News June 09

			Tuesday 30/6/09 Chairman hopefully home for the weekend Sam Elliott reports... St Peter’s Hospital have informed the club that Alan Boon could be back at home as early as Friday afternoon. The chairman suffered a heart-attack on June 7 after collapsing following his return from holiday in Spain. Alan has been in a bad way ever since but the hospital are hopeful he can spend some time with his family before returning for surgery in the near future.Delighted commercial manager Angie Payne said: “I’m thrilled to report that Alan is making terrific progress each and every day. “I have been to see him and he’s up and about. In fact, the hospital say he will be allowed home on Friday if nothing changes in the next couple of days. “Considering how things were not so long ago, this is great news. He is a fighter, we all know that, and some time at home will really help the recovery process. Back to a bit of normality. “He will have to return back for an operation but make no mistake this is great news for Alan, his family and of course all his many friends at Staines Town.” Angie says an appearance at the opening friendly match with Brentford on July 11 will probably come a bit too soon but football is never far from the chairman’s thoughts. She added: “I’m not sure he’ll be ready for the first game of pre-season but he is certainly looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and like the rest of us can’t wait for the new season to start!” The Blue Square South fixtures are due out this week – keep looking back for the latest news!Thursday 25/6/09 Monday 29/6/09 Two more dates added Stuart Moore reports... Two more dates have been added to the pre-season schedule to give it all now a state of completeness. Firstly, the spare midweek at the front of the schedule will now be filled by a short hop across the Thames to Chertsey Town on Tuesday, 14th July. The Combined Counties League side offered us the date most recently and Manager Steve Cordery was happy to take such a game early in the schedule, so he can take a side of mixed experience and see what some new or unfamiliar faces have to offer in amongst a good sprinkling of regular first-teamers. Similarly, at the other end of the schedule, the Swans will travel to Zamaretto League side Burnham on the afternoon of Saturday, 1st August. Of course with a Fulham XI visiting Wheatsheaf Park the very night before, this game will also be a chance to give some members of the squad 90 minutes prior to the start of the new Blue Square South campaign, seven days later. This season our Berkshire opponents will be under new management with former Hampton and Slough Town stopper Jamie Jarvis in chargeCord's First Capture By Stuart Moore and Sam Elliott In the midst of what's been a difficult period at the Wheatsheaf Park club, what with Chairman Alan Boon ill in Hospital and everybody's thoughts with him and his family, of course, Swans manager Steve Cordery has taken a moment out to secure some good news with the confirmed arrival of experienced defender David Woozley- the first new signing over a summer break that Cords had earlier said would be pretty quiet on the player front, as he hopes to extend the existing deals in respect to the squad which saw the Swans deservedly promoted to the Blue Square South following the successful Ryman League play-off Final back in May. The new arrival, a 29 year-old defender brings a wealth of experience with him, having most recently appeared over 50 times for Farnborough last season, a campaign which saw the Hampshire side fall at the final hurdle in their own Blue Square promotion quest, Woozley's influence on the team was constant and, as well as his assured defensive qualities, the big man also added five goals to what looked like being a successful championship campaign until the very last few weeks. Beginning his playing career at Crystal Palace, he made his 'Eagles' debut in March 1999 and kept his place in the senior side until the end of that campaign, making in the end 29 appearances for the Selhurst Park club. Loan spells at AFC Bournemouth and Torquay United eventually led to his departure from the south London club in March 2002, upon which he joined Torquay in a permanent deal, going on to make 60 appearances for the Gulls. Continuing his pro' career with Oxford United and then Yeovil Town, he dropped into the semi-pro' game first with Crawley Town at the start of the 2005/06 campaign and he quickly became a very popular character at the Sussex club, going on to make 75 appearances and even manage the side temporarily during the 2006/07 campaign in the Conference. Leaving Broadfields in August 2007, having taken a new professional role as a Firefighter, Woozley joined Farnborough and was an integral player in their side last term. Upon revealing his new capture, Swans manager Steve Cordery said - "Dave is a player we were looking at this time last year, he was training at Farnborough (whilst going thru' his fireman's job training,) but he decided to stay there [with Farnboro'] to see how things panned-out for him. Having gone back for him over the summer, I'm very pleased to get him on board ahead of this season. Dave is a very experienced player whose impressive CV speaks for itself, really. He's not just a big defender, but a player with great touch and a terrific awareness who can influence those around him and he's a good signing for us as we look to step-up in the Blue Square South this season." As to any further moves in the transfer market, Cords was keen to say he's not looking too far. "I'm looking for everybody to come back again, following our successes of last term, they all deserve a crack at the higher level. We'll doubtless have a few others turn-up for pre-season