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In the time I've been coming, Alex has been one of the most consistent players that we have had. Genuinely two footed, with more skill than he's given credit for, he has done a great job not only at right back, but also left back, centre back and in midfield when called upon. I certainly don't think of him as one who has cost us points. I'm sure you could look back over all the videos and say that Callum should have saved/not spilled that; defender "x" was out of position there; midfielder "y" didn't track back there; striker "z" missed an absolute sitter there. He was rightly the Player of the Season and I thought he was one of the few originals from the Jimmy days that would be able to adapt to Stimpsons style. For me at least, football is more than just winning points. If that was all I cared about, I'd bog off and just watch Man City. Alex and his family were a big part of what made Hornchurch a proper club with good people. We have lost all bar one of the players that got us to this level and a fair few that kept us here having come in. The vast majority were liked not only for what they did on the pitch, but what they did of it also. I'm happy for sentiment to be a part of football. Without it, the game hs no heart or soul. The new players coming in need to step up in more ways than one.

Get behind and support the team? Have you not seen some of the numbers we have taken away with us this year? If we didn’t support the team most of us wouldn’t have given up all of our Saturdays this year to support them and spent all the money that we have.

He also saved us on numerous occasions over the years. I don't actually recall him costing us points this season Couldn't have been that bad if you win Player of the Year!

Can somebody explain to me how NOT renewing ETFCSS membership/season tickets timely is going to help build a decent team for 2019/2020? We all know that players come and go each season. I'm as disappointed as anyone that Matt Johnson and Joe Wright have chosen to move on, but that is their call. Let the management team get on with their jobs and let's do our bit by renewing. Very few clubs at our level can afford to keep players on a contract for more than a season at a time. If us supporters hold back renewing, the downward spiral begins.

So many good memories and games. My favourites were beating Lowestoft in the playoff final to get back into the Connie South, and so nearly taking a very strong Peterborough side to draw in the F.A. Cup, and of course the Weymouth Cup Game. Fav player for me has to go to Elliot Styles, he was loyal to the club, always gave his all and often had a blood stained bandage around his head to prove it. Worse moment has to be hearing that Jimmy Mac had an unexpected sudden illness. I hope you are making good progress Jimmy.

Interesting that there is a remarkably similar debate to this one on the Hornchurch forum 🤔 !!! We're all non league fans at heart and just want the best for our club. No point in speculating who's leaving and who's joining. We'll find out soon enough. I think back to the "old" days when I first worked abroad and waited for a monthly letter from my dad with clippings from the Gazette. Now the same gossip is a mere tweet or post away. Enjoy the summer everybody, there's plenty of cricket to keep us entertained 🙂 But please renew!!

With the sad leaving of the Club by Alex Bentley, it has bought back the CURSE of the POTY getting the award one minute and disappearing the next. I think we should vote for the worst POTY in the future, at least it won't leave us without who we think is someone a bit special to the Club. 😳

Literally this has been me today But in all seriousness I would like to organise an evening during the close season that all the Hornchurch and former Thurrock fans who started following us this season get to together to get to know each other? Maybe somewhere locally like the Windmill? Anyone up for this? Would be a great opportunity to get us united as one for the new season and bring us close together. Also we can see has the worse drinking habits!

Can everyone read Dave Balls post (blackballed) this is what all supporters should follow. A very wise man

Ive seen some dire performances and greatness at the Bridge over the years but am staying optimistic for the new season nothing wrong with difference of opinion on this forum otherwise it would be boring as in an earlier thread we would sulk off and support Man 5hity

COYU

I’ve seen Alex win games for us with his covering and back tracking. I’m a big fan and I’m sorry he’s gone.

We seem to have this problem every close season, but you know it really is quite simple. The club cannot announce any new signings on non contract because if they do and other clubs with more money than sense offer it to the player concerned, then we stand a good chance of losing the player. Why people are still baffled by this I have absolutely no idea. However, if you are still confused then please let me know and I will then explain it again in block capitals !!!

Sorry I forgot, he's on a contract for another season. UPDATED Re-Signed Remi Sutton George Winn Joe Christou Jordan Clark Lewwis Spence Ronnie Winn Charlie Stimson New Signings Joe Wright - From Enfield Matt Johnson - From Enfield Offered Deal - Awaiting Decision Alex Bentley On Existing Contract George Saunders

My voting form must have been lost in the post. What was the result of the poll?

