Six of the Best - 11th March

Letcombe FC will use their sixth different first team goalkeeper this season when they visit Trowbridge Town on Saturday in a FTL Futbol Division One West match.

They started the season with youngster Josh Bourton in goal, but when he dislocated a finger, the search was on for a replacement. Former keeper Steven Vaux, now playing in the North Berks League, played in one match, and Stuart Game came out of semi retirement to help. Centre back Tom Patten donned the keeper`s jersey for one game before Letcombe signed Wantage schoolteacher Simon Byrne.

With Josh Bourton still injured and Simon Byrne not available, reserve keeper Bill MacDonald will make his first team debut at Trowbridge. He is really a centre back, but has played well in goal for the reserves in recent weeks. Stuart Game will deputise for him in the reserve match at Shrivenham.

Has any other club ever had six different first team goalkeepers in one season?

Continue Form - 18th February

After an impressive performance in the 4-1 win against Tytherington Rocks last weekend, Letcombe hope to continue their good form in the FTL Futbol Hellenic Division One West match at Cirencester United this Saturday.

There will again be a number of enforced changes to the Letcombe line-up. Paul Roberts, scorer of two goals last Saturday, is away skiing, and Paul Sellers in unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury sustained against Tytherington. Leading goalscorer Pete Horswell is available after missing the previous match, and Mark de la Coze will return from work commitments and suspension. Joe Kent should be available after missing three weeks with concussion, but Scott Hooper and Liam Bint are still injured. Keeper Josh Bourton is nearing fitness after playing only one game since October with two different finger dislocations. Sean Webb has two more games before his loan spell from Wantage Town expires.

Another Letcombe Injury Setback - 3rd February

An update on Letcombe's Scott Hooper, who suffered a badly gashed leg on Saturday when playing against Trowbridge Town.

Scott had the wound cleaned at the JR Hospital after the game and is due to undergo surgery today, Tuesday, to have a skin graft under anaesthetic. He is on crutches and will be another long term absentee for the club who are really struggling for players at the moment. Letcombe have a complete team unavailable next weekend, most of them on the injury list, but a couple of them working.

Farewell - 23rd January

Letcombe said `goodbye` to two youngsters after their home game against North Leigh Reserves. Harry Trethowan is moving to Devon where some of his family already live, and Jamie MacDonagh is transferring to Carterton.

Harry (left) has had an excellent season, with a steady improvement in his skill and confidence. He was regarded as `one for the future`.

Jamie (right) lives in Carterton and played for their youth team last season, he is a talented player, but is looking for more regular football with his `home` club.

Letcombe would like to thank both of them for their commitment and wish them every success in the future.

The Next Generation - 7th January

Hellenic Division One West side Letcombe FC has always been renowned for giving talented teenagers their first chance in senior football, but there are more youngsters than usual forcing their way into contention this season. Eleven of them are now appearing regularly in the first team squad, and although most of them still need to improve some aspects of their game, the Club are delighted with their progress. Indeed, they seem to be telling the more established players that the next generation are ready to take over.

Goalkeeper Josh Bourton, only 17, has recently been selected for the Oxfordshire youth team, although he is currently sidelined with his second dislocated finger of the season. Full back Luke Faircloth, who is 19, has made excellent progress after making the step up from local football, and talented defender Josh Cottrell, also 19, has recently transferred from Wantage Town. Centre back Liam Bint, aged 18, is powerful in the air, and versatile Tom Broad, who is an older 22, has just finished his university degree.

The Hoodoo Strikes Again - 30th December

FTL Futbol Division One West team Letcombe FC will be looking forward to the New Year with particular interest, hoping that it bring a change of luck on the injury front.

In January Mark Denny sustained a compound fracture to tibia and fibula which kept him out of action until November. After a few reserve matches, he returned to the first team at Clanfield last Saturday. Simon Tabor also fractured his tibia and fibula in August at North Leigh and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Goalkeeper Josh Bourton (pictured) badly dislocated his finger early in September at Slimbridge, and missed three months football as a result of the injury.

Having made his return at Easington Sports two weeks ago, he dislocated another finger at Clanfield on Saturday. He continued to play, and only realised the extent of the injury when he visited the hospital two days later. Because of the delay in treatment, the finger was difficult to put in place, and he now faces another spell of inactivity.

Letcombe hope that 2010 will bring a change of fortune, with no more serious injuries.

