9.50AM UPDATE – UNDER 9s INTER-CLUB LEAGUE CLASH IS OFF – SO NOT A SINGLE HOME GAME
Just one home game survives as the Globals meet the Dreamers with a 10am kick off at Sandyacres
Friday morning update – U14s home game is off due to school isolation
Grant and his Skoda Caffyns squad are out of action until after Christmas with the North School having another year group confined to home isolation. Any players not affected are welcome to train on Thursdays at Repton 6pm with DH
Weekend fixtures slashed – please refer to the Events & Fixtures page
Sunday League – seniors fixture gap now until 3 January 2021
Only two home youth games survive on Saturday
Extra training at Waterside on Saturday for BGFC U13s McDonalds @10am
Defying the odds
Well, whichever way one looks at things, this has been a dreadful year for so many reasons. However, our youngsters continue to make us proud and even the foul weather last night could not dampen the spirits of these children at Repton. Thanks to Gabriel Mika and Chris Barker for their help. Pictures from managers or parents, celebrating the commitment of our Juniors, are always welcome. Please send to davehomewood@icloud.com
Ben, Gabriel, Archie and Joseph – admirable dedicationSomewhat soaked! Our U7/8 Development Group with Gabriel. From left Riley, Enya, Dexter, Rafa, Oliver M, Oliver J. Well done!
Update tonight – Ashford & District Sunday League have cancelled all fixtures until 3 January 2021
Update tonight – message from Alex Potts that U10 Hurricanes match on Saturday has been called off by Biddenden
Update today – U10 McDonalds away to Wittersham has been called off by Wittersham
Frequently asked question – Hi Dave is training on tonight?
Consistent answer – YES!
Birthday greetings Thursday to starlets of the stage Leah and Chloe and Jayde Steadman!
Lots of changes this weekend … please refer to the Events & Fixtures page
Training tonight at Repton – 5pm DH with U7/8s Development Group followed by DH with U13s EKYL @6pm then 7pm Will with the U18s. Bring shin pads and astros and wrap up warm if it is a bit nippy!
Training tonight at Kingswood – 5pm Dean with U8s DVS followed by Alex Potts with U10 Hurricanes @6pm plus U12s DVS with Dean also @6pm
Tribute to Stanley Donald
Our final goodbye to Stan will be on Monday 7 December 2020 at Charing Crematorium @10am. Only family flowers. Those wishing to make a donation in his memory are invited to support the Pilgrims Hospice. Due to current covid restrictions, only 4 BGFC representatives are permitted to attend. They are Chris Dorsett (Hon President), Peter Intrieri (Vice President), Ciaran McQuillan (Vice President) and Dave Homewood (Hon Patron).
Stan, a left-footed midfielder famed for his 40-yard back passes, came down from Glasgow to work and play for the then Kent Paper Company. He joined Bromley Green in 1978 and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. Part of my illustrious squad, along with Chris, that won the Kent Amateur League title in its final season before the advent of the Kent County League, Stan was a true and loyal clubman. He went on to make 153 official league and cup appearances, notching 14 goals, before devoting much of his time and energy to administrative roles both with the Green and various competitions such as the Kent County League, Weald of Kent Charity Cup and the Ashford Charity Trophy. Always candid and honest, Stan occupied with great pride, efficiency and expertise the high posts of BG Chairman and General Secretary. It is an indisputable fact that Stan’s experience and presence was a crucial factor in our years of rebuild that reaped unprecedented success. That experience and knowledge cannot be bought and will be sorely missed.
Away from the field of play, many memories come flooding back. Committee meetings long into the night, Stan’s work for charity and the Buffaloes and, in latter times, his efforts to support the Pilgrims Hospice. Social friends at the Cons Club … one could go on.
Stan, as with many of us elder, Old School, football people, made no secret of his disillusionment with the political correctness that has infiltrated the game we all love, and indeed permeated society itself. A fiesty old debate with opponents (or, often, our own players) and referee and a pint or ten afterwards he believed to be a much more honest and fulfilling experience.