Piss off Audrey

Hello For our blog 'Two Men In Search Of The Beautiful Game' we went to Parkside for the Isthmian League Cup Final 2019, Hornchurch Vs Enfield Town FC. We wrote all about the game, took loads of photos & made a video too. We would like to invite you all to check it out and hope you enjoy it. Blog - https://beautifulgame2015.blogspot.com/2019/05/you-went-to-old-ground-afc-hornchurch.html Vlog - Please subscribe to our channel - https://youtu.be/cgmRoD1fpLg If you are on Facebook, please come and 'LIKE' our page - https://www.facebook.com/beautifulgame15 - you will find all our photos and videos from the games we attend there. We are also on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/beautifulgame15 - which is also a good way to keep up to date with what we are doing, and you can find us on Instagram too - https://www.instagram.com/beautifulgame15

Hello For our blog 'Two Men In Search Of The Beautiful Game' we went to Parkside for the Isthmian League Cup Final 2019, Hornchurch Vs Enfield Town FC. We wrote all about the game, took loads of photos & made a video too. We would like to invite you all to check it out and hope you enjoy it. Blog - https://beautifulgame2015.blogspot.com/2019/05/you-went-to-old-ground-afc-hornchurch.html Vlog - Please subscribe to our channel - https://youtu.be/cgmRoD1fpLg If you are on Facebook, please come and 'LIKE' our page - https://www.facebook.com/beautifulgame15 - you will find all our photos and videos from the games we attend there. We are also on Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/beautifulgame15 - which is also a good way to keep up to date with what we are doing, and you can find us on Instagram too - https://www.instagram.com/beautifulgame15

I only have a few seasons under my belt, so feel a bit of a fraud. But for more recent events: Best match: AFC Hornchurch 5 - 4 Waltham Abbey. Great, late, comeback win with some stonking goals from both sides, topped off by George's "celebration" to the bench. Best achievement: Winning the Bostick North. Sealing things with a thumping win away at Whitham and seeing the players celebrate with Jimmy in the stands and the party in the clubhouse after. Favourite player: For conistancy and adapaptability, Alex Bentley. Favourite personality. Jimmy McFarlane. Always had time to say hello. Came up to me and introduced himself on the coach to Norwich Utd (as if he needed to). Massive respect for how he has battled against illness. Best experience: Hereford away in the Cup. Out singing the couple of thousand there; battling performance; beer (lots), kamikazee coach drivers. All in all a fantastic day out: Worst experience: Losing to Thurrock in the play-off semi finals. Totally outplayed on the night. Whatever happened to them?

Agree about Harlow PTU - their behaviour was well over the top when we scored. Won’t miss them

Best match - Home play off final against Lowerstoft as a new supporter of a handfull of games at the time it really was an electric atmosphere that day and a fantastic achievement by the club to be promoted to the Conference South. Best Achievement - the team Winning the League last season a well deserved effort by all the lads and it was a pleasure to be a steward supporting them along the way. Favorite Players - I have 3 which have been part of my Urchin journey George Purcell, Alex Bentley and Sam Mott all fantastic players and exceptional professionals who have been a pleasure to watch in my 6 seasons so far. Best Personality - Dave Collis always played up to the fans with his Larger than life ( thanks cup of tea) character made the Pub Team From Essex a joy to be supporting. Best Experience - The day the team claimed the title at Witham last season - a great result that day by the players and then followed the emotional scenes seeing them find Jimmy in the stands after shaking our hands. Also the bar after the game we had a few drinks with the players and it was a very special moment to remember. Worst moments - losing both play off finals - Lowerstoft away couldn't see the game as ground was full with no space for us to stand - Harlow away was just a bad day for the lads made worse with the attitude of the Harlow fans and staff that day especially the ones who were allowed to throw bottles and attack the dug out just because we scored a penalty Where are all the fans now they have been relegated?

