again be running four Saturday sides, two in the Hellenic, & two in the Wycombe Senior League. All players old & new are welcome along & anyone interested should contact secretary Richard Carr on 07786 115089.