Denny Returns -16th November

Mark Denny, the Letcombe teenager who broke his leg very badly in January against Hardwicke AFC, took the first steps back into competitive football on Saturday.

Letcombe are delighted to say that he came off the bench and played ten minutes for Letcombe Reserves in their Hellenic League Reserves Division Two West match against Clanfield Reserves yesterday. He hopes to gradually increase his participation, and is determined to regain his first team place in the New Year.

Both Mark and Letcombe FC would like to thank all those clubs who have sent messages of support during the last ten months.

Goalkeeping Merry-Go-Round - 11th October

One West club Letcombe have used five different goalkeepers in five consecutive matches. Is this a record?

Teenager Josh Bourton was the Letcombe 1st choice keeper this season, but dislocated a finger on 5th September at Slimbridge. First choice keeper last season Steven Vaux has decided to play North Berks football as an outfield player this season, but with his club having a free Saturday, Letcombe hastily signed him on to play in goal the following match on 12th September at home to Lydney Town.

Stuart Game, Letcombe first choice keeper for many years, but having recently married, and with a baby daughter did not want to play regularly this season but he agreed to help out for one match, and played in the home game against Cirencester United on September 19th. With no other keeper available, defender Tom Patten played in goal in the B & B Intermediate Cup at Newbury a week later and were hoping that Bourton would be fit for the visit to Lydney, but was told his return would be at least another month, the Club signed Wantage school teacher Simon Byrne to make it five different goalkeepers in five weeks. Byrne played in the victory at Winterbourne on October 10th, and will hopefully continue to deputise in the coming weeks.

Letcombe Injury Update - 5th October

There has been a number of clubs asking about the progress of the injured Letcombe trio of players.

Mark Denny (pictured) trained with the club for the first time on 29th September following his very serious broken leg last January. He was in good spirits and looked remarkably fit considering his long absence from the game. He joined in the `friendly` game at the end of training, and is hopeful that he will be able to play competitively again early in the New Year.

Simon Tabor is now able to put some weight on the leg he broke two months ago at North Leigh. He is still using crutches to walk, but has been told to start weight bearing on the injured leg. He is also in good spirits, and is very grateful for the wonderful financial support from North Leigh. Letcombe are also holding a club disco for him on October 17th. He is hoping to make a return before the end of the season, but this seems rather optimistic.

Josh Bourton is still suffering from the dislocated finger he suffered a month ago at Slimbridge. Doctors have told him that only the dislocation should have been bandaged rather than the whole finger and that the damaged tendons have not yet mended. He will be missing for at least another month. Having used four different keepers in the four games since his injury Letcombe hope that he will soon be on the road to recovery.

Treat for Tabor! - 18th September

On Thursday evening League General Manager had a telephone discussion with Des Williams Secretary of FTL Futbol Hellenic Division One West club Letcombe FC. Des gave an update on the well being of Simon Tabor who sustained a serious injury when playing for the North Berkshire village club against North Leigh Reserves on August Bank Holiday Monday. Des stated “Simon was at last Saturday’s match on his crutches. Although still suffering some pain he was remarkably cheerful”. It is expected he will be off work for a further month before another medical assessment.

Brian King advised Des that he had been contacted by Peter King, Chairman of Zamaretto League side North Leigh who had organised a club player collection for Simon followed by a ‘Ground Collection’ when North Leigh entertained Paulton Rovers. The proceeds from a club house raffle were also added to the collected sum making a total of £185 being sent in a cheque to the Hellenic League Office.

The cheque is being forwarded to Simon via Des Williams who added; “Please pass on the thanks of Simon and at all Letcombe for the efforts made by North Leigh players and supporters for their generosity. After the accident occurred everything possible was done by North Leigh officials to ease the situation for Simon. The ongoing comradeship of the Hellenic family was very apparent then and continues to be”.

Who Killed The Black Cat? - 7th September

Letcombe must be wondering what more misfortune lies in wait for them in the future. Last January Mark Denny sustained a serious fracture to both the tibia and fibula. On August Bank Holiday Monday, Simon Tabor also broke both his tibia and fibula at North Leigh.

This Saturday 5th September, only five days later, young keeper Josh Bourton (pictured) sustained a suspected fractured finger, as he dived bravely to prevent a certain goal. His place in goal was taken by defender Tom Patten.