Well .. what an eventful week .. I am on the "Andy in" side of the argument - as the target set was to achieve play offs or be close to. Yes I do think we massively under achieved with the team we had, and given the relative weakness of the league, but we were in with a shout until a few weeks to go. I have had a number of conversations with him and personally have a lot of time for him. i cant get to that many games - I think I have done 18 in the season - but as an out of towner do get to see most online afterwards. Can understand the frustration at the poorer performances. The great atmosphere at the Cup Final also makes me think Andy does have support from people not on this forum. If I was the board I would be publicly setting play offs as an absolute target next season, with an improved playing style also required, given this has been clearly raised by many. And that decisions should be made earlier in the season if this is not being delivered. I was expecting the squad to largely remain, with mainly the defence in real need of replacements, allowing us to start strongly, and Andy to build on the team he has created. Seeing three key players walk away from the club immediately at seasons end (including the vice captain that the manager gave his POTY trophy to!) does concern me greatly. Whilst I feel that Andy does deserve another chance next season to finish the job he has started, this was on the basis he could build on the squad he has developed. If he is unable to keep the squad together and it is ripped apart and we are forced to start over again, then I would have to question whether it was in fact time for a change. The blame for back to zero where we were 2 years ago would have to be laid at the doors of the management. Fingers crossed this does not happen and we can maintain the bulk of the team. Ryan B and Mark W both said on their end of season interviews they would be back next season, and Nathan is a more than acceptable replacement for Joe Yes Joe is a better stopper but his distribution has been very frustrating at times. Attacking players of the calibre of Bricknell, Faal, Davison, Youngs, Chaney, Taff, Sayoud, Greene playing together for a 2nd season should give us confidence. Up The Town!

Without a doubt the ESL season was my fav. On our travels we used to out number home fans at least 2/1. The Burnham Beano springs to mind as one of my faves. I think it was the Gordon Brasted final but I may be wrong. Like COT mentions the Weymouth game was something else too...someone naughty let of a smoke grenade in the celebrations too! Also remember in the Connie south season against Ebbsfleet...I believe it was the last game where we had all out superstars at the time. Grimsby away is up there too although not the result we wanted. We have been blessed with many greats over the years Steve Jones scored for fun as did Krissy Lee, Vinny John, Danny Heale, Billy Holland, Jonny Keeling the list is endless. The Lowestoft game was one of the worst experiences 3 hour coach journey, fights with the locals and no where to see the match..fun times! Picture taken Vs Ilford? away...believe it was Elliot Styles debut..and he was shocking, didn't think we'd see him play again. Guess I was wrong...

Best match - Weymouth away , atmosphere was electric and you couldn’t have made up the game best achievement- Jimmy getting us promoted to the conference south , just how did he manage that? Shame a few bad apples let him down the next season favourite player - Simon ‘Jesus’ Parker. Didn’t have an auspicious start but what a player he turned into. Andy Thomlinson a close second. Favourite Personality - Dave Collis , lager than life character (not a spelling mistake!) best experience - getting promoted back to the Ryman Prem at Witham, again the atmosphere in the clubhouse was superb Worst experience - Lowestoft away in the playoffs , don’t know if it was a good game or not as we (Hornchurch) couldn’t get to see the second half. Ground clearly beyond capacity and no noticable stewarding. Lost anyway. Kingstonian away up there as well, awful home fans and loads of security just not lifting a finger to protect the away fans

I'm sorry to say but nothing will change with players and managers leaving clubs whenever they want. We have all seen players' kissing the badge' and saying this is the club for them. However, not too long after they move on for ££££ or because they fell out of love with the club. Sometimes they come back and make out they shouldn't have gone in the first place. As usual, it's the supporters who stay the course.

Also think we’ve doubled the number of posts we write in an entire season today 😂

Can this be at the end of July? Am a wee bit busy until then...

But why not fight for the places then I’m not here to argue with you all it’s about opinions that’s all we will all be supporting them next season and want them to do well

Once the pre season friendlies get under way and new players signed and bedded in everybody will get behind the side that's for sure regardless of where they come from nobody likes change and that's a fact of life I will embrace any player or fan who is prepared to don the Urchin colours

COT, Joe is a very good shot-stopper - loves to save the odd penalty too. I thought he struggled with crosses and his kicking/distribution lacked accuracy. That said, a very decent keeper at this level.

