Basingstoke and Merthyr Town will pay tribute to a man who dedicated his life to football when they clash at the Camrose on Saturday.
Alan Turvey, a Basingstoke vice-president, has passed away at the age of 85 and the teams will observe a minute’s silence before kick-off.
He started his career in football when he set up Essex team Wickford Boys in the 1950s before becoming a referee in 1959 and going on to be a top flight official in the old First Division.
He was also instrumental in helping his hometown club of Basingstoke to become a community owned club last year.
Alan was one of the FA’s 150 Grassroots Heroes who were presented with a specially minted medal by his Royal Highness, The Duke of Cambridge.
Both Basingstoke and Merthyr go into their EvoStik Southern League clash needing a win to enhance their chances of qualifying for the Premier play-offs.
Terry Brown, Basingstoke manager, is back in charge after Jason Bristow made the move to Eastleigh FC.
“The team are starting to chip away and earning the results to move us up the table,” said Brown. “It is still early days but we are still aiming for that play-off position.
A little video I put together for the @redflagmartyrs . Shedding a light on ex Martyr, @sheffieldwed & @ManUtd player, Reese Williams. @JonnyOwenFilm @dialm4merthyr @martyrant https://t.co/ObxKlIOHQF
— John Smith (@Sameoldsmiths) November 16, 2018
“Jason had the guys playing well so there is no need for me to come in and start chopping and changing things around.”
Former Cardiff City captain Mike Ford, now manager of Banbury United, admits he is as frustrated as club fans with his teams poor run continuing.
The Puritans face two Evo-Stik League Central games in four days as Ford looks to end a run which has seen his side fail to pick up three points since September.
United travel to high-flying Coalville Town in Saturday’s Premier Central clash and three days later entertain AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
Ford, who saw his side knocked out of the Buildbase FA Trophy last time out, said: “I’ve been here that long I suppose I’m now a supporter. I understand their frustration.
“I’m on the touchline and probably more frustrated than anybody because I keep seeing the players making the same mistakes time after time.
“The players were visibly disappointed and you could see there are a bunch who clearly care about playing for this club. I was firm with them leading up to Saturday’s game but they probably need some encouragement now.
“Are we good enough? Clearly, at the moment we’re not. If I’m going to push this team on, I’ve got to try and bring in players who are better than those we have.
“To get into the top five is a difficult ask because this is a tough division and we’re making it look even tougher at the moment. I understand everybody’s frustration but the players are trying if they weren’t then that would be the time to be concerned.
“If you don’t have players who trust you they are not going to perform for you. The whole group needs to feel a bit better about themselves and maintain that belief.”
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | -Pts | Pts | |
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Weymouth | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 34 | 16 | 18 | – | 30 |
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Taunton Town | 14 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 15 | 17 | – | 29 |
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Salisbury | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 32 | 16 | 16 | – | 27 |
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Hendon | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 17 | 11 | – | 26 |
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Beaconsfield Town | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 16 | 9 | – | 23 |
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Tiverton Town | 13 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 19 | 8 | – | 22 |
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Poole Town | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 23 | 13 | 10 | – | 19 |
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Merthyr Town | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 16 | 7 | – | 19 |
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Harrow Borough | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 31 | 23 | 8 | – | 18 |
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Basingstoke Town | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 22 | 3 | – | 18 |
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Hartley Wintney | 13 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 22 | 3 | – | 18 |
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Walton Casuals | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 25 | 33 | -8 | – | 18 |
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Metropolitan Police | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 22 | 1 | – | 16 |
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Gosport Borough | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 22 | 27 | -5 | – | 16 |
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Frome Town | 13 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 20 | 25 | -5 | – | 14 |
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Farnborough | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 22 | 31 | -9 | – | 14 |
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Wimborne Town | 14 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 27 | 33 | -6 | – | 13 |
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Dorchester Town | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 27 | -12 | – | 13 |
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Swindon Supermarine | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 22 | -3 | – | 12 |
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Kings Langley | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 25 | -10 | – | 12 |
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Staines Town | 15 | 3 | – | 12 | 20 | 44 | -24 | – | 9 |
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Chesham United | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 34 | -29 | – | 6 |