Ightham FC
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Ightham Football Club
Ightham Football Club are a men's association football team located in Kent.
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[edit] Introduction
The club consists of a first team and a reserve team. The first team play in an all red strip, whilst the reserves play in yellow and blue.
The first team are managed by Simon Durham. Simon is also the secretary of the club. First team captain is Chris Gardner, who took over from long-serving player, James Hollebon, earlier this season.
The reserves are co-managed by Oliver Sparkes and Andrew Johnson. Their captain is Simon Wellington.
The club also has its own website, which is edited by Jon Garrard, who occasionally plays for the reserve team.
[edit] Recent History
In 2005, Ightham were promoted to the Sevenoaks and District Football League Premier Division and won the Smith's Premier Cup. At the end of the 2005-2006 season, they finished 6th in the Premier division. The 2006-2007 season has been slightly more tough for the team however, as the team are hovering just above the relegation zone, though a recent upturn in form could guarantee they remain in the league for another season.
The reserve team were only re-introduced to the league in 2006-2007 season and have been entered into the Sevenoaks and District Football League Third Divsion.
[edit] Ightham FC's Pitch
Ightham are renowned in the Sevenoaks league for their sloped pitch. One corner of which is a mini hill. Former player and now long-serving supporter, "Munch" often encourages the boys to use the slope to their advantage, by shouting "hit the hill!" They often do as he commands. Ightham also made history this year when Murphy (Munch's dog) became the first non-human season ticket holder for a football team.
[edit] Supporter's Songs
Ightham FC's fans are well known for the originality of their songs. Possibly the most famous of which goes, "Na na na na na na na na, Andy Debenham, Debenham, Andy Debenham!"
Other songs include, "147 is Ray's idea of heaven" (about Martyn 'Ray' Reardon) and his Snooker obsession and 'Everything But The Girl's' song "Missing" (about Glen Calvert).
[edit] Nicknames
Some of the best player nicknames in the club are as follows:
'Ray Reardon' for Martyn Reardon, 'Josep Guardiola' for Chris Gardner, 'Skinny' for Tom Wilson, 'Stinky' for Peter Denton, 'Pancs' for James Ashby and 'Sim Card' for Andy Sims.
Chris Gardner is the resident nickname maker.
[edit] The Christmas Party
The Ightham FC christmas party is an annual event held at Ightham Club. It is a fancy-dressed theme with free pork scratchings for everyone who attends. At the party, rare gifts are auctioned off to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going to charity. Jon Garrard usually likes to close the event with his own unique party piece. See - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roJajNA9AJg
Christmas 2006 was the 2nd annual fancy dress party and the winner of the best dressed award surely had to go Ben Mills for coming as a slutty masseuse! The previous years winner was Seb Baker for coming as someone from a different culture/race!
[edit] The Future
Many rumours have ciruclated about where Ightham FC might be in a few years from now. But with their very young squad and a committed and talented young first team coach, many people have suggested that silverware may be on the horizon.
[edit] Links
www.ighthamfc.com
www.sevenoaksleague.net