Numerous tributes have poured in from members past and present – and the club plans to honour Stan in a fitting manner when circumstances permit. These include a BGFC family wake with old and new friends welcome, a memorial charity day and a special plaque sponsored by one of our great managers of the past who wishes to remain anonymous. The new clubhouse heralds an important moment of progress in our club’s chequered history and, whilst Stan will not be amongst us to witness its completion, it is part of his legacy and we all owe it to him to make sure we go from strength to strength.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Irene. We talked but Stan never came to terms with her passing – he admitted it. Nothing was ever the same. They are reunited now and Heaven has gained an honest man. From us all Stan, thanks for being you, for being loyal – and upholding values of virtue.
Never to be forgotten, thanks mate and RIP.
Dave Homewood (Hon Patron)
From Laura
Thank you so much Dave for a wonderful tribute to Dad. It’s so comforting to know how important Dad’s contribution to the club was and to know how much he will be missed.
U13 McDonalds please note you have an extra training session on Saturday at Waterside @10am with Damo and Jamie
Wednesday update – no training for Tony and the Dreamers tonight
Wednesday – BG Valiants training is ON as normal with Tom @5pm
Wednesday – Dean has taken the U15s Skoda Caffyns training slot 7pm
Anyone want 5pm slot? Please let me know asap DH
To clarify, there is NO training Tuesday
ADYFL managers/admin please note you have the option to cancel fixtures and resume in the New Year due to the covid concerns … please let Karen Barnes know immediately if you wish to take up the option
training will resume on Wednesday unless managers/admin are informed to the contrary – any manager not using their slot, please let me know as others may wish to jump on as a one-off extra – thanks DH
fixtures for next weekend, with kick off times for home games, are constantly updated on the Events & Fixtures page
All fixtures are postponed due to covid concerns and we resume on the weekend of 9/10 January 2021
Birthday greetings Sunday to Stuart Barnes, Jamie Spiers and former youth team captain Aaron Negus!
Message from Laura (details of Stan’s funeral are on the Events & Fixtures page date 7 December 2020)
Our dear departed Stan resplendent in national costume
Hi Dave,
Thank you so much for your email – Steven and I just want to emphasise how much we have been touched by the Club’s response to Dad’s passing and to know the condolences and tributes have been overwhelming. The plaque and celebratory drinks night you mention for the future in memory of Dad are lovely tributes so please let Steven and I know when you are planning on doing this when circumstances allow.
I read Chris Dorsett’s tribute on your webpage yesterday and to know the impact that Dad has had on the club makes us so proud of him. We will certainly pass this information on to the celebrant.
We would like to invite up to 4 members of Bromley Green Football Club to attend Dad’s funeral – so if you could just let me know who will be there and if possible, an email address, then that would be great.
We are having family flowers only, but have set up a memorial page www.stanleydonald.muchloved.com where people can share memories or stories and make donations to Pilgrims Hospices should anyone wish to donate in memory of Dad. Please feel free to share this with those that knew him.
Birthday greetings Saturday to Jamie Allan, Mickey Mabb, Sarah Field and former players Dan Harris, Kai Sutton, Joe Mifsud and Stuart Taylor!
Good luck today to our last survivors in the FA Cup, Gillingham, who are at home to Exeter City. As Kent is in Tier 3, sadly no supporters allowed.
To all those asking whether we are playing as normal once lockdown is over, I really do not know for certain. Nothing official yet from the FA. The only statement I have read, which does not involve us btw, is from the Southern Counties East League. The Tier 3 grading led them to issue the following …
All matches in the Southern Counties East League are suspended until Saturday, December 26. The board will meet in mid-December to discuss whether it is feasible for matches to resume from that date.
Official BGFC hoodies and hats – great Christmas presents!
Bromley Green FC Hoodies in stock … no more bulk deliveries expected until the New Year so first come, first served and when they are gone, they are gone! Ready badged. Same price as previous years £20. Please BACS to Bromley Green FC Acc 10203874 Sort 20 02 62. Please place order, stating size, with davehomewood@icloud.com or PM Dave Homewood on facebook. Free local delivery before Christmas if required.
Hoody sizes remaining and now available are 5-6 year x6, 7-8 year light blue x1, 7-8 year dark blue x1, 9-11 year x3, small adult x7, medium adult x7
Great Christmas present!