Cuppa.....I think you have one of the best from the Bostik Prem last couple of seasons. Great shot stopper......useful at pens, agile, quick off his line and probably many more assets too. As said previously....our gk's recently seem to have struggled at corners/crosses etc but this is probably more a defensive thing where Town haven't been able to deal with efforts hung up or whipped into the box. Seems you're going to take alot of quality from Donkey Lane.

You have got yourself a very good keeper.Luckily we have replaced him with a very good keeper also.

Well whatever happens it should be an exciting season at Hornchurch and it should be well worth a watch 😊

There is a difference in being sentimental and over sentimental. I was sad Leon McKenzie left, not least because I used to enjoy having a wager in my head each game as to how many times he would get caught offside. He had scored a bucket full of goals, but it was right that he should leave when he did. No one is arguing against progression. The pace and scale of the changes are causing concern. The loss of players who are capable at this level is causing concern. Equally, come the start of the season we will all be cheering whoever plays in the (hopefully) red and white stripes on.

I personally find it hard when we lose players that to me I think of as friends, because not only is it the players but their families as well that have become part of the club. But being sentimental will not win leagues, so we have to stand behind our Directors and manager and move forward and hope it's in the right direction....... COYU'S......

What is happening to our club? are we turning into Thurrock sorry yes we are now Thurrock.

Just remember when we won the Essex senior league the whole side was disbanded the following season and guess what replaced by Thurrock players and didn't we do well we embraced that ok didnt we ?

Very very sad - i've sent him a personal message of thanks

Wishing Alex Bentley the very best if he moves on. A player who puts everything he can into his football and always has time for the fans.

OK, garbage was harsh and unfair (and disrespectful) on the players, but nevertheless in my view I don't think any of the additions, barring Joe, improved the squad. Whether we would have stayed up with or without those players or with or without Stimson running things we'll never know. And at the end of the season when you see the likes of Bentley, Lee, Marks and Purcell all depart and compare them with those that have been retained then there really is no comparison. Alex was a phenomenal player and leader for us. Your comments about Alex say a whole lot about how much you really don't know about this club !

I’m really gutted Alex has gone. It’s not just Alex, it’s his Mum and Dad also who are the nicest people you can ever meet. All three of them are such lovely people. In terms of on the pitch, he is an outstanding leader and has Hornchurch in his heart. He’s also a cracking player! You don’t get voted player of the season twice if that’s not the case! Shame we have no players who have a real Hornchurch connection who have been here for a long time in the squad. Thanks for everything Alex

How sad to see the promotion winning team dismantled like this.

Really sorry to see Alex go one of our stalwarts spoke to him on presentation evening and he said he wanted to stay but was waiting for offer.Really gutted.

How can you possibly let someone like Alex leave yet retain the garbage that arrived from Waltham Abbey?

Theo, 4WF I understand your frustration and appreciate that you are both long time supporters (EFC and ETFC). You're both better placed than me to comment on the quality of the football over the last 2 seasons - I work abroad and only get to a handful of games each year. My point is we are a supporters owned/run club and if the funding dries up, it's not just the first team that suffers. We've seen the "old" club turn to ashes and I have no intention of seeing the "new" club start spiralling the wrong way. That's why I renewed 2 days ago - 3 season tickets and 7 ETFCSS memberships. Most of my family are members and don't even know it 😋 The debate on the forum is healthy but let's not forget: "no club - no debate". I'd rather have sh** football than no football.

Good to hear Nathan McDonald is back at the Club. I felt that Matt Nolan did a great job standing in last season and hope he can continue his development with the Club next season. We need something special to replace Matt Johnson and, as I said before, a quality central defender. Money talks and I believe that is the reason Matt Johnson has left. I am still recovering from the end of season capitulation which cost us a place in the place offs. If the club can strengthen the squad before we restart, I will continue to give them my support. Unfortunately Andy Leese will start the season under immense pressure to deliver. I hope he is up to it!

Only the contracted players have to stay all others are free to go to any club they choose.

Now the friendliness aren’t the strongest but I know it’ll be more about fitness and finding the strongest side for the start of the season. Look forward to this campaign and moving this club forward to where it should be

https://www.afchornchurch.com/2019/05/14/joe-wright-and-matt-johnson-sign/ Welcome to the club gents

i see we got leyton Orient again, that should be a great night and hopefully another full house