Letcombe are asking themselves who killed the black cat and hence brought this misfortune on the Club. The only glimmer of solace is that "these things normally happen in threes". Hopefully the Club will sustain no more serious injuries this season. We feel that we deserve a break of a different kind.

Tabor On Road To Recovery - 4th September

Simon Tabor, pictured in the Oxford John Radcliffe hospital yesterday, is on the road to recovery.

The Letcombe player, who suffered injury in the Bank Holiday fixture at North Leigh, underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair his damaged lower leg.

Simon hopes to be released from hospital during the next few days and sends his sincers thanks to all those who have visited and forwarded their best wishes to him.

Des Williams visited the JR yesterday afternoon and reports Simon is in good spirits and looks forward to getting back on to the pitch in time to come.

In the meantime Simon is in good company during his spell in hospital. His faithful "Arsenal" Teddybear is with him by his side, the pair will be able to debate the fortunes of the Letcombe Boys and the "Mighty Gunners"!

Give Us A Break - 2nd September

Severe leg injuries seem to be a part of playing for Letcombe FC in the FTL Futbol Hellenic League. Last week an update was posted on the Hellenic web site on the progress of Letcombe youngster Mark Denny who broke his tibia and fibula last January.

Another Letcombe player, Simon Tabor, suffered a similar injury on Monday in a match at North Leigh on Monday afternoon. Simon is in the trauma unit at the John Radcliffe hospital where he had an operation on Tuesday to insert pin and screws into the tibia. The operation went well and the doctors hope to have him taking his first steps later in the week. Letcombe FC wish to emphasise that the injury suffered was a complete accident, and that the North Leigh player involved was not in any way to blame.

Indeed Letcombe received an e-mail from the North Leigh player on the evening of the accident to enquire about Simon`s welfare and to wish him a speedy recovery. All at Letcombe would also like to thank North Leigh football club and referee Ken Fry for their support. It is anticipated that Simon will be unable to carry out his usual work for some considerable time
and paperwork to claim against the League Player Accident Insurance together with a League Benevolent Fund Form has been forwarded to Letcombe Secretary Des Williams for completion.

Finally, there is an old saying that "things always go in threes". All within the Hellenic family sincerely hope that this is not the case.

Denny On The Mend - 26th August

Many Hellenic followers will recall that following a horrific injury, when Letcombes Mark Denny suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula last January, in a match against Hardwicke AFC that required emergency transfer to hospital by helicopter. A number of clubs have enquired about his welfare, hence this update.

Mark is making excellent progress. He has returned to work, and has started rehabilitation exercise. He is able to walk normally, but still limps when he attempts to run. He has decided not to have another operation to remove the plate and screws from his leg. He has even completed a signing on form for 2009/10, and is hopeful that he may be able to play again before the end of the season. He is remarkably cheerful considering the seriousness of the injury.

Mark has asked, through the medium of the Hellenic Web Site and BRC to pass on his thanks to all those well-wishers who contacted him immediately after the injury and have enquired about his progress in recent months. He looks forward to being able to renew friendly rivalries in the, hopefully, not too distant future.

Welcome To Letcombe - 4th August

Letcombe FC of the FTL Futbol Hellenic One West has signed a number of new players this season.

With neither of last seasons goalkeepers available, the Clubs main priority was to find suitable replacements. Letcombe Secretary Des Williams is pleased to have signed youngster Josh Bourton, who had three years at Wycombe Wanderers academy and played for Oxford City youths last season. He has already shown great reflexes, bravery and a safe pair of hands. He will be supported by Stuart Tofte, who played for Letcombe as a striker a few years ago and has stepped up from North Berks football.

Centre back Joe Kent has joined from Abingdon Town and has already proved an outstanding man marker. Youngster Jamie MacDonagh was leading goal scorer for Carterton Youth last season, and should prove a great asset as he gains experience and confidence. Teenage defender Liam Bint played locally for Ardington last season, and midfielder Steve Gilbert has joined from local rivals Wantage Town. David Scott has rejoined the Club he played for three years ago, having represented local side Grove Rangers last season. Luke Faircloth has made a similar move, joining the Club his dad played for ten years ago.

Letcombe are also pleased to welcome back Joe Couchman and Chris Darby who will now be available on a regular basis having finished their University studies. Youngster Matthew Warne is just starting his University career, but will be available during holiday periods and the club is also pleased to welcome back Adam Claydon, who decided to play rugby for Grove last season.