Also in stock – the Bromley Green hat (universal size) … same as above applies and they are still just £6
Advance notice
SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2020 – BG U15s HOME GAME WITH TSS IS POSTPONED DUE TO COVID OUTBREAKS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS (MORE UPDATES AS THEY ARRIVE). To all those suffering from positive tests and imposed isolation, we hope things improve very soon.
Latest photos courtesy of Simon Harris
Keeper still needed for U16s
U16s now have a fantastic squad … but still need a keeper. Contact Maria on 07305412043 for details.
Birthday greetings Friday to former youth manager Sam Phelan!
Tribute from our Honorary President, Chris Dorsett
Stan Donald
It is with great sadness that I, and I’m sure all members, past and present, learned of the sad passing away of our former Chairman, Secretary and player Stan Donald.
Stan I remember as a gritty, determined and skilful midfield player back in the day and he managed to play over 150 times for the Green.
Once though in the BGFC family he quickly was persuaded to help behind the scenes and held the position of Club Secretary for many years and did an enormous amount of work to ensure the games through various age groups, and leagues, were meticulously organised which was no mean feet when we were pretty much the largest football club in East Kent. Later on he took the position of Club Chairman and bought his vast experience, learned not only at BGFC, but also whilst representing the club, serving on the Kent County Football Association for many years as well as many other local league management committees too, which benefited the Club enormously and helped in the success we achieved at all levels of the game. Stan couldn’t resist a role, and football in general and particularly BGFC was all the better for his efforts.
I, and I’m sure those who worked with Stan will remember him as principled, honest, determined, hard working, long serving, and I believe now a true legend of the Club, and will know for certain that BGFC would not be where it is now if it wasn’t for his efforts over such a long time. He will be sorely missed.
Anyone who new Stan, like Dave Homewood and I did, would know that Stan had but one annoying habit, he would always be late for everything, playing, meetings, whatever, but I have to say that his passing at this young age is the first time he was ever too early for anything and for that I, and I’m sure we all, feel saddened.
Our condolences go to Stephen and Laura as Stan is to be reunited with his lovely wife Irene.
Social distancing while I do security checks at the ground today and I aim to be there 11.30am to approx 12.15pm if anyone needs a quick chat or pay me money! If any of the following can pop over, these items can be collected from my car – 581 Dominic Dinsey, 024 James Maguire, 920 Harvey Luxford, 937 Luke Harcourt. More items are expected prior to Christmas subject to our suppliers having stock.
Birthday greetings today to former youth/senior players Gavin Janes and Craig Southen. Gavin, who has family members playing for the club, still supports the Under 18s and often stands in to take training when Will is working.
Sincere thanks to all those that have sent in their tributes to Stan. I will try and get round to answering you all and will publish any family wishes re flowers, charity gifts when known. We will celebrate his life when circumstances allow.
Below is a message from Steve Andrews whose family were prominent in the club during the last century! A product of the club’s much-envied youth policy, Steve progressed into our adult sides where he made 335 appearances, netting on 152 occasions.
Hello Dave,
I trust you are well. I was catching up on the BGFC website, and learnt of the sad passing of Stan. I would like to send my condolences to the family. We all have very fond memories of Stan and an appreciation of what he achieved as a committed individual to BGFC and local football in general. It is people like Stan that make grassroots football work. I first met Stan when I was a skinny 12 year old at Carter’s Field, and I must say he was a huge part of creating an enjoyable sporting childhood for myself and my brother. The BG family have lost a great man. RIP Stanley
We are waiting for official FA news re Grassroots Football returning. On the face of it, come next week, we are back in action. However, whether that remains the case should Kent be categorized as a Tier 3 county is still not certain. The government will make an announcement on Thursday and one can only hope those making decisions listen to our MP, Damian Green, who is not in favour of blanket restrictions and believes Ashford should not suffer due to the worrying situations in the likes of Swale, Thanet and Medway.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday – tried to keep it quiet!
Happy birthday today to our young Hurricanes star Alfie Potts!
Just over a week and we hope to be back training again … updates on here as soon as we receive any information from the FA. If fixtures are going ahead, please refer to the Events & Fixtures page.
At least we will have a roof over our heads!Getting there