training, as is always the case and so we'll have a look at what we get and take it from there." Arriving at Wheatsheaf Park, the 6ft defender will add a little bit more strength and guile alongside the likes of Swans skipper Danny Gordon, and his defensive regulars Jake Newton, Marien Ifura, Dave Sargent and Lee Kersey. Swans already look a good bet Sam Elliott reports... With Staines Town now officially a Blue Square South club, the division’s sponsors have been busy collating the odds for the new campaign. After the club took possession of the official Conference signage there is already a great buzz around Wheatsheaf Park with pre-season now just a matter of weeks away. And the pressure seems to be off already – Steve Cordery’s men have been made 20/1 outsiders for the title with the online football specialists. The manager will surely be delighted that his side are not seen as realistic contenders for a second consecutive promotion but with last season’s Ryman Premier champions Dover Athletic favourites at 6/1, the Whites could again be the team for the Swans to beat. Chelmsford City, now under Glenn Pennyfather, are joint second favourites with Dean Holdsworth’s Newport also at 7/1 with Blue Square. Eastleigh, Hampton and relegated Woking are all well-fancied by the bookie – but there’s no doubt Staines fans will fancy a flutter! Odds in full: Dover Athletic 6/1 Chelmsford City 7/1 Newport County 7/1 Eastleigh 8/1 Hampton & Richmond 9/1 Woking 9/1 Havant & Waterlooville 14/1 Bath City 14/1 Weymouth 16/1 Maidenhead United 16/1 Welling United 16/1 Bishop's Stortford 18/1 Bromley 20/1 Staines Town 20/1 Lewes 28/1 St Albans City 28/1 Braintree Town 28/1 Basingstoke Town 33/1 Worcester City 40/1 Weston-super-Mare 40/1 Dorchester Town 50/1 Thurrock 66/1 Odds on offer until August 8 2009 Wednesday 17/6/09 Captain Fantastic targets Blue Square South promotion push Sam Elliott reports... Skipper Danny Gordon has sent unwell Alan Boon a timely pick-me-up – vowing that the chairman will back watching another promotion push after his recovery. The defender spoke of his devastation at hearing the news that the Swans supermo had been rushed to hospital following a heart-attack last Monday. Gordon says the Staines players are chomping at the bit to visit the poorly chairman ahead of tomorrow’s return to pre-season training.The captain has already agreed terms for next season where he will once again surely leading out Steve Cordery’s boys. Danny said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard. First and foremost you worry for the man himself – and then you think about the future for Staines Town without him. It’s simple really, without Alan Boon there is no club. “But we’re all delighted to hear he is improving. I’m in contact with Cords, and I in-turn keep all the players posted. “As soon as we get the all clear the team will be in to see him, with cards and what have you. I know how important the fans’ messages have been so keep them coming.” Gordon thinks the prospect of another season near the top of the table will aid Alan’s recovery. He added: “We’ve already shown we can more than match the best teams in that league – look at the two matches against Hayes & Yeading last season, and they went up. “Nobody’s going to promise promotion but I think we can have a good go. Top ten and a flirt with the play-offs, that’s what I think we’re capable of. “It will be good to get back to training on Thursday. We’re back a bit earlier this year with a few extra sessions and it shows how serious we are about the Blue Square South and having another great season for Alan.”Saturday 6/6/09 Premiership Opposition added Stuart Moore reports.... We have received yesterday (5/06) confirmation from Jenny Christey @ Fulham FC that the Premiership club will again be sending a side to play the Swans at Wheatsheaf Park on the evening of Friday, 31st July. Following the best season in their history, the west London side are looking forward to a European challenge in the coming season as the Cottagers take their place in the inaugural Europa League campaign. In preparation for this Roy Hodgson and his assistant Ray Lewington will be sending a side to take on the Swans. More details as to the make-up of our opponents on the night will be available nearer the date we trust, but having put up a young side in the last two pre-season campiagns, our friends from Fulham have been full of praise for our set-up and hosting and so we hope to maybe see a smattering of familiar faces amongst their squad when they visit again next month. Tuesday 9/6/09 Get well soon Mr Chairman! Sam Elliott writes.. Staines Town can confirm its chairman, Alan Boon, is recovering well in hospital following a heart attack. The Swans supremo fell ill at his home on Sunday night after his return from a week-long break in Spain. He was admitted to St Peter’s hospital and is today being visited by close family. Alan is still undergoing treatment and the club will continue to update supporters with his progress.Commercial Manager Angie Payne said: “We were shocked and concerned when we heard the terrible news but he is now looking a lot brighter which is fantastic. “The hospital has been overwhelmed by well-wishers and phone calls. I’m sure I am not alone in wishing Alan a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back at the club soon.” Mr Staines Town has been instrumental in the club’s rise to Conference football with an involvement that stretches back over 25 years. The chairman had hoped to return to football duty this week and was ready to finalise Steve Cordery’s playing budget for the new season. A thread on the Massive Messageboard has been created for those that would like to send their get well soon messages to Alan.